Scodelli Reviews

The Coffee Table (2022)

Very effective, well done disturbing film

[7/10 · 10 March 2025]

So the thing I heard about this movie is that it is very disturbing. So disturbing it's hard to get through.

It's that's not wrong. It's a very upsetting movie.

It digs in with a very intense psychological tension.

The acting is phenomenal. Especially for this kind of movie. And it is very well directed. And the script is so effective.

The characterization is great.

It is a very well done disturbing movie. With great acting, direction and script.

It's done very well.

But the caveat is that it's very disturbing without any more point than that.

It's incredibly effective but there's not really anything to point to beyond a very disturbing ride.

A good movie to test your limits with. It doesn't rely on violence/gore, etc... Though it does have some significant violence in it.

It is very well done and very upsetting.

Strange Darling (2023)

Great Thriller

[7/10 · 3 March 2025]

So this movie begins with some questionable artsy-ness that might alienate some viewers.

But as you watch the movie it all makes sense and you can see what they are going for.

This is a slick thriller with non-linear story telling. It is fast-paced and engaging throughout. In the end it tells a relatively simpler story well.

It's the delivery that makes the story good. It makes great use of non-linear story telling and has some great twists.

It's well directed, well acted and has a great script.

But this film's weakness is that it can feel like style over substance. It's a relatively simple story told very well.

But in the end, the film felt kind of pointless for me. But I still liked it.

This is a film that's all about the ride. It's has a good ending in it's final act.

But it's all about a movie experience rather than meaningful substance.

That said, it's a good movie. And alot of people won't have my "style over substance" gripe.

And you can still enjoy the movie even if you feel the same way.

I would actually compare this movie to Mads. Again, it's all about the ride and it's a good ride but then that's it.

Solid pick for a Friday night though.

Lake Mungo (2008)

Understably divisive but good

[7/10 · 24 February 2025]

So this film is a fictional documentary. The story is related in a slow burn fashion.

This is a really interesting film to me. It is different.

It's also quite a divisive film.

Some people think this movie is the scariest they've ever seen. Some people think it is boring.

This film isn't for everyone.

In this case, even a perceptive person might still not like this movie.

It works at a very specific kind of fear. And it takes it's time. And it's subtle.

Alot of the psychological horror is quite latent.

Some people call this movie "not a horror movie" and just "about grief". They are unequivocally and fundamentally wrong. It didn't fit their idea of what horror is. This reaction is what the most un-perceptive people will make.

Whether you consider it scary or not it is fundamentally shown by the script and presentation and atmosphere that it is a horror movie.

But anyways.

I found the movie to be quite interesting even if it didn't entirely work for me.

It's really well made and original film.

It's works at this subtle but deep level.

This movie is a slow burn. But I found it interesting enough throughout.

At one point in the movie, things are built up only to switch direction. But it makes sense for the movie in the end.

If you don't like found footage you might still like this movie because most of it is shot in clear, documentary style.

There are some photos and video tapes that are more the grainy/lo fi thing. But the vast majority of the film is clearly shot documentary interviews.

And there is a realistic immersive element to this film.

This film works at a very specific kind of fear. Many people find this to be a terrifiying movie. Others think it is boring and stupid.

And others(like myself) can appreciate it's remarkable nature but not personally find it that scary.

So, this is a movie for perceptive viewers But not all perceptive viewers will like this.

If you feel like rolling the dice go ahead and watch it. It's an interesting and unique kind of film regardless.

Grafted (2024)

Slightly underrated - 6.5/10

[6/10 · 11 February 2025]

There's some compelling drama in the first half of the movie. Things spiral out of control in an organic, chaotic way.

We get a very strong character development.

It's body horror but nothing too crazy. It could have gone for a little more gore but it's adequate how it is.

This is not an incredible movie by any means. But it has a fair amount of compelling story that is often lacking.

It deserves more than 5. But also doesn't have enough of an "it" factor to be a great movie.

There's some character and situational cliches.

It's a very entertaining movie with some emotional elements.

Ultimately it's a pleasantly average movie. Not sure why I'm writing this review other than 5/10 seeming a little too low.

It's something you can throw on if you need a movie.

The Menu (2022)

Interesting, orignal thriller/horror film. Cerebral

[7/10 · 31 January 2025]

At the time of writing, this is in the Netflix top 10 because Anya Taylor-Joy is in it.

The Netflix top 10 seems to gravitate towards famous actors, even if the movie is terrible.

But this is a good movie.

