Reviews

Ridley (Milan Burch) is dealing with the loss of his father, who died one year ago as a hero while saving three people. His mother, Gloria (Victoria Hill), decides to leave New York and move to Western Australia, where the two can start fresh and live with Ridley's grandfather, Spencer (Bill Nighy). Naturally, Ridley would prefer to keep to himself and has no interest in the big move or connecting with his unknown grandfather Spencer.

Upon meeting, Spencer gives the appearance of being an old and grumpy man. Still, overall, he is relatively kind towards Ridley and wishes to help him adjust to his new lifestyle in the outback, even offering to take him camping. Spencer also gives a warning of the dangers to Ridley, explaining to him about nearby Dingos. Ridley is put off by his support.

One night, while Ridley and Spencer are camping in the outback, the two have a disagreement, and Ridley walks away. Soon, he finds a wounded Dingo stuck in a trap. Ridley frees the dingo, and the two share an unlikely moment. Unfortunately, the dingo runs away into the night, and later, both Ridley and Spencer go home. The following day, however, Spencer finds Ridley has disappeared and possibly run away from home. Now Ridley is lost in the outback and reunited with the same dingo he just saved. Together they hope to escape and survive the dangers of the outback while Spencer and Ridley's mother begin their search.

Buckley's Chance is best classed as an Australian family film with little moments of heartfelt drama. The film is filled with great messages and positive vibes right from the opening. There are also attempts at humour along the way, primarily thanks to the film's dim-witted bad guys.

Performances are wonderful. Bill Nighy once again proves, as always, that he is a stunning actor (seriously, Bill, call me, let's catch up for a coffee!). The acting debut of Milan Burch, who plays the leading role of Ridley, was most undoubtedly impressive and pleasing to see. Based on the young actor's work here, I am confident we will see more of him in films to come.

The film's music and soundtrack score were rather touching and pleasing throughout the duration, with only a couple of minor moments felt overdramatic compared to what was on-screen. Side performances from Victoria Hill and Kelton Pell were also great. There were no significant concerns with the film other than, as already stated, the bad guys who I found far too silly. Again, this is a family drama film and somewhat to be expected. The opening, which introduces the character of Spencer, was also questionable, and I felt this introduction could have been far more impacting. Still, thankfully this was forgivable as the film progressed.

Overall, I had a wonderful time watching this film. It's a touching, adventurous, and light-hearted story filled with positive messages about overcoming hurts, surviving, and, most importantly, family. The performance from Bill Nighy is brilliant, along with newcomer Milan Burch who also leaves a positive impression. This is undoubtedly an Australian film worth supporting as it reminds the world that even when you're feeling lost, you are never truly alone.

7.4/10 - Walkden Entertainment.

Mia (Daisye Tutor) is a superstar when it comes to her fame on social media. She is well known for promoting premium cosmetic products under her username @makeupbymia. While her social media profile shows the world nothing but perfection, in the real world, Mia is dealing with a few personal matters, especially when it comes to her family life.

Sadly, Mia's mother passed due to Livingston's disease and to make matters worse, her older sister, Nicole appears to be following down the same path as her mother. When her sister is required to leave home to receive treatment from a particular hospital, Mia offers to babysit Nicole's dog instead of doing a live stream with her boyfriend and her two best friends. While Mia is confident she can take care of the dog independently, her community all live in fear as the news continues to report the many murders conducted by the "South Land Dog Killer" who is still on the loose. Until recently, the killer was well known for murdering dogs but now they have started to murder people.

As the night begins, Mia receives a phone call from an unknown person wanting to play a series of games, and the stakes are the lives of all of those she cares for including her family and her best friends. Mia begins to question if she is experiencing the real thing or just a social media prank. Either way, she begins to play to save lives. Can Mia survive the night and discover the truth to everything that is occurring?

Leading performances throughout this film are outstanding. Naturally, I am talking about the actress Daisye Tutor who plays Mia. As a character, this is undoubtedly someone who goes through a significant roller-coaster of emotion for one night. We also see her character make some extremely challenging choices and deal with multiple surprises at every turn. I enjoyed the top performance, and it is incredibly pleasing and fresh. I felt the actress delivered something extraordinary as the performance alone truly heightens the film.

Shook is a very creative film and introduced a style of editing I have not seen in cinema before. Several creative choices stood out to me while watching the movie, and during many moments I was pleased at the level of creativity, especially when it came to the use of modern technology. When it comes to all the social media talk, I found it quite relatable and positive even if some moments may seem a little too far-fetched to accept. It's still fun.

The pacing of this film is excellent as it never drags or feels dulls. It also does not take long for the film to introduce us to our lead and the film provides a nice balance for Mia's world on social media, and the real world dealing with her family health matters and questioning her best friends. The film enjoys throwing a substantial horror element in the mix and movie lovers will have a wild time with this film and all the surprises. Once the film got underway, I was invested in knowing the film's outcome, and I questioned if Mia would survive the night. The film's twist (or should I say twists!) were never predictable even though at the end of the film I questioned myself as to how I did not see that reveal coming. It is a great feeling to watch a movie that you cannot predict, something that also "Shook" my nerves.

The selection of music here is brilliant, starting with the film's opening credit track. While the musical tracks never felt the same, the musical score would change multiple times to suit the moment on screen. There were so many times where the selection of musical tracks surprised me and for the majority felt rather fitting (except the song selection for the end credits- that one did not quite work for me). But the variety of pop music and synth-music tracks were a significant thumbs up.

Overall, I am pleased to say I had an absolute blast watching this film. A young girl who receives a phone call leading to several 'games' might seem like nothing new, but I assure you, this film is filled with new elements. The film's twists and turns surprised me at every moment, and nothing here was predictable. The top performance by Daisye Tutor is brilliant, and the selection of musical numbers and the film's creative style and editing was also a significant standout. As the credits rolled, I left on a high from everything I witnessed. Sure, some technology elements might seem a little too far-fetched to accept, but this honestly did not bother me. Shook is a new style of horror with plenty to offer which will please many movie lovers and leave them feeling like they've just been on a wild roller-coaster ride.

8.1/10 - Walkden Entertainment

Inspired by real events.

