Movies: IT Chapter 2 (15), Hustlers (15), Wreck It Ralph (DVD - PG), Ad Astra (12A), Batman Returns (DVD - 15), Alien Covenant (DVD - 15), Rambo Last Blood (18), The Kitchen (15), Rio (DVD - U) & Predator (DVD - 18)

IT Chapter 2 (15) – what’s it about? 27 years on and the gang reunite to stop Pennywise’s evil ways for good.

So after the IT remake, Pennywise finally returns for the conclusion of the story, in reality though we’ve waited a long while to get a sequel to IT. I had really high hopes that this would be creepy as hell and pretty messed up but sadly I was left quite disappointed. Don’t get me wrong it is an OK movie but no way what I was hoping for, it just seemed long and drawn out and I didn’t even get scared or jump once, which was a shame. Yeah it’s worth a watch just to close the chapter but I wouldn’t get your hopes up too much.

Rating: ***

Hustlers (15) – what’s it about? Based on true events about a group of exotic dances that con some wealthy men.

Ok so this is a bit raunchy – well the first party anyway, as it starts off with the dances doing their thing at the club so a lot of skimpy outfits and pole dancing. Once the plot gets going this turns into a really interesting film, and I got quite drawn into it. I can’t really say much as I don’t want to give it away but yeah they had a real good hustle going on and well done to them to pulling it off. But with all these films you don’t know how much is flashed up for the big screen and how much is real, but it made a good movie. Yeah if you want to watch something that gets you a little hot under the collar then check this out.

Rating: ***

Wreck It Ralph (DVD - PG) – what’s it about? Ralph’s fed up of being the bad guy and sets out to win a good guy medal.

I decided to give this a re-watch as I picked it up cheap on DVD recently and I couldn’t quite remember the whole thing. Yep this is a really good film, it will appeal to the kids for the nice little story, action and the characters and its adventure, but it really appealed to me as an 80’s child too – oh the nostalgia! As it features some characters from back in the day which will give a chuckle. Yep this is a fun for all the family type of film which I think most people will love if they like animated stuff.

Rating: ****

Ad Astra (12A) – what’s it about? An astronaut must head to space to find his father.

I thought this could be quite interesting from the adverts as I like a lot of space stuff and having something more believable rather than far out sci-fi could be interesting. IMO some of this was really good and well done, but I found it quite long and drawn out and the story was a little slow paced. I wouldn’t put it in the you must see this category but I’d say if you like more of a slower paced film and something more believable than most space stuff then this will be worth checking out.

Rating: ***

Batman Returns (DVD - 15) – what’s it about? The sequel to Batman where he tackles the Penguin and Catwoman.

After re-watching Batman recently I thought I’d watch the rest in the series, so this is part two or well Batman Returns, where funnily enough Batman returns. So this again is a bit of an older one but it is still good, it’s nice to see some of Batman’s other enemies as mainly films/TV seem to focus a lot around the Joker. I really loved Catwoman in this too, I remember as a kid thinking how cool she was, and well the Penguin has always been cool and creepy. Well if you don’t mind your movies a little dated then this is definitely worth a re-visit.

Rating: ***

Alien Covenant (DVD - 15) – what’s it about? A relocation team take a de-tour to a planet after receiving a distress call.

Well this is a bit of a continuation from Prometheus and I’d say these two are worth watching close together as they both link into each other and help hash out the Alien franchise even more. OK so I’m sure at some point you would have seen the Alien movies, if not then they are worth checking out if you like some good horror-sci-fi action. This one is pretty good and quite icky too so it doesn’t disappoint on that front, I can’t really say too much on it but yep it’s definitely worth a visit to this distant world…or not.

Rating: ****

Rambo Last Blood (18) – what’s it about? Gabriela gets abducted and Rambo must come out of retirement to try to save her.

Rambo is really getting on now, and if you have seen the older films you know this, but it is nice to have another instalment in the franchise. Though I would say this wasn’t as good as I’d hoped in the crazy cheesiness that I’d expected. The film is quite serious throughout and quite sensible, of course though towards the end the killing gets crazy funny but it takes a while to get there. Yep if you liked the Rambo movies then this is definitely worth a visit just sadly don’t expect to be wowed.

