Glasshouse
Thoughtful, intelligent plot turns are exactly what makes low-budget sci-fi effective, and they are what makes GLASSHOUSE an intriguing, engaging watch.
All posts by Ben Johnston
Agnes
While not devoid of interesting characters or engaging relationships, AGNES is too disjointed to use them fully and not focused enough to explore them. Instead of employing a sudden narrative shift halfway through, AGNES would have been better served by having a little faith in its original premise. Early on, AGNES hits all the marks … Continue reading Agnes
Edinburgh Shorts: Escape Plan
If there’s one running theme of the absolute tyre fire that was the year 2020, it’s that we always need ways to escape. As such, it’s suitable that this block of the long-postponed 2020 Edinburgh Short Film Festival focuses on this very topic.
The Devil All the Time
With an impressive cast and a gorgeously bleak southern gothic aesthetic, THE DEVIL ALL THE TIME’s time-hopping, plot-crossing saga is thrilling and gruesome in equal measure, and only slightly hampered by a tendency to meander.
Summerland
Technical craft isn’t everything and, taken as a whole package, SUMMERLAND winds up feeling more like Fyre Festival than Coachella. Ben Johnston reviews.
All That Perishes at the Edge of Land
With its impressive visuals and inventive approach to documentary storytelling, there is certainly enough substance in ALL THAT PERISHES AT THE EDGE OF LAND to keep it floating, but more time really needed to be spent exploring the key themes in order to mark it truly seaworthy. Ben Johnston reviews.
Hi A.I.
HI, A.I. shows us that this technology has more to offer than just murderous HAL 9000s and Skynets.
Toxic Beauty
Director Phyllis Ellis leans on the juxtaposition between the image of care products pushed by the manufacturers and the harsh reality being revealed by the plaintiffs and scientists. Ben Johnston reviews TOXIC BEAUTY, which screened at Raindance 2019.
Thirst for Justice
A spirit of resistance is at the heart of THIRST FOR JUSTICE, and serves as a much needed silver lining around the bleak cloud of angry, toxic rainwater. Ben Johnston reviews at Raindance 2019.
Harpoon
HARPOON: a brilliant blend of horror and humour, and a strong argument against the commercial sale of spearguns to people with anger issues.