I definitely got ripped off buying this on DVD, but it had to be done 🤷🏿‍♂️

There’s something raw and unrelenting about 28 Days Later that sticks with you long after the credits roll. Danny Boyle doesn’t just deliver a zombie movie—scratch that, an “infected” movie—but a full-on plunge into post-apocalyptic chaos. The real genius here is how it strips the genre down to its nerve endings. The story begins with Cillian Murphy’s Jim waking up alone in an empty hospital and stumbling into a desolate, eerily quiet London. From the get-go, you’re thrown into his confusion and terror, and it never really lets up.

What makes 28 Days Later so good is how it balances feral, balls out terror with quieter, introspective moments. Sure, the Rage-infected aren’t technically zombies, but Boyle gives them this terrifying speed and aggression that flips the slow-shambling undead trope on its head. These infected don’t just chase you—they hunt you, and it makes every encounter feel like a fight for survival. I will stand by this till my dying day - these zombies are so much worse than the walkers in the walking dead. Running flat out and smashing shit up. It’s genuinely horrifying. But what’s even scarier than the infected? The living (cliche).

That’s where the movie shines: the human element. The survivors Jim teams up with—Selena (played with a steely brilliance by Naomie Harris) and Mark—are all hardened in different ways, and their dynamics feel brutally honest. The apocalypse doesn’t romanticize them; it breaks them down. And then there’s that third act twist with Christopher Eccleston’s Major Henry West and his merry band of soldiers, which feels like it’s ripping off the polite mask of civilization to show the violence and control bubbling beneath. It’s unsettling in a way that hits you harder than any blood-spewing infected could.

Visually, this movie is a masterclass in mood. Those grimy, handheld shots by Anthony Dod Mantle make the whole thing feel like you’re watching someone’s very bad day spiral out of control in real-time. The empty streets of London are haunting. The score? Iconic. John Murphy’s “In the House - In a Heartbeat” is practically a character on its own, creeping in at just the right moments to squeeze your chest a little tighter.

But it’s not perfect. The pacing stumbles a bit once the group hits the mansion, and some of the character decisions (especially Jim’s sudden action-hero turn) strain credibility. It’s not enough to derail the movie, but it does make you wonder what could’ve been with a bit more nuance in the final act. The movie also employs a ridiculous amount of shaky cam and fast cutting. Before you bite my face off, I know this is a choice and it adds to the chaos of the rage infected, but at some points my eyes genuinely started to hurt. It’s just personally a bit much for me.

Still, 28 Days Later is a landmark for a reason. It’s gritty, uncompromising, and feels like a genuine gut-punch to the apocalypse genre. Boyle didn’t just make a horror movie—he made a genuinely realistic take on how a situation like this would play out. It’s pretty great. Worth getting ripped of by some dude for a scratchy dvd that originally cost him 7.99 (he had the audacity to leave the price sticker on it). 

Probably yeah 🤷🏿‍♂️

Today I had the chance to watch one of my Boxd top 4 in 70mm IMAX for the first time. Mind blown.

Now it’s no secret that I think interstellar is Nolan’s best movie. The story just transcends everything else he has put to screen. A story of family bonds and love spanning a galaxy. Add on top of that musings on the meaning of life and time. Whether love goes beyond the forces of nature that we recognise. What sits beyond our perceived dimensions. Nolan films do often pose big questions but I genuinely feel like this one of the most profound.

And the acting? I mean Mathew McConaughey gives his best performance by a country mile. We all know by now the scene where he sits and watches messages through time and it’s not an exaggeration to say it’s one of the single best bits of acting ever produced. Anne Hathaway is of course stellar (pun intended). Sir Michael Caine is awesome. One surprise cameo that I don’t want to ruin for all 6 of you that haven’t seen this is great too.

Now I don’t often talk about scores that heavily in reviews, but this score is genuinely my favourite of all time. Hans Zimmer went to bloody space on this one (pun still intended). The use of the organ is special, and whilst people talk about ‘day one’ or ‘cornfield chase’ all the time, ‘stay’ is by far the best track for me, especially given what it truly means when you’ve seen the movie more than once! Of course Zimmer’s score contributes to the ‘docking’ scene which is genuinely one of the best scenes in sci-fi history.

So yeah seeing this on the biggest possible screen with the best audio in the best quality was mind blowing. May be my favourite film. Almost definitely the most visually stunning (think gargantua in IMAX). Definitely deserves to be in the top 4.

Can you tell I love interstellar?

So this film has been clouded in a very weird but somehow expected controversy that is going to inform my entire review. You’ll see why if you keep reading. 

The first I heard of this movie was people posting a poster that had two black characters on it and saying how ‘woke’ it is to have a movie set in war era London that featured black characters. Watching this, I realise that those people are who the movie is really commenting on. As always, Steve McQueen has created a movie with layers upon layers.

This movie does feature black characters. And south Asian characters. And Jewish characters. And white characters. They make up the point of the film. It tackles an era in London and a specific event that hasn’t often been covered. The blitz was horrible. And on top of that it was a time when a city banded together beyond race or creed and just carried on. McQueen understands that in a way I don’t think any other director has. I cried at this movie, genuinely. 

And the acting? Ronan is of course fantastic. Our young lead Elliot Heffernan is really great and manages to avoid the ‘harry potter’ blank stare young actors can often have. And Benjamin clementine? He’s barely in the film, for all the hate he has been given online, and yet he is such a strong heart for the movie. He reminds me of my dad to be honest and I wept at one moment he is involved in. 

So many people are fuming at the simple sight of black and brown people in England in a movie when they historically would have been there. My Nigerian ancestors fought in World War Two so I guess it’s personal. This film understands that and uses it to make you think. And it’s great. Go watch it.

I’ll let you in on a secret. I’ve tried to watch this movie before and couldn’t get through it. Not because I was too scared, but because I was too… disgusted. 

Now that I’ve managed I think that’s exactly what Aster was going for.

Midsommar carries what made hereditary so good forward. This isn’t a movie with loads of jump scares and loud noises. There is gore but it feels earned. Things aren’t really going bump in the night. In fact Midsommar is a daytime horror. What makes this movie work is how real everything feels. This feels like something that could really happen to you or just about anyone and it’s really horrible.

You can tell that Ari Aster really looked into how cults work and who cults target here. You have a grief stricken, unstable, insecure main character played sublimely by a younger Florence Pugh, and watching her get gradually ensnared by the Harga commune is the best part of this film. If you have any interest in cults you know this is the exact kind of person they target and is exactly how they work. Any thing off putting or particularly crazy is presented as just a ‘cultural difference’ or ‘just the way we do things here, you’ll understand one day’. Naysayers are gradually pushed out while people who seem to have a slight interest are specifically targeted. Midsommar handles this fantastically.

The acting is great across the board, but Florence really does stand out. I know this film put her on the map years ago and I wish I’d been able to enjoy it more back then. What a way to burst onto the scene! 

So what made me disgusted by it? The same thing that makes me realise it’s a good piece of work. It’s so realistic in its horror. These people terrify me because people who think and act like them exist all over the world. I can deal with demons and that sort of thing because I don’t really believe in it. This film is more like a universal ‘get out’ where you can’t logically shut it away as something that would never happen. That’s what makes it good, and it’s also why I doubt I’ll ever want to watch it again.

If it isn’t broke don’t fix it. 

Guys I think I’ve been pretty clear before how big of a fan of musical theatre I am. Wicked is basically the reason for that. I’ve seen it in the west end five times. I have to lead with that because I could be looking at this with rose tinted glasses. I don’t think that’s the case though. 

This is phenomenal. This movie is the perfect example of how to adapt something that is already beloved to the screen. Why? It’s the damned same thing. There are no big changes or reworks. The original story is already so fantastic that none of that is needed. And honestly what a timely story. A parable about the way we treat ‘others’. The way the ruling class will always find an enemy to rally the people against. Here it’s the ‘animals that eat all our food and talk so well’. There are so many real world parallels and that’s what makes it such a strong plot.

Let’s talk direction. Some people worried when the trailers came out that this would be a CGI mess devoid of any life like some other stage to film adaptations. They couldn’t be more wrong. Of course there is cgi (there are talking animals) but I think you’ll be surprised at how much is in camera. Environments pop. The screen is packed with action. John M. Chu has learned so much from in the heights and it’s on show here. Like damn how many dancers does he NEED in one shot. It’s incredible. The final sequence that brings us to the end of act 1 of the musical is the kind of thing I worried couldn’t be adapted well in any circumstance. I’ve been proved wrong. I had genuine goosebumps.

Now the two people you’ve been waiting for. We’ll start with Ariana Grande as Garlinda. I genuinely think she was born for this role. I don’t know too much about her and I admit my eyebrows raised slightly when she was cast but my god was she perfect. She has an old Hollywood way of using her body to perfectly nail humour that I loved. Also of course she can sing, but some of the vibrato filled high notes she threw out there were really good. Bravo to her and perhaps this will be the start of a successful acting career for her beyond Nickelodeon. 

But guys. Cynthia. Am I surprised? No. Am I delighted. Yes. There is going to be Oscar buzz around here and it will be so deserved. There’s something in the way she uses these tiny micro expressions to say so much that is honestly stunning. Just a slight shift of the face and you feel like you’re in her shoes and just know exactly what she is thinking. It’s genuinely incredible. She has packed this performance with so much emotion, and subtlety, and a genuine grace that is actually special. That’s before you get to her giving one of the best vocal performances in film that we have ever seen. I honestly can’t rave enough about her. This is a performance for the ages. 

Go and watch it. This is one of those films that reminds me of the pure joy cinema can bring. 

Also there is a nod to the original broadway cast in there that is so perfectly executed it hurts.

Looping back round for this one following on from ‘the penguin’ and spotted one more thing that I absolutely love about it.

Reeves just really understands Gotham in a way that we probably hasn’t seen since Tim burton’s version. The city is sick, and Batman isn’t really a cure. He’s just another symptom. I love the idea that crime still just happens, something which is carried on in the penguin. One man in a mask doesn’t completely end crime in a city, and that isn’t Batman’s goal. 

Furthermore this Gotham is layered. You have the beautiful city skyline and the lovely old city hall and courthouses, and then beneath that you have a dirty, grimy, ugly sprawl filled with criminals hanging out in dimly lit streets. I don’t think that was actually captured very well in Nolan’s trilogy so I love seeing it here.

The final thing I like is how often Batman gets absolutely smacked in the fight scenes. He’s young and new to this and he shouldn’t be putting away groups of 8 thugs without breaking a sweat. Go and watch the film back and take note of how often he is slightly too slow, or misses a punch. All the times someone absolutely clocks him. It’s kinda great and adds to the character progression. This is almost the Batman/vengeance prototype. He isn’t there yet. 

With that in mind I’m really looking forward to seeing him be ‘there’ in the next film. I also hope we get more tv spin offs because the penguin was great. Perhaps a different side character gets a turn at bat. Who knows?

Side note - if you’re on bluesky, I’ve just made an account where I may chat some shit occasionally. Would love to get about five followers over there:
Search ‘The Saltburn Drainpipe’

Do you guys remember Napoleon? Remember how it looked like it was gonna slot in as another Ridley Scott epic and then ended up being a slow, overly long, poorly written mess? 

He learned. Ridley is back. 

Guys this is a phenomenal film. I’m gonna gush a bit here so indulge me please. 

Gladiator 2 does a really good job of avoiding the traps that historical epics like napoleon can fall into. Let’s be clear here. Absolutely none of this shit happened. The characters are mostly made up. Everything is in the wrong place and time in comparison to what really happened. It’s all a bunch of nonsense.

And that’s kinda where the film shines. Ridley really understands Rome. It doesn’t need to be strictly true to history because it just feels so Roman. The decadence and complete fascination with having shit. Why would you want to cook and eat a rhino? Because you can. Is everyone who has money just partying all the time for the sake of it? Yes. Is sexuality a loose concept? Yes. It’s great! 

And the story? This is a great example of ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it’. The story doesn’t take any massive chances. Instead it is pretty damned similar to the plot of the original movie even down to character motivations. What it doesn’t expertly is weave itself together with the original in ways you don’t really expect. There’s one obvious character link that you can see a mile off, but another that isn’t ever completely confirmed is masterful. 

I’m sure people want to hear about the action. I really liked it. It feels a bit more brutal than the original. Hits really hit. Bones break. It’s all very visceral. What I will say is I don’t know if there’s an iconic scene in here to rival the chariots in the original or the final fight between Maximus and Comodus. Still you get your fix here. It’s more epic gladiatorial fighting. There is one fight between two characters in the coliseum that is the most invested I’ve been in a fight in a long time and that’s down to the way it’s built up. The fights live in the writing that warrants them. 

Let’s talk actors. Firstly Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger as the twin emperors. Outstanding. Disgusting. Vile. As a follow up to Phoenix in the original they’ve really understood the assignment. I also love how they’re such different characters even as twins. They play off each other in a great way. 

Mescal? He does what he needs to do. It’s not an easy job coming in to fill the boots that Russel Crowe left. Some may say that mescal is doing a good imitation of Crowe and that’s really all he needs to do! You identify with him and really want him to survive. That’s kind of the point. Pedro pascal is a similar deal. The more you sit with him the more you want him to win out. It’s good writing combined with good acting.

But Denzel? Oscar. Now. It’s not hype it’s just true. This man can act. We already knew that but he’s reminded us here. He’s just working so hard, but somehow effortlessly stealing every scene he is in. It’s an aura around him. It’s intimidating even through the screen. The man is just too good. This is his movie. And in a film where everyone else is doing so well. He demolishes everyone around him. 

Guys get to a cinema. Don’t wait for streaming. We have a duty to reward really big hitting movies like this so that more get made. Go watch it asap. Bring a friend.

Finally got to see this after a million and one years!

Guys this is a pretty dark movie. In fact I can comfortably say it’s Ghibli’s darkest movie to date. The trailer doesn’t really advertise the fact that the main themes in this movie are death, loss, and grief. However that makes for a really good movie.

As always the animation here is absolutely beautiful. That signature Miyazaki style is here and going full gangbusters on us. This film is colourful but not overly saturated. Every single character has a distinctive look to them. Old people are cute as hell. It’s what you have come to expect.

The story itself is also as tight and well written as you would expect. It moves along at a tight pace, and even in such fantastical situations as these, you feel like every characters actions are earned and believable. At points you might be moved to tears. I certainly was.

And a special nod needs to go to Robert Pattinson. His voice acting here is… something else. I wouldn’t be able to tell it was him if I hadn’t known in advance. I would usually always suggest watching the original Japanese take, but for once I’m gonna suggest the English dub and it’s just for him. Make of that what you will. 

It’s on Netflix finally guys. I should’ve managed to get to the cinema while it was there and that’s my bad. Should it have won best animated picture over spider verse? Possibly not on my opinion. However that shouldn’t take away from the fact that this is a really good film.

This was surprisingly good. 

Like many, I’ll often hop on to Letterboxd and see what’s popular and then give it a try. This movie showed up at number 3, so I decided to give it an evening viewing without any prior info. Apparently it did have a limited theatrical release but prior to viewing I’d never heard anything about it before. Not gone be amazing right? 

This is actually a really good movie. Arrival is in my top 4, and this film somehow managed to create very similar vibes whilst being a rom com. It is really well acted, and other than Aubrey plaza, who isn’t actually seen very often, lacks any big names. Our lead is played by Maisy Stella and she honestly shocked me with the subtlety and honesty of her performance. I look forward to seeing more of her.

Now the plot? I really don’t want to say too much. All I will say is this film really needed to stick the landing when it came to the ending and boy oh boy it did. This is not your classic by the numbers rom com. The questions it asks are answered really well without feeling like you’re being preached to. Bravo.

Go watch it on prime guys. It’s a really good one.

Well I get the hype for this one. 

Every now and then a movie comes along that ha something to say, but wraps it in a really cool concept. Here Fargeat has taken the idea of the treatment of women’s bodies and wrapped it up in a body horror and it fucking rules. 

I don’t want to spoil where the film goes for anyone who hasn’t seen it (there can’t be that many, it’s been everywhere), but this plot is pretty pacey. It isn’t complicated and you can see it a mile off but it marches along at such a snappy pace that you’re drawn in. All of that is wrapped in a bright, colourful surrealist art style that I couldn’t take my eyes off. 

The message of the film is very much hammered home. Similarly to the in your face visuals, the point is literally screamed at you repeatedly. The movie doesn’t suffer for this however. The men in this film are horrible (and often outright disgusting). Their dialogue seems unrealistic but also kinda just isn’t. It’s just really well done. 

Our two leads are both outstanding. Qualley shows why she is a rising star in Hollywood with an impactful performance. However she is absolutely swamped by Demi Moore who gives the performance of her lifetime. She’s vulnerable, sad, likeable, and ultimately unhinged. Really she’s knocked it out of the park.

Add in some really good practical body effects and some absolutely toe curling gore including I think the most blood I’ve ever seen in a scene and  lots of needles. And you have a hit. I’m not joking about the needles by the way. If you have a phobia maybe give this one a miss. 

What a fun piece of work this is. A smash hit out of nowhere!

Guys help me out here. Whose fucking idea was this? Like genuinely who decided to do this to us. I’m at a loss. 

