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Education (2020)

Rounding off the incredible Small Axe series is Education. Veering away from police discrimination completely and focusing on the mistreatment of black children by the education system. Following schoolboy Kingsley Smith (Kenyah Sandy) who is sent to a school for the “educationally subnormal”, a grotesque term used throughout for children who struggle academically. Kingsley cannot read but is clearly very bright and has been sent to this school due to racial profiling and the lack of support provided for non-white children in mainstream education. Despite the promise of receiving one on one care and a class tailored to his specific needs, what Kingsley enters is a school that deprives its students of any lessons and any respect. The children are neglected with the assumption that they will enter “menial” jobs afterwards that don’t require a formal education. As Kingsley’s mum, Agnes (Sharlene Whyte) begins to question whether her son is really benefitting from his new classes. Along with a local politician, Agnes assists in helping bring the issues of the education system to light.

McQueen’s decision to conclude Small Axe with Education is an interesting one. There have been references to educational discrimination through Small Axe for example at the start of Red, White and Blue when we see a young Leroy Logan forced to undergo a stop and search right outside his school by police whilst wearing his uniform and there are references to Alex’s school performance in Alex Wheatle. This makes the thread into Education flow really nicely and finish the series showing that the problems lie within all systems. Starting with Kingsley at a planetarium with his class as they sit in a presentation on Andromeda which is then contrasted soon after with an English lesson in which he struggles to read an excerpt from Of Mice and Men, it’s clear that Kingsley is a capable student but needs more support from his teachers. Rather than offer more help and guidance, his English teacher chastises him in the middle of class and turns his struggle into a laughing stock. Immediately, we are introduced to the prejudice faced as Kingsley finds it hard to express to his mum why it is that he is being picked on constantly.

McQueen has a knack for picking great newcomers. As Kingsley, Kenyah Sandy is a perfect fit as he conveys that conflict that the character has perfectly. Wanting to please his mum and do well in school, Kingsley starts to miss mainstream education when it’s evident that his new school does not have his best interests at heart. With the help of his mum, sister and a Saturday school set up to help the children who aren’t being supported, Kingsley is given the opportunities that he should have been afforded. Watching the final scene in which he reads aloud to his family is one of great relief and emotion as Kingsley pushes through the doubts of those in the educational system who has wronged him. The maturity that Sandy brings is beyond his years and yet he acts as if he has a full understanding of the gravity of what has gone on.

A lot of the politics within the film is discussed among the adult characters and it is Sharlene Whyte as Kingsley’s mum, Agnes, is my personal highlight. Managing to juggle two jobs and her children’s wellbeing, Agnes may seem dismissive of Kingsley’s objections initially but grows to doubt the education system and their intentions. Whyte’s portrayal of Agnes is subtle and laid in such realism that you feel her struggle and horror as she learns of the racial bias that is happening to towards the black community. The scene in which she is at the group meeting she says few words but Whyte conveys a lot more through her expressions that words aren’t needed.

It goes without saying that watching Small Axe has been consistently thought-provoking and educational as well as captivating through McQueen’s impeccable talent for storytelling. I have said before how he is one of the most exciting filmmakers working in the industry today and releasing a feature film anthology series was a bold move that has paid off. Much like his initial career as an artist, McQueen is constantly pushing the envelope and developing new ways to convey a story through film in different ways. This is what is so exciting and it feels revolutionary to watch Small Axe. The brilliance of all five films, and Education in particular, is that they retain their impact even when watched on the.small screen which shows the mastery behind the writing and directing.

What did you think of Education? Let me know in the comments below!

Education is showing along with the rest of the Small Axe films on BBC iPlayer!

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Alex Wheatle (2020)

The penultimate film in Steve McQueen’s Small Axe anthology series is named after a prominent figure of the Brixton riots that took place in 1981. Alex Wheatle sees the titular character (Sheyi Cole) serving a sentence after partaking in the riots and connecting with his roommate, Simeon (Robbie Gee) as he shares his story from his troubled upbringing in the system to adulthood where he starts to learn his roots and how that fits into the modern day society where the police are constantly mistreating minorities on a regular basis. Just like the other films in this series, Alex Wheatle is another unflinching look into the ordinary life of a black man.

Like the previous installment, Red, White and Blue, Alex Wheatley decides to chronicle a specific person’s experience rather than an event as found in the first two films. Where Alex Wheatle differs from its predecessor is it goes into detail of how racial prejudice is evident in the social services system. From the moment he is put in social services’ care, it is clear that Alex has entered a system that doesn’t care for him. From the constant physical abuse and daily beratement, Alex’s struggle to fit in at school and have a healthy home life is basically impossible from the outset. McQueen shifts between the present and past so we can see the parallels between Alex’s child and adulthood even if the events are different.

