Contributions from David Jenkins | Little White Lies

Contributor David Jenkins

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
Close-up illustration of a man with long dark hair, a beard, and an animated, vibrant expression on a teal background.
Interviews

Tyler Taormina: ‘The soundtrack is one of the germinating seeds of the work’

by David Jenkins

Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point is a Yuletide classic in the making, and its director has a sincere fondness for the holiday season.
Illustrated portrait of a person with short dark hair, green eyes, and tattoos on their shoulder and neck, set against a colourful background of blues and reds.
Interviews

Barry Keoghan: ‘I have my own method; I’m still learning and discovering’

by David Jenkins

The role of charismatic chancer Bug in Andrea Arnold’s Bird feels like a victory lap for Hollywood’s most unlikely new darling.
Teddy bear in red hat and blue jacket against mountainous backdrop.
Review

Paddington in Peru review – a very well-executed threequel

by David Jenkins

It’s three for three in the beloved bear franchise, as our marmalade-scoffing scamp heads off for an adventure in his South American homeland.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Group of people sitting in courtroom, various ages and ethnicities, some using electronic devices.
Review

Juror #2 review – one of Clint Eastwood’s finest late-era films

by David Jenkins

Clint Eastwood’s 40th film offers a morally complex riff on the tried-and-tested courtroom drama which culminates in a killer final shot.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect