POLITICAL APOCALYPSE

The political landscape doesn't change but the cast rotates and we all have to grin and bear it. It defies logic what's been going on at the other side of rotating door of 10 Downing Street, it feels like musical chairs is the new manifesto. Default leaders in charge of a listing ship do not inspire confidence, nor do they make a rational argument for not having an election, where the Great British Public can make a decision as to who they might prefer to take the reins.

It's hard to know who to trust though, that's the biggest take away from all this. Are any of the senior politicians who might fill the hot seat trustworthy? do any of them not have corruption shaped skeletons in their closets? It seems that they all have stories of arrogance, back handers, illicit liaisons and other shenanigans that don't befit a leader.

This is the modern political dilemma; the lesser of evils is the choice. The least grubby, the preference. The less tainted, gets the nod. In the ongoing political apocalypse every candidate appears to be a Colonel Kurtz.

Someone once said "democracy isn't working" and as it's the only system available I guess we are stuck with it. However, democracy can only work if the voter is educated. It can only work if, once educated, the voter can trust the candidates, and if the last couple of decades have taught us anything is that, while trust funds are abundant, trustworthiness is in short supply in Westminster

MAKE THE DECISION TO SEE DECISION TO LEAVE

Decision To Leave sees Park Chan-wook reassert himself as the leading Korean director and more, he reminds everyone that he is in the upper echelons of directors, full stop. It’s a film that channels Neo-Noir, Police Procedural and Melodrama to mesmerising effect, oh, and it looks amazing.

The performances from the two leads Tang Wei and Park Hae-il are quietly intoxicating and a counterpoint to the drama and violence on the surface. Each scene is composed in such a way as to make you want to linger and absorb the atmosphere. The enigmatic nature of the story leaves us with questions and conclusions we aren’t sure of.

It’s a beautiful film which showcases Kim Ji-yong’s cinematography to full effect in both landscape and domestic tableau. It leaves you feeling satisfied with the experience yet unsure of the denouement. It’s been compared to Vertigo, and if it has any similarities with Hitchcock’s masterpiece it’s in the way it makes one evaluate the meaning of obsession and how it can manipulate us, all of us.

THE BIG FOUR -OH!

So, I’ve reached the big four-oh. No, not in age; that was some time ago, I’m talking about new films seen this year; the majority at the Cinema. On balance there have been some good films with a dash of disappointing ones. Heres my list in order of favourite to least favourite

1. Titane- Unique, powerful and provocative. I loved Titane,  Rouselle and Lindon are superb

2. Moonage Daydream-Mesmeric film making

3. Red Rocket-Misfits connecting in this wonderful under seen drama 

4. Ambulance- Totally unexpected action treat. Adrenaline paced fun

5. Licorice Pizza-PTA brings us yet another excellent piece of filmaking

6. The Northman-Powerful movie that punches you in the face

7. Nightmare Alley-As remakes go, this is right up there

8. Parallel Mothers- A film that spins it's web deftly

9. Here Before-Andrea Risborough is one of the greatest actors currently working and her intensity is perfect for the subject matter

10. Belfast-This coming of age story is great in every department

11. The Batman-Tremendous tale of the new Dark Knight

12. True Things-An intense tale of desire and obsession

13. Boiling Point-Stephen Graham gives a bravura performance in this anxiety inducing one shot

14. The Duke-I thoroughly enjoyed this whimsical movie. As one would expect, great performances from Jim Broadbent and Helen Mirren

15. The Real Charlie Chaplin-Superb insight to the once most famous man on the planet

16. The Worst Person In The World-Life with it's complications unwrapped in this terrific drama

17. Top Gun : Maverick-Surprise of the year, losing oneself in this movie is what cinema is all about

18. Men-When Eve ate the apple in the garden of Eden...

19. Prey-Great concept executed with panache

20. Nope-Peele does it again. He has a masterpiece in him methinks

21. Operation Mincemeat-An efficient drama about wartime ingenuity

22. X - Great surprise this tidy tale of terror

23. Dr Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness-For Comic book fans this Sam Raimi offering has it all

24. The Gray Man-Has it's knockers but is enjoyable high octane hokum

25. The Tragedy Of Macbeth-Visually great tale of the Scottish King

26. Where The Crawdads Sing-Interesting slow burn movie

27. Death On The Nile-Christie done just right

28. Black Phone-A retro tale that's really effective

29. Don’t worry Darling-Florence Pugh is immense. Some casting issues but enjoyable

30. Jackass Forever-Funny? Yes in parts, a reasonable finale for the boys

31. The Power Of The Dog-Looks great but somewhat lack lustre

32. Fresh-A decent concept but lacked real jeopardy

33. Thor : Love & Thunder-Decent in parts, lightness and darkness in equal measure

34. Everything Everywhere All At Once -A tad too meandering for me 

35. The Matrix Resurrections-Forgettable

36. West Side Story-To remake a masterpiece you need to nail it. Spielberg didn't nail it

37. Eternals-Unsure what sort of movie it wanted to be

38. The Unbearable Weight Of Massive Talent-The Unbearable Waste Of Massive Talent

39. Bullet Train-A nineties Guy Richie wannabe that fails even that task

40. Crimes Of The Future-As a big fan of Cronenberg I have to say that this is his "forget it he's rolling" moment