Reviews

No One Will Save You (2023) follows an exiled anxiety-ridden homebody who must battle an alien who's found its way into her home. This film has a slow start, but by the end I found it to be very enjoyable. Despite the inconsistent pacing, the film manages to build up tension with impressive sound design, and a great performance from the lead.

One of the film's strongest points is the cinematography. The movie uses great mood lighting, paired well with strong colour palettes and nice camerawork that make for a lot of pretty shots. I love the creature design as it's fairly simple yet extremely eerie and reminiscent of Lovecraftian imagery. Additionally, the CGI looks good and is used tastefully along with some very skilful editing.

The sound design is unbelievably effective and creates such an unnerving and spooky atmosphere. The sound is also mixed well, and the score is very fitting. Furthermore, I really like the creative decision to have minimal dialogue in the film as it adds to the sense of mystery.

Kaitlyn Dever gives an outstanding performance as Brynn, she shows so much raw emotion and her character has an impressive level of depth making it easy to sympathise with her. She's an extremely mysterious character that I enjoyed following along. Also, the one line of dialogue was so hard hitting and emotional!

The film is hard to stick with at first and takes a while to get going, but it quickly picks up in the second half and I grew to really enjoy it. It has some predictable moments but they're played off so well that it isn't really that much of an issue. My main problem with the film is that the aliens are revealed way too quickly, destroying any mystery surrounding them.

The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (2023) follows a man who is able to see through objects and predict the future with the help of a book he stole. This is such a fun watch. The cinematography is gorgeous, as expected from a Wes Anderson film, and the acting is great. I do wish it was a bit longer though!

Wes Anderson films are visually unmatched, and this is no different! Every shot is gorgeous with beautiful, warm colour palettes that contrast each other well. The framing is also impressive paired well with impeccable and heavily detailed set design. Additionally, I really love the character costume design.

The film features subtle sound design, which works most of the time but there isn't much to say about it. The sound definitely adds to the overall vibe but isn't overwhelming, and the score itself is fitting to the tone of the film.

The best thing about this short is the acting and characters. The cast is an intimate group of famous actors that all feel perfect in their roles. Every character is weirdly quirky and loveable in their own way, thanks to the flawless writing and performances. I particularly like Richard Ayoade, he perfectly suits the Wes Anderson vibe and I hope to see more of him in future Anderson films.

Lastly, the film sets the plot up well, and is very fast paced and witty. The storytelling is flawless and includes good use of narration, creating an engaging and heartwarming story all can enjoy. The ending wraps things up nicely, and leaves the audience feeling satisfied.

Totally Killer (2023) follows the infamous "Sweet Sixteen Killer" who returns 35 years after his first murder spree to claim another victim, when 17-year-old Jamie accidentally travels back in time to 1987 determined to stop the killer before he can start. This film is a fun and easy watch but lacks a lot of depth. The cinematography is good and the characters are likable. However, the writing is somewhat cringeworthy and there's nothing in terms of sound design.

The film has some pretty cinematography and good mood lighting, with bright colour palettes capturing the style of the 80s. Also, the costume design is accurate to the time which I really liked! However, the movie uses quite a lot of CGI which unfortunately is very poorly done resulting in some scenes looking laughably unrealistic.

The sound design is extremely underwhelming and adds nothing to the experience of watching. The score is also rather forgettable but luckily picks up in the last 10 minutes, showing a lot of potential. The soundtrack itself includes some cool tracks but I definitely expected more.

The cast do a good job for the most part, but there are a few performances that feel rather patchy and it is distracting at times. Kiernan Shipka is great as Jamie and very fun to follow along, her character is rather cliché but this didn't matter too much. The scriptwriting is okay, but some of the dialogue is extremely cringeworthy and the humour is very hit or miss for me.

