1st Reviews

Only murders in the building has been one of the most consistent shows on streaming and season four continues its hot streak. When we last left the crime solvers, Sazz Pataki was shot and killed in Charles’ apartment from an unknown assassin. Season three was, in my opinion the strongest season of the series but for better or worse, steered clear of the title of solving murders in the building and taking us to the New York Broadway scene. With season four focusing on the murder of Sazz, this takes us right back to the building for another title season.  One of the biggest draws to this series has been its stellar guest star list which truly exploded in season three with the addition of Meryl Streep and Paul Rudd but season four looks to top this with Molly Shannon, Eva Longoria, Eugene Levy, Zack Galifianakis, Richard Kind, Kumail Nanjiani and Melissa McCarthy. This incredible lineup of guest stars all bring something special to this season and balance well with the main ...

  Oddity serves up terror that will make your heart race, and drop at the same time. Well placed jump scares accompany an ominous sense of dread, as the mystery at the heart of the film slowly unravels. Although the plot is predictable at times, this is still a well crafted haunted house film with a very effective fright factor. There is a supernatural element, but the film also carves out some realistic scares that will make you want to triple check your doors are locked tonight. it creates a sense of unease surrounding its characters, always hinting that something sinister is coming their way. While I do wish certain elements of the story had been more unpredictable, the way it’s told is still quite satisfying. I may have guessed a few reveals before their time came, but the film’s horror aspects kept my level of suspense high. There was a lot of thrill in not knowing how or when events would unfold, even if I knew they were eventually coming. Characters sometimes behave in ways ...

  You know the feeling of disappointment when you lose on a lottery ticket? Even though you knew the chances were slim to none, there was still a shred of hope that this might be your lucky day. Watching Jackpot takes that feeling and dials it up to the max, in what is easily one of the worst movies of the year.  Paul Feig has given us some great comedies in the past - Bridesmaids and Spy in particular are absolutely hysterical. He’s also responsible for directing some of the best episodes of The Office. Even his lesser efforts like 2016’s Ghostbusters have moments that showcase his talent behind the camera. I don’t remember the last time I watched a comedy that misses the mark with its humour as frequently as Jackpot does. It’s not for lack of trying, either. This movie berates you with joke after joke in rapid succession, and if I were to ballpark a percentage of them that got a laugh, it would be below 10%. It’s to a point that it isn’t just unfunny, it’s downright grating....

  In Space, no one can hear you scream, but they’ll certainly be able to hear you in a theatre. Alien: Romulus will have franchise fans cheering, as Fede Alvarez has crafted the best Alien movie since Cameron’s iconic 1986 sequel.  Stripping the formula back down to its survival horror and action roots, Romulus captures so much of what made the first two films all time classics. It impressively marries the slow burn dread of Alien with the set piece action of Aliens, resulting in a claustrophobic, heart pounding theatrical experience. It doesn’t bog itself down with the series’ complex lore, but also never ignores what past films have established. It sometimes plays like a greatest hits collection, but does it all so well, and takes some big creative swings of its own that set it apart.  The production design gets top marks, with a refreshing practical approach to set and creature design. We’ve become numb to CGI in modern cinema, so when a film goes above and beyond to d...

  Since 1979, the   Alien  franchise has consistently delivered a suspenseful, isolated thrill ride in space. After marathoning the films leading up to   Alien: Romulus,  directed by Fede Alvarez, each director (much like   Mission: Impossible)  has made their mark in the franchise. Ridley Scott perfectly encapsulates the empty void of space and the eeriness of its atmosphere in  Alien . James Cameron elevates the action sequences and emotional weight in  Aliens.  Even though  Alien3  is a big departure in tone from the previous two instalments, David Fincher’s feature debut has the beginnings of his style as a director. Given the proper ending in the trilogy,  Alien: Resurrection  brought an entirely new concept of artificial intelligence. For a late 90s film, director Jean-Pierre Jeunet made a fun space adventure despite the writing by Joss Whedon being a major setback.  In 2012, Ridley Scott returned to the di...