The film is set in the 1930s, North Australia. High Ground follows two men who both have a past filled with pain and hurt. Travis (Simon Baker) is a gun for hire and a skilled bounty hunter. Daily, he is filled with guilt and is haunted by his dark past. He also seeks redemption for his wrongdoings. The second man is a young indigenous man named Gutjuk (Jacob Junior Nayinggul), whose past includes witnessing his own family get brutally murdered when he was just a young boy. From being a sole survivor as a child, Gutjukwas taken away from his village and put under the care of another. As Gutjuk becomes a young man, he receives word that his uncle, Baywara, is still alive and is currently a wanted man for crimes around the Northern Territory. Now, both Travis and Gutjuk will team up and work together to try to save the last of his family. The question is, can these two men work together, trust one another, and find peace from their dark past?

High Ground is a brutal film and a gritty revenge tale. I cannot deny the film can be unsettling at moments due to the dramatic themes and because its story is based on actual events. The action here is also quite violent and realistic. The visuals and filming style are a knockout. Filming styles, including close-ups and use of drones or overhead shots, have been used to show off Australian landscape and animals. The sound design and effects are brilliant. Sounds such as gunshots and other environmental noises (such as grass, wind, bees, birds) are all positives in the film. The sound effects here also help create added tension and suspense during critical moments.

Performances are solid, particularly from Jacob Junior Nayingul as Gutjak. Gutjak as a character is dealing with many challenges as a young man, along with having to make hard choices such as who can he trust and which side should he take. Other actors including Simon Baker, Jack Thompson, Aaron Pedersen and Callan Mulvey all bring something fresh, and I feel they were rather convincing on screen.

The film begins with a gruesome, heartbreaking first act, and a general plot is set up shortly after. The film's pace for me would best be described as a slow-burning revenge tale, and it is filled with unpredictable and tense moments. The pacing, while it is slow, never felt dull. I will admit there was a moment in the film that felt like a final climax, but to my surprise a final, second climax was yet to come. Some edits also seemed questionable as scenes ended and suddenly cut to a shot of birds flying. Moments like this felt out of place and abrupt. While images of animals certainly look real for most of the film, there was one moment, including flying birds which did make me question if it was CGI and not real.

Overall, this is a gruesome and gritty revenge tale which is based on actual events. The film's plot is engaging and unpredictable. Performances are stable, and the film's visuals along with all the use of sound effects are equally impressive. As the credits rolled, I was generally left feeling rather impressed and touched by what I had witnessed in my cinema. I was also surrounded by the silence of other viewers. While it is filled with unsettling moments, it's certainly an Australian film worth supporting on the big screen.

7.1/10 - Walkden Entertainment

When Rey was a kid, he always had dreams of taking on the world as a professional wrestler. But in the present day, Rey (Luke Saliba) has ended up on a very different path. Rey works behind a desk selling photocopy machines along selling general stationery supplies to locals. Rey also works with his long-time best friend, Wade (John Tui), who is always quite encouraging towards Rey.

But in life Rey seems deflated and defeated. Even his best friend claims that Rey has lost his Mana. Supposing you are not familiar with the term, according to Google, Mana is the spiritual life force energy or healing power that permeates the universe in the culture of the Melanesians and Polynesians.

With Rey feeling down and lacking Mana, his friends and even his family are now all trying to help. They help by getting Rey to participate in several activities such as playing football, giving tips on how to dance and even offering advice on how to act around the ladies. One of these activities leads Rey to meet a young nurse who he wishes to pursue a new friendship with. Rey eventually questions his long-life dreams of becoming a wrestler.

Paper Champions is a feel-good comedy, and to my surprise, this film is also filled with heartfelt moments as Rey begins to rediscover himself as a grown man. The film is family-friendly, and I enjoyed how the film was able to be fun, random, witty and deliver well-timed jokes to the screen. Rey, as a character, is mainly quiet and shy, but his family and friends around him are certainly outgoing and full of energy which is perfect for Rey's current situation in life.

As a plot, I found myself quite engaged with the story and perhaps maybe even found it relatable. At no point did I find this film dull or uninteresting, and I was invested in seeing how Rey's life would turn out at the end of this film. Once I started the movie, I had to know how this film would end. It undoubtedly hooked me because of the plot and I watched this film with a smile.

Overall, this film truly surprised me. It is a heartfelt comedy about a man who has lost his way in life but has the determination to rediscover himself. The humour here is family-friendly, and I appreciated this type of witty humour. It did not take long for me to feel invested in this film based on the film's plot and characters, but also because I found the film to be fun and brainless. It's a solid Australian film and I wish we had more films like it!

6.8/10 - Walkden Entertainment

The Mystery of D.B. Cooper is a Documentary about one of the biggest aeroplane heists in history. It was November 1971 and a man known as DB Cooper hijacked a plane flying out of Portland, Oregon. How did he do it? A stranger boarded a plane and handed a note to a female flight attendant advising that a hijacking was about to occur. The flight attendant quickly learnt that the stranger was not mucking around as his briefcase contained explosives. After demanding a large ransom involving cash, DB Cooper was successful with the heist and parachuted out of the hijacked 727 at 10,000 feet over Washington State. No trace of him was ever found. A massive manhunt was conducted by many people including the military, FBI and even Boy Scouts. In the present day, the case is still the only unsolved act of air piracy in American history. Sure, there are many suspects and theories but not enough to ever bring the case to a full closure.

This documentary rehashes the main event, re-enacted by actors and narrated by the real people who were present during the heist, including flight attendants and even the pilots. The film also includes interviews from various people who feel they know who the real DB Cooper is. There are even interviews with people who have written books about the heist or those who have devoted their lives to looking for clues trying to close the case. Several facts and evidence are also shown and discussed throughout the film.

The pacing of this documentary for the most part was quite pleasing. I did notice the runtime and found it a slight struggle as the documentary attempted to wrap up and deliver a conclusion. Visuals are great and the quality of interviews were also very pleasing. As a true story, I will confess, I had no idea about this heist, so I found watching this documentary from the start to finish extremely fascinating and insightful.

Overall, those who enjoy documentaries about unsolved true stories will certainly find this pleasing. A story of a man who conducted a heist on a large plane and then parachutes out with no trace of him is certainly a story that fascinated me. It is unfortunate that the documentary can't reveal all the details and that the final conclusion will be left up to its viewers. Pacing for the most part is pleasing and the quality of this documentary, including the film's visuals and interviews, are also quite positive. Overall, this documentary comes highly recommended.

