Reviews

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 :)

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 :)

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 :)

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 :)

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 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 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 :)

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 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 :)

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 :)

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 :)

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 :)

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 :)

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 :)

Sucks some of the charm out of the original and replaces it with some intense fighting and action scenes.

Its a much darker story than the original and it packs quite the punch, kick and pretty much everything else.

The story is pretty much pointless, gone are all the moments in the original about training his team and making things better. This is I like to fight and I'm a bit of a pyschopath.

Having said that, it has some funny moments and most of the support cast are really great with some truly delightful henchmen.

Finally Conor McGregor. Way OTT but actually suited the film and his off the wall character was pretty funny. Plus he added some great creditibility to the fight scenes.

Check it out for yourself :)

One of the things I really like about this movie is that it lives in the day to day of life for each character in the movie. Most movies will explore the big picture but the joy here is in the minute.

The banter and other small interactions are the key to the film. Showing that even under the worst circumstances people adjust and attempt to normalise.

The story also reflects this approach. The plot...there is a body in a well...that's it. But, that is far from the the whole story as you will discover.

Worth watching for the good performances across the main cast and the easy way you connect with the characters :)

High-Rise is a Clockwork Orange style step into social status and what that can mean for people on the different steps of the class ladder.

At times it will seem non-sensical but that is just a representation of the craziness. Even Caligula's horse show up at one point.

The characters are wonderfully rich and full of colour and vigor. The scenarios they live through spectacularly fantastic and dramatic. Its like the entirety of the building's residents are on cocaine!

A large number of people will not enjoy High-Rise which is a shame because its really good. If you liked Clockwork Orange then I'm sure you will appreciate High-Rise :)

Jessica Chastain can absolutely carry a film on her own!

Her performance in MIss Sloane is exceptional. The story is great but her performance elevates it to another level.

The co stars are good but not on her level and I'm a big Mark Strong Fan.

All aspects of the story keep you engaged as an audience member, the investigation of her personal life as well as her professional one with no scene being wasted.

The pacing is fantastic, you are never left checking the time waiting for something to happen.

A super film that shows how good cinema can be, more movies like this please Mr Hollywood :)

The Girlfriend Experience offers an intriguing premise but falls short in delivery, resulting in an average viewing experience.

The movie follows the life of a high-end escort navigating the complexities of her profession and personal life.

While the film delves into themes of power, intimacy, and identity, it often feels shallow and lacks depth in its exploration.

The characters fail to draw you in on a deeper level, leaving you feeling disconnected.

Its a moderate effort from Sasha Grey, nothing more nothing less.

The Girlfriend Experience has its moments but ultimately fails to leave a lasting impact, making it an average watch and a little dull :)

Once Upon a Time in Venice is a disappointing film that struggles to find its footing.

Despite a talented cast including Bruce Willis and Jason Momoa (I thought this was his best movie so far), the film falls short due to its disjointed plot and lackluster execution.

The story follows a private investigator on a mission to retrieve his stolen dog, leading to a series of chaotic and often nonsensical/pointless events.

While the film attempts to blend action, comedy, and drama, it ultimately fails to deliver on any front, leaving audiences feeling underwhelmed and disengaged.

Overall, Once Upon a Time in Venice is a forgettable film that fails to leave a lasting impression :)

A great Nic Cage movie.

Beautifully shot with a brooding soundtrack, Butcher's Crossing delves in to the psychology of the hunter.

At one point in the show it really does look like the film is going down the road of Apocolypse Now. The dark man becoming darker as he gets lost in his hunt, making irrational decisions as he can now only obsess about one thing. However it pulls up before fully exploring this particular heart of darkness.

Cage is fantastic. He applies rare restraint in the delivery of his character allowing the story to do most of the work.

Its a very enjoyable film exploring a regretable piece of history, not to be missed :)

I have just entered this universe with the release of Nun II (I've been busy lol). As so I have decided to review all the films in one place.

The series has highs and lows but overall it is a very entertaining place to visit. So here we go...

