Shaunmatthewc Reviews

The Fall Guy (2024)

Good But Not Great, Too long!

[7/10 · 23 May 2024]

I really wanted to love this film but just came away thinking it was good enough really.

The characters were likeable and the beginning and the middle of the film were solid but I dunno if it's a problem with David Leitch films or what, I had the exact same issue with Bullet Train.

I was really into both of them and then by the 3rd act I'd zoned out, he needs to start making shorter films because I really don't think they need to be over 2 hours long.

The plot just seemed to drag on and on at the end, the conspiracy plot just seemed tacked on in my opinion, it would have been so much better if they just kept it simple and the core of what the story was actually supposed to be about, a stuntman and his love interest making films.

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024)

So Many Weird Things In The Script

[5/10 · 15 May 2024]

This was pretty bad, started out good and lost steam when Phoebe Spengler decided to befriend a slow speaking woman ghost and gets obsessed with her. There was so many weird things in the script, The mother (Callie Spengler) I found to be really annoying, instead of helping her son she'd rather sit on her arse scrolling through her phone. There's way too many characters in this film than there needed to be. Phoebe says if it was the 18th century she'd be part of the workforce and have 4 kids, pretty weird comment for a kid to come out with? Then there's a comment about a sex dungeon, isn't this supposed to be a kid's film?

Bill Murray jokes about eating children?

What the hell?

It's just passable without going into anything else but yeah weird script!

Damsel (2024)

Damsel? More Like Abysmal

[2/10 · 22 March 2024]

Netflix keep on pumping out these crappy films. This type of thing has been done a million times over now. A princess marries a prince, things go wrong and characters get betrayed, oh but now we have a female version of Smaug the dragon.

The writing was all over the place and made me zone out on a number of occasions. Characters are written paper thin, one has a change of heart completely out of nowhere.

If you want to watch a damsel in destress who actually kicks ass I would recommend the far better film "The Princess" starring Joey King, it was much better than this weak effort and has tons more action.

Hands of Steel (1986)

Don't Mess With Paco Queruak

[10/10 · 8 March 2024]

Great music, action, cheesy acting, what more can you want? I would say I was very happy a few months ago to randomly come across this on Amazon. I really miss films with this type of demeanour. A cyborg hitman (Paco Queruak) rebels against his maker (played by John Saxon from Enter The Dragon) and goes on the run. All kinds of chaos ensues from fighting arm wrestlers to government agents. There's just something really special about 80s action films that is missing in this day and age. I highly recommend if you like your film's adrenalin fuelled testosterone driven and badass.

You won't regret it.

The Beekeeper (2024)

No Frills Action, Statham Doing What He Does Best

[8/10 · 17 January 2024]

I really enjoyed this, I can't lie. Coming as an 80s action fan and following Statham's career since the early days of Snatch and the first Transporter film. His character in this befriends an old lady who falls for a phishing scam and kills herself.

Then it's up to him to take revenge on everyone responsible with some of the most over the top "Punisher like" kills ever seen. There's something righteous about seeing these horrible people get their comeuppance which doesn't happen as much in real life unfortunately. Everyone in this acts well, the over the top Kiwi henchmen who pops up was hilarious.

Jeremy Irons and Josh Hutcherson do a good job as a couple of slimy villains. Emmy Raver-Lampman from Umbrella Academy is decent enough as an FBI agent trying to stop The Beekeeper. If you like old school action and don't need to be pummeled over the head with virtue signalling or any other messaging I would definitely recommend this. It's nice to see Statham bounce back with Meg 2 and this film after the abysmal Expendables 4.

Silent Night (2023)

Lacking for a John Woo Film

[7/10 · 22 December 2023]

I was really looking forward to watching John Woo's return to directing but was left somewhat disheartened unfortunately.

