Bria Lou Reviews

  I saw this film for the first time years ago and, although I remember liking it, I never really had the urge to see it again. Nevertheless, because I don't really remember much about it, I was happy (albeit very surprised) to see it on the bucket list. The idea behind this film is really interesting because the plot could play out in a thousand different ways. Just taking the idea that someone takes a pill to open up 100% of their brain is unique and yet so open-ended that I'm surprised more movies haven't tried similar versions of films like this. The film does a great job of showing the effects of the drug. It makes good use of colour and it's written really well. The use of voiceover is particularly effective. My main issue with the movie is the character of Eddie. I think to really connect with a movie like this, you have to be able to connect with the character you're following. But not only was I not able to really connect with Eddie, I just felt absolutely ...

  Shadyside High's 1988 prom night becomes bloody when a mysterious figure starts to kill the candidates for Prom Queen. The Fear Street trilogy was almost perfect. I loved all the movies and the world that was created; it was such an inventive, unique and complete trilogy. So when I heard a new film was coming out, I was definitely apprehensive about it. And I was right to be apprehensive because this was not good at all. For a start, the writing was the first thing that told me this wouldn't be as good as the first three films. It wasn't as tight as it was in the trilogy, and it was written in a way that felt like we were already supposed to know the characters we were introduced to. And because of that, they weren't developed particularly well. We were never given a chance to either know or care about the characters, which just made the entire film feel pointless. This film is completely disconnected from the 'Fear Street' universe. I tend to feel neutral abo...

  I had heard of this movie before watching it, and knew that it was a classic, but never knew what it was about. And even after reading the premise, it still feels like I went in blind. I liked it a lot. The first thing I took in about the film was how good the acting was. Jack Nicholson is great as always, but he's really bolstered by the amazing supporting cast, which includes Will Sampson, Louise Fletcher, Danny DeVito, William Redfield, Sydney Lassick, Brad Dourif and Christopher Lloyd. They're all amazing in their respective roles and completely integral to telling this story. The story itself is a really interesting one. Even if you go in blind you're completely invested from the second it starts. But what makes everything about it so compelling, the story and the characters, is the writing. Everything about the film is written so well. The dialogue between and about the characters is powerful and allows the audience to truly feel a part of the story, and to get to k...

  A group of people from different walks of life connect through one explosive night in Oakland, California, 1987. Usually when I say I go into a film blind, I've at least had a glance at the premise and/or cast list to see if I'd actually be interested in it. This film is one that I truly went into completely blind. I knew Pedro Pascal was in it, but that was it - no idea what it was about, no idea who else was in it, I watched it completely on a whim. Even though I had no expectations, because I didn't hear many people talking about it I didn't expect that I would love it so much. But I absolutely loved this film. It was really engaging from the first second on screen. I was completely locked in. Which was really fun because it's not often I love a film from so early on. One of the best things about the film was the soundtrack. It was perfect for the time period and worked perfectly in each scene. It's rare to have a film with more than one separate storyline ...

This is a first-time watch that I'd only really heard about in passing. I had no idea what it was about until I watched it. And honestly, the only thing that excited me about it, without knowing the plot, is that it stars and is directed by Sylvester Stallone, who I'm a huge fan of due to the Rocky movies (and now outside of them). I really liked it straight away, from the opening scene. The cast of this film is amazing. It feels unexpected, but also, every time someone new comes in, it just makes sense. They are all absolutely perfect for their roles and play their parts so well. No actor or character feels inauthentic or out of place, and recognising the actors goes part of the way towards us caring about the characters earlier than we otherwise might have. And you really do care about the characters from early on. They're such interesting people who are really well-written and feel authentic. Even if you don't know much about who they are outside of this story, you a...

