c_hookham Reviews

Mog's Christmas (2023 TV Movie)

As Long As You Belong

[9/10 · 25 December 2023]

1976's Mog's Christmas gets its 2023 TV debut via channel 4's lovingly produced Christmas Eve treat.

Judith Kerr's much loved Mog gets her 1st proper animated outing that pays homage to Kerr's own illustrations as well as having more than a hint of Sylvain Chomet and Studio Ghibli's fantastic creations.

Here not very clever, but much loved family cat Mog has her nose put out of joint by all the fuss and bustle of Christmas and the strange relations cluttering up HER house. In response Mog climbs onto the roof and , much to her family's distress, refuses to come down. Framed by David Arnold's beautiful score and featuring the centrepiece song As Long As I Belong, this is 30 minutes of joy.

Wonka (2023)

A Sweet treat

[9/10 · 25 December 2023]

Sometimes films remind you what the point of making films actually is. This is one of them.

From the writing/Directing partnership behind Paddington 2 comes Willy Wonka's backstory full of whimsy, laughs and 1st class music and songs.

Here we see the titular character arrive in the unspecified vaguely Germanic country of the original film where he's tricked into a life of servitude by Tom Davis and Olivia Colman's wonderfully hissable laundry owners. Here he meets his fellow serfs but sets about founding his confectionery empire in the face of some stiff competition led by the brilliant Paterson Jospeh as well as leading his friends to freedom.

The songs by the Divine Comedy's Neil Hannon and Joby Talbot are a particular high point, with For A Moment easily the best of the bunch. Chalamet is a great, wide eyed and slightly mad early incarnation of the chocolatier with a singing voice to match.

Some beautiful set pieces and lots of laughs make this a top class festive treat.

Bullet Train (2022)

Snake, on a train

[9/10 · 1 March 2023]

If ever there was a film made where the cast are clearly having as much fun as the audience: this is it. Brad Pitt, Aaron Taylor Johnson, Joey King and the rest of the ensemble cast are having an absolute hoot in what appears to be Kill Bill re-imagined by Guy Richie. A disparate group of assassins board the titular train, speeding towards their intertwining destinies while a lethally poisonous snake is on the loose. This is bright, very violent and frequently very funny stuff that looks and feels exactly what you expect a film by John Wick's Director to be like. Spectacularly entertaining if you aren't fussed by the ridiculous violence, some so-so accents and the appropriatation of Japanese culture.

Hunters: The Home (2023) Season 2, Episode 7

Father's Home!

[10/10 · 16 January 2023]

In a one off side story we get to see the wider mythology of this series' alternative view of WW2 and post-WW2 history. Here we get to travel back in time to war-torn Germany to visit the home of a peculiar old couple and the troublesome guests hunting their own 'prey'. A seemingly innocent and idyllic setting beautifully rendered in Wes Anderson-esque colours doesn't try to hide the darkness all around it -that isn't 'snow' that's falling - and the creepiness really sets in once a team of SS hunters pay a visit. Full of inventiveness and the blackest of comedy think Inglorious Basterds meets Home Alone directed by Wes Anderson.

Glorious (2022)

"What's a God like you doing in a place like this?"

[8/10 · 9 January 2023]

When youre looking for new ideas in film I always think go and have a look at some horror. Shudder's original film Glorious is a er...glorious, clever and blood soaked cosmic comedy horror with a decent little twist. A troubled and down at heel man -played by a suitably manic Ryan Kwanten- stops at a rest area for a well deserved break, mistakenly strikes up a conversation with J. K Simmons' fellow patron in the toilet cubicles and ends up trapped in the sort of situation you really don't expect to find in a men's lavatory. Original and funny featuring a very un-Lovecraftian Lovecraftian Outer God, this is reminiscent of a top class twilight zone/Outer Limits episode: Get it watched.

Matriarch (I) (2022)

You can't choose your family

[8/10 · 15 November 2022]

A successful career girl recovering from an overdose reconnects with her estranged mother in darkest rural England and finds things are far worse than she remembers.

