The Trial Of Christine Keeler (2019) Mini Series Review

The Trial Of Christine Keeler (2019) Mini Series Review

 This show had quite a big hype about it and I have just finished The Trial Of Christine Keeler and this is my review for this mini series. The premise of the show sees a scandal take place as a young girl is caught having an affair with the war minister and send the british government into chaos. 

Main Character

Sophie Cookson plays Christine Keeler on this show and she does a fine job, she is good at playing the seductive sexy mistress that clearly craves for power. She is a pretty strong character and you see her try and use her looks to get ahead and manipulate many different characters on this show. However, I felt like for being a lead character, I just didn't really care about her, at times she even came across as unlikeable. I get that they were going with the more femme fatale character but the show tries to make you feel sorry for her and I just didn't really.

Supporting Characters

James Norton plays Stephen Ward on this show and he is easily the best part of the show, he plays the sleezy character really well and you are just a bit disturbed by some of the things he says and does on this show. But also when the show tries to make you care about him, because of his really strong performance you actually care about him and what happens to him on this show and I expect to see more of Norton in bigger projects in the future. Ellie Bamber plays Christine's friend Mandy and she is a good companion for Christine and her story is pretty interesting and her character develops throughout the season and her motivations are revealed. Emilia Fox and Ben Miles play the Perfumo's on this show and they are the least interesting part for me, I didn't connect with either of their characters and I didn't care about their part in the show even though that is the crux of the show. 

Story

Their is some real intrigue in the story of this show, but most of it includes subplots, especially involving Stephen Ward that I cared about and the last few episodes deal with more of that and I found it interesting and the courtroom scenes really worked for me and were the most intriguing scenes in the show. The problem is that the main storyline of the scandal just isn't interesting, we live in the world where it just isn't particularly earth shaking and it isn't portrayed as that scandelous or fascinating to watch.

Script

The show has some really good dramatic dialogue that raises the intensity and drama of the scenes that these characters are in. This show is at it's best when it deals with the drama of the situations and the conspiracies that are at play on this show, but this show tries subtle humour and for me it just didn't quite work and felt a bit cheesy and just felt a bit forced.

Style

This show isn't afraid to show explicit scenes and for this shows topics it really works to not hide anything and works at its best by showing the things that are quite graphic in nature and I feel like without it his show would have been pretty boring. Though it must be said that this series does have some issues with pacing and jumps all over the place in the timeline which is really jarring, also there are certain things that weren't finished off which were pretty interesting.

Overall 

Overall, I felt like this was a very average show, this show never hits the heights that they hoped for and honestly unless you are really interested by the source material then this show is probably one to give a miss.

Rating - 5/10

Better Call Saul Season 1 (2015) Review

Better Call Saul Season 1 (2015) Review 

 In preparation for the 5th season of Better Call Saul coming out next month I have decided to start watching the Breaking Bad spinoff Better Call Saul and this is my review of the first season of the show. The premise of the season sees the origin of eccentric lawyer Saul Goodman as he goes by the name Jimmy McGill and tries to win cases and grow his reputation. 

Main Character

Now I loved Bob Odenkirk's perfromance as Saul Goodman throughout Breaking Bad and with more of the spotlight on him in this show he delivers once again. What is so great about his performance on this show is that he isn't the same character as he was on that show, you can tell he is in a much earlier more innocent place and more of a good hearted character focusing on law instead of the more criminal route he had on Breaking Bad. He is still very charismatic on this show and you do care about him because of how strong his performance is and how likeable he is on this show.

Supporting Characters

Jonathan Banks reprises his role as Mike from Breaking Bad and I just really enjoy watching his character on this show, similar to Odenkirk he is in a different place then he is on Breaking Bad and it is nice to see an evolution of his character over the season. Rhea Seehorn as Kim is a decent character on this show, she has good chemistry with Odenkirk and I thought their characters worked well together. The only thing really lacking for her this season is a major story as she doesn't have that much to do this season but I liked her in the role she has. Patrick Fabian plays Howard on the show and he is just really unlikeable, he comes across as the sleezy suit wearing douchebag that makes it really easy to not like him and root for Jimmy against him. Michael Mckean plays Jimmy's brother Chuck on the show and he is probably the most interesting character on the show as you don't really know much about his motivations and I thought him and Odenkirk had some really dramatic scenes together. 

Story

The story of seeing Jimmy McGill's journey thtoughout the season is really interesting, he really grows and changes as he deals with more and more different challenges throughout the season. However, one criticism of the season is that it lacks an overall story, it sees McGill deal with a few different cases but it never truly focuses on one which would have made it more of a structured season, this is also not helped by what I thought was a pretty weak finale to the season. 

Script

The script is important for this show because Jimmy McGill is a fast talking salesman aswell as a lawyer and it is really good, Odenkirk is so charismatic that he nails the one liners and adds a lot of humour to the show. But also the drama is delivered very well on the show that makes you care about the characters and the plight that they are in. 

Style 

I really liked the style of showing Jimmy attempt to grow his buisness and when the scenes in the courtroom happen I am invested as I really like shows that have a large amount of courtroom scenes as I find it interesting and when this show does it, it is interesting. However, it doesn't do it enough, and I wish this show had more scenes in the courtroom as it teases them but fails to deliver, the show also leaves a few stories unfinished and not referenced which makes some of the cases feel underdeveloped.

Overall

Overall, a first season of a show is very important as it sets the tone of the show and this show has a great first season that lets you know what you are in for and is definitley worth a watch.

Rating - 8/10

The Personal History Of David Copperfield (2020) Review

The Personal History Of David Copperfield (2020) Review

 This film has a pretty star studded cast so I went to see The Personal History Of David Copperfield and this is my review for the film. The premise of the film goes through the life of David Copperfield as it shows him meeting plenty of eccentric characters that will steer his life in many different directions. 

Main Character

Dev Patel plays David Copperfield in this film and I feel like he does an okay job in this film, he has a mixed performance for me. In some scenes he does a great job, with some really powerful scenes and some really good dramatic acting in the film, but he does what pretty much everybody does in this film and that is overact. This character just comes across as a bit of a mean guy and a bit wacky without much explanation, there is also a part of the film that makes him seem quite creepy which doesn't help for the character. I actually felt more sympathy for the character in his early years as a child then I did when he grew up to be Patel. 

