Month at the Movies: October

September got us back on the right track in terms of movie quality so I was hoping that October would only continue that. At times, October matched the quality with some real quality films. Unfortunately, there were some stinkers within the month too. I was fortunate enough to see 11 different films this October in what was a 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! 

11. Keeping Up With The Joneses

We start the list off with the action-comedy 'Keeping Up With The Joneses'. This films writing was ultimately the downfall as the comedy wasn't funny and there wasn't enough good action to make this viewing worthwhile. The cast tries their best but they can't save this film from falling short. There aren't many highlights to this film and it most certainly isn't one that you should be rushing to see.

Final Verdict = D+

Check out my review for 'Keeping Up With The Joneses' here

10. Inferno

Boy, was this a dull film. A film which takes our protagonist all over the world to solve clues before the end of the world should be very exciting. 'Inferno' most definitely was not that. Tom Hanks and Felicity Jones do well in their roles and the film looks great, as it showcases some beautiful places in the world. However, the story is not handled well at all, with twists that make no sense. I'm really surprised that a big budget film like this, with the talent on board, was as bad as it was. Hopefully, they take more care next time if they continue the Robert Langdon series.

Final Verdict = D+

Check out my review of 'Inferno' here

9. The Girl On The Train

Much like the first two films on this list, the cast isn't the problem with the film. Much like 'Inferno', this is another case of a fairly big budget film failing. The film based off of the successful book had the claim of 'The thriller that shook the world' being associated with its advertising. The film was anything but that as its messy story failed to deliver big time. Emily Blunt does a good job as does the rest of the case, but in the case of 'The Girl On The Train', you should probably just stick to the book.

Final Verdict = C-

Check out my review of 'The Girl On The Train' here

8. Trolls

They'll make a movie out of anything you remember as a child it seems. Unfortunately, 'Trolls' is very much targeted towards children, leaving very little entertainment for adults. A decent soundtrack with Justin Timberlake and Anna Kendrick doing well in their roles were the highlights but that is as good as it got. Kids will surely love this one and if you are looking for something to entertain little ones, then this film should fit the bill.

Final Verdict = C

Check out my review of 'Trolls' here

7. Blood Father

Mel Gibson is back yet again acting and he is back kicking ass! Gibson is great in his role as a father that you definitely don't want to be messing with. The film very much reflects Gibson's return to film after a few shaky, problematic years and to good effect. Unfortunately, the rest of the cast don't deliver as well as he does and neither does the action. Hopefully, Gibson can continue to improve and partake in better films in the future as he is a true talent.

Final Verdict = C+

Check out my review of 'Blood Father' here

6. Queen of Katwe

One of the most uplifting films of the year comes in the form of 'Queen of Katwe'. The true story is a remarkable tale and will make you cherish everything you have as well as make you realise how lucky you are. Lupita Nyong'o and David Oyelowo both do incredible jobs in their roles whilst working with a lot of first-time actors. However, the film does linger on a bit at the end and the film can be accused of having too many subplots, that makes it lose focus at times. I can't see myself watching this film again, but it is more than worthwhile to see at least once.

Final Verdict = B

Check out my review of 'Queen of Katwe' here

5. Ouija: Origin of Evil

'Ouija: Origin of Evil' is a huge step up from the first film in the series 'Ouija'. A fantastic build up with the character Doris being one of the creepiest characters from a horror movie that I have ever seen. There are some very effective scares in this film that was much better than it looked. It provided a great late 60's/early 70's feel that really helped elevate the film. However, the film loses a bit of control in the final act where ridiculous things start to happen. The small budget does start to show as things start to look poor in the end. 

Final Verdict = B

Check out my review of 'Ouija: Origin Of Evil' here 

4. Doctor Strange

Marvel's latest instalment was yet another fun, great superhero movie. The film looks fantastic, showing a different look than other Marvel films. It does follow the same sort of formula, but once again, it works. Benedict Cumberbatch and Tilda Swinton shine in their roles, adding more great characters to the MCU. Like other Marvel films, the movie's villain is very weak. They didn't use Mads Mikkelsen to his full potential which was very disappointing. Overall, an entertaining film and if you like superhero movies, you should enjoy this one!

Final Verdict = B+

Check out my review of 'Doctor Strange' here

3. I, Daniel Blake

One of the most powerful and realistic films of the year is 'I, Daniel Blake'. The film is brutally honest with how some of the systems are run here in the UK. Ken Loach does a fantastic job with this film that will surely make you angry. A film that is creating discussion, although those with the ability to change things are too ignorant to look into it. The film is a bit dull at times and repetitive with what it does which does effect it at times. Also, another film that I can't see myself watching again, however, it was more than powerful enough once.

