#NowWatching

JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH 04/03/21

Next up on my movie trail was this boss film! It’s just an incredible true story and Daniel Kaluuya and LaKeith Stanfield are both fantastic! Stanfield plays informant to the FBI Bill O’Neal after infiltrating the Black Panthers and is tasked with keeping tabs with charismatic chairman Fred Hampton (Kaluuya) and you can see the struggle throughout as you always have the feeling Bill wants to fully invest in the movement he was forced to join but knows they will probably kill him if they discover he’s the rat! Defo one of my faves of the year this one.

PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN 04/03/21

​I loved this film, there’s a great shot at the beginning which feels like a proper old school b-movie and that got me into it straight away! The rest of the film although is not shot like a b-movie, but it still works.
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Carey Mulligan as the vengeful Cassandra is absolutely top notch and it certainly didn’t go the way I thought it was going, which makes it a bit better than just an average revenge story, I will say no more as to avoid spoilers, but another to watch for sure!

NOMADLAND - 04/03/21

I have to say for the past year I’ve been so shit at keeping up with films and it was only hearing the golden globes this week that has spurred me into a frenzy of catching up with what I might have missed!

Frances McDormand seems to pop up in so many boss films, no coincidence I think she brings such a genuine feel to every role she plays! But this is a strange old film full of sorrow but still quite heartwarming and I just sunk deeper and deeper into it! Highly recommended!

- Gaz

SUPERMAN: MAN OF TOMORROW - 15/02/21

Okay, what the hell was this? I'm not the biggest Superman fan but...come on! The people in charge clearly didn't know what to do with him either. Other characters throughout this film are more likeable, more powerful, more interesting...the list goes on. The animation is brilliant and the voice acting is top notch too, it's just that the story is awful. Far from super, man.

3 out of 10
​- JB

BOOKSMART - 10/02/21

It completely blew me away how this 2019 film, about two intellectual young women, can slide into the same tone and pace as an American Pie film. And I mean in that in the best possible way! This is funny, fast paced, smart, but doesn't get so silly you don't care about the characters. Both leading ladies have bright futures as their comedy timing was better than most people twice their age. Olivia Wilde does an insanely good job directing a modern teen/young adult sex/party/road trip movie. It also makes the very rare list of being a film I would happily watch again.

9 out of 10
- JB

THE ROCKETEER 20/01/21

​Very of its time comic book film but don't hold it against it. This is quite a fast-paced, take it on surface level family adventure film that knows what it is. The acting isn't amazing (apart from Timothy Dalton) and some things happen in the film for no reason but I enjoyed it. And the film is as simple as that.

​6 out of 10
- JB

WW84 19/01/21

A guilty pleasure film. This film has so many plot holes, bad visuals and has a lack of 80's songs in an 80's film. It makes no sense and I think it just caught me on a good day. Very long and just a rehash of some old 90's Batman storylines. Turn your brain off and you may like it.

6 out of 10
- JB

FINDING DORY 17/01/21

​I've never been keen on watching Pixar sequels. They never live up to their expectations. This was a delight. Is it better than Nemo? No. But that doesn't mean it's not an excellent film. It's funny, heartfelt, well paced and animated. It doesn't rely on old jokes or cameos like some sequels. It's a solid Pixar film. It should be held aloft with their other achievements.

​8 out of 10
​- JB

LOST IN TRANSLATION 15/01/21

​Hard to pin down this film and tell you what it is and what it's about. I feel it rides a wave that films like American Beauty started but, effortlessly. It isn't trying to be anything other than itself. Bill Murray is fantastically dry as ever and the story never falls into obvious tropes. A great film.

8 out of 10
​- JB

SOUL 29/12/20

This film comes off like someone at Pixar watched 'The Good Place' and tried to write a movie, inspired by that. The problem is...'The Good Place' works because it's episodic and let's us sit and stew in the ideas it's putting forward. It takes 40 minutes before the premise of the film has truly began, but not without 10 different "false starts" beforehand. It's got good humour (with one particularly funny joke involving the whereabouts of a cat) but none of it from the main two characters, who I kind of never end up caring about. And at the end, I don't really understand who it's for.

It feels too high brow and existential for younger viewers, but a tad too silly and unfocused for deep thinking older viewers. It's not a bad film, I just don't think there's many philosophy students who want to watch a Disney film with Graham Norton voicing a spiritual sign juggler. Might just be me though, give it a watch and see which side you fall on.

5 out of 10 - JB

ZODIAC 23/11/20

David Fincher's Zodiac film is cinematically very ugly to look at, seems confused as to how to tell you WHEN a scene is set, and is far too long. The most interesting parts about this film are the "facts". I'd recommend a documentary over this, or for someone to make a cut without half the filler. Not awful, but I don't see myself ever watching it again.

