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It's my 3 year anniversary on Tumblr 🥳

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My Dead Friend Zoe

First and foremost I want to say to veterans of every service, and from every country that serves to protect Thank you for your service. If as a veteran you are struggling please try to get the help you need. Please don’t become a statistic. As a child of a military family I am all too aware of how close each member of the military can come to going over the edge.

This is a film made by a veteran, using his knowledge and experiences, as well as the stories of other real-life veterans. The way the character of Merit is portrayed feels so real because of the experience behind the camera. Throughout there is a group therapy session which, you find out in the end credits, is populated by veterans of multiple wars, and led by Morgan Freeman who is himself a veteran. This all helps to add an incredible sense of realism to the film.

I am a fan of Sonequa Martin-Green anyway, and this film only seals that for me. Here she plays Merit, a veteran of the war in Afghanistan, who is accompanied constantly by her friend Zoe, played by Natalie Morales. The problem is, like the title might suggest, Zoe is dead. In this film she is a representation of PTSD, and the struggles of Merit to come to terms with her past. Seeing Martin-Green try to deal with the visions of Zoe while still trying to live her life the best she can is emotional at times, and she really makes you care about how she is doing.

Morales, as the titular Zoe, is an intriguing concept. She is both an avatar of the person who died, and a representation of the inner turmoil of Merit. Her portrayal of these two sides of the character is really well done, and this is a performance she should be proud of.

Ed Harris, as Merit’s grandfather Dale, and Morgan Freeman, as Dr. Cole at the support group, are both on fine form in simple but effective roles. They are almost the angel and the devil on the shoulders of Merit, both providing barriers to her moving on while also giving her opportunities to realise her potential and get better.

Kyle Hausmann-Stokes has done a fantastic job with this film. Showing a veteran suffering in an incredibly real way allows for those who might be suffering themselves to perhaps recognise it and begin to seek the help they need. The fact it is based on his own experiences of friends that weren’t able to get that help in time makes the whole thing even more poignant than it might otherwise have been.

Overall? I really liked this film. There are moments off deeply introspective emotions and I definitely teared up at times as those emotions punched me in the gut. Yet I also laughed hard at times. This is a comedy-drama that is very much weighted to the drama, but has enough levity to stop it being a deeply depressing piece. For me it’s getting a 4/5 and a recommendation to give it a go. Its set to be theatrically released in the United States on February 28, 2025.

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The Group (2022)

"A support group for addicts comes under siege from a mysterious gunman, intent on punishing them for a past tragedy. All with something to hide, the group must confront their shared past to discover the truth and stay alive."

A low budget film like this, shot primarily in a single room/location, can often be looked at as a lesser form of movie media. They are also usually either outstanding levels of storytelling, or some of the worst things ever committed to film. Rarely you find one that sits squarely in the middle as a movie that has a really solid premise, but doesn't quite deliver it as well as it could have. For me The Group falls right into this final category.

The premise of the story, that a mysterious stranger wielding a gun knows all the secrets of a group of addicts, has so much potential. It allows for a claustrophobic sense of danger, and emotional struggles for the 'victims' as they cannot get away from the antagonist. While there are levels of this within The Group it's missing something. It feels like the idea is there, and the setting is in place, but something just doesn't connect them together. It's a shame as well because some of the performances are pretty solid, and this 'missing link' kind of dulls the shine a little.

Evangelina Burton, as Kara, is definitively the star of this film. Watching her bring to life an addict struggling with their addiction, while facing a potentially life-threatening situation is quite fascinating. She brings a sense of realism to the role that feels like it might stem from her own personal struggles, whatever they may be. The rest of the cast is well placed within the story and fit their roles well.

The director, Will Higo, has done a decent job with what he had available to him and I'd genuinely like to see what he could do with a much bigger budget. His choices here work as well as they can within the limits he has upon him, and I hope he gets the opportunity to make more films in the future.

Overall? It's a solid premise that simply falls flat in the overall production. This is a real shame, because of the potential that existed within. It's getting a 2.5/5 from me, and you can watch it now on Amazon Prime if you want to check it out for yourself.

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Breakup Season

"A young man brings his girlfriend to his rural Oregon hometown to introduce her to his family, only for things to go terribly wrong upon arrival."

