SNAKEBITE REVIEWS
  • Home
  • REVIEWS
  • Snakebite Horrorcast Podcast
  • Bloody Good Reads
  • Trailer Park
  • Book Reviews
  • The Vault
  • Features
  • Videogame Reviews
  • Reviews OLD
  • JOIN THE TEAM

The Red Turtle - Rating: * * * * (Reviewed by Ian Simons)

9/29/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
Sometimes all you need in a film is a story. No Words, now voice over just a beautiful soundtrack, stunning illustrations and a simple premise, the love between a man and a woman.

The Red Turtle is the latest film to come out of Studio Ghibli, and while it is a different style than they are use to and created in France instead of Japan, the beauty is still there. The story follows the life of a ship wrecked man who, while trying to escape the island on a self-made raft, is forced back to the island when a red turtle smashes up the raft. Angry at the turtle he finds it on the beach where the man smashes the poor thing over the head and flips it on its back. The turtle lays broken and dead, sending the man into the feeling of guilt. One day the man notices that over night the red turtle had turned into a beautiful red headed woman in a coma of sorts, who he shields from the elements. When the woman comes to the man expresses the guilt he feels and is forgiven by her. The film follows their love through the ages on the island that leads to a very emotional conclusion.

The Red Turtle shows emotion it it's most purest forms. From guilt, to love, to sadness and to joy, all with not a single word uttered. This film is truly beautiful. Michael Dudok de Wit has done a great job bringing these characters alive, something you can see in the special feature on the DVD release of the film where we are treated to a look at the first stages of the animation process. The love and care that has gone into this film is evident from the very start of the film, I love the Herge style of animation aswell, giving this a very different feel to other films in the Studio Ghibi film library, and this is a great thing.

If you can choose one film to watch coming up then you NEED to buy this film. Hauntingly gorgeous, quiet yet tells so much. The Red Turtle is a masterpiece in animation
0 Comments

Arrow Season 5 - Rating: * * * * (Reviewed by Ian Simons)

9/28/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
Oliver Queen returns again to the streets of Star City to take on those who have failed his city. This time our green hooded hero find himself minus a full team, so enter a fresh new team arrow who lack the chemistry of the original team!!!

Enter the new blood, first up is Rene Ramirez a.k.a Wild Dog, a vigilante inspired by what the Green Arrow did in Season 4. Curtis Holt also get a bigger role in Team Arrow this season as he assumes the role of Mister Terrific. The next one up is Ragman Rory Regan, the sole survivor of the bomb blast from last season that Felicity was unfortunately responsible for, and finally (but not for long SPOILERS obvious) Evelyn Sharp, a street wise kid who picks the wrong side. We are later introduced to another character who joins the team named Dinah Drake who becomes the new Black Canary...again SPOILERS people. This team are later in the first half of the series join again by John and Detective Lance who are more side character this time around.

Season 5 has Queen take on another role to protect the people of his city as he take on the mantle of city Mayor, a role he soon finds to be a fine line between this and his role as the Green Arrow, all the while taking on a new more violent enemy Prometheus, yet another hooded archer hell bent on destroying our hero and all he holds dear.

The problem with this season is the same problem I found with The Flash Season 3 that is gets a bit slow midway. It gets a little repetitive and if i'm honest I am looking forward to there be much less flashback parts in Season 6 because this whole Bratva story is boring as hell. However once you get through the half way point the show begins to pick up speed again. While I prefer the team in The Flash, Team Arrow isn't great and the team as a whole seems a little lackluster but there are a characters like Rory who I would have liked to see more of, and Dinah Drake adds a little more pep into the show.

Arrow Season 5 is pretty much the same as the seasons that came before, aside from the epic crossover Invasion story line and the references to The Flash, like Flashpoint where Barry reveals that John had a son before and now has a daughter. This season was OKAY this isn't the weakest of the five but I hope season six brings something new to the table before it gets stale like Supernatural.
0 Comments

Voice From The Stone - Rating: * * 1/2 (Reviewed by Chloe Davies)

9/26/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
‘Voice from the Stone’ is a gothic drama starring Game of Thrones’ Emilia Clarke as a nurse who is hired to look after a young boy who stops speaking after his mother dies. As she spends more time there she becomes more like his mother, eventually wearing her clothes and taking on her role. While the film is visually beautiful and does a great job creating a gothic atmosphere through the setting and costumes, that is as far as it goes. The narrative completely lacks tension, and the characters aren’t particularly likeable which gets in the way of being able to sympathise with them.

Clarke is good in her role but the character is annoyingly smug, so it’s difficult to connect with her or root for her. She doesn’t do anything particularly amazing for the child, Jakob, either – his father even comments that she’s just like the other nurses that came before her and it’s difficult to see how she could be any more special. Furthermore, it’s hard to tell whether her taking Jackob’s mother’s role is meant to be shown in a positive or negative way; I interpreted it as being shown as positive in the end, which was very off-putting. Maybe this was how it was intended to make the audience feel and I’m completely missing the point, but it’s difficult to tell what the film is going for.

