HotHamlet Reviews

Oldboy (2003)

Great ending but a laughable action scene.

[7/10 · 19 April 2024]

Oldboy is a great psychological thriller that will leave a mark on its viewers. The film's premise is really interesting as it revolves around a man inexplicably imprisoned in a cell for 15 years, without any knowledge of his captor's motives. Upon his sudden release he has a quest for vengeance. At the heart of Oldboy lies an amazing cast that each deliver great performances. Choi Min-sik's portrayal of Oh Dae-su is emotionally charged brilliance and Yoo Ji-tae's portrayal of Lee Woo-jin is very impressive.

One notable aspect that falls short however is the action. This is evidently apparent in the infamous hallway fight scene. While the concept of a single unbroken take to capture a action scene is interesting in premise, the execution feels extremely lacking. The choreography comes across as overly staged and it detracts from the overall impact of the movie. Every other action scene is passable, but there isn't a single action scene in this movie that is good.

That being said where this movie truly shines is in its ending scene. It is open to interpretation and will leave you pondering long after the credits roll. It's a testament to Park Chan-Wook's masterful storytelling that the conclusion feels both satisfying and unsettling.

Overall, Oldboy is a very interesting movie that offers a gripping narrative and amazing performances. The ending is positively thought-provoking and lingers in the mind long after viewing. While it may stumble in its action sequences, its overall impact is impressive.

The Beekeeper (2024)

The worst movie i have ever seen.

[1/10 · 18 April 2024]

This movie is by far the absolute worst thing i have ever laid my eyes upon. Watching this movie made me reconsider every 1/10 review i have given. I am shocked that this movie even exists. The best acting in this movie was terrible, the best plot point was abysmal and the ending was incomprehensibly offensive to not only the eyes but all of my senses.

Story: The story of this movie was absolutely atrocious.

Characters: The cast are utterly repulsive.

Action: The action was nonsensical.

Overall: Terrible, Abysmal, Trash, Horrible, Offensive, Dreadful, Awful, Appalling, Horrific, Horrifying, Distressing, Atrocious, Abhorrent, Foul.

They Look Like People (2015)

Not at all scary but slightly interesting.

[4/10 · 18 April 2024]

The portrayal of mental health in this movie is rather interesting. Rather than sensationalizing it the film depicts it in more realistic light. Now obviously people experience this stuff differently but i love how down to earth they're trying to make it feel. That being said i do fee like the movie was missing key moments of health decline. The best way to describe this without spoilers i believe is this. While watching the movie it feels like the creators tried too hard to make it realistic that it became boring and uninteresting. I possibly believe that they lacked the creativity to truly make a movie of this calibre. Although as far as he acting goes the two main leads are great. MacLeod Andrews and Evan Dumouchel deliver standout performances. They are by far the best acted characters in the entire movie. I believe they are let down slightly by the script they had to work with. Every other characters was acted fine, but these two are the standouts here no question.

The movies biggest strength is in its very minimalist approach to horror. Instead of relying on jumpscares they rely more on atmosphere. This was a great decision for this type of movie i do believe. Slowly building tension until it becomes almost unbearable in certain scenes is very well done, however it doesn't always hit. There is a moment halfway through the movie that was meant to be "tense" but was anything but. I will say the vast majority of the time it was acceptable however. If you want to watch the movie for horror alone then this is not the movie for you. The movie is not at all scary. The opening sequence with its haunting imagery is the only time i was frightened and sets the tone perfectly. It immediately draws viewers into the story and is one of the best introductions to any movie i have seen for a while. I find the first couple of seconds so good that the rest of the movies goes downhill simply due to the fact that this is done so well. That being said the ending feels rushed and unsatisfactory. It leaves many questions unanswered and not in a good interesting i'll theory craft kinda way. It seemed to just end suddenly for no discernible reason.

Overall, They Like People is a interesting look at mental health and friendship elevated by strong performances and a subtle approach to horror. While it's not without its flaws, it's still worth watching at least once.

HotHamlet - 4/10.

Oppenheimer (I) (2023)

Overhyped but still good.

[7/10 · 2 April 2024]

Watching the mid 2023 movie for the first time in April of 2024 i felt like a weight had been lifted off my chest. This weight was one which screemed i have finally watched this movie. My opinions i do not believe willbe controversil as i do indeed like the movie and i am very unknown in the review space. However i did not think that this movie was anything special.

The story of the movie was one based in realitly. How acurate to reality i am unsure as i was and am still not very knowlegeable on Oppenheimer as a man and the cast of people he kept in his company. However i do know that the story of which the movie told made me very interested in something i have very little interest in personally. This is a great feat in my personal opinion and i take my imaginary hat off the the whole team that made that possible. I will say however there is a plot-twist in the movie that will surprise people who are not familiar with the real story as i was. However i do not think this plot-twist was handled very well as after this part of the movie i thought everything felt very forced and no very well put together. The acting wasn't as good as previous and i jus didn't feel satisfied with a certain actors portrayal specifically. However moments like detonation a bomb to see if it works was very well done. The orchestral tone did a very good job of selling the scenes tone even though i know the worst case scenario they speak of cannot happen as this is based on true event's. To get me on the edge of my seat for something i already know happens as it's based on real event's is rather impressive. The portrayal of the President of America i thought was utterly abysmal, however the same cannot be said for many (if any) others. Overall the acting was rather good from everyone except in certain scenes Robert Downey Jr was in. I thought he stood out as one of the worst played characters by far. Although that being said this movie is setting a high bar as in most movies i may call his acting good.

Overall Oppenheimer is a good movie and has a few really interesting moments however the ending plot-twist and certain portrayals led me finding parts rather annoyed. That being said even without these issues i do not believe the movies characters and story are good enough to give it anything close to a 10/10.

To conclude this rather short movie review i want to give a score of 7/10.

The Flash (I) (2023)

A Less Than Thrilling Tale of Speed and Time.

[4/10 · 22 August 2023]

The Flash is a movie that offers acceptable action sequences but ultimately falls flat due to a mediocre storyline and a less than satisfying ending.

Ezra Miller's performance is something that in a better-constructed film would be a highlight. However in this movie it feels like a shining light in an otherwise drab environment. There's no denying Miller's solid acting in the role, however even his performance can't save the movie from its faulty narrative. The lack of depth and exciting script hinders his ability to truly shine in the role. Everyone else is similarly fine in their role with no standout poor performances. However nothing stands out as great and this maybe more down to the story than anything else.

The special effects team did a decent job of showcasing the Flash's super-speed abilities. Whether it's running up a building or battling a horde of villains, the Flash's super-speed is presented in a way that is both acceptable and at times visually impressive. However, the choreography and execution of the action scenes lack the wow factor that you may have come to expect from this genre. The sequences feel formulaic failing to leave a lasting impression or generate genuine excitement.

The story has an overly complicated narrative that involves time travel, parallel universes and a host of other elements that make for a convoluted and confusing viewing experience. It's a classic case of a film trying to do too much and consequently achieving too little. The intriguing concepts are poorly executed, resulting in a convoluted and confusing plot that fails to engage le you fully. The story lacks a clear direction and fails to fully explore the potential of the consequences they could have on the world around him. It feels like a missed opportunity to delve deeper into the complexities of the character and his universe.

