Cast: Matthew MacCaull, Amanda Fix, Brenda Llewellyn, Cassandra Sawtell, Richard Harmon, Elyse Levesque, Josh Zaharia, Kevin McNulty
The survival instincts of a road-tripping family are put to the test when they have no other choice but to stay the night at a remote homestead.
This is a film that is definitely better. If you don’t know much about it before you watch it even though the poster makes it look like a run-of-the-mill horror film. Hopefully, you are reading this after the film, As there are minor spoilers.
This film offers the typical violence thrills and scares, but it also offers up quite a few twists that are quite original and fun that keep the film entertaining.
Though the film might reveal its hand early. It seems necessary to heighten the situation that the characters find themselves in.
Most of the most creepy characters in this film, or actually the most innocent, and those that seem the most innocent tend to be the most disturbed ones.
This is a single horror film for the most part, so it maintains its ground and stays on the ground, which works for this tale. All the actors are spot-on in their performances.
This film deserves more of a theatrical release or to be part of the BLUMHOUSE productions. The film gives more to the audience and shows respect for them rather than being easily formulaic and providing cheap thrills. just as this is more entertaining than any of the American horror stories by Ryan Murphy
Surprisingly, this film is more solid than expected. It shows what can be done with imagination and a low budget. it offers a lot with what little it makes you believe it has. It even has a pro-LGBTQ+ romance in it.
Cast: Kyle Gallner, Johnny Berchtold, Liza Weil, Kanesha Washington, Sue Rock, Lupe Len, Mariah Benoit, Brooks Anne Hayes
A man is forced to face his fears and confront his troubled past. He must find a way to survive when his co-worker snaps and goes on a violent killing spree.
This film passed any expectations that I had going in as it seemed like it was going to be pretty much a crime spree movie that might have gotten off on its violence.
Instead, we get a film that is not a deep character study, but a character study nonetheless where the two leads and part of the cast of characters are all dealing with past trauma that they seem to have dealt with, but didn’t necessarily get past and the different ways in which they’re dealing with it.
While the whole cast rises to the occasion, as usual, I have the shout-out actor, Kyle Gallner who is the character actor who I have seen in many different films, and recently has been playing more leads, and he seems to always rise above or Fitz right in and more makes the movie his.
The film starts off with what looks to be mundane before a shocking act of violence gets you out of that mindset And keeps you on edge throughout. You truly never quite know what’s going to happen next, as we are taken along with the psychopath and the boy he takes hostage and a sort of accomplice, determined to understand and cure him.
Along the way we did into both of their pasts one is clear, the other not quite, but leaves us to figure it out and doesn’t spell it out yet we believe we know.
Separates this from other criminals on the run films in that the lead character the psychopath isn’t stupid but while at first he seems like he has a plan and knows what he’s doing along the way the film does it make him necessarily a hero, or a stand-in for any certain subject or new story he’s a human being, a person dealing with rage And just as most of us acting like he has an altogether but underneath he’s just going through the motions and trying to do what seems right to survive.
The film actually, while being violent isn’t as violent as it would make you believe it’s more psychological than physical, and is quite chatty rather than action-oriented.
There are ways in which the material could’ve been different or dealt with but the way it is is fine and it still manages to be a genre film yet makes it and definitely deserves to be seen and talked about.
It wouldn’t have taken away from the film if maybe it had more of a homoerotic theme throughout which it seems to flirt with, but never goes that far as it has bigger fish to fry and other issues and it wants to convey.
Cast: Kurt Russell, Mariel Hemingway, Joe Pantoliano, Andy Garcia, Richard Masur, Richard Jordan, Richard Bradford, William Smith
When a teenager is shot at the beach, a journalist from The Miami Journal is sent to cover the story. He’s called by the murderer and told there’ll be four more.
This movie took me by surprise mainly because it was a Kurt Russell-starring thriller made in the 1980s that I had never heard of before. So it was fascinating to watch.
For its time this film seems to pass the mister and it’s not bad, but it doesn’t feel like anything that special either. Especially watching it in modern times. We have seen many movies and even television episodes of shows that tackle the same subject matter of journalistic ethics.
