My Top Movies Of 2021 (From Excellent To Bad)
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- DirectorJon WattsStarsTom HollandZendayaBenedict CumberbatchWith Spider-Man's identity now revealed, Peter asks Doctor Strange for help. When a spell goes wrong, dangerous foes from other worlds start to appear, forcing Peter to discover what it truly means to be Spider-Man.**MASSIVE SPOILERS**
So, after two very good previous instalments we have the MCUs new Spiderman film. Believe me when I say this, but this sequel is so good, this film is what The Empire Strikes Back is to Star Wars.
Taking place literally after the end of Far from Home where thanks to Mysterio, the world now knows who Spiderman is. Now that everyone knows Peter Parker is Spiderman, Peter realises that not only is his own life affected, but also the lives of his friends and family, and not in a good way. Due to this, Peter goes to see Doctor Strange hoping he can help. After casting a spell to make the world forget he is Spiderman (apart from his closet friends and family), the spell works but not without having heroes and villains enter the world from other universes.
What happens going forward is this universes characters colliding with other universes characters which sees the return of Rhys Ifans as Lizard, Thomas Hayden Church as Sandman, Jamie Foxx as Electro, Alfred Molina as Doc Ock and in what I thought was an incredible performance, Willem Dafoe as The Green Goblin. Any concerns about previous Spiderman films containing too many villains is immediately put to rest as thanks to all these actors returning and thier decades of acting experience really comes to the fore and each part is brilliantly written and each actor just adds immensely to what they did before. Peter is then tasked with finding and trapping all villains to send them back to where they are from. When Peter realises that Doctor Strange is sending them back to thier deaths in their own universes, Peter takes matters into his own hands and tries to turn the villains back to thier friendly normal selves. After stringing Peter along, The Green Goblin has other ideas and in one of the films best moments, he escapes but mortally wounds Aunt May with his glider and she dies in Peters arms. Enter Andrew Garfields Spiderman and Tobey Maguires Spiderman to help Tom Holland's Spiderman save the day. Not since Stallone's Rocky Balboa got his first punch in against Dolph Lundgrens Ivan Drago in Rocky IV have I heard an audience clap and roar like I did when both these characters appeared on screen. It was incredible. All three Spidermans team up and fight each villain, but not to kill them, but to turn them back to normal and send them back to thier original universes.
The film ends though where the spell/universe is fracturing and in order to set things right, Doctor Strange has to recast the spell, but this time EVERYONE will forget who Peter is. This is where we leave Peter and he has now lost everyone. Tony and May are dead and MJ and Ned have no idea who he is even though he gets to see them in a cafe with no recollection of who he is. What a great way to leave the character of Peter Parker and it will be interesting to see what happens next.
Cameos aplenty including JK Simmons as J Jonah Jameson, Benedict Wong and the very welcome return of Charlie Cox as Matt Murdoch playing Peters lawyer. Now that both Matt Murdoch is in this and now Kingpin is in Marvel's Hawkeye, I only hope that Jessica Jones, Danny Rand and Frank Castle are not too far behind until they appear in the MCU.
As usual, two end credits scenes. One with the return of Tom Hardy where I assume sets up either Venom 3 or Spiderman 4?? We'll see?? Then the second scene which is more of a trailer really for Doctor Strange and The Multiverse of Madness.
No Way Home though was just incredible and the fact that they got all these actors from previous films to come back and reprise thier roles was a feat in itself. But seeing them on the big screen together was just amazing. Without a doubt, one of Marvel's best sequels and quite possibly thier best film thus far.
On a personal note, if thier was ONE thing that would have improved this film and that would have been the inclusion of MY Spiderman: Nicholas Hammond. No matter what you think of the short-lived TV series from the 70s, he was the first live action Spiderman and it would have been great to see him fight side by side with Holland, Maguire and Garfield. This for me would have been just the icing on the cake for this incredible film.
Going forward though, I have no idea how Marvel will top this?? An absolutely fantastic sequel. - DirectorDenis VilleneuveStarsTimothée ChalametRebecca FergusonZendayaA noble family becomes embroiled in a war for control over the galaxy's most valuable asset while its heir becomes troubled by visions of a dark future.So after a delay in this films release to ‘you know what’ and to think at the time, Warners were seriously considering just releasing this straight to VOD, common sense prevailed and this got a thoroughly deserved release on the big screen. Which, with ANY films like this in the ONLY way to see them first time on the biggest screen possible, which for me was twice in IMAX.
I’ve not read the books as I despise book zealots, but I am a fan of David Lynch’s version of Dune also, so it was a no brainer that I knew I would enjoy this, especially after Denis Villneuves incredible Blade Runner 2049 which I thought was even better than the original.
I won’t go into the story of Dune which should all know by now, but the casting decisions made were spot on again with Jason Mamoa finally having a role where he could actually bring something to it other than good looks and muscle. Timothy Chalamet was also excellent as Paul and his style of acting gave Paul an air of real mystery about him. The film (just like all of Vilneuves other sci-fi) looks absolutely incredible and even more proof that you need to see films like this on the biggest screen possible. Hans Zimmer returning to score again, but like Dunkirk, his score was a bit of a racket this time and I found Toto’s score for the 84 version much better, including Brian Eno’s wonderful ‘Prophecy’ theme.
I was quite happy to see Dune: Part One written at the start of the credits as there was some real doubt a sequel would be announced, but a few days after release, fans got to breathe a sigh of relief when it got the green light which I was over the moon about and cannot wait. Vilneuve also stating he would like to make it a trilogy ending with Dune: Messiah.
