Meta Man

Trap is a great movie experience. M.Night Shyamalan delivers a ridiculously entertaining thriller packed with twists, turns and surprises from start to finish. The selling point is Josh Harnett as the butcher, a distinguished performance from the seasoned actor, Shyamalan‘s audacious script gives Harnett the ability to cut loose in role. Blurring the lines between denial and insanity, Harnett is utterly engrossing as the infamous Butcher. The supporting cast do an affable job in their respective roles, particularly Ariel Donoghue as the Butcher’s daughter. The father/daughter relationship adds complex layers to the character of Butcher. The film isn’t perfect, during the second half he looses his grip on fluidity, relying too much on radical plot conveniences, that get quite silly and comical by the film’s end. Nonetheless the story ends with a very clever twist. If you can ignore the lack of logic, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the film’s ability to keep you guessing. Shyamalan maintains a healthy amount of suspense throughout. It’s worth watching once. I had a great time and I can’t wait to watch it again.

Deadpool & Wolverine is delightful entertainment. An over the top spectacle, a marvellous rollercoaster but an endearing experience that focuses on character and emotion when it needs to. The script keeps a fine balance between humour and drama. It never feels like it’s leaning too far to one side. There’s jokes and gags aplenty, with Reynolds delivering his best performance yet as the “merc with the mouth.” Ryan’s respect and passion for the source material pays off in spades. It’s testament to his dedication to the role because Deadpool finally evolves past the wisecracks and into something more tangible and sympathetic. He’s still Deadpool but he’s all grown up and he’s back with a new companion in Wolverine. If I had doubts about Jackman returning to the role, all concerns are effectively dismissed. This is perhaps his best performance, outshining his performance in Logan by a small margin. Jackman is magnificent here adding depth and nuance to wolverine with such distinction, it has to be seen, to be believed. The oddball bromance between these two is the central focus of the film, both carrying the narrative with finesse. It’s clear this film was made with compassion and dignity because the film has heart. The emphasis on making Wade and Logan two broken, dysfunctional men, both on a path of redemption, both heroes at their core, is what makes Deadpool & Wolverine a classic entry in the superhero genre. I’m calling it a superhero classic. It’s pure unadulterated fun, that packs many surprises, is hyper-violent, stylistically glorious but most importantly it’s emotionally driven. The film does enough to keep a smile on your face throughout its runtime. Deadpool and Wolverine reminds us that comicbook movies can be fun and poignant at the same time and in my opinion that’s the best kind. Go see it. You’ll have a great time.

It’s been a decade and it’s aged like fine wine. With the winter soldier you feel like the MCU cranked things up a notch. It’s just so well executed with palpable themes and twists, fine character development, a deft tone that’s consistent throughout and exquisite fight/action sequences giving it great replay value. If we are to consider each entry as a standalone feature then the winter soldier is arguably the best the MCU has to offer.

I’m in the minority here when I say I didn’t like or enjoy Salvation in fact I much prefer dark fate and rise of the machines to salvation. It’s simply down to execution it doesn’t sit well with me, I’m biased towards the original two movies when I consider salvation. It lacks that thrill factor, a great or memorable villain and an engaging story. The narrative is somewhat misplaced. John Connor doesn’t feel like the main protagonist because of Marcus as a Co-protagonist, in fact he even opens the film. He is by far the most interesting character and his arc drives the story forward. I didn’t care for Christian Bale as JC, the performance was too melancholy and tight, no nuance or depth. The remaining supporting cast do an ok job with the late Anton Yelchin as a young Kyle Reese and the legendary Michael Ironside as a resistance leader as the only standouts. The action is deft but bombastic and contrived. The Arnie/T-800 deepfake cameo is corny. At times I find it silly; too much time is wasted (climax) with the T-800 rag dolling John before it mortally wounds him. I seem to remember a sequence where John & Marcus are fighting off robotic alligators in a lake. 😂😂 C’mon man what is this transformers?? It really did feel like it at times! There’s some neat ideas and the movie is at its best when said ideas are explored but there’s lack of payoff or satisfaction in story resolution for me. Terminator Salvation is best served as a tv series that way the story, character arcs, antagonistic threats (skynet) have a bigger canvas to expand upon. Director MCG failed to deliver a credible terminator film. For me, his execution kinda sucks, also just from an entertainment perspective the movie doesn’t have replay value. Which is why I said I prefer to watch Dark Fate & Rise of the machines because I like the execution better, therefore I enjoy them more. Just my two cents.

