Wow such big movie yet was visceral it was incredible funny yet serious lot of drug and violence and oh wow the penis and the woman with the funny laugh haha me and my sister enjoyed this incredibly much so I nearly peed my pant the surround sound made me feel like I was in Southampton and this is realistic but I do also live in Southampton and it's a nice Britain city that more people should buy the food from! In fact me and my sister are going for a meal and then visitin the nightclub when the big guns were and hopefully I don't get shot in the bum like the silly Italian man does. Glad to see my Italian heritage in a proud display of independence cinema. Music made me feel like I was in the PS2! Wow.
Reviews
44 Reviews
Hatching
(2022)
Feels like a cult 70s movie but without the charm
5 September 2022
Hatchling falls apart in its approach to its under developed story and generic characters on a shoestring budget. It felt like the film didn't know exactly how to cohesively tie the family drama and the horror elements together without falling in to generic horror cliches or completely dropping characters / story arcs. Script falls flat at times too and there's an unnecessary silliness to the film at points which contrasts with the tone and makes it genuinely laughable. Majority of the characters are quite annoying to watch too which becomes tiresome. The vlogging sub plot feels like a missed opportunity too!
Hatchling honestly felt like it would be at home in the 70s - it would've been better if film grain was added to make it look like an old movie. Red Letter Media are going to have a cracking time with this on Best of The Worst.
Positives were some of the gross sound design (though screams and cries can be obnoxious at times), the attempt to use practical effects (even if they don't look great at times) and some of the cinematography. The lead actress does a decent enough job but the film often relies quite heavily on her performance.
It's a straight to streaming watch, it's not worth a trip to the cinema or an on demand price either. It was a screen unseen showing for us and we regretted it. It's understandably difficult to make films but it should be said this isn't worth it unless you want to watch something along the lines of a feature length student film.
Hatchling honestly felt like it would be at home in the 70s - it would've been better if film grain was added to make it look like an old movie. Red Letter Media are going to have a cracking time with this on Best of The Worst.
Positives were some of the gross sound design (though screams and cries can be obnoxious at times), the attempt to use practical effects (even if they don't look great at times) and some of the cinematography. The lead actress does a decent enough job but the film often relies quite heavily on her performance.
It's a straight to streaming watch, it's not worth a trip to the cinema or an on demand price either. It was a screen unseen showing for us and we regretted it. It's understandably difficult to make films but it should be said this isn't worth it unless you want to watch something along the lines of a feature length student film.
Probably the most cringeworthy thing I've seen in the MCU
7 November 2021
An episode with Thor as a frat party boy sounds fun until it ends in cliches and some of the worst writing I've ever seen in the MCU. I get it's suppose to be a fun episode and kids will enjoy it but i thought it was a bad use of the animation format and the characters themselves - not too mention it makes Captain Marvel even more boring than she already was! No one wanted to see this and I can't believe this made the cut yet we are still to see Gamora's Infinity Gauntlet episode. Some fun cameos and a fun fight scene but easily the worst episode of What If.
Godzilla vs. Kong
(2021)
You're here for the fight scenes - and this move understood that
3 October 2021
First and foremost, the action scenes in this film does deliver- the cgi looks great and the fight scenes definitely have impact and it can be a lot of fun at times. Some of the new lore makes for interesting visuals too! The human characters are even less present in this movie but I feel that the director knew this and no cares about the plot or the human characters, they are literally there to add a bit of context to the fighting and to reduce the budget of the movie. Don't think about this movie too much and just enjoy it for what it is - big noisy kaijus fighting each other.
An Intense, well acted and thought provoking piece on abuse and masculinity
8 March 2021
Initially, I didn't expect The Stanford Prison Experiment to be as believable as it was but it really is quite an uncomfortable watch at times. You'll often question the experiment in the beginning of the film but you'll soon start to recognise the behaviour of the subjects and why they act the way they do. I think anyone who has been intimidated or even belittled or bullied by someone in authority can relate to this movie; especially if you're male considering the clear focus on toxic masculinity in this movie. As a viewer, I was in a consistent dread as to what would happen next in the experiment.
The cinematography is very consistent, opting for close up shots to create a real sense of claustrophobia. Combined with the light but sharp original score, an uneasy atmosphere is created.
It's not a film for everyone due to its intensity and some viewers may have their own lack of disbelief in the way characters act and the experiment itself but the true accounts and documentation of the real life experiment gives the film a real sense of integrity and punch.
The cinematography is very consistent, opting for close up shots to create a real sense of claustrophobia. Combined with the light but sharp original score, an uneasy atmosphere is created.
It's not a film for everyone due to its intensity and some viewers may have their own lack of disbelief in the way characters act and the experiment itself but the true accounts and documentation of the real life experiment gives the film a real sense of integrity and punch.
Midsommar
(2019)
Unsettling, thought provoking yet obscure
24 November 2020
One thing that is undeniable for Midsommar for me is the fact that this film is going to be relatable for a lot of people in its thought provoking themes. I took my a while to reflect on this!