So I have pre-ordered this on 4K already and the release of the sequel cant come soon enough. Everyone should hold their heads high as the praise its got from films fans and errrrr ‘critics’ is well deserved. - DirectorJohn KrasinskiStarsEmily BluntMillicent SimmondsCillian MurphyFollowing the events at home, the Abbott family now face the terrors of the outside world. Forced to venture into the unknown, they realize the creatures that hunt by sound are not the only threats lurking beyond the sand path.So after an already incredible first part we have the sequel, again directed by John Krasinki.
Starting off brilliantly at day one where we see the 'aliens' arrive and start killing as soon as they arrive. This start alone was worth the price of admission alone and for a brief moment we have the return of John Krasinski returning as Lee. The opening 15 minutes of this film was incredible and I suppose is up there with the start of 28 Weeks Later.
We then pick up not too shortly after the events of the end of first film where the Abbott family are travelling to find some kind of civilization when they come across Cillian Murphys Emmett who we find out in the beginning segment that he was friends with the Abbotts. Hesitant to help originally he goes out of his way to help Regan (again brilliantly played by Millicent Simmonds).
What makes this film is that half way through the tension is ramped up so much you are literally on the edge of your seat. Scene after scene from this point on really takes the story forward and we are doing nothing but rooting for the family even though they are all separated at this point.
The films third act has Regan and Emmett have finding a small community of people living in peace on a small island. Unbeknown to them though, an alien has managed to get ashore on an adrift boat. It is up to Regan to save the day and use the same sound used in the first one but channel it through a radio station.
Rumours already of a third instalment but without Krasinski directing. I only hope they take their time with it and think it through to get it right, especially after two brilliant first instalments. - DirectorDestin Daniel CrettonStarsSimu LiuAwkwafinaTony Leung Chiu-waiShang-Chi, the master of weaponry-based Kung Fu, is forced to confront his past after being drawn into the Ten Rings organization.Well, after the really good Black Widow which was nice to seeing Marvel films back on the big screen, I wasn't sure whether this would be good or bad but wow, what a film!!
Basically a movie which has something for literally everybody where every single character is beautifully written and given plenty to do. At the same time we have quite possibly Marvels best film for action and due to the filming locations and how it has been filmed (which is a HUGE tribute to a lot of martial arts films before it), we have possible Marvels most beautiful and magical film to date.
Telling the story of Shang Chi who when we first meet him we think he is nothing but a geek. But when he is threatened on a tram in San Francisco by a gang of heavies, we find that he can take of himself with considerable ease thanks to his Mother and Father who has trained him since he was a young boy.
After finding out that a pendant has been taken while fighting, he heads to find his sister who not only has an identical pendant, she runs what I can only describe as the UFC for Marvel characters. While here, both are attacked by Shangs Father who says their dead Mother is still alive and has been calling to him from a mystical hidden village. Both Shang Chi and his sister know this not to be true so they escape with the help of one Trevor Slattery (played again by Ben Kingsley) in the hop of finding and warning the people of the village what is coming.
This is where the final act of the film starts where both villagers and Shang Chi's Fathers army fight while he tries to open a black gate where he thinks his dead wife is being held captive. After realising his mistake and learning the truth and unleashing a giant ancient creature, Shang Chi inherits the 10 rings of the film so he can defeat the creature.
As with all Marvel films, it looks great, has an excellent (and really likeable) cast and also a great score. I wont lie, I am no fan of any sort of kung fu movies outside of Bruce lee, but I was so glad I went to see this. Needless to say, two end credits which involve Shang Chi learning more about the 10 rings from Wong (from Doctor Strange) and also Captain Marvel and Bruce Banner where we fond that the rings are sending some king of beacon to somewhere. The final end credits scene involves Shang Chis sister who has taken over her Dads empire and has started to rebuild in her own way.
Considering that every character in this is excellent, it would be a shame if a sequel wasn't thought out properly and have these characters tarnished in any way. Same goes for if they appear in any other movies. Marvel need to take their time with dealing with these characters and getting things right, especially after this first brilliant and amazing start. - DirectorMatthew VaughnStarsRalph FiennesGemma ArtertonRhys IfansIn the early years of the 20th century, the Kingsman agency is formed to stand against a cabal plotting a war to wipe out millions.**MASSIVE SPOILERS**
So after a two year delay, we have The Kings Man which is a prequel to the first two and we get to see how the organisation was originally set up. For me, this was without a doubt the best of the three and I wasn't expecting such brilliantly put together film.
Taking place firstly in South Africa 1902 where Ralph Fiennes Orlando Oxford is helping the Red Cross deliver supplies with his wife and young son. After a sniper attack, his wife is shot and before she dies she asks her husband that her son is protected from the world and not see any war. Flash forward 10 years and we find that Orlandos son Conrad, although sheltered from the real world has been taught how to fight and fly airplanes. Needless to say, WW1 is just round the corner and against his fathers wishes, Conrad enlists. At the same time, Orlando is also asked by Her Majestys Government to look into the villains of this film which includes Rhys Ifans as Rasputin The Mad Monk and an underused Daniel Bruhl playing Erik Jan Hanussen, as well as other assorted villains. All these villains are being ordered by an unknown figure to alter the course of history by manipulating leaders in Europe by certain means. However, due to the casting of a particular actor earlier on you guess who this main villain is/will be. I love how the film just builds and builds and holds no punches, even killing off Conrad three quarters through the film through a case of mistaken identity while fighting in the trenches. The film ends with a fantastic sword fight between Orlando and our main villain. The final scene is Orlando being rewarded for his efforts in helping end WW1 and he buys the Kingsman tailor shop where we see our first Arthur, Galahad and Merlin, etc.