This ticks all the usual genre boxes. Theres an isolated village which has seemingly returned to the 'old ways', a now outsider returning to the fold and an 'It' seemingly behind everything. You don't immediately realise youre in that sort of world and the 1st 20 mins deal with a modern life, a breakup and a near fatal overdose. Its when the otherworldly presence of the brilliant Kate Dickie appears that ramps up the atmosphere and a tangible sense of dread.

This is a slow burner, very much in the Ben Wheatley mould of horror without conventional shocks and gore that, judging by some of the bizarre reviews on here, has left a lot of dim Americans cold. Ignore them. This is a very effective horror with some very interesting ideas.

Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities: Dreams in the Witch House (2022) Season 1, Episode 6

Don't be fooled by the title.

[6/10 · 27 October 2022]

Had been looking forward to this episode as this is one of my favourite of Lovecraft's short stories. Typically though I was left disappointed. Instead of the nightmarish, hallucinatory tale of other dimensions, child sacrifice and unknowable Alien gods, here we have a rather run of the mill ghost story that only borrows a title, a setting and some characters from the source material, while pretty much ignoring all the interesting details of the source. Given the author's utter disdain for what he saw as the childish notion of 'souls', the afterlife and any form of spirtual redemption this is a very frustrating watch.

Anyway...Rupert Grint ( in very good form) plays a spiritualist desperate to bring back his dead sister and in the house of the title he seems to have found a way to the 'other side' but must now fight off a long dead, vengeful witch and her horrific familiar. As a stand alone horror for those with no knowledge of Lovecraft's wider Mythos this is decent enough, If derivative, slice of scares. If, like me, you were hoping for something a bit more grown up from a series helmed by avid Lovecraft disciple Guillermo Del Toro you will be disappointed and a tiny bit annoyed.

Roaming in the Wild (2019– )

A love song to the Wild

[10/10 · 1 May 2022]

Roaming the Wild sees pals Andrew and Mark venture into the wildest parts of Scotland to bring us the sort of adventures that used to be only found in Enid Blyton stories.

This is the ultimate get away without ever having to leave your sofa as they guide you through some breathtaking scenery and it always feels like you are with friends and almost part of the experience. The filming style is relaxed but skilfully shot and the boys are fantastic guides; funny and open without ever resorting to tired laddishness. The music is provided by Andrew's solo project Beluga Lagoon and it wonderfully frames their adventures.

This is an absolute joy of a series. Uplifting, funny and beautiful.

Daniel Isn't Real (2019)

Daniel isn't real...is he??

[8/10 · 19 April 2022]

A child traumatised by family breakup and tragedy seemingly meets a new friend- one that only he can see and communicate with. When his new friend becomes troublesome he is 'locked' away. When resurrected many years later the now adult friend has become even more demanding and troublesome.

This is a decent slow burn horror with some deeply unsettling moments that draws on John Wyndham's Chocky as well as the best of Clive Barker, Stephen King and Lovecraft's cosmic horror.

Feria: The Darkest Light (2022)

Enter the Kingdom

[8/10 · 1 February 2022]

In the remote Andalusian Hills sits Feria-a seemingly pretty town bathed in the lovely Spanish light. But there is something deeply sinister at work here. Dozens turn up dead at a local mine seemingly the victim of a mass suicide linked to a cult and the daughters of the cult's alleged leaders are left to pick up the pieces...

Spanish horror has something of a pedigree and this delivers. Echoes of Lynch, Cronenberg and Lovecraft abound in this with added folk horror elements that will be right up the street of anyone following the likes of Stranger Things or Locke and Key.

Shershaah (2021)

Indian heroics

[8/10 · 21 September 2021]

A decent action film portraying a modern day Indian hero Vikram Batra and his now legendary fight in the Kargil war. The battle scenes are well put together and even the quite jarring (for this westerner anyway) love ballad at the midway point doesn't detract from what is quite the ripping yarn.

