Tag: Michael Block

UNSEEN (2023)

~ jbg ~ Leave a comment

Directed By: Yoko Okumura
Written By: Salvatore Cardoni and Brian Rawlins 
Cinematography: Federico Verardi
Editor: Michael Block

Cast: Midori Francis, Jolene Purdy, Michael Patrick Lane, Missi Pyle, Brett Baker, Nicholas X. Parsons 

Sam receives a call from Emily, a nearly blind woman who is running from her murderous ex in the woods. She must survive the ordeal with Sam being her eyes using video call.

At first, this might seem like a gimmick film. A sit is based upon a video call between strangers that ends up becoming a theoretical life for both of them eventually. 

However, it doesn’t stick to the perspective of that being all we see and that being how the story is told. It is not a minor part of the film. This Isn’t a film like SEARCHING or MISSING where the film is told strictly through video devices. 

The film is fun as it goes along. Though it is serious and presents its own challenges for its Characters. It feels loose and experimental but also has style to a certain extent. 

The film gets crazier as it goes along, but it somehow works. As we get to know and like the lead characters. Who are American Asian characters who mainly get bullied and stalked by white characters. Who expects them to be meek and take the abuse. Making it a bit political but more subtle. 

It also serves as an obvious plot point of the film but the title can also be interpreted as how the characters feel in society in A certain way and also unseen as almost invisible

The film feels like a teen movie. Even though the language might be a little too much for a PG-13 rating they are most likely the ones who will enjoy the film the most.

This is mainly a thriller with some dark comedic elements thrown in. It goes by fast and its Running time is under 90 Minutes. So that it makes solid entertainment.

Each story keeps you captivated in different ways that gel together well and each lead character in the tales keeps you caring and wanting to see them survive and succeed. 

You might not take it seriously but you will undoubtedly have fun with it.

Grade: B- 

WATCHER (2022)

~ jbg ~ Leave a comment

Written & Directed By: Chloe Okuno
Based on a Screenplay By: Zack Ford 
Cinematography: Benjamin Kirk Nielsen 
Editor: Michael Block 

Cast: Maika Monroe, Karl Glusman, Burn Gorman, Madalina Anea, Daniel Nuta, Stefan Iancu 

A young American woman moves with her husband to Bucharest and begins to suspect that a stranger who watches her from the apartment building across the street may be a local serial killer decapitating women.

The film offers no real thrills or chills. Though it looks great visually. 

The film never lived up to the potential that it seems to set up. Though it finally comes alive in the final 15 minutes. Which is when we believe it is over. Then it seems determined to try and surprise us finally.

The ending feels a bit tacked on in the final Minutes. Downtrodden and stronger but killer wouldn’t be able to get away. As this has to make sense or have a payoff for sitting through all of this.

It’s a consistently sad film though nothing throughout makes you care or endears her to the audience other than she is the protagonist and a human being. 

As the film plays heavily into the cliche belief that the lead is seeing things or losing her mind rather then what she sees’s being real and believed. So that it almost plays like a drama more than anything. 

As the film immersed us in her situation and world which is foreign to her and us.

This feels like a Brian DePalma movie without the inventive cinematography 

Though if you are a fan of actress Makia Monroe, we are with her through most of the film. Plenty of shots of her looking beautiful her wardrobe was immaculate 

This is more of a film you gaze at that could be played in the background. You would study it for its Look and shots. Nothing much of note happens.

It does offer up that common fear of being a stranger in a strange land and being alone. Yet when you should feel safe not truly feel that way. As there is always a creepy element or even a person who personifies that feeling. No matter how lavish the surrounding.

In the end, it’s a little predictable and pretty traditional. While there is something special here in its sharp direction. It never rises to the greatness it could have been. Even with an ending that tries to make up for all the slower pace in the beginning.

Grade: C+