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I didn't think I watch this one again in cinemas since it's opening week but what the hell, had my older brother this time who didn't expect much of it but I am gonna be frank and honest:

This movie has grown on me.

Is it that because of the wild audience interaction that trended, is it cause of the odd casting lead of Jack Black and Jason Mamoa or is was it because of it's fanbase? I don't know honestly but I can pick its flaws like lackluster plot and odd B storyline, it's humour that can be cringe and the over-reliance references to the sandbox game with Black yelling or screaming what it is or what he is doing. But I dig it's very nice and authentic production value and scale and the visual effects are decent for CGI.

It's goes up from 2 & ½ to a 3 out of 5 from me, it's still one of the worst films I've witnessed but it's not taking the stinker crown home. The audience this time was calm but I did quote it's lines and sang along about chicken and lava.

Watched at Reading Cinemas 📽️

Southern side America 1930's, black music, Irish music, gore, vampires and soul.

On my 2nd watch, this is still a freaking masterpiece of filmmaking of 2025. I gotta remind myself to listen to the soundtrack when I'm chilling at home or driving.

Watched at Reading Cinemas 📽️

What a way to conclude a franchise with the build up and establishments the previous film and installments, with more than enough scope and scale on offer, Tom Cruise and company pull off an extraordinary action ride that kept me hooked and gripping my seat.

The script itself serves well, the direction is great, the action again is fantastic when it kicks in and for a 3 hour movie it's pacing was right and never slowed down at all.

This is a movie that is not only the best for the Action genre for this year but for the year overall among others and yet to come, and please for the love of God, go see this on your nearest IMAX cinema as there are sequences that are just phenomenal in the format.

Watched at IMAX Cinema Sydney 📽️

A very touching, endearing and beautiful story about the closeness of friendship and how a relationship can make an impact. No dialogue present but just beautiful 2D animation, music and emotion to tell this story that comes from the heart.

I also liked how it's set in the 80's of New York and showcases the lifestyle, people and culture it has.

It's a film I can definitely recommend to watch.

Watched on Prime Video 📺

One of the best action flicks from the late 90's and indeed one of the best works from John Woo, and not forgetting the absolute bonkers performances of the legendary Nicolas Cage and John Travolta who both mimic their character's personas and bounce off from each other when shit hits the fan.

The film knows that it's not taking itself seriously with its premise of a face swap between good and evil and absolute carnage and destruction from it's action sequences, absolutely no doubt about it but I miss these old days of action films that I had in my child days.

Watched on Blu-ray disc from Touchstone Home Entertainment 💿

An absolute wild action ride in cinema!

John Woo's action packed film about a cop going up against the Triads in a quest for revenge for his cop partner's death and within it another cop undercover trying to bring it down. They cross paths and go through chaos to bring down the baddies in spectacular fashion.

Excellent action sequences with bullets, explosions, damage and style galore, the plot is great with enough time and pacing and not a sight of early CGI.. all practical stunts and effects baby.

Had the chance to see it finally in its 35mm print and accompanied with a live band composing the jazz score. The experience was phenomenal.

Watched at Ritz Cinemas, closing film of Fantastic Film Festival Australia 📽️

Had a fun time with this latest installment of the FD franchise, it was nice to return to the world of haunting death premonitions and grisly gore in this well shot and written horror that oddly reminded me of a horror movie that came out a few backs about deaths, something to do with a monkey 🐒 😉

With solid deaths and gore on order (though the CGI touches are noticeable), subtle humour, character work that isn't too deep and a good pace, FD: Bloodlines makes an innovative wild ride that will definitely satisfy the fans of the franchise and gore hounds.

Still... seeing Tony Todd one last time on screen hits hard and I appreciate the filmmakers made an honourable goodbye to him and to honour his presence in the franchise and in horror in general.

Watched at Reading Cinemas 📽️

My 2nd watch finally with the finale coming in a few days and my ticket booked for it set for the IMAX screening, this still holds up excellently thanks to its thrills, action scale and riviting pace. Final Reckoning has now got a big risky job to pull off a grand finale and bring this excellent franchise to the finish line.

Watched on 4K Ultra HD disc from Paramount Pictures Home Entertainment 💿

Refer to my Original review here from my first watch at it's Sydney Premiere.

A classic of its time, a musical road trip origin story of The Muppets that has plenty of clever meta jokes, excellent puppet work and cameos that are done with great effect. I think Rainbow Connection is a song that places a spot on my heart and often gives me tears of joy.

This one is a close favourite for me for the franchise, there's no other movie that can capture the spirit in today's modern films but prove me right or wrong.

Watched on DVD from Walt Disney Home Entertainment 💿

An absolute wild ride of epic proportions I thought I never witness, it's crude, never holds back and pokes fun at the Disney tropes in this over the top adult animated comedy.

Plot itself; two teens go camping in the woods and prepare for the next base of the relationship, meanwhile inside of the male teen, sperm prepare to race to 'valhalla' while going through places they dare to go.

The animation is great throughout, it's music and it's songs are catchy and pace wise was quick and never slowed down.

Spermagedon is definitely aimed for a mature audience, with plenty of sexual puns and , humour that will get you laughing in gross and awkward moments but it does have a soft side to make a point on safe sex and to enjoy the gift that life gives us in adulthood.

Watched at Ritz Cinemas 📽️

A fun clown slasher that pays a well homage to the slasher subgenre, with fun pokes at it's tropes and delivering some great gory kills in a reasonable pace.