The WW1 setting is what really makes this film and it is quite a globetrotter, the film also looks amazing with quite an unsettling/horror night time fight scene between British and German soldiers on the fields of battle. The films other action sequences are also staged and just adds an even bigger feel to the film. The supporting cast is also superb with a wonderful Gemma Arterton playing Orlandos maid Polly and a towering Djimon Hounsou playing Orlandos servant Shola. Both at the end get involved with the action in the films final set piece. The music is also superb with Dominic Lewis and Matthew Margeson not only providing familiar themes from the previous films but a new great score in the process.
I must give praise to Ralph Fiennes in this as its obvious he had a blast making this film and for me, its the best thing he's ever done. I got the feeling that this was his version of 007 after appearing in three Bonds now playing M which is why I would rather see another prequel/sequel set during this time period. If this is what Matthew Vaughn can do a with a 'spy' film such as this, then Barbara Broccoli not need look any further for the director of the next Bond film.
So where now for Kingsman?? Well I understand part 4 will conclude Eggsys story from the original two, but after watching The Kings Man, I would GLADLY watch more set in that timeline than any sequel. Which brings me to Matthew Vaughn wisely deciding to include a mid credits scene in the Kings Man where Daniel Bruhls Erik Jan Hanussen and Lenin discussing their next plan of action. Enter Adolph Hitler.
At the time of writing I have no idea how well this film has done box office wise and I hope there is more?? The Kings Man though was one of those surprises that comes along every now and again and I hope we haven't seen the last of the adventures of Orlando Oxford.
- DirectorJason ReitmanStarsCarrie CoonPaul RuddFinn WolfhardWhen a single mom and her two kids arrive in a small town, they begin to discover their connection to the original Ghostbusters and the secret legacy their grandfather left behind.**MASSIVE SPOILERS**
So after what had been a terrible few years for sequels: Star Wars was destroyed on the big screen, Halloween Kills was a joke and with how bad things are in the world at the moment, we couldn't even have James Bond survive his latest outing. Thank God for Jason (son of Ivan) Reitman.
What we have here with Ghostbusters Afterlife is how a sequel should be done which pleases EVERYBODY. Even Ghostbusters II is poor compared with the original and even though I didn't hate it, Paul Feigs reboot was nothing but a woke mob pleasing bad experiment which just backfired.
Afterlife though picks up in present day where we see an unknown figure (we actually know it's Egon Spengler) trying to capture a ghost at his remote farm and failing. After finding out that Egon has died due to this, we then meet our new characters in the form of Egon's daughter and grandchildren who move to the farm after being left it in Egon's will. The casting is perfect especially with McKenna Grace, who plays Egons Granddaughter Phoebe who has inherited her Grandfathers fascination with science. She is the one who puts all the pieces together with her Grandfathers work where we find that the farm is actually a giant ghost trap in case ghosts escape from a nearby mountain which are being kept at bay (thanks to Egon) by modified proton packs. She also dials the old Ghostbusters number (after seeing the old ad on YouTube) where Dan Aykrords Ray answers and we get the story of what happened with the original team and why the split up. We also find out that the land where the mountain is was used to provide the materials to build the tower in the 1984 original where this film connects back to the events of the original. When Phoebe's Mum (Carrie Coon) and one of their school teachers Gary Grooberson (Paul Rudd) become The Gatekeeper and The Keymaster, the ghosts are unleashed and its up to our new heroes to stop them with everything that they have learnt which also includes the help of ECTO-1.
Which brings me to the brilliant final act of the film which is just perfect. After thinking our heroes have been beaten in battle by the return of Gozur, ALL FOUR (yes four) of the original Ghostbusters return in all their glory in uniform armed with proton packs to help save the day. But what makes this even more special is that Egon has returned in the form of a ghost to help his friends and family win the day (something he has done throughout the film). It was amazing and although he doesn't speak, his end scene with his daughter was very emotional where they see and get to hold each other for the last time. After all this time his daughter thought she was abandoned by her father but after finding out why Egon did what he did at the farm, all is forgiven.
A lot of people have been complaining about the amount of nostalgia in this film, but I disagree. Everything from the past (the ghost detector, the proton packs, ECTO-1, etc) is used to take the story forward and isn't there just for the sake of it. The film is also more than just a trip down memory lane thanks to it being a HUGE tribute to the late Harold Ramis who I still don't know if he was brought back to life in this film with CGI or a lookalike??
Lastly, this film has gone the Marvel route by putting in two of the best end credits scenes in a film ever. The first one (done for fun) has the return of Sigourney Weaver doing the 'shock' test with Bill Murrays Peter Venkman. You could just tell they were having a blast doing the scene. Then we get the second scene which basically sets up the sequel where we find that Ernire Hudsons Winston has become a very successful business man. After the incident at the farm, he decides to buy the original Ghostbusters fire station, ECTO-1 pulls in and I can only assume Winston will be the new 'head' of the Ghostbusters?? We also then cut to the original containment field which is flashing red. So hopefully the film will have a 'bigger' feel with the next one and be set again in New York?? Only time will tell.
Regards the sequel, I hope everyone comes back
and I hope they take their time with it as the last thing we need is another good start to a franchise only for it to have an unnecessary 'Last Jedi' nail put in its coffin.
Ghostbusters Afterlife though is a perfect sequel which pleases old and new fans and at the same time takes things forward to even better things. - DirectorEdgar WrightStarsThomasin McKenzieAnya Taylor-JoyMatt SmithAspiring fashion designer Eloise is mysteriously able to return to 1960s London, where she encounters dazzling wannabe singer Sandie. But the glamour is not as it seems, and the dreams of the past crack and splinter into something darker.I was in two minds whether to see this or not but I am so glad I did.
