Change Your Image
daphleung
Reviews
Willy's Wonderland (2021)
Nicolas Cage VS Animatronic mascots
It was an unexpectedly surprising cult film in 2021 because of showing its violent and gory scenes with headshots, spilled organs, and blood. If you were a fan of cult movie, you must be enjoyed the scenes that Nicolas Cage violently battled with possessed animatronic mascots.
One of the reasons the audience watched this movie was because of Nicolas Cage. This time he acted a dialogue-free role, faced off against the eight animatronic kiddie characters. Though he recently spent his career in B-movies due to personal issues, this one was successful.
The 100 Candles Game (2020)
So boring
If only saw the poster or title of the movie, audiences might associate it with (Host)and (Ouija), and might expect what supernatural effects happened with 100 candles. The movie was fair in the first 15 minutes only, like a detailed introduction of candles game, the setting of a group of friends who gathered in a circle of candlelight.
The theme of 100 candles game was good to surprise audiences, it came from Japan, which called Hyakumonogatari Kaidankai. In this movie, eight stories were told, and very disappointing. Some stories' settings were time-wasting and boring; some stories lacked for creative and scary ideas. To be honest, it was hard to make a good ending for telling one hundred of stories.
Bad Hair (2020)
What price are you willing to pay to live your dream ?
The story was rather dull and simple, though the idea of weave was nice. The idea of weave was not used well to surprise audiences or to make it in a terror-stricken way.
This was a lo-fi horror movie that I had to admit. (I) the deadly weaves were not looking real, especially the last scenes which Anna fought with other people who also got weaves. (II) the colour con were too fake.
Follow Me (2020)
Unlike escape room
Escape room
This movie may be thought things in the escape room were intense when audience saw the poster or watched the trailer, mind-twisting ways of escape, mechanism of how it worked were highly expected. Disappointedly, this one was unlike Escape room, Saw or Hostel, the way of getting out of the game were simple and not so intense.
Violence and gore
When Cole got to the actual escape room to save his friends, the plot was a little more exciting. Scenes of gunshot, maltreatment were bloody, but it could not compare with Saw or Hostel at all.
The twist
The ending was fantastic though some plots were not reasonable. It was sarcastic that Cole had many wild experiences but did not realise he was engaged in a well-prepared escape game and was played by his friends.
Come Play (2020)
Be aware of the lights
(Come play) was directed by Jacob Chase, which based on his 2017 short-film - Larry. Some ideas were added that adapted his short film to a movie, such as parking lot, companionship, loneliness, and love.
The story of Larry was simple, it came to life when someone read his story. Larry was similar to slender man: (1) the appearance were tall and thin, (2) the way they came were read or summoned by somebody.
The most disappointing was Larry itself because it showed up after an hour in the movie, and it wasn't scary enough except from the scene that Oliver's mother saved her son from Larry and then turned into a Larry-like monster. Some were good including the lights and an atmosphere.
The Room (2019)
Be careful of our wishes that are endless.
Most people thought it was boring in the beginning and expected what was going to happen, because The endings of most wish-related movies were same and obvious, this one was special. Speaking to endless wishes and a figment child, these may recall another movie (Vivarium), (The room) was different that explained well how the child came and ended. In the middle part, it was exciting because the situation between reality and figment were uncertain until the story explained ultimately.
The twinkle of lights were keys of giving hints that when and what the couple wished for. The ending gave a surprising twist whether (1) Kate greedily and ultimately wished her baby into existence or (2) Matt and Kate just lived in another room.
I like the idea of film poster which was corresponding to the shocking expression in Kate. Sometimes posters could give a revelation before audiences watched the movie.
Antebellum (2020)
"We're not only living in the present, but also the past"
Surely (Antebellum)would be compared with (Get out) and (Us) because their themes were about the racist problem of Black people. But (A) was not directed by Jordan Peele but produced by Gerard Bush. Similarly, these three had a twisted storyline, a thought-provoking and surprising ending. Differently, (Antebellum) lacked cryptic ideas comparing with other two.
The ending scene was shocking that Veronica got out from a Civil War reenactment park, because the story wasn't related to reincarnation at all. The park was recreated by White people in present day as a reformer plantation, which meant the kidnapping, slave labour of Black people were real. The endings of story was corresponding with the beginning quote of The past is never dead and it's not even past.
Busanhaeng 2: Bando (2020)
Peninsula
"Peninsula" was a new story although it followed to the "Train to Busan" 2016, because their plots were not related. It retained the characteristics of "Train to Busan" which was humanity. No doubt audiences compared with previous one, found that much of humanity was described in "Peninsula" rather than bloody scenes of zombies-chasing. It was disappointing and boring.
Much of special effects were added in "Peninsula", especially stunt cars-chasing scenes in the second-main actress (Jooni), but those were a bit fake.
