Mac's Movies

UK Release Date:  02 May 1997 Certification:  18 Director:  Wes Kraven Cast:  David Arquette, Drew Barrymore, Neve Campbell, Courtney Cox, Jamie Kennedy, Matthew Lillard, Rose McGowan, Liev Schreiber, Skeet Ulrich Rating:   72% Review: Scream is a staple of the slasher sub-genre. It was unlike any horror film of its time and the film's originality remains its main appeal to this day. Unspeakably meta, to the point where Scream could be viewed as a parody. With knowing nods to tropes of the genre. Characters mock and acknowledge the setting and circumstances of the film. There are some not so subtle references to other classics - particularly Halloween (1978), my favourite horror film - which leave the environment lived in and relatable to the audience.  Ghostface became synonymous with the franchise and is one of the most notable horror villains.  Everybody recalls both his costume and his voice.  The way he moves is supernatural-like. Floating across the screen, appearing as if

UK Release Date:  18 November 2022 Certification:  12A Director:  Charlotte Wells Cast:  Frankie Corio, Paul Mescal Rating:   100 %                                                                                                                                                     Review: Easily the best film to come out last year and on only my second watch,  Aftersun  is firmly within my top ten favourites of all time and easily A24's best.  ' Sophie reflects on the shared joy and private melancholy of a holiday she took with her father twenty years earlier. Memories real and imagined fill the gaps between miniDV footage as she tries to reconcile the father she knew with the man she didn’t.' Words don't do this film justice. I never want to watch  Aftersun  again and yet I could spend the rest of my life with this film - it hasn't left my mind since the first viewing. I hate the feeling that I have following the runtime but nonetheless it's utter perfection in m

UK Release Date:  28 April 2017 Certification:  12A Director:  James Gunn Cast:  Dave Bautista, Bradley Cooper, Elizabeth Debicki, Vin Diesel, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff,  Chris Pratt, Michael Rooker, Kurt Russell, Zoe Saldaña, Sylvester Stallone Rating:   67 % Review: Following on from 2014's smash hit Guardians of the Galaxy , Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 replicated the majority of the film's success whilst failing to capture the magic of the first.  Similarly, to its predecessor Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 immediately involves you in the world with an energetic opening. Another dancing scene - this time to 'Mr Blue Sky' - focusing solely on Baby Groot rather than the action surrounding him. Instantly, making the audience aware that the Guardians haven't changed from their first outing. The rest of the soundtrack is magnificent with 'Come a Little Bit Closer', 'Father and Son' and an immaculate scene set to Fleetwood Mac's 'The Cha

UK Release Date:  31 July 2014 Certification:  12A Director:  James Gunn Cast:  Dave Bautista, Bradley Cooper, Vin Diesel, Karen Gillan, Djimon Hounsou, Lee Pace,  Chris Pratt, Michael Rooker, Zoe Saldaña Rating:   88% Review: Back in 2014 no one could have anticipated the fame that James Gunn's Guardians trilogy would garnish. A breath of fresh air in a world saturated by unoriginal comic book movies made entirely for a cash-grab and riddled with Easter eggs. Guardians of the Galaxy is riveting. There's a magic quality surrounding the film that can't be escaped, full of heart and joy.  The soundtrack isn't the reason for the film's success but it sure helped contribute towards it. James Gunn created a delightful mix of music from the 60's and 70's, encapsulating the feel of the film during every scene. With every needle drop started through a speaker or walkman the characters are experiencing every sound along with the audience, immersing the viewer into t

UK Release Date:  24 April 1987 Certification:  15 Director:  Oliver Stone Cast:  Tom Berenger, Willem Dafoe, Keith David, Johnny Depp, Kevin Dillon, John C. McGinley, Francesco Quinn, Charlie Sheen, Forest Whitaker Rating:   91 % Review: A true war epic.  Powerful and profound. Visceral and grainy. Platoon is an incredibly immersive and sincere experience. The audience can't hear certain lines of dialogue, can't distinguish characters from one another and it's extremely difficult to know what is going on 100% of the time. The film feels real. You feel involved with the story, consumed by the horrors of war.  Charlie Sheen is convincing as the film's main protagonist. Arriving both into the film and the war as a young recruit, the audience grows and learns alongside Chris - naive to begin with but destroyed by the anguish the Vietnam War caused. In many ways, Chris is the audience. A bystander simply watching the events pass him by.  Despite that, Platoon belongs to t

