donmurray29 Reviews

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024)

A very fine film, shows that sagas can be done, good.

[8/10 · 13 May 2024]

Giving this a 8/ 10

Next chapter in the continuing story of the apes, this one is set hundreds of years later from the last film, so all new cast, all new everything, but humans are still, just as stupid.

The film takes it pace and explores it's characters and the landscape with great skill, and is a very great next step in the right direction, not only in the story, but in the look too. I think this is one of the really best looking films out there and IMAX, if you can do it, is a must.

West Ball directs everything good, not rushing us about, and the action is splendid, so we also enjoy some real good acting along with the great script by Josh Friedman, Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver.

Owen Teague is really good as our new hero, and Kevin Durand, last seen in 'Abigail', is just as good, if not better here. Freya Allan, Neil Sandilands, Sara Wiseman really add more excellent acting, all must have had a tough but good time on this film, and it a gem, that shows, if in the right hands, you can do a good series of films. Another good solid summer film.

The Fall Guy (2024)

Must see fun action and love story.

[8/10 · 8 May 2024]

Giving this a 8/ 10

This film is just pure entertainment, on a very high level, and just pure fun and some great comedy too. The story is proper good, it moves along with with such a fast pace, the main leads of Gosling and Blunt, fire off each other, thanks to the great writing by Brea Pearce, and funky direction by David Leitch, who draws out the very best of them, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Winston Duke and Hannah Waddingham, just dive right into the great characters they play and have a blast.

The action, the stunts are pretty much near perfect, not just drown in, but drive the love story/ crime narrative, as crazy as it is, all the way along until the very end, and even that is funny. 'BulletTrain' was nothing but anarchic fun, like this, but no swearing, so it's more family friendly. Very much a film that must be seen on the big screen, as the stunts are just fantastic.

Scarygirl (2023)

Oddball fun

[7/10 · 1 May 2024]

Giving this a 7/ 10

Based on Graphic Novel from 10 years ago, I found this film very sweet and simple. I feel that the look will put everyone off, but don't let the character designs put you off.

The cast includes Sam Neill, Anna Torv, Remy Hii, Tim Minchin, and Jillian Nguyen and the lead. Loads of fun I hope they had, as the players are all super weird and quirky, but in a good way.

The story is very simple and aimed at kids, but the themes of loss, the environment, gambling and revenge, carry through the movie are very adult. There is nothing that will offend anybody, and the art design and sound is very colourful, it's all very good, short too. Just needed more on the story and this could be a real classic of an animated film. It's a great film that does work in the cinema.

Back to Black (2024)

Great music, great acting, sad story. Still good.

[7/10 · 17 April 2024]

Giving this a 7/ 10

I know nothing about Amy Winehouse, other than she sang, and died young, that's it. So this was an eye opener of a great film. Director, Sam Taylor-Johnson, does a very good job on what must be the most toughest music star biopic, has she did not have a good time from what is contained in this film, but that does not mean it's not fun at all, there is good humour to be had and the film is beautiful and full of vibrant colours and settings.

Marisa Abela really is a true knockout as, Amy, and she can sing, move and dress the part, which is never easy, as you can't really ask the person you are playing, since they died way back. Eddie Marsan and Jack O'Connell do not waste their roles and along with the ever great, Lesley Manville, I got a great feel of the cast and the story, as tragic as it may be, the music is brilliant and with Nick Cave and Warren Ellis musical touch, it is way up there.

I would give it a higher rating of 8, if I knew much more about Amy, so I could compare to what is true and is been hyped up for dramatic purposes. So this is still very good entertainment, that I really enjoyed in Cineworld Superscreen.

Civil War (2024)

Message to America, a grim one

[8/10 · 10 April 2024]

Civil War

Giving this a 8/ 10

Alex Garland is is brilliant film maker, and this latest film is a grim cracker of a film. I saw it in IMAX and I do recommend this format for this. It's a familiar story of sorts, his take of 'Heart of Darkeness', the old Joseph Conrad novel, most famously done as 'Apocalypse Now'. Garland's film is a bunch of journalists travelling across a future America totally destroyed by internal war. So it's from their point of view and makes it very different and very more chilling.