Sheyi Cole is fantastic as Alex, playing him from his teenage years to adulthood. With the film itself being named after his character and being onscreen for the majority of the time, it could be easy for a newcomer to struggle to remain consistently captivating but Cole does a brilliant job. From Alex’s time during childhood in a foster home where he was abused and picked on constantly by the matron because he is black to his time among the black community as an adult where he is an outcast as he doesn’t acknowledge his blackness or know his roots. Alex goes on a journey to find his identity and over time he is shaped by the people around him becoming more comfortable in himself and aware the political climate.

As Alex’s cell mate, Simeon, Robbie Gee also pulls off a flawless performance. Simeon acts as Alex’s polar opposite. A Rastafari who is completely aware of himself and his identity, Simeon encourages Alex to read a wide range of literature to better himself when it comes to his views on the world. Acting as the inspiration for Alex to become a writer, his presence is so integral to the plot and development of Alex’s character. He is also the catalyst to Alex’s built up tension and anger as his ongoing hunger strike leads to a bout of diarrhea which causes Alex to lash out due to the smell. Naturally Simeon manages to calm Alex and ask him to share his story. Simeon is a character created from Wheatle’s memories as he acted as a consultant for the script meaning that you get the full story from his perspective.

Reaching into another area of London, Alex Wheatle shows that these communities are connected by the thread of racism and prejudice that is thrust upon them by systems that are meant to serve and protect them. Focusing on the person rather than the riots also made sure that the audience fixation remains on Wheatle whereas in Mangrove, the actual protest is such an important part of showcasing the injustice the whole group faced. Another interesting choice by McQueen was not immediately divulging what Alex’s crime actually was so we can naturally see the events of Alex’s life unfold without actually knowing what to expect except for the fact that he ends up in prison.

What did you think of Alex Wheatle? Let me know in comments below!

Alex Wheatle and the rest of the Small Axe films are available to watch on BBC iPlayer now!

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Red, White and Blue (2020)

The third installment of Steve McQueen’s revolutionary Small Axe anthology series is Red, White and Blue chronicling the career of Leroy Logan, a forensic scientist turned police officer who aims to tackle racism in the system by encouraging more non-white people to join the force. His goal to fix the system does not come without challenges as his colleagues are openly racist and his own friends and family look down on him for joining the force. Whereas the previous two films in the series have looked at how black people were treated from their side explicitly and what Red, White and Blue does is show how black people were treated from within the police force itself.

Just as McQueen explores the racism at the hands of the police in the previous two films, we get an even more intense and first-hand perspective through PC Logan’s point of view. Despite excelling as an officer, his unwillingness to accept the racist treatment handed out by his colleagues costs him promotions and eventually leads to endangerment when they ignore Logan’s pleas for backup when he is pursuing and attacked by an armed suspect. Whether he is part of the force or not, Logan is treated as a suspect despite having not committed any crimes just as he was searched in his school uniform as a child. McQueen only covers the beginning of PC Logan’s career rather than presenting a full span of his incredible achievements but it works because we really get into the brutalityand prejudice that he faced when he initially joined. If McQueen had decided to do a full blown biopic then maybe certain significant events would have been overlooked which would undermine PC Logan’s struggle to have his voice heard by a force that historically doesn’t wish to hear it.

John Boyega’s lead performance as PC Leroy Logan is fantastically layered. Aiming to change the system from the inside out, Leroy experience racial attacks from his white colleagues at the force and hatred from the black community who view him as a traitor for joining the police. With Boyega being a huge advocate for the anti-racist movement, it is a clear match in heaven for McQueen to work with him. Honestly, it’s a collaboration I have been wanting for years and it paid off. Boyega is such a charismatic actor that his success in the Star Wars films can make people overlook his range but he is stellar and carries the film on his shoulders. Showcasing the building frustration and conflict that PC Logan felt as he was attacked from both the police who believe he should accept their racism and those in the black community who view him as a traitor. The scene in which he confronts his colleagues in the locker room after discovering abuse scrawled on his locker is hugely intense and marks a turning point in which Logan becomes more active and vocal about his goal to end racism within the force.

The scene in which PC Logan pursues the armed suspect is an amazingly shot scene. A single running shot showing Logan making his way through an industrial printing factory floor by himself highlights the problems that he faced perfectly. He apprehends the suspect alone after requesting backup numerous times but does not receive the support of his fellow officers. Whereas Logan is indirectly punished for speaking out against their racism, the other officers do not face punishment for abandoning him in the field despite being a street away. This scene hammers home how Logan had to build himself up without the help and support given to his white coworkers. It’s a scene of little dialogue except when Logan is desperately asking for help. Still he pushes forward and the tension builds and builds until he is attacked and manages to arrest the perpetrator.

Red, White and Blue may not have received as much coverage as Mangrove and Lovers Rock have but it deserves a viewing just as much. Telling the story of a man who introduced important change within the police force and encouraged new rules for how people of colour were treated by the police is something that has been grossly overlooked by the media at whole. Steve McQueen is telling these stories now so other people can take inspiration from their struggles and achievements and make their own changes.

What did you think of Red, White and Blue? Let me know in the comments below!

Red, White and Blue is available to view on BBC iPlayer now!

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Small Axe (2020)

One of the most exciting releases of the year comes in the form of Steve McQueen’s Small Axe anthology series. Consisting of five films that explore the racial tensions during the late twentieth century in the West Indies community London, Small Axe is an achievement worthy of much awards discussion. I have written on McQueen’s previous feature films which you can read here. With Small Axe, McQueen only proves further why he is one of the most exciting and fearless directors working today.

Since their release, I have been working my way through the Small Axe reviews and will link them below for easiness. Having them all in this post will make the website look a lot tidier so for my thoughts on each individual film, simply click on the film names below!

Here are the links to my reviews for each of the Small Axe films:

Mangrove

Lovers Rock

Red, White and Blue

Alex Wheatle

Education

What did you think of the Small Axe series? Let me know in the comments below!

All films in the Small Axe series are available to view on BBC iPlayer!

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The Queen’s Gambit

The show that everyone has been talking about at the minute is a series that revolves around chess. The Queen’s Gambit follows female chess player, Beth Harmon, and her quest to become the world’s best chess player period. The show was created by Scott Frank and Allan Scott and based on the 1983 novel of the same name by Walter Tevis. A lot of people have commented that the show has made a boring subject amazing but I beg to differ. I think it’s a brilliant show enhanced by an interesting and unexpected topic. As someone who used to play chess when they were little, it is an understatement to say that the competitions were very much male-dominated and there was more anticipation for the male categories than the females. Beth is subject to much belittlement and astonishment from her male peers. Even when at the top of her game, she is looked down upon by the grandmasters and champions.

To assume that the show is just about chess is to undermine it completely. Beneath the surface, we encounter themes of gender inequality, gender roles, alcoholism, drug addiction and loss among many more. In a way, all of these issues are brought to the light through chess and specifically Beth’s journey in the game. From the very beginning, Beth is an outsider as she doesn’t enjoy the same activities to her counterparts. The moment she sees the orphanage custodian, Mr Shaibel (Bill Camp), playing chess in the basement, she is curious and eager to learn. This curiosity then turns into an obsession fueled by tranquilliser drugs the orphanage controversially gives its pupils. Beth becomes a product of a traumatic childhood and her inability to lose gracefully and overanalyse hinders her at important moments in her career. Because of her reluctance to conform to societal ideals, she is often reclusive and isolated but all the more determined to climb her way to the top. The shows structure does a great job at presenting her challenges and obstacles.

Anya Taylor-Joy’s performance as Beth is nothing short of revolutionary. She is so captivating that every expression and word leaves the audience waiting with anticipation. Beth is one of the most complex female characters that TV has seen in a while. Academically brilliant and naturally talented at chess, she also struggles with drug and drink addiction as well as an unhealthy obsession with the game. Chronicling her life from her time in an orphanage after her mother’s tragic suicide to her adulthood in which she travels the world playing grandmasters in a bid to become one herself, The Queen’s Gambit is the most exciting and riveting TV show to air this year. From a curious novice to a strategic professional, Beth’s story is one of aspiration and tragedy as her career’s incline also results in an inner downwards spiral. Despite her flaws, the audience still roots for Beth and that’s mainly due to Taylor-Joy’s ability to really dig deep in her characterisation.

In support, Marielle Heller does a stunning performance as Beth’s adoptive mother, Alma Wheatley. Alma is a sickly woman who quickly gages onto Beth’s potential as a chess prodigy and assists her in her first bout of tournaments. I am very familiar with Heller’s work as a director (you can read my previous post on her films here) but haven’t encountered her in an acting role before. An important character in the first half of the series, Alma is just as flawed as her daughter. Leaving Beth to her own devices most of the time as she succumbs to frequent sickness and alcoholism, Alma is both a friend and mother, although the latter comes later as Beth begins to succeed in professional chess. Watching the intense moments between Beth and Alma makes for some of the highlights in the show as well as Alma’s ability to bring out the more human side of Beth.

In a year full of unfortunate events piled on more unfortunate events, The Queen’s Gambit is the show we all need for a good dose of quality television. I predict that Taylor-Joy will be the one to beat at the Golden Globes and hopefully will even receive Emma recognition as well. The fact that it has received overwhelming praise from female chess players, including grandmaster Jennifer Shahade, is only proof of the impeccable details and emotion that has been poured into every second. Without a doubt, The Queen’s Gambit is my favourite new show of the year and I don’t think it will be beaten.

The Queen’s Gambit is available to watch on Netflix and I strongly recommend you catch it if you haven’t seen it yet.

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Top 5 It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia Episodes

There are a lot of comedy sitcoms around nowadays that serve to shock and push boundaries. One such comedy series is It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia which has been shaking things up since 2005. Following the owners of Paddy’s Pub, the Gang consists of brother and sister Dennis and Dee Reynolds (Glenn Howerton and Kaitlin Olsen), their father Frank (Danny DeVito), “bouncer” Mac (Rob McElhenney) and cleaner, Charlie (Charlie Day). The episodes follow their day-to-day lives, showcasing their offensive and ridiculous behaviour. A simple setup but what makes this show so great and iconic is the writing which is a shared collaboration between its stars, particularly Howerton, McElhenney and Day.

Now preparing for their 15th season and showing no signs of showing down, Always Sunny has become one of the household names in American comedy for its fearlessness in tackling taboo subjects whilst managing to maintain a charm. The cast are all perfect in their roles and the strength of the show has only improved throughout the years. What is so brilliant is how terrible the characters are but you still root for them anyway. The writing is done perfectly and flawlessly, giving a variety of memorable moments that is going to make it difficult to narrow down to five episodes. In true Smaller Pictures fashion, however, I have decided to pick my top 5 episodes from the 154 episodes that have aired so far.

Here are my top 5 episodes:

5) “The Gang Desperately Tries to Win an Award”, Season 9

Kicking off my countdown is this gem from the shows 9th season. One of the things Always Sunny does best is bringing in the outside world and incorporating that into the narrative. To go even further, “The Gang Desperately Tries to Win an Award” goes meta as it reflects the fact that Always Sunny has never been nominated for an Emmy. This fact in itself is outrageous but the result of the episode gives us one of the best songs of the whole show thanks to Charlie Day’s hilarious songwriting. This episode shows the gang trying to win an award for Paddy’s Pub so they decide to host an event for local critics. Charlie had prepared a lovely song to sing on the piano but as usual, he takes some drugs and starts to sing about spiders inside his soul before bursting into a chorus telling the audience to “go fuck” themselves. It’s the perfect response to the awards bodies in reality and is done with that amazing Always Sunny creativity. What better way to address your critics than by grabbing their attention and annihilating them? Always Sunny has never been the type of show that follows the crowd anyway so this episode is the perfect response that reflects this.

4) “A Very Sunny Christmas”, Season 6

In America, this episode is released in two parts but on Netflix UK, “A Very Sunny Christmas” is released as one long episode so I will be referring to both parts. Taking on the structure of A Christmas Carol, “A Very Sunny Christmas” shows the Gang’s attempt at getting Frank to get into the Christmas spirit. When growing up, Dee and Dennis would be subject to Frank’s pranks as their father would wrap up empty boxes and pretend they have gifts in. What tips the siblings over the edge is when Frank buys himself a designer handbag and Lamborgini which is what Dee and Dennis always wanted, respectively and it drives them insane. They recruit an old friend of Frank’s, Eugene, to act as Ghost of Christmas Past in a bid to get him to change his act with hilarious consequences. What puts this episode in my top 5, however, is a musical stopmotion animation sequence that is gory, crude and absolutely hysterical. Showing Frank being tortured and mutilated by the Gang for his behaviour, it helps him come to terms with how he treats them.

3) “McPoyle vs. Ponderosa: The Trial of the Century”, Season 11

Sometimes there are episodes that only focus on one character and then there are those that bring everyone together. This episode is amongst the latter and is a hilarious conclusion to the Ponderosa-McPoyle wedding fiasco. Bill Ponderosa is being sued for spiking the punch with bath salts by Liam McPoyle who lost an eye during the wedding. Charlie’s Uncle Jack agrees to be Bill’s lawyer and it is Jack who delivers my personal favourite moment in any Always Sunny episode. Ever. Uncle Jack has an obsession with large hands and wears giant fake hands over his own so no one knows that his hands are small. When interrogating a witness, Jack dramatically points to the McPoyles and one of his hands flies off to which he shrieks “NOBODY LOOK” repeatedly and runs to collect the hand. It is truly one of the funniest moments in comedy and had me in stitches long after the episode. The episode also features the unnamed Lawyer, representing the McPoyles who is one of my favourite side characters in Always Sunny for his deadpan sarcasm.

2) “Mac Finds His Pride”, Season 13

One thing about Always Sunny is that it is able to balance its comedy and seriousness well. This episode is a prime example of that. In “Mac Finds His Pride”, we see Mac trying to find comfort in coming out publicly with the help of Frank. Throughout the episode, Frank states that he doesn’t understand it but he accepts Mac but Mac struggles with how to come out to his dad, Luther, who is in prison. The result is a dance sequence where Mac performs with a professional dancer in a piece that explores his journey to acceptance. It’s a beautiful routine that would have taken a lot of practice to perfect and it also shows Rob McElhenney’s dedication to the character. Doing this dance would have seemed so out of character for Mac a few seasons before but the way McElhenney has developed Mac’s character through the years, it is the perfect way to let him come out. It’s a bittersweet ending to a season that has seen Mac really come to accept himself for who he is.

1) “The Nightman Cometh”, Season 4

Probably the most iconic episode to date, “The Nightman Cometh” accumulates everything we love about Always Sunny and puts it into a 20 minute masterpiece. Charlie enters the bar and announces that he has written a musical which he and the gang will be performing. Incorporating characters created in the previous season, the musical tells the story of a boy’s journey to manhood by defeating a troll and the evil Nightman thus becoming Dayman. It’s bizarre and is full of dark undercurrents but the songs are catchy and hilarious. It shouldn’t work but it absolutely does and will have you falling on the floor with laughter. From songs such as “Tiny Boy, Little Boy, Baby Boy” to “Troll Toll” to the iconic “Dayman”, the musical is filled to the brim with innuendo but what makes it funny is that Charlie doesn’t intend for it to be rude at all. He is confused by the Gang’s concern over the lyrics and becomes irritated when they decide to take creative control over their characters. Even if you haven’t watched Always Sunny, I would definitely recommend giving this episode a watch. It’s hilarious, bonkers and shows what the Gang does best which is ruin everything.

So there you have it! My top five Always Sunny episodes. I think each choice perfectly shows a different reason as to why I love this show and there were so many that didn’t make the list that would be just as deserving. With the 15th season due to arrive in 2021, now is a perfect time to rewatch all of the seasons on Netflix in time.

What do you think of my list? Which Always Sunny episodes are your favourite? Let me know in the comments below!

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London Film Festival 2020: Lovers Rock

The last film on my list brings the whole Festival to full circle as it ends with the second episode of Steve McQueen’s Small Axe series named Lovers Rock. The film spans a single evening taking place at a house party in Ladbroke Grove and, much like Mangrove, serves as a safe place for the black community to gather. Following protagonist Martha (Amarah-Jae St. Aubyn), a young woman who sneaks out of her house to attend the party. The party is fun at first as she dances with her friend Patty but soon enough the darker undercurrents start to seep through as she is harassed by men at the party as well as a group of white men outside. Her experience ties in with the darker experiences of other partygoers, mainly women. Patty leaves because she doesn’t want to be left alone with a stranger and another woman, Cynthia, is raped by a man who had harassed Martha earlier.

Despite its short 68 minute running time, McQueen makes the best of this time by creating a complex intertwining of relationships in the short duration of events. Martha’s experience is one that spreads across many emotions from elation at attending the party with her best friend, Patty to the fear of being harassed by a fellow partygoer to the horror of the violence. The script written by McQueen and Courttia Newland is compact and wastes no time in getting into the rush of party preparation while allowing some time for the characters to naturally flourish in the second act before violence kicks off. This short snippet of time exposes us to a lot of characterisation and actually gives us a good idea of who Martha is and what kind of person she is. The shift in gender dynamic is brilliantly done as the women lead the party by dancing on their own but after the incredible “Silly Games” scene which I will discuss later, the party is overrun by the men who are frantic. As night goes on, the party becomes more aggressive and violent until the walls seem like they are closing in, making for a claustrophobic experience. The safe place doesn’t feel so secure any more to Martha.

Amarah-Jae St. Aubyn is brilliant as lead character, Martha. A normal woman who is excited to party with her friend but has a strength that means she isn’t afraid to stand up for herself. What St. Aubyn does so well is bringing out Martha’s character little by little through actions and mannerisms. When Cynthia is raped, Martha is unafraid to stand up for her and stop him. Even when he squares up to her and towers over her, she stands tall. You would not think that this is St. Aunbyn’s first leading role as she is so natural in the role. It’s a great character arc as well. From a timid young woman sneaking out to party to the final shot of her sneaking back in a d clearly feeling changed from her experience. We see the changes that she has experienced on her face in those final moments.

In the supporting role we have Micheal Ward as fellow partygoer, Franklyn, who proves to be a perfect match for St. Aubyn. The interaction between the two works perfectly as they bounce off each other. Franklyn acts as a fly on the wall to the party. He doesn’t partake in the men’s dancing and is dedicated to making sure Martha is safe despite having never met her before this night. Ward isn’t in it that much but his presence and protection can be felt when Martha is wandering around the party. The final scenes in which he is in where he encounters his boss who is unhappy that he brought Martha to the shop bring the microcosm of the party to the outside world. Franklyn serves as Martha’s guide for the party and arguably to life, introducing her to a world that she hasn’t encountered before.

The highlight scene is when Samson, the DJ, cuts the music to get the attendees to sing “Silly Games” by Janet Kay accapella and it is a wonderful choice. The partygoers keep dancing and create the rhythm together in a way that highlights the tightness of the community. McQueen really is a genius when it comes to intertwining art forms in his films and this is a great way of incorporating music in a way we haven’t seen before. Because the music has been so continuous as well it helped to slow the pace down for a little bit as the shift from fun to chaos ensues.

The music choices in Lovers Rock provides the ongoing flow for the episode and adds to the frantic nature of the party. An eclectic mix of lovers rock, reggae and blues, Lovers Rock is brimming with black music and it is a brilliant soundtrack. The hectic and continuing nature of the music becomes synonymous with the action as though it is playing an active role.