UK Release Date:  16 June 2023 Certification:  15 Director:  Sam Hargrave Cast:  Adam Bessa, Tornike Bziava, Idris Elba, Golshifteh Farahani, Tornike Gogrichiani,  Chris Hemsworth, Olga Kurylenko Rating:   70 % Review: Expanding upon the success of 2020 Netflix original, Extraction , that saw stuntman turned director, Sam Hargrave turn out one of the best pure action films of the 21st century - Extraction 2 replicates the majority of achievements of the first whilst not doing much else to elevate the material.  The first word that comes to mind when describing Extraction 2 is ambitious. The first set the bar with a 'one-take' action scene lasting a total of twelve minutes. There are a few hidden cuts during the scene but it is often seamless. In an attempt to outdo its predecessor, Extraction 2 involves a twenty-one minute action scene filmed as if there are no cuts. The audience can't take their eyes off the screen during the never-ending sequence. Consisting of a 400-per

UK Release Date:  24 April 2020 Certification:  18 Director:  Sam Hargrave Cast:  Golshifteh Farahani, David Harbour,  Chris Hemsworth, Randeep Hooda, Rudhraksh Jaiswal Rating:   77 % Review: Extraction is one of Netflix's most ambitious productions - a budget of $70 million - and it pulls no punches. Clearly influenced by the success and acclaim of the John Wick universe, the film is a marvellous modern action feature.  The action choreography is truly phenomenal. Director, Sam Hargrave spent time previously working as a stunt coordinator on The Avengers , The Accountant and The Hunger Games: Catching Fire  and that bleeds through onto the screen. Every set-piece executed impeccably, it's as close to perfect as humanly possible. Non-stop, brutal and stylistically eye-catching.  Antagonists take multiple shots before dying.  The camera movement adds to the experience, almost swaying from side to side to try and keep up with what's happening. Each shot, each angle is caref

UK Release Date:  24 October 2008 Certification:  18 Director:  David Hackl Cast:  Tobin Bell, Julie Benz, Greg Bryk, Costas Mandylor, Scott Patterson, Mark Rolston, Betsy Russell Rating:   28 % Review:   Really disappointed with Saw V because I genuinely enjoyed Saw IV despite it's flaws but this is a huge step down.  Saw V doesn't spend nearly enough time on the traps - the traps almost play like something out of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory  in this entry - the most interesting aspect of the film. Each level ups the stakes and has new, 'fun' deaths that keep the on-screen horror captivating. But this is a detective melodrama rather than a horror film. The back and forth discussion of corruption within the police force can't be done well without good dialogue, it's not engaging whatsoever. Although, saying that, I respect the characterisation of Agent Strahm because somehow he knows what's going on at all times.  From a technical standpoint t

UK Release Date:  26 October 2007 Certification:  18 Director:  Darren Lynn Bousman Cast:  Tobin Bell, Lyriq Bent, Louis Ferreira, Athena Karkanis, Costas Mandylor, Scott Patterson, Betsy Russell, Donnie Wahlberg  Rating:   50 % Review:   Favourite sequel of the franchise so far. Saw IV isn't a good film by any means but I enjoyed what I was watching during the vast majority of the runtime. Saw IV takes the series in a whole new direction whilst still delivering the infamous traps.  The best aspect of the film is that it is bold enough to completely change the tone from prior entries. This is a detective story. Saw IV plays like a dramatic serial killer documentary rather than a parody of one. Following Detective Hoffman, Detective Rigg and Agent Strahm all try to achieve the same goal with differing adversities to face building until it reaches the climax - all the clichés of a solid thriller.  Saw IV had to follow up a dire entry in the franchise, one that left a lot of quest

UK Release Date:  25 January 1991 Certification:  15 Director:  Katsuhiro Otomo Cast:  Yuriko Fuchizaki, Tessyo Genda, Mitsuo Iwata, Mami Koyama, Takeshi Kusao, Masaaki Okura, Nozomu Sasaki Rating:   85 % Review: Akira is one of Japan's most discussed films. The film put anime on the map amongst the western world. Graphic, violent animation that had yet to be experienced. The neo-noir, sci-fi thriller was a ground-breaking achievement in modern animation. Everything that came after is because of Akira - the rise of Studio Ghibli, Cyberpunk, Ghost in the Shell and many more.  Studio Ghibli's Princess Mononoke set the precedent for animation for me but Akira goes above and beyond - I have since found out the lead animator for the film also worked on Princess Mononoke .  The hand-drawn animation is indescribable. An exquisite amount of attention to detail from everyone involved. With up to twenty-four drawings on the screen per minute. Staggering work, meticulously crafted. G

