My Films of the Decade (2010-2019)

There's no doubt that film has played a major part in my life this decade.Not only did I watch more films than I probably ever will in a decade again, but I also went and studied it at Uni and have since been developing some kind of career in the medium.
The decade also saw my approach and perception of films change and shift.
At the start of the decade, I was heavily into the critics, always checking Rotten Tomato scores, reading Roger Ebert reviews and looking at everything with a very critical eye.
But as the years went by and the end of the decade comes along, my critical approach has lessened, I cared less and less about what the critics said and adopted more of a empathetic approach to the way I view things, though still maintaining somewhat of a critical view as it never really goes away.


Now, according to my letterboxd, I've watched over 800 films released in this decade, alot of which were thankfully in the cinema. There are a lot of great films in amongst it all, but I really tried to narrow it down to the films that have really stuck with me the most with a few being picked due to other factors outside of their actual content.
Now I've pretty much done away with ranked lists, since I never fully agree with the order of things which makes ranking them feel pointless, so for this,  I'm just gonna list the films in a chronological order, from the start of the decade to the end. Let's go.

Inception (2010)

 To kick off this list is a film that certainly represents how my tastes and interests have developed over this decade. As at the time, this film was probably in my top 10 favorite films of all time. Since then, it's dropped down a lot in the ranks and I haven't rewatched it in a good number of years, but I know I'd still find it great, and there's no denying how much I loved this film at the time. 

Christopher Nolan was one of the first directors I acknowledged as someone I was a fan of. He's very good at taking interesting ideas and turning them into very accessible movies.

Inception is a prime of example of this, as it's essentially a mind-bending movie for the mainstream. I remember when it first came out and people had  trouble fully wrapping their head around it, even though the movie lays out everything for you and is easier to follow than a lot of  people may have realized. It is a highly enjoyable thriller though and was an undeniable influence on me at the start of the decade.

Submarine (2010)

 This quirky, cute debut film by Richard Ayoade shot in Wales holds a special place for me as it's the first film I watched in the cinema by myself. That same day I also went to my first concert by myself. So a pretty monumental day for me doing things solo. But i really loved this film when i first saw it and even named it my favorite film of 2011 (since that's the year I watched it). It's a well acted coming-of-age-comedy drama that's funny, sad and an overall lovely experience that really stuck with me.

13 Assassins (2010)

 I got into Takashi Miike at the very start of the decade and he quickly became a favorite director of mine. Then in 2011, I got to see my first Miike film in the cinema in the form of this great samurai epic. This decade saw Miike continue on as a big mainstream director, which I know  a lot of people lament over, but he's always been more of a workhorse director than a visionary auteur, and I've still enjoyed his output regardless. Now I've not seen every film he directed this decade, but from what I have seen, I'd argue that "13 Assassins" is his best film from this decade, although "Over Your Dead Body" certainly comes close. It's well shot, well acted, and has a huge climactic battle that is highly enjoyable.

Himizu (2011)

 Sion Sono is another director I fell in love with at the beginning of the decade, but more than that, if a director was to be my spirit animal, it would probably be him as I seem to connect with his work more than any other..

His output was pretty crazy this decade, with him even directing six films in 2015 alone.

And whilst I have not seen all of it, what I did see was really good to great.

Himizu is my joint favorite with another film that I'll get to later on. 

Based on a manga, the film is set against the backdrop of the 2011 Tohouku earthquake and tsunami, and follows a teenage boy who struggles to live a normal life due to the hostile environment around him. It's a film filled with a lot of anger and sadness, but also hope, leading to a strong ending that always makes me tear up. The performances are fantastic, and the whole thing is just really engrossing.

The Raid/The Raid 2 (2011/2014)

 I knew I had to include both the Raid films, since they are two of the best action films of the decade, and whilst I prefer the second, there's no denying the big influence the first one had on mainstream action and changing the way it was handled for the better, after the Bourne films had caused a shaky-cam hellfest to infect mainstream action films for many years.

The films form one big story but are very different in their structure and content. The first one is an awesome self-contained action film set in one location, whilst the second is a gorgeously shot gangster epic with superb action sequences. Both are highly enjoyable and must-see movies for fans of martials art action.

