4v291o
Genuinely hopeful that this remake is going to be great 🤞🏻
]]>Ohhhhh my gosh this was absolutely ridiculous - and not in a good way. The first one definitely embraced the silly and took some things too far, but it also had an intriguing plot and a central character in Stephanie that grounded things a little bit. Well, Another Simple Favor has none of that - it goes full on insane, with an uninteresting plot and twists and turns that are clutching at straws. Lively’s outfits get weirder (that giant hat - wtf?!), of course things have to get bigger in scope, and characters and ideas are introduced that just make absolutely no sense. The only thing this has going for it is the stunning Capri location, and of course Anna Kendrick. She’s far too good for movies like this, but at least every time she’s on screen it becomes more watchable, and Stephanie is still a likeable character. It certainly tried to have fun and there are instances of that, but it’s really hard to see past the overly campy performances, dumb plot and incestuous molestation that’s played off for laughs. Please do not make any more of these - the first one was at least entertaining, but this is utter drivel.
]]>Not only an incredibly pleasant surprise, but one of the best new releases for quite some time, I was absolutely floored by Killer of Killers. Firstly, the animation style was absolutely stunning, with each segment having something unique to offer but coming together so perfectly to create cohesion. Full of colour and emotion, I was very impressed with the visuals. The anthology direction works well, with three separate stories that are equally as thrilling as each other, and a final story that combines them all together seamlessly. I was really impressed by how great the character development was, given that we only get about 20 minutes with our character during each segment. All three are easily likable and worth rooting for, resulting in a film with high stakes and not one but three kick-ass leads. Then, we have to talk about that ending... not only does Trachtenberg prove we are in very capable hands with what he's made so far, but the franchise appears to be entering VERY exciting territory. I cannot wait for what's to come. If you come to this franchise for the action and bloodshed, don't be put off by the fact it's animated - Killer of Killers is brutal, gnarly and not afraid to get incredibly violent. I was audibly gasping at plenty of those kills, it really puts the pedal to the metal. Thrilling, beautiful and engaging from start to finish with wonderful characters (Ursa, I love you), Killer of Killers is an absolute gem and I will be rewatching endlessly.
]]>I had a lot of fun with Ballerina. Ana de Armas absolutely kills it, delivering high intensity during the action sequences and the emotion required during the more dramatic scenes. She has such natural star power and I am so glad to see her leading a movie of this ilk. The ing performances are also good, and it's always fun to have Anjelica Huston around. I like how John Wick himself was used; he certainly made his presence known and his being there was warranted, but was used sparingly enough to not take the attention away from Ana. Ballerina boasts action aplenty, with so many kick-ass, memorable fight scenes and excellent choreography. It also has really cool locations which help to elevate the action even further, particularly the snow-covered town of the final act. It's brutal, violent and has many a shocking kill. The plot is straightforward enough to avoid convolution, and does well to not only set up Eve as a character but provide all the action we're here for. It manages to exceed being just a regular story of vengeance, despite hinting at a lack of originality at the start. By the end, it feels like something of its own. It never reaches the heights of the John Wick films, but carries over the same tone and compliments them well.
It's not without issues, the main one being repetition. It introduces so many awesome ideas, especially during the fight sequences, but it then proceeds to over-do them which renders the surprising, awe-inducing stunts a little uninteresting. The use of fire in the third act is really engaging at first, but loses its edge by the time the credits draw. Also, there's some inexcusable underutilization of some characters and talent, particularly Norman Reedus. For an actor that's known for his physicality and for being part of action-packed franchises, he is sorely underused and gets very little to do. The same can be said for a few other cast .
]]>And the rewatch begins! Genuinely one of the best movies ever made.
]]>Despite hitting low on the horror scale, Realm of Shadows uses its modest budget to the best of its ability with a unique blend of filmmaking styles.
Full review at Film Focus Online.
]]>I was highly anticipating this one and it really, really delivered. The shark x serial killer combo worked an absolute treat as expected, with some vicious, mean and inventive scares. There is plenty of body horror on display, both in and out of the water, and it isn't afraid to get violent in places. The sharks were used fantastically well, and I've never seen a film nail how truly terrifying and equally mesmerising and stunning they can be. I came out of this movie both appreciating them and really fearing them. As someone who is very afraid of water, they utilised that perfectly, too. It does play out in a similar manner to other serial killer/slasher movies, but the setting really gives it some edge. We have phenomenal chase sequences taking place in boats and on the water, and the weapons and locations both our villains and protagonists use provide something a bit different. Jai Courtney is fantastic in the role, delivering both a menacing and campy villain, and I enjoyed Cassie Harrison as our final girl Zephyr, too. Perhaps the biggest surprise of the movie was the soundtrack - not only was it full of bangers, but managed to weave into the story nicely, too. Sean Byrne is 3/3 for me.
It comes so close to hitting a home run, but I found the ending quite underwhelming. There was also a central romance in here that I didn't care for; despite the pair having decent chemistry, it doesn't feel entirely warranted, especially the ending. I'm not saying the amount of shark screen time was disappointing, but I think in a movie like this, I could always do with a bit more. Those shark sequences were so scary and unique, I definitely could've taken one or two more, seeing as our serial killer appears to have had plenty of victims. The scene with him watching back a tape of a murder we did see - maybe it would've been better to see one we hadn't.
