10. Upgrade

Trailer: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=36PDeN9NRZ0&t=39s

Starring Logan Marshall-Green and dircted by Leigh Whannell the co creater and star of Saw and Insidious. After his wife is killed during a brutal mugging that also leaves him paralyzed, Grey Trace is approached by a billionaire inventor with an experimental cure that will “upgrade” his body. The cure- an Artificial Inteligence implant called STEM- gives Grey physical abilities beyond anything experienced, and the ability to relentlessly chain vengeance against those who murdered his wife and left him for dead. Upgrade is a thrilling and hyper-violent vision of the future. This movie has all the best elements of Leigh Whannell, engaging story, excellent cinematography, and a an unexpecting ending which left me both shocked and satisfied. This movie is beautifully put together, from its fight choreography and camera work in such action scenes. This movie is a refreshing take on the future and I would recommend this movie to everybody.

9. Free Fire

Trailer: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=oDD3I0uOlqY

Free Fire is an action, comedy from producer Martin Scorsese, starring Brie Larson, Cillian Murphy, Sharlto Copley and Armie Hammer. Justine (Brie Larson) has brokered a meetingin a deserted warehouse between two Irishmen (Cillian Murphy, Micheal Smiley) and a gang led by Vernon (Sharlto Copley) and Ord (Armie Hammer) who are selling a stash of guns. But when shots are fired in the handover, a heartstopping game of survival ensues. Free Fire is a hilarious, action packed thrill ride from the very start with a hilarious performance from Sharlto Copley playing the South African gang leader Vernon. With a great soundtrack, beautiful editing and incredible performances all round. Free Fire is beautiful and equally hilarious to watch. Free Fire is a relatively unknown movie that deserves alot more praise and recognition. I highly recommend this movie to any fan of Scorsese, even tho he did not direct this movie, it very much feels like a Scorsese classic such as Goodfellas and Taxi Driver.

8. A Quiet Place

Trailer: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WR7cc5t7tv8

Written, directed and starring John Krasinski best known for his role as Jim Halpert in the US version of The Office. In this terrifyingly suspense thriller, a family must navigate their lives in silence to avoid mysterious creatures that hunt by sound. Knowing that even the slightest whisper or footstep can bring about death, Evelyn (Emily Blunt) and Lee (John Krasinski) Abbott are determined to find a way to protect their children at all costs while they desperately search for a way to fight back. This movie was a huge critical success and a smash hit with audiences everywhere. A Quiet Place is the ful of suspense from the very beginning, leaving the audience at the edge of their seats.  John and Emily bring a true chemistry to the role, perhaps because of the fact that they are married in real life. Which gives them a more emotional performance leading us to care about the family and leaving us in tears and heartbreak at the end of the movie. Millicen Simmonds who plays the oldest child of the Abbott family, is unfortunately deaf in real life, however she tought the cast how to sign properly, making the film a more accurate represetation of sign language which makes the movie more engaging. A Quiet Place is a must see horror movie perhaps one of the best horror movies of the last decade.

7. The Dark Knight

Trailer: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EXeTwQWrcwY

What can I say about The Dark Knight that hasn’t already been said before. Christopher Nolan’s masterpiece in the second entry to The Dark Knight Trilogy stars Christian Bale, Heath Ledger and Micheal Caine. In this classic masterpiece Batman must face off agaisnt the most notorious comic book villain of all time, The Joker, as he unleashes chaos in the streets of Gotham city, forcing Batman even closer to crossing the line between hero and vigilante. With Heath Ledger giving the best portrayal of the Joker ever and by far one of the greatest acting performances of all time. This movie is a classic and is the most epic and greatest super hero movie to date.

