The Babadook (2014) REVIEW

It's time to look at what Netflix can offer in the way of horror, their most recent offering? The Babadook. Director Jennifer Kent's "The Babadook" is a twist on the classic "bogeyman" style horror story, with an evil spirit from an ominous children's book.

The ominous children book entitled "Mister Babadook" appears in the home of the widowed Amelia (Essie Davis) and her seemingly out of control young son Samuel (Noah Wiseman). After the appearance of this creepy children's book the mother and son duo are tormented by the book's namesake. Is he a demon, a spirit, or just a product of a psychotic mind?

Although this film in concept certainly isn't anything new or ground breaking in the psychological horror genre it's still a very enjoyable and undeniably scary film. The countless horror clichés such as the book that can't be destroyed and the mother the mother that doesn't believe her son's monster stories can be overlooked due to the sheer creepiness of the film's antagonist. "Mister Babadook" really does steal the show, steeped in mystery the physical form of the Babadook really does capture a certain scariness that a lot of modern horror characters fail to capture that along with the exceedingly creepy sound it makes will make you not want to sleep without a night light for weeks.

"The Babadook" although not breath taking is certainly one of the better horror films that Netflix has to offer, with some classic horror mystery surrounding The Babadook that will leave you asking "what the hell is that?" and "how am I going to sleep tonight?"

6.5/7 If you feel like not sleeping ever again why not watch this film?

PS. If you're feeling brave, here's the babadook in action...

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Southpaw (2015) REVIEW

SPOILER ALERT: if you're yet to see the film some important plot points may be spoiled below!

Jake Gyllenhaal is pro boxer Billy Hope, undefeated light heavyweight champion of the world with a young family and all the success in the world. His wife Maureen worries for Billy's health as after each fight he seems to physically destroyed. A freak accident at a charity event between Billy and a cocky fighter gunning for his title causes his wife to be fatally shot. This event breaks Billy bringing his aggression and emotional issues to the forefront causing him to lose his title, his home and most importantly his child.

Director Antione Fuqua has really created something special in Southpaw. The film is as gritty as it comes, outlining the real issues that come with pro boxing, from match fixing, to the toll it takes on the body. Although the sporting spectacle creates an amazing atmosphere, Jake Gyllenhaal steals the show taking you on an emotional crash course with the downfall and spectacular rebirth of pro boxer Billy Hope.

Southpaw is simply a must see, it's breath taking and unique. Fuqua captures realism like no boxing film has done in the past paired with one of Gyllenhaal's best performances of his career. This film manages to drag the audience through every emotion with Billy Hope, admittedly most of the time you're trying to stop yourself from crying but this is only testament to how enthralling Gyllenhaal's performance is.

Stop what you're doing, go to the cinema and buy tickets to see Southpaw now. Simply Enthralling. 9/10!

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