ryan_sy Reviews

Blue Eye Samurai (2023)

Don't Miss This One!

[8/10 · 11 November 2023]

This show was fantastic...The voice acting, dialogue, animation, story line, and camera work are all top notch.

This is another quality animated production from netflix. In the same caliber as Castlevania, Cyberpunk, Invincible, the Batman animated movies, Arcane, etc.

If you like any if those productions, then you must watch Blue Eye Samuri. Every episode flowed perfectly with the story line, and the violence and gore are a perfect compliment to the story.

I appreciate a high-end animation show, and this hits all the marks! I can only hope there is a season 2.

Do not hesitate to watch this, you will be glad!

[8/10]

The Columnist (2019)

Beware of a Bad Review

[5/10 · 20 February 2023]

When I saw Katja Herbers (from TV Show Evil) was the lead actress, I was immediately interested. She plays the lead role perfectly, showing very little emotion and is seemingly harmless, until she reaches her breaking point with reckless abandon.

The movie underscores how anonymous trolls on social media are negative to today's society and emotion well-being. The plot and pace kept me entertained, but there was nothing groundbreaking in the film. I really liked the deadpan interactions between the main character and the people in her life, and how quickly she can turn from harmless to harrowing making an internet troll think twice before posting!

Worth a watch- especially if you've been trolled or harassed online.

{5/10}

Kicking Blood (2021)

Kicked My Expectations

[6/10 · 21 April 2022]

This is a stylish, moody take on the vampire genre that I did not think I would like as much as I did. One of the reasons I liked this film more than I thought I would, was the element of addiction and sadness meshed with the vampire storyline, which created a strong dynamic.

The acting was convincing- the main actress Alanna Bale reminds me of Sidney Sweeny- and her interactions with the supporting actor (a troubled 30 something alcoholic) were moving and meshed well with the plot.

The pace of the film was a bit slow, but it matched the overall tone well. Also, as previous reviewers noted, there was not a real background on the characters, but I did not feel that it took away from the story.

Not every vampire film needs to be like Blade. This film reminded me of another great vampire film "Only Lovers Left Alive".

This is not the film for you if you are looking for gory, action-packed violence. But if you want a good story with good acting and strong emotions, this is for you.

Above Average [6/10]

Offseason (2021)

Off The Mark

[5/10 · 12 March 2022]

I had high hopes for this movie- starring proven actors Jocelyn Donahue and Joe Swanberg with RJLE involved in distribution- but it fell short.

The main story was interesting (albeit unoriginal) and well acted, but the flow of movie felt scattered and unfocused. So much so, that I kept checking how much was left in the movie. Also, the scares were little to none, and I didn't feel an interest to see what happened next. Even good acting couldn't save my attention span

Add a little more coherence between scenes and more effective scares, and this would have been above average.

A mediocre movie at best [5/10]

The Medium (2021)

Another Southeast Horror Gem!

[8/10 · 2 November 2021]

I don't know what it is about horror from southeast Asian directors/productions, but they pump out some creepy movies. Another solid entry to add to the already impressive list including "May the Devil Take You 1 and 2", "Satans Slaves", and "Impetigore".

About this movie- it is a possession movie that is effectively unnerving. The believable acting (the transformation of the main character is cringe), the clever plot including the dynamics of the family, and well-placed gore and shock, make it uncomfortable to watch some of the scenes. When you feel like looking away, you know the movie is doing it's job!

While the possession and action scenes weren't anything new, they were well executed and more meaningful because of the clever plot and overall setting of the movie.

The exterior shots of the landscape, towns, and other set locations were perfect for the tone of the movie and a foreboding score helps round out the mood.

Highly recommend this one, especially if you like the other movies mentioned above. This is definitely one of the better horror movies i've seen in 2021. Don't miss it!

~a solid [8/10]~

The Seventh Day (I) (2021)

It Took Me Seven Days to Finish This!

[4/10 · 20 March 2021]

I agree with the other reviewers- this film had no energy, a cliche plot, and the co-lead (Father Daniel) was awful. I was looking forward to this film and it was a let down. In the over-saturated genre of exorcism movies, there is nothing to make this movie stand apart from the others.

The only slight redeeming factor in this was Guy Pierce, and even he wasn't that good.

Not worth a watch

[4/10]

The Reckoning (2020)

A Real Snoozefest

[3/10 · 5 February 2021]

I watched about 30 minutes of this before I had to stop. There was no redeeming factor to keep my interest alive at all. The actors were flat, the costumes appeared fake, and the pace of the movie was so slow, that I would rather have watched CSPAN.

This was a huge let down as Neil Marshal has directed quality movies in the past.

Watch at your own risk

[3/10]

Shadow in the Cloud (2020)

A Jumbled Mess

[3/10 · 5 January 2021]

If the movie was meant to be a campy, over-the-top action/horror story, it could have worked. But, this movie had no identity and tried to force a bunch of disparate ideas into one. The tonal shifts and head shaking plot were laughable and a complete miss.

Whoever green-lit this story should have went down with the plane.

Avoid wasting your time.