7.4/10 - Walkden Entertainment

The film opens with an older man on his death bed. With his final breath, he sees another man by his side, and instantly the old man in his bed passes away while the stranger walks away. On the flip side, the film introduces us to a family which consists of William (Garth Breytenbach), his wife Sarah (Inge Beckmann) and their adopted daughter Mary (Keita Luna). The family are driving back to William's family farm to attempt to start a new life. As they begin to settle in and restore the farm, young Mary meets a man in the woods named Lazarus. While Lazarus seems mysterious, he appears to be friendly towards Mary and soon meets her parents. Lazarus reveals that he used to work on the family farm a long time ago and offers his services, including fixing the generator which provides power to the house. While William and Mary see no harm in accepting the extra help, Sarah is not convinced on the stranger's intentions.

But little does this family know, the older man who calls himself Lazarus is a soul collector and is capable of speaking to the dead. Lazarus made an ultimate deal with the devil in a desperate attempt to save his daughter's life and soul after a tragic house fire. An agreement was made, but unfortunately for Lazarus the deal he made was too late, and his daughter died. Now Lazarus roams the lands as he wrestles with his past and his inner demons are hungry for souls.

The film's opening feels relatively slow mostly because nothing made sense to begin with. I'm proud to say after sticking with this film, it pays off significantly. I found this film hooked me in quite quickly as I was eager to understand more about Lazarus and ultimately, what path he will take when it comes to this new innocent family.

Another element that surprised me is that this film is a directional debut by Harold Holscher. As a film debut, I am impressed by the results. The Soul Collector delivers something different and something quite mysterious, which held my investment right till the end. It's also shot well, even during quite dark scenes. And, most importantly, the sound design is also quite impacting and powerful for those that love using their home cinema and surround sound.

As for negatives, I only have a few nitpicks with a release like this. The film's opening, while being mysterious, takes risks in regards to its pacing, and I would imagine some watching the movie may check out quickly rather than having the patience to let the story reveal all the details. While the film is classed as a horror, the film relies on good old jump scares which personally didn't deliver any real suspense. For some viewers, these jump scares could be effective. The film's ending did bring me slight disappointment as some elements are entirely unclear and may offer a different view depending on the interpretation of the audience member. For me, the weaker ending was a significant factor as I enjoyed everything that was being built up towards it.

Overall, as a directional debut, I am genuinely impressed by this film. It's quite mysterious, and I enjoyed how dark this film was. Performances are pleasing, particularly from actor Tshamano Sebe who plays The Soul Collector named Lazarus. Visually, this film is also pleasing and carries an impressive audio track. The movie exceeded my expectations, and I look forward to the director's next film, which I'll gladly support in advance. The Soul Collector is easy to recommend for those seeking a new style of horror film.

6.4/10 - Walkden Entertainment

After a tragic event occurs to a young woman named Sarah, her daughter Clarissa (Shannon Tarbet) makes the decision to her complete her mother's long term dream of opening a bakery in London. But when it comes to owning a business or baking, Clarissa isn't able to do this task on her own. She seeks assistance and support from her Grandma, Mimi (Celia Imrie), and Sarah's best friend, Isabella (Shelley Conn). Together these three women begin to renovate an old shop and transform it into something beautiful, also employing a young chef to assist with the baking.

Love Sarah is a film that doesn't take long to introduce the story or the ladies. Some elements in the setup are more implied which I enjoyed, plus it means the plot gets underway immediately instead of making the story slow, depressing and oppressive.

Performances by the leading ladies are lovely (especially from Celia Imrie who I always have a soft spot for). All characters here have chemistry on-screen when they interact with each other. Each character also brings a different set of skills when it comes to running a bakery due to their personal experiences. The film also focuses on the expertise of different generations, which was a lovely touch too. To my surprise, this film isn't just a drama. There are other aspects to this film, including romance, comedy and even the ingredient of mystery which I also found pleasing.

Another element I wanted to share about is the film's beautiful music score which was composed by Enis Rotthoff. It's truly a perfect match for this film, and I found the music alone moving at times. The director should also be mentioned. Love Sarah was directed by Eliza Schroeder, and according to IMBD this film is her very first feature film. As a first time director for a feature film, the results here are impressive, and the director should be proud of what she has achieved. There is a genuine freshness to this story and film.

While I have plenty of praise for this film, I do have one major issue which was extremely unfortunate. While it wasn't a constant issue, there was more than once where the style of filming was disappointing. During crucial scenes, the camera moves around and feels unpolished when compared to the rest of the film. There was one scene in particular which I was shocked was left in the final version of the movie due to the way it was filmed.

Overall, like a freshly-baked cake, Love Sarah is refreshing and delightful. While the film is classed as a drama, it contains an incredibly heartfelt story with the added ingredients of both humour and mystery. Performances are also fantastic, and I felt the leading ladies had beautiful chemistry together. All these ingredients will make the movie lover crave another slice as the credits roll.

7.4/10 - Walkden Entertainment

Marcel Marceau (Jessie Eisenberg) is a Jewish man who is passionate for the performing arts (especially mime). When he is not performing on stage, he works with his father at a local butcher shop. His father does not like the idea of Marcel pursuing a career in the arts and prefers he invest his time and energy into something that will allow him to earn more and be more successful.

Marcel receives an invitation from his older brother to assist with the arrival of Jewish orphans being transported from Nazi Germany. At first, Marcel tries to be supportive, trying to help teach and train the children on how to best survive, but Marcel also manages to bring a smile to their faces thanks to his performing arts skills. But it is not long until Marcel decides to join the French Resistance in an attempt to save many more from the hands of the Nazis.

Personally, I was not familiar with Marcel Marceau and the history surrounding him with the war. After being made aware of this film, I was very curious to learn more. Not only that, I felt this type of role would be very different for actor Jessie Eisenberg.

Resistance as a film is not just focused on Marcel Marceau and how he became famous for miming. This film, in fact, focuses on many characters as well as telling events that occurred within WWII itself. There are moments where the film will follow various characters, allowing us to see experiences from their perspective. This meant that there were times when I felt as if Marcel had been off-screen for some time. The film's visuals for a majority of its duration are quite a dark which is to be expected being a WWII story based on true events.

