January 2022

Hello and welcome to my first post of 2022.

This month, I have only saw two films in the cinema, which is an incredibly low amount compared to previous months since I became an Cineworld Unlimited member back in December 2018.

But, I have still done reviews for them. With that being said, here are the two films during January 2022:

Nightmare Alley

This was my first cinema trip of 2022. This is also the first ever time since I became an Cineworld Unlimited member (back in late 2018) that I didn't go to the cinema during the first two weeks of a month.

The trailers to Guillermo Del Toro's 'Nightmare Alley' looked great, very sinister, atmospheric and grim. I absolutely loved his 'Hellboy' duology and was interested in seeing Ron Perlman, Rooney Mara, Willem Dafoe and Toni Colette's performances in this.

*

The first 45-ish minutes were great. But, I immensely lost interest when the carnival stuff ended and it soley became a story about fooling one widowed man.

Visually, it was absolutely amazing throughout the entire runtime from the gritty and grungy carnival campsite to the luscious and elegant clubs and gardens. The cinematography and score were excellent too.

Ron, Rooney, Willem and Toni were good but I was disappointed by the amount of screentime they had, especially with all the marketing they're featured in.

I was surprised to see Tim Blake Nelson in this during the closing few minutes. The ending, didn't completely land for me, but was still pretty cool and changes the entire outlook on the "Beasts" in the film.

Guillermo's 'Nightmare Alley' was visually stunning but I honestly felt it didn't warrant the nearly 3 hour runtime.

6.3/10

A Journal For Jordan

The synopsis to this film seemed quite intriguing. It's about a father, who authored a journal for his son, before he is K.I.A in a Baghdad warzone.

*

Wow, this was pretty powerful.

I'm not one for non-linear storytelling in films, but this done it greatly. I was dreading the final scene between Dana and Charles, knowing the outcome.

This was my empty screening since I saw 'Candyman' in late August of 2021.

(Click here for My Candman review)

Michael B.Jordan and Chanté Adams were absolutely excellent.

Beautiful but also tragic score during the later half of the film.

I didn't cry when Charles died, but started tearing up at Dana's reaction to the phone call and the cut to a close-up of her 11 years after.

I went in not expecting much, but left thoroughly moved.

7.8/10