Check out my weekly film reviews below! My reviews contain NO PLOT SPOILERS unless otherwise stated, and in that case fair warning will be given. All scores are given out of 10, where 6-10 indicates a positive rating, a 5 is distinctly average, and 0-4 are negative. Two scores are given: The first is what I think a film deserves based solely on its artistic merit, the second is how much I personally enjoyed it. Follow me on Twitter to receive updates and share your thoughts in the comments!
Reviews
Deadpool Is Dead to Me
Only two films in, and Deadpool has succumbed to everything that it set out to parody. Maybe you love Deadpool for different reasons, but I always thought the main justification for his existence was to poke fun at the superhero genre. Superhero landings — they’re so impractical! McAvoy or Stewart? These timelines are so confusing!…
Black Mirror Season 4 – In-Depth Review
Season four is what I was scared of when Netflix acquired the rights. While Brooker maintains that the increased budgets have enabled him to tell a wider range of stories, I fear the opposite may be happening. Call me a Black Mirror hipster, but it was better before it was popular. The more people you have…
Black Mirror Season 4 – Review
I am a masochist. I’ve loved Charlie Brooker’s Black Mirror since its shocking first episode, embracing the dread and anguish it skewered into me with the precision of a neural interface. Maybe that’s why I felt underwhelmed by season four’s offerings. If I don’t feel like flushing my phone down the toilet, swearing off social…
Justice League – Review
It’s been a rocky road for the DCEU. After its lacklustre and divisive beginnings, we got our first ray of hope with Wonder Woman earlier this year. Bringing it all together is Justice League – can they stick the landing? I’m often labelled a pessimist. But how else should I be? I’m constantly punished for…
Murder on the Orient Express – Review
I’m shamefully unfamiliar with Agatha Christie’s works – and their adaptations – but on the other hand, it meant I could view Kenneth Branagh’s adaptation of Murder on the Orient Express with fresh eyes. The trailer promised a classic locked-room murder mystery – the sort of story we don’t see on the big screen nowadays.…
Thor: Ragnarok – Review
Last year, I finally had my first taste of what viewers love about Marvel films when I came out of Doctor Strange giddy and impressed. But then Spiderman: Homecoming reminded me why I don’t like these films and to this day I fail to see what audiences and critics saw in that load of crap.…
Blade Runner 2049 – Review
I love Blade Runner despite needing multiple viewings to appreciate the full scope of the influential noir sci-fi classic. When they announced the sequel, I reacted: Hey, Hollywood, hands off. However, Denis Villeneuve is currently my favourite director. There wasn’t a misstep in his last five – yes, five – films. His stories range from…
Mother! – Review (and Why it’s a Must-See)
If I ever become a filmmaker, I’ll want a career like Darren Aronofsky’s. Even as he’s risen to mainstream prominence since Black Swan, his deliberate artistic vision has never faltered. Despite his only blockbuster being far from his best work, I’d like to see another director have the audacity to take $125 million and make…
Game of Thrones Season 7 Finale – Review
After a sloppily written but exciting penultimate episode, Game of Thrones wraps up another season. And it’s alright. Probably the worst finale barring season five’s but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to discuss and praise. So… We Meet Again Credit: HBO Almost all major characters meet up in the Dragonpit. And what little I felt…
Game of Thrones Season 7 Episode 6 – Review
This season’s fifth episode, Eastwatch, was dense with setups and had our characters hopping all over the world in a matter of minutes. Just when you didn’t think characters could move any quicker, we have the exciting-but-clumsy Beyond the Wall. Let’s get into it. Dungeons and Dragons Credit: HBO We rejoin our bunch of misfits…
Game of Thrones Season 7 Episode 5 – Review
This might be the densest episode of Game of Thrones to date. So much happens it’s hard to know where to begin. Our heroes are hopping around Westeros so rapidly that I’m changing things up this week, reviewing some parts by character instead of location. Let’s get into it! Danaerys – Turn or Burn Credit:…
Game of Thrones Season 7 Episode 4 – Review