What would you do if you travelled to see family for the festive season and broke up with your partner the first night that you were there? How would you deal with the fallout while trying to have a regular family Christmas? That is the quandary facing Ben (Chandler Riggs, and Cassie (Samantha Isler) in this independent festive drama from director H. Nelson Tracey.

Reading the story, seeing the poster and making assumptions, I felt like I was going to be watching one of those classically cheesy Hallmark style movies. You know the kind of film, where everyone gets a happy ending, apart from the bad guy. I'm genuinely pleased to say this is not one of those. I'm not going to say too much to avoid spoilers.

Riggs and Isler are the duo facing the breakup, and the realness of their reactions really drove home icicles of recognition into my soul. The way they really nail the accuracy of this situation is impressive. Both performances are superb and deserve recognition. I only know Riggs from The Walking Dead, and I don't know Isler at all, but after this I will happily watch anything with either of them in.

Director H. Nelson Tracey has done a really solid job with a low budget movie that has genuinely made me quite emotional at times. His choices of location (inc. the main house), as well as the outdoor shots, are just on point and help highlight the family nature of the story, while providing clear delineations for the characters in their individual moments of difficulty.

Overall? I legitimately enjoyed this film far more than I expected to. It has emotional beats, family drama, some genuinely funny moments and a really decent cast. It's getting a well-earned 4/5 from me. It will be available to rent or buy on Video on Demand beginning December 6th, 2024 on the following platforms: Apple TV, Google Play, Amazon, Fandango at Home, Vubiquity/Verizon Fios, Hoopla

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Voices In My Head (2024)

"A tragedy deeply shook the siblings Sarah and Kevin. Their parents died in a car accident. Sarah suffers greatly from the loss. She is convinced that her parents were murdered by a creepy woman who haunts their home."

An independent psychological thriller from Germany, this is part of a strong wave of indie cinema that seems to be coming through in the wake of apparent Hollywood fatigue. Big budget films are not currently hitting the heights that they once were, and that allows smaller films to enter the cultural zeitgeist in ways they may not have been able to previously.

As always I have a policy of honesty when it comes to my reviews, so it seems apropos to mention that I approached the director about reviewing the film. I say this so that you know I was interested in the film, based on limited data and the poster. When I reached out to the director about doing the review he gave me the following quote "Btw the feature film was shot in just one week and without any money."

Knowing this I had certain expectations going into the film. I'm happy to confirm that those expectations (of lower quality) were not met. For a film with virtually no budget this is genuinely quite brilliant. It's an intense, creepy, somewhat dark and atmospheric psychological thriller about a young woman facing a terror that she cannot seem to escape from, and doesn't truly understand. Yes, it looks low-budget, but it works. I've said before that for certain film types this kind of look only adds to the final quality. Another part of this that really drove home the creep factor, and legitimately had me shook at times, was the sound and music. The person doing the sound really knows what they're doing and deserves recognition.

The performances in the film are seriously rather good. Carolin Garnier, as Sarah, shows a young woman struggling with visions of a strange woman who she believes killed her parents. Ryan Wichert, as her brother Arzt, is a recovering addict that is emotionally distant from his sister. The two of them work really well together and it was a pleasure watching them on screen.

Overall the director has given us a really solid film, on a zero budget, with genuine creeps, superb performances and a genuine intensity that makes it eminently watchable. I will definitely be watching it again. It's getting a 4/5 from, with a recommendation to check it out...as long as you're okay with subtitles...

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Hunt Her, Kill Her (2022)

"An atmospheric and tense thriller, Hunt Her Kill Her finds a lone night shift janitor in an unexpected fight for survival during her first night on the job when she becomes a target of sinister masked intruders. As their disturbing motives become clearer, she must use barbaric violence to make it through the night alive."

One thing I've always promised with my reviews is honesty, without negativity. Sometimes you need to find a way to say something that doesn't come across as overly harsh, or outright negative. My reasoning for this is because, regardless of my thoughts or feeling about a film, the people working on it have put in a lot of time and passion to get the project off the ground and completed.

All that being said I did not like this film. Nothing about it grabbed me and pulled me into what was happening. I absolutely understand what they were going for, and I can appreciate the effort that has gone into making this film. I'll even go so far as to praise some of the physical work. It is a very physical film and the actors, Natalie Terrazzino in particular, put great effort into making the physical stuff look both effortless and gruelling.

