Movies that deserve less hate/more recognition.
I'll specify which in the description - movies that either everyone seems to hate but me, or that aren't well known enough.
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- DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsDennis WeaverJacqueline ScottEddie FirestoneA business commuter is pursued and terrorized by the malevolent driver of a massive tractor-trailer.MORE RECOGNITION - because this was an early TV movie it largely goes unremembered when compared to the rest of Spielberg's filmography (the Indiana Jones films, "E.T." [1982], "Jaws" [1975], "Jurassic Park" [1993], "Schindler's List" [1993]). In my eyes it's a perfect movie - it's not bloated, self-gratifying or grandiose, and it wastes no time on Spielberg's usual blockbuster saccharine.
- DirectorGeorge A. RomeroStarsJan WhiteRaymond LaineAnn MufflyA neglected, unhappy suburban housewife gets mixed up in witchcraft with unexpected consequences.MORE RECOGNITION - mostly forgotten, just like Romero's "Martin" [1977]. While that film is better, this one's not bad either, with some fantastic editing and very surreal sequences, although it is mostly a wordy drama and at times pretty slow.
- DirectorBob ClarkStarsOlivia HusseyKeir DulleaMargot KidderDuring their Christmas break, a group of sorority girls are stalked by a stranger.MORE RECOGNITION - a deeply atmospheric and unnerving slasher film that's overshadowed by the likes of "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre" [1974] and "Halloween" [1978] (the latter of which owes a lot to this film).
- DirectorRobert WiseStarsAnthony HopkinsMarsha MasonJohn BeckA stranger attempts to convince a happily married couple that their daughter is actually his daughter reincarnated.MORE RECOGNITION - not as good as "The Exorcist" [1973], but very reminiscent thanks to its story and subject matter, its intense and genuine performances, and its almost documentarian directorial style.
- DirectorJohn BoormanRospo PallenbergStarsRichard BurtonLinda BlairLouise FletcherA teenage girl once possessed by a demon finds that it still lurks within her. Meanwhile, a priest investigates the death of the girl's exorcist.LESS HATE - it's not perfect, but it's a highly symbolic, often surreal, and pretty well-shot sequel that doesn't just cash in on "The Exorcist" [1973]. Instead it actually tries something different, and I'd say it works (though not all the time).
- DirectorGeorge A. RomeroStarsJohn AmplasLincoln MaazelChristine ForrestA young man, who believes himself to be a vampire, goes to live with his elderly and hostile cousin in a Pennsylvania small town where he tries to redeem his blood-craving urges.MORE RECOGNITION - not perfect and very slow, but a very solemn and grim movie about a delusional murder-rapist called Martin and his religious cousin/uncle/grandfather(??) who is convinced Martin is a legit vampire.
- DirectorTony MaylamStarsBrian MatthewsLeah AyresBrian BackerA former summer camp caretaker, horribly burned from a prank gone wrong, lurks around an upstate New York summer camp bent on killing the teenagers responsible for his disfigurement.MORE RECOGNITION - like "Black Christmas" [1974] before it, this one was lost under the shadow of other slashers like "Friday the 13th" [1980], to which this is superior. "Friday" has good parts but is mostly boring, while "The Burning" is consistently enjoyable - better characters and acting, and a better-utilised setting.
- DirectorHarry Bromley DavenportStarsPhilip SayerBernice StegersDanny BraininAn alien creature impregnates a woman who gives birth to a man who was abducted by aliens three years ago. The man reconnects with his wife and son for a sinister purpose.MORE RECOGNITION - usually remembered as a crappy 80s b-movie (even by the director himself), which is kind of an insult. It's a highly creative, visually compelling and deeply horrific film about a family splitting up. It's not a perfect film, obviously, but it's one of my personal favourites.
- DirectorRichard FranklinStarsAnthony PerkinsVera MilesMeg TillyAfter twenty-two years of psychiatric care, Norman Bates attempts to return to a life of solitude, but the specters of his crimes - and his mother - continue to haunt him.MORE RECOGNITION - badly received by critics, I guess because nobody's allowed to make a sequel to a Hitchcock film, especially one that's subversive or challenging. But it's very cleverly written, with a great performance from Anthony Perkins and some nice call-backs and twists.
- DirectorRobert HiltzikStarsFelissa RoseJonathan TierstenKaren FieldsBunks and showers are a mad stabber's beat at a summer camp strictly for teens.MORE RECOGNITION - it falls into the usual traps of its contemporary slashers (mostly vapid characters, poor acting, sometimes cheap effects), but it has a great story and themes and creative kills.
