Ryan's Movie Blog: October 2016

Thursday, 27 October 2016

Movie Review: Inferno (2016)

Hello All,

I’m really fucking exhausted. I know I’ve said this before, but at the time of writing this, I basically woke up at 5am, and have not stopped moving since. My brain is sputtering, and it’s taking me forever to write this I’m typing so slowly. So let’s do this quick shall we?

Plot Summary - After waking up in a hospital, and suffering from Amnesia, Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) finds himself caught in a deadly plan to release a virus that would kill half the world’s population.

Pros - The cast is pretty solid in this. I really want to mention Felicity Jones as a particular favourite of this.

Cons - Which is amazing because good lord they give her barely anything to work with. I don’t know how much of the book they changed for the movie, but in an effort I guess to try and make it more appealing to a mainstream audience the story just gets riddled with plot holes, secondary characters that are basically useless, and so much padding in the form of exposition riddled flashbacks that explains twists you can see coming from miles away. Not to mention the movies biggest twist which is such a hand wave explanation that I physically leaned over to my friend I saw the movie with and called bullshit.

Final Score - 1/10

I hate this movie. It’s bland, meaningless mush, and it’s just so terribly written it’s basically pointless.

Next: I’m going on Vacation. From Nov 1st to November 10th I will be out of town visiting relatives. So no wide release movies until I get there, as I will (try to) post at least two reviews while I’m down there. There will be a Halloween Special Review, so keep an eye out for that.

Links:

Last Review is Here: The last one was also for a sequel. How did that one fair? You can read that here.

Twitter Account is Here: You’ll get notices when the reviews are live as soon as I post them, plus any trailers, movie news, or updates on when I stream on Twitch. I’m always looking for new followers, and with more followers means more ways for you guys to contribute.

NEW!!! Suggestion Box is Here: Are you sick of gaps in my posts? Why not suggest a film or film series for me to watch? Suggestions will be completed in order received, and if you’d like to leave your name for a suggestion credit and anything you’d like me to promote (within reason) I’d be happy to do that too. This suggestion box will be a permanent fixture of the blog, as again I’d love any and all help you guys want to offer.

Twitch Channel is Here: I’ll admit, I don’t quite have a regular streaming schedule worked out, but if you follow either the Twitter account or the channel directly you will be notified whenever I go live.

Until next time, I’ll see you folks at the movies.

Saturday, 22 October 2016

Movie Review: Ouija Origin of Evil (2016)

Hello All,

Normally I don’t see the sequels without seeing the first film, but from what I’ve read and heard about the first film, the consensus was that it was pretty shit. Now I haven’t seen it, nor do I plan too, but hearing that it was getting a prequel truly didn’t interest me. Not until, admittedly, I saw that it was getting surprisingly good reviews. Since this is a prequel however, I decided it was worth checking out. So how did this unexpected prequel do? Let’s find out together shall we?

Plot Summary - Set in the 60’s, when the fortune telling Zander family get themselves a Ouija board as part of their act, they unknowingly invite an en evil presence into their house.

Pros - The film overall is surprisingly really good. The cast is great especially Lulu Wilson as Doris, the younger daughter, who's basically the anchor of the film. The film captures the sixties style, and actually uses the setting to great effect. The horror is tense, and plays out slowly and methodically. The jump scares are thankfully few, so they’re more effective when they do pop up.

Cons - I will say that for as much as I like this movie, there are a couple of things I need to note. Firstly, the way the basic explanation of what’s been happening is done in the last third as an exposition dump. The way it’s setup too is confusing unless you really think about it. The ending might also seem a bit weird if you don’t know anything about the first film.

Final Score - 9/10

If you’re not a big fan of endings you have to think about it at all, this is not the film for you. Otherwise it’s a surprisingly tense and creepy as hell film.

Next: Inferno - That’ll be Thursday, unless I decide to work up the courage to see, and I can’t believe I’m saying…………..Tyler Perry’s Boo! A Madea Halloween…….may the lord have mercy on me.

Links:

Last Review is Here: I tried to keep up with the last movie, was it worth it though? You can read that here.

