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David McK (3188 KP) rated Kingdom of Heaven (2005) in Movies
Feb 5, 2022
Watch the Directors Cut instead.
I remember that, back in the early 2000s, there was a sudden surge in the 'Historical epic' sub genre of movies, largely as a result of 2000s 'Gladiator'
This was one such movie.
Set in a little known period of history, between the Second and Third Crusades, this follows the exploits of the blacksmith Balian (Orlando Bloom), who follows his estranged father Baron Godfrey (Liam Neeson) to Jerusalem to attempt to atone for his sins.
Of course, being a movie, he then goes on to be involved in many great events, from shipwreck to meeting Saladin and (eventually) leading the defence if Jerusalem.
Not bad, but maybe a bit long and slow, with The Directors Cut doing a better job of tying the themes together, including a whole subplot largely dropped from the theatrical release regarding the romance he becomes involved in.
This was one such movie.
Set in a little known period of history, between the Second and Third Crusades, this follows the exploits of the blacksmith Balian (Orlando Bloom), who follows his estranged father Baron Godfrey (Liam Neeson) to Jerusalem to attempt to atone for his sins.
Of course, being a movie, he then goes on to be involved in many great events, from shipwreck to meeting Saladin and (eventually) leading the defence if Jerusalem.
Not bad, but maybe a bit long and slow, with The Directors Cut doing a better job of tying the themes together, including a whole subplot largely dropped from the theatrical release regarding the romance he becomes involved in.
Blazing Minds (92 KP) rated Ravage (2019) in Movies
Oct 29, 2021 (Updated Nov 3, 2021)
Right from the start of Ravage, we are thrown in with a quick but brutal scene that sets the tone of the film, followed by an awesome sunset shot of a character beautifully walking in slow motion towards the camera, accompanied by a superb soundtrack from Jacques Brautbar, we then head to a hospital scene as Harper Sykes (Annabelle Dexter-Jones) is being questioned about what happened to her as they have doubt of her report.
As she gives her report to the officer we have a few flashbacks (which we seem to get in a lot of movies these days), these then take us back to the start of what happened to Harper and while she was on a photography assignment in the woods of the Watchatoomy valley, while there she captures a disturbing event of a man being brutally whipped and beaten in the woods.
As she gives her report to the officer we have a few flashbacks (which we seem to get in a lot of movies these days), these then take us back to the start of what happened to Harper and while she was on a photography assignment in the woods of the Watchatoomy valley, while there she captures a disturbing event of a man being brutally whipped and beaten in the woods.
Blazing Minds (92 KP) rated Mr. Vampire (1985) in Movies
Nov 1, 2021 (Updated Nov 3, 2021)
Let’s start by saying that this 2K restored version of Mr Vampire comes with several audio tracks to choose from an English dub in 2.0, an America Dub in 5.1 and the Cantonese audio in mono, so I opted to watch the film in it’s 5.1 dub for the purposes of this review.
The team behind the 2K Restoration of Mr Vampire has done a good job, there is some slight grain to the film, but this really doesn’t distract from what is a fun movie with its mix of comedy, some martial arts and horror, the colours are nice and vibrant making the film look fresh and most probably how it looked when it first had its release, the dubbing is one of the better-dubbed movies I’ve seen recently and the 5.1 mix does sound good (I’ll update this review with the other language options soon).
The team behind the 2K Restoration of Mr Vampire has done a good job, there is some slight grain to the film, but this really doesn’t distract from what is a fun movie with its mix of comedy, some martial arts and horror, the colours are nice and vibrant making the film look fresh and most probably how it looked when it first had its release, the dubbing is one of the better-dubbed movies I’ve seen recently and the 5.1 mix does sound good (I’ll update this review with the other language options soon).
Blazing Minds (92 KP) rated Alien Outbreak (2020) in Movies
Nov 1, 2021 (Updated Nov 3, 2021)
First of all, I have to mention that Alien Outbreak looks good and I mean that with the colouring of the film, the colour pallet works very well in many scenes and it looks crisp, the use of lighting is also nicely used, particularly at night with the various shadow colours and effects for the torch-lit corridors, look out for a nicely shot scene while they are driving in a car and the burnt orange background stands out perfectly in the scene.
Now that’s out of the way, let’s get on to the film itself, many people really give indie made films a rough ride these days, but this is probably down to them comparing them with big Hollywood blockbusters, these types of movies like Alien Outbreak always have a certain look and feel to them and to me I find that very appealing in the extravagant blockbusters.
Now that’s out of the way, let’s get on to the film itself, many people really give indie made films a rough ride these days, but this is probably down to them comparing them with big Hollywood blockbusters, these types of movies like Alien Outbreak always have a certain look and feel to them and to me I find that very appealing in the extravagant blockbusters.
David McK (3188 KP) rated No Time to Die (2021) in Movies
Oct 21, 2021 (Updated Sep 10, 2023)
The names Bond.... James Bond
The latest (at the time of writing) James Bond movie, this is both the 25th in the series and the one that is was much delayed due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
It's also Daniel Craig's last outing as James Bond - the only actor whose Bond, I believe, has an arc across all the movies in which he starred, from his earliest days (Casino Royale) through to missions when he was in his prime (Skyfall) and finally - here - coming out of retirement for 'one last mission'. Daniel Craig's Bond is not the only returning character: Felix Leiter, M, Moneypenny, Q, Madeline Swann, and even Blofield all make a return.
Billie Eilish's theme song is completely forgettable, while I was also a bit surprised by the ending. Didn't mind it so much, though, as those who walked out of the showing I went to!
It's also Daniel Craig's last outing as James Bond - the only actor whose Bond, I believe, has an arc across all the movies in which he starred, from his earliest days (Casino Royale) through to missions when he was in his prime (Skyfall) and finally - here - coming out of retirement for 'one last mission'. Daniel Craig's Bond is not the only returning character: Felix Leiter, M, Moneypenny, Q, Madeline Swann, and even Blofield all make a return.
Billie Eilish's theme song is completely forgettable, while I was also a bit surprised by the ending. Didn't mind it so much, though, as those who walked out of the showing I went to!
David McK (3188 KP) rated Blue beetle (2023) in Movies
Oct 28, 2023
I'm not sure whether this is officially considered to be one of the last movies in the DC EU (DC Extended Universe) or one of the first in the new DCU (DC Universe) but, regardless, it's about a Superhero that I have never really heard of before and know nothing about.
Like, I suspect, most people.
Anyway, it stars that Mexican kid from Cobra Kai as Jaime Reyes who finds himself in possession of a relic of alien technology, that attempts to form a symbiosis with him and bestows powers upon him (in a world which already includes the DC Holy Trinity of Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman).
What happens, them, comes across as a mix of Spider-Man and Iron Man (especially), with a hint of Venom, Shazam and Batman also all thrown in for good measure!
In short: been there, seen that, got the t-shirt ...
Like, I suspect, most people.
Anyway, it stars that Mexican kid from Cobra Kai as Jaime Reyes who finds himself in possession of a relic of alien technology, that attempts to form a symbiosis with him and bestows powers upon him (in a world which already includes the DC Holy Trinity of Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman).
What happens, them, comes across as a mix of Spider-Man and Iron Man (especially), with a hint of Venom, Shazam and Batman also all thrown in for good measure!
In short: been there, seen that, got the t-shirt ...
p3anut (62 KP) rated Sonic the Hedgehog (2020) in Movies
Jan 16, 2022 (Updated Jan 16, 2022)
In a world of bad video game movies this stands out.
Contains spoilers, click to show
So first off this movie had the basic video game movie flaw of how do we turn a popular game into a live action movie? The overall buddy road trip aspect of this movie was pretty boring. But the comedy and the action is what ultimately saves this movie. This is Jim Carrey in a rare return to form. If there's anyone who could bring eggman to life in a believable way it's him. James Marsdens character is ultimately forgettable (like most.of the human characters) but he does add the heart aspect to this movie and the fact that sonic finally doesn't feel alone. I hope the sequels focus more on world building and less on the live action characters with the exception of Dr robotnic and his Assistant.
David McK (3188 KP) rated Rocky Balboa (2006) in Movies
Mar 30, 2022
*cue training music* Gonna fly now ...
I lost interest in the Rocky movies after the second.
Started the third, but ended up switching it off.
Heard the series gets increasingly ridiculous the longer it went on.
I also watched the offshoot Creed relatively recently: found it a bit slow; not really holding my interest.
Nevertheless, I thought I would give Stallone's last movie where Rocky is the leading man when it was on TV, just to see if it would recapture the 'je ne sais qua' (I've probably spelt that completely wrong) of the original.
And it is heavily influenced by that movie, following a lot of the same beats and locations: Rocky getting a chance to reconnect with those in his life, climbing back into the ring to face the undisputed heavyweight champion boxer of the world, and going the distance after an earlier stirring training montage ...
Started the third, but ended up switching it off.
Heard the series gets increasingly ridiculous the longer it went on.
I also watched the offshoot Creed relatively recently: found it a bit slow; not really holding my interest.
Nevertheless, I thought I would give Stallone's last movie where Rocky is the leading man when it was on TV, just to see if it would recapture the 'je ne sais qua' (I've probably spelt that completely wrong) of the original.
And it is heavily influenced by that movie, following a lot of the same beats and locations: Rocky getting a chance to reconnect with those in his life, climbing back into the ring to face the undisputed heavyweight champion boxer of the world, and going the distance after an earlier stirring training montage ...
Laura lou (304 KP) rated Black Widow (2021) in Movies
Mar 31, 2022
Acting (1 more)
Storyline
Felt rushed (1 more)
Hard to get into
Contains spoilers, click to show
I was so looking forward to this movie as black widow it one of my favourite superheroes, but I found it to be quite disappointing for a Marvel movie.
The film starts off great with a good backstory that tugs on your heartstrings.
Once the movie moved on from the backstory I found it to be very rushed and was a little confused as to what was going on.
I felt like three quarters of the film were just action scenes which yes are important in action movies, but it felt like too much of the movie was put into the action and not enough in the story which made it hard to get invest in the characters.
Overall the film was ok and enjoyable but I don’t plan to watch it again any time soon.
The film starts off great with a good backstory that tugs on your heartstrings.
Once the movie moved on from the backstory I found it to be very rushed and was a little confused as to what was going on.
I felt like three quarters of the film were just action scenes which yes are important in action movies, but it felt like too much of the movie was put into the action and not enough in the story which made it hard to get invest in the characters.
Overall the film was ok and enjoyable but I don’t plan to watch it again any time soon.
David McK (3188 KP) rated The Suicide Squad (2021) in Movies
May 27, 2023
Hmmm ... not Suicide Squad, but 'The Suicide Squad'.
Like Aliens and not Alien.
A sort-of sequel to the earlier movie (here, Suicide Squad), with some of the same characters - most noticeably, Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn - although it is by no means necessary to have watched that earlier movie.
This is also a fair bit bloodier/messier than I remember said earlier movie being, and has absolutely no mention of either Batman or the Joker (unless you count Quinn's aversion to personalised number plates? See The Jokers car ...) to distract from the plot here, which sees the group of super-villains (all with a tracker and bomb implanted in their head) all sent on a mission to the island of Corto Maltese to destroy a Nazi-era prison and laboratory.
Of the 2 movies, I think this is the better.
It's definitely a James Gunn film through and through!
Like Aliens and not Alien.
A sort-of sequel to the earlier movie (here, Suicide Squad), with some of the same characters - most noticeably, Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn - although it is by no means necessary to have watched that earlier movie.
This is also a fair bit bloodier/messier than I remember said earlier movie being, and has absolutely no mention of either Batman or the Joker (unless you count Quinn's aversion to personalised number plates? See The Jokers car ...) to distract from the plot here, which sees the group of super-villains (all with a tracker and bomb implanted in their head) all sent on a mission to the island of Corto Maltese to destroy a Nazi-era prison and laboratory.
Of the 2 movies, I think this is the better.
It's definitely a James Gunn film through and through!