Reviews

I hadn't heard about this film until I put it on today and I must say I was pleasantly surprised going in blind. If you enjoy Guy Ritchie films or rian Johnson's knives out then you will likely live this. The casting and acting is perfect with both Charlie Hunam amd Mel Gibson having great fun as aloof characters piecing together an inter woven murder mystery with lots of twists that keep you intrigued and guessing. The location is perfect for the film too being almost exclusively set in Hollywood the film can lean on the weird and wacky sub culture which exists and poke fun when needed.

Overall this is a fun murder mystery film that seems to have flown under the radar.

A full six months after announcing his retirement the final movie of Bruce Willis career is released. Like most of his dozen or so low budget movies released post pandemic this is another very disappointing effort. Like most of the others you have Willis as the big name to draw in audiences with another known actor playing the lead role. Throw in a poorly written script and neither Bruce or Kevin Dillon have much to work with but even then both look very old for these roles and their delivery is tired and almost comically bad. I actually think Kevin is trying to deliver some comic relief because he knows how bad the plot and script are.

Anyway the plot, Kevin is a new agent in a wire room - I must admit I has never heard of this until this movie. He's listening in to taped recordings amd largely just sat around bored in a room alone until he realises someone is about to be killed and he needs to decide whether to break strict protocols to save them. The story then unravels with corruption and betrayal which is all quite predictable.

It's such a shame to have seen Bruce go out like this rather than with one of the semi watchable low budget movies that have come out recently.

Upon my first watch I wasn't totally sure about Rogue One, but every time I watch it since my view becomes more positive. That's especially true when compared to the CGI over reliant prequels and the disaster sequels and the frankly woeful Solo.

This actually has a solid script which ties in nicely to the other films (unlike Solo where there is no consistency), it's extremely well acted, balances the tension of the story, which is darker in tone the most films in the universe. The two leads Felicity Jones and Diego Lima were little known at the time but are amazing in every sense. The supporting cast are all great too without the need to childish humour or dumbing down. You realise they are in a fight for survival for different reasons and willing to do what ever it takes to succeed.

The film ends perfectly but you have a bitter sweet feeling.

I've been a massive fan on Bruce Willis since childhood and having been shocked to see his flood of low budget movies and subsequent retirement this year i went back to watch all the movies and realised somehow that this was one which I had missed. Looking at the cast your have Willis but also Steve Gutenberg who was a major A list actor in the eighties (again going back to my early childhood) and MMA/ Expemdables star Tito Ortiz so some pretty well known people attached, it was also pre pandemic so I was hopeful this would have a larger budget and Bruce would have been selective of which movies he stars in.

Sadly all my assumptions were wrong. This movie is a pre-curser for the glut of low budget/very low quality Willis movies where he filmed his scenes in a couple of days and attached his name to generate interest. The plot and premise could definitely work, it probably doesn't need a big budget either but the acting is very much off note and movie plods along with plot holes galore and no real tension or realism. You can see what's going to happen early and sure enough it does.

Sadly this feels like the movie where Bruce Willis career died and he just focused on quantity rather than quality.

This is an absolutely terrible movie, poorly acted, poorly written and badly directed. Like me I suspect you may have decided to watch it because it stars Christian Slater and Donald Sutherland but the sad fact is they are in supporting roles and must be absolutely desperate for cash. It's baffling to me how anyone thought this could make money looking at the plot amd more importantly the script. Equally I hope the agent for Sutherland and Slater got well paid to get them to 'star' in this shocker.

To surmise I've seen a number of low budget movies with Hollywood A listers in but this is genuinely one of the worst.

I believe this is Bruce Willis final film, like many others I've watched his recent glut of films over the last eighteen months literally stunned at how bad most of them are with only a couple barely ok. For what it's worth this is probably one of the better ones but it still has a lot of problems. Here we see Willis, along with Thomas Jane relegated to the role of interesting background character, both do a relatively ok job considering what they have to work with. The plot itself is a rehash of other revenge type films where a lead has a loved one killed them sets out to take revenge on a criminal organisation. Oh and said lead just happens to be a well trained military person.