But it didn't feel terrifying to me. In a film like this I want to feel the danger coming off the screen. I want to feel almost as if I was there and in similar danger. It felt rushed at times, and the pacing as a whole was just not right for me.

Overall? Not a film for me. I know people that will utterly enjoy this, who will feel the threats I didn't and I hope it finds the audience it needs. I can with all honesty say that it's not a film I'm going to watch again. Still better than Thor: Love and Thunder though, 2.75/5

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Malum (2023)

"When a rookie police officer willingly takes the last shift at a newly decommissioned police station in an attempt to uncover the mysterious connection between her father's death and a vicious cult, she begins experiencing paranormal occurrences that could lead her down the gory path to finding the answers."

When I was asked to review this film I deliberately avoided watching the trailers, or looking into it too much because I wanted to go into it with a completely open mind. I often find a lot of horror trailers spoil important points and I wanted to see this with fresh eyes. I think I made the right choice.

This is probably one of the most genuinely creepy films I have seen in quite some time. It feels, for a long time, like a pure psychological horror, like everything is happening in the main character's mind. I always find that kind of thing far more terrifying than some monster based horrors, simply because you can't always control your brain and it can give you some messed up images. Even as I write this I'm still not entirely sure how much of what she went through actually happening...but I like that

The main character, Jessica Loren played incredibly well by Jessica Sula, is a rookie cop who joins the force and gets placed at the station where her father went on a killing spree. Sula absolutely nails the naivete of a brand new cop facing a raw pain of working where her father went mad. Her performance is really on point and she should be rightly proud of portraying such a unique and difficult situation. I don't know her work but if she is going to make even more films I'm definitely looking forward to them.

The director, Anthony DiBlasi, has done an excellent job using limited sets, and making the absolute best of lighting and sound to create an environment that feels both real and insanely psychedelic. It is a remake, apparently, of DiBlasi's earlier film "The Last Shift" but it feels original in all the best ways. I haven't seen "The Last Shift", though I may go back and watch it now I've seen this.

Overall this is a solid entry to the horror genre. It's a psychological horror creature feature gore fest, and yet stands on its own. I really enjoyed it and am more than happy to give it a 4/5. If you get the chance to check it out I'd recommend it.

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Femstival by LEMAN Day 2

28th April 2024

After a very successful first day of Femstival I was invited back to day 2. I went into this day without any knowledge of the artists involved, unlike day 1. I was extremely intrigued as to what I was going to be hearing, and the styles of music I'd be listening to.

Back in Sotto, which is a fabulous little venue, I settled in and prepared for the show.

Zara Smile

This is a young woman who, to me at least, had vocals that had an essence of Brit Pop entangled with a little Lily Allen and a young Alanis Morrisette. Her lyrical style shows a really strong sense of storytelling, using her own personal struggles in a way that is, at times, intensely emotional and certainly resonated with this particular listener.

Her playing style has a power that is in stark contrast with her physical stature, and the dichotomy of power and size combines to create a superb young artists. For such a powerful young storyteller I am more than certain that she has an interesting musical future.

Rose Greenwood

With a chilled, ethereal vibe Rose brings a warmth to the stage with music that tells tales, but more so evokes images of quiet passion. It's music to watch a sunrise to, with a warm cocoa in hand and your closest friends by your side. It feels good.

Rose's style is a relaxed one that makes it seem like she is completely, and with ease, at home on the stage. She draws the audience into her musical world, and because of this we can relax into the music without any issues or complications.

Eleanor

Smooth vocals over a gentle guitar work together with strong lyrics to create an artists I could listen to on a regular basis...without any fear of getting bored. In some of her songs her vocal 'swops', from her lower range right up to her higher are really smooth. It's a heck an ability to keep that kind of thing as smooth as she does and it's really quite special to hear.

As an artist it can be hard to create short art, be it movies or music, and have it make sense, or feel complete. Eleanor does this with style, and hits a lot of emotional points in songs that are incredibly easy to listen to.

Shannon Gillespie

Of all the acts so far, (as I wrote my notes at least) Shannon is the first one that wouldn't feel out of place on stage in Nashville. As a fan of country music Shannon's style really worked well for me. Within it though I did, at times, also hear elements of groups like Sixpence None The Richer.

