Bad Witch: The Relatable Witch

Bad Witch

4/5

Written by Luke Barnes

Comedy horror often has the issue of favouring one element over the other, however, as a rare exception this film manages to perfectly capture the essence of both and balance them together well, forming a perfectly rounded comedy horror film.

I enjoyed the comedic gimmick of the unfortunate witch who is just as much of a screw up as the rest of us, I thought it made the character feel very relatable and easily likeable, whilst also helping to bring out and enhance the comedic elements. This film made me laugh a lot throughout.

I also thought the scarier parts of the film worked well, they managed to build on the unsettling moments to create strong through and through scares that stay with you long after the film. I appreciated how the film focused on atmospheric scares over jump scares, I think it is always the more effective route and it is proven so here.

My only problem with this film is that it is poorly paced and does have a few moments that drag on.

Overall, a near perfect comedy horror film that could have been made perfect with a tighter edit.

Pros.

Comedy

Horror

A relatable lead

The ending

Cons.

Pacing, bloat, and needless subplots

If you enjoyed this review, then please head over to my Patreon to support me, I offer personalized shoutouts, one on one Q and As and the ability for you to tell me what to review next. Check it out!

https://www.patreon.com/AnotherMillennialReviewer

Blackhat: Hacking Computers With Your Shirt Off

Black Hat

3/5

Written by Luke Barnes

A lot of Marvel actors have a hard time existing outside of the MCU, by that I mean look at the projects of a Tom Holland, Scar Jo or even Chris Hemsworth, yes they might have a win every now and again, but on the whole it is a deluge of bland forgettable films. Of all the MCU actors Hemsworth probably knows this best, as there have been several efforts to ingrain him into other big franchises and blockbuster movies which have all failed for one reason or another. To many this film is another example of that, however, don’t think it is as bad as many would have you believe.

I think Hemsworth is very watchable here and makes for a likeable enough protagonist. Is it a bit ridiculous and unrealistic that he is a topless expert hacker, yes, yes it is, but this is Hollywood after all.

I enjoyed the surprisingly brutal violence, I thought the ending especially was viciously fantastic, and I liked the wider ambiguousness to it, it had a Catch Me If You Can vibe, and I would like to see a sequel where Hemsworth’s character goes up against and even more shredded and genius level hacker; even though it is likely never going to happen.

The major issue with this film, however, is that it is poorly paced and bloated. There is a sequence early on that just shows the inner workings of a computer as it is being hacked, and yes whilst some might find it visually interesting, I thought it dragged on and on and was a poor start to the film.

Overall, a surprisingly decent and competent thriller, worsened by bloat.
Pros.

Hemsworth

The violence

The tension

Cons

The pacing

A lot of the characters feel disposable

https://www.patreon.com/AnotherMillennialReviewer

The Marksman: Liam It Is Time To Retire

The Marksman

1/5

Written by Luke Barnes

Time was a new Liam Neeson action film would have got me excited; hell in the lead up to this film coming out on VOD I was excited to see it, I thought it could be more solid Neeson action in the vein of Taken or Run All Night, sadly it isn’t- it is deeply forgettable, quite racist and a slog to get through.

Right off the bat, the idea that this white, ex-army, farmer is a young Mexican boys only chance at escaping the Cartel is troublesome as a reflection of the white saviour trope, when you add to that the general view this film takes on illegal immigrants, not a very nice one to put it mildly, and the fact that nearly every single non-white character is blanketly bad you can start to see my point about racism.

Moreover, Liam Neeson, Katheryn Winnick and every other actor in this film is sleepwalking. No one seems to be trying here, almost as though in their minds they know the film is going to be bad and are just showing up for something to do. It is a shame as in years gone by a Liam Neeson action film was usually a few hours of dumb fun, now it can’t even rouse my interest enough to make sitting through it anything other than a chore.

It feels to me like Neeson has given up in terms of action films over the last few years, which is understandable, but if this is true he needs to stop appearing in them and go after different roles as it is starting to get tiresome.

Overall. A dreary disappointment.

Pros.

Liam Neeson has some charm

Cons.

Neeson isn’t trying especially in the action scenes

It is a slog to get through

It is quite racist

It is deeply generic

https://www.patreon.com/AnotherMillennialReviewer

The Banishing: Wait What?

