chris_robbo_23 Reviews

Cocaine Bear (2023)

Somewhat hit the mark but a bit lacking also

[7/10 · 24 February 2023]

I get that it is a ridiculous premise based loosely on a true story of a bear that did a heap of coke but at least you know that going in. Some cool scenes and the odd laugh, I didn't find it overly funny though.

Sometimes the bear CGI isn't the best.

I feel like there could have been more deaths and some scenes felt like they were put in just to get it over 1 hour 30 mins.

No doubt they will be pushing for a sequel to cash in further. I could have stretched my rating to 6.5 if IMDb had half ratings.

Nonetheless it passed the evening for me at the cinema and I enjoyed some parts. Thanks to all who made it.

Bullet Train (2022)

Maybe not the genre for me

[5/10 · 5 August 2022]

Started interesting but the plot weakened as it went on. Felt too long and drawn out, acting was mediocre. A very forgettable movie that didn't capture me.

CGI was pretty good and good to see Logan Lerman back on the big screen (underused).

Wouldn't claim it's a comedy in any way, I didn't even chuckle once.

CJR.

Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022)

Quite solid actually

[7/10 · 18 February 2022]

This is a short, fast paced horror. Very brutal and although it has limited story it works pretty good.

Get the popcorn out with your significant other and strap in for 85 mins of chainsaw madness.

I gave this movie a 7 out of 10, the acting was sufficient. Makeup/gore was on point. Worth a look for horror fans.

CJR.

Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021)

A very clever and delightful way to bring back this franchise

[8/10 · 8 February 2022]

First thing I will say is McKenna Grace is so incredibly talented, hands down the best actress/actor in this film!

There is an air of mystery from the start and the story unravels as it goes. Some familiar faces throughout and just a real treat for true Ghostbusters fans.

8/10, CJR.

Godzilla vs. Kong (2021)

Outstanding Visually

[7/10 · 25 March 2021]

The audio wasn't half bad either. Quality movie, well made and could tell plenty of time and effort went in to making it. I was intrigued going in due to the director being known for his horror/thriller movies and it did have that darker feel. Excellent use of colour also. Had a couple of gripes with the storyline here and there, but for the most part they avoided the cringey "American disaster movie" feel that most of these movies have ( Godzilla : king of monsters). Solid acting from Rebecca Hall and Skarsgaard. If Action/Adventure is your preferred genre, you will love this. CJR.

Marriage Story (2019)

Noah Baumbach gave me a bumache

[4/10 · 12 December 2019]

Probably an accurate depiction of divorce, overrated as a movie.

CJR

In the Shadow of the Moon (2019)

Very creative and brilliantly made.

[8/10 · 27 September 2019]

I've been coaxed back into the review writing game by this surprising gem of a movie! Boyd Holbrook recently disappointed me in a couple of films and I went into this with an air of uncertainty. I'm happy to say that he acted superbly throughout. This movie manages to grip you early with the shocking nature of the murders and carries on with a mysterious storyline. There are some excellently depicted emotions, the tale of a man who spends years trying to figure out what is going on. I urge you to welcome the creativity and please give this movie a chance.

CJR

8/10

Triple Frontier (2019)

Tremendous acting throughout.

[8/10 · 13 March 2019]

This movie is one I've been looking forward to for a while and it didn't disappoint. It takes no time to get into things, keeps you watching throughout and keeps the audience eager to figure out what will happen. All 5 special forces actors excelled with Oscar Isaac and Charlie Hunnam as the standouts for me. The reason I didn't give it a full 10/10 are the little details throughout that seem inconsistent with how I'd imagine things would actually take place in that scenario. I also found parts a little frustrating as the characters made bad choices and errors that seemed obvious would cost them in the long run. Overall though a movie with a good soundtrack and good action/military scenes throughout. Best movie I've seen in some months, A confident 8/10 from me.

CJR

The Clovehitch Killer (2018)

More of a drama than a thriller, hint of mystery.

[6/10 · 17 November 2018]

I've been a fan of Charlie Plummer since I saw him in King Jack and hw doesnt disappoint here either, another good performance.

I feel like this movie could have been so much more, it started well and seemed interesting but then kinda fizzled out a little. Some of the acting (not Plummer) was a bit suspect, and the build in tension was mediocre at best for a so called thriller.

Nonetheless a different take on a serial killer story that is worthy of a watch if you have nothing better on your watch list. I can see now why there wasn't a whole lot of hype for this movie.

6/10

Katie Says Goodbye (2016)

Olivia Cooke is Incredible in this!

[8/10 · 24 October 2018]

This movie is a real life gritty drama. Katie (Olivia Cooke) and her Mother live in poverty and sell their bodies to make ends meet. Katie is saving up to move away from it all to California when she meets a man she falls in love with. Simple story but a very important one, I fear this is every day life for more young women than we realise. It's a movie not without some flaws but powerful and keeps you watching. Olivia Cooke shows us just how strongly talented she Is in this very tricky role. Just recently in my own life I've been faced with moving away to the other end of the world alone and starting life for myself and it's not an easy task. So there were parts to this movie I could relate to. Katie is more decent than the majority of people despite what she does to earn extra money, good morals and kindness, willing to take the blame for things she didn't do. 8/10

CJR

Bad Times at the El Royale (2018)

Been thinking about this movie since I watched it!

