Rum and Popcorn

Leeds International Film Festival 2023

The Holdovers

Quite lovely. Utterly predictable but it’s a love letter to 70s filmmaking that is a joy to watch. An unlovable teacher and student find common ground when forced to spend Christmas together

The Hypnosis

At last, some Scandinavian black comedy! Lots of awkward and cringe inducing moments as well as some genuine hilarity. Watch it.

The Lady Vanishes

It’s a classic Hitchcock thriller. Always lovely to see this sort of thing on a great big screen.

The Monk and the Gun

Set against the backdrop of rural Bhutan gearing up for its first ever elections, this is a warm-hearted caper that with an eye on some serious issues. A gentle one.

The Spider Tattoo

Outrageously silly revenge drama. Runaway daughter is sold as a geisha, forcibly given a massive tattoo and exacts revenge upon all involved. Lots of melodramatic arguing and chaotic fights.

The Taste of Things

Utterly spellbinding. A menu designing gourmet and his cook and sort of partner potter through their lives. It’s beautiful, it’s sad and it’s full of stunning food prep and eating. Ortolans! Turbot! Baked Alaska!

The Train Robbers

An old Brazilian one. Interesting concept - a heist movie set post-heist, everyone trying not to spend their stolen cash too fast in the favelas - but the story was mostly just running around and shouting. Underwhelming.

White Plastic Sky

It feels like a while since I’ve seen a feature length animation. This was a bit too long but it was beautiful and a cool concept. Think Logan’s Run but where you turn into plants. Neat.