MovieRankingReviews

  Michael Jackson was, without a doubt, one of the biggest pop stars in history. It’s no surprise that he was going to get a biopic; if anything, I’m surprised at how long it took. He is one of my favourite artists ever, so of course I was going to watch this film. However, does it live up to his legacy? I remember having a lot of concerns about Jaafar Jackson’s casting. Firstly, it felt like nepotism, with them going for Michael’s own nephew, and secondly, I wasn’t sure whether he could handle the weight of portraying Michael in his acting debut. Those concerns ended up being unfounded, as Jaafar Jackson shines as the King of Pop, Michael Jackson. There are many moments where it genuinely feels like Michael himself is on-screen. He nails the look, the moves, and the mannerisms of his uncle. Colman Domingo is equally effective, portraying Michael’s father, Joseph Jackson, as both detestable and menacing. Special praise must also go to the costume and set designers fo...

  I was interested to see how they would adapt an indie game with no real plot into a film. In the first act, it felt like they accurately captured the eerie, claustrophobic psychological terror of the endlessly looping subway. The film draws the audience in by having them scan for anomalies, just like the main character. There’s also strong tension in watching him struggle with his asthma while trying to escape. However, this is largely lost from the second act onwards, as the film shifts toward being more character-driven and leans into a metaphor for fatherhood. The tension and sense of terror fade, and even the asthma subplot is completely forgotten. While the execution isn’t great, the film is still well-made, with excellent camerawork. It’s not overly long and is generally an enjoyable 90 minutes.

  This is an incredibly weird, wacky, and wild film! It’s a roughly two-hour, entertaining joyride about an unlikely group taking on a powerful A.I. overlord. The film offers a very “on-the-nose” exploration of modern technology addiction and societal apathy, but it works well within the tone it’s going for. Sam Rockwell delivers a hilariously unhinged performance and absolutely steals every scene he’s in. Whether this film works for you depends on how much you can embrace the random shenanigans that unfold. If you can, then this is a whole lot of fun!

  Emma Stone delivers a great performance here as a cool, calculating CEO who has been kidnapped by Jesse Plemons’ character. The standout, however, is definitely Jesse, who gives a phenomenally sharp, unpredictable, and layered performance. He brings a level of instability and anger to his character, but also moments of kindness and vulnerability that really work. What carries this film is the tension and conflict between the two, making it a genuinely compelling watch. Additionally, the cinematography and visuals are wonderful, with colours that truly pop, complemented by a music score that heightens the tension. However, what ultimately brings the film down is that it doesn’t quite stick the landing. The ending is predictable and feels a bit too on the nose in delivering its message. Still, this is an enjoyable film that illustrates the dangers of unhealthy delusions and class conflict.

  Primate is a gory and tense horror film with the fun concept of a Pet Chimpanzee going crazy because it has rabies. The use of an actor with a practical costume for the Chimpanzee does massive wonders for the film. The costume is incredible and the kills are very brutal! What really brings this film down is the stupidity of the characters. They will not have one person keep their eye on the Chimpanzee or sometimes just stand around instead of HELPING or RUNNING AWAY! It can be ridiculously frustrating to watch and to a point where you just sort of root for them to die. Nonetheless, a decent 90-minute film that doesn’t overstay its welcome!

  Even when rewatching this film, I had an absolute blast! The Martian is one of the most phenomenal films to come from Ridley Scott. The writing is exception, the acting is great, the visuals are stunning, the music score is great, the science is easily digestible and the characters are all very distinct despite being over a dozen characters. You root for Matt Damon’s character, Mark Watney, to survive. You root for the science team to create the plan to get him home. I enjoyed the science and I enjoyed how it was a collaborative effort from all the characters. Easily one of the best sci-fi films in modern cinema!