Tag: Martin Csokas

CUCKOO (2024)

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Written & Directed By: Tilman Singer 

Cinematography: Paul Feltz 

Editor: Terel Gibson and Philipp Thomas 

Cast: Hunter Schafer, Dan Stevens, Marton Csokas, Jessica Henwick, Greta Fernadez, Jan Bluthardt, Proschart Madani, Astrid Berges-Frisby

Reluctantly, 17-year-old Gretchen leaves her American home to live with her father, who has just moved into a resort in the German Alps with his new family. Arriving at their future residence, they are greeted by Mr. König, her father’s boss, who takes an inexplicable interest in Gretchen’s mute half-sister Alma. Something doesn’t seem right in this tranquil vacation paradise. Gretchen is plagued by strange noises and bloody visions until she discovers a shocking secret that also concerns her own family.

This film matches its title. As even once you price everything together it still comes off as bizarre, Yet idiosyncratic.

This is a film that you should go into knowing as little as you can. Though even if you know some of it. It will still be bizarre and mysterious. 

All of the actors are on top of their games and give memorable performances. One only wishes there was more to remember story wise. That at times feels confusing for its own sake and to keep us as off center as the lead character played by Hunter Schafer.

The film is very stylish and keeps you on your toes trying to guess what is coming next. 

The film puts you Ina strange environment and commit ity and leaves you there. For you

To figure it out as much as the characters. Though they take to it a little more

Quickly and routinely than the audience most Likely will. 

This movie is a drug, Purely. It’s up to you wether the trip it leaves you with is good or bad. It’s definitely cinematic, experimental and theatrical. 

Honestly… This $h*t is bananas in a good way. Far from predictable, but hard to explain A wild stylish ride. Hunter Schafer is quite good, and a Fox but Dan Steven’s once again runs away with the film. It has a strange taste to it, foreign and not Terrible quite tasty but not exactly a favorite 

Grade: B- 

HOUSE OF SPOILS (2024)

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Written & Directed: Bridget Savage Cole and Danielle Krudy

Cinematography: Eric Lin

Editor: Marcus Vives 

Cast: Ariana DeBose, Barbie Ferreira, Arian Moayed, Martin Csokas, Mikel Brett Silset, Amara Karen

It tells the story of a chef who opens her first restaurant where she battles kitchen chaos, a dubious investor, and self-doubt, but the pressure heats up thanks to the spirit of the estate’s previous owner who threatens to sabotage her.

This is a film that never seems to get started. As it builds up to a certain degree of what’s the worst that could happen. Which adds a certain comedic paranoia. Though it feels like it drops the ball.

As it seems to take It’s Time to get the audience excited and ready, by the end it gets to its conclusion it feels like much ado about nothing. Making. It feels like most of the movie was a tease with an unsatisfying ending.

It might have been better as a short or an episode of an anthology. So it could get to the point. At least have a stronger ending.

As for the need, it feels more like a film that tries to tie in feminism and witchcraft. Where recipes seem to be the spells and an offering. 

It never feels like a thriller or horror. Though it has elements of each. In the end, it feels more like a drama. That tries to have some mood of THE BEAR mixed in with what might be some supernatural elements. 

The one strong thing about this film is the lead role played by Oscar Winner Ariana DeBose. One only wishes the film and script could be as strong as she is throughout. 

Grade: D