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The Janitor (2003)
Perfect, for the intended audience
It is not often that I give a movie 10/10. This one, for sure, is not for everyone at all times, but for the intended mood and audience, it is perfect.
Every scene has high production values, when you consider that the intent is to produce confusion. Some call this a "B-grade movie", but no, they did not lack the budget to do a good movie. They intentionally, by careful purpose, made something which never suspends disbelief because the world is intrinsically unbelievable.
The result involves everything from audio re-dubbing to key plot points, all used to make you see the mistakes, not as errors, but as intentional. They aren't mistakes at all, they are just... unreal.
This movie should not exist, but it does. A whole crew sat down and made sure that in no moment can you get complacent, thinking that you finally understand the "world rules" can just sit and "be entertained". No, every single moment has obvious wrong things, less obvious wrong elements, and is all constructed upon a premise which is wrong both morally and in consistency with any fantasy or real world laws or order.
This is not total chaos, however. It is a straightforwards story offset, twisted, and then twisted again. At every scene, for every character, in every way.
The acting team is competent, the writing makes for a time-line with no plot holes, and the directing and editing are spot on to keep a great pacing. On purpose, all of the characters are not only odd in some way, but are also exaggerated to the point where their lack of self-awareness is the only consistent plot point.
The audio mix is well done, but on purpose some things are out of sync (e.g. intentional off-sync audio dubbing), as if making reference to other films that do it due to constraints, rather than due to the purposeful effect of parody of an entire genre.
This is not to say that, on a deeper level, this is worth watching - - no, this movie is shallow, gross at times, sets bad examples, and cannot be shown to anyone who takes their time seriously.
However, if you do find yourself taking life too seriously, and struggling with any problem which seems impossible, then this movie will take your mind totally off of those things, and help you to feel emotions that are directed, ultimately, at a well constructed respite from the folly of human society.
I would not suggest that this movie was made by aliens from outer space, but rather, from the comedian from inner space. It is a reflection of those thoughts that we normally ignore and dismiss as way out of possibility and utility, and thus discard.
This movie is trash, on purpose, made to draw attention and then waste it... and it say so in the synopsis. Thus, if that is what you want, a distraction, and an absurdity, then it does it well.
It does not lack in any technical point, either, and greatly appreciate that. The scenes, story, and characters, may all repulse, but never will you be straining to hear a line, complaining about the acting, or thinking that they should have edited the script or timing more.
Rather, you may want to know... what was it that I just watched, how could they possibly get funding for this, and why can't I have as much fun?
I hope that this inspires a new generation of film-makers to make more films with high objective qualities, no matter their budgets, and to spend the extra time and money to polish it in editing.
It may sound like a contradiction, but this is well presented garbage, and that makes it a great movie. If that is what you are looking for, if you have a bunch of friends or some alone time to get distracted and challenged to see life through less serious lenses, then this will definitely help you there.
Please enjoy this as much as I did... just don't judge it as anything than what it plans to be.
Not details about story, plot, or character because every scene is its own "what the ---" moment, and all I want to do is hope that others also can enjoy it. It might even be a new genre: the super never serious consistently inconsistent unpredictable details chaos based horrible emotion invoking movie, or BI SCC DUNS WHIM for short (anagram). Why did I make that anagram?
If you watch this movie, arbitrary things like that will be filling your mind. It is curiously contradictory.
Antisocial.app (2017)
So much less than the sum of its parts
When I first came across "Killer App", I thought that, like many other movies which have low ratings, I could at least find something redeeming about it... perhaps, I expected, it would had heart, but not enough post-production talent, as many independent movies do.
However, this movie seems to be an example of too much budget and too little internal critical review.
This movie seems to assume that, rather than suspend disbelief, it should simply demand we believe its world is as it says.
To describe any part of the plot would be to do the work which was not done on this movie: the rewriting really needed to be carried to the point of excellence.
Killer App features cobbled together concepts lifted from popular news, without thinking deeply about the veracity of those statements, their implications, or how to implement the plot.
