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bane

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Everything posted by bane

  1. bane

    Movie Index - F

    First Reformed (2018) Ethan Hawke, Amanda Seyfried, Cedric the Entertainer, Victoria Hill Written & Directed by: Paul Schrader (Writer of Taxi Driver & Raging Bull) Platform: NowTV IMDB: 7.1/10, RT: 93% Fresh Runtime: 108 Minutes (Watched All) Synopsis: Reverend Ernst Toller (Ethan Hawke) is a solitary, middle-aged parish pastor at a small Dutch Reform church in upstate New York on the cusp of celebrating its 250th anniversary. Once a stop on the Underground Railroad, the church is now a tourist attraction catering to a dwindling congregation, eclipsed by its nearby parent church, Abundant Life, with its state-of-the-art facilities and 5,000-strong flock. When a pregnant parishioner (Amanda Seyfried) asks Reverend Toller to counsel her husband, a radical environmentalist, the clergyman finds himself plunged into his own tormented past, and equally despairing future. Verdict: A very good understated performance by Ethan Hawke kept me watching this slow burn drama, from the same writer of Taxi Driver it certainly hits a lot of the same beats and feels like the environmentalist version of that movie. Its a movie that takes its time, tries to deal with a lot of weighty issues of the day all pushed through Hawkes performance and narration.
  2. bane

    Movie Index - F

    First Sunday (2008) Ice Cube, Tracy Morgan, Katt Williams, Loretta Devine, Keith David, Regina Hall Written & Directed by: David E. Talbert Platform: Netflix IMDB: 4.5/10, RT: 12% Rotten Runtime: 98 Minutes (Watched 20) Synopsis: Durell Washington and LeeJohn Jackson are best friends and bumbling petty criminals. When Durell learns that his ex-girlfriend plans to move to another state with their son Durell Jr.--unless they can get her $17,000 to pay off a debt-- and so Durell and LeeJohn ultimately comes up with a desperate scheme to rob their neighborhood church. But when the duo fumbles their way through the break-in, they discover someone has beaten them to the punch. In order to get their hands on the money, Durell and LeeJohn are forced to spend the night in the presence of the Lord and his followers--and end up getting a lot more than they bargained for. Verdict: Another unfunny Ice Cube comedy. Yawn.
  3. bane

    Movie Index - F

    First Match (2018) - A Netflix Original Movie Feature length remake of the 15 Minute short film "First Match" (2010) by the same director Elvire Emmanuelle, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Colman Domingo, Jharrel Jerome, Jared Kemp Written & Directed by: Olivia Newman Platform: Netflix IMDB: 6.4/10, RT: 84% Fresh Runtime: 102 Minutes (Watched All) Synopsis: Hardened by years in foster care, a teenage girl from Brooklyn's Brownsville neighborhood decides that joining the boys wrestling team is the only way back to her estranged father. Verdict: Not an original story but its led by two very good performances by its two leads, at its heart its a story of family with a young girl doing all she can to forge a relationship with her father. I really enjoyed it and would recommend this.
  4. bane

    Movie Index - F

    First Man (2018) Based on the official biography "First Man: The Life of Neil Armstrong" (2005) by James R.Hansen Ryan Gosling, Claire Foy, Jason Clarke, Kyle Chandler, Cory Stoll Directed by: Damien Chazelle (La La Land) Platform: NowTV IMDB: 7.3/10, RT: 87% Fresh Runtime: 138 Minutes (Watched 45) Synopsis: A Biopic on the life of the legendary American Astronaut Neil Armstrong from 1961-1969, on his journey to becoming the first human to walk the moon. Exploring the sacrifices and costs on the Nation and Neil himself, during one of the most dangerous missions in the history of space travel. Verdict: BO-RING. This film is basically "Neil in a plane", "Neil moping around his house", "Neil at work", expertly portrayed by the personality vacuum that is Ryan Gosling. It boggles my mind why he gets as much work as he does, sure his muted performances work in Driver or Blade Runner but I have to believe Neil Armstrong wasn't like this in real life. The first 45 minutes of this movie is just DULL, yet it got rave reviews, I must be missing something.
  5. bane

