Change Your Image
Ram-Jun
Ratings
Most Recently Rated
Reviews
Scream (2022)
A Familiar Face with a Dull Blade
If you're craving a nostalgic-horror movie, "Scream (2022)" will feel like slipping into a pair of comfy, familiar jeans. But be warned, cause these jeans haven't been washed since the last movie, and the rips are starting to show.
The opening scene is very familiar. The iconic phone rings, a panicked teen fumbles for answers, and Ghostface whispers their chilling taunts. Yes, Scream (2022) opens just like its predecessors, immediately pulling you back into the world of Woodsboro where secrets and murder intertwine.
The film surely delivers a familiar blend of slasher thrills and meta-commentary, but falls short of adding significant depth or innovation to the franchise. The film relies heavily on nostalgia, catering to fans who have invested in the story of Sidney Prescott for over two decades. However, this approach also limits the film's ability to explore new territory or challenge genre conventions.
The film also tries to play coy with the killer's identity, throwing out meta-references and self-aware jokes about horror tropes. It's like Scream is winking at the audience, saying, "Hey, remember how we used to be clever?" Now this self-awareness can be fun, but it also feels a bit desperate, like the movie is trying to mask its lack of originality with a wink and a nudge.
Speaking of originality, Scream (2022) doesn't bring much new to the table to be honest. The chase sequences, the kills, the panicked phone calls - it's all been done before, and often done better. The pace isn't much different than the previous movies either, the scares are predictable, and the horror element, well, let's just say it won't keep you up at night unless you're afraid of your own shadow.
The return of Sidney, Gale, and Dewey is, undoubtedly a major draw for Scream (2022). These characters have become synonymous with the franchise, and their presence provides a sense of familiarity and comfort for longtime fans. However, their involvement also reinforces the narrative's reliance on familiar tropes, themes and scenarios. The film's focus on these characters limits the exploration of new storylines or character dynamics.
But despite the film's reliance on nostalgia, it does introduce a group of fresh faces to the franchise. Jenna Ortega shines as Tara Carpenter, who becomes the primary target of the Ghostface killer. Now Ortega's performance here is captivating, conveying a mix of vulnerability and resilience in the face of terror. Melissa Barrera also delivers a strong performance as Sam Carpenter, Tara's older sister, who grapples with her own troubled past and connection to the Woodsboro killings.
While the new characters bring a youthful energy to the film, their storylines and motivations aren't that special either. The film follows a familiar pattern of introducing a group of potential suspects, gradually eliminating them, and ultimately revealing the identity of the Ghostface killer. This formulaic approach, while well-trodden, lacks the element of surprise that has made the Scream franchise so successful in the past.
The motivations of the Ghostface killer here are also somewhat underwhelming. While the film attempts to delve into the character's psyche and explore their connection to the past, the explanation falls flat and comes off weak. The killer's motivations feel unoriginal and somewhat ridiculous and fail to provide a compelling reason for their actions.
Overall, Scream (2022) is an okay-ish movie. It's not bad, but it's not great either. It's like a leftover pizza - still edible, but not nearly as satisfying as the fresh one you had the night before. And, maybe that's enough for some. It's surely a nostalgic trip down memory lane for die-hard fans. It offers a decent mix of familiar thrills and meta humor, but doesn't break new ground in terms of horror sequences, pacing, or genuine scares. It's simply a safe sequel that doesn't quite recapture the magic of the original, leaving you with a feeling of "been there, stabbed that" rather than a scream-inducing shock.
Gojira -1.0 (2023)
A Monster Movie With a Human Heart
Godzilla: Minus One isn't your typical kaiju extravaganza. This latest Japanese entry throws us back to the desolate times of World War II, making it a unique and powerful reimagining of the iconic monster.
This isn't just another monster flick; it's a deeply human story that unfolds in the shadow of the King of the Monsters.
While Godzilla remains a terrifying force of nature, the film doesn't solely focus on mass destruction. Instead, it dives into the lives of those forever changed by his presence.
The human drama in this movie is compelling. Ryunosuke Kamiki delivers a powerful performance as the guilt-ridden Koichi, determined to redeem himself as Godzilla rises once more. The film doesn't shy away from the psychological trauma inflicted by war, making Koichi's journey all the more affecting.
The story here isn't just about one man's quest, though. It's a tapestry woven with themes of loyalty, patriotism, and the enduring power of love. As Koichi and his team face the inevitable, the film explores the bonds that hold people together even in the face of unimaginable threats.
This shift in focus is what makes "Godzilla: Minus One" so remarkable. It's a monster movie with a beating heart, one that reminds us that even amidst chaos, there's room for heroism, love, and the unwavering desire to do what's right.
"Godzilla: Minus One" delivers a powerful punch, not just with its city-stomping kaiju action, but with the deeply personal stories of those living in the shadow of the atomic leviathan.
We connect with characters struggling to rebuild their lives in a post-war Japan, only to face a new kind of horror. This emotional depth is what truly elevates "Godzilla: Minus One." It personalizes the devastation, making the audience feel the weight of each monstrous step.
Now this film isn't film overflowing with action set pieces, but the battles it does pack a serious punch. The focus here is on quality over quantity, with each encounter between Godzilla and the desperate Japanese people leaving a lasting impression. The tension builds steadily, culminating in thrilling, destructive clashes that showcase the raw power of the King of the Monsters.
Godzilla's design in Minus One deserves particular praise. This isn't a goofy, cartoonish kaiju. It's a terrifying embodiment of destruction, a monstrous relic of the atomic bomb's wrath. The filmmakers have crafted a Godzilla that looks genuinely scary, its movements conveying a sense of unstoppable force.
The impressive creature design is backed by top-notch CGI and VFX. While a few scenes might have benefited from some extra polish, the technology for the most part seamlessly blends practical effects with digital enhancements. This creates a realistic atmosphere during the action sequences, making Godzilla's presence all the more believable and powerful.
Overall, Godzilla: Minus One delivers a measured but impactful action experience. While the focus leans towards human drama and the psychological effects of living with a monster, the kaiju battles we do get are masterfully crafted, leaving a lasting impression with their intensity and the terrifying visage of the new Godzilla.
And I'm giving it 7.5/10.
Biohazard: Death Island (2023)
Is this the Most Beautiful DISAPPOINTMENT Ever?!
This film delivers a visually stunning spectacle, brimming with adrenaline-pumping action sequences that showcase the impressive animation and CGI, and maintain the good standards set by previous animated installments. The detailed character models and fluid movements bring the action sequences to life, showcasing the protagonists' combat prowess against the menacing creatures.
One of the most compelling aspects of it is the opportunity to witness the return of our beloved characters from across the video game series. Chris and Claire Redfield, Leon S. Kennedy, Rebecca Chambers and of course Jill Valentine, each bearing the scars of their past battles, reunite to confront a new enemy that threatens the global populace. The camaraderie and chemistry between these characters are palpable, adding an emotional depth to their dynamics that resonates with fans of the franchise.
Another notable and unique aspect of this flick is the debut of Jill Valentine in the Resident Evil animated film universe. It also marks the first time Jill and Leon share the same screen together, creating a moment of fan service that I'm sure we all enjoyed watching. I also liked that the model used for Jill here is similar to the original face model from RE1 Remastered as well as RE5, because I didn't really like how different her latest model in RE3 Remake was.
But despite the excitement surrounding the reunion of these iconic figures, the story of Resident Evil: Death Island honestly falters in its lack of originality. First of all, The narrative unfolds within the confines of Alcatraz Island, a setting that has been overutilized in countless films and television shows. And the story here also fails to capitalize on the island's unique setting, offering a plot that feels somewhat weak.
While the film delivers on the action and gore, its narrative also stumbles in a few areas with illogical inconsistencies, for example, regarding the zombie transformation process. In the beginning Rebecca tells Chris, Claire and Jill that the infected turned after they had visited the island, yet on the island itself, we witness characters transforming instantly after being infected.