Nick Offerman has worked with Alex, before, he plays the President. Wagner Moura, Kirsten Dunst, Cailee Spaeny and Stephen McKinley Henderson are the poor unfortunates who travel across the USA in their quest to meet their Kurtz/ President in this case. You must pay close attention to the first 20 minutes that will fill you in what lead to the war and they why of the film.

I have read some of the user reviews on IMDB, the low scores are from people who did not pay attention to this film. It's clear warning of what America is becoming, and the president character is clearly based on Trump. It has all the horror like, 'Apocalypse Now', just told from a new perspective and not in a forgone land or in space like 'Ad Astra' and ''Lightyear'. This film also has elements or feel of, 'The Purge' in it. Worth the trip, but it's very violent, so not for the light hearted.

Monkey Man (2024)

Blessings from my Mother.

[7/10 · 31 March 2024]

Giving this a 7.5/ 10

Dev Patel takes the crime genre in this quite splendid directed film by him. He stars in it and is in acting form, and it's all really good in the giant size super screen I watched it in.

I see that Dev has done his homework, the whole feel is of early Clint Eastwood crime films - 'Thunderbolt and Lightfoot', 'Joe Kid' plenty of Bruce Lee film references -'Enter the dragon' and others,the night time is captured also reminds me of Scorsese -'Mean Streets' quite a bit.

The story of revenge is handed differently with the dream sequences and the use of Indian gods, spiritualism its very prevalent and plays a large role in the plot and the movement of the movie, which changes the whole dynamic and speed, it takes it time to get where it needs too. Kind of like Paul Andrew Williams film-'Bull' which is very similar to this in certain ways, that also is a another film that pulls off another Clint Eastwood film, that is' High Plains Drifter'.

You get plenty of blood and violence in this, with a superb acting and roles, but, and there is a but, Dev's direction is slightly off the mark with the close up shots being too close and framing of shots in this, that is why it misses the 8/10 mark. I feel if this was shot on very large lines or IMAX, this would get the high rating I think is should.

Robot Dreams (2023)

Charming animated film, European fun.

[7/10 · 26 March 2024]

Giving this an 7.5/10 rating

Last film that is out from the Oscar animated nominated films of the year, and it's a good one. Based on a graphic novel. About a world of animals and a lonely dog who wants a companion.

I have to admit, the poster is not the greatest for me, but, it is what it is, and 100% works as it shows you what it looks like and the story some what, you forget about the simple character designs and just simply love the story.

Pablo Berger and Sara Varon don't mess about, you get a great tho leads and their stories that are tragic, funny, crazy and real, if that makes any sense in a cartoon world. The city it's set in is full of life and it's quirks, it's familiar ups and downs, mad weather patterns! The charm of it all is the selling point of this and it's laughs at the world of here and now, as well as loneliness of the cover era, which is the metaphor here.

A very different animated movie that should be seen, not just animators, but all ages can and will enjoy this. Worth the nomination for ti.

Mothers' Instinct (2024)

Masterclass of acting, a super film too.

[8/10 · 26 March 2024]

Giving this an 8/10 rating

Did a double bill of 'Late Night with the Devil' and 'Mothers' Instinct' which I also gave an 8/10, having a good day at the cinema is really, good so both films get rewarded.

Remake of a Foreign language film from a few years back, which, I missed and will have to check up on, the trailer does not let you into the full set up of the film, which is a good thing.

Anne Hathawayand Jessica Chastain, just show why they earn their Oscars for acting in this, there is not a single misstep from them. They are the draw and cry of the film, along with total brilliant work from Josh Charles and Anders Danielsen Lie. Eamon Patrick O'Connell deserves special mention as he had a tough role, and a tough ask from his character, as does the movie's outlook though out.

The film has a glow to it, thanks to Benoît Delhomme, very European but Trans Atlantic look to it, you could go as far as say a magic look, which works, and does misdirect, for a good reason. It is so well done, I just am surprised how it's getting released in the middle of other big films right now, that it will get passed over. Don't miss this acting masterclass of a movie.

Late Night with the Devil (2023)

Proper horror, lead by excellent performances

[8/10 · 26 March 2024]

Giving this an 8/10 rating

Did a double bill of 'Late Night with the Devil' and 'Mothers' Instinct' which I also gave an 8/10, having a good day at the cinema is really, good so both films get rewarded.

