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Reviews
Oppenheimer (2023)
Nolan's best film without a doubt!
It has taken me 24 hrs to calm down after watching the amazing film Oppenheimer. To put it bluntly it is quite simply mesmorising from start to finish and the hours just fly by.
At the end of the film I have never seen an audience with shock on their faces at what they've just witnessed and people just sat in their seats for 5 minutes before saying anything.
It took me and my son 20 minutes to speak to each other as we were taking in the film and everything that we'd just witnessed on the screen and we're still talking about it now it was that good.
Cillian Murphy gives the performance of his life as Oppenheimer who was chosen to lead the Manhatten Project and then haunted by what he'd just achieved once the bomb had gone off.
Robert Downey Jr has also given the performance of his career and if he doesn't scoop the Best Supporting Actor at the Oscars nextt year then it'll be a tragedy. The last 45 minutes of the film is the best i've ever seen him act.
The supporting cast are just as good and really makes the film. Emily Blunt was great as his wife. Florence Pugh as his lover. Rami Malek as phyisacist Hill, Jason Clarke who's character interrogated Oppenheimer all worthy of a mention.
The tension that built up to when the bomb first exploded is something i've never experienced before in a film. You really thought that it had failed and were williing it to succeed.
The seeing Murphy playing the haunted Oppenheimer in the second half was just something else.
Quite simply amazing and this is a film i'd advise everyone to watch in IMAX if you can but it will still blow you away.
Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One (2023)
2hrs 45 mins of pure adrenalin.
I'm old enough to remember when the first Mission Impossible film arrived in our cinemas in 1996. Ethan Hunt was hunting down the NOC List. Fast forward to 2023 and 7 films later and this is without a doubt the best film of the whole franchise since Ghost Protocal.
The action is non-stop from the start and takes in just about every city and country you can imagine. Norway, Venice, and Rome to name a few. Plus, that stunt! You know in the last hour of the film it's building up to it but, when it happens it still takes your breath away. At the age of 61 Tom Cruise is still pulling out all of the stops in terms of his own stunts.
The plot line centres around a key that has been split in half and whoever has the key controls a sentient AI being and controls the world creating a new world order.
Hayley Attwell is great as the new character Grace, Ving Rhames and Simon Pegg are both back as Luther and Benji respectively. Rebecca Ferguson returns as the MI6 officer Ilsa Faust and a character not seen since the original 1996 film makes a surprise appearance. Oh, and not forgetting Pom Klementieff looks as though she had an absolute ball playing Paris.
Please ignore the 1 or 2 * ratings who say the pace is slow, or that its the worst film they've seen. They've clearly not watched the film and just want to write a bad review for fun.
It is fast paced, with a great story line and definitely well worth putting the time in to watch it.
The Beyond (2017)
Better than I thought it would be.
The Beyond is one of those films you find when you're scrolling through trying to find something watch, read the synopsis and think hmmmmm and give it a go. At the end you think that wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.
Set in 2019, an anomaly has appeared above the Earth and it has started to affect communications and causes a power outage on the ISS sadly as a result an astronaut goes missing presumed dead.
It also turns out that the anomaly also appeared some 30 years ago in 1990 for 2 months before disappearing and forgotten about.
As various experts argue among themselves as to what to do with regards to the now named 'The Void' strange orbs have been appearing over the planet and this appears to waken The Void as it starts emitting waves.
As concerns rise it appears that there is a secret military organisation that might be able to help as they're currently working on a secret robotics technology that has been dubbed 'Human 2.0'. This is the fusion of the human brain to a synthetic body.
So, they start looking for suitable candidates to become Human 2.0. Candidates are interviewed, given medicals until one successful candidate a wheel chair bound ex drone pilot is considered. They will be put to sleep their brain removed effectively killing them. Their families will be compensated and they would be given a proper funeral so they could say goodbye.
Unfortunately, the first candidate dies as the brain failed to fuse with the synthetic body. As they no longer have the time to search for more suitable candidates it is decided that the next candidate could be found quicker by checking whether certain enzymes in the body are available. This helps the brain fuse successfully.
As it turns out the leading expert has these enzymes and over the coming days she struggles with a decision as to whether she should become Human 2.0 or not. Eventually along with a soldier the expert becomes Human 2.0.
After a successful launch into The Void. The craft returns with the unconscious astronaut after 5 days which transpired was a few years in the Human 2.0 time.
As the Human 2.0 lays unconscious tensions are rising down on Earth and people are turning to weapons against the objects in the sky. Human 2.0 wakes up and explains what she has seen within The Void. A new species and the astronaut that went missing from the ISS. She explained that The Void and The Spheres are not malign.
