If you ever want to see an Alexander Payne film that wasn't directed by him this is it. It tackles a touchy subject that can only be grabbed by the cast at hand. Jeffrey wright should have won an oscar for thiis...it's another string on his impressive resume. ..can we not just give this guy a big nod please!! Story wise it wasn't what I was expecting it had comedy and if had tears ..go into it with an open heart is all I would suggest. The "blackness"touched home and I only pray that I don't pander to people by the colour of there skiin. Loved the film and I hope that doesn't mean that I am a fan of the message.
Reviews
15 Reviews
Hell Dogs
(2022)
Touches upon greatness
14 January 2023
I tuned into this film because of netflix. I
I consider myself a connoisseur of asian films it could have been just another straight justice story but it's emaculate filming and performances separate it. The story of an undercover cop catching out the criminals is one thing , The ending wasn't fleshed out enough to have the emotional impact expected. The story of this film is not difficult to understand but the film wants you to think it is. If I had to complain it would be against its runtime. 2 hrs and 17 minutes is madness!! It still works however and is still worth a watch. Despite all its downfalls it's still an incredibly strong film.
Jawbone
(2017)
Fantastic film!! Just watch it!!
6 July 2022
This isn't your normal sports film...its not rocky. Its equal parts an indictment of British politics as it is boxing film. The acting in this is first class..all the players deserve massive thumbs up. It punches well above its weight, well worth a watch.
Synchronic
(2019)
Fantastic slice of unexpectedness
25 May 2021
Wow!! Just Wow!! What a fantastic film! The acting was on point, even Mackie, who I have grown to like less over the last few years, utterly nailed it here!! I urge you to go into this film without looking up its premise or googling about it too much and I guarantee you will be richly rewarded. The fact that it is so simply told is what makes for a far better experience. Sometimes the intelligence in storytelling doesn't come from a woven tapestry of plots and concepts but a singular, clever concept, executed well. This absolutely nailed its core idea and concept and executed it damn near perfectly.
Army of the Dead
(2021)
Have none of you watched a Snyder film before??
22 May 2021
Wow....so many negative reviews for a zombie film...erm what were you all expecting?? Citizen Kane?? Honestly this is a fantastic romp of a film that delivers zombie slaying GREATNESS and a perfectly suitable story to boot. Batista is fantastic portraying the protective dad trying to reconnect with his daughter. The supporting cast all fulfil their roles really well especially the safe cracker. Violence wise it's blinking insane!! It's just carnage!! Honestly this is one of the finest examples of zombie films ever made...it's that straight forward. All of the money spent on this is on film, effects wise it's fantastic.
Let me address one of the main complaints....plot holes....who cares? I mean really?? You weren't expecting plot holes in a zombie action film?? Wake up, it's not supposed to be Oscar bait!! In these dark days of people being alone and secluded this type of escapism is just what we need, let's not destroy it with such over exaggerated reviews to put people off watching 2.5 hours of pure turn your brain off greatness.
Let me address one of the main complaints....plot holes....who cares? I mean really?? You weren't expecting plot holes in a zombie action film?? Wake up, it's not supposed to be Oscar bait!! In these dark days of people being alone and secluded this type of escapism is just what we need, let's not destroy it with such over exaggerated reviews to put people off watching 2.5 hours of pure turn your brain off greatness.
Accident Man
(2018)
Solid indie work...it just is
16 February 2021
This is an absolute triumph in indie action cinema. They have taken the minute budget they had and made both a fantastic homage to the original comic and a fantastic addition to action cinema. The team of Atkins and jesse.v. are a home run every time. Let's break it down. Acting C+. I think Adkins keeps growing from film to film but Ray Stevenson is what anchors this. The side characters are on the whole fantastic bit Amy Johnson is quite wooden. Music B. It's Sean Murray who always smashes it but for me...it lacks that signature piece. Think of his work on the debt collector 1&2, Avengement or The mercenary. Action A. Tim man is an absolute legend, good things come in small packages...sorry Tim. The Adkins, park, jai white dojo fight is class, the Adkins, Tim man fight is class, The Adkins bar fight is class, it's all just class...and don't get me started on the Welsh wonder Ross o'hennessy...carnage cliff forever. Any film with Adkins, Ray Park, Jai white and Amy Johnson is gonna be good. Let's sum it up...It's a fantastic little film that deserves to make a bigger splash...bring on the sequel
Underwater
(2020)
An average movie that would have made a fantastic video game!