Lovers Rock closes the London Film Festival on the 18th October and will show on BBC One in the United Kingdom on

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The Purge Ranking

Original horror films seem to be all the rage this century, pushing the boundaries of emotional trauma and gore. The 21st century has seen various franchises thrive such as the Final Destination series which is more geared towards a younger demographic to the Saw and Hostel series which kickstarted the “torture porn” subgenre of horror. By the 2010s, it felt as though audiences were exhausted by horror filmmakers attempting to make their films more and more unrelenting in gore and a desire for something more engaging and relevant was the way to revitalise the dwindling horror genre. Audiences were responding more to the Paranormal Activity series meaning jumpscares and found footage was proving to be more popular. Enter The Purge, written and directed by James DeMonaco, originally released in 2013 and bringing a new approach to the new outlook on horror. Set in an alternative universe where the malevolent New Founding Fathers of America (NFFA) enter office and pass a bill where crime including murder and torture is legal for 12 hours.

As one of the most divisive franchises this century, The Purge is unapologetic in incorporating current policitical issues more and more with each new film. Classicism is prominent in each film as it is abundantly clear that the rich purge on the homeless and those in more disadvantaged neighbourhoods. The rich also have access to high-tech security, ensuring that their homes won’t be damaged by anyone. Consisting of four films, a TV show and a fifth film due to be released next year, The Purge series is one that has remained popular with its audience with every release.

Here are my reviews and rankings for The Purge films:

The Purge (2013)

The original film starring Ethan Hawke and Lena Heady as the parents in a nuclear household became an understated classic on release. James Sandin (Hawke) runs a firm that designs security software that keeps the rich’s households safe during purge night. When a homeless man (Edwin Hodge) manages to sneak in thanks to their sympathetic son, Charlie, a gang of elite youths happen upon their house and demand that the Sandins give them the man. Brilliantly marketed with the creepy masks donned by the home invaders, The Purge proved to be one of the most interesting ideas in horror in quite some time. A lot of criticism for the film was a demand to see a wider scope rather than just the one suburban household. There are some pacing issues in the script and some characters weren’t as developed as I would like but I think this film was more about pushing the idea of the series than going all out in the first installment. It’s a solid start to a thriving series.

The Purge: Anarchy (2014)

This sequel was released only a year after its predecessor and gave the series a solid direction by being bigger and bolder in its discussion on the class war in America. Focusing on a struggling Latin-American family in LA, we see how those with power use the purge as a means to kidnap people against their will, knowing they don’t have the affluent resources to protect themselves. The household consist of waitress Eva (Carmen Ejogo), her daughter Cali (Zoe Soul) and her father Rico (John Beasley) who is terminally ill. There are a lot of topics just within this family that the film uses as a springboard for the rest of the franchise. From Rico sacrificing himself for money so his family are financially secure, Cali’s enthusiasm for the anti-purge resistance group led by Carmelo Johns. This film also sees the introduction of Sergeant Leo Barnes (Frank Grillo), a man set on revenge for the murder of his son who was killed at the hands of a drunk driver. Soon enough the separate groups join forces and have to work together to survive the purge whilst being stuck outside in the middle of the city.

The Purge: Election Year (2016)

The third installment in this series works its way higher up the ranks as a rising star in the political world, Senator Charlie Roan (Elizabeth Mitchell) stands a chance to win the Presidential election and end the purge once and for all. The New Founding Fathers are aware of this and eliminate the rule that government officials are immune from the purge and send a group of mercenaries to kidnap the Senator. Leading the Senator’s security detail is Leo Barnes (Grillo) who is a brilliant character. Barnes proves his resourceful abilities and intellect to protect the Senator from harm. The Senator and Sergeant soon meet a group who are trying to protect a deli from troublesome teenagers. One of the best performances to come out of this franchise is the fantastic Mykelti Williamson as deli owner, Bob. Williamson delves into his character and is able to make his supporting turn a three-dimensional experience with motivations and realism.

The First Purge (2018)

The latest installment to be released comes in the form of this prequel into the first ever purge. Originating as an experiment on Staten Island, residents are offered a financial incentive if they stay and more if they partake and survive. Following two warring drug dealers, a mysterious purger called Skeletor who wants to kill and a group of young people struggling to survive, it becomes clear that the NFFA will do anything to make sure the murder count is high, even if it means sending in mercenaries to kill citizens. The corruption in the purge is evident as it is a plan to cut costs of social programs and housing expenses for those who are poor. When they discover that there are more parties than killings, the NFFA see this as a failure and manipulate the night to ensure that it is a success in their eyes.

Well that’s it for my reviews. As a big fan of the series, there are aspects of each film that I appreciate making it a challenge to rank but here we go!

Here’s my final ranking:

1) The Purge: Anarchy (2014)

2) The Purge: Election Year (2016)

3) The First Purge (2018)

4) The Purge (2013)

Which installment of The Purge is your favourite? Let me know in the comments below!

