“The Bikeriders ranks with four stars. The cinematic work, directed by Jeff Nichols, features stellar performances by actors such as Jodie Comer, Austin Butler, Tom Hardy, Michael Shannon, Mike Faist, amongst others. Despite running for 116 minutes and providing a captivating exploration of the 1960s motorbike culture in the heartland of America, the director appears to lack a spiritual connection with the subject matter. Although the film teases some homoerotic underpinnings, it fails to deliver this aspect fully, hence proving to be a letdown for those anticipating an echo of Kenneth Anger’s Scorpio Rising. Yet the ambience remains consistent throughout, with the cast delivering robust performances. Hardy’s rendition of a character reminiscent of Brando and Comer’s uniquely eccentric portrayal provide added intrigue. Despite its minor shortcomings, The Bikeriders still succeeds in holding the audience’s interest till the end.
Like The Bikeriders, The Exorcism also bags a four-star rating. Directed by Joshua John Miller, the film features Russell Crowe, Ryan Simpkins, Sam Worthington, among others. Crowe delivers an outstanding performance as a deflated actor who lands a role in what seems to be a remake of The Exorcist. Consequently, he seeks the assistance of his recently alienated, expelled daughter, played by Simpkins, to help with his script. Produced from a shrewd screenplay jointly written by MA Fortin, Miller, the offspring of Exorcist star Jason Miller, creates a chilling atmosphere within the horror film context, utilising the dark horror movie setting and Michael Perry’s intricate production design. The absorbing exercise puts recent subpar reboots to shame, rendering them seemingly cursed.
“Green Borders, on the other hand, triumphs with a five-star rating.
Agnieszka Holland is the director behind the gripping and powerful depiction of the current refugee crisis in the film, “Green Border”. The protagonists of the plot are a Syrian family – made up of Bashir (played by Jalal Altawil), his wife Amina (portrayed by Dalia Naous), her father (Mohamad Al Rashi), and their three kids – who struggle to differentiate between Poland and Belarus. Their ultimate aim, indicated by a title card, is to reach Europe. Featuring testimonies from migrants who have lived to tell the tale, “Green Border” provides a relentless viewing experience. Tomasz Naumiuk adds to the ambience with his stunning black-and-white cinematography. A steady reveal of geopolitics, while occasionally distorted, makes this film crucial viewing.
In contrast, “Something in the Water” directed by Hayley Easton Street and featuring Lauren Lyle, Hiftu Quasem, Nicole Rieko Setsuko and Natalie Mitson, fails to deliver. On paper, the concept of “Bridget Jones meets sharks” sounds intriguing, but in execution it falls flat. Weak characterisation combined with awkward dialogue makes it feel like a corny 60’s horror-surf movie, reminiscent of “Cannibal Martians at Wipeout Cove”. The audience is left to ponder which beach-goer is the most deserving of being the next meal, but the lack of significant action results in too much floating and insufficient action. A fitting summary for this film would be “The Daft of the Medusa”.