Month in the Movies: August

Summer movie season is now finished and it has been very... meh. The blockbusters really didn't deliver in what was a disappointing summer season overall. However, August saw a better return at the movies for me as I enjoyed a lot more than I dislike and thought were average for the first time in months. The end month showed promise that will hopefully carry on into the fall. I was lucky enough to see 14 movies this month in what was a very mixed month.

If you aren't aware of this series, I pretty much go through the month and rank the movies that I saw that month based on a combination of quality and how much I enjoyed the film. So lets get into the list!

14. Nine Lives

Ugh. It really hurts me that I have to think about this movie again. One of the worst of the entire year. Not funny in the slightest with a terrible story. To Kevin Spacey, please make better decisions in the future. To everyone involved. You're much better than this.

Check out my review for 'Nine Lives' here

Final Verdict = F

13. Bad Moms

Some people like this comedy. Unfortunately, I did not get the same experience in what added to the list of disappointing comedies this year. Mila Kunis does fairly well but I feel that she was let down by the rest of the cast. Every character seemed to be absolutely terrible people and with no laughs, that makes an unenjoyable viewing. I won't be rushing to see this again anytime soon or ever.

Check out my review for 'Bad Moms' here

Final Verdict = D

12. Suicide Squad

Perhaps the biggest disappointment of the year for me. I really rooted for this movie but it just flopped. Not as fun as I hoped as the film disappointed on many fronts, especially with how they used the Joker. Margot Robbie, Viola Davis and Will Smith were highlights of the film but not enough to save this one. It also brought us one of the most comic book villains on the big screen with the Enchantress who was terrible in this movie. DC went two for two this year, unfortunately both failing in quality.

Check out my review for 'Suicide Squad' here

Final Verdict = C-

11. Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates

This film is perfect for you if you love raunchy comedies. However it didn't quite hit for me but that doesn't mean that it isn't funny. It has its moments and the four main characters do fairy well in their roles, especially Anna Kendrick and Zac Efron. Not the best comedy of the year but definitely not the worst either.

Check out my review for 'Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates'

Final Verdict = C

10. The Purge: Election Year

If you had told me at the start of the year that I would prefer 'The Purge: Election Year' to 'Suicide Squad', I would have laughed and also feel a little sad. Yet that's what I found this month as 'The Purge' seemed to deliver more on the chaos side of things that it had promised in the first two. The best of the franchise but still not a masterpiece. I found this to be an enjoyable viewing as the film didn't take itself too serious.

Check out my review for 'The Purge: Election Year' here

Final Verdict = C

9. Pete's Dragon

Up next is the remake of 'Pete's Dragon'. The film featured great performances from all of the cast with Karl Urban really standing out for me. I wish that there was more of an adventure to this movie which would have made it much more fun but it didn't really deliver as well as I had hoped. However the film is still enjoyable as it was my first exposure to the story of 'Pete's Dragon'.

Check out my review for 'Pete's Dragon' here

Final Verdict = B

8. Finding Dory

Sadly, I was fairly disappointed with 'Finding Dory'. I don't know if it was due to the quality of 'Nemo' or just Pixar films in general but 'Finding Dory' just seemed to be lacking that special something. One of the biggest problems I felt was with the new supporting characters who weren't nearly as good as the ones in 'Nemo'. In saying that, this is far from a bad movie and is a fairly fun family movie that you will still enjoy to an extent. A beautiful looking film as well which we have come to expect from Pixar.

Check out my review for 'Finding Dory' here

Final Verdict = B

7. War Dogs

If the quality of 'War Dogs' was the same as the quality of performance from its two leads, it would probably be number 1 on this list. Jonah Hill in particular is magnificent and the film is worth seeing for his performance alone. A fairly interesting premise with some good humour does create an enjoyable viewing. Some minor problems do hinder the film such as the character of Iz but nothing that massively impacts the quality of the film.

Check out my review for 'War Dogs' here

Final Verdict = B

6. The Shallows

The second best shark movie after Jaws I like to call it, not that there is much going up against it. 'The Shallows' was a very enjoyable, tense film that kept your attention for its shorter run time of 97 minutes. Blake Lively was excellent in her role which had her on her lonesome for a lot of the movie. I was looking forward to this one and was impressed with this survival movie which I feel really delivered.