Initially I reviewed this film at a 6/10 after watching it because I felt that the art house direction and general tone/weird ideas portrayed in the film was too much despite the excellent core of the film but I couldn't ignore how long this film stuck with me after watching.
For me what really works is the brilliant introduction, the creative cinematography and original score, the acting (particularly from Florence Plugh) and the core focus/themes of the plot. There is depth to the film making to be explored here which is great to talk about.
What I feel prevents this film from being ranked higher is the sub-genre of horror this film sits within - the core premise works in a horror but for me personally, the film tips itself far too much in to left field obscurity that it becomes genuinely laughable at times and a bit ridiculous. The horror angle this film took in particular was the less interesting part of the film for me.
It's quite similar to Hereditary and I'd argue the tone, drama and characters in Hereditary are more effective than Midsommar but I won't deny that when Midsommar hits hard, it doesn't hold back any punches. Prepare for a slow burn though.
Definitely not for everyone, especially casual audiences (ignore the marketing) but a unique film in its own right, even if it does borrow a couple of ideas.
Initially I reviewed this film at a 6/10 after watching it because I felt that the art house direction and general tone/weird ideas portrayed in the film was too much despite the excellent core of the film but I couldn't ignore how long this film stuck with me after watching.
For me what really works is the brilliant introduction, the creative cinematography and original score, the acting (particularly from Florence Plugh) and the core focus/themes of the plot. There is depth to the film making to be explored here which is great to talk about.
What I feel prevents this film from being ranked higher is the sub-genre of horror this film sits within - the core premise works in a horror but for me personally, the film tips itself far too much in to left field obscurity that it becomes genuinely laughable at times and a bit ridiculous. The horror angle this film took in particular was the less interesting part of the film for me.
It's quite similar to Hereditary and I'd argue the tone, drama and characters in Hereditary are more effective than Midsommar but I won't deny that when Midsommar hits hard, it doesn't hold back any punches. Prepare for a slow burn though.
Definitely not for everyone, especially casual audiences (ignore the marketing) but a unique film in its own right, even if it does borrow a couple of ideas.
Mid90s
(2018)
A raw, honest and charming coming of age skateboarding tale
11 June 2020
Jonah Hill's directorial debut is short, coming in at just over 80 minutes but it really nails its coming of age delivery in a raw manner. Mid90s wants you to connect with misguided youth of the summer and I definitely saw the positive comparisons drew to Shane Meadow's 'This Is England' series.
Speaking as a 25 year old, I didn't see much of the 90s but I still have a nostalgia for that period and especially a connection towards culture that spawned from it.
The cinematography is effective with some great transitions and variation and the original score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross is understated but used very effectively during transitional scenes.
What is fantastic is that this film captures the era perfectly - the film's distorted analogue visuals, the well selected licensed soundtrack (featuring plenty of east coast hip-hop), the accurate blossoming skate culture and nostalgic pop culture references. However, it also captures the negatives of hyper masculinity, casual use of homophobia and toxicity of peer pressure without holding back.
My main issues with the film is that a couple of scenes seemed a little bit out of place and a few more skateboard spot scenes wouldn't have gone a miss. A bit more female representation would've also been nice despite its male centric focus and maybe an extra 10 minutes of run time could've helped this.
It wont be for everyone but those looking for a decent skateboard focused movie won't go unsatisfied.
Speaking as a 25 year old, I didn't see much of the 90s but I still have a nostalgia for that period and especially a connection towards culture that spawned from it.
The cinematography is effective with some great transitions and variation and the original score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross is understated but used very effectively during transitional scenes.
What is fantastic is that this film captures the era perfectly - the film's distorted analogue visuals, the well selected licensed soundtrack (featuring plenty of east coast hip-hop), the accurate blossoming skate culture and nostalgic pop culture references. However, it also captures the negatives of hyper masculinity, casual use of homophobia and toxicity of peer pressure without holding back.
My main issues with the film is that a couple of scenes seemed a little bit out of place and a few more skateboard spot scenes wouldn't have gone a miss. A bit more female representation would've also been nice despite its male centric focus and maybe an extra 10 minutes of run time could've helped this.
It wont be for everyone but those looking for a decent skateboard focused movie won't go unsatisfied.
Area 51
(2015)
Interesting premise - Terrible by the final act
26 February 2020
I remember putting Area 51 on Netflix one day because I was bored and even though it's silly, I like the set up and the idea of how they get in to Area 51. However once the film actually gets going, there is cliché after cliché with a ending that was really quite crap. If you don't take it seriously (which is probably what they intended because it does get rather silly), you'll have fun - especially when if you're drunk with your friends and need a bad movie. But if you're sober, don't bother.
Grave Encounters 2
(2012)
Emo Peter Parker and bad writing strikes again
26 February 2020
I remember watching the first Grave Encounters and I quite enjoyed it despite its clichés - it's execution was actually pretty good and it had some decent jump scares! The original was likely a 7/10.
Grave Encounters 2 felt like the writers just didn't know what to do and threw every idea at the wall hoping it would stick but it doesn't completely.
