hiwondersisters
Joined Mar 2022
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hiwondersisters's rating
Nyctophobia is an experimental feature tackling insomnia and anxiety. It is a strange fantasy shot in stylish black and white interspersed with some splash of bright colors, a la Robert Rodriguez's Sin City.
The movie takes place over the course of a night as a woman suffering from nyctophobia (phobia of the dark) and insomnia tries to go to sleep peacefully. As so many would attest, it is not as easy as it should. She keeps getting interrupted by frightening visions in her bizarre dream. It is also implied she might be suffering from anxiety as well, exhibiting all too common hyper vigilance often associated with the disorder.
Depicted through a series of bizarre, macabre imagery, the disorder takes on symbolic presence marked by the presence of murderous clowns, somehow. They become the proxy for the monsters that haunt the mind, the villains our heroine must fight off in order to be able to sleep. The abstract imagery accurately portrays the never ending cycle of anxiety with its intrusive thoughts, scary worst case scenario in one's head. The visual is confidently conceived, well shot and atmospheric - a crucial element since the film hinges on its ambience.
The surreal approach works thanks to a stand out performance by the lead actress. She holds down the fort as the lone speaking character for the whole 90 minute duration. She's so dynamic in this role, always game for the film's many many insane sequences which count multiple dancing and action scenes. She's just as affecting in the quieter moment in the real world, capturing the desperation of sleeplessness.
On the weaker side, the film is a little bit repetitive in its bid to draw out the creepy factor. It seemingly does not realize it has made its point about two-third way through. As a result, the second half feels too indulgent and precious. Some editing here and there might be just what it needs.
All in all, boasting strong visual, impressive acting performance and a profound understanding of the disorder it portrays, the film is a work of art that largely works as a statement piece, though not really as a narrative piece.
The movie takes place over the course of a night as a woman suffering from nyctophobia (phobia of the dark) and insomnia tries to go to sleep peacefully. As so many would attest, it is not as easy as it should. She keeps getting interrupted by frightening visions in her bizarre dream. It is also implied she might be suffering from anxiety as well, exhibiting all too common hyper vigilance often associated with the disorder.
Depicted through a series of bizarre, macabre imagery, the disorder takes on symbolic presence marked by the presence of murderous clowns, somehow. They become the proxy for the monsters that haunt the mind, the villains our heroine must fight off in order to be able to sleep. The abstract imagery accurately portrays the never ending cycle of anxiety with its intrusive thoughts, scary worst case scenario in one's head. The visual is confidently conceived, well shot and atmospheric - a crucial element since the film hinges on its ambience.
The surreal approach works thanks to a stand out performance by the lead actress. She holds down the fort as the lone speaking character for the whole 90 minute duration. She's so dynamic in this role, always game for the film's many many insane sequences which count multiple dancing and action scenes. She's just as affecting in the quieter moment in the real world, capturing the desperation of sleeplessness.
On the weaker side, the film is a little bit repetitive in its bid to draw out the creepy factor. It seemingly does not realize it has made its point about two-third way through. As a result, the second half feels too indulgent and precious. Some editing here and there might be just what it needs.
All in all, boasting strong visual, impressive acting performance and a profound understanding of the disorder it portrays, the film is a work of art that largely works as a statement piece, though not really as a narrative piece.
On first impression, the thing that stood out most from this period drama is its picturesque cinematography. The gorgeous Appalachian nature is captured beautifully, transporting you to the world of the film immediately. It's not just visual, the production team does well at capturing the ambience of the vista through well thought out sound mixing. With that, it's easy to immerse yourself in the post-war rural setting, where things are quiet on the outside, but really turbulent on the inside.
The plot revolves around Marion and Teddy Henry, a newly reunited seamstress couple following the end of World War II. What should have been a happy reunion quickly shows the strain in the marriage instead. A crippling post-war PTSD makes things worse, as is the pile of lies that build the illusion of a happy marriage. Amid it all, the Henrys constantly try to do right by each other - but circumstances and the lack of proper communications keep them further and further away. Can this young couple overcome this?
That is the gist of the 90 minute feature film.
