Cast: Michael Bryant, Jane Asher, Iain Cuthbertson, Michael Bates, Reginald Marsh, Tom Chadbon, John Forgeham
A research team from an electronics company moves into an old Victorian house to start work on finding a new recording medium. When team member Jill Greeley witnesses a ghost, team director Peter Brock decides not only to analyze the apparition, which he believes is a psychic impression trapped in a stone wall (dubbed a “stone tape”), but also to exorcise it–with terrifying results.
This is one of those slow films that ends up being more scientific throughout in terms of research and results, displaying that on the search for something supernatural. Keep in mind that this was originally a British television movie.
It’s not at all not only by today’s standards I can’t even imagine it being that scary back when it was made, but one was personally how the premises could be quite fearful.
We have seen this type of story before, but this was one of the earlier examples of that kind of film, which mainly focused on an investigation and the behind-the-scenes politics involved.
The editing and transitions in between scenes make one wonder if this was originally a TV movie.
By the end, it seems more effective as a story or book rather than a movie maybe because by now we have seen so many other films borrow elements and add to it to make it more entertaining or fill it out that it now feels more like a theatrical, dramatic interpretation or dramatization than anything else that seems like it would be more thrilling on the page rather than on the screen as the film presents there to be a great build-up for very little to happen.
For me, Jane Asher is barely recognizable from the Deep End to this film. In that film, she was the epitome of beauty and free love, but here, she seems more stodgy, quite a chameleon-like performance at least in my eyes.
Cast: Conor Sherry, Gabriel LaBelle, Mika Abdalla, Nick Robinson, David Costabile, Gillian Vigman, June Gentry, April Clark
Nebraska City, 1991, two best friends get the chance to run the swimming pool snack shack, that later comes to be the perfect scenario for transgression, fun, personal discovery, and romance.
This film was kind of a quiet victory as it slowly rolled out and released a lot of people praised this film so I took my time before watching it and I have to say it’s heartwarming and a good film.
Even though it’s familiar, it doesn’t talk down to its audience and while being rebellious it still feels a bit suburban where it feels perfect for teens, even though set in 1991 as it gives them respect and hints of a little bit of nostalgia for the audience watching it.
Casting Nick Robinson in this film was a mini-stroke of genius for audience members who remember him starring in another coming-of-age summer film called KINGS OF SUMMER here it feels like he is passing the torch to the actors here.
This film has mostly what you would expect a romantic triangle and a love story best friends who might be growing apart, rebellious against strict parents who mean the best for their children, but also seem like strict disciplinarians for no reason smoking, drinking gambling, and scoring
Though I do applaud the characters for being so financial and business-minded at such an early age and being go-getters, but also go a little wild, not only for the profits but even the ideas.
The film and the characters have a certain charm that carries the film to the finish line and goes over the audience. It seems a little more random even though you know that they’ll probably come the way in which they are handled seems a bit looser.
The film isn’t as plot-structured. as a lot of these summer coming-of-age films usually are and there’s no real villain or deadline or person that they’re fighting against. It’s just the lazy hazy days of summer where one day everything seems to be normal and slow and then the next day full of excitement, then something shattering the next. There doesn’t seem to be an ultimate plan.
Though the film has many female characters, there’s only one female man, and it would’ve been nice if maybe there were some others to provide either commentary support or temptation, even if the main female is quite fetching so that you can understand why the boys are quite head over heels for her. Luckily they give her enough personality to be a character who could stand on her though rarely give her a chance played by the impressive Mika Abdalla.
It took me quite a while to recognize Gabriel LaBelle as the character of Mike. He played in another coming-of-age film MEET THE FABELMANS starring as a younger version of Steven Spielberg who directed the film. So once again he is in another coming-of-age story as one of the leads. Quite impressive and strong character.
What is also impressive is that the film is written and directed by Adam Rehmeier, whose previous films have been riskier and, shockingly, he goes here for more of a family film vibe that while it has its vices never out of place or even racy. It’s nice to see his range as this is an enjoyable independent film just as his previous film KIDS IN AMERICA was enjoyable but a lot more hard-core and punk rock and its rebellion.
Won’t say believe the hype that it is a sweet surprise of the easy-going nostalgic coming-of-age cinema.
Cast: Mason Thames, Ali Gallo, Isabella Ferreira, Thomas Barbusca, Kaitlin Olson, Bobby Cannavale, Raphael Alejandro, Ramon Reed, Bardia Seiri, Scott Macarthur, Victoria Moroles, Loran Gray
Four freshmen navigate the terrors of adolescence at their first-ever high school party.