Weirdly and I never understood why this happened but, soon after Human 2.0 wakes up our solar system as we know it is destroyed and debris from the planets is sent crashing towards Earth. The Spheres move to protect the planet and it turns out that they were sent to Earth to save the planet from the debris.
After everything has calmed down, our solar system as changed and Earth 2.0 has appeared, identical in every way to our own planet. This leads to discussions as to who should go there and explore the planet.
12 months later Human 2.0 have moved to Earth 2.0 and encountered the life forms from The Void.
The film is shot in a documentary style and for me that worked really well. Visually it was impressive and I loved all of the space scenes. Yes, some of the script was incredibly cheesy in parts and the film itself was slow. But, stick with it because it turned out to be much better than I thought it would be.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)
Thank You Guardians.
The third and final installment of the Guardians of the Galaxy is easily the best of the trilogy. I cannot thank James Gunn enough for making the three films.
This is by far the best Marvel film since End Game was released in April 2019. It has absolutely everything going for it and it will not disappoint the die hard Marvel fans or Guardians fans that's for sure.
The film is based around Rocket's story which turns out to be quite an emotional one as we get to see what happened to him all those years ago.
Gamora is back but not the same person who Quill lost during the Avengers End Game film. She has no recollection of their relationship and is instead cold towards him.
As usual Mantis and Drax provide the comedy element of the film with even Nebula putting in a very good show in this film. I think you could tell Karen Gillan really enjoyed this film.
I really enjoyed James Poulter as Adam Warlock as well. His character has potential and would love to see this explored more in future films.
But, the stand outs were Chris Pratt as Peter Quill and Bradley. Cooper who voices Rocket .Both bring really good emotional and comedy elements to their characters and it really shows that they had a good time filming this.
The sound track is by far the best sound track out there at this moment in time. I will certainly be listening to it often on all available streaming services.
Go and watch this film! Like I said, easily the best Marvel film since Avengers: End Game and it'll make you both laugh and cry in many places.
Wild Croc Territory (2022)
Don't mess with the Northern Territory crocodiles or men.
I came across this searies while searching for something to watch on Netflix and it really doesn't disappoint that's for sure.
The Northern Territory area of Australia is one of the toughest places on the continent and that's not just those who live there but the animals as well. If it moves it's likely to poison, sting or kill you.
Matt Wright owns a business that catches crocodiles and for a living. Farmers call him up and his team to come and move the big crocs that are a danger to public and killing farmers livestock. He will then move them on to areas where they'll not bother folk or keep them in a pen because they've become too injured and wouldn't survive in the wild.
The ways in which they have to try and catch them is crazy. Lets build a trap while walking around in the crocs territory stuff that! But Matt and his team do it with ease and work well together. Some of the crocs are absolutely huge that they capture.
The 3 episodes that see the team trying to catch a croc called Road Kill were my favourite because no matter what the team did they couldn't capture him or they did but he escaped. It took nearly 4 months to eventually capture him and he was BIG!
Not sure what the negativity towards this show was about in some reviews because all I saw was the utmost respect for them from Matt and his team. Those that are in pens are well looked after.
As for the negativity from Matt and his team towards his brother-in-law Finn have obviously never been anywhere near Australia because that is how they talk to each other it's banter.
An excellent series, one I thoroughly enjoyed and would happily recommend.
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023)
A very good film - The critics got it wrong.
Having read the reviews from the so called critics. You'd think that this is the worst ever Marvel film in the franchise.
However, please ignore these critics because clearly they'd been watching a different film to what I watched this afternoon.
Since we last saw Scott Lang a lot has changed in his life. He can't walk down the street without people recognising him and he has also brought out a book about himself being an Avenger.
Scotts daughter is a chip off the old block in that she has been in and out of prison. However, rather than steel things Cassie uses her new found knowledge to do good.
This is where we find that during the 5 years of the blip Cassie and Hank Pym have been building a contraption that fires a signal down into the Quantom Realm. Which as we find out later isn't a good idea.
Having opened the door way via the contraption to the Quantom Realm out heroes are dragged in but split up and spend time looking for each other.
The quantom realm is like no other and they soon discover that other unkown species live in this realm but live in fear of an individual.
When they find out that Janet Pym is back things look bleak because having spent 30 years in the realm and managing to escape things are not good.
There is a short but funny cameo from Bll Murray who meets a sticky ending which leads to the introduction of Kang (Johnathan Majors) who is hell bent on conquering all the realms across the multi verse and has already conquered the quantom realm.