As for concerns with this film, there are a couple. Firstly, the accent used by Jessie Eisenberg is slightly fickle. During what should be heartfelt moments or strong words of dialogue, I fear movie lovers will be distracted by his accent instead. As for the plot, the 1st and 2nd acts generally feel like a slow story- there is no tension etc, it's just a war story. It is not until the third and final act when I started to feel suspense or any type of gripping tension. The film also introduces a romance which sadly felt unrealistic.

Overall, Resistance tells a significant story involving Marcel Marceau. Lovers of war and history will generally take pleasure in seeing this film. It was also a delight to see Jessie Eisenberg take on a new type of role, unlike anything we have seen before (even if his accent can be questionable).

6.0/10 - Walkden Entertainment

Set in the 80s, Brisbane, Australia, the crime rate is at an all-time high. Gangs are roaming the streets, and the body count is rising. One cop is willing to take all the villains on. His name is Lieutenant Jangles.

Lieutenant Jangles (Matt Dickie) and Dickens (Andrew Dickens) are partners. While having a urine contest (yes, a urine contest) they are interrupted and called to a shootout. During this shootout, they are surrounded by gangs who are armed with machine guns and unfortunately Dickins gets shot in the groin and dies. Lieutenant Jangles is now seeking revenge. Soon after this incident, he discovers there is a mysterious crime boss in town pulling all the strings. Can Lieutenant Jangles stop this new villain and get revenge for the death of his best mate and partner?

In case you are not aware by now, Lieutenant Jangles is, in fact, a comedy movie. I would go so far as to say that this is more of a spoof movie than a straight-out comedy. This film is loaded with one-liners and crude jokes, but there is more to it. The film adds in elements which pay respects to other well know films, not just from the 80s. The type of humour we see here is comparable to Danger 5 (TV Show), Kung Fury, or even better, Team America. The humour at most times will shock audiences and may even offend, going a little too far for some, and involves nudity and extreme language. But in the end, this film does not hold back when it comes to its humour, and it is evident the cast had a blast. I found myself laughing at the smallest jokes as they always surprised me.

It should also be noted this film is a directional debut by Nicolas Champeaux. Considering this is a directional debut, the overall results are positive. The film is generally well shot, and its story moves at a solid pace. I am also rather impressed with the results based on the film's budget. After doing some research, I even discovered that some of the cast had multiple jobs/roles while working on this film. One example is the actor Daniel Cordery. Here Daniel serves on the film as an actor, co-writer & visual effects artist. Large workloads like this equal to a huge task, but once again, the cast and crew have indeed pulled off a miracle.

The film's musical score is also worth praising. After watching the movie for the 1st time, I instantly found myself looking up the soundtrack. It feels retro, and it was a great compliment to the film. Other elements such as the dust on the lens give the movie a real grindhouse vibe, which is a welcome touch given the film's tone. Generally, there is not much to frown upon when it comes to this film. I did find Jangles slightly silly when he first appeared, but I was surprised to see how quickly I warmed up to him and found myself laughing at some of the most random dialogue.

Overall, Lieutenant Jangles is an Australian spoof film which is loaded with one-liners and crude humour. Considering this film is a directional debut, the results here are quite an achievement. With a stunning soundtrack and impressive visual effects, there is not much to dislike here. It is obvious the cast and crew enjoyed making this film which is always great to see. In the end, it is a refreshing comedy, and I hope more movie lovers support this film, because if you don't, Lieutenant Jangles may punch you where it hurts the most.

8.1/10

Continuing on from where we left Harley Quinn after "Suicide Squad" (2016), things have now changed for poor Harley. The Joker has broken her heart and as you can imagine, Harley is not happy about it. Now living a life without the protection of Mr J (aka The Joker), Harley is wanted by many within Gotham City. Soon Harley finds herself in a situation that requires her to track down a Diamond as her life depends on it. But luckily for Harley, she will discover that she is not alone when it comes to battling new enemies.

I personally wasn't a fan of Suicide Squad (2016). My review on that film received a whopping 5.5/10. Thankfully I found Birds of Prey to be a significant improvement as a sequel.

Birds of Prey is a fun and brainless action film. While the plot is basic, it feels fitting for this instalment. Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn is once again perfect in every way. Her facials and dialogue delivery with this character ticks every box. She is extremely convincing in this role and I'm reminded that she was born to play this character.

Margot Robbie isn't the only major character from the DC Universe in this sequel. For the film's villain, we have actor Ewan McGregor suiting up as Black Mask. McGregor gave a pleasant performance but as key character I was slightly disappointed to see there was no back story or explanation as to why the character exists or does the things he does. The use of colours throughout is also creative and goes along perfectly with stunning and entertaining action sequences. The film's audio and visuals were stunning and a great compliment.

Any issues with Birds of Prey are minor ones. With Harley Quinn as a leading character, some other characters (such as Black Mask) don't get enough screen time or back story. The way the film tells its story may annoy some movie lovers. The film's plot constantly goes backwards and forwards, designed to give the audiences twist and mysteries. Even if some scenes don't make sense at the time, they will later in the film.

Overall, Birds of Prey is a major improvement when compared to Suicide Squad (2016). Sure, the plot is basic but it's also just brainless entertainment and I had a blast watching it. Actress Margot Robbie is simply amazing as this character and naturally steals the show once again. Some key characters sadly (such as the villain) aren't given enough screen time or really fleshed out with any type of solid back story. The film's style in story telling will annoy some, but again, I found it welcoming and fun. 7.9/10 - Walkden Entertainment

Ray Garrison (Vin Diesel) is a soldier who returns home to his loving wife. Life seems too good to be true and it's only enjoyed for a short duration. Ray's wife is captured, murdered and Ray himself is killed. But! After this tragedy, Ray wakes up in a lab with a completely changed body. His body has been donated to science. Upon waking up, Ray is reminded of his situation. We also know that Ray is now all alone and doesn't even have family who will miss him. But now he has new ability which have never been seen before. These abilities include Ray being able to selfheal and incredible strength all thanks to the latest advancement in technology. With this new body, Ray has been given a second changes and begins his new life by seeking revenge on the man who killed his wife and ruined his life.

For those who are not aware, Bloodshot is one of the first films based on a Valiant Comic. In case you're wondering, Bloodshot differs from the standard Marvel, DC or general superhero story.

For the most part actor Vin Diesel gives a likeable performance but sadly his character is wooden with very little back story for his audience to invest in. This type of character seems common when it comes to Vin Diesel films. I'm honestly not sure why this is common for him.

