Reviews

Joker is directed by Todd Phillips and is the origin story to the iconic Batman villain. I walked out of this film feeling speechless. The main reason was because I was shocked a movie based on such a famous character felt so much like a low budget independent film. I saw Joker over a week ago and everyday I've spoken about the movie, it's messages, and all sorts of theories I have come up with. It's been so long since a film had me this invested in the story, and that's largely thanks to Joaquin Phoenix. He completely disappears into this role. He is so deep into the character it actually freaked out. Also Todd Phillips is clearly so passionate about this film. Just watch an interview, and you can immediately see that Joker is the film he needed to make. The cinematography and musical score are also outstanding as they create such an unsettling atmosphere throughout the entire runtime. However there is one major reason why I really loved this film, and that's the unique perspective the story is told from. Characters like Arthur Fleck (Joker) are rarely explored on such a deep level in film, and that's largely due to the fact that when a film makes you feel empathy for villainous character it immediately sparks controversy. However this film is so grounded in reality that it presents the world in such an honest way. And the honest truth is that people aren't just born psychopaths. This movie explores how mental health mixed with the harsh reality of life play a large role in bringing individuals to the point of insanity. This kind of message is not common in films nowadays, so I really appreciate the risk Todd Phillips took to bring his story to life. Joker managed to do so many things right, however I do have some issues with the movie. I would have liked to see Joaquin as the fully fledged Joker for a little longer, and I feel like the scenes with the brutal violence could have been executed a bit better. However there is just so much to appreciate in Joker. It's not a movie for everyone and I think that is really great. I love that the film leaves things open to discussion. It was weird, unsetting and at times extremely random, so therefore I give Joker an 8/10.

Doctor Sleep is directed by Mike Flanagan and is the sequel to Kubrick's iconic horror film; The Shining. I have loved so many of Mike Flanagan's horror films and that's mainly due to the fact that he understands how to scare his audience on a deeper and more psychological level, with the use of creative filmmaking. Flanagan has such a great reputation in the world of horror movies, so I was excited but also nervous to see how he could possibly make a sequel to what is widely considered to be one of the greatest films of all time. Doctor Sleep definitely takes a unique approach to Stephen King's story. It asks it's audience to be open for change, and embrace the bizarre and very twisted story on screen. And once you do, you will be able to truly appreciate how insanely well made the film is. The film is definitely a slow burn, although it still captivated me for the entire runtime. The pacing allows the characters to grow at a gradual and very realistic rate, which makes the climactic finale feel wholly earned and satisfying. I've been hearing many mixed opinions about Doctor Sleep. One main criticism is that the movie's tone is too different to what Kubrick created in The Shining. For me, I'd rather a director create their own film than just imitate the work of another filmmaker. Don't get me wrong this movie gives fan service to Kubrick fans, but it feels so relevant to the story and how Danny Torrance is constantly being faced with, and trying to overcome the traumatic events of his childhood. Doctor Sleep combines an entertaining plot about directly defeating a villainous threat, with Danny also fighting his own internal struggles. This film is such a worthy sequel to The Shining. Obviously you cannot even compare it to Kubrick's level of filmmaking. However Doctor Sleep took a different approach which also felt truly unsettling. I can't wait to buy and rewatch this film when it's released. As a horror film it does so many things right, so therefore I give Doctor Sleep an 8/10.

Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker is directed by J. J. Abrams and is the final film in the Skywalker Saga. I think every Star Wars fan was really worried when walking into this film. You can't deny The Last Jedi messed up a lot of the plans which were set up in The Force Awakens, so J. J Abrams spends a lot of time in this movie reintroducing all the mysteries that were previously shut down. And because of this, the film feels like an absolute mess. I have many problems with this movie and I feel like Disney hoped the spectacle would distract from the fact that the entire plot is so illogical. The fact that they decided to bring back Emperor Palpatine completely undermines the arc of Darth Vader/ Anakin Skywalker. This character, who was seen as irreddemable, saved his son by killing Palpatine in Return of the Jedi. If you watch from Episode I, you see this arc span over 6 films, so that climax is the most integral moment of the entire saga... But no, Palpatine is somehow alive and we are given no explanation as to how. This bad writing is also seen with our main heroes. I haven't seen any depth, growth or characterisation from Fin and Poe since the first film. And waiting until the till the 3rd movie to give Rey some kind of backstory makes no sense. I could not bring myself to care about her character. The revelation of her secret backstory feels so forced. She is so overpowered and we never actually see her learn or get taught anything. It's so clear that there was no plan for this trilogy. The lack of cohesion between these movies makes me look back at films I previously loved, like The Force Awakens and see it as an empty set up. They tried to save this movie with excessive CGI and action scenes. The climax felt like something out of a marvel movie. It didn't feel like Star Wars to me. The movie felt like it could have been directed by anyone, and to me that's my biggest issue. It feels like it was made by the Disney Robot. Star Wars is a lot more than just big action spectacles. This entire trilogy is a tragic mess. It's even confirmed by the title which to me has nothing to do with the story.

