Boba_Fett1138's movie reviews

Whistle (2025) Directed by Corin Hardy

2026-02-12T08:17:00.000-08:00

With Whistle (2026), director Corin Hardy delivers a visually striking horror film that, on paper, seems to have everything it needs to rise above the genre. In practice, however, it gets stuck somewhere between ambition and emotional distance. The result is a film you mostly watch, but rarely truly feel.

One thing is immediately clear: Whistle is beautifully shot. The cinematography is tight, the use of color atmospheric, and—remarkably for a modern horror film—the CGI actually adds value. Instead of feeling like a necessary evil, the digital effects enhance both the atmosphere and the death scenes without completely taking over. That alone makes Whistle something of a rarity within the genre.

Fighting death, not a villain

Rather than presenting a clearly defined antagonist, Whistle opts for a more abstract approach. The characters aren’t fighting “something,” but death itself—a force with many faces. It’s an interesting and almost philosophical idea, but unfortunately it doesn’t always work in favor of tension. Without a concrete evil to latch onto, the threat often feels vague and intangible. Intriguing in theory, but lacking urgency on screen.

Caricatures instead of characters

A bigger issue lies in the way the characters are written. It’s difficult to truly empathize with anyone, as the film relies heavily on exaggerated caricatures—something we see all too often in horror movies. One character exists purely for comic relief, another is defined solely by arrogance or hysteria. Nuance is largely absent, which dulls the emotional impact of their fates.

This problem is further amplified by the protagonist, who feels strangely absent for large portions of the film. She may be central on paper, but she never truly becomes the heart of the story. Because she isn’t present in all of the key scenes, her character never has the chance to fully develop. By the time the narrative needs her to carry emotional weight, it’s simply too late.

Strong buildup, weak payoff

As is often the case with horror films, Whistle excels more in its buildup and mystery than in its eventual explanations. The film successfully sparks curiosity, raises questions, and builds an ominous atmosphere. But once it starts providing answers and moving toward its conclusions, it loses momentum. The explanation is far less satisfying than the journey leading up to it.

Creative and gory deaths

Where Whistle undeniably delivers is in its death scenes. The kills are creative, sometimes downright inventive, and often satisfyingly bloody. Hardcore horror fans will find plenty to enjoy here. The film isn’t afraid to go all out, and it does so with clear enthusiasm.

Final Destination vibes

In many ways, Whistle strongly resembles a Final Destination film. Just like that franchise, it’s not about escaping a killer, but about trying to outrun the inevitable.
This comparison is evident in:

The chain reactions that lead to bizarre and brutal deaths

The constant sense that fate is already sealed, no matter what the characters do

A focus on creativity and shock value over emotional depth

Fans of the Final Destination series will likely find plenty to appreciate in Whistle, especially when it comes to the inventive kills and the concept of death as an invisible antagonist. Just don’t expect the same level of suspense or emotional engagement.

Conclusion

Whistle is a film with clear ambitions, strong visual qualities, and several memorable moments. Unfortunately, its distant characters, abstract sense of threat, and underwhelming payoff prevent it from rising above mediocrity. Enjoyable for genre fans, but not a horror film that truly lingers.

5/10

Return to Silent Hill (2026) Directed by Christophe Gans

2026-02-03T07:31:00.000-08:00

Once again, a thick fog hangs over Silent Hill. Dense, all-consuming fog that swallows streets, distorts buildings and causes characters to lose their way, both literally and figuratively. Visually, Return to Silent Hill often gets it right. The film looks raw, grimy and soaked in melancholy. Rusty corridors, decaying hospitals and deserted streets are presented with a clear eye for detail. Christophe Gans once again proves that he knows how to create atmosphere and understands how vital visual language is to this world.

And yet, almost immediately, something feels off. Because as impressive as the imagery may be, it turns out to be little more than a thin layer of paint over a story that never truly comes alive. As the film progresses, the sense grows that all that fog is mainly there to conceal how little narrative grip there actually is. Silent Hill looks familiar, but feels surprisingly empty.

A buildup that gets in its own way

The film’s buildup is decidedly mediocre. Return to Silent Hill clearly wants to be a slow-burning horror film, but it confuses slowness with vagueness. Scenes follow one another without a clear sense of escalation or urgency. The story drifts along, rarely building toward anything meaningful. Moments that should feel significant lack impact because they are barely set up or developed.

The film touches on interesting themes such as guilt, grief, trauma and self-reflection, all core elements of Silent Hill’s mythology. Unfortunately, these ideas remain superficial. They are mentioned and hinted at, but never truly explored. The characters are not given enough room to carry these themes, leaving their emotional struggles feeling abstract and distant. The result is a film that wants to appear intelligent, but rarely dares to dig deep.

Horror without teeth

For a horror film, its biggest flaw may be how little the horror actually threatens. Even iconic monsters and familiar figures from the Silent Hill games make little impression. They are recognizable and visually faithful to the source material, but they feel more like fan service than genuine dangers. They appear, almost pose, and disappear again without leaving a lasting mark.

Where the games excel at psychological tension and creeping unease, the film repeatedly opts for distance. The monsters are present, but they rarely come close. They do not instill fear, nor do they truly unsettle. In doing so, the film loses one of the essential qualities that once made Silent Hill so distinctive: the sense that the horror is personal, that it reflects the characters and, by extension, the viewer.

Atmosphere without an emotional core

Perhaps the film’s greatest problem is that Return to Silent Hill feels emotionally empty. Not because nothing happens, but because what does happen rarely resonates. The atmosphere is constantly there, but without a strong emotional core it remains little more than set dressing. You are watching a nightmare, but you never truly feel it.

This also affects newcomers. As an introduction to the world of Silent Hill, the film barely works. There is little that sparks curiosity about the games or their deeper layers. For longtime fans, it feels as though familiar elements are reused without their original meaning or power. As a love letter to the games, the film falls short precisely because it relies too heavily on recognition and too little on substance.

Final verdict

Return to Silent Hill is filled with good ideas that are never fully developed. The film manages to impress visually and occasionally captures the right atmosphere, but ultimately stumbles over its own ambitions. What could have become a suffocating, psychological horror experience remains a messy whole without real tension or emotional impact.

It is not a complete failure, but it is a missed opportunity. Strong visuals, recognizable elements and interesting themes are all present, yet they lack cohesion and soul. Silent Hill looks impressive, but always keeps the viewer at a distance.

4/10

Recovery (2019) Directed by John Liang

2019-06-11T07:43:00.002-07:00

Well, good news is that this movie is not a complete and total train wreck but it unfortunately doesn't exactly live up to its potential either.

And honestly, this movie really had some potential. It was original, with some pretty interesting and clearly had some good ideas in it. It's unfortunate that the movie doesn't really know how to use all of its interesting and original ideas, and turn this into a memorable and effective movie.

You can't really put this movie under just one category, which in my opinion isn't ever necessarily a bad thing as well. Most of time it means that the movie is being an original one, that really truly is trying to do its very own thing. This movie also definitely is doing its own thing, but I don't know if that in this case is a positive thing as well. It rather makes the movie a bit of a messy one at times, that also isn't being the easiest or most pleasant one to watch and follow, especially the second halve of the movie.

