richard_kitchen Reviews

Late Night with the Devil (2023)

Disappointing - wanted to like it.

[5/10 · 19 April 2024]

Let's be honest as horror enthusiasts... there are so few offerings that actually hit the spot. What made me so excited for this film was that Flanagan had recommended it on his stories, and as he has delivered Fall of Usher recently, and the unbelievable Haunting of Hill House, I trusted his review. Unfortunately this missed the mark when it mattered most.

The story builds well and the 1970's aesthetics work brilliantly. The lead actor is excellent as you would expect and the scenes with the girl on the chair are chilling. (If a little copied from exorcist).

But then.... Like so many horrors, the film verges on stupid. It starts to resemble the Mortal Kombat computer game. In the cinema at this point, I suddenly felt deflated. A real shame.

Horror needs a good story and it has to be real enough that you can almost put yourself there... this film lost its way.

Last Action Hero (1993)

This film is finally in the right time!

[8/10 · 21 December 2023]

Now is the era of the multiverse.

It seems that this movie was ahead of its time. I saw an article about how this film was undergoing a bit of a resurgence almost 30 years later and it intrigued me. How can a film go from flop to hit?!

I think it was a deeply misunderstood movie at the time. Arnold was coming off the success of Terminator 2. People expected another classic of action & emotion, The film also came out alongside other giants which cannibalised potential takings.

This film is extremely well done, taking a satirical look at the action genre with the main man of the time. There are some fantastic nostalgic nods to the 90's.

This film is finally being recognised and it is FULLY deserved.

Happy Valley (2014–2023)

Incredible Viewing

[10/10 · 16 January 2023]

I never thought two middle aged women chatting in a coffee shop could have me hanging on the edge of my seat!!! That's the quality of this show and it's incredible acting.

Sarah Lancashire is simply magnificent. The emotion on her face is just so believable, it draws you in.

Each episode is tense and exactly what you want in a tv show. The drama builds, the music is complimentary to the show and creates at atmosphere. I genuinely don't think there is a bad episode so far in three-seasons.

I'm looking forward to seeing the story come to a close and it really feels like something great is building. Give it a go, you won't regret it.

Smile (V) (2022)

Worthwhile watch if you enjoy horror!!

[7/10 · 7 January 2023]

Let's be honest with it comes to horror films... there is a fine line between scary and stupid.

I think this movie just about stays on the right side of that line.... Maybe a tad silly at the end but I always think horrors should leave more to the imagination than use poor CGI.

It's creepy, dark and in large, the effects used are good and effective.

You never really realise how creepy a smile can be. This film really brings that to life.

As a horror film enthusiast, I'd say this is definitely worth the watch. Some good scares in there. I personally enjoyed it much more than "It Follows".

Go on, give it a go.

Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)

Disappointed really...

[5/10 · 22 December 2022]

I guess I don't really know what I was expecting... I came to this movie on the recommendation of a movie influencer I follow but purposefully didn't look into it much. I knew it was about exploring other universes and that is usually right up my street.

I was expecting something like "About Time"and "Butterfly Effect" - quite moving storylines with real substance.

Unfortunately I found this verged on the ridiculous. Which I know you have to expect a little with a 'time-travel' style film, but there's ways to it without it becoming silly.

I'm sure some people will find some scenes moving or emotional but I unfortunately I didn't care about the characters enough. It did make me laugh in parts big overall, it was a miss from me.

The Haunting of Bly Manor: The Altar of the Dead (2020) Season 1, Episode 5

A truly exceptional episode

[10/10 · 19 November 2022]

This is excellent story telling. It absolutely grips you from start to finish, it's tense, moving and develops the story all at the same time.

The acting throughout this show really is something to behold, but this episode takes 1st place. The interactions between Hannah and Owen really stuck with me long after the episode had finished.

Overall this show suffers from the success of Hill House which was by all accounts, a true horror story. This show is not a horror story at all... what it is, is a wonderfully deep, well told love story.

Watch this episode intently, and enjoy the masterful brilliance of it all.

Terminator Salvation (2009)

Good - Not Great.

[7/10 · 9 September 2022]

This film in its own right has some good aspects such as the cinematography and audio. The music and machines sounds are creepy. I think it gets the feel and tone right for a Terminator film. Something the last couple completely missed.

However it really pains me that Arnie signed up for two more films after this but wasn't in this one. It really could have hit the mark as a great sequel.

If the war always was inevitable, and John Conner leads the human race to victory... then there should be a film that depicts the Great War and victory. This could have been the first of two or three showing that.

I always think Arnie should have reprised his role as an ageing scientist who developed the technology for skin over metal alloy and used his own DNA. This technology was then propelled by the machines. This would have led the way for the older human Arnie to be in the movie alongside flashes of a CGI younger Arnie robot.

Unfortunately they have never been able to recreate the magic of Terminator 1 or 2 and this falls short too.