The Banishing

2/5

Written by Luke Barnes

When I saw the trailer for this film I was intrigued. I viewed it in a similar vein as The Woman In Black, a damn fine British horror film, with the added bonus of Sean Harris, one of the best actors you have never heard of. So I went into this with fairly high expectations, and they were not met.

The issue with this film is very simple, it is too ambitious. This film tries to pull off a lot over its short runtime and it collapses in on itself as it goes along; reaching a point where the film becomes so convoluted that you have no real idea what is going on.

Sean Harris is a delight and sell his manic scenes well. Seeing Harris perform so well, almost makes you wish he was cast as the lead rather than as a supporting character, as he out performs everyone on screen.

The horror is mixed, the atmospheric haunted house scares unsettle you more than frighten, and then when the film tries to make you jump it often fails as it is very predictable in these moments.

Overall, this film is crushed under its own weight.

Pros.

The concept

Harris

Cons.

The leads have zero impact

The horror doesn’t always land

It needed more focus If you enjoyed this review, then please head over to my Patreon to support me, I offer personalized shoutouts, one on one Q and As and the ability for you to tell me what to review next. Check it out

!https://www.patreon.com/AnotherMillennialReviewer

Death Wish: America’s Love Affair With The Gun

Death Wish

0.5/5

Written by Luke Barnes

I have long defend the films of Eli Roth, a lot of people don’t like them or his style, but I defended him. Yet, this film is too much even for me. I think this film is symptomatic of everything wrong, with both modern action films as well as with gun culture in the States. There is nothing cool about a man who gets some weapons by iffy means and runs around and plays judge jury and executioner- those days have long past.

This film plays as somewhat of a wet dream for gun nuts, showing the ever present fear of what if it was your family? Asking the samey and egotistical question would you be ‘man enough’ to get the people who hurt your family, that whole idea feels deeply toxic and problematic now.

The gun violence/ vigilante stuff is fetishized to a point of being obscene, and with the rash of school shootings, and other shootings in the USA this feels more than a little icky and in bad taste. With something like the Punisher the violence is shown to be grim, unpleasant and crucially not glorified, whereas this goes the other way with it and ventures fully into bad taste.

Bruce Willis doesn’t care and isn’t trying, but then would you ever expect him to?

Overall, a far right fantasy and a stain on Roth’s career.

Pros.

It is at times laughably bad

Cons.

Its message

Willis

How it portrays gun culture

The violence

Prince Of Persia: This Man Love Sand, The Inverse Of A Young Anakin Skywalker

Prince Of Persia: The Sands Of Time

4/5

Written by Luke Barnes

Video game films often get a bad rap, however, more often then not I find enjoyment in them- especially when they have fun with the games original premise. Assassins Creed, Resident Evil andthis all have more than enough campy, popcorn fun to make up for the fact they wont be winning any awards.

I think of the videogame films I’ve seen this is definitely on the better side of the genre, as the film works as an escapist action, adventure film that doesn’t require too much brain power. I thought the time mechanics, as yes this has time travel elements, are handled much better here then they are in the game. It is far more concise and obvious here, whereas in the games it varies and is never fully pinned down.

Jake Gyllenhaal can rarely take a step wrong, and that is again shown here, as he makes for a very likeable if not very realistic Prince of Persia. Gyllenhaal gives the role a light touch and has fun with it, he also shares great on-screen chemistry and rapport with Gemma Arterton who is the female lead. The two share a good amount of on-screen banter together that actually manages to be funny and hold up, which is an added pro.

Overall, this feels very much in a similar vein to the beloved Brenden Frasier Mummy films and does, in my opinion, deserve far more love than it receives.

Pros

Gyllenhaal

Arterton

Fun and breezy

Simplifies the games

Cons.

The CGI is distracting

Rather obvious white washing

https://www.patreon.com/AnotherMillennialReviewer

Concrete Cowboy: Would You Rather Be A Cowboy Or A Criminal, The Choice Is Obvious

Concrete Cowboy

2.5/5

Written by Luke Barnes

If nothing else this film made me aware of something I hadn’t been previously- the Fletcher Street Urban Cowboys of Pennsylvania. Reading into the organisation and the cause after the film, I am heartened by the fact that even though the film itself is very average maybe it can draw some attention to the youth outreach programs the Fletcher Street Urban Riding Club provide and maybe make a difference for the community.

