Resident Evil Death Island (2023) Review

 

The first thing you are going to notice about this film is that the writing and acting are not what I would call “Top Notch” and are, for the most part, rather mediocre. But that isn’t actually too bad of a thing as the movie was still fun to watch. However, even with that said I have to admit that while the fight scenes were in fact entertaining as a whole they came out more corny than anything else. Still, though, I had fun with it.

There was more of a story here than I was expecting and the characters, too, while staying in their respective tropes still came across as deep. It was fun to watch them interact with each other and to watch them grow together.

This was a CGI film and the effects were spectacular! They did not take the easy way out with these, either. They really put in the effort here and it really shows. Everything felt alive and the zombies and monsters looked amazing.

To summarize, this film isn’t great but if you’re looking for something that is just fun to watch then give this one a go. Just don’t go in expecting a masterpiece.

7.5 Out of 10

The Pope's Exorcist (2023) Review

 

When I first started up this film I honestly had no clue as to what I was getting myself into. I am a huge horror fan but I had very little experience in horror films of this theme. However, I was intrigued by it and really wanted to see what Russell Crowe could bring to this genre of film. In short, I was not disappointed.

This film is dark and gritty. It doesn’t hold back on its punches and attacks you full on. You never really knew what was going to be thrown at you next and because of that I spent the whole film right on that edge of terrified and entertained. I use the word “terrified” lightly, though. This film was not quite as frightening as I was hoping but I would be a liar if I said it didn’t have its creepy moments. During the whole film I was hoping to be scared out of my mind and even though that wasn’t the case with the entire film I do have to say it was still enjoyable.

The acting was spot on. Crowe fills his role as the Exorcist perfectly while the family dealing with the ordeal held their own. The writing, too, was spot on. The story, however, took a different turn than I was expecting. I had this thought on how it was going to end but I couldn’t have been further from the truth.

While I did have these preconceived notions on the film's direction I was still surprised by how it turned out. In short, this is one of the best Horror films of 2023 and is totally worth a watch.

8 Out of 10

Heart of Stone (2023) Review

 

I’m going to start this review by stating the obvious. The beginning of this film was extremely reminiscent of the many James Bond films. In fact, it did everything but scream it. However, as the film progressed it became something else. It created its own personality and identity. It became something truly unique to itself and told a story of violence and fear. What technology can do in the wrong hands and what mankind will do to remain in power.

The characters, although a little cliche at times, really held the torch for this film. As you would guess there is the stereotypical double cross and the hidden agents. But you never really see these coming. When the double cross actually happened my initial thought was that of shock but as the film continued I began to wonder why I didn’t see it coming.

The writing was amazing as was the acting, too. The actors fell into their roles like a glove. The film was also full of violence and action and the fight scenes and shoot outs were just a blast to watch.  To state a cliche, it was really an edge of your seat type of film.

There was very little that I would call bad or uninspired. The film told its story in a way that really brought up a sense of excitement. I never wanted it to end. All in all this is a must see and a movie that you're going to love.

9 Out of 10

65 (2023) Review

 

This is one of those films that truly terrified me. Not in your traditional “Horror Movie” way but in more of a subtle way. I spent the whole film on the edge of my seat. I literally had no clue or idea as to what was going to happen next or how it was going to end. This film surprised me beyond measure and it is one that I could watch again and again.

If I’m being honest it didn’t really have much of a story at all. It boiled down to just being about two people trying to evacuate a planet before it was hit by an asteroid. The relationship between them, however, was pure gold. Blocked by a language barrier their communication was limited but as they spent time together their understanding and bond only grew.  

The writing was simple but that is all this film required. The special effects, however, were top notch. Outside of the Jurassic Park films I have never seen anything like this before.

This film truly surprised me in a way that I will never forget. If you haven’t watched it yet then do yourself a favor and do it. While it isn’t the best film of all time, or even this year, it is still a damn good movie that everyone should experience.

9 out of 10

Tombstone (1993) Review

 

The movie “Tombstone” knows what it wants to be and follows the Western greats paths almost to the letter. The film itself is rather generic, though. It adds little to nothing new or unique to the genre, however what it does do it does well. You have your western staples, games of poker, working girls, guns and shootouts and how it handles these tropes often had me wondering what was going to happen next.

The writing and acting was perfect even though they mostly stuck to the western cliches. But in this case this turned out to be for the better. The acting itself was phenomenal and really had you believing the story of what was going on. The writing, too, breathed personality into the characters. They were all unique and brought something to the table. Yeah, a lot of times it was generic. The film mostly boiled down to Outlaws and Lawmen and rarely shifts from that but it still tells a good story.

Overall this film is a great Western that all should see. It doesn’t tell an epic story or, for that matter, have anything meaningful to say at all. It is just a fun film to watch. Is it the best Western? Not even close but it is one that you should see. Just don’t go into it expecting a masterpiece as you’re not going to get it.

8 Out of 10

The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) Review

 

When I first heard they were doing this film I honestly had no clue as to how it would turn out. And even though I really didn’t have any expectations for the film I must admit that I was still surprised. What they did was take a beloved character out of an iconic video game series and turn it into something greater than its former self. They did an amazing job of humanizing them. They were greater than their former selves. They had substance and character. Bowser in particular was more human than beast. He was guided by more than an innate urge to control the world. He was in love with Princess Peach and was willing to do anything to get her. The Toads, too, were not just frightened husks. Some of them had courage and strength. And they showed how by sticking together with friends and family you can conquer all.

This was a Super Mario Bros Movie so don’t go into this expecting an Oscar for best writing and directing but what it lacked in those departments it gained in others. The world and environments were bright and colorful. You could almost feel the wind on your skin and how it blew through your hair. You picked up on the scent of the woods and felt the peace they had. In short, this was less than a film for your eyes but was more for your soul.

The acting, too, was phenomenal. Jack Black did an outstanding job as Bowser, really turning him into someone almost relatable. Their voices fit their figures perfect ably and I can’t imagine anyone else playing them.

This was one of those films that you can watch over and over again. One of those great films that the whole family will enjoy. I have very little to say with its faults as finding them was actually hard to do. Overall I would highly recommend this film. It breaks the habit of really bad movies based on video games and comes out as truly magical.

9.5 Out of 10

Howl's Moving Castle (2004) Review

 

This is one of those films that is larger than its settings, than its set pieces and than its story. This is one of those films that resides in your heart. Both caressing you and frightening you. Holding your hand in the dark and then shoving you into it. This is a story about love and war and this is a story about how treacherous both can be.

In typical Ghibli style the animation is flawless. It is perfection at its finest. The colors are bright and vibrant. The characters oozing personality. Not just the main cast but all of them. The monsters breathed life just like the flowers and all were just as interesting to look at.

The writing was fantastic as well and the characters were deeper with more personality than you would have expected. They were three dimensional and complex. You never really knew how they would react to situations. Sophia, the shy girl with little to no self esteem often surprised me with her actions. Over the course of the film the characters changed. Each one becoming more than they were in the beginning.  

The story, too, was just as beautiful as its animation. The love between Howl and Sophia breathed life into it and into your heart. You didn’t really know what was going to happen next but you knew they would be a constant. Always together no matter what happened.

This is one of those films that really moved you and in many ways it may have changed you, too. It shows the horrors of war and selfishness, How what the human heart wants isn’t always what it needs. And it tells a story of love and what it takes to have courage. In short, this film is a masterpiece and one that everyone needs to see.

10 out of 10