5 out of 10 - JB

THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO 7 23/11/20

A very well told story of the infuriating trial of the Chicago 7. I enjoyed how everything unforlded, how it looked, all the actors....it just didn't 'feel' like a "film". More like a high budget biographical documentary on the History Channel. Both funny and disheartening, I'd recommend it nevertheless.
 
​8 out of 10 - JB

PALM SPRINGS 10/07/20

This is just a boss movie! Total Groundhog Day vibes but totally fresh idea too! Really didn't expect to love this movie quite as much as I did! A must watch rom-com!

​- Gaz

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GREYHOUND 10/07/20

It's Tom Hanks so it was always going to be good wasn't it? The man rarely gets it wrong! This is a perfect sunday movie about a convey over the Atlantic in World War 2, plenty of action and plenty of emotion!

- Gaz

COLOR OUT OF SPACE 22/05/20

Color Out of Space is like how you feel by the time you're up to episode 6 of any series of Stranger Things. It's maddening, gripping, visually magnetic and tip toes on the borders of making sense and believably. Nicolas Cage is very Nicolas Cage in this, or is he? I like how this film leaves it up to you to fill in the blanks, which in itself (to me) makes Cage's behaviour understandable throughout. Whilst it wears it's inspiration on its sleeve, it will be unlike anything you've seen before. Highly enjoyable sci-fi horror, with perhaps unnecessary Necromancy.

7 out of 10 - JB

BAD EDUCATION 19/05/20

'Bad Education' is a truly gripping film based on the true story of one of the largest financial scandals in the American education system. That may not sound like everyone's topic of interest, but the film is so cleverly done, it doesn't have to be. You're moved by the superb acting. You're shocked at seeing everything unravel in a Chernobyl-esque way, it's just nowhere near as horrifying. This car crash story is a fantastic watch and I couldn't recommend it enough.

9 out of 10 - JB

GUNS AKIMBO 14/03/20

'Every film is a sequel, or a remake, or a superhero film. Cinema is boring'. It really isn't, and Daniel Radcliffe is always involved in original films, somehow. This film is ridiculous, bloody, fast paced and is layered with a nice amount of cheese. Yes, characters make decisions that no normal person would make. Yes, none of this would happen in real life. But...who cares? It looks good and is very entertaining. Leave your sensibilities at the door and enjoy this mad-action, dark comedy.

7 out of 10 - JB

UNCUT GEMS 13/03/20

I was massively looking forward to this. A film where an actor completely goes out of their usual comfort zone normally makes for some fantastic cinema. I genuinely didn't get this film though. If its purpose was to make me watch scene after scene of socially tormenting moments and no characters to have any arc, then it succeeded. It's not a bad film in any sense of the word, but the story just didn't work for me. And the score/music just didn't fit it either. Sandler gives the performance of his career so, there's that.

4 out of 10 - JB

AD ASTRA 28/01/20

I won’t spend long on this one, certainly not the painstakingly long time it felt I was watching this utterly tepid space snore fest! Firstly positives, the only positive I can find is that it finished eventually! Honestly, I ain’t getting that time back. Brad Pitt is nowhere near good enough an actor to pull this even remotely from the despair! A movie about a man in deep space you might think would need to feel desolate but the emptiness of space would be like a warm fuzzy blanket compared to the vacuous performances on display! Most scenes seem to just have brad Pitt pondering and speaking to himself. There is some sort of loose plot in there that he is trying to find his father (Tommy Lee Jones) that is completely lost in THE dullest movie I have seen in a long time! Avoid avoid avoid!

​2 probably overly generous space ships out of 10

WAVES 26/01/20

I know everyone is raving about the cinematography of 1917 right now and rightly so, but along comes another film more than worthy of this accolade. It's a stunning effort visually, and the story is absolutely amazing, but the true hero of this one is that it is accompanied by a score, which is one of the best I've heard in ages and every single piece of action sounds tailored to what you are watching.

The acting is sublime throughout and I also love that the movie flips half way through, after a climatic moment in the story, and you end up seeing a completely different aspect of the aftermath. The story, accompanied by the stunning music alongside, is captivating, exciting and emotional as it follows the troubles of a young man, his family and the direction really does make you feel the journey as his life begins to spiral, heartbreakingly, out of control. Director Trey Edward Shults taps into the young minds on display and gives us something edgy, cool and exciting while also showing how devastating life can be, and how each day could have dramatic consequences. I can't say this enough, the soundtrack is unbelievable. Songs like "What a Difference a Day Makes" by Dinah Washington really are a perfect accompaniment, and so as the director gets plaudits so should Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross because, as previously stated, this movie is carried beautifully by its audio accomplice. Every move and every scene mesmerized deeper by the perfect score. It really is one of the best I have heard to accompany a film in recent memory, and is worth a watch of this film for just that.

