Tag: 2017

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Movie Review

Blame (2017) Movie Review

Blame – ABC Film Challenge – Female Directors – Q (Quinn Shephard) – Blame – Movie Review 

Blame – ABC Film Challenge – Female Directors – Q (Quinn Shephard) – Blame - Movie Review 

Director: Quinn Shephard

Writer: Quinn Shephard, Laurie Shephard (Screenplay)

Cast

 

Plot: A drama teacher’s taboo relationship with an unstable student strikes a nerve in her jealous classmate, sparking a vengeful chain of events within their suburban high school that draws parallels to ‘The Crucible’.  

Runtime: 1 Hour 40 Minutes  

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review 

Story: Blame starts when troubled teenager Abigail (Shephard) returns for the start of the new school year. It doesn’t take long before the bullies led by Melissa (Alexander) line up to pick on Abigail. However, she doesn’t change for anyone. When her high school drama class sees the classwork on ‘The Crucible, Abigail steals the lead role from Melissa.

However, Abigail remains an outsider, that is forces her to work with her new teacher Jeremy Woods (Messina). This triggers a taboo relationship between the pair, that ends up reflecting the very novel they are involved in studying.  

Verdict on Blame

Blame is a high school drama following a disturbed teenager that gets drawn into a forbidden romance. After she deals with bullies, she ends up getting caught in a battle with another student for their drama teacher.

This is a strange movie that gets to show how easily teenagers can be swayed by love. It shows how people in a position of power can take advantage of them. However, it is a movie that relies on you knowing ‘The Crucible novel, one that I haven’t even heard of. This fact does take some of the edge of the movie, which feels like it wants to be as edgy as Cruel Intentions and others like that. 

Final Thoughts –Blame builds up the tension throughout.

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Movie Review

Little Pick House (2017) Movie Review

Little Pink House – Movie Review

Little Pink House

Director: Courtney Balaker

Writer: Courtney Balaker (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: A woman fights a group trying to evict her whole neighborhood and give it to a corporation. In a close decision, the Supreme Court favors the evictions. The corporation never builds anything on the site of her demolished home.

Runtime: 1 Hour 38 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Little Pink House starts when a paramedic Susette Kelo (Keener) buys and does up a new little home for herself. She turns it into a dream home and settles down for a new romance in her life. Elsewhere, Charlotte Wells (Tripplehorn) leads a campaign for a corporation to expand into the neighbourhood.

When Charlotte looks to use power to buy out the residents, Susette refuses to sell. However, after Susette refuses, the other residents join her in a lengthy court case. It leads to a massive battle with the dirtiest tactics being used by the corporation.

Verdict on Little Pink House

Little Pink House is a drama following a woman leading a campaign to protect her home after a big corporation looks to take it from her. It shows the legal battle put in place and the wrong doings done toward the residents who face no choice.

This is an important drama and it showed the fight to change a law taken advantage of. It shows how people need to stand up for what is right when greed starts taking over. The movie tackles the subjects nobody would have fought for even if it does miss a little factor about the decision. We get wonderful performance who help get the message across.

Where to Watch

JustWatch

Final Thoughts –Little Pink House is an important battle for anyone’s legal right.

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Movie Review

Most Beautiful Island (2017) Movie Review

Most Beautiful Island – Movie Review

Discover the chilling and captivating movie 'Most Beautiful Island' directed by Ana Asensio. Follow an undocumented woman's journey of survival and redemption in New York.

Director: Ana Asensio

Writer: Ana Asensio (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: Most Beautiful Island is a chilling portrait of an undocumented young woman’s struggle for survival as she finds redemption from a tortured past in a dangerous game.

Runtime: 1 Hour 20 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Most Beautiful Island starts as we meet Luciana (Asensio) an undocumented woman struggling to survive in New York. She takes many different jobs, and her friend Olga (Romanova) offers her a new one.

Luciana knows she needs the money; she takes the opportunity but is left shocked at what she is forced into doing. However, she is left with no options proving how helpless women in the same position have become.

Verdict on Most Beautiful Island

Most Beautiful Island is a horror thriller following an undocumented woman trying to make ends meet in New York. It shows the challenges she faces each day just to survive, leading to her going down a dangerous path in the hope of making money.

This movie takes us down to the dangerous world of undocumented work. It proves how much is risked just to survive in another country. However, it also proves that the system is broken, and people will get used by others. It has intense sequences, as well as everyday struggles. It becomes one everyone should check out to show the raw style of everything involved.

Where to Watch

JustWatch

Final Thoughts – Most Beautiful Island is an eye-opening exposure to the daily struggles of undocumented workers.

