cherylkyrandia Reviews

28 Days Later (2002)

Chilling

[9/10 · 26 April 2023]

This is not your ordinary zombie film. Instead of being bitten by staggering slow zombies, the "zombies" here are infected people who become undead running maniacs who can transform you via oral secretion transmission. This makes the film/franchise novel in itself. The stark apocalyptic vibe of the film is what is ultimately sells it, along with unnerving performances by the likes of Cillian Murphy. There's some sinister characters within the film that masquerade as saviours and some pretty sudden and brutal violence - this film is certainly not for the faint hearted. It's probably one of the most horrific and gory horror films I've seen in a while.

Shaun of the Dead (2004)

Cult classic

[9/10 · 26 April 2023]

There are so many zombie or zombie-inspired films and television series out these days. It's become pretty tedious. They haven't really reinvented the genre, but this film is timeless and original. It's a zombie film with some heart but a lot of laughs. It's nuanced and funny and of course, Simon Pegg helps deliver this masterpiece. There's some slightly cliched moments inherent to this kind of film. There's a typical disaster flick formula that plays out, but despite all of this, it still has more originality than I've seen in a long time or since then. Despite the laughs, don't be mistaken, there's a lot of horror and violence to be found here.

Rugrats (1991–2003)

Fun cartoon

[8/10 · 26 April 2023]

I must admit, I found this to be reminiscent of modern shows like Bluey. There's a lot of soul within this children's cartoon. I found this to be fairly relatable, even for adults. The show is told from the perspective of a bunch of babies/toddlers who get up to all sorts of shenanigans while their parents are away. You also get glimpses into the quirky lives of the parents, though the focus is on the children. I liked this cartoon a lot and recently revisited it with my children. Nickelodeon simple doesn't make shows like this anymore. It's a real shame. I hope they'll reboot this series one day.

Step Brothers (2008)

So dumb it's good

[9/10 · 26 April 2023]

This isn't exactly the most groundbreaking comedy series from a writing point of view. I feel like the film brings together two of comedy's greatest performers - Reilly and Ferrell. They play two unlikely step brothers who are discovering their exciting new brotherhood. They get themselves into some pretty juvenile situations but despite the ludicrous scenarios that are written into the film, they deliver comedy with such finesse and nuance.

Once you realise you "can't take yourself seriously", you'll enjoy this film. Just sit back, turn your brain to mush, sit back and enjoy the ride. You won't be disappointed.

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)

Spooky

[8/10 · 26 April 2023]

Indiana Jones seems to always have that "one scene" that you remember. This film is no different. There's a great deal of adventure in this instalment, along with some cool action sequences. This film in inspired by Hindu mythology and has some pretty gritty moments that aren't for the faint hearted. If eating monkey brains isn't enough to creep you out, the killer crocodiles will instead! There's some great performances here and there's never a dull moment, right down to those cute token moments where Indiana nearly loses his hat but saves it just in time. Honestly my favourite Indiana Jones instalment.

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)

Flawed and underwhelming wooden start to the trilogy

[5/10 · 26 April 2023]

Lucas really drops the ball on telling the first three episodes of the Star Trek series. They are prequel episodes that don't read out any surprises and this already makes for a trilogy lacking in suspense. The storytelling is rather robotic and underwhelming, attributed to some fairly uninspired writing. The performances are fairly stale and emotionless. I really didn't feel much for them or the unfolding situations. For its time, it did an okay job from a visual perspective, which is probably the only area the film excels in. Given how far the franchise has come since 1999, you almost cringe to go back and watch this travesty.

Star Trek: Klingon Academy (2000 Video Game)

Great game

[8/10 · 26 April 2023]

Christopher Plummer does a fine job as general Chang in this aircraft based game. The game is played from the Federation's arch nemeses, the Klingons. The gameplay was pretty decent, albeit flawed and sterile at times, but I lived for those cutscenes with old mate Christopher Plummer. He delivers Shakespearean poetry amidst various space skirmishes and this propels the story along. Admittedly, the story could have been fleshed out a bit better - the cutscenes largely revolve around Chang in a space ship and seldom leaves this space. Never the less, this is a memorable game and the cutscenes are worth revisiting.

Star Trek Voyager: Elite Force (2000 Video Game)

Awesome game

[9/10 · 26 April 2023]

I'm a big fan of the Star Trek Franchise as well as first person shooters. This game delivers on all fronts. It's a story taken from the perspective of the Voyager series. Tuvok has trained up an elite unit of starfleet officers to handle the harder situations. Voyager finds itself stumbling upon a shipwreck and coming head to head with a rag tag group of scavengers, with aliens from multiple different races. There's a lot of nostalgia in this game and I certainly liked that they utilised the original cast, which adds to the authenticity of the gameplay and narrative. They need to make a part 3!

