CYPRUS CINEMA GUIDE & FILM REVIEW
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THUNDERBOLTS (12)
This film contains scenes of action, crime and fantasy elements.
FILM SYNOPSIS
Ensnared in a death trap, the motley crew of supervillains have no option but to pursue difficult missions that no one else can complete for the government. The unconventional team of anti-heroes then embark on dangerous missions that forces each of them to confront the darkest corners of their past.Â
Genre: Thriller, Action, Drama, Science Fiction, Crime, Fantasy
Director: Jake Schreier
Cast:Â Florence Pugh, Lewis Pullman, Sebastian Stan
Runtime: 135 mins
Recommendation Score 7/10: This film stands out as an absolute gem in the superhero genre. If you’re looking for a fresh, high-octane adventure with a unique twist, then this film fits the bill. The relentless action comic caper that uses several elements to create suspense that enhances an otherwise basic plot. This film will relate to anyone who loves action and comic books, but also offers something completely different and unexpected, created a nice caviat for the film. After a slightly confusing, but thought-provoking start, the story of anti-hero vigilante action unfolds, re-imagining the traditional superhero team-up, featuring a lineup of antiheroes, former villains, and morally ambiguous characters who are forced to work together for a common cause. Unlike other superhero teams where everyone is a beacon of virtue and justice, Thunderbolts thrives on the tension and intrigue that comes from assembling a squad of characters with questionable motives and checkered pasts. One of the most exhilarating parts of Thunderbolts is the high-stakes nature of the missions they undertake. With characters who aren’t afraid to cross lines and push boundaries, the stakes are always life-or-death. The missions themselves are clever and often unconventional, requiring the team to think outside the box, make split-second decisions, and occasionally break some rules to win the day. The film also pays homage to the Marvel Universe’s most iconic threats and this constant escalation of danger and risk helps to keep the narrative fresh, exciting, and unpredictable. A must watch for fans of Marvel and comic books.
SINNERS (15)
This film contains scenes of violent action and horror.
FILM SYNOPSIS
Troubled twin brothers leave their troubled lives behind by returning to their hometown to start again. However, they discover that an even greater evil is waiting to welcome them back home.
Genre: Drama, Horror, Thriller
Director:Â Ryan Coogler
Runtime: 132 Minutes
Cast: Hailee Steinfeld, Jack O’Connell, Michael B Jordan
Recommendation Score 9/10: This film is a refreshingly original story that takes full advantage of the winning formula of a classic vampire horror story. Mix in with some great action from two street-wise brothers and a good plot and the result is an absolute banger! The clever direction enables the audience to take in a range of genres that keeps the film relevant and keeps the audience engaged. The time period, rural town setting, the twins rivalry, and the vampires do the rest, and the ffilm, although somewhat predictable takes its audience on an exciting dark adventure that keeps delivering. The gritty atmosphere and the often dark sceneray tends to enhance its entertaining message and all of this is aptly complimented by the eerie soundtrack. The expertly done special effects also enhances the viewer experience making this film a must! I am sure this winning formula will be repeated in the near future and I am already looking forward to the sequel.
GUNS UP (18)
This film contains comedic elements leading to mild violence and scenes of Action.
FILM SYNOPSIS
An ex-cop and devout family man, he secretly moonlights as a mob henchman. He then finds himself at risk and has one night to get his family out of the city after a job goes wrong.Â
Genre: Action, Comedy
Director:Â Edward Drake
Runtime: 92 Minutes
Cast:Â Kevin James, Christina Ricci, Luis Guzman
Recommendation Score 8/10: This film uses light comedy to dramatically portray the dark world of organised crime. This leads the plot to deliver a classic cat-and-mouse survival story, cleverly skimming the surface of what has worked for this genre in the past. This film, however, delivers something slightly different, using much more zeal than other offerings of a similar nature. The film also offers some great cinematography accompanied by a creative musical score, which both help to get this film firmly over the finishing line. The caveat of the devoted husband and father, who leads a dangerous double life as a mob henchman, becomes central to the story, helping to create an anti-hero worthy of interest. The script intricately tailors a path through his world and his point of view. The predictable but still entertaining added drama sees the main character on the brink of leaving his life of crime behind and making his dream of opening a diner materialise, but all is dashed when his final job goes off the rails. This leads nicely onto him finding himself at the wrong end of his former employer’s wrath, and with the clock ticking, he has one night to get his unsuspecting family out of the city before a showdown with his pursuers. The chemistry between both lead roles also creates a good sub-plot, and the comedic elements of this film work well with the dynamic action scenes. A great film to watch!
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MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: THE FINAL RECKONING (15)
This film contains scenes of extreme action and some mild violence.
FILM SYNOPSIS
Maverick agent Ethan Hunt takes on the ultimate in artificial intelligence of evil called the Entity. Hunt confronts the sinister and metastasising artificial intelligence brain, which is manipulating and undermining the truth all over the world.Â
Genre: Action, Adventure, Thriller
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Runtime: 180 Minutes
Cast: Tom Cruise, Hannah Waddingham, Hayley Atwell
Recommendation Score 7/10: The eigth and final instalment of the world-saving action franchise delivers a wildly entertaining adventure that sees the all action hero Ethan Hunt once again save the world. This film takes full advantage of a winning formula that this time sees the action hero take on artificial intelligence threat, delivering a technology sceptic message. This film is actually the second half of the challenge from the previous film, but it does stand on its own two feet, once again delivering the several superhuman action scenes that have helped carve a niche for this franchise. This film, although predictable takes its audience on yet another exciting action adventure, and effectively creates a tipping balance between good and evil. The film takes the audience on a journey that ceases on Hunt’s attempt to stop the evil by using the low-tech cruciform key, which was salvaged in the previous film, and his attempts to apply it to the Podkova device, which is on board a wrecked Russian submarine. The gritty atmosphere tends to enhance the message of this beautifully portrayed film that offers several ‘feel good’ moments. The subtle music score pleasantly enhances the storyline as the predictable but enjoyable plot progresses. With mis-information and lies at the forefront, the film sees nation set against nation and hints at a possible nuclear engagement. So with this premise off sets Ethan Hunt trying to set everything right again with an outlandish plan to once again save the world. Ultimately a worthwhile watch for action fans. Â
UNTIL DAWN (18)
This film contains thematic elements scenes of extreme horror and violence.Â
FILM SYNOPSIS
A group is trapped in a remote valley and then are stalked and killed by a masked murderer. They are then sent back in time and forced to relive the night of their killings over and over again, soon realising that if the only way to get away is to survive to dawn.
Genre: Horror, Drama
Director: David F Sandberg
Runtime: 120 minutes
Cast:Â Ella Rubin, Odessa A’zion, Michael Cimino
Recommendation Score 8/10: This quite essentially original horror story is a breath of fresh air, offering an original plot and story line that should make this film a horror classic in years to come. The film is centred around a group in search of answers after a disappearance. The coherent storyline delivers the main twist early, creating an intriguing story that is further enhanced by the dark setting that comes in the form of an abandoned visitor centre in a remote valley. The film also features some strong central characters that play off each other nicely as they are all forced to relive their nightmare again and again, only each time in a different and more terrifying way than the last. The brutal masked killer also plays his role perfectly, and surprisingly keeps viewers engaged throughout by finding new and interesting ways to ply his trade. The suspense this creates is first-class, and this sets up the next main twist perfectly, leading to the group realising that they have a limited number of deaths left, and the only way to escape is to survive until dawn. This film has all of the makings of a horror classic so is essential viewing for fans of horror and suspense.