This is the second great horror film of this year, after 'Exhuma' which is still showing. The story is set in the 1970's in American TV talk show land. A live broadcast starts of exciting, but soon, all hell really does break loose, and it really does. Thanks to Colin Cairnes and Cameron Cairnes, both twitting and direction, not a second is wasted here, a real great 70's feel, is deliberately done through the lens of the TV screen that is not clean but dusty, pale, limited colours of the time. The use of music, text and narration at the beginning from Michael Ironside, is spot on.

David Dastmalchian takes the lead in this, and really shows just how great an actor he is, he controls you, and the the narrative, but really his character is totally out of control. Laura Gordon and Ingrid Torelli have their work cut out and deliver the dread, Rhys Auteri, Ian Bliss, Steve Mouzakis and a super Fayssal Bazzi, must also suffer, brilliantly.

When the evil does start, you would be running out this TV studio, if you survive, as the ending is nothing short of a bloody mess, proper good deaths. This film is a performance lead horror, and with the great ideas here, it's great entertainment, fresh and good. Very enjoyable, it does take it's time though.

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024)

Good story, so that is not a rushed out film

[8/10 · 23 March 2024]

Giving this an 8/10 rating

Giving this an 8/10. Very strong story and some new faces along with the cast from the last film. Was not rushed out, as you get on these sequel films, so it's not really film that feel pressured to be seen, but worth the trip, as it is very glorious on the big screen.

I do write that you do need to see the last film, but, this does hold up on it's own, it has a new twist on the supernatural experience that weaves it's way into the plot very cleverly and if the performances were not rock solid, it would fall on it's face. Many more effects this time around, but again, they drive the film along the right path, not showy at all. With Dune part two still out, we get another great part two film here, showing what cinema can do, with great writing and directing on show.

The Lyricist Wannabe (2023)

A good look at how tough the music business is.

[7/10 · 21 March 2024]

Giving this an 7/10 rating

Dive into the world of music production, and it's very tough business. Writer director Norris Wong, does a splendid job with clever colourful visuals, with animated bits sprung in, good sound design, that is important since this a film about music, and great acting.

Suet-Ying Chung is very charming, soft and innocent as the lead role she plays, and she has it really tough, and you just wonder, why go through this, well she is determined, that's why, and she goes through the bad and the bad, as we she her journey to reach her goal. The other actors really do push the story along and are not just padding, the father character is the most fun, and there really is some laughs here and there, but it's mostly a very heart breaking journey, but a good one.

This is not 'Maestro' or 'A Star is Born', both films about the music industry, this is a different point of view of it, a lot more fun, and the right ending, it was really worth a look. A good Chinese film.

Cabrini (2024)

Great looking and acting, but a flawed film

[6/10 · 19 March 2024]

Giving this an 6/10 rating

The film is a look at another true tale of someone I never heard of , Francesca Cabrini, a nun on a mission to save as many as possible and the real pitfalls she faced getting stuff done. The story itself is very compelling and not at all bad, it's just that it feels shoved in your face and very, very preachy and arrogant. And it's a real problem, again another film that drags on, a bit too long.

Cristiana Dell'Anna is 100% super as Cabrini, Romana Maggiora Vergano was a joy, with a very tough role she had too play. David Morse and John Lithgow are the good foils here and, with Giancarlo Giannini, these three lend weight to the story and performances. It's very well acted, and Alejandro Monteverde does a bang up job, directing and it looks really good, the set design and costumes are top.

This is done by the same team that did 'Sound of Freedom'. By, Angel Studios, so it's what I kind of expected in some ways, but I am disappointed by the delivery is not right, Not really and 8/10 film for me.

Immaculate (2024)

Another nice try on the horror genre.

[7/10 · 19 March 2024]

Giving this an 7/10 rating

Sydney Sweeney is on the screens, again, this is her third film out this year, and this time it is the horror genre, is good? Yes and no.

Another film that is just not scary enough, but at least we do get lots of blood, some death, dread and good action set ups, but I have to say the narrative is more sic fi than horror, once you sit through the film. Director, Michael Mohan really has a good eye and the film does looks colourful and we get treated to some good shots and the interiors, are not devoid and lit well, when needed to be seen.

