Change Your Image
lankyalun
Reviews
Gwledd (2021)
Great concept but too slow
First of all I would like to say that some reviews stating that the use of Welsh language is symbolism are so ignorant. Welsh is spoken by 600,000 people in Wales and many communities are first language Welsh, so why not make the film in Welsh to appeal to this audience. You wouldn't say the same about a Danish movie even though majority of Danish people speak English. It's a huge part of Welsh culture and it's survival is a miracle. Therefore, long live the language and I hope more films are made in Welsh.
This film has a great concept and is so current to what is happening in Wales right now. Many rural communities are being devoured by greedy corporation here in Wales. The idea of mother nature taking revenge here is brilliant. I do feel that many people won't get to the good part of this film though as the first hour was soooo slow. It didn't really develop any of the characters. A lot of looking into the distance, minimal dialogue that doesn't go anywhere and long takes of the maid walking around the house glaring at the residents. I understand the purpose of this was to set the tone and vibe but it was very over done.
Once everyhting kicks off it's great although the message of the film gets a bit confused along the way + you realise that the main characters were under developed therefore motives weren't that clear.
The Way Back (2020)
Clichéd but okay
It's enjoyable enough in places but there are some major plot and structure issues. It feels like it's taken every cliche imaginable but it's forgivable because everyone involved in the film is trying really hard.
I Care a Lot (2020)
Horrendous protagonist
Imagine if Nurse Ratched was the focus of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's nest and it was all from the POV of her and made so we feel sympathy for what she did to the patients. That is what this film feels like.
Are we really meant to be rooting for this character after the horrific practices she orchestrates. I was 100% hoping that the Russian mafia would kill her.
Suspiria (1977)
Beautiful use of colour
It's hard to deny how beautiful the film looks. The sets are stunning and the bold colours, to this day, are breathtaking. The story and premise are great and keep you hooked until the end. However there are a few laughs along the way due to the acting and script which haven't aged well. Characters doing stupid things and exposition galore. The film has been spoofed a lot since, so I don't think that helps.
Its clear to see though the influence that the films has had on horrors since and it must be applauded for that, despite it being a bit rough around the edges and let's be honest it doesn't really have any underlying theme apart from some mention of mental health and the line "a broken mirror is not what's broken, it is the mind."
Theres no suggestion that the main character has any mental health issues apart from maybe her weird moment of flushing her dinner down the toilet...
Dick Johnson Is Dead (2020)
Very self centered film
I felt the daughter exploited her sweet father in his most vulnerable moments. She makes it all about her and claims this is all so she can feel better about his death. Imagine shoving a camera into your fathers face while he's going through Alzheimer's.
I give it 4* because Dick Johnson was such a nice human.
Hotel Mumbai (2018)
A disgrace
This was a film comprised of an hour and a half of executions by terrorists with AK47'S. Hollywood version of a real terrorist attack that should have shown a lot more respect. Subtlety is nowhere to be seen here.
Suburra - La serie (2017)
Gomorrahs sweet little brother
Its a great show to watch. It's so well made and the characters are fantastic. Not as good as Gomorrah but it has a lot of the things that make Gomorrah so successful. Suburra is more focused on family and friendship. Real heart.
Don't Breathe (2016)
Great filmmaking
It's a suspense masterclass but I must say I was rooting for the blind guy against the main female character. She was selfish, obnoxious and got the only decent human being in the film killed. She also ditched him to save herself on numerous occassions. Great film though.
World's Toughest Race: Eco-Challenge Fiji (2020)
Awesome show with real heart
First off I'd like to say the beginning is undoubtedly the USA show, with almost all the teams they focus on being American. Thankfully after the American teams fell further back into the race/dropped out we get to see a great breadth of nationalities - the invincible NZ, AUSTRALIANS, India and Spain to name a few.
The show has some great personal stories like the father and son teeam where the father has Alzheimers, the Brazilian team that are racing because one of their team mates died of cancer 5 years before the race etc.
The race really is the toughest race on earth and is undoubtedly one of the most gruelling challenges around and we go through the ups and downs with the teams throughout. One thing is for sure, I will never attempt this race!
Freaks (2018)
Gave me a headache
I'll keep this short - the film is humourless, consists of a lot of people shouting (especial the child actor) and it tries to be too clever and different but falls way short.
Space Force (2020)
Like watching a nickelodeon show
Although the premise was very interesting and had the potential to be funny, it's anything but. Steve Carell seems restrained, John Malkovich is boring and Diane Silvers proves to me again that she has no range as an actress, she can only play an aggy, sarcastic teenager who constantly rolls her eyes at every available moment.
In summary, it's not funny, the episodes drag and the characters are boring. I really wanted to like this...but no.
Blinded by the Light (2019)
Cringiest film I've seen for years
The film is fine but the moments where the main character sings Springsteen lyrics out loud and dances in the street with people joining in are unbearable. I love Springsteen but I found myself with my head in my hands every time his songs came on because the main character was a smarmy and smug git.