The idea of using a veterans trauma and troubles and set it against the backdrop of a horror movie sounds like a pretty good and interesting premise, but the problem with it is that it doesn't deliver on its psychological horror- and thriller elements well enough. The buildup is there, most of the times, but the payoff is lacking. The movie actually does a fairly good job setting up its mystery and tension, but once it starts to become apparent that the movie doesn't know how to deliver on any of it, it turns into a bit of a snoozefest.

And that's all a shame of course. Not only because the right kind of buildup and premise all seems to be there, but also because the movie obviously had some pretty talented people involved with it. As far as these cheap and independent type of movies go, this one has a pretty good and professional look and feel to it. And even though the dialog feels somewhat lacking, the acting still is pretty good. It's still remains a huge missed opportunity that despite of the decent buildup and acting, that the movie never fully succeeds at it at turning its characters into likable and interesting enough ones as well. It's one of the reasons why the movie fails to make much of an impression and doesn't become much of an engaging one to watch. It basically is hard to care for any of the characters, or to what ever happens to them.

But I just can't really hate on this movie. It's too original and features too many good ideas in it for that. That fact that it doesn't live up to its potential doesn't mean that the movie is a terrible one to watch as well. Just extremely forgettable, as well as still somewhat disappointing in the end.

5/10

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The Humanity Bureau (2017) Directed by Rob W. King

2017-11-21T13:29:00.000-08:00

Nicolas Cage his "Blade Runner 2049" (and yes, it is just as bad and ridicules as that sounds). At least, that is what they were going for. Well, I guess they were, since I am really not too sure what they were going for exactly. As a whole, it is quite messy as a movie and it lacks a clear direction and engaging enough main plot line. Not that the movie is confusing, it is just bad and incredibly poorly constructed.

Watching this movie is a real task, which is not only due to the fact that it lacks a clear direction or solid enough main story, but also because it really isn't much fun to watch, which is especially disappointing for a movie that is trying to be a science-fiction movie, set in a dystopian future.

A big problem for this movie is that it lacks a good enough treat in it. There is never a sense of danger or despair, even though the movie supposedly is set in a world where humanity is seriously threatened by global warming. I also really don't think that this movie adds much good to the cause, in regards to the current global warming situation, even though the intentions for it were clearly there.

There is not a big enough treat from its 'world', which obviously is really due to the fact how poorly it is set up. The movie absolutely never feels or looks like it is set in the remote future and it also makes absolutely no attempt to ever impress you with any of its visuals or to explain its 'world' to you. The movie mostly involves Nicolas Cage sitting in- and driving around in his car, with some terrible green screen effects behind him. Something James Bond did far better and more convincing (well OK, maybe not), during the '60's and '70's.

This also shows you how terrible uneventful this movie actually is. There are a few action sequences, but it is all quite laughable to be honest. Terribly formulaic, as well as incredibly poorly directed. Its low budget really can't be an excuse in this case, since the movie clearly could have done more to either excite or entertain its viewers.

Nicolas Cage is a funny guy. He has had his fair share of great roles and movies, as well as a boatload of terrible roles, in absolutely laughable movies, while always overacting, but never being a bad actor per se as well. He honestly also isn't too bad in this movie, though his character is incredibly flat and uninteresting. He is far from the worst actor in this movie though. All other actors in this movie unfortunately really perform below par and it is always dangerous for a movie to feature a kid actor in a pretty big and significant role. Jakob Davies really isn't up to the task and he delivers just about all of his dialog in a far from convincing way.

The villain, always an important aspect for a movie such as this, is also a terribly disappointing one. Again, a far too formulaic, without a clear enough motivation and purpose in this movie. Maybe I simply zoned out while watching it, but I can assure you that that would have been all due to the movie, that absolutely failed to ever grab me with either its story and characters or any of its events.

It is a poorly handled mess, that offers nothing good really.

3/10

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Alien Convergence (2017) Directed by Rob Pallatina

2017-11-21T04:33:00.000-08:00

The title sounds like "Alien: Covenant", the cover looks like "Alien: Covenant". That can all only mean one thing; The Asylum is at it again!

It is funny though. Even though this is a clear attempt at trying to cash in on the 'succes' of "Alien: Covenant", the movie itself is ripping off a whole bunch of recent science-fiction movies, except for "Alien: Covenant". It is actually more a cheap "Pacific Rim" rip-off, about dragons (I guess) who came from space to destroy the Earth. The movie is just as ridicules and bad as sounds. However, if you are into this silly and bad stuff, there still is a great chance you are going to enjoy it.

I for one definitely am able to enjoy a movie such as this, though there absolutely is no way I would call it a good movie as well. It is bad, but that luckily doesn't take away anything from its amusement. It is the type of movie that becomes entertaining to watch, just because of how bad and ridicules it gets at times.

It is also always funny and amazing how these movies often follow the same templates and all of the characters are much alike. These movies often feature a strong female lead in it, who still are scared by something and vulnerable as well. There also isn't ever much story though and it basically is a movie about survival, from some kind of monstrous thread or natural disaster, while never feeling any of the dread, urgency and despair. It is all incredibly shallow, simplistic and predictable. Nothing comes as a surprise and the movie is basically devoid of any sort of depth and emotions. Really, I don't even remember any of the character's names.

Its straightforwardness and simplicity at the same time remains the one thing that also still makes the movie somewhat fun and entertaining to watch though. It never really slows down for any drama or distracting side-plots. There is plenty of action and pace to this movie, though at the same time the action is hardly anything impressive to look at. The special effects are ridiculously bad and half of the time I don't even know what is going on in the movie. It all feels very random and hard to care about, due to the way how things get told and shot like.

I still yet never hated watching this movie, but that is just me of course. Bad and silly movies often are enjoyable in their own, special, kind of way, but it clearly is something most people are not going to enjoy watching. And I really can't blame most people for that. After all, it is bad...

4/10

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Acts of Vengeance (2017) Directed by Isaac Florentine

2017-11-20T12:21:00.000-08:00

One of the things I never understood was how, why and when Antonio Banderas stopped being relevant and stopped to appear in decent movies. He was quite the star and presence back in the day, capable of handling action, adventure as well as drama. His movies often weren't just good, but mostly also very enjoyable to watch. Besides, he always had a great screen presence and undeniable has some real charisma to him, with his sensual look and accent. So what is he up to nowadays? Mostly low-key stuff such as this movie, while still being very much Antonio Banderas. He just stopped appearing in awesome stuff though, which is a real shame and it is doubtful that this movie is going to mark his great comeback.

Like most movies, this one isn't particularly bad, but it isn't one you going to remember much, a couple of weeks after seeing it. It is not just formulaic, but also a movie that fails to make much of an impression with anything. Not with its story, not with its characters, not with its action. It is a bad of an odd and unsuccessful mishmash of different genres, that never gel.

It is not quite thrilling enough for a thriller, not action-packed or well paced enough for an action flick and it lacks all of the right emotions and credible enough developments for a drama. I also can't really tell what this movie was going for. At times its more of a stupid action-flick, while at others it tries to be like a surprising thriller and at others it is definitely trying to throw some more emotions and drama into the mix. There is never a good enough balance for anything to ever work out successful enough.