1917 is directed by Sam Mendes and is a film centred around 2 soldiers in Wold War 1. This movie has received so much praise for its technical achievements. 1917 pulls off the impossible, by creating a wholesome one shot experience. At times the camera will start as handheld then it is hooked on a wire then moved onto a vehicle all in one shot just to capture the journey of the soldiers. This makes for one of the most immersive experiences I have ever had in a film. This is largely due to the cinematographer Roger Deakins. This man is a genius. His subtle camera work makes you truly feel like you are in the moment. The movie feels so real and so authentic, because every shot is always in service of the story. The musical score by Thomas Newman does a great job of feeling so tragic yet beautiful at the same time. This mixture of emotions really overwhelms you when the movie chooses to slow down and reflect. That was my favourite thing about 1917. The movie contains such a powerful story. For most the simple plot and lack of backstory given to us about the characters is a big issue. I've heard many critics say this movie is style over substance. I couldn't disagree more. This movie feels like I am visiting a war memorial and reading about the experience of a soldier during the Great War. 1917 places you right beside the main characters, seeing glimpses and hearing short stories about their life along the journey. This is what it would have been like. These men didn't know each other. It was the way they responded to hardship which would reveal traits of their character. The movie doesn't feed you this information with expository dialogue, but through scenes where the camera just pauses on the soldiers face, while they internally reflect upon all they have been through. I cannot recommend this movie enough. I truly believe 1917 is one of the best war movies ever made. It's subtlety is genius. I haven't been this emotionally moved by a film in over a year. It just requires a bit of deeper thinking and reflection in order to create a personal connection with the characters. I wish more movies were made with this much passion.

Inception is directed by Christopher Nolan and centres around a dream sharing technology where thieves are able to steal secrets or even plant ideas inside other people's minds. This movie is almost 10 years old, and it still holds up as one of Christopher Nolan's greatest achievements. One of my favourite action sequences in the film consists of a rotating set, allowing the actors to move from floor to ceiling. This scene is still so fun to watch and adds so much to the surreal nature of the film. Hans Zimmer's musical score is able to increase the intensity of a scene or even make you feel moved on an emotional level. His loud, thick textured music isn't something I'm always a fan of, however I do believe Zimmer doesn't over do it here. This shows in the piece titled 'Time' due to how the music slowly builds in texture making it feel more and more impactful as the song goes on. Every performance in Inception is flawless, particularly Leonardo DiCaprio, who plays a character with quite a bit of mystery surrounding him. This could make him feel pretty unlikable due to how much is unknown. But DiCaprio's charisma immediately draws you onto his side, and keeps the audience hooked to find out any new information revealed about him. The cinematography is also really beautiful. This is largely due to the incredible production design and the well integrated CGI with practical effects. Inception on a technical level is flawless. However a movie's technical achievement doesn't always make for a prefect film. What makes Inception so great is the emotional core of the story. A man just trying to get home to his family. This is the underlying purpose of everything that occurs in the film. While the complex nature of dream sharing is so intriguing, what really keeps you connected to the story is the emotional journey of our lead character. This movie is filled with metaphor's, symbolism and can be interpreted so many different ways. And on top of of all that it's such an entertaining action thriller. Nolan's script is a rare piece of art. It's not often we get something this creative and this original, that works on every level.

