TST Film Review Thread

[John_P]

Another Monday, another Cineworld unlimited card holders preview screening.

Conclave

Starring Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, and Isabella Rossilini.

Starting in the aftermath of the Popes death and then picking up again three weeks later as the duty falls to Fiennes Cardinal Lawrence to run the Conclave were the Cardinals vote for the new pope.

Mainly it's men talking quietly in rooms as the decision is made on who to vote for and how that'll effect the future of the church. As it goes on there's revelations and skull duggery as it seems machinations are in play to point the final vote towards certain candidates.

Very much enjoyed it, a proper 'adult' film with talk of faith and belief, but also of honour and duty.

Directed by Edward Berger who helmed the recent version of All Quiet On The Western Front. He works wonders with the tension, the tightness of the corridors, and the use of the colour palette this world gives him with the reds and whites.

Fiennes performance is great and he anchors the film, but everyone involved is putting in great work.

I believe this won't actually be on general release until November 29th but I'd definitely reccomend it when it's released.

 

[Matt.GC]

Heretic, a psychological horror starring none other than Hugh Grant.

I saw the Trailer a couple of weeks ago when I watched the Apprentice and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice the next day. It didn't give too much away, but seeing Grant, a guy normally bouncing around as an upper class twit in romcoms, in a horror looked intriguing.

And intriguing it was. 2 Mormon girls in their early 20's, are missionaries doing the rounds and door knocking on behalf of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The movie opens with them on a break, discussing their beliefs in a way that indicates they are often conflicted between their dedication to church, and the social aspects of being young women.

After a day of cold calling, they arrive at the house of Mr Reed (Grant), whom church records show has asked for further information. Avoiding the rain, he invites them in. After deep and philosophical conversations about religion, Reed reveals himself to be a well read scholar on the subject matter and not what he seems, and the girls, now completely trapped inside his house, are about to be taught a harsh lesson....

A very enjoyable watch. Well written and crafted, and builds suspense throughout masterfully. It does this without leaning into formulaic horror tropes of excessive lashings of tomato sauce and cheap jump scares. Almost Hitchcockian in nature.

I'm not a Hugh Grant fan, but his performance is excellent in this. In a similar way to how you feel about Jim Carey in a serious role, you realise how much of a fine actor he really is when he's not type cast. His manner is creepy and unsettling, and almost leads the viewer, and indeed the young female victims played by brilliantly by Chloe East and Sophie Thatcher, into a false sense of security before progressively trashing it within the first half hour, and continuing to do so further throughout the film. As Grants character sinks deeper into depravity, East and Thatchers characters also develop throughout, from perceptions of typical horror fodder at the beginning, to meeting the challenge of the situations they now find themselves as the movie unfolds.

Suspenseful throughout with few roll your eyes moments, the best horror of the year so far for me. 8/10.

 

[pluk]

A couple of children's films over the last few weekends

Wild Robot I thought was visually quite stunning, and the story engaging. My daughter didn't feel the same and fell asleep.

Paddington in Peru I thought was OK but pretty slow paced and light on gags following the the first two. Especially when Hugh Grant popped up mid credits as if to remind you of Paddington 2s superiority. My daughter sort of agreed declaring it the least good of the trilogy, but to her I think it was a closer run thing. It was alo great on opening weekend to see it in a packed large cinema, which feels like a rarity these days, and just too cute when all the kids spontaneously clapped at the end.

 

[BooMT]

Being great apprieciators of Ridley Scott's original Gladiator & having been unashamedly drawn in by the resoundingly positive early critic reviews, we decided to give Gladiator 2 a go. Will try and keep this spoiler-free!

From the many questionable casting choices and gaping plot holes, to the lacklustre acting and embarrassingly poor at times (often bizzare) CGI, Gladiator 2 played as an *obviously rushed in execution* and unnecessary money-grabbing sequel; the emotional authenticity of the original was nowhere to be seen, the dark grit had been buffed to a smooth polish and the plot? It felt like a speed-run through confused storytelling, critically underdeveloped relationships and limp attempts to evoke emotion, with the occasional forced nod to the 2000 film.

To give credit where it's due, Denzel was a scene stealer throughout, the only solid casting choice in my humble opinion, bringing a truly layered performance to the character of Macrinus, although, as well as he performed, it was clear he was limited by the absence of depth around him. Paul Mescal, usually a solid choice for a role, just didn't quite raise his performance to the place of deep-rooted anguish it needed to be, neither did he command the respect and honour that was so easily given to Russell Crowes Maximus.

My favourite scene took place in the Colosseum, depicting an almost emotionally raw interaction between Hanno and Marcus Acacius; if only it had been afforded more time, as with the rest of the film, this segment was hurried through like a late boarding passenger. Shame.

Overall, if I were a Roman emperor deciding its fate after a gruesome battle, my thumb would make no hesitation to point south A disappointment but one that will undoubtedly bring in the cash.

TL;DR Gladiator 2 is messy, disappointing and doesn't hold a candle to the original. Denzel steals the show, Paul misses the mark. Overall, poor execution of what should have been a huge cinematic event.

 

[John_P]

Not sure how a film released 24 years after the original could be considered a rushed cash grab.

Anyhow just saw Gladiator 2 myself, and as the above post said Denzel Washington is by far the best thing in it.

However whilst it's not as good as the original it's still a very enjoyable film with plenty of interesting battles and inversions of the first film. An enjoyable look at machinations of the politics in Rome as well as it testers on the brink.

Pedro Pascal was good, but I would've liked more from his character in the movie. Definitely portrayed that world weariness his character required when not on the battlefield very well.

Mescal also pretty good, more the soldiers soldier whose forced to take the lead than Crowes outright leader of men as Maximus.