​9 waves out 10

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1917 20/01/20

Stunning cinema from start to finish, this is just impeccably shot in a constant flow, pretty much in its entirety, which gives you total involvement in everything that occurs! You can feel being there and walking the story with the characters, you hardly get time to draw breath as you walk down through trenches, torn and battered crumbling towns, and no mans land!

Its main role, played by George Mackay, carries the film very nicely with a great performance but the hero of this movie is the absolutely incredible cinematography on display! The continuous camerawork is sensational. I do feel the story is good but alas not on the same level as other massive war films we have had previously, yet there is plenty of thrill and emotion, which will inevitably drive you to despair thinking of the horror young men were subjected to in the worst of conditions! Overall though you just have to tip a cap to the director on this one, it really is visually incredible! Haunting and impressive in so many scenes and should be a must watch for all!

​8 out of 10 - Gaz

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ZOMBIELAND DOUBLE TAP 11/01/20

Zombieland Double Tap's announcement made me very happy. 10 years has passed and there is so much story and characterization to play around with, I was excited to see what they do. In all honesty though, it all feels quite unnecessary. The characters learn nothing (at least, nothing that they didn't learn in the last film), nothing really changes and what substance there is, is more of the same. It's by no means a bad film, it made me laugh plenty of times, I just don't think it reflects 10 years of waiting. If this had been the immediate sequel 2 years later, sure. But I think Zombieland fans may be expecting a little something more. Although the rectification of the injustice done to a certain Ghostbuster in the first film, is EXTREMELY satisfying.

6 out of 10 - JB

JOJO RABBIT 10/01/20

I am shocked and appalled by JoJo Rabbit. Shocked and appalled that NO ONE IS GIVING THIS THE FULL ATTENTION IT DESERVES! This is a hugely ambitious, original film. It blends humour with tension and unpredictability to make a cocktail that will have you laughing at fascism and crying at heroism. I'll admit the acting from JoJo himself was slightly irritating (the Stranger Things kids have set a high bar) but that may be just a personal opinion that shouldn't put you off, it certainly didn't for me!

​8 out of 10 - JB

KNIVES OUT 30/12/19

Knives Out is a fantastically original take on a classic WHODUNNIT? It mixes dark humour with light hearted comedy, whilst also somehow maintaining tension and mystery. It's so brilliantly written and directed by Rian Johnson, it makes me question why he was picked to work on The Last Jedi. This style, this tone, is clearly where he revels and, even though I'm up for people being pushed out their comfort zone. There isn't a slither of his technique in this film as to why he was put in charge of THAT Star Wars film. I don't want to talk too much about this movie for fear of giving up any plot points but both Daniel Craig and Ana De Armas steal the show with their performances

9 out of 10 - JB

DOLEMITE IS MY NAME 10/12/19

Dolemite is My Name completely took me by surprise. Based on a true story about a comic/comedian I had never heard of, this biopic is different. Why? Because this comic didn't go through the usual tropes of any rags to riches story. Eddie Murphy gives the best performance I've personally seen in his career, along with a fantastically talented cast. I was genuinely amazed how a story of a person - who was such a product of their time, environment and culture, and so far removed from me, I could relate to and laugh with. Very re-watchable as well.

9 out of 10 - JB

READY OR NOT 01/12/19

Odd little throwaway horror comedy movie which features a rich family's son marrying a young bride but the family holds a secret that, at every wedding, they only invite you into their family if you play a game with them.. that game is hide and seek.... and the family really are seeking the bride to kill her. Its utterly ridiculous but was actually quite a bit of fun and the end is absolutely nuts too. It's tonnes of laughs around the action. So for a once through fun time romp I quite enjoyed it. 6 murderous in laws out of 10

​- Gaz

THE IRISHMAN 30/11/29

Not many people can get involved in a 3 and a half hour movie and get away with it but Scorcese is definitely the man who can. This traditional style gangster film really does sit well within the genre alongside other classics such as the godfather/goodfellas. The  story of the infamous Frank "The Irishman" Sheeran and his involvement with Jimmy Hoffa, and HIS involvement with the Mafia, is told in a classy style and it looks as good as it talks. Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, Al Pacino, Harvey Keitel, to name but a few of the people you will recognise from many a gangster classic, star in this and each bring their reputations with them. It really has some impeccable performances and the story itself being an entertaining take on the real story is one  that had me searching pages of wikipedia to find out how much was true. All in all it's not going to suddenly over take the godfather as being the number one in this category but it is a brilliant epic well worth the running time, 8 hits out of 10.

