Reviews

Giving this an 8/10 rating

Been a while since the last film by writer, director Jeff Nichols. Worth the wait. A compelling true events tale of a bike club in he 1960's America, and it workings and the life of a bike gang.

Jodie Comer, Austin Butler and Tom Hardy are front and centre and you just have to sit back and watch what they get up to, mostly really crazy stuff, and very, very personal, as the lives of them and others get changed, forever.

Michael Shannon is in this too, as he has been most, if not all of Jeff Nichols films, and he has a great time, Mike Faist, who was last seen in 'Challengers' has a very big role, but is it from his point of view, that we are told this story, as it's based on the real life work of data collected by the character he plays, here. You get all sorts of encounters, all of which are driving the movie towards an ending, the right ending?

The movie poster is quite rubbish, but this film is a good one, yes there is violence, but not glorified, just what happens, happens.

Giving this an 8/10 rating

A touch over long and a bit muddled at the start, this is a grand film, very brave too. Set in the American frontier at the start of the civil war, this western is really full of cast and the different multi layered stories start to weave into place in just after the first hour, and the flow is kept at the right pace, and good amount of action, helps it from never being boring.

Never really expected Kevin Costner to get back into a western, or write and direct again, but he does, Jon Baird and Mark Kasdan, also head up writing duties and deliver a very good film. This is the first part of the tale, but do you get the sense that is there a true evil in this film, as the many points of view are really written well, with good acting, plus the sheer opens plains of America, you must pay close attention.

It is worth the watch, the start is a uneven, but bear with it, and watch, as part two is a month a way.

Giving this an 6/10 rating

Gets above 5 because Russell Crowe is good, as is David Hyde Pierce, Chloe Bailey is great, Adam Goldberg plays quite the unlikeable man in this, and it's really the performances that are good, the film is not enough, and at least it does have some good horror in it, as in a few good deaths, effects are good, it uses light, very well.

The set up is fine, the film is played out into day sessions, and Crowe's character goes deeper into the hell hole. It's not really that scary, but again, you have good acting but nothing really else that helps you feel that this is been done before, More needed on the characters and story please, think this might of been a rush job to get this one out, it's a disappointing film, not worth the trip unless you watch the trailer and it suits you.

The other big problem is that he played this character that is so similar in 'The Pope's Exorcist', a few months back, and a sequel is coming for that, go watch that instead of this. Like I wrote above, some good acting is why I gave it a 6 instead of a 5.

Giving this an 6/10 rating

Revenge film set some where. An incident happens and blame is passed falsely which leads to tragedy, and a young woman sets off in search or answers and justice, in the very, very, very slow moving narrative which looks very beautiful, but really lacks movement and does not give you back enough in the time spent with it.

Yes, there is magic, but it's so subtle, you really don't notice it, that needed more flair, as the film needs more of this too. Well acted, great idea, looks and sounds fine, but not fine enough for the run time, that needed trimming,

Valentina Véliz Caileo is in very frame of this, and she is very good, watchable, and I just wish the film did a lot more, just was empty and really needed more to it. A shame, not rubbish, but not good enough.

Giving this an 8/10 rating

A high rating as this is just pure acting masterclass joy, Anthony Hopkins is a jolly and quite direct Sigmund Freud, who squares off against the haunted, Matthew Goode who plays C. S Lewis in this tale of a day between these two men, and Anna Freud played by Liv Lisa Fries, backed up with fire by Jodi Balfour who plays Dorothy Burlingham and Orla Brady as Janie Moore.

Freud and Lewis face off and recount bitter memories which are shown as dreams and flash backs, which add magic to the already sparky atmosphere between the two, the film has a great charm to it and these sequences really do work and are needed so that we understand the grief, suffering and motives of the main players, how Freud protected himself and his family, and his way of working.

There is a bit action as it covers the two world wars, and you do learn quite some things about a few famous people in the written word world. The director is Matt Brown, and works hard to make good use of the run time which is long, but does not feel long at all. It crams a lot in, but what is there, is well crafted. I really was impressed by this, it could almost of been a short series on TV, which, I do think it probably was, but so glad it did not be. Very happy with this.

Giving this an 7.5/10 rating

Many thanks to director Benjamin Brewer and writer Mike Nilon for delivering a really disturbing and great survival horror, which Nicolas Cage, Jaeden Martell and Maxwell Jenkins star, with very subdued, but splendid performances. Sadie Soverall is the leading lady in this and also has a great time too as she adds humour and light, as this is a dark tale of the end of days.