Supporting Characters

As seen in the poster this film has a vast cast but I will just talk about the main characters that support Patel in the film. Tilda Swinton plays his aunt in the film and she does a good job in the film, she fits into this film well and is fun to watch her perform in the role that she clearly enjoys. Hugh Laurie plays a big role in the film and he does a good job too, his character is probably the weirdest in the film and at times it just feels too weird but Laurie manages to add enough charm to the performance to make you like him in the end. Ben Wishaw does a really good job as a slimy, creepy character in the film and you really will not like him which is the point of his character so a good job by the actor. The only performance I didn't really care for was Peter Capaldi's his accent was all over the place and his character just wasn't particularly likeable in my opinion, the film tries to make you care but I just didn't really care about him or his family in the film.

Story

Now I will admit that it is interesting seeing the journey of David Copperfield in the film, he goes many different places and encounters many different places which provides many different interesting social situations. However, it is also a problem with this film, it tries to cram so many different stories in the film that unsuprisingly some are more interesting then others and this takes away from the overall quality of the film. Also the ending of the film leaves some characters fates unrevealed which hurts there stories through the film.

Script

The dialogue has a mix of some decent dramatic dialogue and some chuckle worthy humor for sure, but nothing ever really stands out. It is all okay which from a cast like this I would be hoping for some great dialogue and memorable lines but it is just pretty forgettable.

Style

This film looks great, it fits the time period that it is set in and you do feel like you are following Copperfield all around the country. But as alluded to earlier the pacing of the film is a big issue, it feels like this might have even been better suited as a mini series then a film due to the amount of content they try and fit into this short amount of time. Also there are just some headscratching castings which just don't really make any sense, I get the director was trying to be very inclusive but at times it just makes absolutley no sense which takes you out of the film and the experience.

Overall

It seems most days, performances in films can drag average films to higher levels and this film is no different, some good performances in this film drag it to an above average level but I would only recommend this film if you are a real fan of British Cinema or of Charles Dickens as this might be a better experience for you. 

Rating - 6/10

Suicide Squad (2016) Review

Suicide Squad (2016) Review

 In preparation for the upcoming DC Film Birds Of Prey I decided to rewatch the first DC team up film starring Harley Quinn, Suicide Squad. This is my review for this film and what my opinion of the film was. 

Main Character

Will Smith plays Floyd Lawton AKA Deadshot in this film and he is really good in this film. Smith has lots of charisma in this role and he is actually one of the characters that you will care about in this film due to his emotional relationship with his daughter. He is also great in the action scenes and totally sells the character of Deadshot and I can't imagine anybody else in this role. Margot Robbie plays Harley Quinn in the film and if you could look at perfect casting then this one would be in there. She sells the craziness of the character and is full of charisma. Her and Smith have really good chemistry in the film and they do a really good job of sharing the lead roles in the film and it is the highlight of the film.

Supporting Characters

I will admit I am not a huge fan of Jai Courtenay's work but there is an exception to very rule and I really liked his performance in this film as Digger Harkness AKA Captain Boomerang. He is just very funny in this film and I liked how sarcastic he is in his role, also the boomerangs are a unique weapon that are used to a good effect in the film. Jay Hernandez as El Diablo was probably the surprise of the film, he was the character I knew the least about in the film but was possibly the character I cared about the most. He is given an emotional arc in the film and it works as he is the least well known character in the movie. Though some of the characters didn't work at all, Joel Kinnamon plays Rick Flagg in the film and he is just really bland in the film, when you have all these larger personalities having this average soldier as the leader of the team just really didn't work for me. Cara Delevingne plays The Enchantress in the film and wow this is one of the worst performances in a comic book film I have ever seen, she is just cheesy as hell and an absolute shambles of a character in the film. Jared Leto plays The Joker in this film and similarly he goes well over the top and it comes across as really cheesy, plus he was really underused in this film and it makes him feel like a wasted aspect of this film.

Story

Some of the characters in this film such as Deadshot and El Diablo have really good emotional arcs in this film to make you actually care about their characters in the situation that they are in. But this film could have really done with being a smaller scaled story, it makes no sense that this group of individuals are literally tasked to save the world. Also the first act of the film sets up The Joker as the villain of the film but then suddenly changes direction to focus on the more supernatural aspects of the film and it just really didn't work for me.

Script

This script has some decent humour and drama that gets these characters by and for the most part makes them feel unique and very different as you have very different personalities from a hitman to half human half crocodile and that works. However, I felt like it was inconsistent between the amount of drama and humour and when this is used by the characters, sometimes there were points when it should have been full drama or full humour. 

Style

This film has some entertaining action scenes in it and as mentioned it is fun seeing the different characters use their different weapons in these action scenes. But there isn't really any tension in the action scenes as it is just a bunch of faceless henchman attacking the group in which you don't think any of the team are in trouble. Also there is some really terrible CGI in this film and one in particular towards the end of the film that is just terrible.

Overall

Overall this is no doubt that this is an entertaining film, it is very loud and exciting but there just isn't that much to it and it is just an above average action film that if you aren't are a big fan of comic book films then this isn't going to win you over.

Rating - 6/10

 

   

Killer Inside: The Mind Of Aaron Hernandez (2020) Limited Series Review

Killer Inside: The Mind Of Aaron Hernandez (2020) Limited Series Review 

 I am a huge sports fans but I have to admit I was unaware of the story of Aaron Hernandez so I was interested in this limited series which documents the journey from New England Patriots Tight End to convicted murderer. 

This review is different to usual as it is a documentary style show, all the people that are interviewed have really interesting stories to tell about Aaron Hernandez. The show psychoanalysises Hernandez and why exactly he would go from the point of top notch celebrity to wannabee Gangster, looking at his past involving his start in American Football shows the failing of that system and how CTE disease could have affected Hernandez.

The show also looks at how social factors such as his sexuality could have affected his mental state, during the show it shows Hernandez on the phone to loved ones while in prison and it is so distrubing. Seeing this guy act very calm and casual about possible being convicted by murder is chilling and makes you truly wonder what the mental state of this man was and had always been.

My only main criticism of the show is that it takes a bit to get going and it jumps over different time periods with some things being more interesting then others.

Overall, I don't want to say too much about this series as it is interesting to learn more and more about this incident and how crazy it gets. 

Rating - 8/10  

Star Wars The Clone Wars Season 7 (2020) Final Trailer Review

Star Wars The Clone Wars Season 7 (2020) Final Trailer Review

 Disney have just released the final trailer for the final season of Star Wars The Clone Wars that will be released soon on Disney+ and these are some things I noticed in the trailer.

