REVIEW: LOVE LIES BLEEDING

4/5

Bleeding Love

104 Mins. Starring: Kristen Stewart, Katy O'Brian, Jena Malone, Anna Baryshnikov, Dave Franco & Ed Harris. Screenplay: Rose Glass & Weronika Tofilska. Director: Rose Glass. In: Theatres.

Love is everything, and it finally lies bleeding in the Land of the Rising Sun this weekend. Last year, the A24 and Film4 indie gem found itself on the National Board of Review's Top Ten Independent Films of 2024, and it's easy to see why. 'Love Lies Bleeding', movie from Rose Glass ('Saint Maud'), with a script co-write from Weronika Tofilska (Netflix's 'Baby Reindeer'), races further in an iconic pick-up than a 'Drive-Away Dolls' Cohen getaway with the spirit of 'Thelma & Louise' holding hands and riding shotgun. It's a film that is more than this new "queer noir" genre (love is love), but one that is so urgent, it demands its own place all the same, as there is nothing quite like it. If the artist aesthetic of King Princess was a movie. A pulp fiction that Tarantino would be proud of, all the way to the gigantic ending that will leave your heads in the clouds with love. After all the bleeding, one thing that remains is a beating heart that stays with you like the pulse in your neck and wrist.

Bodying up, former franchise face of 'Twilight' Kristen Stewart gives us the role she may be most remembered for outside of playing Princess Diana 'Spencer'. And we've even had her as our 'Personal Shopper' and would still bank on her unfairly wrote off, before COVID nonetheless, 'Charlie's Angels' franchise restarted reboot. Her 80s gym membership reclusive owner in a Crater sleeveless t-shirt spotting combustible chemistry with the iconic poster of Katy O'Brian ('The Mandalorian', 'Black Lightning') whose bulging muscles are literally straining to be heard in some dynamic direction from Glass before it all shatters. O'Brian has played in both 'Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D' and 'Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania' for Marvel's sandbox, and after appearing in 'Twisters' last year, she made a cool cameo in Glen Powell's top gun maverick Tom Cruise's very own 'Mission: Impossible-The Final Reckoning', this summer. But the forthcoming star of 'The Running Man' is more than the muscle (although if you're ever doing a 'Xena: Warrior Princess' remake, this is your wonder woman), as she hustles a Hollywood career and charm with the superstar Stewart for all it, and love, is worth.

Just look at the above picture, and you can see how real the love is in this. An iconic true romance for the cinematic capsule in this romantic thriller escape plan from Escape Room and Lobo films production, wanting to leave for Las Vegas. This 1989, New Mexico town is dripping with noir nuance and nostalgia...as well as everything else that runs red like Film4 filters and the dance of compelling closing credits. If it's A24, you know it's good, but this is something else. Loneliness, abuse and steroids imbue this darkness in the glitzy glow of a runaway American dream that slides between the shadows. Dave Franco plays an absolute piece of s### (they say when you lift up a ponytail, you find an a##hole underneath, so how about a mullet?), whilst Jena Malone comes alive in the final act. 'Manchester By The Sea' player Anna Baryshnikov (amazing) also adds a toxic triangle to this Bermuda plot. Yet, home on the range, it's the great Ed Harris as a sinister businessman with criminal ties that bind, not to mention a haircut that really asked the barber to "leave the sides", who threatens to steal everything, like the show. In the cut, 'Love Lies Bleeding' tells the raw and uncut truth of the affairs of the heart. Like the one that got away, you won't be able to forget it. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Drive-Away Dolls', 'Honey Don't!', 'Thelma & Louise'.

REVIEW: BALLERINA (FROM THE WORLD OF 'JOHN WICK')

4/5

First Steps

125 Mins. Starring: Ana de Armas, Anjelica Huston, Gabriel Byrne, Norman Reedus, David Castañeda, Lance Reddick, Ian McShane & Keanu Reeves. Screenplay: Shay Hatten. Director: Len Wiseman. In: Theatres.