This is an original film. Originality is desperately needed in the movie industry, especially in horror films. Originality is in such short supply.

So that alone provides a good reason to check the film out.

It's well acted. The dialogue of the Chef is incredibly well written and excellently acted.

You have some mild cliques in the restaurant patrons but nothing too bad.

Some of the pretentious, wealthy diners are very entertaining to watch.

The main couple we're following is interesting and tension and interest is developed around them.

In terms of the food, in terms of the menu, this movie is very well researched.

And the 5 star meal is very authentic. And interesting.

People call this a slow burn. For me it was interesting and engaging throughout. Bit it could feel like a slow burn for your typical horror fan.

But for a general audience that is watching the tension build will appreciate this.

The increasing tension and intrigue is incredibly well done.

It's an engaging and interesting film that does take it's time to get to all out horror. But for a perceptive audience, the tension and unease is building quite engagingly throughout.

As far as the ending though, there is a stretch to an element in it. But it's a good, interesting stretch.

So this movie is well scripted, very well acted particularly from the Chef.

It's a good movie but doesn't feel great. It's perfectly solid and well done but it doesn't hit that ephemeral quality that makes it like, an excellent classic or something.

It does feel like there could be a little more pay off but it's still a very good, interesting film.

And I suppose I would recommend it to people who like slowburns, even though it wasn't a slow burn for me.

This is a horror movie for a perceptive, thoughtful audience. An audience that is okay with being taken on a journey with a film.

It's much more cerebral than your standard horror and therefore won't appeal to everyone.

There's little for a rabid slasher fan here. But its a very good film, that does get to it's own horror and I'm happy it exists.

It would fall under the "elevated horror" label.

Although I didn't consider it an "excellent" film or masterpiece, I consider it as very good.

And I have very high standards that I don't lower for horror.

So I do recommend this to the perceptive viewer.

Longlegs (2024)

Solid 7. Could be divisive for some. Good film.

[7/10 · 26 January 2025]

There was alot of hype about this movie. So I thought I'd check it out.

First of all, the movie is very creepy. The director gets credit for that. The cinematography is artistic, which(for me) is a very good thing.

I found the mystery being investigated interesting. This film takes a fresh spin on the well worn serial killer detective mystery.

The villain in this film is creepy and volatile. I don't hate Nicolas Cage. Some may say his performance is over the top.

But the character he's playing is an unhinged freak.

So it's quite appropriate and intentional.

There's was something in the directing and cinematography that actual did unsettle me. Which I really appreciate.

The mystery unfolds quite well. Some may say it's a slowburn but for me it wasn't. It was interesting throughout and benefited from a good script. It moved at a steady pace.

How Ever, the very last scene was misguided. I can see what they were trying to do. But it was threatening the 4th wall too much and wasn't really appropriate given the events that just occurred.

But some people may like the ending scene. Maybe it will drive home more creepiness.

Don't expect a masterpeice here. But it is a solidly good film which I recommend.

Nosferatu (2024)

A masterpeice - incredible gothic horror

[8/10 · 30 December 2024]

Because Robert Eggers has made such exceptional films (The Witch, The Lighthouse, The Northman) I went into this film with very high expectations. Especially due to all the buzz and hype surrounding this movie.

And I'm glad to say I wasn't disappointed.

This film is drenched in dark, brooding, unsettling atmosphere that is extremely well done and is very consistent(perhaps relentless) throughout the film.

Even benign scenes are directed in such a way that they're so creepy.

And this is all due to Robert Eggers' exceptional directing which most filmmakers can't reach.

Now when it comes to the Dracula story, I've seen many, many Dracula films. I'm so familiar with the story and seen so many adaptions of it that it's become wearisome. Especially with the slower pace of the Dracula story.

Don't get me wrong. It's an incredible story and the pacing is fitting.

But I've seen so many adaptations that it's become wearisome.

But not this movie. Despite the inherent slow, measured pace of the Dracula story, this entire Nosferatu film is riveting.

Every single scene is gripping. The beautifully done, consistent dark atmosphere drips from each frame.

However this film has alot going for it aside from atmosphere. The script is impeccable. The acting is incredible. There's so much this film does using the incredible dark atmosphere as a foundation.

This film is truly horrifying. I say that as a seasoned horror fan. This one got under my skin. It's just incredible.

Now when it comes to the film as a Nosferatu or Dracula remake, this film truly makes the story it's own and departs from just the standard story we're all familiar with.

And that's a good thing. It's done in good taste with obvious respect to the original.