Without giving away spoilers, the conclusion feels rushed and underwhelming. The build-up to the climax is poorly executed and the resolution of the main conflict feels unsatisfying and anticlimactic. It leaves you with a sense of dissatisfaction. The emotional connections and relationships between the characters feel shallow and unexplored, further diminishing the impact of the story. This lack of character development hampers the film's ability to create a meaningful and lasting impression after the credits roll.

Overall, the movie has a decent enough performance from Ezra Miller but fails to deliver a compelling and interesting story. It's a film that will likely appeal to die-hard fans of the Flash franchise (or DC in general), but for casual viewers it may prove to be a confusing and ultimately unsatisfying viewing experience.

4/10.

Jack Reacher (2012)

Great Example of Poor Casting Choices.

[4/10 · 2 August 2023]

Jack Reacher has a mediocre storyline with a less than impressive and not particularly exciting cast.

While the plot attempts to intertwine a mystery involving a shooting spree, it falls short of delivering the gripping suspense and intricate twists one would expect from a thriller. The narrative unfolds poorly, lacking the element of intrigue that could have elevated it to a more engaging experience. The pacing feels sluggish at times and the attempts to inject tension and excitement often feel forced, failing to be anything other than rather boring. Also, the film struggles to maintain a consistent level of engagement throughout its runtime. I do really like the first opening scenes and how they set-up the crime however. That being said the movies story slowly gets worse and worse the movie you watch it.

One of the central drawbacks lies in the casting choices. Tom Cruise portrays Jack Reacher. Cruise's performance falls short of embodying the stoic and intimidating demeanor that could have made the movie a more interesting watch. By this I do not mean he is physically too small. I do not mind seeing people that aren't 6'0 plus being seen as badass and cool. But in this movie Tom Cruise doesn't look badass at all and just appears to be almost humorous. Also the fight choreography isn't particularly good either which definitely doesn't help. Also the supporting cast fail to leave a lasting impression. Their performances lack depth and fail to create anything meaningful. The chemistry between the characters (especially between Reacher and his female counterpart) lacks the necessary spark to make their dynamic engaging and believable. It feels so very forced at times and is rather awkward and uninteresting. These lackluster portrayals from the cast will leave you feeling disconnected from the characters and their motivations, ultimately detracting from the overall viewing experience.

The action in the movie is poor and doesn't add anything. It actually detracts from the movies overall strength as that's one thing you look for in a Tom Cruise movie. All of the action choreography constantly feels like it's missing major things that make the action look like it's a pantomime rather and a feature film. You will never leave an action scene being wowed or even satisfied by what you just witnessed.

Overall, the movie falls short of living up to its potential. The film presents an average story with a less than exciting and unconvincing cast, making it a forgettable experience. While it is not the worst action movie on the planet, I do not recommend watching this as you will not get anything from the experience.

4/10.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)

A Good Quick Family Fun Movie.

[7/10 · 2 August 2023]

The much-anticipated Super Mario Bros Movie is a delightful and enjoyable film that despite its shortcomings, is a fun little experience for all ages.

On a visual level the film is a vibrant, colourful and energetic spectacle. The world of the Mushroom Kingdom is brought to life in a way that pays homage to the original games while also adding a modern twist. The character designs are faithful to their video game counterparts, and the attention to detail is truly commendable. The film is also has a great load of visual references and easter eggs that will surely delight dedicated fans. The little visual secrets you see on screen are really enjoyable and fun if you have ever played a Mario mainline game.

The audio references in the movie are also rather fun. The original music from the video games is woven into the film's score. Each familiar tune is given a cinematic change. However if you listen closely you can hear the original scores in there which I really like. The soundtrack overall in this movie however isn't as good as I'm making it seem. This is because despite the fact there are many original tunes in the movie, there are many hit songs that are played throughout some action scenes that I feel don't need to be there. For movie all about Super Mario and co. I would have preferred they used stuff already established in Mario games and original songs. There are some of this and although Bonnie Tyler doesn't ruin the movie, it kinda takes you out of the moment at hand and doesn't feel very fitting for this Mario movie.

It is a very good family film. The humor is light-hearted and fun, with plenty of slapstick moments that will make both children happy. The story (while simple) is engaging and filled with positive messages about teamwork, bravery and friendship. The characters, from the heroic Mario and Luigi to the villainous Bowser, are all well respected from the source material. This is a huge positive as not only lifelong fans but also children still playing the games to this day will recognise everything in the movie. A very good watch for anyone of any age looking for a quick fun movie.

Despite its many strengths, the film is not without its flaws. As a movie carrying the Super Mario Bros name, there's a level of expectation attached to it. While the film does a good job of honoring its source material, some may feel that it doesn't fully capture the magic of the games. By this I mean you will not leave feeling fully satisfied as a Mario lover I do believe. Now that being said I am no longer a child and am not a mega fan of Mario. However I did play many of the games as a kid and always felt that something was missing whilst watching the movie. The final few scenes in particular were a letdown. The climax felt rushed and the resolution seemed poor. The film seemed to lose its momentum towards the end, leaving a somewhat poor taste after an otherwise nice ride. I also disliked Seth Rogan voice acting Donkey Kong as you can only hear him in the apes voice and although the voice does fit to a certain extent, if you know who the voice is it cannot be unheard. Every other voice actor did well and although I knew most of the main casts voice actors, I didn't (unlike Rogan) hear their voice throughout. They all sounded like they belonged. I can understand for younger audiences however they would not mind Seth at all voicing Donkey Kong.

I think the overall story is solid. It wasn't quite as good as movies of a similar elk for me such as the recent Sonic The Hedgehog movies. But it was easily enough to pad out the runtime. The CGI was brilliantly done for a completely animated feature. Nothing felt poorly animated and I never wished for more in this department. They did a great job of making the Human characters look like they belong in the Mario franchise and not uncanny at all. The animation and visual effects was extremely good and a huge positive for the film.

Overall, the movie is a fun journey through one of gaming's most beloved franchises. It's a film that will surely delight any fan of the Mario games, young or old. Despite its flaws, it's a movie that I would recommend to anyone who's a fan of Super Mario or anyone who enjoys a good, family-friendly adventure.

7/10.

No Country for Old Men (2007)

A Movie That Tries and Fails.

[7/10 · 1 August 2023]

No Country for Old Men is a film that undeniably possesses a watchable narrative. However it falls short of achieving greatness. The narrative manages to hook the you in from the start, but it fails to provide any substantial payoff or resolution to the gripping setup. The film keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout, but the lack of a satisfying conclusion can leave some feeling unsatisfied and unfulfilled.

One of the better parts of the movie is it's talented cast. Each actor playing their respective roles admirably. The performances are compelling and they add a depth to the overall atmosphere of the film. Nobody stands out as being bad as they all contribute to the film's dark and suspenseful tone. From the embodiment of evil and death, to an old time sheriff and a man that stumbles upon a jackpot and his life moving forward. I believe everyone (not only the main actors) played their parts so very well.

