What was the last Movie you saw... Part III

[Typhon]

One of Hammer Studio's earliest films (1953).  A small group of closely-guarded British scientists test their first rocket amidst indications of matrimonial strife in the community.  After the partial failure of the firing, a couple go missing - have they gone off together or are their murdered bodies circling the earth in the remains of the rocket? 6.5/10

[Zzzptm]

Watched the Netflix series "The Spy" with Sacha Baron Cohen as the lead. There were a few moments in the short series, but it's definitely a slow burn all the way through. There's better out there, but Cohen's acting just didn't carry it for me.

[Typhon]

A French film which tells the story of a young woman's relentless search for her fiancé, who has disappeared from the trenches of the Somme during WWI. 7/10

[Typhon]

A crazed killer known as "The Bat" is on the loose in a mansion. 7/10

[Typhon]

As part of a sentencing, a young woman must spend her days begrudgingly answering phones at a Prayer Call Center.  Some amusing moments mixed with drama. 7/10

[Typhon]

An attorney defends an officer on trial for ordering his troops to fire on armed civilians after they stormed a U.S. embassy in a Middle Eastern country.  Good cast, storyline has some holes. 5.5/10

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

I saw Maleficent: Mistress of Evil this afternoon. A film I had been in two minds watching, but I had heard it was ok but that it didn't really have a purpose! It was better than I expected but it's not great. Angelina Jolie, Elle Fanning, Sam Riley, Juno Temple, Imelda Staunton and Leslie Manville all replrise their roles from the first film (although the Prince has been recast with Harris Dickinson!). Added to the cast this time are Michelle Pfieffer, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Ed Skrein, Robert Lindsey, Warwick Davies and David Gyasi.

Basically, Prince Philip (Dickinson) proposes to Aurora (Fanning) who accepts... and neither Maleficent (Jolie) nor Queen Ingrith (Pfeiffer) are overjoyed by this news... and schemes and shenanigans ensue to subvert the wedding.

It's corny, twee and not really aimed at an ageing bloke like me, but the CGI was good and some of the plot elements worked well... but it doesn't quite justify its existence. 6.5/10

[Zzzptm]

Going to watch Kabul Express tonight - great action film from India, with live ammo used in all the combat shots because that's how the Afghan extras rolled with it. Yes, it throws shade on Pakistan, but nobody told them to back the Taliban...

Tomorrow, plan to see Ford v Ferrari (Le Mans 66 in Europe) with the family. I have high expectations for that flick!

[Charger]

THE WOLVERINE

The second stand alone movie for the best character of the X Men series takes isolated Logan to Japan to say farewell to an old friend only to be swept in the middle of power fight between a father and a daughter and another mutant and someone looking for eternal life.

The movie moves at a much slower pace as the other X Men movies and has more depth and even showcases Wolverine as a much more vulnerable person than ever before.

Hugh Jackman once again shines as Logan and brings out much more drama in the character than ever before. And the Japanese cast also does a good job just like Famke Jansen as Jean Grey in some dream sequences. However the movie movies on bit too slowly for the first half and could have used some faster pacing and perhaps gets bit in too deep with all the Japanese stuff, but once the action picks up and the end battle draws near the movie really ignites.

The real surprise is left to the mid credit scene which has some old faces returning and perhaps setting the scene for the final movie of the series.

Even with it's certain short comings this still carries the torch of the "classic" X Men movies far better than the prequels and relaunches or what ever you want to call those atrocities ruining the X Men name in the movie world...and much of that is because of Hugh Jackman who is without a doubt born to play this role.

* * * ½

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

^^^
I agree it's a good if unspectacular effort, I would probably give it a 6/10.

I'm Interested to know what you think of Logan

[Typhon]

A 1940s-set drama depicting the phoniness in the relationships between husbands and wives.  At least that is the way I saw it.  As an example, a wife, who is cheating, will not leave her husband because "he is so dependent upon me."  Then when the husband discovers the cheating, he ignores it.  I don't understand how a man could live in a pity marriage.  If any of you married guys see the film, I would be interested in your reaction to it.  The cast is strong and their performances are very good. 7/10

[Charger]

^^^
I agree it's a good if unspectacular effort, I would probably give it a 6/10.

I'm Interested to know what you think of Logan

Logan is next on my list...might go and Dark Fate next week though so the week after perhaps.

[Zzzptm]

Saw Ford v Ferrari (Le Mans 66) yesterday and had a blast. If you're a petrol head, you'll want the engine sounds on a soundtrack CD, not the music.

Loved the acting from Damon and Bale and, surprisingly, it's a dad film. I enjoyed it throughout.

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

We watched the Netflix film Klaus over the weekend. An animation about the origins of Christmas traditions. It stars the voices of Jason Schwarzmen, JK Simmons, Rashida Jones, Joan Cusack and is directed by Sergio Pablos (best known for writing Despicable Me). While the animation is traditionally drawn it is computer enhanced for depth and effects. It looks great.

The story centres around the worst postman (Schwarzmen) who gets sent to the far north as punishment. There he meets a woodsman (Simmons) who creates toys in his spare time and a teacher (Jones) who doesn't have any children to teach, because there are waring factions in the town.

It looks very good, the story is simple but effective, and I quite enjoyed it. 7/10

[Typhon]

Two delinquent teenage lovers from the suburbs of Los Angeles, travel to a small southern town to falsely claim a dead friend's inheritance.  A few interesting twists and turns, but the film is plagued with over acting. 5/10