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Lightyear (2022)
Impressively Deep If You Want It To Be
Lightyear easily met my very low expectations for this movie and then some.
Visually the movie is beautiful, the animation is dark and matches some of the heavier tones of the film.
The actual story, yes it does have one, was surprisingly deep and well considered. Often its glossed over to keep it interesting for the kids but there is enough meat on the bone to keep most adults a little more than intrigued.
This makes LIghtyear one of the better animated efforts over the last 20 years as it blends adult thoughts, concerns, fears and the like with funny giggling moments for the young'ens.
Lightyear has a little something :)
K-19: The Widowmaker (2002)
Hard To Believe Its A Hidden Gem
A super solid movie that falls just short of classics such as Crimson Tide or The Hunt for Red October.
Harrison Ford and Liam Neeson test their wills against each other, the Russian government and their boat.
Its gripping, suspensful and full of intrigue barely allowing the viewers to catch their collective breaths.
The support cast for the film is also rock solid.
In reviewing the movie its actually very hard to put a finger on why this effort doesn't equal the other movies I mentioned. Just understand that it doesn't and we will leave it at that.
Highly recommend checking this out, great :)
White Noise (2022)
This Is A Very Good Film Edperience
White Noise is the kind of movie every real film buff should seek out. Why? Its different, it throws away the formula and provides the viewer with a really engaging cinematic experience.
Beyond that, the film is a lot of fun, filled with genuinely funny moments.
Adam Driver is particularly good and seems to skip his way through the movie fascianted at just about every turn.
For a deeper dive the movie does look into some issues around family and life in general but these are juxstaposed against impending doom. So the contrasting is clever and entertaining.
Not a film for all but for fans of 'film' make it a 'need to watch this sooner rather than later' :)
The Boogens (1981)
Its An Oldy But Barely A Goodie
The Boogens is a charmingly nostalgic and amusing creature feature that harks back to classic horror movies where scaring you didn't seem to matter!
While the plot may seem okay, the film gets a lift with its atmosphere and practical effects.
The characters are endearing, if somewhat archetypal, adding to the nostalgic charm. As the creatures wreak havoc or as a modern viewer would interpret, they move around a bit, the suspense escalates, no not really, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats if you are a 6 year old child.
Though not groundbreaking, The Boogens delivers a somewhat fun, old-school horror experience that's perfect for a late-night watch with friends.
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024)
Rember The Titans Minus Denzel
This is one for the cinemas. You want the biggest screen and the most thunderous sound to really take advantage of this movie.
The story is ok, the acting etc is all servicable but its all about the Titans.
A couple of areas where the film falls, Mothra has become a massive fairy straight out of a little kids movie and the film starts to feel a bit like Transformers and their gang of cool kids.
Additionally the soundtrack is a massive miss, with 'classic' 80's tracks really just going for the teen viewers parents market. It doesn't add to the film at all.
At the end of the day its a Titan fest so its all good :)
Control (2004)
Needed Better Marketing, Good Film
Control is a thrilling ride that hooks you from the get-go. It's has all the elements of a great suspense flick: a tight plot, top-notch acting, and enough twists to keep you guessing.
The characters feel real enough, with sufficient depth to make you care about their fates. As the story unfolds, you'll find yourself keen to discover what happens next.
It's the kind of movie that sticks with you long after the credits roll, leaving you pondering its themes and intricacies.
Great, expcted, performances from both Liotta and Defoe.
Overall, Control is a must-watch for anyone who loves a good thriller and good actors :)
Changing Lanes (2002)
The Poster Says It All
Changing Lanes is a star vehicle film more so than a writters epic. The plot is simple and pretty predictable but it doesn't matter overly.
This is Affleck vs Jackson. Affleck is a much better actor than many people recognise and he easily gord head on with Mr Jackson. Jackson deilvers exactly what you would expect him to do.
Both the performances are enjoyable and completely underpin the movie's success.
The film has a good look to it and the soundtrack is suitably tense. As for the rest of the cast they lack anything to work with that would help take the movie to the next level.
Its an enjoyable movie but could have been far better :)
Casa de mi padre (2012)
They Should Have Slipped Some Jokes In The Subtitles
This is an odd little film :)
Its almost a comedic homage to a Tarrantino homage.
The problem with the film is that it basically has one joke and that joke is more about the presentation of the movie than a part of the story itself.
This one joke actually gave me a lot of joy, beyond that, the movie didn't really offer that much to hang your sombrero on.
The cast seem into it and look like they are having a good time, there just isn't enough in the content of the script for them to work with.
Its worth watching once but I would go out of my way to see it, if you are stuck on a plane, give it a go :)
God's Creatures (2022)
Its A Fizzer To Be Sure To Be Sure
God's Creatures starts with a slow burn, nothing wrong with that. So we smoulder away for a bit over half of the film and then the film steps it up.
