28 YEARS LATER: THE BONE TEMPLE (2026)

Directed By: Nia DaCosta

Written By: Alex Garland

Cinematography: Sean Bobbitt

Editor: Jake Roberts 

Cast: Ralph Fiennes, Alfie Williams, Jack O’Connell, Erin Kellyman, Emma Laird, Chi Lewis-Parry, Mirren Mack, Louis Ashbourne Serkis, Connor Newall 

As Spike is inducted into Jimmy Crystal’s gang on the mainland, Dr. Kelson makes a discovery that could alter the world.

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A sequel, the second film in a plan trilogy of 28 years later continues from where the last film left off with a refines still running his patch of land and dealing with the tree trunk Alpha zombie known as Sampson and strangely finding him as a savage companion. yet also trying to cure him. Yes again there is full frontal. 

the character of Spike is  introduced in indoctrinated into the gang of the Jimmy’s and violent apocalyptic cult based on the Teletubbies and the late disgraced comedian Jimmy Saville 

As they wear color coated, Adidas track suits and wigs the same color and style as Jimmy Savile lead by a self appointed leader, who says that Satan speaks to him, and that they are his hand to save and savage those they come across unless they can prove themselves in a fight, one on one, then they can join the gang

Two parallel plot lines that you know eventually are going to have to intersect, but getting there is quite brutal. This film is much more violent than the first 28 YEARS LATER, but is also kind of more savage did that film in on screen violence against uninfected, humans and psychologically.

That leads to question what is worse those who are infected, and don’t know any better going off what they believe their thoughts and mind is telling them or humans who choose to massacre and pillage by choice rather than necessity

It also shows the danger of idolatry and believing in false gods and how it can lead down a dark road, leaving you worse for where if not completely destroying you, as you do the bidding of the one you have faith in who has you commit things against your own morals for them getting your own hands dirty for their sins. 

As the Jimmy’s are all young, looking for survival and needing something to believe in and here comes this so-called leader who brainwashes them and use them for his own ends, giving way to darker impulses just as the real life Jimmy Savile was well beloved, but a monster who sexually abuse children and women in plain sight, but was so beloved no one dared think bad of him and even celebrated him.

Now, while all that is going on the film does keep up the tension, action and thrills throughout and director needed. DaCosta gets to build off of the world that was created by Danny Boyle in the first film working with the same Screenwriter Alex Garland here we get more of the desperate landscape away from the small village of the first film that we got glimpses and travel through, but now get a little more into the different settlements and mindset of those who have made it on this mainland for so long

Wow, this is certainly a thrill for fans of the franchise in those following discontinuing story. It still doesn’t feel a satisfactory as it’s supposed to be a continuation, though it feels more like a sequel. As for some this film will remind them of STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI after THE FORCE AWAKENS as well. It continues. The story of characters were introduced in the first film. It feels like a side step a side story or a level that the characters have to go through to make it to the next one the finale, though it also gains some new characters or at least one to continue onto the next one and eliminate some that were introduced in the first film. It also charged the evolution of the characters. Expanding the corners of the lands.

Though with all of this discovery, for some odd reason, it doesn’t come across as ultimately fulfilling it’s not worthy, but for some odd reason, it feels like there should be more, and I say this as a fan of the franchise and films.

At least this one has a little bit more of a slight sense of humor, even if dark at times as well as refines having more screen time and still managing to steal the movie

The middle of the film even has a long drawn out scene at a survival farmhouse that becomes a torture session that feels elongated. It might remind some viewers of the movie DETROIT only thankfully here it is more made up by Screenwriter, whereas unfortunately what happened in the movie DETROIT is based on historical fact.

It also has a few more pop, culture references, and music hits rather than any original score or soundtrack that was quite strong and helped support the first film of this current hopefully trilogy.

It hints at rather than opens up all these deep meanings, ideas and thoughts made. Truly giving you something to think about afterwards and more than just simple entertainment.

