Rating 15 Length 2h01 Release 21.03.2024 Director Doug Lyman About Ex-UFC fighter Dalton takes a job as a bouncer at a Florida Keys roadhouse, only to discover that this paradise is not all it seems. Moon: no moon sighting Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Trailer:
The Good
There’s a few funny scenes as a result of Jake Gyllenhall’s blend of violence and zen. If you do watch, just wait for Kokomo! Best scene in the movie.
Jake Gyllenhall, while not my cup of tea (My inner AJ Rimmer will not let me swoon on someone that buff), he does have that smile and charm to hold the film… for five or so minutes.
The Bad
The plot is lazy and stupid.
The Ugly
The filming is nauseating when it comes to the fight sequences, of which there are many. This film has a massive stiffy for Hardcore Henry (2015) so any time Dalton puts up his dukes, we get all POV with our cameras. It is horrific and the fact that it opens with a POV shot, with dodgy CGI arms belonging to one Post Malone means I’m checked out straight away.
Conor McGregor. I cannot explain how bonkers his performance is. From his Terminator-esque opening to his manical smile, I didn’t know whether to laugh or bleach my eyeballs.
Rating 15 Length 1h44 Release 09.02.2024 Director Carlson Young About An aspiring art intern is invited on a last-minute work trip to London, where she meets a handsome stranger. Moon: no moon sighting Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Exclusive Trailer:
The Good
Riverdale alum Camila Mendes proves yet again she’s lead material by following high school rom-com love letter to Clueless (Do Revenge) with a rom-com of a more grown up affair. She’s born for the rom-com and has easy chemistry with everyone. She also provides the audience with a charming, hard-working, character who you want to root for.
Anthony Stewart Head, a man who had my heart from the moment he slammed that book down in front of Buffy in Sunnydale’s Library. It’s safe to say that he is a wonderful addition to anything in which he’s in (and I mean that! audiobook, tv, film and even theatre). This is no exception. Head plays a scene-stealing artist that is able to see Ana for who she is.
The film follows a trusted romantic story arc, without delving into the darker side of what essentially boils down to fraud, and it doesn’t mind diverting itself away from some of the more obvious choices.
The Bad
I would have like to have had both Ana and William have more friends around them. Yes, Ana has her work friend who is great, but she’s only ever used to move the plot along. There’s no way William, with that upbringing and parties, doesn’t have a group of friends who would cheer him on, or thwart his romance.
The Ugly
The ugly step-sister trope. Yup, utterly stunning assistants; rotten to the fucking core! They’re panto-level horrible and I’d love to replace them with something a little more nuanced. Or subtle.
Final Thoughts
A pretty decent, and much needed, rom com with a lead who will hopefully give us many more over the coming years.
Rating 12 Length 1h48 Release 01.02.2023 (In the US) Director David Hunt About Music critic Bob is out of a job, addicted to Zoloft, and trying to wrangle the menagerie of animals that his wife Amy has accumulated. Moon: no moon sighting Where to Watch: Amazon Prime (for rental or purchase) Trailer:
The Good
The moment Joe Mazzello begins his narration, I know I’m in safe hands. I’ve yet to see the actor turned director take a creative misstep in his entire career (Although give me three wishes, I’m using one of those bad boys to have Small Soldiers and A.I added to his filmography) He has always been excellent at playing characters that are steeped in tragedy, but Mazzello has evolved into an entertainingly dark comedian and it is exactly what a film like this needs to lighten the tone. Bob was also someone I was able to identify with and a brilliant way connect to the film. The Character’s arc of acknowledging his depression, the all-too-real experience of psychotherapy and the complications of prescription medication could feel too heavy if it wasn’t for Mazzello’s performance.
The film is funny. Not only the character of Bob. Yes he’s dry, witty and sarcastic in a way that I find charming, however the film itself is able to bring a comedic tone to much of the events. Some reminds me of Tom Hanks’ Money Pit (1986) and other situational comedies.
One thing I love about independent films is that the audience are given a different storytelling experience. Along with the change in narrator throughout the film, there’s some playing with time when we’re coming to the end of the film to allow an element of completion and fulfilment. Something other, more mainstream, films would not attempt and leave the audience without closure.
