Reviews

Starting with an almost unpolished demeanor, Black Swan slowly builds into an amazing movie experience, but then it just... Let's start from the beginning.

The opening shots depict the confidence of Darren Aronofsky, rugged, almost washed out and without visual substance, luring the viewer into a false sense of security. Slowly and surely, Black Swan builds into an intense and believable depiction of the unappreciated and misunderstood dedication that this discipline requires. The underlying force here is the lure to achieve perfection, the bait that ensnares the perfectionist into thinking that such a thing is possible, where fate brings one to the brink, the precarious edge, and then whispers into the hopeful ear that to jump is to own.

Natalie Portman is simply perfect in this role. Her fanatic drive for perfection would impress the most ardent of Nazis, a belief that life itself can be cheated through dogged preparation. The cracks of reality that occasionally slip through are splendidly ignored, and not until the end do we see just how bent this determination is. Mila Kunis chirps in a surprising good performance, the perfect counterpoint to Portman's Nina, dedicatedly unleashed and all the more perfect because of it. Vincent Cassel, what can I say? This guy owns every role. While he plays a rather unlikable character here, it is one that perfectly balances the ambiguity of his intentions. Is his core filled with ooze or is his love of the craft so intense that he will opportune any moment to drive artistic heights out of his dancers? Vying for top honors, the camera work goes head to head with Portman's performance. This is no surprise, but its dazzling effects, from the voyeuristic walking of Nina, a symbol of her journey that demonstrates her denouement through the camera's increasingly agitated ambling, to the agile capacity that the camera demonstrates, almost cavorting with the dancers themselves, was simply phenomenal.

The editing and direction was typical Aronofsky, his style an earmark of artistry, toned down when appropriate but ramped up to MTV speed for effect, as can be seen in the dance club scene.

The story was a superb take on the brutality that life has to offer this pursuit. These dancers are to both strive for perfection and yet must also live their lives; they live the perfect polar impossibility, for they must dedicate their every ounce of existence towards perfecting their craft but must also live life such that their performance is based on more than just sheer preparation. How these performers do no go postal is one of life's greater mysteries. As the story moves forward and to its end, as it builds up a momentum that is just barely tolerable, the viewer becomes strapped to the seat, electrocuted with anticipation as to how this thriller will execute its final moments, white knuckles all the way.

And then it ends, suddenly and without much fuss. This ending makes perfect sense, and I guess to some it might seem a brutal finality, but to me it was so lackluster that I could not help but feel cheated. I mean, really, that's it, that's the payoff? Maybe my expectations were too high, but in almost ever other moment of this showing I was suitably Wowed by the performance but then left unfulfilled, hollow even, as the credits rolled. Had I walked out just moments before the last scene I bet this would have been considered Oscar worthy, but instead I cannot help but feel spurned, and alone, a feeling that only a chocolate shake heavily spiked with Gran Marnier could fix. Merci.

Genruk of Evil Eye Reviews

Sorum is a movie that dances around genres with a fear of commitment that only adds to the grim details of our character's lives. Maybe it can best described as a horror film without the H. Unlike other movies, it does not fall prey to the contrived necessity to reveal the complete back plot by way of ostensible flashbacks. Instead it relies on the intelligence of the audience to figure it out, or not. The characters here are a shifty lot, creating a splendid layer of suspicion as to who is going to be the bad guy, if such a creature is to make an appearance. Likable the characters are not. Set in about as dreary a housing complex that has ever existed, this home ground symbolizes the lives of our players, a corrupt morality where life's baggage keeps piling up unattended, with stagnation sure to seek rot as its faithful companion. This is the setting for a typical South Korean cinematic affair, a convoluted tale of shady characters whose shenanigans are sure to catch up with them. The only question is what form will their dirty deeds manifest in order to play havoc on the remainder of their lives. The acting was strong; they all captivated my whole attention in that I wanted to know just what sort of past could have created such misery. Director Jong-chan Yun's debut is a solid one. He crafts a creepy tale that relies on filming basics, eschewing any need for tricky tactics to mask any shortcomings. Not a film for everyone, but for those that enjoy a slow burner with lots of character meat to chew on, Sorum is sure to satisfy us in one way while challenging us in another.

