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Reviews
Creep 2 (2017)
Perfect follow up
I can't praise this film enough. Being a huge fan of the first film, I never imagined a sequel being an option. The original seemed to close the arc well enough for me to be satisfied.
Despite the fact that a sequel was perhaps not warranted or even necessary, this was an absolute joy to watch. Mark Duplass is in top form as he revisits his "Aaron" character, and with more depth and absurdity than his previous outing. I found this film to be just as strong as the first because we now know some of the intricacies of Aaron, and these are further fleshed out here.
Sure, the intensity may be slightly weakened due to our expectations, and yes, there is much more humor this time than last, but the unsettled atmosphere works just as well here, if not better since the viewer is ever more watchful knowing what we know.
Further, we now have another character that we are instantly pulling for. Desiree is infinitely watchable and truly convincing as Sara, and as the plot unfolds, we can't help but grow attached. I will not spoil any part of this film, since it truly needs to be experienced. I will, however, guarantee that this one will leave you wanting more, which also speaks highly of this film.
I spent most of my viewing time with a smile on my face as these characters interacted with each other. When the suspense and tension hit, it was quick and effective. The tonal shifts work so well that they nearly blindside the viewer within moments. Do yourself a favor and watch this one. If you even remotely appreciated the first film, you will find much to enjoy here.
Kill List (2011)
An absolute gem.
I was a bit late in finding out about this film, however, I was stunned by the quality of filmmaking on display here. This literally has it all: family drama, dry humor, sense of dread, outlandish violence, darkness, brightness, and much more.
What I liked most about this film was the underlying themes at work. This film never hesitates to ask the big questions, nor does it hesitate in showing the brutality that exists in the world. While certain bits may be hard to swallow, there is much to appreciate and enjoy here.
Yes, this film is violent. Yes, this film blends genres in a way I have not encountered before. Yes, the dialogue is difficult until your ear adjusts. None of this detracts from the outcome or validity of the final piece though (in my opinion at least).
It seems as though the final act is the make or break for most reviewers, and while I may be in the minority, I absolutely love the direction this film takes. The sense of dread is always present, building as the film progresses. The ending brings it all together in an unpredictable, yet very satisfying way.
My two suggestions: don't let previous reviews sway you, and watch it with subtitles the first time. The camera-work is exceptional, the atmosphere perfect, and the characters are unforgettable. Astoundingly good film.
Dark Summer (2015)
Actually OK
I'm not sure why there is so much negativity toward this film. Sure, it has its flaws here and there, but this is worth a watch. Is it a 10/10, no. However, I ranked it higher to hopefully bring the average up. The premise is (semi) unique, the acting is solid, and the pacing (for me anyway) was spot-on. I like slow-burn horror films. It astounds me that most viewers are really unwilling to invest even a half hour into the back story of a film.
All I see in reviews are "no action for too long" and things like that. Sorry, but have you ever watched some of the first true horror films? Rosemary's Baby, or even The Exorcist? These require some time to commit to the film and build attachment to the characters.
Anyway, rant over. I will recommend this one. Unless you are a gorehound or 16 years old, I can't imagine you being disappointed. Also, if you are a Ti West fan, you will definitely appreciate this. I think the attention span nowadays is too short to like something like this.
But what do I know?
Metallica Through the Never (2013)
Worth a watch!
I have allowed a week to pass before writing this review, mainly so I can be a bit more critical than I would have been otherwise. After some time to absorb this experience, I stand behind most of my initial thoughts.
It rocks. Plain and simple.
Okay, so if you are not a Metallica fan and have nothing better to do than bash this film for being egotistical or lacking in plot or some other such nonsense, please save your breath. This is a movie experience designed for musicians and metal heads. Is it flawless? Absolutely not. Are there scratch-your-head moments? Yep. But is the end result worth it? One hundred percent!
The wraparound storyline seems a tad forced at times, but the imagery and scenery are a welcome break from the flashing lights and grandeur of the concert performance. Metallica prove themselves worthy musicians even after all these years. They also prove that there is a Metallica riff for any type of sequence you will ever encounter in a film. The song choices compliment the action perfectly, building an added layer of depth among a movie that is somewhat lacking in that department. Let's face it, this IS basically just a concert. Like it or not, you are paying to watch a performance first, subplot second.
As a musician, I was hoping for a bit more behind-the-scenes looks than were offered. I know that there must be numerous crew members handling sound mixing, guitar effects, lighting and set changes, all of which would have been an added bonus. (Although perhaps they choose not to give away too many secrets?) A few more camera shots of the fingers, particularly during solos, would also have been great, but I was certainly satisfied with what they offered.
Overall, tremendously mixed, well-imagined experience for anyone with even a remote interest in metal (or just good music). See it in IMAX while you can. It's cheaper than a true concert and you don't have to dodge a moshing mob of sweaty drunks. Well worth the price.
Also they play Orion during the credits. Enough said.
Evil Dead (2013)
Give me a break!
I don't understand all the negativity toward this one. It's all Sam Raimi this, Bruce Campbell that, come the heck on...Plain and simple: If you want to see the Evil Dead from 1981, rent that one again. If you want to see a modern offshoot that re-imagines the film (This does NOT mean that it does it as good or better than the original!!!!) then this is worth seeing. So what if it has cliché moments here and there? ALL new horror films seem to draw from the same bag of tricks (The Conjuring being the most successful so far) so the techniques here should come as no surprise. Gore, check. A few jump-scares, check. Depth in writing, not really. But, hey, it is what it is. I expected much less when I rented this and quite honestly, it could have been much, much worse. THERE IS NO ASH AND NO BRUCE CAMPBELL. SO FREAKIN' WHAT?!? Take it for what it is or stop your whining people. It's not an award-winner. It's good old gory horror fun. Take it or leave it. And by the way...if the only negatives you have are based off the original, get over it. This didn't claim to be a scene-by-scene remake, and I'm sure that even if it was and even if the almighty Bruce Campbell was the lead actor you would still have some sort of bone to pick. Enjoy the original and the new Evil Dead as two separate entries in the same catalog and you will be much better off. Cheers.
The Conjuring (2013)
Believe it
Okay. I first want to point out that I find it comical how the low scores for this film come from reviewers with poor grammar, lack of punctuation, and general lack of cohesiveness on any arguments. Anyone with any sense can tell that this film is highly disturbing and worth viewing, regardless of any negative comments there may be.
The best part about this film is the variety of scare tactics used. It is not a simply jump- scare film, nor does it rely on heavy gore to frighten. This is a well-balanced, well-done collection of scary sequences, each serving to continually build the suspense overall. The scares truly keep on coming as the film progresses, although not too quickly for the viewer to become absorbed in the family's struggle to adjust to a new environment.
A few reviews have mentioned "plot holes" and/or the "unrealistic" nature of this film. However, anyone who does a bit of research will find that the events documented here are all real and did truly occur. Yes, it seems hard to believe, but the fact that this was all based on a true story is not a gimmick. Do some looking and you will find the proof you need. In fact, this movie only shows part of what the family experienced, as parts of the true haunting experience were too disturbing to be added to this film.
The acting, by the way, is superb all around, especially with the daughters. I was glad to see Ron Livingstone in a role with some depth, and he stepped up to the occasion with more than enough zeal. Overall, I cannot recommend this movie enough. Instead of a 30- minute build for a quick scare, the scares remain constant and the atmosphere is very moody and unsettled. I was stunned at the amount of terror this semi low-budget work pushes out at a seemingly effortless pace. This is the movie horror fans (myself included) have waited years for. See it. Now.