Let’s start with the good stuff. The joker is by nature an interesting character, and although I know this iteration isn’t most people’s cup of tea, I actually enjoy learning about him. Phoenix is chewing it up as well. I can’t really fault his performance - it’s just about as good as it was in the first film in my opinion. 

Lady Gaga usually isn’t my favourite actress. Here she is simply serviceable. Harley Quinn doesn’t really have as much to do as I thought she would and is perhaps underutilised. 

The film is also well helmed visually and thematically. There are of course the interesting switches between Arthur’s perspective and the real story. We often don’t know if what we’re seeing is actually playing out that way and that’s a fun concept that is carried over from the first.

In terms of the plot, spoilers ahead. I actually really like the idea of the joker being raised up as this cult hero, but really just being a pathetic broken man who has left pain and destruction behind him. The court scenes where his victims discuss how he has ruined their lives are fantastically done. It feels like Todd Phillips is bothered with how many people completely missed the point of the first film. Bravo for that. This isn’t someone people should look up to. Also (big spoiler), the ending where Arthur is stabbed and the real joker reveals himself is so cool. I absolutely loved it. Made me low key with this was tied to the ‘the Batman’ universe. 

How-fucking-ever. This film being a musical is the most frustratingly brain dead idea I could possibly imagine. It genuinely makes me angry. So many damned times a really interesting conversation is cut off so we can hear phœnix sing stevie wonder or some shit. At one point Arthur is being interviewed for tv and the dialogue is scintillating, and then he just starts fucking singing a completely unrelated song. Whenever you’re really drawn in the JUST. START. SINGING. Whoever’s idea this is needs to be shot out of a cannon. At the end of the film Arthur is trying to have a deep conversation with Harley and she starts singing. He literally begs her to stop and just talk and that is exactly how I felt through this whole thing. 

This could have been a really good movie. Instead it annoyed the living hell out of me. Such a damned shame.

Disclaimer: this review is written by my fiancé who actually viewed the movie. I’m down with the flu so had to miss out!

The wild robot 🤖 

It’s a story that we’ve all watched or read before but it doesn’t make it any less charming. On the one hand, it’s a clash between man made devices / futuristic science robot AI shit and the natural world, the latter of which helps a robot become more human. On the other, it’s a story about an underdog seen as an outsider overcoming all odds to be accepted and people uniting despite their differences. None of this is super “new” but it was still really lovely because the relationships that form are genuinely touching. And there were new angles to it, I really liked the addition of motherhood and the realities of motherhood as a theme which made the robot more personable. You sort of know how it’s going to end but as with most kids films, you’re there to watch how we get there. It didn’t stop me crying at multiple points while a tiny gosling achieved his dreams. 

Visually, it’s gorgeous and the animals are of course super cute. It isn’t trying to be modern and cartoony in style or super realistic. It looks like a painting that’s been animated, it feels like you can see how someone has drawn or painted the scene before it’s turned into a film and everything starts moving. 

The voice acting was strong, it gave all of the animals distinct characters that you could differentiate and identify. For example, the wise old heroic goose leader who takes Bright Bill under his wing sounds exactly how you’d expect him to sound. I maybe didn’t warm to the fox sidekick as much as some of the other characters, perhaps because that role felt the most referential as something we’ve seen before but he did the job and did it well. For me, the robot having a female voice that was definitely robotic, don’t get me wrong, but still had some inflection and emotion to it helped you to connect with her as well. 

Overall, a really lovely heartwarming watch that is beautiful to look at and will make you cry if you’re soppy like me and fall in love very easily with tiny baby animals who are the runt of the litter. All I would add is that if you’re going with children expecting shrek or despicable me, it isn’t a very funny film. There are moments that make you chuckle, nods to an adult audience that make you smile etc, but I wouldn’t describe it as a comedy. That’s not a negative for me because it was a beautiful adventure and not all films need to be all things to everyone, but it’s probably not a laugh a minute. 

4 stars really liked it, gorgeous but not 5 star mind blowing. Would definitely watch again when it hits streaming!

Take 2 cos it’s spooky season.

You’ve all heard about this movie by now and I hope at least most of you have watched it. For more details look at my prior review, this one is gonna stand more as a flat praise, and will have spoilers. 

I watched this 2nd time through with my fiancé. She doesn’t really get scared by demonic/religious horror because she has absolutely zero thought that any of it could ever be real. However she enjoyed this simply as a detective story and I think that is testament to the writing. Beyond all the absolutely horrible shit that goes down here and the realisation that the villain is literally SATAN, there is a great detective story based underneath. Following the case and trying to figure out what is going on is half of the fun. 

For me, however, who is not religious at all now but grew up in a household where I was convinced that demons and the devil are real this film is flat out terrifying. The satanic element of it is perfectly executed in the dolls, and the idea of letting him in either knowingly or unknowingly. It’s unsettling, worrying, and pretty much any religious or ex religious persons worst nightmare. 

And finally just another little rant on Nicholas cage. He’s actually barely in the film. Bar the opening scene, he disappears for pretty much the first half, and then face bashes himself out of the movie about 30 mins later. However every single second he is on screen is masterwork. I would nominate him. Also I somehow didn’t notice on first viewing that he has been living underneath Harker’s mums house since their first meeting making him another man downstairs. Fucking horrific. 

Go watch it if you still haven’t. Seriously just do.

Is this a directorial debut for Kendrick? If so it’s a damned good one. 

I should start this with a warning. This film tackles some really tough subject matter around SA and murder of women and girls. It doesn’t shy away from it at all and is often really difficult to watch. This is an obvious choice and is part of what makes it such an impactful piece of work. However my fiancé found it very difficult to watch and almost gave up within the first 10 minutes. Be warned going in, this one is tough. 

The meat of the movie is built on how someone can continuously get away with such horrific acts and how wider society allows for people like him to exist. Throughout the film we see women protect and help each other, and we see constant subtle reminders of misogyny in the world they exist in. It’s really well done. It doesn’t go as far as ‘every man is horrible and we hate them all’, but does so enough so that most of the men we interact with through the one hour runtime are just off. They make quiet comments about Cheryl’s body. They question any time they’re told of male wrongdoing and often completely ignore it. They see a beaten and battered girl with tears in her eyes and they just keep on driving. 

That’s what I liked so much here. I’m a man just turning 30. I’ve seen enough to know that there are some monsters among us, and we have to make sure our behaviour doesn’t enable them or make their deeds more acceptable. I’m still appalled when a footballer openly assaults his girlfriend, and my twitter feed is full of men saying he should be forgiven because he’s good at football and they want him in their team. Spotlight how day to day misogyny enables SA and makes it harder for victims to be seen, heard, and believed.

To cap off an important story, Kendrick directs this movie so well. The tension in some of the scenes is nail biting. Also the way the camera lingers ok certain shots is perfect. The entire aim here is to make the viewer uncomfortable and she’s nailed it. Even in the most graphic and horrifying moments (be warned, whilst they aren’t gory, they’re pretty horrible to watch), she manages to draw you in to the pure terror of the victims. A stellar job. 

Have a watch if you have the stomach. And maybe show it to the dude you know who has the ‘wrong type of locker room talk’.

How to speak on this movie. Obviously it’s a remake of a pretty great Spielberg original and that weighs over it quite heavily. It can be hard to separate a remake from previous greatness but I’ve tried quite hard here. 

This is a good movie. Is it great? Definitely not. In fact it drags at points and for a movie that is only two hours long it really feels long. The plot can become slightly muddled in a way I don’t remember the original’s doing, and certain threads are never explained to the point where they make sense.

Furthermore this is a musical that doesn’t have very many BANGING tunes. There are maybe 3 memorable songs in here and it hurts the film overall. I found myself waiting for many of the numbers to end and that isn’t a great sign. 

However I would 100% recommend watching the movie. Why you might ask? The acting. This is a ridiculously stacked movie in terms of stand out performances. Fantasia is absolutely incredible and is such an endearing part of the movie. You really get sucked in to her long walk to indépendance and want the best for her character. Danielle Brooks proved ages ago on orange is the new black that she has the talent and here it is out in bags. Her character is the energy of the movie and every time she is on screen your eyes won’t leave her.

But Coleman Domingo. What. A. Performance. I loved Downey jr in Oppenheimer but I kinda feel like Domingo deserved that Oscar now. Seriously incredible. 

So watch the movie for the actors. It’s worth the time just for their unbelievable performances!

Some of these films really deserve a theatrical release.

Rebel ridge is a very good beast of a man takes on corrupt system with god like military skills movie, except it doesn’t really focus on that. Instead it spends more time in the actual consequences of police corruption than it does on balls out action. For some that might lead to dissatisfaction. For me it created a good action movie that rightfully taps into the all too common anti police sentiment many of us are forced to feel on the day to day. 

