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Reviews
Jurassic World Dominion (2022)
An insult to the Jurassic Park franchised, only partially saved by special effects team.
What can I say about this movie that hasn't already been said about hemorrhoids. The plot is ridiculously poor. They just tried to fit as many dinosaurs into as many scenes as possible. The actors look like they don't care about their roles and are only there for the cheque. Not a single believable performance.
I remember seeing the first Jurassic Park in the cinema and having the constant feeling of dread, like at any moment any character could be chomped. I did not get that feeling in this movie, despite all main characters being seemingly in "danger" all the time.
The original Jurassic Park felt like a horror. This felt like a parody. A shameless money grab that's only worth the watch for no other reason than seeing the only good thing about the movie - cool special effects.
This is by far the worst of all the JP franchise. The first Jurassic World was flawed but had some redeeming qualities. This is an utter disaster.
Jay and Silent Bob Reboot (2019)
Lazy effort by Smith
I'm a long-time Kevin Smith fan, bought all the merch back in the day. I was hoping for something good, but what I got was a lazy, heartless attempt by Smith. It was like he didn't even try. Like Jay and Silent Bob weren't a passion project of his.
I think Smith became disheartened after the loss of Jeff Anderson for Clerks III (who thankfully is back onboard), and just kinda threw the script for J&SB Reboot together without any real enthusiasm or effort. Nothing about it stands out and unlike his previous films, it has zero replay value.
The movie has a few occasional funny moments and it's not wholly terrible. But that's about the most positive thing I can say about it. If you're a fan of the View Askew series of movies, you should probably still watch it - just for the references. But if you're not, give this movie a hard pass.
I sincerely hope he tries with Clerks 3, because this was just not a good movie.
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018)
Not as good as the original but a fun ride all the same!
This film is about two things - fun and setting up the basis for the next film in 2021. If you felt like the last film didn't have enough action, then this makes up for it.
This film is charming, humorous and action-packed. Nothing will beat the original Jurassic Park and this isn't the exception. But it is a film you should go to see in the cinema to really appreciate it.
Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard have good chemistry. I recognised Justice Smith from The Get Down, and he's really funny in the movie. Not over the top, but just the right level of subtle humour.
Jeff Goldblum's role is weird to say the least. They could have done a lot more with him and I expecting him to have a lot more screen time than he had.
Overall I would have given the movie a good 7.7/10, but since I can't - I rounded it off to an 8. It's still a fun ride either way.
Knuckle (2011)
The story behind the videos
Like many people, I watched numerous fights between Travellers on Youtube. I never really understood what motivated two men to stand in an old, mucky lane - and throw down until both were bloody and bruised. 'Knuckle' provides the back-story to why all of these fights went down.
It begins in 1997 when the director is asked to film a wedding for a then 18 year old, Michael Quinn McDonagh. The footage for the documentary spans over a decade up to 2009, documenting a cross-family feud between the Quinn McDonaghs and the Joyces. Both the Quinn McDonaghs, and Joyces are related. But this does not stop the ensuing battle that would rage on between the families up to present day.
Both families create video tapes, to taunt the opposing family and 'send for' a representative to fight. The fights are documented, some ending in violent fashion, while others ending in a mutual agreement for a draw.
The first documented fight shows James Quinn of the Quinn McDonaghs and Paddy Joyce, throw down in a quiet country lane. The fight is short, but brutal. Although it is violent, both fighters fight under fair rules - which ensures that no head-butting, biting or kicking is allowed - and when a man is defeated, the fight is over.
This would set the stage for the rest of the documentary. The film is fresh, and shows an often unseen side of the Irish Traveller community. Big money is often up for grabs, one fight alone has a purse of £120,000 - larger than the purses of many of today's professional boxers.
Anyone who has seen the Irish traveller fights on Youtube, and wants to get a better understanding of the story behind these fights - should watch this documentary. Credit to the director - as this is the culmination of 12 years work. I can't think of any other documentary that is shot over such a long period.
