Reviews

This was such a pleasant surprise!

Having seen all the brief clips on tik tok and the countless provocative trailers, I thought for sure this was going to be a predictable and regular film affair.

It feels like directors used the pandemic years to really carefully and thoughtfully plan out their scripts, because I am seeing some amazing film in 2023.

The Menu certainly falls into the strong offerings from this year. The music is punchy and the dialogue is just as fiesty and it all builds toward a rewarding crescendo. You never feel stuck in the dinner room, it's refreshingly diverse and flowy. Nothing about this film felt piffy or wasteful and you encounter scenes of thrill as well as some moments of disbelief.

In the final acts you get that this film is strongly satire but you definitely feel...... dare I say..... well satisfied! A must see.

I watched this film because of the hype. There is much adoration for a film quite like this - and why not. A top quality cast portraying a uniquely segmented time in folk history. The opening set is breathtaking.... and then you are thrusted into the violence.

And it is here you stay.

For 2.5 hours.

It's a violent, gritty, gruesome and grungy affair. You won't have much time to know the characters and there is very little time for story telling. The director spends the entirety of his time focusing on the realities of warfare and the natural brutality.

You will know who to like - and who to hate. But that is about all you will figure out. I couldn't make it to the end despite the scenery. There is an art to story telling that no amount of violence can accomodate.

The critic reviews and general reception around this film would have you believe you may be watching a classic.

I hope for films sake, this one fades away.

Top actors does not a good film make.

It was hard to stay engaged throughout and even the opening 30 minutes fail to capture you. Lacking climax and excitement. No characters presented any threat or danger along the way. Story runs in 2nd gear throughout.

It's possible 2013 was lacking any quality story telling, and with the support of 'American' in the title, maybe that was enough to get this film into the theatres.

You can comfortably skip this one.

Quite surprised how low this has been rated. Maybe because it is quite different from the earlier versions? As a stand-alone, this is a great show with playful story telling and some wonderful songs.

The colours and the environments are very relatable. It views almost like a train version of cars. The episodes are 20 minutes in length roughly so it provides a suitable amount of viewing time. Easy to negotiate with your toddler "2 episodes only"... "ok dad".

Chugga chugga snooze snooze is an instant classic. We will now sing this little piece to our daughter when putting her to sleep!

My toddler absolutely loves it and that's the main thing!

A spy movie set in modern England with plenty of class and brute. The casting is excellent and the lead characters are very entertaining.

Samuel L Jackson is in one of his funniest cameos here. The moment he opens his mouth all your assumptions go out there window. This film is a whacky affair!

The church scene is empathic and one of the most mesmerising climaxes. Humour and violence rarely miss the spot in this film. In fact the entire run time is a breeze and you never want it to finish. A rare feat for an action comedy!

The journey that takes place in 'Greenbook' is an all familiar American film-telling cliche. A bunch of people hop in a car with a destination of significance that the film slowly builds towards. The brilliance is in the tight screenplay, the authentic characterisation and most critically the exemplary two lead actors. The film builds like a symphony.

Incredibly, this is the best I have ever seen Viggo. I didn't mistake him for Aragorn once. He became the complex yet charming Italian American angel. The acting here is special. Together with Mahershala they become one of the most watchable friendships. The film is set in a deeply troubled time but the director favours prevailing comedic sentiment and triumphant outcomes over all the injustices - you get a feeling of comfort that other films of this theme don't convey. Whilst there are moments that are deeply troubling, Viggo's character is never far away from protecting Mahershala's, and I suppose also, us; the onlooking audience.

The result is a complete and fulfilling journey, with an exciting finale and a tremendous feeling of joy and hope. 10/10

I don't know if it's because comedy has suffered a tragic decent in recent year (which it has) or, more likely, this film just hits the spot. Quirky, cute, witty, fun and well, funny. The kind of film you can switch on and off anytime and get a consistency of humour.

Michael Caine steals the show whenever he is on screen. Bullock provides the structure to everything with a performance that is both attractive and industrious. The theme (a beauty pageant) completes the trio of what makes a film work - brains, brute and.... buttocks. Lots of buttocks - but tastefully done.

It's a good laugh and I'm sure you'll enjoy it - feels like a hit in the year 2019.

What a masterpiece!

You probably have heard "they don't make them like this anymore", but they really do not make them like this very much, anymore.

The minimalism and simplicity of the script allows for Coogs and Rob to really shine. The humour is never-ending and it grows to a climax as they bounce of one another in careless wit.

I have watched this film with many friends and one thing I have always found is regardless of the friend's taste, there is laughter. They may take themselves too seriously but at some point they will no longer be able to control the warm and fuzzy urges building within them. Some may expect more explosions, and others more cussing. For me, these are the baggages of modern day comedy; excessive pyrotechnics and poor use of the english language. Coogs and Rob hold nothing back here and its a fantastic journey to be apart of.

10/10

I am not going to pull apart this film bit for bit because frankly there are just way too many flaws in this film. A circus of flaws, really. But as a viewer who never read the books and who became hooked on the first film during a chance viewing, I will say, shame on whoever allowed this film to be made. And shame on me for watching it.

