Just A Little Bit Random

Nosferatu – Review

Cert – 15, Run-time – 2 hours 12 minutes, Director – Robert Eggers

Transylvanian vampire Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgård) spreads a plague throughout the German city of Wisborg in pursuit of a young, recently-married, woman (Lily-Rose Depp).

Over the last few years I’ve praised Robert Eggers for being a master of atmosphere. Whether isolating us on a cramped, delusion-inspiring rock or throwing us into the screaming rage of Viking revenge there’s always been an intense stylistic feeling to his films that draw you into the individual world. Not just from the aesthetic but also because of his directions and the ways in which each world is captured. Eggers passion for Nosferatu has been well-noted in the build-up to his take on the story and you can tell he’s thought a great deal about the style and look of his latest film.

It’s perhaps why the atmosphere in this case largely seems to come from the visual side, the darkness and playing with shadows – we frequently see the clawed hand of the titular vampire flying over and consuming the German city of Wisborg as if to grab and clutch it – alongside the cold gothic structures and design. Eggers direction here still has flare and effect but it feels less intense amongst the slow burn nature of his take on the narrative, as Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgård) prepares to travel from Transylvania to Wisborg to claim the soul of young, recently married Ellen Hutter (Lily-Rose Depp). It’s Ellen’s husband, Thomas (Nicholas Hoult) who initially visits the Count to sell him a rundown castle in his home city and rushes home, unrecovered after experiencing the attacks and true nature of the man he has visited to conduct business with.

Once the monstrous figure of Count Orlok – largely veiled by darkness, but with a voice to emphasise his creepiness – arrives in Wisborg a plague begins to spread throughout the city. It’s here where multiple races to discover what’s happening, and how to stop it, truly kicks in. In the build-up the gothic narrative has already been well at play with some good effect, however the mass illness in the streets and hospitals brings in a race against time element for multiple characters. Each seemingly with a link to each other and yet on occasion playing out separately as if not communicating, or even aware, of each other – Ralph Inseon and Willem Dafoe, as a modern 19th Century doctor and a professor dealing with the occult respectively, react to the upfront city-wide cause, although having glimpsed the nightmare-like possessions undertaken by Ellen are observed by Thomas and friends Friedrich (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and Anna (Emma Corrin).

The stalking, and bloody, threat at hand certainly lands an impact in the swift and upfront attacks. There’s a quick nature to these moments yet a sustained feeling to the impact which increases the looming fear and dread experienced by the characters as personal loss and torment begins to take its toll on them and their search. During such moments, particularly in the second half of the narrative, the film is at its best and picks up the pace. The slow burn nature works in part in the early stages but there are a number of scenes which feel as if they could have more effect if just a bit pacier, with the film as a whole feeling just a bit overlong at just under two-and-a-quarter hours.

Eggers’ Nosferatu certainly doesn’t feel style over substance, there’s a good deal of substance here which helps add to the overall gothic nature. I just sat there and wished a couple of times that that substance would happen just a bit quicker or feel that bit more intense in-between the darkest moments. As a whole, this is still another solid and occasionally eerie horror from Eggers, with a standout turn from Skarsgård; you can feel the bite but perhaps not the fangs.

While its slow-burn nature might get in the way of some of the darkness and intensity, during direct attacks and scenes of threat Nosferatu is at its best, with a great ensemble cast, and a standout turn from Bill Skarsgård thanks to his performance and makeup, just part of the excellent gothic visuals throughout.

Top Ten Films Of 2024

2023 was a year full of big hitters. It was a year packed with big-name directors helming the charge of films which showed a shift of audience demand away from the superhero genre and other more familiar commercial successes of recent years. 2024 has continued this trend (although its two billion-dollar grossers – at time of writing – are Inside Out 2 and Deadpool And Wolverine) but, without the same slate of notable directors we instead saw an exciting year for genre films and directorial debuts.

2024 was the year of the sleeper hit, many films saw their audience arrive gradually and through word-of-mouth. This particularly being the case when it comes to younger viewers, who also spread the likes of viral marketing campaigns; it does largely seem to be the case that the likes of indie trans-allegory psychological horror I Saw The TV Glow found a lot of love from younger audience members. Horror in general found a strong streak through the year with the likes of Longlegs, Immaculate and In A Violent Nature all finding an audience.

