I didn't expect this to be good, so I wasn't disappointed in that regard. The common criticism about this film is that there isn't enough plot, and too much fighting between the monsters.
I do agree the fight are FAR too long, but I think this film has more plot than critics are giving it credit for. It isn't very strong or good, but it is there. Everyone in the film are really dull, even Millie Bobby Brown, who does her usual shtick of have a mental breakdown.
My main complaint about these sorts of films, is that the big action set pieces that everyone, people that one could call simpletons, are hyping up, are total messes. The overload on CGI detracts from any sense of realism, and the shakey camera whenever the focus is on the humans never lets the scene breathe, or let us take in the utter chaos.
I wasn't let down, but that still doesn't mean it's good.
Reviews
13 Reviews
Men in Black: International
(2019)
Can We Invent Neuralyzers Already?
16 June 2019
I like the Men In Black trilogy. I'll even defend the second one to an extent. But this most recent instalment just did my head in. The two leads, Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson bring nothing to their roles. Although a bad Hemsworth performance is still a decent performance in general, and their onscreen chemistry does help.
This film as a whole brings nothing new to the MIB franchise. It's mostly more of the same, but not as good. They introduce new types of aliens, but they're all computer generated and look rubbish.
One of the worst things a film can is bore me, and because his film is so poorly written, any moments that were meant to be "subtle" foreshadowing and hints, we as subtle a brick through a window. And to say this was directed by F. Gary Grey, the guy who directed 2003 Remake of 'The Italian Job', one of the best remakes I can think of, is just baffling. I'd give this one a pass if I were you.
Aladdin
(2019)
A Slight Rise In Quality
8 June 2019
This is about as good as Disney Live Action Remakes get. It's a fairly entertaining almost 2 hours. I thought that Mena Massoud and Naomi Scott were good enough as Aladdin and Jasmine, and Will Smith, though obviously not as good as Robin Williams, does his best, and brings his own spin to the character of the Genie. But Marwan Kenzari as Jafar gives the most underwhelming performance. He just isn't intimidating enough, and isn't that interesting to look at. Everyone else doesn't really go much of interest.
There's only one new song (which is just there for that Oscar nomination), "Speechless". And as far as emotional power ballads go, it's not bad. Most of the covers of hr original songs, are good, but nothing special. Visually, everything is alright, just very bright and a little harsh on the eye.
Overall, Aladdin is good enough, but is just another bland Disney Remake. Is there any hope for "The Lion King"? We'll just have to wait and see.
Here's A Way To Get Myself Killed
31 May 2019
I don't get the hype for these films. I do enjoy them, but it's just mindless action scene to mindless action scene. Apart from that, there isn't much there. I see this films as a lesser Kingsman, which I absolutely love, the difference being, Kingsman has a decent plot. Keanu Reeves is alright as the titular Wick, and the supporting cast are acceptable. The action is able to pull the film through to some extent but I need there to be a little more substance to really enjoy it. Not bad, but I've seen better.
Us
(II) (2019)
Another Win For Jordan Peele
19 May 2019
I think Jordan Peele is a phenomenal talent. He has completely and utterly revamped the horror genre with "Get Out" and "Us". I'd say that "Us" is the weaker of his two big films at this point, but there isn't much in it. I still think it is creepy and eerie enough to keep me on edge for the whole film, and the emotional beats all work pretty well. The people playing the family and The Tethered all do their jobs pretty well, which is impressive seeing as 2 of them are kids. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if this was nominated for best picture (like Get Out) for the next Oscars. He is a masterful writer and director, and I really look forward to what he comes up with next. I guess to bridge the gaps between this and his next film, I'll have to watch his new reboot of the Twilight Zone.
Pokémon: Detective Pikachu
(2019)
A Good Video Game Movie?
10 May 2019
I would agree to some extent that the bad video game movie trope has been broken. The film isn't great, but I think it's still an entertainment way to spend an evening. This may sound dumb, but the most of the bits I didn't like were when they remind the audience that this film is set in the Pokémon world. What can I say? I don't like Pokémon. Ryan Reynolds is the beating heart of the film for me, and the gives a really great voice over performance. Justice Smith is acceptable, and Bill Nighy does nothing, which is annoying since he's not in Shaun Of The Dead much either, but he gives one of the best performances in that film. So I did like Detective Pikachu, but the ending... the ending sucks. I'll leave it at that... oh man Sonic's gonna suck!
Pet Sematary
(2019)
Basic, But Enjoyable
5 May 2019
This is the only Pet Sematary film I can get some inkling of enjoyment out of. It's a decent film. Everyone in it do what's expected of them, with John Lithgow standing out as the best performance. The film was creepy when it needed to be, but it wasn't overly scary. I didn't feel like I was as on edge as I should have been in the final act, which is really where it all falls apart. Anyone who gets resurrected just goes mental and thrashes about like a mad thing, and I'm just sat there wondering what the director was trying to go for. But there were small things that were altered from the book and original version that I think worked a whole lot better. Basic, but very solid. I gave this a 6, which is what I gave the original, but this is definitely better.
Dumbo
(2019)
The Reign Of Disney's Alive Action Remakes Continues To Disappoint
5 May 2019
This is the most bland, paint by the numbers story: a company is in financial difficulty, they find a cool new attraction, a big-time business man offers them a lot of money, whoopsie, he's a baddie, and things go south, but the cool new attraction saves the day! The Postman Pat Movie more or less did this plot. So the plot is boring and unoriginal, most of the actors give very nothing-ey performances (even Danny DeVito), but Tim Burton's knack got visual flair is able to redeem the film in some capacity. I look forward to Aladdin and The Lion King even less.
