Kind: Watches

watching a movie, television show, online video, play or other visual-based event
Watched Thor: Love and Thunder (2022) by an author from letterboxd.com
After his retirement is interrupted by Gorr the God Butcher, a galactic killer who seeks the extinction of the gods, Thor Odinson enlists the help of King Valkyrie, Korg, and ex-girlfriend Jane Foster, who now wields Mjolnir as the Mighty Thor. Together they embark upon a harrowing cosmic adventure to uncover the mystery of the God Butcher’s vengeance and stop him before it’s too late.

Watched this for family film night. Drew some big laughs from the kids but…

I feel like this is a classic example of a film where none of the fun from the creative process actually translates into the movie. I often review films based on whether (I think) they achieve what they set out to do. Aside from making Mighty Thor pretty awesome, I am not at all sure what this movie achieves.

This is in stark contrast to Deadpool 2, which I watched later, which is similarly anarchic and unsubtle in its humour but does exactly what you’d expect.

★★

My review

Watched The Abyss (1989) by an author from letterboxd.com
A civilian oil rig crew is recruited to conduct a search and rescue effort when a nuclear submarine mysteriously sinks. One diver soon finds himself on a spectacular odyssey 25,000 feet below the ocean's surface where he confronts a mysterious force that has the power to change the world or destroy it.

This review may contain spoilers.

I dunno which version has the aliens threatening mankind with tidal waves but that bit is shit

★★★★ (contains spoilers)

My review

Watched Rye Lane (2023) by an author from letterboxd.com
Two twenty-somethings, both reeling from bad break-ups, connect over the course of an eventful day in South London – helping each other deal with their nightmare exes, and potentially restoring their faith in romance.

Had some big laughs with this. It is shot a bit like a student’s final project, where it feels like they’re going for extra credit, but I liked that for the most part. And I really enjoyed the tour of Brixton and Peckham. Made a nice change!

★★★★

My review

Watched Jurassic World Dominion (2022) by an author from letterboxd.com
Four years after Isla Nublar was destroyed, dinosaurs now live—and hunt—alongside humans all over the world. This fragile balance will reshape the future and determine, once and for all, whether human beings are to remain the apex predators on a planet they now share with history’s most fearsome creatures.

Exceeded my rock bottom expectations by some margin. While JP might be a stone classic, many films in this series are objectively bad. Look at JP2. I admire the effort to take this beyond “the dinosaurs got out (again)”.

And the ensemble was pretty well served, didn’t feel like anyone was there for the sake of it. Except maybe Alan, but that was even played up.

★★★

My review

Watched Barbie (2023) by an author from letterboxd.com
Barbie and Ken are having the time of their lives in the colorful and seemingly perfect world of Barbie Land. However, when they get a chance to go to the real world, they soon discover the joys and perils of living among humans.

I’m not sure the circumstances of my viewing did it justice but it really didn’t meet my (probably vastly over-inflated) expectations 🤷‍♀️

★★★½

My review

Watched Damsel (2024) by an author from letterboxd.com
A young woman's marriage to a charming prince turns into a fierce fight for survival when she's offered up as a sacrifice to a fire-breathing dragon.

Has an oddly basic plot considering the overall tone and themes, but even that can’t distract from the dragon which is superbly realised.

★★★½

My review

Watched Promising Young Woman (2020) by an author from letterboxd.com
A young woman haunted by a tragedy in her past takes revenge on the predatory men unlucky enough to cross her path.

If this doesn’t break your heart, you’re not paying enough attention. Either to the film or reality.

★★★★★

My review

Watched Godzilla × Kong: The New Empire (2024) by an author from letterboxd.com
Following their explosive showdown, Godzilla and Kong must reunite against a colossal undiscovered threat hidden within our world, challenging their very existence – and our own.

I liked it! My 12 y/o loved it. It was loud, colourful and fun. The wafer thin plot and extremely brief ejaculations of exposition exist purely to justify the next cool thing that happens. And, five films in, I’m completely cool with that!

★★★½

My review