Holy Motors (2012)

 Onto something much more strange, unique and brilliant. Holy Motors is a film that follows the day of an actor who is driven around in a limousine to various places to play different characters for a range of events and situations; some of them dramatic, some of them funny and some of them a little disturbing, but all are very compelling. And as the film goes on, small details of the world that this film inhabits are revealed, before ending on a rather bizarre note that will leave many baffled. Really great movie and a performance masterclass from Denis Lavant.

Rurouni Kenshin Trilogy (2012/2014)

 This decade saw an explosion in manga adaptations in Japan, with them dominating their mainstream landscape. Obviously, the results of these varied in quality, but this trilogy stands tall in amongst them. Every time I think of these movies, I get this urge to rewatch them and that's rare for modern mainstream action movies. These films have it all, great action, acting, music, cinematography and even some emotional and moral depth. I was honestly surprised by how much I would love these films, but I would happily pick them over all the superhero movies I've seen this decade. They are far from perfect and still have their flaws, particularly the last two, but they are three of the best modern day samurai films around.

Why Don't You Play in Hell? (2013)

 Whilst Himizu may of been a film full of anger, here is a much more joyous film from Sion Sono, that always has me smiling from end to end. It follows a group of struggling filmmakers who get caught up in a Yakuza feud. The film is a homage and celebration of gonzo cinema as well as guerrilla filmmaking. It's outrageous, funny and even has a bit of an emotional core. I just adore it.

The Tale of Princess Kaguya (2013)

 Isao Takahata's final film before his death, and it's a masterwork. Based on the Japanese folklore tale of the same name, the film is done in a simple watercolor style that matches the film's period setting and makes for a very a beautiful looking movie. Takahata's masterful craftsmanship really brings out the story's depth and emotion, and then you have Joe Hisaishi, who once again produces a great a musical score that adds that extra finishing touch. Takahata is a talent that will sorely be missed, one of the greatest animation directors who ever lived.

Gravity (2013)

 Now here's a film I have picked more for the memorable experience I had with it than anything else.

I watched this film once in IMAX when it first came out and have not rewatched it at all since then, because I don't think I'll enjoy it as much in any other format. But that first time viewing in IMAX was very special and blew me away. It was an enthralling immersive experience with great visuals and a superb performance from Sandra Bullock. It may not stack up as well with all my other favorites, but that experience will always stay with me.

Under the Skin (2013)

 If I told you this film is about Scarlett Johansson as an alien, picking up men and devouring them, what you're imagining right now is the complete opposite what this film is. Minimal on dialogue and narrative, but constantly compelling, this is a really fascinating and unique film with a fantastic soundscape and some very haunting moments scattered within.
It also keeps a feeling of isolation throughout, which I remember having a real effect on me, on my way home from the cinema. A truly remarkable and stand out film.

Birdman (2014)

 Just like a lot of other films in this list, this is one of those the ones where I had a feeling beforehand that I was gonna instantly connect to it and I certainly did. Not only is this film a grand technical achievement with its one take illusion, but it's also got great performances which includes a revitalized Michael Keaton and a very engaging narrative that just kept get better and better as it went along.
 

The Witch (2015)

 The trend of jump scare heavy horror was more prevalent than ever this decade. So having a brilliant slow burn horror like this in amongst them was always a breath of fresh air. 

There's no reliance on jump scares here, just good tension and a constant unsettling atmosphere. And all its other aspects like the cinematography, soundtrack and acting are all great as well, creating a very effective horror that is a superb debut for director Robert Eggers.

The Lobster (2015)

 I remember this film coming out of nowhere for me, just a random movie I saw was at the cinema that  I went and watched and ended up loving it. This is a strange asburdist black comedy that is thoroughly entertaining with moments of unusual brilliance and a real good cast of actors. I had seen his film 'Dogtooth' a few years prior, but it is this movie and that ones that followed which really made Yorgos Lanthimos became a favorite director of mine. Just a really weird and wonderful film.

Your Name (2016)

 An enthralling romantic fantasy anime that is thematically rich and highly emotional with super likable characters, stunning visuals, a constantly intriguing narrative, and some great drama and humour. May not have watched a whole lot of anime this decade but I'm very happy that I managed to catch this at the cinema when I did, 'cause it really blew me away.

