"Split", directed by M Night Shyamalan

Movie, 2016

Thriller horror about the abduction of three teenagers by a multiple-personality crank played with some gusto by James McAvoy. A well paced film with some interesting photography and composition, dogged by an all-too predictable back story retold in the mind of the main character, and some pretty exploitative schlock which at times, borders on misogyny. Not great overall, but not bad. The acting pulls the script a few favours, while there are a few tension points which could have been a little better timed. All in all, a fairly enjoyable romp.

"Florence Foster Jenkins," directed Stephen Frears

Movie, 2016

Star studded film about a patron of the arts, wonderfully played by Meryl Streep. This is a film about culture, relationships, class and trust, with a great balance between comedy immediately and frequently undercut with touching scenes of deception and undying energy and optimism. The film's pace and direction are seamless, drawing the viewer directly in with the characters. Some real charm and class throughout, and showing the upper tiers of society in an interesting light.

"Free Fire," directed by Ben Wheatley

Movie, 2016

A film with one fairly hackneyed idea, which is pushed to breaking point, but is ultimately rescued by some great and at time over the top acting and a possibly dubious sense of fun at having every protagonist n the film getting battered by their rather dishonest trade. A parable, possibly, about power and guns and evil corrupting and leading to anarchy. It is, however, possibly too easy to read anything into this film because of its almost crass simplicity. A little repetitive, though watchable and, oddly, surprisingly well-paced. 

"His Bloody Project", by Graeme Macrae Burnet

Novel, 2016

Interesting and old-fashioned feeling book about a crime, told through different (fictional) documents relating to a murder, near Inverness, in 1869. While the use of the murderer's journal, court and medical records and like give the book a pep and vitality through their tight, controlled writing, and while the story is nonetheless told in a linear way, the end of the book feels ever so slightly unsatisfying. All those sides and angles, somehow not pulled together. But still, a wonderful read with some great detail. Definitely recommended.

"The Power", by Naomi Alderman

Novel, 2014

Science fiction vision of women taking over the world, but taking it in some fairly depressing and rather familiar directions. A book that kicks off at pace, although the jumpy narrative looking through to different characters' points of view and shifting in both time and geography make for what can be a disjointed read. Hugely powerful in places, mind, even if and when a few descriptions seem to gleefully slip into genre, perhaps too knowingly, and certain a little noticeably. A book that feels written for filming. 

"David Brent: Life on the Road", directed by Ricky Gervais

Movie, 2016

Reprisal of the David Brent character, who's giving rock and roll a proper try out in order to try and escape the drudgery of his sales job. This is a film which treads the line between rehash and some occasional moving scenes, but is never too far away from a good laugh or two. It's a savage character portrayal, very much in line and in the same style as The Office, although there's more emphasis on the human being and the frailties of David Brent, who is treated poorly, but who's gained a little more self-awareness. He's still cringeworthy, however, and although patchy, the film delivers. 

"The Fundamentals of Caring," directed by Rob Burnett

Movie, 2016

Excellent road movie, featuring a carer taking his patient, who suffers from muscular dystrophy, on a road trip and rite of passage. There are almost too many points where the film could have slipped into schlock, though it avoids doing so with some aplomb. Some genuinely funny moments, some genuinely touching moments and while manipulating the emotions in that very American way, it retains a low budget integrity and doesn't ram home any position or attitude. Great entertainment from an unpromising premise.

"Hunt for the Wilderpeople", directed by Taika Waititi

Movie, 2016

Touching and funny buddy story with a non-cloying performance by a child actor on the run from an over zealous child protection team in the New Zealand wilderness. While this is in no way a radical breakthrough film, the humour is well-balanced and the characters work well together, even if aside from the main protagonists, they tend to be very crudely drawn. The film delivers poignancy within something of a riotous framework, which is quite a feat, given the set up and the concentration on the two main actors and characters.