- DirectorMick JacksonStarsKaren MeagherReece DinsdaleDavid BrierlyThe effects of a nuclear holocaust on the working class city of Sheffield, England and the eventual long-term effects of nuclear war on civilization.MORE RECOGNITION - a British TV movie from the 80s about a nuclear explosion in Yorkshire. It's incredibly haunting and surprisingly well made.
- DirectorWilliam MaloneStarsStan IvarWendy SchaalLyman WardAfter a member of a geological research team who was sent to Saturn's largest moon: Titan crashes their spacecraft into a space station, another team is sent to Titan to investigate, not knowing the terror that awaits them.MORE RECOGNITION - a fun little "Alien" [1979] rip-off with cool gore (even a head explosion!).
- DirectorGeoff MurphyStarsBruno LawrenceAlison RoutledgePete SmithA scientist awakens to find himself alone in the world. In a desperate attempt to search for others, he finds only two who have their own agenda.MORE RECOGNITION - a great, clever sci-fi movie, tho it has a bit too much philosophising. Still really good.
- DirectorJohn CarpenterStarsDonald PleasenceLisa BlountJameson ParkerA group of graduate students and scientists uncover an ancient canister in an abandoned church, but when they open the container, they inadvertently unleash a strange liquid and an evil force on all humanity.MORE RECOGNITION - not a sequel to "The Thing" [1982] but a spiritual successor, and worthy of being so thanks to lots of creative and visually interesting horror and neat sci-fi concepts.
- DirectorSandor SternStarsDavid HewlettCynthia PrestonTerry O'QuinnIsolated by his strange parents, Leon finds solace in an imaginary friend, which happens to be an anatomy doll from his father's doctor office. Unfortunately, the doll begins to take over Leon's life, and his sister's life as well.MORE RECOGNITION - a very simple but clever psych-horror.
- DirectorJörg ButtgereitStarsHermann KoppHeinrich EbberMichael KrauseSeven episodes, each taking place on a different day of the week, on the theme of suicide and violent death.MORE RECOGNITION - it's painfully slow and far from gripping, but intriguing for fans of experimental cinema, cinematography and effects, and anthology horror.
- DirectorWilliam Peter BlattyStarsGeorge C. ScottEd FlandersBrad DourifA police lieutenant uncovers more than he bargained for as his investigation of a series of murders, which have all the hallmarks of the deceased Gemini serial killer, leads him to question the patients of a psychiatric ward.MORE RECOGNITION - a great sequel to "The Exorcist" [1973] with the same clever writing, courtesy of William Peter Blatty, and a similarly eerie but distinctly more morbid tone that really works. George C. Scott is excellent in it!
- DirectorPhilip RidleyStarsViggo MortensenLindsay DuncanJeremy CooperIn the 1950s, a young boy living with his troublesome family in rural USA fantasizes that a neighboring widow is actually a vampire, responsible for a number of disappearances in the area.MORE RECOGNITION - very subtle and full of great imagery and symbolism. My only issue was the super-melodramatic acting throughout.
- DirectorDavid FincherStarsSigourney WeaverCharles S. DuttonCharles DanceReturning from LV-426, Ellen Ripley crash-lands on the maximum-security prison Fiorina 161, where she discovers that she has unwittingly brought along an unwelcome visitor.LESS HATE - has a grim and nihilistic atmosphere, great production design and an interesting setting.
- DirectorRobert LiebermanStarsD.B. SweeneyRobert PatrickCraig ShefferAn Arizona logger mysteriously disappears for five days in an alleged encounter with a flying saucer in 1975. His co-workers endure ridicule and contempt as they are wrongly accused of murder.MORE RECOGNITION - starts off like a quirky Spielberg film, but quickly becomes a very involving biopic, containing one of the most horrific scenes I've ever seen in a movie towards the end.
- DirectorStephen NorringtonStarsWesley SnipesStephen DorffKris KristoffersonA half-vampire, half-mortal man becomes a protector of the mortal race, while slaying evil vampires.MORE RECOGNITION - a successful Marvel superhero movie before the Marvel Cinematic Universe or the "X-Men" series. Featured a black male AND black female lead 20 years before "Black Panther" [2018]. And a successful R-rated superhero movie before "Deadpool" [2016]. On top of all that, it's a super-solid movie.
