DIE HARD: WITH A VENGEANCE – Disney+

The first DIE HARD is obviously a masterpiece and one of the greatest action films of all time. The second is an underrated and underappreciated classic that is genuinely an excellent Christmas film. The third in the franchise, WITH A VENGEANCE is an interesting case: everyone unfortunate enough to see DIE HARD 4 & 5 knows that they’re awful, so 3 sits literally in the middle of the series and in terms of the quality of the series. As the theme for this issue suggests, it’s set during an oppressive summer which adds to the constant tension and makes for a great atmosphere. Tasked with solving a series of riddles and purposefully intriguing set-pieces, protagonist John McClane is much less the  “superhero cowboy” we saw in DIE HARD and DIE HARD 2, and is this time teamed up with the ever-excellent, and relatively young, Samuel L Jackson. If you’ve never seen this, you’re missing out, even if you’re not a massive fan of action films.  

THE KINGS OF SUMMER – ITVx

This is about as far away from DIE HARD as you can get, but it’s an easy recommendation. THE KINGS OF SUMMER is a coming-of-age comedy-drama that follows three teenage friends—Joe, Patrick, and the eccentric Biaggio—who, seeking freedom from their overbearing parents, decide to spend their summer building a house in the woods and living off the land. Joe envisions a utopia of independence, however the boys experience the highs and lows of adolescence, including conflicts, romantic interests, and the harsh realities of self-sufficiency. The film balances humor with heartfelt moments, highlighting themes of friendship, rebellion, and the bittersweet transition from youth to adulthood. Setting the film during the summer recalls the summers many of us had when younger, as the long, seemingly endless days provided endless possibilities. The picturesque cinematography captures that essence of a youthful summer adventure and is supported by a raft of charismatic performances, particularly by its young cast. 

MAD MAX: FURY ROAD – Sky Cinema

It’s not often that we’ll recommend a film that isn’t available as part of a streaming app, but Sky Cinema is basically that these days, plus FURY ROAD is so good you have to see it, no matter how it’s available. Set in a scorched, desert wasteland where water and gasoline are scarce commodities, this post-apocalyptic action film features an oppressive heat that intensify he characters’ struggle for survival. The story follows Max Rockatansky, a lone wanderer captured by the tyrannical Immortan Joe’s War Boys. He teams up with Furiosa, a rebellious warrior (and now the star of her own film FURIOSA which was recently released) who has fled Joe’s Citadel with his five wives, seeking a green and fertile utopia known as the Green Place. The film is essentially one long chase sequence, and the relentless pursuit across the desert leads to explosive confrontations, vehicular combat, and daring escapes. Directed by George Miller, the film quickly gained a sterling reputation for doing action like very few films do, and for using editing to not only help tell the story, but genuinely develop the genre in new and exciting ways. 

DO THE RIGHT THING 

Not only this is this Spike Lee classic not available to stream, it’s also not available on any mainstream subscription service. But no list about “films that feature the summer” is valid without reference to DO THE RIGHT THING. ” Set on the hottest day of the year in a predominantly African-American neighborhood in Brooklyn, the sweltering heat exacerbates underlying racial tensions, culminating in a series of confrontations. The story centers on Mookie, a young African-American man working at Sal’s Famous Pizzeria. As the heat rises, so do the tempers of the neighborhood residents, leading to a climactic confrontation when Buggin’ Out, a local activist, demands the pizzeria feature photos of African-American figures on its Wall of Fame. The escalating tension results in conflict and to say much more would be giving away far too much, but you can probably see where things are heading. The film explores themes of racism, police brutality, and social injustice, with the oppressive summer heat serving as a backdrop that intensifies the characters’ emotions and actions. For a film that’s 35 years old, it’s still incredibly relevant and affecting. 

