MikesIDhasbeentaken Reviews

Founders Day (2023)

enjoyable 90s slasher movie

[6/10 · 18 May 2024]

This really could be something that was filmed in the 90s along with the hundreds of others made around the same time ,

which was nice, i enjoyed it, the kills, the cheese, the jokes. Was all very tongue in cheek 90s fun.

Unfortunately there is completely nothing surprising in this, at all, I suppose there was a couple of mini things that you might not see coming an hour and a half in advance, but they are meaningless, the big reveals you'll prob get just by watching the trailer.

So although there was no big twist you didn't see coming, and you don't spend any time whatsoever trying to guess the killer, as you already know, it's still a fun slasher that could have come straight out of the 90s.

Humane (2024)

nice enough idea but can't carry the whole movie

[6/10 · 26 April 2024]

The concept of this movie is pretty good, government needs to reduce population so pays people to be euthanised. Rich guy invites family round to tell them he's enlisted to do this. All kinda makes sense and can go along with the general idea.

The rest of the movie makes absolutely no sense whatsoever, the company that come and do it, the behaviour of the family, every action, further development of the original concept, decisions of everyone involved, nothing works. There is that single original concept, and thats it.

But actually that single thing was kinda enough to keep watching and see how it plays out, to its inevitable dissatisfying ending.

Nice idea. Ok to watch, could have been waaay better in every single way.

Late Night with the Devil (2023)

Nothing scary, but enjoyable

[7/10 · 19 April 2024]

The name, the trailer, everything suggests this is gonna be a horror movie, it's not,

Everything is very watchable, the acting is great from all involved, everything is really well done and will keep you watching.

The main character, the sceptic, the posessed girl, the side kick host guy, they are all great to watch and really make the whole movie enjoyable to watch.

The ending i think let itself down, i really didn't have a clue where the story was going while watching it, was just enjoying the ride, but the last couple of scenes i think were still a bit dissapointing,

there are no jump scenes, or any other traditional horror elements, and i'd go far as saying this isn't a horror movie at all, i don't think it tries to scare the viewer, or make them worried at all,

Aim of the game here is to do something a little different, and fully commit to it, which i think it does pretty well.

Imaginary (2024)

not the worse

[6/10 · 15 April 2024]

Simple no frills horror, nothing unexpected, nothing awful,

i don't like these horrors in general that go a bit silly at the end (insidious style), and some of the last half hour here was truly ridiculous, it jumps genre to comedy almost.

I think the tone is set pretty early that you kinda know what your gonna get, expectations are set low.

The basic premise is fine, seen most of it before but slightly different just enough to hold your attention, just..

But all in all it was fine, if you looking for a simple horror movie i think it's ok, could do a lot better, but could do a lot lot worse.

Thanksgiving (I) (2023)

nice slasher movie

[7/10 · 11 February 2024]

Just a really refreshing solid slasher movie.

Everything was well done, nothing amazing, but everything was solid. Good death scenes, and i have to admit i wasn't right at all about who the killer was.

Only thing i'd say was that the killer wasn't exactly scary, i don't know what it was about it but just looked a bit of a silly costume than a scary killer.

Everything else tho was really good, anyone that is a slasher fan will enjoy this, and has enough blood and gore to keep the people that like that interested too.

Sure you can pick holes in the story, but who cares, when a decent slasher movie is hard to come by these days this was nice.

Dream Scenario (2023)

so close to being amazing

[6/10 · 22 December 2023]

After the first half hour of this movie, i thought it was going somewhere amazing, it was funny and clever and nic cage is just really good in the mane role.

But i don't think it did nt he 2nd half of the movie, it kind of faded out, and missed such a massive oppotunity.

It's still a good movie, but it completely went in a different direction in the last half hour than i thought it would. Which was just such a shame.

Such a missed oppotunity in my book, but still worth a watch. When the dreams turn darker i think there was such a great set up for a better last half hour or so. Shame.

Worth watching but didn't reach it's potential.

Silent Night (IV) (2020)

easy to watch

[6/10 · 22 December 2023]

Pretty easy to watch, can't fault the script / acting / jokes, was all pretty good and the movie goes along nicely.

The one thing that i found extremely annoying is the main 'twist', it's too obvious and been done thousands of times before i can't believe people can still be surprised by it.

