Night Raiders – Film Review

Posted on December 4, 2021 by ashleymanningwriter

Director: Danis Goulet

Writer: Danis Goulet

Starring: Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers, Brooklyn Letexier-Hart, Alex Tarrant, Amanda Plummber, Violet Nelson

Rating: ★★★½

Night Raiders is the directorial debut from Danis Goulet, after writing and directing many shorts. It’s a dystopian sci-fi film, that feels very at home in the YA genre with the likes of The Hunger Games and Divergent. It’s very entertaining and easy to watch.

Niska (Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers) has been protecting her daughter from the military government that has taken over and are rounding up children. After her daughter, Waseese (Brooklyn Letexier-Hart) is injured, Niska makes the decision to turn her in to the military, knowing that at the very least she will get the medical attention she deserves. Ten months later, Niska joins a local resistance group to save her daughter and the rest of the children that have been captured.

The world that Danis Goulet has created is really captivating and interesting. It feels like something that could be very real. You really want to know more about the world, almost instantly. Even by the end of the film, you feel like there’s still more left to discover. The story is pretty simple considering the world that is created around it. There’s brainwashing, drones that hunt for children and a civilisation that’s on the brink of destruction, but at its core the story is simply about a mother trying to do the best for her daughter. There’s a little bit of YA fiction such as The Hunger Games, with a little The Last of Us thrown in for good measure.

The pacing for the first hour is perfect. The introduction, leading up to Waseese’s abduction is around half an hour long, taking the time to set up the scene and really get you invested in what’s going on. The next half hour feels like it’s building up to even better things, and then you realise there’s only half an hour left, which just isn’t enough time to completely satisfy every plot strand. The final moments of Night Raiders feel very rushed and leaves you wanting more. It’s rare that a film feels like it would benefit from an extra half hour, but it would have been really nice if the ending had the same breathing room as the beginning and middle.

It’s the same with the characters. Niska isn’t developed very much beyond being someone who will do anything for her daughter. Waseese is an interesting character with some great moments, but in the end it all feels rushed. There’s a lot of anger under the surface when she finds out that her mother let her get taken, but that’s never really dealt with. It’s almost instant forgiveness. It feels like this is part one of a series that will go deeper into these characters, but the ending of the film feels finite.

Night Raiders has some flaws, but there is still a really interesting world to discover, with some tried and tested motivations that keep you hooked. It just feels like it’s over almost as soon as it began.

Signature Entertainment presents Night Raiders on Digital Platforms 6th December

Apple TV: https://tv.apple.com/gb/movie/night-raiders/umc.cmc.5q9f1gn0msaopz1sdxf7tf365

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Darren Shan – Favourite Storytellers

Posted on December 3, 2021 by ashleymanningwriter
Lord Loss (Demonata 1) by Darren Shan | Sevenoaks Bookshop

To start of December, I wanted to write about one of my favourite writers. As a kid I Was always a big reader. I read through the Harry Potter series, most of the Narnia books and I absolutely loved The Hobbit (which I think is the book I’ve re-read the most). From the start of secondary school I used to spend my lunch time in the school library reading or looking through books. It’s what I spent most evenings doing as well. While I was always a big reader, Darren Shan was the first author that I was obsessed with. I started with his books after he’d finished writing The Saga of Darren Shan. The first two books of The Demonata were out as well.

One English lesson we were taken down to the library to find something to read. I didn’t know what to pick and someone gave me the Vampire Rites trilogy book to read. I didn’t realise it was the second trilogy in The Saga of Darren Shan at the time, but I was immediately hooked. I checked the book out and read it over the weekend, going back for more. I read through the series in a roundabout way. Starting with book 4-6, I then carried on to the final book before going back around and reading the first three. I absolutely devoured them, and could wait to read each page. The second I finished the Saga, I moved on to The Demonata, which I liked even more. Starting from Slawter, the third book in The Demonata, I read them pretty much as they came out.

There was a race on the release day for each book, to see who could get them out of the library first. I also remember going into Tesco one evening with my mum and they had the new one out on the shelves the day before it was supposed to be released, which was beyond exciting.

As I grew up, he started to write more fiction aimed at adults, which was how he originally started before the YA stuff. Every time a new Darren Shan or Darren Dash (which is what his fiction for adults is released under) book is announced or released I always want to read it straight away. His new books Archibald Lox have been really good so far, but I haven’t had time to read the second trilogy just yet. I have them on my table next to me as I’m writing this, and will be reading them as soon as I can, but just haven’t been able to just yet.

I remember when I was university and at the time his Zom-B books were coming out, which I made a special trip into town to Waterstones every time the new one was released. I loved that series so much. I probably shouldn’t have prioritised them, but I just needed to know what happened next.