Peaky Blinders: Gold (2022) Season 6, Episode 3

A very average episode!

[5/10 · 14 March 2022]

I love Peaky Blinders, so thrilled it's back. But I can honestly say, out of all 6 seasons, this was by far the most average episode.

It didn't really go anywhere... I'm not particularly enjoyed how little we see Arthur and when we do see him, he isn't the Arthur we knew.

There isn't time for filler episodes in a 6 parter, and it didn't really add much to the story.

Really hope it gets better as I was bored watching this episode unfortunately.

Inventing Anna (2022)

Anna Clumsky is very annoying!

[5/10 · 6 March 2022]

The story is interesting, and the lead actress plays the role of Anna Delvey really well. The accent is annoying but she's actually portraying the real Anna Delvey's accent spot on!

But I just CANNOT deal with Anna Clumsky's over acting and annoying/ugly faces. It's a really poor cast choice.

The show is dragged out for Netflix. You might be better off just googling and reading about Anna Delvey.

Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003)

Maybe this was the sequel we needed?!

[7/10 · 25 February 2022]

The more I revisit this franchise, the more I become less disappointed in this instalment.

I'm not saying I've shifted my opinion that they should have stopped at T2 but the third definitely has something.

A great concept that Judgement Day was delayed... and showing just how SkyBet becomes self aware. Things I would have removed are the stupid comedic moments. T2 is so dramatic and moving, and I just really wanted that for the third too. It doesn't quite hit those emotive levels.

I don't think a sole female villain was a great idea either... it should have just been a shape shifter and this would have paved the way to nostalgic nods to the previous two films. The villain could one minute be a young Arnie from T1 and the next the T100... it could have even been Sarah Connor for a bit. That would have really got the juices flowing.

Too much reliance on CGI let's it down in places.... But I have to say, the story writers have actually done it justice which won't have been easy.

Hollyoaks (1995– )

Career killing show!

[1/10 · 25 February 2022]

Have you ever noticed that the actors who started in Hollyoaks, stay in Hollyoaks!!

It's because the reputation is in the toilet. It's an awful show with awful acting. Some of them are stealing a career as an 'actor'. Even those who try leave, end up crawling back when no one will touch them.

Late 90's and early 00's it was pretty good, tackled some good storylines and was enjoyable. But then days are LONG gone!! Awful Awful Awful.

Sinister 2 (2015)

Not a patch on the first

[4/10 · 4 February 2022]

Let's be honest, there is a fine line between horror and stupidity. The first film stayed perfectly on the right side with its creepiness and subtlety.

This very quickly goes on the wrong side with silly child ghosts... even if they are smartly dressed.

The horror home movies were a brilliant touch in the first film, but in this they go too far again.

It just felt quite juvenile as opposed to a decent horror which the first was. It gave me Scooby Doo vibes.

The Matrix Resurrections (I) (2021)

Ignore the bad reviews!!

[8/10 · 1 January 2022]

Firstly, this movie is no way worthy of some of the bad reviews... admittedly, they are reviving a story that had wrapped up, but there are some elements of that, that are genius.

Taking the factual memories of Neo and turning them into believed fiction via a computer game designer is class! And the touch of nostalgia with the old footage is very clever.

I enjoy how they bring Morpheus back despite the real world being +60 years from the end of the last movie is clever.

I honestly think the people giving a low rating are those people that didn't really understand the original fully.

This film captures good visuals, kung fu, car chases, philosophy and it's centred about the love of Neo & Trinity.... What more could you want in a Matrix movie?

Shutter Island (2010)

Highly rated and still underrated!!!

[10/10 · 20 December 2021]

This film is honestly a masterpiece. It's full of twists and turns, yes. But the way it portrays different element of the movie such as experience fighting the nazis, family trauma etc. Is simply wonderful.

Red Notice (2021)

It's fine

[6/10 · 5 December 2021]

Reasonable watch without being a classic. Ryan Reynolds is funny and makes it worth your time. The visuals/CGI are bearable without being OTT.

Not sure it's worthy of Netflix most watched film but meh, watch it, have fun and move on.

Squid Game: Kkanbu (2021) Season 1, Episode 6

Best episode by far

[10/10 · 5 October 2021]

Tense, emotional, moving... everything you went in a programme.

Sinister (I) (2012)

Underrated Horror

[8/10 · 20 August 2021]

Let's be honest, it's hard to get a horror film right! Horror is subjective and there is a very thin line between stupidity and horror.

Bar one 2 second scene which I think was stupid, this film hits the nail on the head for me. It's creepy, scary and a good story backing it all up.

Brilliant horror with some great acting (rare). Well worth your time.

Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

A glorious sequel

[10/10 · 10 August 2021]

Even now in 2021, most of the special effects hold up. This is testament to the painstaking hours that went into the makeup and prosthetics.

This is why I struggle with today's reliance on CGI. It ruins films.

It's the ultimate sequel and probably where they should have left the story.

Brilliant.