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ethanbresnett
Reviews
Conclave (2024)
Intriguing and suspenseful
Conclave has such a brilliant concept that hooks you immediately and keeps you gripped throughout. After the Pope's death, the cardinals gather and are sequestered to elect a new head of the church. What follows is a story of politicking, plotting, and investigation as the cardinals weigh up progressive and conservative candidates to decide the direction of the church.
The bones of the story aren't overly unique, as this kind of vying for position has been seen in many a film and TV show (House of Cards etc), but the setting and context make it so interesting and unique. It feels like a peek behind a seldom lifted curtain which brings a new twist to the genre. Perhaps it even creates a new genre of ecclesiastical thriller? It is full of twists and turns and has a brilliant dramatic and suspenseful tone to it all. The setting also adds to this as it is beautifully shot against the backdrop of the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican grounds.
The performances all rise to the occasion, with a terrific Ralph Fiennes at the centre of it all, and great support from the likes of Stanley Tucci and John Lithgow. Fiennes in particular grapples with some great themes and he navigates them all brilliantly.
Conclave is a real stand out in its genre, bringing the politicking and plotting we usually see in the White House and dropping it into the Vatican. It is smartly written, brilliantly acted, and will keep you hooked throughout.
Megalopolis (2024)
Not an abject failure but decidedly mediocre to say the least
Megalopolis is a rather unwieldy beast but not one completely lacking in merit. If nothing else you can't really tear your eyes away from it (although this is more often a result of morbid curiosity, much like it is difficult to tear your eyes away from a car crash).
The story sees us in a fictionalised, futuristic America in the city of 'New Rome', as visionary architect Cesar Catalina attempts to see his utopian metropolis become reality despite the objections of Giancarlo Esposito's mayor. Oh, and for some reason he can also stop time. In truth its a bit all over the shop, with a myriad of subplots and characters that come and go with reckless abandon. It's a melting pot of ideas and they don't all stick. The ones that do are intriguing enough, but as a whole package the film just feels to unwieldy and overly ambitious.
The performances are respectable enough. Driver is solid as the lead, and a supporting cast of Aubrey Plaza, Nathalie Emmanuel, Giancarlo Esposito, Laurence Fishburne and many more is most welcome (even if a lot of them are handed dross for dialogue and are criminally underused).
Stylistically this film didn't hit the mark for me. It felt quite retro but not in a good way. As if it was limited by budget when it came to the set design, which it really shouldn't have been.
Megalopolis is perhaps not the dire failure that some would suggest. It has its many flaws, but it is watchable and has some interesting ideas and a handful of entertaining scenes. But a messy story that feels too much like hard work and curiously crafted characters makes for a thoroughly mediocre film that I shan't be revisiting.
Heretic (2024)
Very intriguing and entertaining film
Heretic is certainly an intriguing film, although it does get a little too clever for its own good towards the end and the whole thing starts to unravel a little bit. This doesn't negate the good work done earlier in the film so it still makes for an enjoyable watch.
Hugh Grant plays against type excellently as the sinister presence in the film. Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East are great as well as the two Mormon missionaries attempting to convert Grant. The three of them nail the tone and vibe of the piece perfectly. The two women play the uncertainty and fear well, while Grant manages to make his smarmy charm and subtle comedy work in the context of this role.
As mentioned I do think the story gets away from itself a little bit. It sets up lots of intriguing questions and sends the audience down a seemingly tantalising path, but once you emerge you will maybe feel a tad underwhelmed. The set up is also a bit too overdrawn and could have been a bit tighter. The film has a great atmosphere to it though, and it will have you on edge and certainly looks and feels creepy.
So although it maybe could have been a bit tighter in the story department towards the end, this is still a very enjoyable and interesting film that boasts some really solid performances, making it well worth a watch.
Anora (2024)
Brilliant once again from Sean Baker!
Anora is another special film from Sean Baker and a thoroughly worthy Palm D'Or winner.
The story follows New York sex worker Anora (Ani), who finds herself entering a complex relationship with Russian rich kid Ivan. It's the classic Cinderella story mixed with Sean Bakers trademark authenticity and grittiness and it is an absolute blast.