Aside from that the story takes different twists and turns and keeps you watching till the end as the main character goes through a seemingly unwinnable situation.

Nothing great but def worth a watch as a bit of a festive comedic ganster movie. Although i think alot of the movie was obviously filmed away from christmas so the outside shots aren't very festive.. but the christmas dinner at the end is very good.

It's a Wonderful Knife (2023)

surprising how bad this was

[3/10 · 2 December 2023]

It was a slasher Christmas movie that was quite well shot and put together with a half decent idea,

so kudos for everyone else involved with it to make it so awful,

the script was just so terrible it was just awkward to watch, the story went nowhere, I genuinely can't believe this was made how it was,

nothing makes sense, like nothing at all, the writers didn't even attempt to make a coherent story,

it was just painful to watch the actors go through the awful script

I didn't think i could hate a movie that was essentially a christmas slasher movie so much, i don't mind cheesy, i don't mind low budget, i don't mind ridiculousness, but this is none of that, this is just bad.

Saw X (2023)

better than than spriral and the last few instalments...

[6/10 · 27 October 2023]

But thats not saying much, Spiral was awful..

this is better, better traps, better story...

but again.. thats not saying much, it is still completely relient on main guy being clever by doing these traps, when actually he relies very heavily on a very low level probability of it actually being pulled off.

Not as bad as previous ones, but just take the last scene in this, 1000 different scenarios could have happened, each one a fraction off his plan that could have ruined it, something as simple as one of them saying 'you go get the money i'll watch them', which would have been sensible, rather than 'lets both go get the bag of money', and it's all gone down the drain, or how about them torturing them in a different way than the unknown machine that laid before them...

he's so clever yet the whole point was he was victim of a scam...

and are you meant to root for him? Is he meant to be the good guy?? He got scammed.. and he makes someone dig their own brain out under the false pretence they might live.. then moans about others giving false hope..

in all the saws i like how he's mental, thats the whole point, he's a crazy guy who is very clever and thinks he's doing justice.. but i felt they tried to give him a bit of plausible sympathy here, caring about the child and things...

The Reckoning (2023)

Wasn't this meant to explain how he got away with it?

[5/10 · 20 October 2023]

Thats what the intro to every episode says is the point of series.. to help explain how he got away with everything for so long.

But it doesn't, i don't think it showed why anyone liked him, or hated him to be fair, he was just a bit of a sleeze that was commiting these horrific assaults and was just lucky enough to get away with it.

The points of his status, slight charisma, and connections are there, but really take a back seat to the fact he was lucky.

Maybe that was a point the show was trying to make, he wasn't clever, charismatic, or anything, he was just a weirdo that somehow lucked out not only avoiding being found out but to get anywhere near the fame he did.

Steve Coogan will get the plaudits, and fair enough, though i think someone younger should have played him in the 60s...

Overall nothing new being said, just a dramatised portrayal of the guy.

No One Will Save You (2023)

what a mixed up movie

[7/10 · 13 October 2023]

Really didn't know what to expect from this..

And i still don't really know what i saw.

Firstly, i love the home invasion idea, from an alien. I was hooked, but the creeping along on it's toes / fingers was so bad i thought wait is this a joke movie, whats going on here...

and i'm really not sure, the ending is enough to make you really angry at how stupid it is, or think hang on what am i missing. And i hope i'm missing something, else it really was bad...

the lack of dialog, actually worked really well (except when she went into the police station... was painful how they refused to put any dialog in to continue the gimmick), in general it added to the isolation of the girl, and there was so much going on all the time it really didn't need it.

It's got horror, and aliens. What a combo. Really surprised by this, and was refreshing to watch.

Totally Killer (2023)

def a movie about the 80s for teens that were never there

[6/10 · 13 October 2023]

I enjoyed this movie, there is a masked killer killing people. Thats enough for me.

The comedy though, was for todays teenagers.. not teenagers in the 80's. I guess anyways, cuz they were certainly not aimed at the people that were about in the 80s. It would have been nice had there been a coupe of nods to the 80s viewers, but it was all very much for the younger crowd.

Easy watch, plot holes all over the shop, who cares, woke references throughout, adults pretending to be teenagers, nothing makes sense, but doesn't really matter, your watching a slasher movie about a time machine , theres a few death scenes, and you can try and guess who the killer is... so it's a win.