Powerful vocals, on top of lyrical intensity, brings out a force on stage that the audience seems to really like, and definitely seemed to connect with. Shannon is a strong confident performer and it is utterly clear that she loves what she does.

Sophie Mac

On stage she specifically described herself as not being a singer or a guitarist, and yet what I watched on stage tells a very different story. She absolutely is a performer, but she is performer of her own past and her own pain. I have to say that while she was singing there was something about her vocals, the trills and wavers, that drove emotional needles right into my heart, and just....wow! It made me speechless and anyone that knows me knows how big a deal that is.

In her own words her set is based on depressing songs, but her personality is such that between songs you are able to rise above the mire to a much happier place. Sophie also does rap/spoken singing sections in some of her songs, and it adds another level to an already deep well of awesome.

In all honesty Sophie's set was by far the loudest, from an audience perspective. This is because a lot of people had come to Sotto in support of her, from friends, family and work colleagues. The venue felt full with the size of the crowd by the time her set started. As part of her set she stepped off stage so that a young lady, inspired by her, had a chance to sing a song. This was a really decent thing for her to do and the young lady in question did a really great job.

Overall

Day 2 of Femstival was a superb show and Mel Price should be rightly proud of what she has arranged, and of all the work she put into this and all of her other shows she works on. Every artist for this day was genuinely so talented and deserves all the recognition. It is good to see that the future of female independent music is as strong as this two day event has show it is. If you get the chance to check out any of the artists from day 1 and 2 on your streaming service then please do, and help support independent music.

Also check out LEMAN (Liverpool Entertainment, Music and Art Network) on all social media for further information about upcoming gigs they are supporting and running.

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It's my 2 year anniversary on Tumblr 🥳

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Femstival by LEMAN day 1

27th April 2024

Anyone that knows me, and what I do, knows that I love supporting independent music and musicians. There are a lot of reasons I do it, but the main one is simply because I appreciate the art of what they do and feel like they deserve as much coverage as possible.

This two day event was a special one because it focussed on the music of the women of the Liverpool area. This is something that isn't really done on a regular basis, so this was definitely going to be an intriguing show. Melanie Price, the owner of LEMAN (Liverpool Entertainment, Music and Arts Network), works tirelessly to promote art and music and is always busy with an incredibly stressful role, while simultaneously being one of the nicest people I have ever had the pleasure to work with.

This 'review' will split down my thoughts on the venue, and the artists with an overall thoughts at the end. There will be a part 2 for day 2 of the event.

The Venue

Sotto, Liverpool: The barman I spoke to described Sotto as 'A little bit divey and disorganised' and I honestly cannot think of a better way to describe such a fun little venue. On Wood Street in Liverpool city centre, and down some stairs, Sotto is a small venue with a stage area under the window at the front, a small bar to the side and seating set around the space. It can hold a maximum of 120 people, though it may feel a little close if fully packed.

It has a superb atmosphere for a simple place, with cheap drinks and friendly staff. I was drinking Corona and got 2 bottles for £6. Not an unreasonable cost at all. It is a superb venue for indie musicians looking for a first time gig, or to add to an ongoing list of places to perform. Put simply this is a great little venue and I will be going back.

Poppy King

The first singer up was Poppy King. Before the show I talked to each of the artists to say hi and introduce myself. As I was talking to Poppy I was shocked to find out she was only 16, and had been playing for 7 years. She has an incredibly assured vocal for someone so young. This along with a solid talent on the guitar tells me she is likely to be around for a long time.

Listening to her, and watching her, playing her own music it is clear that she is passionate about what she does with her art. The emotions behind her tunes are as deep as I can imagine for someone as early in their career as Poppy. It all bodes really well for the future music she is going to produce.

Elle Graham

Elle told me that she feels like a late bloomer as a musician. In her 20s and only playing for 3 years it's easy to see how she might feel like that. She is self taught and feels like that allows her own self to come through in the music more than it might otherwise. This definitely came across in her playing style. She has an almost smoky tone to her voice, and when I was listening to her it evoked an image of a quiet club on a Manhattan side street. Somewhere people go to simply chill and soak in the music. She also has a strength to her vocals that exudes power but doesn't override her music.

