reviews

“Family holidays will never be the same” Vacation review

/ Adam Brannon / 1 Comment

VACATION  (UK CERT: 15)

Director: Jonathan Goldstein, John Francis Daley  

Music: Mark Mothersbaugh

Starring: Ed Helms, Christina Applegate, Chris Hemsworth

REVIEW AUTHOR: Adam Brannon

MV5BMTUwNTM0ODMxM15BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwNjM4Nzk4NTE@._V1__SX1303_SY615_It was 1983 when Chevy Chase and Beverly D’Angelo made the infamous decision to take their family across the US to “America’s Favourite Family Fun Park” in National Lampoon’s Vacation.

Being the best in the long-running series, it seemed natural for it to receive a fully-fledged sequel of some kind, but it has taken up until now to get the balance right, but does Vacation evoke memories of that brilliant road-trip comedy? Continue reading →

“This is how slasher parodies are done” Dude Bro Party Massacre III review

/ Adam Brannon / 2 Comments

DUDE BRO PARTY MASSACRE III   (UK CERT: N/A)

Director: Tomm Jacobsen, Michael Rousselet, Jon Salmon  

Music: Tyler Burton

Starring: Alec Owen, Patton Oswalt, Brian Firenzi

REVIEW AUTHOR: Rob Stoakes

parental_advisory_explicit_content_lge_logoFreddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare is the best Nightmare on Elm Street movie. Possibly the only good one.

Yes, horror movie junkies, I can smell your rage. I can feel every hair on your body stand up on edge. I can taste your hatred and it tastes good.

Note that I did not say the films aren’t entertaining, but if we’re being honest, Freddy Krueger has never ever been scary. He talks to the audience, he cracks jokes… he’s just silly. Besides, even if he was frightening, you don’t watch those films for the horror; you watch them for the ridiculous kills, the jokes and for the gallons and gallons of blood and guts. Freddy’s Dead threw everything out that got in the way of that, and that’s why it is the best Freddy film. A true reboot of the franchise shouldn’t even attempt horror in my opinion; just pile on the guts and the giggles and you’d have a film much tighter and better than anything in the series proper. Continue reading →

“Sir Ian McKellen is magnificent” Mr Holmes review

/ Adam Brannon / 2 Comments

MR HOLMES   (UK CERT: PG)

Director: Bill Condon  

Music: Carter Burwell

Starring: Ian McKellen, Laura Linney, Frances De La Tour

REVIEW AUTHOR: Adam Brannon

Sherlock Holmes is hot property at the moment. Robert Downey Jr has played the titular detective in two box-office behemoths and Benedict Cumberbatch is supremely popular across the globe for his take on the character.

Now, Sir Ian McKellen is giving it a go in the little-publicised BBC funded Mr Holmes. But does it continue the trend of crafting intriguing dramas from the stories of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle? Continue reading →

“A CGI disaster” Tomorrowland review

/ Adam Brannon / 3 Comments

TOMORROWLAND: A WORLD BEYOND   (UK CERT: 12A)

Director: Brad Bird  

Music: Michael Giacchino

Starring: George Clooney, Hugh Laurie, Britt Robertson

REVIEW AUTHOR: Adam Brannon

Disney has an intriguing track record when it comes to movies. The multi-billion dollar company has produced some incredible films and some absolute stinkers, with its live-action department bearing the brunt of this misfortune.

Here, The Incredibles director Brad Bird is hoping to add another great film to his CV with Tomorrowland: A World Beyond, but does this George Clooney fantasy adventure tick all the right boxes? Continue reading →

Movie Metropolis welcomes new reviewer Rob Stoakes

/ Adam Brannon / 2 Comments

I’m very pleased to welcome a new contributor to the site. Rob Stoakes will be writing reviews for Movie Metropolis over the coming months – fitting in a selection of films from the latest blockbusters to something a little less mainstream and I look forward to sharing his unique writing style with you all.

Rob is becoming part of an ever-expanding MM community and if any of you are interested in getting involved, just drop me an email. Details are available here.

For more information on our new reviewer, check out a brief bio below.

10410305_559956154112893_7235515021564324601_nHailing from the outskirts of Kingston upon Hull, Rob Stoakes has grown up with a huge appreciation for the arts, in particular film. His favourite films range from popcorn-devouring blockbusters to surrealist art pieces and everything in between, though there is a special place in his heart for his joint favourite films; Allers & Minkoff’s Lion King and Ken Russel’s The Devils.