Friday: Working For The Weekend

Summary

Craig, played by Ice Cube, and Smokey, played by Chris Tucker, run into trouble when they get on the wrong side of their local drug dealer.

I know a lot of people really like this film, and I have been meaning to watch it for some time. After watching it I can see the appeal, the film is quite effortlessly funny and has characters that both make you laugh and smile but also that you can relate to. Everyone has known someone like these guys before, and as such the experience of watching this film feels like spending time with your friends.

There are also quite a number of funny and well developed side characters that helped the world to feel full and lived in. There is constantly something funny going on and that helps the film to feel lively which helps to stop any pacing issues. In terms of wider narrative I thought the film was fine, yes the story has been done before and since, but the laughs and the characters more than make up for the overly familiar story and give you a reason to stick with it.

Overall, a lot of fun.

4/5

Pros.

Cube

Tucker

The side characters and world

It is very funny

Cons.

The story is a little familiar

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The Other Woman: This Is Why Cameron Diaz Needed To Retire

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

A pair of women, played by Cameron Diaz and Leslie Maan, find out that they have been cheated on and so team up to try and take down their ex, played by Nikolaj Coster-Waldau.

When considering films like this you can see why Cameron Diaz retired. If her return in years to come leads to more films like this being made than the landscape as a whole will be a worse place for it.

There was nothing of any charm of warmth about this film. If anything there were lines so unpleasant and off putting that I almost turned it off. Take if you will a scene in which Diaz’s character is talking to her assistant, played by a robotic Nicki Minaj, wherein they talk about there being no issue with Diaz sleeping with married men so long as she can ‘take them’. Now, before you say it, yes this attitude has been in many male driven rom-coms before so isn’t anything new, and this is at the start of the film wherein the character still needs to work on themselves, however, whether it was a man or a woman saying this it is still a dick move. The whole conversation, which is fairly early on, doesn’t do anything to make you like Diaz’s character really quite the opposite.

Moreover, the film tries to cut a feminist silhouette of having the women realising they should be helping and uplifting each other rather than fighting over a man, which is a good message. Although it is quickly undercut as Diaz’s character just begins a new romance, which then makes the idea of her not needing a man to be happy, which the film really tries to run with, feeling hollow. I think the film would have been better if after defeating the ex Diaz’s character ended the film single but open to the idea of trusting a man again. That would feel more true to me at least.

Overall, this film wasn’t enjoyable to watch at all and at times felt like it was forcing my hand to the off button, and I like rom-coms.

0/5

Pros.

None

Con.

Diaz is unlikeable

It is contrived and overly familiar

It tires to land a feminist message but is way off course

The ending contrasts the whole point of the film

Nicki Minaj can’t act and shouldn’t be given any roles in the future.

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The Mandalorian: The Return

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

The battle for Mandalore intensifies.

I think this episode did a lot to make the season better, was it enough to make up for some of the midseason episodes that were utterly awful? No probably not. However, I thought there were enough cheer worthy moments to get you back on board with the series here.

I really liked that this episode gave Din, played by Pedro Pascal, real time to shine and let him be a badass and have long drawn out action sequences. Moreover, I liked his reaction when the elite Imperial trooper were about to kill Grogu, you can tell that he thinks of him as a son it is very endearing. As was the scene wherein Grogu saves his adoptive parents from certain death with a force bubble, I must admit I teared up a little in that moment.

Of course I also enjoyed Din finally formally adopting Grogu as his own son and the two of them heading back off together to carry out new adventures of their own, I think it is both a good ending for their arc at the end of the season as well as a good set up so the next season can be better.

The one thing I would criticise this episode for was how it handled the return of Moff Gideon, played by Giancarlo Esposito. They got it wrong in so many different ways, firstly by saving him to so late in the season there was not enough time to set up what his evil masterplan was as such the cloning thing really did fall flat. Secondly, though they tried to make him more physical here to try and match Din, you really had to suspend your disbelief to go along with that as clearly he was a bad fighter yet he was getting in some licks that he really shouldn’t have been able to logically. Thirdly, they gave him a rushed death with little to no acknowledgement of the fact that the series major antagonist has just died, it is all very much okay on to the next thing.

Overall, the action and the Din and Grogu feels make up for the incredibly wasted Moff Gideon. Lets hope next season will be better.

4/5

Pros.

Din and Grogu saving each other

Din getting action scene to shine in again

The action

The ending of the episode and where it leaves things for next season

Cons.

They really waste Moff Gideon

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Air: Born In The USA

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

A film about the making of the Air Jordan

If this film proves nothing else it proves that Ben Affleck is a hell of a director. Whilst I wouldn’t say this is perhaps to the same level as Argo I would say it was a very fun film that worked on pretty much every level.