This is a raunchy teenage comedy that feels like it is more made for teenagers of today, but in its own strange way, it still has a kind of innocence to it.
It will feel familiar for those who have seen plenty of team coming-of-age comedies, but it feels like it belongs more to this next generation as a kind of passing along the lines.
It’s raunchy in language, but it never quite feels exploited of strange and it just feels like a generally fun time and offers to teach lessons and its own rough way.
It is mostly all talk, plenty of action, but very little play and luckily no sex scenes. It stays pretty woke and equilateral though there is a surprisingly little bit of nudity that seems to come out of nowhere and is shocking, but that is as raunchy as the film gets other than language and a brief surprising sex scene out of nowhere.
That proves at certain points that the movie is more for shock and giggles.
The adult cast here is mainly the big names and full of pros with Kaitlyn Olsen and Bobby Cavale, who plays more of a comedic supporting character that he seems to be getting expertise. This at least seems to have somewhat of a conscience, and it’s just more lonely than anything.
Even though for all of its juvenile humor, this film can be quite charming and keeps an innocence about itself that stays not only entertaining but interesting throughout and truly tries to push the envelope at times, but never as far as one would expect or put it truly over the top.
No, the storylines and character motivations will feel familiar as it feels like a mashup of different teen movies. I’ll put in one, but luckily, it’s not a spoof or parody of those films.
Though with the Netflix sheen. It comes across at times as trying to fill a niche for an audience or making it feel so businesslike rather than with a heart.
Cast: Pamela Segall, Joey Coleman, George Olden, Michael Hentz, Christopher Brown, Anne DeSalvo, Martin Mull, Karen Black, Kimmy Robertson, Susan Ruttan, Edy Williams, Stephen Stucker
Four teens on the run from an orphanage spring a fellow orphan recently adopted by a rich family, then trash the whole house.
This is a film I remember watching and liking quite a bit when I was a kid probably around eight years old, which is what strikes at the heart of this film who is this film really marketed towards it is too adult to truly be for children and to juvenile to really be for adults 18 even though most of the characters look to be just entering their teens and the material throughout is way too adult. In fact, it’s a rated R film.
This is a long way of saying they wouldn’t make a film like this today. The film is just trashy, sleazy, gross, and in very bad taste, but strangely it has charm.
At the heart of it, it’s very punk rock as it showcases, a rebellious youthful spirit against the more selfish superficial, and exploitation of adults. Not to mention everything moving along into chaos.
The film shows some adults in particular at the orphanage have a psychotherapist, who only wants to talk about sex to the young children there and seems to be very into bondage
The orphanage rundown prison or who uses a cattle pro and all of the teachers seem to be nuns
The film has two nude scenes. unnecessary, but we’re kind of in at the time and probably helped get more eyes on the film of whichever audience. They intended the teens and the adults giving them a reason to watch it as I might have done the research and saw in the rating it’s rated R for you know, graphic violence, nudity sexual situations, and language only here with more nudity and language
It doesn’t really have any sex in it luckily but there is just a certain vibe to it. That feels like anything taboo will be at least hint or watching it now it’s amazed that it even got made.
as I will admit at the time, one of the reasons, I probably became a fan of this film was Pamela Segall who knows who now goes by Pamela Adlon, who is in a bunch of movies I saw on cable GREASE 2 is where I first saw her and then this film and then the movie SOMETHING SPECIAL a more teenage appropriate movie. Though not as wild. Even later in her career, playing the tough gal usually but one who is down to earth and could definitely hang with the men on equal footing while also being noticeably attractive. Which has made me a lifelong fan of hers.
One of the problems of the movies is that you hate most of the characters or dislike them, as even the kids aren’t exactly likable. They all seem very troubled and while you want them to win, you probably wouldn’t want to take care of any of them or be in charge of any of them, but as the movie tries to keep us, and if they wanna act like they are adults
As the kids are just unruly and seem to want to always break the rules and cause trouble, and they all have different character types not clearly defined, but rambunctious
It just makes me wonder what there was as a respectable cast of Martin Mull, Anne DeSalvo and Karen Black in it, apparently, all are here cashing checks, but they still give their all in their performances.
I will admit Martin Mull is also another big pole for me to watch a film even when I was a kid I was fascinated by him or the characters he played.
The film was even shot by renowned future cinematographer and filmmaker Jan De Bont (SPEED)
None of the actors who played the main gang of kids really appeared in too many future film or television roles. Though Joey Coleman, who played Whitey was in the documentary and open secret about child abuse, and pedophilia in Hollywood.
