Thursday 29 August 2019

Movies: Angel Has Fallen (15), Crawl (15), Jonah Hex (DVD – 15) & Die Hard 4.0 (DVD – 15)

Angel Has Fallen (15) – what’s it about? There’s another assassination attempt on the President and Banning gets set up.

Ok so assuming you’ve seen the previous movies in this series you’ll know exactly what to expect, something bad happens to the President and then Mike has to try to save the day in some way, shape or form. In the beginning of this one there’s not much new in the sense of it’s the same story re-hash, then it gives a bit more, where its Mike in the firing line and he must solve who’s set him up which is a bit different. Yeah this is as expected a good action flick, which is filled with violence, explosions, guns and all that jazz that make these films just a good watch. Yep if you like a good lot of action and a bit of story thrown in to give it something then this one is worth looking at.

Rating: ****



Crawl (15) – what’s it about? There’s a hurricane and it becomes a matter of survival for a father and daughter in gator country.

I wasn’t sure what to think of this, I’d seen the posters and I can’t even remember seeing an advert for it, but I just knew it was a survival horror about alligators and I thought meh this could either be ok or really naff. But yeah, I was actually really surprised by how good this film was, it had the right level of suspense which was kept up throughout – it was really nail biting. It was a bit gross in parts, a little too icky for my liking in parts which made me hide my eyes as I don’t really like seeing close up gore. Yeah, it’s a good survival horror, so if you are into these then definitely check it out. And remember rule 2…don’t get eaten.

Rating: ****



Jonah Hex (DVD – 15) – what’s it about? Bounty hunter Hex gets paid to kill some old enemies who murdered his family.

I’d seen this years ago but couldn’t quite remember it and they had it cheap in the shop, so I thought I’d pick it up and give it a re-watch. So if you don’t know this is a movie adaptation of the DC comic, its quite nice to see something set in an old western style rather than modern times or somewhere else, so it gives a bit of a different vibe from most comic book adaptations. It’s got a bit of a story which is pretty unbelievable, but the characters are alright, and it has a bit of action. It’s not the best film though and I did find myself getting a little distracted from it, so I feel it lacked slightly as if there’s a good story or action I’m usually pretty entertained. I’d say its probably about a 2 ½ star film.

Rating: **



Die Hard 4.0 (DVD – 15) – what’s it about? McClane must protect a hacker from a criminal organisation that is set on destroying the world as we know it.

I thought I’d give this a re-watch to complete my Die Hard movie recent re-watch. If you’ve seen all the other Die Hard movies then you know the drill, this is an action flick where John has to save the day from some kind of attack, so by now you’ll either know if you love or hate them. I think out of all the Die Hard films this is probably my favourite one, which may be because it’s a little more modern than the others – making it less dated and the storyline is more up-to-date with modern situations. As with most of these films there is enough story to give the movie something but its mainly centred around the action – so there are lots of guns, violence, car chases and what not. Yep if you are an action movie fan and want to watch something where you can leave your brain at the door and marvel in its crazy over the top storyline then this will be right up your street. It’s probably really a 3 ½ star film.

Rating: ***


Monday 26 August 2019

Movies: Dora and the Lost City of Gold (PG), Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (18), Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (15), Ghost Rider (DVD – 15) & The Punisher (DVD – 18)


Dora and the Lost City of Gold (PG) – what’s it about? Dora’s parents go missing whilst they are exploring, and Dora and her new school friends must try to find them.

I used to watch this on occasion with my nieces and nephews and it was pretty annoying, but the film looked like it could actually be amusing. It kind of reminded me loosely of the Jumanji remake, and by that I mean where it’s a group of teenagers who end up stuck in the jungle who really shouldn’t be there. It had a few moments in it that made me laugh, not completely lol but a little chuckle to myself and in general its actually a positive movie. I have to admit by the end of it I wanted to sing and dance. Yeah if you want something with a little humour to pass the time or you have younger ones who want something fun to watch then this may be worth checking out.

Rating: ***



Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (18) - what’s it about? The story of a washed-up actor where situations in Hollywood unfold.

I wasn’t sure on this from the adverts, some of Tarantino’s stuff I like and some not so much. I think it is either going to be one of those you love or one of those you hate. There are loose links to situations and people from the era, and I think it does portray the life of actors and movie makers of the day and how things have changed from then until now. I’m though not a great fan of things set in the past or that have links to real life, but I did have some hopes for this one as I usually find Tarantino’s stuff quite good. That said I do like oomph to my movies and this imo was really slow moving and generally uneventful, it just seemed to drag on and take ages to get to where it was going. Yeah sadly it wasn’t for me, but I think if you lived through the era it may have a little more to it or if you don’t mind slower paced films.

Rating: **



Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (15) – what’s it about? A group of kids take a book from a haunted house and terror unfolds.

