Chirsty: The Left Will Only Support Films About Lesbians If They Star Left Wing Luvvies

Sydney Sweeny takes on the role of a legendary boxer.

This film was hard to find for me thank goodness for the internet.

This film reminded me somewhat of Sweeny’s turn when she played a whistleblower facing her life being destroyed around her, I feel like she really does have a great propensity for dramatic work and is more than just her body. I think she delivers a solid performance here, despite, what washed up has been Ruby Rose has to say about it.

Throughout the film you really emote with Sweeny’s lead and feel for her and her situation, particularly in the second act of the film, it works as a sports film in the way that the journey and the personal struggle become the thing that defines the film, and the main thing that makes you as an audience member enjoy it. I wouldn’t quite call it Rocky in terms of being inspiring, but I would say it is a lot more real.

I think the main reason this film is not getting more attention is due to the perception that Sydney Sweeny is right wing and so is being shunned by a lot of the film journalists that would normally call something like this stunning and brave.

Overall, Sweeny is good and the film works well as an inspiring sports film with harsh dramatic turns.

3.5/5

Pros.

It is inspiring

You believe the personal struggle

Sweeny is good

It is well paced

Cons.

It does get a bit depressing at times

The third act needed tightening

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The Karate Kid: THE Sports Movie

Summary

The Karate Kid is born.

Honestly this film should have been a one off, as you can tell from my other reviews of the franchise the rest of the Daniel run are not good and get steadily worse.

This film works well as not only does it have all the standard beats of a sports movie, but it also has a lot of emotional depth for Mr Miyagi and makes him a rounded character, they could have relied on racist stereotypes and cliches but they didn’t for the most part.

I thought the bullying storyline was very played out even for the time period it came out, but I did like the evolution of the fight your bully and stand up for yourself storyline turning it into this grand sporting event. Doing this allowed the film to feel a little like the later Rocky films but on a smaller scale as its aimed at kids.

Daniel works as a blank slate that you can project yourself onto as a kid, rather than how he gets in the later films.

Overall, a solid teen sports movie with its heart in the right place.

3/5

Pros.

It is a good sports film

It has a good soundtrack

It is fun

Cons.

Some elements are generic

Its predictable

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Karate Kid Two: Daniel In Okinawa

Summary

Daniel, Ralph Macchio, goes to Japan.

In many ways I feel similarly about this film as I do the third film in the franchise, really it didn’t need to exist. In many ways it would have been better to have gotten a Karate Kid prequel about a young Mr Miyagi, Pat Mortia, learning Karate in Japan then this.

We see the beginnings of brat Daniel here as well, when he is a whiny little prima donna. There is still some good training sequences wherein he is learning new moves and his interest in Japanese culture is nice to see. However, in how he treats Mr Miyagi and those around him it is clear to see which way the character is heading.

There is some rather outdated and offensive depictions of Japanese culture which feels quite jarring on the rewatch, and the villain of the film imbibes a lot of these qualities and feels almost cartoonish at times. The ending of the film really feels like a natural end point for Daniel’s story.

Overall, it is interesting to have a focus on the background lore of the first film and to explore what Japan looks like in this world, however, more needed to be done to justify this films existence and Daniel is incredibly annoying at times.

2.5/5

Pros.

The focus on the life and lore of Mr Miyagi

Going to a new location

The training sequences

Cons.

Daniel is irritating

It doesn’t need to exist

It is badly paced

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Karate Kid Three: The Kids Just Want To Grow Miniature Tress

Summary

Daniel, Ralph Macchio, hits his most unlikeable here.

I think this is probably the worst of the Daniel starring Karate Kid films, it is not as bad as the Jaden Smith Karate Kid but few things are as bad as that effort in CCP propaganda. I think the central reason why this film is so bad is because Daniel is incredibly unlikeable here. He goes against Mr Miyagi, Pat Morita, in several key ways, including taking his prized Bonsai tree from where he planted it, because he thinks he knows better and can sell it for some quick cash. He wants to use this cash to keep alive the Bonsai tree shop that he and Miyagi have opened and which Daniel insists is Mr Miyagi’s dream, despite the fact that Mr Miyagi has never talked about it before. Daniel is a teen with an attitude herein and as we all know that does not make for a likeable protagonist.

Moreover, the whole idea of the Bonsai tree shop is just such a nothing plot line that goes nowhere. It was clear that when they were trying to come up with ideas for this film they didn’t have anything, as this idea feels so badly thought through. It feels like the very worst kind of filler.

Additionally, the fact the villain is a rich man who wants to dedicate weeks of his time to ruining the life of a teen is odd and more than a little creepy. The idea that oh he was friends with one of the previous villains and therein is his motivation doesn’t work. If you’re a rich man you likely care about remaining rich and so dedicating weeks of your time to not doing the thing that makes you money and behaving illegally does not make any logical sense.

I think really the Daniel trilogy should have maybe been one or two films tops I think this film was the height of unnecessary.

Overall, The second worst of the franchise.

1/5

Pros.

There are some moments that set things up for Cobra Kai

Cons.

Daniel

The writing

It doesn’t need to exist

It is tedious at times

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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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Creed III: Why Talk About Your Issues When You Can Be Violent Instead?

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

Adonis, played by Michael B. Jordan, has to beat up someone from his past.

I will lay this out right here at the start of the review, I am not a fan of boxing movies and the Creed films have always just to me felt incredibly repetitive. I watched this as I had heard good things, but it ended up being the same old structure rehashed. A new threat emerges, it is established as legitimate, they best or beat the hero in some way, then the hero beats them. It is tiresome and repetitive.

