Reviews

The Bikeriders is worth watching if you like motorcycles or just gangs and outlaws. It's nothing like Easy Rider if you wondered. Lately we got a good biker gang show called The Sons Of Anarchy, which I enjoyed watching. Then they came we a spin-off called Mayan MC which was surprisingly not that great, on the contrary. The Bikeriders is something between, better than the Mayans but not as good as the Sons Of Anarchy. What was better though was the acting. Not difficult with actors like Tom Hardy, Michael Hannon and Austin Butler. Jodie Comer isn't a bad actress but her Chicago accent here wasn't pleasant to listen to. The story is entertaining, maybe it lacked a faster pace and more action to make it better. It's worth watching if you like this genre of movies.

Ishana Night Shyamalan makes her directional debut with The Watchers and is produced by no-one else than her father M. Night Shyamalan. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, I would say. It's clear daughter and father have the same vivid imagination which resulted in some really good movies, well by her father mostly but the twisted ending shows they think alike. Personally I would have give it a slightly faster pace and some more visual images from the creatures but overall it was entertaining enough to keep you interested in this movie. The mystery vibe keeps you attentive, and the acting was convincing. Worth a watch and hopefully she'll make some gems like her father did.

I have mixed feelings about this movie. The story could have been something if it was more elaborated towards the end. Now you're left with unanswered questions, not really a positive thing to me. What I didn't like, and it's not the first time I've seen movies shot like that lately, is the whole filming of a computer, going from one social media platform to another, from one call to another, or some googling, and that for the entire movie. Let just keep it at it is boring and looks cheap. I know it's a low budget movie and to be honest it shows. Add to that that I had to watch a German version of this movie where they had all written words in German without subtitles and it got even more annoying. I have some German knowledge but to have to read and translate what is showing on the screen in a movie where 90% of the time it's just like looking at your computer screen, let just say it wasn't a pleasant way to relax and watch a movie. Please just stop filming movies like this, we already spent enough time on our computers, tablets, smartphones etc...

40 years after the first Beverly Hills Cop they decided to try it again. Before watching this one I rewatched the first three movies to get in the spirit. The first one was the best one, the second one was of the same level as this one, and the third one was just mediocre at best. So 40 years passed but Eddie Murphy still looks good for his age. The same couldn't be said from some other actors also present in the other movies. Technology also got a lot better which made the action scenes looked much better than in Beverly Hills Cop III where everything looked fake. If you were a fan of the early movies with Axel Foley you should enjoy this one as well.

Before watching the latest Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F (2024) I decided to rewatch all the other movies of this franchise. Movies I did enjoy when I was still young. Well that is the first two then (that I scored eight and seven) because the third one was clearly the weakest one. This one just lacks of funny moments and the action scenes looked extremely fake or were just not as entertaining as with the other Axel Foley movies. Eddie Murphy couldn't make this movie better, he tried but failed. Not even his funny laugh in this one. I hope the latest movie will be considerably better, which should not be a problem as we are 40 years later and technology evolved.

Before watching the latest Beverly Hill Cop: Axel F. (2024) movie I thought it would be a good idea to rewatch the other movies as I remember enjoying those when they came out on the big screen. Axel Foley still has a big mouth, a catchy laugh and the capability to lie himself out of problems or to get what he wants. Eddie Murphy plays his character as the best. Judge Reinhold was even funnier than in the original movie but overall I think the first movie was better. Judge Reinhold and John Ashton try again to help Eddie Murphy solve a crime what results in good action scenes and funny moments. A good sequel that deserves a seven star rating in my opinion.

I wanted to watch the latest Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F (2014) but decided to rewatch all the other movies before. 40 years between the first and the last movie, it makes me feel very old. I remember enjoying this comedy when it came out in the cinema so I was curious if it aged well, if I would still enjoy a movie I saw at least three times. Well the answer is yes, it's still funny, still entertaining, it aged very well. The typical laugh of Eddie Murphy is something nobody ever forgets, the soundtrack as well, that song immediately popped up in my head even before the movie started. The relationship between Eddie Murphy and Judge Reinhold is what makes this movie so good. John Ashton as the colleague of Judge Reinhold, in a more serious role is also still funny to watch. The story has a nice pace, a nice flow, plenty of action and funny moments, especially the scenes where Axel Foley talks his way out of problems. Some old movies don't age well, this one does though.

After watching the latest movie Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2014), that I liked a lot by the way (I rated it an eight), I thought it would be a good idea to rewatch the whole Mad Max franchise. Those movies from my youth that made me start liking the revenge and post-apocalyptic genre. The first Mad Max was actually the least good one in my opinion. Normally the first movie of a franchise is usually the best one and then it gets worse the more sequels there are. With Mad Max it's the opposite, it gets better as the technology is getting better. In this third movie there are lesser pursuits but there are still great out of this world looking machinery, ideal for fans of steampunk and sorts. Tina Turner was actually not bad as an actress in this movie. The story is of course not to take too seriously, it's just about the action scenes, which were good enough to have an entertaining movie night.

