THE LAST DUEL REVIEW

 *MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*

In 2005, Ridley Scott directed the medieval drama, Kingdom of Heaven, which starred Orlando Bloom and Eva Green. It received a mostly positive response from critics who praised the action packed battle sequences. Sixteen years later, Scott returns to the genre with The Last Duel, which is set in the midst of the Hundred Years War that explores the ubiquitous power of men, the frailty of justice and the strength and courage of one woman willing to stand alone in the service of truth. Based on actual events, the film unravels long-held assumptions about France's last sanctioned duel between Jean de Carrouges (Matt Damon) and Jacques Le Gris (Adam Driver), two friends turned bitter rivals. Carrouges is a respected knight known for his bravery and skill on the battlefield. Le Gris is a Norman squire whose intelligence and eloquence make him one of the most admired nobles in court. When Carrouges' wife, Marguerite (Jodie Comer), is viciously assaulted by Le Gris, a charge he denies, she refuses to stay silent, stepping forward to accuse her attacker, an act of bravery and defiance that puts her life in jeopardy. The ensuing trial by combat, a grueling duel to the death, places the fate of all three in God's hands.


Although The Last Duel is a compelling and thought provoking drama with strong performances by its talented cast, it is difficult to watch at times, especially the graphic and gruesome rape scene which is shown twice from the perspective of Le Gris and Marguerite. Those who are affected by rape are best off avoiding The Last Duel as Scott doesn’t shy away from showing the rape twice. I think that this is definitely the most controversial aspect of The Last Duel as a lot of people will feel uncomfortable watching this scene once, let alone twice.
Aside from the graphic rape scene, The Last Duel is a powerful drama. Although it takes place in the late fourteenth century, the story couldn’t be more relevant. Its exploration of significant themes are what make it an effective watch. The story is told from the three perspectives of Carrouges, Le Gris and Marguerite. In Carrouges’ story, it’s revealed that he is friends with Le Gris, however, they soon become enemies when the latter is given a piece of land owed to Carrouges by Count Pierre (Ben Affleck). Although Damon delivers a solid leading performance as The Last Duel, this is where the film is at its weakest. The second chapter, which is told from Le Gris’ point of view, is where the drama and tension increases, with Driver delivering a perfectly creepy and intimidating portrayal. Because Le Gris is in love with Marguerite, he believes he’s being charming and thinks that she feels the same way. The Last Duel is at its best during the final hour, with Marguerite’s story being told, leading to the titular final battle between Carrouges and Le Gris. Comer impressed with her performance as the fierce assassin, Villenelle, in the thrilling series, Killing Eve, and stood out alongside Ryan Reynolds in the action packed comedy, Free Guy. Now, in The Last Duel, Comer continues to establish herself as a talented actor. In the beginning, Marguerite is simply seen as Carrouges’ wife, however, after she is attacked by Le Gris, she becomes braver and more self assured. Despite being accused of lying by those around her, Marguerite stands by her truth, making her a respectable and inspiring individual.

The script for The Last Duel is written by Damon, Affleck and Nicole Holofcener, and is based on Eric Jager’s 2004 novel, The Last Duel: A True Story of Trial by Combat in Medieval France. Although the story takes place thousands of years ago, the story is still relevant. I can imagine a lot of people being shocked by medieval society’s view of sex. When Marguerite struggles to conceive a baby with Carrouges, a fertility doctor tells her that it’s because she isn’t being pleasured at the same time as him, which is untrue as a woman can still become pregnant even if she hasn’t achieved orgasm. When Marguerites first accuses Le Gris of raping her, instead of questioning the latter, it’s the former who faces judgement from the public. It’s unfortunate that, in the thousands of years since this story took place, there’s been little to no progress, as women are still being asked what they were wearing and/or if they were drunk when they were attacked. The Last Duel is definitely one of the most thought provoking films to be released this year.

All of the drama and tension builds up to the climatic duel between Carrouges and Le Gris. Because I hadn’t read the book that The Last Duel is based on, I had no idea how it was going to end. The final duel is where The Last Duel is at its most intense as, if Le Gris wins the battle and kills Carrouges, Marguerite’s accusation will be deemed false and she’ll be burnt alive. Both Carrouges and Le Gris are both strong fighters so it’s hard to predict who will win the duel. 

With impressive performances by Jodie Comer and Adam Driver, The Last Duel is a powerful medieval drama. 

8/10

LAST NIGHT IN SOHO REVIEW

 *MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*

Edgar Wright is better known for his comedies, including the Cornetto Trilogy which featured the films, Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz and The World’s End, and starred Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. However, with his latest film, Last Night In Soho, Wright has created a twisted and riveting thriller.

For sweet-natured, 1960s-obsessed Eloise (Thomasin McKenzie), dreams really do come true when she gets accepted into fashion school in the bustling heart of London’s West End. But big city life proves a rude awakening for this small-town girl, and when her rowdy student halls become too much for her to take, she rents a room in the attic of the matriarchal Miss Collins (Diana Rigg, in her final film role). That night, in her new bed, Eloise finds herself inexplicably transported back to 1966 and into the body of an ambitious young singer named Sandy (Anya Taylor-Joy). But just as she starts to get used to her nocturnal time travels, Eloise slowly begins to uncover the terrifying reality of swinging 60s London.

Those expecting Last Night In Soho to be a comedic take on the horror genre like Shaun of the Dead will probably be disappointed as the former is more serious and, at times, is genuinely scary, making it a perfect film to watch during Halloween. 

Since its premiere at the Venice Film Festival in September, Last Night In Soho has divided critics Wright’s “stylish and ambitious” filmmaking skills but said that the film struggled to maintain its thrilling early momentum. Because of this, I lowered my expectations, however, I was pleasantly surprised by Last Night In Soho. While I agree that the story is complicated, I found it to be a gripping thriller for the majority of its 116 minute runtime, with McKenzie and Taylor-Joy impressing in their roles as Eloise and Sandy. Last Night In Soho is undoubtedly Wright’s most visually stunning film and is filled with bright and vibrant cinematography by Chung-hoon Chung. This is clearly a film made to be watched on the big screen and Wright’s love for cinema and for the era of the 1960s are clearly explored.

An issue with Wright’s films is his treatment of female characters, with all of his main characters being portrayed by male actors. Most of the women in his films are love interests for the male main characters, including Kate Ashfield’s Liz in Shaun of the Dead, Rosamund Pike in The World’s End and Lily James’ Deborah in Baby Driver, are examples of this. However, with Last Night In Soho, Wright has made his first film with two female main characters, Eloise and Sandy, who are both interesting individuals and brought to life through the captivating performances by McKenzie and Taylor-Joy. The former portrays Eloise as an ambitious fashion designer who is has a secret sixth sense. However, she comes to London wanting a fresh start but is startled to discover the real horrors that lurk within the capital city, including a creepy taxi driver and a group of mean girls who are studying at the same university as Eloise who shortly leaves campus and moves into an old house owned by a seemingly sweet old woman, Miss Collins. However, on her first night, Eloise finds herself transported to Soho in the 1960s through the body of an aspiring singer, Sandy. Taylor-Joy shines as Sandy, a stand out scene sees her singing Petula Clark’s Downtown. Another impressive performance is delivered by Matt Smith as Jack who is charming at first and promises to help Sandy in her singing career, however, it doesn’t take long for the charm to fade and for the darker side of his personality to come through. In her final film role, the late Dame Diana Rigg delivers an unforgettable performance as Miss Collins. 

Last Night In Soho is Wright’s most divisive film yet as there will be those left puzzled by what they just watched and with more questions than answers, however, others will find it to be a riveting and twisted thriller. Although I’m aware of the film’s issues, including a confusing story and lack of Wright’s trademark humour, this didn’t prevent me from thoroughly enjoying what he’s made with Last Night In Soho. Wright succeeds in capturing the darker sides of London and creates a creepy atmosphere from the moment Eloise arrives in Soho. 

The timing of Last Night In Soho’s release couldn’t be more perfect. It was originally meant to be released in October last year but was postponed after the United Kingdom went into another lockdown, following the spread of the coronavirus. While a lot of films have skipped a theatrical release and gone straight to home release, Wright prioritised a cinema release and it’s easy to see why. Last Night In Soho is a film made to be watched on the big screen, especially during Halloween. 

With Last Night In Soho, director Edgar Wright has created a dark and twisted thriller with Thomasin McKenzie and Anya Taylor-Joy shining in their roles.

