Critical Week: Hyper-masculinity

For some reason, I only had one press screening this past week. Film criticism has been contracting for about a decade now, and I am getting increasingly exhausted chasing screenings of big Hollywood studio movies, which are about the only ones that get wide releases. It's easier to keep up with smaller films, both with press screenings and viewing links. I've never needed to watch everything (that would be impossible anyway), and I will no longer relentlessly pursue screenings. I'd rather spend my evenings watching stage performances anyway, and hope to do more writing about these.

BEST OUT THIS WEEK:
Charli XCX: Alone Together
The Northman • The Lost City
ALL REVIEWS >

As for that one screening, it was a good one. Robert Eggers' astonishing Viking action epic The Northman is a wildly thrilling film with full-bodied performances from Alexander Skarsgard, Nicole Kidman, Claes Bang and Anya Taylor-Joy. I also watched The French Boys 4, another collection of terrific French short dramas about complex masculinity from the folks at NQV. And that left me with a bit of time to catch up with three very different movies I'd missed along the way...

The Adam Project
dir Shawn Levy; with Ryan Reynolds, Mark Ruffalo 22/US ***
This time-travel romp isn't nearly as smart as it tries to be, but it's definitely entertaining. The reliably witty Reynolds plays a fast-talking jerk who travels back from 2050 to the present, where he needs help from his annoying 12-year-old self (the sharp Walker Scobell) to save the timeline. As Adam's dad, Ruffalo brings some terrific attitude, as do Jennifer Garner, Catherine Keener and Zoe Saldana. And the effects are first-rate. While the usual time-twisting chaos adds plenty of interest, it's a shame the story and characters are never much deeper than a warm hug.

Studio 666
dir BJ McDonnell; with Dave Grohl, Nate Mendel 22/US **.
Goofy humour and terrific old-school effects infuse this horror romp in which the Foo Fighters play themselves, recording their 10th album in a properly creepy rock-n-roll Encino mansion that was the site of a grisly murder. In the grip of writer's block, Dave Grohl is convinced he's already composed all of his original songs, then he's possessed by a demonic spirit. Slasher movie antics follow. The film tries to be funny and scary, but ends up merely silly and grisly. Although there are hilarious moments (and cameos) along the way, plus lots of fun for the band's fans.

Loev
dir Sudhanshu Saria; with Dhruv Ganesh, Shiv Pandit 15/Ind **** 
I missed this Indian drama six years ago at BFI Flare, then re-met the filmmakers at this year's festival and caught it on Netflix just before it disappears. It's an unusually nuanced drama about a complex romantic triangle, as Sahil (Ganesh) takes old friend Jai (Pandit) on a weekend trip. But Sahil is also preoccupied about his relationship with his boyfriend Alex (Siddarth Menon). The characters have big personalities that aren't always likeable, so the way they interact is both sharp and sometimes provocative. It's also made in an earthy style that finds unexpected wit and emotion while never overstating the themes.

This coming week, I have a number of films to watch, including Gaspar Noe's Vortex and the shorts collection Upon Her Lips: Butterflies. And I have two theatre press nights as well.

BFI Flare: Embrace the competition

BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival powers into its first weekend with a flurry of screenings and events that have turned BFI Southbank into the place to be in London. It's a great place to hang out, mingling with fans, filmmakers and actors. The audiences have been terrific in the cinemas, and it's been fun to see friends and colleagues who have been in hiding for two long years! Here are some more highlights...

The Swimmer
dir-scr Adam Kalderon; with Omer Perelman Striks, Asaf Jonas 21/Isr ***.
With a bracingly sensual aesthetic, this Israeli drama explores the strains experienced by top-level sportsmen, touching on pungent themes so subtly that you might miss them if you blink. Writer-director Adam Kalderon uses bright hues in costumes and sets, plus a lively score by The Penelopes, all of which quietly infuse scenes with a camp sensibility that plays on how the camera lovingly gazes at athletic men in speedos.

Boulevard! A Hollywood Story
dir Jeffrey Schwarz; with Gloria Swanson, Richard Stapley 21/US ****
A true story that echoes a classic movie, this documentary delves into the archives of screen icon Gloria Swanson. Ace filmmaker Jeffrey Schwarz lays out the events with a snappy pace that's hugely entertaining, especially since the tale is so packed with surprising twists and turns. Not only is the film a fabulous account of unknown Hollywood history, but it ripples with deeper themes that make it surprisingly resonant.

Boy Culture: The Series
dir Q Allan Brocka; with Derek Magyar, Darryl Stephens 22/US ***
Filmmaker Q Allan Brocka catches up with the characters from his 2006 movie in this comical six-part series, both based on the book by cowriter Matthew Rettenmund. Once again, the central focus is on a couple that finds it difficult to stay together due to their different views of sex. The dialog and characters are sharp and engaging, and scenes are infused with lustiness, even if it's mainly talk.

Charli XCX: Alone Together
dir Bradley & Pablo; with Charli XCX, Huck Kwong 21/US ****
A knowing exploration of the impact of the pandemic, this documentary unfolds through the eyes of the 29-year-old British pop artist as she reveals details of her life, career, relationships and family. And the film also includes her extended fan family, called Angels, as she invites their participation to create a new collection of songs and videos. It's a colourful, fast-paced film packed with surprisingly powerful moments.

BEST OF YEAR
Great Freedom
dir Sebastian Meise; with Franz Rogowski, Georg Friedrich 21/Aut ****
Earthy and understated, this Austrian prison drama tells a story of resilience amid harsh treatment of gay men in post-war Germany. Filmmaker Sebastian Meise keeps the film tightly focused on its characters, which makes it sometimes startlingly warm as it explores deeper connections between men who are prohibited from being themselves. Starting with Nazi persecution of homosexuality, the film's narrative covers the extension of those laws into the late 1960s... REVIEW >

Full reviews will be linked to Shadows' BFI Flare ANCHOR PAGE 
For tickets and information, visit BFI FLARE