Film Fight 2024: August

#FF24 Trigger Warning is the latest Netflix, low-budget action filler.

The acting is flat, the action dull, the plot non-existent. Nothing really holds together in this box-ticking exercise pretending to be a film. Some decent actors absolutely wasted in this.

Avoid.

— Gary Fleming (@garyfleming) August 18, 2024

#FF24 The Ministry Of Ungentlemanly Warfare is a big, glossy, comic-book take on World War 2.

I wasn't shocked when I saw Ritchie had directed it - it has his signature quips and bravado all over it. It's also a little style-over-substance, but as silly action goes, it's decent.

— Gary Fleming (@garyfleming) August 18, 2024

#FF24 The Instigators is an odd miss.

It's got a solid cast, a good director, and a decent premise. It's just incredibly formulaic. You've seen this done a million times before, and better. Sometimes films aren't as good as the sum of their parts.

Meh.

— Gary Fleming (@garyfleming) August 18, 2024

#FF24 The Union is yet another Netflix-backed, formulaic action film.

Wahlberg and Berry make it a bit better than much of the slosh being churned out, and there are some reasonable set pieces. The rest is pretty forgettable.

Meh.

— Gary Fleming (@garyfleming) August 18, 2024

#FF24 Jackpot! is a comedy that combines winning the lottery with the purge.

It surprisingly lives up to the bonkers premise, and never takes its foot off the gas. Awkwafina and Cena work well together, with Liu as a nice, late addition. Some fun action too.

Good.

— Gary Fleming (@garyfleming) August 18, 2024

#FF24 Alien: Romulus takes the franchise back to terror in the dark.

A poor choice to deage one actor aside, it treads the line of nostalgia and fan service well, while providing a solid movie. I didn't care for the final act but it doesn't ruin the movie.

Good.

— Gary Fleming (@garyfleming) October 13, 2024

#FF24 Incoming is a high-school, gross out comedy that doesn't surprise, but doesn't really have to.

Some fun moments, silly gags, and enough pace to not bore.Clearly the kind of movie you need to be in the right mood for - but perfectly fine if you are.

Fine.

— Gary Fleming (@garyfleming) October 13, 2024

#FF24 Bad Boys: Ride Or Die continues the style over substance, buddy action franchise.

Very much fits with the others, which have improved somewhat since Bay stepped away. You're going to get big action, some excellent stunts, and nonsense plot.

Switch your brain off and enjoy

— Gary Fleming (@garyfleming) October 13, 2024

#FF24 Blink Twice isn't for the faint-hearted - covering some dark grounds.

While you'll likely figure out what's going on long before the very graphic reveal, the performances are strong enough to carry the film - particularly Ackie, Tatum, and Arjona.

Good, but not easy.

— Gary Fleming (@garyfleming) October 13, 2024

#FF24 Trap is silly, Shyamalan nonsense - the cinematic equivalent of buttery popcorn.

The premise makes little sense, but buy into it and go on the ride - it's pretty fun. Hartnett does a great job in the lead role, even if Shyamalan's daughter as the pop star distracts.

Fun.

— Gary Fleming (@garyfleming) October 13, 2024

#FF24 Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes is a mixed bag.

The world that's been built and the tech used to create it is impressive. However, the story doesn't really take us anywhere wildly new. A little too long, too. It has its moments.

Okay.

— Gary Fleming (@garyfleming) October 13, 2024