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CHRIS DOS SANTOS
SWITCH Contributor

Ever since he popped in 'The Lion King' VHS, Chris has been infatuated with film. He has a Bachelor in Film and Television, and is currently a manger at Greater Union. Chris practically lives at the cinema; whenever he is working, he is there watching the latest films - good, bad and everything in between.

TOP 3 ARTISTS: Shawn Mendes, Janelle Monae, The Cast of High School Musical
TOP 3 MOVIES: Titanic, Gone Girl, Love, Simon
BEST CONCERT: Adele at ANZ Stadium
FIRST MEMORY OF A FILM: Having to watch 'Bambi' whenever I couldn't sleep or was crying as an infant.

chris@maketheswitch.com.au
www.instagram.com/Chris_DosSantos

Saturday Night - Live from New York! It’s the best biopics of the year
SATURDAY NIGHTLive from New York! It’s the best biopics of the year
Setting this film in those chaotic 90 minutes to the first episode of 'Saturday Night Live' gives this film such kinetic energy. It also doesn't give the film time to waffle; this is a tight, fun ride that celebrates everyone's hard work that went into this historic moment in television.
The Apprentice - A villain origin story
THE APPRENTICEA villain origin story
'The Apprentice' is not going be for everyone. People who support him won't like how he is depicted, and understandably people who hate him don't want to hear about him. But the film is well acted, led by a career-defining performance by Stan.
Speak No Evil - Danish film gets Americanised
SPEAK NO EVILDanish film gets Americanised
This works as a U.S. version of its Danish counterpart, even if it's missing some of the impact. McAvoy proves once again what a powerhouse he is in the horror genre. This is the perfect popcorn flick if suspenseful horrors are your thing.
Harold and the Purple Crayon - Everything he draws makes me bored
HAROLD AND THE PURPLE CRAYONEverything he draws makes me bored
'Harold and the Purple Crayon' is a book that continues to inspire children's imaginations, yet its 2024 film adaption is a bland wasteland that is best used if you want to punish them. There is no reason to even think about this movie, it serves no purpose, and manages to entertain absolutely no one.
Bookworm - Another gem in the New Zealand cinema crown
BOOKWORMAnother gem in the New Zealand cinema crown
'Bookworm' showcases everything we have grown to love about New Zealand cinema: the gorgeous landscapes, the fantastic comedy, and heart. The dynamic duo of Nell Fisher and Elijah Wood make this worth the adventure.
Mary Poppins - 60 Years of Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
MARY POPPINS60 Years of Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
It's not just quintessential Disney but cinema. It is one of the greatest films of all time - it gave us the gift that is Julie Andrews, unforgettable songs and, of course, all the technological achievements (we can't forget the penguins).
It Ends with Us - Colleen Hoover’s best-seller goes to the big screen
IT ENDS WITH USColleen Hoover’s best-seller goes to the big screen
It's a surprisingly respectful and emotional story that is decently executed. Lively is carrying the film and completely draws you in. It suffers from structural problems and they make the final product weaker, but I do think its core demographic will get what they want out of this.
The Fabulous Four - A fabulous trainwreck
THE FABULOUS FOURA fabulous trainwreck
It's one of 2024's wildest adventures, both negativity and positivity. It comes with the highest recommendation; you just have to see it to get the full experience.
Deadpool & Wolverine - 20th Century Fox's Marvel farewell
DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE20th Century Fox's Marvel farewell
It’s not this legacy film it wants to be. It has too much pressure on it, and it’s biting off more than it can handle. The ride-or-dies are going to love it, but it needed a stronger structure to justify some of the things it was trying to go for.
Fly Me To The Moon - Blast off for a charming launch
FLY ME TO THE MOONBlast off for a charming launch
This film is a blast - a rocky one, but a fun package. If rom-coms are your thing, grab your girls and see this on a Friday night have a blast.
Despicable Me 4 - 14 years on, the Minions still rule family films
DESPICABLE ME 414 years on, the Minions still rule family films
It's a pure kid's film, with its only goal to make them enjoy it, and it more than succeeds. 'Despicable Me 4' is a sure-fire safe fun bet for families - and that's truly all it has to be.