Chernobyl (2019)

All victories ultimately come at a cost

[10/10 · 7 June 2019]

This Sky/HBO co production has been hailed as perhaps THE great drama of the modern age.

It probably is.

What you see playing out over the 5 episodes isn't just the 'disaster movie' of what happened at Chernobyl in 1986 but a horror in the true sense of the word. Here the horror isn't an extra dimensional terror or a giant prehistoric monster; it is both the core of a badly designed nuclear reactor and the cold, bureaucratic, arrogance & stupidity of the Soviet era totalitarianism that allows it to blow.

Fighting this seemingly invincible foe comes a heroic army of men and women desperately trying to contain the almost otherworldly power of the reactor - something Jared Harris' scientist describes as never having 'happened before on the face of the earth.' The initial explosion and following weeks are the stuff of nightmares where unprepared and unprotected workers and rescue services struggle in vain to control the literal Pandora's box that has been opened. The reactor itself with its core burning like the heart of a demonic star and tortured, twisted metal work reminiscent of tentacles, isn't portrayed as simply a piece of malfunctioning engineering; it is almost a fully fledged Lovecraftian nightmare of violent radiation and death that threatens to overwhelm all of Eastern Europe.

The real monsters, however are the party bureaucrats that have allowed this to happen and the heroes fight is as much with them as it is with the radiation. Gripping, terrifying and (if other reviews on here are to be believed) made with impeccable period detail, this really does deserve it's plaudits.

Ghoul (2018)

Finish the Task, Reveal Their Guilt, Eat Their Flesh

[10/10 · 12 May 2019]

If, like me, your impression of Indian film making is based on frothy, colourful rom coms - then please think again. Ghoul sees a paranoid dystopian India imprisoning and torturing suspected Islamists in a secret underground base where someone has unleashed an ancient evil. This Netflix produced cracker - easily their best horror offering so far - is a blood soaked, claustrophobic and nerve wracking combination of the best elements of the Thing, Alien and Day of the Dead.

P L E A S E Ignore the 1 & 2 star reviews from barely literate nationalist clowns; this is a very effective shocker that works as both a folk horror and a clever critique of sectarianism in India that will thrill an intelligent western audience.

Await Further Instructions (2018)

Different sci-fi unpleasantness

[8/10 · 17 March 2019]

If you're the sort of person that equates sci-fi with space ships, humanoid aliens and LASER BEAMS give this a miss...it's not for you. If however you like sci-fi that's a bit different then tuck in. A dysfunctional and seemingly unpleasant family unite for Christmas only for SOMETHING to spoil everything by trapping them in their home and communicating via their tv. Some of the acting is a bit naff but the truly original and horribly unknowable 'something ' and a claustrophobic atmosphere more than make up for it.

Man Like Mobeen (2017– )

Inner city laughs

[9/10 · 7 March 2019]

In Birmingham's inner city lives Mobeen: former small time drug dealer and now surrogate father to his much younger sister. He's desperately trying to do the right thing by being a good brother, friend and Muslim but his idiotic friends and family are constantly landing him in it. Inner city Birmingham isn't somewhere that gets a lot of dramatic attention and this opens the doors to Mobeen's quirky, sometimes gritty and frequently surreal world. The characterisation is fantastic and in Uncle Shady has one of the funniest and most surreal characters for a long time.

Outlaw King (2018)

If at first you don't succeed try try again...

[8/10 · 13 November 2018]

Outlaw King is a very well put together look at a turbulent era of British history and is mercifully free of Braveheart's stilted homophobia, racism and terrible historical inaccuracies. Chris Pine is the stoic (and not very Scottish ) Robert the Bruce who, after accepting the overlordship of the psychotic Edward I of England and his nearly as bad son, decides to try and liberate Scotland despite overwhelming odds. The film paints a picture of a very complicated situation in which the Anglo Norman rulers of both Kingdoms struggle for control and, in a scene where Bruce is clearly an outsider, cleverly shows the differences between the Gaelic highland culture and the Anglo Norman lowland culture. With some great battles and plenty of flesh on show they're going for the GOT audience here but it works. 8 spears up your jacksie out of 10.