Unfortunately, I feel the plot isn't set up well and the time travel concept feels very forced in as it lacked depth and explanation. Although, it still makes for an entertaining watch and is easy to follow along. It doesn't take itself too seriously and has steady pacing with somewhat unexpected twists and a cute cheesy ending.

The Menu (2022) follows a young couple who travel to a remote island to eat at an exclusive restaurant where the chef has prepared a lavish menu, with some shocking surprises. This movie is flawless, and I wish I'd seen it sooner. It's a truly unique experience with amazing acting, beautiful cinematography and a high amount of tension throughout.

The cinematography is extremely impressive, with interesting camerawork and pretty colour palettes. I love how the focus shifts from table to table throughout the movie. The lighting is really well thought out, and I adore the contrast between colour schemes, also the film makes good use of close-up shots. The editing is smart, and the set design is great, additionally the gore is very tasteful.

The sound design is very well thought out, and the score builds up as the film progresses. The attention to detail with the sound is very admirable and helps to create a strong and tense sense of dread.

The cast of this film is stellar, and all the performances are impressive Ralph Fiennes is a stand out, he is absolutely terrifying as the chef and he dominates the screen in every scene he's in. Anya Taylor Joy also plays her character well, she's so likeable and relatable, and her chemistry with Nicholas Hoult is great! Additionally, the film features witty jokes and thoroughly well written dialogue.

Lastly, The Menu (2022) is unique, entertaining and unbelievably tense. It's perfectly paced with a gradual build up of an unsettling atmosphere and I've never seen anything like it! The film is gripping from beginning to end with a perfect ending, everybody should watch this movie!

The Runner (2022) follows a strange, bloodied woman when she travels to a secluded, rural town. This short film is a hidden gem! It showcases some brilliant music, alongside experimental cinematography and unique acting. I've never seen anything like it!

The film has a very grainy look to it reminiscent of older 70s/80s horror films, with some very impressive cinematography. The camerawork is chaotic with ominous colour palettes and an effective use of lighting. The scenery is also rather beautiful, especially in the final act of the film.

One of the most impressive elements of this short film is the music and sound design. The sound is unnerving and atmospheric, and the soundtrack is absolutely flawless. I adore how the music is implemented into this film; it sets an extremely surreal vibe that I found incredibly immersive.

The acting is very unusual, which I loved, and all the actors gave original and distinct performances. The lead actress is outstanding in her role and I found her to be captivating to watch, I was left wanting to know more about her! Also, the lack of dialogue really adds to the eerie atmosphere.

Lastly, the film's opening is gripping, and it only continues to get even more immersive as the movie progresses. It's extremely unique and unlike any other film I've seen. The pacing is steady, and it uses its runtime very well.

A Good Marriage (2014) follows a woman who, after 25 years of a good marriage, discovers her husband's sinister secret. This film is forgettable and extremely unoriginal. The characters are poorly written with bad scriptwriting, and the plot and pacing are both the inconsistent. On the other hand, I was still fairly entertained while watching.

The cinematography is ok, but definitely not as good as expected. There are some nice colour palettes, however the lighting is way too dark and the film doesn't experiment with any interesting camerawork.

The first thing I noticed about this movie was that the sound mixing is very poor and the whole film sounds very cheap. The sound design is too safe and doesn't build up any kind of atmosphere, and the score itself is incredibly average.

The characters are very shallow, and there aren't any stand-out performances. This isn't paired well with the cringeworthy and unnatural dialogue. Joan Allen is unfortunately way too dramatic as the lead, and I just found her irritating. It's also very hard to sympathise with her character when she makes so many poor decision. Additionally, no character goes through any useless development by the end of the film.

Lastly, the movie is inconsistently paced with an unnecessarily predictable plot, and it just feels way too cheesy. The mystery was revealed incredibly early making the rest of the film feel unneeded, resulting in the story being hard to stick with. There's a serious lack of hard-hitting moments, and the ending is so dull with no real conclusion.