- Gaz

ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD 23/11/19

Sometimes you see a trailer, you see who’s involved and you can’t imagine watching said film feeling disappointed but sadly I report that this particular Tarantino effort left me feeling slightly exhausted at the end!

It’s not a complete disaster, the last half hour or so peaked my interest more than any of the film as it tells a different outcome story to the Manson family murders, yet for a 2 and a half hour film, half an hour of decent film simply isnt good enough for a director of this stature! And the performances deserved much, much more. Leonardo Di caprio is actually very good in this film but is lost around a mad cap mix of nonsense in the first act! Tarantino has, it appears, seemed to celebrate different styles and ages of film to tell the story, a commendable approach but too often that makes his film and his story completely disjointed! The music is also typically Tarantino and though good choices can be found I don’t feel there is that iconic Tarantino moment which really carries one to the heights of say Chuck Berry in 'Pulp Fiction' or Steelers Wheel in '...dogs'!

I’m a big fan of Tarantino’s early efforts but sadly I feel more and more that he is struggling to emulate the same sort of cinema magic once served up! There are good sprinkles of humour in this film, and Brad and Leo do a decent enough job to elevate what was otherwise a lot of faffing about in the first half! Sadly a lot of scenes just seem thrown in with no real purpose and it’s only the scenes involving the main plot, scenes with connotations to the Manson family, that have any interesting features and, as previously stated, the final sequence of the film. As we get to the murders, but not quite how we know it, is brilliant Tarantino action and gore but it just comes too late! I felt every minute of the 2 and a half hours and I definitely do not feel the reward for it! I know there will be those out there arguing against my points here, honestly, I knows it's harsh to mark it up against former glories, but this is so far and away from Tarantino's brilliant best and I was simply left thinking; once upon a time this director had so much more to offer! A disappointing 5 Quentins out 10

- Gaz

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FIVE FEET APART - 19/11/19

Five feet apart : Just reading the synopsis of this one was enough to trigger emotion, the story of two teens in hospital with cystic fybrosis, suffering not only their illness but the inability to come within 6 feet of each other for fear that they could make their illnesses lethally worse! But when two of the patients, Stella and Will start falling in love that 6 feet gap becomes something far harder than they could imagine. They steal a foot back hence the title of the film and embark on a dangerous romance which could kill them both, much to the dismay of the nurses around them! The two leads are wonderfully played by two great young performers, Haley lu Richardson and Cole Sprouse bring their romance alive and make you really feel the ups and downs of their relationship and illness! You would have to be made of stone not to be moved by this story and is definitely one to be filed in the “need a good cry” category! But through the tears you will also be humbled and warmed by this one! 8 mansize tissues out of 10

- Gaz

KLAUS - 18/11/19

It’s been a long time since a Christmas film has resonated enough with the masses to be placed upon a shelf along with kids favourites such as miracle on 34th street, Home Alone, Elf and, of course, The Land Before Time [EDITOR'S NOTE: It's NOT a Christmas GAZ!] but by God I think we have a new one!

Klaus is a gorgeously animated tale of how Christmas came to be known for Mr Mince Pie coming down your chimney and giving you the toy you always wanted, how it begin with a simple letter! It’s a really great adaptation of the simple tale and it is carried by some great voices playing the characters! The main character is a spoilt post man, charged with trying to gather letters in the most inhospitable of places by his father trying to teach him a lesson in life. Jason schwartzman is the voice behind Jesper, and though he enters the film as a very unlikeable spoilt brat, you will love him as you see him change into the heartwarming character, which has more than a hand in helping Father Christmas reach his iconic and magical status!

Klaus himself is the superb JK Simmons whose rich voice carries the perfect tone for the role but perhaps my favourite voice of all is one of my favourite comics, Norm Macdonald, playing a ferryman! The humour is fantastic, the story sublime and I genuinely think it will be the big kids like you and I who will enjoy this new Christmas classic just as much as the kids whom we use as an excuse to watch this year in year out! This is one guaranteed to get you into Christmas spirit and it’s got me really excited to watch my favourite Xmas film, bring on those cartoon dinosaurs! An amazing 9 Jingle bells out of 10
​- Gaz

THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN - 12/11/19

I usually hate films where animals talk, mainly when the lips don’t move right and are terribly out of sync! So this film teetered on the edge for me before viewing as I debated whether I could stomach a talking dog voiced by Kevin Costner! But the ratings looked decent so I persevered through my usual cynicism and I have to say I found a lovely little story at the end of it! It’s the life story of a dog called Enzo and, brilliantly, his mouth did not move like he was talking, instead the voice was merely his inner doggy monologue! Jackpot for me! His owner is a racing car driver struggling to make a break through in his career and the story basically details how Enzo copes with his owner falling in love and having a child! It sounds shit doesn’t it?! But the film does takes a turn for the emotional and, though I won’t spoil any plot points, all I can say is there will not be a dry eye in the house by the end! The acting was decent enough to carry the story along and the dog was boss, so all is left for you to do is heed my words, fasten your seatbelts and enjoy the emotional ride! 7 woofs out of 10

​- Gaz

THE NIGHTINGALE - 08/11/19

This one ain’t for the faint hearted at all, it starts off brutal and stays pretty brutal, not in gore but just in uncomfortable scenes and content! Usually a rape scene is enough to make you feel uncomfortable, but add to that a baby death at the same time, and you kind of realise it’s going to be a film you might not want when lazing round on a Sunday!

