Pizza Film – Movie Review

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TL;DR – A charming if debauched window into the world of American colleges.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

Disclosure – I paid for the Disney+ service to view this film.

Warning – Contains scenes which may cause distress.

Warning – Contains scenes with flashing lights.

A tin of M.I.N.T.S.

Pizza Film Review Introduction

Growing up on the internet at my age meant that at some moment, you came across BriTANicK’s work on YouTube, such as Academy Award Winning Movie Trailer. When you watch someone’s career grow over the years, it is a delight to see when it comes to fruition with their first major feature. Well, that has happened today, and I, of course, have to check it out.  

So, to set the scene, a long time in the past, a delinquent college freshman hid some drugs called M.I.N.T.S. in a slot in their ceiling. Years later, someone new lives in that room, Jack (Gaten Matarazzo), who is hated by the whole college thanks to an incident with the football team, and Montgomery (Sean Giambrone), a quiet, nervous kind of guy, trying to become an alpha. Well, after a particularly awful day, which leads to the drugs getting dislodged from the ceiling, the boys decide to give them a try, not realising you need to have them with food, or six terrible phases will follow. Now, they must make their way down two stories to get the pizza waiting in the lobby before the final phase kicks in, and their lives are destroyed forever. Just hope the RAs don’t pick tonight to start their purge of undesirables.  

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Paradise: Season 2 – TV Review

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TL;DR – The more I think about this season, the more it feels like it suffered from “Part-two-itus”, taking on the needed plot swerve so it can be the bridge between the opening and finale.

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Disclosure – I paid for the Disney+ service that viewed this series.

Sinatra walks through Paradise before it destroys itself.

Paradise Review Introduction

Well, we have gotten to the end of Paradise’s second season, and I can say that it did feel like a very odd season for me. Moments of profound interest, wasted plot points, and a perplexing ending. This gives it an interesting feel, and I feel like I am still wrapping my head around it days later.

So, to set the scene, as Season Two progressed, Xavier Collins (Sterling K. Brown) finally reunited with his wife, Teri Rogers-Collins (Enuka Okuma). Sinatra (Julianne Nicholson) has been slowly moving back into the position of main power, thanks to Jane (Nicole Brydon Bloom) killing all those who opposed her. Link (Thomas Doherty) and his group have made it to the outside of Paradise and have started making demands. All while everyone is trying to work out who is Alex? Now, from here, we will be looking at the season as a whole, so there will be [SPOILERS] ahead.

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Misdirection – Movie Review

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TL;DR – While it had a strong start, inconsistent dialogue and characterisation eventually led to me disconnecting from the narrative.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5.

Post-Credit Scene – There is no post-credit scene.

Disclosure – I was sent a screener of this film.

A scanner log on a screen.

Misdirection Review Introduction

In the world of cinema, there are these character actors who, when you see them pop up in a film, you know you are going to have a good time. Today, we get to look at a film that has not one but two of these gems in Olga Kurylenko and Frank Grillo, and get to see how they roll in a tight thriller.

So, to set the scene, we open as two dubious characters, Sara Black (Olga Kurylenko) & Jason Wright (Oliver Trevena), hack into the security system of philanthropist David Blume (Frank Grillo). This is their last heist, and they want to go out on a high note and finally pay off the debt that hangs over their head. They had the heist scheduled down to the minute, but what they didn’t plan on was their mark coming home early and catching them in the act.

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Slay the Spire II – Video Game Review

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TL;DR – A profoundly absorbing game, each run crafts a different narrative, making you want to take another spin, over and over again.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

Disclosure – I was gifted a copy of this game.

Disclosure – This game was in Early Access when reviewed.

Slay the Spire II title card.

Slay the Spire II Review Introduction

In the pre-times, a number of my friends got hooked on this deck-building turn-based roguelike game that sort of came out of nowhere. I often struggle with deck-builders, so it passed me by, but I was always advised that I had missed a gem. Well, fast-forward several years, and the next game in the series dropped at the same time that a bunch of birthdays happened in my friends’ circle, and funny enough, we all ended up with a copy, and it has absorbed our lives since. So, it is time to dive into the world of Slay the Spire II or Slay the Spire 2 if you prefer Arabic numerals.