Check out my review for 'The Shallows' here

Final Verdict = B

5. Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping

The Lonely Island did a phenomenal job with 'Popstar' as they created one of the best comedies of the year. With Jorma Taccone and Akiva Schaffer directing and Andy Samberg starring, you could see their comedy style throughout the movie. The mockumentary was incredibly funny but a bit inconsistent at times. The humour isn't at the same level the whole way through but there is plenty to enjoy with this one.

Check out my review for 'Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping' here

Final Verdict = B

4. Sausage Party

Perhaps the most anticipated comedy of the year is finally here and 'Sausage Party' delivered the goods. Wickedly funny despite some jokes and puns feeling lazy and repetitive. This has opened the door for more animated adult comedies and if they can follow in the footsteps of 'Sausage Party', I am all for it. The film also carries a deeper message that surprised me a lot as it handled a serious situation and commented on it incredibly well. The final act is completely bonkers as well so be ready for that if you choose to see it.

Check out my review for 'Sausage Party' here

Final Verdict = B

3. Nerve

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this movie and I did so much that I went to see it for a second time. 'Nerve' is a very fun movie as it starts with some harmless dares as Emma Roberts and Dave Franco compete together. The pair show great chemistry together and I really enjoyed their performances. Despite the fun of it, the movie is scarily realistic with how people on the internet act and it actually doesn't seem as far fetched as you'd think. It does then progress to become very tense and has you on the edge of your seat. One of my favourites of the summer.

Check out my review for 'Nerve' here

Final Verdict = B+

2. Lights Out

I've been really impressed with the horror movies in 2016 and 'Lights Out' is up there with the best. A great premise based on the short film created by David Sandberg who got to direct the feature length version. Scary and tense throughout as 'Lights Out' fully delivered for me as I really enjoyed this movie. The performances in this were great especially Maria Bello who played the unhinged mother. The effects were also incredible throughout the film as 'Lights Out' really impressed me.

Check out my review for 'Lights Out' here

Final Verdict = B+

'Finding Dory' Review

13 years ago, Pixar amazed audiences with its wonderful tale of a father searhing the ocean for his son. 'Finding Nemo' met great success both critically and at the box office which showed that Pixar had more to offer after Toy Story and Monsters Inc. The film touched so many to the point where fans were clamouring for a sequel to see more of these great characters. Now in 2016, Pixar are back with a new story in 'Finding Dory' but would they be able to recapture the magic that they created 13 years ago?

As we know, Dory (Ellen DeGeneres) is a wide eyed, blue tang fish who suffers from short term memory loss and forgets most things after around 10 seconds. However, she starts to remember her family that urges her to find them. With help from Marlin (Albert Brooks) and Nemo (Hayden Rolence), the trio will cross the ocean to the Marine Life Institute where Dory will need to get into to be reunited with her parents.

Finding Nemo was such a delight when it came out in 2003. The family film had so much heart in it which touched audiences all over the world with the family and friendship aspects. Unfortunately for Pixar, the same levels were not able to be replicated. I don't know if it is just something to do with the time that has past but there isn't that same feeling. Of course you want Dory to be reunited with her family but it just doesn't hit you as much as the original struggle that Marlin and Dory faced. It works to an extent but not to the standards set, which when you're a major company like Pixar is expected to be met.

As well as that, the adventure that our fish friends go on is nowhere near as good as in 'Nemo'. It's actually a small part as they get to the Marine Life Institute and they then have to break into there. It was so great seeing Marlin and Dory travelling and interacting with many parts of the ocean. They obviously had to change it up but there was so much more that they could have done and explored in the ocean. Instead we got a lot more action within the institute and the reliance of other characters which mainly takes our protagonists out of the water. There are enjoyable moments within the institute for sure but again, the expectations did make me feel disappointed with this part of the film.

One of the biggest problems for me has to do with the supporting characters. In 'Nemo' we had the three highly entertaining sharks who were hilarious in the original. We also had the other fish in the tank with Nemo who were all great with different personalities as well as Nigel the Pelican who was also fantastic. The turtles return briefly but aren't given enough to make a good, memorable mark on the movie. Now if you take that many characters and fail to replace them with equally as good new members, you are going to notice it. Hank the Octopus as well as Bailey the Beluga and Destiny, a Whale Shark all do a good job but none are as funny, likeable or as enjoyable as the previously mentioned characters from 'Nemo'. This does hurt the film quite a bit as you want more interesting characters but the film just doesn't quite deliver them.

