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Ghosted

31/12/2024

GHOSTED ★½☆☆☆
An unsatisfactory spy-rom-action-com. Better than KILLERS [2010] (not hard), but worse than even KNIGHT AND DAY. Chucking charismatic actors at the screen does not paper over the crevasses. TRUE LIES has its problems, but is still the benchmark.

Wolfs

31/12/2024

WOLFS ★★☆☆☆
This crime-comedy needed another two gears. It starts plodding and never really gets going. Convoluted, uninspired, tired, relying too heavily on the star power. Director Jon Watt’s COP CAR was more taut.

Dune: Prophecy [season one]

26/12/2024

DUNE: PROPHECY [season one] ★½☆☆☆
I love the DUNE trilogy of novels. Am not a fan of any of the movie or TV adaptations. This one is wooden. Outstanding visual effects do not compensate for the stilted dialogue. The actors are hamstrung by the dire script.

The Day of the Jackal [season one]

26/12/2024

THE DAY OF THE JACKAL [season one] ★★★★★
That first episode! Reminds me of Fincher’s THE KILLER.
I was skeptical when I heard about the show, because the 1973 film version still holds up as a first-rate thriller. However, this new adaptation is phenomenal. I even prefer it.

The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim

26/12/2024

THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE WAR OF THE ROHIRRIM ★☆☆☆☆
Incompetent. Lifeless. The animation is just terrible. The conversations woeful. The leadenness was uncomfortable to endure.

Rumours

24/12/2024

RUMOURS ★★★½☆
A scathing, surreal comedy about world leaders. A game cast deliver laughs big and small. The opening titles thank the G7 leaders for consulting on the film.
This movie should be played at the next G7 summit, and the heads of state give their reviews.

The Instigators

24/12/2024

THE INSTIGATORS ★★★★☆
The director of THE BOURNE IDENTITY reunites with Matt Damon for a smashing crime-comedy. It weaves so adroitly between the cynical and the sincere. As the credits rolled, a massive smile was writ large on my face.

Kraven: the Hunter

24/12/2024

KRAVEN: THE HUNTER ★½☆☆☆
The creation of Kraven is hilarious. In spoof territory. Which is worse, the accents or the visual effects? Why is the super-powered African potion not given to an African?! Christopher Abbott’s menacing villain is the only minor positive.

Fancy Dance

22/12/2024

FANCY DANCE ★★★★☆
Compound tragedy. The more you think about the film, the more tragic you realise the story is. Another layered, enigmatic performance from Lily Gladstone.

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