Latest from Richard James Havis
Although the film has its heart in the right place – the story is a metaphor for dealing with depression – it is hampered by a wafer-thin storyline and some pedestrian animation.
Although the film has its heart in the right place – the story is a metaphor for dealing with depression – it is hampered by a wafer-thin storyline and some pedestrian animation.
The film is spoiled by stereotyped characters and a soap opera approach. The farcical plot appears to be looking for sympathy for Nazis.
The film is spoiled by stereotyped characters and a soap opera approach. The farcical plot appears to be looking for sympathy for Nazis.
Shiri, released 20 years ago, outperformed Titanic in South Korean cinemas and was a big part in the success of the Korean wave. The director used many Hollywood storytelling devices, while keeping the content strictly Korean.
Shiri, released 20 years ago, outperformed Titanic in South Korean cinemas and was a big part in the success of the Korean wave. The director used many Hollywood storytelling devices, while keeping the content strictly Korean.
Little is known about North Korea’s domestic feature films, but a German travelling film roadshow once gave a peek into this mysterious world.
Little is known about North Korea’s domestic feature films, but a German travelling film roadshow once gave a peek into this mysterious world.
New ways of storytelling and rich political allegories were the innovations that this new breed of maverick directors introduced. Bold in abstraction and symbolism, their films relied on images rather than dialogue for expression.
New ways of storytelling and rich political allegories were the innovations that this new breed of maverick directors introduced. Bold in abstraction and symbolism, their films relied on images rather than dialogue for expression.
Director Josie Rourke brings a fresh, feminine viewpoint of sisterhood and female solidarity between Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots. But the film is let down by a fabricated, close relationship between the two that never existed.
Director Josie Rourke brings a fresh, feminine viewpoint of sisterhood and female solidarity between Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots. But the film is let down by a fabricated, close relationship between the two that never existed.
Child abuse, human trafficking, extreme poverty and the problems faced by undocumented individuals are the issues tackled in this dark drama that was nominated for best foreign-language film at the 2019 Oscars.
Child abuse, human trafficking, extreme poverty and the problems faced by undocumented individuals are the issues tackled in this dark drama that was nominated for best foreign-language film at the 2019 Oscars.
The Udine Far East Film Festival screens commercial films from East Asia, mainly from Hong Kong, China, South Korea and Japan but increasingly from Southeast Asia.
The Udine Far East Film Festival screens commercial films from East Asia, mainly from Hong Kong, China, South Korea and Japan but increasingly from Southeast Asia.
Jessica Rothe reprises her role in this Groundhog Day style horror. The multiverse angle makes for an entertaining plot, but you have to have seen the first film for it to make sense.
Jessica Rothe reprises her role in this Groundhog Day style horror. The multiverse angle makes for an entertaining plot, but you have to have seen the first film for it to make sense.
The biopic of former Republican vice-president covers the full span of 78-year-old life, and puts the oft-held view that it was he, rather than president George W. Bush, who was running the administration.
The biopic of former Republican vice-president covers the full span of 78-year-old life, and puts the oft-held view that it was he, rather than president George W. Bush, who was running the administration.
The late Cambodian king, who died in 2011, fell in love with the cinema as a child watching French films. Throughout his 60 years of filmmaking he sought to promote traditional Khmer culture.
The late Cambodian king, who died in 2011, fell in love with the cinema as a child watching French films. Throughout his 60 years of filmmaking he sought to promote traditional Khmer culture.
Director Hans Petter Moland tries to replicate the ironic tone and deadpan delivery of Coen Brothers films, but falls well short in this outing, while the Tarantino-inspired mayhem is often more childish than witty.
Director Hans Petter Moland tries to replicate the ironic tone and deadpan delivery of Coen Brothers films, but falls well short in this outing, while the Tarantino-inspired mayhem is often more childish than witty.
Miha Bodytec machine improves effectiveness of a workout by stimulating 90 per cent of muscle fibres compared to 20-25 per cent in normal workout. ‘It’s like I am DJ’ing the body’, says trainer Mohamed Elzomor, of Manhattan’s PE Club.
Miha Bodytec machine improves effectiveness of a workout by stimulating 90 per cent of muscle fibres compared to 20-25 per cent in normal workout. ‘It’s like I am DJ’ing the body’, says trainer Mohamed Elzomor, of Manhattan’s PE Club.
Joyce DiDonato says that opera is a powerful weapon and can remind people of the effect their actions have on the world ahead of her Hong Kong performance on January 16.
Joyce DiDonato says that opera is a powerful weapon and can remind people of the effect their actions have on the world ahead of her Hong Kong performance on January 16.
