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Wednesday, 21 March 2018

Flash Film Reviews: Three Billboards, Black Panther, Game Night, Annihilation, Love Simon & The Shape of Water


When it comes to film reviews, no one wants to read a novel. But if you do want to hear my thoughts on these flicks in greater depth, check out my podcast reviews via the links at the bottom of each review.

Three Billboards from Ebbing, Missouri

Three billboards still ain't big enough for the title

This Oscar-winning drama sees Frances McDormand’s Mildred Hayes wage war on the local law when she uses three billboards to turn its focus back to the unsolved murder of her daughter. Hayes’ actions permeate through the town, while the deeply-dysfunctional and corrupt Officer Jason Dixon (a powerhouse performance from Sam Rockwell) embarks on a path of self-destruction. Despite taking place in the aftermath of a devastating tragedy, Three Billboards is not without a dose of much-needed black comedy, along with some hugely-entertaining performances from the rest of its supporting cast including Woody Harrelson and Peter Dinklage.

Check out my radio review with Swindon 105.5 here.

Black Panther

Yeah, there's no script in your hands, dude. But that makes sense...

In the lead-up to the epic Avengers: Infinity War, the MCU delivers its eighteenth cinematic release. And with Black Panther having already made his debut appearance in 2016’s Civil War, thankfully there’s no need for an origin story here. That said, perhaps it would have been the lesser of two evils, given that this film comes armed to the teeth (and claws) with nothing more than a political agenda, leaving very little in the way of a plot. There’s no denying the importance of such a film, but when all other components are overlooked, the result is one that proves that the MCU remains as hit-and-miss as ever.

Check out my radio review with Swindon 105.5 here.

Game Night

It's official - I'm in love with Rachel McAdams

When game night-addicts Max (Jason Bateman) and Annie (Rachel McAdams) prepare for yet another evening of harmless board games and charades in the company of friends, Max’s brother Brooks hires a murder-mystery agency to take things up a notch. But things aren’t what they seem – or are they? – when they learn that Brooks is in deep trouble with some seemingly real bad guys. The chemistry between McAdams and Bateman is as convincing as the fabricated mystery they’re thrust into, while McAdams delivers an endearingly-zany performance. The conclusion might lack punch, but Game Night is a puzzle worth playing just for the ride.

Check out my radio review with Swindon 105.5 here.

Annihilation

Jar Jar Binks has seen better days

A team of scientists enter the “Shimmer” – a dome-shaped anomaly that has consumed the land where it appeared, and where the laws of nature don’t apply. And as it’s also slowly consuming the land that encompasses it, the team must work against the clock to understand how it works, and more importantly, how it can be stopped. Annihilation offers some mesmerising and haunting set pieces, along with a truly terrifying concept, while its more nightmarish scenes render the overall experience like something of a fever dream. As a sci-fi horror, the film does what it says on the tin, but like many in the field, it’s also monotone, humourless and pretty depressing.

Radio review will be available soon.

Love, Simon

Hannah lives!

High school student Simon Spiers has a big secret: he’s gay. But when he begins exchanging private emails with a mysterious fellow teen who has the same secret, Simon’s winds up falling into the wrong hands and he’s blackmailed to do another student’s bidding who threatens to otherwise expose him. Nick Robinson is endearing as the film’s lead, and it’s strangely comforting to see 13 Reasons Why’s Katherine Langford alive and well. Not only is Love, Simon both charming and sweet in its story telling, it’s also refreshing to see a gay rom-com-drama hit the big screen. Hopefully it’s the first of many to come out.

Radio review will be available soon.

The Shape of Water

Grinding Nemo..?

Sally Hawkins’ Elisa works as a cleaner at a secret government laboratory building. But when she learns that an amphibious humanoid creature – with whom she develops a bond - is being subjected to torturous experiments, she orchestrates its escape. Guillermo del Toro’s Oscar-winning flick might be worthy of its accolades on the surface, with its beautifully-crafted set pieces, fine acting and at first intriguing premise, but deep down it’s nothing more than a warped romance between woman and beast. In short, the so-called “love story” lands like a fish out of water, both cheapening the film and rendering it rather laughable. 

Radio review will be available soon.

Up next, Tomb Raider and Ready Player One, so stay tuned and stay curious.

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