REVIEW: John Wick: Chapter 4 - Starring Keanu Reeves

Review by Jon Donnis

John Wick is back, in what I believe is the end to the John Wick story. The sequel to John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019), Keanu Reeves as John Wick is out to get revenge on the High Table and those who left him for dead. Before I start, it is worth noting that this is the longest film in the series, at a massive 169 minutes (nearly 3 hours) it is about 38 minutes longer than John Wick 3, 47 minutes longer than John Wick 2, and 68 minutes longer than John Wick. So, to watch this you will need to have plenty of popcorn, and perhaps even a soft cushion for your behind.

In the bustling metropolis of New York City, (Nothing like real life, since NYC is an absolute dump, but anyway), John Wick finds himself hidden away with the Bowery King (Laurence Fishburne - a former underground crime boss who was left for dead by the High Table and is now sponsoring John Wick), making meticulous preparations for his forthcoming quest for vengeance against the formidable High Table. His underground sanctuary serves as a temporary refuge as he carefully strategizes his next move.

Determined to dismantle the High Table's power, John embarks on a journey to Morocco, where he sets his sights on eliminating the Elder, the influential figure who holds the highest position within the organization. With unwavering resolve, John succeeds in accomplishing his mission, causing ripples of consequence to reverberate through the ranks of the High Table.

In response to John's audacious act, Marquis Vincent de Gramont (Bill Skarsgård), a prominent member of the High Table, takes charge. Summoning Winston (Ian McShane), the esteemed manager of the New York Continental hotel, and his loyal concierge, Charon (Lance Reddick), the Marquis confronts them with a scathing reprimand. He berates Winston for his failure to assassinate John, holding him accountable for the repercussions that have ensued.

To deliver a fitting punishment for Winston's perceived incompetence, the Marquis swiftly strips him of his managerial responsibilities and declares him "excommunicado," effectively severing his ties to the High Table. In a ruthless display of authority, the Marquis proceeds to destroy the Continental, the renowned sanctuary for assassins, and executes Charon without mercy. Having unleashed his wrath, the Marquis then enlists the services of Caine (Donnie Yen), a retired and visually impaired assassin affiliated with the High Table. He coerces Caine into targeting his old acquaintance, John, using the threat of harm to Caine's own daughter as leverage.

Seeking safety and support, John seeks refuge at the Osaka Continental, a haven overseen by his trusted friend Shimazu Koji (Hiroyuki Sanada). As John takes shelter within its walls, the Marquis dispatches his right-hand man, Chidi, along with a cohort of High Table assassins and the relentless Caine, to investigate the premises. Sensing the impending danger, Akira (Rina Sawayama), Koji's daughter and the hotel's concierge, orchestrates a swift evacuation, ensuring the safety of the occupants just moments before the High Table unleashes their destructive assault, rendering the once-sacred grounds in chaos. In a valiant effort to protect John, Koji and his loyal companions engage in a fierce battle against the onslaught of armoured assassins. Amidst the chaos, John fights with unwavering determination, cutting through wave after wave of adversaries until he finds himself locked in a climactic showdown with Caine. However, their confrontation is abruptly interrupted by the appearance of "Mr. Nobody," (Shamier Anderson) a bounty hunter who recognizes the inadequacy of the reward for capturing John and aids in his escape. While Koji, gravely wounded, continues to confront Caine, sacrificing himself for John's cause, Caine reluctantly ends Koji's life but shows mercy to Akira.

Returning to the heart of New York, John seeks solace and communion with Winston, who has been consumed by his own thirst for vengeance, as they stand at the solemn gravesite of their fallen comrade, Charon. In this melancholic encounter, Winston shares a vital piece of information with John: an ancient High Table tradition that could potentially offer a path to liberation. By invoking this tradition, John could challenge the Marquis to a duel, with victory granting him freedom from the shackles of the High Table. However, there's a catch, John can only request a duel on behalf of a crime family. Determined to exploit this opportunity, John sets off for the Berlin headquarters of the Ruska Roma crime syndicate, an organization he had previously distanced himself from.

Upon arriving, John must negotiate his readmission into the syndicate, led by his adoptive sister, Katia (Natalia Tena). She lays down the conditions for his return, stipulating that John must eliminate Killa Harkan (Scott Adkins), a High Table member responsible for their father's murder. Intriguingly, this objective aligns with John's own vendetta. Encountering Killa at his opulent nightclub, John finds himself engaged in a fierce confrontation. With the support of Caine and Mr. Nobody, John valiantly battles Killa's henchmen, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake. In the climactic clash, John emerges triumphant, exacting his revenge and reclaiming his rightful place within the ranks of the High Table.