So when you see this movie, it's more than just regurgitating the exact same story we're all familiar with. And that's a good thing because we've had so many adaptions and retellings and remakes of this story.

This movie makes the story it's own in a valid, respectful way. And it does so in such a well written way.

When you combine the incredible acting with the incredible directing, there's some deeply horrifying aspects of this movie where you really feel the character's fear.

While being a horrodrama, there's some savage moments of violence peppered into the film. Made all the more potent by the directing, story telling and script.

This movie further cements Robert Eggers' as a master film maker.

I highly, highly recommended this film.

The Eyes of My Mother (2016)

Truly Disturbing Horror Art Film

[7/10 · 26 November 2024]

This is a horror art film.

It is one of the most thoroughly disturbing movies I've ever seen.

It's a dark and bleak film that's very emotionally effecting.

The situations and moments alone repeatedly disturbing.

Although very little onscreen violence is shown, it's violently disturbing.

But the horror of the film stretches beyond violence.

The psychological horror and bizarre, uncomfortable situations are very affecting.

In terms of disturbing quality, I would put it right up there with Martyrs and Antichrist.

Interestingly, as disturbing as it is, it actually manages to be "understated". But that only adds to the horror and makes us look at it in a slightly different way.

Now some people might criticize this movie for being TOO disturbing. But that's like criticizing an Alfred Hitchcock movie for being to suspenseful or a comedy for being too funny.

And of course, you're going to get alot of people who say "I wanted disturbing but not this disturbing". That's invalid. In saying that they are only degrading themselves.

The movie is well acted, scripted and shot. It's made beautifully. It is an art film after all.

The reason this movie has a low IMDB rating is for the same reason that Antichrist has a low IMDB rating.

People are bent out of shape by how disturbing it is, so they rate it low.

Now this is a good movie.

But I'm not comparing it to the masterpiece Antichrist is.

But The Eyes of My Mother is a solid 7 all day long.

Those who dislike it do so on the basis of it being disturbing and on the basis of it being artistic.

Because it is an art film, the unperceptive will reject it like they do all art film or even just very artistic movies.

The low rating here on IMDB is incorrect. This movie is a solid 7.

It's like how Antichrist only has a 6.5 when an accurate rating for Antichrist is 8.

In the end, this is a great film. I give it a 7 because it doesn't quite hit that 8 mark.

Not because it is bad because it is really well done but only on the basis of that "it" factor.

I recommend this film only for those who can handle disturbing content and don't hate artistry in movies.

Daddy's Head (2024)

Deeply Flawed

[5/10 · 26 November 2024]

So the premise here is interesting and creepy. Unfortunately it is under-utilized.

The movie is first and foremost a drama. I actually didn't find it boring. The portrayal of grief and family dynamics was well done.

This isn't a movie for people who will be "waiting for the horror part".

But that being said, although the film has some strong dramatic elements it fails overall as a movie.

When the horror actually does come it is extremely underwhelming. They do little with the creepy premise.

As a horror fan, you wait so long for the reveal or pay off and it never really comes.

It's a very underwhelming movie.

Although well shot(if a bit clumsy at being artistic) and well acted and having strong dramatic elements to the story, this film fails to be an effective movie. And fails as a movie in general.

And just doesn't pull the trigger as a horror movie.

It fails to build up adequate tension. It fails to use the "daddy's head" in an effective way.

The horror elements are pushed so far out into the movie and there's no effective build up to the climax of the movie.

And the climax isn't really that much of a climax. It's as if it was brushed forward.

I was hoping for something genuinely creepy and scary but instead there's just not much here.

It's not creepy like you might have heard. It's just never really gets there. Never really develops it's premise.

Fails to generate tension and foreboding throughout the film, in order to have an effective ending.

This movie isn't worth your time.

Ju-On: The Grudge 2 (2003)

Worthy Sequel

[7/10 · 6 November 2024]

The first Ju-On is an influential classic.

When it comes to sequels I usually brace for the worst.

Let's face it. Horror sequels are usually cash grabs pushed on by producers.

But I was pleasantly surprised by this film. I like it more than the original actually.

Alot of effective scares in this.

And incredible cinematography that heightens everything.

Was quite creepy.

That been said, it does have some weaknesses. It's a good movie but falls short of being a truly great one.

I can certainly see why some people rate it higher. It is a creepy well done film.

It just lacks that indescribable "it" factor that would mark it as an exceptional great movie.

Oddity (2024)

Odd script and not in a good way.

[6/10 · 4 November 2024]

This movie was very different than I was expecting.