Talk to Me (I) (2022)

Solid get what you expect horror

[7/10 · 13 October 2023]

Teens play with a possession hand like using drugs..

Things don't go very well..

it is what it is, and it's done pretty well. Nothing very shocking, but it's a pretty good horror not many people would walk away from disappointed.

Wouldn't go as far as saying it was ground breaking or amazing. But def worth a watch.

Although this was done on quite small budget, you couldn't really tell, and i'd be really interested to see what the people making it could do on a full scale one.

Although the story kinda felt like it came to a halt a couple of times, and there were certain storylines it started to explore needlessly, the action kept going and ending was quite good.

Cobweb (2023)

there was a good story in there somewhere

[5/10 · 5 October 2023]

I watched the trailer, and was really excited to watch this movie,

but for me it didn't live up to what i'd hoped from the trailer, and felt a bit let down.

It was way too cheesy, so cheesy at times i forgot i was meant to be watching a horror movie (the only person that cared about the boy is a substitute teacher called miss devine....)

the movie didn't even try to make much sense or be logical, and when it did half attempt to do so failed badly, i don't care how long someone has to practice climbing walls, they can't do what we see in this movie...

However i think the basic storyline had potential, and a few times in the movie it shows some of this, the parents were quiet well done, i didn't mind the last 20 minutes, it was openly stupid and you can sit back and enjoy the cheesiness rather than be annoyed by it.

Scream VI (2023)

I enjoyed it

[7/10 · 15 May 2023]

Loved the first Movie, 2 was great, 3not so much, 4really bad, thought 5 was ok.. and this was ok too.

Good amount of comedy, kills, i don't know why courtney cox is still in these tho (could barely recognise her tbh) but think she should maybe stop, adds nothing to them anymore.

Nothing will beat the first 2 movies so with 5 they kinda redid the 1st and here they kinda redid the 2nd, obviously not as good, but has enough in it to be enjoyable if you like the franchise and masked killers chasing people with knifes, which is why we're all watching it.

It also has all the self aware comedy stuff that i kinda like.

Soft & Quiet (2022)

well made but got a bit silly

[5/10 · 15 May 2023]

Thought this was a clever, well made, well acted, well scripted movie,

although the whole one continuous camera take is a needless, restraining gimmick, it's actually done really well.

But it does mean a lot of the movie is filler chat between he characters.

Ultimately though, i just felt it escalated too quick, it's in real time so in one hour it really seemed too much and decisions weren't really making sense, and everything was kind of forced so the story could unfold the way it was written, which was just frustrating to watch.

The actual 'action' part was a bit lame and the ending really annoying and unfulfilling.

But looking back on it there was a lot of positives, i just don't think it all came together really well.

Fall (I) (2022)

good potential ruined by complete stupidness

[7/10 · 27 March 2023]

Such great potential here, simple idea, 2 girls climb a tower in the middle of a nowhere. So lots of shots that anyone with any fear of heights will feel a bit uneasy at.

This is by far the movies strongest point, them being so high up on something so thin and with nothing for miles around them.

Them climbing the tower was really well done, tense, well shot (even if it is just a green screen), and for that i think overall is a good movie.

But once stuck, any logic goes out the window. No point it giving spoilers, but there were some seriously bad choices being made (and one very very simple way of getting help once they had everything they needed), it wasn't just their choices that didn't make sense, but the whole thing in general didn't make sense, so you end up watching it thinking oh this is just stupid.

There were continuity errors, illogical choices, science defying events..

it would have been so much better had it tried to be realistic, but instead it kind made up it's own rules to further the story. Which was a shame,

still if you can ignore the stupidness.. it is actually an enjoyable movie.

All Quiet on the Western Front (2022)

no point comparing to previous movies

[7/10 · 27 March 2023]

This is a decent well made movie,

it's title probably creates more expectations than it is willing to deliver on. But as a stand alone movie it's well shot, well acted, intense and action packed.

It probably overran by a bout half an hour or so, thought some scenes dragged on too long and others could have been removed altogether. But for the bulk of the movie it focused on life for those on the front line, and those that had to follow orders from others that were living a very different existence.

Worth a watch as a stand alone movie, lots of well shot action from the front line of one of the deadliest war zones in history.

Knock at the Cabin (2023)

seen the trailer? you've seen the movie..

