MattyLuke-81663 Reviews

Rebel Moon - Part Two: The Scargiver (2024)

It's no Lord of the Rings, Dune, Star Wars, and Game of Thrones

[3/10 · 26 April 2024]

The biggest compliment I can give Rebel Moon: Part Two is that I didn't fall asleep this time.

I have never seen a movie so desperately wanting to be not only a franchise but a Wiki fandom hotspot with its world, characters, science fiction names, etc. We have seen failed attempts at a cinematic universe before, but this is something else.

The problem is that the characters and the world of Rebel Moon are not interesting. It's not original either, as you can pick up on many familiar things you have seen in other movies. It's no Lord of the Rings, Dune, Star Wars, and Game of Thrones.

There is a scene where all our heroes sit around and share their backstories. After someone finishes their back story, they might as well say "OK, your turn."

And when characters do bite the dust, I didn't care. You couldn't pay me to care about these guys.

There is an R-rated cut for Part One and Two that Snyder is trying to drum up hype for, but I highly doubt there's a good movie somewhere on the cutting room floor. And why is there a director's cut when this is a streaming release and not a theatrical release? Why didn't they release the R-rated cuts to begin with? Because nobody is campaigning like they did for Justice League. So, people have to watch (in total) a six-hour-long movie. Why!? So stupid, lol. And bold of them to think that I am watching both films again.

Zack Snyder is just like George Lucas, not a talentless hack, but he needs to stop surrounding himself with 'yes men'.

Dune: Part Two (2024)

"May thy knife chip and shatter."

[10/10 · 26 April 2024]

The word epic when describing certain big-budget movies is often overdone and rarely rings true to the quality of the film. Besides going towards the actors' egos, you never feel the epic scale or where the trillion of money went. Nowadays, big-budget movies look phony and rushed. There is no sense of passion or soul. It must also include cinematic richness in the filmmaking, pacing, and intelligent scene choices. For a while, since cinemas re-open after COVID, I thought that we would never get that anymore. This new age of factory-made products that you blankly stare at for hours and then quickly forget about when the credits roll. I am feeling less excited about new releases.

But after watching Dune: Part Two, everything that I thought was missing in big-budget movies is found here. This movie gave that to me.

Dune: Part Two blew me away! It was one of the best IMAX experiences I have ever had. I have seen it twice already, and it is the type of movie that should stay in cinemas, especially in IMAX. It's been a while since I was in awe watching something so massive, ambitious, and executed wonderfully. I liked the first Dune, but this is MILES BETTER. This is more like it! The scope and scale were monumental! What I loved the most was the movie has this sense of spirituality and sacredness felt through the score, cinematography, costumes, and production design.

This is already one of the best movies of 2024 so far. Whether or not that title gets topped, for now, it's my favourite of 2024.

The opening scene is one of the strongest of the year/of all time, as it perfectly welcomes you back into the world and sets you up for the visual journey ahead. The uses of colour this time around, with the use of striking dune orange, harsh colours, and how the colour palette represents different locations and characters.

Director Denis Villeneuve is one of the best filmmakers of our time. This guy keeps winning and will follow a similar path to another director, Christopher Nolan. He's a director who makes bold and clever choices.

I was more invested in this world than I had before. There's a fancy and sci-fi name to it, but I call it space religion. This movie leans more into the weird and creepy world of Dune. It's interesting to see how water and any other fluid are sacred and should not be put to waste. So, no crying and no throwing up. Even after someone dies or is about to die, all the water inside of us gets sucked out with a device to avoid it going to waste.

I find Timothee Chalamet overrated in certain movies. If you have seen my Wonka review, you have seen one out of many examples of me not connecting with his performances. The others are Hot Summer Nights, Beautiful Boy, and The French Dispatch. However, in Dune: Part Two, I thought he was incredible. It is his best performance since Call Me by Your Name. I loved his character arc here. From where he starts to where he ends up is tragic. It is a classic tragedy of a beautiful angel stripped away of his wings, falling into the depths of hell, and becoming the devil in the eyes of non-believers. He commands the screen, holds your attention, and has a sweet fury of revenge in his system. It was magnetic to watch.

Zendya has more screen time and plays a crucial role in the story, where her character is the only sane and reasonable person. But her scenes with Chalamet and their eventual romance, which could have easily come across as cheesy or forced, were instead sweet, pure, and believable.

But Austin Butler blew me away here. The first time he opened his mouth and said his first line, my jaw was on the floor because I could not believe that voice was coming out of him. Butler sounded just like Stellan Skarsgard. It was unbelievable. He plays the role of Feyd-Rautha, an absolute psychopath who thrives on pain, both inflicting on others and himself. In a scene where he sees if the knives presented to him are sharp enough, he stabs and slashes those around him to test their quality. After killing them, "It's not sharp enough". But he is not without showing respect if you earned it. From Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Elvis, The Bikeriders, and this movie, Butler continues to excel in every role.

The supporting cast: Josh Brolin, Rebecca Ferguson, Lea Seydoux, Florence Pugh, Stellan Skarsgard, Charlotte Rampling, Javier Bardem, and Christopher Walken were all terrific in their roles, and there is so much depth to the characters, both in the writing and acting, that with each repeat viewing brings new details.

Also, not forgetting Dave Bautista, who is more than just muscle but a complex character who is vulnerable, scared, rageful, and wounded, and Bautista played it brilliantly. He is the best wrestler turned actor in the business.

The score from Hans Zimmer is nothing short of extraordinary. It is grand and hits the perfect notes. There were points where it reminded me of Greek composer Vangelis, especially his work on Blade Runner. I have listened to the Quiet Between the Storms score countless times and countless more. For me, the score triggers a feeling of joy, pain, and unknown euphoria.

The sound work deserves mention, as it was detailed and added to the overall experience of this other world.

The visual effects, production, and costume designs were all superb.

There were points where it felt like a horror movie. It gave me an uncomfortable chill down my spine, which I did not expect going in. The hero character type gets flipped on its head. The horror behind using religion to achieve power and control will not be terrifying.

I have been debating ever since I first saw this - should I give this the perfect five-star rating? I don't usually give these out like candy. I have been switching back and forth on potential ratings. This review did help me eventually decide, as it breaks down what I liked the most. I looked to see if I had any problems with the movie, but I could not find any. Sometimes you must give in.

Argylle (2024)

Argylle - Review

[4/10 · 12 March 2024]

Matthew Vaughn has not been the same since Kingsman: The Golden Circle.

Argylle is another misfire from the director. It's overlong with awful pacing and over-stuffed set pieces-noticeable visual effects by, who I am assuming, underpaid and stressed-out visual artists. They like The Beatles song - Now And Then because they played it many times. I like the song, but how the film used it in the story and what it meant to the characters could have been better.

At first, I thought the first half was decent at best, but everything else quickly went downhill after that. You know, it is said that good movies get better with each passing thought, but this is the opposite, as it gets worse as time goes by.

Sam Rockwell is the only decent part of this. He is the type of actor that elevates everything that he is in. He is the Philip Seymour Hoffman of our time. Hoffman and Rockwell are always good in movies, as they bring a creative flavour to sometimes flavourless material. Sam Rockwell needs to pick better movies.

Despite being put all over the posters and marketing, Henry Cavil is barely in this movie. It is much worse with John Cena, who is given nothing in this film. The same thing for Samuel L. Jackson, who does not need to be in this film as he is a nothing character.

The action scenes range from impressive to not impressive. The impression part comes towards the end with the corridor fight scene with all the coloured smoke flare. And the least impressive being everything else. The action and fight scenes lacked that dynamic punch.

Overall Rating: The writer of the movie is named Jason Fuchs. No, he isn't related to Fred Fuchs. But who gives a fuch, right?

Oppenheimer (I) (2023)

The best of the best!

[9/10 · 31 December 2023]

"I believe we did."