Ezra - Family drama about autism has some speedbumps
EZRAFamily drama about autism has some speedbumps
It has a lot of heart to it and is sure to captivate a lot of people, but it leans too hard into the drama of the plot that the emotional beats get lost along the journey.
Cuckoo - Needs to be more loco
CUCKOONeeds to be more loco
It has all the pieces, but they never come together. The recipe for a fun horror film is here, but this is a dish that comes undercooked.
My Old Ass - A coming-of-age delight
MY OLD ASSA coming-of-age delight
A blast of a coming-of-age movie with stellar performances and hilarious comedy. It's sure to speak volumes to the younger generation and is just a perfect cozy film.
I Saw the TV Glow - The horror of self-identity
I SAW THE TV GLOWThe horror of self-identity
It may disappoint horror fans due to its unconventional approach to genre but for those who connect to it, it will be one of their most profound cinema experiences this year. From its stellar performances to dazing visuals, 'I Saw the TV Glow' is one of the most important films of the year.
A Different Man - Sebastian Stan transforms
A DIFFERENT MANSebastian Stan transforms
An extremely engaging and funny watch. Stan is fantastic, and this is sure to mark a turning point in his career. Its journey of self-image is sure to be relatable for many viewers, and it's one of 2024's most surprising films.
The Bikeriders - 60s biker period piece needs more fuel
THE BIKERIDERS60s biker period piece needs more fuel
It has a lot to enjoy from its visuals to its performances, however, it lacks depth in characters and story to make this a worthwhile ride.
Tarzan - 25 years of ‘Two Worlds, One Family’
TARZAN25 years of ‘Two Worlds, One Family’
More than its other films, Disney took a lot of interesting journeys with this IP, and while it's easily overlooked, there is so much to love about it. It perfectly ties up what the Disney Renaissance was all about - innovation and creativity - and making films for modern audiences.
Bad Boys: Ride or Die - Miami's finest entry yet
BAD BOYS: RIDE OR DIEMiami's finest entry yet
'Bad Boys: Ride or Die' is easily the best film in the franchise, managing to capture the Michael Bay aesthetic in a fun and modern way, with absolute knock-out action sequences and great fan service to die-hard fans while still being approachable for new audiences.
The Garfield Movie - Garfield gets animated
THE GARFIELD MOVIEGarfield gets animated
This once again proves that this cat doesn't work in a theatrical format. Even the kids in the audience were quiet the whole time, barely laughing.
Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero - Lil Nas X is the industry, baby
LIL NAS X: LONG LIVE MONTEROLil Nas X is the industry, baby
It's purely for fans. It's too focused on the tour to really get into who Lil Nas X is and his journey. It feels like glorified behind-the-scenes footage that would be included on DVD packaged with the album.
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga - Fast and Furiosa
FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGAFast and Furiosa
'Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga' is worth the almost ten-year wait. It’s the perfect world-building to this apocalyptic wasteland while still delivering on fantastic action set pieces the franchise is known for.
IF - John Krasinski’s home for Imaginary Friends
IFJohn Krasinski’s home for Imaginary Friends
It's is perfectly fine, but lacks fun imaginary friends while its heartfelt real-life story gets lost in the mix. Cailey Fleming shines, but the rest of the film just falls into a middling family adventure.
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes - A new era for the franchise
KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APESA new era for the franchise
This was always going to be a very tough film to pull off after the breathtaking arc of the previous entries, but it's a worthy addition to the canon.
Back to Black - Wishing 'We Only Said Goodbye' to hollow biopics
BACK TO BLACKWishing 'We Only Said Goodbye' to hollow biopics
'Back to Black' is a disrespectful, hollow depiction of Amy Winehouse’s legacy. There is absolutely no reason to see this. Marisa Abela tries her best, but even she can’t save this.
Monkey Man - Dev Patel's directorial debut is a knockout
MONKEY MANDev Patel's directorial debut is a knockout
This is truly going to go down as one of the best action movies of the 2020s. Patel as a director is a tour de force and absolutely delivers.