Friends (1994)
A decade of pleasure.
How often does a TV series last 10 years, 10 seasons? How often does a TV series keep our imagination and attention held captive? Not many can fill the shoes that friends walked in. Friends was simply an amazing show.
The characters just mixed perfectly together. They all seemed to aimlessly blend into each other. Without one, the other could simply not survive.
I grew up watching friends, it was apart of my teenage years. I think in years to come, it will be remembered as one of the all time greats. I can still watch repeat episodes and continue to laugh at the same jokes, over and over again. It's with that, you know you have something truly special.
Nothing I've ever watched came close to the brilliance that is "Friends". I don't think anything ever will. I'm just happy I was alive to see it develop and grow up and mature alongside the characters of the show.
Thank you for producing friends. Thank you very much.
Rallarsving (2005)
Very cool.
I've only recently got to see this show in subtitles, as I don't speak Swedish - But I must say, this show was great. Two martial artists from Sweden; Musse & Andreas, go on travels across the world, training with some of the top martial artists the world has ever seen.
From the few episodes I've seen, this is very geared towards an MMA & Muay thai base, which is great. They train with shooto legends such as Rumina Sato, Mamoru and Yuki Nakai. They also train with muay thai superstars, Peter Aerts and Remy Bonjasky. Being that I'm actually going to visit Aert's gym to train muay thai, it was interesting to get to see their training schedule.
I'd recommend this show to any MMA or martial arts fan. It's a shame there is no official subtitles for this show, as it really helps to understand the dialogue between Musse and Andreas (although they do speak English at times).
10 out of 10.
Rocky Balboa (2006)
Stallone's greatest piece of work.
I went into Rocky Balboa with the expectations of another cliché Rocky movie, but it couldn't be any further than that if it tried. Rocky Balboa is without a doubt, Stallone's finest piece of work. I'm glad to see the positive reviews it has received because they are all very much warranted.
Expect your emotions to be thrown around like cement in a cement mixer, because this is truly an epic story. I cringe every time I see a comment on youtube or on IMDb, from people who criticize this great film without ever taking the chance to watch it. Do not be deluded by these comments, take the time out for yourself and see the greatest closing to the greatest underdog story ever told.
Spin the Bottle (2003)
Not a bad film.. Not bad at all.
I feel a lot of people have been way too harsh on this film. It's not an epic adventure or not the greatest film to hit the Irish scene in 2003 but it is very Irish. You can relate to some of the characters.. It's main attraction is humor and that it does well. This film is funny in a lot of parts but that is all it has for it.
The plot is a little thin but it doesn't have to be in-depth to get this film along. It follows Rats upon his release from Mountjoy Prison on his attempt to get his band together and make a break for it.
Spin the Bottle grows on you after a few times of watching it.. I think it's good for the Irish Film Industry to have films like this to be put out there. The more the merrier and I for one welcome Spin the Bottle. Good effort.
Michael Collins (1996)
A United Ireland
The story of Michael Collins is both driven by passion and hate. The story starts off with the fall of 1000 strong Irish rebels based in the GPO in Dublin to which starts the first of many war sequences that would later give any viewer the chance to become emotionally attached to the story.
Both Michael Collins & Eamonn de Valera played important roles in the movement to give Ireland it's freedom from British Rule, a passion that had driven rebels on for years before. They would inevitably share different views during the last scenes of the movie.
This movie almost accurately shows the troubled times in Ireland in it's quest for a free state and it's own governing body. It also portrays disturbing scenes of violence from the British Army; which would soon to be called, the Black and Tans.
For anybody who thinks that this is your average war movie, you would be highly mistaken. It has a mixed plot of love/hate/action and emotions which would lure in any viewer, both male and female.
This is definitely a more new-age Braveheart film, which can lure one to become emotionally attached to the characters and plot. A definite must see for anybody whom is familiar with Irish History.