- DirectorGeorge LucasStarsEwan McGregorLiam NeesonNatalie PortmanTwo Jedi escape a hostile blockade to find allies and come across a young boy who may bring balance to the Force, but the long dormant Sith resurface to claim their original glory.LESS HATE - I think mine is the popular opinion on the other two prequels, that "Revenge of the Sith" [2005] is the best of the three with some great moments, and "Attack of the Clones" [2002] is almost completely terrible. I have a soft spot for this one though - I like a lot of the characters, there are lots more locations, miniatures and prosthetics than in the succeeding two films, some of the CG looks fine, the score is wonderful, and I actually don't mind Jar Jar. I truly don't believe this one deserves its poor reputation.
- DirectorPaul VerhoevenStarsKevin BaconElisabeth ShueJosh BrolinA brilliant scientist's discovery renders him invisible, but transforms him into an omnipotent, dangerous megalomaniac.LESS HATE - I got bored towards the end, but I never hated it or thought it was terrible. I actually quite enjoyed it at first, and I really don't understand why it's been completely dismissed by many people.
- DirectorJohn DahlStarsSteve ZahnPaul WalkerLeelee SobieskiThree young people on a road trip from Colorado to New Jersey talk to a trucker on their CB radio, then must escape when he turns out to be a psychopathic killer.MORE RECOGNITION - a spiritual successor to "Duel" [1971] that was co-written by J. J. Abrams. It's less minimalistic than "Duel", with more locations, characters and dialogue, but it's very clever, very funny, and very intense.
- DirectorSimon WestStarsAngelina JolieJon VoightIain GlenVideo game adventurer Lara Croft comes to life in a movie where she races against time and villains to recover powerful ancient artifacts.LESS HATE - maybe I'm biased as a huge "Tomb Raider" fan, but this here is a really fun action
movie based on a video game. It nails the tone, the locations and the characters, and there are some genuinely creative fights and set pieces. - DirectorBrad AndersonStarsDavid CarusoStephen GevedonPaul GuilfoyleTensions rise within an asbestos cleaning crew as they work in an abandoned mental hospital with a horrific past that seems to be coming back.MORE RECOGNITION - very mysterious and full of foreshadowing and great editing.
- DirectorEli RothStarsJordan LaddRider StrongJames DeBelloFive college graduates rent a cabin in the woods and begin to fall victim to a horrifying flesh-eating virus, which attracts the unwanted attention of the homicidal locals.LESS HATE - hilarious and well-made, I genuinely enjoyed it despite its low-brow nature.
- DirectorGreg MarcksStarsHenry ThomasColin HanksBen FosterThe events leading up to an 11:14 p.m. car crash, from five very different perspectives.MORE RECOGNITION - a backwards-chronological (á la "Memento" [2000], "Irreversible" [2002]) crime story with hints of "Pulp Fiction" [1994] like overlapping stories, depraved characters and often morbid humour.
- DirectorMark Steven JohnsonStarsBen AffleckJennifer GarnerColin FarrellA man blinded by toxic waste which also enhanced his remaining senses fights crime as an acrobatic martial arts superhero.LESS HATE - not particularly clever, but very enjoyable and with colourful characters and action.
- DirectorStephen NorringtonStarsSean ConneryStuart TownsendPeta WilsonIn an alternate Victorian Age world, a group of famous contemporary fantasy, science fiction, and adventure characters team up on a secret mission.MORE RECOGNITION - a fun, goofy steampunk action movie.
- DirectorFrançois OzonStarsCharlotte RamplingCharles DanceLudivine SagnierA British mystery author visits her publisher's home in the South of France, where her interaction with his unusual daughter sets off some touchy dynamics.MORE RECOGNITION - a very elegant and artsy film, well-written and suspenseful.
- DirectorAlex TurnerStarsHenry ThomasPatrick FugitNicki AycoxA group of Confederate soldiers hole up in an abandoned plantation after robbing a bank and find themselves at the mercy of supernatural forces.MORE RECOGNITION - it's honestly not all that great, but it kept my interest until the end, which is better than a lot of these b-movies. Also a horror/western hybrid before "Bone Tomahawk" [2015].
- DirectorEthan CoenJoel CoenStarsTom HanksMarlon WayansIrma P. HallAn eccentric, if not charming Southern professor and his crew pose as a classical ensemble in order to rob a casino, all under the nose of his unsuspecting but sharp old landlady.LESS HATE - one of the worst-received Coen brothers films, but I enjoyed it for what it was and thought it was fairly cleverly done.
- DirectorDon ManciniStarsJennifer TillyBrad DourifJohn WatersChucky and Tiffany are resurrected by their innocent gender-confused child, Glen/Glenda, and hit Hollywood, where a movie depicting the killer dolls' murder spree is underway.MORE RECOGNITION - not only is it completely crazy and schlocky in a perfectly fun way, but it has some neat meta-commentary that exceeds anything in "New Nightmare" [1994] or the "Scream" films.
