Sam Lahy

Reading the reviews of The Accountant 2 and I had to double check that it was the same movie I saw. A confused, illogical, rambling and utter incoherent mess of a story (or what passed as one), delivered by planks of wood (aside from Jon Bernthal who really leaned into his role). It watches as a film made by committee where zero attention was placed on the sequencing of scenes requiring any explanation for why what you are seeing should be happening. Ben Affleck looks about enthusiastic for this role as he was as Jen’s husband, which is just as well because it doesn’t require his skills to turn up in most part. Characters appear out of nowhere for no apparent reason, serve what passes as a plot device, and then either are killed or simply never heard from again. Space and time are not concepts acknowledged as real, with people appearing and reappearing over vast distances to exactly where they need to be without the requirement for earthly transportation. The action is passable, yet seems to happen abruptly and for little reason, as if the writing crew suddenly remember this is supposed to be an action movie and drop in a pre-made sequence. The random pimp who shows up apparently as a key character only to be thrown off a balcony for no known purpose, is an example. Even Chris’s (Ben A) trailer seems to move around the country with no explanation, from the countryside into a seemingly uninhabited van lot in the suburbs, with zero explanation. I am reminded of what Nerdrotic recently talked about on the Snow White review - the woke Mary Sue films might be coming to an end, but due tit he lack of writing talent in Hollywood at present in their place there is a pipeline of shit they have ready to be crapped out. Remakes, live action remakes, prequels, sequels, postquels and other nonsense all waiting to be shipped because they have nothing else. And watching The Accountant 2 last night, I fear he is right.

Hilarious mostly, moving occasionally, Shoresy is compelling and very very funny watching.

Gorgeous sets and costumes, remarkable performances by Stone, Defoe and a scene-stealing Ruffalo cannot quite save this self-aware oddity of a movie. The story tips it hat to Frankenstein, with the story of a damaged yet brilliant doctor, Godwin Baxter (played by a superb Willem Defoe) performing a radical, life-resurrecting procedure on the body of a girl who had thrown herself from London Bridge. Child-like (hint) and with no memories from her previous life, the girl, now named Bella Baxter (Stone) is carefully tutored until the day comes she wishes to see the outside world for herself and leaves under the dubious ‘care’ of a noted bounder, Duncan, played wonderfully by Mark Ruffalo. The Lisbon scenes are breathtaking and Bella’s naive embrace of new experiences are skillfully juxtaposed against the unexpected obsession for Bella that the cad Duncan is beginning to be tortured by. The second stanza onboard ‘The Ship’ was similarly captivating; Bella’s growing intellect and charm earning new new friends, however these relationships barely have time to develop before Duncan and Bella are unceremoniously dumped in France due to a lack of funds to pay passage. It is here that the story overreaches its ambitions. The Paris story is an uncomfortable mess of fetishized pornography and a thin plot that really detract from the earlier story, leaving me squirming a little in my seat and wondering why this was all necessary to move the story forward. The Paris sojourn inevitably culminates with Bella’s return to London to be reunited with her creator and the man to whom she was betrothed before her adventures began, the charming yet feckless Max (Rammy Yussef). Yet Bella’s past catches up with her for one more twist before she realises the truth of who she is and what her future should be. Poor Things is a film of a story that is surprisingly lacking in purpose, more a series of events orchestrated by Bella’s chaotic mind; perhaps a ode to life itself where branches and sequels and can be both unpredictable and seemingly unconnected. I can’t say I enjoyed watching Poor Things, and wouldn’t again, however I am glad I did.

Patently feminist narrative, ‘all white men bad (either evil, stupid or feckless) women downtrodden, abused, perennial victims’. Brie Larson as wooden and unlikeable as she has ever been, and the show is borderline unwatchable.

One of the very best offerings on the streaming services. Funny, touching, compulsive viewing.

Was building nicely as an entertaining, if unoriginal, post apocalyptic zombie thriller until… the ‘monsters’ appeared. I nearly burst out laughing as they looked like actors with Halloween masks on, moving like ghosts on an episode of Scooby Doo. Turned it off in disgust, however will persist to see if it gets any less lame. Very disappointing.

The definitive 80s horror movie. Peerless body horror, suspense and jump scares.

the Bond character was diminished with some pretty banal dialogue; it felt completion out of in keeping with the James Bond aura. Certainly the worst installment for the Daniel Craig era in my opinion. Came across as all rather ridiculous and cartoonish. I really didn’t enjoy it.

Surprisingly entertaining and well made film. It doesn’t really break any new ground but has enough charm, thrills and ‘zero to hero’ appeal to make it eminently watchable. Oh and it has a very cute dog in it too!