In addition, the film feels very repetitive until the final act. Not much happens other than Verena looking for Jakob, Verena finding Jakob, Jakob running off, then rinse and repeat. There’s nothing to take an interest in, no emotional investment in the characters except possibly Jakob at a stretch, but the narrative doesn’t go deep enough to be able to really care. Therefore, the film drags on despite its short run time, and I came out of it feeling completely indifferent to it.

​Overall, the film is visually pleasing but lacks substance. The story needed better pacing, more tension and a clearer message as well as more likeable characters. Although I was excited about watching the film and wanted to enjoy it, it was difficult to feel anything other than indifferent afterwards.  
0 Comments

1997: Dawn of the Attitude - Rating: * *

9/22/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
Oh look ANOTHER documentary that revolves around the Attitude era! yes WWE loves the era of Non-PG TV so much it feels like there is a new DVD or network special every few months. This time Renne Young is joined by HBK, Kane, Mick Foley, Ron Simmons and The Godfather in a round table style discussion on the year that changed it all 1997.

While it is interesting to get the opinions of the men who made the year their own, it does feel like it is yet another 'we know all of this already' collection of stories and matches. The matches on the 3 disk set are okay, they are a mix of classics and lesser seen matches from PPV and shows like Shogun Saturday Night wrestling.

This is a good set to have in your collection if you are huge on the attitude era, but in my opinion I think it is about time we get some documentaries on the Ruthless Aggression Era    
0 Comments

Ghost Witch - Rating: * * (Reviewed by Chloe Davies)

9/21/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
‘Ghost Witch’ is a supernatural horror about Mattie, who had a paranormal experience as a child in an old house her dad bought. She asks her friend, Zeke, to gather his ghost buster buddies and go back with her to see what they can find. This is a very low budget film and unfortunately the writing doesn’t make up much for the technical problems with it. The story feels slow even at barely over an hour and a half long; there’s a lot of people talking about the legend of the ghost but the ghost doesn’t really do anything or present a threat until a while into the film.

Despite there being a couple of decent performances, particularly from the leads (Chase Anderson and Mandi Kerr), there is some bad acting in this. It’s that awkward kind of bad acting, where it falls incredibly flat, and Kerr is definitely the most natural on screen. The biggest problem with the film is that there are several aspects to it that feel awkward and unnatural just like the acting; for example, a lot of the sound effects used for simple things like footsteps, creaking etc. sounded incredibly over-the-top and it gets more and more annoying as it goes on.
​
The film should at least be appreciated for its ambition despite its problems. For something that was on such a low budget, it at least had a good set going for it with the haunted house, which looked grimy and creaky as hell. If it had just been more creative with the writing and didn’t rely so much on clichés, it would have been easier to look past the other more technical issues with the film such as the sound design and lighting.  
0 Comments

American Made - Rating: * * * * (Reviewed by Sarah Cook)

9/20/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
We’re all used to seeing Tom Cruise running around, getting involved in a whole load of action escapades or leading a group of trained agents into a death defying mission. He’s comfortable in this kind of atmosphere but it’s refreshing to witness him in a different environment at a much slower pace. I can safely say that that is exactly how he is in Doug Liman’s second (the first being Edge of Tomorrow) collaboration with him. Much more of a slow-burn action comedy about the real life exploits of Barry Seal – CIA Agent/Pilot/drug smuggler.

The film picks up in the late 1970’s when Pilot Seal (Tom Crusie) is suddenly recruited by mysterious Monty Schafer (another solid turn from Domhnall Gleeson) to be an undercover agent for the CIA. Seal thinks he’s struck lucky but things become rather complicated when he then lands work from a group of drug criminals called the ‘Medelin Cartel’ – led by none other than the infamous Pablo Escobar himself – and is asked to smuggle substances from the likes of Panama and Columbia back into the USA on his return flight. Before long the money comes flooding in (to the point where they run out of room and Seal as to dig holes in the garden!) and the jobs become more regular ad much more complex.

The story moves very quickly and does feel erratic at times but despite this I found myself getting sucked into the action and found it all quite educating and interesting. Liman has deliberately used a grainy camera print here which really projects you into the 1970’s/1980’s atmosphere and makes it feel all that more gritty and realistic. The quirky use of animated maps storyboards and fast-paced editing pays off and again, really adds to the creation of chaos at this time in Barry Seal’s life. The soundtrack is catchy and – as expected – incorporates the best of the 1970’s and 80’s. As highlighted above, Cruise is out of his comfort zone here and it has worked wonders. He gives a much more understated, withdrawn performance as Barry Seal and proves that he is multi-layered as an actor and can turn his hand to pretty much anything.

