jackidrude Reviews

Losers of the Dark City (2000)

Dark movie about late 90's urbanised Istanbul

[9/10 · 13 June 2022]

Firstly, regarding rumors that the other user review mention: I watched this movie in a theater in Beyoglu, I believe it was Beyoglu Sinemasi if I remember correct, a weekday evening and I was the only audience (a real fan here).

Secondly, I myself own a copy of this movie, so definitely more than one copy around. It is also in the archives of Bogazici University library, I believe Bilgi University has it too.

The movie is realist, no artificial set, many places in the movie (bars, clubs) were real Istanbul places in the late 90s. Grotesque in many ways, subjects fast urbanisation of Istanbul, migration to big city from Anatolian villages, lost youth, freedom of lifestyle discussions we can clearly see.

Very underestimated movie, highly recommend even the quality is bad, because all copies are made from the VHS tape, and no restoration was made, it is probable that you won't find good quality.

Annabelle (I) (2014)

Underestimated true horror and suspense

[7/10 · 7 June 2022]

I'm shocked by the low rating of this movie. Some people compared it with Chucky which I find not true. Just because there's an evil doll it doesn't make it a Chucky-alike.

First of all, this movie tries to reach it's goal doing opposite of Chucky, we never see the doll moving or taking any physical action in the movie, there are no comedy parts. Chucky, although could change the color of the sky and else, never attacks people supernaturally (or let's say mentally) it always uses some kind of sharp knife or alike. On the other hand, Annabelle's attacks made by the possessing soul not the doll itself.

The movie makes us to expect a burst out moment from the husband, because the wife seems going crazy, several times, and everytime makes you think yes this is the moment but no. The husband is extremely cooperant, understanding, and even goes and brings the priest himself, this is not the case in many clichés so it breaks audience expectations willingly and successfully.

There aren't much jump scare moments but more suspense and thrill moments, you wait tensely what's coming next, which also was not the case in Chucky.

I enjoyed the movie, it was refreshing for me. Time to time slow paced, but it's meant to be.