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Broadcast Signal Intrusion (2021)
Not that cryptic
A lot of reviewers are pointing out the puzzle, cryptic nature of this movie.
Of course, it is relative. It depends on what you are used to watch. If you are someone who found a meaning into Twin Peaks, or the final two episodes of The Prisoner, then you will be in your element.
This is an indie masterpiece that should get more recognition, and I certainly hope it will get it over time.
A Guidebook to Killing Your Ex (2016)
Entertaining Indie film with a right approach to the "found footage" gimmick
The movie begins with a man who's not named, a John Doe (actually there isn't a single named character in the movie), announcing through a video uploaded to the Internet that he intends to murder his ex in 72 hours, and wants to document the whole process for us to learn from it.
Along the way, bits and pieces of information allows us to understand what drove him to such a level of cuckooness.
While not being a big fan of "found footage" movies (Cloverfield being an exception), ipI have to admit it's well used here, and works as a whole. The camera is alwaus carried by the main character, or positioned in a logical way. It feels authentic. The director took care of not filming long shaky motion sickness scenes either, which is a plus.
The movie is crazy and original and, the lead actor certainly knows how to convey unleashed madness. In the middle of the madness and horror, he manages to get a few laughs from us.
For an indie low budget movie, it's really good. I've read some harsh critics on there, and my opinion is that the movie is underrated (below five at this date). People have to set their expectations accordingly to the production values and, judge movies for what they are.
There is a post credit sequence. Don't miss it. You'll need it.
The Equalizer (2021)
In the spirit of the original series
While the Denzel Washington movies were entertaining pieces, they had little in common with the original series. His McCall being more of a solitary Jack Reacher type.
Here, we have a Robyn McCall of the right age and seemingly unthreatening appearance. She has a daughter, as Robert had a son. She has a CIA contact on her back (Chris Noth) as Robert had Control (Robert Lansing). She has old allies, and new allies made while helping people.
She puts in place a system with her ex-employer to keep her freedom of movement and mpget required support to help those for whom "odds are against them", as Robert did in the first season of the original.
The stories are satisfying. Queen Latifah's acting is more than adequate.
A lot of fun to watch.
Hold-Up (2020)
QAnon wet dream
Complete drivel featuring the worst conspirationnists known to France. Pretends millions worldwide (even countries known to be mortal enemies) are involved in a conspiracy about SARS-CoV-2. It's not even entertaining as some sort of parallel world docu-fiction. It doesn't even qualifies as a movie and shouldn't be listed here.
Death Wish (2018)
Not worthy of the original. Saved by the actors.
Bruce Willis, Vincent D'Onofrio, Dean Norris and the rest of the cast save a movie that wouldn't stand by itself.
The original adaptation of Death Wish, starring Charles Bronson, was a product of the 70/80s era of violence. It had a message and some morals, albeit debatable. This new version could have sent some messages, on social media and emulation, for example, but doesn't take the opportunity.
Bronson's Paul Kersey journeyed from pacifist architect to vigilante, starting with a coin filled sock, throwing up after his first victim. There, Bruce Willis' Paul Kersey goes from pacifist doctor to The Punisher in the snap of a finger. Some inconsistencies plague the scenario, and Eli Roth, while delivering a dynamic movie (after a slow beginning), doesn't lift a finger to correct them.
The initially planned reboot Sylvester Stallone intended to write and direct would certainly have went better.
She-Ra and the Princesses of Power (2018)
An animated series for the whole family
Like with Puss in Boots, Dreamworks release a Netflix exclusive animated series than can be enjoyed by the whole family.
While kids will love the characters and adventures, multiple layers are present that will appeal as well to young adults and adults alike. Diversity is a great strength of this series, anyone being represented without it being forced. Not many animated series can present kids with the world as it is, and teach them diversity and tolerance, while being as entertaining as this one. The series has a defining beginning, middle and ending. Plots for each of the well defined characters, managing to be serialized while having each episode stand on its one regardless.
An astounding achievement from Noelle Stevenson and the rest of the team.
I can only hope we will get more from them. On this series or another.
The Curious Case of the Murder That Wasn't (2020)
Worthy homage to beloved detective characters
This short featuring Jessica Fletcher, Frank Columbo, and Mark Sloan is totally different of what you could expect from a movie featuring such detectives, especially when Sherlock Holmes and Agatha Christie are also involved.
However, the original approach is what makes it an outstanding homage. The cast is great (with special mention to Daniel Edward Miller as Lt Columbo, and Zak as Dog). The writers' love for the original characters and their deep knowledge of their long careers show throughout the whole movie. And, the unexpected ending is pure genius.
Don't hesitate. Watching this movie is time well spent.
Star Trek: Picard (2020)
Expanding the universe with original stories
Many negative reviews on there. Luckily, the average critic and public consensus is more representative of the reality. It seems people trashing Discovery and Picard would like to get hundreds more episodes of the same thing.
Here, the producers give us something totally new, using the Star Trek universe as means to tell a new kind of story. A serialized mystery diving deep in Picard's past to shape his future.
Most of those who enjoyed having their thoughts provoked by Star Trek (which is, in spite of some what people think, what Star Trek has been doing since TOS) will enjoy this show.
Chernovik (2018)
Missed opportunity
Sergey Lukyanenko's books are a treasure trove of ideas, and should lend themselves well to adaptations. Night Watch was a good one. Chernovik, however, is a mess. Too much has been crammed into a single movie. The visuals are spectacularly, but the numbers of characters, worlds, the weird transitions, the lack of character development or even fleshing, makes it nearly impossible to follow. Paradoxaly, the rhythm lulls several times in the movie, and keeping attention is difficult. Too bad.
Welcome to Leith (2015)
Best horror movie of 2015
Unfortunately, it is a documentary.
This film allows us to witness how a single white supremacist, backed by an impressively strong community of like mnded people, tried to take over a small American town and subvert democracy to meet his needs.
The crew has been able to follow both sides of the battle. The supremacists, and the residents of Leith, allowing the viewer to form his own opinion.
The cinematography is astounding, reminiscent of David Lynch (who tried his hand at documentaries with the nineties series « American Chronicles »). A visceral sense of dread, paradoxically achieved with beautiful cut scenes and a great score, hence accompanies us all the way through the film.
This is an mandatory watch. Especially nowadays. We can't afford to divert our eyes. Welcome to Leith is an essential reminder of what could happen, even in a democratic country, and how fast it could happen.
The Recursion Theorem (2016)
Don't adjust your television set.
The Recursion Theorem plunges you in what could have been one of the best episode of The Twilight Zone. The Director's choice of black and white, timeless furniture and clothing built an ambience sending us all the way back to the 50s and Rod Serling.
The acting is perfect. Method acting at its best. That, and a compelling mystery helps immersing you in this short movie.
However, be very careful to wake up in the end.