Pirouetting her way on screens, Ana de Armas is 'Ballerina', 'From The World Of John Wick'. A movie from 'Underworld' director Len Wiseman ('Live Free Or Die Hard' and the 2012 'Total Recall' remake), off a screenplay from Shay Hatten (Zack Snyder's 'Army Of The Dead' and 'Rebel Moon' features), this spin-off instalment takes place between the third and fourth chapters of the Wick franchise, written by Hatten. Armas arms up in this amazing action thriller of tense and taut proportions like you've never seen her before. Consider the 'Blonde' Marylin Monroe star's scene-stealing throw down in James Bond's 'No Time To Die', clinking glasses with Daniel Craig's 007 swan song, her audition. There's no cocktail dress this time for the 'Knives Out' actress with more than two guns. Ana ('Blade Runner 2049', 'War Dogs') brings the blades and the brimstone of a woman scorned, scorching with propane. Launching grenades like 'Nobody's' business, she gives us a wicked take on the gun-fu franchise.

Behind the scenes of the third chapter of John Wick's 'Parabellum', we see the other consequences that came after The Baba Yaga made a deal with the original Morticia, in the legendary Anjelica Huston. 'The Addams Family' icon brings even more value here, as she takes second-billing in a world building picture that still revolves around the star of the show. All about Eve, like an outstanding quick one-shot take on the streets. It really is prime time for actors in their mid-seventies, as the 'End Of Days' devil himself, Gabriel Byrne ('The Usual Suspects', 'Defence Of The Realm') makes for a formidable foe who took more than "just" a puppy away from Ana's Eve, seeking to take a bite out of all that's rotten in the Big Apple. If you fear that isn't enough, as the bodies fall like amateur tiny dancers to winces worse than pulling toenails, then 'The Walking Dead' star Norman Reedus steals the show with a blunderbuss. So much so, we'd watch his own solo origin story in this real world graphic novel. You'd love it, like we do the way these Wicks flick away clips like flies.

Wait, there's more. Some already spoilt, others we won't reveal, like the incredible role of 'The Umbrella Academy's' David Castañeda doing with guns, what he used to do for Netflix with knives out. What really makes this cruelly forgotten blockbuster, amongst all the Marvel ('Fantastic Four') and DC ('Superman') wars and old dinosaurs, 'Jurassic World: Rebirth', Brad Pitt ('F1') and Tom Cruise ('Mission: Impossible: The Final Reckoning'), are the old favourites. The legendary Ian McShane, the final performance of the late, great Lance Reddick and of course...the man himself. Yep, it's no secret that Keanu Reeves is here, like there will be another 'John Wick' chapter. But what he does in this verse is truly worthy of a signature "yeeah!" I'm thinking he's back, but what he does here is "woah" worthy for how he recharges the final act without taking the shine off the star. An upgrade from 'The Continental' T.V. series starring Mel Gibson, those looking to see pop star Rina Sawayama take revenge for 'Shogun' Hiroyuki Sanada will have to wait. This isn't the ballerina's last dance, and this blonde is going atomic. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum', 'No Time To Die', 'The Villainess'. 

REVIEW: JURASSIC WORLD - REBIRTH

3.5/5

Brave New World

133 Mins. Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, Jonathan Bailey, Rupert Friend, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo & Ed Skrein. Screenplay: David Koepp. Director: Gareth Edwards. In: Theatres.

Gen Z have Marvel. Gen X, Star Wars. But us millennials (Gen Y), we had 'Jurassic Park' ("scary in the dark"). And, yes, I already feel old "yet". I'm no longer pushing 40. I know we have alphas now, too. But they have TikTok. Yet, blockbusters continue to dominate the summer in cinemas and one of the oldest is still one of the best in the summer of Brad Pitt's 'F1' and DC and Marvel trying to outrun each other with 'Superman' and 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps'. Not to mention the last(?) 'Mission: Impossible' for your reckoning. I was barely pushing ten when Steven Spielberg's original movie came out, based on the Michael Crichton ('E.R.') novel. Spielberg was set to do a movie (if only) based on the George Clooney hit medical drama series, until Universal came calling with 'JP'. Promising to finance Steven's passion project if he signed on. That project was called 'Schindler's List'. As a kid, decked out in my UCI Cinemas Jurassic Park baseball cap, I boasted to my auntie (love you, Sue) about how I'd seen the film a whole two times without going to the toilet (unlike some others in the film) once. How times stream and change.

