Clive Plasma: Movie Reviews [Archive] - Page 7 (2024)

Clive Plasma

July 18th, 2016, 9:04 AM

My first write-up from the festival has gone live...

Fantasia Festival - The Unseen (2016)

Link: http://moviehooker.com/official-reviews/fantasia-festival-2016-review-unseen/

mth

July 18th, 2016, 11:48 AM

VHS

July 18th, 2016, 11:58 AM

Simon

July 19th, 2016, 12:14 PM

son_of_foley

July 19th, 2016, 12:16 PM

Simon

July 19th, 2016, 12:17 PM

You are not Clive Plasma you bloody scamp

No point making a Simon: Movie Reviews thread as it would just be confirming that films everyone knows would be shit, are indeed shit. Simon Pegg is really fucking annoying now he's in Hollywood, fuck off back to Spaced.

MikeHunt

July 19th, 2016, 12:58 PM

Clive Plasma

July 27th, 2016, 5:04 AM

Fantasia Festival 2016 - The Love Witch (Review)
(http://moviehooker.com/festival/fantasia-festival-review-love-witch/)
https://movieblort.files.wordpress.com/2016/07/lwitch9.jpg?w=470&h=677

Full review on the Moviehooker website, but to give you the general gist of it all... it’s a beautiful film to watch, combining elements of erotic horror, sexploitation and paying tribute to the fetishisation of the deviant housewife of the 1960s. There is a strong feminist message to this movie; themes of female empowerment, the oafish bravado displayed in male film caricatures, body confidence and the free-spirited nature of following what makes you happy. While the message is buried among the bright decor, grim deaths and surreal alternate reality, it bubbles to the top occasionally in a subtle yet powerful way. Many viewers might find this film a bit too out there for their liking, but there is plenty to love if you let yourself go with it.

It was funny, weird, surreal and anyone who is a fan of 1960s cinema, whether it be cult, exploitation or erotica, would love the attention to detail in this film. Well worth a watch.

Clive Plasma

September 20th, 2016, 7:58 AM

Right, I havent updated this in a while, but here's my two cents and ratings on the films I've seen in the last month - I'll type up the others when I get a moment;

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Imperium - 4/5 - Daniel Radcliffe as an undercover Neo-Nazi from the FBI or something. They describe it as Departed meets American History X, and they wouldn't be far off. It's uncomfortable and intense. Very good film.

Hunt for the Wildepeople - 4.5/5 - Weird to think that director Taika Waititi (Eagle vs Shark, Boy, What We Do In The Shadows) is now responsible for the new Thor movie, when clearly he's well suited to this slightly off NZ dry brand of humour. Story of a boy who is not wanted by social services, gets housed with a family and ends up running into the bush for months on end with the guy from Jurassic Park (Sam Neill), it's brilliant in every way. One of my favourites of the year.

Mike & Dave Need Wedding Dates - 3.5/5 - Mike and Dave need wedding dates to make them stop acting like Not usually a fan of these ridiculous comedies, but given it had Adam Devine and Zac Efron, and given how good they were together in Workaholics, I had hoped this type of nonsense would translate into film.... and it did.

Everybody Wants Some - 3.5/5 - It didn't do a lot for me, but I cna't deny that it was fun to watch. The music, the costumes, the dialogue - it's all very surreal to watch. Some have criticised it for being sexist, but that's nonsense. It's from a frat guys perspective in the 1980s, of course it will be single minded.

Weiner - 4/5 - Good documentary showcasing the impact a slip up on social media can have on a political campaign, the politician themselves and those around him. It's a unique example in many ways, but in a wider context it's very good at looking how the media chooses to focus on the unimportant, and make it important.

Tumbledown - 3/5 - Nice to see Jason Sudekis in a sort of serious role, as he tries to extract a biography about a dead singer songwriter from his grieving widow. The music is incredible, and the vibe not too dissimilar to Inside llwelyn Davis, only Sudekis can't get close to Isaac's performance.

Weiner-Dog - 3/5 - Very surreal film, like a lot of Schultz previous work. It follows the life (or lives) or a sausage dog with it's various owners, in a sort of connected but sometimes disjointed storyline that may or may not make a whole lot of sense. I enjoyed it. Restrained, but funny.

Lantana - 3.5/5 - This was on UK Netflix starring that guy from Without a Trace (Anthony Lapaglia), in a well told tale of love, deceit, affairs and murder. It's quite raw and honest with the way it tells the story, nothing too melodramatic, and could do with multiple viewings. As far as crime thrillers go, this was a pleasant surprise.

Convenience - 3/5 - Another one from UK Netflix, one of those ones they keep shoving down your throat as one that they think you will love. After the first 15 minutes of shouting gets out of the way, the story of 2 brothers who hold up a petrol station, only to end up having to work there overnight until the safe opens up, presents quite a few funny moments. It's not going to win any awards, and isn't up the standard of Adeel Akhtar's performance in Four Lions, but it's good hangover viewing.

Demolition - 4/5 - Jake Gyllenhaal does it again, churning out another decent performance in a strange story of how he begins to come to terms with the onset of grief. Great soundtrack, good cast, and while it might not be the most accurate depiction of grief, who's to say how it should be depicted? Funny at times, sad in many places, it's a real mixed bag.

David Brent: Live on the Road - 4/5 - A lot of people didn't like this, and I can see why. It didn't have any of the original supporting cast in it, Merchant didn't help him write it, and it pretty much becomes Ricky Gervais: Life on the Road instead. Brent was never designed to be on his own, but that is what makes this film quite endearing. I can only presume that was the intension, to make Brent this sympathetic idiot who was trying to live out his dreams. I'm going to be bias, because I loved Derek, The Office and Extras, and I see a bit of Andy and Derek in this version of Brent you see on screen - naivity and delusions of grandeur. It's very funny for the opening third, but later on it takes a completely different turn, and I can't want to watch it again.

Whisky Tango Foxtrot - 2/5 - Based on the true story of a bored news reporter who went to Afgahnistan, this comedy with Tina Fey is very hit and miss. It felt overly long, unfunny, and it didn't know what on earth it was. Sincere? Funny? Sad? Happy? it has no direction or focus.

Keanu - 2.5/5 - Marginally better than WTF, it's one of those easy to watch comedies like Horrible Bosses that just involves screaming, shouting and a stupid plan to get something or someone back at all costs, even if it is completely illogical to do so. It has it's moments, but is long, and doesn't have the level of jokes needed to carry this over the line into a successful movie, as opposed to a really long sketch about a stolen cat.

VHS

November 18th, 2016, 2:28 PM

Seanny One Ball

November 18th, 2016, 2:40 PM

Clive Plasma

November 20th, 2016, 1:05 PM

Clive... I watched Tangerine last night and it's easily one of my top favorite films I've seen this year. I first heard about it when the director mentioned it was shotall on an iPhone, and I just rolled my eyes at that. "Why would anybody conceivably do that?" I thought. Didn't matter to me in the end. The characters were hilarious, their dialogue was fabulous, and... the final 20 minutes. Things just turned a corner and it became so heartfelt and I knew this was going to be a film I'll watch over and over again.

I had it in my end of year review last year. It's a great film - glad you enjoyed it. It deserved more recognition.

Clive Plasma

November 20th, 2016, 1:09 PM

More recent viewings since the last time I updated this;

https://s21.postimg.org/6q97sx4hz/Screen_Shot_2016_11_20_at_17_08_08.png (https://postimg.org/image/utzzh7myr/)
https://s21.postimg.org/yp3djs64n/Screen_Shot_2016_11_20_at_17_07_56.png (https://postimg.org/image/iquntnbwj/)
https://s21.postimg.org/haj5bi8zr/Screen_Shot_2016_11_20_at_17_07_45.png (https://postimg.org/image/odr0r4ef7/)

Donald

November 30th, 2016, 4:37 PM

I really need to keep a better track of my letterboxd....

Saw Encino Man for the first time in 24 years last night, I forgot how enjoyable I find Pauly Shore... 7/10. Also fell asleep during Son In Law, but it was pretty bad.

Seanny One Ball

December 1st, 2016, 10:59 AM

Sort yourself out Donald.

Wheeze the juice.

Clive Plasma

December 5th, 2016, 9:29 AM

https://movieblort.files.wordpress.com/2016/11/my-week-with-marilyn-poster.jpg?w=470&h=696
My Week With Marilyn (2011) [Review]

4/10 - It’s been a while since I wrote any type of review, so forgive me if I’m a little out of sorts. With the nights getting darker and the temperature dropping, there’s nothing better than curling up to watch a film – lets get back into the swing of it, even more so given that Go Daddy automatically renewed my domain for another year. THANKS!

My Week With Marilyn revolves around a man called Colin Clark (Eddie Redmayne), as a humble but keen film lover, who wants to worm his way onto the Laurence Olivier (Kenneth Branagh) film being shot in London. Low and behold, Marilyn Monroe (Michelle Williams) is the star of the show, and while everyone else gushes and loses their minds around her, Redmayne becomes infatuated with the person behind the stardom.

I must confess that I haven’t even seen a single one of Miss Monroe’s films, so while I can comment on the film in general, perhaps the relevancy of this film with specific regards to Michelle Williams’ performance of Marilyn Monroe is wasted on me. It’s a strong performance, but it is about the only redeeming feature in this dubious tale of love and fame.

Fumbling British toffs and angry yanks bicker, and a fuzzy nostalgia filter is used in order to accentuate the nonsensical perception of bright and dreamy 1950s Britain. From the outset it is clear that this is a film designed purely for two things in mind; Oscars, and to continue to perpetuate the British movie stereotypes.

It’s a drab and ultimately empty affair overall. While the intention was to be a glimpse into the world of Marilyn, all it did was cement my belief that people will watch anything. This story is hardly a story, it appeared more like a fantasy that moved at a snails pace, seemingly hollow and emotionless. An utterly ridiculous film, where the excellent performance by William’s is lost amidst a sea of mediocrity.

Seanny One Ball

December 5th, 2016, 12:24 PM

I really hate Michelle Williams.

I doubt I'd tire of slapping her gormless face.
No wonder Heath Ledger was off his tits the whole time. I couldn't face up to that reality either.

Clive Plasma

December 6th, 2016, 11:07 AM

https://movieblort.files.wordpress.com/2016/11/precious.jpg?w=470&h=696

Precious (2009)

​7/10 - Based on the Novel “Push” by Sapphire, this is the story of 16 year old “Precious”. Living in Harlem (1987) she is enduring a horrendous existence, as a result of both psychological and physical abuse. Pregnant with her second child, illiterate and mentally broken down, this is an extremely tough watch. While this is pitched as a “coming-of-age” story, it is far from your typical loved up, high school qualms drama.