It is especially bad and disappointing how this movie never seems to have a good- or very pleasant flow to it. Things never progress naturally enough and the movie too often either goes too fast or too slow with its story. At times it feels like the story is moving forward too fast with things, which goes at the expense of its credibility and emotions, while at others it feels like the movie comes at a standstill.

The main character also never really works out because of this. It just doesn't feel very natural or convincing how the the Banderas character goes from being an office worker to being an action hero, capable of taking down any enemy, with confidence and without any fear regardless of his size or weapons that he is carrying. The character never goes through any convincing enough transitions, which again is mostly due to the absence of good emotions and a solid enough pace. Things mostly just happen in this movie, without having much of an effect on you, in terms of making you feel engaged or emotionally involved with anyone or anything that is happening on the screen.

But really, it is never a truly terrible movie to watch neither. It is just incredibly bland and mostly very predicable as well. This movie hardly offers any surprises and it also isn't trying very hard to knock you out of your socks with anything. It also totally fails to grab you, which is a big part of the reason why this movie is ultimately nothing more but an extremely forgettable one.

Not a movie that I would ever recommend to anyone.

5/10

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November Criminals (2017) Directed by Sacha Gervasi

2017-11-08T13:33:00.000-08:00

This has a lot of the marking of a great movie, but yet it is nothing more but 'just' a good one. A shame, since it really still does a lot of things right and so easily could have been an absolutely great one, instead of the forgettable and eventual disappointing movie that it is.

It actually is a very original movie, in a lot of ways. An original and intriguing story, some surprising main characters and angles. Still the movie fails to make much of an impact with its story, since it too often lacks a clear direction and never has the guts to take things far enough. It isn't a very gutsy movie, while it had plenty of opportunities to turn into one. It however decides to remain as tame and simplistic as possible with its story, which is fine, but also definitely goes at the expense of the movie its overall quality. It prevents the movie from ever becoming truly tense, surprising and engaging.

The movie still starts off really solid and interesting. It however soon start to become apparent that the movie just doesn't really know what to do with its story, and worse, how to end things. It is all some pretty decent and engaging build up, without a very satisfying payoff. Pointless isn't the right word, but it definitely is a very fruitless movie. It remains on the right track for a very long time, but then suddenly decides to take some turns that aren't heading into the most interesting or effective of directions.

Yet all of this doesn't make this movie a terrible one to watch. It just makes it a disappointing one, since it showed so much more potential. Good news though that it still remains a perfectly watchable movie. Like I said, it still picks an interesting and original enough story, that maybe isn't always going into the most interesting direction with things, but it still makes the movie an intriguing enough one. It besides get made believable by its fine cast, who really brings the movie to live and helps to elevate it.

With Ansel Elgort, Chloë Grace Moretz, Catherine Keener and David Strathairn it has a quite big and impressive cast of fine actors. It is a real actors movie, in the sense that most of the tension and emotions come from the acting, rather than the actual writing. It is also definitely the acting and not necessarily the writing that makes this movie such a perfectly fine one to watch, with some solid enough characters in it.

A movie that lacks some clear direction at times and a solid enough point by the end of it, but it overall still remains a decent enough drama/thriller, with some interesting and original enough angles to it.

6/10

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Base (2017) Directed by Richard Perry

2017-11-08T08:25:00.000-08:00

Just a bunch of base jumpers trying to fund their expensive hobby by making this movie. That is how this movie comes across to me. It is not even really a movie, since there is no true story, no solid emotions and no good characters.

It is a 'cheap' and fairly simple attempt at making a movie. It uses the 'found footage' approach and angle, which means that nothing got shot with the help of any professional camera's or had a big crew involved with it. Guess that using this approach makes sense for a movie centered around base jumpers, but having a bunch of base jumpers walking- and flying around with some cameras attached to them does not make for a good or very interesting movie as well.

Actually the most surprising thing about this movie remains the fact how terribly uneventful it is. Basejumping seems spectacular and daring, but yet it never comes across like that in this movie. It never gets your adrenaline pumping, which is due to its lack of buildup and use of camera's. Some more wide-shots were really needed at times to put things in perspective. It just isn't all that fun or thrilling to see any of the actors flying around and yelling, with a bunch of empty sky and often rocks around them. Needless to see that the movie also becomes pretty repetitive to watch after a while. There really isn't all that much variety in it and it still is luckily that the movie is only about 80 minutes short.

Things also never get made interesting by its story or any of its characters. It really doesn't have a clear beginning, middle and end to it. Of maybe rather said; it lacks a clear point. I also really don't know what this movie was going for. Was it simply trying to be fun and spectacular? Or was it trying to be something more serious and profound as well. That would explain the tedious philosophical approach and lines of dialog to the movie, while there is absolutely nothing profound about anything that happens on the screen. It fails to suck you in with its story and to give you an interesting enough look into the live- and dangers of the average base jumper.

All of the 'actors' in this movie are clearly first and foremost professional base jumpers, which means that there acting is below par, to put it mildly. It doesn't help much that the movie features a whole bunch of weird sounding accents in it. Something about too many different accents in a movie that makes it terribly unappealing. You also really don't get to know much about any of them, which doesn't help to make you understand them or ever feel for any of them. It also doesn't make you 'feel' and understand the world that they live in. I am sure that being a base jumper is a very thrilling and dangerous lifestyle, but I got none of that by watching this movie.

Never interesting or entertaining enough. Clearly not a very recommendable movie to watch.

4/10

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24 Hours to Live (2017) Directed by Brian Smrz

2017-11-07T11:03:00.000-08:00

At first glance this would seem like a decent enough genre attempt. I mean, an action/thriller starring the likes of Ethan Hawke and Rutger Hauer in it? That should at least be entertaining to watch right? Well, yes and no. It is not a terrible movie to watch, but it ain't exactly one you are going to remember much about, a couple of weeks after seeing it.

Good news is that this is a pretty well made movie. At least visually it is. It has a nice, modern and slick action movie look to it, with some good editing and also some pretty decent action moments in it. It isn't fully- or a very typical action flick though. You should see it more as a fast paced thriller, that just happens to feature some action in it as well.

The story has all the markings of a typical fast paced action-thriller in it. A man on the run/a mission, a couple of backstabbing characters, some twists. It is however like I said a far from typical movie as well though. The concept of the movie gets used in a pretty original way, though things tend to get a bit convoluted at times. It is one of those movies that isn't necessarily clever or hard to follow at times due to its story, but more because of the way things get told. It is all being a bit needlessly complicated at times and there are one or two too many distractions in its story, that in the end don't really add anything.

It all really doesn't make this the most fun movie to watch. The movie remains stuck somewhere between being an entertaining one and a more serious and straightforward thriller. It doesn't always manage to find a right and effective balance between all of its action and story-elements. This all definitely goes at the expense of the movie its watchability.

Things still manage to work out a bit more interesting and entertaining because of the fine actors in the movie, who really bring their characters to live. Ethan Hawke is always pretty good at playing likable- and engaging enough everyday characters and he also doesn't disappoint in this movie. It besides is fun to see Rutger Hauer in a fairly big and more serious production again, though his role certainly isn't anything too special. The movie on the other hand luckily also has some pretty decent villains in it, as often really is needed for movies of this sort.

