samuelroberts-11378 Reviews

I Came By (2022)

A Missed Opportunity

[5/10 · 4 March 2023]

For a so-called 'Thriller' this film is sufficiently lacking in "thrills". It has the right components and the right ingredients, but can't find something that works for the genre. What we get instead is a half-baked, lukewarm movie that knows what it's trying to be but can't get there.

Hugh Bonnerville is not the right casting for this. I get he's a pretty big star and name to have, but you just don't buy that he's a serial killer. Having said this, he does have some chilling moments that begs the question, is he actually right for the part? But no. These moments are glossed over and that's another issue: the pacing is all over the place. It's a thriller, you want to be dragged through uncomfortable scenes and made to feel like you're trapped in a basement or in a house, but this film prioritises unnecessary domestic dialogue and plot points, to the main arc of the story.

The cast are not necessarily underused in terms of screen time, but in terms of their purpose. Their stories are built up and created but have little to no actual purpose. It's so frustrating to see promising storylines put to death for no apparent reason.

Overall, this is a below average take on a pretty easy genre to get right most of the time, but sadly this film misses all of its beats and doesn't give you any real satisfaction or pay off. A shame, because this could be a gem of a film if it played its cards right.

Death to 2021 (2021 TV Special)

Less witty and funny than original, but still good

[7/10 · 8 January 2022]

The first Death To mockumentary was hilarious and was just a breath of fresh air after such a horrific year.

This time around, it just lacked that cutting edge and wit that the original had, and it seemed to take itself a little more seriously the second time around. It was missing key cast members from the original, potentially limiting its comedic value and uniqueness.

The highlight of the first one was Hugh Grant, but this time he isn't laugh-out-loud funny, though he's still good.

Overall, I think 2020 was such an easy year to rip into and to relate too, because we were all practically in the same boat. But 2021 was different for many people, and I just feel that this sequel lacked that relatability and strong comedic value that it had in the original. Still good though.

Hop (2011)

My nostalgia can't save this.

[4/10 · 6 April 2021]

I was always a fan of this Easter movie and it was always a traditional film to sit down in front of and watch it at Easter time. Through the years it's been a bit of a joke to say that I liked this movie and throughout the years I've realised how terrible it is than I once thought.

The story just doesn't make any sense and the whole concept could have been a lot more well executed. It has an incredible cast and that's probably why I'm disappointed it wasn't better.

However, it's still a tradition and it still has a charm to it so it will still be a tradition of mine for the foreseeable future, but will always be laughed at rather than laughed with.

The Dark Knight (2008)

Breathtaking

[9/10 · 10 July 2020]

Christopher Nolan at his best here in his Dark Knight trilogy here, with an incredible performance from Heath Ledger who, quite frankly, makes this movie what it is. One of the best DC movies ever made and it deserves all the high ratings it gets.