Firstly, the performance from Mikey Madison is a star making, Oscar worthy, powerhouse of a lead performance. She's just phenomenal and is 100% completely the character of Ani. Every mannerism, every line delivery, every emotional beat, she just nails. It is perfect in every way. The entire cast is on fire too, but even then she still manages to climb head and shoulders above the rest.
The story is relatively simple but so effective because the characters are so well written and portrayed. They all feel so real and authentic and alive which makes it very interesting and exciting spending a couple of hours in this world with these characters.
Baker's direction of the whole piece is superb. He nails the varying tones, drifting from comedy to drama to hard hitting emotion perfectly. The soundtrack is put together brilliantly with some spot on needle drops. The look and feel of the whole piece is crisp yet gritty. You can tell he had more budget on this film than his previous directorial outings but he still retains his trademarks and style.
I've seen well over 100 films so far in 2024 and Anora is definitely in the running in the film of the year conversation for me. A brilliantly exiting and engaging tale that everybody should see!
The Outrun (2024)
Thoroughly engaging tale of addiction and recovery
The Outrun is a quietly powerful film that wraps you up in its story, character, and setting.
It follows recovering alcoholic Rona as she returns from London to the Orkney Islands to reflect on her life and reconnect with her family. It's a great character study of a broken but healing woman as she struggles with addiction, and it's rare to see such a grounded and impactful take on addiction like this.
The anchor of the whole thing is the stellar performance from Saoirse Ronan. She hits the light and dark notes perfectly, and never steps into the realm of being overly dramatic or hamming it up. It feels like a very real and accurate portrayal of a recovering alcoholic.
The look and feel of the film are all spot on. The natural landscapes of the Orkney Islands are captured beautifully and are used to great effect. The cuts to Rona's exploits in London, drip fed to us to explore her alcoholism, are well weaved into the narrative.
All in all this is a well executed and affecting film with a brilliant central performance.
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2 (2012)
At least it's finally over...
Once again I am astounded that these films became the phenomenon that they did. Now that I have finally wrapped up the Saga with this instalment, I can confidently say the whole series is a shambles.
This one in particular I feel especially let down by. Wrapping up the series there were at least a couple of half decent story threads left dangling to tie up nicely, but this just didn't happen at all.
As always, the performances were dire and really just didn't deliver any kind of passion or drive or excitement.
Then there is a big story 'twist' that is just incredibly annoying and frustrating and negates so much of the emotional stakes of the entire film and the series!
As I say, at least it's finally over and I never have to watch one of these films again!
Terrifier (2016)
Pushes the violence too far to the point it just becomes relentlessly bleak
There are certainly some things to admire about Terrifier.
The character design of Art the Clown is incredibly effective. Match this with the performance of David Howard Thornton and you end up with a pretty iconic and terrifying character that will stick in your mind. The story is also incredibly simple and effective, wasting no time getting going. It will have you on the edge of your seat and begging for it to be over at times (whether that is a good or bad thing is debatable).
However.... I do think this film strays far too much into the torture arena and the violence is too often sexual in nature which becomes very disturbing. I think there's a wider conversation to be had about sexual violence in horror and how these films are generally written and directed by men, but I shan't go into that here. What I will say is that it does make this an unnecessarily uncomfortable watch.
I don't mind when art pushes boundaries and i'm not usually against graphic violence, but in Terrifier it maybe goes too far. Strong character design and performance are slightly marred by the overly graphic violence, but it all comes down to personal preference.
Smile 2 (2024)
Surprisingly good sequel!
I'm struggling to remember the last time I enjoyed a horror sequel more than the original, but Smile 2 really manages to pull it out of the bag.
In terms of the story it isn't too dissimilar to the first film in its core concepts, yet somehow it still manages to feel quite fresh and inventive. This time we follow pop star Skye Riley who, after witnessing a suicide, suddenly find herself unable to determine reality from nightmare. All sounds quite familiar if you've seen the first film right? But Smile 2 introduces some new depth to the whole idea and produces an ending that really ties the whole thing together nicely. There was a constant feeling of dread and uncertainty which was very enjoyable.