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Movie Review

Destination Wedding (2017) Movie Review

Destination Wedding – ABC Film Challenge – Romance – D – Destination Wedding – Movie Review 

Destination Wedding – ABC Film Challenge – Romance – D – Destination Wedding - Movie Review 

Director: James Herd

Writer: Nina Weinman (Screenplay)

Cast

  • Alexa PenaVega (Repo! The Genetic Opera)
  • Jeremy Guilbaut (Spiral)
  • Rafael Simon (The Patriarch)
  • Andrea Brooks (Percy Jackson & The Lightning Thief)
  • Andrew Dunbar (Dragged Across Concrete)

 

Plot: Ellie’s ex, Greg, is best man at her sister’s wedding at a beach resort in Acapulco. When the bride and groom miss their airplanes, it’s up to Ellie and Greg to make decisions concerning the wedding etc. so they’re forced together a lot.  

Runtime: 1 Hour 24 Minutes  

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review 

Story: Destination Wedding starts when Ellie (PenaVega) is heading to Acapulco for her sister Mandy’s (Brooks) wedding. However, Mandy’s fiancée Jason (Dunbar) has Ellie’s ex-boyfriend Greg (Guilbaut) as his best man. Once the complication of having to spend time with an ex has been put aside the families head out to Mexico.

However, the trip takes another twist when Mandy and Jason miss their flights and Ellie and Greg must work together on planning the wedding. All while they end up getting the resolve the problems they had, as they hope to make sure the wedding still goes ahead.  

Verdict on Destination Wedding

Destination Wedding is a romantic comedy following the bridesmaid and best man that must come together to calm the storm after the bride and groom avoid their wedding. However, being former partners things get complicated as they start to rekindle their former love. All while keeping it a secret the wedding might end up getting called off.

This is a romantic comedy that gets to play into the idea of lost love. It shows that people can make big decisions in life that can end up breaking up a relationship. This has the charm of most rom-coms and a likeable cast that bring the magic to life. However, it does fall into the typical unrealistic world of romance where people suddenly know how to give up everything in life. 

Final Thoughts –Destination Wedding is a by-the-book rom-com.

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Movie Review

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul (2017) Movie Review

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul – Movie Review

The Long Haul

Director: David Bowers

Writer: Jeff Kinney, David Bowers (Screenplay)

Writer: Jeff Kinney (Book)

Cast

Plot: A Heffley family road trip to attend Meemaw’s 90th birthday party goes hilariously off course thanks to Greg’s newest scheme to get to a video gaming convention.

Runtime: 1 Hour 31 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul starts when the Heffley family sets off on a summer road trip. Middle child Greg (Drucker) is dealing with the sudden reaction to going viral in a way he didn’t imagine. His idiot brother Rodrick (Wright) enjoys making fun of him, while their mother Susan (Silverstone) wants to keep the trip device free.

As the trip unfolds Greg has his own plan to go to a video game convention. However, Rodrick learns about his plan and wants in. Meanwhile, their father Frank (Scott) has his own secret from Susan for the trip.

Verdict on Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul is a family comedy movie continuing the adventures of the Heffley family. This time they go on a road trip for a family vacation. However, as they go on the adventures they find themselves dealing with a host of different problems.

When it comes to this franchise, you know what you are going to get. A string of misadventures that show the typical brotherly battles and bonding that comes with growing up. This does everything we have come to expect. It has the laughs, the adventure and the family bonding to make it all enjoyable.

Final Thoughts –Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul is funny, adventurous and enjoyable.

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Movie Review

Stratton (2017) Movie Review

Stratton – Movie Review

Stratton

Director: Simon West

Writer: Warren Davis II (Screenplay)

Writer: Duncan Falconer (Novel)

Cast

Plot: A British Special Boat Service commando tracks down an international terrorist cell.

Runtime: 1 Hour 34 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Stratton Starts as British Special Service Commando John Stratton (Cooper) loses his partner on his latest job. His team weren’t preparing for a certain twist in the operation. However, the danger isn’t cleared and John gets a new partner Hank (Stowell), as they look to track down a dangerous terrorist.

They must work together to figure out what the target is and stop the release of a deadly weapon. Meanwhile, the terrorist in question, Grigory Barovsky (Kretschmann) has his own plan to get what he wants.

Verdict on Stratton

Stratton is an action thriller following an elite commando and his team trying to stop a deadly terrorist. It sees them needing to overcome different problems as the threat level keeps rising.

This does fall into the category of many action movies. We have seen the elite soldiers coming together on a mission before, it offers very little new to this. There are twists and turns along the way as they look to solve the situation. However, by the end, it goes completely how you expect.

The action is entertaining but as previously mentioned, it doesn’t leave too much to the imagination. In the performances, we have a solid cast that all take their role well throughout the film.

Final Thoughts – Stratton is a by the book action movie that offers little original material.