8/10

GUNPOWDER MILKSHAKE REVIEW

 *MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*

Gunpowder Milkshake was one of my most anticipated films of this year, mainly because of its cast and the action packed story. It was released in cinemas and on Netflix in the United States in July and, unfortunately, received a mixed response with critics saying that it “runs dangerously close to being a pure sugar rush with no substance”. Despite this, I was still looking forward to watching Gunpowder Milkshake 
Sam (Karen Gillan) was only 12 years old when her mother Scarlet (Lena Headey), an elite assassin, was forced to abandon her. Sam was raised by The Firm, the ruthless crime syndicate her mother worked for. Now, 15 years later, Sam has followed in her mother's footsteps and grown into a fierce hit-woman. She uses her 'talents' to clean up The Firm's most dangerous messes. She's as efficient as she is loyal.  But when a high-risk job goes wrong, Sam must choose between serving The Firm or protecting the life of an innocent 8-year-old girl, Emily (Chloe Coleman). With a target on her back, Sam has only one chance to survive: Reunite with her mother and her lethal associates: The Librarians, Anna May (Angela Bassett), Florence (Michelle Yeoh) and Madeleine (Carla Gugino).  These three generations of women must now learn to trust each other, stand up to The Firm and their army of henchmen, and raise hell against those who could take everything from them.

Although it’s not as great as it could have been, due to a weak and predictable story, Gunpowder Milkshake is still worth watching for its thrilling action and strong performances by its talented cast. The film is at its best during the action sequences, most of which involves Sam and Emily. An early scene that takes place in a bowling alley is easily one of the highlights as it sees Sam fighting off a trio of henchmen sent by her boss, Nathan (Paul Giamatti), after she fails to return his stolen money. Director Navot Papushado doesn’t shy away from the gruesome violence. Those who are squeamish are best off avoiding Gunpowder Milkshake as it’s filled with violent fights. A stand out action sequence sees Emily forced to help Sam drive after a doctor numbs her arms. Despite her age of eight and three quarters, Emily gets involved in some of the action. 

Gunpowder Milkshake features a cast of talented actors who each leave a lasting impression. Since appearing on Doctor Who as Amy Pond in 2010, Gillan has successfully made the transition from television to the cinema by portraying Nebula in Guardians of the Galaxy and its sequel, Vol. 2, and as video game character, Ruby Roundhouse, in both of the Jumanji sequels, Welcome to the Jungle and The Next Level. In Gunpowder Milkshake, Gillan portrays Sam as a bad-ass fighter but also a caring sisterly figure for Emily. Like Gillan, Headey is also best known for her work on television, after appearing as Cersei Lannister in the epic fantasy series, Game of Thrones. As Scarlet, Headey delivers a fierce performance. Bassett, Yeoh and Gugino are equally as impressive as three librarians.

What I admired the most about Gunpowder Milkshake was that it focuses on women who team up to defeat the antagonists. For far too long in films, women have simply been included as the love interest for the male main character. It’s refreshing to watch a film like Gunpowder Milkshake where women aren’t love interests and are interesting individuals. Although the characters are underdeveloped, I still enjoyed watching them all in action, especially during a shoot-out that takes place in the library. The cast are all clearly having a lot of fun working together and making the film and, as a result, I had fun watching them. 

Following my watch of Gunpowder Milkshake, I’m surprised by the lukewarm reception it’s received since its release. Although I agree that both the story and character development could have been improved, I still thoroughly enjoyed the fast-paced and exciting action and seeing women teaming up and getting involved in the action.

7/10

THE SUICIDE SQUAD REVIEW

 *MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*

Following its release in 2016, Suicide Squad received a negative response from critics, with the majority of them saying that, despite its talented cast, they weren’t enough to “save the disappointing end result from a muddled plot, thinly written characters, and choppy directing”. It has since been described as one of the worst films in the DC Extended Universe. When I first watched Suicide Squad, I enjoyed it more than most people, however, following a recent rewatch, its flaws were more noticeable. Five years after Suicide Squad’s release, a sequel has been released, however, is The Suicide Squad an improvement over its predecessor? 

The Suicide Squad sees Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie) joining a new team of villains, including Robert DuBois/Bloodsport (Idris Elba), Christopher Smith/Peacemaker (John Cena), Nanaue/King Shark (voiced by Sylvester Stallone), Cleo Cazo/Ratcatcher 2 (Daniela Melchior) and Abner Krill/Polka-Dot Man (David Dastmalchian), who are all sent to the island nation of Corto Maltese to destroy Jotunheim, a Nazi-era prison and laboratory which holds political prisoners and conducted experiments. Gaius Grieves/The Thinker works with the Corto Maltese government as the laboratory's chief scientist, overseeing Project Starfish.

Suicide Squad was written and directed by David Ayer who wrote the script for the 2001 Oscar winning film, Training Day. Because of this, expectations were high for his take on Suicide Squad, unfortunately, it was a disappointment. However, I think the main reason why it didn’t impress was because the studio, Warner Bros., interfered with some of the creative decisions, including forced humour, a PG-13 rating and lack of violence. Following his experience making Suicide Squad, Ayer quit, meaning that its sequel needed a new director to fix some of the original films’ issues and James Gunn was hired. I think that this was a great choice as, because he directed Guardians of the Galaxy and its sequel which was released in 2017, Gunn has established as a filmmaker who knows how to make a superhero film that is thoroughly entertaining. Gunn’s The Suicide Squad is an improvement over its predecessor as the visuals are vibrant and imaginative, unapologetically violent, fast-paced and action-packed with hardly a dull moment to be found in its 132 minute runtime and, as a result, is one of the best films in the DCEU.

The Suicide Squad features a star studded cast with Robbie returning as the eccentric Harley Quinn and continues to steal every scene she appears in. Also returning are Viola Davis, who delivers a fierce performance as Amanda Palmer who is in charge of the mission, and Joel Kinnaman as Rick Flag, who leads the team. Of the new additions to the cast, the standouts are Elba as Bloodsport, Cena as Peacemaker and Melchior as Ratcatcher 2. After Will Smith’s departure following his appearance as Deadshot in Suicide Squad, it was rumoured that Elba would replace him, however, Gunn wanted him to portray a new character so that Smith could return to Deadshot. This was a great choice as Elba delivers a fierce portrayal of Bloodsport. Another memorable character is Nanaue/King Shark who is voiced by Stallone. Although he’s a man eating fish-human hybrid, Nanaue’s personality is similar to that of Groot from Guardians and isn’t all that bright. One of the weakest aspects of Suicide Squad was its main villain, however, one of the antagonists in The Suicide Squad is The Thinker. Because he’s best known for recently portraying the Twelfth Doctor in the popular sci-fi series, Doctor Who, Capaldi may seem like an odd choice for the role of the villainous Thinker, however, he delivers a perfectly menacing performance.

Those who are squeamish are best off avoiding watching The Suicide Squad as the violence is more severe and gory, with characters being killed off in gruesome ways. However, like the Guardians films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Suicide Squad never takes itself too seriously and is a lot more fun than its predecessor. 

Although The Suicide Squad is a sequel that is an improvement over its predecessor, it’s not without its flaws. The main narrative, which sees villains teaming up on a mission, is predictable. The first half focuses on the team’s journey to their destination. Most of the humour comes from the rivalry between Bloodsport and Peacemaker. An early scene sees the pair trying to outdo the other as they kill of a group of soldiers they believe are keeping Flag captive. A subplot sees Quinn separated from her team and captured by the army and being taken to the President’s palace where she is proposed to by Silvio Luna (Juan Diego Botto) who is the dictator of Corto Maltese. This is where The Suicide Squad is at its least interesting as it distracts from the main narrative. The Suicide Squad is at its best during the second half as it features exciting action sequences. 

Like most superhero films, especially those in the MCU, The Suicide Squad has a post-credits scene that is worth watching as it links to an upcoming spin-off series that involves one of the main characters.

With The Suicide Squad, director James Gunn has created a sequel that doesn’t disappoint as it’s unapologetically violent, action-packed and the star-studded cast are all on top form. 

8/10

 

OLD REVIEW

 *MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*

M. Night Shyamalan is one of the most interesting filmmakers working today and has created a wide range of films that varied in quality. Although he’s written and directed twisted thrillers such as The Sixth Sense and Unbreakable, Shyamalan is best known for his bad films, including the unintentionally funny The Happening, the disappointing After Earth and his abysmal live action adaptation of the animated series, The Last Airbender. There’s always interest surrounding a new film made by Shyamalan as it could either be good or bad. Since its release, Shyamalan’s latest film, Old, has received a mixed response, with critics describing his direction as uneven, however, there are those who enjoyed it. Its divided reception increased my interest in watching it. 