You would think that with the subject matter listed above that perhaps it would be tactfully handled, but instead it is so deliberately exaggerated and forced onto the screen, obvious in its attempt to disgust and upset that it borders on the unrealistic. Subtlety would not have been missed in this, because while the issues are very serious and should be treated as such, the structure of the film didn’t allow the incidents to be properly explored. Instead, you have cutaway scenes that are seemingly out of place, and an abundance of poor supporting characters that only seem to detract from the importance of the key themes in a sea of stereotypes.

It is not without it’s merit though. Gabourey Sidibe is excellent as “Precious”, visibly distressed, she conveys the unsettled, introverted emotional state with exceptional conviction. While the surroundings all seem a little surreal, hers is a character I could fully buy into. Similarly, Mo’Nique provides a fantastic performance as her mother – an abusive and manipulative tyrant who at one point managed to make me yell at the TV, I have rarely been so incensed with a character in a film before.

This is heavy viewing. To some it might even be offensive given the nature of the basic characters, but there is something in this. There is a reason it was nominated for all those Oscars, and it’s because at it’s very core is a multitude of very real issues that are often overlooked. It is just a shame that it leans towards the clichéd rather than the realistic.

Donald

December 6th, 2016, 11:20 AM

I really hate Michelle Williams.

I doubt I'd tire of slapping her gormless face.
No wonder Heath Ledger was off his tits the whole time. I couldn't face up to that reality either.

I haven't seen many of her films, but I don't really like her either.

Clive Plasma

December 6th, 2016, 11:57 AM

I really hate Michelle Williams.

I doubt I'd tire of slapping her gormless face.
No wonder Heath Ledger was off his tits the whole time. I couldn't face up to that reality either.

The Station Agent was good, although she only had a small role.

I can't really recall any other films she was in. Was she in Shutter Island for a brief moment?

She was good in MWWM, but it was a flat film. The more I think about it the more annoyed I am that it exists.

Seanny One Ball

December 6th, 2016, 12:22 PM

She was Leo's muppet wife in Shitter Island. Man that film sucks.

Clive I'm amazed you made it through Precious. I was going to give it a go years back but the trailer was so hilariously bad it just made me shake my head.
Films like that tell you nothing genuine and it's blatant Oscar bait. Someday I'm sure I'll sit through it and confirm finally that Monique did not deserve the win but it wont be anytime soon.

Maybe it's because that teacher made us read harrowing excerpts from The Colour Purple at school that make Precious seem so cheap to me.

Donald

December 6th, 2016, 12:40 PM

Seanny One Ball

December 6th, 2016, 12:46 PM

Donald

December 6th, 2016, 12:47 PM

Does Busta Rhymes teep kick Michael Myers out of the window in that one because that may be the only Halloween film I watched while young enough to keep a straight face

Nah, that was Halloween Resurrection...awful fucking film.

Kdestiny

December 6th, 2016, 12:48 PM

The Station Agent was good, although she only had a small role.

I can't really recall any other films she was in. Was she in Shutter Island for a brief moment?

She was good in MWWM, but it was a flat film. The more I think about it the more annoyed I am that it exists.

I thought she did a decent performance in Shame as well. Nothing spectacular but I think she has good performances in her.

Seanny One Ball

December 6th, 2016, 1:03 PM

Nah, that was Halloween Resurrection...awful fucking film.

Oh ok is this the one with LL Cool J as a security guard?

Donald

December 6th, 2016, 1:22 PM

Oh ok is this the one with LL Cool J as a security guard?

Yes, and Josh Hartnett and Joseph Gordon-Levitt were in it as well.

Clive Plasma

December 6th, 2016, 1:22 PM

She was Leo's muppet wife in Shitter Island. Man that film sucks.

Clive I'm amazed you made it through Precious. I was going to give it a go years back but the trailer was so hilariously bad it just made me shake my head.
Films like that tell you nothing genuine and it's blatant Oscar bait. Someday I'm sure I'll sit through it and confirm finally that Monique did not deserve the win but it wont be anytime soon.

Maybe it's because that teacher made us read harrowing excerpts from The Colour Purple at school that make Precious seem so cheap to me.

The film was cheap as fuck, clear Oscar bait, but like I said, not without it's merit. Horrible story, told in an exploitative way, with needless cutaway segments, filled with bad stereotypes, but with a couple of decent performances. Depending on your mood, it can go one of two ways; pointless shit that you won't enjoy, or something that you might get slightly invested in if you give it the chance.

Clive Plasma

December 19th, 2016, 5:55 AM

https://movieblort.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/jenniferlawrenceorg0006.jpg?w=470&h=666

Winters Bone (2010)

​8/10 - Writer-Director Debra Granik throws caution to the wind with respect to the standard thrillers, and instead allows the emotions of the characters to drive the intensity rather than the situations themselves.

Jennifer Lawrence stars in what would turn out to be her big breakout role, as Ree Dolly, a young woman wise beyond her years, fully capable of the never-ending responsibilities being thrust upon her at this age. Tasked with looking after her mother, her brother and her sister in an impoverished community whose symptoms are only exacerbated by the crystal meth trade, life is not the kindest to Ree. The situation is worsened when she is now the prime target for numerous people in the community, as a result of actions taken by her absent father.

In a subdued cat and mouse game, Ree goes hunting for her father, but this is never about her. Throughout the film we are shown just how selfless Ree is, and the resolution in mind is not for her own sake, but for her remaining family’s well-being and safety. Danger rears its ugly head many times, and for all its subtlety elsewhere make no mistake, these scenes are intense and grim. It’s not over-acted or over-played, it remains rooted within the themes of realism, only adding to the discomfort and unpredictability of the story.

Credit again must go to Granik for the simplicity in which the characters are shown. The small town mentality, the worsening poverty and the undercurrent of raw human emotion is brought together seamlessly. Despite the desolate nature of the Missouri mountains there is an element of claustrophobia present. The inability to escape the cards you have been dealt, and the pursuit of protecting what little you have. This is achieved without sneering or pandering to stereotypes of redneck hillbillies, many of these individuals are kind-hearted and intelligent people brought down by their surroundings.

I’m unsure if it is as realistic as it is perhaps shown, there are several coincidences and certain events that just make me question if anything like this could ever take place. I find it best not to question this though when a film is this good. A certain amount of artistic licence is allowed, and although it’s bleakly unforgiving, the positivity and determination in Ree’s character leaves a warmth within this harsh winter tale.

son_of_foley

December 19th, 2016, 8:04 AM

mth

December 19th, 2016, 11:56 AM

The Station Agent was good, although she only had a small role.

I can't really recall any other films she was in. Was she in Shutter Island for a brief moment?

She was good in MWWM, but it was a flat film. The more I think about it the more annoyed I am that it exists.
She was in a film called Take This Waltz with Seth Rogan and Sara Silverman that the wife and I watched awhile back. I thought it was pretty boring but my wife rather liked it. I'd be curious what you'd think of it.

Clive Plasma

January 4th, 2017, 9:53 AM

https://movieblort.files.wordpress.com/2017/01/102716.jpg?w=470&h=664

The Keeper of Lost Causes (2013)

8/10 - Most of you by now will have been introduced to some form of Scandinavian thriller, whether it be TV or Movie, there is now a global recognition that if it’s bleak, disturbing and atmospheric thrillers that you are after, they can deliver.

“The Keeper of Lost Causes”, based on the book by Jussi Adler-Olsen (Department Q), focuses in on a mismatched duo forced to work in said department trying to sift through old cases. Nikolaj Lie Kaas (Karl) and Fares Fares (Assad) play off each other well as the grumpy, hardened detective unwillingly paired with the ultra-keen ‘newbie’, their task at hand made increasingly difficult by Karl’s stubbornness.

The story itself is easy to follow – the case they decide to open up again was supposed to be resolved some 5 years ago, but there were too many questions for Karl to leave it alone. It’s not as simple as opening it up and solving it, and instead we are led down a path of intrigue and mystery, with disturbing revealing moments that remain seemingly out of place until the final act. I’m a big fan of movies that hold out on the big reveal; it encourages a re-watch, providing an incomparable satisfaction and enjoyment the moment it all ‘clicks’.

While it would fall largely into the pool of predictable thrillers, this remains very minimalistic in style and compelling in content. Consequently you become sucked into this dark, unnerving world that lingers with you long after it’s finished. It isn’t mind-blowing, but it did top the local box office in Denmark, and has had 2 films follow it as part of a trilogy – so clearly it’s struck a chord with many.

https://movieblort.files.wordpress.com/2017/01/edgar_revanant.jpg?w=470&h=704

The Revenant (2016)

10/10 - It’s been about a year since I saw The Revenant, and I’m not sure why I held off so long before writing a review. I remember it like it was yesterday, coldly stumbling into the Clapham Picturehouse and settling down with next to no expectations for this film. Despite the impressive history of Alejandro G. Iñárritu (Birdman, Babel, Amores Perros), I had been disappointed previously when I had hyped up a film in my head based on the directors track record. Much in the same way, I was hyped to see DiCaprio in a film that might win him an Oscar (and did!), but there have been some ropey ones along the way, and I wasn’t planning on holding my breath.

Cut to the film itself, and I was left nothing short of speechless. To the extent that it’s taken me this long to try to pluck up the courage to weigh in on a film of this stature. This is a film that requires your undivided attention, much in the same way that Iñárritu commanded the commitment from his crew and cast, it would be insulting to half-arse the viewing of this film (you know the kind). Based on true events, The Revenant follows the story of explorer Hugh Glass (DiCaprio) after he is mauled by a bear and deserted. Entering a Bear Grylls on steroids survival mode, Glass attempts to survive winter and those who occupy it, with the intention of finding civilisation.

The survival movie has been done before, but never as well as this. It transcends the genre, and looks beyond the basics of just getting home safely. Glass and his opposite number(s), one of which is played by the excellent Tom Hardy, are bound together by their situations and time at which they exist, but are intrinsically different in their intentions and mental states. The Revenant explores what it means to survive, what it means to exist and allows the viewers to experience a small fraction of what enduring this might feel like.

While DiCaprio’s dialogue is minimal, his committed performance is staggering. It’s a beautiful display of determination, which is reflected in the excellent cinematography by Emmanuel Lubezki, utilising the long, sparse shots of the freezing landscape to emphasise the challenges faced, as well as displaying the ever-changing surroundings for all to see. There are no gimmicks in the way this is shot; from the opening battle scene to the intense close-ups of a near-frozen DiCaprio, you feel entirely immersed in this arduous tale (aided by the aforementioned cold cinema).

According to my Letterboxd this was the only film I saw last year that I ranked 5 stars out of 5 (from 2016, or 2015 for the US). I stand by this. Having rewatched it, thought about this review, and finally put my thoughts down, I can’t think of a more deserving film for my top spot last year. A breathtaking film, in every single way.