The actors seemed to have talent which is "broken" by the terrible writing. They really try to portray roles, but the roles are not "fleshed out" by the way that the scenarios unfold. It is more of a jumbled set of events which contradict, confuse, and force us to disengage from the characters emotionally.
Even though the individual scenes may be well acted, they do not add up to portraying a character, so it instead seems like "bad acting"... but it is actually, horrible writing, or a lack of cohesion, sequence, and effective competence in the writing.
Nothing, at all, about this movie suggests that they were trying to tell a story. All of the talent on this movie was wasted, and as a result, your time will be wasted if you watch it.
Watch anything else instead.
Diario de una ninfómana (2008)
Cannot ask for more
It is difficult to discuss this movie without spoilers, so if you are a mature human being, who is not offended by raw sexuality, then go watch this movie first, then come back to read this review.
Okay, so, the movie deserves a perfect score. Not because of its high production values, although they are fairly high, but because it does what movies are supposed to do: engage, entertain, and even provoke the expression of thought.
The story-line serves to provide a unique view on relationships, freedom, and sexuality which is refreshingly free of "political" rhetoric, "correct" or not. Instead, it invites you to live life more fully, more freely, and to choose for yourself how to do this.
It also shows that patience and time are needed to grow into your own maturity, apart from the conventions which may have been imposed in the past.
The main message is: how to live without compromise, even if in the past, you had to compromise a lot.
Of course, that is just my opinion, you are free to come to your own conclusions... and I expect, that the more people that watch it, the more opinions will be fostered.
10/10, A++, an awesome movie. Also, watch until the very end, they are mid-credit scenes and end-credit dialogue.
The Coed and the Zombie Stoner (2014)
Fun fun fun!
This movie is a lot better, both in production values and entertainment value, than I dared to expect.
First of all, the movie does not take itself seriously at all. Going into that with this mindset, you can just enjoy the ride.
Secondly, the movie works nudity into the plot in a way that makes the excessive female nudity seem plausible, which I can totally appreciate.
Thirdly, well, the movie is just fun. A few things work differently in the movie world than in the real world, but it is consistent. Plot holes are minor and can be forgiven for the sheer about of entertainment they produce.
I would warn people that this is not for "serious" watchers who want something that would work in real life, or what something which is politically correct, or reflecting reality.
If you think more towards "Deadpool" (a fun time) than "Hard Boiled" (a serious time) ... but actually, this movie is more out of reality than I expected.
No hints at all as to the plot in this one, just watch it for fun and you'll have a 10/10 time.
Overall due to a few minor things I'd rate it 9/10 overall as a movie.
Grade: A.
The Biker Warrior Babe vs. The Zombie Babies from Hell (2014)
Skip this, needs more post-production
This movie needs a lot more work to be considered finished.
Yes, there is a genre of movie that does not take itself seriously, and yes, it takes a lot to make a movie... but this one shows that they fell short of potential due to a lack of effort, more than a lack of talent.
For example, the audio in every scene is not balanced. The background sounds are too loud in ever scene, but by a different ratio to the vocals. So it is hard to catch the dialogue, and what should be simple ambient sound becomes annoying.
The overall plot "sounds unique", but only if someone else explains it to you, or you guess at it. It is not well presented in the movie, and the details do not add up in a way that suspends disbelief.
The way that human memory works, people who know the crew or who wanted for whatever reason to like to movie, would remember the experience as much better than it is.
It really is a horrible, painful experience: the movie was not fully made, should be at the very least re-edited with better sound, tighter pacing, and perhaps a few scenes redone, at least.
With effort, this could have been great (at least as a low-budget comedy event)... if they had reached out to another studio, not even a big one but perhaps Cine-massacre or something, with more experience, maybe the raw material could have reached something better.
With their positive reputation, as it is, a crowd-funded remake or second project might be interesting. So I hope the team does more projects, but also collaborates more with others for the final stages of production/post-production.
As for this, skip it... it is not worth the time and doesn't have the qualities which make a movie enjoyable, and those technical details make it too annoying rather than watchable.
-6/10, if negative scores were allowed.