Until next time, I’ll see you folks at the movies.

Friday, 21 October 2016

Movie Review: Keeping Up With The Joneses (2016)

Hello All,

I’ve had a pretty shit day. I know I complained about being tired last time, but once again I am going to keep this short. I really don’t know how to introduce this one either. I’ll admit it’s nice to see a new spy franchise, especially on the more lighthearted side. Sure we had Spy, but this one tried to shake it up a bit. So how did it do? Let’s find out together shall we?

Plot Summary - When the Gaffneys (Zach Galifianakis, Isla Fisher) meet their new neighbours the Joneses (Jon Hamm, Gal Gadot), all seems well until they learn that their new neighbours are more than meets they eye, and become embroiled in a dangerous espionage plot.

Pros - The main cast is the best thing about this movie. As individual couples their chemistry mixes well, and as a group they hold up for the most part. The comedy hits a few notes, and for the most part it plays along at a decent pace.

Cons - Overall, the film feels strangely flat. There’s a gem of a good idea in this film that just feels squandered on trying to keep it simple. Interesting parts get brushed over quickly as exposition, and great ideas are just not utilized at all.

Final Score - 3/10

I debated giving it a 4, for being underwhelming, but it really does grind me how much good stuff got wasted in this film.

Next: Ouija Origin of Evil - For real this time, I just had to delay it due to a scheduling issue.

Links:

Last Review is Here: Speaking of short reviews, the last one was short as well. You can read that one here.

Until next time, I’ll see you folks at the movies.

Thursday, 20 October 2016

Movie Review: Jack Reacher Never Go Back (2016)

Hello All,

It’s really late at the time of writing this and I’m really tired, so I’m going to keep this brief. I think a big enough group of us remember Tom Cruise’s first foray into the Jack Reacher a few years back, and the studio and Cruise both took enough notice that they decided to make a sequel based on another one of the books. So how does this one hold up in comparison? Let’s find out together shall we?

Plot Summary - After traveling across the country for four years, Jack Reacher (Tom Cruise) returns to his old military headquarters to visit the new commander Major Turner (Cobie Smulders). When he arrives and finds out she’s been arrested on espionage charges, he sets out to find the truth.

Pros - The cast is good, and Cruise and Smulders make a good onscreen pair. The action scenes are great as well, and the film’s cinematography is solid as well.

Cons - The plot is forgettable, and it’s full of cliches and moments you can see coming from a mile away.

Final Score - 5/10

I’m sorry this one’s so short. It’s simply just a case of I’ve seen this type of movie many times over and while this one’s not the worst, it’s not going to be anyone’s favorite either.

Next: Ouija Origin of Evil - It’s getting really good reviews, which is surprising since the other one really didn’t.

Links:

Last Review is Here: My previous film was about a young lizard’s love affair with downtown Tokyo. You can read about that here.

Until next time, I’ll see you folks at the movies.

Wednesday, 19 October 2016

Movie Review: Shin Godzilla (2016)

Hello All,

I’m sorry for the quiet week, truth be told I have vacation plans coming up and it’s been a bit of a dry week here. So imagine my surprise when I found out the newest Japanese Godzilla movie was getting a limited release. I actually found out about three days prior to writing this, but I wasn’t sure if I was going to make it on time, hence why I didn’t really announce it until I was in the theatre. Now we all remember the 2014 American Godzilla, and the overall (I’d say) mixed feelings about it. Now personally, I liked it, but it’s definitely flawed. So how does a new iteration from its home country hold up in comparison? Let’s find out together shall we?

Plot Summary - When an abandoned boat is found in Tokyo Bay, a creature attacks it and damages a nearby bridge as well, flooding it. When the government prepares to handle the situation and figure out it’s cause, Secretary Rando Yaguchi (Hiroki Hasegawa) suggest it might be from an undersea creature. When he is proven right, and the creature starts causing chaos and destruction onshore, he is put in charge of a task force dedicated to figuring how to stopped the creature they later call, Godzilla.