The real highlight of this film though is Naomi Scott who is incredible. She is an absolute power house in this film, conveying the paranoia and uncertainty so well. I think people should flock to the cinema to watch this film based purely on this performance. You won't be let down.
I would file Smile 2 under a list of films that left me very surprised! So often horror sequels are just a cheap cash grab attempting to benefit of a previous decent box office, but Smile 2 actually manages to build on the franchise and somehow surpass the original. Most definitely worth a watch!
Joker: Folie à Deux (2024)
What's all the fuss about?
Joker: Folie a Deux really doesn't deserve the hate it's getting. Sure it has it's issues, but for the most part it is a very solid if slightly unnecessary sequel.
The biggest issue with this film is most definitely the story. It is painfully long considering it is devoid of any significant meaning or drive. I think it meanders far too much and doesn't add much to the first film. When it finally does get down to its point it is too rushed and as a result loses most of its impact. I was expecting a film bringing Harley and Joker together on screen in a grounded setting to lead to a more interesting story, and I think they missed a trick here.
What really can't be faulted with this film though are the performances of Phoenix and Gaga. This is no surprise as they are both brilliant, but the chemistry they share is also incredible. Everything they did with these characters from the design to the creative choices I thoroughly enjoyed.
Then there's the musical element. Perhaps people were unprepared for a musical? The patrons of the theatre I was in certainly were, as every song outbreak was greeted with audible signs and murmurs. Personally I thought this was one of the best parts! Lady Gaga singing? What's not to love. And the musical element just really works for these characters and the relationship they had and really complimented that well. A bold choice but one that really worked for me.
Aside from the lacklustre story I really don't understand the pile on for this film. Great characters and performances, inventive storytelling with the musical elements, and a good tone and vibe to the whole thing.
Tremors (1990)
Great fun
The creature feature genre is a real mixed bag but Tremors thankfully manages to hit the spot and deliver a great bit of fun.
Everything about it is very overacted and camp which is no bad thing. Kevin Bacon in particular is the stand out with an energetic performance.
The plot is refreshingly simple and very effective. There aren't any huge plot twists or complications or anything to write home about particularly, but it does what it says on the tin. A bunch of giant worms attacking some people. What's not to like?
Considering this is a 30 year old film, the effects hold up really quite well. It's a good looking film and the practical effects just add to the vibe of the whole thing.
So if you're looking for a solidly entertaining creature feature B-movie, look no further than Tremors as it will be sure to deliver!
My Old Ass (2024)
An instant classic coming of age story
Sometimes a film comes along that completely surprises you and just hits all the right notes, and My Old Ass is definitely that. I really can't remember the last time I saw such a sweet, inventive, poignant and endearing film.
It follows teen girl Elliot as she prepares to leave her quiet family farm and head to the big city for college. However, a mushroom induced trip causes her to meet her older self and reassess aspects of her life and her relationships.
I must say I do love a time warpy, twisty conceit like this. I think they always open up such creative ways to explore life and emotions and relationships, and it is done so effectively here. There are some huge emotional kickers and I defy anybody not to well up. Not to say that this is a doom and gloom story by any means. It is also full of such great humour, lots of heart, and just has that spot on coming of age vibe to it.
There really isn't much more to say about this film I don't think other than it is maybe the most surprised I've been by a film in as long as I can remember. I saw Aubrey Plaza in the cast list and thought I'd get a few decent laughs and a fairly average film. I was not expecting to be knocked off my feet and to fall in love with this film!
Blink Twice (2024)
Really solid debut from Kravitz
Blink Twice is a perfectly good film that certainly delivers some powerful punches. I do think that the pacing is a little off and it could have kept its secrets a little closer to its chest, but there are still plenty of surprising reveals.
The best part of this film is the commanding lead performance from Naomi Ackie who steals the show. She puts on many different faces in this role and pulls them all off remarkably well. The other women are all great as well, particularly Adria Arjona. Channing Tatum slips into a slightly different skin for this role which he also pulls off really well.
As a debutant director and writer Zoe Kravitz does really well, pulling together a solid story that has a lot of meaning and impact.
