Rate the last film you watched out of 5

[ImmaculateClump]

The Show ***
Not as good as show pieces, disappointingly, but still worth a watch.

[Monkeyboy]

Demonic

 

Awful.

 

1 out of 5

[Vimster]

Dawn Breaks Behind The Eyes (2021)

Very difficult to review this without spoiling it silly but let's just say it's an aesthetically-pleasing gothic horror with a very 70s flavour, gets suitably intense. The soundtrack is a fantastic combination of original and period music. Plot-wise there's a gear-shift a way into the film which was very well done, it gets somewhat confusing after that, well, freaky, although I guess that's half the point. However, it doesn't really matter because it looks and sounds fantastic. Yeah, certainly more successful technically and astehteically for me.

 

3/5

[Qazimod]

Suicide Squad (2016)

 

(Finger on the pulse, as ever...)

 

It's not terrible, but you kind of get a sense of going through the motions at times, and compared with better superhero/supervillain films I need to be real. The main characters were enjoyable enough and the action was fun, but the runtime could have done with some trimming, or they could have had more interesting story beats in that runtime.

 

3/5

[Nathan Wind]

Must be good if you watched it three times.

[Lovelyman]

He's watched it 3/5 times that's what the tally at the end of every film means. 

[Qazimod]

Duplicate posts now removed - apologies.

[Lovelyman]

Cruella

 

Pretty boring, far too long and just a bit dull. 

 

2/5

[Vimster]

Bad Candy (2021)

It's a horror anthology set in a small American town on Halloween. Like any horror anthology it has good bits and bad bits. This one tends to cover up predictable or limited stories with lots of stuff like Halloween tat from the pound shop, fairylights and blood. Credit for covering a lot of ground, especially as it is on a budget. Some of the digital effects were a bit too cheap though, and whilst there was an alright twist at the end it was overall a bit all over the place and pretty obvious. And I do like normal credit rolls as they signal I can relax and digest what I just watched. The credit roll here had more effort put into it than necessary. Just a pet peeve. Watch Trick r Treat if you haven't.

 

2/5

[Vimster]

Phantom Of The Mall: Eric's Revenge (1989)

One of those does-what-it-says-on-the-tin sort of films, delivers late-80s cheesy horror thrills, quality setup, some good kills, a sort of car chase around a car park and some explosions. Morgan Fairchild brings the 80s galm with huge hair and of-its-time attire. It's not a classic by any means, there's not much to make it stand out yet it offers up just enough genre action to make it worth watching.

 

3/5

 

Watched this via online FrightFest, newly-restored version. Not seen it before so can't really show how good a job they've done.

[Indy @ S.E.]

Shang-Chi - 4.5/5

I liked it a lot

looked good with awesome action

9 out of 10 rings

[Goose]

No Man of God

 

The story of criminal profiler Bill Haigmaier and his meeting and interviews with serial killer Ted Bundy over the course of a number of years. 

 

Elijah Wood plays Bill, with Luke Kirby portraying the notorious killer. If you're looking for death and detailed descriptions of what Bundy did, this isn't the movie for you. Instead, this is a very intimate character piece, with the vast majority of the run time taken up with face to face interviews between the two leads. It's very well acted, and Kirby in particular is excellent. He brings an unnerving humanity to the character, somehow managing to make him likeable, albeit for a short period of time. It could have easily been a showy role, but Kirby keeps it grounded. 

 

Wood is good too, but has a lot less to work with. He isn't even there to get Bundy to confess, rather to understand why he did what he did, so that he can build a profile of another killer the FBI are trying to catch. This discussion turns into, it's hard to say. The two are never friends (though Bundy thinks they are) but there's definitely some kind of respect (?) between the two. At times it seems the killer is playing Wood's character, but you also get hints that he's seen it all before, and knows exactly when he's being manipulated. The only real issue is that Wood still seems too young to be playing the role. You get the impression early on that he's not some fresh-faced kid just out of the academy, but he certainly looks that way.

 

The discussions between the two are fascinating, and at times Kirby manages to make you forget he brutally killed at least 30 girls. Given how Bundy was said to be quite charming in real life, and obviously very intelligent, it works well to catch you off guard when he does say something shocking (which only occurs once or twice). As above, this isn't about what Bundy did or how he did it. Despite the fact that the killer spoke at length before his death about what he'd really done, there's only one scene of a confession of sorts - no flashbacks or re-enactment.  

