Dumplin’ (2018) – A Quick Capsule Review

Dumplin’ (2018) – A Quick Capsule Review

by Phil Hobden Quick Review

Phil’s Quick Capsule Review:
Netflix have always done better with comedies that they have sci-fi films (see Cloverfield, Tau and many, many more).  And once again Dumplin’ proves the point – a sweet, small dramedy about a plus-size teenage signing up for a local pageant.  Danielle Macdonald (of Patti Cake$ fame) plays the titular character with spark and charm but also with an impressive and relatable degree of insecurity but the film also benefits from a winning support cast (including Drag Race alumni Ginger Minge and former Friend Jennifer Aniston). It won’t be for everyone but Dumplin’ is a charming film that’s well worth your time.

Best Bit: The Pageant

Buy, Stream, Avoid: Stream (Netflix)

If You Liked this Try: Patti Cake$, Life Of The Party, To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before

★★★★★★★★★★

 

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Close (2019) – A Quick Capsule Review

Close (2019) – A Quick Capsule Review

by Phil Hobden Quick Review

Phil’s Quick Capsule Review:
Netflix drops another deeply dull ‘Original’, this time with Vicky Jewson’s Close – an action film that lacks characters to care about or set pieces to indulge in.  Thing is, as is often the case with these originals, it’s not bad enough to love falling very much in the fades into the background type TV movie you’d watch in the old days whilst having your dinner.  Noomi Rapace is an actress I’ve never connected with and I guess this sits at the heart of the problem – you don’t empathise or care about her or her character and thus ultimately about the film.  Simply put there are FAR better things of Netflix to watch.

Best Bit: The house escape

Buy, Stream, Avoid: Avoid (Netflix)

If You Liked this Try: The Girl in the Spider’s Web, Taken, La Femme Nikita

★★★★★★★★★★

 

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FYRE: The Greatest Party That Never Happened (2019) – A Quick Capsule Review

FYRE: The Greatest Party That Never Happened (2019) – A Quick Capsule Review

by Phil Hobden Quick Review

Phil’s Quick Capsule Review:
Fyre tells the story of the greatest music festival that never happened – a cluster funk of an event that was all captured on film (as well as across social media).  This Netflix documentary (there’s also a Hulu film) is almost so unbelievable you wonder if it could possible real – from getting kick off Escobar’s island, to fraud and cheese sandwiches the film expertly piles on the insanity and is all the more captivating for it.  Netflix delivers the first essential film of 2019.

Best Bit: Welcome to Pablo’s Island…

Buy, Stream, Avoid: Stream (Netflix)

If You Liked this Try: Gimme Shelter,  Fyre Fraud, Woodstock

★★★★★★★★★★

 

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Podcast: The Smoking Lamb #112 – Bird Box, Bumblebee & More

Podcast: The Smoking Lamb #112 – Bird Box, Bumblebee & More

by The Smoking Lamb The Podcasts The Smoking Lamb Podcast

On this episode: In our first episode back, Mike, Steve and Ricky B tackle a couple of Netflix films – BIRDBOX and BANDERSNATCH, before embarking on some theatrical releases – the highly acclaimed THE FAVOURITE and a film desperate to move ahead and forget its brash and loud relatives, BUMBLEBEE!

The Smoking Lamb Movie Podcast. A weekly, no-holds-baa-aa-arred, and R-rated look at the world of movies.

Check it out and BLEAT THE WORLD and don’t forget to follow up on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

#TheSmokingLamb #MoviePodcasts #Podcasts #FilmPodcast

 

 

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IO (2019) – A Quick Capsule Review

IO (2019) – A Quick Capsule Review

by Phil Hobden Quick Review

Phil’s Quick Capsule Review:
IO isn’t exactly a ground breaking science fiction film.  Think a reverse ‘The Martian’ and you get a vague idea of the story. That said considering Netflix’ recent journeys into the genre IO is a freakin’ masterpiece!  Anthony Mackie and Margaret Qualley do a good job but the film is almost so low key that you’ve forgotten it moments after it finishes.  So far from essential but it passes the time well…

Best Bit: The ending I guess

Buy, Stream, Avoid: Stream (Netflix)

If You Liked this Try: The Martian, Sunshine, Twelve Monkeys 

★★★★★★★★★★

 

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Bandersnatch (2018) – A Quick Capsule Review

Bandersnatch (2018) – A Quick Capsule Review

by Phil Hobden Quick Review

Phil’s Quick Capsule Review:
The first proper foray into interactive films, Netflix’s Bandersnatch is a really unique experience that enables the viewer to control the outcome of the film.  It’s a great concept but one that doesn’t quite always work.  Beyond the (actually pretty cool) gimmick the story is pretty flimsy and some choices actually have very minimal outcome.  But as an idea and as a glimpse to where interactive TV could do its’ pretty groundbreaking.   So one for the future, Bandersnatch is ahead of its time.

