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Reviews by: @theofficialreviewer 8.4/10 Lt. Alex Hopper is a weapons officer aboard the destroyer USS John Paul Jones. His older brother Stone is the commanding officer of the USS Sampson. Unbeknownst to Alex, Stone, or the whole US Navy, aliens have arrived on Earth to steal our resources. When a confrontation with the invaders knocks out the Navy’s radar capability, American and Japanese forces must work together to save the planet. I’ve been reviewing a lot of alien movies lately lol. I literally just realized that. But, I love alien movies. And this film is one reason why. This is another underrated gem that is a good example of how to combine action with sci fi. The film had a great cast, Taylor Kitsch, Liam Neeson, even Rihanna. Rihanna was actually pretty good in this movie lol. Character development was decent. You get to know the characters themselves but nothing more than that. The cgi was used well and isn’t dated or looks bad by today’s standards. It’s actually held up pretty well. Then again, 2012 wasn’t that long ago lol. The alien design was decent. Wasn’t as much a fan of that as other movies. But the ships in the ocean were cool. I loved the final battle between the Navy battleship and the alien mothership. Very epic and fun to watch, and a good way to close out the movie. My only negative is that some of the pacing didn’t work for me. What did you think of Battleship? By @theofficialreviewer

Reviews by: @_movies.shmovies_ Cinematic brilliance often comes from the most unexpected places and sometimes, this brilliance can't be noticed straight away. I was 8 years old when Shrek was released and I remember going through that VHS tape again and again as I was in love with the lovely animation, the splendid jokes and the upbeat music. Most recently, I watched Shrek, probably for the 20th time, and non surprisingly; I still loved the characters, the music and the jokes which took a new meaning. Shrek's brilliance comes from the nuanced way in which it is created for adults and yet, the jolly fairy tale surface makes it perfectly suitable for children. Beginning with one of the most iconic intros of all time, Shrek wastes no time in setting up the good mood while presenting a most unusual bunch of characters. At the center of it all, we have an Ogre who takes on a grand mission and an extremely talkative Donkey who accompanies him. In a way, Shrek is parody, or even a mockery of classical fairy tales that packs the right balance of childish and not-so-innocent humor. In between all the jokes, there are a number of quotable catchphrases and just as many positive lessons for people of all ages. One outstanding quality of Shrek is it's meticulous level of detail. I thought that after all these times I would know this film inside out but somehow I still manage to spot a background image or a hidden message that makes me laugh all over again. Perfect voice acting from Mike Myers and Eddie Murphy along with the spot on music and endless humor make Shrek a timeless classic that will click with audiences of all ages in different; yet, enjoyable ways. If you still somehow haven't seen this canonical work of cinema, you are about to have the time of your life! By @_movies.shmovies_

Reviews by: @dylanandhismovies Death Proof is probably Tarantino’s most underrated movie. Not that it’s some masterpiece by any means, but it’s a damn good time. I don’t really know a whole lot about grindhouse cinema by any means but if it’s anything like this, then it seems like a group of pretty high-octane action romps. Honestly though, Death Proof was awesome! I think it’s Tarantino’s shortest movie, and if it isn’t, it definitely feels like it is. It’s a movie that’s pretty much divided into two different situations. The one with the women in the bar, and the second group of women who go for a test drive. What’s consistent with both groups is Kurt Russell. The man is absolutely insane in this. He’s able to portray this crazy devil under the surface, all while remaining ‘cool’ to the naked eye. But I think my favourites from this were a hundred percent Zoë Bell and Tracie Thoms. I just really loved their chemistry and the sense of camaraderie. Also a huge bonus was that Bell did her own stunts, including that of the incredible final sequence. This final sequence is shot beautifully, is pretty captivating and thrilling too. And the final moments are so fucking perfect and satisfying. The whole movie builds up to it, and it’s executed perfectly! One of my personal favourite freeze frames. I don’t have any real negatives to be honest, just that the acting wasn’t always good, and y’know the typical weird Tarantino-isms are present (as usual). Overall though, I’m gonna give it an 8.2 out of 10! Definitely not his worst movie! Have y’all seen this one??? By @dylanandhismovies

Reviews by: @_pilots_on_the_ground Unique. The best way to describe this band. Rock band Kaleo, is an Icelandic band formed in 2012 in Mosfellsbær. The lead singer and guitarist JJ (Jökull Júlíusson) is just a fundamentally brilliant singer, his dynamic control and range is amazing, he has such a versatile voice, he can go from a soft and slow song like 'into my mother's arms' to a powerful and punchy rock song like 'break my baby' which might I add is my favourite riff on the album. 'Break my baby' is just such a great song, it's tight and energetic, and really shows how brilliant a singer JJ is, it was the first Kaleo song I heard and it made me listen to the whole album because I loved this one song so much, the solo slaps hard too. 'Hey Gringo' is kinda a weird song but not too left of centre, is about a Mexican guy called Gringo, maybe it's @janky_review , doubt it though, honestly I don't know, this song is just slappin'. Bassline is great, the lock-in with the drums is slippery, in the best way possible. 'Skinny' is probably one of my favourite songs at the moment, I like the message about it, about expectations, I think it's well phrased, and JJ has made it so cynical and blatant, just works, you know. Yeah so Kaleo, awesome band, bunch of legends, and JJ is pretty hot ngl, like he's fuckable ain't gonna lie. Mhm yeah listen to them they slap. Don't know why you're still reading, listen to Kaleo. By @_pilots_on_the_ground_

Reviews by: @guimondreviews I have to say this movie is SO different from anything I've ever seen, at least recently. I was somewhat drawn in by Joe Keery, but also just because this film seemed like a good changeup, and man it was. All of this movie is presented as found footage, while not a really new concept, but done differently. Much of the camera footage can be seen from actual created livestreams on Instagram and other sites with full-on chats, donations and everything. Spree follows Kurt, also known as KurtsWorld96, who is desperate to gain a following after spending years trying to gain an audience. As a driver of Spree (like Uber) Kurt decides to do some horrifying experiments with passengers. I feel like this film has a lot to say about social media and streaming platforms that I can connect with that allowed me to enjoy it. But at the same time this movie is just absolutely insane overall. The first message that stands out the most is how people will do so much just to try to gain a following today. This is so true, both as a creator who's willing to be okay with a smaller audience, and as a viewer who sees the vast amount of content that's out there. The second is that the community that follows the creators often never think that deeply about what they're watching live. They'll often just comment things like "Holy shit" "monkaS" "LMAO" or "Wow", just to show off their basic reaction, and have no thought on the implications of something like what Kurt does, or whether it's okay to do this stuff. They're just there to see and react to content in the end. This is shown if you read the many chat messages that people type (hard to read all of them). That's why so many absurd things get popular, because in the end they're invoking a strong reaction that gets attention. What Kurt does kind of takes this to an extreme, but it gets at the idea of this. Joe Keery plays this eerie role of a guy who you can somewhat tell from the beginning something isn't right with him. It doesn't always work, it can feel weird and discomforting, but it mostly feels right based on how desperate he is to gain followers/attention. David Arquette couldn't feel more out of place in this movie, who just acted as this father figure with a weird backstory that did nothing for the film. I can't say I'm that big of a fan of this movie's attempt to be current, aside from the chat messages giving you insight on how people respond to what Kurt does. The found footage style kind of works for this type of movie, but I wasn't a huge fan of it. This doesn't affect how I feel about the film really, but if you're afraid of taking an Uber/Lyft (like me) this movie kind of reaffirms that fear.🤣 I was originally going to give this a 6.x, but after a day of having watched it, I feel like I liked it a little more. It just had a lot to say about content creators and the community that surrounds them that kept me thinking for a while. But I wouldn't say it's for everyone; it's quite possible you could be totally turned off by the messed up and violent nature of this film. 7.2/10 By @guimondreviews

Reviews by: @_pilots_on_the_ground_ Whipping out the chilly monke in no particular order. I would usually but cba to listen to their first album so. AM is an album created by the four and only Arctic Monkeys, the album comes in with a respectable 10 songs. It dabbles in the genre of “Alternative/Indie rock”. Ngl no clue what that is but it’s what the google says; although Arctic Monkey has always felt difference from everything so like take their genre with a grain of salt. Alex turner, the singer, has a very strange voice; almost a bad singing voice but not really. Its very unique, which allows for very stand out songs. As well as it compliments the rest of the song very well, like pieces in a jigsaw. Tradition dictates my life, and that means… the 3 favourites wheeeyyy. sighs lets GoOoOoOoO. So A le la the first is “R U Mine” le “Why’d you only call me when you’re high” and la last is “Wanna be yours” As the designated first song, both in my list and album wise, R U Mine. I’ve always enjoyed the swing of the song, it feels as though it is obligatory for you to do something sporadic while listening to it. During the chorus when it speeds up makes the song feel very boppy, for better of another word. The riff for the song is complete perfection not quite the level of Royal blood, but catching up to them. As the designated first song, both in my list and album wise, R U Mine. I’ve always enjoyed the swing of the song, it feels as though it is obligatory for you to do something sporadic while listening to it. During the chorus when it speeds up makes the song feel very boppy, for better of another word. The riff for the song is complete perfection not quite the level of Royal blood, but catching up to them. Why’d you only call me when you’re high, has looked at the previous songs and decides… no. and so switches up the feel of the album. Chilly monke goes a different route when it comes to this song, it keeps it slow until it needs to get that swing. although, the swing feels much more faint, but makes its presence known to make you remember it for the next 2 days. As starting on the first song, now we are ending on the last song. No this was not planned it was just a coincidence; pretty good tho innit? Wanna be yours really slows its pace and sends you off with a nice calm song. It has some bloody strange lyrics tbf, but Alex turners voice pulls them off effortlessly. In conclusion, the wonderfully strange monke makes their even stranger voice work with their interesting lyrics and music. For the record I know the speed of a song is a tempo but I didn’t know if I would use it correctly so best not. Future arctic monkeys’ albums coming soon hopefully… probably haven’t really been delivering on my promises recently. Dw that will probably not change tbh By @_pilots_on_the_ground_

Reviews by: @guimondreviews @movieejunkiee After the last 2 films that I decided to watch, I was happy to switch to an actually good film like this one. Though it was good, I have so many mixed feelings about it. I waited an extra day to review this because this was one of those that I felt needed some thinking over to determine how I felt about it. Being John Malkovich follows Craig Schwartz, a man with dreams of being a puppeteer who decides to try to get a regular office job before discovering an ability like no other that will change his and others' lives. This film was so quirky and bizarre with its humor and plot elements, yet I was pulled in by it for a majority of the time, and kept wondering what would happen next. The environment created felt so absurd, yet so easy to buy into with the nuance of all the characters. I had no problem whatsoever throughout suspending my disbelief to immerse myself inside this crazy world created here. I keep going back and forth on being both weirded out, but also thrilled by the ride this film took me on. I should have figured this film would be out of the ordinary with Charlie Kaufman writing this. Through all of the absurdity, there are some takeaways you can pull from this, like how life doesn't always work out the way you hope it to, and that some things just aren't meant to be. There's also the theme of death, and whether or not it should be accepted as something we all face. What I also admired though was the detailed characters that we see here. Craig is someone who is ultimately selfish and will do anything to achieve what he wants. Maxine, perhaps the most interesting, seems to take everything with a grain of salt, going with whatever is thrown at her without remorse, only caring about what she desires in the end. Lotte seems like the most normal, nonetheless someone caught in a bad position between the other two characters, who has to stand her ground with how she feels. Along with these unique characters that all have great acting, the world that was created with all of this film's events has made it one that will stay with me for a while, for both good and bad reasons. Rating 8.1/10 By @guimondreviews Introduction I experienced this film for the first time last week and OMG, Being John Malkovich is one heck of a crazy ride. This is probably the weirdest film I have ever seen! I mean, how does one person come up with such an extravagant idea for a film, and then execute it so well into the script. Also, the performances were insane and the directing was brilliant. Lots of people wouldn't/don't like this film because of how different it is to any other film and how weird and complex the story is, but personally, I loved it. I don't think you can put Being John Malkovich into a genre. It sort of creates its own genre. Anyway, let's move onto the acting Acting & Characters The whole cast was brilliant. The four main performances were the ones that stood out to me. Let's start with John Cusack. Cusack played Craig Schwartz so well. Schwartz is such a crazy character who is madly in love and is willing to do anything to get the girl he loves to love him back (literally ANYTHING), and John Cusack portrays this perfectly. You can see in his expressions and his eyes that he is slowly becoming crazier throughout the film. Cameron Diaz was also great. Diaz's performance really made me change my mind about her. She has done some really questionable movies after Being John Malkovich but her performance as Lotte was unbelievable. She transformed herself into this character and I actually didn't realise that it was Cameron Diaz until my Dad told me. This is definitely her best performance (in my opinion). More Acting & Characters Catherine Keener was also great in the film. Her performance as Maxine was excellent. She portrayed all of Maxine's emotions and characteristics perfectly! Maxine is such a crazy character who is very selfish and only thinks about what she wants. Her objectives are so extravagant and she changes her mind very often. Catherine brings all of this into the character perfectly and gives a great performance. Now, onto my favourite performance, John Malkovich. John Malkovich had to change his voice (slightly), his walk, his actions, and his intentions throughout the film. He transformed himself into different characters constantly and I found this really impressive. John Malkovich is an excellent actor and this is my favourite performance of his (so far). Directing This is my first Spike Jonze film and I can't wait to watch more of his work. Spike makes you feel like you are there with the characters and even makes you see what the characters see. Some of my favourite shots are the ones where you get to see through the eyes of John Malkovich and see what other people are experiencing. It makes it more true to the story and it let's you comprehend what is going on even better. Probably the most famous scene in Being John Malkovich is the scene where you find out what happens when a man goes into his own portal. I was actually wondering this from almost the start of the film and that scene is beautifully written and directed. Spike makes this scene seamless and I simply love it. I also loved the grey, black, and turquoise colour palette. It really ties in the tone of the film. Screenplay & Layers Being John Malkovich has one of the best and most extravagant screenplays of all time. Although it didn't win the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay (American Beauty won, which was well deserved), Charlie Kaufman created a masterpiece of writing. I seriously couldn't imagine coming up with such a crazy film idea and bringing the idea to life. It baffles me. Charlie Kaufman wrote an extremely complex script with many layers. There are layers of fantasy (being someone else), layers of twisted love (Maxine loves Lotte but only as Malkovich), there are layers of finding yourself (Schwartz tries to find himself in Malkovich and Lotte figures out if she is transgender or lesbian), and there are layers of obsession (Dr. Lester and many others are obsessed with living forever and go through any means necessary to live forever). Conclusion This is a complicated and complex film that leaves you thinking about it weeks after watching it. Being John Malkovich has a brilliant script, phenomenal acting and great directing. Overall, I loved this film and I'm sure that you would love it to if you haven't already watched it. Anyway, that's today's review. I hope you enjoyed. If so, drop a comment with your thoughts on this fantastic film and my review. Edit: I forgot to include these two things but I just wanted to mention them. I loved how Schwartz is a puppeteer and takes control of Malkovich and sort of toys/plays with him. It's really interesting to watch how he takes over a human instead of a puppet. I also loved the ending. It is so perfect. By @movieejunkiee

Reviews by: @guimondreviews I was hoping this might turn out to be one of my favorite films for this year's Horror October, but it unfortunately turned to be a varied mix of good and bad. From Dusk Till Dawn involves two brothers who find themselves in a bad situation while trying to get to Mexico to get some money. The big knock on this film is that the characters, specifically the main characters of Clooney and Tarantino, aren't super likeable. This wasn't a duo like Jules and Vincent that were bad people but also likeable. These guys are so cruel and irredeemable that it makes it hard to enjoy the story, often told from their perspective. Clooney's character had a little bit more depth and proved to be decent, but Tarantino's is so appalling. He's basically playing an extreme version of himself, and this basically reaffirmed the notion of him being a strange person. He wrote the screenplay to this, so he definitely added in all these bizarre things about his character, like being a pervert and having a foot fetish. Despite that the story itself was engaging enough for you to wonder what situation these guys would wind up in and how it would play out. There was a fun dynamic to be had between this family that was involved and these 2 criminals together. The ensuing chaos halfway through felt random, but well placed at the same time. In a film like Planet Terror, going over the top sometimes works really well. But in this there's so many over the top moments that felt out of place here. But also at the same time there's plenty of insane stuff that Rodriguez brings that made this a thrill to watch. Performances here were fairly mixed. Tarantino and Keitel felt very one note and not too memorable. Juliette Lewis was fun and helped keep things exciting. Clooney definitely gave the best performance here, given his character development and personality that he portrayed well. From Dusk Till Dawn has a solid story with some fun Rodriguez action, but also missed the mark with some of its characters and going a little too far at times. Rating 8.0/10 By @guimondreviews

Reviews by: @somuchlovecinema @cinemashivers So.. As I am on the verge of making a set on limited series, I thought it would be nice to talk about one of the most well-crafted shows ever made. The Queen's Gambit is a 2020 American Psychological Period Drama Miniseries Written and Directed By Scott Frank. It aired on Netflix on 23rd October and Stars Anya Taylor-Joy as Elizabeth Harmon, an orphan who is a genius teen Chess Prodigy in mid-1950s and the series goes on as her life takes drastic turns as she tries to hold onto her talent. This is a story about intelligence. An art of leaving the darkest parts of your life behind in order to achieve something great.. subtly and wonderfully shown. This show is one of the most electrifying viewing experience I've ever had.. on any platform. It's perfectly paced, not too long or short, exceptionally executed. To turn a game like chess which is boring to most of the people (in my defense It's not, but accept it guys, when people say chess we see atleast one eyeroll ad two sighs) into something so interesting and dramatic is done by someone with great experience. Scott Frank has made a mark with his screenplays over the last few decades.. and with this.. he just raised his bar. And the best thing about the series is Anya Taylor-Joy, whose performance is captivating and strong and was perfectly cast. With an awesome soundtrack and directing.... This series is undoubtedly the best thing happened in 2020. Guys it's a mini series.. which means it doesn't have another season. So if you haven't watched it please check it out. It's absolutely phenomenal. By @somuchlovecinema I watched this when it first came out and rewatched it again last week, and I still believe it is one of the greatest miniseries to ever be made. Everything about this show is brilliant. From its imagery to its masterclass portrayal of Chess to a stunning performance from a stellar cast, The Queen's Gambit never fails to impress. Anya Taylor-Joy is quickly progressing to become one of my favourite working actors today. She manages to portray the brilliantness of her character Beth Harmon in a way that is both relatable and intimidating. Her journey throughout the seven episodes of this show is presented smoothly and realistically, as you get to see her grow and become more integrated into the world of Chess. The symbolism in this show is also particularly incredible. With each episode Beth moves one square across the Chess board, starting out as a measly pawn and ending up as a powerful queen. Her clothing choices both reflect where she stands with her personal dilemmas as well as her position on the board. The other characters are also written very well. Thomas Brodie-Sangster and Marielle Heller both gave great performances and portrayed interesting characters. The way in which they influence Beth in her journey is a combination of brilliant writing and beautiful execution. Furthermore, the show also deals with several topics such as addiction, grief and loneliness. I felt that they were depicted very realistically and in a much better way than other media tend to handle them. These issues made the characters more likeable and intriguing to watch. The aesthetic of the 50s and 60s was also another enjoyable factor for me. I loved everything about it from the music to the set designs. I have been considering reading the book that this show is based on for a while and I think I might pick it up soon. I just can't get enough of it. I highly recommend it to you all and I would absolutely love to see more shows like this in the future. By @cinemashivers