The acting range throughout is good and the cast seem like they are having fun especially. The direction is solid, cinematography is great and there's no shortage of fun campy horror fun with this one.

Watched at Ritz Cinema as part of the Fantastic Film Festival Australia 2025 📽️

I honestly enjoyed this one, it makes an improvement over the storyline, action and character chemistry and tone. Affleck again is great and his partnering with Bernthal brings excellent buddy work and nice touches of humour at times, even the tone feels better this round and isn't as heavy gritty.

It does take a slow pace throughout but it handles well to deliver an entertaining sequel that is worth watching. I found it better than the first one, and I'm hoping that a 3rd instalment is considered down the road.

Watched at the Sydney preview screening at Event Cinemas 📽️

I won't go into detail or spoilers but this one is a definite watch while hot fresh in cinemas. Ignore the trailers for a best fresh mind when you see it.

Excellent across the board in direction, writing, cinematography, production and the music here is incredible throughout. Michael B Jordan in the dual performance role is worth watching and lastly you gotta stick to the end credits, believe me folks. The film mixes genres and pays off effectively, so I can see how some reviews say or mention that it's unique.

I know Nosferatu was already my leading contender for best film for this year so far (us Aussies got it on New Year's Day weeks after the other half of the world had seen it) but I feel Sinners has dethroned it and it's one I'm willing to see again in future (even in IMAX and was shot in the format).

Watched at Reading Cinemas 📽️

This is one spoof film I've never seen but only heard of it since it's from the same team behind the Naked Gun trilogy and Flying High. Quite on point with the war/spy genre and delivering jokes left, right and centre.

Val Kilmer is perfect as the Elvis like singer caught up on the comedic espionage and the ing cast also deliver great comedic timing. It's hard to pick the best joke of the film but the Bookstore scene just takes the victory of it, comedic genius in this scene.

Top Secret! is a cult classic that I wished I had seen years before but glad it has got recognition over the years.

Watched on Foxtel On Demand 📺

A wild action ride take of Strangers on A Train mixed with a multi layered plot, visually appealing production, a cast of talented people and bloody action set pieces.

It's not perfect but upon rewatching it, I still get some satisfaction out of it.

Watched on 4K Ultra HD disc from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment 💿

Finally got on to this one after recommendation of it a few years ago, The ant is a confident and solid action thriller that packs a good slow paced story, interesting characters and while it's not a heavy driven action flick, the sequences of it are done with effective choreography and never to over the top, sticking to its thriller tone.

Ben Affleck plays his part well, me being someone with a similar but more in control condition he does the spectrum respectfully but I think sometimes that movies can't fully grasp it right, no offence but filmmakers need to ensure that they don't take the spectrum to odd or unfamiliar territory. The side casting handle their performances well as well, it was a bit of a surprise to see Anna Kendrick in this when I'm more familiar with her in comedies or other genres.

Overall, a decent film that should be checked out for a nice night in. Curious now to see how the sequel goes when it has gotten some early good buzz and I'm one of the lucky few to see it very soon at a Sydney premiere screening.

Watched on Blu-ray disc from Warner Bros Home Entertainment 💿

One of my favourite Mann films thanks to its excellent villain performance of Tom Cruise who is often playing as a leading action hero, it's soundtrack, tension it sustains and the fact that the city of Los Angeles plays like a character of landscape that has so much beautiful cinematography of grittiness and darkness.

The story itself is simple and effective; Max a cab driver working on night shift takes in a simple man named Vincent on 5 stops he needs to go, unavailing himself as a hitman to needs to takedown targets and using Max as his hostage and driver to get his objective done.

This is one wild ride that still packs style and tense grittiness.

Watched on 4K Ultra HD disc from Paramount Pictures Home Entertainment 💿

I honestly enjoyed this one.

A great concept of a creature feature that captures the tone and dark comedy aspects, explores it's characters in the right way and the effects work and gore delivery pays off very well.

Not negatives to go deep into but it does take a bit of time for the unicorn killing spree to kick off but at least it took time to get there with again character intros and development, the acting from the cast too is excellent along with the direction and script.

Watched at Reading Cinemas 📽️

This one was something, a mixed bag of things I liked and somethings that I think could have been better. I dug the visuals and sets of the Minecraft universe, definitely captures the look and feel of the game but it's kinda downgraded with a generic storyline that has no real purpose and character development.

I think Jason Mamoa definitely delivers a great performance, Jack Black just yells his lines and breaks out singing at unnecessary times but he seems to be having fun in the role.

I did not expect the audience to be so interactive with the film, with yelling and throwing popcorn but come on people calm down, it's just a movie. I've been better behaved audiences from various MCU films and horror movie screenings.

I didn't hate the film overall but it's one I would watch again in future.

Watched at Reading Cinemas 📽️

Definitely delivers on the production scale, trippy visuals, practical effects work and the theme of man vs machine. Hardware is indeed a cult classic that you love or hate but for its low budget, time of release and being the debut of director Richard Stanley it makes an impact nonetheless.

It does take a bit of time for the robot killing spree to kick off but when it does, it's a wild and bloody ride.

Watched on Brolie 📺

A pretty solid follow up for the Dirty Harry franchise, it amps up on the action slightly and has a good time in delivering plot, action and character. The longest of the franchise, it does go a bit overtime to get to the final act but again it's action sequences make up for the wait.

While it doesn't top over the superior first film, this sequel has overtime become more noticeable with fans and audiences and easily falls in 2nd of the rankings.

