Review – Pirates of the Caribbean: Salazar’s Revenge

*This review will contain minor spoilers for, Pirates of the Caribbean: Salazar’s Revenge*

Pirates of the Caribbean: Salazar’s Revenge, directed by Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg, further proves that this franchise of films has well and truly had its day. It contains a laughably weak story that only becomes more uninteresting as the film goes on, and a host of characters who you don’t care about, and very much over-stay their welcome. This is a film that is unnecessary, tedious, and by the end, something you just want to be over. Let’s get onto the review – one that won’t be to kind, but that unfortunately can’t be avoided.

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Review – King Arthur: Legend of the Sword

King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, directed by Guy Ritchie, is a film that does not skimp on style. A quick, witty editing style, music that elevates every moment it is a part of, and action that is exciting to watch; King Arthur is undoubtedly a well-made film, from a cinematic standpoint. However the film has the big issue of being all style and no substance. With characters that lack individuality and a story that is predictable; the film undoubtedly struggles to offer anything new or narratively memorable. And so that leaves me to wonder: Is the film’s bombastic, fun, exciting and rewarding to look at style, enough to make this summer blockbuster experience, one worth seeing? Well, let’s find out through this review, shall we.

Review – Miss Sloane

Miss Sloane, directed by John Madden, is a film that offers both a powerhouse performance by, Jessica Chastain and a powerhouse of a character; one that dominates every scene she is in, and has your full attention at all times (quite deservingly). And then beyond that it also has a tightly woven narrative that keeps you engaged in a subject that isn’t always the easiest to make compelling on-screen. There are many complexities to discuss within, Miss Sloane so let’s dispense with the introduction and get onto the review.

Review – Alien: Covenant

*This review contains minor spoilers for Alien: Covenant.*

Alien: Covenant, directed by Ridley Scott, suffers from quite a few of the same issues that plagued its predecessor, Prometheus. But, it also overcomes some of the failings, and to an extent, offers a little of what some were probably hoping for from Prometheus. However, I don’t think it is enough – or maybe it is, I don’t know yet. The best way to figure it out is to write all my thoughts out in this review; almost like a therapy session. So let’s move on from the intro and get on with the main review.

Review – Tramps

Tramps, written and directed by Adam Leon, is a very small, very simple film. In fact it’s perhaps a little too small and simple for its own good – at times. It is in the films leads that this film shines, and through their new, fast developing relationship that I found the most enjoyment. Beyond that it is a very bare bones affair, which isn’t actually an overall negative, but it certainly is an issue that causes the film to stumble and not fully complete what it sets out to do. But let’s wrap-up this intro and get on with the review itself, and see what it is that Tramps has to offer.

Review – Horizon Zero Dawn

Horizon Zero Dawn, developed by Guerrilla Games, is certainly one of Sony’s new top-tier franchises; one that will surely have many more instalments to come – and for good reason. With a story that is expansive and well-told (though I did feel it struggled at times – conceptually) a diverse selection of characters (which is one of the few positives I can think to say right now), and gameplay that – when you get the hang of it – is really rewarding and ever so slightly addicting (prepare to find yourself running around various environments looking for the right animal skin to get you that next ammo-pack upgrade). Horizon has much to offer (but that’s not necessarily a positive). So let’s wrap-up this intro and get onto the full review and see what it is that makes this game so mixed, yet worthy of praise.

Review – In the Shadow of Iris

In the Shadow of Iris, directed by Jalil Lespert, is a film that at first feels meandering and without a clear direction; a film that felt like it was going down a pretty predictable path and wasn’t going to add up to much. Those were my initial thoughts as I watched this film, but boy did that completely change by the end. In the Shadow of Iris is filled with unexpected twists, well-woven, juicy characters, and an overall feeling that is intoxicating. So let’s dispense with the introduction and slip into the fuller, more exploratory review.

Review – Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, written and directed by James Gunn, once again delivers some of the most fun and rewarding character interactions in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, structurally the film is not your normal affair, and despite it really working for me, I do feel that some audiences will struggle with the slower, less direct pace of the film. But one of the biggest questions that everyone probably has, is does the film out-do its predecessor? Well let’s get into the fuller review itself and see if we can answer that question, while also exploring the many offerings of Vol. 2.