Once he realises that Janet is back he goes on the offensive to crush the rebellion that is beginning to build up and seak his revenge for Janet leaving the realm with him still in it.
Helping Kang conquer the universe is an old adversary from Ant Man, Darren Cross who has now become M. O. D. O. K. (Mechanised Organism Designed Only for Killing) and he does have some of the funnier lines in the film as well.
The characters within the Quantom Realm are funny at times and the relationship between Cassie and Scott is really sweet and it also seems as though Scott has gained some respect from Hank Pym too.
I'm not going to spoil the ending for you, as you'll just have to wait until you go and watch it or wait for around 6 months before it appears on Disney +.
The graphics etc. Are really good representing the Quantom Realm. The acting isn't as bad as some of the reviews will make you believe.
It is a bit slow in parts but to be honest i've seen worse films in the Marvel Universe (Thor: Love and Thunder) being one. But, it's a solid start to phase 5. Critics have no idea, It's a really good film.
Burning Questions: Burning Questions With 'Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania' (2023)
Critics have no idea, It's a really good film.
Having read the reviews from the so called critics. You'd think that this is the worst ever Marvel film in the franchise.
However, please ignore these critics because clearly they'd been watching a different film to what I watched this afternoon.
Since we last saw Scott Lang a lot has changed in his life. He can't walk down the street without people recognising him and he has also brought out a book about himself being an Avenger.
Scotts daughter is a chip off the old block in that she has been in and out of prison. However, rather than steel things Cassie uses her new found knowledge to do good.
This is where we find that during the 5 years of the blip Cassie and Hank Pym have been building a contraption that fires a signal down into the Quantom Realm. Which as we find out later isn't a good idea.
Having opened the door way via the contraption to the Quantom Realm out heroes are dragged in but split up and spend time looking for each other.
The quantom realm is like no other and they soon discover that other unkown species live in this realm but live in fear of an individual.
When they find out that Janet Pym is back things look bleak because having spent 30 years in the realm and managing to escape things are not good.
There is a short but funny cameo from Bll Murray who meets a sticky ending which leads to the introduction of Kang (Johnathan Majors) who is hell bent on conquering all the realms across the multi verse and has already conquered the quantom realm.
Once he realises that Janet is back he goes on the offensive to crush the rebellion that is beginning to build up and seak his revenge for Janet leaving the realm with him still in it.
Helping Kang conquer the universe is an old adversary from Ant Man, Darren Cross who has now become M. O. D. O. K. (Mechanised Organism Designed Only for Killing) and he does have some of the funnier lines in the film as well.
The characters within the Quantom Realm are funny at times and the relationship between Cassie and Scott is really sweet and it also seems as though Scott has gained some respect from Hank Pym too.
I'm not going to spoil the ending for you, as you'll just have to wait until you go and watch it or wait for around 6 months before it appears on Disney +.
The graphics etc. Are really good representing the Quantom Realm. The acting isn't as bad as some of the reviews will make you believe.
It is a bit slow in parts but to be honest i've seen worse films in the Marvel Universe (Thor: Love and Thunder) being one. But, it's a solid start to phase 5.
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse (2022)
Utterly beautiful and enchanting.
This was the perfect animated film for Christmas Eve afternoon A story of kindness, friendship, courage and hope for viewers of all ages.
A boy is lost in the snowy woods comes across the mole (voiced by Tom Hollander) who is obsessed with cake and they strike up a friendship.
While they're up a tree surveying the area for the boys lost house, they encounter a hungry fox (voiced by Idris Elba) prowling around the tree. The fox decides that it is better to leave them be and he wonders into the woods. You hear a yelp and the mole and boy head towards the noise to find the fox is entraped in a snare. With this teeth I can eat you snarls the fox. With my teeth I can release you the mole retorts and releases the fox.
The boy and the mole continue their journey. As they continue the mole ends up in a river seemingly on the verge of drowning. The fox repays the mole by saving him from drowning. I think you could hear a collective sigh of relief from across the UK after that.
They continue their journey and discover the fox has been following "Do you think he's following us?" "I do hope so" says the mole. "Maybe he feels lost to" the mole " replies "Well I think everyone feels a bit lost sometimes, I know I do" so, so true that bit really struck a chord with me.
As they continue, they come across a horse voiced by (Gabriel Byrne) and all 4 strike up a friendship although at first the fox is still a little bit distant and hasn't let himself get too involved.
It truly is a beautiful story especially as the horse shelters everyone from a storm. "When the big things feel out of contol, focus on what you love right under your nose" which is such a lovely message. It brought a tear to my eye.
