Movie reviews of Bob Mann

Intriguing, propulsive, well-acted, well-written, it’s very much recommended and I think this one could make one of the slots in my Films of the Year list. Review

Tonally, the film seems all over the place, sometimes veering from its sci-fi basis into manic comedy, only some of which sticks. Review

A really engaging and fascinating documentary that is a must for any film-maker or media studies student. There is so much that you can learn about film making from this. Review

This turned out to be a terrific little film that I would heartily recommend. Review

Coppola deserves a lot of praise for delivering a film of this quality for such a small budget. Review

Not one of my favourites of the nominated documentaries, but a worthy and worthwhile look at the ongoing suffering of ‘survivors’ of abuse. Review

At two and a half hours, this was long for a documentary. But I found it to be a scholarly and entertaining slice of jazz-infused history that is worth your attention if you are into a) history and/or b) jazz. Review

Porcelain War was an interesting insight into ordinary people and their relationship with the war. It wasn’t one of my favourite documentaries of the Oscar nominees… but it was still good. Review

This is an emotional but brilliant documentary. Review

It’s a solid documentary that is always interesting. A good editorial decision is to paint a big black cross over the defendants face every time he appears on camera, giving the cowardly jerk the disrespect he deserves. Review

This is a very powerful and well made documentary following the last 7 days – or is it? – in the life of the convicted murderer. Review

It’s an interesting insight into a woman of substance, even though she downplays her own importance in life and the arts. Review

This is a delightful insight into the Japanese culture of excellence instilled into children at an early age. In turns heartbreaking; in turns inspirational, the film highlights the caring but no-nonsense attitude that the Japanese have. Review

This is a well made film, showing such a kaleidoscope of different images on the screen at the same time that it is sometimes difficult to know what you should be looking at. It adds an immediacy to the action that gets your adrenaline running, as the aftermath leads to street protests from a rapidly gathering crowd. Review

This one has a fairly simple 2D animation style, but contains a story that is charming and delightful and had me smiling throughout its 13 minute running time. Review

This is a wonderfully inventive and anarchic film, chock full of black humour that’s as thick as flies! Review

This is a delightful Japanese-set animation that scores highly for me in having a really engaging story that is quite moving in places. Review

This is one of the more artistic offerings in this year’s set, reminding me of the style of Ice Merchants. Review

The animation is also clever in that there are multiple fog effects used, which must have been tricky to do. Review

Everything is deliciously natural and unforced. Review

A darkly impressive film that will not be to everyone’s tastes. Review

It really didn’t feel like a 3 hour film, given how engrossing it was. Review

Thank God for Harrison Ford. For the film would really have been a 1* squib for me without his robust presence in the film. Review

All in all, I had a fun time with this one in the cinema. It’s not high art. But it is a fun popcorn watch. Review