After university finished, I barely read books for a while. I don’t know if it was getting a job, having to up to read 4 books in a week for the previous three years, or just growing up but it felt like a chore whenever I tried to read. I did keep on top of the Zom-B books though, reading each one in a day or two whenever they were released. In the same way that Molls Like it Hot, which was released back in 2019 felt like a godsend at the time. It really was pure escapism for me.

Darren Shan has been one of my favourite writers for around half my life at this point. I will read everything he writes and will be up to date with Archibald Lox by the time the next ones are released. I met him at a book signing, almost 10 years ago when Brothers to the Death was released. He seems like a really nice and genuine person. A little while ago he also read and commented on a post on here when I spoke about reading the first Archibald Lox trilogy. I took a screenshot of the notification on my phone and sent it to my parents, in complete shock.

Thanks for reading and until next time,

Ashley

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The Power of the Dog – Film Review

Posted on December 2, 2021 by ashleymanningwriter
The Power of the Dog (2021) - IMDb

Director: Jane Campion

Writer: Jane Campion

Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Thomasin McKenzie, Genevieve Lemon, Keith Carradine, and Frances Conroy

Rating: ★★★★

Based on the 1967 novel by Thomas Savage, The Power of the Dog, is a slow-burn drama with a lot to unpack. It’s a mesmerising experience thanks to some powerful performances and a chilling score from Jonny Greenwood.

Benedict Cumberbatch and Jesse Plemons star as two wealthy brothers who own a ranch together. They meet Rose (Kirsten Dunst) and her son Peter (Kodi Smit-McPhee) at a nearby inn. George (Plemons) falls in love with Rose, and they end up marrying. Phil (Cumberbatch) is not as taken with Rose, and the feeling is mutual. With everyone under the same roof tensions start growing.

There is a lot to unpack with The Power of the Dog. It’s a family drama at it’s centre, with each segment of the film focused on a relationship between the different family members. Phil and George are brothers, but they see the world differently. George sees himself as more civilised, dressing up in fancier clothing, while Phil, the more educated of the two, is happy to get his hands dirty. There’s a tension that is constantly growing between them.

The film is set in 1925, with a real clash between two different ways of living. Phil may be more educated, with a university background, but he seeks a simple and traditional lifestyle, while George wants to live as part of the future, with cars and suits. There’s a real clash between the past and the future that the film is on the precipice of.

Phil see’s his brother’s wife as nothing but a gold digger, something he openly accuses her of. Their first meeting results in her crying, as Phil belittles her son, Peter. Their relationship never recovers. He mocks and makes digs towards her, driving her further and further into isolation and alcoholism as George spends more and more time away for work.

One of the most interesting relationships is the one between Phil and Peter. At first it feels like they’re completely at odds, with no hope of ever finding a common ground, but Phil takes him under his wing, teaches him to ride horses and to live in the wilderness. There’s an interesting dynamic and something that the film leaves open-ended in a way that will keep it in your mind for a long time afterwards.

The performances are all excellent. Cumberbatch is sinister and demeaning, and clashes with almost everyone around him. Kirsten Dunst is great as Rose, who is taken from her life into something she at first thinks is wonderful, before it turns sour. You really feel the journey she goes on. There’s a really nice scene where she tries to teach George to dance, before they reach the ranch house. It contrasts completely with the scene as she hides next to the house, drinking in secret, while Phil whistles the tune she’s been trying to play on the piano from the window, mocking her constantly. At both the highs and lows, Dunst is excellent and you really feel for her. The absolute star of the film is Kodi Smit-McPhee, who channels Norman Bates into his role as Peter. When you first meet him you feel like he’s a sweet and innocent boy, who wouldn’t survive in the old world that Phil still wants to be a part of. As his character develops, he becomes genuinely scary, sinister in a different way to Phil, but on an equal level.

The film is a real slow-burn story that gets under your skin and clings to you. It’s completely absorbing, and you’re taken into the world of the story. It does feel slightly too long, with it’s two plus house run time, but it’s not too noticeable. Jonny Greenwood’s score is phenomenal, adding an unsettling and disturbing atmosphere.

Jane Campion’s latest film is a spellbinding and mesmerising tale. Thanks to powerful performances, a really tight script, and so many things left unsaid for you to think about long after the credits role, The Power of the Dog is simply an excellent film.

