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THE PREDATOR : Shane Black
Boyd Holbrook, Sterling K Brown, Olivia Munn, Trevante Rhodes & Jacob Tremblay

In 1987 John McTiernan and Arnold Schwarzenegger joined forces to deliver one of the films of the decade Predator – the film is not only an effective action movie but it drips with suspense, has likeable characters that you actuals care for and most importantly it’s a well shot, humorous scifi that actually delivers for it’s audience – so when it was announced that Shane Black (Hawkins from the original movie) was actually shooting a new film I was pretty sceptical, but as the cast was announced and a few stills dropped I actual thought ummmmm this could actually work – sadly after just watching the movie on the big screen I can honestly say what a nauseating, unbelievably bad Predator movie Shane Black has given us, it’s so bad that I can’t even remember how half the protagonists met their demise (and that was like 20mins ago) – sadly you can’t dress the movie up with some of the original iconic score and then give us a horrible story including a laughable 11ft Predator and his pack hounds, bad almost comical at times acting and that includes the usually reliable Sterling K Brown who should stay well away from villainous roles as he gives a stinker, some mediocre CGI (and for an $80 million budget there’s no excuse) and a whole bunch of unlikeable throwaway characters – Overall Shane Black’s The Predator is one ugly mother-f@cker of a movie and one that I don’t expect to revisit ★★½

The last entry in the Jurassic franchise was 14yrs ago way back in 2001 and was a pretty ordinary monster movie so when the word came out that Spielberg who directed the first two movies in the trilogy had approached Safety Not Guaranteed’s Colin Trevorrow I was surprised and slightly apprehensive about it’s final outcome – Trevorro’s movie takes place 22yrs after the events of 1993’s Jurassic Park, Hammond’s original concept is now a reality and us humans can mingle and watch the dinosaurs whilst traveling on futuristic rides set around the landscape known as Jurassic World – but like all businesses the Park has to make money so the powers within create a new attraction, a Dinosaur that’s bigger, faster & more terrifying than anything that’s come before – well I won’t reveal what happens next in the movie but here’s my thoughts on Trevorro’s Jurassic World

For all you directors involved in remakes, sequels or prequels of classic movies of yesteryear watch Jurassic World – Colin Trevorrow demonstrates how to appeal to a whole new fan base whilst respecting the audience that fell in love with the movies predecessors – As a movie spectacle Jurassic World is a popcorn munching wet dream, the film’s pace is electric, it’s cast full of energy & the film’s visuals are simply jaw dropping – the raptors have never looked so good, the futuristic theme park makes you want to visit there and once your eyes stare down on that Dino-Hybrid the Indominus Rex I guarantee the hairs on the back of your neck will stand to attention, wait for a minute then hide for cover

Overall: Jurassic World is what every summer blockbuster should be – exhilarating, fist pumping fun that gives its audience a helluva ride – and with the welcome addition of John Williams spine tingling score, the many elegant nods to Spielberg’s original and its storyline paving the way for more sequels to follow makes this monster movie a nostalgic, heart thumping cinematic experience ★★★★½