Throughout the late 2010s we saw what I branded as a new golden age of teen movies. Moving on for the search for freedom that we saw in the classic 80s flicks, the kids now have their freedom and are looking for their place in the world and exploring who they are. Love, Simon, Booksmart and Eighth Grade are all brilliant films just to name three, and they understand and talk to their audience. Following on from that, a new generation of filmmaker is coming through which now seems to be connecting to this demographic with their films, alongside the wider market as well. With these films the younger audience, who may only occasionally go to the cinema, are finding the cinematic voices they connect to and what reflects their experiences and mindsets. Of course, the big blockbuster successes are still there but the likes of I Saw The TV Glow, Love Lies Bleeding, The Substance, My Old Ass and even Inside Out 2 with its understanding of anxiety all found their audience, even if it took to get to streaming.

Streaming can, of course, be where a film finds its audience, growing for the possible sequel. Even threequels such as Terrifier 3 and MaXXXine saw some figures finally realise the obvious fact that you can’t have those successes, in cinemas for longer than previous entries before going to streaming due to demand and the growing and maintained audience, without the original films. Even if this was also a year where Disney leaned back into sequels by releasing Moana 2, quickly re-worked from the intended streaming series possibly after the box office disappointment of Strange World and Wish.

Perhaps what links the biggest successes of the year is simply down to style and personality. Last year adult dramas such as Oppenheimer thrived, and the same goes for this year with titles such as Conclave (which found unexpected meme potential), Challengers and The Bikeriders, yet each, particularly the former two, had their own individual style and tense rumblings underneath.

But, it wouldn’t be an over-rambly, slightly chaotic, look back at the year without mentioning perhaps the biggest success of 2024: Hundreds Of Beavers. Countless screenings near to me were sold out due to high demand after word had travelled from the success of the film in the US. A truly unique comedy, a live-action, black-and-white Looney Tunes cartoon, made on the lowest of low budgets was embraced by audiences left in stitches by the non-stop rate of gags. Given multiple special limited-time-only screenings before simply gaining a standard release to meet the demand. Perhaps no film has better brought together audiences of all kinds this year than this one.

After revisiting my favourite films of the year many of them are indeed genre films with plenty of personality. Most original films, each telling their story in a bold, unique way overflowing with creativity. And so, without anymore waffle, here are what I thought were the top ten films of 2024:

10. The Book Of Clarence

Sony/ Columbia really messed up with Jeymes Samuel’s sophomore feature, leaving it out to die with barely any promotion or much of a release. It’s a shame because Samuel once again displays himself as a fresh voice bringing a modern twist to classic genres, in this case the biblical epic. Matching the style to the music which runs throughout there’s a punchy and energetic feeling to The Book Of Clarence which works hand-in-hand with the film’s overall drive.

As we follow LaKeith Stanfield’s wonderfully performed Clarence, who knows full well that he’s both not the messiah and a very naughty boy (reference to Life Of Brian for once feel understandable when it comes to the humour on display), the comedy grows with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments yet the growing seriousness of the drama he finds himself in successfully lands, too. It’s within the handling of the core themes that the originality of the film truly comes through. The comedy plays into the eventual impact and adds an additional layer to this consistently entertaining film which exceeds 90 minutes by quite some distance and gets away with it with ease.

Everything naturally clicks within the story as Samuel fleshes out his world with a music video style punch and flare to bring through the modernity via his own directorial voice. It’s one that I look forward to seeing more of in the future as he’s making films that have familiar and traditional notes but simply adding his own fresh spin to the way they come across stylistically to bring a new energy to them. One which, after a studio put up the money to make this following on from Netflix’s The Harder They Fall, I hope he quickly gets the opportunity to express again in equally entertaining fashion with another top ensemble cast.

9. Love Lies Bleeding

A sweat-drenched tale of passion fuelled by fits of bursting rage, Rose Glass’ second film succeeds best because of how genuine the relationship between Kristen Stewart and Katy O’Brien’s characters feels. Quickly meeting and largely playing their lives by ear soon after they meet you feel that spark and instant connection which grows alongside their respective rage as the narrative develops.

As the thriller aspects play out the story twists and pulses in the same way as the body of O’Brien’s bodybuilder Jackie. As the cracks of not just her body begin to ripple through the speakers with increasing heat the darkness of the shady family dealings relating to Stewart’s Lou come more to the fore. Glass’ film becomes a primal scream of rage as the long-building emotions take the reins for an explosive set of distinct events which flow effortlessly from one to the next.

Dirt and dust coat the claustrophobic small-town in which things unfold, making their way as far as Vegas as they get stuck in characters’ heads. Cinematographer Ben Fordesman brilliantly captures this with the added layers of blood and both workout-induced sweat and that created by fear and worry from and for the characters. It creates a thick and grimy atmosphere which adds further tension to the story, and more importantly the central pairing at the heart of the events. This is a film unafraid to get its nails dirtier by digging them in with a furious scream.

