Reviews by Kyle Ellis

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Fast, furious, zany and most importantly...fun!

Posted : 2 years, 7 months ago on 30 May 2022 03:10 (A review of The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!)

Leslie Nielson's death last November was a big shock to me. Sure he has been in some bad films, such as 2001:A Space Travesty, but he had also made some quintessential classics such as Airplane, the only film of his career I consider better than this, and the Naked Gun series, of which this is the best. Whatever the outcome of the film, that doesn't stop me from considering Nielson a comedy genius.

The Naked Gun:From the Files of Police Squad! is fast, furious, zany and most importantly, enormous fun film. While it looks great, is wonderfully directed, brilliantly paced with seldom a dull moment and has energetic music and a fun story, it is the humour and acting that really makes this film so good.

The dialogue is deliciously dry-witted, and the plentiful juvenile gags never cease to be hilarious. Nielson gives one of his career's best performances in a wonderfully deadpan characterisation as an likable inept character. The support performances from Priscilla Presley, George Kennedy and OJ Simpson are equally great, but special mention has to go to Riccardo Montalban who just oozes cool.

Overall, a hilarious film. Forget rubbish like Disaster Movie, 2001:A Space Travesty, Meet the Spartans and Epic Movie and watch the classic spoof movies like Young Frankenstein, Airplane, Galaxy Quest and this. You won't regret it! 10/10 Bethany Cox

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Almost as good as the best of Studio Ghibli

Posted : 2 years, 7 months ago on 30 May 2022 12:51 (A review of Wolf Children)

That does sound like a bold statement to make, but, while some of the first part of the film is rather rushed and the ending is inconclusive and literally begging for a few minutes longer, Wolf Children is as good a film as that. The best assets were the animation and the way the story is handled. The animation is absolutely fantastic, always have liked the anime style and Wolf Children is one of the best recent examples. The colours are both atmospheric and beautifully gentle, never bold or in your face but intimate-looking without being too twee-looking, while the backgrounds are exquisitely detailed and the characters move expressively.

The story may sound simple and twee reading the plot-line but is actually none of those things. It fills the running time almost perfectly and uses some very mature and relatable themes dealing with them in a way that's sensitive and beyond its years while also making it accessible for a wider audience(a quite difficult thing to do and Wolf Children does this better than most animated films). Not only this, but it is very emotionally powerful as well, plenty of scenes are cute but a lot of it is either charming or heart-wrenching without making it too dark. The script is pretty much the same, it doesn't ever sound childish nor does it sound over-complicated or preachy(considering the themes tackled these were and are very easy traps), none of it is enough to completely go over children's heads neither is any of it dumbed-down-sounding to adults.

I always look out for good music in a film, as a very keen musician and as someone studying classical singing. Wolf Children does have a good music score, no, a great music score, gentle and ethereal mostly but also with some rhythmically driven parts too, matching what's going on nuance for nuance. The characters are adorable but not in a sickly way while also engaging and distinct in personality, they are flawed but also easy to identify with. The voice work is beautifully delivered too and fit the characters and their personalities very well. Overall, a beautiful film that is almost as good as the best of Studio Ghibli. 9/10 Bethany Cox

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One word- BEAUTIFUL!

Posted : 2 years, 7 months ago on 30 May 2022 10:39 (A review of The Cat Returns)

I have this anime on DVD, and for me it is just stunning. i have also enjoyed Princess Mononoke and Castle of Cagliostro, but what makes this movie stand out for me is that it is so relaxing to watch.True, it is one of the weaker Ghibli efforts, but I think some of the criticisms are a little unfair. The only problem is that it is a little too short, only 75 minutes, but you'll love it anyway. the animation is beautiful, some lovely colours in the ballroom scene. The music was gorgeous, and being a singer I look out for this in every movie. The storyline while simple, is surprisingly well told, and is also fast-moving. The voice talents is where I have to make a confession. I have only watched the version with the English voices, which were a delight. Anne Hathaway voices Haru wonderfully, and there was a lot of screaming, I noticed. Likewise with Cary Elwes as the Baron, who was a sheer delight as the Baron, just perfect for the character. Peter Boyle and Elliot Gould were really funny, and their tongue-in-cheek dialogue was just inspirational. The Cat king isn't Tim Curry's finest voice over, but he was still delightful and at least he kept me entertained. All in all, a beautiful and charming fantasy film, that is recommended. 9/10. Bethany Cox

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She's kickin' ass... that's what she's doing.