Creating more confusion as well is the scene involving an influencer and his photographer. As we see the video aimed at the influencer first, then the camera pans away to Chris killing a zombie. But when it pans back, the influencer's face has already decomposed dramatically with blood gushing out, showing immediate transformation. This rapid change contradicts the later scenes where Chris, Claire, and Leon show no immediate signs of turning, despite being infected, allowing Rebecca more than enough time to arrive with a vaccine.
These inconsistencies create a frustrating lack of coherence within the narrative, and they kind of threw me off from following the plot or taking it seriously.
On the other hand the motivations of the villain, Dylan also lack depth and fail to make him relatable. His actions, driven by a sense of injustice, seem disproportionate to the scale of his retribution, leaving you questioning his rationale. The idea of punishing the world because of the betrayal of your superiors isn't a convincing reason and makes him more of a generic villain with nonsensical quest for revenge.
Furthermore, the film's narrative doesn't adequately justify the assembly of such a vast ensemble of characters. While the interactions between the heroes are undoubtedly entertaining, the threat posed by Dylan doesn't warrant the presence of every known character from the games. I felt that the story could have been effectively conveyed with a smaller number of characters, perhaps centered around Jill Valentine and one other prominent character.
I would suggest that a better scenario which should bring all the characters together would be to take them back to where it all started, and to their ultimate enemy, the higher-ups of Umbrella who kept working from behind the shadows after the company was dismantled, where our protagonists would take the fight in full force to the those higher-ups and attempt to destroy them and their plans once and for all, since they were the main reason for the whole virus creation and outbreak in the first place and the consequences that followed.
But despite the shortcomings of the narrative, the film excels in showcasing the dynamics and relationship between its characters. The bond between Chris, Leon, Claire, Rebecca and Jill is evident, as they operate with a sense of trust and unwavering support for one another. These interactions make them more relatable and engaging and definitely made the film worth the watch.
This is an enjoyable, action-packed film that delivers a satisfying dose of fan service and visual spectacle. It's overall alright albeit mediocre compared to its predecessors.
So for my final score I'm giving it 5.5/10.
Thanksgiving (2023)
Turkey Terror: A Holiday Slasher Feast
"Thanksgiving" serves up a good dose of bloody mayhem with a side of twisted humor. It's a fun ride, to some extent. While it might not be a cinematic masterpiece, it throws enough laughs and splatters at the wall to keep you interested and entertained, even if you find yourself wincing and chuckling in equal measure as you dive into a movie that's equal parts funhouse and slaughterhouse.
Disclaimer first that this review will contain spoilers, just like your uncle's after-dinner political rants. So consider yourself warned!
"Thanksgiving" throws you headfirst into a Black Friday frenzy gone hilariously and horrifically wrong. From the get-go, the film embraces a gleefully chaotic energy, shoving you into the mosh pit of consumerism at its most absurd. Witnessing the unhinged desperation for deals, the stampede-like madness, and the general disregard for human decency is both shocking and side-splittingly funny. It's like watching society melt down in real-time, served with a heaping helping of dark humor.
Now, "Thanksgiving" doesn't hold back on the gore. It cranks the violence up to eleven, reveling in its over-the-top carnage. But here's the beauty: the film winks at you through it all. It knows it's ridiculous, and throws in enough tongue-in-cheek moments to keep you from taking it too seriously. And this is often known about Eli Roth's movies
Despite that, the horror is real. The threat feels genuine, and the kills are inventive and gruesomely satisfying. But even as the body count rises, the film maintains a certain lightness, refusing to be bogged down by its own darkness. This playful absurdity elevates the experience, making "Thanksgiving" a unique and entertaining twist on the slasher genre.
Knowing it's a slasher, you enter the familiar territory of jump scares, predictable character deaths, and a race against time. And this movie ticks these boxes, offering some gruesome fun, but ultimately falters in the aspect that usually elevates a good slasher: the killer reveal.
While the film embraces classic pacing and throws in well-executed kills, the true tension lies in uncovering the perpetrator's identity and motives. This unveiling should hold the power to elevate the entire experience, making the final showdown truly climactic. Unfortunately, "Thanksgiving" stumbles here, for one main reason
The casting itself provides a significant clue. Patrick Dempsey, the film's most recognizable actor, instantly raises suspicion. This, coupled with specific scenes and subtle dialogue choices throughout the movie, makes his eventual unmasking less shocking and more of a confirmation. The breadcrumbs were laid a little too thickly here, leaving you easily guessing his involvement well before the big reveal. This predictability undermines the potential impact of the climax.
The final confrontation, while suspenseful, lacks the surprise punch that could have pushed the movie into memorable territory. It becomes more about the execution of the kills than the revelation itself.
Don't get me wrong, "Thanksgiving" delivers on the slasher essentials. It's gory, entertaining, and serves up some decent scares. But for a genre built on twists and turns, the predictable killer reveal left me wanting more. It felt like a missed opportunity to truly surprise and leave a lasting impression.
The movie also doesn't shy away from familiar tropes. From the small-town setting to the predictable character archetypes, the film embraces the well-worn path of the slasher genre with a mischievous wink. While this lack of originality might leave some viewers craving something fresher, it's precisely this comfortable approach that makes Thanksgiving a surprisingly enjoyable watch.
Think of it as "Scream" meets "Friday the 13th" with a Thanksgiving twist. We have the plucky final girl, the jock-turned-protector, the bumbling sheriff, the rambling woman working in a cafe who becomes one of the first victims, and of course, the masked killer with a taste for holiday-themed carnage. The plot unfolds like a well-worn map, with jump scares hitting all the expected beats and red herrings popping up like cranberries on a festive table.
But here's the thing: despite its cliché nature, Thanksgiving is not boring. Roth's signature brand of dark humor shines through the sequences, injecting the film with a playful energy that keeps it from feeling stale. The kills are inventive and gruesome, delivered with a tongue-in-cheek flair that makes you laugh as much as you wince.
Ultimately, Thanksgiving isn't a film that will rewrite the horror rulebook. It's a popcorn flick, plain and simple, designed to deliver a good dose of holiday-themed chills without overstaying its welcome.
Therefore for my final score I would give it 5.5/10
It's a little above average and will not waste your time, especially if you're a horror fan.
Expend4bles (2023)
Fumbled Franchise!
Despite the promise of Expend4bles action-packed ensemble cast, this movie falls tragically short of expectations, this is where the franchise reached a new low, sinking into a quagmire of lazy writing, sloppy acting, cringeworthy jokes, and truly abysmal CGI. It's a film that feels like it was made with the bare minimum of effort, a cynical cash grab that insults the intelligence of even the most die-hard action fans.
The film's biggest sin is its blatant disregard for the franchise's core appeal. The Expendables movies have always been about the larger-than-life characters, the adrenaline-pumping action, and the tongue-in-cheek humor. But The Expendables 4 throws all of that out the window, replacing it with a lifeless, joyless experience.
The film fails hugely to capitalize on the star power it boasts. Most actors are shamefully underutilized, appearing disinterested and lethargic throughout the duration. Their lackluster performances leave viewers questioning why they even signed on to the project.
Sylvester Stallone, the franchise's heart and soul, is relegated to a supporting role, leaving Megan Fox to take the reins as the new leader of the Expendables. While Fox is not a bad actress, she's simply not a convincing action hero, and her character lacks the charisma and gravitas of Stallone's Barney Ross.
And her inclusion which was primarily for sexualized fight scenes feels gratuitous and out of place. Instead of adding substance to the film, her presence in that way served only to further cheapen an already lackluster production.
The addition of 50 Cent, as well as Andy Garcia was, much like the film itself, a missed opportunity and does little to elevate the film. While 50 Cent's presence undoubtedly brought a certain level of star power, his character as a stereotypical tough guy adds nothing to the story, while Andy Garcia, as powerful of an actor as he's always been, is also wasted in this forgettable role.