I know this review may sound negative and that I didn't like it but that most certainly isn't the case. The humour of the first is still there as Ellen DeGeneres and Albert Brooks are great once again bouncing off one another. As it is Pixar, the film is enjoyable for all members of the family and does a decent job at catering for everyone. The jokes do land a lot of the time and you don't really get sick of anything including Dory still being forgetful which could've gotten highly irritant.

Pixar really show once again why they are at the top of the animation world with yet another stunning looking movie. 'The Good Dinosaur' last year faced some criticism for it's characters looks next to the realistic settings. 'Finding Dory' does a great job at balancing them both with new characters who look incredible. None more so than the Octopus Hank and you can tell that the animators had a great time with this character. With Hank's camouflage abilities, they were able to morph him into many different locations which all look fantastic. Top quality once again from Pixar.

Overall, 'Finding Dory' isn't up to the same standard of Pixar greats like Toy Story and the original Finding Nemo. Does that make it a bad film? Most definitely not. It is enjoyable with dazzling animation that should entertain the whole family.

Final Verdict = 

So have you seen 'Finding Dory'? If so what did you think of it? I hope that this review was useful for if you were planning on seeing the movie and if you do choose to see it, I hope you enjoy it! Once again, thank you for taking the time to read my review, it is much appreciated!

By Angus McGregor

UK Summer Box Office Predictions!

Summer movie season is almost here! There is a lot in store this summer with their being some potentially great comedies as well as other instalments in past franchises. Earlier in the year me and a couple of friends decided to predict the outcomes of the 2016 Oscars and had a great time in doing so! So to try and recreate what we did, we felt it would be good to predict who will be the top of the summer box office. 

To be eligible for our lists the film will have to have come out after the 31st of May and before the 1st of September. The summer in the UK really isn't that long and with the weather, you would think that it lasts less than the three months in the boundary. We decided to only allow films that come out between this timeline as an extra challenge as we all know that the likes of Captain America: Civil War and X-Men Apocalypse will be up their at the end. Also with the UK releases, some may not be actually out during the summer like they are in America. All the films in our lists will be from the UK releases which means that the likes of TMNT 2 and Warcraft narrowly miss out.

This time in our predictions it will be featuring five different people with five different predictions. It will be myself Angus-obviously- as well as the returning Michael and Drew. Also returning is the winner of our Oscar predictions Billy who will be looking to make it 2/2 when it comes to predictions. Joining us this time will be our fellow classmate Conor who makes his first appearance.

Scoring System

To decide who the eventual winner is, we will use a scoring system. If one of us predicts that a film will be in the top 10, they will get one point. An additional two points will be giving to the competitor if they guess the film in the right position.

The Lists

Billy

Starting off is Billy, the winner of our Oscar predictions back in February. His list has Central Intelligence the highest in anyone's list at number two. Billy's list also features The Secret Life of Pets in it's highest position at number four. He is also the only one to have picked Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates which could tip the result into his favour or even possibly cost him.

Number 1: Finding Dory

Dark Horse: Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates

Full List

1. Finding Dory

2. Central Intelligence

3. Suicide Squad

4. The Secret Life of Pets

5. Ghostbusters

6. Independence Day: Resurgence

7. Star Trek Beyond

8. The BFG

9. Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates

10. The Conjuring 2

The Dark Horse for Billy; Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates

Conor

Next up is the complete new entrant to our predictions Conor. Like Billy, he has Finding Dory at the top of his list expecting the Pixar sequel to dominate. He has Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe's The Nice Guys the highest at number four and also putting great faith in Steven Spielberg's The BFG by placing it in third place. 

Number 1: Finding Dory

Dark Horse; The Nice Guys

Full List

1. Finding Dory

2. Suicide Squad

3. The BFG

4. The Nice Guys

5. The Secret Life of Pets

6. Independence Day: Resurgence
7. Ghostbusters
8. Now You See Me 2
9. Jason Bourne
10. The Conjuring 2

Conor has The Nice Guys at number 4, the highest of anyone in the predictions.