The problem here is there are huge plot holes everywhere, it literally takes place in small town America in place which is very clean and clearly affluent yet we are led to believe there are armed gangs of drug dealers running around. This same gang require new members to kill innocents as part of their initiation too, yet whilst doing this there are zero people around in the middle of the day on the main high street? Seriously thought this up? Then we learn the local cops (all four of them) know they are selling drugs but turn a blind eye, yet they leave a protection duty because a kid throws something at their patrol car. This is where what could be a relatively fun revenge movie packed with a number of recognisable faces falls very flat. It's probably just about watchable if you want to see every Willis movie but the plot holes need some excusing.

The MCU has consistently released high quality films, that have a coherent and engrossing back story that fit and connect into the puzzle of the wider universe. With the bar so high anything that drops below the bench mark stands out. That was the case with the Hulk, Eternals (both of which appear to be quietly forgotten about) and here.

The issue here is not the character (we long since fell in love with her in the Ironman and Avenger films) or Scarlett's acting (which is always on point), it's simply a weak plot seemingly pushed out to make money off a popular secondary character rather than fitting into a wider intertwined story. It's riddled with plot holes and questionable acting which could so easily have been a short tv show on Disney + instead.

Sadly forgettable MCU instalment just done badly.

It's a low budget film with Bruce Willis topping the casting we've seen that a lot over the past twelve months. Usually the films are out right terrible (with a couple of watchable exceptions) so the bar is low. In this one Bruce is really in the background but notabley there is a plot here and solid acting backed up by decent special effects. It's far from a top movie but I'm glad Willis has ended his career with a slight uptick in quality after his last few disasters.

A futuristic prison encounter which is just about worth the time investment.

Someone had the idea of an all female super spy film, you can just imagine them back slapping each other that feminism is a popular topic and people will really get behind this. The only problem is the plot is absurd, screen play is daft and the talented cast are wasted. I turned it off about half way through it was that bad.

The first movie was terrible, when they announced they wanted to make a trilogy I laughed and assumed they had no chance especially with Bruce Willis announcing his retirement. Yet somehow here we are, a movie released a month or two after Willis retired. Same low budget, fishy acting, embarrassing script and woeful plot. I had to really motivate myself to see Willis penultimate movie because he was always one of my favourite actors but god this was a struggle to get through. Suggest you don't waste your time because it's so bad it's not even funny.

I can see this being loved by a niche market, mostly young teenage girls and maybe the ethnic group it's based upon however for the rest of us it's not what we are used too. In other words don't expect the usually high calibrate Marvel product instead expect a story about a love struck young Muslim girl trying to live out her dreams.

Released just after he announced his retirement from acting I must admit it was a struggle to motivate myself to watch this having seen Willis last few absolutely dire movies. That said, I was pleasantly surprised because despite some flaws with the script it's actually watchable unlike the vast majority of trash Willis put out last year.

This film is gritty and deliberately shot in a way that builds on the story of murder of a group of women and the spotlight falling on a down and out suspect who wants to prove his innocence and find out what really happened. The two notable actors Willis and Wilson play the two detectives who follow up on the murder, they are both pretty poorly acted roles, but the lead actor and other supporting cast (shout out to eighties rap legend the DOC who also has a small random cameo) really make the film. Yes there is some cringe heavy dialogue and some head scratching scripting but you can just about watch this one.

Released fifteen years after the first movie there didn't appear to be a need for this movie to be made, especially after the relatively Luke warm reception of the third movie. That said I am glad they did as it means the Franchise ends on a high.

What I like here is this returns to the teen slasher genre of the first two films but maintains a good bait and switch who done it plot - probably the hardest to predict who is behind the mask and their motives. The main cast are all back with Sid now in her thirties and releasing a book, she is back in Woodsboro to launch it. Gail and Dewey are married (just like the actors who play them) and have prominent roles in the local community. We then have the younger cast ensemble, no real famous names here other than Hayden Panniterre but they largely do a good job and the characters are fleshed out a bit and less wooden than the third instalment. There is also a more modern twist with the internet playing a prominent role with the movie moving away from cell phones. The one thing it doesn't have is the famous cameos and probably a little less satirical humour.

Overall this is an enjoyable fourth movie and good way to close the franchise.