Part fantasy, horror and thriller all in one, the story starts with the character of Eloise who is heading to London to start a career in fashion. After finding out she doesn't fit in well with the other students, she decides to find a flat of her own. Enter Diana Rigg (RIP) in what is a perfect end to her huge career in film and television playing the landlady of the property. Once here Eloise played wonderfully by Thomasin Mackenzie starts having 'nightmares' and sees a girl being 'murdered' in 60's London. What follows is a wonderful story full of twists, turns, seedy and shocking moments when we finally end up with a further twist at the end.
The first two thirds of this film is just superb as it builds, builds and build the tension with a cast that not only includes the late Diana Rigg, but also Anya Taylor Joy, Matt Smith (in probably his best role ever), and a wonderful Terence Stamp. All of this just adds to the 60's setting which has ben recreated perfectly in this film.
I wont give anything away, but like some other people have pointed out, the last act of the film just needed that bit more attention as it goes very slightly off the rails considering what came before which is a real shame.
As its the 60's when this film is mostly set, Edgar Wright also throws in a cracking soundtrack which makes this film one of the best this year.
A definite buy when its out and here's hoping Matt Smith gets more roles like this as he was perfectly cast in this.
Lastly, as mentioned, what a film for Diana Rigg to go out on and I hope she got to see this before she died. RIP. - DirectorRidley ScottStarsMatt DamonAdam DriverJodie ComerThe Knight Jean de Carrouges must settle the dispute over his wife Marguerite by challenging his former friend to a duel to the death.At the time of writing, this has been a HUGE casualty of the Disney buying Fox fiasco which has made films like this come and go in an instant and receive some very poor box office which is a real shame. When cinemagoers don't go see this in droves but the likes of the god awful Halloween Kills (which opened the same weekend) it just says it all really.
However, this was without a doubt one of my films of the year, but all because its a Ridley Scott 'epic' don't go in thinking this is Gladiator or Kingdom of Heaven all over again because its not that sort of film.
Basically telling the story of an excellent Jodie Comers Marguerite de Carrouges where we get three points of view/character accounts of how she was raped by an also excellent Adam Driver. We get the same story told three times (albeit with some wonderful slight differences) of how Jodie Comer, Adam Driver and Matt Damon perceived things and how they happened and unfolded. I wonder if this form of story telling is probably why/may have people off?? Either way, this is one of those films where what has come before ALL comes together at the end and 'The Last Duel' in question where Adam Driver and Matt Damon fight to the death is well worth the wait.
As usual with Scott movies, performances, production, cinematography and score are nothing short of excellent. I was REALLY hoping that this would be released in physical form and in 4K at that and luckily my prayers have been answered thanks to the only UK 4K release for this film in the form of an exclusive Zavvi steelbook which I have already preordered.
Its a shame this film has not done well as it deserves so much better. Just like other films that also flopped on their release such as The Thing, The Shawshank Redemption and Ridleys other flop turned cult classic Blade Runner, I can only hope the The Last Duel finds its audience at home. Brilliant film. - DirectorEnrico CasarosaStarsJacob TremblayJack Dylan GrazerEmma BermanOn the Italian Riviera, an unlikely but strong friendship grows between a human being and a sea monster disguised as a human.
- DirectorLana WachowskiStarsKeanu ReevesCarrie-Anne MossYahya Abdul-Mateen IIReturn to a world of two realities: one, everyday life; the other, what lies behind it. To find out if his reality is a construct, to truly know himself, Mr. Anderson will have to choose to follow the white rabbit once more.At the time of writing this is getting VERY mixed reviews, but once it got to the end, I thought it was just as good as the first one. I remember all those years ago, the original being released and being a revolution in film with its style. Unfortunately that couldn't be said with first two awful sequels where its obvious that there was no plan for any sequels after the success of the original. In fact, they were so bad, I cannot even think how the last one ended??!!
Anyway Resurrections redeems Reloaded and Revolutions by introducing new characters but at the same time finding out what happened to the original cast with both Keanu Reeves and Carrie Ann Moss returning and for me both were excellent in this.
After finding Thomas Anderson now working for an online gaming company, he soons starts 'remembering' things, especially when he keeps seeing Trinity in a cafe who is now 'married with children' but has no recollection at all of who she is/was. A new cast are introduced who are living in the real world trying to find 'The One' in the form of Neo. The new cast is lead brilliantly by a wonderful Jessica Henwick who I adored in Marvels Iron Fist. No Hugo Weaving or Laurence Fishburne in this one (bar flashbacks) and for some reason, their characters are played by different actors but both make the roles their own. What we find is that both Neo and Trinity were brought back from the dead for some reason (I assume we will found out in future sequels) and its actually both Neo AND Trinity who are 'The One' when they are together. Once Trinity remembers her past life, the action is really ramped up with an amazing bike chase though the street of San Francsico where the entire city's population tries to kill them. Some of these people even use their bodies as bombs by falling from great heights.
Needless to say, both Neo and Trinity survive where we see how powerful they are 'together'. The films ends same as the first where both Neo and now Trinity fly off past the screen. I only hope this time that the film makers actually have a plan this time round and though out any sequels already as it would be sad to see such another great start ruined by some 'Last Jedi' type instalment and ruin it all.
Pretty much the only thing I didn't like about the film is that it tried to be clever at the start by saying the Warner Bros want to make a sequel to The Matrix Trilogy and everyone gets a script for Matrix 4. This whole part of the story was utterly stupid and is soon tossed aside early on. All this reminded me of was the awful Oceans 12 which had the same concept through the entire film.