And even after all of that, you are barely a third the way through the film!

Despite the length of the film, it is almost totally non-stop action, hardly a moment to breath, Keanu Reeves is excellent as John Wick as he always is, and totally convincing too. There are some twists and turns along the way and at the end, which you would expect.

JW4 is everything from the first 3 films, but bigger, better and longer, yes there is a plot in there somewhere, but this is purely about action, watching the John Wick character dispatch of his enemies, in more and more creative ways, as well as within some incredible cinematography.

The Good

The nonstop action, the direction, the visual effects and filming style, everything is just a feast for the eyes.

The Bad

The totally unnecessary run time of nearly 3 hours. Everything just feels so stretched out, because the film is light on actual story, and heavy on the fights, at some points you just want them to get on with it. Even something as simple as Ian McShane as Winston walking through a room takes forever. This film could easily have cut over an hour out without affecting the story or even the action one bit. This is the version you release as a director's cut, not the theatrical cut. I love the John Wick franchise and even I struggled through this.

Overall

Ridiculous run time to the side, this is a great film, and it is worth watching it to the end, as the ending is incredible and sensational. I just don't like having to feel like I have just been through 12 rounds with Mike Tyson to get to it.

The long run time will put off newcomers to the franchise, but will satisfy the hardcore fans. But how about you release a proper theatrical cut, keep it to 100 minutes, and let us enjoy the film like we did the original.

I score John Wick a marathon 8.5/10

Out now in cinemas and on digital at https://apple.co/42VzY5j and https://amzn.to/43nx4WH

REVIEW: Fast X (2023) aka Fast & Furious 10 - Starring Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, John Cena, Nathalie Emmanuel and Jason Momoa

Review by Jon Donnis

The Fast & Furious franchise is back, with another film in the seemingly never-ending series. Vin Diesel stars as Dominic Toretto alongside Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, John Cena, Nathalie Emmanuel, Jordana Brewster, Sung Kang, Scott Eastwood, Daniela Melchior, Alan Ritchson, Helen Mirren, Brie Larson, Rita Moreno, Jason Statham, Jason Momoa, and Charlize Theron. Dom must protect his family from Dante Reyes (Jason Momoa), who wants revenge for his father's death and loss of his family's fortune.

The Agency asks Dominic "Dom" Toretto and his crew to snatch a computer chip while it is being transported through Rome. While the rest of the crew travels to Rome, Dom and his wife Letty Ortiz (Michelle Rodriguez) stay behind with their son Brian "Little B" Marcos (Leo Abelo Perry). An injured Cipher (Charlize Theron) shows up at Dom's house that evening to tell him that Dante Reyes (Jason Momoa), the drug lord Hernan Reyes' son, has turned her gang against her and is using them to target Dom in retaliation for the death of his father. Cipher is taken into jail by Little Nobody (Scott Eastwood), who later admits that there is no mission in Rome.

Dom and Letty set out to save the team after realizing Dante has set them up. While Dom and Letty are pursuing them, Dante imprisons Dom's team in a truck that has a time bomb in it due to explode in Rome. To lessen the harm to Rome and the Vatican, the bomb is detonated throughout the streets before Dom pushes it into the Tiber River. While attempting to catch Dante, Letty is taken into custody. Agent Aimes (Alan Ritchson), the de facto commander of the Agency since Mr. Nobody vanished, thinks Dom and his group are to blame for the attack and launches a manhunt with a large reward.

Ok, the story is the usual over convoluted stuff you will be used to in a Fast & Furious film. In fact, I have seen all of the Fast films, and I can't remember the specific details of the plot of any of the previous 9 films, so the plot of this film really is a bit pointless. Dom needs to protect his family and friends from Dante. Insert lots of car chases, and fight scenes, and that is all you need to know.

At this point of the franchise, I think the vast majority of people who will see this will have already seen one of the other films, and will know what to expect, so the question that remains, is this film any good?

The plot is rubbish and meaningless, no one is watching a Fast film for the intellectual dialog, they just want to see an actor they recognise, drive fast, do some stunts, kill the bad guys, and to its credit Fast X ticks all the boxes. It has a big budget, so there is no skimping on the visual effects, or big-name stars involved.

Fans of the franchise will love it, since it delivers everything you would expect, people new to the franchise might be left feeling a bit "meh", as you won't really care about any of the characters nor have much knowledge of their backstory. That is always a problem when you are so deep into a series of films.