Cage plays a father who struggles with the very worst life situation that has given him and his two sons, who are growing and have their own wants as teenagers do, but can't really have, as the day to day life is do what you must to live.

Don't let the poster or the trailer put you off this, the horror creeps slowly and then really does bite you, and it is very horrifying, the creatures they face, are nothing but terrific and monstrous, some of best in ages, deaths follow and blood, chaos, erupts in the very best way for this film. This is what you demand of horror, be horror! And it's under two hours, lean and straight to the point, even with the plain colour palette and production design, which all suits the tale of all is lost or not lost? A surprising treat of a film.

Giving this an 8/10 rating

This brilliant film is in the cinemas now, I watched it in one, this really caught me off guard, in a good way. Adapting these big Japanese characters is a very difficult task, and almost all fall, but thankfully, they decided to do this animated, and spend time on story and character. The animation, by ILM (Industrial Light and Magic) is best there is this year.

Three good animated films, this week, they are 'Inside Out 2, Deep Sea' and this. What a week for cinema! The directors Shannon Tindle and John Aoshima have done a clever looking film, some very good cinema photography and clean direction, makes things very pleasant. Shannon Tindle and Marc Haimes write a family story with three points of view, and you can debate on who is the real evil is, in this, so you can agree on motives or not.

To be clear, you don't have to know anything about 'Ultraman' to enjoy this, the design is sharp and colourful, dialogue is not wishy washy, and a great cast is held together by a soundtrack that punches along. A great watch in the cinema.

Giving this a 7/ 10

Out today is is this rather good true life tale of what can happen when you throw your life into leaving your home country and moving else where. And it's not easy, it's hard as anything.

An music promoter is not having any luck in his home country and decides to move out, chance everything, on a new life in another country, America. The results are not for those thinking of moving and chancing your life, it's hell, and I am amazed at the ending of all this, as it does make this film worth a watch, even if it can be very cheesy at times, writers and directors Richard L. Ramsey and Joel Smallbone, spare us nothing on the suffering that the family goes through, and really stick to their hopes and dreams, which uplift this film, making you want to watch this until the very end, well, I did.

Daisy Bets is the actor who keeps the film watchable, as does Joel Smallbone, both carry this film and are just perfect. Kirrilee berger is captivating and you care for world view. This film is a strange one, for a summer film, but it shows what can come out in this period and be a sit down and watch. Watch all the trailers before you go on this one, before you go.

Giving this a 8/ 10

Another good Disney film that is doing the rounds, is this, true life tale of a sheer bravery and showing the world what you can do. In 1926, Trudy Ederle, attempts the hard task of swimming the English Cannel, which, as the film points out, will and has taken many lives in the process. And swimming is can be a very dangerous sport, no mistake about it.

Another film based on a book about a person, nothing new here, but the film itself is nothing short of marvellous in it's acting, from Daisy Ridley, who really commands the screen, Tilda Cobham-Hervey and Stephen Graham, really do deliver some excellent work along with Jeanette Hain, who is the backbone of the film.

Director Joachim Rønning, gives us these pale blues and greys though out the movie, only with some dashes of colour of life, outside the water, done masterfully, from a very good story and script from Jeff Nathanson and Glenn Stout. There is no shying away of what is at stake in this film, and showing it, which is super brave on all accounts, let alone making a film like this come out at summer time, as it is way different to what is showing right now, and better for it. A another fine film for summer 2024.

Giving this a 8/ 10

This film from China is nothing short of magnificent in looks and story, although it does get a little lost a bit, just like a another Chinese animated film that came out earlier this year, 'The Storm'. I saw the trailer for this, must be 3 years ago, so I was looking forward to it, and it does not disappoint.

Xiaopeng Tian and Fabiola Stevenson, have given us really one of the best looking films out there, let alone animated film of the year., again another film for IMAX, if you can catch it. The story of a girls misfortunes of good and bad luck, depending on your point of view, and the dubbed version which I saw is very good. You really do get some great characters in this film, and some of the best production design on an animated film for a while, such vivid colours and music.

The only flaw is the narrative does lose it's self a bit, which is a shame, otherwise this would be an 8.5 rated film, but 8 is very good indeed, and I am seeing it again, The films ending really makes it worth the watch, a real good pay off. Don't get much animation from China, so go see this.

