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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A Walk Among The Tombstones (2014) REVIEW

Liam Neeson plays ex alcoholic cop Matthew Scudder in this action thriller that comes from  a non conventional angle. Neeson is an unlicensed private detective struggling financially after leaving his previous job as a cop. Neeson takes a job looking into the kidnap and murder of the wife of a New York drug dealer, the case takes him on a ride through the New York underworld uncovering that this case isn't just a one off.

This film has a dark and gritty atmosphere from the start, created from stunning camera angles and a realistic 90's set. You'd be forgiven for thinking this is just another film looking to compromise on the success of "Taken" with the Neeson kidnap angle but you'll be pleasantly surprised by the quality of "A walk among the tombstones." The story has real depth and  questions the morals of the audience, manipulating your emotions and making you ask yourself "Am I really rooting for the drug dealers?" not to mention the twists and turns throughout this is sure to keep you gripped from beginning to end.

Neeson doesn't steal all the spotlight, Brian "Astro" Bradley play young teenager(TJ) who lives life in and out of foster homes. The pair form an unlikely friendship with Neeson acts as a wise but rough father figure keeping TJ on the straight and narrow. This film is 100% worth a watch, but the doubt to the back of your head, forget "Taken" this stands on its own, "A Walk Among The Tombstones" is another Neeson modern classic.

8/10 A must watch! An atmospheric gritty thriller with character.  

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The Guvnors (2014) REVIEW

Continuing our journey through the world of Netflix Independent films we come to the first of which that has higher than a one star rating! But the question is are three stars too generous?

The Guvnors deviates from the conventional British football hooliganism based gangster movies by bringing more depth and just coming across as a little more classy than trashy. The Guvnors follows a group of ex football thugs that have grown up and left the hooligan lifestyle in the past, until a group of young, ruthless thugs challenges the reputation of the "old timers" on the old estate that the Guvnors once ruled.

This disrespectful young thugs vs respected ex thugs plot creates an interesting watch with emotional ups and downs The Guvnors allows you to connect with the characters who certainly ain't one dimensional thugs. Harley Sylvester is strong bringing a gritty realism to the role of the seemingly heartless young ringleader who controls the estate with an iron fist and a sharp blade. On the other hand Doug Allen is the stern, charismatic family man with a violent past, Allen plays this role to perfection with a style reminiscent of Pierce Brosnan's Bond.

The Guvnors surpasses expectations and joins the handful of British hooliganism films that aren't terrible (For the record: The Football Factory, Green Street and The Firm), this is maybe because this film goes beyond hooliganism and really does draw up some raw human emotion when watching.
If you like your British crime films give this hidden gem a watch, get your NetFix!

Does The Guvnors deserve the 3 star Netflix Rating? We think so and would personally give The Guvnors 6/10. A True British Clash of Cultures.

Which film should we review next?
Ramsaywork@hotmail.co.uk
@Satnightsin

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Preservation (2014) REVIEW

Hunting for a thrill on Netflix? 

A survival horror with a simple yet gripping plot. Kill or be killed. A hunting party of three become the hunted when their survival equipment is stolen and they’re left running for their lives from the hunters in the shadows tracking their every move.

The simplicity of hunters becoming the hunted plot creates a thrilling and gripping story that keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout. With only a minimal cast Wrenn Schmidt leads with a strong performance backed up by both Pablo Schreiber and Aaron Staton who immerse the audience into the inner workings of the Neary Family creating dynamic and ever changing characters throughout the story that you can’t help but feel connected with.

Don’t let the one star rating on Netflix put you off. This is a thrilling watch with comedic elements and a charm that a lot of independent horror films simply fail to capture. Props to director and writer Christopher Denham for creating a strong and engaging survival horror tale.

7/10 A good watch, defying the dreaded 1 star.

What should we review next?

Email: ramsaywork@hotmail.co.uk

Twitter: @SatNightsin

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Horrible Bosses 2 (2014)

The magic trio pull it off again!

 

I recently caught this at my local cinema the other night, to be honest I had high expectations. I don't normally have great expectations of sequels because well, 9 times out of 10 they just aren't as good as the original. Just take The 'Inbetweeners 2' for example, yeah it was decent but you simply couldn't over look the over used jokes and humour that after watching every episode of the series a million times had just become boring. This sequel wasn't boring, it didn't recycle old jokes(well of course it did, but only the good ones).  This sequel had the perfect ingredients that filled me with joy as the original did; the first word that comes to mind is chemistry, between these three men.

Shower Buddy Selfie: Jason Sudeikis, Charlie Day and Jason Bateman

Director Sean Anders' winning trio pull off the same comedic excellence of the original. Sudeikis, Day and Bateman provide a magical chemistry that keeps you laughing through out the whirlwind journey.

The trio are at it again but this time, they want to be their own bosses! They have created an innovation in bathroom technology, introducing the "shower buddy!" As you'd imagine they don't get very far; the trio think that they struck it rich, the American dream but their naivety and amateur business knowledge gets exploited buy one rich, heartless bas**** of a business man.

Chris Pine as the cocky, young and rich businessman Rex Hanson

The trio decide to deal with this double cross the only they know how, crime. The three worst criminals are trying their hands again, with a little help from some old friends along the way, but will crime finally pay?

 Fancy it?
 



we forgot to mention Jennifer Aniston is still very hot, you can thank us later.

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