Final Verdict = A-

Check out my review of 'I, Daniel Blake' here

2. Storks

Although I gave this a lower rating in quality than 'I, Daniel Blake', I am giving 'Storks' the edge due to how much I enjoyed it. I was so shocked by this film as it is genuinely one of the funniest films I have seen this year. The jokes are so clever, such as the scenes involving the wolves. It does a great job at handling family aspects and the cast is great. Andy Samberg and Stephen Kramer Glickman are fantastic in their roles, with Glickman's 'Pigeon Toady' being one of the highlights of the film. One of my favourite animated movies of the year and one that you should give a chance.

Final Verdict = B+

Check out my review of 'Storks' here

'Swiss Army Man' Review

It's not everyday that you see a film where you have Harry Potter playing a flatulent corpse. One of the most bizarre plots of the year brings us 'Swiss Army Man', the comedy where a man befriends a corpse that has super powers that you have never seen before. 

Hank (Paul Dano) is stranded on an island and is about to end his life until he spots a corpse (Daniel Radcliffe) that has washed up on the shore. Lifeless, but very flatulent, Hank uses this to his advantage as he uses the body to get back to the mainland. Now he finds himself lost in the wilderness, dragging his corpse friend now named 'Manny' with him.

The film starts with Hank looking to take his life and almost accidentally successfully does so until he sees Radcliffe's lifeless body. It is made very clear straight away that the corpse's bowels are all that is working. This gets the film started with a barrel of laughs as the body becomes out of control due to the flatulence. This does go borderline to overdoing it as it is very childish humour and if it had went on much longer, it could've easily become very tedious. This does start to make you doubt the film as you are unsure if you would be unable to take that same humour for over an hour and a half.  Fortunately, the film handles this fairly well as the film progresses onto the next chapter of Hank and his new buddy Manny's relationship. This does happen a lot with the humour as the comedy is handled very well, not overstepping it which it could have easily done so.

I've found myself struggle to sell this movie and explain it to people without them looking at me rather puzzled. That's because the original ideas of the film are like nothing seen before and are that bizarre that you can hardly imagine a film like this. Manny becomes a human version of Swiss Army Knife- hence the title 'Swiss Army Man- which includes his penis becoming a compass, being able to shot objects out of his mouth at high velocity and working as a water supply. Manny's body becomes useful for just about anything that will allow Hank to survive which does lead to some scenes that are beautifully edited with quick cuts that bring some very humorous moments. As said before, the film doesn't rely on the same thing for too long and ends up moving onto something else equally as original before it becomes too much.

Amongst all of this madness is much deeper messages however. It's crazy that a film that is know for a farting corpse actually is one of the more enlightening and touching films of the year. The movie looks at Hank dealing with personal troubles such as his hunt for love, fear of death, not doing what you really want to and overall being happy in life. It goes fairly deep into these subjects with Manny offering service as a therapist. Even the use of farts stand for something deeper as it is really about holding things in due to being embarrassed about what others will think which Manny teaches Hank about. Again, this shows that Manny was helpful in anyway possible to Hank, offering emotional support rather than just physical. Manny also seems to go through the stages of life, having to learn new things like a child to learning about sex as a teenager then further on to learning about true love as an adult. These aspects certainly surprised me as it came totally unexpected, especially once you see the opening scene.

Daniel Radcliffe deserves great praise for his role in this film with only being able to rely on his delivery and facial expressions. He is magnificent and deliver every line as hilariously reacts to everything in the only ways he can. This involves him sitting in very awkward positions or face down in the dirt but Radcliffe does fantastically in a role that would not have been easy in the slightest.  Paul Dano also does a great job which consists of him having to carry the lifeless body around the forest. He is clearly not in a good place and Dano shows this very well throughout the film.

The main flaw with this film is in the last act for me as it continuously bounces between ideas to the point where it becomes fairly messy and hard to keep up with. There are so many switches in the end that happen which makes it seem fairly confusing at times. It certainly does follow the trend of strange things happening throughout the film but it certainly could lose some people after all of the hard work that had been done in the rest of the film. A problem as well is that the film may just be too bizarre for some people which may get in the way of them fully appreciating the movie. It goes borderline to being too silly for people to take the messages seriously which is a real shame.

Overall, 'Swiss Army Man' is the most bizarre film of the year, but most definitely in a good way. One of the funniest films of the year with a much more clever message than the material suggests. Everything seems to bizarrely work but it most definitely isn't for everyone, you could easily become fed up with the humour or just miss the messages due to the humour. The two lead performances are fantastic as 'Swiss Army Man' really surprised me. The ending does hold it back a little but this original film takes a whole bunch of risks that work out well for the film. Bizarrely wonderful, this film is worth seeing as it is nothing like anything you have ever seen before.

Final Verdict = 

So have you seen 'Swiss Army Man'? If so, what did you think of it? I hope that this review was useful for if you were planning on seeing the movie which I urge you to do ASAP! Once again, thank you for taking the time to read my review, it is much appreciated!

By Angus McGregor