The Prestige is directed by Christopher Nolan, and is a story centred around a rivalry between two magicians who so desperately need to create the ultimate illusion. However this obsession brings about dark and tragic consequences, causing both magicians to lose site of their humanity. This film is so under appreciated in my opinion, and that's merely due to the fact that I don't think people realise that a plot like this does not come around very often. Seriously, a realistic, dark and mysterious movie about magicians... am I the only person who thinks that's really cool? And the best part is, the movie actually delivers. Nolan doesn't just tell a story about magicians, he takes it one step further and structures the entire movie as if it were a magic trick. Hiding something in plain site, which by the twist has us questioning everything we just watched. Out of all of Nolan's films The Prestige has always seemed to intrigue me little more. The atmosphere created in 19th century London, is everything from sophisticated to eerie. The performances form Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale are absolutely captivating. They both completely embody their character's and present such an intense rivalry, which had me forgetting it was fictional. The cinematography is also insanely beautiful, yet subtle. The camera work and lighting, really emphasises and dark and gritty nature of the movie, which immerses its audiences into the film even further. I really don't have a single criticism with The Prestige. On first viewing, the film did leave me feeling quite perplexed with how the ending added up to the rest of the film. That is why I highly recommend to see it again. On second viewing it is an entirely different film. Nolan's subtlety is genius. There is so much thought and detail sprinkled all over this film. I've seen it countless times now, and I still manage to find something new to appreciate. The Prestige is one of my all time favourite films.

Tenet is directed by Christopher Nolan and is about a secret agent who embarks on a time-bending mission in order to prevent World War III. This film makes Inception and Interstellar seem easy and straight forward in comparison. This is easily one of the most confusing films I've ever seen. The first act's heavy exposition was very hard to hear, understand and process in a short amount of time. For me the second act was where the movie really picked up. Although I still hadn't grasped the plot, the action set pieces blew me away. Nolan's unmatched creative mind was really able to shine here. These action sequences accompanied by Ludwig Göransson incredible musical score, had me watching in awe. On a technical level, the film is revolutionary. The focus on practical effects is absolutely incredible. In terms of spectacle, Tenet is unmatched. However by the third act I couldn't help but feel detached. This is simply because I was struggling to understand what the characters were desperately trying to stop. I sat there and admired the jaw dropping visuals but didn't feel the all adrenaline presented to us on screen. Tenet is clearly a plot driven film. The characters and emotional core of the story were very underdeveloped, so when watching it for the first time there's really nothing simple to grasp onto. Part of me feels like these are all areas for improvement, but another part of me feels I need to trust Nolan's vision. I feel as though Nolan is deliberately challenging the audience here. He blatantly avoids so many standard film conventions, I can't help but feel like it was all intentional. Instead of the actors, Nolan treats the plot like the main character. That is why the world building surrounding his idea of time is truly incredible. Unfortunately, on first viewing I didn't really understand all of it, and I'm sure Nolan is very aware of this. His intention is for audiences to see it several times. That's why I feel like Tenet will drastically improve with multiple viewings. I'm going to give Tenet an 8/10 even though I still don't fully understand the movie. However my inverted self has seen it three times and has told me it deserves that grade.

The Shining is directed by Stanley Kubrick and is a horror movie based on the novel by Steven King. In reviewing this film, there's probably nothing I can say that hasn't already been said about this masterpiece. This movie has stood the test of time and will forever be praised as one of the greatest achievements in cinema. From the production design, to the performances, the movie is unmatched. The atmosphere Kubrick creates in The Shining is in my opinion, the reason why this movie has suck around as long as it has. The Overlook Hotel is a character in itself. The way the music in the opening credits establishes the feeling of this setting whilst the camera travels through nature leading to to hotel, just instantly impacts the audience, immediately immersing them into the world. Once you enter the hotel, you feel as though you are really there living through the characters. Jack Nicholson's performance as Jack Torrance is beyond perfect. He presents the slow progression of insanity so authentically, which ultimately leads to one of the most iconic climaxes of all time. His wife played my Shelley Duvall does an amazing job with a performance so over the top is actually works. The son, Danny Torrance is probably my favourite character in the movie. He easily could have ruined the film but he does a fantastic job in delivering some absurd lines which I still genuinely get so creeped out by. The Shining is a film lovers dream. And whilst Steven king didn't like the film, how can one not marvel at all the symmetry, vibrant colour palette and perfect set design. Seriously I know the Overlook Hotel is haunted, but I would check into that place any day. To walk through the ballroom, see the iconic carpet and use that unusually modern red bathroom would be a dream. The Shining is one of my favourites movies ever. And whilst this review probably doesn't mean anything because this film has already seen enough praise, I'm still going to give it a 10/10. If you haven't seen The Shining get off your phone and go watch it right now. Seriously it's a classic how haven't you watched it yet?