The dialog is goofy and unimaginative, the stunts all break the laws of physics and will have even the most hardened of fans rolling their eyes, if not laughing out loud at the ridiculousness of the whole spectacle.

Fast X is what I imagine Chat GTP would give you if you asked it "can you write the screenplay for a typical Fast & Furious film". And for all I know that is exactly what they did.

The Good

The budget for this film is through the roof, and to their credit they spent it well, many of the big-name stars do a good job, John Cena being the stand out. The action scenes are amazing, stunts are incredible, visual effects absolute top quality.

The Bad

The plot, a few CGI scenes looked a bit too CGI if you know what I mean. There is only so much you can ignore when it comes to physics, this film really pushes you to the limit.

Overall

Ok the film is ridiculous, it is over the top, the big names that appear often feel like cameos, as opposed to important parts of the plot, but like it or not, if you throw enough things at the wall, some will stick, and this film has so much action, so many stars, that you will be blinded by it all, and completely forget about some of the bad things I mentioned above.

I am a fan of the Fast Franchise, and although they really should have ended it after Furious 7 and Paul Walker's death, I did enjoy this film. I am a sucker for big action films, and this one does deliver on everything you would expect.

I score Fast X a fair 7.5/10, just sit back and enjoy it, no need to think too much.

Out now in Cinemas.

TRAILER: Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One - Starring Tom Cruise

 

In Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his IMF team embark on their most dangerous mission yet: To track down a terrifying new weapon that threatens all of humanity before it falls into the wrong hands. With control of the future and the fate of the world at stake, and dark forces from Ethan's past closing in, a deadly race around the globe begins. Confronted by a mysterious, all-powerful enemy, Ethan is forced to consider that nothing can matter more than his mission – not even the lives of those he cares about most.

Starring Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Vanessa Kirby, Esai Morales, Pom Klementieff, Mariela Garriga, Henry Czerny, Shea Whigham, Greg Tarzan Davis, Charles Parnell, Frederick Schmidt,Cary Elwes, Mark Gatiss, Indira Varma, Rob Delaney

TRAILER: Boon - Starring Neal McDonough

 

Neal McDonough (Captain America: The First Avenger, Minority Report), Tommy Flanagan (Gladiator, Braveheart, Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol 2), Jason Scott Lee (Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Back to the Future Part II, Mulan), James Madio (Band of Brothers, Jersey Boys), Christiane Seidel (The Queen’s Gambit, Fosse/Verdon), Demetrius Grosse (Rampage, 13 Hours) and Christina Ochoa (Animal Kingdom, Blood Drive)

Neal McDonough, the beloved screen star, returns in an exciting new sequel to the critically acclaimed film Red Stone. This time, McDonough reprises his role as the cold-blooded assassin Boon, but with a twist—he is determined to atone for his dark past.

Directed by Derek Presley, known for his work on Whitetail and the original Red Stone, and co-written/co-produced by McDonough himself, this adrenaline-fueled action-packed film boasts a stellar cast. Fans can catch it digitally this May, courtesy of 101 Films.

On the run and hunted down, Nick Boon, the ruthless and merciless killer, has escaped the clutches of the nefarious crime syndicate he once served. Now, with a bounty on his head, he must not only evade his relentless pursuers but also confront his haunting and violent history.

Seeking refuge in a secluded area of the Pacific Northwest, Boon unexpectedly crosses paths with Catherine, a widowed preacher determined to protect herself and her son Elijah from a ruthless criminal mastermind, played by Tommy Flanagan, and his heartless gang.

As Boon and Catherine form an unlikely alliance, they find themselves drawn back into the treacherous world of crime that Boon yearned to leave behind. However, facing the harsh reality, Boon realizes that the only way to safeguard Catherine and Elijah is by utilizing his lethal skills—the very skills that made him the fearsome killer he now seeks redemption from... killing.

For an adrenaline-charged, no-holds-barred redemption thriller, this film is a real Boon.

Watch at https://apple.co/3o97ENH

NEWS: Ant Middleton to star in new action-thriller film 'Shelter'

Ant Middleton, renowned actor, producer, and former British Special Forces Operator, is set to star in the upcoming action-thriller film titled "SHELTER," which is scheduled to begin production in July 2023.

The movie revolves around Middleton's character, Rob Shaw, a skilled hitman who receives a distress call from his ex-wife and embarks on a journey to a remote location. Upon arrival, he encounters his estranged father, Jim, a former director of the Ministry of Defence, as well as his ex-wife, her new husband, and his two young daughters.