Genruk of Evil Eye Reviews

This bleak and tense drama is a testament of the great American dream as it circles the drain. The first scene is a powerfully slow, almost tedious pan that sets the emotional tone of this flick. This tale of the cultures clashing, in admirable low-rent style and amidst a harsh winter backdrop, takes the crumbs that life has to offer as if they are life-sustaining victuals because they are just that. Of course, there is always a shortcut over to the greener side, and this is where the film's plot comes to tempt warmth in its frozen landscape. The acting was sublime, with Melissa Leo giving the performance of a lifetime. She simply nails the love-driven desperation of a mother put to odds that must somehow rise up to provide. Courtney Hunt's directorial debut was smashing, with enough awards to smother the mantelpiece. The camera worked its magic such that the cold realities of life radiated out onto the viewer. Not a flick for those tending towards despondency, for those of stronger constitutions this might well be worth a go. Merci beaucoup.

Genruk of Evil Eye Reviews

Low-budget flicks rarely deal out high entertainment, at least in this camp. Salvage is the exception. After nearly quitting this DVD in the first 5 minutes, the ghetto feel of this hidden gem was not only tolerated, but ultimately admired. Once this story got going, it became apparent that the Crook brothers had something worthy to say but only 25G with which to tell their story. And what a story! This time-honored film timeline was given a new lease on life, navigating amazingly uncharted territory with aplomb. The acting was tolerable, with the top three players burping up decent performances. Our heroine Lauren Currie Lewis actually gave a pretty stellar showing, of course her natural beauty might have smoothed over some of her histrionic bumps. The dialog was at times lamentable, but not so bad that it detracted from the story. The film quality was a tad rugged, and the audio sounded like it was recorded in a honey hut, but this ultimately underscored the strength of the story. The cheap scares were forgivable-what low-budget thriller has a surfeit of Beverly Hills effects. A great story and laudable direction helped pull this one out of the time-killer bin and into the valley of respectable ghetto horror. Merci beaucoup.

Genruk of Evil Eye Reviews

The biting humor of Lord of War almost leaves one sickened to have made light of such a dark subject. Almost. Instead of taking sides this flick teeters on the fence of judgment, leaving the viewer locked and loaded to make his moral decision sans any Hollywood influence. The opening credits, in a tragically spectacular fashion, allude to this, placing guilt in the appropriate lap such that the movie can get back to the business at hand and manifest a flick free of the PC crowd's wishful thinking. Nicolas Cage is perfect for this role, the middleman of evil whose mantra of inevitability forms the Teflon skin that sheds any and all icky guilt that might cling to his vocation of choice. Deep down though, his character simply has found his role in life, something fate seems to have gifted or maybe cursed him with, and is fate to be denied? The story slightly veers from highlighting the typical storyboard anatomy, concentrating more on human nature and purpose of being. In doing so, it sets up an uncritical canvas upon which the viewer must come to terms with the reality of the human creature without the filter of rose tinted glasses. Not a film for everyone, it is a flick for those not afraid of the mirror of humanity. Merci beaucoup.

Genruk of Evil Eye Reviews

This Russian flick painfully captures the stark realities of Soviet life as felt by the commoner. People are forced into communal housing where privacy is unknown. Likewise they are forced into the unthinkable in order to exist. The paternal prevarication that Stalin strangles his people with becomes the emblem of this story, conflicts and contradictions that must be faced and coddled in order to survive. The unjust notion of love is seen here as an unconscionable glue, binding our characters together for better or worse, and for worse is the usual case in Soviet Russia. The acting was solid on all accounts, from the piercing emanations of the "heroic" soldier to the open-hearted stare of the mother's "squirt" of a son. Though the production values are occasionally weak, this only adds to the desperation that has become the permanent guest of this expansive land. Further explication of this flick's special qualities would be a fruitless affair as its many special attributes must be seen to be appreciated. Merci beaucoup.

