Pomona Rewind

In the past, Lila Neugebauer's drama 'Causeway' might have caused more ripples during awards season. Yet somehow the Apple TV+ film hasn't quite had the impact that it should have. Yes, Brian Tyree Henry has picked up a few Best Supporting Actor commendations from film critics associations and a Critics Choice nomination. But apart from that, there has been no Golden Globe recognition for him or his co-star Jennifer Lawrence, no BAFTA nod, no Screen Actors Guild nomination. © Apple TV+ You would have thought both deliver the sort of performances that awards voters would lap up. However it just hasn't happened which is very odd. Neugebauer's film stars Jennifer Lawrence, who delivers her best performance since ' Joy ,' as a US soldier recovering from a brain trauma injury caused by an IED in Afghanistan. Arriving in a halfway house run by Jayne Houdyshell's carer Sharon as part of her rehabilitation, Lawrence's Lynsey is initially confined to a wh

It's amusing to note that 'The Menu' was originally intended as a directorial project for Alexander Payne. The director of ' Sideways ,' ' The Desendants ' and ' About Schmidt ' is known for his caustic comedies lampooning US society. However it would have a bit of departure for the Nebraskan to make a horror film - a fascinating one nevertheless. In the end, Payne was unable to make the film due to scheduling conflicts. © Searchlight Pictures However the English director Mark Mylod stepped in as his replacement and in many ways is an inspired choice. Best known for his work on HBO's ' Succession ,' the film is tailor made for his flair for directing dark, shocking and occasionally surreal comedy. Mylod, after all, cut his teeth working with Caroline Aherne on ' The Fast Show ' and ' The Royle Family ,' Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer, David Baddiel and Sacha Baron Cohen's  Ali G . However it is his work as a director on &