Reviews by: @ryan_the_nixon Snake Eyes 2021 12A director: Robert Schwentke starring: Henry Golding, Andrew Koji, Haruka Abe, Takehiro Hira, Eri Ishida, Iko Uwais, Peter Mensah, Ursula corbero, Samara Weaving etc An ancient Japanese clan called the Arashikage welcomes tenacious loner Snake Eyes (Henry Golding) after he saves the life of their heir apparent. Upon arrival in Japan, the Arashikage teach him the ways of the ninja warrior while also providing him something he's been longing for: a home. However, when secrets from Snake Eyes' past are revealed, his honour and allegiance get tested even if that means losing the trust of those closest to him. Yikes what a mess this film was. Let’s be nice and start with some positives as there was some. The set up and character motivations was good. As well as the strong action and cinematography, likeable characters and performances. I thought the set-up scene was strong. It set up good chemistry and motivation for snake eyes as a character and was an intense and emotional opening that started the film off well. This character motivation set up a good arc for snake eyes and had importance to the plot. The action was also very strong, apart from a lot of issues with the editing the action scenes for the most part were great. They were inventive, fun and thrilling and incorporated swords and creative weapons in a fun and entertaining way. The cinematography was also very strong. Visually the film was stunning, with some amazing uses of colour and shots that really enhanced and played around with the colour, the scope of the film was also very impressive with its action scenes. I also thought the film had likeable performances and characters. In particular with Haruka Abe. Her character and her performance was charming, emotional and she was amazing to watch. The performances from Henry Golding and Andrew Koji were also particularly strong. My first few negatives would be the unlikeable character decisions, rushed pacing and annoying shaky cam. As well as a passive main character. The film made all the characters very unlikeable especially the main character. And when you don’t like the main character there is an issue. He was forming genuine friendships and a new family with the clan but decided to backstab them on multiple occasions just to get revenge for his father’s death that never really materialised, but by the time this happened they had gone too far and made Snake eyes a very unlikeable character, it also didn’t help that the characters turned on each other every 15 minutes. The film also had very rushed pacing, it would rush over so many scenes that would leave them underdeveloped or not explained, leaving a lot of plot holes or cutting to scenes that you didn’t really know what was happening, it really made the film clunky and messy. The shaky cam was also very annoying. The action scenes were often ruined by extremely shaky cam or way too many cuts. It made it hard to concentrate, didn’t show off the action well at all and was very frustrating to watch, taking a lot of the fun and entertainment out of the action sequences. Finally, the main character was very passive for a lot of the film. For a lot of the film Snake eyes was just doing what other characters were telling him to do and being influenced by others, never really being an active protagonist, he would just go from scene to scene following the other characters, this didn’t make him a compelling character to watch at all. My final few positives would be the set locations, interesting twists. Some fun and intense scenes. As well as a strong female cast and entertaining action scenes in the final act. The films set locations were beautiful. The clan’s home and the general setting in Japan was so visually stunning and just amazing to look at. There were also some interesting twists, I didn’t see a lot of the twists coming which I respect. And a lot of them added an interesting layer to the plot and characters that kept me invested just long enough to care about the plot in parts. There were also some fun and intense scenes. The scenes involving Snake Eyes training were a lot of fun to watch, as he learned to think like the Arashikage, also the scenes involving the massive snakes were inventive and tested the characters to see if they were pure of heart, with some very intense scenes incorporated throughout. I also thought the female cast was very strong. There was a healthy mix of male and female characters. And the female characters could easily hold their own within the action scenes and the plot, and it was just nice to see such strong female characters. Finally, the final act had some entertaining action sequences. The final act itself was a mess, but it did deliver with the action. They toned down the shaky cam and therefore the action scenes were much more enjoyable to watch, and the final act was action packed so it did have some entertainment factor. My final few negatives would be the inconsistent character motivations. The lack of character depth, unsatisfying character arc and a messy final act. This film had so many inconsistencies with its character motivations, snake eyes switched about 5 times from working with the antagonists to get revenge for his father’s death, but also building a family with the clan and finally having a home. It was never clear what his motivations were and that didn’t add mystery, it made the film lazy and inconsistent. There was also a complete lack or character depth. All of the characters were very one-dimensional including snake eyes as a character. His only form of depth was his dad’s death and how that impacted him, but it became so repetitive and stale that the character lacked any form of like ability or depth to connect with him. The character arc for snake eyes was also very unsatisfactory and poorly executed. The film built up an arc for Snake eyes to get revenge and justice for his father’s death, but it was so sloppily executed. The man was just handed to him, and then there was a bland twist and Snake eyes let him run free for that one reason and it made so much of the basic depth they gave the character seem pointless. Finally, the final act was an absolute mess. The characters turned on each other every 10 minutes and the dialogue was terrible. With some lazy and oddly executed character decisions, and a bland set up for more films, and a frustrating set up, with the GI joe helmet that is iconic to the franchise was used in 1 scene for 10 seconds for a sequel that almost definitely isn’t happening. Overall, Snake eyes has some visual appeal and entertainment factor. With some likeable performances. But is a jumbled, messy and inconsistent train wreck. That didn’t have a clue what to do with its characters. And is the perfect example of all style no substance. Overall rating 37/100 By @ryan_the_nixon

Reviews by: @beyondfandom1 Finally we are back with "Ninjak #4" from Valiant Entertainment and I am so excited for it! Before we get into my review, let's run down the list of awesome people who made this issue possible! Jeff Parker is the writer, Beni Lobel and Javier Pulido tag team the art, Andrew Dalhouse does the colors and the letterer is done by Dave Sharpe. Issue #4 comes out Wednesday October 13th so make sure you pick up your copy then! Let's review! Before I give my thoughts, I would like to give a shoutout to Valiant Entertainment for allowing me to read and review this issue before it hits the comic shops! On to the review and what an issue! I have really enjoyed this run and if you go back and read my reviews of issues 1-3, I have said that my only issues I had were the colors take bit to get used to and sometimes the issues go back and forth with a lot of action to hardly any. Issue #4 doesn't have any action really but it sets up so much for the remaining storyline and that's really what I wanted to see. The mind games that are starting to take place really intrigue me and it seems like we might get more. The colors like I mentioned earlier have settled in and I enjoy the style and the use of them. I don't really think I have any issues with this issue at all to be honest. It furthers the story and leaves off on a cliffhanger, the main villain is established and the motive is there, and we know that Ninjak is a beast so that's always a plus! I think the future issues will continually get better and better which is good but if I could recommend one thing, I would say more action because what we saw in issue #1 was fantastic and we've kind of gone away from that! Overall, I really enjoyed issue #4 and it was a good read. I didn't get lost in the story nor did I get blinded by the colors. I think this issue did a really great job at furthering the already wild story and I cant wait for the remaining issues! "Ninjak #4" gets a 4.5/5! By @beyondfandom1

THE FAVOURITE The Favourite is in my opinion, one of the most ingenious and extraordinary period films, it’s probably oversaid but I really didn’t know just HOW good it was, and man is it a masterpiece. Yorgos Lanthimos has this distinct style that he brought to the film, everything is a little off here. Visually and characteristically. From the very beginning you know this is not gonna be like any other period drama, there’s a peculiarity to this film, it comes from the swift storytelling style rarely seen in a film like this and also the mixing of tone. The Favourite is a hilarious movie, there were times where I burst out laughing but it’s also dark and sad. It’s a twisted film of sorts, marvelously entertaining but playfully sadistic. It’s a scathing and bold portrayal of the rich, corrupt elite of the court of Queen Anne in the 17th century but as we come to learn, it’s a lot more than that. It’s a clever and calculated film, and nerve goes where you think it’s going. It’s an outlandish but strikingly poignant film. The cinematography is easily a highlight, the use of super wide lenses expound on the outlandishness as well as the extravagance of the movie. There’s a lot going on visually, the costumes and production design are lavish and over the top. There’s a sort of vulgar beauty to everything, even to the way the characters act and talk. Yorgos Lanthimos’ fluid direction combines with the smooth and hypnotic camera work to create a wonderfully magnificent sensory experience. The screenplay is sharp and witty, always doing multiple things at once with not a moment wasted. The way the film is split into chapters is very memorable. The intelligent writing cannot be understated, every line of dialogue is outstandingly scabrous but clever. It’s a movie that plotwise atleast, is about three central characters, Queen Anne, Lady Sarah and Abigail as they scheme, lie, betray, flatter and even love to come out on top of a three way power struggle. The characters are complex, and their motivations range from ambiguous to sharp. Seriously, they’re really layered, and sometimes I started rooting for the character I did not even expect too at the start. All the actresses delivered thunderous performances, and each one of them rightfully deserved their Oscar nods. Olivia Coleman plays an almost childish yet ultimately tragic queen Anne, Rachel Wiesz plays a devious but ultimately loyal Lady Sarah, and Emma Stone too, brings to life a character whose true intent is still not clear by the end. The dynamic between these three is electric. But underneath all of this madness, there’s a certain something. A sadness, that is thoughtful and human, subtly placed in a film decorated with grotesqueness and inhumanity. It’s oddly beautiful. It talks about love, trust and loyalty even after showing us some of the most immoral things human beings could do. DOGTOOTH Dogtooth is definitely a weird film, and hard to talk about, not because I didn’t quite understand but because I’m not sure how it made me feel. I mean sure, it’s disturbing I guess? And it’s also.. thrilling? It’s a film that’s slightly emotionally distant on purpose, and what Yorgos Lanthimos has crafted here is a brilliantly beguiling concept. Everything about the movie is slightly bizarre, and slightly off. It’s not a psychedelic and trippy film, but more so, uncomfortable. And that’s because of the concept set forth. It’s genius honestly, and can be an allegory for a lot of things. People have interpreted the film in many different ways, from a take on facism to unconventional families, the cost and importance of freedom, abnormalities in a normal society or what I think it is, which is a cautionary tale as well as a statement on control. I won’t disclose the concept of the film here cause going in blind is pretty sick. There are a lot of subtle twists and turns in the story as well as revelations that get more unnatural as time goes on, and by the end, sinister. It’s a strange film with a solid screenplay that gets all its ideas across. It’s never too mind-numbing but nothing is on the nose. Definitely an intriguing film that warrants discussion. I still can’t analyse it yet, because it kinda tickles my brain. I’m not sure what to think of what it was trying to say, even though I can tell that Lanthimos had something to get across on manipulation and why freedom is important. But there’s so many scenes in this film that kinda lost me, the awkward dance scene as one. It just didn’t even register in my brain right But man, is it a well made film. It was clearly shot on a tiny budget but it focuses on building character and tone in surprising ways. It’s really intelligent. It’s as intricate as it is random, taking anything from this movie out of context would result in pure confusion, but they fit together like puzzle pieces. Dogtooth is slightly traumatizing, slightly mysterious but in the end, this strange work of art that achieves what it wanted to do. An unsettling story with great performances and soothing cinematography save for the horrifying moments that give you anxiety. Do give it a watch if you haven’t especially if you’re a fan of Yorgos Lanthimos’ other work. So yeah, comparing these films we see how far he's come as a director from 2009 to 2018. He's gotten bigger budgets over the years, and it's really interesting to see how his style has changed. He's a brilliant filmmaker and one of the best working currently in my humble opinion. By @starwards1

Reviews by: @ryan_the_nixon 2021 Director: Jason Ensler, Alex Hardcastle, Satya Bhabha, Sarah Boyd, Natalia Leite, Kevin Rodney Sullivan and Kristin Windell. Starring: Michael Cimino, George Sear, Mason Gooding, Bebe Wood, Rachel Hillson, Anthony Turpel, Isabella Farreira, Mateo Fernandez, James Martinez, Ana Ortiz, Nick Robinson, Mekhi Phifer, Sophia Bush, Anthony Keyvan, Ava Capri etc As summer break comes to an end, Victor (Michael Cimino) grapples with his family’s reaction to his coming out. Wow what an incredible an important show this is. My first few positives would be the loveable characters and deep themes. The fantastic script. As well as the excellent chemistry and performances from the cast. And particularly characters that took on big roles. The whole cast of characters at this point are just so loveable and easy to connect with. Each character has their own personality and little quirks associated with them that just make them so much fun to watch. Victor as a main character is fantastic, he is humble, thoughtful and always looking out for his friends. This second season gave a lot more characters like Lake (Bebe Wood) Andrew (Mason Gooding) and Pilar (Isabella Ferreira) their time to shine which was amazing. This series tackled so many deep themes and important topics excellently. It tackled homophobia within religion and sports as well as how gay people are stereotyped, even things like depression and mental health. It was all handled in such a mature and sensitive way. The Script was also fantastic, with so many moving and powerful lines of dialogue that have stuck with me after watching all the episodes. When dialogue can make you feel something it’s doing its job very well. The whole cast also had fantastic chemistry, the relationships and friendships feel so authentic, relatable and believable in this show. The cast just works so brilliantly together and that really shows with each episode. The romantic chemistry between the actors was also excellent, making the relationships a lot more fun to connect with and see develop. I also thought that some characters had big roles within the show that was handled excellently. The character of Isabel (Ana Ortiz) as Victor’s mother had such a big role. She didn’t react very well to Victors coming out. And her homophobia was uncomfortable to watch. However, what this show did so well was to make you understand how a character was feeling. With a balance to understand her character and why she reacted the way she did due to her religion and upbringing and balancing this with her learning to accept and Love Victor for he was. Also, the character of Felix (Anthony Turpel) had a big role of highlighting the issues of being an only child with a single mum who has severe mental health issues. Truly highlighting the difficulties and thought process with both Felix and his mum and the conflict of getting help for his mum or getting by the way they were. My next few positives would be the character development and development to relationships. The excellent character depth. As well as the excellent character conflict and more adult themes. Every single character in the cast developed excellently within the show. They were all given something to do, and genuinely changed as people as the show developed, the characters were so well written and it gave them a lot more layers, the characters and their relationships really developed as well. The characters grew so much together, as their relationships were explored in great depth. And how they were tested really showed you what the characters were truly like. Especially with the relationship of Victor and Benji (George Sear) Felix and Lake as well as Isabel and Armando (James Martinez). Also, the show had excellent character depth. The series really gave so much more layers to the characters. Highlighting their insecurities, their different relationships and how it affected them and how they were in their relationships. This show did an excellent job at giving the whole cast an equal amount of depth not just with Victor and his situation with his family. The conflict in the series was also excellent. The show always kept you on edge and invested in the characters with layered and heart-breaking conflict that was well explored between the different relationships. Particularly the family conflict with Victor was so well developed throughout the whole season, and it was amazing to see them all come out the other end stronger. Finally, I also liked that the show was more adult centred. I liked that the show matured a lot not only with its themes but also highlighting issues on sex and losing your virginity, it was handled in depth and I am sure will connect with a lot of the audience watching. The show matured and grew into something that more people could connect with an enjoy. My only slight issue was that there were certain scenes in the show that were slightly forced and cheesy. There were a few situations where the conflict introduced was slightly generic and forced, and there were some cheesy moments with the soundtrack and certain scenes. But these didn’t really bother me or impact my opinion on the series, but I can see how it would affect other people’s opinions. My next few positives would be the amazing cinematography, great humour. With fantastic emotional weight and heart-warming moments. This season visually was beautiful, the use of colour and incorporating the background into the scenes was beautiful, with a lot more professional and visually creative season. With much more beautiful set locations and expanding the world of the show. The show was also hilarious, the characters especially Felix, Rahim and Lake were a breath of fresh air with how funny they were, with one liners that stick in your head and excellently comedic timing from Anthony Turpel, Bebe Wood and Anthony Keyvan. This season had so much more emotional weight and heart-warming moments. The way the show handled the development with Victor and his mum was so emotional and handled with such care, it was incredibly heart-breaking to see Isobel finally accept Victor and it was a beautiful moment in the show. But the show tackled mental health and how that can affect an only child that lives with a parent, it tackled body insecurities and so many emotional and heartfelt topics, and it was all done with such maturity and sensitivity it was incredible. My final few positives would be some great familiar faces. Fantastic new characters. Great character arcs and a satisfying finale. With a fantastic cliff-hanger. It was great to see some familiar faces of Simon and his dad return. It blended the two properties together well. But not to overshadow Victor as it very much still felt like his show. The new characters of the season were fantastic. Anthony Keyvan was a breath of fresh air as Rahim. His character was funny, kind and so much fun to watch, he quickly became one of my favourite characters. Also highlighting issues with the LGBTQ community within different faiths as well. And his development and chemistry with Victor was excellent. The overall character arcs for the show by the end of the finale was excellent, all the characters went on full journeys and their plot points that were developed so well concluded excellently whilst also leaving the door open for more to be explored. Victor no longer needed the advice of Simon and really grew as a character by the end. With a fantastic, entertaining and heartfelt finale with some interesting new relationships set up. Also, with a very frustrating cliff-hanger just like with season 1 that makes me want more and I need to know who Victor chooses! Overall, Love Victor season 2 steps up the quality of the show. With a fantastic cast, in depth and important themes handled with such a surprising amount of maturity. And an excellently written show that offers such important LGBTQ+ representation. Overall rating 98/100 By @ryan_the_nixon