I had forgotten how good the scream movies are until I went back and watched them this week. They manage to combine original plot twists into a worn out genre, introducing a well thought out bait and switch who done it sub plot, whilst also mixing in satire, a sprinkle of comedy and a number of famous cameos. The first movie was a game changer, the sequel showed it could be done twice, the problem here is whilst the third part of the trilogy is a good movie it can't compete with those which come before it.

I think part of the problem is this one feels more predictable in the sense that we already know the formula, even though the identity of the killer(s) is not obvious it doesn't really hit you as a total surprise, also there are some gaping plot holes. I also think another problem is the original antagonists have aged. Sid is now a twenty something living a secluded life and sits on the periphery of the film for the opening 20-30 mins, Courtney Cox noticeably looks a lot older (she must be late forties at this point), David Arquette has wrinkles. Not to be ageist but the essence of the first two films was a teen slasher so when your main cast look old enough to be a young grandparent the theme has to change. To an extent it does they bring in a younger crew who are the actors behind the movie stab however they become very cliche and almost have that red jacket feel as our tried and trusted crew run around solving the murders.

Don't get me wrong there is still a lot to like in this movie but it has a different feel and just cannot reach the heights of its predecessors.

The first movie raised the bar on teen slasher horror movies and this one doesn't disappoint either (although I am surprised by its relative low rating score).

It picks up two years after the first where the teenage survivors are at university, Cotton Weary is out of prison proven innocent, Gail Weathers is trying to interview Sid and Cotton about the past and then more killings begin. The film quickly reverts back to the formula that did so well in the first film with a bait and switch who done it. Along the way it pokes fun at the horror genre in clever dialogue without watering down the horrors. It also gives itself plenty of opportunity for famous cameos (see how many you can spot).

All in all a top quality sequel and probably where it should have ended.

I believe this was the final movie Bruce released prior to announcing his retirement from acting on health grounds. Although it officially released in January 2022 it's right now being promoted on Amazon Prime so I decided to give it a watch more for sentimental reasons. Sadly like the nine he released in 2020 this is bad (although oddly there a couple worse such as Fortress and Breach).

In short you have a Hollywood mega star in a low budget B movie which was filmed in just a couple of weeks. The basic premise is a hostage negotiation driven by the death of a character by some hill billies then in comes the local Sheriff (Willis) to save the day. The acting, screen play and direction are extremely poor but I managed to see it out only as it was Willis farewell.

For those of you who don't know Hollywood A List actor Bruce Willis randomly made a bunch of low budget straight to Streaming platform movies post pandemic in 2021 then announced his retirement in early 2022. Clearly this was a quick money grab because these films are in the main very poor with a few just about watchable. Although this isn't the worst of them it's still really poor. Why? The plot is bizarre, Willis a retired CIA agent is living in a remote retirement home in what appears to be a tropical island (it was filmed in Puerto Rico), This retirement home is monitored by armed guards and top security personnel yet living quarters appear basic with residents seemingly working on their gardens and living a quiet life - everyone appears to be American too. Willis estranged son who he has not seen for over a decade has tracked him down and comes to visit to ask for money to set up his own crypto currency. This is when things get interesting as a group of mercenaries (led by Willis old CIA adversary Jesse metcalfe) turn up and cause havoc. This is the cue for Willis to whip out his guns in an embarrassingly core-graphed sequence before hiding out in the retirement home bunker known as the fortress as the baddies seek to steel money. That's really the plot, everything in between is poorly scripted and acted.

I only watched this as I thought it was Willis final movie but it was a real chore. Oddly they are making a sequel - unsure if Willis will be in it given his retirement. All I can say is Amazon Prime must be desperate as this movie stinks.

For those of you who may be unaware post Pandemic Bruce Willis (the A-List mega star actor) randomly made a handful of low budget straight to streaming platform or TV movies, nobody could understand why really until early 2022 he announced his retirement on medical grounds. Releasing at the end of 2021 (just a couple of months before his official retirement) this is one of his final ever movies. It's a shame that it really isn't very good but in comparison with the others he's released (some of which are truly terrible) it's actually one of the better ones.

