MattHankinson Reviews

Borat Subsequent Moviefilm (2020)

Borat most famous reporter in all of Kazakhstan

[8/10 · 17 May 2024]

The first few minutes when Borat goes to America and he's recognised straight away shows that this film could never match the first.

No one ones borat in the first and that's what made it funny. The scenes now are obviosuly scripted and fake, with a few exceptions.

However.

I love borat and still really enjoyed it.

Sacha baron cohen is a very talented and clever man.

Maria Bakalova. Wow. She has balls. 23 years of age and her first big break so to speak and she's not scared to put herself in some REALLY awkward positions in front of people. She transforms in a way that most because would be too self conscious. She really is a remarkable actor.

I cringed 80% of the way through because you just can't believe they are brave enough to be like this, and people are being pranked and they don't know it. It was excruciating to watch at times but I mean that in a positive way.

It's very propaganda anti trump but when you see the rally and him and Jerry it's quite scary how peoples minds works. Fair play to cohen for exposing this.

At the very start of the Covid crisis he really pushes boundaries and he's very lucky in this day and age to come away unscathed at times, no wonder he said it's too dangerous to do another.

Long live borat but unfortunately I thinks that's the end of the mankini!

Borat (2006)

Is nice!

[9/10 · 17 May 2024]

Almost 20 years after the release of this film and i still use catchphrases from it! It's a classic!

Everything about it is so close to the bone but we love it. Sacha baron cohen is so clever.

The use of people being interviews etc who have no idea shows the reality of USA and the world in general, and not what the media want you to think.

But behind that, it's hilarious. The bear, the chicken, the jokes, the driving instructor, the ice cream truck, the rodeo, the dinner party. It's movie gold.

I would also like to marry Pamela Anderson Borat, and the tape would upset me too!

Not watched the sequel yet but I can't wait.

Great success!

Baby Reindeer (2024)

Iphon

[9/10 · 6 May 2024]

Bank holiday binge watched this. And I had no idea what I was letting myself in for.

It's a rollercoaster. You go from laughing one minute to nearly crying the next, to cringing, to not wanting to watch!

Fair play to Richard Gadd for firstly, writing the show and performing it at the Edinburgh fringe, to now having its own Netflix drama with him once again recounting the pain and suffering he experienced. There were moments, especially in the scene where he was a meltdown on stage, that it's heartbreaking, and even more so because it's a true story. Superb from Netflix again to break the mould and yes I've jumped on the Netflix bandwagon hype again but for very good reason. It just shows how everyone puts on a brave face but we are all suffering with our own problems. He's just trying to get somewhere in this brutal world that we live in and gets taken advantage of and ultimately ends up like Martha!

Road House (2024)

Remake of a classix

[7/10 · 26 April 2024]

Not entirely a fan of remakes. But Jake Gyllenhaal and CONOR MCGREGOR are in this so I HAD to give it a go.

I watched the remake first, and enjoyed it.

I can't decide whether I like the first or this more because it's a different era. This is obviously more OTT. It's a bit more woke. It's a bit more far fetched, which was hard to do!

Not Jake Gyllenhaal's best movie but definitely worth a watch.

Conor mcgregor. Now then. I love Conor. This role suits him perfectly. He's just enjoying himself in this! His character is a bit of a reckless idiot but so is Conor, but that's why me and people love him so much.

Wasn't so in love with the setting as much as the original but decent job overall.

Road House (1989)

Here because of the remake

[7/10 · 26 April 2024]

When I saw that there was going to be a remake of 'Roadhouse', with Jake Gyllenhaal - an actor I really like, and Conor McGregor who I love, I had to give the original a go.

Now I already like Patrick Swayze. He's a legend. My mum loved him. He's made classics like 'Dirty Dancing' and 'Ghost'. And he's super in this.

Very cool, calm and collected. Laid back. But can back it up.

There's some great lines in this - 'I thought you'd be bigger' being the best!

Didn't realise Wade Garrett was Sam Elliot - who I know because of the Yellowstone prequel 1883. He was a proper tough cookie back in the day!

Kelly Lynch was and still is beautiful considering her age!

Wesley was a bad man, and I'm glad he gets his commupence, by the very people he mistreated!