UK Release Date:  19 May 2023 Certification:  15 Director:  Ari Aster  Cast:  Stephen McKinley Henderson, Richard Kind, Patti LuPone, Armen Nahapetian, Joaquin Phoenix, Parker Posey, Amy Ryan Rating:   41 %                                                                                                                                                                                         Review:   Joaquin Phoenix is often touted as the greatest actor of his generation with stellar performances riddled within his filmography - Gladiator , Joker and The Master . In Beau is Afraid , Phoenix combines with director, Ari Aster to create an incredibly absurd depiction, in my eyes, of a man suffering with agoraphobia (the fear of going outside). Phoenix portrays almost every emotion available - distress, panic, sincerity, curiosity and puzzlement. The range on display from Phoenix makes a barebones character engaging. His commitment and dedication to the role is to be commended.  Despite the

UK Release Date:  25 February 2005 Certification:  15 Director:  Wes Anderson Cast:  Cate Blanchett, Willem Dafoe, Michael Gambon, Jeff Goldblum, Anjelica Huston, Bill Murray, Owen Wilson Rating:   76 % Review: The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou , a delightful, if under appreciated, entry into Wes Anderson's filmography. A revenge story, a rekindled relationship between father and son, an exploration of grief - there's a bit of everything in The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou .  The way the film is shot is gorgeous. Wes Anderson's symmetrical style is of course there but it's a lot more subdued, present in the background rather than the main feature itself. It's documentary-like filmmaking involves the audience with the band of the Belafonte, leading to stronger emotional connection. The stop-motion animation of sea life is magnificent, adding to Wes' impressive talent for stop-motion - seen in  Fantastic Mr. Fox and Isle of Dogs . Underwater scenes have a surr

UK Release Date:  10 September 2004 Certification:  12A Director:  Adam McKay Cast:  Christina Applegate, Steve Carell, Will Ferrell, Kathryn Hahn, David Koechner, Chris Parnell, Paul Rudd, Fred Willard Rating:   77 % Review:   Quintessential 2000's comedy. Everyone here is on top form. This isn't a particularly well made film but Adam McKay's witty writing, a staple of his career, pulls through to create one of the most re-watchable films due to it's endless laughs.  Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell) is an anchorman in 1970's San Diego with an award winning news team behind him - Brick Tamland, Champ Kind and Brian Fantana (Steve Carell, David Koechner and Paul Rudd respectively). The chemistry between the four characters is electric. They bounce off each other effortlessly. I forgot just how funny Will Ferrell truly is as Ron Burgundy. Over the top poetic lines and physical slap-stick combine perfectly. But one character rises above all in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron B

UK Release Date:  13 September 2013 Certification:  12A Director:  Roland Emmerich Cast:  Jason Clarke, Jamie Foxx, Richard Jenkins, Joey King, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Lance Reddick, Channing Tatum, James Woods Rating:   39 % Review: Channing Tatum became signified attached to the role of Mike Lane in the eyes of the public following the release of Magic Mike in 2012. A role that could have ruined an actor's career - ridiculed for the sheer absurdity of it. However, Channing Tatum is the best aspect of White House Down as John Cale. He displays all the characteristics of a leading action man in Hollywood. The looks, the charisma, the charm, it's all there. The reluctant but skilled hero 'gimmick' is convincing here with Tatum going as far as to do most of his own stunts for the film. Channing Tatum's chemistry with Jamie Foxx is infectious throughout.  On the complete opposite end of the spectrum, Joey King is frighteningly bad. One of the worst child acting performance

UK Release Date:  01 June 2022 Certification:  15 Director:  Alex Garland Cast:  Jessie Buckley, Paapa Essiedu, Rory Kinnear, Gayle Rankin Rating:   36% Review: Men was made to look like a modern horror classic when A24 revealed the first trailer for the film   last year in February. Unfortunately, the film failed to reach the heights set out by its trailer. Men takes a promising concept with an eerie build-up and totally wastes it.  A short film is defined 'as an original motion picture that has a runtime of 40 minutes or less'. Men would've worked better as a short film for me because t he first hour of this film, exceptional - a few scenes could've been cut to fit the criteria.  Incredibly anxiety inducing, u tterly terrifying to the point where it becomes a draining watch due to the constant unease.  The score heightens the tension incorporating sounds made from a character earlier on in the film into the music.  The film is beautifully shot. Scenes in the Britis