Out of all the movies I saw in 2023, this movie has not left my mind since leaving the cinema auditorium when I watched it back in July.

After giving it a long thought and consideration, this might be Christopher Nolan's best movie. It's not an easy watch with the subject matter and pacing, but that didn't stop it from being a massive hit with critics, audiences, and, surprisingly, the box office. This three-hour-long talky movie managed to beat out every single blockbuster this summer. I have never seen anything like it. I worked at my cinema on the opening day of this movie and Barbie, and I have never seen it so packed since Avengers: Endgame. Everybody dressed up for the double feature event of the summer. The atmosphere was electric, and everyone was happy. It was a good day.

Oppenheimer is fantastic! It is a three-hour-long historical drama that is dialogue-heavy, which may sound off-putting, but I found it all engaging. People have best described it as a mixture of Oliver Stone's JFK and David Fincher's The Social Network.

It won't be for everyone, and that's all right.

I have to say, this is the best I have seen from Cillian Murphy, whose expressive face can convey so much fear and painful regret. His eyes are his most powerful tool as an actor, and Director Christopher Nolan knows this. It is one of my favourite performances from 2023, and nothing that I have seen has topped it. I try not to care about the Oscars because I don't like to be disappointed, but I hope he gets nominated and wins. He has my vote.

However, it's not only Cillian who deserves the credit, as the entire cast did a brilliant job despite their small screen time.

This is also the best I have seen from Robert Downey Jr. In a long time, as he delivered a superb performance. He plays Lewis Strauss, a narcissistic cry-baby whose facades he puts on slowly crumbs as the film progresses. He delivers an utterly fantastic monologue midway through the film about ego, loss of power, and fury. He has played Iron Man/Tony Stark for so long that you forget what an actor Downey can be. Same with Cillian, I hope he gets nominated and wins.

It's a huge cast, and there wasn't a single bad or mediocre performance in sight. Everybody showed up to work and gave it their all.

Emily Blunt is terrific as Kitty Oppenheimer. The Testimony scene is one of the best scenes in the film, where she stops being the victim housewife, collects herself, and commands the room. But another scene that doesn't get mentioned is when Oppenheimer and Kitty meet for the first, then ride together on horses, and have a special connection. It was a sweet and memorable scene.

The rest of the supporting cast - Matt Damon, Florence Pugh, Josh Hartnett, Benny Safdie, Jason Clarke, Rami Malek, and Alden Ehrenreich were all stellar. Also, this might be random, but Jason Clarke reminds me of Gene Hackman. It's just a thought I had.

A special mention to Gary Oldman as Harry Truman, Tom Conti as Albert Einstein, and Casey Affleck as Colonel Pash, who made an impression on me in the little time we had them. Oldman is excellent at playing sinister and cold subtly, where we see President Truman drop the act and tell the hard truth about his role as President and what his decisions can do to them, mentally and emotionally. It was a chilling and eye-opening scene. Conti is phenomenal in his six minutes of screen time, where the bond between Oppey and Albert is adorable and heartbreaking. I say heartbreaking because we see the horror and disappointment on Einsten's face from the outcome. But Casey Affleck made me feel so uncomfortable, as he had a dangerous air in his scene. He brilliantly plays a ruthless and remorseless Cold War intelligence agent. He gives the vibe of "if you are lying, you're dead."

It's mind-blowing (to me) how massive a cast can be, and nobody was wasted or forgettable. It's one of the best ensemble cast for any movie ever.

The score by Ludwig Göransson is so powerful to listen to. The sheer weight of this theme that it almost brought a tear to my eye. I had goosebumps all over my body when 'Can You Hear the Music' and 'Destroyer Of Worlds' started playing. It's the perfect score to listen to if you are studying. Ludwig Göransson is one of the best composers working today.

The Trinity (nuclear test) scene is one of my favourite scenes of the year, with masterclass directing and pacing. The build-up to it, the dread, and the anticipation of the bang was an otherworldly experience. My hands were sweaty, and I was leaning so far back into my seat; it was so tense. I never felt that in my 24 years of life. And the silence in the room was defying until the bang eventually caught up.

Or how about the gymnasium scene after the Trinity Test? It might be the most impressive scene in Nolan's filmography. It's a horrific scene where you feel the horror that Oppenheimer is experiencing, knowing what he had done. It scared me more than any horror movie tried to do. Everything from the haunting visuals, the sound work, the editing, and Cillian's acting made the scene effective.

And the ending, the best ending to a movie this year. It ends on a chilling and terrifying note that is relevant today. The last frame is unforgettable.

Director Christopher Nolan is one of the best filmmakers working today. The story is not told as a conventional biopic but rather as a fragmented one, often circling the timeline of events. Nolan delivers a meaningful and riveting visual feast with rich characters and dialogue.

Everything on the technical side is an achievement. The visual effects and cinematography were stunning and inspiring for any upcoming filmmakers to learn from. The makeup and hair team also deserves a shout-out, especially towards the end, with some convincing old-age makeup.

Beautiful direction, acting, writing, and score. The best of the best!

Overall rating: Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.

Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One (2023)

Another solid entry in the series

[7/10 · 31 December 2023]

"We live and die in the shadows, for those we hold close, and for those we never meet."

If you were following the production of Dead Reckoning, then you know the mission to finish the film was beyond hellish. The entire filming was struck with bad luck. If not, don't worry - I will fill you in. If you already know or don't care - skip the next paragraph.

So, this movie and The Batman were hit the hardest during filming due to the start of the COVID-19 outbreak. The original plan was to shoot Parts 1 & 2 back to back, but with delays messing up the filming schedule and the budget ballooning to $291 million, making it the most expensive MI film to date. Nicholas Hoult was initially cast as the villain but had to drop out due to his commitments with the TV show The Great. So many crew members contracted COVID-19 that production had to stop for weeks until it eventually started again. Of course, this led to the famous audio rant from Mr. Cruise himself, who yelled at two crew members for not following the rules. Whether you think he was in the right or wrong, it does, however, give us an idea of how stressful it was trying to make a blockbuster during a global pandemic. With the film set in different locations worldwide and the long filming hours, self-isolating during those long months must have been extra tiring.

But in the end, it was all worth it.

It's 2 hours and 43 minutes long, yet you never feel it. It's got solid pacing - the mark of a good movie. It follows the same formula as the previous films, where a mission goes wrong, and our MI crew must fight all odds to stop a world-ending event, where some people still don't trust Ethan Hunt for whatever reason, despite being right every single time in the past. And yet, it's so entertaining to watch.

Director Christopher McQuarrie is the saviour of this franchise, as every entry feels fresh, exciting, and cinematic. McQuarrie understands cinema, the visual language, and the slick rhythm of pace and flow.

While the action did not blow me away like Fallout, it's still fantastic. The last action scene involves train carriages one by one falling off a destroyed bridge. It was the most thrilling thing I have seen. The Rome Chase scene had plenty of thrills and comedy to go around. Funny enough, Fast X filmed a chase scene in the same area in Rome, but the comparison between the two movies is night and day. Fast X looked phony with the overuse of CGI, and it was not thrilling enough. Dead Reckoning, on the other hand, was done more practically and looked so much better. It made better use of the area for the action set pieces. Another comparison is that these two action franchises have been going on for a while now, but one is getting better with each installment while the other is getting dumber.

How about the stunt of Cruise throwing himself and his motorbike off a cliff, which the trailers showed to death in the marketing, and it still managed to take my breath away when I saw it in IMAX; not many modern movies do that. Movies like this remind us why we go to the cinema. For the thrill, for the experience.

I cared about the MI crew. In Dead Reckoning - there is room for emotional depth and always an enjoyable collaboration.

