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Reviews
Malignant (2021)
Wasn't going to bother reviewing this, but it's the first movie I've seen on here with bot reviews.
Don't believe the 10/10 reviews. This is a below average horror flick and probably one of Wan's worst ever. Don't waste your money, catch it at home. This is the first time I've seen bot reviews on here as well, but it's blatantly obvious. All like one paragraph, poorly spelled and a perfect score every time. Don't believe the "hype." You will be disappointed.
Music Box: Woodstock 99: Peace, Love, and Rage (2021)
Completely Misses The Issue
I was looking forward to this documentary, having previously studied Event Management and being a regular attendee of music festivals.
Whilst it was really interesting to see so much footage from this infamous event, the documentary crew sadly spent less time focusing on the fact that terrible organisation and conditions were the clear catalysts for the chaos that occurred, and instead were too busy giving air time to washed up DJs like Moby who just wanted to blame it all on Limp Bizkit and white dudes.
Odd that no other metal festivals of that era turned out the same way if it's just white nu-metal fans who were to blame. There were some absolutely horrible people in that crowd, without a doubt, but this documentary would've benefitted on diving deeper into mob mentality and conditioning rather than just trying s desperately to pin it on artists and their fans.
Believe Me: The Abduction of Lisa McVey (2018)
Would really benefit from a longer run time
This movie honestly deserved a substantially longer run time. What's there is great and the lead actress, in particular, does a superb job.
Unfortunately, there isn't enough. The movie is only 1 hour and 27 minutes in total, when 2 to 2.5 hours would have done it justice.
It starts out well and spends a lot of time on Lisa's ordeal. This is important to the story and whilst quite a tough watch, it was definitely necessary. Afterwards, however, it seems like a race to the finish line. The story develops so quickly that the viewer doesn't really get time to dwell on or process anything.
Solid work from all involved, just needed a bit more time to breathe.
It's a Sin (2021)
That little "oomf" to earn it a perfect score
This was a very well-made drama that was both hilarious and devastating. This crew did a phenomenal job of documenting the frankly barbaric way that gay people were treated in the 1980s and the hardships that they faced.
I'd considered rating it an 8, or perhaps even a 9, but then something beautiful happens in the finale, which demands nothing less than a perfect 10/10 score:
A Tory dies of AIDS.
Prime Rewind: Inside the Boys (2020)
Clearly triggered a lot of tone-deaf viewers
Basically Talking Dead for The Boys. Does a perfectly fine job with some insight from the cast and crew.
Reading some of the 1-3 star reviews on here, you learn how tone-deaf some of the viewers are. The fact that people are complaining about about political views being expressed in an after-show about an obvious and pretty in-your-face political satire is quite frankly hilarious.
Extraction (2020)
Mediocre action film with a nonsensical ending
Most of this is a pretty standard action flick. There are some cool scenes, a couple of big names, an "escape the city" type plot and some adequate acting.
The ending is definitely where it flops (spoilers ahead.)
Early on it's established that the hostage's father has no money to pay his ransom or for the mercenary rescue team- this is what the whole film is built on.
The guy who is looking after the hostage at home dies after attempting to sabotage the rescue and save him himself to avoid paying the fee.
Chris Hemsworth's character also dies, meaning that he can't then look after the hostage he's built a connection with.
Therefore, we're somehow meant to believe that the crew of cold blooded mercenaries all decided to skip on their fee for rescuing the boy and are now supposedly paying for his school fees?
He ends up back at his fancy private school, despite having no money and it also being established that if he remained in the city he would be killed. Yet somehow, 8 months go by with no retribution from the gang who kidnapped him and the leader then being murdered by a mercenary who, for some reason, was still in India.
Oh yeah, and then it hints that Chris Hemsworth isn't dead, despite being shot in the throat and falling off a bridge.
It's an entertaining enough watch on a weekday evening, but don't expect it to win any awards.
Ad Astra (2019)
Painfully Boring
Even the actors sound bored in this film. Every single line of dialogue is delivered in a completely monotone manner and then we're supposed to be invested in the "emotional" moments.
What started off with interesting world building quickly spiralled into long, overly drawn out scenes, a completely nonsensical plot and an ending that never seems to arrive.