Never the most engaging movie to watch and it pretends to be more clever and original than it in fact truly is, but it at the same time still remains a pretty decent and entertaining enough little genre attempt, starring some fine actors in it.

5/10

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Singularity (2017) Directed by Robert Kouba

2017-11-07T08:22:00.000-08:00

This movie is a bit of a mixed bag. On the one hand it is a pretty decent attempt, considering its budget and limited resources, but on the other it still makes some poor choices and never fully succeeds at becoming anything too original or interesting.

Best way to describe this movie would be by calling it an odd "The Matrix", "Blade Runner" and "The Hunger Games" hybrid. Maybe sounds awesome to some, but by saying this I mean to say that it really isn't the most creative or original movie around. It 'borrows' heavily from other science-fiction movies, without ever doing anything truly original of its own with it. And maybe all of that still would have been fine, as long as the movie would have been an engaging and entertaining one of its own. That however isn't entirely the case for this movie though.

It actually starts off fairly well and interesting enough with its story and visuals, but once it becomes apparent who its main characters are and what its main story is all about, the movie starts to downhill. It is a movie with a bigger than life story in it, about an apocalypse, yet the movie its story feels very 'small', by only focusing on an handful of character and by never really showing any destruction or despair. Everyhing that happens in this movie feels without any real consequences. It is therefore also never the most tense or engaging one to watch.

I was especially disappointed with its main characters. They aren't the most interesting or best developed one and they also aren't exactly played by the world's most talented actors. I would have been fine with it if the movie focused a bit more on the John Cusack character, who basically is the main villain of the movie, but hardly gets to do anything. At least his character seemed interesting, with a plan and clear motivations. None of which can be said about its main characters and 'heroes'.

The movie never succeeds at it to make its story remotely interesting and engaging. It is all a bit too straightforward and simplistic, without ever offering you any surprises.

It still remains a pretty decent looking movie. It is true that there is a disappointing amount of action in it, but it in a lot of ways is simply more of a science-fiction- than an action movie, which is fine really. Visually this movie has plenty to offer. The special effects really aren't anything too bad, at least not by low-budget movie standards. There are some questionable shots, but it never goes full CGI on you, which is a good thing in my book.

I never hated watching this movie, which probably is the most positive thing that I can say about it. It isn't particularly entertaining, spectacular or engaging to watch, but it is really far from the worst thing you will ever see.

5/10

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Ryde (2016) Directed by Brian Frank Visciglia

2017-11-07T05:37:00.002-08:00

Great concept but a real lacking execution. That pretty much sums up this movie, that isn't a terrible one to watch, but never a particularly interesting or effective one neither.

An Uber driver that is a serial killer as well. Makes perfect sense to me. It is never a problem to get people in your car and drive off to a remote location to kill them off. A perfect M.O. and a great sounding concept for a movie. But well, that is all it is really; a great sounding concept. The movie fails to ever make things tense, surprising or engaging enough to watch. making this an overall pretty shallow and forgettable viewing experience.

First of all, the main character just doesn't work out too well for the movie. It is one of those movies that follows its killer around and makes him the main character, which can work out as great and effective at times, but just not for this movie. It never succeeds in making its main character an interesting enough one. You really don't get to know anything about the main character. You don't know who he is, you don't know why he kills. You really don't know what makes him tick, so to speak. Besides, he never shows any emotions or goes through any interesting enough transitions. It just isn't a very well developed character, that besides lacks all of the right charisma and character trades to make him an interesting enough one to have to follow around. It doesn't help much that the acting in the movie isn't the most impressive to watch, though the script should be blamed for that as well.

The fact that the movie simply just follows its main character around also ensures that nothing else ever really develops. There isn't even a real story and it just feels like a random bunch of events that don't even really connect to each other. The movie besides starts to repeat itself pretty early on already. I mean, the driver picks up a person, drives him/her to a location and then kills that person. How many times do we need to see that to know that the main character is a bad person? There isn't enough variety in the movie and it does far too little to ever change things around or spice things up a little bit more.

It even isn't a very good as a thriller/slasher. It does a poor job building up the tension and the killings aren't all that creative or fun to watch neither. Pretty standard stuff all, that isn't going to excite any gore/slasher lovers. It however is mostly the lack of any good build up that makes this movie a mostly uninteresting one, deprived of any good suspense. The lack of variety further more ads to it that the movie just never becomes the most interesting or surprising one neither.

I still wouldn't call the movie boring as well though. All things considering, it still remains a pretty well made and good looking movie. The script and build up are lacking, but the movie still has a very professional look and feel to it, that helps to make the movie a 'pleasant' one to look at. I wasn't never bored or angered by this movie, even while I most definitely wasn't ever fully entertained by it either. It remains a watchable- and its core also still an original enough, little movie to watch, that isn't going to make a big impression on you though.

5/10

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Hickok (2017) Directed by Timothy Woodward Jr.

2017-10-31T13:22:00.001-07:00

Only a few things more painful than a movie that tries to be something that it just isn't. Instead of being a gritty and realistic western epic, this is nothing more but a weak- and even somewhat of an amateur-like attempt at a western.

Just about everything about this movie is weak. The writing, the acting, the settings, the action, the characters. Really, I could go on and on. I also just can't imaging any western lovers going to end up liking this movie. On the contrary. It lacks everything that makes a western great and distinguishable.

That to me was the main problem with this movie; it in no way, shape or form looks or ever remotely feels like a western. The movie has a far too modern, slick and clean look. Nothing raw, nothing dirty and therefore also most definitely nothing realistic about this movie. Nothing wrong with taking a different approach to a genre, but it in this case really doesn't work out with its story, characters and settings. Besides, it makes the movie look cheap, though there are plenty of other elements that are responsible for this.

It actually is a pretty clumsy movie. The directing is definitely lacking and it fails to ever provide the movie with a proper enough pace and to ever make things both interesting and engaging to watch. Not just the director's fault of course, but the lacking directing most definitely contributes to the fact that the movie just feels 'off' and nothing about it ever works out very well. There is never a pleasant flow to things and nothing really ever seems to develop within its story. It besides is all quite lackluster, so please don't except any gun fights or horseback chases.

Like basically all westerns; the main story is a pretty basic and straightforward one, that builds and relies heavily on its main character. Problem however is that the main character isn't a very interesting one to begin with. He isn't even all that likable and besides poorly developed. Luke Hemsworth also just didn't seem right for the role. Next to simply just not being a very impressive actor, he also lacked the right sort of charisma and star power to carry this movie. It is amazing to me how many great and well known other actors decided to show up in this movie. Bruce Dern, Kris Kristofferson, I am looking at you. What on Earth are you doing in this movie?

The story fails to leave much of an impression. Like I said, most of this has to do with its main character, but it obviously doesn't help much that there just isn't ever anything good or interesting happening within the movie its story. This is nothing too uncommon for a western actually, but usually there still are some other elements present in it, such as a good villain, spectacular- or raw impressive moments, to compensate for this and make things still either enjoyable or engaging enough to watch, but this movie lacks all of it. It is not fun, it is never engaging, not spectacular and most certainly not very memorable as a movie.