Domhnall Gleeson - who seems to be everywhere at the moment, playing roles in both Mother! And the upcoming Goodbye Christopher Robin – is charismatic and quite comical as Schafer. Essentially Seal’s boss, he gets to show off his strong, authoritarian side, barking orders at Seal from the initial undercover CIA reporting to eventually selling guns to the Contras. Gleeson – like his father – is just as effective in a supporting role as he is as the protagonist and as this film shows, he is capable of stealing the scene in either of those instances. Liman’s account of this segment of Seal’s life is thrilling, engaging and entertaining. It depicts an entertaining story of a man who certainly led an exciting lifestyle when he was recruited by the CIA, the drug cartels and eventually the American government. Just like the film, it was anything but boring! ​
0 Comments

The Flash Season 3 - Rating: * * * 1/2

9/20/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
After two really good seasons The Flash is back but what started strong with Flashpoint and ended just as strong with the gripping final few episodes, this season suffers from the midway dip which at points turns Barry in to the dullest man alive. WARNING this will contain plot spoilers.

In an attempt to stop the events of his mother's murder at the hand of evil Wells, Barry runs to the past to stop the events from taking place. This change in events changes everything. Barry is living with his now alive parents, but with no powers. He is with Iris but Joe a hates him. Warned of the consequences from Wells, Barry resets the timeline, but he has made some drastic mistakes that effect the whole team, and on a side note effects Team Arrow. What this created was Savitar, an armored speedster who calls himself the God of Speed, and the biggest challenge Team Flash may ever face. With Iris' live on the line Barry and the team must race against the clock to prevent a brutal future from becoming a reality.

While this isn't the worst thing on TV (I found this season much more entertaining than Agents of Sheilds last season) the mid season dip was a struggle to get over. I found myself watching the same episode 6 times at one point to try and finish the set for this review, and while I'm glad I did, this was a damn shame for a show the had a great start.

We are treated to some cool crossovers in this season, One which sees Barry and Supergirl trapped in a west end musical and the epic four show event which combined Team Flash, Team Arrow, the Legends of Tomorrow and Supergirl to take on an alien threat. I enjoyed to progression of Cisco's character, he is becoming a hero in his own right and I think Jesse works well as Jesse Quick. My own down side to this season's team is Caitlin's Killer Frost and Wally. Kid Flash's character got annoying VERY quickly and I find Caitlin dull at the best of times.

This season did however end on a high point, the final few episodes were emotional to say the least and the cliff hanger ending makes me want to catch the show when it returns to Sky1 in the UK this October.

In closing you should watch this season, if not for the first and last half then for your love of the Flash character. I like the edition of Flashpoint and as a TV universe DC is outdoing Marvel TV by miles. I look forward to Season 4 and on a side note I am looking forward to Black Lightning. I just really hope there will be a Batman/Batgirl/Nightwing series to add to this universe and more importantly a real justice League show to rival The Defenders.

 
0 Comments

SARAH COOK'S FRIGHTFEST 2017: Better Watch Out - Rating: * * * * 1/2

9/15/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
The final day of FrightFest this year was a corker. Every film was pretty solid and the Christmas cracker from director Chris Peckover was no exception. In fact, it was one of the favourite films across the weekend. On a nice, quiet street during this festive season of joy, babysitter Ashley (Olivia DeJonge) goes to babysit 12 year old Luke (a superb Levi Miller) for the evening while his parents (Virginia Madsen and Patrick Warburton) are off to a Christmas party.

Ashley is Luke’s favourite babysitter and has a real soft spot for her so looks forward to spending more time with her. However, things turn sinister when a brick is thrown through the window and there are creaking noises in the house, suggesting intruders have broken in. It’s up to Ashley to protect Levi from the terror and to try and get them both through the night in one piece.

Home Alone meets You’re Next, this clever, crafty little horror film is a real gem. The joyous, Christmas atmosphere is a perfect setting for the dread that ensues and it is gory and grim to say the least. Olivia DeJonge gives a headstrong, powerful performance as Ashley; she is the epitome of the ‘final girl’ and is very comfortable in the territory. Innocent and pure on the outside she soon projects shades of ferocity and great strength. Levi Miller is also incredibly charismatic as Luke and is a name to add to the list of bright, young talent that is ever-growing of late.

The film is thrilling, enjoyable and has a few funny moments thrown in for good measure. If possible, try and watch this around the festive season as it’s bound to make it an even richer experience. It is one of those films that will improve each time you watch it and you’re bound to pick up on more of the details and tricks that have been implanted in the background. This is a real horror treat indeed!