    Movie Index - F

    Fire in Paradise (2019) - A Netflix Original Documentary Documentary Directed by: Zackary Canepari & Drea Cooper Platform: Netflix Runtime: 40 Minutes (Watched All) Subject: On the morning of November 8, 2018, a seemingly small fire broke out in Butte County, California near the town of Paradise. Over the course of a few short hours, the Camp Fire grew into the country's deadliest wildfire in over a century, killing 85 people and destroying Paradise. Through first-hand footage of the disaster and personal interviews with survivors and emergency responders, FIRE IN PARADISE vividly retells the terrifying survival stories from that day. Thoughts: A short but sobering documentary showing real footage at the time it happened and interviews with those that survived it. If people don't realise that global warming are making things like this worse than there is not much hope for the future.
  6. bane

    Movie Index - F

    Final Score (2018) Dave Bautista, Ray Stevenson, Amit Shah, Ralph Brown, Lara Peake, Alexandra Dinu & Pierce Brosnan Directed by: Scott Mann Platform: NowTV IMDB: 5.7/10, 69% Fresh Runtime: 104 Minutes (Watched All) Synopsis: After deadly terrorists abduct his niece at a soccer match, an ex-soldier with lethal fighting skills wages a one-man war to save her and prevent mass murder. Verdict: I really enjoyed this, leave your brain outside old school action film, a perfect vehicle for Bautista. A film to watch with beer & pizza. The plot is very similar to the Van Damme movie Sudden Death (1995) but bigger and louder. Worth a watch.
  7. bane

    Movie Index - F

    Final Destination 5 (2011) Nicholas D'Agosto, Emma Bell, Arlen Escaparta, Ellen Wroe, David Koechner, Courtney B.Vance & Tony Todd Directed by: Stephen Quale Platform: Netflix IMDB: 5.8/10, RT: 62% Fresh Runtime: 92 Minutes (Watched All) Synopsis: Survivors of a suspension-bridge collapse learn there's no way you can cheat Death. Verdict: After a really cool disaster opening the film gets rather dull, the acting is actually ok and it follows the same beats as all the other sequels, to be honest I don't understand why they keep making them. The overuse of CGI blood is annoying, some of the deaths are ok but overall this was a background movie while I was doing other things. There is a nice twist at the end if you have seen the other movies. The end credits shows the deaths from all the other movies to AC/DC's "If you want blood (you got it)".
  8. bane

    Movie Index - F

    Filth (2014) Based upon the novel "Filth" (1998) by Irvine Welsh James McAvoy, Jamie Bell, Eddie Marsan, Imogen Poots, John Sessions, Jim Broadbent, Joanne Froggatt, Kim Dickie Directed by: Jon S.Baird (Cass) Platform: Film 4 IMDB: 7.1/10, RT: 65% Fresh Runtime: 97 Minutes (Watched All) Synopsis: A corrupt, junkie cop with bipolar disorder attempts to manipulate his way through a promotion in order to win back his wife and daughter while also fighting his own inner demons. Verdict: The movie lives up to its name, its a gritty, crime, black comedy that has a great performance at the heart of it by McAvoy. If you are a fan of Welsh's other adaptations you will like this also, I really enjoyed it. Trailer NSFW
  9. bane

    Movie Index - F

    Fighting With My Family (2019) Based upon the life of WWE wrestler Saraya "Paige" Knight-Bevis Florence Pugh, Jack Lowden, Vince Vaughn, Lena Headey, Nick Frost & Dwayne Johnson Written & Directed by: Stephen Merchant (The Office, Extras, Life's Too Short) Platform: Netflix IMDB: 7.1/10, RT: 92% Fresh Runtime: 107 Minutes (Watched All) Synopsis: A former wrestler and his family make a living performing at small venues around the country while his kids dream of joining World Wrestling Entertainment. Verdict: You don't have to be a fan or have knowledge of wrestling to enjoy this feel good drama, sure it may come across as cliched but it really does follow the real life of Paige who was signed to WWE on a developmental contract and became the youngest Women's Champion in WWE history. Being a wrestling fan since the age of 7 and having dipped my toe in and out every few years I knew the story of Paige and felt that Pugh did a really good of portraying her and the film overall has Merchants comedic touch.
  10. bane