A newcomer to the series, Hayley Atwell, is a standout and gave an excellent performance. The funny thing is, she isn't a 20-something newcomer to the film scene or anything like that, as she has already starred in big movies before this, like the Marvel Cinematic Universe. And yet, this feels like a breakout role. Those movies did her dirty.

Pom Klementieff is another newcomer to the series, as the silent but deadly henchman. Most of her character is a mystery but intriguing screen presence.

With the main threat being AI, it never felt timelier than ever, even though the script was finished before all the AI mess started to take effect. What is even more perfect for the film's message is that this came out around the Writers and Actors strike, with one of the reasons the strike happened was that movie studios are pushing AI to take over people's jobs. This movie feels like a big middle finger to AI and higher-ups using it.

Director Christopher McQuarrie's love for cinema, style, mixture of genres, stunt work, language, and flow with pacing has benefited this series ever since he took over this franchise. The action was exciting, and the score was fantastic. It has been nearly 30 years since this franchise started, and it keeps improving.

I do have issues with the film. I admire the real stunt work from behind the scenes, but the use of CGI overshadows the realness of the stunt work, and it's easy to think most of it was on a computer. As I said earlier, it's nowhere near as great as Fallout, as I thought the action scenes and pacing to be better.

Other than that, Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One is a solid entry in one of the best action franchises.

Barbie (I) (2023)

You are KENough.

[7/10 · 29 December 2023]

"Humans have only one ending. Ideas live forever."

Sometimes in life, you embrace being you because you are KENough.

On a serious note, I had a great time with Barbie.

Do not let the title or poster fool you into thinking this is another stupid kid's movie for little girls because despite the colourful and happy-go-lucky comedic start with the introduction of Barbie Land. The film quickly and suddenly goes into mature themes, where the narrative shifts to gender roles in society, mostly on women.

But as soon as the line "Do you ever think about dying?" drops, you are in for something different. Weirdly enough, this reminded me of The Lego Movie, and what is even stranger is that it stars Will Ferrell.

One of the most amusing parts I got from the movie is that the film feels "insidery" and what I mean by that is that it speaks to women and is made for them, which only they will truly understand. So, any comedic or emotional scenes regarding female experiences will have a bigger laugh and impact for them, while the guys are not picking it up. On the other hand, it manages not to alienate, and that's very tricky to pull off. Anyone can still enjoy it, but it's just something I notice with the audience. I mean, it is why it's having such a positive reaction, both box office and reception, as audiences and critics finally got something that strikes a decent balance of being entertaining and well-made.

Margot Robbie is fantastic as the main Barbie. She portrayed her character's feelings, thoughts, and inner turmoil beautifully. It's another ensemble film where everyone does solid work.

But man, Ryan Gosling as Ken is fantastic. Gosling is one of the best comedic talents of today. I would say this - Gosling's casting as Ken is up there with Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean. I hope he gets an Oscar nomination for this. Yep, I am dead serious. Whenever Gosling was on screen, I was smiling from ear to ear. His passion for the character is both amusing and hilarious. His musical number I'm Just Ken was the highlight.

Director Greta Gerwig is one of the most unique voices in cinema right now. Her influences with classic cinema, mostly in music, dance, and rich visuals are on display here. Her directing for the musical segments, especially with 'I'm Just Ken', is fantastic.

The movie has flaws. It can get overstuffed with so much going on, and the preachy message can be too much at points. It needed more nuance. But that is it for problems.

If you are a guy, check this one out. Go out of your comfort zone.

With the internet phenomenon known as Barbenheimer, who would have thought that a movie based on a doll and another film about the creation of the nuclear bomb would save cinema? Hopefully, this is a sign of great things to come. Audiences are hungry for quality again.

The Bikeriders (2023)

"Fists or knives?"

[7/10 · 26 December 2023]

The Bikeriders is a welcome return from director/writer Jeff Nichols after a seven-year absence from cinema, where he presents a story from the 1960s Biker club that explores firsthand the stories and personalities.

What first started as a Motorcycle Club for bike riders to come together, ride, connect, and feel free. However, things escalate to chaotic violence and mafia-like, removing its original meaning. It gets so terrible that some want to leave, but not without a scratch or worse - a knife wound or a gunshot.

I like how they re-created certain shots from Danny Lyon's photography where, in the closing credits, they showed his actual photos with the real people in them with familiar shots you saw in the movie. They say photos can tell a story, and this movie gives us more than just context but a life and moment in history.

The film has a solid cast and performances. Austin Butler plays Benny, a James Deanish type, with a stoic but attractive silence like Steve McQueen. He's not interested in working at a job or following conventional norms in life. His character is fascinating to watch on screen. He lives life just by being there. He goes with the flow but is always up to be rebellious. There is a sense of emotional vulnerability to the character, and despite his adult age, he comes across as a lost and troubled kid. Austin is great.

Tom Hardy is fantastic as Johhny, the rough and gruff creator of the biker club. Johnny got the idea behind its creation when he watched the Marlon Brando film The Wild One on TV one night. The Brando film itself caused quite an uproar back in its day, especially in the UK, with its age rating banning 14-year-olds from seeing it out of fear that it might inspire juvenile delinquency from seeing the film. But for Johnny, it's more about the style and motorbike culture that influenced him. Tom Hardy has an amusing-sounding accent that sounds like it's from the United States, but you can't quite place where it is. However, the most fascinating part of his character is that, despite his no-nonsense and fight-dirty persona, you often see him making little eye contact with people; he's sensitive. It's what makes him a compelling character.

Jodie Corner continues to excel in every role I have seen her in. In this film, her character, Kathy, gets woed into this Biker world by Austin Butlers Benny. She is very much like Lorraine Bracco from the 1990 Gangster film Goodfellas, with the similarities being that both women fall into a dangerous but thrilling life and how love can blind you for so long before you see the toxicity. They don't have the most excellent taste in a romantic partner. But coming from an already rough life into another can affect your decision-making. Some people don't come from a pretty background. Jodie Corner portrayed all those thoughts and feelings of the character wonderfully.

The rest of the supporting cast and their distant characters were terrific. It's an acting ensemble that thankfully got well-spent.

With me mentioning Goodfellas, the inspiration from the works of legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese, you can feel his influence. The storytelling may be a little too familiar to Goodfellas, as it shows the rise and descent into madness, but it's hard not to when making a gangster film. Besides that, it is its own thing.

One of the things that stuck with me the most after it ended, or what I got out of it that I can relate to - is the feeling/situation of being trapped and wanting to get out. It could be a job, a relationship, or anything you don't want to be a part of. Some people can leave with ease, while others are not so lucky. It's an awful situation. In The Bikeriders, as the club escalates to madness and bloodshed, you see in the characters' eyes, faces, and through the dialogue, that they no longer see the value in the club. It's not the same. It's changed for the worse. I think we all have experienced that at some point or right now. Well, maybe not as extreme as this film, but you get the idea.

Overall Rating: The Bikeriders is a solid film from Jeff Nichols. Hopefully, it will get an extensive release date for everyone. Hopefully soon.

Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

A great Christmas movie that remains timeless.

[7/10 · 25 December 2023]

"I believe... I believe... It's silly, but I believe."

Miracle on 34th Street (1947) has been on my watch-list for a while, but I never had time to watch it. It was the same with It's a Wonderful Life. Now that I have seen it, I can see why.

But I watched the 1947 version before the 1994 one with Richard Attenborough because I wanted to start with the original and not leave it in the dust.

So, the 1947 Mircale on 34th Street lives up to the hype of being a pleasant and festive film that stood the test of time. I could tell the people making it loved being a part of it as it came across through the screen.

I liked how the movie does not give away whether he is the genuine Santa Claus. Is he the real deal? Or is he just a madman taking the role of Santa too far? Instead, it leaves it up to you if you believe or not. Why spoil the magic and mystery of a beloved character?