Not in terms of being horror or not horror but the direction it went with it's premise.

Given the premise, I was expecting a supernatural mystery with a psychic as being an amateur detective essentially. Trying to solve her sister's murder.

I was expecting a murder mystery. A pyschic "detective" using their powers to put the clues together.

And I was expecting something much more volatile in terms of the supernatural elements.

I was expecting alot of danger and darkness surrounding "the cursed object".

So this film took an entirely different direction than I was expecting. It doesn't make it bad. But it threw me off.

As for as the approach it did take, the script is very odd.

I remember being 40 minutes into the movie and thinking "This is it? The movie's almost over!"

Although the movie picked up in the end, one element of it was very predictable.

This is a very restrained movie. It doesn't show any of the murder, till far into the film non-graphically.

The plot plays out as a drama. The atmosphere starts to creep in. Although the movie isn't boring I couldn't really summarized the first 70% of it.

It takes it's time. The thing you see on the cover is very creepy.

But this movie pulls it's punches throughout. Very restrained in a puzzling way. Not understated. Not in an artistic understated way but simply odd script choices.

It does grow a great atmosphere. There is some mystique to the supernatural element. But it is predictable by the 2nd half.

And the payoff is week and unsatisfactory.

The whole movie builds but never truly capitalizes on what it could be.

Overall, the script is quite strange and roundabout and meandering(in a way).

So yes, it was disappointing.

Although the cinematography is good and the atmosphere is effective, it loses alot in terms of it's chosen story and script choices.

Alot of people really like this movie. I can see why. But from an objective perspective it thoroughly deserves a 6 out of 10.

Now I was engaged throughout. The slow burn wasn't boring. The atmosphere and cinematography were great.

But the script...

Why?

The scripting choices and approach are baffling. It didn't capitalize on it's premise. The first half of the movie atleast was very forgettable.

The film spends 2/3rds of the movie in an odd way. As I said, at the 40 minute mark it was like "This is it?". That's all? We've spent the majority of the movie on this and now it's almost over?

For a slow burn you need a good payoff and there climax here was weak and very lacking.

Very restrained. It doesn't go for it. In the final act, the things you were hoping to see were very underwhelming.

MadS (2024)

Great ride

[7/10 · 3 November 2024]

This is an incredibly well executed film.

The beginning is intense and very well directed and feels credible.

The story does follow a drug addict.

So might not work for those with strong stigma. But shouldn't be a problem for a reasonable viewer.

The film follows an intense night of partying that turns into something else.

It's a very well acted film. And well directed.

A great achievement to so skillfully direct a movie with one take.

The stream of events is engaging.

This is one of those film to watch with as little knowledge as possible.

Well worth it.

I can't say much more. But this movie is well directed and very engaging. And feels fresh.

But in the end, it is very much style over substance which is it's weakness.

But a great ride to take.

Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981)

Not good

[6/10 · 29 October 2024]

So with this movie, things already feel repetitive and tired.

The original director did not want a sequel. He figured rightly that they had done what they could with the story and the film should be left to stand on it's own.

The producers had other ideas and were deadset on running this franchise into the ground for money and it shows already.

The original Friday the 13th is a masterpiece. One of the most iconic horror films of all time and very effective.

But the quality starts to go significantly downhill here. I had trouble engaging with this sequel. All these sequels aren't very memorable but I remember this one as "the one with the bar scene".

Having alot of the camp counselors go offsite like that is a terrible idea that runs against what this movie should have been.

This sequel isn't very well made. It is kind of boring. The scripting isn't great.

Part of what made the original so effective is the prolonged isolation.

And this movie compromises that.

This movie is a step down in many ways. The camera work is noticeably bad in some cases. The new director they brought in is not as good.

I was engaged with the original. But with this film it is just hard to be engaged for me, for some reason. And I'm a person who will pay attention to a movie, keep an open mind and give a film a chance.

While still having high standards.

At this point the franchise feels repetitive already. It just wasn't good. It already felt tired.

The ending was okay with some tension and something unique which I won't spoil. Yet the whole climax wasn't enough to save the film.

Basically this is a giant leap down from the original.

Friday the 13th (1980)

Great classic

[8/10 · 29 October 2024]

This is one of the defining classics of the horror genre. It's a great and effective horror movie.

It creates and builds a great atmosphere.

It sets things up well and foreshadows in an effective way.

The first 'modern day' kill is great and impactful because the victim is such a good person.

And it foreshadows what's to come. Giving out a little violence as the film sets the stage and introduces the characters.

It's well done.