The film looks incredible though, the action brilliantly staged (although not as ground breaking this time) and the man cast as well as supporting case are excellent. Christian Ricci and Freema Agyeman even make appearances.
So I'm not sure why its getting all the hate as it sets up and starts things brilliantly for more sequels. - DirectorChloé ZhaoStarsGemma ChanRichard MaddenAngelina JolieThe saga of the Eternals, a race of immortal beings who lived on Earth and shaped its history and civilizations.Before getting released this was getting completely panned by, ahem 'critics' which can only be a good thing right as that means it always good?? Well I for one enjoyed it as it was good for Marvel to try something new.
Taking place after the events of Endgame we are introduced to a plethora of new characters in the form of The Eternals. Everything is explained to where they have come from, what they have done throughout history and most importantly WHY they have not gotten involved with anything regards the Infinity saga.
The thrust of this story is that The Eternals have no choice but to interfere in human history when they find out that the 'big bad' of this film (a gigantic space being called Arishem) decides it is time for the Earth to end. What follows is The Eternals coming together to fight Arishem with all their various powers but not without some of The Eternals betraying their friends as they do not agree with going against Arishems wishes which I thought was a nice touch. Not everyone makes it to the end alive with some very well done death scenes. What I enjoyed most about this film is that it was slow paced in order for us to find out about these characters who all have a real sense of mystery and wonder about them. Plus, as mentioned, this is nothing like Marvel has done before which gives it that sense of something freash.
The casting is 'okay' with Gemma Chan shining I thought as the unsung hero of The Eternals. The female actors are the ones who make the film work and Salma Hayek and Angelina Jolie are also excellent in this. We have Kumail Nanjiani who needless to say supplies most of the humour throughout the film. Unfortunately I thought it was a bad idea to cast two of the leads from Game of Thrones in the form of Richard Madden and Kit Harrington. Neither of them 'sell' their characters to me and I found Kit Harrington to be badly miscast. It means nothing though as one of the end credits scenes teases big things for Harringtons character so there will be more of him to come.
Speaking of end credits scenes, the first one I REALLY had to role my eyes at due to who Marvel has employed. I may be being harsh for what this guys career has been so far so I will try and hold judgment until he gets more screen time.
So The Eternals in no surprise whatsoever was nowhere near 'bad' and even it was terrible it would have to be a pretty much an awful film considering Marvel have hardly put a foot wrong.
At the time of writing is ha done really well with Disney wisely making the same decision Warners did with Dune and releasing in theatrically as yet again, a film like Eternals should be seen on the biggest screen possible first time round. I for one will look forward to the sequel. - DirectorDon HallCarlos López EstradaPaul BriggsStarsKelly Marie TranAwkwafinaGemma ChanIn a realm known as Kumandra, a re-imagined Earth inhabited by an ancient civilization, a warrior named Raya is determined to find the last dragon.
- DirectorDoug LimanStarsTom HollandDaisy RidleyDemián BichirTwo unlikely companions embark on a perilous adventure through the badlands of an unexplored planet as they try to escape a dangerous and disorienting reality where all thoughts are seen and heard by everyone.At the time of writing, this film has pretty much been written off. But after seeing it for the first time on Amazon Prime, surprise surprise, I thought it was actually a really good sci-fi film. I thought it was that good I ordered the 4K steelbook the same day.
Telling the story of Daisy Ridleys Viola who, when her scouting mission goes wrong, crashes on 'New Earth'. While here she comes to understand that mens thoughts can be heard while on the planet but womens cannot. After finding out that the Mayor of the town (brilliantly played by Mads Mikkelsen) wants to take over the spacecraft that has brought Viola to the planet, she goes on the run but is helped in her escape by a very good Tom Holland as Todd. This is where the film becomes a chase movie where Viola tries to send a signal from a derelict craft warning her people. Although it sounds a bit 'meh' I loved the world it was set in and I thought how they 'showed' mens thoughts was also really well done. The film also looks stunning in 4K.
After watching the extras on the 4K it is obvious that this film was plagued with problems and unfortunately went into filming without a finished script and I suppose it does show. In what I thought was the films biggest mistake is a whole deleted segment/storyline of Viola and Todd finding a colony of women (women were brutally murdered in The Mayors town) and this would have taken the film to a man vs woman finale which I thought would have been SO much better than the 'scrap' that Mads and Tom had in this current version. An excellent cast is also wasted which also just adds to things. Tom Holland I assume wants no part of the film going forward due to his suspicious absence from any interviews on the disc.
I suppose this film has suffered the same fate as the Divergent series which I just loved, but due to behind the scenes problems, a complete lack of advertising and promotion, the film died a death meaning any sequels will now not be made.
For any sci-fi fans out there though, please watch this film, keep your expectations low and you might be pleasantly surprised. For me it was underrated. - DirectorClint EastwoodStarsClint EastwoodDwight YoakamDaniel V. GraulauA one-time rodeo star and washed-up horse breeder takes a job to bring a man's young son home and away from his alcoholic mom. On their journey, the horseman finds redemption through teaching the boy what it means to be a good man.Yet another film getting absolutely panned and I have no idea why?? Even if this film was awful, are you telling me you have not looked forward to seeing this screen legend on the big screen again at the age of 91?? No, I thought not.
Telling the story of Eastwoods Mike Milo who is a down and out rodeo star thanks to an accident years before which ended his career.
In a return favour to Howard Polk (played by Dwight Yoakam) who has helped Mike since his accident and the loss of his wife, he asks Mike to go and fetch his son Rafo in Mexico from his supposedly abusive Mother who he has been living with for some time. What follows is a brilliant road trip move where Mike and Rafo make an unlikely friendship trying to make it back across the border so he can be reunited with his Father. Needless to say, his Mother is not happy and sends some heavies to deal with Mike and bring back her son. Thanks to some wonderful characters they meet along the way, they are helped and Mike even falls for a Mexican restaurant owner.