Edmund Gwenn is the definitive movie Santa Claus in my eyes. Just the way he interacts with children, you feel like a kid again just by listening to him. Edmund Gwenn does make you believe. He won an Oscar for this performance, and rightfully so. Although it might be only me who finds this strange, Santa Claus knowing how to use a whip can, unfortunately, lead one's mind to grim implications. But anywhere, Ho ho ho.

Also, I did not expect to see a nine-year-old Natalie Wood before her career blew up.

However, one of the most amusing things I have found from the movie is when researching, I watched the trailer to get an idea of what the movie will be like and came across a trailer that is one of the worst advertisements for any media. In the trailer, you get text on the screen saying, "You will love Miracle on 34th Street!" Is that a threat? Then, it shows a montage of greedy studio people watching the film, laughing, crying, and enjoying the experience. Then they all talk about promoting the movie to the people, shouting suggestions. After that, the text, "You will love Miracle on 34th Street!" returns on the screen.

That was a fascinating find. Other than that, it's a great Christmas movie that remains timeless.

Meeting Mr Samuel (2023)

Meeting Mr. Samuel - Review

[6/10 · 30 November 2023]

The last short film I saw at this year's film festival. Well, in terms of short films, I have two feature-length movies left to review. So, expect my thoughts and feelings on The Bikeriders and The Holdovers very soon.

Meeting Mr. Samuel, we follow Christian, whose life is not the best from what we can gather. He has a drug problem, and the dangerous habit eventually catches up on him after he experiences a drug-induced heart attack while in a pub bathroom. He then wakes up in a waiting room in the afterlife; a familiar face from his past awaits him.

You have seen this type of story before. Funny enough, I acted in a short film with a similar theme and storyline. But it is through execution and visual style that can be refreshing to watch.

Meeting Mr. Samuel is an enjoyable and surreal 17-minute film with plenty of comedy and plenty to think about after it's over.

Ghostwatch (1992 TV Movie)

Ghostwatch (1992) - Review

[8/10 · 24 November 2023]

'Ghostwatch' is the BBC Mockumentary that fooled and terrified The UK back in 1992.

The whole Mockumentary is about four respected presenters and a camera crew attempting to discover the truth behind 'The most haunted house in Britain', expecting a light-hearted scare or two and probably the uncovering of a hoax. Of course, you probably can guess it doesn't go smooth sailing. The whole thing is presented as if it's happening live, but it's pre-recorded.

The acting in this is top-notch because what the tricky work is two things: the clever film marking and the believable performances. Solid kid actors as well.

Even though I went into this knowing it was fake, some eerie moments scared me more than most ghost movies. The main ghost of the house is named 'Pipes', named after the two girls who are being "haunted" in their house, and while you may not see 'Pipes', he does appear many times throughout, some of the times I spotted him. And just from the brief glimpses of him, he is instantly memorable in the most horrific ways.

But a little heads up this starts very slow in terms of pace with the only evidence of paranormal activities being a few bumps there, a few bangs here, and nothing much happening. As it goes along it picks up, so don't go into this expecting a jump scare every 10 minutes. It perfectly builds up to the dread and without those slow-paced moments, it wouldn't have that impact.

While Blair Witch may have tricked people into believing three filmmakers went missing in the woods and are being stalked by an unseen Witch. But 'Ghostwatch', caused some children, those who stayed up way past their bedtime and watched it, to have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, because of how effective it was. In another incident, according to Wikipedia, an eighteen-year-old factory worker Martin Denham, who suffered from learning difficulties and had a mental age of 13, died by suicide five days after the program aired. The family home had suffered from a faulty central heating system which had caused the pipes to knock; Denham linked this to the activity in the show causing great worry. He left a suicide note reading "if there are ghosts, I will be ... with you always as a ghost".

That's how believable it was. It's so crazy!

Overall rating: This is a lighting-in-the-bottle situation that worked so well for those involved.

Spencer (2021)

"Will they kill me, do you think?"

[8/10 · 24 November 2023]

Don't go into 'Spencer' expecting an ordinary little biopic about Princess Diana. Nope, this is a straight-up psychological art house horror thriller. 'Spencer' brilliantly captures the feeling of dread in an isolated foreign space surrounded by strangers. The royal family themselves are freaking creepy, always watching, always judging.

I must be honest, I wasn't a big fan of Kristen Stewart's recent work, as it never wowed me, and I wasn't convinced that she's improved since Twilight. But man, she's fantastic in this movie and it's one of her best performances to date. Stewart manages to portray Princess Diana in a new light that we haven't really seen before. In my opinion, her other movies failed to show her versatility as an actor, and I fully believe this movie did her justice. I'm just glad this movie won me over.

On the other hand, Timothy Spall is excellent in this movie and another stand-out performance. If you are aware of Spall as an actor, then this isn't surprising news, but I feel it needs repeating. I found him very eerie and overbearing. He plays a man with an eagle eye; he watches everything and everyone in the royal family at Sandringham House.

The major thing that this movie made me realise is that in Diana's life, it's the people that kept her mentally and emotionally grounded. Her two sons, her assistant (Sally Hawkins, who is very good in the small scenes she has), and the chef played by Sean Harris, who is someone you would not think of as being important.

Sean Harris is a very underrated actor that I wish people talked about more. Harris is known for playing sinister roles, but here I thought he was really sweet and showed a softer side. He's got an interesting-sounding voice as well.

Jack Farthing as Prince Charles does a great job playing a slimy over-privileged Prince. Stella Gonet as the Queen who I found really unsettling, especially her dagger eyes.

There's one scene at the dinner table with the other royal family that is one of the most intense things ever. It was anxiety level stress that made my heart racing. All thanks to Pablo Larraín claustrophobic and unique directing. Complimented by Johnny Greenwood's atmospheric, free-flowing, and tense score.

While I know that certain elements of the movie are fiction, then again, the movie begins with a title card "based on a tragic fable" and I feel like the movie is playing into the nightmarish fair tale of an iconic figure in history. Diana's life in royalty was no fairy tale, but a Brothers Grimm tale.

Overall rating: The movie has metaphors for ghosts, ghosts of the past, and ghosts of old traditions. People who follow tradition aren't too kind to rarity. Great movie.

Alien on Stage (2020)

A bittersweet watch

[6/10 · 24 November 2023]

"And here's to the fools who dream Crazy as they may seem Here's to the hearts that break Here's to the mess we make"

'Alien on Stage' is a documentary about a group of Dorset Bus Drivers spent a year creating a serious stage adaptation of the sci-fi, horror film, Alien. With wobbly sets, awkward acting and special effects requiring more luck than judgement.

Out of all the films I saw at the Leeds International Film Festival, this was the most heartfelt thing I saw at the festival. No matter how crazy your idea is, or if you have any skills, or wherever you may be from, or how you may sound in other people's ears, the documentary proves that despite all odds it is possible, no matter what.

You do get a great sense of community here, a small community that gets discovered by the "big heads" of London theatre and brings the whole cast and crew to stage a single performance of their show in the West End.

The doc follows the rehearsal period, the making of the props (including a built alien size costume), the stress and worry, the trip to London, and the nerves on show day.

All leading to a satisfying conclusion. A bittersweet watch.

Dune (2021)

"Desert power!"

[8/10 · 24 November 2023]

Long ago...in a galaxy far far away...before 'Star Wars', 'Mad Max', 'Tremors', and 'Game of Thrones'.... there was only 'Dune'.

A story and world that gave birth to fantasy and Sci-Fi as we know it, as a main influence and many more for years to come. Although, I haven't seen the other adaptions of 'Dune' with either of the Lynch or TV version. So, this is my first introduction to the world and characters, and something that was once considered unadaptable has become a reality all thanks to Denis Villeneuve vision. And now I'm interested in this world and the movie leaves you wanting more.