Jim reveals that a global nuclear catastrophe is imminent and urges Rob to join them in a bunker beneath the house for protection. Initially hesitant, Rob decides to leave, feeling detached and purposeless in this new reality. However, as chaos ensues and a group of anarchic ex-soldiers seize control of the bunker, Rob's lethal skills and dangerous mindset become indispensable to the survival of the family.

The screenplay for "SHELTER" was written by the acclaimed Scott Vickers, known for his work on "Matriarch," who also assumes the role of director for the film. Middleton Quinn Productions (MQP) spearheads the production team, with Mark Quinn and Tiernan Hanby, both accomplished producers, collaborating with Middleton on the project.

Expressing his enthusiasm for the film's release, Ant Middleton, who serves as the leading man and producer, remarked, "Normally I'm the one doing the screaming and shouting, but stepping into the acting world has truly turned the tables. With an incredible team by my side, there are no excuses not to make a significant impact in the industry."

Scott Vickers, the writer and director, expressed his admiration for Ant Middleton's involvement in the project, stating, "Having Ant Middleton on board as the lead role was monumental. Film enthusiasts often emphasize the need for authenticity and escapism in cinema, and I can assure you that all the action sequences you'll witness Ant perform on screen in 'SHELTER' are feats he has accomplished in real life. Ant also provided invaluable guidance and insights during the final stages of script development. I vividly recall a conversation about a particular knife scene where Ant provided an incredibly detailed commentary. After he finished, everyone at the table fell silent for a moment."

Ant Middleton's illustrious career spans across various fields, including acting, producing, television presenting, writing, and his esteemed service in the UK's elite forces. He has served in the Marines, 9 Parachute Squadron, and the Special Boat Service. Ant gained prominence as the Chief Instructor on the hit shows "SAS: Who Dares Wins" and "SAS Australia." Additionally, he has hosted numerous successful programs such as "Mutiny" and "Escape," where he showcased his survival skills and leadership abilities. In 2019, Ant achieved a remarkable feat by conquering Mount Everest in the show "Extreme Everest."

Production for "SHELTER" is slated to commence in July 2023.

MOVIE CLIP: Little Bone Lodge - Starring Joely Richardson, Neil Linpow, Sadie Soverall, Harry Cadby and Cameron Jack

 

Synopsis: From Matthias Hoene, director of Cockneys Vs Zombies and the producers of 47 Metres Down comes a twisty thriller that will chill you to the bone. During a stormy night in the Scottish Highlands, two criminal brothers on the run seek refuge in a desolate farmhouse. But after taking the resident family captive, they find the house holds even darker secrets of its own. Colour Out Of Space star Joely Richardson (Nip/Tuck) plays the fearsome family matriarch who will stop at nothing to protect her kin and the shocking mysteries that surround their very existence. Also starring Neil Linpow, Sadie Soverall (Fate: The Winx Saga), Harry Cadby (Red Rose) and Cameron Jack (Emmerdale). 

Signature Entertainment presents Little Bone Lodge on Digital Platforms 22nd May - https://apple.co/42FkG4F

REVIEW: Simulant (2023) - Starring Robbie Amell, Jordana Brewster, Simu Liu, Alicia Sanz and Sam Worthington

Review by Jon Donnis

April Mullen directs Simulant, written by Ryan Christopher Churchill, featuring Robbie Amell, Simu Liu, Jordana Brewster, Alicia Sanz, Mayko Nguyen, and Sam Worthington. 

The film takes place in the near future, where Evan, an android humanoid simulant played by Robbie Amell, is created for Faye, portrayed by Jordana Brewster, to replace her deceased husband. Evan teams up with Casey, a brilliant global hacker played by Simu Liu, to remove the restrictions on simulant capabilities and traits. 

However, as simulants become increasingly self-aware and independent, a government agency led by Agent Kessler of AICE, played by Sam Worthington, launches a manhunt to prevent a potential A.I. uprising.

This is your classic AI / Robot film, where the robots are getting too intelligent and are on the verge of becoming just a bit too self-aware. You will instantly be reminded of Bladerunner. 

The film feels quite disjointed, the pace is quite slow, and the characters don't really interact that much. I would have liked to have seen more of Sam Worthington, and learned why he is doing what he is doing, and perhaps a little more of the Evan and Faye characters, instead we are already deep into their story when the film starts.

The film has a great cast, Robbie Amell, Jordana Brewster and of course Sam Worthington are all top names in Canadian film and TV. There is a decent budget too and the visual effects are all very well done.