Genruk of Evil Eye Reviews

This flick seemed a rip-off from another rather successful horror flick, but a look at the timeline shows that it actually came out first. Inspiration for its more successful rival? With that caveat, this low-budget affair deserves an honest mention. Starting with a stale premise and relying on some annoying sound effects, this one commences to travel down the banal road of mediocrity. Thankfully, it sneaks off to be much more than that, a welcomed change of plans for what could have resulted in some rather lethargic eyes. The acting was solid, especially owing to its otherwise low rent essence. The gore was at times laughable, but this surprisingly did not detract from the film itself. The other technicalities of the film were up to par, their inconspicuous nature more a boon than a defamation. Neither unflinchingly gratuitous nor enslaved to pander to the Hollywood set,Babysitter Wanted towed the line perfectly, with a stutter stop start ending that was ultimately a pleasant relief. Merci beaucoup.

Genruk of Evil Eye Reviews

This simple precept for this flick is confounded by the abstruse questions such a subject is forced to face. Fighting in God's name for a decade, our heroes return home only to find that death and despair have infested their homeland. The contradictory nature of man, wickedly intelligent and self-aware on the one hand, a stupid, superstitious and easily manipulated idiot on the other, is what makes the plight of our heroes so simple and yet so profound. In essence, we are asked to respond to God's silence in assured faith, a contradiction to common sense that has somehow has manacled our essence from time immemorial. What is more, this flick flirts with such conundrum by account of the simplicity of not seeking answers but instead a purpose. Indeed! This flick is at times a cacophony of relentless imagery punctuated by wonderful humor and witty dialog. The acting was simply aces on all accounts. Ingmar Bergman's direction hits the bulls eye here, crafting an impossible concept into a convincing and highly enjoyable flick that cannot help but move any human with breathe still gracing his lungs. How our players accept their fate, and the final image of that fate, leaves an indelible stain that only the commerce of celluloid could faithfully employ. Merci beaucoup.

Genruk of Evil Eye Reviews

Set in a region of Antwerp with a dark Medieval past, the mood of this flick is one of which the sun would not rather spill its radiance upon, instead hiding behind of wall of cloudy gloom, infinitely waiting for the darkness below to pass such that it can make its tardy appearance. It has been a long wait, and this flick offers no reprieve. Instead, this tale is of the seedy underbelly of ineffable undertakings, and our heroine must learn first hand of that which is best left on the other side. Eline Kuppens does just that in her commendable debut, laudably including enough skin to impress a taxidermist. This atmospheric horror from Belgium, a place not known for great horror, is the exception to its usually mediocrity, crafting stories of past times into a sweet little cringer. Maybe this country, known more for its border intrusive neighbors, is set upon changing its stale cinematic presence. Whether the exception or the vanguard, Left Bank is an unusual treat from an even more unusual source. Merci beaucoup.

Genruk of Evil Eye Reviews

What Lo lacks in financial backing it makes up with extreme originality in order to tell its story. Pitfalls are turned into opportunities, making business moguls jealous of its commerce of fiscal efficiency. The result is not perfect, but wickedly entertaining nonetheless. The script is the first step towards admiration or atrocity, with Lo hurdling over the trappings of disaster with its high school simplicity done fabulously right. The acting was surprisingly good, with the beast's humorous sentiments only to be challenged by our hero's facial contortions ala the school of Bruce Campbell. Direction is admirably industrious with its paucity of resources. Where production values are woeful, such as sound, lighting, etc, the audience is moved to forgiveness as the efforts and seriousness given to this fun little number overcome its scant budget. In short, Lo gives proof that CGI is not the future of cinema and may at times be its atrophy. Merci beaucoup.

Genruk of Evil Eye Reviews

This unflinching flick of a world without smiles is perfectly set in the Ozark backwoods. The tone is an uncomfortable realism of moonshine hillbillies turned methamphetamine culinarians and the rampant destruction of the already tenuous infrastructure of this deeply disaffected culture. Our lead role, sublimely played by a resolute Jennifer Lawrence, reveals a willful and sadly precocious teen in a struggle that can hardly be reconciled by city-folk. As she tiptoes her way through the minefields of her kin's shenanigans, the essence of this alien world is illuminated sans the typical Deliverance stereotypes, a sort of third world habitat meaner than a chained-up pit bull. The direction was impressive, creating a world with adroit skill, a backdrop just as unimaginably entertaining than the story itself. The score was just as impressive, revealing that this might just be the real thing, a world whose typical mental fabrications usually involve inbred cannibals whose eyes are set on feasting upon each and every lost suburbanite come their way. Instead this is a flick centering upon the dark atmosphere of an America that would rather be forgotten than appreciated or succored.

