neomastanford Reviews

All of Us Strangers (2023)

A perfect film

[28 March 2024]

I realised towards the end of this film that I was gasping for breath. I had to pause it several times just to catch up with all the feelings it was evoking.

Such a powerful and moving insight into self enforced loneliness and fantasising about what could have been. Themes of loss, love, memory, and time, handled and explored with such care. The intimacy captured so beautifully. I just know I'm going to be thinking about this film for the next few days, nothing has moved me like this in a long time.

Incredible performances from the two leads. Their ability to portray raw vulnerability left me dumbfounded at points.

Perfect soundtrack that complimented the sentiments of each scene. Just the right amount of tension and release. Beautifully balanced in terms of light and dark. A perfect film all round.

American Fiction (2023)

Sweet and funny

[8/10 · 28 March 2024]

I liked this a lot. The story was heart warming and had me smiling throughout. Some really tender moments between the mother and son / between the siblings. Made me think about my relationship with my own siblings.

I particularly enjoyed the exploration of the concept of our hidden selves; what we choose to show to the world and what we hide. To be loved in a way that is fulfilling and true, we need to show our whole selves to those who are trying to love us.

I really liked Sterling K. Brown in this movie. He played his part with a softness that bought tears to my eyes at points. I've never seen him in a role like this before and I thought it was great casting.

The whole story line is captivating and unique. It looks at ideas of 'high' and 'low' art, through a comedic lens. It made me think about my own tendency to label things as 'trash' and see no value in them because they don't fit my own definition of entertainment.

Reality (I) (2023)

Beautifully tense. An important story.

[9/10 · 27 March 2024]

Sweeny is so good at flipping between all the different states we go through during times of high stress.

The small details are great. It makes it a different sort of film to others in this genre. Don't be put off by the synopsis. This is not just another crime drama. It's artistically stylish, subtly awkward, and the tension created is a real achievement on the directors part. I really appreciate how difficult that tension is to create, and have so much respect for the actors and the director in making it so.

Just a really beautifully captured insight into this story, I don't know how it could have been done any better. I loved what they chose to leave out, the empty spaces speak volumes. If you're in doubt about watching, I say give it a try and you'll be enticed within the first few minutes.

Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget (2023)

Insincere and forced

[5/10 · 15 December 2023]

The stop motion is always on point. Impressive, when you think about how much time goes into it.

If you work really hard, you can probably scrape together some respect for the production, but that might be the only feeling you can evoke. The voice acting isn't great, and not just because the original actors are missing. There's a strange disconnect between the animation and the acting, it feels insincere and forced.

The story is nothing new, and it should have been. It should have broke new ground just as the original did. It really feels like they put no effort into creating an original plot and just clung to the coat tales of the first film. Seems like a bad choice.

I want to write something positive about it but I don't really know what that could be. I guess Bella Ramsey was good casting. I'm only giving it 5 stars because I appreciate the time it takes to make stop motion.

Meet Cute (I) (2022)

Touching portrayal of vulnerability

[8/10 · 13 February 2023]

Beautiful and important comment on mental health and the creation of meaning in our lives. We don't know what the future looks like but we must go there anyway. Funny and dark. Both leads work great in their roles and it makes for a touching portrayal of vulnerability and finding love in the wake of a painful past. I wasn't expecting to be so moved, which I think is the mark of a good movie; being surprised.

I also think it was a fairly original concept, even if it might not seem like it at first glance. There's depth to it.

Lastly, the closing scene is absolutely brilliant, with undertones of a Greek tragedy. A really amazing piece of cinema with swelling tension and poignant hesitation.