Thoughts on recent movies:

Monsters. A slow, thoughtful road movie through South America - which happens to have monsters in it. Too slow for some (its not the fast paced monster/action movie that was advertised) but nevertheless an outstanding technical achievement given the £500k budget. Some of the non-professional actors in supporting roles are a joy to watch.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1. Does with Harry Potter what Monsters does with monster movies - downplays the familiar (no Hogwarts here), slows down the pacing, and goes on a road trip/camping expedition. The slower pace and deeper characterisation make this one of the best potter films.

The Way Back. Another road trip. A group of men escape from a 1930s Siberian prison camp and walk all the way to India. Assured filmmaking that provides an entertaining 2 hours and is at times slightly moving, though not particularly original or memorable.

The American. A subtle, slow paced thriller which, like Monsters, can lead to some bored audience members expecting a James bond film with George Clooney in. Like The Way Back it’s absolutely enjoyable and very well made, just not particularly groundbreaking. It does well at invoking the late sixties/early seventies in aesthetic, character and plot: but then so does its poster.

Love And Other Drugs. Two unlikeable characters fall in love in this slightly pretentious rom-com where Jake Gyllenhaal must learn his evil consumerist ways (though he doesn’t change much) and Anne Hathaway suffers from early onset Parkinson’s (which just seems to make her a bit of a bitch). The inept humour relies on erection jokes and fat room-mate jokes, which were done better in the 40 Year Old Virgin and Going The Distance respectively.