(film review) [STREAMING] - Cruella

Emma Stone is a fantastic actor.  I think I knew her from 'Zombieland' back in 2009, a film I loved.  I also remember her from 'Gangster Squad' and she was great as Gwen Stacy in 'The Amazing Spider-Man'.  When I saw her in one of my least mentioned but loved movies, 'Birdman (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)', is when I thought to myself, "That girl from Zombieland is really really good".  From then I heard about her performance in 'La La Land' and the Awards she won, she is definitely a natural talent and to think she even came back for 'Zombieland: Double Tap' shows how A-Class she is as a person.  Her performance in Cruella, well the film in of itself, hmmm...well she's great and doesn't disappoint.  I'll Explain.

Estella Miller was born different.  She had different colour hair from birth and was a jovial and rebellious child with a cruel streak.  Nicknamed Cruella by her mother, Estella had a talent for fashion but when Estella's mother dies, this pushes her over the edge where she moves to London, meets Jasper and Horace who become her friends and ultimately help her get a job which will have her designing for Baroness Von Hellman, a Narcissistic renowened designer, head of a prestigious London fashion house. 

I wasn't sure what to expect from this movie.  I never cared for 101 Dalmations or the characters of the story.  I understood who Cruella was back in the day but I never cared for her.  Along with Disney giving villains story and to some extent, turning them into anti-heroes, I definitely was not sure how they would deal with the telling of this villain who kills puppies and makes coats out of their fur.  I mean, that would not go down with the kids these days, you know, cancel culture and all that.  You see Disney back in the day were dark and cold in their storytelling, so the retelling of these older films as live action will be difficult and challenging but I had fun with this movie.

I enjoyed this movie because although the child acting was bad, the adult actors were amazing.  Paul Walter Hauser is quickly becoming one of my favourite actors and for me was a standout.  I recognised him from 'I, Tonya' and he was simply brilliant in that.  I then noticed him in 'Da 5 Bloods' and although a smaller part, was just as great as the other great actors present.  But right now, I'll watch anything he is in and his British accent was spot on.  Joel Fry, although I haven't seen him in anything apart from Game of Thrones, he was also decent and somewhat noteworthy as I liked his character.  But without a shadow of doubt, Emma Thompson AND Emma Stone were bar-for-bar, acting-for-acting, the the best parts of this movie as they carried the movie on their backs with a great performance from each other.  They have both won the Academy Awards and it shows.  There is a speech E.Stone does near the end of the movie and it was a great and powerful performance.  E.Thompson's mannerisms as the Baroness were excellent and written soo well.  There came a point where I just zoned into the movie and was sailing on how wonderfully crafted the script was as well as the performances and the look.

The visuals, the outfits the music.  Although a lot of green-screen was used in places as well as some unreal dogs, I loved what they did with some of the "characters" as well as the dogs used.  I'm sure there is a dog named Blinky, which was really cute and the settings, decor and costumes, props and sets for the 70's was soo accurate.  I wasn't born in that decade but seeing the old "hop-on, hop-off" buses really got me in the feels.  I mean, the department store Estella works at, is still there and looks exactly the same as it is in the movie now.  The outfits were stunning and jaw dropping, with some of the gags used for these outfits, beyond creative and amazing.  The music was ok as I wasn't really impressed by it to notice it.  The only real issue with this movie though, is that nobody wanted it AND it isn't essentially WOW!  It's a good movie and enjoyable but it isn't "Wow, that movie was sooo good it deserves an award".  It is more of a "Wow, the movies was great for streaming".  Not to say you shouldn't go out and watch at the cinema, but I feel there is something about it that doesn't quite get there.  Strangely enough, the performances could, but the screenplay/story was average in comparison to the performances that outshone the story which leaves it a little lacklustre.

All in all though, even if you didn't care for the movie or the character's, this is a nice little watch for the kids in the cinema or if you are out and about and you want to kill some times and enjoy a movie whilst out, but if you don't feel like venturing out, you could also watch it on Disney Plus (like me) with Nacho's and Popcorn pre-made and have a lovely evening on the sofa enjoying Disney's ambitious project.

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(trailer review) - Cruella

Disney seem to be on this journey where they want to go back to their old movies and not only remake them to look more realistic like Lady and the Tramp, Dumbo, Aladdin and The Lion King, but they are also plucking out famous villains from their past to make movies about them and how they came to be.
Disney is a well oiled machine at this point and whilst not everything they do is great, you are looking at a good 75-88% of nothing but great content.  So when I heard about Cruella, I knew i never cared for it as I never cared about 101 Dalmatians, but if the trailer is good and grabs me, then I guess it would be worth the watch.

