May 2023
All movies I saw in the cinema for first time during the month of May 2023 ranked from worst to best.
(SPOILER WARNING FOR ALL 4 FILMS PICTURED ABOVE)
#4. Fast X
This was my final cinema trip of May 2023.
I've moderately been looking forward to this for the past nearly two years. 2021's Fast 9, was pretty enjoyable to be honest. Not the best, but okay enough, with the debut of John Cena (portraying Dom's brother) and the return of Han.
The trailer did look pretty cool, showcasing what makes the FastFurious franchise so popular with crazy set pieces and thrilling car chases.
Fast X is also potentially the 1st part of trilogy, with the 12th film ending a current 22 year run.
*
Man, these films may be enjoyable, but woah are they insanely longer than they should be.
The action, for the most part, was great albeit occasionally elongated at times. ALOT it was already featured in the trailers/adverts.
Jason Momoa, arguably this film's major selling was honestly quite tiring to watch. He just kept bouncing from stoic and deadly-serious to juvenily flamboyant, almost Joker-esque at points. It got incredibly boring everytime he appeared, and I don't mind him too! Hopefully in the sequel, he picks a side and sticks to it.
The amount of locations featured is staggering and I'm sorta surprised (according to Fast X's replacement director) there was one more that they didn't have time to film. One minute, it's Portugal, the next Brazil, London, etc.
This was perhaps the most emotional the franchise has been, with it leaning even heavier than ever on the "Family" dynamic. Pretty much every character in the film brings up Dom's purpose.
With the return of Gal Gadot (friggin' somehow after the events of F6), I'm hoping Cena's character is alive, followinh his self-sacrifice. I need to Rock and Cena on-screen together. It'd be the first time two WWE Superstars turned Hollywood shared the screen at the same time.
"FINALLY! THE ROCK HAS COME BACK...TO THE MAINLINE FAST FILMS!" with the now iconic (to me anyway) "sum bitch" line.
With this being the first of the potential finale trilogy, it ended quite abruptly, almost like a TV episode and I'm unfortunately not that hyped at the moment (especially after looking forward to this film for the past nearly 2 years). Perhaps if the runtime for the next 2 is trimmed by 30-40 minutes, then I'll be intrigued.
5/10
I've moderately been looking forward to this for the past nearly two years. 2021's Fast 9, was pretty enjoyable to be honest. Not the best, but okay enough, with the debut of John Cena (portraying Dom's brother) and the return of Han.
The trailer did look pretty cool, showcasing what makes the FastFurious franchise so popular with crazy set pieces and thrilling car chases.
Fast X is also potentially the 1st part of trilogy, with the 12th film ending a current 22 year run.
*
Man, these films may be enjoyable, but woah are they insanely longer than they should be.
The action, for the most part, was great albeit occasionally elongated at times. ALOT it was already featured in the trailers/adverts.
Jason Momoa, arguably this film's major selling was honestly quite tiring to watch. He just kept bouncing from stoic and deadly-serious to juvenily flamboyant, almost Joker-esque at points. It got incredibly boring everytime he appeared, and I don't mind him too! Hopefully in the sequel, he picks a side and sticks to it.
The amount of locations featured is staggering and I'm sorta surprised (according to Fast X's replacement director) there was one more that they didn't have time to film. One minute, it's Portugal, the next Brazil, London, etc.
This was perhaps the most emotional the franchise has been, with it leaning even heavier than ever on the "Family" dynamic. Pretty much every character in the film brings up Dom's purpose.
With the return of Gal Gadot (friggin' somehow after the events of F6), I'm hoping Cena's character is alive, followinh his self-sacrifice. I need to Rock and Cena on-screen together. It'd be the first time two WWE Superstars turned Hollywood shared the screen at the same time.
"FINALLY! THE ROCK HAS COME BACK...TO THE MAINLINE FAST FILMS!" with the now iconic (to me anyway) "sum bitch" line.
With this being the first of the potential finale trilogy, it ended quite abruptly, almost like a TV episode and I'm unfortunately not that hyped at the moment (especially after looking forward to this film for the past nearly 2 years). Perhaps if the runtime for the next 2 is trimmed by 30-40 minutes, then I'll be intrigued.