Saltburn (2023)

Here for 'Murder on the dancefloor'

[9/10 · 24 March 2024]

When I heard Murder on the dance floor was back in the charts, and I found out this film was the reason why, I was never not watching it.

That Sophie Ellis bextor tune is a classic.

But getting back to the film, I'd heard that there were some scenes that you shouldn't watch with your parents and that intrigued me as well.

Barry Keoghan is a superb actor. Ive not long discovered him but recently he's been fantastic in the things I have. (Dunkirk, The Banshees of Insherin, Masters of the air)

The north/sourh divide in this film is very prevalent. And me being from the north I could feel Oliver's emotions and the pressure he was under - that's not to say I would drink bath water or get naked over a gravestone!

It messes with your head this film. You don't know who's right and who's wrong at times and the power play between the characters and the endless struggle to be in power is exhaustingly good.

I was on Oliver's side all the way through and when Felix disowns him I was made up they all got their hair deserts (Felix, Venetia and Farleigh)

However,I didn't see the end coming. What a great twist and it turns out Oliver had planned and was behind it all along.

Best film I've seen this year, and of course we finished with a bit of Sophie Ellis Bextor (and more nudity - why should we be surprised!)

War of the Worlds (2005)

Surprisingly enjoyable

[8/10 · 24 March 2024]

I've always distanced myself from the war of the worlds and I don't know why. It's just a film I've never seen. And just recently I decided to give it a go. And was pleasantly surprised!

Tom cruise does a great job as leading man. His kids on the other hand are whining brats.

I love invasion movies and this creates the same suspense and action that I like.

There are moments that stick in your brain I.e people being vaporised, people being used as fertiliser, the bodies floating down the river - these are all brilliant.

The ending was quite sharp and sudden though and as quick as the aliens cruising and seeming like they're going to take over the world, it's all over.

Iconic movie, well worth a watch.

Venom (2018)

Here for Tom Hardy

[8/10 · 24 March 2024]

I'm not a massive fan of all things Marvel. I'm not one of these people that is engrossed in the universe and can't wait for the next installment. The only reason I watched this was because it came on at a family gathering and there was nothing else on.

Saying that, I was engrossed and impressed!!

The scenes where venom is talking to Eddie and he's talking back are hilarious! Venom is quite a cool character as well so that really grabbed me.

I'll watch pretty much anything Tom Hardy is in, I'm massive fan and with him being involved in this maybe I need to give more marvel films a chance.

Better late than never but Venom 2 is next on my list...

Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995)

Great pairing

[8/10 · 8 February 2024]

The thing that makes Die Hard with a vengeance is the pairing of John Mclane and Zeus. They are superb together and some of the comedy is hilarious. 'Jesus? Do I look Puerto Rican to you?' Some of the racism in it would be a little much for audiences these days and I think although Samuel's character is making jokes about white and black people, and they're funny, they also border on too much.

I don't know if I enjoyed the story as much in this film. It's more confusing, there's more going on, and it's not set in one specific place but it is still a good film. Die hard the series is really strong and looking forward to watching number 4!

Die Hard 2 (1990)

Die harder

[9/10 · 30 January 2024]

Only just watching all of the Die Hard's properly and I'm loving them. They are much better than I expected and this, for a sequel is equally as good as the first.

There's more locations in this one but the 'in the sky' element and set in the airport is a great one.

Lorenzo and Vito are arrogant smug idiots and they get proven wrong to snub Mclane's help.

Great to have a little cameo of Al Powell, good to see him and mclanes relationship is still as strong as ever. The janitor Marv is a great little addition.

With the ending it's easy to forgot a full plane of people crashed on Xmas Eve killing everyone which is a tragedy, but all down to Mclane many more deaths were avoided.

The grenades took (unrealistically) far too long to explode on John but the elector seat scene is funny.

I didn't see that Grant would be working with Stuart but it was a great twist, and very unlucky and gruesome for Telford! But Grant's death is just as bad so karma for him there by way of plane engine!

Very cool the way that John blows up esperanzas plane with the gas and lighter (and even provides a runway for the rest of the planes!) and he even gets his famous catchphrase in!

Very enjoyable and can't wait to watch the next one!