]]>The Salt Path is an inspiring, if by-the-numbers, true story with two excellent central performances at the helm. Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs are fantastic, completely selling the decades-long relationship of their characters Ray and Moth. It's great to see a film that is set somewhere local (I live in Plymouth), and it really did showcase the stunning rural locations we have. The cinematography is mesmerising, and it manages to capture the equal beauty and hardship of the walking route the pair take. There's a lot of beauty to take in, but facing the elements, alongside their age and Moth's illness, is no easy feat. The script perfectly captures the love between the pair, and how it isn't home, belongings or money that makes a couple, but the couple themselves. Unfortunately, because I've read the book, I was left quite disappointed with the script and the way it simplified things. A huge theme of the book is homelessness, how many more people suffer from it than we believe, and how it can happen to the best of us - Ray and Moth as an example. However, this is barely touched on in the film. It also missed out a lot of key elements and details, such as how they lost their house, the decisions that lead them to going on the walk, and that their actual end goal was not Land's End but Poole. My partner actually had questions coming out of this movie, and luckily I could answer them due to being familiar with the story, but this also isn't the type of movie that should leave you with questions. Every character interaction was simplified, and these amazing conversations were reduced to cheesiness and were rushed, really making them lose impact. What we got was good, I just had higher hopes.
]]>The first time I watched this, I really didn’t enjoy it. This time around, I had an absolute BLAST and am already looking forward to a seeing it again in the next couple of years.
Rewatches are important.
]]>It took me far too long to check this out, especially as I knew it would be right up my street, and as expected I am completely OBSESSED with these visuals. It had such a gorgeous gothic/medieval look, the villain was genuinely menacing if completely underused and it truly felt like stepping into a dreamlike fantasy realm. The animation itself was gorgeous and I could've spent ages just living in this world. Also, Hen Wen deserves to be protected at all costs and there is nothing I would not do for that little pig. The storyline did lose me around the third act but I mostly enjoyed it, especially for its simplicity and fantastical nature. Taran was a decent enough lead, but the ing characters were hit or miss; I enjoyed Eilonwy and Dallben, but found Gurgi genuinely frustrating despite being cute visually. The way he spoke and his motives were infinitely annoying. I fell head over heels for its dark nature, and it made me miss when Disney and similar companies weren't afraid to deliver something a little more menacing and eerie. Overall, the story became quite weak and there is a lack of world building to fully elevate what we're seeing, but for the visuals, tone and first two acts, it's more than worth a watch.
]]>2025 Ranked
The Karate Kid Ranked
Boasting a competent cast, entertaining fight scenes and a comeback for the ages, Karate Kid: Legends is both a fun nostalgia trip and sports movie. However, a clunky start with much unfocus and misdirection is bound to leave fans disappointed.
Full review at Talking Films.
]]>I was really looking forward to this one given the talent of the cast, but it really disappointed me in almost every area. It's a slow, dull and completely by the numbers possession movie that led me to the same camp that everybody else has been part of for a while - we have too many movies like this. The actress playing the possessed individual was great, and there were some decent practical effects and instances of gore, but unfortunately, that's all the positives I have. Dan Stevens gives one of the worst performances of his career here, and Al Pacino basically sleepwalks through it. These are two of the most talented actors working today, so only the script and direction can be blamed. The dialogue was predictable and corny, the storyline was repetitive and got old pretty quickly, and the characters were one-dimensional and bland. The camerawork was going for something a little different, but the constant zooming was very grating. It moved away from any spooky scenes far too quickly so they packed less of a punch, and the zooming in on the characters faces every time they spoke made it feel like an episode of the office. My biggest issue, though? It's just so damn familiar. Every scare was easily calculated and something I've seen before a thousand times. The Ritual has no creativity, no juice and absolutely nothing new to say.
]]>Wanted to love this one, came away just liking it but that's okay! Jaden Smith was absolutely great in the leading role, following in the footsteps of Ralph Macchio nicely. He's naturally funny and charming, with the younger age adding in a sense of naivety. The big move to China really added in something worthwhile, as it's a completely different way of living thus allowing you to fully understand Dre's uneasiness and struggle to fit in. There's some beautiful cinematography that really emphasizes the wonderful location, and I ire the fact this remake took us somewhere completely different. The music absolutely reeks of the early 2010's and has aged poorly, but I still had fun with it and it undeniably matches the tone of the movie. Title aside (they should've just gone with The Kung-Fu Kid!!!), I liked the shift of focus from karate to kung fu, and found Jackie Chan the perfect addition. Mr. Han isn't quite as funny and endearing as Mr. Miyagi, but his troubled past explains why, and the pair still form a beautiful bond regardless. The action sequences are well shot and often humorous, especially the sequence involving Mr. Han using the villainous kids against each other. My biggest issue with this movie is the run-time - there is absolutely no reason for this thing to be nearly 2.5 hours long. There's a disproportionate amount of filler and it takes too long to get going. The dialogue is overly corny and cringeworthy, which often takes away from the emotional beats, which is a real shame as the script tries to do something important with Mr. Han's past. It's also very by-the-numbers in of plot, making small changes here and there but not really adding in enough sauce to warrant a remake. This movie was always going to happen, and it's certainly not a terrible attempt, but I can't see myself revisiting again.
]]>Welllll.... this was an absolute downgrade and a complete mess. Firstly, this one has the worst villains of the franchise; their decisions were nonsensical, their military-esque characteristics were weird as hell, and I still can't quite figure out why they bungee-jumped from the ceiling during the prom scene. It's not just the villains who are utterly cringeworthy but most of the dialogue, the plot and even Miyagi himself. Morita was great and charismatic as ever, and although Miyagi is again the standout, it often didn't feel like the true him due to the writing. Hilary Swank really does her best here, but the awful dialogue prevents her character from being likeable in most places. There's so many elements of the plot that feel shoved in, with the movie ultimately biting off way more than it can chew. The central romance is underdeveloped and way too instant, the performances are ropey and again, there is basically no karate in this movie. Credit where it's due, there are some really sweet moments between Julie and Miyagi, especially relating to Julie's late Grandfather with whom Miyagi fought alongside. The pair form a lovely bond, and though it's not quite as strong as his bond with Daniel, it's endearing to watch; the dance scene is especially lovely. The monastery stuff was also entertaining, and having the monks come to the city was far more hilarious than it should've been. I laughed a lot, but that was at it rather than with it. It's a misfire and easily the worst of the franchise, but carries some odd charm.
