Mini-Review – The Deep Blue Sea

The Deep Blue Sea Mercifully Short Review by Jonathan Empson   This melodrama set in post-war London starts with Hester (Rachel Weisz) trying to kill herself in a traditionally genteel 1950s way – with gas. Perhaps it’s to avoid having to star in the rest of this rather glacial film, and it represents the high … Read more

Mini-Review – Goodbye, First Love

Goodbye, First Love Mercifully Short Review by Jonathan Empson   Original title: Un Amour de Jeunesse Camille (Lola Creton) is sexy but clingy, and suffering teen angst over the imminent departure of her boyfriend Sullivan to South America. The angst continues into her 20s as he falls off the map and she studies to be an … Read more

Mini-review – 21 Jump Street

21 Jump Street Mercifully Short Review by Jonathan Empson   We first meet Schmidt (Jonah Hill) and Jenko (Channing Tatum) as respective geek and jock teens failing to get to their high school prom. Years later, they’re unlikely partners helping each other get through police academy. After cocking up their first arrest they’re assigned to … Read more

Mini-Review – A Dangerous Method

A Dangerous Method Mercifully Short Review by Jonathan Empson   Set in the decade before WWI, this is the story of Carl Jung’s (Michael Fassbender) early application of Sigmund Freud’s new theories of psychoanalysis, as Freud didn’t seem to have much interest himself in actually treating patients. (While Freud seems to be played by James … Read more