The Void (I) (2016)

Pure Cosmic Terror

[9/10 · 21 April 2017]

A rural sheriff finds an injured man and takes him to a soon-to-close local hospital and finds himself and the others there under siege from cultists and the staggeringly malevolent forces they have invited in from 'outside'. Ignore the usual divs slagging the v effective SFX- the Void is the most effective horror I've seen for years and certainly the the best stab at a HP Lovecraft style story yet. This relentlessly unpleasant, unsettling and grim Indy provides both Hellraiser style gore, Lovecraftian cosmic terror and nods to genre kings such as John Carpenter in buckets.

Black Mountain Side (2014)

A tense but flawed slice of cosmic horror

[7/10 · 24 October 2016]

In remote northern Canada a team of archaeologists uncover a mysterious structure so old it threatens to rewrite human history and in turn unleash am ancient horror on themselves. This lo-fi Canadian indie is like something straight from a HP Lovecraft novel - scientists uncover hidden past- hidden past screws with scientists and it's not a bad thing. The setting is beautifully rendered as a remote and alien landscape and despite its low budget effects do a decent job in creating a very tense and hallucinatory atmosphere. There are flaws - some of the dialogue is very clunky as are some of the performances and the ending will irritate many but if you're a fan of lovecraftian horror who isn't expecting cgi monsters or big Hollywood production values then you'll enjoy this trip into the mountains.

Camping (2016– )

An Unforgettable Camping 'T R I P'

[10/10 · 18 April 2016]

You think you've seen the darkest of dark comedy and then you watch Camping and you realise you really haven't seen anything yet.

From the mind of Nighty Night's Julia Davis comes this Sky produced assault on your senses- where a seemingly innocent glamping trip to celebrate a 50th birthday in the glorious Dorset countryside descends into a hell of bitterness, grief, jealousy, sexual experimentation, drugs, insanity and possibly murder.

As usual with Davis' work hardly any taboos are left untouched as the holiday rapidly horribly degenerates. There are standout performances from Vicki Pepperdine and David Bamber as a monstrous control freak wife and s t r a n g e campsite owner respectively whose behaviour will leave you both disgusted and crying with laughter. Think 'Nuts in May' meets 'The League of Gentlemen' directed by Ben Wheatley and you're close to summing up this jet black comedy treat.

The Man in the High Castle (2015–2019)

The Fight To Do Right In A World Gone Mad

[10/10 · 3 December 2015]

In a dystopian alternate 1962 where the Axis won WW2 the Nazis, Japanese and US resistance vie for possession of a mysterious film seemingly showing an Allied triumph. You know you're watching fine drama when you start to actually feel- and root for - a sinister quisling responsible for implementing the 'Final Solution' in an occupied US but thats exactly what you get from Rufus Sewell's' chilling portrayal of Obergruppenfuhrer Smith. Sewell is a standout but there a many more brilliant turns in a cast of characters living in a world where Evil has truly triumphed. Kudos to Amazon for fine work on adapting Phillip K Dick's strange and dense novel into not only a fantastic spy drama but also a great treatise on duty, morals and courage.