Neon Demon (2016)

 Nicolas Winding Refn's sinister look into the modeling industry that is both horrifying and fascinating. It;s a brilliant piece of work with a great central performance from Elle Fanning. It's incredible to look at, surreal at times and overall totally engrossing. I love it.

The Handmaiden (2016)

 Park Chan Wook is another one of my favorite directors, and this is another film of his that fits comfortably among his best. A masterfully crafted tale of desire and sexuality that is totally enthralling. It has strong characters, a great subversive narrative and a good sprinkling of dark humor.

The Florida Project (2017)

 As you can probably tell by now, the films I enjoy the most tend to be the ones that are a bit more out there, but I do still enjoy the more stripped back indie dramas, they just don't connect with me as much. But if I was to choose one that I felt was the best from the decade, it would be this one.

It follows a young girl and her mother who live in a motel a few miles from Disney World. It's told mostly from the child's perspective and draws you in with its fantastic genuine performances before hitting you hard emotionally and ending in a rather peculiar but effective way. A superb indie gem that really stood out for me.

Mother! (2017)

 Darren Aronofsky is another filmmaker whose work always seems to easily connect with me and I even really enjoyed his Noah adaptation from 2014.

Mother! was one of those films that was an instant love for me, it's a very gripping experience that follows a couple living in an isolated house, whose quiet life is disrupted and slowly descends into a crescendo of chaos. The focus stays mostly on the wife played by Jennifer Lawrence who gives a fantastic performance as a woman on edge that goes through a whirlwind of emotions. It is at times tense, distrubing, emotional and even blackly comical. 

Just an incredible film that stands among Aronofsky's best.

Annihilation (2018)

Man, am I glad that I was able to see this on the big screen, 'cause what an experience this was. This is a deeply fascinating sci-fi horror with great cinematography, acting and sound, as well as a tremendous climax that had my mouth agape in awe and wonderment, which had a lasting effect on me even after the movie was over. The kind of abosrbing cinematic experience that will always stay with me.

Midsommar (2019)

 I loved Ari Aster's debut film "Hereditary" the year before, but he really upped the ante and topped himself with this one. I do enjoy my films about weird cults and this one is particularl excellent. The cinematography is brilliant, the performances are superb, and much like Herditary it takes a slow burn approach that creates a constant sense of intrigue that just absorbs you into it more and more. Very excited to what else Ari Aster will present in the next decade.

Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood (2019)

I've enjoyed Tarantino's output this decade, but his latest is the one that really hit it for me. I found it to be oddly cathartic in a way, and it actually managed to hit me emotionally, moreso than any Tarantino film ever has. I got so immersed in the setting and the characters and then the ending just really resonated with me. "inglorious Bastards" is still my favorite Tarantino film, but this certainly came very very close to topping it.

 

 

So those are the main ones that really stuck with me this decade, though there are probably quite a few more I could've added and wrote about too, but here's a list of other films I really liked from this decade:

Four Lions (2010)

Cold Fish (2010)

Scabbard Samurai (2010)

Villain (2010)

Guilty of Romance (2010)

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 (2011)

Drive (2011)

Shame (2011)

Planet of the Apes Reboot Trilogy (2011 - 2017)

Spring Breakers (2012)

The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)

 Evangelion 3.0 (2012)

Snowpiercer (2013)

Filth (2013)

 The Double (2013)

Nymphomaniac (2013)

12 Years a Slave (2013)

Trance (2013)

Stoker (2013)

R100 (2013)

X-Men Day of Future Past (2014)

John Wick Trilogy (2014 - 2019)

 Godzilla (2014)

The World of Kanako (2014)

Tokyo Tribe (2014)

What We Do in  the Shadows (2014)

A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Relfecting on Existence (2014)

Calvary (2014)

Interstellar (2014)

Nightcrawler (2014)

Gone Girl (2014)

Frank (2014)

New Star Wars Trilogy (2015 - 2019)

Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation (2015)

 Anomalisa (2015)

The Big Short (2015) 

The Revenant (2015)

Inside Out (2015)

Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

Antiporno (2016)

Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)

La La Land (2016)

Arrival (2016)

Swiss Army Man (2016)

 Kubo and the Two Strings (2016)

Sausage Party (2016)

Three Billboards Outside Ebving, Missouri (2017)

A Taxi Driver (2017)

The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017)

Blade Runner 2049 (2017)

 Eighth Grade (2018)

The Favourite (2018)

 The Night Comes for Us (2018)

BlacKKKlansman (2018)

Hereditary (2018)

 Mission Impossible - Fallout (2018)

Ready or Not (2019)

Us (2019)

 

 

Halloween Sequels (II - Resurrection) Review

Was gonna do separate reviews for each of these movies but decided to combine them into one big chunk, since I don't really have a whole lot to say about many of them. so without further ado here are my thoughts on the Halloween sequels.