Old focuses on a family on a tropical holiday who discover that the secluded beach where they are relaxing for a few hours is somehow causing them to age rapidly reducing their entire lives into a single day.

Inspired by the graphic novel, Sandcastle, which was written by Pierre Oscar Levy and Frederik Peeters, Old has an interesting premise, unfortunate, the execution through Shyaman’s directing leads to a film filled with over the top performances and a story that is more confusing than clever. The plot twists are strange and disturbing as children age rapidly. Despite these flaws, however, I still found Old to be a fascinating and fun watch. 

The irony of Old is that, despite focusing on a group of characters who age quickly, it does have pacing issues. The first twenty to thirty minutes are spent introducing the characters including Guy (Gael García Bernal), his wife, Prisca (Vicky Krieps) and their young children, Trent (Nolan River) and Maddox (Alexa Swinton). Guy and Prisca are clearly having marriage issues and want to have one final holiday with their children before they divorce. The opening scene is where Old is at its weakest as the set up feels perfunctory and introduces other characters, including surgeon Charles (Rufus Sewell), his wife, Chrystal (Abbey Lee) and their young daughter, Kara (Kyle Bailey). When they all arrive at the beach, the story becomes more interesting when Trent finds a corpse of a woman who had visited the beach the previous night. Following this gruesome discovery, the visitors soon learn that the beach is far from the paradise that they were initially promised and are trapped there.

The majority of Old takes place on the mysterious beach and this is where it’s at its most compelling. Each of the characters is affected in different yet no less disturbing ways, with Trent, Maddox and Kara ageing at an alarming rate. Both Guy and Prisca are shocked to discover that their children have grown into teenagers within hours. Guy also finds his vision deteriorating with Prisca’s tumour growing in her abdomen leading to a gruesome scene that sees Charles removing it. Shortly after ageing into a teenager, Kara finds herself pregnant before giving birth to a baby moments later. These disturbing outcomes are where Old is at its most twisted, however, Shyamalan’s flawed filmmaking skills prevent it from leaving much of an impression. 

A common trademark that features in most of Shyamalan’s films is a plot twist that occurs towards the end of the film. However, most of these twists are absurd and that’s the case with Old. For most of the film, I was wondering if the characters were going to get off the beach and, if they were, how? The final thirty minutes answered that question, however, it left me with more questions than I had at the beginning and found the twist to be more puzzling than clever.

What’s most interesting about Old isn’t anything to do with the film itself bur rather the fact that it was filmed during a pandemic. The worldwide outbreak of coronavirus in the last year has deeply impacted the filmmaking industry significantly, with films having their release dates postponed and other productions being stopped altogether. However, principle photography for Old began towards the end of 2020. Shyamalan said Old’s subject matter, in which a group of people find themselves trapped on an isolated beach, dealing with a deadly phenomenon, mirrored the experience of being in lockdown and the uncertainty of the pandemic. 

Following my watch of Old, I can understand why it’s received such a divisive response, with those having a lot of fun watching the twists unfold on the beach with others failing to be impressed with what Shyamalan had created. My feelings towards Old are mixed. Although I didn’t think it was as bad as I was expecting, it wasn’t as great as it could have been. I think that if it had been made by a more skilful director, Old could have been a riveting and twisted thriller, however, it’s held back by Shyamalan’s uneven directing and the melodramatic performances by its cast.

6/10

A QUIET PLACE PART II REVIEW

 *MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*

Following its release in 2018, A Quiet Place was successful both with critics, who praised John Krasinski’s writing and directing and the original and scary premise, and at the box office, making over $340 million. Because of this, a sequel, A Quiet Place Part II, was made and scheduled to be released in cinemas in March last year. Unfortunately, after cinemas were forced to close after the spread of coronavirus, its release was postponed. A Quiet Place Part II has finally been released, however, was the wait worth it?

Following the deadly events at home, the Abbott family, mother Evelyn (Emily Blunt) and her three children, Regan (Millicent Simmond), Marcus (Noah Jupe) and her newborn baby son, must now face the terrors of the outside world as they continue their fight for survival in silence. Forced to venture into the unknown, they quickly realise that the creatures that hunt by sound are not the only threats that lurk beyond the sand path.

Many sequels disappoint as they fail to live up to expectations and feel like uninspired follow-ups that repeat the same story and don’t offer anything new. Fortunately, this isn’t the case with A Quiet Place Part II which is just as intense and thrilling as its predecessor. I can’t imagine those who were impressed with A Quiet Place being disappointed with what Krasinski has created with this sequel which is filled with intense and thrilling sequences. The majority of the previous film takes place long after the monsters have invaded Earth, however, the sequel opens on the first day the aliens invaded. The Abbott family are at a baseball game that Marcus is playing in when the monsters suddenly appear and attack the terrified and screaming crowd. Because they don’t know that the monsters are blind and hunt by sound, almost everyone is killed. I think that this is a great opening to A Quiet Place Part II as it is incredibly intense. Although it’s obvious that the Abbott family survive, not everyone is as lucky and are violently killed by the monsters. A Quiet Place Part II further proves that Krasinski knows how to make a genuinely scary horror film that keeps you on the edge of your seat for the majority of its 97 minute runtime. Because of its short runtime, there aren’t any pacing issues with the story moving at a quick pace, with the tension increasing leading to a riveting climax. 

A Quiet Place Part II was originally scheduled to be released in cinemas in March last year, however, because cinemas were forced to close due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it wasn’t released until recently. While a lot of films have skipped being released in cinemas and gone straight to video on demand, A Quiet Place Part II proves why cinemas are important. They provide audiences with a unique viewing experience that can’t be recreated at home. The several jump scares and the suspense wouldn’t have been as effective when watched at home. Although I don’t really mind watching films at home, I’m easily distracted, however, at the cinema, my focus is entirely on the film and I enjoy it more and that was certainly the case with A Quiet Place Part II. 

Although I’m not the biggest fan of horror films, as I get scared easily, what I liked most about A Quiet Place Part II is that it focuses more on story and characters rather than trying to scare its audience. Since the reopening of cinemas earlier this month, there have been the release of several horror films including Spiral: From the Book of Saw, The Conjuring 3: The Devil Made Me Do It and The Unholy, however, they have received a mixed to negative response from critics and audiences. However, since the release of A Quiet Place Part II, critics have said that it “expands the terrifying world of the franchise without losing its heart” and I agree. It doesn’t feel like a direct copy of its predecessor with both the stories and characters progressing. Despite the traumatic events they’ve been through, the Evelyn, Marcus and Regan have developed into brave individuals. At the end of A Quiet Place, Regan discovered that the monsters are vulnerable to the high frequency sound from her cochlear implant. This leads to her wanting to travel to a radio tower on an island so that she can transmit the high frequency sound. Simmonds’ performance is one of the most impressive aspects of A Quiet Place Part II. Because Simmonds is deaf, she understands Regan and delivers a moving performance. Although Regan is scared, she knows that she has an advantage against the monsters. Her brave actions makes her all the more admirable.

As well as Simmonds, the rest of the cast leave lasting impressions with their performances. Blunt stands out with her portrayal of overprotective mother, Evelyn. Cillian Murphy joins the cast and delivers a strong performance as Emmett, who was friends with Lee and reluctantly agrees to help Evelyn and her family. Because he is sent by Evelyn to go after Regan, Emmett spends most his screen time with her and he becomes like a father figure for her. Unfortunately, while Blunt, Simmonds and Murphy impress with their performances, both Jupe and Djimon Hounsou, who is one of the most underrated actors, are underused. As Evelyn’s oldest son, Marcus, Jupe isn’t given much to do except scream, look scared and take care of his baby brother. Hounsou briefly appears towards the end as a character who lives on the island. What’s most disappointing is that Hounsou’s character isn’t even given a name and is killed off shortly after helping Regan and Emmett. 

The main reason I don’t like horror films is because they rely too much on jump scares and gory violence. What I liked most about A Quiet Place Part II was that it focused more on the story and characters, however, the scene near the beginning where Marcus accidentally gets his foot caught in a bear trap is shocking. Due to the excruciating pain, Marcus screams with Evelyn trying to quieten him whilst freeing his foot from the trap, with the tension quickly increasing. Although A Quiet Place Part II isn’t that violent, squeamish viewers may want to avoid watching this. 

A Quiet Place ended with Evelyn reloading her gun and preparing to kill more monsters, with the sequel picking up shortly after. After several riveting sequences involving Evelyn, who is forced to leave Marcus alone with the baby in order to get medical supplies, A Quiet Place Part II ends with Regan and Emmett fighting off a monster using the high frequency sound from Regan’s cochlear implant. Although I think that this was a great ending, I would like to see a second sequel, involving Regan as she has useful skills that can kill monsters. However, I can understand if Krasinski chooses not to make another sequel. 

