I’ve finally gotten around to ‘The Illusionist,’ and I have to say, it’s a very good film. It’s impossible not to draw comparisons to ‘The Prestige,’ especially with how similar their endings are, even if they take different approaches. The fact that these two films were released just five months apart is honestly hilarious; Neil Burger and Christopher Nolan must’ve been looking over each other’s shoulders at some point. That said, ‘The Illusionist’ feels more focused on the mystical side…
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Kraven the Hunter 2024
Saw ‘Kraven the Hunter’ a couple of hours ago, and honestly, I don’t get the hate. Maybe I was watching a different film because two of my mates called it boring, but I didn’t feel that way at all. The plot was decent overall, and it was great to finally see Kraven, one of Marvel’s most unique characters, on the big screen. Aaron Taylor-Johnson wasn’t a bad choice for the role either. It’s not his strongest performance, but he still…
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65 2023
Watched ‘65’ this morning, and honestly, it was just decent. Adam Driver was solid, though far from his best, but he still managed to carry it. The story itself is fine, nothing overly complex or intricate; spaceship crashes on a strange planet, and it’s all pretty straightforward from there. The pacing felt a bit rushed, and there wasn’t much depth to dig into, but it did what it set out to do.
The dinosaurs were okay, though they had a…
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Before I Go to Sleep 2014
I’ve seen some people call ‘Before I Go to Sleep’ a “poor man’s Memento,” which I couldn’t help but laugh at, but honestly, I’m not entirely on that bandwagon. I know I might be in the minority here, but I really enjoyed this film. It follows the story of a woman who wakes up every day unable to remember her life, the result of a traumatic accident in her past. As she starts piecing things together, terrifying truths emerge, forcing…
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Midsommar 2019
‘Midsommar’ is definitely a disturbing film, no doubt about that. At this point, I’ve decided Ari Aster just doesn’t do it for me. His films seem to follow the same formula: brutal cult horrors with gruesome, unresolved endings. I’m probably being a bit harsh here, because it’s a solid film, but I feel like it had the potential to go deeper into the grim rituals and maybe even let Dani and Christian find a way to flee. Instead, it went…
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Elf 2003
I know I’m probably on my own with this, but this was genuinely my first time properly watching ‘Elf.’ I’d never gone for it before because my Christmas film rotation usually sticks to ‘Home Alone,’ ‘Love Actually,’ and ‘Nativity!’, the ones I always make time for. Honestly though, I think ‘Elf’ is heavily overrated. Sure, a few parts made me laugh, but it just didn’t pull me in the way I hoped.
I’ve never been a big Will Ferrell fan,…
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Surviving Christmas 2004
‘Surviving Christmas’ still holds up as a surprisingly funny watch, even on a rewatch. It’s more of a rom-com than a proper Christmas movie, but it managed to make me laugh again, and it’s not overly long, which I appreciated.
Honestly, I think both the critics and film buffs on Letterboxd have missed the mark on this one; it’s much better than they make it out to be.Ben Affleck impressed me with his comedic timing. He really sells the…
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Christmas with the Kranks 2004
‘Christmas with the Kranks’ is a decent enough Christmas film, but nothing I’d go out of my way to watch again. The premise of skipping Christmas for a trip is laughable to me; Christmas is such a big part of the year, so the whole idea felt a bit off. That said, the ending ties things up well enough.
What really got under my skin was the neighborhood’s over-the-top obsession with the Kranks’ decision not to celebrate. As much as…
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Withnail & I 1987
‘Withnail and I’ is a film I thoroughly enjoyed from start to finish. The script brims with sharp humour, vile insults, cutting sarcasm, and some of the most unforgettable lines I’ve come across in film! It’s a comedy that’s completely unique, and I can’t think of many others that come close. Richard E. Grant and Paul McGann delivering this razor-sharp dialogue is what makes ‘Withnail and I’ so fcking good! I’ve hardly seen Grant in anything else, but he’s utterly…
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Lost Highway 1997
‘Lost Highway’ is one hell of a film! It’s every bit the brainfuck of an experience you’d expect from Lynch, and I couldn’t help noticing how uncanny it feels alongside ‘Mulholland Drive.’ He’s absolutely brilliant, but there’s no denying he’s got one of the most uniquely twisted minds in filmmaking. How Lynch comes up with this shit is an absolute mystery to me 🤣.
The film itself is drenched in mystery from start to finish. It’s one of those stories…
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Rivals 2024
I found ‘Rivals’ to be one of the most refreshing dramas I’ve seen in a while. The writing is sharp, and the cast is absolutely spot on. David Tennant is brilliant as always, nailing the role of a complex antagonist with a presence that kept me glued to the screen. Aidan Turner as Declan is fantastic too; he brings a lot of depth to the character, and Alex Hassell as Rupert was just as strong, making the dynamic between the…
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Conclave 2024
‘Conclave’ was a pretty solid watch and one I enjoyed more than I expected. Fiennes and Tucci both delivered standout performances; Fiennes, in particular, was incredible in every scene, commanding the screen with his presence. The cinematography deserves a special mention too; it’s brilliantly atmospheric, with Berger crafting some stunning visuals that give the film a real sense of depth and grandeur. I wouldn’t be surprised if it nabs a ton of Oscar nods for its cinematography and acting, and…