Watched on Blu-ray disc from Warner Bros Home Entertainment 💿

One of Eastwood's best roles and the film itself, Dirty Harry packs tense street action, a thrilling plot, jazzy soundtrack score and well drawn pacing to deliver a classic cop thriller that still holds tight to this day.

Eastwood would continue to reprise the role of Harry in 4 more sequels but it's sad that it hasn't been brought back or revamped for today's modern audience, I for one would like to see it back but without Eastwood but have his blessing and honour for it.

Watched on Blu-ray disc from Warner Bros Home Entertainment 💿

Took me sometime to get onto this one, was hesitant to watch it due to the negative reception and so many people comparing it to the original classic with the late Brandon Lee, but this wasn't as bad as I read but I will give it credit for trying to be its own thing.

Bill Skarsgård is a good actor and I did like his take on the main character, while the appearance isn't as iconic as Lee's it works fine in this one, visually it is nice with the mixture of dull colours, well shot and while the action isn't as frequent it is definitely gory and darkly brutal when it needs to be and the Opera fight sequence was entertaining at least. I think they didn't do much with Shelly and her actress didn't seem fit for the role but at least Danny Huston hams it up with his baddie lead but there is not much character development on offer.

Is it as bad as people say when it came out last year? I would say no but at least it was just able for time killing but it's not superior to the original but it is own thing and again it gets that credit to make it .

Watched on Prime Video 📺

One of the weakest Statham films I've seen to date, while it has some solid action moments it suffers from overstuffed characters, pacing that was slow and a rushed ending that makes the same mistake as Beekeeper.

The action again delivers the positives for the film, especially in the climax and Statham does try to show and maintain his tough guy persona.

Not the worst film of the year, but it could have been done better.

Watched at Reading Cinemas

Absolutely loved everything about this animated romp.

It captures the craziness, humour and storytelling of Looney Tunes and the animation throughout is beautiful and captures the faithfulness to the many animators of the original era of the franchise, even the voice work felt it has heart, character and delivery. Even throughout, I was noticing it even trying to see the nods and references to the golden era of the toons and caught some nice references.

It's a shame it hasn't got much promotion for its cinema release but I say go and watch it, especially if you're a devotee of the crazy cartoons like myself.

Watched at Reading Cinemas

A firearms deal goes bad and results in a long shootout between the parties involved, while the concept is fun and tense when it needs to be it does loose some steam in sections but never losing the great cast performances of Oscar winner Cillian Murphy, Brie Larson, Sharlto Copley and the semi-cancelled Armie Hammer to name some.

There is great camera work in use but it's the sound mixing and editing that is a literal banger, the plot and character work is minimal but the idea of a long dragged out shootout in a 1 hour and 30 minute film is intriguing.

Watched on Blu-ray disc from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

This truly is the worst film I've seen this year.

The dwarfs look terrible and have no real personality, the songs are so bad and painful to sit though and the changes made were utterly ridiculous, even for Snow White.

When it comes to performance, Gadot was terrible and wooden as fuck but it was laughably bad from her, I wasn't laughing with the film but at it, she's definitely not convincing me that she is a dominate threat to the 'heroine' but man for Zegler despite her tarnishing on the original masterpiece and political views she did try a little bit doesn't change my perspective.

At least I had a free ticket so no money was wasted on this trash, but I've sat through it and now can say that it is bad. At least my thoughts on the Little Mermaid remake are looking to be re-evaluated.

Fuck you Disney for making this shit.

Watched at Hoyts Cinemas

This film is a landmark of its time, the first Disney film ever created to establish itself as a production company, setting up a legacy of animation films to follow and the first animated feature film of its kind, establishing and sets up the essential expectations of animation and storytelling to an audience young and old.

Having only seen this one on a very small amount of times, this one is still beautiful to behold and ire for its simple story, characters with personality, music, the detailed humanistic animation and the effort that was put into this feature film that would make a big impact on the industry itself among others and wouldn't change animation till the 1990's.

The 4K restoration is beyond beautiful and just cuts close to perfection of its animation and details, the team behind the restoration deserve an applause for making the film look amazing from its era of release.

It's a shame that Disney had made a remake for modern audiences of today, stuffing it with changed agendas, political correctness, overstuffed CGI that it's uncanny and it's leading actress tarnishing the original masterpiece and the people who made it, establishing controversy that has so much hate going for it. I for one am trying to convince myself to not wanting to see it, but I think Disney deserves not make a profit on an refurbished remake that didn't need to exist. Maybe if I had a free ticket to use but again it would be a waste to use it on it.

Forget the remake and just watch this original masterpiece forever, the disc itself is worth for a place in the movie collection.

Watched on 4K Ultra HD disc from Disney Home Entertainment

Truly a masterful animated classic from the early era of Walt Disney, a story of hope, dreams and love that brings this fairytale to life and never fails to deliver for anyone young and old.

The animation here is beautiful along with the voice work, music and pacing, the 4K restoration is a definite disc to get for 4K Ultra HD format as Disney steps up the game beating the past old Blu-ray disc as they worked from the film source to give it a fresh coat of life, no sign of DNR in use compared to the Blu-ray, the film has never looked stunning since it's time of release.

Watched on 4K Ultra HD disc from Disney Home Entertainment

Easily one of Kevin Smith's best, the comedy consistently delivers with laughs and quotable lines but the romantic plot also is done very well with heart for its two leads (Rogen and Banks) even for a Smith movie.