Saw X (2023) follows a sick and desperate John who travels to Mexico for a risky and experimental medical procedure in hopes of a miracle cure for his cancer only to discover the entire operation is a scam to defraud the most vulnerable. This was one of my most highly anticipated movies of the year and it really lived up to my expectations! This is one of the best films of the year so far, and one of the best in the Saw franchise.

The visuals in this film feel so reminiscent of the earlier entries in the franchise. The cinematography includes a lot of sickly colour palettes which set an eerie and stressful atmosphere. This movie also uses mood lighting to its advantage. The editing is quick and erratic, and the gore is absolutely disgusting which made for a brilliant cinema experience.

The sound design is extremely chaotic and adds to the overall unhinged vibe that makes the Saw movies so iconic. I also really love the score in this film, it might be my favourite score in the franchise.

The acting is overall very impressive in this film, and I'm so happy to focus lies mainly on John and Amanda. Tobin Bell takes centre stage in Saw X, and gives one of the strongest performances of his career. He turns the villainous character of the Jigsaw killer into a man with humanity and morals, and I often found myself sympathising with him. Also, Shawnee Smith is phenomenal as Amanda, she's a character I've always related to and I am extremely happy to see her back.

Lastly, this movie takes a good amount of time to build up the story and characters, and doesn't feel rushed. The pacing is consistent and I enjoyed seeing a more plot and character driven film, it makes for an entertaining and emotionally gripping watch.

Jaws (1975) follows the story of a killer shark that unleashes chaos on a beach community off Cape Cod, and it's up to a local sheriff, a marine biologist, and an old seafarer to hunt the beast down. This film really does live up to the hype. It's so well paced and consistently entertaining with a high level of tension. The acting and characters are phenomenal too!

The cinematography in this film is unmatched, and it uses practical effects well. There's a lot of fun POV shots and also the iconic use of the dolly zoom that never fails to impress. The colour palettes are bright, with good mood lighting to set the scene. In terms of practical effects, the film uses gore tastefully and the shark itself looks very impressive for the time!

The movie is subtle with it's sound design, and everything is mixed well. The score is so instantly recognisable and it's easy to see why it's so iconic in cinema history!

The characters are well written and well acted. Roy Scheider gives a brilliant performance, Martin is a very likeable character and it's easy to sympathise with him. Richard Dreyfuss is also amazing in his role as Matt Hooper, his character is very interesting and him and Scheider have perfect chemistry together. The dialogue is extremely well written and very engaging too!

Lastly, Jaws (1975) is an engaging movie with high tension and a very unnerving atmosphere. It builds up suspense flawlessly and leads to a tense third act. Additionally, the storytelling is very clear and the story is fairly digestible which makes for a fun watch for a larger demographic.

Black Mirror: Nosedive (2016) follows a woman who is desperate to boost her social media score when she's invited to a swanky wedding, however the trip doesn't go as planned. This episode is incredibly impactful with a meaningful story and well written dialogue. The cinematography is gorgeous and the acting is perfect, I can't fault it!

This episode has to be one of the most visually stunning Black Mirror episodes; every shot is absolutely gorgeous! The episode has a broad range of colour palettes and uses pastel colours well, the lighting is bright and very fitting to the tone. Also, the on screen graphics look great and the setting is perfect for a nightmare utopia world. I liked the costume design a lot too.

The sound design is very subtle yet extremely effective, it doesn't go over the top but adds to the atmosphere with skill. The score itself is very pretty and makes for a pleasant listen.

This episode has flawless character development and extremely well written dialogue. Bryce Dallas Howard gives her strongest performance to date, she really brings her character, Lacie, to life, and I truly believe she is perfect for the role. The episode also has stellar writing with a lot of depth, but additionally it has a lot of funny moments too.