However, the film's weak point lies in its ending. The final confrontation, which should have been a climax of tension and emotional impact falls flat and leaves you unsatisfied and wanting more. There is a sense of disappointment and detachment as the narrative concludes with loose ends, failing to provide closure or a resolution to the intense buildup of events. As some search for a deeper meaning and metaphors in the movie, the movie may appear to be a masterpiece. However, for some (including myself), the attempt at deep and thought-provoking storytelling feels forced and unconvincing. Despite watching numerous YouTube videos dissecting the film's supposedly hidden meanings, it remains a frustrating and unfulfilling experience. The movie strives to be more than a mere crime thriller, but in doing so, it loses sight of its primary purpose to satisfy the viewer. Maybe I'm looking at it wrong and it isn't meant to satisfy you. But though all the movies I have ever seen that have an amazing and thought-provoking ending, they all leave you satisfied by the conclusion.

Overall, is a good film with an intriguing story and strong performances from the cast. It manages to hook the viewers from the beginning but unfortunately, it fails to deliver the emotional payoff and resolution that it promises. The ending and the final confrontation before hand may leave some with a sense of frustration as the film struggles to live up to its potential as a masterpiece. Despite its good moments, the movie falls short of being the gripping and thought-provoking experience it aims to be, leaving some ultimately unsatisfied.

I would recommend watching the movie once over as it's a good movie.

7/10.

Escape from Alcatraz (1979)

A Sadly Disappointing Film Based on an Interesting Topic.

[5/10 · 31 July 2023]

Escape from Alcatraz is a movie with an average storyline that features both good and bad scenes throughout. While there are some commendable attempts, the inclusion of comedic scenes feels out of place. This is especially the case as the movie has a focus on a real prison escape. The comedic elements don't quite land, diminishing the overall impact.

In terms of the prison escape sequence, it falls short when compared to other movies. A very quick recent example of a movie I have seen that has a far better escape sequence would be Escape from Pretoria. This movie executes the final escape and everything leading up to it more effectively. Though the escape sequence in Escape from Alcatraz is acceptable, it doesn't stand out as the best in the genre.

As for the acting, Clint Eastwood does a fine job and the rest of the cast performs similarly without anyone particularly shining. Although I didn't much care for the writing, I believe the actors delivered their lines absolute fine. It seems it's as simple as they say what they're told to say. That being said I am not sure how much input Clint Eastwood himself had to the script as he was (and still is) a name bigger than the movie itself. The performances are simply average with nobody being particularly bad, but also nobody I would describe as good let alone great.

The movie is supposedly based off real events. I'm am not sure how accurate this movie is to the fine details, that being said from what I know from the escape in real life it does have parts that are completely accurate. However just because a movie is accurate to a real escape doesn't mean the movie and it's story automatically translate perfectly and the movie is instantly incredible. I've played many a World War 2 video game that I didn't like. Also the movie doesn't make it feel like it's something that happened. I know it did, however the movie doesn't make me feel connected to the characters in anyway and makes me feel nothing for the ending. The script just wasn't engaging enough to make the movie leave a lasting impact and get you really wondering about the real events it's based on.

Overall, this is a movie that lands right in the middle. It offers a few engaging moments, however the overall execution (including the inappropriate comedic scenes and lackluster prison escape sequence) leaves much to be desired. The movie's soundtrack also doesn't leave a lasting impression, contributing to its overall mediocrity. While watchable, it's not the best prison escape movie out there.

If you liked this movie I would definitely recommend watching the earlier mentioned movie Escape from Pretoria. It's also based on real events and has an extremely similar title. I just believe it was handled better and is more engaging in every aspect.

5/10.

There Will Be Blood (2007)

Great Acting in a Passable Storyline.

[7/10 · 31 July 2023]

There Will Be Blood manages to shine through with its exceptional acting while falling short of achieving the status of a masterpiece.

The acting in this movie is undoubtedly the film's strongest aspect. Daniel Day-Lewis delivers a great performance as Daniel the determined and ruthless prospector. The runtime shows that great acting making it very good in that certain aspect. Daniel Day-Lewis delivers a stellar performance, bringing depth and intensity to his character. The supporting cast also deliver commendable performances, further enhancing the film's overall impact. That being said the reason for this film being a positive in my eyes is mainly down to the acting as the nothing else triumphs as great as the acting in this movie.

The story is decent enough to keep you invested, but it doesn't quite reach the heights of other movies i would consider brilliant (let alone a masterpiece). While it held my attention, it didn't at all leave a lasting impact and it certainly wouldn't be considered close to a personal favourite movie. It holds its own and keeps you engaged with an intriguing storyline, but it lacks the profound impact of other films often considered greats. It's an engaging story no doubt, but it doesn't soar to the heights of those unforgettable movies that leave an incredible mark on your mind.

The soundtrack was okay, but it didn't stand out as something extraordinary. It complemented the movie adequately, but it didn't leave a lasting impression or enhance the overall experience significantly. It doesn't include any standout themes or compositions that can elevate a movie to another level.

Overall, the movie is a well-acted film with an engaging enough story, earning it the title of something I would consider anyone to watch. While it falls short of being a great movie, the great acting performances make it something I would truly recommend for at least a single viewing. However, the less impressive narrative might leave some desiring a more impactful cinematic experience. Though not perfect, it remains a commendable entry in the realm of film, leaving a lasting impression with its very good performances.

7/10.

The Whale (2022)

A Fraser Performance to Remember.

[6/10 · 29 July 2023]

The Whale dives into uncharted waters, delivering a captivating story with a solid cast. While the film boasts a fantastic ending and well put performances, it struggles to maintain the same level of excitement throughout the middle act. Nonetheless, this movie may still leave a lasting impact.

The acting overall was solid. Brendan Fraser in particular shines bright with his performance, delivering a heartfelt portrayal that captivates you and makes you feel many different emotions. His ability to convey the emotional journey of his character adds a layer of depth to the film. His performance is easily the standout of the entire movie for me. He was recognised for this with an Oscar. He delivers a standout performance that tugs at the heartstrings. His portrayal of the complex and tormented character is very well done. While Fraser's performance may steal the spotlight, the supporting cast in this flick should not be overlooked. Most members contribute to the film's success by bringing their characters to life with conviction and authenticity. The chemistry between some of the actors is palpable enhancing the overall believability of the story. From the seasoned veterans to the emerging talents, the cast works well together creating a cohesive and engaging ensemble. I did however feel the actor who plays Thomas was noticeably worse than the rest of the cast. But it didn't at all ruin the movie and with all the other good performances I believe it looks far worse than it actually is.

The story is rich with emotional scenes (especially towards the end). It explores themes of a both negative and positive nature. The screenplay expertly weaves these elements together, creating a experience that lingers long after the film ends. It feels rather real and the team I feel tried to make it feel this way. This is despite many a people watching this may never have found themselves in this specific situation. Though there is at least a single thing that this movie shows that will resonate with someone somehow and I praise the story for that. It's not a master-stroke by any means. But it's easily serviceable and complements the performance of the cast rather well I believe.

