dweston-38669 Reviews

The Strangers: Chapter 1 (2024)

Unnecessary reboot/prequel/sequel/who knows!.

[16 June 2024]

The original ' The Strangers'(2008) was a nifty little exercise in tension building with creepy camerawork and decent lead performances from Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman;it gained a cult following and rightly so.

The inevitable sequel was okay and gave the masked antagonists their comeuppance. That's it end of story.

No, the vultures are circling the carcass and now we have the new film; which I don't know what they want to call it except its a passable , forgettable, cliched 'cabin in the woods' set up with all the tropes lined up.

Lead actor Ryan Brown is wooden as the trees that circle the cabin, not so much emoting fear but looking constipated-the scene where he kills the wrong person and goes from horror to calm is a classic scene of bad acting.

The great Brian Butcher lookalike Richard Brake is given nothing to do (? Used more in the inevitable sequels) except use his wonderful face to creepy effect.

For beer and snacks on a Friday night after a tough week its passable but really didn't need to be remade at all.

File under ' Recommended Films For Elsie and Molly'.

I Saw the TV Glow (2024)

Not for everyone but a memorable experience.

[16 June 2024]

Writer/director Jane Schoenbrun made a highly atmospheric little film a couple of years ago called ' We're All Going To The Worlds Fair' on a shoestring budget but the film left an inedible impression on me that I included it on my ten best of the year.

The follow up continues the same microscopic view of adolescence, loneliness and social exclusion that still retains the same wonderful wintry neon feel as the previous film. See also the classic 'It Follows' and ' Rivers Edge'-these all perfectly capture the inner feelings of the characters; bored teenagers in middle small town America caught in a mystery.

It is talky and slow and I get if some will be put off. I didn't take to the characters breaking the 'fourth wall' and start speaking directly to the camera; it felt like the audience had to be spoon fed exactly what the character is feeling.

The acting is excellent from Justice Smith and Brigette Lunday-Paine and young Ian Foreman as the young Owen. Bringing a vulnerable, isolated look on the faces. Is there a hint of abuse here?

I felt like I did in the 90s with 'Twin Peaks' where I wanted to dive straight into the TV set and be in the dark and magical small US town (there are lots of 'Lynchian' references here, not just the photography and sound but the musical interlude in the small bar) Like the similar 'Beau is Afraid' (ageing) this is a smart, extremely well done expressionist horror that I may not want to see again in a hurry but will stay in my mind for a long time.

The Invitation (II) (2022)

Watchable Netflix vampire horror.

[16 June 2024]

I was hoping this would turn into Society (1989) level of insanity as the rich folk of this grand country manor, set in Whitby!, all have the glint in their eyes of knowing more about what's going on than our young female protagonist.

Sadly, it doesn't go in the direction of yukky body horror romping which would have made the film more sharper and daring-instead it settles into a standard vampire set horror with the usual filmic styles-long dark corridors, cobwebbed old and unused guest bedrooms, things creeping in the dark, one moment their there the next their not, candlelight.

I liked the twisted dinner scene with everyone in masks (very Eyes Wide Shut)-that's a plaudit right there!

The great Sean Pertwee is as watchable as ever as the gruff butler, Thomas Doherty has fun as the villainous lead vampire but Nathalie Emmanuel is wet as the lead actress and her last scene with her irritating friend (Courtney Taylor) tries for Get Out level of pally allegiance that feels tagged on.

Laura wasn't as bored as I was expecting her to be and Elsie and Molly would probably get more out of this Twilight handsome white teethed actors than I did.

Hit Man (2023)

Endearing screwball comedy.

[10 June 2024]

Adria Arjona and Glenn Powell have sizzling chemistry in this enjoyable comedy (based on a true(ish?) story) that has a neat plot setup allowing these two fine actors to display their good looks ,banter and unusual good humour.

This wouldn't look out of place on a 1940s Howard Hawks screwball comedy with Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn.

The scene where Gary informs Maddy they are being listened in on and must act to fool the eavesdropping is a comic masterclass.

Richard Linklater writes and directs with pace and flair and only the silly,unconvincing ending really ruined it for me. It felt too neat and tidy and would have surely aroused the New Orleans police department into how and why Jaspar died.

This needed further development.

Under Paris (2024)

Mildly diverting silly horror.

[10 June 2024]

No points for originality or new,fresh ideas here,this is a strictly by the book creature feature that is knowing absurd and knows it.

