martinrobertson300482 Reviews

Late Night with the Devil (2023)

Awful

[2/10 · 5 April 2024]

Stayed up late to watch "late night with the devil" and wish i hadn't. This movie won't give you nightmares. If anything it'll help you sleep.

It looked like it had a good concept, and was trying to have that creepy 70's vibe. But the film has a tedious pace, some poor humour, and just when it gets to the stuff it's all building up too. It just ends up full off itself.

Worst of all though. (Apart from one spooky if predictable moment) It's just not that scary. They really found a great actress to be this movies "Regan." But they even manage to blow that with the over the top voices and twisted movements. Stuff we've all seen before in a hundred other exorcist rip-offs.

My friend who i saw the movie with hated the confussing ending most of all. But i didn't think that was the worst part of the movie. All i can say is if you don't like the first half hour or so it doesn't get any better. And it even "breaks for commercial" every 10 minutes. Which is something no one trying to watch a movie wants.

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024)

Pretty good

[7/10 · 23 March 2024]

I thought that "Ghostbusters - afterlife" had some promise, but was maybe too similar to the original, and overdid it with the nostalgia, while only having our original heroes in there at the end. This sequel is pretty much in the same vein. But i enjoyed it a bit more because the original cast were in it more, and the big bad was someone new this time.

There is alot going on in the movie, as they really want to make more of these. So there are alot of characters coming and going. It really felt like they were throwing everything at you hoping something would stick. But this wasn't bad as it made for a movie that wasn't boring. Out of the newcomers Kumail Nanjiani gets the laughs, and there were plenty of gags in the movie overall. Though not all of the jokes worked.

Overall its a fun movie that largely plays it safe, and doesn't take any chances. An example of this is at the end when it feels like Bill Murray was going to say something huge that got cut to keep someone happy. The other thing some will find missing was that emotional gamble the last one had. So its not brilliant or anything. But a decent family watch.

American Fiction (2023)

Disappointing

[4/10 · 14 March 2024]

"American fiction" promised it was a comedy drama with a message. But despite almost having enough drama, and nearly enough laughs. The overall result is as underwhelming as how the main character finds everything.

I struggled with the movie because i found that most the characters did nothing but moan, and largerly wanted to be treated like they were something special. Like the Sterling K Brown character. He's caught doing all sorts and everyone's cool with it. But he still complains.

The story is also a problem overall. As there isn't one once the movie decides its not even going to have an ending. Or something. But the drama and humour has worn thin by then anyway.

Dream Scenario (2023)

Great

[8/10 · 13 March 2024]

"Dream scenario" looked interesting, and it is. For 80 percent of the movie i was thinking it was actually amazing. But unfortunately that last 20 minutes or so sucks alot out of the movie.

Its such a weird premise and Nicolas Cage is on top form. Genuinely giving one of his best performances in years. As he looks borderline unrecognisable. Its such a funny movie, and has alot of arty moments going on without being full of itself. Managing to be a hilarious satire (especially one laugh out loud scene) that also gets serious when it needs too. Infact it almost gets into horror territory, and its a shame it didn't keep going with that. Or with its humour.

Instead it all takes a sharp left turn towards the end. Which doesn't totally ruin the film. But it was so close to being a 10 out of 10 movie. Its a shame it took one or maybe even two gambles too many by the very end. Still well worth a watch though.

Dune: Part Two (2024)

Disappointing

[4/10 · 10 March 2024]

I wanted to like Dune part 2. I really did. But instead i have to be honest and say that i didnt think the movie was all that great, and is massively overhyped.

I felt like part one was all the buildup. So this one would be all the action. Especially as i watched the old 80's Dune a few days before. To start off with the positives. Most of the action is great. Austin Butler is also a positive as a creepy villian. But the way he just kind of shows up half way through and then doesn't do much till the finale. Is a strange choise. Especially when villians already setup in the last movie just kind of hang around.

Overall I was disappointed in the film because it was way too long and slow. The plot seemed all over the place, and i struggled to take the seriousness, the overuse of made up languages with subtitles, and the daft costumes seriously. Maybe i shouldn't have gone to see it after a 10 hour shift at my work. But i still felt underwhelmed with it after such buzz.

The Iron Claw (2023)

Awesome

[10/10 · 13 February 2024]

I'm amazed that there are actually some genuinely great movies out just now. After almost thinking 2023 was a pretty poor year all round. The Iron claw though comes in late as maybe even the top film of the year for me.

I've never been all that into wrestling so you don't have to be a hardcore fan to be into the movie. Though the wrestling scenes are genuinely well done. The film is more of a tragic story. That will be truly heartbreaking to most, as its all set around a tight family. This unbelievablely true story has great performances. Particularly by Halt McCallany as the tough father in the movie.

