Cast your mind back to 2009… British author Terry Pratchett received a knighthood, America had their first African-American President and Glee burst onto our TV screens in a blur of problematic storylines and surprisingly catchy covers and in the world of cinema, James Cameron released what would become the top grossing film of all time…
Tag: Family Friendly
Enola Holmes 2 (2022) Film Review
Re-reading my review of Harry Bradbeer’s surprisingly entertaining Enola Holmes from back in January 2021, I seem to have found myself in something of a time-loop… “I don’t really buy into the whole ‘New Year, New Me’ mentality but as January rolled around it seemed as though my desire to watch new content came back,…
Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (2022) Film Review
From calls to ‘cancel’ Harry Potter creator JK Rowling for her transphobic comments on social media to the ongoing and highly publicised Amber Heard/Johnny Depp domestic abuse saga that led to the recasting of Deep’s Grindlewald, the Fantastic Beasts franchise – and by extension, the HP universe as a whole – has been plagued by…
Wreck-It Ralph (2012) Film Review
After what feels like an age, but is actually less than 3 years ago, I wrote and published my first ever film review on Ralph Breaks The Internet, the follow up to what is, in my humble opinion, one of Disney’s best films. Although the sequel was a rather massive disappointment, and my review wasn’t…
Detective Pikachu (2019) Film Review
Although I remember quite clearly when Pokémon took over the playground in the late 90’s, I was never really a fan – however when Pokémon Go was released in 2016 I quickly became hooked and embraced the ‘Gotta catch ’em all’ mentality. I’ll admit I was a little dubious about how successful a hyper-realistic, live…
Luca (2021) Film Review
I don’t think I’m the only one who has been a little disappointed by Pixar’s last couple of offerings, Onward and Soul. For me, they didn’t have the same level of heart or spark that I have come to expect from my favourite animation studio. I remember when Pixar releases were once every 12-18 months,…
The Mitchells Vs The Machines (2021) Film Review
With the surprising success of the LEGO movie franchise and the groundbreaking, Oscar winning Spider-Man: Into The Spider-verse, it seems as though anything that Phil Lord and Christopher Miller touch right now turns into gold, and with the release of their latest endeavour The Mitchells Vs The Machines, the question is whether they can keep…
Ten Great Animated Films That Aren’t Disney or Pixar
Whilst I don’t mind the odd Disney film or two, when it comes to animation I naturally veer towards Pixar and who can blame me, they have produced some phenomenal films over the past 25 years but even I have to admit that both production studios together have garnered something of a monopoly over the…
Yes Day (2021) Film Review
The idea of being a ‘Bad Guy’ as a parent is a rather common trope in many coming-of-age movies. Netflix takes that concept and runs with it in their new family comedy Yes Day starring Jennifer Garner, Edgar Ramirez and Jenna Ortega. Allison Torres was never afraid of saying yes to new experiences. Travelling alone…
Bigfoot Family (2021) Film Review
Currently streaming on Netflix, Bigfoot Family is the sequel to the 2017 film The Son of Bigfoot but don’t worry if you missed it, you can still follow the story with ease. As a quick recap, The Son of Bigfoot sees teenager Adam go on an adventure searching for his long-lost father, eventually finding him…
Film Review: Enola Holmes (2020)
I don’t really buy into the whole ‘New Year, New Me’ mentality but as January rolled around it seemed as though my desire to watch new content came back, along with my motivation for writing. Now, Sherlock Holmes is a name that everybody knows but the world famous detective is taking a bit of a…
Film Review: Soul (2020)
From the realisation that sometimes Joy and Sadness go hand in hand, to Boo’s softly spoken “Kitty?” and to the total gut punch that was Andy’s final goodbye, Pixar have been delivering emotional rollercoasters for nigh on 25 years. Personally, my opinion on the success of a Pixar film is largely determined by its ability…
Modern Classic: Spirited Away (2001)