Reviews by: @ryan_the_nixon Old 2021 15 director: m Knight Shyamalan starring: Gael Garcia Bernal, Vicky Krieps, Rufus Sewell, Alex Wolff, Thomasin Mackenzie, Abbey Lee, Nikki Amuka Bird, Ken Leung, Eliza Scanlen, Aaron Pierre Old is about a vacationing family who discovers a secluded beach, but when they are relaxing for a few hours, they are somehow ageing rapidly, reducing their entire lives to a single day. Yikes, Old was perhaps the biggest pile of crap I have ever seen. I genuinely think it’s the worst film I have ever seen. Let’s be nice and start with the very few positives before my massive rant. The concept was very interesting, some of the cinematography was good. There were some hints of a strange and mysterious tone, with effective use of gore and a decent twist. The film had a very high and complex concept. It wasn’t executed well at all, but I commend M Knight for having a creative mind with this idea. Some of the cinematography was very nice, the set locations were beautiful and was a fun setting for this kind of film. The hints of a strange and mysterious tone were promising in parts. Within the first act of the film, Old did manage to partly interest me in the events that were taking place with very jarring changes to the characters and the plot and setting up a mystery well. The use of gore was effective. The cave scene with the broken bones was very grim and well executed, with realistic gore making the scene even more uncomfortable. And the twist at the end wasn’t good or bad, it just happened. I stopped caring but I put in the positive paragraph because I didn’t hate it. Now for my big list of negatives. There was so much forced dialogue and unrealistic scenes. There wasn’t any form of set up and the one we did get was lazy. The cast had no chemistry, and there were too many rushed scenes. This film had perhaps the worst dialogue I have ever heard. It was clunky, generic and awkward and incredibly unrealistic. It made the characters come across as robots. Due to this there was countless unrealistic scenes. There were particular scenes with the younger children were they would talk about really adult things or something completely random and it wasn’t realistic behaviour at all. It made the scenes awkward and the pacing clunky. There was no form of set up, instead of establishing the characters we were just thrown straight into the film with no explanation, and then when we did get the set up for the beach it was extremely lazily written. With the characters coming across as dumb by just agreeing to go to a beach with no explanation or development of the plot. The cast also had absolutely no chemistry, I didn’t believe or connect with any of the relationships, mostly because they just weren’t acting like a family, and because pretty much all the characters were incredibly unlikeable and annoying. Finally, there were also way too many rushed scenes. Just as I thought the film would explain or develop a plot point to make you understand what was happening, they cut away quickly and never explained or went back to the scene. It made the pacing clunky and made the plot hard to follow and confusing. My next few negatives would be the terrible camera work, bland pacing, lack of connection to characters. Odd character decisions and countless lapses in the logic. The camera work in this film was beyond poor. Even if done intentionally there was some terrible shots. Even a student film has better shots. There would be a scene and the film wouldn’t show you what was happening, instead it either had a weird, blurred lens or randomly had a close up of an ear or half a face. Really poor stuff. The pacing was also terrible, for such a high concept horror idea, I have never seen something executed in such a dull way. It was lifeless, dull and simply just boring. I also had absolutely no connection to the characters. Due to the issues that I have mentioned from previous paragraphs I just didn’t care about the characters. And because they were all dying off so quickly, I just didn’t care of feel any form of emotional connection to the characters whatsoever. And there was some painfully poor character decisions and lapses in the logic. There were just scenes of characters randomly running off and doing stupid things with no explanation to their actions whatsoever. Or they Would make a decision that obviously wouldn’t work and did it anyway, even though characters had died doing it. It was just filled with countless illogical decisions. My final few negatives would be the script, the bad structure. The terrible performances, the lack of development or depth and the exposition. The script and the film’s structure was beyond poor. I didn’t view this as a film, it had no structure. It was a series of events with characters dying with no form of development or through line until the very end. It lacked any form of thought into structure and plot. I thought most of the performances were also terrible. Now to be fair this could have been to do with the script. But every performance was so bland and awkward. It was like the actors weren’t trying, and that they didn’t want to be there. Which is a shame because I have seen a lot of them do good performances before. There was absolutely no development or depth to any of the characters whatsoever, this was a big reason why I didn’t connect with any of them. The film made no effort to develop them because they killed them off to quickly, giving them one basic one dimensional trait or reason for conflict and then that’s it. Finally, the usage of exposition was painfully bad. When a film must spoon-feed and tell the audience practically every detail due to not being able to do it through the action, it really shows that the film was too complex to be written logically. Overall, Old for me, is the worst film I have ever seen. It was embarrassing and poorly made. The script was poor. And I feel embarrassed for M Knight I think a student could have done a better job. I think I grew old watching this. Overall rating 7/100 By @ryan_the_nixon

Reviews by: @tvnerdaran "The most personal is the most creative” - Martin Scorsese. What is a truly personal film? A film that you can relate to? A film that you can identify with? A film that truly knows you? Many of my favourite films have deep themes of humanity and existentialism, but none of them have touched me on such a deep and personal level as “Synecdoche, New York” has. It is by far the most personal film that I have ever seen in my entire life. “Synecdoche, New York” tells the story of an acclaimed theatre director named Caden Cotard (played brilliantly by the late Philip Seymour Hoffman), who is driven by both ambition and anxiety, as he attempts to craft his magnum opus, while trying to create meaning and fulfilment out of his life and eventual death, so that his legacy will be cemented and he will be remembered long after he is gone. But soon, his life slowly starts to unravel and he slowly starts to lose everything he loves and holds dear to him. As someone who has struggled with anxiety and self-doubt throughout my life, this film connects with me on such a deep and personal level, because in a way, I am like Caden Cotard. Like Caden with his theatre profession, I’m an aspiring filmmaker with big dreams of artistic success, and like him, I have struggled with worries and anxiety throughout my life. Sometimes and oftentimes in the past, I worried about myself and what kind of person I was and how my actions affected other people. I struggled trying to understand who I am and what kind of person I am on a deep and moral level. Similarly to me, Caden suffers from an identity crisis his entire life, struggling to cope with existential and moral anxiety as he seeks to create a truly significant work of art, while his life slowly falls apart and he starts to lose everyone he loves around him. Though I am doing much better these days with my worries and anxieties due to loving support my family and friends, I still find a very deep and personal connection to this film that can never be replicated in any other film. This film changed my perspective on cinema and how it can affect the viewer. I can find solace in Caden’s cautionary tale of how worries and anxiety plunge him into the deepest depths of despair. “Synecdoche, New York” is truly a masterpiece, and one of the greatest films that I have ever seen. We will never see its likes again. It’s truly one of a kind. By @tvnerdaran

Reviews by: @art_fanatic_313 This chapter starts almost where the sixth one ended, with the Governor being found mutilated. With the help of an ex-doctor he gets better and he orders everyone to start looking for the prison that Rick and the others live in. Eventually they find them and attack them. Mainly thanks to Andrea, the people in the prison are able to defend themselves very well, until the people from Woodbury retreat. During the fight, Rick gets shot very badly, but he survives. After the first attack, many people from the group decide to leave, in order to be safe and Michonne and Tyreese go after the people from Woodbury, in order to kill some of them and scare them off, but unfortunately they get captured very easily. I’ll stop my plot summary here, because many main characters die in this chapter and I don’t want to spoil anything. This volume was really full of action and violence. It was well written, but that doesn’t change the fact that I’m not a big fan of violence in comics and movies. Thankfully, there were also many heated debates about strategies and safety and things like that. These debates/arguments/conversations were very interesting and probably one of my favorite things in this chapter. The characters are very well written and at this point I really like almost all of the main characters. A character that I don’t like is the Governor. He’s without a doubt very well written, but that doesn’t change the fact that he’s extremely hateable. One of the worst things about him in my opinion is his absolutely disgusting relationship with his zombie daughter. That being said, he’s surprisingly good at coming up with strategies and manipulating people. He really is a smart person. I really liked in this chapter how strong Andrea and Dale’s relationship is. I really love both of these characters and they are perfect for each other. My main problem with this chapter is that some of the deaths didn’t happen very organically. I felt like Kirkman wanted to kill a lot of the characters, not because it’d benefit the story, but because it’d keep the readers interested and because he was tired of having to write all these characters. Still, while that annoyed me, this was a very good chapter filled with a lot of action. The artwork in this chapter is good, but not as good as in some of the previous ones. I got the feeling that the artist(s) got a bit lazy. My main problem is that some lines were way thicker than they should’ve been. That being said, I still like a lot how expressive the characters’ faces are and how well drawn the fight scenes are. Overall, this was a good chapter with a lot of action. It was definitely captivating and many things happened that’ll definitely affect the whole series moving forward. More than anything else, this chapter felt like the climax of the first part of the series. 9/10 By @art_fanatic_313

Reviews by: @ryan_the_nixon 2021 15 director: S.K Dale starring: Megan Fox, Eoin Macken, Callan Mulvey, Jack Roth, Aml Ameen. A woman is left handcuffed to her dead husband as part of a sick revenge plot. Unable to unshackle, she has to survive as two killers arrive to finish her off. I thought Till death was excellent and a very well-made film. My first few positives would be the interesting idea, the dark set up and tone. As well as the great cinematography and set locations, also with great performances. I think that the idea of the film itself is unique and interesting, being chained to a dead body especially in the conditions of the movie was an inventive and fun premise. I also thought the set up was very dark, it was shocking to have the contrast of the main characters relationship possibly being on the mend to have him suddenly be dead, it was very well executed and took the film in a dark and fun new direction, the film itself had a pretty dark tone, especially with its humour and not being afraid to have some very unsettling and uncomfortable scenes. I also thought the cinematography and set locations were great. This film was visually creative, it would use the surroundings and incorporate it into the shots when Emma (Megan Fox) was hiding from the robbers to really increase the tension. And there were some amazing shots in general, especially within the final act with the lake. I also think the film used the set location of the house well. It was in the middle of nowhere so Emma couldn’t escape, and the film used every room in the house well as great hiding spots. I also thought the performances were great. The whole cast did a great job, but it was great to see Megan Fox. She was committed to the role, and it really showed when she was on screen, she bought the intensity and passion required for the role and it was nice to see her acting again. My next few positives would be the character background and development to the relationship. The tense tone and building of tension. As well as the use of gore, sound design, and the development to the plot. I really appreciated the amount of time the film took to develop the relationship between Emma and her partner, we got to see how their relationship worked and how controlling he was to gain sympathy for Emma as a character, as well as good character background to understand her dark past and how its linked to the main antagonists. I also thought the tense tone and building of tension was excellent, the films tension was set up well and it was never lost. The film got slowly more and more intense as the stakes for the characters increased. I was on edge for a good majority of the film and the situations that the film put Emma in were scary. I also thought the use of gore and the sound design was great. The movie was not afraid to get fairly bloody which definitely made the film had a lot more impact, with Emma dragging the dead body of her husband that was dripping blood being pretty gruesome and the imagery really stuck with me, I also thought the sound design was used very effectively to increase the tension, the sudden startling noises to distract the characters or the repeated noises of the characters footsteps getting closer to Emma really increased the tension of the scenes well. Finally, I also thought the film’s plot developed well, it was structured in a way where it didn’t overstay its welcome and ran smoothly. Going from Emma trying to find a way to break free of her husband and escape, to the antagonists being hired to kill her, they changed the plot up enough times to keep you engaged and it made it a fun experience to watch. I did have a few issues with the film, the beginning felt rushed and unneeded. The film fell into some genre tropes, and the logic of the plot wore thin in parts. I did find the beginning to be fairly rushed, Emma was with a different man due to her husband being a player, however it all felt underdeveloped and rushed, it only lasted a small amount of time, and they didn’t really develop their relationship enough for me to care about his character. I also thought the film did fall into some genre tropes. There were moments where there would do a predictable change to a scene where Emma would nearly be caught but then suddenly something would happen, or a noise would be heard that was slightly generic. My final criticism would the logic of the plot waring thin in parts. There were particularly scenes that were a bit silly and too over the top, and moments where if it happened in real life the situation would be different, and that did take me out of the film in parts. My final few positives would be the strong script, good character depth and strong villains with good motivations. As well as the dark twists and intense final act. The script was well written, its self awareness and dark humour was witty and sharp and always hit the mark and did its job. I also thought the character depth for Emma was strong. Her dark past involving her attack and the man hired to kill her being the same person gave the character a lot of emotional depth, and slowly learning about her relationship with her husband and what she has been through over the years was a welcome addition to the film. I also thought the villains and their motivations was strong. Callan Mulvey delivered a very intense and intimidating performance, and he was a strong antagonist, he was mentally unstable and willing to do anything to get what he wanted. I also think his motivation for doing what he did because of his past with Emma was strong motivation for his character which was well explained which isn’t always the case with films in this genre. I also thought the dark twists and the final act were very well executed. The twists were unexpected and very dark, everything that Emma’s husband gave her that you thought was a sweet gift turned out to be something to punish her in a big mind game and it kept the film intense and fresh. The final act was also incredibly intense. As it was unclear Whether Emma would escape or not, the stakes were incredibly high, and the intensity was at its max and I was thoroughly entertained. Overall, despite the plausibility of the fun premise waring thin in places and falling into some genre tropes. Till death is elevated by the fantastic direction from S.K Dale this was his debut feature film. Also, by the committed performance from Megan Fox, and the dark premise that never lost its intensity. Overall score 87/100 By @ryan_the_nixon

Reviews by: @movie_maniac5 Terrence Malick announced himself to the world of cinema with this film, which I think is a pretty solid debut. The film and the story itself isn't that engaging, but I really wanted to know what happened next and how Holly and Kit's relationship changed. Martin Sheen gives a perfect performance as a man who's got nothing left to loose and tired of living a dull life. Sissy Spacek also gives a great performance as a girl who just carries on with the escape because she doesn't really have a clear objective in life. The cinematography in the film is beautiful, it uses the typical northern landscapes to put the audience in the right atmosphere to watch the movie. Malick's direction of the film is great for a first time. I feel like it dragged a bit at the beggining before the real story began, but besides that it was quite good. Kit is capable to kill anybody in order to mantains his relationship with Holly, and even shoots innocent people that didn't know they where wanted. As the film advances, he paranoids a bit about his safety and Holly's, until the point he cleans everything he touches and kills almost everyone that has seen them in any point. He would kill at any cost, and the audience can see that he only cares about himself and Holly, and doesn't think about anything or anyone else. Humans tend to be violent when it comes to their safety, because we sometimes think everyone wants to harm us and we defend ourselves no matter the consequences. After the movie kicked off (for me it's when Kit kills Holly's father), the story got much more interesting and had more content for the audience to correctly set in the mood and engage with the story. I think, had it been more slow at the beggining, the audience would lose interest in the film and maybe would'nt care at all. Also the fact that the movie makes you root for the "bad guys" is incredible because I really wanted for Kit to survive. As I said, the storie's pace is much faster after the first kill, and in between that, there's a fantastic character study of Kit and Holly that makes you understand the circumstances they're under. At the end of the movie, it can be easily seen that Holly and Kit didn't really have any motive for the killings they made (besides surviving), as Holly finally turns herself up and leaves Kit, and Kit also turns himself up after he sees he's alone in this. The only reason they did what the did was to maintain their relation, because they had each other. When both separate, there is really no other motive to continue escaping. And when Kit meets Holly at the end after they're captured, Kit doesn't get mad because he understood the situation. At the end it wasn't a really strong relation, it was only united for the sake of surviving. By @movie_maniac5

Reviews by: @purgatoryflicks Wont be getting into details cause i’m sure there still is plemty of people who have not seen the series yet. I got to go to Winden, for one last bittersweet time. With Jonas & the gang for eight amazing episodes. Dark is a family saga with a supernatural twist, set in a German town, where the disappearance of two young children exposes the relationships among four families. Every journey has an end, and every story needs some kind of a conclusion. Even those, that i already know i’m going to miss. Dark is one of those. Very satisfied by it’s concluding chapter though left with a feeling of sadness that it’s over. Without exaggerating, i can honestly say that i’ve never had so many questions about something i’ve watched. Dark, most of the times made me feel like a complete idiot and i just couldn’t get enough of the feeling. Coming up with own theories through out the years how everything would eventually wrap-up was so much fun. Trying to put the pieces together on my own was like trying to find a needle in a hay stack. It’s borderline impossible for me to rank the three seasons of Dark. To me, each of them was masterful. From breathtaking visuals & soundtrack to exceptional and authentic acting and most of all frigging brilliant storytelling eventually leaving very few stones unturned. What Baran bo Odar has created here is truly special. It’s unreal how good the series is, almost feels like i’m waiting for someone to pinch me to wake up to a reality where this show didn’t exist. It’s a perfect series with a oh-so-rare perfect conclusion. It’s now confirmed, Dark is my all time fav TV-show. And i’ve seen a lot of series in my lifetime. Kudos to the creators, crew & cast for making Dark as fantastic as it was. The journey has been way too short, but i’m glad the show wasnt stretched out like so many and each of the three seasons kept the quality of the series perfect. Goodbye Dark, it’s been a pleasure. In the end, all makes sense, THIS IS HOW YOU END A SERIES PROPERLY. Stunned. Just watch it already, patience will be rewarded. 10/10 By @purgatoryflicks

"Perfection's not just about control, it's also about letting go" Darren Aronofsky is one of my all time favourite filmmakers. He is a director with a singular voice, completely and passionately dedicated to what he does. He isn’t afraid to make bold films that will no doubt upset people, but films that he believes are important. And I appreciate that. Someday he may go down as one of the greatest filmmakers of all time. His movies are sometimes fairly controversial, and that’s expected, as this man does stuff like ‘not including a score (in mother!) or maybe making a movie a complete metaphor (also mother!). His movies are hard to digest, that’s true but I find them truly cinematic. He’s one of those filmmakers that I’d put in the same boat as Wong Kar-Wai or Denis Villeneuve, not because his style is similar to them, but because he loves crafting unforgettable moments of scenes (with build up of course) but unlike someone like Tarkovsky, Aronofsky loves these rare moments that are sort of like miracles in front of the camera. Especially his endings, he makes them extra special. In terms of his philosophies though, I think it’s fair to compare him to someone like Michael Haneke. His films are consistently dark and unforgiving. Bleak settings and bleak circumstances lead to the overwhelming quality his films bring. His films are usually very anxiety-inducing and quite disturbing.They’re not the most emotionally traumatizing films ever, but I think most of his movies have that one scene where you have to look away. The screenplays he writes are unsettling and every choice he makes in regards to how his films play out are to make the films as intense as they can be. Maybe except for The Wrestler which has a certain depressive beauty to it, which leads me to the next thing which is that Aronofsky's films aren’t all just meaningless dark imagery to make you feel panicked or disorientated. He puts interesting ideas and themes in his movies, searching for meaning or peace. He delves into human psychology a lot, and the way our lives function. His characters are usually very obsessive people They could be addicted or not but they’re always searching for something, they have a clear goal. Aronofsky usually substitutes subtlety for what can only be described as an aggressive type of cinema that shoots you in the face but then makes you reflect (With the exception of Black Swan, that still has multiple interpretations and it’s just beautiful) Speaking about interpretations, Aronofsky never shies away from the surreal, often introducing confusing but ultimately rewarding elements in his films. His cinematography is usually very subjective as he makes these character dramas that are very focused on the main conflict. He uses a lot of fast and handheld camerawork to enhance the disorienting effect his films have. He uses fast, snappy editing that jolts you awake. These techniques can be found even in his very first low budget feature film - Pi (1998) and from then he’s been gradually refining his style, and hasn’t lost his edge. His movies are sort of ‘lightning in a bottle’ and they’re just so damn good. By @starwards1

