Darkmatters Review: Southpaw

Southpaw (15)

Dir. Antoine Fuqua

Reviewed by Matt Adcock (follow me: @Cleric20)

“Billy Hope knows how to take a punch, but he also drops bombs.”

Ladies and Gentlemen: I give you the heavyweight cinematic prize-fight of the year! From the mind of Kurt ‘Sons of Anarchy’ Sutter and directed by Antoine ‘Training Day’ Fuqua – please put your hands together for the incredibly beefed up Jake ‘Nightcrawler’ Gyllenhaal who stars as Billy Hope, also known as “Southpaw”!!

"carnage embodied"

Aiming to take the undisputed boxing film title from the likes of The Fighter, Raging Bull and um Rocky, Southpaw follows the gut wrenching story of Hope – a champion prize fighter who hits rock bottom, sacrificing everything to his quest to be the best. Fuqua’s film goes full drama-em-up detailing how he must somehow find redemption and maybe a way to rebuild his life as well as his fighting career.

It sure is a long and emotionally draining journey that deals not just with the boxing training and fights but with the associated fallout of anger, damaging parenthood, wrecked relationships and ultimately a father's love for his child. Dismissed by some for its fairly predictable ‘featherweight’ plot, it is the cast who excel and make Southpaw something really worth checking. Gyllenhaal in the lead and Forest Whitaker as his trainer Tick Wills are excellent, Hope’s wife Maureen is given real heart by Rachel McAdams and his daughter Leila is a played by potential star in the making Oona Laurence. It all comes together well and delivers a slick upper cut of emotional cinematic entertainment.

"marriage made in heaven"

Even if you’re not a boxing fan, I’d say Southpaw is worth seeing due to the incredible cinematography alone. Everything is shot with a great eye for detail and the real life elements are just as watchable even if not as adrenalin pumping as the fights which come alive through the use of some clever first person viewpoints, really puttin you in the ring. This technique would make a superb PlayStation 4 game.

"phenomenal"

Sure the rags-to-redemption plot has been well served in many guises before, but Gyllenhaal really nails it as a vessel of aggressive, nitrous fuel righteous revenge. Backed up by the quality production values and solid casting which even generates a weirdly likeable roguish role for Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson.

Southpaw is a triumph and can take its place amongst the great boxing films with honour.

Out of a potential 5 you have to go with a Darkmatters:

öööö

(4 - not a 'paw' effort - this is a contender…)

Awesomeness öööö – some unforgettable fight action scenes

Laughs öö – not very much fun

Horror ööö –  bloody violence obligatory!

Spiritual Enlightenment ööö - fight for your family...

"star making turn from young Oona Laurence"

Darkmatters Review: The Scopia Effect

The Scopia Effect (15)

Dir. Christopher Butler (@christopher_21s)

Reviewed by Matt Adcock (@Cleric20)

“Death Should Be A Once in a Life Time Experience”

Meet Basia (Joanna Ignaczewska) a young woman suffering from mental health issues including depression. She tries hypnosis / regression therapy with Dr Edward Stanton (Louis Labovitch), but gets much more than she bargained for when her brain accesses a series of past lives. This is the fun sci-fi premise of Christopher Butler’s The Scopia Effect (which itself means ‘Phenomena that cannot be explained by conventional science’).

"not friendly"

The plot certainly takes a bit of concentration to ‘get’ as Basia’s memories and past lives start to infect the present – bringing some horrific visions and possibly genuine threat. Before long you’ll be with Basia in wondering just what is real and what isn’t…

There is a real sense of déjà vu in The Scopia Effect even though it’s an original story – if you’ve seen Shane Carruth‘s Upstream Colour, Nacho Vigalondo’s Time Crimes or Ben Wheatley’s A Field In England, you’ll be having flashbacks of your own. Butler battles valiantly to try and combine the seemingly discordant past lives – at times it works well and delivers some extremely unsettling imagery such as a sequence where Basia finds herself morphed through the walls of her apartment – with bits of her impossibly sticking through into adjoining areas!? It’s a scene that will embed itself in your head.

"the extremely watchable Ignaczewska"

It might not work on all levels overall and some viewers will almost certainly struggle to make it to the end but the dreamy horror and graphically violent elements combine with some truly eye-popping cinematography – and are anchored by the extremely watchable Ignaczewska’s central performance.