One element that I did appreciate in Bloodshoot was the film's visuals and special effects. Seeing flesh shot off someone and reconnect was fun during action sequences. There are effects here that take away from realism by turning characters into full CGI, making this film look more like a video game. This type of visual takes away from the suspense but keeps the film a mindless action film.

As a plot, I was a little curious about Ray's world but the so-called twists and consequences which involve the leading character are far too predictable. The reveal and main plot also feel like something movie lovers would have seen in the early 90s. It's unfortunate given the strengths of both the visual effects and the leading man that the film couldn't deliver a richer story.

Overall, Bloodshot has an appealing setup but the outcomes for the leading man are predictable ones. Action sequences do manage to bring some creativity to the screen but at many times they also take away any realism making characters look more like a video game than film. This takes away any suspense or excitement I had desired. This film is fairly brainless and sometimes this type of film is exactly what a movie lover needs to enjoy the evening. For me personally I found this film to be OK. 5.5/10 - Walkden Entertainment

A group of strangers wake up alone in the woods with gags over their mouths. Soon they all manage to find each other, along with a large crate in the centre of an open grass field. Inside the crate are knives, blades and guns- lots of guns. The group are now being brutally hunted down like animals. Why this is happening and who is behind this devilish act is all unknown to start with. The characters trying to survive this hunt are also given little to no back story at the start of the film.

The opening to this film is fun and extremely crazy. As the group wake up to discover the situation the general setup is enjoyable. I was curious to see more and understand what was going on. But what's even more fun is how this film decides to play with the audience, particularly when you're trying to work out which character is really leading the film. The surprises are different to anything I've seen in cinema before and the change was rather welcomed.

But most characters (possibly all!) give an over the top performance, talk way too much and are incredibly cheesy. It's obvious this film is aiming to bring in laughs as well as crazy violence. The violence is also over the top, bloody and at times used for comedic purposes. While I do see the humour in some aspects, I feel some movie goers will be shocked or perhaps put off by this type of film given the level of violence.

The lead performance of this film was great, and I'm surprised as to how many times I found myself having a good chuckle due to their delivery of dialogue. This actor and the 1st act itself are easily some of the best elements in the film.

Action sequences (particularly the last act) are also filmed well and I was able to see and follow everything as the film intended.

Overall, I feel "The Hunt" will leave many audiences divided given the level of violence and social themes. Personally, I found enjoyment in this film. With a solid performance from the leading character and a rather surprising 1st act, The Hunt is simply a brainless, entertaining movie with twists and turns. 6.8/10 - Walkden Entertainment

Welcome to the official third instalment to Jumanji. Once again, this film follows young Spencer (Alex Wolff) but this time Spencer is struggling with a few personal issues including a recent break up with his girlfriend. Spencer also lives long distance from all his close friends. We soon discover that Spencer still has the smashed up and busted Jumanji video game console from the previous film. Spencer attempts to repairs the console and manages to renters the world of Jumanji. Soon his friends figure out Spencer's recent activity and decide to also renter the game to try and rescue their friend. But this time the game is different; Jumanji is a different world. The players and the avatars have also changed. The players will venture through the Jungle, Desert & Snowy Mountains while looking for Spencer along the way.

As a third instalment I was generally excited to see this film. For those who are curious, I gave the last instalment, Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle (2017), a score of 7.0/10. It was creative, fun and a worthy sequel to the 1995 film - RIP Robin Williams.

Thankfully Jumanji: The Next Level (2019) brings new and fresh ideas to the screen. There are new elements introduced to make this video game world more relatable for 2019. Plus! While actors are the same, their personalities are different this time. This was exciting and fresh to see, particularly when it came to the actors Dwayne Johnson & Kevin Hart.

While there are many elements that are fresh, there are minor issues with the film. Some of these include a weak and forgettable villain. While I enjoyed The majority of this film, it also feels far too long, especially when you reach the third act. This act also didn't carry the same level of humour or pacing in my opinion.

Overall, considering this is a third instalment to the world of Jumanji, I'm proud to say it's another positive film for the franchise. While the level of creativity is higher, I only had a few personal issues with this film including a weak villain and that the film's general run time was a bit long. No matter my opinion, there's still plenty of fun moments to have here. I'm honestly excited and curious to see if the creators of this film will roll the dice for a 4th instalment. 6.9/10 - Walkden Entertainment

After failing to bring in a prisoner to justice, officer Coffee (Ed Helms) isn't having much luck. His fellow police officers pick on him daily which he's getting sick of but thankfully the one thing that is going well in Coffee's life is his relationship with a woman named Vanessa (Taraji P. Henson). As Coffee and Vanessa are head over heels in love, Vanessa suggests now is the time for Coffee to get to know her son, Kareem (Terrence Little Gardenhigh). Coffee is personally frightened of being a stepfather for personal reasons. Kareem on the other hand is 12-year kid who hates the idea of having Coffee as a stepdad and wants nothing to do with him. When Coffee picks up Kareem from school, Kareem enacts plans to punish Coffee. But Kareem's plans don't go the way he was expecting and he ends up witnessing an awful crime instead. Now Coffee and Kareem are on the run from drug deals in Detroit, trying to survive and protect evidence which can prove their innocence.

For those who are not aware, this film is in fact a comedy flick. While young 'buddy' style cop films have been done before (films such as"Cop and a Half" or "My Spy" come to mind) thankfully this film tries to be different from these, particularly with its characters. Coffee as a leading man is generally accident-prone and Kreeme is the exact opposite, being overconfident with an extreme potty mouth. While these type of characters along with the film's concept are welcoming, as a comedy there are many missed opportunities here.

There are also elements about the characters I found hard to accept. Some of these include Coffee handing a Kareem a handgun while entering a warehouse or when the two enter a strip club... a kid in a strip club- yeah right. I also struggled with Kareem as a character. This isn't about the young actor's performance by any means. But Kareem swears so much that the foul language overstays its welcome and feels forced, making the character somewhat unlikeable.

My biggest issue with the film is the fact that jokes are generally repetitive. Jokes including sexual references or about racism are consistently used. Instead of coming up with new jokes, the same jokes- just like the foul language- overstay their welcome. The film's twist is also easily picked at the start of the film- again a missed opportunity.

