(trailer review) - Enola Holmes

I do try to keep my ears to the streets in regards to the latest news on film.  And when I say streets, I mean the internet, Internet Provider permitting of course, but I remember when it was announced they were going to do a show/film on Enola Holmes, Sherlock and Mycroft's younger sister.  I think I remember them mentioning Helen Bonham-Carter but for the most part, I remember how I felt when they mentioned this project surrounding Sherlock's younger sister.  I believe my thoughts were, "Ok!?" "Why?" "Really?" something along those lines.  I might have even said "Who cares?" and then proceeded with "Anything to just milk a franchise for change".  You see, I know nothing of Sherlock's younger sister, never heard of her.  I've never read any of those books and the only Sherlock I'm familiar with was the ones I used to watch growing up.  I've only really found out recently about his older brother Mycroft through either the Robert Downey Jr. portrayal in the movies, which I really like (Guy Ritchie, get back on it for the third one) or the Benedict Cumberbatch BBC One TV series.  Upon seeing the trailer (and I'm going to be honest), I actually liked it.

From what is made known in the trailer, Enola (Millie Bobby Brown) wakes up one day and her mother is missing.  As she has a close relationship with her, she sets out on mission to track and find her mother with the help of her older brother's Sherlock (Henry Cavill) and Mycroft (Sam Claflin), but when it seems her brothers are not interested, she goes about it by herself anyway.  

This trailer showed how fun this film may be.  Millie is a wonderful actress, famed for her role as Eleven in the Stranger Things series (which is a really really good series) and Henry aka Superman aka August Walker (from Mission Impossible) aka Geralt or Rivia (from the Witcher series) is an excellent actor growing in popularity and charm in nothing but great roles. I also loved him in The Man from U.N.C.L.E (one again, Guy Ritchie, pull your finger out mate).  Nothing but a superb cast, not to mention Helen and her plethora of great roles.  It looks like fun so it would be interesting to watch, albeit very kiddie friendly, which isn't a bad thing at all.

Directed by Harry Bradbeer and starring Millie Bobby Brown, Sam Claflin, Adeel Akhtar, Fiona Shaw, Frances de la Tour, Louis Partridge, Susie Wokoma, Henry Cavill, Helena Bonham Carter,

(trailer review) - Death on the Nile

I remember seeing the trailer for 'Death on the Orient Express' and for the most part, I was somewhat interested in it.  It wasn't a moving mountains to go and see it kind of movie for me but I would have liked to have seen it in the cinema but I just didn't get around to seeing it.  For this trailer, I do feel the same as the first movie but seeing Letitia Wright aka Shuri (Black Panther) and Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman) in a movie together with Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders is an absolute madness to me.

Kenneth must know the two latter ladies personally because French and Saunders (It used to be a British TV show back in the day) are definitely two comedic ladies he has certainly pulled from obscurity because I haven't seen them in ANYTHING recently.  Russell Brand was totally unrecognisable and to have Rose Leslie aka 'You Know Nothing Jon Snow' also featured, the talent alone has more than peaked my interest, it's just that, in this climate now, when will we be seeing it?

I loved Knives Out as it was funny and very entertaining and having not seen Murder on the Orient Express, but I was interested, I will definitely watch that first to help me make up my mind about watching this one.  I did hear good reviews but, I'll ultimately be the judge of that.  I mean, Kenneth did direct Artimis Fowl...

Directed by Kenneth Branagh and starring Tom Bateman, Annette Bening, Russell Brand, Ali Fazal, Dawn French, Gal Gadot, Armie Hammer, Rose Leslie, Emma Mackey, Sophie Okonedo, Jennifer Saunders, Letitia Wright

(film review) [STREAMING] - Spencer Confidential

First of all, from the trailer, I was already sold on this movie, but having watched the movie, finally over 3 days because I  got distracted or fell asleep, I'm glad to say, I enjoyed it, BUT it could have been better.

