Going to the Fire (1896)
Directed by James H. White this is an early short film. A group of people stand round watching as the Newark Fire Department respond to a call.
What we get here is people leaving the fire station but that is all. Pretty much this is just a single shot that pans slightly, not a huge amount to it. We are left to imagine whatever it is that the fire crews are responding to.
2/5
You Should Have Left (2020)
Directed by David Koepp this film based on the novel of the same name stars Kevin Bacon, Amanda Seyfried and Avery Essex. A married couple and their daughter go to stay at a strange house in Wales.
As horror films go this one covers a lot of familiar territory and is never especially scary or creepy. The message of the film is the depressingly familiar idea that a man can only prove his love for his family by sacrificing himself. I think there is a good film in here about the way guilt can destroy a person but this is not the story to handle it with any depth.
2/5
Big Time Adolescence (2019)
Directed by Jason Orley this film stars Pete Davidson, Griffin Gluck and Oona Laurence. A sixteen year old boy is best friends with a twenty three year old who spends his days drinking and high.
Covering classic coming of age content this is a decent watch if not overly revolutionary. The plot is funny in places and rolls along to an inevitable conclusion. Nothing stands out too much to recommend this film on but it is a decent watch none the less.
3/5
Skyfire (2019)
Directed by Simon West this film stars Wang Xueqi, Hannah Quinlivan, Shawn Dou and Jason Isaacs. Building a holiday resort around an active volcano turns out not to be a good idea.
Essentially this is Jurassic Park with a Volcano instead of dinosaurs. There is plenty of action but really not a huge amount of plot or depth to this film. You will be entertained for 90 minutes even if you take away very little from this film.
3/5
The Devil Has a Name (2019)
Directed by Edward James Olmos this film stars David Strathairn, Kate Bosworth, and Martin Sheen. A farmer in California goes up against an oil company for poisoning his land.
As court room dramas go this is not a great one, the black comedy elements of the film are not really the best either. No doubt there is an interesting story here but I am not sure this is the most engaging version of it. Given all the talent on show here I wanted a little more from the film.
2/5
Cut Throat City (2020)
Directed by RZA this film stars Shameik Moore, T.I., Demetrius Shipp Jr. and Ethan Hawke. Following Hurricane Katrina four friends in New Orleans resort to crime to make money.
To be honest the plot of this film is hard to follow at times and I am not sure it really makes sense at all. Character motivations change for no reason or are just not understandable. Unfortunately this is one to miss.
2/5
Sniper: Assassin's End (2020)
Directed by Kaare Andrews this is the eighth instalment in the series stars Chad Michael Collins, Tom Berenger and Sayaka Akimoto. A special ops sniper is framed for the murder of a foreign trade minister.
From start to finish this is a pretty ridiculous film. Most of the plot makes no sense and the action sequences are not great. About the only positive is you do not need to have seen the previous seven films in the franchise to be able to follow along.
1/5