Overall, Coffee & Kareem as a comedy is a disappointing one. With such a fun plot and concept, it's shame to see so many missed opportunities throughout the film. Sure, there are some giggles to be had but most jokes are simply repetitive rather than creative. Performances are positive but some of the key characters are too overconfident making them unlikeable or too forced for an audience to ever actually enjoy and support. 4.7/10 - Walkden Entertainment

Angus (Richard Dreyfuss) is an old man who lives with his daughter's family and is a widower. Angus has had a lifelong dream of one day becoming an Astronaut and going into space. But unfortunately for Angus, this never happened in his life. However, Angus soon discovers that a billionaire is running a new competition which will allow one lucky winner to go into space. Angus decides to enter to the competition, but in order to qualify he lies about his age. Soon it is announced across the world that Angus is now a runner up and it's up to the world to vote who gets to be the winner.

Astronaut is a drama film but thankfully there are many heart felt moments which I feel many movie fans will find appealing. It's also a nice feeling to see actor Richard Dreyfuss as a leading character in a film again. His performance here is very satisfying. However, Angus as character is somewhat vague, particularly at the start of this film. As an audience, it is unfortunate that at first we don't quite understand all of Angus's reasons and desires for wanting to go into space. While answers are given and explained later in the film, it's revealed at an unusual moment in the film and feels like it would have been more suited to come earlier.

As an overall film I will confess that I personally really wrestled with this film back and forth. While I can say the story is a heartfelt one and the performance by Richard Dreyfuss is positive, I felt there are a few minor elements that really held this movie back.

Some of these elements include how the film is loaded with many coincidences. For example, every time a TV or radio is turned on it talks about the space competition. Side characters with side stories develop but never feel like anything gets properly resolved, instead the film's prime focus going back to Angus. But for a good portion of this film I struggled to develop feelings or a connection.

Overall, it's welcoming to see actor Richard Dreyfuss take a lead in this heart felt drama. Performances from the leading actor are positive and the story here is truly a great concept. Unfortunately, as a film there were moments where I didn't feel the emotions the film intended for me to feel. There are multiple reasons as to why I feel this way and I truly wrestled with my score on this film. Thankfully, there were many moments that movie lovers will enjoy as we witness a man trying to fulfil a long life dream. 5.6/10 - Walkden Entertainment

Four teenage girls decide to go diving underwater and explore an old Mayan city. While they have fun exploring the old ruins, they soon discover they are not alone. The girls are now trapped in the maze of ruins with oxygen tanks that are reducing by the minute. But to top it off, they're also being hunted by an old, large shark who has been circling the maze for many years.

At the start of the film we get an introduction to the leading ladies, but most of the focus goes onto two of them. As I watched the introductions unfold, I couldn't help but roll my eyes at some of dialogue being used. It made me feel that I was too old to enjoy this film because it felt like it was aimed at teenagers. The dialogue is a major disappointment. Listening to a young girl explain to a family member how much she hates where she lives with the beach right in the background of her house and signs of her family's wealth gives the impression that the character is spoilt rather than making the audience care. Reality is, this scene should been about her dealing with a bully and hating life or her living arrangements and is a missed opportunity to provide a proper message or meaning. There are many moments like this one.

But as for it being a shark film, it takes a while for our leads to meet the big shark. Lots of set up and a general discovery of the ruins takes place first. Once the girls bump into the shark the film is truly in motion. But don't worry, with these cliché characters, it's predictable to work out who dies first and so on.

The film also has technical flaws which are annoying once you discover them. Some of these include the girls being able to speak to each other perfectly underwater but their ears are exposed to the water without any earbuds in them and then they also switch between talking normally to each other and being on radio... ok, sure, no problems.

From a visual point of view, I found the film challenging to enjoy. Dark bland seawater and characters wearing masks made it generally an effort to keep working out what's going on. Granted, some visuals are positive, but this is mostly during both the 1st and 3rd acts. Sound effects and audio design was pleasing. I watched this film with my wife and the audio gave one of us a few jumps scares.

As for the main plot, there are some cool concepts here, but it's done with weak leading characters. There are also far too many coincidences to accept in this film. The most enjoyable part of this film was easily the final act even though it's naturally way over the top. As a sequel there is also zero connection to the previous instalment from 2017...but this didn't bother me only because I didn't enjoy the last film anyway.

Overall, I feel this film wasn't made for me but was more made for a teenager audience. Sure there are some minor jumps scare but our leading characters are extremely cliché with far too many unwise choices and coincidences which audiences would generally not enjoy. The film's concept is a great idea, for shark movie but its combination here is a big disappointment. 3.9/10 - Walkden Entertainment

Mari Gilbert is a mother of three daughters. Her oldest no longer lives at home and generally keeps in contact with her mother from time to time. After a recent call from Mari's oldest daughter, Mari is expecting to have her over for dinner and catch up. However, on the night of the daughter's planned visit, she never shows up. After not hearing from her eldest daughter for a couple of days, Mari begins to investigate the matter further and questions the police surrounding the possible disappearance. Mari soon discovers that her daughter isn't the only girl that has gone missing in the area. Could they all be connected? And most importantly, is her daughter still alive?

For those who are not aware, Lost Girls is based on the Long Island Serial Killings which is now also a published book. While the film at time feels like a thriller, I will say in advance that if you're expecting a blockbuster ending with many twists and turns, this is not that type of film. Lost Girls is a slow burn drama and we see it all from the eyes of a mother doing everything to seek out the truth about what happened to her daughter. This is a mother who is seeking answers and demanding the assistance of the police. Lost Girls is a true crime story and I feel it's an important story for the world to see and I'm personally glad that I did.

The film does a fantastic job at drawing you into the disappearance of Mari's daughter. As Mari begins to question police procedures and the events that took place around her daughter's disappearance, you'll find it easy to support Mari's decisions, even when at times she crosses the line with her use of foul language or force.

The leading performances here are stunning, particularly from Amy Ryan (plays Mari). Supporting actor Gabriel Byrne also gives a surprising performance but I must confess that I've always had a soft spot this actor. Actors who are side characters also give good performances, but they simply don't have enough screen time nor are their characters really standouts in the film. Side characters other than Mari's own children seem to be brushed off and used more for the background.