There's little to no merit to this film, despite a star-studded cast, and it's best to be avoided.
Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn (2020)
Decent attempt. DC on the right track here.
This movie isn't perfect. I didn't like how they portrayed Black Mask or Zaas. However, their comical approach DOES fit the tone quite well. Also, some characters (Huntress especially) deserved a little more screen time.
That being said, this movie is great fun to watch. The mixture of the R rating and cartoonish tone do it wonders and Margot Robbie continues to be fantastic as Harley.
This is the sort of movie Suicide Squad should have been the first time around, if they were wanting to go down the comedy route, and it gives me confidence that the reboot will be significantly better.
So, whilst not perfect and not quite as good as Wonder Woman when it comes to the DCEU, it's still one of their better movies. I'd rate it up there with Shazam, quality wise.
El Camino (2019)
Good watch, but felt there was more there.
This is definitely worth watching if you're a Breaking Bad fan (like you weren't going to watch it anyway) but it feels like more of an extended episode than anything else.
This story could really have done with being drawn out a bit more, perhaps as a mini series, rather than a one-off movie. What's there is good and I was entertained the whole way through, but there was potential to expand on this story and the various characters introduced throughout. I believe this would have made the pay off more impactful.
That being said, El Camino was a solid evening's entertainment, and it was nice to see Jesse's story get some closure.
Joker (2019)
Haunting and wonderful.
This is not an easy watch, but it sure as Hell is a rewarding one.
Phoenix hits it out of the park as Arthur Fletch and his descent into madness is a display like no other. The supporting cast are superb, the soundtrack is phenomenal, I really can't find a bad word to say about this film. It's a masterpiece.
It's a slow burn, but that works really well for the tale the movie tells. When it does ramp up, it really ramps up, with the final act being a terrifying thrill ride.
The feeling I got watching this film was reminiscent of watching Breaking Bad through for the first time. It was uncomfortable, but extraordinary, and I couldn't look away from start to finish.
10/10, outstanding.
Us (2019)
Lightning doesn't strike twice for Mr Peele
How you can go from Get Out to this is unbelievable.
Terribly written and poorly acted from the get-go. Managed to guess the very predictable ending before the opening credits.
Classic horror movie tropes like splitting up in the most stupid scenarios and cheap attempts at jump scares are plentiful.
Characters are completely unbelievable (the husband in particular.)
Actually found myself laughing at the final "show down" because it was so artsy and reeking of desperation for another Oscar.
Definitely recommend giving this one a miss.
13 Reasons Why: If You're Breathing, You're a Liar (2019)
Two episodes in and I'm pretty sure I'm done.
Was really intrigued as to how this season would play out, but there's two issues that make me wonder what on earth the creators of this season was thinking.
First of all, the MASSIVE spoiler in all the marketing (I won't expand on it here in case anyone has avoided it, but you know the one I mean.)
Secondly, this new Ami character has been completely shoehorned in. There's no need for her to be introduced whatsoever. Very lazily written and clearly there to explain plot points the writers couldn't be bothered to make a job of. With such a great cast, any one of them, especially Dylan Minnette, could've taken up the narrator mantle.
Honestly not interested to see any more at the moment. Might be done with the show entirely. Definitely going to leave it for a while. Really disappointing after two great seasons.
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
I rarely give a 10/10 review... but wow.
I don't want to write much in here because you can't really go into the story without spoiling it. All I can say is that it's the pay off the fans wanted.
I haven't been as emotional in a cinema for a very long time; I honestly don't know if I have been. This movie is a wild ride of laughs, gasps and tears. The three hour run time feels more like two, which speaks volumes for it.
There are a few questionable points that can be nit-picked and require somewhat convenient story points to explain, which originally had me giving this movie a 9. However, upon further thought, the impact this film had on myself and the fans who've waited 11 years and 22 outings for a conclusion, deserves the highest score available. Possibly even purely for the final showdown which as an absolute spectacle.
I don't need to tell you to go see this movie, but I'll do it anyway.
GO. SEE. THIS. MOVIE.
You (2018)
One of the Better Netflix Series
This show was a surprising gem. It's a difficult task to create a villain you can relate to and support, even when you know that you shouldn't. The writers managed to hit the nail on the head with this.