With A Quiet Place Part II, writer/director John Krasinski has created a sequel that matches the quality of its predecessor and is a riveting thriller.

8/10

THOSE WHO WISH ME DEAD REVIEW

 *MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*

Taylor Sheridan is best known for writing the screenplays for Sicario and Hell or High Water. In 2017, he directed his first film. Wind River, which was a thriller starring Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olsen. It received a mostly positive reception from critics who described it as a “character driven mystery with smart writing, a strong cast and a skilfully rendered setting that delivers the bitter chill promised by its title”. Sheridan's latest film, Those Who Wish Me Dead, has recently been released, unfortunately, it’s had a mixed response, however, I was still looking forward to watching it.

A teenage murder witness, Connor (Finn Little), finds himself pursued by twin assassins, Jack (Aiden Gillen) and Patrick (Nicholas Hoult) in the Montana wilderness with a survival expert, Hannah (Angelina Jolie) tasked with protecting him -- and a forest fire threatening to consume them all.

Earlier this month, Those Who Wish Me Dead was released in the United States both in cinemas and on the streaming service, HBO Max. It was recently released in cinemas in the UK. Since then, Those Who Wish Me Dead has received a divisive response. There was those who were disappointed by it, however, others found it to be an impressive follow-up to Wind River. Although it’s not as good as Wind River, I belong in the latter category and found Those Who Wish Me Dead to be an intense thriller. 

Anyone expecting Those Who Wish Me Dead to be as good as Sheridan’s previous film, Wind River, will be disappointed. The latter film surrounded the brutal death of a young woman whose body was found by the main character, Cory. The majority of the story focused on Cory helping a FBI agent, Jane, uncover the mystery behind her death. Following its release in 2017, Wind River received a mostly positive response from critics, with many of them saying that it features “smart writing, a strong cast, and a skilfully rendered setting that delivers the bitter chill promised by its title”. Because of this, expectations were high for Those Who Wish Me Dead. Although it’s not as good as Wind River, Those Who Wish Me Dead is still worth a watch as, for the majority of its 100 minute runtime, it’s a gripping thriller that is elevated by Sheridan’s propulsive direction.

The majority of Those Who Wish Me Dead surrounds a small group of characters, including Hannah, a smoke jumper who has been left traumatised by a past event where she struggled to save some campers and a fellow smoke jumper from a forest fire. Recently, Jolie has become best known for portraying Maleficent in the Disney live-action remakes, Maleficent and its sequel, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil. However, her portrayal of Hannah proves that Jolie can still deliver serious and dramatic performances. Another impressive performance is delivered by Little as Connor whose father is brutally killed by two assassins, Jack and Patrick. At first, Connor is scared and alone but soon trusts Hannah in protecting him. Because Hannah and Connor have both experienced traumatic events, they become close with the former acting as a mother-like figure for the latter. Jon Bernthal is good as the sheriff, Ethan Sawyer, who is Hannah’s ex-boyfriend and becomes involved in the situation involving her, Connor, Jack and Patrick. Sawyer could have easily been written as a typical authoritative figure who tries to save the day, however, that wasn’t the case. Sawyer also has a pregnant wife, Allison (Medina Senghore), who also gets involved in the action. Both Hoult and Gillen are intimidating as the pair of assassins who want to kill Connor, who has evidence that could send them to prison. An issue many people had with Those Who Wish Me Dead was that the characters were underdeveloped which I agree with, however, I can understand that Sheridan wanted to focus on the action, rather than spending most of the film’s runtime giving each of the characters background. 

The last year has been incredibly difficult for millions worldwide due to the ongoing pandemic caused by the outbreak of coronavirus. Cinemas were forced to close, leading to countless films having their release dates postponed or released on video on demand. Fortunately, cinemas in the UK have recently reopened. Those Who Wish Me Dead was one of the first films to be released. Although it’s not the best film I’ve seen, I still enjoyed it. Many of the films currently being shown at the cinema include sequels, reboots, remakes and are lacking in originality. Those Who Wish Me Dead is based on a novel written by Michael Koryta who co-wrote the screenplay with Sheridan and Charles Leavitt. Together, with Those Who Wish Me Dead, they’ve created a mostly riveting thriller. As the fire, caused by Jack and Patrick, quickly spreads over the forest, the intensity increases and the safety of the characters becomes uncertain. There were a few occasions where I was genuinely worried about some of the characters, especially Ethan and Allison, who both have a violent encounter with Jack and Patrick. Because Hannah and Connor were the main characters, I knew that they were going to survive, however, they still suffer and struggle to stay safe.

Cinemas are one of the perfect forms of escapism and provide audiences with new films which is why I love going. It’s been an incredibly tough year and I can understand why a lot of people may be hesitant about visiting a cinema and being in a screen with several other people. However, I’ve been really impressed by the health and safety measures provided by cinemas, with hand sanitisers being available and socially distanced seats. For anyone wanting to visit the cinema, I recommend giving Those Who Wish Me Dead a watch as it’s a riveting and fast-paced thriller.

7/10

I CARE A LOT REVIEW

 *MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*

In 2015, J Blakeson released his adaptation of Rick Yancey’s 2013 novel, The 5th Wave. Unfortunately, it received a negative reception from critics. With his latest feature, I Care A Lot, Blakeson is given an opportunity to establish himself as a skilful filmmaker. Following its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, I Care A Lot has been lauded by critics. It’s recently been released on Amazon Prime in the UK, however, is it as good as critics are saying it is?

Poised with sharklike self-assurance, Marla Grayson (Rosamund Pike) is a professional, court-appointed guardian for dozens of elderly wards whose assets she seizes and cunningly bilks through dubious but legal means. It's a well-oiled racket that Marla and her business-partner and lover, Fran (Eiza González), use with brutal efficiency on their latest "cherry," Jennifer Peterson (Dianne Wiest) - a wealthy retiree with no living heirs or family. But when their mark turns out to have an equally shady secret of her own and connections to a volatile gangster, Roman Lunyov (Peter Dinklage), Marla is forced to level up in a game only predators can play - one that's neither fair, nor square.

In answer to my earlier question, yes, Blakeson’s I Care A Lot is as good as the critics are making it out to be. It’s a wildly entertaining thriller, filled with clever twists. 

The standout aspect of I Care A Lot is Pike’s performance as Marla. Although her character isn’t the most likeable, as she steals from vulnerable old people, she’s a lot of fun to watch and her actions are unpredictable. Throughout I Care A Lot, I wasn’t sure what she was going to do next. If it wasn’t for Pike’s lively performance, I Care A Lot would have been boring. Marla is a very similar character to Amy Dunne, who Pike portrayed in David Fincher’s Gone Girl, as they’re both selfish, cunning and smart. Currently, Pike is nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy at the 78th Golden Globes. Although I’m not sure if she’ll win, I’m glad her performance in I Care A Lot has been recognised. Hopefully, Pike will receive a nomination from the Academy. The supporting cast are all on top form too, especially Dinklage who is intimidating as Roman, Jennifer’s son who isn’t happy that his mother has been forced into a care home. Despite Roman’s violent threats, Marla isn’t afraid and fights back. Although she shares chemistry with Pike, I felt that González was underused. I would have liked to seen more of her as, like Marla, she’s an interesting character. 

Undoubtedly, I Care A Lot is a significant improvement over The 5th Wave, as it proves that Blakeson is a skilful filmmaker. Because the latter film was based on a book, it lacked original ideas. However, I Care A Lot has a unique premise as it focuses on a female con artist stealing from the elderly. The story features several clever twists that I didn’t see coming, especially the ending which sees Marla forming a surprising business partnership with Roman. The characters are all memorable and interesting. The character that surprised me the most was Jennifer. At first, I thought that she was a simple, kind old woman, however, that wasn’t the case. 

With the entire nation currently a third lockdown, many of us are spending our days watching films on streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime.I Care A Lot is currently available to watch on Amazon Prime and is definitely one of the most entertaining films that’s on the streaming site. 

Rosamund Pike delivers one of her most memorable performances as the cunning Marla in J Blakeson’s I Care A Lot which is a wildly entertaining thriller. 

7/10

REBECCA REVIEW

 *MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*

Remakes can be challenging films to make and fail to leave much of a lasting impression due to the original being the definitive version. Alfred Hitchcock’s 1940 film, Rebecca, was an adaptation of Daphne du Maurier’s novel and went on to win the Academy Award for Best Picture. This is why it was a surprise when it was announced in 2018 that Ben Wheatley was going to make his own version of Rebecca as Hitchcock’s film is a classic and many people were doubtful that his film would live up to expectations.