Avengers: Endgame
(2019)
Finally A Marvel Film That I Really Loved
24 April 2019
Warning: Spoilers
If you know me well, you will know I am not a huge fan of Marvel. But this film worked so incredibly well for me! This was the perfect culmination of everything from the past 11 years, and it was everything I want personally from a Marvel Movie, which is experimenting with different genres within superhero movies (I shall not reveal said genres as that's technically a spoiler). Everyone gives their best performances as their characters in the whole saga, even Jeremy Renner, who I do like, but I acknowledge isn't great, and neither is Hawkeye. But what really pisses me off, is that the MCU is still going. This was the perfect finale, but NO, Marvel needs some more dollar-dollar. But regardless, I had a great time watching this film.
Shazam!
(2019)
An Entertaining 2 Hours
17 April 2019
Warning: Spoilers
This is the first time in ages that I've really clicked with a superhero movie. I think I just need them to be comedic and goofy to really get them. This film ticked a lot of my personal boxes, a sidekick who doesn't have powers, a montage where a character tests their powers, and a Queen song at some point (those last two are in the same scene! I could happily have given this a 9/10, but the end ruins that in two ways, the main characters foster siblings all become "Shazams" and because it's a DC film, Superman makes a cameo at the end. Let it be it's own thing! I thought Zachary Levi was great as the superhero version of Asher Angel's Billy Batson (who was pretty good too). I thought the other kids were good. The only other lead worth mentioning was Mark Strong as Doctor Sivanna, who was good, but he's much better in Kingsman and Sherlock Holmes. Still a very enjoyable film.
If....
(1968)
A Cult Classic And Must See
29 March 2019
Warning: Spoilers
"A Clockwork Orange" is one of my all time favourite films, and Malcolm McDowell is a big part of that. So obviously I sought after other things that featured the man, and this was his first claim to fame. This film is very interesting, to say the least. It's revolves around a revolution in a private school, led by McDowell's Mick Travis.
During the first 70 minutes of the film, it's all very played down and restrained, as it's all very simple revolts, such as Travis and two of his friends drinking a bottle of Vodka, so the characters are meant to be relatable for teen-ages who enter that rebellious stage.
However as the films progresses the acts of rebellion grow with it. At one point during a school-wife military drill, Travis and his friends switch out their false ammunition's for real bullets and then shooting at several students and members of staff, and full on physically assaulting a teacher.
And as the film reaches it's climax, Travis and the gangs biggest act of revolt. As punishment for the gun incident, the boys are forced to clean out underneath the stage in the hall, there they inexplicably find ammunition and guns. They rig the room to fill with smoke during the colleges founding day, which causes everyone to run outside, where they would unleash fire upon the civilians. Suddenly the climax of "Inglourious Basterds" seems awfully familiar.
Despite being quite despicable people, Travis and his mates are quite likeable people, and McDowell and his co-stars all give good performances, as does Arthur Lowe (Day's Army) as Mr. Kemp, the boys' housemaster.
From what I understand, the film is connected to another, called "O' Lucky Man", as it features McDowell reprising the role of Mick Travis, so I guess I'll watch that soon too. But "If..." is a pretty solid film.
During the first 70 minutes of the film, it's all very played down and restrained, as it's all very simple revolts, such as Travis and two of his friends drinking a bottle of Vodka, so the characters are meant to be relatable for teen-ages who enter that rebellious stage.
However as the films progresses the acts of rebellion grow with it. At one point during a school-wife military drill, Travis and his friends switch out their false ammunition's for real bullets and then shooting at several students and members of staff, and full on physically assaulting a teacher.
And as the film reaches it's climax, Travis and the gangs biggest act of revolt. As punishment for the gun incident, the boys are forced to clean out underneath the stage in the hall, there they inexplicably find ammunition and guns. They rig the room to fill with smoke during the colleges founding day, which causes everyone to run outside, where they would unleash fire upon the civilians. Suddenly the climax of "Inglourious Basterds" seems awfully familiar.
Despite being quite despicable people, Travis and his mates are quite likeable people, and McDowell and his co-stars all give good performances, as does Arthur Lowe (Day's Army) as Mr. Kemp, the boys' housemaster.
From what I understand, the film is connected to another, called "O' Lucky Man", as it features McDowell reprising the role of Mick Travis, so I guess I'll watch that soon too. But "If..." is a pretty solid film.
The Shawshank Redemption
(1994)
There's A Reason It's The Highest Rated Film On IMDb
23 March 2019
This is one of my all time favourite films. As it is for loads of people. Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman give excellent performances, as well as the other cast members. The characters are also very likeable, thanks to said actors. Now this film has little to no action, but it doesn't need it, everything else in the film is just as interesting, so my mind doesn't wander. The film is emotional when it needs to be, it's funny when it needs to be and it's always entertaining.
Where Eagles Dare
(1968)
My Favourite Film
23 March 2019
I love me some World War 2 films. Many of my favourites are: Inglourious Basterds, The Great Escape and so on. But this, Brian G. Hutton's "Where Eagles Dare" is my favourite. The film is about 7 men and a woman on a mission: get into an isolated Nazi castle, rescue an allied General, and get out. It stars Richard Burton and Clint Eastwood in it's leading male roles, and they both give excellent performances, as does Mary Ure, who is the leading female. This film has some of the best action and suspense scenes in any WWII film (only being bettered by Inglourious Basterds) and it throws many twists and turns at you that you don't see coming. The final half hour or so features some almightily epic explosions and is a joy to watch, as is the rest of the film. A great film that keep's you guessing all the way through it's two and a half hour runtime. It's masterful.
Tell Your Friends