THE FLORIDA PROJECT – Disney+

Directed by probably one of the greatest living directors, Sean Baker, THE FLORIDA PROJECT is set during a sweltering summer in a budget motel near Disney World in Orlando, Florida. The film follows six-year-old Moonee and her friends as they embark on mischievous adventures, exploring their vibrant yet precarious world. Moonee’s young, rebellious mother, Halley, struggles to make ends meet, resorting to increasingly desperate measures. The bright Floridian summer serve as a contrast to the children’s innocent escapades and the harsh economic realities faced by the adults that is all too real and too common, especially during the long summer months. However, Baker’s film poignantly highlights the resilience and imagination of childhood amid their hardship  and makes for a compelling watch. 

Ian Moreno-Melgar is an educational consultant to the British Film Institute, is a published author of film education textbooks and is psyched about THAT Marvel casting news. 

The post TV and Film recommendations – Summer 2024 appeared first on WAVE Magazine.

The Guest – Netflix

This stylish, violent and very fun thriller starring Dan Stevens came off the back of his star-making turn in Downton Abbey to star in this-a complete 180 from his persona in the ITV show. Released not long after the Ryan Gosling-fronted film Drive, producers realised that there was an audience seeking more films like that; propelled by a cool soundtrack, vivid visual style and topped off with brief moments of fairly extreme violence.

The popularity of Drive meant that The Guest followed that template to a tee: it’s a woozy mix of 80s action thrillers and classic westerns with a recognizable story, but set in a time that could be anything from the early 80s to today, soundtrack included. The story is fairly generic: a stranger arrives into a small town with a secret and things (violence) happen, but it’s done with a style that makes the film stand out above many other more boring examples, and leaves audiences satisfied to the point of wanting a sequel. Thoroughly enjoyable and satisfying. 

Hunt for the Wilderpeople – Netflix

There was quite an apathetic feeling to the last Thor film, but writer Director Taika Waititi’s filmography is still STUFFED full of funny, silly and heart-warming films, often featuring irreverent and off-beat characters. Across his films, perhaps no film better demonstrates this (aside from the brilliant Jojo Rabbit) than Hunt for the Wilderpeople. Set in Waititi’s native New Zealand, the film is an action/comedy/adventure suitable for (most of the) family, and about a young man who, after spending his life being bounced around foster homes, decides he doesn’t want to move again and badly fakes his own death and runs away.

The great thing about this, aside from the superb performances of Sam Neill (yes, THE Sam Neill) and relative newcomer Julian Dennison, is the perfect blend of genuinely hilarious moments alongside touching and heartfelt scenes that will grab anyone with a heart. Waititi has a real-knack for using an irreverent tone in his dialogue and to cut through moments of intense emotion, and this is perhaps his best example and a film that almost everyone will love.

Train to Busan – Netflix

Who doesn’t love a zombie film? We’ve all seen them and all have preferences and favorites, from zombie comedies (Shaun of the Dead) to ultra-violent gore feasts (Evil Dead), romantic comedies with zombies (Warm Bodies) to animated zombies (ParaNorman), classic 1970s zombies (Dawn of the Dead), and modern day CGI zombie fests (World War Z).

So where does Train two Busan fit in? Well, with most of those examples, (aside from the animated part), but with a really simple concept: a man and daughter are on a train and a zombie outbreak occurs. The claustrophobia throughout makes for a tense atmosphere and fairly relentless action, but it’s the relationship between the father and daughter and the desperation to survive that really drive the film along. Train to Busan has become a real cult-classic in recent years, no doubt in part because of the interest in Korean cinema, and is well-worth a watch if you’re a fan of the genre. 

Candyman – iPlayer

Most people would agree that remakes are bad. As are “reimaginings”. And sequels are rarely much better either! Luckily then, this sequel/remake/reimaging of the 1992 cult horror classic is excellent. It was quite divisive on its release, but we’re here to tell you that there’s a LOT to like in this underappreciated gem: clever set-pieces, constant sense of dread, dark and ominous soundtrack, moments of quite intense horror and gore, a really clever story that develops in a predictable but enjoyable manner, and links to the original film throughout. You don’t need to have seen the original to get the most from this film, but it’d make for an interesting double-header to watch the original and then this straight after. Whether you end up being a fan or not, it’s clearly a cut above many of the generic horror films we see these days, and well worth the brisk 90 minute run time. 

