As my last film of January I saw The Shape of Water. This is a fantastic movie that is just pure cinema. Some call it a fairytale, some talk about it being a metaphor for the “increasing modern-day non-acceptance of people outside the norm”.

Honestly, what I see is Guillermo Del Toro doing what he did in Pan’s Labyrinth, but better. The Shape of Water fuses the supernatural with a realistic environment and a great story. It passed the six laugh test easily and the small cinema room was often filled with oohs and ahs. I had a great time watching this. (★★★)

My top for January:

• Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri ★★★
• The Florida Project ★★★1/2
• The Shape of Water ★★★