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+

'Lights Out' Review

'Lights Out' started off as a short film created by David Sandberg as a short film for a competition. Despite not winning, the short film soon went viral and Sandberg's property was one of the most sought after for many studios and agencies. One of those contacts was Lawrence Gray who looked to get horror guru James Wan involved with the project. A full length feature film was now to be created with Sandberg making his major directorial debut, which hoped the replicate the success of his 2013 short film.

When Rebecca (Teresa Palmer) left home, she thought that her childhood fears were behind her. As a young girl growing up, she was never really sure of what was real when the lights went out. Now, her little brother Martin (Gabriel Bateman) is experiencing the same unexplained and terrifying events that jeopardized her safety and sanity. Holding a mysterious attachment to their mother (Maria Bello), a supernatural entity has returned with a vengeance to torment the entire family.

Recently I've became a whole lot more into the genre of horror with films like 'The Witch' and 'The Conjuring 2' really impressing me this year. I'm starting to become quite a fan of modern horror and two other films that really impressed me in recent years have been 2014's 'The Babadook' and 'It Follows'. Two clever horror films and I feel that 'Lights Out' took some of the best aspects of each film, and brought them together to create something great. 

The resemblence to 'It Follows' is very clear as a supernatural force will not leave you alone only this time with it happening only when the lights are out or if it's dark. That alone is quite a terrifying premise and for some would be a complete nightmare. A common fear is being in the dark so when you add a ruthless threat into that situation, you create genuine terror in the mind of the viewer. The aspect of not being able to go to sleep due to this creature leaves our protagonists very vulnerable and only adds to their struggle. The premise works phenomenally well and is used to great effect to the point where you may want to sleep with a night light on after seeing it.

Due to the premise of the dark being feared, the film creates some very creepy atmospheres that will bring your fears to life. From the first scene where we first encounter the creature in a warehouse filled with mannequins, you instantly feel tension as it is instantly eery. It creates situations where you really wouldn't want to be which makes you think of the worst before anything really happens. It really plays with your mind and this continues throughout the whole film.

Not only does the film feature a premise that is terrifying, the explanation and reasoning to how it's happening has the same effect but in a completely different way. This is where I feel that the film connects to 'The Babadook'. The mother played by Maria Bello is clearly unstable and she claims to have a 'friend' called Diana. The film looks at how the mother is struggling to cope with a divorce, her daughter leaving home and also the death of her new beau. The film looks at how she is being effected mentally which leads to some tragic moments where you really feel for the character and just want her to get better. It had quite a realistic feel to it despite the supernatural entity as you see this woman really crumbling as she desperately needs help to get better. A different kind of horror from the main draw but an equally as scary one.

A criticism of the film that I have seen has to do with the body count which has apparently made the creature seem not that threatening or as deadly. However the story does create a deeper meaning that clearly associates the creature do this family so it makes sense to why she is causing harm to those close to the family. It makes complete sense in regard to the story and in my opinion, makes it even more effective.

With James Wan being a part of this film, it comes to no surprise that the quality of this film is very high. What impressed me most was the visuals with Diana appearing in the dark and then the figure suddenly disappearing in the light. There are some impressive uses of this, quite like in the short film but with more resources allows Sandberg to go all out with it. To see that Sandberg really took advantage of the opportunity to improve on his idea was good to see as the filmmaker took full advantage of the chance he had been given. In his directorial debut, Sandberg has taken the right steps and hopefully we'll be seeing more of him in the future.

One gripe about the film and it is something that I feel is a common theme within horror. At times the characters make decisions that really aren't clever at all. Palmer's character Rebecca is supposed to be protecting her brother but at times wanders off, leaving him vulnerable if the lights go out. There are moments like this throughout the film that do frustrate you as you wouldn't want to leave anyone in that situation, especially a younger brother. It is baffling and unfortunatley hurts the film to an extent.

Overall, 'Lights Out' will more than satisfy you horror fans out there. A great story behind the origin of Diana as well as a terrifying premise really creates a great horror film. The atmosphere in the film is eery throughout and Sandberg can be proud of his major directorial debut. Well worth seeing.

Final Verdict = 

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

By Angus McGregor