Reviews

::synopsis:: From the creative mind of up and coming dyslexic writer/director Vincenzo Giammanco, ''bAd'', a short film brings to light what it is truly like to be dyslexic. Vincenzo created this film with one purpose kept firmly in mind: to raise awareness about dyslexia. The story follows John Read as he fights to make it through the 5th grade. With moments of heightened realism and stunning cinematography audiences are placed inside the mind of a dyslexic child like never before. With a teacher who thinks he's lazy and a bully who constantly mocks him... all hope seems lost. John's mother Linda takes matters in her own hands and researches the root of this problem. She finds out that John is not dumb or lazy... he is dyslexic. A tale of triumph with a message that needs to be heard, come see the world through dyslexic eyes.

::review:: i was very pleased to catch this film as a 'FREE VIEWING' at my local convention center in Monterey County. it had a very well turn out in the special viewing. especially being able to see the film's Director (who has based his life on this film) to speak out on his life & making-of for the movie.

Plot/Story: for a short film. it was a bit limited. but otherwise straightforward. the film starts a bit slow, but greatly builds up to the climactic end.

Acting: some where very believing (ie: main character, mother, and some staff behind the desks), while some were very weak 'yet amusing' (ie: teachers, half the kids)

Direction/Shooting: decent to say the least. it was low budget. though nicely done in a retro 80s sort of way (like the film's time line is based at)

/Overall/ 4 out of 5 (great film, it speaks out to anyone with Dyslexic disorders. and is a relatable story to anyone. definitely an award worthy film. it stacks at a measly 30min. but i think that's enough time to leave it's mark into a person's point of view on life)

pretty much i liked it for all the horrifyingly wrong things in this film. sure there is a lot of wrong stuff on here. but all i can say is... it's not a horror movie by much. but a very screwed up romance movie. it's an interesting film. but with the wrong genre title tagged on it. also this film is not for anyone who likes everything to be well... ALIVE. plus there are some uncomfortable scenes that may make people throw up (like the beginning warnings before the movie starts).

personally i liked it (as another way of a guilty pleasure). but i can't really see a mob of devoted fans raving about this movie. there are even stuff on this film that would obviously be CONTRIVERSIAL or ILLEAGAL, and most importantly ATROCIOUSLY DISGUSTING!

(you can read plots on wherever else, cause i don't count it in most of my reviews now) seriously, when i first saw the trailer to the film. i thought "damn, this just looks random' but since it's made by the guy behind DOG SOLDIERS, and the god of all horror films THE DESCENT. pretty much it entitled my mind to see the movie. so i did, and... I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT!!! the plot to me was okay at best (not to hard to understand *i could actually understand a lot of plots thrown in films these days*), and believe me it was one ride. over use of violence, all out gore en blood splatter!!! even the absurd time warps between modern england, a desolate Glasgow, and somewhere in the middle of a Narnia-landed medieval era. sure the film is going to be a bit rawgENstomp. but hey, it's really the film to not miss! so much little horror, but a good blend of suspense/thriller, with a few bits of drama mixed in, and an ass load of Gore/ head shots/ skull crushing/ all the violence you'd want/ and everything that is god in this film! so yeah, some might not get it, some will get it, some hate it, some like it, but i'm the some that LOVES IT!!!!

but probably cry...

Truly i have seen plenty of Filipino horror films for the past decade (more noticeably the 90s era where most pinoy horror films where nothing more than laughed at shadows to it's former classic roots). But it's changed for the past few years, and this is one of them. Sigaw (trans title: THE SCREAM *or Hollywood title THE ECHO) sets around a man named Marvin who has bought a room (reffered as Unit) in a rundown apartment. Every night there has been shouting and loud banging of abuse from his neighbors. A Policman who suspects his wife having a lover hidden in the apartment enrages him. Soon the wife starts asking for help from him. Not till long that Marvin is caught up in all the mess that has been created. It will not only destroy his residential stay, but probably his life. Sigaw more than ranks up with one of Asia's most noted horror films. Though as usual, more dramatic than scary. It puts a mood of sadness through out the film. Making you actually care about what the characters have to go through. With it's moody plot, addicting characters, great scenery shots (trust me, if you've seen half of the filipino movies i have, this pretty much has the shooting budget of Star Wars), and so much atmosphere with a lot of nicely edited composed score. This is one film you should not pass up. Though it will be hard to find a copy of the DVD in the Us (though probably near you at a local Filipino Store, or at the Regal site). But already has been given a US Remake to boot. Surely this film will at least reach cult status.

Wow it's been a while since i've seen the movie. But i've finally dug out my copy of the DVD one night, and i was soon astonished by how great this film was. *There are already plenty of well written synopsis descriptions for this film from other reviews and places* All i'm saying is "this is the film you can't go on with out!" This has been one of the horror films that have made me trip-out for real in so long. I just wish there we're more good films like this. It's a horror gem to behold. A master piece from Dog Soldiers creator NEIL MARSHELL. Also there have been rumors of a sequel of this film. I'm HAPPY, but i'm also SAD. THough all i know this will be a true classic in my list. and i wish for more to happen...

-partial synopsis- It takes place on an American base in japan, a girl named Saya comes to the base to hunt down these creatures called chiropterin (the name may be mistyped) they feast on human blood to live, and the creatures has set sites on the base for a dining hall feast so Saya must stop them... no matter what the cost or BLOOD takes...

-my opinion- the anime is astonishing with it's full CG cover effects, with a lush out call of great violence, though the story does seem to go off, all the blood and carnage and call of the hunt cover for a thin quick plot.

*also there is now a series based of the movie called BLOOD+(it somewhat tells more to the movie, with a few alterations mixed in) although both the movie and series are a must see!