It is also one of the rare roles of Stephen Stucker outside of the AIRPLANE spoof movies. Playing a similar over the top comedic role.
on the one hand, I admire that this film got made at all as it just shows how wild the 1980s were when it came to so-called teen or youth oriented films. The film certainly isn’t well but it is a fascinating watch for what they did and get away with at the time.
as a childhood memory of entertainment, I am shocked that my parents let me watch this many times, but also it kind of has a special place in my heart. I know it’s nostalgia isn’t always the greatest especially when it comes to something that might be an inferior product, but this stays with me, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it but for those who look for more trashy Cinema, I would say give it a chance or give it a look
Cast: Stephen Graham, Jason Flemyng, Vinette Robinson, Alice Feetham, Ray Panthaki, Hannah Walters, Lauren Ajufo, Malachi Kirby, Taz Skylar, Izuka Hoyle
Enter the relentless pressure of a restaurant kitchen as a head chef wrangles his team on the busiest day of the year.
Some people might compare this film to the television show THE BEAR even though this film came out first. it does have the intensity of that show’s pilot and its most agonizing episodes. With a head chef, dealing with all the calamities and kitchen crew not to mention his personal problems.
Interestingly, The film did have a four-episode television spinoff that, I have not watched, but seems to be the story. For this review, one will stick to the film and its perimeters.
Though this film isn’t as comedic, is its own animal and maintains its own identity, dealing with all the different pressures in one evening. The staff’s constant interaction with one another, and also shows more interaction with the customers and their individual and seemingly difficult demands at times.
This film is made to look like it takes place all in one continuous shot or one take. The film is a little more detailed and showcases its construction. As well as the meals construction.
We see how the kitchen must run like a well-oiled machine, so must the film and direction. it’s also revelatory that not all the crew are doing what’s best for the team some can be downright selfish and more self-serving. Especially in one scene where the bellboy takes a trip outside and it allows for the film to take us out of the chaos for a bit of a cleanser. As we see the nefarious dealings.
It’s those moments where we can have a bit of the character’s own drama while dealing with the main narrative that makes it successful and helps steer the ship. As in the slow burn, everything comes to a head.
Showcase is being part of a team that you were only as strong as your worst worker. The continuous pressure is felt throughout.
As well as giving a voice and allowing the audience to witness the hardships of the workers, the hardships of the service hospitality, industry, and the abuse faced by them from customers and other staff when it’s coming from both ends, where are you supposed to find your peace.
The film offers no real resolutions to some problems, though it does reveal quite a bit or hints at things that can cause frustration. Though, we are only here for one evening so it’s not that type of film where everything will be tied up by the end. It offers many surprises.
The film is like a thriller so much suspense and reserved intensity yet it stays action-packed to a degree. So that it’s identifiable and just as frustrating as real life at times.
Stephen Graham scores another great damaged character holding on by a thread who seems to have a calm demeanor, but seems to be crashing underneath. He gives a great memorable performance at the center and knocks it out of the park seeming like he can do no wrong in a role, but this is an ensemble effort. He stands out as much as the rest of the cast. Which is the film’s definition.
What is so powerful about the film is that the audience’s opinion might constantly change about certain characters as the reveals and connections happen. So by the end of the film is a roller coaster hitting rock bottom. There are so many highs or maintenance levels. Either way, it’s all well executed.
Meticulous. Beautifully crafted and constructed Like a well-crafted meal with a strong aftertaste. Which is what makes it all the better, Loved it.
Read about it when it came out. Unfortunately put it on the back burner and finally got around to watching it… in amazement.
Also shoutout to Lauryn Ajufo whose character is so punished throughout and eventually gets a moment of manners. Really felt for her the most throughout mostly
This is a film that needs to be discovered and more people need to see this.
Cast: Laura Calamy, Anne Suarez, Genevive Mnich, Nolan Arizmendi, Sasha Lamaitre Cremaschi, Cyril Guei, Lucie Gallo, Agathe Dronne, Mathilde Weil, Dana Fiaque
Just when Julie finally gets an interview for a job that will let her raise her children better, she runs into a national transportation strike.
This film seems to have the mentality that when it rains it pours.
It seems the first to be such a simple film. You know a single mother trying to do better for her kids and her life by trying to get a better job you know pays more maybe a little closer to home better hours.
Then it turns it into a thrill a minute story of tension as she has to deal with bringing the kids to this babysitter, then trying to get to work on time where you know either trains are off schedule or late or you know the workers are having a strike, and She has to take a different route or find a totally different way to go to work
Even you know, kind of flirting with someone who she’s not necessarily really attracted to, but she knows it suite on her just so she can get a ride and then shockingly him rebuffing her. so that even her sideline romance seems to fail in the middle of all her other hardships you rule for her throughout, but feel the loss.