The premise isn't initially that bad until you have you keep making leaps in logic for anything to make sense - but it doesn't at all and by the end I was annoyed at how badly written and executed it was.
The main protagonist who's been dubbed Emo Peter Parker from Spiderman 3 is rather irritating but that's fine because you've only came to see them get slaughtered in interesting ways right? Well prepared for reused CGI and typical tropes to be pushed even further - the jump scares and interesting shots are taken away from the original. And one disturbing scene in particular exploring the Grave Encounters 'lore' felt quite unnecessary and overlooked when really, it could've been a really dark moment for the film. Some of the CGI is okay but it's nothing to make this film that interesting.
Give it a miss, only watch it if you're really desperate to find out what happened after the first movie but honestly, it's not worth it. It's crap.
Grave Encounters 2 felt like the writers just didn't know what to do and threw every idea at the wall hoping it would stick but it doesn't completely.
The premise isn't initially that bad until you have you keep making leaps in logic for anything to make sense - but it doesn't at all and by the end I was annoyed at how badly written and executed it was.
The main protagonist who's been dubbed Emo Peter Parker from Spiderman 3 is rather irritating but that's fine because you've only came to see them get slaughtered in interesting ways right? Well prepared for reused CGI and typical tropes to be pushed even further - the jump scares and interesting shots are taken away from the original. And one disturbing scene in particular exploring the Grave Encounters 'lore' felt quite unnecessary and overlooked when really, it could've been a really dark moment for the film. Some of the CGI is okay but it's nothing to make this film that interesting.
Give it a miss, only watch it if you're really desperate to find out what happened after the first movie but honestly, it's not worth it. It's crap.
Yesterday
(III) (2019)
Danny Boyle on auto pilot - flat execution and lazy writing
25 February 2020
Yesterday has a decent enough premise that doesn't need logic to make interesting but solid, fresh writing (even though some unnecessary 'logic' is applied).
However the writing for this film was really lazy - character depth such as character motivations and justification for their decisions were completely lacking and this makes the main character really quite bland, irritating and not really all that likeable! Lily Collins plays her part well but again, her character has no depth and relies completely on the main character! And a certain pop star appears constantly throughout this movie and you question what this unfocused movie is really about and why Danny Boyle made this so middle of the road.
Occasionally Danny pulls through on the cinematography and the friend character 'Rocky' has some moments that was amusing. The music intergrated is the highlight and it has its feel good moments celebrating The Beatles's music but it's doesn't focus enough on The Beatles and it doesn't deliver as a fresh romantic comedy either. It doesn't really understand their music that well nor their influence and it doesn't understand what it's actually like to be a struggling musician in 2019
Honestly, if want a decent music based feel good movie, skip this and watch Blinded By The Light instead as it's so much better and emotionally engaging than this expensive waste of potential.
Casual viewers might find it charming but I personally found it quite shallow.
However the writing for this film was really lazy - character depth such as character motivations and justification for their decisions were completely lacking and this makes the main character really quite bland, irritating and not really all that likeable! Lily Collins plays her part well but again, her character has no depth and relies completely on the main character! And a certain pop star appears constantly throughout this movie and you question what this unfocused movie is really about and why Danny Boyle made this so middle of the road.
Occasionally Danny pulls through on the cinematography and the friend character 'Rocky' has some moments that was amusing. The music intergrated is the highlight and it has its feel good moments celebrating The Beatles's music but it's doesn't focus enough on The Beatles and it doesn't deliver as a fresh romantic comedy either. It doesn't really understand their music that well nor their influence and it doesn't understand what it's actually like to be a struggling musician in 2019
Honestly, if want a decent music based feel good movie, skip this and watch Blinded By The Light instead as it's so much better and emotionally engaging than this expensive waste of potential.
Casual viewers might find it charming but I personally found it quite shallow.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
(2008)
Ahsoka, Venturess and the action scenes are highlights
22 January 2020
I remember this film came out at a weird time for Star Wars and despite being a huge fan of Attack of The Clones as a kid, I remember giving this one a miss in 2008 as a 12 year old and it was likely for good reason.
While new characters such as Ahsoka and Ventures are a great addition introduced in this movie and the action/pacing is quick and entertaining (especially for kids) - there is definitely some issues at hand here. Firstly, while there has been a clear effort made with the animation in terms of scope and cinematography, some of the character designs here are awful - they are way too rigid and exaggerated with a lot of smeared texture work; to add to this, one 'particular' character introduced looked like an abomination and felt like a bad decision that was made to make the more film more 'child friendly'
While It's clear this movie is marketed towards children, Star Wars has always been marketed towards children - the humour in this film felt particularly cringe worthy and tries too hard to please small children. This goes for the constant character squabbling as well. The plot honestly doesn't make a great deal of sense either as a Star Wars movie but it is somewhat justified, though the premise alone is questionable from the get go - Why would these string of events happen and why would these characters care?
I'd like to think the series that continued from this film improved as it developed. I'm a huge Star Wars fan and I definitely liked the fight scenes and the introduction of Ahsoka and that just about makes everything else barrable.