Lastly, Nosedive has a eerie concept and executes it perfectly. The viewers are eased into the plot slowly and steadily, and it makes for such an entertaining watch. The episode is anxiety inducing and really makes the audience think with it's flawless approach to social commentary and deep messaging. The ending is astonishing and impactful, whilst also being surprisingly uplifting.

She Will (2021) follows an aging film star who retreats to the Scottish countryside with her nurse to recover from surgery. While there, mysterious forces of revenge emerge from the land where witches were burned. This film is confusing and complex, whilst also being slow and uneventful. The cinematography, sound design and acting are all brilliant but the film lacks a compelling execution of the plot.

The film is shot extremely well, with flawless cinematography. The colour palettes are very strong resulting in a lot of artistic shots with a great use of framing. The camerawork is brilliant too. I'd also like to add that the editing is unique and really stands out.

The sound design is equally as impressive with beautiful attention to detail. The score itself is fitting and eerie, setting the unnerving tone of the film perfectly.

The actors all give outstanding performances, especially Alice Krige who is so impressive in this movie. The characters are, for the most part, likeable and realistic, paired skilfully with some well written and deep dialogue. My only issue is that the characters are a little under developed and I was left wanting more from them.

This leads me on to my final point, the film has some serious pacing and narrative issues which unfortunately ruined my experience of watching. The plot is complex and confusing, and the film is way too uneventful and slow to pull it off effectively. It's hard to get through and there's no real driving force, resulting in the story dragging a lot.

Charade (1963) follows a woman who is pursued by several men who want a fortune her murdered husband had stolen. But whom can she trust? This film is so much fun, and keeps the mystery high. The actors all give phenomenal performances and it's easy to see why this movie is so highly regarded!

This feature is visually beautiful, and has some impressive cinematography. The movie is full of very alluring shots thanks to a good use of colour theory and some artistic framing. Additionally, the setting is gorgeous and really sets the story up well. The costume design is also brilliant.

The film doesn't do much in terms of sound design, but it's all mixed skilfully which is quite impressive for a 60s film! The score itself is very pretty and romantic, suiting the overall mood well.

The performances are all good, and the characters are well written and developed. Audrey Hepburn is as loveable as ever, and Cary Grant gives one of his strongest performances! Grant and Hepburn have a lot of on screen chemistry and I found their romance to be extremely believable. In addition to this, the dialogue is actually rather funny at times and the movie has perfect comedic timing.

Lastly, the film is well paced, making sure to keep the audience interested whilst also taking the time to develop the plot accordingly. The mystery is kept high at all times making for a complex yet engaging watch that's gripping from beginning until end. The final act is played out so well, and is exceptionally intense!

Black Mirror: White Christmas (2014) tells three interconnected tales of technology run amok during the Christmas season as told by two men at a remote outpost in a frozen wilderness. This episode is one of my favourite black mirror episodes. The writing is so smart and the acting is perfect. Also, it is very well filmed.

The cinematography in this episode is subtle yet extremely effective. The lighting is brilliant and really helps to set the mood, and the colour palettes have great contrast reflecting the tonal shifts well. The camerawork is very professional looking too. In terms of other visuals, the episode uses a lot of visual effects which look extremely realistic.

The sound design is rather toned down, but it works well in this episode. The soundtrack used includes some iconic tracks, and they're used incredibly well. Also, the score itself isn't overbearing and allows the audience to focus fully on the story and characters.

White Christmas (2014) is a very character-heavy episode, this pays off as the actors all give compelling and intriguing performances. The characters are extremely well written too, with a lot of depth to keep them interesting to the viewer.

Lastly, the episode has a unique concept and a very engaging narrative, with good and steady pacing which make this a super entertaining watch. It has an odd structure and keeps the mystery high with so many twists and turns. The story is layered perfectly and the writers really show their talent for narrative and suspense. Finally, the ending and twist are incredibly impactful and send a strong message.