The plot has been developed, the characters explored (somewhat) we get some movement and then...poof the fire has gone out. Just as things were getting interesting. The director/writer decides nah lets just get this thing finished and sucks the life right out of it.
This could have been a really special film, the acting is great as is the cinematography but it just lets itself down so badly.
I really enjoyed it until the last 15 minutes, see for yourself :)
Emily the Criminal (2022)
Not Terrible?
Emily the Criminal is just an average vehicle for Aubrey Plaza. Aubrey is a charasmatic woman and the film leans so heavily into that charm for its complete watchability.
There is nothing wrong with the premise its just a little boring offering nothing to really hang your hat on.
I often judge a movie by my desire to watch it again down the track and Emily the Criminal whilst not making me fall asleep provided no motivation for a rewatch.
The support cast, aside from Theo, offer very little to help the movie, so its basically all Aubrey.
If you like her you will give the film a pass mark but not much more than that :)
Old Dads (2023)
Don't Watch With Your Judgy Teen Daughter Lol
Old Dads is essentially a snapshot of Bill Burr's longstanding stand up routines so there aren't many surprises for the viewer.
So as a result your like or dislike of the movie will basically hinge on your opinion of Burr himself.
Its a softer representation of his material, I guess in an attempt to widen the audience and it does work from that perspective.
Its also very much a case of the older you are the more I think you will like the movie. Old Dads is full of generational jokes, pitting those who had to walk 5 miles in the snow to get to school vs the modern 'snowflakes'.
Its funny enought to get you by :)
Cold in July (2014)
Could Have Dived Deeper But Still Good
Cold in July is an above average film dealing with some strong themes of guilt, revenge, family etc.
Does it do this effectively? In most instances yes but the film does rely very heavily on the three main actors of the film.
Its still very strange, even jaring, to see 'Dexter' being anything else other than 'Dexter'. Sam Shepard glides across the screen as always. Don Johnson is mega.
Cold in July is an atmospheric storytelling attempting (and almost pulling off) a gripping and immersive cinematic experience from start to finish.
A good movie to trip across during a bit of late night movie watching :)
Halloween Ends (2022)
The Apprentice?
Holy Crap this movie is disappointing.
What started off as a good start to the trilogy has fallen off a cliff into a sludge pit of doom.
Every character trait of Myers has been thrown out the window to allow this ridiculous story to be told.
It actually hurts me to think about what they have done to this saga. I know there have been some dodgy entries but this is shameful.
I'm sure the filmakers thought this was terribly clever but its just a knife to the heart and not in a good way.
My recommendation is to watch the first movie and just ignore the existance of the other two movies.
Avoid :)
The Lost City (2022)
Better Than You May Expect
Who can steal a movie from underneath the noses of the three stars with ten minutes of screen time?
Brad Pitt apparently.
He has all the best bits in the movie!
The movie is pretty fun and looking past Brad Pitt the stars deliver entertaining performances.
Lots of colour explodes from the film making the film jump out of the screen at you, its very flamboyant.
Treads very carefully around trying not to be Romancing the Stone but it comes across, I suppose, as a bit of an homage to the 80's classic.
Its a nice adventure, romance, comedy that is probably perfect for a date night with a little bit for everyone :)
RocknRolla (2008)
Where Is The RocknRolla?
16 years and counting!!! Where is the follow up? At the end of this movie we are told "someone" will be back...it still hasn't happened! Did they get lost? WTF.
RocknRolla is a true gem of a movie filled with spectacular characters spewing the most delightful dialogue.
Its a really solid drama that has the most beautiful undercurrent of humour running through it. Almost every character has these delightful roguish personalities. The result is you really connect with the characters. The movie has a plot but its almost irrelevant, you just enjoy 'hanging out' with the players.
RocknRolla is great fun, but I want my sequel :)
King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (2017)
Actually Deserved A Trilogy
This is Guy Ritchie all day long. Guy doesn't do subtle. What he does do, is more often or not, deliver a visually entertaining feast for the eyes sprinkled with action and humour.
Charlie Hunnam was an interesting choice for Arthur. I became a fan of his during Sons of Anarchy but some of his other work has been a little hit and miss. Initially I wasn't enjoying him but as the film moved forward I took to his portrayal of the character.
For me Excalibur is the bench mark telling of this tale in film, David Gemmel has a series of novels that offer a great version of the story as well. The point being is that this movie has a lot to compete with and to be fair it does a pretty good job, its lots of fun :)
God Told Me To (1976)
No He Didn't
God Told Me To is a bizarre exploration of religious fanaticism and existential dread.
The film follows a series of inexplicable murders committed by seemingly ordinary people who claim to have received orders from God.
As a detective delves deeper into the case, he uncovers a complex web of conspiracies and existential questions about faith, identity, and the nature of reality.
While the premise is intriguing, the execution is uneven, with disjointed storytelling and questionable acting excluding Tony Lo Bianco.
