Change Your Image
marksc123
Reviews
Leave the World Behind (2023)
Suspensful
This movie built suspense probably better than any that I can remember in recent years. In terms of suspense it's top class.
In terms of reward its a bit of an anti climax, spending the entire time waiting for something dramatic to happen which doesn't actually materialise and a lot is left to the imagination at the end.
If it is the start of a series I would say it has massive, endless potential but if it remains a stand alone then they have missed the opportunity to cap off what was a great movie to a point.
It was great to see Julia Roberts back on screen and she had great chemistry with both the other male leads in different ways and the acting from the cast in general was top notch. A cameo appearance from Kevin Bacon breathed life into the movie just at the right time and he stole the scene.
Disappointed to see the needless racism against white people present again causing needless division. The daughter had a "don't trust white people" mantra which was completely unnecessary and added nothing to the film or her character.
The Office (2005)
Where to start? That's what she said!
This is one of the best comedy shows I have ever watched. I was a fan of the UK version and I am from the UK also, I felt that the UK version was also a masterpiece but stopped at the right time. The American version was so good however that there was no need for it to end as quickly as the UK version.
I usually hate when America remakes our shows because it almost never works, but I have to say this surpassed it. Every single member of the cast nailed it.
The sad thing is a show of this quality can never be made again. The jokes are not allowed anymore and such a perfect cast will never be pieced together again because people are cast based on race/gender/sexuality without thought for the character or the talent of the actor.
This cast however, each and everyone of them regardless of their background was perfectly written, perfectly cast and abundantly talented. True artists. Their performances were literally a gift.
It took me until ten years after the show ended to watch it but now I've finally got around to it and finished it I have a massive hole in my TV life. This show made me laugh hysterically and even moved me to tears at times. The longevity of the show built such depth in the characters and their journeys were a pleasure to see unfold.
If you haven't seen it yet make sure it's next on your list.
The Black Phone (2021)
Ok
This film was average at best, its a real shock for me how highly it has been rated and reviewed. I saw it at the cinema and numerous people left before the end.
I thought the casting was great and the acting performances from pretty much everyone were first rate - which is what happens when you cast your movie based on talent rather than wokeness so credit where it is due.
The story itself however was lacking originality for me in terms of the whole dreams aspect which has been done so many times before and also in much better ways. I found it uncomfortable to watch the sadistic journey the child had to go through and not just from his abductor but his school and home life too. I spent a lot of time getting angry and wanting to help which is a credit to the portrayals but it made it too annoying for me to enjoy.
Not terrible, worth watching with plenty to discuss afterwards but significantly overrated in my opinion.
The Many Saints of Newark (2021)
Rewatched and changed mind
Initially wasn't too impressed with this. I suppose I wanted a carbon copy of the TV series and when I didn't get it I was disappointed.
But I watched it again recently and was much more impressed. The acting was pretty faultless and the story adds so much depth to the history of the sopranos universe.
One thing I found annoying first time around was how much older than Tony Silvio was. Having looked into it further the actor who plays Silvio in real life was 11 years older than James Gandolfini which is in keeping with the age difference shown in the film. The age difference is never discussed in the series and it was my own assumption that they were similar ages.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed this develops into a series or another movie and the sopranos universe grows and grows. The only negative is the enforced wokeness but sadly this brainwashing is involved in most productions these days.
Countdown (2019)
Pretty decent overall
I'd say this was bordering on a 7 but for lack of originality due to the similarities to the final destination series.
I was scared multiple times throughout the film and I thought the directors use of simple silence at times was executed very well.
Lots of likeable characters within it - sadly lots of unlikeable ones too and not just the ones who are meant to be unlikeable.
The love interest of the main character makes an incredibly racially motivated threat in his opening scene which apparently is meant to endear him to the audience but it just makes me wonder why this is acceptable.
There's Someone Inside Your House (2021)
Woke borefest
Had potential and I have seen worse.
But it was more political brainwashing which is not what I look for in entertainment. It is becoming a theme throughout film making which is ruining the industry.
The Unforgivable (2021)
Ridiculous
This film was going really well until the twist and then the anti climax.