Whereas The Meg 2 was humourless in its approach with a silly script and more and more money behind it.

Don't look for any characterisation, depth or even pathos- there isn't any.

It begins well enough, to hook the audience in but then it sags when introducing the empty,vacuous secondary characters who aren't really well drawn and for a film about a shark it doesn't really add the necessary gore or tension.

This is a big letdown for Netflix audiences who are looking for stupid action, blood and gore with their pizza and beers on a Friday night.

Lumberjack the Monster (2023)

Stylish but talky thriller.

[4 June 2024]

This dropped on Netflix with little fanfare,word of mouth or press releases which is surprising as its directed by cult filmmaker Takashi Miike.

It's an interesting,stylish and extremely well made thriller with solid production values with the cinematography and sound design top notch.

It's a mash up of Jagged Edge,Seven and Memories of Murder but like them outstanding films it's talky and ponderous with some thrilling moments and come few and far between. Although the attack by 'Lumberjack' in the high rise storey building was jumpy.

The problem lies in a overloaded script with too many characters to follow, a sub plot about' neuro chips' that add to very little and little character development.

I wonder if this would have been a better three part Netflix series instead?

Nonetheless, an interesting take on the thriller genre by a world class visionary.

La Chimera (2023)

A film about treasure hunting that should remain buried.

[4 June 2024]

Josh O'Connor is fast becoming one of our most accomplished actors and this,his second film I've seen this week featuring him after Challengers,shows he can liven up any shoddy film- for which Challengers and La Chimera both certainly are.

Both films are tediously overlong with characters that aren't even remotely sympathetic and yet we are asked to spend 130mins in their company. Both have thin stories that aren't required to be this length.

There are some effective scenes, all belong to O'Connor, that made me chuckle - the selling of the marble head on the ship,the rag tag gang of fortune hunters being duped by the 'Police' and running away, all the scenes with Isabella Rossellini (great to see her again).

Writer/ director Alice Rohrwacher has a keen eye for colour and composition set within the poor looking parts of Italy but she's indulged by undiscipline.

No wonder, yet again, that both Kermode and Bradshaw are fans.

What You Wish For (2023)

....more effective,twisty thrillers like this!

[4 June 2024]

What starts out as a down on his luck chef with a gambling debt who takes on the identity of his recently decreased pal turns into a darkly funny, pacy horror/ thriller that has us both chuckling at the insanity of the story and it's various sick side turns.

We both kept imagining that this twisted dinner party would be something extravagantly silly that both Matthew and Liz would attend in London or indeed Phil with his cooking at home for obnoxious people with money. ' Tongue sorbet', anyone!

Like the superb 'Fresh' from a couple of years ago, this is a showcase of body horror, cannibalism and keeping an audience guessing that is lean (no pun intended) and doesn't need a lot of money to make one satisfied throughout the experience. Unlike Furiosa!

Challengers (2024)

More of a ' challenge'

[2 June 2024]

Josh O'Connor, Zendaya and Mike Faist all give solid performances, aided by an effective soundtrack by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, zippy and stylish editing conveying the pace of tennis and the drama going on off court.

So why didn't I like it?

Well, firstly the characters are so unsympathetic that I really found them tedious and annoying straight from the off. If they developed from being nice then into egocentric monsters wanting to win then that would give them a character arc. They don't. They start off annoying and become worse.

If this is director Luca Guadagnino intention ,he fails.

Secondly, the characters of Art and Patrick look so pasty and ugly, two dorks from college(me and Jules,Beavis and Butthead or Bill and Ted) that the character Tashi really should be with two who have more charm,charisma and sex appeal.

It is such a mishmash. I couldn't for one moment believe a young lady of class,elegance and prettiness would even contemplate being friends with these two let alone lovers.

The length is too overlong with the final tennis match tedious with knowing looks from the three of them going on and on.

It's been compared to the nice but overrated Past Lives but the characters there were better written, had charm and were better cast.

Humane (2024)

Cerebral Purge

[1 June 2024]

A regular topic we both discuss is overpopulation rampant ? Growing up I was used to couples having two (or one) children.

Nowadays it's rising up to three or more (the Hills). Sometimes that elusive boy or girl to two of the same sex is frustrating to them especially if they feel a strange need to continue the passion ( football playing!).

The effect of overpopulation is a hot potato, not fully addressed, especially by world leaders(Boris Johnson, when in office, has seven children).

So this makes for interesting setups for interesting stories, ie The Purge (although overpopulation wasn't addressed, mainly crime) nonetheless this need to have lots of children eventually leads to disaster.

This is well put forth in this black comedy from the daughter of David Cronenberg.

His macabre sense of humour is evident, gross wounds,blood .

Those looking for Purge like action would be disappointed, those looking for a well written, decently acted comedy with loathsome characters put through the ringer will enjoy it. As I did.

The Last Stop in Yuma County (2023)

Nifty little B movie

[30 May 2024]

At a lean, flab free 90mins this mash up of Coen Brothers and Tarantino reminded me of other 90s dialogue heavy crime thrillers-Two Days in the Valley, Things to Do in Denver When You are Dead to No Country for Old Men (it even features Gene Jones who played the gas station attendant).

In an age of 2hr + crime films/actioners it's refreshing to see something that is well written, funny and knows/wears its influences on it's sleeve. It maybe derivative in it's telling from other films set in small diners on the desert highway but I was invested in it's slight story thanks to sound, believable characters(Jocelin Donahue is touching and real as the kindly waitress Charlotte and the ever reliable character actor Richard Brake is even more creepy than he was in Barbarian) Okay, so it wont win awards of originality but at this length I'm not complaining.

Back to Black (2024)

Well acted and moving.

[30 May 2024]

In my review of Asif Kapadia's 2015 documentary 'Amy', I mentioned that he missed a trick by not either showing or mentioning Amy Winehouse's disastrous appearance on BBCs Never Mind The Buzzcocks. Here was first hand the descent she was going through on public TV-slurring her words, swearing, spitting, being derogatory to other guests and what is even more telling was how the host Simon Amstell actually said to Ms Winehouse that she is an addict and has a problem-too her face.

This was brave and daring of him to do as it showed compassion and a level of care that one often doesn't see on TV especially a music quiz show with lots of ego, piss taking etc.

This new film by Sam Taylor Wood, gives us a glimpse into that account of her downward spiral (even though it doesn't feature that important appearance ) with an outstanding lead performance by Marisa Abela -looking and sounding like Ms Winehouse (she even did her own vocals) Able support by the ever reliable Eddie Marsan and Jack O'Connell as her father and husband.

The film doesn't follow the conventional music biopic setup-we first see Amy as a young teenager with a magnetic voice and then a blink of an eye she already has her first album out (Frank, I brought it when it came out -still good) It follows more her relationships and from these it ends up moving and likely to please her fanbase.

Titane (2021)

Not for everyone.

[30 May 2024]

This 2021 Palme D'Or winner is warped, twisted and certainty not for everyone but for those (like me!) will find something very sick and hugely funny in it's body horror portrayal of madness, switched identity and loss.

Agathe Rousselle is excellent in the lead role-both brave and daring in her gender switched role. And although she looks like a emaciated Dr Lobo in her ' male' phrase she commands the screen.

Credit should also be given to Vincent Lindon as the bereaved father, his eyes and physical appearance light up the screen every time he is on.

The ending is gross out funny and it's better than the overrated 'Raw' -Julia Ducournau's previous film; which was too humorless and po faced in it's approach.

One can't deny how much she gets out of her actors though. She certainty puts them on a journey of self discovery however weird, sick or twisted it may be!

The Fall Guy (2024)

Enjoyable, forgettable popcorn actioner.

[30 May 2024]

Strangely but predictably what I remembered most about this comedy actioner was the dynamics that exist on movie sets, that for a movie obsessed geek like me is pure nectar.

We take it for granted that whenever we see a daring stunt or effective action set piece we forget what time, safety and athletics go into it.

The romance between Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt was okay but lacks the spark and zest of Emma Stone and whilst I'm a fan of Ms Blunt I felt Ms Stone would have been the better of the two. There's more banter between Gosling and Blunt-as seen in Crazy,Stupid, Love and La La Land. A zestiness, a spark. The script needed more one liners.

The plot involving double crossing and murder actually works in the movie's favor and I was invested in it.

Overall decent enough to pass a couple of hours.

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024)

Enjoyably overblown, empty chase epic.

[27 May 2024]

I saw this at Cineworld, Braintree with my cousins Matthew and Phillip almost nine years to the day when we saw the previous Mad Max film, Fury Road.

Like Fury Road this an enjoyably insane, bonkers and brave piece of filmmaking that never lets up from the start to the finish. Those looking for nuance and subtly need look elsewhere.

The effects, stunts and action are top notch and I respect George Miller in introducing the lead actress, Anya Taylor Joy, nearly an hour into the film-that shows respect the producers have in him and his franchise where a first time filmmaker would have that idea thrown out and the intro would have been 10mins instead.

The plot is hard too follow and Chris Hemsworth is more comical than scary especially when compared to the antagonists in the previous older films-'ToeCutter','Nightrider' and 'The Humungous' where they genuinely were villainous but it's one of them films that, as Matthew said afterwards, you just need to let the film wash over you.

Sting (2024)

OK but not as good as 'Infested'

[27 May 2024]

Two weeks ago I saw the French horror 'Infested' which has decent characters, some very well done scares and a believable set up, this more comic spidertastic horror is a lighter version with more a PG13 than a 15 rating.

It made me laugh several times with the character 'Helga' as the old lady with dementia clearly forgetting previous events that have happened notable in it's comic timing and adds a clever roundabout twist in the story structure.

I also particularly liked the character 'Erik' as the clearly socially inept neighbor who has a insect love.

It isn't as well done as Infested and is the lighter film of the two but I had fun watching it.

Civil War (2024)

Well done, nightmarish road movie.

[27 May 2024]

Some audiences may balk that the initial idea of why America has turned itself into a country of civil war isn't explained, I tend to think that it is fairly obvious and therein lies part of the problem-its too on the nose with where the US is headed/could head. The Jan 6th insurrection obvs plays a huge part in it and it's easy to see the various citizens armed and dressed up as the participants of that day.

If, like I did, one just let the story unfold this is a tense film that reminded me of other twisted recent US road movies mainly Bones and All, in it's hellish landscape, the scene where they encounter the two beaten up looters and a unhinged Jessie Plemons are clear examples of this.

The plot may be too episodic and the last ten minutes overdone within the White House ( surely the President would have a ' bunker room' to contain himself and his staff in the event of a coup?) that it turns into a overdone actioner with bullets bullets bullets.

It's a brave film that shows the integrity of photojournalists (even though I still don't trust any journalists) and a worthy double bill with Michel Franco's equally scary dystopian New Order.

Founders Day (2023)

More like 'Flounders Day'

[22 May 2024]

At first I though this a ' Purge' film. The masked and wigged individual on the poster and letter heading title looked very much like something out of that outstanding franchise.

I did hope that it would have been put to bed after the excellent 'The Forever Purge' which I saw on 8/9/24.

Thankfully, it's not a Purge movie although the political stance it takes throughout with warring voters on either side this could exist in the realm of vengeful people eventually committing heinous acts. Much like some individuals in the USA.

The film itself is a mess of cliches, tiresome characters, lo fi emo music whenever two young people get close, the idiotic teenagers playing up to tragedy by goofing around high school corridors, the same retractable knives etc, bland characters, badly acted by all especially Amy Hargreaves and Jayce Bartok as the major and her opponent. Whenever their on screen they scream and not in a enjoyable way. Then again this hysteria is so much like US politics maybe that was the makers intentions?

I'll admit I was surprised by the killer's identity but lost interest when they started sprouting their reasons for committing murder. An obvious cliché for any slasher horror.

I spent the entire duration looking at how wonderful the trees looked surrounding this lovely looking small town .

It was shot in New Milford, Connecticut.

Baghead (2023)

Just above average horror.

[22 May 2024]

The horror film I saw just before this, Immaculate, was very standard stuff with little scares or tension, this carries just enough to warrant it as the better of the two films.

However, its still the same old tropes mixed together.

Young Freya Allen is uninteresting and bland in the lead, Ruby Baker is annoying as her girlfriend and a pall of familiarity hangs over the entire film, the CGI (especially the fire at the end, is ropey.

Only a nifty idea, some good scares and solid Peter Mullan as the troubled father add up to the better of the two films.

In fact ,if Mr Mullan were the lead to start with this would have been better film-his craggy face, dominate voice and mere presence would have elevated the film considerably.

Then, since it's aimed at a much younger audience this is null and void.

A pity!

Immaculate (2024)

Standard horror, which could have been better.

[22 May 2024]

Half way through this turns into a "'Boys From Brazil' crazy like setup which piqued my interest because up till then this was a very standard horror mixing up the usual tropes of sexually repressed young women, strict/stern older nuns who have a habit of inflicting pain on those younger than them, dim corridors with something lurking within, pompous music and predictable sounds.

It all seems so passe that once the big reveal comes around I went straight back into boredom; mentally checking off all the aforementioned tropes.

Once again if either Elsie or Molly say that this is " the most scariest horror ever" I wouldn't dispute it. Its really didn't stir for this jaded old horror hound!

Abigail (2024)

'Dusk to Dawn'lite

[14 May 2024]

This comedy horror begins well(helped that I knew nothing about it beforehand) as a 'And Then There Were None' mashed up with 'Sleuth' and'The Usual Suspects' all set in a large house.

It then develops into a standard 'vampire bumping off various forms of irritating characters with the obligatory female separated from her son drug abuse history that just so happens to survive at the end' horror.

The last third is stretched out to kick ass, is she dead then is he dead clichés.

Giancarlo Esposito turns up briefly to collect the paycheck and wear fangs.

It all just seems so done before.

If Elsie and Molly wanted a comedy horror that isn't taxing or too cerebral I'll recommend.

Godzilla Minus One (2023)

More a positive than a ' minus'.

[12 May 2024]

I'll admit I haven't been following this franchise at all. I remember seeing the 1998 film with Richard Smith but after that nada.

I saw this after many websites I respect gave it good reviews , so I took a Pacific deep sea plunge.

I liked it immensely. The characters were humane, sympathetic and well rounded. I liked that the main protagonist is a coward and it racked by guilt by this ( Mr Cruise wouldn't be like this- running towards the danger) It gives a terrific sense of post WW2 hardship and life rebuilding, helped by effective cinematography and soundtrack. Rather than the usual Michael Bay crashing,bashing though skyscrapers ,this takes time to develop characters. Some would find this slow, I found it poignant and deep.

The creature effects are excellent and fully deserving of its Oscar win.

The Coffee Table (2022)

Black black 'comedy'

[12 May 2024]

Great acting by David Pareja and Estefania de los Santos (looking like a brunette version of student nurse St Benedicts ex student Katrina Greenleaf) with an extraordinary demonic voice elevate this hyper tense,stomach churning dark comedy.

The fear on Mr Pareja's face is all too palatable and real and one does feel for his character and his horrific predicament.

The darkly funny ending, when they discover' the head' had me chuckling in a warped way and I liked how it says something about having a child whilst in a toxic relationship is the saving grace for both parties.

The story does sag in the middle as we watch Jesus try to cover up the accident because the audience knows pretty much what he will act and say to prevent it from being found and it does become a little talky especially the dinner table scene.

I think this would be best suited as a Black Mirror episode, all done in 30mins- one hour.

However as a piece of Haneke/Wheatley cinema of unease this is a sharp,one watch only black comedy.

Infested (2023)

Decent,well made French horror.

[7 May 2024]

Both Mum and Laura would run a mile then watch this spider infested horror, they're everywhere!

This is a well designed horror with excellent visual (?practical effects) that really treads the line between gross out horror, developing characters and adding much needed taunt tension ( the walk through a tunnel of spiders had me on the edge of my seat) The setting of a run down French tenement building is effectively used to create horror, tension and the largely unknown cast that populate this environment seem they actually live there.

This reminded me of Rec,Evil Dead Rise as a high rise horror chase.

Love Lies Bleeding (2024)

Effective thriller ruined by last 5 mins.

[6 May 2024]

Rose Glass's follow up to Saint Maud is a sweaty,twisty thriller that's reminded me of a mash up of Blood Simple, Bound, Thelma and Louise and Breaking Bad/ Better Call Saul in its depiction of blue collar working class individuals thrown into a nightmare of double dealings, revenge,sex,drugs (with the exception of Bound) all filmed under a sun bleached environment.

Kristen Stewart is excellent in the lead and shows depth and vulnerability, as she did in 'Spencer ' and is fast becoming a solid actor.

Katy O'Brian is dedicated as the pumped up body builder and its good to see Ed Harris again as the scary crime boss (with even scarier hair) Where the film fails is in the stupid last 5mins which is just laughable and utterly stupid (this ruined the film for Laura!) it's like a tacked on fantasy. Was Glass bereft of any other ideas ? Did she deliberately want to add something stupid as a ' breather' for the audience after the bloody events prior. Whatever it is its really weird!