Genruk of Evil Eye Reviews

This is a story of a whirlwind force of character that blusters in and transmogrifies a community for both good and bad. In doing so, the essence of the neighborhood is somehow brought to engender the truth of being, and to simply live life through experience, eschewing society's rules of proper conduct. In doing so, a caricatured world is created that seems pleasantly larger than life in order to express some greater deed. The result is brilliant. The characters are quirky and disturbingly fun, largely unbelievable and yet endearing in a unique fashion. The dialog was memorably sensational, with Henry Fool leading the pack with his celebrated utterances. The direction was the culmination of Hal Hartley's greater experience rolled up into one amazing flick. AS well, the camera man was unobtrusively masterful, using the tricks of the trade with subtle wit. Both painfully direct and wickedly humorous, Henry Fool ends with the same symbolic mastery of his awe-inspiring entrance. Merci beaucoup.

Genruk of Evil Eye Reviews

Strapping neon lights in the dark underbelly of Hong Kong sets the stage for this uber-hip tale of isolationist tragedy of love-shorn, fallen heroes as they try to make their way amongst the cold heartless throngs of civilization. Where connections of life are hostile, our players literally create from scratch a method to link a distant humanity to their otherwise meaningless lives. The result is pure visual bliss. To not be pleasurably mesmerized by this flick is a treason best left without a conviction. The story is a haphazard scramble of lost souls loosely linked by a cinematic art form best left undefined. The direction is just as indescribably perfect, like putting into words the puissance of Mona Lisa's hinting smile. The camera man must have enjoyed a cocktail of methamphetamines washed down with steroids, the result being a wonderfully frenzied complex of voyeuristic energies and incongruous situations whose symbolic import are indelibly brought together in this flick's perfect ending. The only problem was that, as in all of life, the good times all must come to a painful end, a lustful need for more conjugated to an emptiness that life verite' seems unwilling to fulfill.

Genruk of Evil Eye Reviews

With a slow and confusing buildup, this flick threatens to be too clever for most patrons. But somehow getting lost in this flick is more a wonderful bliss than discombobulating tragedy. As it moves forward, there exists a sense that this confusion will soon be assuaged, a definite tribute to the confidence that the director inspires in his viewers. The story is of four lost souls that share the same canvas of a portrait comprised of four seemingly different palates. As the story unfolds, hints of intertwining fates tantalize the viewer, but the denouement is nothing short of spectacular when our heroes actualize fate's appointments. The acting was sublime, whose exclamation point was punctuated with Eva Green's exhilarating role. The direction offered a pace that kept the viewer perfectly in the dark, without losing interest, but instead in rapture with intrigue. The use of color to differentiate different worlds was amazing, bringing the notions of reality and fantasy into the same conference room for a sort of treaty mediation. The score was nothing less than the voice of this movie's soul, escorting us along its emotional byroads. For those comfortable outside of the realms of Hollywood's safety zone of commercial entertainment, Franklyn offers a clever and entertaining mug of fantasy in collusion with every man's quest for safe passage in life. Merci beaucoup.

Genruk of Evil Eye Reviews

American jingoes beware- this film might at first seem rather anti-American. Given that context, this German film wonderfully portrays the Red inspired terrorism of the late 60s and 70s. With hardly a chance to breathe, this flick lands in a sprint that leads us into a 249 minute politically inspired uber-marathon of terrorist action and reaction. The story itself seems a rather accurate portrayal of the leftist movement of the time. Covering a wide span of time, nary a moment is available to elucidate the philosophy that inspired such a movement. Instead, time is well spent chronicling the movement, leaving the viewer to educate himself if he so chooses. The acting was marvelous, somehow capturing the ugly realities and blind passion that encompass being a terrorist. The direction was spot on, and the camera work mused the feelings of our players without shoving their cause into our face. The production values are huge, bait for the average lackey to watch a flick motivated by a cultural movement instead of Bruce Willis.