8. Piece By Piece

If Piece By Piece were just a regular, live-action documentary then it would likely be a perfectly fine three star watch. Yet, where it truly excels is in the Lego-style animation which brings it to life. Colour bursts from the screen in perfect sync with the continuous stream of music pouring from the speakers to highlight the world of imagination and creativity which is at the heart of Pharrell Williams’ story.

Yes, in its overall construction it’s perhaps even more of a hagiography then Bohemian Rhapsody, but perhaps the dwelling on the positive allows for so much of the joy to come through. As we barrel through Williams’ career through the lens of a celebration of creativity and the pursuit of your passion. This is undoubtedly one of the biggest surprises of the year for me. So much of it I spent in wonderment at the visuals – packed with cutaway gags and background details to link to the words spoken by interviewees at certain points – a big smile spread across my face.

The animation helps elements of fantasy blend into each other and it all elevates the film and its messages with an even more entertaining nature. Pushing and enhancing both the story and joy on display whilst never feeling like a simple gimmick over the course of the fast 94-minute run-time.

7. Sing Sing

An all-important tender, caring and honest depiction of performance. That which we demonstrate to protect ourselves or get through in life, those which can be damaging, and that which we put on to show more of ourselves to others and express ourselves, a healthy outlet that we’re more aware of and in touch with. All through the lens of a thoughtful prison drama examining masculinity and reform.

Sing Sing soars because of its open discussion of emotion, how we feel and express. Things that are so difficult to put into words, and so here we see them put into acting and performance so that they can subsequently form into words as if the natural progression of a conversation that’s already been started. The performances which bring this to life are all excellent, featuring many inmates who went through the program depicted in the film, led by an emotionally engaged charge by Colman Domingo.

A film which looks down on noone. Sing Sing extends a hand of care and hope. Showing us an emotional story of people opening up and understanding themselves and their performances; the good and the bad. It’s a truly wonderful feat that even just reflecting on provides a touching feeling of tender emotion.

6. Poor Things

Emma Stone delivers perhaps the performance of the year as the undeniable force that is Bella Baxter. The narrative of Poor Things is solely focused on her development as she naturally grows mentally and physically over the course of just over 2-hours before our very eyes. Exploring brilliantly designed otherwordly locations, coming across to the audience as bizarre as they are to her, offering sugar and violence – “it is quite charming”.

Yorgos Lanthimos’ film feels like it could have been created by Wes Anderson after being struck on the head to relieve an intense fever. Exploring how growth and strength can emerge form the most unlikely places, unveiling empowerment from their initial oddities. It matches Bella’s story perfectly as she launches herself into a world which, alongside those in it, proceeds to fail to beat her down.

Bella is the hook and she’s just as fascinating, empowering and joyous as the film which follows her. Backed by a great supporting cast – including Mark Ruffalo who perhaps has the line reading of the year when threatening “I will f*cking kick your dog to death!” – and intense visual and stylistic detail, including Jerskin Fendrix’s wonderfully complimenting score which grows alongside Bella. There’s so much to be wrapped up in and much of it stems from the central character who luckily encapsulates all of what Poor Things is about. All the details work together to strengthen each other and further detail the world as Stone’s lead sees and experiences it, putting the audience right in her shoes every step of the way for a similar look at the world and perhaps a different view of our own. One thing’s for certain, we could all do with a bit more of Bella Baxter’s outlook on life and the world around us.

5. Inside Out 2

The film which pulled off the rare feat of making me feel calm. Inside Out 2’s perfect visualisation of Anxiety as it grows and takes over the mind of 13-year-old Riley puts an almost indescribable physical and mental feeling into a perfect visual form. There’s a true understanding within the imagination and creativity on display as so many mental ideas and concepts are put into such forms for both initial jokes and then narrative development.

The animation throughout is excellent, as you would expect from Pixar, and so is the frequently funny humour. All helping to move along the breezy 96-minute run-time which is dealing with more mature themes and certainly captures that within how they deal with them and yet still makes them accessible and understandable. Extending a hand of understanding of knowing how bad anxiety can be and yet offering some solace to provide calm in moments when it’s getting out of hand and begins to take control. That’s certainly what I found within this film, and in fact wrote about for Movie Marker earlier in the year. It’s one big, brilliant cup of Anxi-tea.

4. Paddington In Peru

To some extent the inclusion of this film in my top ten, let alone being so high up on my list, could be seen as me simply being a cliché of myself. And yes, while I do very much love that bear I also loved his third outing, which saw him leave London for a trip back to his homeland of Peru. Yet, he still remains very much the same character, and the film feels tonally consistent while bringing in a new spirit of adventure. Wound into this is a story about identity and belonging, finding your place and your people and just what any of that means. And it’s wonderfully conveyed within the story and performances.

