Reviews by Kyle Ellis

I have often seen this compared to Jumanji, just for the record I love them both equally. About Zathura:A Space Adventure, as a family movie it is truly excellent. True, the role of the sister is rather clichéd, but a lot makes you not worry so much about it. Jon Favreau's direction is excellent, and the sense of childlike wonder featured so prominently here is delightful. There is a witty script, a highly imaginative story and a great fix of fun, scares and poignancy, it was wonderful to hear Frank Oz as the voice of the robot, Jonah Boo and Josh Hutcherson make a great duo and Dax Sheppard's astronaut provides the touching moment of the film, that of the revelation of his true identity. What made Zathura:A Space Adventure so good especially were the fantastic production values, a soundtrack that fitted perfectly with the film's tone and the gripping action. Overall, just great. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Part of me did want to see the first 'Police Academy' film for a while now, but the bad reputations of the sequels and that the style of humour 'Police Academy' has has been done really badly elsewhere that it did admittedly put me off.

Seeing all the films recently, for curiosity and giving the benefit of the doubt, while the sequels are really not good on the most part the original 'Police Academy' is and is rightly considered the best of the series. 'Police Academy' is never going to be one of my favourite films, and won't be in my list of favourite comedies any time soon, but, taking it for what it is and what it set out to do, it entertained for most of the just over an hour and a half running time.

It is a bit hit and miss in places, not all the jokes work (most do though), due to going a little too heavily on the childish and cheap low-brow factors. That said, nothing is distasteful at least, nothing makes you want to gag or make you go to the bathroom and throw up copiously (which is more than can be said for stuff like 'Freddy Got Fingered' and the worst of Adam Sandler).

'Police Academy's' story is rather thin, with less eventful parts leaving some rather draggy stretches, and gets a bit silly. Kim Catrall does a good job being sexy and sassy but she is given little to do and the film didn't seem to know what to do with her.

However, 'Police Academy' is competently made visually, not stunning but hardly cheap. The setting looks good too and is well utilised. The soundtrack is catchy and infectious, fitting the tone perfectly.

While it has been said that not everything in the humour works, most of it does, the crudeness is mostly not overdone and the silliness is mostly endearing. Much of the dialogue is hilarious and there are set pieces that raise at least a couple of big belly laughs, the highlights being the speech scene (absolutely hilarious and to me the single best and funniest scene of the whole 'Police Academy' series) and the scenes with Copeland and Blankes.

Steve Guttenberg seems to be really enjoying himself, and is a fun and amiable presence. Easy to see why his role here made him a star at the time, even if somewhat briefly. George Gaynes is a hoot and GW Bailey is suitably hard nosed, which provides some entertaining conflict. Everyone else is fine too.

Overall, good fun film that never tries to be more than it is and knows what it wants to be. Hit and miss perhaps, but when it hits man isn't it entertaining. 7/10 Bethany Cox

Totally should've won at least some of the awards it was nominated for! A very different adventure story with lots of adorable characters, more truths and the epic Emperor Palpatine! I love all the majestic forest aspects. Still crazy to me that they filmed so many parts especially the chases. The bulk of this art in cinema is done so well and always entertaining. Quite lovable many years later and not many movies have that kind of force!

So much amazing action and beautiful cinematography makes for such an enlightening experience! In The Empire Strikes Back you know who everyone is which is great plus Yoda is introduced! I love this movie the music is soothing, there's romance, more of Darth Vader, and introduces Emperor Palpatine what more can you ask for? A lot to relish and get excited about; it's such a classic gem.

"A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away..."

Pre review:

Its writing started in January 1973, "eight hours a day, five days a week", George Lucas said by taking small notes, inventing odd names and assigning them possible characterization... After many drafts, he finally came to a satisfactory conclusion.

Then, Lucas presented Star Wars to the United Artists, but they refused to budget the film, so he went to Universal Pictures, the studio that financed American Graffiti; however, it was rejected, as the film concept was "too strange".

Suddenly, Alan Ladd Jr -head of 20th Century Fox- appeared, a man that trusted in Lucas' genius. And that's how Star Wars became a reality.

The shooting of the movie was full of mishaps, problems with practical effects never done before, a bad first edit of the movie, but that didn't stop George from fulfilling his Space Opera. Due to those setbacks, Fox Studios began to put pressure on Lucas to finish the movie. Finally, the movie was done. On the eve of Star Wars release, 20th Century Fox, George Lucas and his cast and crew braced themselves for the worse. One way or another, May 25, 1977 would be a day they would never forget...

