Keith Leon's Film Reviews

⭐⭐⭐⭐ I am writing this review while I’m watching the new series of Strictly Come Dancing, which is very appropriate.  I had never seen this film beforehand. I wanted to know why this film is held in such admiration so much, and to see the inspiration for La La Land. Singin’ in the Rain is a true classic and an absolute feel good movie. I was surprised it was so funny and it genuinely is.  To be honest I am a bit hesitant when watching classic films, as the pace is slow compared to contemporary ones today. How wrong was I! The dancing is phenomenal and you watch in awe at how talented they are. The scene that stands out is when the main three stars are dancing in synchronisation up and down the stairs. The only misdemeanour and it’s a minor one, would be the elongated dance dream sequence, which was obviously an excuse for Gene Kelly to show off his dancing prowess - but it doesn’t move the plot along at all and it does drag...

⭐⭐⭐ I know I am watching this film long after it was released back in January, but I am glad I didn't see it then. I remember seeing the posters that had many stars emblazoned all over it with reviews and critics hailing it from the Hollywood hills. I could have easily got sucked into that over-hyped vortex but I stayed back from the cinema and 7 months later rented it from LoveFilm (segue: LoveFilm was a great service which meant you got the latest film releases before they went on streaming outlets. Where will film buffs go to now? The cinema is far too expensive and it takes 12 months plus to appear on Netflix or Amazon if at all! LoveFilm was affordable and offered great choice, I'll feel lost without it and know others will too. Streaming will get far too expensive, especially if the big productions companies set up their own, just as Disney will be.) Now back to my review: I thought this film was miss sold and people/reviewers got carried away with the style...

⭐⭐⭐ I did have high expectations before seeing this film on the back of The Lego Movie, which was an unexpected blast of high energy and buffoonery. Everything was awesome in that film, even the over priced coffee! Batman featured and he was hilarious (voiced by the extremely monotone Will Arnett), he was over the top and arrogant, he could do no wrong...because he was Batman of course. However, when it came to the animated film focusing solely on the dark knight, albeit a self a deprecating, self referencing one, he still wasn't that funny over all. Don't get me wrong there are some great moments particularly when they make fun off all the past Batman incarnations over the years, from the flamboyant Adam West to the way too serious Christian Bale/Ben Affleck. But again all the best jokes were in the trailers and they don't land as well when you see the film properly, probably because the trailer was everywhere and repeated too the max. Don't get me wrong, the an...

⭐⭐⭐ This film annoyed me slightly and it is mainly down to the trailer. Like in all trailers, they tend to spoil the film for you. However, the trailers for Baby Driver had all the best driving sequences in it. On a larger note, do trailers even work these days? I think people have already made their mind up about what films they are going to see beforehand based on actors and directors, if a person's previous work was good, you can more or less guarantee you're in safe hands again. Isn't it a case of less is more?! Why do film studios not take this advice on board - instead they shove the film down your throat with trailers on youtube, posters on the tube, on buses in train stations - it's far too much. Apart from the poor marketing campaign for Baby Driver, the film was very good. The stunts and action sequences are superb, and to do them synchronised to music is even more impressive and original. Edgar Wright directed this film and he has such a unique style t...

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Logan, aka Wolverine - played by Hugh Jackman for the 9th time in the X-Men Universe (if you count all the cameos). The year is 2029 and Logan is old, has a drinking problem, is a chauffeur and not healing very well, so already in the first few minutes of the film, this is a completely different depiction of the adamantium legend we are used to. He is doing all this in order to pay for medication for Charles Xavier, played by Patrick Stewart in such a vulnerable and tender role. The medication is for his dementia and to control his seizures, which for a mutant who can control people's minds, is detrimental to all when he has them. Another character is Caliban, an albino mutant that is sensitive to sunlight, he used to track/help hunt mutants but has now reformed and is nurse to Charles. Caliban is played by Stephen Merchant surprisingly well, I did not expect the lanky comedian to be in this type of film, but he does a good job. As it is 2029 b...

⭐⭐⭐⭐ Now to the latest instalment of Spider-Man: Homecoming. In this version Peter Parker (played by Tom Holland) is only 15 and still in high-school. This film follows on immediately from Captain America: Civil War, where we were first introduced to the new incarnation of a more youthful Spider-Man (boy?). I really enjoyed this film, you got the sense that Peter Parker was so excited that he has these new powers and has just fought  with The Avengers...but is he an Avenger himself? That is the question the first half of the film grapples with. Peter is not the finished article and I liked that, he is still getting to grips with his powers but he wants to be more than the 'friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man', you could say he's leaping (off tall buildings) before he can even use his suit properly. The film is funny, quirky and pays homage to 80s high-school films, like Breakfast Club or Ferris Bueller's Day Off (the golf course scene is a particular nod to that fil...