After Dany’s battle plans went awry last week, I was dying to see how she’d respond in this week’s episode, The Spoils of War. It wasn’t what I expected but damn, it did not disappoint. Side note: You may have heard already but HBO was allegedly hacked and spoilers for future episodes are being leaked…
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets – Review
Director of sci-fi cult classic The Fifth Element Luc Besson returns with a fresh space opera. Craving original blockbuster stories, I hoped Valerian would be great. I really hoped. I really… hoped… oh god this film is bad. Valerian depicts a future where humans, and thousands of alien species, have constructed an enormous, diverse space-city.…
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Game of Thrones Season 7 Episode 3 – Review
After last week’s promise that Jon and Dany will meet soon, I couldn’t wait for this week’s episode, The Queen’s Justice. SPOILERS FOLLOW At Dragonstone Jon meets Dany and it doesn’t go very well. Jon is right – the real enemy is north of the Wall. But we, the viewers, are the only ones who…
Dunkirk – Review
I have a funny relationship with Christopher Nolan’s films. I don’t dislike any of them, but I find much of his work overrated. As the guys at Honest Trailers put it: he apparently gets a lifetime pass because he made The Dark Knight. When judging a new Nolan film I’m aware I lean on the…
Game of Thrones Season 7 Episode 2 – Review
After its exciting premier set the pieces on the board, Game of Thrones returns to let the game play out. SPOILERS! On Dragonstone Credit: HBO Fan-favourite Daenerys opens Stormborn by challenging Varys’s allegiance. An exposition scene in disguise, its conclusion carries a lot of weight. Dany makes Varys promise that if she ever neglects the…
Game of Thrones Season 7 Episode 1 – Review
Not since Breaking Bad has a season of TV been more hotly anticipated. Since season six’s incredible finale, we’ve heard worrisome news. Season seven will only contain seven episodes. The release was delayed for several months. Ed Sheeran is supposed to show up somewhere? The season premiere is here to settle our doubts. SPOILERS FOLLOW…
Life – Review
It’s Alien meets Gravity in this sci-fi thriller. Two great films, and Life has the added benefit of its talented cast which includes Jake Gyllenhaal, Rebecca Ferguson, and Ryan Reynolds. Life follows the International Space Station and its crew of six stock characters. They recover a soil sample from Mars that contains an alien cell.…
Ghost in the Shell – Review
Well, here it is. I thought it would suck. But you know what? I wanted to be wrong. I wanted it to be good – the original Ghost in the Shell is a cult classic that still holds up today. Unfortunately it’s only well-known among diehard sci-fi fans. A good remake could spread some positive…
Horizon Zero Dawn – Review
It only took one trailer to hook me. A female protagonist in a fantasy setting with giant robot dinosaurs? I just had to know what all that was about. Horizon Zero Dawn takes place on Earth in the far future. Exactly when or where, we don’t know, but humankind has devolved into a tribal society.…
Logan – Review
For seventeen years and nine films, Hugh Jackman has delighted us with his portrayal of beloved comic book character Wolverine. Perhaps the most impeccable casting decision in modern franchise cinema, Jackman has taken the character from rebellious rogue to reluctant hero, from tortured drunkard to bold leader. Now comes Logan, Jackman’s farewell to Wolverine and…
John Wick: Chapter 2 – Review
2014 was a strong year for action films with the likes of Edge of Tomorrow, Kingsman, and The Raid 2. But for me, the standout was John Wick, featuring a storming return to action from Keanu Reeves, dazzling gun fu fight choreography and stunt work, and some subtle but intriguing worldbuilding as we are introduced…
A Closer Look at Fantastic Beasts
I thought it would suck. In the end, I didn’t hate it. I kind of liked it. And I really mean that – I’m not here to dump on Fantastic Beasts. I want to go in depth about what I liked as well as disliked, before concluding by addressing some of the deeper themes that…
Rogue One – Review
While it’s unfortunate that Star Wars is headed down the Marvel road and becoming another pointless cinematic universe, I was still excited for Rogue One. Why? Sure, I love Star Wars, but I mainly like how Rogue One is a standalone story. Despite how we all knew the story of Rogue One, I was sure it…
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them – Review