The Bad
This is a bittersweet film that does not provide the typical narrative. It plays like real life. Largely to do with it being based on upon the biographical book Enslaved by Ducks by Bob Tart. However it does mean that it touches on difficult topics and not everyone gets a happy ending. For some this may be too much like their own lives, for others it may be triggering. For me, it was comforting to know that others go through similar thoughts and feelings. That I’m not alone and there’s a hope for coming out the other side.
It is hard to watch this film and not be even the tiniest bit curious about what the version with Ashley Tisdale as Amy would have been like. That’s not to say Anna Camp was not perfectly cast; she’s adorable and bubbly, but able to handle the emotional consequences of life not going quite to plan. I just know that dynamics and nuances will have given a completely different film. I also spent a lot of time following this film and was saddened upon the shoot having to shut down due to covid-19 restrictions with mere days left to film.
I’m not sure the film plays on the use of music enough. It’s a personal thing, but to me the protagonist is Bob. Yes, other characters contribute to the narration but 90% is Bob. I would argue that most of the music is reflecting Amy. It is at odds with the film for me. That’s not to say I didn’t like the choices, I just would have liked it to either be a reflection of Bob.
The Ugly
The ugly truth is that living in the UK has meant I’ve had to wait until today, 21 December, to be able to watch this film. Independent cinema is stunning, it is meaningful and it offers an alternative to the loud and fast blockbusters that dominate the cinema. This film would have had a decent box office and could have enticed viewers similar to those who sobbed their way through My Sister’s Keeper (2009) and those who chuckled and cried through Juno (2007). However, films like Unexpected are not finding their way into the cinema and it really is heartbreaking to see.
Final Thoughts
While the topics of depression and fertility may not be my usual go to topics for a Friday night watch, Anna Camp, Joe Mazzello and Scrub’s Neil Flynn not only make me glad I watched, they are the reason I’ll be watching again.
Rating 15 Length 1h37 Release 30.09.2007 Director Damon Thomas About In 1988 best friends Abby and Gretchen navigate boys, pop culture and a paranormal force clinging to Gretchen. With help from a mall exorcist, Abby is determined to compel the demon back to the pits of hell — if it doesn’t kill Gretchen first. Moon: no moon sighting Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Trailer:
Trick
It is a slow burn plot. It absolutely pays off, but you have to stick with the set up and some viewers out there today do not have the attention. Especially when you add the fact that this film is not getting a cinema release.
Anyone with 80’s nostalgia fatigue would do well to steer clear of this one. Yes, there’s an somewhat timeless tone that would forgive you if you assumed it was modern day with the 80s fashion back in style. However those who are tired of the era being used in every film and tv show since Stranger Things, will perhaps want to pop this to one side.
The nighttime scenes are made for a cinema. I lost a lost of the action during those scenes. Combine this with the slow burn, and you might just zone out before it gets good.
Treat
This film is Jennifer’s Body meets Fight Night, in all the right ways.
The 80s era, the bright colour and pop songs. It all contrasts with the darkness and sinister chill that everyone watching it there to see beautifully.
The friendship ups and downs really resinated with me, as I’m sure it will with others. The film tackles some fairly weighty issues that are really quite cleverly approved and resolved.
Christopher Lowell is always a joy on a project, but in this case he steals the show. Almost to the point that I wish he was much more involved.
The two leads, Elsie Fisher and Amish Miller are one’s to watch. While a slow burn is not my favourite type of film, the two girls and their friendship has me invested from the very start.
Final Thoughts
It’s a decent watch. Perhaps not quite as good as Freaky, but it will certainly give you enough goosebumps to see you through the spooky season.
Rating 12a Length 2h11 Release 27.05.2022 Director Joseph Kosinski About After more than thirty years of service as one of the Navy’s top aviators, Pete Mitchell is where he belongs, pushing the envelope as a courageous test pilot and dodging the advancement in rank that would ground him. Moon: no moon sighting Where to Watch: Amazon Prime and Paramount+ from 24/08/2022 Trailer:
The Good
Miles Teller! There are so many levels of perfect to his casting. As the biological son of Goose, he’s spot on. As the boy who will have been raised by Maverick, he’s got it down. The mannerisms, the anger (that flush! I hope to god that’s real and not some CGI deep-fake shit because I identified with that anger tell so hard) and the chemistry with everyone he worked with was what had me invested. The final act had me wishing we’d gotten there sooner and spent the majority of the run time with just him and Cruise.
Bashir Sakahuddin’s turn as Hondo was understated and quite possibly my favourite part of the movie. The lines he gets to give out are gold.
