joepm28

I'll try to write my review of Saltburn without any spoilers, yet with enough information so viewers know what they're getting themselves into when watching this creepy, cringy film.

First off, the biggest, biggest, BIGGEST flaw of Saltburn is that there is the barest of character back story as to what is motivating the 'hero' of the movie, Oliver Quick (an above average performance by Barry Keogh). I mean there are bits and then there are some twist and then there is the shocking ending, yet I was left asking at the discordant finale 'Why?'.

That then gets to the second fault of Saltburn - it is just totally unbelievable and preposterous as to the entire story line. Sure, we can say that there are foibles to the upper class that have inherited their wealth. Yet, to think they can all be as dense and unaware as the Catons and their set makes the whole film's premise fall apart at the slightest examination.

Finally, and most disappointing, for a purported 'gay' film, Saltburn does not fall in to that category, other than some lurid sexual longings and some unrequited love. Which to me, never came off since there was so little chemistry between the characters of Oliver and Felix Caton (Jacob Elordi delivering a rather wooden performance).

The best part of the film is the setting, the eponymous English manor house (Drayton Hall in real life), which is absolutely spectacular and to die for. But, even that is way too little to cover for the thin plot, poor character development and unbelievable ending.

I wouldn't say don't watch it Saltburn, just be prepared to be let down from the hype.

I'll give the cast and crew of A Knight's War credit for creating something we don't see enough of these days which is the moderately budgeted, sword & sorcery fantasy film. However, the pluses - great scenery, sets and costumes - are more than offset by the negatives - just ok acting, a story that was a pastiche of so many other genre tropes and, one of my continued biggest beefs, a run time that could have easily had been 15 or more minutes less.

And, as in my title, there were so many elements of A Knight's War that had the whiff, intentional or not, of being lifted from other films. Dying over and over to come back again - Edge of Tomorrow. The 'Light' and some of the music - Game of Thrones. Costumes and the masks - Pan's Labyrinth. The lead, Bhodie (Jeremey Ninaber - decent performance) - shades of The Witcher. You get the picture.

Overall A Knight's War is not awful nor is it very good. So, view at your own choice, especially if this type of film is in your wheelhouse.

What did I just watch? And for 2 hours?!

I mean this 2025 iteration of Superman was not awful, yet it was far from super, just barely being ok.

First off the story was so bland. It started with the age old conflict between Superman and Lex Luthor, yet done so cartoonishly, but not fun way. And this went on for like 45 minutes. Then, the best part, is when Superman is 'captured' and then how he gets free from the 'pocket universe' (no spoilers). After that, the last 45 minutes or so reverted to the standard super hero movie of endless action/fighting sequences, which were boring. It brought home to me why I've pretty much stopped seeing these Marvel, DC and whatever other universe it is that is being foisted upon us. It's all cookie cutter.

Some of the fight scenes were ok. But, again, the same tired tropes of Superman and his Justice Gang (?!) naturally and effortlessly beating the pants off all their opponents. And there's a do, which proves more annoying than adding to the plot.

As to the acting, all of it was wooden to the point of being sleep inducing. David Corenswet offers some appealing eye-candy and that's about it. The rest of the cast are forgettable, other than Nicholas Hoult as Lex. And even he is neither great nor awful, just blah. In no way does he come close to Gene Hackman's Lex.

While its always good to see films on the big screen, there is nothing in Superman that should compel someone to see it in the theater.