Sweeping Strings

Twisters - 28 years on from the Jan De Bont original and with no discernible character 'links' to that movie, this is apparently a 'standalone sequel'. Hmm. That aside, this is an entertaining summer blockbuster detailing the exploits of a new generation of 'stormchasers'. The effects are well up to scratch in depicting one of Mother Nature's most terrifying phenonema, and Daisy Edgar-Jones and Glen Powell make for appealing leads.

These chaps would like a word with you about the idea that flat caps = 'cuddly' -

Have never seen Blow Out, but from what I know about it seems like it might be like a less bleak version of The Conversation.

Enjoyed him in Elf, and his recurring role in The Big Bang Theory as 'Professor Proton'. And this Simpsons clip seems fitting - R.I.P.

Ah, the movie whose production was so problematic Sean Connery decided he was done with acting. Yes, I vaguely recall it having a similar plot. The Kingsmen flicks are also based on a graphic novel series.

The King's Man - the third in the 'Bondfluenced' franchise takes the prequel route to show the origins of the independent intelligence network. It posits that the events leading to WW1 were due to the machinations of a shadowy SPECTRE-style organisation. Having Bond alumni Ralph Fiennes and Gemma Arterton on board undoubtedly helps, and Rhys Ifans clearly has mucho fun as Rasputin.

Ah yes, Ms. Fanny Steamer/Candle herself. Undoubtedly easy on the eye, but nuttier than squirrel shit.

Goldeneye - 007 enters the post-Cold War 90s in mostly fine style. Delicately balanced between the sensibilities of the era (a female M berates Bond for being 'a sexist misogynist dinosaur') and Bond of old (the 'What's that, dear?' to the MI6 assessor (who he promptly seduces) and a female character with an innuendo for a surname (Onatopp) ). Not every Bond's first film is his best, but I think it's the case with Brosnan ... he's 'across' the action, deathless quips and sharp-suited suavity with ease and also manages 'deeper' character moments with aplomb (the 'beach brooding' scene and his reaction to Trevelyan's 'I might as well ask you if ... ' taunting, for example).

It's certainly a bloodier and more explicitly violent Bond film than there'd been up to then, featuring arguably the most 'human' central performance as 007 since Lazenby's. Thing is, certain audience expectations of the Bond movies were in place by then so although LTK has the then-unheard of 'grittiness' of Bond going rogue to infiltrate a ruthless drug dealer's organisation in order to vengefully kill him for attempting to kill/killing an old friend and his new bride, it still has the expected spectacular airborne. sea and land-based action and stuntwork and humour (in large part supplied by what is probably Desmond Llewelyn's finest turn as Q). There's always been a bit of tonal 'struggle' in the Bonds, but maybe LTK is the first where it's most noticeable.

A Quiet Place : Day One - the latest in the sci-fi horror franchise moves the action out of the sticks and into NYC to depict the day that the hunt-by-sound carnivorous alien creatures landed on Earth. Tension and jump scares aplenty.

Escape Room - six seemingly disparate individuals receive an invite to the titular attraction, where it quickly becomes clear to them that they'd better work together as failing to escape will actually prove fatal. Decent enough horror-thriller.

It's a long wait for Silva's first appearance in Skyfall, but boy is it worth it. The Mummy - local Cineworld is running a '99 season, so I thought I'd take the opportunity to see this action-adventure take on the classic horror tale on the big screen again. Still a fine slice of Indy-esque escapist fun with Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, John Hannah and Arnold Vosloo.

Cyborg - passable late-80s Van Damme dystopian sci-fi actioner, in which he's on the trail of the titular creation because it holds the cure to a plague. Starring the Muscles From Brussels and a load of people you've literally never heard of.

The End Of Obesity will premiere on Comedy Central UK on July 11th ... being able to watch it for 'free' only 6 weeks or so after its Paramount+ premiere will be quite pleasing.

The Conjuring - 70s-set based-on-true-events horror in which a family are terrorised by malevolent forces when they move into their new home, and turn to paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren for help. A very effective chiller with Ron Livingston, Lili Taylor, Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga. No real interest in the sequels (I've heard the 2nd irksomely gets period details wrong) or the Annabelle spin-off franchise.