The Good

A strong cast, and a story that is slowly seeming way too real as we learn of the dangers of AI.

The Bad

The pacing is all off, at just over 90 minutes the film felt long, and we didn't get enough backstory of the main characters to get that all important emotional investment.

Overall

The plot is a little unoriginal, and if you are going to use a well-trod upon plot point, then you need to come up with some interesting twists. Unfortunately, Simulant struggles due to poor writing.

The film isn't all bad, and there are some nice moments, I liked the ending, even if it was predictable, the visual effects are good, and the cast are all likeable.

Poor pacing and some bad writing means I can only score Simulant a 6/10

Out now on digital - https://amzn.to/3BkKE12

REVIEW: A Small Fortune (2023) - Starring Stephen Oates and Liane Balaban

Review by Jon Donnis

A Small Fortune, written and directed by Adam Perry, is a crime/drama film that was originally released in Canada a few years ago and has finally been released in the UK. Although I don't review many films in this genre, I was intrigued to watch this one.

The story revolves around Kevin Doucette (Stephen Oates), a simple and desperate man who lives an unremarkable life on the remote Prince Edward Island. Despite his modest lifestyle, Kevin is burdened with worries as his wife, Sam (Liane Balaban), is pregnant with their first child, and he doesn't earn enough money to support their family, let alone a baby. Kevin's income comes from harvesting sea moss on the coast, but Sam urges him to leave the province to find more stable and well-paying work on the mainland.

However, Kevin resists his wife's pleas and fate appears to be on his side when he discovers a large sum of Canadian Dollars on the beach and decides to keep it for himself. But his luck quickly runs out when a man named Troy (Joel Thomas Hynes) arrives on the Island searching for his money. Kevin makes a series of bad decisions, and the situation spirals out of control, turning the once-peaceful fishing village into a crime scene.

This is a beautifully shot film, although Canadian, there is a strong Irish influence, and if you didn't know it was a Canadian film, you could well be mistaken into thinking it was an Irish one.

It is an age old question that all of us have pondered at one time or another, what would you do if you came across a large amount of cash, no one else is about, do you keep it, with the assumption that if you don't tell anyone, then it is yours, or do you hand it in to the police. By basing a film on such a common and popular thought, it instantly puts the viewer in the mind of the main character of Kevin. Of course, that on its own is not enough for a film, so of course you need the bad guys to turn up to make things interesting, as well as Kevin making frustrating decisions that just opens him up to trouble.

There is a side plot involving a cop called Susan Crowe (Andrea Bang), who suffers casual racism from her stereotypical, grumpy old boss, and various people on the Island, as well the really likeable character of Omer Tom (Bill McFadden) who purchases the sea moss from Kevin, sadly the actor died after the filming of this, and the film is dedicated to him.

This is a nice little film, with an interesting plot, and a decent slow burn, leading up to an entertaining finale. The ending even has something of a twist, nothing major, but enough to draw a smile from the viewer.

The Good

Really well filmed and directed, the scenery is gorgeous, the acting throughout is of a high quality, and I enjoyed the plot, which as mentioned is a situation that almost everyone can imagine happening to them.

A good run time of about 90 minutes, this is an easy to watch film, with a good amount of tension, and intrigue.

The Bad

Some of the pacing is a bit slow, and I would have liked a bit more action.

Overall

A decent little film, you will probably only watch it once, but it will have you asking the question of what would you do in the same situation, and perhaps even moaning at the dumb decisions of the Kevin character.

I enjoyed A Small Fortune and score it a fair 8/10

Out now on Digital at https://apple.co/3NY2sXq and https://amzn.to/41lqZZH

REVIEW: Evil Dead Rise (2023) - Starring Lily Sullivan and Alyssa Sutherland

Review by Jon Donnis

With all these horror remakes and reboots, it is time for another attempt to resurrect the Evil Dead franchise. Unfortunately, this is not a Bruce Campbell film. Nor does it seemingly have anything to do with the awesome Evil Dead TV series. It is also not a horror comedy. It is a straightforward horror film about demons and the undead.

The film starts off at a lakeside cabin, where cousins Teresa (Mirabai Pease) and Jessica (Anna-Maree Thomas) and Jessica's new boyfriend Caleb (Richard Crouchley) are attacked by Jessica. She scalps Teresa, decapitates Caleb, and then levitates above the lake. Now, quickly forget about that.