The film is filled with character actors some early in their careers others late. So it keeps it exciting watching them at work.
The film offers a few red herrings before generally just giving us the identity of the serial killer in the third act.
Whereas it becomes a cat-and-mouse game after the killer kidnaps the reporter’s girlfriend after he feels betrayed by the reporter.
The film chooses to examine the serial killer and his killings over the morality of what the reporter is doing and more becoming part of the story than reporting on it. Which would have been a stronger film. Exploring the newspaper industry and its culture at the time.
The film even includes the old cinematic trick of having the newspaper swirl and spin before revealing the headline superimposed over characters. It also has the going to retire after one last job cliche.
Screenwriter Christopher Crowe sued an alias for his credit on this film. Where you wonder if it’s because it differed from his original screenplay or was more of a side project job he did and didn’t want this to injure his career.
I wish I could say this was one tries to make a dent in the weekly box office and was soon forgotten. if this film was made quickly and shoddily. There was real care and work put in throughout.
The film is a good potboiler and time waster but never quite strong enough to be that memorable. Never quite making its mark. Despite its cast.
Cast: Jacques Perrin, Julien Guiomar, Eva Simonet, Paul Barge, Jaqueline Danno, Katia Cavaignac, Jean-Pierre Miguel, Helene Surgere, Sonia Saviange, Nicole Courcel
Unhappy women are being murdered by Emile, a psychotic young man suffering from the delusion that his acts are mercy killings.
The title seems simple, but there is a deeper meaning, and this film proves to be so much more.
This might’ve been regular fashion back when it was made but everything feels so stylistic Maybe because, to a modern audience, it is so far and was made to feel that way. As it is a French Giallo that provides less mystery and violence and seems to be more about the setup
The first kill in this film seems like the victim, experienced it, and welcomed it. It comes off as stylish and fetishistic in a romantic or erotic way
And choosing his victims, the title character it seems like they welcome him and aren’t surprised last encounter liaison or fling before the end so that it’s almost romantic and putting them out of their misery or granting a last request.
Which ends up setting the tone for the film as a romance yet not a love story
Almost like his actions are doing the victims of favor, as they are suicidal and feel they have no reason to live anymore. He offers assistance So they don’t do it themselves. Or go through the experience alone, nor have to worry about depending on their morals or beliefs going to hell, necessarily if religious
The victims, female, fashionable, and gorgeous, and presentation before their last breaths
The choreography of the floor show of one victim’s death scene is memorable and a delight, its style or international attitude and ideas.
The film can be drilled yet makes much out of a little and remains truly unforgettable, as well as an underrated gem that can easily throw an audience a bit of valance as the film goes on. We get to know the victims a bit more as we see the melodrama with each new one giving them, brava last scenes of their character’s last moments
We never see the actual kills only the before, and a bit of the aftermath to know that the deed was done
Wow, also witnessing the investigation of the case buying adults, Nancy, Drew, the character, and the police captain who start a kind of romance or at least a relationship hence toward romance
We watch as the killer gets upset as someone perverts his act of mercy per se by following him to the crime scenes and then stealing from the victims, making it seem like the killer’s motives are more about material gains making his gift seem more common and presents a rivalry
Victims come off as if they feel forgotten or betrayed by the world, or maybe just betrayed by a man or lover, and they will finally be immortalized and die and finally get attention special before the end. This desperation makes them feel sparkling before putting them out of their misery.
Presented as glamorous the Weathered it feels like a Hitchcock film as it has it set pieces that are usually the murders that come off as artistic and depth at times. As the film plays, Layfair and laid-back, not too concerned or drastic despite the actions and the film’s move.
When it comes to Giallo there is a certain beauty it provides it showcases. One of the reasons I like them is that they know how to present the female characters stylishly, sensual, gorgeous and fabulous. Like screen sirens. Sexy for sure but not cheaply classy and less exploitive all about beauty. They feel like women Of class and culture. It’s presented more as normal not necessarily down to earth. Special in fact but somehow normal and approachable
Amongst the crowd with Imperfections seemingly edited out.