Maul & Ahsoka are being set up as the main characters

This trailer heavily leans on Ashoka Tano and Maul, two of the most beloved and interesting characters from the Clone Wars, it seems the season is going to focus strongly on the two of them and build to a confrontation between the two of them that will be highly entertaining to watch and interesting to see the outcome.

The Clone Troopers are having issues with war

There is a part of the trailer where Rex claims that the clones are conflicted about the war, this is interesting as this is alluded to in The Clone Wars and Rebels so I am interested in how they deal with the inner conflict of these clone troopers and whether there will be conflict amongst the clones.

Mace Windu suspects Palpatine

Mace Windu claims he suspects a plot to destroy the jedi, this is the exact line he uses in Revenge Of The Sith when theorising about the sith and Chancellor Palpatine. It shows that Windu's issues started before Revenge Of The Sith, I hope to see this explored in the show and see where it goes.

No General Grievous or Count Dooku in the trailer

An interesting note is that this trailer shows its emphasis on Maul by not showing either of the sepratists leaders General Grievous and Count Dooku in the trailer. Obviously the war is heavily taking place so expect both to turn up in the series and it will be interesting to see if the show will lead directly into the events of Revenge Of The Sith. 

Will Star Wars Rebels spoil this show

No spoilers here but having watched Star Wars Rebels we do know the fates of some of the characters of the Clone Wars and with this being a prequel to Revenge Of the Sith it will be fascinating as to whether this season is too predictable because we know pretty much what the fate is of every character of the show.

Overall I am very excited for this season and hope this show can finish on a real high note. 

Star Wars The Clone Wars is set to be released on Disney+ which is debuting in the UK on March 24th so you would expect it would be available on that day. 

Bad Boys For Life (2020) Review

Bad Boys For Life (2020) Review

 It's been 17 years since Bad Boys 2 came out and now we have the third film Bad Boys For Life and this is my opinion on the film. The premise of the film sees a hitman go after the cop duo which forces them to reunite and hit the streets again.

Main Character

Will Smith and Martin Lawrence are back together again and they haven't lost a touch, in fact this may be their best performances yet in this franchise. The film focuses more on Smith this time but it really works he is still the cocky but loveable police detective that you want to root for but in this film he really has to deal with some dramatic things and he does it really well and makes him a better all round main character. Lawrence is in a different place as a character but it also works for this film, there is a clear difference between the two characters in this film and it allows them to explore their friendship in greater detail. Also their chemistry together is once again really strong and it will keep you highly entertained throughout this exciting film.

Supporting Characters

Joe Pantoliano is back as the captain and he is actually given more screen time in this film and he is just really funny in this film, he is a great addition to this franchise and fits in excellently with the two leads of the film. But this film tries to add a group of new characters including Vanessa Hudgens and they just aren't interesting at all, they just feel like a roadblock to our main characters and it feels like they were just added to get some younger actors to be in some of the action scenes. Also, even though the motivations for the villains were fine the characters weren't particularly interesting and they weren't that compelling.

Story

In previous Bad Boys films the villains motivations have been very basic, but credit to this film that it tires to give the villains a reason for going against our main characters and I thought it was handled pretty well. Smith's journey throughout the film is also well handled and his character evolves as the film progresses which I would argue hasn't happened in the previous films. However, the last act is pretty cliche and by the numbers, it is a shame as the film tries but falls into a pretty basic conclusion that isn't that interesting.

Script

The script is actually really good in this film, the humour is there like the previous films, it had me laughing throughout. But what suprised me in particular was how well the drama was handled in this film, in previous Bad Boys reviews I always criticised the lack of drama but that is not a complaint in this film and I feel like this film has a great blend of humour and drama. 

Style

This film has really exciting and hard hitting action scenes, the films hand to hand combat is the best in the franchise and Will Smith delivers even when he is around the 50 years old range. You will be entertained as things explode and go a bit crazy for our characters, but for some reason this film felt much longer then it actually is. The action scenes sometimes go on for a bit long and the film's pacing does make the film drag a bit.

Overall

Overall this is a really fun film, I would argue it is the best Bad Boys film yet but it is just a good action film and nothing special, though if you are looking for a fun action film to watch then Bad Boys For Life is a good film to watch.

Rating - 7/10

Cobra Season 1 (2020) Review

Cobra Season 1 (2020) Review

 I saw the adverts for this show and I was intrigued to watch Cobra, so this is my review for the 6 episode first season. The premise of the season sees after a solar flare takes out all the power in the UK, the government led by the Prime Minister have to attempt to get the power back on. 

Main Character

Robert Carlyle plays the prime minister in this show and I thought he did a really good job in this show in the role, he started off a bit boring but he really grows into the show and ends up delivering a pretty powerful performance. You can see the stress build as the season goes on and he has to deal with quite a bit in the show and you care about him in the role.

Supporting Characters

Richard Dormer from Game Of Thrones is in this show and is probably the best character in the show, he gets plenty of screen time, especially at the beginning of the show and you do care about his character. He delivers a strong performance and I hope we see more of him in other things now Game Of Thrones has finished. David Haig plays an antagonist in the show and he is very unlikeable and he is pretty charismatic to watch, you really grow to not like the guy and he comes across as a true distasteful character. The rest of the cast wasn't as interesting, Victoria Hamilton is one of the main characters but I really didn't care about her character or the story arc that she has in the show even though the show really tries to make you care. The rest of the cast is forgettable and some of them I wonder why they were even in the show. 

Story

The story when it comes to the power going out is pretty interesting, you see the basic insticts come out in people quite quickly which I feel like might happen in real life if this happened. The tension is built very well and as the season progresses it builds and builds to make you care about the situation that the cabinet are put in. However, there are all these side plots that are just boring and they feel tacked onto the main story to attempt to flesh out the characters but you don't really care. Also this show ends really abruptly clearly setting up a second season but it makes this season feel incomplete and like there are elements of the story that aren't complete.

Script

The drama is pretty good, the characters confront each other very organically and it feels very real. The use of bad language doesn't feel overused and does a good job of showing just how stressed that these characters were. The humour is attempted to make these characters feel more real but it just doesn't work and feels out of place, this is one show that probably could have done with being very serious due to the subject matter.