A young, nameless newlywed (Lily James) arrives at her husband’s, Maxime (Armie Hammer), imposing family estate on a windswept English coast and finds herself battling the shadow of his late wife, Rebecca, whose legacy lives on in the house long after her death. 

Since its recent release on the popular streaming site, Netflix, Rebecca has, unsurprisingly, received mixed reviews from critics who failed to see the purpose of Wheatley’s film. Despite its divisive response, I was still interested in giving it a watch as I am one of the few people who hasn’t seen Hitchcock’s Rebecca and therefore knew little about the film’s plot. This is probably why I enjoyed Rebecca, however, I can imagine my feelings towards it will change once I watch Hitchock’s film. 

Although Rebecca is not as great as it could have been, I still found it to be a well-made, strongly acted feature. For the majority of its 122 minute runtime, Rebecca is a twisted drama filled with interesting characters. The first half hour focuses on James’ nameless young maid who works for a rich woman, Mrs. Van Hopper (Ann Dowd), however, during a vacation, the young woman meets and falls in love with Maxim de Winter. The beginning offers viewers a whirlwind romance with James and Hammer sharing chemistry and delivering passionate performances. However, the tone of Rebecca drastically changes once the newly married couple arrive at his luxurious mansion. Upon her arrival, Mrs. de Winter is met with a cold reception from Maxim’s housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers (Kristin Scott Thomas). As the film progresses, Mrs. de Winter makes shocking discoveries about Rebecca and what really happened to her. 

The majority of Rebecca works as a compelling and mysterious drama. Because I was unfamiliar with the book and Hitchcock’s feature, I found Wheatley’s version to be a mostly unpredictable watch and I was surprised by many of the revelations towards the end. I do think that Rebecca will be enjoyed more by those who aren’t familiar with the original book and its many adaptations. The reason why a lot of critics have failed to be impressed by it is probably because they’re comparing it to Hitchcock’s classic version. While I mostly enjoyed what Wheatley had created with Rebecca, I can imagine that I’ll think less of it once I watch the 1940 film by Hitchcock. 

The aspect of Rebecca I was most impressed by was the performances delivered by its talented cast. The stand out is James who delivers a strong dramatic portrayal of the new Mrs. de Winter who finds herself obsessing over her husband’s late wife. Although I think that he has delivered better performances in previous films, including in Call Me By Your Name and The Social Network, Hammer was serviceable as Maxim who, clearly, is still grieving over Rebecca. Of the supporting performances, Thomas is the most memorable and delivered a stern portrayal of Mrs. Danvers who refuses to accept the new Mrs. de Winter. Sam Riley and Keeley Hawes are equally as impressive and both play crucial roles in the story.

Rebecca’s production design is worth mentioning. Maxim’s luxurious mansion, named Manderley, plays an important part and makes for an effective setting. The majority of the film takes place at Manderley mansion and the production design team have clearly put in a lot of hard work into making the place look extravagant and rich. While I can imagine anyone would love to live in a beautiful mansion like Manderley, Mrs. de Winter feels out of place and uncomfortable in her new home. The costume design is also worth praising. In the beginning, Mrs. de Winter is seen wearing casual clothes, however, after marrying Maxime and following her arrival at Manderley, she soon begins wearing Rebecca’s extravagant dresses, which leads to a brief falling out between the couple when she attends a ball wearing a red dress that was previously owned by Rebecca. 

I think that the negative reception towards Wheatley’s Rebecca is a bit harsh as I don’t think it’s that bad of a film. While it was never going to live up to the high quality of Hitchcock’s classic and definitive version, it’s still an effective and twisted drama with strong performances by its cast. I can imagine Wheatley was a fan of Hitchcock and wanted to create Rebecca in his own unique way. I think that many people were surprised by the filmmaker’s decision to remake Rebecca as he’s known more for creating films such as High Rise and Free Fire. Because I hadn’t seen any of Wheatley’s previous works prior to watching Rebecca, I wasn’t sure if I was going to like It, fortunately, it beat my expectations and I’m interesting in watching more of Wheatley’s films. 

Although Ben Wheatley’s Rebecca doesn’t live up to the high quality of Alfred Hitchcock’s classic film, it is still worth watching for the impressive dramatic performances by its cast and will, most likely, be appreciated more by those who are less familiar with the many adaptions of Daphne du Maurier’s novel.

7/10

TENET REVIEW

 *MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*

A lot of films, unfortunately, have had their release dates delayed due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Other films have been released through video on demand, which allows viewers to watch it at home without it having a theatrical release. It's been disappointing seeing all of these films be delayed. At the beginning of this year, I was most excited for the newest James Bond film, No Time To Die, and the sequel to A Quiet Place. Both were due to come out earlier this year, unfortunately, cinemas across the UK were forced to close at the end of March leading to the films having their release date pushed back, with No Time to Die due to be released in November this year and A Quiet Place Part II pushed back to next year. Another film I was excited for was Christopher Nolan's Tenet. This was because the premise sounded interesting and Nolan is one of my favourite directors. Tenet was supposed to be released in July, unfortunately, it was soon postponed indefinitely by the distribution company, Warner Bros, in June. When this announcement was made, I was devastated as I was really hoping to see it. However, at the end of July, things began to look up as cinemas reopened with new safety measures, such as the availability of hand sanitisers throughout the cinema and social distancing guidelines, put in place. I returned to the cinema and watched new films such as Proxima, Unhinged and Babyteeth. With cinemas reopened, Warner Bros. announced that Tenet would be released this year on August 26th. I couldn't be happier about this decision as I honestly didn't think that it would get released this year. With its release date approaching, I watched Tenet's trailer and my excitement increased. Following a mostly positive reception from critics, my expectations were high, however, is Tenet a film worth returning to the cinema for?

Armed with only one word, Tenet, and fighting for the survival of the entire world, a secret agent, known only as the Protagonist (John David Washington) journeys through a twilight world of international espionage on a mission that will unfold in something beyond real time.

In answer to my earlier question, yes, I think that Tenet is definitely a film worth returning to the cinema for. It features many of the things viewers have come to expect from Nolan's films, including exhilarating action sequences, strong performances delivered by its talented ensemble cast and a story that is either going to confuse you or excite you. While I understand that there's a lot of anxiety surrounding people over whether or not they should go to the cinema, especially because of the current pandemic, I think that, if you really want to go, you should. I've visited my local cinema frequently since they've reopened and I've been really impressed with the new health and safety measures they've put in. In my opinion, I think that cinemas are cleaner now than they were prior to the outbreak of COVID-19 because members of staff are cleaning it more often whereas last year, they only tidied the screens and they didn't clean them as regularly as they do now. What I'm trying to say is, if you want to watch Tenet at the cinema, then go, however, if you are too anxious about visiting the cinema, then don't feel bad about staying at home. Now, back to my review of Tenet.

I think that, the main reason why I enjoyed Tenet so much is because I'm a fan of Nolan's previous films, including Inception, The Dark Knight and Dunkirk. Because Tenet's narrative is complex, like Inception and Memento, a lot of it is going to be lost on the average viewer looking for a typical action film. That's also why I liked it so much as there are too many action films that are lazily made and focus more on special effects rather than character and story. Because Nolan focuses more on creating thought provoking and compelling films rather than telling unoriginal, predictable stories, that's why I think he's one of the greatest filmmakers working today. His passion for film is shown clearly in every feature he makes and that couldn't be more true of Tenet. Nolan took more than five years to write the screenplay after deliberating about Tenet's central ideas for over a decade. He made a conscious effort to abstain from any influence of the spy genre other than his own memory. While Tenet is often confusing at times, that doesn't prevent it from further establishing Nolan as one of the most creative and best visionary filmmakers working today.

One aspect Tenet excels in is its exhilarating action sequences which is where the film is at its most exciting. I've always been impressed with Nolan and his use of practical effects instead of relying on computer generated imagery. While CGI isn't necessarily a bad thing, practical effects are more impressive. As evident in the trailer, one of the highlights shows a plane crashing into a building. While other filmmakers would have, understandably, played it safe and used a model plane, Nolan used a real plane for the sequence. To create this sequence, the production team purchased and then crashed a real 747 into a hangar. The stunt was all practical with no CGI. Nolan had originally planned to use miniatures and set-piece builds, however, while scouting for locations in Victorville, California, the team discovered a massive array of old planes and it became apparent that it would actually be more efficient to buy a real plane of the real size and perform the sequence for real on camera. It's because of the exciting action sequences why Tenet is worth seeing on the big screen. 