The Death scenes feel like little short stories that offer glimpses of life lives and characters are given more dignity and death than might’ve had in life
They are double-crosses as the thieves seem to turn to murder groupies with funny emotional moments of turmoil as the third act is dragged out, but has plenty of beautiful moments
The film is more than just its simple title. This Gallo is a weird romance of the killer, granting his victims, and lovers wishes and making them feel special. Laissez-faire laid-back look at the serial killer and the investigation around his killings. That seems to be in no rush and strives to be more artistic than surprised filled or a procedure, except for a random dream sequence. The film is never exploited but creative and its simplicity is not so much a psychological study nor a thriller
The synopsis seems conventional, but that’s the film’s artistic aim. It has mainstream scares with deeper meanings and emotions in between that get confusing at the end and make it more cultivated.. there is also a boom mic visible in the final scene
The murder towards the end seems to be out of a discussion with the society around him, which is depressing as even the film feels like it betrays itself towards the end. There is even a boom visible in the final scene
Cast: Nicole Brydon Bloom, Giles Matthey, Taylor Nichols, Alan Blumenfeld, Naomi Grossman, Celeste Sully, Clayton Hoff, Susan Davis
When Sarah lucks into a sweet one-bedroom at Asilo Del Mar Apartments in Los Angeles, she thinks she’s hit the jackpot. It’s got plenty of space, friendly tenants, group BBQs, and even a cute neighbor next door. All is not what it seems: loud noises start keeping her awake at night; her cat is missing; everyone seems to be a little too helpful and friendly, except for the weirdo, Lester. Soon, Sarah learns she didn’t choose this apartment – It chose her.
This film is short. It might’ve been more effective as a short, but I don’t know if it could’ve made it or been felt as deeply if it was a short short.
As you get a little more backstory and understand how everything works more.
The film is interesting though it’s never quite strong enough. The premise is strong, but it feels here. They try to do more hands-off presentations and try to be more psychological and subtle, which does work as more of the scares psychologically physically.
There are scenes of violence. It seems the territory they’re trying to mental rather than going for shocks or anything that could be seen as exploited.
One of the hurdles, the film never quite gets over is how bland and basic the film feels no matter what happens as one can understand that it wants to be more subtle. No, the film feels like it needs to have more life in it.
Even as you were talking about a certain subject that is played a little bit more clinical it doesn’t feel like it has that much of a spirit.
Though it keeps your interest up until the end and makes the mistake of trying to be shocking or at least add a new shock in each act, which then pushes it into overkill, also helps the film to keep the viewer interested as if it didn’t it would pretty much almost be a drama with some extremes.
Again, this feels more like the type of film that feels part of a yearly Halloween anthology or could easily be an episode of an American horror story except without as much sensationalism. It could’ve said the same thing in a shorter time.
By the end, you can’t say that the film is bad as it has plenty of promise that it just falls short of truly fulfilling, but there are great ideas and decent acting throughout. Once the filmmakers get a little more season could really give the audience more of a run for their money.
Cast: Jack Lowden, Martin McCann, Tony Curran, Ian Pirie, George Anton, Kate Bracken, Therese Bradley, Kitty Lovett
A shocking deed turned their weekend trip into a nightmare. Now their only hope is to swallow their paranoia and act normal.
I knew very little about this film originally. Which is often best. Though wondered why it had gotten past my attention.
The film is a nice little atmospheric thriller. Whose premise played off as more all-knowing and clever or comedic. Here it is played deadly seriously.
While working as a thriller it also has more drama than you would expect. As not only fighting for survival but guilt that never truly lets up.
As it’s the worst that could happen scenario. That at first is shocking is played more realistic than expected.
Throughout the film makes you feel uncomfortable as there is an uneasiness and sense of tragedy that hangs over the film. So much so that similarly like myself you might find you can hear or feel your heart beating faster as you wonder where the situations will lead or relieve the audience.
