Review – Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. directed by David Yates and written by J.K. Rowling, is in dire need of a little bit of focus and a lot of heart. If it had either of those qualities (but preferably both) it could have really been a film to sing the praises of. Unfortunately, this will be my second review where I lament the failings of this new Harry Potter inspired franchise (though this one won’t be as negative as my review for Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them). So, let’s get on with the review; explore all that this film has to offer, and see if we can find a little bit of light in a review that I hope to not just be solely negative.

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Review – Logan Lucky

Logan Lucky, directed by Steven Soderbergh, is a film that is full of so much character. Not only do you have the eclectic selections of characters to enjoy, but you also have the all-American setting; filled with NASCAR, a lively culture that loves and respects its history and an overall charm and wholesomeness that just exists throughout the film. You take all of that and then inject it with the unique essence that makes up Virginia and the surrounding areas, and you get something that really stands-out and makes its presence known. And it is also a film that constructs and delivers a heist plot that keeps all the fun moving with purpose. This is a film that is brimming with wonderful amounts of charm and fun, and it never lets up. But can the film really be all enjoyment and no underlying problems? Well, let’s find out in my 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 – Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, directed by David Yates and written by J.K. Rowling; offers up some truly unique and enjoyable moments. However, it never really seems to achieve anything of note. Behind all the towering wonders and exhilarating magical feats; exists a film that feels hollow in its attempts to introduce us to its new set of characters and its never properly explored locations. So much of the film feels like it has been left to other instalments to tackle, rather than be adequately fleshed out in this one. There are certainly some interesting points to breakdown about this film, so let’s get to it.