The cast is all excellent especially one of my favorite actors Ralph Fiennes, the scene stealer of the film is Erin Kellyman, as one of the rebellious jimmy’s 

The film is in a failure by any means and should delight most audience has messed up as it ends up being though it’s just not a total victory. But leaves you with plenty to think about if you choose to look past, the film has just entertain entertainment.

It also involves an ending that helps to bring the film’s full circle and stay connected. 

Grade: B- 

28 YEARS LATER (2025)

 

Directed By: Danny Boyle

Written By: Alex Garland 

Cinematography: Anthony Dod Mantle 

Editor: Jon Harris 

Cast: Aaron Taylor Johnson, Jodie Comer, Ralph Fiennes, Alfie Williams, Edvin Ryding, Jack O’Connell, Chi Lewis Parry, Amy Cameron, Christopher Fulford

It's been almost three decades since the rage virus escaped a biological weapons laboratory, and now, still in a ruthlessly enforced quarantine, some have found ways to exist amidst the infected. One such group of survivors lives on a small island connected to the mainland by a single, heavily-defended causeway. When one of the group leaves the island on a mission into the dark heart of the mainland, he discovers secrets, wonders, and horrors that have mutated not only the infected but other survivors as well.

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This is a  Long awaited, sequel from the filmmakers who made the first and original 28 days later. Come back to offer another original slice for the franchise even after sitting out the previous sequel 28 weeks later.

Well, with this film, they up the antique actually filming it with an iPhone, but not in the way you think not an actual cell phone but the same technology and rigged up. 

while it does tell its own tale that is connected to the franchise, that might be part of the problem with the film as the film works like a Marvel movie where it should be a standalone that offers the promise of sequels or expanding the world of the 28 later franchise by the end of the film after it tells its tail it just feels like a part one of a way bigger saga so that it comes across is more episodic than a standalone which can work, but it drags the quality of the film down as everything that you’ve seen before you know is going to lead to something else but it’s not quite its own tale or its own film.

It also doesn’t help that the film isn’t really a horror film in the traditional sense. It’s more a post apocalyptic tale than anything else And also seems to hit a lot of bad notes that are perfectly fine, but kind of don’t exactly match one another so it doesn’t all come together as smoothly as it should

As it seems like the two sequels after this will be handled by different directors so it’s almost like a tag team effort like this is director Danny Boyle coming back to start it off, and then he passes the baton to the next person who then continues the story from what we’ve previously seen and tells it in their own way, and then finally the next film is held by somebody different. Who then will tell the 28 later tales in their own way, but give it an ending for now as far as we know

Though let’s focus on what this film does again it sets up the rules of this world and it’s been 28 years since it has been out there. How people have survived what the culture has been and certain territories and what it seems like the rest of the world is doing or handling the situation.

From the opening scene, this film shows that it has no sacred cows and it’s slaughter and violence so that not even children or holy people are safe. Everyone is treated the same.

The film focuses on a young boy and his family him, and his father are hunters who go to the mainland to hunt and look for any kind of supplies to hopefully bring back . Though when the young boy whose mother is suffering from a disease as there are no doctors here that there might be a doctor out there in the wild is willing to take the risk to escape with his mother to the infected lands to try and find this doctor, so hopefully diagnose and care of her so that the rest of the film is pretty much an Odyssey.

It’s also a family tale so that at times it’s its own demented fairytale that has a very demented backstory, but could be folklore also

You’re enjoyment of this film will really retested by how much you can stand this child whether you think he is making the worse and stupidest decisions or you will be able to have empathy and understand why he would risk all of this for his mother 

The film is not going, please everyone and seems to have divided audiences who either seem to have wanted more of the same of the previous films or wanted something a little better structured story wise as the visuals and direction are definitely tight but the story for some might be a little too light or feels like it’s filling the blanks

though in these days and times it’s harder and harder to make an original zombie tale when there’s already so many zombie films out there plus you have The Walking Dead television show telling tales of zombies, even if this is the franchise that helped start the trend of fast or normal speed, running zombies.