Apparently this movie is a cult classic but I'm not sure how. It was an interesting idea that was poorly put together :)
The Killing Room (2009)
We've Seen It All Before
The Killing Room presents a dark and unsettling portrayal of human behavior within the confines of a research facility.
As four strangers become unwitting subjects of sinister experiments, the film delves into themes of manipulation and psychological coercion.
While the premise is intriguing, the execution falls short at times, with uneven pacing and a lack of character depth. Despite some suspenseful moments, the overall impact is diminished by predictable plot twists and underdeveloped narrative threads.
Though it offers a glimpse into the darker aspects of human nature, The Killing Room ultimately struggles to maintain its momentum and fails to leave a lasting impression :)
Creed III (2023)
Punch Drunk
What happened?
The Creed series had, up till now, been a strong addition to the Rocky franchise. Creed III drops the ball big time.
It lacks soul, interesting story and most other qualitiies a good film shoould have.
Its predictable, which is not uncommon in Rocky, but Rocky films usually overcome this with emotion. Not in this instance. Its such a shame.
I had been looking forward to this entry, now I am dreading the possibility of Creed IV.
Save yourself some time and rewatch the other movies instead.
This one is out for the count, ding ding ring the bell, throw in the towel, its all over folks :)
The Saga of Hemp Brown (1958)
The Swiss Cheese Of Westerns
The Saga of Hemp Brown is a satisfactory western with great characters, good visuals and the usual solid performance from Rory Calhoun.
But...
Rory has a mission to clear his name. Ok nothing wrong with that...unless the movie presents about 10 different ways that this could occur before reaching its conclusion?
It ends up giving you the feeling of 'what's the point'. The plot totally destroys what is otherwise a good presentation.
I can usually overlook plot holes but The Saga of Hemp Brown keeps smacking you over the head with them.
Its a real shame and this was allowed to happen and it feels like they pumped out a movie treating the audience with contempt :)
Ercole al centro della Terra (1961)
Simply No Good
I'm looking at the reviews and am left wondering if I watched the same movie?
This move is rubbish!
I love old movies, especially old westerns, pirate films and adventure fantasy. So I was almost left heartbroken by the end of this show. Its so bad.
This is not actually the fault of Reg Park, he plays the character well enough and certainly looks the part. The special effects also look pretty good.
But, as a total package this movie is an unmitigated disaster and its so boring.
This is the worst effort I have ever witnessed in the portrayal of the Hercules character.
It must be said that I sill have not watched what I would consider to be a bench mark Hercules film. No one, including The Rock's attempt has smashed this.
Perhaps one day we will get a Conan the Barbarian for Hercules :)
Machine-Gun Kelly (1958)
Rat A Tat Tat
This is similar in style to a few of the earlier Bronson films. He is a strong hulk of a man but he is led by the nose by another character, having the effect of making him self less threatening and a little childlike. I'm not sure why this strategy existed but its a few years until Bronson (or the studios) takes ownership of who he is.
Bronson is awesome in Machine-Gun Kelly.
The movie is fast paced and full of action and drama. With some of the events surprisingly dark considering the age of the movie.
This would have been a bombastic film when it was first released. Now its just a great old black and white classic movie :)
The Crossing Guard (1995)
Very Impressive
Jack Nicholson being great and demanding your attention? Who knew?
Sean Penn delivers a more than impressive first outcome as a director. Providing a film that offers some interesting questions for the audience to ponder, forgiveness, guilt, healing and so on.
The cast is super impressive. Emotional, legitimate and passionate in their expression of their characters nuances.
The Crossing Guard is full of memorable moments that a drama of this level should feature.
Penn leaves more than enough room for the actors to tell the story and to allow the characters to grow and develop in front of your eyes.
Its an acting and directing masterclass :)
The Disappearance of Alice Creed (2009)
Easier To Swallow Than A Bullet
I went into this movie without expectation, not really knowing anything about it. Thus I was pleasantly surprised with what unfolded before me.
The Disappearance of Alice Creed is, quite simply, an enjoyable and entertaining film.
Amazingly it has a cast of only 3 people so each of them have to share the acting load in a more significant way than the majority of movies. And they pull it off.
It has some moments of humour, surprise, twists and tension which have all added up to a movie that passes along quite quickly.
It wont knock your socks off but it wont disappoint you either, above average :)
10,000 BC (2008)
Not A History Film!
Marco Khan steals this movie. Even though he is only in it for the odd scene, he is easily the best one in it.
Its a very well presented movie, looking and sounding spectacular, as you would expect from Emmerich.
Story wise though its a bit of a sleeper and perhaps targetted at a much younger audience.
What it lacks in character development, almost zero, it well and truly compensates with an energetic presentation that with good equipment will blow your ears off!
It won't go down as a classic, but its a movie that is worth having a look at, especially as a bit of family adventure time, enjoy :)