Movie Reviews in 20 Words or Less | August 2020

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Over on Twitter, I run an account that gives movie reviews in twenty words or less. In a fast and moving world, attention spans can be short, especially on social media. I challenged myself to strip away the excess fat from reviews and post my succinct thoughts that get to the heart of how I feel. New releases, old classics, first-time viewings, and tenth time rewatches.

See below for a round-up of last month’s content.


Image

Honey Boy – At it’s heart, a bleak film borne from raw emotion. Also an excellent one. Fantastic displays from all involved.


Image

Escape Room (2019) – Starts well and has some interesting scenarios but quickly runs out of steam. In the end, entirely forgettable.


Image

Host – A remarkable achievement considering it was made from scratch during lockdown. Short and to the point, but very effective nonetheless.


Image

The Nightingale – A tortuous watch in places, being particularly unapologetic in a brutal opening set-up. Highly rewarding if you stick with it.


Image

Morvern Callar – Limited dialogue and plot progression, but Lynne Ramsay’s intimate directorial style and Samantha Morton’s superb performance kept me thoroughly engaged.


Image

The Night Clerk – A tiresome crime drama with zero intrigue and strange tonal shifts throughout. A real waste of the talent involved.


Image

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang – Convoluted at times but always entertaining, mainly due to a classic buddy partnership. A clever homage to noir thrillers.


Image

The Great Dictator – Full of humour and charm but at it’s centre a serious message. Climaxing in the greatest monologue I’ve ever seen.


Image

Swallow – A strange premise but surprisingly excellent film. Haley Bennett gives the best performance I’ve seen in a long, long time.


Image

No Country for Old Men – A visceral thriller that could pass for a horror, with one of the most menacing antagonists you’ll ever see. Awesome.


Have you seen any of these films and if so, what are your thoughts?

The official ScreenAge Newsletter has arrived! Subscribe to receive a semi-regular round-up of all our exclusive content, including reviews, editorials, Top 100 lists, and more! C'mon, we know you want to venture further into the Wasteland with us!

Author: Lee McCutcheon

Happy to watch absolutely anything, with a soft spot for world cinema.