The movie itself is clearly built on the "Die Hard" premise, group of terrorists take over a Dam and one 'lone ranger' who technically shouldn't be there brings them down. The concept sounds great but the execution really isn't. Firstly the motive for taking the Dam is out right stupid, secondly the mercenaries/terrorists don't follow logic, often cannot shoot well and secondly there is no real character building. The dialogue and camera work is very low budget too.

Overall if you love Bruce maybe you can just about give this a watch if you have nothing else to do otherwise steer clear.

Dean Cain and Kristy Swanson are big names from my childhood age of nineties movies and TV. This is the first time I can recall seeing either in a movie for many years but they both do a solid job in what is a low budget TV/streaming level movie about the sex trafficking industry. There are a few moments in the film that feel like a stretch for example my understanding is most girls come from abroad or from poor broken homes so they are less likely to be missed rather than from a rich rural family as happens here. Overall it's a watchable movie but nothing outstanding.

I put this on expecting it to be trash as I've not seen a decent van Dam film for at least twenty years but it's surprisingly solid. Sure it has a few minor flaws but it's well cast, keeps moving and keeps the gang concepts and I understand pretty true to life.

Definitely worth a watch if you are looking for something.

I've said it before but Bruce Willis is one of my favourite A list actors of the past 30 years. That he now somehow finds himself making straight to TV/streaming movies is really a sad end to his great career. I can only think he knew about his declining health and made a dash to get half a dozen or so low budget (and poor quality) films out whilst he still could.

Now in relation to this movie, I actually feel it's the best of a very bad bunch. The visuals are better and there is a reasonable plot behind it. That plot is simply man dumped on island has to survive being hunted by rich elites who enjoy blood sport, it's been done before many times. Mixed in are some great nods to Willis acting career which add a bit of fun to the general cat and mouse. The budget is clearly pretty low compared to most Willis films but they generally do well and keep the sci-if parts limited and focus more on the small group of actors.

I believe he still has one more movie to release before his retirement, it would be nice if it's better than this but my expectations remain low.

It's so strange and tragic to see a Hollywood icon and A lister like Bruce Willis end up in straight to DVD movies. He's one of my favourite all time actors so having heard the news of his retirement this week I decided to check out his new (not quite his last) movie. I had seen his last two movies - which were also low budget straight to DVD - and this is clearly a level up from those thankfully. That said it's still not very good and if it didn't have Willis and to a lesser extent the reliable Frank Grillo as headline cast I doubt anyone would even watch it.

The first movie is a cult classic and further elevated by the Cobra Kai tv series but this sequel is kind of the kid in class you forget about. I was very young when the first movie was made but like so many kids at the time I absolutely loved it and joined up for Karate lessons. Despite this being released two years after the original the sequel just didn't capture the imagination. It's not a terrible movie by any stretch, it just feels unnecessary. It gives the back story of Mr Miyagi rather than Daniel learning karate - which was probably the pulling point of the first film. This in itself is fairly well done and actors generally do a good job just it doesn't capture the imagination. The whole sub plot of Daniel tagging a long to Japan and finding a new love interest feels very cliche in among the back story concept.

At least Cobra Kai understands why people fell in love with the Karate Kid. I'd say watch this movie only if you want to understand the origin of some characters in the TV show or you have an interest in understanding the Mr Miyagi back story.

Genuinely surprised by the current average rating of this movie. It's an inspiring true story of how one man over came what looks like impossible odds to achieve a goal nobody would think possible. It's well acted and well balanced between fight scenes (that hold up pretty well) and emotional drama through tragedy and seeing his mother deal with emotions - yes every mother believes their kids are special amd can achieve anything but seeing them take a beating in MMA as they start out must be super tough.

Overall a good enjoyable film that will appeal to more than just MMA fans.

This is Netflix at its best finding real life stories which appear almost too far fetched to be true. Here we follow three real women who realise they've been conned out of huge sums of money by a fraudster posing as a billionaires son. Instead he's using tinder to meet amd dupe women into falling in love with him. He's then using their money in a Ponzi scheme to keep tricking others. This is hard because the victims are largely smart and simply trusting good people.

Give this a watch if you want to get sucked into the crazy story and bemused as to how the con artist has managed to trick so many without the full force of the law catching him.