And then not only that struggling to get to work late with her supervisor notices and penalizing her for but then also trying to get back home on time to pick up her kids on time you know it’s not quite run Lola run or that was it character dealing with all these different fates and felt kind of mystical this is just hard-core reality.
Justice things seem to go positive for this character they always seem to be a curveball throw as we watch in the way that she has to maneuver for survival as she faces one challenge or dilemma at a time, and usually after another close together.
It’s a portrait of one single mother that speaks for a number of them out there as they try to do their best for themselves, and most importantly, their families, and the seemingly increasing levels of difficulty and challenges they must face it seems even just to break even.
Her ex seems to disappear, avoid, and take no responsibility or offer solutions. You admire her to a degree, and the film teaches. You have to take it day by day moment by moment, each one seems to be worse and truly a horror film of its own.
Thank you to John Waters, whose list of 2023‘s best movies listed this film as one of them, or else I probably never would’ve heard of it, or probably not for some as the film is exhilarating and exemplary
Cast: Lousie Smith, Deborah Banks, Liz Caldwell, Marusia Zach, Amanda Goodwin, Boomer Tibs, Richard Davidson, Ronald Willoughby
A lesbian college graduate, trying to bankroll her own photography business, works as a high-priced New York City escort.
This film presents a day in the life of hookers at an uptown, brothel escort service, where we see the ins and outs of the service the various customers who come by as well as the different types of girls working there.
We mainly follow the character of Molly, who is more or less the lead here played by Louise Smith, as we see her waking up, traveling to the job, getting ready, and thrust into working as well as the responsibilities during the downtime.
We see some of the sessions, the sweetness of some customers, the nastiness of others, and even the strange requests
The relationship between the coworkers and different personalities and types provide an overall character study that can be fun at times as well as sad and shocking. It never feels off for any kind of dramatic reasons or tension so it stays truthful in its depiction and never quite sensationalizes.
The film is in an epic and never feels exploitative It stays quite dramatic and humanistic. Never offer an opinion on any of the characters or the profession.
It’s more of a female look at the profession full of truth and camaraderie, in this high-class brothel.
The film takes place mostly in a single location for most of the film, though it does explore a little not much. It feels like a play for the revolving door of characters and the conversations.
Each session can be a turning point in the film or add some new dramatic intrigue, maybe even a comic premise, but it stays on the level.
There are many stories that could have happened here, but only a few are truly explored as that is the life or the job plenty of fantasies, but in the end, staying themselves and not allowing themselves to get lost. As in their rules as prostitutes, there’s plenty of acting, but never any true lying.
There are no defining traumatic moments until the end. When that happens, it’s not as strong as one would expect. It stays a workplace drama.
We see how the mail customers say the same thing thinking they are different or special, which is why they care for fantasy and to either have control or lose their own to a degree.
The film is based on actual clients witnessed and told about to the filmmaker and the cast. it’s an early eight 1980s independent film with a low budget that was filmed in the director’s apartment in a week, through plenty of rehearsal, which also leans more towards its theatrical feeling and pacing. the film manages to say so much it ends up being more of an observant look for the audience to witness and make their own assumptions
As storm season intensifies, the paths of former storm chaser Kate Cooper, lured back to the open plains after a devastating encounter years prior, and reckless social-media superstar Tyler Owens collide when terrifying phenomena never seen before are unleashed. The pair and their competing teams find themselves squarely in the paths of multiple storm systems converging over central Oklahoma in the fight of their lives.
Let me just say upfront, I saw the first Twister movie in theaters in fact on opening day, and I was heavily disappointed in that film. so I was very jaded early on hearing about this film and then finally decided to give it a try.
I am happy to report that I am happy to give it a try as this film is probably the original or first Twister film needed. This film is not as obsessed with special effects or making this an event movie.
This film actually has a lot of heart and is filled with characters that you’re actually interested in and are two-dimensional and though there’s a lot of flirtation, this one is not as romantic or has that conflict in the middle of everything going on.
This film actually has suspense, and it has action in the form of storm chasing and the effects of it while being in the middle of it, but it also makes you care. The country and folk music on the soundtrack takes place in the Midwest most of the characters are from the Midwest and it feels like a film that lets nature take its course rather than being forced.
It’s not subtle at times and can be silly, but you go with it because it works it’s fun it’s entertaining, and most of all it makes you care about charity corporations don’t have as many and not as much violence or punishment for characters that deems evil or corporate.