Given my recent article on Fantastic Beasts, it’s easy to think that I was absolutely dreading this film. However, I was looking forward to it – I enjoy the Harry Potter films, and I do love the universe. I wanted it to be good. It was my rational expectations and what I know about Hollywood…
Arrival – Review
Denis Villeneuve is on fire. I loved his first three English language films: the dark thriller Prisoners, the cerebral Enemy, and the suspenseful, gritty Sicario. I’ve been excited all year for Arrival, his venture into science fiction, especially as he’s set to direct the 2017 sequel to Blade Runner. Arrival is a modern-day story of…
The Accountant – Review
I knew little about The Accountant going in. I was excited by the restrained, stylish trailer, and of course, Ben Affleck has shined in recent years. I’m pleased to say that this is another role that Affleck owns. Everything else about the film, well… The Accountant follows an autistic savant called Christian Wolff. As a…
Black Mirror: Season 3 – Review
Friday 21st October: I woke up and promised myself I’d watch two episodes, leaving the rest till the weekend. But of course, it was just one more until late evening and before I knew it, I’d binged the whole thing in a day. It seems that Black Mirror drains all my willpower and exposes my…
Doctor Strange – Review
Here we are again with another Marvel origin story. Here I am to shit on it. It’s no secret that I have no love of the Marvel film franchise. I even disliked the critically successful Civil War, finding nothing there but shaky action and missed character opportunities. Will the magic of Doctor Strange finally sway…
Black Mirror: Season 1 – Review
Two days to go until season three. I’m more excited for it than for any film of the last year. It’s also great to have an excuse to revisit the old episodes, or discover it for the first time. I was especially excited to rewatch the first season. I like all the episodes, but the…
Black Mirror: White Christmas – Review
That’s right. The grim examination of how technology impacts our lives known as Black Mirror had the audacity to release a Christmas Special. But make no mistake, there’s little festive cheer to be found in White Christmas. My spoiler-free review of White Christmas is as follows: It’s another work of art that demands your attention.…
Black Mirror: Season 2 – Review
In September 2015, Netflix announced that they’d ordered a third season of Black Mirror. That means I’ve been aching with excitement for over a year now. A personal favourite, Black Mirror remains one of the most original, genre-busting, expectation-defying shows I’ve ever seen. And it’s as important as it is terrifying. For the uninitiated, Black…
Kubo and the Two Strings – Review
Kubo and the Two Strings is the first film by Laika animation studio I’ve actually seen. Their other films passed me by and I never bothered to go back. Kubo makes me want to go back, because this outstanding stop motion film is not only a marvel of animation, it’s also a surprisingly mature story…
Blair Witch – Review
Blair Witch is the surprise sequel to the influential 1999 found footage horror film The Blair Witch Project. I can’t say I’m a fan of the franchise, but I did know it was written by Simon Barrett and directed by Adam Wingard – the pair who brought us 2014’s The Guest, a film I really…
Sausage Party – Review
It’s like a Pixar film for adults. Except not Wall-E or Up. Plagued with production delays, Sausage Party is Hollywood’s first ever R-rated computer animated feature. I went into this one worried about it being a gimmick – a Pixar film but with swearing and (more) innuendo. Fortunately, Sausage Party goes beyond that, with action…
Suicide Squad – Review
The DC extended universe (DCEU) is struggling. The lukewarm reception of Man of Steel has since been overshadowed by the critically despised Batman v Superman. Much criticism has been directed towards DC’s grim, humourless worldbuilding – can Suicide Squad be the fun, action packed riot the fans are looking for? Suicide Squad follows a group of…
The Talos Principle – Game Review
In The Talos Principle, you are a robot who wakes up and hears a voice in the sky. It is Elohim, and he declares that he is your maker. He welcomes you into his garden, which he made for you, and invites you to join him in his temple – if you are worthy. What follows…
Finding Dory – Review
Sit down before I drop this bombshell: I’m not a big Finding Nemo fan. Shock-horror, I know – since its release thirteen years ago it remains one of the most successful and beloved Pixar films. I like it but find it to be a middling Pixar entry. Finding Dory had the tough task asserting its…
The Neon Demon – Review
