Reviews

Scorcese knocks it out of the park with Killers of the Flower Moon. This is a non-woke, non box-ticking, unapologetic, true account of a gripping true crime story dating back to the early 1900s. I had seen the film advertised which made me finally get round to picking up the book. It's an unbelievable story- wealthy Indians getting murdered one by one, sparking terror in the community. The film was true to the book, down to the finest detail which made me realize how remarkable Scorcese's work really is. Leonardo DiCaprio was excellent as Ernest and even looked just like the pictures of the real life Ernest in the book. I found his face took on the same qualities. Robert DeNiro as Hale, the wealthy uncle and friend to the Indians was just as brilliant. They both emobodied the roles and offered complex and interesting performances. The actress who played Mollie also looked similar to the real pictures in the book and her acting was so soulful and sparing. I found the movie to be art, with all the painstaking attention to detail in bringing this story to life. I have lately got into watching the old westerns and classic cowboy films and this film possessed similar tones: classic, true, unapologetic. They really don't make them like this anymore. This is a Scorcese film so it is long but also worthy of your time. I felt if I hadn't read the book or was familiar with the story, some of it might have got lost on me which would have been a shame. However, because of reading the book, I already knew the context of the film so it might have been interesting going into it blind.

This is the first film in a while that I thought was excellent. An explosive tabloid grabbing headline; a woman and a 13 year old boy. This is the aftermath, years later and I thought it was such an interesting topic to explore. All the actors were outstanding and played such textured and interesting characters. I found I couldn't take my eyes off of Natalie Portman. It was very artistic and I really enjoyed exploring the murky depths of this 'love story' while also being seduced by the cinematography. You hear stories like this and wonder: how could you? I personally enjoyed this film and found it intriguing and original.

The Dark and The Wicked a is one of my favourite horrors. It is excellent in every sense of the word. This is a story about two grown siblings returning to a remote farmhouse to help their mother tend to their ailing father. Sounds like a familiar trope, sure. But something is different here.

It felt grim and gritty. The siblings were downcast and the atmosphere heavy. The horror begins as a slow burn, and I was comfortably able to weather the scary bits... for a while. The story really becomes it's own and the horror- subtle, realistic, twisted, and terrifying.

I jumped out of my skin a few times but it was the originality and the building sense of dread that got me.

When I started the film I thought it seemed pretty good but didn't know it would get me like it did.

Wow I loved this film. This horror knocked it out of the water for me and is a 10/10- I was scared. I've seen a lot of horror films and lately find I'm a fan of modern horror that embodies some elements of the times we live in: social media, going viral, cell phones ringing in a silent room, eerie pinging of a text message. The two that spring to mind are Slenderman and It Follows, where it's shallow teens not realizing the danger that awaits them. This was modern horror in all its glory. I watched this film because the hand reminded me of one of my favourite horror books, The Cipher by Kathe Koja. It did not disappoint. The Aussie actors were nothing short of incredible, there was such character and grittiness in each and every one of them, particularly in the friendship group. Props to the main girl (she was amazing) her best friend and the best friends brother. Even the mum was great. Real acting. Depth. Character. Emotion. Rawness. Even the ones that were intentionally game and shallow, they had you convinced. A real, original story and some terrifying scenes that left you stone cold. I truly loved the ending, I haven't stopped hyping up this film since I watched it.

Was in the mood for horror and thought this would be a dead cert. However, I was left feeling disappointed.

When I watch a horror film, I do actually need there to be a good, solid storyline and characters I can invest in. Here, despite there being a few well done creepy moments, it just felt a bit hollow. I didn't feel there was a genuine story, just lots of generic horror scares. Granted there were a couple of moments I enjoyed but I wish it followed up with more than it did. Where did it all tie in? It didn't feel authentic to me, more of a mish mash. Sad to say it lost my interest quite quickly.

Lots of rave reviews which is what made me watch this old 80s cult classic horror-comedy after never having seen it. It was fun and campy for the time, I enjoyed the fashion, punks and nostalgic feeling, but I think it's a film that holds a special place in a lot of people's hearts from when it first came out. Perhaps that's why there is such overly great reviews. Obviously it is a bit silly and over the top. I cracked a couple of smiles and was generally entertained but would say I had sort of had enough towards the end. Some of the acting was very hysterical and over the top. I'm glad I watched it but perhaps it would have been better 40 years ago.