I found more than enough to like about the plot to keep me engaged even though I am not interested in Basketball. The business aspects of the film felt almost like classic Sorkin, and I thought that the scenes between Damon’s character and Davis’ character wherein they discussed Jordan’s future with Nike were easily the best of the film.

In a lot of the more dialogue heavy scenes the terrific performances that Affleck is able to get out of his cast really come through. Not only were the previously mentioned Affleck, Damon and Davis great, but I also really liked Chris Tucker and Jason Bateman. Bateman in particular had a number of really strong dramatic scenes that connected with me emotionally, in particular his scene about how his daughter only wants to see him because he can give her shoes.

However, the feather in this film’s cap is its soundtrack. All of the Eighties hits that you could possibly want are featured here at every turn and it is glorious and helps the film to feel lively and keep you engaged.

My one complaint of the film would be that, as is so often the case, the pacing isn’t good. Like with many modern films this out stays its welcome and would have been a better film if it was shortened.

Overall, bar the pacing issues a great film and a directorial comeback for Affleck, though I personally liked Live By Night.

4/5

Pros.

The business scenes are really sharp

Everyone is bringing their A game

The soundtrack

The unexpected emotion

Cons.

The pacing issues

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The Mandalorian: The Spies

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

The Mandalorian people return to their home world, meanwhile Moff Gideon, played by Giancarlo Esposito, returns from the shadows.

I think fairly easily the best thing about this episode is the return of Moff Gideon and the tease of not only Thrawn but all of these other wider Imperial factions out there in the galaxy. I never thought I would say it but the set up this episode does for how the Empire turns into the First Order actually made me like the sequel trilogy just a little bit more.

I also appreciated that this episode had a direction and didn’t feel like a side quest designed to kill time. The series now feels like it is leading to something again, which is nice as up until this point this most recent season felt directionless.

The action was well done and I enjoyed seeing all the Mandalorians fighting together, though I am slightly concerned for where things are going. I think considering Din was the only Mandalorian captured I am worried that the next episode will kill him off, which if so would prove that this whole season of the show has gone out of its way to reduce his role and replace him. In many senses the fact that Din went running in first also seems a little out of character, especially in the scenes before that he was shown at the back.

Overall, it is nice to see the series have a direction again but I am concerned for where things are heading.

3.5/5

Pros.

Seeing the Heirs to the Empire

The return of Gideon

Seeing all the Mandalorians fighting together

Grogu’s new mech suit

Cons.

Din’s future

Some of the decisions made no sense

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John Wick Chapter 4: One Man’s Ability To Fall Down Stairs And Get Hit By Cars With Barely A Scratch

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

John Wick’s story comes to a close.

Honestly, this film was a little disappointing to me. Not hugely so, but enough to be noticeable. Maybe I went in with too high expectations, or maybe the previous films set a standard so high that this film couldn’t match it.

I think my main issue with this film is that it spends a lot of its incredibly long run time, boy does this film have pacing issues, on fights. Now don’t get me wrong the fights are great as always, but instead of doubling down on the characters and the world and giving us more time with them they instead make each fight go on and on to the point where they become a little repetitive. Rather than have a ten minute long fight scene in front of a well known Parisian land mark, I would have rather it been five and we be given instead a flashback explaining how John, played by Keanu Reeves, came to know Caine, played by Donny Yen, and Koji, played by Hiroyuki Sanada.

However, it would be remiss to say that the film doesn’t give us any character/world development as it does in the form of introducing us to John’s family and also introducing a slew of new characters to the series. The film is at its best when the fighting stops and these characters are interacting, as oxymoronic as that might sound.

I thought the ending was appropriate, and gave John a fitting send off. Keanu Reeves as always was terrific and did a magnificent job with the physicality of the role, he truly is one of a kind as an actor. Going forward I could both see Wick coming back, in a faked his death sort of way, or him being gone for good. I would be happy either way. I would be quite interested to follow Akira, played by Rina Sawayama, in a spin-off and see some more new blood injected into the world.

Overall, good for sure but not as good as the previous films.

3.5/5

Pros.

The fights

The world building and the characters

The ending

Reeves

Cons.

I would have liked more character development and flashbacks

Pacing issues galore

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Kill Boksoon: Doing It All

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

Gil Bok-Soon, played by Jeon Do-yeon, must juggle both the responsibilities of raising a teenager whilst also being an assassin.

I thought this film had a lot going for it. It completely nails its tones fliting perfectly between humorous and deadly serious, whilst also managing to deliver a number of great fight scenes that were both visceral as well as incredibly well choreographed.

Moreover, I also really enjoyed the world and the characters, though it may feel slightly small when compared to something similar like the world of John Wick, this film does have a lot going on beneath the surface. Whether it is the focus on single mothers, or LGBTQ+ issues within South Korea there is quite a bit of sub-text and deeper meaning to unpack.

A lot of this deeper meaning is the reason why the film is on for so long, as it goes out of its way to explore its characters. This proves to be a double edged sword as the exploration is appreciated, but it also makes the film a slog to get through.