Halloween II (1981)

In the first 15 minutes of this film a 17 year old kid dressed as Mike Myers gets pinned against a van by a police car that promptly explodes for no reason and it's absolutely ridiculous.
And that's not all, as the film is riddled with dumb moments, but you know what? it's still quite a fun watch overall. It takes a more general Slasher approach, with more violence and Donald Pleasance continues his enjoyable ramblings as the constantly on edge Dr. Loomis. ***

Halloween III: Season of the witch (1983)

 

This one gets a lot of flack for not having Mike Myers and being a completely different and new film as the studio wanted to carry on using the Halloween moniker but with a new film idea each time like an anthology.
Despite that though if you view this as a standalone horror as you're supposed to, this is actually quite an enjoyable film. Yeah some of it is still a little silly but it's got a nice little mystery that keeps it intriguing, as well as a couple good gruesome moments. My brother remarked that it's a bit like a James bond film except the spy elements are taken out and replaced by horror ones, I don't think he's far wrong, plus the film has quite a dark ending that I found to be quite effective. ***

Halloween 4: The return of Michael Myers (1988) Review

So of course Season of the witch failed and they brought back Michael Myers, and this is where the series starts getting a lot dumber, although this entry may be the blandest of the entire series.
Mike Myers is alot less intimidating (though his lowest point is still to come), there's barely any suspense or violence and it just kinda drags, especially towards the end. The most enjoyable stuff seems to be Dr Loomis and his rambling again, with the biggest highlight being when he's picked up  off the side of the road by a reverend, and honestly, they should have just made a road movie between those two as I would watch the shit out of it. **

Halloween 5: The Revenge Michael Myers (1989)

I thought 4 was bad...then 5 comes along and delivers this incompetent garbage.
I swear this film is meant to be a comedy because all I kept doing is laughing throughout. Myers has an awful and bothersome flappy neck on his mask making him the least scariest of the franchise, in fact Dr. Loomis is more terrifying in this, always bugging the poor Jamie Lloyd kid who is now psychic for some reason. There's also weird sound effects at certain points and the music score is a bit off and not quite working. 

Then of course you got the start of the Thorn bullshit and the whole thing is just inept. I think I still enjoyed it more than 4 but for all the wrong reasons. **

Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995)

 

I watched the producer's cut of this but also skimmed through the theatrical cut to compare and both are pretty bad with awful climaxes, but the producer's cut is a little more coherent with a better soundtrack opting for a more minimal atmospheric score like the first one which is quite a effective and completely ruined in the theatrical cut with added rock guitar riffs and squeals. In all honesty I was actually quite enjoying the producer's cut up until the big reveal towards the end and then the whole thing just falls apart. 

Here the Thorn stuff comes to the forefront, which is awful and ridiculous, but I do commend them for trying something a bit different I guess. And despite all the gobbledygook, the film is still more consistently put together than the previous film. **

Halloween H20: 20 years Later (1998)

 

AKA Laurie vs. Michael. Here the series shoots up in quality and provides the best sequel.
This one is set 20 years after the first two films events and completely disregards all the sequels that came after it, with Jamie Lee Curtis making a return as Laurie Strode.
The film itself is very enjoyable from start to finish and flies by at a brisk pace. The climactic showdown between Laurie and Michael is great and one of the series best highlights.
It still has its hokey and questionable bits, but for the most part this is a competently well made and executed Slasher. Plus I found LL Cool J playing a security guard that writes erotic fiction rather amusing. ***1/2