The film Never wants to let the audience or characters off. At first, you wonder if they will get away with it and avoid trouble. Soon the villagers seem like the worst challenge you can have. Rather the. The supernatural or characters who are easily hateable
The storyline might be familiar but the presentation style is noteworthy. Though this is quite an original vision. That never quite goes where you expect it to.
One only wishes the few female characters had a bit more to do. The troublemaker seems there only to add a bit of trouble early on and the compassionate one seems there to help humanize one of the characters in trouble and have someone in his corner once trouble arrives.
The film will make some audience members as haunted as the ending leaves some characters
Cast: Willa Fitzgerald, Kyle Gallner, Ed Beglely Jr., Barbara Hershey, Steven Michael Quezada, Madison Beaty, Bianca A. Santos, Denise Grayson, Sheri Foster
Nothing is what it seems when a twisted one-night stand spirals into a serial killer’s vicious murder spree.
This is a warning this review has spoilers and is best experienced fresh and going in blindly. So this is your warning.
This movie is beautiful and will remind the audience of movies from the 1970’s. As that is the aesthetic, look, and where its heart lies. As the film clearly states in the beginning it was shot on 35mm film.
This is a film by design. It tells a non-linear story and that is how it unravels. Which works best. As it differs that element of surprises, as well as shocks throughout.
Some might take away points or call it pretentious because of these reasons. Which would be justified if that was all there was to the film. There is a good story and performance. it’s indebted to a certain style and types of films. It comes through with its own identity. It offers up something original and can tell passion and thought went into it.
What is noteworthy about the film is how it is put together. it says so much with very little dialogue or just in certain shots.
It has a relatively small cast but feels gripping and bigger than it is. Especially with the vivid shots from cinematographer Giovanni Ribisi (yes the actor).
Kyle Gallner is always great in whatever film he is in. Always feels believable and never over the top. He is in fine form in this film.
Willa Fitzgerald our other lead, will be honest this is the first time one has seen her in anything and she is great in this film. Switching from victim to psycho. Innocent to seducer and plain old crazy, but you believe her in each moment and beat.
This is a film you watch in observance and amazement then tell your friends all about and want to go with them. So you can see it again but see their reactions to certain scenes and shots and want to discuss with after.
Even if they don’t admire it as much as you do or at all. You want to see how they digested and dissected it for themselves. In other words a conversation starter
One of the most memorable and engaging opening shots and scenes in quite some time. Throwing you in the middle but Presented as the beginning.
Cast: Russell Crowe, Jaqueline McKenzie, Daniel Pollock, Alex Scott, Leigh Russell, Dan Wyllie, Josephine Keen, James McKenna, Eric Mueck, Frank Magree
Violent tale of white supremacist skinheads who spend their time beating up anyone who isn’t white or who doesn’t comply with their version of acceptability. In the end, Hando and Davey will clash violently of a disagreement of principles.
It has taken me 30 years to finally watch this film that came out as a young teen. I remember it had a lot of buzz around it and controversy. This was the first time I heard of Russell Crowe as an actor. This was before the Hollywood starring films This was not the beginning, but when I was getting a bit more intense into my love and study of movies, especially independent Cinema. I remember reading about this film, and this was when I was starting to read the film magazine film when it was still at newsstands. that was just one of the movie magazines I was reading at the time there were like Movie Line Premiere, The Hollywood Reporter, entertainment, weekly, and any other magazine I could really get my hands on. FILM THREAT was your key into the underground, the village voice. Those of us in New York were getting advanced on these upcoming films and this was definitely one of them.
I have to say it now I can see where it had all the hype at the time and watching it now it’s a punch. It’s not quite the knockout that it might’ve been back in its day.
Certainly grimy and dirty, dealing with racism, skinhead, and Australia, and this in particular their day-to-day life of harassment and violence. they are certainly the main characters we follow. They end up themselves more side characters who happen to get tangled up, which is. Gabe played by Jacqueline McKenzie
She is a character who seems to go from one bad situation to the next. It’s more of her survivors as she seems to go to men who seem like they can protect her and give her a place to stay as long as she is willing to do what they need for the time being before their own vices take over, and she just seems to be secondary. She seeks to get away from her abusive father. though, you can’t tell exactly if she’s the epitome of their downfall or came along when they were on a downward trajectory and only helped to accelerate it.