Sicario – iPlayer

Even if we had the whole magazine to write about Sicario it wouldn’t be enough room to explain just how superb this film is and why you need to see it, either as soon as possible, or to watch it again if you’ve not thought about it in a while. With the release of (the superbly ambitious and deeply enjoyable) Dune 2, director Dennis Villeneuve has truly established himself as one of the finest filmmakers working today. Given that his body of work is now stacked full of modern classics, his filmography is often ranked and compared, (which is incredibly difficult, but Arrival doesn’t get enough love in these lists) with Sicario often unfairly near the bottom.

However, this action/crime/Western film is a genuine masterpiece. Firstly, it looks phenomenal, from the vivid desert scenes, to the dusky Mexican borderlands through to the astonishing extended sequence in night vision, the whole film is beautiful to just look at. Secondly, Villeneuve is well-regarded for his stacked ensemble casts, and here Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin, Daniel Kaluuya, Benicio Del Toro and Jon Bernthal lead a whole host of slippery, morally-bankrupt and ambiguous people which means that you’re never sure who to trust. But overall, from the first frame to the last, you’re never entirely sure what will happen next and what that will mean for the characters and as a result, you’re constantly on edge in the best possible way. 

Ian Moreno-Melgar

The post TV & Film Recommendations – April 2024 appeared first on WAVE Magazine.

FILM

The One That Will Win Everything:

OPPENHEIMER – in IMAX cinemas and available for purchase  

A 3 hour long epic about the creation of the nuclear bomb doesn’t necessarily sound like the sort of film that could lead to being one of the most successful of all time. And yet, Christopher Nolan found the perfect subject matter for his unique style that propels story with energy, speed and by playing with time. Designed to be seen on the largest screen possible, watching on a TV may lack the visual and audio impact gained from seeing the film on a screen bigger than a house, but it’s still one of the very best of last year and a fascinating insight into a truly terrifying event.

The One That Probably Should Have At Least Been Nominated For Everything:

BARBIE – available for purchase

Look, I’ll just say it: not everyone will like this, and that’s ok. But it is brilliant on almost every level. Yes, Margot Robbie and Director Greta Gerwig should have been nominated for Academy Awards for their roles as lead actress and Director respectively, but it doesn’t take away from the fact the film is a dizzying and intoxicating riot of colour, energy and ideas. If nothing else, it was one of the best designed films of the year, with the travel sequences perfectly blending the ‘plastic toy’ aesthetic of Barbie classic travelogue film montages. Also: the soundtrack is brilliant.

The One That You Should Watch Despite What Everyone Says About The Running Time: 

KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON – Apple TV+

Martin Scorsese’s latest epic crime masterpiece is much slower and thoughtful than some of his earlier, more kinetic works (GOODFELLAS, CASINO, THE DEPARTED, WOLF OF WALL STREET) but that’s because it’s a thoughtful, compassionate and sincere piece about a story that deserves attention. It is 3 and a half hours long though. Fortunately you can now watch at home via Apple TV+, so pause and take it in, a chunk at a time. 

The One That Was a Pleasant Surprise:

WONKA – Coming to streaming soon

The original CHARLIE & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY is a genuine classic. The 2005 remake is a soulless reincarnation; a shuffling zombie of a film. This ‘prequel’ starring an oddly cast Timothée Chalamet didn’t inspire many with its concept but given that it’s written and directed (and starring) many of the cast and crew from HORRIBLE HISTORIES and PADDINGTON, we should have had more faith. Nominated for a Best British Film BAFTA, Wonka won’t win, but it does charm everyone and radiate with joy in a way few of us were expecting. 

The One That Everyone Is Talking About:

SALTBURN – Amazon Prime Video

Perhaps the most ‘viral’ of films on this list. After a relatively quiet cinematic release its availability on Amazon Prime Video over Christmas lead to a huge increase of discussion about it. Why? For one, it has a great cast of recognisable names and faces, including the current King of “where have I seen him before? Oh, everything” Barry Keoghan and it’s true that the scenes with Keoghan doing a whole host of unexpected “things” very explicitly on screen are what grabbed the attention of unsuspecting viewers, but it’s also the case that writer Director Emerald Fennel’s dialogue is sharp, original and eminently “memeable”. I’ll let you decide if that’s a good thing or not

TV

The One(s) That Won Everything

THE BEAR/SUCCESSION Disney+ / Sky Atlantic 

Over the last few years, I’ve recommended both for very different reasons. If you’re yet to see THE BEAR, a warning: it’s almost unbearably tense and at times you might wonder why you’re watching. If you’re yet to see SUCCESSION, a warning: the characters are unbearable and at times you might be wondering why you’re watching. 