- DirectorPhil TippettStarsBilly BrownRichard BurgiKelly CarlsonIn the sequel to Paul Verhoeven's loved/reviled sci-fi film, a group of troopers taking refuge in an abandoned outpost after fighting alien bugs, failing to realize that more danger lays in wait.LESS HATE - really not all that bad for a direct-to-video sequel, with a scaled-down plot reminiscent of "The Thing" [1982] and a few satirical moments worthy of the first film.
- DirectorTim BurtonStarsJohnny DeppFreddie HighmoreDavid KellyCharlie, a young boy from an impoverished family, and four other kids win a tour of an amazing chocolate factory run by an imaginative chocolatier, Willy Wonka, and his staff of Oompa-Loompas.LESS HATE - I'm no fan of Johnny Depp but I kinda like his awkward, apathetic portrayal of Willy Wonka here. The fairytale feel of the film seems appropriate, it's all very colourful and such. The original adaptation is much better tho.
- DirectorPaul SchraderStarsStellan SkarsgårdGabriel MannClara BellarYears before Father Lankester Merrin helped save Regan MacNeil's soul, he first encounters the demon Pazuzu in East Africa. Merrin's initial battle with Pazuzu leads to the rediscovery of his faith.LESS HATE - even the studio hated this one, so much so that they had the director of "Deep Blue Sea" [1999] helm an embarrassing re-written audience-pleasing version to replace it. This film demonstrates how much difference the right director (and the right screenwriters) can make, as Schrader brings cleverer imagery, meditative pacing, a neater structure, and recurrent themes that make sense.
- DirectorWerner HerzogStarsTimothy TreadwellAmie HuguenardWerner HerzogA devastating and heart-rending take on grizzly bear activists Timothy Treadwell and Amie Huguenard, who were killed in October of 2003 while living among grizzly bears in Alaska.MORE RECOGNITION - I never thought 90 minutes of really engaging documentary material could be squeezed out of a guy getting eaten by a bear.
- DirectorMel GibsonStarsGerardo TaracenaRaoul Max TrujilloDalia HernándezAs the Mayan kingdom faces its decline, a young man is taken on a perilous journey to a world ruled by fear and oppression.MORE RECOGNITION - not only is this a movie that's both narratively effective and visually beautiful, but it's clearly a movie that had a lot of research and effort put into it. The care and detail in recreating Mayan civilisation is astounding, with a cast of indigenous American and Mexican actors speaking an approximation of the Maya language the whole time.
- DirectorWilliam FriedkinStarsAshley JuddMichael ShannonHarry Connick Jr.An unhinged war veteran holes up with a lonely woman in a spooky Oklahoma motel room. The line between reality and delusion is blurred as they discover a bug infestation.MORE RECOGNITION - a claustrophobic psych-horror about crazy people feeding each other's delusions. A little over-performed tho, and it probably works better as a stageplay.
- DirectorSylvain WhiteStarsBrooke NevinDavid PaetkauTorrey DeVittoA group of teenagers in Colorado find themselves being stalked and killed one by one by a mysterious figure with a hook, exactly one year after they covered up a friend's accidental death.LESS HATE - it may be the most cheaply made, but it's also the only "Last Summer" film I actually like. It's got a grimey, gritty feeling that reminds me of "House of Wax" [2005] (which is also great), some creative camerawork and photography, a visually interesting and unique setting, and some oddly compelling music video-style editing that looks like something out of a "Saw" movie.
- DirectorGil KenanStarsMitchel MussoSam LernerSpencer LockeThree teens discover that their neighbor's house is really a living, breathing, scary monster.MORE RECOGNITION - this is a film I enjoyed well enough as a kid, and appreciate even more as an adult for its surprisingly mature humour and plot, and for its distinctive animation style and genuinely spooky moments.
- DirectorMikael HåfströmStarsJohn CusackSamuel L. JacksonMary McCormackA man who specialises in debunking paranormal occurrences checks into the fabled room 1408 in the Dolphin Hotel. Soon after settling in, he confronts genuine terror.MORE RECOGNITION - an intelligent, well-acted psychological thriller that's also one of the lesser recognised Stephen King adaptations.
- DirectorQuentin TarantinoStarsKurt RussellZoë BellRosario DawsonTwo separate sets of voluptuous women are stalked at different times by a scarred stuntman who uses his "death proof" cars to execute his murderous plans.LESS HATE - like "Duel" [1971] for Steven Spielberg, this is the Tarantino film that nobody remembers (and many say is his worst). Kurt Russell, Zoë Bell and Tracie Thoms are fantastic in it - it's an empowering car-based slasher film with some great action and horror, and lots of classic Tarantino dialogue.