Michael

Third in our predictions is Michael who has the most potential to cause an upset. If the likes of The Nice Guys and Now You See Me 2 as well as Ice Age: Collision Course do well at the box office, he could end up sitting comfortably in the lead. Michael has also put the most faith in Paul Feig's already controversial Ghostbusters placing it in third place. Possibly the most interesting list in the competition. 

Number 1: Suicide Squad

Dark Horse: Ice Age: Collision Course

Full List

1. Suicide Squad

2. Finding Dory

3. Ghostbusters

4. Independence Day: Resurgence

5. Central Intelligence

6. Star Trek Beyond

7. The BFG

8. Now You See Me 2

9. Ice Age: Collision Course

10. The Nice Guys

The strange but possibly effective decision to include Ice Age may be vital for Michael.

Drew

Like Michael, Drew has also put his faith in the likes of Jared Leto and Margot Robbie as he looks for Suicide Squad to top the box office. He also has Jason Bourne highest out of anyone expecting it to finish third overall as Matt Damon returns as the titular character. The inclusion of the remake of Ben-Hur may be the most surprising in all of the lists but it's too soon to rule it out of contention.

Number 1: Suicide Squad

Dark Horse: Ben-Hur

Full List

1. Suicide Squad

2. Finding Dory

3. Jason Bourne

4. The BFG

5. The Nice Guys

6. Star Trek Beyond

7. Ghostbusters

8. Independence Day: Resurgence

9. Central Intelligence

10. Ben-Hur

The most surprising entrant in all of the predictions, Ben-Hur

Angus

Last of all is my list, the most likely list. I have put my faith in Independence Day: Resurgence despite Will Smith not returning with it at the highest position of anyone at number three. Finishing my list I have The Conjuring 2 as well as being the only one to have Sausage Party in their list at number ten.

Number 1: Finding Dory

Dark Horse: Sausage Party

Full List

1. Finding Dory

2. Suicide Squad

3. Independence Day: Resurgence

4. Ghostbusters

5. The Secret Life of Pets

6. Jason Bourne

7. The BFG

8. Star Trek: Beyond

9. The Conjuring 2

10. Sausage Party

The Rated R animated film Sausage Party was picked only by myself (Angus)

Overall Breakdown

Angus	Billy	Conor	Drew	Michael
1. Finding Dory	1. Finding Dory	1. Finding Dory	1. Suicide Squad	1. Suicide Squad
2. Suicide Squad	2. Central Intelligence	2. Suicide Squad	2.  Finding Dory	2. Finding Dory
3. Independence Day: Resurgence	3. Suicide Squad	3. The BFG	3.Jason Bourne	3. Ghostbusters
4. Ghostbusters	4. The Secret Life of Pets	4. The Nice Guys	4. The BFG	4. Independence Day: Resurgence
5. The Secret Life of Pets	5. Ghostbusters	5. Secret Life of Pets	5. The Nice Guys	5. Central Intelligence
6. Jason Bourne	6. Independence Day: Resurgence	6. Independence Day: Resurgence	6.Star Trek: Beyond	6.Star Trek Beyond
7. The BFG	7. Star Trek Beyond	7. Ghostbusters	7. Ghostbusters	7. The BFG
8. Star Trek Beyond	8. The BFG	8. Now You See Me 2	8. Independence Day: Resurgence	8. Now You See Me 2
9. The Conjuring 2	9. Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates	9. Jason Bourne	9. Central Intelligence	9. Ice Age: Collision Course
10. Sausage Party	10. The Conjuring 2	10. The Conjuring 2	10. Ben Hur	10. The Nice Guys

So as you can see there is quite a lot of differences between each of our lists. Positioning could easily be the deciding factor with films such as Finding Dory, Suicide Squad and Ghostbusters making everyone lists in different positions. The exclusions of films before June made this much harder than it could of been and did pose a challenge at times. This has most definitely added a bit more spice to this summers movies and I look forward to seeing who comes out on top in a couple of months.

During the time period, all of these movies will be reviewed as well as many more so make sure to keep reading my blog. I'd like to know who you think will top the box office in your region and also what you think of our lists. Once again thank you for reading, it is much appreciated!

By Angus McGregor