Sketchy19 Reviews

Gods of Mexico (2022)

The parts of Mexico that you've never seen, minus the heart.

[3/10 · 11 May 2024]

The director said "what if we take all the personality and color of Mexico away and replace it with a post apocalyptic monochrome serious tone with no personality".

The shots are beautiful. The sound is immersive. But WTF. There's no fun in Mexico according to this film. He told every person, just stand there and don't move or show any emotion and when you're working don't speak to anyone else.

Not everything is a fiesta in Mexico but even in tough and hard times people there find a reason to celebrate life, to live it.

I appreciate a foreign director taking an interest in the little seen parts of Mexico but why strip it of all its liveliness? If you've ever worked with Mexicans you know that we banter and play constantly even in tough jobs.

I wish i could recommend this but it actually upset me how lifeless it all feels. Watch it for the cinematography but not for the feel and essence of Mexico.

They Look Like People (2015)

Horror Distilled to its Essence

[8/10 · 11 August 2017]

They Look Like People shows why Horror sometimes works best on a low budget. The film ends up focusing more on the psychological aspect of horror while maintaining a mood thick with suspense and dread mixed with some truly beautiful cinematography and sound design, especially in some moments which use ASMR to great effect that help bring a sense of calm to an otherwise tense film. It must also be mentioned that the actors do a fantastic job of feeling real and honestly likable with the two main characters sharing a friendship that almost feels like everyone's relationship with your best friend. They Look Like People does so much with so little and ends up being a film that will leave you guessing till the end and thinking way after it's done.

Don't Breathe (2016)

Not Horror? you still might want to leave the lights on.

[7/10 · 31 July 2017]

I keep reading reviews where people complain that this is not truly a Horror film, and although technically true, Don't Breathe still has plenty of tense and frighting moments and should still be watched at night with the lights out. The story is simple in a good way, what happens when a group a thieves try to rob a blind man in his own home? Ultimately most of the characters are unlikable and has some moments that make you suspend your disbelief however Don't Breathe uses some of your own preconceived notions in its favor. When darker secrets are revealed your sense of morality will be questioned and in the end you will be left wondering if everyone deserved what they got.

The VVitch: A New-England Folktale (2015)

Thick with atmosphere (and accents)

[9/10 · 30 July 2017]

While watching this film I knew it would be one of those movies that divides the critics and fans. The Witch is slow paced and trudges along with a sense of dread and despair to the point of making one feel uncomfortable but mixed in are some beautiful shots, amazing sound design, and a truly haunting story of family who gets more then they bargained for.

The Witch does focus more on the psyche and effects that belief in the supernatural can cause but does not let you down by saying that it's all just make belief. Instead of a cutesy girl or a wicked old lady with a big nose we see the dark and evil side of giving ones soul to the devil and the repercussions that it brings. A truly terrifying movie with less scares but more horror than most other films.

Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)

Nothing makes sense!

[3/10 · 30 July 2017]

Light Spoilers but nothing about the plot.

Lets start with the good: The sound and special effects are great.

Now the bad: The Plot is all over the place. It starts suspenseful and ominous with some really dark and terrifying moments only to go off into a light heart-ed, even goofy, family movie in some parts. Spielberg never cares to explain why most anything is happening or even give consequences to some of the serious actions that occur, and for some reason most reviewers seem to ignore that as well.

The main actor does a good job but the Characters are very unlikable. Although the two main characters end up sharing both an experience and adventure together they end up feeling forced into a relationship without enough moments to warrant it.

The movie keeps getting represented as a different take on aliens but honestly the only reason I can see why that would be is because they never bother to explain most of the questions it leaves you with, and not in a good, thought provoking kind of way.

Life (I) (2017)

Don't let the Generic Title fool you.

[8/10 · 30 July 2017]

Yes it has generic title. Yes the plot seems to be a copy of other Sci-Fi movies that have come before, especially, well you know which one, but this movie still manages to feel fresh and ends up doing some things better then what it set out to copy. The suspense is thick with a feeling of hopelessness against a foe that holds more surprises then expected leaving you with a wonder of what can come next.