So, to set the scene, in a far-off, distant land, there exists a Spire, full of wonders and dangers. At the bottom of the Spire lives Neow, the Mother of Resurrection, sending wave after wave of adventurers up its many floors to defeat the Architect. You play as one of the many characters fighting your way past Monsters, Elites, and Bosses using your deck of cards to apply actions. You have limited energy each turn, so you need to work out how best to use your blocks, attacks, and special cards to take down the enemies before they come for you.

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The Super Mario Galaxy Movie – Movie Review

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TL;DR – I may have entered my curmudgeon phase, because while I could appreciate the stunning animation, the film completely disconnected from me on a foundational level.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5.

Post-Credit Scene – There is a mid- and post-credit scene.

Disclosure – I received a free ticket from the distributor to watch this film.

Shooting stars.

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Review Introduction

Well, today I have a sort of unpleasant job to do. I have much love for Mario and the games that spawned from him. I also found the first The Super Mario Bros. Movie was fine, not great, but fine. But maybe I no longer have any joy in my heart because I walked out of this movie feeling nothing.   

So, to set the scene, deep in the galaxy, Princess Rosalina (Brie Larson) is giving her Lumas a bedtime story when her castle/spaceship/world is invaded by a mechanical creature driven by Bowser Jr. (Benny Safdie), who is on a mission of revenge for his father, Bowser (Jack Black). Meanwhile, Mario (Chris Pratt) and Luigi (Charlie Day) are living full-time in the Mushroom Kingdom, going around helping the locals, like finding a stuck Yoshi (Donald Glover). But when a meteor storm shows something is wrong in the galaxy, Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy) and Toad (Keegan-Michael Key) go on an adventure through the stars.

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They Will Kill You – Movie Review

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TL;DR – A taut action film, which has some of the most succinct worldbuilding in the business, in-between all the creative carnage chaotically clamouring betwixt cleaved clavicles.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

Post-Credit Scene – There is no post-credit scene.

Disclosure – I paid to watch this film.

Warning – Contains scenes which may cause distress.

Asia looks down an empty hallway.

They Will Kill You Review Introduction

Today, we look at a film that is a very odd juxtaposition of extremes. On one hand, this is one of the tightest, stylish action films I have seen in an age. On the other hand, it suffers from a repetitive nature that it can’t seem to escape. A lot of highs, some lows, and enough fake blood for a blue whale to swim through.  


So, to set the scene, Asia Reaves (Zazie Beetz) has had a troubled life and is haunted by a choice in her childhood when she ran and left her sister behind. Living in the margins, Asia takes a housekeeping job in the luxurious Virgil apartments. Here, Lilith Woodhouse (Patricia Arquette), the superintendent, shows Asia to her rooms, a place of safety from the storm outside. However, as she sleeps, a masked man enters her room through a secret entrance, armed for violence. For the Virgil is not just an apartment block for the rich; it is a Satanic Temple, and each year they must sacrifice one soul to their god, and tonight it is Asia on the chopping block.

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The Magic Faraway Tree – Movie Review

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TL;DR – While the story has little depth, you can’t help but get caught up in the wonder of this fantastic world.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

Post-Credit Scene – There is a mid-credit scene, and an end-credit sting, but you don’t need to stay for the end.

Disclosure – I paid to watch this film.

The family coming over a rise.

The Magic Faraway Tree Review Introduction

Today, we look at a very peculiar film. In talking with people, it’s clear that the original Enid Blyton stories hold a special nostalgic place in many childhoods. I didn’t read it as a child, so I’m not coming into this film with those baked-in feelings. On the plus side, I don’t have those years of built-in wonder that could be devastated by changes in the story, but then I don’t have that connection built in, ready to engage that suspension of belief from the outset. That history is what frames my experience with the film today.   

So, to set the scene, Tim (Andrew Garfield) and Polly Thompson (Claire Foy) are trying to raise their family, Beth (Delilah Bennett-Cardy), Fran (Billie Gadsdon) & Joe (Phoenix Laroche), in a modern world that fosters disconnection. When Polly gets fired from her job, because she discovered her Fridge (Judi Dench) project was being used nefariously, the family comes to a crossroads. Taking a gamble, they dive into the wilderness of the English countryside, to the village of Netherbridge, to live out one of their dreams in their dream journal. The kids are not a fan of their new barn house, which does not have electricity, let alone wi-fi. But when Fran gets an invitation to visit the enchanted woods, which everyone says is dangerous, well, she can’t help but see what is there to discover.