Reviews by: @_pilots_on_the_ground_ Ah yes, another child game that people over 20 still play, woo! Anyone who believes this game is anyway close to being similar to Minecraft; can be shot on sight then shot again to make sure they’re dead. Kick them in the balls as well, for good measure. Anyway. Terraria is a 2D survival game of which the goal is to beat the living fuck out of some body parts. Starting off with a big ass eye that is not actually from Cthulhu. Liars. And then ending with some giant noodleman with eye lasers. It has many a features including killing bosses, killing enemies and killing bunnies. Theres a lot of killing. You also catch butterflies. Furthermore, there are npc’s which wonder and open doors randomly. Some of them sell some crap as well. Problem with them is that the game developers – re-logic - added “happiness” is that how you spell it idk what it means, but they added it and it’s a pain in the ass. It has four classes all ranging from ranger, melee, mage, and summoner. They are all usually as difficult to play as each other… apart from summoner that shit hard af. The weapons vary drastically meaning each playthrough feels new. If they freshness runs out then don’t worry, they have a separate modded side game absolutely free, and that’s a great price. In conclusion, it’s a very good game with appeal to every player, from people wanting to blast through speedrunning, or people who wanna take it slower. It has 30 bosses so either way will give you a long play time. My favourite class is ranger and sandbag’s is Melee. By @_pilots_on_the_ground_

Reviews by: @matts_moviez As with the majority of Ridley Scott's films, Legend is certainly a sight to behold. The sets are painstakingly detailed along with the costumes and makeup effects. When it comes to Ridley Scott, his films rarely ever look poorly made. More often than not, the main issue that comes from his films is the scripts, specifically how hollow some of his films can be. Sadly, Legend isn't an exception, and it mostly falls victim to its script's shortcomings. I can appreciate the film from a technical and production standpoint but I just cannot overlook some of the glaring issues within the script, which mostly stem down to some basic storytelling beats. But as I've said, Legend is a beautiful film and there is substance there, just not enough to carry the world the film is desperately trying to create. Tim Curry But despite falling short when it comes to its screenplay, Legend makes up for it with its phenomenal performance from character actor Tim Curry. Curry pretty much carries this film, especially in the third act. Without him, I don’t know if the film would be as half as memorable as it is. From his mannerisms and body language alone, you seriously are unable to distinguish between where the character begins and the actor ends. As with any great performance, Curry is never visible and his character of Darkness is front and center, as it should be. The Miscast of Cruise Yet another issue I have with Legend is not only with its script, but with its choice of Tom Cruise as the lead actor. Cruise has undeniably great range, that much is true. But his acting here is definitely not that. A lot of the time, Cruise just doesn’t belong in this film and I can’t help but think that he was cast solely for his rising popularity. As his career went on, Cruise improved tremendously, but this was definitely one of his weaker outings for me. By @matts_moviez

Reviews by: @ryan_the_nixon What an amazing album. Nao for me is such a great artist, and always offers something new with each project. Let’s start off with something that always stands out with her incredible voice. Its so unique and nothing can compare to it. This has always made Nao stand out as an artist to me and her voice blends so well on these R&B type of songs, its just so smooth and rich. I also really liked that she played around with more features that really worked for this album. The album tackles a relationship that has broken down, and despite running away being the easier option. Nao highlights putting the effort in to make it right again can be the most difficult but most rewarding things to do, this album shows a lot of maturity and growth with Nao as an artist and every single song serves a purpose. I also like the blend of more laid back and personal songs. And the more upbeat and R&B influenced songs. It offers a good bland and something for a variety of different listeners. My favourite songs ranked: 1. Antidote ft Adekunle Gold 2. Messy Love 3. And then Life was Beautiful 4. Good Luck ft Lucky Daye 5. Wait 6. Better friend 7. Nothings for sure 8. Glad that your gone 9. Woman ft Lianne La Havas 10.Amazing Grace 11.Little giants 12.Burn out 13.Postcards ft serpentwithfeet Overall, Nao delivers another strong album. Which shows maturity and evolution with her sound. With her most personal album to date. Her uniqueness still shines, and she is her own artist which I love. Overall score 9/10 By @ryan_the_nixon

Reviews by: @moviereviewswithben @there_willbe_spoilers @les_recos_de_seb Watching a Nicholas Cage movie these days can be a real gamble. For better or worse, the actor has chosen some strange projects over the past decade or so. I went into Pig expecting this to be another weird one, but surprisingly it’s Cage’s most normal and accessible movie in years. It’s definitely a little bit strange though, but in a subtle way. The world in this movie seems ever so slightly removed from reality, but never too far gone as to break immersion. Hear me out for a second, because this is going to be a bizarre comparison - This movie reminded me of the first John Wick, but instead of a secret underground network of assassins, you’ve got a network of culinary industry professionals. It’s not remotely similar in style, but spiritually, it’s on the same page. The story also hits hard on an emotional level, which caught me completely off guard in a good way. What starts as a pretty basic story about a man looking for his stolen truffle pig evolves into something a lot deeper by the time the credits roll. I can’t really even write about it without spoiling the film, so it’s best to go into this one knowing as little as possible. So how is the man himself? Well, to be perfectly honest, he is fantastic. Cage gives a restrained and emotionally raw performance that I think is one of his very best. His character is a man of few words, but I was wowed by how expressive he was without dialogue. Alex Wolff, who stars alongside, is also really great, and I really liked where they went with his character. Pig is a movie that will sneak up and tug on your heartstrings. It’s got just enough of that signature Cage weirdness to keep things interesting, but grounded enough for the story to resonate with audiences. This is one of the biggest surprises of the year and I would highly recommend it for anybody looking for something different. 8/10 By @moviereviewswithben Pig is John Wick as an existential drama. And I think it might be the best film I've seen this year. I haven't stopped thinking about it. The story is simple, Nicolas Cage plays a man that lives in a forest with his truffle pig, collecting truffles for Alex Wolff's restaurant investor and living a very simple, off-the-grid life. Then one day his cabin is broken into and someone steals his pig... However this is not the film you think it is and maybe even referencing John Wick is unfair, but there is an element of it here in that Nic Cage goes after the people that stole his Pig one by one, trying to get to the top of the power chain. With each person he meets, not only do we learn about them, but we learn more about Cage and his past, painting a full picture of the character we've been following. It is a beautiful picture that is in no rush to tell its story. Directed by Michael Sarnoski, the film is propelled by a sense of meditative contemplation. It has a soft but constant flow that engaged me emotionally. It reminded me of Lynne Ramsay's fantastic You Were Never Really Here. Written by Vanessa Block and Sarnoski, the writing feels so focused. Not only does the film tackle themes of grief and loneliness, but it's about how we need real connections and how those connections are what make life worth living. I'm not sure if it's eligible but the script should be nominated for an Oscar. Then there's Cage in his best role for a long while (although I loved him in Color Out of Space and Mandy). He is excellent and brings an authenticity to the part of a man in search of connection and truth. Alex Wolff is also brilliant as the investor who didn't know he was lonely. The cinematography has to be mentioned as well here, it is some of the most memorable work I've seen for a while. It doesn't just look good, the shots carry real meaning. One shot in particular comes near the end and captures Cage's long, rough hair blowing in the wind bringing to mind his lost pig. Shots like these guide you emotionally. I could talk about this film for days. I absolutely loved it. This is real cinema and it's bloody gorgeous. By @there_willbe_spoilers OK alors clairement vous ne vous attendez pas du tout à ce que vous allez voir : ça fait combien de temps que vous n'avez pas vu un bon film avec Nicolas Cage par exemple ? Depuis Lord of War (en 2006, ça date !) ? Kick Ass (2010) ? Avec ce mélange improbable entre John Wick, Taken et Top Chef (oui oui), notre cher acteur stakhanoviste (il tourne bien entre 3 ou 4 films par an depuis 15 ans maintenant, très souvent des films d'exploitation sortant directement en vidéo) trouve ici un rôle à la mesure de son talent. Un vieil ermite vivant reclus dans les bois se fait voler son cochon truffier, sa seule compagnie, et c'est parti pour une recherche qui va mêler mandales, cuisine, filiation, deuil et leçons de vie. Ne prenant jamais vraiment le chemin que l'on attendrait de lui, déjouant souvent les attentes du public, ce Pig se révèle en bout de course hyper touchant, et nous donne à voir Nicolas Cage dans un rôle de Master Chef Jedi bourru et ronchon qui lui va à merveille. Difficile d'en dire plus sans révéler l'intrigue, sachez donc juste que ce Pig, non content d'être une excellente surprise, mérite aussi clairement de figurer dans la liste des meilleurs films sortis cette année en salles. Laissez-vous tenter, vous ne regretterez pas le voyage. By @les_recos_de_seb

Reviews by: @theofficialreviewer 8.2/10 A free to play battle royale that puts you on an island with 2 other players. You must fight to be the last one standing. You can become different characters with special skills, work with your team, and develop strategies to win. I think I’m one of the only people on the planet that likes this game anymore. I only play it about 1 every 2 months now, but it’s still fun for me. That being said, this is a really creative battle royale. It took some inspiration from Fortnite when that game was at its peak, and imo it worked. I love the first person gameplay. Great graphics and visuals. Not cartoony like fortnite, and it really gives me cod vibes. I’m a big fan of this game, and I also love the fact that the different characters have different skill sets. It makes each character unique. Finally, I love how popular this game was when it first came out. Like the developers didn’t do any prior advertising or announcements, the game just released suddenly. I thought that was cool that they could make a game without anybody having any knowledge about it and then have it become so popular. By @theofficialreviewer

Reviews by: @flix_n_dawn @cignomovie Director: Kim Seong-hun Writer: Kim Eun-hee Premise Being a fan of Kingdom drama series, I excitedly awaited what the powerful duo Kim Seong-hun and Kim Eun-hee had in store for me for the sidequel Kingdom: Ashin of the North. The final episode of the second season ended with cliffhanger sequences as Crown Prince Lee Chang and Soe-bi venture to a quest for the mysterious saengsacho - the resurrection plant that started the apocalyptic zombie wave in Joseon. They were told that someone from China is selling the plant and could have been the root of this conspiracy. Just before the end credits roll, a woman with a mischievous grin appeared on the screen introduced as Ashin from the North. This 93-minute long special episode is released prior to the third season of the cult classic saeguk zombie thriller series Kingdom. With an entirely different setting, this spin-off aims to provide a back story to the resurrection plant, shed light on the character of Ashin, and establish a plot of the third season. The story is full-packed with details that interweave the first two episodes as it penetrates the story of the Kingdom series. Frames & Music During the first two seasons, the audience was captivated by the grandeur of Joseon palace and the picturesque beauty of its landscape. In this film, we are treated to the breathtaking northern region with its dark green coniferous forest, snow-blanketed mountains, vast grasslands, and what else, the alluring purple-hued saengsacho flower. The desolate northern region is dressed up with excellent art direction and splendid hues of blue, green, orange, violet, grey, and black. The cinematography is not only majestic but is a poetic depiction of Ashin’s anguish and hunger for vengeance. The BGM is exhilarating. The score enriches the story and the momentum of each scene. It maintains the eerie and dark vibe of the film by integrating various sounds into a dazzling montage. Characters & Performances This film only utilized two familiar characters from the series, Ashin and Captain Min Chi-Rok, both introduced in the latter part of the second season. Unlike how we see Captain Min in the series with his gallant sword fights, here we see his decisiveness and emotional dynamics. He defines the critical development of Ashin’s character. Ashin, a mysterious character on the second season was given a solid backstory. She is a victim of social injustice, betrayal, human greed, sexual abuse, and conspiracy. Her childhood memories are heart-wrenching to show that her actions are ungrounded to justify what wrath she would bring to Joseon in Season three. The three lead actors are phenomenal. Park Byun-eun, shows the different side of Captain Chin. As the film involves more emotions than conversation, he is able to take full control of his character. Kim Shi-a as young Ashin is fantastic, especially in that heart-breaking sequences. And Gianna Jun also known as Jun Ji-hun once again proved why she deserves to be the highest-paid hallyu star. After 4 years of hiatus, she never loses her brilliant characterization. She carries the frailty and strength of Ashin’s character, and with fewer dialogues, she expresses the range of emotions through her eyes and expressions. Screenplay & Direction Being impressed by the story of the series, its success, and cult following, PD Kim Seong-hun asked to direct this special episode himself. With familiarization with the story and the characters, he was able to helm the film and make it a worthwhile addition to the franchise. The real star of the show is Kim Eun-hee, the talented writer who penned Signal, the webcomic, and the live-action adaptation of the Kingdom series. This sidequel is indeed one of the best anti-hero backstories I have seen. Nothing is superficial, everything is presented organically. How she interweaves the first two installments with this spin-off is jaw-dropping. Like what she did in Signal (I love that series so much), she brilliantly weaves the narrative with astounding precision. She did not only focus on the blood-thirsty zombies but presented how a person could become evil because of an abusive society. Setting the whole film in the North is a profound idea and makes us even more excited about the unforgiving terrain Crown Prince Lee Chang would trudge in Season 3. Conclusion Those expecting hard-core action may find this film disappointing but I think it effectively delivers the purpose of this special episode. Though, regarded as a sidequel, it has a stand-alone story and could be watched by those who have not yet seen the series. Kim Eun-hee once again proved that her brainchild Kingdom deserves to have a universe on its own. What a fantastic spin-off to prepare the fan base with what is to come on Season three. By @flix_n_dawn 1. I've watched all seasons of Kingdom before, but the most memorable scene was when Ahn Hyun-dae-gam, who had become a zombie, appeared. ⠀ 2. For actors who are good at acting, you feel the obviousness that comes from 100% trust, like ‘Oh, what else can they do well?’ ⠀ 3. The same goes for actor Heo Jun-ho. An obvious sense of relief that of course you will do well and of course you will be cool. But you didn't know that you would tear it up even more by turning into a zombie, right? ⠀ 4. Are you a zombie? Why is it cool??? Is it just running???? ⠀ 5. If we were to create a person with aura, coolness, force, sexiness, or whatever energy we want to express and even create a meme to express it, wouldn't it be [Heo Jun-ho]? ⠀ 5. For your information, I am not a fan. Even if you're not a fan, I'm right. ⠀ 6. The reason I'm talking about actor Heo Jun-ho, not in the Kingdom review, is because I saw him explode with excessive coolness again in 'The Scoundrel', which I'm currently watching for the Nth time. ⠀ 7. He appears briefly and dies miserably, but why is he so cool? ⠀ 8. Amazing. By @cignomovie

Reviews by: @the_owlseyes @vagonulrecenzii “...vast accession of strength from their younger recruits, who having nothing in them of the feelings or principles of ’76 now look to a single and splendid government of an Aristocracy, founded on banking institutions and monied in corporations under the guise and cloak of their favored branches of manufactures commerce and navigation, riding and ruling over the plundered ploughman and beggared yeomanry” Thomas Jefferson, Letters of Thomas Jefferson PLOT "Hundreds of cash-strapped players accept a strange invitation to compete in children's games. Inside, a tempting prize awaits with deadly high stakes. A survival game that has a whopping 40-million-dollar prize at stake" or "Korean's Hunger Games". SCRIPT It has a simple premise but it crafts a beautiful story on it. The main characters are fleshed out well and they get a nice development and arch. It feels like Game of Thrones but the dread is present since the first episode and it grows on you. I like the gradual and appaling turn which takes one character, who evolves in the villain towars the end. The real villain is carefully hidden and the minions and the frontman are interesting and fascinating. The cop is useless and I don't understand his role. Sure, he builds up one of the twists but afterwards he falls in the darkness. There's little explanation about the VIPs also. I think that a lot is left out to explain it in the next installment, which is frustrating. The best aspect of this script is how it manages all its themes which are capitalism, poverty, family, friendship, love, death, welfare and betting. It feels like Parasite, because the Capitalism and its sins are front and center. Like every Korean production, this series is pretty gory and grants a cynical perspective on our reality, a perspective which we lack in most countries. It's time to recognise the fact that we can learn something from the East and that it's necessary to synthesize our frames of mind. Script: 9/10 ACTING Almost all the actors do a great job. Just a few are bad: the ones who play the VIPs. They're so bad that the overall quality of this series plummets a bit during their screentime. It's hard to understand how and why the producers decided to cast such incompetent actors. Nonetheless the Korean actors are all at the top of their game and they're able to deliver a wide range of emotions with great ease. I like the fact that Lee Byun-Hun, which is the biggest actor among the cast, has been cast in a minor but pivotal role, which enabled him to show all his skills. Jun-jae Lee carries the show on his shoulders masterfully. Acting: 7/10 PHOTOGRAPHY I find interesting the decision to counteroppose the real world bleakness with the games colourful sets, to underline the fact that for the host the games are fairer than our life. There're a lot, a lot, of gorgeous images of the city, the games, the doss-house and the island. Light and shadows are used masterfully and colours are relevant. There's a lot of symbolism spread all over the series and if you're able get it your experience will be better. Photography: 8/10 EDITING It's very well edited and it tries to be original most of the times. Sometimes there's a little redundancy of slow motion but overall I think that it's placed carefully. I like a lot how the series uses the tilted camera technique to make each scene more dynamic and show the grandeur of each set. Overall is pretty satisfying, even though it isn't the best kind of editing I've seen so far. Editing: 6/10 SPECIAL EFFECTS Most of it is practical. This is what makes this series remarkable. The SFX are gorgeous. Just look the previous picture. Are you not impressed? The CGI is used just a few times but, unfortunately, it's a bit fake and it shows. I think that the show would've been better without them, because they're a little unpleasant and break the show's realism. Special Effects: 7/10 SOUNDTRACK It's original and fits the sinister and juvenile games which are displayed here. It's simple but striking and after a while it becomes pretty ominous. Not only it enhances the dread but it's also able to amplify the few positive moments. It isn't the best one I've ever heard but it grows on me. Soundtrack: 7/10 COSTUMES One of the most impressing aspects of this series. The minions and the frontman have unforgettable costumes which reminds us of the show's logo and the "perfect face" filter of tiktok, which is weirdly ingenious. The player are defined by their costumes too, as well as the VIP's, which masks represents predators and high status animals. The host has one which represents his character perfectly. I'm impressed because usually costumes are overlooked but here are an integral to the plot and theme. Costumes: 8/10 CONCLUSION Script: 9/10 Acting: 7/10 Photography: 8/10 Editing: 6/10 Special Effects: 7/10 Soundtrack: 7/10 Costumes: 8/10 AVERAGE: 7,42 An incredible series which deals with relevant themes in an original and cynical way. A must watch. Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk Screenplay: Hwang Dong-hyuk Cast: Lee Jung-jae, Park Hae-soo, Oh Yeong-su, Wi Ha-joon, Jung Ho-yeon, Heo Sung-tae, Anupam Tripathi, Kim Joo-ryoung Soundtrack: Jung Jae-il Running Time: 50 minutes By @the_owlseyes - Netflix a ieșit din nou în evidenta , tot cu un serial despre jocuri , dar marca Koreea și o popularitate imensa . Deci asa a început vizionarea serialului, de prin auzite . - premisă ( o societate secreta aduc pe o insula jucători care sunt înfundati în datorii sau sunt într-un plan economic nasol , și concurează pe viata și pe moarte ca să obțină niște banii cinstiți. E bun , dar și jocurile sunt diferite ) , ca formă de serial cu niște concurenți care trec de niște obstacole pentru a câștiga banii au mai fost realizate , dar acesta parca vine cu ceva diferit și interesant . - chiar te atrage să-l urmărești, te face să-ți pese de unele personaje care sunt conturate pe baza trecutului , împletesc foarte bine relațiile cu ceilalți mai mult sau mai puțin. Atât de bine este realizata conturul personajului încât într-un episod ( de trădare) trezește niște tristețe. - dacă tot suntem aici , serialul încearcă sa ne arate cum acționează omul în acele situați, cum ziceau Nord coreeni : bine au caracterizat statul democratic 😅 - multe planuri narative , îl face diferit de alte seriale cu aceasta temă , jocuri interesante pentru distracția boierilor , 10 % din personaje de altă naționalitate, a reușit sa jongleze cu multe chesti chiar ok. - mi-a plăcut că-ți explica prin anumite secvențe anumite chestiuni , dar reușește sa scoată și unele secrete sumbre ale concursului . Cu toate astea 9 ep , au reușit să mă facă curios de ce urmează, căci finalul te pune pe gânduri. Hmmmm Nota personală : 8.3/10 🚋🚋🚋🚋🚋🚋🚋🚋 By @vagonulrecenzi

