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- DirectorJarand HerdalStarsGitte WittThomas GullestadTuva Olivia RemmanIn the starving aftermath of a nuclear disaster, a family of three attends a charitable event at a hotel, which takes a dark turn when people start to disappear.Felt like a student film, unfortunately the slow "catharsis scene" moment with the mob sent me into cringe. There were some *uncanny* moments that worked but only as standalone 30 second bits. Characters are inconsistent and drawn so thin, the well-acted villain role was one of the better parts of the film. Otherwise a bit lacking.
- DirectorZiad DoueiriStarsRami DoueiriNaamar SahliMohamad ChamasIn April, 1975, civil war breaks out; Beirut is partitioned along a Moslem-Christian line. Tarek is in high school, making Super 8 movies with his friend, Omar. At first the war is a lark: school has closed, the violence is fascinating, getting from West to East is a game. His mother wants to leave; his father refuses. Tarek spends time with May, a Christian, orphaned and living in his building. By accident, Tarek goes to an infamous brothel in the war-torn Olive Quarter, meeting its legendary madam, Oum Walid. He then takes Omar and May there using her underwear as a white flag for safe passage. Family tensions rise. As he comes of age, the war moves inexorably from adventure to tragedy.Really enjoyed the warmth in the analogue cinematography and little glimpses into boylife, family dinner scene near the beginning and the vinyl scene would have been screenshotted and sent to the tumblr if I were younger. Ending felt a bit rushed and though the changes in his community came gradually, it seemed his mindset did a 180 too quickly. Even though there was that jarring point where it switched. Personally I would pinpoint the catalyst of change to Oum Wahlid chasing him away but it seems a bit too trivial of a motivation to grow up so abruptly? The 35mm camera subplot/motif also sort of doesn't get fleshed out as much as it seemed to be teased at near the beginning
- DirectorJohn Erick DowdleStarsPerdita WeeksBen FeldmanEdwin HodgeWhen a team of explorers venture into the catacombs that lie beneath the streets of Paris, they uncover the dark secret that lies within this city of the dead.Thoroughly enjoyable, great scare building that made the supernatural moments seem well integrated later on, but it was a bit weird that nobody questioned the piano and phone in the beginning, loved the eerie moments like the moving shadows behind Benji before his jumpscare. Scarlett is definitely a Mary-Sue but the performance was endearing in a way where the annoyance I felt was lessened, still not good character writing though. Patchy suspension of disbelief stuff and characterization, but for a horror film the cast did well in conveying their assigned typecasts. Found footage aspect of it pretty organic. Knowing about the references to 'Inferno' made it even more gratifying.
- DirectorQuentin TarantinoStarsBrad PittDiane KrugerEli RothIn Nazi-occupied France during World War II, a plan to assassinate Nazi leaders by a group of Jewish U.S. soldiers coincides with a theatre owner's vengeful plans for the same.Was so well paced it managed to snap me into focusing on a movie, even when watched stretched apart it was entertaining to catch on. Loved when they threw in the backstory of one of the GI spies at the pub only for him to die in the next 10 minutes, great diversion. Made me think about the themes of historical revisionist revenge that threads through Tarantino's work. And why is it so uncommon for people to speak the actual languages of the characters they're playing in films?
- DirectorFrancis Ford CoppolaStarsGary OldmanWinona RyderAnthony HopkinsThe centuries old vampire Count Dracula comes to England to seduce his barrister Jonathan Harker's fiancée Mina Murray and inflict havoc in the foreign land.Struggled a bit to finish it. Wouldn't say it was as iconic as I expected it to be...