I definitely prefer the Carton Network series and this is only from my memory of watching odd episodes as a kid.
While new characters such as Ahsoka and Ventures are a great addition introduced in this movie and the action/pacing is quick and entertaining (especially for kids) - there is definitely some issues at hand here. Firstly, while there has been a clear effort made with the animation in terms of scope and cinematography, some of the character designs here are awful - they are way too rigid and exaggerated with a lot of smeared texture work; to add to this, one 'particular' character introduced looked like an abomination and felt like a bad decision that was made to make the more film more 'child friendly'
While It's clear this movie is marketed towards children, Star Wars has always been marketed towards children - the humour in this film felt particularly cringe worthy and tries too hard to please small children. This goes for the constant character squabbling as well. The plot honestly doesn't make a great deal of sense either as a Star Wars movie but it is somewhat justified, though the premise alone is questionable from the get go - Why would these string of events happen and why would these characters care?
I'd like to think the series that continued from this film improved as it developed. I'm a huge Star Wars fan and I definitely liked the fight scenes and the introduction of Ahsoka and that just about makes everything else barrable.
I definitely prefer the Carton Network series and this is only from my memory of watching odd episodes as a kid.
Call Me by Your Name
(2017)
Vibrant, honest and very well acted
6 January 2020
Overall, Call Me By Your Name is effective with its honest tone and approach to sexuality and passion. While the overall structure may meander for casual audiences, a lot of what is on show here is very appealing - the Italian locations (and constant use of natural lighting), the excellent piano focused score, the vibrant use of colour within the cinematography and the charming but believable chemistry between characters.
I felt that the mixture of Italian and French dialogue was effective and refreshing considering the setting.
Granted the film does run the risk of coming off quite pretentious - the sudden jump cut editing, 'intelligent' dialogue heavy scenes, and adapting 'particular' scenes from the book - but its portrayal of passion and honesty keeps you engaged throughout. I believe the emotional complexity on show particularly elevates the whole film by its conclusion.
I felt that the mixture of Italian and French dialogue was effective and refreshing considering the setting.
Granted the film does run the risk of coming off quite pretentious - the sudden jump cut editing, 'intelligent' dialogue heavy scenes, and adapting 'particular' scenes from the book - but its portrayal of passion and honesty keeps you engaged throughout. I believe the emotional complexity on show particularly elevates the whole film by its conclusion.
Isle of Dogs
(2018)
The most charming film of 2018 - Isle of Dogs is a masteclass in animation and film making
11 December 2019
I believe Isle of Dogs was somewhat overlooked - it's initial aesthetic may appear somewhat off putting for an animated movie, especially if you intend it for children but it's fantastic. I've never watched a Wes Anderson movie but the premise alone of this movie was intriguing enough.
Firstly, as a Western produced film - I believe it's very respectful and faithful to Japanese culture and film making - majority of the human characters talk in their native language and this is something overlooked when setting a film in Japan. The score feels dynamic, traditional and exciting - really adding to the emotions and pacing of the film.
The story presented here is fantastic - simple enough for children to understand on a surface level but deep enough for adults, especially with the politics involved. It's emotional, relatable and lots of fun, even with its dark humour outlook of dispair and desperation.
The attention to detail in this movie is astonishing - every shot is composed with purpose, every model is unique and the fluidity of scenes join together with a brisk pace that ties everything together nicely! The film changes animation style consistently in such a manner that it adds another layer to the film making.
The voice acting was completely nailed by every actor/actress and it really added to the charm of the movie.
Even as a certified Cat Daddy, I personally loved this movie, give it a watch.
Firstly, as a Western produced film - I believe it's very respectful and faithful to Japanese culture and film making - majority of the human characters talk in their native language and this is something overlooked when setting a film in Japan. The score feels dynamic, traditional and exciting - really adding to the emotions and pacing of the film.
The story presented here is fantastic - simple enough for children to understand on a surface level but deep enough for adults, especially with the politics involved. It's emotional, relatable and lots of fun, even with its dark humour outlook of dispair and desperation.
The attention to detail in this movie is astonishing - every shot is composed with purpose, every model is unique and the fluidity of scenes join together with a brisk pace that ties everything together nicely! The film changes animation style consistently in such a manner that it adds another layer to the film making.
The voice acting was completely nailed by every actor/actress and it really added to the charm of the movie.
Even as a certified Cat Daddy, I personally loved this movie, give it a watch.
Blinded by the Light
(2019)
A heartwarming, genuine coming of age tale that understands Bruce Springsteen and his material
9 December 2019
I saw Yesterday ('The Beatles movie's) not long before Blinded By The Light and I wasn't a fan.
Blinded By The Light is by far the superior music based film of 2019 that understands the context of Bruce Springsteen's song writing and impact while simultaneously tackling the struggles of living as a British born Pakistan teenager in the 1980s in an engaging and relatable coming of age tale. It has a musical / Bollywood aesthetic at times and celebrates British and Asian culture really well - it also fundamentally shows the flaws of both cultures in a manner that isn't preachy in our current social climate.