It is a visually stunning film. The first movie struggled to keep my attention during flight sequences, but this?! There were so many shots I’d hang on a wall.
Tom Cruise knows how to entertain. I’m not just talking about his role in this movie as Maverick. He’s probably the only old school “star” able to command a box office. He has a brand and he’s used all his power to get this film made and into the cinema.
Val Kilmer and Iceman. Nope, that’s all your getting.
That said, my final note must be about Cruise and the character of Maverick. It’s a feat to have a character stay true yet not have washed out by the time we pick up the story 30 years later. Absolutely loved how it was within the realms of possibility.
The Bad
I personally could have done without the romance. It undoes the resolution of the first movie. I only couldn’t tell you if it was better or worse that they made a new character rather than have Jennifer Connelly play Charlie. Don’t get me wrong Connelly, and the character of Peggy, was decent. I just felt that it didn’t add anything.
The film really was trying to hard to recreate the conflict of the original. Unfortunately Hangman is too much of a unabashed dickwad throughout the film that it doesn’t have that same feel. I either needed a very different dynamic, or I needed something that breaks him down and humbles him and I’m not talking about not being picked. In fact, you know what would have been good? Keep the final act involvement of Hangman, but have him choke out during one of the final training missions.
The Ugly
I think I’ve spent too much of my life worried I’d become my mother, that I’ve become my father. Mainly because this movie is just a retelling of Star Wars: A New Hope. Seriously though?! There’s a good chance you were already thinking it, but if you weren’t, watch it again and tell me I’m wrong?!
Where was all the gay undertones that the original was so famous for?! My lecturer didn’t write a paper on the homoerotic coding of Top Gun for Top Gun: Maverick to do us so dirty!
Final Thoughts
I did not expect to like this film, let alone like it as much as I did. Issues aside, it’s a fairly decent movie. Dare I say the “blockbuster” has a pulse after all?!
I watched the first trailer late at night whenever it dropped online. I showed it to my dad first thing, the very next day. His face lit up and he grinned like a kid at Christmas. Star Trek was not just ‘his’ show, it was ‘our’ show. He was so looking forward to catching up with Jean Luc and he found the addition of Seven in the second trailer rather clever. Unfortunately, my father passed in November, so tomorrow is going to be very different to the day we’d had planned. In fact, I almost was going to never watch it.
Fast forward to January 2020 and I’ve sobbed through the first half of the other show of ‘ours’; Dr Who. The thought of Picard being as painful was actually on my mind a hell of a lot.
Then, something amazing happened. I won tickets through Amazon Prime to be at the premiere in London. Seems like dad was there making sure I didn’t let this show pass me by.
The Logical
This is Trek, but not as we’ve come to know it. At the heart we do have familiar faces, but this isn’t the universe we left the crew of Enterprise in. It’s a stunningly flawed and embittered society we’re faced with and it clashes with the serenity of the vineyard.
There’s catching up for viewers to do and it’s done in a way that embraces those who are new to the franchise. There’s no gate keeping in the opening episode. Which is brilliant because I was a bit foggy on the events of that last movie outing.
Visually, it is stunning. From the costumes, to the physical movement and location choices. It is that balance between the tv show and the cinematic outings.
Patrick Stewart not only fits back into the role like he’s never left, he makes it seem so effortless. Jean Luc instantly pulls back your loyalty and your trust like its 1987. There’s a scene in which Picard engages with the media and I found it to be one of the most powerful scenes ever crafted for Trek: it was able to comment upon topical politics while utilising Stewart’s theatrical background for a breathtaking speech.
New face, Isa Briones, has a charm that will disarm you while the mystery surrounding her will keep you thinking long after the credits role. The actress is challenged with making the audience feel something for her very quickly and she does so with beautiful grace.
A personal favourite actress of mine, Alison Pill, shines in the later half of the episode as what I hope will be our resident Dr for this series. Her interaction with Picard are tonally perfect and give the viewers a humorous interlude to the dramatic.
The Illogical
Why are they not all dropping tomorrow?! The episodes, that is. Wow! That first episode was over in a flash and left me wanting more. Yes, I’m impatient and I have questions that need answers.
Final Thoughts
This episode is not fan service, it’s not about everyone getting a pay check. This first episode is the start of something! It’s a well crafted, emotionally charged hour of tv perfection.
Star Trek Picard launches its first episode tomorrow on Amazon Prime.
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