  After facing Frendo for the second time, Quinn has had enough of being hunted. So she decides to take matters into her own hands to finally take down the Frendo followers once and for all. I was looking forward to this book so much! Not only were the first two 5 stars, but the second book in particular was so great! So I was really looking forward to seeing how the series continued. While I liked this book, unfortunately it wasn't as good as the first two. But it started really well. Cesare tends to write really great prologues, and this one is no exception. It set up the story really well, built the right amount of tension and gave us a taste of things to come. The tension is another thing that Cesare excels at. It really takes the story from thriller to horror and keeps you completely engaged. This one removed a lot of the characters we loved from the first two books, and I'm always wary about character changes. For the most part the new characters were great, but there wer...

After moving to the small town of Kettle Springs, Quinn (Katie Douglas) and her father Glenn (Aaron Abrams) find themselves in a community fractured by age and long-held grudges. But when the town's mascot, an insidious clown, begins to wreak havoc through the cornfields, the town's inhabitants have to work together to survive the night. This was probably my most highly anticipated film of the year. The book was the best thing I read last year, the second book is one of the best things I've read this year and I'm so so invested in these characters and this world. So when I found out after reading the first book that there would be a movie adaptation, I couldn't even put into words how excited I was. And I think it's partly because of that excitement that I ended up being really disappointed. But only partly, because I also have genuine criticisms of the film that don't come from my love of the book. But if we start from my love of the book, I'm completel...

This was one of my most highly anticipated re-watches on the bucket list this year. I have never been one to apologise for my love of Twilight. I was introduced to the books as the second movie was coming out and loved them so much I watched the movies too. I definitely didn't expect it to be on any kind of bucket list, let alone a bucket list of classic movies, but I can't say it's not iconic for one reason or another, so it definitely earns its place. One of the things the saga is most known for is for catapulting its main stars, Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson, into incredibly well-respected actors. Pattinson in particular is making amazing career choices and has done some amazing performances. The casting of the characters also felt really close to how the book described them. And even when things were a bit off, the actors were good enough and committed enough to make it work. This film feels so nostalgic. Watching it took me right back in time to when these movie...

  After breaking into a luxury SUV, Eddie (Bill Skarsgård) finds himself trapped at the hands of a dangerous vigilante (Anthony Hopkins). I hadn't heard of this film before it came out, but the premise was an interesting one so I decided to give it a watch. Because I hadn't heard of it, I had no idea who was in it, so I was shocked to see it was a two-hander with Skarsgård and Hopkins, and wondered why it was getting no promotion! And then I started watching it. And unfortunately I knew from the first 30 seconds that the tone wasn't something I was vibing with. And of course this can change as the film goes on, but for me it didn't. I never really cared about the characters and what happened to them, and although the premise is somewhat unique, while watching the film, it didn't really feel like anything new. I completely get the intention of creating a single-location thriller, especially when two amazing actors sign on, but nothing about this film, other than the ...

  I saw this film for the first time years ago, and while I didn't remember any specific plot details, I remembered liking it, but also being a bit disappointed (though I couldn't remember why). I was surprised to see it on the list. When I first watched it, I watched it because it had an interesting premise, not because it was considered a classic in any way. And to be honest, I haven't really thought about it since that first watch. I thought this movie was great. Really intriguing and mysterious all the way through, and quite a fun watch too. One of the best things about it is the tension between the two characters. You're on the edge of your seat during each of their interactions, not knowing what will happen next. And this gets more tense as the film continues. The fact that it's only 90 minutes long makes it really engaging. Everything that happens is completely necessary so you don't want to look away for a second. I didn't remember it being as entert...

 I can't believe we're already into summer - it feels like ages since my last Favourites post! Favourite Film (1): Final Destination: Bloodlines I was having trouble deciding which film to put first between this one and the next on the list. Ultimately while I enjoyed both films equally, I had a bit more fun with this one than the other, just because I came into the film already so invested in the world. I reviewed the film HERE  - I really loved it and thought it was a great addition to the franchise. Hopefully there will be more to come! Favourite Film (2): Sinners I reviewed this film HERE , and made no secret of the fact that I loved it. I've since seen it a couple more times since my first viewing and each watch is as good as the first. Definitely worth a watch if you haven't seen it! Favourite Film (3): Freaky Tales I'm reviewing this one so I won't say too much here, but this film was so unexpectedly great! I had no idea what it was about going in, but I ...