The film also has things or seems that you never would have expected on screen such as a pregnant zombie giving birth, which one hadn’t really seen since the remake of day of the dead. The film does depict the zombies with full frontal, nudity, male and female.

The actors are all good in their roles, even if not given too much to do or more playing a bit more cliche roles. As Jody Comer is the costar of the film, and even though she’s in more than half of the movie, I still wish they had given her more to do or she had more to play refines as always steals his scene in his supporting role, as well as Aaron Taylor, Johnson showing his compassion as a father, but also showing that he can do action fiercely.

The film works, as it is a tail that is set in a larger universe that has been built slowly, but surely the story might not be as strong as some people would’ve liked nor as action oriented or violent as maybe some had hoped, but I will give the film credit for trying something unexpected whether it succeeded or not is up to the individual audience member, but I enjoyed myself watching the film

The soundtrack is very good by the group young fathers who I am also a fan of him was surprised to find out they did the soundtrack for which is excellent.

it’s an adequate attempt and a good return to the franchise for Danny Boyle and Ryder Alex Garland one just wishes the film felt a little bit stronger and into more of the hints that it feels like will be revealed in further films but are introduced here that keep your imagination open but doesn’t do this to any favors of adding anything to itself.

This is like seeing the sketch before you see the finish painting that is how I would compare this film.

Grade: B 

CONCLAVE (2024)

 

Directed By: Edward Berger

Written By: Peter Straughan 

Based on the book By: Robert Harris 

Cinematography: Stephane Fontaine 

Editor: Nick Emerson 

Cast: Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Isabella Rossellini, Brian F. O’Byrne, Sergio Castellitto, Lucian Msamati, Carlos Diehz 

When Cardinal Lawrence is tasked with leading one of the world's most secretive and ancient events, selecting a new Pope, he finds himself at the center of a conspiracy that could shake the very foundation of the Catholic Church.

THE CHUMSCRUBBER (2005)

 

Directed By: Arie Posen 

Story By: Arie Posen and Zac Stanford 

Written By: Zac Stanford

Cinematography: Lawrence Sher 

Editor: William Scharf And Arthur Schmidt 

Cast: Jamie Bell, Camilla Belle, Justin Chatwin, Lou Taylor Pucci, Rory Culkin, Glenn Close, Carrie Anne Moss, Ralph Fiennes, Jason Isaacs, Lauren Holly, Caroline Goodall, William Fichtner, John Heard, Allison Janney, Rita Wilson 

a dark comedy about the lives of people who live in upper-class suburbia. It all begins when Dean Stiffle finds the body of his friend, Troy. He doesn't bother telling any of the adults because he knows they won't care. Everyone in town is too self-consumed to worry about anything else than themselves. And everybody is on some form of drug just to get themselves through the day. After Troy's death, local drug dealers at the school run out of their stash. They convince Dean to get Troy's stash or they are going to kill his brother that they kidnapped, but they grabbed the wrong kid.

THE PRINCE OF EGYPT (1998)

 

Directed By: Brenda Chapman, Steve Hickner & Simon Wells Written By: Philip LaZebnik 

Cast: (Voices) Val Kilmer, Ralph Fiennes, Michelle Pfeiffer, Sandra Bullock, Jeff Goldblum, Danny Glover, Patrick Stewart, Steve Martin, Martin Short, Helen Mirren, James Avery, Eden Reigel 

Egyptian Prince Moses learns of his identity as a Hebrew and his destiny to become the chosen deliverer of his people.