The very beginning scene is very effective and a great portrayal of fear before moving to the present day.

Now some people say this film is campy.

The imdb rating is inaccurate and far too low.

I think what happens is some viewers judge it retroactively.

They find the 'tropes'(such as partying teenagers, teenagers having sex, investigating a sound, people trapped in a remote location, etc...) wearisome.

They utterly fail to realize that what are tropes now were not tropes then. At the time of release they were doing something new and fresh.

Pioneering the slasher genre.

And in film(and music), art that does something new first is generally the best and freshest.

After this movie was released, there were countless imitators, many of them less inspired. And eventually we came up with the tropes we see today.

But the original is not tropey. It was all fresh then.

Some people may be turned off by the horny teenagers aspect. I don't watch the movie for that and don't prefer it but that's something that can easily be looked past.

And it should be noted that alot of the other classics people still like today have those elements of exploitation in them.

And that has continued in many popular horror movies to the present day.

As far as acting, it's quite adequate. Not great but adequate. The cast of unknowns does a decent job.

It terms of gore, it holds up today. It is a violent movie and the gore is done well.

It is also a scary movie. If you have any empathy. What makes it effective is that it builds that atmosphere while you're settling in with the characters.

As far as characterization and character development there isn't much here, lol. It does lack in that department.

It does do the "final girl" thing though.

And it gives us one of the most iconic "final girl" scenes in horror. And I think that scene is so well done.

As far as pacing goes, it does set things up.

But I wouldn't call it slow.

I find the build up to be good. I was never bored while watching the movie.

But some might find it a little slow.

But I don't find it that way.

Beyond it's legacy, I think this is a good film on it's own merit.

It was made 40+ years ago but holds up fine for a reasonable viewer.

And I would put it right up with Halloween as an all time classic.

(Though I do find Halloween to be a couple notches higher.)

And lastly, I want to point out this isn't a nostalgia review. I wasn't even born when this came out, lol.

But for a perceptive, open minded and empathetic viewer this is a great movie to see.

In a Violent Nature (2024)

A slasher wearing a tuxedo

[6/10 · 27 October 2024]

So this is an interesting movie that, of course, generated alot of interest online.

I don't care too much about it being overrated or underrated but will instead focus on the quality of the movie.

As everyone knows, it follows the killer's perspective.

There are alot of artistic camera shots in the movie.

Some have called the film "artsy", mostly as an insult.

(I could rant about people disliking artistic movies for a long time but I won't).

But it's not too artistic really. Just some artistic camera shots and slow, understated pace.

As far as pacing it can feel slow. Not as slow as people are saying at all.

But it does have a slower pace.

And I was kind of waiting for it to be over at 50 minute mark. But the film did pick up after that.

But in terms of pacing, it's odd.

Some will find it unbearably slow(even though it's not).

Some will find parts of the film to be faster than others.

Some won't think the pace is that slow.

For me, the first 40 minutes held my interest well but I struggled at the 50 minute mark, but then the film did pick up at the end.

But yes, it is on the slower side.

Despite some artistic elements in terms of a horror slasher all the tropes are there.

A faceless indiscriminate killer. Partying young people. People being picked of one by one. The spooky campfire origin tale. An indestructible killer.

That is a central sign that this movie is ultimately not that artistic. And is simply your typical slasher dressed a little differently.

And it is very much style over substance when it comes to the artistic elements.

The gore is there. You've got some gory kills, nice practical effects. The camera doesn't shy away.

In closing, this is not a film for a viewer who isn't open minded. It's not for a viewer who doesn't like slower movies. It's not for a viewer who dislikes artistry(even though it's not all that artistic).

It turns out to be a pretty standard slasher with some good window dressing. Which will be enough to work for alot of people.

The movie is divisive due to it's pacing.

And some people will dismiss based on the artistic elements.

For me it's an enjoyable enough slasher. For some reason it felt like a satisfying movie.

I found the very last part of the film to be uniquely suspenseful.

The Seventh Seal (1957)

Profound

[8/10 · 20 October 2024]

Seventh Seal follows a knight who is exhausted by the brutality of war in the crusade. He returns home only to find the land savaged by the black death.

The knight is disillusioned and doubtful in the face of a seemingly absurd world and intensely craves philosophical/spiritual meaning and proof in life.

Though rightly known as a dark film there is quite a bit of humor and wit to this film. But it is essentially laughing at the seeming absurdity of life. Which of course is very dark.

The film contrasts the existentially tortured knight with a care free and happy group of jesters. And the knight's squire who although aware of philosophical questions chooses to disregard them completely.