The 'frosting' joke still slays me with laughter 💩😂🤢

I swear it has been years since I watch it since late high school but recently one of my favourite podcasts Marathon Me covered this one with Smith's filmography but it made me eager to rewatch it.

One that I can definitely recommend for a light me up for a few laughs or with that special someone.

Watched on DVD from Roadshow Entertainment

A no holds barred revenge actioner that packs a solid build of character work for its first half, before kicking in to bloody action in its excellent second half, with blood and graphic kills that helped earn this film it's hard R classification here in Australia.

The high praise for this one goes to it's action sequences, not since The Raid films and the John Wick franchise has there been brutally amped up hand to hand fight sequences so tense and gory. The direction is solid thanks to Xavier Gens's (Hitman and various episodes of Gangs of London) eye for action whilst balancing a good plot, the fact that the action is saved to later deserves the reward as we get a rare glimpse of our leading hero and his backstory.

One to watch for the action lovers out there but for those who loved the already mentioned action franchises.

📺 Watched on Prime Video

This was a rough watch, not just cause of its exploration of DV but it's tone changes, it's terrible dialogue and the real life ongoing court fuid between Lively and Baldoni. The film tried to take the moments of DV to be serious (but it does show its effect without going to overboard) but it's moments of the romance that felt cheesy at some points and with the controversy of the alleged treatment of some of the cast, tone deaf promotion to a serious subject matter and the alleged sexual harrassment and intimidation between its main leading lady and the actor/director made this a very messy watch.

Not too mention it was too long and dragged slowly at times, you wonder how many recuts and alternative versions that took place (again, look at the list of its troubles online). The only positives I can give was it's acting at times, some of it worked but there are flaws randomly.

This was one on my list, now finally watched, I ain't going any further on it but man... I'm on the fence with this one.

📺 Watched on Prime Video

One I have seen before back at its time of release, it doesn't hold up to the goodness of the first one due to its drift off in the 2nd half but again, the 3 leads deliver effective comedic performances and some belly laughs but it's no laugh riot.

💿 Watched on Blu-ray disc from Warner Bros Home Entertainment

Haven't watched this one in a long time but it still remains a decent fun time, a good handful of funny moments and quotes and the dark comedy aspect of planning to murder bosses.

The 3 main actors (Bateman, Sudeikis and Day) share hilarious comedic timing and bounce off each other very well and while the fact of the alleged true stories still taunts his legacy, Kevin Spacey is still as funny in his devilish role and we get some funny Jamie Foxx and steamy Jennifer Aniston in the mix.

💿 Watched on Blu-ray disc from Warner Bros Home Entertainment

An intriguing mix of A Quiet Place, The Last of Us Part II and biblical horror, Azrael is an entertaining mix of horror and action that features no dialogue, facial expressions and no translations, just a simple story of survival and what comes when the end of the world is upon us.

Samara Weaving as always gives her best, no stranger to the horror genre but her facial expressions and physical commitment in her role made it worth it. I didn't expect the film to be gory as either with the excellent make up effects.

💿 Watched on Blu-ray disc from Umbrella Entertainment

Pretty solid film that packs a really good narrative structure in a different way, good twists that fit well and the two performing leads of Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner (from the Smile franchise) are a really outstanding throughout the film.

Best to go in blind or as little to no knowledge as possible on this one, very good film that deserves the attention it got thanks to its acting, suspense and fun structure.

📺 Watched on Prime Video

An excellent thrill ride of suspense, tension and not having to rely heavily on violence and shock value to tell a story.

Dennis Weaver gives a great performance to his filmography as a man who just drives on a cross country trip to seal a deal but to only encounter an unseen intimidating trucker and his vehicular weapon that stalks him to near brink of insanity.

Duel is one of those films that needs to be seen and is one notable for the debut for acclaimed filmmaker Steven Spielberg, his direction, pacing and way to tell a story was a stepping stone here before he got even bigger with one of the greatest shark movies he would helm around the corner.

📀 Watched on 4K Ultra HD disc from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment

Delightfully devilish Mr Perkins!

A great adaptation of one of Stephen King's short story with a great dual performance by Theo James, a great story with themes of life and death, gory as hell kills that are brutal and hilarious and very dark humour that gets a chuckle or two.

One of the best King adaptations in quite sometome and one of my favourite horror releases this year. Osgood Perkins, you done well.

Watched at Reading Cinemas

Due for a 2nd watch with The Monkey out in cinemas this week, Osgood Perkins's erie, dark and stylish serial killer thriller still has my same thoughts as my first watch. Excellent in the direction, cinematography and acting, but it's slow pace and the somewhat mixed ending kinda downgrade the expectations this watch.

It's marketing still feels overhyped at its time of release, it still feels more like a thriller than horror but Nicolas Cage is as insane in this one, but not to his levels of Face/Off and Mandy insane.

I get a feeling that The Monkey might win me over with the positive stuff I've been reading, but I know it's different from this one but Perkins still has potential to thrill me.

Watched on 4K Ultra HD disc from Roadshow Entertainment / Black Bear Entertainment

I enjoyed this one, definitely liked the leads and the mixture the romantic comedy with the slasher sub-genre. The kills and gore were definitely brutal and has some nice make up work, and adding as well the jokes delivered a couple of good chuckles (even when one of them is a reference to the Fast and Furious franchise).

The direction is pretty solid and confident throughout along with the script, but my only complaint was the usual killer reveal clichè, quite predictable when it comes but it's end delivery was somewhat good still.

A fun love themed slasher that has comedy, acting chops, gory bloody kills and it's another movie to watch for Valentine's Day next year with My Bloody Valentine.

