nihildarn Reviews

Planet Dune (2021)

Yeah, another mockbuster.

[6/10 · 30 October 2021]

I really don't get people complaining « this » is not Dune. Of course it is not. Seriously: the cover says it all.

About the movie. CGI effects range from correct to poor (especially the worms), acting is OK up to good for the main characters. Second roles can be bad, though.

All in all, I was entertained for an hour and half. So this is decent, even great if you consider the very low budget.

To me the weakness of this movie is in the story itself: some parts are not believable, some rushed when they need development. Sometimes the story seems to jumps from character to character randomly. The end fells like "OK we need to finish what we started... in five minutes." Oh, and there is a scene totally ripped off the real Dune: it is badly done and was unnecessary to the plot (but maybe necessary to maintain the mockbuster legend).

As I said, 90 minutes of cheap entertainment, if you know what to expect. Could have been better with the help of a good story writer.

Shadow in the Cloud (2020)

Totally over the top woman. Total fun.

[9/10 · 3 January 2021]

I do not post many reviews, but when I saw the low rating I couldn't believe it.

Yes, men are not at their best in this movie. So what? I do not see me in them. You shouldn't see you in them.

The movie itself is very entertaining, never lacking in action and twist. Good, if not perfect, special effect. Actors did their job well.

Of course realism is totally thrown out of the window, but I had too much fun to care about it.

This probably was made on a fraction of the budget of movies like Wonder Woman, but it is far much better.

Blood Machines (2019)

Low budget gem

[10/10 · 5 September 2020]

Visually stunning but not for everyone movie. Why? Despite what you can read in other review there is indeed a story, but in many scenes it is told through the visual and the music rather than trough dialogs, so you have to work a bit on your side. I guess people used to the classical bad guy explaining is evil plan in a five minutes monologue will be lost here.

Acting is sometimes not perfect, but you have to keep in mind low budget constraint prevent shooting a scene twenty times in order to get a perfect one.

Sit back and enjoy. This is passionate work.

Vagrant Queen (2020)

cheap but fun

[8/10 · 19 April 2020]

Why so much hate? It is cheap but fun. Obviously not to be taken seriously. I can understand why someone would not like it, but compare it with the expanse or dark matter is pointless. I had much more fun watching this than watching the last Star Wars movie. At least they try to make the most out of a very small budget.

Note: there are two versions of the first episode, make sure to watch the 52 minutes long one. This "long" cut is much better.