    Movie Index - F

    Fever (2017) Known as "Mountain Fever" outside of U.K. Julien Caplan, Anya Korzun Written & Directed by: Hendrik Faller Platform: NowTV IMDB: 3.5/10 Runtime: 92 Minutes (Watched 20) Synopsis: Hostage in his own home, an incompetent Englishman is forced to team up with his captor to fight off the survivors of a fatal flu epidemic. Verdict: Some great cinematography at the start is the only thing good thing I can say about this dull thriller.
  11. bane

    Movie Index - F

    Fighting (2009) Channing Tatum, Terence Howard, Luis Guzman, Zulay Henao, Anthony DeSando, Roger Guenveur Smith, Brian White Directed by: Dito Montiel (Empire State) Platform: Netflix IMDB: 5.6/10, RT: 40% Rotten Runtime: 105 Minutes (Watched All) Synopsis: In New York City, a young counterfeiter is introduced to the world of underground street fighting by a seasoned scam artist, who becomes his manager on the bare-knuckling brawling circuit. Verdict: Its practically the same story as "Never Back Down" which came out the year before but not as fun or tongue in cheek, its grittier with the fights (which aren't many) being brawls than anything choreographed. Tatum is fine in the role even though he sleep walks through quite a few scenes and I always enjoy Terrence Howard, the plot is entirely predictable but I still kind of enjoyed it even though it was mostly on in the background.
  12. bane

    Movie Index - F

    Feedback (2019) Eddie Marsan, Paul Anderson, Ivana Baquero, Richard Brake, Oliver Coopersmith, Alana Boden, Anthony Head Directed by: Pedro C.Alonso Platform: NowTV IMDB: 5.3/10, RT: 75% Fresh Runtime: 98 Minutes (Watched All) Synopsis: A radio star experiences the worst night of his life when stalkers assault the radio station where he's working. Verdict: A very good British thriller that takes place solely inside a radio station booth, it builds and builds to the point it gets predictable but a great performance by Eddie Marsan overshadows any weakness in the story. Recommended.
  13. bane

    Movie Index - F

    The Fear of 13 (2015) Documentary Directed by: David Sington Platform: Netflix Runtime: 96 Minutes (Watched All) Subject: A convicted murderer who has spent 23 years on Death Row tells his story. Thoughts: A captivating documentary following the life in prison of Death Row inmate Nick Yarris, told entirely by him not only covering his time in prison but his early life and how he ended up there. Yarris himself is an excellent story teller which made this doc as interesting as the story he was telling. Recommended.
  14. bane

    Movie Index - F

    Father of the Year (2018) - A Netflix Original Movie David Spade, Nat Faxon, Joey Bragg, Matt Shively, Bridgit Mendler Directed by: Tyler Spindel Platform: Netflix IMDB: 5.2/10, RT: 0% Rotten Runtime: 94 Minutes (Watched 30) Synopsis: Before NYC, college valedictorian Ben visits his trailer park loser dad. Same evening Ben argues with Larry about whose dad can kick the other dad's . Loser dad hears of this and tries to beat up doormat dad and chaos follows. Verdict: Yep, the whole movies premise is based on "my dad could beat up your dad", the first 20 minutes are some what amusing but after that it gets dull real quick.
  15. bane

    Movie Index - F

    Fast Color (2019) Gugu Mbatha-Raw, David Strathairn, Lorraine Toussaint, Saniyya Sidney, Christopher Denham Written & Directed by: Julia Hart Platform: Netflix IMDB: 5.8/10, RT: 82% Fresh Runtime: 100 Minutes (Watched 40) Synopsis: A woman is forced to go on the run when her superhuman abilities are discovered. Years after having abandoned her family, the only place she has left to hide is home. Verdict: This is a slow burn grounded superhero movie that I just couldn't get into, I often found it to be dull even with a thoughtful performance by the lead actress, I may go back and rewatch it another time.
  16. bane