Trespassers (2018) follows two young couples who rent a Mojave desert luxury house for a weekend of fun when doorbell rings and the body count begins. This film is a huge disappointment. I expected a fun and cheesy home invasion film, but got a boring and directionless mess of a film.

The cinematography is very basic with a lot of poor camerawork. The colour schemes are very intense to the point where the film feels visually overwhelming and the lighting is poorly done resulting in a very visually unpleasant watch.

The movie has a lot of sloppy sound design and the sound mixing is done badly. The score itself is overbearing and way too distracting, with a soundtrack that is way too dull. It includes a lot of cheesy stock sound effects which honestly come across as very laughable, ruining any attempt of tension building.

Unfortunately, the characters and acting are the worst part of the film. The acting only gets worse as the plot progresses and none of the actors have any chemistry with each other. The line delivery feels incredibly off too. The characters are written to be very irritating, shallow and unlikeable. Additionally, the villains feel way too weak and I don't understand their motives.

This film is structurally very messy with a basic and cliche plot and no real driving force. A lot of scenes drag resulting in no tension being built up, and the whole film just feels extremely boring. The ending of the movie is incredibly rushed too, and I have no idea what the filmmakers are trying to achieve.

Wyrm (2019) follows an awkward young teen who must complete a school requirement in which students wear electronic collars that detach only upon engaging in their first kiss. Overall, this film is unique and fun to watch. It's fairly entertaining and has some strong performances but I was still left expecting something more.

Something this film does really well is the cinematography, the movie is full of bright and eye-catching colour palettes and interesting camerawork. The framing is also well done and makes every shot fun to look at. Additionally in terms of visuals, I found the editing to be a bit too chaotic at times.

Unfortunately, the sound design is painfully average with very little notable moments. The score itself is definitely fitting to the tone of the film, but is extremely forgettable. The soundtrack is fun though at least!

The characters are well written and the actors mainly give good performances. Each of the characters have their own individual quirks and the actors really bring them to life, they're written in a way similar to those in the likes of Yorgos Lanthimos and Wes Anderson, with unnatural conversations which make for an intriguing watch. Also, the comedy is strange, but sometimes hits well.

Lastly, the film has steady pacing, but unfortunately ends up dragging quite a lot as some scenes go on for way too long. This is a shame as the narrative is very interesting and I respect the artistic flare the filmmakers bring to the movie.

Black Mirror: The Waldo Moment (2013) follows a failed comedian who voices a popular cartoon bear named Waldo as he finds himself mixing in politics when TV executives want Waldo to run for office. This is definitely my least favourite Black Mirror episode so far. It's incredibly disappointing with irritating characters and no clear message or plot.

Firstly, the cinematography is underwhelming and there's nothing notable to mention in terms of visuals. The camerawork and angles are played way too safe and the colour palettes are unimaginative. It has no clear aesthetic and is visually quite ugly.

Like the cinematography, there is nothing notable in terms of sound design. The score and soundtrack are pretty much non-existent and add absolutely nothing to the experience of viewing.

The characters are rather weakly written, with the lead giving an unimpressive performance making it hard to be sympathetic towards him. Waldo is just such an irritating character and it's hard to imagine anyone enjoying him, resulting in the episode feeling incredibly unrealistic. The actors are decent but for the most part, they feel as if they aren't trying.

Lastly, the episode simply doesn't have a compelling storyline. It's super cringeworthy and hard to pay consistent attention to, with no tension built up and an extremely messy structure. The whole plot feels poorly written with no direction or messaging.

Hostage Radio (2019) follows a radio star who experiences the worst night of his life when stalkers assault the radio station where he's working. This film has some tense and gripping moments but is often very confusing due to poor storytelling. Some of the acting is ok but the performances are way too inconsistent.

The cinematography feels very underwhelming and quite cheap. The camerawork is nothing special and I feel the filmmakers play it way too safe. Also, the colour palettes are very strong to the point where they're extremely overwhelming. In terms of other visuals, the CGI is rather poor and looks tacky.

