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Sarah (7800 KP) rated The Hunt (2020) in Movies
Nov 14, 2020
Darkly fun
The Hunt follows twelve strangers as they wake up in a clearing with no recollection of how they got there, and soon find themselves hunted for sport by a group of liberal elites.
Starring Betty Gilpin, Hilary Swank, Emma Roberts, Ethan Suplee and Justin Hartley, and written by Nick Cuse and Damon Lindelof, The Hunt’s original release was delayed in 2019 due to a number of mass shootings in America. It was pushed back to Spring 2020 only for it to come out just before the big lockdown for COVID-19, so to say this film has suffered a few setbacks would be an understatement, and this is a shame as it’s actually one of the most enjoyable new releases I’ve seen in 2020 so far.
Right from the opening scene, The Hunt shows you what it’s made of - understated and subtle it is not. It’s a riotously funny and witty parody, poking fun at absolutely everyone in it with it’s on the nose references that are so relevant to today’s political and social climate. Neither the prey or the hunters escape unscathed, in all manner of the word, and everything from climate change to racial prejudices and political ideology feature heavily in the running satire on offer here. This is a darkly funny and very smart film, and it knows it.
What this film is not though, is a horror film. Gory yes and brilliantly so, but it is in no means scary or horrifying. The plot itself is of course reminiscent of Battle Royale and even The Hunger Games, but The Hunt is very much it’s own film. It starts with an overly dramatic score and a decent amount of tension, and shifts into the action virtually straight away - with a short 90 minute runtime, this doesn’t waste it’s time on unnecessary exposition. Whilst I wouldn’t say this isn’t entirely unpredictable, The Hunt still has a few surprises to throw at you. The first half hour plays out a lot differently than you’d expect and makes you wonder if it’s played out it’s hand a little too soon.
But then in walks Betty Gilpin who is by far the star of the show and leads the remaining hour almost single handedly. Gilpin’s Crystal is a kickass, strong, smart heroine and she’s a delight to watch, although even she can’t quite save the lull half way through. Fortunately the lull doesn’t last long and watching Crystal exact her revenge on the hunters is wonderful to watch. Hilary Swank however is on the sidelines for most of the film, and for some bizarre reason whenever she is featured earlier on her face is kept hidden which is a rather strange move when we all know who it is. But despite this, when Swank is finally revealed in the final act she plays the cold, cruel and calculating Athena as a perfect callous bitch. The final exchange and reveal between Athena and Crystal is smart, tense and wickedly funny, and the ensuing fight scene is beautifully choreographed with some great laughs thrown in, and is probably the best fight scene I’ve seen in any film in quite some time.
The Hunt is gloriously over the top and mocks everyone and everything, yet also proves to be an equally thought provoking and relevant commentary on today’s society. As long as you’re not easily offended and don’t take it too seriously, it’ll prove to be hugely entertaining.
Starring Betty Gilpin, Hilary Swank, Emma Roberts, Ethan Suplee and Justin Hartley, and written by Nick Cuse and Damon Lindelof, The Hunt’s original release was delayed in 2019 due to a number of mass shootings in America. It was pushed back to Spring 2020 only for it to come out just before the big lockdown for COVID-19, so to say this film has suffered a few setbacks would be an understatement, and this is a shame as it’s actually one of the most enjoyable new releases I’ve seen in 2020 so far.
Right from the opening scene, The Hunt shows you what it’s made of - understated and subtle it is not. It’s a riotously funny and witty parody, poking fun at absolutely everyone in it with it’s on the nose references that are so relevant to today’s political and social climate. Neither the prey or the hunters escape unscathed, in all manner of the word, and everything from climate change to racial prejudices and political ideology feature heavily in the running satire on offer here. This is a darkly funny and very smart film, and it knows it.
What this film is not though, is a horror film. Gory yes and brilliantly so, but it is in no means scary or horrifying. The plot itself is of course reminiscent of Battle Royale and even The Hunger Games, but The Hunt is very much it’s own film. It starts with an overly dramatic score and a decent amount of tension, and shifts into the action virtually straight away - with a short 90 minute runtime, this doesn’t waste it’s time on unnecessary exposition. Whilst I wouldn’t say this isn’t entirely unpredictable, The Hunt still has a few surprises to throw at you. The first half hour plays out a lot differently than you’d expect and makes you wonder if it’s played out it’s hand a little too soon.
But then in walks Betty Gilpin who is by far the star of the show and leads the remaining hour almost single handedly. Gilpin’s Crystal is a kickass, strong, smart heroine and she’s a delight to watch, although even she can’t quite save the lull half way through. Fortunately the lull doesn’t last long and watching Crystal exact her revenge on the hunters is wonderful to watch. Hilary Swank however is on the sidelines for most of the film, and for some bizarre reason whenever she is featured earlier on her face is kept hidden which is a rather strange move when we all know who it is. But despite this, when Swank is finally revealed in the final act she plays the cold, cruel and calculating Athena as a perfect callous bitch. The final exchange and reveal between Athena and Crystal is smart, tense and wickedly funny, and the ensuing fight scene is beautifully choreographed with some great laughs thrown in, and is probably the best fight scene I’ve seen in any film in quite some time.
The Hunt is gloriously over the top and mocks everyone and everything, yet also proves to be an equally thought provoking and relevant commentary on today’s society. As long as you’re not easily offended and don’t take it too seriously, it’ll prove to be hugely entertaining.
David McK (3633 KP) rated Predator: If It Bleeds in Books
Jan 30, 2019
Towards the end of 2017/at the start of 2018 I picked up both this and [b: Aliens: Bug Hunt|31416104|Aliens Bug Hunt|Jonathan Maberry|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1474300660s/31416104.jpg|52265710], as I'd always had a soft spot for both those films.
Both as sci-fi anthologies; both are based around their respective properties.
I read the latter first, and (truth be told) wasn't overly impressed: while there were some good stories amongst those included, none really stood out all that much.
As a result, I put off reading this until I worked my way through some 'proper' novels, and only came back to this relatively recently.
Thankfully, of the two anthologies, I found this to be the better (despite a somewhat ropey start). I think that may be due to the central conceit of the Predators: as (effectively) alien Big Game hunters, that allows these stories to be set at any point throughout human history, not 'tied down' to the future as the Alien stories are.
That's a concept put into full use in this, with stories that run the gamut from the traditional sci-fi setting of the future, to the American Civil War, to the Wild West, to feudal Japan, to present-day Third World countries and to pretty much every point in-between!
Both as sci-fi anthologies; both are based around their respective properties.
I read the latter first, and (truth be told) wasn't overly impressed: while there were some good stories amongst those included, none really stood out all that much.
As a result, I put off reading this until I worked my way through some 'proper' novels, and only came back to this relatively recently.
Thankfully, of the two anthologies, I found this to be the better (despite a somewhat ropey start). I think that may be due to the central conceit of the Predators: as (effectively) alien Big Game hunters, that allows these stories to be set at any point throughout human history, not 'tied down' to the future as the Alien stories are.
That's a concept put into full use in this, with stories that run the gamut from the traditional sci-fi setting of the future, to the American Civil War, to the Wild West, to feudal Japan, to present-day Third World countries and to pretty much every point in-between!
Dean (6927 KP) rated Doctor Sleep (2019) in Movies
Oct 31, 2019
Shine on
So I recently watched The Shining again to prepare for this. I've not read the book so can't compare it to that. It's mainly set some 30 years after the events of The Shining with Danny now a grown man and struggling in life. He finally finds a calling and seems to settle in a small town where he can use his Shine in a positive way. He discovers a new child with a great power and also of a group who want to hunt her down exploit her power.
For a long film it did whizz by as the story was very interesting. It's a different type of horror film to the original. Although it's still dark and disturbing in its content. We learn more about those with this power and the evil group who hunt down those with the power. It's good to see the overlook hotel again but in some ways this film didn't really need visit the old location. I guess it does give it more of a connection to the original. Although a couple of scenes there really would have been better cut out.
Overall it's a very interesting, entertaining film that might not be scary as such. It is very dark and menacing. A great expansion on the Shining universe.
For a long film it did whizz by as the story was very interesting. It's a different type of horror film to the original. Although it's still dark and disturbing in its content. We learn more about those with this power and the evil group who hunt down those with the power. It's good to see the overlook hotel again but in some ways this film didn't really need visit the old location. I guess it does give it more of a connection to the original. Although a couple of scenes there really would have been better cut out.
Overall it's a very interesting, entertaining film that might not be scary as such. It is very dark and menacing. A great expansion on the Shining universe.
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Blazing Minds (92 KP) rated Mission: Impossible - Fallout (2018) in Movies
Nov 1, 2021 (Updated Nov 3, 2021)
Way back in 1996 we were introduced to the movie franchise of Mission: Impossible, now 22 years later (yes you read that right!), we’ve got to the sixth movie, Mission: Impossible Fallout, with Tom Cruise reprising his role of Ethan Hunt and showing us that he is still one heck of an adrenaline junkie with even more edge of the seat stunts and action.
I’ve been looking forward to seeing the team of Tom Cruise, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg and Rebecca Ferguson back together in the latest movie and to see Henry Cavill (with that moustache that caused some CGI removal in Justice League), so I popped over to the Scala Cinema in Prestatyn to check out the movie.
Now with all the previous Mission: Impossible movies I went into this one, not really knowing too much about the movie, I like to have the surprises that the franchise throws at you and not have any spoilers, so long story short, all I knew is that the IMF is trying to get their hands back on some stolen plutonium that a new rogue faction called The Apostles want to use to wipe out a third o the world’s population and on the way Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his team have to get their hands back on Soloman Lane (Sean Harris) who we last saw in Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation.
I’ve been looking forward to seeing the team of Tom Cruise, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg and Rebecca Ferguson back together in the latest movie and to see Henry Cavill (with that moustache that caused some CGI removal in Justice League), so I popped over to the Scala Cinema in Prestatyn to check out the movie.
Now with all the previous Mission: Impossible movies I went into this one, not really knowing too much about the movie, I like to have the surprises that the franchise throws at you and not have any spoilers, so long story short, all I knew is that the IMF is trying to get their hands back on some stolen plutonium that a new rogue faction called The Apostles want to use to wipe out a third o the world’s population and on the way Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his team have to get their hands back on Soloman Lane (Sean Harris) who we last saw in Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation.
Slow but gripping drama
Contains spoilers, click to show
Her husband was in a plane crash. She was told there were no survivors. Then she saw him on the telly... Or did she?
The Widow follows a woman's desperate hunt for the truth.
There are so many plot-twists it will make your head spin and the show has you hooked until the very last episode!
Could it have been a bit faster paced? Yes.
Does Kate Beckinsale's hair remain a bit too styled throughout her mad dash around jungle and wilderness? Totally.
Would I recommend it all the same? Absolutely!
The Widow follows a woman's desperate hunt for the truth.
There are so many plot-twists it will make your head spin and the show has you hooked until the very last episode!
Could it have been a bit faster paced? Yes.
Does Kate Beckinsale's hair remain a bit too styled throughout her mad dash around jungle and wilderness? Totally.
Would I recommend it all the same? Absolutely!