Halloween: Resurrection

Here's the series dips down again. It follows on directly from H20 and while the first 10 - 15 minutes are actually pretty good, Busta Rhymes then gets added to the mix and things turn into a farce.
Now I did like the whole Myers house being used for a internet horror show idea and maybe if they had minimized Busta Rhymes to a cameo or took him out completely, the film as a whole would have worked better. But his presence just makes things more comedic feeling and almost like a 'scary movie' parody at times, especially the ending, which I'm sure felt like a spit in the face to long-time fans of the franchise at the time.
Having said that, I didn't take the film all that seriously and actually thought it was pretty fun including Busta Rhymes whole shitck for just feeling bizarre and out of place. Most definitely a product of the early 00's  and honestly more enjoyable than 4, 5 and 6. **1/2

 

Halloween (1978) Review

I admit I don't have the same amount of love and attachment to this film as most people, in fact I saw the Rob Zombie remake long before watching this. But I still do have a strong appreciation for it and can see why it is so highly influential and regarded as a classic.

For one, the score is fantastic and has become iconic in itself, the haunting piano arrangement is instantly recognisable and just hearing it is enough to put most people on edge.

 The story is very simple but effective and for the most part maintains a terrific atmosphere and provides a great deal of suspense, with Michael Myers threatening presence being felt throughout the movie and effectively utilising a few popular Giallo elements like the killer POV.

However there are certainly some things that feel a bit dated and a little laughable at times, also the film's lack of gore compared to later slasher films may also make it seem a little tame for a modern audience. My brother for instance, who is a huge Slasher fan actually finds the film a little boring since the suspense doesn't really work on him and there's not enough that really goes on around that. So I can understand people not being that big on it since the suspense is arguably the film's biggest factor for engagement.

Personally, I do find this to be a great suspenseful horror whose achievements and influence outshine its flaws, but it's not something I would re-watch much. ****

Phantasm II (1988) Review

Released 9 years after the first one. This sequel starts right after where the first one left off and then jumps ahead 9 years as Reggie and Mike go on a journey to see out and take down the Tall-man once more, setting a bunch of trends that follow throughout the rest of the sequels including Reggie becoming the main hero and his attempts at trying to have sex with every woman he picks up.

This marks the only film in the series where Mike is played by a different actor, but I think he fits the role fine here and is a decent enough replacement, though I guess it is slightly jarring to go from him back to the original actor in the next film.
The Tall Man and Reggie are still played by original actors Angus Scrimm and Reggie Bannister though, as they would be for the rest of the film series.

The film also had a considerably bigger budget so of course they utilise that to the fullest and like alot of film sequels make thing bigger and bolder with more action and special effects as well as a somewhat lighter tone which all makes for a very fun and engaging experience.

The main theme heard in the first movie is retained, but the score itself is more generic and sounds similar to every other horror film of the time. It also delivers a similar fake-out ending to the first  which may annoy people but I was fine with it.

So yeah, while it does still have flaws and is much more conventional than the first film, lacking that same level of intrigue and mystery, I still found it to be almost as enjoyable. But then I do really like fun action horrors and this one in particular as a certain charm to it. ***1/2

Phantasm (1979) Review

This cult classic is certainly an interesting one...

The beginning is structurally very odd and feels a bit jumbled, but it soon finds it's footing and has heaps of intrigue which manages to keep you engaged throughout, revealing little details as it goes on but never fully explaining everything before delivering a sort of fakeout ending that links the film to themes of grieving and dealing with loss that gives it a psychological edge (which of course is dissipated in the sequels).

It's also got quite a good score on the go which is very reminiscent of music Goblin would produce for Dario Argento.

Characters do make some questionable decisions )particularly the main kid), The acting isn't the best and the atmosphere is inconsistent but Phantasm is a strange and enjoyable horror that's got a bit of unique vibe going for it which makes it clear why it became a cult favourite and spawned a franchise.

the Tall Man may not be the scariest of guys, but actor Angus Scrimm manages to give the character an intimating presence that certainly made an impact. ***1/2

Diagnosis: Death (2010) Review

Here's a low budget New Zealand horror comedy featuring Rhys Darby, Jermain Clement and Brett Mckenzie from the  Flight of the Conchords TV Show. however despite being the main selling point they only feature in small roles which make up the best moments of the film.