Style

The show as mentioned does a very good job of building the conflict and the tension amongst the government and the public which for somebody who lives in the UK feels very real. But I had a bit of an issue with the tone of the show, I wish it had been a bit more of a balanced argument between the government and the working class but they don't, they clearly make it protagonists and antagonists which weakens this show.

Overall

Overall, this is an okay show, there are some good parts of this show especially when it comes to building tension. But this show isn't that interesting and if you have a little interest in it then it might be worth a watch but other then that it isn't really worth the time.

Rating - 6/10

Bad Boys 2 (2003) Review

Bad Boys 2 (2003) Review

 So after watching the first Bad Boys film, it is now time to watch Bad Boys 2 so this is my opinion on this film. The premise of the film sees our two heroes have to bust a drug cartel. 

Main Character

Will Smith & Martin Lawrence are so good in their roles in these Bad Boys films, their chemistry is off the charts and you feel like they are legitimate friends in this film. Their characters have a bit more tension in this film but it is when they are bantering it is so entertaining to watch and it makes you really care about what is going on to them.

Supporting Characters

Joe Pantoliano is back as the captain and his role is slightly smaller in this film but again he is really funny in the role and I just liked his dynamic with Lawrence and Smith. However, I wasn't a big fan of anybody else in the film, Gabrielle Union plays Smith's girlfriend in the film and she just doesn't do much in the film. Her character is pretty bland and I felt like she caused unnecessary tension between the two main characters that didn't really need to be there. Similar to the first film the bad guy is just really bland and boring, he is just a guy they have to take down and you don't really care why they have to take him down. This film even wastes the great Peter Stormare by giving him a by the numbers basic role in the film. 

Story

This film's story tries to add some emotional depth to the main characters but they botch it really, it doesn't really go anywhere in the film and it doesn't really add depth to the characters. Also as mentioned the plot isn't exactly exciting as the bad guys are so generic that the stakes don't feel particularly high and I just didn't really care about it, plus the ending is pretty abrupt with more questions needing to be answered.

Script

The humour in this fim is pretty much as good as the first film and had me laughing quite a bit as Lawrence and Smith have excellent chemistry together and really bring the laughs to the film. But as mentioned before the drama just falls short even though there is a genuine attempt to make it work in this film it just misses the target and it doesn't make you care about the characters problems.

Style

The action scenes in this film are really good, maybe a bit too much slow mo used but it is fun and exciting to watch both the gun fights and the car chases in this film, plus I liked the different locations used in this film, it made it feel different from the first film. However, the pacing of this film is just all over the place, I couldn't believe this film was 2 hours and 30 mins, easily a half an hour could have been cut from the film and nobody would have complained and the film would have been much better.

Overall

Overall this is a pretty average action movie, it is not as good as the original and a pretty by the numbers films. The main characters chemistry is what holds the film up but it is not enough to save this film from being a pretty forgettable experience.

Rating - 5/10

Bad Boys (1995) Review

Bad Boys (1995) Review

 In preparation for Bad Boys For Life, I have decided to rewatch both Bad Boys and Bad Boys 2. So to start with the first Bad Boys film and this is my opinion on this film. The premise of the film sees two cops have to protect a witness and track down a shipment of drugs they had previously tracked down.

Main Character

This film has two leads in this film and they are both great, Martin Lawrence & Will Smith plays the leads in the film and they have brilliant chemistry together. They really carry this film to make it better then it really has any right to be for a generic action film, they are both hilarious and you can tell Smith was poised to go onto huge things in the industry. 

Supporting Characters

Joe Pantoliano plays the police captain in this film and I thought he was actually really good in the film, he fit his role really well and I thought he had a fun dynamic with Smith & Lawrence. Tea Leoni plays the witness in the film and she does a good job in the film, she is an interesting character in the film and she wasn't just a one dimensional female character and fit the team very well. But an important part of a film like this is having an interesting and cool villain and this film doesn't have that. The villain is really boring and he has no clear motivation in the film to make him a credible or interesting threat for the good guys.

Story

The film has a good dynamic between the two leads and it is very entertaining watching them go on this investigation. But this film is very generic and fitting of the time, the side plots are dropped pretty quickly and it is very obvious where the film is going and how it is going to end. 

Script

The script is really funny, I was laughing quite a bit in this film as Smith and Lawrence spurt out really entertaining one liners and rise above what could have been seen as a cheesy script. But the drama when attempted just didn't quite hit for me and I didn't care about the drama that was going on in these guys lives I just wanted to watch them be entertaining and doing police work.

Style

The action scenes are very entertaining and seeing the gunfights makes this film feel maybe a bit more modern then it actually is. There are some old techniques used such as slow mo but it just fits for this film and I can't deny that I was engrossed when the action scenes were happening. 

Overall

Overall this is a very entertaining action film that sparked the buddy cop film really, it has been imitated plenty of times but this is a fun film that might be worth a watch if you enjoy fun action films.

Rating - 7/10

Titans Season 2 (2020) Review

Titans Season 2 (2020) Review

 So after a Mediocre first season DC'S darker TV show Titans is back for a first season and this is my review of the 2nd season. The premise of the season sees Dick Grayson reform the Titans with a younger iteration but this draws the ire of a former foe - Deathstroke.

Main Character

Brenton Thwaites plays Dick Grayson and I didn't really care too much about his character that much last season but I thought his performance was much better this season. He had more charm and charisma too him this season which makes it more understandable why these people follow him into battle. He has much more depth to him this season and goes through quite a bit of inner turmoil which makes him a much better character this season.

Supporting Characters

Wow this category could take all day so I am only going to talk about the main supporting characters in this season of the show. I thought in the first season Minka Kelly as Dove and Alan Ritchson as Hawk felt out of place and a side act that we weren't meant to care about as much, but they get more screen time this season and for the most part they are highlights of the season. Their chemistry is very good and Hawk in particular has some very funny moments and provides some levity that is needed on this show. Now I love Manu Bennett as Deathstroke on Arrow, so I was worried when I heard Deathstroke was going to be on this show but I thought Esai Morales did a very good job as Slade Wilson. He is a more comic book accurate version of the character and he was a really menacing threat throughout the season even though his character wasn't written as well as he could be towards the end of the season. However, Teagen Croft as Rachel, Anna Diop as Kory & Ryan Potter as Gar were the most boring characters this season and I didn't care about any of their individual stories which took up too much screen time.

