Andrew Chan

Normally, I don't really like the sentimental tearjerker type drama that CODA is going for but thanks to its sincerity and amazing performances, this film really managed to surpass its fairly formulaic story to deliver a very heartwarming coming-of-age dramedy. Narratively, this is far from being a unique story and it has definitely been told in different forms in various other movies but I never minded that because of how earnestly made it is and because it is told through some very unique eyes. CODA's characterization and writing of a main character torn between her family and her dreams is very effective and always touching, with writer-director Siân Heder doing an excellent job at making the characters feel both realistic and charming. A lot of that undoubtedly has to do with a spectacular cast that imbue their roles with lots of warmth and depth, with Emilia Jones giving a magnificent performance as the lead and she is definitely backed up very well by a supporting cast full of terrific actors in every part. All of this comes together to make CODA the cinematic equivalent of a warm hug that I just adored every second of, easily overcoming its conventional story to make this one of my favourite films of the year with its exquisite performances, writing, and deaf representation.

Perhaps to this day still the greatest and most iconic depiction of the Arthurian legend, Excalibur is a truly majestic fantasy epic and grand tale of heroism, romance, magic, and tragedy. Above all, what marks Excalibur as a classic is its utterly beautiful visuals and dreamlike atmosphere that helps it to stand out amongst so many other fantasy films, with every scene being a visual marvel and the entire movie being boasting some truly breathtaking shots, costumes, and sets. As an adaptation of the tale of King Arthur, the film also succeeds in telling the story in a manner that is both visually and narratively intriguing, and also one that is full of emotion as we witness the triumphant rise and tragic fall of Arthur and his knights. Excalibur really is the type of film that we would never get nowadays, and its excellence as an epic is immediately evident not only in its visual design but also in the tragic story it tells, and it remains a fantasy classic as well as a grand vision that should be treasured and remembered as such.

Thrilling, hilarious, and just plain weird, Big Trouble In Little China remains my favourite film from my all-time favourite director, John Carpenter. The oddball story is played to perfection, combining just the right amount of fantasy, comedy, martial-arts action, and weirdness. The cast is also pitch-perfect, with Kurt Russell, Kim Cattrall, Dennis Dun, Victor Wong, and James Hong all playing their roles with a tongue-in-cheek glee. As the boneheaded and bumbling Jack Burton, Kurt Russell turns in one of the most memorable performances of the 80s, parodying action hero stereotypes with aplomb and creating possibly my favourite movie character of all time. In the crew, Carpenter's superb direction and memorable score work brilliantly alongside an excellent script filled to the brim with quotable lines, thrilling set pieces, and memorable sequences aplenty. All in all, Big Trouble In Little China is not only an excellent film in its own right but also a highly underrated action/fantasy/comedy classic that deserves way more appreciation than it gets. A must-watch for any genre film fan and one of my absolute favourite films of all time.

A genuinely great return to form to the series as it embraces a brilliantly meta narrative. Heather Langenkamp, Miko Hughes, Robert Englund, and even Wes Craven himself turn in great performances (especially Heather Langenkamp playing herself, giving what I think is the best performance of the whole series) to chilling effect. Freddy Kreuger (or "The Entity", if you will) makes for a superb villain, with its emphasis on meta-horror and the bond between mother and child turning this into arguably the scariest of the entire franchise. My pick for the best film in the whole series and a fantastic treat for fans of the Elm Street franchise.

One of the most underrated fantasy films of all time, Willow perfectly balances George Lucas and Ron Howard's' imagination with a fantastic sense of style and fun. Its cast is superb, with Warwick Davis giving a strong central performance as Willow Ufgood. Its direction, score, story, and effects are all top notch, with an amazing visual style to help it stand out amongst other fantasy films from the 80s. Willow is filled with stunning set pieces and inventive special effects which for the most part, have aged fairly well (with the exception of perhaps its blue-screen work, which look a little ropey). Even today, its swashbuckling story and energetic tone make it one of the best and most memorable fantasy movies ever.

An utterly engrossing and unique feature debut from Rian Johnson, Brick is one of the most creative movies I've seen in a long time, transplanting the style of a neo-noir detective story into a contemporary high school setting to great effect. Johnson, directing, writing, and editing the film, makes the most of his miniscule budget to craft a truly daring picture, utilizing unorthodox editing and a script filled with near-incomprehensible dialogue to disorient the viewer while also keeping an undercurrent of dry humour underneath. The almost fantastical world in which Brick takes place feels simultaneously lived-in and alien, a testament to the movie's ability to create a singular environment the likes of which no other film I have seen attempts to build. The performances too, are excellent across the board in their task of selling this story, with Joseph Gordon-Levitt especially shining in the lead role. The film is almost a tad too clever and stylized for its own good, but Brick is nothing if not unique, serving as a truly remarkable first movie for one of my favourite directors and still one of his strongest.

Definitely one of Van Damme's better movies, Timecop may be a sci-fi action film that's riddled with plot holes, but is still a fun enough watch that manages to get a decent performance from its lead. Director Peter Hyams seems to be good at getting the most out of Van Damme (as was the case in Sudden Death, probably still my favourite film of his) and he succeeds here, with Van Damme giving a passable lead performance that helps to elevate the movie alongside his usual proficiency in the action sequences. The plot, unsurprisingly, is very messy, chock-full of inconsistencies and plot holes that quickly fall apart under any scrutiny but even this would hardly deter fans who like this movie. At the end of the day, Timecop is really aiming only to be a consistently entertaining and well-made sci-fi actioner and on these merits, it works.

Unquestionably the best horror film to have come out in years.