As for the rest of the movie...well it's very messy but somewhat fun. It is pretty simple kind of mysery/ghost film, the pacing is all over the place and horror elements are very bare and generic but there are couple of good bloody moments in there towards the end.
There's also some awkward sexual stuff and speaking of awkward the acting from the two main characters is pretty clunky and some their interactions sound a bit unnatural.
I did enjoy the performance of the Suze Tye though who plays Nurse Magaret Bates she worked well and was fun in her role.

So yeah overall I think there's enough in there to find enjoyment, it's not that funny but still provides a couple of laughs and it's clunky execution is entertaining in it's own way. Just don't expect much from it. **1/2

Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984) Review

This 80's christmas slasher is one that can be described as half decent.
All the origin stuff in the first half I found to be quite interesting and actually had some ok acting, once it shifts into the actual slasher stuff though, things get a bit mixed. There's a few nice kills and bloody moments (in the uncut version at least) but there's also a few dull moments, with some sequence being padded out to fill the run time.
The movie is certainly sleazy and twisted but surprisingly tackles a few issues like trigger happy policemen and the certain effects of abuse and trauma, of course its all done in the most basic of ways, so its not particularly depthful, but its still oddly there
Overall I think this isan enjoyable enough slasher flick, nothing great but not too bad. ***

Writhing Tongue (1980) Review

AKA Furueru shita.

 I actually went into this expecting a wacky horror especially with a name like 'Writhing Tongue'. However that was not the case at all, instead I was pleasantly surprised to find that this actually a great drama that shows the mental and emotional struggle of a couple who are stuck in hospital with their sick daughter who has a form of tetanus, as the doctors and nurses do their best to keep her alive and help her recover.
Now though its not a horror, the film does still have a couple of disturbing elements, there's some creepy synth music that comes in every now and again and few of things the doctors do to help the young girl which are quite discomforting. To be fair these elements still made me feel the film was gonna turn into full blown horror and it was about 35 minutes in that I realised thats probably wasn't happening.
The film was still really engrossing though, the acting was very good and there was some very nice framed shots, as well as a bluey/purple colour filter which is used a couple of times that I thought look really pretty.
the film also has a couple interesting dream sequence's that were integrated well and overall I really liked the direction and execution.
I think my only main issue with it, was that the ending did feel a bit rushed, it comes very suddenly and feel could have used  more time to play out.
Overall though I enjoyed this alot and thought it was great drama that was simple and effective, this is the second film I've seen from Yoshitaro Nomura and he's definitely impressed me so far from what I've seen, so hopefully I'll delve more into his work in future. Definitely recommended ****

Maniac (1980) Review

Maniac is a grimy slasher flick that follows the killer's POV. It's mainly made up of main character monologues and a bunch of killings that have some nice gore effects provided by FX wiz Tom Savini. It then delivers a very strange and pretty awesome ending as the killers psyche breaks down from what could be argued to be his guilt.
The killer is played by Joe Spinell who puts on a commendable performance but most of the supporting acting and dialogue is pretty bad and at times laughable.
The film also has some pacing issues and it can be a little too slow in places. I think there's one chase scene in particular that goes on far too long and lacks the suspense to merit it's length.
Overall Maniac is a pretty solid slasher though that bring some differences to the usual fare. ***

Invaders from Mars (1986)

Tobe Hooper's remake of 1953 film of the same name, is a rather simple but fun movie. It has a basic plot involving Martians invading earth and taking over peoples bodies, with the main character being a young boy who enlists the help of the army to stop them.
The acting an dialogue isn't all that great but the film's main highlight are the special effects which are awesome and the most enjoyable aspect of the movie. Both the martians and spaceship look really cool and there's even some very minor body horror thrown into the mix.
The film does have a bit of a cop-out ending that I thought was kinda bullshit, but aside from that this is a bit fun that doesn't have much going for it, but has enough there to keep you entertained. If you want much more than just flashy visual effects, then this film is certainly not for you. ***

Split (2016)