[3/10]

Hunter Hunter (2020)

Be Careful What You Hunt For

[5/10 · 18 December 2020]

This movie was what I thought it would be- slightly entertaining with some flaws. The overall story seemed to be two separate ideas combined into one. There is a twist in the middle of the movie that was interesting, however, by the end it became predictable.

The pace of the film was a bit slow, however the ending provided some much needed emotion to the movie. There were definitely some tense moments, but unfortunately they were few and far between. On a positive note, I really liked some of the gritty scenes that show what it takes to survive in wilderness with minimal resources.

I was excited to see Nick Stahl and Devon Sawa on the screen again, but I don't think they were given big enough roles in the film. Too much time was spent on minor characters that did not really have much to do with the story. The actress that played the mother did a good job though, and helped carry the movie.

This is not the worst way to spend an hour and a half of your time, but don't expect the film to leave a memorable impression.

[5/10]

Blood Quantum (2019)

Blood, Blood, and More Blood!

[7/10 · 16 December 2020]

I came across this film by chance and I am sure glad I did. The film delivered a fresh take on the zombie genre using a Native American cast and theme. As brutally violent as this film is, it is also emotional and characters have good development so you feel for them.

The actors won't win any awards for their performances and the script was minimal, but they were solid. The film's cinematography had a very bleak color that meshed well with the overall tone of the movie. Throw in a few unexpected animation scenes, and even more originality and character was added to the movie.

The amount of gore in this film is off the charts and will likely make some people uneasy. Additionally, the practical effects used made the gore seem all the more realistic and disturbing.

This is definitely a zombie flick through and through, but it had enough originality to make it special and well worth a watch for zombie fans.

Highly Recommend

[7/10]

The Vigil (2019)

A Solid Atmospheric Horror Film

[7/10 · 8 December 2020]

I don't agree with all the negative reviews on this one. I thought this movie was put together quite well. The dark music score meshed great with the frightening scenes and the film didn't have to rely on overt jump scares to be scary. The jewish religious theme added something out of the ordinary to the saturated field of horror.

The director did a good job of character development that made you feel for for the lead. The tension and anguish the lead character felt were palpable and made the movie that much more interesting. Also, the cinematography made me feel claustrophobic and tense, always wondering when the danger would arrive.

While this may not be one of the greats, I think it is a great horror entry worth your time.

[7/10]

The Call (2020)

Call Me Impressed

[8/10 · 28 November 2020]

Netflix does it again with another quality foreign thriller movie! The plot of this movie was clever, well-thought out, and the actors did a great job with the story. The cat and mouse game between the protagonist and antagonist is tense to say the least, and to define the antagonist as unhinged is an understatement.

Adding to the tension was the overlapping time period/butterfly effect theme that ramped up the suspense to level 10. I was on the edge of my seat all the way until the end.

Do not miss this one!

Highly Recommend [8/10]

Don't Listen (2020)

Beware the Voices in your Head

[7/10 · 27 November 2020]

Another above average foreign horror movie from Netflix. While the story was nothing original, it was well executed and scary. Besides a few cheap jump scares, most of the frightening scenes were well done. The acting, effects, score, and photography were combined effectively . As long as Netflix keeps pumping these out, I will be watching!

Side note- Javier Botet seems to be the gold standard for portraying a sinister creatures! I will watch anything with him in it!

A solid movie thats worth a watch.

Recommend [7/10]

Alone (V) (2020)

Dont Leave Me Alone

[7/10 · 23 November 2020]

A tense, fast-paced serial killer story that stuck to the basics and succeeded as an entertaining movie. The plot was simple, the dialogue basic, and the acting realistic- all of which made the movie more convincing. There was no need to rely on jump scares, overt gore, or a hyper-active plot. Just the meat and potatoes of what makes a serial killer film successful.

Bonus points for the cinematography giving the movie a gritty nature vibe. I felt like I could feel the sharp branches, river, mud, rain, cold, etc. that the protagonist experienced.

We all have seen these types of movies before, but what makes this one higher quality is it was simple without trying too hard to stand out.

Highly Recommend [7/10]

The Dark and the Wicked (2020)

Dark and Wicked Indeed!

[7/10 · 17 November 2020]

What a great film! The story was interesting, the acting believable, the pace was right on, and the scares were well placed. While the plot was nothing original, it was definitely a well made story.

The cinematography displayed some real creepy imagery that enriched the overall sense of dread and despair. Imagery that approaches the scare level of the film Hereditary. Truly disturbing stuff.

The actors playing the brother and sister did a phenomenal job conveying their grief and fear while dealing with their less than ideal situation. They helped make the story believable and terrifying.

This is definitely worth a watch! Don't miss out!

Highly recommend [7/10]

Hosts (2020)

Had Promise but Lacked Substance

[5/10 · 26 October 2020]

The movie started off strong and the "possessed" characters were creepy. However, there wasnt much of a story and the movie devolved into a confusing violence fest with no real substance. I was indifferent to the family and having violence for the sake of violence didnt help the plot. If there was more of a story, then the scares would have been more effective.