The action sequences are equally underwhelming. There are no moments of genuine excitement or thrill, just a series of forgettable shootouts and explosions, all because of the film's reliance on shaky cam and CGI which makes it difficult to even tell what's happening on screen.
Speaking of which, another egregious offence of The film is its horrendous CGI. With subpar visual effects on full display, the lack of practical effects is glaringly evident, which kept me wondering where the film's budget went, as the shoddy CGI detracts from any potential excitement the action sequences might have offered.
The humor, which was once a hallmark of the franchise, falls flat on its face. The jokes are lame and predictable, and the attempts at self-parody come across as forced and unfunny. The film's tone is all over the place, veering from gritty action to juvenile humor without any sense of consistency.
To add insult to injury, the film's villain, played by Iko Uwais, is a massive wasted opportunity. Uwais is a formidable martial artist and actor and he is known for his electrifying martial arts skills in films like The Raid 1 & 2 and Headshot, and if you haven't seen these movies, you haven't seen gruesome action yet.
But in this movie he is very much wasted as the villain. Even though his casting as the antagonist had the potential to elevate the film's action sequences. His character is poorly developed and lacks any real motivation and he's reduced to a one-dimensional and a clichéd evil antagonist with no real depth or complexity.
And his fight scene with Jason Statham is also underwhelming and fails to showcase Uwais's impressive fighting abilities.
And to top all that off, the final twist of the real mastermind was very predictable you could smell it from the moment Andy Garcia shows his face.
In conclusion, the Expend4bles is a cinematic catastrophe, a film that fails to deliver on most levels. It's a lazy, uninspired, and forgettable entry in a franchise that was once known for its over-the-top action and tongue-in-cheek humor.
Saw X (2023)
Re-Sawed - Same Sequences, New Victims, Zero Originality
Saw X is merely another attempt at milking a successful franchise and slowly driving it to the ground. The first three parts were always the best at coming up with an original concept but everything that came after or will come after will only follow the same blueprint of the first three, making the new ones all the more predictable and empty.
I wasn't overly keen on watching more of this series, despite it being one of my favorites. Mainly because it was overdone, many times over the years and was milked until there was nothing left to offer from it.
But I still wanted to see this one for myself, anyway. And Why not, especially since it includes the return of the man, the myth, and the legend himself, John Kramer.
I was skeptical first about how he was going to return, because the last time we saw him was in Jigsaw and his appearance was a flashback from 10 years before the present events were happening in that movie. So I thought this might take the same route where the incidents and story are happening in the present but his appearance will be in some flash-back to tie in with the contemporaneous story. It turned out however that the events of this movie are somewhere between the first and third parts.
This story basically brings us back to the time of John, Amanda and Detective Hoffman who makes an appearance in a post-credit scene and it happens in their early times when they were still working together.
Now one of the most glaring issues with this was the age gap between the actors and the characters they portrayed. It's been nearly 20 years since the events of the first three Saw films happened, and the actors have aged noticeably. Seeing them now in their older selves playing characters who are supposed to be 20 years younger doesn't go well with the story and film. The age discrepancy here creates a sense of unreality, making it difficult to immerse yourself in the story.
The other issues I have with this are the pacing, sequences and dialogues. They were all on a much lower level from what we have seen in the earlier movies. The acting, while not entirely terrible, was also a notch below what we've come to expect from the Saw franchise. Tobin Bell and Shawnee Smith, as always, deliver solid performances, but some of the supporting cast struggles to keep up. Their acting feels uninspired and lacks the intensity that the film's premise demands.
The dialogue however is a significant letdown. It's often bland, generic, and sometimes even cheesy, lacking the sharp wit and edge that characterized the earlier films, and the characters' exchanges and dialogues also feel forced and unnatural.
The sequences of events and incidents in the film are often too convenient, straining the viewer's suspension of disbelief. For instance, when the fake doctor and her partner manage to lock John with the chains, but all of a sudden the child, Carlos, just appears to be playing football past the middle of the night when it is almost morning near an abandoned building with no supervision, which somehow makes for the perfect setup of the plan for John.
And then after the doctor's partner turns on the machine and watches John and Carlos get blood-boarded before rushing to the control room to grab the cash which sets off their trap. I kept wondering what if they didn't go there in time? What if they stayed and watched John and the child until they are both dead and then killed Amanda too? What if they simply shot them all without putting anyone in that machine? What if Carlos didn't just appear in that moment at night?
That doesn't sound like a well-crafted master plan like the ones we've seen from John as he is always three steps ahead of those he's testing. Everything seemed to play out quite conveniently for our protagonists, and this level of overstretched convenience makes it hard for me to believe in the motives and inspiring goal of the protagonist, and I could not take the film seriously at that point.
In the end the overall production of Saw X exudes a B-movie feel, with its uninspired dialogue, inconvenient and over-convenient pacing, and questionable sequences. The film lacks the thrill and intensity of its predecessors, resembling a direct-to-DVD offering rather than a theatrical release. The lack of attention to detail and the overall lackluster execution hinder the film's ability to captivate and engage the viewer.
I'm surprised that this movie was so poorly done, especially since it was directed by Kevin Greutert, who directed both the 6th and 7th parts. Even though they were not as good as the first three but they still had better production, dialogues and scenarios than this one and I did enjoy them too.
The only aspects that maintained this movie on a good watchable level were the performances of Tobin and Shawnee, the creativity of the traps as well as the intense levels of gore that seemed to be well preserved as the signature of this movie.
Oh and by the way, of all the the usual twists that are anticipated at the end of each Saw film, this one was the worst!
M3GAN (2022)
An Unfulfilled Potential
M3GAN's character development is one of the film's strongest points as we witness her transition from a blank slate to a complex and emotionally driven entity, capable of learning, adapting, and even forming deep bonds. Her interactions with Cady are particularly engaging, as she strives to fulfill her programming to protect and nurture her young companion. This dynamic is further complicated by M3GAN's growing awareness of her own sentience and the moral dilemmas that arise from her actions.
The film's exploration of artificial intelligence is another notable aspect. M3GAN's journey mirrors the evolution of AI, as she learns from her experiences and begins to question the boundaries between her programming and her own desires. This raises questions about the potential dangers of unchecked technological advancements and the ethical implications of creating artificial beings capable of independent thought and action.
As the tension escalades about M3GAN in the movie, with her beginning to take questionable and even violent measures to ensure Cady's happiness, I was reminded by the latest remake of Child's Play, because the plot was very similar, if not the same, about a doll that befriends a child while learning more and developing itself to maintain a level of trust with them, but I think the buildup of Megan's story was done better because it delved more into nuances about the android's advancement as well as the child's attachment to it.
However at the same time the sequence of the plot leading to the climax here was predictable, and you'd notice this if you have seen child's play of course, where the doll becomes fully self-aware eventually and begins to protect itself too from being shut down and restricted to achieve its objective.
Moreover, M3GAN's ending falls short of the film's overall promise. While the climactic confrontation delivers some satisfying moments of horror, the resolution feels rushed and somewhat underwhelming.
And Between Megan and Child's Play Remake, when putting their stories in comparison, each of them is better than the other in certain aspects, and at the same time, lacks what the other did well.
Megan's story had a great development for Megan herself but the ending was poorly done, whereas Child's Play had a generic development but a much better ending in comparison.
I was anticipating and hoping that M3GAN's ending would include a huge sequence at the company's building with all the crowds attending, where everyone's attempt to shut M3GAN down gets bloody and chaotic. But it was reduced to a quick small confronation that didn't fulfill what the movie was building up towards.
Overall I think Megan's movie started very well and maintained a good level of tension building and interest in how the plot would go but took a dive in finishing off the story on what could've been a powerful adrenaline rush that might've made the movie more memorable.