Giving this a 8.5/10

Best Pixar film in a good while, just as good as the original. As the poster shows, new emotions and new adventures for Riley and the emotions inside her head. But really, everyone has these problems, no matter the age, so that makes it work, and the jokes are jolly good, some crazy humor runs through the film, despite the craziness of life nowadays.

The action really does not stop much in this one, as the screen gets filled up by the colours of inside and outside life, perils and wonders, more peril than anything as the mind, sanity of poor old Riley gets well twisted up, again. It flies by at a good pace and feels other refreshing, which is hard, for most films at all, let alone a sequel. IMAX of this will be good if you can do it, quite sure the lungs of the actors were well and truly used up on this. Another five years for the next one, which must a theme of love, for sure.

6/10 for this western based love story, written and directed by Viggo Mortensen, it's a visually great looking film but the characters and story just don't really grip at all. And feels very long and gets long in the tooth. Acting is good, but can't save the sloth like action, a disappointing film, not the worst out there this month, but worth the trip, maybe not. Viggo, I think, can make a good director, and the music, also by him, works well, but the story, just did not do much for me, and this is the first of the western film genre films, coming out this year, not the best start, who will go see this film??

Giving this a 8/ 10

Next chapter in the continuing story of the apes, this one is set hundreds of years later from the last film, so all new cast, all new everything, but humans are still, just as stupid.

The film takes it pace and explores it's characters and the landscape with great skill, and is a very great next step in the right direction, not only in the story, but in the look too. I think this is one of the really best looking films out there and IMAX, if you can do it, is a must.

West Ball directs everything good, not rushing us about, and the action is splendid, so we also enjoy some real good acting along with the great script by Josh Friedman, Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver.

Owen Teague is really good as our new hero, and Kevin Durand, last seen in 'Abigail', is just as good, if not better here. Freya Allan, Neil Sandilands, Sara Wiseman really add more excellent acting, all must have had a tough but good time on this film, and it a gem, that shows, if in the right hands, you can do a good series of films. Another good solid summer film.

Giving this a 8/ 10

This film is just pure entertainment, on a very high level, and just pure fun and some great comedy too. The story is proper good, it moves along with with such a fast pace, the main leads of Gosling and Blunt, fire off each other, thanks to the great writing by Brea Pearce, and funky direction by David Leitch, who draws out the very best of them, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Winston Duke and Hannah Waddingham, just dive right into the great characters they play and have a blast.

The action, the stunts are pretty much near perfect, not just drown in, but drive the love story/ crime narrative, as crazy as it is, all the way along until the very end, and even that is funny. 'BulletTrain' was nothing but anarchic fun, like this, but no swearing, so it's more family friendly. Very much a film that must be seen on the big screen, as the stunts are just fantastic.

Giving this a 7/ 10

Based on Graphic Novel from 10 years ago, I found this film very sweet and simple. I feel that the look will put everyone off, but don't let the character designs put you off.

The cast includes Sam Neill, Anna Torv, Remy Hii, Tim Minchin, and Jillian Nguyen and the lead. Loads of fun I hope they had, as the players are all super weird and quirky, but in a good way.

The story is very simple and aimed at kids, but the themes of loss, the environment, gambling and revenge, carry through the movie are very adult. There is nothing that will offend anybody, and the art design and sound is very colourful, it's all very good, short too. Just needed more on the story and this could be a real classic of an animated film. It's a great film that does work in the cinema.

Giving this a 7/ 10

I know nothing about Amy Winehouse, other than she sang, and died young, that's it. So this was an eye opener of a great film. Director, Sam Taylor-Johnson, does a very good job on what must be the most toughest music star biopic, has she did not have a good time from what is contained in this film, but that does not mean it's not fun at all, there is good humour to be had and the film is beautiful and full of vibrant colours and settings.

Marisa Abela really is a true knockout as, Amy, and she can sing, move and dress the part, which is never easy, as you can't really ask the person you are playing, since they died way back. Eddie Marsan and Jack O'Connell do not waste their roles and along with the ever great, Lesley Manville, I got a great feel of the cast and the story, as tragic as it may be, the music is brilliant and with Nick Cave and Warren Ellis musical touch, it is way up there.

I would give it a higher rating of 8, if I knew much more about Amy, so I could compare to what is true and is been hyped up for dramatic purposes. So this is still very good entertainment, that I really enjoyed in Cineworld Superscreen.