‘How is that legal’ is a question we are asked repeatedly in this movie. From the first five minutes we watch the police act like a cartel and are repeatedly reminded that this is something that not only can happen in real life but does happen in what is supposed to be the most developed country in the world. I can’t say I can speak to this as an American because I am not. I’m a Black Brit. However because of my family and specifically my parents I’ve visited nearly every year since I was 12. Have I ever been pulled over on the uk? No. In America? Multiple times. Each time the first question was is this your car. Were the rentals we got nice? Yes. Did the police ask the question in a way that made us feel like we weren’t already assumed criminals? Definitely not. Its one of those things you ignore on a soft level but accept happens to a lot of people. That idea is captured perfectly here and for me was the most engaging part of the film. 

Add into that a great supporting character just trying to get back on her feet and get her daughter back. Anna-Sophia Robb really puts herself on the map here. And Aaron Pierre playing the lead? Intimidating, physically and technically gifted, and likeable at the same time. His casting in ‘lanterns’ really has me excited because this movie made me see a superhero immediately. 

Give this one a shot. It’s really rather enjoyable and has more to say than most action films do!

Rewatching this for the first time since it came out 12 years ago and I’m kinda surprised.

I had remembered this as another teen ‘I’m special’ movie based on a pretty decent book series that was very throwaway. Almost like a precursor to the ‘divergent’ series. 

I was wrong. This is actually a good movie. Don’t get me wrong it does play to the same tropes as most of them do, with a girl who comes from nothing and is nothing but actually basically turns out to be a superhero who can do everything. However it does it well.

A lot of that is down to the casting. Jennifer Lawrence broke out from this film and it’s easy to see why. She’s great here and steals every scene she is in. Woody Harrelson is also great as a drunken and beaten hunger games veteran who actually cares. 

The action is all decent too. There’s some shaky cam (which I am not a fan of) and some quick cutting, but it does enough to show the frantic feel of a bunch of kids slaughtering each other. 

And that I think is what makes this film good. The story is pretty dark and pretty cool. You get sucked in. I know it’s a pretty blatant retread but it’s told well.

I enjoyed it 🤷🏿‍♂️

This movie is so special in a way few other films have been recently. 

The holdovers takes a chance on its audience. There are no big set pieces here. The comedy isn’t balls out funny. There’s no flash. In fact a deliberate choice has been taken to draw most of the flashiness out of the picture. The film replicates the low contrast VHS era eerily well and sets themselves lack excessive colour or detail. This is a place - a real place, and the people are real people. It’s so well done. 

What we get is one of my favourite scripts EVER that uses comedy to mask themes of loneliness, loss, and dealing with going through life alone. What at first seems like a quirky comedy about a grumpy teacher and a rebellious student stuck at school together ends up being one of the most heart warming (and breaking) films I’ve seen in a very long time. You feel these characters. You get to know them. You root for them, and if you’re like me, you cry for them. 

All of this is held together by three amazing performances. We all know about Paul Giamatti here. The Oscar buzz was spot on and honestly I understand Murphy winning instead but it is such a toss up. Especially with his fake eye. Mad. Da’vine lit up awards season for her portrayal of pure grief here and it is once again so deserved. Anyone who has lost a close family member can relate with her often unreasonable and frustrated behaviour which is just a thin mask over a kind and warm person. 

But Dominic Sessa is my stand out here. He gives so much to Tully’s character beyond smart, sassy rebel teen. The script gives him so much to work with but he takes it and runs. I empathised with almost everything he did and felt his relationship with Hunham growing in such a believable way. It’s special. 

I know I’m a year late to the party on this one. If you are too then please don’t wait any longer. This film is really something.

This review is probably going to mean nothing to a lot of people out there so I’ll keep it brief. 

These 3 British blokes who’ve made a career of taking cool cars to exotic places and just being idiots while driving have genuinely touched a huge amount of my generation. You don’t have to like all of them (I don’t) and you don’t really have to care about cars at all. If you’re a Brit you’ve seen a top gear or grand tour special. 

This isn’t their best one by a long shot. The cars aren’t that interesting. They don’t customise them that much. It’s very by the numbers for their tours by design as they essentially tick off all the stereotypical things that they always do. 

However it is their last one and so I feel I need to say something about it cos it genuinely hit me in the stomach. 22 years they’ve been making these. 22 years I’ve been watching. Every single special since I was a primary school student. At the end they reference back to the first special and I felt like I was being taken back in time. 

James may sums it up perfectly when he says through near tears: ‘I hope we brought you a little bit of happiness‘. 

They damned well did.

Is this a directorial debut for Kravitz? Cos if it is then I’m really excited to see what she puts out in the future. 

This film is genuinely clever in its darkness. It’s one of those movies that is hard to review without giving too much of its substance away but I’m going to do my best by using other movies. This is basically a mix between ‘get out’ and ‘saltburn’ except it is very much directed at women and unlike saltburn it doesn’t rely on shock value and vitalism for its success.

The main theme here is trauma. Is it better to forget your trauma or face it? Do we ever really move on from anything or does it just fade? That is wrapped up in a snappy script taking place almost entirely in one tight location, similarly to the two movies mentioned above.

And the horror element? Well there is no big scary monster or supernatural vibe. What we really see is what certain people would do if they could get away with it. It’s horrific, and the trigger warning at the beginning of the movie should not be taken lightly. Women (and men) who have been in this kind of situation could find this movie extremely difficult to get through. 

My final note is that the casting is absolutely phenomenal. The villain(s) in this film are basically played by the most likeable actors you can think of. That is a very deliberate choice and makes it so believable when people look past very obviously off things happening and stay in weird situations. Without spoiling too much, one conversation includes characters realising they’ve put themselves in the kind of stupid danger their parents warned themselves about simply because they found people ‘hot, rich, and sexy’. It’s a perfect riff on the idea that everything that happens in twilight of 50 shades of grey would be horribly creepy if the men involved weren’t hot and rich. And it makes sense.

In case you guys can’t tell I really enjoyed this one. Go see it before it leaves cinemas if you can.

This film is the definition of ‘carried by the actors’ and I’m kind of here for it. This isn’t going to be a long review because honestly I couldn’t tell you much about the plot of this movie at all. I barely remember who the villain was or why anyone was doing what they were doing. I guess that’s the case for most of the films in this franchise though. It’s not why we’re here. 

We’re here for smith and Lawrence and my GOD do they still have it. That chemistry between the two of them is electric and the amount of laugh out loud moments they produce is mad. Also, really think about this - will smith BECOMES Mike Lowry. You don’t feel like you’re watching one of the most famous actors of all time. You almost forget he is will smith. That’s mad. 

Add in some running jokes we’ve been laughing at for 30 year and you have a satisfying addition to bad boys that kinda makes me think I would be happy watching these when smith and Lawrence are 80. Is it a great film? No. Is it even very good. Definitely not. But if you like bad boys you’re gonna like this and that is all I want from it!

It’s kind of painful to me that this is the first time I’ve seen this film.

Boyz presents quite possibly the best outline for black manhood that I’ve seen in a movie. Lawrence Fishburne’s character provides some astonishing wisdom and the film manages to wrap it up in an interesting plot with good characters. One monologue for example on gentrification is absolutely perfect (I’m a geopolitics masters) but also interesting enough that any viewer will latch on. 

And Cuba Gooding? God it’s a pity he’s turned out to be a bit of a rotter. In situations like this I always think it’s best to separate the artist from the art as if I were to write this off on account of him leading so many other great performances would be lost. For what it’s worth he’s fantastic here. One scene where he has a gun to his head and cries gentle tears is beautiful. Following on from it he loses it at home and it’s so powerful I was in shock. 

Guys if you haven’t seen this you probably already know the big final point. It’s been parodied so many times in the last nearly 40 years in anything including family guy. I knew what was coming and yet it didn’t affect my enjoyment of the film. This is one of the best. I wish I’d seen it growing up as I think any black man should. I’m about to get married and next on the schedule is children. I will show them this movie when they’re old enough to understand.

I had never heard about this film before it popped up on my Tv. Surprising for something led by Christian Bale and Rosamund Pike!

Hostiles has a pretty simple and often told story hook. The grizzled war hero is forced to look after one of his most hated enemies and ends up learning something about himself and said enemy. However it being often told doesn’t make it any less interesting of a hook for a film. 

What makes you care in this kind of movie, however, is the performances. Christian bale is stellar as always (he’s Christian fucking Bale), and carries the film with a subdued grunting performance. His accent work is also outstanding as per usual. You would genuinely have to convince me he was a fellow Brit if I didn’t already know. Pike js also very good as a grieving mother although sometimes she slips into the over the top zone. Either way it is hard to see a different way for her to play her character! 

