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Reviews
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024)
A great film for Mad Max enthusiasts
George Miller is a genius. That is undoubtedly the most important thing to remember when watching Furiosa.
The way he constructs the world's and characters to fit his imagination is unparalleled. The action set pieces are so incredibly woven in to his story lines that you find it hard to understand how he starts creating a film like this.
I was lucky enough to attend the UK premiere of the film and hearing members of the cast and crew talk so passionately about the process helped me to understand the enormity of creating a project like Furiosa.
Chris Hemsworth steals the show as Dementia, the villainous gang leader, obviously having huge fun in a turn that contrasts so much from his usual turns as the hero of the piece. There are excellent turns from Anya Taylor-Joy, Tom Burke and Alyla Browne as Young Furiosa, helping to create an emotional understanding of how the character becomes so hell-bent on revenge.
At times, there is a complexity that seems unnecessary and becomes slightly frustrating at times when character development is taking precedence over action. In some ways the film is a victim of its own brilliance. Because the action sequences are so thrilling it does feel as though there just aren't enough of them. If you are going in to Furiosa expecting to see Fury Road, mark two then you may be a little disappointed.
However, if you are all in on this futuristic dystopia that Miller has created them you will be in for a treat.
Rush (2013)
Beautifully combined Drama and Action
A film that combines intense drama and action is a rare beast indeed, but Rush manages this beautifully and Ron Howard has done a fantastic job at keeping the pace moving while also giving us moments of contemplation.
Both leads, Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Bruhl are superb as James Hunt and Niki Lauda, showing equal amounts of hatred and respect for one another in a relationship that defined Formula One in the 1970's.
There are some gorgeous action sequences, using sound and movement with real expertise and bringing to life some of the best racing sequences you are ever likely to see in a film.
As much as we see the arrogance and flaws of the main protagonists, they are both played with real thought and both Hemsworth and Bruhl demand moments of sympathy from the audience.
It's not perfect. There are perhaps times where the characters could be developed a bit more, in order for us to understand their background and drive, but this does not detract from an engaging, sensitive film that sees Howard paying his own homage to two legends of the sport.
The Fall Guy (2024)
Escapism at it's Best!!!
If you're after a serious action movie with an intricate plot and clever twists, then watching The Fall Guy will be a big disappointment.
However, if you are after a fun, tongue-in-cheek and well-crafted action fest, then you've come to the right place.
Here is a film that isn't going to win any awards and will probably have many critics turning in their swivel chairs but sometimes films are there to allow you to escape the humdrum and enjoy the ride. Gosling is fantastic as Colt Servers and shows his comedy chops don't just end at a guy who does 'beach'. He is the stunt man who has lost his way and is trying to get back with the love of his life, Jody (a seamlessly brilliant Emily Blunt). With a great supporting cast including Hannah Waddingham and a beautifully hammed up Aaron Taylor-Johnson, there is more entertainment here than you could possibly need over two hours.
With more intertextual 80's references than an episode of Stranger Things and the best unicorn placement in film, sit back and enjoy!!!!
Civil War (2024)
A Mixed Bag That Makes You Think
Occasionally it may be a good idea to listen to my own advice and not check out reviews of films that I'm about to see. What that does is add a certain amount of expectation that is hard to shift and, more often than not, ends in disappointment.
That is not to say that Civil War isn't a good film. It shows a scarily believable dystopian future America that keeps you thinking long after the credits have rolled. There are strong performances all round but the slow-burning effect that Alex Garland adopts, doesn't always hit the mark. Despite some spectacular set pieces, there are too many scenes that should be a lot more tense than they end up being.
This is not always the case, with Jesse Plemons' far too brief cameo, being a case in point.
Overall, an enjoyable, and sometimes uncomfortable watch that tends to focus more on character development than the war itself.
The First Omen (2024)
Probably Need to Love the Original
The First Omen is not a terrible film. However it is not fulfilling in terms of what you might want from the genre.
