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The Pope's Exorcist (2023)
Blatty Rip Off? Or Original?
Well Rusty hasn't lost any weight, in fact it looks like he's added some (for this role?!). I guess he had to give up fighting, but on the other hand I did enjoy him speaking Italian for some of his dialogue which was impressive.
I struggle though to not draw immediate and glaring similarities between this movie and William Peter Blatty's "The Exorcist) (1973). As soon as the kid Henry appeared in the first shot I knew it was him who would be possessed. The kid actor did a good job by the way.
However overall it does lack the feness, tension and outright fear that Blatty's movie drew from it's viewer. Great sets and cinematography unfortunately doesn't help this movie as it doesn't offer anything new or original to the subject material at hand. You kind of feel like you've seen it all before.
I watched it, but won't ever be seeking out a second viewing.
Invitation to a Murder (2023)
So bad
The acting is decidedly absolutely awful in this boring mish mash of a ripped off Agatha Christie story. The script is boring and lacklustre, the dialogue overstated and precarious, but what makes this film even worse is the dreadful attempt at accents. Once again little to no character development. I find the blocking of the actors in some scenes really unimaginative, they just stand in a line and recite their lines almost robot like. It's a shame as they have some nice locations and sets, but nothing special enough to warrant sitting through what potentially could have been quite an exciting and thrilling movie had it been taken up by better screenwriters and a more skilled and imaginative director. Don't waste your time on this one.
Detective Knight: Independence (2023)
Terrible, no character development, boring and stupid
I think this must be absolute conclusive proof that Bruce Willis doesn't really care anymore about the quality of the work, he just wants his retirement fund topping up.
Cinematography makes it look like a bad TV show shot on VHS, even crosses the line in several scenes. Split scene isn't integrated well which makes it just jarring and removes you from the picture.
What was instantly irritating when the title sequence runs, is the fact that the "Writers/Director" credit themselves as not only "STORY BY", but then also then "BASED ON CHARACTERS BY". One credit too many which is egotistical, unnecessary and makes me want to blacklist your work. The "Director the credits himself as screenplay by and directed by on separate cards. Why?
Story wise I can't imagine any cop in any country beating up an "EMT" or Ambulance paramedic in a bar for absolutely no reason. It's just ludicrous. This is the failed basis for the whole premise of this stupid, badly made, amateur class embarrassing excuse of a movie.
Awful acting, horrendously bad script, and TV cinematography, brought together by no character development, nothing intelligent in the direction at all. How these directors get to make films indicates a significant flaw and understanding of what film was meant to be.
Avoid at all costs. Don't waste your money.
Emily the Criminal (2022)
Brilliant, tense, exciting and a pleasure to watch.
I was gripped from the opening scene of this movie, a real straight into it with excellent character development right from the outset. It just grows and grows from there.
The deeper she gets into her bad girl exploits the more you fear for her safety and really hope that even though she is desperate, working in illegal acts, that she will eventually find a way out.
It really is an intense thriller that grows brilliantly, the filmmakers should be proud of doing something that really smarts yet resonates and draws the viewer in. You hardly know what is going to happen next, with some great unexpected twists and turns that even I didn't predict.
Aubrey Plaza gives a stunning and solid, believable performance.
Excellent.
Dead for a Dollar (2022)
Awful.
I can't believe this came from Walter Hill. Has he had a stroke? Every aspect of this is unbelievably bland and unexciting. I'd expect from a veteran filmmaker that you'd know better than to have 20 million dissolves between scenes, even parts of dialogue - also at least have some knowledge of how to build tension, character and draw the audience in. None of that is present here.
The sound and cinematography are second rate at best, almost as if their contribution was phoned in by assistants.
But the most disappointing are the performances from Christoph Waltz and Willem Dafoe. They seem uninspired, uninterested.
If you paid to see this I am sorry you wasted your money, because that is exactly what it is in every respect.
Avoid at all costs.
Where the Scary Things Are (2022)
Plagiarism at it's worst.
Within ten minutes the film rips off key elements of Stand By Me, doesn't develop any characters at all and ends up in a beyond boring mishmash of cliches and bad performances.
It's like he thought ripping off Stephen King or Spielberg-type elements of a story would make it a winner. But no dice. You forgot to make it interesting for the audience dude. We know nothing of the kids themselves and their home lives. Same goes for all the adult characters.
I hope none of you has paid good money to see this, as revisiting the original movies the "director" references in his "Synopsis" on here would be a far better investment.
Free Byrd (2021)
Awful
Can someone tell the filmmakers responsible for this project to get a basic knowledge of the existence of things like Tripods, lights and more importantly how to focus the damn camera? The cinematography in this film is non-existent, it's like someone follows the actors around with what must be less capable than an iPhone. Completely horrendous. Amateur sub-par effort on virtually every setup and shot. It's painful and draws you away from being able to get involved in the story.
Two main actors do the best of a bad job, but with little pacing or character development, there's almost nothing here to Invest in.
The shots in the car while they are travelling, I have seen better executed by Police Detectives using hidden cameras in drug stings and murder for hire.
If you like cinema, or even want to watch a comedy then avoid this one. The jokes were few and far between, predictable and cliched.
