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LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Shazam! (2019) in Movies
May 14, 2019 (Updated Dec 15, 2019)
A refreshing, and often humourous entry into the otherwise troubled DCEU
Contains spoilers, click to show
I went into Shazam! with low expectations, after not being particularly taken with the majority of past DCEU films.
I left feeling pretty positive about the whole goofy experience.
As with most DC material, the film starts on a fairly dark note, introducing us to a young Dr Sivana (a truly old school super villain, dating all the way back to the late 30s).
After a bit of back story as to why he gets all villainy, the movie wastes no time introducing us to Billy Batson (Asher Angel) and the rest of his foster family, and the movie succeeds in making all of the younger characters likable.
After a bit of comic book magic, we're eventually acquainted with the true power of Shazam!
Zachary Levi absolutely shines as he clearly relishes in playing this goofy, excitable teenager trapped in the body of a God. He bounces back and forth with Jack Dylan Grazer pretty well, and for the most part the relentless stream of jokes land nicely.
The film starts to waiver slightly towards the end, as the story hurtles towards a standard comic book movie CGI showdown, with a by the numbers comic book movie performance from Mark Strong, and some sketchy CGI cloud monsters, but it's hard not to grin with the surprise introduction of the Shazam! family (something I would surely expect from a sequel).
Shazam! also struggles at times to balance it's humour with it's more serious beats, but for the most part is an enjoyable origin story that the whole family can enjoy.
I left feeling pretty positive about the whole goofy experience.
As with most DC material, the film starts on a fairly dark note, introducing us to a young Dr Sivana (a truly old school super villain, dating all the way back to the late 30s).
After a bit of back story as to why he gets all villainy, the movie wastes no time introducing us to Billy Batson (Asher Angel) and the rest of his foster family, and the movie succeeds in making all of the younger characters likable.
After a bit of comic book magic, we're eventually acquainted with the true power of Shazam!
Zachary Levi absolutely shines as he clearly relishes in playing this goofy, excitable teenager trapped in the body of a God. He bounces back and forth with Jack Dylan Grazer pretty well, and for the most part the relentless stream of jokes land nicely.
The film starts to waiver slightly towards the end, as the story hurtles towards a standard comic book movie CGI showdown, with a by the numbers comic book movie performance from Mark Strong, and some sketchy CGI cloud monsters, but it's hard not to grin with the surprise introduction of the Shazam! family (something I would surely expect from a sequel).
Shazam! also struggles at times to balance it's humour with it's more serious beats, but for the most part is an enjoyable origin story that the whole family can enjoy.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Krampus (2015) in Movies
Nov 26, 2017
A refreshingly different Christmas film
A Christmas horror film really shouldn't work, but for the most part it actually does. It's strange, as you usually associate Christmas films with sickly sweet happiness, but this is the complete opposite and it's a nice change.
It's funny, dark and doesn't take itself too seriously. The physical effects and make-up are very good, although some of the CGI is questionable in parts. It has a great cast and I loved the idea behind Krampus and also the strange ending. My only criticism would be that it could have been a lot scarier. It was creepy at times but I think it concentrated more on the laughs than the horror, which is a shame as a scary Christmas horror film would be truly terrifying.
It's funny, dark and doesn't take itself too seriously. The physical effects and make-up are very good, although some of the CGI is questionable in parts. It has a great cast and I loved the idea behind Krampus and also the strange ending. My only criticism would be that it could have been a lot scarier. It was creepy at times but I think it concentrated more on the laughs than the horror, which is a shame as a scary Christmas horror film would be truly terrifying.
Movie Metropolis (309 KP) rated The Abyss (1989) in Movies
Jun 10, 2019
James Cameron makes his second appearance on this list with 1989’s The Abyss. This terrifying film that gave countless children nightmares for months follows a civilian diving team as they are enlisted to search for a lost nuclear submarine. Unbeknownst to them, danger lurks in the deep when they encounter an alien aquatic species.
The special effects may look dated by today’s standards, but The Abyss is over 25 years old and still looks pretty darn good, even in 2019 when CGI has come on so far. Ed Harris puts in a fantastic performance and the eerie depths of the ocean are only matched by the blankness of space in modern-day sci-fi movies. Truly horrifying.
https://moviemetropolis.net/2019/06/08/films-set-at-sea-top-5/
The special effects may look dated by today’s standards, but The Abyss is over 25 years old and still looks pretty darn good, even in 2019 when CGI has come on so far. Ed Harris puts in a fantastic performance and the eerie depths of the ocean are only matched by the blankness of space in modern-day sci-fi movies. Truly horrifying.
https://moviemetropolis.net/2019/06/08/films-set-at-sea-top-5/
Movie Metropolis (309 KP) rated Ice Age (2002) in Movies
Jun 10, 2019
Animated films, I feel, do snow a lot better than the majority of live-action movies. Why? Well it’s much easier to render snow when you’re creating a film that is solely CGI, you don’t need to worry too much about realism or shooting on location.
Ice Age remains one of the all-time greats of the genre, and in my opinion, it’s a little underrated. It’s spawned numerous decent quality sequels and has a cracking cast and a light, witty script that’s perfect for adults and children alike to enjoy. The snow is part and parcel of the movie, so that’s why it avalanches its way to number four in this list. Get it, avalanches? I’m on a roll.
https://moviemetropolis.net/2018/02/28/best-snow-movies-top-5/
Ice Age remains one of the all-time greats of the genre, and in my opinion, it’s a little underrated. It’s spawned numerous decent quality sequels and has a cracking cast and a light, witty script that’s perfect for adults and children alike to enjoy. The snow is part and parcel of the movie, so that’s why it avalanches its way to number four in this list. Get it, avalanches? I’m on a roll.
https://moviemetropolis.net/2018/02/28/best-snow-movies-top-5/
Dean (6927 KP) rated The Thing (2011) in Movies
Feb 10, 2018
A really good prequel to a horror classic. It's been a while since I saw the '82 version, so I watched the DVD feature that shows some of the lengths they went to to keep the set design in keeping with the '82 film. This one answers the questions to just what on earth happened at that base! There are plenty of scenes that refer to what they discover in the old film. The effects are great and needed to be. Thankfully it isn't all CGI and they made some good animatronic creature designs to start with.
It's very similar otherwise to the original in how it pans out and takes you right up to the start of the '82 classic. If anything it will make you want to see the original again as well.
It's very similar otherwise to the original in how it pans out and takes you right up to the start of the '82 classic. If anything it will make you want to see the original again as well.
Britt Smith (36 KP) rated WolfCop (2014) in Movies
Jul 22, 2018
Contains spoilers, click to show
Wolfcop is one of those movies that is really, really fun to watch and turns great if you've got a few beers in you (or, if like me, you enjoy a good b-rated movie that doesn't take itself seriously). It has a start that makes you wonder if you made the right choice, but it's outlandish and enjoyable enough to be a fun watch. It's a great take on the usual werewolf story. They've got some really great scenes in there, and the use of practical effects is admirable enough to warrant some serious props. No cheap CGI here, just some good ol' effects.
It was good enough to make me interested in the sequel, which is saying something for b-rated movies.
It was good enough to make me interested in the sequel, which is saying something for b-rated movies.
Peter Brownhill (1 KP) rated The Greatest Showman (2017) in Movies
Jul 7, 2018
I was undecided whether to watch this film. musicals generally don't appeal to me (there are exceptions). however my wife wanted to watch it so I bought her the blu-ray and we sat down on a Saturday night and watched it. I was really very pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it. I'm a big fan of Hugh Jackman anyway I don't remember a bad film he's been in and I think he's a fantastic all round entertainer. I felt some of the songs seemed a bit samey and forgettable but the story and acting were good. Zac Efron I think redeemed himself from the drivel he's been in recently. It was a shame about some dodgy cgi in places but overall I thoroughly enjoyed it.
CJ (8 KP) rated The Meg (2018) in Movies
Aug 26, 2018 (Updated Aug 26, 2018)
Big shark. Big screen. Big fun.
If you’re up for a corny creature feature, look not further than The Meg. I saw it on both of the biggest screens around (IMAX and XD) and it was a fun ride both times. I found it slightly better than the average creature feature (the reasoning for the Meg’s continued survival being somewhat more plausible than average), it’s still too corny for many. But if you’re idea of fun is to watch a CGI shark try to eat people for a couple hours, this is worth looking into. Highly recommended you try to watch this on the biggest screen to get that underwater feel.
Kevin Wilson (179 KP) rated Maleficent (2014) in Movies
Sep 19, 2018
Great cast (3 more)
Great twists
Great story
Great special effects
Great take on the iconic Disney villain
This was a fun movie. A great take on the sleeping beauty with good twists.
They manage to give this iconic Disney villain many different layers and was played brilliantly by Angelina Jolie. The story was great and I enjoyed seeing the backstory of Maleficent. It gives so much weight to the sleeping beauty story we all know and you have more understanding and sympathy for the villain.
All parts of the cast were great and the CGi/special effects were great. It had to be since this movie is practically all special effects. The music was great and this is by far 1 of my favourite live action adaptations of a Disney movie so far.
They manage to give this iconic Disney villain many different layers and was played brilliantly by Angelina Jolie. The story was great and I enjoyed seeing the backstory of Maleficent. It gives so much weight to the sleeping beauty story we all know and you have more understanding and sympathy for the villain.
All parts of the cast were great and the CGi/special effects were great. It had to be since this movie is practically all special effects. The music was great and this is by far 1 of my favourite live action adaptations of a Disney movie so far.
Lee KM Pallatina (951 KP) rated the Xbox 360 version of TMNT: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in Video Games
Nov 6, 2019
Turtles in a half attempt at a decent game
So after finally getting to finish this somewhat attempt at a ninja turtles game, I quickly became disappointed at its alternate adaptation on a brilliant cgi movie.
Most of the gameplay is in black and white causing the game-view to become almost unwatchable, with bad camera view & no camera controls making this game feel broken.
A lot of the gameplay was difficult due to not being able to see lower platforms.
On the plus side you are able to switch between playing as each turtle who each have their own special move, unfortunately only the character your playing as appears on the screen at a time. That Sucks!
Most of the gameplay is in black and white causing the game-view to become almost unwatchable, with bad camera view & no camera controls making this game feel broken.
A lot of the gameplay was difficult due to not being able to see lower platforms.
On the plus side you are able to switch between playing as each turtle who each have their own special move, unfortunately only the character your playing as appears on the screen at a time. That Sucks!