0 Comments

SARAH COOK'S FRIGHTFEST 2017: Death Note -Rating: * * *

9/15/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
Usually I have seen the original before I go ahead and watch the remake – although I’m traditionally not a fan of them. However now and again they slip away from me and this was the case with the Japanese Manga Anime of Death Note. I wasn’t sure what to expect but I came out quite pleasantly surprised and found it to be a fun, easy to watch horror film; perfect Saturday night popcorn entertainment!

The film tells the story of Light Turner (a charismatic Nat Wolff) who finds a mysterious book one day in his high school playground and he decides to take it home. It just so happens that this magical book has the power to kill anyone whose name he writes in it. So Light begins his own little quest to rid the world of criminals. It all goes well until a famous detective starts pursuing Light and he goes simply by the letter ‘L’ (a fantastic performance from Get Out’s Lakeith Stanfield). It soon becomes a game of cat and mouse to see if Light can outsmart the detective and keep his vigilante acts under wraps.

The story is simple yet effective. There are some clever, inventive deaths – reminiscent of the Final Destination series – and it is quite gory at times. The only thing with it being 101 minutes is that it does feel very rushed towards the end and the ending is very sudden. This was a manga split into several anime films so it’s bound to feel somewhat hurried. However the majority of the content is thrilling and entertaining and there’s lots to enjoy here.

Willem Dafoe is a perfect choice for Ryuk – the mythological creature that created the book and presents himself to Light when he discovers it. Dafoe’s voice is ideal for the beast; deep, rich and raspy he embodies the role incredibly well and creates an eerie presence every time he’s in a scene. Nat Wolff gives a solid performance as Light and has a real charm to him that will see him carry many leading roles in a very bright future, as he is only a mere 23 years old now.
​

The real standout for me though was Laketih Stanfield’s incredibly memorable turn as detective ‘L’. Stanfield packs a real punch in the film and je is just fascinating to watch. He’s quirky, comical and sincerely amusing which brings a lighter tone to the otherwise dark story. Overall the film is amusing yet sullen at times, funny but violent and has enough going on to keep you engaged throughout.
0 Comments

SARAH COOK'S FRIGHTFEST 2017: 68 Kill - Rating: * * * *

9/15/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
From one of my top snakebitereviews.weebly.com/film-reviews/sarah-cooks-frightfest-2017-reviews-double-date-ratingfilms of the weekend to another; there was a real theme of black comedy at this year’s festival and one of the films that really embedded that theme was Trent Haaga’s punk rock crime caper. It wastes no time at all and kicks off with our hero: Chip Taylor (an incredibly charismatic performance by Matthew Gray Gubler!) as he stares longingly at his beautiful girlfriend Liza (a fierce AnnaLynne McCord) whom he is utterly besotted with. The problem is Liza is unsatisfied with her life and fed up of sleeping with her sugar daddy for money whilst living in their trashy trailer park so she hatches a plan to steal $68,000 from said sugar daddy so they can start a new life for themselves. It all sounds simple but when things go awfully wrong Chip is thrown into a road trip from hell where he confronts much more than he could have bargained for along the way.

This film is a constant thrill ride from start to finish and it holds no prisoners. From the beginning we are experiencing the chaos and constant obstacles right there with Chip and we are rooting for him throughout. The situations he finds himself in are so absurd that you have no choice but to sit back and enjoy the rollercoaster! Haaga has implemented a psychedelic soundtrack which fits perfectly with the nature of the story and the film has a really authentic feel to it due to natural cinematography and a gritty atmosphere. The women that Chip meets on his journey are all strong females but they aren’t projected in a typical way and you couldn’t predict their entrances into the film if you tried!

The cast are all superb. AnnaLynne McCord is feisty and strong as the unpredictable Liza; the apple of Chip’s eye and the woman he’d die for. McCord gives such a striking performance and it’s hard to take your eyes off her when she is on screen. The two other women in Chip’s story are completely different; they almost symbolise the two sides of Liza herself. Violet is young, innocent and uncorrupted and Alisha Boe plays her with great sensitivity and fragility. This is contrasted with Sheila Vand’s performance of the rather mad Monica who is dark and a bit disturbed.

Then there’s our loveable protagonist, Chip. Matthew Gray Gubler is just superb here and is oozing charm and charisma throughout as Chip’s clumsiness and – at times – awkwardness knows no bounds and we love him all the more for it. He is an unlikely hero and so his actions are much more realistic as he journeys through the mayhem. The pace never drops here and action is pretty much relentless. All the components fit together flawlessly and by the end you’ll want to witness this wonderful madness all over again!
0 Comments
<<Previous

    Film Reviews

    We review the best and worst of Cinema, DVD, Blu-Ray and TV of all genres.

    Archives

    May 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015

    Categories

    All
    Christopher Lloyd
    Horror
    Scifi
    Serial Killer
    Thriller

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.