A family experiencing grief are shocked when they wake up one morning to find a woman dressed in black sitting outside of their home. As the mysterious woman gets closer and closer, Ramona (Danielle Deadwyler) must do whatever it takes to protect her children. The trailer for this film gives absolutely nothing away, so as excited as I was to see a new horror film, I had no idea what it would be about. I feel like I'm the only person who liked this film! I can completely understand the issues with it, particularly the ending, but I loved how unique and creative it was. The tone and setting are both really odd. It's hard to work out where this is in both the setting and period of time. Sometimes it feels like something from the 1900s, and then a character pulls out an iPhone and things get really confusing! The tension is created really well and grows with the film. It never lets up, and a lot of this directly mirrors how the characters are feeling. You're on the edge of your...

When a botched bank robbery turns into a hostage situation, a group of anxious people discover connections that change their lives forever. Last year I read 'A Man Called Ove' by Backman and absolutely loved it. I wasn't on the lookout for another of his books but when I saw this and read the premise, I had to pick it up. And again, I absolutely loved this book! For a start, I loved the way the story was told. The way the narrator spoke directly to the reader is really fun and gets you invested in the story really quickly because you feel like you're involved. The best thing about the story is the characters. This is entirely a character-driven story and the characters are amazing. They were really fleshed-out, 3 dimensional real people, and they were written so well. The unexpected connections between them is what makes the story. You make assumptions and think you know things, and then everything you thought completely changes and takes the story to another level. For...

  Next up was a highly anticipated re-watch! This film was a staple in my house growing up. I can't remember the first time I saw it because I've seen it so many times! The thing that makes this film work above all else is absolutely without a doubt the chemistry between Will Smith and Martin Lawrence. They work so well together, they play off of each other amazingly and they're the reason the movie has become a franchise. But adding Téa Leoni into the mix just made everything so much more fun. Not only do we get to see the characters interacting together, but we get to see them interacting with, and from the point of view of, a third party. And in addition to that, taking the characters out of the equation, the film is hilarious. It's one of my favourite comedies because everything is written and acted so well. Every comedic moment hits exactly as it's supposed to, and there are pieces of dialogue that easily work their way into your everyday phrases because of how...

Mickey (Robert Pattinson), a disposable member of a spaceship crew is put through a system of regeneration. Each time he dies, a new version of him is created with his memories intact. This film was talked about a lot before it came out, people were really excited to see it and there was a lot of hype. I'm a big fan of Bong Joon Ho movies, so while the premise didn't grab me, I was looking forward to it. And I ended up being quite disappointed, unfortunately. The premise was really unique, but I was very curious about how there would be enough in there to fill out a 2hr 20 min movie, especially after seeing the trailer and not really understanding what it would be about. It took me a little while to get into. I couldn't immediately connect with either the world or the characters. That being said, the performances in the film were great. Particularly Pattinson, who plays all versions of Mickey really well. It was more outlandish than I expected, and that's not a bad thin...

  I'd never heard of this movie before I saw it on the list, but it had a really interesting premise so I was intrigued to see what it was like. To be honest I'm not the biggest fan of Jason Statham movies in general, particularly the ones that follow similar plot lines, so I can't say I was particularly looking forward to watching this one. But as I said, the premise was interesting. I was surprised to see how short the film was, but after starting it, the length made complete sense. It moves really quickly, and everything that happens, happens at a rapid pace. And this was so interesting because pace and adrenaline are important aspects of the story. Everything feels like it's rushing and there's no time to relax because that's exactly how the character feels. For me the downfall of the film came really early on, when nothing was done to make me care about this character.  Not only do we know next to nothing about him as the film continues, but he's also r...

After experiencing the same recurring nightmare night after night, college student Stefani (Kaitlyn Santa Juana) goes back home to break the cycle of death that is plaguing her family. This is looking to be an amazing year for film, and this film was one of my most highly anticipated watches. I love the Final Destination series, and even rewatch the less good movies over and over again because I can't get enough of the concept, so when I heard that a sixth movie was in development, I was seated! I absolutely loved this film. For a start, this was one of the best beginning disasters they've ever done. Not only is it undoubtedly terrifying, but as you watch, you really feel like you're there with the characters. The thing with sequels after a long period of time is that you run the risk of either doing the same thing that's always been done, or you take too many leaps and create something that's so far from the original it doesn't even seem like the same series. B...