It's genuinely funny, well acted and we see characters go on a complete development arc that feels well earned. The cinematography is really good as well, adding moments for artistic purposes that look great. 80s nostalgia has been really strong recently but I felt this had enough here that wasn't over done and following mainstream trends - there is some cheesy moments but they are used sparingly and it's quite charming.
The music was great (and I don't listen to Springsteen) and you'll likely appreciate this movie. One of the best films I've seen this year and I feel it will get overlooked!
Blinded By The Light is by far the superior music based film of 2019 that understands the context of Bruce Springsteen's song writing and impact while simultaneously tackling the struggles of living as a British born Pakistan teenager in the 1980s in an engaging and relatable coming of age tale. It has a musical / Bollywood aesthetic at times and celebrates British and Asian culture really well - it also fundamentally shows the flaws of both cultures in a manner that isn't preachy in our current social climate.
It's genuinely funny, well acted and we see characters go on a complete development arc that feels well earned. The cinematography is really good as well, adding moments for artistic purposes that look great. 80s nostalgia has been really strong recently but I felt this had enough here that wasn't over done and following mainstream trends - there is some cheesy moments but they are used sparingly and it's quite charming.
The music was great (and I don't listen to Springsteen) and you'll likely appreciate this movie. One of the best films I've seen this year and I feel it will get overlooked!
500 Days of Summer
(2009)
Charming, funny and honest - a decade on
14 October 2019
A decade since release, 500 Days of Summer still holds up as a charming but honest take on romance and not just in our modern generation.
What helps the film excel is its non-linear structure and creative film making within the genre including creative use of animation / CGI and moments of breaking the fourth wall. It remains romantic and funny while being relatable and grounded at its heart - while poking fun at the trappings of romance.
To no surprise, Joseph and Zoey were the ideal choices for the leads and Chloe Grace Moretz eats up any of the scenes she's featured in as Tom's younger sister.
As a 25 year old single male, I feel this movie is relatable to anyone if you give it a chance and it does stand out as a film about romance with a coming of age focus.
The soundtrack was nicely composed alongside a lot of licensed music which worked really nicely for the film.
A couple of jokes/comments might be considered non PC in 2019 but it's played ironically.
What helps the film excel is its non-linear structure and creative film making within the genre including creative use of animation / CGI and moments of breaking the fourth wall. It remains romantic and funny while being relatable and grounded at its heart - while poking fun at the trappings of romance.
To no surprise, Joseph and Zoey were the ideal choices for the leads and Chloe Grace Moretz eats up any of the scenes she's featured in as Tom's younger sister.
As a 25 year old single male, I feel this movie is relatable to anyone if you give it a chance and it does stand out as a film about romance with a coming of age focus.
The soundtrack was nicely composed alongside a lot of licensed music which worked really nicely for the film.
A couple of jokes/comments might be considered non PC in 2019 but it's played ironically.
Ghost in the Shell
(2017)
Absolutely stunning visuals and music - Ghost in The Shell is enjoyable even if it misses the point (revised)
13 July 2019
As a fan of the original Anime, Ghost in The Shell (1995) is an intelligent and influential piece of cyberpunk fiction that was too short and featured way too much political jargo. This live action adaptation expands the run time and trims majority of the original's needless political dialogue but it sadly misses 'the point' of the original anime.
Upon initially watching this film, I felt it deserved around an 8/10 as the cinematography, music and overall production of the movie is really high and it's great from this prospective. Scarlett Johansson also does a great job as Major (despite not being Asian and the backlash she received from the role) and the rest of the acting is pretty good here and the action is solid as well; solid translation to live action in these departments.
In terms of plot, however, upon reflection I felt Ghost in The Shell suffers in that it re-writes core elements of the original story which doesn't come together as well in my opinion - some of the character expansion featured is appreciated but some of the film really doesn't adapt some of the stronger philosophical elements of the original and this was a large part of its popularity. The original anime had some deep, subtle moments and it feels as if this was thrown away for a more personal story but it doesn't feel satisfying. The final act should've followed the original material much closer.
In my opinion, watch the original for a better story adaptation but do give this live action version a watch even just for the music and visuals as they are really good!
Upon initially watching this film, I felt it deserved around an 8/10 as the cinematography, music and overall production of the movie is really high and it's great from this prospective. Scarlett Johansson also does a great job as Major (despite not being Asian and the backlash she received from the role) and the rest of the acting is pretty good here and the action is solid as well; solid translation to live action in these departments.
In terms of plot, however, upon reflection I felt Ghost in The Shell suffers in that it re-writes core elements of the original story which doesn't come together as well in my opinion - some of the character expansion featured is appreciated but some of the film really doesn't adapt some of the stronger philosophical elements of the original and this was a large part of its popularity. The original anime had some deep, subtle moments and it feels as if this was thrown away for a more personal story but it doesn't feel satisfying. The final act should've followed the original material much closer.
