pootc

Alien: Romulus delivers a gritty experience reminiscent of the original film, with impressive world-building and familiar tech that longtime fans of the franchise will appreciate. The movie captures the essence of the Alien universe, offering a standalone story that fits well within the established timeline and cleverly nods to Prometheus.

However, the film's reliance on callbacks to previous entries in the franchise detracts from its originality. While some references are clever, others are forced and cringeworthy.

The introduction of the main character Rain, played by Cailee Spaeny, feels uninspired. We've seen this before - another Ripley. It's actually David Jonsson's character, Andy, who ends up being the most interesting by a long shot. If there is one franchise that would benefit from exploring new characters rather than rehashing old ones, this is it.

Despite these negatives, Romulus is technically impressive. It's beautifully shot, the effects are good, it has some genuine scares, and manages to deliver solid thrills and action scenes that are sure to please. I just wish it were brave enough to carve out its own identity.

Forget the naysayers because James Mangold's Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, despite some shortcomings stands as a fitting conclusion to the iconic franchise, paying tribute to the legacy of Indy and the actor who brought him to life.

Harrison Ford is the one and only Indiana Jones and delivers a poignant performance as the aging adventurer who is facing his own mortality in a changing world. Time has not been kind to Dr. Jones but when another powerful artifact, the titular Dial of Destiny falls into the wrong hands and threatens the very course of history out hero is thrust back into another globetrotting adventure against a familiar goose stepping foe.

Dial is action-packed with timely humour an familiar nostalgia beats but it can be somewhat gloomy too. It appropriately acknowledges Indy's advanced age and the ravages of time, exploring deeper themes of loss and regret which I think only serves to humanise the character.

Phoebe Waller-Bridger plays his not so trusty sidekick bringing charm and wit while Mads Mikkelsen steps effortlessly into the role of the cold and ruthless villain who threatens to change the course of history. The stakes are as high as ever and James Mangold who is directing in Steven Spielbergs place had the unenviable task delivering the final Indy adventure with Ford pushing eighty years old and happy to say, he has stuck the landing!

While it's not as charming as the Last Crusade or a masterpiece like Raiders of the Lost Ark it's a whole lot of fun and true to the spirit of the franchise and the character, delivering an emotional farewell to cinemas greatest hero.

Emancipation is a valiant effort by all involved which has been overshadowed by Will Smith's unfortunate actions at the Academy Awards.

The story is simple. A slave on the run and being hunted while trying to return to his family.

It's a great performance by Will Smith who gets down and dirty in the role with top notch production, especially the cinematography. But the choice to desaturate the picture was questionable. An artistic choice and while I understand the symbolism behind the choice, I found it completely unnecessary. I think it took away from the film. Black and white, terrible times. I get it but I'd love to see this again with some of that colour and detail restored.