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Reviews
Late Night with the Devil (2023)
Dastmalchian Shows His Chops/Story Gets Muddled
This movie had a lot of potential with David Dastmalchian as the lead. He has proven himself to be a great actor in supporting roles in films like Suicide Squad and Boogeyman and really shows that he is a master of his craft in Late Night With the Devil. In fact, the acting across the entire movie was quite good, but the story is where the film falters. If the movie wasn't supposed to be about a live exorcism on television, then don't give that impression in the trailer. Every piece of advertising showed the possessed girl in the imagery, but she wasn't the overall arc of the film, nor did it feel like she was the focus, but more of a driving force to the reveal. I understand remaining conservative in the trailer with the big twist at the end, but the story could have leaned in harder into the mystery surrounding the retreat and what deal Dastmalchian's character made with the demon. I could have definitely waited to stream the movie on Shudder as I don't think anything would have been lost by not seeing it on the big screen, but we had a good time. And that's really how I felt about the movie as a whole - it was good, but not great, fun horror elements, and carried by a strong lead.
Arcadian (2024)
Lost Its Focus
The constant shakiness of the camerawork makes this film physically challenging to watch unless you have an iron constitution that prevents motion sickness. I found the most relief during the scene when the camera is mounted on an ATV. Otherwise, every scene rattles and blurs and bounces and trips on a rock, distracting from the quality acting, storytelling, and world-building. I would have really enjoyed seeing more of everything in the film, but I couldn't focus fast enough before the camera swished up and down and vibrated until I had to look away. In the end, I listened to more of the movie than I saw of it, which is a shame because I was very excited after seeing the preview.
Lake Mungo (2008)
Would have loved to see this on the big screen!!
This documentary style film about an Australian family, who lose their daughter in a drowning accident, twists and turns and reveals itself to be quite a smart and totally creepy gem. While it seems to drag in a few spots, which seems natural for a number of real documentaries, the story manages to keep you captivated, and the acting is spot on. What really adds to the horror factor is the use of sounds, even beyond all of the video footage, and that, "I need to go back and watch this again, so I see what I missed the first time" quality.
I really enjoyed this film, and was upset when Netflix took it off of instant streaming. Luckily, it is back on, and I have watched it a few times with friends. The reception by all has been very positive. I definitely recommend it.
Another great new movie from Australia is The Tunnel. Our friends from the down under are really beginning to prove themselves in the horror "mock-umentary" genre.
The Devil Inside (2012)
The Rite idea, the wrong Exorcist
Just left The Devil Inside, and have to say, aside from a few clips that The Rite could have borrowed to up the interest next to Anthony Hopkins doing bad, oh so good, there is nothing worth paying for at the cinema to see this film. Wait until it comes on television, and even then, if you have something important to do with your life, don't pass it up for this hour and a half of mess.
There was a great sense that there was no true writing in this film. They started shooting it, and then said to one another, "Oh yea, let's do that next, and then we can do this!" And then it seemed they ran out of ideas, so let's throw everyone upside down, and leave a cliffhanger. This left the audience confused and frustrated. I could hear the "huh?" in everyone's voices, mixed with a clap or two. I wasn't really sure how to feel until I walked out and really thought about it. And I also really wondered if I would ever sit through a sequel to hopefully give me a sense of closure.
There were even some scenes that had no point in the film whatsoever. "Girl storms out of insane asylum and can't find her keys." Why? What was the point? Did Demon Mommie Dearest steal them to let herself into her apartment halfway around the world? We will never know!!! Why did the cameras black out for a moment?? Why even point it out? No answers, to which I would assume that the whole reason for the blackout was a demon passing or something of that nature, not even sure.
There were far too many details that created setup after setup for a situation without any resolution, and during what would have seemed to be the rising to an actual climactic moment (in my head I was thinking, finally(!), this is getting good), it all just ends, very poorly. If this had been Die Hard, Bruce Willis would have stood up from the wreckage and cleaned the floors with the villains faces for another hour, but in this case, I guess that's all they had, so we are left with what felt like half a film.
The only plus, is that I do appreciate the way that the exorcisms were portrayed, and if I'm going to see an exorcism movie, I want to see an exorcism!! I gave this film 3 stars for dumb luck; in my opinion the actual exorcism scenes were better than The Last Exorcism, The Rite, Paranormal Activity 2 (only because, we couldn't see it, only heard it), and The Exorcism of Emily Rose (because she really just screamed a lot). Kudos to the contortionist for dislocating her shoulders and really working that out.