Editor’s note
Stop it! I’m getting anxious about all these great recommendations that are piling up. 😀
A reader posted this comment yesterday and I realised that it’s probably time to check in to see whether the frequency etc. of these updates is working for everyone.
I always intended that these updates would be low impact – easy to ignore if you had already seen something, or knew that it wasn’t for you, and that (mostly) you could read them in a couple of minutes.
Let me know what you think.
While we are at it, I’ve been considering some slight changes for myself. When I started, I assumed that my back catalogue was so extensive that three out of five updates could be recycled. What I’ve discovered is that lots of what I want to recommend to you isn’t available anywhere – or are only digital rentals and I’m conscious of how those costs can mount up when people are already paying for streaming services.
Also noticeable is the fact that the archive only really covers films released between 2006 and now – with the bulk from 2007-2013. I’m becoming frustrated by the lack of variety.
If I’m going to stand behind my mantra that “there are a lot more good old films than there are good new films”, I need to visit or revisit older titles which in turn means more new writing about older films.
And I always said that the new writing would have to go behind the paywall1 as that is what takes the most work.
Another consideration is the to-be-watched pile of physical media which is growing faster than I can get to them2. A lot of the best and most interesting stuff is on those shelves and I’d love to be able to bring them to you.
So, my slightly adjusted schedule as from next week is that Monday will remain new releases and there will only be two recycled pieces, leaving room for two new recommendations. They could be TV – we are steadily working through new series on the streaming channels – or feature films that for one reason or another I haven’t written about elsewhere.
Unless you tell me that’s too much to stay on top of and I should slow down.
A year ago in the new releases newsletter for 6 October, I wrote about Reptile behind the paywall.
It’s worth a look, though, especially if your taste is for solid, old fashioned, character drive thrillers.
Benicio Del Toro anchors this atmospheric and stylish murder mystery as Tom Nichols, a big city homicide detective in a small town, painstakingly tracking down the conspiracy behind the brutal murder of a local real estate agent.
Regular filmgoers, such as yourselves, will have a fair idea where this is going but it is the getting there that is the pleasure. Old fashioned film grain, rainy locations, bursts of violent energy – it’s like it could have been made in the 70s.
Del Toro co-wrote the script and has fashioned for himself a character well-suited to his tremendous talents. At times I was reminded of Robert Mitchum – not doing very much but always holding your attention.
Also in that 6 October update, the New Zealand coming-of-age Springbok Tour drama Uproar, French anti-terrorist thriller November, John Carney’s charming Flora and Son, French romance The Tasting, and franchise horror The Exorcist: Believer.
Where to watch Reptile
Worldwide: Streaming on Netflix
Usually it’s a very mild paywall where I cut things off at the “Where to watch” stage, meaning anyone with basic Googling skills shouldn’t be too inconvenienced.
This is the ‘to watch’ shelving unit at the moment. When I’ve ticked them off, they move into another room.
What ever works for you as a creator will work for me as a reader. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself
Many decades ago I was a regular movie attendee, especially of the film festival type movies. (Charlie Grey's was a favourite location). Then life got in the way so I started relying on movie reviews to feed my movie fix. Life is still busy but there are small pockets of space starting to open up to allow me watch movies once again. However, movie reviews have now become an integral way of indulging my interest in movies. So. even if I can't watch a movie or show, a good review (like those offered here) is much appreciated. This is a way of saying, you write 'em and I'll read 'em. There's always going to be too much out there that I am not going to be able to watch because either a lack of time or inaccessibility. But, that's life. :)