Die Hard (1988)

Finally sat down and watched it

[9/10 · 20 January 2024]

I've watched bits of this film and other Die Hard's in the past but never actually sat and watched it all..and wow, it's well before its time. Made in 1988 it doesn't feel old. It's fresh. And not like some of Bruce Willis later films that were nowhere near this quality.

The writing is brilliant. Some of the lines are really funny without taking away the serious elements of the action film. Alan Rickman is wonderful as Hans Gruber, and the scene where he pretends to be a hostage is superb. Sgt Powell.is hilarious and you love the friendship they create without ever meeting each other. You see the incompetence and arrogance of the superior officers and fbi. The explosions and blood are really good quality and don't look fake. The original action film which is the benchmark for all future flicks.

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023)

Two films needed

[7/10 · 12 January 2024]

Unlike mockingjay I actually feel like this film could have been split in two. We grow to love Lucy gray Baird and we even like corialanus snow at the start as it's human nature to gravitate towards the main character of a film. The hunger games themselves are great but then the second half of the film is a total contrast to the first and it's a shame that we see both the blossoming of Lucy gray baird and corialanus relationship in the same film.

There's some superb songs in this and the soundtrack is great. Good to see why snow subconsciously hates 'katniss' almost straight away. I wonder if Lucy gray Baird survives. Interesting to see if there will be any more installments.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 (2015)

Conclusion

[8/10 · 12 January 2024]

Following on straight away from part one we anticipate the ending of this hunger games timeline that we know of. It doesn't disappoint.

It's a shame that Gale ends up losing the battle for Katniss but you can completely see why. There was only ever gonna be one winner (just like the hunger games themselves) for katniss heart and prims demise means that peeta ends up taking this crown. It's great to see everyone's story arc come to an end and it's a good way to end the series, especially snow getting what he deserved and coin being struck down before she made the same mistakes! Looking forward to seeing if there's any future for the hunger games series!

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 (2014)

Worst one of the series

[6/10 · 12 January 2024]

I understand why they made it two films because of the success of the series but it doesn't need to be and this is Definetley the weakest film of all of them.

It's a change from the other two as there's obviously no hunger games but there too much story in this rather than action. Still a must watch if your a hunger games fan however. Some more poignant moments though for example the civilians at the hospital saluting her.

Good to hear the hanging tree make its debut in this film and it becomes an iconic song. Get this film done and into part two for a great end to this hunger games timeline.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)

Good sequel

[7/10 · 12 January 2024]

This film is a set up for the finale of the trilogy, obviously. And it feels that way. It starts off great with a horrible twist (the quarter quell) but the ending as expected waters the film down a bit for me.

I really enjoy the characters and the allies they make and once again most people succumb exactly as they deserve. There's some great additions by the game maker but it feels different from the first film.

It's a bit more technical from the first and that makes it slightly more confusing and I feel it's more storyline that action at times. Still a great film though and very enjoyable.

The Hunger Games (2012)

The original

[9/10 · 12 January 2024]

The hunger games is a superb idea for a film. Very original. I love it.

It's a weird feeling rooting for people when only one (you think) is going to make it out alive.

There's very poignant moments and most people die in ways they should.

Didnt realise until watching it recently that senator crane is Jamie Dutton from Yellowstone. It's great to see Jennifer Lawrence and Liam hemsworth as their younger more inexperienced selves. Woody harrelson really suits his hairstyle!

It's a great start to the film series and no wonder it has become one of the most successful. May the odd be ever in your favour!

Oppenheimer (I) (2023)

Watched it once, never again.

[1/10 · 2 January 2024]

I'm here for Cillian Murphy. I loved him as Tommy Shelby in Peaky Blinders and I was really excited when I saw he was cast in this. But the film was boring. It was too long (obviously). It was too confusing. It was too scientific. There just wasn't as much action as I expected.

Matt Damon looks really old in this as well which is scary for me as he was one of my favourite actors growing up!

Don't get me wrong, I appreciated the story and the events behind it. Really refreshing to see Albert Einstein in a film. But as an entertainment piece it is not one I will be rushing to relive. (Oh and I probably wouldn't watch Barbie again either!)

