Mad Max: Fury Road

And this week's Friday night movie has been... Mad Max: Fury Road!

Original image located here. Accessed 26th June 2026

Well, I've put this one off for long enough.

I have something of a history with the Mad Max movies. I knew of them when I was a kid, knowing enough of them that they consisted of violence, car chases, deserts and people with strange names. Clearly this was something for adults.
Nevertheless I did get my first experience with the Mad Max movies when I saw the Road Warrior in my tween years (!!!). Granted it is questionable if I should've been watching it in the first place but it is difficult to deny that it was, and still is, one of the greatest action movies ever made. And it isn't hard to see the Road Warrior as being the face that launched a thousand ships and inspired a whole host of imitators - indeed, it's doubtful the Warhammer 40,000 universe would exist without it. 
Years later, I got to see the sequel, Beyond Thunderdome. And a funny thing happened: Whereas The Road Warrior was a film tween me shouldn't have been watching, Beyond Thunderdome came across as more kid-friendly - especially in the second half. But, irony of ironies, I hated it. Okay sure it was fun to see Angry Anderson and Tina Turner hamming it up, sure the ideas of rebuilding and a cargo cult were interesting but this was devoid of the bleakness that made the Mad Max films what they were. Would I dare suggest said identity was softened? 
And finally when I reached adulthood, I got to see the first Mad Max movie. In retrospect, it was certainly a world apart from its younger brethren but still very impressive as a low budget feature. 

So, preamble over: I knew very well what I was getting myself in for when I got off my lazy arse and watched this. So what is there to say? 
Violence, car chases, deserts and people with strange names. And it was utterly deranged.
So yeah, this is very much a Mad Max movie. 
And it was frickin' great. 
Pretty much all there needs to be said, really.

The Beekeeper

 And this week's Friday night movie has been... The Beekeeper!

Original image located here. Accessed 29th May 2026

Some of my workmates suggested I should watch this. So here we go. 

So what we have here is a burly action hero taking action against some computer nerds that are out to scam the livelihood out of some unsuspecting saps. Certainly it makes for an experience that many can relate to - especially considering that the perpetuators of such schemes get away with a lot and the victims are left with next to nothing- except a desire of justice that will never be realised. 
Indeed, I can imagine the elevator pitch for this: 'Jason Statham punches out Mark Zuckerberg'

Jokes aside, this was a solid action flick with some great actions scenes and some delicious catharsis of seeing some internet scam artists getting their come-uppance. 

Oh a sequel is being made? Well I'm for it. 

Everything Everywhere All at Once

 And this week's Friday night movie has been... Everything Everywhere All at Once!

Original image located here. Accessed 20th December 2024

Best Picture Oscar winner no.: 95 (2022)

You know the Oscars have been around for under a century (at time of writing) but for something that has such longevity, one would think that it would be a big ask for it to produce a surprise. 
And yet, this is exactly what happened: I went in expecting a movie that combines science fiction and kung fu - hardly Oscar favourite material - but what I got was something else: It was visually astonishing, playful in it's nature, high in it's concept, and audacious in it's ambitions. 
I have no idea how this won Best Picture - it's an against the odds victory if ever there was one - but there's no way I'm going to argue. 
What an incredible movie. 

The Nice Guys

   And this week's Friday night movie has been... The Nice Guys!

Original image located here. Accessed 15th September 2023

Won't say no to a buddy/action/comedy movie. Sure I've seen plenty of them but they are always fun to watch. And this one is no exception. 
As per expected of this genre of movie, the jokes are pretty funny and and the action sequences are well done. But the real treat is the interplay between the cast: Russell Crowe is fun to watch as a heavy, Ryan Gosling shines and the interaction between them is great. But the real MVP is Angourie Rice, bringing pizazz to every line and instance she appears on screen.

So yeah. great movie and worth checking out

Baby Driver

And this week's Friday night movie has been... Baby Driver!

Original image located here. Accessed 11th August 2023

Behold: another movie that I've been putting off watching. I guess the unusual may have mad me hesitant but I'm pretty sure I'm not the first person to say that.

But yeah, this was a blast to watch: The car chases are certainly spectacular but what is of particular note is the emphasis on the music: The selections throughout are great and it's great to see a protagonist who has his earphones on all the time (something I can relate to) and isn't afraid to lose himself in the moment (something I can VERY much relate to). .

Central Intelligence

And this week's Friday night movie has been... Central Intelligence!

Original image located here. Accessed 4th August 2023

This is not the first time I have seen a movie of this calibre: An average joe gets pulled into a situation where he is facing death at every turn? And tangling with secret agents and not knowing who to trust? And the person who dragged him into it isn't the most reliable of sorts?