One cannot discuss this movie without praising its ending. The conclusion ties together the various storylines and leaves you tearful. The emotional payoff is satisfying and leaves a lasting impression. The filmmakers should be commended for their ability to deliver an impactful finale that stays with viewers long after the credits roll. Like the story it is by absolutely no means a masterpiece. However it is easily serviceable yet again and is I'm sure heart-wrenching for many (like it was for myself).

Unfortunately, the middle act of the movie does not quite reach the heights of its beginning and end. It feels somewhat flat and lacks the same level of quality that hooks you from the beginning. While the story is intriguing, it fails to maintain the same momentum throughout this section. Sadly, this temporary lapse does detract from the overall quality of the film. The middle part for about a 20-30 minute period (maybe slightly more) let's down the movie in a lot of ways as it's not nearly as interesting and feel far less authentic. It's (in simpler terms) far more boring than the beginning and end of the runtime.

The soundtrack seemed pretty good and in certain scenes even great. It really enhances the experience you have watching. It is a vital component of the film's positive nature and it really seems to hit the nail on the head when it comes to makes eyes tearful. It enhances the storytelling, heightens your emotion and helps leave a lasting impact.

Overall, a movie I would definitely recommend however I do not believe you should go in with the expectation it will be a masterpiece as you will be more than disappointed if that's the case.

6/10.

The Usual Suspects (1995)

An unforgettable masterpiece of a film.

[10/10 · 29 July 2023]

The Usual Suspects stands as an unparalleled masterpiece in the realm of crime thrillers. The movie will simply amaze you with its brilliantly woven narrative and an amazing cast that delivers exemplary performances.

At the heart of the movie lies its unforgettable cast of characters. The entire cast all add depth and diversity to the group of criminals. Each character is distinctive and brings a unique dynamic to the narrative, making the interactions between them as captivating as the plot itself. Every actor played their part perfectly and I wouldn't change anyone in any role I do believe. The movie owes much of its success to the incredible cast, whose talents mesh seamlessly to create a gripping and unforgettable cinematic experience. Although I say all this I do not believe it's the best acting from anyone individually. But that's because it's a true testament to the fact that case members can all come together to make the acting far better than it would be individually. By this I mean to say if you take a single actor and separate them the acting may not seem amazing. But the perfect cast was assembled that all together make the movie's characters brilliant. They all complement each other to magnificent effect.

Another brilliance of the movie is in its storytelling, which takes the audience on a thrilling ride through a labyrinth of deceit. The plot is constructed brilliantly with twists and turns that seamlessly fit together perfectly and don't seem pulled out of thin air adding nothing. All of this culminating in an astonishing revelation that leaves viewers in awe. The movie's ability to keep you speculating and engaged in discussions long after the credits roll is a testament to its intelligent and compelling narrative. Many a film have twists and turns that simply fall flat. So having twists/a twist doesn't necessarily mean a good movie. This is one such case of how it can work very well within a narrative. Utterly brilliant story. I feel the story will leave you both stunned and satisfied. Every piece of the puzzle falls perfectly into place, making it a cinematic experience unlike any other. Not a single moment in this movie bored me and made me want to skip ahead. This movie had me hooked from the first scene to the last. The movie encourages speculation and even if you managed to predict some aspects of the twists, the sheer brilliance of the storytelling and character development ensures that it remains an enthralling journey from start to finish.

I am one such viewer that predicted the plot twist down to its most minuscule details. I predicted the final scene of the film as soon as it's possible to do so. Although this sounds like it's a negative, I had such fun throughout the movie and paused it several times to speak to myself for about 20 minutes on what I believe to be happening. The ending is one that I will always remember until I pass. It is truly one of the great movie endings.

The soundtrack of the movie must have been brilliant. However I would like to admit I cannot remember it even after only just finishing thee cinematic masterpiece. I was so infatuated with every other part of the story that I didn't even pay attention to the soundtrack. I must assume it's good however as if it wasn't I feel I would be noticeable. Apologies on this front but if I said anything other than this I would be making up stuff to say.

The runtime was a perfect length and the movie didn't ever feel like it was making itself longer simple to pad for length. Very well done to the director and their team for this.

Overall the movie is a masterpiece that has stood the test of time. Its extraordinary cast, captivating characters, and masterfully crafted narrative make it a true masterpiece in the world of cinema. There is no room for criticism here as every aspect of the film is incredible. If you haven't experienced this cinematic triumph yet, it is a must-watch for any lover of thrillers and storytelling at its finest.

10/10.

Taxi Driver (1976)

A classic of film that inspires many from a single performance.

[7/10 · 28 July 2023]

Taxi Driver is a interesting film that captivates audiences with its raw intensity of De Niro's outstanding performance. The film expertly delves into the mind of a one man in 1970's New York City, offering a powerful and thought-provoking experience.

De Niro's portrayal of Travis Bickle is great. His ability to convey the complex emotions and inner turmoil of the character draws you into his troubled mind. Bickle's transformation from a lonely, disillusioned taxi driver to a vengeful vigilante is portrayed with utmost authenticity, leaving a lasting impact on viewers. The rest of the cast compliment De Niro rather well, although he is obviously the star of this show. He is also the only performance I would credit as being great or better than. I do see however that some people will struggle to connect to a character that's as broken and simply mean spirited as Travis. However even if you haven't had and similar experiences (obviously to a lesser extent), I still believe the movie is a thought provoking watch. But many may not see what i (and many) see. A negative here however is Travis Bickle and the performance of him is by an absolute landslide the biggest reason for this movies positivity. Everything in this movie would not be what it is without a performance like this one. That being said I believe it to be more of a credit to the director for having him cast. He is part of the movie after all.

I've seen online that people believe the movie to be rather slow paced and this is a negative. But honestly I didn't feel that at all throughout the entire movie. That being said if you're not enjoying a movie this can happen so most movies can have this happen to some viewers. But I wanted to throw my two-cents into the mix and state that I do not believe at any point it gets longwinded and/or boring.

The ending is great and something that leaves a profound impact. The conclusion is both shocking and thought-provoking, sparking discussions. It's hard to talk about for fear of spoilers, however it is very good and you may see differently to how the ending was originally planned from the director.

Overall, Taxi Driver is a cinematic classic that showcases Robert De Niro's acting brilliantly. Although the movie is not as good as later (but similar toned) movies, it still manages to make you think and get somewhat invested into the character of Travis. The film's overall impact and unforgettable ending makes it a must see classic that continues to resonate with audiences and film makers to this day.

7/10.

The Walking Dead: Days Gone Bye (2010) Season 1, Episode 1

An Absolutely Average Start.

[5/10 · 18 July 2023]

I would like to quickly mention that i am rather surprised that the first episode on The Walking Dead has so few reviews all things considered.

The first episode was a fine introduction, but by absolutely no means would i call it excellent.