At the centre of the film is the question of Basia’s sanity – is she actually going mad or is she being haunted by more than just hallucinatory reincarnations of evil personas from a multitude of times gone by?

I can imagine repeated watchings might help unlock the mystery but I recommend that course of action only for those with a strong nerve.

"yes - Samurai's included!"

Out of a potential 5 you have to go with a Darkmatters:

ööö 

(3 - interesting sci-fi horror with a side order of madness)

"dreamy cinematics"

Darkmatters Review: ANT-MAN

Ant-Man (12a)

Dir. Peyton Reed (@MrPeytonReed)

Reviewed by Matt Adcock (@Cleric20)

Read the Luton News version of this review: The Luton News

“Be the hero she already thinks you are…”

Following in the wake of big screen thrills of Avengers: Age of Ultron comes Marvel’s smallest superhero ‘Ant-Man’ but I’m delighted to report that he makes a just as huge a cinematic impact as Iron Man et al… Whilst the comic book law has been monkeyed with to have the original Ant-Man Hank Pym (played to perfection by Michael Douglas here) fit into the reworked Avenger friendly Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Ant-Man as a stand alone film feels fresh and brings a winning balance of action and comedy.

"new best friend"

So we have the really likeable and very funny Paul Rudd stepping up as Scott Lang / the new Ant-Man and he totally nails the lead role. Thanks to Rudd and some sublime writing (the credits for which include Edgar ‘Hot Fuzz’ Wright), Ant-Man is definitely the funniest Marvel film to date but it doesn’t let the humour dilute the threat, peril or epic action for a moment.

The plot sees master thief Lang trying to go straight and get reacquainted with his estranged daughter Cassie (Abby Ryder Fortson) and wife Maggie (Judy ‘Jurassic World’ Greer) after doing a stint in incarnation. But scientist Hank Pym wants Lang to take on the mantel of his Ant-Man suit and try to prevent power crazed Darren Cross (Corey Stoll) developing his atom shrinking tech for military purposes.

"Thomas the Tank Engine crashes the party"

Yes it’s another superhero origins tale but Ant-Man stands out because it exists in a cinematic universe where his first suggestion can be to “call the Avengers”, and there’s a superb cameo by one of the world saving group. Also along for this wild ride are some fun crooked pals who get roped into the mission, bringing some ethnic diversity and slapstick humour. And love interest duties go to Evangeline Lilly who we might even see again in future Marvel films.

Baddie ‘Yellow Jacket’ is a quality foil for the Lang and his ants (who are incredible animated wonders to behold in action). The size jumping dynamic is really effective too with real world toys, household objects and the odd military vehicle all getting stand out moments thanks to the jaw dropping cinematic skills of the makers.

"punch like a girl (it's more effective)"

Ant-Man is an excellent movie that delivers on all counts. It even boasts one of the biggest teases for the next year’s Captain America: Civil War so be sure to stay and see both end credit scenes.

Small hero, massive fun!

Darkmatters FAV SCENE (don't read if you don't want to know):

There's an 'in briefcase' smackdown between the tiny hero and his equally miniature adversary - a huge iPhone is being crashed around along with the fighters and the other contents of the case - as it is falling from a helicopter... Ant-Man accidentally triggers the phone's SIRI command just as Yellow Jacket shouts "I will disintegrate you" - "playing Disintegration by The Cure" says SIRI and launches the wonderful Cure track 'Plainsong' which then booms out as the soundtrack to their fight. 

- I'm still grinning just remembering it!

Out of a potential 5 you have to go with a Darkmatters:

öööö1/2

(4.5 - 'Marvel'ous super entertainment…)

Awesomeness ööööö – some incredible action scenes

Laughs öööö – really funny too

Horror öö –  some comic book violence and adult themes

Spiritual Enlightenment öööö - it's not the size that matters...

"He's got some cool friends"

"unofficial Avengers tie-in"

Darkmatters Review: Ted 2

Ted 2 (15)

Dir. Seth MacFarlane

Reviewed by Matt Adcock (@Cleric20)

“Oh, wait-wait-wait. I'm gonna take a picture and post it on Facebook.”

