Sandy’s Film Reviews

656 Films have been rated or reviewed by Sandy.

Fish Called Wanda, A (1988): Rather silly fun.
National Theatre: 50 Years on Stage (2015): Very interesting & diverse. Many great actors strut their stuff. Well worth seeing.
London: The Modern Babylon (2012): Paean to London's diversity & resilience through the 20thC set against brilliantly chosen popular songs. Not strictly a documentary but a rich portrait. Powerful social comments along with the funny & familiar. No grist to the anti–immigration mill here
Magnificent Tati, The (2009): Review by a director who was no fan at first – see Extra. Tati is revered in France as a mime artist & bridge with silent era greats. Lovely reprocessed classics, esp. M. Hulot's Holiday, which I've seen 20+ times. Repeat viewings reveal more nuances.
Hidden Figures (2016): Stunning – full of unknown facts. The US Space Program was built on the genius of black women mathematicians discriminated against by colour (1961) & gender. Their courage & determination shines esp. in extra interviews of the actual women. A great movie.; DVD ~~$19.95~~ $14.95
Renoir (2012): Beautiful & interesting drama–doco on the two Renoirs, painter & filmmaker son; how they both exploited women in similar ways. Idyllic landscape, but at the heart a sharp edge which erodes this Eden.
Samba (2014): Very moving & topical; well–made. Light–hearted but very sensitive. Charlotte Gainsbourg & Omar Sy are terrific actors giving outstanding nuanced performances. A gem!
Nikita (La Femme Nikita) (1990): Classic French action thriller with subtlety. Has stood the test of time very well and apart from the absence of computers & smartphones could have been made yesterday! Besson was a great Director.; DVD $19.95
Helvetica (2006): Extremely interesting & well–made film on the role of typefaces in design & communication. Fascinating visuals, good discussion of the modernist/post–modernist split & the way forward. Essential viewing for those interested in design & communication.
Closet, The (Le Placard) (2001): Limp & silly compared with Veber's previous brilliant comedies.

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Sandy’s Film Reviews