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The Exorcist: Believer (2023)
The collapse of a cultural milestone
There's a strange allegorical shift just after the arrival of Ellen Burstyn as Chris Macneil. What begins with a sure footed understanding of how a Missing Children Mystery works, it collapses into a shallow mess of exposition, poor writing, oddly mismatched editing, and faltering belief in itself.
In it's attempt to access tragedy in the story, this inept team make every effort to hit all the spiritual and cultural targets that might appeal to a caring audience. The dissonance is jarring
In this way, they miss them all. Obviously. It feels less like a good attempt and more like a rude gesture towards Blatty, Burstyn, Von Sydow and everyone who put so much of themselves into the original work of collective genius.
What an unholy mess.
Talk to Me (2022)
A very interesting return to traditional horror.
It's hard to find what's so very accurate about this film. From the off, the viewer is offered the chance to feel empathy for agony. These are adolescents and the chosen audience will be acutely heightened when reacting. I applaud the two young directors for their economy and timing.
Beware though. The efficiency of their direction is well tuned. We are reminded of how very hard it was, as children, to face fears whilst hiding them. Not understanding the cause of feelings but being afraid and guilty and to blame for ordinary events. Ouija, the Haunted House round the corner. Being different.
Like the content if this film. Caution is advised. Be careful who you share it with. The medium IS the message.
Like The Haunting. The Exorcist, and those others that are uniquely scary, this does the job very well.
The Creator (2023)
I'd love to give a good review...
What stops me? The poor projection quality in my local cinema. I just don't understand it. Millions of dollars and Blood, Sweat and Tears spilled. Adverts offer great spectacle. Fabulous acting and directoral reputations. Then the finished object is muddier than Muddy Mudskipper's Wellies. The odd set piece in the sky actually felt like a relief!
What I could gather though was, well worth watching, especially for all the performances and design!
Don't let this put you off though. I would certainly take time to call the cinema and check before going..
My viewing was in a Cinema named after the activity and not usually known for this kind of problem.
Insidious: The Red Door (2023)
Disastrous
The principle element holding the other films together only arrives at the last minute. This is utterly disastrous for the franchise. Oh and, since when has a Frat House been amusing?
There are so many tropes that have passed their sell by dates.
The "Art Class" in the round as a kind of competition. "Cookie" characters balancing the horror. Hypnosis as meditation and Paranormal triggering.
Add to these, the flat script, predictable outcomes along the way and the patronising use of "Jump Scares".
Such a shame. The excellent cast were largely expected to phone in their performances and please. We are no longer affected by "Fog"!
I rest my case.
Ps. I never review with spoilers but this deserved it.
American Horror Story: Something's Coming (2022)
Horror indeed.
It's fascinating being here some times. Film and TV criticism or analysis is often misunderstood. Preconception and/or disappointment often indicates a missed opportunity to look at themes with more than just a need for entertainment.
AHS is always political. Always socially conscious. Thank Falchuk for that!
"New York" is both of its time as a post-Trump Pandemic polemic and about a time when many of us were involved in public health and personal safety.
This may well come to be seen as AHS grown up. A real horror. Hidden for years. Feared for more. Demonised and welcomed by the gutter press and main stream media alike.
We lived through the trauma. Lost friends. It was only forty years ago. That's an adult lifespan. If you're unlucky.
Demonic (2021)
What a weird one.
Blomkamp tried another attempt at innovation. But dropped the ball. 'Demonic' has the feel, initial promise and denouement of it's eighties progenitors. It has none of the true innovation of 'District 9' or the superior 'Oats Studios' shorts. Half way through, I was hoping for an appearance from Sharlto Copley but no such luck. Just odd. Unsatisfactory. Old fashioned and impossible to suspend.
Stay Close (2021)
What a waste..
It's always a disappointment to see great acting abandoned to the vaguaries of poor writing, imperfect continuity, worse setting and location. This is a real stinker. Don't bother.
Unless, you want to witness true artists, desperately working at an impossible project. With, I hope, one eye on the Netflix payoff.
Disastrous.
Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (2011)
Don't judge a film by its cover.
Forgettable and facile by turns but entertaing, so long as it's viewed for what it is. An elaborate, 3D Comic Book. It feels almost like a direct lift from the storyboard. Flick through it. Its fun.
Silent Witness: Redemption: Part 1 (2021)
Export only?
Very sadly, this new series feels as if it's had a massive budget cut. The whole hangs together by dint of the two main protagonists and the missing two are ghosts at the table.
Very much Sunday afternoon in New Zealand viewing I fear.
Us (2019)
A starter. Entree and Main. Watch several times.
Another near masterpiece. Mainly for those who enjoy multilayered narrative and reference driven side alleys.
This is NOT a simple horror film. Any more than Get Out, Hereditary or Midsommar. This one will be discussed for years.
Enjoy.
Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé (2019)
Just breathtaking
I am, one of those white, middle aged, middle class men.