- DirectorJaume Collet-SerraStarsChad Michael MurrayParis HiltonElisha CuthbertA group of teens are unwittingly stranded near a strange wax museum and soon must fight to survive and keep from becoming the next exhibit.Exceeded my expectations a bit with some attempts at being smart, liked how they subverted expectations by making the deformed brother the good guy and exploring the dynamics between twin siblings and the parallels between the villains and main characters. Flimsy characterization but does go beyond the typical murder horror genre stuff with the aforementioned relationships. Nothing groundbreaking but thoroughly enjoyable and the 2000s altrock soundtrack was an added bonus (especially when Helena just smashed in right when the end credits start)
- DirectorTodd Strauss-SchulsonStarsRebel WilsonLiam HemsworthAdam DevineA young woman disenchanted with love mysteriously finds herself trapped inside a romantic comedy.Cute, Liam's performance was particularly great he wasn't afraid to lean into the cringe at all. Sadly don't think that the message was well built up at all but thumbs up for trying anyways. Don't know how to feel about Rebel Wilson's weight lost in conjunction with what she became famous for or represented during her career, and whether or not it contradicts the sort of message she was trying to spell out in this movie and through her roles. It was enjoyable, but to say it challenged preconceived romantic comedies is giving too much credit, despite it seeming to or claiming to want to send that message.
- DirectorGuy RitchieStarsJason FlemyngDexter FletcherNick MoranEddy persuades his three pals to pool money for a vital poker game against a powerful local mobster, Hatchet Harry. Eddy loses, after which Harry gives him a week to pay back 500,000 pounds.For some reason the release year comes as quite a surprise, I think that's why the tonality of it came across more whip-smart that it may have intended to be? The storytelling is highly stylized but in a really enjoyable and light way, despite still having some stakes in—enough to have some sort of gratification/hankering towards the end. The characters are "mean", but not at all unlikeable. It is interesting to see the mix of this oddball "low-life" streets diegesis mix with hilariously eloquent but on-point dialogue. Quite well-paced as well, and thoroughly funny.
- DirectorJ.G. QuintelStarsSam MarinJ.G. QuintelWhen two gas station employees work the graveyard shift and one of the duo shares his candy laced with drugs; the duo are up for a strange and hallucination-filled nightI would love to meet J.G Quintel someday
- DirectorJohn Erick DowdleStarsChris MessinaCaroline DhavernasBokeem WoodbineA group of people are trapped in an elevator and the Devil is mysteriously amongst them.I feel like the concept was stronger than the execution. Like the interweaving of the hardline faith v.s sin thematic cut was held together well enough to deliver the film as a product, but how about being more philosophical like taking a "No Exit" approach? Maybe that's just me associating every "contained environment" story as "omg no exit!1!". It's also quite a product of its time having that type of moral spectrum, but I guess there was the attempt to challenge it with the aspect of repentance.
- DirectorRose GlassStarsMorfydd ClarkCaoilfhionn DunneJennifer EhleA pious nurse becomes dangerously obsessed with saving the soul of her dying patient.I don't think I like the idea of the other side of the spectrum to piousness meant drugs/drinking/sex, maybe it intentionally calls attention to critique that two-sided flip where "innocence/godliness" is a certain set of behaviours in contrast to worldly hedonism but at the same time it felt like it was reinforcing it more than anything.
- DirectorKaryn KusamaStarsMegan FoxAmanda SeyfriedAdam BrodyA newly-possessed high-school cheerleader turns into a succubus who specializes in killing her male classmates. Can her best friend put an end to the horror?
- DirectorWilliam FriedkinStarsEllen BurstynMax von SydowLinda BlairWhen a young girl is possessed by a mysterious entity, her mother seeks the help of two Catholic priests to save her life.
- DirectorDestin Daniel CrettonStarsSimu LiuAwkwafinaTony Leung Chiu-waiShang-Chi, the master of weaponry-based Kung Fu, is forced to confront his past after being drawn into the Ten Rings organization.Personally don't feel as if it fell into the trap of othering orientalising but I can't be sure if it's because I haven't discussed it with white people/americans yet lmao Tony Leung definitely stole the scene (at times forgot Simu was playing the main character whoops), enough of a balance between the family drama and the action but I would have liked to see more of the relationship between the daughter and others. Black Panther was better at being "representational" imo, and had a solid internal family drama story to go with it as well,, I guess all in all would agree with the "black panther was better" statement oop
- DirectorDavid LynchStarsJack CruzDavid LynchToototabonIn a locked down train station, a homicide detective conducts an interview with a tormented monkey.