On both though: you should watch as they’re tirelessly brilliant. THE BEAR is a genuinely extraordinary example of how TV can play with your emotions: the one-two punch in contrast of episode 6, Fishes,  with episode 7, Forks, is something quite remarkable. SUCCESSION, in contrast, (generally) carries less of an immediate impact and more of a slow dry-heave of discomfort punctuated by a furious, involuntary spitting out of liquid at the bravado of the comedy. It’s a peerless show that ended last year with not only the best final season of arguably any TV show, but a final episode that ranks, rightly, as an all-time classic by itself. 

The One That Probably Should Have Won Everything:

BETTER CALL SAUL

Except: I’ve not seen it. Genuinely. Not an episode. But everyone who has seen it loves it. Except those who give out awards it seems. 

The One That Everyone Is Talking About:

THE TRAITORS – iPlayer

Another show we’ve recommended before. Another recommendation here after the majestic season 2 that recently finished. If you’ve seen it and want more, or hadn’t seen it but had the astonishing final 30 minutes spoiled, the Australian version of THE TRAITORS, also available on iPlayer, is a worthy companion. 

The One That I’ve Not Yet Seen But Really Want To:

MASTERS OF THE AIR – AppleTV+

Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks worked alongside together to produce one of the greatest shows of all time in 2001 with BAND OF BROTHERS. They followed this up with the excellent THE PACIFIC in 2010 and now in 2024, add a third series, MASTERS OF THE AIR. Initial reviews suggest a classically made and faultlessly-produced epicm and I for one cannot wait to indulge.

Ian Moreno-Melgar

The post February/March – Film & TV Reviews appeared first on WAVE Magazine.

Traitors oz – iPlayer

If you haven’t seen the UK version of The Traitors you should do so immediately. And then watch the Australian version after as it’s even better. The premise essentially involves a group of people, the Traitors, removing, or ‘murdering’ other contestants at night and but without being caught to win a stack of gold. It’s relentlessly entertaining and features mind games and twists at every turn, making for an absurdly fun and addictive show. The Australian version is even better though: the games larger and more dramatic, the double-crossing and mind games more intense and the final episode even more shocking. The best, and most compelling game show in decades. 

Halt and Catch Fire – All4

It’s genuinely difficult to express just how brilliant Halt and Catch Fire is, but given that it’s rarely available on streaming in the UK I’d suggest just to start watching now. Across the 4 seasons the show follows a small group of people working in the computer industry attempting to constantly stay one step ahead of the competition and ultimately, each other. Whilst it’s enjoyable to see how the cast start off making PCs in their garage in the early 80s and mature to become pioneers of the internet age, the real drama here are the relationships: tense, loving, fractured, distrustful, cordial, playful, shattered. By the end of season 4 you’ll be doing the same as here: telling everyone you know to watch it but almost unable to explain why. Though the incredible costumes help. 

Love and Death – ITVx

This is a true story. You’ll need to repeat that a few times watching it given how the characters feel like stereotypes or even caricatures, and because of ultimately what happens. The title here is helpfully indicative: a story about a truly repulsive murder and how love, or the lack of it, lead up to the tragic event. To say too much is to numb the shock that the series manages to capture so well, but if you like true crime, you’ll be keen on a story that features deeply religious Americans who spend the first few episodes in Church and worrying about their Church volleyball team. After a few episodes the story seems to take a sharp turn, but nothing will prepare you for the final few episodes and the revelations and explanations of what happened, reminding you that incredibly, this is a true story. 