Friends (1994–2004)

Iconic

[9/10 · 26 April 2023]

Controversially, I feel FRIENDS is only second to Seinfeld in terms of the classic 90s television series. Never the less, this is one great series. Each character, much like the Seinfeld series, has their own unique characterisation played by some expert and veteran actors. The series tells of a bunch of friends/roomies who for the most part get along. It tells of their romances, either with each other or outside of the group. The scenarios and situations they get themselves into are highly relatable and pretty funny. The writing was on point and I can easily watch each episode 5 times and not get tired of the series!

The Office: The Inner Circle (2011) Season 7, Episode 22

Annoying

[6/10 · 26 April 2023]

They really should have kept a certain new boss in this series. It could have been the casting that saved the series and maybe even allowed it to go on for a further several seasons. Instead, I see this as the episode that was the beginning of the end for this iconic television series. I'm Will Ferrell is an outstanding comedic actor and his contribution to this episode and series cannot be denied. There's some incredibly funny one-liners that he delivers in such an expert and professional way that still has me in stitches when I think about them.

I wish I could have given this episode more than a 6. It represents a painful reminder for me of what could have been.

Hoops (2020)

I didn't mind it

[7/10 · 26 April 2023]

It's not the most groundbreaking adult cartoon around. But it does the job in terms of making me laugh. The show of course: Hoops. It tells of a pretty dysfunctional basketball coach and his rag tag group of awful misfit basketball players as they bumble their way through the season. It's full of swearing, you'd almost wonder if Coach has Tourette's syndrome or something. He gets himself into some pretty pickly situations in order to see his team succeed. I would say most episodes deliver a pretty enjoyable and funny experience as we watch the train crash unfold in real time. Hope they renew for a second season.

Big Mouth (2017–2024)

Edgy adult cartoon

[8/10 · 26 April 2023]

I come from the days of the likes of shows like South Park. That was already quite edgy. I didn't think a cartoon could take the genre further, but Big Mouth most certainly did so. It follows a bunch of school kids, seemingly at primary school/early high school level undergoing the trials and tribulations of puberty. The show does a pretty good job of approaching the various taboo topics that kids go through, including self-exploration and menstruation in all graphic cartoon detail. It's not a show for everyone, particularly if you're a conservative sort. There's also some great musical interludes!

True Story (III) (2021)

Surprisingly good

[8/10 · 26 April 2023]

With credit to Kevin Hart, he didn't asked to be type-cast as a comedian. He definitely delivers in this largely unfunny crime drama. Of course, there are never the less, some comedic moments- and Kevin essentially plays a version of himself in a parallel universe. Welsey Snipes plays his brother, just released from prison. As much as there's some rekindling of their brotherhood, circumstances and a tumultuous relationship result in a rocky road for this pair. Snipes as always does a fine job and I'm certainly very glad to see that he's been released back into the world of top-tier projects. Not a bad watch.

Titanic (1997)

Breathtaking

[10/10 · 26 April 2023]

Titanic has got to be one of the best films of all times. James Cameron delivers on this retelling of a real-life tragedy about a ship wreck after a cruise ship hits a glacier. But this is more than a retelling of a real-life tragedy - it's a story of unlikely love between an upper class woman and a lower class fellow in the early part of the 1900s. It's a truly breath-taking tale with some deep tragedy inherent to the story described above. The cinematography and special effects were pretty outstanding for a film from the 90s. There's also a great film score that runs through the film including My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion.

What Becomes of the Broken Hearted? (1999)

Didn't need to be made

[5/10 · 26 April 2023]

There are some films that just simply did not need a part two. Once Were Warriors was certainly one such film. They decided to make a film about Jake from the original and his pathway towards redemption. He was portrayed as a pretty despicable character previously and this film shows is exit from his past ways and alcoholism into a lighter path. He attempts to forge better relationships with his family in the wake of a pretty traumatic past that he partly caused. For some reason, I just did not buy it. There's a lot of showing and not enough feeling in the writing, despite Morrison's expert acting abilities.

Once Were Warriors (1994)

Powerful drama

[8/10 · 26 April 2023]

This is one powerful drama that I wish I could give 10/10 to. It follows a lower socio-economic status Maori family in the ghetto part of New Zealand. The drama speaks to some pretty heavy and hard-hitting issues, such as colonialism, tribal history, domestic violence and other fairly darker topics that I might not mention here out of risk of being censored and spoiling things for you. It's generally well-acted, though there are clearly some more novice actors who sometimes jolt you out of the drama. The scenes can be intense and quite violent, so do be warned. There's glimmers of hope and light in amongst what is essentially a very dark but powerful drama.