Reviews by: @tvnerdaran Over the 2010’s and early 2020’s, there has been a major political awakening, with young people getting more involved in politics than ever before, and public figures from both the left and right sides of the political spectrum now being more vocal than ever before. With the rise of divisive right-wing leaders like Donald Trump, Jair Bolsonaro, and Boris Johnson, as well as left-wing politicians like Bernie Sanders and Jeremy Corbyn awakening politically dormant youngsters into fighting for social change and a more equal society, we are now in a major era of socio-political upheaval. With much of the current upheaval and worldly issues like poverty, war, disease and class conflict, there comes a defining film of our times: a film which speaks volumes to the current world that we live in, and that film is Bong Joon-ho’s 2019 masterpiece,“Parasite”. Taking the world by storm, ”Parasite” won both the prestigious Palme D’or at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival, and swept the Oscars the following year, being the first foreign-language film to win the coveted Best Picture prize. Why has a relatively low-budget film from South Korea taken the world by such storm and become such a massive cultural phenomenon? It’s because the themes, messages and story of “Parasite” are largely universal to the world we live in, and the film speaks to us all living across the world with its themes of poverty, wealth, class conflict, and the injustices of our world today. With its universal themes and mass-pleasing accessibility, “Parasite” has almost single-handedly become the defining film of our times. ”Parasite” focuses on an impoverished family known as the Kims, who seek to escape their dire existence in poverty, and climb the social ladder to seek a better life for themselves. They find this opportunity through scheming and conning their way to employment for the wealthy Park family, before soon forming a symbiotic relationship with the Parks, and coming into conflict with the Parks’ previous housekeeper Moon-gwang and her mentally unstable husband when their secret is discovered. The film is masterful in blending various different genres, with the film feeling at many points, simultaneously like a comedy, a drama and a thriller. All of this rests on the brilliant direction of Bong Joon-ho who wields a Hitchcockian style over the film’s ability to blend and experiment with different genres. The first half of the film plays like a comedy-drama, with the Kims seeking to escape their impoverished existence by lying and scheming their way to getting employed by the Parks, costing their hard-working previous employees their jobs along the way. The Kims then continue to enjoy their newfound privilege until Moon-gwang, the previous housekeeper, reappears and a secret is discovered that threatens to unveil the Kims’ conning ways. As Moon-gwang arrives at the Park household and retreats into the basement, where she is revealed to be hiding her mentally unstable husband Geun-sae, whose situation is even more dire than that of the Kim’s. But the two lovers soon discover the Kims to be the con artists that they are, and the rest of the film thus plays as a thriller that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats, while the Kims wrestle against Moon-gwang and Geun-sae for survival. Bong Joon-ho masterfully balances tension and suspense with riveting social commentary on the parasitic relationship between the higher and lower classes, until all of these tensions reach a boiling point at the film’s bloody climax, where a birthday massacre and its horrific fallout subsequently end the film in tragedy. The film speaks to the times we live in, with its commentary on the parasitic dependency that both the higher and lower classes have on each other, with the higher classes parasitically exploiting the lower classes and remaining deliberately oblivious to their suffering, while the poor depend on the rich for survival and a basic standard of living, echoing the message that left-wing leaders such as Bernie Sanders have been trying to convey to the masses over the last five years. Overall, “Parasite” is a masterfully scathing social satire that heavily speaks to the times we live in, and because of that it’s almost no wonder that the film became such a hit and swept so many awards shows as a result. By @tvnerdaran

Reviews by: @ryan_the_nixon For a debut album Lil Nas X delivers the goods, but I couldn’t help but feel slightly underwhelmed due to the huge hype surrounding this album. Most of this album just brings a certain fresh energy that only Lil Nas can bring he injects uniqueness and something different into the rap genre with his flow and lyrical content. He tackled a lot of things on the album, including the pressure of being the first mainstream gay rappers and people telling him he won’t make it also tackling issues with his colour and how that also can affect his success in the industry, but it also offers a hopeful message of staying true to yourself and working hard to achieve what you want in life. For me, the album falters about halfway through. The same energy that was so infectious for the album unfortunately doesn’t stay consistent, and there were slightly too many songs that were blandly written, boring and didn’t feel part of the same album, luckily the energy and high standard was bought back by the end, but the album lacked consistency. My favourite songs ranked: 1. Industry baby ft Jack Harlow 2. Scoop ft Doja Cat 3. Dead right now 4. Montero call me by your name 5. Dollar Sign Slime ft Megan Thee Stallion 6. That’s what I want 7. Don’t want it 8. Am I dreaming ft Miley Cyrus 9. Sun goes down 10. One of me ft Elton John 11.Lost in the citadel 12.The art of realization 13.Tales of Dominica 14.Life after Salem 15.Void Overall, Lil Nas X offers a refreshing new energy and injects uniqueness into the rap industry. And for a debut album he tackled some surprisingly deep issues. However, the album for me lacks consistency and doesn’t fully live up to the huge amount of hype surrounding it. Overall score 7.5/10 By @ryan_the_nixon

Reviews by: @theofficialreviewer Rating: PG-13 Starring: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver 6.7/10 On the alien world of Pandora live the Na’vi people, who appear primitive but are actually highly evolved. Due to Pandora’s environment being poisonous, human/Na’vi hybrids, called Avatars, must link to human minds to be able to move freely on Pandora. Jake Sully, a paralyzed former Marine, becomes mobile again through one such Avatar. He then meets a Na’vi woman, and as their bond grows, he is drawn into a battle for Pandora’s survival. This was a fairly decent film. I enjoyed it, but didn’t overly enjoy it, if that makes sense. I’ll get into why I wasn’t the biggest fan of this film later on, but first I’ll talk about the reasons why I like it. The cinematography is amazing. Like breathtaking. It was so gorgeous! It made me, and still makes me, want to visit Pandora in real life and be in the movie itself lol. The cgi was also done super well in terms of the life and vegetation on Pandora. It looked so Earth like and real. Zoe Saldana and other actors were done well regarding their blue skin and overall design. These reasons alone are why I gave this film a rating of 6.7/10. Besides them, I didn’t like this movie at all. The storyline was alright at best. Sure I was engaged, but it needed more in my opinion. Zoe Saldana’s character and Sam Worthington’s characters romance was stupid and did nothing to move the plot forward. The movie is also super long. Parts could have been cut down a lot to make it more entertaining so as to not lose anybody’s attention. James Cameron is such a good director but this is not his best work. I also don’t know why he’s planning to make around 4 more movies. Like no. They’re not needed and I don’t want Avatar to turn into another franchise. 2009 to 2021 is a few years, a sequel should have been made years ago if they were going to make one all along. I also don’t think this movie is worthy of being one of the best movies of all time. Of all the movies that have ever been made, this is one of the ones on top? I apologize for the rant, if you’re a fan of this movie, I did not mean to offend. These are just my opinions. What do you think of Avatar? Let me know in the comments! Also if you’ve been to the Pandora world at universal studios, how is that? Would love to hear about it! Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed this review! By @theofficialreviewer

Reviews by: @_pilots_on_the_ground_ Rainbow is a 5v5 fps shooter where the objective is to kill the enemy team, there are other ways of winning however no one cares about those so lets move on. It’s a game focusing on strategic placement of your team to go in guns n’ blazing pew pew style. It orientates towards stealth and precision before the all out war once the two teams meet. The gameplay of each character feels unique with their separate skill set and abilities but they never feel so out of place that they shouldn’t be in the game. Moreover, each ability feels grounded in reality and solid. Complementary to this, the actual pew pew’s are what I feel most fps games should be, not saying that rainbow is the only one a variety of games are similar. The actual damage and speed of gunfights are usually quite short, ending in only a few shots. This I feel makes the game more based in real life. Unlike most fps games, its not about going in guns n’ blazing contrary to what I said earlier. Its about infiltration. Now this does not say you cannot go in balls deep firing mag after mag, but this will result in your almost immediate demise. The fanbase…holy shit wrapped in toilet paper on a stick 2000 years ago. The fanbase, is, amazing. The undying absolute toxicity of everyone is shockingly beautiful. Imagine a room of vegan lesbian feminists and straight man in Chernobyl. That’s how toxic. But its great, you will never not get a laugh outta some guy screaming at your team. Final thoughts, rainbow is great its fun too play and will get your heart rate faster than a 12 year old can say that’s what she said. However, the learning curve is incredibly high making it difficult to get better, the many things you have to remember and keep in mind while still trying to stay alive defuse the bomb and killing people. It can feel overwhelming. If you can get over that though, it’s a very good game. By @_pilots_on_the_ground_

Reviews by: @starwards1 The Invisible Guest directed by Oriol Paulo is in my opinion one of the finest thrillers of the 2010s. It's dense and spellbindingly interesting. There was not a second where I looked away from the screen, it's absolutely hooking. It's a film that's really smart and it's clearly a film made by someone who knows what he's doing. It unfold in a sort of Agatha Christie like fashion but you'll quickly find that the originality of this film knows no bounds. It's absolutely wild and riveting. It's highly unpredictable but never bloated and I think its plot is storytelling at its best. An unexpected adventure that is cunning and exciting. And I want to get into what it does so well, but I will stray away from spoilers because I know a lot of you haven't seen it yet. There are gonna be a few mild spoilers, so if you want to know nothing about the film, this is your last warning. So yeah, The Invisible Guest is a TIGHT film. That is one of the things it does so right. The editing is on point, and so crisp. It's a 100 minutes long and never too fast but also manages to pack in enough story and character as well as depth which is very impressive. You can clearly see the amount of effort put into the pacing of the film, the direction and cinematography is very smooth and very streamlined, and I felt that it was all to make the movie as efficient as possible. There's very little fluff, or drama, it's a concise film. That brings us to the main thing that made this movie so great, which is the SCREENPLAY. I could tell that there was very less in this film left to improvisation, all the actors were doing their best to follow the screenplay to the second. And what a screenplay it is, I won't even tell you anything that happens in the story, just know that it is full of mindblowing plot twists, expert subversions and two driving, believable characters in a smooth story that has its ups and downs. The story is told mostly in flashback sequences, and it all leads up to one hell of a third act. The use of unreliable narrators is really well done, and I think to make a good mystery like this one, one that is so richly engrossing, we follow what this movie accomplishes, which is set up GREAT characters with motivations and depth, not too many of them, but enough to create a tension and a conflict, characters that are smart, characters whose next move you probably won't guess. Then have them drive the story forward and the plot twists and subsequent moments that the audience love will fall into place. And this movie is full of them, unique and satisfyingly devious scenes. And like the best mysteries, Oriol Paulo knows the importance of a Chekov's gun. Every small detail has importance and ties the narrative together amazingly. By @starwards1

Reviews by: @ryan_the_nixon This is an excellent EP from Dylan Fraser and by far his strongest yet. This EP really displays a linear message and theme throughout and tackles some deep issues. Dylan ponders the meaning of life through the perspective of someone who struggles with there mental health and not seeing a way of escaping their thoughts. Dylan has fascinating ways and strongly visualises how he is feeling in a particular song with key lyrics like ‘I’m in a nightmare but I didn’t fall asleep’ really sticking out to me. I also really love the sound Dylan has gone with this EP, alternative is the perfect genre for him, and the heavy bass production works excellently with the themes of the songs and a unique experience for the choruses with no vocals. I also like that Dylan tested himself vocally and showed a big range to his voice. On most of the songs he has a deep voice, but some of the songs felt more experimental with his voice going more into his head voice and upper register which I really loved. My favourite songs ranked: 1. Nightmare 2. Pipeline 3. I’d rather be here 4. Supersonic 5. Mantlepiece 6. Only a fool 7. That’s just life Overall, Dylan Fraser delivers one of the strongest EPs of the year. With an in depth and linear message and theme throughout, experimenting with his voice and sound. And adding something new to the alternative/pop genre. Overall score 9.5/10 By @ryan_the_nixon

Reviews by: @ryan_the_nixon Jolt 2021 15 Director: Tanya Wexler Starring: Kate Beckinsale, Jai Courtney, Stanley Tucci, Bobby Cannavale, Laverne Cox, David Bradley etc Jolt is about a bouncer with a slightly murderous anger management problem that she controls with the help of an electrode lined vest she uses to shock herself back to normalcy whenever she get’s homicidal. Jolt was an ok film, and definitely a guilty pleasure kind of film. My first few positives would be the fun concept, character background and fun set up. As well as the fun tone, interesting elements and set locations. The film’s concept was delightfully absurd, and actually really worked throughout most of the first half. It was certainly a unique and fun idea, and despite the ridiculousness of it I have to praise the director for thinking of something outside of the box. I also thought the character background was good. The film explained a lot about the main character Lindy (Kate Beckinsale) it gave you good insight into her upbringing and how her character was perceived by others, and it made you understand her perspective due to people wanting to experiment on her, whilst also setting up the fun and absurd tone that was executed so well in the first half. I also thought the set up was great fun, I thought that the film set up the character of Lindy really well with her social awkwardness and her condition, whilst also establishing her relationship with Justin (Jai Courtney) it added a new layer to her character as she let her guard down. And for him to be mysteriously killed, and a police hunt for her due to her unstable condition was a fun set up and introduced a very fun element and good mystery to the film. There was also a lot of interesting moments, I think the worldbuilding in terms of explanation and detail into Lindy’s condition actually made it believable and plausible when watching. It was fascinating to see how her brain reacted when people annoyed her and the different methods, she used to control herself with the electrode vest and the control to shock herself being a fun element to the film. I also thought the films set locations were great. It made its budget seem much higher than it probably was. With some really interesting set locations that were visually stunning and fascinating to look at, whilst also being big enough in scope for some fun action scenes. However, my first few negatives would be the use of exposition and voice over, the poor script. As well as the lapses in the logic and tonally the film for the most part being all over the place. This film really overelied on spoon feeding the audience into plot points that were honestly not that difficult to understand throught the action, it just felt like the film felt like it was more complicated then what it was. I also found the use of voice over at the beginning to be very frustrating. It was completely overused and ran on for too long. It set up things well, but then dragged on to explain Lindy’s whole childhood, plus the voice over just wasn’t needed for half of it. The script was also pretty poor, the dialogue was clunky and generic. The structure was very messy and slowly went more and more formulaic, it felt like they had the concept and about half of a good film in terms of understanding the absurdity of the idea and the characters, and then it just seemed to go off the rails slightly. There was a lot of lapses in the logic as well, the police officers in this film Nevin and Vicars played by Bobby Cannavale and Laverne Cox. In real life they wouldn’t have a job its as simple as that. There were so many lapses in the logic and illogical decisions that didn’t make sense and were too unrealistic. They were practically helping Lindy for most of the film, I can forgive a few illogical character decisions, but this was constant. Finally, the film tonally was all over the place. At first it was tonally focused and worked really. But as the film developed the film got tonally more confused and frankly just messy, bouncing far too often between the absurd, comedic, and serious and it just didn’t blend well together at all. My next few positives would be the great cinematography, sound design and gore. As well as the main performances, chemistry between the cast and humour. This film was visually creative, it did a lot with its limited budget. With some visually stunning shots, in particular fun uses of colour grading that really made a lot of the scenes pop out of the screen excellently. It made it visually stand out a lot more then the script. I also thought the sound design was used very effectively, I thought the use of electric shocks with the sound design added a lot more impact to the film, it built tension and added an interesting element both to the film and to the main character. I also thought the humour and use of gore was excellent. I thought the comedic timing of the scenes were Lindy was trying to control her anger was excellent, it was clever to show what Lindy wanted to do to the people and what she actually did. They were hilarious to see and the over-the-top use of gore also made the scenes really stand out and were a lot of fun. I also thought the lead performance from Kate Beckinsale was great, she is an experienced actress and it really showed here. She made the film work more than perhaps it should have done. She delivered with the action as expected with her previous roles, but also delivered in making Lindy a fascinating character to watch. Kate also had fantastic chemistry with the rest of the cast and had some great back and forth interactions. My final few negatives would be the rushed pacing, how generic and predictable the film became. As well as the underwhelming villains and messy final act. The film was extremely rushed. It never allowed anything to really sink in or connect, as it was just rushing from one scene to the next trying to cram as much in as possible. The film just slowly fell into the genre tropes that it was trying to avoid in the first half. In a formulaically plotted and predictable second half. The film made Lindy as a character just so much less interesting just making her come across as needing a man and nothing much more, and the attempted twists and arcs for the characters were predictable and could be seen from a mile away. I also thought the villains were very underwhelming, when you don’t reveal practically nothing about a villain and don’t put in the work to create a mystery about them its very easy to have the reveal fall flat, David Bradley as the villain was just not a good choice and he was hardly even in it. And the predictable twist with Justin fell flat for me and he got hardly any screen time and therefore was an ineffective villain that didn’t leave an impact. The final act itself was also a complete mess, the film just lost touch with what made it work for the most part, in a bland and forgettable final act that honestly didn’t really go anywhere. My final few positives would be the development to the plot when transitioning from the first act into the second, as well as the fun action and partly entertaining moments of the final act. I thought that the plot developed well when Lindy was on the run from the police, her character went on a fun journey and really made her character interesting to watch, with the underground fight club scene a good standout. I also thought the action was pretty strong. It was entertaining and well-choreographed and pretty brutal in places, and the best of the action was definingly in the final act so that’s why it was still entertaining to watch. Overall, Jolt is one of those movies that is technically very bad, but I still kind of liked it and it was a guilty pleasure film. Due to the fun and absurd idea. The charms of Kate Beckinsale and I was entertained throughout. But I am still scoring it low because it was tonally and structurally a mess. Not Committing to one thing enough in order to stand out from the crowd and frankly didn’t give me enough of a jolt to want to watch it again for a while. Overall score 58/100 By @ryan_the_nixon