Pros - This is going to be another one of those situations where it’s easier for me to say I simply enjoyed everything about this movie. It’s basically an updated version of the kind of Kaiju (Giant Monster) films they used to make, that puts a greater emphasis on the Human element, while also making the Kaiju interesting and in this case extremely awesome. Godzilla looks amazing, and he is in full Godzilla mode throughout. They do some cool things with him as well, and the film is more grounded in terms of how they deal with him as a threat. The film is also a parody of itself at points, while also acting as a kind of love letter to the franchise’s history, and even touching on some of Japan’s greatest disasters, both past and present. It’s presentation is interesting as well, as it shows the film from great angles, and covers viewpoints on all sides of the conflict surrounding the plan on how to with Godzilla. This might honestly be the smartest Godzilla movie of the franchise.

Cons - The only thing that I will comment on is that the editing at times can come off as Hyperkinetic at times. I feel personally they did it as a way to show how hectic certain parts of the situation feel to the characters, but it can come off as excessive to some.

Final Score - 10/10

Honestly, I had a blast. I had high hopes going in, they were meet at the start, and it never faltered.

Next: Jack Reacher Never Go Back - So there are four new movies this week, and this one looks the most interesting of the lot.

Last Review is Here: The last film was for the only film that came out to wide release last weekend. You can read that here.

Until next time, I’ll see you folks at the movies.

Saturday, 15 October 2016

Movie Review: The Accountant (2016)

Hello All,

Sorry this took me so long, it’s been a rough couple of days. I think I’m just going to go straight to the review with this one, so let’s do this shall we?

Plot Summary - Christian Wolff (Ben Affleck) is an autistic mathematics savant, who works at a small town CPA office as a cover for his work for dangerous criminal organizations. When he takes on a legitimate client however and finds a discrepancy in their files, a bigger conspiracy begins to unravel.

Pros - Ben Affleck is great as Christian, and the rest of the cast is great as well. The film itself is interesting as it tries to be part mystery, part thriller, and part action film. It manages to find a pretty good balance between all these, while keeping them all interesting as well. It also avoids a few moments that could have been extremely cliche in these types of films.

Cons - That being said, there are few cliche moments. There’s also a few times you can see things coming also. As much as I like the different elements of this film, if you’re expecting more of one than another, you might be disappointed. The main plot of the story itself might also seem a bit simplistic at times.

Final Score - 8/10

I enjoyed this film quite a lot, and I do recommend seeing it sooner rather than later.

Next:……….. Yeah, so this was the only film around here that really came out this week. I’m going to try and find something, but I don’t know what it’ll be yet, so stay tuned.

Links:

Last Review is Here: Last film I saw was highly regarded at film festivals, but how did it fair past that? You can read that here.

Until next time, I’ll see you folks at the movies.

Tuesday, 11 October 2016

Movie Review: The Birth of a Nation (2016)

Hello All,

If you’re wondering why I had to clarify which version of the film I was talking about, I’d advise you to google it, because once you learn what the first film with that name is all about, you’ll understand why I don’t want to draw any attention to it.

Although, I truly don’t think this will be my biggest problem with this review. No, my biggest problem might be with my credibility, considering what I’m about to say about this film. Now I’m never one to stray from the truth, but this is going to be one of those times where I might be in the minority on this one. So what is this film about, and how did it fair? Let’s find out together shall we?

Plot Summary - Slave Nat Turner (Nate Parker), who's been reading the bible since he was a child, becomes a preacher for plantation owners looking to control their slaves. However, when he finds he can no longer tolerate the idea of slavery, he begins a revolt to free as many as slaves as he can.

Pros - The film is an astonishingly well made. The cinematography is amazing, and you can tell the film was made with a passion. The cast is pretty solid for the most part also.

Cons - Here’s the overall problem with the film. It’s more of a documentary about Nat, then what he was know for. While there’s nothing wrong with that, it just feels like sometimes what the subject of the film is known for, is more interesting than the subject itself. The film this most reminds me of is Wyatt Earp from 1994. The first time I saw that film, I didn’t even realize until the film was almost over that they gunfight at the OK Corral was barely 5 minutes long. The rest of the film sadly felt like padding. It truly saddens me that this is the best comparison I can make in regards to this film.