Gwen (2018)
Beautiful landscapes with pretentious filmmaking
This film is beautifully shot and the Snowdonia setting is stunning. I can't help but feel that the filmmaker got caught up in all this and used it to death.
The most frustrating thing for me is that neither of the two leads were Welsh with that being immediately evident once they said their first lines. Also, there were a range of different dialects in this rural community - some characters had north walian accents, some west walian and some south walian. That for me took away a huge amount of believability and authenticity. Might just be because I'm Welsh but I couldn't see past it.
Black Mirror: Bandersnatch (2018)
Well executed and I think I liked it...
I was very sceptical when I heard this would be an interactive film, as I was worried it would just be a gimmick. However it was incredibly well thought out and it was only interactive because it worked in harmony with what the film was actually about - are the choices we make dictated by someone else and does infinite possibility always lead to the same place.
Personally I think the beauty of film is that the thought and decision is taken away from which adds to the escapism of film. Like I said however, this film is an exception as it served to strengthen the story.
I've never seen anything like it before therefore I don't really know how I really feel about it but I guess that shows that I've seen the first of its kind. This could only work on a streaming platform.
Fred (2018)
Pretty amateur
The filmmakers have taking a great subject and made something resembling a student film. Fred Foreman story is great but I don't feel the story really came out here, it was just Fred saying "no I'm not answer that question" over and over again. He obviously didn't have any type of rapport with the interviewer.
Zion (2018)
A great short documentary
Having been making short docs for the past 5 years it is incredibly difficult to get a range of emotions across in 10 minutes. This film does a great job of shkwing Zion'story without it feeling rushed. It shows the struggle, the fight and determination that someone with a disability like Zion has to go through. Although a lot of the supporting shots are staged they have a great cinematic feel and don't feel unnecessary. Honest interviews make this a must see for anyone interested in inspirational stories about defying all the odds. Highly recommended.
First Man (2018)
Hollow space movie
Im a huge fan of Damien Chazelle's first two features so I was very excited to see First Man. Unfortunately I came out a bit disappointed. The story of Neil Armstrong landing on the moon I imagined would be a long hard journey with a roller coasters of emotions. The film makes it all seem very pedestrian, with very little drama. Very hollow film devoid of interesting characters.
Ellen (2016)
Good concept but a lot of pointless filler
I liked the premise and theme behind this film which is touched upon at the beginning and end but the bits inbetween were boring. There were no new ideas with this film - everything screamed posh privileged film school grad trying to make a film a about a hard done by working class girl who lives on a council estate. Its a great immitation of shane meadows but lacks its own voice.
Irréversible (2002)
Hate this film, it makes me vomit!
Gasper Noe is great at making me feel sick but useless at making me interested in his films. Irreversible is no exception and I don't understand why he always feels the need to show the most shocking disgusting scenes. It would be a lot more watchable if he left the horrible stuff to the imagination because when you show a film where a man gets his head crushed with a fire extinguisher it is only going to be remembered for that and all people are going to say is how disgusting it is. I have never met a person who liked or enjoyed this film. One thing is certain I will never watch this film again and would never recommend anyone watch it! Gasper Noe is a sadist and why his films find an audience I will never know!!!
The Men Who Stare at Goats (2009)
Have never come so close to walking out of a film half way through!
I have never considered walking out of a film before but for most of the film I was contemplating doing just that!
The film had so much potential, hence why after reading the films premise I was excited to see the film. The trailer made the film look good but all of the funniest parts were in the trailer, so my advice is to watch the trailer and not bother with this boring comedy. George Clooney is great at playing cool characters but his role in this film requires him to be a buffoon which he is neither funny or enjoyable to watch- It actually makes him look like a crap actor. Ewan McGregor is his normal overacting self, living in the shadow of his only good performance as Renton in 'Trainspotting.' I really wonder why he is still cast in big roles!
A great cast with a poor script that should have been so much better. However I can see how this film might have looked good on paper but a lack of development, it seems, left the film with too many flaws.
My advice- Watch the trailer and burn any copies you see lying around at friends houses (only joking) but don't watch this film, it is a big old mess!
Edge of Darkness (2010)
So So. Never really got going
I had a lot of optimism going into this film, Mel Gibson and revenge movies are always a great combination e.g. 'Mad Max', 'Braveheart' and my guilty pleasure 'The Patriot.' However this film was a huge disappointment because I came out of the film feeling no different than when I went in. The conspiracy which the story is based on is boring, Mel Gibson's character has many flaws and I really didn't see the point in Ray Winstone's character and his motives are unclear and his existence in the film is a big mystery. The first 10 minutes were promising but the more the film went on it dragged and I just didn't care about the characters or how it was going to end. The ending was rushed and it felt like the filmmakers just didn't know where else to go with the story so they just said: "this ending will do."
There are a few enjoyable parts in the film (mainly action scenes) but all in all it was a poor revenge film. Gibson is as lovable as ever (despite what he gets up to in reality) but the film has a lot of fat in it and the a few action scenes don't make up for the sheer boredom I endured during this film!