I think this could have been better with a bit more plot and better character dialogue and development. Bonus points for the ominous music score and a few decent scares.

An average movie that serves it's purpose when you have nothing better to watch

[5/10]

The Cleansing Hour (2019)

A Good Combination of Horror, Shock, and Humor

[6/10 · 20 October 2020]

In a saturated field of exorcism movies, this is a unique one! The cast was well put together and expertly conveyed apathetic millenials only interested in social media likes and fame. Although by the end, I did feel for the characters and cared about what happened. Combine that with the exorcism/demonic theme, and you have an interesting blend.

The pace of the movie was full go with gory/scares aplenty. What made this more unique was the element of humor mixed with social media, and exorcism.

This movie had the right amount of scares, humor, an original plot, and good acting to make it a good watch.

Recommend for exorcism fans looking for something different

[6/10]

Love and Monsters (2020)

Family Friendly Version of "The Mist"

[5/10 · 19 October 2020]

This movie had humor, suspense, convincing monsters, and good acting. The plot felt a bit rushed and insincere at the end, but was enjoyable enough.

The CGI was well done and the monsters were creative.

While this movie won't win any awards anytime soon, it was still a decent watch and you could do worse.

[5/10]

It Comes (I) (2018)

It Comes for Your Sanity

[4/10 · 5 October 2020]

To put it succinctly, you need to read a plot summary to understand this movie. The acting was over-the-top silly, the story line was jumbled, and the movie was too long and poorly edited with cheap CGI to keep my interest.

The movie gets a few points for containing a couple scary and disturbing scenes, but they are lost in the overall mix.

Not worth a watch- skip it

[4/10]

The Babysitter: Killer Queen (2020)

Does't Hold Up to the First One

[5/10 · 22 September 2020]

This is a fun movie that is full of small "LOL" moments and gore aplenty. I stopped trying to make sense of the plot after 15 minutes, and to the film's credit, it didn't try to be something its not. The dialogue between the characters is the best part of this movie. I did also enjoy the female protagonist (starred in 2nd season of "You") and the Dad (the always great Ken Marino). Besides that, there is not much else worth mentioning.

The first movie was better for sure, and I thought it was funny that one of the characters mentioned that of all movies, there are only four sequels that are better than their original (this isn't one of them!).

If you just want to experience a few laughs and light scares, then this is the movie for you.

[5/10]

Rent-A-Pal (2020)

Good Movie for a Low Budget

[5/10 · 14 September 2020]

Although the plot was somewhat predictable, I enjoyed watching this one. The main character does a great job of conveying a sense of loneliness and being trapped in his own life. Will Wheaton does a serviceable job of being the evil antagonist.

The pace was smooth, the script was believable, and you could feel things slowly slipping out of control. I also liked that it took place in the 80s and enjoyed the nostalgia. However, I thought the movie could have used a bit more excitement and the ending was not as climatic as I would have liked.

[5/10]

Host (II) (2020)

Nothing to See Here

[4/10 · 26 August 2020]

I dont know what so many other viewers saw in this movie besides the relevance to the Covid-19 pandemic and some social distancing easter eggs.

Instead of of this bland movie check one of these gems out:

"Unfriended", "Chasing the Devil", "Posession of Michael King", "Cam", "The Devils Doorway", The "REC" movies, "Taking of Deborah Logan", "Inner Demons", "The Den"

All of the above are much better demonic found footage movies

[4/10]

Peninsula (2020)

Didn't Live Up to the First Movie

[5/10 · 26 August 2020]

I went into this movie with hope that it would continue the momentum from it's predecessor- and I was let down.

I think the plot of the movie was OK, that did not let me down. The over-use of cheap CGI and fast-paced action scenes were over-blown and took away from the movie. Also, the zombies were almost just a background feature and really could have been used better.

Also, the acting and dialogue could have been better. It was OK- nothing special. I felt more for the characters in the first movie.

I don't regret watching the sequel, but unfortunately in an over-saturated genre, this is just a run-of-the-mill action/zombie movie

[5/10]

Sputnik (2020)

Great Alien Movie

[7/10 · 24 August 2020]

We all know the alien/outer space genre has plenty of attempts ranging from eye-rolling to truly memorable. Let me tell you the Russian film Sputnik was an excellent addition to the list.

The difference between this movie and many other outer space movies is that the director spent time developing certain characters and spent less time on cheap jump scares and CGI.

The plot was solid, the pace smooth, the scares were well-placed, the dialogue was believable, and extra points for the music score- it sounded like a Christopher Nolan movie. And the unique take on the "monster" was refreshing.

I highly recommend this movie if you are a fan of the outer space/monster genre- you wont be disappointed!

[7/10]

Don't Leave Home (2018)

Promising Idea, But Lacks Momentum To Be Great

[5/10 · 22 August 2020]

I thought this movie had a lot of potential- good acting, great photography, and a promising storyline, however, the dialogue, score, and pacing were too low energy for me to stay fully engaged. Also, I expected more intensity and tension that this movie could have desperately used.

I dont mind a slow-burn movie, but the ending has to make it worth the wait. This fell a bit short.

[5/10]