]]>Subverting all expectations and creating one of the most unique horror flicks of the year, Marshmallow is a well-acted film that may not entirely stick the landing, but provides an excellent journey.
Full review at Film Focus Online.
]]>Apparently I'm supposed to find this the weakest of the trilogy, but honestly, I quite enjoyed it. I loved seeing the bond between Miyagi and Daniel develop, and their friendship at this point is incredibly genuine and a joy to watch. The bonsai shop was a fun little 'side quest' for the pair, and Macchio and Morita's performances are at their peak of the franchise here. It's been nice to see Ralph Macchio's acting chops improve as this franchise goes on, as he's become increasingly good at the more dramatic scenes. I like that the 'love interest' was more of a friendship this time around, as it gives us something a bit different whilst proving that young men and women can be friends without a romance needing to be present. I also liked how this entry felt like a more direct sequel to the original, with better focus and interesting set up for what could come next (which ended up being Cobra Kai). The cinematography was also stunning, and features perhaps my favourite shot of the entire franchise (see header). My main issue with this entry is of course the villains, which has been a complaint throughout the entire franchise. Not only do they reach the peak of lacking nuance here, but the performances are quite frankly terrible and the dialogue incredibly corny. It also lacks karate, which is a similar complaint I had with the last one. The first one gets the balance completely right, but the next two seem to forget about the titular sport. I did have fun with this movie, but I can see why many people dislike it. I feel it will turn into a bit of a guilty pleasure.
]]>Expertly told through incredible performances from the entire cast, a moving story and lived-in characters, Bob Trevino Likes It is a triumph.
Full review at Movie Marker.
]]>With satisfying visuals and a good balance of sincerity and humour, this is an amusing and impressive indie flick. However, there’s not quite enough gas in the tank to fill out a full feature, as Future Date loses steam around the halfway mark.
Full review at Film Focus Online.
]]>2025 Ranked
Wes Anderson Ranked
I genuinely believe there is a great film in here somewhere. As always, I was in awe of the visuals, with so many beautiful colours and shot compositions used. I have always been a sucker for Wes' use of symmetry. I also really enjoyed the performances, especially from Mia Threapleton who I can't wait to see more from, and Michael Cera who I have always wanted to star in a Wes Anderson flick. As expected, Cera was utterly hilarious and often the heart of the movie. Benicio del Toro doesn't give a career best performance by any means but is very good here. The humour was my favourite part of this, I have always loved Wes' dry and sarcastic dialogue and find it an absolute pleasure during this movie. It may be his funniest since Isle of Dogs. All of the above being said, I really, really didn't care for the story, and to put it in layman's , I was frequently bored. The globe trotting element is all it has going for it, as the plot itself is very repetitive and uninteresting. As good as del Toro was, his character was dull and incredibly difficult to root for, meaning much of the plot is hard to get behind or care about. The script is quite hollow with nothing to say aside from exploring a mans absence of religion, but that is quite glossed over and underdeveloped. It is always incredibly fun to have an ensemble cast with this talent, but no-one outside of our three leads gets a valuable amount of screen-time, which makes it feel quite pointless. Also, those cut scenes to heaven/purgatory took me out of the story and merely felt like a way to squeeze Bill Murray in there.
I did like The Phoenician Scheme, but due to my adoration of Wes, I wanted to love it.
]]>As a teen slasher, I actually found this pretty serviceable. Firstly, the kills weren't exactly inventive but they were very mean-spirited and gory. Buckets of blood are spilled, and compared to the original trilogy, this one isn't afraid to get nasty. The performances from the young cast are pretty good all round, and it's really fun to have Lili Taylor, Katherine Waterston and Chris Klein as part of the crew as well. Suzanna Son was easily a standout for me, I think she's genuinely great and I can't wait to see her do more. This is full to the brim with 80's needle drops, but I can't deny how enjoyable they all are. It gets away with it quite well because the majority of the movie is set at a dance, and I did enjoy having a sing and dance with our characters. The costuming, hair and make-up was all to a good standard, and the 80's vibe was welcome. However, as a Fear Street movie, I'm massively disappointed. It has absolutely nothing to do with the original trilogy, and genuinely feels like they stuck 'Fear Street' at the beginning of the title to draw people in. The script has maybe 2-3 mentions of the 2021 films and that's about it; it doesn't expand the lore, pay homage or compliment the series in any way. I also found the reveal highly predictable, with my partner guessing it in mere seconds. It really falls apart at the end and winds up feeling so generic and familiar. The beauty of the Fear Street trilogy is that it felt so thoughtfully made and pretty unique - this one is just your standard teen slasher. Watchable, but not memorable. Oh and also, the underutilisation of Ariana Greenblatt is criminal.
]]>What makes Jenny Pen as good as it can be are the central performances from John Lithgow and Geoffrey Rush. The pair are utterly fantastic and both deliver unique turns for their filmography, especially Rush. Working well both separately and together, I was enamored by their dynamic and I don't think this movie would've been half as engaging without them. Gotta love a sadistic Lithgow. I think the real horror of Jenny Pen is what can happen to us when we get older; elder abuse, fragmented memory and a lack of control are just some of the experiences that Rush's character Stefan faces, having his identity and smarts stripped away from him when he becomes 'just another patient'. It also does a great job at building a sense of tension and dread, as despite it being slow in approach, it does have a tangibly eerie feel to it that was making me anxious for what's to come. It mostly takes place in a single location, which is utilised pretty well, and the score/musical supervision was a standout. Unfortunately, I couldn't completely love it because it leaves a few of its most important themes under explored, and that final act was quite lacklustre given the promising build-up from the first two. Taking a generic approach after a promising set-up, Jenny Pen feels repetitive and therefore boring in places, despite the two leads trying their best to prevent this. It's good, but not great.