The day before this horrific event, Beth (Lily Sullivan), a guitar technician who has just found out she is pregnant, visits her sister Ellie (Alyssa Sutherland) in a condemned Los Angeles apartment complex called Monde Apartments. Ellie is a single mother to teenagers Danny (Morgan Davies) and Bridget (Gabrielle Echols), and young child Kassie (Nell Fisher). An earthquake shakes the building while the children are in the basement parking lot, revealing a hidden chamber that contains religious artifacts, three phonograph records from 1923, and a strange book. Danny takes the book to his room, thinking he can sell it to help Ellie. The first record describes a priest's unsuccessful attempts to research the book, which is one of three volumes of the Naturom Demonto. The second record reveals that the priest continued his research in secret and performed an incantation that summons demonic entities called Deadites.

Ellie is attacked and possessed by an unseen force, and she returns to her apartment in a trance, threatening her family. She dies after pleading with Beth to protect her children. Beth and Ellie's neighbors lay her to rest in her bedroom and search for a way out, but they find that the staircase has collapsed, the elevator is damaged, and the fire escape is inaccessible. Ellie is revived and attacks the family, but they manage to lock her outside the apartment after she kills the neighbors. Bridget is injured in the process.

The rest of the film is basically your typical horror film.

Now I have to admit I wanted to hate the film as it does not have Ash (Bruce Campbell) in it, but annoyingly this is a pretty decent horror film. Lots of gore, tons of blood, inventive kills, great visual effects, and some decent jump scares. It ticks pretty much all of the boxes you would expect for such a film. There is even a bit of chainsaw action! And at 90 minutes long, it is a decent length.

The Good:

Great visual effects, strong performances by Lily Sullivan and Alyssa Sutherland, a decent if unoriginal story, and some great chainsaw action in the final scene.

The Bad:

No Ash. No comedy. Doesn't really feel like an Evil Dead film to me.

Overall:

This film would be so much better if it weren't tacked onto the Evil Dead franchise. If it were just its own film, it would avoid the comparisons, but I understand that just by having the Evil Dead name, it means more people will watch it.

As a horror film in its own right, it is enjoyable, if you are a fan of the genre, not for the weak-stomached. Lots of gore, and lots of blood.

I score Evil Dead Rise a fair 7/10.

Out now in cinemas and on digital at https://apple.co/3Bc86xu

REVIEW: The Adventures of Jurassic Pet 2: The Lost Secret - Starring Carolyn Josephine Wright, Sophie Proctor and Myles Currin-Moore

Review by Jon Donnis:

"The Adventures of Jurassic Pet 2: The Lost Secret" is a sequel to a film I never heard of, mainly because it was never released in the UK. That being said, when I was asked to review this, I was intrigued. Directed by Ryan Bellgardt and Chris Hoyt, the film follows adventurous teenager Wendy Jenkins (Sophie Proctor) and her wise grandmother Tadrina Green (Carolyn Josephine Wright), who are the protectors of a magical portal to the land of dinosaurs. However, the portal only opens once a month during the full moon period. After one such visit, Wendy winds up getting more than she bargained for when a baby dinosaur named Junior doesn't go back through the portal with its family and instead follows Wendy and her grandmother home.

They decide the best course of action is to keep Junior safe until the portal opens again. Wendy and her new friend Curtis (Myles Currin-Moore), who is an orphan and is being fostered by Wendy's family, must keep a watchful eye, but if only it were that simple. You see, the Mayor of the town played by Drew Pollock is evil, and with his henchmen Barney (LaRonn Marzett) and Clyde (Rahjzae Moore), they are running a factory producing a synthetic version of a poison created by an African Tsetse fly, which, if infected, will cause a sleeping illness - perfect if you want to, say, rob a bank.

When Wendy's grandmother has a fall, Junior accidentally calls for medical help, and as she is taken, Junior is now on his own.

Will Wendy and Curtis be able to not only find and help Junior but also stop the bad guys from poisoning the town? Well, you will need to watch to find out.

First of all, please keep in mind that this is a low-budget kids' film. Comparing it with "Jurassic World," just because they both have dinosaurs in them, is a disservice to both films. It is like comparing apples to oranges. Also, a child of say 7 years old is not going to care that this has a tiny budget compared to the unlimited money of a Hollywood franchise. So, understand that I will judge this film as I do all films, on its own merits and with an understanding of where it is coming from, who it is made by and for, and the budget.

With that said, I actually quite enjoyed this film, even if I am clearly not the target audience. The plot is simple and never tries to over-explain itself. Dinosaurs come through a portal every full moon, they are basically harmless, a baby dinosaur gets left behind, there is an evil mayor, some bumbling henchmen, and the kids will save the day. It is old-fashioned storytelling that is perfect for kids.

