cadillac_oscar Reviews

The Strain (2014–2017)

Above average

[6/10 · 15 October 2016]

This is one of those shows where everything is slightly above average, but nothing is excellent.

The pace is what you expect from a television show with both horror and thriller elements; overall slow with short peaks of excitement. The majority of characters are both horror trope stereotypes and constantly makes overly stupid decisions. The only thing that's really constantly on point are the set designs, they're always truthful both to how you would expect them to look and how they're used to drive the story home.

If you're a fan of horror then this might be your Sunday distraction, otherwise i wouldn't recommend this unless you have something better to watch.

Diablo (2015)

Interesting, but mediocre in the end.

[4/10 · 17 August 2016]

This movie had such promise, with an interesting premise and good actors but somehow the director manage to squander any talent used in this movie.

You're thrown into the thick of the action when we see a group of riders burning a house that belongs to a veteran named Jackson (Eastwood) down. We quickly learn that his wife has been kidnapped and he knows roughly where they're going.

He meets a sadistic killer (Goggins) along the way, that seemingly is stalking him. And when he meets an old comrade (Glover) from the war this movie really starts to fall apart and any subtle ques goes right out the window. We learn that Jackson committed atrocities during the war, and it's hinted that he suffered a severe psychological breakdown after accidentally shooting his younger brother. And that the sadistic killer that keeps turning up at every turn is in fact Jackson himself, and suddenly the acting do a complete 180 as Jackson turns from hardened veteran looking for his wife into a sneering psychopath who kills everyone that happens to be in his way.

Instead of showing subtle changes it's like flicking a switch for the main character and any chance this movie could have had to redeem itself is completely gone.

In short, this movie had promise but the execution was as shoddy as it could possible have been. Only see this if you're very bored one day and don't have anything else to watch.

I Can Speak Swedish (2010)

Mesmerizing

[8/10 · 24 June 2016]

This short is one of those short films that makes you forget about anything else for its 18 minute duration. Everything you see is a snapshot reflection of how the introverted Jane sees the world, her struggle with a hinted anxiety and OCD. Her home is as bland as it is safe, and you get the feeling that she will go through her whole life not experiencing the world outside her home, but this all changes when she buys a new car.

Almost everything about this new car seems to topple her whole universe, but instead of it being scared by it Jane seems to embrace it. What she learns about Sweden becomes a conduit for her to reach out into world that she's been peeking at through closed blinds and she sees a whole new existence come into view.

I can strongly recommend this short film if you have 18 minutes of your day to spare!

Defiance (2013–2015)

Good concept, bad execution

[4/10 · 3 August 2015]

Defiance is one of those shows that you want to like, but often you just sit through episode after episode just shouting at the television.

Be it a weak script, nonsensical twists or just awful CGI, everyone has their issues with this show. When you first hear about the concept, it sounds almost like it couldn't fail, and in a way that's true. I find myself drawn to this show even though i'm constantly let down by it, because even with all of its shortcomings it still has its own charm.

The main characters are somewhat likable (mostly through good work of the cast who are the main reason the show is still watchable), even if you can't connect with them. And the settings are interesting even if they look awful on screen, but you will find yourself drawn to the world of Defiance nevertheless.

This is one of those shows that i would only recommend to hardcore SciFi fans, if you have enough patience then Defience might be an enjoyable experience as long as you don't expect to much of it.

You have been warned.