Bel-Air (2022– )

Modern day retake of a classic series

[7/10 · 26 April 2023]

There were certainly some things to like about this series. It takes a more edgy approach to the Fresh Prince. It still speaks to the racial inequality of the times and the stark divide between the Fresh Prince and his extended family. Instead of this resulting in hilarious moments that everyone laughs off, instead there are serious fights that break out, both figuratively and literally. This certainly isn't the show any of us who were fans of the original were expecting. As a result, I found myself slowly drifting in and out of the series, as it feels like its lost the heart of the original series.

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990–1996)

Classic comedy series

[9/10 · 26 April 2023]

I went back and rewatched the entire series and putting aside Will Smith's modern day indiscretions, this was a pioneering series that is worthy of celebration. There was so much to like about this show, between the comedic timing of all the actors and the observations about African American society at the time. There is an underlying conversation about the divide between the ghetto folk and rich folk which you will occasionally realise is being preached to you (in a good way) while also making you laugh non-stop. The modern remake is certainly not comparable and clearly tries to take a darker more soap opera path.

Dave (2020– )

Great comedy

[9/10 · 26 April 2023]

Dave is a very underrated show that I am surprised was released all the way back in 2020. It seems to only have come to the surface where I am and am astonished it didn't get more of a buzz. The show revolves around an eccentric rapper named Dave who hangs around with more conventionally "cool" rappers. He aspires to be the best rapper he can be while seeking validation from the people around him. He is portrayed as a bit of a bumbling doofus maverick and when he delivers, he delivers well. It's a feel-good comedy series with an adult edge and certainly there's a fair share of non-child-friendly jokes.

The Namesake (2006)

A deep story

[9/10 · 23 April 2023]

Kal Penn delivers well in this dramatic deviation from his usual comedic content at the time. I really enjoyed this film. It explores a young Indian man exploring relationships and balancing his parental expectations with what he wants. It's a very intriguing film and a personal journey that is relatable, whether you're from an Indian background or not. Of course this film features one of cinema's best, the late Irrfan Khan. He does a particularly poignant performance in this romance drama.

I must say, we don't see enough films like this - I suppose times have changed- but this story in many ways is timeless and no doubt still applicable to people around the world.

Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (2004)

So silly but so good

[8/10 · 23 April 2023]

Sometimes you just want to watch a film where you don't have to think. One where you can forget your woes in life and watch content that covers some of life's simple pleasures. This film trails two stoner friends who are on a quest to find all the sliders and burgers at White Castle, a fast food chain known in America for its burgers and sliders. It's such a silly film with some pretty ludicrous scenarios. Kal Penn is a pretty underrated actor who disappeared with his foray into politics, but I'm glad he came back to the silver screen. There's a lot of heart and laughs in this easy-to-watch film.

Star Trek (2009)

Okay reboot

[7/10 · 23 April 2023]

This is a decent reboot to one of the most underrated but iconic franchises of all time. Chris Pine does a decent job of playing Captain Kirk - albeit not nearly as charmingly smug as old mate William Shatner. The film tries to reboot the original series and films with a new universe that is mildly thrilling, albeit not as authentically star trek in my opinion. The film along with its subsequent instalments does a better effort in terms of cinematography and special effects, merely a product of the advancement of modern cinema. Otherwise, I find the new films to be cheap thrills in comparison to the original films and series.

Basic Instinct (1992)

Sharon Stone my gosh

[8/10 · 23 April 2023]

This is one very seductive crime drama. It follows a police detective who gets involved with a woman who may be involved in a murder. The scenes are both raunchy and unnerving as the narrative plays out. The chemistry between Stone and Douglas is very palpable and you oscillate between feeling you're watching a very disturbing romance and crime thriller. The writing and direction are pretty on point. There's some awkward moments in the film that are reminiscent of the 90s and jolt the narrative slightly but overall, this is a very well made film. There's of course that iconic scene that you'll come to know too.

Predator (1987)

Outstanding sci fi horror

[9/10 · 23 April 2023]

Arnie does a great job in this classic and outstanding science fiction horror film. Predator really pioneered the whole disaster film genre along with classics like Alien. It's a well-acted and suspenseful sci fi horror thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat the entire time.

The special effects and cinematography are pretty good for the time. The writing is a bit uninspired but that's partly because the focus is on the horror/suspense moments. Arnie does a great job as always- his timing with his lines is perfection and he's clearly very well suited to action-packed films like this one.

Alien (1979)

Haunting

[9/10 · 16 April 2023]

I remember seeing this film as a kid when my parents weren't watching and I must say, this is easily the scariest film of the modern era. The film is in the horror science fiction genre. The special effects and portrayal of the alien were terrifying, even for its time. It's the ultimate disaster flick where you're on edge, wondering when the alien will strike again and take out each protagonist as you helplessly watch the carnage unfold. Sigourney Weaver does a stellar performance of playing Ripley, who finds herself struggling to keep those around her alive amidst trying to protect herself. A great film!