Story

The story of this season is a soft reboot of the show and doesn't really folllow from the first season that much. I very much enjoyed the conflict in the members of the Titans, especially Dick Grayson and how their relationship with Deathstroke is more balanced then I expected and they did a good job with flashback episodes documenting this. But there was plenty things wrong with the story, first because of how many characters there are they try and give most of them individual stories and most of them are pretty bland and I didn't care about them because they don't get the attention they deserve. Plus the best part of the story is the Deathstroke stuff and as the season progresses the show focuses less on that story and more on the evil corporation storyline which is nowhere near as interesting.

Script 

The script and dialogue is actually pretty good most of the characters are funnier this season and the dialogue is no where near as cringey as it was in the first season. The characters felt more real this season and it made easier to care about them as individuals and as a group.

Style

The show keeps the darker tone from the first season and the fight choreography is so much better this season then it was last season, especially whenever Deathstroke throws down it feels like a captivating action scene. But there is a real pacing issue this season as mentioned before, if they had cut a few storylines out and maybe a couple of episodes this season would have been made more streamlined and better to watch.

Overall

Overall, season 2 of Titans is a big improvement on the first season of this show and as a comic book show it fits around the same quality of the other DC TV shows. Hopefully the third season will look to continue this improvement and make this a truly memorable show.

Rating - 7/10

1917 (2020) Film Review

1917 (2020) Film Review

 This film recently got nominated for best picture at the Oscars, so I had to see what all the fuss was about and I have now seen 1917 and this is my review of the film. The premise of the film sees two soldiers have to make their way to a front line to deliver an important message to command. 

Main Character

This film actually has two lead characters, relative unknowns George Mackay and Dean-Charles Chapman and after this film I am sure I will see more performances from them in the future. They are both fantastic in this film and have really good chemistry together, they give very physical performances and you really do care about them as they go on this daring mission. Mackay in particular stands out and gives a memorable performance that was highly impressive. 

Supporting Characters

Now this is a hard category for this film as the film truly focuses on these two actors and nobody else, don't get me wrong seeing Mark Strong, Benedict Cumberbatch and Andrew Scott in entertaining but small roles provides this film with legitimacy and star power. But as mentioned I have to be fair and say this film maybe doesn't do enough with it's supporting characters to make you care about them.

Story

The story is pretty engrossing, the journey that these two people go on is very tense and emotional, you support them all the way and you want to see them succeed. It isn't the most unique story but it makes up for it in how intense it is and how it make you feel a part of their journey and how you are the third man in the group supporting them all the way. 

Script

The script is very good, obviously the film is very serious and it nails its dramatic dialogue to encapsulate just how dark the situation they are in, though, when used the humour feels appropriate and well placed for a pair of friends travelling together.

Style

Now we get onto the star of the film and that is cinematographer Roger Deakins, this is possibly the best looking movie I have ever seen. The film is shot in one continous shot and it feels perfect for this film and allows you to get immersed in this WW1 setting and you feel like you are with the characters. The musical score adds to the drama of the situation and I cannot stress how tense this film is and how it keeps you on the edge of your seat. 

Overall

This is a fantastic film experience, one of the best war based film in recent memory. Any big film fan needs to see this film mainly for its style and how beautiful it is to watch.

Rating - 9/10

Black Widow (2020) Trailer 2 Review

Black Widow (2020) Trailer 2 Review

 Boy this was a week for new Comic Book Movie Trailers and Marvel Studios have just released hopefully the last trailer for their upcoming film Black Widow and this is what I noticed. 

This film seems to mostly takes place after Captain America: Civil War and before Avengers: Infinity War

Originally many people thought that this film would look at Natasha Romaoff's time becoming Black Widow, but it seems that the majority of the film will take place in a more modern setting set between the two films mentioned above. This is interesting as it shows Widow on the run from the US Government due to her actions in Civil War which adds another wrinkle to the film.

David Harbour could steal the show as Red Guardian

So far in the two trailers David Harbour's performance as the Red Guardian has interested me the most as he seems to be having plenty of fun in the role and throws down in the action scenes. He is a great actor and it is great to see him in this film.

Taskmaster's costume is much better in this trailer

My biggest complaint with the first trailer was how bland Taskmaster's costume looked but it is much better in this trailer, it looks much more intimidating and comic accurate, it does bring up the question though does he have multiple costumes in the film and why do they change.

Taskmaster might have fought previous Avengers

In the comics, one of Taskmaster's abilities is that he can copy any action against enemies he comes across, in the first trailer he is seen using a bow and arrow and in this trailer he is seen throwing a shield at Widow. This might mean that he has encountered and fought Hawkeye and Captain America before off screen, which is interesting and adds another dimension to the character.

A Sacrifice will probably be made

Florence Pugh plays Scarlett Johansson's closest friend in this film but the trailer shows she is wearing the same jacket that Johansson is seen wearing in Avengers: Infinty War. This could mean that Pugh sacrifices herself and Widow takes her jacket and changes her hair to blonde to honour her which would add more depth to her change of appearance in Infinity War.

 Overall

It has been long overdue for Black Widow to get her own solo movie and I for one am really excited for the movie as it is one of my most anticipated films of the year.

Black Widow is set to be released on May 1st 2020

Morbius (2020) Trailer Review

Morbius (2020) Trailer Review

 So on Monday Sony and Marvel released the first trailer for their upcoming film Morbius, and these are the things I noticed in the trailer.

Dr Morbius is trying to cure his rare blood disease

It seems at the beginning on the film that Dr Michael Morbius is just a doctor, quite desperate to find a cure for a rare blood disease, and this will lead him to becoming the living vampire, but using this motivation allows the audience to feel sympathy for the main character even though in the comics I would see Morbius as more of a villain then hero.

Seems like it is going to be a more violent film

After the success of Joker last year, I think this film is trying to capitalise by making this film darker and focusing on a villain. I mean when your main character is a living vampire and has a thirst for blood it would feel wrong for this film not to go the more dark and violent direction.

Is Matt Smith trying to take down Morbius

This is just a theory, because we see very little of Smith in the trailer but this film doesn't give a clear answer to whether Morbius is the protagonist in the film or whether he is the villain with someone trying to take him down, very little is known about the plot in this movie but I would like to see Matt Smith go against Jared Leto's Morbius.

