As a lover of film, there is a warm nostalgia when channeling filmmaking of the past, whether that be via watching, studying or creating. When filmmakers decide to challenge certain genres or be inspired by the past, wondrous things can happen… if they’re done right of course.

A Rainy Day in New York is that ‘artsy’ type of film that unfortunately tries way too hard. Can filmmaking really get to the point where it’s trying too hard? Most definitely. When you play too hard into cliches, expectations behind a certain genre or simply trying to capture a time of filmmaking forgotten, avid watchers of film will start to roll their eyes and wonder why certain things can’t just be pulled back a smidge to create a somewhat eligible film. This is especially the case for A Rainy Day in New York.

Don’t get me wrong, A Rainy Day in New York isn’t a terrible film, it’s just cringeworthy. Directing veteran Woody Allen would no doubt be heavily educated on the entire history of film, what’s changed, what’s remained and what’s been challenged. In terms of his approach to A Rainy Day in New York, he was clearly inspired by films in eras long gone. Drawing from eras long gone is never a bad thing, but when you mix-match the old with the new, very predictable writing and actors that were clearly hired because of their names, it can become somewhat amateur and confusing.

We aren’t denying that the actors featured in A Rainy Day in New York are very good at their craft. Elle Fanning and Timonthée Chalamat are two of my favourite actors of this generation and I have great respect for their work… but seriously guys? I could understand the appeal though, signing your name onto a project under Woody Allen and with a more than memorable cast of actors. Albeit, you may be very good at your craft, but you can’t get past a bad script.

A Rainy Day in New York is penned as a romantic comedy. Romance was certainly the most dominant theme throughout the film, being the sole focus of the narrative arc, but I’m not too sure where the comedy came in. Perhaps that’s just me being a little bit too serious with my lack of enthusiasm for the characters as the film went on or more the film really was just lacking in funny jokes.

With little to make it stand out among other romantic comedies, Woody Allen’s A Rainy Day in New York fails to excite despite working with an abundance of film history inspiration.

The post A Rainy Day in New York (Gravier Productions) Review appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Last Christmas is nothing more than your typical Hallmark movie.

It’s sweet but the story line is predictable which does little to keep things interesting. Nothing seems to go right for Kate (Emilia Clarke), a hapless 20 year old stuck in a dead end job working as an elf in a year-round Christmas shop. Making one bad decision after the other with a pretty grim outlook on life, self-loathing as she basically gives up on living.

Things soon take a turn for the better when she bumps into the mysterious Tom (Henry Golding), who charms his way into her life and seems too good to be true.

As the city transforms into the most magical time of the year, Tom and Kate appear to grow closer as he helps set her in the right direction to help piece her life back together.

Sure, you don’t go into a film like this expecting to be surprised but neither do you want it feeling like it’s two steps behind you just because you’ve seen the trailer. Yet, as soon as the film delivers its climactic plot twist with the earnestness of a kid tying their shoelaces for the first time, the film quickly trips over its own feet.

If you go into this film expecting a rom-com, then you will be disappointed as there surprisingly isn’t much romance. There is always a place and time for these feel good holiday films, however this particular one feels like a lump of coal wrapped up in pretty packaging.

The post Last Christmas (Universal Pictures – 2019) Review appeared first on Shane the Gamer.