Heel (Good Boy) (2025)

 

I thought this was going to be a comedy for some reason. It absolutely is not. The film tackles the question of forced rehabilitation. The divide between good guys and bad guys is fluid. There’s some warmth to be found, but always with an undercurrent of tension. An intriguing British indie. 

Rating: C+

Happy-Go-Lucky (2008)

 

Slow, but charming British film that picks up speed whenever Poppy goes for one of her driving lessons. What a fantastic contrast of personalities. 

Rating: C+

Mandy (2018)

Really slow pacing. Took a half hour for anything of note to happen. On top of that, it was really weird. Deeply strange and dark. Second half is quite gory. You’ve been warned.

Rating: D

Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014)

Something different. Could easily be written off as an actor’s film with limited appeal designed to garner award nominations. Which is all true. But for those who do take the time to see this, I think most will generally walk away entertained. It’s bizarre, and a tad bit claustrophobic. I think I appreciated the middle section more than the beginning and end. A film that will be appreciated more for its parts than the total sum.

Rating: C

Shadow Dancer (2012)

A mostly thrill-less IRA thriller.

Rating: C-

Welcome To The Punch (2013)

Not terrible, just sloppy storytelling. No depth to the characters. Full of action movie clichés.

Rating: D+

Oblivion (2013)

Starts off quite strong, with stunning visuals, creative future tech, and a unique premise. You can immediately see why Cruise was drawn to this project. It hits all the Scientology sweet spots, dodging many of the pitfalls that Battlefield Earth fell victim to. (Very similar films actually) Past the midway point, the story gets a bit hokey. It gets harder to overlook plot holes and unanswered questions.

 By the end, familiar plot devices are used to carry us down very familiar territory. Elements of 2001, The Matrix, The Island, and a dozen other films are salvaged to piece together an ending. Too bad.

Rating: C+