Review:

Star Wars is a modern tale of mythic adventure. It follows the journey and growth of the protagonist: Luke Skywalker. His journey of discovery is set amidst a larger struggle between the Empire and the Rebel Alliance; both parties are embroiled in a civil war. The Empire is comprised of corrupted power within a small group of leaders. These sullied leaders abuse their power over the masses with impunity. It is oppression and repression of the masses. The Empire wants to destroy the hope of the rebellion to ensure the small group of leaders can keep their power...

One of the most important features of the movie are the special effects. The use motion control was even superior to Stanley Kubrick's revolutionary masterpiece: "2001: A Space Odyssey" thanks to the creation of The Dykstraflex, the first digital motion control photography camera system developed for Star Wars on 1976. Along with an incredibly iconographic character and production design, the movie became stylistically unique.

The story and the characters are original and relatable. R2-D2 and C-3PO: the astromech as the optimistic adventurer's desiring to move forward. In direct opposition C-3PO, the protocol droid filled with doubt and reservations. Luke Skywalker, the brave hero, often haunted by doubts and hopes about his future journey. Obi-Wan Kenobi, the wise master and moral guidance of our hero. Han Solo, the rebellious smuggler whose personality represents tenacity. Leia, the damsel "in distress", a fearsome princess and general. Finally, Darth Vader, the most iconic character in the franchise, the merciless tyrant in a black suit, representing evil and final conflict of the journey.

The film score presents an emotional resonance trough a romantic 1930s Hollywood orchestral score that was commissioned for composer John Williams, who succeeded to create a haunting constellation of operatic leitmotifs.

The visual composition is authentic, as Lucas wanted a nostalgic "filtered look" so he kept changing key lights for a "flashing" effect. He used a loose, "nervous" frame, as in newsreels. The dramatic center was displaced, deflecting the eye to background activity, which in later films would include poetically changing weather. This first film gradually turned darker, following a symbolic color scheme where organic brown and warm gold yielded to high-tech black, white, and steely gray." This is authenticity is reflected in it's most iconic shot: the 'Binary Sunset' sequence, which establishes the narrative through-line of the story and the world it takes place in, the main value of the scene lies in how powerfully and economically it develops Luke's character: As the suns begin to slowly sink in the evening sky, he gazes towards the horizon, his sense of longing for something more is palpable. Taking things further, he goes on to squint into the distance as if he could see his new future just out of reach, and for the first time we get to see him not as a kid, but for as a new hope.

Books such as "The hero with a thousand faces" by Joseph Campbell structured the story, The War of Vietnam inspired the battle between the Rebels and the Empire, the lifestyle of buddhist monks characterized the Jedi, real shots of warplanes made the space battles real, Kendo foreshadowed the epic lightsaber duel, Akira Kurosawa's storytelling influenced the focus on minor characters, Fritz Lang's it's iconic protocol droid and John Ford westerns determined it's soul.The fascination with filmmaking and anthropology are the components that allowed Star Wars to be compelling and human, besides being located on a galaxy far, far away.

10/10

This adaptation of the much-loved book, is surprisingly good entertainment, that is a little short. The book was one of my favourites when I was little, and I loved the fact they added a couple of touches.

The only other criticism I have is the rather annoying title song. It was beautifully sung by a young Bonnie Langford but the tune got on my sister's nerves, when she herself watched it.

The acting is very good, if a little pantomime. Likewise with the songs, written by the acclaimed Don Black. Fairuza Balk is really cute as Mildred, bringing back memories from return to Oz. Diana Rigg is a suitably frosty Miss Hardbroom, and she is what I would imagine the character. Charlotte Rae and Anna Kipling are also amusing in their turns as Miss Cackle/Agatha and Ethel Hallow. My favourite was Tim Curry as the Grand wizard, he was just amazing, and the Halloween song was actually the main reason why this movie should be watched, because they matched the lyrics exactly.

I have it on VHS. It is a little grainy, but it's because it's second hand. Watch it, and let your children watch it! They'll thank you! 8/10 Bethany Cox

One of the common themes on my "favorite movies of all time" list is the ability of a film to be genre-diverse without being generic (or in other words, do everything it bites off well). "Us" is one of those rare experiences, as it expertly combines horror, drama, comedy, and social messaging with equally strong cinematography, acting, and music. In short, one more could a single film hope to provide the viewer?