[6/10 · 17 October 2018]

I've decided to write a quick review, this movie was not what I expected. Although it did keep me watching throughout, I felt a little disappointed in not getting answers to some of my questions. The whole thing has a real Quentin Tarantino feel about it. Lewis Pullman is the star of the show, he is clearly taking after his dad Bill. A great performance. As for the rest of the film, the story is clunky and retold from different points of view throughout. The supporting actors are not brilliant, Jeff Bridges is showing his age a lot also. I just feel like it could have been much more, for the record I would have given it 6.5 if I could. And I may enjoy it more a second time around. If so I will amend this review

Joe Rogan: Strange Times (2018 TV Special)

Strange times indeed! Great work Joe.

[8/10 · 5 October 2018]

A solid piece of stand up comedy, Joe likes topics about vegans, animals, presidents and nominees. Just overall a good listen with some subtle underlying points that make you think.

8/10

Hold the Dark (2018)

Slow but steady throughout, a quality movie.

[7/10 · 29 September 2018]

I had been looking forward to this movie ever since I saw the trailer for it and it didn't disappoint. It's not a fast paced movie but there are some really shocking and unexpected moments. It also has a compelling mysteruousness about it that kept me watching and wanting to know more. Riley Keough is enchanting and eerie with an air of uncertainty. Skarsgaard puts in a real confident performance maybe the best I've seen from him. The movie does a great job in portraying the harshness of the terrain the locals live in without making things seem overly bleak. The glory shots of the Calgary mountains and forests throughout are a real treat. This is not a happy movie but it is certainly good. More of a thriller than a drama in my eyes, unexpected twists here and there and some very violent scenes. It is a fairly long movie and demands a person's full attention. Not one for light drama movie lovers. The reasons for me giving it a 7 out of 10 and not higher is due to the feeling of some of the dialogue being a bit unnecessary, 15 to 20 minutes could have been taken out of it no problem. Also some scenes were almost a little too real and dark I had to look away. This movie is not too dissimilar to the revenant in its flow (the storylines are not the same). It is worth a go for people who like a dark gritty drama thriller.

Leave No Trace (2018)

Quite dull in parts but terrific acting throughout!

[6/10 · 26 September 2018]

First off the young actress Thomasin McKenzie is fantastic here, this is the first movie I've seen her in and it's a very tricky role to play but she nailed it.

Ben Foster as always is superb, but unfortunately the story is a little slow and sombre. Very much a PG movie, quite a sad tale of a father and daughter who are on different paths.

A movie only for true lovers of film, who can appreciate the "real life" feel it portrays.

I gave it 6 out of 10 as it just didn't capture me in the way other movies have. Some will really like this, the majority I fear will be bored by it.

The Predator (2018)

The best since the original in my opinion.

[6/10 · 16 September 2018]

Shane Black has written a good solid script here, the action is great throughout and he pays homage to the original in a few different ways that I liked. For example the original score.

My issue lies with the movie being clunky and I can tell Shane Black is not that comfortable as a director. Either that or there is just so much going on in the movie that he struggles to keep up. There was something missing with the acting, it seemed there was a lack of fear of the predator throughout. An almost over confidence, I'm not sure if that was instilled on the actors or if they just did a poor job of portraying it. Or for that matter maybe it was a script issue.

Another issue I found was that the character development wasn't brilliant, I didn't really connect or like any of them like I did in the original. They also were killed off all in a 20 minute period near the end and no time to mourn anyone's death at any point. Shane Black seemed to be going for the more action orientated film that doesn't dwell on things.

I gave it a 6 out of 10, it could have been much more I reckon with the correct character development. Regardless of that it's funny in parts, has lots of good action and cgi scenes and it will definitely pass an evening for you.

Hard-core fans of the original probably won't approve of it!

Miss Stevens (2016)

Chalamet just giving us a glimpse at how talented he really is!

[9/10 · 11 September 2018]

This movie caught me off guard and I stumbled across it on Netflix last night. I must have a hundred movies in my watch list on IMDB but for some reason I gave this a chance. I'm glad I did as it didn't disappoint.

A very simple storyline with very strong acting holding the whole movie up. Basically the English teacher takes 3 students to a state Drama competition for the weekend. Chalamets character is a concern due to the medication he takes so Miss Stevens has to keep a closer eye on him.

This is the first time I've seen Lily Rabe acting and she did a stellar job with the role!

I honestly can't say enough positives about Timothee Chalamet, he is showing potential to be the greatest actor of this generation. I honestly think he will win multiple Oscar's in the future. It's exciting to see someone master the craft at such a young age. His performance in this movie is exceptional.

This movie is only 1 hour and 25 minutes, so just watch it and I know you won't be disappointed.

Lady Bird (2017)

Lacked substance throughout, had quite a nice ending though!

