Film Reviews

Where stories meet critique and insight

Hamnet

  • Director: Chloé Zhao
  • Cast: Jessie Buckley, Paul Mescal, Zac Wishart

I took a first look at Hamnet today. The film produced by Steven Spielberg and Sam Mendes is really an origin story for William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet, which is set around the grief of the loss of a child and a tragic expression of the misery he was feeling as he wrote it.

Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal take the lead roles of Agnes Skakespeare and William respectively. Both are excellent, capturing the extreme emotions present at times of grief and love and passion. There is already talk of an Oscar for Buckley and on this showing that is hard to argue with.

The entire production is lovely to look at with the Stratford Upon Avon dwellings of the sixteenth century rendered in their full bucolic glory. Along with the dirt and poor sanitation early death was common among children and Hamnet was a victim of one of the many fevers which plagued the country.

I have to admit I went to the screening fully prepared to mock what could easily have been a luvvies love-in. In-jokes, references to the bard, the play and its cultural impact could have made the whole production elitist and removed from an accessible movie-going experience.

Thankfully and delightfully this was not the case as I let the words, the acting by all cast members and the production wash over me wrapping me up in a warm winter blanket. I admit to being seduced by the film and would recommend it to anyone who likes this sort of thing.

Fast and Furious it is not but it is lovely to look at and soak in the pleasure this movie brings.

Nuremberg (2025)

  • Director: James Vanderbilt
  • Cast: Russell Crowe, Rami Malek, Michael Shannon, John Slattery

“Nuremberg” is an excellent courtroom drama by way of psychological thriller and historical biopic. In the wake of World War II and the Allies’ victory, a group of disparate lawyers, officers and medical personnel must first process, then hold individuals to account, for atrocities committed by the Nazis before their downfall in early 1945.

The highest ranking among them, Hermann Goring, here played by the always watchable Russell Crowe, admits his position in the party and adherence to the theories of the Nazi regime. In practice, however, he denies any and all knowledge of the Concentration Camps true purpose and their role in The Final Solution (Genocide of the Jewish race and in fact anyone deemed to be inferior).

It is then up to United States Supreme Court Justice (Michael Shannon) along with his British counterpart, Sir David Maxwell Fyfe (Richard E Grant) to hold the remaining Nazis to account and put them on trial for Crimes Against Humanity. Apparently the first time in our history this had been attempted. Medical experts, including US Army Psychiatrist Douglas Kelley (Rami Malek) are then drafted in to assess the state of mind and culpability of the former leaders of Germany. What follows is an exploration of responsibility, accountability, propaganda and a depressing view of what people are prepared to do in the name of an Ideal.

That’s not to say Nuremberg isn’t compelling viewing, it absolutely is. The cat and mouse game, with constantly shifting dynamics, between Dr Kelley, his Navy superiors, Goring, his family and the members of the international court are worth the price of admission alone. Add to that yet another masterful performance from Russell Crowe as the caged but still dangerous Nazi along with excellent turns from John Slattery, Lydia Peckham, Colin Hanks and Wrenn Schmidt make for a powerful and compelling drama. The sacrifice and cost to those who have engage with monsters is made abundantly clear, and the clear message that only by understanding evil can we ever hope to defeat it is a hopeful note amongst the sobering tone of the movie

Nuremberg is available now at selected cinemas and on general release for home streaming on Sky.

The Whole Bloody Affair.

Quentin Tarantino’s epic two part opus, released separately in 2003 and 2004 is finally available on wide release as one, single four and a half hour epic.

Shame then that the world seems more interested on a flippant opinion expressed on a podcast by the notoriously mouthy director. Apparently, he said that Paul Dano was the weakest link in There Will Be Blood, the two hander with Daniel Day-Lewis directed by Tarantino’s friend and colleague, Paul Thomas Anderson. A lot of people disagree, vocally, but few have pointed out that Quentin himself is a ridiculously weak actor. He would also be the first to admit it, then not give a f*ck about it being said.

It’s a shame the hype over this non-story has slightly overshadowed the release of one of his most iconic movies in a back catalogue bursting with them. Feelings aren’t facts, and arguing about someone else’s is a waste of time and energy.

Having seen the original on two parts as they came out, I was intrigued to experience them together on the big screen. There is a massive tonal shift between volumes I & II, and it was good to note that with slight editing and excising of teasers intended to bring fans back to the multiplex for part two: the two parts work well as a whole. Especially with a fifteen minute intermission to digest the blood soaked chaos of part one before returning for the more philosophical, character driven second half.

It was great to get the chance to see such a massive film in the cinema. The writing, vivid characters, music (both the obligatory obscure song choices of QT and original score composed by Wu Tang Clans The RZA), acting, outstanding Cinematography by Robert Richardson and ferocious fight sequences by Yuen Woo-Ping all added to the mix. At the end of the day, what makes a Tarantino film so good is his knowledge of cinema combined with his idiosyncratic way of presenting his version of it. With Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair, we get to see the bridging point between the early filmmaker who gave us Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction and the old master who made The Hateful Eight and Once Upon A Time In Hollywood.

For new viewers, it is still an action packed, humorous, dynamic and ultimately philosophical movie about Revenge and how people change over time, or in the course of a single day.
That alone makes it worth the price of admission.

Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair is on wide release at cinemas now and will be available on streaming services on 2026