Who adores what this woman does. Along with Nina Simone. Jesseye Norman. Ella's Fitzgerald. Tina Turner
....
Beyoncé is in a league of her own. A modern league. One that transcends the media she is dependent on. A rare thing.
This is a rare piece of film making. A celebration of the austeur. A joy.
Tenet (2020)
Does your head hurt yet?
I was lucky enough to get to see Tenet on release in the wonderful Everyman Cinema in Manchester. At the time, the pandemic dictated that wer have space between us and time to think, walking from venue to transport.
I bought the Blu ray version asap and am still digesting.
It is a very difficult narrative to follow and contain, certainly. However, if you take the advice given in dialogue and just let it happen, something oddly cogent starts to occur.
The style, content and the involvement of the viewer is ineffably combined to encourage a new way of thinking.
It's not to say that this is applicable for all people but, my impression is that Tenet is less James Bond and more Inception. Whilst both films contain elements of old fashioned spy drama, this is more of an intellectual gift to the audience. It is the second part of a trilogy?
I deliberately exclude Memento as the confusion remains solidly centred at Guy Pierce's location in time.
This film is more accurately dreamlike than Inception. And more than equally rewarding.
Black Narcissus (2020)
Not a film
Those who criticise the look and feel of this piece for being less than cinematic are missing the point.
It is a beautifully constructed play.
Watch it again.
Its worth it.
The Other Side of the Door (2016)
Interesting comparisons.
It's odd, that so many comparisons are being drawn with Pet Cemetery and none with the premise of 'A Dark Song'.
Effective but nothing startling.
Overlord (2018)
There are better Game Conversions.
Basically, this is Wolfenstein made by a fan.
For good Nazi Zombie films look elsewhere.
Or play the game.
Hate Crime (2005)
Badly written, over zealous nonsense.
I'm not entirely sure why this has garnered so many favourable reviews?
A good cast are sadly misused by an atrocious script.
A single episide of Columbo maybe. Without Peter Falk.
The Invisible Man (2020)
4/10 for suspense.
Elizabeth Moss must account for a chunk of the budget.
She justifies it by having a fight with herself on the kitchen floor and showing the audience where to look.
The cinematic equivalent of a mediocre tribute band.
A Dark Song (2016)
Outstanding.
In all respects. The two handed script and single location only serve to invite the viewer to populate the gaps with imagined scenarios.
Deeply involving. Genuinely scary,but largely because it transcends the divide between Horror and Thriller via well documented psychological fact.
A genuine rarity.
The Baytown Outlaws (2012)
Boss Hawwwg!!
Far from being a Tarantino Wannabe film, this may well last the run but only because 'Dukes of Hazzard' did it all before.
This is no more than high camp, low art, self parody wrapped in a confederate flag.
Great fun but it loses its way, its weight and its intent.
Great fun. Just like Bo and Duke. Recommended.
Ares (2020)
There are precedents.
Look no further than the remake of Suspiria.
It has charm and genuine chill...
Well worth persisting through occasional daftness.
Once Upon a Time in... Hollywood (2019)
Remember. Tarantino WRITES.
The direction he's been going in has reached his screenplay masterpiece. Spare and unsympathetic in many places, this out - dogs Reservoir Dogs.
It's been cited as a "Love letter to Hollywood". No. This is more a blackmail note. His hostage is cinema and the future, the threat.
Is he big enough to mark a place in history by telling a convoluted Western tale against the reality of business manipulation?
Yes. But only if you've lived a sizeable chunk of his story yourself.
And if you care.
Resurrection (1999)
Not a homage. A direct lift.
I like Russell Mulcahey. He delivers entertaining daftness with a great broad brush.
God knows what happened here. I can't believe any director would go after David Fincher in so blatant a fashion.
Other reviewers have let him off lightly, citing the score as particularly effective for example.
The score 'Breathes' like the masterpiece for 'Se7en' by Howard Shore.
The plot points are like an Eye Spy Book of 'Seven' even signalling contempt for the audience bordering on satire.
I sat through it entirely just to see if the denouement was echoed in any way.
See for yourselves. I won't spoil it for you.
Love, Death & Robots: Sonnie's Edge (2019)
Headline? This is the series HEADLINE.
Give this it's own space please. It felt like a true beginning of something significantly different in CGI. Bravo!
The Monster (2016)
Effective but there's a bit missing..
A good psychological horrer mashup but, it missed the opportunity to tie the story up to the myth of the Jersey Devil. I'm sure this was the origin of this storyline.
Tall Men (2016)
Yes Lynchian but don't let reviews put you off..
A cheery, sweet surreal story. Told in the unmistakable style of Eraserhead but without its punch and genius. Likeable characterisation and well edited dialogue. It has the appeal of innocence reinforced by the portrayal of vulnerable people offering their take on the reality of life.
I couldn't put it down.