Clive Plasma

July 24th, 2017, 5:07 AM

Reviewing Fantasia Festival again. Watched some decent films so far - 4 in total yesterday, and this one the day before;

http://moviehooker.com/asian-cinema/fantasia-festival-2017-review-confidential-assignment/

Reviews upcoming;

Fashionista
Villainess
Game of Death
Better Watch Out

Beer-Belly

July 25th, 2017, 2:07 AM

Beer-Belly

July 25th, 2017, 2:16 AM

Clive Plasma

July 25th, 2017, 4:47 AM

Do you think that Leatherface movie will be worth a shit? I think making him a serial killer is lame. I thought the original film made it clear that he's a retarded man whose fucked up redneck family uses as an attack dog. He's like the opposite of Michael Myers. Leatherface's family made him a monster, while Michael would have been a malicious force no matter how he was brought up.

I agree with your view, but it is being directed by the guy who did Inside, so I have faith it will be something special. Fans of French Extreme horror should be pleased with it.

I posted two more reviews yesterday;

The Villainess; http://moviehooker.com/official-reviews/fantasia-film-festival-2017-the-villainess/

Basically a female led assassin film. It kicks ass. The opening scene is one of the best I've seen in any film. Full POV attacking (think Old Boy vs The Raid) for about 7 minutes.

Game of Death; http://moviehooker.com/official-reviews/fantasia-festival-review-game-death/

Stupid film, but a lot of fun. Board game makes a bunch of idiot kids heads explode one by one unless they kill other people.

Beer-Belly

July 25th, 2017, 6:24 AM

Donald

July 25th, 2017, 1:27 PM

Clive Plasma

November 13th, 2017, 4:35 AM

https://i.imgur.com/gJ8ahAe.jpg

The Work (2017)

​9/10 - Folsom State Prison in California is home to “The Work”, a program that mixes both prisoners and members of the public together over the course of four days to take part in a group therapy session. There’s no “one size fits all” approach here. Every single person comes with an idea or goal, and the remarkable thing is, many achieve substantially more than they expected.

The offenders are not in for minor crimes. In the outside world, many of them would have openly admitted to murder, then wearing the act as a badge of honour. The rules of the streets all too often translate into the rules of the prison yard, but all of this is put aside for the incredibly intimate group therapy session.

From the large group of participants, the film hones in on three first-time visitors from the general public, who are immediately paired with two prisoners of their choosing. Once reformed as a larger group, the therapy starts. The process is simple: to let these men address their past and confront the range of emotions they have either failed to identify, or have kept closed away for so long. Forced to relive painful memories and open up in ways they never have before leaves the men vulnerable, and often unstable.

It’s widely acknowledged that traditionally, society demands that men conceal their emotions. And while not strictly enforced, many choose to enforce it on themselves. They have to provide, to be unemotional, to be “the strong one”. These expectations are magnified where the father figure is absent, or the individual comes from a background of poverty, or violence.

The prisoners have hard shells to crack. Their tough lives have dictated that they kill without remorse, commit often violent crimes without emotion, and avenge their friends without fear. Eventually, this inability to express manifests as anger, and as the group therapy evolves, we witness each person attempt to connect with a difficult past in order to begin the healing process.

The Work is a prime example of where less is more. It’s shot simply but effectively, with no talking heads, narration or separate interviews. The cameras remain close, but passive as they move through the tension unacknowledged.

For anyone with a keen interest in prison dynamics, masculinity, male psychology, and ideas of how a ‘hardened criminal’ should behave, then this documentary is a must-watch. It’s difficult not to be moved by what you hear and see within the confines of that single room.

https://i.imgur.com/2VyPo86.jpg

Better Watch Out (2017) / Safe Neighborhood (2016)

7/10 - “Safe Neighbourhood” actually screened at last year’s Fantasia Fest, but it’s back this year once again under the name “Better Watch Out”, giving audiences another chance to witness the horrifying possibilities of a Christmas gone wrong.

As the parents of a kid called “Luke” head out for their Christmas party, they welcome in a babysitter for the evening to keep an eye on him. The classic situation ensues akin to the “New Kid on the Block” episode of The Simpsons, whereby Bart develops an unhealthy infatuation with the babysitter, attempting to convince her that his age should not be an issue and to reciprocate those feelings he holds so dearly.

This is nothing new (“Simpsons did it!”), but it’s where the cute references end. Luke (Levi Miller), settles in for the night with his Babysitter Ashley (Olivia DeJonge – who some may recognise from The Visit), only to become victim to a frightening home invasion.

Cue the panic and hysteria as every exit is blocked and the eerie figures close in on our twosome with a heightened sense of claustrophobia, the film wastes no time in jumping into the action.

However, it cannot maintain this pace for the entire film, and this is where something very different happens. It reaches a darker level; a sort of Home Alone meets Scream hybrid. It’s a twist that I certainly did not see coming and breathes new life into this tired concept.

Director Chris Peckover and writer Zack Kahn have successfully pulled the wool over my eyes, applying a generous helping of uncomfortable horror laced with dark comedy too. It’s a vile turn, but with the warm holiday cheer splashed across the screen with the rich Christmas movie styled cinematography, it never even gets close to the “typical” type of horror you are usually accustomed to in these situations.

Instead, it’s a demented Christmas tale. The leap half way is massive, but go with it and you will have a lot of fun, even if it is decisively morbid. The performances help patch over the cracks because there isn’t a bad one among them, and there is great chemistry among the cast despite the events taking place!.

There have been Christmas-Horror movies in the past (the Silent Night Deadly Night Franchise springs to mind, not only because the 3rd film is titled “Better Watch Out!” too), but none that I have seen have managed to provide that authentic Christmas movie spirit, while attempting to simultaneously destroy it with every minute that goes by.

This is a hell of a lot of fun, and in a demented way, you can tell they had fun making it. While it starts out predictable, stick with it, and it may surprise you – it certainly surprised me.

https://i.imgur.com/axOB5Zv.jpg

Fashionista (2017)

8/10 - Prior to “Fashionista”, many will be familiar with Rumley due to his 2010 thriller “Red, White & Blue”, which received relative success on the horror focused film festival circuits. His other efforts since then can be largely defined by the same genre, unnerving and brooding films that don’t rely on large budgets to get the message across. The simplicity creating layers of realism, a somewhat less polished effect that results in a true sense of discomfort.

The film appears over-exposed, and with flashes of neon brightness, it appeared like you had stumbled across a non-existent VHS tape of Refn’s “The Neon Demon”. It creates a disorientating and straining effect, and the likenesses in this area to “Requiem for a Dream” don’t just stop at the visual sense.

The story is centred around April, played brilliantly by Amanda Fuller, and her relationship with her husband/employer Eric (Ethan Embry). They run a vintage clothing store, but this has manifested itself into a dangerous clothes collecting addiction for April. She stands, rubbing and smelling the clothes over and over, essentially fetishizing their existence. This addiction remains prevalent, but outwardly under control, constantly on the cusp of an explosion as you begin to wonder, when will this stop?

This could be manageable if April wasn’t subject to intense emotional manipulation from the men in her life. Firstly, Eric, who she suspects of cheating on her with the new starter in the store. Secondly, in an attempt to “get back” at Eric, she begins seeing a greasy, rich guy (Eric Balfour) who feeds her clothing obsession with his credit card, in exchange for pushing her to her sexual limitations while satisfying his urges. This culminates in a harrowing scene but offers a different type of horror to what we are used to seeing from Rumley.

This combustible scenario is delivered with increasing levels of paranoia and intrigue. With an explicitly stated homage to Nicolas Roeg, the storyline is displayed in a nonlinear fashion, dancing around between present and future. Gradually, the pieces begin to fall into place, as the distance between the present and the future get closer together, the jumps on the timeline begin to gradually intensify. While confusing at times, it delivers its desired effect, because all is not what it seems, and the emotionally conflicting turmoil taking place in April’s head is as unclear as we are witnessing on screen.

“Fashionista” is one of the more accomplished films I have seen from Rumley. Aided by the incredible central performance from Amanda Fuller, backed by an appropriately varied score and encompassing multiple elements of paranoia, addiction and mental instability, it is a well-rounded film that will sit with you for hours, if not days, afterwards.

Clive Plasma

November 13th, 2017, 10:07 AM

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Boy A (2007)

I watched Boy A the other day. Although it's been denied by everyone involved (for obvious reasons), it seems pretty clear to me that it is based on the notorious Jamie Bulger case, but focusing on the release and rehabilitation of a young guy who murdered a girl when he was ten. At times it's a really tough watch with a fantastic performance from Andrew Garfield in the lead role trying to start his life fresh while coming to terms with what he did - or possibly didn't - do. It's a horribly bleak movie with a touch of light in the form of a charming, believable relationship between the lead character and a girl he meets at work. Peter Mullan is fantastic as always. I really enjoyed it and would recommend it highly.

Finally watched this. I've got a bit of spare time over the next few weeks so I'll be getting through the recommendations in this thread from over the last 2 years. Not much more to add other than what you've already said. It's a depressing movie, I found it nearly impossible to get comfortable watching it knowing what would ultimately be the ending. It didn't make it any easier to watch though.

Garfield was brilliant in this too - there was a moment where him and that other lad were doing to the Spiderman web-slinging along the bridge, I thought that was weirdly foretelling. Also, reading back through this thread there was a discussion about when drugs are simulated on screen by people that have never taken them before - the scene with the E in the club was great, not only because it reminded me how much I loved that Mylo track, but just how legless and gurny he was. Classic vibes.

Cheers for the heads up on this one.

Simon

November 13th, 2017, 10:27 AM

Clive Plasma

November 13th, 2017, 1:41 PM

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Pork Pie (2017)

Pork Pie tracks the escapades of a trio of accidental outlaws as they travel the length of the New Zealand in a yellow mini, protesting conformity and chasing lost love, with a posse of cops and a media frenzy hot in their pursuit.

5/10 - I'm not sure how this has 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, it's really not that good. As the description implies, it's pretty much your standard 'on-the-run' affair, where things gets progressively worse and their inability to turn themselves in leads them down a more mayhem fuelled route of nonsense. It's harmless viewing, slightly funny, it's the kind of movie you'd stick on if you were very hungover.

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R (2010)

The film follows Rune Pedersen (Pilou Asbæk), who is serving a prison sentence of two years in Horsens State Prison. Here he is set to do the dirty work of distributing drugs between departments.

9/10 - Incredibly bleak film, with some very powerful acting. Rune may only be in there for 2 years, but the way it's portrayed makes it feel like a lifetime. He makes some enemies, makes few friends, but as with many other prison films it plays strongly on those bonds made and the violence that comes with it. I can't really emphasise just how grim and unnerving this film is, it's understated in it's approach, but it's pretty harrowing.