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2008)

Krakow trip

[8/10 · 2 January 2024]

I've seen the boy in the striped pyjamas before, but me and my now fiancé were going to krakow so we wanted to watch some ww2/holocaust films because we were going to Auschwitz and wanted to really understand what we were visiting. I've seen it before but this time I'd forgotten the ending somehow...until the very last minute. It's a brilliant ending, and a 'serves you right' to the horrendous nazi regime.

Asa butterfield is brilliant at 11 years old and gone on to become a huge star, Jack Scanlon who played Shmuel is now a former child actor which I was surprised to hear! Vera farmiga is always a great addition.

The film is truly heartbreaking, and there are plenty elements that will stay will me forever, along with my own personal trip to krakow.

Schindler's List (1993)

Krakow trip

[8/10 · 21 December 2023]

I've seen Schindlers List before, and I've always had an interest in WW2.

Me and my now fiancé have just got back from a trip to Krakow which obviously involved a trip to Auschwitz and Oskar Schindlers factory so we rewatched this film before going.

As a 30 year old writing this and having seen Liam Neesons latest films (Taken etc) which I like, it's mad to see him in a film (where he looks no older!) which was brought out the year I was born. He's 70 now Neeson and doesn't seem to be slowing down. I do think however his career and the opinion of him as an actor in the public eye has diminished slightly since Schindlers list there's no doubt he does an amazing job in this. As does, Ralph Fiennes who is only 30 at the time! He completely transforms into this psychotic German madman with a thirst for power and filled with hatred.

Ben Kingsley does a great job as Isaac stern also.

It shows the horrors of the German SS and especially the scenes where the woman is telling them the foundations are wrong where executed, even though her opinion was correct always sticks in my mind.

It is great to see Schindler turn from being all about the money in the beginning to actually caring about the Jews and us seeing him become more compassionate as a person as the film goes on.

Having been to his factory as well know it brings it all to life, and I have the upmost respect for him and what he did.

The Pianist (2002)

Actions speak louder than words

[8/10 · 21 December 2023]

Me and my girlfriend are going to krakow over the weekend, and obviously a trip to auschwitz is on the cards. Having already seen the film once I wanted to watch again so I felt like I was in a much better head space for the trip.

Adrien Brody is a great fit for this part. And his lack of speech in the whole films shows just how horrifying the actions of the Germans to the Jewish community were.

We are fully on this journey with him, and it's heartbreaking the journey he goes on, especially having to leave his family to go to their death on the train to treblinka.

The scene where the German SS throw the wheelchair bound man out the window always sticks with me.

I can't believe he went through all that to nearly get killed by his own men mistaking him for a German!

It's a shame Szpilman wasn't able to repay Hosenfeld his kindness, but maybe that is karma after all!

Power Book II: Ghost (2020–2024)

End of series three

[8/10 · 24 November 2023]

I loved power. I loved ghost. I don't like how this spin off is named after him, when it's about his very son that killed him but there you go.

At the start of series one you think this is very unrealistic and collegey. But by the end of series three you can see how brayden and Tariq are the new Tommy and ghost.

Mary j blige as Monet is almost unbearable. It's hard to believe that the 'One' singer is swearing and talking gangs and drugs but I suppose is that the sign of a good actress? Who knows, but I don't like her very much. Poor Zeke gets 'effd over. Lorenzo gets what's coming to him. As a heterosexual man the dru sex scenes aren't something I was expecting to see but don't have a problem with - as always there's a great power soundtrack to suit!

Tariq is a very lucky boy in this to have relationships with Diana (latoya tonodeo), Lauren (Paige Hurd) and Effy.(Alix lapri)

We FINALLY see the end of Saxe which is a shock as as he has lasted all the way through power he was looking almost immortal.

It's great to see Tommy at the end of series three and the real Og's are back. Looking forward to seeing what happens in series 4.

The Invitation (II) (2022)

Modern dracula

[8/10 · 24 November 2023]

I liked it. It felt modern. It wasn't perfect, but it was still a good film.

I feel that Nathalie Emmanuel and Thomas Doherty were outstanding. She was quite obviously wasted in Game of Thrones. And I was in awe of de ville's charm leading up to the twist. Hugh Skinner who played Oliver was very creepy, touchy and forward which would have given me red flags straight away however I suppose it was an opportunity too good to turn down.

