garethwooduk Reviews

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024)

A well overdue sequel, enjoyed!

[8/10 · 19 September 2024]

Beetlejuice... A Tim Burton masterpiece that concreted the stardom of leading stars from Michael Keaton to Winona Ryder.

Like the Ghostbusters franchise from 1984 to a sequel in '89 then with the 'Stranger Thngs' vibes of the late addtions was brilliant!

Beetlejuice Director has managed to capture the gore slapstick gothic humour of the orignal with a fresh decent story to add.

Considering it was Burton's objective to avoid CGI like the original cult classic which was just brilliant with the small heads and taking us back to the Neitherworld Waiting Room.

Original cast is back with the exception of no Charles, by Jenna Ortega is brilliant! Monica Bellucci as Beetlejuice ex wife without much dialogue is just perfect and totally owns it for me!

A good family fun movie, nostalgic with good laughs and visually perfect, go see!

The Acolyte (2024)

Great story, action and no storm troopers in sight

[8/10 · 10 September 2024]

I read pretty much every cover story of my monthly movie magazines and near on everything in between, but when I saw another 'Star Wars story' set some 100 years before Star Wars: A New hope.. I wasn't bothered about another spin off voyage amongst the stars..

Well, i'll eat my hat, I thoroughly enjoyed it, it felt like a real human story (set in space) with zero Storm Troopers just other strange and weird characters from the Empire added to the decor.

It does drill down heavily on the Force's side of its previous mentors of the Jedi knights, the plot was really good that feeds in to its present day.

I really enjoyed the action and the emotional journey that ran through out the entire series, i'd be happy to see a series 2!

The Union (2024)

Not brilliant but decent enough

[7/10 · 9 September 2024]

Mark Wahlberg & Halle Berry before doubling up in this spy movie action comedy are friends from way back, so its the ideal time and perfect Antidote to star side by side.

The plot is nothing new, lots of variations have come before, but the idea of the leads having a previous back story from high school days to its present day with their own individual lives being complete opposite, was a good dynamic.

I thought the plot / action was something people would remember of Ethan Hunt in Mission Impossible 1 ('96) but I enjoyed the action and most of the movie taking place in London and the old 'BT' Tower as HQ was pretty cool...

J. K. Simmons always a solid actor and really good in this, just not in it enough, but it look great in 4K with some great action and a decent pace movie, an easy watch for a weekend viewing.

Time Bandits (2024)

Strong start, bit of a mixed bag

[7/10 · 9 September 2024]

Having watched the cult classic movie (1981) as a kid, with the polictically correct term 'dwarf' characters which was absolutely brillant with the time hopping gang, we fast forward to 2024 for an all new Apple TV+ Production of a 10 episode series only now with ordinary size people but some of the previous eccentric set pieces and misadventures is still very much there...

This time round, led by Friends tv series odd ball Lisa Kudrow 'Penelope' the captain of her bandits on a voyage seeking a missing part of a treasure map and picking up Kevin on the way, with his parents being taken, only adding to extra excursions across time & space to save them.

If you've seen Bill & Ted the movie, this is similar with a travelling through time adventure, taking in 1920s America to the Ice Age, its visually perfect to watch.

Great set pieces and characters, be happy to see a series 2...

Sexy Beast (2024– )

Like Lock Stock with more intense drama... I was hooked!

[8/10 · 21 August 2024]

Heists. Diamonds & nightclub takeovers, it's like a GTA game!

Having never saw the movie with the well revered Ray Winston, the tv spin off series had the feels of a gritty Sooouth London gangster movie, having watchced Lock Stock & Snatch growing up this has me intrigued.

I was pleasantly surprised, set in the early 90s, still having the back end of the late 1980s aesthetic with a widely unknown cast besides Dons big sister Cecilia Logan 'Tamsin Greig' potty mouthed, chaining smoking Londoner running a gaming / fruit machine shop, not her usual play it safe role!

The dynamic of our main Leads Gal & Don was brilliant, trying to go big in the underworld only ever thieving small fry.

The plot was like a Mission impossible but in back streets of murkey London with a great suppporting cast... Go big or go broke!