This is your typical revenge film. Is the action shot well? Yes of course. Does the story do anything different? No not at all. A child accidentally gets killed then a father goes on a revenge spree.... When it eventually gets to that. The middle of the film is really slow and I was wondering at times if John Woo had forgotten how to direct, it could have been brilliant but something was just lacking for me aside from the action which doesn't come until the end. Watch if you've got nothing else to see but don't be expecting Hard Boiled, The Killer or Face Off level John Woo here, not even close.

King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (2017)

Really Underrated

[9/10 · 16 December 2023]

I remember going the cinema to watch this on my own back in 2017 when good films were still getting churned out.

This is a very solid flick, think of Snatch the way the story pieces were told but set in the days of King Arthur. Charlie Hunnam is great in the role as Arthur and Jude Law as the slimey villain Vortigern.

Definitely recommend if you haven't seen before, it's a shame as there were sequels set up too but it didn't fair well at the box office unlike the new iteration of Dungeons and Dragons which baffled me. Maybe it missed the mark because the fantasy genre wasn't as popular at the time, I really don't know.

Big Trouble in Little China (1986)

My Favourite Film Of All Time Since A Child

[10/10 · 9 October 2023]

What a film, everything about it was brilliant, the story, action, music, characters.

Hollywood really need to get back to basics and making great films like this. Kurt Russell stars as Jack Burton, a truck driver in the wrong place at the wrong time who gets caught up in a swirl of black magic sorcerers and warriors fighting over girls with green eyes. The quips are here, the action, overall humour and what more could you want.

Baffled this flopped when released on the cinema as it truly is a great film which I wish had a sequel back in the day. Not really interested in the Rock taking over as the lead.

If you want to have some fun and no idea what this film is I guarantee you will find something to enjoy in it.

Ahsoka (2023– )

Why Do Disney Have To Put Witches In Absolutely Everything

[5/10 · 5 October 2023]

Hmmm, well here we are with another Star Wars show. I thought I would wait until all the episodes were out to review. Overall it's very hit and miss, the fight scenes are a travesty and just look off to me. The story was meh, another excuse for Disney to put witches in yet again another franchise. Pretty sure I've never seen witches in anything Star Wars related before. All in all not terrible but could have been so much better. Ray Stevenson was wasted in one of his last performances, what a let down for such a decent actor. I love Rosario Dawson but in her fight scenes there's nothing good, almost looks as though she's putting zero effort into her moves and half asleep. Watch if you've got nothing else to bother with but don't go out your way.

Millennial Hunter (2023)

If Your In Your Late 30s Like Me You'll Probably Get A Kick Out Of This!

[8/10 · 18 August 2023]

Absolutely hilarious film that doesn't take itself too seriously but has a message.

John is a man who is out for blood to kill millennials but I won't spoil why, you'll have to watch yourself.

I am not sure that everyone will find this funny but being someone who had a childhood and teenage years before social media I have seen the decline in society in general which is poked at a lot in this film.

If you are an old school action and comedy fan I think you will appreciate this, sure it's animation but I think everyone will relate to it in some way no matter what generation you are from.

First new film in a while which has made me actually laugh. I recommend!

God Is a Bullet (2023)

Slow and boring? Who is saying this the TikTok generation?

[9/10 · 16 July 2023]

First things first, I read many reviews that this film was boring and slow. Who is saying this? People who like TikTok. I found it to be a well paced revenge story which has good character development and is based on true events. In a nutshell a cop (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) daughter gets kidnapped by a Satanic Cult and it is up to him to find her and get her back with a little help from a former cult member (Maika Monroe) who is great in everything she's in. Jamie Foxx has a cameo but probably isn't in the film more than 15 mins. All I would say is decide for yourself rather than read the reviews because I was pleasantly surprised.

Sakra (2023)

Yen's best leading role since IP Man, ignore the negative reviews

[10/10 · 24 June 2023]

I really don't understand the reviewers on here. The story was great and the action too. How some have said they have a problem understanding the story is completely baffling to me. It was very easy to follow.