- DirectorCary Joji FukunagaStarsDaniel CraigAna de ArmasRami MalekJames Bond has left active service. His peace is short-lived when Felix Leiter, an old friend from the CIA, turns up asking for help, leading Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology.Can't be sure if I had some difficulty in following the plot because I've forgotten what had happened prior in the Craig series. Villain motivations were quite convoluted and the political implications were somewhat heavy-handed yet underbaked somehow? Jarring AF sound design in the Caribbean club scene. I would say that it develops from the tortured hero Bond that Craig has been carrying throughout, and this seems to be the one where the "loose ends" are tied, which makes for the somber drama aspect of the film overshadowing the 'spy film' that we are used to. Maybe that's why I didn't enjoy it as much, because I wasn't invested/understanding the drama? Very beautiful visuals though.
- DirectorGabriel SundayStarsDon GoedeDaniel JohnstonGreg McLeodDaniel Johnston stars in this psychedelic short film about an aging musician coming to terms with the dreams of yesteryear.Writer..you are a writer... I don't remember watching this the first time around 5 years ago, despite my comment thrown into the mix. Though having been coming to terms with my craft as a writer, and how it's been woven into my endeavours to survive and make a life in the world, it brought along a mixed bag of emotions where I give a glance back at my relationship to writing as a form of haphazard/desperate first-aid in my rougher times, and how it's been something that I found solace in, for it's own right. Yet how it ties into my "place" in this world. It's touching and gives a small glimpse into the portraiture of Daniel Johnston, which I would say is enough from a film so short. It's tender and touching. Yet there is a cloud over it that makes it come across as a tribute rather than an invitation into Daniel's mind. Though perhaps it's meant to be just that, and the added involvement from musicians makes it all the more heartwarming of a dedication.
- DirectorYeon Sang-hoStarsGong YooJung Yu-miMa Dong-seokWhile a zombie virus breaks out in South Korea, passengers struggle to survive on the train from Seoul to Busan.
- DirectorDavid F. SandbergStarsZachary LeviMark StrongAsher AngelA newly fostered young boy in search of his mother instead finds unexpected super powers and soon gains a powerful enemy.
- DirectorJohn LafiaStarsAlex VincentJenny AgutterGerrit GrahamWhile Andy's mother is admitted to a psychiatric hospital, the young boy is placed in foster care, and Chucky, determined to claim Andy's soul, is not far behind.Relatively funny, probably would've found it more amusing if I were younger. Him coming back to life was more mild annoyance than funny or scary. The 'edge' might have been lost since it's quite old. The older sister's outfits were bomb though.
- DirectorJames WanStarsRyan KwantenAmber VallettaDonnie WahlbergAfter his wife meets a grisly end, Jamie Ashen returns to his hometown of Ravens Fair to find answers. His investigation leads him to the ghost of a ventriloquist named Mary Shaw who seems to have ties to his entire family treeNot particularly scary, but well paced enough to be a good movie to keep you gratified. The concept of near total silence as an indicator of a scare is quite smart since it's usually indicated through changes in sound. Its solid and holds up in terms of concept-story but the markedly 2000's execution is what makes it come across as a bit dated and not scary, but could see that they nailed what they were going for during the time.
- DirectorMike FlanaganStarsJohn Gallagher Jr.Kate SiegelMichael TruccoA deaf and mute writer who retreated into the woods to live a solitary life must fight for her life in silence when a masked killer appears at her window.A well-paced thriller (watched it on 1.5x though to be fair) that's refreshing in not relying on tropes and realistic characters actions/reactions, doesn't fall into the Mary Sue trope either (which is another good thing because there sometimes feels to be an unconscious pitying affirmative action when it comes to main characters or stories about people who aren't the default body). Character building was enough to make us root for her and done in a way that's not contrived. In terms of stakes or scare factor it's quite low, and the killer wasn't intimidating enough as a presence, just annoying and (realistically) dangerous.