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Boxing Day – After A Slow Start the Film Charms You Over by The End – Film Review

Posted on December 1, 2021 by ashleymanningwriter
Boxing Day (2021) - IMDb

Director: Aml Ameen

Writer: Aml Ameen and Bruce Purnell

Starring: Aml Ameen, Yasmin Monet Prince, Aja Naomi King, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Claire Skinner, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Lisa Davina Phillip, Fraser James, and Sheyi Cole

Rating: ★★★

Aml Ameen’s directorial debut is Boxing Day, which he also co-wrote and stars in, a new rom-com that celebrates British-Caribbean culture with a very familiar plot. It’s a warm Christmas film that will have you laughing at points and emotionally hooked by the end.

Melvin (Aml Ameen) is an actor turned author, who moved to America to escape his family after an incident on Boxing Day a couple of years ago. To promote his new book, he travels back to the UK with his new fiancé Lisa (Aja Naomi King), and it’s the perfect time to introduce Lisa to his family and all the history that he hasn’t told her about.

The plot in this film is fairly typical of rom coms. It starts off with everything being happy and then troubles happen, before the big finale. There really isn’t anything new in the actual story, although Ameen does take it to a much darker place for his main character. Melvin hasn’t told Lisa about so many things that happened, including that his ex is music superstar Georgia (Leigh-Anne Pinnock), who is also a close friend of his family. Lisa comes to London expecting a magical Christmas and doesn’t have any idea of what she’s walking into.

The family are very welcoming to Lisa, instantly accepting her as one of their own, the only hesitation is understandably Georgia, who hasn’t really gotten over Melvin, and is also going through a very public and humiliating separation. Georgia and Lisa obviously clash massively when they find out who the other is.

The first twenty or so minutes of the film aren’t very funny. It isn’t boring, but it takes a very long time to settle down and then it gets good. As Lisa’s gets to know Melvin’s family, that’s when it starts to get funny. They’re all very charming and likable people and the small Christmas party they hold is fun and one of the highlights of the film.

Melvin isn’t the only one with secret. Lisa is pregnant, which she is too nervous to tell Melvin about, and she has just been offered a dream job in New Zealand. It feels like she has these secrets purely, so we don’t feel that Melvin is the only bad person in the relationship, but his are a lot worse. He kisses Georgia at the mid-point of the film, claiming it was a mistake. It really does feel that the inevitable happy ending isn’t justified for Melvin.

Despite some flaws, Boxing Day, is still funny and an entertaining film. It’s nothing that original or revolutionary but it’s fun. The supporting characters are excellent and it’s a true celebration of family.

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The End of 2021 is Near

Posted on December 1, 2021 by ashleymanningwriter

2021 is almost over and hopefully 2022 will be a brighter tomorrow. December is going to be a good month, I can feel it. Especially when it comes to film releases. This week the new Resident Evil film is out, which I’m hesitantly excited for. I’m going to see that on Friday as a double bill with the IMAX release of the original Matrix film. I think The Matrix must be an awesome experience on the big screen and should be the ultimate version in IMAX. On Saturday I’m going to see C’mon C’mon, which looks really good.

On top of that we have The Power of the Dog on Netflix, which looks great. I missed it at London Film Festival, but will be watching that later today. Then for the rest of the month there’s West Side Story, which does look fantastic, the new Spider-Man film (which I think is the most anticipated film of all time. I booked tickets yesterday when they went on sale and the screen on opening night was almost half full already). The new Matrix film is also just around the corner. That’s without mentioning the films on Netflix and Prime coming.

I’m still not ahead on the blog, but I’ve gotten on top of the screeners that I’ve been sent, which is good. I’m still a little behind on the books I’ve got to read, but I won’t be accepting anymore until I get back on track with that. I’m still reading Are We Monsters? which I’m really enjoying.

My plan for each Friday this month is to complete a top 5/10 of films of 2021, so there will be my top 5 horror, top 5 musicals (because there’s been that many), top 10 films of the year (Which will be the last one I do on the 31st). I’m still working on the ones I will do for the other 2 weeks. It will be horror films this week on Friday, because 2021 has been the year of horror. Just so many great ones.

I haven’t had enough time to complete a Franchise Catch-Up with everything else going on, so will be putting that on pause, probably until the new year, where I can start with a fresh slate. The same thing with Monster Mondays, I’m hoping to get another one out next week, but last weekend I ended up spending 8 hours watching The Beatles: Get Back, which meant I didn’t get around to watching the next Gamera film.

I’m still going through Get Back in my head, which was so much better than I was hoping. I’ve been watching every interview with Peter Jackson about it that I can find on YouTube. There are so many insights and snippets about The Beatles that he gives. At one point there was an 18 hour version of it. Maybe there will be a blu-ray set at some point that will have even more footage and hopefully something about Jackson making the new documentary.

Thanks for reading and until next time,

Ashley

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