Watched at Reading Cinemas

I was slow to get on board to watch this one, but I actually enjoyed this one for being something different for a slasher film. We get a perspective of the killer thoughout the whole film (walking included) and the backstory of his demise while we get only small doses of the victims he slaughters.

Very slow paced for a movie running at 1 hour and 33 minutes, but it is rewarding for its practical and graphic kills that gained a hard R (especially for the yoga scene) and the nature scenery was beautiful to grasp on screen. The rating just gets 3½ stars due to the dragged out ending as it could have been trimmed a bit, I get the metaphorical meaning but at least it ended with a good wrap up but could have been shortened maybe.

Definitely enjoyed it overall, I get that people say it is slow and boring but liked the kills but I give it credit to try and be something unique to refresh the slasher sub-genre. Sure can't wait for the sequel already confirmed that is going ahead.

If you're a Dead Meat fan like me, be sure to watch the Kill Count video they made on this one.

Watched on Blu-ray disc from Shudder

2nd rewatch and this still holds up to my first thoughts. Very entertaining in spectacular ways and fashion, with excellent action sequences, great performances from the leads and especially the stunt people who do the impossible.

One of the memorable unexpected fun films from last year, it's a shame that it didn't get a big victory at the box office.

Next watch, it will be the extended cut.

Watched on 4K Ultra HD disc from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment

Truly riviting, a slow burn film that packs tension, well directed performances and the fact that it's based on true events makes this a tough watch. Directed by Justin Kurzel (Snowtown, Nitram) and it's script by Zach Baylin (Gran Turismo, King Richard), this combination is a winner that results in a gritty violent film.

Nicholas Hoult is definitely getting more and more recognition, his performance here is truly one of his best to date, Jude Law as well gives his bloody best.

One not to skip but I can see why it can't be seen in a cinema due to its political context.

Watched on Prime Video

A classic of its time thanks to its humour, delivery and the cast. Some of the jokes on offer won't fly today in this modern world but it still gets a chuckle from me.

Watched on Blu-ray disc from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment

Not as terrible as some people have said, but it's alright for what it was. Direction is good, acting is a mixed bag but it slows down at parts as there's not much to do towards the climax. I would change a few things to make it more tense but Wahlberg could have shaved his whole head rather than the top section.

Not a bad movie but it could have been released to a streaming service.

Watched at Reading Cinemas

This is was gripping, dark and raw but yet so well directed and acted out. The true event itself is horrific and thankfully it is not shown but this deep study of the now jailed killer himself showcases how fragile people can be but a must watch for how much harrowing effect it has on our history.

The performance of Caleb Landry Jones is a mixture of pure horror, tension and really really deep raw humanity. While I do hate the real life figure he portrayed, the actor gets no hate from me as he truly nails an effective performance. The side cast as well are so well directed as well, among the beautiful cinematography and locations of Tasmania.

Not an easy watch but damn.... this puts me now in a very very grim mood to gather what I saw.

Watched on Blu-ray disc from Man Entertainment

I read a fair amount of mixed opinions of this new take of a classic monster, but in all honesty it wasn't bad nor disappointing but it does have some excellent direction, sound work and excellent performances from a small tight nit cast but it suffers from predictability and a slow pace that may put off those who wanted a body count pile up.

It's not too bad, it does make its own take of the horror figure but adds some character development and good use of suspense. It's creative combination of body horror and survival made this take something interesting.

It's not better than The Invincible Man but it's not as bad as some make it to be. A bit of a slow burn ride but it's one I would consider watching again when it hits physical media or streaming.

Watched at Reading Cinemas

A classic of it's time, the original days of horror may look tame to today's standards but you gotta that people would have been freaked out to bear witness the folklore of the werewolf and to not go out alone at night.

Nice production design and make up work for its time, the acting is good throughout, The Wolf Man of 1941 still stands as one of the greats with Dracula, Frankenstein and The Mummy.

I wonder how Leigh Whannell's take will deliver?

Watched on Blu-ray disc from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment

With director Leigh Whannell's 3rd feature film Wolf Man due to arrive next week in cinemas, another Universal Monster character to be adapted to the modern day, it was time to rewatch this excellent revamp of The Invisible Man that mixes sequences of tension, visually appealing presentation, character and the real life issue of domestic violence and control.

Elizabeth Moss here is truly at her very best, there's never a moment in the film that she misses a mark but her delivery of a fragile woman coming from a very abusive relationship and having that sense of dread follow her is excellent and is one of my favourite horror movie performances to date.

The music score, camera work, pacing and script are indeed great and it brings this invincible man adaptation to levels of excellence. With Wolf Man now, I hope Whannell delivers that one with the same level but daring to go to darker places.

Watched on 4K Ultra HD disc from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment

My 2nd watch finally and it still holds up excellently! This is probably the best DP movie to date thanks to its inclusion to be part of the long running and expanding MCU, it's never hold back on the meta humour and 4th wall breaks, frantic and bloody as hell action segments, cameos and nods and finally... the much anticipated, long awaited and worth it in the end... the team up of Deadpool and Wolverine.

The acting all round is fun and the cast knows what type of movie they are in, the direction is solid from Shaun Levy, the script is fine but fun and the music range is good on offer. There's not much negatives to give but I wished they gave the villains more to do but at least they are the best in offer to the DP trilogy to date.

The 4K disc itself delivered the goods for sure, offering both Dolby Atmos and Vision and both pack a punch on sound and picture quality (do I sense a demo disc for consideration for the format?).