Spielberg originally made 'Jurassic Park' as a spiritual sequel to 'Jaws'. Now, along with 'The Lost World' this franchise, with more islands in the sun than Weezer, has so many sequels, whereas 'Jaws' knew when to stop when it had no teeth and still started to bite. We're not in "Alan" territory any more, but the game 'Jurassic World' soft franchise reboot starring Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard felt more like a tribute band than the real thing. So here we go again with another soft relaunch in the resurrection of 'Jurassic World: Rebirth'. And it's going to take another Marvel actor to lead the way, or two, as double Academy Award nominee Scarlett Johansson is the star of the show, following her 'Black Widow' retirement, and two-time Oscar winner Mahershala Ali ('Moonlight', 'Green Book') is scene-stealing, whilst his own 'Blade' reboot can't seem to sink its fangs into a director, let alone a release date. The pair have a perfectly acted moment together, too. Original park screenwriter David Koepp is back in the fold, but it's 'Godzilla' and 'Monsters' director Gareth Edwards ('Rogue One: A Star Wars Story', 'The Creator'), who really brings these beasts back to life for the best 'Jurassic' movie since the T. rex ran rampant on the streets. The last blockbuster of the summer is a flare of a hit, putting the box office on red notice.

Produced by Frank Marshall and Patrick Crowley (my friend from Miami?!), it's clear to see like a fallen banner that dinosaurs still rule the earth. Even if, there was a rumour that executive producer Steven Spielberg wanted all references to previous films removed. We saw plenty of engrossing Easter Eggs, mind you, like the product placement of a Snicker wrapper that might not be the best advertising for you to get some nuts. You're not yourself when dinosaurs are hungry in a scene reminiscent of the one between Bryan Cranston and Juliette Binoche in Edward's 'Godzilla'. Better? Better! There is even a nice nod to the even better, Japanese, 'Godzilla Minus One' from Gareth in the best scene in the movie for this true action/adventure that even kids can enjoy with the real king of this jungle. You see, we're back to mutants again, like Marvel with the X-Men, when this franchise needs to realize nothing beats the real thing, land, air, or sea in some truly tense and thrilling scenes. Especially when a natural one has more tails than Sonic the Hedgehog. One monster looks like a giant 'Alien' Xenomorph, which is pretty damn cool. But in a nice gas station callback to the kitchen, are those raptors? Those original movie scene swipers, that are actually only waist high, have been bastardized ever since Pratt turned them into his pets for his motorcycle goon squad. 

There are still plenty of creature comforts here, like the cute Delores, the real star of the show. Public interest has waned, as these dinosaurs are dying out because of our natural environment (go figure), akin to the idea in the 'War Of The Worlds' (no, not the rotten new Ice Cube one). An opening scene of a Brontosaurus near the Brooklyn Bridge is truly outstanding, though. And you'll be entertained by the human game set to be gobbled, now this park and world opens up here in Japan. Scarlett is the kick ass star and no stranger to these shores, after her making her breakthrough with Bill Murray in the Tokyo Park Hyatt of 'Lost In Translation'. But just be thankful that A.I. generated humanoid velociraptor with her hair was just ChatGPT fake. Meanwhile, Ali is the powerhouse knockout. Whilst the unrecognizable, but 'Wicked' talent of Jonathan Bailey wins you over with genuine awe-inspiring emotion for these dinos, like the first time you saw them move in herds. Rupert Friend, isn't exactly his last name, but he's the big money and no regard this film needs when the real enemy is man. Whilst the always great Manuel Garcia-Rulfo and his family, in a 'Dunkirk' marooned like side-story, give you that Lex and Tim, Dr. Grant dynamic. Even 'Deadpool' and 'Rebel Moon' star Ed Skrein shows up for a bit(e). But we know who the real crowd pleasers are. Here them ROAR! TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Jurassic Park', 'Jurassic World', 'Godzilla'.

TV REVIEW: EYES OF WAKANDA - Season 1

3.5/5

Wakanda For Earth 

4 Episodes. Starring: Winnie Harlow, Cress Williams, Patricia Belcher, Larry Herron, Adam Gold, Lynn Whitfield, Jacques Colimon, Jona Xiao, Isaac Robinson-Smith, Gary Anthony Williams, Zeke Alton, Steve Toussaint & Anika Noni Rose. Created By: Todd Harris. Executive Producer: Ryan Coogler. On: Disney +.

