The Suicide Squad (2021) Review

The first thing to note about James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad is that it is better in every imaginable way to David Ayer’s disastrous 2016 effort. Rather more surprisingly however, is just how good Gunn’s film is when compared to the rest of the DC superhero movie pantheon. It’s a gross-out splatter-fest, earning it’s 15 rating in almost every minute of run time, but with a big ol’ heart underneath all the guts and gore. It’s not entirely perfect, but it’s a hell of a lot of fun and is undoubtedly the DCEU’s best movie yet.

What I’m Reading – ‘Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne’ by Grant Morrison

Comics are confusing. I’d argue that nothing is quite as confusing as the world of DC comics, particularly the really out-there cosmic stuff. And Grant Morrison is famously bonkers. So the two of them together, in the wake of one of DC’s typically bloated and ridiculous crossover events (penned by the chaos magician himself) in a Batman-meets-Cloud Atlas time-hopping adventure – how confusing could it be?

Joker (2019) Review

Everyone has an opinion on ‘Joker’ – especially those who haven’t seen it. But it’s not the dangerous incel fantasy that some have hailed it as – though it will surely still find an audience with that crowd.

‘Joker’ is gorgeous in it’s own disgusting sort of way. And, going into it, if you consider it as an alternate universe spinoff, or Elseworlds retelling, you’ll have a great time – even if you’ll need a shower afterwards.

What I’m Reading – ‘Joker’ by Brian Azzarello and Lee Bermejo

After ‘The Dark Knight’ was released, the Joker became a pop culture icon. People worshipped him, slapping pictures of the character onto clothes and merchandise. You couldn’t escape people doing impressions and asking you “why so serious?”

Brian Azzarello and Lee Bermejo use the story of lowlife Jonny Frost to give us an alternative look at the Joker, and make you think twice before buying that t-shirt with his picture on.

What I’m Reading – ‘Batman: White Knight’ by Sean Murphy and Matt Hollingsworth

Batman: White Knight is an Elseworlds-esque thriller which sees the Joker become a good guy and try to save Gotham City from the unregulated, violent Batman. It is superb and original.

The Dark Knight at 10 – An In-depth Look at the British Media’s Call for Censorship

Love it or hate it (or just think that Batman Begins is the superior film), Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight is about to hit 10 years old. In honour of that fact, here’s an essay I did analysing the British Media’s strange outrage at the film’s 12A rating.

My Top 5 Films of 2017 (So Far)

So far so good; 2017 is shaping up to be pretty fantastic year for cinema. Sure there’s been some duds but there’s also been some sure-to-be future classics too.

Perhaps most surprisingly though is the fact that a lot of these aren’t coming from the usual avant-garde places, but rather from big bad Hollywood.

Read on, tell me if you agree with my picks, and let me know what your favourite films of 2017 have been!

Wonder Woman (2017) Review

After the disaster of the previous DC cinematic entries (the mixed bag of Batman v Superman and the godawful Suicide Squad) the studio really needed a hit. Is Patty Jenkins’ ground breaking Wonder Woman the answer to the desperate prayers of the DC fan base?

Suicide Squad (2016) Review

A review of DC’s latest attempt to replicate the MCU. Starring Will Smith and Margot Robbie.

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) Review

“That’s how it starts. The fever, the rage, the feeling of powerlessness that turns good men… cruel.” Oh Zack Synder, how long can I keep sticking up for you? I’ll defend Watchmen to the death, but it’s gonna be a bit harder with Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice, because honestly, it’s not a great […]