T2 TRAINSPOTTING [2017]

20 years later, director Danny Boyle returns to the Trainspotting world, loosely based off of Irvine Welsh's novel, Porno.
T2 sees the boys crossing paths again as they discovers old wounds don't always heal and there's always a new get-rich scheme to hatch when hard drugs are involved.
Obviously it doesn't come with the same cultural impact as the original film but it's certainly armed with far more emotional weight for those still heavily invested in it's characters.  There's plenty of callbacks to the original (with good reason), a wicked soundtrack and good laughs that all come together to produce a pretty solid sequel proving itself worthy to it's predecessor.  As depressing as it might be with it's "what the fuck have you done with your life" it also manages to be just as uplifting as well.  Time is a real prick-arsed cunt.

4 bathroom stall reunions out of 5

BYZANTIUM [2013]

Director Neil Jordan returns to the world of vampires in Byzantium, based off the play written by Moira Buffini.
A dark, moody tale that jumps back and forth in time to tell the story of two vampire women constantly on the run.  It's broody slow-pacing makes for a compelling character study of these creatures rather than focusing on their powers.  There's no fangs or glittering in the sunlight, yet still manages to wash a rich, dark tone over atmospheric daylight.  The characters are as frightening as they are sympathetic giving Gemma Arterton and Saoirse Ronan a magnificent script to work with.
A very wonderful treat for someone who felt like the vampire films have been done to death.

4 pointy nails out of 5

TRAINSPOTTING [1996]

Director Danny Boyle takes on the difficult task of adapting author Irvine Welsh's non-linear first novel Trainspotting and turns it into one of the best and more accurate films about hard drug addiction.  

It's a raw, grungy tale about betrayal, youth subculture and being imprisoned with too much freedom.  Boyle allows the film to seep into your nerves with a flashy soundtrack, captivating wide angles & colors, a cast of charismatic, yet seedy, characters and a narrative that gleefully threatens to derail itself with each corner it takes.   One of the defining time capsules of the mid '90's, Trainspotting is fun, nasty and not afraid to spit in your face.

4½ shitty beds out of 5

DARK SHADOWS [2012]

Director Tim Burton's big screen adaptation of the 60's gothic horror soap opera Dark Shadows rounds up the usual suspects: Johhny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Christopher Lee, Danny Elfman and quirkiness.

It's still fun to see these folks all work together, granted the material is quality, sadly that is not the case here.  Burton's usually good at blending campy humour with gory Hammer type horror but unfortunately he never seems to find the right balance and it hurts the film quite a bit.  As a dedicated longtime fan of Burton's work I still found some limited enjoyment in this mess but I'd advise you steer clear if you have no love for the man.

2½ glass witches out of 5 

Æon Flux (2005)

Æon is a lithe, agile Monican assassin with a stealth ability that lands her the job of assassinating Trevor Goodchild. One problem: Trevor has a secret...
It would be impossible to bring the animation of Peter Chung into live action, so rather than try much has been changed; I’m okay with that. What remains is the wonderfully inventive and impossible technology and Æon’s unique skills.
Go in expecting an action film or a faithful adaptation and you’ll be disappointed. However, strip away the badly executed action scenes and the plot will entertain on its own merits. It isn't as bad as it could have been. Maybe someday we’ll see the 30 minutes that the studio cut before release.

2½ but the animation is superior out of 5