- DirectorSion SonoStarsChiaki KuriyamaMegumi SatôTsugumiAbout hair extensions that attack the women that wear them.MORE RECOGNITION - one of those grudge-based J-horror movies, but one of the better ones. It has a unique visual style, good emotional drama, and a neat monster.
- DirectorRob ZombieStarsScout Taylor-ComptonMalcolm McDowellTyler ManeAfter being committed for 15 years, Michael Myers, now a grown man and still very dangerous, escapes from the mental institution and immediately returns to Haddonfield to find his baby sister, Laurie.LESS HATE - the opening chunk focusing on Michael's childhood is pretty bad, but past that point it's not bad at all. I'm not saying it's great or anything, but I liked it.
- DirectorJoel AndersonStarsRosie TraynorDavid PledgerMartin SharpeStrange things start happening after a girl is found drowned in a lake.MORE RECOGNITION - fantastic mockumentary that's both sad and disturbing.
- DirectorSteven SheilStarsPerry BensonDido MilesOlga FedoriLena, a young Polish immigrant working as a cleaner at an airport, is invited to the family home of a co-worker, which turns sinister quickly as the family intend to 'adopt' her.MORE RECOGNITION - not a feel-good film by any means, but pretty good and underappreciated, save for some irritating performances.
- DirectorCatherine HardwickeStarsKristen StewartRobert PattinsonBilly BurkeWhen Bella Swan moves to a small town in the Pacific Northwest, she falls in love with Edward Cullen, a mysterious classmate who reveals himself to be a 108-year-old vampire.LESS HATE - hating these movies got old. They're not particularly good, but they're not that bad, come on.
- DirectorJake WestStarsDanny DyerNoel ClarkeEmil MarwaA group of men, heading to a remote village to help one of their friends get over his divorce, soon discover that all the women have been infected with a virus that makes them man-hating cannibals.MORE RECOGNITION - really fun, entertaining zombie comedy.
- DirectorSteven ChamberlainStarsSteven ChamberlainFour seventeen year-olds end up trapped in a terrifying situation they cannot seem to escape.MORE RECOGNITION - it's a 10 minute video uploaded to YouTube, but it's terrifying. Believable performances, naturalistic (and probably improvised) dialogue, space/time-bending, and a perfectly-suited format - it's "The Blair Witch Project" [1999] but a decade later and 10 minutes long.
- DirectorDavid KeatingStarsAidan GillenEva BirthistleTimothy SpallThe parents of a girl who was killed by a savage dog are granted the opportunity to spend three days with their deceased daughter.MORE RECOGNITION - a Hammer film that might as well have been direct-to-DVD with what it made at the box office. It's a grotesque and macabre movie about a couple bringing their child back from the dead, and it deserves some recognition just for one particularly crazy special effects sequence.
- DirectorAdam GreenStarsShawn AshmoreEmma BellKevin ZegersThree skiers stranded on a chairlift are forced to make life-or-death choices, which prove more perilous than staying put and freezing to death.MORE RECOGNITION - a pretty decent trapped-in-a-deadly-situation kind of movie with good emotion and drama, even if it does go on a bit too long.
- DirectorGareth EdwardsStarsScoot McNairyWhitney AbleMario Zuniga BenavidesSix years after Earth has suffered an alien invasion, a cynical journalist agrees to escort a shaken American tourist through an infected zone in Mexico to the safety of the U.S. border.MORE RECOGNITION - a very well-made story about how people respond to this alien situation. Great visual effects and minimal focus on the monsters themselves make it very admirable.
- DirectorMike FlanaganStarsKatie ParkerCourtney BellDave LevineA woman and her sister begin to link a mysterious tunnel to a series of disappearances, including that of her own husband.MORE RECOGNITION - before Mike Flanagan made "Oculus" [2013], "Hush" [2016] and "Gerald's Game" [2017], he made this claustrophobic indie horror about people being snatched away by some unseen force.
- DirectorTarsem SinghStarsHenry CavillMickey RourkeJohn HurtTheseus is a mortal man chosen by Zeus to lead the fight against the ruthless King Hyperion, who is on a rampage across Greece to obtain a weapon that can destroy humanity.MORE RECOGNITION - it's so much better than the better known "300" [2006], but I've never seen anyone recommend or discuss it.