The first little scene that concludes with Rick and the little girl didn't make me feel anything and i honestly thought was pointless to the episode. I would much preferred if it had started with the two officers talking. The way Rick was injured as absolutely fine and the hospital scene afterwards i really liked. It's very similar to 28 Days Later but that does not at all hurt it. Also i do believe this was a comic before hand thus it probably wasn't inspired by that. Although whether it was or not i do not mind as i really did like the whole waking up having no clue what to expect. It makes Rick as new to all of this as the watchers of the show are. The scenes with Rick and the father and son are fine and are not at all unwarranted. Nothing special in these scenes however. I liked the small scene with the man trying to shoot his own wife. But besides this nothing really stands out as amazing. The scene in which rick going into the city and gets stuck under a tank made me feel hopeless for him and very claustrophobic myself. Now considering i have seen the show in the past and know Rick does not die here i think is a testament to the scene as a whole. I also loved the small sequence when he seems out of options and puts the gun towards his head, only to instantly see a way out. I thought it was shot excellently and was (somehow) believable. The transition earlier on with the woman kissing his comrade only to have it switch from her to the picture pretty nice.

The walkers speed is something i noticed. So they are shown the majority of the episode walking far slower than any fit and healthy Human would. Yet in the city scene (and with the little girl) they shuffle along a lot faster. I can only assume it's to make them more scary. But i would prefer if they keep this consistent. I also didn't like how the episode ended. Now it wasn't very bad, however i know if i was watching this at my current age in 2010 it would not excite me for another episode. I also wish it took Rick a little longer to get used to the situation he is in. It would have been nice. I also think the episode as a whole wasn't really hard-hitting as much as i think it was trying to be. When i think hard hitting zombie media opening, i think The Last of Us. Now that is how you do a hard-hitting zombie fueled opening. That being said the episode was not t all bad, i just simply don't believe it to be an amazing start to the series either.

Green Street Hooligans (2005)

Jason Statham would fit well in this movie.

[4/10 · 15 July 2023]

This movie is one i had fond memories of and i left re-watching it today a little frustrated. Not because the movie is utterly abysmal, but because my child memories of this movie were far better than what i just witnessed.

Now one striking glare this movie has is it's accents. Now i am no accent connoisseur, however Charlie Hunnam's attempt at any form of London accent was very misplaced. It took away from the movie quite a lot as i struggled to take much seriously at the beginning when i was getting used to his voice. Everyone else seemed far better but his voice stands out like a sore thumb as being dreadfully bad. That being said i also didn't really like his performance. I think there are a smattering of people that you can name of the top of your head after watching that would fit this role far better than Hunnnam. He was very poor in this movie. Everyone else i didn't mind (including Elijah Wood).

The story of this movie is one that is absolutely fine but isn't told as well as it could have been. I never felt connected to a single character in this movie, however i can't think of many major negatives towards the story. The ending was good and it wraps up a mediocre story very well. But overall the movies story is one that's average. It is also made to look far worse because of the acting from Charlie Hunnam. The best part of the story would have to have been Bovver's little tantrum, however it doesn't make the movie much better. It is simply something i can point out as my favourite part of the mediocre narrative. There is a single scene in the movie that make no sense to me, however it was the only scene of this nature. The rest was mediocre however surprisingly not too boring as each scene didn't overstay it's welcome. The movies story will not stick with you.

Soundtrack was (as most things in this film) mediocre and the action scenes are pretty poor. However the aftermath of the action i liked and the action itself was serviceable just not very good. I never felt connected to a character and didn't really care if one was hurt. The choreography was a big stinky pile of average and very forgettable.

If you're looking for football hooligan movie then i'm sure there are far many better options that this stinky pile of mediocrity. I believe that is me being nice to the film as it's less than that.

Overall i am struggling to think of anything else to say about this mediocre (at best) mess of a film. I wouldn't recommend it but it isn't very bad, just a little bad is all.

4/10.

The Theory of Everything (2014)

A Romance Movie that Shouldn't Have Been.

[7/10 · 15 July 2023]

The Theory of Everything is by no means a masterpiece of filmmaking and not even a great film compared to the very best of the year of it's release. That being said it is a rather good movie with some very touching moments that may pull at your heartstrings.

First off i wanted to get the obvious out of the way. I found the way they showed Stephen's illness to be rather great at times whilst poor at others. Both the early and late stages honestly had points that are both positive and negative in nature when it comes to the filmmaking specifically. I do believe that it is easily serviceable as a product however i always felt like something was missing when depicting his illness. I think that it's more difficult for me to criticize when the movie is trying to portray real events as supposed to complete fiction (even if that fiction is based in reality). I saw the Professor say he liked the movie thus me criticizing parts of the movie may seem rather silly in nature. That being said i watched this movie and cannot help but find parts i though weren't done to the best of their ability. One part i didn't like way that fact that i believe that they didn't show Stephen's worst moments that i believed he sadly may have suffered in life. Think about all the moments he must have been staring at the wall or ceiling having thoughts that he struggled to get across. Or the moments when nobody came too his aid. This movie i believe shows too much success and brightness when i feel it would hit home more if it showed the utterly horrific struggles with the illness. I believe the illness was a mere backdrop to the story and although that may have been what they were going for, to show his illness is not the only thing that makes him interesting. I would have liked to have been more inspired by the absolute torture this man must have endured throughout his lifetime. This is despite the fact i (and many others) may never have ALS (Motor Neuron Disease).

The story overall was one that i would say was fine in nature. I do not know how much is accurate to the real like of Professor Hawking. That being said as a pure watching experience i found it focused far too much on the relationship between Jane and Stephen. I understand that is a huge part of his story. But after coming away from the movie that is all i take away from it. The ending was marvelously done but i only got to know Stephens relationship with his former partner. I would like to know more the others around him not just his ex. Also his science (that he is famous for) is easily secondary and besides a single scene his workings and thought process isn't greatly shown. This all doesn't sound too bad if you're reading this without watching the movie but if you have seen it i believe you my share my belief's. The movie is a romance plain and simple. It nothing scientific and nothing that has a deeper meaning in my eyes (although it tries too towards the end). Maye i feel this way as i am not a huge lover of the romance genre. Although even for a romance it isn't spectacular in that department either. It is good though and easily enjoyable if you're looking for romance. That being said i do not believe it should go down as a great in this department. Romance is the only thing the movies does very well in my eyes but tht fact it's not amazing tells me the movies story is rather lacking in many aspects.

All that negativity aside there are some really great scenes throughout the runtime of the film. Some that i do not want too say of fear of spoiler. However these scenes (and on in particular for myself) may stay in your mind for awhile after watching. They are shot well and make the movie a far better watching experience that they would have been without. These moments are the thing that makes the movie above an average watch, but there are only a smattering throughout the entire movie. The rest of the movie is simply average.

I will say that i do not believe that even the less interesting parts are bad however. Even without the very well done scenes of the film, the movie would still be a average watch and by no means bad let alone terrible.

The acting in this movie was brilliant. The was Redmayne portrayed Hawking i thought was simply astounding. It didn't look overly played or even goofy for the most part and was very well done in my eyes. His brilliance is especially noticeable in the scenes were the disease takes full control. Although i wished they showed more with the illness the actor was simply following the script and did his job excellently. Felicity Jones, Charlie Cox and others all played their parts very well too i must say. I do believe the story makes the acting look weaker that i actually is, but i feel i can see past this and look at just what a great job they all did. The acting is the best part of the movie for me personally.

