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Reviews
Alien: Covenant (2017)
Major disappointment
Unfortunately for me this film was something of a disappointment. I had avoided reading too much about it prior to viewing and was anticipating it picking up where Prometheus left off and developing the origin story further of the aliens and their genetic creators. Instead what we get is a slow to start, pretty low key affair which takes the plot in a completely different and unimaginative direction with the key events revolving around Weyland's android. I found it hard to get behind some of the characters and wondered how they ever managed to get hired as part of a starship crew to begin with. The decision making abilities by key crew members were a bit forehead slapping at times and the action scenes were in part quite derivative and non descript. Overall this was quite a forgettable addition to the alien universe and a definite step down from Prometheus.
A Most Violent Year (2014)
A refreshing change of perspective
The title kind of implies a roller coaster gangster flick with exploding restaurants, drive by's and executions. The lead character certainly looks the part of a typical mafioso however the reality is somewhat different but nevertheless quite compelling.
In a city overrun by crime and corruption the movie focuses on one mans attempt to walk a relatively straight and proper path whilst all those outside of his immediate circle seem intent on bringing him and his business to the edge of ruin.
Most of the cast were excellent throughout and the script was also first rate. Definitely worth a watch although the title is a bit of a misnomer.
Lik wong (1991)
Dull effort, even for a gore flick
This movie just didn't do it for me. I'm a fan of martial arts movies and loved Kung Fu Hustle and gore flicks like Bad Taste and Braindead and uberviolent fare like Ichi the Killer and The Raid 2. They at least had something akin to a plot and an attempt at character development that engaged the viewer and made you feel something towards the characters being beaten up, mangled, minced etc.
With this movie, it just felt like something thrown together over the weekend whilst the scriptwriters were on holiday. Sure there were buckets of blood (although not that often) and a couple of shocking moments (sometimes laughably so) but overall this film was an utter mess from start to finish.
Django Unchained (2012)
An entertaining yarn worth at least one viewing
The acting was pretty solid all round, especially CW and LD, but also SJ who seemed to be enjoying his role no end.
The stereotypical southern white landowners were amusingly portrayed and there was a fair amount of dark humour to be had from all the OTT racist remarks flying about.
The opening half hour or so was very well done, but the story itself seemed to drag on a little towards the end and some of the latter plot directions lacked punch. It's a notch below the likes of Pulp Fiction and whilst at least one scene did attempt to build tension in typical Tarantino style, it wasn't as well done as perhaps a comparable scene in True Romance between Christopher Walken and Dennis Hopper.
Overall an enjoyable couple of hours and a good addition to the Tarantino portfolio.
Resident Evil: Extinction (2007)
Easily the worst of the three
I must profess to being somewhat a fan of both the first and second RE movies (having watched both several times), so was quite looking forward to the third instalment, especially having read some of the comments by other posters on the site. Unfortunately the film failed to live up to its predecessors in every way. The musical score, right from the start, was poor and largely grated on the nerves, unlike the smooth hypnotic sections from the first two movies. The film had 'b' movie written all over it, the acting was passable at best, the script poor and some of the set pieces laughable (alfred Hitchcock anyone). Its a shame the series has ended (assuming it has) on such a low note.
Silent Hill (2006)
Nice effects and atmosphere, poor acting and script
Having read a couple of the previous comments and being a long time PC gamer I approached this film with fairly high expectations. On the plus side, the scenario's, camera work and characterisations were pretty reminiscent of two of the three PC versions of the Silent Hill games I have played. The film does conjure up a palpable atmosphere and the special effects are well done. On the minus side, the acting and script is pretty poor, almost cringe-worthy in places. I would give a score of 7/8 for effects, atmosphere and deja vu factor for gamers, but a score of 3 for acting and plot. Slightly disappointing. Some previous commenter's stated this was the best film adaptation of a game so far, I disagree and think that accolade goes to Resident Evil 1 and 2, which although perhaps not as atmospheric, offer solid action and better acting than is on offer here.