Tetris (2023)
A Man Called Otto (2022)
Tom Hanks plays Otto, a grumpy old man who seems to have made it his personal mission to be annoyed by absolutely everyone and everything around him.
Basically, the sort of bloke who'd complain that the neighbours put their bins out six minutes too early.
But underneath all that grumpiness is a much sadder story.
As the film goes on, you slowly start to understand why Otto is the way he is, and that's where the film really got me.
It's funny in places, surprisingly sad in others and ultimately very heartwarming.
Tom Hanks is brilliant, as you'd expect, and manages to make you care about Otto even when he's being a pain in the ass.
It's probably a little predictable and definitely knows which emotional buttons it wants to press, but sometimes that's perfectly fine.
I enjoyed it and I fully intend to become this grumpy when I'm older.
3/5
The Terminator (1984)
This was the first time I've watched The Terminator in over 25 years, and I'm happy to report that it still holds up remarkably well.
Some of the special effects have aged. There are moments where modern audiences might raise an eyebrow, especially if they're used to today's CGI-heavy blockbusters.
But the story?
Not a chance.
The story is still fantastic.
What struck me most on this rewatch was how relentless the film feels. Once it gets going, it barely stops to take a breath. The Terminator is less a character and more a force of nature, constantly hunting Sarah Connor with the sort of determination usually reserved for people trying to get Oasis tickets.
Arnold Schwarzenegger is excellent. He barely says much, but somehow manages to be one of the most memorable villains in cinema history. Every time he appears on screen, you know somebody is about to have a very bad day.
It's also fascinating watching the film knowing what the franchise eventually becomes. The seeds for everything are planted here, but this first film feels much more like a sci-fi horror than the action spectacle that followed.
Nearly 40 years later, it's still tense, entertaining and packed with iconic moments.
Unlike the Terminator himself, this film refuses to die.
5/5
Interstellar (2014)
I watched it 8 years later and I understand it! Superb film! 5/5