]]>Didn't enjoy this nearly as much as the first one, but I really liked that this story took us to Okinawa. Mr. Miyagi is the beating heart of the first installment, so having the next one focus on him and develop his character was a smart move. I loved meeting his family and seeing where he grew up, plus the setting is utterly stunning and provides something a little different. I liked plenty of the new characters and seeing Daniel form new relationships and completely immerse himself into a new culture. Daniel's character development was also really good here. Ralph Macchio's performance is great, and he is excellent at delivering his more dramatic sequences. Pat Morita continues to be fantastic as Miyagi, delivering absolutely hilarious one-liners and again imparting his wisdom onto Daniel. There's plenty of nice cinematography and memorable shots/sequences, and the score and soundtrack is fun. However, not only did this feel like a re-hash of the first one, but a weaker one. Daniel gets bullied, starts a new romance and ends up fighting with his antagonist at the movies climax. What's more, there's really not very much karate in here. I don't mind the character development and more of a focus on story, but this needed a better balance with the reason we are here. The first installment managed to provide equal amounts of both, but this one ignored the karate, meaning the fight sequence at the end feels lacklustre. It's still a great watch, but a little clunky.
]]>What a fantastic surprise of a movie. I genuinely recommend seeking this one out to everyone. What starts as a tense, harrowing and moving single location thriller morphs into something far more sinister and ominous, without overstepping the line and still leaving intriguing questions and wonder. Despite not being a horror movie in the traditional sense, Hallow Road is the most scared I've felt in the cinema all year. Rosamund Pike is utterly fantastic in here, leading the film with ease. Matthew Rhys stars opposite and he's also great, and I love how the script developed the couple as it progressed. Having two characters with opposing views stuck in this single location made for such an interesting watch with so many engaging conversations. The cinematography and sound design is some of the best of the year; not only is it playful and inventive, but makes the most out of its small location and only adds to the fear factor of it all. The script has some occasional lacklustre dialogue and I didn't like all of the lines delivered by a certain character who is introduced in the later half, but it's mostly great and aids the succinct run-time. This clocks in at just 80 minutes and every second is used cleverly. Exploring themes of parenthood, the lengths we'd go to for our child and the repercussions that come with shielding/protecting them from outcomes of poor decisions they make, it manages to be a thinker whilst putting forward some terrifying sound design, imagery and dialogue. Bravo.
]]>Liked this one a little less than I ed, but certainly picks up around the last half!
]]>2025 Ranked
Disney Live Action Ranking
One of the better live action adaptations Disney has done for a while. It plays things quite safe as is pretty close to the original, whilst adding in a few new ideas here and there - most work, and just a couple don't. It really helps that Stitch is utterly adorable and hilarious because every time he was on screen, I was having a blast. The CGI on him was great, I love how textured his coat was, and overall he's just as lovable as he is in the original. He's such a fab character that I'll never get bored of. Young Maia Kealoha was absolutely fantastic as Lilo, nailing her cheeky charm and weird and wonderful ways. The bond between her and Stitch was beautifully done, and seeing the pair grow close was the movies best asset. Another element it nailed was the themes; the script really took the time to develop the ideas of sisterhood, grief, loneliness and moving on, not only taking what the original gave us but adding a lot more in to hammer the messages home. The found family aspect was very well done - it took the time to show how even broken families are still family. The location was used really well, characters were more fleshed out (especially Nani) and it had the perfect balance of sun-soaked family fun with its heavier themes and ideas. I enjoyed it, it captured the moral of the story perfectly.
However, some of the additions into the script made things a lot weaker, namely the humour. There's some kids toilet humour in here that does cheapen things, and though they're bound to get a laugh out of its target audience, they do seem silly and unnecessary. There were also a few too many scenes with Jumba and Pleakley, who lack their charm from the original. Their sequences are unfunny and stilt the story, with Zach Galifianakis feeling a little miscast. A couple of the side performances didn't live up to the leads which made them stand out, and the opening sequence on the ship felt rushed and glossed over. There were times in which things felt a bit messy, but it doesn't prevent the movie from hitting home and having fun.
]]>With an outstanding lead performance, good character work and a strong message, Bound is a great indie gem that despite becoming a little clunky in its third act, is impressive nonetheless.
Full review at Film Focus Online.
]]>Rewatch down before the live action remake releases next Wednesday. Forever hopeful 🤞🏻
]]>Does this need to be nearly two hours long? No. Do I enjoy every minute regardless? Yes.
]]>Catching the fiancé up before Prom Queen next week. He is less than impressed, whereas I am having a blast and am liking them even more.
]]>SUBLIME on the big screen 😭
]]>2025 Ranked
Mission: Impossible Ranked
Despite well-choreographed action sequences, tense stunts, and a looming sense of finality that gives things a nostalgic and emotional tone, the heavy exposition and a meandering, clunky plot prevent it from hitting the high notes that a franchise finale should.
Full review at Nerdspin.