The Batman is an immersive piece of cinema from Director Matt Reeves. He approaches this age-old character with acute precision and deft ambition. This is very much a “bat-centric” movie, the screenplay is written with labyrinth effect, supplying depth and dimension to Batman’s inner struggles whilst establishing Gotham city as a nihilistic world. The neo-noir-detective-style narrative reinforces Matt’s passion for the lore allowing the audience to relish in an experience that is consistently engrossing throughout. The performances are superb, Patterson nails his stamp as the dark knight, what’s most impressive is his eyes and facial expressions. Reeves ensures his skills as a director by conveying an introspective version of the character, often utilising various closeup shots of the dark knight, allowing us an audience to remain up close and personal with our protagonist. This is his signature motif. The supporting cast for this particular Batman piece is majestic, everyone owns their part. Especially Colin Farrell as cobbletop aka the penguin. He steals every scene that he’s in whilst Jeffrey Wright’s - Jim Gordon is very “hands on” and his transition into the role is seamless. The score produced by Michael Giccinho is simply remarkable. Every note and symphony elevates each scene, giving it that extra bit of gravitas. Paul Dano’s performance as the Riddler is a sound effort on his part although I have slight issues with the resolution of his arc, it is a solid act nonetheless. Yes this film lives up the hype and expectations. Technically, narratively and tonally this is the perfect Batman film. 8/10.

One for the ages. Fan-service is a term that is used to describe an act of generosity, compassion even ambition in works of fiction. On the other hand it is also perceived as unwarranted content for the sympathetic fandom. No way home is a fan-servicing virtue of a film. What’s most surprising is the delicacy and focus on theme, character and narrative. Granted the film deals with a multi-dimensional crisis (pun intended) of epic proportions however the film transcends emotional barriers by telling a thoughtful, inspiring and poignant story. One that is heartfelt yet audacious, extravagant, yet sincere. For fans and dabblers alike, satisfaction is a certainty as the film delivers the perfect gift of surprises, spectacle and most importantly soul. Is the film perfect? technically no, but depending on your expectations it may just be the ultimate Spider-Man film. A true tear-jerker, a definite crowd-pleaser, an instant classic. Stan Lee would be proud to know that with this film, his legacy is complete. His ingenious creation about a friendly neighbourhood hero has now subverted the language of cinema. 9.5/10

The falcon and the winter soldier is a triumphant feat for the MCU. In a world full of aliens androids and wizards as (Sam comically coins it) The show takes a bold stab at tackling socio-political challenges that meny men face in today’s western society. This adds an extra dimension to the product as a whole because it’s not shy in exploring more personal themes that allow the audience to connect with the characters more introspectively. Weather it’s Sam feeling the guilt of relinquishing the shield at the start, Bucky feeling the guilt of killing the son of a friend, or walker brutally killing an enemy in cold bold due to Lemar’s death, this show provides much satisfaction in conveying the inner struggles of these heroes with finesse. This allows for a stronger narrative, digging deep into the three central themes of power, guilt and revenge. Each motif adds nuance to the performances, expands the subtext of the themes explored, enhancing the quality of the writing as a result. The character of Isaiah Bradley is handled very well, thoughtful, inspirational and emotionally impactful. The final episode and it’s climax surpassed my expectations in terms of character development, with Sam delivering a fantastic speech to the government leaders and to the rest of the world, culminating in a defining moment for our new captain America. This pivotal scene sees Sam become his own man with his own ideology and wow I am overly impressed. Definitely amongst one of the most iconic scenes in all of the MCU. This is the shows biggest accomplishment; it puts the characters first, adds layers of complexity to their arc, with the action and comedy fortunately being a second priority. I’m yet to be disappointed by Disney/marvel.