The Tenant (2010)
Not bad enough to be recommended
This feels like a three-part story which could have been told in 15 minutes, but was extended to what feels like three hours.
The overall story was good enough and it was easy to follow the story but it was just too long and lacked much of interest. New characters were introduced by they were not expanded, no reason to care about them. Scenarios which came up did not seem very plausible. It seemed like each act was written as a complete movie.
In this day an age, you can make a shorter movie and distribute it digitally or something, no need to draw out a story longer than it needs to be.
Anyhow, about the actual movie... I enjoyed watching it with friends, but not as much as a movie that was "trying to be bad" or not as much as an actual good movie. It was my friends, rather than the movie, that gave me any enjoyment... so if you want something to help you bond, that you don't have to pay much attention to, them maybe this would be okay.
Otherwise, just skip it.
OXV: The Manual (2013)
Surprisingly Unique, Enjoyable Home Movie
When I first saw reviews for Frequencies, I was thinking that the high praise and comparisons to Primer would only lead to my disappointment. Indeed, I would not compare it to Primer as it has zero time travel (although the story is told from different perspectives, this is more like Vantage Point than like any time- travel movie).
It is driven by a few main characters, and slowly explains the setting, in a gentle, engrossing manner. Due to this, it is best to watch this when you won't be distracted, like at home with friends who like to be challenged or gently stimulated by movies, rather than distracted by fast-paced actions or shaky camera work.
In other words, it is an elite movie, for the elites of armchair general society, and not for the temporary couch potato who has no mental energy to invest in a movie.
That is all I will say because to say more might be to spoil it.
Not only did I enjoy it, but I rate it a perfect 10/10, very very enjoyable, re-watchable, and has some concepts worth considering.
BloodRayne: The Third Reich (2011)
Worth less than a summary of it
They are movies that are bad because they lack budget or a skilled director, or bad actors, or interference from some sort of production complication.
However, this movie is bad because so many major things were done badly, and so many major things were done to the highest quality.
For example, the costumes and sets show careful attention to detail. Several of the minor actions are convincing, and the writing shows enough consistency to be competent and air-tight.
This all shows that they had the budget, talent, and capability to make this whole thing entertaining.
Yet, it isn't.
The same writers and actors who have the capability to tell a compelling story, just give up halfway between concept and execution. Many lines sound as if someone just read them for the first time, straight off of a page, and many scenes feel like they are acted out by amateurs who haven't read the script, and thus, don't know what their character should be feeling.
That is all very sad, because there was potential to make this as great as "Hot Fuzz" and other sleeper hits, if not in popularity, at least in passion.
The thing is, by any summary, this movie seems like it would be good. Even as I have just watched it, I can't really convey how bad it is, or why it is bad. It has all of the components to be a great, or at least, good enough, movie: some good acting, some interesting plot points, some great attention to detail. Those components should make for a good movie, but this just is not.
Any random still shot looks interesting, and any five-second clip or trailer you might make would hint at a movie worth watching.
However, this just... isn't that.
If there is a comic book adaptation, then it might be better (and I'm not into comics), because at least then, your imagination would make the summary into a good memory... it is sad when people have the tools, but just fail to use them.
I don't know why. Maybe they were depressed due to the housing crisis.
Just skip this, watch anything else, or read a book. Or do what I should have done: read the summary, then imagine who good and fun that would be as a movie. You'll make better memories.
Also, this is two hours long. The extra half an hour (over the typical 90 minutes) only adds the the pain, disappointment, and annoyance.
Parallels (2015)
Great to watch once, and spark you imagination
I watched Parallels "blind" for the most part. All I knew about it, was that it had something to do with parallel worlds, which is in the title, so no spoiler there. I didn't even watch the trailer.
However, the way that the movie unfolds bothers some people, but it didn't bother me. I enjoyed it, and if you want something to relax with for 90 minutes, then it gets 9/10 for me.
The ending bothered a lot of people, but it didn't bother me. I won't get into that because this is a non-spoilers review.