- DirectorSarah JacobsonStarsKristin Bree CalabresePhil CalabreseCoreyMary was a good girl until she decides to kill all the "sexist pigs". She of course encounters many of which, and enjoys killing them.3 decades after it's release, it's unfortunate that the bs women have to tackle haven't changed much, but in a positive vein, the themes discussed have become things that are discussed or at least known in the mainstream (in Western/US world order cultures anyways). Same criticisms directed towards the lack of intersectionality in the rriot grrl movement still stands today as well, but at least there are more accessible channels that doesn't sideline proponents of feminist messages to the underground anymore. For it's time I understand why this was impactful, but taken out of context and shifted into the purpose of "does this satisfy my revenge fantasies?" it doesn't hold up as much as I would have hoped it would based on the praise it's been given.
- DirectorLok Man LeungStarsLouise WongLouis KooFish LiewTraces the life of Anita Mui, Hong Kong's legendary Cantopop star.Because of all the plot points a lot of the important relationships were a bit underbaked, making it come across more as a series of vignettes held together by a great evocation of the star herself. It managed to give enough context, and the musical sequences were played out quite well (aside from earlier scenes of her childhood). Did enough to set emotional beats effectively and didn't overdo the melodrama (even though she had a really tragic life sadly)
- DirectorWes AndersonStarsBenicio Del ToroAdrien BrodyTilda SwintonA love letter to journalists set in an outpost of an American newspaper in a fictional twentieth century French city that brings to life a collection of stories published in "The French Dispatch Magazine".Messy, style-over-substance fluff that doesn't even work to the degree to support the lack of plot. Concept wasn't well executed at all, felt like a chore to try and finish, and the ending was confusing and so rushed. None of the characters were built properly or "eccentric" enough to make us care. The bullshit SLITHER of social relevance slipped in felt lazy and backhanded as hell. Was the whole "I'm a foreigner" and gay writer moment a backhanded retroactive attempt at placating potential criticism? Criticism that's lasted his entire career? Did they run out of budget for the chase scenes? It could be explained as making the illustration-style look like the magazine cover, but really it was so unfinished looking. As mentioned, "whatever you do, make it look like you did it on purpose" or whatever. Second story was possibly the only one that wasn't confuddling and contrived from head to toe—characters manage to somehow change, even if just slightly—whilst the rest were just told in the most convoluted way with absolutely no impact to the plot/characters/audience at all. Is this his attempt at French new wave? The usual charm is so lacking that even my th*rst for TimmyT (yeah ok I'll finally admit it) wasn't enough to make me enjoy that. The first story dragged on for way too long. It's like someone took the usual Wes Anderson checklist and just shuffled it in a bag, but the "stylishness" wasn't strong enough to capture your attention since everything else was so shit. Plus, each story was told with the same tonality, that it undermines the fact that every section is meant to be from a different writer. Even if you change up the subtle tricks and visual style of each, it doesn't change the tone enough to make it feel like there's a difference between the authors. A waste of time.
- DirectorLee Isaac ChungStarsSteven YeunHan YeriAlan KimA Korean American family moves to an Arkansas farm in search of its own American dream. Amidst the challenges of new life in the strange and rugged Ozarks, they discover the undeniable resilience of family and what really makes a home.It's interesting to think how the value of the "American Dream" sort of aligns with the collectivist/Asian value of grind until you make it. The sanitation of race relations could be read as a way to foreground the themes of family, or maybe to show how subtle racism might slip under the radar when its not put up as a consciously reflected action. Could the more welcoming reception of the locals be in part because of the prosperity of the 1980s reducing the 'necessity' for an us v.s them attitude? Reasonably balanced enough between the parents to allow you to relate to the weight of decisions on both sides. It's a story that boomers or first generation immigrants might relate to more so than the Korean-Americans of today.
- DirectorMatthew VaughnStarsRalph FiennesGemma ArtertonRhys IfansIn the early years of the 20th century, the Kingsman agency is formed to stand against a cabal plotting a war to wipe out millions.