From DeeDee to Teddy our Leader of one of the main crime oufits and Stan our middle man who you'll find in many dramas of a similat nature.

I really hope they make a second, liked it more than I thought I would!

Alien: Romulus (2024)

Finally, a fan service Alien movie... Done good!

[8/10 · 20 August 2024]

Alien... Never the biggest fan in all honesty, but the recent movies haven't been great and tend to stem away which made the early movies cult classics.

This movie, situated between Alien & Aliens, sees a bunch of space explorers working on a mining colony (Jackson, blasting off in search of cryostasis chambers on a derelict spacecraft in order to voyage deep in to space...

First off, the mood and feels of this is reminiscent of the originals, much like its cast, but you totally sense the mood of the film with our leads heading in to horror, the sound effects are so on point, the props, abandoned ship is so eerie that you fear for their safety.

The film is just brilliant, because it plays homage to what people loved in the beginning by using source material but with a whole new story and in between two well loved movies.

It's fast pace, intense, gripping and at times scary, the aliens are awesome and I was totally locked in for the 2 hour adventure, a brilliant watch!

Go see in IMAX, Space as never looked so good on a huge screen!

Borderlands (2024)

Borderlands - Was hoping for more.

[4/10 · 20 August 2024]

I do remember the first person shooter on Playstation but never played it, I then a see a movie adaptation is coming to the big screen.

An impressive trailer with a killer cast from Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart and Jamie Leigh Curtis! On this alone I was drawn in to see it.

But an impressive cast cant be the only thing, the film felt bloated and a plot that falls flat, the offworld planet 'Pandora' is impressive, a gritty setting like a Mad Max movie with wacky characters, but even that cant save it.

Problem with this movie, it doesnt really know its destination and the setting and cast cant save it.

Playstation game plots to big screen usually work like Super Mario Bros but for this one, its game over!

Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)

The perfect duo

[8/10 · 15 August 2024]

This has been a long time coming, since Wolverines cameos from the previous Deadpool movies.

Great plot and concept, bringing back a previous classic Wolverine in his iconic X-Men attire, with the humour & sarcasm of Deadpool with Wolverine's hot headed nature is comic gold!

Open scenes at the resting place of 'Logan' was just brilliant, no spoilers!

The Plot was nothing new, in Loki and with 'TVA' with the multiple time lines of some of Marvels greatest supes.

The action is always on point, I giggled throughout the movie, the scuffles with our main leads never got boring with great music to add to all out rumble!

Trying to avoid any spoilers, go see it!

Sausage Party: Foodtopia (2024– )

Another Sausage-fest of laughter!

[8/10 · 6 August 2024]

Having seen the movie back in 2016, that plays out like a Toy Story movie but in a Supermarket was genius!

We fast forward to 2024, now with a series that picks up on the backend of the movie, within the first episodes I was absolutley cracking up with its even more outrageous, darish, sexual innuendo scenes of comedy gold, surprised Amazn gave it the green light!

The plot is clever, without giving any plot details away, the characters are brilliantly voiced with all their own personal traits that give all day foods a new lease of life!

Produced by Seth Rogen and reprising his role as 'Frank' furter is so funny, along with his beloved motely crew of buns and sausages alike, its a fun series and hoping for a 2nd!

Atlas (2024)

Futuristic action adventure, loved it!

[8/10 · 6 August 2024]

Not sure on all the negative reviews, J-Lo's best work is when shes playing it serious, this futuristic 'AI' adventure was enjoyable from start to finish.

Our main lead 'Atlas Shepherd' navigating her AI controlled robot offworld is brilliant, her relationship with 'Smith' becoming more prominant as they become friends is great, with Atlas having trust issues for humans & technology!

The backstory is solid, action is great, its a decent pace action movie and a Netflix production, most of their movies arent the best!

J-Lo is always better when playing it straight, this was a good all round movie, one to watch!

A Quiet Place: Day One (2024)

Hope in all the turmoil

[8/10 · 10 July 2024]

Loved 1+2 with its original concept of an alien invasion with noise hating aliens provoked by the tinest of sounds and savaging everyone in there way.