This is why I really like the movie: it is not really about anything sci-fi. That only serves as a backdrop. It is about much more mundane issues, like regret and heavy burdens of guilt which may not really have a sane, reasonable origin.
It only loses one point for having some "cheesy" dialogue and the impact of some of the most pivotal moments is a bit toned down due to the pacing of the director, moreso than the writer or actors. It is relatively minor, though.
Overall, I am surprised that the movie was made, but glad that it was. Unlike what other people say, I don't think it should become a series, as the characters are really not all of that interesting, but their boring, mundane nature makes it easy to relate to them and our ordinary lives and issues.
Since it is on netflix, also, you can always find inspiration to rage loudly about it on various comment forums either their or elsewhere, which is good, it will helps to make it even more popular. More importantly, it will give hope to many other upcoming artists to try things that are at least this ambitious.
Overall, a very good movie that emphasizes how rushed and hectic modern life is, by pacing itself in a varied way: drawing out the mundane, and rushing over the interesting, just as real-life does, unless we take exceptional steps to emphasize the positive and attenuate the distractions and tedious portions.
Also, just like real life, the only real answers are what you imagine.
The Black Hole (2006)
Less than the some of its parts, but you could do worse
This film is less than the some of its parts, but you could do a lot worse.
The title and science used by the scientist are a bit iffy, and that took away from the movie a bit. It was difficult to suspend disbelief because of the fact that the script seemed to need some better thinking over.
However, the visual effect were very well done, and it had a nice radio-drama feel. Not sure how to describe it. It was like if you were watching something fake but it took itself semi-seriously so that you could pretend it was real.
There was news footage which was enjoyable, the actors were mostly competent in their roles... but he main character was... unemotional in delivery, and that was likely a writer/director decision but he should have been a much more emotional character, since his plot components involved being so emotional that it had a major effect on his live.
Perhaps he was on mood stabilizers.
In any case, 6/10 overall, I would call it a "C-" movie.
I watched with friends, we had fun, and it actually let me think on how important it is to rewrite things until they shine, if you want the best quality.
Don't watch this alone, or watch it if you want a great movie, or something which has a deeper effect.
A Haunted House (2013)
Some funny parts but a bit scattered
From the trailers, you might think that this is a comedy movie, a bit of a parody of horror movies and "haunted house" movies, but when I actually watched it, it seemed to be scattered.
Yes, it had jokes, but it also had a plot that was well thought out. I won't share the details, but, the combination of this style of physical comedy and consistent story development should have made the movie better, but to me, it made it a bit less than excellent.
I would rather they focused on making the story the focus, with jokes now and again, of focused on the jokes, and keep the whole presentation funny.
From the perspective of the production, I was really impressed. The parts are done well and blend nicely... but the movie for me has no real re-watch value, so I don't like it as much as the serious horrors that it somewhat parodies (like Scream, I know what you did last summer) or the comedy-horrors that came before (e.g. the Scary Movie series).
That is just my personal opinion, though... it was a 6/10 for me, but a lot of people would really love it. Purely as a one-watch movie it is a solid B+, and for those who don't watch many movies, even an A.
I don't think anyone will hate it, but I wouldn't re-watch it in entirety. Looking forwards to what the production team does in the future, though. I sense untapped potential.
1408 (2007)
Good at what it does, but not really my cup of tea.
For a movie named "1408", it is sort of hard not to spoil it. The name itself is a spoiler. Nonetheless, I will try to avoid them, even though I am marking this review as "contains spoilers".
Firstly, I rate this two notches above average for the genre of suspense/thriller. The visual effect, acting, and pacing are well done. Technically, I cannot complain that anything broke my "suspension of disbelief".
On the other hand, the visual effects and so forth go too far, in my opinion, to illustrate the strange things which the main character experiences. Perhaps fans of Inception will like it, because although it is not that outlandish, the surreal nature reminds me of such. The difference is, in Inception, you expect "dream world". In this, you really can't tell when you should expect real vs. dreams.
That is intentional and helps to keep you "on your toes", but somehow, I did not enjoy it as much as I would a simpler story with less effects, but more character development, information on the history or nature of the paranormal, or some form of involved process of change or redemption for some major character.