This trailer didn't do anything for me at all.  Whilst Emma Stone looks amazing, she just reminded me of Helen Bonham Carter more than anything.  Cruella was giving me Harley Quinn vibes and that whole Magic thing she does with the flames in the ball room, I'm not buying it.  I do like the heist vibe I'm getting from the trailer but other than that, I simply don't care for it as it's not really my type of movie, it seems.  But maybe another trailer will have me more invested.

Directed by Craig Gillespie and starring Emma Stone, Emma Thompson, Joel Fry, Paul Walter Hauser, Emily Beecham and Mark Strong,

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(film review) - 1917

I know who Sam Mendes is.  I've heard the name being passed here and there and if I remember correctly, James Bond?  He was responsible for the great Skyfall, no?  Then dropped the ball with Spectre.  I enjoyed Spectre, but it was nowhere close to the Masterpiece that was Skyfall.

However going into this, I hadn't a clue he was responsible for this movie.  Maybe I heard his name but I totally forgot as I went in until I saw his name at the end.  And considering he dropped the ball somewhat with the last movie I saw from him, it is great to proudly announce (as if you didn't already know) that he has picked the ball up again and he is running and doing a good job.

1917 centres around World War I with two guys, William and Tom on a impossible mission through enemy lines to deliver a message to Tom's brother in the 2nd battalion who are due to move out in the Morning.  They have learned of Germany's plan and if this message does not get delivered and stop the troops from leaving, there will be a massacre.

Two things.  Tension and Timing.  This movie is shot in what seems as though it is one continuously long take.  There are no "breakaways."  There is reason to believe there is some trickery involved but this movie does exactly what Birdman did and it was great.  Not only did you feel like you were following these characters, you actually felt like you were in the War and on the battlefield.  You felt like you were right there in the thick of it not knowing where to go, where to look, who to trust and where the bullets were flying from.  The tension was built up soo well and with the score assist, you really felt like you were there, I don't think I can stress that enough.
Beautifully shot as well.  Because there are no breakaway shots, the camera follows these to characters and you get and 3rd person views and some of the imagery is beautiful whilst a lot of the shots were haunting.  It really gave you the dark and gritty element of what war is, the aftermath and how desperate it can be.  Two scenes stood out to me, one in the trailer involving a crashing plane which showed me, in War, sometimes you don't even know who the bad guys are when you see and arial dog fight.  Then later on, this is reinforced where there is a moment where one Will is walking and witnessing a huge fire, then slowly coming into frame is a Soldier.  The soldiers get close enough to then realise that they see the enemy.  That moment leads to one of the two best moments for me.  Sometimes when you know you are out numbered and when your survival instinct kicks in, you do what has to be done.  You see both moments in the trailer but I won't say what they are due to spoilers, but I was definitely rooting for them.

The ONLY negatively I had, was the convenience of Mark Strong's character as I would have thought you would have heard him and the fact that Will at least, had 9 lived.  I understood that the weapons were not as accurate and reliable as to how they are now, but Will just would not die.

This film is a cinematic film.  It is not flashing explosures and cool dialogue, it is grounded and real.  How i'd imagine and how I wouldn't even date to imagine how War is.  The things you see and go through, a lot to have a man go through.  I mean, early in the film and this is a very small spoiler, but Will holes open a Barnes wire fence, pricks himself on it and the wound is bleeding out.  Before he is able to doctor it, he accidentally pushes said hand into the corpse of a dead body a rat is picking/eating at.  I'm that moment, I commented, "Urgh, that's butters" (butters being English alang for nasty) and I knew from that moment, I couldn't do War myself.  My thoughts on hygiene and cleanliness was going into overdrive.

Brilliant film.  Not what I wanted to see as I was really going for Jojo, but was shocked how engaging, atmospheric and tension filled this movie was with superb moments of slight comedy and amazing shots and scenery.  Sam made a film that wasn't necessarily about the characters, as you will Notice famous actors who have somewhat cameo roles, but the movie is about the War and how life at War is.  About desperation and what needs to be done.  Well done Sam. 

(film review) - Shazam

It hasn't been long but Shazam is now here and since the last decent movie was indeed, Aquaman a few months ago, it seems as though the DCEU or whatever they want to call it is now ramping up.  There has been a few whispers of other films but it's interesting to see where they are going to be going considering there isn't a lot of great DC movies of late.  At the Moment it's Man of Steel, Wonder Woman and Aquaman.  One of DC's biggest flops, although it was alright, just (I mean I enjoyed it for the most part), was Justice League, but DC has a long way to go to keep pumping out excellence with consistency.  Maybe, just maybe we will have it here.

Billy Batson is a 14 year old foster child who has gone from home to home not being able to settle anywhere.  One day, Billy is pulled into a mysterious place and granted the powers of Shazam enabling him to change from boy to man in an instant with superhero powers, strength, healing, fire-proof, superhuman speed, superhuman reflexes, Electrokinesis, flight and with his friend Freddy Freeman, Billy must find a way to live with his new found powers and also take down Doctor Sivana who wants the power for himself.