Prior to viewing Tenet, I was worried I would find Tenet confusing. The first time I watched Inception, Interstellar and Memento, I will admit to being confused, however, following several re-watches, I thoroughly understand them now. I think that is, most likely, to be the case with Tenet. During my viewing, I was asking a few questions in my head, however, by the end, I understood the complex narrative. Now I know what happens, I think I'll enjoy Tenet more on my next watch.

Tenet's plot is simple as it follows a secret agent that is trying to prevent World War III, however, Nolan's execution is not. What is most interesting about Tenet is that not everyone who sees it will have the same opinion of it. It's definitely the most divisive film as some, like me, will love what Nolan has created and appreciate all the hard work that has gone into making an exciting and unique action film, however, there will be others who will leave the cinemas asking more questions and wondering what they've just watched. A lot of action films, that are predictable, fail to leave any lasting impression and will have been forgotten about by the time the viewer has left the cinema. That's not the case with Tenet as it's a film people will be talking about for years to come. It's been a decade since the release of Inception and people are still discussing its ambiguous ending. Chances are, most people aren't going to understand what's just happened in Tenet but that doesn't necessarily means it's a bad film, it's just a film that would benefit from repeated viewings, however, it's a struggle when people are unsure about visiting the cinema even once. 

A lot of Nolan's films, including Inception, The Dark Knight and Dunkirk are known for featuring an A-list cast of famous actors, however, while they've all delivered strong performances, I felt that Nolan's cast was getting a bit repetitive with Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Michael Caine frequently appearing in his films. The cast consists of some of the most talented actors working today. Denzel Washington is a famous name within Hollywood, however, his son, John David, has successfully made a name for himself. Following his effective performance in Spike Lee's Oscar winning film, BlacKkKlansman, which targeted issues of racism, Washington continues to impress. He is everything a protagonist should be: smart, brave and likable. Unsurprisingly, because there are a lot of action sequences, there are a lot of fight scenes, however, instead of relying on stunt doubles, Washington performed them himself. While I understand why actors would use stunt doubles for their own safety, the action sequences and fight scenes were all the more impressive knowing it was actually Washington performing the stunts and not a professional and adds to Tenet's authenticity. Since appearing in the infamous Twilight franchise, Pattinson has appeared in many films to establish himself as a more serious actor and I think that he has mostly succeeded. In Tenet, he portrays Neil who is the Protagonist's handler. His performance here has made me even more excited for his take on the titular caped crusader in Matt Reeves' The Batman, which is due to be released at the end of next year. Elizabeth Debicki has delivered small but memorable supporting roles in films such as Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and Widows, however, as Kat, she delivers one of her most impressive performances yet. Another actor I was impressed by was Kenneth Branagh who is known for portraying likable and charming characters, however, as Russian oligarch, Andrei Sator, he plays against type and is the antagonist to Washington's protagonist. Solid supporting roles are delivered by Caine, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Clémence Poésy, Himesh Patel and Dimple Kapadia.

Tenet marks the first film since The Prestige, which was released in 2006, not to be scored by Hans Zimmer, who composed the score for his dream project, Dune. He was replaced by newcomer Ludwig Göransson who recently won an Academy Award for his score for Black Panther. His score for Tenet is effective and adds to the dramatic tension that feature within the film. 

With Tenet, Christopher Nolan has created another exciting new film that is entirely worth visiting the cinema for. 

8/10

DARK WATERS REVIEW

*MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*

Dark Waters is probably one of the most thought provoking dramas to have been released recently. Judging by the posters and its trailers, Dark Waters does look like your average drama that features a few good performances but not much else to leave much of a lasting impression. However, Dark Waters is one of this year's must see dramas as it sends out an important message that effects everyone, not just the people sitting watching in the cinema.

Inspired by a shocking true story, a tenacious attorney, Robert Bilott (Mark Ruffalo), uncovers a dark secret that connects a growing number of unexplained deaths due to one of the world's largest corporations. In the process, he risks everything - his future, his family, and his own life - to expose the truth.

Dark Waters is an effective drama that sends out an important message and powerfully relays a real life tale of infuriating malfeasance whilst honouring the victims and laying the blame squarely at the feet of the perpetrators. When watching Dark Waters, I thought that the result of the DuPont chemical company only effected those in the United States, however, the film makes a shocking revelation that everyone is effected and 99% of all humans have poisonous chemicals in our blood without realising it. Bilott makes the discovery that DuPont is using a chemical known as PFOA-C8 to manufacture Teflon products which are sold in most countries, including the US and the United Kingdom. Teflon are known for their cooking products, such as frying pans. Secretly, DuPont has been running tests of the effect of the chemical for decades, including on animals and their own employees, including pregnant women, without their knowledge. Their studies show that it caused cancer in animals, people and lead to babies being born with defects. DuPont kept this a secret and dumped hundreds of gallons of toxic sludge upriver from a farm. This leads to a farmer getting in touch with Bilott following the death of almost 200 of his cows after they drunk the poisonous water. While most films are created to entertain, other films are created to send a message to a wide audience. This is why Dark Waters has been made with Ruffalo starring as Bilott as, due to his appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise as Bruce Banner/Hulk, he has gained a large fanbase who are sure to see this film just for him, however, they may leave the cinema thinking about the shocking revelation the film sends out. This shocking revelation is hard to believe, however, there's enough evidence shown in Dark Waters to prove Bilott's theory. His discovery leads to a two decade long battle against DuPont Dark Powers succeeds at being a compelling and thought provoking drama for the majority of its 126 minute runtime. 

The standout aspect of Dark Waters is definitely Ruffalo's powerful portrayal of Bilott. Since the release of Avengers: Endgame last year, it's been interesting watching each actors' career choices post-Endgame. Unfortunately, Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Hemsworth haven't been as successful, with Downey Jr. recently making his appearance in Dolittle,  which received negative reviews from critics and failed to make much money at the box office. Hemsworth suffered a similar fate last year with Men in Black: International. Of the main cast, Ruffalo, Scarlett Johansson and Chris Evans have all made successful appearances in other films, with Johansson receiving two Academy Award nominations for her performances in Marriage Story and Jojo Rabbit, Evans delivering an amusing performance in the comedy, Knives Out, and Ruffalo returning to the big screen in Dark Waters. Not only does he impress with his portrayal of Bilott, he co-produced the film which shows how much he cares about it getting made, which isn't really surprising as the actor is an environmentalist. Anne Hathaway and Tim Robbins deliver strong supporting roles as Bilott's wife, Sarah, and his boss, Tom Terp. 

Dark Waters is directed by Todd Haynes who is best known for directing Carol and Far From Heaven. Because the film features a story that sends out an important message, it needed an experienced director in order to bring the drama to life and Haynes proves to be the best choice. It would've been easy to create a boring drama full of cliches, however, Haynes understands that, in order to get the message sent out effectively, he has to create an original film that is both compelling and thought provoking. And with Dark Waters, he has succeeded. 

Dark Waters isn't without its flaws. It takes a while to set up the story and, because it's covering almost two decades worth of important events, it did feel rushed at times. However, those are minor flaws and can be easily overlooked when compared to its thought provoking story and powerful lead performance by Mark Ruffalo.

8/10

PARASITE REVIEW

*MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*

Following its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May, where it was awarded the Palme d'Or award, Bong Joon-ho's latest film, Parasite, has received critical acclaim, with many praising its "brilliantly layered look at timely themes". Since then, Parasite has received positive reception from viewers of the film. Because of its impressive reception, it quickly became one of my most anticipated films of 2020, however, I was lucky enough to watch it at an early preview screening. My expectations were high for Parasite and, fortunately, it doesn't disappoint. It ends a year of great films on a high and is a must see.

The Park family are the picture of aspirational wealth. And the Kim family are rich in street smarts but not much else. Be it chance or fate, these two houses are brought together and the Kim family sense a golden opportunity. Masterminded by college-aged Ki-woo (Woo-sik Choi), the Kim children expediently install themselves as tutor and art therapist, to the Parks. Soon, a symbiotic relationship forms between the two families. The Kim family provide "indispensable" luxury services while the Parks obliviously bankroll their entire household. When a parasitic interloper threatens the Kim's newfound comfort, a savage, underhanded battle for dominance breaks out, threatening to destroy the fragile ecosystem between the Kim family and the Parks.

With a film like Parasite, I think it's best to view it without knowing much about the plot. By avoiding reviews and trailers, I knew little about what was going to happen and found Parasite to be an unpredictable watch for the majority of its 132 runtime. Prior to watching, I was worried about the language barrier and having to read subtitles for the entirety of the film, fortunately, this wasn't an issue. Parasite and Alfonso Cuarón's Roma have encouraged me to watch more foreign films as they provide a unique viewing experience. 