In my opinion, watch the original for a better story adaptation but do give this live action version a watch even just for the music and visuals as they are really good!
Beasts of No Nation
(2015)
Harrowing, honest and impactful
13 July 2019
Beasts of No Nation is by no means an easy, satisfying watch but it's an impactful movie that reflects the current social political climate. While some of the visual content featured here is absolutely harrowing, it does feel very humantized and the cinematography and score is stunning and euphoric. The score manages to blend African percussion with lush synthesised soundbeds which felt fresh and unique. BONN also doesn't try to fit within genre conventions and felt very genuine despite the hard hitting situations characters are placed in to. This is especially reflective in the acting from the young male lead 'Abu' who excels in emotion and desperation. It felt familiar to Blood Diamond in a sense but arguably more subtle and stripped back.
Idris Elba also does a great job within the film to create a character unique to his acting tool set.
My main issue with the movie is that some details are left short and I wanted to know more and have this expanded upon - especially considering this title is standalone and not likely to receive a sequel.
It likely won't satisfy casual viewers but those invested in the premise will experience a powerful film.
Idris Elba also does a great job within the film to create a character unique to his acting tool set.
My main issue with the movie is that some details are left short and I wanted to know more and have this expanded upon - especially considering this title is standalone and not likely to receive a sequel.
It likely won't satisfy casual viewers but those invested in the premise will experience a powerful film.
Ninja Assassin
(2009)
Simple but effective - expect plenty of gore and fight scenes
28 June 2019
Ninja Assassin knows what movie it is - a gory popcorn flick with a high body count. The plot is simple but a decent enough scenario so we get plenty of fight scenarios full of katanas, chain blades, shiruikens and even guns as well! It's definitely not shy of action.
While the pace is energetic, my main issue was that scenes were full of cut transitions and too many close ups so some fights are hard to track - this is countered by slick slow motion visuals inspired by the likes of 300. The film didn't feature any Japanese dialogue which is something I personally don't like for this genre because it feels less authentic. Occasionally some of the mixing for dialogue was a bit too quiet but honestly, it's a bargain bin grab and definitely enjoyable if you want a modern take on the ninja genre. It's the sort of film you would enjoy even more with friends and a few beers.
While the pace is energetic, my main issue was that scenes were full of cut transitions and too many close ups so some fights are hard to track - this is countered by slick slow motion visuals inspired by the likes of 300. The film didn't feature any Japanese dialogue which is something I personally don't like for this genre because it feels less authentic. Occasionally some of the mixing for dialogue was a bit too quiet but honestly, it's a bargain bin grab and definitely enjoyable if you want a modern take on the ninja genre. It's the sort of film you would enjoy even more with friends and a few beers.
Rambo
(2008)
Ropey CGI, questionable acting and plenty of gore - Rambo is an entertaining 80s throwback
26 June 2019
As a kid I loved First Blood Part 2 and with Last Blood coming out this year, I thought I'd give this entry a go in the franchise since it missed it first time round.
While the action set pieces aren't as good as First Blood Part 2, Rambo definitely has its entertaining merits in that it's very gory and the kill count is high. It's only 90 minutes long and doesn't feature much continuity to the older films.
Granted the excessive nature of this film might out casual viewers off, especially with the amount of gore and brutality shown here and it's used to dehumanise the antagonistic forces Rambo is up against. It's easily the most violent and excessive entry in the Rambo franchise yet and it does make you question the entertainment of some sequences.
It looks and sounds like an 80s action movie, which is fun, but the choreography and camera shot composition doesn't hold up to action movies such as John Wick that feature continuously shot scenes. However, you probably won't care as limbs and buckets of blood scatter scenes. It's nothing special, it's an unnecessary sequel but it's fun if you love old school violent action movies.
While the action set pieces aren't as good as First Blood Part 2, Rambo definitely has its entertaining merits in that it's very gory and the kill count is high. It's only 90 minutes long and doesn't feature much continuity to the older films.
Granted the excessive nature of this film might out casual viewers off, especially with the amount of gore and brutality shown here and it's used to dehumanise the antagonistic forces Rambo is up against. It's easily the most violent and excessive entry in the Rambo franchise yet and it does make you question the entertainment of some sequences.
It looks and sounds like an 80s action movie, which is fun, but the choreography and camera shot composition doesn't hold up to action movies such as John Wick that feature continuously shot scenes. However, you probably won't care as limbs and buckets of blood scatter scenes. It's nothing special, it's an unnecessary sequel but it's fun if you love old school violent action movies.
Utopia
(I) (2013–2014)
Dark, intensely violent, funny and intelligent - Utopia was destined to be a cult classic
5 June 2019
Straight from the first scene of Utopia's pilot, you know you're going to be strapped in for an intense and weird ride. Utopia clearly takes influence from the graphic novel format with its saturated cinematography, plot premise and intense, realistic violence. The characters here are 3 dimensional and have their own motives. Utopia will not be for everyone but for those willing to unravel its mystery, you're in for a treat. The music is also really unique and unsettling, which matches up perfectly with the cinematography. The dark humour throughout gives the series an odd charm that breaks up the dark tone of the show when necessary.