Genruk of Evil Eye Reviews

This unflinching flick, nearly 15 years in the making, can hardly be called entertaining by most standards. Instead, Jim Van Bebber has created a flick that reanimates the essence of the stupidity and horror that the disciples of Charley have effected upon the world. The Family's reign of terror is all the more horrifying by account of its random and senseless motivations. The story itself will alienate all but the most ardent of movie fans, those that can see through the ostensibly bad in order to extract the true grit of Van Bebber's intent, which was to tell the story through the eyes of the Family. The acting was at times amateurish, but set upon its chaotic backdrop does not detract from the import of this film. The directing and camera work are MTV on psychedelics intense. For those prudish types stay away, for the leverage of nudity and animalistic gore have tipped the scales and reveal this flick to be on the doorsteps of rated X-ville. A difficult film to recommend, for those interested in the grim fringe of cinema, this might find a receptive audience.

Genruk of Evil Eye Reviews

When James Wan and Company decided to make a flick that paid homage to the horror genre, they went to it with the exertions of funding a third world nation. The result is a wildly pleasant terror fest. With enough gore to please the eye, Dead Silence achieves its ends by way of creepy atmosphere, with brutal eye candy used with occasional flair as opposed to the whole enchilada. The story was rich enough, including all of the necessary touchstones of horror, random dolls, lightening, crawl spaces and the like. The lighting and use of shadow was incredible and it shows. The direction, competent as expected. Even the cinematography worked to great effect to create the feel of a classic horror flick. The sound, as hinted by its titular intimations, was perfectly utilized to throw down the red carpet for tension's inevitable approach. And where all the requisite features of great horror can come crashing down by pitiful acting, no such party pooper is to be found here. The acting was solid and even punctuated with perfectly timed humor by way of Donnie Wahlberg, cynical detective undaunted by performing some of his own stunts. In all, Dead Silence is the type of chilling horror flick that one could only hope to inspire the genre to emulate. Merci beaucoup.

Genruk of Evil Eye Reviews

What happens when good and evil turn out to be childhood chums? This classic, with movie greats Cagney and Bogart, unknowingly address the question of nature versus nurture, with the two inevitably blending into one element of character development. The result is the manufacture of blind hope that oil and water, or more like elemental sodium and water, will somehow combine without calamitous result. The story was wonderfully infused with a moral fundament that is never stuffed down our throats, taking on the impetuous of the social evils of the day sans judgment. Our players are up for the job, turning in worthy performances on all accounts, not without a few bumps and bruises from the Dead End Kids. The direction and camera work are all on par for a flick of high caliber, with closeups and angles that punctuate all the right moments, all of this to be followed by a moral decision that most could not bear. "What do ya hear what do ya say?" Well, I say that this is a flick that should find as apt an audience today as any of yesteryear.

Genruk of Evil Eye Reviews

Some talent simply cannot be held back. Made with a reportedly scant $15G, this low budget thriller made great purchase for director Greg Bishop's bid for funds on his next project. He was not to be denied. The Other Side is by no means a perfect flick, but for those interested in seeing the raw talent of a burgeoning director this is a great place to be. The story was solid, told with appropriate flair and humor. A tad religious at times, it was necessary for the story and to have made it less so would have been a weak compromise. With the budget in mind, the effects were decent enough, with no lack of blood flow. The acting was a mix of cringe-worthy pain and solid effort, but nothing so bad as to detract from the story. The puissance of direction is not to be checked, beaming through with talent that will surely find many more a project. In short, this was a low budget thriller housed in a shoddy body but with a hearty soul.

Genruk of Evil Eye Reviews

This was simply a beautiful testament to the strength of the soul, beaten and bruised and left for dead, how the anguished still find purchase to lift themselves up and continue on, a sip more weary, but still clinging to the hope that their dreams of contented happiness might still be fulfilled. Out titular character is perfectly captured by the wonderful Giulietta Masina, a doe-eyed beauty that captured the viewer's heart so completely that we truly wish to know of her fate after the credits have rolled. The story meanders in a splendid fashion, with scene after inspiring scene, each of which serves to portray the feminine strength of Cabiria as she picks herself up time and again, no more bitter than before. Fellini's direction was of course magnificent, but that is merely stating the obvious. A wonderful account of the majesty born of hardship, Nights of Cabiria should serve as a monument of hope for the downtrodden masses. Merci beaucoup.