The pacing was also fine where some have said it was too slow. Basically just ignore everyone else and make your own mind up is what I will say. Considering Donnie directs this too I think that he did a really good job whereas some films where the main actor has tried to star in and direct have ended up a complete mess. It was also quite spiritual in parts too I thought personally. Give it a go!

Baby Boy (2001)

Great Film That Makes You Think

[9/10 · 15 June 2023]

This has always been on my list to watch but for some reason it's took me 22 years to get around to.

I miss John Singleton and only he could direct a film like this. Without any spoilers it tells the story of Jodi played very well by Tyrese here and him not growing up, traversing the pitfalls of the hood being a baby daddy to multiple women and having sex with anything that moves. The cast is rounded off by Snoop Dogg, Taraji P. Henson, Ving Rhames and Omar Gooding. Everyone is good but Snoop isn't the best actor here, I'll be honest. I recommend everyone watch if they haven't before. There is a message to the story and real morals which are being lost in today's media and it's a real shame.

Mindcage (2022)

Terrible, just terrible

[3/10 · 24 May 2023]

This was all over the place, Martin Lawrence tries his hand at drama and fails miserably, he seemed to be sweating in every scene for some reason and struggling to deliver lines. This type of story has been seen a million times before. Pretty sure Fallen with Denzel Washington and John Goodman was very similar to this story without going into specifics. John Malkovich doesn't really do a lot either. There are very few action scenes and they are actually shockingly bad. The director clearly doesn't know how to shoot action and it was jarring. I really can't recommend this for anything at all. Avoid.

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023)

Ant-Man 3 or Tron Legacy?

[6/10 · 23 May 2023]

Wow, where to begin. Basically so many Marvel films after Endgame have been completely forgettable. Ant-Man 3 is no different. I expected the Quantum Realm to be more wacky and out there just like I expected Doctor Strange and The Multiverse Of Madness to have well more Multiverse. The story seemed very bland to me, it was entertaining but nothing new, we've seen it all a million times before. It doesn't help that some of the story seemed like a carbon copy of Tron Legacy. Scott Lang was missing his heist team here and it shows, the film falls flat without them appearing. Kang is supposed to be bigger and harder than Thanos but was almost a complete throwaway. Watch if you've got nothing better to do but I wouldn't go out my way to see it. Marvel need to do better!

Black Dynamite (2009)

Amazing Action Comedy

[10/10 · 20 May 2023]

I haven't seen this for years but thought I'd review after watching again. Michael Jai White was born for this role, it's a crime he isn't in more bigger films. A story of revenge with great comedy and action, they don't make them like this anymore. The music and camerawork is also all so well done. If you don't find this funny you haven't got a soul. It's a shame we haven't got a sequel even though the same people and Jai White have a new cowboy film coming out so there is hope yet. The fight scenes are well choreographed with no stupid shaky cam to hide any of the moves. If you are tired of how bad most new films are I strongly recommend you give it a go.

John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023)

Amazing! Donnie Yen finally shines in a western action film

[10/10 · 26 March 2023]

No spoilers here but wow! Amazing! I was very disappointed with John Wick 3 and felt the series declining, this is a complete step up from that film.

I love my action films, especially martial arts and this has things I've never even seen in Hong Kong action cinema before. So glad Donnie Yen also was able to shine, I expected him to have a few scenes then be out but he's along for a large chunk of the film without giving anything away. The choreography is on another level and blows everything else out of water. The story is also well written and there isn't just action for no reason. I recommend watching in IMAX if you can.

The Delta Force (1986)

Great Action, Great Music, 2 Movies In 1

[9/10 · 8 January 2023]

They won't dare make action films like this anymore. The first part of the film is about a hijacked plane and the terrorists / hostages.

The second part is all about the action with Chuck Norris and his team rescuing the hostages and taking out the terrorists.

The theme which plays throughout the film is actually amazing, you won't be able to get enough of it.