Unfortunately, I really dislike the sound design. The mixing is very poor and it's often hard to hear the dialogue over the score. The score itself is way too mediocre and forgettable. Additionally, for a film about a radio host, I expected the soundtrack to be a notable element of the film but sadly I was wrong.

The acting is disappointing, and the characters are very unlikeable to the point where I was rooting for the 'villains'. I strongly disliked Jarvis from the very start which definitely affected how I watched the film. However, I really enjoyed Richard Brake's character, he is always great in his roles and never disappoints!

The film takes way too long to get going and once it does, the tension is high but the plot is too messy to be an effective thriller. I found it somewhat engaging as it takes some interesting twists and turns but it's simply too confusing and sends a very odd and convoluted message.

Black Mirror: White Bear (2013) follows a woman named Victoria who wakes up and cannot remember anything about her life. Everyone she encounters refuses to communicate with her, and they all seem to know something she doesn't. This episode is a lot more impressive than I remember it being! The actors all do brilliantly and the whole episode has an intense and moody feel to it.

The cinematography is good, but is definitely one of the episode's weaker elements. The colour palettes are rather unimaginative and I expected a bit more, but the lighting is used really well. Also, the handheld camerawork is great and the on-screen graphics and visual effects look brilliant.

The first thing I noticed in this episode is the eerie sound design. The sound design is subtle yet extremely effective and adds the the unnerving atmosphere built up. There isn't a soundtrack, and I think this was the correct decision for the episode, but the score is very good and doesn't overpower anything.

The characters are well written and the actors all do brilliantly. The lead actress is great in her role, and her performance makes the audience sympathise with her, making the reveal all the more shocking and impactful. I also really like Tuppence Middleton, she's very likeable in this episode and gives a strong performance.

White Bear (2013) sets a very unnerving atmosphere with a strong sense of mystery that keeps the audience guessing. It makes for an engaging watch with its slow and steady pace, and builds up to an intense and unexpected climax. I did get a little bored in the middle of the episode, but it wasn't enough to completely lose my interest. I was won back by the final 10 minutes of the episode, which blew me away.

Black Mirror: Be Right Back (2013) follows a woman named Martha who, after learning about a new service that lets people stay in touch with the deceased, reconnects with her late lover. This episode is one of my favourites in the series and it only improves upon a rewatch. It's heartbreaking and thoroughly engaging with perfect performances from the leads.

The cinematography is very impressive and helps the set the mood. The colour palettes are incredibly bleak and make for some very melancholic yet beautiful shots. The framing is well done too and it's clear the cinematographer put a lot of effort into each shot.

The sound design is interesting and the episode is very quiet as a whole. The music is used extremely well and doesn't overpower any of the scenes, but enhances them well. The score itself is very sad and fitting for the emotional feel of the short.

The best element of the episode is the characters, they're all so well written and perfectly acted. Domhnall Gleeson is perfectly casted and gives one of his strongest performances to date, and Hayley Atwell gives the audience a unique and realistic look at the affects of grief on a person. Their chemistry together is unmatched and they are captivating to watch.

Lastly, this episode is slow paced and builds up such a strong and tense atmosphere. It leads to a sad and profound pay off that has stuck with me since the very first time I viewed it. It's super engaging and feels so based in reality, whilst also incorporating the technological aspects iconic with the series.

The Adam Project (2022) follows a time travelling fighter pilot Adam Reed, who accidentally crash-lands in 2022 and teams up with his 12-year-old self for a mission to save the future. This film is so fun and really heartwarming. I found it consistently entertaining and had a great time watching it despite its flaws.

The cinematography of this film is pretty good! The camerawork used felt very professional and there's a lot of nice framing choices. I also really like the set design! In terms of visual effects, this film uses a lot of CGI. It's often used well and looks good, but nearer the end the filmmakers de-age certain actors with CGI and this unfortunately looks quite goofy.