Kick-Ass is directed by Matthew Vaughn and is about a regular teenage boy who one day decides he wants to be a superhero. What differentiates this movie from other comic book films is that the lead has no special abilities or powers, so therefore he gets brutally beaten every time he tries to do hero work. This realistic and grounded take on a familiar subject matter makes for an extremely entertaining film. Aaron Taylor Johnson was great in the lead role. He plays such a subverted heroic character which the audience can easily relate to and view the film through. Chloe Grace Moretz plays Hit-Girl and honestly steals the show in every scene she's in. Nicholas Cage is also in the film and actually kills it playing a Bat-Man type character called Big Daddy. I truly loved this film and can't believe it took me this long to finally see it. The brutal and violent action scenes are so energetic and often utilise a great soundtrack which compliments the sequence so well. The editing is also really great and even though the action contains quick cuts, the scenes always remain cohesive. It is clear that all the filmmakers involved put so much effort into every shot. Kick-Ass is very much Matthew Vaughn's passion project. When he couldn't get a studio to finance the movie, he raised the money himself. And once the film was complete he took it back to studios for distribution, but wouldn't settle with any unless they left it exactly how he had it. I highly recommend this somewhat forgotten superhero flick. For movie lovers, there is so much to appreciate here. I honestly see this movie as something I'll feel like rewatching regularly. It's funny, heartfelt, violent and inappropriate... what more could you want.

Zack Snyder's Justice League finally exists after years of hashtags, speculation and anticipation by fans. This movie has so much context surrounding it, and I feel like it has definitely impacted the way everyone views the film. I think it's great that Snyder can finally share his vision with the world. However I still don't see this movie as a masterpiece, but it's still really good. The movie has some nice cinematography, a captivating plot and a very choesive narrative. The story moves consistently, and even though it's 4hrs long I was never bored. I also really liked most of the characters. Wonder-Woman and Aquaman are really awesome. I love the casting for their characters. Ben Affleck is good as Batman but I wasn't really blown away by the portrayal. A character who really stood out was Cyborg. I loved his backstory and his broken relationship with his father. His scenes always had me very invested, particularly when he was discovering his new abilities. It was great to see Henry Cavill as Superman in the black suit. His scenes were cool, although I've always felt Cavill had more potential in this role, if the material given allowed him to demonstrate a bit more range. I loved Steppenwolf as the main villain. His character design and motive were really great. Okay so my first big negative for this movie is Ezra Miller. I just don't like him as the Flash. His line delivery makes me cringe and I don't find him funny at all. I appreciate that he is integral to the plot and what occurs at the end, but honestly every time he speaks I'm removed from the film. Another issue I have with the movie are the visual effects, particularly the use of green screen. Some shots did not look good at all and were quite distracting. The film also has some poorly written scenes and lines of dialogue throughout that can come across as pretty cheesy. I also was not a huge fan of the musical score. Wonder-Woman's theme was so overplayed it really started annoying me by the end of the film. I wish they just stuck to her theme by Hans Zimmer. But overall I do think the great aspects of the film do outshine most of the negatives.