Civil War

Giving this a 8/ 10

Alex Garland is is brilliant film maker, and this latest film is a grim cracker of a film. I saw it in IMAX and I do recommend this format for this. It's a familiar story of sorts, his take of 'Heart of Darkeness', the old Joseph Conrad novel, most famously done as 'Apocalypse Now'. Garland's film is a bunch of journalists travelling across a future America totally destroyed by internal war. So it's from their point of view and makes it very different and very more chilling.

Nick Offerman has worked with Alex, before, he plays the President. Wagner Moura, Kirsten Dunst, Cailee Spaeny and Stephen McKinley Henderson are the poor unfortunates who travel across the USA in their quest to meet their Kurtz/ President in this case. You must pay close attention to the first 20 minutes that will fill you in what lead to the war and they why of the film.

I have read some of the user reviews on IMDB, the low scores are from people who did not pay attention to this film. It's clear warning of what America is becoming, and the president character is clearly based on Trump. It has all the horror like, 'Apocalypse Now', just told from a new perspective and not in a forgone land or in space like 'Ad Astra' and ''Lightyear'. This film also has elements or feel of, 'The Purge' in it. Worth the trip, but it's very violent, so not for the light hearted.

Giving this a 7.5/ 10

Dev Patel takes the crime genre in this quite splendid directed film by him. He stars in it and is in acting form, and it's all really good in the giant size super screen I watched it in.

I see that Dev has done his homework, the whole feel is of early Clint Eastwood crime films - 'Thunderbolt and Lightfoot', 'Joe Kid' plenty of Bruce Lee film references -'Enter the dragon' and others,the night time is captured also reminds me of Scorsese -'Mean Streets' quite a bit.

The story of revenge is handed differently with the dream sequences and the use of Indian gods, spiritualism its very prevalent and plays a large role in the plot and the movement of the movie, which changes the whole dynamic and speed, it takes it time to get where it needs too. Kind of like Paul Andrew Williams film-'Bull' which is very similar to this in certain ways, that also is a another film that pulls off another Clint Eastwood film, that is' High Plains Drifter'.

You get plenty of blood and violence in this, with a superb acting and roles, but, and there is a but, Dev's direction is slightly off the mark with the close up shots being too close and framing of shots in this, that is why it misses the 8/10 mark. I feel if this was shot on very large lines or IMAX, this would get the high rating I think is should.

Giving this an 7.5/10 rating

Last film that is out from the Oscar animated nominated films of the year, and it's a good one. Based on a graphic novel. About a world of animals and a lonely dog who wants a companion.

I have to admit, the poster is not the greatest for me, but, it is what it is, and 100% works as it shows you what it looks like and the story some what, you forget about the simple character designs and just simply love the story.

Pablo Berger and Sara Varon don't mess about, you get a great tho leads and their stories that are tragic, funny, crazy and real, if that makes any sense in a cartoon world. The city it's set in is full of life and it's quirks, it's familiar ups and downs, mad weather patterns! The charm of it all is the selling point of this and it's laughs at the world of here and now, as well as loneliness of the cover era, which is the metaphor here.

A very different animated movie that should be seen, not just animators, but all ages can and will enjoy this. Worth the nomination for ti.

Giving this an 8/10 rating

Did a double bill of 'Late Night with the Devil' and 'Mothers' Instinct' which I also gave an 8/10, having a good day at the cinema is really, good so both films get rewarded.

Remake of a Foreign language film from a few years back, which, I missed and will have to check up on, the trailer does not let you into the full set up of the film, which is a good thing.

Anne Hathawayand Jessica Chastain, just show why they earn their Oscars for acting in this, there is not a single misstep from them. They are the draw and cry of the film, along with total brilliant work from Josh Charles and Anders Danielsen Lie. Eamon Patrick O'Connell deserves special mention as he had a tough role, and a tough ask from his character, as does the movie's outlook though out.

The film has a glow to it, thanks to Benoît Delhomme, very European but Trans Atlantic look to it, you could go as far as say a magic look, which works, and does misdirect, for a good reason. It is so well done, I just am surprised how it's getting released in the middle of other big films right now, that it will get passed over. Don't miss this acting masterclass of a movie.

Giving this an 8/10 rating

Did a double bill of 'Late Night with the Devil' and 'Mothers' Instinct' which I also gave an 8/10, having a good day at the cinema is really, good so both films get rewarded.