Blink Twice is definitely worth a watch for the strong performances and punchy story. It could have been a little tighter in runtime and maybe tried to be more coy about where it was going, but for the most part it is a commanding and impressive film.
The Crow (2024)
Not worthy of resurrection
I have never seen the original The Crow film, so this review is untarred by a desire to preserve the memory of that film. All of this aside, it's just quite a bland and boring experience.
I have no major qualms with the story. It largely follows a well trodden formula, that being the 'one man on a vendetta wiping out tons of bad guys' genre. In doing this, it does deliver some decent violence and some entertaining enough set pieces, but they wear a little bit thin. There are so many films out there doing similar things, that to stand out these sequences need to be particularly special or inventive, and they just weren't in The Crow.
A major gripe with this film would be the emotion of it all. This is really the driving force of the film and it was lacking for me. Bill Skarsgard is a great actor, but he didn't hit the mark here for me. His character just wasn't easy to connect to. Similarly with FKA twigs, I wasn't convinced by her performance either. When the two leads are lacking in a film like this, the violence loses all meaning and impact. It didn't feel like the emotional stakes were there.
With those stakes missing, the film ends up feeling a tad boring. It feels like it is going through the motions and the end was a welcome relief.
The Florida Project (2017)
Terrific once again from Baker
Sean Baker really is a master of his craft. It's hard to think of another filmmaker creating such compelling windows into the lives of those on the fringes of American society.
With the Florida Project, he plunges us into the life of a struggling single mother in Florida, as she raises her daughter in the shadow of Disney World. It's a great set up from Baker and pushes the daughter, Moonee, front and centre of the whole piece, which is inspired. Played by Brooklynn Prince, it's a firecracker of a role that has so much life, emotion, and reality to it. Her chemistry with Bria Vinaite as her mother Halley is spot on, and the two really shine, creating a compelling relationship. Willem Dafoe as the motel manager is superb, again giving emotion and grounding to the whole piece.
As with any Sean Baker film, the vibe is just so perfect. The way he captures dialogue, and how people go about their lives seems so simple but is so effective. He finds such subtle ways to bring in emotion and drama, but also allows for more charged moments.
If you have seen a Sean Baker film, or just fancy a smaller, grounded, emotional film, then The Florida Project will deliver.
Speak No Evil (2024)
Really solid and sinister thriller
Ignoring the fact that the trailers for this film ruined a lot of the surprise and suspense, I think this makes for a pretty gripping ride.
James McAvoy is the glue holding the whole thing together with a pitch perfect and terrific performance. Even before the penny drops and the films takes its inevitable turn, he brings such a subtle yet spiky edge to his character that only grows and grows. It's top stuff from him as always. He's joined by a great cast, all of whom deliver to create engaging character dynamics.
The plot is pretty solid if maybe a little too telegraphed (even without the overly revealing trailers). It is played out well if a tad too long for what it is. The climax is thrilling once we get there and makes the whole thing worth while.
I also really enjoyed the tone of this film. The way that the characters behave constantly wrongfoots you and keeps you on your toes which makes it quite an edgy and nervy experience at times. This sounds counterintuitive as the end game was always obvious, but its maybe a credit to McAvoy and the other actors that they manage to maintain this suspense.
So overall, a decent story is elevated by some great performances and a thrilling climax. Maybe a tad long and necessarily going to set the world alight, but a great way to spend a couple of hours for sure.
Never Let Go (2024)
Lacklustre
Never Let Go certainly has an interesting enough premise, but it doesn't really manage to cobble together a decent film out of this.
The film only really has three characters, and when this is the case they have to be compelling and engaging. Unfortunately I just didn't think they were. Halle Berry gives a solid but not remarkable performance, and does manage to bring some emotion to the film. The two children, played by Percy Daggs IV and Anthony B Jenkins were also pretty strong, so the fault doesn't lie with the performances. I just think something about the story didn't open up the emotion of the family and their dynamic enough. It felt a bit too underdeveloped in this area.
The story is a bit too slow, and when it does get going it doesn't really take off. There are a couple of surprising turns but you have to wade through a lot of cliches and formulaic story points to get to them.
