A Review of “All Quiet on the Western Front (2022)”

What interested me most about watching this film was that it was WWI, which we don’t see as much in films compared to WWII, and the fact it was from the German side instead.

What stands out the most is the amazing production value. The set design, the costumes and the setpieces are all phenomenal. They perfectly portray the horrific, dirty and brutal nature of the war. The actors are all great in their roles as well. Felix Kammerer plays the main character, Paul Bäumer, and he gives a terrific performance in showing Paul’s gradual loss of idealism throughout the movie. The cinematography by James Friend is oddly beautiful with some gorgeous wide shots that contrast the closeup shots of the War with its grimness. The music score by Volker Bertelmann is quite odd as well with its sudden thumping horns but they work in elevating the tension by foreboding what’s coming.

My only complaint is that the film is quite predictable. It goes through every trope you would expect from a ‘War is bad" movie and nothing in the plot surprised me whatsoever. It’s also a little difficult to care for the characters as we barely spend enough time with them apart from the main character and an older soldier called “Kat”.

Apart from that, it is quite a stellar war movie that still delivers on the cruelty of World War I.

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A “QUICK!” Review of “Heart Eyes (2025)”

Heart Eyes has the makings of a really cool modern slasher character. The killer’s design is pretty cool, and the concept of killing couples on Valentine’s Day is a novel idea. The movie even starts off well with some creative kills. However, the movie goes downhill from there. It turns into an incredibly corny romcom—the dialogue is sappy, and the characters feel cartoonish. The movie then whiplashes between romance and horror, as if suddenly remembering there’s a killer on the loose. At one point, in the middle of a chase, the characters start opening up to each other—which was definitely not the time. Meanwhile, the killer becomes increasingly incompetent, failing to take out the main characters. The comedy doesn’t land, the romance is bland, but the kills are at least enjoyable. Just don’t go into this expecting a full-on slasher horror movie.

A “QUICK!” Review of “Last Breath (2025)”

Last Breath is a thrilling, anxiety-inducing telling of the true story of the 2012 saturation diving accident. The director, Alex Parkinson, is notable for co-directing the documentary film of the same name. This benefits the movie, as the events feel highly believable—Parkinson sticks to the facts rather than over-dramatizing them. Character actions and dialogue remain relatively grounded, reflecting the director’s commitment to honouring the real-life individuals involved. His inclusion of a timer is a great addition, elevating the tension. However, the film’s short runtime results in a lack of depth. We barely get to know the characters enough to care about them before they begin the dive. Additionally, the ending feels rushed, with constant time jumps after the dive. I wish the film had explored more of what happened immediately after the dive. Overall, Last Breath remains a very entertaining movie that respectfully represents the true story.

A “QUICK!” Review of “The Prosecutor (2024)”

The Prosecutor is an interesting film, as it’s actually a legal-focused thriller first and foremost, with the martial arts action coming second. I found this blend of genres to work surprisingly well, and I give Donnie props for trying something different. The movie features a phenomenal opening action sequence and an incredible climactic one too. When it comes to the action scenes, you definitely won’t be disappointed. However, the legal aspect—which makes up the majority of the film—is unfortunately a bit lacklustre and predictable. I wish the courtroom scenes had explored more of the complexities of the justice system and delivered more intense drama. It didn’t help that the villain was incredibly one-dimensional. Still, it’s an entertaining action movie overall, and this film does show that Donnie knows how to handle action.

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