Going into Paddington In Peru was undoubtedly the most nervous I’ve ever been for a film, and thankfully those worries were quickly wiped away as Dougal Wilson doesn’t only take on the directing reins from Paul King but also the mantle to ‘please look after this bear’ and he does so with great care. Bringing in plenty of laughs and warmth along the way. Capturing with full heart Aunt Lucy’s adage that “when skies are grey, hope is the way.” The adventure powers forward with this in its heart and mind. And while it might not reach the difficult heights of the first two entries it does its best to come close and makes for an almost perfect trilogy with an effective emotional hit at the end to cap off another warm bear hug of a film.

3. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga

A more narrative led return to the Wasteland which emphasises the hopelessness of the world and those trying to seize control of it in any way they can, Furiosa could so easily feel like a film stuffed with fan service but instead it feels like an immersive deeper look at landscapes raced through during Fury Road, and the interconnected characters within them. All following the story of a character seeking vengeance in order to regain the hope she once felt many years before.

Much of the detail comes through in the visual intensity of the film with plenty of designs of both locations and vehicles emphasising the grisly fight for survival that constructs life in this iteration of George Miller’s dystopia. Yet, there’s still space for lengthy action sequences full of explosive thrills to ramp up both the spectacle and entertainment factor.

We may not be thrown head-first into this world as we are with Fury Road, but there’s still a sense of breathless tension in the catharsis of the car chases and finely constructed action sequences. Some coming from the practical stunts, some from the overall scale and design of what we’re seeing unfold. The intensity and crazed nature of both the Wasteland and those who inhabit it, such as Chris Hemsworth’s Dementus, make for an insane and insanely good time delving further into this world where madness thrives and hope is scarce, something which Furiosa as a character and film explores throughout this superb prequel.

2. Monkey Man

A film which has landed a knockout punch each time I’ve seen it, Monkey Man is a stunning directorial debut from Dev Patel. There’s a stylish nature to the messy brutality of the bloody, 18-rated violence which both propels it and shows how long these sequences have been in Patel’s mind waiting to flourish on the big screen.

These fights compliment the thematic weight held by both the story and the central character as the film becomes more narratively led as it goes on and delves into the past of the central figure, further propelling his searching for justice. On first viewing, as these roots were explored and brought forward core themes and reasonings for the titular fighter’s actions I thought to myself that I was watching one of the best action films I’d seen in years, and a re-watch confirms this. There’s something about the frantic action set in a world that feels truly lived-in which both grounds and elevates the unfolding events and blood-drenched punch-ups as the context and thematic weight is felt in these moments to further propel them.

1. Late Night With The Devil

To some extent this has been my film of the year since I first saw it in October 2023. Since that first viewing I couldn’t wait to see Late Night With The Devil again, and each time I’ve seen it it’s been just as entertaining and creepy as the first.

A large part of why it works is because of the attention to detail. Not just how it nails the feeling of a golden age of late night show, but also the mannerisms of David Dastmalchian’s lead performance, getting the radio to TV host voice precisely and getting across subtle mannerisms in his character’s breaks in professional hosting persona. The occasional humour lures you into a false sense of security whilst also naturally fitting in to the tone of the Night Owls show being depicted, making way for the eventual eeriness which works hand-in-hand with the amusement in the whirling finale which is full of chills.

As it seems the studio is being haunted, or something is catching up with Dastmalchian’s Jack Delroy everything feels well contained within the film and the segments we see and how each guest is involved, and how in turn they escalate the horror which naturally unfurls over the fast-flowing run-time. Late Night With The Devil ticks the boxes of entertainment, chill and thrill factor with ease and makes for a consistently enjoyable time which embraces its eventual chaos and brings the viewer into it with a smile behind its ghoulish mask. So precise with its construction and details it truly soars and I’ve loved it from start to finish each time. Throughout the year it’s held the spot at the top of my list and remained there, for me, as the best film of 2024.

Better Man – Review

Cert – 15, Run-time – 2 hours 15 minutes, Director – Michael Gracey

Accepted into Britain’s next big boyband Take That at 15, Robbie Williams (Jonno Davies) finds himself launched into stardom and a spiral of addictions, as his bad-boy solo career takes off he can’t help but still feel like a performing monkey.

The emotion on the face of the young CG monkey Robbie Williams as he’s picked last to be on either team when playing football in an alley, put in goal and constantly missing, launches a character who perhaps displays more emotion than the human figures around him. The reason for Williams (who provides some of his own vocals alongside Adam Tucker while Jonno Davies provides the motion-capture performance and much of the dialogue) appearing this way is, as he says early on, for him feeling “less evolved” than other people, and in part for being treated like a performing monkey for much of the film.