I’ve had it in my head now that this was a remake and when I was watching it I was thinking I know this, and it turns out after a little research that it was a book which I must have read as a teenager. Yeah, I found it a good light horror movie, even though its set in the past its not like boring like some films as it’s got a good paced plot to it. It’s not too scary or jumpy or anything gross, its you know a little spooky but not over the top. The story was good as it had an overall story but also a bit of a focus on each of the sub-stories from the book, so it kept me entertained throughout. If you like a little horror in your life but not to be scared stiff, then this will be for you. I’m only go to give it 3*’s though as I didn’t jump once in it lol.

Rating: ***



Ghost Rider (DVD – 15) – what’s it about? To save his father’s life, Johnny makes a deal with the devil and becomes his bounty hunter.

I hadn’t seen this one for a while, so I thought I’d give it a re-watch as I remember it being quite good, and yep it was as I remember it. It’s a little cheesy but still good, Nicholas Cage plays Johnny pretty well and there is enough action and story that kept me entertained. I do remember there being a little more to the movie – but maybe it was just because the time seemed to pass pretty quick when watching it. It’s a good origin story, it’s not too dull like some and it keeps the pace throughout. It is a little dated now, but the effects aren’t like omg bad like some of the other early Marvel movies out there. Yep if you haven’t seen this and/or like comic book movies then it’s worth looking at.

Rating: ***



The Punisher (DVD – 18) – what’s it about? Jim’s family is murdered by a crime boss, so he goes on a mission of revenge.

This is a little while old now, you know from back before Marvel got really big and had massive budgets and that flashiness, so watching this don’t expect it to be in the same league as them. It’s a lot more adult too, its darker, more gritty and pretty damn violent, so it’s not one to sit the kids in front of, that said though I think if it was released now it may be a 15 rather than an 18 but that’s just my take on it. Yep it had enough to keep me entertained for a couple of hours, though the story isn’t too complex, but you have to keep in mind it is an origin story, so they can always be a little slow in parts. It has though got a good bit of action that makes up for it and there are still a couple of moments that gave me a giggle. Yeah, it’s not the best movie out there but I’ve seen way worse than this from the comic book scene.

Rating: ***


Monday 5 August 2019

Movies: Angry Birds 2 (U), Fast & Furious: Hobbs & Shaw (12A), Green Lantern (DVD – 12) & Green Hornet (DVD – 12)

Angry Birds 2 (U) – what’s it about? The Birds and Pigs must put aside their differences and team up against the Eagles who are hellbent on destroying their islands.

I thought I’d go see this as I found the first one amusing. This is very much along the same lines as the first one so if you enjoyed the shenanigans of the Birds and Pigs last time then this one will be right up your street. It has some good humour in it – some that the kids will laugh at and some for the adults to laugh at. It has a little bit of story thrown in, its one of those easy watch cartoons so don’t expect anything too complex, it has a bit of cartoon action too so it’s pretty much fun for all the family. Yeah it’s a good film, its not amazing but entertaining enough to pass the time and give a giggle.

Rating: ***



Fast & Furious: Hobbs & Shaw (12A) – what’s it about? Hobbs and Shaw are forced to join forces and stop the bad guys from releasing a virus on the world.

I’m not a Fast & Furious fan but I’ve been to see most of them as a friend really likes them, but I am a fan of Jason Statham films. All his films are usually completely unbelievable action movies but fun to watch and this even though a spin off is more of an action flick than a flash car flick. Its full of the usual which you expect from an action movie – lots of fighting, violence, guns, explosions and the obligatory car chases. If you want to watch a movie that is in any way believable this won’t be for you but if you want to watch a good action film that you can leave you brain at the door then totally look this one up. Just to note it is a spin off, but you don’t need to have watched all the Fast and the Furious movies to get it, as its pretty standalone.


Rating: ****



Green Lantern (DVD – 12) – what’s it about? After the death of a Green Lantern a new one is chosen to take his place, a human from earth.

I think I saw this when it first come out so its been a few years now, and I have to say its aged pretty badly, the aliens and other worlds are quite dated now so it just looks a bit cheap but the stuff on earth is pretty good still. If you’d like a bit of a bad superhero movie then this is worth checking out, just don’t expect it to be as high quality as some of the more modern comic book flicks. Its still a good movie, it’s just not amazing, it does have its moments that kept me engrossed as it does have a bit of action and some bits that made me laugh and smile.

Rating: ***



The Green Hornet (DVD – 12) – what’s it about? After the death of his father, Brit teams up with Kato to become the Green Hornet.

With this one expect more ham than a ham sandwich, yep this is a bit of a cheesy comedy based on the comic and tv series of the same name. It’s done by Seth Rogen so if you like his stuff then you will probably find this amusing, some is a little inappropriate but it’s not all really bad like some of his other films, its mainly corny so it’s really amusing. Yeah don’t expect a serious film with this one otherwise you’ll be disappointed, yep it’s a fun watch. I want to really give it 3 ½ stars really because it did make me giggle a lot but it’s definitely one of those that you need to be in the right mood for.

Rating: ***