Overall a movie i would recommend watching, but unless you adore romance movies won't be anything close to a masterpiece.

7/10.

Shutter Island (2010)

One great ending line.

[7/10 · 13 July 2023]

Watching this movie after watching it previously does put the movie into a far different perspective from when you watch it blind for the first time. Although i cannot remember my first viewing perfectly, i can wholeheartedly say i definitely saw the movie through different eyes on this viewing as supposed to the first. I love how this is the case as it makes all the twists and turns feel more warranted. Many movie has a "plot-twist" that seems to come from nowhere nd make little sense. This movie doesn't suffer from this however.

The story for the most part was great and something i will not forget in a hurry. That being said the many flashback scenes i thought were not at all needed. Anything the flashbacks show i feel could of been better shown throughout the story in natural conversations than just showing us flashbacks to certain events. The many (and i mean many) dream sequences have the same issue in my opinion. They feel like they're far too theatrical for the story they're trying to tell. Also considering how the first quarter of the movie goes, i think the dream sequence feel rather too out of place. Whilst talking about negatives with the storytelling, i want to mention a particular scene that happens around the 1:24:00 mark. The scene lasts around seven minutes and feels so unbelievably pointless. A random unwarranted expositional dump that detracts heavily from the watching experience. Without this single scene the movie would benefit greatly. This is the scene were Teddy goes and meets the lady in the cave which we later learn is a hallucination. That all being said the way the movie seemed to telegraph the twist and not pull it out of thin air was nice. It felt deserving of the plot-twist it received. The little hidden details you notice from a second viewing that you didn't realise the first time are amazing. The small little secrets and even the ones that seem more obvious are a great positive for the enjoyment of the movie and makes multiple viewings possible. The very final scene i thought was great and actually gets you thinking. I felt that i had a different assumption of the ending scene this second viewing than i did the first and this is something i take as a positive from the experience. There are also many a points i now look at and wonder if they really happened or if they were figment of the protagonists mind all along. Simple things like the storm that happens i am now questioning whether it was all in Di Caprio's characters mind. The final scene of the movie wraps up all of the wonder about the protagonist very well as with those few simple words you still are unsure fully on what is the truth.

The acting in this movie is very well executed. From the main characters like Kingsley and Ruffalo. To lesser known characters like the prison guards and nurses of the hospital. Di Caprio played a troubled man very well i thought. I do not believe it should go down in history as a great performance of a mentally ill man. That being said i though he got his point across absolutely fine and at times i really enjoyed the way he reacted to certain things when it came to fruition. I also thought the fact his hallucinations were shown made the performance look worse than it actually was. The cast of staff members played villains that you later learn are not villains at all. You may believe they're bad people but when the big twist happens it doesn't at all feel forced. Watching and a second viewing of the movie, i think you can see just what a great job the actors did to portray their characters that way.

The movie shows that people admitted to Psychiatric hospital could possibly blend in with the people on the outside. That being said this movie i do not believe should be mentioned when it comes to movies that portray mental illness very well. Now it is easily passable for the type of movie it is, that being said there are far more movies i could mention that portray illness far more effectively. That being said (as mentioned before) i do believe Di Caprio himself played the part very well in general.

The soundtrack was absolutely fine. I have seen a few reviews of this movie before writing this and they all seem to utterly adore the soundtrack of the movie. For me personally i think the soundtrack is one that is good and i would struggle to find things i disliked about it. That being said it didn't at all blow me away and it's nothing i would ever remember about the movie. The Twists, the secrets and the overall plot are not made far better because of the soundtrack in my personal opinion. The movie would definitely be worse without it, but it could have definitely been far better.

I do like how the camera always follows Di Caprio's character and doesn't stray away. Now this is most obviously because if we heard the characters talking without Teddy present, it would be easier too figure out the main overarching plot far earlier on. But i do believe it was a good choice as it could have not been the case.

A lot of people talk about how obvious the twist was. Although i do not believe i knew it was going too happen on my first viewing i can see this point of view after getting to know the movie. But that being said i believe the payoff with the final few words uttered by Di Caprio in the movie being by far more impactful than the actual twist. I believe if most were to think back on this movie they would think about the very end as supposed too the plot twist. However that may just be me and please feel free to disagree if you do not think that is the truth.

Just quickly once more i wanted to extremely briefly mention how i utterly adored the final few words of the movie. If it wasn't for these words (which i just found out were not mentioned in the book it was based off) the movie would have left me with such a different experience. A change from the source material that i think proved absolute wonders on Martin's part.

Overall i do believe this movie is a good watch and one that i personally would recommend. If it becomes a movie you enjoy then watching it a second time after knowing all there is to know really adds tool the experience in my opinion.

7/10.

The Blair Witch Project (1999)

I simply cannot enjoy this movie.

[1/10 · 12 July 2023]

The Blair Witch Project is one of the pioneers of found footage that much is true. That being said this review is an honest review of a very young man who simply dislikes the movie. The reason I stress 'young man' is I understand (to an extent) that people back in 1999 felt very differently to this movie. I've heard it was taken as if it was real by many and there wasn't much like it. However I can only review it from my own personal experience and perspective.

Now that all of that clarification is out of the way I must say i find this movie utterly abysmal. The first 25 minutes of the movie are simply boring. The interviews with the locals at the beginning add nothing and you forget about them by the time the credits roll. The other part of the first 25 minutes is the main three cast members walking through a forest with very little interesting dialogue and nothing of note in the visual department. After this point it doesn't get much better, but it at least picks up the pace slightly (if only barely).

The movie lack absolutely anything remotely scary or creepy and unless I am ever in a forest at night would never illicit a horrifying memory. Less is not always more and this movie is a perfect example of that. Even considering it's low budget (that I do not believe was used well), it's still an utterly boring experience.

The best part of this movie is easily the acting although I would not go as far to suggest the acting is good let alone brilliant. It's easily passable however and dare I say average. This is considering they're not A-List actors and the extremely low budget they had to work with (comparatively speaking).

The ending of the movie is not at all satisfying, but considering how awful the movie is it has no affect on the end rating I would give the movie. Compared to the vast majority of found footage movies I have seen (most being long after this but not all) I must say it is easily one of the worst with no place for wiggle room in my eyes.

I weirdly still recommend watching the movie simply because people always talk about it when it comes to horror let alone found footage. So I believe you should probably get this off your radar as soon as possible if it's on it. But I believe most of the hype around this movie is due to nostalgia rather than It genuinely being any good. But this review is only my opinion and please feel free to heavily disagree.

1/10.

Blair Witch (2016)

Terrible sequel to a terrible movie.

[1/10 · 12 July 2023]

This movie I find to be just a bad as the original. After watching them back to back I actually feel a little more annoyed as a viewer. This is because (especially with the original) I really believe I'm trying to like these movies, but I simply cannot as they're terrible.