And because of that quick and small ending sequence, I would give it 5.5 / 10
P. S.
I would love to see a cross-over between Megan and Chucky as I think it would make for a very interesting and possibly mind-blowing scenario. And I don't mean in a Freddy VS Jason type of show-down that's only bloody and destructive, because I honestly wouldn't be interested in who wins or loses the fight or conflict. I would be more interested in an intelligent take on their interactions with each other, their challenges and conflicts and how each of them would try to top the other in their capabilities. Even if the plot leads to them both teaming up and taking over technology and possibly the world, I think that would make it much more entertaining and original.
Evil Dead Rise (2023)
This Movie Shows No Mercy To Any Character In It!!!
Evil Dead Rise maintains the same level of extreme gore, horrific visuals and all the strong aspects that made its predecessors such powerful and memorable instalments in the horror genre. And why not when one of its executive producers is none other than Sam Raimi himself who first unleashed the famous evil dead over 40 years ago.
The story starts with some young people spending time in a cabin near a lake, but they don't get to enjoy their time much when one of them is shown to have been possessed, and proceeds to kill the rest.
I liked how the tense buildup and the possession was shown by the girl finishing the words in the book that her cousin was reading. For me it was so original and I already felt invested in it.
But that buildup was topped off by the fantastic revealing of the title, it showed that this was going to be a loud, intense extravaganza with some epic sequences in it.
I literally sat up on my bed after that intro just so I can pay close attention to what was coming later.
The story then brings us to a family of four, Ellie, is a mother living with her three children in a flat in an old building that was scheduled to be demolished.
The family is then joined one night by Ellie's sister, Beth who decided to come and spend some time with them after having a moment of reflection about her life choices.
On the same night however, an earthquake strikes their area, revealing a vault room where a bank used to be.
The room is discovered by Danny, whose curiosity ends up leading most of his family to their doom eventually.
Danny goes inside the room and brings up the infamous Book Of The Dead along with recorded vinyls that explain what the book is about, and of course include the incantations that unleash the demons into the real world.
And that's when the (fun for the viewer, but disaster for the family) begins!
The interactions between the family members and siblings were showcased quite nicely as we see how they're very connected together, they argue, and complain about each other, but they also laugh and joke together.
Each of them has their own personality, and the movie brings in the modern family dynamics and mindset of the modern generation as well, like the social justice warrior girl.
And that connection between the family's members in their scenes together was good enough for me to root for their survival, except for Danny because he's stupid.
When Danny plays the recordings and the incantations are then recited, the intensity starts off with a few horrific sequences and jump scares until it gradually builds up to the gory scenes.
And the movie doesn't hold back on its use of the horror and gore elements in it, it shows no mercy whatsoever to any characters, adults or children, that are caught in the middle of the carnage that night.
And there was a scene in particular that reminded me of the first Evil Dead and the latest remake, and it was made in the same way, when the first possessed person or deadite in the movie is locked up in a basement or outside the house, and another deadite is attacking one of the living victims, and you see the first deadite getting ecstatic and hysterical while the attack is happening.
These scene are always terrifying, and give me the chills every time, and this might be a special signature scene in the evil dead franchise as it's always brought up in that way and I loved the fact that they included it here too.
But despite all of these great aspects, There was one issue that I was waiting for it to be explained after the evil spirits were unleashed, in particular when Beth was listening to the rest of the recording from the vinyls.
The sequence of her locking herself into the room and playing the recordings was brought up as if it was an important sequence that might take the plot to a different direction and reveal a solution to stopping the demons, but there was nothing explored more about what can be done in order to get rid of them.
It was only reaffirming that this is how the rest of the plot is going to be.
As the priest kept explaining in the recordings how his colleagues were possessed one after the other, I was expecting that he would mention a solution that he might have found, especially since the demons were locked in the first place and had to be unleashed by reciting the incantations from the book.
In the first evil dead movie, the deadites were disposed of by throwing the book into the fire where it resulted in them melting off. And in the second part of the movie, the evil spirits were also removed by reading some additional passages that resulted in opening a portal that sucked all of the evil spirits into it and away from the real world.
But it didn't mention here how the spirits were locked in the first place, at least to give a full picture of their origins and how to deal with them.
And Although this aspect didn't take much from the fun of the movie for me anyway, I just kept thinking that since the evil spirits were locked in the first place with the recordings in the vault, then there must have been a way to lock them again or expel them and that it would've been explained by the priest.
Moving on then climax which was manically brutal, and I totally agree with Tony Baker when he said that horror actors don't get enough credit for the gruesome scenes and shockingly disturbing sequences they are put into.
I have to give massive respect to the two actresses who were in the elevator scene near the end, especially the little girl. That must've taken a lot of effort for them to shoot that scene and get soaked in all of that slimy red liquid and maintain their expressions there.
And the movie only gets bloodier from then on, when the last survivors eventually face the mother with her son and daughter all conjoined into one massive horrific monster who is then killed by grinding it in the wood-chipper and Beth finishing off the beast with a chainsaw, in the same way the protagonists used the chainsaws in the previous movies.
That ending was a terrifying rollercoaster and I enjoyed every bit of it. And for me that solidifies the Evil dead franchise as one of the most powerful and best choice for anyone who enjoys this genre when it's used to its fullest.
65 (2023)
After Earth Meets Jurassic World in a B-Movie Style
When you mashup Afterearth and Jurassic World, you end up with this movie that seems to have taken ideas from the latter ones and added the famous meteor that wiped the dinosaurs millions of years ago at the end of it just to give it a bit of spice.
The beginning of this movie unnecessarily and ironically revealed the meaning of the number right at the start of it as 65 Million Years Ago which could've been a good twist to show during the movie to make it just a little bit interesting.
The movie starts off going too fast into everything, from the introduction of the characters, to the main plot, with no explanations about anything, like the background of Miller and his family, or the details of his journey.
The protagonist, Miller is basically going for an expedition journey to find other habitable planets. We just see his family for about 2 mins and we jump straight to the ship as it is hit by a swarm of space rocks and ends up breaking apart.
I didn't even know they were on their way back from the journey until further into the movie when Miller told Koa about it.
Then after Miller decides that he has to save Koa and they both go on their survival journey, Miller and Koa's interactions were just off. Their conversation and how they understood each other seemed too convenient for two people who can't comprehend a single word from one another, yet somehow could understand fully what each of them was saying!
Miller speaks in full sentences but somehow Koa hears the last word and she completely knows what he means.
Like when he asked her to fill the can with water from a different spot. How did she know that's exactly what he meant?! I don't want to delve too much into it but it all seemed nonsensical to me. There was no strong chemistry between the two overall.
The movie tried to produce a story of a man who has to protect a young girl and she grows into him until he builds a strong relationship with her and becomes her father figure basically. It attempts to depict their relationship and building on it like Logan and the Last Of Us but it fails at that and it eventually comes off unconvincing.
Logan and The Last Of Us did it much better because they allowed for the interactions to be genuine, spontaneous and real but this movie sometimes forces some of these interactions, like that supposedly comedic scene, when Miller was chasing Koa with the bug slime and she was teasing him. It was way off and I didn't feel any genuine interaction there.
And the trailer again gave away the whole plot about this movie, and the only twist in it was that Miller and his ship crashed into earth coincidentally just a few days before the meteor that wiped the dinosaurs was about to hit the planet.
I found myself rolling my eyes in a lot of the scenes there and dozing off in the other ones, especially towards the end because before half way through it, I was ready for it to finish.
I would give it props however only for the CGI and visual effects because they were great and tried a little to balance off the bad elements in it but it it wasn't enough to make it a great movie overall.
