nigelpreece-950-231484 Reviews

The Lodge (2019)

Fancy a snooze?

[3/10 · 29 January 2024]

Be warned you will never get this back. Just watch the first 10 minutes and the last 5 minutes and save yourself the mundane dialogue in between.

Absolutely nothing happens. We were waiting and waiting for something to get going but it never did. When the "thing" happens, for a brief moment you think that this is where it's going to pick up. However it just falls flat again.

By the end I didn't really care who lived, who died, who was good, who was bad. I'd even stopped caring if the dog was ok and as all movie fans know, the one overriding thing in a film with a pet in it, is that you desperately want it to be ok over any human character.

Just Friends (I) (2005)

Don't listen to the wokes

[9/10 · 2 December 2023]

I'm sick of reading reviews from films post 10 years ago, mentioning sexism, fat shaming etc.

No; a few lines in this film wouldn't be made now, but come on, it's hardly offensive!!

A brilliant under the radar Xmas movie with 4 actors giving arguably their best performances.

Maybe an exception for RR but Amy Smart, Anna Faris and Chris Klein have never been as engaging.

Genuinely hilarious and really Christmassy, this is a film for all PG plus audiences. Our 9 year old daughter didn't get any sexual references but laughed out loud at so many parts.

Don't let this movie pass you by. It's a genuine cracker.

The Lair (2022)

What a disaster

[3/10 · 15 September 2023]

What has happened to Neil Marshall?

Bursting on to the scene with the brilliant dog soldiers and then following up with the amazing descent. It looked like a potential A lister was in the making. I actually have a soft spot for him too since he was in my sisters class at school, 3 years above me.

Since then it's been a mixed bag. The enjoyable, but not too great Doomsday and Centurian, and the poor Hellboy and Reckoning.

But this!! This is a poor, poor movie by anyone's standards. It's hard to say what's the worst thing; the acting, the dialogue, the FX or the shoddy direction.

I'd seen the trailer (which looked great) and then read the reviews on here, but thought people were just being too picky. But after enduring this dross, I feel the score is way too high.

I love a good B movie, I love a good monster flick and I love army v monsters even more. I'm so surprised a director with this much talent, can turn out such an awful movie.

Freaks (2018)

Completely underrated

[9/10 · 3 April 2023]

Stumbled upon this little known movie and thought I'd give it a go. It's an absolute cracker. Considering the budget and no major stars, I'd say it was one the best movies of the year.

A psychological drama about an unhinged, over protective father, slowly unravels in to one of the most interesting and exciting movies in ages.

The story is drip fed and the realisation of what is actually happening slowly starts becoming apparent. Bit by bit the plot thickens and with it so does the tension and excitement. The last 20 mins or so are completely edge of your seat stuff and you will be willing them to succeed!!! (Don't want to give anything away).

I'd love to see a sequel but so far it doesn't seem like a one is planned.

Great movie!!! Highly recommend.

Knock at the Cabin (2023)

7.5 but wasn't an option for it.

[7/10 · 8 March 2023]

M Night Shyamalan is so hit and miss. Probably does the best trailers with such great ideas, but then when viewing the films they never live up to expectation. This one falls somewhere in between.

With a once again fantastically teasing trailer, the film didn't quite live up to it. But in fairness it was still decent.

The movie kicks off almost immediately with the story, with no bedding in period, just straight to the point. It draws you in and genuinely keeps you guessing as to whether these cranks are for real or just crazy. Is it the end of the world or is it an elaborate home invasion?

The choices they are forced to make are very thought provoking and the tension is good. There's a small bit of misplaced humour, but nothing too much to spoil it.

As the film moves on the plot gets bigger and bigger and there are some great moments. However the end is pretty weak and leaves a slightly flat feeling which you feel could have been more spectacular.

To summarise- wile not back to his best, Shyamalan delivers a strong enough chiller to keep you entertained but slightly wanting more.

Pearl (2022)

Very different to X

[8/10 · 27 February 2023]

Although a prequel, with the same director and same actress, this is a very different type of movie to the first one.