Zack Efron however is the star, and its hard not to apprictiate how jacked he got for the movie. But on top of that he also gives a surprisingly heartfelt performance. The film overall is very sad. But there's also enough humour in there to keep it from getting too dreary. There are many creative decisions in the movie. Most of which make it a 10 out of 10 flick. The cinema was the busiest i've seen it in ages as well so word has spread its an oldschool film that you should definitely see.

Saltburn (2023)

Pretty good

[7/10 · 12 February 2024]

I really didn't fancy this movie if i'm honest. But was convinced to give it a watch on streaming. I was either being talked into watching something great or watching something gross. But turns out it was a bit of both.

I was struggling with the first half of the movie. Which felt like it just had some grossness to keep you're attention until the good stuff. Which is the second half the movie. The sharp turn around half way through is where the film gets way more interesting, and really showcases what a star lead actor Barry Keoghan Will most likely become.

There was enough dark comedy throughout the whole thing for it to be a decent watch too. Only that grossness (particularly one scene) will still have alot of people skipping it.

The Holdovers (2023)

Awesome

[10/10 · 5 February 2024]

When i first started this film i honestly wondered what i was doing watching a movie set in a posh private school, and thought i'd fallen for those 5 star ratings on the poster. But would be bored with the movie. As it went on though it really did reveal itself as a 5 star movie.

Its a comedy drama. But don't expect huge laugh out loud laughs, as its more of a drama, and the comedy is a bonus on top of that. The reason the movie is so good though, is that it really delves into these characters, and gets you thinking about why they act the way they act. I was tearing up at parts of the film and i rarely do that.

The movie is honestly never boring, because its so well written and is so well made and well acted that its pretty much flawless. Its destined to be a future Christmas classic as it really is heartfelt and funny, and parts of it will stay with you long after its done.

Anatomy of a Fall (2023)

Really good

[9/10 · 5 February 2024]

This Film should really appeal to the Netflix documentry crowd (which includes me) as its all about the mysterious death of the title, and leaves us trying to solve the crime ourselves along the way. So if you love being an amateur detective you should love the movie.

The film goes through the whole build up to the crime, the whole investigation afterwards and then the whole court case. While exploring how it effects everyone involved. Lead actress Sandra Huller is 100 percent convincing as the murder victims wife and prime suspect, and her son being caught up in everything is great too.

The movie will keep you engrossed and keep you guessing, and the only thing stopping it from getting the full 10 out of 10 is the obscure ending. Which some will love. But i hoped for a bit more.

Jackdaw (2023)

Decent enough

[6/10 · 2 February 2024]

"Jackdaw" is a dark Brittish thriller that looked like it could be cool with its badass hero and plenty of motorbike action. Plus it also stars Jenna Coleman and "This is Englands" Thomas Turgoose which is a bonus. But I wanted to like it more.

There are some decent little chases and shootouts, and a genuinely scary looking villian. But the plot is pretty straightforward and more and more unlikely things happen as it all comes to a finale that just fizzles out.

Its still decent enough though with its promising start, its overall style and cool music. As well as its nice cast. Still making for an above average gritty movie.

The End We Start From (2023)

Pretty good

[7/10 · 30 January 2024]

"The End we start from" is quite a hard movie to review. Overall i enjoyed the movie. But it felt like i was always expecting it to move up a gear, and then it just ends.

Its all about surviving during an egological crisis. A problem made all the more challenging for the fantastic Jodie Comer. As she's just had a baby amongst the chaos. There's plenty happening in the movie but it focuses more on Comer, her backstory and the human element. I think i felt slightly underwhelmed by the movie because we've had so many more eventful post-Apocalyptic films and tv shows that this up close and personal one feels very different.

In short. What could have been an otherwise average movie is given a boast by Jodie Comer and by an ending thats rushed but satisfying.

Baghead (2023)

Decent enough

[6/10 · 30 January 2024]

Ok maybe i'm way off on this one. But i went into this movie blind and knowing absolutely nothing about it, and came out liking it more than the people who took me to see it and were looking forward to it.

I mean its not a perfect movie, and it did have a couple of lame familiar moments. But overall it tried it hardest to be different and avoid the same old thing we've seen time and again. It had a decent plot with a couple of twists, and good acting. But is a mild horror really. So won't keep all fans of the genre happy.

Its a strange one as there's nothing terribly old but nothing amazingly new in the movie. But i'd say its worth a one of watch. Even if my friends would say it isn't.

One Life (2023)

Pretty good

[7/10 · 30 January 2024]

Knew absolutely nothing about the legendary Nicholas Winton until someone recently told me. Then when this movie came out others praised it. So i had to check it out.