A Quiet Place Part 2 is written and directed by John Krasinski, and is a direct continuation from the events which occur in the first film. I'm a huge fan of the first movie, so when I heard there was a sequel in the works I felt very skeptical, as I thought the ending was great and Hollywood rarely ever make good sequels for horror movies. I have to say I was very wrong. A Quiet Place Part 2 exceeded all my expectations and I'm so happy this sequel exists. It's been a long time since I've seen a film that has immersed me from the very first scene and continued to keep me invested for the entire runtime. Krasinski does a masterful job with this film on every single level. The script is simple, the dialogue is minimal and not one scene overstays it's welcome, leaving the audience constantly on the edge of their seat. The performances are all phenomenal. Emily Blunt, Cillian Murphy, Noah Jupe and Millicent Simmonds all give Oscar worthy performances in my opinion. Everything from the creature design to the sound design all work perfectly, and made me feel terrified on such a real and authentic level. This might be a pretty big statement, but I think A Quiet Place Part 2 might have the best opening sequence for a horror movie. It seriously blew me away. Krasinski has definitely proven himself with this movie. He has sole credit for the script and directed the movie with such a high level of film making. So to put it simply, I loved this movie and I'm really hoping they make a third because this has potential to be an incredible trilogy.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of The Ten Rings is directed by Destin Daniel Cretton. The movie centres around the Ten Rings Organisation, which is lead by Shang-Chi's father, who is a man that has been consumed by power and greed for thousands of years. This movie received so much praise, with many claiming this is one of the best instalments in the MCU. However after seeing the film, I have to say I was extremely disappointed. Easily the worst aspect of the movie is the writing. Almost every plot point occurs for no reason but to simply give the audience a purposeless action sequence or provide an exposition dump. To give an example, Shang-Chi's father sends his men to fight his children and we don't have any idea why. The action is cool to look at, and after three lengthy sequences it turns out he just wants them to return to his organisation. We find this out because the father shows up after all the pointless fights, and they just willingly go with him. Couldn't he have just shown up at the start of the movie? Like that would have been way more efficient for him. Basically the entire movie follows this trend. Even the fact that he wants his kid's help makes no sense. He didn't actually need them. He has the ten rings and an entire army to fight with. Like I get he needed their pendants to reveal a confusing useless map for 3 seconds, but couldn't he have taken the necklaces then left them alone? All this is really unfortunate because the execution of some action sequences are so great. Like Shang-chi's fight with his sister. I love hand to hand combat. But there was no purpose behind the fight. It's like someone just put the scene in because the movie got boring. Unfortunately, the movie does not end on a high either. I sat there having to stare at awful green screen and so much CGI, I couldn't help but laugh at it. Overall I thought this movie was watchable but extremely disappointing. There was potential to make a great film here, but to me it felt like marvel did not care about the script.

Memento is directed by Christopher Nolan, and centres around a man with short term memory loss, who is on a mission to track down his wife's murderer. This film is incredibly unique in its execution. The premise may be quite simple, however the way in which the story is told makes for such a complex and mind bending experience. A lot of the time, when a movie takes on unconventional methods of story telling, it feels more like a gimmick than something that is actually in service to the story. However, in Memento, the way the events are presented places us so deeply inside the mind of the character. It's as if the audience themselves have short term memory loss, and are trying to eagerly piece information together in each scene. It makes for such a captivating and thought provoking experience. For me, Memento contains one of the greatest scripts of all time. The movie constantly builds in tension, with every conversation leaving the audience feeling more and more uneasy. Once everything comes to fruition, I was incredibly impressed with how all the pieces came together. This was really the first time Nolan revealed his genius in a full length feature film. It's so clear how much time, and meticulous thought went into every line of dialogue. The film's editing is also executed perfectly, as it is so crucial to the story's execution. Overall, I can't recommend this movie enough. Memento is top tier Nolan, and will always be an all time favourite of mine.

Dune is directed by Denis Villeneuve and is based on the classic sci-fi novel by Frank Herbert. For many years this book was considered to be 'unfilmable', due to the dense lore, complex plot and technological limitations. I personally couldn't imagine the book lending itself to the standard runtime of a movie. I felt it was impossible to capture the complex political nature of the world, as well as naturally represent the vast growth and development of the main characters. However if there was one director who could pull off the impossible, it's Denis Villeneuve. He has smartly split the story into two parts, allowing for time to explore the character's and their context, particularly the planet Arrakis. And I have to say, I have not experienced this level of world building in a very long time. The movie has such a distinct and immersive atmosphere, that feels familiar, yet vastly different to our world. Herbert's depiction of a futuristic world brought back to the traditional essence of humanity, is represented brilliantly here. The costume design, production design, cinematography and visual effects, are all of the absolute highest quality. Every single shot of this movie left me in awe. The slow, methodical pace of the film may be an issue for some, but I felt it best captures the nature of the novel, whist allowing the audience to really appreciate the beauty on screen. All the performances on display are excellent, particularly Rebecca Ferguson and Timothee Chalamet. As for negatives, I feel the movie doesn't have many surprising moments, as Chalamet's character experiences constant visions, which essentially reveal pivotal plot points before they actually happen. Another issue I have is the point in which the film ends. We are left right in the middle of a plot point, so it was quite strange seeing the credits begin to roll. However, I don't think it will be much of problem once part two is out. Overall, I really enjoyed this film. I feel Villeneuve does a wonderful job in faithfully presenting Herbert's genius on the big screen. I currently give Dune an 8/10, however this score may change depending on how things come to fruition in part two.