We saw a glimpse of the astroid like impact of Day One in in Part 1/2 but here we see it play out in real time like every major diastermovie backdrop, New York.

Like Will Smith classic Independence Day, we see the daily lives of every day New Yorkers in the hustle & bustle of the City, our main lead 'Sam' on end of life treatment, along with Eric new to the City..

Without Spoilers, has the impact occurs and New York is brought down, these characters finding harmony amongst the terror.

Lots of green scenes between the 2, even during the out running of aliens and slashing, its a bitter sweet prequel.

Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F (2024)

A return to brilliance!

[8/10 · 7 July 2024]

Quite simply brilliant, where to begin.. So many references playing homage to the 1st & 2nd film, same music, from the iconic soundtrack to the police chase in downtown LA and Axel doing his investigator bit.. All returning original actors, even Axel back in his blue old banger driving through Detroit, with his name being chanted like Rocky when returning back to Philly. The picture of 'Rambo' in Billy' Rosewoods office, his love of machine guns, a perfect watch, lots of action, great humour by all and Axel still just a cheeky loveable detective .. The film works because they've captured the spirit like the Ghostbusters franchise and keeping in sync with the source material, Axel is back on top form!

Bad Boys: Ride or Die (2024)

Comic duo, back in the fast lane!

[7/10 · 3 July 2024]

The previous entry fell a little flat, our buddy cop duo return back to the blue skies of Miami, business as usual for our double act.

The plot was good rehashing previous movies that lead to a more palpable outcome, Marcus overweight and eating junk... Mike still driving the Porsche with his small lens sunglasses with usual vest and fly away shirt, but now in fast lane both put their comedy chops to good use and the pace picks up more than the previous entry with more guns blazing and action that feels like a playback to the action movies of the 90s.

But the thing with Bay Boys, the action/comedy format has become very diluted but the humour and fast pace action is still at large making it good watch.

The Strangers: Chapter 1 (2024)

Bring on Part 2, nuff said!

[7/10 · 1 July 2024]

Really not sure on the low ratings, these sort of movies never seem to grip me because it's usally the same rehashed story ark with same outcome and kills galore... But oh oh, not this movie...

This movie had me gripped entirely from start to finish, a refreshing plot, convincing derange psychopath killers with no real reason to kill, which leaves an interesting grey area in the story... With our 2 main leads trying to avoid being torn to shreds for aother half the film at night!

This reminded me of a 'Knock at the cabin' but a whole lot better, snappier, the suspence runs throughout.

Keeping this spoiler free, but this is only part 1 of 3, already waiting for chapter 2!

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024)

A brilliant prequel!

[9/10 · 28 May 2024]

I really enjoyed Mad Max Fury Road, for all its high octane action, fast paced action sequences but felt there was holes in the story with Charlize Furon's 'Furiosa' back in 2015.

Fast forward 9 years later, another materpiece directed by George Miller, with a prequel to the back story of our lead caracter in her younger years played out in 5 chapters to her coming of age adult years then potrayed by Anya Taylor Joy, who doesnt speak much throughout the movie but her acting skills makes up for it hugely.

We see how in Mad Max she was taken from the green gardens, lost her arm and a stole 'The War Rig' in Furosia, we get to put the pieces together and understood her being taken to growing in to this fierece wrecking ball of nature, and being intercepted by Dr. Dementus 'Chris Hemsworth' with an interesting look and played with comple arrogance is just great nor forgetting previous arch nemesis and foe 'Immortan Joe'.

Movie is once again fast paced, laced with lots of action, blood & humour, a really good back story with a great cast to fit, seeing it in IMAX is ideal for the big screen for the cinematic experience!

BlackBerry (2023)

A fly on the wall.....

[24 May 2024]

An intriguing insight in to the the rise & fall of a smart phone. At its peak, was one of the most used and favoured amongst people of all ages.

Shot like a docufilm, think American 'Office' with best friends and tech nurds Mike & Doug wanting to build a device capable of being a portable computer with internet!

A movie that starts like a light hearted parody of itself, becomes a story of the success of a device that would become over shadowed by Apples 'Iphone'.