Still probably one of the best offerings of the MCU since Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3 and I have yet to rewatch that one still but I ain't ready for another emotional hit in the feels (no really, GOTG3 got me in tears multiple times on first watch).

Watched on 4K Ultra HD disc from 20th Century/Disney Home Entertainment

A lookback and ranking of the Mission Impossible films, it was tough to pick the best ones but I base it on what it offers, featured and what took me off my seat and mind.

• Mission: Impossible – Fallout

  I still have a soft spot for that amazing climax, it definitely kept me tense and Henry Cavill is probably the best twist reveal.

• Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning

  This here is how you do a conclusion to not only a 2 part story but for the franchise as a whole.

  That submarine and crop duster plane sequences in IMAX have never made me felt so tense and anxious.

• Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation

  Dug the introduction to The Syndicate, the action and that car chase sequence... 😘👌🏻

• Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning

  An excellent part 1 of a climatic story, with build up on offer with the characters and the train sequences are so bloody worth it.

• Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol

  Climbing the highest and tallest building in Dubai, keep me sweating.

• Mission: Impossible III

  This one saved the franchise following the crash of M:I 2, great action sequences throughout and the climax was riviting.

• Mission: Impossible

  The one that started it all, small scale on the action but was more of a thriller until the climax comes by.

  The wire hanging heist is a definite classic still to this day.

• Mission: Impossible II

  Happy that we got Australia to have a M:I movie made and set here but man what a drag on the story and some questionable styles even though John Woo is a definite master of the genre.

  Nice to see some old cars we had in the early 2000's, the Fords and Holdens back then are now known for hoons.

• Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
• Sinners
• The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie
• Nosferatu
• The Monkey
• The Order
• Clown in a Cornfield
• Death of a Unicorn
• Heart Eyes
• The ant²

...plus 36 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

The recap of the Final Destination franchise in the lead up to the sequel Final Destination: Bloodlines, they are ranked from best to worst.

1. Final Destination 5

   My top favourite FD film of the series to date. Here we get another excellent pre death vision but set on a bridge, the visual effects here are done well with great mixture of practical and CGI combined and the death sequences that follow are all great and tense with some grisly gore work (especially the gymnastics set piece).

   When we had suffered with no character development or likeability from the past films, we get rewarded with some great characters and development this round and the performances too are done well (props to the guy that looks much like Tom Cruise, but funny enough he actually portrayed him in the spoof film Superhero Movie).

2. Final Destination Bloodlines

   The most gruesome of deaths in the franchise, a great opening sequence and an innovative storyline made this one close to being one of the best FD films to date.

3. Final Destination 2

   A sequel that kicks up the world of FD to new levels, leveling up the deaths, gore and creativity in the death game. The highway crash premonition sequence is probably the best pre death vision of the series, with a ton of great stunt work, practical experience and the deaths that follow are brutal.

   It does suffer from the character development on offer and some being so generic or underused but at least Tony Todd was a reoccurring actor for the series visually and vocally.

4. Final Destination 3

   This used to be my 2nd favourite of the FD franchise but after seeing its flaws it's goes to 3rd. The character range here is not much, very generic and cliche (especially for the year it was made) but we get a likeable lead here at least since the originals were already taken out from the 2nd film.

   Not saying that it's terrible but thanks to the visually tense rollercoaster death vision sequence, the deaths including the memorable tanning bed death sequence and the performance of Elizabeth Mary Winstead it is still a fun film.

5. Final Destination

   A good soild horror that introduces the concept of death and the errie way it can happen at the least unexpected. Some good characters here and there but not fully developed but the cast performances make up for it, the fun death sequences but they aren't super gory as the series goes into as it progresses and lastly Tony Todd... we all miss you badly.

6. The Final Destination

   The worst of the FD films.

   Not much to say on positives but the death sequences were very cartoonish but so much reliance on CGI here, the characters are often seen as dicks, racists, dumb and not redeemable even when the dialogue is clunky and laughably bad.

   There's not much to say on story but again it doesn't go far but rely on the same tropes.

• Snow White
• Flight Risk
• A Working Man
• A Minecraft Movie

• Madame Web
• Borderlands
• Rippy
• Joker: Folie à Deux
• Road House
• Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
• The Garfield Movie
• Harold and the Purple Crayon
• The Crow
• Megamind vs. the Doom Syndicate

...plus 2 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

My stats of the films I watched, rated and ranked in 2024

1. The Substance
2. Dune: Part Two
3. Deadpool & Wolverine
4. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
5. Better Man
6. Grounded II: Making The Last of Us Part II
7. Alien: Romulus
8. Civil War
9. The Fall Guy
10. Monkey Man

...plus 30 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

My best movies of 2024

1. The Substance
2. Dune: Part Two
3. Deadpool & Wolverine
4. Better Man
5. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
6. Smile 2
7. Alien: Romulus
8. The Fall Guy
9. Civil War
10. Monkey Man

...plus 11 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

Ranked

1. Mad Max: Fury Road
2. Mad Max 2
3. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
4. Mad Max
5. Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome

1. Alien
2. Aliens
3. Alien: Romulus
4. Prometheus
5. Alien Resurrection
6. Alien: Covenant
7. Alien³

Recap of the franchise in prep for The New Empire

• Godzilla
• Kong: Skull Island
• Godzilla: King of the Monsters
• Godzilla vs. Kong

My picks for what I'm eager and anticipated to see in 2023, hoping to see the majority of them in cinema but who knows what this year has in store.

1. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
2. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
3. Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning
4. Talk to Me
5. John Wick: Chapter 4
6. Babylon
7. Oppenheimer
8. The Creator
9. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem
10. Barbie

...plus 11 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

Missed out on the Big One again in Melbourne, but at least Sydney gets a bite of the horror action this time of year.

• Suitable Flesh
• There's Something in the Barn
• Time Addicts
• When Evil Lurks
• Bloodmoon
• The Emu War

What I watched leading up to Halloween this year, won't do 1 per day but I'll squeeze in a few original classics, 2nd rewatches and first time viewings

• The Sadness

  Rewatch

• The Exorcist

  Rewatch

• The Exorcist: Believer

  First Viewing

• The Final Destination

  Rewatch

• Final Destination 3

  Rewatch

• Child's Play

  Rewatch and only my 2nd time (finally)

• M3GAN

  Rewatch

• Smile

  First Viewing

• Carrie

  Rewatch

• Pet Sematary

  First Viewing

...plus 19 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

Not to be taken as the best films for the year, but these are my predictions of films that I feel that may surprise me and my expectations. May see a trailer or not for them but if the buzz is good then I'll try it out.

• Talk to Me
• Barbie
• The Creator
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem
• The Whale
• Beau Is Afraid
• Renfield
• Cocaine Bear
• M3GAN
• Strays

...plus 1 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

Hello Letterboxd,

I want to play a game. This game involves time, verdicts and possible picks of favourite deaths and installments of the franchise. To get through it all before the 10th outing arrives in cinemas, you need to watch all films in order to re-learn what the multilayered plots have and link to the very source for the infamous franchise that gave birth to a new subgenre for horror. Oh yes I forgot to mention... there will be blood and plenty of it.

Let the game begin...

• Saw

  What a way to to kick off not only the franchise, but a debut in filmmaking that even the Australian film industry rejected.

• Saw II

  At this point on, it's gore, violence and map of revelations and twists.

• Saw III

  One of my favourite sequels for the series, it has character work flaws but this is by far the goriest installment of the franchise.

• Saw IV

  The slow pace of this one is my latest favourite, it has gore for sure but it's not OOT like the previous

• Saw V

  Back to basics on this one, more gore and brutal traps, stupid character decisions and some unbalanced performances.

• Saw VI
• Saw 3D
• Jigsaw
• Spiral: From the Book of Saw
• Saw X

1. Texas Chainsaw 3D
2. My Bloody Valentine
3. Silent Madness
4. Flesh for Frankenstein
5. House of Wax
6. Amityville 3-D

Watched and racked from best to worst

1. Raiders of the Lost Ark
2. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
3. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
4. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
5. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

Name a successful action franchise that never loses the plot, has plenty of bad arse stunts and action sequences and have a 'welcome back' to one of the living legends of today?

• John Wick
• John Wick: Chapter 2
• John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum
• John Wick: Chapter 4

The best feature films for the year

1. The Batman

   A dark, gritter and more intense take on the beloved Dark Knight, feels more like a Fincher thriller than your typical superhero movie. With an excellent casting along with Robert Pattinson nailing perfection as the lead, a worthy solid script with pace, development and tone perfected and some amazing small scale action sequences that are tense and choreographed with ease, this highly rec<span style="font-size: 13pt;">ommended viewing</span>

2. Everything Everywhere All at Once

   A wild, insane adventure with science fiction, martial arts and a heart in its core centre.

3. The Northman

   Flawless masterpiece

4. Top Gun: Maverick

   Buckle up and hold on, this is worth the long wait and anticipation

5. Jackass Forever

   When there's still ongoing problems in the world, it's grand to see that the older Jackass crew can still pull off insanely hilarious, gross and absurd pranks and stunts. Never a dull moment and best enjoyed with an audience or friends with some alcohol, this is Jackass's best outing to date.

6. Barbarian
7. Elvis
8. Ambulance
9. Nope
10. Bullet Train

    Visually appealing, nods to Guy Ritchie and violent when it needs to be, Bullet Train is a ride that doesn't hold back.

...plus 14 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

The line up for this year's festival, a few ones I'm eager to see but may not see them all due to a already planned out holiday break.

• Christmas Bloody Christmas
• The Price We Pay
• On the Edge
• Subject
• The Cost
• The Tower
• Mad Heidi
• Ribspreader
• The Offering
• Friday the 13th Part III

...plus 1 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

Here's my list of films watched or to be watched for spooky October, some first times, long awaited rewatches but will probably get more watched on a weekend basis than a day. They are ranked in order of watch not by favourites.

1. The Evil Dead

   The Evil Dead is a truly authentic and cult classic for years and will always have a spot in my physical media collection and my heart.

2. Evil Dead II

   With an emphasis on horror but with a dose of black comedy on a slightly higher budget, Evil Dead 2 is truly a defining sequel that has moulded the franchise into what we know and love about it.

3. Poltergeist
4. Suspiria
5. Demons

   An excellent flick that packs some awesome make up effects, a blistering soundtrack, gory kills and the often funny English dubbing over foreign actors.

6. Halloween

   An essential watch for the spooky season but one of the best works from the mastro John Carpenter. Excellent tension and it's favour for it over gory details, likeable performances and the birth of 'Scream Queen' Jamie Lee Curtis.

   With Ends due for release in cinemas, it's going to be a bloody finale and I'll probably rewatch it's original sequel and the recent two that follow directly from this one.