Does the writer really expect the audience to be stupid enough to expect the police to not realise that the cop was shop by someone under two feet tall and that there happened to be a child with a huge bruise on her face from the handle of a shotgun.
And then the finale, there was chance to do something really challenging and emotive by killing one or both of the girls but instead. Nothing.
Sandra Bullock was arguably at the best she has ever been, I would have given this film an 8 but those two things knocked it down massively.
Dredd (2012)
Most overrated film I've ever seen
Don't really know where to start. Many friends of mine also into films for years have encouraged me to watch the film, for one reason or another it didn't happen. Until now.
I've given it what I feel is a fair 5. It's not completely awful by any means but no way is it a 7 out of 10. I found myself wishing it would end so I could put something else on. Watch Robocop instead.
Zombieland: Double Tap (2019)
Don't be put off by the ridiculous low reviews
This is one of the best sequels of the last decade.
Does it offer loads new - no. But the zombie land universe itself offers a new take on the genre and there are some new aspects to the zombies.
I personally thought it was better than the first film and the characters have really grown and have more depth to them. The action was constant, as were the laughs. I really hope there's a third in the pipeline or maybe a TV series.
Don't be put off by the 1 and 2 star ratings - the acting alone is worth more than a 2. Stick it on, sit back and enjoy.
Left Behind (2014)
Don't get the mass negativity
Am I Cage's biggest fan? No! But to say he was completely awful in this film is unfair. The same applies to Michael-Murray.
I found it an interesting take on the rapture and it encouraged me to do some research into the subject. The film kept me interested right until the end.
Worth watching, don't let the low rating stop you from giving it a go.
The Black String (2018)
Well worth watching surprisingly
This film sounds so unoriginal if you try and describe it to someone but in actual fact it has a lot of original aspects to it.
The big question of what is reality and what isn't remains unanswered until the very end which gives nice closure to the storyline.
Muniz was fantastic in his portrayal and because this isn't a blockbuster film sadly his excellent performance will go unnoticed but hopefully this will open some new avenues for him as an adult actor.
I've given the film a 7 but in all honesty it's probably a solid 6. I've given it a 7 to try and counter all of the low ratings from people. As someone who appreciates the art Muniz performance alone would be enough to earn a 4, combine this with a reasonably well written horror mystery and you've got a solid movie.
Annihilation (2018)
Woke nonsense
The film was watchable when compared to something completely atrocious such as 'The First Purge' but it is literally just forced woke nonsense rammed down your throat.
The entire team is female, they don't even entertain the idea that a man might be qualified to do the job, it takes all realism away from the film making it lose all authenticity and it becomes hard to take seriously.
I love sci fi but I found myself incredibly bored and wishing it would end.
300 (2006)
Boring
I have no idea how this film scored so highly. I don't just give a film 1/10 if I don't like it I like to rate things fairly.
There are things that warrant respect, the casting and Cinematography in particular I felt were good.
However, I found this so boring. I attempted to watch it when it first came out - switched off due to being bored. Tried again years later - switched off due to being too boring and finally made it all the way through in 2020. The film had the potential to be so much more, but when compared to other films of the same genre it does not meet the standards.
It's overrated tripe.
Starship Troopers 3: Marauder (2008)
It's left me wanting more!
I have to say I wasn't expecting much. I saw the original classic at the time it came out and never bothered with the 2nd and 3rd until 20 years later.
Yes the second was as bad as people made out but this one was actually enjoyable, it's added depth to the character of Rico and I found it just about kept my interest throughout. I would happily sit and watch it again.
One thing is for sure it made me realise the potential the franchise has in the current Netflix era for either further instalments or preferably a TV series with Rico a seasoned veteran.
Avengement (2019)
Garbage
If you are a fan of films you probably won't enjoy this. Don't waste your time.
The plot of this film was mind numbingly boring and also the most basic, typically over used revenge tale repeating itself once again. The lead character was completely unlikeable, I was hoping the so called bad guys would put him out of his misery and also save me some time.
The standard of acting in this film was terrible, even by actors who usually shine in their roles. I put this down to them knowing themselves that this project was abysmal whilst filming it.
