Nothing beats the feeling after watching a pure good horror. How amazing is it that a film can have the power to absolutely terrify you? Most of the time they aren’t even true stories – we’re petrified by total fiction. Nothing to be a shamed of though, I’m a fearty at the best of times. So, to celebrate horror films, here’s the best 10 out there!
Author: Cameron Frew
Freelance film writer. Words on Flickering Myth, Bloody Disgusting, Movie Corner UK and Jumpcut Online. My five favourite films are:
1. The Goonies
2. Forrest Gump
3. The Shawshank Redemption
4. Warrior
5. Whiplash
New character, still a great franchise – Creed review
Creed is the seventh film of the Rocky franchise, and for someone like me – a teenager who has never seen any of the franchise as I have clearly been living under a rock – it was a great advert to go back and watch all the other six films.
Adonis Johnson is a kid who loves to fight. After finding out who is father is – Rocky’s respectable rival, Apollo Creed – he grows up wanting to become a boxer. He risks everything to fulfil his dream, in a predictable, yet moving tale.
Firstly, I want to say that Michael B. Jordan is a fantastic actor. He teams up again in Creed with director Ryan Coogler, with whom he worked on Fruitvale Station (if you haven’t watched that before, go and do it now, and thank me later). His character in this is slightly similar – a young black guy, who although deep down is a good person, is liable to making bad choices – but my god, does Jordan play it well. His cocky yet humble persona jumps off the screen and he is instantly likable, winning over Rocky as well as the audience.
And next, the man who has already won the Critic’s Choice and Golden Globe award for Best Supporting Actor – Sylvester Stallone. He’s a legend of the screen, and he really didn’t let us down with this performance. Despite some questionable films of late, Stallone shone in every scene he was in. It is Rocky Balboa’s story that tugs at the heartstrings, and Stallone added some perhaps unseen before raw emotion to the character.
The camerawork is excellent, in particular in the actual matches that Adonis fights in. Using 360 shots it gives a great in-the-ring perspective, and although it can make you dizzy at times it’s amazing to see the blood, sweat, and punches up close. The soundtrack added to the movie well, with Childish Gambino, Future, Meek Mill, and 2pac all featuring, and the score of course featured the classic Rocky theme tune hook, ‘Gonna Fly Now’. That was just one example of how the film paid homage to the franchise, which can surely please the die-hard fans.
You do get some amount of cheese with a film like this, and there was a fair few times, but only once did it drive me to the distraction of checking my phone on the sly. The love story between Adonis and Bianca (Tessa Thompson) was a bit weak and seemed to develop way too quickly, although it is probably still necessary in a movie of this genre. It doesn’t go too far off-script from the original recipe that made Rocky such a global hit (young, unknown boxer gets a chance, works hard, shocks everyone, wins the girl) and that could potentially be seen as a negative. I think it would do no harm to spread its wings a little and try something different, but don’t change a winning formula, right?
A great feel-good film, I’d recommend any fan of the Rocky franchise to watch this. Maybe not a new classic, but it certainly didn’t harm the legacy that Rocky has built.
Rating: Crackin
Check out the trailer:
What do you think? Will you be seeing Creed? Have you already seen it? Let us know your thoughts in the comments or tweet @film_swot.
Author: Andrew Petrie
Drinking Game – Step Brothers
THIRSTY THURSDAY! This week, we have a drinking game for Step Brothers!
Suicide Squad Trailer 2 REACTION! (And our first vid!)
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WEE WEDNESDAY REVIEW – Gulliver’s Travels
For this week’s Wee Wednesday Review, I chose Gulliver’s Travels.
Top 10 – Dog movies
I’m gonna be honest, if you don’t like dogs there’s obviously a loose wire somewhere. They’re bloody fantastic animals! What’s amazing is that quite often, we have found ourselves more emotional about dogs in films than humans (that’s cause humans are shite and dogs are brilliant though). So, to celebrate dogs, here’s a top 10 list of films based around them!
10. Hachi: A Dogs Tale
Telling the story of a college professor who forms a bond with a dog he finds on a train platform, this emotional, moving film starring Richard Gere is a must watch for dog lovers.
9. 101 Dalmatians
The original, animated film is great, but the live action remake is my favourite. Some of it may seem a little silly, but the dogs are great and the story works so who cares!
8. Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey
This does have a cat in it, but there’s also two dogs so it’s okay! This classic tells the story of three pets who escape to find their owners in San Francisco, and chat along the way. Brilliant!
7. Cujo
Whilst the majority of dog films make us fall in love with them, this one made us afraid of them. A St. Bernard with rabies? HA, NAW.
6. Eight Below
Whilst Snow Dogs wasn’t very good, this survival tale starring Paul Walker is more serious, and generally a shit-load better. Ahh, huskies.
5. All Dogs Go to Heaven
This oldie is a cracking little animated film, one I watched when I was younger. It may be a little dated looking, but in terms of quality, it’s still great.
