reviews of new and old movies, and occasional thoughts or blogs about film actors and the industry
You might get the sense, from the title of this review, that I didn’t love Denis Villeneuve’s adaptation of Frank Herbert’s sprawling sci-fi novel. This is not the case, at least not entirely. There are things I loved about the film, for sure. But there’s also a lot that I struggled with, not least the fact that I found it hard to care about the … Continue reading Dune (2021): beautiful, epic, yet didn’t make me feel
Chaos Walking (2021) is a sci-fi fantasy adventure with Daisy Ridley and Tom Holland, and it’s not as bad as critics say. I’m putting that out there from the start, as there are many out there that consider it a total car crash of a movie. Yet it isn’t. It’s scrappy, yes, but at least things happen. I remained entertained throughout and that has to … Continue reading Chaos Walking (2021): messy and chaotic, but still fun
This movie is tricky. First, the good: it’s got an embarrassment of riches when it comes to the cast (Jonathan Majors, Zazie Beetz, Regina King, Lakeith Stanfield, Delroy Lindo). The soundtrack is super cool, and many of the characters get impressive entrances. The performances, as you’d expect, are all solid, with Majors shining. And yet… the movie doesn’t add up to what it promises on … Continue reading The Harder They Fall (2021): a scrappy mess, but still fun
I guess from the title you can probably tell what I thought of this movie. It’s one of those I file under ‘critics love it but audiences don’t really get it’. Well, when I say audiences, I mean people like me. And I suppose I could say that I did get it, in that I understood what the filmmakers were trying to do. I just … Continue reading The Green Knight review: strange, beautiful, but hard to love
It’s nice to see Zack Snyder go back to his zombie roots. The last time he played in that sandpit was Dawn of the Dead (2004). With Army of the Dead (2021) the concept is this: Las Vegas falls to zombies and so humans wall it off and plan to nuke the city (as this seems to be the main way America deals with its … Continue reading Army of the Dead: has its moments but doesn’t pop
Space Sweepers (2021) is a South Korean movie that recently dropped on Netflix. It’s described as a space western and is directed by Jo Sung-hee, whose most notable film to date is probably a fantasy romance called A Werewolf Boy (2012). With Space Sweepers, the setup is the year is 2092 and the Earth is screwed (isn’t it always). There’s an ‘evil’ corporation called UTS … Continue reading Space Sweepers: Star Wars meets Firefly
There’s a cardinal rule in moviemaking, do what you want to people, but whatever you do, DO NOT hurt a dog. Something, I feel, the filmmakers for this (new to Netflix) movie Love and Monsters, kept in mind, but those that made John Wick (2014) did not. But before we get to this aforementioned dog, let’s set the scene. Love and Monsters is a post-apocalyptic comedy, of sorts. Continue reading Love and Monsters review: a sweet and uplifting fairytale
Patty, where did it all go wrong? From the muddled theme and story to the wasting of Barbara Minerva, Steve Trevor and the 80s. My take on WW84 – a swing and a miss. Continue reading Wonder Woman 1984: Patty, where did it all go wrong?
After getting lambasted by angry man-babies for his attempt to do something very slightly different with Star Wars, you could forgive writer-director Rian Johnson if he decided he wanted to retreat to the hills never to make a movie again. However, the best thing you can do, with most setbacks in life, is to get back out there. And boy, he did. For Knives Out … Continue reading Knives Out: a twisty, hilarious tale from Rian Johnson
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is the ninth film by Quentin Tarantino – and it’s one you’d better make sure you watch because he’s only making one more and that’s it, he’s done. His legacy of ten films will be there for us to watch but no more will be made, verily the movie gods have spoken (until he gets bored and comes out … Continue reading Once Upon a Time in Hollywood: Tarantino’s swansong
Mikey's Medicine 