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Top 5 Sailor Moon Episodes

One of my favourite anime shows of all time is the 90s classic Sailor Moon. The original anime based of the hugely successful manga by Naoko Takeuchi ran from 1992-1995 for five seasons following teenager Usagi Tsukino who is an underachieving schoolgirl by day and a crime-fighting hero by night. Along with the other Sailor Senshi who are introduced as the series goes on. The five seasons are known as Sailor Moon, Sailor Moon R, Sailor Moon S, Sailor SuperS and Sailor Moon: Sailor Stars (also known as Sailor Stars), respectively. One of my favourite shows for a long time, Sailor Moon is one of the most popular animes in the world and for good reason. It’s relatable look into the life of teenage girls as they deal with relationships and friendships while also having to pass school exams and think on their futures.

There are times when the show hasn’t dated well (insert the weight-shaming episode here) but overall, the show was pretty progressive considering it was made in the 90s with children being the target demographic. I say this because there are a slew of LGBT relationships throughout the show’s run from first season villains Zoisite and Kunzite to the third season’s addition of Sailor Uranus and Neptune who are in a relationship. Also, the depictions of death and loss grow more violent as the show goes on to reflect the greater threats as well as acknowledging that the audience has grown up alongside the show and its characters.

With its wide array of characters with distinct personalities, there aren’t a lot of shows like Sailor Moon around and it’s that resonance that has made it a pioneer of the Magical Girl genre within anime. With a staggering run of 200 episode, I have decided to rank my top 5 favourite in order which was insane given how many there was to choose from.

Here are my top 5 episodes:

5) “The Dark Queen: Birth of the Black Lady”, Sailor Moon R

The first episode to kick off this ranking is one from the show’s second season. Chibiusa has been manipulated by Wiseman into believing that no one loves her, conjuring up memories from Crystal Tokyo. Using her sadness and anger, Wiseman transforms Chibiusa into Black Lady. Given how the relationship between Usagi and Chibiusa is extremely turbulent during this season, it’s hard to watch as the former is unable to heal Black Lady. The foundations of their growing relationship seemed to have been wholly crumbled by Wiseman’s tricks and now Black Lady is another obstacle in the Sailor Senshi’s way to saving the world. All through Sailor Moon R, Chibiusa is seen as extremely stubborn but she is also a child and this is what makes her emotions easily swayed when she is constantly brainwashed into thinking she isn’t loved. Black Lady seems to be that culmination of negativity brewing inside Chibiusa that she feels against herself.

4) “Shadow of Destruction: The Messiah of Silence Awakens”, Sailor Moon S

The first of two Sailor Moon S episodes to make this ranking, this episode takes place later in the season and sees the second arc come to a brilliant climax. We see the innocent Hotaru succumb to the darkness that has ruled over her through the season and the revelation that she is the feared Sailor Senshi and the last to be revealed, Sailor Saturn. Having captured Chibiusa, the Mistress of Darkness has ruled over Hotaru and takes Chibiusa’s heart crystal and consumes it. Hoping that the light inside Hotaru will win and she will transform to Saturn is diminished and we see her change into the evil Mistress 9 instead. What puts this episode on my list is the heartbreaking betrayal that the darkness has made Hotaru carry out on Chibiusa. Their blossoming friendship is one of the highlights of this season and seeing the frail Hotaru succumbing to darkness is a sad turn of events. The strength of the evil seems to be hugely advanced as well and appears that it will overwhelm the Sailor Senshi. Hotaru has now become a figure to be feared rather than sidelined.

3) “Usagi’s Love: The Moonlight Illuminates the Galaxy”, Sailor Moon: Sailor Stars

It would be insane not to put the final episode of the whole show on here. Rounding of a fantastic 200 episodes in its 5 season run, the whole saga concludes with Eternal Sailor Moon defeating Chaos Galaxia. This episode sees Sailor Galaxia falls under the evil entity Chaos’ control thus becoming Chaos Galaxia and everyone except Sailor Moon is lost. Sailor Moon transforms into Princess Serenity and manages to defeat Galaxia by refusing to fight and holding onto her hand until she has rid herself of Chaos. Despite no violence, it’s still intense and action filled as Galaxia struggles to fight the darkness within. The series is rounded off nicely afterwards as Usagi is reunited with Mamoru and recounts the voice-over thay we were so used to from the first season when she introduces herself as the original theme song plays. Despite the Sailor Stars anime differing hugely from the manga, I think the ending ties everything up perfectly combining the more mature Usagi that has developed through the seasons with the more nostalgic and innocent Usagi we were first introduced to in episode 1.

2) “Death of the Sailor Guardians: The Tragic Final Battle”, Sailor Moon

The penultimate episode of the first season definitely comes as a shock to those who watch the show from the beginning. The Inner Senshi venture to the North Pole where Queen Beryl resides with her minions in a bid to end her plans once and for all. What happens next is a sequence that threatens to shatter the foundations of Sailor Moon’s strength that she has been building since the very first episode. One by one, the Sailor Senshi are taken out by minions until Sailor Moon is the last one left. It’s not so much that is alone that is sad, it’s the explicitly and way that the other four are killed. As the others are more mature than Sailor Moon, they understand and acknowledge the sacrifice that they must make to save the world and particularly when Rei is killed in a huge blaze, we see vacancy in Sailor Moon’s eyes. The hopelessness she feels as she staggers on threatens to undo all of the hard work that she has achieved making it one of the most intense sequences in the entire anime’s run.

