(film review) [STREAMING] - Army of the Dead

Ok, first and foremost....I really enjoyed this film.  I've mentioned in previous reviews that I didn't realise I was a Zack Snyder fan.  I hadn't realised that I really enjoyed most of if not all of his movies.  I wrote something at the time about him having made a bunch of movies and me seeing practically all of them bar 2 not realising, but having now seen this movie, Zack Snyder is a great director, he knows what his audience/fans want.  I might have even mentioned something like, "a better Michael Bay than Michael Bay".  Whilst there might be some Michael Bay fans who may disagree...come at me bro!

Scott is a mercenary trying to live a normal life although there has been a Zombie pandemic that has broken out in a now controlled area of Las Vegas.  However, a casino owner,  Bly Tanaka decides with his colleague that they want to send a bunch of people through a zombie infested area to carry out a heist on his casino vault to steal $200 Million, however as crazy as the task is, with one helicopter on the roof of the casino for their getaway, they are on a time limit as all the Zombies in the controlled area will be nuked!  Scott gets together a bunch of trusted people he feels will be able to carry out the job efficiently, but when things don't go exactly according to plan on the job, it is a race to grab the money and run....oh and try not to get eaten by a zombie or nuked.

As I stated earlier, I enjoyed this film.  Hell, I loved it!  Whilst some elements of the movie could have been telegraphed, Zack knows how to direct something which is a very entertaining watch.  The characters were great even if one was CGI'ed in throughout the already wrapped movie...seamlessly.  The tension in places reminded me of Aliens and there is reason to believe some elements like a specific character was paying homage to a character in Aliens because I thought of that character instantly.  I loved Omari "Ghost" Hardwick's character as he was very intense, but the character he was paired up with made for great comedic banter.  Dave Bautista was also great (and continues to be in film) as the lead guy and the interaction he has with a specific person and although the film does follow the typical horror tropes in places, there was a specific scene involving a elevator I really didn't expect and I audibly gasped out loud and covered my mouth.

The film is also beautifully shot.  The angles and to an extent, the depth of field was OK at best but slightly distracting as it seems Zack was trying something new, but other than that, I didn't really have a complaint about the movie at all as it hit in all the right places.  The different variants of Zombie were great although as first glance didn't seem obvious but how these zombies were presented were even better.  I feel there is another story to be told with the zombies and the different variants as it goes because there seems to be much more to this world than meets the eye...especially the Alien involvement.  I'd love to see the planned Anime 'Army of the Dead: Lost Vegas' and the already shot prequel, although I'm wondering if this will hint at the zombie pandemic or not or maybe characters for a future movie.  Also it's not that scary either.

(trailer review) - Locked Down

I saw this pop up in my notifications and when I read the title, I can assure you, I was not pleased.  Today is the 5th January 2021.  This time last year, I was reeling from a great New Years party and prepping for my holiday mid February 2020.  There has not been a New Years party into this new year.  I haven't been able to book a holiday, so there has been no preparation for another holiday and as I was on furlough when I got back from my last holiday for several months until November, there has been a Tier system and a few more lockdowns since.  As of yesterday, we have gone into a Nationwide lockdown and I can assure you, I was NOT going to watch this trailer because, why?  Have I not been tortured enough?
After, losing my days work, in frustration (I guess), I decided to click "play" on this trailer because obviously I'm a glutton for punishment.  But this trailer, this premise, LOVED IT!

You see, I loved how the trailer started off.  It mirrored EVERYTHING we have been going through over the last 9 months - being stuck with your significant other, driving each other mad, furlough, uncertainty of jobs or what is going on with the virus and then the trailer does a complete 180.  Everything before the switch, I could definitely relate so if the trailer was going to show me more of what we have been going through, I was NOT going to watch the movie at all, but the heist gripped me! Like I said earlier, I loved it!  The fact that they seem to be barely getting on due to constantly being around each other, then decide to team up to carry out a diamond heist in the middle of a pandemic is sheer brilliance.  It's just a wonder on how we are going to get to watch it now as the UK doesn't have HBOMax.  #Yawn

Directed by Doug Liman and starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Ben Stiller, Stephen Merchant, Dulé Hill, Jazmyn Simon, Mark Gatiss, Mindy Kaling, Ben Kingsley & Lucy Boynton

(film review) - Ant-Man

People make me laugh. I mean, I'm not entirely sure what it is, as I have thought about it for a little while, but I can only assume, 'popularity/familiarity'. I'll explain several experiences I have been through recently.
Upon watching the trailers, for this film, I have heard from females (might I add) "Ant-Man? Really? No, not watching that?" When I ask, "why not?" and the reply was always "Ant-Man? It sounds stupid! Ant-Man? C'mon!? And he can communicate with Ants? Nope, this sounds stupid". I cannot remember the exact verbatim, but along these lines. I usually laugh it off and encourage them to watch it but, I don't know. However, these same people may love the hell out of a Spider-Man or even Batman? Maybe it is the fact that he communicates with ants or because he can shrink in size. Anyway, I digress. But what I want you to do is, go in with an open mind.

Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) is a father who has not been doing well in his life. Incredibly smart, a great thief, but has a daughter in which he is trying to connect with, but due to his problems being out of work and incarcerated on occasion, Scott needs to change his life around. Scott crosses paths with Dr. Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) who offers him a job. Being down on his luck, Scott wants to make a difference and to be there for his daughter and takes the job, but the main objective upon taking this job requires Scott to steal something in a daring heist which will hopefully be the life/game changer he has been waiting for. Well, hopefully.

The films ongoing theme is fathers and their daughters and with that said, this film is brilliant. Exercuted very well. For those who don't know the history behind this film, it was meant to be made and released several years ago. When I say several, I mean before Ironman 1. But this film has gone through soo many writers and when Edgar Wright (known for Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz & At World's End) left the project, most people thought the project was doomed. But I guess, 'In Marvel We Trust'? They haven't really failed us THAT bad, right? But due to Ant-Man having soo many issues, Story-Arcs and history of such marvel characters have been warped and twisted to servce the cinematic purpose, ie.e around Tony 'Ironman' Stark as it was really Hank Pym who created Ultron.

Michael Douglas on screen is great. The dynamics of the characters are fairly plausible too. With how the film was shot, could not have been shot any better as the cinematography is fascinating and engaging. When Ant-Man shrinks down to the size of an ant, that is when the film really shines. Interacting with the ants could have been silly and/or cheesy, but it works really well. With the ability to shrink and grow at will, laced with comedic elements, this film is a must see. Even Michael Peña who plays Luis, who is a friend of Scott Lang and is undeniably the funniest character in this film is evidently the character who will stand out to you more than anything. Some great dialogue, themes, scenes and quite a few laughs. If you don't laugh at least twice in this film, you are absolutely dead inside.

What you see in the trailer is not all of what you see in the film. The villain does seem like he is an after thought and the plot is similar to what we have seen before, but who cares? DC Fan Boys. You ought to enjoy this film. Well, at least if the trailer does something for you...then the film will definitely do something for you. Have a watch and enjoy!