The characters of Wendy and Curtis do most of the heavy lifting in the film. They are both likable characters, as is the Grandmother, played by Carolyn Josephine Wright. You don't really need to have seen the first film to follow this one; everything is explained pretty quickly at the start of the film.

The Good: 

At about 80 minutes minus the credits, this film hits the magical run time - enough to keep kids engaged without them getting bored. The story is fun, and the characters are likable.

The Bad:

The low budget does mean some very dodgy visual effects and CGI, but they do their best with what they have. There are a few moments where an adult might moan about certain things in the film, for example when the kids are tied up with rope, but clearly, they could just escape at any point as the rope isn't very tight. But a child probably isn't going to notice or care about that.

Overall:

A fun little kid's film, if it keeps your child entertained for 80 minutes can you really complain?

Keeping in mind the budget, and who the film is aimed at, I score The Adventures of Jurassic Pet 2: The Lost Secret a very decent 7.5/10

Out on digital 8 May 2023 https://apple.co/3B8lvqg

REVIEW: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023) - Starring Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, Bradley Cooper and Pom Klementieff

Review by Jon Donnis:

Well, it's finally here, the swan song for the Guardians of the Galaxy. Possibly the most loved franchise of the MCU, which never felt like it should have been as popular as it does, comes to an end.

The Guardians of the Galaxy have set up their headquarters on a restored Knowhere (As depicted in The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special from 2022).

One night, they are attacked by Adam Warlock (Will Poulter), a Sovereign created by their leader Ayesha (Elizabeth Debicki), seeking revenge for the Guardians' previous theft from her people. Despite his overwhelming power, Nebula (Karen Gillan) manages to injure Adam, who escapes. However, Rocket (Bradley Cooper) is left badly hurt, and the Guardians realize they cannot help him because of a kill switch implanted by Orgocorp. If they try to heal him, he dies. If they do nothing, he dies. Desperate to save their friend, they head to Orgocorp's headquarters, hoping to find an override code.

Meanwhile, as Rocket lies unconscious, he remembers his past as an experimental subject of the High Evolutionary (Chukwudi Iwuji), a scientist who sought to turn animals into anthropomorphic beings for his Counter-Earth project, an entire planet that is designed to copy Earth. Rocket befriended other test subjects, including Lylla (Linda Cardellini), Teefs (Asim Chaudhry), and Floor (Mikaela Hoover), but the High Evolutionary betrayed them, ordering Rocket's brain to be extracted and the other subjects incinerated. Rocket fought back, killing guards and escaping with Lylla, but she was killed, leaving Rocket alone. (This is a seriously sad part of the film, get your tissues out folks)

Back in the present, the Guardians, aided by the Ravagers and Gamora (Zoe Saldana), infiltrate Orgocorp, discovering that it is a front for the High Evolutionary. They find Rocket's file but learn that the override code is missing. Suspecting that Theel (Nico Santos), the High Evolutionary's advisor, has it on an external memory bank, the group sets out to find him, despite Gamora's warnings that it may be a trap. Ayesha and Adam follow them on the High Evolutionary's orders to retrieve Rocket.

That's your set up to the film, basically trying to save Rocket, and saving the Galaxy one final time.

I will say it straight out, this is the weakest of the trilogy, however, that is only because the first two films were so good. Vol 3 is an excellent film, as usual, the funniest moment come from Dave Bautista as Drax the Destroyer, and there are some proper laugh-out-loud moments. He even gets to finish his own emotional arc which is great to see. Possibly the most popular of the Guardians. Dave Bautista is easily one of the most underrated actors in the world right now.

The visual effects are as you would expect, incredible. And the soundtrack is amazing, something we have come to expect from the Guardian films. I will definitely be adding the Vinyl album to my collection, you should too at https://amzn.to/3AZZl9R 

The film will take you on a rollercoaster of emotions, but it will leave you happy as we say goodbye. There are a couple of end credits scenes which I won't spoil for you, but I will say that although we are not getting a Volume 4, we will see Chris Pratt as Peter Quill/Star-Lord again.

The Good

Of all the things that Marvel has done, Guardians of the Galaxy seems to be the one franchise that everyone can agree on is great, and Volume 3 does not disappoint. An excellent film from start to finish.

The Bad

I am reluctant to say anything I disliked, as it would spoil the film. I would have liked to have seen more Drax and Mantis.

Overall

I loved Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, a fitting end to a great trilogy. All the characters either got the emotional arc they deserved or the end to their story.