Genruk of Evil Eye Reviews

Murder Party is the result of years and years of film-making hijinks that was spawned by a group of neighborhood kids and a camcorder. That group, having gone on to study film, then set about making their indie debut. The result is fabulous, a rare treat that is becoming of a labor of love and comradery. Sans any outside influence, this film is unadulterated excellence on a scale not measurable in Hollywood. Amazingly, many of the film-makers second as the actors, some without any acting chops to speak of outside of their childhood pranks. The result sounds tenuous, but instead the Lab of Madness crew have put together a blacker than black comedy horror flick that combines existential wannabe cool artistry with prosaic bureaucratic loneliness, laced with sociopathic overtones, driven by clicky intrigues, culminating in a TNT explosion of bloody mayhem. In short, brilliant fun that is certainly not for the whole family. For the social outsider in all of us, Murder Party is a satisfying dish of black humor magic. Merci beaucoup.

Genruk of Evil Eye Reviews

Some body needs a vicious spanking. This disturbing tale of a family gone horribly south laments that the end is not going to be pleasant, and it certainly does not disappoint. To eschew those moments of stupidity, where the characters behave with retarded capacity, is one necessity of the viewer, for these parents absolutely blow it at times. The acting was top rate for such an endeavor, with exceptional performances by the children, creepy little things that they were. Adrian Pasdar was a sheer treat to watch- what a ham. There are some fun connections between the lessons of the father and how the children take note and put words into discommoding action, all to wicked effect. For those not charmed by home movie style flicks, best to stay away. As well, this was a chilling affair turned dark as black towards its end- stay away happy happy joy joy fans. As to the rest, this short little psycho-thriller might just be reason enough to get those tubes tied. Mercie beaucoup.

Genruk

Evil Eye Reviews

In a word, this movie was sublime. Tragic, moving, believable, comedic, sentimental, and flawless, this flick transcends the viewer into that special place, into the very essence of the characters, blessed with all of their faults, and treats each ticket-holder to the cinematic ride of a lifetime. Every aspect of this film shines, with stellar acting, superb direction and storytelling, colorful characters, competent use of the timeline, and awesome camera work. The soccer scene is one that will elicit the desire to be replayed in order to better comprehend its brilliance. With a tragic though satisfying denouement, this flick stays true to it heart throughout, owning the word passion from the get-go. Merci beaucoup.

Genruk of Evil Eye Reviews

Another Johnnie To masterpiece, this movie flickers between a heartfelt comedy to a tragic sense of being, to a great study in psychology to intriguing crime drama. And all the time the viewer is left wondering where the line of sanity is drawn; or is it being redrawn as we speak? No matter, as the end of this wonderfully convoluted crime drama perfectly if not bravely ties it all together with satisfying resolve. The acting was top notch, with our main protagonist stealing the show with his zany and occasionally sad antics. The direction oozed of style, and the camera allowed for its dark atmosphere to sneak out stolen color with aplomb. The score was light in tone and perfectly augmented the lightheartedness of insanity, keeping the bleak notion of the story's reality from besmirching our fun. Told with a sense of balance that threatened to be lost at any moment, this was a story with no need of bullet ballets to keep the viewer saddled with tension. Merci beaucoup.

Genruk of Evil Eye Reviews

David Arquette has created a carnival of drug hazed carnage in this fun little B horror whose political machinations are as subtle as a race riot. This flick unfairly gets a low rating cuz people just take their political intrigues too seriously, and while the republican right is portrayed in a rather severe light, the liberal hippies are depicted as retarded imbeciles almost deserving their punishment. The acting, especially for a B movie, was decidedly competent. Arquette's direction show that his career should rightfully be found in the director's chair. The story itself was funny, inventive, and wonderfully convoluted without being overdone; and that dialog... The camera was wonderfully dedicated to expressing the fog of a drug bender in the throes of a blood fest. Good clean fun this was, naked granola soaked in blood. Genruk'

Evil Eye Reviews