Thursday, July 2, 2020

Wednesday, July 1, 2020

Bad Boys for Life (2020)

Overview:-

Miami detectives Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett must face off against a mother-and-son pair of drug lords who wreak vengeful havoc on their city.






IMBD Rating:6.7

Review:

With some much needed change in direction, an improvement in action and humor, and as always the beloved chemistry of Lawrence and Smith, Bad Boys For Life truly harnesses the potential of the franchise by doing something different and graciously succeeding. 

The film is largely entertaining, with action pieces that are no longer so much in your face, but feel more personal and thrilling than before. Martin Lawrence and Will Smith truly continue to harness the films energy to a point, providing some great comedic and far more serious performances than before, making their characters not only more round, but likable. 

Directors Bilall Fallah and Adil El Arbi truly take the film to the next level, with some clever set pieces, use of story, and by far some amazing visuals. The film is oddly beautiful, which is not only refreshing from the sun drenched look of Bay's style before it, but also fits well. 

The style does seem a bit odd, considering the previous ones are oh so different, but it works in a way that doesn't seem too forced or too out of place. The use of the new team, ammo, in the film is a well appreciated addition, and makes for some quite humorous moments. 

The villain also seems far more rounded than in previous films, and provides for a quiet interesting arc.The biggest problem I had with the film, is the progression of the story, and pacing throughout.The film bounces around a lot forward with things moving rather fast over large periods of time, making it seem kinda choppy. It never felt too long, but it felt like a lot to process given the circumstances, and felt like it could have been better handled, and/or more condensed, which does dwindle from making it a bit better than it could have. 

In the end, however, Bad Boys For Life is a perfectly enjoyable and surprisingly refreshing sequel, that finally harnesses the talents of the stars involved and makes for a worthwhile plot that is not forced and cliche, but actually interesting.

Stranger Things ( TV Series (2016– ) Review

Overview:-

When a young boy disappears, his mother, a police chief and his friends must confront terrifying supernatural forces in order to get him back.









IMBD Rating:8.8

Review:

With its amazing 80s atmosphere and creepy X-files meets E.T feel this show is set to impress. Within its first 8 minutes of run time I could tell I had found something special here in Stranger Things.

Its intriguing story gives information at a great pace and I never felt myself getting confused of bored and there were enough twists or turns to keep me interested. This also had some rather great horror sequences and their use of lights flickering while yes a common trope fit so well in to the story I was on the edge of my seat every time the crackle of electricity shot through my speakers and the lights flickered.

The characters of the show are the true stars here, I loved every single one of them. They were all great with amazingly interesting flaws and the way they mix and clash with one another was fun to see unfold. They certainly help to carry this show although I would say that the government antagonists of the show felt a little flat and under developed and not nearly as memorable.

Production values are also quite good with some beautiful cinematography, editing, lighting and sound. My goodness I loved their music choices. I would say that the CGI does look a little obvious and from time to time I did notice some issues where the scenes didn't look quite up to scratch. I do think however I've been spoiled for visual quality since Game of Thrones so I would take that criticism with a grain of salt because it certainly didn't detract from the overall experience. The setting and style of everything in the locations where also great to see and felt real and interesting. The way everything was shot also captures every moment expertly and really helps to draw out those story moments with greater emotion.

Stranger Things is one of those special shows that I stumbled across and after the opening I knew I was hooked. Its exciting dark tale is expertly woven through its 8 episode run time and I know I will be back to re-watch this one. The ending is fairly well rapped up with a few loose story threads left hanging, with a promise for potential follow on seasons but the story is quite satisfyingly rapped up by the end. Memorable, exciting, dark and haunting Netflix knocks Stranger Things out of the park.

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