'Dune (2021)' - man what a trip. Incredible in every sense. Just like 'Blade Runner 2049', nobody does art house blockbusters better than Denis Villeneuve. A Sci-Fi tale of philosophical richness that's loaded with grand spectacle. While I didn't see it in IMAX, but that didn't take away from the scope of it all.

No joke, but this could be our new Lord of the Rings and Star Wars.

The acting here is strong:

Timothée Chalamet has impressed me ever since his breakout role in 'Call Me by Your Name', so it's not surprising that he did an excellent job in this movie as the character of Paul, the young man in royalty whose destiny can lead him in either direction. Not bad for a kid who started off showing off his X-Box controllers on YouTube. If you don't know what I'm talking about, type into YouTube "ModdedController360" and you'll see.

Oscar Isaac plays The Duke, the father of Paul, and Oscar Isaac has yet to deliver a terrible performance. There's one scene between him and Chalamet that was one of the most moving things I've seen in a Sci-Fi movie since...well, 'Arrival' and 'Blade Runner 2049'.

Rebecca Ferguson plays Lady Jessica Atreides, who is easily the heart of the movie, and it might be my favourite performance from her.

Jason Momoa plays Duncan, the ultimate Chad, who's a chill guy but is an absolute demon when it comes to fighting. Josh Brolin as Gurney Halleck, a cool but serious man who loyal to those close to him. Stellan Skarsgård scenes as Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, the bloated and slimy creature with a hunger for power and chaos, which also pays a wonderful homage to Marlon Brando's Colonel Walter E. Kurtz in 'Apocalypse Now', through the visuals in every scene he's in. Also, despite the small screen time he had, but Dave Bautista has proved that he has more range as an actor than most wrestlers who turned to acting.

Zendaya isn't in the movie that much, but I know she will be in the next movie. Her little scenes were very mystical. She appears mostly in visions from Chalamet's Paul, which people have best described those "visions" as the most expensive perfume advert ever.

In terms of the visual effects and the practical work, it's a piece of art. It helps create a sense of scope that made everything feel so big, so real and so engaging to watch. I can say all of it looked pitch perfect. But also using real locations for open spaces and made certain bits of environment like heat from the actual desert, harsh winds, soggy rainy, grass, and the breath-taking landscapes seem familiar to us in this "alien world".

The score, make-up, costumes, production design, cinematography, editing, sound, and direction were all top notches.

However, the movie does feel like a part 1 and for some people the movie feels incomplete, story wise. But then again, if it leaves you wanting more and we now know we are getting a part 2 to this story, this issue will expire when the second one comes around.

Belfast (2021)

"Go. Go now. Don't look back. I love you, son."

[6/10 · 24 November 2023]

'Belfast' offers a great message about never forgetting where you're from. This is a personal project from Kenneth Branagh, as this film is based on true story events from his childhood. The movie is made with love, passion, and soul.

You could say it's 2021 'Roma', although not as brilliant as it could've been. I can't put my finger on it, but something felt missing from this. This could've been masterful, but it wasn't, in my opinion. Again, I'm sure why.

I mean, all the performances here are the strongest element of this movie. Newcomer Jude Hill delivered a great performance, especially for his age. Caitriona Balfe and Jamie Dornan were both fantastic. Judi Dench and Ciarán Hinds, both play an old couple, were so sweet and charming together that it never fails to make smile.

The black and white cinematography was good, as it has that old nostalgic "blast from the past" vibe to it. But film making wise, it wasn't anything too impressive.

The scene towards the end where Jamie Dornan sings a cover of Everlasting Love was something special. It made it more special seeing Caitriona's face when she lifts her eyebrows and smiles at the man she loves, and the way he smiles back at her. It was beautiful man.

Judi Dench final line in the movie stuck with me the most. Short, but moving.

Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)

"Can the Spider-Man come out to play?!"

[7/10 · 24 November 2023]

'Spider-Man: No Way Home', man what a ride. This is the ultimate spidey movie, with plenty of fun to go around, which of course is most common in the MCU, but also the dramatic weight of responsibilities that was sorely missing from the previous entries. When the dramatic scenes hit, the impact is great. The fact a movie like this exist with the return of the Sam Raimi villains is something that I have yet to process. Even when watching it I couldn't believe what I was seeing and feeling. It felt like a childhood fever dream.

There's a lot to unpack here, and yet the movie isn't a mess. Out of the three Holland Spidey films, this is by far the best one.

Tom Holland has been great in the past movies, but here I thought he finally made it his own. Holland delivers a great performance, especially in the emotional scenes. 'Iron Boy jr.' is no more, and that alone makes me so happy. If you're still in doubt about Tom Holland as Spider-Man, then I think this will finally turn you around, because Holland is so incredible in this movie. He fully embodies the struggle, but heroic Peter Parker who faces the most difficult choices. The final shot of him in his new home-made suit looked spectacular.

The supporting characters like MJ (Zendaya) and Ned (Jacob Batalon) are always a great edition in Peter's journey. The chemistry between Peter and MJ is strong here. Honestly, out of all the Spider-Man movies, I feel that their relationship is the best.

Jon Watts direction in this movie, in terms of action, camera work, and just film making in general is a massive improvement this time around. The action scenes were memorable and creative, sometimes brutal. There's one scene where Peter Parker, who is in the room filled with villains in an apartment, his Spidey senses are triggered, but doesn't know where the danger is coming from. The way it was shot: the camera locked onto Holland, giving his steady movements around the space more motion, everything blurred out, trying hard to pinpoint where it's coming from. A tense scene that was well done.

Michael Giacchino score for the movie perfectly mixes the grand superhero theme, but also the emotional weight of the scenes as well.

Now it's not a secret at this point of the returning villains, both from the Sam Raimi version: Green Goblin, Doc Ock, and Sandman, and the Mark Webb version: Electro and Lizard. None of these are just cameos or soulless nostalgia bait, but they actually serve the story and have an actual impact on Holland's Spider-Man.

Alfred Molina's performance as Doc Ock was great and him returning to this role 17 years later didn't feel dated; he fits back into it. His character arc wasn't miss handled from 'Spider-Man 2', but instead is further expanded on respectfully. Also, the De-aging on him looked great. Jamie Foxx finally gets some justice after his version of Electro was ruined in 'The Amazing Spider-Man 2.

Willem Dafoe returning as Green Goblin in this movie was nothing short but brilliant. Really menacing, scary, and more ruthless than he was in the 2002 film. He might be the best MCU villain, as he doesn't want to take over the world, or to be understood or agreed with, he just wants to cause pain and chaos. It helped that he was maskless throughout the movie where we get to see his evil gleefulness come through. "Strong Enough to Have It All...TOO WEAK TO TAKE IT!" - brilliant.

Benedict Cumberbatch makes a mystical appearance as Doctor Strange, who helps Peter out by crafting a spell to make the world forget that Peter Parker is Spider-Man after having his identity revealed in the last movie. There's a great and visually pleasing chase scene that takes magic and science in a creative and fun spin.

Now since the movie has been out for a while now, I feel confident in talking about some major reveals.

The return of Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield is a sight to behold. I still can't get my head around them returning. They were more than a throw away cameo but played a massive impact to Holland's Spidey. Andrew Garfield finally gets his time to shine, as he was truly excellent in this. I never understood why people considered him the "worst Spider-Man". He was the victim of bad writing. His emotional reaction to saving the MCU's MJ, something he couldn't do for his Gwen, was such a gut punch. Yep, he really is amazing.

The interaction between all three Spider-Men wasn't wasted at all and was a blast to watch. Hearing Danny Elfman's Spider-Man (2002) - theme playing briefly in the background whilst in the cinema was just...goosebumps. The short scene between Maguire and Molina was a touching reunion.

Also, the appearance of Charlie Cox returning as Matt Murdock aka Daredevil was such a shock but a welcoming one.

