Reviews | Little White Lies

Reviews

Two soldiers in camouflage uniforms standing in a room, one gesturing with his hand.
Review

War Machine

by William Carroll

David Michôd and Brad Pitt serve up a fas­ci­nat­ing but uneven satire of America’s mil­i­tary might.

4
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
A floating bamboo and leaf structure in a serene turquoise sea, with sandy islands in the background.
Review

The Red Turtle

by Anton Bitel

There’s an eco­log­i­cal thread run­ning though this delight­ful ani­mat­ed fable from Stu­dio Ghibli.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Young woman with long dark hair in profile, looking contemplative, framed by a circular window with a blurred green and blue outdoor scene in the background.
Review

I Am Not Madame Bovary

by Claire Langlais

China’s bureau­cra­cy is exposed to great comedic effect in this sharp satire from direc­tor Feng Xiaogang.

4
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Man with long dreadlocks, wearing a pirate costume and hat, standing in a crowded marketplace scene.
Review

Pirates of the Caribbean: Salazar’s Revenge

by Adam Woodward

The fifth instal­ment in Disney’s swash­buck­ling fran­chise is scup­pered by a cer­tain Mr Depp.

1
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
1
In Retrospect
Young person sitting on a red chair reading a book in a grassy outdoor setting.
Review

It Was Fifty Years Ago Today! The Beatles: Sgt Pepper and Beyond

by Trevor Johnston

A key ingre­di­ent is miss­ing from this trib­ute to the Fab Four’s sem­i­nal pop-rock LP: the music.

3
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
A woman with blonde hair aiming a handgun in an outdoor, mountainous setting.
Review

Detour

by Josh Slater-Williams

Some major young act­ing tal­ent is put to waste in Christo­pher Smith’s gar­bled and deriv­a­tive neo-noir.

3
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
A group of six people in a formal setting, including a man seated at a table with a glass of what appears to be liquor, surrounded by others dressed in professional attire.
Review

The Other Side of Hope

by David Jenkins

Finland’s Aki Kaurismäki responds to the refugee cri­sis in typ­i­cal­ly dead­pan and affect­ing fashion.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Two people, a man and a woman, in a romantic pose on a beach with the ocean in the background.
Review

Baywatch

by Amy Bowker

Bums, guns and red lycra – Bay­watch is back and it’s exact­ly what you’re expecting.

1
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
A woman wearing a purple hijab is sitting beside a bed, looking contemplative.
Review

Inversion

by Amy Bowker

Sahar Dolat­shahi shines in this under­stat­ed Iran­ian dra­ma about famil­ial obligation.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Woman playing a trumpet in a black and white image.
Review

La Strada (1954)

by David Jenkins

A wel­come 2K re-release of Fed­eri­co Fellini’s pun­ish­ing 1951 road movie about an abu­sive cir­cus strongman.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect