One word sums up the style, look and whole nature of John Wick: Cool. Director Chad Stahelski didn’t try anything complicated. Instead he made a movie which took a wronged man, lots of Russian mobsters and some cool fight-sequences and ultra-violence … Continue reading John Wick (2014) Review
Before we start I want to place a stipulation on my choice of action films. These are movies which involve a hero against villain (usually European terrorist) and aren’t necessarily set in Science Fiction. This would rule out The Matrix, … Continue reading Why the 90s is the best decade for Action Movies
I am a fan of most of the big trilogies. Back to the Future, Star Wars, Indiana Jones and even The Matrix, have all managed to hook me in but Lord of the Rings never really managed to fire my imagination … Continue reading The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) Review
3 of the Best vs 3 of the Worst is exactly what it sounds like – 3 of the best examples of either an actor, film series, genre, etc. versus 3 of the worst. It’s also an opportunity for you … Continue reading 3 of the Best vs 3 of the Worst Movie Trailers
This is my attempt to introduce a new feature. I’m hoping to do a regular A-Z of film and television related topics, from Action films to Rom-Coms, Bond to Batman. This is a section where I assign each letter something relevant … Continue reading A- Z of…. Movies and Moviemaking
Toy Story is the only perfect trilogy. There are lots of good trilogies. Fantastic, amazing and incredible stories told through three or more films but only one series where every film was as good as the last. There is no … Continue reading 5 Golden Rules for the perfect movie trilogy
Before I saw Looper, I drove past a billboard poster which had a very bold but excitement-inducing statement across the top – “This decade’s The Matrix.” Now I love The Matrix. Its one of my favourite films (I even like the second one but I won’t get into that argument here.) So when I see a statement like that, I’m expecting benchmark-setting special effects, mind-blowing action, a very cool story and a concept that keeps you thinking way after you have left the cinema. I can see why that comparison was made. There are some aspects to Looper that are very Matrix. Its … Continue reading Looper (2012) Review
I used to resent the Bourne series. As a huge James Bond fan, when the series I loved was beginning to become a silly parody of itself, the Bourne films were showing it up and doing a spy film properly. There are no gadgets, silly quips, ridiculous action set-pieces and best of all, the series had freedom that Bond didn’t have. There were no “catchphrases” or scenes that had to be played out, like the gadget scene with Q. There were no “Bourne girls” and best of all, the story was simple and not drawn out. Nobody is trying to take over the world in … Continue reading The Bourne Identity (2002) Review
I hate unnecessary or “forced” sequels. In my opinion, there are two categories films that warrant sequels fall into. They have to either be a character driven story, ie any superhero, Indiana Jones, James Bond, etc. Or be set in a world rich with story telling possibilities, ie The Matrix universe, Star Wars universe, Star Trek or (at a push) Jurassic Park. You’ll notice that these films follow a set pattern, especially those in the second category, they are usually science fiction or at least have a fantasy element to them. That is because these are the worlds where amazing, unbelievable things can happen to … Continue reading The Hangover Part 2 (2011) Review
Two things inspired this article, my Ghostbusters 3 “rant” and Napoleon Dynamite review. I ended my Ghostbusters 3 article by deciding that the only way forward for the franchise was not a third (and probably disappointing) film but actually a cartoon. Napoleon Dynamite spurred me on further because they have continued this film with a cartoon. I have already shared my views on why this isn’t working but what it did get me thinking about was which films should be continued as cartoons and why… The Matrix This seems obvious. How cool would a “mature” cartoon set in the world of … Continue reading Movies that should be continued as cartoons
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