#Saraitda (2020)
I"ll stay alive.
This movie simply told the virus which spread suddenly without explanation, just like recent zombie-related movies. But ALIVE stood out because the pace was fast, a tense atmosphere had raised within 15 minutes.
There were many scenes of flesh-eating zombies in the movie, and it was surprising those zombies had different characteristics. They kept own and while living behaviours e.g. a dead fireman climbed building with a string or a dead security guard patrolled in the corridor.
Though the movie used a single appointment building as the main filming site, it wasn't boring and its topic was down to earth. Quite interesting that if imagine one day you were trapped in an apartment without WIFI, food or electricity, but had to face blood-covered zombies, how you figured your own system of survival.
You Should Have Left (2020)
Everyone has a day that should be responsible for their sins
This was the second time Director David Koepp and Kelvin Bacon worked together after (Stir of Echoes, 1999) This time (You should have left) was adapted from a novel by a German novelist.
Movie named good which attracted audiences to watch. From the front part, it kept the audience in suspense until the end, eg: endless corridors, numberless doors, and a note "You should have left" In the end, meaning of the note was Theo never evade responsibility of murdering his ex-wife.
The idea of this strange house was creative. The house changed differently for finding people who had sins, and those people were forced to stay forever.
Mary (2019)
Every single ship has its secret.
Frightening and intense scenes:
Some were disappointing about scary scenes because they're less, not surprising and frightening. For me, those jump scares were not effective but fine. (though things are going to come, still got scared)
Flashback:
Interesting that it began with a flashback to a detainment, a suspicious detective detained Sarah for an explanation of what happened of their vessel. Though such storytelling was attractive, the story of haunted-ship Mary was boring honestly.
Vivarium (2019)
We're living in our lives or living in a container under surveillance ?
Vivarium
Someone said the scene of cuckoo was a key message because Tom and Gemma were forcibly lived in the house, raised the child, and died for a new cycle of another Martin. For me, the name of Vivarium was the key. Because the couple was like animals that were just living in a container in which their lives were studied.
The trap
Quite mysterious but bad. Idea of being trapped in outer parts of town was fine that no matter how near or close they drove, they drove in circles and returned back to the house of no. 9. But why they trapped was simply because the estate agent, Martin who suddenly disappeared with no reason, and that was odd.
The suburbia
The good thing was the sight inside the suburban hel which was pleasant and strange. Those green houses, mowed backyards, same clouds were attractable.
Gretel & Hansel (2020)
Unique but disappointed
Gretel & Hansel
Some like this movie cos the atmosphere around the whole story were sinister and dark, everything was new, unlike (Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters 2013). Some don't like because of high expectation that expected killing, vampires, monsters or violence, rather than a forest adventure of sister and brother. Also the end of the story was so quick.
Witch & Hansel
The witch in (G & H) was totally different from the original story, can't tell she was good or evil. She still had evil side that used power to change parts dead bodies of children to enormous delicious food, but also had good side that taught and guided Gretel how to find own potential power. Their interaction were like teacher and student, rather hunter and prey.
El hoyo (2019)
Does symbiosis exist in human beings ?
"The platform" not only is a reflection of our world but also an idealism creation. Food was actually prepared enough for all ppl who placed on each floor if everyone only took what they needed. This was too ideal and could not happen in the hole or even the real world because we're all egoistic, greedy, selfish.
Whether Goreng was successful to beat this evil system was open-ended. "The platform" told us a sad but true thing that one person cannot change the world, yet the world can change because of unity. But the point is, will ppl cooperate with others to do sth that they cannot gain anything from it? The answer was given from the movie.
Human has choices to become gd or bad. Many social facts emerged from movie that once sth happened, sth put u in danger, human became selfish. Now because of COVID-19, some share their masks, food; some buy necessaries more than they needed, so there would be not enough for the have-nots. Just like Goreng & the old man built a gd relation on floor 48, then changed differently when they're on floor 171. Was it a human nature to become selfish, to mistrust, to do sth only benefit themselves?
The Hunt (2020)
A Fun, Hilarious Movie
What's going on
It is known that the release was postponed due to some politically sensitive topics and the mass shootings surrounding the movie. That's why it claimed 'the most talk-about movie but nobody has seen yet." Because I am not an American, I am not able to fully understand as much as the locals regarding the issues of discrimination, gun control, the POV of right and left wings, or even the "Animal Farm". But I could tell it was a very fun movie
Internet
By the end of the movie, it was open-ended for audience to think is Crystal a wrong target (maybe or maybe not), but it wasn't the point.
This murder spree happened only because of one joke, and this joke told us that we're all facing a contradiction under a freedom of speech. Bringing back to the story, the Manorgate wasn't real at first. But after people made false assumptions and self-interpretations about the manor in the internet, it eventually turned out to be a real hunt.