This film would rank higher for me if it hadn’t become ever so slightly boring by the end. It just drags a bit and you end up almost waiting for it to end. I would still recommend it to anyone who loves westerns as I do and wants a fun weekend watch!

A tribute to James Earl Jones, who brought my favourite film to life.

James Earl Jones, a towering figure in film and theatre, has passed away, leaving behind an unforgettable legacy that spans decades. With his deep, resonant voice and commanding presence, Jones brought characters to life in ways that no one else could. From the moment he first graced the screen, audiences knew they were witnessing something extraordinary.

For millions of fans, it was his role as the voice of Darth Vader in Star Wars (especially empire) that etched his name into the annals of cinematic history. His performance as the enigmatic, fearsome Sith Lord elevated the character to legendary status. The chilling power of his voice, delivering lines like "I am your father," sent shockwaves through audiences around the world and transformed Empire into one of the most iconic films ever made. For those of us who cherish Empire, it is impossible to imagine that film without Jones' unforgettable presence.

But Darth Vader was just one facet of his remarkable career. Jones also gave voice to Mufasa in The Lion King, embodying wisdom and strength in his portrayal of the noble lion king. His performance in Field of Dreams reminded us of the importance of faith and belief, while his work in Coming to America displayed his ability to balance regal authority with comedic charm. His portrayal of characters like Jack Jefferson in The Great White Hope showed his versatility and depth as an actor, proving that his talent transcended any one genre or medium.

Beyond the screen, Jones was a consummate performer on stage, bringing Shakespearean heroes like Othello to life, reminding us of his roots in classical theatre. His dedication to his craft, coupled with his ability to convey emotion with such profound depth, made him a giant of the stage as much as of film. The ‘I ain’t got to like you’ scene from fences remains one of the most powerful moments in theatre history and owes so much of that to Jones. 

James Earl Jones was more than just a voice. He was a storyteller, a force of nature, and a man who could command the screen with a single word. His passing marks the end of an era, but his contributions to film, theatre, and popular culture will endure for generations to come. The Empire Strikes Back and countless other films will continue to echo his greatness, allowing new fans to discover the magic he brought to cinema. We have lost a legend, but we will never forget the mark he left on our hearts and imaginations.

Rest in peace, James Earl Jones. May the force be with you, always.

Let’s go. 

Whenever I go back and watch any of my ‘favourite films of all time’, I get a little bit worried. Is this going to be the time when I’m simply bored? Will it not have any magic for me anymore? Will I grow out of it? Is it not quite as good as I thought it was when I first watched it years ago?

This film comes up against that test roughly once a year and has done since 2008. It passes with flying colours. Every. Single. Time. Let’s talk about it. 

Giving a superhero trilogy to Nolan was a stroke of genius from WB. the first shot of this film lets you know that he is elevating from Batman begins thematically and technically. That slow dolly zoom in on the clown mask is so well thought out when you consider the theme of this film: masks. The dark knight is about Bruce, Joker, and Dent’s masks, why they have them and whether they should keep them. I feel like that’s something some people still miss. Even the iconic scars monologues are really about the masks. Batman’s is fixed and joker wants to remove it. Harvey has a mask of honour hiding shady practices until joker literally burns half of it away. And joker? He hates masks. He wants everyone to be exactly who they are, which is ironic because we know absolutely nothing about him. He is completely masked down to the makeup and clothing he wears. The film ends with Batman sacrificing himself to restore dent’s mask. It’s remarkably well written.

There isn’t too much to add on the performances. I actually really love Christian Bale’s Bruce Wayne performance. He drips in slightly slimy charisma and thinly veiled contempt for everyone around him that I think is spot on. His bit about owning the restaurant is great. Maggie Gyllenhaal comes in as a replacement Rachel and honestly knocks it out of the park. She is incredibly believable and her death alongside her finally letting a chance with Bruce go is heartbreaking. And Heath Ledger? I’m not going to say anything. The moment you see him and he delivers his opening line, you know you’re in for something special. May he rest in peace. 

This is an all timer.

My hopes were pretty low going into this and for good reason. Personally I often feel like dream works produces better work than Disney these days but a FOURTH film in this series felt like a lot. Also, writing the rest of the five out of the film was a bold choice. 

However this is another really fun panda movie. Yes the plot is extremely predictable and pretty by the numbers heroes journey stuff. Do I want more? No. Yes awkwafina somehow always manages to just be awkwafina when she’s voice acting. Did it really bother me? No. 

That’s because this film gets the things I’ve come to expect from dreamworld right. It’s funny as hell, even as a 30 year old. One scene involving a building on a cliff edge is absolutely great.  The animation is absolutely beautiful, like often stunning. I shouldn’t be surprised by now but honestly I still am. Some of the fight scenes here are some of the best I’ve seen in a while from an animated movie. 

Dreamworks movies these days aren’t just something to put on in front of the kids. They’re really damned good. I enjoyed this one and kinda with I’d seen it on a bigger screen. 

Maybe don’t do a fifth one though. Leave the well with some water left in it.

I don’t like this movie. It’s a five star piece of work and is one of the best films I’ve seen this year and I liked absolutely nothing about it. I think that’s a mark of its genius. 

Every shot lingers slightly too long. The background usage is masterful. Perkins is constantly tricking us into thinking we’re about to be jumped out of our minds and the scares simply don’t come when expected. Every doorway behind agent Harker feels as if long legs is about to spring through it. There’s one scene including a brief home invasion and a message being left where you feel as if you’re in this house alone hearing creaks and starting to wonder who might be there with you. It’s some of the most genius and unsettling filmmaking I’ve seen in a long while. 

The plot of this film also moves along at a tight clip. It isn’t a long movie, and I feel like that’s due to the extreme lack of fat on it. Not one conversation doesn’t feel important or doesn’t drive the plot forwards. We see what we need to see and don’t see what we don’t.

Now for the performances. Maika Monroe is outstanding as a newbie FBI agent who falls into this horrifying case. She plays fear in such a quiet yet realistic way. Further to that she’s been given a damned interesting film to play around in! 

But guys… Nick Cage. I can’t put it into words. In the short time he is in the movie he has managed to put in one of the most brilliantly unhinged, horribly unsettling, and flat out terrifying performances I’ve ever seen. And he is also why I can’t say I ‘enjoyed’ the film. He is genuinely so sickening that I’m certain I’ll never watch this again. Like stomach turning. 

This is a really special film. I hate it. By the time the plot wrapped up I just felt… bad. Without saying too much, the occult element of it is nightmarish and this film does not shy away from showing you some horrific things. 

Go watch it. You’ll probably regret it. Do it anyway, it’s just that good.

Following on from such an iconic first outing you might think it would be impossible for a new director to come in and match the quality of alien. Step up james fucking Cameron. 

And how did he do it? By completely ignoring the vibe of the first movie and making something that feels completely different yet great in its own way. Gone is the methodically slow pacing and the anxiety inducing scenes where one xenomorph could be anywhere and is hunting down the cast one by one. Gone are the scenes of people creeping through corridors accompanied by the ominous sound of a heart beat. 

Instead jimmy c went BIG. Everything here is loud and extremely campy. Colonial marines are shouting at the top of their voice whilst mowing down, and being mown down by hoards of aliens coming from every direction. Ridley transforms from unsuspecting hero to the single most badass woman in film. It’s absolutely fantastic and I can’t imagine how unexpected it would have been in the 80s.

The final thing is that james Cameron fully understands that the real villain in this universe isn’t the aliens - it’s Weyland-Yutani. That’s kind of my favourite thing about these films. This one has been a favourite of mine for years and will absolutely never get old. 

Side note - I saw this in another review and I completely see it now. That alien queen is doing NOTHING WRONG 😂. She’s just chilling raising her children and ripley turns up, flames them all and blasts her out of an airlock. Injustice!

Well this is the one isn’t it. The fucking classic Alien movie. There probably isn’t anything I could say that hasn’t been said before but it’s a masterpiece so I’m gonna vent for a moment. 

The pacing of this movie is perfect. There is such a slow build up to our first full xenomorph sighting and when it does happen it’s fantastic. We get about 10 mins of crew members searching the ship in near silence bar a quiet heartbeat track being played in the background, and when we see the shedded skin of the toddler-morph it’s still such a perfect ‘oh shit’ moment. I’ve seen this a hundred times and I still sucked my breath in through my teeth. 

And the big beastie itself? Perfect. This links back to my reviews of Romulus and covenant. These are so much better when the alien is a practical effect that we can barely see. Give me a dude in a costume moving all janky over the cgi monsters in covenant any day! Just those close up shots of its jaws dripping in goo are fantastic and terrifying because they’re real! Furthermore it is used so well here. It is genuinely hunting them. No scenes of it jumping around or just tearing shit up like an animal. It is methodically picking them off. Perfect. 

