Tag: Nick Morris

PILLION (2026)

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Written & Directed By: Harry Lighton 

Based on The Book “BOX HILL” by: Adam Mars-Jones 

Cinematography: Nick Morris

Editor: Gareth C. Scales 

Cast: Harry Melling, Alexander Skarsgard, Lesley Sharp, Douglas Hodge, Jake Shears, Mat Hill, Nick Figgis, Zoe Engerer

Colin, a weedy wallflower letting life pass him by, meets Ray, the impossibly handsome leader of a motorbike club, who then takes him on as his submissive. Ray uproots Colin from his dreary suburban life, introducing him to a community of kinky, queer bikers and taking all sorts of virginities along the way. But as Colin steps deeper into Ray’s world of rules and mysteries, he begins to question whether the life of a 24/7 submissive is for him. Has he found his calling, or simply swapped one form of suffocation for another?

The film is less graphic than I expected it to be.

Even though it does start off with a little bit of a shock. Though sexually frank it shocks more with its moments of tenderness. That is more universal for us all. 

Though I think it uses the BDSM aspects of the relationship as shocking at first, but also to show a kind I’ve avoidance of intimacy, especially when it came to emotions which Skarsgard’s character seeks to avoid. 

As he loves control and power, where we and Harry Melling’s character are not sure if he keeps him around just because he’s a willing consenting victim of sorts or if he feels that this is his way of showing his attraction and care for him. As obviously Skarsgard character is a fantasy come true. Skarsgard plays up the hot hunk with no emotions to the hilt. He has played this before and seems willing to try most freaky roles and go for it. Though making them recognizable human eventually.

What is interesting is what plays out a more hard-edged cruel version of how most relationships are where at first it’s all about the attraction and the sex were one person usually has to take the lead. Hear the roles are more defined as in most relationships. They are either switched communicate communicated about or naturally happen.

Whereas most thing, what’s the worst I could happen will be something sexual here, the relationship relationships or sexual upfront, but more afraid of getting emotionally and personally involved. As it ruins the dynamic and the power-play.

For a film that seems like it’s going to be hard to take or heart edged. It’s got a surprisingly sweet spot and story. It might be mine, the audience of the film. SECRETARY now this film is a little more hard, edged around the heart, and not quite as romantic..

That we do see a relationship evolve. I believe some of the more interesting scenes are with Harry Melling’s character and his parents them wanting to see him happy but his mother who is dying of a terminal disease can tell something is off. We’re not quite right or not quite equal in the way, the relationship is by the end our premonition proves to be right.

This isn’t a film that one would expect where emotions will become a commodity that you in the audience might find yourself choked up in a good way over the film so I can give the film that much credit. As the audience gets involved way more than expected.

As by the end, though it does have a definitive ending it still leaves you wanting more be it in the form of revelations and answers. As by the end it ends up being a coming of age tale. As Melling’s character learns all sorts of lessons and breaks all kind of virginities of his own. 

Grade: B 

THE WRATH OF BECKY (2023)

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Written & Directed By: Matt Angel and Suzanne Coote

Based on characters created by: Nick Morris, Lane Skye, and Ruckus Skye

Cinematography: Julia Swain 

Editor: Stephen Boyer 

Cast: Lulu Wilson, Seann William Scott, Courtney Gains, Matt Angel, Denise Burse, Jill Larson, Michael Sirow, Aaron Dalla Villa, Kate Siegel

Two years after she escaped a violent attack on her family, Becky attempts to rebuild her life in the care of an older woman – a kindred spirit named Elena. But, when a group known as the “Noble Men” breaks into their home, attacks them, and takes her beloved dog, Diego, Becky must return to her old ways to protect herself and her loved ones.

Wow, this film is much shorter and gets to the point faster. As we already know the character. It also leads to one of the biggest problems of the film. There is no suspense. We know she can take on these villains as she is faced with much worse and much tougher.

