BLACK MIRROR S5
(Netflix)
Is the Charlie Brooker brilliance beginning to wear off? After the novelty and occasional genius of Bandersnatch, this three-episode fifth season is lacking a little spark. First episode Striking Vipers is a smart investigation of marriage and desire which ultimately sputters out towards the end. Smithereens is superbly directed and ultra-tense, the best of the season, but its ending is little more than a PSA, whilst the final episode starring Miley Cyrus is good fun but ultimately treads very familiar ground for Black Mirror. Netflix bloat is taking effect – good TV weakened by diminishing returns. ** words Fedor Tot
BODIES AND SOULS: THE CINEMA OF CLAIRE DENIS
(Mubi)
Claire Denis is a treasure, an endlessly imaginative visionary whose films, even when misunderstood at first glance (as so often), keeps finding ways to tell stories in unique, evocative ways, exemplified by the recent release of the brilliant High Life, starring Robert Pattinson. Just as well, then, that Mubi are bringing a season of her films to its platform, including the career-best of Beau Travail, one of the greatest films of all time, rife with male-on-male longing and repressed desire. Elsewhere are some lesser-seen deep cuts – Nenette and Boni, as well as difficult and complex recent work like White Material and Bastards. Long may the queen reign! ***** words Fedor Tot
THE PERFECTION
(Netflix)
This Netflix original release stars Allison Williams, she of the crazy girlfriend in Get Out in an altogether not too dissimilar role. Here, she is a former classical music prodigy who returns to the academy that took her in and strikes up a relationship with new prodigy Lizzie (Logan Browning). I won’t divulge more of the plot than that, as part of the film’s pleasure is its constant twistiness. The Perfection is a gloriously entertaining mix of the highbrow and the pulpy, ugly lowbrow, and frankly, we need more horror like this. **** words Fedor Tot
LA RONDE
(Bluebell Films, Blu-ray)
A re-release of one of post-war European cinema’s most well-regarded films. Max Ophüls’ La Ronde is a comedy of sorts, following pairs of lovers through their trysts, with one half of each pair connecting each segment like a cinematic game of pass the parcel. For this writer, I’ve always preferred his straight-ahead melodramas, so rich in Mitteleuropan elegance and literary grace are they, whilst his comedies have not dated so easily. That said, the camerawork and set design is utterly stunning, as always with one of cinema’s greatest stylists, aided by a fine Blu-ray transfer. *** words Fedor Tot
TWO FILMS BY JOHN WOO: HAND OF DEATH AND LAST HURRAH FOR CHIVALRY
(Eureka, Blu-ray)
John Woo, of course, is one of the greatest action directors of all time. Whilst most of us are familiar with his OTT 90s work – Face/Off, Broken Arrow – and the older of us may even remember the brilliance of Hard Boiled and The Killer, Eureka have done film fans a huge service by bringing two of his early 70s films back into circulation. The Blu-ray transfers look great, the booklet is informative and insightful, and whilst not bulging with extras, what is there is helpful. And the films themselves? Well, Hand Of Death is leavened a little by lack of budget, whilst Last Hurrah is altogether much more accomplished and confident. Both have scores of absolutely superb direction and beautifully handled choreography – a must for action fans. **** words Fedor Tot