If you’re a fan of film and you haven’t seen Drive, it’s a must-see. Directed by Danish filmmaker Nicholas Winding Refn, it combines stunning visuals with a chilling performance from Ryan Gosling. The result is not your typical arthouse indie flick, but a mesmerising and violent character piece. His next film, Only God Forgives, was a…
Ghostbusters – Review (and a bit about Hollywood sexism)
Not only does Ghostbusters risk offending die-hard fans of the eighties classic, it must also contend with a tidal wave of hatred brought on by its own marketing campaign. Currently, the first Ghostbusters trailer is YouTube’s most disliked trailer in history. But judgement must be reserved until the final product – against all odds, is this film…
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The Secret Life of Pets – Review
Going into this one I thought that whatever Illumination Studios had decided to make, it would be better than Minions. To my immense displeasure, they took the Pixar route and loaded the film with a short that made for mandatory viewing beforehand: Mowing Minions. Already irritated, I tried to clear my mind for the feature. It turns…
The Nice Guys – Review
The trailers seemed intent on advertising Shane Black as the guy who helmed the mediocre Iron Man 3. They ought to have reminded us that he’s the writer behind the first two Lethal Weapon films, which are the among the greatest buddy cop films ever made. Why? Because The Nice Guys is another excellent entry into…
Money Monster – Review
Currently focusing on directing, Jodie Foster has directed two episodes of Netflix series Orange is the New Black and one of House of Cards. Now comes Money Monster starring George Clooney, Jack O’Connell, and Julia Roberts. With a lot of talent in front of and behind and camera, and some interesting, timely themes, it’s a…
X-Men: Apocalypse – Review
I know what you’re thinking: Here’s Magoo, the Marvel hater, ready to dump all over another superhero film. Well, I don’t blame you for thinking that. But uncannily, I love the X-Men film franchise. It’s actually one of my favourite film franchises ever. Days of Future Past remains as one of my favourite films of…
Captain America: Civil War – Review
So begins phase three. Captain America: Civil War is the first of ten (yes, ten) superhero films set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe to be released in the next three years. With each new release I wonder: Will this be the one I love? Will I finally get on board? Believe me, I want to…
Eye in the Sky – Review
Drone warfare is an extremely controversial topic. A film about it could come off as preachy or even feel like propaganda. Fortunately, Eye in the Sky is directed by Gavin Hood, the man behind the underrated Ender’s Game, who knows how to present conflicting moral ideas about the nature of warfare. The result is a…
The Jungle Book (2016) – Review
The Jungle Book of 1967 is one of my favourite Disney animated features. I awaited the live action remake with cautious optimism, and it was with great difficulty that I judged it independent of my feelings about the original. The live-action remake follows the orphaned “man-cub” Mowgli who is raised by a pack of wolves…
Demolition – Review
Demolition is the latest film by Jean-Marc Vallée, director of acclaimed films Dallas Buyers Club and Wild. All it took to excite me for this film was Jake Gyllenhaal who, in my opinion, is one of the best actors working today. But while Demolition may have strong performances and an interesting premise, its uneven pacing…
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice – Review
One of the year’s most widely anticipated blockbusters has finally arrived and sadly, there’s no denying that the reception has ranged from lukewarm to devastation. While some of the bad press is deserved, I actually think there’s enough good going on in Batman v Superman to make it worth your time. Batman v Superman the…
Zootropolis – Review
After the formulaic The Good Dinosaur and only one non-sequel film planned until 2020, Pixar has lost its reputation as the leader in western CGI animation. Who will take its place? Perhaps you’ll be surprised to hear the answer: Disney Animation Studios. Since the excellent Frozen, they’ve delivered the hugely entertaining and surprisingly thoughtful films…
Hail, Caesar! – Review
The Coen brothers are one of the most distinctive directorial forces in modern film. As writers too, they endow their work with a voice – something many filmmakers fail to achieve. Their layered works always have something to say, which makes for not only gripping storytelling but fascinating study and dissection afterwards. In short, they…