In addition, this film is a shameless John Wick clone there is no way around that, but I have to say of the litany of films in that area this is the best.

Overall, an interesting film that is more funny than it has any right to be.

3.5/5

Pros.

The well-balanced tone

The fights

The story and the characters

It is fun to watch

Cons.

It has pacing issues

It is a John Wick clone

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65: A Film Destined For The History Channel

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

Adam Driver is a remarkably humanoid spaceman, who gets marooned on Earth in the age of the dinosaurs. It feels like something right out of the History Channel.

A lot of people didn’t like this film and have given it strongly negative reviews, and whilst I don’t think this film is good, I also think it is watchable.

The plot is fairly awful, full of needless flashbacks and plot asides that go nowhere and add very little to the wider engagement of the feature, as well as a collection of baffling science fiction jargon, but one would expect that with this sort of film.

Moreover, the father child dynamic feels like a trend that is well and truly overstaying its welcome here. We are seeing more and more of this in media these days and honestly it is okay when a new film or show can iterate on it in some way or make it engaging, but here it felt generic and played out.

The saving grace of this film is the ability to view it whilst ignoring its plot. If you do watch this film switch your brain off, don’t try and engage with it as a story, instead view it as a spectacle film. This is a film about a man with a laser gun fighting T-Rexs, if that sounds interesting to you then watch it for that, because the spectacle of the film is not half bad.

Overall, fine if you are watching it for mindless science fiction, bad if you are watching it for a story or to be engaged.

2.5/5

Pros.

It is a good premise

The spectacle delivers

Driver is serviceable

Cons.

The father child stuff is getting boring

It has awful pacing and a slow first act

The story is incredibly subpar

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Rye Lane: Finding Love In Modern Britain

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

Two recently dumped individuals, played by Vivian Oparah and David Jonsson, meet randomly one day and find that they have a connection.

This isn’t a new film, the idea has been done in hundreds of films before especially within British rom-coms. However what this film does is update some of the older tired cliches and to produce something modern to a reasonable effect.

I don’t think this film reinvents the form but it is a nice wholesome watch. Jonsson and Oparah have great chemistry and both are charming in different ways. The way their characters interact with each other on screen instantly makes you root for them and want them to be together, this is helped by the fact that for once the relationship shown to us in a rom-com doesn’t seem incredibly toxic.

I also liked some of the more surreal shot choices and story telling frames this film used, it was a nice break from the genre but also from within the film itself it helped to shake things up and keep them fresh,

My highlight of the film was the Colin Firth cameo as the burrito chef, which I thought was hilarious and well placed. It was nice to see a genre mainstay like Firth show up for a film like this and give his blessing to a new generation, it rooted the film so easily within this very British tradition and created an unforgettable moment.

Overall, a nice happy watch but not one that will blow you away.

3.5/5

Pros.

The leads have good chemistry

It is fun

It makes you care about the characters

The Colin Firth cameo

Cons.

It is very familiar

The conflict towards the end of the film feels forced in rather than organic to the story

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The Super Mario Bros. Movie: Bring On The Luigi’s Mansion Spin-Off

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

Two Italian-American plumbers, voiced by Chris Pratt and Charlie Day, fall through a magical sewer pipe and end up in the Mushroom Kingdom. Adventure awaits.

So the initial bad reviews of this film seemed to want it to be something it was never going to be, it was always going to be silly and with a fairly predictable story that reflected a lot of game elements and that is exactly what this film is.

Yes there are some jarring elements like Chris Pratt’s accent, which drifts in and out over the course of the film, and the random song mid-way through, but on the whole there is nothing bad here. In many ways it is a very serviceable and accessible entry into the world of Mario and has a number of memorable moments and characters.

Funnily enough Mario himself was probably the least interesting character here, as he was a fairly standard main character out to prove himself, prove his father wrong and get the girl. However, said girl Princess Peach to be exact, voiced by Anya-Taylor Joy, Donkey Kong, voiced by Seth Rogen and Luigi, voiced by Charlie Day, are all terrific. I like that the film expands each one as a character and tries to dig deeper into them rather than just presenting them in fairly obvious archetypal roles. A confusing move the film makes is having Mario and Donkey Kong be friends, which then negates Donkey Kong as a Mario antagonist later down the road, as he was in the games, though a heel turn is always possible.

I would definitely say that if you are a fan of the games you will get more out of this film, as though it is not incredibly reference heavy there are a number of nods and background character appearances that fans of the game can enjoy and which sometimes hint at future things to come in the inevitable sequel.

Overall, fun, but not perfect.

3/5

Pros.

Day, Taylor-Joy and Rogen

Expanding on the supporting characters in interesting ways

The references and nods to the games

Cons.

Pratt and his inconsistent accent

It is badly paced.

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