The future looks more purgatorial than paradisiacal in “Divinity,” Eddie Alcazar’s second feature as writer-director. Like the first, 2018’s “Perfect,” this is a cryptic sci-fi body horror allegory where undeniably arresting aesthetics are nonetheless more a symptom of shallow lookism-based values than the intended critique. Stephen Dorff plays a wealthy recluse peddling the titular mystery serum, which promises eternal youth — though, naturally, there may be drawbacks. This invention attracts attention not just from consumers, but from apparent space aliens who arrive to halt its disturbance of the natural order.
Those looking for midnight-movie eccentricity will find much to enjoy in the black-and-white film’s mix of the trippy, queasy and erotic. But as before, the effortfully quirky elements don’t really add up to a cogent whole, resulting in something a mite too reflective of its creator’s background in commercials and game design — a rarefied, stimulating surface without depth.
Those looking for midnight-movie eccentricity will find much to enjoy in the black-and-white film’s mix of the trippy, queasy and erotic. But as before, the effortfully quirky elements don’t really add up to a cogent whole, resulting in something a mite too reflective of its creator’s background in commercials and game design — a rarefied, stimulating surface without depth.
- 10/9/2023
- by Dennis Harvey
- Variety Film + TV
A trippy take on genetic engineering, Perfect is a mind-altering film that, depending on the viewer’s sensibilities, will either be an expressionist gem or a hollow exercise in style over substance. Taking place at what could either be a high-tech health spa or the future of the penal system, the film begins as a young man known as Vessel 13 (Garrett Wareing) is urged to this facility by his mother (Abbie Cornish). She’s been there before, opening a whole host of possibilities as liberties are taken visually and spiritually in the name of creating an origin story for Vessel 13 as mother projects her hopes and dreams onto her perfect son. Those looking for a traditional narrative ought to look elsewhere; Perfect is a gruesome, yet occasionally gorgeous high-tech take on Last Year at Marienbad with depth, I fear, that is only skin deep.
Sent to the clinic after killing a young woman,...
Sent to the clinic after killing a young woman,...
- 3/24/2018
- by John Fink
- The Film Stage
Review James Hunt 1 Mar 2013 - 08:16
James remembered Arsenal Of Freedom as one of Tng's better efforts, but how does it fare on a closer look?
This review contains spoilers.
1.21 Arsenal of Freedom
The Enterprise heads to the planet Minos while looking for the recently disappeared USS Drake, which is commanded by Riker's old school-friend, Paul Rice. As they approach, Data explains that Minos was made famous for its sales of incredibly advanced weapon systems. Hmm, I wonder if that'll come in helpful later?
As they approach the planet, they find it devoid of intelligent life, but an automated sales pitch invites them to check out their new weapons. A "minimal" away team consisting of the second in command, Chief of Security and whatever Data is (Head of Exposition?) beam down to the planet, whereupon they encounter Riker's old friend, Paul Rice himself. Or at least, something pretending to be him.
James remembered Arsenal Of Freedom as one of Tng's better efforts, but how does it fare on a closer look?
This review contains spoilers.
1.21 Arsenal of Freedom
The Enterprise heads to the planet Minos while looking for the recently disappeared USS Drake, which is commanded by Riker's old school-friend, Paul Rice. As they approach, Data explains that Minos was made famous for its sales of incredibly advanced weapon systems. Hmm, I wonder if that'll come in helpful later?
As they approach the planet, they find it devoid of intelligent life, but an automated sales pitch invites them to check out their new weapons. A "minimal" away team consisting of the second in command, Chief of Security and whatever Data is (Head of Exposition?) beam down to the planet, whereupon they encounter Riker's old friend, Paul Rice himself. Or at least, something pretending to be him.
- 3/1/2013
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
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