I found it fasinating to watch, especially when newly joined takeover CEO 'Jim Balsillie' grabs the business by its horns with all the know how, saviness and connections to becomea a successful interface in the 21st Century, its a compelling story of a handheld device that remained on top until its knocked of its perch, by a fellow fruit... Apple!

IF (I) (2024)

Warm & thoughtful

[7/10 · 24 May 2024]

Having read the preview in my movie magazine, the general plot reminded me of early 1990s movie classic 'Drop Dead Fred' with Rik Mayall.

But this time round, a colourful mix of childrens imaginary friends of all shapes sizes and textures seeking to reconnect for a childs affection.

Boosted by the voices to name a couple... Brad Pitt & Steve Carell.

Our eccentric leading man 'Ryan Reynolds' who leads these charming loveable characters reconnecting to their loyal companions of yester year, think Toy Story with Andy and his toys, but this time its the imaginary friends searching for someone to love them.

Director and star 'John Krasinski' playing a loving father supported by his young daughter, a movie that deals with Bereavement, how we cope and move forward, its harrowing and thoughr provoking, a light hearted movie that I think that when we watch it, we all had someone their to give us a squidge when needed.

The Fall Guy (2024)

A light hearted action movie

[7/10 · 24 May 2024]

I was too young to remember the series, but a fan of Ryan Gosling, who was brilliant as the no name driver in DRIVE who was driver at night / stunt man by day, so it makes perfect sense he was chosen to be the leading man in this movie with his love interest of previous camera woman turned movie director 'Jody' played by Emily Blunt who is equally brilliant!

This is cleverly filled, seeing a movie being made within a movie, as our lead stunt man 'Colt' doing some epics stunts for our leading action movie star, Tom Ryder.

Like the 80s tv series, this is a light hearted action / romcom with a fizzy plot that is a bit tongue in cheek, cringy at times, but the chemisty amongst our leads is believeable and heartfelt.

Its amazing seeing how movies are put together and from the perspective of a stunt man, who somehow is less appreciated in Hollywood, at least in this movie within a movie, Colt is our guy we're all rooting for!

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024)

A new story begins...

[8/10 · 24 May 2024]

Having loved the previous trilogy and the 4K boxset sitting proudly amoungst my collection, I was very excited to see where the story goes 100 years after the fall of our previous titan leader 'Caesar'.

Like all new movies with a hope of a sequel to follow, this new story thread builds on its previous foundation, Cities are more overgrown and returning to Nature, but even 100 years later, like the previous trilogy, humans are the hunted.

This time round our new hero in the making is 'Noa' in a tight nit pack of apes with his Dad chief of its clan who train birds of prey to be their faithful companions.

This is a voyage from the off and and ad adventure in to the unknown and unexplored - No Spoilers!

Rich terrain with great characters, great long shots on the beach echoing the original 60s movies, fight scenes with a deranged leader of a loyal cult of apes and a developing plot that I hope continue into a sequel, I enjoyed it.

The Tattooist of Auschwitz (2024– )

Love finds the way...

[10/10 · 15 May 2024]

I've always had a fasination all things WWII and of the Holocaust, not for the sadness and the slaughter of innocent Jewish lives, but the stories of the people and how they've survived, a testament to its people & culture.

I never knew till recently this was a book written from the story of our main character 'Lale Sokolov' who became a Tattooist, branding everyone who enters the camp like cattle.

Whats remarkable is how the love struck prisoners managed to survive, with the constant threat that you could be next in line to be sent to the chambers.

The acting is so on point, Harvey Keitel playing the older 'Lale' with such conviction telling his harrowing story.

Having visited Auschwitz-Birkenau I can now imagine how living in constance fear would always be at the front of your mind, everyone sharing the same burden of the fear of death.

Beautifully shot for all its long shots of its disturbing visuals of chimneys engulfed with smoke from the fully functioning 24/7 crematoriums is just pure dread, or the blue tones of the Winter cold air, makes you shiver.

But its important to watch to ensure something like this never happens again, love... Finds a way... through the dark.

Rebel Moon - Part Two: The Scargiver (2024)

Attack of the farmers!

