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TST Film Review Thread

Nice little Groundhog Day esque time loop film on Amazon Prime - The Map Of Tiny Little Things

Certainly a regular concept (there was an excellent Stargate SG1 episode using the conceit as well).
A nice spin on the concept though with a younger protagonist and whilst it doesn't ever go as dark as when Bill Murray starts killing himself it does deal with the existential crisis the situation does bring.

Some nice shifts of tone throughout as the film asks the audience themselves to consider the beauty and happenstance of the world around them.
 
Zack Snyder's Justice League: Absolutely phenomenal. The fact that Warner Bros restricted his vision for so long is beyond me. I can see how four hours is too long for some people but there's a lot of content here to keep everyone engaged. Whedon's cut was too rushed and lackluster mess. This felt complete. There's more character arcs (especially for Cyborg who is an afterthought on the original cut), the action sequences are epic, there's a consistent tone and there's setups that leave you hungry for more. Probably in my top three superhero movies of all time. I think seeing the success of this it's likely they'll continue with the Snyderverse but we'll have to see. For now, this is a DC fan's fantasy come true (10/10).
 
Trying to watch all the films nominated for the oscars best picture and after Mank, and Trial of the Chicago 7 next up was Minari.

A fantastic take on what the American dream is as a Korean-American family decamp from California to Arkansas as the father (Jacob) attempts to become a farmer. Shot through with humour (brought via the grandmother), excellent performances from the child actors, religious symbolism, whilst the fathers dreams of creating a better life for his family threatens to fracture it beyond repair.

A genuinely excellent film, don't be put off by the fact large parts of the film is in Korean.
 
Seconded. I really liked Minari, a properly heartwarming and compassionate film.

Nomadland is by far my favourite of this year's crop, but Minari would be a worthy winner. It's a real crowdpleaser.
 
Plastic Person said:
Seconded. I really liked Minari, a properly heartwarming and compassionate film.

Nomadland is by far my favourite of this year's crop, but Minari would be a worthy winner. It's a real crowdpleaser.
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Need to watch Nomadland (I believe its on Disney+ soon). Probably try and watch a few other films tomorrow.

Tonight however I've watched my second Time Loop comedy of the year (always a fun concept).

Palm Springs (available on Amazon Prime)

This one starring Andy Samberg (Mules) whose clearly been stuck in the loop for some time inadvertently drags Cristin Miliotis character (Sarah) into the abnormality.

It's a genuinely excellent take on the concept, really funny throughout with lead characters you care about.

Clocks in at a nice 90 minutes as well.
 
Watched the Sound Of Metal (Amazon Prime) this week. Heavy metal drummer Ruben (played by Riz Ahmed) suddenly and catastrophically career wise goes deaf. With the help of his girlfriend/band mate he eventually enters a programme to help deal with this, however he still longs to return to her and his career.

Brilliant movie, Riz Ahmed is fantastic and his plaudits and award nominations are all very well earned. Playing a former addict, and learning to play drums and American sign language for the role.

The sound design is amazing as it moves between the regular world and what Ruben is hearing, leaving the audience nearly as bewildered as he is. Well worth watching!
 
Just watched The Mitchells vs The Machines (new on Netflix today) Another Lord and Miller (The Lego Movie, Spider-verse) produced animated masterpiece.

A cross country family road trip to drop their daughter off at university goes awry when the newest upgrade of Pal decides the earth would be much better with out the human race.

It's funny throughout, heartwarming, genuinely smart, and packed full of clever callbacks throughout. Plus as the lead character (Katie Mitchell) is a film maker it's constantly playing with the visuals.

I'd be amazed if another animated film is anywhere near as good as this in 2021.
 
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Here is my first film review on here. Each week, I get to watch at least 2 films that I've never seen before. Over the years, I've seen some good films and not so good films. Here are two that I recently watched and I really enjoyed them.

Mortal Engines an epic Sci-Fi film that felt like you were watching a Star Wars Movie but without the light sabres, minus the force and no stormtroopers. In the film, you are in a future world where the cities are mobile. The story remined me of the original Star Wars Movie, the opening of the movie you have the large city chasing the smaller one. You also have the city that has a weapon of mass destruction. Visual effects were stunning. I watched this a couple of months ago and I must watch it again.

Alita Battle Angel just watched this one yesterday. Wow, another great Sci-Fi film! A scientist finds a 300 year old cyborg torso and brings it back to life. He names the cyborg Alita and she has no memories of her past. I don't want to give too much away as the film has some unexpected parts that you don't see coming. It was a great movie from start until the end, which was a little disappointing as the suddenly credits roll leaving you wanting to see more. I believe that the film left it open for a possible sequel. Again the visual effects were stunning. Again, this is a movie that I must watch again
 
Last week I finally got round to watching Hellraiser (1987), and WOW, that's got to be one of the best horror movies I've seen. It's a very taboo-breaking film - easily one of the most... 'adult' horrors out there, but it's very, very scary. Some of the best physical effects I've ever seen as well - it's a constant onslaught of blood and pure terror.
 
Just back from seeing A Quiet Place Part 2.
Taking place directly following on from the events of the first film (with an added day 1 flashback).
It's certainly as taut and tense in places as the first film whilst opening up the world as we see glimpses of what has happened to the world. Overall I very much enjoyed it though it wasn't quite as good as the original.

Still think 2 Quiet 2 Place would've been a better name.
 
John_P said:
Just back from seeing A Quiet Place Part 2.
Taking place directly following on from the events of the first film (with an added day 1 flashback).
It's certainly as taut and tense in places as the first film whilst opening up the world as we see glimpses of what has happened to the world. Overall I very much enjoyed it though it wasn't quite as good as the original.

Still think 2 Quiet 2 Place would've been a better name.
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I still need to watch the first one again. Went to the cinema to be sat near some guy munching doritos for an hour straight. Only time I can remember the film being quieter than the cinema room.
 
Went to see Dream Horse yesterday (good old unlimited card). A nice easy watch and a real feel good story. I'd describe it as The Full Monty but about owning a horse instead of stripping.
 
Nobody - Bob Odenkirk goes full John Wick but with added dark humour.

Was an absolute blast of a film, great action scenes, brilliant music choices, and a wonderful appearance from Christopher Lloyd.
 
Cinemas reopened about a month ago, so there's been plenty of trips to catch up on all sorts of films.

First film back was Sound of Metal, which despite being available on Prime Video for a while, was being screened at a few places, so I took the executive decision to go and see it on the big screen for the full experience - which was totally worth it. It's a simple concept but executed beautifully with some genuine tenderness behind it, matched by some of the best sound design I've heard in a film. Really loved how it accentuates just how loud 'silence' is as well - an excellent creative choice. Definitely worth checking out if you get the chance.

About a week later I ended up at the BFI to see Eraserhead, which is a film. Honestly that's as much as I can think - it was incredibly surreal and, all these weeks later, I'm still not sure what to make of it. A superb arthouse feature.

Then this week, ended up at the pictures again to see The Father, which has rightfully been doing its rounds at various awards ceremonies. Whilst it wasn't quite as emotionally punchy as I'd anticipated (or maybe that's just because I've never really known anyone personally who has Alzheimers), but the performances were stellar, matched by some gorgeous cinematography. There's certainly a sense of disorientation as scenes morph into each other seemlessly, which can be devastatingly brilliant at times. Another film that's worth seeing.
 
Saw The Father this week as well, the whole concept and use of time (and Anthony's continuing watch issues) was thoroughly disorientating to watch, alongside the ever changing house and other characters faces. Genuinely harrowing in parts, and plays out almost like a horror film.
 
Saw 'In The Heights' today and thought it was really well done.

Will likely always be defined as the musical Lin Manuel Miranda did before Hamilton, but that doesn't mean its not entertaining in its own right.

Definitely helped with the staging and feel that they shot it in Washington Heights (same time Spielberg was shooting his version of West Side Story). Probably the highlight being the outdoor pool set 96,000.

Spotted a few Hamilton references as well, one a cameo, and the other a song snippet but I'd imagine there's a few others as well.

Overall a very entertaining film, maybe slightly overlong in the middle. There's also a fun post credits scene (not setting up a shared cinematic universe or anything).
 
John_P said:
Saw 'In The Heights' today and thought it was really well done.

Will likely always be defined as the musical Lin Manuel Miranda did before Hamilton, but that doesn't mean its not entertaining in its own right.

Definitely helped with the staging and feel that they shot it in Washington Heights (same time Spielberg was shooting his version of West Side Story). Probably the highlight being the outdoor pool set 96,000.

Spotted a few Hamilton references as well, one a cameo, and the other a song snippet but I'd imagine there's a few others as well.

Overall a very entertaining film, maybe slightly overlong in the middle. There's also a fun post credits scene (not setting up a shared cinematic universe or anything).
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I saw In The Heights today, and it really was fantastic! Rap isn't usually my style but it was fine, and the dance numbers and special effects are mind-blowing. Would definitely see it again! :)
 
Skyscraper said:
I saw In The Heights today, and it really was fantastic! Rap isn't usually my style but it was fine, and the dance numbers and special effects are mind-blowing. Would definitely see it again! :)
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I had the soundtrack on whilst I worked today.

Watched Luca last night, the latest Pixar film which has gone straight onto Disney+ (like Soul at Christmas).

Overall I enjoyed the film, a nice little story about 2 boys (who happen to be Sea creatures) who want to buy a vespa so they can explore Italy. The design of the town of Porto Rosso is beautiful.

I'd say its mid tier Pixar. The story whilst very well done and beautifully low key in its goals doesn't really push the envelope in the way we've seen them do over the years.

Character design as well, whilst lovely it's very strange when a character looks the exact same as a character from Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs (both fishermen as well).

So I'd recommend it but don't go in expecting anything like an Up, Wall-e, Inside Out, or Coco. The Mitchells vs The Machines is still very much my favourite animated film of the year still.
 
Finally got around to watching Yesterday on Netflix Yesterday. It wasn't very good and they didn't even blow the bus up. It felt like it was trying to do too much yet focused on to little and didn't really even have a good payoff
2/10
 
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