The 2018 Halloween is a great horror film. It still doesnt hold a candle to the original, but it is light years ahead of any of the previous sequels, the best of which were mediocre. Green understands the appeal of Carpenter's original in a way none of the previous directors did. My only complaints- I would have appreciated more long, drawn out single shot sequences and more atmospheric build up.
Reviews
6 Reviews
Halloween
(1978)
A horror masterpiece
28 March 2021
One of the best horror films of all time. None of the sequels or imitators even come close. Halloween is a true work of art from Carpenter. His long, uninterupted shots adding to the foreboding sense of dread. The soundtrack is utter perfection and likely the single best film soundtrack of all time. So many of the sequels failed to understand why the original was so effective. Myers is "The Shape", he shouldnt have a back story or a motive. He is a force of nature, like a hurricane coming into town every Halloween and wiping everyone out without rhyme or reason. This is something that all sequels (except the great 2018 sequel) failed to recognize. He is not a man. Donald Pleasance is fantastic and Jamie Lee Curtis just nails it in her first major role. I wish we had more directors nowadays who cared about atmosphere and building suspense the way Carpenter does.
Jaws
(1975)
Modern filmmakers need to take cues from Jaws
28 March 2021
Watching Jaws today, the film has just as much impact as it did back in 1975. Why? Because, rather than relying on special effects, the film relies on characters, dialogue and atmosphere. The shark's presence is always felt, even though it is rarely seen. However, what you remember most from this film are the characters. The interaction on the boat between the three leads is cinema perfection. The filmmakers of today have lost their way in a sea of weightless CGI and meaningless noise. A true masterpiece "monster movie" begins with good characters and atmosphere, the effects are merely the icing on the cake.
Aliens
(1986)
The best action film of all time. Period.
28 March 2021
Aliens is one of those films that is perfect on virtually every level and also stands the test of time. The practical xenomorph effects (particularly the final fight with the queen) look better than any released today. Thanks to the flawless direction by Cameron, the action sequences are seamless. The characters and acting are also all top notch. One thing sorely missing from modern day action/monster movies are compelling human characters. Like in Jaws, the human characters in Aliens are even more memorable than the beasts themselves. Ripley, Hicks, Hudson, etc. We will remember these names and their lines for the rest of our lives. Aliens is an action benchmark that has yet to be equaled.
Lucky
(I) (2017)
Excellent film and swan song for the brilliant Harry Dean Stanton
28 March 2021
This is an interesting, heartfelt meditation on life and coming to terms with ones own mortality. Harry Dean Stanton's performance is one for the ages and his supporting cast is also excellent, particularly the sweet but eccentric performance from David Lynch and a surprising and somber cameo from Tom Skerritt (fun fact- both Skerritt and Stanton were in Alien together). Highly recommended film.
Zack Snyder's Justice League
(2021)
More of the same from Snyder
28 March 2021
Yet another exercise in hollow style over substance. Its pretentious, boring, and needlessly long. The dialogue is, at best, basic and the effects are mediocre. With so much CGI it might as well be a cartoon and watching it is about as much fun as watching someone else play a video game. It will primarily appeal to 13 year olds, or those with the intellect of a 13 year old. Which reinforces the fact that Snyder is the new Michael Bay. Its a shame that the once mighty DC of the Nolan years has been reduced to being a series of music videos starring DCEU characters. Hopefully this is the last we will ever see of the so called "Snyderverse".
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