The film switches from an older Winton during the 80's played by Anthony Hopkins. As well as by a younger Johnny Flynn In 1938. Who at some angles is a spot on match for a young Hopkins. The movie shows the heroic stuff Winton carried out. While an older Hopkins years later shows that he was very proud about having done anything.

Its great that the movie tells this guys story as we should all remember him. But I've got to be honest about the film and say it took me a while to get into it, as it has quite a slow start. Once you get to that last half hour or so though you'll need the hankies. As it becomes a more and more emotional watch. Definitely a decent if not amazing tribute to the man.

The Beekeeper (2024)

Pretty bad

[3/10 · 28 January 2024]

Not sure why i went to see this one as i've not seen most of Jason Stathams movies. And if they're anything like this one i won't be in a rush to revisit them.

The movie looked dumb, and it is. Statham is a beekeeper. Both metaphorically and genuinely. Infact the worst part of the film isn't how repetitive and boring the action gets (where Statham is practically untouchable). But the cringey push to make ex-military beekeeper tough guys a thing. You'll definitely get some laughs from how ridiculous it all is. But half the time I couldn't really tell if they were intentional laughs or not.

I guess there is enough decent action. Like the farm scene, the middle office attack, and there's a decent brutal fight scene near the end. But even the most promising part of the movie - setting up the great villian for a well deserved ass kicking later. Doesn't pay off. So overall, pretty poor.

Priscilla (2023)

Average

[5/10 · 17 January 2024]

Was hoping this would be a darker look at Elvis Presley through Priscilla Presley. After last years all show and no tell Elvis movie. But despite a great lead performance. The movies very average.

Cailee Spaeny Is very good and staggeringly beautiful as Priscilla, and its good that the movie digs into the uncomfortable start of her relationship with Elvis. But there's just not much story to get into after that, and the movie doesn't do itself any favours by having alot of scenes set in the same bedroom as well as cutting itself short at the end.

Jacob Elordi does a decent impression of Elvis as well i guess. But the film can get a little boring just having the two actors looking into each others eyes and talking for most of the time.

Society of the Snow (2023)

Pretty good

[7/10 · 10 January 2024]

This ones quite a hard movie to judge, as i just rewatched "Alive" a while back. So already knew everything that was coming. Mind you that movie was 30 years ago, and this one will hopefully tell newcomers about the events.

A remake or retelling is only really justified if its for creative reasons, so i guess this one is more than justified as it includes more of what really happened and is even partially filmed at the real location. You can really feel the bitter cold and the actors are all genuiny Uruguayan and Argentinian. Though it does feel like it races through the first couple of days following the crash. I'll also stick up for "Alive" which cut things down a bit and made the characters easier to follow.

This films darker and grittier which is also good though. Its also marginly more gruesome, and maybe not as respectful. I was also hoping it would go more into how the hell continued when the survivors got home and judged for how they got through their ordeal. Which felt like a missed opportunity really.

Night Swim (2024)

Disappointing

[4/10 · 6 January 2024]

Night swim is the latest horror movie from Blumhouse and James Wan, and is pretty much like every other movie they've made. But this time there's ghosts in a swimming pool.

Ye a baseball obsessed dad and his family moves into a new house only to find it has a grissly past. (Though not to grissly as the movies aimed at teenagers) and from there its all random baseball, water, scary face, random baseball, water, scary face. And so on.

To be fair there are a couple of scary moments in it. But the rest is just same old same old. There's especially no prices for guessing what happens to the dad in the movie, and its all wrapped up quickly so they can keep some of their other ideas free for the next one.

Ferrari (2023)

Great

[8/10 · 5 January 2024]

I wanted to see "Ferarri" because i generally like these movies about the backstory of a famous product or person or whatever, and this one also promised fast driving action so i checked the movie out.

Its a pretty straight forward story to be honest. But the characters are well built up and there is plenty of racing in that second half. The acting is first rate and there are a couple of big shocks in the movie that make it worth seeing at the cinema.

Adam Driver is decent as the straight faced lead. But Penelope Cruz is the standout performance in the film. As she does an amazing job as the put upon wife.

Next Goal Wins (2023)

Really good

[9/10 · 5 January 2024]

Maybe i'm way off on this one. But i actually really enjoyed this movie. I saw it because it looked like it was in the vein of "Eddie the eagle" or "Phantom of the open." Both of which i loved. Plus starring Michael Fassbender and having Taika Waititi In there was a bonus.

It pretty much delivered on what i wanted from it. As i had a smile on my face for most of its running time. There were way more funny moments than i expected, but i was also tearing up at one part. Though overall it was a feel good movie that should have you cheering.

