Gran Turismo (2023)

Gran Turismo is a film based on a video game based on the sport of racing. This had everything going against it since sports movies especially car movies can bomb, and it's a video game movie.

Only a handful of directors, Neill Blomkamp including, could pull this movie off. You might know him from District 9, Elysium, and Chappie. There are some transitions to remind you that everything is based on the video game and that it's also based on a true story. Who knows how much is actually true as I'm not that deep into Formula 1 and other major racing.

David Harbour of Stranger Things fame plays the coach for Orlando Bloom's test program where they take video gamers and try to see if their skill translates to the real world. Turns out it does when the simulation is pristine like Gran Turismo or Microsoft Flight Simulator. Not all simulations have real-world applications, for instance, The Sims doesn't make me a better human.

Archie Madekwe plays Jann Mardenborough the main character. You tend to want him to succeed and since there is a movie based on him you might think that he'll win in the end but perhaps not the way you might think for a typical sports movie. Madekwe has been in a movie you might not remember he was in, Midsommar.

This movie had no business being as good as it was. It could have passed by just being mediocre but I left thoroughly entertained and I really enjoyed the movie. A-

Comments

Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie (2026)

Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie is another cookie-cutter entry in the Paw Patrol franchise, so there isn't much to say about the story itself. This time, the focus is on Marshall, the team's resident firefighter, or perhaps "firedog" in this case. The movie is wholesome and delivers exactly what you'd expect from a Paw Patrol film, even if it doesn't do much to distinguish itself from the previous entries. Mckenna Grace voices Skye, although you would never know it from the performance. Her voice is so normal for the character that Grace's usual presence is virtually unrecognizable. Terry Crews , on the other hand, voices Alistair Stonewall, and you can definitely tell it's him. His recognizable voice and personality come through clearly and make the character more memorable. Snoop Dogg also makes a fun cameo as Dave, the owner of a yacht who enjoys fishing. It's a small role, but his recognizable voice and personality make it a welcome surprise. T...

The End of Oak Street (2026)

The End of Oak Street starts with Anne Hathaway immediately establishing herself as the film's strongest performer, especially when compared to the wooden performance from Ewan McGregor . The premise of a writer struggling with an unsupportive spouse hits close to home for me. The split-focus direction from David Robert Mitchell isn't particularly new or uniquely executed. Instead, it often feels disorienting without accomplishing what I assume was the intention. Mitchell also struggles with the screenplay, as the dialogue can be atrocious at times and boring the rest of the time. This isn't his first failed attempt at writing interesting characters, which makes it understandable why he hasn't written or directed anything in eight years. Anne Hathaway is easily the best part of the film. She brings enough personality and emotional weight to keep the movie watchable despite the material surrounding her. Unfortunately, even Hathaway can't carry the entire film. Ew...

Sleepwalker (2026)

Sleepwalker is a horror thriller written and directed by Brandon Auman , who quickly reminds us why his career has primarily been in television rather than feature films. Writing for children's television can sometimes get away with simplistic dialogue and storytelling, but those weaknesses become glaring when stretched into a feature-length horror movie. The screenplay is filled with clunky dialogue and predictable horror beats, while the jump scares rarely land. Instead of creating tension, the film repeatedly left me sighing in boredom. Hayden Panettiere delivers a strong performance despite the material she's been given. It's clear that many of her lines weren't written with much care, but she does what she can to make the character feel believable. Knowing this is her final film makes the performance bittersweet, especially because she deserved a much better script to go out on. Fortunately, her performance here doesn't diminish the work she's done in bet...

Movies, Film, and Chili

Search This Blog