Similarly, I think the atmosphere of the whole thing is a bit too mediocre. The film doesn't really have its own identity or anything stand out about it visually or creatively.
Ultimately this all makes Never Let Go a remarkably underwhelming film.
The Substance (2024)
Wild and absorbing!
The premise of The Substance is so brilliantly simple and punchy. It follows ageing celebrity Elisabeth Sparkle who is presented with the opportunity to create a younger, more perfect version of herself. To the surprise of nobody, this is too good to be true and there are dire consequences as a result.
As mentioned the premise of this film is quite simple, but it is so effective. It dives into ageing, beauty standards, self confidence, body issues and more in such impactful ways. It's a great vehicle to explore these themes really inventively. My only gripe is that the film gets away from itself in the final 20 minutes almost to a comical extent. A different ending or perhaps trimming some fat on the runtime might have helped here.
Demi Moore is utterly absorbing as Elisabeth Sparkle. The emotion she puts into the role is fantastic and when she lets loose it's just brilliant to watch, particularly with the more physical aspects of her performance. Margaret Qualley plays the 'younger, more perfect' Demi Moore to a tee. It's perfect casting and two top notch performances.
The effects and body horror are all expertly done. I'd like to think I've been around the block and seen some intense body horror flicks, but a couple of scenes in this definitely had my toes curling. The body horror is more effective when it feels in the realms of possibility, and as mentioned towards the end it gets a bit too over the top to have strong impact, but for the most part it's grim to watch.
Aside from a slightly wobbly ending, The Substance is a brilliantly engaging film. Demi Moore is absorbing, Margaret Qualley is on fire, and the heavy themes are creatively explored.
Batman & Robin (1997)
It really is as bad as they say...
I don't think I've ever been quite this bewildered by a movie in all my years. Despite knowing the reputation of this film, nothing could quite prepare for what I was about to watch.
Where do I even start?
Firstly, the tone of this film is such a big swing and unfortunately a whopping great miss. Don't get me wrong I'm not a Batman purist, so that's not where my criticism comes from. I think the beauty of IP like this is that it can be reimagined in many different ways, and giving it a cheeky camp feel isn't necessarily a bad choice, but my god it was executed so poorly. They crossed the line into cheesy and cringe in every possible way. In fact they left the line in ruins.
Then there is the plot which is unforgivably busy. Why they felt the need to include three villains, Batgirl, and add an extra layer of distraction with a pointless Alfred subplot I will never know. It was like they just didn't know how to say no to any ideas. As a result, not a single character gets any kind of development and they all feel so very empty. Batman somehow manages to feel like a side character in his own movie which is perhaps the most criminal act of this film.
Perhaps that is a good thing though, as Clooney is woefully miscast. I know he jokes about this movie potentially killing the franchise but he really was right. Arnie is just being Arnie, having to deal with the worst elements of the script. Chris O'Donnell isn't awful, but again there's only so much he can do with the script. The only saving grace is the delightfully camp Uma Thurman who gains this film its two stars. She gives Poison Ivy a really fun quality and the costuming is all terrific on her part.
Aside from this, the film is just a complete shambles. Tonally it is a mess. The plot is too busy. The characters boring and two dimensional. The performances are grating as is the dialogue. Were it not for Uma Thurman I would be giving this film a big fat zero.
Cuckoo (2024)
Intriguing and atmospheric horror
Cuckoo is a really intriguing and absorbing film with a folk horror undercurrent to the whole thing.
I won't delve into any aspects of the plot as they are best left as mysteries to be uncovered, but it it certainly one that will pull the rug from under your feet in a good way. It perhaps could have done with a bit more expansion in some areas and a little refinement, but it is entertaining nonetheless.
Hunter Schaefer leads the cast with an assured and commanding performance that holds the film together well. Dan Stevens is emerging as a really solid prospect in Hollywood with another great role under his belt. I do think some of the dialogue is a little cliche and tired, but it is all delivered well by the cast.
In terms of atmosphere and tone this film really excels. It feels creepy and oppressive and feels as if it is trapping you.