Where X was your throwback to the 80s video nasties (and a great watch), this film has a different feel altogether. There's a lot more focus on just Pearl (there's a surprise considering the title) and because so much of the screen time is devoted to one person, the performance has to be top drawer. Which it absolutely is.

I'd never heard of Mia Goth before X and I thought she was great in that, but this is a whole new level. She absolutely excels in this film and brings so much depth and quality to the movie. I'm not sure if I'd have enjoyed it as much without her performance.

The film itself isn't as much as a horror as X. It's still probably classed as a horror but it's definitely not your typical one. It's a bit more art house than I would usually go for, but I was dying to see it and so glad I did.

Maybe not quite as satisfying as X for horror fans, but definitely a cracking movie with a must see performance. Oh and stay for the end credits!!! Bizarrely captivating!!

To summarise - A very well made, superbly acted, sometimes sad story of a disturbed young girl with homicidal tendencies.

Plane (2023)

If you liked the trailer you'll love the movie.

[8/10 · 14 February 2023]

Wow what is with some of these low scores?!! People giving it 3 or 4!!! Look, if you liked the look of this film from the trailer, you will not be disappointed. Don't go and see this movie if you don't fancy it from the trailer. Go and see the whale, or re watch la La land or the artist.

THIS IS NOT A FILM THAT'S GOING TO WIN AN OSCAR!!!!!!

It is a film that's going to keep you entertained and rooting for the good guys. It's fast paced, no frills, action packed and very easy to watch. Butler can do these roles in his sleep and never disappoints. It's 1 hour 40 too so doesn't drag on.

My tip - If the thought of Gerard Butler taking on an army of bandits while stranded on an island, crash landing a passenger plane, teaming up with a convicted murderer to defeat the baddies, saving the day, then flying off in to the sunset, doesn't sound interesting. THEN DON'T GO SEE IT!

Skylines (2020)

Ok but the least enjoyable of the 3.

[6/10 · 29 January 2023]

The third instalment sees earth this time taking the fight to the aliens in their own backyard.

A big shift in "feel" from the other 2 movies with everything taking place mainly in space. The movie flicks between earth and space and follows a team of specialists trying to figure out what is causing (now friendly) alien "pilots" to start turning on their human counterparts.

One of the great things about the first 2 films was the SFX. Both of them belied their tiny budgets to deliver blockbuster style FX. However, this film just doesn't quite nail it. Whether it's the budget, the director or maybe too ambitious with the setting, but it definitely feels a level down in the FX department. With the tone still being cheesy script and wooden acting, a major part of the appeal of the first 2 movies disappears because of this.

The plot is silly (more silly than first 2) and even though it's not on for too long, it seemed like it dragged a bit. Also no Grillo was a big miss. The Grillo role was taken by a guy with a Manc accent, saying things like noffing and wiv. It really didn't have the same appeal.

To summarise - disappointing but watchable.

Beyond Skyline (2017)

A welcome sequel to an underrated film.

[7/10 · 29 January 2023]

A very good sequel to the massively underrated skyline. The movie is set at the same time as the first film, this time with the brilliant Frank Grillo in a different part of LA, experiencing the alien invasion from a police precinct.

Trying to save his son, he ends up with group of survivors trying to escape the alien "harvesters".

The film moves along at a good pace but about a third of the way through, starts taking a different route. One of things I liked least about the first film was the end. This film kind of starts behaving like the end of the first film for a while. Fortunately it switches again and we get a good action packed final third with great battles.

Like the first, the SFX are great and the action is well directed. Without doubt this a pretty dumb movie, with a cheesy script and dodgy acting again. But it's very enjoyable and easy to watch, and Grillo as always brings a great screen presence.

Skyline (2010)

How has this film got such a low score?

[8/10 · 29 January 2023]

I absolutely cannot believe the hate for this film. I saw it originally at the cinema and loved it. Since then I've seen it 2 or 3 times on the small screen and enjoyed it just as much. My kids now love it too.