The movie has got flaws. The rest of the villains Lizard and Sandman wasn't as developed as the rest. Even then, they weren't bad or anything. There were a couple of character choices and decisions that were questionable at best. I guess they had to get the plot going somehow.

The movie is far from perfect, but right now I'm just happy with what I saw. I walked out of the cinema satisfied.

Moonfall (2022)

This Is A Movie

[3/10 · 21 November 2023]

"This planet has suffered five extinctions. This is going to be the sixth."

So, 'Moonfall' is a movie.

Anyhow,

'Moonfall' is yet another one of Roland Emmerich's "end of the world" movies, and it follows the same familiar as the rest.

Alright, I will get straight to it, the movie is stupid, like really stupid, and I expected that going in and enjoyed it for what it was. Some of the performances range from decent to horrendous, there is a father and son subplot that I did not care for, and at times it was so transparent that some scenes were on a sound stage. The ending is so terrible and ridiculous that I had to keep telling myself to go along with it. John Bradley was the only good part of this. Donald Sutherland was only in one scene, and he never appears again in the movie. Charlie Plummer is in this movie, I have seen great things from him, such as the 2017 film 'Lean on Pete', but here he was shockingly terrible.

But as I mentioned from the very start, this was not just any other movie experience as I saw this in 4DX for the first time, and let me say that Martin Scorsese was right about modern movies becoming theme park rides because THIS IS IT! You know those 4D rides where the seat moves and environmental effects such as water, wind, etc. Well, imagine that just stretch out for two hours, and those two hours I was hanging on to dear life. Even then, not all the visuals were synchronized or consistent with the movement of the seats. For example, there is a scene where John Bradley's character is late for work, so he drives in a hurry and gets out of his vehicle to run into the building, but for some reason, the seating is moving like crazy, but there are other scenes where characters are in a hurry and yet no movement.

So yeah, an "interesting" experience for sure, but not for me.

Body Double (1984)

"I like to watch."

[8/10 · 21 November 2023]

'Body Double' is Brian De Palma's erotic mystery thriller that I went into with some idea of what to expect, for me to leave with something different.

The movie is about Jake Scully (Craig Wasson, who is fantastic in the film), a struggling actor after being fired from a low-bought vampire movie due to his claustrophobia, causing problems with production. If that was not bad enough, he finds out his girlfriend is cheating on him, and since he lives at her house, he is kicked out and left homeless and unemployed. But he manages to land a house-sitting job from another fellow actor in a modernist home called the Chemosphere, where it oversees the LA lights and the neighborhood. Among the Neighborhood is a woman who every night, almost like clockwork, strips in front of the window, and Jake spies on her through a telescope, and becomes obsessed with her. But upon spying, something is not what it seems.

Jake is also a pervert, by the way. De Palma's pervert. But in some way, we are perverts as well because we too want to see what happens next.

De Palma is an underestimated director of genre filmmaking like this, as he elevates it every time. He takes familiar plot beats from two Alfred Hitchcock movies like 'Rear Window' and 'Vertigo', but completely spins them on its head and takes a distinctive approach. It goes so far that I had no idea where it was going, and yet, that kept me hooked as each scene moves at a pace that keeps things engaging and ridiculously batshit insane.

The soundtrack for the film by Pino Donaggio feels timeless. It has that electronic and magical wave that it is hard not to be seduced by it. One score is called Telescope, which is pure 80's in 4 minutes. It's so beautiful but haunting, especially when the female vocals kick in. What can I say, I listen to the score every day...like clockwork.

Overall rating: De Palma once said that people either love or hate him, but for this, I love you, Palma.

The Batman (2022)

HE IS VEGENECE!

[9/10 · 21 November 2023]

"Fear is a tool. They think I'm hiding in the shadows but I am the shadows. I wish I could say that I'm making a difference but I don't know. They might all roll together in a rush. Behind the mask. Sometimes in the morning, I have to push myself to remember everything that happened."

Absolute cinema! Honestly, so incredible. The film-making from Matt Reeves is so excellent and well crafted, with such skill you forget you are watching a superhero movie. Dark, but with a slick style. The more I think about it, the more I love it. Just from the opening scene with the Riddler and Batman's voice-over monologue while we see the ongoing crime in Gotham City, I knew we were all in for something spectacular.

The movie is three hours long, but I could watch a six-hour version of this.

Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne, but mostly Batman, is the perfect casting, and from day one of his castings, I knew he was going to bring it, and he did! He did some fantastic acting from his physicality and eyes that captured his thoughts and feelings. I liked his Batman voice, quiet and whispery. Not too forced like bale nor too advanced like Affleck. His Batman/Bruce Wayne, with no other way of describing it, is emo, but then again, Batman as a character is the definition of emo when you think about it. His long, messy, dark, and damp black hair hung over his face, giving his vision the equivalent of window blinders. His skin is as pale as a British introvert. He wears dark eyeliner under his Batman mask, and whenever he takes it off, the eyeliner smudges due to sweat and heat underneath the cowl. Whenever he is in the suit, he never breaks his detective's eye, but when out of the suit, he cannot make eye contact with anyone. Before he appears, you hear his heavy footsteps on the rock-hard pavement, and then him slowly coming out of his darkness was just... goosebumps. The way he approaches criminals is no different from Jason Voorhees or Michael Myers.

There's a thrilling car chase that ends with the vehicle flipped upside down and from the POV of the criminal, you see the black silhouette of what looks like a bat-man creation, with fire in the background from the aftermath of the chase, almost like IT came from hell, as it moves closer to the vehicle, and the way it moves its body is so unnatural. Of course, that scene is the Penguin and Batman car chase, with the POV from Penguin and the creation being Batman. It's terrifying just reading that description with no context of the scene itself, and that's why it's so brilliant.

You get a lot of depth with this version, the unseen trauma. Pattinson is the most Batman that ever was and one of the best.

Also, his Batmobile is a killer!

Zoë Kravitz as Selina Kyle/Catwoman was another stand-out and the heart of the movie. I liked her characterization of a thick-skinned yet vulnerable and feminine. The scenes between her and Pattinson were the best part of the movie, as their chemistry was on point. Her character could've easily fit in a Brian De Palma movie.

Jeffrey Wright as Jim Gordon is so good in the role, and the dynamic duo between him and Pattinson brought some surprising comedic moments. While this Gordon isn't quite the police commissioner, we see a different side to the character; the no-nonsense type that's devoted.

Paul Dano as the Riddler was a mixture of creepiness but still maintains the sinister sense of humour of the troubled intellectual character. I also liked his costume, as it felt homemade and fit this type of movie. This version of the Riddler is inspired by the Zodiac killer, a real-life Riddler who sent out ciphers that were hard to crack. Fifty years after the case, and only last year that one of the ciphers was cracked. In the same vein as the Zodiac, he taunts the police and leaves none of his DNA at the crime scene. So, it makes this version of the character scary because it's something that could happen in real life. This version of Riddler is straight-up Jigsaw.

Andy Serkis isn't in the movie that much, but he delivers a solid portrayal of the trustworthy Alfred. The relationship between him and Bruce is "icy", a tragic withdrawn situation that I hope mends in the future. So icy that if these two ever crossed paths in a hallway, things would be awkward. However, there is a beautiful and moving scene, which takes place in a hospital, after Alfred stains injuries after a failed bomb attack from the Riddler, and during that scene where these two finally talk because, despite the rocky relationship, Bruce still cares for him. He thought that he mastered his fear, but at that moment, he feared that he lost him. A touching scene and Serkis was brilliant in it.

Colin Farrell as the Penguin is honestly one of the best transformations in movie history, and yes, of all time. I mean, it's been three months since the movie came out, and I still can't believe that's him. He is unrecognizable not only for the make-up but his voice as well. The make-up artist behind this work did an incredible job. Both Farrell and the make-up artist deserve high praise here.