If I hadn't talked to Elle and someone asked me how long she'd been playing I would have said, in all honesty, about 10 years. Most certainly I would have been surprised to find out she'd only been playing for 3. If she's as good as she is now where can she be in 10 years? I don't know but I am very excited to see.

Sophie Bernice

One word came to mind as I watched Sophie playing her songs, and that word was vibe. Not a specific vibe as such, more a sense of simply chilling and vibing with the notes and the lyrics. She seemed utterly relaxed in herself and this came across in her style as she played. I can totally imagine sitting by a river on a warm summer's evening, as the sun goes down, with a campfire nearby and Sophie strumming away as the sun goes down.

It would be really hard to compare Sophie to other artists directly. I sensed a few influences, such as Sheryl Crow, Janis Joplin and others, but she just isn't like any of them at all...and I like that. She has real depth to her lyrics as well as a really impressive vocal range. I'm looking forward to seeing more of her in due course.

Lily Almond

With a guitar that looked almost as big as her Lily packed a huge amount of talent into a petite frame. She has an impressive voice, with a really strong belt to it. Yet even when she is belting out full her vocals are still super smooth, without any crackles or breaks, and that's a damn difficult skill to pull off.

Lily was joined on stage by another guitarist, and sometimes this can work against the main performer as it can draw attention away from them. That didn't happen here at all as she commands the spotlight and draws all the eyes to her. It's absolutely clear that performing is something she loves and, perhaps, something she was born to do. She's releasing an EP soon and it could be a solid launch pad for her.

Katie Nicholas

I've been a fan of, and a follower of, Katie for a long while now, though this was my first time meeting her and seeing her play live. In all the time I've been supporting her and listening to her music one thing I've always said is that she has some of the purest and clearest vocals I have ever heard. Finally seeing her perform live has only confirmed this in spades.

It can be hard to write about someone you're a fan of without sounding biased but Katie is a genuine talent, both lyrically and musically. I am always going to be happy to support her in her musical journey. At this even she played a song called 'Space and Time' and, while all the other songs up to this point have connected with me, this one really struck home on a deep personal level...i couldn't details why but....wow...

Daisy Gill

This one is going to be 100% biased, but I don't care. I've know Daisy for several years now and I absolutely love her, and her music. She has this incredible retro vibe to what she does that sets her apart from other artists as a really unique performer. Her voice is like warm treacle for the ears, giving a sweet, welcoming, sensation that would be almost impossible to replicate.

She introduced us to a new track and she was unsure how we'd take it as it was a divergence from her usual kind of work. It's a dance track and it is a bold step for her to take. She didn't need to be worried about it at all because the risk has paid off with a track that wouldn't be out of place in any club. Daisy is an absolute star and deserves (as do they all) a rocket ship to fame

Overall

Melanie has crated and curated a truly wonderful event here. Issues with the original venue meant and, almost, last-minute change to Sotto...but it worked, and it worked well. The artists were all really talented and put on a rousing show of superb tunes. At the end of day 1 I was really looking forward to seeing what came next....Thank you Mel, and Leman, Sotto, and all of the performers.

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The Bad Shepherd (2024)

“A group of friends on a hunting trip accidentally run over a woman carrying a bag of money. Their loyalty is put to the test when a strange man comes knocking.” 

How far would you go for life-changing money, and what would you do if someone came looking for it? These are just a couple of questions asked by this film, and I’m not sure how I’d answer them myself. 

When I was first asked to review this, I looked at the cast and the only person I recognised was Tiktok star Justin Taite. As a follower of his on there, and never having seen him on film before, I was intrigued as to how he was going to come across. As for the film, I often find that smaller films with unknown casts can provide some of the most intriguing stories. That absolutely seems to be the case with The Bad Shepherd. 

It’s a simple film with a simple premise. How far over your normal moral line are you willing to go to change your life? Watching four men face a life changing situation and seeing how quickly they begin to spiral is interesting because it makes you look at human nature, and your own ideals, and question how you might react in the same situation. If you have a close group of friends this film is going to make you look at the whole group differently, of that I am certain. 

The performances by the main cast are all on point, and it is good to see how they handle the huge emotional turmoil the characters are facing. Prepping for a film like this can’t be easy so kudos to all of them for the work they put in. As Justin is the only one I knew anything about I was watching him perhaps closer than the rest and, if I’m honest, his presence on screen and his emotional range is impressive. It makes me want to see him in more films for sure, but does it make me want to see him as a solo lead? In all honesty I’d need to see far more from him, but I think he has a bright future regardless. 