Without doubt the script is a bit cheesy and some of the acting is wooden. But there's so much to marvel at. First of all the fact this film was made on a £10m budget is almost unbelievable. The SFX are as good as you will see in any blockbuster. How they did it, I'll never know.

There's some genuinely thrilling set pieces too. There's a short into to the characters and then boom, the action starts. The feel of genuine threat is constant throughout the film and you can really immerse yourself in it, wondering what you would do.

I gave this film an 8 but I could understand people going lower (or higher). But anything less that a 6.5 is just baffling.

In short - Amazing SFX, short running time, great action, fast pace, cheesy script, wooden acting.

Smile (V) (2022)

Great film

[8/10 · 22 January 2023]

Definitely one of the best horrors of the year. I actually didn't go to the cinema to see at as I stupidly listened to a couple of people saying they didn't enjoy it (not real movie fans, just casual cinema goers). Anyway that put me off and I've promised myself I'm not listening to people anymore!!

This is a cracking movie, with so much going on and so many frights. Everyone knows the premise, a bit like the ring, when you see someone commit suicide, the curse gets passed to you and so on and so on.

Our heroine has to understand what is happening to her, then figure out a way to stop it.

The film is a great blend of horror and drama, never dulling for a moment. On for approx 2 hours this felt like the right amount time to conclude.

Oh and people saying they didn't like the end. I thought the end was excellent.

Don't be put off like I stupidly was. If you are a horror fan you will love this film.

Welcome to Chippendales (2022–2023)

Riveting watch

[9/10 · 18 January 2023]

I was hooked on this from the first minute. I'd watched the documentary a few years previous and could remember it being a fascinating story of betrayal, jealousy and murder, so I was intrigued to see how it played out.

It grabs your attention straight away and shows the rise of the famous chippendales, from sleazy club show, to worldwide domination.

Great performances from everyone involved, especially the lead playing Steve Banerjee.

It's sad to see what could have been everyone's dream come true end in such a dramatic way, but makes for great tv drama.

The "feel" of the show was very similar to Pam & Tommy, but with a much bigger, more serious storyline. Id say if you liked Pam & Tommy, you'll love this.

Violent Night (2022)

Very disappointing

[5/10 · 4 January 2023]

Not sure if I'm being too cruel with my 5/10 rating. I was looking forward to this movie more than probably any other film this year. So not sure if my sky high expectations have clouded my judgement.

After what seemed like an eternity from seeing the trailer and then finally watching it, I can honestly say it was one one of the biggest movie disappointments I've ever had.

The film seemed to be caught somewhere between home alone, die hard, bad Santa and straw dogs, but with none of the comedy, action, drama or charm of any of them. I felt it just didn't quite know what it wanted to be.

On top of that, i found it boring at times and had me checking my phone for the time.

Nothing wrong with the performances. I thought Harbour played a good bad Santa and leguizano was good as the head baddie.

I love Xmas and I love a good Xmas movie, but this is definitely one I'll not watch again. Gutted.

Fall (I) (2022)

Your palms will sweat!

[8/10 · 3 January 2023]

2 stupid girls climb a 2000ft tower and get stuck.

That's it. That's the story. So the fact that this was one of the most nail biting, stomach churning movies I've ever seen is testament to the director.

The scenes from the top of the tower are genuinely some of the most terrifying "look away" moments I've ever seen in a film. I watched this with my wife and 8 year old daughter and all of us kept telling each other to feel our sweaty palms!!!

There's a few scenes that are a bit implausible, but it's one of those movies that you just need to suspend your cynicism for an hour and just enjoy the ride.

Daylight's End (2016)

Surprisingly good

[7/10 · 3 January 2023]

Ok let's start with the obvious. This film isn't going to win any Oscar's!!

A lone drifter in a zombie apocalypse world, happens upon a band of good guy survivors holding out in a police station.

Ignore the plot holes, ignore the fact that the hero must have a gym membership still as he's the most ripped guy you'll ever see!!!!! Just enjoy a good zombie action pic that doesn't take itself seriously at all.