And Ripley? From the moment she doesn’t want to let Kane back onto the lander you know who she is. She takes no shit and uses her head. You don’t learn much else about her through the entire film and you don’t need to. In the same vein as Max Rockatansky, a great hero is a blank canvas we can imprint on. 

If anyone here hasn’t seen this yet, please do. It’s an all time favourite of mine.

Final note is the cat. I used to think it’s silly how anybody cares about jones the cat when the PERFECT ORGANISM is hunting them. Now? I get it. If I was stuck on that ship with a xenomorph, and my cats Maevis and Loki… I would send them off in the escape pods and use myself as a distraction.

Oookaaaaaay so I get that most people like this one more than Prometheus but I can’t say I’m at that level. 

On the plus side this one does scratch more of the ‘alien’ itch. It has some great chest/back/throat bursting scenes that were as shocking this time as they were when I first watched. Also the continued story of David and the point of creation is great. In fact it is the best part of the film. I’m absolutely hooked and am still quite bothered that we haven’t had a continuation of it after all this time.

What drags this film back slightly for me is the aliens themselves. They just don’t feel right. The chi is floaty, especially with the pale fast ones. The final Xenomorph is a bit better and the face off between it and our lead is good but genuinely feels behind what we were seeing in this series 40 years ago, which is a pity. 

Still watch this. Watch all of the alien films. Multiple times.

I can honestly understand some of the hate for this movie no matter how much I disagree with it. It doesn’t really feel like an alien film and doesn’t feature the things we would come to expect like suspenseful scenes in hallways or xenomorphs hunting people. 

However, film is subjective. This was the first movie in the alien franchise that I watched - back in 2012. I was turning 18 and I slotted in here. I loved it then and I still like it a lot now! 

Prometheus is more focused on questions and theology than it is ok horror and I get that if you go in expecting an alien movie it’s pretty easy to be disappointed. Hell I honestly think I might have been if I had seen the others before I watched this. For me though, those questions and how they are handled and not necessarily answered is so damned interesting. David the synth offers a perfect lens for us to view them. What is the point of creation? If there is a god why would they bother making us? Why would we bother making David. It’s a great premise. 

Add in some pretty gnarly body horror and you have a good film that started my love affair with the alien franchise. Shoot me 🤷🏿‍♂️

Ever since I first saw Alien and Aliens I’ve been waiting for something that can live up to them. I think we might be there guys. 

Now to preface this, I don’t honestly get a lot of the hate movies in this series have been getting of late. Prometheus might not have been the monster thriller that many (including myself) wanted, but the questions it asked were pretty awesome and I liked the way it took some of the mystery behind the xenomorph and ran with it. Covenant managed to take those questions and mesh them with a pretty satisfying alien movie. 

This film though. This film somehow manages to take the best things from the original alien and its follow up aliens, and put them together into a bloody fantastic tight horror movie. 

So let’s get to the obvious. Xenomorphs and Facehuggers. We’ve seen them a thousand times at this point. These ones though are very obviously practical and that just makes them BETTER. The face huggers scamper along the floor and the idea of one of them getting anywhere near your face is nightmarish. The xenomorphs are exactly as they were in the original film. They don’t move much. We understand that they can be quick but when we see them they’re still and dripping in goo and snarling. It’s fantastic. It’s what this series has been missing. 

And the performances are fucking stellar. Cailee Spaeney dude. When I watched her in Civil War earlier this year I was pretty hyped and now I’m kinda blown away. She steps into the boots of the original final girl Sigourney Weaver as if they were her own. I can’t wait to see what else she does going forward. David Jonsson is also great here and is really the heart of this movie. 

Finally we have to talk about Fede Alvarez. Any alien movie made at this point is a fan film. And this one doesn’t shy away from that. Fede however just understands. He knows what fans of the early moves want to see and has managed to translate that to screen without it being a flat rip of or a campy mess. Props to him. 

Guys go and watch this. Reward everyone involved for making something so damned good!

P.s. the final act is absolute insanity.

I have to start this by admitting that I LOVE the original 2004 mean girls. It’s a comedy classic in my opinion. That’s what kept me from watching this adaptation. The change in attitude came when I found out that this is actually an adaptation of the musical that is based on the original film. Interest attained. I openly die for good musicals and one based on a comedy great was a great in for me. 

However, this film is so painfully disappointing that I’m actually slightly angry. I refuse to believe that the broadway musical is anywhere near as dire as this as I’ve heard it’s rather popular! Firstly the musical sections themselves are an atrocity of the highest order. When Les Mis was adapted to film I was initially worried by the calibre of singers they had taken on. They got around this by having everything be raw and barely edited. This movie does the exact opposite and goes for the Mama Mia school of thought. The songs are horribly over edited and just bland. The choreography is almost entirely lacking and when included is underwhelming. Even people like Renee Rapp who we know are good singers are just… boring. They actively sound like they did one take in a studio, pumped in a bunch of autotune and then went home. 

And without that musical element as an uplift what are we left with? Well the exact same story with the exact same jokes at the exact same time. Only performed half heartedly by a cast that doesn’t have 1 tenth of the talent of the original one. I know I’m being harsh and I hate to just rag on a movie but I don’t have much good to say. At least some of the jokes are still funny?

Guys, don’t watch this. I never say that but honestly don’t reward it. In a world of La La Land we shouldn’t treat musical film like it’s a genre lacking in quality. This film has none.

This movie is… harrowing. 

Firstly the performances. Charlie Theron gives a brief but powerful and believable run here and adds so much emotional weight to the movie without very many lines. Kodi Smit-McPhee gives the kind of child performance that should have had us prepared for the stellar actor he would grow into. And Viggo? Viggo Mortensen is the heart of this movie. His performance is absolutely heartbreaking. Such a perfect portrayal of someone who has been broken down emotionally, physically, and mortally until they have almost nothing left to give. Watch this film for him. 

However I have to say that this falls into the category of films I didn’t enjoy because they are just too dark. Just like Cormac McCarthy’s original 2006 novel, you never find out why the world is the way it is. In the long form of a book you can settle with it, but here it just leaves you sad.  Everything here is absolutely shite. Moments of calm and joy are fleeting. At the end of the day a post apocalyptic world is outright terrible and the film isn’t trying to shy away from that. Because of this, it was actually quite a difficult and unenjoyable watch.

So where do I sit? Watch it once. You probably won’t want to watch it again but you won’t regret it and will likely recommend it. Di it for Viggo!

I put off watching this for the longest time. I just never had the most interest in it and would always choose something else to throw on above it 🤷🏿‍♂️ 

However I can say it’s a pretty good time. As a biopic that isn’t simply a worship piece it’s actually quite enjoyable. The story of Elvis is pretty complicated and quite tragic, and Baz has handled it well. Let’s have a quick chat about the key takeaways I have. 

Firstly performance wise, Austin Butler is great as elvis. Is it an ‘all time performance’ like I was hearing around Oscar season when this came out? Not really but this along with dune part 2 is enough for me to say that this lad is a bloody talent and I can’t wait to see how his career develops from here. Hanks also shines as the slimiest human being ever. He still manages to be a tiny bit likeable as the obvious villain of the story and as I always say that is the mark of a good performance. 

Lurhmann helms this film particularly well. There is a definite style to the way it is captured that kind of feels comic book like. Colours are over saturated. Elvis songs mix with their original (black) counterparts and then with modern day music which somehow works. Performance scenes are choppy and exaggerated. It feels right when you watch it even though it shouldn’t, so props to the director. 

Now the story. It’s quite easy to regurgitate a well known biography and Lurhmann hasn’t stumbled here. It’s interesting from start to finish and doesn’t really have any lulls. However some of the more controversial aspects of Elvis’ legacy are handled quite lightly if at all. For example, Elvis was 24 when he met his future wife Priscilla aged 14 and essentially groomed her… we don’t really touch on that bar a brief mention that she was a teenager. Also, the film doesn’t shy away from how Elvis pulled most of his music straight from black artists who had released it before and became famous from it because it was more acceptable coming from a white voice. However the film almost praises that as his genius and him seeing things that others didn’t see in the music. I’m not sure that’s the best take 🤷🏿‍♂️ 

Anyway it’s a good movie and a good watch. I guess it’s pretty hard to make a biographical film that doesn’t end up feeling like a puff piece. Ray is the only one I can really think of that mastered it. This one is definitely worth a watch if you’re one of the 10 people who still hasn’t seen it!

This shouldn’t take too long as my thoughts on this one are relatively simple. This film has a great cast, and of course given the director, has some snappy action scenes and great subtly comedic dialogue. The premise of the film is cool and Cavill is so beautifully British here that we should be hooked from the get go. 

However this film is somehow rather slow. Between the action scenes or really well crafted edge of your scene moments of ‘how are they going to survive this’ I found myself almost checking out. It’s a real pity as it feels like all of the components are there. The film just fails to grab you in those in between moments. 

Either way I can see how this might be Guy Ritchie’s showing of what he could do with a new bond and I would very much like to see more from this vein. It’s just a pity this isn’t better!

Here’s a special four parter for you guys. I think the POVs of my family (we watched together this afternoon) will help viewers of all kinds get an idea of what to expect from this movie! 

My brother (has only watched the main avengers movies. Kinda gets what’s going on: 

‘This is a pretty bread and butter superhero movie that probably relies too heavily on cameos. Who are half of these guys? I don’t really know. But the movie is funny and the action is top notch. Going in that’s all I really wanted so I’m happy.’

My finance who never remembers the plot of anything she’s seen after about a week: 

‘I thought it was actually really good. I didn’t really understand the significance of a lot of the ‘big’ moments but the story underneath is solid and the chemistry between deadlool and wolverine is great. Also Hugh jackman has still got it!’ 

My mum who has absolutely no idea what’s going on:

‘How can you follow this one without having seen everything else. It’s funny in a toilet humour kind of way but so much of it is based on things that I haven’t seen. Also sometimes gore gets pointless and becomes too much. Not my cup of tea.’

Me who watches absolutely everything:

This was a pretty damned good movie. Is it endgame? No. Did it have the best use of cameos so far in the MCU? Yes. Like fantastically done cameos that you wouldn’t expect at all. I genuinely believe they did film fake scenes to hide things and I had NO idea some people that were in this would show up. 

The action is top notch. Does it get a bit silly and overly violent? Yes. That’s deadpool though and you have to kind of expect it. Is the humour juvenile? Yep. Same shit. 

My main issue with it is that I feel a little bad for bringing my family cos it is SO heavily based on other marvel projects, some from over 20 years ago. If you aren’t a marvel nerd so much of this will go over your head. For me that was perfect but for the average viewer that might suck. 

Either way check it out. Just maybe watch a YouTube catch up before hand 🤷🏿‍♂️

I’m late to the party with this one so I offer my apologies for beating a drum that has already been banged to within an inch of function, but this is a really good movie. 

Firstly I need to emphasise how much I dislike everyone in this movie. Sometimes in a relationship focused film you find yourself gravitating more towards a certain character but god not here. Seeing is an arse. Art is pathetic. Tashi is just… horrible. But they’re all also so real. I believe the things they do and the way they act and that is a credit to both the script and the actors. Zendaya as tashi especially with her flip flopping allegiances could have been such a difficult character to understand but you get her. Fantastic.

The tennis is also great. The concept of matches playing out like a relationship. Of two opponents completely understanding each other in the moment of a game… it’s great. One of my favourite things the movie does is the way that spills over into heated dialogue moments. The camera flicks back and forth between characters on two sides of a room. The same thumping electro music that is playing in the matches cuts in suddenly. This parallel could be seen as very ‘on the nose’ but I loved it. 

This movie was kinda advertised as a sexy flick with some romantic tension and lots of tennis but it’s so much more than that. If you’re the one person on the planet who hasn’t heard about it by now (like me) then give it a shot. You won’t be disappointed. Just be prepared to hate some people.

This is your classic fun 80s movie! I rewatched it because I thought I would want to go straight ahead and watch the new Netflix one but now I’m not so sure. 

This movie is fun in every way that movies used to be. It’s silly and over the top. The dialogue is extremely unrealistic and I’m absolutely certain nobody ever spoke like this. It is well acted and the story line it plenty interesting. It’s kinda perfect. 

That’s why I’m not sure about the new one. I don’t want to go in with bad expectations but Netflix new addition to classic series is a set of words that strikes me with worry. 

The only note I have on this is Eddie Murphy’s laugh. I know it’s a choice and they even joke about it at one point but my for every time I heard it I wanted to drop kick the Tv. It’s atrocious. Minus 1 star. Seriously. 

Anyway has anyone seen the new one? Is it good?

This review may contain spoilers.

So I went into this wanting a sports movie that would leave me feeling all warm and bubbly like coach carter. I didn’t know much about it going in other than people think it’s alright. 

I need to paint the picture for this review. Spoilers for the film ahead if you don’t know the true story (like I didn’t. I lost someone very dear to me in march. Grief has been a huge part of my life this year and I understand how it changes your entire outlook on life. 

This is not a happy movie. The first half of it is the sports movie I wanted. It is fighting adversity and coming back from set backs. One scene has Zac’s character being thrown onto concrete and barely being able to claw his way back into the ring before his brother rescues him. It’s fucking fantastic. 

The 2nd half, however is one of the best dissections of loss, depression, and fear that I’ve seen in recent years. The idea of grief and loss spreading like a disease. The idea of one loss being a catalyst for others. I FELT it. The need to be there for your family to your own detriment is something I’ve personally dealt with. It was amazing to see it portrayed so realistically in screen. 

And we need to talk about Efron. Besides the steroidal hulking form he has pulled off for this (which cannot be good for his long term health), his performance is immaculate. I’m genuinely shocked I haven’t seen more buzz about it. He is the heart and soul of this movie. 

Guys I don’t know what to say. Hold the people you love close. I guarantee the days you are living through will one day be the days you long for. 

Love and peace ❤️

I really wanted to love this movie. I love black film (obviously) and was desperate for this to be really good. Unfortunately I was pretty disappointed.

The concept of the movie is pretty cool. What if someone saw the messiah and decided to just copy him? Fun right. A good cast added in and I had high hopes. 

This, however, ends up being a rather boring movie. It’s predictable in the most annoying way. Performances are low effort and don’t do anything to help draw you in. The detection is caught between being campy and ultra stylised. The film just doesn’t punch at all. 

The concept slightly rescues it and made it worth getting through but I think I’m going to struggle to remember any of the key plot points in about a week.

Such a pity!

I have kinda been surprised by this movie. The trailers were very ‘Hollywood’. Load drums and monsters falling through the ceiling. I think some even included the ‘trailer voice’. It turned me off the film a bit as it really didn’t look like the quiet place that I have come to really enjoy - these tight stories full of emotion and character. 

Boy was I wrong. This is another stellar instalment into the quiet place world. It is dripping with emotion and is quite possibly the most emotionally gratifying entry to date. I even shed a tear at one point (in a horror/thriller?!). 

Lupita is incredible. Honestly incredible. We always hear about ‘eye actors’ but this is the absolute peak of that craft. The nature of the story requires someone who can tell us everything without saying a word and she does that expertly. You are there with her. You’re terrified. You’re sad and apathetic and confused all at once. She is the heart and soul of this film and I genuinely don’t think anyone else could’ve done the job half as well.

As for the tightness of the film? It is by nature slightly more open than the previous two. Things happen in crowds. There are far more monsters (often over 10 on screen at once). The action is a little bit more bombastic but it works in the context of the story. It is called ‘day one’ and very much focuses on the idea that nobody has any idea what is going on. There are no paths made of sand for our sign language speaking protagonists to walk along. They’re stuck in the most populated city in the US trying to survive. 

Its kinda great 🤷🏿‍♂️

What an utterly fantastic movie. 
I’m an old soul when it comes to film. Those of you who have been following me for a while already know that. This isn’t blind ‘older is better’ though. Movies were simply better before the turn of the century. Don’t get me wrong, there are amazing things coming out now. Anything Villneuve or eggers get their hands on is brilliant, but god is there anything like a practical sweatbox of a movie? 

I’m not going to touch so much on plot. It’s two detectives chasing a serial killer and that’s all you need to know going in. Pitt and Freeman play them expertly. Freeman is somehow already old even though this film came out THIRTY YEARS AGO but let’s try to ignore that sinking feeling in our stomachs. 

What I’m going to talk about is the feel of this movie. From the moment you see the first body, a hulking practical monstrosity designed to make you feel almost sick, you know you’re in for a visual feast. The crime scenes are tight, cramped, and absolutely stuffed with… objects. These spaces are lived in and they’re uncomfortable. It’s so far from the Green screens we have become used to. These are rooms, and they’re absolutely horrible rooms. You can practically smell them. You can imagine trying not to touch any of the filth that lines every surface. 

Guys it’s beautiful. I want more films like this today. Films that you can almost feel. Is that too much to ask for? Probably not. I’ve heard this new movie long legs is pretty ace 

Get me to a cinema.

Guys this is legendary comedy. I don’t have loads to say other than that. 

