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Reviews
Alpha Dog (2006)
Stellar Cast, Great Movie
Loved this movie for years - and I know movies. This was a seriously underrated and overlooked movie based on real events and featuring an amazing cast (Bruce Willis, Sharon Stone, Ben Foster, Harry Dean Stanton, Anton Yelchin, Emile Hirsch and Justin Timberlake - the list just keeps going, with actors who have risen up the ranks since this came out, such as Olivia Wilde and Amanda Sieyfried). It's not for the faint hearted in its gritty street -style storytelling (comes off dated in its misogyny and homophobic language - came out in 2006) but what a moving film with a tragic ending. Ben Foster is at his absolute best as psycho Mazursky and a young Anton Yelchin tugs at the heartstrings as his younger brother Zak. Even Justin Timberlake puts in a good performance this time. This should have been an Oscar contender - where's the justice? Stick with it til the end and you'll be rewarded. Trust me.
Peggy (2023)
Don't Be Fooled
This is a terrible,terrible movie. The acting is barely passable and it looks like the cast came straight from their first amateur dramatic class to embark upon making a movie. The script is hackneyed, the premise is cliched. The lead character isn't at all likeable either, so despite being the victim of an alleged bullying campaign she just comes across as a cold blooded, selfish psychopath. I really couldn't believe just how bad this movie was after the 10/10 reviews (presumably from close friends or production team members). Please don't waste your time like I did - watch something else instead.
The Strangers: Prey at Night (2018)
Oh Dear...
The first movie should rightly be embarrassed to share its name with this honker. The first movie was atmospheric, creepy, had jump scares and gave me genuine chills, especially as it was supposedly based on a true story. This one? Nah. Sorry. As anti-gun as I am, any victim who has a gun to hamd should be able to defeat assailants with none all day long, rather than make dumb choices like not use to blow your assailant away and and put it on a table whilst attending to your sister's woukds. This is shameful and dumb. Don't waste your time - you'll roll your eyes and shout at the screen (as I did).
White People Money (2020)
Better Than Expected
Let's be clear - this is not going to win an awards but it's a lot better than some other low budget movies I've seen lately. The acting was ok and the story was a,simple one. Surprisingly based on a true story and financed by the protagonists who wanted to tell their story. If you go into this with low expectations you'll be ok.
Palmer (2021)
Very Good
This movie will probably go unnoticed but I really enjoyed it. Great acting all round from Justin Timberlake to young Ryder Allen in a tale often told. It's predictable as hell but it aims straight for the heart so I knew what I was in for. Recommended
Freaky (2020)
Give Vince Vaughan an Oscar!
Inventive take on the tired and contrived slasher trope. Vince Vaughan has shown a lot of versatility in recent roles - not easy to transition from comedy to....well, anything, really. Here he plays two roles in the old body swap comedy storyline with applom. This is better than it sounds, largely due to his performance as high school loner and bloodthirsty psycho killer. Disappointing and contrived ending though.
Ava (2020)
Better Than Average Action Romp
Good acting all round from an impressive cast, featuring a flawed assassin with an actual living family (for once!), coupled with brilliantly choreographed fight sequences make this a fiercely entertaining, if highly implausible, addition to the action movie genre. Recommended
Kindred (2020)
Well Acted Drama/Thriller
This wasn't half as bad as other reviewers are making out. This was well acted by all and made for a compelling watch. This movie was somewhat reminiscent of Rosemary's Baby in it's make up (to my mind, anyway). I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would. Recommended.
The Twilight Zone (2019)
Season Two Is a MASSIVE Improvement
As a lifelong TZ fan I was really disappointed with Season one. It seemed uninspired with badly written stories and too much swearing. Looks like they've gone back to the drawing board to excellent effect. Give it another try.
Acrimony (2018)
Trashy, Camp Entertainment
Don't know what all the high scorers were smoking but in my opinion this is no Oscar contender believe me. Predictable outcome from a story of a woman scorned as old as time.
Black Box (2020)
Better Than Expected
Enjoyable sci fi cum yarn with elements of Ringu-esque horror , well acted with a largely unknown cast ( bar Phylicia Rashad), a slightly silly premise and an extraordinarily precocious and endearing child of the main protagonist. I'll give nothing away about the plot, but I found this movie surprisingly enjoyable.
