Explore Reviews

Gretel and the Dark

A weird hybrid attempting to create aΒ Pan's Labyrinth style child-psychology twist that never quite lands, but does contain some interesting historical musings on Freud and early psychology.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame

A dark, sombre, and slightly terrifying meditation on morality and societal failings wrapped up in beautiful animation, excellent songs, and some bold story choices.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

An almost worthy successor, with some excellent character development, yet another brilliant soundtrack, and a captivating story. Plus, it's utterly stunning to look at. Unfortunately, let down a little by some elements of the humour.

Guardians of the Galaxy

Perfection. A brilliant soundtrack, hilarious cast, and wonderful direction combine to make a superhero tour de force!Β Still makes me laugh hysterically, tear up occasionally, and love every damn minute – and I don't see that ever changing!

Atlantis: The Lost Empire

A beautiful steampunk vision of a non-existent Jules Verne book that can be a little shallow on plot, but largely makes up for it in world building, action, and heart.

Puss In Boots

A spinoff of a stretched out kids franchise has no right being this much fun. If you're a cat person or Shrek fan, you'll find a lot to like; if not, you'll almost certainly still have a fun ride with scattered laughter throughout.

Shrek Forever After

A much better finalΓ© to the franchise and general return to form, with some excellent humour and a genuinely interesting plot and villain.

Trilobite! Eyewitness to Evolution

An excellent overview of one of evolution's most successful lineages, albeit one that has totally disappeared. There's enough detail here to be considered a genuinely useful reference source, whilst remaining accessible and interesting enough for newcomers to the subject.

Shrek the Third

Fun enough but a little flat and not on par with either the original or the first sequel on the whole, despite the occasional moment of genius.

English Passengers

A wonderfully nuanced yet riveting story, as much for the historical events it contains as the characters it invents. A fantastic dissection of English imperialism and the well-intentioned ignorance under which it wrought so much horror.

Stephen Fry In America

An interesting-enough overview of all the things that being "American" can mean, though ultimately the format (and time) was clearly too restrictive and the writing lacks the level of intellectual introspection that makes Fry so much fun. Decent, but hardly essential, and very cursory in places.