After watching the latest Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024) I decided I would rewatch the whole franchise, movies I really liked when I was young, movies that started my taste for the post-apocalyptic and revenge genre. The first movie was not apocalyptic enough as this one is right in the middle of it. The vehicles look like mayhem, the villains look like they're going to a gay pride parade, and Mel Gibson is a bit older but still the Road Warrior. The story is what it is, you could be brainless and still enjoy it as it's all about the action which you get plenty of. I sure did, up to the next one!

After watching the latest Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024), that I really liked (I rated it an 8), I thought it would be a good idea to rewatch the whole franchise as those movies from my youth made me enjoy the apocalyptic and revenge genre for the first time. The first Mad Max was actually the least good one, with a very young Mel Gibson, that in my opinion could be qualified as an okay actor but nothing more than that. Nothing apocalyptic yet and that's maybe why it wasn't the best one. The first movies from a franchise are usually the best ones and then it gets worse, to sometimes horrible, but in the Mad Max movies it's actually the opposite. I think the movies are getting better, maybe because all the action scenes are looking much better with the latest technologies. But it's still a watchable movie, certainly for the revenge part. I remember watching this movie at least three times when I was young, when everything looked just more spectacular as there was not much else going on. It didn't age very well but it's still a good start from what turned out to be a very successful franchise in the future.

Mad Max was one of those movies I enjoyed a lot in my youth, any single one of them. A few years ago Charlize Theron played Furiosa in Mad Max: Fury Road, and although that one is rated higher than Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga I preferred this one with Anya Taylor-Joy as Furiosa and Chris Hemsworth who was almost unrecognizable due to the make-up. It's just another highly entertaining sci-fi action movie. The stunts look really impressive, the story is what it is, not the major thing why you would watch this. It's all about the crazy rides, the great action scenes. I liked it, like all the other Mad Max movies.

Knackningar (or Knocking for the English title) is a Swedish mystery/thriller. It's also categorized as a horror movie but that is absolutely not the case, not a bad movie but just not a horror. Although the running time is rather short (78 minutes) the story development was slow paced and made the movie seem longer. But the ending made up for that, not bad at all. During the entire movie there is a mysterious vibe that keeps you guessing and interested in the story. Cecilia Milocco was good, very believable in her performance. There's only a handful of actors and they all did good. Overall not a bad movie but with a faster pace it could have been better.

Complètement Cramé (or Well Done! For the English title) is supposed to be a French comedy but the truth is that I didn't laugh once, nor did my wife, not even a shy grin. When I read another reviewer stating this was the best movie he watched in his or her entire life I kinda feel sorry for him or her. Sure John Malkovich is a good actor, and he masters the French language (credits to him for that), but his slow talking we are used of is even worse in French. What bothered me the most is that the story was so predictable and most of all boring to follow. If you're looking for a laugh skip this one, if you look for something that will make you sleep go ahead and give it a shot.

I have mixed feelings about this horror movie. Sure it isn't a terrible movie but there were certain things that could have been better, like the ending for instance that was a bit disappointing and not making much sense. Bad decisions were made (like in any horror movie I would say) but overall the acting wasn't bad. As for the cinematography there were too much dark scenes (well too dark in my opinion) that made the horror less terrifying. They should have made it more visible, at least better shots of the creepy creature. Maybe they lacked of money, or talent, who knows? It's watchable but should and could have been better.

Le Règne Animal (or The Animal Kingdom for the English title) is categorized as an adventure/drama/horror on here but don't expect any horror with this one. Instead be prepared for a fantasy/drama because that's what it is. Writer/director Thomas Cailley made an interesting movie, pleasant to follow. It's an easy watch and you won't get bored. The story is innovative to say the least. Maybe the acting could have been a bit better at times, but overall it was certainly not bad. The creatures or creeps like they call them in this movie were well done, for that alone it's already worth watching...

First of all let me clarify I like almost every movie with Will Ferrell, even the so-called dumber ones. He just has one of those faces that make me laugh and although in this movie he's just a narrating voice I can still imagine his silly face. The fact that besides Will Forte (who is also a great comedian) it's just dogs as actors doesn't mean it can't be entertaining. Great job of the dogs and of course of their trainers. Great lip-syncing, it made it all look better. The story is a mixture of slightly sad to funny. Certainly not for kids though, it's a comedy but for adults only. In short, if you own a dog, or just like dogs you will probably enjoy Strays.

I asked my wife to read some reviews before watching this movie, just to try to find out if we would like it as often we enjoy more lower rated horror movies. Mixed reviews she told me, from people hating it to people that seemed to have discovered a gem. So gave it a shot and absolutely hated it. The experience I had was like watching a boring movie about boring people watching a boring show. Did I mention it was boring? Well it's an understatement. I have no clue what writer director Jane Schoenbrun wanted to tell us. What is for sure is that I will never watch a movie from her again. Who gets it in his right mind to give Brigette Lundy-Paine a role as a fourteen year old puber? Come on, the woman is thirty, has the voice of a fifty year old, and has in my opinion overacted all the time, didn't seem believable to me. At least they used two different actors to play the young and older Owen. Not very enjoyable either to be fair. And if you're looking for a horror movie I suggest you skip this one because it isn't one.