Despite the fact that I wasn't a fan of the actual book which felt gloomy and depressing, I thought the show could be quite decent. Started off okay and the concept had potential for good horror, but it just feels like here we go again- a bunch of teens. All a little bland- one massively irritating. The effect was so dull overall. There was no atmosphere at all. No horror. Boring dialogue. I heard the main character introduce herself about 10 times. We get it, your name is Ilonka. Apparently it's Hungarian. This didn't feel fresh or original. It does feel like another show that's trying to play on the retro teen thing of Stranger Things, by bringing back an old Christopher Pike YA horror. Maybe this is aimed at teens and I'm the wrong market? It's a no from me anyhow.

I thought this was okay but nothing memorable. I loved the book which was fun and retro but also genuinely creepy. The film didn't capture the essence of the book for me, or if it did it was a watered down version that was lacklustre. Everything these days seems to be trying to be a Stranger Things, or at least that's how it feels. This film just didn't feel that fresh and also wasn't remotely scary which was missing the point. Also, who was the target market as it felt YA? The book was about teens but definitely an adult read. I think it could have been so much more, like why not be a full on campy horror like Drag Me To Hell or just something that would be a fun ride. Not just another retro teen story.

This was absolute Halloween perfection. It was witchy, spooky, campy and fun. The witches were excellent- so true to their original characters you would hardly thing any time had passed. Bette Midler absolutely stole the show and was completely compelling. I loved the hypnotic, bewitching feeling and it felt much like those beloved Halloween movies of times passed (okay feeling old.) The new storyline was authentic and the cast were all fantastic. I fell in love with the scenes of them flying over Salem. Yes there is a 'young audience' feel to it- we were also kids when we watched the original don't forget. My 8 and 12 year old loved it and it's the first thing that made them put their devices down since Stranger Things and it's not so often that a great family movie like this comes along. 10 out of 10.

I was a bit disappointed by this show. I didn't find the cast all that engaging and I expected a few more laughs than it provided. Shame as I love Sharon Horgan so was looking forward to this. She usually does such sharp witted humour that's relatable (Motherland, Catastrophe, Divorce.) The storyline was a bit silly and far fetched. A cliche villain of a controlling husband. It was a bit contrived and not all that genuine or believable. Which would be fine but then in that case it would need to be funny so the audience can overlook the nuances. But I didn't laugh much. I just needed a bit more and ended up discontinuing.

These are the kind of shows I love that don't come around often. The actors were so interesting, different, and artistic. The backdrop of Dublin with its slightly melancholic and gritty feel captured me straight away. I read the book some while ago, which I really enjoyed but the storyline didn't overly stay with me. The show brought the story to life with it's intelligent conversation, character flaws and nuances. I found the filming to be sparing and gorgeous- it created this nostalgic feeling. Such a simple storyline with no in-your-face twist or shocking reveal. It's more human, subtle and visceral. I haven't watched Normal People yet but this has made me look forward to watching it.

I really thought this was a series starting from her early life and was disappointed when it ended and it was just a one off film. It felt like it was just getting started to be honest and I was ready to get stuck in. I thought it was interesting how they showed her parasitic, sociopathic side. So many times her story has been painted as poor woman turns on abusers. I was really interested to get an insight into her as a young woman. Great actors, the mannerisms and expressions were fascinating to watch. Just wish it had been more and longer.

Haven't watched a horror for a while and found this is a nice surprise. I love modern horror with apps and phones and this one doesn't disappoint. I found it scary at parts and found myself keep looking away. It had an It Follows, Slenderman, or Searching type of feel. I thought it was original with a great cast- I found all the characters engaging. It also had a decent storyline that had me invested. I would definitely say it's one that's worth a watch.

Well done whoever cast Renee Zellweger as Pam Krupp. She is by far an unobvious choice but is absolutely excellent as the fascinatingly unlikeable- but seemingly mundane and harmless- Pam. There is a true crime book that has recently been released which is how I knew of the story (having never seen the dateline show.) It's twisty and I can see why a show would have been warranted. The creative angle here of Pam slurping her drink and the Desperate Housewives style narrative just work in bringing to story to life as a sort of disturbing caricature as opposed to a dark and miserable crime retelling. This was original and interesting, particularly as I had a vested interest in the case already.

I've read the book Billion Dollar Loser, familiar with the story and was excited (after Inventing Anna) to see one of these type of stories dramatized again. It has all the formula to be ludicrous and entertaining. Obviously Jared Leto is playing a character but he was so generally unlikeable and irritating, with a lot of overacting. I could not get invested and sit through hours of him. No thanks.