The Conjuring (2013) sets the standard for the franchise with its masterful blend of atmospheric tension and genuine scares. Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga shine as paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, anchoring a story that grips viewers from start to finish.

Annabelle (2014) serves as a chilling spin-off, delving into the origins of the malevolent doll introduced in "The Conjuring." While it lacks the depth of its predecessor, it still delivers effective scares and showcases the creepy doll's sinister presence.

The Conjuring 2 (2016) continues the Warrens' saga with another spine-tingling case. Director James Wan crafts a haunting atmosphere, bolstered by strong performances and compelling storytelling. The film's focus on the Enfield Poltergeist case adds layers of intrigue to the series.

Annabelle: Creation (2017) improves upon its predecessor, offering a more polished and terrifying exploration of the Annabelle mythos. Director David F. Sandberg expertly builds suspense, delivering a rollercoaster ride of frights that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats.

The Nun (2018) expands the Conjuring Universe with a sinister tale set in a remote Romanian abbey. While it boasts impressive visuals and an eerie atmosphere, it falls short in terms of narrative coherence and character development, relying heavily on jump scares. It does however enjoy one of the best looking baddies in cinema history in my opinion.

The Curse of La Llorona (2019) marks a departure from the main storyline, focusing on a Hispanic folklore legend. While it offers a few chilling moments, it ultimately feels disjointed and formulaic, lacking the depth and originality of other entries in the franchise. Despite some debate its absolutely part of the universe.

Annabelle Comes Home (2019) is a solid entry into the Conjuring Universe with inventive scares and a solid cast. Set in the Warrens' home, the film delivers spine-tingling thrills as the possessed doll unleashes chaos. Despite some pacing issues, it's a worthy addition to the series, offering fun and thrilling horror for fans.

The Conjuring 3: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021) takes a different approach by exploring a real-life murder trial involving demonic possession. While Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga continue to shine as the Warrens, the film struggles to maintain the same level of tension and scares as its predecessors.

The Nun II (2023) Loved it! One of the best entries in the universe. Its powerful, interesting and has many great moments. It shows there is plenty of life left in the series.

A bit like Star Wars there are discussion on how to watch the movies, release order of chronological order. For me its always release order, otherwise where is the surprise over who is Luke's daddy :)

Flashback is a lively and funny film that explores the collision of generations and ideologies.

Dennis Hopper and Kiefer Sutherland deliver charismatic performances, injecting the movie with humor and depth. The movie may have played better if Donald Sutherland had taken Hopper's role in the film?

The story navigates through themes of rebellion, identity, and nostalgia, resonating with throwback audiences or those just looking for a bit of fun.

Flashback is a humerous journey but not one to be looked at too deeply. Its just a film not an examination so don't make the mistake that some obviously have, by treating the show as a documentary :)

Killing Time treads familiar ground in the thriller genre, offering a serviceable but unremarkable viewing experience.

Despite the committed performances of its cast, the film struggles to transcend its formulaic plot and lacks the ingenuity needed to captivate audiences.

While there are fleeting moments of suspense, they're often overshadowed by predictable twists and clichéd tropes.

Watching Early Sutherland is the highlight of the movie, even though his performance is a little understated.

Ultimately, Killing Time may provide mild entertainment for those seeking a straightforward thriller, but it fails to leave a lasting impression or offer anything new to the genre :)

Denial meticulously recounts the real-life legal clash between historian Deborah Lipstadt and Holocaust denier David Irving.

Rachel Weisz commands the screen with her portrayal of Lipstadt, supported by a stellar ensemble cast. The film adeptly navigates the complexities of the trial, highlighting the importance of historical truth and the dangers of distortion.

However, while the narrative remains gripping, the emotional resonance occasionally feels muted, leaving some scenes wanting in intensity.

Nevertheless, Denial remains a thought-provoking and well-crafted exploration of a crucial moment in history.

Sadly this movie is more relevant today than it was when it was made :)