Split is the latest from director M. Night Shyamalan who I am happy to say is back on top form delivering a terrific thriller that is alot of fun.
The main thing that makes this movie is James Mcavoy's tremendous performance as the antagonist, he is just so utterly compelling and the film probably wouldn't have worked as well without him. He just manages to give life to Kevin's different personalities so incredibly well and he just shine through especially during the films great climax. The rest of the cast are pretty decent too and do a fine enough job.
I also really liked alor of the cinematography, it has lots of intricate camerawork that was quite intriguing and really fit in well with the film.
It's a little more predictable than you'd expect from M. Night Shyamalan but there is a nice surprise right at the end that kinda blew my mind but it may go over alot of audience members heads. Still the films constantly engaging, it's got humour, it's got tension and it thrills us like a good thriller should. Is it  a little O.T.T? sure but I love that and overall I thought this was great and one of the best things Shyamalan has done. Good Stuff. ****

Underworld: Blood Wars (2016)

So here it is, the latest film in the Underworld series and straight off the bat I have to say this is the shoddiest film in the series and I mean this mainly in terms of execution as it has a lot of messy editing and bad pacing with everything feeling rushed. It once again stars Kate Beckinsale and features Charles Dance and Theo James reprising their roles from the previous film, as well as some new faces including Tobias Menzies and Lara Pulver and her various provocative outfits.
Now the story's a bit of a mess and very generic but I preferred it to the previous film as theres lots of deceit going on that keeps it a little fun and its more reminiscent of the first film. This is also the films problem as its all too samey and just it feels a little stale with the most interesting scenes happen when they are at Vador, its a nice little change from the rest of the film and feature some fun action moments as well as introducing a couple of ideas that I wished they had explored more.
In terms of action overall the film as a good amount of it as well as some gore, although most of it is not the best, mainly because of the execution, but there are some enjoyable bits scattered abour.
The acting also varies in quality ranging between fine and kind of bad, but nothing flat-out terrible or good.
Overall the film is only partly successful at being  fun piece of mindless escapism and is really let down by its execution. Had things been handled better I definitely would have preferred it to the previous film, but as it stand this film is the weakest of the series and I think its time to put a stake into the franchises heart, but much like Selene, it's hard to kill for good. **

Underworld: Evolution (2006) Review

The second film in the Underworld series and it certainly ups the ante with more action, more gore, more sex and more fun. I quite enjoyed this, more so than the first movie, for starters its shorter and briskly runs through its 105 minute runtime, and while it still maybe be very superficial and shallow it delivers where it intends to with some very entertaining action and gore, which there is alot of through out and some good visual effects including the  some practical effects still being used for the Lycans so they still look rad as hell. The film is also again nice to look out and still uses its cold washed out look, but adds some nice added warmth in necessary places. Overall is just a very fun movie and that's all it aspires to be, which makes it a success in my book. Just some enjoyable action horror. ***

Underworld (2003)

In tepid anticipation for the new Underworld movie that hits UK next week, I've decided to go back and revisit the rest of the series. So here's the first film that kicked it all off, released in 2003 and inspired by the likes of Blade and The Matrix, Underworld is a leather-clad, gun toting action 'horror' pitting Vampires against Lycans(werewolves). Now I really enjoyed this film as a kid and having watched it again after a good few years, I still quite enjoy it, though not nearly as much as I used to.
First I want to talk about the Positives films strongest element which is its visuals, from its minimal colour palette to it's great set design the filmmakers did a great job of crafting the films world so it all looks good and nicely sets the films tone. It also got some good visual effects that still hold up quite well with a nice amount of practical effects that are utilised including for the transformed Lycans which look fantastic. Some of performances are also pretty good particularly  Kate Beckinsale, Bill Nighy and Michael Sheen, though there are a few that aren't so good but not flat-out bad. Finally the story is pretty standard but works well enough and I like the detailed mythology that's included within it.
So that's pretty much the positives, so what about its flaws?, well its biggest problems, is the lack of attachment to anything happening as the films is a little too superficial and shallow and it's only really towards the end of the film that they start to add in any character depth which is just too late, especially considering the films run time. Now it was the extended cut that I watched which clocks in at 2 hours 13 minutes, but the normal version is still 2 hours which is just too long for this movie and it really would have benefited alot just being 90 minutes, maybe 100 at a push. The film just drags at times and should have been more concise, also the action is decent enough but the gunplay does get a little boring at times.
Overall the movie is pretty fun and there's enough there to keep your attention throughout but it's certainly nothing stand out or great. A pretty decent first entry. ***

Top 10 films of 2016

So last year I waited til I'd seen a few Oscar contenders in January before doing a top 10, it was mainly to make a more definitive list, as I did struggle making it. But this year I've seen enough great stuff already that I can happily make a good list now rather than wait around. So 2016 was a significantly better film year than 2015 with alot more films resonating with me and despite alot of the blockbusters under-delivering there's been a lot of solid films out overall. So here are my favorite films of year which aside from the top 4 are not necessarily in a definitive order.

