jtindahouse

I like Dave Franco and Alison Brie. I'm always happy when I see their faces pop up in a film. What they may lack in polished acting talents, they make up for with natural charisma and charm. They're also very likable. Obviously they're married in real life, and they have to play a flawed couple in this movie, so it was interesting to see them navigate that.

I've been excited for 'Together' ever since I first heard about it. Body-horror isn't always my favourite sub-genre, but this one seemed interesting and like it might go to some compelling places.

And it did - and it didn't. I understand the film is quite metaphorical, but there was a point towards the end where it lost me a bit. The film also has multiple fake dream sequences which I never enjoy seeing.

Brie and Franco ensure the film is always watchable though and there were numerous elements to the story I did like. This was a middle of the road experience for me. 6/10.

Note: It was fantastic to see a Crystal the Monkey cameo towards the end. I thoroughly enjoyed that.

If 'Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning' does turn out to be the final 'Mission: Impossible' film, then it has been a hell of a ride. Although it would be a little disappointing to go out with the weakest entry the series has had in a little while.

I think the standard has been set so high for this series, that even a pretty darn good film can feel like a letdown. That was this film for me. I didn't think the action sequences were as riveting as we've come to expect in previous installments.

I found the submarine sequence dull and overly long, and I found the plane sequence was a little mundane and felt like something out of an early 70s 'Bond' film. I understand these stunts are actually being done by Tom Cruise, and that is nothing short of incredible, but they still need to be interesting to watch.

I also thought the film was overly long. There's just no way they couldn't have cut 20 minutes very easily in the editing room. It hurts the pacing of the film and leaves far too big of a gap between the action sequences.

All this sounds very negative, I'm aware. But the standards have been set very high. This is still a fine popcorn film and one that you'll enjoy far more than the average action movie. But it also could've been better. 7/10.

It's hard to think of a sequel that does less to justify its existence than 'Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps'. Not only does it feel like it adds very little (if anything) worthy to the original story and characters - it actively felt to me like it destroyed a little bit of the 'Gordon Gekko' legacy.

Which is a shame. Don't get me wrong, it's a competently made movie with a really good cast who all try their best. The script just gives them nothing. It doesn't have that same high energy and inspirational feel that the original so effortlessly achieved. It just kind of panders along for two and a bit hours and then it's done.

When you've seen how good this genre of film can be, with the likes of 'Wall Street' and 'The Wolf of Wall Street', and then you get a dull snoozefest like this, it's just a little disappointing. A generous 6/10.