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Coin Locker Girl (2015)

A new born girl is placed in a coin operated locker in the subway station. The girl is raised by a mother who is the boss for a loan shark group. Later, when the girl has grown into a teen, she carries out missions given to her by her mother.

8/10 - It's not quite up to the standard of some of the more action packed Korean thrillers out there, but in terms of a slow-burning crime story with unexpected twists and turns, this has it aplenty. It's well acted, the cinematography is sleek and stylish, and it has all you could want from this genre. What separates it, is it's ability to splice it with a romantic undertone when these are usually quite cold films, however this naturally leads to a series of decisions that slowly introduces many of those cold themes you would come to expect.
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What The Health (2017)

An intrepid filmmaker on a journey of discovery as he uncovers possibly the largest health secret of our time and the collusion between industry, government, pharmaceutical and health organizations keeping this information from us.

5/10 - Another food documentary where they shine a light on corruption, and state the obvious about how eating good stuff is good for you and bad stuff is bad for you, as long as you are able to tell what is good and bad. I get that these are more of an education piece for those who haven't seen 10s of these food documentaries before, but the implication that you could cure all worlds disease by being Vegan is a bit tiresome.

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Burn, Burn, Burn (2015)

Following the death of their friend, two girls in their late twenties embark on a road trip to spread his ashes. Seph and Alex take turns driving. Dan is in the glove compartment, in tupperware, decreasing in volume as the trip progresses.

6/10 - I had a lot of fun with this film. It sounds pretty bleak, it does get pretty deep despite being pitched as a comedy-drama, and I'm aware that this is the second road trip movie in this update of 5, but it's rare I find a film like this to be enjoyable. It's a bit ridiculous at times, the humour doesn't always land, the efforts at trying to be funny kind of land like an improv night you've been made to attend because you know someone doing it. Regardless, it's a good film for a bit of a middle ground choice, given I spend ages on Netflix trying to find something relatively inoffensive to watch when others are with me, this does tick that box.

Clive Plasma

November 15th, 2017, 12:21 PM

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Atomic Blonde (2017)

An undercover MI6 agent is sent to Berlin during the Cold War to investigate the murder of a fellow agent and recover a missing list of double agents.

7/10 - Not at all what I expected. Similarities to John Wick aren't just stemming from the direction of David Leitch (who spent most of his career choreographing fight scenes (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0500610/?ref_=tt_ov_dr), including John Wick), it's a hugely entertaining without having much substance to it. Theron is excellent, essentially going from person to person finding new ways to kick their ass. It's mindless, action packed and lacks any coherent plot, but if you're in the mood for something easy then this would be worthwhile. I doubt it will make any end of year lists though.

Clive Plasma

November 20th, 2017, 8:52 AM

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Man on the Moon (1999)

The life and career of a legendary comedian, Andy Kaufman.

8/10 - This has recently been made available on iPlayer, and with the new documentary (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvimIe_quyw) about this film due to appear on Netflix, it made sense to try and get up to speed. I've never really watched much of Kaufman's routines/bits, but I had seen episodes of Taxi, and heard the stories about his wrestling days. Either way, it didn't stop me from enjoying this film, although I found myself checking online most of the way throughout to see whether he actually did the things he was being portrayed to do. He sounded utterly barmy. Aside from some artistic licence, it seemed to be mostly factually correct, albeit apparently a little exaggerated. The casting was excellent (Giamatti, Devito, Carey), and Carey's performance clearly something special. Well worth a watch if you haven't seen it already.

Clive Plasma

November 27th, 2017, 6:48 AM

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After Lucia (2012)

Alejandra and her dad Roberto have just moved to town. She is new at school, he has a new job. Starting over is sometimes complicated when you have left so much behind.

9/10 - I haven't been left like this from a film in a while. Set around the continuous bullying and abuse of Alejandra for a silly mistake, it's uncomfortable and disturbing viewing. There's no soundtrack, sometimes hardly any dialogue, it's just static camera work and intense, emotional performances. I've watched quite a few films on bullying, I think the psychological impact of it is intriguing and the more that's done to increase awareness of the harm it does essential. This is one of those films that hits the nail on the head, I'd show parts of it in classes at school if I was a teacher, it's horrible to watch. The ending is incredible too - simple, but just brilliant. Highly recommended.

Clive Plasma

December 4th, 2017, 6:05 AM

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The New Radical (2017)

Uncompromising millennial radicals from the United States and the United Kingdom attack the system through dangerous technological means, which evolves into a high-stakes game with world authorities in the midst of a dramatically changing political landscape.

8/10 - I was asked to cover this film for my buddy over at Moviehooker. Interesting documentary that explores the idea of whether you should be able to make your own guns using a 3D printer. At what point does limitation or censorship on this become an infraction of the 1st amendment, and then subsequently the 2nd amendment too? It's shot well, got a good score, interviews spliced with chilling news footage makes for pretty gripping viewing. Worth seeking out if you can find it.

Longer review: http://moviehooker.com/doc/new-radical-review-2017/

Clive Plasma

December 12th, 2017, 12:01 PM

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Home (2011)

This is the directorial debut of Muzaffer Ozdemir, Palme d'Or awarded actor of Uzak / Distant (2002) by Nuri Bilge Ceylan, and also an actor in the Ceylan films Kasaba / The Small Town (1997) and Clouds of May (1999). Dogan, a pessimistic and neurotic architect, falls ill while camping with his friends nearby Istanbul. His doctor advises traveling. Longing for his homeland, Dogan sets off on a short break to the town of his childhood, whence he did not have the opportunity to visit since years. But not even the countryside has escaped the homogenizing concrete web cast by the modern technological age and liberal mentality inimical to the Earth.

5/10 - The IMDB description is overly long for this one, it doesn't leave much more to be said for it. It's slow paced, just plenty of long, static shots of countryside and Dogan's face. I fell asleep a few times through this, it wasn't bad, but it wasn't exactly good either. One of those arty films where someone from the Guardian says "this is mesmerising" or calls it a "tour de force". I'm all for a slow film, however this wasn't for me.

Clive Plasma

December 12th, 2017, 12:06 PM

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Brawl in Cell Block 99 (2017)

A former boxer-turned-drug runner lands in a prison battleground after a deal gets deadly.

9/10 - I'm not sure why they cast Vince Vaughn in this film, but I'm glad they did. It suits him. Written and directed by S. Craig Zahler, who if you have seen his other film Bone Tomahawk will know exactly what you are getting yourself in for. What starts out as something quite tepid, results in something I regret watching on a packed train. Unpredictable, gruesome and a hell of a lot of fun. One of my favourite films of the year.

Clive Plasma

December 19th, 2017, 10:49 AM

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Hacksaw Ridge (2017)

WWII American Army Medic Desmond T. Doss, who served during the Battle of Okinawa, refuses to kill people, and becomes the first man in American history to receive the Medal of Honor without firing a shot.

8/10 - It's an intense film of two halves, first showing Andrew Garfield's portrayal of Doss wrestling with his conscience, followed by some of the most brutal war scenes I've witnessed on screen. At times it felt a little too polished, and clearly Mel Gibson has picked a story that somewhat makes up for his previous shortcomings, but it's well acted, an incredible true story and it surpassed all expectations for me. I had a vested interest given the topic of conscientious objectors and their imprisonment in WW1 and WW2 was what I wrote my dissertation on at University, I wasn't watching this for historical accuracy though, but it's an utterly fascinating topic that really captures your attention. It may come across as an unbelievable tale, seem embellished, but maybe that's the point - to lift up this tale to the heights it deserves, despite the person's relatively humble and understated association to the cause. Well worth a watch.

Clive Plasma

January 2nd, 2018, 6:45 AM

Not sure why, but all the picture links were removed from the last few posts. I've updated them now, unless it's to do with the firewall at my work - are they showing up for you?

Anyway, here's a bit of a dump of the recent films I've watched;

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The Invisible Guest (2016)

“The Invisible Guest” turns on a young businessman who wakes up in a hotel room locked from the inside with the dead body of his lover next to him. He hires a prestigious lawyer, and over one night they work together to clarify what happened in a frenetic race against time.

8/10 - Pretty sure this has just been dumped onto Netflix, and it's definitely worth a watch. It's ridiculous, full of so many plot twists, easy to follow (despite what other reviews say) and is good entertainment. It's been compared to a few of Christopher Nolan's films, and while I don't think it's quite on the same level in terms of production/acting, you can see where the comparison comes from.

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Wind River (2017)

An FBI agent teams with the town’s veteran game tracker to investigate a murder that occurred on a Native American reservation.

9/10 - Late entry for one of my films of 2017. Intense, well structured, intriguing film with plenty going on - it's not a slow burner, the case unravels quickly but with purpose. As the poster advertises, it's been written and Directed by Taylor Sheridan who brought us Sicario and Hell or High Water, so the standard and expectation is pretty high (for me at least, as I loved both of those films). It's visually stunning, it has characters you can invest in, but no doubt some will find fault with it on account of casting a white lead for a Native role.

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The Hand That Rocks The Cradle (1992)

A suburban family chooses seemingly sweet Peyton Flanders as their newborn’s nanny. Only much later does the infant’s mother, Claire Bartel, realize Peyton’s true intentions – to destroy Claire and replace her in the family.

6/10 - Predictable, poorly acted, but good fun. There's just enough in it to keep you watching. It holds up, but it's so stupid. I'm not overly familiar with 'lifetime' movies, the network or the standard they used to churn out. But I recognise this style of film, similar to that of Single White Female, Basic Instinct or Fatal Attraction, the 1990s erotic neo-noir thriller style with the soft focus and over-dramatisation. It's a genre I want to dive further into, not everything has to be so polished and unpredictable, sometimes you just want something easy that doesn't require a whole lot of attention.

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The Big Sick (2017)

Pakistan-born comedian Kumail Nanjiani and grad student Emily Gardner fall in love but struggle as their cultures clash. When Emily contracts a mysterious illness, Kumail finds himself forced to face her feisty parents, his family’s expectations, and his true feelings.

8/10 - A clever, sweet and "alternative" rom-com, aided by the unusual true story it's based on. Full of charm and hope, likeable characters - it's well worth a watch.

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Mistress America (2016)

Tracy, a lonely college freshman in New York, is rescued from her solitude by her soon-to-be stepsister Brooke, an adventurous gal about town who entangles her in alluringly mad schemes. Mistress America is a comedy about dream-chasing, score-settling, makeshift families, and cat-stealing.

9/10 - It's quick witted and kind of heart-warming to watch. It made for perfect lazy holiday viewing. If you're into those mumbly, set-in-New-York, hipster styled, aesthetically pleasing films about stories that would probably never happen but are pitched in a way that make you think it might happen, then you'll like it. I mean, it's not 'laugh out loud' funny, or at least it wasn't for me. Some will love the dialogue and piss themselves with the back and forth nonsense. Alternatively, you might hate it. It could come across as smug and incredibly self-aware, with a script that while is smart, would never be spoken like that in real life. Does that make sense? You should know in the first 5 minutes if you'll like it or not, and I did.