7. Halloween II

   Not a bad sequel for its time and it felt like this was the only sequel I liked following the original, until the 2018 one surfaced and took the title win.

   Amped up more on the kills and blood but not loosing it's style of filmmaking, this wasn't bad at all and the sequels that followed this one I hadn't bothered to see but this one had gotten more appreciation thanks to Dead Meat's Kill Count video.

8. Halloween

   Not bad for what it was, very grim and brutal but it is doing it's own thing.

9. Halloween

   An excellent comeback sequel to the very original, with nods to the franchise, solid character work and some amazingly bloody kills.

10. Halloween Kills

    A not as bad sequel that packs the bloodier but more brutal kills, tension and a great music score but this affected by the typical character cliche's, dumb choices and a plot that really doesn't bring anything new.

...plus 8 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

With the much anticipated Resurrections arriving soon across cinemas, it's time to take the red pill and go back down the rabbit hole to re-watch this trilogy, it's been a couple of years since my last watch but does it hold up to today's expectations?

• The Matrix
• The Matrix Reloaded
• The Matrix Revolutions

My best flicks of 2021
A few delayed thanks to the pandemic but some on time, this year in film has been better than last year.

1. Zack Snyder's Justice League

   Probably my favourite film for the year! This extended and preferred version of the troubled production of DC's epic superhero team was worth the hype it had gotten from it's fanbase and definitely improves greatly over the mess from Josh Whedon. With an expansion on both character work and plot, improvement on visuals and the action sequences and expanding what could have been an awesome extended universe under Synder's direction if only the studio executives hadn't intervined.
   
   Only downside that it wasn't a cinema release here in Australia but this was accessible via online streaming service but then it got a proper 4K home media release in which improved the picture and sound presentation.

2. Dune

   Incredibly beautiful on the big screen, sounding amazing with its mixture and editing and all the while having a massive production scale of world building, character and music. Can't wait for part two.
   

3. The Suicide Squad

   An absolute wild ride and the better version of DC's superbaddie group, with humour, gory violence, style and a cast of talented performances this one was worth the hype.

4. No Time to Die

   An epic sendoff to the current era of Bond, amazing on the action spectacles but well done on the plot and character work.

5. Spider-Man: No Way Home
6. Last Night in Soho

   A great flick, I dug it's production value, cinematography, music and the beautiful leading actresses. Not up there with Baby Driver but still worth a watch for Edgar's venture into the horror thriller genre.

7. Nobody

   This one was a fun watch. A slow build up in its beginning but this gives us the character building and introductions before then we are driven through some awesome action sequences that pack some serious punch and fire power.
   

8. Wrath of Man

   An excellent action-thriller that packs a smart plot and directon. It's slow build up to its violent climax is worth it as the plot and character work combine to tell a story of vengence within a heist senario.
   
   My regret was missing it in the cinemas but it's home viewing was worthwhile despite no 4K release.

9. Godzilla vs. Kong

   I had a blast with this one, sure the character work and plot ain't bold or new but at least the visuals, music and monster action sequences are loud and proud for this no brainer epic.

10. Cruella

    This one was my 'unexpected treats' for 2021, had very low expectations for it but went to see it with a friend who I thought would like it as her cup of tea but I was surprised how great it was. Great performances especially from Emma Stone and Emma Thompson but it's direction, style, music and both it's production design and costumes are worth the praise.
    
    A better live action Disney flick since The Jungle Book.

...plus 7 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

1. Casino Royale

   An excellent reinvention of the iconic British spy thanks to its leading man, eye on action that is brutal and kentic, beautiful cinematography, engaging music score and while having a plot that keeps you in. The film's title song is by the late great Chris Cornell of Soundgarden and Audioslave and is definitely a tune worth listening to and suits perfectly for the film.
   
   Probably my favourite of the JB franchise and proven to me that Daniel Craig is not your dad's James Bond back in the heyday.
   
   5/5

2. Quantum of Solace

   A bit weaker than Casino Royale but at least it continues from the story, it has a plot that isn't as engaging as much but it has some decent action sequences and solid performances but still I feel this is the weaker installment of the Craig Bond series.
   
   2.5/5

3. Skyfall

   What a return to form following QOS, a strong confident directior Sam Mendes crafts in what I consider to be neck to neck with Casino Royale the best Bond flick. The plot itself is great that has effective character work that expands and reintroduces some old characters from the past of the franchise, beautifully amazing cinematography by the legend Roger Deakins (Blade Runner 2049, No Country for Old Men), excellent performances from Craig, Bardem, Dench and co. and the solidly constructed and choreographed action sequences that has an excellent opening sequence and the climate battle in its third act.
   
   5/5

4. Spectre

   Just about completed the current Craig Bond Recap in time for No Time To Die tomorrow and this outing isn't as bad as I ed. It has a good enough story with some cliches but the tie in to Spectre and the relation to the other villains and events is a worthy touch, not perfect but a nice reveal. The action again is entertaining as along with the cast, cinematography and direction. Sam Smith's vocals for the film's title song is great too but not overthrowing Cornell's song from CR.
   
   4/5

5. No Time to Die

   What a grand finale for the Craig Bond era, today is release day in Australia at long last and boy was it worth the long long wait. I won't give away any spoilers but all I say is that it's amazing on the scope and scale, acting, action set pieces, character work and the music score is perhaps my favourite of the year (thank you Hans Zimmer).
   
   The runtime is a little overlong but it's never a dull moment and plays out perfectly.
   
   5/5