Having started to watch this movie, I was definitely getting vibes of 'The Other Guys'.  Because The Other Guys is a comedy starring Mark Wahlberg and THIS is a comedy starring Mark Wahlberg and both characters are Police Officers, I think my mind may have wanted MORE The Other Guys kind of humour, so with the movie NOT having that, it deflated the movie a little for me.  But obviously, that is a personal thought as well as a personal choice.

Disgraced Spencer (Mark Wahlberg) is a former cop who beats up a fellow Police Officer and ends up doing time in prison.  Upon release, he is met with Henry (Alan Arkin) who takes him home only to find Spencer is now room-mates with Hawk (Winston Duke).  But, when Police Officers start to die not even 48hrs of his release, Spencer makes it his job to find out who is killing these cops and why.

It's not a complex storyline at all and you could probably figure out the plot, blow for blow and who the villain is just by how telegraphed the movie is with it's basic plot, but for the most part, the movie does what it says on the tin.  It's an action comedy film and it does that.  I actually found the comedy to hit.  It's also done on a low budget as I think about it,  as I'm sure there is literally, 1 explosion and hardly any special effects, but in a strange way, I still very much enjoyed the movie and had fun with it, mostly because of the humour and also due to the performances of Mark, Winston and Iliza.  Granted the last two wasn't given a lot to work with, Winston being somewhat subdue and Iliza being a feisty motormouth with attitude, so some more character development would have been nice.  But this is clearly Mark's movie, Spencer and everyone else is supporting.  I do enjoy seeing Bokeem especially as I saw him recently in 'Queen and Slim' and before that, 'Spider-man: Homecoming'.

As I think about potential sequels as the film ends alluding to Spencer getting into people's business, it would be nice to see some more movies with these characters.  Kind of like what John Wick did.  A simple premise but excellent execution.  Not to say Peter Berg known for The Kingdom, Hancock, The Losers, Lone Survivor, Deep Water Horizon and Patriots Day, I feel his directing wasn't excellently executed unlike other films he has made in the past, although, leagues better than Battleship.  I mean, as we won't really know how much this movie makes... Netflix, if you enjoy it, spread the word as it's on Netflix and if anything, let's say it makes between 35-50 million, they must be able to do a sequel as this movie is at least half that to make.  Maybe in the sequel, we could have more character dynamics and witty banter.  Oh and especially more Iliza.

(trailer review) - Spenser Confidential

Well this was a surprise to me!  I didn't know Mark Wahlberg was going to be in a new movie.  Moreover, I didn't know Mark Wahlberg was going to be in a new movie with Winston Duke, famously known for playing M'Baku in Marvel's Black Panther and Abraham in Jordan Peele's 'US' with Lupita N'ongo.  it's fair to say that i haven't kept up with how active these two have been of recent, more Winston, but this has been a nice little shock.

This movie looks really good or at least it has peaked my interests.  It reminds me of 'The Other Guys' a little bit for some reason, maybe Mark's character and although I love that film, this one may have some greater and better moments with swapping the major comedy elements out for the fighting and action with comedy sprinkled throughout.

A cop framed by crooked crops seeking to clear his name and is out for justice. We have seen thay hundreds of times, but they didn't have Winston Duke in them.  I'm definitely seeing this.

Directed by Peter Berg and starring Mark Wahlberg, Winston Duke, Alan Arkin, Iliza Shlesinger, Bokeem Woodbine, Marc Maron, Post Malone,

(trailer review) - Knives Out

So, basically, it's a Guess Who? or Who Done It? Murder mystery movie where someone gets murdered and we are trying to figure out who did it! From the top of my head, I cannot think off the top of my head if I can remember the last murder mystery film I've watched...maybe The Grand Budapest Hotel, if that is one.  But the acting looks incredible and some of these actors look like they are having a blast.  It would be nice to see some of these actors who are known for iconic characters to actually see them as somebody else and not whom they have embodied for many years.

Plus I like Rian Johnson, he needs a win after Star Wars: The Last Jedi. I liked it but it was problematic.

Directed By Rian Johnson and starring Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, LaKeith Stanfield, Don Johnson, Jamie Lee Curtis and many more.