"Oh, no! Where are the lights, I can't see them anymore" The boy is seemingly despondant and all but given up on finding his home. It's here where Idris Elba adds gravitas to the fox by saying my favourite line of the whole film. "You know sometimes your mind plays tricks on you. It can tell you you're no good, that it's all hopeless. But, I have discovered this you are loved, and important, and you bring to this world things that no-one else can. So hold on." and allows the boy to give him a hug.
This is such an important message for absolutely anyone and by the end of this I was a wreck. It really hit home with me as well.
We discover the horse could fly but, had stopped using his wings because it made the other horses feel jealous of his abilities. Suddenly they're up in the air soaring over the countryside looking from upon high for the boys village.
They find the boys village and they say their tearful goodbyes. But the boy decides that home doesn't have to be a place it can anything including love.
The adaption from the book was fantastic. The animation was beautiful as well. Even the end credits were beautiful with the mole scurrying around trying to get to a cake.
I can see this being regular viewing over the festive period. Evening becoming as popular and well loved as The Snowman and The Snowman and the Snow Dog.
Thank you BBC for putting this on. Easily the best thing on TV over the Christmas period.
Moonfall (2022)
Worst disaster film since 2012
I noticed that this film was available on Amazon Prime and decided to see what it was like. All I can say is that I am glad I didn't waste my money going to watch this in the cinema.
It is without doubt the worst disaster film i've watched since 2012 was released. Acting is truly awful, the script is awful, the action sequences are awful. The whole film is awful!
Save yourselves time and watch something else and not this film. Otherwise it'll be 2 hrs 10 minutes of your life you'll not get back.
Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
Quite simply, an amazing film.
It seems that Tom Cruise has the Midas touch when it comes to making great films. Top Gun: Maverick is one of those films. It has taken 36 years that includes a 2 year delay due to the pandemic for us to finally see this film. Is it worth it? Absolutely.
When you hear the iconic Top Gun anthem and then Danger Zone it took me right back to when I first watched Top Gun on VHS (remember that?) and seeing the crew working on F-14 Tomcats on the deck of the aircraft carrier for the first time and being mesmerised.. Only this time it's F-18 Hornets but the effect is still the same.
What follows is 2 hrs 11 mins of pure unadulterated joy and flying by the seat of your pants. The third act of the film is by far the best part of the film and is a real adrenaline rush. The flying sequences are the best I've seen in a film and as we know the actors were actually taken up in F-18s to film these sequences and that's what makes this film so ruddy good.
The only thing that made me go really? Was a part involving an F-14 Tomcat near the end. But, I guess they had to shoehorn one in at some point within the film. Other than that I'm ready to see the film again and most likely will. Or wait until later in the year when it appears on Paramount Plus.
Seriously though, it genuinely is a great film and is best watched in the cinema.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)
Ignore the 1* reviews. This is so much better than they're saying.
I went to watch Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings last night and it does not disappoint at all.
This is a character I am not very familiar with in regards to the MCU. However, having watched it, I hope we see more of him sooner rather than later.
The film starts with how Shang-Chi's father Wenwu discovered the 10 Rings and used them to topple governments and change the outcome of certain world events. Then how he wants to try and find the mystical village of Tao Lo as this is the last area of the world he hasn't conquered.
Eventually finding the entrance to the lost village he finds a young lady guarding the entrance. In time they fall in love and he gives up the 10 Rings to be with her.
Cut to 1996 and they're living in married bliss with baby Shang-Chi having been born and his sister soon after. They're given two pendants but their mother as we discover that she was killed and her father took up the 10 Rings again.
We then discover a grown up Shang-Chi (Or Shaun as he is now known) living in San Francisco as a car valet with his friend Katy (played brilliantly by the actress Awkwafina). As they're travelling to work on a bus henchmen sent by his father attack him. What follows is a very well choreographed fight seen and lots of destruction.
Realising the pendent has been stolen by the henchmen Shaun races back home to his apartment to grab clothes for a flight to Macau. To try and save his sister from losing her pendent.
Not wishing to miss out, Katy insists on joining Shaun for the ride. On the flight over Shaun explains he is not the man who Katy thought he was and explains his past.
When he arrives in Macau he goes to the address on a postcard which he assumed was sent by his sister. It turns out his sister runs an illegal fight club where huge amounts of betting takes place inside and online.
Shaun is already well known thanks to a YouTube video of his exploits in San Francisco going viral. He also finds out he is going to be the main attraction and lots of money has already been bet on him.
A fight is already going on and a familiar face is taking part. I will not spoil that bit for you. As he goes into the ring the opponent appears and it turns out to be his sister.
