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TST Film Review Thread

The worst thing about Despicable Me 4 was when I realised it's definitely just setting up the next Minions film with Gru attending that school in the 80s.

But yeah it definitely felt the most stretched out of the series so far as they struggled to think of things for half the cast to do.
 
John_P said:
But yeah it definitely felt the most stretched out of the series so far as they struggled to think of things for half the cast to do.
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Yeah I think that's fair and pretty much how I felt. It felt pumped out to keep the franchise alive (by setting up the next minions film) and grab cash. Nothing interesting about the plot really. The main villain was forgettable, so was the girl from next door, the baby is just there to add an additional character because you'd assume by now they would have had one together, and it lacks the warmness of previous movies. Especially the first movie, which I thought was an excellent, heartfelt, warm movie packed with jokes (classics such as "I sit on the toilet" and the hilarious Three Little Kittens book read).

It just pumps out formulaic Minion slapstick as a side plot due to the main plot being so weak, that sometimes hits, sometimes doesn't. Gru and Lucy don't really do anything. Neither do the girls. You think something interesting is going to happen with the couple next door, but it never does. It feels like the Despicable Me franchise equivalent of a post season 9 Simpsons episode. Just kind of there for the hell of it to keep merchandise sales going.
 
Coraline 3D anniversary re-release. I saw it in 3D the cinema when it came out, it's my 5 year olds favourite film so I've seen it in 2D hundreds of times since.

Aside from it bring an incredible film in its own right, and surely one of the most terrifying PGs ever released, it might just about be the pinnacle of 3D films. While sometimes its a silly gimmick, here it brings so much to the depth and emersion. It is done so cleverly though that when you watch in 2D it doesn't make you think it should be in 3D, which a lot of films of the time did by having odd things in prominence that would be specical in 3D but a distraction in 2D. When it can be this good it's a shame 3D film has fallen out of favour.

It also has a wonderful little making of documentary at the end. Strong reccomend.
 
Cracking film that, think when the 3D fad reared it's head back in the late 2000s Coraline was the first film I saw in that format.
 
I forgot to say. I watched 'Wonka' a few weeks ago. I fully went into it trying to suspend my disbelief and appreciate that I'm not the target audience. Unfortunately it was pretty tragic. Just followed the same old formulaic storylines and characters and got a bit boring. Not worth recommending to the niece and nephew. I was really willing it to be good too.
 
Saw Alien Romulus last night.

Very much more of the same, it felt more of a greatest hits of the alien franchise. It’s not top tier but it’s not one of the shit ones.

It’s well made, has one very jarring creative decision.

The soul sucking unoriginal Hollywood film franchises continue…
 
Nice double bill over the weekend, started with The Critic seeing Ian McKellen in fine form, ably supported by Gemma Arterton and Mark Strong. Went into this pretty blind so enjoyed all the machinstions even though it doesn't quite all hold together.

And today I saw Lee seeing Kate Winslet as acclaimed war photographer Lee Miller. As a biopic it's a bit by the numbers but Winslet is superb. Enjoyed Andy Samberg in a straight role as well.
 
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That reminded me. I watched 'American Fiction' the other night. The one where the author got very fed up of writing decently intellectual stuff and not getting many sales. Then saw others write typical rubbish just to feed the market, so he decided to write a piece of c**p under a fake name just to take the p**s. Then what happened? A bit like everything in the world nowadays really.

It was pretty good. It was no Schindler's list but it's worth a couple of hours of your time.
 
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I enjoyed American Fiction and Jeffrey Wright is always good value.

Felt like I wanted more of him dealing with the literary world and everything spiralling from the success of his book. I mean from the trailers the other half of the film doesn't really exist. Stirling K Brown was fantastic as Monks brother though.
 
John_P said:
I enjoyed American Fiction and Jeffrey Wright is always good value.

Felt like I wanted more of him dealing with the literary world and everything spiralling from the success of his book. I mean from the trailers the other half of the film doesn't really exist. Stirling K Brown was fantastic as Monks brother though.
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Agree with both points very strongly. I was definitely left wanting more. I really wanted him to get stuck into things further, and with a bit more oomph. I was pretty happy with the film overall apart from that. Defo worth a watch for most people I would say.
 