The cinematography is simple and doesn’t do anything to overcomplicate the story. The director’s choices all work well, including the use of some overhead shots in the forest. The score is effective without being obnoxious and adds layers to emotional moments of tension throughout the film. 

Overall? It’s a solid film with a decent premise that doesn’t really do anything new, but what it does it does pretty well. The casting is great, the sound and cinematography work well, and I found myself watching a film that I really enjoyed. It’s getting a solid 3.5/5, and if you get the chance I’d definitely give it a go. 

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Knox Goes Away

“Diagnosed with a rapidly evolving form of dementia, a contract killer gets the chance to redeem himself by saving the life of his estranged son.”

Directed by, and starring, Michael Keaton this is a movie about a guy receiving the life-altering diagnosis of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). He is told by the Dr. that the prognosis is terminal and there is no treatment. It is a tale of a man faced with the prospect of a rapid downward spiral in his mental, and physical, health while working as a killer. Faced with an estranged son in serious trouble the film asks the question: “Knowing your time is nearly up, how far would you go to help family before you could no longer do anything?”

Michael Keaton is, as we all know, a legend of sorts. He has had a long and varied career making all kinds of movies, from comedies to action thrillers, and all sorts in between. He has very rarely made bad films in his near 50-year career. There have been some lesser movies but luckily they are few and far between, and most of his catalogue is consistently good. Knox Goes Away is far from his most superior work, but it’s way above what might be considered his worst. It’s a solid film with a message at its heart that is hard to ignore.

It's an emotional ride, with highs and lows, laughs and tears, pain, sorrow and family. People die, but more importantly people live. Keaton’s performance is incredibly nuanced, and watching a man I highly respect as a performer inhabit such an intense character is really something special. Becoming a man who is spiralling so hard and fast cannot be easy and Keaton does it effortlessly. Unfortunately, for the majority of the film, the rest of the cast simply isn’t on the same level. They are all really good, but Keaton stands above them all, and that does include Al Pacino who has a small but significant role.

The direction of this film, by Keaton, is simply and effectively done. There are no huge flashy moments to overshadow the story. The choices of location and camera shots are really well chosen. Avoiding specific spoilers the best cinematography moment for me is the very last shot of the film. It’s a really fascinating moment that is also thoroughly heartbreaking. The story works really well and there are moments throughout when I found myself really upset at what was happening to the main character, but also celebrating his utter genius.

Overall I did enjoy watching this, but I have to be honest and say that it’s not a film that will be enjoyed by everybody. It looks low budget, and I am intrigued as to how different it might have been with more money involved. It’s an intriguing story that shows the pain of losing who you are to a disease that can’t be cured, and it’s done pretty well. It’s getting a 3.5/5 and a recommendation to check it out and make your own mind up.

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Poor Things (2024)

How do I even begin to describe this film? It's like someone wrote a sequel to Frankenstein, called The Child of Frankenstein's Monster (aka What would happen if the monster carried on the Dr's work?), while taking huge amounts of hallucinogens with no idea where the story might go......and it's bloody brilliant. It is the single strangest thing, tv or film, that I have ever watched, but as the saying goes, there is a fine line between genius and madness.

The director and the writers dance across the line with impunity from beginning to end. They provide a literal smorgasbord of ideas and pathways the story could go, and yet they send it down alleyways of misdirection and into caves of confusion and wonder, keeping you gripped from the beginning. I applaud the minds that came up with this story and the choices within the film itself. It honestly takes a very special mind to put something so utterly unique on the screen, knowing how it could be seen and yet choosing things that would boggle the mind of a normal person. Utter, utter, maddening brilliance.

Aside from the behind the scenes people, the onscreen performances were both singularly glorious and yet collaboratively wonderful. Emma Stone, as Bella Baxter, plays a woman on the ultimate journey of self and wider world discovery. She goes from almost literal childlike wonder to disillusioned adult, with every wave of emotion and learning possible in between. It is fitting that Willem Defoe gets a star on the walk of fame as this is in the cinemas. It is a marvellous turn by a truly legendary figure of the silver screen. Mark Ruffalo, who before today I didn't realise was in this, was superb as the 'almost' villainous Duncan, and it is an absolute pleasure watching him smash his way through a role like this as he is normally so pleasant and gentle onscreen. Ramy Youssef is not someone I am familiar with, but having seen him in this? I am eager to see him in more movies asap.