I enjoyed this movie. It wasn't great, it wasn't wow, it was "Oh, ok, that was cool" There were some funny bits that made me chuckle and it is an overall decent movie, but if we were going to jump onto the comparison train, this movie does not hold a candle up to the recent comic book movies out.  I'd say it isn't as bad as Suicide Squad but that movie reeked of heavy studio interference.  the music and scores were decent and the visuals were also decent but if I'm honest, although not a jaw dropping movie, this movie does stand out as one of the better ones from DC, Aquaman, Wonder Woman.  It's been soo long since Man of steel and to think that Shazam essentially is pretty much equal to Superman, would be nice to see him in a future project or even, Black Adam especially as that has been mentioned a little while ago which seems like forever.

The acting is great from Zachary Levi and he bounces off Jack Dylan Grazer well. Asher Angel is also great and so in Mark Strong, as usual as he always delivers a great performance.  If they do choose to change some things should they do a sequel to this movie...I hope they tone down the suit as it literally looks like Zachary is in a muscle suit and the colour is wildly too bright.  And to not give any spoilers, but I would like to see more of Billy Batson's family in any future project too, especially as this could have been hinted by the end credits scene.  Give it a go, you might enjoy like I did.

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(film review) - The Brothers Grimby

The best character of Sacha is Borat.  When I first saw Borat on the Ali G part of the bjbl Show, I found him soo funny, that when the film came out, I had to watch it.  Had to.  And I was not disappointed at all.  Soon after was Bruno in which I thought was borderline ok at very best. It felt like Borat but an overly extreme version and most of the gags, to me anyway, I didn't find overly funny like how I found Borat.  Like a rehash of the jokes.  The Dictator was better and now we have Grimsby, a cross between Ali G and...well, Ali G, I guess.

Grimsby is about a man who reconnects with his long lost brother after years of no contact.  A lot has changed between the two brothers, one of them is an undercover spy for the MI6, Sebastian (Mark Strong) and the other is a man how has 11 children living with his wife, Nobby (Sacha Baron Cohen) and lives in a small fishing town he grew up in called Grimsby.  When Nobby meet's his brother, Nobby doesn't realise that his brother is a spy and ends up tagging along so that he does not lose his brother again.  However, the life of a spy is no joke and could mean tactical espionage, shooting guns, fights and saving the world.  Sebastian might need the help of England's biggest idiot, his brother Nobby to help save the world.

First off, I wasn't expecting to see this film and having seen the trailer, I wasn't going to.  I mean, I knew it would be funny, but with what I had said earlier in terms of a rehash of jokes, I went into this film thinking, "yeah I've seen this before and it's going to be the same kind of thing".  Was I right, pretty much.  Was it funny? Pretty much.  Was it a decent film to watch? Pretty much.  Will you love it? Depends on your humour, but for me, No.  I liked it as it was entertaining and funny but not a cinema movie at all.  You could probably wait to see this on TV at home and you will enjoy it whilst chilling.  Maybe even drunk or high.  The film isn't garbage and Sacha brings all that he can into this type of movie.  The kind of movie he is known for doing like the fore-mentioned, but for me, I want to see something different from him.  Well acted as usual by Sacha and even better for Mark Strong as I didn't know he could transition to this kind of film and he was very funny in it.  But ultimately, this film is nothing to write home about.  Your normal slapstick, below the belt and somewhat outrageous scenes and jokes you've seen and not seen before.  Prepare to laugh and be somewhat grossed out.

(film review) - Kick Ass

Hahaha hahaha...Now this was a good film. Just so you understand, I had NO IDEA what this film was about. Spider-Man? Batman? Green Lantern? Some silly teen movie with something random like superheroes and making the film a whole lot shittier than the idea of making 'Blood & Chocolate' a film? Well, I give you this for free; The film is different! VERY DIFFERENT!

Ok, so no-one other than Nicholas Cage is in this film that you'd recognise unless your a die-hard fan of certain actors. I didn't know who the frig was the leading guy, only Mark Strong and that skinny dorky guy in 'Role Models?', Christopher Mintz-Plasse.

Anyway, this is a film about a geeky teenager, Dave Lizewski (Aaron Johnson), who wonders why nobody has actually tried to become a superhero. He wants to have a purpose and wants to fight crime because there is too much craziness in his neighbourhood. Very noble thing to do right? Especially when comic books are the comic books and he has NO SUPERHUMAN POWERS OR TRAINING. Like I said, Very Noble. Well, after looking into it and even buying a costume from ebay, this young lad goes out to fight crime and ends up getting his arse kicked, badly. The incident actually left me with my mouth wide open. I didn't see this coming at all.