A real failed western, with a lacking script, weak characters, none to little action and some below average directing. It is best to avoid to movie, even- or perhaps especially, if you are really into westerns.

4/10

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Mother Krampus (2017) Directed by James Klass

2017-10-27T13:40:00.000-07:00

Now, who doesn't love a good Christmas slasher? Something about the holiday's that make people hungry for blood, I guess.

But seriously, holiday slashers often work out well conceptional because they often take an 'innocent' subject, that everybody has fond memories off from their childhood, and turns it into something shocking and bloody. It is very contrasting and conflicting, which makes things interesting. Thing that is also true about holiday slashers though is that rarely any of them are truly that great to watch, this one including.

Can't even really say this is much of a holiday slasher. It is disappointing how it barely uses any Christmas themes and elements in it. Certainly no Christmas like look or feeling to this movie and it just seems like a gimmick to let things appear more interesting and original than they in fact truly are.

As a matter of fact, I can't even say that this is much of a slasher even. I at times genuinely forget that I was watching a slasher her, since it is constantly focusing on some personal drama and character development as well, which is fine and gives the movie plenty of depth, but it at the same time really distracts from its horror and ensures that the more serious and the more slasher- and horror like elements of the movie never gel.

You also have to remember though that this is an English production, which means that it is never as fast paced or slick looking as an American/Hollywood production. Once you are OK with this, the movie does become a quite good and original one enough to watch, though it is still certainly lacking in the horror department.

The movie also shows that using violence and gore in your movie isn't as easy as it might seem. The movie tries to shock with its gore, but it is all quite fake and bad looking. Again, it works out as too distracting from the movie and it certainly doesn't enhances its horror. It actually has a pretty decent main villain and concept in it, but it is too bad that it doesn't really how to use it. Seems to me that the film-makers are better at doing drama than horror. It is also as if the movie was too afraid to take its horror elements too seriously. It is therefore more a silly movie than a shocking or scary one, when it comes down to all of its horror.

The acting also isn't anything too great, but the drama and approach of the movie still ensures that the characters work out well enough and the movie remains an interesting enough one to watch, all throughout. The approach also definitely ensures that it is original enough one, though I doubt that too many horror lovers are going to end up liking this movie.

Watchable enough, as long as you don't expect a typical and gory slasher flick.

5/10

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Immigration Game (2017) Directed by Krystof Zlatnik

2017-10-27T11:10:00.000-07:00

Luckily this is a pretty enjoyable movie, but other than that, it really isn't anything too special to watching, despite a fascinating and original sounding premise.

This is a pretty unique movie, but that is mainly because it is being such an unusual. Well, I say that it is original, but it still obviously 'borrows' heavily from a ton of movies and can best be described as a "The Hunger Games", "The Purge" and "The Warriors" hybrid, while still combining all of these movie elements in a pretty original enough way. Sounds absolutely awesome and perfect, but the movie in fact is being far from perfect though.

The main problem with this movie is its style. I just don't really know what this movie is trying to be like. It on the one hand picks a very realistic and gritty approach with its violence, look and overall story approach, but on the other hand the story also features some heavily exaggerated characters and situations in it, that can't be considered to be realistic at all. The approach of the movie clashes with its story at times, which makes it hard to watch at times. Does the movie want you to be shocked or to be entertained? I can't tell you, since I myself am confused about this, at multiple points throughout the movie.

Seems to me that this movie started off as a serious project, with also a deeper and more meaningful message behind things, but during production it became obvious to the film-makers that making a more entertaining was far more easy- and fun to do. It is a bit messy and really not the most consistent movie around, but at the same time I am also still glad that by the end they picked a more entertaining approach to things, since I definitely still was entertained by all of it.

Thing that it also very consistent with though is its language. It is weird how this movie keeps switching back and forth between German and English. There really isn't much logic behind it, other than also trying to appeal to a more international crowd. The acting also isn't anything too impressive, but that really doesn't matter too much, since the movie never gets too serious with any of the drama or other emotions. After all, what starts off as a pretty serious and intense movie eventually turns into nothing more but a pretty stupid, yet entertaining, one. No need for the actors to act very convincing, or handle some heartfelt emotions.

It luckily also is a very good looking movie. Quite appealing looking actually and certainly not like any other typical low-budget production, shot somewhere in Europe. It makes it on the one hand a very well directed movie, but on the other still a bit of a messy and too simplistic one.

This movie certainly is a mixed bag, but in the end I still ended up being entertained by it, which makes it an OK on in my book.

6/10

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Arg Stairs (2017) Directed by Kyle Romanek

2017-10-27T05:59:00.000-07:00

Coming up with a good idea is one thing, but turning it into a good movie is a totally different story, as this movie clearly demonstrates.

This sounds like a movie with a good- and fun enough premise, about a caveman inventing the concept of using stairs. Sounds greatly original and entertaining for a movie and indeed it is, but when the movie doesn't give you much else, things just aren't as good and entertaining as you would expect it to turn out as.

This also most definitely is more an amateur movie than just another low-budget one really. It isn't the most professional looking movie, which can be quite distracting at times. It is especially annoying how the caveman- and woman look, behave and sound (like I would know how cave-people would sound like) like cave-people. It probably was intentional, since after all; this is a comedy, but the whole 'world' and 'rules' of the movie just didn't do it for me. It was far too distracting how clean and toned all of the actors in this movie looked and how all of them behaved like they were walking around in a 21th century setting.

It is not a terribly uninteresting or unappealing movie to watch, but it at the same time remains disappointing how little good this movie came up with. The story never takes things into an unexpected or too great direction. The comedy and dialog is especially weak and disappointing at parts. It also too often ensures that the movie drags and gets filled with some pointless story developments that in the end don't really add anything.

The movie also doesn't have the best acting in it. Some of the characters are amusing, but most of them are just weak and uninteresting. This unfortunately also goes for the main character of the movie, who isn't really charismatic and 'strong' enough to carry this movie.

But like I said; it still never becomes a too terrible movie to watch. It is some very simple but harmless fun. I can still see how some people would enjoy this movie, though I am also convinced that by far most people are going to dislike watching it. The story, comedy and dialog, among other things, is far too lacking to ever make this s genuinely good and successful genre attempt. Still willing to give it plenty of credit as well, seeing how this basically is nothing but an amateur production, made by 'non-professionals' and without much money.

5/10

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Christmas Crime Story (2017) Directed by Richard Friedman

2017-10-26T12:53:00.001-07:00

There are two sides to this movie. On the one hand its all quite amateur-like, but on the other it at the same time is quite successful at what it is trying to achieve.

It is obvious to me what this movie is trying to do and be like. It is being one of those intertwined stories movies, such as "21 Grams" and "Crash". Something that has been attempted by many film-makers and was quite popular for a while. And trust me when I say that I have seen plenty of genre attempts, of which, by far the most, are some very unsuccessful and unimpressive attempts, mainly because the story lines don't really connect in an either effective or convincing enough way. That really isn't a problem with this movie though, which is about the biggest compliment I can give it.