This film connects to the Marvel Cinematic Universe

This is the big news coming from the trailer, I have to be honest nobody expected this in the trailer as Venom was a very standalone film but Morbius will not be like that. So the first mention of the MCU is we see an image of Spider-Man saying Murderer on it, this is a reference to the ending of Spider-Man Far From Home where Spider-Man is accused of killing Mysterio. Then at the end of the trailer we see Morbius meeting Michael Keaton who is reprising his role from Spider Man Homecoming as Adrian Toomes/Vulture. I love Keaton in this role and his appearance confirms that this film fits into the MCU in some way even though I am not expecting Morbius to appear in any MCU film but I would love to see him go up against Mahershala Ali's Blade in a few years time.

Overall

I had very little anticipation for this film but this trailer did a really good job of getting me hyped for the film and has left me asking questions about what is really happening in this film.

Morbius is set to be released on July 31st 2020

Birds Of Prey (2020) Trailer 2 Review

Birds Of Prey (2020) Trailer 2 Review

 So the other day DC and Warner Bros released there final trailer for there upcoming film Birds Of Prey and these are a few things I noticed in it.

Kind of Ignores Suicide Squad

Suicide Squad was a mixed bag for sure amongst critics and fans but one thing everyone agreed on was that Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn was perfect casting and was the highlight of the movie. At the end of the movie Harley and Jared Leto's Joker are reunited and back together, but it is clear in this film that Leto will not be a part of it and that the two have broken up which kind of makes the ending of Suicide Squad pointless and I suspect most of that stuff will be ignored in favour of this new story.

The Team do seem to have good chemistry

Obviously Robbie as Quinn is the main character in this film but in a team up film, it is clear that the team have to have good chemistry together and the one thing I will say is that this trailer highlights that the Birds Of Prey Team will have good chemistry together and play off each other very well, especially with there different backgrounds and personalities.

Roman Sionis will be Black Mask

When Ewan McGregor was cast as the villain Roman Sionis in this film, the first question that came into people's minds was whether he would suit up in the iconic mask and transition into becoming the Black Mask. This trailer shows him in the mask and it truly looks fantastic and like it was taken staright from the comics. McGregor seems to be having a blast in the trailer and I will say if used correctly he could be the highlight of the film.

Harley Quinn Fancies Bruce Wayne

Just a little fun moment at the end of the trailer, Harley reveals she has named her hyeena after Bruce Wayne as she fancies him, it is interesting that she likes Bruce Wayne instead of Batman as that is a different take from the comics. Now I don't think for a minute that Ben Affleck will be in this film but it is a fun easter egg.

Overall

Overall this trailer is better then the first one and I am now more excited for this movie then I was previously and hope this film can really succeed.

Birds Of Prey is set to be released on February 7th 2020. 

Scott Derrickson Leaves As Director Of Doctor Strange: In The Multiverse Of Madness

Scott Derrickson Leaves As Director Of Doctor Strange: In The Multiverse Of Madness

 So big news came out the other day from Hollywood and Marvel Studios that Scott Derrickson has left his position as director of the upcoming Marvel Studios film Doctor Strange: In The Multiverse Of Madness. 

Derrickson directed the acclaimed first Doctor Strange film which I thought was very unique and had a very distinctive style about it, it is also interesting as Derrickson has been very vocal about his plans for this sequel and how he wanted to tap into the more horror elements of the character and use the villain called Nightmare. 

After tweeting Derrickson revealed that 'creative differences' were the reason for the seperation, this is not the first time this term has been used when it comes to directors and Marvel Studios. Edgar Wright who directed Shaun Of The Dead and Hot Fuzz was originally set to direct 2015's Ant-Man, however, quite late in the day he left the project citing these 'creative differences' hence why Marvel took a chance on new director Peyton Reed which was a gamble that paid off.

Speculation is running rampant that Marvel may be backing off the horror elements of this movie to provide a more magic based film like the first film, the addition of Scarlett Witch in the movie makes this a likely theory as to why Derrickson left the project.

Doctor Strange: In The Multiverse Of The Madness is scheduled to be released on May 7th 2021 and will star Benedict Cumberbatch and Elizabeth Olsen as the main characters, hopefully they will get a new director that can bring us an exciting sequel to a solid first film. 

Dracula (2020) Mini Series Review

Dracula (2020) Mini Series Review

 I have just finished the three part mini series from BBC of the retelling of Dracula, and if you looked up the phrase mixed bag in the dictionary this shows poster would be staring you in the face. 

Main Character

Claes Bang plays the iconic character of Count Dracula in this show and he is easily the best part of this show, he absolutley owns the screen throughout this shows run time and hopefully we see him do more things. In a modern age he plays the perfect Count Dracula, a mix of evil, but charismatic, dramatic and charismatic performance that should truly be remembered for a long time to come.

Supporting Cast

The only other cast member in multiple epsidoes is that of Dolly Wells, who plays a Nun that goes against Dracula and she does a good job in her role. She has some of the best lines in the show and her character has good chemistry with Dracula. However, no other character stands out at all, nobody else is given enough of a chance to shine for you to care about any of them so you just won't and you kind of want to see Dracula kill them all.

Story

The story of the first episode is excellent, it feels tense and dark and unnerving as you see this man being mentally tortured by Count Dracula, the next episode is basically a mystery episode on a boat which was okay and the third episode was just an absolute mess and felt like a completley different show. If this had just been a one episode show I might have been satisfied but the plot just becomes more and more absurd as the show goes on and not in a good way but in a confusing, boring kind of way. Plus it ends really abruptly and in my opinion does not provide an interesting conclusion.

Script

The script actually was quite a bit funnier then I thought it would be with Dracula spitting out one liners, but the drama was just okay, there wasn't really anything that stood out to me or that was very memorable at all.

Style

This show is dark, if you like a violent, horror based Dracula then you will like the tone of this show and I very much liked the tone of the show, well for like the first episode. My main issue is with the inconsistency of the tone and how it changes from episode 1 to episode 3 when in my opinion it really didn't need too.  

Overall

Overall, Dracula is a fine mini series that is only like 5 hours long all together so you can do it in a day, if you are a fan of Dracula then you will enjoy this show but if not then I personally don't think this is worth the time when there is so much other quality TV to watch.

Rating - 6/10

Who is Christian Bale Playing in Marvel's Thor: Love and Thunder?

Who is Christian Bale Playing in Marvel's Thor: Love And Thunder?