The visuals of this film are also positive. As a Netflix title, I was rather impressed at the streaming quality of this film. The audio track is also positive, but the film doesn't have any type of soundtrack to compliment the film. If I'm honest, the lack of a soundtrack wasn't a problem for this type of film anyway. One of biggest issue with this film was the unusual editing style. During certain scenes the cuts felt incorrect or sometimes out of place. Characters go somewhere and begin a discussion only to have the scene quickly cut (perhaps to suit a runtime).

Overall, Lost Girls delivers a solid combination of drama and mystery. Along with the mixed packet of genres, there also are positive performances from key cast members including Amy Ryan & Gabriel Bryrne. But because the film is based on actual events, its ending is rather obvious and will rarely surprise a viewer. The film also makes unusual cuts which seem to interrupt scenes, making the movie feel slightly awkward and perhaps rushed. Either way, this film is a heartfelt story and no matter what my opinion is, it's a very important film to see for yourself. 6.2/10 - Walkden Entertainment

Set in the future, our film is located at a vertical prison where two people share one cell per level. In the centre of their cell, there is a large square hole. During the day a large platform comes down and brings food to the cellmates. The only problem is that this platform starts at the top of the jail and works its way down. This means that depending on what floor you're on (say the near the bottom) you might not get any food to eat at all. Every month the prisoners also change cell levels at random. One man, Goreng (Ivan Massague), wakes up and finds himself as a prisoner on level 18 with another inmate. Goreng begins to learn and understand the system and the workings of The Platform, meeting new prisoners along the way.

Right away I'll confess that I loved the film's concept and plot because it's extremely different and feels fresh. Many movie lovers will comment and state that the film has similarities to a 1997 film known as "Cube"- a futuristic concept with a questionable escape and survival plot. While I agree that there are some similarities, The Platforms does stand on its own two feet and delivers plenty of new concepts to film.

Firstly, The Platform is brutal and shocking. Seeing inmates being selfish, murdering one other, committing suicide or eating other people's flesh (especially if they are stuck on levels close to the bottom) are all reasons why this film is R18+ people! The film doesn't hold back from being uncomfortable to watch or from portraying that it's a dangerous place.

As a plot, it's also enjoyable. It's fun watching a new prisoner wake up and learn about The Platform because we as the audience are also learning for the 1st time about the system. The film is also loaded with many surprises and the main character's interactions with other inmates keeps the film interesting and held my curiosity. I also found myself consistently wondering which level our leading man would end up on next and if he would have a different cell mate. From a visual point of view, there's lots of creative design work that should be praised. I also couldn't fault any performances here. All very pleasing to watch!

While I enjoyed the entire film overall, some may state that the film's ending is dissatisfying. While the final moments of the film were occurring I did pick up how the film would end, and I feel like this type of finale has been done in film's previously. Given the build-up, I was personally hoping for that little bit extra with this film ending to make it a completely new and different film.

Overall, The Platform is fresh and exciting. While same may state this is like the 1997 film "Cube", the film still manages to stand up on its own. The Platform is not an easy watch due to its gruesome and uncomfortable tones, but I still found it to be a pleasure and a great win for Netflix users. 8.1/10 - Walkden Entertainment

Fred (Stephen Lang) is an old man and a ex war veteran. Today is his birthday! He and his fellow war buddies are getting together for some heavy drinking and talking about the good old days when they were on the battlefield. They decided to meet up at a bar also known as the VFW (VFW - the Veterans of Foreign Wars). But right near the celebration, a young girl has just lost her sister to drugs. The young girl decides to take vengeance by stealing all the drugs from the man responsible for her sister's death. The young girl becomes wanted by many drug users (as in drug users who like mutated punk) and the girl goes into the VFW bar seeking help. Soon it's up to the old war heroes to take ground and protect the young girl.

VFW has a R18+ rating. To my surprise, this is due to both action and horror in some elements. The level of violence, blood, guts, gore and foul language was something unexpected, but it reminded me of something we haven't seen since From Dusk Till Dawn.

But what makes VFW different as a film are the multiple details that only gave me joy. The cast members are a prime element. Actor Stephen Lang is also joined by William Sadler, Fred Williamson, Martin Kove and other favourite old school actors. The outcome for the each of their characters (except for one of them) are all unexpected and unpredictable. The interaction between all cast members is fun, light-hearted and rather humorous as they band together for the fight of their lives using whatever they find within the old bar.

The soundtrack also gets a big thumbs up. Like something we've heard in a John Carpenter film, this soundtrack brings a funky, synth sounding musical score which is fantastic and adds a great touch. Even the filming style of VFW feels like an old and dirty film which gives a true 80s type of vibe... and I do love the 80s.

Overall, VFW is loaded with lots of good brainless entertainment. The action, violence, gore, humour, general 80s vibe and a fun synth soundtrack all adds up to enjoyment. This film is simply a guilty pleasure and I had lots of fun viewing it. Any negatives I have are minor and generally forgiven. 7.9/10 - Walkden Entertainment

Ryan Black (Ben Geurens) returns to his remote hometown to attend his father's funeral. Later he is united with his brother, Nathaniel Black (Nathaniel Dean), who he hasn't seen in quite some time. For Ryan, his father's funeral isn't his only concern while in his hometown. Soon the two brothers are threatened and bribed by a group of ruthless thugs who are demanding $100,000 in cash.

Right from the beginning of this film, there is such a sense of mystery in regards to Ryan's past and his relationship with both his brother and his father. The only thing we do understand is that Ryan is not fond of the idea of returning home and appears to have a different lifestyle in the present day when compared to his past life and upbringing. While watching the film it didn't take me long until I was heavily invested in the film's plot, Ryan's past life and other mysteries. I was simply determined to see how all of this would play out and link together as a story.

Performances here are enjoyable. I found the majority of the actors consistently strong and believable. I also felt many of the key leads performances were gripping at multiple times too.

Visually this film is pleasing to watch even though my screening was on DVD. There were great close up of character's faces during tense moments and I also enjoyed the number of aerial shots which not only show off Australian landscapes but are visually cool (or maybe I just liked the cars that were used in this film too). The film's soundtrack is a blast and right selections have been made. I found myself tapping my foot along with the majority of the songs and generally enjoying the film that comes with it.