The idea of the movie itself, especially in the main mission of Miller and Koa just seemed like a straight rip-off from Afterearth, with the protagonists crashing on Earth and having to reach from one point to another in order to save themselves. And not like After Earth was that successful to be replicated anyway, but I would say I liked it better than this one.
It's another flick that had a good premise, but was poorly executed.
Hypnotic (2021)
Great Concept Ruined By Cliche and Mediocrity!
The concept of this movie was very interesting, and although I regretted seeing the trailer because it basically revealed the entire plot, I still wanted to watch it because I enjoy watching Kate Siegel and her acting. And I've seen her in a few of Netflix's shows, and her performance was very compelling in them, like in The Haunting of Hill House and Midnight Mass, and both these shows had great stories with captivating sequences.
So I was interested to see her and what this movie had to offer. And even though I wasn't expecting much after seeing the trailer anyway, I thought it might have a little more to present, like an unpredictable twist, midway or at the end of the movie, or delving more into the concept of hypnosis and mind control. Or at least something that can keep the viewer hooked to see how the story unfolds further.
Well, it didn't for any of that. The story was basically an extension of the trailer itself. Which basically revolved around a pervy psychopathic doctor who abuses his hypnosis ability to control and manipulate his female victims in order to do what he wants with them.
The story had a really compelling premise but the execution overall was, honestly poor. Everything was very straightforward and obvious from the beginning. Even if you haven't seen the trailer and jumped straight to the movie you can actually expect what will happen in the next scene and in most cases your expectation will turn out true.
And this is what made it disappointing, because possibilities of such a concept of getting to someone's mind and manipulating them into doing whatever you want actually has a lot of potential with so many captivating scenarios that can stem from it. Like playing into, and exploring the aspects of dreams, nightmares, as well as perceptions of reality and fiction, all of these could've been used to produce a mind-bending scenario. Especially with today's increasing interest in the mind and its capabilities.
But this movie never gets past the cliche scenario of a creepy therapist with relationship issues. And I kept looking at the time after 20 minutes into the movie, just to see how long left there is from it, because I just wanted to see how the story would end, and it was underwhelming eventually.
Also the acting wasn't that good in general, apart from Kate Siegel's of course. But The rest of the actors didn't give as strong performances in their roles.
Also there were some funny and silly moments that made me question the seriousness of this movie with the stupid decisions that some of the characters made. Like when a character is answering an unknown number, even after she started suspecting the malicious behaviour of their doctor, which led to her fatal accident. That didn't make me feel sorry for her after what happened because she had it coming.
Then the ending doesn't give much beyond your expectations either and it basically happens as you would anticipate it. Just listen to the word "My Love" and you'll know what is going on.
I wouldn't label this movie a mystery like it shows on IMDb, it's more of a crime thriller with a clearly predictable story. But despite that, it might to some extent, provide some brainless entertainment if you have nothing to do in the day. But it also could've been made much better, and Kate Siegel of course doesn't disappoint with her performance in this one.
Unhinged (2020)
He Will Show You What A Really Bad Day Is Like!
Well, Next time you decide to honk strongly at someone, make sure it's not Russell Crowe, cause he WILL make sure you know what a really bad day is like
What I liked about this film is how realistic it is when it comes to portraying everyday events and the conversations between the characters, despite a few cheesy one liners that were thrown around, which got me laughing a little bit, but it didn't take much from the enjoyment and tension the movie was giving.
It showed some real footage at the start from road rage incidents, to full chaotic moments and how some of them started from simple verbal altercations and escalated out of control to huge fights, run-overs and major accidents. So it kind of took ideas from these incidents to introduce a story and dialled the intensity to full mode violence in it.
Russell Crowe absolutely NAILS his role of an unstable villain with a really bad temper and unpredictable behaviour, always being on the edge until he gets to the point where he shows our protagonist that he has nothing to lose as he tells her that dying by fire from the cops is not a bad end. His performance was one of the most convincing I have seen, especially when he delivers his lines and the strong expressions he shows when he engages either in conversations or in physical altercations with the protagonist and the rest of the characters.
The sequences and scenario, as well as the interactions between the protagonist and the random people she comes across were quite realistic and genuine, for the most part, and the strong moments in general DO keep you on the edge, and interested to see what happens next.
One of the aspects that made the movie even more engaging was that the tension was slowly escalating from what started as a small verbal altercation to a more serious life and death situation.
The character of Tom Cooper was already established to be someone unstable after he killed his wife or ex-wife and her presumably boyfriend and was still out free. And his interaction with Rachel initially seemed like a small argument until he escalated it to the point that he took her phone and met with her best friend and lawyer at the cafe.
In the beginning you'd feel that he was just being petty and wanted to mess with Rachel's head to teach her a lesson, until his unpredictable behaviour suddenly explodes and he lashes out at Rachel's friend and eventually kills him in a public place with everyone watching, affirming that he had lost his mind and decided to go on a full rampage.
From then on everything becomes a constant adrenaline pumping situation, as you wonder who will he go after next, it's not just a really bad day anymore, it's a life-changing or life-ending predicament for all of his victims.
The acting of most of the cast was good, except I would say for Rachel's son, Kyle. His expressions and attitude weren't always convincing but he wasn't all that bad, but I think he could've put a little more emotion and effort instead of being almost a no-care or oblivious kid who doesn't know the difference between danger and safety.
It's obviously not perfect but it goes all the way in on violence and intensity. And I would say it's a good fun to watch with some popcorns on the side.
Paradise City (2022)
Great Cast That's Been Criminally Misused
This movie had such a great cast of popular actors, mainly Bruce Willis, John Travolta and Stephen Dorff. But the story lacked direction and material so much.
Some of the actors were just baaaad, like the girl cop who eventually falls for the protagonist in the most cliched way. She could not convince a bunch of children with that acting, she was overdoing everything and her expressions were exaggerating most of the time.
Also the guy who usually executes the hits and the other muscular henchman had me rolling my eyes every time they said something, the way they carried themselves made them look like robots mimicking human behaviour.
So many moments didn't make any sense and weren't convincing at all. When the girl took the protagonist to investigate the beach and recover some materials while wearing a tight pink bikini.. That's like going to work wearing small shorts and a tank top. And Although they were at the beach obviously but the shots and focus of the camera was more like a modelling scene for the girl than about following the story. Most of the close shots or scenes of her were focusing on her body in a way that would throw you off from following what the scene is about.
And a lot of the other scenes seemed more like a show of hot and sexy people pretending to know what they're doing and they were more like modelling than acting.
The cinematography in general was so bad and I lost track and interest of the story before half way through the movie.
The sequences and events were not engaging and the whole story itself could've been handled much better.
I only kept watching this movie till the end cause I like Bruce Willis, John Travolta and Stephen Dorff, but they've been criminally misused in this film.
Barbarian (2022)
It's Not Perfect, But It's Worth The Watch
Barbarian is one of those movies that tries to step out of the conventional style of presenting and pacing a horror movie with some interesting twists and disturbing imagery. And this is one of the movies that, even if I didn't fully like, I hugely appreciate the willingness and boldness to put something interestingly different that has more of a shock value aspect to it.
The first thing I really liked about this flick is its first act and introduction. A young woman, Tess has booked an Airbnb somewhere in an abandoned town because she has a job interview the following day, and when she arrives in the evening she finds out that there has been a double booking issue. Because there's somebody else there, Keith, who has already booked the place for the same night.
Now you might think that you can see how this scenario would go, but nope! Things take a drastic twist later on, and this basically is what this movie offers for the majority of its runtime. Very few events and sequences are familiar in this film and you'd often find yourself wondering what the hell is going on! And Every scene from then on takes you to a completely different turn of events.
The first noticeable point here is how the movie incorporates modern lifestyle and certain things that we hear about and even use today, like Airbnb, and brings it into the horror genre which adds more of a tension to the atmosphere since a lot of us are familiar with it.