If you haven’t seen this yet honestly what are you doing? The knights who say ni? The black night? The surprise attack? So many of comedy’s best moments in one single 1h30 long movie. Get off your ass, walk to your couch, sit back on your ass and turn on Netflix. You will not regret it. 

An all time favourite.

I never go into Pixar films with bad expectations. I don’t think I’ve ever seen an outright bad one 8 didn’t love lightyear but that’s a different story. Pixar are great. They jerk on the heart strings. They have great messages. They’re beautiful without fail. 

I think that hurt me here. I wanted to WEEP at this movie. I expected the same emotional heights of the first one and was really excited for it. 

By no means is this a bad movie. Actually it is really good. The animation is spectacular as expected. Sweaty faces are rendered with a zazz I’ve never seen before. The slightly fuzzy skin of the emotions is genuinely stunning. 

The story is good too. I know absolutely nothing about hockey, but it isn’t a hockey movie. It’s about friendship and growing up and anxiety, a lot of anxiety. And boy (spoiler)  one anxiety attack at the end is done spectacularly. I would actually warn people going in about it because you FEEL it. 

This just isn’t as good as the first one and that’s my only issue. I’m taking half a star from my review simply because it didn’t reach those heights and that’s a pity! Go see it anyway. Long live my Pixar/Disney overlords.

This review may contain spoilers.

There isn’t too much to say about this movie. It’s solid in every way. Where it excels is the portrayal of childlike innocence and the inability of someone to young to genuinely hate in the way most adults do. Our lead gives an amazing performance for a child and the way the story ends is truly heart breaking. 

That though is what I feel the point of this movie is. How can you turn a blind eye to the blight of someone else’s children but then be so devastated when it happens to yours. In a similar way to the zone of interest, we are forced to watch people trying to live a normal life in the face of something that should be terribly abnormal. The one dissenter (the commandant’s mother) is basically told to shut up and later decides not to visit her son. It is seen as a slight to him but in reality she is the only one seeing straight. 

So to end this short review, I’m gonna basically say it straight. That kid should not have died. It’s horrible and it’s a really painful ending to the film. However am I glad the commandant lost his son in the way he is so happy to take away the lives of others? Yep. 

Anyway check it out if you haven’t managed to watch it in the past 15 or so years 🤷🏿‍♂️

So the script for this film is very simple and honestly doesn’t hold many twists and turns. Apart from one expertly written scene halfway through that gives character context for our lead, it is pretty basic and not massively interacting. Look at this as john wick but without the great action and electric direction. It is stale. 

However I would actually recommend giving this a watch only for Brian Cod. His performance is fantastic and he works so hard to elevate the movie to something not only watchable but enjoyable. 

It isn’t long. It certainly isn’t great. It has a bit of a ‘lifetime’ feel. But perhaps give it a moment. You probably won’t regret it.

This review may contain spoilers.

I always love a film with a message and god this film has one. To get that across I’m going to compare it to a very different one - Borat.

Spoilers ahead. 

Borat success in its messaging by showing you real people and the view as they hold through the guise of comedy. It lets you look behind the masks many wear to cover their darkest opinions and politics by having its titular character infiltrate their spaces and say things they might agree with. Borat’s comments about women or Jewish people allow other Americans to openly announce their true views even with the presence of a camera. 

Imperium shows you this hidden America in a different way. Our undercover FBI agent starts out with the most overt far right people possible, attending marches and throwing nazi salutes. Their views are terrible, and the things they genuinely believe about the world are so terribly misguided that 99% of us will think they’re insane straight away. 

That isn’t the meat of the movie, however. Radcliffe’s character is trying to uncover links to right wing terror attacked using dirty bombs. Through the first two acts of the film he is focused on skinheads, a stand in for the proud boys, and a right wing radio host. The people who are in the open. By the end of the movie however we realise that the most dangerous Nazi is the one who blends in. The family man who loves classical music, has a beautiful wife and lovely kids, and seems very well educated. That is where this film is similar to Borat. The people who have these views can be your neighbours. They can be your coworkers. They’re not always the skin headed tattoos screamers in the street. 

And Daniel Radcliffe? He deserves his flowers. He consistently picks roles that are challenging instead of just riding of the Harry Potter success that could keep him around as a household name for years. Respect.

How to explain this movie. It feels like a relic of a sadly bygone era. The early 2000s rom-com with a twist. Think ‘hitch’ or ‘mr and mrs smith’. I have genuinely missed this kind of movie. 

So Glen Powell. I’m settled on him now - and it’s taken a little while. The guy has charisma in buckets and single-handedly carries most of this movie. I’m yet to see how his dramatic chops hang up, but I could watch another 50 comedies starring him! This film also has one of my favourite stupid movie chops where the main character is supposed to start off as a loser who is unattractive and then in walks Glen 😂. It reminded me of Anne Hathaway in the Princess diaries. When they suddenly have their ‘I’m hot now’ moment at the end of the film I’m sat there screaming that they started out as a 10/10 anyway. It’s so silly and I love it. 

The premise at the centre of this film is interesting enough. It’s great to see Greg inhabiting all of these roles in quick succession and you genuinely come to like him as a character and be on his side. Not just because he’s handsome and likeable but because he’s so damned cool (even if the film wants you to think he isn’t). Add in a romantic through line with genuine chemistry and tension and you have a really enjoyable watch. 

Let’s have more silly fun movies like this. I’m struck by the fact that all of my recent favourite movies have been franchise pieces. ‘Dune 2’, ‘kingdom of the planet of the apes’, ‘furiosa’. There’s nothing wrong with that, they’re all amazing films, but I kind of want more smaller budget fun movies that my mum would bring home from blockbuster in 2002. Sometimes that’s all I want from a movie.

I felt it was important to go back and rewatch this, not just because it’s bloody great but because apparently people aren’t watching it anywhere near as much as it deserves. I want george miller to keep making these and unfortunately these days that requires a good theatrical run instead of a surge in dvd sales after good reviews… so go see it! Anyway, spoilers ahead as this is the 2nd review. 

The first half of this movie (young furiosa) is so damned good. Because of her silence you get more from Dementus. The way he is constantly questioning his history man, the way he spouts pseudo politics that are really just an excuse to do exactly what he wants, it’s great! This is a different kind of villain to Joe’s growling and angry eyed performance in the previous film. Dementus is full of charisma that means even after watching him torture and kill Furiosa’s mother you still kind of like seeing him on screen.

Let’s talk about the chase scene that comes up right after Anya Taylor-Joy joins in. This is peak george miller. When the first parachute opens and the dude is pulled off the bike and into the air and THEM starts throwing grenades down I genuinely lost it first time round. The bike with the sidecar that is fucking pacey. Furiosa hanging on to the bottom of the rig and clipping the fuse on the grenade. Octoboss coming in from the distance trailing a gigantic black octopus kite behind his flying contraption. The BOMMYKNOCKER! Guys even if the rest of the film was trash you could inject this one scene into my bones. 

When Dementus catches Furiosa and Jack and Furiosa’s arm is injured I was convinced that was how she loses it, just from being crushed by a car. Little did I know she is about to be chained up by it to a truck for hours watching Jack get dragged around by bikes and eaten alive by dogs… until her damned arm FALLS OFF. If anyone wondered how you create a badass like Furiosa - this is how. My god it’s brutal in a way nothing has ever been in mad max and it’s great. 

Final not is the way she deals with Dementus in the end. His final speech about making it epic is fantastic and even though that line is in the trailer I never imagined it would be so good in the film! And his actual fate of being the human food for Furiosa’s mother’s tree? Perfect. I don’t think I’ve seen vengeance carried out so cathartically in a movie. 

Guys I loved this even more 2nd time round. Go give it a watch.

Only 2nd films in a series. Suggestions appreciated.

• Toy Story 2
• Spider-Man 2
• The Empire Strikes Back
• Dune: Part Two
• The Dark Knight
• Paddington 2
• Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
• Shrek 2
• Top Gun: Maverick
• Captain America: The Winter Soldier

...plus 21 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

Watch these on a crappy day

• Cheaper by the Dozen
• Cheaper by the Dozen 2
• Father of the Bride
• Forrest Gump
• The Terminal
• School of Rock
• Back to the Future
• Men in Black
• Men in Black II
• Hitch

...plus 13 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

Absolute hair raisers

• Whiplash
• Oliver!
• The Rocky Horror Picture Show
• La La Land
• The Lion King
• In the Heights
• Ray
• Dreamgirls
• Sister Act
• Coco

...plus 9 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

This is definitive. Rankings based on vibes not stars.

1. The Lion King
2. The Hunchback of Notre Dame
3. Coco
4. Incredibles 2
5. A Bug's Life
6. WALL·E
7. Up
8. Toy Story
9. Toy Story 4
10. Hercules

...plus 44 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.