Once it ended though, I thoroughly enjoyed what I had seen and I will definitely buy when its released. Cry Macho though, although its not Eastwoods best, does not deserve the hate its been getting and I think everyone should be thankful that Clint Eastwood is still entertaining us after all these decades. - DirectorMichael ChavesStarsPatrick WilsonVera FarmigaRuairi O'ConnorArne Cheyenne Johnson stabs and murders his landlord, claiming to be under demonic possession while Ed and Lorraine Warren investigate the case and try to prove his innocence.So after what for me was one of the best horror films of the past decade in the form of The Conjuring 2, we have the delayed sequel which at the end of the day would have had to be something REALLY special to top the second one. Part 3 though is still good however but missing James Wan as director but is still there behind the scenes.
Telling the story this time of a young family whose young child has been possessed by a demon. While being Exorcised by The Warrens, it leaps from one son to another but only a wounded Ed Warren sees it before collapsing. What follows is The Warrens trying to track down who is responsible for releasing this films demon, which turns out to be the daughter of a former colleague who used to investigate the paranormal years before.
I think what lets this film down is no James Wan as director and only has producer duties this time and this shows. After the incredible Conjuring 2, the film makers should have built on that film and gone down the road of bringing back more creations in the form of demons. The film lacks the frightening characters of The Nun, The Crooked Man, etc. Those characters are what really made that film work which is missing from this film.
So, not an awful sequel by any means but definitely the worst of the three. Will there be a part 4?? I'm guessing so, even though any more sequels in The Conjuring or Insidious universes seems to have gone quiet of late regards announcements and the last I heard is that Patrick Wilson would direct Insidious 5 which I would look forward to. - DirectorCate ShortlandStarsScarlett JohanssonFlorence PughDavid HarbourNatasha Romanoff confronts the darker parts of her ledger when a dangerous conspiracy with ties to her past arises.So after quite a delay from last year thanks to China, we have Marvels first big release in ages and is now at the centre of a lawsuit due to Scarlet Johansson being VERY unhappy how the film was released in cinemas and online (for a fee) at the same time which says cost her money. As this film finishes just as Black Widow flys off to team up with Cap, Sam, etc at the start of Infinity War, Scarlet Johansson has no worries about ever returning to the MCU, so I'm guessing she feels she has nothing to lose??
Anyway, whats the film like?? Well, it was worth the wait and it nice to see Marvel try and do something different with this film that just try and repeat what has come before.
Telling us the story of both Black Widow and her sister (a wonderful Florence Pugh) from their younger years when they were with family and then taken away to be trained as 'Black Widows', to years later where they reconnect with each other to take on a badly miscast Ray Winstones baddie in the form of Dreykov. Dreykov has a plan to unleash hundreds of Black Widows across the world top do his dirty work and its up to Natasha and Yelena to stop him. David Harbour and Rachel Weisz are also along for the ride in helping to save the day by playing Natashas and Yelenas adoptive Mother and Father respectively and like their daughters have alter egos.
The film looks great although there is that much going on it is a film I will definitely need to watch at least another two times. Also due to the Russian accents, it was difficult to hear what most of the cast were saying.
The main end credits scene though sets things up for Florence Pughs Yelena where she visits the grave of her dead sister. Here Julia Louis-Dreyfus' Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (From Falcon and Winter Soldier) appears to send her on a mission to kill the person responsible for her sisters death. Cue a picture of Hawkeye and rumour is (at the time of writing) Yelena will appear in Disneys Hawkeye series which has just started - DirectorIlya NaishullerStarsBob OdenkirkAleksey SerebryakovConnie NielsenA docile family man slowly reveals his true character after his house gets burgled by two petty thieves, which, coincidentally, leads him into a bloody war with a Russian crime boss.So after seeing him in Breaking Bad and then the absolutely wonderful Better Call Saul, Bob Odenkirk stars in this brilliant action film which was a pleasant surprise.
Basically a film saying, what if a James Bond type character retired yet needed his skills to help him and his family when they are threatened by a gang of scumbags??
What surprised me here is how Bob Odenkirk transitioned from the 'quietness' of Saul to this violent action role. He does it with such ease its as though he had ben doing it years. What I really love about this film though is that the bad guys never get a look in or a chance to live another day. Once Odenkirks Hutch Mansell starts kicking ass, that is it, the bad guys don't stand a chance. Throw in a wonderful cast with Connie Nielsen playing Mansells wife and in what is probable his best role since Doc Brown in Back to the Future, we have a scene stealing turn playing Mansells retired father who also has his 'special set of skills'. Throw in a small role for Michael Ironside and we have what ends up being a great action film without copying anything else that has come before it. Definite buy when it comes out. - DirectorJames GunnStarsMargot RobbieIdris ElbaJohn CenaSupervillains Harley Quinn, Bloodsport, Peacemaker, and a collection of nutty cons at Belle Reve prison join the super-secret, super-shady Task Force X as they are dropped off at the remote, enemy-infused island of Corto Maltese.So after David Ayers 'so so' Suicide Squad, we have James Gunns remake/sequel/reboot which I supposed only came about after he was temporarily let go form Marvel for some offensive comments resurfaced.
More over the top and more fun than the first one, what surprised me with this film is that 90% of THE Suicide Squad we knew from the first one is completely wiped out in the first 10 minutes. We are then in the hands of the NEW Suicide Squad with survivors Rick Flag and Harley Quinn.