 So the newest and most interesting rumour going around in the world of Hollywood is that apparently Christian Bale is in deep negotiations with Marvel Studios to have a role in Thor: Love And Thunder. So I am here to try and work out what character Bale could be playing in this film. 

Beta Ray Bill

For years, there has been rumours of an appearance of Thor's cosmic ally Beta Ray Bill, so now Bale could be a big candiate for the role. On one hand he would be a huge performer to be cast as Bill but I just wonder whether there is space in this film for Beta Ray Bill, also with Chris Hemsworth and Natalie Portman confirmed to play a version of Thor in this film I think Beta Ray Bill would get lost in the shuffle in this film.

Gorr, The God Butcher

I personally believe that this is the role that Bale will be playing, Bale as a villain in this film would be a great change of pace for the actor and would provide something a bit different for Thor and his friends to go against. Even though Marvel hasn't got the best record with its villains I believe that Bale could bring some real personality to this role.

Adam Warlock

At the end of Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol 2 we were teased an appearance by Adam Warlock and I think Christian Bale would be a perfect actor for this role. Yes, he was introduced in a Guardians of The Galaxy Film but there is enough link up between these two franchises that Bale as Warlock can't be ruled out completley.

Balder The Brave

A big Asgardian Character that we have not seen is Balder The Brave, he is usually an ally of Thor but after the events of previous films in the franchise Balder could return looking for the throne of Asgard. Bale could play this role but I wouldn't want him to get lost in this role and would much rather see him as Gorr. 

Those are my opinions on who Bale could be playing in Thor: Love And Thunder. Thor: Love And Thunder is scheduled to be released on the 5th November 2021, so A long way off but one film that should be highly anticipated. 

The Irishman (2019) Review

The Irishman (2019) Review

 So it is a bit late, but you know the saying better late then never, so this is my review for easilly Netfilx's biggest project to date The Irishman. The premise of the film documents the life of a gangster as he tells the audience his life story of how he grew in the criminal Underworld.

Main Character

Robert De Niro plays the lead character in this film and he does a really good job in the film, you can tell he really cared about this role and it felt like a role that fit him very well. After this performance and his performance in Joker I think it is fair to say that De Niro is back on form and taking roles he actually cares about. At first the de ageing CGI distracted me but you get used to it as the film progresses and it fits De Niro as lets face it he has always looked the same pretty much.

Supporting Characters

Al Pacino plays Jimmy Hoffa in this film and he does a really good job, he is very charismatic and charming in his role, his and De Niro have really good chemistry together and you care about their relationship in the film and he is probably the most interesting character in the film. Joe Pesci plays the Mob Boss in this film and he is also great in this film, again he and De Niro have great chemistry in the film and you do care about their relationship and seeing these three gentleman give great performances is a very welcome sign indeed. There is also some other smaller but great roles such as Ray Romano, Stephen Graham and Bobby Cannavalle who aren't huge parts of the film but they add a bit of class and top quality performances in these roles.

Story

The story is interesting as it documents this gang culture and the different inner workings of what is going on in higher society in this time period. If I am honest this films story is further enhanced by the performers then the actual plot. This film's plot jumps over multiple time periods and it can become a bit convoluted and you are introduced to lots of characters, some who just aren't given enough backstory for you to care about them. Plus this film has easily 30 minutes on there that just isn't necessary and it makes this film feel more indulgent then it could have been.

Script

The dialogue in most Martin Scorsese films is excellent filled with smart and witty dialogue to make you feel like these are real people even though they are in ridiculous scenarios. The drama especially between the main three characters feels very real, like they are real friends and their relationships do feel very real. The dry humour also works and again makes this film feel quite a bit funnier then it had any right to be.

Style 

The style in this film has a really cool gangster feel to it that fits the performers and the director incredibly well and you can tell they are very passionate about how this movie should be made. Also as mentioned before there is de-ageing CGI in this movie and for me it was used well and wasn't distracting to me at all. However, to the big thing about this film is that it is 3 Hours and 30 Minutes long which is absurd for any movie even if the quality of the movie is high. This film definitley drags along and you kind of just wait for the ending to come.

Overall

This film is another great addition to the gangster genre and if you want to watch a superbly acted but long film then this is a film for you, but just remember that you cannot watch this casually and must fully invest in it. 

Rating - 8/10 

Messiah (2020) Season 1 Review

Messiah Season 1 (2020) Review

 Netflix have been putting out a lot of content recently and this is the newest series that has come to the streaming platform : Messiah. The premise of the season sees a CIA agent go on the manhunt for a man who is being claimed to be the new Messiah and the word of God. 

Main Character 

Michelle Monaghan plays the lead in this series and she does a really good job in her role, it seemed like a role she was very natural in and born to play. Her character has a lot of emotional baggage to her and I did care about her character, we see this show from her eyes and we learn things at the same pace as her so we can relate to her and feel like we are with her in this journey.

Supporting Characters

Medhi Debi plays the one that is known as The Messiah in this show and he is one charismatic individual, you can see why these people would follow him throughout this series and he is obviously the thing that interests you in this show so it is good that he has a strong performance. His performance is so good that you can't tell where he is coming from and what his motivations exactly are and it provides an intriguing performance. Tomer Sisley plays an agent in this show and he probably has the best development of any character on this show, he is clearly a troubled individual and you see his character suffer and learn about himself as this whole investigation is going on. John Ortiz plays a priest that encounters the Messiah and he does a really good job on the show, he has a bit of a crisis of faith and meeting this Messiah provides him with more questions and it is interesting to see him having to deal with these events.

Story

This story is pretty interesting, the main story of trying to work out who this Messiah is really is pretty captivating and I thought the conclusion of the series provided an interesting take on this idea and kind of went in an interesting direction that I wasn't expecting. However, I thought some of the secondary storylines weren't particularly interesting and in some of them it just ends prematurely and doesn't give the payoff that made it worth the time in watching, this show could have done with being 8 episodes and focus some of the story up.

Script

The script is really quite serious, obviosuly with the subject matter it needs to be a pretty serious show. The dramatic dialogue was really good, there is some heavy drama in this show and there is plenty of intrigue, throughout which definitley keeps you watching. However, I mean I don't want it to be a comedy but a bit of humour would have helped flesh out the characters a bit more and make them feel even more interesting then just the drama that is happening. Plus the religious dialogue can come across quite heavy which if you watch a few episodes in a row it can be a bit too much.