Death is personified in a satisfyingly creepy way. A great performance and look of the Death character.

The knight plays chess with him, partially for survival but mainly in his quest for answers.

The game also symbolizes his desperate struggle for meaning.

The last half/third of the film enters heavily symbolic territory. This is an art film after all.

One thing I appreciate about Bergman is that he explores deep philosophical questions without making any definitive statements on them. He leaves that to the viewer.

This may frustrate some but I really like this approach. It respects the audience and stimulates philosophical thought.

This is not to say the film is without it's messages. It values human connection heavily. In this way it is similar to Wild Strawberries but in a very different way and philosophical territory.

This film is of course a masterpeice of arthouse cinema and the later third of the film becomes very symbolic and that is what truly makes the film.

It's very evocative, apocalyptic and enigmatic but there is alot of meaning to dig for in there.

It elevates the film and increases it's re-watchability.

Now, like Wild Strawberries, this film isn't really about the physical plot. Which may frustrate those who are less perceptive and unfamiliar with art films.

But to anyone with an appreciation for art films it is quite profound. It has a existential plot ultimately.

This film came out close to Wild Strawberries and it's fun to contrast the two films.

But anyhow it is a masterpeice of course that has alot of substance to it.

And has a timeless, relevant nature to it.

A Quiet Place Part II (2020)

Incredible Suspense

[8/10 · 14 October 2024]

I found the original film to be good. It had some good suspense and family drama.

This sequel was great. Exceeded all expectations.

I'm usually nervous approaching singles because of the sharp decrease in quality sequels often have. But this was great.

In fact, I liked it better than the original.

Now in this movie you don't get as much of the drama but you don't need it. It's a thriller with naturalistic portrayal of drama elements.

The established characters are enough to carry it through.

It's a thriller.

I'm just going to come out and say it. This is the most suspenseful films I've seen in years.

And I say that as a seasoned horror fan.

The suspense in this movie will work incredibly well for most viewers. It's very intense.

John Krasinski seems incredibly good at suspense. I look forward to seeing what he'll do in the future.

The original Quiet Place had some great suspense. But this sequel knocks it up several more notches.

As far as pacing it's good. It doesn't drag or feel rushed.

This is a great movie. However, it's important to note this is not a film we'll be talking about in 10 years.

It's just a nice suspenseful movie for a Friday night.

It doesn't have that elusive spark that an all time classic film has. That's something hard to get and most films(including excellent ones) don't reach that level.

But this is a great movie. The suspense is amazing. You get to see more of the creatures. The film opens with this great sequence of when the creatures first attack.

There's not the same level of drama as the original but this thriller doesn't need it. There's enough charisma to the characters and they relate to each other in a naturalistic way that remains compelling.

So, this is a great movie. Has incredible suspense. It's well made. There's no decrease in quality from the original.

Halloween Ends (2022)

Missed Oppurtunity

[5/10 · 13 October 2024]

First we had the good/decent Halloween 2018.

Then we had the terrible 'Halloween Kills'.

And then now the dubious Halloween Ends.

I had heard about how bad it was. I only watched it so I could say I've watched literally every Halloween movie(for some reason).

Halloween Ends, starts off without creepy music/vibes during the opening credits, but instead your lively radio host rock music station.

The first few scenes did not inspire any confidence at all.

Once the plot got rolling the movie improved. Slightly.

It held my attention and kept from me from wincing anymore about how bad it was.

But it's still bad.

The biggest problem with this film is that it doesn't work as a Halloween movie.

It lacks a true respect for Halloween's legacy. If not by intent, then by practice.

As a stand alone film, this would be a whatever 6 out of 10 movie.

But as a Halloween movie it sucks.

It makes the movie about something else. It contradicts the established character of Michael Myers. Badly.

Most of the movie is about this sidestory with another character. It deviates from what is appropriate for a Halloween movie.

Michael Myers is seldom shown in this movie.

Now I'm all about making something original and new. I really am.

But you have to do it in a way that is consistent with Halloween's legacy.

And in a way that develops upon what makes Halloween scary.

And this film didn't do that.

That being said, I expected this movie to be worse. After the terrible Halloween Kills and the bad beginning of this movie.

It gets better as it goes along and there are some strong elements to the ending.

But it does not work as a Halloween movie.

It's not what the story deserved and it's not the final capstone in the franchise it should have been.

They try to work it in at the end but it comes off forced and too little to late.

This trilogy is puzzling. Because it started off with quite a decent, competently made Halloween 2018 movie.