The screenplay truly packs on the melodrama: the Henrys and their surrounding characters go through one thing after another relentlessly. You can tell that these courteous neighbors harbor untold resentments, things that slowly unfold as time passes. There are times when things feel a bit repetitive, like you wish they would just sit down and really come clean about their grievances. You can clearly feel the middle of the story stretch, but then perhaps slice-of-life is the goal here.
Surprisingly, the story is best when it focuses on the many women storylines in the film - kudos to director and actor Colin Henning for surrounding himself with complex women figures for this. They are meant to be the B-plots, but the terrific performances sell them, especially the characters of Peggie and Cate.
Gorgeously shot and thought provoking, Appalachian Dog might occasionally get bogged down by sappy melodrama, but it still has plenty of bite thanks to its vivid characters.
The plot revolves around Marion and Teddy Henry, a newly reunited seamstress couple following the end of World War II. What should have been a happy reunion quickly shows the strain in the marriage instead. A crippling post-war PTSD makes things worse, as is the pile of lies that build the illusion of a happy marriage. Amid it all, the Henrys constantly try to do right by each other - but circumstances and the lack of proper communications keep them further and further away. Can this young couple overcome this?
That is the gist of the 90 minute feature film.
The screenplay truly packs on the melodrama: the Henrys and their surrounding characters go through one thing after another relentlessly. You can tell that these courteous neighbors harbor untold resentments, things that slowly unfold as time passes. There are times when things feel a bit repetitive, like you wish they would just sit down and really come clean about their grievances. You can clearly feel the middle of the story stretch, but then perhaps slice-of-life is the goal here.
Surprisingly, the story is best when it focuses on the many women storylines in the film - kudos to director and actor Colin Henning for surrounding himself with complex women figures for this. They are meant to be the B-plots, but the terrific performances sell them, especially the characters of Peggie and Cate.
Gorgeously shot and thought provoking, Appalachian Dog might occasionally get bogged down by sappy melodrama, but it still has plenty of bite thanks to its vivid characters.
A Murder in Oakland follows the reopening of a serial murder case that rocked the city a couple years back. Two police detectives who are working together for the first time must set aside their differences to follow old trails around the murders. In the meantime, lead detective Williams (Marcus D. Spencer) also grapples with his personal struggle.
Spencer - pulling triple duty as actor, director and co-writer on the film - strings together a compelling crime thriller with strong emphasis on its characters.
The murder mystery is zippy and gives you enough to keep guessing. Running through the background of the investigation is a collection of real people with their own struggles. Sometimes, the shifts aren't the smoothest, in particular the bit with the police therapist and her marital issue. On its own, this B-plot has a compelling conflict. It's just when put together with the rest of the film, it sticks out and disrupts the flow of the plot. Something else interesting is when Spencer includes scenes with actors flubbing their lines or laughing mid delivery. I'm not sure if it's a creative decision, but it's certainly an amusing one.
At its heart, the film really is about Detective Williams' emotional journey. The plot is the plot, but the script emphasizes Williams' psyche, from a lone wolf, chronically stressed detective with a chip on his shoulder, to someone more receptive by the end. It gives the film a different edge from other stories in the same genre.
Equal parts gritty and humane, A Murder in Oakland stands on its own as a crime thriller.
Spencer - pulling triple duty as actor, director and co-writer on the film - strings together a compelling crime thriller with strong emphasis on its characters.
The murder mystery is zippy and gives you enough to keep guessing. Running through the background of the investigation is a collection of real people with their own struggles. Sometimes, the shifts aren't the smoothest, in particular the bit with the police therapist and her marital issue. On its own, this B-plot has a compelling conflict. It's just when put together with the rest of the film, it sticks out and disrupts the flow of the plot. Something else interesting is when Spencer includes scenes with actors flubbing their lines or laughing mid delivery. I'm not sure if it's a creative decision, but it's certainly an amusing one.
At its heart, the film really is about Detective Williams' emotional journey. The plot is the plot, but the script emphasizes Williams' psyche, from a lone wolf, chronically stressed detective with a chip on his shoulder, to someone more receptive by the end. It gives the film a different edge from other stories in the same genre.
Equal parts gritty and humane, A Murder in Oakland stands on its own as a crime thriller.