So what makes this movie stand out from the pack? Simple: The onscreen chemistry between Kevin Hart and Dwayne Johnson. Seriously, these two are lots of fun to watch and are enough to make the convoluted nature of the plot excusable. Special notice to Johnson as he seems willing to play the macho action hero and going against it IN THE SAME ROLE.

Stone

And this week's Friday night movie has been... Stone!

Original image located here. Accessed 9th July 2021

For my non-Australian readers, that title may seem unfamiliar. However, it should be noted that this movie is a product of it's time: It came out in the 1970s when Australian cinema was experiencing a fertile period and was coming into it's own.
And from this period came Stone: one of the more famous/infamous movies which told the story of an undercover cop infiltrating a biker gang (and not to give too much away but it goes as well as one might expect)

It should come to no surprise that this is a brutal film. Granted I may have seen worse, but this is still a brutal film. It's clearly shot on a tiny budget, the violence is tough to stomach and the characters are definitely people you wouldn't want to look at. And yet there are moments of beauty (the beach swim scene and the oft-referred funeral procession).
It's not an attractive film but I can't say it was dull.

John Wick 3

And this week's Friday night movie has been... John Wick Chapter 3: Parabellum!

Original image located here. Accessed 14th May 2021

It's the third movie in this series, meaning that i am officially up to date and therefore well-prepared when the fourth movie rolls around.
Really there isn't much to say about this series at this point: John Wick is still a seemingly unstoppable assassin with a awe-inspiring reputation; the body count is ridiculously large and the action sequences are astonishing to say the least.
However I do like the female characters brought forward: I like Halle Berry's spin as Sofia (you can just tell these movies were written by a dog lover). I must admit that Asia Kate Dillon has a presence as the Adjudicator. And I found Anjelica Houston unrecognizable as The Director.
In fact, it is surprising that this series has quite the mileage with having it's cast in unrecognizable roles - seriously I never knew Jerome Flynn was present until the end credits. And it is indeed proof that this series has a secret weapon to it's tried and tested formula.

John Wick 2

And this week's Friday night movie has been... John Wick Chapter 2!

Original image located here. Accessed 16th April 2021

It may seem something of a double standard to watch this, a sequel to a revenge thriller, having said some less than glowing things about Promising Young Woman the week before. However, whilst what I said about Promising Young Woman may paint a picture of a movie that is at odds with itself, that is not the case here. John Wick Chapter 2 knows exactly what is and you, the audience member, had better believe it.

And much like any sequel, John Wick Chapter 2 knows what worked with it predecessor and builds upon it. But let's not kid ourselves: Clearly the John Wick movies thrive on the action sequences, delivering such scenes that are well-choreographed and never dull. Keanu Reeves still delivers with this character and there is a real interesting set up for the third movie.
Thing is though, this may all sound like good things but that is pretty much it: There are are some indeed slow moments in this movie but they do indeed seem out of place. And the whole 'former-assassin-struggling-to-retain-humanity' shtick from the first movie is downplayed. Which is shame seeing as it contributed a lot to the first movie being so compelling.
Still, I can't say this movie was boring. So it remains to be seen what the third movie can dish up....

Expendables 3

And this week's Friday night movie has been... The Expendables 3!

Original image located here. Accessed 19th March 2021

As a film franchise, i have had an odd relationship with the Expendables: I saw the second one first (!) at the cinema and thought it was a lot of fun. Then I saw the first one and found it rather grim.
So what of the third one? Going into it, I found it presented something of a paradox: It appears that the people who liked the first two movies hated the third one whilst the people who hated the first two movies liked the third one.

Personally, i knew what i was getting myself into: This was going to another action movie devoid of depth and consisting of set pieces that are more ludicrous than the one's proceeding. And what do you know: That's exactly what i got. But hey, I like a movie that knows what it's doing and doesn't try to be anything else.
So really this movie follows the formula that made it's predecessors successful: In-jokes, an ensemble cast where everyone gets their moment to shine, the afore-mentioned action sequences, and a sense that everyone involved is a) having the time of their lives and b) more or less playing themselves. Of particular note, is Antonio Banderas, stealing every scene he is in and playing up the whole 'world's friendliest mercenary' shtick.
It may be an action movie of the 'big and dumb' variety but I can't say it was boring.

Mind you, it has been nearly a decade since this movie and promises of followups (Expendables 4 and an all female spin-off Expendabelles) have yet to deliver fruit. Personally I hope we're kept waiting much longer because there certainly is a lot that can be done with this franchise and these characters so I'm for it.

John Wick

And this week's Friday night movie has been... John Wick!

Original image located here. Accessed 12th March 2021

Some friends of mine have been urging me to have a look at this one: The first movie in an eventual franchise that resurrected Keanu Reeves' career in spectacular fashion. And, depending on who you ask, an example of what could've happened had Ted gone to military school.
Personally I've seen plenty of action movies of this ilk: One guy, who has extensive combat training, seemingly limitless resources and a flash car, taking on a horde of bad guys through a series of increasingly amazing set pieces without breaking a sweat. I will admit I will never tire of them but there comes a time when you need to do something unique to make one's movie stand out.