Reviews by: @_movies.shmovies_ Whenever I think about Tom Cruise, I usually picture him as a hero of the story or as a "good guy", to be precise. After seeing Collateral, I must admit that the role of the villain is just as fitting for Cruise if not more than that of the hero. He just got that evil vibe about him whether it's becuase of the shifty movements, the eyes or the unfamiliar grayish blonde hair. This aspect adds a certain freshness to the narrative and when you combine that with Michael Mann's filming style, you get a plausible and fast paced action thriller. One night, a taxi driver named Max, played by Jamie Foxx, picks up a mysterious passenger who turns out to be a professional assassin. What's more, he ends up reluctantly agreeing to drive him from one hit to the next as he fears that the refusal might cost him his life. He never looses the tiny hope of escaping from the killer, but the ever watchful Cruise is not to be trifled with. While the thrilling action is a natural expectation, this film also provides some food for thought on the topics of dreams, plans and self-actualization; thus, allowing the characters to feel fleshed out without becoming overbearing towards the audience. Michael Mann's Collateral is definitely not Heat but the his style is not hard to spot. It's a no nonsense action thriller that does it's job well. The night setting looks mysteriously dangerous and because of the dynamic between Cruise and Foxx, the film never gets boring. Yes, some moments do look slightly off, but in the grand scale of things, they do not affect the viewing experience. Tom Cruise as a villain is definitely the selling point of this film and I hope he puts on the bad boy pants in some other roles. 8/10 By @_movies.shmovies_

Reviews by: @art_fanatic_313 This chapter starts with Glenn and Maggie getting married. After that, a bunch of people from the group, including them, go the the national guard station to find more weapons and ammunition, in case the people from Woodbury attack them. On the way back they have some problems, but they manage to get back with plenty of useful things. In the prison, with the help of Alice, the doctor, Lori gives birth very easily to a girl. At the same time, Dale gets bitten by a zombie, but they cut off his leg before the infection spreads and he survives. Also, Carol and Lori start being closer again, but Carol can’t stand this life and the pity everyone feels for her, so she kills herself by letting a zombie bite her. This was a nice chapter, but without much going on. I feel like this chapter was just a preparation for the next one. Although, there are still some interesting stuff in it. It’s very interesting to see that zombies aren’t really the main threat any more. They are certainly a threat and they are responsible for this whole situation, but the characters are more afraid of other living humans than zombies. I think that that’s a very nice development. The characters are all well written and so are the dialogues. In that department I think that this chapter is better than the last one, but because of the lack of action and very interesting stuff in general, I think that overall this is the least good chapter so far. Something that I did like in it tho was seeing Dale being jealous and thinking that there’s something going on with Tyreese and his girlfriend. This whole side-plot really showed very well the problems in their relationship, but also how strong it is. Something else that I liked was seeing Rick trying to adjust to having only one arm. He was always the first to action, so loosing one arm caused him a lot both physically and emotionally. The artwork in this chapter is pretty much the same as in the last one. Not much better, not much worse. I still like a lot how expressive the faces are and the way zombies are drawn. Also, I like a lot the perspectives of the panels. They are always very interesting and they work very well. Overall, this was a good chapter, just not as good as the previous ones. It felt to me a bit empty, but I guess it was necessary to be like that, in preparation for the next one. 8/10 By @art_fanatic_313

Reviews by: @__movies.shmovies___ For 9 years I have been watching this comedically cozy show and now, 11 seasons later, it has sadly come an end. In a way these guys were like a fictional family, bringing joyful laughter over the years and naturally, I felt a sense of emptiness inside my heart as I watched the final minutes of the last episode. Over the course of the series, the writers have outdone themselves both in terms of narrative and humor as some of the episodes caused stomach cramps from excessive laughter. However, the pleasant characters were the ones who made me want to come back to the show again and again. For those who don't know, Modern Family is a comedy show about 3 families who are related in one way or another and we watch their escapades filmed in a mockumentary style. Their day to day activities are intertwined and as a result they find themselves in curious and often hilarious situations. What makes this series standout is the terrific writing and the loveable cast that works magically with each other and their chemistry only gets better with each season. Personally I am huge fan of Phil and Cam but you might discover your own favorites. One recommendation I want to give is not to watch all 11 seasons in a row because you might develop a certain fatigue as it often happens with comedy shows. The first 7 seasons are top notch and even though the quality dips over seasons 8-9, the final 2 seasons were marvelous and the creators managed to finish the series on a good note with plenty of humor. The best part is that even when the comedic factor takes a slight drop, the characters still remain enjoyable and as a result, the episodes still feel like a good pastime. I have watched 9 seasons of Modern Family twice and as you know it is one of the shows that I recommend to everybody. Enjoy! 9/10 By @__movies.shmovies___

Reviews by: @ryan_the_nixon This is a very strong debut album from Chase who goes by the stage name LILHUDDY. Since the release of his first single 21st century vampire I knew he was talented, and it shines on this album. The alternative rock genre really works well for Chase and suits his deeper voice excellently, with some great guitar instrumentals and headbanging worthy choruses. What I love about this album is not only it’s consistency with its sound and message. But it tells a journey of being young and naïve in terms of relationships and life experiences. Each song tells a different story about his experiences and yet it all feels connected. It ranges from it being ok to make mistakes and live life to the fullest whilst you are young, but also deals with relationships and how naive you can be when you are young when they don’t work out. The album ends with acceptance that the relationship he was in wasn’t working and it felt like Chase was letting go, it told a story and he told it well. My advice for another album would be that a few songs sounded repetitive in terms of production and Chase has room for improvement in terms of his voice but for a debut his voice sounded strong. Overall, LILHUDDY delivers a strong and cohesive debut album. That tells a story a lot of people can relate to from being a teenager and wanting to live life with no regrets. But also, is a reflection of his past relationships and how he has grown as he gets older. He is another example of a Tik Tok star that has a lot of talent for music. Favourite songs ranked: 1. The eulogy of you and me 2. Headlock 3. Teenage Heartbreak 4. Partycrasher 5. America’s sweetheart 6. 21st century vampire 7. How It ends 8. IDC 9. Lost without you 10. Don’t freak out ft Ian Dior and Travis Barker 11.No more (Interlude) Overall score 9/10 By @ryan_the_nixon

Reviews by: @__movies.shmovies___ For 9 years I have been watching this comedically cozy show and now, 11 seasons later, it has sadly come an end. In a way these guys were like a fictional family, bringing joyful laughter over the years and naturally, I felt a sense of emptiness inside my heart as I watched the final minutes of the last episode. Over the course of the series, the writers have outdone themselves both in terms of narrative and humor as some of the episodes caused stomach cramps from excessive laughter. However, the pleasant characters were the ones who made me want to come back to the show again and again. For those who don't know, Modern Family is a comedy show about 3 families who are related in one way or another and we watch their escapades filmed in a mockumentary style. Their day to day activities are intertwined and as a result they find themselves in curious and often hilarious situations. What makes this series standout is the terrific writing and the loveable cast that works magically with each other and their chemistry only gets better with each season. Personally I am huge fan of Phil and Cam but you might discover your own favorites. One recommendation I want to give is not to watch all 11 seasons in a row because you might develop a certain fatigue as it often happens with comedy shows. The first 7 seasons are top notch and even though the quality dips over seasons 8-9, the final 2 seasons were marvelous and the creators managed to finish the series on a good note with plenty of humor. The best part is that even when the comedic factor takes a slight drop, the characters still remain enjoyable and as a result, the episodes still feel like a good pastime. I have watched 9 seasons of Modern Family twice and as you know it is one of the shows that I recommend to everybody. Enjoy! 9/10 By @__movies.shmovies___

Reviews by: @_pilots_on_the_ground_ @miscellaneous_media_reviews …Do you want your son to get nicked by an incestual tribe of cannibals? Well if you don’t piss off you are not wanted. Now those rationalists are gone we can start. This game excels at the creepy terror. Its not quite horror, I don’t think, it does very well at making you paranoid, very exposed in a way. With the cannibals attracted to sound and light you are always cautious of them being just behind you. I hate it, but this is why I love it. Its like the feeling of going to your uncle’s house, you don’t know where… or when but eventually some crackhead’s gonna jump you. I know that it’s the game designers that coded the movement and AI and things. But I have to give it to animators for all movements of the cannibals are hand animated. which is insane. (exclamation mark) I ain't doing it cuz I hate exclamation marks… they are smartass’) I genuinely believe the animators are gods for their lifelike animations of the cannibals. Moreover, the beauty of this game is immeasurable, mostly. While not the best looking game it definitely gives some epic visuals. The story also is phenomenal, its basis is not incredible original however the execution is stunning. light spoiler warning Ok so the red cannibal, I love the way he is connected. You see him at the start of the game and then he dips, he nicks lil’ Timmy and remarks a jolly good day to you fam. But the realisation of why he does so is incredible. While this may or may not be just a tad bit biased I will admit that there are a few problems-ish. There is an insanity meter and when it lowers it just does absolutely nothing, it allows you to make custom effigies but nothing other. Green hell has a very good insanity mechanic and I’m pretty sure that that is what it was meant to be like however complications…complicated things. All in all The forest is a very good game and hits all the high points it wanted to, I am incredibly excited for Sons of the Forest. By @_pilots_on_the_ground_ The Forest is a survival/horror game, released in 2014 by Endnight Games. Playable in a single player mode, or in multiplayer, which adds up to 4 online players. The story of The Forest follows a very simple premise. You, the player, and your son Timmy, are the sole survivors of a plane crash on a remote island. When your son is taken away from you, you must survive the horrors of the island, and find a way to rescue him. The Forest is a great survival game first and foremost, with an interesting story that you can follow at your own pace. The story is told in a very non-linear fashion. There are no quests or missions, or anything of that nature. The story is told, almost entirely, through items the player finds as they explore the island. These various items queue the player in on the backstory and origins of the island, it’s creatures, and more on the main plot itself. Because of this I would say the story takes a backseat to the gameplay. If you choose you can forgo completing the main story entirely, and simply enjoy the survival and horror aspects of the game. The main parts of The Forest are the survival aspects itself, and I think they’re incredible. There are plenty of items, tools, structures, defenses, traps, and many more things to build and craft. Through a blueprint system you can build any kind of base or structure you want. There are both premade builds or custom options that give you near limitless possibilities. It really comes down to the players' own creativity and ingenuity. The crafting and inventory system are also perfect in my opinion. All of your items are stored in your backpack, and the way this is done is very fun and dynamic. All of your items are visible and layed out for you upon opening it. From there you can browse your items, craft, and equip them. It never feels too cluttered, and makes things easy to find, along with being visually appealing. The world is also full of plants, animals, and other materials to collect and gather. With several animals you can hunt to get food, and other resources from, and different plants that allow you to collect seeds, and other materials. The world feels very alive. And interacting with it feels satisfying and fun. The game also has no specific play style you have to adopt in order to survive. You’re given complete freedom to do what you want to do, and you can play how you want to play. You could build a massive fortified base, live nomadically, travel around on rafts, or even build structures in the trees. This helps to always keep the game interesting and different by varying gameplay options. The horror aspects of this game are also some of the best I’ve seen. This game can be truly terrifying, especially for new players unfamiliar to the world they’re in. Monsters and enemies can stalk you from afar, or conduct massive raids and attack you. The AI for the enemies of this game is some of the best I’ve seen. They react to your actions against not only them, but the world itself. This makes each choice more impactful because they all have consequences. The game doesn’t hold your hand regarding its enemies either. It will be up to you to learn their behaviors and patterns. It provides an interesting, and at times terrifying challenge. This creates paranoia and fear that makes the slightest rustle of leaves, or crack of a stick, fear inducing. Like surviving, there are also many ways to handle enemies. You cuckold search for powerful weapons to defend yourself, or just try to avoid them altogether. It’s up to you. I really love The Forest and I think it has very few problems with it. The main one being that the game is subject to a few bugs here and there. Sometimes enemies can sort of glitch around where they shouldn’t be able to go. The same can be said for certain objects like logs. Certain structures can also be a bit temperamental when building them, or placing them on certain terrain. This makes construction a bit annoying at times. Although this can be frustrating, it’s nothing game breaking, and it didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the game at all. The game’s graphics do leave a bit to be desired. The game doesn;t look bad, but it also doesn’t look amazing. I think for the most part it looks pretty good, but some textures and renders can be pretty rough. But again, that doesn’t really bother me. I think The Forest is an amazing game, both in single player and multiplayer. This game is enjoyable when playing by yourself trying to survive, and it’s also really fun to play with friends. Building a big base together, and being scared together adds an extra level of enjoyment to the game. I would recommend this game to anyone who likes the survival or horror genre of games. While it can be very challenging, even on the easiest difficulty, it never feels unfair or impossible, and as you learn more about the enemies, and different ways you can survive, you really feel yourself progressing and getting better. Objective Score: 8.5/10 Personal Score: 9.5/10 By @miscellaneous_media_review

Reviews by: @federica.marchica Welcome to the age of the un-innocence. No one has breakfast at Tiffany's and no one has affairs to remember. It's 1998 in New York city, and there is a revolution coming up. Women are tired of being the angels of the house and of necessarily having to get married, in order to gain relevance in the US-society. They want to be free, experience things, meet people, and have sex like men. That's what Carrie Bradshaw's column "Sex and the City" is about. Her troubled love life, and her friends'ones are her constant source of inspiration, and show the audience that men can come and go in a woman's life, but friendship and sisterhood never go out of style. As a teenage-girl, I spent so many hours watching this TV series with my girl-friends. We used to identify ourselves in these four feminine portraits who have become symbols of female empowerment and independence in the pop culture of the early 2000s. I was always associated with Carrie, because I was a writer. Then, there was a Miranda, a work-addict cynical lawyer, a Charlotte, a romantic artist who was tired of dating because she was waiting for Mr Right, and a Samantha, a strong, independent and ironic woman who always put her pleasure (all kinds of it!) first. Season one starts out to be about sex, but as the viewers find out very soon, there is so much more than that. I mean, all four women have a great deal of sex though the seasons, especially Samantha, but after three seasons, it starts being more about relationships and love, than about sex. The correct title for the show would probably have been Love and the city, except for Samantha's storyline, which also included love at a certain point, as the collateral effect of the huge amount of sexual intercourses she has through the six season of the show and the two movies. Carrie's point of view is the main one, in this story. She runs a column in a not specified newspaper, she probably writes once a week, but she's still able to afford to pay the rent of a pretty good apartment in Manhattan AND frequent shopaholic rushes at Manolo Blanhik and Jimmy Choo. How is that possible? The answer could be just one: nineties fairytale atmosphere. Speaking of fairytales, her big love interest is Mr Big (what is "big" about him is quite easy to guess), AKA John James Preston, with whom she has an on again-off again relationship lasting ten whole years before their (almost failed) marriage in the first movie. Her love #2 is Aidan Shaw, a guy who was too good, too lovable and ordinary (and too clearly in love with her) to be her endgame. He will show up in the second movie and put a question mark on Carrie's marriage with Big, who at that time was in the middle of his middle age crisis (which had probably been continuing since season 3 or so). She has a third important romance, which is the one with The City; New York. Manhattan is stylish, glamorous and smart. People come to NYC to fall in love, says Carrie in movie #1, and in the meantime they drink fancy cocktails and buy shoes. At least, that is what she and her friends did. Despite her love for The Big Apple, Carrie goes to Paris at the end of season 6, with a supposed-to-be charming Russian artist (what was charming about him? The accent, the money, the spoiling? It was never clear to me), but Mr Big shows up and takes her back to the USA, telling her she is the one, and she had always been. That would even be cute, if we pretend not to listen to the rumors about the revival And just like that, which report them to be in the middle of a troubled divorce. Miranda marries the sweet bartender Steve Brady, who suffered for some time from a huge inferiority complex, due to Miranda being richer than him. They have a son and he cheats on her in movie #1, but after a while they are able to live happily ever after (hopefully!). Charlotte marries Trey, a posh guy and a mama's boy, whom she divorces after sexual difficulties. Later on, she meets Harry Goldenblatt, creating a sort of Beauty and the Beast-like couple, but thanks to him she learns that beauty will eventually fade with age, and true love won't. Samantha was probably the most loved character of the show, and still she was so mistreated by the writers and, as rumors say, by Sarah Jessica Parker (Carrie) herself. The PR portrayed by Kim Cattrall had to face breast cancer, hair loss, orgasms loss (yes, it was a lot for her), unhappiness and dissatisfaction after a five years-long love story with Smith Jarrod, and the unnecessary excessive irony put in her storylines, which had the occasion to show the image of a strong and independent woman, but sometimes failed in doing it, conveying the image of a 40-50 year-old nymphomaniac. She won't be in the revival, due to a controversy about money with SJP, and that would certainly be a loss for the audience and the show. The change of title is not a surprise for me, since as I said, without Samantha there is no Sex and the city. And just like that, the writers will have to fill a big gap. The revival is due in spring 2022, and will deal with the lives of Carrie, Charlotte and Miranda in their fifties. I, with all the nostalgic of seasons 1-6, will surely watch it, waiting for the moral, the significant and iconic sentences, the poetry that has always characterised this show, because since I have learnt that it would be on TV, I couldn't help but wonder: will the magic and the freshness of the Nineties still be there? Is there space again for fairytales when you're 50+? Is Ever Thine, Ever Mine, Ever Ours a real thing? In a world where everything changes so quickly, we need certainties to rely on! By @federica.marchica

