Oslo

 

Oslo 2001

• Director: Bartlett Sher
• Cast: Ruth Wilson, Andrew Scott, Jeff Wilbusch, Itzik Cohen, Salim Daw, Dov Glickman, Waleed Zuaiter
• Why? The cast, and I was in Oslo last weekend
• 9 October 2026      

 

          The 90s, in Oslo. Peace talks between Israel and Palestine. Only Israel refuses to even meet with PLO.

          Mona (Wilson) works for the Norwegian foreign office. Her husband Terje (Scott) works for a Think Tank. Together they set up the ultra-secret and unofficial Oslo Peace Accord with an Israel professor of economics and his colleague, and the minister of finance for the PLO and his colleague.

          As we know, it didn’t lead to peace but it’s a warm humanistic film about individuals who at least try. The acting is excellent so the film gets 3 ½ * from me.

          While the crimes against Gaza continue, more than 30 years later.

         

3 ½ * of 5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Wizard of Oz

 

The Wizard of Oz 1939

• Director: Fleming, Cukor and Taurog
• Cast: Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr, Jack Haley, Billie Burke, Margaret Hamilton
• Why? A musical
• Several times. Now7 October 2026                 

 

      This film is such a classic that even if you haven’t seen it you no doubt know the story so I won’t go into that. And everyone has heard ‘Over the Rainbow’ which has been covered a million times.

      I’ve seen it several times, long ago before starting this blog. I’d forgotten it was a musical which is why I didn’t start at the beginning of this musical marathon, though it’s clearly the oldest, instead of now as I’m approaching the musicals of the 2000s.

      Does it hold up, this old film from the 30s? Yes, surprisingly well. It’s still quite enjoyable.

 

3 ½ * of 5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brick

 

Brick 2025

• Director: Philip Koch
• Cast: Mattias Schweighöfer, Ruby O Fee, Fredrik Lau, Salber Lee Williams,  Murathan Muslu, Sira-Anna Faal
• Why? Sounds interesting
• 28 September 2026 

          Liv (Fee) is about to leave her husband Tim (Schweihöfer) but when she opens the door, suitcase in hand, the door is blocked by a solid wall of smooth black bricks. As are all the windows.

          Nothing they do can break or penetrate the bricks, but they succeed in breaking holes in the walls and floors to the neighbours.

          How are they going to survive?

          Some viewers on IMDb hate the film, others liked it OK. I think it’s quite OK. I don’t want to have to explain the logic, or lack thereof, but it’s creepy, tense and entertaining.

 

3* of 5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joe's Palace

 

Joe’s Palace 2007

• Director: Stephen Poliakoff
• Cast: Danny Lee Wynter, Michael Gambon), Rupert Penry-Jones, Kelly Reilly, Rebecca Hall
• Why? Danny Lee Wynter
• 24 September 2026

 

      Aha, it’s a prequel to Capturing Mary. Joe (Wynter) has just been hired to be a doorman for the empty mansion that Mary (Maggie Smith) came to in the other film. The owner, Mr Graham (Gambon), a billionaire, lives in an equally lavish house across the street. He uses Joe as messenger boy, errand boy, dinner companion and…something else?

      Mr Graham allows a young politician Richard (Penry-Jones) and his lover Charlotte (Reilly) to use a room upstairs in Joe’s ‘palace’ as a love nest. Both Richard and Charlotte befriend Joe, liking his politeness and discretion.

      It’s an odd story that doesn’t work as well as Mary’s, probably because Maggie Smith isn’t in it. Still, young Danny does a good job and the story does draw me in gradually.

 

4* of 5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Little Fish

 

Little Fish 2005

• Director: Rowan Woods
• Cast: Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving, Sam Neill, Martin Henderson, Noni Hazlehurst, Dustin Nguyen
• Why? I remember it as good
• Seen: once before. Now 21 September 2026   

 

          Tracy (Blanchett) is an ex-addict trying to start a new life. It’s not easy and it’s difficult not to fall back into using and dealing. Lionel (Weaving), an old friend, is still using. Sam Neill is a drug baron.

          It’s a tangle of family, friends, bad guys, losers, strugglers, old conflicts, liars, bad memories.

          I don’t remember why I liked this. The acting is strong but the story is confusing and depressing and a little boring.

 

3* of 5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Harbour of Hope

 

Harbour of Hope 2011

• Director: Magnus Gertten
• Cast: documentary
• Why? The subject
• Seen: 20 September 2026           

 

          Sweden was officially neutral in WWII. In March 1945 the Swedish Red Cross were given permission to drive their white busses to some of the concentration camps to rescue the prisoners. They were brought to Sweden, 15,000 of them.

          Newsreels of the time and interviews with survivors and Red Cross volunteers still living give us the story in this important and gripping documentary.

 

 

4* of 5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Apostle

 

Apostle 2018

• Director: Gareth Evans
• Cast: Dan Stevens, Martin Sheen, Paul Higgins, Bill Milner, Kristine Froseth, Mark Lewis Jones, Lucy Boynton
• Why? Possibly interesting
• Seen: 17 September 2026           

 

          Tom’s (Stevens) sister has been taken by a fanatic religious sect and isolated her on a Welsh island. Tom has a mysterious background but comes home, then leaves for the island to rescue her.  He is in immediate danger.

          It’s atmospheric, visually strong, suspenseful, creepy and entertaining with some strong acting.

 

3* of 5