Month in the Movies: July

The summer movie season has been quite a huge disappointment with some even calling it the worst summer for movies in a long time. There hasn't been that many hits with more controversial movies taking centre stage. July featured everything from original movies to reboots, sequels and continuations so there was a wide range, unfortunately, not all of it was quality. I was lucky enough to see 11 films this month, some very good and some very bad.

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!

11. Absolutely Fabulous

Quite possibly the hardest movie to get through this year, 'Absolutely Fabulous' was absolutely dreadful. Painfully unfunny with horrible characters, this movie is one of the worst that I have seen so far this year. A movie that I most definitely will never return to.

Final Verdict = F

Check out my review for 'Absolutely Fabulous' here

10. Ice Age Collision Course

The FIFTH movie in this franchise which was hard for me to believe and understand. I'm not entirely sure how this is still going on as the movies have got worse and worse but it still must attract the younger audiences. The movie has elements that have potential to create a good story but it fails to do so. Children may enjoy it but adults will definitely not do so as much.

Final Verdict = D+

Check out my review for 'Ice Age Collision Course' here

9. Now You See Me 2

I completely forgot that I saw this movie in the last month which says a lot about the film. The cast bring it once again- apart from Harrelson's bizarre performance as his normal characters twin brother. In the end the film is quite anti climatic and there isn't enough that amazes you in what seems to be a very drawn out film. 'Now You See Me 2' is an alright watch but unless you loved the first one, a film that you don't have to rush to see.

Final Verdict = C

Check out my review for 'Now You See Me 2' here

8. Ghostbusters

'Ghostbusters' was nowhere near as bad as many expected it to be which is a good thing. The film featured some good moments with the leading ladies doing a good job especially Kate McKinnon. However the comedy was not as consistent and a very weak villain hold the film back quite a lot. Although there is no need for this film to exist, it is still an enjoyable viewing that should bring you entertainment.

Final Verdict = C+

Check out my review for 'Ghostbusters' here

7. Keanu

Key and Peele deliver comedy phenomenally well and 'Keanu' is a great example of that. This movie is incredibly funny and the pair shine as they look to recover their new kitten. This movie will no doubt have you in stitches. The movie does tail off at times and loses focus becoming a complete action movie at times. The execution asn't quite there at all times but Keanu is a very entertaining and enjoyable movie.

Final Verdict = C+

Check out my review for 'Keanu' here

6. The Legend of Tarzan

The gritty continuation of the character Tarzan that nobody really asked for did bring me quite a bit of entertainment. Although some problems with the CGI, I really enjoyed the performances throughout the film such as Christoph Waltz as Leon Rom who proved to be a highlight of the film for me. Some great action really helps the film as well in what was overall an enjoyable film.

Final Verdict = B-

Check out my review for 'The Legend of Tarzan' here

5. Central Intelligence

Kevin Hart and Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson were phenomenal in this movie together. The pairs chemistry was incredibly good and they have to work together again. The comedy in this movie works incredibly well as does most of the action. 'Central Intelligence' is a very good action comedy and will have you wanting more from the two leads. One of the funniest movies of the year and one to check out.

Final Verdict = B-

Check out my review for 'Central Intelligence' here

4. Jason Bourne

Matt Damon is back with a bang- sorta. Jason Bourne is a fine action movie in its own right but does not compare to the previous three Bourne films that Damon was a part of. The story wasn't as interesting as others but once again the action lives up to expectation and creates some phenomenal scenes. Damon is great as the title character with good performances also coming from the likes of Alicia Vikander, Julia Stiles and Tommy Lee Jones. A fine addition to the franchise.

Final Verdict = B

Check out my review for 'Jason Bourne' here

3. The BFG

Steven Spielberg certainly delivered another great family film as he brought Roald Dahl's classic novel to life. Mark Rylance was great as The BFG which is one of my favourite performances of the year. A real good fun movie from the excellent mind of Steven Spielberg as The BFG is a film that is enjoyable to all ages. Not a Spielberg classic but still a good watch.

Final Verdict = B

Check out my review of 'The BFG' here

'Now You See Me 2' Review

Back in 2013, audiences were introduced to 'Now You See Me' which gained mixed responses. 3 years later 'The Horseman' are back to try and amaze audiences with their amazing magic skills and to hopefully build on the good things created from the first and be a universal success. Unfortunately, not even magic was able to save this film entirely.

After returning from their hiatus, The Horseman (Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg and Dave Franco) accompanied by new member Lula (Lizzy Caplan) have to flee a stage show as it goes all wrong. They are exposed as is FBI agent Dylan Rhodes (Mark Ruffalo) and the try to escape but to unfamiliar territory. They end up in Macau, China where they are brought to the thought to be dead Walter Mabry (Daniel Radcliffe) who forces them to steal a computer chip, that will grant him access to every computer in the world. 

The film really holds itself on the magic aspects of the film and how it fools you a lot. However I didn't really feel amazed at this film at all with the magic aspects especially in the longer tricks. The film takes out big chunks and then adds them in much later to try and wow you but it really didn't strike me as that impressive. There are twists for days in this film as it keeps changing everything that you do start to get fed up with it. You can't really trust anything you see in this film as it will probably turn out to be false just outta nowhere.

For the magic tricks themselves, it is a very mixed bag. Some of the tricks are very cool and entertaining which is what the audience will like to see. However at some points, they aren't as good. Take the heist scene in particular. In this scene there is a whole load of things happening which leads to big contrasts in quality. Some of them are really smart and clever which work really well. Others are painfully obvious that something is happening and should've been caught red handed but weren't just to allow the story to carry on. Once you see that even the most blatant proof, the stakes are lifted as surely if that didn't get them caught, nothing will. However I would be lying if I said that some of the stuff going on wasn't cool to watch and will definitely bring some enjoyment. 

Something that is done very well within these films are the performances. Mark Ruffalo is excellent once again and is one of the most interesting characters who has to deal with a lot as well as looking over the Horseman. The other standout I feel is Jesse Eisenberg who does very well as his arrogant character Daniel Atlas which he pulls off very well. Lizzy Caplan is in to replace Isla Fisher and she does bring a fresh character to the film as she is very lively and cheeky which is a good contrast compared to the others. She did well to replace Fisher's character and was entertaining throughout the film. The cast overall does a very good job as they keep the film entertaining as they bicker and challenge each other a lot. 

However a very low point of the film comes in the form of Woody Harrelson. He plays his normal character Merrit McKinney which he does well. Unfortunately in the sequel, he's doing double duty as his twin brother Chase. One of the most annoying characters I have seen this year who annoyed me oh so much throughout the film and who never got any better or enjoyable as the film progressed. 

The finale of this film as well is very underwhelming. They look to be setting up a huge final across London with tricks that will amaze. Apart from Atlas' trick the other acts were not that impressive considering how out of this world the movie wants you to think the tricks are. Due to it not being that impressive, it certainly does drag on and you just want it to move on. 

Final Verdict =

Not a terrible movie, but it's style over substance hinders it a lot. Some good performances make the film enjoyable but not enough to completely save the film. 

So have you seen 'Now You See Me 2'? If so what did you think of it? I hope this review was useful for if you were planning on seeing the movie. Once again, thank you for reading my review, it is much appreciated!

By Angus McGregor