The Cynical Cinephiles

Director: Shane Black Cast: Russell Crowe, Ryan Gosling, Angourie Rice, Kim Basinger On reflection of the Shane Black buddy-cop movie (Gee, that does sound familiar) as a whole, it can be regarded as genuinely entertaining and worthwhile viewing. However, at any given moment during the first two thirds of the film, one would probably have said otherwise.  Private investigators Jackson Healy (Russell Crowe) and Holland March (Ryan Gosling) are both separately drawn into a curious case involving a string of murders connected to an experimental porno movie. One an emotionally disconnected psychopath, the other an alcoholic single father, the two form an unlikely partnership to tackle the case together. (It's bugging me, but I can't quite put my finger on it). The film crescendos in terms of pace, humour and character likeability, from near non-existent at the beginning to relatively impressive at its conclusion. The narrative is promising and could have been enhan...

Director: Bryan Singer Cast: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Nicholas Hoult, Oscar Isaac, Sophie Turner, Tye Sheridan, Rose Byrne. After a trip to the movie theatre to watch Star Wars: Return of the Jedi , a young Jean Grey (Sophie Turner) declares, "At least we can agree the third one's always the worst." Oh, how true those words ring in relation to X-Men: Apocalypse  as the last instalment in the X-Men franchise for the foreseeable future pales in comparison to the quality of its predecessor. After the world's first mutant, subtly named Apocalypse, literally resurfaces and acquires a quartet of enhanced individuals(including the permanently moody Magneto) to "cleanse" the Earth, Pro X, Mystique and co must form their own tender alliances to put a stop to Apocalypse's dastardly plan. As aforementioned, Apocalypse actively acquires four powerful mutants to serve as his Horsemen - although, the motives behind the four characte...