]]>My reviews for these movies are getting kinda similar, so first I'll talk about the first two things that stood out in this movie. Firstly - Hayley Atwell. Not saying the franchise necessarily needed it, but she was SUCH a breath of fresh air into this story, and had more chemistry with Cruise in five minutes than he's had with Ilsa Faust across multiple movies. That's no shade to Rebecca as I utterly adore her, but my GOD the sexual tension between Ethan and Grace !! Secondly - that car chase. It's quite easily the best of the franchise, and one of my stand-out moments across all movies entirely. It's incredibly well shot and thrilling from start to finish. Pom Klementieff is a nice addition to the cast, as are Shea Wigham and Greg Tarzan Davis as our cop duo. The existing cast are so damn likable by this point, I love the team aspect and could watch hours of footage of them saving the world. The action sequences are expectedly excellent, not only the car chase but the train scene as well. I've never really been one for big action set pieces, but this movie shows how amazing they can be when done well. My main gripe is the Entity, which carried over into the next movie as well - AI is a very relevant topic, but it feels a little out of place in this franchise. Also, there was no need for it to be almost three hours long. With the plot it's dealing with, things certainly could've been more concise in places.
]]>Okay... this is the one I was most excited to check out and it really, really delivered. I can't deny that the first act was a little slower than I would've liked, but those second and third acts were absolute fire. I already can't wait to revisit this (even with Jeremy Renner's unexplained absence). The plot, the high stakes and intensity, the action set pieces and stunts and the performances were all engrossing and fantastic, I was completely mesmerized by it all. This franchise has never had the strongest villains (bar Philip Seymour Hoffman) but Henry Cavill was great here, delivering his dialogue and action choreography perfectly. Knowing he was the villain going in did make the first act feel like a long wait, but I really like how they revealed him and how thrilling the movie is from then. The core team are as enjoyable as ever, especially Luther and Benji who really are the heart of these movies for me. It feels like one of the more concise entries of the franchise, with a straightforward plot and a run-time that feels 100% warranted. The addition of Michelle Monaghan was so enjoyable, I loved seeing Julia again and the script made it worthwhile. I could go on about all the little things in this movie that I loved, but I'll end on one thing - the Helicopter Battle and the fight scene with Cavill on the mountain. Just wow.
]]>Favourite film, on the big screen? Lives were changed (mine).
]]>This is the first movie of this franchise that I've watched and thought I'm missing something that everybody else seems to be getting. I 100% still enjoyed it, but it felt a little bit bland compared to Ghost Protocol. Rebecca Ferguson is great in the role and certainly has depth compared to other female characters in the franchise, but I found her character way too over-sexualized and it was really distracting. I didn't get much sexual tension/chemistry between her and Cruise. I also found the story a bit of a drag in places, it often failed to get me hooked in, and the ending was a little underwhelming too. All that being said, I still had an absolute blast whilst watching. The opera sequence was absolutely incredible, and all the action scenes and set pieces are as well choreographed and entertaining as ever. Ferguson is a great addition, but the stand-out for me in this film was actually Jeremy Renner. Tom Cruise is just fantastic in this role, and at this point in the franchise, he's created such a likable lead in Ethan Hunt, perhaps the best character of his career. The humor dotted around the script works well, there's plenty of stylish and thrilling moments, and that plane stunt deserves all the praise it gets. The smaller sequences are just as good in my opinion, showcasing what Cruise can really do, especially that pole stunt which left me in awe. Not a high point of the franchise, but certainly not a low point either.
]]>Still sulking that Cineworld didn’t put Moonrise Kingdom back in cinemas, but ecstatic that I got to see this one <3
]]>Loved seeing this in the cinema ahead of the new instalment as a double bill. It holds up sooooo well.
]]>2025 Ranked
Horror Master List
Final Destination Ranked
With a great new cast of characters, applaud-worthy and inventive kills, and just the right amount of story, Final Destination: Bloodlines is not only a worthy addition to the franchise but one of the best ones.
Full review at Nerdspin.
]]>If this film solidifies anything, it's that it is truly impossible to guess Nicholas Cage's next move. The Surfer is a weird, wacky single location thriller that certainly has its moments of fun and intensity. Cage is completely up to the task, delivering a really strong performance that demands quite a lot from him. The ing cast are impressive for the most part too, though this is largely a one man show. It's anxiety inducing and hard to watch in the best way possible, as so many avoidable and ridiculous situations face our character in a tiring yet entertaining way. The beach location is utterly stunning, with superb filmmaking that really elevates it. The cinematography in particular is fantastic, full of bright colours and really making things look as idyllic as possible. It really made me want to hit up the beach. This perfectly contrasts the plot which gets dark as hell at times. I definitely think things could've got crazier and more unhinged given the weirdness to the plot, and the messages it tries to portray are underexplored. That being said, it was a fun and entertaining if overly long watch that doesn't cement itself as one of the best but is worth checking out.
]]>This will always be a franchise favourite.
]]>A solid adaptation of the novel that birthed it, Clown in a Cornfield is worth checking out for its performances and switch-your-brain-off enjoyment, but doesn’t stand out as one of the genre’s best.
Full review at Movie Marker.
]]>Watching all these movies for the first time, pretty much back to back, I was worried I'd start getting them confused with each other. However, I will always Ghost Protocol as 'the one with the epic Burj Khalifa stunt'. I've heard people talk about this for years, but I didn't expect it to win me over this badly. The action pieces in all of these movies are great, but this genuinely had me heart pounding out of my chest, forgetting to blink, in utter awe. Just wow. The humour in this one really stood out too, which is huge props to Simon Pegg who fits into the team and narrative so seamlessly. I was expecting to find his character a bit of a hindrance, but I really like him. That hallway scene was a lot of fun. Tom Cruise continues to be great, and the addition of Jeremy Renner is a really welcome one. It slows down quite a bit during that final act which prevented it from topping 3, but I appreciated how it managed to avoid convolution and entertain me greatly throughout. The reason I have avoided this franchise is because I thought it would confuse me, but I’m so engaged within every plot and it explains itself perfectly with minimal jargon. I am absolutely loving this franchise.