Bursts into fantasy appear to go hand-in-hand with the design of the star at the centre of the film, still aware of a slight ego acknowledging that people are there to see him in concert, and the audience in this case to see a story about his life. Musical numbers from Williams’ catalogue construct a strong musical where the more the sequences lean into fantasy the stronger they are. Recklessly racing down the road after leaving Take That whilst singing Come Undone, the world outside the car begins to change colour beyond the surrounding headlights as disaster in the form of a crash threatens to appear around every overtake and corner. The sequence is undoubtedly one of the most terrifying of the year, having me sat in breathless fear and suspense for the entire song and the ensuing details and trapped-under-ice metaphors after.

Similarly Williams’ 2003 Knebworth gig; which he sets his life on getting to to prove he’s the biggest star possible, takes a strong turn into fantasy with a truly bold sequence which appears to come from nowhere but is brilliantly tackled with plenty of visual and dramatic style by director Michael Gracey. Bringing some of his Greatest Showman style to some of the crowd-based musical numbers, Gracey follows characters running through the streets embracing their newfound fame and fortune in a Regent Street and Piccadilly Circus set performance of Rock DJ. Each time the film does this it manages to deepen and intensify the struggles and relationships he goes through over the course of the portion of his life we follow. The addictions – he acknowledges that he was always likely to be an alcoholic, but fame and money made it happen much quicker – and the image he presented to the public as a more rude than cheeky, egotistical bad-boy, pushing the point of being a performing monkey.

The intensity of some of the drama and how its conveyed in the musical numbers, and Davies’ central performance, acts as the biggest hook for the film and provides it with a good deal of weight, as well as the investing chimp. There might be points where time could be better established, Williams was in Take That for five years before he initially left but the film makes it feel as if it could have just been a couple of months, but reminders of just how young the star was throughout all of this, being accepted into the group at 15 we follow him mostly throughout his 20s, are consistent and further flesh out the spiralling chaos and tragedies which arise in a world of puppetmasters, from controlling Take That manager Nigel Martin Smith (Damon Herriman) to Robbie’s father (an excellent Steve Pemberton), idolising the likes of Sinatra and saying if you can’t make a name for yourself entertaining like that you’re a nobody.

And yet, the best way of telling the story is through the expressive face of the central chimp. Brilliantly detailed from the opening frames he perhaps tells the story and internal feelings more than if in human form, although here with the added voice performance, vocals and musical numbers to help push things. It’s a great force at the core of the film which is instantly accepted and allows for the more fantastical moments to fly as well, especially when it comes to darker beats truly highlighting the personal battle being experienced by the central figure.

While its sense of time might make everything feel somewhat compact, the personal battle within Better Man is brilliantly exemplified by the fantasy and musical numbers on bold display, with so much conveyed by the CG chimp at the centre. All done with an impactful punch and no hint of novelty.

Just A Little Bit Random Audience Best Films Of 2024 Vote

With 2024 coming to a close it’s time once again for you to have your say as to what you thought the best film of the year was!

To vote simply go to this poll and select the 2024 release (by UK release date) from the dropdown list which stood out the most for you by 7pm on Wednesday 8th January. The results will then be revealed live on Somer Valley FM shortly after this time, with a written top ten appearing on this website not long after that.

Most UK releases from the past year should be included in the poll from billion dollar grossers Deadpool And Wolverine and Inside Out 2 to indie hits such as Anora, The Substance and I Saw The TV Glow. As this is done by UK release date the likes of The Holdovers, Poor Things and The Zone Of Interest (January and February releases here) are all included in the vote, alongside Paddington In Peru (November), whereas films such as Nosferatu, Hard Truths and Saturday Night aren’t as each is currently scheduled for early-2025 – as continues to be the strange delay of hopeful awards contenders from the US to the UK.

A big thanks to everyone who votes and helps to spread the word about this year’s vote! As mentioned above, the vote closes at 7pm on Wednesday 8th January with the results being announced shortly after on both the radio show and here on the website.

Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl – Review

Cert – U, Run-time -1 hour 19 minutes, Directors – Nick Park, Merlin Crossingham

Gromit is growing increasingly concerned about Wallace’s (Ben Whitehead) reliance on inventions, especially when he creates ‘Smart-gnome’ Norbot (Reece Shearsmith) who begins to cause havoc in the area, however someone else may be in control.