It is actually amazing how well written this movie is. All of the story lines make sense and don't come across as anything too forced or too coincidental. I wish they also would have spend some more time on the dialog though. The dialog is something that makes this movie quite bad and tiresome to watch at parts. It never feels like anything too realistic and too often goes far too long, without ever turning into anything interesting.

It is also true that the dialog comes across as wooden and dull at parts because of the lacking acting. It is a shame, since there actually is no doubt in my mind that this movie would have worked out as a far more solid and convincing one if only it had some better actors in it. This is the type of movie that really could have used 2 or 3 real big name actors in it, to elevate things to a greater height.

It is very obvious though that this movie didn't had the type of budget to afford any big name- or better actors in it. I would even say that this movie borderlines an amateur project at times. It really feels and looks that way, with its musical score and lacking editing at parts. It is a well made- but at times still a very clumsy movie. Doesn't mean that I am not interested in Richard Friedman's future projects though. He is a great writer and storyteller and it would be interesting to see what he can do with a bigger budget.

And does the inclusion of Christmas elements add anything? Not really, though it still is a nice original little touch. It certainly isn't your typical Christmas movie, though by the end it is still fair to say that it is a very typical Christmas movie, with some very typical Christmas messages and touches to it.

It is a movie that I really appreciated watching, though at the same time I still can't call it an absolutely good one as well, which really is mostly due to its budget restraints, unfortunately.

6/10

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Espionage Tonight (2017) Directed by Rob Gordon Bralver

2017-10-26T07:43:00.000-07:00

What might seem like a fun and action packed little movie, actually really isn't. I was still fine with the lack of action, but thing I really wasn't fine with was with how incredibly messy and unpleasant this movie was to watch.

It is always amazing to me how a movie with barely any story in it can still manage to work out as an incredibly confusing and messy one. It is mainly because the movie is never able to focus. There are multiple things going on at once, involving many (far too many) different characters, that just don't ever really feel connected to each other. It is almost as if this movie got shot without a script and it allowed its actors to come up with their own lines of dialog and story on the spot. It makes it hard to tell what is going on at times, but what is arguably worse is the fact that it sucks all energy and fun out of the movie.

Since after all, this movie very clearly was supposed to be a comedy. Not sure how it thought that it would be fun or funny to watch, but it is a comedy nevertheless, with its exaggerated moments and very over-the-top characters, that never manage to work out as any likable ones. Also, since again, the movie doesn't really focus on just one or two good main characters. I can't even really tell who was supposed to be the main character in this, or even who was supposed to be one of the good- or bad 'guys'.

My guess is that this was supposed to be some sort of social satire as well. It after all is a comedy, that takes on a 'reality TV show' approach. I just don't get though what it is trying to be critical at and what it is poking fun at exactly. Another reason why it just doesn't ever work out is because it absolutely never feels or looks like a reality TV show at all. I mean, not even in the slightest.

Pretty surprising to see how some good and well known actors appear in this movie. Maybe it is because they thought it would be a fun one to make, also since the movie gave them plenty of room and opportunity to improvise. It however really isn't a movie that is going to look good on anyone's resume.

The movie is also trying to be very hip and original with its visual style. A little bit too hard too though. It feels forced and therefore also incredibly ineffective. It is all far too deliberate, which goes at the expense of any form of realism. The style actually seemed right for the movie and with a better and far more focused story it still potentially could have worked out well, so I am not really blaming the film-makers for taking such a visual approach.

Thing I do blame them for is the use of CG blood. At absolutely never looks right and realistic and besides often comes across as lazy film-making. It is also distracting and a thing that adds absolutely nothing. Not to its action, not to its realism and most definitely not to its entertainment either.

Almost nearly totally unwatchable, mainly due to its incredibly messy story and storytelling.

3/10

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The Evil Within (2017) Directed by Andrew Getty

2017-10-25T13:39:00.000-07:00

This movie scores pretty high on the 'weirdness' scale. But does it also make the movie an original and good one to watch? In some ways yes, but I definitely wouldn't call this a very successful or great movie.

It is s good thing that this movie is trying to be different and is really taking on a style and approach of its own. I wouldn't even necessarily call this a horror movie. It is more a thriller with some horror tendencies and some unsettling moments.

At first it is even somewhat hard to tell what this movie is really to do and tell. It is a pretty unusual and even somewhat philosophical movie at first, that however slowly develops into a more and more streamlined thriller/horror flick. What is vague and weird at first slowly becomes more understandable once the movie progresses toward the end. But does it also make things better to watch? Well, yes and no. It does make things more pleasant to follow, but at the same time it never feels like the movie is doing anything truly special with its story and concept.

And once you really start to think about things, this movie really had a pretty promising concept in it. It is something that is more unsettling than truly genuinely scary, but it works pretty well. I at first didn't think that its concept would work out very well or interesting, but as things start to develop it does manage to succeed at letting its concept work out as a convincing and interesting enough one. It is all a bit too late though. Once the movie truly starts to get into gear and turn into a good and interesting one, it is already over. I wish the movie would have done more with its concept, instead of repeating itself so often and focus on its buildup, rather than its eventual payoff.

It is not a boring or lackluster movie, but it does feel like it is taking far too long to get to its point, at certain parts. Besides, you often already know what direction things are going to head in and it is not like the movie ever surprises you with any of the twists or other story developments. It is a well handled movie, but at the same time its never quite surprising or truly original enough, despite a very original approach and style.

It also most definitely is a pretty decent looking movie, with a good atmosphere. Definitely more horror like, even if the movie itself isn't really a 'true' horror. It also uses some good makeup and effects, which again, adds to the horror aspects and feel of the movie. It helps to give the movie a certain unnerving look and feel to it, though I wish that it all would have been part of a better movie.

The movie also has some solid acting in it. Sean Patrick Flanery and Dina Meyer perhaps don't play the most likable characters, but they play their roles pretty well. Frederick Koehler is mostly exaggerating, but after a while he and his performance start to grow on you. It is certainly a pretty interesting character, once you get to know more about him and the movie begins to reveal more and more and slowly develops into something more sinister.

A real good and interesting movie in some ways, but as a whole it still falls mostly flat unfortunately.

5/10

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Geo-Disaster (2017) Directed by Thunder Levin

2017-10-24T07:08:00.001-07:00

What do you think? Is this movie a cheap "Geostorm" rip-off; yes or nah? Well, I think that the title of this movie and the cover are pretty self explanatory...

Oh yes, The Asylum strikes again! Trying to make a few quick bucks on the 'succes' of "Geostorm". But you know what, I love The Asylum for it. Of course their movies are never anything too impressive or original, but through its ridiculousness the movies often tend to become some pretty entertaining ones to watch, although I most definitely won't call this movie a very good or particularly entertaining one as well.

And really, anyone who would call or consider this movie to be an even remotely good one is probably pretty crazy. There is no originality. No real excitement and absolutely nothing about this movie that comes close to being impressive. Cheap effects, questionable acting, a nonsensical story. In other words; plenty here for B-movie lovers and lovers of bad movies in general, to enjoy.