Then things took a nosedive with Halloween Kills. It was bad, not only because it deviated focus to this chaotic, overwrought hospital focus.

But also because it attempted social commentary. Which has no place in a Halloween movie.

There's nothing political about the whole franchise, nor should there be.

Halloween Kills was bad not only because of all that, but it was bad as a movie period. A poorly made movie that I couldn't connect to. It wasn't engaging. It was just badly made.

And then now we have Halloween Ends, which should have been an epic crowning ending to this franchise and it's legacy.

But no.

They had to write the script out of left field and create and focus on things that should not be focused on.

And as other viewers have pointed out, there's no dramatic build up to Michael and Laurie's final confrontation. At all.

How do you miss that?

But some how they did.

If this was a stand alone film it could have been a 6 out of 10 movie maybe.

But as a Halloween film it's insulting and alienating.

They could have done better. They could have made such a better movie.

All this being said, Halloween Kills wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Especially after the bad beginning of the movie.

But it's still bad.

And it's really disappointing.

Halloween Kills (2021)

Not good at all

[5/10 · 12 October 2024]

I'm not going to mince words here. Halloween Kills sucks.

It's just not compelling. I didn't feel connected to the movie.

What it was trying to do was overwrought and misguided and didn't land for me.

Although elements of the ending were pretty good, particularly the ending monologue, it wasn't enough to save this movie at all.

The direction the film went in was misguided, forced and cringey. You know what they were trying to do but it doesn't land.

And it's not what Halloween is about.

There's just very little story here. The whole direction of the movie was and what they tried to do was inappropriate and ineffective.

All this chaos and vigilantism and etc... etc... Especially how it was all presented is not what Halloween is about and it's not what's scary in Halloween.

The quality of the script hit's a big nose dive here.

I did like Halloween 2018 but Halloween Kills is just embarrassingly bad.

Halloween (I) (2018)

Good

[7/10 · 11 October 2024]

Let's face it. The vast majority of the Halloween films are not great.

Which is a shame because the original was a masterpiece.

What we have here is a competently made Halloween movie. Which is exciting in itself after all these B movie sequels.

What I like about this film is it has strong drama elements to it. Some well drawn characters.

A reasonably compelling story.

As I said, competently shot, competently acted. Decent script.

However it's important to note this is quite a different film than most of the Halloween movies because Laurie knows how to defend herself.

That fact shifts the story alot.

But I think they managed to maintain Michael as a threat quite well, despite the training Laurie now has.

I thought it was quite a decent watch. I enjoy the development of Laurie as a character decades later.

It had some scares and suspense to it.

It has a quite a decent script.

So if you want to watch a competently made Halloween sequel that isn't just a B movie this a good film for you.

*As a side note I did enjoy the Rob Zombie Halloween films.

The 2nd one was seriously flawed but he's a great filmmaker in my opinon.

But of course Rob Zombie isn't for everyone. Class and subtlety are not what he goes for.

Anyways...)

In the end, this is a good movie. It has more of a story to it.

It does have decent tension to it.

It's also a direct sequel to the original(decades later) so no rehashing, remaking, etc... Which is nice.

So it's good. Not excellent but still quite a decent watch.

A Quiet Place (2018)

Good

[7/10 · 6 October 2024]

This movie is good but short of great.

Some of the suspense is done incredibly well.

And John Krasinski has turned out to be a great actor.

And he does a great job for actor turned director.

Before I continue I want to mention something.

When it comes to horror movies, they should always be rated R.

Typically PG13 horror is alot tamer and targeted to a younger audience. And very commercial.

However, A Quiet Place is an exception.

It is a good honest film. Not exploitive or cash grabby.

And it's able to have sufficient violence despite it's PG13 rating.

And it doesn't really need much violence to be effective.

This is an effective suspense thriller.

It has likable, believable characters and the family is well portrayed.

One thing about this film is it can go from quiet and calm to very intense in a split second. In a good way and it's really effective.

That being said, this isn't really a film for genre fans.

But a mainstream audience will find it very scary.

Either way, the suspense does work well.

The movie has relatable themes and plays out as a family drama juxtaposed with horror.

I find it a little overrated due to all the hype surrounding this movie.

But it is good.

As I said, it will be most liked by mainstream viewers but could be decent for genre fans.

Particularly if psychological horror resonates with you.

Despite the PG13 it has the violence it needs for what it is.

John Krasinski gives a charismatic and a great performance.

The ending seemed a little forced. Or atleast elements of it.

