Bonjour!
I got off the train in the end - they had to go find the driver (who was surprisingly hard to find), and I was then unceremoniously “de-trained” through the drivers door, which meant I got to go see the cockpit. This was very, very cool, and actually a lot simpler than I might’ve expected.
This evening, I went to go see Prime Minister, the documentary on Jacinda Ardern’s time in office. It was very good, incredibly well shot (mostly “behind-the-scenes” by her husband, which actually I now think all First Partners should do) and I would recommend watching - I’m sure it’ll be out on streaming services at some point.
What I really want to talk about today though is how much the trailers beforehand really reinstated my faith in the future of cinema and the movie industry more widely.
Let’s step back a second - I’ve generally not been a fan of the great Hollywood studios getting bought by tech giants, such as Amazon buying Metro-Goldwin-Mayer (or MGM) in 2021. Whilst they can throw lots more money at the industry, I fear that it results in lazy, cookie-cutter film making that means you prioritising having a film for every possible algorithm outcome, rather than a few, very high-quality films.
That’s not to say that the studios always get it right, but given they put out less than the Netflixes of the world, they generally have more riding on it and have to make a “better” overall film. As such, Netflix buying out Warner Bros Discovery didn’t film me with joy over the weekend (although it looks like Paramount isn’t going to let them get it without a fight, how exciting).
But, coming back to the real world - I’ve been to watch a couple of things in the cinema recently (Prime Minister and Nuremberg - both great and I’d recommend). The former was made by Universal Studios, and the latter by Sky, who I think generally have pretty high production value and make some very powerful things; evidence that great films aren’t the sole recluse of Hollywood.
There were some great films in the trailers too - The Voice of Hind Rajab is out early in the new year and covers the Palestinian Red Crescent as they race to get help to a young girl in Gaza. Sentimental Value is out on Boxing Day and looks as gripping as About Time. And I’m generally not a huge Shakespeare-y person, but both Hamnet and Hamlet are out in the New Year and look incredible.
All of this is to say that this very short term experience has left me convinced that it’s not the end of cinema, that Films Are Great Again and that I’m looking forward to the films of 2026. Perhaps we’ll look back on it as a Golden Age of Cinema. Probably not, but there’s a lot of good stuff out there if you go find it (Peaky Blinders film in March anyone?).
So much so, that I’m even considering buying one of those cinema passes come January. Do any of you have one/have experiences to share? Would welcome any suggestions!
Have a great rest of your week!
RH
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