Overall, this is a wonderful, weird, wacky, and winning movie that deserves every award it has received and is going to receive. It made me laugh. It made me hurt for the characters. It made me smile, and it made me sad. In truth, it made me feel so many emotions that I can't honestly note them all here. The biggest compliment I can give any film is to say that I intend to see it multiple times on the Big Screen, and will be buying a hard copy when I can. It's getting a hugely well earned 5/5, with a full hearty recommendation to go and see it......with a caveat that you need to be prepared for your brain to melt out of your ears. It also earns its 18 certificate. If nudity and sex on film aren't for you then do not watch this.

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Published on https://blazingminds.co.uk/wonka-review/ by Karen Woodham

Review: Wonka takes us on a musical journey in the new prequel

It was a trip to a magical world with the famous chocolatier Willy Wonka at Cineworld as I checked out the new movie that is somewhat of

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Blank (2022)

"Claire find herself trapped at an AI-operated writer's retreat and must outsmart the technology to make it out alive."

This a film with a simple premise. A writer, struggling to complete her latest work, goes to an AI controlled retreat that is designed specifically to help her work and relax at the same time. Then something corrupts the AI controlled assistant and things take a dark turn. Often, when a film has a simple idea like this at its core, it seems like the filmmakers overdo it and make a movie that simply doesn't work. Natalie Kennedy has bucked that issue, and made a claustrophobic, tense thriller that really hits home with a level of personal pain for the protagonist that has a lot of things within it that many people might identify with.

The location for the movie, like the story, is deceptively simple. The main story, and flashbacks, are both filmed in single locations and this really adds to the tense claustrophobic nature of the story. Natalie's directorial choices really hit home and work brilliantly within the framework of the story. I look forward to more films from her in the future.

The main cast for the film is a small one. Rachel Shelley plays author Claire Rivers, Heida Reed is Rita the AI assistant, Annie Cusselle plays a young Clair and Rebecca-Claire Evans plays Helen Rivers (Claire's mother). Annie and Rebecca are in flashbacks and portray a relationship marred by tragedy and abuse that highlights a lot of the intensity that the older Claire goes through in the main part of the movie. They work really well together , but I got the impression that filming the scenes they did was probably hugely emotionally draining. They should both be very proud of the way they dealt with it.

Wayne Brady, best known for his incredibly funny work on Whose Line, is Henry, an AI hologram, that introduces Claire to her retreat and tries his best to help her when things go wrong. I know he has acted in other projects but not many that I have seen so to see him in this is a nice change from his comedy skits on WLIIA. IT's not a huge role but he pulls it off in a more than competent fashion.

The stars of the film are, of course, Rachel and Heida. Playing an emotionless AI that gets corrupted cannot be an easy thing to do, and yet Heida absolutely nails it turning in a performance that is both believable and, at times, quite terrifying. Her mannerisms and movements are done with great skill, and really help to bring to the fore just how inhuman Rita really is. Rachel brings to life a world weary writer, struggling with her own issues to date, and trying her hardest to overcome the awful history she lived through as a her younger self. Watching Claire's transition through the film as she spirals downwards, with a level of anticipation as to what was going to happen, really drive home the skill of Rachel's performance. All of the performances were on point, but Rachel and Heida were absolutely superb.

Overall this is a really good film. With AI being such a huge thing in the news right now, especially when it comes to art and movies, this film being released on digital download is perfectly timed. Is it a denigration of AI, or a warning about the potential dangers of relying solely on this kind of thing in our lives? I'm honestly not sure, but it joins a long list of films with similar themes that definitely don't paint AI in the best of lights. This is a decent film that I really enjoyed watching, but also a movie that provides a lot to think about in terms of the future and how to deal with with trauma that you may have gone through in your life. It's getting a 4/5, with a definite recommendation to check it out on download/streaming from 8th January.

Blank will be available on UK Digital Download from 8th January 2024

[average-guy-reviews]

Published on https://blazingminds.co.uk/top-5-alternative-christmas-movies-for-horror-fans/ by Karen Woodham

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