Anyway, the key issue with this film is that it is slow, there is a lot of emotions and interpersonal drama, but in actual events that move the plot forward there is a shortage. By the hour mark of the film I was finding myself bored and starting to switch off, the characters had not really progressed much from the opening few minutes despite over half the film being gone. The ending furthers this problem, as any growth that can be seen feels rushed to.

The acting is a mixed bag Caleb Laughlin, of Stranger Things fame, is very good and throws off the child like confines of his performance on that show to give a rousing dramatic performance that clearly bares both heart and soul. However, Idris Elba who plays Laughlin’s characters estranged father is not as strong. I am a big fan of Elba, I even enjoyed Turn Up Charlie which many didn’t, but he is not on good form here, his accent is patchy at best and noticeably fake at worst and he is frequently distracting.

Overall, though Laughlin gives one hell of a performance this film is destined to be forgotten about.

Pros.
The cause

Laughlin

Cons.

It is incredibly slow

Elba

The ending

https://www.patreon.com/AnotherMillennialReviewer

Pride: Fight For The Change You Want To See In The World

Pride

3/5

Written by Luke Barnes

This film made me both happy and sad, as paradoxical as that might be. On the one hand it was hopeful to see the miners embrace the LGBTQ+ activists, but on the other, seeing the horrible homophobia made me sad. I left the film feeling conflicted towards humanity.

This film can beautifully play with your emotions, as it did to me, and that is a testament to the writing, but also the real events that inspired the film. The film feels empowering to watch, inspiring you to make a change for the betterment of society.

The acting talent on display here is undeniable, Joe Gilgun, Dominic West, Andrew Scott and an always reliable Paddy Considine all perform well and leave an impression long after the film ends. George McKay is a little less strong and does drag down some of the scenes he is in, but thankfully he is not given much of the heavy lifting to do.

Furthermore, Pride does struggle with pacing and ends up feeling overly long and a little indulgent, by the time we reach the end the film is already starting to outstay its welcome.

A final note before concluding, Faye Marsay is terrific and should be cast in more films- a staggering young talent.

Overall, a good film that suffers with pace.

Pros.

The acting, bare McKay

The message

The empowering tone

Cons.

The Pace

George McKay

The Seventh Day: The Devil In The White Collar

The Seventh Day

2.5/5

Written by Luke Barnes

A lot of possession or exorcism films play a lot of lip service to the Church, as such it is nice to see a film that takes a different approach and asks the question what if the monster/demon was the priest? It is an interesting idea as yes, if a demon was possessing people why wouldn’t they possess priests, figures that are trusted by thousands of people. It reminded me a lot of Robert Kirkman’s terrific comic Outcast.

That said, despite the twist being interesting it is not executed well. It is clear which of the priests is evil almost from the get-go, and the film does not subvert your expectations in anyway, the one you think is bad is.

I thought the ending was a little too sequel baity for my taste, and I don’t think this film is really good enough to warrant sequels. The horror was very iffy, some moments were strong and had real promise and other moments were painfully by the numbers and played out.

Guy Pearce brings a lot to the film, but even he cant save this film from mediocrity.

Overall, a few good moments but for the most part very average.

Pros.

Guy Pearce

A few good scares

Cons.

It is painfully obvious

The ending teases an unearned sequel

More than a few bad/ generic scares

https://www.patreon.com/AnotherMillennialReviewer

Thunder Force: Seal Is Overplayed

Thunder Force

2.5/5

Written by Luke Barnes

The team-ups between Melissa McCarthy and her director husband Ben Falcone, have so far produced bad film after bad film. Many would tell you that this film is yet another in that line, however, I have to say it is not as bad as I thought it was going to be.

The world of the film, and the characters other than McCarthy’s lead, are all entertaining and fun enough that you happily watch them for the duration. Jason Bateman as the likeable sub villain turned hero has a lot of great moments on screen and steals the show ultimately. Likewise Octavia Spenser as one of the founding members of the Thunder Force brings a lot of class and presence to the role and makes the most out of it.

The thing that lets this film down is Melissa McCarthy. As many of you know I am no fan of McCarthy or her humour, she is frequently the worst part of the films she is in, and this is a near perfect example of that. Her dated references aren’t funny, the jokes aimed at her being fat or odd aren’t funny and feel needlessly mean, and don’t even get me started on the slapstick.

Overall, not as bad as you have heard, but I still can’t recommend it.

Pros.

Bateman

The world

Cons.

Melissa McCarthy

The humour

The plot/premise and the over familiarity

https://www.patreon.com/AnotherMillennialReviewer