Garbage!
Cosmic Sin (2021)
Pretty bad
500 years in the future and they're still using fossil fuels and conventional weapons? REALLY? I mean.. Really?!
Apart from the distinct lack of a "Phased plasma rifle with a 40-watt range", this film has some enjoyable moments, such as Bruce Willis being his usual cool collected self during a bar fight. But the film says nothing. No soul, no real drama. I wanted to be on the edge of my seat having looked at the premise... I sincerely have had more tension and drama on the edge of my toilet seat than when I was watching this movie.
Once the aliens appear then it goes full pelt into an alien-zombie type battle that is somewhat reminiscent of James Cameron's "Aliens" from 1986. The cinematography also is worth noting in its a throwback to "Blade Runner" at times, but these are rare and the body of the film looks good and reasonable, but nothing creatively new.
Rather long-winded and somewhat boring sequences ensue, some with potentially romantic undertones, along with recollections of past war wounds and pathetic sentimental dialogue that smacks of being added as an afterthought once a first edit was screened, the studio realising the movie has no emotion. Which it still doesn't.
Some of it is fun, the special effects although I usually hate CGI are passable, but the lack of humanity and drama, unfortunately, makes the film fail on an emotional level, where it really could have been something that excels.
As I have said it also fails miserably on a dramatic level... they just phoned it all in. What a waste of money this was.
"Die Hard" managed to pack in more drama and emotion, it's a shame that Bruce Willis and filmmakers of today don't seem to be capable or even willing to endeavour to achieve anything that even remotely compares. 2/10.
Pump Up the Volume (1990)
THE teen movie you should watch. Spot on!
My Nineteen-year-old friends and I back when this came to VHS in the early nineties, identified wholeheartedly with this dark, funny and brutally honest film.
Christian Slater is superb, within the first five minutes it's engaging, intellectually interesting and once Leonard Cohen kicks in you know this is going to be something special. That it is!
I revisited today hence the review, as I was recently reminded of it when a friend mentioned another Slater project "Heathers". This is up there alongside that movie as a piece aimed at a teenage audience that should be remembered.
Slater's character although bold and uncensored at night while broadcasting on his pirate radio station is shy and reserved in school. Until one listener notes one too many unintentional clues he gave away and comes to realise his true identity.
Then the true drama emerges as one of the listeners he called and dismissed on a brief phone call on air commits suicide.
From there the drama, risk and conflicts begin. I particularly love the dialogue in this movie, especially Slater's monologues which are really original and inspired.
This is a truly great movie that has been overlooked in history, if you get an opportunity to see it then please do give it a chance you won't regret it.
Books of Blood (2020)
Really should have been a TV show, rather than a movie.
The opening is juicy enough that it is enough to get you (kind of) interested, although it's not paced very well overall.
The realisation after watching this that it was intended to be an entire mini-series made absolute sense as to why it felt like such a mismatch of non-interwoven stories and characters.
I must admit once it got going, I did enjoy the first story. The almost predictable yet well-executed "surprises" and "twists" were, despite this, entertaining and the tension ramped up enough at times to think this was going to be a great movie.
But alas after a haphazard and disappointing end to the first story it just melted into obscurity and was difficult to watch from then on.
I was pleased to see the portrayal of Misophonia in this movie, as from experience this was handled extremely well and served as a great device in very few places to heighten the tension. But it was short-lived I'm afraid.
The plots all have holes as you would expect, but there are a few set pieces that are worth watching as a one-off, which is why I couldn't rate it less than a three.
Lots of blood, messy but if you like horror movies that are disjointed yet tense enough in places then it might be up your street, along with some popcorn and a glass of fake blood (I prefer Red Wine!).
It's a Sin (2021)
Superb!
If you grew up in 1980s Great Britain you will no doubt be aware of some of the homophobia, misinformation and downright immoral attitudes to the victims of HIV and AIDS in hospital and society in general. "It's a Sin" not only reflects on the truth of these issues in a remarkably authentic step back in time but also beautifully portrays the real and devastating effect it has on such brilliantly developed and crafted characters it can be hilarious in one moment and utterly heartbreaking seconds later.
This is an absolute triumph in screenwriting and production, I could not recommend this show enough. Get absorbed and emotionally engaged in the characters even half as much as I did and you will cry, laugh and feel your time was invested wisely in this extraordinarily beautiful and wonderful show.
Coming 2 America (2021)
So, so awful
I would rather sit on a beer crate in the heart of the Antarctic, staring at a pile of excrement without clothes on for 2 hours; than have to watch this abomination of a film ever again.
I didn't laugh once. There is evident sexism and racist undertones which do not sit well.
The plot is hardly existent and ultimately ridiculous anyway.
The original was great, but even judging this as a stand-alone it's probably one of the worst movies ever made in the history of cinema.
I couldn't be clearer!
Your Honor (2020)
Awesome
Bryan Cranston gives a stellar performance in this quickly absorbing and addictive drama. I loved everything about this, often unexpected and surprising turns. Sure there's the odd cliche here and there but that can be forgiven with such great character development and everything having been so excellently done. I won't give any spoilers, give episode 1 a go and see how you feel!