Anyway onto this movie specifically. I must mention this movie is less boring than the original. But it seemed to replace the boring nature of the first movie with annoyance. This movie was so very annoying to experience. The constant static throughout the movie (especially in transitions) was so very unwarranted. It's something many a found footage horror movie does, but it doesn't make it any less annoying. There are examples of this working, but the vast majority of the time it makes a movie's quality plummet. The jumpscares are also a major negative for this film. Constant jumpscares from the back end of nowhere with absolutely no reason other than a quick unjustified scare. I will be the first to admit that I did jump once or twice at this movies ridiculous junpscares. But it wasn't at all a warranted reaction to being scared from horror. It's because every jumpscare in this movie is from the bottom of a feaces filled barrel. Absolutely and unequivocally dumb and honestly single-handedly ruins the movie. There are moments in the movie we're these terrible jumpscares happen 2-4 times within minutes. The horrific quality of these jumpscares are the only semblance of horror this movie has going for it.

For something that is meant to be found footage I did like the fact that the second a creepy occurrence happens they want to immediately leave and attempt to (albeit briefly). This suits the found footage genre well most of the time. But this was brief. That being said it was cut short for good reason as they had valid reason to believe it was fake.

Every death in this movie was bad and I did not care far a single character throughout the runtime of the movie. None of the acting was good for the majority of the movie. The best actor (for me) being Wes Robinson's character (Lane), but he himself was simply ok. Everyone else was just poor in my opinion.

The ending of thy is movie was poor although (like the original film) doesn't make this movie any worse as it's already bottom of the barrel. At least in this movie it's almost comically bad.

Nothing in this movie is Remotely scary (I would assume) for the average person. Maybe I'll be proven wrong however.

I do however like how this movie can pretty much be watched without watching the original first. It definitely makes this movie make a little more sense. But I don't think watching this movie without knowledge on the original will detract much (if anything) from your opinion of the movie.

Definitely do not recommend this movie as it's only scary moment is the realisation of how bad it is.

1/10.

Paranormal Activity (2007)

A movie that inspired many that isn't special itself.

[4/10 · 12 July 2023]

Paranormal Activity is a movie I originally disliked with a passion. That being said after rewatching it I do not believe it too be quite as bad as I though during my last viewing.

Like many a found footage the first 25 minutes of this movie are not particularly interesting. I would not go as far as too call these early moments boring. But for me the first 25 minutes of the movie do not make me any more interested in the plot than when i read the synopsis beforehand (possibly even less so). Not all movies in this sub-genre have this issue of being rather tiresome early on, but many (if not most) do.

The cast of characters were absolutely fine. They played their respective parts rather well and didn't detract from the movie at all. I must say I did prefer Katie's actor throughout the runtime more than Micah's. That being said most of the better acting I though came towards the movie's conclusion. Earlier on it's not at all bad, but just isn't quite as good as it could be considering what we see towards the end.

I was not impressed with the sound design personally. It was not at all bad however. The low rumbling in the bedroom scenes probably make the movie better off than if it was simply ambient noise or silence. That being said it's the only part of sound in this movie I found ok. All the bangs and stuff that happen throughout the movie could be practical or digital (probably a mixture of both). They do sound pretty real for the most part and maybe that can in fact make the movie feel ever so slightly more realistic. That being said something being "realistic" doesn't automatically make it more scary. This movie I believe is a perfect example of this factor. As if it was slightly less believable than it was I still think the scare factor would have been remotely the same. Sound design is passable I believe, but is definitely nothing to write home about, (far from it).

Briefly I want to mention that the story in this movie is absolutely fine. It is like many a thing in this movie nothing special and even really interesting. But it's told well and it's not at all uninteresting. The best way for me to sum it up would be it's not a particularly good story, but one that's good enough for a low budget horror that is also presented well.

This movie I honestly do not believe to be very scary at all. There is a single big jumpscare in the movie (that I won't reveal the placement of because of potential spoilers) that I think is done pretty well. It's a shock and has you looking exactly where it wants without feeling too forced. That being said the entire rest of the movie has very little in terms of scares or anything creepy. There are some moments you may expect something that doesn't come and this definitely creates a nervous tension. But nothing in this movie I would personally call scary. However depending on your personal fears I can see some possibility seeing a single scene or two creepy. For me however it wasn't.

But considering the extremely small budget and the stuff they have to work with during production, this is not a poorly made movie at all. I can see why many became inspired by this movie as filmmakers.

Overall this movie is not quite as bad as I originally though. That being said it is nothing special and I would recommend it only because of its popularity so you can check it off, not because it is at all scary.

4/10.

Hell House LLC (2015)

Scary overall theme but lacking in many departments.

[4/10 · 12 July 2023]

The movies first few minutes actually make the movie more intriguing than before you started watching. This i feel isn't extremely common with the vast majority of found footage horror films. But the way the first few minutes and slightly beyond set up the events of a faithful night, It interested me in the horror that could possibly await me.

I'd like to mention my distaste for found footage horror movies constantly having random static affect happening around the clock. It rarely adds anything and in most movies the effect features in (which is most it seems) it actually detracts from the scares and the experience as a whole. I have a big hatred for this in these movies and most seem too do it. Sometimes it can work. This movie however uses it how most do, poorly. It is extremely noticeable towards the ending of the film and makes nothing scarier or make more sense.

There are moments this movie made me have some reaction as I genuinely find it overall to be scary. It has a decent amount of scares that I feel work and can make you feel some unease. That being said there is an equal (if not higher) amount of "scares" that simply do not hit. They're either dumb and executed poorly or just far-fetched even for this type of film and the story it's trying too tell. Also there is a single big scare that one character experiences that I believe to be down right terrible. But even though many scares I feel do not hit, I believe many do and the overarching theme makes the movie one I would class as scary. For certain spooks I believe they did a very good job with the environment they were given.

Speaking of bad scares and silly moments, the ending of this movie is terribly executed. The movie could of (and should have) ended slightly earlier. The ending decreases the overall rating of the movie by a significant amount and seemed utterly pointless. It added to the story, however this isn't always a good thing. Sometimes it's nice to speculate (although this movie is easy to figure out). I also believe the ending was just plain goofy and not at all remotely creepy let alone scary. You come away a little disappointed simply due to the ending that did more harm than good.

The cast are absolutely fine for the most part. Nobody was impressive particularly, but neither was anyone poor. The actor that plays Sara was my personal least favourite, but she wasn't at all terrible and easily passable. Nothing special in the actor department for me. I do not believe they sold it more than others may have but did a well enough job. Average here if not slightly below.

The story of the movie is absolutely fine. The backstory about the place they're staying that they give briefly and repeat at times is fine. It's nothing unique or extremely interesting, but it is easily serviceable. Besides the aforementioned ending, I do believe the story is easily serviceable but nothing remotely special, just very average. As mentioned at the beginning however, i do believe the opening minutes off he film set up the movie rather well.

As far as I understand with others reviews on YouTube there are actually a few different cuts of this movie around. I do not know which one I saw and maybe if I saw a different one it would have added more. Although I do believe I watched the more common one.

I recommend watching this movie as it is not at all bad and has unnerving themes. That being said it has many a flaw and would not make it anywhere near a best found footage movies list.