This is the heart-warming tale of a bear, a bear in need of human company, of friendship and yes love. It’s a gentle comedy about how the little bear gets into mischief – often with hilarious consequences… Oh wait, this isn’t Paddington, so scratch all that.

"objection"

This is actually an offensive foul-mouthed comedy sequel from the makers of Family Guy which sees Ted (voiced by Seth MacFarlane who also directs), the furry teddy bear which was magically brought to life, caught up in a legal battle to try and prove that he’s a person.

It’s a weak plot that is basically just an excuse for a torrent of crude, infantile and sweary funny business as Ted and his best pal John (Mark Wahlberg), employ young inexperienced lawyer Samantha L Jackson (Amanda Seyfried) to fight his case.

"Ted finds John's internet history"

The reason behind Ted’s odyssey to prove his citizenship is that his marriage to the very human Tami-Lynn (Jessica Barth) is on the rocks and they couple decide that adopting a baby might save their unusual relationship. Adoption being the only route for the couple due to a. Ted not having the necessary anatomical man parts and b. Tami-Lynn’s ovaries being non functioning due to her excessive drug use…

Ah drug use. Ted 2 is a veritable ode to smoking weed, almost all the characters partake, often and graphically, it feels like there’s bong action in 90% of the scenes – so if you’re not looking for a stoner fantasy you might want to move along.

"marital probs" 

Ted himself is still the star of the show though and has been brought to life once again using some CGI genius which is up there with his more family friendly movie bear brethren Paddington.

Joke wise it’s MacFarlane’s usual shtick of ‘throw lots of potential funnies at the screen and hope that at least some of them work’ and alas this time round less of them do. But having said that there are some AAA cameos that boost the fun factor such as Liam Neeson in his ‘Taken’ persona and Morgan Freeman as a bigwig civil rights lawyer. Original Flash Gordon (Sam J. Jones) makes a return appearance too.

"Teddy love?"

As per the original, Ted is a furry subversive blast of very bad taste humour whose appeal may be restricTED to those with broad minds – but if you’re a fan then the chance to hang out with Ted again shouldn’t be sniffed at.

Out of a potential 5 you have to go with a Darkmatters:

ööö

(3 - Ted has come again…)

Awesomeness ööö – couple of cool set pieces

Laughs öööö – very funny in places

Horror ööö –  not violent but bit icky

Spiritual Enlightenment -öö - dude what's 'en'lightenment?

"say cheesy rudeness"

Recommended Hashtags: #BadTeddy

Read the Darkmatters review of the original TED: click here

Darkmatters Review: Terminator Genisys

Terminator Genisys (12a)

Dir. Alan Taylor

Reviewed by Matt Adcock (@Cleric20)

“I'm not a man, not a machine... I'm more!”

In the future, sentient machines will attempt to wipe out all humans. Mankind however rallies around a brilliant leader named John Connor (Jason Clarke) and get to the point of destroying the machine control system called Skynet, thus ending the war. But the sneaky machines send a terminator back in time to kill John's mother, Sarah Connor (Emilia Clarke), before she can have John, thus pre-emptively taking the win for the machines before the fighting even begins. Stop me if this sounds at all familiar…

Terminator Genisys attempts a hard reboot of the franchise, which really hasn’t been great since Terminator 2: Judgement Day. Director Alan ‘Thor: The Dark World’ Taylor uses some novel ideas in order to try and breathe new life into the decaying exoskeleton of the Terminator films and initially it pays off.

"best action scene..."

First up Genisys reuses not just the characters but also the actual locations, lines, scenes and pretty much everything cool about the first two Terminator films and for about 20 minutes it works! Fans will get a sweet nostalgic buzz seeing Arnie retracing his steps – only to be met with a few surprise twists, but after this promising start Genisys manages to go spectacularly wrong.

The plot disappears into mumbo jumbo, the actors – especially Jai Courtney who plays the new Kyle Reese, the brave freedom fighter sent back to protect Sarah Connor, seem to be intent on showing us just how much better the originals were in the same roles. Then the action kicks into CGI meltdown leaving viewers in a state of ‘meh’ as their eyeballs are assaulted with limited thrill scenes of 12a friendly moderate violence.

"how much did they pay you for this Arnie?"

Alas Terminator Genisys feels like a huge waste of time and effort by all concerned – it’s a shame because I’m a big fan of the Terminator concept and it pains me to see even the stoic Arnie struggling to recapture the coolness of his most iconic role.

