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Reviews
The Vanished (2020)
Why The Bad Reviews??
I thought this odd little dramler (drama/thriller) was magnetic right out of the gate. Though the setting was appropriately spooky the cinematography was just ok. The acting was the driving element in this surprising twist on that old abduction theme. But the plot or storyline is really good. Yes yes it all is going somewhere that I found surprising and satisfying. This is one that can be spoiled easily so if you like these actors like I do-Anne Heche does a great job even if a little over the top and Thomas Jane... remember Thursday?-then give it a go.
Oh, theres an interesting Emily Dickinson poem as an opener.
The Serpent (2021)
Terrific !!!
This is a harrowing account of a real story. I'm sure it's embellished and factionalized for the sake of a good story but it works and the story under it, the true story is probably even scarier.
This telling is extremely well done. The history is interesting as are the settings. Good use of music from the times to embellish and to accentuate the narrative. This is a riveting story and beyond the events there are the characters all played by great actors. The end credits do that thing I love in this kind of story. I was pretty blown away by the actors resemblenses to the real people.
What Lies Below (2020)
This Is Too Out Of The Formula
It's prolly not an 8 but I wanted to counter the terrible reviews. This movie is a good creepy scare. Give it a try.
First off it's beautifully shot. Someone mentioned eye candy. Yup! Good use of color. Actors good to watch. Good looking Creep.
The acting is pretty good. Hysterical mother, credible creepy boyfriend and the daughter who is great and credible in the part. I guess that leaves the story. It's good. A clever mix of evil step dad to be and we'll, that's enough. It's not your usual fare but it deserves more than 4.6.
Hai Phuong (2019)
Fab Movie Great Fem Warrior
I'm new to Vivonamm whatever that is but This is a great movie.
The Russian Bride (2018)
Hammer-esk Style Horror Gore Flick
What a happy surprise. Even the title shot,, this little gem tells you we're its going--Hammer Time!! Oh Yeah.
I rented it on a hunch. I like Corbin (the lead guy) he's always creepy. No, that's a good thing. If he's in it there's a good chance the movie will Be good like a B movie should. And then there's the title with its implication of all sorts of tawdry goings on or at least fake Russian accents. Pleasantly surprised that my hunch paid off.
Upgrade (2018)
Surprisingly Entertaining
Upgrade is a pretty good take on AI SciFi. The writing and acting are both good. If this is a low budget film ( not much CGI and plastic paneled cars) it maximizes it's dollars to look pretty appropriate for what it is. It's got a grand B movie feel and in that way it's pretty lavish. And there is an undercurrent if humor that is satisfying but never campy. Upgrade is an upgrade on its genre.
Dark Crimes (2016)
This Slow Gray Film Is Riviting.
It's a shame Dark Crimes is getting such bad reviews. I understand how it might tank with many viewers but it has so many things going for it. It's very European but it's comfortably done in English (it doesn't feel forced and it's Not dumb/dubbed. Thank you very much. It's based on real events, it has a really strong cast playing solid interesting characters. And then there's Jim Carry. Here he comes back to film in this dark (very), disturbing film. For a while I watched him waiting for that smile or a big fail but Jim Carry is rock solid in this. It's a good but story told with skill in the style of older foreign (FRENCH) films though its set in Poland. It's kind of remarkable really.
I enjoyed the special feature, The Making Of Dark Crimes too. It's slow like the movie but interesting to watch the cast and film makers whine the scene. It also highlights the international aspects of Dark Crimes.