Brahms: The Boy II (2020)
What he wants is - be with him always and forever.
Brahms:
In 2020 version, the porcelain doll (Brahms) is evil, unlike 2016 version. Everything gave the audience a sign that it's always been the doll. From the beginning when a whisper was calling Jude to find the doll or until the end Brahms and Jude became one. One more thing about the rules, Brahms set one new rule - No.11: Jude has to be with Brahms always and forever ". So obvious Brahms was sinister.
Brahms' new family:
In 2016 version, the target of Brahms was a nanny (Greta), in 2020 version was a boy (Jude). This time Jude was traumatised by a night that he and his mother faced a burglary, after that he had a selective mutism. Brahms not only wanted a company like Greta but a family, to find someone that it will never have to be apart. TBH, Jude perfectly matched the doll, like his innocent face, and especially he and Brahms were sitting on the couch with same grey suits.
Frightening and intense scenes:
This time jump-scares were showed more than 2016 version. The director grasped good chances to scare the audience
The Grudge (2019)
Not as good as the past Grudge
The storyline:
2020 American version keeps a constant ending - Anyone step into the house will end up like the dead. (I thought this time will be different but not) The style of 2020 version is different from the past American version & original Japanese version because it's a sidequel. (Japanese version) unites the whole storylines by describing several independent stories of characters. (2020 American version) describes the reason of the murder by using different time-lines 2004-2006-2007. I personally not prefer 2020 version because audiences have to keep connecting different time-lines to understand the murder case
The ghost of Kayako Saeki:
2020 American version, Kayako Saeki & Toshio Saeki doesn't show up much when compares to Japanese version (only few mins from the beginning, Kayako shows up with her well-known hiccup). 2020 American version uses many American jump-scares to scar the audience, unlike the Japanese style. Although the plot is explained slowly in Japanese version, but still recommend the old one
The Invisible Man (2020)
Awesome
The theme of invisible has been brought after (Hollow man, 2020) In the past, it focused how character became wicked when had the ability of invisibility. But this time it describes how character live in dread of being controlled and stalked.
In the past special effect on invisibility was that skin, muscles, and vessels gradually became invisible, to emphasize the fail of experiment in human invisibility which cannot be reversed. And this time it's like an invisible armour which is fast invisible and strong.
The acting of Cecilia, (Elisabeth Moss) is awesome no matter she plays as a victim that being haunted by control-freak boyfd or as a rebel to prove she isn't crazy. Some shooting frames is required her to act and imagine someone is standing at the corner, stalking her or to act like she is punched in midair.
Two blockings are great:
May question Cecilia's sanity because she keeps taking an anti-anxiety drug called Diazepam, and all controls or stalks are never mentioned
May confused the invisible man is brother Adrian or Tom but at last it can be figured out by a word of Surprise
Fantasy Island (2020)
We cannot live out our every fantasy
There are many storylines based on five characters (Brax & J.D./ Melanie/ Patrick/ Gwen). Not only the characters, also audiences take much time & efforts to figure out what fantasies they're experiencing. So in the middle part, the thread is confusing about whose fantasy is this. The end, it turns out an antagonist which is Melanie that her final fantasy is a revenge for Nick. The plot relies little on imagination or guesses from audiences to understand the coincidence of the invitation & Nick's death
The black-eyes zombies seems familiar when I watched. Personally, these zombified ppl with black ink on eyes like zombies in Patients of a Saint, 2020
The blocking of the dripping sound is gd. Some characters heard it but don't know where it comes. It is eventually explained is a spring water from island's heart that shows a person's deepest desires.
Rabid (2019)
"The price of a betterment of humanity is taking away others' humanity."
Movie made by the Soska sisters (so-called the Twisted Twins), they work tgt as film directors, producers, screenwriters and actresses. They're gd at filming violent & horror movies, like (See No Evil 2) & (American Mary).
TBH, the name of Rabid isn't fit for the movie bc zombies-rabies-related plots are less mentioned. So don't expect much, otherwise u may be disappointed. Upper part is fair, about Rose work as a wallflower in workplace, how bad is her facial injury, and the start of the spread of rabies. Although the make-up of rabid-infected ppl & bloody scenes (theatrical bld)are great, the last part is far-fetched. After the infected go around for a bite, then the shot moves away without any follow-up to explain how the rabies or zombies ends.
The special make-up of Rose is praiseworthy, her upper & lower lips and gums are totally missing. Sth can be improved is describing more how she becomes bloodsucking, especially if compares to (Contracted, 2013).
Underwater (2020)
Human have to pay for being part of the destruction to a natural ecosystem.