Simona Tabasco and Benedetta Porcaroli are good as friends of sorts to Sweeney, depending on your point of view, Alvaro Morte is sincere and carries himself well, Dora Romano and Betty Pedrazzi are just stern characters, you get good acting, and the costumes are lavish and also simple.

The bad points are, it's just another film that is not scary enough, you need more, and the last part of the film is a bit of a let down, sorry wise, but this is where all the death occurs, so you have to bare with it, but it's well under two hours and goes at a good pace. Better than 'Night Swim' and just better than 'Imaginary', only just better.

Exhuma (2024)

Almost perfect horror film

[8/10 · 17 March 2024]

Giving this an 8/10 rating

I'll be paying more attention to what writer director Jae-hyun Jang does as this was quite brilliant, at last a very good horror, with horror in it, from Korea.

A Korean family are having trouble trying to bury a relative, and a lot more else goes on, so no more I can write. For a start, you get a sense of dread, from the very start, and when trouble happens, it really does happen and how they got into it and out of it. People get killed and the evil is real and clever, as is the story.

I saw this in super screen, and it is nothing short of fantastic audio and visuals from, Jang. Beauty can hide something else and the tricks here are played very well and you get the pay off that is missing from the movies of the past three months, and some good killings and blood!

Choi Min-sik, Kim Go-eun, Lee Do-hyun, Yoo Hae-jin, Hong Seo-jun, Jeon Jin-ki and Kim Jae-cheol are actors I have seen in many great parts and films, all are excellent and they studied real shaman ways, according to the director, so hats off to them, the vfx, production design is simple, not over worked, so it's not flashy with money thrown all over the place.

Lots more scare films coming along, and I think this could be a 8.5 rating in a few months time. Really great entertainment.

Perfect Days (2023)

Lovely Days

[7/10 · 14 March 2024]

Giving this an 7.5/10 rating

Wim Wenders go to Japan and delivers a movie that is really sweet and simple, and very likeable. The set up is a man who cleans toilets in various locations in Tokyo for a living, and the many encounters he has during the days of the time we spend with him, which is nothing short of funny, intense and lovely.

Another film that enjoys the look of Japan and it's people, but this time with no malice, just some very observed set pieces around the cleaner, brilliantly played by Koji Yakusho, and who he interacts with people along the working and end of working days, travelling though the bright lights and stillness and beauty that surrounds Tokyo and his life. Tapped off with a great soundtrack, this is full of care and real pleasure of life and film. Very nice indeed.

Monster (2023)

Good and Evil, a character study.

[7/10 · 14 March 2024]

Giving this an 7.5/10 rating

Japanese director Kore-eda Hirokazu, follows on from 'Broker' and 'Shoplifters' with another character study, filled with meaning, misdirection and evil, but you have to decide in this twisted tale of who did what and why, and just who is the real monster or monsters, its left too you, the viewer.

You certainly get really drawn in from the very first scene, Kore-eda does draw out a beautiful looking Japan, even in the darker moments, and hones the camera on faces to support every angry, happy, sad face as you need it, the acting is subtle and clean, making it clear just who feels wrong and what is right, according too their side of the story.

It does feel a bit drawn out towards the end, but it's worth it and the run time is right, if a little empty at the end, could of ended a lot differently, thanks to the great acting, it's all good, much better that 'Shoplifters'. The music is soft and flows through the movie, never in the way, it was Ryuichi Sakamoto's last piece of music before he died.

Barbie and Stacie to the Rescue (2024 TV Movie)

Cinema Barbie, simple fun. short too

[7/10 · 9 March 2024]

Giving this an 7/10 rating

Saw this at the cinema, and if you watch the tv series, then this is for you, it's short and is fun. Given that this is aimed at the little kids, I still enjoyed it as much as the tv show, so I was expecting what I saw, new characters, some singing.

The Roberts family get into all sorts of trouble and fun, as always and you watch them get out of it, in style, which is fine and dandy, the animation which is done for the small screen just holds up on a big cinema, just like 'Barbie- Bright Lights, Big City'- the last animated film in this series that also was in the cinema too. Guess it's trying to ride the wave of the live action film, and at an hour, it's fine family fun, if you watch the show and love Barbie, I mean love Barbie.