Although I have heard a lot of good things about Japanese Anime I’ll be honest, I am woefully ignorant about the genre as a whole, having only ever seen one anime film before. Even in my ignorance I had, of course, heard of Studio Ghibli, the world renowned Japanese film studio, and I even knew…
Film Review: Spider-Man: Into The Spider-verse (2018)
As someone who thoroughly enjoys mainstream cinema, especially superhero flicks, Into the Spider-verse is one of those films that, for some reason, I couldn’t be bothered to go and see despite all the hype. However, when our holiday to Mexico was cancelled due to the Covid-19 lockdown, we had plenty of time during our week…
Retro Review:Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
My latest ‘Retro Review‘ does flout my self made rules just a little bit considering I’ve already seen this film, however it is a first time viewing for Mark and its been such a long time since I’ve watched it myself that I think I can justify a teensy little rule breaking. Director: Robert Zemeckis…
Film Review: Onward (2020)
It’s pretty safe to say that I have a bit of a soft spot for anything Pixar but there was something about Onward that didn’t quite sit right with me. However, if Pixar can deliver the sequel I didn’t want but can’t live without (Toy Story 4) then I have no doubt that they have…
Onward (2020) Film Review
It’s pretty safe to say that I have a bit of a soft spot for anything Pixar but there was something about Onward that didn’t quite sit right with me. However, if Pixar can deliver the sequel I didn’t want but can’t live without (Toy Story 4) then I have no doubt that they have…
Film Review: Jumani – The Next Level (2019)
In an age of reboots, remakes and reimaginings, a slightly more understated trend is emerging: the Reboot Sequel. That is, of course, the attempt to reboot a franchise (or solo film) by continuing on where the originals left off. Where traditional reboots are met with a balanced amount of celebration and negativity, the reboot sequel…
Film Review: Frozen 2 (2019)
It’s been six years since the release of Frozen and the world has only just managed to get that bloody song out of it’s head, which means it’s prime time for a sequel, but the real question will be whether Disney can pull off another smash-hit. Read on to find out… As with the original,…
Film Review: Klaus (2019)
Have you ever wondered where the legend of Santa Claus comes from? Why we write him letters? Or why we have all of our little Christmas Eve traditions? Well, Netflix have provided us with some answers in their heart warming new Christmas film, Klaus, which is perfect for the whole family. When Jesper’s (Jason Schwartzman)…
Ten Family Friendly Films for Halloween
Looking for something to do after a cold night of trick-or-treating? Grab a blanket, snuggle up on the sofa with all your goodies and warm up with one of these great family friendly films. Hocus Pocus (1993) Set in Salem, Hocus Pocus tells the story of the Sanderson sisters, three witches who were executed in…
Review – Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
Marvel Studios are the modern-day Pavlov, they ring their new release bell and the masses come running, myself included. After being both underwhelmed and rather disappointed with Avengers: Endgame I really fancied a bit of a break from the MCU but Far From Home is the final installment of both Phase 3, and the ‘Infinity…
Film Review: The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part (2019)
When the idea of a LEGO movie was first announced, there was a feeling that Hollywood were kind of scraping the bottom of the idea barrel. It was a stretch to even imagine how the humble LEGO brick could be turned into a viable concept for a film. Against all odds, The LEGO Movie was a hit…
Film Review: Mary Poppins Returns (2018)
To say I was looking forward to this film is a bit of an understatement; to say that I was apprehensive, is even more so. If you have read my thoughts on Ralph Breaks The Internet then you will already know that sometimes a great film needs to be left well alone. When that film has had 54…
Ralph Breaks The Internet (2018) Film Review
When you are given a movie that has as much heart, humour and fun as Wreck-It Ralph, the idea of a sequel is intriguing and exciting but, more often than not, you end up underwhelmed and disappointed. I would love to tell you that Ralph Breaks the Internet breaks this tradition, but I can’t. The film takes place six…