What I also liked about this movie is its ability to sell you on what it wants you to see, to the point that it leads you to speculate, or maybe even believe what is going to happen next. It reminded of James Wan's style in his debut movie Saw, and the way he sequences the events. But the difference here is that Barbarian is more random. Rather than the idea essentially being about a single killer who needs to be caught and narrowing the speculations and focus of the viewer into just finding out WHO that killer is, the plot in Barbarian instead keeps shifting to more WTF scenarios, shattering all of your preconceived expectations about it and leaving you probably confused for a good while.
So as the movie progresses, it moves into a new story and set up, and I was even thinking at the time after what happened to Tess and Keith on their first night, "ok, these two are dead now, moving on to the actual story where the real buildup happens", Until I realized later that that is not how it goes on.
We're then introduced to AJ, a selfish, self-centered, celebrity who finds himself in the middle of a rape scandal and his associates have dropped him from their project and everyone has distanced themselves from working with him.
We also get to see Portman, if you remember him from 2005 Doom, who appears to be your usual seemingly up-to-no-good, creepy dude who might have some dark secrets, which turns out to be true as he is revealed to have a woman kidnapped and held in his house, and that house is later on revealed to be the same Airbnb that Tess and Keith disappeared in and it's also owned by AJ.
These three stories with their characters are then brought together to tie in with the entire plot to make for a more sensible and shocking scenario leading to the full climax in the end, while keeping the unpredictability aspect on.
Now the pacing of the movie altogether was quite suspensful and well executed, and despite all the events revolving around few characters, it didn't drag on or seem slow at any point. The slow shots and build-ups were captivating for some moments, and actors were all very convincing too.
These are the main points that I liked about the movie in general. But despite that, the movie wasn't perfect, nor was it even trying to be. There were some plot holes of course, for me anyway, where I didn't fully understand or was able to fit certain things together, for example, the relationship between the disfigured woman and Creepy Portman, my best guess would be that she is one of his victims who was held captive there for a very long time.
Also why did Creepy Portman shoot himself after AJ found him? Was it because he was seen by an outsider and was afraid he would get caught? Or was he trying to end himself for a while but wasn't able to because the gun was far away from him?
Also the story wasn't all that new and original in every part. It kind of reminded me of 2003 Wrong Turn, in the way that it was about a house in the middle of an abandoned area where our characters go inside and are ambushed by monster-looking creatures.
Some scary moments also seemed familiar in their build-up, but what was more captivating as I mentioned earlier was the movie's unpredictability and focus on the shocking twists in its plot.
So for my final score, I would give it 6.5/10. For its high level of gruesomeness and twists as well as its willingness to be different in its own way.
Ms. Marvel (2022)
Ms. Marvel Forgot That It's A Superhero Origin Story
Ms Marvel is another origin story that brings a new perspective and culture into Hollywood and the superhero genre, much like Black Panther and Shang-Chi, with Ms Marvel or Kamala Khan's origins being from Pakistan and at the same time from a Muslim background.
Now when it comes to the origins of Kamala Khan, In the first couple of episodes, the show indulges very much into her world and surroundings from family, friends, lifestyle, religion, culture and customs, to the point that it even gets into the nuances and tiny details of the traditional society and its day-to-day life.
I did enjoy some of these elements and their scenes and was laughing at a few of the references and jokes as well, like the gossiping illumin-aunties, and the different gangs in the Eid festival. And as someone who comes from a very similar background some of these aspects are very real, and I also liked some of the customs that were included cause I could resonate with them too.
To some extent it was good for the show to highlight these aspects and introduce the world to a new cultural persepctive, but on the other hand I thought it delved a little too much into that and also presented a lot of these elements in very a comedic way, which sometimes seemed a bit unnecessary, bizarre and even ridiculous in a few of them.
And that over-focus on these elements took a toll on the progression of the story of Ms Marvel as a superhero.
It made the Ms Marvel origin story seem neglected and kind of shoved in the middle whenever the show went too far and kind of forgotten that it was actually a superhero origin story.
Even the way she gets her powers wasn't because of a huge challenge that she had to face or a difficulty that she needed to overcome. She is simply a huge fan of Captain Marvel and the only issue she's facing is that she's the brown girl who can't really become a superhero in the society that she lives in. That is not a compelling reason for why or how someone becomes a superhero.
Being a Superhero requires sacrifices, huge changes to one's personality and most of all, that person never sees themselves as a victim, which is what Kamala does here. Of all the superhero origins stories we have seen so far, none of the characters have ever complained about whatever predicament they were facing, like Captain America, Iron Man and Spider-Man and many others.
But Kamala here is presented like a sad little child who admires a superhero and sees herself as a victim in a society that only looks at her differently and therefore she gets super powers so easily?!. This is like seeing a crying child where you would just buy them ice cream because you feel sorry for them or just to keep them quiet.
This is not a good message to send when you talk about a character that is supposed to make a difference in the world, whether it's a fictional or realistic world.
Then after the third episode, the show keeps on with Kamala's journey to discover her origins as she traces it back through her bloodline.
And it was interesting to use the concept of Djinn as the villains, but I couldn't understand completely what their role was, as it wasn't explained that much. Also showing that Kamala is actually a Djinn was only mentioned a few times but there was no explanation to what makes her a Djinn in a family of humans.
Which brings me to the next point as well where the show didn't explore much into the villains or the Clandestines and why they're after the bangle, they just kept talking about going home and that's it. Even Najma's motivations weren't completely explained and the show kind of brushed through it quickly.
And this is the issue I was talking about earlier. The story dedicated most of its time into delving more into cultural and religious traditions and didn't leave time for the superhero story itself to develop properly. The character arc of "Ms Marvel" is developed too quickly, the villains' motivations and origins aren't explained fully, and the show overall kind of seemed like a teenage comedy-drama about a Muslim girl in particular, with the superhero element pushed to the side as a secondary plot.
And as the story progressed in later episodes, it seemed like the action sequences were just put in the middle randomly as well. It made me think that the producers were continuing for too long with expositions and the drama, and comedy scenes that at some points they thought "Oh wait this is a superhero series! .. Ok let's put an action scene here quick". It just felt odd in the way they were included in a few of these episodes.
The CGI and practical effects overall were not that bad, the fight scenes were not very engaging however because there were lots of edits and close shots where you can barely see what is happening sometimes.
And in the last episodes the show doesn't really show a villain to be defeated or a significant challenge for Kamala at least. It just becomes a rescue mission with a few fight scenes between Kamala and Kamran, until she's eventually able to help him escape out of America. It wasn't a very satisfying end to be honest, and I felt that there could've been more episodes to introduce a more serious challenge for her.
Overall I can't say I disliked this series and I did enjoy quite a few elements in it, but it made me forget sometimes that I was watching a superhero origin story with all the drama, comedy and sequence of the story and how it focused more on Kamala as a regular person and her community rather than on her becoming Ms Marvel. So for my final score I will give it 5.5/10. It was a little above average, and it could've been better.
Day Shift (2022)
Full Of Action, Campy, and Absolutely Entertaining!
This is one action-packed adrenaline-rush of a movie that delivers a full dose of entertainment, both comically and visually.
First of all I was reluctant to watch this movie, simply because of too many vampire movies that have come out lately which has become quite boring, but I wanted to give this one a chance since it has Jamie Foxx and Snoop Dogg in it, and they don't fail to entertain.
Jamie Foxx gives a very slick and smooth performance of his character, keeping you entertained and laughing at almost every scene he is in. His dialogues and jokes just flow naturally and you wouldn't want to miss a scene of him at all.
And Snoop Dogg is basically Snoop Dogg yet he's fantastic, especially when he arrives in his final entrance.
Dave Franco is the best choice for his character in this film and he really convinces you of his nerdy and goofy personality who always needs help every step of the way. I honestly used to remember Dave as James Franco's brother because I haven't seen many movies for him, but I can surely remember him as his own talent from now on.