For a very basic overview, "Us" opens with young Adelaide (Madison Curry) having a traumatic experience at the Santa Cruz beach boardwalk. Flashing forward years into the future, Adelaide (Lupita Nyong'o) and husband Gabe (Winston Duke) are vacationing in the same area with children Jason (Evan Alex) and Zora (Shahadi Wright Joseph). What starts as a pretty typical middle-class family vacation quickly takes a dark turn when a family shows up in the driveway of their getaway bungalow in the middle of the night. The Wilsons quickly discover that this mystery family is a doppelgänger of their own unit--but in a dark, twisted way.

No matter what setting writer/director Jordan Peele uses in "Us", it is a joy to behold. He is a master at not letting a single moment go to waste and very much knows how to balance intense drama with subtly-placed social messaging while also featuring some humor to break the tension when necessary. There was never a moment during my viewing where I was not engaged by either the plot or characters.

Besides those landmark tenets, the atmosphere created by the acting, visuals, and music/sound creates even more immersion. Many shots in "Us" are iconic (girl with the red apple, doppelgänger with the scissors, etc.), and the music's swelling orchestral riffs and utilization of hip-hop's "I Got 5 On It" are also unique. The acting across the board is exceptional, with each of the leads portraying dual roles with uncanny precision. Talents like Elisabeth Moss and Tim Heidecker are even used in supporting roles, if that says anything about the star power here.

It is somewhat ironic that Peele would go on to helm a Twilight Zone reboot, as the plot of "Us" plays out like the best of Rod Serling's classic originals. Supremely entertaining in all fashions, with a revelation at the end that makes one re-contextualize the entire experience. Peele does not hammer home the social messaging here at any specific point, instead opting to seed the entire film with it and then provide the watering can in the final moments. Pure genius, from a storytelling perspective.

Overall, I consider "Us" to be one of the most well-rounded films ever made. It engages all the senses, is extremely entertaining, and also makes one think on a deeper level than most movies of similar ilk. Cinema at its finest.

While I can see "Pearl" not being for everybody, this was the surprise film of the year for me after the take-it-or-leave-it "X".

Mia Goth especially turns in an Oscar worthy performance as the lead, bringing a devastating sense of humanity to -for all intents and purposes- a despicable character. Also worthy of praise is Tandi Wright, who plays a trapped and unsupportive mother that keeps Pearl underneath her thumb. As the movie unfolds, the growing sense of tension between the two could make anybody who grew up with strict parents stomach churn.

Without going into any further plot details, the reason why I still go to the theaters is to try and discover/ experience films like this on the big screen. Everything is impeccably shot, down to the color pallete that emulates many classic technicolor movies. The script is also tight and well written. While I don't know if "X" superfans would love this entry in the trilogy, I'd think fans of character-focused films would find a lot to like here. One thing's for sure though: this is going to be a tough act to follow for the final entry, "MaXXXine".

10/10.

In style of older classics, like Texas chainsaw, comes this 2020s modern horror. You can love it or hate it, this movie is not so popular without a reason - and you've already seen it, or at least you will.

Even though I gave it the highest score, it has flaws, in terms of story in general... it's a bit underwhelming. But actors are all great, style is outstanding... horror movie lovers will enjoy it for that alone. In the last few years there aren't a lot of horror movies that deserve classic status, maybe around dozen since the beginning of 2020s. This one is among those.

This movie is fantastic. plain and simple. Brandon Lee delivers his lines to the point they were instantly memorable after seeing the film only once. The casting of both Michael Wincott and Tony Todd was inspired as these two guys have two of the most instantly recognisable voices in the movie industry. If i could ever be a movie or a lead in a film this would be it. I was initially put off the idea of the movie as i am a big fan of the graphic novel and there was an awful lot of hype around this film on its release. this proved to be my loss as i have only seen the film on the small screen. however i now have the 2 disc special edition DVD and watched it 3 times in succession the day i bought it and must have watched it at least 100 times since. my own personal opinion is that a movie should suspend disbelief, capture the imagination which this does in spades. it is truly a film that you can lose a couple of hours watching and at the end feel like you have spent a worthwhile couple of hours. would recommend this to anybody.