Tim Burton has been the mind behind some of the most unique films ever made. Unfortunately, this is not one of them. The first of four Disney live action remakes this year(!), Dumbo adapts from the 1941 animated classic, and though Burton brings a wonderful cast and attempts his usual visual flare, the end result … Continue reading Flying Elephant remake fails to soar (Dumbo review)
I’ve never seen a boxing match, but I enjoyed Rocky. I don’t watch Skiing, but I like Eddie The Eagle. And now, Stephen Merchant has added Wrestling to sports I don’t watch, despite enjoying films about them. Fighting with My Family does what every great sports film does. It concentrates on the characters and story rather than the sport. And boy does it work.
It’s been 8 years (well, 7 years and 1 month) since Joe Cornish directed Attack the Block. A Sci-Fi Comedy 'Die Hard' with aliens, it was great cinematic escapism set in rural London. This time, Joe Cornish sets his eyes on a younger audience with his family adventure film ‘The Kid Who Would Be King’. … Continue reading Knights of The Times Table (The Kid Who Would Be King review)
Mary Poppins, made in 1964, is practically perfect in every way. It is the jewel in Disney’s live action crown, and is rightfully regarded as one of the best films ever made. Naturally, in today’s modern saturated movie market, a long overdue sequel was made. While Mary Poppins doesn’t begin to eclipse the original, it gives it a damn good try.
It’s always going to be a bold claim to make after the hugely successful Infinity War coming out, but Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is the best superhero movie of 2018. Infinity War, with it’s exciting scenes and bold ending, was still fairly by the numbers. Huge CGI action and a dreadful subplot about Thor’s axe brought it down in my rankings. This, however, is such a powerful film, with amazing humour, incredible design and heartbreaking emotion.
Ready Player One has competition! It now may not be 2018’s film with the most Pop-Culture references, as Wreck It Ralph takes a trip through the Internet. Following on from 2012 Disney animation, Ralph Breaks the Internet is a fun and colourful sequel through contemporary technology, but one that will ultimately be lost by time.
Nativity came out in 2009 and was a charming festive treat. Naturally, as is the case with half-decent films, it was followed by two sequels, one poor and the other utterly dreadful. This latest instalment, while a mild improvement on the previous films, still sits in the bad sequel camp rather than alongside the far superior original.
Well, it’s no surprise to hear that Disney’s mega budget CGI fest of a Nutcracker film is utterly dreadful. When it was first announced, it baffled everyone. Why on earth were Disney funding a live-action adaptation of the iconic Russian ballet? The answer, they weren't. They were actually making a dull, predictable story under that banner, so they could use some iconic classical music to hide the death of their originality. And boy does it stink.
Slappy the Dummy is genuinely one of the most terrifying characters in a series aimed at children. He is the brainchild of R. L. Stine and has starred in multiple books and the 2015 'Goosebumps' film. Now he's returning to cause more havoc, but is the best part of a film that does nothing original with its premise.
Johnny English Strikes Again is the third film in the comedy spy series led by Rowan Atkinson. What started as a great first film grew slightly tiring in the second, and unfortunately this third film continues the slow death. It’s not totally without redemption, but it’s not far off.
Daniel Robinson: From Reel to Real 