So, although I cannot complain, and some people might rate it 10/10, for me, it was missing something that I come to expect from stories. It is difficult for me to explain what, but, if you like a movie that will keep you on your toes and let you identify with a skeptic who is forced to believe in the paranormal (or, at least, some sort of evil influence, perhaps as benign as some form of drugs), you will find that in this movie.
So, again, good at what it does, but not really my cup of tea.
Sorry if this is too vague, what few major surprises they are (which were not already given by posters, synopsis, et cetera), I would rather not mention, because, really, this is the hardest movie ever not to spoil.
Liar Game: Episode #1.11 (2007)
All you need to watch of Season 1
Well, this is a minor spoiler, I would actually call it a helper: this "episode" is 2 1/2 hours long, and starts with a 90-minute or so recap of the first ten episodes. So, in a way, there is no reason to watch those episodes! Hope that saves you some time! On the other hand, the other episodes were not bad... I watched them all before I got to this.
Anyhow, I was a fan of the manga(Japanese comic, not a spelling mistake, IMDb!) and finally got around to watching all of Season 1 of the live-action adaptation, of which this is the final episode (of Season 1, they are more seasons and movies).. and I have to say, I really enjoyed this season! The basic premise of "Liar Game" is that people are in a high-staked game, where teamwork is the only way for everyone to win, but yet, the game encourages you to deceive others an instead only think of yourself. Not everyone believes this, some for one reason or another want to be the only winners, at the expense of others; and some want others to lose due to some sort of personal vendetta.
You could say that the game also serves as a backdrop to show out a serious drama about forgiveness, the nature of people when placed in desperate situations, and within the fictional game universe, the nature of the organization that conspires to run the whole "liar game".
The games are variants on commonly known gambling games, such as poker or roulette; but the variations mean that new strategies are needed. In addition, time limits and personality conflicts make success more difficult for everyone, and give rise to drama.
The whole of this season was a great adaptation of the source material, and what they changed was not at all bothersome, although it does affect the dynamic of one of the major characters' interaction with the others. Some of the visual effects (e.g. seeming to imitate Jigsaw's presentation from Saw) seemed overdone to me, but this was not a problem, so overall, I gave the series a perfect score.
If you enjoy logic, drama, and unusual things, then this series will give you all of those. It makes it easy to suspend disbelief, look over very minor flaws, and enjoy a look at what previously was only confined to an Japanese-only magna.
Actually, so far I think this series is only available in unofficial subtitled form in non-Japanese languages, but if you can find it in your region, please enjoy it and support the official releases. It is worth the time, money, to broaden your thinking with the unusual.
And again, I recommend you can save a lot of time by just watching the long finale with recaps!
Gallowwalkers (2012)
Avoid this movie (Gallow Walkers) at all costs.
I know that Wesley Snipes is a great actor. Just from Blade alone, we have come to respect him. Also, Western type movies are making a revival nowadays, so we could expect a lot from a great action start and a type of Western, right? Sadly, Gallow Walkers (also billed sometimes as Gallowwalker, Gallowwalkers, and so on) is not that movie.
Apparently this movie was in a type of limbo for more than six years. It should have stayed there, maybe... but I guess it was destined to arise from the void like some sort of small pox virus... to try to wipe the fun out of out movie going time.
I am really at a lost as to how this "movie" could have been made, esp. on such a big budget, esp. with such talent involved. It must be some sort of sign of the impending collapse of civilization, or at least Hollywood. There is literally nothing good about it.
Sure, you can extract short clips and make a nice trailer.
However, that is all you can do.
The story makes no sense. The scenes do not illustrate the story that they talk about. The action scenes lack impact, because they occur without giving any reason to invest in any of the characters.
Also, spoilers: For some reason which is never explained, it is possible in this movie to simply rip the head off of a person. Not cut it off, but pull it off as if it had been cleanly cut off. Perhaps there is an explanation for this in the back story that was never presented.
It is not fun, funny, or hilariously bad. It is not campy. It is not a parody. It is not a spoof. It is not trying to be bad.