The bittersweet nature of the series is that it unfortunately got cancelled after 2 seasons and is now being picked up by HBO and remade for American audience by Gillian Flynn which is VERY frustrating for fans of the original because it manages to get everything right.
I'd honestly say if you're looking forward to the HBO remake, give this a watch first as this is the original source material that created the cult following. You'll still see fans asking for season 3 on social media!
The bittersweet nature of the series is that it unfortunately got cancelled after 2 seasons and is now being picked up by HBO and remade for American audience by Gillian Flynn which is VERY frustrating for fans of the original because it manages to get everything right.
I'd honestly say if you're looking forward to the HBO remake, give this a watch first as this is the original source material that created the cult following. You'll still see fans asking for season 3 on social media!
Glass
(2019)
Serviceable but a complete disappointment
17 April 2019
Glass has moments of greatness with its lofty ambitions but falls completely flat as a finale to a trilogy. The execution of the plot doesn't give justice to any of the film's main protagonists and that's the first issue with the film.
Since Glass has no clear central protagonist to focus on and develop, it's hard for the plot to keep focus and develop each character consistently; motivations felt all over the place. On top of this, the introduction of new characters felt completely unnecessary by the finale and you wish the 3 main characters were the main focus of the plot. Minutes of screen time is given to characters babbling when it really could be actually developing characters
Secondly, Glass is mainly set in one location, like Split, but fails to deliver the same tension and anticipation as Split. This was likely an attempt to save money in the budget but it didn't work! Shyamalan should have took advantage of lighting and close quarters tension rather than opting for the scenarios he did.
The score is decent - you get a mix of Split's excellent disturbing sound design and beats from Unbreakable and some scenes are great fan service (especially some deleted scenes from Unbreakable). James McAvoy is busting his nuts off in this role once again and nails his performance - it's just a shame his character isn't put to good use.
Overall, it's okay to be disappointed by this finale and the conclusion feels rushed and completely unsatisfactory as an end of the trilogy. A massive shame.
Since Glass has no clear central protagonist to focus on and develop, it's hard for the plot to keep focus and develop each character consistently; motivations felt all over the place. On top of this, the introduction of new characters felt completely unnecessary by the finale and you wish the 3 main characters were the main focus of the plot. Minutes of screen time is given to characters babbling when it really could be actually developing characters
Secondly, Glass is mainly set in one location, like Split, but fails to deliver the same tension and anticipation as Split. This was likely an attempt to save money in the budget but it didn't work! Shyamalan should have took advantage of lighting and close quarters tension rather than opting for the scenarios he did.
The score is decent - you get a mix of Split's excellent disturbing sound design and beats from Unbreakable and some scenes are great fan service (especially some deleted scenes from Unbreakable). James McAvoy is busting his nuts off in this role once again and nails his performance - it's just a shame his character isn't put to good use.
Overall, it's okay to be disappointed by this finale and the conclusion feels rushed and completely unsatisfactory as an end of the trilogy. A massive shame.
Mandy
(I) (2018)
An expertly crafted throwback to 80s horror - but not everyone will appreciate its focus
9 April 2019
Straight away, the movie builds itself off grainy nostalgia through the use of old studio/distribution logos and its opening credits against an establishing helicopter shot. Set in 1982, Mandy really works as a modern production's take on films of its era and The Evil Dead especially shines through.
Mandy first and foremost intentionally priorities cinematography, shot composition, score and atmosphere over plot and character development - but that's kind of the point.
The film is drenched in neon visuals which look absolutely fantastic and the score is really well produced as well with a mixture of euphoric pads, harrowing growls and occasional metal influence.
Nicolas Cage revells in his role in this film as he pushes his emotions to a level that only he can achieve. And it completely works for this movie (even if some scenes did make me chuckle - I blame the memes).
The use of practical effects and occasional animation is nicely done as well!
It might come across a weird horror movie for casual audiences with its intense visual palette (lots of strobes and neon visuals) and excessive nature but it definitely has its charm as a nostalgic piece built on an iconic era of cult horror and action movies.
Go rent a copy from Blockbusters or your local VHS Rental store.
Mandy first and foremost intentionally priorities cinematography, shot composition, score and atmosphere over plot and character development - but that's kind of the point.
The film is drenched in neon visuals which look absolutely fantastic and the score is really well produced as well with a mixture of euphoric pads, harrowing growls and occasional metal influence.
Nicolas Cage revells in his role in this film as he pushes his emotions to a level that only he can achieve. And it completely works for this movie (even if some scenes did make me chuckle - I blame the memes).
The use of practical effects and occasional animation is nicely done as well!
It might come across a weird horror movie for casual audiences with its intense visual palette (lots of strobes and neon visuals) and excessive nature but it definitely has its charm as a nostalgic piece built on an iconic era of cult horror and action movies.
Go rent a copy from Blockbusters or your local VHS Rental store.