6. John Wick Chapter 2

Trailer: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XGk2EfbD_Ps

Bigger, better and even more bad ass than the first. Keanu Reeves returns as the legendary hitman John Wick who is forced back out of retirement by a former associate plotting to seize control of a shadowy international assassins’ guild. Bound by a blood oath to help him, John travels to Rome where he squares off against the worlds deadliest killers. Chapter 2 is far more stylish and more brutal in its gung-fu compared to the first. Whilst Keanu Reeves was awesome as John Wick, my personal favourite in this movie was Common. After John Wick eliminates Common’s employer and love interest. Common hunts down John and wants to execute John for personal gain and revenge. This movie is beautiful to watch, due to its cinematography, choreography and tone. Director Chad Stahelski, who previously worked with Keanu Reeves in the Matrix series, where he worked as a stunt man and fight choreographer, beautifully shares his vision of a modern day iconic action movie character. It was also an amazing reunion between Keanu Reeves and Laurence Fishbourne who worked together in the Matrix series. This movie just kicks a ton of ass and is such an awesome action movie, no wonder he is such an iconic character in pop culture already.

5. The Raid 2

Trailer: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PQ6yUHHfZ04

Gareth Evans brings the dark, gritty survival, horror movie from the first Raid movie and widens the scope to make more of a crime drama. This Indonesian movie continues exactly where the first left off, Rama (Iko Uwais) is forced to reinvent himself as an undercover cop in order to provide protection for his wife and child. Working for the anti-corruption task force led by the one person he can trust, Bunawar, he is given a mission to engage himself as an enforcer for a local mob boss, Bangun. Finding a way in through Bangun’s son Uco, Rama must hunt for information linking Bangun with the police force corruption. All the while, he harbours a dangerous and personal vendetta for revenge and justice that threatens to consume him and bring both this mission and the organised crime syndicates crashing down. This movie is fantastic, it is fast, brutal and a joyous ride through the journey of Iko Uwais’s Rama. Iko Uwais yet again steals the show, with his fast, efficient and brutal fight style to his more emotional and poiniant parts of the movie. Iko Uwais is one of my personal favourite action stars and have followed his career since he was introduced in the first Raid movie. Gareth Evans directs yet another masterpiece, Gareth doesn’t shy away from showing the brutal action which makes this movie so good. You can actually see the action and brutal violence compared to many hollywood action movies which are way too heavy on the editing and the shaky cams. Hollywood just please stop it. Let the audience see what the hell is going on. The Raid 2 is one of the best action movies of the decade with a compelling story and exciting action set pieces through-out.

4. It (2017)

Trailer: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xKJmEC5ieOk

The horror thriller “It” directed by Andres Muschietti, is based on the hugely popular Stephen King novel of the same name, which has been terrifying readers for decades. When children begin to disappear in the town of Derry, Maine, a group of young kids is faced with their biggest fears when they square off against an evil clown named Pennywise, whose history of murder and violence dates back decades. Bill Skarsgard is phenomenal as pennywise, he is equal terryifying and intriguing as the dancing clown. When pennywise comes on screen I get both excited and scared at the same time and that is due to the acting chops of Bill Skarsgard. The cast in this movie are great with my personal favourites beig Jack Dylan Grazer as Eddie and Finn Wolfhard who plays Richie. Overall this movie is fun, terrifying and also hilarious to watch. By far the best horror movie of all time in my personal opinion.

3. The Raid

Trailer: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=m6Q7KnXpNOg&t=7s

The Raid centers around Rama (Iko Uwais), a police officer who’s unit is sent to infiltrate a hellish apartment block to arrest a crime lord who occupies it. Rama and his unit must fight for survival as the raid goes horribly wrong. The Raid introduced the world to Iko Uwais who is still relatively unknown by many but deserves way more recognition than he has. As Iko Uwais is fantastic in this movie, as he is brutal whilst fighting. Gareth Evans has created one of the best action movies of all time and introduced the world to Iko Uwais. The Raid is an incredible, adrenaline fueled, no holds bared action movie. Gareth Evan’s describes the movie as more of a survival horror and it shows as The Raid will leave you on the edge of your seat but leave you room to sit back and enjoy the beautifully choreographed action scenes.