So apart from the opening reworking of the original, is there anything of merit here? Well the special effects are top notch in places, and the machines in the future world where they have taken control look great – but these scenes are few and far between.

"not looking very bad ass"

It really doesn’t help that anyone who has seen the trailer will already know the big ‘surprise’ plot twist. And whilst the direction isn’t terrible, the writers of this ill thought through nonsense need to be terminated ASAP.


Out of a potential 5 you have to go with a Darkmatters:

öö

(2 - Hasta La Vista Terminator…)

Awesomeness ööö – moments of joyous nostalgic joy at the start

Laughs öö – tries too hard to be funny but fails

Horror öö –  moderate violence only

Spiritual Enlightenment öö - don't sully original greatness

Recommended Hashtags: #AnUnexpectedErrorOccurred

"the death of a franchise?"

Darkmatters Review: Knock Knock

Knock Knock (18)

Dir. Eli Roth

Reviewed by Matt Adcock

“Knock, knock.”

“Who’s there?”

“Sex ‘n violence…”

“Sex ‘n violence who?”

“Sex ‘n violence and nail biting tension!”

Meet Evan Webber (Keanu Reeves), he’s a happily married architect who has it all… Nice house, talented wife, two cute kids and decent job. But Evan’s world is about to be turned upside down when two beautiful young girls, arrive on his doorstep late one night, drenched, and in need of using a phone due to their being lost.

"Ah poor lost girls in need of help..?"

Evan’s wife Karen (Ignacia Allamand), has taken the kids away to their beach house and he’s a nice guy so he agrees to help the stranded young women who go by the names ‘Genesis’ (Lorenza Izzo – Director Eli Roth’s wife) and ‘Bel’ (Ana de Armas).

Knock Knock is an unashamedly old-fashioned exploitation flick that jumps in with a seedy seduction scenario, which then sets up a horrific aftermath of escalating repercussions.

"All work an no play make Keanu a dull boy"

Director Eli ‘Hostel’ Roth has form for effectively nasty cinematic tales and Knock Knock cranks up some very uncomfortable ‘what if’ situations both for Evan and the viewers. If you’re easily offended or freaked out this really isn’t the film for you, as it gets pretty full on with steamy sex and grim violence.

Keanu makes for an interestingly tormented protagonist, a man who can’t resist what he refers to as ‘free pizza delivered to his door’ but gets much much more than he bargained for.

"you like my Joker make up?"

The grisly scenario that unfolds certainly builds up some edge-of-your-seat tension that will probably be differently received by males and female viewers. Throw in nifty use of social media for maximum cultural relevance and whilst the premise for the film might look like a sexed up riff on home invasion horrors like Funny Games, there is much to make you think about here.

The sexy / scary duo of Genesis and Bel are potentially iconic new cinematic horror threats – it will be interesting to see if audiences make this viable for a potential sequel. It’s a testament to the skill of the actresses to be able to switch from coy and innocent to brutal and psychotic in seconds.

"let's play a game..."

Knock Knock is a frightening, wild thrill ride – which if you have the stomach for it’s justifiably ‘18 rated’ action will leave you breathless and disturbed in equal measure. Modern horror hasn’t felt this fresh for a while.

Out of a potential 5 you have to go with a Darkmatters:

ööö1/2

(3.5 - Be careful out there)

Awesomeness öööö – some unforgettable moments

Laughs öö – darkly funny in places

Horror öööö – tense and violent

Spiritual Enlightenment öö - just say 'no'

Recommended Hashtags: #KnockShock

Darkmatters Review: The Reaper

The Reaper 

Dir. Luke Mordue (@morduepictures)

Reviewed by Matt Adcock (@Cleric20)

"Every breath you take... 

                                            leads to me..."

Buckle up for a powerful short film experience - Luke Mordue's The Reaper is a cunning mash up of home invasion horror and thought provoking theological meaning of life contemplation!?

That's a combo I never thought I'd see brought to the screen but Mordue seems to be on a cinematic mission to mess with people's heads and fortunately, he's got a great eye for what makes film watchable - backed up by some good performances by Jamie 'soon to be in Essex Boys: Law of Survival' Hawes as unfortunate home owner Josh and Dana Smit who plays probably the best looking screen representation of The Grim Reaper to date...