The film has a LOT going on but thanks to James Guinn each and every character (there are a lot) gets the right amount of screen time without them feeling they are getting tossed to one side. The highlight for me is Harley Quinns escape through a corridor after she has been tortured. The entire scene is done in slow motion where the bad guys do not stand a chance as she uses an array of weapons and fighting skills to lay waste to these scumbags. It was brilliantly done. The 'main' villain of the film is what I can only describe as a giant one eyed starfish and although it sounds utterly stupid it just works.
So a great sequel thanks to an amazing cast. The Sylvester Stallone voiced and CGI King Shark is a particular highlight and there is a beautiful relaxing scene where King Shark is in an aquarium looking at some wonderful marine animals but turn out not what you think they are. The whole scene and music is just a nice quiet moment in the film before we get back to the bedlam. There is a death towards the end which took me by surprise and its a shame it happened as it was a great character. Needless to say, end credits scenes set up possible sequels and spin offs. However, thanks to Chinas world destroying tactics this past year and a half, the box office has not been kind to The Suicide Squad so it will remain to be seen if there will be any more?? Great sequel though and if only DC could FINALLY get Superman right?? - DirectorDarren Lynn BousmanStarsChris RockSamuel L. JacksonMax MinghellaA criminal mastermind unleashes a twisted form of justice in Spiral, the terrifying new chapter from the book of Saw.I must admit, the entire Saw franchise has been pretty good from start to finish so I was quite surprised it was coming back, especially with two quite big stars in it in the form of Samuel L Jackson and Chris Rock playing father and son respectively.
I supposed with this one, you don't really need to watch the previous ones as all is explained so you can jump right in here I suppose.
Needless to say Tobin Bell is long gone so the franchise now relies on the 'copycat' of Jigsaw to carry on with the mayhem and killings and who in turn his/her identity is revealed in the last act. If you enjoyed the previous films you will love his and the set up and theatrics of the deaths is present as always.
The film ends where the copycat gets away so we'll know in time of there will be another. I'm sure there will be as horror films these days seem to be very well made but at the same time cost hardly anything.
Perhaps I need to buy a complete blu ray box set of this now as its been so long since I saw the previous films and only once at that. - DirectorShawn LevyStarsRyan ReynoldsJodie ComerTaika WaititiWhen Guy, a bank teller, learns that he is a non-player character in a bloodthirsty, open-world video game, he goes on to become the hero of the story and takes the responsibility of saving the world.Went to see this purely due to the excellent reviews it was getting, otherwise I might not have bothered but I am so glad I did.
I must admit the first half hour is pretty tedious but after that the film REALLY picks up in terms of action, comedy and the films central romance with a lovely looking Millie played by Jodie Comer. Also along for the ride is Stranger Things Joe Keery as Keys.
I can only describe this as a video game version of The Truman Show only this time, 'Guy' played by Ryan Reynolds has no idea he is 'living' in a video game but due to the fact that he has been programmed as an AI, he starts to catch on with whats happening, breaking from his programming while at the same time becoming an online hero in the real world with all the gamers.
The 'villain' of the piece is the always brilliant Taika Waititi playing Antwan who is the CEO of the online game who eventually realises that thanks to Guy, his dirty secret that he stole Millies and Keys program code and reaped the benefits is about to become known to the world.
The films end set piece is where this film excels where Antwan starts to shut down and destroy the online game. What follows is just hilarious as Antwan unleashes various ways of trying to destroy guy while Guy tries to battle his way through using a variety of weapons, etc. One scene where he uses a shield to protect himself which ends up resulting in a cameo by a very famous Avenger, so no guesses which Avenger considering Guy is using a shield.
So when I got to the end of this film I thought it was brilliant and even ends on a touching moment. Talk of a sequel already but I am in two minds if it needs one as the film is brilliant on its own. We'll see?? - DirectorLisa JoyStarsHugh JackmanRebecca FergusonThandiwe NewtonNick Bannister, a private investigator of the mind, navigates the alluring world of the past when his life is changed by new client Mae. A simple case becomes an obsession after she disappears and he fights to learn the truth about her.At the time of writing this film is getting absolutely slaughtered by public and critics alike and I think they are being a bit unfair as its really only the story which is a bit lacking.
Telling the story of how in a partially (and wonderfully done) water submerged Miami, Hugh Jackmans Nick Bannister runs a small run facility where anyone can relive any memories, good or bad and make them feel like they are actually there as well as Nick able to see what is happening. After falling in love with Rebecca Fergusons Mae who unbeknown to Nick is using him, he sets out to find her after she mysteriously disappears.
Although he is not a cop, Nick acts like one and although the world this film is set is wonderfully brought to the screen, the 'detective' part of this story is what lets the film down. Its not that the characters are unlikeable, its just things are flat during these moments in the film. Also I found the ending to be the director saying: 'Hey, look what we came up with here, isn't it cool??' For me this ending felt forced and didn't feel right for what came before.
People saying this is Jackmans worst film which is nowhere near being true as that still belongs to the likes of Chappie or X-Men 3 and he gives a great performance here. I assume the film makers were trying to capture the magic of The Greatest Showman by casting Rebecca Ferguson opposite Jackman as the love interest, but the chemistry this time is a bit off. The scene stealer here though is Thandie Newtons Emily who even gets to do some dirty work especially in one scene where she saves Nick from certain death in a brilliant shootout.