The sound design in the film is good, but nothing outstanding. The mixing is done well and clearly and the score is fitting to the tone. However, the score does get rather repetitive and unfortunately feels very forgettable.

The actors all do a great job, but the standout is definitely Ryan Reynolds. I'm not always the biggest fan of his humour, but this movie had me laughing out loud often due to Reynolds' flawless line delivery. His character is so loveable and a fun protagonist to follow along. However, the villain isn't a strong enough character and isn't a believable threat, the character needed a lot more development.

Lastly, the movie has a fun concept and follows a fairly basic structure, but this results in an easygoing and entertaining watch. The pacing is steady and consistent, and includes a lot of heartfelt and emotional moments.

Day Shift (2022) follows a hard-working, blue-collar dad who just wants to provide a good life for his quick-witted 10-year-old daughter. His mundane San Fernando Valley pool cleaning job is a front for his real source of income, hunting and killing vampires. Unfortunately I strongly dislike this film, it is incredibly dull and lacks a compelling plot. Also, the characters are rather unlikeable.

The cinematography is really dull and unfortunately there isn't much to talk about in terms of it. The colour palettes are mainly very warm which I feel doesn't fit the mood of the film and the camerawork itself is very low-effort. In terms of other visuals, the CGI starts off fairly impressive but just goes downhill as the film progresses.

The sound design is nothing special and the score is somewhat fitting but forgettable. Also, the soundtrack is ok but, once again, nothing to write home about. The sound design is really cheap sounding too, and the film uses a lot of goofy stock sound effects.

The acting is underwhelming and the characters are poorly written. The characters are neither likeable nor unlikeable and lack a lot of much needed substance. Additionally, the dialogue isn't written well and unfortunately a lot of the comedy doesn't hit well.

The film's structure and pacing are both extremely messy and I was surprised by how dull this movie is. It's hard to follow along and not compelling, resulting in a watch that drags on and fails to entertain. I got bored way too quickly and was happy to see it end.

Black Mirror: The Entire History of You (2011) takes place in the near future, where everyone has access to a memory implant that records everything they do, see and hear. You'll never forget a face again, but is that always a good thing? This has to be one of my favourite episodes of Black Mirror, it's so brutally realistic and sticks with you long after watching.

The cinematography has brilliant attention to detail and is a massive standout in the Black Mirror series. The lighting is very subtle resulting in some pretty shots. Also, the colour palettes are very bleak and the contrast of colours between past events scenes and the scenes taking place in the present are incredibly impressive. Another thing I really like about this show is how well they use handheld camerawork!

The sound design is rather good, but definitely not outstanding. The episode is very quiet which I feel fits the vibe well, but when the score is used it feels very odd and unnerving which helps set the tone.

The acting carries the whole episode and, although not much happens, the dialogue and performances are so compelling. The two leads have amazing chemistry and are so well acted, I could sympathise with them both for completely different reasons. The dialogue is well written too with great attention to detail.

Lastly, the episode is paced well, with a gradual build up of tension that leads to a heartbreaking and impactful climax. I found the episode to be extremely engaging and well thought out with a dramatic tone.

To The Bone (2017) follows a young woman dealing with anorexia, who meets an unconventional doctor that challenges her to face her condition and embrace life. This film is ok but the narrative is incredibly messy at times and it often feels rather directionless. However, it's an engaging watch with some nice visuals, and Lily Collins gives a good performance.

The cinematography is fairly pleasant, but unfortunately it's very basic and not all that notable. There are a few pretty shots and some decent camerawork throughout, but for the most part the colour palettes are incredibly bleak and don't really add much to the film.

The film doesn't have much notable sound design, and it all feels rather cheap. The score itself is very fitting and works well, but the soundtrack and music cues feel incredibly odd and out of place.