Style

This show has a very tense tone to it, as you see the CIA try and find out more about The Messiah, you want to piece together the puzzle before they do but it is very difficult. I liked certain stylistic things like the use of local languages being used in the Middle East instead of using English and how there are multiple reactions to The Messiah which feels very real. But as mentioned a little bit before, this show could have benefited from being a few episodes shorter to make it more condensed and make it all interesting instead of having some less interesting side plots.

Overall

Overall, I suspect this show will offend different religous groups due to it's premise but if you give this show a chance it is a good show especially for a first season. If there is a second season I hope they condense the show and allow it to have 6-8 episodes instead of 10.

Rating - 7/10

   

Jojo Rabbit (2020) Review

Jojo Rabbit (2020) Review

 The first film I have seen in 2020 is Jojo Rabbit, a film that has been predicted to do incredibly well at the Oscars this year so I was intrigued to watch this film and I must say that I really enjoyed this movie. The premise of the movie sees a young Nazi trying to find his place when he comes across a Jewish Girl. 

Main Character

Roman Griffith Davis is a young child actor and this is the first film I have seen him in but I don't think it will be the last in this film as he is truly fantastic in this film. His character Jojo goes through a really emotional journey throughout the film and you end up really caring about this character even though he is a Nazi. This is literally one of the best child performances in recent memory and I am curious how much recognition he will get and when we will see him next.

Supporting Characters

This film has a really impressive supporting cast and first to Taika Waititi who is also the Director of this movie, he plays Adolf Hitler in this film and is Davis's imaginery friend in the film. He is brilliant in this film and delivers a great over the top performance that provides some really funny moments in this film. He and Davis have really great chemistry in the film and really provide some stand out moments in the film. Scarlett Johansson plays Jojo's mother in the film and she also delivers a good performance, she plays the loving mother very well and you believe in her relationship with Jojo. Her character has a bit of mystery to it but that doesn't get enough time to fully invest you but she is a good character in this film. Thomasin Mckenzie plays the Jewish Girl in this film and her and Davis's chemistry is very good and their development is the emotional crux in the movie so in order for you to believe in this film you have to care about their story. Sam Rockwell, Alfie Allen & Rebel Wilson are also really funny in this film and give good performances. 

Story 

This film was pretty much marketed as a comedy so I was curious how the story was going to be but it was pretty good. As mentioned the relationship between Davis & Mckenzie's characters is the part that invested me and made me care about the these characters and the story that they go through in the film. However, I feel like the story wasn't as strong as it could have been, there are certain elements of the story involving other characters that don't get enough time for you to really care about them, and with the film being only around 1 Hour 40 Minutes there could have been time for this.

Script

This film does focus on the humourous side and does an excellent job. If you like darker humour this film is definitley for you. Waititi especially provides tons of laughs and after his performance as Korg in Thor Ragnarok, he truly is built for really funny supporting roles. The drama though is suprisngly very good, you really will care about these characters and the plight that they are in, especiallly as the film comes towards its conclusion.

Style

This film is a very funny film, it knows when to take itself seriously though and does a really good job of finding the balance between the two types of tone where it doesn't take away from each other. It deals with the subject matter in a really fun way and this film has a very unique feeling which gives it extra poimts in my opinion.

Overall

This in my opinion is a fantastic film that really made me laugh and gave me a real fun time in the cinema. If you like films with dark humour this is a film for you and even if you aren't this film could be for you and you should give it a chance.

Final Rating - 9/10

 

Most Anticipated Films of 2020

Most Anticipated Films of 2020

So I've decided to get back into using this blog and for my first post of 2020 I will go through the ten films that I am most looking forward to in 2020.

10. The Eternals 

    So we start off with one of Marvel Studios movies in 2020, The Eternals is a film documenting the beings that were around in the past of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Honestly I don't know much about these characters but with performers such as Angelina Jolie, Kit Harrington & Richard Madden cast in this film it is a big project and one that will be hopefully worthy of the MCU.

9. Ghostbusters Afterlife 

 Next we have the next Ghostbusters film, with the original Ghostbusters cast involved with the project it seems that this film will be more faithful to the franchise then the reboot that came out a few years ago. With Paul Rudd in the cast they have some star power and hopefully this can be a return to form for the Ghostbusters.

8. Birds Of Prey: And The Fantabulous Emancipation Of Harley Quinn

 In number 8 we have the newest DC Comics Movie Birds of Prey. This all female team of anti heroes are an interesting proposition and hopefully could lead to a more succesful period for DC as they haven't had the most consistent run as of late. Margot Robbie is fantastic as Harley Quinn and seems like this film will mainly focus on her to give it every chance of being a good film.

7. Tenet

 Now I know very little about this film but what I do know is that it is directed by Christopher Nolan and any film directed by that man is an absolute must see. The trailer is very mysterious and doesn't give much away but I am sure in the hands of Nolan this film has every chance of being in my best films of 2020 list. 

6. Wonder Woman 1984

 After a very good first Wonder Woman film, we now get the sequel in 1984, I really think Gadot is great as Wonder Woman and even though we don't know a great deal about this film, with Patty Jenkins back as the director I am sure this film is in capable hands and will hopefully be a success. 

5. The King's Man

 Next on the list is the prequel to the popular franchise The Kingsman - The King;s Man. Showing the origin of the Kingsman organisation this should be a very interesting and exciting film. With a stellar cast involved there is lots of potential for this film to be a big hit. 

4. Black Widow

 The second Marvel Studios film to make it onto the list is the very long awaited Black Widow film. Scarlett Johansson has really made this role her own over the 10 year period that she has been involved and I am glad to see her finally get her chance to shine in her own movie. 

3. Mulan

 Now before I watched the trailer for this film I wasn't that excited, but after watching the Trailer I was totally invested in seeing this film. It seems like it has been updated for a modern audience and will be an exciting and emotional take on the classic film. 

2. Top Gun: Maverick 

 We have waited a long time for this sequel to be made and obviously Top Gun is an iconic film so there is plenty of pressure on this film to succeed. The trailer for this film is exciting and I am really hoping for a great fun action film with amazing special effects. 

1. No Time To Die 

 In my opinion this is my most anticipated film of the year, I really enjoyed Casino Royale, Skyfall and Spectre so Daniel Craig's last film as 007 has to be the film I am most looking forward to this year. This film has a really big chance to end this journey Craig's Bond on a high and really provide a truly memorable action film that we will remember for a long time.