Clive Plasma

January 5th, 2018, 7:27 AM

Whenever I try and update this thread, I get a server error. Is this common across the site or just with the content I'm trying to link to?

https://i.imgur.com/7zSFtLh.jpg

Hounds of Love (2017)

Vicki Maloney is randomly abducted from a suburban street by a disturbed couple. As she observes the dynamic between her captors she quickly realises she must drive a wedge between them if she is to survive.

8/10 - Well this was grim. Really grim. Based on the true crime murders of David and Catherine Birnie, it's one of the more uncomfortable viewing experiences I had last year. I initially tried to watch this on the train, but given that a lot of this film depicts a girl tied up on a bed screaming it's not the most appropriate thing to watch. I'm not entirely happy with the way in the which the film humanises these 'characters', it treads a fine line between empathy and repulsion, when it should really just be the latter. Overall though, it's been a while since I've seen a film as nasty as this. Slipped under the radar last year, and if you're into your horror/thriller films, then this one deserves a watch.

Clive Plasma

January 7th, 2018, 7:42 AM

mth

January 7th, 2018, 10:43 AM

Pablo Diablo

January 7th, 2018, 11:52 AM

Clive Plasma

January 7th, 2018, 12:57 PM

Tried both. Not sure what's going on. Pretty sure the photo thing is to do with my works firewall, and the server error maybe due to copying and pasting text? Unsure. I'll try a few other methods and see if it works.

Example - I think because this is brand new and not copied this should post first time.

Clive Plasma

January 8th, 2018, 5:17 AM

I wonder if it's something to do with the particular film I was trying to write about. Maybe it's a word in the description it doesn't like?

Anyway, here's some films I've watched - hopefully this posts.

https://image.ibb.co/ggpbGm/Webp_net_resizeimage.jpg (https://imgbb.com/)

Mystery (2012) - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2369127/

7/10 - Chinese melodrama film with a bit of a dark undertone. Well acted, nicely shot, engaging storyline. Comes together nicely in the final third, but then doesn't quite know how to end it. It's worth seeking out. The director is kind of a big deal (apparently) and it won a few awards too.

https://image.ibb.co/ev61hR/334a456bdd22c3f5810c96523cd03b01.jpg (https://imgbb.com/)

Baby Driver (2017) - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3890160/

9/10 - Needs no introduction or summary. Most people know about this film by now. Loads of fun, killer soundtrack. One of my favourites from last year.

https://image.ibb.co/nCwCp6/DJibh09_V4_AArilm_jpg_large.jpg (https://imgbb.com/)

Stronger (2017) - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3881784/

7/10 - This hits hard. The Boston Bombing is still fresh in my mind, and this is always going to stir up emotions. Gyllenhaal is fantastic in this film as ever, but it plays right into that standard OTT patriotism to overcome any potential offence some scenes may cause.

Clive Plasma

January 19th, 2018, 9:45 AM

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Luck-Key (2016) - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt6175078/

7/10 - Fun little South Korean action-comedy film. Quite long for a film of this style, but it doesn't feel it. Available on Netflix, nice to see more of a South Korean selection available now.

Clive Plasma

January 25th, 2018, 9:33 AM

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Ingrid Goes West (2017) - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5962210/

7/10 - Nice to see Aubrey Plaza do a little more than just be weird and silent. Ashley Olsen is good in this as well. But overall I feel like they missed a trick. The infatuation with social media could've been really taken to town here, the falseness of it all, but it was only touched upon a few times. A decent film, but could've been much better.

Clive Plasma

January 25th, 2018, 9:38 AM

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Tunnel (2016) - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5910280/

8/10 - Really good action-thriller from South Korea (again). A real sense of entrapment and panic throughout, but remains somewhat realistic despite the melodrama.

Clive Plasma

January 25th, 2018, 9:40 AM

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7 Days (2010) - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0445054/

7/10 - Disgusting film. It's not torture porn, it's super slow, and it's shot in this weird blue hue, but just a very uncomfortable film to watch. Remade in the US as 'The Tortured' if you can't be arsed with subtitles. This one is much better though.

Clive Plasma

January 25th, 2018, 9:43 AM

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Inside (2007) - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0856288/

8/10 - Horrible. Again. Just a vile, gross, gruesome horror film. The final third had me watching it through my fingers, not wanting to watch but unable to look away. It's been remade as well, but the remake is shit. Give this a go if you're into your gore/horror films.

Clive Plasma

January 25th, 2018, 9:44 AM

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Alps (2011) - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1859446/

6/10 - It was alright. Same team that brought us Dogtooth, it's surrealist Greek mumblecore that you really have to be in the right frame of mind for.

Clive Plasma

January 25th, 2018, 9:46 AM

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Belle De Jour (1967) - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0061395/

9/10 - 1960s French erotica. Not seen anything quite like this before. Weird jumps between dream sequences and reality, it's really understated and surreal.

Clive Plasma

January 25th, 2018, 9:52 AM

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Berlin Syndrome (2017) - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3335606/

8/10 - Thoroughly enjoyed this, although I think I need to start watching nicer films. This is the 3rd film in a while that's involved a plot of this type. I don't want to give it away (although the IMDB plot does that for you), because what seems like quite an innocent indie flick takes quite a dark turn. I suppose what's intriguing about this film is not so much the actions taken, but the emotions between the two leads and how you're never quite sure what's coming next.

Clive Plasma

January 25th, 2018, 9:57 AM

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Oklahoma City (2017) - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt6333090/

9/10 - Excellent documentary about an event I knew very little about. Explores it from an angle that's less about the event itself, but more in terms of trying to establish motive and rationale about why someone would do such a thing, from their point of view. It doesn't justify the actions, or try and create any kind of empathy, but I suppose you need to understand why in order to prevent it from occurring again.

Clive Plasma

January 25th, 2018, 9:59 AM

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Food Inc. (2008) - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1286537/

5/10 - It didn't tell me anything revolutionary or new that I haven't already seen on other documentaries, but it's 10 years old now. I imagine a lot of those spawned off the back of this, and that this was pretty cutting edge at the time.

Clive Plasma

January 25th, 2018, 10:03 AM

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Brigsby Bear (2017) - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5805752/

9/10 - I fucking loved this movie. Heartwarming, funny, easy to watch. Cinematography, score and all the acting was on point. Even though it's the Lonely Island guys making this film, it's not goofy or stupid, it's genuine and kind of sweet. Highly recommended.

Clive Plasma

January 25th, 2018, 10:14 AM

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Mommy Dead and Dearest (2017) - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt6442978/

8/10 - This is all kinds of fucked up. Unpredictable true crime documentary, told expertly well, but above all else it's completely shocking. We're not talking Dear Zachary levels of fucked, but we're getting close.

Clive Plasma

January 25th, 2018, 10:18 AM

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The Strange Ones (2017) - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt6014904/

3/10 - Boring. Dull. Lifeless. Pointless. Didn't tell me anything about anything. It was nice to watch, but had been in the cinema I would've fallen asleep. I wonder if there was any actual meaning to this film. Nothing was said, hardly anything was done, and I couldn't wait for it to be over. I'm all for slow films, but it would be nice if they had a point.

Clive Plasma

January 25th, 2018, 10:24 AM

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The Ivory Game (2016) - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5952266/ (https://i.imgur.com/VekhX62.jpg)

8/10 - It's like Virunga or The Cove, but with Elephants. It's horrific to watch. Plays out like a thriller, possibly over-stylized but I think people respond to this more, especially with the combination of nature shots and undercover infiltrator footage as well. It needs to be framed in this way to really get the message across to a wider audience.

Clive Plasma

January 25th, 2018, 10:28 AM

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I Saw The Devil (2010) - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1588170/

10/10 - This is a rewatch for me. Took it round to a friends house as they hadn't seen a lot of the SK cinema I love. It improves with each watch. Violent, well thought out, incredibly well acted, the score is perfect, intriguing story-line. I can't emphasise how much I enjoy this film.

Clive Plasma

January 25th, 2018, 10:35 AM

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Attenburg (2010) - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1691323/

8/10 - Another surreal Greek film. More influence from Yorgos Lanthimos (Dogtooth, Alps, The Lobster). It's quite hard to get into, odd random nature to the story and is slightly twisted in it's dark humour. It treads a fine line between nonsense and deadpan black comedy - unmistakably interesting, but equally odd. If you enjoyed some of the other Greek films out there it would be worth a go, but if you're looking for a place to start this would not be it.

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This is my thread updated now. Sorry for the multiple posts. It seems to be the only way without it booting me off the forum entirely with Server errors. I'm at 22 movies for the year. Doubt I'll go for 365 again but I'm making a concerted effort to watch more this year. I've shortened the 'reviews', and keeping it simple in the hope you find something you like/or don't like.

Cheers.

mth

January 25th, 2018, 12:15 PM

Donald

January 25th, 2018, 12:23 PM

Clive Plasma

January 25th, 2018, 12:58 PM

Does anyone know if Turbo Kid is good?

No idea. I watched it drunk. Gary J was asking me about this the other day. Think he likes it.

The Tunnel is quite good. Went on a bit of a South Korean film binge at the time we watched it thanks to Netflix recommendations, we also watched The Silenced and Train to Busan. You've mentioned a few I'll have to keep an eye out for, some interesting stuff. Keep up the good work. :yes:

Nice. I haven't watched The Silenced yet. Would you recommend it? I think I've exhausted Netflix for that part. If you like Train to Busan check out Seoul Station too, which was essentially the animated version of the comic that film was based on. Maybe.

Gary J

January 25th, 2018, 1:33 PM

Does anyone know if Turbo Kid is good?

I loved this movie it's a cross between Mad Max and BMX Bandits. Would recommend it to anyone.

Donald

January 25th, 2018, 1:59 PM

I loved this movie it's a cross between Mad Max and BMX Bandits. Would recommend it to anyone.

The directors have a follow up out called Summer of 84, which had a 9/10 review.

Gary J

January 25th, 2018, 3:04 PM

mth

January 25th, 2018, 3:07 PM

No idea. I watched it drunk. Gary J was asking me about this the other day. Think he likes it.

Nice. I haven't watched The Silenced yet. Would you recommend it? I think I've exhausted Netflix for that part. If you like Train to Busan check out Seoul Station too, which was essentially the animated version of the comic that film was based on. Maybe.

The Silenced was pretty decent, I thought.

Jordo

January 25th, 2018, 7:33 PM

Does anyone know if Turbo Kid is good?

Yes. I fucking loved it.