]]>This is easily my favourite of the franchise thus far, and it's not even close. I know the rest of the franchise will be an absolute treat, but there's things in this one that'll be hard to top for me. Namely, Philip Seymour Hoffman as the villain. He was absolutely fantastic in the role of Davian (as expected), stealing every scene he was in and massively improving upon the villain that the second instalment gave us. Thanks to J.J. Abrams, the style re-introduced was also an improvement, with very slick action sequences and eye-catching cinematography. Michelle Monaghan as the love interest was simply fantastic; not only did she have excellent chemistry with Cruise, but I really rooted for their relationship and was quite crushed by the outcome. I certainly didn't come to this movie for the romance, but it was one of my favourite elements. Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg and Jonathan Rhys Meyers were all super impressive, and I can't wait to see more from Pegg as the series progresses. The scores to these movies are always impeccable, but it really stood out for me here. I just had such a great time with it and it's made me really excited for the rest of the franchise. That bridge sequence is an all-timer.
]]>Superbly acted and jarringly raw and realistic to the core, Withdrawal offers a harsh look at drug addiction through expert filmmaking.
Full review at Film Focus Online.
]]>I was highly anticipating this release, and though it didn't quite live all the way up to my high expectations, I had a great time with it. I loved spending more time with all these characters, and seeing this rag-tag group come together was as much fun as expected. My stand-out was easily Florence Pugh, who absolutely stole this movie and gave such a layered, complex performance. Lewis Pullman as Bob/Sentry was another highlight, and I genuinely can't wait to see more of him. The bond formed between Yelena and Bob was great. The story itself was quite familiar, but the discourse surrounding mental health, emotions and loneliness was such a refreshing addition to the MCU. The 'void' being a depiction of depression and how this can completely take over was nicely done. All this pairs nicely with exciting and entertaining superhero action that we know and love, with plenty of comedy and humour that lands. Having Valentina as the main villain also worked a treat, as she has been built up in previous works and not speedily introduced. My main gripe, aside from main body of the plot itself feeling very familiar, is the surface level discussions - I really wanted more from the script at times. It also did more than one character a HUGE disservice, with genuinely mind-boggling decisions at times. I really enjoyed this, but it's not quite my favourite entry into the now concluded Phase 5.
]]>Well, I was pre-warned thoroughly that this was the worst entry in the franchise, so I can't say I'm surprised to have not enjoyed it. A massive step down from the first instalment in story, performances and most importantly, style, MI II is a confused mess that really lacks what made the first so special. What made it so egregious to sit through was the amount of slo-mo used; I genuinely, wholeheartedly believe that the run-time could've been 15 minutes shorter at a minimum if less slow motion was used - I wish I was joking. Tom Cruise was fine, despite not really resembling the Ethan Hunt we know and love, but the side performances were super weak. His chemistry with Thandiwe Newton was a let down, and the mish-mash of accents throughout was jarring and distracting. The plot itself was unnecessarily convoluted and incoherent, and relied far too heavily on the mask technology that it became a hindrance rather than misdirection. I didn't care for anything that was happening, and struggled to root for anyone. I would be lying if I said I didn't have some dumb fun with it, and as always it has some entertaining action and stunts, but I was genuinely shocked at how different this was to the remainder of the franchise.
]]>Competently acted with commendable filmmaking on display, Salvable is a gritty crime drama that doesn’t pack the punch it tries to due to a weak storyline.
Full review at Film Focus Online.
]]>Boasting strong performances and an entertaining amount of scares, Until Dawn is a fun theatre experience, though the weak story prevents it from being much more than that.
Full review at Film Focus Online.
]]>It’s actually insane how poor this one is compared to the rest of the franchise.
]]>Didn’t know I needed this. Fantastic continuation of this story!
]]>every movie released in 2025 that I have seen, ranked from most to least favourite.
...plus 58 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.
]]>all movies from the jurassic park franchise, ranked from most to least favourite.
]]>all episodes of Black Mirror ranked from most favourite, to least favourite.
...plus 23 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.
]]>all feature length films directed by Jordan Peele, ranked from most to least favourite.
]]>all feature length films directed by Robert Eggers, ranked from most to least favourite.
]]>all movies from the DCEU, ranked from most to least favourite.
...plus 6 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.
]]>all feature length Spider-Man movies, ranked from most to least favourite.
...plus 4 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.
]]>every MCU movie ranked from most to least favourite. pretty flexible. not including series.
...plus 26 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.
]]>a working list, will be constantly changing as time es. will remove films as they release.
...plus 15 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.
]]>ranking every movie from the Karate Kid franchise from most to least favourite.
]]>all feature length movies directed by wes anderson, ranked from most to least favourite.
...plus 2 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.
]]>films I need to rewatch.
...plus 15 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.
]]>ranking every entry of the Fear Street franchise from most to least favourite.
]]>one genre to rule them all 👻 a mixture of ratings, but I think all are worth the watch.
...plus 418 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.
]]>ranking all Disney live action adaptations from worst to best. the only one I’m yet to see is Mulan.
...plus 11 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.
]]>every final destination movie ranked from most to least favourite.
]]>every movie from the Mission: Impossible franchise, ranked most to least favourite.
]]>every Star Wars movie, ranked from most to least favourite.
...plus 1 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.
]]>ranking every horror movie I’ve seen that’s based on a video game, from most to least favourite.
]]>every feature length movie directed by Coogler, ranked from most to least favourite.
]]>every movie released in 2024 that I have seen, ranked from most to least favourite.