But there were elements of the ending that were done very well and very suspenseful.

And though good, it didn't really have the "it" factor to make it a great movie.

Ultimately a good movie. Worth checking out. But falls short of truly great, in my opinion.

Still good though.

The House That Jack Built (2018)

Not great, unfortunately

[6/10 · 23 September 2024]

I'll start by saying I love Lars Von Trier.

Melancholia is a great film and Antichrist is an absolute masterpiece.

And I do love art house films.

However: This film is the same old serial killer movie we've seen a thousand times before.

Also, when it comes to arthouse, the only indication of art house cinema is the offscreen conversations between Jack and Verge.

About the nature of art and Jack's history.

So for me, it is greatly lacking artistically.

And this problem is amplified by the fact that Lars Von Trier is an auteur arthouse director.

I expected more from him.

The only other element of art house in the film is the ending sequence, which I won't give away.

Overall, it has all the trappings of a nominally good serial killer movie. But barely and that's it.

It's an unsatisfying film.

The conversation between Jack and Verge about art was not enough.

Certainly not enough to truly elevate the movie beyond a standard serial killer movie.

It's also not that violent by horror standards. Sure there's some blood and a brief gore visual but that's it.

That's not to say the killings aren't intense. But people expecting stronger violence could be disappointed.

The film also feels pointless to me.

I know the conversation about art between Jack and Verge was meant to elevate that film.

But it didn't catch me like anything profound.

So, sad to say, that even as a fan of Lars Von Trier, I can't really give this movie more than a 6.5.

Demons (1985)

An absolute gorefest

[7/10 · 15 September 2024]

The plot is nominal.

The characters are one-dimensional yet engaging.

Nothing about this film's plot premise is explained or developed.

But it somehow manages be a very appealing movie.

This will be practical effects heaven for many people, lol.

And there is violence upon violence and the movie goes out of it's way for the sake of gore, again and again.

If you're looking for 80s horror with practical effects, you will really like this.

And I wasn't joking when I said it is a gorefest.

It absolutely is indisputably.

This movie feels very campy.

It's not really scary though it can have it's tension at times.

It is an abundantly cheesy, gory, very 80s movie.

Now if all that sounds good to you then you will enjoy this movie.

Melancholia (2011)

Deep emotional exploration of depression and existential themes

[8/10 · 8 September 2024]

The first hour of this film is heart-wrenching.

The wedding juxtaposed with depression.

Very difficult to watch.

This movie deals with strong themes of depression and anxiety. Inspired by the director's own clinical depression.

If you don't have a basic understanding of depression you probably won't appreciate this movie.

But you don't have to know much.

You just got to not adhere to stigma. (pull yourself up by your bootstraps, all in your head, you should be happy, etc)

And this film could be eye opening for people not as familiar with depression.

But an auteur like Lars Von Trier is not going to make a one-to-one, reductive "movie about depression" film.

It's not that simple.

The film gets really existential.

All the film's events are overshadowed by threat of apocalypse. And that lends a totally different light to all that is happening.

This film isn't as obviously symbolic as Antichrist.

(Although the threat of doomsday from an approaching planet is hard to miss.) But it is full of abstract meaning.

It's hard to explain this without giving things away.

Now some viewers might struggle with the pacing of this movie. I never felt it dragging but even I had to exercise some patience.

But there is always something happening. There's always a relevant portrayal.

And the subject matter demands a slower narrative.

But it's a powerful drama. Full of thematic exploration and some deep provocative elements between the lines.

There's a subtly here but also a power. The characters are well drawn. There is nuance to the story.

I recommend this film to a thoughtful, patient viewer. If you are a mature drama fan you should have no trouble with the film's pace.

And indeed taking a slower approach with the looming threat of doomsday adds a stretched tension to the film.

I found it a very satisfying movie.

And, as an aside, the very beginning of this movie is one of the most cinematically beautiful sequences I've ever seen in film.

Ready or Not (I) (2019)

Fun

[7/10 · 8 September 2024]

I was browsing through movies and thought this looked fun. I think I'd seen a trailer for it at some point and it looked pretty entertaining.

And, yes this turned out to be a fun film.

It handles it's absurd premise pretty well.

One thing that stands out with this film is the acting. The acting is great, which is often lacking in the horror genre.

Production values are decent. Well not extravagant there's no sign of a low budget production.

The humor is decent. And it's a pretty fun movie.

It actually does have some scares/suspense.

It's an engaging popcorn flick.

But in the end, just a fun movie for a Friday night.