lsonofmorning Reviews

Lore (2017)

Thinking Person's horror

[8/10 · 29 July 2020]

I think there are plenty of horror films out there with jump scares and action, action, action to fulfill your needs if you want to turn off your brain and just take a roller-coaster ride. Thankfully too, there are films like Lore that present open ended conceptional horror. These are films have you question what really went on and come up with your own interpretation of events.

Unfortunately, films like this, "Kill List" and "The Void" will never be as popular because we've been conditioned to think that character conversations and endings that challenge your intellect are boring and weak storytelling, a common fault with American audiences who have been trained that films must follow a rigid "beat structure" to be any good. If Lore had been a European film, it certainly would have received much more attention.

If you like to think, give this film a shot.

If you don't, please go see latest Hollywood bing-boom-bang.

Kill List (2011)

What can I say?

[9/10 · 29 July 2020]

I find reading the reviews on this film a testament to what a work of art it really is. It's an action thriller that takes a left turn that rivals Takashi Miike's Audition and becomes something you won't see coming. But what the reviews here actually reveal is that the film can be interpreted in so many different ways. I found myself arguing with friends on what my slant was.

This is the key to a worthwhile piece of art. It prompts debate and promotes thought and interpretation. The performances, direction, and script all add up to a wondrously whole work of art.

See it for yourself and derive your own conclusions.

Last Shift (I) (2014)

Not Bad, Not Bad at all

[7/10 · 29 July 2020]

I admit I'm a fan of low budget horror films. This film manages to create a chilling atmosphere, give some nice jump scares, and some nice twists. Juliana Harkavy gives a terrific performance and the direction and editing is pretty tight. It also had some originality, often lacking in the horror scene. I would much rather watch this than yet another found footage rehash.

If you're a horror fan,give it a shot.

Make Me Shudder 2: Shudder Me Mae Nak (2014)

What a waste!

[3/10 · 23 July 2020]

The film starts out fine with some funny gags at the beginning, then descends into chaos as it attempts to parody the story of Mae Nak, I say attempts, because once the Mae Nak story starts, most of the humor just fails and it becomes a lackluster retelling of the story with the boys interjected for seemingly no purpose. Wanida Termthanaporn is good as Mae Nak, but the ensemble cast of boys here just doesn't work.

If I hadn't seen the first film, it would be impossible to distinguish the boys from one another, because they all seem to act the same with only Nick seeming to retain his character from the first film, but Nick's character seems to have learned nothing from his last experiences with ghosts, disrespecting Mae Nak at the very start. Even the standouts from the last film are given very little to do and as the film progresses, it's like watching a freight train disaster as ever so slowly the cars begin to collide and derail.

A waste of the talent.

Make Me Shudder (2013)

Thoroughly Okay

[5/10 · 23 July 2020]

It has some scares, it has some laughs and a likable cast. Some twists here and there help the proceedings. The film does a fairly good job at given character bits to it's ensemble cast, but could have streamlined a few of it's characters, some of whom are there to do nothing but scream and cry at appropriate moments. Puvadol Vechwongsa as James (with his bangs and getting the brunt of the abuse) , Brian Richard Garton as Brian (the wimp), and Withawat Thaokhamlue as Mark (the ghost) are the standouts and have some very funny moments.

It's main problem is the size of it's cast and the third act seems to go on and on past the point where they had any ideas left. Confusion sets in as you attempt to keep some of the lessor student characters straight. And boredom creeps up as you wish it would just wrap itself up.

It's thoroughly okay and a good way to pass the time if you have nothing else to do.