2. The Night That Comes For Us

Trailer: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HfSisHrUTLM

An Indonesian movie which tells the story of an elite triad assassin who is targeted by an onslaught of murderous gangsters after sparing a young girls life. What ensues are no holds barred action set pieces, after set piece. You can watch this movie on netflix and I encourage you to do so, as this movie is some gory fun. The action is beautiful and thats what this movie is about, the action and that is why I love The Night Comes For Us, it to me is amongst the most perfect and fun to watch movies there is.

For my full review, search The Night Comes For Us in the search box for an indepth review.

1. Back To The Future

Trailer: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qvsgGtivCgs

Marty Mcfly (Michael J Fox) travels back in time uing an eccentric scientist’s time machine. However, he must make his high-school aged parents fall in love in order to return to the present. Releasing in 1985 Back To The Future holds up to this day as being the most perfect movie of all time. Micheal J Fox and Christopher Lloyd are incredible in their respective roles as Marty Mcfly and Doctor Emmet Brown. From its iconic characters, iconic theme tune and soundtrack and to its iconic time machime in the form of a DMC DeLorean. This movie is regarded by many to be among the greatest movies of all time and sits high and proud in the hollywood hall of fame. Robert Zemeckis directed and wrote a hilarious, family friendly, thrill ride, time travel adventure that has you wishing you had your very own DeLorean. Back To The Future is and will forever always be my favourite movie of all time.

Bloody violent action movie that kicks a ton of ass and spills gallons of blood.

Rated R

Trailer: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HfSisHrUTLM

An Indonesian movie which tells the story of an elite triad assassin who is targeted by an onslaught of murderous gangsters after sparing a young girls life. What ensues are no holds barred action set pieces, after set piece.

Don’t let the fact that this movie is a foreign movie put you off watching it because this movie is absolutely insane and so much fun.

Starring Iko Uwais and Jim Taslim this movie pits both of these actors against one another in their best work yet. Learning from such movies as The Raid and Headshot Iko Uwais gives arguably his best performance to date. Similarly, Jim Taslim who since The Raid has not appeared in many movies but is set to play Sub Zero in the upcoming Mortal Kombat movie. Taslim gives a great performance as Ito an elite triad asssassin who spares a young girl’s life who is then hunted down by his triad. Ito has feelings of guilt and anger which Taslim perfectly portrays in not just his acting ability but his fighting style also, with huge credit to his fight choregrapher. Whilst Iko Uwais’ character is a cocky and suave elite traid assassin as seen in his acting and also his fighting style. Both Uwais and Taslim give great performances as always.

This movie is awesome and is so much fun to watch. If you loved the Raid, you will love this movie. Jim Taslim is an absolute brute who can take hits just as much as he can give them. Using his surroundings to his advantage Jim Taslim favours more basic and less stylistic ways to dispatch his enemies. Whereas, Iko Uwais is all about style over substance throughing kicks and punches galore. If you are Squeamish I would not recommend this movie.

Yes the thing that might turn some people off watching this movie, are the subtitles as it is a foreign movie, more specifically an Indonesian movie. But the USP is the action set pieces and damn are they good. From the choregraphy, the cinematography and of course the performances. The stand out performance is definitley Jim Taslim, whilst Iko Uwais is as always amazing, Jim Taslim definitely steals the show.

This movie was released on Netflix in 2018 and for me is one of the best action movies. I highly recommend this movie for any fan of action movies, more specifically movies such as John Wick, The Raid, Upgrade and Undisputed. If you are fans of action stars such as Keanu Reeves, Scott Atkins, Iko Uwais, Tony Jaa and Micheal Jay White this movie is a must see.

My rating for this movie is a 10/10 and for me is one of the most perfect movies I have ever seen. The action is incredible and the final showdown between Jim Taslim and Iko Uwais is beautifully gory and beautifully choreographed.