- DirectorAlex ChandonStarsJo HartleyJames DohertySeamus O'NeillFour young offenders and their care workers visit the remote Yorkshire village of Mortlake, which prides on keeping itself to itself. A minor incident with locals rapidly escalates into a blood-soaked, deliriously warped nightmare.MORE RECOGNITION - tasteless, disgusting and offensive, and very enjoyable. Limited by some awkward visual effects tho.
- DirectorWilliam FriedkinStarsMatthew McConaugheyEmile HirschJuno TempleWhen a debt puts a young man's life in danger, he turns to putting a hit out on his evil mother in order to collect the insurance.MORE RECOGNITION - a black comedy that actually works, with perfectly cast characters that you love to hate, some sharp dialogue and tons of depravity.
- DirectorCarl TibbettsStarsThandiwe NewtonCillian MurphyJamie BellKate and Martin escape from personal tragedy to an Island Retreat. Cut off from the outside world, their attempts to recover are shattered when a Man is washed ashore, with news of airborne killer disease that is sweeping through Europe.MORE RECOGNITION - unnerving and tense, and with great performances from the lead men (Thandie Newton is only good when she's not crying or hysterical).
- DirectorAri AsterStarsBilly MayoBrandon GreenhouseAngela BullockA dark domestic-horror drama about the ties that bind--and the ties that really bind.MORE RECOGNITION - an engaging and uncomfortable half-hour short from the director of "Hereditary" [2018] and "Midsommar" [2019] that showcases the potential those films developed from.
- DirectorCarlo LedesmaStarsBel DeliáAndy RodoredaSteve DavisAn investigation into a government cover-up leads to a network of abandoned train tunnels deep beneath the heart of Sydney. As a journalist and her crew hunt for the story it quickly becomes clear the story is hunting them.MORE RECOGNITION - undeservedly underrated, a convincing and immersive mockumentary horror.
- DirectorNicholas McCarthyStarsCaity LotzCasper Van DienMark StegerAs a woman struggles to come to grips with her past in the wake of her mother's death and the disappearance of her sister, an unsettling presence emerges in her childhood home.MORE RECOGNITION - it's not the most original film ever, but it's just a solid horror film that I never see mentioned anywhere. Visually striking, with spooky images.
- DirectorKimberly PeirceStarsChloë Grace MoretzJulianne MooreGabriella WildeA shy girl, outcast by her peers and sheltered by her religious mother, unleashes telekinetic terror on her small town after being pushed too far at her senior prom.LESS HATE - this film is no exception to the rule
that remakes are generally unnecessary, and often retread old ground instead of forging their own paths. It's a fine film though, and not worthy of the hate. - DirectorJeremy LoveringStarsIain De CaesteckerAlice EnglertAllen LeechDriving to a music festival in Ireland, a new couple become lost and are then set upon by a tormentor with an unknown motive.MORE RECOGNITION - refreshingly minimalistic as it tells the story of people in a car getting lost on backcountry roads, as space and time appear to bend around them.
- DirectorEd Gass-DonnellyStarsAshley BellJulia GarnerSpencer Treat ClarkAs Nell Sweetzer tries to build a new life after the events of the first movie, the evil force that once possessed her returns with an even more horrific plan.MORE RECOGNITION - despite having too many jump-scares, a very classy sequel to a solid horror film that succeeds in its own ways.
- DirectorNicolas Winding RefnStarsRyan GoslingKristin Scott ThomasVithaya PansringarmJulian, a drug-smuggler thriving in Bangkok's criminal underworld, sees his life get even more complicated when his mother compels him to find and kill whoever is responsible for his brother's recent death.LESS HATE - a nice companion piece (of sorts) to the more popular "Drive" [2011]. The setting is very interesting and allows for a diverse cast of characters and locations. The score is funky, the colours and lighting are fucking beautiful, and there's lots going on thematically. This should've been an arthouse hit.
- DirectorNick SzostakiwskyjStarsShane TwerdunMichael DicksonCarl ToftfeltAt a cold, desolate, northmost outpost in Canada, an archaeological discovery is made. A specialist arrives Nov. 1. Strange things happen. All contact with the outside world is down.MORE RECOGNITION - an effective psychological horror that takes the setting and characters of "The Thing" [1982] and combines them with a strong atmosphere and a cerebral mystery.
- DirectorLeigh JaniakStarsRose LeslieHarry TreadawayBen HuberA newlywed couple finds their lake-country honeymoon descend into chaos after Paul finds Bea wandering and disoriented in the middle of the night.MORE RECOGNITION - an unsettling horror story that asks you what you'd do if someone you love changed on a fundamental level. It's very well performed and written.