So even if it was like a horror film, where we are just here for the kills. It still proves to be disappointing as the kills aren’t that inventive or any real creativity to the table. it also seems like for a hit film. The budget is much lower for this film, which is strange.

The film plays like a familiar song only with its own different beat that isn’t as catchy but serves the purpose of it.

Even the inciting incident just seems so ridiculous and minor. that feels lame, weak, and unneeded just as her enemies could’ve felt a little more dangerous instead it almost feels like you’re watching a deadly version of PROBLEM CHILD. 

So the film wants us to believe that she is tapped into a much bigger conspiracy and leaves very few victims in this film and they’re not that impressive. There is no joy even as she’s getting her revenge through it all. which is a similar problem to be found in the bigger budgeted THE EQUALIZER films, but they still find a way to be entertaining. This film wants to have a dark sense of humor and a try, but it never quite rises to the level.

It’s giving the audience it’s what it wants, but it also feels a bit lazy. which is a shame as the first one was no masterpiece, but it was a fun little sadistic action film that was surprising. Instead what we get here is gory and goofy.

The film tries to offer a twist only it’s not that shocking and you don’t really care and it’s nice to see Seann William Scott on screen and he certainly is menacing. You just wish the project matched his talent and intensity. 

By the end, there is promise of a sequel, which hopefully will help redeem the franchise. If you are a huge fan of the first film, you might take a chance and watch this. Though truthfully there is no need.

Grade: C-

BECKY (2021)

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Directed By: Jonathon Milott & Cary Murnion
Written by: Ruckus Skye, Lane Skye & Nick Morris 
Cinematography: Greta Zozula
Editor: Alan Canant 

Cast: Lulu Wilson, Kevin James, Joel McHale, Robert Maillet, Amanda Brugel, Ryan McDonald, James McDougall

A teenager’s weekend at a lake house with her father takes a turn for the worse when a group of convicts wreaks havoc on their lives.

Directors Jonathan Milott & Cary Murnion are back the directors of BUSHWICK & COOTIES independent genre films made this film which fits into Their usual wheelhouse quote nicely, combining elements from their previous films. Kids and action.

This film was a surprise hit at the box office during the pandemic. Is one of the few movies released that went to drive-ins for the most part.

This is appropriate as the film plays more like a high-concept B-movie. Where you would expect one of the parents to be the one to stop the intruders instead it’s a child. 

This is like a more violent HOME ALONE only done as a thriller. A little girl not only takes on escaped prisoners but literally neo-nazi escaped prisoners.

The violence is so graphic that it is unexpected. It also feels cruel and over the top when it does happen. The fact that a child is involved makes it all the more shocking but kind of understandable as there is no pause, just an onslaught with no real thoughts of consequences. After a while, it gets so brutal that It’s not the violence that shocks but when the film chooses to have some innocence or let it be tame. 

Having Kevin James as the villain is a bit of stunt casting that works and adds to the overall shock of the endeavor.

As the plot line is a kind of home invasion DIE HARD. Where you cheer as she takes out the gang, but the film also offers so much cruelty to any and all. It never quite becomes the crowd pleaser. If the criminals weren’t so hate worthy it could easily be seen as a horror film where the little girl is the monster 

What makes the film so strange is that at times it feels stilted and it is quite sure what type of film or at least tone it wants to be.

It could become an action film but comes off as a thriller but really a horror film. There is even one scene that involves a stabbed eye. That is played for laughs but is quite horrific.

When it comes to Becky as a character. She is more the scary one here. As it is one thing for her to have rage issues because she is dealing with the emotional trauma of losing her mother, but when another family member does In Front of her anger reaches a breaking point, and that fits the scenario. It still feels like this anger and rage were there before and only now is she letting it out. So that she seems more like a psychopath. Where the ending doesn’t leave any answers. Except that she knows she is a dangerous bad-ass

It’s a perfectly fine time waster. Though it feels like a kind of rogue straight-to-home video HOME ALONE rip-off that goes harder than expected. Which it wants to seem more surprising but truly is the only thing that stands out. 

Grade: C