Recent reviews

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  Review by craig ennis ★★★

  I’m a sucker for a School film especially Gregory’s Girl and Fever Pitch; as an arsenal supporter that one has particular resonance. I’m also a sucker for small British film, films like Purely Belter or Lucky Break which only a handful of people will give the time to and see at the cinema. I’m also eternally on the hunt for an elusive impromptu private screening. I’ve only had the exquisite pleasure of an empty screen twice before, both times it had been a criminal lost opportunity for the people of Ashford. The first time was the sublime Aussie crime biopic Chopper; the second was forgotten classic A Simple Plan. (Don’t tell Bruce Campbell but it’s Sam Raimi’s finest hour.) In…

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  Review by moviemanc ★★★½

  On paper this looks like a Glee rip off but that would be unfair to a film that stands on its own merits and if anything is closer to this is england. I hope it finds it way to more people as it is one of the few coming of age movies that fails to patronise its characters and can speak to a wider audience too. Marc Evans is a director whose work is worth looking out for.

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  Review by Wesley Mead ★★★★

  Nostalgia sans rose-tinted glasses. A well-scripted look at teenage life in '70s Wales, supported by marvellously-orchestrated performances of classic rock songs and a standout turn from Minnie Driver.

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  Review by Ken Rudolph ★★½

  Minnie Driver plays a drama teacher at a non-posh English private school in 1976. Her class is attempting to put on a rock-opera production of Shakespeare's "The Tempest". What occurs is a sort of "Glee"-like (the American tv series) musical melodrama, with rather mundane people stories alternating with some pretty good musical production numbers (all shot live, no lip-syncing here, which is impressive.) The film does feature one future star, Aneurin Barnard, who has the looks and musical chops, sort of a mash-up of Glee's Cory Monteith and Jonathan Groff ( Barnard actually did the British version of "Spring Awakening".) But all in all, this is a pretty wan effort, only partially saved by the great '70s music and an overall attractive cast.

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  Review by Steve Nixon ★★★

  I don't like musicals and the bits of this with kids singing in were horrible but Minnie Driver does a half decent turn to rescue it

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  Review by markle ★★

  Utterly forgettable.

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  Review by Steve ★★½

  I probably enjoyed the sound track more than the film. Nice idea and the school used is local to me so I guess I was intrigued to see if more landmarks were recognisable.

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  Review by Auntie Nubbins ★½

  Good intentions stretched but not enough to make this a tight drum.

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  Review by Emma Lane ★★★

  Beautifully directed film with lovely songs performed nicely. Other than that a bit slow paced and lacking an ending with enough oomph to make up for some of the things characters go through in the film. Feels like it’s always insinuating at plot points but never really following through with them.

  But like I said, beautifully directed, feel good film.