In fact, the film starts off with the heroine on the corporate side out of a loyalty to a friend and you can tell that she’s corporate because her wardrobe is all buttoned up and making the more fun and naturalistic country. Boys and girls seem a little more into it out of business and as a form of excitement and challenge. Then, of course, as the film goes along the tables kind of turn, and she sees the error of her Waze and we know she’s had a change of heart throughout the rest of the film. She’s wearing more homegrown natural clothes, not the turtlenecks that she necessarily started off in.
Sort of like the films of old like let’s say the African Queen we have the female lead in the male lead at odds, but obviously attracted to each other, and then as the story gets deeper, we learn more about each of their past there seems to be a kind of flirtation and attraction that gets deeper as the film goes along, though it doesn’t overpower the story, which is the most important part The characters and the mission are more important than necessarily the Romance.
Not to mention, the romance comes about naturally and never feels forced and there’s a natural chemistry between the legs and hell even all of the characters.
Now I must note this film started to get more pressing come out. I wasn’t intrigued as it did seem like the type of summer fun blockbuster they just go out and have fun and be entertained letting a film come along and do it and not more but also an actress who I am a huge fan of and look forward to every time she is in a film, especially on the big screen, Sasha Lane now she’s not the lead, but she plays a fun supporting character and really she was the reason I got Tipped Towards going to see this film in Cinemas and I am all happier for it as this is a film that is best to be seen on the big screen.
It’s just more effective that way. Maybe the Director started off as a more naturalistic independent filmmaker whose films were based on character and made his way up more toward bigger budget stories with a little more action and special effects. Lee Isaac Chung the Director was obviously the right choice to take a chance on a Director who is of more independent means and might be a little more artistic and works within the genre.
Written By: Galder Gaztelu-Urtuitia, David Desola, Egoitz Moreno and Pedro Rivera
Cinematography: Jones Sangroniz
Cast: Milena Smit, Hovik Kruchkerian, Natalia Trent, Oscar Jaenada, Ivan Massague, Zorion Eguileor, Bastien Ughetto
A thrilling physical journey that allows an approach to the darkness, where it is scary to look. It appeals to the viewer’s civil responsibility and forces them to face the limits of their own solidarity.
This is an unnecessary sequel. That is more of the same but tries to keep or Impart an anti-authority message. While also including some personal stories about sacrifice and acceptance.
The film is overblown and has the effect of feeling like we got the message the first time and now you are just pounding it into the audience’s head who Were already on board. So at times, it feels overblown and annoying. Especially including a leader who ultimately works As a physical manifestation of a villain. Who resembles a version of Jesus.
Though the film is fine and if you haven’t seen the first film it might be shocking or like something new, but if you have seen the first it’s like a procedural more of the same only different faces and new characters. Basically more of the same.
Though the film tries to add mythology to its tale it feels overblown like most sequels and a bit too much for something that should have kept it simple and not overthought it.
It will be satisfying more if you haven’t seen the first one. As this film feels unnecessary.
A crew of environmental activists plot a daring plan to disrupt an oil pipeline.
This is an interesting little thriller. As it starts off so anonymously. Then turns into an ecological heist movie. It lives up to its title but the strength is in the storytelling
We see how the plan is all coming together and what everyone’s duties and responsibilities are.
Meanwhile, we get glimpses into the characters’ reasons origins, and what brought them here.
Only in pivotal moments of the storyline. This also shows how the group all came together in the first place. As characters sometimes overlap in these moments.
The film provides plenty of drama, but also plenty of twists, turns, and double-crosses. Even when you think you know what’s going to happen, the film throws either a monkey wrench or what you think will happen but in a different way that you weren’t expecting.
The film is loosely based on the book of the same name which talks about the dilemma and the history of the problem. it is more dramatized and focused on this group of characters and their individual reasons as to why they came together to do this.
The ensemble works as each one is definitely passionate and works well with one another and you are on the edge of your seat plenty of times as this plan goes into effect. Even the aftermath is fascinating. As there is more to tell even during the credits as to the character’s fates. There is still the question was it all worth it?
This film is definitely worth watching even if you’re not necessarily into the politics of the character it works as a heist, film, and as a thriller and a film that examines the issues they are protesting against. Wow, the film provides plenty of suspense.
The film does feel like you are a fly on the wall, including your access to the information as a lot of times the film feels shot on the fly and feels as organic do it yourself and homemade the characters in their plan are.
Oh, the MVP of the film is Ariela Barer as she is the producer, writer, and one of the stars of the film. The film is an ensemble actor and character gets their moments to shine.
Cut To The Chase 