Well one could see this is revenge porn for the dog lover...
Okay seriously, this was indeed a gripping movie. The action sequences are well done, I like the use of colour and Keanu proves to be a formidable presence in front of the camera - indeed i have heard people say his acting style has been wooden but here he is well and truly on fire (to a point where I never knew he had it in him).
It may not do anything new to a tried and tested formula but it deliver in the action department. So I'll give it that.
Now about the sequels....

Jumanji: The Next Level

And this week's Friday night movie has been... Jumanji: The Next Level!

Original image located here. Accessed 31th January 2020

Considering how Welcome to the Jungle ended, I didn't think that there would be room for a sequel but, as is often the case, the money one makes can have incredible persuasive power.

But who are they kidding? It's pretty much the same movie as the predecessor. However that's not necessarily a bad thing: Sure this movie is running off the same blueprint and certain jokes are repeated but at the same time there is enough new stuff added, like any good sequel. and the established is expanded upon, like any good sequel.
Plus the whole 'Ruby Roundhouse = Socially awkward Lara Croft' gag will never not be funny

Ultimately however, the strength of this movie, much like it's predecessor, lies in the acting and the chemistry of the cast. After all, the principles/avatars are acting like other members of the cast, same inflections and personalities all the way. The newcomers, Danny Devito and Danny Glover, both add a lot and even the actor playing the baddie is unrecognizable.
And, as surprising as it sounds, these movies prove an excellent showcase as to just how a talented actor Dwayne Johnson is. Who would've thunk it?

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle

And this week's Friday night movie has been... Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle!

Original image located here. Accessed 24th January 2020

Of all the 90's IP, I never would've guessed that this would be given the resurrection / breath of life, let alone it being any good.

But somehow, against the odds, this movie succeeds. It's a superb action/adventure film movie on it's own but what really makes it shine is a) a delightful cast who are committed to their roles and have an excellent chemistry; b) some hilarious jokes and c) a commentary on video games and taking jabs at the various tropes associated with them (which, being the massive nerd that I am, found endlessly amusing).

So ultimately, this is movie that is way better than it should be.

That and I doubt I would never hear 'Baby I Love Your Way' the same way again.

The Accountant

And this week's Friday night movie has been....The Accountant!

Original image located here. Accessed 9th August 2019

Once again I pick up with a movie built around a character who is on the Autism spectrum. What makes this different though is this time, instead of a rom-com as per previously, we have an action movie.

Obviously this movie is giving an action movie hero that autistic kids can look up to and to that end the film is admirable - a socially awkward, mathematically gifted guy who can punch and shoot goons without flinching and has enough resources to make James Bond worried? Has potential. Furthermore, Ben Affleck is certainly giving a committed performance and the action sequences are well done. But there are moments in the plot that seem incoherent and baffling to the point of frustrating.
Still, as indicated above, this movie has it's heart in the right place so I'll give it that much.

The Predator

And this week's Friday night movie has been.....The Predator!

Original image located here. Accessed 28th September 2018

As a franchise I love a love/hate relationship with the Predator. On one hand, we have a fantastic creation with the titular character and a series of movies that tries something new with each iteration. But in the other hand, the execution of said movies can be patchy at times. So how does this new one fare?

As stated above, I like the Predator as a creation with it's abilities and mythology built up. Thus, there are plenty of directions you can take it. And clearly the makers of The Predator felt the same as there is a lot going on here. But at the same time it does come across as incoherent. Furthermore, I'm not really buying this idea that the Predators, as a race, are into evolution - or at least trying to advance it. And I'm especially not sold on the Predators thinking an autistic child is the next step in evolution.
Still, the actions great, the quips are entertaining, there a call-backs to the original and I like the idea of the Predator facing a bunch of PTSD-inflicted soldiers. But is this the reboot the series needed? Probably not but, much like Predators, it does leave the door open for some new ground to be covered.

Assault on Precinct 13

And this weeks Friday night movie has been....Assault on Precinct 13!

Original image located here. Accessed 23rd January 2015

What can I say? For a film nearly forty years old it holds up pretty well. The action is intense, the atmosphere is claustrophobic and there is a sense that there is a lot being done with a limited budget. In addition, the directing is top notch, the acting is great and there's a lot of grit that puts a lot of modern films to shame.

I could say 'they don't make them like they used to' but you know what? They don't. 

So! Anybody got a smoke? XD

Predators

And this weeks Friday night movie has been....Predators!

Original image located here. Accessed 10th October 2014

This movie isn't going to be easy to assess without repeating what has already been said. But what the hey: This was a lot of fun and it's great to see the Predator franchise finally claw back some credibility. Oh and Alice Braga 🙂