All in all a really solid film. Cuckoo is unique, atmospheric, and boasts a couple of great performances. The plot maybe could have been pushed further to amp up the horror, but this is a minor criticism on an otherwise very entertaining film.
Alien: Romulus (2024)
A fine addition to the Alien catalogue
It is no easy task to take the helm of such an iconic franchise as Alien and try to bring it back to its stylistic origins, but with Alien: Romulus Fede Alvarez does a brilliant job.
Stylistically the film straddles Alien and Aliens, bringing that horror style blended with a more action approach, and it works really well. The plot won't have you scratching your head and pondering unanswerable questions like Prometheus, which may be a good or bad thing depending on what you want from your Alien films. Instead it is more akin to the contained and focused plot of the original, which I really enjoyed.
Alvarez manages to create a really strong atmosphere of horror and suspense, with some standout scenes that are truly disturbing, exhilarating and creative. The xenomorph and facehuggers are used just the right amount to get the sense that they are a constant and lurking threat, but not overused to the point they lose impact.
Another great success of this film is how sci-fi it feels. The design of the ships, the interiors of the space station, the costuming etc are all really well done. The sound design is terrific too and really contributes to the atmosphere.
The characters are perhaps a little too one dimensional aside from Rain and Andy. It is no coincidence then that these are where the two best performances are. Cailee Spaeny is going from hit to hit lately and she is rightly the MVP of this film. David Jonsson is pitch perfect as Andy and has probably the meatiest and most interesting role to play. The supporting characters lack depth but the performances all hold up well.
I think the only significant blight on this film is the AI / CG recreation of Ian Holm which is rather monstrous. Whatever your moral standpoint on the use of deceased actors, it just isn't even well done from a technical perspective with the face just not calibrated to body very well at times. Considering the fact that a living actor could have been used with zero detriment to the plot or the impact makes this even more of a bizarre misstep.
Putting this aside, Alien: Romulus is a resounding success. It delivers exactly what I wanted from an Alien film. It is atmospheric, disturbing, exciting, suspenseful, and just a whole lot of fun. It looks good, sounds good, and just feels right.
Kneecap (2024)
A absolute riot!
There are so many average musical biopics hitting the screens lately, but among all of these Kneecap feels like an absolute breath of fresh air.
Perhaps this is because of its niche subjects (the Irish language hip hop group Kneecap) which create so much ground for creative film making and strong political messaging which lands surprisingly well. It also has a great pace to it that a lot of musical biopics fail to get right.
The performances are all surprisingly great considering the band members themselves take up the roles in debut acting performances. A big swing that could have gone horribly wrong but ends up being a triumph.
Whether you like the songs or not they are staged well and give the film a great energy to it. The effective comedy throughout also gives the film a great tone and vibe.
As already mentioned, the film also has some great messages around language and national identity which resonate and land really well and give the film another layer outside of the music itself.
If you're put off of seeing this film because you haven't the faintest idea who Kneecap are (I didn't either), then don't let that stop you. It's a kinetic, chaotic, punchy film with great comedy and brilliant energy.
Fly Me to the Moon (2024)
A few missed opportunities but an enjoyable film nonetheless
You'd think it would be quite hard to get a film with Channing Tatum and Scarlett Johansson too wrong, but Fly Me to the Moon gets dangerously close to crossing that line.
Mainly this is because the film overreaches slightly in its scope. Is it a romcom? Is it about the moon landing? Is it about faking the moon landing? There are a few too many threads that aren't really satisfactorily explored. In trying to cover all of this the film also feels a tad too long. What should have been a light and breezy film ends up feeling boring in parts. It does also suffer from some pretty grating dialogue at times, and I'm also not sure Channing Tatum really fit the role he was given.
That being said there's still lots to enjoy from this film. Scarlett Johansson is a delight with a character who is a lot of fun. Brief flirtations with her mysterious past are an unwelcome and underdeveloped distraction, but her bravado and slick advertising ways have good comedy value. Her chemistry with Tatum is good but is underplayed and needed to be more of a centrepiece of the whole film. When the two of them are on screen together the film starts to shine.