The Edge of Seventeen is written/directed by Kelly Fremon Craig, and is centred around an adolescent teen named Nadine, who struggles dealing with high school, family and the adversities that occur in her life. Over the years this film has been repeatedly praised for its relatability, and I couldn't agree more. Kelly Fremon Craig does such an excellent job with the script, by crafting a narrative that feels so real and authentic. However, this level of realism would not be the case without Hailee Steinfeld. She gives an Oscar worthy performance here, and truly brings the story to life, with flawless line delivery and genuine emotion. I think this is one of the deepest films I've seen in this genre. It still feels light hearted and comedic, although at its core, the film is truly about a broken family struggling with grief. This is executed this with such nuance, making the whole family dynamic feel so complex. The movie acts as such a great, introspective character piece, exploring the mind a teenager, and how they view the world, their relationships and challenges that are thrown at them. I love how the movie presents issues, that most would perceive as small and insignificant, as these huge world ending problems. It perfectly captures the reality for teenagers, particularly in this day and age with the impact of social media. On top of having a great script, the movie is also put together really well. No scene ever overstays its welcome, and that's thanks to great editing and structure. I'd like to also praise Woody Harrelson in this movie. I thought his scenes were hilarious, and he surprisingly had more depth than I expected. Overall I highly recommend checking out this film. Hailee Steinfeld does an incredible job, proving she has the talent to carry an entire film. This movie is entertaining, heartfelt, relatable and really funny.

Spider-Man: No Way Home is directed by Jon Watts, and is easily one of my most anticipated movies of the year. The secrecy, speculation and uncertainty, made going into this film a truly exciting experience. However I made sure to keep my expectations at a reasonable height, as I personally haven't been the biggest fan of the last two instalments. Walking out of this film I felt very satisfied. This is easily my favourite performance from Tom Holland in this role. I didn't expect the movie to be as mature as it was. He didn't do that annoying fast talking whiney voice, and he actually had substantial growth in the movie. It was seriously about time... The return of past villains was great to see. I loved seeing Alfred Molina and Willem Defoe in scenes together. It was incredible to see them play these characters again, and they did such a fantastic job. It honestly made my year seeing Willem Dafoe kill it as the Green Goblin again. Personally, this was the first film in the series that actually felt like a Spider-Man movie. The villain's motives weren't centred around Iron Man, and Peter Parker finally had to deal with some serious hardship. We see Peter use his intelligence to solve problems in order to protect his loved ones and that finally made me start to care about his character. As for negatives, yeah the movie has a few. I've always felt Jon Watts has never done anything unique on a visual level in these movies. They always look as though they fit comfortably within the basic MCU aesthetic. I also felt the movie was begging for an energetic score, and Giacchino's music really fell short for me. The writing is another issue I had. This made characters like Norman Osborn (and others), feel strangely off, due to some of their lines of dialogue. The movie has pacing issue, as well as an inconsistent tone at times. Also new abilities that were randomly introduced for a character in the film and it made me scratch my head. So looking at this film amongst all the other Spider-Man movies we've gotten over the years, this probably won't rank within my top 3, just purely based on the level of writing/filmmaking, which still doesn't compare to the Raimi films, and Into the Spider-Verse in my opinion. However for me, No Way Home was just a really fun and enjoyable celebration of the character, which is pretty much what I had hoped for.

Spider-Man is directed by Sam Raimi and is the origin story to the character of Peter Parker. Tobey Maguire who was casted for the lead role delivers such an authentic performance. Peter is everything from intelligent to painfully awkward, and at times can be the most relatable marvel hero. The great cast portray characters who are perfectly established due to the impressive script. Particularly Willem Dafoe who is phenomenal. He truly embodies the Green Goblin, delivering such a complex and horrifying villain, who contains personal ties to Peter Parker. Sam Raimi's creative voice comes through beautifully, as he focuses on vibrant visuals as well as a real emphasis on the human nature behind Spider-Man. At times this film can be incredibly emotional, where you find yourself caring so deeply for these comic book characters. But above all that Spider-Man contains such exciting action sequences and climatic finale which greatly impacts our hero on both sides of his identity. 16 years later and I still feel completely satisfied by Raimi's portrayal of this iconic Marval hero. Spider-Man set the benchmark for all superhero origin stories, delivering an experience of high quality and undeniable enjoyment. Its a strong start to the trilogy so therefore I give it a 9.

