robnolymurphy Reviews

Night Sky (2022)

Intriguing slow burner Sci-fi

[7/10 · 20 May 2022]

This is the curious story of a couple, in their twilight years, dealing with a mysterious underground portal in their back yard, and the otherworldly adventure it takes them on.

This is an intriguing yarn, focussed on an elderly couple, the York's, who live in the quaint and quiet town of Farnsbrough, the slow pace of life of the town, and that of the York's, matches the pace of the story, it's very leisurely, but nonetheless captivating.

The acting is stellar, production values are of a high standard, and the storyline should keep one captivated until the end.

Surge (I) (2020)

Into the abyss.

[4/10 · 12 September 2021]

This is the story of one man's descent into the abyss as the monotony of daily life in an uncaring world seem to ignite his latent mental health issues.

The lead gives an accomplished performance in portraying his mental breakdown. It is a difficult watch, one which I didn't find enjoyable due to its grimness and cold characters with no redeeming qualities or empathy.

It is a film competently made with good performances, but it serves up non stop grimness, with bland dialogue, bland locations, there's just not much to get excited or engrossed over, as the fate of Joseph has only one outcome.

Into the Night (II) (2020–2021)

Season 2

[5/10 · 12 September 2021]

The first season of Into the Night was a surprise success on Netflix, with the unique premise of sunlight being deadly, instantly killing those exsposed to it. A disparate group of people, on a routine flight band together and fly 'into the night' and away from the sunrise, to stay alive.

The second season begins where the first ended, our survivors are in an underground NATO bunker with military personnel. The same formula applies in the 2nd season, as in the 1st, our survivors must overcome difficult circumstances through ingenuity, violence and sacrifice to survive.

However I found the circumstances facing our survivor's as to be rather boring and cliché, and with no desire from the group to find out why the sun is behaving as it is, or if it can be rectified, it devolves into a series of humans squabbling, and Us Vs Them scenario arises.

It took some discipline on my behalf to watch it through to it's conclusion, there was a few moments after finishing an episode, I wondered if I had the desire to see anymore, but I did.

The second season did not live up to the first season, although I believe a third is on its way, where I hope they focus more on the phenomena happening.

The first season worked due to its mystery, and unique premise, the second season dispenses of the mystery element, and focusses on an us Vs them scenario, and it suffers drastically for it.

Come to Daddy (2019)

It tries hard, but ultimately falls flat.

[4/10 · 29 August 2021]

There could of been a movie in here somewhere. But ultimately it fails.

It is an amalgamation of disparate ideas that the director tries to weave into a hard hitting unpredictable yarn, but comes across more as a wanna be cult movie.

There were stand alone moments of humour, with decent acting and moments where you expect the story to take off, but I found it to be more absurd than intriguing.

Despite my unsatisfying experience with the movie, I wouldn't put anyone off seeing it, as it is the type of movie that splits opinion.

The acting was good, the story line unbelievable, verging on the absurd, with moments of black humour and ultra violence. In giving that description one could be forgiven in thinking it sounds like a good romp, but my overall conclusion is one of a forgettable, unsatisfying experience.

Dog Soldiers (2002)

Brilliant Werewolf, adventure.

[10/10 · 29 August 2021]

I revisited this excellent horror from the early 2000s and was reminded of just how well it works as the perfect late night horror jaunt.

A group of likable, rough and ready British soldier's are faced with the task of surviving the night, in the misty, isolated Glens of Scotland, as their training manoeuvres devolve into a real world fight for survival against a family of Werewolves.

Filled with dark comedy, and gore, it holds your attention with ease as you're pulled into the dark night and the story of the fight for survival. The writer/director uses the first ten minutes well, introducing us to the six men in question as they swap joke's and stories over a camp fire, establishing a creepy atmosphere, as we get to know our six protagonists, before the action swings to life, and it's pretty relentless once begun.

Many aspects come together that make this one of the best horror mysteries of the past few decades, the acting is perfect for the tone of the movie, the isolated setting, the gore and humour, make this a must watch for horror fans.

I couldn't finish without mentioning the Werewolves, which were designed magnificently. Tall, menacing beasts, no CGI, and shown sparingly on camera, until the later scenes. And the later scenes do not fail to deliver, as our protagonists defend their refuge, a rural farm house, with ever dwindling ammo, enemies within are exposed, as the beasts keep up their siege of the house.

Utterly enjoyable fare. Especially for the werewolf and horror afficionado. And is well suited for repeat viewings. Everything one could ask of a horror movie.