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

Another heritage sequel, this time of the 1988 film that really put Tim Burton on the map.

Bringing back the stars of the original, Michael Keaton, Catherine O'Hara, and Winona Ryder, and adding greatly with Jenna Ortega, Willem Dafoe, and Monica Bellucci.

Whips along at a great pace, and is a very funny movie. Can't say I've ever had a great affection for the original (I do like it though) so maybe I'm enjoying it more for what it is and the tone it carries throughout.
 
The Substance

Starring Demi Moore who is fantastic as Elisabeth Sparkle.

Unceremoniously sacked from her TV fitness show after turning 50 she is informed of The Substance. An injection that will create a new younger, better you.
From this and some very unrelenting body horror we get 'Sue' played by Margaret Qualley.
The wrinkle now being that as one mind they need to switch every 7 days lest bad things happen.

I very much enjoyed this despite not usually going in for body horror films. Was actually a lot of humour involved and Dennis Quaid is great in a supporting role.

I'd definitely say it certainly goes to places you don't expect in the final act and probably isn't for the squeamish.
 
The Outrun

Saorise Ronan puts in a tremendous performance as an recovering alcoholic who leaves London to return home to the Orkney Islands as she attempts to deal with her addiction.

The main plot is interspersed with flashbacks to her time growing up, and her time in London showing her alcohol issues and attempts to deal with it. Though those aren't always in order, you can sort of track it yourself by the colour of Ronans dyed hair.

We also get short tales of the mythical history of the Orkneys. Which looked like an amazing place to visit, if a bit hard going with the weather.

Very much enjoyed this Ronan definitely one of the actors of her generation, look forward to seeing her in Steve McQueens 'Blitz' soon as well.
 
Megalopolis

The film Francis Ford Coppola has tried to make for decades, he probably shouldn't have bothered.

Weirdly enjoyed the acting whilst the plot was all over the place.

Will always be a memorable film as I watched it in the biggest screen in Liverpool and was the only person present to watch it. Love when that happens.
 
Alien whatever the latest one is called.

Yes I'm late to the party, but also early as although it puts itself in the timeline differently the whole structure of this film felt so close to the Alien I watched in the 80's it brought very little new to the table.

Not a fan of the cgi used in the (no spolilers) final incarnation of the Alien either. Looked like someone had left an early rendering in the film to me.

Still an enjoyable romp though, as all in the franchise are.
 
Saw A Different Man yesterday, suppose you'd describe it as a deeply dark comedy.
Sebastian Stan in the best role I've ever seen him play, looking forward to seeing him playing Donald Trump in a few weeks as well.

Really hard to discuss the plot without giving too much away.
 
Joker Folie a deux

Well I liked the musical numbers.

And I quite like the fact Todd Philips et Al decided to try and do something so very different for this sequel. It just doesn't really work though. Glad they tried it though, sadly it's box office (and reviews) makes it seem very unlikely anyone will ever be given free reign like this with any sort of big IP ever again.

Can't say I was a massive fan of the original either so I'm not acting like that's some sort of sacred text.
 
It's actually my most anticipated movie of the year. I thought the original was absolutely excellent. I've been avoiding reviews to avoid spoilers, but I'm aware it's getting panned.
 
John_P said:
Joker Folie a deux

Well I liked the musical numbers.

And I quite like the fact Todd Philips et Al decided to try and do something so very different for this sequel. It just doesn't really work though. Glad they tried it though, sadly it's box office (and reviews) makes it seem very unlikely anyone will ever be given free reign like this with any sort of big IP ever again.

Can't say I was a massive fan of the original either so I'm not acting like that's some sort of sacred text.
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I've not seen it, but Marina Hyde & Richard Osman were discussing it in their podcast this week. It seems the main issue is that the budget got bumped up to $200million, if they'd stuck with a $50million budget again it might have been OK, as a smaller swing and a miss. But as you say a miss on that budget will mean execs are unlikely to try again.
 
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