23 March 2026

The Secrets We Keep

 

The Secrets We Keep 2020

  • Director: Yuval Adlar
  • Cast: Noomi Rapace, Joel Kinnaman, Chris Messina, Amy Seimetz·       
  • Why? Noomi Rapace·       
  • Seen: 14 March 2026      

       Maja (Rapace) is a Holocaust survivor. One day she sees the man (Kinneman) who raped her and killed her sister. She seeks revenge. But is it really him? Or is she crazy?

       The acting is strong, the tension high. It got very mixed reviews but I am gripped by it.  

4 * of 5

 

 

 

 

 

A Quiet Place Day One

 

A Quiet Place Day One 2024

  • Director: Michael Sarnoski
  • Cast: Lupita Nyong’o, Joseph Quinn, Alex Wolff, Djimon Hounsou, Schnitzel and Nico the cats·       
  • Why? Sci fi
  • Seen: 26 May 2018      

       Samira (Nyong’o) is a cancer patient living in a hospice. She’s on an outing in NYC with other patients and her cat when aliens attack.

       It’s atmospheric, well-acted and existential. You can be dying of cancer but still not want to die from an alien invasion, at least not without getting a pizza first.

       It’s a prequel to Emily Blunt A Quiet Place films. Now I want to watch them again. 

3 ½ * of 5

 

 

 

 

 

An Education

 

An Education 2009

  • Director: Lone Scherfig
  • Cast: Carey Mulligan, Peter Sarsgaard, Alfred Molina, Olivia Williams, Cara Seymour, Dominic Cooper, Rosamund Pike, Emma Thompson·       
  • Why? Originally, Emma Thompson
  • Seen: Once before. Now 10 March 2026      

       The film, and especially Carey Mulligan, were highly praised by most reviewers but if I remember correctly, I didn’t much like the film or Mulligan (though I have liked her a lot in other films).

       London 1961. Sixteen-year-old Jenny (Mulligan) falls for a smooth gut (Sarsgaard) in his 30s. I find the whole idea unsavoury and therefore, still have trouble liking the film. 

2* of 5

 

 

 

Miracle at St Anna

 

Miracle at St Anna 2008

  • Director: Spike Lee
  • Cast: Derek Luke, Michael Ealy, Laz Alonso, Omar Benson Miller, John Turturro, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Valentina Cervi·       
  • Why? Originally, Spike Lee
  • Seen: Once before. Now 9 March 2026      

       What I remember is that this is not like other Spike Lee films. It got a lot of negative reviews and to be honest, I don’t think I liked it much myself.

       Four Afro-American soldiers in WWII end up in Italy and they help a little boy, making friends with the villagers.

       The narration is cumbersome and slow and what should have been an important contribution to the history of racism meanders from one point of view to another. It’s far too long and often boring.

       Sorry, Spike Lee. 

2* of 5

 

 

 

9 March 2026

The Carer

 

The Carer 2016

  • Director: János Edelényi
  • Cast: Coco König, Brian Cox, Emilia Fox, Karl Johnson, Anna Chancellor·     
  •   Why? Recommended by A-KE
  • Seen: 7 March 2026      

       Sir Michael (Cox) is a renowned but now aging and ailing actor. Dorottya (König) is also an actor but now she has been hired to be his carer, which he loathes. He’s foul-mouthed and furious but she laughs at him, talks back and quotes Shakespeare.

       Of course it turns out well and the film is thoroughly enjoyable, especially the ending which raises it to

 4* of 5   

 

 

 

 

Sinners

 

Sinners 2025

  • Director: Ryan Coogler
  • Cast: Michael B Jordon, Jack O’Connell, Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Caton, Yao, Li Jun Li, Delroy Lindo, Jayme Lawson·       
  • Why? Sounds interesting. Music.
  • Seen: 5 March 2026      

       Twin brothers Smoke and Stack (both Jordan) spent time in Chicago working for Al Capone but now they’re back in Mississippi where they’re from and they’ve opened a juke joint with the best blues music around.

       And then there’s vampires.

       And it works. It’s a sprawling, wild conglomeration of history, racism, electric guitars, African roots, violence, break dance, love.

       I hope it wins lots of Oscars. 

5* of 5   

 

 

 

The Creator

 

The Creator 2023

  • Director: Gareth Edwards
  • Cast: John David Washington, Gemma Chan, Allison Janney
  • Why? Sci fi
  • Seen: 4 March 2026      

       War between AI and humans. Who’s a robot? Who’s human? Who’s both? Who are the good guys, the humans or the AI?

       It should be good but it’s boring. I slept through most of it. 

1* of 5