Davey19 Reviews

Myall Creek Day of Justice (2024)

It's Ok.

[5/10 · 19 May 2024]

For an indie film, this just passes.

The good is the acting isn't too bad. We get good performances from the characters playing John Plunkett, Nebo, Henry Dangar and Charles Kilmeister. In fact the Kilmeister character becomes particularly interesting in the second half of the film with his moral dilemma. Sadly however the lead performance of Denny Day seems lost and confused half the time and the actress playing his wife is hardly given anything decent to work with. Roy Billing is also under-utilised.

The pacing and editing isn't too bad and tries to keep the film tempo up, considering not a lot of action is really taking place. It has enough reflection with some lovely cinematography in parts. The dance sequence and several shots involving fire are well done.

However the film script seems to avoid the true grit and terror of the situation. Focusing on being a court room drama for the most part is a huge blow and the film lags in statements that seem to just repeat. Some of the camera work is also sloppy, as if the cinematographer was fired or replaced at certain points. And the sound recording has clearly been neglected. (typical on low funded films) The Director seems to have kept in scenes where audio could clearly not be saved in editing which is frustrating at best.

Overall the film feels like it never truly hits the emotional strings that it could have and comes across as a missed opportunity.

The Royal Hotel (2023)

I laughed more at the poor attempt

[3/10 · 20 December 2023]

The doco this is based on is worth a watch and is confronting and raw, but this seem laughable at its depiction of Australian pub culture. My father who use to own a hotel (not to mention we are related to the original owners of the hotel depicted) couldn't help but laugh at the stereotypes written into this.

It's no thriller, it's no amazing drama. Why do the owners live in a caravan? Why is a cultural quota seemingly being met given the doco never had this? Who is this meant to appeal too? Why do Australians still all drive beaten down vehicles, have no internet, wear singlet tops and sit in a bleak dimly lit hotel?

As my Dad said mid way through - what's the point to this?

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023)

If Crystal Skull was over the top, this films biggest crime was being boring.

[4/10 · 30 June 2023]

I walked out of the cinema very torn. I didn't know what emotion I had as I walked out the door. But the wrong kind of sadness was present.

For the most part, I was willing to accept it's faults. The de-ageing I could tolerate, the lack of practical effects and CGI heavy sequences, I could accept. I liked Harrison Ford's presence and Mads Mikkelsen and his group of violent thugs were a solid threat. I could even tolerate the artefact device and it's power.

However it was too long and nothing really wowed me. And as the film progressed, it was becoming very clear this was being used as a set up for cash cow spin off that will never happen starring Phoebe Waller. Her character may be one of the most poorly conceived in the entire franchise - and that's saying something after Mutt in Crystal Skull. The ending became a slap to the face to the fans of Indiana Jones. He deserved better.

So I'll wipe this from my memory - and remember the true ending of Indiana Jones was him riding off into the Sunset with his friends and Father back in 1989.

Scream VI (2023)

Oddly like Jason taking Manhattan it's location use is limited

[5/10 · 9 March 2023]

I thought this started strong. Lots to like in the first two acts with a few very intense sequences and lots of nods to Friday the 13th , particularly part two which was interesting. However the final act was way to convenient in favour of the leads. Do knife wounds hurt or not? It just a tad lame and I found myself groaning. It's a pity because it was a strong entry. Maybe my third or fourth favourite Scream at this current point.

I also thought New York was not at utilised as it could be. Something I know was always the big criticism of Jason taking Manhattan. Sure it's a different location, but really it could have been any major city with what was shown. Unless that was the intention?

Senior Year (2022)

Good idea but forgettable

[4/10 · 15 May 2022]

I had no idea what I was about to watch, not seeing any trailers or promotion. The idea started strong and I was hoping for a kind of Billy Madison comedy. I giggled a little in the first 30 minutes. However the jokes don't stick around and the crudeness dies off pretty quickly. The second half becomes so stock standard that I would easily confuse this with any of the endless teen 'I didn't appreciate my true friends and had to redeemed myself' films.

The odd thing about this film is that it will also feel incredibly dated given another ten years. One I will forget very quickly.

Stuffings (2021)

You either get the joke or you don't

[9/10 · 20 March 2022]

Super cheap, which is actually fine. In fact if it wasn't for some audio issues, I wouldn't complain too much. It's more entertaining than your average film factory pumped out Bruce Willis or John Cusack film. You won't be bored, and that is it's biggest merit.

One or two of the actors are terrible, but I guess you have to work with what ya got when casting locals??

I did appreciate the almost Robocop vibes on social commentary. If you think about it, the leads actually don't save the day at all. In fact, they are kind of responsible for killing the kid. The monster is unique enough, but this isn't really a horror film in the traditional sense. Almost felt more like a Scooby Doo episode.

Let's put it this way, I've seen much much worse then this and it did leave enough of an impression on me to watch it again in a few years time.

In Search of Darkness (2019)

Although great for displaying some films I didn't know much of, it's a tad shallow.

[6/10 · 21 December 2020]

Full credit to the director for the ambition here. The best interviews are the ones with actual cast and crew from the productions. I did find some new films to track down and I did like the interviews with people such as Tom Atkins, John Carpenter and Joe Dante.

However, for every nugget of gold there are some films that are swiftly brushed over and narrated poorly by Youtube streamers who feel slightly irrelevant. (give this fifteen more years and you'll wonder who some people even are) It's these moments where the doco starts to feel a little generic and opinionated. I like James A Janisse's Kill Count, but he sounds scripted and too much like a Hollywood reporter doing a puff piece than anything informative here. Cecil Trachenburg does a much better job but I still wish all the information was left to actual cast and crew.

For the 4hr length, I did not mind and it moved at enough of a rapid pace for me to enjoy. I only wish it was a little more informative and pulled a few more actual cast and crew members than third parties.

Never Too Late (I) (2020)

Not everyone's cup of tea, but a good time waster.

[7/10 · 26 October 2020]

I took my Grandmother to this film and she had a good chuckle with it. There are a few issues with it. Some pacing problems and logic regarding how nursing homes actually operate come to mind. However it was tender enough and the performances were solid. Jack Thompson actually shined and deserves more comedy roles. It might not be anything memorable (no pun intended) but it is a good way to waste a few hours on a Sunday afternoon.

World's Toughest Race: Eco-Challenge Fiji (2020)

66 Teams and all I see is America taking all the screen time...

[4/10 · 14 August 2020]

Only watched the first episode....But with such a great idea and premise did you forget the other Countries deserve some screen time? Sure NZ gets it's screen time and I think I saw India in there... but America, America, America...who seem to get a multitude of teams to...cheer?.. Cue the Michael Bay music. If you want to make an 'inclusive' show, why not include equal screen time to others? This could have felt like an Olympic event, instead a show made with one audience in mind. I won't be watching anymore.

The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee (2020)

Hoges is great and Hollywood gets a jab but the co-stars flatten it.

[6/10 · 18 July 2020]

Being a long time Paul Hogan fan it was great to see him back in top form. The pokes and jabs at the Hollywood system are fun and playful when watching someone in his 80s roll his eyes at a community that is self obsessed, materialistic and clutching to keep itself alive and relevent. However for all the moments where Hoges shines, it's the woeful co-stars, particularly that of his manager, that make it so cringe worthy. Some terrible acting, terrible green screen work and strange editing make this go from a possible 8 to a so-so six.

Thank you Hoges - this one isnt your fault.