Beer-Belly

January 26th, 2018, 1:37 AM

Clive Plasma

January 26th, 2018, 5:10 AM

https://i.imgur.com/YDY08Kc.jpg

Moss (2010) - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1694019/

Hae Gook (Park Hae Il) travels to a reclusive village to attend his father’s funeral. He wants to find out the reason behind his father’s strange death, but the villagers, in particular village chief Cheon (Jung Jae Young), seem to be watching his every move and eager to see him leave. Determined to get to the bottom of the mystery, Hae Gook enlists the help of prosecutor Park (Yoo Jun Sang) to slowly unravel the village’s sinister secrets.

6/10 - Clocking in at 2 hours and 43 minutes, this is a film that outstayed its welcome. It's not that I don't have the patience to watch through long films, but this dragged and the payoff was so small that you barely had any time to sit and relish in the twist. That being said, it was well acted, well produced, the story-line was original and intriguing, but it was overall quite hard to follow with the timeline jumping about and the distraction of the main character in a prosthetic old man mask. Maybe I'm being overly harsh on it because it dragged on so long.

Simon

January 26th, 2018, 6:05 AM

Clive Plasma

January 26th, 2018, 6:23 AM

Clive have you seen The Florida Project? I searched but couldn't find a review for it. Just watched it yesterday, good stuff. The kids are amazing.

Nah, that's the one by Sean Baker right? He made Tangerine a few years ago. Loved that film. I think I have it showing near me. Did he shoot it in any particular way? I think on the last film he did he shot it all on an iPhone. Isn't this one 35mm?

Simon

January 26th, 2018, 6:27 AM

I can't answer any of the questions you've asked because I know next to nothing about filmmaking or filmmakers, however it is about a mother and daughter living in a motel right next to Disneyworld and it got rave reviews last year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwQ-NH1rRT4

Ringo

January 26th, 2018, 6:28 AM

Gary J

January 26th, 2018, 7:48 AM

mth

January 26th, 2018, 3:23 PM

Clive Plasma

January 26th, 2018, 6:10 PM

I forgot another flick in my earlier list: The Wailing. It was ok.

That was a weird film. I found it was better once I'd watched the explanation videos. Which isn't always a good sign... it was just so all over the place at times.

mth

January 26th, 2018, 8:51 PM

Clive Plasma

January 28th, 2018, 2:24 PM

Yeah The Florida Project is excellent.

Willem Defoe too. Really good film.

Clive have you seen The Florida Project? I searched but couldn't find a review for it. Just watched it yesterday, good stuff. The kids are amazing.

Watched it the other night...

https://i.imgur.com/1VaWsUg.jpg

The Florida Project (2017) - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5649144/

Set over one summer, the film follows precocious six-year-old Moonee as she courts mischief and adventure with her ragtag playmates and bonds with her rebellious but caring mother, all while living in the shadows of Disney World.

9/10 - Much like Tangerine, Sean Baker has managed to take something relatively simple and create something truly unique. His style is restrained in a way that you often forget you're watching a film, and the story is told with such care and understanding that it avoids coming across as condescending. I loved it - the acting, the cinematography and the general feel of the film is all excellent. Cheers for the recommendation.

Clive Plasma

January 30th, 2018, 5:10 AM

https://i.imgur.com/uQAP7rW.jpg

Manhole (2014) - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4034380/

A young girl (Kim Sae-Ron) is kidnapped by a serial killer (Jung Kyoung-Ho). The serial killer uses manholes to kidnap and kill his victims. The young girl’s older sister (Jung Yu-Mi) tries to save her before it’s too late.

4/10 - Visually, a very well produced film. But in terms of plot it was all over the place. So many victims and so many people trying to help, it was hard to keep up with who was trying to do what. Started out with a decent initial premise, but then it just all spiraled off into screaming and nothingness. Missed opportunity, because the idea is fairly original.

Clive Plasma

January 30th, 2018, 5:29 AM

https://i.imgur.com/qsBA43e.jpg

Freaked (1993) - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0109838/

A vain actor, his best friend, and an activist end up at a mutant freak farm run by a weirdo scientist.

2/10 - Stupid film. I don't even know how this got made. In fact, I think it did get made and then recalled because of how much money it was losing. It's the kind of film that maybe I would find funny if I was high and 18, and was around in the early 90s at that age to appreciate it. I'm sure this must be a 'cult classic' somewhere. It kind of has to be seen to be believed - luckily/unluckily it's on Youtube.

Clive Plasma

January 31st, 2018, 6:18 AM

https://www.imageupload.co.uk/images/2018/01/31/Webp.net-resizeimage9.jpg

Polytechnique (2009) - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1194238/

A dramatization of the Montreal Massacre of 1989 where several female engineering students were murdered by an unstable misogynist.

9/10 - Holy shit. Directed by Denis Villeneuve (Sicario, Blade Runner, Enemy, Incendies, Prisoners) is this black and white, true story thriller. I didn't know about the event until watching the film, but it's absolutely horrific. Told from multiple angles; the killer, two of the survivors, it does its best to display the mayhem, the aftermath and gives context for the viewer as to why the event happened. I don't know if I'm more shocked by the act itself or the film, or both, but at only 80 minutes long this is a short and frantic portrayal of a horrible event, well deserving of your time.

Clive Plasma

January 31st, 2018, 12:41 PM

https://www.imageupload.co.uk/images/2018/01/31/Webp.net-resizeimage10.jpg

Love Steaks (2013) - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2960270/

A luxury hotel. Steaks frizzle, muffintops getting massaged. Clemens (rare) joins the wellness area as a rookie. Lara (well-done) needs to assert herself in the kitchen pack. The elevator brings the two of them together. They encounter each other, until they clash.

7/10 - Really enjoyed this film. It was kindhearted, unique and almost soppy, but in an offbeat indie rom-com kind of way. Shot in a fly on the wall style, with most of the supporting cast genuinely working in that hotel, and the scenes being mainly improvised too, it created a surreal yet genuine series of events. Short running time of around 80 minutes too, it's one of the more pleasant European films I've watched in recent times.

Clive Plasma

February 6th, 2018, 6:53 AM

https://www.imageupload.co.uk/images/2018/02/06/Webp.net-resizeimage11.jpg

Kidnapped (2010) - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1629377/

Three hooded Eastern-European criminals burst into a home in a Madrid gated community, holding the family hostage in its own home, and forcing the father to empty his credit cards. But the family fights back - brutally.

9/10 - This was grim. Absolutely grim. I wrote a while ago about finding films that tap into your fears, and one of mine is home invasion. This ticked all my horror/thriller boxes and then some. It's a simple premise, that gets horrifically out of hand and an ending that had me questioning why I would put myself through it.

It's available on Netflix, and although it's Spanish (for those not wanting subtitles), I urge anyone with a slight interest in horror/thriller films to give this a go.

Morrison

February 6th, 2018, 8:39 PM

https://i.imgur.com/qsBA43e.jpg

Freaked (1993) - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0109838/

A vain actor, his best friend, and an activist end up at a mutant freak farm run by a weirdo scientist.

2/10 - Stupid film. I don't even know how this got made. In fact, I think it did get made and then recalled because of how much money it was losing. It's the kind of film that maybe I would find funny if I was high and 18, and was around in the early 90s at that age to appreciate it. I'm sure this must be a 'cult classic' somewhere. It kind of has to be seen to be believed - luckily/unluckily it's on Youtube.

used to love this film as a kid. i cant even imagine what it'd be like to watch it now.

Clive Plasma

February 7th, 2018, 5:29 AM

used to love this film as a kid. i cant even imagine what it'd be like to watch it now.

Yeah, it's bizarre. One of those films I think that if you watched it when it first came out it must have been something truly unique and weird. The kind of thing that sticks in your mind for a long time.

Morrison

February 7th, 2018, 5:56 AM

Yeah, it's bizarre. One of those films I think that if you watched it when it first came out it must have been something truly unique and weird. The kind of thing that sticks in your mind for a long time.

this film, along with stay tuned, seemed like wildly subversive films to pre-teen me. they both occupy this pleasant childhood memory spot in my brain of discovering weird shit with your friends.

not sure if you've ever seen it, but stay tuned would be a decent pick if you ever feel like going for another weird early 90s cult comedy.

Clive Plasma

February 7th, 2018, 6:23 AM

this film, along with stay tuned, seemed like wildly subversive films to pre-teen me. they both occupy this pleasant childhood memory spot in my brain of discovering weird shit with your friends.

not sure if you've ever seen it, but stay tuned would be a decent pick if you ever feel like going for another weird early 90s cult comedy.

I'll add it to the list. Do you think they hold up? For me that spot is occupied by B-Movie, straight to VHS horror movies that I can hardy remember the titles of.

Anyway, I found that film on this list; http://www.tasteofcinema.com/2017/10-totally-bizarre-1990s-movies-you-may-have-missed/

Any others jog your memory?

Clive Plasma

February 7th, 2018, 11:40 AM

https://www.imageupload.co.uk/images/2018/02/07/Webp.net-resizeimage12.jpg

Bad Day for the Cut (2017) - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5653514/

A middle-aged Irish farmer, who still lives at home with his mother, sets off on a mission of revenge when the old lady is murdered.

8/10 - Not sure how this one passed me by last year, but I'm glad that Netflix have got hold of it now. What a film. Absolute brutality throughout, the body count racks up quickly, and what seems like quite a slow movie at the start soon ramps up. Fans of Blue Ruin, Dead Mans Shoes, I Saw The Devil and Fury of a Patient Man will love this film - even though it's a tried and tested formula of revenge, it's understated nature and dark humour allows it to stand alone. The acting is a little ropey at times, but you can look past that given how good the story is. I seriously recommend watching this if revenge thrillers are up your street.

mth

February 7th, 2018, 12:08 PM

Simon

February 7th, 2018, 12:17 PM

I watched Calvary last night. how bloody good was chris o'dowd? i'm absolutely in love with Kelly Riely, ever since eden lake. beautiful.

back to the film, outstanding as a character piece. my only critisim would be that there was maybe a one or two characters that weren't really needed and made the story slightly more clumsy. 8/10 for me.

Just watched this the other day. I thought it was pretty good, and as you'd expect the performances were mostly great, but I have to admit I was a little disappointed having considered The Guard to be one of my favourite films in years. Calvary still had an element of the humour that made The Guard so great, but it was just so relentlessly fucking bleak. I know that was the point, and comparisons to The Guard probably aren't particularly useful, but with so many actors starring in both, and the rare bits of humour being so obviously of the same style, I couldn't help but feel a little let down. If I'd seen it before The Guard I probably would have enjoyed it a lot more.

Morrison

February 8th, 2018, 1:28 AM

I'll add it to the list. Do you think they hold up? For me that spot is occupied by B-Movie, straight to VHS horror movies that I can hardy remember the titles of.