Challenging, it is, but rewarding because it’s actually a great story with some stunning acting. The villain of the piece certainly seems a rising star, fresh from playing Oswald Mosely in the BBC hit peaky blinders, Sam Claflin plays a british army captain controlling a territory in Australia in 1825. His performance is gripping, he plays being a complete shit to perfection. The hero of the film is without doubt Aisling Franciosi who plays a young Irish girl; her husband murdered, her baby murdered and herself raped by the vile british army members, she seeks out on a revenge mission and seeks help from aboriginal tracker Billy, excellently performed Baykali Ganambarr. The two share a tense but engaging relationship upon their travels as they seek the redemptions of their awful pasts!

As previously stated this film can be hard watching in certain scenes but it is without doubt one of their more gripping tales I have seen this year! 7 bad British tits out of 10.

- Gaz

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THE PEANUT BUTTER FALCON - 07/11/19

This is the hero movie we all need and deserve, but this one doesn’t involve a man with spider senses or a big tit with a cape! This is a beautiful story about a guy with Down Syndrome called Zak who has always dreamed of going to wrestling school ran by his long time hero, Salt Water Redneck! However, Zak has been trapped in an old people’s home for over two years, despite being young, and he now yearns for freedom and to fulfil his dream! Escaping the home he happens upon Tyler and the pair embark on a glorious adventure and forge a most beautiful bond on the road!

The script is easily my favourite of the year so far and I have to say I have never been a fan of his, but Shia LaBeouf is absolutely brilliant as Tyler! This doesn’t just pull on your heart strings it swings you off the ropes and clotheslines you into submission but it’s worth every bit of your time! A big solid 8 Ric Flair "woooos" out of 10

​- Gaz

THE KING - 05/11/19

For fans of Shakespeare or medieval England monarchs, this film is definitely for you! It's a dramatised account of the history of Henry V and based around the plays of old willy! I have never been a massive Shakespeare buff but I have to confess, anything slightly biographical which features old shit is right up my auld street!

This not only boasts a pretty decent storyline, which I assume is at least fairly factual. It also actually looks amazing, the costumes and locations take you right into medieval England and France and a particular highlight is when we are whisked away into a superb battle scene, the famous battle of Agincourt! Perhaps what carries this film best though is the performance of a young Henry V played sublimely by the rising star Timothy Chalamet who was excellent throughout! His performance is helped by a good support and that makes this film just a little bit better than your bang average historic films! I know these will never be everyone’s cup of Yorkshire tea! But allow it to peak your interest and you will be well rewarded with a king of a movie , 7 crowns out of 10

- Gaz

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THE WATCHMEN - 28/10/19

This was the most interesting rewatch in recent history for me. I saw this in the cinema when it came out back in 2008, I hadn't read the comic, but knew there was a hype around this movie. I thought the trailers looked great and the crowd I went with were very excited. However, I remember leaving the cinema feeling disappointed, there was a lot going on, too much happening, and it just felt like something was 'missing'. I even remember arguing that it should have been made into a trilogy, to be met with people saying "A comic book film trilogy? Are you mad?" And thus never, ever watched it again.

Even though I have since read the comic, I thought before beginning to watch the new TV series, I'd go back and watch this film, maybe something may click with me since my last viewing 11 years ago, and wow. The three hour uncut Snyder special filled in a LOT of gaps that the cinema showing left me with. It's gorgeous, ambitious, unrelenting and brutally as true and honest to the comic as it could have been (the ending is obviously exempt from that comment), and gives me a whole lot more respect for Snyder.

Yet it doesn't change my stance on his DCEU work. I know people say the uncut MoS is better and people demand 'the Snyder cut', but those films didn't do anything for me 'in here' *taps chest*. Watchmen did. It tickled my bollocks ten years ago but never got me to blow my nerd load because I felt something for the pieces on show but didn't know what "The Watchmen" was. Now I have finally seen the full painting, I'm a very happy man, with a big ol' smile on my face, not too unlike the Comedian's badge.