Since his first appearance in The Wrong Trousers over 30 years ago Feathers McGraw has become one of cinema’s most fearsome villains. His return in Vengeance Most Fowl has been said by director, and Wallace And Gromit creator, to have initially come about as a way to link the chaos caused by Wallace’s latest invention, gleefully chaotic smart-gnome Norbot (Reece Shearsmith). Perhaps alongside his re-introduction comes Curse Of The Were-Rabbit’s Chief Inspector Mackintosh (Peter Kay) and newbie PC Mukherjee (Lauren Patel) trying to pin the garden wreckage caused by Norbots across town on Wallace.

The titular duo’s world still feels as traditional and charmingly British as ever, while surrounded by technology as Wallace creates an invention to do every task to Gromit’s frustration. An almost timeless state when it comes to the look of the gadgets and technology – an old box TV fits right in, a smartphone would feel out of place. When focusing on the pair, and the escapades directly linked to them such as Norbot, and his army controlled by a still-imprisoned Feathers McGraw planning his revenge as he hacks into the gnomes from his zoo-based cell, this second feature is at its best. As it deviates towards the likes of Mackintosh and Mukherjee things feel slightly slower. There’s still plenty of enjoyable wordplay and lashings of visual gags to delight on endless re-watches, yet scenes focusing on such supporting characters feel slightly removed from the rest of the film.

While only six minutes shorter than 2005’s The Curse Of The Were-Rabbit (for me one of the greatest animated films there is) this feels less of a fully-rounded film than the Oscar-winning feature which successfully filled its run-time. Vengeance Most Fowl still feels like a complete and rounded narrative, however its narrative feels more of a longer short, or special, than a feature, as if certain points could be expanded upon or just given a minute or two more. Yet, as said, there’s plenty within the film to fill the run-time with little issue, and a good deal of laughs packed in. The familiar Wallace And Gromit style is still intact and present, and its what truly pushes the film and brings about the consistent entertainment factor.

Much of it’s held in the visual detail and jokes which crop up as part of it and the overall animation style. This fifth outing for the pair on our screens has perhaps the smoothest and cleanest animation yet (you can’t quite see the fingerprints on this occasion, unfortunately) and it certainly adds to the climactic stages which are packed with as much charm and creativity such as the all-timer model train chase in The Wrong Trousers. The passionate beating heart that’s poured into these characters and their adventures is as present as ever and brings an individual life to both. Whenever Wallace, Gromit and the likes of Norbot and Feathers McGraw who keep the focus on the joyous pair of pals are on-screen, the majority of the short run-time, there’s another cracking adventure to be found.

While it might not always feel like a full feature Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl is a welcome return for the consistently entertaining duo whose world is still packed with a variety of laugh out loud gags and visual and narrative creativity.

Alternative Christmas Film Advent Calendar 2024 – Dear Santa (2020)

When it comes to Christmas films many are packed with elements of fantasy. Reasonings for how Santa achieves his annual worldwide delivery, and keeps the North Pole hidden, introduce sci-fi leanings with increasingly futuristic ideas. Delving into imagination has long been a big part of many fictional festive films, no matter what genre. However, this year’s Alternative Christmas Film Advent Calendar switches focus to look at documentaries which follow real world Christmas stories and figures, each with their own strand of imagination, festive spirit and occasional fantasy.

To bring this year’s Alternative Christmas Film Advent Calendar to a close, my favourite of this year’s selection. 2024 saw the release of another film called Dear Santa. In the straight-to-streaming comedy Jack Black stars as Satan, answering a child’s letter intended for Santa. In this 2020 documentary the letters go the opposite way. Maybe not to God, but to people who are doing his work.

Dear Santa is a film full of warmth and joy as it shows people from all over America taking part in the US Postal Service’s Operation Santa scheme. Whether adopting a letter, being assigned one or taking part in a group effort or work drive the responses to multiple letters to Santa are full of kindness and caring. This is a film of people being nice, and right now that’s a truly wonderful thing to see. The generosity on display created for me the joy and emotional overload, particularly in the final half hour, that many may well get from their favourite festive re-watches.

Dana Nachman and Chelsea Matter’s documentary observes a very familiar theme in most Christmas films, and yet sees it come to life in the real world. A sense of generosity and kindness to and from strangers. Helping children and families at this time of year by responding to their letters to Santa – whether it be a child asking for a particular gift or a parent struggling to afford essentials for their family they find out in some way that someone is listening and someone cares. In fact, many people care as the documentary shows the different responses to letters depending on how they come to be written and read, and indeed what the request is. That impactful final half hour sees wishes coming true, and the many smiles they bring, an emotional punch stemming from a quiet hook.

But mostly, this is a film of kindness and caring. Of a team effort through the Operation Santa scheme and the individuals who play a part in it. To be a cliche of myself and quote Paddington “if we’re kind and polite the world will be right” and Dear Santa powers ahead with this making for a documentary that truly restores your faith in humanity and reminds you that on the whole people are good. People are caring. And people are kind. Even towards strangers who may be on the other side of the country. It’s a wonderful thing to be reminded of at any time of year, but especially makes an impact in a Christmas film such as this.