Chaos then ensues as the same henchmen have arrived at the illegal fighting den after the second pendent. The fight scenes which take place on scaffolding between Shaun, his sister and his fathers henchmen are breath taking and it really makes you feel as though you're high up on the side of a building.
They're eventually captured and taken back to their former home. When it is explained that their dad hears their mum calling to him and he believes she is still alive but being kept captive by the elders in Tao-Lo. He must go and find Tao-Lo but can only find the correct path once a year and that time is soon.
Meanwhile he locks all 3 up in a dungeon as they will not help him go and find their mother. What follows is absolutely hilarious as an old character from the Iron Man franchise makes an appearance.
While they're in the dungeon they're introduced to a creature from Tao-Lo called Morris and they find out from this creature that there is a much quicker way to get to Tao-Lo. So, stealing a car, they head to the lost village.
Upon arriving they meet their Aunt who is also mourning the loss of her sister. They are told about and ancient evil that eats souls and many cities fell to it and was only defeated by the help of a dragon. Shang Chi and Xialing are given dragon scale armor (a gift from their mother). Katy trains with a bow and arrow and Shaun trains with his aunt to learn the dragon magic fighting style.
The 10 Rings then attack the village with Shaun fighting his father first on the side of the lake which he is then sent crashing into. While unconscious under water he learns his power can call the guardian dragon.
Meanwhile at the entrance of the of the cave where his father believes his mother is calling from. His father can be seen trying to break into the cave. Which eventually releases bat like creatures that suck up the souls of individuals.
Continuing to try and release his wife. Wenwu releases the mother of all beasts and a battle ensues. Sadly we see Wenwu killed as his soul is sucked out by one of the bat like creatures. But, not before himself and Shaun battle it out against each other. Upon his death, the 10 Rings are passed on to Shaun. The battle comes to an end and the villagers mourn the loss of those lost in battle.
We then get taken back to San Francisco where Shaun and Katy are telling their story to two friends who look at them as though they're going mad and in fact one complains that she is having the mickey taken out of her.
The closing scene sees a popular character appear and both Shaun and Katy follow them. Which gives a clue I suspect as to how phase 4 will pan out in the future of the MCU.
There are two closing credit scenes. One where we find both Shaun and Katy in a building and other Marvel characters have appeared. Again, this shows where the MCU is going.
The second involves his sister.. but that is all I will reveal as this will also show what I think is going to be the direction of the MCU.
There are little snippets within the film that also mention past events. Can you hear and find them?
Overall this is a brilliant film! Some very good special effects. The music score is good. Some very funny characters too. I think this is a very good start to Phase 4 and miles better than Black Widow.
As my title suggests please ignore the 1 * reviews on here. I suspect they're DC fans in disguise trying to make MCU look bad. But, by all means read them and make up your own mind by going to watch Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
The Mandalorian: Chapter 16: The Rescue (2020)
Perfect Ending to Season 2.
What an end to Season 2 this was.
I had already let a fanboy squeal out when Bobba Fett returned earlier. However, to see the Jedi return in the form of a young Luke Skywalker and R2-D2 for the added bonus was awesome.
This whole season has been brilliant and to see Katee Sackhoff appear as Bo-Katan Kryze was just brilliant. You could also add Ming-Na Wen as Fennec Shand reappearing as we'd all thought the character was dead in S1.
Jon Favreau has turned this turned this franchise into something glorious and I bet George Lucas is patting him on the back and saying "well played Jon, Well played indeed" maybe consider giving him a film next?
Ignore the 1* reviews on here, there written to provoke a response and most have probably not seen a Star Wars film before.
The Salisbury Poisonings (2020)
One of the best dramas of 2020
I know 2020 has been a strange year, but some of the reviews on here I have to question whether they actually watched it? Or just decided to give it low scores because it wasn't full of razzmatazz etc.
It was for me personally one of the best dramas on the BBC this year. It was well written, well acted and you got to see how it all unfolded from those that lived there and who it affected. It wasn't skewed in any way like the stories were in the media. The actors met all of the people before hand to get an understanding of what they went through.
The final episode was probably the hardest one to watch, it was full of emotion. Especially when the father brought the boyfriend of his dead daughter up to the front during the funeral service.
But, full credit must go to Anne-Marie Duff who played Tracey Daszkiewicz. If you search for her character she is hardly mentioned. Yet, she worked darn hard and saved many people's lives by locking down the affected areas quickly. You could feel the pressure this lady was under from the press, the government her bosses.
Ignore the negativity on here. It'll be available on BBC iPlayer, I'd give it a watch.