REVIEW: 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)

Theatrical Release Poster – Bad Robot – Paramount

The following is a review of ’10 Cloverfield Lane’, a Dan Trachtenberg film.

Let’s talk about expectations. The tagline of the film, “Monsters come in many forms,” is the truest representation of the film. With the original Cloverfield we were treated to a found-footage monster movie, but 10 Cloverfield Lane is a much more polished, suspenseful, and mysterious thriller. It is a very different movie, so manage your expectations. But I think I actually like 10 Cloverfield Lane more than its titular relative.  Continue reading “REVIEW: 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)”

RETRO REVIEW: Cloverfield (2008)

Theatrical Release Poster – Bad Robot – Paramount

The following is a retro review of ‘Cloverfield’, a Matt Reeves film.

Cloverfield is one to remember. It is the most mysterious monster film ever made, one of the best found-footage films of all-time, and, arguably, the best monster film of the 2000s. I had no idea what it was when it came out. I remember how some thought that, perhaps, it was a new Godzilla-film, and while Godzilla is a great monster, I can honestly say that I’ve never enjoyed a kaiju-movie more than I enjoyed Cloverfield when it first came out.  Continue reading “RETRO REVIEW: Cloverfield (2008)”

Introducing Retro Reviews – News

News Retro Reviews

Today, I’m introducing a new type of review to the blog. I love reviewing films, but sometimes I want to just sit down with a film and review it even though I don’t necessarily feel it’s a classic or all that timely. Therefore I am introducing retro movie reviews. Now, be aware of the fact that I am using a very liberal interpretation of the word ‘retro’. So, what does ‘Retro Reviews’ then signify if the use of the word ‘retro’ is liberal? Continue reading “Introducing Retro Reviews – News”

REVIEW: Better Call Saul – “Gloves Off”

Better Call Saul - Reviewed

The following is a review of the fourth episode of the second season of Better Call Saul, available on AMC in the U.S. and on Netflix in Europe. Expect story spoilers. 

In the fourteenth episode of Better Call Saul (“Gloves Off”), Mike goes on a mission for Nacho, someone gets beat up, and we see a couple of familiar faces return to the Vince Gilligan-Breaking Bad Universe. Gloves Off might’ve been the most well-acted episode of season two yet. Continue reading “REVIEW: Better Call Saul – “Gloves Off””

REVIEW: House of Cards – Season Four (2016)

House of Cards - Reviewed

The following is a review of the entire fourth season of House of Cards. Expect spoilers from seasons 1-3, but spoilers for the fourth season will be kept at a minimum.

House of Cards is one of my favorite shows ever, I would’ve said that prior to the release of the fourth season, and I’ll still say that now. Why do I bring this up? Just to inform you that this review comes from a fan of the show who happens to be a member of the target audience for the show: I am interested in American politics, I am a TV-nerd, and an admirer of Shakespeare-esque storytelling. I enjoyed the third season of House of Cards, which I know was somewhat polarizing. I liked it, but with the fourth season of House of Cards I’ll go as far as to say that I absolutely loved every second of it. I thought it was a spellbinding season.
Continue reading “REVIEW: House of Cards – Season Four (2016)”

REVIEW: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny (2016)

Release Poster – Netflix

The following is a review of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny, a Netflix Original Film.

Netflix Original Films had a pretty good track record prior to the release of this Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon-sequel. Beasts of No Nation is an excellent BAFTA-nominated war drama, and The Ridiculous Six, though awful and offensive, isn’t without its supporters, as it is such a ‘by-the-book’ offensive gross-out comedy. It saddens me to say that Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny makes Beasts of No Nation look like the exception to the rule that Netflix films aren’t that great… Continue reading “REVIEW: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny (2016)”

REVIEW: Eddie The Eagle (2016)

Eddie The Eagle - Poster
Release Poster – 20th Century Fox / Lionsgate

The following is a review of Eddie The Eagle, produced by Matthew Vaughn.

Based on a true story, Eddie The Eagle follows the famous titular Olympian, Michael ‘Eddie’ Edwards (played by Taron Egerton), and shows us exactly how he became an Olympic Ski Jumper. Eddie The Eagle is an excellent sports biopic, and while it is very clichéd and safe, Taron Egerton and Hugh Jackman elevate the story to a whole new level.  Continue reading “REVIEW: Eddie The Eagle (2016)”

REVIEW: Better Call Saul – “Amarillo”

Better Call Saul - Reviewed

The following is a review of the third episode of the second season of Better Call Saul, available on AMC in the U.S. and on Netflix in Europe. Expect story spoilers. 

Jimmy is slipping… In the third episode of the second season of Better Call Saul (“Amarillo”), Jimmy goes too far with the Sandpiper Crossing-case, and might irreparably damage his relation to both Hamlin, Hamlin & McGill and Davis & Main. Meanwhile, Mike is in-between jobs, as it were, and his family is calling for his help.  Continue reading “REVIEW: Better Call Saul – “Amarillo””

REVIEW: Fuller House – Season One (2016)

The following is a review of the first season of Fuller House.

This television generation has a tough time letting things go. Fans are constantly begging Netflix, Amazon, Yahoo, and Hulu to revive their favorite shows. Sometimes it makes sense, like when Yahoo revived Community while it was still relevant, and sometimes it may be too late to truly recapture what was great about the old show, like with Netflix’s revival of Arrested Development or with the, at best, mediocre six-episode tenth season of The X-Files. With Netflix’s revival of Full House, now titled Fuller House, we may have met the very worst show revival yet. Maybe this can stop the trend.  Continue reading “REVIEW: Fuller House – Season One (2016)”

REVIEW: Better Call Saul – “Cobbler”

Better Call Saul - Reviewed

The following is a review of the second episode of the second season of Better Call Saul, available on AMC in the U.S. and on Netflix in Europe. Expect some story spoilers. 

World’s 2nd Best Lawyer – after, what was, a decent episode in the season opener (“Switch”), Better Call Saul delivered a must-watch episode that both tested limitations and moved the overall plot along nicely. In the second episode of the second season, “Cobbler”, Jimmy says goodbye to the infamous Suzuki Esteem, Mike goes back to help a former client, and Jimmy shows us how he decompresses after work.  Continue reading “REVIEW: Better Call Saul – “Cobbler””