Dashing feet. Panting breath. Smoky gun's muzzles. "Stop, right there. There's no way out" shouted the squad's chief. He moved to his left and found a inlet in the wall. He quickly hid himself there. The chief's shouting still in his head. They went beyond his hiding spot, like they were unaware of its existence. When the sounds of their thumping feet felt far, he moved his head sideways to check if there was any threat left. "Sisyphus, are you clear?" said a voice in his head. "Not the best code name but I'm here. I've lost the guards who were guarding the control room. Are you in?" replied him swiftly. "Yeah. You have 10 minutes. Use them well. We can't lose this opportunity" He detached from the rugged wall and re-entered the hallway. He moved fast, with light steps, till he reached a marble staircase. He went up the stairs, while looking carefully around. Gold and bronze busts were located on each side, looking at him with their hallow eyeholes. "Get to the third floor, quick. The Resistance is keeping all the army busy and we're losing enough men. Be sure to have your gun ready when its needed?" "What was the possibility of having a Mauser jammed?" asked him jokingly. "For the HSc is usually...27 percent" "Well, then I hope that this relic won't betray me. Right now I miss the blaster so much" said him with a bit of sadness in his voice. He got it out of his holder and pointed it in all directions to get the grip of it. He reached the third floor, which was different. It seemed out of place. No busts and no marble, just concrete and plexiglass. He walked in. Artificial lights turned on and a corridor appeared in front of him. There were no walls, just a long series of glasses interspersed with thin pillars which lit up with different shades of red. Behind the glass there was a huge biodome. "What is it?" asked him. "We don't know. The pleasures of a megalomaniac tyrant aren't our concern" replied the other voice. "It could be his hunting ground for what I know. All the rebels who were captured during the last raid could have been used as prey here in Cairi" intervened another. A huge amount of flowers, placed to form what seemed like a painting, graced his view. Trumpet Vine, Salvia, Rhododendron, Columbine and Lupine, with their sparking colours and soft petals. It seemed like a paradise. "The Leader has a notable green thumb, which makes him creepier. At least he believes in the planet's preservation" joked another voice, which was more masculine than the others. He proceeded along the glass while trying to find a form of life among all that nature. The corridor ended in a big hall made of two intertwining ovals, shaped like an hourglass. "Something feels off" said him. "I feel it too. It has been too simple. Look out" "Whatever happens, conclude the mission" shouted the masculine voice. He approached the door on the other side of the hole. The gun beside him. He removed the safety and went to the right side of the door. Back to the curved wall. Without a notice the door opened. He moved to the site, while keeping the gun at head's height. "What's happening?" asked the voice worried. A young man came out of the door. Well groomed and smartly clothed. He didn't notice him. "Is it time?" asked the man. He was ahead of him. The gun fired. The body fell down, like a centenary tree. Blood started spreading on the pavement. "And now. Fall back" He found himself in a dark room full of cocoons with a bird's logo depicted on the top. He felt the heat. Korb's consume a lot of energy and heat up easily. There were at least fifty of them in what looked like an underground base. "How was it?" asked a little guy clothed with a colorful suit. He was shiny and felt out of place. A raimbow in the darkness. "I did it Hachidori" answered. He found strange to remember the name of his dealer. Usually it's hard to remember anything after experiencing a leap. "Didn't see it coming. A lot of Leapers get lost in the timeline, especially during a past leap. If you want I can help you regenerate your strength with a Loop?" "Not this time Hachi. I've to get back and I've wasted a lot of money on this leap" replied him, tired. "Sure, man. No biggie. We'll meet again next week to send your to-do-list for next year. Just remember that there will be always a Korb for you." "Alright. Be sure to send it to my future. I don't want to meet one of my variants again. And fix the Korb's air conditioning. I don't want it to become my coffin" said him and walked away, with increasing confidence, toward an elevator. After reaching the ground floor, he got into the moving crowd, a massive snake made of a countless number of people and variants. A girl with a body which was phasing through time rapidly and randomly approached him. Her face was a grotesque blend of old and young, decay and growth. "Do you want to have a ride loop on my pussy, baby? It won't cost you much money" shouted her with a mottled voice. He walked past her without looking at her. He didn't have time for beggars and whores. On a giant screen located on the side of a glassy building a newscast was being broadcasted: "The Leader of the Resistance and all his variants have been erased from all the timelines. Since his capture and consequent killing the Republic has thrived. Today we celebrate the first century since the Republic's birth. Long Live the Republic" He listened to this words but he didn't give so much weight to what was being said. Political propaganda never interested him. Even though it wasn't looped, politcs felt like it to him. After buying his dinner in a time bubble restaurant, he went to the subway. On the way down, a guy who's walking on the curb was run over by a moving car. Nothing happened and no one cared because his dying body was immediately replaced by a living variant. He bought the ticket and waited for the subway. "Sir, where are you going?" asked an aid worker. "I'm already where I need to be" He went out of the subway station and find himself in a place which was 60 miles from the downtown. A bearded guy, ungroomed and poorly clothed, was shouting while waving a giant cardboard: "This is not real. Time is not real. I'm not crazy. Beware the Treeswifts". He considered this kind of people delusional. The government didn't care about them. They were considered like leeches. Once he was stopped by one of them. A lot of time was lost and, unfortunately, the government didn't refund you if you got in touch with them. The people used to call them Weevils, like the extinct insect which used to roam this valley. He kept his head on the right side and walked past him. He then reached a tall building made of concrete, glass and stone. He put his thumb on the door's handle and scanned his code, by tilting his wrist to the right side. An elevator took him to his floor. He moved to a wooden door, which was made of fake wood, and rehashed the same process which got him inside the building. After his entrance a mechanical voice greeted him and reported all about his e-mail and social networks messages, physical stats, daily expenses and goals tracking. A tasty smell catched his nose and he followed it to its source. It brought him in the kitchen. "Hey gorgeous, how was your day?" said the cook. "Weary but...I did it" "Are you talking about The Leader's Leap?" "Exactly" "No way. I knew that you would've nailed it, in time. Come here!" and gave him a strong hug. "Do you think that this will help you get your promotion?" "Don't know. The chief has made too many promises. Sometimes I think that he's looping my career just to profit out of my talent" "Well, you'll be able to do it anyway. Just think about what you've achieved so far" "Thanks love. I've already received congratulations for my promotion from my future colleagues. It's great but sometimes I just prefer to leave the future uncertain as it once was" said him, a bit melancholic. A gentle humming interrupted their conversation. "Wait, do you hear that?" asked him. "Yes, there's a little surprise for you" said his partner who left the pans and, after taking his hand, brought him in a small room decorated with Crocuses and Lilacs. A small bird came near them, buzzing around with his small wings. "A Sabrewings. Odd" replied him with a large smile on his face. "It's the same kind of Crested Swift you used to have when you were a kid. Your mother told me that. I thought that it would be fitting for your recent success" "Alright, alright. I like it. This really was kinda unexpected. I love you" and kissed her. They looked each other in the eyes and they both felt it. The desire to share love. They moved to the bedroom, a medium size room which had a wonderful view. The downtown and its skyscrapers stood up like a redwood. "Wait, wait. I think that we should use a loop. I want this moment to last forever" said her. She took a touch pad which was on a bedside table, positioned near a German-made gun. She touched the pad and a little shockwave was emitted by it. They immediately got to it. It started slowly but after a while it became lively. A beautiful dance of love and sex, the perfect whole. She was on him, screaming and moaning when a sudden crack blasted the atmosphere. He didn't have time to react that a blaster shot passed through her body. He was shocked. His hands were trembling. His eyes teary. A masked individual in a tactical suit appeared at his door and pointed a gun at him. He reached for her partner's gun quickly. He heard another gunshot. He thought that it was his time to die. The soldier collapsed on the floor. He moved his fiancee's body to the side and got up. The gun was still pointing to the door entrance. A long blaster appeared at the door. Slowly it went down and the person who was carrying it followed up. "Who are you?" asked him, with a voice streaked by grief. The elmet which was hiding the face of his interlocutor subsided and revealed a gentle face. "I'm Light. Time to move" said the stranger and threw a suit at him. "Wait, why should I trust you?" replied him irritated. "Because if it wasn't for me you would be dead" He wore the suit which was tight but felt good on him. "Follow me. We don't have much time" commanded Light. He followed him to an ordinary van and entered it. He sat down on a seat and tried to understand what was it. Light took a seat in front of him. The van moved. After a while the lights turned on and two people, a man and a woman, showed themselves and stared at him. "What's going on?" asked him, trying to dissimulate the fact that he was a bit intimidated by the man's frame. "These are Ember and Shriek" said Light and they nodded with their heads. "We need you to help us. We need to put down Project Koliber" exclaimed Light. "What? What is Project Koliber? Why me, I'm just an underpaid social worker?" replied him without a clue. "The Republic wants to erase all the variants and their universes" "Universal Genocide" underlined Shriek. "Why?" "Because the other variants are going to do the same" said Ember. The light went off for a while and everyone shut up. The van moved through the city's biggest square, a dangerous place to plan a revolution. Ears were everywhere. They passed under a bunch of activists banners which were saying things like "Protect our universe. Get rid of time tampering", "No more Dark Matter for the Time's Niggard. We don't want to end in darkness" and "Our Variants are dying. We don't want to suffer the same fate". After the last banner the van lightened up again. "We want to bring down the Republic. We want to blow it up and stop this madness" said Shriek with confidence. "What? Are you out of your mind?" said he to them. A lot of questions where mounting in his head. Thirty minutes ago his partner died and now a group of strangers were asking him to destroy the Republic. "I know that you consider us strangers and that this things seem out of this world but you chose us to do this job" said Light, who was trying to reassure him. "What? Wait, it wasn't supposed to happen today. I wasn't supposed to meet you" "This is right. We were supposed to meet your Variant, the one you encountered a while ago. You told us that things would've been hard with you. We didn't imagine that they would've been this hard" said Light. "When did I send you the specifics for this mission?" asked him, confused. "The future. We received them during a training in a leap you completed years ago. The one which got you promoted" said a voice which came from the driver seat. "I'm Ikarus by the way" continued the one at the wheel. "How can I be sure that you're telling the truth? How can I trust a Variant? How can you trust my future?" asked him. The group didn't answer as quick as before and for a while they looked each other trying to figure something out. "I guess that you can't. For what I know you could be the same people who killed my husband. Stop the van Ikarus" ordered him upset. He was opening the vehicle's door when he suddenly stopped. Light was holding him back. "If you think that we're lying, why is your face all over the grid?" asked Light while showing him a screen with his picture. "The Government want you dead for a reason. You have no options left" concluded him. He was speechless. "We have to tear it apart. You have to do it" added Ember. The van halted. He looked through the glass and saw it. "The Nest is marvellous, isn't it?" said Shriek. He didn't say a word. "Groom yourself and adjust your tie. You're the one who will get us through. You're..." but he interrupted Ember suddenly. "I know who I'm now. I know what I have to do" said him. "Do you have a weapon?" asked Ikarus. He showed him his partner's Mauser. "A bit old but will do. Don't get killed boss" remembered him Ember. He walked up the stairs while mantaining a certain sense of royalty. His leather shoes were swishing over the marble with elegance. Shriek, Ember and Light were beside him. They were wearing soldier suits which were hiding their faces. When the guards saw him, moved their rifles and budged to the side while saying "Ave, Magna Liberator. Ave, Princeps Noster" He didn't flinch and passed through the main entrance. There was a big courtyard guarded by many snipers with rifles and foot soldiers with blasters. It was a fortress. "How many do you count Ember?" asked Light. "Fifty snipers on the bulwark and twenty guards on the court surface" answered Ember. "That's odd boss, why is no one considering us suspicious?" asked confused. To him the situation seemed too azy to be true. "They went through another door and he received the same greeting. After the third checkpoint, when there was no guard left and they were hidden from cameras, he spoke up. "Now we split up. Ember and Shriek take the east block. Me and Light will take the western one. Ikarus keep us posted about unforeseen events. He will be our compass. Set the detonation's time on 10 minutes. Loop yourself if things get ugly. And don't die. Your Variants could be our enemies in this situation" Everyone pulled out their guns and moved to their positions. "Good Luck guys" bidded Ikarus to the group. 46 bombs had to be placed. The Nest didn't use to sleep for so long. Time was vital. "Well done Shriek, now we just need to place the last ones" jubilated Ikarus. Light was fixing his one while talking to him. "Is it true that you've worked with Major Edderkopp on a mission?" asked Light, trying to ease the pressure. "We looped sometimes but he wasn't my friend. He was more like a rival. I just know that he retired after a failed leap which costed him his place in the army. Probably he got lost in the timestream" "Do you think..." continued Light but was hushed by him. "Keep your hand on the bomb. I'll deal with it" Clatter of steps reached them. "How many Ikarus?" asked him. "Don't know. The heat signals ten or twelve guards coming your way" "Can you hold them off by yourself?" said Light "Don't think so. The Mauser has enough bullett for them but we can't leave the bomb here" He thought for a short time about the possible ways to outmaneuver them. "Give me your gun and your pad" ordered him to Light. "What, why? I didn't save you to let you die" lamented Light. "It was an order Light" "Don't..." Light didn't have time to express his opinion because he cut him off. Then he snatched the gun and the pad from his hands. The loop was activated and he moved away. After the loop the pad shut itself off and made itself unable to work again. Usually this process lasts a day or more. It depends on the loop length and iterations. "What are you doing?" asked Ikarus worried. "We don't have time to lose. I'm going by myself. I can die but at least Ember and Shriek can conclude the mission" answered him. "We're a bit busy right now. Nest's guards are closing on us too" said Shriek. "Alright, Ikarus, shut down all comms. From now on we're going wraith. We'll see each other on the other side" orderem him. A buzzing sound followed. He started moving. The guns straight up and the safety off. He saw the guards. They were more than the scanner's reading. He only had 8 bullets and a blaster with half a magazine. It could've been worse. He put his back against the wall and took a deep breath. He started a countdown from ten in his mind. Meanwhile the guards started moving, slowly. Ten. "Whoever you are we want you to show yourself and surrender? We won't hurt you" said the squad's captain. That voice seemed familiar. Nine. "Why should I trust you?" asked him. "Because we're the Government. We care about our citizens. Even about the ones who want to go rogue" The voice was slow, charming and particularly masculine. Only one guy used this kind of tone during tense situations. "How did you end up here?" Eight. "Who are you supposed to be? How are you supposed to know my past?" replied to him, without flinching. "Trinidad. Do you remember?" Seven. "Never heard of it" "First Variant kill ever recorded" said him, trying to understand if his sensations were right. Six. Five. Four. "It can't be you. We hunted you down ages ago" Three. "I was your friend Edderkop" Two. "You showed me the way out. How to be free" told him to Edderkop. "I did but you ki...." Edderkop fell down. A blaster shot left a large hole in his head. One. The blasters lit up and bullets flew around. Blood rained down, voices choked and walls quaked. The alarm started. A loud scream which spread like a storm. Some guards got down, torned by the noise. Some heads exploded due to the high frequency of the alarm. His remained untouched. There was little time before the variants of Edderkop and his squad would reach him. "Why?" asked a guard, looking at him with a haywire face. "It was never about you comrade. We'll see each other at the end of this loop" and fired a shot at his throat. He picked up the soldier's rifle and left there the Mauser. He ran off and find himself in a hall with four possible directions. Now the Nest doesn't allow us to loop or leap but we can still hear each other thought. "Better late than never" said him to himself. Turn right. You'll find four guards. Blast their legs with a enhanced shot. He turned right and, after changing the weapon's settings, executed what his future self did. Take the elevator and reach the eleventh floor. You'll find Ember there. He did it but didn't find Ember. "How can I trust your thoughts if they're so wrong" said him, annoyed. He moved anyway. Time was running off, for real this time. A staircase was located on the other end of the room. Strange, something feels off. He heard steps behind him. The Nest wouldn't allow him to get to his destination. "Vigors, is that you?" asked someone who was staying hidden in the dark. Ember doesn't deserve to use that name. "You're alive. Where's Shriek?" asked Vigors. "He sacrificed himself to let me live and complete the mission with you" said her with teary eyes. Open the door. "We have to move. They're coming for us. There's little time left" urged Vigors. They opened the door by forcing it. Dashing feet. Panting breath. Smoky gun's muzzles. Behind them the noise generated by the guards boots became louder. They were shooting without seeing where they were. "Why are they shooting?" Something feels off. "Are we going to doubt our own reality Ember?" asked him. Ember didn't know how to answer. She thougth that Vigors was too calm to be true. At some point the noise stopped and found themselves in a atypical room. A big hall made of two intertwining ovals, shaped like an hourglass. I've never seen something like that. "What is it ? Where are we?" started to worry Ember. He looked at her. And smiled. The gun fired. The body fell down, like a centenary tree. Blood started spreading on the pavement. " I'm sorry Ember" said him while looking at her. "Why Vigors? What...was that...for?." asked her while all her stength was leaving her body. Vigors smiled. It was a genuine smile. Not a grin. "I'm not Vigors anymore" said him. His eyes turned away. He threw his gun away and walked to the door. He passed through it. He went off the door. One step. It's him. He didn't look around, just in front of him. "Is it time?" A beeping sound, ominous and dismal, on a monitor beside a big cocoon with a hummingbird logo on the top and a name under it: Project Koliber. A person standing beside it. A white coat. A name. Sisyphus Edderkopp. By @the_owlseyes

Reviews by: @bearfilmreviews Another film of a crime case I'm very familiar with. I actually liked this a lot. I really like the choice to not show any of the murders. The film feels like Ted Bundy's persistent narrative that he's innocent. So it plays really well, because obviously I know he is guilty, but everyone around him has no clue, and I'm never shown it, so it makes it feel very interesting. Zac Efron just embodies Bundy greatly. From the first scene, I just saw him as the character. Lily Collins, who I'd not heard of, is also really damn good. The scene of her waking up and not seeing her daughter in bed is just amazing. Kaya Scodelario really surprised me here too. She completely disappeared under the hair, glasses and American accent. Jim Parsons and John Malkovich while having slightly smaller roles, were also really really good. I liked all the acting in this. This really highlights how frustrating this case was, since Bundy was such a persistent dick. I really liked watching people get mad at him for being just an absolute prick while in court. Also shows briefly how much he loved the media interaction, and how some women didn't believe he could do such horrible things. The music was not too noticeable but when it was there I liked it a lot. The song choices were not too great though, felt a little out of place. But apart from that, I really liked this film. Everything is portrayed really well I think. By @bearfilmreviews

Reviews by: @beyondfandom1 Back at it again with another review from Marvel Comics and this time its the second issue of "Kang the Conqueror". This issue is titled "Only Myself Left to Conquer" and it's written by Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly, Carlos Magno is the artist, Espen Grundetjern is the color artist and Joe Caramagna is the letterer. After reading issue #1 and leaving off with that crazy ending, we continue our story so let's review! This issue continues the story of Nathaniel as he ends up in Egypt at the door steps of the pharaoh Rama-Tut! I still am getting used to this whole time thing and how it works and it might take a while for me to understand it, but I'm getting there! Nathaniel fights off guards until her gets captured by one of them but gets saved by a mysterious hooded figure. This figure looks very familiar with a few symbols on the chest and the armor that is used, but you'll find out soon who this person is. Nathaniel and the hooded figure travel to an ancient ruin where we, along with Nathaniel, learn that the hooded figure is none other than Ravonna aka the Moon Knight! I freaked out when I read this page and just said wow a lot! I'm actually in the middle of reading "Moon Knight" by Jed Mackay so seeing another adaptation or variant appear is pretty cool. Ravonna tells Nathaniel to speak his mind and truth to Khonshu and so he does and whilst doing so, he wants his revenge on Kang so he forms Iron around himself as armor and becomes Iron Lad. Now, they never call him that in this issue but if you know, you know. Nathaniel and Ravonna go around and take down Rama-Tut's men and eventually share a kill, but the words of Kang are still in Nathaniel's head saying "Never Love". The two are captured by Rama-Tut and long story short is that Ravonna gets killed and Nathaniel gets captured as a warrior slave for Rama-Tut to fight in his war against En Sabah Nur..yeah.. another if you know, you know moment! As the war ended, Nathaniel still vowed for revenge on Kang and so he crawls and crawls until out of the sky he sees a team of four unique heroes come from the sky to take down Rama-Tut. Nathaniel eventually understands what he must do to take down Kang and that is to side with the one and only Apocalypse! Wow. This issue was jam packed with awesome details and great art work. I loved that we see the interaction with Rama-Tut and Nathaniel and how both know who each other are even though they are lightyears apart from one another. The surprise of Ravonna aka Moon Knight was super awesome and I loved that! Overall, this is starting to become of of my favorites to read and I can't wait for issue #3! "Kang the Conqueror #3" gets a 5/5! By @beyondfandom1

