Mark Coles
@markcoles.bsky.social
Insurance person, partner, and doggy dad. Here to see if the grass is greener on this side of the fence.
Will be mostly talking about films, food, and underperforming sports teams.
Will be mostly talking about films, food, and underperforming sports teams.
Got my new toy out this afternoon. Not a bad first effort 🍕
June 8, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Got my new toy out this afternoon. Not a bad first effort 🍕
28) Sinners. A layered original story is something to cherish these days, and while it could trim a little fat here and there, this is Coogler cementing himself as one of the industry's most exciting filmmakers. The jaw-dropping Club Juke dance scene is worthy of admission alone. Loved it. 8/10
June 5, 2025 at 12:01 PM
28) Sinners. A layered original story is something to cherish these days, and while it could trim a little fat here and there, this is Coogler cementing himself as one of the industry's most exciting filmmakers. The jaw-dropping Club Juke dance scene is worthy of admission alone. Loved it. 8/10
27) Warfare. At times, a literal assault on the senses, this is a painstaking, unrelenting depiction and as immersive a war movie as you're likely to find. Whether the narrow lens approach works is debatable, but it certainly doesn't lack impact. 7/10
June 3, 2025 at 4:09 PM
27) Warfare. At times, a literal assault on the senses, this is a painstaking, unrelenting depiction and as immersive a war movie as you're likely to find. Whether the narrow lens approach works is debatable, but it certainly doesn't lack impact. 7/10
26) The Amateur. While pleasingly old-school, it comes with the limitations and shortcomings this kind of thriller is often saddled with. Sadly, neither the material nor a curiously cast Malek can elevate things. 5/10
June 3, 2025 at 2:24 PM
26) The Amateur. While pleasingly old-school, it comes with the limitations and shortcomings this kind of thriller is often saddled with. Sadly, neither the material nor a curiously cast Malek can elevate things. 5/10
New issue alert. Cinemagoing in July is going to be BIG.
June 3, 2025 at 11:56 AM
New issue alert. Cinemagoing in July is going to be BIG.
25) Death of a Unicorn. Far too uneven to be consistently enjoyed, this just throws too much at the wall, diluting all the good stuff. Wanted to like it, but just couldn't. 4/10
June 3, 2025 at 11:47 AM
25) Death of a Unicorn. Far too uneven to be consistently enjoyed, this just throws too much at the wall, diluting all the good stuff. Wanted to like it, but just couldn't. 4/10
Dining Wheel #1 - The Poachers Gastropub. Specialising in Indian dishes, but with plenty of alternative options, this was a very pleasing first spin outcome and worthy of a visit for their naan bread alone. Only a couple of miles from home, too.
May 29, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Dining Wheel #1 - The Poachers Gastropub. Specialising in Indian dishes, but with plenty of alternative options, this was a very pleasing first spin outcome and worthy of a visit for their naan bread alone. Only a couple of miles from home, too.
24) Drop. Nothing wrong with the premise, but the execution falls short in too many areas to carry it through. And the ending is just horrible. 5/10
May 27, 2025 at 12:42 PM
24) Drop. Nothing wrong with the premise, but the execution falls short in too many areas to carry it through. And the ending is just horrible. 5/10
A bit of breakfast before the (final?) Mission. Bank holi-yay.
May 27, 2025 at 10:30 AM
A bit of breakfast before the (final?) Mission. Bank holi-yay.
23) Snow White. It's a shame Disney tied itself up in knots trying to please everyone because there's a half decent movie in here, it's just buried under conflicting direction and an inconsistent tone. Zegler, in particular, deserves better. 5/10.
May 13, 2025 at 12:56 PM
23) Snow White. It's a shame Disney tied itself up in knots trying to please everyone because there's a half decent movie in here, it's just buried under conflicting direction and an inconsistent tone. Zegler, in particular, deserves better. 5/10.
22) Flow. Takes a little time to find its feet, but in the face of hardship, the movie's themes come powerfully to the fore. I could have done without the mystical undertones, but as dialogue-free, budget friendly animations go, this is quite the accomplishment. 7/10
May 12, 2025 at 4:16 PM
22) Flow. Takes a little time to find its feet, but in the face of hardship, the movie's themes come powerfully to the fore. I could have done without the mystical undertones, but as dialogue-free, budget friendly animations go, this is quite the accomplishment. 7/10
Bank Holiday beach trip for the birthday boy.
May 5, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Bank Holiday beach trip for the birthday boy.
21) Black Bag. Impeccably turned out, with a group of actors who are clearly having a blast. The story may be slight, but the execution is straight-up class. 7/10
April 29, 2025 at 6:33 PM
21) Black Bag. Impeccably turned out, with a group of actors who are clearly having a blast. The story may be slight, but the execution is straight-up class. 7/10
Final day of our week in the Cotswolds, but we've been gifted a beautiful afternoon to keep our minds off having to leave.
April 24, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Final day of our week in the Cotswolds, but we've been gifted a beautiful afternoon to keep our minds off having to leave.
Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the Dursley Donkey.
April 22, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the Dursley Donkey.
20) The Alto Knights. It's an appealing construct, but it ends up more than a little lightweight, with the dual-role decision proving nothing more than frivolous. Potential unfulfilled. 5/10.
April 15, 2025 at 9:32 AM
20) The Alto Knights. It's an appealing construct, but it ends up more than a little lightweight, with the dual-role decision proving nothing more than frivolous. Potential unfulfilled. 5/10.
New issue alert. And it's a beauty!
April 10, 2025 at 7:48 AM
New issue alert. And it's a beauty!
What sorcery is this?!
March 26, 2025 at 3:08 PM
What sorcery is this?!
Terrific long weekend in South Wales. Always great to hit the beach before silly season begins.
March 25, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Terrific long weekend in South Wales. Always great to hit the beach before silly season begins.
19) Last Breath. A little hamstrung by its documentary origins, this is entertaining nonetheless, thanks to some impressive underwater scenes and some booming sound effects. Sadly, I didn't find it as tense or claustrophobic as advertised. 6/10
March 20, 2025 at 8:50 PM
19) Last Breath. A little hamstrung by its documentary origins, this is entertaining nonetheless, thanks to some impressive underwater scenes and some booming sound effects. Sadly, I didn't find it as tense or claustrophobic as advertised. 6/10
18) Mickey 17. A blast from start to finish, sure, but even by Bong's standards, it all gets a bit heady, especially during the unwieldy final third, all of which somewhat dilutes the intended social commentary. Added kudos for containing some of Pattinson's finest work. 7/10
March 19, 2025 at 11:52 AM
18) Mickey 17. A blast from start to finish, sure, but even by Bong's standards, it all gets a bit heady, especially during the unwieldy final third, all of which somewhat dilutes the intended social commentary. Added kudos for containing some of Pattinson's finest work. 7/10
17) Captain America: Brave New World. Sporadically entertaining but disjointed, this suffers a steep drop-off from the last couple of solo Cap movies, but Mackie is game, and Ford brings some much needed gravitas. More of a stop-gap than integral MCU viewing. 5/10
March 13, 2025 at 9:07 PM
17) Captain America: Brave New World. Sporadically entertaining but disjointed, this suffers a steep drop-off from the last couple of solo Cap movies, but Mackie is game, and Ford brings some much needed gravitas. More of a stop-gap than integral MCU viewing. 5/10