gemfesty

IMDb member since October 2016
    Lifetime Total
    25+
    IMDb Member
    7 years

Reviews

Nouveaux riches
(2023)

Crying with laughter
This has got to be the most underrated movie of the year! Though this is classified as a comedy it could easily take an award as romantic comedy, or action comedy. I'm unfamiliar with the actors but was highly entertained by the very natural performances and solid chemistry (it felt like there were some great improve moments) - This is one of those movies where the unfamiliarity allows you to enjoy the character development without the typecasting.

Many a "laugh out loud" scenes, even to the point of tearing up! The comedy was fast paced with refreshingly original concepts.

The movie packs surprisingly tough fighting choreography and action sequences. Loved the Cyril Gane cameo, am wondering if he consulted on the fight scenes? Great to see the MMA/Brazilian jiu-jitsu incorporated.

A brilliant watch, well done to Netflix and Apple for producing some of the best entertainment this year. You won't be disappointed. 10 because this is the best French movie in years.

From Scratch
(2022)

The horror genre in its truest form
Spoiler alert A very romantic love story that sweeps you into a deep investment of the characters. Gorgeous locations, set design, and beautiful costume all create a quiet masterful seduction of the viewer, you might find yourself staying up a couple of hours later to binge 3 episodes.

That is until Lino starts his pop up restaurant in episode 4....then seriously STOP WATCHING THERE.

The following 4 episodes are gut wrenching, traumatising, and yes horrifying in the true sense of the word. Why can't we just tell nice romantic stories? There is enough of this horror in life already.

If you've had an experience with cancer and loved ones... take my advice.

EA Sports UFC 4
(2020)

EA are the worst
Two things happen You totally dominate your opponent get punched once and are KO Or totally dominate your opponent your stamina goes to zero get punch once and are KO.

The Dark Pictures: Man of Medan
(2019)

Not for gamers
Truly awful gameplay mechanics. No definition of whether a single press or spamming of buttons is required; at moments the difference results in the death of main characters.

I'm glad this was free on playstation plus, the game can be completed in a matter hours.

Under the Banner of Heaven
(2022)

Intriguing dismantling of the Mormon faith
Reviews will be plagued by Latter day saints offended by this content but this was based on a true crime story and explores critical issues of domestic violence, fundamentalism, and misogyny of the Church.

Outstanding performances, particularly by Billy Howle who was truly award worthy as a broken man who has lost his faith, family, and community.

Fortunately this story was told in a TV series. Can't wait for the finale!

Competencia oficial
(2021)

A prestigious and intelligent comedy
Not a film for the general "mass of ignorant people with no ideas". (Sorry from the film)

Two egotistical masters of film clash under the unusual demands of an artistic director.

Wonderful wardrobe on Cruz, and very much enjoyed the set created for Ivan's home.

Bandares was great but I can't help feel an alternative casting for that role could have been much better. He has become a little predictable in his craft, brilliant but very predictable.

Absolutely worth watching.

The Bubble
(2022)

Of course it's worth watching
Superb casting with so many great comedians there's something fun for everyone. No lesser the comedic standard of Apatows earlier work, just a different medium/style of film. His daughter brings a hilarious performance in the "influencer" role, I thought it must have been Drew Barrymore's daughter at first glance - the looks and mannerisms are uncanny. I laughed a lot.... and then felt sad for everyone who didn't like this film.

After Yang
(2021)

A future technology we can only hope for
A beautifully imagined future where technology is invisible by appearances in the lives of those who use it. Revealing the impact benevolent AI/robotics will likely have in our lives.

Gold
(2022)

Zac forgets his left and right.
I guess there was no one brave enough on set to tell Anthony Hayes his accent was awful, and pointless. Not sure what he trying to achieve exactly, maybe he's fishing for acting roles in the US?

99% of the film budget likely went to Zac the rest on a few buckets of sand (that didn't match the desert) for Zac to push around a spray painted rock.

Spoiler alert Zac forgets which side he is impaled on.

I was left feeling embarrassed for Australian cinema.

The Matrix Resurrections
(2021)

Keanu is a nice guy
There's an explanation for this terrible movie.

The industry is struggling and many of its employees have had little work over the last 2 years.

Keane doesn't need this but many others did. He did everyone a really nice favour and made this movie to help them out.

Encounter
(2021)

Haha you tricked me
We make genre choices by mood, maybe we had a hard day and just wanted to chill out to a sci fi thriller.

Instead we get tricked into watching yet another ptsd movie, not that I don't appreciate and support the mental health issue.

Half way through the movie you realise you weren't in the mood at all for this drama.

Nitram
(2021)

10 for Caleb Landry Jones
I'd rather not comment on the film itself.

Superb performance by Caleb Landry Jones, a huge responsibility to take on the role. I hope he is awarded accordingly.

The Shrink Next Door
(2021)

Good actors are no reason to watch a bad show
The despicable nature of Dr Ike was unrelenting and too heavily outweighed the comedic elements. Mid series I began to wonder why I was watching this and gave up.

Venom: Let There Be Carnage
(2021)

Meh
Kind of boring, a lot like the first movie but without the humour. Would have been good to have had some new abilities/ action in the fight scenes but just the same old stuff.

Violet
(2021)

It's not trying to be arty
The style represents her internal dialogue - as I would describe true OCD with intrusive thoughts and images. The film contains great visualisations of mood.

There is a very sweet romantic story woven into what was a wonderful feel good movie as a whole. Solid performances by the leads. Loved the closing credits!

Infinite
(2021)

Wahlberg joins the list
People who make terrible movies for a dollar Nic Cage Bruce Willis Now Mark Wahlberg.

Horizon Line
(2020)

Just don't
Trust me, it's slow to get going. Then they get on a plane and spend 60mins of the movie flying around in a panic.

Stowaway
(2021)

Too much gravity for a space movie
It's hard to suspend your disbelief when everyone strolls around casually in space. I couldn't watch any further than when they were lowering and raising cannisters with ropes! While on a spacewalk.

Mother of the Year
(2017)

offensive
This is why there should be negative star ratings. Just awful acting by the entire cast, and an offensive portrayal of a person on the autism spectrum.

The Kindness of Strangers
(2019)

Remember "feel good" movies
Old school feel good movie. Came away feeling very pleased. Cast of diverse characters whose fates brought them together in a lovely story. Enough connection between characters so as not to feel you are trying to follow multiple/individual story lines.

True History of the Kelly Gang
(2019)

Watch the first half then turn it off
Entertaining for the first half with some good performances. Then it turns into absolute incoherent drivel, you won't miss anything if you skip the second half of the movie entirely.

John Henry
(2020)

Unfortunately this didn't work
I'm a big Terry Crews fan and went into this wanting to like it even if it was a b-grade action. Sadly this was terrible from the opening credits, I persisted for about 10mins of the movie but it was unwatchable. Honestly hope Crews didn't loose to much money on this one.

The Witcher
(2019)

Don't read the books
I think I would have given this more if I hadn't read the books and had such high expectations.

Cats
(2019)

Dog owners justified
What could be more devastating than the destruction of several endangered species by feral cats?....Cats the movie.

6 Underground
(2019)

Waterworld 2
Money can't buy you a good movie, not even $150 000 000. This is awful, I really wanted to like it but could only manage half the movie.

See all reviews