Mac's Movies

UK Release Date:  27 September 2013 Certification:  15 Director:  Denis Villeneuve Cast:  Maria Bello, Paul Dano, David Dastmalchian, Viola Davis, Jake Gyllenhaal, Terrence Howard, Hugh Jackman, Melissa Leo  Rating: 98 % My brilliant introduction to Denis Villeneuve.  Review: In my opinion, the main takeaway after watching Prisoners is that Denis  Villeneuve is an utterly brilliant and insanely talented director. Not only is his filmography utterly impressive from top to bottom with  Arrival ,  Blade Runner 2049  and the unreleased but eagerly anticipated Dune standing out. But also the deliberate choice of shots and filming techniques increases the tension and suspense - credit to cinematographer, Roger Deakins, for being able to depict Denis Villeneuve's vision.  And although this was my first time seeing one of his movie's, I can't wait to watch what else he has to offer.  Every time I see Jake...

UK Release Date:  31 August 1984 Certification:  12 Director:  John G. Avildsen Cast:  Randee Heller,   Matin Kove,   Ralph Macchio, Pat Morita, Elisabeth Shue, William Zabka Rating:   89 % I'm a black belt in Taekwondo Review: Over the past couple of weeks I’ve discovered  Cobra Kai on Netflix and have enjoyed bingeing it - I’m a black belt in Taekwondo so I related to the martial arts aspect and the benefits it has on both your body and mind. So I decided that it was only right to go back to where it all began and watch  The Karate Kid .   What really stood out to me were the performances. Ralph Macchio shot to stardom with his role as Daniel LaRusso, becoming one of the most in demand child actors. He’s able to portray a likeable, relatable character that has a more complex side to him . Elisabeth Shue is enjoyable as Daniel’s love interest, Ali, helping make Daniel a more emotive character. Martin Kove is a menacing villai...

UK Release Date: 31 October 2014 Certification: 15 Director: Dan Gilroy Cast: Riz Ahmed, Jake Gyllenhaal, Rene Russo, Bill Paxton Rating: 93% One of the best movies of the last decade. Review:  Dan Gilroy's directorial debut is a phenomenal thriller depicting the life of an unreliable narrator who has the occupation of a crime journalist (Louis Bloom played extraordinary by Jake Gyllenhaal) who becomes sadistic and starts creating his own stories to earn money.  I don't know how Jake Gyllenhaal didn't win an Oscar or even get nominated for his role, as Louis Bloom, in Nightcrawler because it's one of the best performances in the last decade. He's able to make the audience care for a psychopath and his slow but inevitable downfall. He also has some dialogue heavy scenes where he's able to carry the movie all on his own.  His form of method acting also goes quite unnoticed but he lost thirty pounds for the role by eating only kale salad and chewing gum whilst a...

UK Release Date:   24 October 2017 Certification:  12A Director:  Taika Waititi Cast:  Cate Blanchett, Idris Elba, Jeff Goldblum, Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, Mark Ruffalo, Tessa Thompson, Karl Urban, Taika Waititi  Rating: 85 % "I'm made of rocks, as you can see, but don't let that intimidate you." Review:   Thor: Ragnarok is by far the best entry in the Thor trilogy. Taika Waititi is able to bring a different, more vibrant feel too in all honesty a boring character. I'm very excited to see what direction he goes in next year with the release of Thor: Love and Thunder .  The cast is exceptional in this movie. Chris Hemsworth finally gets to show off his comedic chops as Thor which has since made him one of my favourite characters in the MCU - the opening scene just sets up the feel for the rest of the movie. I utterly enjoyed seeing Mark Ruffalo added to the cast in a buddy cop role. His role was of course influenced by...

UK Release Date:   30 October 2013 Certification:  12A Director:  Alan Taylor Cast:  Kat Dennings, Christopher Eccleston, Idris Elba, Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, Natalie Portman, Rene Russo, Stellan Skarsgard  Rating:  50 % My least favourite movie in the MCU. Review:   Thor: The Dark World is for me the most disappointing outing in the MCU. The sequel to an entertaining origin story was the first movie that I remember not liking at the cinema and it's my least favourite movie in the MCU. The biggest downfall of Thor: The Dark World is its villain, Malekeith. Played by Christopher Eccleston, Malekeith is boring, forgettable and totally two-dimensional. I've seen the movie a few times now and before every rewatch I don't remember his name - he almost makes me fall asleep.  Chris Hemsworth once again shows his comedic potential as Thor but still isn't quite there yet. The standout however, i...

UK Release Date:   27 April 2011 Certification:  12A Director:  Kenneth Branagh Cast:  Kat Dennings, Idris Elba, Clark Gregg, Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, Natalie Portman, Rene Russo, Stellan Skarsgard  Rating:  72% "Whosoever holds this hammer, if he be worthy, shall possess the power of Thor" Review: When rewatching Thor , I enjoyed it much more than I remembered. Kenneth Branagh's Shakespearean style really works as we're introduced to the God of Thunder.  The movie's greatest quality is also it's biggest downfall, the setting. Asgard is absolutely beautifully shot with the grandeur of the world on full display and a swelling score to up the elegance. However, when  Thor  switches it's focus to New Mexico it loses me a little. I know that the purpose was to make Asgard seem as impressive as possible by choosing a dirty and run down location but it didn't work for me - it just made me want to switch the attent...

UK Release Date:   10 July 2020 Certification:  15 Director:  Gavin O'Connor Cast:  Ben Affleck, Janina Gavanker, Melvin Gregg, Al Madrigal, Jeremy Radin, Will Ropp, Michaela Watkins, Brandan Wilson  Rating: 79 % "One shot for a second chance." Review:    Gavin O'Connor returns to sports dramas, after his success with Warrior in 2011, with Finding the Way Back . The movie explores Jack Cunningham (played phenomenally by Ben Affleck), an alcoholic struggling with depression, as he accepts a job as a basketball coach at his old school.  However, Finding the Way Back isn't really a basketball movie - it's Ben Affleck's movie. He's incredible and it could be his best performance to date. After his retirement as the Batman, passing the baton over to Robbert Pattinson, Affleck returns. In many interviews leading up to the movie's release, Affleck said that the movie felt like a therapy to him due to his previous alcoholism and divorce. And I feel...