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Deadloch: Croc Justice [S2:E1] – TV Review

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TL;DR – A delightful return of a wonderfully amusing Australian show

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Disclosure – I paid for the Amazon Prime service that viewed this series.

"Don Darrell's Best Best Jumping Croc Tours"

Deadloch Review Introduction

I had no idea what I was getting into when I sat down to watch a Nordic noir translocated into the Tasmanian wilderness, and the crazy turned up to 11. Season 1 was a wild ride, but it was very Tasmanian-coded. So, I was a touch concerned when they relocated the series up north, literally as far as you could get from Tasmania from a distance, weather, temperature, and general humidity perspective. However, given how well the first season went, I had to find out if it could survive the shift.  

So, to set the scene, up in the Northern Territory, in a town called Barra Creek, a local croc tour is taking a bunch of tourists out on the river. But tragedy strikes when they find the local bull-crocodile has been murdered, but even more concerning was what was in the late crocodile’s mouth. Thankfully, Dulcie Collins (Kate Box) and Eddie Redcliffe (Madeleine Sami) were already in the area and were able to give a hand before the local detective looking into some missing Swedish backpackers came and made a mess of everything. The only issue, okay, one of many issues, is that Eddie used to live here back in the day. Now we will be looking at the episode as a whole, so there may be some [SPOILERS] ahead.

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Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreat – Onboarding [S2:E1] – TV Review

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TL;DR – This opening episode shows that lightning just might be able to strike twice.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Disclosure – I paid for the Amazon Prime service that streamed this series.

Oak Canyon Ranch Retreat.

Company Retreat Review Introduction

Back in 2023, something very odd happened: television created a prank show that ended up uplifting its target rather than beating them down. Jury Duty was a wild experiment that frankly should not have worked. Seriously, when you think about all the different elements that needed to come together to make it work, it is astonishing. However, once you have pulled that off, there is no way you could go in for a second bite at the apple … right? …

So, to set the scene, Anthony Norman (Anthony Norman) is working as a temp when he applied for a position at Rockin’ Grandma’s Hot Sauce company. You see, hot sauce is having a glow up at the moment, and there is a celebratory feel to the company. Well, Anthony has been brought on by the head of HR, Kevin Gomez (Ryan Perez), to assist him in running the company retreat. The only weird thing is that there is a documentary crew following them around because the CEO of the company, Doug (Jerry Hauck), is retiring and is about to hand the reins to his son Dougy Jr. (Alex Bonifer). Oh, and did I mention that everyone in the show is an actor, except Anthony Norman. Now, from here, we will be looking at the episode as a whole, so there will be some [SPOILERS] ahead.      

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Frontier Crucible – Movie Review

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TL;DR – While the scenery is delightful, not much more can be said to recommend this film.

Rating: 1.5 out of 5.

Post-Credit Scene – There is no post-credit scene.

Disclosure – I was sent a screener of this film.

Warning – Contains scenes which may cause distress.

Monument Valley.

Frontier Crucible Review Introduction –

Have you ever started a film and gotten an immediate odd vibe, wait, why isn’t there a credited writer … wait, they cast who in this film … in 2024 … oh, that not great. But it is so long since I have seen a good Western, I persisted. I am not sure I should have.  

So, to set the scene, in the Arizona Territory of 1872, A man alone by a campfire realises he is surrounded, and it soon becomes clear that they do not have friendly intent as blood is spilt. Two years later, Major O’Rourke (William H. Macy) is trying with Merrick Beckford (Myles Clohessy) to work out how to get much-needed medical supplies past the Apache to a town full of an epidemic. On that mission, he runs into Mule (Thomas Jane), an outlaw in disguise, whose luck ran out with some Apache people. Beckford takes mercy on them because they have a wounded man (Eli Brown) and his wife, Valerie (Mary Stickley). But he will regret this choice.        

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