People Just Do Nothing (2014–2018)

Living the Dream in....Brentford

[10/10 · 21 September 2015]

Firmly in the tradition of the Office and Phoenix Nights comes this gem following the day to day ups and downs of a group of friends running a pirate radio station in a bedraggled West London neighborhood. We meet best pals, the wonderfully delusional MC Grindah and the loyal, clearly talented but dim DJ Kevin "Beats" Bates who run Brentford's top Garage/DnB,Grime Pirate radio station Kurupt FM. Not very ably assisted by child-like stoner Steves and modest & quiet DJ Decoy; the lads face the day to day struggles of keeping their station going and managing their complicated private lives. The ambitious but severely deluded local 'entrepreneur' Chabuddy G provides the station with much needed help & advice that usually brings chaos to the group, while Grindah's housewife/hair dresser girlfriend provides the vital ego massaging that a 'genius' like Grindah needs. Much of the comedy comes from Grindah's frustration at not being a mega star and with his loyal but dimwitted crew who seemingly frustrate his every move as well as the buffoon- ish but well intentioned Chabuddy's attempts to help his friends. This sort of thing has been done before and a lot of Grindah's mugging to camera is straight from the Ricky Gervais school of comedy but this is clearly a labour of love for the cast, about music they clearly have a passion and talent for. Truly a joy to watch the writing and acting (much of which is ab- libbed) are fantastic. A Bad News Tour or Spinal Tap for modern British urban music.

The Mist (2007)

Lovecraftian Stephen King Adaptation Id Swerved...

[8/10 · 5 August 2015]

...and really shouldn't have.

On 1st impression the Mist is one of those turgid modern day horrors that seem to be green-lit by focus groups. Full of wide eyed idiots hiding from Zombies and monsters and blah blah blah. It isn't, and after seeing it listed on Film Four's best horrors of the 21st century & finding out its another Frank Darabont King adaptation -I gave it a whirl. A familiar Night of the Living Dead, trapped inside scenario delivers scares and huge amounts of tension as well as brilliantly showing the human villains that always seem to come to the fore. The bleak and eerily Lovecraftian ending is an especially great pay off.

Don't be put off like I was. Find out whats really come down in the Mist from the mountains.

The Whisperer in Darkness (2011)

'Unfilmable' Lovecraft done justice at Last

[8/10 · 26 January 2015]

Of all of America's great writers HP Lovecraft, and his eerie tales of cosmic horror, has suffered from not being given a decent film treatment. Or so I thought until I stumbled on this gem-a labour of love from the HP Lovecraft Historical Society. Filmed in lovingly recreated 1930's RKO style this tells the tale of strange alien goings on in the remote mountains of Vermont and an ancient evil hidden there. Considering this is no Hollywood big budget film the production values are impeccable and by using the 1930's feel even the limited budget's SFX look and feel a perfect fit. If you are a fan of Lovecraft's work or any decent Scifi or horror this really is a treat and until Hollywood at least tries to better it -easily the best screen version of Lovecraft's large body of work.

The Walking Dead: No Sanctuary (2014) Season 5, Episode 1

THIS is how to start a new Series

[10/10 · 13 October 2014]

The 5th season of the Walking Dead opens with some of the most gut-wrenchingly gripping television you'll ever see and then reduces you to tears with moments of sheer emotion.

Starting right off where we left Rick and co- locked up in a shipping container - we see just how far the inhabitants of terminus have fallen from their humanity and then, just when you think this cant get any darker an unexpected savior appears -and hell well and truly follows her.

The episode shows how the togetherness and sheer will of our plucky band can seemingly get them out of any situation and keep their humanity intact.

Emotionally sapping and gripping beyond words this opener bodes well for the new series.

Warm Bodies (2013)

Zombies CAN be Funny and Romantic

[8/10 · 10 June 2013]

A Zombie finds love in the shape of a victim's girlfriend and feels something 'stirring'. Underneath the smart Alec jokes, grim setting and Zombie 'frolics' what you have here is basically a morality play that proves the old adage that 'love conquers all'. The film starts off in familiar Zombie Apocalypse territory with hordes of the reanimated shuffling around an airport then we meet Hoult's 'R' a Zombie clearly struggling with his new found place in things. The most refreshing part of the film is not the Zombies and the Land of the Dead-esque situation but the blossoming love story between the leads which is handled brilliantly and sets up the ending very well. All in all a good 'Rom-com' that plays on its strengths but will probably annoy the hell out of hard bitten (heh) Zombie fans.