12 Hour Shift (2020)
Uneven, boring and dire.
I still find it surprising that filmmakers even today find it quite acceptable to produce complete pieces without one single character that you can believe in, relate to or even care about. Unfortunately this is one such movie.
Within the first two minutes I found the main protagonist; a nurse with a bad attitude, a drug habit that the filmmakers deemed uninteresting enough not to embellish upon, uncaring and boring enough that I almost turned off right there and then. But I gave it some time in the interest of fairness.
It's a pathetic attempt at a black comedy which has very little to laugh about and even less to care about in a mishmash of bad set pieces and really bad dialogue.
Even more unfortunate is the unfolding series of events as the film progresses, that are so far fetched and even worse not in the slightest bit amusing (that is what they were going for believe me), it leaves you with kind of a bewildered look on your face.
Not funny. Not engaging. Even the music is too overwhelming at times, as if the composer and director were looking to try and mask some moments in the film which they must have (if experienced) realised were lacking.
Avoid it like the plague.
Happy Family (2017)
Dreadful
The first problem with this movie is that the lip-sync of the actor's voices with the animated characters is so bad, that after 10 minutes into watching it I had to keep rewinding... because I couldn't quite believe how bad it actually was!! It's so off-putting that I couldn't even tell you what was said in the first 15 minutes. It's horrendous!
Secondly, it's so cliched, overplayed and with a plot (that has been done before in much more style and originality) that I could say after the aforementioned 15 minutes, I could accurately predict what would happen for the entirety of the rest of the movie. I have to say. I was correct! Predictable, uninvestable crap!
Some colourful visuals, but there is nothing else here of note and not much apart from some average vocal performances that don't even come close to making it worthy of the cost of a cinema ticket.
There must be some filmmakers/animators out there who can do better than this??
10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)
Whoah!
Just a short review, as I just have to say the ending was splendid! A great surprise and brilliantly done. Well done sirs!!
The Levelling (2016)
Dour, uneventful and boring.
There isn't even the slightest hint of a reason for the audience to invest any emotional or even intellectual empathy with any of the characters in this movie. There's no drama.. no investment at all - in fact watching it I found myself desperately trying to convince myself not to turn it off as "Something has GOT to happen soon???".
The opening shots of the film give you a clue as to what is to come... two establishing shots of a farm in the middle of nowhere that seem to last for 10 minutes (ok I exaggerate - but it feels like that!).. a montage of some naked guys doing something (???!!!).. no information about them is communicated at all. I guess we're supposed to assume her brother was drunk at this (unexplained) beach party??!! I have no idea!!
It's so boring after that. I just wish the naked guys had shown up again and at least put some life into it!
If you enjoy watching an actress do her best when essentially she has nothing to do, wander around a farm picking up shit and cleaning, while finding dead badgers then this film is for you!
If you LOVE caravans.. then oh jeez this will be a treat!!!!!
Otherwise.. don't spend money on it.
Atypical (2017)
Funny, engaging and touching.
I'm not ashamed to say that I watched all episodes of this show in one sitting, I instantly became so engrossed in the characters and the story that I had to keep watching.
Production values are extremely high as is the calibre of scripts, often situations would take a turn I simply wasn't expecting - always a huge plus.
The highest praise I have to give is to Keir Gilchrist for his portrayal of Sam, I found him to be honest, authentic and really believable.
After the cliffhanger ending, I'm now anxious to see if they will make a series two. I certainly hope they do!
A Family Man (2016)
Really enjoyable
I was pleasantly surprised by how engrossing and perfectly realised this film is, mainly due to I think the excellent screenplay and the wonderful development of not only Gerald Butler's gritty and underhand portrayal of the father, but by the growth of all the characters over all.
The only small disappointment was one plot point that seemed too well signposted leading up to it's reveal, but apart from that this is really worth the watch.
Excellent all around, plus special credit must be given to the young boy who plays Butlers son. For what I think was his first film, he gave a reserved, balanced and well rounded performance for his age.
Well done!
Soft Lad (2015)
Absolutely Horrendous
When I saw this advertised on Netflix, I was intrigued and excited to see a new LGBT drama especially one produced in the UK.
I'm sorry to say that this turned out to be a complete disappointment from beginning to end. The cinematography is probably the worst I have ever seen in any film ever, so much so that in parts it makes the film unwatchable - the camera moving around aimlessly, getting too close and up in the actors faces, never settling down. Heads cut off, truly bad framing, focus issues... the list goes on.
The only positive I can speak of is Daniel Brocklebank's performance, he really does try to make the best out of a bad show.
The sound mixing is also so awful that at times I had to stop the film and rewind it just to try and make out what some of the actors were saying.
The editing also has no ebb, no flow to it.. I've seen better from 1st year film students in college.
It's am amiable idea for a script, but overall it's so full of cliche's and such bad dialogue I doubt most of it would have gotten past the writers room on any soap opera never mind a movie.
I hate to be so negative about any other filmmakers work, I truly do but unfortunately with such bad choices and execution in terms of "Soft Lad" I really feel even at such a low budget it could have been something wonderful. It alas, is not.