If you like animation in general, it's one to tick off your watch list, but I see that this is going to get more views when it's on the small screen. That is how I feel it's going to play out, at least in the UK, we got in the cinemas, and I'm good with that, more Barbie animated fun.

Imaginary (2024)

Good idea, but not scary horror film???

[7/10 · 9 March 2024]

Giving this an 7/10 rating

Good story, but not horror enough horror from Blumhouse, the evil comes a Teddy bear, the is on all the posters for this film. Jeff Wadlow pulls out some visual trickery to throw the viewer into doubt with your eyes, along with the story of a family menaced by this bear.

There is just not really any horror and the scares are limited, so it's all down to the mind and the good performances, mostly from DeWanda Wise who is very shot more or less, Pyper Braun as the child who has the bear and is the thread of the film, Tom Payne and Taegen Burns deliver with what they given with, which is okay. But is really is not that terrifying, and you need that in a horror, Needed more too this film, but at least it's not real rubbish.

Writers Greg Erb, Jason Oremland and Jeff Wadlow give us a good idea, but it's lacking. Some great creature and VFX go a long way, and the look of the film is fine, but overall, lacking in terror. Gave it a 7/10 as it does try, and it has some moments, but not enough.

Shoshana (2023)

Grim and violent timley film

[7/10 · 6 March 2024]

Giving this an 7/10 rating

Grim true story drama from good old Micheal Winterbottom, so it's rather good and very bloody, this one. Set in the late 1940's in Palestine, The conflict and four characters- Shoshana Borochov, played by Irina Starshenbaum, who is simply brilliant in her very complex role. Douglas Booth as Thomas Wilkin, Harry Melling as Geoffrey Morton and Aury Alby as he very unlikeable Avraham Stern, all are the foils to each other and the tale bounces around these four.

The action is extreme and bloody and very real, bombings assasinations, shootings all over the place, in fact there are so many it's common place, which is the horror and the beauty of it, the life blood of the narrative, but very, very necessary. It can be very cold and also beautiful, as the film looks and acts for the people are surrounded by nothing but death.

This film is right now, very topical so it will give you a sense of the sheer madness of what is going on in that region of the world and any where else for that matter. Expect plenty of death and shocks as Micheal Winterbottom turns it up way up, this is a limited release so the choice is yours, if you can stomach it. It's good, but just how good is going to be up to you, because of the subject matter is just so raw right now, and that it self is the message.

Lisa Frankenstein (2024)

Dead good, it's fun in a dark way

[7/10 · 6 March 2024]

Giving this an 7/10 rating

Darkly comic horror from writer Diablo Cody, up to more cray nonsense as usual, but in the undead horror and sort of slasher genre, this time. Also not directing this, which is something new, so it's left of Zelda Williams who gets the most out of the actors and atmosphere of the times it's set in.

Kathryn Newton is carving out a good career with these scare films, she's just so good, and clearly loves it, she's in full swing as the misunderstood, Lisa. Liza Soberano is great and super loopy but kind as Taffy. Cole Sprouse, plays the undead who is up to some bloody fun. He is the one who has to do a lot of work in his role. Joe Chrest is a familiar face, but it's Carla Gugino who has fun, both are having a blast.

You have throw sanity out the window in this film, and get ready for some down right crazy time, it starts of slow, but it does get there, again the humour is either you like it or not, this is macabre and campy, it knows it, another different film out now.

Dune: Part Two (2024)

Cinema brilliance, filmaking at it's best

[8/10 · 3 March 2024]

Giving this an 8.5/10 rating

The extra wait or delay was worth it, for this stunning film. Denis Villeneuve does not waste the screen at all. Denis with Jon Spaihts and Frank Herbert writing, dialogue is sharp and really to the point, quite lean considering the mighty book it comes from, this is very good indeed.

The sheer beautiful landscapes you could sit down and enjoy endlessly, the photography and camera tricks are some of the best in years, stark use of shades and colour in key scenes really do help the enjoyment for the film, along with the tight script and top acting. Everyone is good, really, really quite brilliant. Austin Butler must of had such fun with his role as he goes all out and is totally unrecognizable from real life. I could go on about everyone else, but that is not needed,

This part has a lot more action going for it since most of the cast we are familiar with, but still there is lots of good conversing, humour is nicely put in that helps the mood. Just felt a tiny bit long, but long that it bores you, so a second watch is due. Make sure to watch this on a massive screen, so do IMAX if you can.