- DirectorDamián SzifronStarsDarío GrandinettiMaría MarullMónica VillaSix short stories that explore the extremities of human behavior involving people in distress.MORE RECOGNITION - a rare example of a really good anthology.
- DirectorS. Craig ZahlerStarsKurt RussellPatrick WilsonMatthew FoxIn the dying days of the old west, an elderly sheriff and his posse set out to rescue their town's doctor from cannibalistic cave dwellers.MORE RECOGNITION - a western with lots of attention to detail, dialogue and performance, which turns into one of the most grotesque and hard-to-watch horror movies I've ever seen.
- DirectorJohn Erick DowdleStarsLake BellPierce BrosnanOwen WilsonIn their new overseas home, an American family soon finds themselves caught in the middle of a coup, and they frantically look for a safe escape from an environment where foreigners are being immediately executed.MORE RECOGNITION - really entertaining action movie which is sometimes scary and upsetting, and has a triumphant ending.
- DirectorBranden KramerStarsAshley BensonMatt McGorryKaili VernoffA young graduate student is tormented by a stalker who hacks into her electronic devices and monitors her every move.MORE RECOGNITION - a found footage movie from the perspective of someone using remote access malware on a girl's laptop and phone. It's intimate and unsettling, and employs the found footage style very well.
- DirectorRoxanne BenjaminMatt Bettinelli-OlpinDavid BrucknerStarsChad VillellaMatt Bettinelli-OlpinKristina PesicFive interlocking tales of terror follow the fates of a group of weary travellers who confront their worst nightmares - and darkest secrets - over one long night on a desolate stretch of desert highway.MORE RECOGNITION - an anthology that reminds of David Lynch, John Carpenter, and a Royal Blood music video. It's flawed but surprisingly atmospheric at times, and the best segment is easily David Bruckner's "The Accident". Bonus points for some truly wonderful gore.
- DirectorYimou ZhangStarsMatt DamonTian JingWillem DafoeIn ancient China, a group of European mercenaries encounters a secret army that maintains and defends the Great Wall of China against a horde of monstrous creatures.LESS HATE - I suppose people don't like it cos it's more Hollywood-influenced than Zhang's other films ("Hero" [2002], "House of Flying Daggers" [2004]) but it's still very enjoyable. Very colourful, cool creatures, entertaining action, etc.
- DirectorDaniel RagussisStarsDaniel RadcliffeToni ColletteTracy LettsA young FBI agent, eager to prove himself in the field, goes undercover as a white supremacist.MORE RECOGNITION - really good thriller with great performances.
- DirectorHideaki AnnoShinji HiguchiStarsHiroki HasegawaYutaka TakenouchiSatomi IshiharaJapan is plunged into chaos upon the appearance of a giant monster.MORE RECOGNITION - a very methodical look at a Godzilla crisis, sort of like "Contagion" [2011] or "Threads" [1984]. Really good.
- DirectorDavid BlairNathaniel PetersonAdam PitmanStarsAndrew RizzoLee RizzoBrick PatrickFour filmmakers take their cameras into the Montana wilderness to document the mysterious inner workings of a young community with a giant secret.MORE RECOGNITION - a mockumentary that keeps you guessing and doesn't feel the need to explain what's going on. Instead it relies on natural and primordial imagery to convey themes of returning to the earth. It's also well-acted and conveys a sense of real tension and unease. Nobody appears to have heard of it, but it's definitely worth seeking out.
- DirectorZak HilditchStarsThomas JaneMolly ParkerDylan SchmidA simple yet proud farmer in the year 1922 conspires to murder his wife for financial gain, convincing his teenage son to assist. But their actions have unintended consequences.MORE RECOGNITION - an overlooked Stephen King adaptation that's just fantastic. Excellent period horror-drama that reminded me a lot of "The Shining" [1980].
- DirectorJustin BarberStarsFlorence HartiganLuke Spencer RobertsChelsea LopezTwo decades after three teenagers disappeared in the wake of mysterious lights appearing above Phoenix, Arizona, unseen footage from that night has been discovered, chronicling the final hours of their fateful expedition.LESS HATE - it is just another found footage movie, yes, but it uses its runtime more wisely than most by making half of the film about the investigative mockumentary. The other half (ish) is the actual footage, which most films would've used for the entire runtime.
- DirectorMatt PalmerStarsJack LowdenMartin McCannTony CurranA shocking deed turned their weekend trip into a nightmare. Now their only hope is to swallow their paranoia and act normal.MORE RECOGNITION - a lot like "Deliverance" [1972] or any number of "you've offended the locals and now you must pay" movies. Great performances, very tense, and not over the top or exploitative at all really.