John Turturro as Falcone, who rarely got shown in the marketing, is a surprise standout here and has not got enough credit. What a presence he brings to the movie, and I liked his take on the ruthless mobster.

Peter Saarsgard is another actor that isn't getting talked about because he acts the hell out of the role of the corrupt Gil Colson. The scene with the bomb collar was intense, and Saarsgard was great in it. It felt like a scene from a "Saw" movie where the villain is in complete control. I mean, there's not a single weak actor in this movie.

I loved the score from Michael Giacchino; very epic, Gothic, but jampacked with emotion. There is some distinct character work with compelling themes from Batman, Riddler, and Catwoman, especially from the bat himself, whose score perfectly captures the tragedy and the heroism. His sounds commanding, yet unresolved, almost like Bruce Wayne's trauma. Catwoman's theme sounds like a classic noir film when the mysterious woman enters the detective's office late at night. And the Riddler shares a couple of familiarity with Batman's theme, in terms of suspense, build-up, and a grand feel to it. Although with an ominous and mysterious tone to it.

I liked how detailed the movie was, whether that's characterization, acting, writing, directing, etc. I can tell that everyone who worked on this movie truly cared and put a lot of thought into every scene, and I love that so much. I bet on a re-watch there will be new things to pick up on.

The cinematography is the best part of the movie. No other superhero movie in recent times has looked this well-crafted, so captivating, with its incredible atmosphere, darkness, and lighting. Cinematographer Greg Frasier keeps outdoing himself.

Everything else from a technical standpoint is outstanding. The sound work is tremendous and adds to the immersion. The production design, costume, editing, and direction were all mwah!

I liked how dirty and grounded Gotham City looked, where everything is so cramped together, how it was always raining in this city, or how everything always looks so damp. This Gotham feels diseased, old yet new at the same time. Even the day scenes looked like a stormy evening. Despite that, that does not take away its strange beauty.

The movie is more character-driven than anything else, diving into the detective side. Sure, there is action, which is great, but it's character moments that stuck with me the most. I must admit the third act made me teary-eyed. It was a beautiful scene that involved character growth. While the movie can be dark, brutal, and at times wickedly funny, on the other hand, there is also a sense of hope. Because despite the bleakness of this world, here you have a broken and flawed man who endured all the pain, trauma, and rage, and finally had the strength to put aside it and put himself out there for those who suffer.

So yeah, I liked the movie a lot.

Top Gun: Maverick (2022)

One of the biggest surprises of 2022

[7/10 · 21 November 2023]

'Top Gun: Maverick' manages to achieve the impossible when it comes to modern summer movies, and that's finding the perfect balance of crowd-pleasing entertainment and a quality movie.

I originally had no interest or excitement for this movie and wasn't planning on seeing it in the cinema, until I saw the glorying reviews it received that convinced me to check it out, and I'm glad I did.

This was the most satisfying movie experience of the year.

All the flying sequences...well, it took my breath away. But surprisingly the story had a lot of heart to it, and some emotional scenes that I didn't expect to strike a chord with me. It keeps you on your toes and it's entertaining throughout. It's got heart, humour, and most of all a sense of freedom.

Tom Cruise is fantastic in this by the way. He's a great action star but the movie reminds us of his dramatic chops.

I also like the fact that this movie openly acknowledges that he is getting old. Unlike the 2017 movie 'The Mummy', where one of Russell Crowe's lines refers to Cruise's character as a "young man", despite Cruise being two years older than him. I mean, he looks so good for his age, but there's one scene in this movie where he's shirtless on a beach and he's got that body of someone approaching 60.

The chemistry between Jennifer Connelly and Cruise was electrifying and believable.

Also, how the movie handled Val Kilmer's character and how they wrote Kilmer's real health condition into the movie was beautifully handled.

You don't need to see the first movie to understand what's going on in this one. It's a sequel that doesn't rely too much on nostalgia. The sequel is a massive improvement over the original, while at the same time it respects the 1986 film and director Tony Scott.

Overall rating: 'Top Gun: Maverick' is one of the biggest surprises of the year. With this being Tom Cruise's highest-grossing film of all time, I can see why, as there's something re-watchable about it.

Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)

Terrible

[3/10 · 21 November 2023]

It is never a good sign when I am rooting for the main villain to kill all the heroes.

It is also not a good sign that freaking Deadpool did a better cancer story than this.

One of the most irritating movies I have seen in a while. Annoying in terms of how every character (except Gorr) is a comedian and annoying how much potential is wasted.

The movie felt like Saturday Night Live sketch stretched out to two hours.

The movie could have been a dark finale to the character of Thor. I mean, this is the same god who lost his mother, father, brother three times, his home, and lived with guilt for five years after failing to kill Thanos the first time. If that wasn't bad enough, his ex-girlfriend Jane Foster is dying from cancer, and on top of that, there is a new villain who seeks to kill gods. Again, this could have been a dark finale, as he is the most tragic character in the MCU, but here he's just a goofy idiot. Chris Hemsworth has comedic chops, but they did this character dirty. They turned Thor from "Thor making jokes" to "Thor is the joke".

Christian Bale always delivers, and he was creepy and campy as Gorr the God Butcher. His storyline is the only serious part of the movie that unfortunately gets undeveloped with very little screen time. His character work was rushed because at the start he worth ships the gods, but as quick as a light switch, he wants to kill every god possible. Since he is called The God Butcher, you don't see a lot of God killing. The ones he does kill in the movie were an afterthought.

Natalie Portman was good, but sadly the dramatic elements of her character didn't pull on my heartstrings. On the other hand, there are some cool action scenes with her, even though it's strange how fully experienced she is in fighting with these powers despite how recent she got it.

The whole movie is one big joke, with no clear focus on what storyline it wants to go. The short runtime does not help either, as it needed more breathing room for development like character work and story.

I could talk about the visual effects, but I will not since the visual effect artists have been through enough already. Seriously Marvel, treat your employees with respect.

The Guardians of the Galaxy team are there with no purpose than to help Thor lose weight, and then they leave.

Director Taika Waititi went way over his head with this one. One of the most unusual inclusions of these screaming goats in the movie for no reason and there keep repeating the joke of them screaming. Like, WHY????

Is it me, or do the recent Marvel movies feel like quantity over quality? There are like a factory machine, pumping out many movies and an endless line of TV shows. The runtime clocked in under two hours, with this movie and Doctor Strange 2, and yet I felt those movies needed more time to breathe and flesh out the characters because everything feels so rushed and, in a hurry, to end.

Balancing comedy and drama are a difficult task to get right. If a movie has a serious tone while not being a good movie itself, there is a potential for it to be funny and enjoyable. If a film has a comedic tone while not being funny, then the movie would get boring very quickly.

Overall rating: The movie has everything it needs to be fascinating, yet it still turned-out paper thin.

Stop Making Sense (1984)

"Thanks! Does anybody have any questions?"

[9/10 · 21 November 2023]

This must have been one of the best concerts ever from any group. Just non-stop energy.

In the beginning, I must admit, I didn't know what to think, with lead singer David Byrne coming onto an empty stage, performing Psycho Killer with his fantastic guitar skills, but it felt like something was missing. Until the next song is played, and the band members and set are brought on stage, which is when all worry and early doubt fade. Going from a more intimate atmosphere to a full-on sonic explosion.

At times I had a smile on my face. There's a part during the concert where the lights go dim and David Byrne dances with a lamp and it looks visually cinematic. I've never seen anything like that before. Or what about Byrne's insane dance whilst singing; talented guy.

The backup singers as well who have this great energy to them and look so happy to be there. There were a couple of times when the other band members turn to look at each other and smile. A warm community of artists coming together to deliver works of art.

Also, Tina Weymouth's little dancing is very underrated and adorable.

Highly recommend it.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)

The MCU gave us something different, and I cannot help but support that.

