The second instalment of Sony's Spiderman came with high expectations after the exceptional first introduction to Miles, and this is not only a worthy sequel, it is a triumph of cinema and a superb example of how animation can elevate the art form. Visually stunning, with an intricately compelling storyline, this is a film which annihilates tired tropes of the genre to not only expand the universe within the Spider-verse context, but also provides a blueprint for how excellent writing coupled with unfettered creativity can produce powerfully beautiful storytelling that is inclusive and innovative, and a truly delightful experience. 9.89/10
There is much to enjoy in the barbaric wackiness that Gunn has brought to his recent Marvel offerings, and this emotive conclusion to the Guardians trilogy is saturated by his off-kilter style, occasionally to the detriment of cohesion. The plot is bitsy and lurches around without much coherence, and as a result there are moments which feel ham-fisted or gratuitous. However, the broader arc centered on Rocket is moving and poignant; tissues are a non-negotiable part of the experience. Brazen in scope and ultimately a fitting finale, supported by another epic soundtrack, this is a rollicking and ultimately satisfying adventure worth seeing on the big screen. 8.21/10
This is an exquisitely crafted treatise on class, rage, and our capacity for emotional extremity which manages to be both hilarious and mortifying in equal measure. The mundanity of the interaction which acts as the catalyst for the spiralling storyline to bring the protagonist antagonists together is painfully relatable, and it is this skewering insight into our psyche superimposed against the backdrop of a two-worlds-colliding premise which allows this to resonate without becoming cliched. A compulsive viewing experience which is highly entertaining. 9.32/10
Like all exceptional Gothic horror, this manages to get under your skin and remain with you long after you finish watching. Weisz is phenomenal as the twin protagonists whose spiralling ambitions are only matched by their pathological desires. Viscerally disturbing and intricately crafted both in terms of narrative and artistic design, the insight into the violence of birth and commentary on the nature of class, wealth, and power combine to make a compulsively compelling experience. 9.03/10
*Trigger Warning: Depictions of vaginal and caesarean birth as well as suicidal ideation with extreme brutal realism* At three hours one might expect that would be a sluggish and bloated affair, so it was with relieved surprise that I did not notice the passage of time during what can only be described as an ecstasy of violent encounters, each one more complex than the last. The choreography is stunning, with the long takes set within stunningly beautiful scenery meaning that the primary reason to see this is for the sublime savagery which the cinematography allows you to appreciate. As in the previous films, there is a scarcity to the plot and storyline, with just enough to provide the eponymous protagonist with the motivation to engage in ever more vicious violence, resulting in the kind of action brilliance this franchise does so well. Brilliantly entertaining spectacle, this is just an absolute joy for fans of the genre. 8.78/10
The best episode of Walking with Dinosaurs I've seen, with the utterly ludicrous premise providing just enough meat to sink some unrelenting Jurassic teeth into. Driver and Greenblatt do an exceptional job with a thin script, instead they are really there to provide the impetus for a series of increasingly absurd but brilliantly enjoyable dino-encounters that are well worth the price of admission. While this does take itself much too seriously, the tight pacing and excellent design means this is a polished creature-feature-action-adventure that is big dumb fun. 7.37/10
Viscerally disturbing and tenderly horrific, this is elevated horror which manages to be utterly unique in the exploration of burgeoning romance between two people so far outside of social and genre norms that it's astonishing this was even made. From the harrowing opening sequence, the tension never subsides, heightened by the knowledge that any interaction might result in the kind of gore one would expect in a Raimi film, but so artfully contrived that it feels all the more mortifying. While the pacing was occasionally sluggish, the performances were exceptional, and coupled with the originality of the concept, this is a film which is sure to leave its mark on others. 7.58/10
First, a disclaimer that I have not read the novel on which this series is based. however given the richly detailed worldbuilding and superb commentary on class, privilege, and philosophy I can only imagine reading it would be an even more rewarding experience than watching this exceptional show. With brilliant performances from the entire cast, a storyline which manages the intricacies of the plot with subtlety and style, and the deployment of visceral violence in service of the unflinching ethics demanded by the world, this is both entertaining and compulsive viewing which feels original and deeply satisfying. The central sibling relationship is beautifully crafted, and the tension which permeates the series is elevated by the subtle performances between Moretz and Reynor, anchoring the complexity of the subject matter to result in a moving and thoroughly compelling work of speculative fiction well worth your time. 9.23/10
Late to the hyper-masculine Viking party on this one, but glad to have finally been able to enjoy the Shakespearean scope of this beautifully crafted epic which captures the scale and grandeur Norse mythology embodies. The location scouts warrant a special mention on this one, with the stunning Icelandic landscape lending the narrative a hauntingly ethereal quality whilst grounding it in an apparent reality which felt akin to watching a true history. There will be more than one thesis in the socio-cultural-gender commentary explored in the film, however taken purely as a richly cinematic offering it was an enjoyable, if intense, experience well worth your time. 8.93/10
It's been a long time between drinks for this franchise, and if nothing else this 3D experience once again pushes the bar higher with the visual effects to produce a stunningly beautiful and at times sublime visual experience. However superb cinematography is doing all of the heavy lifting, and there could have been around 40 minutes less of the very pretty screensavers without making a dent in the sparse storyline and hammy dialogue which were at least true to the form of the first film. Ultimately it doesn't matter that the performances are occasionally stilted and the plot is only marginally less Pocahontas-in-space than the previous offering, with a heavy dose of Melville for good measure, because the reason to see this is to bask in the cinematic opulence that Cameron is adept at providing. There are some exceptional action sequences which make this worth the price of admission, and if you leave expectations of anything other than a bloated but beautifully shot alien action movie at home, you will have a fun pelvic floor exercise and experience. 7.04/10
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