    Movie Index - F

    The Family (2013) Based upon the French novel "Malavita" (2010) by Tonino Benacquista Robert DeNiro, Michelle Pfeiffer, Diana Agron, John D'Leo, Tommy Lee Jones Directed by: Luc Besson Platform: Netflix IMDB: 6.3/10, RT: 29% Rotten Runtime: 112 Minutes (Watched All) Synopsis: The Manzoni family, a notorious mafia clan, is relocated to Normandy, France under the Witness Protection Program, where fitting in soon becomes challenging, as their old habits die hard. Verdict: I actually quite enjoyed this, the performances and the comedy make up for its lack of depth or characters that you shouldn't like. You can see Besson's style throughout and he doesn't paint a great picture of his rural countrymen, the end descends into predictable fare but its done tongue in cheek so gets away with it. It gets pretty bad reviews but screw them, I enjoyed it and I would recommend watching it.
  17. bane

    Movie Index - F

    Family Blood (2018) Vinessa Shaw, James Ransone, Colin Ford, Ajiona Alexus Directed by: Sonny Mallhi Platform: Netflix IMDB: 4.2/10 Runtime: 92 Minutes (Watched 15) Synopsis: Ellie, a recovering drug addict, has just moved to a new city with her two teenage children. She has struggled to stay sober in the past and is determined to make it work this time, finding a stable job and regularly attending her meetings. Unfortunately, new friends, a new job, and the chance of a new life, can't keep Ellie from slipping once again. Her life changes when she meets Christopher - a different kind of addict - which forces her daughter and son to accept a new version of Ellie. Verdict: Dull, extremely dull.
  18. bane

    Movie Index - F

    Face 2 Face (2016) Daniela Bobadilla, Daniel Amerman, Kevin McCorkle, Emily Jordan Directed by: Matthew Toronto Platform: Netflix IMDB: 6.9/10 Runtime: 104 Minutes (Watched All) Synopsis: Over a series of video chats, a teenage outcast reaches out to his childhood friend, but finds that behind the veneer of popularity and a seemingly perfect life, she hides a disturbing secret. Verdict: Out of the wave of overused "found footage" movies comes the next gimmick, the Face Time films. Watching this from the start I thought it was going to be a teen comedy and while I was giving it the usual 15 minutes screen time I was oddly engaged and compelled to keep watching. I enjoyed the actors performances which made me want to watch to the end, while you will figure out one of the secrets one of the characters holds its dealt with too lightly to have as much impact as it should. This is only the 2nd movie I've seen to use this gimmick as a film method but its been the best one so far.
  19. Face 2 Face - Drama, Netflix Frost/Nixon - True Story, NowTV Family Blood - Horror, Netflix Fruitvale Station - True Story, Netflix Family, The - Comedy, Action, Netflix Fundamentals of Caring - Drama, Netflix Fast Color - Sci-fi, Netflix Funhouse, The - Horror Father of the Year - Comedy, Netflix Funhouse Massacre, The - Horror, Netflix Fear of 13 - Documentary, Netflix Funny People - Comedy, Netflix Feedback - Drama, NowTV Fighting - Drama, Netflix Fever - Thriller, NowTV Fighting With My Family - True Story, Netflix Filth - Black Comedy, Drama, NowTV Final Destination 5 - Supernatural, Netflix Final Score - Action, NowTV Fire in Paradise - Documentary, Netflix First Man - True Story, NowTV First Match - Drama, Netflix First Sunday - Comedy, Netflix First Reformed - Drama, NowTV FirstBorn - Supernatural, Netflix Fish Don't Blink - Comedy, Netflix Fist Fight - Comedy, Netflix Five Easy Pieces - Drama, NowTV Five Nights in Maine - Drama, Netflix Flatliners - Sci-fi, Netflix Fled - Action, Netflix Fletch - Comedy, NowTV First Kill - Action For The Love of Spock - Documentary, Netflix Forbidden Games: The Justin Fashnau Story - Documentary, Netflix Force, The - Documentary, Netflix Foreigner, The - Action, Netflix Forever Chape - Documentary, Netflix Foxy Brown - Action, Netflix Fractured - Psychological Drama, Netflix Frank and Cindy - Documentary, Netflix Fred - Documentary, Netflix Friday Night Lights - Sports, Drama, Netflix Friends With Benefits - Comedy, Netflix Fright Fest - Horror, NowTV
  20. I've bought from this at times. I don't find it intrusive at all. Sometimes I find it insulting when you get an offer of 2% off and it equates to 0.50p
  21. bane

