The Lost City of Z - 1/5

This is a beautiful, dreary wilderness exploration film that loses its way trying to obliquely shoehorn fake woke musings into an otherwise straightforward narrative. It’s a rainy slough that not only meanders aimlessly like a run-on sentence but ends without much of a resolution. In a more competent film this would seem audaciously presumptuous, but here it just feels like the writers forgot to write the story toward an ending. The only standout elements are the beautiful landscapes and Robert Pattinson’s acting, both of which are excellent and not enough to make the film worth watching.

Closest comparison: It’s like House of Sand and Fog by way of Apocalypse Now.

Setting: Adventure
Plot: Exploration
Tone: Drama

Children of Men - 4/5

The main draw from this movie is certainly the cintematography, with breathtakingly long takes and jawdropping visual trickery that doesn’t distract from the story but supports and enhances it. The premise is pretty novel and the story plods along interestingly enough, building tension on the brink of despair then shining enough of a light to keep the audience watching and hoping. The violence has a passive realism that focuses on the human impact more than the uncomforatable psychology of it, but both are present to a degree. Sill, if you like dystopian sci-fi and difficult film-making, it’s a must-watch.

Closest comparison: It’s like 1984 by way of Birdman.

Setting: Dystopian Sci-Fi
Plot: On-The-Run
Tone: Bleak Survival

The Gentlemen - 4/5

This is the slick new crime action comedy from Guy Richie, and if you like his other films you’ll probably like this one, too. It’s a funny and suave take on the British criminal underground scene with a pert editing style that keeps the pace upbeat and moving. Unlike many of his other films, however, this one starts off with a lot of exposition, but once it finds its footing it does not disappoint. The actors all seem to be having a blast and the ending wraps everything up so neatly that it’s hard to find fault with the slower beginning. It’s great to see Guy Richie back doing the modern gangster films he does best.

Closest comparison: It’s like The Godfather by way of Baby Driver, but without the musical choreography.

Setting: Crime
Plot: Blackmail
Tone: Action Comedy

King Arthur: Legend of the Sword - 4/5

It's not nearly as bad as the other critics are saying. The music is really good, and the editing (except for one part) is exceptionally good. I really liked the non-linear storytelling, and Jude Law's performance is amazing. It helped knowing it was adapted from a graphic novel going into it. If you liked Timeline and you didn't hate Guy Richie's previous Sherlock Holmes movies, I think you'll really like this.

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