It basically is nothing more than a movie about a bunch of uninteresting characters trying to survive some very mundane situations. Seriously, the world is at the brick of destruction in this movie, yet all the characters have to survive is climbing up a rock and escaping from a slightly collapsed building. Yep, that is about as much excitement as this movie has to offer. There is never really a sense of true destruction and danger, not even when volcanoes start to erupt and tidal waves hit the coast. You after all already know how things are going to progress and eventually end, since movies like this are by the numbers and do very little to surprise you.

Nothing ever really happens in the story and to its the characters and everything that does happen to them feel far too random. Things aren't really connected to each other, or at least it absolutely never feels that way. The movie besides does very little to ever build up any excitement or tension. It doesn't necessarily make this movie a boring one, but it does make it a very pointless and uneventful one to watch.

The movie at times remains an enjoyable to watch, just because it is such a bad one, but absolutely never because it is genuinely a good or entertaining one as well. It is not the worst movie from The Asylum that I have ever seen, but it is one of the least entertaining ones unfortunately.

4/10

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Nightworld (2017) Directed by Patricio Valladares

2017-10-24T04:49:00.000-07:00

Not sure what to make of this movie. Sometimes it can be a good thing when you can't really tell whether a movie is trying to be a thriller, horror- or mystery movie. It means that the movie is being unique and original, but at times it also means that the movie is an inconsistent and messy one. That latter unfortunately is being the case with this movie as well.

The movie actually handles and builds its mystery up very well. A little bit too well though, sine it starts to work against the movie after a while. It is a movie that really isn't giving you all that much information about anything, for its first hour or so. You however should always give the viewers something to remain intrigued and invested into the movie. The approach of this movie however ensures that the movie is a mostly vague and mysterious one, without ever turning into a truly interesting one as well. It therefore also really isn't the most suspenseful or eventful one to watch. Not that it ever becomes too much of a bore, but I just can't imaging anyone sitting through this movie for a second viewing.

It seems that this movie had plenty of potential and had a good and clear idea what it was building up toward and how things were going to end, but it unfortunately seemed to have no idea how to connect its build up and eventual payoff in an effective way. It is even as if the final 20 minutes and the first minutes are two completely different movies. It takes far too long for the movie to gain some steam and take things into an interesting enough direction, leading toward its end. And really, from a horror viewpoint the final 20 minutes are actually quite good. I really do wish that the movie would had been more like its final minutes. That way things at least would have been far more entertaining, creative and suspenseful to watch. It is as if the movie is afraid to ever turn into a full blown horror flick, while all of the right ingredients for it were really there. It tries to be more. It tries to be different. It fails though.

The story doesn't only slow things down, it also really keeps the movie down as a whole. All potentially good and interesting suspenseful and mysterious elements get squandered by its dull and lacking storytelling. Not sure if you could blame the director Patricio Valladares for that. He actually still does a pretty decent job with the movie, that in no way or form ever feels like the cheap and uneventful horror/thriller flick that it in fact truly is.

It also is true that the movie gets let down by its actors. Jason London just wasn't the right charismatic person for the role and he never became likable enough and Robert Englund is quite terrible as a blind man. I mean, seriously. He plays the character as one big walking cliché, who in no way moves or behaves like a real blind man. He is just in this movie because he is Robert Englund I guess.

Far from the most terrible thing I have ever seen, but due to its pacing and approach not really one that I would ever recommend to anyone neither.

5/10

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Bunnyman Vengeance (2017) Directed by Carl Lindbergh

2017-10-23T14:12:00.001-07:00

Please, don't be like me. I was naive enough to watch this movie, while I hadn't seen any of the previous two 'Bunnyman' movies. Not sure if they clarify much (they probably don't), but it made watching this movie a quite confusing one and a real task at parts.

You would think that a movie with a premise of having a killer walking around in a bunny-suite would be one that would be fun to watch. Especially also when looking at the title and cover of the movie. This movie however takes itself surprisingly serious. This isn't really a complaint, since it of course remains something that could work out very well for a movie, but it in this case definitely feels like the movie is missing the mark with it. The movie tries to be something that it simply isn't. It is trying to be a bit of a clever and different movie, by taking an unusual approach to its story and concept.

No doubt in my mind that this movie series got heavily inspired by "Donnie Darko" and the Frank character in particular. It doesn't only feature similar story aspects and characters, it also tries to mimic its style a bit. It is somewhat of a trippy- and in a lot of ways more like an art house movie, that however, as I mentioned before, lacks any sort of depth or truly interesting ideas to let its story work out.

I just didn't get the 'world' and characters of this movie. Was the bunny suppose to be some sort of metaphor for someone or something? Throughout the movie I kept thinking 'yes', but after having finished watching it I have to say 'no'. There is no bigger or deeper idea behind anything, even though the movie itself still seems to think that it does.

It is not an absolutely terrible movie to watch, but it definitely isn't a very pleasant one neither. Especially those expecting to get a fun slasher need to think again, before they actually decide to watch this movie. It is never really any fun and it also isn't much of a slasher neither. It is weird, since the story and movie most definitely feature lots of slasher elements and moments in it. Perhaps it is because they are handled so differently and because it never really seems to be the heart and center of the movie. The gore and slasher elements aren't even much good. The blood is incredibly fake and it actually was surprising to see how incredibly amateur-like this movie became once it started to feature some slasher elements in it.

The movie in general feels and looks a bit too amateur-like at parts. The sound gets quite horrible, the editing sloppy and the acting is definitely below par most of the time as well.

Thing with this movie is that it also really doesn't feature any likable characters in it. It is part of the reason why it just isn't a very fun- but also never a very interesting movie watch. Each and every character in this movie is a quite flawed and despicable one, without much redeeming qualities. It also really doesn't help that the movie doesn't really feature a main character in it, next to its Bunny character, that I still don't really understand or got to know anything about. There is no hero, no clear villain, no love interest. It is a very unique and different movie in a lot of ways, but unfortunately most of those ways aren't very positive or much good to watch.

Aside from me not 'getting' this movie, I just can't say how anyone else could- or possibly could ever enjoy and appreciate this movie.

4/10

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Two Pigeons (2017) Directed by Dominic Bridges

2017-10-19T14:16:00.001-07:00

Crazy, but delicious. That probably is the best way for me to describe this movie, though there is absolutely no denying that it is not a movie for just everybody.

When you don't really have a big budget for a movie you can better get creative. Come up with something original and make it your own. This movie really is its own thing and it is also hard to compare it to anything else really. It is foremost a comedy, with a wonderfully entertaining and creative concept.

A wonderful thing about this movie is that it only features a handful of different characters in it and is entirely set in one and the same apartment, yet the movie never bores or begins to repeat itself. It almost constantly manages to surprise and entertain, and calling this movie predictable would be a lie.

Not saying that everything develops into anything too good though. It above all things remains a comedy, which unfortunately also means that the movie is often going for the safe road. This so easily could have been more than just a comedy and it also seems as if the movie was having some more dramatic and thriller-like ideas and tendencies in it, only to put them all to the side in favor of its comedy. It in a lot of a ways is a very daring and original movie, but at the same time it also remains far too safe with its themes and story-developments.

It however luckily remains a great movie to look at, at all times. It is a well made movie, that by no means ever looks cheap or amateur-like. It has a great style and visuals to it and with a slightly better story and more daring approach to it this very easily could have been an absolute must-see.