[6/10 · 21 November 2023]

"The best surgeon and the best superhero. But you still didn't get the girl."

'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness' feels like two different versions desperately clashing with each other. It's almost at war with itself. Most of the movie is very much a Sam Rami movie, yet the other half is the usual, self-contained, often safe, Marvel movie, where we didn't have many multiverses as anticipated, but there was a lot of madness. 'Everything Everywhere All at Once' is an excellent example of delivering a chaotic multi-layered film while still delivering on its title and telling a moving story.

So, despite that little critique at the start, I still liked the movie. As for now, this is probably the best-directed Marvel movie in terms of camera movement, scene transitions, and having so much visual style. Also, the creativity with Doctor Strange's powers is one of the movie's highlights. One scene is when Doctor Strange fights Sinister Strange, a multiverse version of himself, using music notes from sheets of paper to create attacks, especially how it combines with the score.

And big props to Sam Rami for pushing the age rating for the movie to its very limit because there are some brutal character deaths here. The horror elements were also delivered, as the creepiness and Gothic horror were effective. Rami sneakily made an MCU Evil Dead.

Another thing to note here is how good the score is. When the track 'A Cup of Tea' played and the guitar riffs hit while showing Wanda dream walking, it captured the uneasy feeling of something wickedly dark, almost like a Satanic ritual. Whenever Danny Elfman hits the right mark with composing, it's fantastic.

Benedict Cumberbatch once again nails it as the title character. Also, in this movie, he gets a brief but impactful chance to play different versions of the Doctor and the little changes to the characterization. So, in some cases, a variant of Doctor Strange may look like the hero we know but are different and, well, strange.

During his fourth appearance in the MCU, I have always liked Benedict Wong and his character, as he makes for a solid supporting role, and there is no difference here.

Elizabeth Olsen returns as Wanda, who's the main villain of the movie, and a cold one as well. There were some eerie and often time terrifying scenes with her. I like this approach to the character; the traumatic hero turned villain. It's a tragic character arc. My only problem with this is that I feel like we needed a few more steps for her to spiral into madness. Between "I accidentally hurt people" and "I'm willing to murder my alternate self, and just in case one of my stolen kids catches a cold, I will murder a child to absorb her powers, so in another universe where there's a cure." Like, I know she is affected by the Darkhold book that's corrupting her mind and actions, hence the massive switch in character, but I wish they didn't do that, and slowly throughout the film, she descends into villainy.

While this review has been positive, I do have some negatives.

The movie does feel rushed, as the runtime is 2 hours, and it flies by. However, this can be a positive and a negative, with the positive being that it's an entertaining rush of an experience. On the other hand, any character development felt undeveloped, such as the switch in change with Wanda that I brought up above and not enough time in different universes. The writing was questionable at times. I feel like these were two movies that got combined.

In the two post-credit scenes, the first ends on a shocking Sam Rami cliffhanger, but not long after that, the second post-credit started that felt so outplace and goes against the cliffhanger. I believe this was the perfect example of the studio vs. Sam Rami.

And the character of America Chavez is such a useless character and does not do anything of note until the very end. The actress who played her wasn't good either.

Although one of the parts of the movie that stood out to me the most, amidst all the chaos, is the message of acceptance, improving yourself, and letting go. It's one thing to be self-aware of your issue with attaching yourself to something, similar to being aware of your problems, and it's another when someone openly tells you, but it's otherworldly to imagine seeing another version of yourself with the personal issue on clear display, consumed them to their lowest form, which in the movie, Strange and Wanda see first-hand, with the message being: accept, improve yourself, and the hardest one of all, to let go. So, the line "I love you in every universe" is cheesy, but to me, it works, as there are multi-universes and ties into his love for Kristine, but in every universe, he cannot be with her, as there are not soulmates; it is hard to accept and even harder to move on.

But that's just my takeaway from the movie.

Pearl (2022)

You are a star!

[7/10 · 21 November 2023]

"I want to be loved by as many people as possible. But truth is I'm not really a good person."

Martin Scorsese is correct; this was uncomfortable to watch.

With this movie being a prequel to 'X', this does answer certain things in X that I think will add extra depth on a second watch. Even so, I liked 'Pearl' a lot more. With 'X' being a throwback to 1970/80s slasher movies, this film felt more character driven.

'Pearl' was more disturbing, not in terms of blood and gore, but whenever Pearl has a meltdown, it's incredibly intense, mixed with her unhealthy fantasy of being loved and seen. On top of that, her reaction when things don't go her way is scary.

Mia Goth is phenomenal in this movie. She is up there with Toni Collette in 'Hereditary' and Lupita Nyong'o in 'Us'. A shame that the Academy Awards are dismissive of horror movies because I think she is worthy of a nomination. There's a part in this movie where Goth delivers a monologue with no cuts, the camera is focused on her, and it is spellbinding.

Another actor I want to mention is Tandi Wright, she plays Pearl's mother named Ruth, who I thought was great as well, and a fun film fact, Wright had to learn German for the role in a short amount of time and became so convincing in her accent that she managed to fool two German members of the crew.

Most of the horror happens in broad daylight, similar to 'Midsommar'. The closing credits for this were the creepiest in recent memory.

Hellraiser (2022)

A big surprise!

[7/10 · 21 November 2023]

"Accept the pain you have wrought. Greater delights await. We wish to see you proceed."

Well, it looks like I am the odd one out here, but I liked the new Hellraiser much more than the original. It makes the wise choice of not copying too much of the original by being less erotic but a much darker version. The puzzle box acts like a puzzle box rather than a genie lamp, where one rub summons the cenobites.

I just felt that I got more out of this one.

Rather than the usual leather costumes that the cenobites wear, this time it's another layer of skin to appear as if they are wearing an outfit. The designs looked Gothic, sickly, and fantastic. The leader of the cenobites, the Hell Priest, aka Pinhead; this time played by Jamie Clayton, who I am happy to say brought her spin to the character. I thought she knocked it out of the park. Incredibly creepy and almost hypnotising to watch. You get the impression that these cenobites are more unforgiving and do not play by their own rules.

David Bruckner, in my eyes, is a horror director who can do no wrong. Some dreamy and often other-worldly visuals here, which at times reminded me of 'A Nightmare on Elm Street'. There has been some talking about remaking 'Elm Street', and I think Bruckner would do an excellent job judging by this movie.

Also, without spoiling anything, the ending surprised me with how layered, compelling, and mature it was. The scene does not have any action set piece or a bloodbath, but a lot happens. The most striking thing about it is how the worst torture that any human being could experience is to live with the pain of grief.

Cure (1997)

Psychological and horrific

[9/10 · 21 November 2023]

Cure, a Japanese psychological mystery-horror film

It was fantastic. It's one of the eeriest movies I have seen in a while. Then again, Japanese movies know how to do that.

And this isn't just a crime thriller, but a horror movie. The murderer in the film uses hypnosis to make people commit murder, and the murderer toys with the detective effectively. He pretends to have memory loss, so whenever you ask him a question, he will ask you a question, then moments later ask you again and again. He acts like he's got the mind of a curious child. In some way, he is not different from cult leader Charles Manson, who was notoriously one of the evilest and most high-profile men in history, who is responsible for the brutal murder of Shannon Tate and her friends, and yet, he hasn't killed anyone for what we know but instead told others to do his dirty work.

And it makes you mad as well, as he gets on your nerves. But the thing is, he sounds confused and almost like a lost child. There is one creepy scene where the murderer hides in a dark room, and the detective tries to find him while the murderer asks who he is and why why why questions and then repeats the question as if he forgot, and the detective gets angrier and angrier trying to find him.

The acting in this movie is fan-freaking-tastic. I don't know how to explain it, but it always sounds natural and raw whenever Japanese actors yell.

There's barely a score in the movie, but the sound is enhanced to the max, leaving an uneasy atmosphere.