Contributions from Emma Simmonds | Little White Lies

Contributor Emma Simmonds

Glasses reflecting the American flag, worn by a person's face.
Review

Where to Invade Next

by Emma Simmonds

Michael Moore embarks on a glo­be­trot­ting cul­tur­al glean­ing tour in this enter­tain­ing pop doc.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Silhouetted figure raising flag against vibrant sky at sunset.
Review

The Club

by Emma Simmonds

Ace Chilean direc­tor Pablo Lar­raín deliv­ers a brood­ing and provoca­tive dra­ma about dis­graced priests.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Elderly couple seated at a bar, woman wearing ornate headdress, man in suit and glasses.
Review

Trumbo

by Emma Simmonds

Bryan Cranston charms his way through this breezy biopic cen­tred around the Hol­ly­wood Black­list scandal.

4
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Three colleagues working together at a desk in an office, surrounded by papers and office equipment.
Review

Spotlight

by Emma Simmonds

Tom McCarthy deliv­ers an old-school jour­nal­is­tic thriller with the help of a sen­sa­tion­al all-star cast.

4
Anticipation
5
Enjoyment
5
In Retrospect
Black-and-white image depicting a person encircled by metal structures, emphasising geometric shapes and lines.
Review

Peggy Guggenheim: Art Addict

by Emma Simmonds

Direc­tor Lisa Immordi­no Vree­land offers a fas­ci­nat­ing and out­ra­geous­ly fun­ny look at the New York bohemian.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
A woman wearing a light-coloured dress stands on a gravel path surrounded by a vibrant green field.
Review

A Girl at My Door

by Emma Simmonds

Social jus­tice under­pins a grip­ping detec­tive sto­ry in this high­ly impres­sive first work from South Korea’s July Jung.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
A person crouched in a muddy puddle surrounded by fallen branches and debris.
Review

The Water Diviner

by Emma Simmonds

Rus­sell Crowe is both in front of and behind the cam­era in this overegged his­tor­i­cal saga.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
A man with a stern expression wearing a green military-style jacket, with another man visible in the background.
Review

Son of a Gun

by Emma Simmonds

Super­fi­cial plea­sures aside, this sun-bleached bud­dy crime flick is too light for the long game.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
Man wearing black and yellow exercising with earphones.
Review

The Armstrong Lie

by Emma Simmonds

On yer bike! One man doc machine Alex Gib­ney returns with a sear­ing analy­sis of cyclist Lance Armstrong.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Two people seated at a table, a man and a woman, looking contemplative in warm lighting.
Review

Testament of Youth

by Emma Simmonds

Kit Har­ring­ton and Ali­cia Vikan­der do the best to lift this under­whelm­ing British her­itage drama.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
Two men in casual clothing huddled around a desk, examining something intently.
Review

Treacle Jr

by Emma Simmonds

In an already strong year for British film this isn’t quite ambi­tious enough to stand out.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Blonde woman in black outfit on steps.
Review

Sucker Punch

by Emma Simmonds

Zack Syder’s film is lit­tle more than glam­or­ised sex­u­al servi­tude pre­sent­ed as fun for the whole family.

3
Anticipation
1
Enjoyment
1
In Retrospect