- DirectorDanishka EsterhazyStarsKatie DouglasCelina MartinSara CanningIn a highly regimented boarding school, a pair of students discover that things are not as they seem.MORE RECOGNITION - mysterious, gripping, and beautifully shot.
- DirectorDiederik Van RooijenStarsShay MitchellGrey DamonKirby JohnsonWhen a cop who is just out of rehab takes the graveyard shift in a city hospital morgue, she faces a series of bizarre, violent events caused by an evil entity in one of the corpses.LESS HATE - my best guess is it got such low ratings because it's so unoriginal. And sure it is, but it's an unoriginal premise done with some subtlety (most of the time) and intelligence.
- DirectorRon HowardStarsAlden EhrenreichWoody HarrelsonEmilia ClarkeDuring an adventure in the criminal underworld, Han Solo meets his future co-pilot Chewbacca and Lando Calrissian years before joining the Rebel Alliance.LESS HATE - it's nothing revolutionary but it's just a fun adventure spin-off film with solid performances from Alden Ehrenreich and Donald Glover.
- DirectorHans Petter MolandStarsLiam NeesonLaura DernMicheál NeesonA grieving snowplow driver seeks out revenge against the drug dealers who killed his son.MORE RECOGNITION - really enjoyable crime-thriller with a surprising sense of humour and nice themes. Kind of like a Coen brothers film.
- DirectorSimon KinbergStarsJames McAvoyMichael FassbenderJennifer LawrenceJean Grey begins to develop incredible powers that corrupt and turn her into a Dark Phoenix, causing the X-Men to have to decide if her life is worth more than all of humanity.LESS HATE - a solid, entertaining film with good performances, good emotion, good action. It's miles better than "First Class" [2011] and "Apocalypse" [2016], and I don't understand why everyone disliked it other than that it's thoughtful and character-driven.
- DirectorSteven SoderberghStarsAndré HollandMelvin GreggEddie TavaresDuring a pro basketball lockout, a sports agent pitches a rookie basketball client on an intriguing and controversial business proposition.MORE RECOGNITION - it probably helps if you understand the ins-and-outs of the NBA and sports industry in general, to fully enjoy the film. Nevertheless it's a thought-provoking and valuable watch, bolstered by natural performances, documentarian direction, and engaging dialogue.
- DirectorAndrew PattersonStarsSierra McCormickJake HorowitzGail CronauerOne night in New Mexico, in the late 1950s, a switchboard operator and radio DJ discover a strange audio frequency which could change the future forever.MORE RECOGNITION - a fantastic and suspenseful slow-burn sci-fi horror. Great performances, cinematography, editing and pacing, and despite the slow pace I never got bored.
- DirectorStephen FordStarsColton Eschief MastroMichael LiebermanTerika JeffersonAn adventure about two roommates who attempt to survive 2020.MORE RECOGNITION - a wonderful homage to "1917" [2019] that's also a funny and witty pastiche of the year 2020.
- DirectorRob SavageStarsHaley BishopJemma MooreEmma Louise WebbSix friends hire a medium to hold a seance via Zoom during lockdown, but they get far more than they bargained for as things quickly go wrong.MORE RECOGNITION - very natural performances and dialogue without any of the cringeworthiness of similar movies like "Unfriended" [2014]. Very well put together, its only downfall being an over-reliance on jump-scares.
- DirectorNiki CaroStarsLiu YifeiDonnie YenGong LiTo keep her ailing father from serving in the Imperial Army, a fearless young woman disguises herself as a man and battles northern invaders in China.LESS HATE - I have no interest in a) the political background noise surrounding the movie, b) Disney's release tactic on Disney+ (just torrent it), c) how accurate it is to Chinese mythology or d) whether it's accurate to the original. I just enjoyed it as a wuxia-style action movie.
- DirectorEgor AbramenkoStarsOksana AkinshinaFedor BondarchukPyotr FyodorovThe lone survivor of an enigmatic spaceship incident hasn't returned home alone - hiding inside his body is a dangerous creature.MORE RECOGNITION - about half an hour too long, in my opinion, but an effectively directed Russian horror movie set in a Soviet military base.
- DirectorChloe OkunoStarsMaika MonroeKarl GlusmanBurn GormanA young American actress moves with her husband to Bucharest, and begins to suspect that a stranger who watches her from an apartment window may be a serial killer.MORE RECOGNITION - just a simple, classic stalker movie that's really well-made, atmospheric and NOT over-complicated like most movies of this genre try to be. The naturalistic sound design is also great.