With Parasite, Bong has created a thought-provoking film. I can't imagine anyone seeing this film and not having an opinion of it. It's definitely a film that will divide audiences, especially the ending which takes a shocking twist. A lot of people will also have different opinions on the actions by the Kim family. In order to get jobs for the whole family, the Kim family lie and pose as sophisticated skilled workers, unrelated to each other, and integrate themselves into the lives of the Parks. It's easy to understand why the Kim family do this as they're desperate for money and aren't earning enough by folding pizza boxes. It would've been easy to portray the Park family as the antagonists simply because they're wealthy, however, Parasite portrays them as ordinary individuals who have a lot of money. In the beginning, they come across as friendly, unfortunately, towards the end, they make comments that reveal how blind they are to the real world. After a flood leaves the Kims family homeless, a member of the Park family comments on the nice weather due to all the rain from the previous evening. This small comment clearly shows how oblivious the Park family are to the real world as they're unaware of the suffering the Kim family are experiencing. 

Parasite effectively shows the divide between the rich and the poor and shows the contrast between the two lives. The Kim family live in a small semi-basement apartment, working low-paying temporary jobs and struggling to make ends meet. However, they are very close and grateful for what they have. When Ki-woo gets a job working for the Park family, we can instantly see how different their lives are. While the Kim family are down to earth and don't take anything for granted, the same can't be said for the Park family. At first, they come across as friendly and, unintentionally, hire the Kim family, however, it's clear how oblivious they are to the real world. I can imagine a lot of people empathising with the Kim family, however, they're far from perfect individuals as they lie in order to get themselves a job. Others will probably be able to see the story from the Park family's point of view and struggle to understand the Kim family's actions. This is why Parasite is one of this year's must see films as everyone will have a different opinion and it will provoke many interesting conversations from audiences.

Prior to watching Parasite, I did see a few comments regarding the ending and how shocking and violent it is. While Parasite is an engaging and compelling drama for most of its runtime, the story takes a surprising turn when a former employer of the Park family, who lost her job because of the Kim family, returns and threatens to reveal their secret. This leads to a violent outbreak that takes place at a birthday party. While I do recommend Parasite, those who struggle to watch violence may want to avoid it as it gets intense towards the end.

Parasite starts off as a gripping drama with the tension increasing. When the Kim family decide to live inside the Park family home whilst they're away camping, an intense sequence occurs when they return home early, with the Kim family hiding and struggling to leave the house without being discovered.

Parasite currently has a rating of 99% on the review aggregation website, Rotten Tomatoes, with over 300 critics giving it positive reviews. This is very impressive as most films divide critics and it's rare for a film to achieve this rating. It also won the Palme d'Or award at the Cannes Film Festival and became the first Korean film to ever win this award. It's also currently nominated for three Golden Globes including Best Director and Best Screenplay for Bong and Best Foreign Film. I can imagine a lot of people overlooking Parasite and not seeing it simply because it's a foreign film which is unfair. I see a lot of complaints about unoriginal films, such as superhero films, sequels and remakes, being successful at the box office yet those same people don't give unique films like Parasite a chance. The themes that feature within the narrative for Parasite couldn't be more relevant, including the contrasting lives between the wealthy and poor. 

With Parasite, a thought-provoking drama that features a narrative with relevant themes, Bong Joon-ho has created his most successful film yet.

8/10

KNIVES OUT REVIEW

*MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*

For a mystery-based film to succeed, it has to keep the viewer guessing throughout and make it hard for them to correctly predict the outcome. If the revelation is correctly guessed before its revealed, it can lead to a boring watch. Fortunately, this wasn't the case for Rian Johnson's latest feature, Knives Out, a highly entertaining film that features a star-studded cast.

When renowned crime novelist Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer) is found dead at his estate just after his 85th birthday, the inquisitive and debonair Detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) is mysteriously enlisted to investigate. From Harlan's dysfunctional family to his devoted staff, Blanc sifts through a web of red herrings and self-serving lies to uncover the truth behind Harlan's untimely death.

Johnson is best known for directing the underrated sci-fi feature, Looper, which was released in 2012, and Star Wars: The Last Jedi, which received a mixed reception from fans of the franchise. Although I like both films, I think that Knives Out is Johnson's best feature yet. In 2010, he expressed interest in making a murder mystery film and planned on making one following the release of Looper, however, he went on to make The Last Jedi. Johnson cited several classic mystery thrillers and mystery comedies as influences on Knives Out, including Murder on the Orient Express, Death on the Nile, Something's Afoot, Deathtrap and Clue. His script pays tribute to mystery mastermind Agatha Christie so fans of her novels will certainly enjoy what Johnson has created with Knives Out, a fun, modern-day murder mystery where everyone is a suspect. Knives Out succeeds as a mystery as it keeps its viewers guessing throughout and, because of the many twists and turns that feature within the story, it makes for an unpredictable watch. 

What I liked most about Knives Out was that it didn't take itself seriously. The tone is very tongue-in-cheek with its over-the-top and eccentric characters. The humour makes Knives Out all the more fun to watch, despite the serious themes of murder and suicide. 

The stand-out aspect of Knives Out is the star-studded cast, with Craig delivering an amusing portrayal of Detective Blanc. His performance makes you forget that he's also the most famous spy, James Bond, a role he's set to reprise in No Time To Die, which is due to be released next year. Familiar names include Chris Evans, who is perfectly cocky as Ransom, Jamie Lee Curtis as Harlan's eldest daughter, Linda, Michael Shannon as her brother, Walt, Don Johnson as Linda's husband, Richard and Toni Collette as Harlan's daughter-in-law, Joni. With this many famous names in one film, it would be easy for the film to feel overcrowded, however, each actor delivers a strong portrayal of their characters and they all get their moment to shine.  While the Thrombey family are affected by the death of Harlan, the story focuses on his caretaker and nurse, Marta (Ana de Armas), who vomits every time she tries to lie, however, Blanc believes she knows more about Harlan's mysterious death. Jaeden Martell's character, Jacob Thrombey, who tweets hate speech online, was inspired by angry Star Wars fans on Twitter that Johnson encountered following the release of The Last Jedi.
A marketing scheme that is used to promote a film is interviews with the cast. It's an effective method at getting people interested in the film as they hear the cast discuss what it was like on set and reveal details from behind the scenes. Judging from what I've seen from interviews with the cast for Knives Out, they all worked well together and that's why the film itself is such a success. It's not hard to see the actors having fun with their characters they're portraying which makes it fun for the audience to watch.

Following its premiere at the Toronto Film Festival in September, Knives Out has received critical acclaim, with the majority of them stating that the film shows Johnson at his best. Because of this and its impressive ensemble cast, it quickly became one of my most anticipated films and, fortunately, it didn't disappoint.

8/10

JOKER REVIEW

*MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*

Because of his twisted personality and unpredictable actions, the Joker is probably one of the most well-known villains. The character has been portrayed by Jack Nicholson in Tim Burton's 1989 film, Batman, Heath Ledger in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight and Jared Leto in Suicide Squad. Of the three, Ledger's portrayal is the most memorable because of his dedication to the role. Sadly, the actor died prior to the film's release, however, he was received a posthumous Oscar. Each actor delivered their own unique portrayal of the Joker, however, the film themselves never explored his background or how he became the iconic villain we all know him as.

Todd Phillips' Joker is a suitably dark and disturbing thriller that shows the man behind the clown-like make-up. That man is Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix), a mentally ill, impoverished stand-up comedian disregarded by society. The story focuses on Fleck and shows audiences how he became the Joker.