The Night Comes For Us stars Iko Uwais and Jim Taslim and is directed by Timo Tjahanto. The movie is Indonesian with English subtitles and was released October 19th 2018 on Netflix.

Rated R

For more reviews like this check out my review of the Raid: https://fortheloveofmovies.movie.blog/2020/03/06/the-raid-review/

Disney have done it again. Yet another smash hit from Disney Pixar animation studios!!!

Trailer: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gn5QmllRCn4&t=2s

On his 16th birthday elf Ian Lightfoot (Tom Holland) is gifted a magical wizard staff from his moher (Julia Louis-Dreyfuss) that comes with an enchantment that will allow him and his older brother Barley (Chris Pratt) to spend 24 hours with their late father he never got to meet. When the spell goes wrong, Ian and Barley must embark on a quest to retrieve the phoenix gem and try and bring their father back. What ensues is a quest full of magic, comedy and truly heartful and heartbreaking moments only Disney could pull off.

The heartbreaking story is based on the real life story of Dan Scanlon the director and screenwriter of Onward. He said in a report he did not have a sad childhood, he just had a hole in it.

He stated in an interview with Vanity Fair “When i was trying to come up with an idea for a film, you look to the sad things, you look towards your fears, because thats where drama comes from.” Scanlon went on to say “You look for the fun too. And i was talking to my mom on the phone and i said, ‘The truth is, I don’t know what to make a movie about, because nothing sad ever really happened to me.'”

“You lost your father,” his mom replied.

“And i said, ‘Yeah, but thats not sad, I don’t remember him.'” Scanlon then stated. “And she said, ‘Thats why its sad.'” The real magic of this story was that Scanlon and his brother uncovered a forgotten cassette tape that brought their father back to them. The Cassette said only two words “Hi” and “Bye”.  Scanlon said “I mean, if you’re only going to get two words, its nice to have those two.”

Dan Scanlon has created a truly heartfelt adventure, which feels like it was writen right from his heart. Pixar have created another movie with beautiful, creative and powerful imagery and representation of classic mythical creatures and beings such as wizards, unicorns, eleves, trolls, and pixies among many many others. With Unicorns serving as sort of Racoons and Pixies as a Hell’s Angel type gang. The world of Onward was once a magical place such as the world of Tolkeins Lord of the Rings and Hobbit tales. But the creatures invent technology such as the lightbulb, cars, tv’s and radios. Which leads them all to reject magic for the ease of using such technology.

Whilst not in the leagues of Coco, Up or Wall-E. Onward is still a fun magic filled adventure that is 100% worth a watch. This movie will tug at your heart strings from the very start. Tom Holland and Chris Pratt, as always, are amazing in the roles of Ian and Barley. With Tom Holland bringing his Peter Parker charm to the role of Ian who has the modern concerns of an average teenager he frets over making friends, and fears of learning to drive. Whilst Chris Pratt brings his charisma, brother bravdo, and goofiness to the role of Barley a Dungeons and Dragons nerd that breaks the stereotypes of such mould. Together they both share great chemistry as two brothers. Julia Louis-Dreyfus gives plenty of warmth and heart to the role of Ian and Barleys mom. But by far the winning performance is from Octavia Spencer who brings her fierce, diva grandness to the Manticore. A lion, scorpion hybrid with huge bat like wings.

Overall this movie is yet another smash hit masterpiece from the makers of Toy story, Monsters Inc and Finding nemo. The pace keeps the adventure rolling with the audience on the edge of their seats in epic battles with a giant dragon made out of rubble and highspeed chases with Hell’s Angel type pixies. This movie is for me one of Disneys greats and an instant classic, with its excellent stroy, pitch perfect voice cast and exciting imagery.

My rating for Onward is a very strong 9/10. I don’t know how Pixar keep doing it. But with its fun filled, heart felt and magical adventure story Pixar have created another instant classic.

Onward stars Tom Holland and Chris Pratt and is directed by Dan Scanlon.

Onward releases in cinema’s everywhere March 6th.