Change Your Image
JimmyTheFilmCritic
Ratings
Most Recently Rated
Reviews
Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
Thor Ragnarok
First things first, if you like Marvel Studio films then you're going to enjoy this one. If you dislike Marvel Studio films (why?) then this one isn't going to convince you to jump on board with the MCU. Thor and Hulk/Banner team up and the banter between the two is at times very funny. Tessa Thompson did give a decent performance as Brunnhilde, but to be honest, I'd rather have had Jaimie Alexander's Sif in this flick as we've got history with that character. However, I definitely see Brunnhilde becoming integral part of the MCU and can see her character being expanded upon if they make a Thor 4.
The soundtrack (which I loved), CGI, and action all complement the movie. Taika Waititi directing was, as always superb and I would love to see Marvel Studios give him more projects to work on. I think his humor would fit Spider-Man or Iron Man pretty well.
The reason this doesn't get ten stars because yet again the villain is underdeveloped and although we're told time and time again that Hela is this all powerful Goddess I don't quite feel it. I can't really discuss it without going into spoilers, but I found the character underwhelming a bit. However, Cate Blanchett was amazing both to look at and her performance.
I would highly recommend you go see this. Probably best Superhero movie of the year in my opinion.
The Snowman (2017)
The Snowman
A totally disjointed film that has a lot going on, but is poorly executed and leaves you feeling confused and asking yourself why is the killer so into snowmen for? I'll confess I've not read the book by Jo Nesbø so maybe it's explained better in the book, but in the film it isn't explained at all. What's even worst, it's pretty obvious who the killer was from quite early on which I hate. Because half the fun is trying to figure out who's done it.
You never really connect to any of the characters either. So when they're in danger you don't particularly care and the killer's motive for doing what he/she were doing was a little thin for my taste. However, I think the biggest problem is the character Harry Hole (Michael Fassbender) the character just doesn't get enough character development for my liking. Apparently The Snowman is the seventh book in the Harry Hole series and that's abundantly clear in this film. No time was given to give us the audience enough insight into his character so we can understand his motivations and why he is the way he is. I think the film could have done with some of that.
Overall, it's not worth your time. They're better films out there you can spend your two hours on and it's a shame because the premise was really good. But sadly, it's wasted on this poorly executed film.
Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
Blade Runner 2049
Wow, what a ride. I was hesitant about going to see this movie. Because how on Earth could this film equal the first film? Also, the nearly three hour run time was off putting. But I put those fears aside and went into this film hoping for the best but fearing the worst. Thankfully, this film is amazing.
Let me say If you enjoyed the first film, then I believe you will enjoy this one. However, if you didn't like the original, then I highly doubt you will enjoy this one. Because this film was made by a fan for fans and wow does it deliver. Every shot in this film essential nothing about this film is filler. It builds up at a nice pace with interesting characters and cinematography. The directing in this film was superb and I really hope Denis Villeneuve wins an Oscar for Best Director because he deserves it.
It's a must see film of 2017 and I would highly recommend this film to everyone. Go see it!
But I have one little nitpick and it's kind of a pet peeve of mine and that's Sean Young's Rachael character from the original film. I'm not a huge fan of CGI in the first place and she's made to look as young as she did in the original film. My problem with that is they have used a younger actress body and used CGI to put her face on whoever was playing the body of Rachel. The CGI tracking was a bit off so the face felt a little unnatural at times for me and it took me out of the film for a second. It's a nitpick I know, but I feel it should be mentioned.
Gerald's Game (2017)
Gerald's Game
I'm not going to lie, I'm not the biggest Stephen King fan you will ever meet. I've read about eight of his books and only really found three of them to be quite entertaining. Those would be Salem's Lot, The Stand, and IT if anyone is interested and I hadn't read Gerald's Game going into this film. So I wasn't too sure about watching it, but so many people were raving about this film on Netflix, I just had to give it a watch and I'm glad that I did.
The film is about a couple trying to reignite their marriage by going away for a kinky weekend. But things take a turn for the worst when her husband Gerald (Bruce Greenwood) has a heart attack and dies. Jessie (Carla Gugino) is chained to the bed with no apparent way to escape and no help for miles around.
What makes this film so compelling for me is how it's able to tell a legitimately creepy story, but still be incredibly smart and relevant at the same time. When you think about it Jessie's situation is terrifying in itself, but when you look deeper and discover the trauma she suffered as a child it gives you an understanding as to how she ended up married to Gerald in the first place and it's heartbreaking. It's a glimpse at how past traumas can manifest themselves throughout one's life and how you will always be a servant to them until you're ready to face them head on.
Mike Flanagan's did an amazing job with this film with directing and co-writing the screenplay with Jeff Howard. But the film biggest asset is Carla Gugino. Oh man her performance in this film was nothing but breathtaking and amazing. If she doesn't get a Best Actress Nomination at next years Oscars, then The Academy is out of touch with reality. Because she deserves it after that performance, she give in this film. I cannot recommend this film an enough. It's on Netflix go watch it!
Under the Shadow (2016)
Under The Shadow
Set in the '80s during the Iran-Iraq War a mother and daughter struggle to come to terms with an unseen force that is preying on them.
I have to say I really enjoyed this film. It's genuinely creepy and made me jump a couple of times, which isn't something that often happens to me as I've watched horror movies nearly all my life and have become desensitized by them. The external threat of the war where a bomb might literally drop on them at any second and the internal threat that some unseen force has targeted this mother and daughter for whatever insidious purpose the Djinn might have really struck a cord with me. It made me feel uneasy for the mother and daughter; the performances from Narges Rashidi and Avin Manshadi respectively are brilliant. You really believe they could be mother and daughter. The director slowly builds the tension as the movie progresses and overall this horror movie is just well executed. Which comes together to make for a powerful experience for the viewer.
Maybe if this was just another run of the mill Hollywood horror film, then maybe it wouldn't be as good? I can't answer that. But I can't help feeling the setting, the social and historical commentary that plays a part in this film's narrative really elevated this film to another level and I would highly recommend you watch this film for all horror fans out there who like a good ghost story.
Les quatre cents coups (1959)
The 400 Blows
This was my first film I've seen from François Truffaut and wow what a film to start off with.
Often as adults we look at children and think about how easy they've got it and yearn to be children ourselves again. But Truffault shows us that it isn't as easy as we would like to believe. Throughout the film, Antoine is struggling to find his place in the world. His home life is dysfunctional, he's disenfranchised with his school life and his teachers don't care about him or his education. I have to say I relate to Antoine quite a bit in some respects which makes that small scene near the end of the film when Antoine is being driven away in the police car and he is staring out of the window with tears in his eyes it just felt like a dagger through the heart for me. This is a brilliant film and highly worth a watch if you haven't seen it already.
12 Angry Men (1957)
12 Angry Men
I love these types of movies. One setting, a bunch of actors, and no room for actors trying to phone in their performances.
This film is very compelling. We see 12 Men debating whether this young boy is innocent of murdering his father. A serious crime that will lead to him being given the death penalty if found guilty and all the jury, but one is convinced he did it.
This movie shouldn't be such a good watch. But it is. I've no real interest in the inner workings of law, but I was very fascinated by it and the movie run time flew by. Which is a good sign that you're watching an absolute classic. A must watch for sure.