The second half improves because we finally, mercifully, get a look at John’s artistic process and how his art relates to his predicament. This was the most welcome release from a first half that is pretty terrible, mostly because John is solely defined by two things: his alcoholism and his disability. We learn next to nothing about John Callahan the person in this first hour, just that he loves booze and that, naturally, learning that his legs will never work…

Just like the other Tamara Jenkins film I love, The Savages, Private Life is a film simply made up of incredibly well written, well acted characters. Along with a pregnancy storyline, that’s pretty much it, but fortunately this “genre” (usually arty-types just living their lives in a big city) has become a favourite of mine. I’ve said a few times in some recent reviews that if you just give me compelling characters, I’m on board. They could just talk about…

The Rolling Stone quote on the poster claims it's "the most intimate rock doc ever." They're probably right. If I had to describe Cobain: Montage Of Heck in one word, I'd say - heartbreaking. Whether you're a fan of Nirvana or not is pretty much irrelevant, because this isn't about the band or Kurt's career, it's about him as a person. A man with a troubled soul that couldn't get out of his own head, who didn't want to be…

Fincher continues to cement his god-like status with another astoundingly brilliant dark, complex mystery full of malice, beauty and topped off by some incredible acting. There's nothing specific I can pinpoint to say why this film is so amazing, because everything about it is stupendous. The narrative twists and turns like you wouldn't believe. The directing is, of course, excellent and, combined with the superb lighting (Fincher's love of yellow is on full display) and haunting soundtrack, gives off this…