Attack On Titan (2015)

Part one of the live action adaptation of the highly popular manga/anime of which I myself am a fan of, but while this film may not reach the greatness of it's source material, what we have here is still a really fun movie. For better or worse the film takes a few creative liberties and takes away alot of the character depth and story  focuses more on delivering a straight up action film. (something that has understandably annoyed alot of fan), I for one don't mind this so much as it is still a very engaging movie from start to finish, the visual effects themselves certainly aren't hollywood high standard (as expected) but they are still quite fun to look at and have some genuine good bits at times and the film still manages to feel a little different to your usual action blockbuster.
Overall the film is a bit of a disappointment but if you are willing accept the film for what it is, then there's still quite a bit of fun to be had here in this entertaining (if a little shallow) thrill ride
***1/2

Terminator Genisys (2015)

Another needless Terminator movie that has, understandably, been ripped apart by critics.
I on the other hand rather liked this film and thought it was rather decent.
Sure, it's nowhere near the levels of greatness as the first two (something I highly doubt any new Terminator can), but I did enjoy it more than 3 and salvation and liked some of the ideas it presented. I also really liked the references and the remaking of certain sequences and felt it was a interesting way of transitioning us into this new terminator world that they are creating for the current generation. I thought Emilia Clarke was a good replacement for Linda Hamilton and I always love a bit of Arnie. The rest of the cast I could take or leave apart from Matt Smith who I thought had great presence in the few scenes he was in, and I also really liked the addition of JK Simmons in is small role.

As I said, the movie isn't necessarily great and is a bit of a mess but I still think it's passable entertainment and does enough to stay enjoyable. It's just missing the wow factor, which of course, is hard to have when you have the shadow of T2 lurking over you.
A lot of hardcore terminator fans are probably gonna loathe this film but hopefully a few will see some of its more positive and promising aspects and I myself am still intrigued to see where they go with it next, though, how many  people actually still care about the franchise is sure to be revealed over the weekend.
Overall people may say I'm being too soft for accepting a Terminator movie that is merely decent but I like to stay on the more optimistic side of things. It may be another needless Terminator movie, but for something unnecessary it's still quite enjoyable.
***

The Rapeman (1993)

"Righting wrongs through penetration."

The above quote is the actual motto of Rapeman, a man who is paid to rape people who have done wrong. Based on the manga series (of course), The Rapeman is a film that sounds rather fun on the surface (well to some people like me) but turns out to be a great disappointment. The film is totally inconsistent with its tone and atmosphere (but not in a good way) and misses the chance to go all out wacky with its silly idea, instead delivering something rather tepid and only slightly odd, with the attempt to recreate the manga's black comedy failing completely. 

Still, I give the film kudos for trying and the film still managed to spawn six sequels and two spin offs, so it certainly has an audience somewhere, but for me, it just didn't work.

**

Redline (2009)

A hugely entertaining sci-fi racing anime that is a bombastic visual thrill ride. The plot may be simple but it makes up for it with piles of creativity and great pacing. I love the style and design of the universe and characters and it's so full of energy that there's never a dull moment. Those who prefer a bit of complexity and depth to their Anime, look elsewhere,
those who love pure enjoyable spectacles full of great animation, then I highly recommend this film. Cool, slick and full of awesome.
****

HK: The Forbidden Superhero

A film about a superhero named Hentai Kamen (Lit. Masked Pervert) who wears nothing but panties on his head, a mankini and stockings and defeats people with his crotch. This will probably be too ridiculous for some to enjoy. But I found the movie to be a lot of fun with some good comedy. The CGI is dodgy as fuck which is probably the films biggest flaw, but when you look past that  there is a very entertaining film here and remember 'being a bigger pervert doesn't make you a stronger pervert'. Ridiculous fun.
***

Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

Mad Max returns bigger and better than ever. George Miller delivers a great action film filled with outstanding action sequences. It's glorious to see so many practical effects again, especially being executed to almost utter perfection. The cinematography is also fantastic, providing us with many beautiful shots and the actors do a fine job too, with Tom Hardy being a more than adequate replacement for Mel Gibson as Max.
Now I didn't love it as much as some people and I wouldn't consider it a masterpiece, however I do admire it's brilliant execution and while it may not offer much for those who aren't much into action. I would highly recommend those that are action fans to go see this movie, as the action really is phenomenal and needs to be seen, and you don't have to see an of the previous films to see this, as it works absolutely fine as a stand alone film.(much like the other kind of do)
Overall Miller has once again managed to outdo himself with the Mad Max series, the ambition and scope have never been higher, giving us a truly non-stop thrill ride that is truly a joy to watch. In a time where sequels and reboots can be tiresome, Mad Max: Fury Road comes hurtling forward showing how to do it right.
****

Mad Max 1-3 (1979, 1981 & 1985)

In preparation for the newest Mad Max film (review coming soon), I watched the first three in the series for the first time. So here are my thoughts on each one.

Mad Max (1979)

the first Mad Max is a solid and fun low budget action flick. It's low budget may have somewhat marred it's dystopian vison from being fully realised, but it definitely does as good as it can with it's circumstances and though it's a little messy and has a strange obsession with dissolves, it's still a very enjoyable and solid first film.
***

Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1981)

Mad Max 2 greatly improves on it's predecessor, with it's bigger budget helping the films post-apocalyptic vision really come through with it's punk visual aesthetics and desert land setting. The story is kept simple and some good moments of humour, but of course the film really shines through with it's enthralling and well executed action sequences, making this a really solid and thoroughly enjoyable action film, that does everything it should, to be better than the first film. Good Stuff.
***1/2

Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985)

The third film in the Mad Max series is the one that is known to divide people. Many peoples problems with it stemming from the kids from the second half being reminiscent of the lost boys from Peter Pan completely messing with the tone of the rest of the film. I myself prefer this film to first two films(yes even Road Warrior), this is mainly due to the films greater ambition to be something more. I also really liked the lost kids and and had no issue with them, aside from some of their scenes dragging a little. The action is still really well executed, there are some great moments of humour and again the films dystopian vision is beautifully pulled off. The standout sequence of course thought is the one inside the Thunderdome which I thought was wonderful and absolutely adored. Overall it may be a little rough around the edges but this is another really solid action film, that manages to stand above it's predecessors with it's greater ambition.
***1/2