Overall, Locusts is a very satisfying Australian film. It's a simple crime story which is loaded with great performances, twists and thrills. Strong visuals and gripping performances are also a nice bonus. In the end, I found myself invested in this film's story. This film should be viewed and needs to be supported by fellow movie lovers today. 7.4/10 - Walkden Entertainment

Evan (Sean William Scott) works as a full-time guidance counsellor at a local high school. He's also a family man with a new baby boy. But Evan has a mysterious past, particularly when it comes to his childhood. While Evan may seem like a family man who is helping out young teenagers... Evan is actually a serial killer. When student tell him about their awful parents (abusive etc) Evan goes out in the middle of night and conducts murders to help his students with their bad situations. These murders are normally gruesome and violent as Evan considers this as revenge and fair.

Actor Sean William Scott (who is best known for his crude roles in the American Pie franchise) gives a performance which was very surprising here. Not only is this the first time the actor has been a lead in a horror film, but I feel his overall performance was rather solid and positive.

The film's style is also fun. A funky synth soundtrack was enjoyable but the director has also used some creativity when it comes to certain shots, such as the use of split screen. Little moments like these were exciting to see and was a nice compliment to the horror genre.

As for the horror and gore aspect, Bloodline is rather gruesome (hence the R18+ rating). While some horror fans may enjoy the gruesome and violent moments I personally felt like it was too much and the violence was forced during certain scenes. I'm not just talking about blood and guts, but I even felt there was an unnecessary amount of nudity which again, all felt very forced. These moments of extra gore and nudity weren't required for the scenes to be tense and didn't have a deeper impact on the overall film.

Bloodline as a story does have an interesting 1st and 3rd act thanks to some unexpected twists along the way. The 2nd act however, is slow and rather repetitive as we witness Evan hunting down people and following the general routine murders or torture. Plot twist were enjoyable but part of me found them somewhat expected.

Overall, I love seeing actor Sean William Scott in this horror genre and I hope to see more of him in films like this in the future. He was a great element to this film along with the film's look, tone, filming style and even the soundtrack which all worked together. What holds this film back are the forced elements such as the amount of gore and nudity which went too far in my opinion. 2nd act is also rather slow and the film begins to have a somewhat repetitive vibe. 5.7/10 - Walkden Entertainment

Detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) is hired by a mystery person to investigate the death of well know crime writer Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer). Harlan was found dead on the night of his 85th birthday after celebrating with his close family. Now it's up to the detective to investigate and question Harlan's dysfunctional family to find the truth about his death.

Knives Out is a film that gets going right at the start. I say this because at the beginning of this film, Harlan is already dead. As an audience, we gain an understanding of Harlan's death and the events leading up to it thanks to flashbacks from each of Harlan's family members during questioning. Speaking of Harlan's family members, there are many of them in this film and the actors all do an incredible job. Actors such as Jamie Lee Curtis, Toni Collette, Chris Evans and Michael Shannon are just some of the great actors who play murder suspects.

Watching the detective investigate and question each of the family members is easily one of the biggest and most entertaining elements to this film. Watching characters try to hide secrets or provide their version of the birthday dinner before Harlan's death is simply creative and interesting to watch.

Another element I enjoyed was the overall mystery and plot. In movies today there has been a recent wave of murder mysteries but most of these have been remakes. Thankfully Knives Out (2019) is something new and fresh. I'm also surprised at how times I found this film funny as well as sometimes suspenseful because of the mystery and characters. The pacing and movie timeline was also different instead of being just another "who done it" tale.

Visuals I also couldn't fault. Lots of clever filming styles are used here and there is constant and solid creativity from the director for both audio and visuals.

Complaints? Very little actually. With a such a large cast, not all well-known actors share the screen time as much as our leads do (which is expected). Daniel Craig is fantastic, but I did find his accent here a little distracting at times. Other elements that didn't sit well with me requires me to give spoilers and I'm not doing that today.

Overall, Knives Out is simply a film full of fun. It's humourous, but also a serious murder mystery. Characters are great and stunning to see on screen. The murder mystery itself is also satisfying, especially if you are seeking a fresh "who done it" murder mystery. Knives Out is new, it's fresh, it's great. 8.8/10 - Walkden Entertainment

Charlie (Mike Myers) is a nice guy who hasn't had much luck with women. The reason for this is that Charlie is paranoid when it comes to relationships which leads to him breaking up with woman for outrageous reasons. Charlie claimed one girl smelt like soup whilst he suspected another was part of the Russian Mafia. Charlie also spends most of his time hanging out with his best friend at a local coffee shop where he performs poetry. His poems are always about the women who have broken his heart. But things are about to change for Charlie when he meets Harriet (Nancy Travis), a young woman who runs a local butcher shop. Charlie and Harriet begin to date but Charlie begins to suspect something is very sinister about Harriet. When he hears about an axe murderer in the News he begins to wonder if she is the Murderer. Is Charlie the next victim or is this worry all in his own head?

For the actor Mike Myers this film was early in his career and just after the huge success of Wayne's World 1, long before he would discover other big film franchises such as Shrek and Austin Powers. So, I Married An Axe Murderer is also one the rare films where Mike Myers isn't 'dressed up' or heavily costumed as the leading character. Well, with the exception of Mike Myers playing the Scottish father in the film as well (which was totally hilarious to me).

This film is a romcom, but as one might suspect given the leading actor, this film does contain some crude humour at times. The chemistry between Mike Myers and actress Nancy Travis is generally fun to see as Myers brings most of the gags and Travis brings the character who is calmer but keeps the audience suspicious. Some of the best gags are when Charlie simply gets scared and paranoid around his girlfriend as the idea of her being a possible axe murderer grows bigger and bigger in his mind.

I also love Charlie's interactions with his best friend Tony (played by Australian actor Anthony LaPaglia) and Charlie's family. It's these interactions that bring out the best humour in the film.

I wanted to review this film because good romcom's are hard to find and this is one of my personal guilty pleasures from the 90s. To my surprise, there actually some good, unexpected twists and turns in the plot which only adds more fun and mystery to the film. The film's soundtrack is also a blast and I found myself enjoying many memorable tunes. My only true disappointment is that Mike Myers never made more films like this. It was a one off.

Overall, this film is one of my guilty pleasure films when comes to romcoms. As you would expect given the leading actor the humour can be a little crude, but it still gets me laughing. Mike Myers playing the lead character and his father is also hilarious to me. In the end this is a romcom with twists, heartfelt moments and it's a film that I've watched so many times that I can almost quote the whole thing line for line. To this day I still find this film incredibly enjoyable and humorous. 7.3/10 - Walkden Entertainment