Copshop (2021): a breakout performance from Alexis Louder
Imagine if Assault on Precinct 13 (1976) had a sense of humour. I feel like maybe that was writer-director Joe Carnahan’s pitch to the studio. Or maybe he just said… imagine a deranged Toby Huss with a machine gun and a set of balloons, shooting up a police precinct. For those not in the know, Toby is best known from the superb TV show, Halt … Continue reading Copshop (2021): a breakout performance from Alexis Louder
Reacher, season 1: Alan Ritchson hits the right notes as the man mountain detective
Out of the gate I gotta say, I liked Tom Cruise as Jack Reacher. His performance was good, and the first movie (he did two) directed by the great Christopher McQuarrie, was well received. Yet he could never shake off the fact that, physically, he didn’t look the part. Yes, he got ripped but he’s just too small (he’s 5’7), and Reacher is meant to … Continue reading Reacher, season 1: Alan Ritchson hits the right notes as the man mountain detective
The Adam Project (2022): a sweet enough 80s throwback
This movie is… OK. I mean, it’s entertaining and heart-warming enough, albeit a bit scrappy in terms of storytelling and action. One point to note is that Ryan Reynolds does some of the best acting of his career, and puts real emotional weight into a couple of scenes. Something I never thought I’d say. This film was directed by Shawn Levy, who did Real Steel … Continue reading The Adam Project (2022): a sweet enough 80s throwback
The Map Of Tiny Perfect Things (2021): an adorable entry in the time loop genre
I was listening to an Empire magazine podcast about time loop movies recently, and they mentioned The Map Of Tiny Perfect Things (2021) as a film which is a rather lovely entry in the genre. Not long ago I’d seen Palm Springs (2020), another great time loop movie, and thoroughly enjoyed that. So the other day I thought, why not, if they think this one … Continue reading The Map Of Tiny Perfect Things (2021): an adorable entry in the time loop genre
My top TV shows of 2021
It’s been a mixed bag this year. Streaming continues to grow with the mighty Disney+ banging out show after show, and Apple TV+ is on the rise. And yet we’re still in a pandemic. Lots of shows have suffered delays, stacking up like buses or planes low on fuel and landing one by one on the runway (like in Die Hard 2). That said, there’s … Continue reading My top TV shows of 2021
The Matrix Resurrections (2021): an intimate conclusion to the Neo saga
Don’t believe reviews that give this movie a kicking, it’s not that bad. In fact, in parts it’s rather good. One reviewer said it’s the Star Wars: The Force Awakens of this franchise, which feels apt. In that it heavily references events from the first three movies, sometimes in a subtle way, sometimes less so. And therein lies the problem. Some fans were likely hoping … Continue reading The Matrix Resurrections (2021): an intimate conclusion to the Neo saga
Upcoming TV shows I’m excited to see (mostly in 2022)
There’s no doubt we’re in a golden age of TV at the moment with streaming: with Netflix, Prime, Disney+, Apple TV and more. What a time to be alive. With so many good shows out there and more coming up, I wanted to highlight a few I’m excited to see. What are you keen to watch, coming up this year and next? The Last Kingdom, … Continue reading Upcoming TV shows I’m excited to see (mostly in 2022)
Making the case for Cutthroat Island (1995)
Remember when Pirates Of The Caribbean came out? Did you like it? Did it have swash and buckle and pirate shenanigans aplenty? Did it also feel like a breath of fresh air in terms of the types of blockbuster movies out there? For me, it did, particularly coming off the back of the avalanche of ’90s disaster movies. And many others felt the same too, … Continue reading Making the case for Cutthroat Island (1995)
Sex Education season 3: more measured and mature
It’s a funny thing with this show. Like many others, I was a fan from the first episode… the larger than life school, with its impossibly fashionable and irrepressibly horny teenage students. The fact that it tackled so many issues that young people face today in terms of sexuality, identity and body issues, and did it with confidence and conviction. It also seemed, at least … Continue reading Sex Education season 3: more measured and mature
The rise of Jessica Henwick
I first saw Jessica in TV show Iron Fist, if I recall. Most recently I saw her in The Matrix Resurrections (2021). She chose that role over playing Shang-Chi’s sister in Shang-Chi and the Legends of the Ten Rings (2021). Whilst Shang-Chi turned out to be a better movie than the recent Matrix, I think this was a wise decision and added strings to her … Continue reading The rise of Jessica Henwick
Mikey's Medicine 