All eyes on this. Marvel Animation, like Marvel Television ('Daredevil: Born Again'), is looking to be a big thing in the M.C.U., like the first steps of the real first family, 'The Fantastic Four'. All in a great 'Thunderbolts*' return year for Marvel, with no need for an asterisk ('Captain America: Brave New World' was so much better than given credit for). Ever since the Marvel cartoon universe asked us 'What If...?' with the great Jeffrey Wright, we just knew we would be watchers too. Especially when they remixed the best comic-book come to life, not named, 'Batman: The Animated Series', with 'X-Men '97'. If that wasn't enough, this year even began with a new spin on 'Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man'. And we still have the graphic novel content of 'Marvel: Zombies' to come. But before all that, fresh off his executive producers gig on 'Ironheart', 'Sinners' superstar and 'Black Panther' and 'Wakanda Forever' director Ryan Coogler gives us the animated 'Eyes Of Wakanda' with showrunner Todd Harris. Hey, buddy! Eyes up here!

Streaming now on Disney Plus in all its four-episode miniseries entirety, the 'Eyes' have the vocal talents of Winnie Harlow, Cress Williams, Patricia Belcher, Larry Herron, Adam Gold, Lynn Whitfield, Jacques Colimon, Jona Xiao, Isaac Robinson-Smith, Gary Anthony Williams, Zeke Alton, Steve Toussaint and Anika Noni Rose, armed and ready to hold up the X and scream their nation's battle cry. Like 'What If...?', the epic episodes of this science-fiction, superhero, action-adventure anthology series are all loosely connected, even if they are self-contained corners of 'Wakanda'. Think of it like the perfect 'Predator: Killer Of Killers' animated movie that recently came to Hulu and Disney +. If you want to know how far back the electric gated community of Wakanda goes, then wonder no more. Just wonder and awe, as you literally marvel at how beautiful this nation is opening up to the rest of the watching and working world. Classic all the way down to the closing concept art credits like a 'Mandalorian'. Marvel animation can now go up against their Disney 'Star Wars' neighbours with all those clones and bad batches.

Ancient Greece, Achilles and even the legend of the iconic Iron Fist (and no, not that white dude off Netflix) all make up this wider world in this brief but beautiful series of events. And it all begins with some outstanding opening credits that will remind you of how the Coogler classic cinematic movie's origin stories were told. These half-hour episodes of all-power, scored sublimely by Egyptian composer Hesham Nazih ('Moon Knight'), are actually the closest, most recent thing to look like one of those classic Disney animations from the 90s, before Pixar showed up with all the toys. Coogler's Proximity Media production in close continuity with the Cinematic Universe and franchise films has its own story to tell, though. The tales and the timeline are just that sacred in the fifteenth M.C.U. animation but the first of Marvel's Phase Six. The first episode goes 'Into The Lion's Den' and Crete, 1260 B.C. as a Wakandan king called The Lion leads an army that takes an island by force. His Killmonger like mask will make you think of Coogler collaborator Michael B. Jordan, and there's a nice nod to him here. 

Cameos, like the ones to "Watch" in these animated series, like when Stan Lee was showing up at the movies, are in shorter supply, but that's only to make room for an even classier cast of characters, much like the rebel of the first episode, showing a real Royal Guard to the king and how the country of Wakanda should really be held and protected. The Trojan Horse of a second episode is a real slice of what if history, as there are 'Legends and Lies' to be told here with a twist. Everyone from Achilles to Helen Of Troy make their Marvel history like the God's of Zeus or Thor. But this is so much more of a personal story as best friends become foes, like Chris Hemsworth's 'Transformers One' animation. More legend is lost and found in the terrific third episode, that ups the ante on the series like hitting with a gold glow to your knuckles. Another Hatut Zaraze, Wakandan warrior, finds himself on a mission for lost vibranium in the winters of China, 1400 A.D. Entering the dragon, and the stronger than adamantium tongue inside. Yet it's the fourth and final part with a warning from the future and 'The Last Panther' that really shows how well a prince and a war dog with an axe to grind can really get on when push comes to shove. There are broad and beautiful themes in this season, that we hope sees a second, both personal and profound. Like Chadwick, Wakanda is still forever. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Black Panther', 'What If...?', 'Predator: Killer Of Killers'.