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Movie Review

Trendy (2017) Movie Review

Trendy – Movie Review

Trendy

Director: Louis Lagayette

Writer: Louis Lagayette (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: Richard, a 30 year-old teacher, moves to East London, where he discovers gentrification: hipsters meet cockneys and immigrants in a tense environment. Richard is looking for a fresh start. He explores the East End: its nights, its drugs, its people – But the big city is not a welcoming place. Faced with rejection and abuse, Richard’s past demons resurface and let loose his violent instincts.

Runtime: 1 Hour 40 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Trendy starts when school teacher Richard (Nieboer) accepts a role in East London. It is his first time inside the big city and he struggles to connect with the locals. He finds the locals don’t want to communicate and the only person that does hold a conversation with him is a party animal pushing into a drug world.

As Richard navigates the streets, he finds himself feeling emptier than he could ever imagine. This leads him down a dangerous path of trying to fit in despite the people around him sending his life down a dangerous path. However, his personal life is coming back to haunt him.

Verdict on Trendy

Trendy is a drama following a young teacher trying to adapt to life in London. However, it ends up becoming a lot more difficult than he imagined, as he deals with the criminal underworld in the area. All leading him down a dangerous path that could ruin his career or even life.

This is a drama that shows how life can change extremely quickly for people. It shows one man struggling to escape his past while falling down a dangerous path of crime in London. This highlights how easily people can become corrupted by power and objects outside of their control. Lachlan Nieboer is fantastic in the leading role, he shows his character by watching the world flash past him. Without his mesmerising performance, this could end up falling into a film we have seen before.

Final Thoughts – Trendy is a fantastic drama showing the world falling apart around a young teacher.

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Movie Review

Please Stand By (2017) Movie Review

Please Stand By – Movie Review

Please Stand By

Director: Ben Lewin

Writer: Michael Golamco (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: A young autistic woman runs away from her caregiver in an attempt to submit her 500-page manuscript to a “Star Trek” writing competition at Paramount Pictures.

Runtime: 1 Hour 33 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Please Stand By starts when we meet a young autistic woman Wendy (Fanning). She lives in a support home where she is trying to kick-start her life and adapt to her situation. Wendy has a job, and a daily routine, and she has been working on a Star Trek writing competition in her free time.

However, when her sister Audrey (Eve) is moving away with her husband, Wendy’s caregiver Scottie (Collette) needs to plan her new challenges. Wendy struggles with the changes and lack of support and decides to run away to Paramount Pictures to give in her script. This leads to her loved ones panicking and needing to search for her.

Verdict on Please Stand By

Please Stand By is a comedy-drama following a young autistic woman who runs away from her support home to submit a Star Trek script. She finds her journey more difficult than she imagined as she is unaware of the challenges that face her. However, along the way, she starts to learn more about life.

This is a coming-of-age tale for a young autistic woman learning about adult life. We see that her support system isn’t as strong as she thought, but her naïve nature leads her down a dangerous path. There is also a spotlight on the family and support system that isn’t prepared for what to do next. However, they must learn how to deal with changes in her life. Although, there is a glaring hole in the situation, where neither one of the carers or family members remotely even checks the bus stations. The performances are great with Dakota Fanning shining in the leading role.

Final Thoughts –Please Stand By is a great coming-of-tale.

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Movie Review

iBoy (2017) Movie Review

iBoy – Movie Review

Get ready for an adrenaline-pumping experience with iBoy - an action movie about a teenager who gains superpowers after a traumatic event.

ABC Film Challenge – Action – I

Director: Adam Randall (I See You)

Writer: Joe Barton, Mark Denton, Jonny Stockwood (Screenplay)

Writer: Kevin Brooks (Novel)

Cast

Plot: After being shot, Tom awakens from a coma to discover that fragments of his smartphone have been embedded in his head–and worse, that returning to normal teenage life is impossible because he has developed a strange set of superpowers.

Runtime: 1 Hour 30 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: iBoy starts when troubled schoolboy Tom (Milner) gets shot while visiting a friend Lucy (Williams). However, the bullet sends fragments of his phone into his brain. As Tom starts to recover, he picks up digital signals and learns to process them.

Tom decides to use his new gift to help the people in the neighbourhood, taking on the gangs, including the one that injured him. It sees changes happening and the gangs becoming more aggressive as they try to regain control.

Verdict on iBoy

iBoy is an action sci-fi movie following a teenager who gains an unlikely power after being shot. He can connect with technology after fragments of his phone connected to his brain. It sees him using his new gift to try and clean up the local neighbourhood of the gang’s causing chaos.

This film shows how gangs can cause chaos in London estates dragging innocent people into their crimes and causing pain to them. It uses the superpower origin concept to create an environment where someone fights back for the good. All in all, we get a movie of an unlikely vigilante fighting back against criminals and how much it ends up costing him.

Where to Watch

JustWatch

Final Thoughts – iBoy is an entertaining vigilante story.