Anyway, I found that film on this list; http://www.tasteofcinema.com/2017/10-totally-bizarre-1990s-movies-you-may-have-missed/

Any others jog your memory?

meet the applegates sounds familiar, and i arizona dream cause johnny depp is in it, though i've never seen it. everything else i've never heard of.

as for holding up, i think stay tuned might hold up better than freaked, but that's just a wild guess with no actual reasoning behind it. stay tuned was weird, but not grotesquely so, and dealt with satirical takes on tv cliches and tropes of the time, so i imagine it might translate better between decades. i went on youtube and did some quick skimming of freaked after i saw your review, and it's definitely not good, but visually, both in costume and make as well as the way it was directed and shot, still gave me the same kind of weird, uneasy feeling i had when watching it as a kid.

son_of_foley

February 8th, 2018, 3:52 PM

Donald

February 8th, 2018, 4:02 PM

Just reading it like that I lolled.

- - - Updated - - -

meet the applegates sounds familiar, and i arizona dream cause johnny depp is in it, though i've never seen it. everything else i've never heard of.

as for holding up, i think stay tuned might hold up better than freaked, but that's just a wild guess with no actual reasoning behind it. stay tuned was weird, but not grotesquely so, and dealt with satirical takes on tv cliches and tropes of the time, so i imagine it might translate better between decades. i went on youtube and did some quick skimming of freaked after i saw your review, and it's definitely not good, but visually, both in costume and make as well as the way it was directed and shot, still gave me the same kind of weird, uneasy feeling i had when watching it as a kid.

Isn't Meet The Applegates about giant bugs?

Clive Plasma

February 12th, 2018, 4:23 AM

Clive what did you think of mother!

Not seen it yet! Might give it a whirl today. Watched quite a bit so expect another brief dump of half assed film reviews.

Clive Plasma

February 12th, 2018, 4:31 AM

https://www.imageupload.co.uk/images/2018/02/12/Webp.net-resizeimage13.jpg

Headshot (2016) - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5147214/

A young man washes ashore, his memory gone – but his past comes back to haunt him after he is nursed back to health and his killing ability is needed when he takes on a powerful drug lord.

7/10 - It's not on the same scale as The Raid, the handheld camera work is all over the place, and it's not nearly as captivating to watch. But if needlessly violent, well choreographed martial arts films are your bag, then this film is for you. Entirely implausible, utterly ridiculous, but a lot of fun.

Available on Netflix UK

Clive Plasma

February 12th, 2018, 4:43 AM

https://www.imageupload.co.uk/images/2018/02/12/Webp.net-resizeimage14.jpg

Norfolk (2015) - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3190138/

A father has to go and kill one more time; his son has to deal with the consequences.

2/10 - I really wanted to like this film, but I really struggled with it. After reading an interview with the director, it seems that was the point. He says that instead of dialogue, he wanted to 'use the sound of the landscape' and left it 'deliberately ambiguous', primarily because he enjoys films where you have to 'work', and will happily watch them two or three times a go. It was dull, and it took several attempts to see it through just once. It's on iPlayer if you fancy it, but not one for me to revisit.

Clive Plasma

February 13th, 2018, 5:57 AM

https://www.imageupload.co.uk/images/2018/02/13/Webp.net-resizeimage15.jpg

Cash Only (2015) - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2883448/

A money troubled man finds some cash in an apartment which later turns out to belong to someone who stops at nothing to get his money back.

8/10 - Another one from Netflix, and another film that's been on my list for a while. Sharp, fast, brutal and relentless, it's very similar to Refn's Pusher trilogy. It gets quite dark, very quickly, and it's the classic scenario of a bad decision leading to a bad decision, and descending into irreversible mayhem. Acting is good enough, production wise it feels slicker than your standard indie affair. A pleasantly surprising indie thriller, that delivers more in 90 minutes than some do in 2 hours.

Clive Plasma

February 13th, 2018, 6:06 AM

https://www.imageupload.co.uk/images/2018/02/13/Webp.net-resizeimage16.jpg

Trophy (2017) - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt6333066/

This in-depth look into the powerhouse industries of big-game hunting, breeding and wildlife conservation in the U.S. and Africa unravels the complex consequences of treating animals as commodities.

9/10 - Available on iPlayer as part of the Storyville series, comes this hard-hitting documentary exposing the big-game hunting industry. You see "Twitterstorms" when proud tourists pose next to their kills and it's easy to form an opinion, but never before have I seen such an articulate response been put forward as to why hunting would actually benefit their area outside of the 'we put the money back into conservation'. The hunters themselves are indescribable, to say they're stupid would be unfair, but this 'attraction' clearly brings in a certain type of crowd. Despite that, it's well balanced, gives both sides of the argument and refrains from being too judgmental - which is quite rare to find in documentaries of this nature.

mth

February 13th, 2018, 11:07 PM

Clive Plasma

February 14th, 2018, 5:19 AM

The wife and I just watched a lovely flick on Netflix the other night called "Princess Cyd". Have you seen it, Clive?

Nope. Might suggest that tonight with the gf. Seems like the kind of thing we'd like. Cheers for pointing it out!

son_of_foley

February 14th, 2018, 4:19 PM

Not seen it yet! Might give it a whirl today. Watched quite a bit so expect another brief dump of half assed film reviews.

I had a visceral dislike of it but was thinking about it for a few days after.

I think the critique of Lawrence is a bit unkind too as its an incredibly difficult role imo

MikeHunt

February 14th, 2018, 5:51 PM

I had a visceral dislike of it but was thinking about it for a few days after.

I think the critique of Lawrence is a bit unkind too as its an incredibly difficult role imo

I thought it was quite brilliant, I liked the imagery and the fact it was supposed to make you feel uncomfortable. At points Bardem acting was hilarious mental and I personally thought Lawrence was excellent. The film was one that I would not be in a hurry to watch again but I loved the way it made me think and has certainly stuck with me for quite a while.

son_of_foley

February 14th, 2018, 5:53 PM

son_of_foley

February 14th, 2018, 5:54 PM

MikeHunt

February 14th, 2018, 6:09 PM

Gary J

February 15th, 2018, 5:41 PM

Clive Plasma

February 16th, 2018, 8:35 PM

The wife and I just watched a lovely flick on Netflix the other night called "Princess Cyd". Have you seen it, Clive?

Just finished this. What a great film. Will type up my full thoughts soon but so good. An effortlessly funny, heartwarming film. Thanks for the recommendation.

Clive Plasma

February 17th, 2018, 4:03 AM

https://www.imageupload.co.uk/images/2018/02/17/Webp.net-resizeimage-3.jpg

Falling Down (1993) - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106856/

An unemployed defense worker frustrated with the various flaws he sees in society, begins to psychotically and violently lash out against them.

8/10 - I had completely forgotten how good this movie was. I know the 'challenge' as such is to watch movies that I hadn't watched before, but I can only really remember this film in parts. It's quite a cathartic exercise watching this, for someone who is annoyed by a lot of what they see, you can for better or worse, live vicariously through Michael Douglas in this film. Sure, it's a little gimmicky, and the acting is all over the place in the supporting roles, but it's a lot of fun to watch.

Clive Plasma

February 17th, 2018, 4:11 AM

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Mister John (2013) - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2488740/

After discovering his wife’s infidelities, Gerry leaves London to look after his deceased brother’s business and family in Singapore.

7/10 - I caught this on iPlayer on a coach journey back from Leeds last week, and although watched on a tiny phone it didn't detract from the quality of the film. It's an intriguing, meandering storyline that feels dreamlike for the most part. There's an element of mystery throughout, but it's not that kind of film, what you see is what you get. Simplistic, well-acted, and and absolutely stunning soundtrack - it's worth watching for that alone.

Clive Plasma

February 27th, 2018, 12:13 PM

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Carnage: Swallowing the Past (2017) - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt6667360/

It’s 2067, the UK is vegan, but older generations are suffering the guilt of their carnivorous past. Simon Amstell asks us to forgive them for the horrors of what they swallowed.

10/10 - I'm a meat eater. I went vegetarian for a month, thought it was alright, but went back to eating meat again. All it did was reset my bad habits of over-eating something that we should arguably be eating at all.

If you name a food documentary, I've probably seen it. Some are genuinely good (Fed Up, That Sugar Film), and go to great lengths to make the content relatable. However, most come across as preachy, condescending pieces of shit with skewed evidence that offers nothing that you haven't already been told. All it does it make you hungry. Yet here, Simon Amstell's weird, futuristic mockumentary about a world of veganism, is probably one of the most persuasive arguments for turning vegan that I've seen.

Using our own ridiculousness against us, he presents the information in way that it really can't be argued with. Like all great mockumentary style shows (The Day Today, Brass Eye, The Office etc), it succeeds by holding a mirror up to our nonsense (like the logic of saving one kind of fish by eating another... rather than not eating any at all), and letting it speak for itself with a certain sharply delivered, dry humoured twist.

It's cleverly narrated, well produced, genuinely funny and superbly acted. As a meat-eater, it's even made me think twice about my choice to do so.

Clive Plasma

March 5th, 2018, 7:46 AM

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The Devil's Candy (2015) - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4935372/

A struggling painter is possessed by satanic forces after he and his young family move into their dream home in rural Texas, in this creepy haunted-house tale.

9/10 - Another one available on Netflix, same director as The Loved Ones (Sean Byrne) which if you have seen should give you an indication as to the type of horror film this is. Bleak, unnerving but original in it's premise, I thoroughly enjoyed this. Completely unpredictable, had me wanting to look up what happened at the end before the end came just to get rid of the tension I felt while watching it - I'm glad I didn't though. Well acted, and with excellent heavy metal soundtrack, this is something for the horror fans wanting something a little different than the mainstream norm.

Clive Plasma

March 8th, 2018, 7:44 AM

https://www.imageupload.co.uk/images/2018/03/08/Webp.net-resizeimage20.jpg

The Clan (2015) - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4411504/

The true story of the Puccio Clan, a family who kidnapped and killed people in the 80s.

5/10 - This was all over the place. I had such high hopes for it, the premise sounded excellent and the positive reviews had been pouring in, but it lacked cohesion. It took me two attempts to watch it because on first viewing it sent me to sleep, and I ended up rewatching the entire film again with fading enthusiasm. It's a shame because I loved Pablo Trapero's 'Carancho', but The Clan didn't even come close. Despite the story being true it didn't display the depth it needed to convince me it was, I couldn't invest in the characters, and it felt repetitive.

Clive Plasma

March 14th, 2018, 10:09 AM

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1922 (2017) - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt6214928/

A simple yet proud farmer in the year 1922 conspires to murder his wife for financial gain, convincing his teenage son to participate.

5/10 - Overly long, and I really struggled to get into it. It had some rewarding aspects though - it was well shot, the acting was engaging and it rode a fine line between horror and thriller, but ultimately it fell short for me. I'm not familiar with the original King story, but I feel like this could have been told in a fraction of the time. However, I wonder if I just wasn't in the right frame of mind for this. It succeeded in terms of an atmospheric, low-key drama that bases itself within the character development rather than a twisting and turning plot. Maybe on second viewing, knowing what to expect, I'll appreciate it for what it is.