Hannibal – Netflix

It’s important to state a few things here: this show is absolutely, resolutely not to be watched by anyone below age 18 or those who are squeamish. It is THE goriest and most gruesome show ever broadcast on mainstream TV. The wildly imaginative deaths are shown in full grisly detail and literally dissected and replayed on loop throughout. And without hesitation: Mads Mikkelson’s Hannibal Lecter is the best version of the character so far-deliciously nasty, vastly intelligent and frustratingly, incredibly cool. If you enjoy police procedurals, whodunnit crime shows or the likes of CSI or Criminal Minds, you’ll really like this. If you just like great TV you’ll love this-just don’t watch whilst eating. 

The Bear – Disney+ 

This might not be a ‘new’ recommendation given that it’s been heavily advertised in recent months, but in case you haven’t seen it: The Bear is the best new TV show since, well, Halt and Catch Fire. Or probably Breaking Bad. Yes, it’s that good. There is one issue: the characters are initially genuinely unlikeable and some scenes/episodes are incredibly stressful. But those who stick with it will be rewarded with fist-pumping, cheering and tears of joy as we watch the characters finally make the right choices, succeed, and produce what we all hope they’re capable of. For those not familiar, The Bear initially focuses on Carmy, one of the greatest chefs in the world, who unwittingly becomes the owner of a sandwich shop in Chicago after the death of his brother. Carmy is out of his depth, the restaurant haemorrhaging money, the staff seemingly unwilling to do what’s needed to secure the future of the place that some of them have worked for a decade. As the series evolves we come to know and love each of those involved and marvel at the soundtrack, the clothing, the teamwork and most importantly, drool at the recipes developed and food made. A genuine masterpiece, and mercifully most episodes are only around the 35 minute mark. 

Sharp Objects – Sky Atlantic

Written by Gillian Flynn who wrote Gone Girl, Sharp Objects is a murder mystery with a nasty edge, full of unpleasant people, a menacing tone and an astonishing set of performances, most notably by Amy Adams. She plays Camille Preaker, a journalist who returns to her hometown to report on a series of brutal murders but who is also battling her own issues. As she attempts to reconcile her own past and family feuds, she battles alcoholism, self-harm and toxic relationships that threaten to derail her investigation and career. The further she subsumes herself into her old life though, the more we learn and the clearer the murky picture becomes. As with the best of this genre though, at no point have you ever really got a true grasp of who is to blame for the murders, but it’s clear that there’s a lot of blame to go around for other things instead. An enthralling piece of work. 

Ian Moreno-Melgar

The post Autumn Film & TV Recommendations appeared first on WAVE Magazine.

The added bonus is that each of these films have been carefully selected for not only their entertainment factor but also their ability to teach us something, with each film focused (loosely) around a different subject at school. 

Dunkirk, iPlayer 

Time for some History! Well, if History can be told through three different “speeds” and perspectives of the same events. With Oppenheimer out at cinemas Christopher Nolan is once again in the forefront of many minds, so it’s time to revisit this, one of his very best.

Telling the story of the evacuation of allied forces from Dunkirk in World War 2, Nolan brings his love for interesting manipulation of time and unique perspectives alongside classic features of a war film. Given that many will be broadly familiar with the real-life story (and if you’re not, the film does a great job in providing plenty of real-life detail and facts) the film instead takes an interesting approach to telling the story from three perspectives: the air, sea, and land.

The relative ‘speeds’ of each means that how each scene both feels and unfolds has its own perspective but also its own tone or feeling, and as they begin to culminate to reveal the overall picture of the event, the film provides a fascinating and compelling viewpoint.  We’ll avoid ‘final third’ spoilers here but if you’re watching and struggling to work out “where it’s all going”, just wait until the final 30 minutes when you’ll be rewarded with a genuinely tense, spectacular, and innovative ending. A modern war classic. 

Bill, iPlayer

Time for some drama! William Shakespeare lived over 500 years ago and during a time period of immense change and interest. He also lived during a time where record keeping wasn’t especially thorough, so there’s a lot we don’t know about ‘Bill’ Shakespeare. Using the fact that we don’t know a lot about certain parts of his life, the genuinely hilarious team behind children’s TV show Horrible Histories recreates a possible life story of Bill playing in a local band in Stratford (called Mortal Coil,) before he shuffles off to London to make his fortune as a playwright.