"staring death in the face"

The Reaper is a disorientating punch to the guts, starting as a fairly standard burglar-em-up before moving the metaphysical goalposts and becoming a 'Tree of Life'-lite reflection on human existence and the hereafter.

Nice work all round - I'd recommend you check out The Reaper (prepare for some harsh language) but it's worth sticking with it to get the theologically challenging conclusion.

Out of a potential 5 you have to go with a Darkmatters:

öööö 

(4 - tasty, brain frazzling fun)

Watch The Reaper:

"nice promo"

Darkmatters Review: Mr Holmes

Mr. Holmes (PG)

Dir. Bill Condon

Reviewed by Matt Adcock

“I've decided to write the story down; as it was. Get it right, before I die…”

The name’s Holmes, Sherlock Holmes and I’m the greatest detective to have ever lived. This new film tells the tale of my twilight years, a document to the human frame’s mortality, a chance for me to look back on my life. But there is something deeply disturbing me, something I cannot let rest despite being officially retired – I need to find a way to close my one unsolved case, a 50-year old one involving the disappearance of a particularly beautiful but unstable woman…

"at your service..."

My story here (based on the novel ‘A Slight Trick of the Mind’) is set in 1947. That handsome devil Ian McKellen plays me, lovely job he does too, catches my honourable character, my incredible deductive mind and wicked sense of humour, and yes, even my fragility as I realise I’m not quite the man I used to be.

Mr Holmes is an engaging slow-burning cinematic mystery that mixes the fictional biographic details with the heartrending pathos of a great man in decline. Director Bill “Gods and Monsters’ Condon handles the material sensitively and has a strong cast all giving good performances including Laura Linney as Holmes’ stalwart housekeeper Mrs Munro and young Milo Parker as he bright son Roger.

"hey wait up Gandalf!"

There’s little ‘action’ to speak of but there is joy is in watching Holmes trying to piece together the fragments of the case that he failed to solve, all the while trying to stave off the creeping effects of dementia. Roger Allam brings a compassionate air to the doctor treating Holmes – his instruction for Holmes to keep a diary and add dots where he can’t remember details is a device that will stay with you long afterwards.

"mysterious"

Fans of Sherlock are well served with some nice cameos including a superb fiction within fiction matinee show of Sherlock Holmes that has Nicholas Rowe star as the main man. There’s fun too in seeing the outrage Dr. Watson's juicy fictitious portrayals of Holmes’ life provoke in the old man who sets about trying to rectify the situation with his truthful account.


Mr Holmes is a quality piece of filmmaking that will give you much to ponder – if you’re looking for an engaging mystery, then it’s elementary that this should be on your ‘to see list’.

Out of a potential 5 you have to go with a Darkmatters:

ööö1/2

(3.5 - After a lifetime of detective work, there's one mystery left to solve: his own)

Awesomeness ööö – more deductions than action

Laughs öö – some fun but not a comedy!?

Horror öö –  creeping loss of self is scary

Spiritual Enlightenment öööö - great minds carry great responsibility

Recommended Hashtags: #Elementary

"classy production!"

Darkmatters Review: Jurassic World

Jurassic World (12a)

Dir. Colin Trevorrow

Reviewed by Matt Adcock

“You just went and made a new dinosaur? Probably not a good idea…”

Can it really be twenty-two years since the events of Jurassic Park, which saw Isla Nublar become an all-you-can-eat human buffet for genetically reborn dinosaurs?

It is and yet it seems that we really haven’t learnt any lessons as the infamous park has been reopened as a fully functioning dinosaur stocked ‘Jurassic World’.

"open up and say 'arrghghgh'"

Thousands of people now flock to marvel at the dino-attractions but in order to add an additional ‘wow factor’ the scientists have created a new, cooler, bigger monster – the Indominus Rex. Before you can say ‘are you sure you want to make a creature that is smarter, stronger and more vicious than any other on the planet?’ it’s already escaped and is putting it’s various animal DNA boosts to work by killing everything that it meets.

The main human potential on the menu are likeable young brothers, Zach (Nick Robinson) and Gray (Ty Simpkins), who have been sent off on their own to enjoy the Jurassic World – because their aunt Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard), is the park operations manager.