For a start it is not scary (and this coming from someone who scares very easily). Forgive me if I'm missing the point of gothic, religious horror but I would hope for at least a little tension building up to the crescendo moments.
It also wastes the talents of its cast, in particular Ralph Ineson and Bill Nighy (who is criminally underused). The script is ropey at best and gives little for the cast to play with.
The main saving grace of the film is the cinematography. The stylistic elements with the low key colours used and abstract camera angles, show a sophistication that would suit a much better film
Ultimately, if you are not a big fan of the original Omen then this won't excite you. If you do love the original then there are clever links that may build towards a reinvention of the franchise.
Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
An unexpected thrill ride
So this was unexpected. The Mad Max films have never excited me in the past with the vision of this dystopian future that left me cold. However, giving Fury Road a go was something I did not regret. What a thrill ride!!!! The action sequences showed off George Miller's skills as a filmmaker and created an engaging and exciting formula that never let up in the two hour extravaganza.
If you are after deep plotlines then you will be disappointed as this is very thin on the ground, but it's hard to care when the action is so intense. The sound and design is off the charts and brilliantly presented. I can't wait for Furiosa coming in May and am hoping for another Miller masterclass!!!
Manchester by the Sea (2016)
A performance for the ages
A film like Manchester By The Sea is a rarity. Rarely can be seen a film straight out of Hollywood that gives so much grit and realism to tragedy. There are times when the believability becomes so real that it is quite hard to watch but that is when the other rarity becomes so important. Casey Affleck's performance as Lee Chandler is one of the greatest of modern times. The portrayal of a man haunted by his past, while trying to negotiate an uncertain future, is so beautifully crafted with an understated and subtle tone. He is ably supported by Lucas Hedges as his nephew, Patrick but this is ultimately Affleck's film and never has a Best Actor Oscar been more richly deserved. You will get to the end of this film utterly invested in Chandler's life and it will keep you thinking long after the credits have rolled.
Dune: Part Two (2024)
Sophisticated Sci-Fi at its best!!!
What a stunning piece of cinema. If you could create a new genre named 'sophisticated Sci-Fi' then this would be top of the rankings.
After Dune Part One, I was hopeful, expectant but a little apprehensive as to what was coming next. Despite the incredible cinematography, the first film was quite slow going and convoluted in setting up the premise. However, I needn't have worried as part two was a much simpler premise setting up the Paul Atreides' revenge story, but also gave so much action, drama and moment of pure tension. Austin Butler's psychotic portrayal of Feyd-Rautha stole the show but there were also excellent turns from Chalamet, Zendaya and the who's who of Hollywood.
What is clear is that Villeneuve does scale better than any of his peers, and when the worms take front and centre in some of the biggest scenes, he shows why he is a master of his art. It really is a film that deserves to be on the big screen and showed once more why we should savour our cinemas before it's too late.
The Marvels (2023)
Marvel needs a reset
It's hard to write a review about something that was so poor, when what we've been given is a mish-mash of weak plotlines and weaker characters.
The acting can't be blamed and the protagonists do their best to keep the pace going, but what they have been given is a story that seems to have no idea what it wants to do.
The action sequences are boring, the villain is extremely weak and given very little to do, and the heart that filled so many MCU films before it has been replaced with a scripted mess that doesn't make us want to invest in anything that's happening.
The end credit scene adds intrigue to what comes next but certainly doesn't mask what has just been witnessed.
Marvel need to go back to basics showing us characters that we deeply care for without losing the heart that kept us engaged for so long.
Oppenheimer (2023)
Mindblowing - Nolan at his best
There are many factors that make Oppenheimer the film it is. The script is flawless, the settings are beautifully crafted
However, what makes Oppenheimer truly great is its cast.
With more cameos than a Muppet movie, it would be easy to get lost in the who's who of Hollywood while trying to keep track of where we are in the story. What Nolan does expertly is make each and every one of these characters integral to the story. With the likes of Casey Affleck, Gary Oldman, Jason Clarke and Florence Pugh adding to the main cast of Cillian Murphy, Robert Downey Jr, Matt Damon and Emily Blunt, a film of characters has been concocted that is off the charts with tension, drama and realism.