  I've seen and loved the last four Mission: Impossible movies (and am very excited for the Final Reckoning!), but due to casting changes I was never that interested in seeing the first three. But having said that, I'm glad this one was on the bucket list, because it's really interesting to see how everything began. I didn't expect the film to feel so in sync with the others, particularly because there's only a couple of common characters between them. But this felt no different than any other MI movie, and I loved that. The first 30 minutes of the film took me completely by surprise, so from there I was locked in! The story itself is interesting and engaging, but the best thing about it is the character of Ethan Hunt. We get to know Ethan really well, and because he's such a likeable character, not only are we invested in his story, but we're actively rooting for him. And this is one of the main reasons why the film has become a huge franchise - because we...

  When Stephanie Smothers (Anna Kendrick) is invited to be the maid of honor at ex-best friend Emily's (Blake Lively) wedding, she is convinced that Emily is planning revenge. But when she arrives in Italy, she has no idea of the nefarious plot she has stumbled into. I liked the first 'Simple Favor' movie a lot, so I was looking forward to seeing this one, even though I didn't have high hopes that it would be as good as the first one. This one was...weird. I didn't hate it, there were actually some parts I really liked. But overall it wasn't nearly as good as the first one. But I did like that the cast from the first movie came back, and either played their characters the way we loved them the first time around, or improved on them. Henry Golding in particular completely improved on his character and made him so much more fun and interesting than he was in the first film. It was also great to be introduced to new characters - there were some really fun additions...

  Next up was a re-watch. I watched this film for the first time a couple of years ago and really liked it, so I was happy (and also surprised) to see it was on the bucket list for this year. Thankfully I liked it as much this time as I did the first time, maybe even more. The main reason I watched the film in the first place, other than being a fan of Scorsese, was the amazing cast! The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie, Kyle Chandler, Jon Bernthal, Jon Favreau, Cristin Milioti and Matthew McConaughey and they all do an amazing job with their characters. And because of how good the performances are, everything feels so real and authentic. You really believe everything is really happening because you believe that the actors are their characters. I can't get over the performances. DiCaprio is at his best in this movie and the fact that it was Robbie's breakout role is insane! But another reason the film is so believable and seems authentic is because of the...

Violet's (Meghann Fahy) enjoyable first date becomes a nightmare when she receives an anonymous message threatening her young son if she doesn't kill her date by the end of the night. I had really low expectations for this film. Just from the trailer, I could kind of get a sense of the tone and what angle the filmmakers were going for, and I could just tell that it would be silly, but it also had the potential to be quite fun. While the film was enjoyable, I was right about it being silly. The plot itself was somewhat interesting, and a good film could have been made out of it. But unfortunately, the final angle the filmmakers decided to go with didn't work. For a start, it was way too unrealistic. You can kind of get on board in the beginning, but the further it goes, the less things make sense. And by the time we're ramping up towards the ending it's just laughable. In keeping with this, there were also way too many plot holes. When you understand the motivations ...

  I think one of my biggest surprises when I saw this year's bucket list was that it had a bunch of superhero movies on it, including 3 MCU movies! I'm such a huge fan of the MCU, and the bucket list picked 3 great movies, so what better to start with than the OG? I love this movie. It wasn't my introduction to the MCU, but it was maybe the third MCU film I saw, and seeing this after watching a team-up movie was a great way to learn more about the characters. As far as origin stories in superhero worlds go, this is one of the best, both inside and outside of the MCU. Being able to take a lesser-known character like Tony Stark, create a complete character arc with great development, and use that arc to fuel a franchise that currently has over 30 movies is a feat that hasn't yet been replicated to this level of success. And there's a lot of reasons why this movie works so well as a standalone, before taking the rest of the franchise into account. The main reason for t...