[5/10 · 23 March 2023]

The trailer literally is the movie..

nothing else happens, it's all in there, anything slightly interesting that happens in the movie.. it's in the trailer..

so don't waster the time watching the movie really. I'm not sure what extra your meant to get from watching the whole thing,

it's such a basic idea, fine for a ten minute short, but so dragged out. No explanation, no reasoning, no conclusion, nothing, if the trailer leaves you with any questions, i can assure you they will not be answered watching the whole thing.

M Night movies are real hit and miss. I really liked the village, and split, even the visit.. but this and old i think have been awful and completely lazy, which annoys me.

The Black Phone (2021)

annoyingly disappointing..

[4/10 · 23 March 2023]

What a waste of a movie, theres a good cast, a fantastic killer portrayed brilliantly.

And yet that is completely pushed to the side for some supernatural nonsense. The killer is defeated in the most pathetic way, such a waste of potential.

The grabber had so much potential, but because he does nothing in the movie, he doesn't possess any authority or attract fear. The kid is basically left in the basement, free to do whatever, theres no tension. I just think it's such a waste.

I'd def watch a movie about the grabber, this movie without the supernatural stuff. But this was just way of target.

Infinity Pool (2023)

disappointing arty genre mashup

[5/10 · 23 March 2023]

I don't know if there was more to this movie than i got from it, but i don't really care. It clearly wasn't clever enough or original enough to be the movie it wanted to be.

It was fine, everything about it was fine, story, acting, weird camera shots and music, all fine, but really it all lead to a little bit of a disappointment.

I'm not sure what genre this was meant to be, certainly not enough horror, although a few reviews have said about gross out moments, i don't think there was, there was nothing shocking or disturbing, certainly nothing anyone hasn't seen before.

Don't expect to be shocked, or disturbed, or too intrigue... aside from that.. it was ok..

Glass Onion (2022)

not clever or surprising...

[4/10 · 5 January 2023]

So what is it meant to be?

Funny? Nope, original? No way... theres just nothing worth watching. Wasn't a fan of the first one either, so if you liked that maybe this is up your street to and thats fair enough.

Clue is such a great movie with everything this wants to be, but it fails on every single level,

the acting was all over the place, the script just not thought out at all. The whole sell on this movie is it's a who-done-it, but you won't care or be surprised at the end, so whats the point?

I'm a massive fan of who-done-it movies, but can't recommend this. Disappointing but am sure there will be a load more sequels to come...

The Menu (2022)

a bit too bland

[5/10 · 5 January 2023]

Ok from watching the trailer you see where this is going, and thats what happens, the rest is just pretentious drivel that doesn't really make any sense.

It's basically one idea turned into a long movie with loads of known actors / actresses that actaully don't do much other than sit at their table.

The plot is so thin they gave up on making up reasons why most of the guests were at there, or what the plan actually was and why, the points that they were trying to make were lost and all that came out is the chefs a bit of a crazy twit.

Some of it is funny tho, the meal descriptions were funny, but most of this was just a bit of a mess. An average point not well made.

Violent Night (2022)

it's die hard with santa

[7/10 · 5 January 2023]

Stupid in all the good ways. It's Die Hard with Santa instead of John McClane on the end of the walkie talkie saving the hostages.

There is a lot of hit and miss that fills the best part of 2 hours, don't think it needs to be that long, but the hits are more than enough to make this a good festive movie.

Some great moments, the opening scene and the home alone bit in the attic are great.

Feels a little dragged out in parts didn't have to be so long but didn't ruin the movie. There was enough comedy and some nice kills / gore scenes that were done really well.

Will def be part of the christmas watchlist from now on.

Christmas Bloody Christmas (2022)

urghh!

[5/10 · 13 December 2022]

If you'd asked me after 20 minutes what i'd rate this, would be 3, ask me after an hour.. would be 8... but then the last half an hour was just so repetitive it was almost as unwatchable as the first 20 minutes of awkward badly done dialogue .

But there is enough stupidity, gore, horror, craziness in the middle that actually makes me really like this.

So many things were great here, so annoying that is was let down in so many ways, but still think it's worth a watch.

It's not a good movie, however i do love a christmas horror, and they are all stupid, and i think this is just enough on par to be aded to the list i'll watch again next year.