Before the dinner, it felt 50 shades of grey like. Very intimate, sexual and sensual. It would have made a good romantic film if you would have stopped it there but we all knew this story was only going one way.

The ending was a little rushed. It built up everything and then when it seemed like all was lost somehow she ends up defeating the vampires with quite some ease.

The ending where she's going getting revenge is good but bad. We want to see what happens to Oliver, and the way it just cuts out maybe cheapens that a little. I can see why it ends that way however unrealistic though.

I'm not usually one for vampire films and I wasn't expecting it to be Dracula when I put it on but that's not to say it isn't an enjoyable film.

A Man Called Otto (2022)

Tom Hanks...nuff said

[8/10 · 11 August 2023]

Tom Hanks is a special actor. If he is in something then I find it very hard for myself not to be interested in watching.

I'm not going to lie when I watched this I'd had a couple of drinks...but this film made me teary emotional a number of times! It's an emotional rollercoaster and really pulls at the heart strings. It's great to see the vulnerability of human beings and shows how working together makes life so much easier.

Otto has had a very hard and trying life, and it is no surprise that he wants to kill himself as it would be a struggle for the most hardened minds. But I'm so glad he gets to a point where he is happy again.

The film loses points firstly for him dying! Yes I know he dies happy with the relationship with his new neighbours but it is still sad. Also I feel like the film was trying to tick some woke boxes by mentioning the transgender, I don't feel like it needed to...or is that just the world we live in now and we all need to get used to it?

Manifest (2018– )

Never ending story

[7/10 · 11 August 2023]

I watched Manifest from series one in 2018. It was brilliant. As with a lot of usa series there are FAR too many episodes in a season. And especially around series 3 I felt it was just dragging on. In points it is a little corny but I've invested a lot of time into it so willing to pursue with it. Come the end of season 4 they are rushing to get it completed and skipping months at a time. I was more invested come the end and they did however wrap it up really nicely. The first scene being the same dialogue as the last scene was also really well written.

Some of the characters and actors i will miss.

Ben and Michaela (Josh Dallas and Melissa to borough) are the main characters and head of the manifest story. I loved Cal and Olive growing up and it is a shame that their memory gets wiped - and we don't get the TOLIVE endgame with her and TJ (just yet anyway)...

Made up Ben and saanvi came together in a time of need, they'll always have that love for each other and they get a chance with grace and Alex again respectively. Glad Mick and Zeke and Jarrod and Drew meet again and looks like they'll end up with the people they should - bet that taxi ride home was weird for zeke!!!) Even eagan making contact with his mum and dad again is a positive! The ending the way it is is special because it gives everyone a second chance in life and how often do we get them?

It's a shame Vance will never know how much of a good friend he was to Ben, but with all the events of the 11 bad people like Angelina going missing who knows if this really is the end of manifest?

The Idol (2023)

Fifty shades of grey vibes

[8/10 · 19 July 2023]

I was interested in this for The Weeknd. He is one of my favourite artists and everything he does I am interested in so I saw this advertised and thought 'I'll have to give this a go'.

I heard some of the soundtrack before I watched it and was made up. This is the weeknd. The old weeknd. This is his vibe. *adds to Spotify playlist

So finally decide to sit down and watch it. I basically convinced my girlfriend to watch it with me. And then the first scene is all about what Lily Rose Depp has on her face and it's been leaked. I mean, I was not expecting that.

But then it goes overboard. The dirty talking. The weird kinks. The in your face going down on each other. It made me uncomfortable to watch, even with my gf! ...but does that not make it great? It basically goes where very few series dare to go..and it does it on sky Atlantic at 9pm on mainstream tv!!!

Lily rose depp as Jocelyn is sexy as hell. The I'm a freak video is perfection (definitely one I've added to the playlist - and watched on YouTube!)

It did make me dislike the weekends character Tedros at first and I was basically trying to convince myself that he isn't like this it's just a character! There are some other big names in it so much as troye Sivan and Hank Azaria.

I think this show shows just what the a list celebrity lifestyle is like and how vicious and savage it can be. And it went full circle at the end. How the tables turned.