clare-i-kelly Reviews

The End of Medicine (2022)

Pretty eye opening stuff

[9/10 · 16 May 2024]

I had heard of most of the issues they raise in this documentary and it shines a light on how the west does love to blame pretty much anyone else for its problems... The behaviour of the RSVS was enlightening. Reminiscent of the gun or tobacco lobby intimidating whistleblowers but over here in the UK. Scary stuff for a young vet to deal with.

The points raised about environmental racism also feel very raw and are pretty heartbreaking.

It barely felt like an hour and was very engaging so definitely worth a watch if you're at all interested in how to prevent the apocalypse... Something really needs to change. Lots of things in fact.

Getting It Back: The Story of Cymande (2022)

What a journey: introducing Cymande

[10/10 · 29 September 2023]

I was fortunate enough to see an early screening of this film at Streatham Free Film festival, which was the perfect setting as several band members hail from south London (Balham and Catford I believe).

It's really well produced. Although there are underlying political themes about racism in the UK, particularly how the music industry turned a blind eye to black talent in the 70s, the overall tone is a huge celebration of the intensely powerful music that these guys produced that's been sampled well over a hundred times by huge artists over the past fifty years.

If you haven't heard of them before, go look them up, share their music, and keep the legacy alive.

Boiling Point (I) (2021)

Intense and utterly convincing

[8/10 · 7 April 2023]

I dated a head chef about Andy's age for several years... mostly during the COVID19 pandemic... and lived above a couple of gastropubs with him. I met quite a few of his colleagues, live in staff, regulars, etc along the way. I learned a lot about their personal lives, and was often debriefed on all the drama after each shift.

This movie felt utterly real to me. It's very well cast and shows the diversity in people who work in hospitality in London. I was so absorbed so quickly I just burst out crying at one point quite early on. (You'll probably figure out which part if you watch it.)

Be kind to restaurant staff. And tip big.

Human Traffic (1999)

Still sweet. Fun. Human. Mashup.

[8/10 · 24 August 2021]

I've just rewatched this through eyes half closed after about 10 years and can confirm it's still a brilliant snapshot of the time. Brilliant soundtrack. Sweet, funny, flawed characters. Peeking into drug and party culture in the late 90s. A lovely little journey (dare I say trip?) to nowhere in particular and back.

A Life Less Ordinary (1997)

More for believers than critics

[7/10 · 15 June 2020]

I was very fortunate to see this film for the first time when I was about 13. I hadn't seen Trainspotting, so had no idea this had a build up to follow it.

For me, now, this film is so perfectly 90s, I keep listening to the soundtrack on Spotify and it's incredible.

This isn't one for film buffs, as - with most Danny Boyle films - there's a style over substance issue here that you need to overcome. If you're the kind of person who daydreams a lot but can suddenly get really sucked into a film with cool sets and an amazing soundtrack, this is for you.

Enjoy.

White Collar (2009–2014)

Fun but not convincing and too sexist for this decade

[6/10 · 18 October 2019]

So I used to love a bit of Lethal Weapon... Good cop. Bad cop. Bromance. Worried wife at home bringing up x4 kids she's popped out for cop husband who is about to retire. Actually I grew up watching those movies and I love them. And I love Rene Russo doing a karate kick.

But this was made 20 years later. And it's not as funny. And it features a female FBI agent who immediately has to go undercover in a teeny tiny dress and pretend to be a model. And it is utterly full of plot holes.

Because women can't do big important jobs like work for the government and catch criminals unless they have some useful attribute like being really skinny. Hmmmmmm.

It's a five out of ten at best. You can find an 8 that was made in the last three years. Don't waste your time.