Film Reviews by HM

Well it kicks off with a monster rampage and doesn't let up. A daft threadbare plot with the usual Godzilla is out for the count; nope he is up and running again stuff. It hardly troubles the brain cells so it needs a home cinema sound system to do the action justice; bang crash, roar and squeal.

As with most blockbuster special effects based franchises, the charm wears off and the plots get dafter, so you are left with a visual spectacle serving up more of the same. Poor movie.

Themes we have become accustomed to from this Steven King story; starts off with kids being taken (IT) then a bunch of vampire like creatures (Salem's lot) and then the tenuous link to the Shining. A long film with not much to say really. Never becomes clear what the shining is or its power source, but baddies eyes light up now and again.

The heroine is all powerful one minute then needs protecting the next from someone she beat up earlier. The final showdown is a let down as it explains nothing and introduces characters I don't recall from the Shining. Where were they when Jack Nicholson needed them?

Some shock moments and violence towards children which is a cheap horror shot. All in all a bit disappointing, although reasonably entertaining.

The first movie (in this remake series) had the advantage of explaining what the Jumanji game is all about and so hooked the audience straight away. The way the story unfolded as a video game was interesting plus comedy and action. This follow up has the comedy and action but has to keep that up from minute one with some repetition of movie one, after all we know how the game works; players having three lives etc. Because of this it isn't as impactful. Having said that, it is funny and the action sequences are exciting, although the cliff hanging CGI stuff is straight from the land of S. Spielburg.

So, entertaining, funny with decent action and lovable characters. It won't disappoint.

Silly plot, just a chase film but chopped into a few parts. This franchise has gone the way of Star Wars; brainless action, daft story and contrived set pieces straight out of the cliché book. The popcorn will help you digest this 'one movie too many' in the series.

Comedy plot, but thrilling and a none stop chase movie. Good to look at, pointless swearing that didn't fit the characters, but good characters none the less. It is a thriller, bloodbath and a dash of humour, tongue in cheek kind of thing. Very entertaining and works across horror/thriller genres in Zombieland mode. Very entertaining, enjoyed it; great B movie stuff.

Without the benefit of a great novel like Lord of The Flies, this is an Art House movie for people who like to puzzle what the hell is going on? A bunch of teens with guns indulging in petulant playground frolics. No budget, probably improvised and made up as the Director felt in the mood. Be warned Mark Kermode recommended this film. He is known for his occasional duping of the public by recommending a film he thinks is 'interesting' and a bit different. But then he recommended the usual Marvel mashup Black Panther. which was just another worn out plot super hero movie.

If you want entertainment to be part of your movie experience whilst still be provoked into thought, forget it. This is boring and confused. Up to you but I can only recommend you avoid this dire nonsense.

I was with the characters all the way as the journey unfolds. There are only so many plots in movie land and the 'journey' is one of them. This journey though isn't one of personal discovery along the way, but of survival. Technically impressive, the simple premise is to get through no mans land to the HQ of a Battalion about to charge into a trap. Keeps you right there as you share the action. Great entertainment.

The first film set the scene as a humorous take on zombies. It worked. This is in the same vein but taking the fun further. If you liked the first one, this is even better for my money. The pace never lets up and there is a plot, not just a mindless chase. No depth of course, it is played for entertainment value and laughs. I am hard to please on the laughs front but this kept me chuckling and the action scenes are exciting; hard balance to get right as other attempts in the genre tend to overload the gore but this loads up the eye catching nonsense really well. Get popcorn/Jerky and beer then enjoy a good lark of a film.

Based on a true story we follow a journalist into Ukraine uncovering Stalin's ruthless disregard for human life as people starve to feed Moscow. Not a revelation in itself but the movie paints a picture of suffering and how the lid was lifted on the propaganda the Soviet Union put out about how wonderful life was under a communist dictatorship.

Not a thriller but a serious study of courage and dedication. A fitting tribute to the type of journalism we all need even now; behind enemy lines and face to face with war zone dangers. I finished the movie with a deep regard for the profession and the dignity of Gareth Jones and his mighty pen.

Delivers on all levels; thriller, action, sci-fi, plot and characters. What's not to like? Add mystery and fast pace, the entertainment value is top of the tree. Afraid AI may become a threat and get out of hand? You will be after this. Minimal special effects and maximum James Bond action set this movie apart from the pack and not a massive budget that these days encourages their use in place of the real thing. Well done delivering this slice of excitement.

Charming drama revolving around Lowry's relationship with his crochety old disabled mother. His career hasn't lifted off yet and she hardly encourages him so the film is really about his determination to pursue art as a career come what may. The obstacles are close and personal. The atmosphere claustrophobic. We know the outcome of his career but the tale behind is engaging and worth a watch. Liked it. Amazingly Maggie Smith didn't get the old lady role!

How can a film about a strip joint and its criminal fraternity be this boring? Get fed up half way through. Bad enough that the characters are not particularly attractive, but any sympathy goes out the window pretty quick when they go bent. Air head people doing nasty air head things. Then again I am bored with gangster films too, maybe it is just me. The direction allows the pace to falter over and over, so it doesn't intrigue or keep your attention. Give it a miss frankly.

This movie shapes up as a teenage comedy for a while then gets into a bit of plot which isn't a bad effort by superhero standards. However, the plot is reminiscent of Iron Man 3 whereby the Mandarin isn't what he seems. There are only so many story lines I suppose. Once the action is underway it is captivating enough, you know; boom, bang, girlfriend in danger, big finale. Am rather bored with superhero movies and this one didn't put me in a much different mood. Entertaining enough though.

Seen Wicker Man? Well this is a similar path. A secret cult tucked away in Sweden practices dark arts which begins to dawn on a group of Americans visiting their hideaway. A more sophisticated approach than a pure slasher movie, it ends up travelling the same route.

Very slow and not springing any real surprises it fails as a horror film and as a thriller for my money. Also, it drags the whole thing out for nearly 3 hours, thereby allowing plenty of time to add up 2 and 2 so it flops on the suspense front. Cannot recommend it frankly as it mostly fails to entertain and therefore seems pointless.

This is a treat. The pictures tell their own story mostly without any in-depth explanations. We all know the ending so to speak, so it is an inside view of events without embellishment. I think this was the right approach as it is all the more immediate and engaging. Those too young to have much awareness of the mission will be most impressed I suspect.

Having a home movie theatre helps as when the rocket takes off; IT TAKES OFF!

The whole mission was low tech compared to today and fills you with admiration for the courage of the whole enterprise and not least the astronauts. Keeping an eye on the fuel gauge in the corner of the screen is an education let me tell you. Technical problems, potentially dangerous just prior to lift-off come to light and CCTV cameras tracking events leading up to the men accessing the rocket capsule add a feeling of actually being there.

Much recommended and a lot better than SF garbage like Star Wars etc. A lot more intelligence going on!