Joe Bloggs About Films

We've been treated to a variety of Godzilla stories in recent years, but back in 1998, the King of the Monsters made his first American big-screen appearance in a film that was pretty much hated by all. For me, though, it was the right film at the right time, sparking a love for kaiju that has stayed with me ever since.Like many others, this was my first introduction to the big lizard. It opened the door to discovering more of Toho's legendary monster movies, but despite its many, many flaws, I've never been able to shake my affection for the 1998 film. It might not be the Godzilla movie fans wanted, but it's the one that started it all for me.It’s essentially a disaster film first and a Godzilla film second, which makes it a perfect fit for the era of big, bombastic blockbusters. The characters are gloriously ’90s, the action descends into absolute chaos, and the story is about as simple as they come — but I still absolutely love it.Though I have previously spoken about this film on the pod a few years ago (albeit a bumpy review), I wanted to give this giant another stint in the spotlight - because after all, size does matter.Full thoughts in this revisit.

When 'Avengers: Endgame' arrived in 2019, it brought a decade of storytelling to an epic, emotional and, importantly, satisfying conclusion. It dominated the box office, became a defining cinematic event, and left an impact that is still felt today.It was something audiences hadn’t experienced from an MCU film before: our heroes losing, and having to deal with the consequences of that loss. The familiar formula of our heroes winning was thrown out the window. Instead, we explored these characters at their absolute lowest, before giving them that glimmer of hope - the possibility of undoing Thanos’ victory and setting the universe right again.On top of all that, 'Endgame' brought so many character arcs to a genuinely satisfying conclusion. It gave key players like Tony and Cap the send offs they deserved, while leaving the MCU in a position where it could finally move forward into a new era. But, as we now know, nothing in the MCU ever truly stays finished.Now, audiences have the chance to revisit the film ahead of the upcoming 'Doomsday' - only this time, there are a few extra scenes designed to tease the arrival of the next big bad, complete with a very familiar face. While 'Encore' gives audiences another opportunity to experience the spectacular finale, the question still lingers: is this actually a “mandatory” watch?It’s a question I’ll answer, but for me, simply being able to sit in the cinema and experience 'Endgame' again was more than enough. While the new scenes are a welcome bonus, which I unpack and discuss in this review, I felt it was only fitting to revisit 'Endgame' as a whole, too. To pick out the many, many fan pleasing moments sprinkled throughout a pretty tight and polished script, and to reflect on what made this finale so memorable in the first place.Full thoughts in this review - available on all streaming sites.

Is this the best video game adaptation ever? There’s a strong argument that it is. Bold words, I know, but Zach Cregger’s 'Resident Evil' ticks all the boxes, and then some. It respects the source material, includes the ingredience that defines survival horror, whilst also having Cregger's voice and vision front and centre.Cregger is on a hot streak, and this latest release is arguably my favourite of his yet. It’s intense, it’s gross, it’s terrifying when it wants to be, but it also manages to keep things relatively grounded, with a sprinkling of humour that goes a surprisingly long way. It’s that balance between horror and comedy that makes Cregger stand out, with both elements complementing each other to wonderful effect.Then, on top of its near perfect script, you have Austin Abrams, who delivers a magnetic performance. He’s grounded to the point where he feels genuine and real. He isn’t some big, macho, plot-armoured hero; he’s just a normal guy working his shift and trying to get home.His mannerisms, his reactions, even the way he carries himself when faced with something completely horrific make him such a joy to watch. I genuinely can’t stress enough how often this guy had me chuckling.In a year where we’ve already been graced with some great horror films, 'Resident Evil' may have topped them all. I’m already keen to watch this again, because it’s one of the most horrifying, yet ridiculously fun rides of the year.A firm, firm standout.

Matt Reeves unleashed 'Cloverfield' upon the world in 2008, bringing with it a mix of mystery, chaos and destruction that has left fans craving more ever since. It also remains one of my favourite releases.Found footage films certainly aren't for everyone, and 'Cloverfield' can be a shaky cam nightmare at times, but that's also part of what makes it so effective. The film excels at making its audience feel like a passenger, with the camera acting as a window into the disaster as events unfold in real time. We're thrown directly into this world, with these complete strangers becoming our anchor as the frenzy of a monster attack feels immediate, chaotic and frighteningly real.What really set 'Cloverfield' apart, though, was its viral marketing campaign. If you wanted to dive deeper into this world, the pieces and clues were already waiting for you online. It gave audiences another layer to uncover, encouraging fans to investigate, speculate and piece together the wider story for themselves. That sense of mystery and discovery was another major reason the film connected so strongly with audiences, and why 'Cloverfield' has remained such a fascinating release all these years later.Full thoughts in this review

Anne Hathaway and Ewan McGregor face off against dinosaurs in this new sci-fi adventure from David Robert Mitchell... and it's actually quite impressive.The biggest compliment I can give 'The End of Oak Street' is that it expertly captures that classic Spielberg and Amblin feel. The family dynamic, the charming neighbourhood setting, and the fantastical event that catapults these characters into an extraordinary adventure are exactly the kind of ingredients you want from a summer blockbuster.Whilst the film isn't flawless, it has enough heart to keep you invested, and enough suspense and tension to keep you on the edge of your seat. The dinosaurs, all feathered and furred up, deliver some terrific thrills, even if it does occasionally feel like the leads are being protected by some serious plot armour.But even with those niggles, the film built around the dinosaurs is strong enough to make you genuinely care about these characters - and that's something a lot of recent blockbusters have been missing. It's a film that understands that the spectacle only works when you have something worth rooting for.And when the dinosaurs do arrive, it knows exactly how to make them count.Full thoughts, with spoilers, in this review.