Disorder – Review
Known as Maryland in France, Disorder was the latest film to be shown at Odeon’s Screen Unseen event. Some may have been disappointed with a French language film. It isn’t something that bothers me – especially when the film keeps me so on edge. Disorder tells the story of Vincent (Matthias Schoenaerts), a soldier suffering…
Triple 9 – Review
It’s March, which means Oscar season is over for us in the UK. But don’t fret – we’ve been treated to a crime thriller with an excellent cast including powerhouses Woody Harrelson, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Aaron Paul, and Kate Winslet. Not to mention that it’s directed John Hillcoat, someone who understands character drama and knows how to…
Anomalisa – Review
Last night there was one Academy Award win that surprised nobody. And no, I’m not talking about Leo finally getting what we all think of as “recognition”. I’m talking about Inside Out winning best animated feature. But there was another film in the running that deserves a wider consideration, and if I’d have caught it…
Trumbo – Review
We’ve waited a long time for a film with Bryan Cranston in the lead role. Breaking Bad established him as one of the finest actors working today, but in film he’s only had smaller roles in the likes of Argo and Godzilla. Finally, it’s time to see if he can bring that magic to the…
Deadpool – Review
Fans of the comics have been waiting years for a Deadpool film. They got one back in 2009 in the form of X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Since then, they’ve waited seven years for a Deadpool film that actually does the character justice. It’s finally here, and I’m certain justice has been served. While most of the…
Spotlight – Review
Finally. Touted as one of the best films of the year, Spotlight was only released in the UK two months after its wide release in the US. Was it worth the wait? Well, kind of. Spotlight is a great film, but I can’t say it’s one that I loved. Written and directed by Tom McCarthy,…
The Big Short – Review
It was with curiosity that I watched Adam McKay’s The Big Short, a director best known for Anchorman and its god-awful sequel, Talladega Nights, and Step Brothers. He isn’t the first director of comedy to find success in drama after the likes of Woody Allen and Ron Howard. The Big Short is hardly a leap…
Sherlock: The Abominable Bride – Review
Any text that could be considered a spoiler is invisible – highlight to read it! Why did we fall in love with BBC’s Sherlock? Benedict Cumberbatch played the role of Holmes with such flair he seemed born for it, and Martin Freeman was equally compelling as troubled ex-soldier Dr Watson. Watching them solve crimes never…
The Hateful Eight – Review
Quentin Tarantino has a superpower. He can sit two people down, film them having a conversation, and all of a sudden it’s the most interesting and tense scene you’ve ever watched. We’ve known this ever since Samuel L. Jackson praised the tastiness of Big Kahuna Burger in the groundbreaking Pulp Fiction. The Hateful Eight offers…
Carol – Review
It’s perhaps with a little embarrassment that I admit to being unfamiliar with the work of director Todd Heynes. While Carol did enough for me to want to explore his earlier features, it did little else for me. Safe to say, it’s supposed best picture snub isn’t something I’ll lose sleep over. Set in 1952,…
The Revenant – Review
Alejandro González Iñárritu storms back into theatres barely more than a year after the release of his Oscar best picture winner (and one of my personal favourites of 2014) Birdman. Expectations were high. Does The Revenant match his previous effort? Probably not, but The Revenant still demands your attention. Set in the 1820s, The Revenant…
The Danish Girl – Review
Eddie Redmayne gave one of the finest performances I’ve ever seen last year in Stephen Hawking biopic The Theory of Everything. While The Danish Girl is far from perfect, it is at least another opportunity for Redmayne to deliver another award-worthy portrayal that required a great amount of sensitivity and confidence. The Danish Girl follows…
Joy – Review
In his third consecutive feature starring Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper, and Robert De Niro, you might watch the trailer for David O’Russell’s Joy and surmise that you’ll be watching Silver Linings Playbook all over again. But while Joy retains many of O’Russell’s notable eccentricities, it deserves to – and does – stand on its own…
Magoo's Reviews 