4/10 - HotHamlet.

Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum (2018)

The greatest in found footage.

[9/10 · 1 June 2023]

Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum is (as of writing this review) my favourite horror movie of all-time.

The movie has horror in abundance that is all very good and at times truly great. This was the second time I watched the movie (I previously watch it around two years ago for the first time). This being said it was just as scary the second viewing even with me remembering some of the scarier scenes and most of the plot. The horror of this movie was (from what I've watched in the past) very unique. Unique isn't always a positive, however for this movie it was a utterly perfect combination. The movie is by a landslide the scariest horror movie I have personally ever see.

The cast of this movie got better and better as the movie progressed. They seem to start a little generic and have their set roles and so forth. But during the later stages of the movie (and even slightly before) they all become utterly terrified in their own ways and it's (for me) very believable and horrible to see. I mean that in the best way loss as it's a horror movie I am meant to be watching. The acting in this movie is utterly brilliant as it was everything we needed for it too be more believable and simply scarier.

The story of this movie doesn't mean all that much as it's a movie that's carried so well by the horror of the movie alone. That being said the story of the hospital and the reasons for going to visit it at night wasn't at all bad. But it's almost entirely forgettable the reasons for why they wanted to go by the end. Having a story not as interesting as the horror aspect may sound bad, but I believe this takes nothing away from the movie. The story is basically that there is a team of paranormal investigators and they want to investigate a supposedly haunted asylum as part of their series. M. It obviously doesn't go as they planned but as basic as this plot sounds it is completely fine and doesn't take anything away from how scary the movie is and simply how great it is. The story for this movie I almost want to say is not-applicable to the movie, which is one of the most odd things I've uttered in a review.

There isn't much computer editing in this movie. By this I mean stuff like CGI and the like (I'm aware the movie was edited). The scenes where it was used i thought it was used perfectly. The scares which utilised some form of editing were utterly marvellous and genuinely scared me. Bravo to the team that had the pleasure of editing this movie to perfection.

The ending was great and surprisingly left things in a great state. I loved this movie as a horror and thought it was brilliant, however I didn't feel like I wanted more when it wrapped up. This can be seen as a negative, but I believe the length of the movie and the way it ended contributed to me feeling some sort of satisfaction after watching. Brilliantly concluded.

Story - N/A

Cast of Characters - 9.5/10

Horror - 10/10

CGI (Editing) - 9.5/10

Overall this movie is utterly perfect when it comes to horror. That being said horror is subjective like reviews and what I believe to be amazing horror could not be scary at all too someone out there. But on this review is my opinion and I utterly adore this movie.

9/10 - HotHamlet.

Zoolander (2001)

Funny and Simply Good.

[8/10 · 1 April 2023]

Zoolander is movie i had never watched before and utterly adored. I am usually not a fan of comedy movies, but this was a shock as it rarely made me uninterested and had so many moments that made me laugh out loud in hysterics.

The movies cast was utterly great, from Ben Stiller to Owen Wilson tot he whole cast of colourful characters. There wasn't a bad actor in this movie. I honest think that the cast of this movie was almost perfect. The Russian lady and the main love interest are (in my opinion) by far the least interesting characters in this movie. But they still feel as though they were cast well and i don't think they brought it down at all. Very few (if any) complaints about the cast.

The story of this movie is pretty well done. Obviously (if you have seen the movie) you would know that it's all utterly outlandish and ridiculous at times. But this is where a lot of the comedy comes from and i love it. I will not go in-depth at all in this review as it will spoil some big funnies. But if you like comedy you will love this i believe. The story and comedy however has more of a random = funny type feel. I love this personally, but i can understand if some people are not a fan of this. But it's not totally random and scrappy (like a Family Guy joke), it actually all fits within the story it is trying too tell. The story of this movie (and the obvious comedy within) are great too bare witness too.

Story - 8.5/10

Cast - 8/10

Comedy - 9/10

I believe the movie is one that everyone should check out but one that not everyone will love. I know every piece of media will have people that like and dislike it. But sometimes i (personally) find a movie that i believe everyone will enjoy (even if it's not entirely true). But this movie i can see a lot of people not enjoying.

That all being said i believe this movie is one that you should definitely check out and if it turns out it's not for you then at least you know, 8/10.

Locke (2013)

Everything was Simply Great.

[9/10 · 7 March 2023]

This movie is proof you don't need a budget of the gods too make a brilliant movie. Now i am sure that Tom Hardy (and company) where paid well for this work (although i am not certain), however this movie wasn't made good by the acting in my opinion. It was simply down too the story that was told and the way it was told.

Going into the characters hen first of all. The statement i am about too type is a weird one, however i believe it too be true. That is that although i thought the actors in this (particularly Tom Hardy) did a very good job, i feel you could replace him with a bunch of actors and achieve the same result. Benedict Cumberbatch, Cillian Murphy or a smattering of others. For me the acting was good, dare i say great. But it wasn't what made the movie so brilliant for the most part. I believe Tom Hardy's acting (albeit solid)was not the biggest piece too this Jigsaw. The same can be said for every actor in this entire movie from my point of view.

The story i must say is a completely different story i dare say. The way the movie is shot but then makes you feel such a connection too all the characters is astounding too myself. I cannot believe with my own two eyes that this movie told me such a thrilling story when you only physically see one individual character. I am known (to myself) too skip through movies that bore me. Most movies i have given a low rating too i have done this with. However i was glued too this movie every time a character spoke. Even the characters that had very few lines had me interested in what they where going too say. Obviously i will not spoil anything about the movie as this is a non-spoiler review. I do want too say however that this movie was a great piece of storytelling.

The ending was utterly peculiar as well. It left the movie on a cliffhanger yet felt complete with no questions left at the same time. Brilliant, simple as that.

Story - 9/10

Cast of Characters - 9/10

Ending - 9/10

My overall opinion of this movie is an astounding 9/10. I truly recommend this great movie for a watch.

KSI: In Real Life (2023)

Awful Watching Experience.

[1/10 · 31 January 2023]

One of the very few times i did not finish something before reviewing it. It took me only forty-three minutes to stop watching.

I genuinely thought this KSI documentary was abysmal. Nothing about his emotions and/or reactions seemed genuine (even if they where). It makes it seem very fake and makes him seem unlikable in my eyes. I also thought that it was overproduced in almost every way. An example of this would be the constant switching to his family members to talk about stuff in moments when it seems pointless and unimportant to what we are seeing.

The way KSI is presented both by himself and because of the production is not great. He is probably a very nice guy. But this documentary (at least the first half) showed him as arrogant in my mind. Now maybe that i what he was going for but i do not believe so when watching it. I should also mention i have heard of and watched KSI in the past thus i know a little about the man prior to watching this documentary.

Also i just found it very boring on top of all of these statements from myself. Nothing interesting happened for the whole time i watched.

I know these seem like minor criticisms but it's all i can say about his production. I genuinely only have negative emotions towards this and can't conjure up anything positive.

I must apologise for te short review but i still wanted to make it knowing it would be short for some reason or another.

Do not recommend watching this at all, 1/10.