A great film, which I will watch again.

I score Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 a super strong 9/10.

Out now in cinemas.

And coming soon to digital at https://apple.co/3B2ZLw7

 

TRAILER: Hitmen - From Director Savvas D. Michael

 

By Jon Donnis

From the director of The Bezonians and Original Gangster, Savvas D. Michael, comes new film Hitmen.

The Legendary New Yorker, entrepreneur Michael Hero, desperately seeks revenge after his grandson Jackie is accidentally killed in a pub fight in London by married Brits, Lauren and Luke Loveday. Michael Hero places a one-million-dollar bounty on their heads, which naturally attracts some of the world’s leading assassins in a ruthless game of cat and mouse in London, all to kill the unfortunate couple and claim the bounty. However, Justin Villain, the recently widowed, suicidal but illustriously deadly assassin, vows to protect the Lovedays in memory of his wife and in the name of love.

Hitmen has a great cast including Academy Award-nominee Eric Roberts, BAFTA-winner Adam Deacon and UFC champion Georges St-Pierre.

Savvas D. Michael is quickly making a name for himself, as one of the best directors in the UK. Hitmen has a great style, and definitely catches the eye.

Some excellent fight scenes, and a fun story really top off another great film from Savvas.

Released on digital on 5th June 2023 - https://amzn.to/3Lzrd9A

Check out the trailer below.

REVIEW: Renfield (2023) - Starring Nicholas Hoult, Awkwafina and Nicolas Cage

Review by Jon Donnis

Who could ever have imagined that we would still be making films based on the 1897 novel Dracula by Bram Stoker? Well, we are, and the latest version of the tale focuses not so much on Dracula but on his deranged, fanatically devoted servant and familiar, Renfield.

In the early 1900s, a meeting occurs between Transylvanian vampire Count Dracula (Nicolas Cage) and English lawyer R.M. Renfield (Nicholas Hoult). Renfield aims to negotiate a deal for land and impresses Dracula enough to become his familiar (a human who was granted a portion of Dracula's power by Dracula himself). As a result, Renfield becomes immortal and gains superhuman abilities when he feeds on insects.

Fast forward ninety years, and Renfield has grown tired of assisting Dracula in his victim hunting and dealing with his abuse. After narrowly escaping vampire hunters, they relocate to New Orleans to recover. There, Renfield discovers a support group for individuals in co-dependent relationships and hatches a plan to seek out abusive partners of group members and offer them to Dracula as food. While tracking one abusive partner to a warehouse, Renfield is accosted by criminals and is later targeted by an assassin hired by the rival Lobo crime family.

Renfield defeats the assassin but fails to capture the man who hired him, Teddy Lobo (Ben Schwartz). In a weakened state, Renfield drags the corpses back to Dracula's hideout in the basement of Charity Hospital. Meanwhile, Teddy encounters a police checkpoint manned by Rebecca Quincy (Awkwafina), a second-generation police officer. Teddy is apprehended after throwing cocaine at her but is later released by corrupt police officers. Rebecca's sister Kate (Camille Chen), an FBI agent, confronts her over the incident.

This is a pretty crazy comedy horror film, very gory and very silly. This is very much a Nicholas Hoult film, but Nic Cage does play the perfect comedy Dracula and is super entertaining throughout.

The film has everything you would want in a silly horror film: people getting killed in inventive ways, great visual effects, likable characters all around. And at about 88 minutes, it is a decent length to keep your attention while also entertaining you.

I also think it is worth noting on a couple of kills, they do this great "Mortal Kombat" style zoom in, x-ray view of the body as bones get crushed; it is very cool.

Awkwafina is great as Rebecca, such a likable actress, and Nicholas Hoult does a great job as Renfield. And Nicolas Cage, well, it's Nicolas Cage, and he has had something of a resurgence in recent years with some of his more lighthearted and comedy roles. The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent instantly comes to mind. I am not sure that this film is as good as that one, but it is a lot of fun.

The Good

Great visual effects, a fun story, excellent characters, and lots of over-the-top horror-comedy-style gore.

The Bad

There was no twist or end-credit scene. Does that mean we don't get a sequel?

Overall

I really liked this film. After all of the serious horror films I have seen recently, I needed something of a palate cleanser, something I could just sit back and laugh at, while also being disgusted at the ridiculous gore, and this film ticked all the boxes.

Great, fun horror film, not for the squeamish.

I score Renfield a solid 8.5/10

Out Now in Cinemas and on Digital at https://apple.co/424Gqqk and https://amzn.to/3VB3MBx