Rating: ***

The Kitchen (15) – what’s it about? A group of women whose husbands are banged up take charge of their criminal empire.

This is set in the 70s era where women aren’t really seen as any more than housewives and baby makers, so to see this group of women go out and take hold of what is a man’s empire is pretty cool – and to see their reactions as well. Yep this is a good criminal film, it’s got some good violence in it and well has quite a good storyline to boot. Yep if you like films that show the gritty underworld then this one set in New York’s Hell’s Kitchen won’t disappoint you. I think this should really be a 3 ½ stars movie.

Rating: ***

Rio (DVD - U) – what’s it about? Blu goes on an adventure to try to win the heart of the last female blue macaw.

So this is cute and colourful and I’m sure if you have young ones they will love to story and the songs in it. It’s one of those that is aimed more for the younger audience, there’s not really any teen/adult humour in it. That said though I’ve seen this a couple of times now and I really like it as it’s a really nice story and an easy going watch. I think it helps highlight about endangered species and what goes on with the exotic pet trade too, so its actually quite deep when you think about it, but watch it at its surface though and it’s a fun family film.

Rating: ****

Predator (DVD - 18) – what’s it about? Dutch and his team travel to the jungle to try to save some hostages and it turns out they are not alone.

I decided to give this one a re-watch mainly because I am currently making the Jungle Predator cosplay so of course I had to do research! This is getting on a bit now and it’s quite dated, some of the effects are pretty squiffy but that said it still manages to hold its own with the Predator design and his invisibility effect is still ok too. It’s got a good lot of violence and gore, but it does take a little while to get into the human vs alien side. The story throughout is ok, it’s filled with lots of action and it is a great old film that is worth looking at if you haven’t seen it in a while.

Rating: ****

Movies: The Informer (15), Zero Dark Thirty (DVD – 15), The Mask (DVD – 12) & Zathura (DVD – PG)

The Informer (15) – what’s it about? An FBI informer ends up going back to prison to help take down a crime boss and all doesn’t go according to plan.

I thought I’d go see this as where it looked alright and I have to say it was pretty good going, its not amazing but the story kept me entertained throughout. The story was well thought out and quite compelling, so it’s definitely got that behind it. It’s all about the crimes and prison life so if you find this interesting and like a bit of grit in your movies then you’ll probably like this one.

Rating: ***

Zero Dark Thirty (DVD – 15) – what’s it about? The tale of the hunt for Osama Bin Laden.

I’m not sure with this one how much is truth or how much is just story written by the Americans to make the story into a good movie or make themselves look good. Yeah, its an ok movie, a bit of a CIA mystery with a bit of military and action thrown in. The story is interesting as where it focuses mainly around one agent and the people she comes into contact with, with them trying to find where he is located, which is not always done by pleasant means. Yeah if you like a good bit of America saving the day then probably check this out.

Rating: ***

The Mask (DVD – 12) – what’s it about? Stanley is a bit of a doofus but ends up finding a magical mask which gives him cartoon like powers.

I thought I’d give this a re-watch as I haven’t seen it in years and yeah its goofy and funny and has a bit of a storyline to boot. Good old Jim Carrey – you know with most his movies what to expect – they are over the top, loud but pretty damn funny. Yep this is amusing but some is a little cringe worthy as it really makes you feel sorry for the guy. It is a little dated now but still is a pretty fun watch if you like cartoony type humour.

Rating: ***

Zathura (DVD – PG) – what’s it about? Two brothers end up finding a magical game in the basement which sends them into space.

So this is the lesser known sequel to Jumanji, its very similar in that it’s about two siblings who find a game and it ends up sending all things chaotic until they complete it. This one though is a space adventure with aliens and robots rather than wild animals. Yeah its very similar in the feel and story but it is a good adventure film with some humour as well as a little suspense. Yep this is another one that is fun for all the family to watch, its not amazing but it is really enjoyable and a good little story, and if you or your young ones like sci-fi stuff then you’ll probably like this one.

Rating: ***