Movie reviews

DRUK (ANOTHER ROUND)

Watchable. The movie tries hard to persuade you that culture is based on intoxication. I'm not buying this idea but the plot centred round a group of seemingly-reasonable adults experimenting with booze meant to improve inter-human relations and release your mind strengths is engaging. An insertion of videos of drunk politicians and mentioning anecdotes about them seems meant to justify alcoholism but also shows how easily you can manipulate public opinion selecting facts. A death would normally show danger but the film so strongly justifies moderate, even if daily, drinking, it's internally contradictory. The highlight is the magnificently choreographed finale. Can I have another round of Mads Mikkelsen dancing, please? In fact, I'd love to see him in a musical next. 

POSSESSOR UNCUT

Watchable. By Brandon Cronenberg, David Cronenberg's son, so it's not surprising the movie shares some key attributes of his predecessor's "eXistenZ" (1999) - humans connecting their bodies to machines and getting lost in what's reality and what isn't as well as Andrew Niccol's "The Host" (2013) - though this mind-intruder is quite earthly. Futuristic chairs and retro glasses represent state-of-art companies. Never mind the assassin one, also Zoothroo deals in shocking data-mining via webcams. They're both evil corporations crossing boundaries of morality and privacy. That's as much is lucid even though the film's based on understatements, forcing you to connect the dots yourself. But as a horror, it fails to scare, too much ketchup-resembling gore - each assassination is splattered with fresh arterial spray. The movie may appear original to youngsters but to those familiar with David Cronenberg's work it's the same fun updated and reloaded. Just how many times can you serve the same fare?

AMMONITE

Watchable. Another costume lesbian story, hard even not to compare to "Portrait de la jeune fille en feu" ("Portrait of a Lady on Fire"), also taking place by the seaside. This one is only occasionally subtle though and far from sophistication - there's even some hot woman on woman action. Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan shed their purely romantic image. Elaborate period dresses of one of the women contrast with austere ones of the other since the second bottom is a class clash. Erotic passion mixes with an admiration of a rare specimen they both seem to be to each other. Masterful sound effects render this simple tale vivid, as if you were there. 

All seen online, cinematic reception might differ.