I've never been a fan of wrestling, so all the charcacters from the WWF it's just not for me. Also not The Prototype with John Cena. But since he started acting, mostly as a comedian, he had me laughing quite a bit, especially in the comedies Ricky Stanicky and the two Vacation Friends. I was expecting something similar with Freelance but it just never got to the same level of comedy as the previously mentioned movies. Still entertaining though but not hilarious, more action than comedy. John Cena might not be the greatest actor but he's not annoying to watch, I was just expecting something funnier. Still worth a watch in my opinion.

If there's one genre I don't pay any attention to the ratings it gets it's horror. Many times before I truly enjoyed a low rated horror movie so I gave this one a shot. And it turned out to be once again a good decision. Separation deserves a much better rating. Not only as a horror but also as a good dramatic story. Rupert Friend (that I mainly knew from the excellent series Homeland) plays the main character, a man fighting for his daughter in a difficult divorce. Good performances from the entire cast, even from the child. The horror scenes were in my opinion mild but the villain looked really creepy at times, good enough to scare the bejesus out of my wife, and that's already entertainment enough for me. Not a bad movie at all.

This comedy might (well I'm pretty sure) not please the 'woke' generation, you know the ones that get offended by almost everything, but if you have a good sense of humor and are not easily offended by racial stereotypes and clichés you will probably enjoy this French comedy. I like almost every movie with Christian Clavier (from l'équipe du Splendid, a well known bunch of French comedians) so watching Cocorico it was almost a certainty I would like it. Didier Bourdon (better known from Les Inconnus) plays the rival of Christian Clavier and what started as a hopefully new friendship quickly turns into a verbal war between them. Sylvie Testud plays the wife of Didier Bourdon and acts like the queen of England. It's all very funny to follow, you just have to give it some time as the beginning starts slow, but once they get going there is no stopping them. I had a good time watching this French comedy, probably because I'm not woke enough in this ridiculous society that takes everything too seriously. Just relax and enjoy the show.

I read that Mother's Instinct is a remake of another movie but I can't compare it as I didn't watch the original. That said Mother's Instinct is certainly not a bad movie and that's mostly because of the excellent acting of Anne Hathaway and Jessica Chastain. Jessica Chastain is for once completely blonde. Both actresses fight a psychological battle after a devastating event that will change both of their lives. Once best friends but the tragedy leads to a path of suspicion and betrayal. The story starts slow but gets more intriguing towards the end which keeps the audience interested in this drama/thriller.

Reading other reviews made me realize some people need to take a chill pill and be lesser critical about movies like this one. It's fictional so don't expect a believable story when it's about sharks, certainly not when it's a horror movie. The so praised Jaws also made no sense but you don't read devastating reviews for that one. Okay this one isn't Jaws but it's an entertaining shark movie. The bloody scenes are even better than in Jaws, normal you could say as technically we are capable to make things look more real. There are a couple annoying characters, like the mayor from Paris, but that's always the case in movies like this one. The cast did a good job in my opinion, no bad acting whatsoever. As for the story it's a popcorn movie, could have been a blockbuster if made in America. Just relax and enjoy the show, even the traditional bad decisions people make in these kind of stories.

There's Something In The Barn is a Norwegian horror/comedy, easy to watch, not really hilarious nor frightening. Most of the movie is in English as it is an American family moving into a house they inherited in Norway. There's is some Norwegian but almost every Norwegian speaks English with their typical funny accent. The elves speak an non-existent language, they're not really scary looking, just mean if you don't treat them well. The acting was okay, the story as well but it's nothing you will remember in the future. In short, it could have been funnier and it could have been scarier. Well shot so worth a watch.

When Nicolas Cage's name pops up on a movie poster it's always an uncertainty if the movie is going to be a stinker or a decent and entertaining movie. At one point it looked like he would take on anything what resulted in a lot of mediocre or even very bad movies but lately it looks like he made better decisions. Renfield played by Nicholas Hoult is the familiar (the servant of a vampire) of Dracula, bringing him food (victims) and serve his master without questions. At one point he grows a conscience and that's when it starts to be funky. Good acting from the entire cast, some laughter, and well shot bloodbaths. There are well choreographed fighting scenes that make this movie standing out in the vampire genre. A good watch for the fans of lighthearted vampire movies.

Well mister Argento, excuse me to say but this movie was a piece of thrash. I can't believe this horror movie gets such high ratings on here. There is so much to say about Phenomena or Creepers, call it what you want, and it's not positive. The only positive things would be the music of Iron Maiden and Mötorhead. The best actor was actually the monkey, all the rest of the cast were terribly bad, even Jennifer Connelly. It's a wonder she made it in good movies many years later as her debutes were awful. I get it that it's an older movie, so lesser technology, but even for 1985 this was terrible. Okay the director likes maggots, we got it, and those were actually the passable scenes, but the rest of the cinematography was awful, with overly dramatic and long shots, and an incredibly far fetched and ridiculous plot. The acting was painful to watch. Add to that that I watched a bad copy of this movie, with sometimes Italian scenes then back to English and so forth, and you get what a miserable movie night I had.