A half decent cast including Johnny Strong, Lance Henrikson and Louis Mandylor add a touch of quality to a low budget horror/action flick.

The pacing is good, there's barely a dull moment, and the final 3rd is all out action.

Like a cross between walking dead and a poor man's WWZ.

Wednesday (2022– )

Not what I expected

[8/10 · 3 January 2023]

I didn't really fancy this series, but then started hearing a lot of good things about it, so decided to try it.

After an ok start, each episode grabbed me more and more and culminated in a fantastic last episode.

Jenna Ortega was absolutely brilliant as the lead character. Her dance scene is up there with tv gold moments. She seems born to play this role.

The premise had me intrigued. A school for misfits all with their own special powers, and a monster killer on the loose. It was a real whodunnit which had us guessing right up until the last minute.

A great cast and great characters and clearly a lot of effort in put in to the story and script. Plus a top director on board, and what you get is a quality, very entertaining new franchise.

Avatar: The Way of Water (2022)

Spectacular

[10/10 · 3 January 2023]

I want to start by saying what on earth are people talking about when giving this a bad review?!!

Make no mistake, this is another masterpiece by Cameron. Basically if you liked the first, you'll love this.

I have no idea how anyone could dislike this film. It flew over for a 3 hour 15 movie, and that was with an 8 year old with me in the cinema.

We went as a family and all of us loved it. The pacing, the action, the story, the characters, the drama, the visuals!!! Everything about this film was superb. There was a slight lull in the middle (I can't remember where) but nothing that lasted, and everything seemed to pick up again without hesitation.

A brilliant film which started amazingly, progressed well in the middle, then ended spectacular.

Cannot recommend enough.

Last Christmas (2019)

A really good festive watch

[8/10 · 19 December 2022]

I'm not a huge Paul Feig fan. I've seen a few of his films and I raise a slight chuckle from time to time, but on the whole he's a 6/10 filmmaker for me.

In all honesty this film follows suit for the first two thirds. Not a bad film but not exactly good. Emilia Clarke plays a selfish screw up who can't get her life sorted, then a new guy steps in to her life and things start to change for the better. All this is set around Xmas and to a score of George Michael hits.

It's all very formulaic until the final third. A genuinely moving end and a warm festive feel propel the film from an average run of the mill rom com to tear jerking, feel good, happy sad film. If there is such a thing.

Cynics won't like it and I've seen a few people on here picking up on historical inaccuracies and cultural mistakes. But jeez!!!!! We're not watching Schindler's list, we're watching a Xmas rom com.

If you like things like the holiday and love actually, then you'll most likely enjoy this.

A Christmas Horror Story (2015)

A very pleasant surprise.

[7/10 · 27 November 2022]

Stumbled upon this movie and thought I'd give it a go. I have to say I was very pleasantly surprised how much I liked it.

4 horror stories mixed around a radio DJ giving a live broadcast on Xmas eve, all with a connecting theme.

I love Xmas and I love Xmas movies, but there are so many bad ones. There's a few horrors that haven't done it for me. Krampus springs to mind, but this film delivers. It has a nasty feel to it, with a dark humour and a cracking end which brings the film together. A great "oh right" moment which I didn't see coming.

Definitely give this a go if you like horror movies. It's not light hearted like gremlins and Krampus, it's a proper horror with blood and guts.

Gremlins (1984)

It "is" a Christmas movie!

[9/10 · 27 November 2022]

Like Die Hard, the debate with gremlins will always rage on, is it a Xmas movie?

Well I think yes. Plus not only that, it's actually one one my favourites. The opening credits to the Darlene Love song is still one of my favourite openings of all time.

I believe this and the howling are Joe Dante's biggest achievements, it's a shame he's not making films anymore. Only about an hour and a half long, it's a perfect movie to watch at Xmas. The pacing is perfect, the film never gets boring, whether it's introducing the characters, setting the scene or starting the chaos.

The effects are surprisingly decent considering it was made in 1984 (38 years ago when writing).