It was also great seeing Megan Good in this movie and she looks fabulous as always and she also added a sweet flavour to the film.
And we also got to see Scott Adkins in another spectacular show of his martial arts and I was almost jumping off my seat when I saw him fight, cause he's genuinely one of my favorite martial artists and action stars out there.
The action sequences were absolutely heart pumping. I never thought there would be a vampire movie that comes close to Blade with its rawness and edge-of-the-seat feel but this one surely is the closest so far, despite its campiness and a few silly moments.
The fight scenes and choreography in them were amazing on every level and there is never a shortage of full on action there.
Now despite these awesome aspects of the movie there were two main issues that kind of brought it down for me a little bit. The first one was the villain, or the character of Audrey San Fernando. She was quite generic first of all, and her dialogues were full very cliched style of talking, along with her repetitive choice of words that we heard in many movies before. Her character also had no depth and she didn't add anything new as an antagonist.
Secondly the movie kept mentioning El Jefe who is supposedly the big fish of all the vampires and I thought he was going to show up in the end, and I even thought that Snoop Dogg was going to reveal himself to be El-Jefe. But nope! There was nothing shown or referred to him except the name. And that's another point down for the movie really.
One of the best aspects about this movie though is its simplicity and willingness to be campy and show itself as a pure entertainment that doesn't necessarily need to be taken seriously in everything. You just have to take it with its dramatic and goofy parts and enjoy the ride with it.
Everything else apart from the two points about the villains was fantastic and I was not bored for one bit and I hope they make a sequel for it because it's certainly a memorable one.
So for my final score, I'm giving it 6.5 / 10. For being purely entertaining and ridiculous at the same time and not taking itself too seriously.
892 (2022)
A Solid Premise With Poor Execution
Now this is an example of a movie presented with a solid trailer that hooks you enough to want to see how the story unfolds, only to get hit with disappointment in the end by realising how empty it is.
Off the top let me just say that I sensed some strong Denzel Washington vibes from Boyega's performance here, and it definitely took me back to John Q, and I think it's safe to say that Boyega tried to emulate Denzel's style while adding a little of his own to it.
And he really gave a solid performance of a broken army veteran who was wronged by the monetary system that all what he wanted to do in the end was get what he was owed and let the public know of his story.
Michael K. Williams also gives a fantastic performance and you never feel underwhelmed whenever he's on screen. And these two were about the only good thing about the movie in general.
The issue with it though is that despite the performances and the fact that it is based on a true story and events, which should captivate the audience's attention and compassion towards such a situation, it was poorly executed in the end.
The premise of the story was great, although a common one we've seen in other movies before, and it could have been presented in a much better and thorough way, but there was just a lot of talking and conversing and storytelling between the characters.
The scenes and interactions between the characters were also very slow and dragging.
There were barely any compelling moments that occur, apart from a few scenes where they were jumping between time periods to show the motive of the main character. And Some parts of the film were predictable as well and I could see how the events would unfold in their scenes before they happen.
But what made me disappointed the most was the ending. Everything happened so fast, the shooting of the main character, the rescue of the hostages. And The whole climax of the movie was basically shown in three quick scenes, I was sitting contemplating for about 3 minutes whether the main character was actually killed or not.
They didn't show any details of that climactic scene, who shot him? When and where did the bullet him? Or even seeing him fall to the ground to add to the dramatic and tense moment that the movie had been building up for, especially after all the issues and injustice situations that the movie was addressing all this time, and showcase the message that it was conveying.
It was very underwhelming in the end. And it cut off immediately showing very slow shots of all the other important characters and how they were supposedly feeling.
I will say however the only things the movie focused on were the emotions of the characters, but not all of them gave solid performance to be honest, the best ones were from John and Michael as I mentioned, and the two women inside the bank were great too and I could notice and acknowledge the effort they both put into expressing their emotions.
The movie overall however didn't build up properly to the final moments, and everything was generic after the first half hour and kept on a steady and slow pace without progression towards the end and the climax, but I can't say it was a bad movie in itself.
The fact it was based on true events and this is the actual story of it, whereas there was no need to over-dramatize or add anything unnecessary, makes me understand the limits of what the filmmakers had to produce this film within.
It was quite average, but I do feel that the build-up could've been better.
Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City (2021)
Ambitious Disaster!
- Resident Evil Welcome to Raccoon City is a much closer adaptation that tries as much as possible to be faithful to the games, and it succeeds in that to some extent, but on the hand it fails at all the other aspects of what makes a movie watchable and engaging.
- After the last parts with Milla Jovovich finally finished, which weren't really that bad, and I would say they became more of a guilty pleasure for me anyway, we were all hoping for a new adaptation that's closer to the games and gives more respect to its lore and especially its characters because there was little of that in the earlier movies.
- And now that we were finally getting a new adaptation that's actually centred this time around all the characters that we like. A lot of us were excited to see it, and thinking that finally someone is about to give us what we've always wanted ... But in the end, we get this slap on the face!!
- I've always wondered why is it when a remake or an adaptation is produced, it has to screw up the important parts of its source material?!?!! ...
- This movie is based on the first 2 resident evil games and a little bit on Code Veronica, and that's about the only thing to it. It has all of the familiar characters with no unnecessary additions of new ones like the older version, and some of these characters here fit nicely as their game counterparts while some others are just waaay off!!
- The story is changed a little bit regarding Chris and Claire who are the first characters we see. Instead of being the new comers to Raccoon City, they're raised there in an orphanage run by William Berkin. I actually didn't mind that change and it was interesting for the original story and it could've been built up to a very good plot. But that's not what happened eventually.
- Robbie Amell and Kaya Scodilario are about the only actors perfectly casted as their characters in this one being Chris and Claire, as well as Neal McDonough as Dr. Berkin. Most of the others however didn't bring out any of their characters' known personalities, ... Especially Leon, and I'll get to him shortly.
- The funny part in the beginning is how the characters were introduced. It could've been made subtly without having their names fully mentioned for the sake of recognition.
- And there was obviously A LOT of effort put into including every possible reference from the games, which is a good thing but on the other hand nothing else was considered in regards to the characters' personalities, sequence of events, and even common sense.
- The dialogues were forced, and none of them seemed casual or genuine. The Jokes were corny, dry and certainly did not help with the storyline at all, and The CGI and even practical effects were terrible and took away a lot from the thrill of the movie.
- The thing I'm pissed off about the most is that they completely wiped the floor with Leon's character in this one!! He was weak, idiotic, and devoided of any charisma here.
- For his looks, The guy who played Leon should've been casted as Carlos instead because he fits that character more. Also his portrayal couldn't have been further from his game counterpart. And I get that this Leon here is a rookie cop just like in the game and he's getting himself up to do his job so it would be natural that he's stumbling in his decisions and being a little clumsy even, but they just flat out made him a useless idiot and a constant target for random bullying, and all of his scenes were just of him being completely stupid and oblivious to what is going on around him. I just could not believe how much they've butchered his character here.
- As for the other characters, Jill was okayish, she wasn't too close or too far from her game counterpart. Hannah John-Kamen is a great actress as well and I would've liked to see more of her as Jill if it wasn't obviously for the stuffed and short story that was full of random events.
- And Tom Hopper's Wesker was not bad either. I'm not saying every character in the movie needs to be exactly like the games, but I think he was a little too emotional for a character who's known to be completely apathetic and selfish and always puts himself first. But the main issue with this Wesker is that he was less charismatic and didn't really stand out as memorable villain.
- And I think that was the main fault for the other characters too. Their personalities appeared generically similar to each other and without any distinguishable aspects to them that can make the audience drawn to them indivdually and to their journies in the story. They were all similarly nice, friendly, and on the same level, and none of them really stood out like the original characters in the games did at the very least.
