PhilmGuru Reviews

Earthsounds (2024– )

Enthralling, stunning, magical documentary series

[10/10 · 27 February 2024]

This has to be one of the greatest nature series I have ever seen. The production values are absolutely astounding - stunning, vibrant, sumptuous rich 4K HDR with incredibly well mastered Atmos audio. When we put this on our 87" OLED it feels like we are transported into the environment. The picture in places almost looks and feels 3D. What are good production values though with the content to back it up? It absolutely shines here as well - I guarantee you will see magical elements of nature you never knew about and find out new things about animals that sound like something out of a sci-fi story. You will not be bored and Hiddleston is a fantastic choice for the narration.

I have no idea why Apple aren't marketing this more. It's absolutely blown me away on every level and I desperately hope they make another season.

The only negative I will highlight is that the bitrate in some high motion scenes is just too low and the illusion is occasionally broken. This is hopefully easily fixable with a better encode, but it's really screaming out for an UltraHD Blu-ray, but sadly I don't see any chance of that ever happening.

At the end of each episode there is also a short making of, showing the crew recording on location. This is a lovely little treat at the end of each episode and I'm so glad they included it!

The Bear (2022– )

Forget big budgets

[8/10 · 3 September 2022]

The clear winner in 2022 TV is easily the Bear (thus far). Even three episodes in, you probably still won't quite grasp what you're watching but you'll be absolutely hooked. The first two episodes are some of the highest intensity, and visceral TV ever made. Just relentless, well made, non-stop, intense entertainment. Cinematography, acting, script writing, all center stage. No billion dollar budgets - just families arguing and fighting over a struggling business and dealing with what life throws at them through every hour of everyday. It's honest, it's absolutely original and the type of production we need to be created more frequently. Where it will go, I have no idea, but I'm already hooked and hoping we see much more originality in TV production like this after the last few years absolute total mass media woke dross.

Top Gun: Maverick (2022)

Hollywood is back!

[9/10 · 24 August 2022]

It really is shockingly good. It should fail on paper, but everything comes together in glorious fashion. Perfect mix of throw backs to the original while never over stepping the historic line, the right amount of cheese, amazing cinematography, brilliant sound mixing (there's some mega, mega deep bass in places, the likes of which I've not heard my sub pump out before) and a soundtrack totally honouring the original while still standing on its own. Feel good vibes in abundance, excellent casting, it never feels too long or too short. Simply one of the best "simple" movies Hollywood has put out in many, many years - if you want to be thoroughly entertained from start to finish and not preached to, this is the movie for you. The credits will roll and you'll have a big old smile on your face like the old days.

Jurassic World (2015)

Entertainment, for people that forgot what entertainment really is

[6/10 · 22 December 2015]

When 12 years pass by from a truly epic, genre defining film, expectations will always be at a high. This is a film that grossed hugely at the box office, regardless of anything I could possibly say.

One word from me:

Disappointment.

The effects, in some bizarre, alternate universe, feel worse than the early ILM days of JP1. With all the cutting edge effects, teams of VFX & SFX gurus's, somehow JW just doesn't manage to muster a single set piece that incites fear, panic & sweat like the original.

To watch this, is to really understand what a director like Spielberg truly commands. A single cohesive vision. I could complain about the characters, the plot, the poorly textured dinosaurs, but it would be completely fruitless. You'll all watch it anyway. The film discerning public will all leave with a taste of 'meh' in their mouths. It's fun, but fun that will almost never be re-visited.

Spielberg is a genius and this film simply serves as a testament to that, and not much else.

6.0/10

The Intern (I) (2015)

A simple pleasure

[9/10 · 22 December 2015]

It's such a rare joy to watch a film these days that doesn't rely on special effects, bad language, violence or crude humour.

While I enjoy all of the above, in the correct context, and they certainly have their place - this film stands out as true gem to remind the current generation that they might just be missing out on something better (and simpler) by constantly 'dressing down' to be cool.

To see the sloppy start-up culture (of which I'm somewhat a part) juxtaposed against De Niro's sharp suits and clear language, serves notice that being caring, human and honest is not forgotten among a lot of people and will always be honoured & respected.

BOTH protagonists are hero characters - funny, caring, touching, warm and forgiving.

Serotonin and dopamine fire simultaneously watching this film from start to finish. In part, due to the fact these characters simply don't exist in real-life anymore... as much as they really should.

I would advise anyone with a warm to heart to watch this and simply give in to it.

Accept it's Hollywood, accept it's Hollywood showing us a different side, a side it's more than capable of showing us. If we don't accept it, we only have the dark side left.

9.6/10

Everest (2015)

Good, but hides the true horror

[6/10 · 22 December 2015]

Everest is a very, very harsh place. It feels like for the major duration, the true harshest and bitterness is painted over. Reading a few blogs uncovers horrors this film doesn't even remotely touch on. Early scenes almost float around 'The Beach' - people partying, having fun. There's no true connection to the sacrifices that people have made to be there. Yes, it costs upwards of $50k - what was the true cost of earning that money to buy your way in?

Yes, it's verging on EPIC. Yes, the audio is fantastic. Yes, the visuals are superb. Yes, you probably will enjoy it.

It just constantly feels like a very missed opportunity to tell the true story of people who have died chasing a dream that probably can't be completely fulfilled.

If you want to see 'real' mountaineering, watch 'Touching the Void'.

6.9/10

Hollywood Homicide (2003)

So many people have missed the point

[6/10 · 16 December 2003]

Anyone who has seen this movie and commented on it as a serious action film should be shot.

From the very start it is fairly obvious it crosses the cheese line into a parody. From the totally pointless/unrelated cheesy opening scene of HF on a shooting range, the lake chase scene, the whole buddy buddy chemistry (or total deliberate lack thereof) to the non stop annoying phone ringing or maybe the complete lack of an interesting plot? Some of these should have given away to most people the real intentions of this film.

The 'love' scene with Harrison Ford should be the last clue to anyone blind enough, that this is really not to be taken seriously and can be considered made specially for Mystery Science Theatre.

The film is called 'Hollywood Homicide', I believe, so titled as to ruffle some Hollywood feathers with the notion that Hollywood has been killed by the never ending rain of terrible buddy cop movies. The real joke is that some suit somewhere probably OK'd this as a real action movie.

In fact, the funniest thing is that some people took it seriously and enjoyed it as a serious action movie.

The chases are deliberately over the top lame (I mean really, really bad), the dialogue is so silly and pointless it just makes you laugh, the character development is totally non-existant, the cliches flow non-stop, the whole side plot of internal affairs is placed there because it's in every buddy cop movie, etc, etc. How anyone took this movie as a serious action film is beyond me.

I give it 6/10 because, it's hilarious in places (in a MST kind of way), I agree with their intentions (THE COP FILMS MUST END!!!). Just please, don't take it anything more than a parody.