So considering this starred quite a cast including Jackman and was from the creators of HBO's Westworld, this should have been something else. The visuals and world it was set in were great but more attention needed paying to the story of the film and what it wanted to be. A cop drama, romantic, sci-fi, action?? Sometimes not blending all of these work, especially in a film like this. Its a shame but far from being a poor movie. - DirectorCary Joji FukunagaStarsDaniel CraigAna de ArmasRami MalekJames Bond has left active service. His peace is short-lived when Felix Leiter, an old friend from the CIA, turns up asking for help, leading Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology.So after yet another delay thanks to 'you know what' we finally have Daniel Craigs final outing as 007. Was it good?? Yes. But was it the amazing film everyone else and critics are making out?? Definitely not.
The film picks up a while later after Spectre where Bond and Madeleine (again played by Lea Seydoux) are enjoying the quiet life. After realising they cannot stay together, they part ways where the film then picks up a few years later. We are then introduced to the films main baddie in the form of Serafin played by Rami Malek. What follows is that we find that Serafin killed Madeleines parents when she was a little girl and that Bond is also now a father. The film ends with the usual formula of Bond defeating Serafin, but, and in what is the main reason I dislike this film, Bond dies (yes dies) after unsuccessfully trying to stop missiles destroying Serafins lair and he has no way off the island.
Firstly the good about this film: The incredible pre credits sequence which seems to go on for a long time but this segment alone is the best thing about this film. There is some incredible stunts, the Aston Martin is back with all guns blazing (literally) and there is a real sense of danger. Looking back is there any Bond pre credits sequences that are actually bad?? The film also looks amazing and this is without a doubt Craigs best performance as Bond. He knows its his last one so he is obviously giving it his all.
The bad: The film is WAY too long and I'm sure it could have been shortened by at least 20 minutes. There are some scenes that just drag which lets the film down. The score is pretty bad with a normally good Hans Zimmer churning out what seems to be recycled Dark Knight music. Unless the man was ripping off John Barry (which he does aplenty, but what has OHMSS got to do with this film??) the score was pretty forgettable. I've said this before but will someone PLEASE ask David Arnold to return as he was the closest thing to John Barry we will ever get without ripping John Barry off. Ana De Armas is brilliant in this, but again has little screen time and is just wasted. Now that the next film will be yet another reboot, I doubt we will see her again which is a shame. She was funny, beyond sexy and could handle the action scenes with ease. Along with Bond will also say goodbye to Jeffrey Wrights Felix Leiter who also buys the farm. M, Moneypenny and Q (oh, he's gay now by the way!!) also have little screen time and really have no reason to in the film.
So Craigs era as Bond was a mixed bag. Not only does he (for me anyway) hold the title for doing the best Bond ever (Skyfall) he also hold the title for WORST Bond in the form of the god awful Quantum of Solace which was Bond trying to do Bourne when he didn't even have to compete with the likes of Bourne. After all this time, there is not a single decent thing I remember about that shocker of a film.
So where does the franchise go from here?? Well for starters I want Bond to be male, white and British. You start messing with a 60 year old franchise by bowing to this awful 'woke' mob and you can kiss this franchise goodbye. My choice for Bond is Dan Stevens. He looks the part and after seeing The Guest can quite easily handle the action side. I believe though we need to get back to the 'fun' Bond movies similar to when Roger Moore was in the role.
My main reason for not liking No Time To Die though is that you don't go 'Last Jedi' with Bond and kill him off. With the state of this god awful world at the minute, the last thing we needed was the death of James Bond. - DirectorPatrick HughesStarsRyan ReynoldsSamuel L. JacksonSalma HayekThe bodyguard, Michael Bryce, continues his friendship with assassin, Darius Kincaid, as they try to save Darius' wife Sonia.
- DirectorAndy SerkisStarsTom HardyWoody HarrelsonMichelle WilliamsEddie Brock attempts to reignite his career by interviewing serial killer Cletus Kasady, who becomes the host of the symbiote Carnage and escapes prison after a failed execution.After being completely surprised by the first one which for me had some AWFUL trailers but was an absolute blast to watch, I was looking forward to this.
Definitely not as good as the first one which is surprising considering the brilliant Andy Serkis directed this instalment.
Picking up where the end credits scene of the first one left off, we have a battle between Brock, Venom and Woody Harrelsons Carnage who needless to say breaks out of prison when he gets his own symbiote after he bites Brock on the hand and tastes his blood.
The problem with this film is although the comedy act of Brock and Venom is still great, the film is too short and is one of those films that becomes very loud and CGI filled throughout which just lets everyone down. Don't get we wrong, its not awful but considering what a surprise the first one was, I was expecting the same and then some.
The REAL surprise though is the end credits scene where these two Venom films are now confirmed to be part of the MCU with a cameo (albeit on a TV) by Tom Holland and JK Simmons. So, if Tom Holland decides to stay on as Spiderman after No Way Home, I can see both Toms finally appearing and squaring up in their own film.
Venom 2 though should have been a lot better but I suppose it could have been worse. - DirectorJaume Collet-SerraStarsDwayne JohnsonEmily BluntEdgar RamírezBased on Disneyland's theme park ride where a small riverboat takes a group of travelers through a jungle filled with dangerous animals and reptiles but with a supernatural element.Went to see this purely to get value from my cinema card.
Yet again another movie pushed back due to the Kung Flu and it was okay but its a film that s only a one time watch, I wouldn't buy it and it borrows all its best ideas from the like of Indiana Jones and Pirates of the Caribbean which is why I thought it was nothing new.
Emily Blunt brilliant as always but other than the movie Snitch and the series Ballers, I don't think The Rock is ever going to play a character that we've not seen before regardless of genre of movie. He has great screen presence but these 'larger than life' characters he plays are all the same and we have yet to see him in Black Adam.
The film was okay though but its one of those where you've seen it and has nothing to entice you back for another viewing.
Hope there isn't a sequel.