MikeHunt

March 14th, 2018, 10:16 AM

https://www.imageupload.co.uk/images/2018/03/08/Webp.net-resizeimage20.jpg

The Clan (2015) - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4411504/

The true story of the Puccio Clan, a family who kidnapped and killed people in the 80s.

5/10 - This was all over the place. I had such high hopes for it, the premise sounded excellent and the positive reviews had been pouring in, but it lacked cohesion. It took me two attempts to watch it because on first viewing it sent me to sleep, and I ended up rewatching the entire film again with fading enthusiasm. It's a shame because I loved Pablo Trapero's 'Carancho', but The Clan didn't even come close. Despite the story being true it didn't display the depth it needed to convince me it was, I couldn't invest in the characters, and it felt repetitive.

i really liked this one.

Clive Plasma

March 14th, 2018, 10:37 AM

i really liked this one.

Each to their own man. I found it tedious. You should seek out Carancho though if you liked it. Ricardo Darin is in it too which is always a winner.

Beer-Belly

March 14th, 2018, 7:38 PM

Ringo

March 17th, 2018, 9:07 PM

Clive Plasma

April 10th, 2018, 8:50 AM

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Princess Cyd (2017) - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt6053440/

Eager to escape life with her depressive single father, 16-year-old athlete Cyd Loughlin visits her novelist aunt in Chicago over the summer. While there, she falls for a girl in the neighborhood, even as she and her aunt gently challenge each other in the realms of sex and spirit.

9/10 - Recommended by Mth a few months back, I'm only just getting round to writing up some thoughts on it. Overall, it was perfect for what I wanted at the time. It follows the same tried and tested coming-of-age formula, with good acting, soft lighting and a twee indie soundtrack, it's hard not to like when the story is as engaging as this. Effortlessly funny, heartwarming and simple film, that seems to merge moments of genuine happiness with part tragedy to inject an element of unpredictability to it. Yet, it still remained lifelike and honest. Very good film, a real understated gem.

Clive Plasma

April 10th, 2018, 9:18 AM

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R100 (2013) - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2914838/

An ordinary man with an ordinary life joins a mysterious club. The membership lasts for one year only and there is one rule: no cancellation under any circumstance. The man enters into a whole new exciting world he never before experienced where crazy love goes wilder and crazier.

3/10 - Fucking weird. I've watched some strange stuff in my time but this one ranks very highly if not just for the final act, which descends into absurdity on a scale I have never seen before. It's mildly entertaining, an extremely dark comedy, but there's a certain tediousness to it that makes the uncomfortable scenes even more unwatchable. Almost lost for words on it, it's one of those films where you repeatedly question why you started to watch it in the first place, and afterwards regret ever doing so.

Clive Plasma

August 8th, 2018, 10:51 AM

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Heavy Trip (2018) - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7220754/

Turo (25) is trying to overcome his fears by leading the most unknown heavy metal band in Finland, Impaled Rektum, to the hottest metal festival of Norway. The journey includes heavy metal, grave robbing, Viking heaven and an armed conflict between Finland and Norway.

8/10 - For fans of Spinal Tap and Anvil: The Story of Anvil, where parody meets reality, where you dream big and rock out, then look no further than Heavy Trip for your next hit of music-based comedy. Written and directed by Juuso Laatio and Jukka Vidgren, Heavy Trip lands on the side of fiction but the dreams of the small town Finnish heavy-metallers feels all too real. Treading familiar ground with the road-trip, pipe-dream, buddy comedy, Laatio and Vidgren have screamed new life into it, taking us on a memorable journey that will leave your ears ringing and your heart warmed.

Set in a small picturesque Finnish town, 4 out-of-place guys balance their mundane jobs with their passion for all things metal. The frontman Turo (Johannes Holopainen) combines cleaning with air-guitar throughout the towns mental institution, the bassist Rankinen (Ville Hiska) displays deadpan intensity with full corpsepaint while working in the local library, guitarist Lotvonen (Samuli Jaski) aptly works in his father’s abattoir where the band are allowed to practice, and the passionate drummer Jynkky (Antti Heikkinen) dreams of only one thing – to play in front of an actual crowd. They cannot continue as they are, and things are about to change.

As the band evolve from cover songs to their own intense sound, the story develops far beyond that of just wanting to make it big. Each character has their own motivation for doing so, and the entire town, rightly or wrongly, gets caught up in the hysteria of the band (the name of which I have deliberately omitted), their ambition and the chaos they cause along the way. It’s a whacky comedy, but treated with intense seriousness in places, and it’s this conviction of the cast including the fringe characters really helps elevate this comedy to dizzy heights of ridiculousness.

Much like the music created, Heavy Trip hit the screens at a frenetic pace. It’s over before you know it, but unlike many comedies it doesn’t outstay it’s welcome. Each joke is well placed and each glance carefully executed, as it brings together all the best parts of a hapless aspirational music comedy with unpredictable, highly improbable road trip antics. I expect Heavy Trip to do very well once it hits the VOD platforms, much in the same way it’s been received on the festival circuit, but at its core it’s a buddy comedy best watched with your friends; whether you’re into the heavy metal, grave-robbing, Viking escapades or just enjoy the Finnish scenery, Heavy Trip has something for everyone.

Clive Plasma

August 8th, 2018, 10:54 AM

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Satans Slaves (2018) - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7076834/

After dying from a strange illness that she suffered for 3 years, a mother returns home to pick up her children.

​8/10 - There is a special place saved for films that pull the supernatural-horror sub-genre off successfully. The ones that manage to ease you into the supernatural elements so it feels part of normal life, without overstating and overcomplicating aspects – it’s just presented to you as a series of worsening events, to the point you don’t register what is happening because you are engrossed in the moment. This is what Satan’s Slaves manages to achieve, and has certainly set the bar for what I expect this sub-genre to deliver in the future.

Without seeing the other films released in Indonesia last year, it would still be understandable as to why Satan’s Slaves (Pengadbi Setan) was the best-selling Indonesian film of 2017. In this remake of the cult 1980 film of the same name, Joko Anwar takes Sisworo Gautama Putra’s work and reimagines it, adding new layers, twists and turns at every point. While the premise remains the same, the circumstances have shifted, and it’s all the more enjoyable for it – it’s one of those rare occasions where seeing the original won’t necessarily ruin the remake, and vice versa.

In Anwar’s film, we see a financially struggling family, with a terminally ill mother, whose sickness appears to be bringing about all sorts of tweaky goings on within their rickety old house. It’s a haunting process on many levels, playing out tried and tested methods with perfect delivery. The classically implemented jump scares take place at times you least expect it, scaring the living hell out of the 4 kids in the process, with their terror jumping off the screen and sitting deep in the pit of your gut.

It’s an unnerving watch, the tension is palpable, I found myself scouring the background for things that could appear, attempting to implement an element of preparedness for the next scare but I was always caught off guard. These aren’t cheap pops, there is no need for excessive gore or unnecessarily loud noises; this is a carefully constructed horror that works hard to catch you out.

Those wanting something a bit more on the elaborate side will be appeased by the films conclusion, as the theatrical nature of the supernatural is explored to the fullest extent. It’s confusing to a point given some slight gaps in the story, it also feels slightly out of sync with the rest of the style of the film, but I assume that this was the point – to settle on a note so different that the chaos is emphasised to an unimaginable scale. Yet despite that, it still held together as a film, and whereas I would usually lose interest at this point, I found myself more invested than ever before.

Well worked scares, genuinely convincing cast, creepy kids, intense music and all shot in a way that really keeps you on the edge of your seat. If you are tired of the basic haunted house movies, the ones that frustrate you as the house is filled with idiots and deny all basic logic and common sense, then give Satan’s Slaves a go. You will not be disappointed.

Clive Plasma

August 8th, 2018, 10:59 AM

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Number 37 (2018) - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6985448/

9/10 - Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, so they say. In this instance, you have writer-director Nosipho Dumisa pay homage to Hitchcock’s Rear Window. A gripping tale of desperation born out of a series of unfortunate but seemingly unavoidable events.

The impressive thing about Number 37 is that while the “victim” is of a similar circumstance, the film, in general, has been reinvented to the extent that it holds up on its own. To continue down a line of parallel comparisons would be a disservice to the outstanding work Dumisa has achieved with this gritty thriller because it has taken on a life of its own.

The film centres around Randal Hendricks (Irshaad Ally), who seems to find himself digging the biggest hole imaginable, and at the top of said hole are nasty people who want to bury him in it. He has debt, and like many people with debt issues, they believe the only way out of debt is to borrow more money in the hope of “investing” it for a quick return. As expected, this goes badly, leaving him not only in debt to a vicious loan shark Emmie (Danny Ross), who seems to have a penchant for excessive violence, but also wheelchair-bound as a result of his “investment” going south before he even had a chance.

This setup for the film happens relatively quickly, however, and we’re thrust into a depressing, claustrophobic environment whereby Randal is now fully bound to his apartment in what seems to be a rundown area of Cape Town, with the loan shark desperate for his money back. Based on an earlier albeit briefly bloody scene, this generally doesn’t end too well for the person who owes the cash.

Living with his girlfriend Pam (Monique Rockman), she becomes Randal’s primary motivation, in the sense of protection from this psychopath loan shark. With a set of binoculars, gifted from Pam in a bid to keep his spirits up and his boredom down, Randal witnesses an event that could save his life, cancel out the debt, but more importantly spare his girlfriend who is now by association, potential collateral damage. It’s here that we really begin things to accelerate, twists and turns aplenty, it descends into depths of despair with no real end in sight. A nervousness exudes the screen, there’s a creeping sense of desperation, dread and unpredictability here that it would be a shame to divulge too much information. Part of the enjoyment of Number 37 is that edge of your seat feeling that only comes around so often, it should be savoured, not spoiled.

It’s not just the story that is captivating here. We see crazy, downward spiralling schemes all the time in cinema, but it’s the investable leads that make this so intriguing. Their situation is never really fully explained, therefore we’re at the tail end of the much longer story arc which means the only thing we have to go on is this raw emotional connection, cemented with the visible urge to escape at any costs. This is all that’s needed though, with great acting, a solid film score and a simple yet effective setting, we can invest on emotion and motivation alone as long as the foundations are there.

Number 37 is a very well accomplished film; the approach to violence was clever and restrained. The use of POV camera trickery was a welcomed addition to help increase the tension To emphasise once again, the performances from the cast were excellent across the board. This is far more than just a remake, a re-imagining, or even a tribute – it is a thriller in its own right, one that will leave you squirming for a conclusion, and while there is one, how you get there will never be as you expected.