​8 out of 10 - JB

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IT CHAPTER TWO 06/10/19

​I was a huge fan of the first one. So much so I voted and successfully championed 'IT' as our Film of the Year on that years NERDIES. So to say I was excited for this would be an understatement. Unfortunately the second chapter fails to hit the same high moments as its first installment. Don't get me wrong, the cast is amazing, the story is compelling and Skarsgaard is still monumentally creepy but... it's not really a horror film to me. It's far more cerebral, which isn't a bad thing however, that means I expect a level of consistency. The big flaw of this film is it's tonally a mess. It doesn't know if it's a horror, a thriller, a drama or a comedy. The comedy was really jarring. I love Bill Hader, and he gives the performance of his career but without the sheer horror of the first, it's overpowering. I still really liked this movie, I just wish it was scarier.

6 out of 10 - JB

JOHN WICK 3: PARABELLUM 22/09/19

This is the worst out of the 3 films. That doesn't mean it's a bad film, far from it. It just doesn't hit the same heights the previous 2 did. And this might seem a crazy criticism to have of the film but, it was a bit far fetched. I know, I know, you're clearly meant to leave your sense of reality at the door with these films, and I've been totally cool doing that, but there were a couple of moments in this one when I thought, "Nah... I'm not buying that". There's also a pointless storyline in the second act that irked me. Great fight scenes, it made me laugh, it gripped me to my seat. Really good film. I just prefer 1 + 2 a lot more.

7 out of 10 - JB

INVADER ZIM: ENTER THE FLORPUS 21/08/19

Really disappointed in this. I don't think it stood a chance though. Zim was well ahead of its time, the problem it's got is that whilst it was gone, it's been outdone. The entire time I watched this I couldn't help but see where Rick and Morty got some inspiration, only they definitely did it better. I also don't think the characters and their dynamic work in long stretches. The short bursts of chaos are what made Zim fun. It wasn't awful, the animation is glorious, the voice acting is on form but alas it wasn't my bag.

4 out of 10 - JB

MEN IN BLACK INTERNATIONAL 25/07/19

*sighs* How hard is it to get this franchise right? The material is gold! So why are we pan handled something that looks shiny but of no real worth. 
This isn't terrible by any means but it has to be held up to the others. There were things about this I liked. CGI, creatures, plot, and humour. There were things about this I didn't like. CGI, creatures, plot, humour. International? More like 'inconsistent'. I just felt like I was watching the same MIB tropes again for a fourth time. It didn't help that I guessed the entire plot from the trailer, so maybe avoid that if you've not watched it. Worth a watch but maybe on a stream or DVD? ​

5 out of 10 - JB

BATMAN VS TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES 13/07/19

This started off very rocky for me. I enjoy all these characters, having a childlike soft spot for the turtles, which has recently grown again thanks to free comic book day. My expectation then was weirdly quite high, and the first impressions I got were that I didn't like the animation or the tone. I can safely say that those feelings soon dispelled. I had a hoot watching this. The script is funny and clever, the story is entertaining and inventive whilst the voice acting and cast of villains is fan fiction level genius. By the time it was over I realised that the unusual tone and animation weren't an issue, just a charming quality that helps form an identity for a team up story that could have been left without one. This must have been hard to pull off, but they made it look easy. Fun fiction at its best!

​9 out of 10 - JB

JOHN WICK + JOHN WICK CHAPTER 2 - 09/06/19 + 30/06/19

I watched the first half hour of this many years ago, then got pulled away due to an emergency and never carried on with it. It has played on my mind for years, and hearing it being accoladed on so many people's lips has slowly driven me mad that I have never watched it in full. I finallt got to last night aaaaaand...it's great. Not amazing, but great. It was odd as I kind of found it hard to suspend my disbelief that he struggled to shoot a man in a towel but not that he could do everything else as well, and with very little dialogue. I still feel I know nothing about John Wick in both a good and a bad way. Definitely getting on the second one before I go and watch the third.
7 out of 10 - JB

This was one of those rare sequels that is better than the original. I can't quite put my finger on why though. It could have been the anime live action vibes it exuded. It could have been the complete unpredictability of it. Whatever the reason, this was a strong film that had my attention from start to finish and now has me extremely interested in what Chapter 3 has to offer.

