My Scientology Movie (2015)
I believe Louis Theroux when he says he wants to make a different kind of Scientology movie; a sympathetic Scientology movie. But I’m not quite convinced he’s succeeded.
Me, John Green and the Manic Pixie Dream Girl: Unfolding Paper Towns
The opening minutes of Paper Towns, the latest instalment in the John Green Cinematic Universe, aren’t especially promising. Our middle-class white teenage protagonist explains, in faux-profound seriousness, that “everyone gets a miracle.” Maybe you win the lottery, maybe you “marry the Queen of England.” Said middle-class white teenager, Quentin (Nat Wolff), has already found his…
Double Feature: God Help the Girl (2014) & We Are the Best! (2013)
It’s not hard to notice the similarities between God Help the Girl and We Are the Best! Each centres on a trio of solipsistic if sympathetic youngsters who combine to express their innermost feelings through the medium of music, forming a band together. Each film is essentially plotless, focusing more on mood and character than…
X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)
There’s been a wealth of conversation recently about the increasing homogenisation of superhero films: Matt Zoller Seitz kicked off the discussion with his piece on “Things Crashing Into Other Things” and I can’t dispute his points. Even if you enjoy most of the new wave of big budget superhero pictures, it’s hard not to notice…