Final Score - 5/10

This is probably one of the biggest disappointments for me this year. If you want to see it, I’d say go for it, otherwise if you had no interest, I’d say don’t bother.

Next - The Accountant: Will this break the streak of highly anticipated disappointments?

Links:

Last Review is Here: This one was an unexpected surprise. Find out what that is here.

Until next time, I’ll see you folks at the movies.

Monday, 10 October 2016

Movie Review: Batman Return of the Caped Crusaders (2016)

Hello All,

So, the second unexpected movie for me this week. Although with this one I’m embarrassed to admit, I learned about it yesterday, but I didn’t think to mark it down in case I wasn’t able to make it out to see it. Luckily, despite an insane amount of bad weather, I was able to make it out to see it. For those of you who don’t know the basic premise, It’s the new animated film based on the 1960’s batman series. That series was known for being more lighthearted in its approach to the material. Now, this does lead to the question, how would an animated version of a 60’s Batman show stand up in an era of a more darker version? Let’s find out together shall we?

Plot Summary - When Batman’s (Adam West) greatest foes team up to terrorize Gotham City, he and his trusty sidekick Robin (Burt Ward) must swing into action and save the city and the day.

Pros - Honestly, I seriously enjoyed every aspect of this movie. The animation is fantastic, the cast is fantastic, and it’s just honestly hilarious in it’s representation of the material. It’s appeals to both fans of the 60’s show, and it provides something different for anyone looking to get away from the darker side of batman we’ve seen so much of lately.

Cons - If you go in expecting a serious batman film, you’re going to be gravely disappointed.

Final Score - 10/10

Honestly, this is probably one of the best films I’ve seen in quite some time. If it’s playing around you I’d say see it, or if you wait you can get the DVD soon enough.

Links:

Last Review is Here: Speaking of unexpected review, so was the last review. You can read that here.

Until next time, I’ll see you folks at the movies.

Sunday, 9 October 2016

Movie Review: Middle School The Worst Years of My Life (2016)

Hello All,

So this was an unexpected plan for me. A friend of mine at work wanted to see this movie, so he asked if I wanted to tag along. I decided why not (especially since I didn’t have to cover the tickets), and so we went to see it. Now I think most of us are going to agree that this movie will not set the world on fire, lord knows the Young Adult genre needs help nowadays. Middle School at least looks different in the sense that it’s set in a modern day setting. So it’s easy to see at least a potential genre stand out if handled correctly. So does Middle School at least try to stand out? Let’s find out together shall we?

Plot Summary - When Rafe Khatchadorian (Griffin Gluck) transfers to yet another new school, he immediately clashes with Principal Dwight (Andy Daly). When Dwight destroys Rafe’s artbook, Rafe decides to destroy Dwight’s rulebook one rule at a time.

Pros - The stand out thing in the film by far is the animated sequences. They’re basically Rafe’s interpretation of the things going on around him, which actually ties into the film’s biggest and best plot point, which I’m actually not going to reveal here. There’s also a handful of funny moments as well, and the cast is okay.

Cons - This is another tragic case of kids film made by committee. There’s just so many pandering jokes, buzzwords, cliche moments, adult jokes that are just for the adults that no child would ever get, and almost anything else you can think of. Most of the characters are extremely one dimensional and almost all of the humour falls flat, makes no sense, or are just jokes that go on for way too long.

Final Score - 2/10

I really, truly, wanted to go up a point or two because of the insanely good plot point and animation, but I honestly cannot condone these tired, and lazy, kid/young adult films.

Next: Birth of a Nation - I’m really looking forward to this one. It’ll be either Tuesday or Wednesday.

Links:

Last Review is Here: The last film was for one I was quite looking forward to. You can read that one here.

Suggestion Box is Here: Are you sick of gaps in my posts? Why not suggest a film or film series for me to watch? Suggestions will be completed in order received, and if you’d like to leave your name for a suggestion credit and anything you’d like me to promote (within reason) I’d be happy to do that too. This suggestion box will be a permanent fixture of the blog, as again I’d love any and all help you guys want to offer.

Until Next Time, I’ll see you folks at the movies.