We see her and the gang’s own stories before they eventually collide, and she finds her way into the gang as the current lover of their leader played by Russell Crowe. what eventually ends up misplaced emotions, dooming the romance as it soon becomes a love triangle. when the leader’s right-hand man falls for her, she realizes it and doesn’t turn him away. though later in the film once the two of them pair off and crows character finds out about it he feels betrayed, but you’re not quite sure by which one, or it might be both even though there seems to be a little homoerotic going on between him and his right-hand man. towards the end, They are trying to out-strengthen one another to see who has more power and influence.
this all happens very fast before any of them can really think about it as the film only examines a few days in the life of these characters in which everything seems reckless and those supposedly trying to be a community and protect it like all they really do is destroy.
The film doesn’t paint their victims as entirely passive victims they fight back as it seems like the minorities they are rebelling against or truly jealous of the Asian community. who all seem to be prospering and more successful than that which is more of the problem this jealousy leads them to believe that they are being looked down upon by people of color.
The film is ultimately a tragedy for most involved. It doesn’t pass judgment on the characters. It doesn’t celebrate the characters though mainly the skinheads are who we follow. while the film brought to Russell Crowe who is certainly violent and charismatic in the lead role, the performances are Jacqueline McKenzie and Daniel Pollock the latter of whom sadly died before this film’s premiere. It’s a shame as he would’ve gone on bigger and better.
While here Russell Crowe just had more of the star-making magnetism. I give Jacqueline McKenzie a lot of credit as she has what at first seems like a typical role but in the end, has the harder role as she’s a survivor what comes off as emotions at times might just be manipulation so it’s hard to tell what she truly believes and feels and what she’s just showcasing to get her way and stay protected.
The film has a few graphic sex scenes that supposedly are real as they definitely come across as realistic, but they are also very well edited to not seem as pornographic.
while the film deals with racist skinheads, it doesn’t reveal any of their beliefs in radiology as it’s not the main focus. The main focus seems to be the dynamics of this gang and their behavior so there is plenty of violence. It never feels exploited, but it can be shocking at times. ask for skinheads who seem to shun those different than them or outsiders who seem to be growing to be outsiders in their own town and Goths and punks into the revelry with them, though that might be more of a sexual thing as the punks and Goths are female.
Director Geoffrey Wright truly came through with a dazzling debut. While he has made other films that are memorable for their own reasons, they never reached the strength of this film.
Based On An Original Screenplay By: Ruben Avila Calvo and David R.L.
Cinematography: Steven Petitteville
Editor: Stephane Roche
Cast: Camille Rowe, Jeremy Scippio, Aleksander Popovic, J. John Bieler, Manaia Abdelrahim
When an unsuspecting woman stops at a remote gas station in the dead of night, she’s made the plaything of a sociopath sniper with a secret vendetta. To survive she must not only dodge his bullets and fight for her life, but also figure out who wants her dead and why.
This film is pretty cut and dry. Though quite vicious at heart. It is a woman trying to escape the clutches of a sniper and watching as she tries to survive others who are unlucky enough to cross this gas station get massacred
The villain doesn’t really offer a definite reason for his actions as throughout his spouse, many talking points that we have become familiar with in shootings and spree killers in the news so it doesn’t take any particular political angle
It’s more of a survival story while there is plenty of tension, and we get to know the main character throughout the villain stays faceless for the most part
We feel sorry for the various victims who didn’t really do anything to deserve the fate that they ended up with the film at 90 minutes does feel a little long and maybe could’ve been shortened by 30 minutes then it would’ve been a welcome addition to maybe an anthology series That would be hard to find one as this is more of a thriller story not necessarily a supernatural story or a fantasy story or even science fiction even though it does have a monster involved it’s more of a human monster, not particularly supernatural chest, skilled
Directed By Franck Khalfoun, who previously made the underrated remake of Maniac here he comes with an original story that is very bare, and makes the most out of it, as we see the various ways in which she tries to escape or survive longer and how is she gets information and reacts to anything personal he might know about her.