Outside of the romance, the space stuff is all perfectly fine but feels like it is treading over a very well beaten path. The era is well captured through the design and costuming etc, but it's never particularly awe inspiring.
If it had shifted its focus more to the romcom element and less to the space element this film might have had more legs, but it is still a perfectly fun and engaging watch. Despite the messy plot threads and poor attempts to flesh out the characters, a decently watchable film emerges.
Trap (2024)
Solidly entertaining even if the wheels do start to come off a bit towards the end
M Night is the master of conjuring up gripping concepts, and in Trap I think he produces one of his best ideas in years. It's a simple enough conceit. A serial killer finds himself the subject of an elaborate trap at a concert and must find a way to escape. Although it wavers at points and perhaps becomes a little loose towards the end, overall it is a gripping and well executed idea.
The film largely rests on the central performance of Josh Hartnett which I really enjoyed. It's one of those interesting roles where he has to simultaneously play a villain and family man, and he switches between the two effectively. He also does some great face acting with some almost Jack Nicholson as the Joker style facial expressions which were a treat. Saleka puts in a solid performance as the pop star Lady Raven with a role that takes an unexpected but great turn. The music is also a treat as well and complements the whole film and the tone really well.
In terms of the plot this is where things maybe get a little shaky. My only ever real criticism of M Night is that he always conjures up great concepts but they sometimes lack stamina and this often leads to messy third acts. I will say that Trap surprised me in the direction it took which blows the concept wide open, and it will certainly keep you on your toes with some brilliantly tense scenes. I do think though it suffers from fatigue in the final 20 minutes or so and you can tell that the concept is running out of track.
But these are largely just minor criticisms that don't really stop the overall enjoyment of this film. It has a great concept and great central performance, good music too. The plot maybe gets a little bit off track towards the end as things get increasingly more ludicrous, but that never stops the film being a largely enjoyable watch.
Borderlands (2024)
Close to the bottom of the pile for video game adaptations
I've never played a second of a Borderlands game so this review is not based on any preconceptions about what it should have been. But even going into this film completely cold it is a pretty painful experience.
Perhaps the most criminal aspect is that the characters are so awfully bland. Their development is entirely absent and there is just nothing fun about any of them besides Ariana Greenblatt, who is a solitary ray of hope. In these sorts of team up movies you want to feel connected to the characters to feel like there are stakes. But I genuinely had no attachment to any of them.
The dialogue is all pretty poor. It feels too much like video game dialogue in parts and is full of too much clunky exposition. The actors look like they are getting no joy out of delivering these lines. The attempts at humour are also painfully unfunny, seemingly pitched for a younger audience than this film is likely to attract.
Then there is the plot which is as generic as it comes. There really isn't anything even remotely engaging or original here. It just feels bland. Tales of reshoots and rewrites may have contributed to this, but its hard to see how a better film could have emerged out of this core concept.
The only real reason I'm giving this film some stars is the performance of Ariana Greenblatt, a couple of decent action sequences, and the fact that the costuming and world design aren't atrocious. Other than that this film is a big old dud.
Battle of the Sexes (2017)
An interesting story told well
Battle of the Sexes tells a very interesting story of the 1973 tennis match between Billy Jean King and Bobby Rigg and it tells it perfectly well.
Perhaps it does spread itself a little thin at times. It tries to cover the eponymous tennis match, as well as delving into the lives of both Billy Jean King and Bobby Rigg and women's tennis more widely. There's a lot of ground to cover and so at times it does all feel a little surface level, but it manages to get under the skin of its characters well enough.
I do think a lot of the dialogue is very on the nose at times and it could have been a bit more intelligently worked. That being said it does mean that its messages are hammered home effectively.
The real highlight of this film though are the performances from Emma Stone and Steve Carrell who are always brilliant. Carrell sells the sexist energy of Bobby Rigg perfectly and Stone brings great complexity to Billy Jean. There are a host of great supporting performances too but it's the two leads who steal the show.
Although at times this film feels a little surface level with a lot to cover, the two great lead performances, the powerful messages and the interesting story make it a very worthwhile watch.