In terms of acting, this movie is very hit or miss. Lily Collins is the perfect pick as the lead and I grew to really like her character; her development was well written. However, the rest of the characters feel under-written and there's not much to say about them. Luke is my least favourite character as I found him to be extremely irritating and unlikeable, and the romance feels unnaturally forced.

Lastly, the pacing is where this film really under-performs. It's way too slow and often drags, resulting in a fairly dull watch. It's easy to follow along and is entertaining enough but fails to hit the emotions and unfortunately feels rather shallow.

Knocked Up (2007) follows fun-loving party animal Ben Stone, who's one-night stand shows up on his doorstep eight weeks later to tell him she's pregnant with his child. Unfortunately this film isn't for me. The comedy doesn't hit well, and the cinematography and sound design are both underwhelming. However, I do like some of the characters.

The cinematography for the film is very underwhelming and I found it doesn't add anything intriguing to the experience of watching. The camerawork is extremely mediocre and nothing to talk about, and the colour palettes are mainly very warm with no contrast.

In terms of sound design, this movie doesn't have any notable qualities. The score itself is very forgettable and often feels like it ruins the emotional moments. However, the soundtrack itself is quite fun and I enjoyed listening to it.

The characters are okay but feel way too one-dimensional and lack a lot of depth. I particularly like Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann who have a lot of chemistry and are fun to watch, bringing life to an otherwise dull film. Unfortunately the main character, Ben, played by Seth Rogan, is rather unlikeable and I was mostly just irritated by his character. Additionally, the dialogue is very strange and poorly written.

The film is rather fast paced, making for a somewhat entertaining movie that's good to put on in the background. The pacing is messy and it doesn't have much of a driving force, but it doesn't try to be anything more than it is which I respect. It's a lighthearted film that can entertain and stays in its lane.

Bag of Worms (2019) follows a Halloween party that turns south when the issue of race comes up amongst friends. Overall, this short is engaging and fun to watch with some nice cinematography. However, it would've benefit from being longer and the social commentary doesn't feel subtle enough.

The cinematography is rather one-note, but it works well and makes for some pretty shots. The colour palettes are all quite warm and very strong, setting an upbeat and lively tone. I also really like the use of handheld camerawork to reflect the stressful environment.

The sound design is okay, but nothing notable. The score is upbeat which fits the fast paced nature of the film. However, the sound mixing needed a bit of touching up and there are some very odd music cues.

The acting starts quite strong, but unfortunately some of the performances are rather disappointing. The character also feel too under-developed, there are a lot of characters and not enough time to learn about them. The dialogue includes a lot of social commentary and has a good message, but the writing is somewhat cheesy at times.

Lastly, the tone of the film is very upbeat and the pacing is way too fast, it's often hard to keep up with what's going on. Also, it ends very abruptly and I was left wanting more from the plot.

Black Mirror: Fifteen Million Merits (2011) takes place in a world where people's lives consist of riding exercise bikes to gain credits, where a man named Bing tries to help a woman get on to a singing competition show. This episode is good, but I expected a bit more from the plot. It could do with developing the characters a tad more. However, the cinematography and acting are both great.

The cinematography in the episode is brilliant, and the visuals are beautiful. The colour palettes are strong and bright, which makes for a lot of pretty and eye-catching shots. It's a very unique episode in terms of visuals.

The sound design has some good attention to detail and really shines in this episode. The original score itself is surprisingly cute and upbeat, but it quickly changes when the tone shifts. This is an episode that uses music well and a lot of thought has obviously been put into it.

All the actors do well in their roles and the dialogue is well written. Daniel Kaluuya is phenomenal as Bing, this was the first role I ever saw him in and he still never fails to blow me away. He plays his character with so much realism and I really found myself rooting for him.

The episode has a very interesting concept, but I feel the plot wasn't developed enough and I was left wanting more. The tension is high but the pacing is rather inconsistent and I found the ending to be weirdly anticlimactic. However, I still enjoyed this episode a lot.