Somehow, for reasons unknown to me, nobody involved ever said "hey, um, this movie... is not... really... good.... and we should... fix it." I do not even know how to fix it, maybe they did not either. Maybe some key person died or left the project halfway through. It seems a lot of unusual stuff went on, including key starts changing. Nonetheless, I don't see this as having the kernel of greatness or even goodness, or even watch-ability, that a movie should.
I was able to preview it as part of a censorship panel, but if I had paid for it, I would want my money back. As it is, I wish we could give a rating, "U: Unwatchable", because that is what it is.
I want my time back, but failing that, do not waste yours on it.
Wesley Snipes is better than this, and you have better things to do with your time.
Evil Angel (2009)
Fun to watch, hard to describe well
Personally, I like to go into a movie known that it is worth my time, but yet being surprised by the details, suspending my disbelief and traveling into the world of the story brought to life by the "magic of cinema". However, for Evil Angel, I watched it at least twice, and the first time was as part of a series of rare films hardly known to the U.S. domestic market (to this day, this movie seems to only be available second hand, although rumors of EU DVDs exist).
One reason for its rarity might be the name: it is easily confused with "Evil Angel Productions", an adult film company which it has no connection with whatsoever. The fact that the first few minutes feature a woman dancing and taking of her clothes on a bed is one of the reasons why I say, "easily confused", however.
Now, finding out what the plot is all about is most of the fun in this movie. The basic plot device is simple, and the twists are not too surprising when described, but when you watch the movie, time will sort of melt away as you enjoy seeing the story unfold....
The characters are interesting and they are plenty of "shout at the screen" moments where you can build up emotions and hopes that things will turn out one way or the next. The pacing is neither too slow nor too fast, and they are some surprisingly action scenes to keep you stimulated.
Having said that, this movie is really made for a more mature audience who wants something light to watch. It is not made for hardcore supernatural fans, hardcore horror fans, or the person who needs to have their attention grabbed every few seconds (e.g. Transformers 2 fans). Rather, it is made for people who normally like to live in reality but occasionally like to step out into the unusual.
Given all of that, I gave the film an A rating overall, 8/10.
There's nothing too deep or remarkable to set it apart, but it is worth watching, and although it shares a lot of flaws common to movies, I can appreciate the time I spent with it. It is free from major plot flaws, although I am sure nitpickers can find some, and is a way to spend two hours outside of dealing with the real world.
... just don't mistake the unconnected adult production company for this rare movie ;)
The Package (2012)
Avoid this, please. Wish I did.
Living without regrets has always been my way. Such a free and progressive life philosophy. Until this movie.
My friends in this group ("Jrock") decided to get together and watch this movie, and I boldly said that I would correct the oversight of there being no proper reviews for it... for once in my life, I feel an oppressive regret that I can only hope is healed by time.
First, let me apologize for spoiling it a bit. You are going to watch something else anyways (I hope) so please don't hate me, but a summary does not do the movie justice.
It stars "Stone Cold" and "Smoking Man (from X-Files)". Okay, so the latter is just a cameo near the end, but he does some good acting. It was a thrill to see him for the few minutes he was in it.
As for everyone and everything else, I was in disbelief the whole time. It wasn't funny, cheesy, or a parody of Ronin. It was just... sub-par. I mean, I don't know what they did wrong so that I can offer constructive criticism, it is like if they just couldn't do anything right, or put a movie together as a coherent whole.
I am sorry that I watched this, because it makes me doubt the validity of a "capitalist economy". Really, didn't somebody read the script and say "these people need good lines. We can't let just anybody write this stuff anymore. This is the era of dialogue that people can invest in".
Okay, if I describe it in parts, you may want to see it. Don't. It is less than the sum of its parts by far. Watch... anything else. Please.
Sorry, I'm so sorry, I wish I could save the world from this experience. Or at least fix the movie for you.
Sorry.