I left the cinema with the realisation of having watched something that was very real and this was brought to the screen by a cast of actors and a director on top form. The relief of finally banishing the memory of the messy and overly-confusing Tenet, it was grest to see Nolan working his magic once more.
Haunted Mansion (2023)
Ignore the critics and simply enjoy
Having gone in to the cinema with a great deal of scepticism around Haunted Mansion, I was very pleasantly surprised to discover that it was a funny, creepy, aesthetically pleasing and heartwarming action/comedy, and therefore the kind of film that shows critics up as people that find it hard to just enjoy a film for what it is.
It's certainly not going to make waves in the same way as Oppenheimer or Barbie earlier this year, but it creates an engaging story that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike.
We see a great cast who are clearly enjoying themselves, with Owen Wilson, Tiffany Haddish and Danny DeVito all on top form.
However the heart of the film lies with LaKeith Stanfield's standout performance; one that mixes humour and heartache perfectly. His presence on the screen helps to make an engaging film even better.
Overall, I would highly recommend Haunted Mansion for family viewing. Don't go in to it wanting the world. Just enjoy it. You won't be disappointed.
The Odd Couple (1968)
The best comedy ever written...
The Odd Couple is, in this humble reviewers opinion, the best comedy ever made.
Not only is it beautifully written by Neil Simon but it also shows off the incredible comedic talent of its two stars. Lemmon and Matthau have never been better.
The relationship between Oscar and Felix is a complex one. Oscar, the self-deprecating slob, living the bachelor lifestyle and Felix, the newly single family man; a neurotic clean freak, trying to live together. Perfect harmony this isn't!
The comedy is effortless. Two rich and engaging characters that any audience would feel empathy for. During the heated exchanges, we never take sides, but simply revel in the mastery of script writing and performance skills being thrown at us.
Although Lemmon and Matthau are the main reason to watch The Odd Couple, the supporting cast is just as important. The comedy is never as dialled up as when the poker games are being played out with Murray, Roy, Speed and Vinny adding such engaging and side-splitting lines that only add to the quality and sophistication of a film that doesn't quite get the status it so richly deserves.
If you are someone who loves film, truly loves the art form that is being put before you, and you have a sense of humour, then you will love The Odd Couple. It's a film that I will come back to year after year and 30 years after first watching it, I love it just as much as I always did.
From the first moment to the last, you will have a smile on your face, and leave it with a sense of warmth that will last until you decide it's time to watch it all over again.
Some films never get old. This is the perfect example of that.
65 (2023)
Sooooooo disappointing.....
On the face of it, 65 had everything I could possibly want from a film.
Adam Driver - check.
Dinosaurs - check.
Futuristic action type stuff - check.
When the trailer first came out the excitement was palpable. Seeing Adam Driver skulk through the lands of a pre-dinosaur extinction, while trying to survive, led to a high level of expectation.
Unfortunately what arrived was a chaotic, messy scenario that involved a plot that was so thin, it could have been written during someone's lunch break. Driver, as usual, was very watchable, but even he struggled to save the script and a character who is reeling from his daughter apparently dying of a cough!!!
The jump scares were poorly timed and utterly predictable and by the end, the only saving grace was the short one hour, thirty minutes run time that avoided me having to complain about having wasted a whole evening watching it.
Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)
Everything Awesome In One Place...
The most original, intelligent, inspiring and beautifully crafted / acted film I have seen in 20 years.
It deserved all the Oscars that it got and more besides. This is a story that was as emotional as it was unexpected and it's hard to imagine that this could ever be emulated by the Daniels, although I'm excited to see what they come up with next.
Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan lead an impeccable cast, beautifully supported by Stephanie Hsu and Jamie Lee Curtis. We are treated to every genre under the sun that ultimately leads to a beautiful reflection on relationships and family. I'll never look at rocks the same way again....