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andy-mclelland
Reviews
Hellraiser (2022)
Hopeless
A hopeless unnecessary 'remake'. Chocked full of cliches and predictable dialogue. The lead actor wasn't too bad but the rest of the cast were plastic and one dimensional. The sets were good and the makeup was spectacular but the cenobites were no where near as terrifying as in the very first Hellraiser. Clive Barker writes far better than this 'screenplay', this movie fails on so many levels and it's a shame. I thought I'd chance watching it and ignoring the low scores here on IMDB but the moviegoers were right and I was wrong. I really don't understand 'horror' movies these days, they rarely score high in reviews since, The Omen and The Exorcist.
Death Stranding (2019)
Simply brilliant
It's quite hard to describe this game, if you want to listen to the haters then 'it's just a walking simulator'. Rest assured if you immerse yourself in this wonder, it's far from that. The story unravels gradually like a fine wine, I was astonished at the creativity and originality of this experience. To me, it's like a glimpse of a dystopian future unlike anything I've ever seen before, yes it can get a little confusing at times but aren't all dreams?
Drag SOS (2019)
Clowning around
I like the concept but I feel Drag is the new clown. I'm all for dressing up and escaping the boredom of being myself, but the program takes a rather serious side with interviews with sometimes distraught people and the crew are sat with them looking like clowns. It takes more than dressing up to release the 'inner self' and my experience of drag has been full of abuse and fear of being beaten up. Growing up wondering where I belong and trying on my mother & sisters clothing in secret and trying to hide my true feelings. I can't relate to the crew because I'm not gay so basically for me the show seems to be promoting the fact that drag queens/cross dressers are gay and extroverted. I don't know if any of this makes sense because I'm hurting inside writing it. Trans/drag etc are not accepted in society in my opinion and gay people tend to flock to certain locations which are gay friendly, so gay people aren't fully accepted either. It's very sad but it's reality so I'll keep my deep feelings to myself.
They Shall Not Grow Old (2018)
Lovingly restored
Ignore the naysayers, this is a masterpiece of modern art. I would describe it as a tribute to all the millions who lost their lives in WW1. Those poor souls who fought, not knowing they may not be returning home killed in a battlefield of horror and unimaginable suffering. This is, for me start of something groundbreaking, restoring old footage to such realism that it could have been filmed today. So much hard work put into this, including lip readers adding dialogue to footage like something never seen before. It should be seen as a sign of respect to the fallen and a sombre reminder of the terror that war brings.
The Virtues (2019)
Omg
Omg the Virtues was just brilliant! Had me on the edge of my seat. Very powerful story and I guarantee you'll enjoy it. The actors were spectacular I just cannot fault it. Well done Channel 4 you nailed it with this masterpiece...
The Suicide Squad (2021)
Oh dear
I unfortunately had high expectations for this movie after it getting the green light from friends and IMDB. I got sick of the constant tirade of super hero movies and gave up on them long ago. So I thought I'd take a chance with this hopeless piece of trash, I wish I'd known that from the start! At the end I thought ah it's just for kids, but... the amount of gore for a kids movie?? What were they thinking, who is this movie supposed to be aimed at? I'm no shrinking violet but I'd think twice about allowing a minor to witness such visceral 'entertainment'. I hate to moan about movies because they have their place, but does this movie have a place? So many cliches from other movies and the shark king looked like a carbon copy of Egil from Asgards Wrath! Plus don't get me started on the final 'boss', a pink and purple Starfish straight out of a Barbie cartoon! I'm all for humour and fun but the actors looked deadly serious when confronted by the Starfish equivalent of Marshmallow Man from Ghostbusters 1, except that was funny. Sorry if my comments offend any die hard ss fans, go and enjoy it and I'll crawl back into my dark corner wondering why I even bothered to come out...
The Nurture Room (2010)
Life changing
The most heartwarming documentary I've ever seen. The Nuture Room is just groundbreaking, I wish I'd had this kind of intervention when I was young as I found it hard to make and keep friends and didn't 'fit in' st school. Fair play to the teachers and assistants in this documentary, their care, attention and skill have hopefully steered these children away from trouble or prison. There's many shots of the high rise flats and old buildings with no dialogue, pointing out that the environment (in Glasgow) wouldn't be the most ideal to grow up in.
The Serpent (2021)
Billy Howle & Jenna Coleman
Billy Howle and Jenna Coleman stole the show for me, they deserve Oscars for their roles in this series. Herman Knippenberg deserves to be knighted for his relentless efforts to catch this monster.
Naughty Boy feat. Sam Smith: La La La (2013)
Brilliant
Absolutely brilliant track including the video which was based on some Bolivian folklore...
If you watch the making of the video you'll meet Cement Man, I defy anyone not to be touched by this gentleman's heart felt speech...
After Life (2019)
Essential viewing
The most heartwarming/breaking series I've ever witnessed. I don't normally write reviews very often but this gem blew my mind pulling emotions in all different directions. One min howling with laughter the next bawling my eyes out! The characters are so interesting and well thought out, the acting is solid and believable. At the end of the series I just sat stunned and sorry I reached the end, even today I thought about the parts that hit me the hardest, death is no easy subject to deal with but the scripts address this gently and thoughtfully.
Half-Life: Alyx (2020)
Alyx it a lot!
Half Life Alyx, is just breathtaking. The story, the graphics, suspense - everything rolled into this VR adventure. I was a big fan of Lone Echo which I believe was the best VR experience until this gem came along. If you were a fan of the two original Half Life games or not, this game/experience will blow you away. It's kinda what the world of VR has been waiting for and will certainly attract more players. I'm sure other reviewers will go into more detail, but there's one short scene in the beginning that stays with me, I was just stood frozen to the the spot when 'it' happened! I won't tell just in case I spoil it for you, If you've not tried VR or Half Life Alyx, go and make the leap, you'll not be disappointed...
I, Daniel Blake (2016)
Hard Hitting
I watched 'I Daniel Blake' and it just shocked me how much truth it portrayed. Not only in the U.K. but in other countries also. Food banks in this day and age? What a disgrace, greed and ignorance will be etched into this era. Daniel Blake captures my mood and despair trying to compete with bureaucracy after bureaucracy, paper work, online forms that crash half way through. No wonder people commit suicide, but Daniel fights back for all he's worth and befriends a young girl with two children who's also down on her luck trying to survive. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie, it made me feel happy at those who cared and angry at those who didn't.