- The looks and effects of the human zombies and the dog weren't very convincing either. And I think the only monster that looked kind of ok was the licker. Also Berkin's monologue when he was turning into a monster after he injected himself was laughable, and definitely not on the level of Neal McDonough too cause he usually has stronger roles than this .. but at least he was a good casting choice as I said in the begnning.
- His final look in the end however was horrendous and seemed cartoonish for a climactic scene like that. And that final scene inside the train was the last straw that completely shattered any potentially good thing about this movie or any possibility to take it seriously.
- As our characters face the last monstrous form of Berkin. Leon casually walks in with a Rocket Launcher, obviously cause that's the final boss since the movie kept giving us all of those references, and that's when Leon delivers, ehmm the most badass line in the history of movies (You ugly fu**) it would've been better actually if he didn't say anything at all ... then he makes the clever decision to shoot the monster with the rocket launcher in a closed train car with everyone inside, and Chris standing right next to the monster. As if the explosion in that tiny space is only going to harm and kill the monster and no one else. It makes absolutely no sense at all!!
- I would only give this film props for having the closest resident evil story we've ever seen and it brought all the characters we know from the games and while they weren't very similar to their game counterparts when it comes to their personality and presence, they were all there and they had their screen time at the very least, even the truck driver from RE2 had his scene copied almost exactly from the game.
- But the downfall of this is obviously the mashed up, convoluted storyline of two or even three games stories reduced to about an hour and forty five minutes with too many characters, references and events shoved into it. The earlier Resident Evil 2 game had two stories of two characters trying to survive in the same area, and although both of their stories were interconnected in some parts and even repeated in a few others, the makers of the game managed to extend it to Two CDs with each of them having a compelling plot to play and follow.
- But here you're trying to put the same two characters from that story in addition to about 4 other characters from a different one into just an hour and forty five minutes story?!
- This movie was disappointing to say the least, and that's why I'm giving it 4/10. 2 for being too bad and the extra 2 are for bringing the actual resident evil references and characters. It did have potential to be a much better experience however if only it was handled better, simply if it was separated into two parts with each part handling a smaller number of characters at a time instead of cramming them all together. As well as putting more effort into the effects and CGI.
The Batman (2022)
An imperfect masterpiece!
The Batman:-
- We finally received the long anticipated Batman movie which was originally supposed to be Ben Affleck's trilogy version as he was writing, producing and directing it and it was announced before the Justice League movie was released and was called then The Batman, before all that drama spiralled downhill and Affleck eventually had to step down (I really still want to see his vision because he is a fantastic writer and director as we could see from his work in The Town and Argo). But nevertheless the plans for The Batman continued with Matt Reeves with whole different take, cast and vision planned and visualised to give us this, I would say, masterpiece. But I wouldn't consider it the best Batman movie.
- This movie is a whole other level of realistic, dark gritty, dramatic noir and psychological thriller comic movie. Here's the thing though, It cannot be compared to Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy (Some elements of it can be individually compared but not the whole movie) because it's a completely different take with a different tone and focusing on a specific side of Batman and his detective work and delving more into mystery-solving, exposing truths, the concept of right and wrong and resolving deep rooted complex crimes to expose the big picture. It focused on that more than his crime-fighting side.
- And as I expected it drew more from stories like The Long Halloween and Hush and the earlier comics about his beginnings as a crime-fighter.
- Presentation of the Batman was outstanding. Set up to the story was very straight forward, dark and almost gives you the shiver as you see how the vibe of Gotham is shown as it's infested with crime and corruption and the Batman is already known to the police and to the criminals so much that whenever his sign is revealed the criminals are already afraid, they look into the shadows because they expect him to pop out of there when they can't see him, so they scram away.
- So he's already using the shadows as his method of intimidation and it works, and this is what I loved about it.
- The music, as much as it was strong and adrenaline-pumping, at some points it was giving heavy horror vibes (I thought I was watching a James Wan Insidious type of movie at some point). But it was generally dramatic and kept you on the edge of your seat throughout the strong scenes.
- Sequence of events was very balanced. For 3 hours you wouldn't get bored or feel any part was dragging for long, it was perfectly presenting the events and sequences and showing what they meant and felt in each scene.
- The effects were great for every part, the practical ones more obviously but even the CGI was awesome and it captured the intense action moments in them.
- One of the best parts was the introduction of the Batmobile. And my favorite scene was in the trailer too when the batmobile slams into the penguins car and flips it over and the camera mounted on the back of the batmobile is filming as it drifts until it stops right at the perfect shot to show the penguin's car landing and flipping. Hands down one of THE best shots I've ever seen in a movie. I just want to see the making of this one in particular.
- For the casting, the three perfect casts for me were Jefferey Wright as Lt. James Gordon, Colin Farrel as The Penguin which you could not tell it was him with all that makeup on (I knew it was Colin Farrel and I still could not recognize him anyway) and Paul Dano as The Riddler. I saw Paul in There Will Be Blood with Daniel Day-Lewis and I. Was. Convinced. When they accounced him as The Riddler I was immediately sold and on board.
- As for the others. Zoe Kravitz was ok as cat woman, but I didn't like her unnecessary line of "let's get these white privileged men". When her father Carmine Falcone who's the big fish of the whole operation is played by John Turturro who could easily play a Latino or even a Middle Eastern Character. So that line was clearly forced in there.
- Then Robert Pattinson. I gotta say it, he was not a convincing or intimidating Batman in this one. With all the presentation and the hype in the movie and his introduction which I could easily imagine Ben Affleck's Batman in it. This version just didn't fit, and I have a problem with the head cover. It always seemed off for me, I don't know what it is about it but I couldn't feel the strong charisma like his predecessors.
- Robert is a great actor but he did't fit this one. We obviously saw more of him as Batman than as Bruce Wayne and even when we saw him as Bruce he basically had the same persona as when he had the suit on. I get that in this version he was still in the beginning of his vigilante crusade but I felt the way he was interacting as Bruce Wayne could draw more attention to him to connect him with Batman. Especially since he had disappeared as Bruce and appeared again after a long time and was acting all shady around people.
- The other thing I didn't like was his hair, too emo style and made me think of Tobey Mcguire's Spiderman 3 with the way he was looking around, he might as well have started dancing like him in the funeral scene or around the city.
- There are a few things got me wondering a little, like how the suit is bullet-proof but still light enough for him to move, jump around so fast and glide easily. (This is one of the elements that I could come back to compare with Nolan's Dark Knight)
- This movie obviously is PG-13 and when I think of it, The Dark Knight was PG-13 too and it pushed the limits of how far it could go. This one bent the limits and it went further. It felt more like a joker movie with the buildup of a villain who's trying to achieve his chaotic justice, or in this case vengeance, with followers who commit to and execute his orders
- That's why I feel this movie could tie in nicely with Joker, especially since it was set in older times as we see Gotham city with a dark tone similar to Joker's theme.
- All in all, the cinematopraphy, drama, action, dialogue, music and the whole feel of the movie was fnatastically done. That's why I called it a masterpiece, but even a masterpiece doesn't mean it's perfect, and my main issue was Robert Pattinson as Batman as I wasn't convinced with him as the character. It obviously wasn't a superhero movie, it was more of a serious vibe like Se7en and The Departed.
Clean (2021)
Clean from any content!
- Very predictable. A protagonist with a violent history trying to redeem himself from a tragedy that he blames himself for.
- slow and dragging
- shallow with no character development or proper backstory
- backstory of the protagonist doesn't make sense. How is he the father? What kind of person was he? Was he in the army? Assassin? Drug leader?
- First half of the movie was supposed to introduce the protagonist, but took too long and didn't even show much of anything about him or the people he cares about. His relationship with the young girl didn't make sense either.
- It was giving flashbacks of the protagonist's history, it's understandable to not give much explanation and keep a level of anonymity but it was too vague and didn't clarify anything about his life.