Donnie Darko directed by Richard Kelly is a drama/fantasy/teen flick/thriller/science fiction film... and some how, its actually works. It follows Jake Gyllenhaal's character, Donnie Darko, who is tormented by hallucinations of a man dressed in a bunny suit. These visions manipulate Donnie to commit a series of crimes, as repayment for being saved from a life threatening accident. The peculiar nature of this film, truly sets it apart within the world of cinema, making it one of the most memorable movie experiences I've ever had. This film is so incredibly entertaining, mainly due to the perfect line delivery and performance by Jake Gyllenhaal. The entire cast has a level of peculiarity which just makes them so compelling to watch. I particularly love the unconventional cinematography which further emphasises the bizarre tone of the film, as well as the integration of an iconic soundtrack which sets the context and tone of the fictional world. Donnie Darko is wonderfully strange. But beneath all its weirdness, its actually really emotional. Every character is completely human and at times can be very relatable. The film has an underlying tone of sadness throughout, making it such a complex story with a lot of depth. Yes you might not get all the answers by the end of the film, but I love the fact that I can invent my own theories and explanations which allows the movie to make sense to me. Donnie Darko had me fixated on the screen for the entire runtime, and had me pondering about it for a week, so therefore I give it a 10.

Strangers on a Train directed by Alfred Hitchcock is a crime drama, which follows a tennis star who is recognised by a stranger. Their compelling conversation on the train is followed by a series of deranged events, which immensely torments the tennis star, unexpectedly placing him on the cusp of crime. Going into this film I was expecting great things. Although this film didn't meet my expectations... it exceeded them. Where can I start. The performances are all outstanding. The black and white cinematography is creative, expressive and beautifully artistic. This film contains sequences which are so thrilling, I was genuinely invested, due to how well they hold up. I particularly loved the subtle visual imagery and symbolism which enforces a major concept explored in the film. Strangers on a Train has you invested for the entire runtime. The script is so riveting, as it explores a range of tones without ever slowing down. Many individuals today refuse to see films which are black and white, believing that they are not entertaining. Strangers on a Train rebukes that misconception on every level. This film is an incredible film making achievement so therefore I give it a 9.

The Martian directed by Ridley Scott is a Sci-Fi film following a rescue mission to Mars after one man is stranded on the planet... and this movie is GREAT. Within cinema one thing is for sure, when Ridley makes a great film it's monumental. The Martian is one of my all time favourites. The shots and cinematography on Mars are truly out of this world... The editing, score and integration of CGI is outstanding. This film is put together beautifully. Although The Martian isn't just exceptional on the technical side, it's also insanely entertaining. And that is thanks to the excellent script and line delivery by Matt Damon. This is his best performance in years. He's everything from witty to emotionally fragile, which forms such a complex and compelling character. The Martian has a perfect balance of distress and great humour. I love the integration of music by David Bowie and ABBA. It really helps lift up the spirit. The large cast doesn't weigh down the film at all, as they all add something more to the story. I can honestly watch The Martian countless times and never get bored. This is an outstanding film so therefore I give it a 10.

Prisoners directed by Denis Villeneuve is a crime thriller surrounding two families' search for their abducted daughters. First and foremost the cinematography by Roger Deakins is flawless. It perfectly sets the tone for the film. Particularly the shots which utilise the weather to create stunning effects with lighting and shadows. This is a a long film. The runtime is around 2hrs and 30mins. Although the pacing is perfect. As soon as the film begins, each scene builds and builds with more intensity. Prisoners kept me 100% hooked with intense suspense throughout the entire investigation. Furthermore, the performances are all incredible. Hugh Jackman's character contains such powerful emotion, and he delivers it perfectly. Paul Dano also does such a great job with a highly difficult performance. Each actor disappeared in their roles. Particularly Jake Gyllenhaal. The way in which he progressed and grew emotionally, made him so compelling. The score by Johann Johannsson creates feelings of melancholy, sorrow and intensity, during times of horror. Denis' direction accompanied by the incredible screenplay has created such a captivating movie experience. I highly recommend seeing this film. It is one of my favourites of all time, so therefore I give Prisoners a 10.