Maximum Conviction (2012)
Seagull x Austin FTW
The best thing about this movie is seeing two great icons, Segall "Aikido Beats Everything" and and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, team up on the side of justice. I am sure somebody somewhere thinks this is just some fanfic, but no, it is an actual movie! On the downside, the dialog is standard C-movie fare... not really worse than a B-movie but so stiff and generic that it might as well be written by a... well, someone who can't write very expressively.
Also, the characters do some really silly things just to set up hand-to-hand combats, like ignoring machine guns and letting themselves be beat up by girls.
Overall, this was an enjoyable movie, but I would have to say that it is not the best of Segal... and I look forwards to "Stone Cold" putting his talents to further use in future movies, because he was entertaining if not believable.
The Sorcerer's Apprentice (2010)
A Sleeper Hit
I am not sure if this is the common term, but I would call this movie a "sleeper hit", because most critics fell asleep whilst trying to watch it, but it really HITs the audience and wakes them up.
Parallels to Lightning Thief are inevitable, but forget about that an any other fantasy or magic or "magickal" movies! The aim of this movie is not to out-do other movies, but, rather, to tell a story whilst also entertaining and perhaps, by accident, enlightening.
This movie made me interested in both Merlin and Melchizedek (c.f. Psalms 110), and so, it ultimately helped me to grow/mature as an individual who is in the Christian race of life.
Now, the movie itself is not Christian by any means; the allegory is mine and no doubt the story was meant to be totally secular. However, all things work together for good, and this is one of the many lessons that the movie embodies.
The final fight at the end is epic due in part to excessive special effects (they are not kidding about this magic stuff), but also in at least equal part due to the detail in character development done on the protagonists and antagonists.
What more can I say? Stop reading this and go watch the movie!
Elevator (2012)
A good movie with some nice twists and thrills
This film was very enjoyable and entertaining. However, the payoff is near the end, and the slow start may turn off people without much patience.
Comparisons to Devil(2010) are inevitable, but, this has a totally different plot and involves no real supernatural element. Rather, it is about ordinary people trapped in an elevator for a while... and from there on, plot twists gradually unfold.
This might be the first review that I have written without spoilers, because the description and promotional material say even more than what I have said about the plot, and I want you to be surprised. Rather, let me focus on why I liked this movie: The acting is really convincing, the characters have their own personalities and stay consistent, allowing you to get caught up in the tensions and details of their situation.
The plot, although slow, does not drag. The details in between major points are used to help build suspense and give us insight into the characters involved. Those "major points" are also sometimes very surprising.
Also, despite the title, they are scenes outside of the Elevator, which give it a more "realistic" view... as needed, you see more of the world in which these people live.
Sure, they are movies with more special effects and faster pace, but I would give this movie a 9/10 because it does what it aims to be... turns a simple ride on an elevator into a dramatic suspense-thriller.
Pelt (2010)
Great movie for the genre
Well, this movie was actually a lot more fun that I expected. For the genre (campy horror), it was really good.
From start to finish, it entertain me how over-acted the characters were. They were very consistent, and helped to keep my interest.
Without revealing too much of the plot, there is a lot of subtle humor in the movie.
Less subtle is the sex, which is not so much explicit as explicitly talked about... as usual with horrors, there is more pain than pleasure, though, so I can't say this is a "porn with blood" as some movies are.
Overall, if you like campy horror, you will love this movie.
However, if you want great acting, or something new, just look elsewhere.
Setup (2011)
Utter rubbish
This movie is awful.
Utter rubbish.
I spent nearly an hour looking up the director and writer, because I don't understand why such a promising team could produce such a dismal disappointment.
It feels like a drama for the 1980s. You know, before ADD, when people had patience and no value for their time. When entertainment was not necessary if you had a good story. However, this has no apparent story.
If there is action, I slept through it.
For most of the movie so far is watching people walk calmly from one place to another, then swear at each other, then walk some more. There is no reason to care about them at all. Nor should you bother to watch it, I'm sorry I started.
Really, it is so awful, I can't believe it got made this way.
"Mean Guns" is a lot better.
Devil (2010)
A great, modern mystery thriller
This movie could easily get 10/10 for enjoyment. Especially if you watch it with a group that is also into dramas, mysteries, supernatural thrillers.