Kristen Stewart (Norah Price) stars in movie as a mechanical engineer. Attracted by her icy-blond buzz cut, she intended to shave and dye her hair because with respect to (Alien)
Can't u see the monster in poster? The answer s NO. It's attractive that shows mysteriously with a big bloody mouth. If you expect to see this monster, you may be disappointed, unlike other Science fiction movies, (The Meg, 2018) & (Life, 2017) the creatures doesn't show up usually. But with a dark, quiet scene, it's little terrifying when they suddenly attack the crew
Many large and mysterious creatures are common subjects in movies, like Megalodon, Space creatures, Anaconda, Are they really exist. Since we only discover around 10% of the ocean, under the thermocline (between warmer n cooler water), temp decreases sharply and water is oxygen-rich, so giant creatures can be existing
Patients of a Saint (2020)
Human is not live as a sacrifice, they sacrifice themselves because of conscience
Human is not live as a sacrifice, they sacrifice themselves because of conscience.
The story is about an outbreak of a deadly virus spreads in an isolated prison in St. Leonard's Island because of an inhuman medical trials, those criminals desperately find their ways out of this jail.
Many violent criminals are women and kept in prison, the main-actress is Stone (Jess Chanliau), she helps others escape from the prison. The story starts from a scene that Stone's mother is walking closer to the sea to die, it's so confusing and cannot be understood bc it shows up with no purposes.
Those bloodthirsty zombies are not scary and surprising at all. You can be one of them if you apply black eyeshadow or black ink on face. At the beginning, u may think zombies are attracted by light or sound, but at the end it is so confusing why they act like this.
Personally, I highly not recommend u to watch, so time-wasting and boring, the plot is so confusing and don't know what's going on. Trailer tells you everything, don't buy ticket for it.
Little Monsters (2019)
Zombies Teacher Kids
"If you feel there is a turning point in life, then there must be a person you are going to meet."
Dave has a terrible life because of his foul-mouthed personality and negative attitude. He goes to a field farm-trip with his nephew, Felix as a volunteer because he is attracted by a kindergarten teacher, Miss Caroline. His life changes after an outbreak of zombies in a U.S. testing facility.
Miss Caroline (Lupita Nyong'o) remember her. She acts in <Us, 2019> I'm impressed she acts in unexpected way in zombies movie, so shiny. In this, she is always brave, kind, patient, and loves her students so much, try to protect them whatever it takes (I admire her) She plays ukulele n sings many songs, including Taylor Swift's "Shake It Off", quite gd
Can you imagine zombies respond to the music? In this movie, yes! Many nursery rhymes and pop-songs are played that make the movie so jolly
For Dave (Alexander England), this trip is a turning point of his life. Before, he always fights with her gf, has bad-temper and a meaningless life. After, he feels guilty for what he have done, and is inspired by a kindness from Miss Caroline
Teddy Mcgiggle (Josh Gad) is well-known from Frozen bc he's an American singer for voicing Olaf. But in this horror comedy movie, he's a villain who has two faces as a host of children's television show
Countdown (2019)
Death is not only we want to know but also want to escape."
This is a horror film about an intern-nurse, Quinn Harris(Elizabeth Lail) downloads a phone app that predicts and tells her she only has three days to live. She tries a way out of this situation before her countdown is scheduled to end
.
.
So easy to download Countdown Death App in real life! (Search in AppStore) This idea is so creative n new!!! Frankly we all have a god damn phone. The sound pattern of reminder alerts is creepy, such a super warm reminder
.
.
All ways u could think of, like hacking into program, deleting app or buying a new phone are done to beat the clock. But Demon isn't stupid and loves cheating, so the clock is still ticking...To be honest, we all cannot escape from death, why don't just accept it happens? Carpe Diem!
.
.
This one is unlike Final destination films bc scares are not real enough and not much hints telling how you'll die in a particular bloody way
.
.
Do not struggle to down in AppStore if u have guts Remember read all terms and conditions agreements thoroughly
Astral (2018)
Do not try to connect with the dead people, any way you try is all about demon"
"Do not try to connect with the dead people, any way you try is all about demon"
.
Alex(Frank Dillane)is a tertiary student, curious n interested in astral projection after he understands more from his professor. He tries to reconnect his dead mother through astral travel. But he has no idea what he connected - Asmodeus
.
Astral projection is an intentional out-of-body experience (OBE). U could try it anywhere u feel comfortable, then take a deep relaxation on body while keep mind awake, u'll find yourself floating n see yourself sleeping
.
Alex loves being alone, especially after his mother died. Demon always likes to prey on someone just like Alex because we all have weaknesses. If you give Demon chances, it's hard for you to get rid of it
.
Asmodeus is a demon, so-called "seven princes of hell". It has three heads: one like a sheep, one like a bull, and one like a man
.
My advise is don't try to connect with spirits bc you never know are they good or evil. God always protect us from demon