Get Out Directed by Jordan Peele is a horror film which begins with quite a unique story, surrounding an African American man meeting his girlfriend's Caucasian family. The first two acts of the film contain scenes which build so much tension. The start of this movie had me so invested due to how much was unknown. I really built strong curiosity surrounding why things seemed very off. All the performances were great, particularly the main character who was incredibly convincing with all his emotion. Also the cinematography was very nice, containing scenes which are one long take with no cuts. As for negatives there are quite a few. The tone of this film is very messy. I wished the horror really got under my skin. Although it was as if there were constant intermissions with cliche comedic relief. To me this broke all the tension, and really made me question the type of film I was watching. There are also quite a few plot holes, and scenes which really don't have any purpose besides trying to freak out the audience. Once the film reaches the third act, I was really let down by the direction they took. I was expecting a smart and unique revelation. But all I got was a standard messed up horror movie "twist". I think all the positive reviews made my expectations skyrocket. I really thought this movie would be insanely smart, but honestly it's really not that special. It didn't impact me the way other great horror and thriller films have. It's a solid and enjoyable film. But it's far from groundbreaking, so therefore I give Get Out a 6. I feel like many will disagree with my rating. If you think you can convince me as to why it is great go ahead. One thing I still don't see is why African Americans were targeted in the film. When it was asked the question was just brushed off...

Incendies Directed by Denis Villeneuve is a foreign film with one of the most intriguing stories I've ever come across. So the film begins with two twins mourning the death of their mother, trying to sort out aspects of her will. They become incredibly distraught after finding out their mother wishes not to be buried traditionally until a letter is sent to their brother and father. The twins were unaware that they had a brother and a living father, therefore leading to an investigation in order to complete the task. Everything in this film is phenomenal. Every single performance is outstanding. The realism depicted by these actors blew me away. Denis' direction, as usual is perfect. He captures moments of horror so well, utilising close ups and big wide shots when necessary. There are so many moments in the film which look incredible. Incendies has one of the most insane ending revelations I've ever experienced in film. Although it isn't pretentious or cheap due to the phenomenal writing. I was so compelled by this movie for the entire runtime. The story rarely has a dull moment, due to the uneasy and suspenseful plot. Incendies should be seen by all. Don't let the English subtitles discourage you. This movie is amazing, so therefore I give it a 9.

Sicario Directed by Denis Villeneuve contains such a compelling story along side incredible performances. This film takes you on a journey from the perspective of Emily Blunt's character. You think and feel as she would during some of the most uneasy situations I've experienced in a film. For the entire runtime, I felt consistently torn between characters I could trust and those who where manipulators. This is a film which plays with your emotions, and leaves you feeling on edge consistently. When the credits rolled I honestly felt dirty, due to the gritty visuals and blurring of morals. This tone was all successfully achieved from Denis' amazing direction combined with Roger Deakins' stunning cinematography. The beautiful natural shots with no artificial lighting, captures the most realistic darkness I've seen in film. Also Emily Blunt's performance was phenomenal. Her exhaustion, confusion, frustration and intense trauma was portrayed with such realism, that I genuinely forgot she was acting. Sicario was such an overwhelming film experience, containing such incredible filmmaking. So therefore I give It a 9.

Enemy directed by Denis Villeneuve is probably the weirdest movie I have ever seen. When this film ends, you kinda just sit there with absolutely no clue as to what you just watched... But I sorta love that feeling. This film is filled with metaphors and symbolism, as well as unique storytelling. The runtime of the film is around 90 mins, but for me this was followed by an hour of explanation videos and fan theory reviews. Enemy is such a unique film experience. It really challenges the viewer, as it intentionally doesn't provide a resolved conclusion. Jake Gyllenhaal, as usual is perfect in this film. He really sells the unusual plot of the film. This movie is definitely not for everybody, although those who really love film will appreciate its incredible uniqueness. Enemy is a film which doesn't give you everything on the surface. It requires investigation by the audience in order to develop our own version of the full story. Watching Enemy was such a memorable experience so therefore I give it an 8.