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Reviews
IF (2024)
Confusing times indeed
John Krasinski started writing this movie in lockdown as a result of the uncertainty his kids (and he and his wife, and all of us) were feeling at the time. I would say that this is echoed in the film....perhaps unknowingly, but both my kids came out saying how confusing they found it at the beginning. Kids find reassurance in the knowing, in certainty, routine, and when there are uncertain times they look to their caregivers to give that to them along with holding and then"everything's going to be ok.". Maybe IF that's not available to them they lean on their IFs to fill that void. But who do us adults get?
Go into the movie with an open mind and you'll be touched by the journey you go on. It's an emotional rollercoaster and both my Husband and I got through quite a few tissues.
The premise of the movie will feel fairly familiar once it gets going - growing up, losing our imaginations (think Toy Story and Monsters Inc) but I think where the movie ends up is a really nice reminder to us adults that sometimes we need a hug too.
The Fall Guy (2024)
Go watch and if you have tweens take them along
I booked some last minute afternoon cinema tickets to go and see this with my Husband.....because I really wanted to watch it. My tween was off that day so we ended up taking him along and we all really enjoyed it.
It's actioned packed with a bit of old fashioned romance running in the background. Both Blunt and Gosling are funny so it's a good pairing and translates well on film. It kept us entertained throughout. I think there may be a misconception that this is one to wait for until it's released for home viewing but there's so much action it's great on the big screen.
If you want a feel good, fun, funny, action full then this really is a much watch.
Rebel Moon - Chapter One: Chalice of Blood (2023)
You've seen this film before
So there may be some comfort in that for others. Perhaps it's a homage to the films that influenced Rebel Moon.......but every time that happened to me I looked away from the screen. For me it became a game of spot the influence:
Destroyer of worlds - Thanos.
"Daughter" taken from a destroyed world - Thanos and Gamora.
Tarak - if you think that Tarak sounds like a Dothraki then you'd be correct, because he played Qhono in GOT.
The list goes on, you'll see that in the other reviews and because of that I generally found it a bit bland. I was quite hopeful for the bot storyline which may come in P2 and though that also feels quite predictable I was excited for it. Sci-fi and fantasy are generally my go to films for a bit of escapism but the familiarity of this storyline led me to turn to my phone, and every time I looked back at the screen I didn't feel like I had missed anything important.
Leave the World Behind (2023)
Great suspense and M. Night Shyamalan Vibes
When "GH" asks to come in because it suddenly gets windy outside I wondered if I was about to watch a rehash of The Happening or Signs. When the deer appear in the garden I feel I'm right, but it's more sinister than that.
I am someone who enjoys apocalyptic/post apocalyptic movies and TV series. The Walking Dead is my jam. I guess most people who enjoy these films, like me, might feel there's always an element of truth in the story lines. This film is no exception, apart from the fact that (the storyline) is a very real prospect.
I like the fact that the cast you see is it. There aren't hundreds of extras screaming at their kids to get in the car or people standing around on the highway. You closely follow a small group of people navigating the very early stages of an unseen threat and I personally feel this makes the film great. I had an uncomfortable feeling throughout the movie which added to the suspense for me.
The film could've ended many cliche ways, but I personally felt satisfied with the ending. Yeah sure you might have wanted to see them all grabbing their gear and getting to the bunker, but we've seen that loads of times before (think American President). And the rush to save a kid who's got an unknown infection/radiation exposure. I was satisfied with the ending. Slightly predictable but I liked it.
The only disappointment for me was actually the references to nature. I trust in nature and that it'll tell me what I need to know.....about climate change. But not that it's so intuitive as to tell me about a cyber attack.
Wellmania (2023)
Celeste is funny in her own right
Which may be where the problem lies.
I know it's not been renewed for a second season and I think in part, as you can see from the reviews, it was difficult to get past the first few episodes.
I wanted to like it, Celeste is a great comedian, but acting as a character to create comedy just didn't translate. You could see the acting and you could kinda see Celeste working to act......if that makes sense.
As others have mentioned the script wasn't always great. The swearing for me overwhelmed at times and took away from what could've been funny moments. I know it's supposed to be an Australian thing (correct me if I'm wrong) but it gets a bit tiring.
Avatar: The Way of Water (2022)
I managed to clean the house and watch it
I remember seeing the first one in the cinema in 3D and just been blown away by the VFX but the story made sense even if it was the classic story of man's greed.
In this there are too many stories and it's hard to remember what the plot actually is - is it to secure a new home for Earth people? Is it a revenge mission? Is it a love story between two tribes? Is it about hybrids? Is it about kiri's abilities? What was Spiders deal? The story with the "whale" being separated from its calf for liquid gold seemed unnecessary.
Have it on in the background whilst you get on with other stuff, don't make an evening of it.
A Man Called Otto (2022)
When friendship overcomes bitterness
I have not read the book or watched the original film, but this really is an emotional rollercoaster. As soon as the first word of a Women's Work was sung I pretty much didn't stop crying until the end. My Husband was definitely crying too!
I gave it a 10 because actually it's quite hard to recreate the nuances of human interactions and human life on film when it's scripted, but the cast (obviously Hanks) do an excellent job but Mariana Treviño was stand out for me.
My (step) Gramps is grumpy and the day my Grandma dies will be the beginning of his worst days. He will try to withdraw from the family and I know he will contemplate the validity of his existence, if he can carry on. But we love him and my family will do all it takes to hold onto him until it's his time, we'll help him find a way to exist in the after. So the book, and its interpretation into film capture this time of life so well. Just make sure you have plenty of tissues when you watch it.
Finding Michael (2023)
Unemotional
I'm not really sure what to say - unfortunately Spencer came across as largely unemotional other than when he was angry when the walkie talkie wasn't working. I think because he wasn't actually part of the physical search it created a sort of detachment from the whole thing. I can't help but see the irony in a rich man being funded to put others lives at risk to get what he wants. No climb is risk free on Everest let alone a search and rescue and the gratuitous nature of the whole expedition tends to overwhelm the 1hr and 40 minutes. It is incredibly sad that he lost his brother, but would his brother have wanted Spencer to do that? The body count on Everest is overwhelming and it's hard to see the many, many tiny specs of frozen remains, many of those Sherpas. I hope the Matthews family can find peace now if not I highly recommend therapy for working through suppressed emotions!