...plus 208 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.
]]>every movie released in 2023 that I have seen, ranked from most to least favourite.
...plus 141 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.
]]>every movie release from the year 2021 that I have seen, ranked from most to least favourite.
...plus 167 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.
]]>all feature films directed by Osgood Perkins, ranked most to least favourite.
]]>every movie from the conjuring universe thus far, ranked from most to least favourite.
]]>every movie from The Lion King franchise, ranked from most to least favourite.
]]>all Saw Franchise movies ranked from most to least favourite.
]]>every first time watch during spooky season of 2024, listed in the order I watched them. date watched in the notes.
find 2023’s list here.
29.09.24
02.01.24
07.10.24
07.10.24
08.10.24
09.10.24
09.10.24
10.10.24
10.10.24
11.10.24
...plus 12 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.
]]>all feature length Alien movies, ranked from most to least favourite (not including AVP).
]]>All three entries of Ti West’s ‘X’ franchise, ranked from most to least favourite.
]]>every movie release from the year 2022 that I have seen, ranked from most to least favourite.
...plus 151 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.
]]>every movie ive seen released in 2019, ranked from most to least favourite.
...plus 122 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.
]]>all feature length movies directed by Radio Silence (excluding anthologies they’ve worked on), ranked from most to least favourite.
]]>all feature length films directed by Alex Garland, ranked from most to least favourite.
]]>all Godzilla/Kong movies since 2014, ranked from most to least favourite.
]]>every movie from the Scream franchise, ranked from most to least favourite. please note that I love all of these a lot!
]]>all freddy features, ranked from most to least favourite.
every 2020 release I’ve seen, ranked from most to least favourite.
...plus 124 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.
]]>every movie from The Hunger Games franchise, ranked most to least favourite.
]]>every first time watch during spooky season of 2023, listed in the order I watched them. date watched and review in the notes.
find 2022’s list here.
18.09.2023
WOOO that kicks off spooky season and what a solid start! Scouts Guide is a dumb, fun zombie flick that just aims to have a blast and provides the audience with schlocky action and non-stop antics. Tye Sheridan and Logan Miller give really good performances and are just so likeable, it’s hard not to fall for their charm. It has decent amounts of both horror and comedy, definitely providing more of the latter, but it does have some fun kills and tense moments sprinkled throughout. The humour didn’t always work for me and is very 12-year-old-boy in its use of dick jokes and the likes, but there were a few moments that I chuckled at. It’s lighthearted, bright, flamboyant and cheery, a perfect watch for early spooky season as we transition from summer to autumn. It’s opening scene definitely sets the tone, and I think it was pretty great. The humour is questionable, the script is often dumb and it doesn’t do anything special, but the right audience will have a laugh with it.
19.09.2023
Mostly watched this as I love Kirsty as a final girl and I wanted to see more from her - she was just as excellent this time around, and it’s worth it for her alone. I also love Clare Higgins performance in this franchise as Julia, so I was pleased that she had just as big of a role to play in this one. I always like when a sequel takes the characters from the original and does their story justice, and Hellbound definitely does that - I enjoyed both of our leads arcs. All in all, the plot isn’t as cohesive as the first instalment but I thought it was good enough to 90 minutes. It amps up the campiness which is always fun, and there’s some decent moments of gore. Similarly to my thoughts on the first movie, I really wish the cenobites were more front and centre as I think they’re this franchises most unique and interesting idea, but they are severely under-utilised, especially Pinhead. This is definitely Kirsty and Julia’s story and I don’t necessarily mind that, I just wished for more cenobite moments. I would probably opt for the first one or last years remake over this instalment, but I still enjoyed what this one gave us. Campy, gory, horny and interesting.
20.09.2023
Final Summer attempts to pay homage to much-loved alumni of the camp slasher sub-genre but fails to bring anything new to the table.
Full review at Film Focus Online.
26.09.2023
Oh Kaitlyn Dever, the woman that you are! Her ability to deliver such a fantastic performance that was mostly silent is worth commending, she is a great lead who adds another outstanding turn to her already solid filmography. The lack of dialogue throughout the film is a really nice touch, definitely increasing the fear factor and isolation. I also ire how the script managed to develop Dever’s character through showing rather than telling, a trait in movies that I always prefer. The horror elements were pretty fun, the balance of alien and home invasion feeling fresh and unique. The design of the aliens was really well done, providing plenty of freaky imagery throughout. I liked the cinematography and think they utilised the setting to its maximum potential. The sound design was utterly fantastic and paired with the overall aesthetic of the film, made for a pleasing watch. After this and Spontaneous, two really smart and different horror outings, Brian Duffield has certainly proved himself as a director to keep an eye on.
The first two acts were so solid, but the third went into territory that I didn’t enjoy which ruined the ending for me personally. Despite understanding what it was going for, I wish it was kept simpler. It also had a few pacing issues along the way and felt repetitive in a few scenes. There were a couple moments where I was I engaged and willing for it to move on, especially when doing something it’d done prior.
29.09.2023
Combining terrific performances, thorough character development and plenty of gut-wrenching gore, Saw X becomes the best sequel of the franchise to date.
Full review at Film Focus Online.
01.10.2023
Despite the bad reviews, I felt compelled to kick off October with a Rob Zombie flick; it might be bang average, but it undeniably got me into the spooky spirit!
Zombie is a director that I don’t have much experience with, but I find really interesting. 31 was a mixed bag that I mostly got enjoyment from. The tone is so gritty, gnarly and violent, feeling as raw and grimy as his other flicks. The performances all round were pretty good, but the obvious standout was Richard Brake who commands the screen every time he is present. From the opening monologue, I was obsessed with his portrayal as Doom-Head. It’s set on Halloween which is a spooky season bonus, and it’s carnival-esque characters and themes are a lot of fun. It felt equally as absurd as other Zombie outings, never afraid to get bloody and violent and showcasing a slew of awful villains. I love the grind house feel it has, and some moments felt very Rodriguez.
