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Scars of Xavier (2017)
great realized low budget serial killer movie without sexualizing the victims
This movie is an outstanding example for what is possible although there's a lot of stones in the way and just a little budget. It starts with a high tension, no long, boring intro, you get soaked in immediately, right after that the pace slows down and the attentive viewer is able to collect easter eggs and details, which seem to be accidental, but believe me, everything you see in this movie is right where the filmmaker wants it to be. There's a big love for hidden details through the whole plot, a note that makes you want to rewatch after the first time.
I was really surprised when I noticed that already 10 minutes of watching where gone before there's a full face shot of the main character, that concept of just showing parts works perfectly on every curious person. His name is told even later, shortly before the showdown.
Now to the acting part. The main character, brought to life by Marc Engel, is portrayed with such a deep commitment and you can notice the transformation in every little gesture. To his murder victims Xavier has a sensitive and intense connection, the killing is a highly satisfying act for him, a horrifying combination of brutality and tenderness and completely different from his daily introverted behaviour. You also get shown by flashback sequences how he became that person he is now, a dive through his psyche. I loved the pov of Xavier, you never get to see himself. In this part it gets clear the team was limited by money and actors, there should have been a kid, in my opinion, but still they made the best out of it. Marc Engels acting is almost everytime on point and this is to mention because unfortunately he had no supportive co-actors besides the actress playing Karolina. Some of the cast playing the small parts where quite okay, but especially the ones with more lines were not helpful at all. You see lack of talent in speaking english properly as well as in acting skills. Luckily the main character is centre of action the whole time so you will get through the bad co-actors.
What made me really happy to see was the fact that it is a movie by a male director, male main character and the topic is murdering women but there is no sexualised violence. The one boob shot is an already dead person, it could be a dolls body too, every other female shown is dressed or at least you won't see any private parts. So yes, it is possible to create a horror movie with a lot of beautiful females without making it a priority to abuse the actressess for your own pleasure.
This movie sets visual priorities right. There are a lot of magic shots, beautiful captured pictures, the colours, the settings, the camera - all of that perfectly transports the atmosphere and gives you thrills. The viewer gets to taste the dirt, the blood and the sadness as well as he gets to feel the night, the pain and the excitement.
I don't want to spoil the end here but let me say: This is sick! An ending you wouldn't expect, the pace increases and what happens happens, watch it by yourself.
You may think why did I rate 10 out of 10? Well, what this crew was able to create with such a low budget is impressive. I try to see the whole circumstances here and with that I can just say: Give Kai E. Bogatzki and Marc Engel a big amount of money so we all get the pleasure to see what their creative minds will realize with no limitation left.
Joker (2019)
Open up your empathy and you will be hurt deeply
One of the best, maybe even the best, movies I have seen in the last and in this year so far. A misunderstood movie if you read the reviews on the news. Is it brutal? Yes. Is it shocking? Yes. Does it cheer people up to become violent? No. This movie asks the audience to look behind the obvious. It asks us to reflect ourselves, as the person we are on our own and the society we builded up. As an empath I was deeply touched and hurt by the suffering of Arthur Fleck, the main character. His development is relatable and performed brilliantly by a Joaquin Phoenix in best form. JP is transforming in both characters, Arthur and then becoming more and more the Joker, so very commiting that it will take your breath. The score underlines perfectly the feelings of the main character and if you open up, this movie will get under your skin. It is an emotional ride with social criticism at it's realest.
Gladiator (2000)
great pictures, heavy score, brilliant antagonist
Gladiator is a movie with a topic I was not that much interested in. I watched it anyway and was blown away by so many magic shots. The Co-work of camera and edit draws a lot of outstanding images which are not only just beautiful but touching in the exact right moments of the storyline. Don't get me wrong, it still is brutal and disgusting in many ways but I loved that side notes of silence, of suffering in such an artistic pictures. Adding Joaquin Phoenix as the antagonist was a decision that could not have been made better. He's doing such a great job, his play is impressive. I highly recommend to watch Gladiator even though you may not be in historical movies.
12 Angry Men (1957)
When less is more
12 angry men is a masterpiece of cinematic work. It was in those days and for me it still is. Put a bunch of diverse charactered people in a tiny room, give them a risky topic to discuss and see what a group dynamic can offer the audience. This movie proves, that if you have a great cast and a good written story, you don't need all that fancy stuff that's on movies nowadays. Simplicity sometimes is the key. I was involved and felt the high energy between these men. A must watch, if you ask me.