But it is also like I said; this movie isn't for just everyone. I can certainly see and understand how it would be an odd and uncomfortable one one to watch to some. It in some ways really is an art-house production, but this should never scare anybody off. Just try it, and you might end up liking it. I certainly did! Yes, even despite its weaknesses and missed opportunities.

7/10

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Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library (2017) Directed by Scott McAboy

2017-10-18T13:30:00.001-07:00

This obviously is an absolute and total "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory" rip-off, but does it really matter all that much in this case? In my opinion not. "Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library" is a perfectly fine, adventurous and entertaining movie for little kids and that is all that really matters.

Just imaging "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory" set in a library and you get "Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library". Oh and take a couple of millions away from its budget. It maybe isn't the most impressive looking movie, it still manages to capture a certain magic to help to make this a perfect adventurous and entertaining movie for the young ones. And this movie very obviously is aimed toward young kids, so lets please also look at it that way and lets not get to serious or deep about it, since that obviously also never the were the movie its intentions.

This absolutely would have been a movie that I would have loved watching as a young, lets say 10-year old, kid. Its colorful, there are plenty of fantasy elements and it also never gets too childish about anything. Sure, its story, humor and characters are all incredibly simplistic but it at least never feels exaggerated with either its style of way of storytelling. It isn't talking down to children, but rather tickles their imagination, as well as their intelligence.

Escape rooms are popular nowadays, so sure, why not add that to this movie as well? There are plenty of small puzzles throughout the movie, that kids at home should also be able to solve and play along with. Again, nothing too childish, but something challenging as well as well Incorporated in the movie. It keeps the story going and helps to make the movie both more adventurous and entertaining to watch, as it takes its characters to all sorts of places, meeting up with all sorts of wonderful fantasy characters. I never thought I would see a kids movie featuring witches, giants, as well as the Frankenstein monster in it, but here it is.

Still a shame that the main character never really work out that well though. This mostly is because basically ever character in this movie is either an incredibly formulaic or far too exaggerated one. Also the main character himself isn't all that well developed or likable enough. I just can't imaging any young kids wanting to be just like young Kyle Keeley from watching this movie.

The acting itself is pretty good by its young cast but at the same time, well, they are just acting too hard. There are all good at what they do, but there also is absolutely nothing natural about their performances or the way they respond to things. Rather than watching a bunch of kids you are watching a bunch of young actors who pretend to be kids.

But all things considering, this a surprisingly great and enjoyable movie to watch. Its low-budget never prevents the movie from turning into a wonderful looking and perfectly imaginative adventure movie, with plenty of variety in it as well. There is not necessarily a main villain, not necessarily a solid main story, but it basically remains a perfect collection of entertaining sequences and fantasy aspect, that make this movie a perfectly fine one to watch for young kids (and yes, probably for most parents/grandparents as well).

7/10

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The Wilde Wedding (2017) Directed by Damian Harris

2017-10-18T11:01:00.001-07:00

First of all, I can definitely understand why most actors love to appear in a movie such as this one. It is a real 'actors movie', that is very character driven. A very talkative movie, that isn't necessarily even about its story, but more about its characters who help to let its story move along. Having said that, movies like this aren't always fun and great to watch for the viewers as well, as this movie clearly demonstrates.

Guess every actor would love to make their "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?", especially those with a love for theatre. A movie about a bunch of characters coming together, classing and going through some interesting transformations. And well, while some of those things to happen in this movie, it unfortunately fails to ever turn into a very compelling movie as well. It is a mostly ineffective one, that feels far too pointless with all of its characters and developments.

A problem with this movie definitely is its amount of characters. I can't even begin to count the amount of different characters, each with their own issues and story lines, while the movie in fact also remains a rather short one. In other words; this movie is cramped. It never allows anything or anyone to develop into anything remotely engaging. It even is hard to keep track of things, since there is far too much happening, while not even following much of a clear main plot line. Things just happen, while characters keep talking, bickering and having sex with each other, all over the place. Sounds very artsy and dirty, but the movie isn't even that. It is an incredibly tame movie, that constantly is holding back with all of its themes. A very mundane movie, that never does anything edgy, original or too surprising.

I still can't hate on this movie though. I definitely still had a somewhat good time with it even, which yes, is mostly due to the acting. I mean, Glenn Close, John Malkovich, Patrick Stewart, how could you possibly mess things up with a cast such as that in it? Well, the movie nearly manages to do just that, but luckily not quite. It allows its actors plenty of room to do their thing. The movie has some very 'loose' acting in it and it probably also is true that there weren't always keeping to the script. It is part of the reason why the movie feels somewhat messy and without focus at times, but at the very same time it also is the one thing that still makes this movie remotely pleasant and decent to watch. Something very enjoyable about watching some fine actors do their very own thing, without getting restrained by a script or strict director.

This very 'free' approach also means though that the comedy-writing falls kind of flat, all throughout. I just can't really say that it ever becomes a very funny movie to watch, despite the fact that this movie obviously was going for a comedic and very light approach. One of the reasons why it also feels far too safe and tame with any of its themes and characters.

It is not really a movie I would ever recommend to anyone but it nevertheless remains somewhat decent to watch when you are in the mood for some fine acting and a movie that feels far more like a stage-play.

5/10

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Bad Blood: The Movie (2016) Directed by Tim Reis

2017-10-17T05:37:00.001-07:00

This movie has nothing to do with the TV series "Bad Blood", though its title (probably deliberately) makes it seem that way. It is actually a pretty original take on a werewolf movie, though original doesn't always equal good, as this movie clearly demonstrates.

The movie is stuck somewhere between being an amateur- and a low-budget production. It is as bad as an amateur movie at times, while at others it still remains better looking than the average low-budget horror attempt. Some good moments mixed in with some bad ones, though in the end it definitely are the bad moments that outweigh the good ones.

I like and appreciate how this movie is really trying to do its own thing with its story and horror approach. I just can't say that it works out as anything too effective as well. The movie feels messy with its story and characters and it just isn't always very good or fun to watch. The story itself remains pretty formulaic and straight-forward enough, but the movie features all sorts of needlessly complicated and random approaches to it that the movie still manages to feel confusing and messy at parts.

It most definitely is not a standard horror movie, with a mysterious and suspenseful build up and plenty of scares. It simply is a movie that features a werewolf concept in it, without ever truly turning into a horror movie as well. Sure, there is some gore but I am still reluctant to call this movie a 'real' horror movie. This is not a complaint by the way, but I am just telling you what to expect and perhaps more importantly, what not to expect from this movie.

One of the reasons why it feels like a messy one at parts is because the movie lacks some good characters in it. Not only are all of the characters poorly developed and played by some truly bad actors, the movie itself also seems to be really struggling with its characters. It just doesn't know what to do with them. The movie definitely lacks a good main hero and main villain. It never seems to be able to focus on any of the characters, which is one of the reasons why the movie feels all over the place with its story at parts.

It in some regards still remains a pretty interesting movie. I mean, there are plenty of good ideas in it and it most definitely is being original with its approach, but even by amateur/low-budget standards this movie remains nothing more but an ultimately weak and messy effort, that just isn't worth recommending to anyone.

4/10

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