Film Reviews (February 2019) by Adam Ray Palmer

By in News

Well people, the awards season is upon us! This means all the ‘best’ movies are released and the run up to the Summer festivals begins! This month we have three flicks, all of which you need to see, and some little Oscar predictions for you to tease me with if/when I get them wrong. Let’s get into it…
Can You Ever Forgive Me?

First up this month is perhaps the darling of February. Quietly doing the rounds at the awards circuit, Can You Ever Forgive Me? stars Melissa McCarthy as Lee Israel, a literary forger, and Richard E. Grant as Jack Hock, Lee’s accomplice in the dodgy dealings. They go on a journey making money from turning Lee’s accomplished art form into some cunning deception, plus, a little bit of comedy eases the script along. Grant steals the show here and is rightly getting recognised with award nominations. It’s a great performance that, in another year, would perhaps see a golden statuette sitting upon his mantlepiece.
In cinemas: 1st February 2019
If Beale Street Could Talk

Barry Jenkins is back! Fresh after his hit Moonlight, that picked up the Academy Award for Best Picture two years ago, Jenkins returns with his latest flick If Beale Street Could Talk. It follows a young African-American woman named Tish (KiKi Layne) who, with her family’s support, seeks to clear the name of her wrongly charged lover (Stephan James) and prove his innocence before the birth of their child. This movie hasn’t got the following that Moonlight had, but it still packs a punch like the former did. Regina King in particular, is a delight. You could do worse than back her for a supporting actress gong in March.
In cinemas: 8th February 2019
The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part

These movies are just the best. They are literally hilarious to everyone. It’s fun animation for the kids, and some tip-top under the radar zingers for the adults. It’s been five years since everything was awesome and the citizens are facing a huge new threat: LEGO DUPLO® invaders from outer space, wrecking everything faster than they can rebuild. The budget on these productions must be out of this world, the calibre of talent lending their voice for this instalment is insane. To name a few, we have Margot Robbie, Jason Momoa, Gal Gadot, Chris Pratt, Elizabeth Banks, Jonah Hill, Will Arnett, Channing Tatum, and Tiffany Haddish – crazy right?! This is a must-see, you won’t regret it. Who doesn’t want to go to a cinema for 90 minutes, laugh so hard you bruise a lung and then have an armoury of quips to share at work all week? I’m in!
In cinemas: 8th February 2019

Oscar predictions:
As I do every year, I am going to chuck out a few Oscar predictions here (even though at time of writing the nominations haven’t even been announced – I could be left red faced!). If you’re a betting person, and you want to win lots of money… probably go it alone!
Best Picture Should win: The Favourite
Will win: Roma
Best Director Should win: Alfonso Cuaron (Roma)
Will win: Alfonso Cuaron (Roma)
Best Actress Should win: Lady Gaga/Olivia Colman (A Star is Born/The Favourite)
Will win: Glenn Close (The Wife)
Best Actor Should win: Bradley Cooper (A Star is Born)
Will win: Bradley Cooper (A Star is Born)
Best Song
Should win: Shallow (A Star is Born)
Will win: Shallow (A Star is Born)