I thought the film really had something when it was discussing and Adonis and Damian, played by Jonathan Majors, were physically abused as kids. This would have allowed the film to talk about deeper themes that can’t just be solved by random violence, but guess what it all just devolves into a punchout. Adonis beat up the abuser when they were kids causing Damian to pull a gun to defend his friend and go to prison, now he’s out and angry and the only way to settle old trauma is with a fight. It is boring.

Despite him now being somewhat problematic Jonathan Majors is the best part about this film and acts circles around Jordan at every turn. I also thought that Tessa Thompson did a really good supporting turn here, and her emotions when Adonis’ mum dies feel very genuine.

Overall, yet another needless sequel that tells the same story we have seen done time and again.

2/5

Pros.

Thompson and Majors

It has a good soundtrack

Cons.

Jordan lacks any range

The story is repetitive

It is afraid of any kind of deeper conversation about violence

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Champions: Anyone Can Be A Hero

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

Woody Harrelson plays a basketball coach who after getting into a drunk driving accident has to coach an intellectually disabled basketball team.

This film has its heart in the right place. Though some have said that it comes across as patronising towards intellectually disabled people or the issues they face, I found that despite its sometimes questionable messaging that this film was at its heart an uplifting film. Not only that but it goes out of its way to spread inclusivity and the message that anyone can be a champion and that people are so, so much more than how others classify them.

Moreover, I think Harrelson is just curmudgeonly enough to pull this role off. Though I think that the sudden change from this character being a self-interested narcissist to learning to love second place and to be happy with what he has was incredibly rushed. I think his performance commands real emotion and that he has great chemistry with his on-screen love interest played by Katlin Olsen.

The plot is incredibly cliched and generic and all the hallmarks of classic feel good sports films make an appearance, so much so that you could turn it into a bingo game fairly easily if you wanted to.

Overall, a happy uplifting film that doesn’t always land its’ the message.

3/5

Pros.

Harrelson

Olsen

It is uplifting and restores your faith in humanity

Cons.

It is incredibly cliched

It can come off as patronising at times

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Home Team: Adam Sandler Is Even Bringing His Kids Into His Films Now, Will The Nepotism Ever End?

2/5

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

Adam Sandler’s dependence star in a true story about a disgraced NFL coach, played by Kevin James, who ends up coaching his son’s peewee football team.

This sports film just rehashes cliches, honestly there isn’t much more to say; I could end the review there. To expand, the plot of this film is not just overly familiar it is almost plagiaristic. The beats and forced emotion it is going for, but crucially never achieves, have been done so much better before elsewhere.

Moreover, I get him and Sandler are pals but whoever thought James was a good leading man? Does Sandler? Is that why he gets cast in the lead role in so many of Happy Madison’s productions? To answer some of those questions for you, nepotism is the only way James can get these roles as his talent just isn’t there. Whether playing happy, sad or quizzical James comes across with all the emotional range of a shopping bag.

Overall, it is fine, technically there is nothing wrong with it, however, if you want more than deeply forgettable then you will be left cold and disappointed.

Pros.

It is watchable

Taylor Lautner returns

Cons.

James

It is boring

It is generic

The nepotism is blatant

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Cool Runnings: A Winter Olmypics You Can Enjoy

4/5

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

Everyone’s favourite bobsled team takes the Olympics by storm.

This film really does hold up. It is just as good now as when I first saw it, happy, wholesome and inspirational; the perfect film to watch during the bleak month of January.

Sadly the film is tinged with sadness by the fact that John Candy isn’t with us anymore, as his is one of the best characters here, only really beaten out by Rawle D. Lewis’s Junior. Though having said that there isn’t a bad performance from anyone in this film, everyone is compelling and helps to bring the story to life.

I thought the ending of this film is one of the best of any sports movie, as not only does it have a good message, it is not about winning but instead about doing right by yourselves, it also has all the feel good beats you would want from a sports film with even the adversarial characters becoming friends and supporters by the end.

The pacing is good and the film knows when to end, two things that a lot of modern films don’t understand. I liked that this film kept it tight and used all the screen time it has effectively, I didn’t become bored once whilst watching.

Overall, a near perfect sports film.

Pros.

The message

The feel good factor

The characters and the performances

The ending

Cons.

The humour didn’t click with me

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Bruised: Berry’s Career Receives A Knockout Blow

1.5/5

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

In her first directorial role Halle Berry has to give herself the lead role of a disgraced UFC fighter trying to get back in the game, as no one else is offering her roles. It is funny how life mirrors art, though I suppose Berry isn’t disgraced simply forgotten.

If this is how Berry wants to get back into cinema stardom then she has gone the wrong way about it, casting herself feels cheap and more than a little narcissistic, this wouldn’t be so bad if she was able to provide the film with a good performance, sadly that is not forthcoming.

As I have said in many other reviews the actor turned director often doesn’t have a lot of luck making good films that are well received by both audiences and critics, this provides us with another example. Berry certainly throws everything she has at this film, but it isn’t nearly enough. The pace of over two hours is simply grotesque and the story of a broken former star trying to regain past glories is about as played out as they come. If the film had better material to work with then perhaps it wouldn’t be as bad as it is.

As it stands this is just another bad and soon to be forgotten Netflix movie, though it does leave us with a lesson that not every actor has what it takes to excel behind the camera.

Overall, incredibly familiar, overly long and frankly an effort in egotism.

Pros.

It has a good soundtrack

The supporting cast are trying

Cons.

Berry

It is too familiar

It is too long

It is incredibly generic

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