    Movie Index - E

    Election (1999) Based upon the novel "Election" (1998) by Tom Perrotta Matthew Broderick, Reese Witherspoon, Chris Kline, Jessica Campbell, Mark Harelik, Phil Reeves Directed by: Alexander Payne Platform: NowTV IMDB: 7.2/10, RT: 92% Rotten Runtime: 102 Minutes (Watched All) Synopsis: A high school teacher's personal life becomes complicated as he works with students during the school elections, particularly with an obsessive overachiever determined to become student body president. Verdict: Really enjoyed this brilliant dark comedy, highly recommended!
  22. bane

    Movie Index - E

    Eye of the Needle (1981) Based upon the novel "Storm Island aka Eye of the Needle" (1978) by Ken Follet Donald Sutherland, Kate Nelligan, Stephen MacKenna, Christopher Cazanove, Faith Brook Feature length film debut of Rik Mayall Directed by: Richard Marquand (Star Wars VI: Return of the Jedi) Platform: Netflix IMDB: 7.1/10, RT: 81% Fresh Runtime: 111 Minutes (Watched All) Synopsis: A German spy carrying information that will reveal the target of Operation Overlord becomes involved with the wife of a crippled man on an isolated island off the Scottish coast while he waits to be picked up. Verdict: Watchable WW2 spy thriller that ends up as a romantic drama, good performances is what kept me watching.
  23. bane

    Movie Index - E

    Eye For An Eye (2019) Known as "The Poison Rose" in North America John Travolta, Morgan Freeman, Brendan Fraser, Famke Janssen, Ella Bleu Travolta, Robert Patrick, Peter Stormare Directed by: Francesco Cinquemani & George Gallo (Trapped in Paradise) Platform: NowTV IMDB: 4.4/10, RT: 0% Rotten Runtime: 98 Minutes (Watched 35) Synopsis: Inspired by classic film noir, "The Poison Rose" stars John Travolta as Carson Phillips, an ex-football star turned PI, who's got a soft spot for a lady in distress. Like the classic tales spun by the masters, he takes on a routine missing persons case which slowly reveals itself to be a complex interwoven web of crimes, suspects and dead bodies. When he discovers his long lost daughter is the number one suspect, he races a ticking clock to save her, solve the murders, and uncover the town's dirty secrets. Verdict: Tries hard to be a modern noir mystery but its just boring, decent actors but they have nothing to work with. Jesus Christ Brendan Fraser put on weight!
  24. bane

    Movie Index - E

    Extracurricular Activities (2019) Colin Ford, Timothy Simons, Ellie Bamber, Tanner Stine, Arden Myrin Directed by: Jay Lowi Platform: NowTV IMDB: 6.1/10 Runtime: 89 Minutes (Watched All) Synopsis: A mature, intelligent high school student has a side job arranging "accidental" deaths (no 2 alike) of fellow students' parents. A cop detective notices this student being connected to all the kids of dead parents. Who wins the face-off? Verdict: Watchable black comedy with decent actors, has some genuine comedy moments with its supporting cast and an unexpected ending. I liked it.
  25. bane

    Movie Index - E

    Extraction (2015) Bruce Willis, Kellan Lutz, Gina Carano, D.B.Sweeney Directed by: Steven C.Miller (Escape Plan 2 ) Platform: Netflix IMDB: 4.1/10, RT: 6% Rotten Runtime: 96 Minutes (Watched 20) Synopsis: A former CIA operative is kidnapped by a group of terrorists. When his son learns there is no plan for his father to be saved, he launches his own rescue operation. Verdict: Another Willis pension topper, amateur acting, cliched --script, not as bad as the directors previous effort Escape Plan 2 but thats not saying much. Avoid.