Reviews by: @somuchlovecinema Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind Is a 2004 American Science-Fiction Romantic Drama Film Directed By Michel Gondry. The Screenplay Was Written By Charlie Kaufman and is about Joel And Clementine, an estranged couple who have their minds erased about each other... but they don't know what destiny has planned for them. Life's chaotic. It's messy, beautiful, heartbreaking, awkward, scary and confusing. Isn't that kind of the point .. to live in It's best and worst parts. This film has science fiction, comedy, twisty plot, non-linear narrative and it's a genuine love story. But I think the true nature of the film is to prove the statement I've written on top. This film uses nostalgia as a genre and takes it to a point where everything feels intriguing. This has got to be one of the most perfect depictions of love and heartbreak. It has a precious screenplay and especially the ACTING GUYS.. Look at the chemistry... Jim and Kate Are Phenomenal. Especially Jim. He needs to do more roles like this. Such a lovely film. Just remember guys.. If you're meant to be something.... Even science cannot change it.. Oh and Hey Watch This Film Alright. By @somuchlovecinema

Reviews by; @ryan_the_nixon This is a very strong debut album; Maisie tells a story of being young and naive in a relationship and not being aware of the red flags. With very relatable lyrical content that I think a lot of people can connect with. Her song writing abilities and the catchiness of her songs has improved a lot since when she first started out. My only criticism for this album would be that for me the album loses its way slightly about halfway through. The songs and the lyrical content start to become slightly stale and repetitive and there were a few songs I didn’t care to much for. Luckily, the album picks up right where it started and ends on a high and left me satisfied with the result. My favourite songs ranked: Psycho Elvis Song John Hughes Movie Brooklyn I'm trying (not friends) Volcano Tough act Outdoor Pool Love him I don't You signed up for this Villain Hollow Talking to strangers Boy Overall, Maisie Peters delivers a very strong debut album. Putting her stamp in the pop community. With a fun, energetic and relatable album. That occasionally lacks consistency, but it recovers before it can become too big of an issue. Overall score 8.5/10 By @ryan_the_nixon

Reviews by: @starwards1 How to start reviewing or even trying to get across a work of art that means so much to me and does so much. Talking about this movie to someone who hasn't experienced is hard. There are few films that affect everyone who watches it in different ways. The world is a wasteland, in Hu Bo's 4 hour long journey. It's impossible to disassociate the film with the director Hu Bo's tragic suicide and it shouldn't be dissociated. This movie is in a way, his suicide note and one of the most intimate films of all time. An Elephant Sitting Still grips you into this hopeless atmosphere of nothingness. Existential depression is at the forefront of what the film stands for and it succeeds at overwhelming you. You feel empty inside after watching it and life seems like a painful repetition of tedious activities. That's what life is like for the characters in this movie. They're tired. They're tired of the everyday grind, tired of their lives and the hardships. The film has a pessimistic take on the world. Writing this review is hard because this film is almost a spiritual experience, it's a melancholic swan song that moved me to tears, it's honest and really difficult, immersive experience. I've almost never felt closer to fictional characters before and that's because the film is grounded in showing us the lives of the people in the Chinese city of Shijiazhuang. An Elephant Sitting Still washes over you with gloom and angst, devoid of care for the betterment of lives. It's bleak and sort of accepts fate. The philosophy of the film is that life is not worth living but it's not just a statement by the director that life sucks, accept it, the film is character driven and hopes to depict the lives of its characters in a sympathetic way and probably does it better than 99% of movies out there. The film follows 4 characters' journey throughout one single day, as they deal with everything coming their way physically and psychologically It's a true storytelling miracle as we get to see how their stories intertwine and lead up to a conclusion that.. cannot be put in words. It's four hours long, yes but every second has some emotional weight attached to it and looking away was impossible. I didn't even notice that four hours had flown by but at the same time it felt like I'd lived their lives. Some films just connect to people personally, An Elephant Sitting Still is one of those that did with me, it's a film about this generation and adapting to modern society, there are bits of social commentary slightly sprinkled throughout the film and it's bold and brilliant. It's easy to relate to the anxiety for the future the characters have as well as their complicated personal relationships. On top of that there is a riveting mystery set up with an engaging conflict. And this is also one of those movies that due to the sheer perfection of the craft of filmmaking, makes me want to make my own. The grey and dark blue cinematography emphasizes the depressive mood of the film, it's minimal but powerful. The composition too is just amazing, there are so many shots here that I love, and I love how the cinematography expounds on the themes of loneliness communicating it visually. The long takes are absolutely amazing and also help build the atmosphere further. The acting is so realistic to the point where I legitimately thought they were playing themselves. The score is pure euphoria and I've rarely seen such great pacing with movies that are this long. Now even though this film is nihilistic it has a spark of hope. The film is about a journey, summarized by this quote- "There is an elephant in Manzhouli. It sits there all day long. Perhaps some people keep stabbing it with forks. Or maybe it just enjoys sitting there. I don’t know." First off, I took the elephant as symbolism for how nothing ever changes and how life.. It remains the same, but to the characters it gives them hope. It's not about the destination really, but more so the journey. A journey for new beginnings. A hope for a better life. I will NOT spoil the ending, but all I'll say is it left me speechless, stunned and in mixed feelings for days. An Elephant Sitting Still is one of the few movies worthy of the title of "masterpiece" and someday I wish it will get the love it deserves. Rest in Peace Hu Bo. By @starwards1

Reviews by: @movieframes777 American Beauty, a movie gorgeously written by Alan Ball and directed by Sam Mendes. This is a beautifully crafted movie on absolutely every level. Lester Burnham (Spacey) is a depressed middle-aged husband and father whose wife controls him and whose daughter hates him. Existing in a typical American nightmare, he spends his days working a nowhere job, and his nights wondering how his life got so far off-track. When he becomes infatuated with his daughter's best friend (Suvari), Lester goes on a journey of self-discovery, transforming from a suburban loser to a man in charge. For the first time since adolescence, Lester has decided to live his life the way he wants. American Beauty is a thought-provoking account of a man's reawakening to the potential that life holds.Every scene of the movie is pure gold and all the performances are fantastic.American Beauty has become one of those films that everyone has to see at least once in their lives. By @movieframes777

Reviews by: @beyondfandom1 Finally issue #4 has been released for "The United States of Captain America" with of course two stories in this book. Continuing with our main story in "I Hate When This Happens" written by Christopher Cantwell and then an origin story titled "The Halloween Party" written by Alyssa Wong, both of these stories were great with some great messages in them! Let's review! Last we saw Steve and Sam meet Joe Gomez who was the Captain America in the Kickapoo reservation but they also met up with a familiar face in Bucky Barnes. Steve, Sam and Bucky all set out to look for Speed Demon and Sinthea Shmidt but the two villains are now with a new foe, Commander Krieger or Warrior Woman. This issue is probably my favorite not only because we meet a new villain, a new Captain and a new side character, but because we see the overall plan that Commander Krieger has and it's a wild one! Steve, Sam and Bucky all meet at this cabin when all of a sudden we see Arron appear with a new captain named Arielle (we'll learn more about her in the story "The Halloween Party"). Steve and Bucky then take off to a local bar to recruit more help by talking to none other than John Walker aka U.S. Agent! I'm so excited to see all these characters team up and take down Commander Krieger and her evil plan, but just seeing these characters who all once went by "Captain America" is really cool! We finally see what the evil plan is when the villains of our story break into Norad. Norad is a secret base that keeps something very dangerous at bay but with Cap's shield being in the wrong hands, the villains now have control. The heroes are on the way to Norad to stop the evil deed when Steve tells them that what Norad is holding is Hate-monger...a living psychoactive energy derived from Adolf Hitler's consciousness! My reaction was a wide eye stare the shaking of my head because that is was villainous stuff right there! The heroes and villains all meet in the containment area that hold hate-monger and U.S. Agent throws a massive punch that lands on Speed Demon. We then lean that Speed Demon was being brain washed to do all this evil and had no idea what was going on. The rest of them fight and when the dust settles, Sinthea is captured and Commander Krieger has released the hate-monger! Quick thought on this was that everyone is in trouble and they were all screwed, but Bucky and U.S. Agent made me think otherwise because they have Speed Demon who is willing to spill the beans! Next in the issue is "The Halloween Party" which is basically Arielle's origin story in a way. We see that Arielle is a college student who is getting ready for a party and before she goes, her friend is sad and upset because the party is at a guy's house that has physically hurt her and stole her phone. Arielle has a plan to get him back so she goes to the party and sneaks into the boys room to only be ambushed by this guy. Arielle fights back and retrieves her friends phone AND the guys phone to leak things about him to the school newspaper. When it's all said and done, Arielle had this plan from he get go and all of her friends were in on the plan! Overall I think issue #4 is my absolute favorite so far. I love the introductions to new villains and the new Captain, and I love seeing the appearance of U.S. Agent teaming up with Steve, Bucky and Sam! I also can't forget to talk about the kindness of Arielle by helping her friend and being brave to get back what someone stole, that is a true Captain America move! "The United States of Captain America #4" gets a 5/5! By @beyondfandom1

Reviews by: @thefilmobservatory @augustkellerwrites 4/5 Sci-Fi/Neo-Noir The balance of the world is hanging on a thread, when LAPD ‘blade runner’ KD6-3.7 (Ryan Gosling) investigates a case that suggests the possibility of replicant (similar to android) reproduction. My decision to not reward Blade Runner 2049 (2049) with a higher rating is likely going to be a controversial one, so I’ll offer some clarification for those who believe it to be Villeneuve’s magnum opus. Yes, Roger Deakins’ cinematography is jaw-dropping. Yes, Ryan Gosling and Ana de Armas’ performances are good. Yes, Hans Zimmer and Benjamin Wallfisch’s score is smartly subtle. And yes, Villeneuve’s bold direction is impressive. However, I believe there to be some rarely addressed flaws present that hold 2049 back from crossing the line between pretty good and great. For anyone who doesn’t want to read this whole review, I’ll quickly say that the main things that hold it slightly back for me are the overly slow pacing and the handling of the story, more-so the lack thereof. I don’t usually begin an early paragraph of a review discussing cinematography but it’s what stands out to me the most about 2049, so I’m going to go ahead and do exactly that. Roger Deakins is a legend. From the Coens’ black-comedy classic Fargo to Sam Mendes’ moving war epic 1917, Deakins is one of the most talented and versatile cinematographers out there, and his work on 2049 shows no exception. This film’s cinematography is breath-taking. Colour schemes are particularly distinct, from the neon pink in KD6-3.7’s (K) home city to the sharp orange of the ruined Las Vegas. It’s all so creative, and the vividity brilliantly contrasts against the sombre tone of life in this world, since it’s become so superficial – it feels as though everybody in this world is, in reality, a lone wanderer. The different colour gradients convey abstract meaning but also mean that all shots in the film offer variety and prettiness to look at. It’s rare to see a film where the cinematography actually steals the show, but that’s not to say that the cast members don’t more than serve their purpose. Dear reader, I raise you a question. Has Ryan Gosling ever delivered a bad performance? After Drive and La La Land in particular, I’ll happily say no. 2049 continues to showcase his range, in this role that requires him to be more subtle, and less the handsome, charming leading man. He wasn’t the strongest part of 2049, but that comment possesses no negative undertones; Gosling fits into and adds to the film exactly how he needed to. As a replicant, K is made to be professional and probably quite literally calculating, and Gosling absolutely makes you believe this. However, K serves as a sympathetic and chivalrous anchor to the story that’s so large in scale. It isn’t that he lacks heart, more-so that he stays calm and in control, while also questioning certain aspects of his life and people’s expectations of him, perhaps due to the suggestion of replicants being able to reproduce, further humanising them. Like Harrison Ford in the original film, Gosling is good because he’s able to make an A-lister blend in – if 2049 is a clock, then K is simply a cog in the wider story, rather than one of the hands at the forefront. Ana de Armas is pretty good in the film too, but she is unfortunately underused. Her part is Joi, K’s artificial, holographic (I think?) partner, and she shines for the most part. There’s an incredibly intimate scene between the two, that stunningly conveys the pain that they each feel at their inability to physically feel each other as humans can. However, it can be difficult to get on board with this romance in a film of this scale, as there isn’t time to solely focus on it for extended sections. De Armas effectively demonstrates Joi’s frustration at her lack of freedom, but in the greater scheme of things, it feels like her main purpose is as a plot device to add to and emulate K’s emotional journey. Jared Leto is in another, even more-so underused supporting role, as Niander Wallace, the creator of the latest and greatest model of replicant, the Nexus-9 (I’m guessing that the creator and writers of Loki are big fans of the Blade Runner films). He shows up too erratically to feel like an important player, despite 2049’s insistence that he’s a very intimidating antagonist. Leto does a decent job with the character but it doesn’t totally work because the film feels confused about how relevant he really is to the narrative. Harrison Ford returns as Deckard from the original and adds an interesting gravitas to our (small) team of protagonists. It’s nice to see 2049 paying respects to its predecessor but the presence of Ford does feel a bit too fan-servicey for a film that’s generally so unique and intellectual. Actors like Robin Wright and Dave Bautista round out a pretty good cast – overall, there’s much talent present onscreen and behind the camera. Some of the stronger aspects of the film, that work especially well in retrospect, are the interesting themes that Villeneuve blends in with the world-building and visual spectacle. They mainly regard identity and humanity but are played subtly enough to not feel on the nose. K’s quest for humanity culminates when he deviates from his rigid replicant programming – he makes a sacrifice to save others. Throughout the film, his character experiences emotions, such as love and pain, that further question what actually makes a human. If K looks, talks and feels like a human, why should he be treated any different? But nonetheless, replicants like him must live in fear, and are discriminated in this world. The social commentary from the first film continues here, about the humans’ common disregard for replicant life, boiling down to the problematic delusional superiority and selfishness of the people. While the film presents some interesting messaging, I don’t think it’s quite as deep as people believe. 2049 is largely about the bigger picture and not about nuanced character development, other than K’s journey, which is done mostly well, to be fair. However, I never felt that 2049 had a “tears in rain” scene, like the famous monologue that took place towards the end of the original film. That scene is incredible because it’s the moment when Harrison Ford’s Deckard definitively understands that replicants live in fear, despite being a fellow form of sentient and intelligent life. Rutger Hauer’s Roy Batty comments on the transience of time, raising a philosophical point for discussion as a human might, and his monologue is delivered in a mature and literary style of scriptwriting and manner. It’s also the scene when Roy Batty does the most human thing possible – he feels empathy. Ironically, though, if the capacity for empathy is solely what defines a human, then Roy Batty is ultimately one of the most human characters in the film. The messaging is powerful and concise in the original film, and I just don’t believe 2049 pulls it off in the same genius way, leading onto the things that held the film back for me. If a filmmaker wants to take their time to tell an expansive narrative, then by all means, they should stick with their guts and make the film that they want to make. However, that doesn’t mean that the story and pacing will sustain the runtime and hold the interest of the audience. 2049 suffers because it doesn’t have enough plot to hold a 2 hours 44 minutes runtime, so you end up with scenes often feeling pretentiously dragged out. Unfortunately, I have to comment on this as an issue, because there were sections in 2049 where the visuals were gorgeous and the atmosphere was beautifully crafted but I was simply losing focus and quite liable to getting distracted. It’s such a slow film that it can be a challenge to stay fully engaged, and I really wanted to love it after hearing such great things, but the pacing doesn’t work with how little story there is. The film focuses on the main storyline, which is obviously typical, however, it doesn’t seem to spare much time for subplots, so it doesn’t feel like Villeneuve sufficiently explores this futuristic, narratively rich world with endless possibilities. Overall, though, Villeneuve undoubtedly takes an honourable crack at following up such an iconic and brilliant first film: 2049’s main story is interesting and does nicely take the concepts and world in a different direction from the first film. As previously commented on, the technical elements are executed with confidence and much bravado. It isn’t the strongest of Hans Zimmer’s music but his collaboration with Benjamin Wallfisch works well in 2049. I feel that the often-bass notes may have worked better in the cinema, with effective surround sound but the score works well to not take over or be distracting, but to just help craft the atmosphere. The audio design is calculated and immersive, from drops of rain to explosive gunfire. I don’t need to spoon-feed the reader and explain why the camerawork is great, considering the experienced and well-established crew behind-the-scenes. Deakins makes shots look pretty, be unique and distinct, and contain meaning. While the story and pacing of 2049 are imperfect, all of these technical elements in 2049 are examples of the best that Hollywood can produce. The execution of them is frankly a ‘10/10’, so it’s just a shame that the issues came with some of the writing. Overall, Blade Runner 2049 isn’t flawless but does showcase some phenomenal aspects, and I think that the cinematography alone makes it a compelling watch for fans of cinema, and how movies are made. Not everything pays off, but Villeneuve injects his own artistic flair to make an original sequel that honours and accords to central elements of the original, but expands the mythology, and core messaging of the film. Its sluggish pacing ensures that it isn’t a conventional crowd-pleaser, but the experience is rewarding for those who follow with their full, undivided attention. I recommend Blade Runner 2049 to fans of Denis Villeneuve, slow-burn science-fiction, and/or thoughtful cinema. By @thefilmobservatory Blade Runner 2049 is perfect. The ambition of a pop culture epic met with the detail of high art; this film has everything. The story is grand and philosophical, but captures significant emotion with a bittersweet hero arc. The characters are motivated. The setting is extravagant but extremely relevant. Meanwhile, the imagery is striking and packed with meaningful layers. Color, lighting, texture, and composition are all optimized to orchestrate a shower of visual artwork. Working in tandem with the masterful soundtrack, this produces a mesmerizing experience that teleports viewers to a brand new world. On that topic, the production design is genius and creates an atmosphere that is fantastically futuristic yet hyper-real. Decaying yet sleek, decrepit yet beautiful, modern yet primal. The world of Blade Runner 2049 seamlessly highlights its class divide. This is driven home by the array of visual effects. Modern CGI mixed with tangible miniatures pushes those united feelings of old and new. Lastly, the acting brings everything together. Ryan Gosling appears stoic at first, but his portrayal of deeply repressed emotions that suddenly explode is exactly needed. A dejected protagonist fit for his dejected world. In conclusion, Blade Runner 2049 is a masterpiece and everything a movie should be. Writing: 10/10 Direction: 10/10 Cinematography: 10/10 Acting: 10/10 Editing: 9/10 Sound: 9/10 Score/Soundtrack: 10/10 Production Design: 10/10 Casting: 10/10 Effects: 10/10 Overall Score: 9.8/10 For more of my work: https://guskeller.wixsite.com/moviefilmreviews By @augustkellerwrites