4. Lady and the Tramp
Everyone has at least heard of Lady and the Tramp, but you really should have seen it. It’s a timeless Disney animated classic – beautifully made and generally just lovely.
3. Turner & Hooch
Perhaps not all of you have seen Turner and Hooch, but you should. It’s essentially a buddy cop film, except it’s a cop and a dog that are buddies. A massive slevery, drooling dog is the star here, so what else do you need to hear?
2. Marley & Me
Marley and Me became an instant classic when it was released. As well as having Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston, the hilarious Labrador Marley really steals every scene he’s in. You’ll laugh and cry, and love every second.
NUMBER ONE
- Beethoven
For me this was the obvious choice. I watched it all the time when I was younger, and event today I love it dearly.
When a family feel something is lacking from their home, they adopt a St. Bernard puppy. Of course he isn’t a puppy for long, so when Beethoven grows up to be a huge, slobbery animal, all sorts of hilarious chaos ensues. That is until someone not-so-friendly wants Beethoven.
Beethoven himself is so lovable, like every time I watch it I feel the need to adopt a St. Bernard. I have no doubt you’ll adore this film, so please if you haven’t seen it, do it! It’s certainly a film the whole family can enjoy. If you’re one of those strange bastards that doesn’t like dogs, maybe this will change your opinion.
What do you think? What’s your favourite dog film? Let us know in the comments, or tweet @film_swot.
Author: Cameron Frew
Gee him an Oscar ya wanks – The Revenant review
Revenge is a dish best served cold is one thing but this film takes the concept to a whole other level. If you’re into films that are pure cheery, I wouldn’t pay to go see this one as there is a consistent miserable tone throughout this epic gut-wrenching blockbuster.
Continue reading Gee him an Oscar ya wanks – The Revenant review
Drinking Game – The Wolf of Wall Street
So this is a new thing for Film Swot… THIRSTY THURSDAY!
WEE WEDNESDAY REVIEW – The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
For this week’s WEE WEDNESDAY REVIEW I chose the underrated The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.
Continue reading WEE WEDNESDAY REVIEW – The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
Top 10 – Disney Pixar films
For me and many others, Disney Pixar films were a massive part of my childhood and let’s be honest they still mean a lot to me today. The mass majority of them are ingenious and manage to engross kids and adults alike. As well as being hilarious, they are quite often emotional also. So, here’s a top 10 list of the best ones out there, enjoy!
10. Toy Story 2
The sequel to the first Toy Story proved that not all sequels are a disappointment. It introduced new characters, remained hilarious and still had as much heart.
9. Inside Out
One of the most recent Pixar films, I had no doubt in my mind once I saw it that it was one of the best. The incredibly clever storyline is what made this a classic. The only voice inside my head when I watch Inside Out is Joy.
8. WALL·E
This film truly showcased how incredible Pixar’s animation was, as well as giving us a story like no other. Who knew we could get so connected to a couple of animated robots?
7. Up
Everyone has at least heard about the opening sequence of Up. I’m not going to say what happens, let’s just say you WILL get teary-eyed. Moving on from there, it turns into a wonderfully funny and inventive adventure film.
6. Cars
Cars has always been one of my personal favourites. It really is hilarious, I mean who doesn’t love Mater? The sequel and spin offs have been pretty dire, but the original remains excellent to this day. Not to mention Owen Wilson voices the main character!
5. The Incredibles
Not all incredible (I’m sorry) superhero movies are live action. The Incredibles is one of the best out there, giving us fantastic action sequences as well as all the benefits we’d expect from a Pixar film.
4. Toy Story 3
The most recent sequel to the original Toy Story somehow managed to improve upon the first sequel, introducing even more characters and bringing us a thrilling storyline at the best of times. The villain is excellent, and I guarantee you’ll nearly – if not – cry at the end.
3. Monsters, Inc.
One of the originals, Monsters, Inc took a scary part of life for kids and turned it into something they could love. By turning monsters into lovable characters, Pixar really outdone themselves.
2. Finding Nemo
Pixar have this incredible ability to create beautiful, colourful worlds in different places. This time round it was the sea, and I loved every second of it. As well as sublime animation, every single character, especially the hilarious Dory, is memorable. The sequel to Finding Nemo is definitely one of the most anticipated films this year.
NUMBER ONE
- Toy Story
There was only one really choice for the number one spot wasn’t there? Toy Story was the first Disney Pixar film, and it’s definitely still the best.
By creating a world where toys come alive, it is ridiculously fun for both kids and parents. The lead characters, expertly voiced by the wonderful Tom Hanks and Tim Allen, immediately became iconic across the world. I myself loved Woody growing up – I even still have the toy in my cupboard.
Wonderfully clever and miles ahead of it’s time, it’s no wonder it spawned sequels, with a fourth in production. Even though it’s over 20 years old, the animation is still amazing. I am confident that Toy Story will remain my favourite animated film ever till the day I die.
What’s your favourite Disney Pixar film? Is it Toy Story too? Let me know yours in the comments or tweet @film_swot.
Cameron Frew
FrewFilm 