This is the second great horror film of this year, after 'Exhuma' which is still showing. The story is set in the 1970's in American TV talk show land. A live broadcast starts of exciting, but soon, all hell really does break loose, and it really does. Thanks to Colin Cairnes and Cameron Cairnes, both twitting and direction, not a second is wasted here, a real great 70's feel, is deliberately done through the lens of the TV screen that is not clean but dusty, pale, limited colours of the time. The use of music, text and narration at the beginning from Michael Ironside, is spot on.

David Dastmalchian takes the lead in this, and really shows just how great an actor he is, he controls you, and the the narrative, but really his character is totally out of control. Laura Gordon and Ingrid Torelli have their work cut out and deliver the dread, Rhys Auteri, Ian Bliss, Steve Mouzakis and a super Fayssal Bazzi, must also suffer, brilliantly.

When the evil does start, you would be running out this TV studio, if you survive, as the ending is nothing short of a bloody mess, proper good deaths. This film is a performance lead horror, and with the great ideas here, it's great entertainment, fresh and good. Very enjoyable, it does take it's time though.

Giving this an 8/10 rating

Giving this an 8/10. Very strong story and some new faces along with the cast from the last film. Was not rushed out, as you get on these sequel films, so it's not really film that feel pressured to be seen, but worth the trip, as it is very glorious on the big screen.

I do write that you do need to see the last film, but, this does hold up on it's own, it has a new twist on the supernatural experience that weaves it's way into the plot very cleverly and if the performances were not rock solid, it would fall on it's face. Many more effects this time around, but again, they drive the film along the right path, not showy at all. With Dune part two still out, we get another great part two film here, showing what cinema can do, with great writing and directing on show.

Giving this an 7/10 rating

Dive into the world of music production, and it's very tough business. Writer director Norris Wong, does a splendid job with clever colourful visuals, with animated bits sprung in, good sound design, that is important since this a film about music, and great acting.

Suet-Ying Chung is very charming, soft and innocent as the lead role she plays, and she has it really tough, and you just wonder, why go through this, well she is determined, that's why, and she goes through the bad and the bad, as we she her journey to reach her goal. The other actors really do push the story along and are not just padding, the father character is the most fun, and there really is some laughs here and there, but it's mostly a very heart breaking journey, but a good one.

This is not 'Maestro' or 'A Star is Born', both films about the music industry, this is a different point of view of it, a lot more fun, and the right ending, it was really worth a look. A good Chinese film.

Giving this an 6/10 rating

The film is a look at another true tale of someone I never heard of , Francesca Cabrini, a nun on a mission to save as many as possible and the real pitfalls she faced getting stuff done. The story itself is very compelling and not at all bad, it's just that it feels shoved in your face and very, very preachy and arrogant. And it's a real problem, again another film that drags on, a bit too long.

Cristiana Dell'Anna is 100% super as Cabrini, Romana Maggiora Vergano was a joy, with a very tough role she had too play. David Morse and John Lithgow are the good foils here and, with Giancarlo Giannini, these three lend weight to the story and performances. It's very well acted, and Alejandro Monteverde does a bang up job, directing and it looks really good, the set design and costumes are top.

This is done by the same team that did 'Sound of Freedom'. By, Angel Studios, so it's what I kind of expected in some ways, but I am disappointed by the delivery is not right, Not really and 8/10 film for me.

Giving this an 7/10 rating

Sydney Sweeney is on the screens, again, this is her third film out this year, and this time it is the horror genre, is good? Yes and no.

Another film that is just not scary enough, but at least we do get lots of blood, some death, dread and good action set ups, but I have to say the narrative is more sic fi than horror, once you sit through the film. Director, Michael Mohan really has a good eye and the film does looks colourful and we get treated to some good shots and the interiors, are not devoid and lit well, when needed to be seen.

Simona Tabasco and Benedetta Porcaroli are good as friends of sorts to Sweeney, depending on your point of view, Alvaro Morte is sincere and carries himself well, Dora Romano and Betty Pedrazzi are just stern characters, you get good acting, and the costumes are lavish and also simple.

The bad points are, it's just another film that is not scary enough, you need more, and the last part of the film is a bit of a let down, sorry wise, but this is where all the death occurs, so you have to bare with it, but it's well under two hours and goes at a good pace. Better than 'Night Swim' and just better than 'Imaginary', only just better.