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Surge (2020)
A mentalist goes mental.
Ben Wishaw channels a little of his 'perfume' performance here, (see if you catch the reference), although much more unhinged of course. More madness less method. There's an anxiety which runs throughout this entire picture, exaggerated by the handheld style camera which follows Wishaw's 'Joseph' as he unravels of the course of a couple of days. I really enjoyed this wee film, it all hinges around Wishaw's performance of course and he's great.
I can understand if some folk don't like the shaky cam thing but I thought it worked really well.
I'll keep it spoiler free.
7.3/10.
In the Earth (2021)
Interconnectivity.
Interconnectivity presented through a psilocybin induced fever dream of a movie. Definitely not for everyone, (apparent through the one sided reviews), but those who know Ben Wheatley will know this going in.
While not his greatest effort I think it's a flawed but solid little folk horror. All the performances were fine (just fine) and the setting and hallucinatory scenes work well. Good atmosphere with a little cringey gore thrown in.
Getting anything made like this during the pandemic must've been hell so I'm impressed. Just wish I could have seen it in a cinema because I've got a feeling the sound design would've been an experience.
6.3 from me.
Hagazussa (2017)
Slow as a w*nk in the bath.
Lovely lingering shots, atmosphere in abundance. Kinda creepy and some images that will stay with you. I honestly just couldn't be bothered after about 2 thirds. This constant drone sound goes forever. Nowhere near as good as the vvitch. And very different films. It's closer to Antichrist.
If you watch this at night while you're tired, you will fall asleep. Slow as a week in the jail.
Jakob's Wife (2021)
Scream Queen Babs Crampton strikes again!
This is a genuinely enjoyable wee blood soaked vampire flick. Crampton is just great. It's not for everyone obviously but if you're a comic horror fan then it's right up your street. I've been impressed with Shudder's output recently. Nice and dark. Babs gets the chebs out too!
Koirat eivät käytä housuja (2019)
Strangled by grief.
How do you deal with loss?
It's true that many horror films have grief as an underlying theme, this is not a horror film however. There are some cringe inducing moments but it's played in a more comic fashion. Really solid little picture. The nurturing relationship between mistress and dog comes with the same confusions and longings as any other. The relationship with the daughter could perhaps have been explored to more depth but it all works pretty well.
7.5 rounded up.
The Mauritanian (2021)
Oscar bait, but I'm not biting.
Solid performances all round, the entire thing lacks something however.
I'm genuinely surprised over some of the reviews here saying how shocked they were at this story. Did people honestly not know this is what is going on? Maybe they've just forgotten. There was maybe a lost opportunity here to address the patriot act in more detail and give it a more contemporary context, such as Gitmo still being active and even more prisoners being held without trial, (although briefly mentioned in the credits). Possibly the Obama administrations part in the torture of detainees too. I daresay there are some glaring factual errors here too, but who cares right? It's only a movie.
The torture sequences in the film messed up the tone and pacing in my opinion, they didn't feel very impactful.
Cumberbatch and Foster give very professional performances however I'll never believe Cumberbatch with a southern accent. Tahar Rahim is excellent as 'The Mauritanian' and I can't fault him here.
All in all a reasonable effort however once the dust settles, expect this rating to lower considerably.
The Lodge (2019)
If you've a brain.. it's simple.
There is no character in this film. There are no characters in this film who are not reprehensible. Fortunately they all get what they each deserve. It's slow. It steals. It really tries.
There are good elements here but anyone who has a mind for horror films knows how DOS this is. really weak. I sat through it though, on the second attempt. it's obvious. ZERO CHEBS. ZERO TENSION. (ice isn't tension).
Reasonable for a debut effort.
(It's not a rookie debut effort)
Horror?
Try family drama with a mystery thrown in.
Slice (2018)
Can't write funny dialogue so lifts it from other films.
I'm sure these are winking 'references' to these films but it's cheap. There's other films in this genre which do so much better with the B movie horror comedy thing. It's well made and polished but just lacks any real charm.
It's not got a long runtime though, which makes it just bearable. The decent setting can't hold up a whole movie on it's own.
A swing and a miss.
Castle Freak (1995)
Yet another Stuart Gordon Gem.
Honestly surprised this movie flew under my radar for so long... Just a testament to how (relatively) unknown it is.
Not quite as comedic as Re-animator, nor as polished as From Beyond, it still has that charm. I would say it's darker (both in style and setting) than both which is what sets it apart. It genuinely delivers on the scares and there's some pretty gut wrenching moments.
Coombs is great as always and Barbara Crampton is always a joy to watch.
There's unsightly gore, a spooky castle with a dungeon, chebs, Italians, and a 'freak'y murderous monster. The vague subplot with family trees does it's job just fine. Really great practical effects as one would expect. I really did love it. I'd give it a 7.3/10 (I'm rating it 10 to get the average up and encourage the hesitant amongst you to abandon such follies).
If you only watch one movie this year...
Back (2017)
Has it's moments.
Bleak humour as can be expected. Typical David Mitchell toffish world weary rants. Webb is the sociopathic one.
Characters are pretty one note. Decent though. Gets a bit boring. Give it a watch, there's not many episodes. I don't see this one lasting as long as peep show.
Might find it's footing but season1+2 are a bit bland.
Splinter (2008)
Horror films often have lower ratings than they deserve on IMDB
I guess it's a genre which isn't for everyone. I generally add, (in my head), 1.5 points to horror movies when I see the ratings on here. This film is good though, just a tense thrill ride. Then unlikeable characters get what they deserve, and some innocents too (of course).
I'm glad films like this exist. Watch it and enjoy it.
Willy's Wonderland (2021)
This generation's Citizen Kane
Silent Nick Cage going berzerk on possessed animatronic cartoon characters. They'll call it trash. They'll call it a B-movie. They'll call it anything just to feel superior. My only gripe is there's not enough chebs, alien zombie viruses or fireworks.
What are you still doing here?
Bad Times at the El Royale (2018)
Slog.
Just too long. There's good things in there, but they're not worth sitting around waiting for.
Just when you thought you'd heard her sing for the last time...
Once the movie ends you realise how little actually happened.
Reasonable performances, pretty average script.
I mean by all means watch it. Just didn't do it for me.
Psycho Goreman (2020)
Absolutely dreadful.
Awful on all counts. Hammy acting (intentionally of course), annoying kids, thin plot straight out the noggin some japanese basement dweller. power rangers with red dyed corn syrup. Get stoned and enjoy it.
Uncle Peckerhead (2020)
ABSOLUTELY DREADFUL
You'll love it. Just relax and enjoy it! Not everything has to be high art. Open a couple of tins of beer or smoke a coupla joints and just have fun with it.
The Girl on the Train (2016)
Don't believe IMDb ratings
I gave this an 8 because it's sitting at 6.6 stars; which is bullshit. This film is a solid 7. Great acting, lovely shots, enthralling storyline... whodunnit!? Definitely worth a watch. One of the better big films in the last coupla years. Give it your time, you won't regret it. No spoilers. No plot hints. Just watch it OK!