I understand most people’s frustrations with this film but take into consideration that Nolan is a teacher of cinema. This has always been his signature: to literally deliver an immersive experience for his audience. He doesn’t want his features to come off as “the movie of the week” so to speak. He wants it to stick with you for months or years to come, in effect giving you a profound experience rather than a forgettable one. The film is best experienced twice. You get more out of it if you watch it a second time. I certainly did. I’ll admit I didn’t really like it the first time but I took some time away and watched it again, two months later and I had a completely different experience. The common theme or motif behind the film is that everything in this universe works forwards and backwards. Hence the concept of inversion. Once I grasped this concept of forwards/backwards everything became so utterly clear. Like IMAX or ultra 4K HD.😅😂 Everything the characters say or do is in relation to travelling forward (story progression) or moving backwards (the conclusion, the twists, etc) Most Importantly the word tenet means a belief. A philosophy if you will. Nolan is asking his Audience to consider the film in a different context i.e. an inverted one. If your thinking about the dialogue and exposition (which is in abundance throughout the film) then your moving backwards which makes things confusing. If you use your instincts and try to form your own notion of what the concept of inversion is, then you can actually reach a comprehensive resolution about the film. In effect’ your moving forwards. This is how I assessed it in my own weird mind and I had such a liberating experience. Nolan demands our full attention and what’s wrong with a film that does deliver an incredibly dense plot. We have brains guys let’s engage them once in a while. I admire Nolan’s insistence on making this a difficult and inaccessible film to administer but it’s also a great metaphor for any particular experiences or challenges that we face in life. We sometimes embark on something that at first seems too overwhelming, overbearing or jarring to absorb but with time and conditioning we are able to adapt and the process becomes much more pleasurable and tangible. I think it’s a unique twist on time travel. You just have to make your own analysis of what’s going on but trust me with repeat viewings, you may hail the movie is genius! A work of art. It gives you the confidence to forge your own belief about it. That’s how I feel. Also it was never meant to be the next interstellar or inception it was always meant to be its own original thing which I love. Nolan is not trying to emulate what he’s done before rather he’s trying to innovate as a filmmaker and storyteller. I believe this film is ahead of its time. And hopefully it will be hailed as a classic in years to come. 8/10

TDF is by no means a great terminator film but it’s as close to one as we are going to get. Does it rejuvenate the franchise and explore new and exciting avenues? Not exactly but T Miller successfully recaptures the tone and spirit of the original two movies that sculpted the landscape of science fiction action cinema. By hitting the reset button and essentially retelling the exact same story that we’ve witnessed 4 times before, this film does hit the right notes despite being - “the force awakens of the franchise.” Returning icons Linda and Arnold carry the emotional weight whilst maintaining enough characteristic integrity to keep us invested throughout. Mackenzie Davis delivers a physically solid if not somewhat underdeveloped performance as an enhanced super soldier sent from the future to protect the new protagonist. Which brings me to Newcomer Natalie Reyes. Her performance is fine but she is by far the weakest link of the film. Many fans have expressed their disgust at the filmmakers choice to terminate former series protagonist John Conor in favour of bringing in dani Ramos. I respect their decision to do this in order set the franchise off in a new direction but unfortunately they fail at the last minute to really push this direction to its fullest potential. However, the film’s biggest strength is it’s script. There’s action aplenty in this 6th and presumably final entry and the first 30 minutes does not disappoint. Racing by at a breakneck pace, the smart script does find room to incorporate enough character development when needed. And Much to my surprise, Tim neatly balances the action, humour, character arcs and story really well. Tim also manages to maintain a gritty tone with a sense of foreboding throughout, something that was surprisingly lacking in the previous 3 entries. When the new Rev 9 is on the pursuit of its targets, you really feel it. It’s utterly convincing and every time he shows up on screen, the level of urgency goes up a notch. This is what terminator is all about: It can’t be bargained with, can’t be reasoned with and it absolutely will not stop until it’s target is terminated. Unlike the previous 3 directors, Tim understands this motif that a terminator has to remain persistent and psychotically obsessed with acquiring it’s victim. This gives Gabriel Luma the rank of 3rd best terminator villain in the series after Arnie and Robert P. Easily wiping the floor with whatever villains we had to put up with in the previous 3 films. The Rev 9 is ferocious, versatile to the point where it can split itself into two forms that operate independently, it’s also adept at common human behaviour, making him a genuine threat throughout the entire film. The set pieces, dialogue and climax thankfully bring a very satisfactory mix of old school nostalgia along with some very good emotional beats reminiscent of T2’s ending. If this is to be Arnie’s final performance of the infamous T-800 then he went out on a high and a bang not a whimper or a joke. Fans will be pleased with this thoughtful take of his character; a role that propelled his career into global mega- stardom. And the film gives him just enough room to deliver a very earnest performance. Judging by the receding box office results this film looks to sound off the franchises end. So even if this franchise won’t be back, I am content with what Miller and Cameron were able to conceive. It’s just a shame we had to wait 28 years for a good terminator film. Go see it for what it’s worth. Verdict: 7.5/10