A power struggle ensues in the USSR when Stalin dies suddenly. Frantic black comedy which plays totalitarianism as a dark farce. Hugely impressive, with a great cast clearly having fun throughout, while making a few satirical points along the way. Recommended.
Tag: eamonn’s reviews
Men In Black (1997, dir. Barry Sonnenfeld)
An NYPD cop is recruited into a secret anti-alien taskforce. Brisk SF comedy-thriller with some good moments and neat odd-couple playing from its leads, but too concerned with sub-Ghost Busters slapstick than with exploring the potential of its premise.
Escape From New York (1981, dir. John Carpenter)
An infamous criminal is sent into the island prison of Manhattan to rescue the US President. Defiantly odd post-apocalyptic piece, much happier with its production design and oddball characters than delivering on action/horror. Not quite the film you remember.
Wish Upon (2017, dir. John R. Leonetti)
A misfit teen finds a Chinese puzzle box which can grant seven wishes. Pedestrian rehash of The Monkey’s Paw (plus shades of Hellraiser and Final Destination) which struggles to find new things to say, or novel ways to kill people. Weak sauce.
It [AKA It: Chapter One](2017, dir. Andy Muschietti)
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A gang of misfit teens battle a supernatural beast which feasts on their hometown once a generation. Excellent version of the ‘then’ portion of the Stephen King novel (1950s in the book, now 1989), with good performances and effective scares all round. Recommended.
Want another perspective? Here’s Xussia’s take.
War for the Planet of the Apes (2017, dir. Matt Reeves)
Caesar comes up against a military leader determined to wipe apes from the planet. Downbeat but impressive third and final part of the trilogy; a more introspective movie than its predecessors but stirring nevertheless.
Another opinion? Here’s Lemonsquirtle’s review.
Cooties (2014, dir. Cary Murnion and Jonathan Milott)
Teachers are held under siege when their summer-school pupils contract a deadly virus. Serviceable horror-comedy which gets some mileage out of a game cast and script, and from its gleeful approach to child-centric gore.
