FilmFincher

I opted for just 89' and Returns separately because I'm not as fond of the other two! But I can imagine they pop really well on HDR.

I'm also on board for Batman Returns. It's just so bonkers but god I love it. Michelle Pfeiffer and Danny DeVito completely steal the show, iconic performances. Pick up the new 4K if anybody hasn't, beautiful remaster.

FEBRUARY Movies Current Releases Belle - 9/10 - Been listening to the soundtrack/score non-stop. Emotionally compelling and gets to a deeper point about human connection. Very sweet and beautifully animated. Jackass Forever - 8/10 Dog - 7/10 Kimi - 7/10 - You could tell Soderbergh was having a lot of fun in an extreme genre kind of way. It’s not the most original idea but Kravitz is great and the COVID setting hits very close to home. Uncharted - 6/10 Death on the Nile - 5/10 The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022) - 4/10 Fistful of Vengeance - 1/10 - God awful, one of the worst films I’ve seen in years. I just wanted to see Iko kick some ass but the film couldn’t even deliver on that. Chemistry between the cast is woeful and any attempts at humour make you want to smack your head against the wall. Older Releases The Graduate - 10/10 - Another knockout soundtrack. Consistently funny, methodically directed and taps into post-graduate aimlessness that’s more relevant now than ever. Captain Phillips - 9/10 Breakfast at Tiffany’s - 8/10 Marie Antoinette - 8/10 - Stunning photography, inspired soundtrack. Hard Target - 8/10 Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar - 8/10 - Jamie Dornan solo for the win. A real throwback to those classic SNL style comedies like Austin Powers. The Hunt - 7/10 - Betty Gilpin is a total badass. Patriot Games - 6/10 - I think I prefer Jack Ryan when the stakes are less personal. Double Jeopardy - 6/10 - Absurd premise but great idea for a 90’s action thriller. Didn’t quite live up to the promise of it’s first half. It lacks momentum after Ashley Judd gets out of prison. Broken Arrow - 6/10 TV Euphoria S2 - 9/10 - Increasingly chaotic in the best way possible, this season feels sure and certain of itself that just makes it looser and a lot more fun. Haven’t actually watched the finale yet so don’t spoil. Peacemaker - 9/10 - Fantastic action and Cena kills it. Perfect mix of sad and funny. Pam & Tommy - 8/10 - Show isn’t quite finished yet but Lily James and Sebastian Stan absolutely disappear into their roles. Murderville - 8/10 Reacher - 7/10 - Pretty standard TV murder/conspiracy stuff, fun enough. The Book of Boba Fett - 5/10

January Scream Parallel Mothers Nightmare Alley Belfast Licorice Pizza February Jackass Forever Death on the Nile Uncharted Belle Dog Total: 10 Would have liked to see Cyrano but way too busy at the moment, maybe if my local still has it the week after Batman.

RT: 87 - (7.70) MC: 72

A lot of Spielberg films are actually filled with longer takes but the man is just so good at blocking out a scene and flowing with the story you tend not to notice them. They also don't come off as flashy/showy as some current ones.

I'm also regretful that I forgot about Rick and Evie, would have definitely made my list.

I would definitely recommend this over Uncharted and Death on the Nile to anyone deciding on their cinema trip. A nice reminder of how funny and charismatic of a screen presence Channing Tatum is.

This was very enjoyable. The plot points are exactly what you'd expect it but it's all handled with a dash of sincerity and earnestness. The film does a good job of actually taking it's time and not devolving into schmaltz until it's final moments. It also acts a nice reminder of just how magnetic and funny of a screen presence Channing Tatum is, great to have him back on the big screen. I was definitely won over and charmed by the film.

My 2-4 tends to swap around a lot. The Dark Knight Batman Returns Batman Begins Batman (1989) Batman: Mask of the Phantasm The LEGO Batman Movie The Dark Knight Rises Batman: The Movie (1966) Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Batman Forever Batman & Robin The landmark films in the genre for me would be Superman (1978), Batman (1989), Unbreakable (2000), Spider-Man 2 (2004), The Incredibles (2004), The Dark Knight (2008), Avengers: Endgame (2019).

Quite a few miniseries are one director across the whole series. The Young Pope/The New Pope is still in my watchlist so couldn't give any personal recommendations but give a browse through the former programming HBO miniseries list there's sure to be some good picks there.

Wasn't the worst way to kill 2 hours, if I had to align it with a recent film it'd probably be Red Notice. Generic action stuffer that moves at a decent pace. Some decent action, some awful action and cartoony CGI to go along with it. We'll all forget this film even existed by the end of the year but you'll be mildly entertained watching it. The biggest problem the film has is it's not Uncharted. It's glossy, shiny, modern, poppy, corporatised and it sands off any edges the franchise had to achieve mass appeal. It just never nails that sense of adventure or mystery or wonder, we're just going through the motions. I'm convinced that Ruben Fleischer is not a real person but an amalgamation of suits at Sony. Holland is not right for this role, his first scene showed promise but then he devolves into Chris Pratt 2.0. Any smarm, charm or cockiness that makes up Nate is largely not present here, he's stiff as a board. Whalberg, while not the most accurate Sully plays it looser and understands the movie he's in. I also really liked Sophia Ali as Chloe Frazer. It does have a stronger go at incorporating franchise elements (puzzles, maps, hidden treasures, existing lore) than other video game adaptions which I appreciated. But it's heart is in the wrong place. You know there's a problem when the mysterious tomb has a night club in the middle of it.

