Contributions from David Jenkins | Little White Lies

Contributor David Jenkins

Two people, a man and a woman, conversing in an autumn park setting with colourful foliage.
Review

By the Stream review – burrows under your skin

by David Jenkins

Kore­an direc­tor Hong Sang-soo returns with this play­ful study of cre­ation, per­for­mance and why films don’t need audi­ences to be successful.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Two people embracing in a cosy room filled with furniture and decor.
Review

Here review – a forgiving and open mind is required for this one

by David Jenkins

This con­cep­tu­al­ly-intrigu­ing fol­ly sees Robert Zemeck­is reteam­ing with Tom Han­ks for an effects-dri­ven every­man tale that nev­er gets off the ground.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
A person sleeping peacefully in a dimly lit bedroom, surrounded by a wooden headboard and delicate floral branches.
Review

Emmanuelle review – anticlimactic and unerotic

by David Jenkins

Audrey Diwan’s cold take on the infa­mous erot­ic soft­core French nov­el leaves a bit too much to be desired.

4
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
Two people walking together in an ancient stone setting.
Review

Architecton review – taps into the short-order nature of modern construction

by David Jenkins

Vik­tor Kos­sakovsky takes us on a jour­ney through the con­crete and stone that makes up much of our mod­ern world.

4
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Black-and-white crowd scene, people wearing hats, one woman's face in the centre.
Review

The Girl With The Needle review – politically pertinent Gothic horror story

by David Jenkins

Mag­nus von Horn brings sub­tle­ty and empa­thy to the ser­i­al killer genre in this extra­or­di­nary true-life yarn.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Two lion cubs in a grassy field, their golden fur and expressive faces visible against a blue sky.
Review

Mufasa: The Lion King review – let down by weak script and songs

by David Jenkins

A rous­ing, noble mis­step from Bar­ry Jenk­ins, in which the paw-print of this great film­mak­er is too light to make out.

5
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Close-up of a man singing and playing a guitar, with a microphone on his head and warm lighting.
Review

A Complete Unknown review – drips with hollow trivia

by David Jenkins

Tim­o­th­ée Cha­la­met plays music leg­end Bob Dylan in James Mangold’s lat­est, which appears total­ly unwill­ing to escape the vapid biopic formula.

3
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
Vibrant anime-style characters, including a woman with long red hair, a bearded older man in ornate robes, and a blonde man, seated in an ornate, dimly lit chamber.
Review

Lord Of The Rings: The War Of The Rohirrim review – not canon-level

by David Jenkins

This ani­mé-style jour­ney to Mid­dle Earth dials back on risk and charm to robust­ly tell a sim­ple tale of good ver­sus evil.

4
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Ralph Fiennes in Conclave, standing in an ornate red and gold liturgical vestments, surrounded by other clergy in similar attire.
Review

Conclave review – a slick romp with delusions of grandeur

by David Jenkins

A pow­er strug­gle at the heart of the Catholic church is the con­ceit for Edward Berg­er’s quite sil­ly papal drama.

4
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Woman in black top and white skirt stands amidst cluttered kitchen
Review

Witches review – leaves you wowed, wounded and educated

by David Jenkins

This vital and deeply per­son­al essay doc care­ful­ly dis­sects and dis­man­tles age-old rep­re­sen­ta­tions of witches.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect