afrodome Reviews

See (2019–2022)

SO BAD IT HURTS.

[2/10 · 10 December 2019]

Not going to be very formal in this review because I have to let off some anguish after trying to sit through this series.

What a stink pile of bad acting and exposition. The characters could not be any less convincing. I was waiting for another meteor to head towards earth so I wouldn't have to listen to this adult version of the high school drama club. It gets an extra star for being very well shot and having a great score (especially for a TV show) but lord does the dialogue, story, and garbage acting really pull it down. So bad it gives me a headache.

Sorry for Your Loss (2018–2019)

An Emotionally Honest Series

[10/10 · 14 November 2019]

Sorry For Your Loss is a show that takes a big risk of being upfront and honest about its characters and the changes they experience following the events of losing a loved one. All too often I still see these major networks airing these absurdly intellectually and emotionally dishonest TV dramas that become so obnoxious you just want to immediately withdraw from it's shameless lack of authenticity. SFYL has a way of immediately making you feel what you're seeing. It pulls you in somehow. The writing isn't masterful nor is the directing or storytelling, but what is does master is making its audience feels those uncomfortable feelings of grief and pain. Watch but keep some tissues nearby.

Final Destination (2000)

Why Would Anyone Watch This On Purpose?

[4/10 · 25 October 2019]

This is the very definition of tragedy porn. It takes the ideas of traffic accidents and plane disasters and turns it into a popcorn flick. Take something like Scream but instead of a masked killer (which has already been done to death) an airplane crash with severed heads and burnt up bodies. Why the ___ in this day and age would people pay money to watch dozens of violent deaths for the thrill of it? Watch a movie which shows tragic death without the depersonalization. It will serve as a reality check and maybe people will then understand that these filmmakers don't give a damn about film and that they only want to make money off of fetishized hyper-violence.

Marianne (2019)

Not Bad.

[7/10 · 23 October 2019]

I can't take these pop culture columnists seriously anymore. I read articles claiming that this was "terrifying" and was even compared to Hereditary. I thoroughly enjoyed the series, but it is nothing like The Exorcist or the heavy hitters in the genre. It's a deliberately comedic and campy mystery/horror.

Dark Matter (2015–2017)

Corny, Vacuous and Uncompelling.

[4/10 · 14 October 2019]

I can see why so many people throw out the word "pretentious" or "boring" to anything that requires just a little observation to understand. Hot air like "Dark Matter" is yet another scifi series that is too lazy to explore anything scientifically rational, intellectually stimulating, emotionally challenging, nothing. It's so cheap... it would still look dated if it came out 20 years ago. The villains are meat head bros that love r/\pe, make corny misogyny jokes etc. the dialogue... OMG.. I know it's fiction but why tf is the exposition dialogue so common these days? It's painful to watch. Cannot recommend to anybody. Watch The 100 instead. It at least attempts to flesh out it's characters and subvert expectations.

Pyewacket (2017)

Surprisingly Effective Indie-Horror

[7/10 · 14 October 2019]

This movie has been on my "watch-list" for almost 2 years. I wanted to see it but for whatever reasons I was worried that it would disappoint just The Conjuring films and The Witch. After watching an interview with Adam MacDonald, I knew that skipping his films would be doing him a disservice. From what I gathered in his interviews, he has a genuine passion for the horror genre. He knows what audiences seek out to be scared and understands what steps are needed in order to deliver a story that stays with the viewer.

Pyewacket is on a tight budget, but manages to utilize its small budget without making it look cheap. With that said, its limited budget inevitably weakens a lot of the movie, but it still is done very well. Some scenes really give the chills. The music/score is very well done and doesn't opt for stock-esque bang noises or ripoffs of other horror scores. It's low reverberating synths stuck in a loop and as a music composer, I was pleased to hear something actually spooky. There's a shaky-cam effect that makes you feel like you're a bug flying around the character. I don't know how it was done, but it really added to the tension. The climax/ending was pretty shocking and actually elevated the horror to a more grounded & tragic level.

The story can also be split down the middle. It can be both interpretive as a real supernatural occurrence or a psychological one. Both work without one losing credibility over the other. Great horror flick. Recommended.

The Hundred-Foot Journey (2014)

Great Film.

[7/10 · 8 October 2019]

Great movie. Loved the cinematography, landscapes, color.. very rich and warm, and lots of heart. Not sure if it's intended to be funny.. definitely an earnest movie that will even soften up the most cynical movie viewers.

Ad Astra (2019)

Masterfully filmed, thematically rich.

[6/10 · 7 October 2019]

Oh, what do you know, another influx of reviewers throwing 1's at a film that they were hoping to be a sci-fi action. The film will not appeal to most people.. it definitely made squirm at parts. It's quite depressing and tense with withheld emotion. Brad Pitt did a great job at portraying a man who is literally disconnected from everybody/thing and just wants to do the right thing.

While I wasn't wowed by it's narrative, the special effects and set pieces were absolutely incredible to look at. With films that exceed in what this films lacks like Interstellar, Contact and 2001, it's not a "must-watch", but I would recommend it for people who can appreciate masterful scifi visuals.

Midsommar (2019)

Already Has a Cult Following.

[8/10 · 3 October 2019]

I wasn't as captivated watching Midsommar as I was with Hereditary, but with that said, this is a one of a kind film experience that had me in a state of laughing mania when the credits rolled. Bizarre doesn't even begin to explain where this film takes you. Some moments pulled me out of the film's ever growing psychotropic mania, but they were done well enough to actually keep me engaged. The character of Dani was incredibly acted and deserves some sort of praise during award season. Grief, anxiety and trauma are hard to depict on their own but in this case they are intertwined like what we see her go through is actually happening. Doesn't live up to the weirdness of Mulholland Drive but boy does it come close.

Dave Chappelle: Sticks & Stones (2019 TV Special)

Not One Bad Joke

[10/10 · 24 September 2019]

This stand-up special is Dave Chappelle at his best. I'm not on the red-pill bandwagon by any means, but this special definitely got some questionably leftist criticism. It was probably the funniest standup special of the past 15 years.

Bad Times at the El Royale (2018)

Not Bad, Not Great

[4/10 · 29 August 2019]

Starts off intriguing but after a while it starts to feel like a impressive tribute to Wes Anderson & Quentin Tarantino. What Tarantino does is take hokey storylines and adds his own flair and dialogue. This movie does the same thing but the characters don't stand out and there isn't enough provocative material to tangle with. It could have used a bit more dark humor and depravity and it might have worked better. Still, not too bad.

Elephant (2003)

Pointless.

[4/10 · 27 August 2019]

I remember when my sister rented this. I was anticipating something prolific and emotionally taxing but instead what we got was a poor mix of arthouse and faux-documentary realism in an attempt to "shock" it's audience. Honestly it felt like a high budget stage play. Nothing worked. The acting was very dull and did the arthouse-by-numbers dance that screamed "take me Cannes".. z The movie had no message; like ok "ooh look school shooting it's supposed to make you feel empty" but it's a bit schlocky if you ask me.

T2 Trainspotting (2017)

Pure Entertainment.

[10/10 · 18 August 2019]

T2 Trainspotting is effortlessly entertaining.

Add in the unique Boyle-style editing, continuity of the characters from the first film, a great soundtrack and sharp dialogue keeps your attention. On top of that, it has a lot of heart. Couldn't think of one thing to criticize. Could watch it over and over.

Pet Sematary (2019)

Good, Could Have Been Great.

[6/10 · 18 August 2019]

Pet Sematary (2019) doesn't stray far from the path of the 1989 predecessor. Despite it not being as challenging as it should be, it is much better acted, grounded and coherent than the first film adaptation of King's acclaimed novel. It is spooky, melancholic, eerie, well-shot with solid performances. There's quality ingredients but they came served in a teacup when the audience wanted a full plate.

Genre filmmakers in recent years are taking big risks which have brought a new wave of horror culture that intrigues and challenges audiences and unfortunately Pet Sematary watched the wave pass by and kept their eyes on the conventional horror-by-number formula that recalls the remake parade of 2004 thru 2009.

Solid, but stoic.

As Above, So Below (2014)

Entertaining But Flawed Found Footage

[5/10 · 10 July 2019]

As Above, So Below is a solid found-footage film that is chop-full of walk-thru haunt visuals/gags/sounds but misses the mark on the psychological aspects that could have been much more frightening if the filmmakers didn't apply so many sound FX, pop-up scares and exposition. Final Prayer (aka The Borderlands) is a similar found-footage horror that was a friction of As Above, So Below's budget but succeeds in being ferociously scary. Watch this one if you want to be entertained but not scared.

Final Prayer (2013)

Master Class in Found Footage Horror

[8/10 · 6 July 2019]

Final Prayer is a prime example of what filmmakers can achieve when crafting a genre film on a limited budget.

The story is believable, the acting is natural and understated, and the characters remind me of people I know in my own life. The sense of realism and the mystery surrounding the town and church intrigued me from the very beginning; and that's what made this movie so damn scary.

I don't need to go into details but this film ranks among the scariest I've ever watched. My hands were shaking once the credits rolled, and I'm a pretty seasoned horror movie addict. Recommended if you want to lose a night's sleep or 2.

Climax (I) (2018)

An Electrifying, Horrific Experience.

[10/10 · 12 June 2019]

Gaspar Noe is not a director I particularly praise. Like Lars Von Trier, I'm in a polarizing category of cinephiles where some of Noe's comes off pretentious and over ambitious where his other films are hypnotic and captivating. Fortunately, Climax ranks as the most white-knuckle film experience I've had in a very long time.

Climax has a formula that is very, very difficult to achieve: being groundbreaking in its stylization; a phantom-esque style of the camera just floating around. The shots are less like Into the Void and more like Birdman. Additionally, the film feels very organic. These are characters that don't need to be "fleshed out" because they feel like real characters. I was a skeptic when I heard that trippy visuals were not going to be utilized, but I am so glad Noe took the approach of focusing on the characters and how their madness unfolds on screen. If you're having trouble finding a movie that scares you, Climax might be "the one" that will finally make your palms sweat. The movie knows how to instill angst in the viewer. I can't remember the last time I let out a huge laugh after a film was over because I was so freaked out. Watch this movie but be warned it might make you feel strange for a few days after. This ties with Hereditary as my favorite film of 2018 and I recommend everyone watches it.

Booksmart (2019)

Genuinely Funny

[9/10 · 1 June 2019]

When it comes to comedy films, I often wince at a lot of what's offered on the silver screen. I adore Freaks & Geeks but never understood the gross-out-indie-comedy wave that spawned from The 40 Year Old Virgin, Superbad, Knocked Up etc... But don't get me wrong: those films were entertaining but the adlibbed dikk jokes run their course after one watch. For whatever reason, that formula worked very well for Booksmart.

There were a few times during the film that made me laugh hard.. and a genuine cackle is one of the most difficult things a movie can do for it's audience nowadays. Booksmart was packed with LOTS of little edits, stop-motion animation, slow-mo shots that were actually cool, enjoyable characters (I'm not watching "characters" being performed but instead I'm watching kids/young adults acting as stupid as I did in highschool).. emotional reactions are conveyed thru unique/stylistic editing & music to keep you engaged throughout the 90-something minutes. It's funny as hell and never takes itself seeiously nor does it hammer in any social justice filler (don't listen to these a-hölez.. they're just uncomfortable with the idea of a lesbian lead role being portrayed as a full-fleshed human being)..

Highly recommended, even for the easily offended, because they'll be laughing too.

Burning (2018)

Intensely Moody Slowburn Thriller

[8/10 · 5 May 2019]

This is the kind of film that will make you feel underwhelmed, perhaps a bit impatient upon first viewing, but the performances in Burning more than make up for the pacing issues. The pacing is done in a deliberate manner; the emphasis of character screen time stay with you and give a sense of longing mystery when reflecting upon their mannerisms and dialogue. The film is very deliberate in its setup, and that's what makes it a thoughtful, arrful film that reflects on the monotony of living a poverty-wage life and the sense of isolation that comes with it. Check it out, but clear your afternoon (it's a long flick).

Fruitvale Station (2013)

Authentic, engaging, and very sad.

[8/10 · 3 May 2019]

It's hard to give an in depth review on Fruitvale Station because even thinking about the film is very tough. It's a thought provoking film thag captures a moment in time so vividly that it feels like you're right there in the moment. It's a one-and-done film because the film is a meditation on the human experience, sudden loss, social injustice, and grief all and as the viewer I couldn't help but feel every emotion the characters were feeling on screen. Incredible film and a tough watch at that.

Suspiria (I) (2018)

An Incredibly Weird Head Scratcher

[6/10 · 19 February 2019]

An interesting, masterfully shot oddball of a revamp. On its own, it starts with mere perfection: captivating cinematography and a score that will likely get stuck in your head. The tone of the film changes so many times that I was trying to figure out what kind of film the Suspiria remake was trying to be. It was a serious drama, then a body horror, then a period-piece, then a satanic oddball hypnosis bloodbath. Kinda weird, even a bit too weird for an oddball like me. With that said, the dance scenes were captivating and thus this film was robbed (like some others) for a spot in the Oscars. Best cinematography I've seen in 2018.

Burning (2018)

Strange, Unique Thriller

[8/10 · 8 February 2019]

I found the movie a bit frustrating at times. Had the film been trimmed up a but, I would find the end just as effective if not more. I was troubled up until the final sequence, which left my shocked and in disbelief. Felt like more of a allegorical story portraying the feeling of being in a certain social class and how the modern world can make us feel invisible. I loved the sound design and unedited lengthy shots; reminiscent of festival favorites like Reservoir Dogs. Recommended, but only if you're into old-school slowburn thrillers.

Possum (2018)

Low Rating is Inaccurate

[7/10 · 14 January 2019]

This was a legitimately solid movie. It somehow managed to feel strange albeit perverted without the use of any exploitive tropes. The feeling of unease definitely comes from the puppet itself; the use of old grungy synths adds to it's abrasively painful presence. The perforemances were never theatrical, but still has the edge of beingn satirical without ever being 'funny'. Expect to get creeped out//or at least uncomfortable when watching. I watched during the daytime and was still frazzled for angood 2 hours after watching. Brit Horror doesnit again. 7/10

Starry Eyes (2014)

A Clunky Thriller With An Important Message

[6/10 · 29 December 2018]

Starry Eyes is a solid horror film that keeps your attention from the beginning. It's not without it's flaws: evidence of a limited budget, silly music choices, and some ho-hum character building, however the main lead in the film accurately portrays somebody in the thick of being fixated on fame and success. Her casting call scene is simultaneously hypnotic, creepy and sad. I thought the occult ending didn't fit the narrative or message coherently enough to be thrown in, but apart from that a good film about how Hollywood plays on people's desperation.

Creep (I) (2014)

So Scary It's Upsetting.

[8/10 · 5 December 2018]

This was a big surprise for me. I nonchalantly decided I would throw on Creep thinking that it would be a campy Horror-Comedy ala Shaun, but instead what I got were the most aggressively uncomfortable minutes watching a film ever.

The start of the film had me a bit bored and annoyed; rolling my eyes at the introduction we get with the 2 characters of the movie. At about 15 minutes in that annoyance transpired into confusion, 20 minutes I'm sentimental (wtf) and then 30 I'm paranoid, 40 minutes I'm literally sweating. The great thing about this film is that there is no exposition, the cameraman is a nice everyday guy that anybody could be or maybe was; slightly naive 20-something who is nice, financially challenged and needs cash, so the plot set up makes sense. What he says and how reacts to certain things that our "creep" does make sense. The dread builds cement being poored: thick and muddy and gets heavier as it falls. Oh my lord, they managed to make a post-modern art deco house look like a jungle gym for psychopaths. The little gestures and mindgames that Josef does to Aaron are super bonechilling; it's to the point where he gets himself into Aaron's head and has dreams about him. Trust me when I say this is heavy stuff; I LOVE horror movies and this really violated my sense of safety for a few days. Only gripes are that some of the scenes felt a bit odd to stay engaged and the ending could have been done without the tropes.

Recommended. Don't watch it alone!