 

It's far from flashy, with only a couple of odd sequences. There's also archive footage of the day Bundy was executed. The small pieces of music were good, though I'm not sure they went with the type of film. Hats off for the performance (Aleksa Palladino and Robert Patrick were also both good in very small roles). An interesting, but slight picture, which doesn't try to explain or delve into the characters in the way you expect. 3.5/5

[Vimster]

Still doing FrightFest:

 

Woodlands Dark And Days Bewitched: A History Of Folk Horror (2021)

Expansive, very detailed dive into the folk horror film genre, in the 3+ hour running time it covers a hell of a lot of ground, starting in familiar territory (Witchfinder General, The Whicker Man, Blood On Satan's Claw) and moves outward, from films based on British folk tales to America and around the world. There's so much information here it was difficult to digest in one viewing and I'd definitely watch it again. Tons of great contributions from writers, directors, actors, academics and other enthusiasts, they tie the films to the stories and folklore, it isn't just name a film and have someone go yeah I remember that. One for those who are prepared to put the effort and time into the journey. Excellent stuff.

 

4.5/5

[cassidy]

1 hour ago, Vimster said:

Still doing FrightFest:

 

Woodlands Dark And Days Bewitched: A History Of Folk Horror (2021)

Expansive, very detailed dive into the folk horror film genre, in the 3+ hour running time it covers a hell of a lot of ground, starting in familiar territory (Witchfinder General, The Whicker Man, Blood On Satan's Claw) and moves outward, from films based on British folk tales to America and around the world. There's so much information here it was difficult to digest in one viewing and I'd definitely watch it again. Tons of great contributions from writers, directors, actors, academics and other enthusiasts, they tie the films to the stories and folklore, it isn't just name a film and have someone go yeah I remember that. One for those who are prepared to put the effort and time into the journey. Excellent stuff.

 

4.5/5

Sounds fantastic tbh. I look forward to Shudder picking it up and renewing my sub. 

[Vimster]

Claw (2021)

You basically have an unintentionally mediocre stand-up comedian and her friend stuck in a ghost town with a resident and a raptor. It has that comedy peril vibe of something like Tremors, you know this not least due to the constant comedy-horror music that got right on my nerves pretty quickly. The CG raptor is actually pretty good and is blended in well, but that's not really enough. And just when you hoped it had ended it goes on with a pure padding epilogue. The very mild wackiness of this wasn't for me.

 

1.5/5

 

 

[Vimster]

Evie (2021)

Despite a sedate start I found myself being drawn into the the tale of a women who as a girl experienced a family tragedy, reconnects with her brother. The majority of the film is a family drama in a rural setting, the pace is suitably languid, the tone dour with occasional banter between the siblings. There is a folk-horror element but it is very subtle for the vast majority of the time. It doesn't fully reveal itself until near the end, I found myself re-evaluating what I had just watched. It would probably have made a decent one-hour TV drama but I did enjoy it. And watching the FrightFest extra I thought that co-writer looked and sounded familiar, not that I've been a big viewer of Emmerdale since my mum passed away.

 

3/5

[Monkeyboy]

The Vault (2021)

 

Generic heist movie. What's Freddie Highmore's deal? He looks about 12 and has all the charisma of a wet lettuce leaf.

 

2 out of 5

[Vimster]

Bring Out The Fear (2021)

A couple with an iffy relationship go for a walk in the woods but soon get lost, or is something keeping them there? It's a very intimate two-hander that concentrates on the decaying relationship, and sanity, of the couple in question. Kudos for making the woods feel endless and sinister. The cinematography and atmosphere was spot on. The tension builds and becomes quite intense by the end. It didn't really work for me mainly because it was difficult to relate to the couple, and as that was the main draw it made it difficult to like.  It didn't help that the one character shouted "Dan!" several times a la Alan Partridge. A your-mileage-may-vary sort of film.

 

2.5/5

[ZOK]

Conny Plank: The Potential Of Noise - 5/5 (Prime)

 

This is a perfect music documentary with a personal and bittersweet flavour. The son of a German production legend whips around all over to interview people who worked with his father, and they share their memories of the producer, his family and the farmhouse studio he built to coax wonders from musicians he took a shine to.

 

The music is fantastisch - Can, Neu!, Kraftwerk, Whodini, Killing Joke, Eurythmics, DAF and Devo to name but a few. People loved the guy, but as it progresses it’s clear many of their successes came at the expense of Plank’s role as a father.

 

There’s also a bonus for Chart Music fans -an appearance of Rock Expert David Stubbs!

[Vimster]

2 hours ago, ZOK said:

Conny Plank: The Potential Of Noise - 5/5 (Prime)

 

This is a perfect music documentary with a personal and bittersweet flavour. The son of a German production legend whips around all over to interview people who worked with his father, and they share their memories of the producer, his family and the farmhouse studio he built to coax wonders from musicians he took a shine to.

 

The music is fantastisch - Can, Neu!, Kraftwerk, Whodini, Killing Joke, Eurythmics, DAF and Devo to name but a few. People loved the guy, but as it progresses it’s clear many of their successes came at the expense of Plank’s role as a father.

