Adam Fresco

Adam eats, sleeps and dreams movies (often simultaneously).

April Fool’s cinema – twists and surprises that shocked (or made us groan)

April Fool’s cinema – twists and surprises that shocked (or made us groan)

Tortured, predictable “twists” to cool shocks and surprises that endure.

01 Apr

The Gentlemen is a Guy Ritchie throwback (and his “PC’s-gone-mad!” pic?)

The Gentlemen is a Guy Ritchie throwback (and his “PC’s-gone-mad!” pic?)

A flawed, potentially offensive, but stylish treat for fans of Ritchie’s early flicks.

20 Dec

Netflix’s The Two Popes sidesteps controversy for Vatican bromance

Netflix’s The Two Popes sidesteps controversy for Vatican bromance

“Neither a Vatican recruitment ad, nor an atheist takedown.”

16 Dec

Timothée Chalamet smoulders in Netflix’s dynamite The King

Timothée Chalamet smoulders in Netflix’s dynamite The King

Did we mention Robert Pattinson is gloriously over-the-top?

03 Nov

The Goldfinch might be a faithful adaptation, but it lacks the book’s depth

The Goldfinch might be a faithful adaptation, but it lacks the book’s depth

Those who haven’t read the book will likely enjoy this more.

26 Sep

Late Night’s an often funny, surprisingly old-fashioned comedy of manners

Late Night’s an often funny, surprisingly old-fashioned comedy of manners

When it falters, the ace up its sleeve is Emma Thompson.

01 Aug

Toy Story 4 lives up to the series’ reputation

Toy Story 4 lives up to the series’ reputation

Rest easy. They nailed it.

25 Jun

Bill Nighy’s a tour-de-force of downbeat comedy in Sometimes Always Never

Bill Nighy’s a tour-de-force of downbeat comedy in Sometimes Always Never

The idiosyncratic script, direction and style are all very English.

06 Jun

Kenneth Branagh’s Shakespeare drama All is True rings false

Kenneth Branagh’s Shakespeare drama All is True rings false

Shakespeare scholars will not be pleased.

06 May

The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir delivers a fun European feel-good trip

The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir delivers a fun European feel-good trip

Proves optimistic and full of enough feel-good humanity.

01 May

We celebrate the one billion reasons to watch Billions

We celebrate the one billion reasons to watch Billions

Money, Metallica, Malkovich, more money – and more.

24 Apr

Expertly produced The Heart Dances is fascinating for all the wrong reasons

Expertly produced The Heart Dances is fascinating for all the wrong reasons

It’s more than just another peek behind-the-scenes.

03 Apr

Despite some letdowns, Dumbo is still Tim Burton’s best family movie in ages

Despite some letdowns, Dumbo is still Tim Burton’s best family movie in ages

There’s plenty of family fun to be had along.

28 Mar

Steve Coogan and John C. Reilly are a perfectly matched pair in Stan & Ollie

Steve Coogan and John C. Reilly are a perfectly matched pair in Stan & Ollie

Simultaneously sad, funny, melancholy and celebratory.

08 Feb

Clint Eastwood’s solid direction in The Mule deserves a better script

Clint Eastwood’s solid direction in The Mule deserves a better script

Long-time Eastwood fans may enjoy his latest/last.

21 Jan

With hints of Spielberg, The Kid Who Would Be King keeps all ages entertained

With hints of Spielberg, The Kid Who Would Be King keeps all ages entertained

Provides just enough CGI, chills, spills, laughs and thrills.

14 Jan

This all-male synchronised swimming comedy delivers formulaic fun

This all-male synchronised swimming comedy delivers formulaic fun

When the feel-good clichés kick in, it’s hard not to grin.

18 Dec

Can’t stand ponderous and pretentious films? Don’t touch At Eternity’s Gate

Can’t stand ponderous and pretentious films? Don’t touch At Eternity’s Gate

Slow, ponderous and pretentious, or deep, insightful and meditative?

18 Dec

Creed II packs a solid sequel punch but has a rather muddy moral

Creed II packs a solid sequel punch but has a rather muddy moral

It lacks the knockout blow of Ryan Coogler’s first.

28 Nov

Illumination’s The Grinch whizzes by pleasantly but forgettably

Illumination’s The Grinch whizzes by pleasantly but forgettably

Little ones will love it. Kids over 8 may be less forgiving.

23 Nov

Rami Malek’s performance as Freddie Mercury lifts Bohemian Rhapsody

Rami Malek’s performance as Freddie Mercury lifts Bohemian Rhapsody

Reality reimagined as a highly entertaining, bombastic fairy tale.

29 Oct