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Reviews
Knives Out (2019)
An intelligent and witty version of Cluedo in film.
This is an intelligent and witty version of Cluedo in film that is entertaining throughout. The cast are tremendous especially Daniel Craig depicted as a Southern American detective hired to crack the case. The ending was also unpredictable which for this day in age is an achievement.
The Irishman (2019)
Thank you Mr Scorsese.
I was so nervous sitting down for this film but in hindsight I should have never had any doubts. This is 3 hours and 30 minutes of classic Scorsese film making.
The script, dialogue and cinematography made this feature feel like a classic Scorsese gangster but with it's Goodfellas and Casino feel there is also something very reminiscent and coming of age about this film, not only for the viewers and the characters but for the legendary cast.
Robert De Niro and Al Pacino really do give us their all here but to me Joe Pesci stole the show. Usually depicted as a ruthless hot head he is a very calm and controlled mob boss who with just a stare can say so much.
Despite the de aging technology not being flawless you do get use to it.
To Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci and of course Mr Scorsese, thank you for making a film of such class, beauty and attention.
Doctor Sleep (2019)
It shines...but not brightly.
An all grown up and traumatised Danny Torrence portrayed by Ewan McGregor embraces the screen again as a struggling alcoholic helping a child with a similar psychic gift named Abra (Kyliegh Curran) to take on an evil gang of "shine" hungry killers led by Rose The Hat (Rebecca Ferguson).
On a couple of negative notes I have never read the books by Stephen King but to me it feels like they have tried to cram every detail of the novel into this film and despite it being a two and a half hour feature it felt rushed.
Although the computer graphics were visually impressive it would have been more fitting as a sequel to the Shining if they toned back on the graphics and made it feel more raw.
The similar looking actors they selected for the flash backs of the original film also felt cheap and unnecessary.
The plot is entertaining until the end though and the cast deliver strong performances throughout especially Ewan McGregor and Rebecca Ferguson.
It's a satisfying sequel to an absolute classic but I just couldn't help but think this would have been more suited and glossed as a slower paced Netflix drama.
Midsommar (2019)
Ari Aster does it again.
If you are looking for a jump scare horror then you are looking in the wrong place but if you are looking for shock then this is the film for you.
I've never seen such a dark film in so much colour as a grief stricken couple on the rocks fly to Sweden with friends to join a 9 day festival with a small commune for a friend's thesis study. What looks like a large family of nature loving hippies turns into a dark psychedelic world of human sacrifice.
Despite the film feeling a bit too long all cast members produce strong performances throughout, the cinematography is breathtaking and the script keeps you enthralled as the unique plot develops.
You'll find yourself becoming more astounded as the film reaches it's sinister conclusion.
Terminator: Dark Fate (2019)
Finally it's here!
Before you sit down with your popcorn let's just start by saying that it is impossible to create a film as strong as the first two and you just need to get that in your head. The reason why the first two films were as monumental as they were was due to the fact that at the time of their release it was a new concept but decades later through another three Terminator films not including Dark Fate and countless other films inspired by them released it is impossible to recreate that feeling of the unknown that the first two films produced.
With that being said let's look at this film fairly and individually and dare I say it I was pleasantly surprised. Despite some action scenes feeling overwhelming at times and it being another film with a female empowering cast Dark Fate is the first film since Judgement Day that holds up as a Terminator film.
With Linda Hamilton brilliantly reprising her role as a scarred Sarah Connor alongside Mackenzie Davis, an augmented super human sent from the future named Grace to protect the new future leader of the human resistance in Dani Ramos portrait by Natalia Reyes, they all give us something different and the dynamic between them is fascinating to watch.
The new villinous Terminator Gabriel Luna is relentless and for the first time in decades you feel the cast are truly being hunted by something invincible.
The film has the occasional nostalgic nod to the previous two films which are subtle without being cheesy and of course let's talk about the man himself, Arnold Schwarzenegger. Without saying to much he shows the T-800 in a new light which is interesting and humorous to watch. He physically looks great as an aged Terminator and when it comes down to the action scenes Arnold returns in all his reloading and skin shredding glory.
Overall I am so relieved that the Terminator has finally released a film of this magnitude. It's non stop, it's moving and it's nostalgic.
Joker (2019)
The darkest depiction of the Joker to date.
Everything from the script and cinematography feels raw, gritty and real making Arthur Flecks transformation to the Joker feel very believable.
This is the darkest depiction of the Joker to date with a breathtaking performance by Joaquin Phoenix that will go down as one of the most powerful performances in film history.
You really feel his vulnerability throughout as the cracks continue to grow until the epic conclusion.
Crawl (2019)
You'll be gripping into your arm rests.
The overall plot was clichéd and the ending could have been less predictable but Barry Pepper and Kaya Scodelario produced very strong performances as they fight to escape a slowly submerging basement during a storm surrounded by flesh hungry Aligators. I went into this film with an open mind and overall I found myself invested in their efforts and gripping in to my arm rests.
Halloween (2018)
Mike Myers still lingers in the shadows of 1978.
It's been 40 years since the original caused every babysitter to resign and after the countless films that followed we are now confronted with the "second sequel" making this one of the boldest releases in horror history and as much as I wanted to love this film I was left feeling very underwhelmed.
The concept of Laurie Strode becoming a monster as a result of the original was very predictable. The conclusion was as expected and although their was an occasional gasp for air it didn't produce any hard hitting scares.
On a positive note the occassional use of Nick Castle as the Shadow, the iconic Halloween music and the opening titles replicating the original make this feel like a Halloween movie. Jamie Lee Curtis delivers a strong performance as a nervous wreck with Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome and the countless nods to all previous Halloween films still make this an enjoyable watch for all the loyal fans but if you are a horror veteran you will see it's cracks.
Mike Myers still lingers in the shadows of 1978.
Hereditary (2018)
You'll be tearing your cheeks from your face in anxiety.
This film is a rare oddity. Very rarely do you get a modern masterpiece in the horror genre but this is exactly that.
The performances of all the cast, the sound, cinematography and the script is phenomenal and so effective together that by the end of the film you'll be tearing your cheeks from your face in anxiety.
This film requires patience and concentration and if you don't have either you might not give the film the credit it deserves which explains some of the negative reviews.
The possession concept may be over used in horror but if you are going to do it this is how its done.
Calibre (2018)
Great Scottish thriller!
There is not much wrong with this film and it deserves a better score than what it is resting on just now.
Two lads decide to go for a hunting trip in the north of Scotland before one of them becomes a father. When hunting a deer it all goes horribly wrong resulting in a confrontation with their emotions, morals and a close community who slowly become more suspicious of them.
All performances are very convincing and the plot is simple yet believable.
It's a great Scottish thriller that will have your hands arching over your mouth in shock.