Kids, DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME!!!

Enduring a painful recovery from his ordeal, Dave, still wants to continue his heroism when he finds out that Katie Deauxma (Lyndsy Fonseca), who he has had a crush on for years is interested in him because she thinks he is gay.
After getting his arse kicked, AGAIN, by a bunch of robbers, he is caught on a camera phones and becomes a hero. People start to praise him and his video footage on youtube becomes the most viewed which leads him to start up a myspace account for people to contact him.

Things then get grisly when Dave tries to do something about a Drug Dealer who has been harassing Katie, but when things go belly up, he is saved by Big Daddy (Nicolas Cage) and Hit-Girl(Chloë Moretz). Big Daddy turns out to be a former police officer who had been framed by Frank D'Amico (Mark Strong), a local crime kingpin and has his own personal vendetta against him. When Frank thinks Dave is responsible for the fall of one of his businesses, he makes Dave his personal responsibility to eradicate him himself but when that doesn't work, his son Chris, (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) suggests another way. Chris aka Red Mist gets close to Dave, gains his trust and then delivers him to his fathers goons which basically spells the end of Kick-Ass.

I won't go into any more of this as I don't want to spoil it, however, this film was different to any other superhero film you have seen with teenagers in it. I mean, what you see in this film is NOT what you will see in the Spider-Man Trilogy, maybe the new Batman but not Spider-Man or IronMan for that matter. This film is a little grittier than you expect.

A few scenes will leave you shocked, so be prepared, but like I said in the very beginning, this film is VERY DIFFERENT! Expect Part 2 to be better. I mean, they can only make it better, right?
Very enjoyable. Out now. When it comes out on DVD, get it as well.

(film review) - Sherlock Holmes

Robert Downey Jr. is on a role. After disappearing for a while as he has been in and out of trouble with the police and rehab for substance abuse issues, I do believe he is choosing good roles and he is on top form. If you haven't seen 'The Soloist', I suggest you go see it. But not only that film, he has been in 'The Incredible Hulk' and not only 'Iron Man 1' but the second instalment is out later on this year and the trailer looks excellent.

Sherlock Holmes, directed by Guy Ritchie is not your normal Sherlock Holmes. Guy Ritchie has injected his 'COOL' into this character. The same kind of COOL he injected in other films such as 'Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels', 'Snatch' & 'RocknRolla'. This film has you look at Sherlock Holmes as a strangely random and unorthodox genius. To me, Sherlock Holmes came across as batty. Batty being a bit crazy. However, with his acute eye for detail and his intelligence, his batty behaviour can only be described as someone who is so intelligent, that they often think at a rapid speed that their behaviour seems a little crazy for the onlooker.

Sherlock Holmes(Robert Downey Jr.) and his partner, Dr. John Watson(Jude Law) race to stop a human sacrifice conducted by Lord Blackwood(Mark Strong). With reason's to believe that Lord Blackwood practices sorcery the police imprison him and before they hang him, Lord Blackwood tells Holmes that 3 more deaths will occur after his excution. Dr. Watson pronounces Lord Blackwood dead, but 3 days later, they find his coffin smashed open and the body of a red haired Midget inside instead of Blackwood. Sherlock Holmes along with Dr. Watson must now try and piece together all the bits and pieces surrounding a red haired midget, Lord Blackwood, his sorcery, holmes' ex-acquaintance, her employer and a plot that will change the world forever.

I didn't know what to expect from this film. In all honesty, the trailer kind of portrays something else than what you actually see, but what you actually see is not what you actually expect. So in saying that, what you actually expect is something that, not only doesn't fit the film's trailer, but also doesn't fit the film, however, the film still comes across as watchable and enjoyable.

Sherlock Holmes in my eyes is a Deerstalker wearing, Pipe smoking detective with a partner who is a doctor, but in this version, he is a witty, intelligent and fast thinking detective with an acute eye for detail and nose for smells, who has a brotherly-love type of relationship with Dr. Watson who in his spare time does a spot of bare knuckled boxing. On the other hand Dr. Watson is also smart but comes across as a bit of a ruffian thug. I couldn't help thinking whilst watching the film that Dr. Watson, although he is a doctor, how comes he seems to enjoy fighting people? Throughout the film, it just seemed that Dr. Watson couldn't get enough of having a bit of a punch-up. You see in this film that, one cannot survive without the other.

How Guy Ritchie directs this film, you see the Guy Ritchie in it and if you do like Guy Ritchie films, you will definitely like this. It's Smart, Witty and funny. I do feel that it could have been a lot darker and sinister and possibly longer with a bit more action and twists, but what was seen was good and enjoyable. It even ended with the possibility of a sequel.

Go and see this film. In Cinema's NOW!
Trailer: