Star Wars: Attack of the Clones (2002) – A Skywalker Saga Quick Capsule Review

Star Wars: Attack of the Clones (2002) – A Skywalker Saga Quick Capsule Review

by Phil Hobden Quick Review

Phil’s Quick Capsule Review:
So three things stand out rewatching Attack of The Clones.  1. It’s actually paced pretty good.  For a two hour plus film I really didn’t want to rewatch it moves quite fast.  That’s where the positives end.  2.  It has one of the worst scripts I have ever seen on screen.  And I’ve seen (and worked on) some utter Bobbins.  3. Hayden Christensen is by far the worst actor in this film.  He truly stinks up every scene he goes near and has ZERO chemistry with Portman or McGregor.

Look Attack of the Clones was always the weakest of a bad bunch (the prequel trilogy).  But rewatching it I’m reminded just how bad the film is.  The CGI effects, acting, script, dire-logue, direction… all so amateur.  Also in the wider context of the Star Wars films it just makes no sense.  Example (of MANY): Skywalker/Vader met and in fact was related to the family Kenobi would later HIDE Skywalker’s son with.  Right next door to his old home. On his old planet.  Ugh.  Thankfully the film throws enough action at the screen that you don’t notice but man this is not a joy to watch again and has aged badly.

Best Bit: The Clones finally attack.

If You Liked this Try: Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge Of The Sith, Star Wars: A New Hope, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

★★★★★★★★★★

 

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2 Lava 2 Lantula (2017) – A Revisited Quick Capsule Review

2 Lava 2 Lantula (2017) – A Revisited Quick Capsule Review

by Phil Hobden Quick Review

Phil’s Quick Capsule Review:
It’s not winning any Academy Awards but 2 Lava 2 Lantula is fun, silly and hilarious with a surprisingly knowing script that manages to comically reference a host of 80’s and 90’s films and TV shows with style and charm.  Guttenberg is terrible, the cast seem lost half the time and the effects are shoddy.  BUT it’s more fun than the last 3 Transformers movies combined and if you are in that kind of mood few films will hit the spot better.  Enjoy with curry and beer.  

Best Bit: Police Academy reunion!

Buy, Stream, Avoid: Stream

If You Liked this Try: Lavalantula, Sharknado, Sharnkdao The Fourth Awakens

★★★★★★★★★★

 

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Star Wars: The Phantom Menace (1999) – A Skywalker Saga Quick Capsule Review

Star Wars: The Phantom Menace (1999) – A Skywalker Saga Quick Capsule Review

by Phil Hobden Quick Review

Phil’s Quick Capsule Review:
Look The Phantom Menace gets a LOT of stick.  It deserves it as well. The film that reignited a dormant (at least in Film) Franchise for a new generation remains very hard film to love.  From rarely mentioned since midi-chlorians, to the lack of force ghosts, bad acting (yup Lloyd I’m looking at you), JaJa bloody Binks, Poor CGI and, yup, trade disputes… Lucas went out of his way to make the simple, lean Star Wars franchise quite baggy. Oh and totally pointless as well hen you reflect back on it.  Yet… The Phantom Menace still has a certain something. The pod race, the final battle, even at times the Jedi.  Oh and THAT lightsaber fight.  It’s not much mind but next to Attack Of The Clones this is a freakin’ masterpiece.  A necessary evil then on a road to a MUCH better trilogy…

Best Bit: Pod Race

If You Liked this Try: Star Wars: A New Hope, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back 

★★★★★★★★★★

 

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The Fanatic (2019) – A Quick Capsule Review

The Fanatic (2019) – A Quick Capsule Review

by Phil Hobden Quick Review

Phil’s Quick Capsule Review:
Let’s get this out the way first – The Fanatic is pretty bad.  From a baffling but committed central performance from Travolta (who at least is acting for once) to a story that says and does nothing new, The Fanatic is both a terrible look at fan culture and obsession whilst being an even worse dissection of mental health.  It covers similar themes to Joker but without anything that made that film good.  It’s not even THAT nasty, something that could have been it’s saving grace.  Quite frankly The Fanatic is just predictable, low rent and dull tosh.

Best Bit: The bedroom

Buy, Stream, Avoid: Avoid

If You Liked this Try: Joker, The Fan, Fatal Attraction 

★★★★★★★★★★

 

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Late Night (2019) – A Quick Capsule Review

Late Night (2019) – A Quick Capsule Review

by Phil Hobden Quick Review

Phil’s Quick Capsule Review:
Late Night is funny, charming and at times just a little sub-Aaron Sorkin for my liking.  Yup it’s fair to say from Devil Wears Prada to a hundred other films and to Sorkin’s own Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip,  Late Night has a seen it before feel about it which stops stepping up from good to really great.  That said Emma Thompson is marvellous and for sure lights up the screen anytime she’s there and you cant help but think this could itself work better as a short form TV series where you could really dig deep into the characters.   So much to like but little that you haven’t seen before.

Best Bit: Emma Thompson

Buy, Stream, Avoid: Stream

If You Liked this Try: Devil Wears Prada , Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, Network

★★★★★★★★★★

 

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Angel Has Fallen (2019) – A Quick Capsule Review

Angel Has Fallen (2019) – A Quick Capsule Review

by Phil Hobden Quick Review

Phil’s Quick Capsule Review:
Angel Has Fallen is probably my favourite on this trilogy of action movies.  But that’s not saying much – I hated London has Fallen and White House Down trumped Olympus Has Fallen in almost every way. In truth Angel Has Fallen is good enough to entertain/pass the time but its lacklustre action choreography, weak CGI and bored Gerard Butler do little to push it over the edge.  So… fans of the ‘franchise’ will probably like it, but in a year where Hobbs & Shaw blew up half the world, Angel Has Fallen doesn’t offer a great deal new or better…

Best Bit: The assault on the president

Buy, Stream, Avoid: Stream

If You Liked this Try: Olympus Has Fallen, White House Down, London Has Fallen

★★★★★★★★★★

 

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The Greatest Showman (2017) – A Revisited Quick Capsule Review

The Greatest Showman (2017) – A Revisited Quick Capsule Review

by Phil Hobden Quick Review

Phil’s Quick Capsule Review:
I’m always undecided with Hugh Jackman.  For every Logan, there’s been a Wolverine or Les Mis.  This in mind (and many other factors) it’s fair to say that The Greatest Showman wasn’t top of my list but dragged on a Sunday afternoon I thought I’d give it a chance.  I hated it.  For the first ten minutes at least.  Then something happened.  It’s positive message, uplifting songs, striking photography and committed performance by Jackman (and an roundly excellent cast) bowled me over.  Much like he did for the crowds that came to his shows, the film got me. It has issues (the start is pretty dire and teh CGI lacking) but damn I was surprised just how much I enjoyed it.

Best Bit: This Is Me

Cinema, Stream, Avoid: Cinema

If You Liked this Try: Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Little Shop of Horrors, LA LA Land

★★★★★★★★★★

 

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The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019) – A Quick Capsule Review

The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019) – A Quick Capsule Review

by Phil Hobden Quick Review

Phil’s Quick Capsule Review:
The Peanut Butter Falcon stars Shia LaBeouf.  Yes usually that would be the sentence that ends the review dead but stick with me as you (like I was) may be pleasantly surprised.  For this comedy-drama film directed and written by Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz is actually a surprisingly charming, heart warming tale of a runaway, a lost soul and a woman wanting to save people that’s both well acted and totally believable, all set against the oddly captivating Florida keys.  Okay so it’s a little familiar at times but this could be the film that starts the Beouf Back, a loving, beautifully set ode to friendship.

Best Bit:Shia LaBeouf.  No really.

Buy, Stream, Avoid: Stream

If You Liked this Try: The Way Way Back, Booksmart, The Breakfast Club

★★★★★★★★★★

 

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21 Bridges (2019) – A Quick Capsule Review

21 Bridges (2019) – A Quick Capsule Review

by Phil Hobden Quick Review

Phil’s Quick Capsule Review:
If 21 Bridges had been made in the late 2000’s it would have been directed by Tony Scott, starred Denzel Washington and probably with music by Hans Zimmer.  Alas this is a film out of time, and its impact is lessened because of that.  There’s still lots to enjoy here but 21 Bridges is never afraid of being obvious (Oh look character keeps going off to make a ‘Phone Call’) and by the time the epilogue rolls around, it’s all a bit predictable and played out.  So essential no? But you fancy an old school 2000’s vibe?  Just imagine Denzel is the lead and 21 Bridges will deliver…

Best Bit: The first shoot out

Cinema, Stream, Avoid: Stream

If You Liked this Try: Talking of Pelham 123, Unstoppable, Safe House

★★★★★★★★★★

 

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The Irishman (2019) – A Quick Capsule Review

The Irishman (2019) – A Quick Capsule Review

by Phil Hobden Quick Review

Phil’s Quick Capsule Review:
The Irishman is more than just Oldfellas.  It’s a film that bares the weight of its cast and directors ageing years and experience.   Yes it’s long and yes it lacks the pace and stylish filming of either Casino or Goodfellas but it’s also not trying to be either of those films. The Irishman is a slower story, told over decades, that relishes in its character interaction and quiet moments.  It’s also not THAT violent, certainly not compared with Scorsese’s other gangster and crime films.  Nope The Irishman is a different film, genetically linked to his classic works but one that reflects the closing years of some of the most epic careers in the movie industry.  Also side note – the de-ageing technology on display here is near faultless.  Not bad for someone with a less than positive view of CGI heavy movies…

Best Bit: The technology

Cinema, Stream, Avoid: Stream (Netflix)

If You Liked this Try: Casino, Goodfellas, The Godfather

★★★★★★★★★★

 

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