[5/10 · 11 September 2018]

I was disappointed in this movie, it evoked very little emotion in me and only made me laugh once. The story is stale, with Christine aka "lady bird" coming across as a total brat pretty much the whole movie.

Timothee Chalamet was vastly underutilized (an opportunity missed). He really is the best up and coming actor in film at the minute and even in this small role managed to show that.

I really do wonder what the academy were looking at when choosing this for the awards. I suspect it was because of the tale of the relationship between a working class mother and daughter.

The camera work was average at best, the soundtrack was non existent, the acting was mediocre (apart from Chalamet, the mother and the father) and the story really wasn't the strongest.

To try to be as fair as I can be I'm probably not in this movies demographic. Although I did like the relationship between lady bird and her father. He did everything to help her and keep the family together. The glory shots of Sacramento at the end were awesome. Lastly Timothee Chalamet was excellent.

I gave it 5 out of 10 and this is the max I would give it, a 90 minute movie that felt like 2 and a half hours. Give it a pass unless you really like the cast!

The Hitman's Bodyguard (2017)

Woeful!

[1/10 · 6 September 2018]

For non movie lovers who like to see "action".

Samuel L Jackson is the same in this movie as he is in every movie, shouting and talking excessively.

Ryan Reynolds is better in a serious role.

Horrendous.

Bad Samaritan (2018)

Above average Thriller with a good storyline!

[6/10 · 6 September 2018]

This movie was better than I expected it to be. The acting wasn't brilliant but the story was solid and kept you watching throughout.

One for fans of thriller movies.

Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind (2018)

A heartfelt look into a great mind.

[7/10 · 6 September 2018]

I personally liked Robin Williams more for his serious acting roles than his comedy. For which I'm sure a lot of people are the opposite. That is the magic about Robin, he had all the talent to do both.

A very in depth honest portrayal of his life and career. So much energy, Robin had an incredible personality.

A well made documentary which is exactly what you think it is.

The Meg (2018)

Violence is subdued to lower the age rating unfortunately.

[4/10 · 6 September 2018]

I do believe the studio made the conscious decision to dampen the horror that should come with a big shark movie in order to get as many people in the cinema as possible.

In my opinion it should be called Statham vs the big shark because it's as silly as that.

Not enough people die and the main characters really don't face a lot of danger. It's a sell out movie made to make money. I gave it a 4 simply due to some fairly good action scenes and realistic shark scenes.

Could have been much more..

The Festival (2018)

Awkward, cringeworthy, but very funny!

[7/10 · 6 September 2018]

I went to see this movie at the cinema with my uncle and the opening scene caught us off guard completely but it set the tone for the whole film. It has some really brilliant laughs and nothing is taken too serious.

A welcome escape from everyday life just like going to a festival or similar. A few scenes made me laugh harder than I have to any comedy in the last couple of years. The use of shock tactics and in your face awkwardness (similar to the Inbetweeners) is tactful and yet in abundance.

This movie is what it says it is, a good old solid British comedy.

Blade Runner 2049 (2017)

Recently rewatched this and upgraded it to a 10.

[10/10 · 6 September 2018]

I don't frequently hand out 10 ratings on IMDB unless a movie really does something to warrant it. Blade runner 2049 is a brilliant movie, Denis Villneuve went out of his way to create the best possible movie he could make unlike other Hollywood film makers who mainly see dollar signs.

Ryan Gosling is incredible once again. He acts in this movie very similar to how he did in the movie Drive and I suspect that's why he was cast in this role.

It's a long movie but there are plenty of amazing scenes. Please give the movie a chance as it is worthy of that. The ending is fantastic once you get there through all the mysterious plot lines.

Absolutely amazing visual effects that are so incredible it warrants a really good t.v./sound setup and a blue ray copy to make the most of it.

To add, don't spoil this one on a night you are not ready for it (2 hours 44 mins long), be well rested and get all your snacks ready, get comfortable and enjoy a breathtaking movie experience.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (2018)

Beautiful post world war 2 movie!

[7/10 · 6 September 2018]

There is a reason this role was given to Lily James and that's because she is probably the best young actress from England at present. She is an absolute joy to watch and plays the intricacies of such a part so very well. It's a compelling little story.

I must admit the movie name put me off a lot as I thought it was a blatant attempt to stand out with a ridiculous name. I soon learned the reason behind the name of the movie and put that behind me. Although I probably wouldn't have watched it without reccomendation from my Uncle who has a similar taste in movies.

It's a good movie that warms the heart and shouldn't disappoint too many. A very non offensive drama movie with a lot of character.

Again by no means a 10 out of 10 but for people who like movies set in years gone by and just the general portrayal of unease in the late 1940s after world war 2 this is a solid watch.

The Happytime Murders (2018)

An odd movie but kinda fun!

[6/10 · 6 September 2018]

This movie is not gonna win any oscars but it is funny in parts and quite clever in the way it was done. However if you miss it at the cinema there is no big loss, it's a movie that will crop up on Netflix in a year's time and pass an evening for you. Typical Melissa McCarthy performance throughout.

It is pretty crude in parts and has cringeworthy references throughout so maybe not one to see with Parents or your Uncle like I did!