Oliver Battershall

Election (1999) 4/5
Gets a flickering amber light on the “couldn’t get made today” alarm. Despite my general disdain for Americans their classic high school movies always make me slightly wish I grew up going to one. I find it interesting how school seems to have more of a significant culture and presence in your life there. I think I would’ve got wrapped up in it all, peaked, and burnt out by uni age.

Three Colours: Red (1994) 4/5
It’s hard to describe what feels so unique and impressive to me about this trilogy. They feel so incisive with such great characters. I love intimate yet quirky and platonic friendships in film and this was a great example of that. I can see why this is generally the most-liked out of the three films, but dare I say White was my favourite?

Animal Crackers (1930) 4/5
The kind of comedy with no expiry date. It got plenty of laughs out of me, and I found the musical numbers more entertaining than in Duck Soup. I couldn’t stop imagining how great it would’ve been to watch films like this in the cinema alongside a 1930’s audience and hear everyone round you burst into laughter at every gag. It must’ve been like cavemen discovering fire back then. Now all the good one liners are taken and you have to steal jokes from twitter to get ahead.

Death to Smoochy (2002) 3/5
Can’t exactly say I was surprised when I saw a 15 rated $50million Robin Williams movie flopped hard. Has a spark but it’s pretty tonally messy with too many characters.

Batman (1966) 5/5
The most fun I’ve had watching a film in quite some time. It’s hilarious and peak camp, but it’s done with intention and is brimming with heart. Adam West was an absolute treasure, and so were the rest of the cast. Ultimately comfort movie material.