As with all Horrible Histories, the gags come at a rapid pace, the characters are varied, stupid but hugely entertaining and there’s an enjoyable mix of facts and real history alongside moments of made-up nonsense. The repeatable lines and jokes will win over even the most reticent of viewers and for those who like their films to be well-made, keep an eye on the camerawork. It’s really well-handled throughout and an excellent introduction to the world of film studies-look at how the placing of characters in the frame tells us about their status in the world. Plus: the film is only 80-something minutes short, so even if you’re not keen, it won’t stay around for long!

Deep Water Horizon, Netflix

Time for some geography! It’s not often that we’d recommended a film mostly for its sound mix, but this is a great example of a summer blockbuster really making the most out of its budget to do something quite spectacular. Yes, the CGI and action set-pieces are impressive and yes, resemble the classic Disaster films of the 70s and early 00s, (think The Towering Inferno and Day Before Tomorrow), but the sound here is genuinely something to pay attention to and to have as loud as possible.

Obviously, there’s an important message here with an exploration of what could be the largest environmental disasters in human history, but as a piece of dramatic entertainment, it’s a great way to understand what happened, why it happened and how it could be avoided in the future.

Sing, Netflix

Time for some music, obviously. For our money, Sing 2 is one of those rare beasts, a sequel better than the first film, but this is still great. As with any animation, the film lives and dies by the quality of its voice cast and Matthew McConaughey has no right being this charming as a koala bear with a dream. The soundtrack is excellent – a really nicely curated selection of classics and the voice cast are equal to the choices.

The whole thing is just about held together with a perfectly enjoyable narrative, but it’s the music and the performances that will stay with you and have you listening long after the film has finished. 

She’s The Man, Netflix

Time for some Literature. Based on the Shakespeare play Twelfth Night, She’s the Man is a silly, throwaway teen comedy with laughable ideas, implausible moments and scenes of American teenagers playing football in a hugely unconvincing manner. But’s it’s also oddly hilarious and features Amanda Bynes and Channing Tatum in early roles that suit the often-illogical nature of Shakespeare.

This doesn’t sound like a recommendation, but it is, partly just for the absurd fight scenes, but it’s an accessible and highly enjoyable introduction to Shakespeare. 

Rocky 4, Amazon Prime

Time for some PE. And a bit of History. And some economics. And a bit of sociology. Everyone has probably seen this film numerous times, but here’s a reminder that it’s great, is less than 90 minutes long, features a robot butler, is mostly told in montage with some absurdly 80s music and by the end sees Rocky defeat communism through a very poor victory speech. It’s still great though. 

The post TV & Film Reviews – August 2023 appeared first on WAVE Magazine.

Martin Scorecese will release his latest, Killers of the Flower Moon, in late 2023. Right now, you can watch Goodfellas on Amazon Prime. 

Goodfellas is the perfect showcase for Scorsese’s unparalleled storytelling prowess and masterful craftsmanship. Combining the real-life story of American mobster Henry Hill with arguably career best performances from Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci makes for an intoxicating mix, especially as those performances are extraordinary. De Niro’s charismatic and unpredictable Jimmy Conway is the a perfect balance of intoxicating and sinister, while Joe Pesci’s explosive and terrifying portrayal of Tommy DeVito earned him a well-deserved Academy Award. The ensemble cast, including Lorraine Bracco and Paul Sorvino, also bring depth, sympathy and authenticity.

From the very first frame, the pace is relentless and combines suspense, humour, and violence in a delicate balance that keeps viewers enthralled but horrified. As we’re pulled into the world of organised crime, the vivid picture of the rise and fall of Henry Hill (the brilliant Ray Liotta) and his fellow gangsters is seemingly effortlessly curated by Scorsese as being both glamorous but ultimately deeply flawed. As a high-water mark of Scorsese’s, it showcases his ability to blend camera movement, music, and editing to create a visceral experience. The iconic tracking shots and freeze frames throughout the film are great examples of his own unique style, but also complement the storytelling, immersing the audience into the characters’ perspectives. A shout out to the soundtrack too-a wonderful mix of easy listening, big band standards, classic rock and everything in between, makes for a classic soundtrack in its own right. Truly one of Scorsese’s greatest achievements.