There's a lot of complements on other reviews about the fight scenes - complete unrealistic rubbish. As someone who uses fight tactics in a professional manner I can assure you that there was nothing good about those fight scenes and he would have been overcome quite easily with the style and approach he was using. Bruce Lee or Jackie Chan for example would make such fight scenes 'seem' believable with skill and speed, that's not what you're getting here.
The writer expects us as an audience to believe in that he has gone to prison and it has turned him into John Rambo. Nonsense.
Please if you make one good decision today, don't bother watching this film.
#Horror (2015)
Would be 3.5
The talent on show from the young actresses in #horror is nothing short of breathtaking. Any devote movie fans or admirers of the art will be taking a keen interest in the development of their careers and will be impressed with what they achieved.
Anyone giving the movie a 1 star rating has little appreciation for the talent of acting.
The 4 I have given it however, is generous, 3.5 would have been a fairer assessment. The downfloors of the project are the writing and the lack of actual 'horror' within a film entitled #horror. It certainly wasn't what I wanted at the time and I'm highly unlikely to watch it again.
Very enjoyable for light watching.
The First Purge (2018)
White guilt complex
If you suffer with white guilt compex or see drug dealers as good guys then you will really enjoy this movie. However, if you do not have such mental health issues or warped ideas of what a good guy is then you won't be too impressed.
I was tempted to give the movie a generous 4 rating because I have really enjoyed the purge series and wanted it to be better but I just can't justify it. This is one of the first movies in history that you could argue is racist against white people, and for that reason it's worth watching as the first example of such a film.
This movie portrays all white people as bad guys, and most black people - even the criminal black people as the good guys. I found myself sitting there feeling offended which is the kind of thing that we should really be moving away from.
The standard of acting in this film is much worse than any of the others, we've gone from having the odd well known actor to an almost fully unknown cast who struggled to make up for the weak story and dialogue.
I would say that this has killed the franchise when it had the chance to really set the foundation that the original movies were built on. Here we have a drug dealer main character who all of a sudden has better morals than the entire white race and has more fighting skills than Chuck Norris. Completely unbelievable and unrelatable character and he is supposed to be the hero of the story.
The only likeable characters are the brother and sister pairing who are relatively decent although she is the ex-partner of a drug dealer and he is a current street corner drug dealer.
If you've never watched any of the others then avoid this movie like the plague. If you have seen all of the others then it's worth watching to complete the set. I've given it a 3 instead of a 1 simply because it shows us how the purge started, regardless of how much better it could have been it still adds substance to the series and although the main character has no reasonable explanation for why he is such a talented martial artist/navy seal standard shooter the fight scenes are well done.
I'm hoping the upcoming tv series is not in keeping with this latest movie.
Gotti (2018)
A lot better than reviewed
I have to say I have mixed views on this movie, although mainly positive.
I awaited the release of this movie for many years, it has had previous titles and previous cast members. I don't quite know why it's been reviewed so poorly - the acting is fabulous and the story as a whole is portrayed well and it kept my interest up throughout.
My criticisms of this film are as follows:
The story of John Gotti could have been a trilogy. The rise up and the assassination of Paul Castellano could have been a movie of its own, the court cases could have been the sequel and his downfall the third movie. Sammy the bull was a major player both in Gottis career and in the mafia as a whole, he should have had a more impactive role in the movie that was produced. A final criticism is that the Gotti family have highly influenced the film and made John Gotti into a martyr and portrayed him as they knew him, as a father and a loving man - the fact is he was a stonewall gangster, murderer and bully. I would have wanted a more authentic and accurate portrayal.
Positives are that John travolta plays the role impeccably and his likeness to Gotti is uncanny. Gottis relationship with Dellacroce was captured almost perfectly and that is the first time Dellacroce has been depicted on the big screen as far as I'm aware. The movie covers a large amount of Gambino Family history in a short space of time, Eddie Lino and Angelo Ruggiero were characters who warranted film recognition and they got it in this movie. I feel that the movie breathed life into the genre and if it wasn't for the criticisms listed above i would have scored it even higher.