ETCinema: Movie Reviews by E T Griffiths

  Eternals (2021) Review Dir. Chloe Zhao   Flawed but fascinating film brings something fresh to the MCU.  https://images.app.goo.gl/BmW2PrQuNfmUbTkN9   Over 25 movies into the Marvel Cinematic Universe now and many would suppose that individuality is impossible for these films. It ’ s not the case. While Marvel has a formula it often too-easily returns to, every now and then there is a renaissance period. Whether it ’ s the misunderstood and well-aged Iron Man 3 which riskily focused on a Tony Stark out of options and forced to use his wits, or the complete reinvention of Thor by Taika Watiti as a neon, cosmic comedy of chao; voices can sometimes break through. One of the most interesting parts of Marvel’s massive Avengers: Endgame was the first hour, in which the superhero action is almost entirely abandoned in lieu of a dramatic, grief-stricken character study.    When Marvel announced that Chloe Zhao; the Oscar winning director of Nomadland , was to make an MCU film based on the

Dune (2021) Review Dir. Denis Villeneuve    Sci-Fi brilliance proves that cinema is still alive. https://images.app.goo.gl/5m15hUAuawNCAE5GA   A movie that needs to be seen. I had never read Frank Hebert ’ s famous novel, I hadn ’ t even seen David Lynch ’ s experimental but failed attempt from the 80s, nor had I seen the forgotten miniseries. Dune was new to me, and now it feels as enchantingly fresh as a whole new world should.   Villeneuve has constructed an unrivalled epic cinematic experience. Long, sprawling, spectacle-driven and utterly compelling. Dune is the cinema equivalent of learning a whole new language. At first its daunting, you are slightly bewildered, confused and maybe even frustrated. You may find yourself struggling to adjust, but at one point or another it just falls into place. Suddenly you are in the world of Dune. Suddenly you know the good from the bad, the strong from the weak. Suddenly you are transported to an enchanting new opportunity, you've learnt a