My main issue with most Rob Zombie films is also true here - the dialogue. Not only is it incredibly basic but every sentence seems to need to include a curse word. There’s only so many fucks I can hear before the shock value of using them profusely has officially worn off. I also liked the 70’s vibe with the costume and music, but found this didn’t really translate once the main characters had been kidnapped. Furthermore, the film was definitely bloody and violent but I was actually expecting more from that. It often cut away before providing the money shot, meaning that a lot of the gore was implied and the editing/framing stopped us from seeing everything.
02.10.2023
I’ve had this on my watchlist since it came out, and I wasn’t sure if it would be for me - what a fool. Cargo is light on the horror but does something so intriguing with the zombie sub genre that feels quite rare. It falls into some of the usual traps, as expected, but mostly manages to avoid them by becoming a heartfelt, emotional and inspiring take. The lead performance from Martin Freeman is fantastic, and his chemistry with the young Simone Landers is just phenomenal, I loved watching their friendship and trust blossom. The ing performances are just as good as the leads, with a lot of underrated talent in here including Caren Pistorius and Anthony Hayes. It has elements of survival, dystopia, adventure, fatherhood and zombie horror, combining them all together well with good character development, cinematography and makeup/effects. It feels very human at its core, making for a harrowing watch. At times it struggles with its pacing due to its repetitive plot, and a few dumb decisions are made along the way.
02.10.2023
I didn't realise this was a remake/reimagining of A Tale of Two Sisters before I pushed play, and now I'm annoyed that I didn't get to that first... nevermind. The Uninvited was intriguing to start with, sucking me in with it's solid performance from Emily Browning and it's eerie, uneasy tone. The tone is consistent throughout the whole movie and it's the most notable feature by a mile - it felt very creepy and make the audience feel like something wasn't quite right. The performances are fine, the mystery does enough to keep you invested I dug the overall look of the movie. That's about where my enjoyment ends. I love movies that have twists, but this one was so predictable and I guessed it within the first 20 minutes, which was such a shame. The twist at the end is quit intriguing, but it get's silly quickly which is likely to ruin it for many. The horror aspects are so weak and feel forced in, it definitely would've worked better as just a drama/thriller, as those areas were more competent. The attempts at jump scares and gore were abysmal. It was only 87 minutes long but felt much longer, dragging in places, which was especially heightened by the fact I knew where it was going. It had a lot of potential, but it's mostly boring and bland.
03.10.2023
Over the moon with how much I loved this, and how much of a blast I had. It's B movie excellency, mixing trashy silly goofiness with genuinely fantastic set and costume design to create something so memorable, likeable and imaginative. The movie is just utterly gorgeous to look at, with excellent costuming for our klowns and some of the most vibrant, colourful and original set design I have seen in ages. Going inside that circus tent for the first time is simply magical, I already want to rewatch it for that alone. The tone is of course ridiculous and wacky, as it's title promises, and is full of laughs. On the flipside of this, there is still something menacing and eerie about it, and the klowns do look frightening. It has so many key, memorable moments, full to the brim with 80's cheese. All the actors fully understood the assignment and delivered exactly what was necessary, and it was fun to see John Allen Nelson in here. The acting wasn't necessarily good, but it was perfect for what was needed. The short, snappy 88 minute runtime is utilised well, with great pacing and a consistently intriguing plot.
This inordinate amount of trashy cheesiness won't be for everyone, and it doesn't provide enough horror to appeal to fans who are looking for that alone. It also has aged pretty poorly in some aspects, which is to be expected. However, with the perfect balance between comedy and sci-fi scares, eye-catching colours and memorable sequences, it's not the 'so bad it's good' movie that I was expecting, but a genuinely good one.
03.10.2023
Holy shit this was incredible - if you’re looking for a found footage hidden gem this spooky season, The Bay is a fantastic one. It takes a while to get going but is full of suspense, and the documentary format is a great way to see the story unfold. It cleverly merges its social commentary with found footage genre tropes, to make something that feels very unique and fresh. It’s scary in a harrowing way, as it feels so real and like it could genuinely happen in real life. The way the disease/parasite is dealt with by the authorities and covered up is just terrifying, and it’s message is even more important today. The performances from all involved are genuinely believable and it’s often easy to forget you’re watching a bunch of actors. It’s horror and practical effects work very effectively, with plenty of body horror and gore to satisfy your horror craving. It’s thought provoking and clever, leaps above other entries into the subgenre. The use of music wasn’t my favourite, and I occasionally wished it was more thrilling to pack a slightly bigger punch. The characters weren’t always particularly likeable and I wish some were developed a little further.
...plus 25 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.
]]>every movie from the Hell House franchise, ranked most to least favourite.
]]>all solo directorial features from Greta Gerwig, ranked from most to least favourite.
]]>every movie from the Insidious franchise, ranked from most to least favourite.
]]>all feature length films directed by Ari Aster, ranked from most to least favourite.
]]>every movie from the fast and furious franchise, ranked from most to least favourite.
...plus 1 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.
]]>all feature length movies directed by edgar wright, ranked from most to least favourite.
]]>all five movies from the Evil Dead franchise, ranked from most to least favourite.
]]>all four John Wick movies ranked from most to least favourite. all great movies.
]]>all nine of Tarantinos movies, ranked most favourite to least favourite (probably subject to change).
]]>all four of the incredible movies directed by Damien Chazelle, ranked most to least favourite.
]]>