Contributor Patrick Sproull

Three people seated at a dining table, enjoying a meal and drinks together in a warm, cosy interior setting.
Review

The Front Room review – a strangely scatalogical chamber piece

by Patrick Sproull

Theatre legend Kathryn Hunter camps it up as a sinister old biddy terrorising her daughter-in-law Brandy Norwood in the horror debut from Max and Sam Eggers.

4
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
A black and white portrait of a man with short dark hair, wearing a collared shirt, looking to the side and smiling.
Review

Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed review – gossipy, entertaining look at a mythological man

by Patrick Sproull

Stephen Kijak speaks to Rock Hudson's friends and lovers to build a loving – but perhaps a little one-note – portrait of a Hollywood star.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Two men in ornate, brocade-patterned clothing sitting on a lavish, decadent set with plush fabrics and ornate furnishings.
Review

Red, White & Royal Blue review – Uma Thurman steals the show

by Patrick Sproull

A bestselling queer romance novel about a clandestine relationship between a British prince and the US president's son gets a big screen makeover care of Matthew López, with twee but charming results.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
A smiling person wearing a sinister-looking teddy bear mask, with a dark and eerie lighting creating a disturbing atmosphere.
Review

Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood And Honey

by Patrick Sproull

Barrel-scraping slasher twaddle which rinses a copyright loophole to desecrate the memory of AA Milne’s beloved furry friends.

1
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
1
In Retrospect
Couple embracing in a wooded area, the woman wearing a cream lace dress and the man wearing a blue jumper.
Review

Lady Chatterley’s Lover

by Patrick Sproull

A lonely newlywed embarks on a clandestine affair with her gamekeeper in Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre’s adaptation of the classic DH Lawrence novel.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Two shirtless men in an arid, dusty setting, one holding a bottle.
In Praise Of

Homoeroticism and sexual repression in Wake in Fright

by Patrick Sproull

Ted Kotcheff’s visceral, queer-coded descent into one man’s personal hell refuses to adhere to expectations.
A smiling woman with curly blonde hair wearing a black jacket and a name badge that says "Pick a Time" standing in an indoor setting.
In Praise Of

Twenty years on, Election feels more relevant than ever

by Patrick Sproull

Tracy Flick’s almost thwarted candidacy is an eerie presage of our current political climate.
Two people, a woman in a yellow cardigan and a man in a striped t-shirt, standing and talking outdoors.
Review

Isn’t It Romantic

by Patrick Sproull

Rebel Wilson stars in a fun meta rom-com that attempts to have its cake and eat it.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Middle-aged woman with short blonde hair wearing a black dress, holding a bouquet of red roses.

With The Wife, Glenn Close lays the ghost of Alex Forrest to rest

by Patrick Sproull

Her latest compelling portrait of female rage is a perfect rejoinder to her iconic role in Fatal Attraction.
Two adults, one man and one woman, looking at each other with serious expressions.
Review

Crazy Rich Asians

by Patrick Sproull

Jon M Chu’s sparkling Singapore-set romantic comedy is a watershed moment for diversity in mainstream cinema.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
A man with greying hair embracing a young woman wearing an orange scarf, in an intimate embrace.
In Praise Of

How The Fifth Element set the tone for modern blockbusters

by Patrick Sproull

Twenty years on, Luc Besson’s neon-hued space opera has lost none of its off-kilter charm.

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