​8 out of 10 - JB

VICE 18/05/19

This was...interesting. Especially considering I was highly looking forward to it. Like an actual political career, it took time to get anywhere. Act 1 was okay, act2 was entertaining and act 3 was brilliant. Acting, make-up and camera work was as on point as the original take and tone of this film. Wish it had spent longer on his George W. Bush years and a shame it's 20 minutes too long.
​6 out of 10 - JB

THE REVENANT 11/05/19

Wow. What a film. I was gripped to my seat the whole way through. It was like watching one long sweeping shot of a modernised greek tragedy. Those long camera swoops and gritty close ups made me feel like I was there in the thick of it. Everybody should have gotten an Oscar. I genuinely have a love for this film. A truly great piece of art.
10 out of 10 - JB

US 06/04/19

Well this was just plain messy, it doesn’t make any sense and before anyone says that’s the point, sorry it just didn’t work. The plot was just plain stupidity! Maybe I’m missing some sort of message but frankly it just came off as irritating! Some okay moments sprinkle an otherwise frustrating and disappointing movie 3 out of 10

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON: THE HIDDEN WORLD 09/03/2019

I am super critical of animated films but that is because I hold them in an extremely high regard. With that being said; This is the worst of the trilogy. But that's really the only bad thing I can say about it. It's gorgeous to look at, funny and an entertaining watch. It just never took the time to let you soak in any moments (apart from THAT Toothless scene, which is memorable because of that). I mean, don't get too excited about seeing 'The Hidden World's because you could blink and miss it. I also feel the bad guy was voiced by someone who had never done an accent before. Add on top of that, that it ends the film with a scene that does NOT need to be in there, but does completely put a hope for a 4th one out of anybody's hopeful minds. Not pointless, but not up to the level of classic "Toothless" that I would hold the other two to.

5 out of 10
- JB

FIGHTING WITH MY FAMILY 08/03/2019

Great little film about the story of WWE star Paige and her rise from a family owned wrestling company in Norwich to the dizzy heights of Macmahons favourite Titantrons! I have to admit I only went for this film due to the my man the Rocks name being attached to it! But it really delivered despite his appearances lasting a total of about 5 minutes ! It was funny and heartwarming and well worth a shot for fans of wrestling or neutrals! A solid 7 smack downs out of 10

CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME? 03/03/2019

I knew nothing about this going in except it had a low key buzz about it at the Oscars and Baftas. Based on the true story, Melissa McCarthy plays a biographer with writers block who stumbles into the bad influence of Richard E Grant, who seems to be continuing where he left off somewhat, from his performance in 'Withnail and I'. A small cast, and a focus around a couple of shops and her apartment, make you feel very much closer to Melissa's character who, by all standards, should be the bad guy. But there's something about this rude, alcoholics moxie that makes you want her to succeed. Even if that success is just getting through another week by the skin of your teeth. Funny, well acted and without any Hollywood romance sugarcoated on top, this honest look at how desperate people end up doing desperate things will have you on the side of gypsies, tramps and thieves.

8 out of 10
- JB

RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET 01/03/19
Disney and Pixar have problems with sequels. This is probably because they have a great idea for an original film, and then after its success, get pressured by high level bosses to "make another" even though they never planned a sequel in the first place. This feels like that happened. The story moves along faster than Man of Steel without much time for absorbing the moment. You can almost hear the voices around the table shouting "and then they go here, and then this happens" etc. It's not until our heroes get to "Disney-Land" that the story becomes more in the moment and scenes are savoured and funny. The third act is pretty mental as well. It's like they had some ideas for some scenes but not for others and had to find a way to quickly thread them. It's funny and greatly animated however, this easily could have been a straight to DVD sequel for me and doesn't hold much of a torch to the original.

5 out of 10
- JB

American Animals - 8 out of 10

A surprisingly great heist movie that focuses on the true story of a group of college kids who try and steal some valuable and rare books from their own university. It intertwines the dramatic interpretation on screen, with the real accounts of the crew members, making for some conflicting stories. All in all, it gives this tale an audacious amount of reality as you watch it, along with making it very entertaining too. 

The main cast, featuring Evan Peters and Barry Keoghan, are fantastic as the lads who seemingly just catch themselves up in a moment of madness as they start to plan and actually carry out the "it would probably be too ridiculous for Hollywood" sounding plot. It's one of those crazy stories where you realise you are cheering for them to get away with the crime.

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The Darkest Minds - 5 out of 10

Thinking and acting like a kiddie 'Heroes', this promised much as the connection to 'Arrival' and 'Stranger Things' was boasted with its trailer, but this failed to live up to the standard of either.

What 'Stranger Things' did right, this slow and soft offering seemed to ignore completely. Little things like, for example, the soundtrack. I can't recall any tracks particularly standing out. There was even a line in the movie where one of the teens with powers regales a story to another teen, also with abilities, about how he would remember her; with headphones on and music playing. But no music was playing in the scene! It may seem like a small thing but they all add up. 

What was not a small thing was the lacklustre script. It tried so hard to make this lightweight style X-men-esque film about a romance between a boy and a girl, but the relationship between the two seemed so forced and I could almost hear that "Ha, Gayyyy" meme everytime the two spoke to each other. The ending clearly sets up for a sequel that no one in their right mind will watch, so do yourself a favour and use the ability of not remembering this one exists! 