I loved Jim Gaffigan's latest comedy offering. Comedy Monster. I find him quite light hearted and relatable. His COVID summary was brilliant and just what was needed, and I enjoyed pretty much all the anecdotes, he just hit the nail on the head and kept us laughing all the way through. Recommended.

I found Nate on what was it... Netflix Stand Ups or somewhere and immediately connected to his brand of everyday humour. When I later saw he had his own Netflix stand up show, The Tennessee Kid, I was all in and laughed the whole way through. I was excited to see his latest offering on Netflix. I recently watch Jim Gaffigans new stand up and loved his COVID summary, I think it's just the sort of thing everyone needs right now. And the same here as with Nate's comments on the pandemic, it elicited a good few laughs. But it did plateau as he told some stories that felt long winded and weren't that interesting or relatable. It's the relatable side of things that connects me to comedy and for the majority that was missing. It started to gain momentum towards the end as he detailed the row with his wife and spoke about ageing parents, the kid that stole the syrup, that I could get with and my husband and I were really laughing. I think if he focused more of the nitty gritty of life as a parents, husband, son, you know, all the relatable sort of stuff, that's when he's at his best.

I watched this after seeing a lot of praise for Dave Chapelle, I had watched one of his stand ups previously which was ok. Here I was expecting a lot but it felt as though it was delivered with an edge of arrogance and just not all that humorous. Touching on LBGTQ and racism in America, it did not elicit a laugh. Perhaps not the best topics for 'comedy' where people just want to let off steam, connect with the comedian on a personal level and laugh whole heartedly.

... I'm back in all my SATC feels. There's humour, grief, modern day living, old friends, new friends, fashion, fabulousness, out with the old and in with the new- mixed with some nostalgia, a dreamy closet, and plenty of cosmopolitans. Charlotte was her fabulous ditzy self, I still love her dynamic with good old Harry. Carrie was very true to her character, as was Miranda. The Samantha storyline was handled well, I didn't miss her presence at all. Thankfully Noth didn't feature much. I loved seeing all the originals like Stanford, Steve and Anthony. There were 'woke' topics woven in but given that SATC was always vibrant, forward thinking, gay, and current at the time, it handles the topics of today in quite authentic and original ways that weren't at odds with the overall tone and storyline (of sex and relationships). I found it was also handled with humour which is the reason it worked- No one wants to feel preached at about important topics (or ones irrelevant to the context of the show or movie which seems to happen often), they just want to be entertained and laughter and relatability are uniting. I still loved the New York aesthetic, the apartments, characters, wardrobes, and I liked the arrival of Charlottes 'mom friend' she was a worthy addition to crew and her energy suited the show. And now for everything seemingly mundane like turning the light switch off I shall say, "and just like that..."

Just a glorified nat geo documentary, certainly no Grizzly Man. Not particularly gripping or interesting, any more than your average nature documentary. Not a Friday night or Saturday night date anyway but some mindless weekday viewing it might be okay.

I had to turn it off as it was so 'artsy' with endless sweeping shots of windows and skyscrapers. It was unnecessary and detracted away from any storytelling.

If you are looking for an entertaining, heartwarming and funny Christmas film, like The Family Stone, I would say this is the Christmas film for you. I loved Olivia Wilde and her dialogue back and forth with Jake Lacey. What a great cast: Amanda Seyfried, Diane Keaton, John Carpenter, Ed Helms and others. Some good funny moments but mostly just a solid cast and storyline that got you invested. I loved it, it ticked all my festive boxes and the snowy scenery have me all the feels.

Funny, punchy, great chemistry and great cast, with just the right balance. I loved the 'romantic' storyline because I thought they were both quirky and relatable. The plot was fun without being cheesy. And some of it was laugh out loud and pretty decent comedy. Did I mention great characters. Honestly I wasn't expecting a lot, just some light Christmassy entertainment but I left with the impression that this is def one of the better ones. Fun, modern and festive without a hint of cheese.

Unfortunately it's nothing you haven't already seen all before, about high profile cases that have already been raked over again and again. The Green River Killer, Aileen Wuornos, etc. Might be interesting if you are a true crime newbie but I'm interested to explore the complexities of other, less known cases.

Why is there only 3 episodes? I sat down with my Cheezits ready for a binge fest. Netflix how you gonna do me like that.