I did expect more laughs from everyone else in the cinema though. So maybe i'll be one of the few giving this such a good score. Alot of the jokes were Fassbender being straight faced about something ridiculous. Or the island/players being rubbish. So if you'd find that funny. You should check the movie out.

Nowhere (II) (2023)

Disappointing

[4/10 · 1 January 2024]

Spent my new years day watching this netflix movie that came out a few months ago. As it sounded like one of those cool movies that makes the most of a restricted setting. But the movie was just ridiculous.

The main (and often only) actress Anna Castillo was great in the movie i have to say. But the story was just implausible, and the emotional moments just didn't work because I wasn't believing in anything going on.

The movie starts promising with Castillo surviving up until she's stuck in the middle of the ocean in a shipping container. Which takes days to sink apparently. And that's not even the most stupid thing in the movie.

Castillo is practically superhuman as the movie continues, and also super lucky when convenient things keep happening so the movie has somewhere to go outside of its setting. Her cellphone getting a signal in the middle of the ocean being the dumbest thing i can mention without spoilers.

Godzilla Minus One (2023)

Pretty good

[7/10 · 21 December 2023]

Saw Godzilla minus one because i'd heard all the hype. With some going as far as to call it their favourite movie of the year. I'm not sure i'd go that far but its a decent watch, and definitely better than the Godzilla remakes/redos the US has been putting out.

The good thing is that the movie actually has a story, and isn't just giant monster effects. The humans are at the heart of the whole thing, and it all feels different being set in the 1940's and feeding off World war 2. While respecting the original Japanese movies with its stylish music. The effects are also great with some of the water stuff looking particularly cool.

But it could of done with a bit more action and Godzilla looks a bit wonky at times. There's alot of chat in the movie which is mostly good. Until it goes on a bit long after the main attack at the centre of the movie. The ending also felt like a massive copout unfortunately in more ways than one.

Napoleon (2023)

Pretty good

[7/10 · 17 December 2023]

Ridley Scotts Napoleon does exactly what it says on the tin. Tells a dramatised version of Napoleon Bonapartes Life, and does it with cool battle scenes and central performances.

I've not much to say about it other than it was a decent watch. Joaquin Phonix's performance as Napoleon is reserved and he's mostly outshown by Vanessa Kirby, whos great in the movie. While any historical inaccuracies worked creatively. So i'm not going to hold them against it too much.

I was never bored by the film, the running time was justified but there was nothing that really blew me away in there either. So a good, but not great movie overall.

Eileen (2023)

Really good

[9/10 · 13 December 2023]

Its not very often you see a movie with so many amazing performances in it. But that's what won me over with Eileen. A movie that i originally only watched because it was made by film4 and looked dark and gritty.

I'm not sure i'd describe the movie as a thriller. Its more of a drama/character study which takes a turn towards being a thriller toward the end. If that sounds good to you i'd highly recommend the movie. Especially seeing as star Thomasin McKenzie is great in the movie. As is Shea Whigham as her father.

The standout however is probably Anne Hathaway. Who we expect has more to her character and more going on than we first get to see. A great movie if you like psychological, gradual slow burners.

Leave the World Behind (2023)

Great

[8/10 · 12 December 2023]

Had largely given up on Netflix movies after watching more than a few clunkers. But after seeing this racing to number one and then reading the Interesting description. I decided to give it a chance, and i'm glad i did.

I loved the attitude and atmosphere of the movie. Which limits itself to a handful of characters. Stuck together in the middle of what appears to be a cyber attack. Its really all about the characters and creepy atmosphere. As they gradually encounter whats happening, and the film cleverly has us seeing things from their perspective. Not having everything explained to us. I'm really starting to turn on technology so the movie showing how rediculusly reliant we are on it really struck something in me.

It might be a bit too arty though. The films well captured and there are alot of cool camera angles. But it gets to a point where there's maybe too many upside down shots and the like. The movie also goes a bit overboard with the unnecessary CGI and that ending will leave alot of viewers fuming after being so invested overall.

The Marvels (2023)

Disappointing

[4/10 · 12 December 2023]

Can't say i was too excited about another Marvel movie after the last few duds. But I didn't hate the first captain Marvel, and saw that they were at least trying to do something fun with this one. Unfortunately though it really is just another ok superhero movie.

There's another stock alien with a hammer who's motive i can't even remember, and its up to our trio of forgettable heroes to save the day with some lackluster CGI. One of them is of course an annoying child sidekick upgraded to a main character, and you'll be confused at times if you haven't seen every other Marvel movie (and tv show so far).

But its not a total disaster. There is some decent action and the characters switching their powers around at least adds a little something different. Even if there are a couple even more out there ideas in the movie that force it more and more down to a below average score.