JoelChamp85 Reviews

The Green Knight (2021)

Drags on until the weak ending

[4/10 · 30 May 2022]

This film is unable to be what it is trying to be, whatever that is. A bit artsy, mythical, out of the box, but does a weak job of it all. Trying to break typically story making unsuccessfully, and yet it uses the Hero's Journey formula, amateurishly. It honestly felt like an expensive student film who got a bunch of money and spent it on the first draft of the first script he/she ever wrote.

Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)

I don't think the writing was up to standard.

[6/10 · 25 April 2022]

First half is almost unbearable with Peter's friends and family taking larger roles than previous films, they just don't cut it. The comedy misses it's mark and the emotional scenes have no impact. The only good supporting character in first half is Dr. Strange. But, the second half does redeem the film somewhat. This is probably one of the weakest in the franchise.

Child's Play (2019)

Great Alternate Portrayal

[9/10 · 20 March 2022]

Grew up loving Child's Play 1 and 2, then slowly became disappointed more and more as the series went on. This is a fresh alternative way to tell the story. It's funny as hell and creepy. The filmmakers took a chance to go outside the box and it paid off.

The Requin (2022)

Lacked Depth And Execution

[4/10 · 27 February 2022]

I like the fact that the main actors are mature and not the typical teeny market we've been seeing lately with these type films. But, this film has a ton of flaws. The visual effects really needed a couple more passes, almost feels like previz in some areas. More importantly, the director is incapable of exploring moments, which could have really helped sell the situation. The lack of buildup and payoff makes scene transitions very jarring.

Flatliners (2017)

Cheap Remake, Though Expensive

[3/10 · 10 January 2022]

Tried giving this film a chance a few times now but it's too stupid. Let's kill each other and party like spring break, yeah. Original film is awesome but this is badly written with bad cast.

Don't Look Up (2021)

Tries to mix silly comedy with seriousness

[4/10 · 2 January 2022]

Got that cheesy, sub-standard, Netflix feel to it. Without Leo this would be quite painful to watch, not sure why an actor of his calibre would consider this role (other than his motivation for climate change awareness).

Eternals (2021)

Not The Best Execution

[4/10 · 10 November 2021]

Pretty average edition to a great franchise. The film felt directionless and underwhelming. The characters were uninteresting and hard to vouch for, and the best character was a fat Indian side kick. The effects look good, as does the cinematography, but that's a standard for Marvel filmmaking, it's the execution and momentum of the vision that fails.

Tenderness (2009)

A Look Into The Temptations Of A Killer

[8/10 · 11 September 2021]

This is a beautifully made film about a disturbing part of human nature. There's just a constant eerie vibe and tense atmosphere not knowing what is going to happen. The casting was spot on and the film is well directed, I haven't seen a film unearth some of the temptation of a sociopath as in this, as subtle as it may be.

Detention (2011)

Avalanche Of Bad Jokes

[1/10 · 23 August 2021]

Congratulations to anyone who can at least get past the intro credits. The film is jam-packed with skits and jokes that aren't in the vicinity of funny. I'm sure there's an audience for it but none that I'd know of.

Just Mercy (2019)

A Story That Needed To Be Told

[8/10 · 22 August 2021]

A good look into the tail end of the southern justice system towards the black community and one of the people who fought against it. It's good to see Jordan in a role like this because he has a sincere authenticity about him and it captures well on screen, fitting the role. A touching story with ups and downs while trying to get justice for someone who deserves it.

Reminiscence (2021)

Not Executed Well

[6/10 · 22 August 2021]

The two things I liked about this film was Hugh Jackman and the flooded cities. Visually it's executed well, but I don't think the director was capable of achieving what was envisioned. The movie tries to use the backdrop conflict of Chinatown (1974) where there's an underlying problem that is surfaced by the investigation of the protagonist. At the same time trying to achieve the same narration style noir-crime that Sin City (2005) did so well, but doesn't reached the same protentional. I simply found the goals of the characters uninteresting and predictable, with a muddled/weak ending.

The Night House (2020)

Solid Suspense Supernatural Film

[8/10 · 21 August 2021]

A very atmospheric and tense, well made, film. Visually it's shot nicely and the audio is quietly suspenseful (hard to eat popcorn quietly in the cinema lol) and well balanced. Hall handles the main role with strength as a woman grieving a recently dead husband who seems to still be present in the house he built for them. The story unfolds impressively, answering questions and revealing dark twists along the way. The good films are back baby!

Last Action Hero (1993)

Epic Fun

[10/10 · 17 August 2021]

After watching this again it makes you realise they can't make this sort of movie magic these days for some reason. The film is a ton of fun and it really explores every aspect of the theme's idea and brings it to life. It takes the grand scale of action from T2 and mixes it with heaps of comedy references and clichés, and brings a killer soundtrack with it. It's just as good as when I watched it on release back in grade 3.

Flirting with Disaster (1996)

Nails It

[9/10 · 16 August 2021]

Funny as hell. Good characters and awkward situations, basically Stiller's career in a nutshell, but this one does it really well. A guy trying to find his biological parents winds up in strange situations with a group of wildly different people on a road trip. Great script and made well with a great director.