[7/10 · 14 May 2024]

As predictable as it was, if you've seen Part 1, this plays out like a Star Wars Movie - Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back springs to mind!

We have the return of the fully resprawned 'Admiral Noble' in an outfit that can only resemble the German army of WWII.

The pace of the movie picks up from the first movie with a battle worthy of a group waiting for their moment to attack with vengeance, with a limited amount of time to prepare.....

It was great seeing the collective warriors unite from the first movie to stear the fight.

But at times it seems to drag, as the films entirity is based on a battle for the people of Veldt holding on to their homes & farmed 'grain'.

Jimmy the robot returns, voiced by Sir Anthony Hopkins is a delight helping to save the day, shame story a times is luke warm but second part of the movie, is an all out royal rumble!

Spikes/Guns & farming equiptment at the READY!

1883 (2021–2022)

Brilliant!

[10/10 · 14 May 2024]

Having not started Yellowstone, all my friends tell me to start with the prequel '1883' the backstory of the famous Dutton family traipsing across Texas to start a new life in Montana, that would become the Dutton residence in the modern day 21st Century.

The entire cast were just brilliant, Sam Elliott as Sherif like cowboy 'Shea' it utter brilliant, the Dutton leads - Country Singers TIm McGraw & Faith Hill both put in a stellar performace.

The story is grounded and an adventure across open lands and fields with a few rivers that prove challening.

It wouldn't be a Western style setup without the threat of local Native Indians, hold on to your pistols!

Abigail (2024)

'Bloody' Fang-Tastic!

[1 May 2024]

Having read the preview in my movie magazine, I toally wanted to see this, having not seen a decent vampire movie in years that also included a heist!

What was interesting is that our main lead, ballerina vamp 'Abigail' was an actual experienced ballerina and used her skillset to bring extra gravity to her character and a certain type of grace that worked perfectly in the movie.

The plot was simple with so many threads keeping you guessing without giving to much away... The fractious collective were brilliant and with our group leader Frank 'Dan Stevens' stole the show but the whole cast did!

This movie covered everything from chills, guts & gore with enough blood to feast a vampire orgy, the humour was comicial gold and on point with plenty of jump scares in the perfect 18th century abondoned Mansion setting that also plays a pivotalrole in the very intensifying plot.

It was one of the best Vampire Movies I've seen in a long time, If you liked 'Dusk Till Dawn' then you'll this movie with a 13 year old ballerina kicking arse, go see!!!

Fallout (2024– )

A great spin on a Playstation classic

[8/10 · 1 May 2024]

The crossover from PS5 to TV is an all time high, having enjoyed movies Resident Evil & Super Mario Bros, Mortal Kombat was OK...

We now have a new TV series spin off from the classic game and having played it the similarities and the terrain after the 'fallout' from the 1950s atomic bomb is just brilliant!

The Goul played by 'Walton Goggins' was gold and totally stole the show, the cast were brilliant and loved 'The Brotherhood of Steel' suits were just epic!

Plot had a few twists which was good and seeing the surface 100 years later was great, with giant bugs and a bear you would rather walk away from..... Love the exploding parts from Goul's impressive shotgun, remind me not to cross his path..

Hoping for a season 2 to expand the story in to the wastelands, no spoilers!

Back to Black (2024)

'Bittersweet Symphony'

[8/10 · 24 April 2024]

Seeing lots of mixed reviews, people questioning the singing, performance and how close to the truth...

Like all singing biopics, they have a touch of Hollywood to make it interesting, but whats different with this retelling of Amy's fractured rise to fame is the raw emotions and struggling to get to grips on her rising stardom and fronting Alcoholism & Drugs.

But the performances of Amy's tight knit Kosher family unit is well played out, as much as her adorning fans would know from all her snipets in the press, from her street antics in worse for wear ballet shoes to the bust ups with her ex husband for the world to see from the PRESS never straying to far from Amy's presense...

The actress portraying Amy was brilliant with an epic voice to match and never over playing it and credit to the actor playing Blake Fielder-Civil really nailed it, their love affair as predictable as Romeo & Juliet just with a little extra chaos thrown in.