pop_smith Reviews

Scream VI (2023)

On first watch I really liked it

[8/10 · 9 March 2023]

Had low expectations as no Neve, but have become surprisingly attached to the 'core four' and genuinely routed for them.

The opening was very strong, completely changing things up from the get go by trying something new, but then returned to the usual format we know and love, but is it getting tired?

With the massive gap that Sidney & Dewey leave, it still felt like a Scream movie, with many nods to the previous killers. I was very happy to see Kirby back too.

My main grumble was the amount of people receiving multiple stabs to the guts and continuing to run, climb, not bleed out, but then again, it is a Scream movie after all.

I did think the final act/reveal lacked somewhat compared to previous instalments. Perhaps if we hadn't seen the 'collection' until the final act it would've have made more of an impact.

The High Note (2020)

A moving insight into the business, if a little incoherent

[8/10 · 23 March 2021]

This move suffered a little from too many ideas squeezed into a movie length production. Sometimes it feels a bit like Coyote Ugly, when it's not trying to be Devil Wears Pravda. The overall arc would've felt better placed as a tv series with much more room to add the character development and little touches this moving story deserves. That being said I completely enjoyed my time in this world with some very strong performances and touches of humour. Tracee Ellis Ross is simply brilliant and Dakota Johnson does a great job at keeping you routing for her character, even when she gets it wrong.

The Craft: Legacy (2020)

These reviews are far too harsh

[6/10 · 4 November 2020]

For what it was I enjoyed it, although I had very low expectations after hearing the rumbles of it not being very good but I like to see for myself and make up my own mind.

Disappointed that as a Blumhouse movie it is very tame. I really missed the darkness of the original.

I thought it was a remake, the new 4 seem to be very similar to the originals as were the scenes in the woods and the levitation spell. I like that they didn't turn on each other though but we're trying to protect themselves from themselves, but because of the need of a bad guy I felt Duchovny's character was a fleshless attempt. I would've preferred it to have been the eldest brother and develop that character. There were far too many characters with little backstory and little to do. Timmy was great but then killed off without real exploration. Plus the cameo at the end felt like a last minute u-turn to change it into a sequel.

I think it would've actually made a great Netflix exclusive, with 10 or so episodes to make use of the characters, give them more backstory and really develop the ideas that were touched on.

As a movie I enjoyed it and am glad I saw it on the big screen but I'm left feeling like it deserved more.

Work It (2020)

Fun, enjoyable movie

[8/10 · 14 August 2020]

I enjoyed this. Netflix have quite a good run of teen flix on there network and this is one of the better ones in my book. As a fan of Save The Last Dance I found this to be surprisingly better than expected.

Project Power (2020)

Very enjoyable

[8/10 · 14 August 2020]

Really enjoyed this. Felt a little clunky at the beginning but ended up getting drawn in. Likeable characters and some good CGI. Possibly one of the strongest sci-fi/action movies on Netflix. Nice to see Joseph GL back in action again.

He's Out There (2018)

Terrifying in places

[8/10 · 10 February 2019]

Really liked this for what it was. Had some good moments. Wasn't keen on the end but overall it's worth a watch.