Honourable Mentions

Hail Caesar!

The Nice Guys

Zootopia

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice

Captain America: Civil War

10. Sausage Party

Nope, this is no joke, I had a hell of a fun time watching this and the film is way better than it should be. Not only is it really funny, but beneath it's gross out exterior lay a heart and some depth that help make it a  great adult animated comedy. Its ridiculous content maybe be too much for some, but I super enjoyed it.

9. The Shallows

 Probably the best shark movie since Jaws, featuring a strong leading performance from Blake Lively and the best supporting performance of 2016 by a seagull. This is another film that worked alot better than it should have and I had a blast watching it. A shark/survival film done exceedingly well.

8. Hell or Highwater

Following the recurring theme of films exceeding expectations(though on a smaller scale), Hell or High Water was a film that I already knew was supposed to be great before seeing it, but I didn't think I'd be that big on it, as it seemed like the kind of film that doesn't have much appeal to me, but I know I'd still appreciate. However my presumptions were wrong and I ended up really liking it alot.  From it's superb opening shot, it just keeps you hooked from start to finish and It's just a great movie with great characters (even the side characters are really interesting), that's really well shot, acted and written. 

7. Swiss Army Man

 Now here's a film I knew pretty much nothing about before watching, except that was supposed to be good and that Paul Dano and Daniel Radcliffe were in it. I certainly didn't expect to see one of the most unique films to come out this year, so it was a very pleasant surprise. It's a weird and wonderful comedy with great performance from it's two stars and with moments that are funny, disturbing and gross all at once. I can't help but love it's bizarre nature and it's got a good heart too, a great film all in all.


6. The Witch

 The best horror film of the year, one devoid of jump scares, but full of pure tension and includes brilliant ending. It's a simple but very effective movie with strong performances, great atmosphere, great cinematography and a unique setting that sets it apart from all modern horror. A great horror that had a lasting impression on me.


5. The Hunt For The Wilderpeople

Taika Waititi's latest film is an absolute joy to watch. It's a lovely and incredibly likable film full of heart and good humour. Waititi's nails it yet again providing probably the most pleasurable watch on this list. It's simply wonderful and I can't wait to see how Waititi handles Thor: Ragnorok.

4. Kubo and the Two Strings

Laika's best film so far featuring some of the most beautiful stop motion I've ever seen. Kubo is an incredible film with a story thats ripe with emotion, excitement and a heartfelt message. Combined with some top notch vocie acting and stunning visuals,. Kubo is simply fantastic.

3. Arrival

Arrival is an incredible piece of Sci-fi that is thought provoking and intelligent. It's so utterly engrossing and intriguing and features quite a few surprises. The performances are strong, the sound is superb, It's also emotional, leaves a lasting a effect and has themes that are very relevant for today. Denis Villeneuve really shows his talent as a director, as this could have easily been really boring in the wrong hands, but he manages to make it work incredibly well. Simply fantastic.

2. Neon Demon

Love him or hate him, Nicolas Winding Refn is one of the most interesting directors working today and one that's not afraid to take risks. The Neon demon is one of his best films to date(perhaps even his best), a sinister look into the modelling industry that is both fascinating and horrifying. A brilliant piece of work with a stellar central performance from Elle fanning. Incredible to look at, surreal at times and totally engrossing, I loved it.

 

 1. Your Name

 For a good number of months I was certain that The Neon Demon was gonna be my film of the year, then Your Name came along and completely changed that. My 3rd animated film on this list (and 3rd animated style), Your Name is nothing short of brilliant, a beautiful anime that contains super likable characters and is full of great drama, humour and emotion. It's constantly intriguing and utterly enthralling and I just love it. My favourite film of 2016.



So that's my list for the 2016 and I'm very much looking forward to what 2017 brings and there's a lot of intriguing films that are gonna come out. Hopefully I'll be getting more reviews done throughout 2017, so until then. Good Bile.