Wes Anderson’s latest, Asteroid City, is released June 23rd. You can watch The Grand Budapest Hotel now on Disney+

If the only exposure you’ve had to Wes Anderson was the recent viral video trend of stealing his filmmaking style, then put this right by watching The Grand Budapest Hotel as soon as you can. In a body of extraordinary work, this stands out as one of his most extraordinary creations due to its meticulous attention to detail, a stellar ensemble cast, and genuinely laugh out loud physical comedy. 

Set in a fictional European hotel during the 1930s, the film follows the adventures of Gustave H. (Ralph Fiennes), the legendary concierge, and his loyal protégé Zero (Tony Revolori). Anderson’s distinct visual style, characterised by symmetrical framing, vibrant colours, and intricately designed sets, transports viewers into a whimsical and enchanting world perfect for the adventures of the two leads. 

The film weaves together comedy and drama in equal measure, combining with Anderson’s unique storytelling style that combines witty dialogue, nostalgia, and unexpected plot twists, creating an experience that stands out from many filmmakers today. For fans of Anderson’s distinct style or for anyone seeking to understand what the fuss is all about, The Grand Budapest Hotel is the perfect introduction to Anderson and perhaps his best film: visually delightful and a heart-warming experience for all. 

David Fincher’s new film, The Killer, will be released in November on Netflix. You can watch Gone Girl on Disney+ and Amazon Prime. 

Fincher is an exceptional filmmaker responsible for many of the greatest films of the last 25 years, including Fight Club, Zodiac, The Social Network, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Seven.

Based on the novel by Gillian Flynn, Gone Girl is a gripping and meticulously crafted thriller that showcases Fincher’s mastery of storytelling. With his signature style and eye for breath-taking cinematography, Fincher weaves a dark and complex narrative that keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout. The film delves into the psychology of relationships and explores themes of deception, manipulation, and media sensationalism and with Fincher’s direction, coupled with outstanding performances from the cast, creates a film that has an intense and unsettling atmosphere that stays with you. The use of colour and lighting add layers of depth to the story, and alongside Fincher’s eye for meaningful shot composition, creates a combination that means Gone Girl is a testament to Fincher’s talent. Add to this the genuinely shocking twists and turns of the narrative, unique casting and a genuinely unsettling and memorable score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, and you have one of the best thrillers of recent years. 

Ari Aster’s latest film, Beau is Afraid, was released in May this year. You can see Midsommar on Netflix. 

If horror is more your thing, you might ‘enjoy’ something by Ari Aster, who, with his films Hereditary and Midsommar has become synonymous with visceral, explicit, cult classics. 

Midsommar is a mesmerising and haunting experience that demands your attention from start to finish. Aster delivers on his potential demonstrated in Hereditary with this folk-horror set against the backdrop of a Swedish summer festival. Whilst the film explores themes of grief, isolation, and the complexities of human relationships, it’s also deliciously nasty. Aster’s mastery lies in his ability to create an atmosphere of creeping dread and unease, using stunning visuals and a meticulously crafted soundscapes to immerse the audience in a sense of escalating horror. He manages to both foreshadow the horrors to come and also make those moments still shocking, when they do arrive, in part, because Aster never steps away from showing audiences EVERYTHING, no better how awful those things are. 

Midsommar then, is one for horror fans to savour and indulge in: its long running time demands patience, but those who persevere are greeted with a triumph of atmospheric storytelling that pushes boundaries to deliver something unforgettable.

And let’s not forget, we’ve also got new films coming from Chris Nolan (Oppenheimer), Greta Gerwig (Barbie), Steven Soderbergh (Magic Mike’s Last Dance), F. Gary Gray (Lift) and Zack Snyder (Rebel Moon). 

Ian Moreno-Melgar

The post TV and Film Recommendations – June 2023 appeared first on WAVE Magazine.