Chuck's missile bike rivals any Bond vehicle in terms of the way it is used.

I was grinning from ear to ear just with how well everything was choreographed, this is before the shaky cam and zoomed in action scenes, why Hollywood won't go back to this way of filming absolutely baffles me, it just goes to show not many people these days can shoot action scenes properly. Give it a shot if your tired of the rubbish which is getting churned out in the 2020's, I'm sure you will enjoy it!

Firewalker (1986)

Pure 80's Cheese, Chuck Norris Comedy Action

[8/10 · 8 December 2022]

Watching this now in 2022 I actually had fun with it. Chuck Norris and Lou Gossett on a buddy adventure to find gold.

They don't make films like this anymore just fun with no agenda, sure it's pretty cheesy in parts but what do you expect, it was the 80's.

Chuck still does some martial arts but it's been took down a notch, not sure if this was marketed towards younger people rather than his Missing In Action audience, you will probably laugh at the things that supposed to be funny as well as the things that not but fun for all. Also look out for John Rhys Davis who also turns up for a cameo. Recommend if you got an hour and a half to kill.

Mope (2019)

A Non Woke Comedy

[7/10 · 1 December 2022]

This was a decent little film and based on a true story. Sure the production value may be a little on the cheap side but probably had to be in the times we living in right now where it seems as though every film is made with a ticklist these days.

The story of 2 friends trying to get their foot into the Porn Industry but all goes horribly wrong.

This is the first film in ages I've actually laughed at and found funny. No comedies seem to be really getting made these days which is a shame. I'd say half the film was comedy and half serious. Recommend the watch as the acting was actually pretty good.

Don't Worry Darling (I) (2022)

WandaVision Meets Back Mirror

[6/10 · 29 October 2022]

Not bad but not great either. Florence carries the movie. Harry Styles is awful, you can tell Jordan Peele's creepy like score from US has been emulated here. Olivia wasn't a bad Director but the whole movie just lacked anything that was unique for me. Everything that happened we've all seen before and the story is so far from original. So many similarities to media we have seen before for e.g. WandaVision and Black Mirror. Worth a watch if you've got absolutely nothing else on I guess but then again if you want to see something original I would say look elsewhere. Like I said earlier not bad but not great either, that's why I give it a 6/10.

Caught Up (1998)

A spiritual message within a hood movie

[9/10 · 11 August 2022]

I can't believe I've never seen this before. Bokeem Woodbine is great in everything he's in and plays Daryl the main character who can't seem to catch a break. The moral of the story is if you get bad vibes and something is telling you to stay away from certain people you generally should.

The Umbrella Academy (2019–2024)

What happened to this show

[6/10 · 3 August 2022]

Season 1 and 2 were really good and I liked them but I started Season 3 and could barely make it though the first episode. It just wasn't a good 1st episode for a new season and there was some very odd scenes, fair to say coupled with what I have heard about Season 3 as a whole I won't be continuing. What a shame as it started out great and I do like the characters. It's no wonder Netflix are losing subscribers because they are churning out some bad tv lately. Maybe I should read the comics instead.

The Flowers of War (2011)

Great Film, very underrated

[10/10 · 2 August 2022]

I honestly think this is one of Bale's best films and Yimou's too. Very well written, directed and acted.

I saw years ago when it first came out and watched again recently.

I highly recommend it if you want to watch something different.

The Terminal List (2022– )

Great show with no woke BS

[10/10 · 28 July 2022]

First off I wanna say it's hilarious that critics are hating on this because it doesn't include any woke bs and is a great show but they'll give the new Resident Evil show gleaming reviews which is full of woke bs and nobody in the real world likes it because it's awful.

With that out the way if you like gritty action and a good story I highly recommend this show.

Chris Pratt and his supporting cast are top notch.

Not sure if there will be a season 2 or if there is other books to mine material from but I'd love to see more of his character, he's a really good actor and given loads to do in terms of range here.