Dog Pound (2010)

Believable

[8/10 · 16 August 2021]

A pretty decent look inside the juvenile institution system. The actors all did well and the film has an overall realistic feel to it. The filmmaking reflects the environment with raw shooting and clinical lighting, but at the same time never gets in the way of the story.

Spenser Confidential (2020)

A Good Bit Of Fun

[8/10 · 16 August 2021]

This is a fun film with solid impact stunt work during the fights. Keeps a simple storytelling structure and pursues only that. Good acting and directed well, it's a cool story with a satisfying conclusion.

Mortal Kombat (1995)

Love It

[9/10 · 16 August 2021]

This is how you make a MK video game into a film. The sets looked straight out of the game, the characters had proper appeal to them, and it didn't waste time on unnecessary story. The lighting and camera work looked awesome, even with some of the cheesy matte paintings and early cgi it still destroys the 2021 version. The corniness just makes this film great.

Spring Breakers (2012)

An Interesting Type Of Filmmaking

[7/10 · 13 August 2021]

Starts off like a coming of age type film for some wannabe bad girls who want nothing more than to hook up with boys at spring break, and that's how the filmmaking portrays that. But, interestingly it switches gears into a sort of filmmaking that resembles memory, with repeated dialogue voice-overs and random dream-like editing. The film does something pretty cool which was a gamble, creating a neon fantasy where these girls come into a situation that allows them to do whatever they want, good or bad. Franco's character originally starts off almost gimmicky and stereotypical but slowly becomes tamed by the girls and quite enjoyable to watch.

A Wrinkle in Time (2018)

No Clear Vision

[4/10 · 7 August 2021]

This film belongs to the visual effects guys as it looks good with some tricky shots. The problem comes in with the conflict of camera work, atmosphere and concept design, meaning it has no clear distinction as to what it wants to be. It's filmed like a scientific drama, but tries to have a sort of magic and cosmos feel and it doesn't work because the visual lacks atmosphere and has a lot of handheld operation. To me, it feels like the director couldn't handle the weight of the project and simply tried to get the shots done in time. The hinting at technical scientific theories is weak and brushed under the carpet, even though it's for kids it still felt weak. Disney has seemed to lost their master filmmakers who were disciplined in all aspects of filmmaking. And if I have to hear the double name "Charles-Wallace" one more time I'll go crazy.

Careful What You Wish For (2015)

Does The Job

[7/10 · 7 August 2021]

A pretty good entry to the romance thriller genre, although not original, it still does the job. This was a good role for Jonas to step into considering his background, and he did his part fairly well. The production is good and the screenplay does enough to hold your attention.

Gaia (2021)

A Bit Lackluster

[5/10 · 6 August 2021]

The film has good visual ideas and attempts a decent go at the atmospherics, but personally it doesn't quite deliver. Maybe the director couldn't execute a vision that was planned, or maybe he didn't have the tools to do so. It tries to be in the same ball park as films like Without Name or They Remain, but instead comes off as an independent artsy type movie.

Only the Brave (2017)

A Good Portrayal

[9/10 · 6 August 2021]

A really good portrayal of the life of fire rescue people. This has some of the best bush fire effects I've seen on film, very realistic and feels like you are there. Though it has the quality of Hollywood it feels like a good realistic effort to bring these relatable characters to life and what they go through to be who they are. A good cast and good cinematography with a good screenplay.

Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory (2011)

A Strange Conclusion

[9/10 · 6 August 2021]

This final of the trilogy brings some logical answers to some questions from the past two films. Being shot on digital, this doco feels more real than the other two, which seemed almost like fiction movies by the way they were shot on film and the craziness of the eras. In this latest the answers and investigating also seems more mature and realistic. The way it ends is really strange with the court system creating some weird ruling to get what they want without having any consequences to their actions. The story, beginning in the 90's, to this final conclusion is a really strange and intriguing story, and no doubt similar stories have happened over the past few thousand years of the same nature.

Paradise Lost 2: Revelations (2000 TV Movie)

Intriguing But Still Not Informative

[8/10 · 5 August 2021]

The first doco was so surreal with the disturbing crime, the era, and all the people involved who seemed like characters in a film, like characters from Trailer Park Boys or something. This second doco carries that further, almost like a character piece for John Buyers, his solo film. Unfortunately we don't have the privilege to go behind the scenes in court this time so it's not as informative or impactful. The questions still haven't been satisfyingly answered. What I want to see is some sort of digital re-enactment layout that gives a map-type overview of the movements of each person on the day of the crime and what exactly each side claims to have happened, because it's still confusing as hell.

Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills (1996)

Grim But Entertaining

[10/10 · 4 August 2021]

A powerful and disturbing documentary that follows the three accused youths through the court process like no other doco I've seen. The questions and weight of the mystery involved with what actually happened is kinda mind blowing and keeps you guessing who's innocent and who's guilty. Filmed in the 90's it really captures the era before the wave of technological devices flooded our world. Personally, I'd hate to think the teens are guilty, or someone is still out there free to continue these horrendous acts, but who really knows the truth.