 

There’s also a bonus for Chart Music fans -an appearance of Rock Expert David Stubbs!

Krautrock Expert David Stubbs.

 

Yeah that sounds right up my street.

[Plissken]

Red Heat (3/5)

 

Arnold Schwarzenegger plays a Russian Terminator who has to go to late 80s Chicago and work with James Belushi to track down a gangster played by Mark out of the Levellers.

 

Walter Hill does gritty and the whole thing is enjoyably competent, but can someone explain to me (without using the word "brother") how James Belushi actually got a career?  He clearly is the 80's Paddy McGuinness.

[Vimster]

As In Heaven So On Earth (2020)

Intriguing Italian blending of a modern-day found footage investigation around missing teenagers and an ancient manuscript, and a story involving goings-on in a monastery in the 13th century, the latter conveyed through use of puppets. And it works a lot better than I thought it would. It is a tangled tale, a bit too tangled in places for me but I applaud the audacity. Some of the puppet scenes are creepy and shocking with a hint of Frankenstein.

 

3.5/5

[Sabreman]

2 hours ago, Plissken said:

can someone explain to me (without using the word "brother") how James Belushi actually got a career?  He clearly is the 80's Paddy McGuinness.

 

He's supposed to be the guy the audience gels with in Red Heat, but he's so unlikeable. One scene after his partner is killed he's basically forgotten about him, and he has no chemistry with Arnie (I love how at the end they crowbar in a mutual respect frendo scene that isn't earned at all). On top of that, all his jokes are terrible.

[Plissken]

My problem with James Belushi isn't that he plays unlikable characters, he himself comes right through whatever character he has ever played as probably completely unlikable in real life. (I have nothing to base this on.)

 

Don't know if it is me, as I have a similar problem with Jason Lee and to a lesser extent Bill Murray.

[ImmaculateClump]

24 minutes ago, Plissken said:

My problem with James Belushi isn't that he plays unlikable characters, he himself comes right through whatever character he has ever played as probably completely unlikable in real life. (I have nothing to base this on.)

 

He was brilliant in twin peaks and came across sweet and cuddly. I can't really remember him in anything else.

[Vimster]

Ultrasound (2021)

Satisfyingly complex psychological thriller that starts with a man forced off the road, seeks help from a nearby house, a strange proposition is made. But without spoiling anything things really are not what they seem, in fact it went in a totally different direction and does a lot with the central plot device. You have to really concentrate though, you're constantly having to keep on top of shifting events and perspectives. Thankfully it is tightly plotted and directed. It's difficult to criticise the themes or plot details without spoilers so I'll just say definitely worth a watch. Great noodly-modular synth soundtrack too.

 

3.5/5

[Sabreman]

4 hours ago, Plissken said:

I have a similar problem with Jason Lee and to a lesser extent Bill Murray.

 

This is interesting with regards to Murray. I love him in movies (especially his work with Wes Anderson), but both Groundhog Day and Scrooged don't work for me because I simply cannot buy the transformation of the characters. I feel like both of them have gamed the situation and are stopping short of winking into the camera at the end. Not so much to do with Murray's real life persona, which I'm barely familiar with, but more the culmination of so many sarcastic and insincere screen characters. 

[Vimster]

The Found Footage Phenomenon (2021)

Documentary covering all aspects of found footage films, from production to storytelling, how the genre has a close link with technology, the ups and downs of its popularity, and the background to key films. Mainly made up of a mix of clips and talking heads from directors and writers, plenty of in-depth insight. A quality doc that does the sub-genre justice. Picked up plenty of tips from it.

 

4/5

[Ry]

Worth - 3.5/5

 

Great drama starring Michael Keaton about the 9/11 victim compensation fund. Solid performances and a bit heartbreaking at times. On netflix now. 

 

The Father - 5/5.

 

Amazing. Not much I can say that hasn't been said. I was bawling my eyes out. 

[Lovelyman]

11 hours ago, ZOK said:

Conny Plank: The Potential Of Noise - 5/5 (Prime)

 

This is a perfect music documentary with a personal and bittersweet flavour. The son of a German production legend whips around all over to interview people who worked with his father, and they share their memories of the producer, his family and the farmhouse studio he built to coax wonders from musicians he took a shine to.

 

The music is fantastisch - Can, Neu!, Kraftwerk, Whodini, Killing Joke, Eurythmics, DAF and Devo to name but a few. People loved the guy, but as it progresses it’s clear many of their successes came at the expense of Plank’s role as a father.

 

There’s also a bonus for Chart Music fans -an appearance of Rock Expert David Stubbs!

Thanks - my wife loved the Sparks doc and this might be something else like that we can watch together.