I found the first half to be incredibly laborious and padded but it's second half delivers on all the staples of a murder mystery; investigations, accusations, dramatic reveals. Just wish it'd got there sooner, Branagh's very earnest classical approach does the film no favours when it comes to it's pace and how everything plays out. It's all very familiar and if you're accustomed with the language of the genre it will offer no surprises when it comes to the culprit but it surprised me in other areas. The whole thing is lavishly staged and the 65MM photography does give the film a leg-up, however it's all too often battling CGI establishing shots and constant green screen. Performances were solid all around, and Branagh takes a deeper dive into the character of Poirot which I found interesting. It ends up being just serviceable.

I mean the series went full Fast & Furious and as soon as I accepted that, the more fun I had. Gimme those goddamn Jason Bourne raptors.

The Batman Looks like midnight showings everywhere and IMAX 7:00PM screenings on Thursday.

The show feels like a bit of a misfire from Favreau/Rodriguez and co. What should have been a 3 episode arc on Mando S3 gets stretched out to 7 episodes that fail to capitalise on it's premise. It's also plagued with a couple of the strange production choices that occur in some of the Marvel shows; namely awkward editing and pace. There's moments I enjoyed but the whole thing is just confused.

Officially rated 15 by the BBFC https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/the-batman-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc01mzi3otm The ratings info tab contains a more detailed breakdown as to why. (I will be avoiding this though, I've managed to restrict myself to only the first teaser and Giacchino's score)

Jackass was hilarious, go see it with a big late night crowd. Glad Paramount waited to release it in theatres.

Love the Godzilla binge watch. I tried to revisit all of them a couple of years ago but I think some of the lesser ones are better left as a nostalgic memory so I ended up skipping to the standouts.

January Scream Parallel Mothers Nightmare Alley Belfast Licorice Pizza Total: 5

JANUARY Movies Current Releases Nightmare Alley - 9/10 - Absolutely engrossing, beautiful to look at, one of Cooper’s most compelling performances. A reminder of what a masterful director Del Toro is. Licorice Pizza - 8/10 Parallel Mothers - 8/10 - I’m not entirely sure what it amounted to towards the end but I cried for maybe 30 mins during it and was emotionally drained after. Cruz was fantastic. Belfast - 8/10 - Charming, sweet and delightful Boiling Point - 8/10 - A pretty riveting 90 mins, I found some subplots a little too cute but otherwise captures a chaotic energy. Scream (2022) - 7/10 The 355 - 3/10 Older Releases The Deer Hunter - 10/10 The Master - 9/10 Raging Bull - 9/10 United 93 - 9/10 - Didn’t feel hokey or overcooked, Greengrass is a master of tension and I think this conveys the fear and uncertainty of that day in a way I didn’t really understand before. The Rescue (2021) - 9/10 Dirty Dancing - 8/10 - Is this one of the sexiest film’s ever? Also why are original songs not this good anymore! What are you doing Hollywood! Raw - 8/10 10 Thing I Hate About You - 8/10 Beverly Hills Cop - 8/10 Isle of Dogs - 8/10 Deja Vu - 8/10 - Oozes cool, makes zero sense plot wise but it has all the flair and deliciously indulgent filmmaking you want from a Tony Scott film. Jennifer’s body - 7/10 The Lost Daughter - 7/10 A Cure for Wellness - 7/10 - Visually stunning but predictable Executive Decision - 6/10 - Nice model work at the end. Vantage Point - 4/10 - Neat idea but largely falls flat. The Forest Whitaker subplot had me rolling. The Protege - 4/10 - It’s kind of weird how much chemistry Maggie Q and Michael Keaton had. The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard - 3/10 - A few chuckles but otherwise amounts to incessant screaming for 2 hours. TV Yellowjackets S1 - 9/10 What We Do In the Shadows S3 - 9/10 Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts - 8/10 The Witcher S2 - 7/10 - Watched about half the season, don’t intend to finish it. It’s fine, definitely an improvement on S1 but doesn’t offer enough to stick with it.

Agree, the 2013 one is fantastic, deserves its place with the others. Different tone to Raimi but still a rip roaring blood fest. Love the 3rd act.

Some of my favs. FYC

I believe The Dark Knight also got a 15A in Ireland

Book of Boba Fett was wearing on me for the last couple of episodes and this episode was just a reminder of how much more invested I am in other storylines and characters. Also, a huge jump in the look and direction this episode; Bryce Dallas Howard has that shit locked in.