Out of Darkness (2022)

Very different, not everyone will like this.

[7/10 · 1 March 2024]

Giving this an 7/10 rating

This film is so odd, and it's one you will like or hate, I did not mind it, it's something new, for a film, and the horror genre.

Very good use of location, colours by director Andrew Cumming, the film starts of in and is mostly set in darkness, which works. Writers Ruth Greenberg,Andrew Cumming and Oliver Kassman make us listen to the ancient language of Tola, from the small cast, and since this is a horror set in the stone age, every thing from clothes, tools is very limited.

But there is action, deaths and horror, as the gang of settlers are hunted in the new land they hope to conquer. Arno Lüning is an actor I have seen before, and is perfect for his role, Iola Evans, Chuku Modu, Safia Oakley-Green, Luna Mwezi and Kit Young are the other actors put through the ringer in this, this was a tough ask for them and us as the viewer, and it will put people off, but I was wide awake and liking it, even the ending too.

It gets a 7 for the reason it's really different and will not be seen again, and it's done well, although it's very simple, it stands out, this is what cinema is about, taking a chance. A very limited release, again.

The Promised Land (2023)

A real Danish gem of movie

[8/10 · 1 March 2024]

Giving this an 8/10 rating

Mads Mikkelsen stars in this bleak looking at the start, and ever changing mood of a tale about an ex military captain who tries to cultivate dead land in Denmark.

Thanks to the great direction from Nikolaj Arcel, this film is what it it, bleak and beautiful, and the true life tale is not a bit boring. Mads Mikkelsen is stern and determined and very much the moral fibre, which almost never breaks with the amount of corruption going around, it's quite amazing, largely due Simon Bennebjerg's character, his acting is the A game. Amanda Collin and Kristine Kujath Thorp really are the two you just can't keep your eyes off too.

This is a really good Danish film that has had a very limited release, here, which is a real shame. There is great suffering, hardship going on, but it's a great looking film that is acted very well that you forget the language barrier.

Wicked Little Letters (2023)

Wicked fun

[8/10 · 22 February 2024]

Giving this an 8/10 rating

You will be laughing very hard and going what the hell is this about, is this true, all in the same time during this topper comedy, which has plenty of swearing, but done not in and offending way, even though this tale is crazy.

Director Thea Sharrock does a cracking job on this, lovely staged shots and direction on the actors, from Jonny Sweet, who wrote the script, from the real life events, just how he found this story? Glad he did, as you will never see this again, unless we get a remake, which I see coming.

Olivia Colman is restrained quite a bit in her role, and it's a solid performance, Jessie Buckley and Anjana Vasan are just pure joy as is the rest of the cast, Timothy Spall had fun too, he is very devious, and good at it.

The letters are quite ear opening as the dialogue and characters, which are never boring, and it's wickedly funny. A guilty pleasure 100% and it plays on it to good use. A great film.

Bob Marley: One Love (2024)

Good acted biopic, great music

[7/10 · 14 February 2024]

Giving this an 7.5/10 rating

Watched, Madam Web, on the same day, before I watched this, and this is how films should be, good and entertaining, and most importantly, well directed, unlike Madam Web was.

Kingsley Ben-Adir is really brilliant as Bob Marley and Lashana Lynch as Rita Marley, devours her role, James Norton is the backbone somewhat and the link thought the picture, nice work from him. The other link is 'Anthony Welsh, is doing a fine job, along with Gawaine 'J-Summa' Campbell, great work too. All the actors are very, very good.

Of course it's the music drives the film, and it's very lovely, as is the general message, love and peace, this is the major force in the perfect run time and flow and great direction by Reinaldo Marcus Green, he show how it should be done. Terence Winter, Frank E. Flowers and Zach Baylin have done a good job with not covering Bob's whole life, but doing a certain point of it, it's spot on in the route they took with this biopic.

A good Valentine Day film, even though it's tragic, I think it's the right film, on the right day, worth the trip, as I did not know much about Bob Marley myself, and it's good that his family is very much involved in this, so it's not sweet and smells of Roses, it has the light and the dark, and it's enjoyable.