However, I only gave it 8 because of a few minor details, which I can't really go into without spoiling. Perhaps I'll explain in the forums later.
Meanwhile, this is why you should see the movie:
1. You can re-watch it afterward and gain new perspective
2. It is a mystery , exactly "whodunit", for most of the movie, so if you like those type of murder-mysteries, then go for it
3. It has some unexpected twists and dangerous situations
4. It stats up like a simple drama (aside from the very funky opening).
5. Zombies! ... well, not really, maybe just one, briefly....
Daybreakers (2009)
Great drama, although action sequences could be better.
A great drama which integrates vampires into the plot, without being a cheap vampire flick.
If you like True Blood and its mature treatment of vampires, then you will prob. like Daybreakers (2009) as well; even though they exist in different universes and have different styles.
Vampires in Daybreakers have "dignified" and "wild, low, degenerate" forms. The latter occurs when they are starved for blood and begin to mutate, losing higher level brain functions and becoming more savage and animal-like (even going as far as becoming bat-like)....
This contrasts against the "sexy" form of vampires in True Blood, or even, the Vampire Chronicles (Anne Rice) books (and the few movies that were made before that author got silly and over-controlling, as x--itches tend to).
Anyways, Daybreakers is enjoyable and the only thing that could have made it better, as more stylistic or abundant action. It is more of a drama with very few action scenes, and no sex to speak of, which works fine for it but may disappoint people who come expecting True Blood : the movie.
Come with an open mind, and expect a good story / drama, and you'll be well pleased.
Overall rating: A minus (A-), 9/10.
Le pacte des loups (2001)
Brotherhood of the Wolf - Classic in my eyes!
I first watched "Brotherhood of the Wolf" several years ago (it came out in 2001, after all)... back then, dramas with good action scenes were a dime a dozen. However, nowadays, action movies seem to lack directors who know what they are doing... which makes these older movies seem all the more better.
The story of "Brotherhood of the Wolf" is very compelling, being set in a French province in 1764 and the few years after-wards. I won't say any more of the story, since I don't want to spoil it at all (this should be my first non-spoilers review).
This is mostly a drama, but the action scenes serve both to advance the plot, and to give depth to the characters... from the first one, within the first few minutes, which introduces some of the main characters.
What makes this one of my faves, however, is all of the parts combine to produce both an entertaining experience, and a work of art. The pace, narration (which is sparse), characters, actors, directing, post-production editing, and soundtrack all combine so seamlessly that you hardly notice the time passing by.
Well, anyhow, go watch it... 10/10, perfect score by me. In fact, I think I'll go watch it one more time.
Nekeddo burâddo: Megyaku (1996)
Naked Blood is excellent B-movie material, but....
Naked Blood is one of those films that makes you wonder just what Japanese (an Asian) cinema film-makers are drinking. Perhaps the same thing that those folks at Id in Texas were drinking (you know, when they made Doom and Quake).
Anyhow, geo-political pre-judice asside (and I am totally kidding about it, okay?), this movie is excellent as a B-movie. It is engrossing and continues to take unexpected turns.
Unfortunately, some parts of it are not explained very well, if at all, and it could be accused of being totally pointless. Some people claim that they see more on re-watching it, but, those people are just drinking something strange.
Unlike an A-movie like Pi (the Greek symbol), Momento, or Sixth Sense, this movie won't be improved much by multiple watchings. Yes, they are some subtle things but they are also huge holes which simply can't be filled, except with imagination.
The story ... I don't know if to say that it ended ... or that it was more of a dissolving into nether. That might work for those who believe in Mugen Afterlife (i.e. transition to nothingness after death, metaphorically embodied in a story in which there is no implied ever after, but rather, a dissolving of the entire framework and the characters that comprise it), but for the average domestic / Western / non-nihilist person, we'd like to know that the characters lived happily (or even sadly, or painfully, or tragically) ever after....
So, overall, 7 / 10: Solid B movie, but, too weird (both plot-wise and in content) for most people.