5/10
#3. Big George Foreman and The Miraculous Story of The Once and Future Heavyweight Champion of The World
I've heard nothing about this film from people outside of how incredibly long the title is. They should've named it just "Big George" instead, akin to every other theatrical bio-pic.
*
While I did enjoy it for the most part, I wouldn't say it was the absolute best boxing film I've seen, when the likes of Creed III, Southpaw and Rocky IV exist. It reminded me stylistically and story-wise alot of the Mike Tyson bio-pic series from last year, with both of them being told in the past tense through narration and modern days scenes.
Khris Davis definetley held his own portraying the iconic fighter through several decades. The chemistry he had between Forrest Whittaker was great to see during the 2 hours runtime.
Perhaps the highlight of the film was the fights, The cinematography and lighting during them sequences were excellent. Everything else, while emotional, felt either overly drawn out or quickly paced
6.5/10
*
While I did enjoy it for the most part, I wouldn't say it was the absolute best boxing film I've seen, when the likes of Creed III, Southpaw and Rocky IV exist. It reminded me stylistically and story-wise alot of the Mike Tyson bio-pic series from last year, with both of them being told in the past tense through narration and modern days scenes.
Khris Davis definetley held his own portraying the iconic fighter through several decades. The chemistry he had between Forrest Whittaker was great to see during the 2 hours runtime.
Perhaps the highlight of the film was the fights, The cinematography and lighting during them sequences were excellent. Everything else, while emotional, felt either overly drawn out or quickly paced
6.5/10
#2. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry
This was my first film and cinema trip of May 2023.
I was intrigued to see this for a few months now, ever since the trailer dropped. Jim Broadbent is a great dramatic actor, with the likes of 'The Duke', 'Ethel & Ernest' and 'A Sense of An Ending' all come to mind when I think of him.
Having the trailer multiple times in previous screenings, I do hate that it practically spoils the whole film. The people who cut the trailer together should've left the phone call segment ("You're almost there") as that seemed like it would've been a really emotional reveal.
*
What a heartbreakingly beautiful tale of guilt, self forgiveness and never giving up no matter the obstacles or hurdles you may face along your journey. Definetley one of the best British films in recent.
Jim Broadbent absoulety stole the show with his warm and almost perfect soul perfomance.
Having harsh lighting during the flashback was such a great choice, potentially emphasising the vagueness of his recollection. I had a feeling his son had passed away but I was completely stunned by the quick and unflattering reveal, I was expecting a off-camera hint, instead of the BRUTAL wide shot they went with.
I did feel quite emotionally numb during the somewhat dull scene with Queenie during the 3rd Act. Which, I think, really put me in the shoes of Harold, who travelled all them miles just for seemingly nothing.
Gorgeous cinematography at times, great score and engaging performances kept me invested during it's near 2 hour runtime.
7.7/10
I was intrigued to see this for a few months now, ever since the trailer dropped. Jim Broadbent is a great dramatic actor, with the likes of 'The Duke', 'Ethel & Ernest' and 'A Sense of An Ending' all come to mind when I think of him.
Having the trailer multiple times in previous screenings, I do hate that it practically spoils the whole film. The people who cut the trailer together should've left the phone call segment ("You're almost there") as that seemed like it would've been a really emotional reveal.
*
What a heartbreakingly beautiful tale of guilt, self forgiveness and never giving up no matter the obstacles or hurdles you may face along your journey. Definetley one of the best British films in recent.
Jim Broadbent absoulety stole the show with his warm and almost perfect soul perfomance.
Having harsh lighting during the flashback was such a great choice, potentially emphasising the vagueness of his recollection. I had a feeling his son had passed away but I was completely stunned by the quick and unflattering reveal, I was expecting a off-camera hint, instead of the BRUTAL wide shot they went with.
I did feel quite emotionally numb during the somewhat dull scene with Queenie during the 3rd Act. Which, I think, really put me in the shoes of Harold, who travelled all them miles just for seemingly nothing.
Gorgeous cinematography at times, great score and engaging performances kept me invested during it's near 2 hour runtime.
7.7/10
#1. Guardians of The Galaxy Vol.3
This has been one of my most anticipated films for quite some time.
I loved the 2 previous installments and consider the 2017 film to be one of my all-time favourite superhero movies. Really enjoyed the Holiday special from the past December and found it very heartfelt, with the reveal of Mantis being Peter Quill's sister.
It's amazing to see how far the once obscure Marvel team has come in almost 9 whole years. Pre-2014, a film about a anthropomorphic tree, talking raccoon, 80s man-child, green swordstress with red hair and a oblivious muscly gray man trying to get along would've seemed like a concept for a B-list film. But, thanks to James Gunn & Kevin Feige, the team is known and beloved worldwide.
*
What. A. FLARKIN' rollercoaster of a finale! Such an emotional thrill ride from beginning to end.
Amazing performances from all the cast, especially Zoe Saldana (100% not saying that just because I'm biased towards her), Chris Pratt, Pom Klemintieff, Dave Bautista and ofcourse Bradley Cooper. Also, I'm completely sold on Will Poulter as Adam Warlock, he was excellent.
Cooper surprised me alot with his voice acting as Rocket, genuinely got incredibly choked up hearing his absolutely heartwrenching cry when Lyla got shot, never thought they could make the death of her more painfully heartbreaking than the one featured in the Telltale GotG game, but they fucking did! Instead of escaping and passing almost peacefully in a field, she unceremoniously got gunned down while still in captivity.
John Murphy was cooking with fire composing that beautiful, heroic score.
Gotta hand it to those involved, they made the High Evolutionary utterly despicable. Friggin' hated every single action he done!
If this indeed is the final MCU outting for Zoe (among others). I'm completely fine with it, all of them had a great tenure. Mantis got to have her epic moment, Drax got to become the fatherly figure he was only hinted as, Gamora was still badass (obviously), Rocket finally exacted his vengeance and Star-Lord finally returned home. I will miss seeing Zoe as Gamora alot!
Now...to resume hating James Gunn for letting go of Henry Cavill as Superman!
8/10
I loved the 2 previous installments and consider the 2017 film to be one of my all-time favourite superhero movies. Really enjoyed the Holiday special from the past December and found it very heartfelt, with the reveal of Mantis being Peter Quill's sister.
It's amazing to see how far the once obscure Marvel team has come in almost 9 whole years. Pre-2014, a film about a anthropomorphic tree, talking raccoon, 80s man-child, green swordstress with red hair and a oblivious muscly gray man trying to get along would've seemed like a concept for a B-list film. But, thanks to James Gunn & Kevin Feige, the team is known and beloved worldwide.
*
What. A. FLARKIN' rollercoaster of a finale! Such an emotional thrill ride from beginning to end.
Amazing performances from all the cast, especially Zoe Saldana (100% not saying that just because I'm biased towards her), Chris Pratt, Pom Klemintieff, Dave Bautista and ofcourse Bradley Cooper. Also, I'm completely sold on Will Poulter as Adam Warlock, he was excellent.
Cooper surprised me alot with his voice acting as Rocket, genuinely got incredibly choked up hearing his absolutely heartwrenching cry when Lyla got shot, never thought they could make the death of her more painfully heartbreaking than the one featured in the Telltale GotG game, but they fucking did! Instead of escaping and passing almost peacefully in a field, she unceremoniously got gunned down while still in captivity.
John Murphy was cooking with fire composing that beautiful, heroic score.
Gotta hand it to those involved, they made the High Evolutionary utterly despicable. Friggin' hated every single action he done!
If this indeed is the final MCU outting for Zoe (among others). I'm completely fine with it, all of them had a great tenure. Mantis got to have her epic moment, Drax got to become the fatherly figure he was only hinted as, Gamora was still badass (obviously), Rocket finally exacted his vengeance and Star-Lord finally returned home. I will miss seeing Zoe as Gamora alot!
Now...to resume hating James Gunn for letting go of Henry Cavill as Superman!
8/10
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