"feeding time"

When things go ‘ape’ (or should I say ‘dino’?) in the park, it’s fortunate for everyone that Indiana Jones-alike Grady (Chris Pratt), is on hand to try and save the day. That’s all you need to know really, oh that and the fact that the action scenes are bigger, the dinosaurs look and move better than ever and there are some superb Easter Eggs for those who have watched the original Jurassic Park.

Jurassic World is a great fun thrill ride that brings sustained threat and some quite nasty deaths along with scares, which might be a bit too much for younger viewers. The effects are jaw droppingly impressive, and the new big bad guy Indominus Rex is an iconic creature (a huge improvement on Jurassic Park III’s Spinosaurus ).

"Aliens refs abound"

There are some really nice nods to other classic monster franchises such as Predator, Aliens, Godzilla etc. Chris Pratt is excellent and his sizzling charisma helps propel the action along much like he did with Guardians of the Galaxy. Bryce Dallas Howard is also decent as the female lead – who manages to be more than just a love interest and the kids are nice enough for you to actually not want them to get eaten for once.

"Velociraptor fun"

Monster sized fun-packed cinematic thrills don’t come much better!

Out of a potential 5 you have to go with a Darkmatters:

öööö1/2

(4.5 - Indominus amounts of excitement!)

Awesomeness ööööö – tasty dino-action

Laughs ööö – some fun

Horror öö –  deaths n dino-violence

Spiritual Enlightenment öö - 65million years of waiting breeds resentment

Recommended Hashtags: #RUN

"Chris Pratt - would make a great Drake in Uncharted film!?"

Read version of this review with added 'thinking material' over at: CVM

Darkmatters Review: SPY

SPY (15)

Dir. Paul Feig

Reviewed by Matt Adcock

“We need someone to find the bomb without being detected but it can't be any of you. We need someone invisible...”

Action comedy SPY sees the CIA in a bit of sticky situation… The Agency must track down a rogue nuclear weapon and their top agent Bradley Fine (Jude Law) has accidently killed baddie Tihomir Boyanov (Raad Rawi) who was the only person in the world who knew where it is…

"New Bond?"

To make matters worse the identities of Fine and all the top CIA agents have been blown by Boyanov’s daughter, Rayna (Rose Byrne) and she just might be the last chance to find the nuke.

This is the James Bond-esque plot for SPY but as well as ramping up some slick espionage thrills, director Paul ‘Bridesmaids’ Feig blows the doors off with a riot of laughs that make this a real feel good flick.

"Crimes a go go"

Key to the laughs is leading lady Melissa McCarthy who lets rip as unassuming analyst Susan Cooper who is give her big chance to go undercover to attempt to find Rayna, locate the nuclear weapon and save the day.

Susan might not look fit enough for field action, and indeed her unflattering undercover identities such as cat loving spinster don’t help – but she’s actually a loaded weapon who will do anything to crack the mission.

"CIA's finest"

Not letting a lack of field experience or having a highly stung fellow analyst Nancy (Miranda Hart) as a best friend, hold her back, Cooper cracks skulls and funnies in a blur of effective big screen mayhem. Supported along the way by a superb cast that includes a brilliantly sleazy Peter Serafinowicz as Aldo and an OTT scene stealing Jason Statham as indestructible and foul-mouthed Agent Rick Ford.

The action is crunching and apes Bond in a Kingsman: The Secret Service kinda way, but the real joy here are the funnies which will have you laughing out loud until you can’t breathe or think straight.

"smooth"

Fieg knows how to get the best out of McCarthy and she in turn delivers over and above – even if you weren’t a fan up to now, she owns this film and you’ll be a hard-nosed scrooge indeed to not be amused here.

Sure it’s sweary and at times the jokes will offend, but SPY is also genuinely funny and exciting.

This is a spy-em-up treat for all those who have ever wanted to see Miss Moneypenny outshine Bond himself.


Out of a potential 5 you have to go with a Darkmatters:

öööö 

(4 - I SPY an action comedy treat!!)

Awesomeness öööö – tasty action and crazy funnies

Laughs öööö – very funny stuff

Horror öö –  slapstick violence

Spiritual Enlightenment öö - underdogs can shine

Recommended Hashtags: #ISpyEspionage

"glam baddie"