Mac's Movies

UK Release Date:  01 April 2022 Certification:  12 Director:  Richard Linklater Cast:  Jack Black, Milo Coy, Lee Eddy, Natalie L'Amoreaux, Zachary Levi, Glen Powell, Josh Wiggins, Bill Wise Rating:   49% Review: Richard Linklater garnered a reputation for crafting delightful coming of age films - Boyhood , Dazed and Confused and School of Rock - as well as completing one of the most acclaimed trilogies with 'The Before' trilogy.  Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood released on Netflix  last year to diminishing buzz and to some became an underrated gem of the 2020s.  For me that wasn't the case. I couldn't connect to the animation style for the life of me. It felt so off and unauthentic compared to the sincere story being told, not fitting the plot whatsoever. From a surface level the backgrounds shine with their unique level of intricacy and detail but the character design looks awful - rather artificial. And if an animated film fails to enti...

UK Release Date:  21 July 2023 Certification:  12A Director:  Greta Gerwig Cast:  Kingsley Ben-Adir, Michael Cera, Will Ferrell, America Ferrera, Ryan Gosling, Ariana Greenblatt, Simu Liu, Emma Mackey, Kate McKinnon, Helen Mirren, Issa Rae, Margot Robbie, Alexandra Shipp Rating:   55 % Review: Admittedly, I'm not the target audience - I am a teenage male that can't relate to the problems of a woman in modern society - and women have gotten a lot out of the film, specifically mothers, which is great but Barbie just felt like a strange amalgamation of social commentary and product placement. When tasked with making a film on the issues of toxic masculinity and the empowerment of feminism, whether intentional or not, it is baffling that a man completely stole the show. Before the film had even been released the public were rallying for Ryan Gosling to receive an Oscar nomination at next year's Academy Awards, demanding a solo film featuring Ken. That is the comple...

UK Release Date:  25 July 2018 Certification:  12A Director:  Christopher McQuarrie Cast:  Alec Baldwin, Angela Bassett, Henry Cavill,  Tom Cruise, Rebecca Ferguson, Sean Harris, Vanessa Kirby, Michelle Monaghan, Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames Rating:   86% Review: This is how you do an action film. Not many are able to hold up against the fierce entertainment of Mission: Impossible - Fallout . A well executed plot, paced with expert precision leads to easily the best entry into the franchise.  Stunt work is absolutely mystifying. Each sequence appears to be more death-defying than the last as Cruise and co attempt to up the ante. Tom Cruise became the first actor to ever perform a military HALO jump (High Altitude, Low Open) after arduous training spanning the course of a year. The way in which it is shot is spectacular - a cameraman skydiving alongside Cruise with a Red Weapon 6K camera strapped to his head. It's followed up by an impressive bathroom brawl ...

UK Release Date:  31 July 2015 Certification:  12A Director:  Christopher McQuarrie Cast: Alec Baldwin,  Tom Cruise, Rebecca Ferguson, Sean Harris, Tom Hollander, Simon Pegg, Jeremy Renner, Ving Rhames Rating:   76% Review: For the majority of the Mission: Impossible franchise the films continue to improve in quality, a testament to the  enthusiasm and passion from everyone involved in each entry. Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation is no different. It's bolder, it's increasingly demanding but yet the film somehow retains a strong sense of originality.  Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation  unexpectedly ups the ante from Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol . Tom Cruise may have dangled off the Burj Khalifa in the previous addition, a commendable feat unlike anything seen before, but that's next to nothing compared to what Cruise puts himself through in this film. He hung onto the outside of a plane during takeoff, learnt to hold his...

UK Release Date:  26 December 2011 Certification:  12A Director:  Brad Bird Cast:  Tom Cruise, Samuli Edelmann, Vladimir Mashkov, Michael Nyqvist, Paula Patton, Simon Pegg, Jeremy Renner, Léa Seydoux Rating:   70% Review: 2011's Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol is when the franchise truly became the action behemoth that it is renowned for being today.  After a five year hiatus from Mission: Impossible III , many were quick to assume that Tom Cruise was too old to continue in the role.  However, this is Tom Cruise hitting his peak. The  stunt work he throws himself into is absolutely absurd. Why on earth would anyone sit down one day and think let's scale the Burj Khalifa? Filmed predominantly with the use of an overhead helicopter depicting Tom Cruise strapped to a safety harness as he ascends the tallest building in the world. It's a phenomenal showcase of Cruise's dedication to his craft. An exhilarating spectacle built to en...

UK Release Date:  04 May 2006 Certification:  12A Director:  J.J. Abrams Cast: Billy Crudup,  Tom Cruise, Laurence Fishburne, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Michelle Monaghan, Simon Pegg, Maggie Q, Ving Rhames  Rating:   62% Review: Mission: Impossible III saw a return to form for the action franchise after the mishap of Mission: Impossible II . With a whole host of fresh faces both in front of and behind the camera,  a new breath of life helped Ethan Hunt's story stand out from his previous outings. Firstly, rest in peace Phillip Seymour Hoffman. That man could act. It is by far the best performance within the series. Convincingly menacing with every action, Owen Davian poses a realistic threat to Ethan's morals and ideals. His relentless nature for suffering is frightening. He is never challenged, more feeling bothered and inconvenienced by it all. The new additions to Ethan's crew are entertaining. Really enjoy both Jonathan Rhys Mey...

UK Release Date:  07 July 2000 Certification:  15 Director:  John Woo Cast:  Tom Cruise, Brendan Gleeson, Anthony Hopkins, Thandie Newton, John Polson, Ving Rhames, Richard Roxburgh, Dougray Scott Rating:   29% Review: Mission: Impossible II is the only mis fire of the whole franchise. Brian De Palma choose not to return to direct the sequel - quoting, "One of these is enough." In the case of this film that statement would be correct, a massive step down in quality from its predecessor.  With a whole new team of writers behind the development of Mission: Impossible II (bar one)  the film   completely mischaracterises Ethan Hunt. In the first, Hunt is a little cocky but he has an undeniable charm surrounding his persona. Whereas, with this outing he's unbearable. Jealous throughout, rude to his crew and making frequent bad decisions that result in life-threatening consequences.  Thandie Newton and Dougray Scott give two of the worst act...

UK Release Date:  05 July 1996 Certification:  PG Director:  Brian De Palma Cast:  Emmanuelle Béart, Tom Cruise, Henry Czerny, Vanessa Redgrave, Jean Reno, Ving Rhames, Kristen Scott Thomas, Jon Voight Rating:   68% Review: Quintessential 90s cinema. A film that kickstarted a continuous action franchise that has since grown in ambition, stature and quality. Based on a TV series of the same name that first aired in 1966, Mission: Impossible released 30 years later to, at the time, record breaking commercial success.  Tom Cruise is Ethan Hunt. There is near to no separation from actor and character. Although the stunts get more extravagant and death-defying as the franchise progresses, his dedication at this early stage is unreal during his first real delve into the action genre. Deciding to hang on top of a moving train for the benefit of the film.  Even from the first entry, Cruise was involved in the making of Mission: Impossible as a...

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 ...

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...

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 . Underwate...

UK Release Date:  03 May 2023 Certification:  12A Director:  James Gunn Cast:  Dave Bautista, Bradley Cooper, Karen Gillan, Chukwudi Iwuji, Pom Klementieff,  Will Poulter, Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldaña Rating:   87% Review: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3  is a breath of fresh air within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). So much so that it has already found its way to third place in my ranking of the franchise. James Gunn delivers the perfect ending to the Guardians with his swan song.  James Gunn never fails to deliver when it comes to the soundtrack of his films - it's became somewhat of a guarantee throughout his career. He often states that he writes in music before any dialogue, giving scenes added essence.  Each needle drop is executed both realistically and wonderfully.  The film began with one of my favourite openings of all time.  The way it built into the title crawl was epic.  I think the opening is perfect and is enhan...