A film that draws heavily on traditional Christmas sentiment, this is animation at its most basic. It is straightforward festive-season fare for young children, but well made nevertheless.
A film that draws heavily on traditional Christmas sentiment, this is animation at its most basic. It is straightforward festive-season fare for young children, but well made nevertheless.
The sequel to Wreck-It Ralph puts a fascinating spin on the internet and is not afraid of showing the problems of trolling and the dark net, the perils of online fame – nor of taking a swipe at long-standing Disney values.
The sequel to Wreck-It Ralph puts a fascinating spin on the internet and is not afraid of showing the problems of trolling and the dark net, the perils of online fame – nor of taking a swipe at long-standing Disney values.
In this fascinating character study of mean people, McCarthy doesn’t make her character likeable. Richard E Grant puts on an enjoyable act as a flamboyant street hustler.
In this fascinating character study of mean people, McCarthy doesn’t make her character likeable. Richard E Grant puts on an enjoyable act as a flamboyant street hustler.
The Nature Conservancy’s story instils a love of nature in students by encouraging them to develop environmental solutions in their schools
The Nature Conservancy’s story instils a love of nature in students by encouraging them to develop environmental solutions in their schools
The Nutcracker and the Four Realms trades fairy tale romance for a message of female empowerment, with young star Mackenzie Foy putting in a good show as a fearless physics whizz.
The Nutcracker and the Four Realms trades fairy tale romance for a message of female empowerment, with young star Mackenzie Foy putting in a good show as a fearless physics whizz.
Wang Bing says he doesn’t think about whether his films will foster social change, but is happy to ‘plant the seeds’ with Chinese audiences; making documentaries with a small crew allows him to escape the attention of Chinese authorities.
Wang Bing says he doesn’t think about whether his films will foster social change, but is happy to ‘plant the seeds’ with Chinese audiences; making documentaries with a small crew allows him to escape the attention of Chinese authorities.
Shen Teng stars in this film about a man who has to spend 1 billion yuan in a month to inherit his uncle’s fortune.
Shen Teng stars in this film about a man who has to spend 1 billion yuan in a month to inherit his uncle’s fortune.
The brilliant but disturbing South Korean film remains a strikingly original work
The brilliant but disturbing South Korean film remains a strikingly original work
Humour and humanity are the hallmarks of a film set in India, the world’s largest democracy
Humour and humanity are the hallmarks of a film set in India, the world’s largest democracy
Filmmakers milk the script for all its worth, but its positive tone means you will not need to take any extra tissues; Mukerji makes her constant verbal and physical tics seem natural and uncontrived.
Filmmakers milk the script for all its worth, but its positive tone means you will not need to take any extra tissues; Mukerji makes her constant verbal and physical tics seem natural and uncontrived.
The celebrated director’s lifelong fascination with Sir John Falstaff yielded a poorly received play that blossomed into a film that confirms Welles as America’s greatest filmmaker.
The celebrated director’s lifelong fascination with Sir John Falstaff yielded a poorly received play that blossomed into a film that confirms Welles as America’s greatest filmmaker.
Day of the Soldado is relentlessly grim and should be a hit with action fans, with 17-year-old Isabela Moner in particular convincing as a kidnapped teen.
Day of the Soldado is relentlessly grim and should be a hit with action fans, with 17-year-old Isabela Moner in particular convincing as a kidnapped teen.
Oscar-worthy performances and gripping action make the 1985 movie, based on a script by the legendary Akira Kurosawa, well worth revisiting
Oscar-worthy performances and gripping action make the 1985 movie, based on a script by the legendary Akira Kurosawa, well worth revisiting
It might not be as frightening as the original, but Goosebumps 2 is still a watchable slice of Halloween fun. Jack Black probably shouldn’t be in it though.
It might not be as frightening as the original, but Goosebumps 2 is still a watchable slice of Halloween fun. Jack Black probably shouldn’t be in it though.
Felix Van Groeningen’s film is based on the separate memoirs of a teenage crystal meth addict (Chalamet) and his loving father (Steve Carell) and shows the destruction that addiction can wreak on a family.
Felix Van Groeningen’s film is based on the separate memoirs of a teenage crystal meth addict (Chalamet) and his loving father (Steve Carell) and shows the destruction that addiction can wreak on a family.
Originally banned by Turkey for its portrayal of sadistic guards, the celebrated film is also an exploration into the nature of justice
Originally banned by Turkey for its portrayal of sadistic guards, the celebrated film is also an exploration into the nature of justice