Dear Santa can be watched in the following places:
Amazon
Apple/ iTunes
Microsoft Store
To see where else the film is available to buy, rent or stream, particularly in your own country, JustWatch should be helpful in finding a list of places.

Alternative Christmas Film Advent Calendar 2024 – Greetings From Krampus

The horned figure of Krampus has grown more into the mainstream around the world over the last few years. Becoming a more noticeable character, often antagonist, in a number of Christmas films, not just 2015’s Krampus. Greetings From Krampus takes things back to tradition by looking at the Austrian tradition of Krampus runs. On 5th December each year many groups gather in towns and cities to dress up and participate in parades where everyone is dressed up as an interpretation of Krampus, some more traditional than others. Throughout the season participants sometimes go to schools to talk about St Nicholas’ accomplice and indeed take part in a number of different events with their costumes.

Preparations begin early in the year with great detail being added to each part of them all in anticipation for the main run. We hear from those who have taken part for years about what it means to them and the history of the runs themselves, how they’ve grown and taken on new meanings, especially as younger people are now involved with more aggressive costumes with bloody details. How Krampus as a figure has changed and evolved in the public’s eyes and is no longer such a scary figure, and wasn’t always intended as such.

This is a documentary that sees people celebrating and embracing tradition, but also showing the differing opinions of how tradition can change and evolve over the years to take on new forms or meanings while still looking back to those original bases. Particularly in regards to a character who in a large part of the world is as frequent a visitor and large a figure as Santa, or in this case the older figure of Saint Nicholas, who leads the Krampus runs.

Through this, Greetings From Krampus makes for an interesting look at traditions and festive activities in a part of the world less seen in many festive viewings. Additionally, how interpretations elsewhere, perhaps in this case largely from Hollywood, have changed and altered elements from what is more familiar in the origin countries – with these ideas leaking into them today and mixing with the various base ideas and inspirations to create constantly evolving and growing traditions for all the participate in in some way to bring in the festive season.

Greetings From Krampus can be watched in the following places:
Amazon
To see other places where you can buy, rent or stream the film, especially where you are in the world, JustWatch should have a list of most available platforms.

Sonic The Hedgehog 3 – Review

Cert – PG, Run-time – 1 hour 50 minutes, Director – Jeff Fowler

Sonic (Ben Schwartz) and co. must team up to stop another hedgehog (Keanu Reeves) with stronger powers from destroying the world alongside his nemesis Dr Robotnik’s (Jim Carrey) grandfather (Carrey).

At the end of Sonic The Hedgehog 2 I was somewhat hopeful about the inevitable third instalment. While not being a fan of the first film, although certainly being far too harsh on it when first released, the second was something of an improvement, improving as it went on to end with a solid and enjoyable third act. The marketing for this third film heavily focused on something of a darker tone with more focus on action through the introduction of antagonistic hedgehog Shadow (Keanu Reeves). Indeed, the action largely makes for the best stuff within Sonic The Hedgehog 3. Unfortunately, there’s still a tendency to lean back into the frustrations of the past in-between such sequences.

Shadow’s backstory, being created by the grandfather (Jim Carrey) of Sonic’s enemy Dr Robotnik (also Carrey, in a dual performance which is pulled off rather well) 50 years before, is seen in flashbacks a number of times throughout, growing increasingly orchestrated and tiresome through their convention each time. His story of loss contrasts with Sonic’s (Ben Schwartz) family, having become a strong largely-superpowered team, now with the additions of Colleen O’Shaughnessey’s Tails and Idris Elba’s consistently enjoyable Knuckles from the previous film, contrasting with the in-it-for-themselves nature of the Robotniks.

The more intense side of the action in this entry does bring about a likable nature to such moments, and as mentioned they make for the highlights of the film. However, where inconsistency lies is in the endless wise cracks of the tile hedgehog. Sonic is perhaps at his most annoying in this film, and while he calms down in the third act, there’s an almost relentless array of attempted gags unfurling from his mouth during most scenes. As a bike chase unfolds with Shadow through the busy streets of Tokyo he’s told “the more you talk the harder I want to hit you” and I couldn’t help but agree with the sentiment.

In total there are only a very small number of bits of wordplay that work over the near two-hour run-time, with most gags simply disturbing the flow of a scene or going on for too long without adding anything new to the joke so that one idea is simply stretched out until something else comes along. It’s one of the most frustrating things about this film which once again generally finds its proper footing in the, this time quite brief, third act. If all the build-up were more focused and stable like the final portion then, again, this would be a more enjoyable and successful time.