Let me just say for those who haven't seen it - nothing actually happens in this film. The previous 3 films (well mainly 1 & 2) lay a solid framework and create a brutal, yet very believable reality. By the end of the 2nd film you cannot help but stand in the corner of Everdeen and co and watch on as they work to bring down the crushing authority responsible for the 'games'. But unfortunately the director does not want us to experience this triumph. Film 3 is a bunch of filler, whilst film 4 (Mockingjay Part 2) is simply a lullaby.

There is no redemption for the majority of the characters. Character arcs get completely left out. Wars happen that you never actually see happen. Fear is ongoing (apparently) but all you ever see is Donald Sutherland on a Television screen spouting his mantra.

The Hunger Games/Catching Fire build up tremendous momentum.. but the Mockingjay films are there to sap it all up. But be careful, because this film will sap you up too.

If you want to invest your precious time watching a panel pushing their chosen point on view (with the help of carefully plucked studio audiences who are like-minded), then you'll just love the show. But for those who would rather an intelligent, well reasoned and calm debate, you must look elsewhere. Most of the panelists are not easily identifiable with people that you will come across in your day to day, and thus there is a great separation (lots of talk show hosts, radio personalities etc.).

The panelists are quick to gang up on courageous people who express views different from their own. It basically is the essence of social bigotry and intolerance. The Project much prefers to have popular opinion win out the day but this leaves the show feeling rather wooden, hollow and a great waste of your brain.

Simply to start; this is NOT a James Bond film.

If you like me think of James Bond by Thunderball, The Spy who Loved me, You Only Live Twice, Goldfinger, and most every film produced between 1960-1980s; then you will not be taken away by Spectre.

I remember when I first saw Skyfall; immense film. Exceptionally shot, a masterpiece - yet.. It was not James Bond. The film could have been any spy, but I did not get the feeling it was 007.

The same goes for this attempt "Spectre". The opening sequence was very brilliant, I had no idea festivals like that occurred in Mexico City. But the opening sequence went on WAY too long. And the action is getting more unbelievable and reckless for all intents and purposes. Nevertheless a strong start.

It seems Spectre is trying to finish off the stories from the last 3 bond films, but I never felt the emotional investment. The villain (Waltz) is horribly underused, and isn't really seen until the last acts. The E S Blowfeld/connection between the villain and Bond is also out of nowhere. Same to with the Dr. It was good writing, but it fell flat on the James Bond anthem for me.

And for petes sake, please no more "Your removed from Duty". It seems every Daniel Craig bond film he is removed from service and yet goes out of his way to do these things. Against M's will. Q is an impressive appointment, but we don't have fun any more and whilst the anti- Bond humour is a tradition of 007, it doesn't exist at the same level of fun in these new films. It just seems like Daniel Craig is some rogue brute with no love, no humour or no virtue.

I don;t like Daniel Craig's Bond, whilst I was a fan of the story of Casino Royal, Daniel Craig's bond is too 1 dimensional at times and cold. Doesn't work for me

Firstly I think its important I mention that there are two Kingdom of Heaven's and that they are entirely different films.

I first watched the theatrical version and whilst I loved the film, it was obvious that it was missing a fair bit of weight. The theatrical version is like a trailer for the directors cut, it shows most of the key bullet points yet it doesn't fill the holes nor does it do a good job at conveying the overarching morality of the characters and the plot.

Kingdom of Heaven (DIRECTORS CUT) is without a doubt one of the most beautifully made and crafted films from the complex crusade era. It intertwines the wintry scenery of England with the barren aridness of Jerusalem and yet all the while you are not being influenced by the scenery but rather the morality of the characters who travel through Europe in search of their own purpose for life.

Orlando Bloom nails his role as a broken hearted son who is given a 'second chance' by his high statued father. The director does very well at illustrating Orlando Blooms sin whilst making it clear to the viewer that this is a man who inherently would choose to make the world a better place. There are incredible cameo's from a host of lesser known actors (David Thewlis and Jeremy Ions) and Eva Green is absolutely captivating and layered in her Queen of Jerusalem role.

The film is full of strong acting performances backed up by a very thoughtful script. There are some conversations between characters that will make you want to review the entire film again just to revisit the sheer poetry in the dialogue. I feel like the film does a very good job at sending the viewer back to an earlier time, and the costume/sets are outstanding.

10/10. Do not miss this epic. Just make sure it's the DIRECTORS CUT

I will always search a film before I watch it. But after I will always forget what I've read and go watch it with a clear conscious. In my pre-viewing research I was warned to not waste my time. I feel it only fair now that I've seen it to convince you to "use your time and go watch it!!!" This is a thinking film. Much of the dialogue is well thought and convincing especially from the mouth of Marlon Brando (who is yet again another 'distasteful' character, though after reflection is merely a character with a different point of view on life).

I really enjoyed the film. It provokes you into thinking 'what it is to be human'. What is moral and immoral. Is killing a rabbit for dinner as inhumane as killing a human? Go see it please!