Netflix OC can have its ups and downs, but this is definitely a top hitter. I'm looking forward to the second season, given the ending, but I hope they can keep with the high standard of writing when they no longer have the book to base it off. (Unless there's a sequel to the book, that is.) Given how well the second season of 13 Reasons Why went, I'll remain optimistic.
I don't want to give much away story wise, but if you like dark and intimate thrillers it'll be right up your street.
Do yourself a favour and watch this relatively short season if you're looking for something new. It does not disappoint.
Aquaman (2018)
How this movie rates so high is a mystery.
How on earth is this movie so highly rated? I would happily watch Batman V Superman every day for a month before sitting through this film again.
Let's get the very few positives out of the way. Jason is good as Arthur Curry. He's humorous and much like what we got from him in Justice League. The action sequences and visuals can both be stunning and enjoyable at times.
The script on the other hand, is AWFUL. This dialogue came straight from The Room. People laughed harder in the cinema when the film was trying to be taken seriously than when there was intentional humour.
Black Manta? Complete shoehorn. No need for him to be in the film whatsoever. Despite being a far more interesting villain, they spend all of the time, energy and budget on the stroppy and entitled brother.
People will tell you that it was meant to be a silly and fun movie. Of course it is. That doesn't mean they delivered on that effectively. They couldn't decide if they wanted it to be Thor Ragnarock or Lord of The Rings.
I haven't wanted to leave a movie so much in a long time. I strongly recommend saving your money as it's 2 hours and 20 minutes (yes really) that you won't get back.
Bird Box (2018)
Interesting Premise, Poor Delivery
**NO SPOILERS UNTIL FINAL PARAGRAPH**
This movie is OK, but leaves far too much unanswered. Similar to A Quiet Place, it's a survival based thriller in which people can't open their eyes outside or they either kill themselves or become killers (it's hard to tell which will happen)
This means a lot of travelling blindfolded for supplies, safe shelter etc. It's your standard group survival movie with a twist and a few big names that keep that element interesting.
SPOILERS- The movie loses its grasp when we get to present day and only Sandra Bullock and her children are left. They are headed to a sanctuary which they eventually reach, live happily ever after, roll credits. The problem is there is absolutely no explanation as to what's causing this outbreak and why some people don't kill themselves when they open their eyes. It makes no effort to distinct between the two possibilities. There's some loose idea that it's demons of some kind, but nothing solid. It's not done well and is evident they ran out of ideas.
Worth a watch if you're bored, but I wouldn't go out my way to seek this film out as its ending is rather disappointing.
Venom (2018)
Far superior to what the critics say
This is a genuinely good movie which has been unfairly panned by critics.
I went in expecting another Suicide Squad mess, but 90% of the movie was thoroughly enjoyable.
Is it perfect and Oscar worthy? Of course not, it's a Venom movie. What it is, is a good fun time.
To start with, the trailer completely misses the tone of the movie. This is a dark buddy comedy and you should know that going in.
There's bad CGI, a forgettable villain and an anticlimactic final act. These are all true. However, if you want a funny, character driven origin story, this will be for you.
Hardy gives one of my favourite of his performances; you can tell he had so much fun playing the role and his two characters (Brock and Venom) bounce off each other so well.
Think of a very "aware of itself" Venom story with clear influences from both Deadpool and your favourite buddy cop movie, with a dark twist, and that's what you're getting.
I genuinely did have a lot of fun seeing this movie and feel that you should avoid as many reviews as possible so you can go in with an open mind. Hopefully you'll be as pleasantly surprised as I was!
Gamer (2009)
The worst game since Sonic 2006
How did they manage to mess up such a tried and tested concept so well? They hired some great actors, but no one could save this script. Michael C Hall does not fit his character whatsoever (and don't get me started on his song and dance routine.)
There's a scene where a character drinks alcohol, vomits it into a car's petrol tank, and then uses said vomit to fuel the car. This is meant to be taken seriously. That scene actually sums the entire film up pretty well.
I've lost interest that much that I still have the movie on as I type this. They could've gone properly dark and gritty, like Black Mirror, or taken a light hearted B movie approach. Unfortunately they awkwardly sat on the fence between these two choices.
Save yourself the disappointment and watch Ready Player One instead.