THE KING’S MAN (2021)

 

Directed By: Matthew Vaughn  Written By: Matthew Vaughn & Karl Gajdusek Based on the Comic-Book “THE SECRET SERVICE” By: Mark Millar & Dave Gibbons Cinematography: Ben Davis Editor: Rob Hall & Jason Ballantine

Cast: Ralph Fiennes, Djimon Hounsou, Harris Dickinson, Gemma Arterton, Matthew Goode, Rhys Ifans, Charles Dance, Daniel Bruno, Alexandra Maria Land, Valerie Pacher 

In the early years of the 20th century, the Kingsman agency is formed to stand against a cabal plotting a war to wipe out millions.

STRANGE DAYS (1995)

Directed By: Kathryn Bigelow 
Written by James Cameron & Jay Cocks 
Cinematography: Matthew F. Leonetti 
Editor: Howard E. Smith & James Cameron 


Cast: Ralph Finnes, Angela Bassett, Juliette Lewis, Tom Sizemore, Michael Wincott, Vincent D’Onofrio, Glenn Plummer, Brigitte Bako, Richard Edson, William Finchter, Josef Sommer, Nicky Katt, Michael Jace, Todd Graff 


A former cop turned street-hustler accidentally uncovers a conspiracy in Los Angeles in 1999.

MAID IN MANHATTAN (2002)

Directed By: Wayne Wang 
Written By: Kevin Wade 
Story By: Edmond Dantes (John Hughes) 
Cinematography By: Karl Walter Lindenlaub 
Editor: Craig McKay 


Cast: Jennifer Lopez, Ralph Fiennes, Amy Sedaris, Natasha Richardson, Bob Hoskins, Chris Eigeman, Stanley Tucci, Priscilla Lopez, Tyler Posey, Frances Conroy, Maddie Corman 


Marisa Ventura is a single mother born and bred in the boroughs of New York City, who works as a maid in a first-class Manhattan hotel. By a twist of fate and mistaken identity, Marisa meets Christopher Marshall, a handsome heir to a political dynasty, who believes that she is a guest at the hotel. Fate steps in and throws the unlikely pair together for one night. When Marisa's true identity is revealed, the two find that they are worlds apart, even though the distance separating them is just a subway ride between Manhattan and the Bronx. The film is loosely based around a true story. In 1959, Steven Rockefeller, son of New York Governor Nelson Rockerfeller, married Anne-Marie Rasmussen, a maid who had worked at his family's Manhattan hotel.

SPECTRE (2015)

Directed By: Sam Mendes 
Written By: John Logan, Neal Purvis, Robert Wade & Jez Butterworth 
Story By: John Logan, Neal Purvis & Robert Wade 
Based On Characters Created By: Ian Fleming 
Cinematography By: Hoyte Van Hoytema 
Editor: Lee Smith 


Cast: Daniel Craig, Lea Seydoux, Ben Whishaw, Christoph Waltz, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Dave Bautista, Rory Kinnear, Andrew Scott, Monica Bellucci, Stephanie Sigman 

A cryptic message from Bond's past sends him on a trail to uncover a sinister organization. While M battles political forces to keep the secret service alive, Bond peels back the layers of deceit to reveal the terrible truth behind SPECTRE.

HAIL, CAESAR! (2016)

Written & Directed By: Joel & Ethan Coen 
Cinematography By: Roger Deakins 
Editor: Roderick Jaynes 


Cast: Josh Brolin, George Clooney, Alden Ehrenreich, Scarlett Johansson, Ralph Fiennes, Channing Tatum, Jonah Hill, Clancy Brown, Tilda Swinton, Frances McDormand, Christopher Lambert, Robert Picardo, Fisher Stevens, David Krumholtz, Alex Karpovsky, Alison Pill, Fred Melamed, Wayne Knight, Jack Huston, Agyness Deyn

SKYFALL (2012): Jeff's Review

Directed By: Sam Mendes 
Written By: Neal Purvis, Robert Wade & John Logan 
Based on Characters by: Ian Flemming 
Cinematography By: Roger Deakins 
Editor: Sturat Baird 


Cast: Daniel Craig, Judi Dench, Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Ben Whishaw, Berenice Marlohe, Albert Finney, Rory Kinnear