Posted : 2 years, 7 months ago on 30 May 2022 10:06 (A review of Little Miss Sunshine)

Warning: Spoilers

Little Miss Sunshine is an evoking offbeat family comedy drama.

It includes bad characterization, sub-par dialogue and odd scenes, but I still consider it a great film, with stuff that holds true and brings about joy. Kinnear and adorable little Breslin star, along with quality performances by Collette and Arkin.

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9. Wolverine

Posted : 2 years, 7 months ago on 30 May 2022 09:00 (A review of Wolverine)

First Appearance: Incredible Hulk #180
Best Writer: Chris Claremont
Best Artist: Joe Madureira

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2. Spider-Man

Posted : 2 years, 7 months ago on 30 May 2022 08:57 (A review of Spider-Man)

First Appearance: Amazing Fantasy #15
Best Writer: Stan Lee
Best Artist: Steve Ditko

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8. Morpheus

Posted : 2 years, 7 months ago on 30 May 2022 08:53 (A review of Dream of the Endless/Morpheus)

First Appearance: The Sandman #1
Best Writer: Neil Gaiman
Best Artist: Dave McKean

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24. Judge Dredd

Posted : 2 years, 7 months ago on 30 May 2022 08:50 (A review of Judge Dredd)

First Appearance: 2000 AD #2
Best Writer: John Wagner
Best Artist: Carlos Ezquerra

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18. The Thing

Posted : 2 years, 7 months ago on 30 May 2022 08:04 (A review of The Thing )

First Appearance: The Fantastic Four #1
Best Writer: Stan Lee
Best Artist: Jack Kirby

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11. JESSE CUSTER (Preacher)

Posted : 2 years, 7 months ago on 30 May 2022 05:49 (A review of Jesse Custer)

You know that old saying, men want to be him and women want to bed him? Usually it's applied to James Bond, but it really should refer exclusively to Jesse Custer, the anchor of Garth Ennis' masterpiece, Preacher. In a comic filled with extraordinary supporting characters, Ennis and the artist Steve Dillon had to work some to make sure that the title character stood out. Jesse is at once a throwback to the good ol' days of the Wild West, a rootin', tootin', ready-with-his-fists guy, ready to do what's right and stand up for what he believes in. He communes with the ghost of John Wayne and looks like Jim Morrison took to the church. But he's also - and this is the clever part - one of the most noble, romantic characters in modern comics, with almost everything he does motivated by love, friendship and self-sacrifice: love for his girlfriend, Tulip, and the friendship of his Irish vampire chum, Cassidy. Almost everything else, like his desire to find God and punish him, is driven by dismay at the state of the modern world. Controversial, but understandable. Oh, and he even looks great with an eyepatch.

Trademarks: For a man of God, Jesse Custer has something of the devil in him – he's a drinkin', smokin', cussin' ex-preacher with a taste for pleasures of the flesh. He also happens to be possessed by Genesis, the enormously powerful offspring of an angel and a demon that gives him the ability to make anyone do what he says.

On Screen: There was talk of a Preacher movie for more than a decade – Sam Mendes was one of the filmmakers attached – but it finally burst to life on Amazon Prime with [Link removed - login to see] donning the cloth for four seasons as the classic comic book antihero.

Did You Know?: Jesse turns against the hypocrisy of the church after a chance encounter with comedian Bill Hicks.

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