parksiet

Let me be clear, this definitely was not something on my radar or something I ever thought I would be interested in before it became so popular. But I had to come check out what everyone was raving about. And my god... I loved it! K-Pop Demon Hunters is a fantastic movie that totally deserves all the acclaim and love it's getting. Sure, it may not be completely my thing but I never found that taking away from my enjoyment of it. I was blown away by the gorgeous animation, cool story, and exceptionally catchy songs that are so good on their own but also elevate the story and fight scenes in such a seamless way! There's also some pretty crazy ideas here that are thrown into the world building and lore - I loved it and hope they make more of these! It almost felt like there was too much for what this was, but man I sure ate it all up! I'm genuinely shocked this lived up to the hype for me! It's super fun and creative!

The Conjuring: Last Rites is not just a worthy entry in the franchise, it feels like the perfect ending. Admittedly, I'm new to The Conjuring franchise and have only just recently seen all the previous movies, but I have become a really big fan! Especially of Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga as Ed and Lorraine Warren - some of the very best casting of all time! So to say that this film is not only a solid conclusion to the franchise but also their run as Warren's is a huge compliment to the film! It brought the scares, some nice family drama that brings the emotion, and overall was a really fun time! Might even be one of my favourite Conjuring films (even though it doesn't come close to the first one). Given how good the first film is, it's probably no surprise that Last Rites doesn't hit those levels. While Michael Chaves' direction is good, and the best he's done in the franchise so far, style-wise this film still feels like it's chasing the original film. But, it's chasing them effectively. With Last Rites, Michael Chaves finally succeeds at making a great James Wan movie. The character work is excellent, the drama resonates and the funhouse scares are effective. It's a slow burn, but worth it in my opinion for the satisfying character moments. Most importantly, it admirably brings the prestige feel of the first two films back for a satisfying sendoff. I thought the overall mystery surrounding the mirror was good, though I hoped for one more final reveal at the end that never came. Other than that, this one might be my favourite since the original! I'm going to miss Patrick and Vera as the Warrens, they truly were the lifeblood of this franchise and gave it their all! Fans will be more than satisfied with this movie - it even has some fun easter eggs!

The Roses was a genuinely pleasant surprise of a movie! While I can't say I loved the original film, this modern retelling of "The War of the Roses" checked all the right boxes for me - it's the definition of a crowdpleaser and was just so much fun! It's a viciously fun watch but also surprisingly deep in its depiction of a loving couples' marriage turning toxic. Tony McNamara wrote a script that feels like an actors dream, you can really tell everyone had so much fun playing here. It's chaotic, dark, witty, the dialogue is razor sharp and hilarious, and the cast couldn't be more perfect! Olivia Coleman and Benedict Cumberbatch have insane chemistry - they are dynamite together and bring far more dramatic heft to these roles than the genre typically call for - and the film is all the better for it! Truly - I want them to do so many more movies together (like Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks, for example) because I just loved their chemistry and banter so much! Benedict Cumberbatch, funnier here than ever, and Olivia Colman, precise as always, engage in hilarious, uncomfortable and campy verbal clashes, hurling emotional daggers one moment, and revealing their tainted yet undeniable affection for each other the next. Tony McNamara's script is not only blisteringly funny but the characters are written with so many true-to-life shortcomings and insecurities; feeling like a failure, our inability to say sorry to those we're closest too, missing out on your kids' childhood, and sacrificing your dreams so your partner can have a shot at theirs. This film is a delightful pressure cooker of simmering black comedy that eventually erupts into an absurd competition of bitterness, ego and cruel resentment. It's genuinely a thought-provoking comedy that's both a hilarious ride but also truly moving. Jay Roach's direction does not add much but the combustible chemistry between its leads makes this worth a watch. I would happily move into the breathtaking custom home these two share just so I could get a front row seat to watch these flawed yet relatable characters, dig their fascinatingly twisted bond deeper into a toxic cesspool of resentment and ego. The Roses is a great time at the movies - such a fantastic surprise of a film!