Posts

Top 10 Movies of 2022

Image
Top 10 Movies of 2022 ETCinema Reviews https://images.app.goo.gl/2gLsrWnxE5WApj339   It’s been a while.  While I haven’t been posting my reviews online, I have been no less of a film lover over the last year or so. I’ve still not been able to resist the urges to log and review my viewings on Letterboxd and many of the overviews in this list will be taken directly from my profile on there.  As I’m relaunching ETCinema, I felt it necessary to share my Top 10 of last year so you can see what I’ve been up to. I’ve taken my time with the list and it’s changed dozens of times as I’ve tried to watch every good movie out there. Ultimately though, I wasn’t able to see everything (sorry Top Gun) so let me know what I missed out on. Some films narrowly missed the Top 10, while others have stayed in their position for months.  Without further ado let’s start the list in reverse order from 10-1. These are all my opinions, so let me know your Top 10 below! 10) The Northman Aidan Monaghan © Robert Eg

Eternals (2021) Review

Image
  Eternals (2021) Review Dir. Chloe Zhao   Flawed but fascinating film brings something fresh to the MCU.  https://images.app.goo.gl/BmW2PrQuNfmUbTkN9   Over 25 movies into the Marvel Cinematic Universe now and many would suppose that individuality is impossible for these films. It ’ s not the case. While Marvel has a formula it often too-easily returns to, every now and then there is a renaissance period. Whether it ’ s the misunderstood and well-aged Iron Man 3 which riskily focused on a Tony Stark out of options and forced to use his wits, or the complete reinvention of Thor by Taika Watiti as a neon, cosmic comedy of chao; voices can sometimes break through. One of the most interesting parts of Marvel’s massive Avengers: Endgame was the first hour, in which the superhero action is almost entirely abandoned in lieu of a dramatic, grief-stricken character study.    When Marvel announced that Chloe Zhao; the Oscar winning director of Nomadland , was to make an MCU film based on the

Dune (2021) Review

Image
Dune (2021) Review Dir. Denis Villeneuve    Sci-Fi brilliance proves that cinema is still alive. https://images.app.goo.gl/5m15hUAuawNCAE5GA   A movie that needs to be seen. I had never read Frank Hebert ’ s famous novel, I hadn ’ t even seen David Lynch ’ s experimental but failed attempt from the 80s, nor had I seen the forgotten miniseries. Dune was new to me, and now it feels as enchantingly fresh as a whole new world should.   Villeneuve has constructed an unrivalled epic cinematic experience. Long, sprawling, spectacle-driven and utterly compelling. Dune is the cinema equivalent of learning a whole new language. At first its daunting, you are slightly bewildered, confused and maybe even frustrated. You may find yourself struggling to adjust, but at one point or another it just falls into place. Suddenly you are in the world of Dune. Suddenly you know the good from the bad, the strong from the weak. Suddenly you are transported to an enchanting new opportunity, you've learnt a

Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021) Review

Image
Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021) Review Dir. Andy Serkis    Short and sweet, shallow but luckily not shambolic. https://images.app.goo.gl/FgeCyu4vaW1qqNK2A   Venom Let There Be Carnage is a straight sequel to Sony ’ s 2018 comic book adventure, which stars Tom Hardy as Reporter Eddie Brock. Brock ’ s combination with an alien symbiote named venom leads to the character ’ s anti heroic vigilante career. In the new film, directed by effects actor extraordinaire Andy Serkis, Venom ’ s arch enemy and spawn Carnage bonds itself onto the insane serial killer Cletus Kassady; played by woody Harrelson in a comfortably psychopathic performance.    The resultant film is a brisk 90 minutes, a welcome change from the ever extending run times of recent blockbusters; which sometimes find themselves padding out to match other movies ’  2.5 hour length. While refreshingly short, the film does feel as rushed as you ’ d expect narratively.   Upping the comedy to the max, Venom 2 is close to absurdist

No Time To Die (2021) Review

Image
No Time To Die (2021) Review Dir. Cary Joji Fukunaga   Daniel Craig bows out with a finale for the ages       Nicola Dove—© 2020 DANJAQ, LLC AND MGM. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No Time To Die ; the 25th Bond movie, of a franchise in its 59th year on screen. By any logic you ’ d expect this film to be a tired, hackneyed slog of over-worn and overplayed beats. The fact that it isn ’ t is a testament to the longevity and creativity that has kept these movies going for so long.   The 5th and final of Daniel Craig ’ s tenure as the super spy, No Time To Die is a unique experience for fans of the franchise. Never before has a Bond actor stepped on set knowing it was his final time in the suit and tie. Craig is a lucky first timer, as the movie feels like a reward and celebration of his reinvention of the popular series.    No Time To Die is a long film, with a long history of delay and dismay in the production process. Yet, after all the hardships, it remains worth the wait. If you ’ re a fan of