1) “The Death of Uranus and Neptune: The Talisman Appears”, Sailor Moon S

By far my favourite Sailor Moon episode from my favourite season, the structure and execution of this midpoint episode is so unique and brilliant. Following the Witches 5’s failing search for the talismans, the story climaxes with the revelation of two of the three mysterious items. In a shocking twist, the two talismans are found in the hearts of none other than Sailor Uranus and Neptune and this episode is as heartbreaking as it gets. We see the Sailor Scouts in their most iconic scene in the anime as they hold hands and reflect on their mission and its importance. What follows is them agreeing to meet Death Buster, Eudial, who lures them to a cathedral where the showdown begins. The scene in which Neptune escapes a trap and tries to save Uranus who has a gun pointed to her heart is fantastically drawn. What is unique about this episode compared to other episodes is that the main focus is on Uranus and Neptune but also the structure differs. Rather than delving straight into the action, the first half is more of a character study into how Uranus and Neptune are outside of the Senshi. It’s a rare insight into their relationship that is slower paced and then the second half deals with that fast paced action sequence in the cathedral.

So that’s my episode ranking! As you can see, none of my favourite episodes are from Sailor Moon SuperS. It is my least favourite season due to its focus on Chibiusa and the absence of the Outer Senshi but there are a few good episodes in there, particularly “Mirrors on Dreams: The Amazon’s Last Stage”. I think the show thrives when it explores those moments of hopelessness and showing the characters pushing themselves past their limits. Overall, Sailor Moon S is my favourite season because it pushes the envelope with the introduction of Sailor Neptune and Uranus as well as seeing Usagi mature.

What do you think of my choices? Which Sailor Moon episode is your favourite? Let me know in the comments below!

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Fleabag (Live Screening, 2019)

“He’s so bony… it’s like fucking a protractor”

Over the past few years, live viewings of National Theatre productions have increased in popularity with sold out screens all over the globe. Admittedly, I have never attended (mainly due to the price) but when I saw that Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s brilliant one-woman show Fleabag was going to be screened live from the Wyndham’s Theatre, I knew I had to go. As an avid fan of the show and Waller-Bridge, I have been counting down the days to see this and I was wasn’t disappointed. Fleabag follows a young woman as she navigates a life filled with heartbreak, relationships and a lot of sex. She is the sole owner of a guinea-pig themed café after her best friend, Boo, accidentally-on-purpose commits suicide. This run of performances marks Waller-Bridge’s last venture as her iconic creation and all tickets sold out within minutes making it one of the most anticipated theatre trips of the year. Sadly, I was unable to get tickets but I took this opportunity to see it immediately as I knew I would regret it instantly.

Fleabag herself is gritty to the extreme. She’s unfiltered, unapologetic and always thinking and talking about sex but she’s also complex, smart and relatable. I think this is why the character is universally loved. The character is a brilliantly rounded portrayal of the 21st century woman. A true modern feminist hero (even if in one hilarious slip, she admits that she would trade 5 years of her life for the “so-called perfect body”). She’s brutally honest, hilarious and riddled with bad habits such as excessive drinking, smoking and masturbating while her partner sleeps beside her. It’s as if Fleabag breaks every rule in the book and is a walking taboo.

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Waller-Bridge’s script and Vicky Jones’ direction are impeccable. Every move and expression is calculated and enhancing the dialogue. It’s compact and tight with every segment executed perfectly. The setting is minimalist to the extreme, Fleabag and a chair in centre stage but the performance Waller-Bridge brings is anything but. Dressed in a red jumper and jeans, Waller-Bridge transports us to various locations around London, acting out different characters such as her sister, a job interviewer and regular café customer, Joe. I was interested to see if I would be as invested when watching it on a screen rather than in the theatre itself and I found myself transfixed. The camera work was brilliant and the sound was impeccable.

Compared to the BBC series, the stage production is grittier and sadder than its counterpart. The first episode covers the show with the revelation of the first season finale so a lot is added into the TV series. Fleabag seems even more unfiltered and unhinged in the stage production which I didn’t think was possible and it was great to see some familiar moments that I recognised from the show.

I wasn’t too sure what to expect but it was a brilliant experience and I hope to go to many more National Theatre productions. The atmosphere was great and everyone in the theatre audience and cinema audience were completely invested in her story. I expected to laugh which I did in abundance but I wasn’t expecting to cry as much as I did. A heartbreaking segment with Fleabag and Hilary, the café’s mascot guinea pig, is horrific to watch and brought an array of gasps and tears from both sets of audiences. There’s an encore screening in October and I recommend that you book tickets as soon as possible. It’s a brilliant and refreshing piece of theatre that shows how a simple production can create a complex experience.