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First Reformed - 4 out of 10

Sometimes a film should work so much better than it does, perhaps it's because you don't watch it in the right mood, but sometimes it's probably cause it's shite. I think this one falls into the later category here first and foremost because, despite the usually likeable Ethan Hawke trying his best, this just felt so dull overall. I have seen Ethan provide charm to films, like in the superb 'Before Sunrise', but this really dissapointed on that front. 

It focuses on a reverend of a church who starts questioning God's plan surrounding the protection of Earth from those who seek to pollute it and even seeks his own retribution on those harming God's creation, it all leads to a climax, which again fails to flatter in the end. By the end of the movie I was just glad it was finished. It clocks in at 1 hour and 53 minutes and you really feel each second of it.... but not in a good way. 

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Tag - 7 out of 10
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A throwaway comedy for sure, but a good comedy! Actually can't believe this was based on a true story about a bunch of old geezers playing tag into their eldar years. "Heroes" is a term used to loosely these days but I feel it is well used here. They decide by keeping the game alive while older stops them from actually growing old, which is a pretty novel and likeable notion. 

The lead parts are also very likeable. Jeremy Renner, Ed Helms and Jon Hamm provide good laughs throughout but perhaps the stand out comedic performance shockingly comes from Isla Fisher as one of the guys over competitive girlfriend. She lit up the screen consistently. This was just a straight up funny enjoyable one off movie anyone can enjoy.

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Ant-Man and the Wasp - 7 out of 10

Clearly I wont go into as much detail as you will find in our Video review (Click here) for this one, so all I really need to say is; Luis and Korg spin off has to happen. This was packed full of fun and comedy throughout the action which made it a pretty good outing once again within the Marvel universe. It ties in nicely to the rest of what's going on with some nice touches, not least the first credits scene... but it felt weaker than the first Ant-Man movie mostly because of the lack of a true villain in the piece. Goggins was just a black market pusher with little or no threat throughout and Ghost was a little bit confusing which just gave the overall movie a weaker score.

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A Quiet Place - 8 out of 10

Really unique feel to this due to the use of sound as what brings the antagonists out. I had heard great things about this film and sometimes that can only lead to disappointment but this lived up to the hype. The creatures were genuinely creepy and scenes with the baby particularly gripping. All in all this is a dramatic horror which actually does make you jump and actually does keep you gripped. Great performances from Emily Blunt and John Krasinski here provide a real warmth  on screen through their interactions with this close family just trying to survive, you route for them every step.

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Skyscraper - 6 out of 10

Another week another movie featuring the ever loveable Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. Today's throwaway but quite likeable Rock movie, is the ridiculously tall 'Skyscraper'. It is so insanely over the top just like 'Rampage' but once again you almost...'almost'...forgive its sheer preposterous nature just because of the main man on screen. This one, like 'Rampage', features a plot so mind numbingly simple and ridiculous, you could probably be forgiven for thinking you had lost some brain cells throughout watching... who knows, maybe I have because I actually kind of liked it.

Films like this are escapism, leave your snobbery at the door and just watch the pretty fireworks of a tall building on fire. It played on the idea it was like 'Die Hard' and, let's face it, it's not 'Die Hard', and for that matter, it's not 'Towering Inferno' either! But still, just shut your mind off and enjoy the stupidity for a bit. The Rock seems to be throwing himself into film after film at the moment and I would happily watch one of these every month.. so keep them coming champ!

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A Prayer Before Dawn - 7 out of 10

Intense, very intense. This film about a scouse boxer who ends up in a Thai Prison leaves you more than a little uncomfortable, as it's shot almost like a fucked up sports documentary/'Trainspotting'.

Based on the true account of Billy Moore, Joe Cole brings the real character to film superbly and, as previously mentioned, it's fucking intense, so strap yourself in for this one. It's a bit of a ride!

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Super Troopers 2 - 5 out of 10

The old cult stoner classic returns.... but not nowhere near as funny. It tries way too hard... I don't know, maybe I truly should have got chonged out my skull for this but I still don't think it would have made me laugh that much. It felt so forced out that you have to wonder why this ended up getting made, did they honestly feel they had the same spirit back? Or was it just the cash? I fear the latter, but just for peace of mind... I will get totally stoned and watch it and decide for sure...I mean, that's research really ... medical research...for you guys...no other reason!

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Pacific Rim 2: Uprising - 5 out of 10

Following on from a disappointing sequel with a disappointing sequel! A little bit of 'same old', big robots fighting big monsters. This time they try and turn Charlie Day's character into a villain.... which really sucked. Like, I love Charlie Day but the guy is not a villain! I was just waiting for him to break into the 'Nightman' song, and that actually that would have made this film 10x better! Aside from that it was just as expected, really big budget action with very little substance around the edges.