8 January 2021
This was a f in movie to watch as I had heard little to nothing about it and thus experienced no spoilers. In fact I hadn't even seen a trailer. The sci-fi premise of drilling at the bottom of the Marianna trench is a fantastic setting and with the pacing of the film being so brisk it leaves little time to question the film's antagonists. I felt at times that I was watching a video game plot play out in film. This is no bad thing as some of the best stories take place in video games but I'm this case a little more exposition would have been welcome. The effects were fantastic, just really matched the tone, the darkness of the sea mixed with the creature creation on show was really good given the budget....and in fact went beyond the budget. The cast is an absolute credit to the producers and casting agency...A+ all around...apart from TJ miller. I enjoyed his quips and one liners at the beginning but his humour was incredibly misplaced after half an hour of the film. It just didn't work then. Stewart was very good as the lead, I have always liked her in anything that wasn't twilight. For me John Gallagher Jr is a superb actor who I always enjoy seeing and deserves bigger roles so it was great to see him in this. And Vinny Cassel just adds gravitas to anything he is in. Overall it's a real solid piece of work that deserves a good popcorn filled night of fun
El Gringo
(2012)
Underrated Scott Adkins gem!!
9 December 2020
I won't write a long review, going into detail, because this film isnt put there to judge in that way. It's cheap, corny, greatness!! Adkins acting in this is one of his best performances and some of the action is bang on!! It isn't your usual Scott Adkins taekwondo fest but to be honest it's all the better for it. Turn on, tune in cop out.
Assassination Nation
(2018)
I ain't smart enough to get all the allegories but...
2 December 2020
The first 20-30 mins was a bit like someone making a "cool" film. Just hammer fisted, straight out excess. But once the film settled, both story wise and in my comprehension...WOW. It's a straight up parable. The sort of parable that will be lost in time due to la CK of comprehension, and lack of completing the film. I haven't sat through a film that I couldn't wait to finish thanks to the beginning yet wanted it to never end thanks to the middle. It's a fantastic mess, just watch it.
Midway
(2019)
It's not Independence Day...So what!?!?
29 July 2020
I cannot attain to the film's historical accuracy or inaccuracy but i can say that critics were wrong. This is a thoroughly entertaining war film with fantastic effects. The acting is a tad subpar at times but it wears its heart on its sleeve. In looking at reviews I feel that critics judged this on the director which is absurd in the same manner as saying we expected Woody Harrelson to be a basketball player because he once starred in Whiite Men Can't jump or Ed Skrein to be a badass delivery driver because he once starred in The Transporter Reloaded. It's absurd!! Roland Emmerich has put together an entertaining, grand scale film, it's human elements aren't as fleshed out as Saving Private Ryan but the battle scenes are the spectacle we would expect. It's not got the same stoic main man as We Were Soldiers but it has the entertainment we want. The critics aren't always right just like Roland Emmerich won't always remake Independence Day.
Double World
(2020)
What rubbish...no wait...it was ok
26 July 2020
Such a topsy turvy film you are likely never to come across. If people say give it a chance bit a film was this terrible in the first 20 minutes then no one would blame you for turning off. The CGI is woeful and the acting ain't much better but....but....let the film keep going...let yourself get involved in it's less than stellar appearance and you will be rewarded by the end. The CGI gets better, the story gets better and the acting gets better. It's definitely never going to reach the levels of greatness but if you sit through it you will be pleasantly pleased.
Rambo
(2008)
Brutal, badass, and the best of the series!!
12 July 2019
I watched tis today to prepare for the new one and honestly it's balls out the best of the series and one of the greatest action films ever made. To think it has taken 11 years to get the next installment is madness. I doubt I am writing this review for anyone who hasn't seen this already but if you haven't I will explain it simply. It's ultra violent, limb chopping madness!! It has a message but the fanboy nostalgia will overtake any sense of charity. Between his newest Rocky Balboa and this Stallone has absolutely nailed what fans were expecting in the 21st century. Bravo my man.
Avengement
(I) (2019)
Definitely should break out but probably won't
30 May 2019
Both Jesse V Johnson and Scott Adkins should be making bigger budgeted films than this by now. Their body of work together alone deserves it. That said, if they continue to make such polished B movie fare as this then long may their reign continue!! This is how you take a small budget and make a big statement!! Adkins has turned in his best performance to date by far!! Johnson has created a genre piece for the ages although alot of credit goes to Lorentz in the editing. The fight scenes in this absolutely nailed the tone of the story, they weren't flash spin kicks or any over the top Tae Kwon Do, Luke Lafontaine was spot on in this respect, just brutal on screen carnage!! I like Tim Man's choreography in previous Johnson/Adkins efforts but it would have been unrealistic in this. All the actors involved were solid, Fairbrass included, which I never thought I would say. In summary this film both cracks bones and should allow Adkins and Johnson to crack on to bigger and better things
Love, Death & Robots
(2019– )
Not convinced.
21 March 2019
You can see plenty of this sort of thing on youtube. I did enjoy for what it was but alot of this needed longer. If they gave every "episode" half an hour or an hour I think it would have worked better. Alot of them felt like video game trailers. However, there are some really interesting episodes that given more time would prove amazing and the talent on show is quite clearly very good. Definitely worth a watch bit don't believe the hype.
Tell Your Friends