However, for a good deal of the time when promise is shown and the sequences find their stride they’re quickly knocked back by a tonal imbalance or out-of-place comment which feels as if it could be removed, or at least changed, to fit the moment better. It all makes this third instalment end in much the same way as the previous; hoping the improvement will continue into the next to make for a better-rounded film that leans into its promise rather than familiarity and seeming safety.

Once again, feeling most focused and balanced in the third act, the action of Sonic The Hedgehog 3 works well but is constantly disturbed by failed wisecracks from the lead character and repeating plot elements.

Alternative Christmas Film Advent Calendar 2024 – Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker

Hundreds of performances of The Nutcracker happen across the world every December, many in the US. The New York City Ballet’s production is attended by over 100,000 people each year. Performed by children and adults alike, fellow documentary Getting To The Nutcracker follows a largely adult-performed production, sometimes a new interpretation comes to the stage, such as The Hot Chocolate Nutcracker put on by the Debbie Allen Dance Academy.

Featuring modern musical numbers and new segments such as Bollywood The Hot Chocolate Nutcracker is designed by Allen and her fellow dance teachers to more greatly feature and involve the young students at her dance academy; putting them front and centre of the production – instead of, as one teacher says, just having a brief moment to run across the stage like in the regular production. Throughout the build-up to the performances we hear from Allen about her views on teaching and the Hot Chocolate Nutcracker, her teachers and staff about their own dreams and where they hope to go professionally and, of course, the young people trying to fulfil their own dreams within this production and their own future.

As the big day gets closer and closer Christmas increasingly leaks into view alongside it. The festive season begins to emerge in the rehearsals before the explosion of colourful Christmas cheer in the final product. Of course, the documentary leans into the idea of a race against time in getting everything ready, including costumes and sets alongside each routine and segment of the production. All playing into a light countdown to Christmas and how it’s captured within both the regular production of the Nutcracker and the special one featuring talking mice put on by DADA.

The hints towards the festive season cause the film to lean into more of a feeling of seasonal viewing than other documentaries which look at The Nutcracker and generally bring about a more conventionally feel-good nature as we see the young performers; a number of whom are accepted and given an opportunity by Allen that they may not be given elsewhere simply for money reasons, and those around them, succeeding and striding forward in trying to achieve their dance-based dreams. There’s plenty of determination on display from everyone interviewed, and involved in the production as a whole, and it allows for the closing scenes of performance to have an even more uplifting and entertaining effect. Wrapped in a glitzy, glittery bow.

Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker can be watched in the following places:
Netflix
If you live outside the UK, JustWatch is worth looking at to see if the film is available to buy, rent or stream elsewhere.

Alternative Christmas Film Advent Calendar 2024 – Becoming Santa

What does it take to be Santa? An endless stomach? An extremely dedicated workforce? Do you have to know what song each person sung to you on your birthday? Do you have to not smell like beef and cheese? How do you avoid sitting on a throne of lies? At least some of these questions are asked in Becoming Santa as Jack Sanderson heads to Santa School in order to do just this.

After losing both of his parents and preparing to spend Christmas alone Jack decides to dye his hair white, buy a red suit and get ready to play Santa throughout the festive season. From making his way through a train full of children waiting to see him to pulling off some last-minute Christmas Eve visits Jack throws himself into each aspect of the role, no matter how tiring it may become. At Santa School he’s taught all the words he can’t say, the answers he should give that keeps the magic alive for children who see and visit him while not making direct promises for certain things – such as killing whoever the US government is after, ‘you’re Santa, you know where everyone is, you can do anything’.

Yet, while being worn down and tired out Jack still remains largely positive about what he’s doing, and the effect that it’s having. He sees the joy that him as Santa brings to not just children but their families, too. He observes early on that the pictures that are being taken, particularly with very young children who may be meeting Santa for the first time, are likely to be displayed and kept as memories; he’s a part of their lives and memories for now. It’s an emotional thought for him and makes the experience, one which he treats with positivity and seriousness. While saying throughout that the period the documentary covers will be the only year he does this there’s a hint every now and then that he may throw his red and white cap into the ring again after the personal effect that the experience has had on him.

It’s something you can see grow and develop as he enters the world of Santa with anticipation and a smile on his face which he maintains throughout. Seeing Christmas from another, or perhaps long unseen, perspective and embracing it wholeheartedly. Demonstrating a catching warmth as he fully commits to the part both feeling and emitting Santa.

Becoming Santa can be watched in the following places:
Amazon
Plex
To see if the film is available to buy, rent or stream on any other platforms, particularly in another part of the world, then JustWatch should have a list of most places.