I've been watching this every Xmas with my little boy since he was about 6 and my little girl now she's 8. It's daft enough not to be scary for kids, but enough threat to be invested in the safety of the characters.

A fantastically well made film.

The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (2022 TV Special)

Enjoyable and forgettable.

[7/10 · 27 November 2022]

How anyone can give this a bad review is beyond me. It's the most inoffensive, easy to watch, inconsequential film (or show) you'll see this year. Ok I can understand someone giving it a 5 or a 6 as there's not a lot to it, but do not be put off by some crazy low scores.

My biggest gripe about it, is that it's only on 41 minutes. It seems like a mammoth effort and budget for such a short time. Watching as a family, we would have loved an extra 20 minutes.

I love a good Xmas movie and this was the first one we watched to kick off the Xmas film weekends. To me this is the kind of film you cannot fail to enjoy, but won't be in a rush to watch again. Probably not until next Xmas.

Although not as funny as I see some reviews saying (well not for us anyway) it definitely raises a few laughs. Usually involving Drax.

My advice - go and watch it. At worst you'll think it was ok.

Barbarian (2022)

Good solid horror movie.

[8/10 · 15 November 2022]

I fancied this after seeing the trailer and then hearing all the buzz.

The trailer gives a bit away but not enough to spoil it. This film isn't quite what you think.

One of the pleasing things is the running time. Only about an hour and a half which is great for this type of movie. I had high hopes after realising I'd watched half an hour and nothing at all had happened, yet I was totally engrossed.

The dialogue was really good and the fact that the film keeps you guessing what is going on was great.

When the horror starts, it really heats up. I always say if I watch a horror I want at least 3 frights. Well I only got one here, but it was a big one so I'll excuse it.

Without giving anything away, the film does take a shift midway, which I wasn't sure if I liked. However on reflection, it worked and all tied in well.

I'd definitely recommend this to not just horror fans, but all movie fans.

The Babysitter (I) (2017)

Surprisingly decent

[7/10 · 29 October 2022]

I'd fancied this film for a while but never got round to watching it. Flicking through Netflix I decided to give it a go. One of the appeals was the running time. Only an hour and a half for this type of film is more than enough.

This film doesn't take itself seriously at all and knows exactly what it wants to be. The tone starts off light and comedic then once it kicks in we get dark and comedic.

Nothing really new here, but slick direction, decent script, entertaining characters and good acting make it very enjoyable.

Actually didn't realise Samara Weaving was the babysitter until I saw her. She is hot!!!!!!!!

All Quiet on the Western Front (2022)

Quite a hard watch

[7/10 · 28 October 2022]

This was a bit of a hard slog to watch. Half an hour of good battles then 2 hours of German dialogue with subtitles. Don't expect 1917.

Told through the eyes of a German teenager who gleefully signs up for an adventure, then suddenly realises the real horrors of the war.

Very well directed and acted but felt at least half an hour too long. Obviously I wasn't expecting saving private Ryan but the scenes between battles felt extremely drawn out and slow. Once the action did start, it was very gritty and real and was a major plus for the film.

Definitely not a film I'll watch again. Not because of the subtitles (I don't mind them at all) but just wasn't captivating enough for me to enjoy the way I have with other war films.

It gets an extra mark for effort as it is definitely a quality film. Just a little boring for me.

Bullet Train (2022)

Enjoyable romp

[7/10 · 24 October 2022]

Pretty enjoyable silly film. Didn't warm to it straight away as thought it was too slapstick but got more in to it as it went on. A big pull for me was the unpredictability. Never had a clue how it was going to end.

Some characters were a bit over the top and some of the dialogue was a bit too contrived at times. Also it felt a little long for the type of film it was. Actually thought it was near the end and only 50 mins had past (it's on just over 2 hours).

Having said that it kept me entertained and I loved the comic book gore in the action scenes. Not sure I've ever seen Brad Pitt give a bad performance and this was another top outing for him. A few nice cameos too. Try and guess the female voice on the phone, you'll kick yourself when you find out.