Hannah Montana: The Movie - Sweet Nibblets! It's 15 years since Hannah went to the big screen
HANNAH MONTANA: THE MOVIESweet Nibblets! It's 15 years since Hannah went to the big screen
'Hannah Montana: The Movie' sits in that untouchable category of films for a certain generation. It has more than stood the test of time for the last 15 years - 'Hannah Montana' was such a cultural phenomenon that it changed tween media forever, and we have never seen anything reach its level again.
Kung Fu Panda 4 - Shadoosh! Po is back on the big screen
KUNG FU PANDA 4Shadoosh! Po is back on the big screen
While the comedy and animation are fun and vibrant, the story really weighs this outing down. It's a fine way to kill 90 minutes this Easter and not much more - it's not a trainwreck like many other sequels are this long after the last entry, but it's simply a weaker film.
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire - A chilly busting ghost adventure
GHOSTBUSTERS: FROZEN EMPIREA chilly busting ghost adventure
It fails to reach the heights of 'Afterlife', but it's a fine blockbuster to see and then return your proton pack back to the shelf only to be reminded about it when the next sequel comes out.
Madame Web - Her web connects to a new camp classic
MADAME WEBHer web connects to a new camp classic
I could sit here and list everything wrong with ‘Madame Web’ - and boy, there are a lot - but it truly is just such a mess that it’s fun.
The Lego Movie - 10 Years proving that 'Everything is Awesome'
THE LEGO MOVIE10 Years proving that 'Everything is Awesome'
There's no denying that 'The Lego Movie' had a huge influence on cinema that still lasts to this day. From the films that followed to the impact on animation, it's the perfect love letter to the best-selling toy of all time.
Argylle - The bigger the spy, the worse the film
ARGYLLEThe bigger the spy, the worse the film
A huge missed opportunity - there is a really fun idea here, but they take every wrong turn. With a focus on twists over story and characters that only make this blander to get through, 'Argylle' is one to miss.
Force of Nature: The Dry 2 - Eric Bana Returns to Aaron Falk
FORCE OF NATURE: THE DRY 2Eric Bana Returns to Aaron Falk
It has many problems, beyond that awful title, but I hope it's not the last we see of this team. 'The Dry' was such a success - and not just financially - so I wanted this to be the start of a good new Australian film series.
The Iron Claw - An absolute gut-punch
THE IRON CLAWAn absolute gut-punch
A crowning achievement of the biopic genre - the way it encapsulates the Von Erich's family's story is beautiful and heartbreaking all at once. Its viewpoint on toxic masculinity is sure to resonate with many viewers. It's an absolute knockout.
Mean Girls - A musical? That’s so fetch
MEAN GIRLSA musical? That’s so fetch
A celebration of the film that came before it and of the musical genre, I was not expecting to have this much fun and such an unapologetically great time. Get in loser - we're a musical now and it's so fricken fetch!
Priscilla - Sofia Coppola's turn at Graceland
PRISCILLASofia Coppola's turn at Graceland
With groundbreaking performances from both Spaeny and Elordi, it's a fantastic look at an untold side of the woman wooed by the King of Rock 'n' Roll.
Migration - Illumination takes flight
MIGRATIONIllumination takes flight
'Migration' isn't going to be the next big Illumination franchise. As far as summer family flicks go you could see worse, you could see better, but this sits right in the middle.
The Boys in the Boat - A film as boring as its title
THE BOYS IN THE BOATA film as boring as its title
This film simply exists, and you're going to remember so little about it. It's fine, but there is no reason to row into cinemas to see this.
Next Goal Wins - Taika Waititi misses the goal
NEXT GOAL WINSTaika Waititi misses the goal
The film has a great premise, one that could have made for an incredibly funny and heartfelt underdog sports film, but it never lives up to it. Through odd story focus and so many missed goals, even though the finale match does work and is exciting to watch, the journey to the field was incredibly misguided.
Wish - Disney 100 ends with a fizzle
WISHDisney 100 ends with a fizzle
Animated Disney films are the one thing I look forward to each holiday season, and I haven't been this let down in a long time. It's my 'Wish' that we forget about this one.
 
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