Submarine

Richard Ayoade’s dark comedy Submarine is served up in three parts, in addition to an epilogue, a prologue, and an introductory letter to Americans instructing that it is an important film and should be watched with respect. It also thanks America for not yet having invaded Wales, the setting of Submarine’s story.  It’s funny and indicative of the brand of comedy Ayoade has in store for the film’s ninety eight minute run-time.... Read More

Never Let Me Go

Mark Romanek’s adaptation of the well respected book Never Let Me Go, by Kazuo Ishiguro is, at one time, both achingly beautiful and as muted as the colors it’s filmed in.  The coming-of-age story surrounding three British teens takes place in a dystopian society where the farming of organs is an accepted practice.  Children spend their whole lives growing carefully into healthy young adults where they are expected to make ‘donations’... Read More

Happy-Go-Lucky

The trailer to this feel-good, British comedy boasts that the film asks the question: what makes us happy? On a superficial level, sure. This might be true. But the movie is much more complex than that and deserves a good looking in to. Happy-Go-Lucky is written and directed by Mike Leigh.  Leigh has been directing since the seventies, and his bigger hits include Vera Drake (2004) and Secrets and Lies (1996).  His writing in this film rivals... Read More