In the end, we suspect who the sniper might be as by the end, there are a few questions none of them truly answer.
Give the movie a chance to actually worth your time
Cast: Philippe Noiret, Isabelle Huppert, Jean-Pierre Marielle, Stephane Andean, Eddy Mitchell, Guy Marchand, Irene Skobline, Michael Beaune, Jean Champion, Victor Garrivier
1938, in a French-African colony. Lucien Cordier is the cop of this village, populated with blacks and a few whites (usually racialist and lustful). He is a washout, everyone (including his wife Huguette) humiliates him. He never arrests anyone and looks at elsewhere when a dirty trick occurs. But one day, he turns into a Machiavellian exterminating angel.
This film can be looked at as a bit experimental, as it is based on a pulp thriller set in the United States but this version of the story is played out internationally in Africa, amongst the French colonists who are in the country.
While in the African’s land and home, these French characters who are more invaders in their territory, still think of themselves as superior and treat the natives like savages even though more or less, the so-called civilized characters, truly act more savage and heinous than any of them.
There are very few likable characters throughout this film it’s just that it takes time to learn the despicable of each, and somehow they seem to outshine each other as the tail goes along.
The Protagonist is a police chief in the area, though he is very Azih, and not very effective. He is in a loveless marriage, and having a secret affair that it seems most snow about but certain people acknowledge, but others are shocked.
The young married woman that he is having an affair with is played by a very young Isabelle Huppert. Their early scenes are certainly sexual, but not erotic, and certainly feel dirty.
Until the police officer truly shows his sociopathic and psychopathic sides. And he ends up murdering two local pimps and covering up their murders implicating a colleague for it, and it seems like after that he seems to start a domino effect of anyone in his life who bothers him or stands in his way him getting rid of for whatever reason, and with each murder, he seems to lose another piece of his soul which already seemed kind of worthless.
On one end, you could see this as a kind of revenge tail of a meat character finally standing up for himself and getting revenge on those who either don’t think much of him or sell him short, but you also must wonder at times was he planning this the whole time And was waiting for the time to strike or was he just finally pushed too far and decided to act when the opportunity presented itself.
By the end, he has his own kind of superiority over other characters as he began, he seems to have a plan, and along the way, his plans seem to be changing as does his mindset.
whereas the reason he was doing it, and he was doing it, for he seems to see their true side And see them for what they are and wants to test them to see if they are worthy, and commonly they fail. He is the most testable it becomes a crabs in a bucket situation.
At first, it seems that lust is what drives his character and money seems to others as the film goes along. He seems to lose faith in anything, and everything that he believes in.
His married lover, who his wife seems to know about yet sometimes seems shocked, and his wife’s so-called brother, a truly her lover, are all over each other, and his house tries to even threaten to blackmail him with this affair.
The only character throughout this film, who seems innocent or just doesn’t know any better is the schoolteacher who the detective is on and sometimes has conversations with.
Don’t get me wrong. This film is hard to sit through. Almost every character is racist and uses that kind of language as well as assaults plenty of black characters that just seem to go with the territory and how evil the characters are in the first place.
Moving the setting of the tale from a small town in Texas to a small town in Africa. It seems to match the territory and gives the tale a wider point of view of which to not only look at it but study it also. As it is similarly, dusty, dirty, remote, yet tranquil.
The film can feel detestable at once, but not keep your interest. Never quite knowing what is going to happen next. It almost feels like a mystery only It’s not a who done it and we are watching from the killer’s point of view.
All the characters are racist. Which fits the noir tale. Most of the characters are unlikeable and a nest of vipers waiting to strike first. It’s Very inventive taking the Jim Thompson tale and making it a more international tale. The film is fascinating.
Based on the novel POP. 1280 by Jim Thompson. which I haven’t read, but this feels a bit similar as far as main characters go to the main character from another Jim Harrison tale THE KILLER INSIDE ME. As both are sheriff’s and psychopathic sociopaths
Cut To The Chase 