Bobby Carroll's Movie Diary

Jennifer Kaytin Robinson directs Chase Sui Wonders, Madelyn Cline and Tyriq Withers in the requel of the nineties slasher favourite.

Not going to be too harsh on this one. It is playful, with gory kills and a charismatic game cast of newbies. The legacy cast members are well served and generously included. I was surprised at least twice. The balance between tribute and workable standalone teen horror is pretty much achieved. I even think the new title font choice is an improvement. The line “You know, this whole thing could’ve been avoided if men would just go to therapy” stank the epilogue out though. Do you not remember why all this just happened to you all? Still better than Still.

6

Perfect Double Bill: The Black Phone 2 (2025)

I write regular features about live comedy for British Comedy Guide here https://www.comedy.co.uk/people/bobby_carroll/features/ and my own Substack https://substack.com/@edinburghlaughterbulletin

Gareth Edwards directs Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali and Jonathan Bailey in this monster movie adventure reboot where mercenaries, suits, scientists and a stranded family go to another secret island full of dinosaurs.

Yeah… it involves gargantuans, slow plotting and melodrama but this is probably Edwards’ most anonymous work. They somehow crowbar a kid into it again. I don’t care about mutant dinosaurs. Quibbles aside, it does have a few good set pieces and Scarlett Johansson. Blatantly inessential but you could say that of every JP sequel since 1993.

6

Perfect Double Bill: 65 (2023)

Matt Cooper, Martin Kunert and David Semel directs Ron Livingston, James Marsden and Amy Smart in this tame TV horror anthology where various well known American spooky stories are recreated with “before they were famous” B-Listers.

Urban Legends Bonus Feature.

3

Perfect Double Bill: When A Stranger Calls (2006)

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Scott Roberts directs Guy Pearce, Rachel Griffiths and Joel Edgerton in this Australian heist thriller where three brothers rob the Melbourne Cup.

Neat little caper where the three actors playing brothers have a nice chemistry together. There’s nothing new here but it doesn’t take itself too seriously, there’s a good on foot chase and a couple of laughs. Probably moves just a little slow for repeated viewings.

6

Perfect Double Bill: Memento (2000)

James Gunn directs David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan and Nicholas Hoult in this reboot of the DC superhero flagship.

Zingy, colourful, timely. The political content is going to age this, hopefully like wine. Highlights include Krypto and a tense escape from an inter-dimensional prison. Hoult as Lex Luther was the casting I was most excited about but he actually feels a little subdued until the final moments. A solid summer blockbuster that won me over the deeper it went into it own little ‘freak show as family entertainment’ mindset. Stick to your James Gunns.

7

Perfect Double Bill: The Suicide Squad (2021)

I write regular features about live comedy for British Comedy Guide here https://www.comedy.co.uk/people/bobby_carroll/features/ and my own Substack https://substack.com/@edinburghlaughterbulletin

Peter Greenaway directs Andréa Ferréol, Brian Deacon and Eric Deacon in this British arthouse sex romp where twin zoologists lose their wives in a car accident and become obsessed with decomposing animals.

Hey kids, do you like nudity, snails and maggots? Very Carry On meets Turner Prize Art Installation meets Dead Ringers. You can’t deny the transgressive beauty but it all feels a tad up itself.

6

Perfect Double Bill: The Belly Of An Architect (1987)

Sion Sono directs Mitsuru Fukikoshi, Denden and Asuka Kurosawa in this Japanese thriller where a sadsack aquarium shop owner’s family finds themselves drawn into the clutches of a charismatic and more successful business rival.

Strangers On A Train: Asia Extreme Edition. Denden is delicious in this as the murderous conman who easily takes over the protagonists’ lives. He’s weird, he’s seductive, he’s clearly dangerous. Just a great “What’s this smiling freak up to?” central turn. It gets very, very brutal… though there isn’t much suspense once the air of mystery around the mastermind psychopath clears up at the one hour mark. The director’s wife Megumi Kagurazaka is particular good value as the deceitful partner in crime to the magnificent villain. A slippery one watcher.

6

Perfect Double Bill: Anti-Porno (2016)

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Richard Loncraine directs Mia Farrow, Keir Dullea and Tom Conti in this horror where a grieving mother moves into a house with a dark secret.

A London Don’t Look Now. With Rosemary’s Baby’s wet fragile mum. More chiller than terror, the mystery doesn’t go anywhere all that peculiar. There is a haunted radiator. A turtle death. A threatening revelation in an old drunk’s flop house. The only truly shocking moment though is the opening death of the doomed daughter. More drab than exciting.

4

Perfect Double Bill: Burnt Offerings (1976)

Alice Rohrwacher directs Josh O’Connor, Carol Duarte and Isabella Rossellini in this quirky Italian drama about a destitute tomb raider who locates Etruscan graves using his visions.

An arthouse / Letterboxd darling that I hadn’t had the chance to catch until… the Filmhouse reopened. It’s back! It is oh so good that the Filmhouse is back. Looks a bit swankier. Is it more comfy? The movie is dreamy, dirty and very Fellini. The middle act of grave robbing larks is strong. The rest a meandering meditation on grief. It is a mood piece but maybe a bit too ethereal to fully deserve its hype. I do like Josh O’Connor as an awkward but handsome screen presence and fingers crossed he’ll keep snuffling out projects like this.

7

Perfect Double Bill: Happy As Lazzaro (2018)

I write regular features about live comedy for British Comedy Guide here https://www.comedy.co.uk/people/bobby_carroll/features/ and my own Substack https://substack.com/@edinburghlaughterbulletin

Richard Attenborough directs Robert Downey Jnr, Geraldine Chaplin and Kevin Kline in this rags-to-riches biopic of the globally famous silent film comedy star.

A whistle stop tour of all the events and controversies of Chaplin’s life. Works best when ticking off his list of doomed relationships with beautiful (often underage) ingenues. His artistic triumphs and political problems whizz past a little too fast to really make an impact. There are three or four moments where you wish we spent another dedicated half an hour. Downey Jnr is well cast.

5

Perfect Double Bill: Nickelodeon (1976)