While I still think that Ledger delivered the best portrayal of the Joker, Phoenix's performance is, undoubtedly, the strongest aspect of Joker. He is considered one of the most versatile actors working today and has played a wide range of characters, however, I think that his portrayal of the Joker might be his most impressive. By losing 52lbs and covering his face with vibrant clown-like make-up, Phoenix's appearance changes drastically and becomes the iconic villain. I respect actors who dedicate themselves to a role and take drastic measures such as losing weight as it can't be easy. Because of Phoenix's weight loss, filming could only be done once, with no opportunity for reshoots. The Joker's laughter is a known trait and Phoenix has said that perfecting that iconic laughter was the toughest part. However, by watching videos of those suffering from pathological laughter, Phoenix has succeeded in recreating the Joker's laugh. Despite being nominated for three Oscars for his performances in films such as Gladiator, Walk The Line and The Master, Phoenix is yet to win. However, I can definitely see him receiving another nomination at next year's Academy Awards where hopefully he'll be recognised. The supporting cast includes Robert DeNiro as talk show host, Murray Franklin, and Zazie Beets as Fleck's neighbour, Sophie. Unfortunately, neither has enough screen time to leave much of a lasting impression.
Unsurprisingly, Joker has caused controversy since its premiere at the Venice Film Festival at the end of August, mainly for its heavy use of violence and take on mental illness. I understand why people will want to avoid Joker as it is very dark and disturbing and there is a lot of violence towards the end. I'm not the biggest fan of violence, which is why I've always avoided Quentin Tarantino's films until recently as his films are known for being extremely violent, however, I mainly wanted to watch Joker to see Phoenix's portrayal of the villain. I had also read a lot of positive reviews. While I didn't love it and wouldn't watch it again because of the violence, I do think that it's a well-made film. However, without the violence, I don't think that Joker would have left as much of an impression. This is why Suicide Squad and Venom were disappointments as, to reach a wider audience by having a certification rating of PG-13, the violence was toned down. This was a bad decision as the comic books, that the films were based on, are known for being violent. The character of the Joker is known being dark, twisted and disturbing so it's only right that the film should be, too. As for its take on mental illness, I think it was portrayed in a realistic way and shows how differently society treats those struggling. We see Fleck frequently visiting a social worker and opening up about his feelings, however, the funding for the mental health facility is cut off, which means he can't get access to his medication. Joker shows how much harder life is for those with a debilitating mental illness and how badly they get treated by society. In other films that featured the Joker, I always perceived him as nothing more than a comic book villain, however, in Joker, I saw him more as a human being.
Joker succeeds at being thought-provoking. I can't imagine anyone watching this and then not talking about it. It's probably one of the most divisive films this year. However, while not everyone will like it, it's definitely got people interested which is why it's currently making a lot of money at the box office. I also find it amusing that people are arguing over someone who is a fictional character from a comic book. The world that Joker is set in feels so real that you forget that. With films like The Dark Knight, you know you're watching a superhero film as it feels unrealistic, however, that wasn't the case for Joker.
What I also liked about Joker was that it's a stand-alone film with no intention of a sequel being released. I think that there are too many unnecessary sequels that lack the quality of its predecessor. While Joker has an ambigious ending that will most likely have audiences talking, Phillips has confirmed that there will be no sequel and that Phoenix's portrayal of the Joker won't be appearing the DC Extended Universe. It's refreshing to see a mainstream Hollywood film, based on a popular character from a comic book, that isn't part of a larger story or cinematic universe. Joker functions as a masterful stand-alone story and conveying everything we need to know about Fleck in just over two hours. Joker can also be watched by those who are unfamiliar with Batman and the titular villain as it's set in 1981, when Bruce Wayne was a child. From their viewing perspective, Joker can be seen as a film about a failed stand-up comedian who is driven insane and turns to a life of crime and chaos while becoming an infamous psychopathic crime figure. There are brief glimpses of Wayne and the scene where his parents are murdered in front of him is shown.
The story focuses on Fleck's downward spiral as he and the city around him descend into chaos. It's full of twists that I didn't see coming and succeeds at being unpredictable for the majority of its 122 minute runtime. I think that Phillips has created the perfect origin story as it's suits the Joker's personality, who is known for being unpredictable.
Although I didn't love Joker and wouldn't watch it again, mainly because of its violence and dark and disturbing tone, I'm glad I watched it as I understand why it's being talked about. It's not the easiest film to watch, however, I think that it's worth watching for Phoenix's unforgettable portrayal of the titular villain.
8/10

AD ASTRA REVIEW

*MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*

The end of the year has seen the release of several memorable sci-fi films, including Interstellar, The Martian, Arrival and First Man. This year, it’s Ad Astra which, since its release last week, has divided critics and audiences. Critics have praised the special effects and Brad Pitt’s leading performances, however, audiences found it too slow and boring. While I agree with critics, I can understand why audiences failed to be impressed.
Ad Astra focuses on astronaut Roy McBride (Brad Pitt) who travels to the outer edges of the solar system to find his missing father, Clifford (Tommy Lee Jones) and unravel a mystery that threatens the survival of our planet. His journey will uncover secrets that challenge the nature of human existence and our place in the cosmos.
Prior to watching Ad Astra, I had no idea what to expect and, fortunately, I was pleasantly surprised and found it to be a thought provoking watch. Those expecting a film that is action packed will be disappointed as Ad Astra focuses more on its story. There are a few thrilling action sequences, including a lunar rover chase scene that sees Roy attacked by scavenging pirates whilst on his way to the SpaceCom base on the moon, which has become a cheap tourist trap, much to his disappontment.
Over the course of his 30 year long career, Pitt has shown his strength as an actor, however, I think that a lot of people will be surprised that he is yet to win an Oscar for Best Actor. The only Academy Award he's won is for being a producer on 12 Years A Slave which won the Best Picture award in 2014. Pitt succeeds at making Roy an interesting individual, however, I don't think he'll be nominated at the Academy Awards next year. While I wasn't a huge fan of the film, I found his performance in Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon A Time In Hollywood to be more memorable. Ad Astra features a solid supporting cast that includes Lee Jones, Donald Sutherland as Colonel Pruitt and Ruth Negga as Helen Lantos, however, neither has enough screen time to leave much of a lasting impression.
Roy's mission to find his father proves to be an incredibly difficult task. This is because Clifford has been missing for sixteen years. He was believed to be dead until mysterious power surges are linked to the Lima Project, which he was the leader of. This leads to Roy being sent across the Solar System in order to reach his father and find out what happened. For the majority of its 124 minute runtime, Ad Astra succeeds at being a compelling and unpredictable watch. All of the drama that occurs throughout the film leads to a moving and emotional climax when Roy finally reunties with his father. Unfortunately, it's not the happy reunion he was hoping for as Clifford confesses that he didn't once think about his wife or his son whilst he was gone. This revelation is both shocking and heartbreaking, however, that doesn't stop Roy from wanting to bring his father home. I think the ending will have a stronger impact on those who can relate to Roy whose relationship with his father is non-existent. Finding his father causes Roy to reflect on his own life and inspires him to reconnect with those closest to him, including his wife, Eve (Liv Tyler), who is only briefly seen in flashbacks. Despite the tragedy he just experienced, Roy returns to Earth with new-found optimism. I quite liked this ending as it concluded Roy's story and doesn't leave the viewer wondering what happens next.
The standout aspect of Ad Astra is its visual effects which is why it’s worth watching on the big screen. A lot of sci-fi films that overindulge on the special effects fail to impress as they tend to lack in interesting characters and a compelling story. That wasn’t the case for Ad Astra as director James Gray uses the special effects as a tool rather than relying on them. The cinematography by Hoyte van Hoytema also deserves a mention too and another reason why it's a must-see at the cinema as they won't be as impressive when viewed on a smaller screen. The special effects succeed at making you feel like you're in space with Roy and, by using close-up shots of his face, we can clearly see how much the mission is affecting him, both mentally and emotionally.
At the Cannes Film Festival in 2016, Gray stated that he wanted to make a sci-fi film to feature "the most realistic depiction of space travel that's been put in a movie and to basically say, 'Space is awfully hostile to us'." I think that he has mostly succeeded. Despite filming beginning in mid-Augst in 2017, it took two years to complete, mainly due to its cutting-edge special effects. It also received a poor reception from test screenings which lead to reshoots being conducted and an increase in the budget from $80 million to over $100 million. A lot of hard work has clearly gone into making Ad Astra an unforgettable viewing experience and, fortunately, the hard work has paid off.
One of the biggest questions is if there is life in outer space. When Roy reunites with Clifford, we learn that the latter has become obsessed with the possibility of non-human intelligent life in space. Throughout the film, Clifford is praised by the U.S. Space Command and is viewed in a positive light. However, when we finally meet Clifford towards the end, we see a darker side to him. His obsessive personality and actions have lead to the deaths of his crew and threatened life on Earth. This made me think if finding life in outer space was worth it if it meant the deaths of others.
With a film like Ad Astra, I think that it's best to view it without having seen the trailers or any knowledge of the plot. Those who saw the trailer were expecting a sci-fi epic that's similar to Interstellar which is why they left disappointed. Just because it's set in space doesn't necessarily mean it's going to be the same to any other sci-fi film that's been released.
Ad Astra may not be one of the best sci-fi films that's been released, however, it's entirely worth viewing on the big screen for its mesmerising visual effects and also for Brad Pitt's leading performance.
8/10