UK Release Date: 30 September 2015 Certification: 12A Director: Ridley Scott Cast: Sean Bean, Jessica Chastain, Matt Damon, Jeff Daniels, Chiwetel Ejiofor,  Kate Mara, Michael Peña, Sebastian Stan, Kristen Wiig, Benedict Wong Rating: 82% Bring Him Home.  Review:  The Martian , based on Andy Weir's debut science fiction novel, is Ridley Scott's best film since Gladiator . I mean no matter how good or bad the finished product is, a Ridley Scott film is always going to look out of this world - literally and metaphorically. He's able to make Mars look interesting beyond the fact that it's not Earth. He brings life to a desolate world with the vibrant oranges and the flourishes of other colours throughout the film that just pop.  Essentially, The Martian is Castaway in space. And similarly, to Tom Hanks in Castaway , Matt Damon carries the film with his performance. Playing, Mark Watney, an astronaut who finds himself stranded on Mars, having to create water an...

UK Release Date: 23 September 2005 Certification: U Director: Hayao Miyazaki Cast: Chieko Baishô, Tatsuya Gashûin, Ryûnosuke Kamiki, Haruko Kato, Takuya Kimura, Akihiro Miwa Rating: 62% A mediocre Studio Ghibli film.  Review: Having to read 'Howl's Moving Castle' by Dianna Wynne Jones a few years ago for a Book Quiz, I despised every second but after my successful viewing of Princess Mononoke I thought I would  give the movie a chance. Whilst the theatrical version of Howl's Moving Castle is a huge improvement, it's still a huge let down compared to other Studio Ghibli films.  As is to be expected with a Ghibli film the animation is out of this world. Every single shot is so sleek, it isn't hyper-realism animation, and yet it feels like it belongs in the world that's been created. That's simply due to the time and care that the animators put in to bringing to life frame after frame. It was revealed recently that every year Studio Ghibli create twel...

UK Release Date: 26 October 2011 Certification: PG Director: Steven Spielberg Cast: Jamie Bell, Daniel Craig, Nick Frost, Toby Jones, Daniel Mays, Simon Pegg, Andy Serkis Rating:   87% I need Red Rackham's Treasure.  Review:  For context I'm a huge fan when it comes to Belgium comic writer Hergé's most famous creation, the young reporter, Tintin. Maybe it's because I could relate to him as someone who looked just like me but I've absolutely loved him since I was about six or seven. I've read every story in the comic series, I've seen the 90's animated series multiple times, I played the Wii game based on this movie when it came out with my brother and my dad. And most notably I teamed up with my dad to dress up as the inseparable duo of Tintin and Captain Haddock for Halloween one year. So although I can't remember I'm almost certain I went with my dad to see The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn at the cinema.  Again, not know...

UK Release Date: 30 September 2021 Certification: 12A Director: Cary Joji Fukunaga Cast: Ana De Armas, Daniel Craig, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Lashana Lynch, Rami Malek, Lea Seydoux, Ben Whishaw, Jeffrey Wright Rating: 84%  The name's Bond. James Bond. Review:  No Time to Die is the final instalment of Daniel Craig's James Bond. It was the first movie to see major postponements due to the pandemic but it was worth the wait. The movie is not only it's own unique story but it's a brilliant sendoff to his portrayal of the iconic character.  Daniel Craig is brilliant on his final outing as James Bond. At times his age maybe spills through as he's not getting any younger but he does a great job. He can act emotively, he pulls off the cheesier lines and when an eventual new Bond is chosen they will have big shoes to fill. Although, No Time to Die is as much Madeleine's film as it is Bond's. I didn't enjoy Léa Seydoux in Spectre , or the movie in gen...

UK Release Date: 15 April 2022 Certification: 15 Director: Robert Eggers Cast: Claes Bang, Willem Dafoe, Ethan Hawke, Anya Taylor-Joy, Nicole Kidman, Gustav Lindh, Alexander Skarsgård Rating: 79% "I will avenge you, Father! I will save you, Mother! I will kill you, Fjölnir!" Review: The Northman is acclaimed director Robert Eggers' third feature film and it lives up to the hype. A Viking story unlike anything I've ever seen before. It's visually stunning, has a boisterous score and some superb performances.  I hadn't seen a Robert Eggers film before  The Northman  so the first half an hour was just bizarre and it did take me a while to acclimatise to what exactly I was watching. There were naked men, people pretending to be dogs and fantastical elements.  Alexander Skarsgård's pivotal performance as Prince Amleth is the centre point of the movie's success. His arc is really great and kept me captivated from start to finish. From a boy who is h...