Best Bit: Netflix & Fight

Play, Stream, Avoid: Play

If You Liked this Try: Black Mirror, Fighting Fantasy, The Butterfly Effect, 12 Monkeys

★★★★★★★★★★

 

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CAM (2018) – A Quick Capsule Review

CAM (2018) – A Quick Capsule Review

by Phil Hobden Quick Review

Phil’s Quick Capsule Review:
CAM is a really interesting technology based horror that marks yet another strong Blumhouse production to be released this year.  Lead by an excellent performance by Madeline Brewer  and some exceptionally well handled and sympathetic direction by Daniel Goldhaber CAM is measured, unexploitative and tightly directed.  In short: Netflix has delivered a well handled horror that is a must see for genre fans.

Best Bit: Madeline Brewer is excellant

Buy, Stream, Avoid: Stream

If You Liked this Try: Searching, Unfriended, The Bay

★★★★★★★★★★

 

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The Christmas Chronicles (2018) – A Quick Capsule Review

The Christmas Chronicles (2018) – A Quick Capsule Review

by Phil Hobden Quick Review

Phil’s Quick Capsule Review:
Netflix ‘original’s’ have had a hard time this year – Cloverfield, Annihilation and others have headed straight to the bottom of many people’s worst of the year (mine included).  So what hope does a little old Christmas film have.  In two words: Kurt Russell. Actually that’s not strictly fair – the film ALSO has bundles of charm and an unshakable 80’s vibe that leaves you with a massive smile on your face. Yup this is Adventures In Babysitting meets a live action Minions film meets pretty much every 80’s film along the way.  It’s silly, it’s crazy and it has Kurt Russell as a very modern day Santa.  Oh and possibly one of the cameos of the year.   The Christmas Chronicles is bloody great fun and will be a rewatched favourite for years to come!

Best Bit: Jailhouse rock.

Stream, Avoid: Stream (Netflix)

If You Liked this Try: Adventures In Babysitting, The Minions, The Muppet Christmas Carol 

★★★★★★★★★★

 

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The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018) – A Quick Capsule Review

The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018) – A Quick Capsule Review

by Phil Hobden Quick Review

Phil’s Quick Capsule Review:
The Coen Brothers labour of love arrives on Netflix after a long gestating development extending back over 20 years.  The problem is that The Ballad of Buster Scruggs just wasn’t worth it.   Disjointed with no real through line, Scruggs is neither clever, funny or weird enough to warrant its over long run time, over indulgence or lack of discipline on display here.  Yup the cast are predictably good but the film seems pretty flat and televisual (which is what the film was originally destined for)  and has no real bite.   Sadly a rare Coen Brothers miss.

Best Bit: The Buster Scruggs sequence

Buy, Stream, Avoid: Stream

If You Liked this Try: O Brother Where Art Thou?, True Grit, The Three Amigos 

★★★★★★★★★★

 

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Joe Rogan Strange Times (2018) – A Quick Capsule Review

Joe Rogan Strange Times (2018) – A Quick Capsule Review

by Phil Hobden Quick Review

Phil’s Quick Capsule Review:
Joe Rogan is a comedian that likes to push the boundaries.   A UFC/MMA commentator and world famous podcaster, it’s comedy that always drives Rogan and you can tell.  His latest Netflix special Strange Times is biting, funny and crude as he takes on culture, pro wrestling, pot laws, cats and vegans – all to hilarious effect.  Rogan considers this to be his best special yet and he may be right – the material is polished, the deliver on point and the emotion strong.  It may not be to everyone’s tastes (he has been pulled up on certain opinions previously that doesn’t always sit well with the more gentile millennial) but this is one of the worlds best stand-ups on top form, whether you agree with what he says or not.

Best Bit: Vegans

Buy, Stream, Avoid: Stream (Netflix)

If You Liked this Try: Joe Rogan: Triggered,  Joe Rogan: Rocky Mountain High,  Joey Diaz: Sociably Unacceptable

★★★★★★★★★★

 

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