For now though we can talk about this month and it has been
quite a brilliant one at that. Following the somewhat disappointing turnout of
March 2016, April was considerably better, with quite a few impressive films of
varying genres. Whether they be Disney blockbusters, science fiction road
trips, paranoid thrillers or indie experiments there was essentially something for
everyone this month. There was only one truly terrible film as well which is definitely
a bonus given how so far each month has had at least two. Before the main
selection though I have to give a shoutout for ’10 Cloverfield Lane’ which just
barely missed the cut, even though it was highly impressive.
3: The Jungle Book
In Disney’s recent wave of live action adaptations of their
classic cartoons, John Favreau’s ‘The Jungle Book’ stands as the best by a long
way. Featuring some of the most impressive CGI I have ever seen put to film,
being massive yet detailed and completely immersive. But despite its technical
brilliance there is still a real heart and soul to ‘The Jungle Book’, it’s
permeated with brilliant characters who are all brought to life with a magnificent
all-star voice cast. It’s pure cinematic joy from start to finish.
2: Victoria
The idea of executing an entire film (regardless of the
premise and plot) as a single take, filmed in real time and no room for error
is difficult to imagine. But when you consider that ‘Victoria’ has a runtime of
nearly two and a half hours that takes the viewer from classy bars and
nightclubs to tense crime confrontations and bank robberies, you really do have
to see it to believe it. Director Sebastian Schipper has accomplished what many
might deem impossible and furthermore he managed to craft a film with a cohesive
plot, compelling characters and emotional turns. Laia Costa is fantastic in the
titular role and almost rivals the technical prowess as the best thing about ‘Victoria’.
1: Midnight
Special
Jeff Nichols’ science fiction powerhouse is less of a film
about extra-terrestrials and more of one about the relationship between a
father and son. It weaves a story of intimacy and poignancy that outshines and
flashy CGI that Hollywood continue to mistake for science fiction, ‘Midnight
Special’ reconnects with science fiction classics from the likes of Steven Spielberg
and John Carpenter who based their stories around human life more than the
aliens that visited them. That is not to say that there isn’t spectacle to ‘Midnight
Special’, there are some truly breath-taking moments, but it finds its strength
through the emotions of its story that are perfectly conveyed by its cast that
includes Adam Driver and Joel Edgerton but most of all it is Michael Shannon
who delivers a superb performance. Nichols directs with an eye that understands
what audiences take away from a film and has applied it to ‘Midnight Special’
brilliantly.
And the worst….
God’s Not Dead 2
This is a propaganda film, pure and simple (at the end it told me to text my friends and family to spread the message). But worse than that
though it’s a manipulative film that does not try to make an argument as to why
certain hold certain beliefs, it is not trying to convince anyone why
Christianity is beneficial and what draws people to it. It only tries to
reinforce the prejudices and bigotries that its audiences hold. It acts as if
Christians are persecuted within today’s society even though you wouldn’t have
to travel far to find a group of people who suffer from far worse. The plot is
a fantasy, as is any form of filmmaking as a concept. Acting, cinematography,
directing, production design, etcetera. None of them are to be found here. 
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