Sex Education
(2019–2023)
Funny, relatable and grounded with a diverse cast
28 March 2019
Upon watching Sex Education, I felt as if it was going to fall in to the trap of being a cliché 'Americanised' high school story with every trope under the sun.
I was therefore surprised that the show gets the tone just right - some of the characters here will go through a number of issues that felt grounded and it's not only from one perspective, which definitely feels right in the current generation.
Our main characters have depth and goals that break away from conventions but the show is able to still keep the odds and stakes interesting enough to keep you watching like a more dramatic high school drama would.
The decent cast represents characters that have personalities that feel genuine and very likable. Cinematography, music and locations are spot on as well, feeling fresh and vibrant (using lots of British countryside rather than cities).
At times, the show can really indulge in the cringy characters / moments and it will seem cliché as first but as you persist through, the characters and plot really open up.
I'm looking forward to what comes in season 2.
I was therefore surprised that the show gets the tone just right - some of the characters here will go through a number of issues that felt grounded and it's not only from one perspective, which definitely feels right in the current generation.
Our main characters have depth and goals that break away from conventions but the show is able to still keep the odds and stakes interesting enough to keep you watching like a more dramatic high school drama would.
The decent cast represents characters that have personalities that feel genuine and very likable. Cinematography, music and locations are spot on as well, feeling fresh and vibrant (using lots of British countryside rather than cities).
At times, the show can really indulge in the cringy characters / moments and it will seem cliché as first but as you persist through, the characters and plot really open up.
I'm looking forward to what comes in season 2.
Us
(II) (2019)
It has decent technical merits, even if it is a tad under cooked
26 March 2019
I think Jordan Peele was going to struggle with his follow up to Get Out - it was a strong horror movie with a fresh concept and twisted sense of humour.
Us carries over the dark humour and is a fresh take on the home invasion sub genre even if it does feel a lot more grand, abstract and interpretative than his debut.
I think viewers should take this movie at face value and then slowly peel back what the movie is trying to say - I was trying to jump the gun and figure out the interpretative meaning before actually digesting what actually happened.
The score was really good in places and definitely got better as the film progressed, the cinematography was also excellent and there are some great scenes here but the plot does get a tad confusing because some of exposition is rushed and it therefore doesn't have the overall finesse that made Get Out so appealing. You'll be surprised by Us but don't expect it to be as enjoyable as Get Out.
Us carries over the dark humour and is a fresh take on the home invasion sub genre even if it does feel a lot more grand, abstract and interpretative than his debut.
I think viewers should take this movie at face value and then slowly peel back what the movie is trying to say - I was trying to jump the gun and figure out the interpretative meaning before actually digesting what actually happened.
The score was really good in places and definitely got better as the film progressed, the cinematography was also excellent and there are some great scenes here but the plot does get a tad confusing because some of exposition is rushed and it therefore doesn't have the overall finesse that made Get Out so appealing. You'll be surprised by Us but don't expect it to be as enjoyable as Get Out.
Captain Marvel
(2019)
A solid origin story - even at the heels of Endgame (7.5 / 10)
9 March 2019
I feel Captain Marvel had a lot of pressure being an origin movie at the heels of Avengers Endgame, which is less than a month away!
However I'm glad to say Captain Marvel is a decent origin story but don't expect anything on the level of Guardians / Thor Ragnarok / Infinity War.
The film has a rocky start - a fear of lack of personality and a plot structure that throws you off at first. The film's development definitely got better as the film progressed which definitely stops it falling short.
For MCU fans - we got a lot of Nick Fury in this movie which is awesome because it definitely adds a lot of fun to this movie and the de-ageing CGI is impressive.
The feminist stance isn't too heavy-handed within the film, though absolutely commendable in a relatable way. On the other hand, I'd probably say Wonder Woman is a better female led superhero movie.
I watched this movie in 3D and the 3D visuals in this movie are not particularly good - scenes were too dark on top of the 3D tint (this maybe theater dependent but I do work at a cinema).
Plot wise, it's not an essential watch but definitely a solid standalone entry and had a nice lead in to Endgame. I look forward to seeing other directors working with her character!
7.5 / light 8 out of 10
However I'm glad to say Captain Marvel is a decent origin story but don't expect anything on the level of Guardians / Thor Ragnarok / Infinity War.
The film has a rocky start - a fear of lack of personality and a plot structure that throws you off at first. The film's development definitely got better as the film progressed which definitely stops it falling short.
For MCU fans - we got a lot of Nick Fury in this movie which is awesome because it definitely adds a lot of fun to this movie and the de-ageing CGI is impressive.
The feminist stance isn't too heavy-handed within the film, though absolutely commendable in a relatable way. On the other hand, I'd probably say Wonder Woman is a better female led superhero movie.
I watched this movie in 3D and the 3D visuals in this movie are not particularly good - scenes were too dark on top of the 3D tint (this maybe theater dependent but I do work at a cinema).
Plot wise, it's not an essential watch but definitely a solid standalone entry and had a nice lead in to Endgame. I look forward to seeing other directors working with her character!
7.5 / light 8 out of 10
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