  One of horror’s most iconic film series, the “Alien” franchise has sadly seen its share of critical failures. From the panned “Alien 3” to the divisive “Alien: Covenant,” many have tried and failed to replicate the precise combination of awesome action, heart-pounding horror, and extraordinary effects that made the series first two entries so remarkable. “Alien: Romulus,” an interquel set between the first two films, breathes a new sense of hope into the franchise as it perfectly delivers all the highlights that made people fall in love with this series to begin with. Though it shouldn’t be a surprise the series took a turn for the better considering “Alien: Romulus” is helmed by Fede Álvarez, the writer / director of “Evil Dead” and “Don’t Breathe.” Studios should be lining up to have Álvarez direct their movies. A master filmmaker with a true talent for storytelling, Álvarez is a director to watch. He knows how to craft a genuinely thrilling horror movie and what’s more, you ca...

 “They’ll get off this train, but only for their funerals” might be the most badass line you’ll hear in an action movie all year. Kill delivers tenfold on its title, with plenty of brutal, high octane action. This is John Wick meets Train to Busan, but with playful Indian cinematic flair.  The setup is simple, and the movie wastes little time putting its pieces into place for the bodies to start dropping. The emotional core is established in a cheesy, melodramatic way, but it gets the job done. The stakes feel personal to those on both sides of the conflict, and even though there are clearly good and bad guys, it adds more impact to the dozens of deaths you’ll witness throughout. At first, the action feels a little more subdued than I was expecting. It’s still violent, but it didn’t have the ferocity the trailers and marketing promised. It’ll start to pick up, but then simmer down for constant breathers. However, there’s a turning point (paired with a fantastic mid movie title...

  Video game adaptations historically have a rough track record, with countless high profile game franchises spawning critically-panned films and television series'. Until recently, it seemed nearly impossible to successfully adapt a video game due to the inherent differences in how these mediums operate. However, recent years have seen a shift, with several adaptations not only capturing the essence of their source material but also expanding upon it, drawing in new audiences who might not have otherwise been exposed to the games.  The Last of Us ,  Arcane , and  Fallout  have paved the way for video game adaptations to be taken seriously , garnering praise from both fans and critics alike. While the  Borderlands  games  may not carry the same level prestige as some of the aforementioned properties, it remains an immensely popular multiplayer series with rich world-building that seemed fitting for a big screen adaptation. For those unfamiliar,...

  For its first two acts, Cuckoo is like a psych ward patient who’s been refused their meds. It’s frightening, strange, confused and unpredictable. The film finds a bit too much clarity heading into its lacklustre finale, but this is still a head-trip worth enduring.  Think “A Cure For Wellness” meets “The Shining”, and you’ve got a good idea of the vibe this film is aiming for. Atmospherically, it does a good job at making you feel isolated at the retreat where it’s set. Somewhere in the German Alps, the small resort village seems almost lost in time, paring retro decor with hints of modern aesthetic. The editing will play tricks on your mind, distorting an already intentionally hazy narrative even further.  That haziness works in the film’s favour and to its detriment, as the conclusion doesn’t totally pay off on the intriguing ideas. On one hand, it kept me guessing, and trying to sort things out before the eventual reveal. The reveal itself isn’t bad, but it’s very bl...

  “I will not accept a life I do not deserve”, but I guess I’ll have to accept a conclusion this trilogy doesn’t deserve. MaXXXine is a tepid final chapter, devoid of the X factor that made the first two movies special. Two years ago, X flipped the slasher genre on its head with an exceptional subversion of ‘70s grindhouse horror. It flawlessly mirrored porn against horror movies, cleverly highlighting the parallels that exist between the two. Pearl was a solid follow up that functioned as an homage to old Hollywood and a twisted character study. MaXXXine is… well, it’s an 80s style slasher flick. The sharp genre subversions and clever commentary that elevated the first two entries is absent, leaving us with a movie that would’ve been lost among hundreds of similar movies, had it been released in the decade it’s emulating. Ti West is masterful at capturing the essence of analogue horror, as showcased in House of the Devil and X. While this didn’t pull me into the seedy underbelly o...

With a triumphant first season under its belt, House of the Dragon has returned for its long anticipated sophomore outing. This is very much a season of two halves, showcasing some of this franchise’s greatest strengths as well as some concerning weaknesses.  The first episode picks up right where we left off, with war looming on the horizon after Team Black’s devastating loss. The momentum is upheld from season one, with pieces quickly falling into place, as both sides scramble to plan their next move. The first four episodes are phenomenal, with brilliant pacing, exceptionally written dialogue, and shocking narrative turns. Based on those episodes, I was ready to score this season with near perfect marks.  In many ways, the first half of season two feels like a direct extension of season one, culminating in one of the greatest on-screen battles in television history. Naturally, there was going to be a comedown from something so grand, but I didn’t expect that comedown to con...