First Time Viewings: September 2023
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- DirectorPaolo SorrentinoStarsMichael CaineHarvey KeitelRachel WeiszA retired orchestra conductor is on vacation with his daughter and his film director best friend in the Alps when he receives an invitation from Queen Elizabeth II to perform for Prince Philip's birthday.Viewed: 16-09-2023
Paolo Sorrentino creates a wonderful drama (with a large dose of humour) centered around two great performances by cinematic legends Michael Caine and Harvey Keitel. The scenery is amazing and the supporting cast are as solid as the two leads. The film is called Youth but it's all about getting old. The dialogue is always interesting and the scenes are so beautifully shot that I could have kept watching these characters.
9/10 - DirectorAntoine FuquaStarsDenzel WashingtonMarton CsokasChloë Grace MoretzA man who believes he has put his mysterious past behind him cannot stand idly by when he meets a young girl under the control of ultra-violent Russian gangsters.Viewed: 17-09-23
Antoine Fuqua is well known for making stylish actioners and this film is no different. It looks great and the fight scenes are well choreographed. Thankfully, it's also not wall-to-wall action, Fuqua lets the film breathe with many quiet moments. Still, the film is plagued with many typical action film cliches, and while Denzel Washington is solid, he's not exactly stretching any acting muscles. The supporting cast are given more juicy roles, such as Chloe Grace Moretz, Martin Csokas and David Harbour. It's a very decent action film and has enough uniqueness to make it stand out above many others of the genre.
7/10 - DirectorMatt Bettinelli-OlpinTyler GillettStarsNeve CampbellCourteney CoxDavid Arquette25 years after a streak of brutal murders shocked the quiet town of Woodsboro, Calif., a new killer dons the Ghostface mask and begins targeting a group of teenagers to resurrect secrets from the town's deadly past.Viewed: 17-09-23
I must admit I had a hesitancy to watch this sequel (requel?) without the late great Wes Craven at the helm but thankfully it stays faithful to Craven's original films while still being a modern update. Nothing is too surprising anymore in Woodsboro but the meta-commentary is on point, the killings are well set up and the humour is cleverly written. I wasn't too impressed by the killing-off of one of the characters in particular, partially because they were killed off way too easily and partially because... well I better not say as I don't want to spoil anything. But I'll say this film deserves to be given a chance and really does stand alongside most of the other sequels.
7/10 - DirectorJeremy GarelickStarsAdam SandlerJennifer AnistonMark StrongFull-time detectives Nick and Audrey are struggling to get their private eye agency off the ground. They find themselves at the center of international abduction when their friend Maharaja is kidnapped at his own lavish wedding.Viewed: 17-09-2023
I really liked the first film, and this one is likeable enough too. There aren't as many laughs as the first one, but the characters are quite memorable, and Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston have a wonderful chemistry together. The whodunit side of this film is fairly decent too. The fact it doesn't outstay its welcome at a short (for these days) 90 minutes makes it lightly entertaining.
6/10