review

Reviews of the top geek movies, tv, and books in the industry.

Trailer Review: 'Shazam'
Given that my first article on Vocal was titled "The failure of the DCEU", it is fair to say I was not overly excited for either of their upcoming releases. The first look trailer at Shazam, however, has left me eager to see the full film. A film that, quite clearly, will be a completely new direction for the DCEU, and, in my opinion, it's a new direction that was desperately needed.
By M W R8 years ago in Geeks
I've Got a Hunch That You're Going to Love This
Last night I had the pleasure of previewing Kate Kennedy’s new Edinburgh Fringe show Hunch in the Soho Theatre - Upstairs. This was the first of two previews, and what a success it was.
By Hannah Petch8 years ago in Geeks
Tarantino’s 8 Films Ranked
As Quentin Tarantino is one of most intriguing filmmakers/directors of the late 20th century and early 21st century, he has many films where he is a contributing director. The films most popular and most “Tarantino-esque” are his catalog of eight films where he is the head of creative control. Each film has its own aspects that people love, whether it is their comic-like violence, interesting soundtracks, or the cameo performances by Tarantino himself, it is hard to think of a person who could not find enjoyment in his work. Below I have ranked these eight films based on their contribution to the legacy of Quentin Tarantino by being the most Tarantino of the Tarantino films.
By Charles Quinn8 years ago in Geeks
'Euthanizer' (2017)
Everyone has to pay for the pain that they’ve caused.Pain needs to be balanced. Armomurhaaja (original title) Every detail was just perfect in this Finnish low-budget indie. From the first second, this film intrigued me and managed to hold my full attention. Not only the magnificent acting of Matti Onnismaa and Hannamaija Nikander, as the bitter and sinister person Veijo and the strange figure Lotta whose sexual preference is also rather lugubrious, caused that. The narrative and the message that simmered under the surface also fascinated me. Yet it’s not an easy, everyday film. On the one hand, there’s the language. Finnish isn’t something I’m confronted with on a daily basis (well, for everything there’s a first time), so I understood absolutely nothing. On the other hand, the story itself is rather unorthodox with the euthanizing of pets as a central topic. Not exactly cheerful material, even though it sometimes felt comical.
By Peter P8 years ago in Geeks
‘Shazam’ - Trailer Review
Though Shazam is not one of the most well known heroes in the world, he’s now making quite a name for himself! San Diego Comic-Con gave us our first look at Zachary Levi and Asher Angel’s version of Billy Batson’s kid turned superhero. So, without further ado, let’s pick it apart...
By Christopher Hales8 years ago in Geeks
Top 20: 'The Ladykillers'
Those ladies certainly were killers weren’t they? They were not, that is not at all the plot of this film. An Ealing studios production in which Criminals lodge with an unsuspecting elderly woman while plotting a robbery. Hilarity ensues. Every layer of potential this premise offers is fully weaponised. The varied personalities of the ensemble cast lead by Alec Guinness and featuring the then relatively unknown Peter Sellers in an early supporting role are endlessly entertaining with their mismatched nature expectedly being the reason. The film is forceless in its presentation of London criminals as eccentric and semi incompetent but nonetheless ultimately dangerous. More surprising is even with the film isn’t directed by Guy Ritchie. If conspiracy theorists wish to argue that it actually was, feel free. The personalities of the cast are well defined and consistent.
By Conor Hufton8 years ago in Geeks
A Short Review of 'The Happy Prince' (2018, Rupert Everett)
Shown at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival and the 2018 BFI Flare: London LGBT Film Festival, The Happy Prince has been taking critics and audiences by storm, receiving rave reviews from a large number of critics across the country. Written and directed by Rupert Everett, who also gives an extremely convincing performance as Oscar Wilde, The Happy Prince depicts the final days of the famous writer, who was imprisoned because of his sexuality.
By Craig York8 years ago in Geeks
'Hamlet'
Shakespeare in the Parking Lot, or SITPL as it is referred to, has been performing behind the Climente Theater since 1995. The Drilling Company is now the sole producer of SITPL. When it first started under Jennifer Spahr, she was the sole director and producer of the productions. Soon after her retirement, the Ludlow 10 began to produce Shakespeare and in 200 the Drilling Company co produced with the Ludlow 10. In 2005, The Drilling Company was the sole producer of what we see today in the "Parking Lot." In its 24th year, we find Director Karla Hendrick putting on Hamlet, and with a big twist. For the first time, Hamlet is played by a women (Jane Bradly), who I saw last fall in Gabriel-A Polemic. Bradly was quite good in this role; her facial expressions and timing made the show fun.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).8 years ago in Geeks
'10x10' (2018)
I want you to tell me your name.Cathy.My name is Cathy Noland. One thing is certain. 10x10 breaks all records when speaking of resurrections. The number of times you see one of the two protagonists getting back on their feet again seemed endless. It looked like a newer version of Night of the Living Dead, but this time with two stubborn non-zombies playing in it, whose resilience seemed superhuman. At one point I was more concerned with figuring out which of the two had the lowest IQ, because you can’t keep up with the number of stupidities after a while. And finally, I also wondered at the end what statement Lewis (Luke Evans) would give about the whole event when the police show up on his driveway. It’s clear I didn’t really like this film. And that's because of the accumulation of absurdities.
By Peter P8 years ago in Geeks
Top 20: 'The Nice Guys'
Well those guys sure were nice, weren’t they? End of review. You’ll be wishing it was before long. An ill-suited pair of investigators become embroiled in a complex plot involving a girl’s disappearance and an adult film star's unusual death. That would’ve been the title if it was in any way a good tagline. Shane Black who also directed the comparable Kiss Kiss Bang Bang elaborates on the raw energy, interactions and world from that film to create The Nice Guys.
By Conor Hufton8 years ago in Geeks
A Spoiler Free Review of 'Ant Man and The Wasp'
Okay, Let's see, Ant Man and The Wasp, the dynamic duo of Marvel Comics has finally been brought to the big screen. Its prequel, which was filled with loads of seriousness balanced with witty humour and human jukebox-ness was, in my very useless opinion, the most hilarious superhero film apart from Marvel's, Thor: Ragnarok. Well, to put it simply, Ant Man and The Wasp definitely lives up to the original humour and overall uniqueness of its predecessor.
By Rishi Das8 years ago in Geeks
Middle School Vibes for Bo Burnham's Directorial Debut 'Eighth Grade'
It was very hot in the Middle School auditorium. Someone's dinner farts were wafting in the air. The seats were uncomfortable and stiff. A group of people had already moved because a few seats had a mystery substance on them. The next group didn’t seem to mind.
By Jarred Gregory8 years ago in Geeks