Marionette (2020)
Better Than Expected
A similar premise to The Medusa Touch (1978) this had enough twists and turns to keep me guessing. I enjoyed the fact that the cast is unknown to me, rather than rolling out the same old faces. Entertaining, well-acted and compelling.
Host (2020)
You Don't Need a Big Budget
....to make a good horror movie. In the vein of the overused 'found footage' trope this movie is similar in leaving you unsure of what you're seeing in the background, or keep you in suspense for longer than you'd expect. Some movies execute their jump scares so poorly you wonder if they ever watched a good horror - this had me jumping out of my seat.
Capharnaüm (2018)
Oscars For The Children Please!
This gritty and torrid tale of poverty in Lebanon made for compelling viewing. The acting , led mostly by a cast of minors was superb. The (real) mother of the baby was especially brave to have her child in such precarious surroundings. Kudos particularly to Zain al-Rafeea who is a real star in the making. Highly recommended.
The Aeronauts (2019)
More Hate From Those Who Can't/Wont Relate
I can see the outrage of those who aren't in support of replacing one of the characters with a female, or (gasp!) an ethnically diverse cast but this shouldn't affect the scores to the extent where you give a film like this 1 or 2 stars. Such hatred that the white Male isn't being represented for once - suggest you go and watch the hundreds of other movies where characters have been replaced with white male actors to appease you. Good acting and special effects, so maybe less pearl-clutching and more immersion in the movie. They're ACTING - get over yourselves.
Mandariinid (2013)
Love Not War
A beautifully acted, poignant film about humanity and the bonds of friendship over war and hatred. Highly recommended.
Still Here (2020)
Powerful Performances
Superb acting from a largely unknown (by me, anyway) cast. Engaging and involving story. I have to say I'm always more compelled to watch movies based on true events. This one held me throughout. As a side note fans of Zazie Beetz (the one face I DID recognise) should be aware her role is of a 'Cameo' nature and lasts only a couple of minutes. Great film.
A Raisin in the Sun (1961)
Powerful Performances All Round
I've always been a fan of Sidney Poitier, from a very young age - this performance trumps every other I've seen from him. A fantastic ensemble supporting cast including Oscar Winner Lou Gossett, Jnr made this simple tale of the Hopes, ambitions and dreams of a poor black American family very real. Obviously taken from a stage play but this does it no harm at all. I expected little but absolutely loved it!
Nabarvené ptáche (2019)
Man's Inhumanity To Man - ATough Watch
I can't say on here what hasn't already been said, so I'll keep it brief: Cinematography? Beautiful, Story? Not so much. Dialogue? Nope, Violence and cruelty? Off the scale. Just don't watch it on a date.
Nose to Tail (2018)
Well Acted (and not too long)
I instantly liked this portrayal of a once highly-regarded chef on the way down. Aaron Abrams as Daniel, the sweaty, stressed out, arrogant protagonist plays his part superbly, as do the supporting cast. I didn't expect to enjoy it half as much as I did.
Centigrade (2020)
Grim But Okay
As true stories go you have to question the survival instincts some folk. I'd certainly have tried harder to get out of an overnight blizzard (especially if my wife was nagging and blaming me, I can tell you!)The arguments were well scripted and resonated well with me. I held on til the bitter end of the movie but it was a hard slog on a Saturday night.
The Mist (2007)
Scary Movie With A Message
I loved this movie. Good acting, very good special effects in a relatively simple tale with a study in human behaviour thrown in! Jump scares and gross fx aplenty.
A good solid movie with an unpredictable ending (didn't read the Stephen King Novella so I assume it was faithful to that).
The Vanished (2020)
Stick With It
Okay, so there's a lot going on in this movie the plot rambles around a bit. The acting is only ok, with good turns from Jason Patric (Sheriff) and Thomas (Paul). It's hitchcockian in its style and the ending threw me BIG TIME (no spoilers). It's no classic and has more holes than Swiss cheese, but stick with this one and you'll be glad you did!
Elsewhere (2019)
ENGAGING, ENTERTAINING AND WORTH WATCHING
My wife and ii enjoyed this movie. It was poignant, sad and funny. The acting was good, the protagonist was engaging and the overall cast should be commended for an engaging story of loss and love. We had,no expectations of this movie and that's the best way to approach it. Recommended.