Reviews

I nearly past on this dil because of the low rating (4.4 at that time). It could easily have fallen into a "horror" chick flick since the cast is all women with a few men to pull the story together. But it comes across gender neutral and I found the actions and stunts well done and believable. Filmed great and with and in outstanding outdoor scenary. Didn't hold to the normal Shockley horror scenes and the end was not really predictable. It entertains from beginning to very end. The character development is really well executed . The gist is four women go on multi day backpack venture led by a a 50+ year old woman therapist. The audience as well as the main chareaxter doesn't t know if she's got a hidden agenda and she's overconfident of her psychological and backpacking skills. When introduced to the newcomer and primary character, she say "nice to meet you Mary." To which Mary replies call me Dr. Mary or Doctor "LASTNAME". . Each of the 4 f"followers" have some deep trauma and as stuff starts happening the audience didn't know wWhether the odd stuff is pPart their trauma coming to the surface or there's something supernatural happening or maybe Dr. Mary is spiking the food with Peyote etc) as part of her therapy. . But other three members have done thr backpack Adventure before and are Dr. Mary's admiring acolytes. The film the begins with camper /newcomer engaged in a "dateline" level domestic quarrel. But the audience can't be sure if it was the last night just before the trip before . Or an earlier time. The only thing we can be sure of is that the wife wasn't killed since she is among the five.

After Marvin and Heston have a little talk about the suspicious placement of the Banditos they had just annihilated,. Heston looks ahead with the binoculars foreshadowing what's before them is far worse. But Heston is looking through the glasses backward. He wouldn't have been able see Godzilla if he were 10'feet away. How the did that not get caught?

The whole plot is based on the kidnapping an ransom of US millionaires wife. But unless I missed it. There's no discussion of the ransom amount, instead he want to hire mercenaries to save her. Usually the big danger to the captive is being identifying the kidnappers. But that's not an issue since the kidnapper signed theme ransom demand. Why wouldn't the discuss paying the ransom. Maybe the ran off with the kidnapper.

Entertained to the end is kind of my requirement for a 5. The first 1/2 was good sci-fi mystery. Hard to do something "new" under this sun. It's somewhat novel , would be a page turner if a novel to about 1/2 ways. As the plot develops it does a pretty good job not over foreshadowing the end. Recommend. Last half has some missing pieces and stupid characters decisions to keep it going. Ends more like a horror movie with than a sci-fi, and it lacks "the inquisitive" science person helping the police with the sci finpart of it , which in always enjoy. You won't be thinking about it 10 minutes after it's over but you won't t feel your time was wasted. Kind of has that 50s sci-fi feel to it. Smonet country sheriff runs into super advanced, advanced but obsessive deranged physicist.

I have sought out and seen dozens of "girl gets revenge" films. Love them. I swore I had seen "Becky" in another film, but IMBD didn't say there's was "1st" film , but there was (Becky) and I rank it higher. This rates near the top of pg13 teen-girl-gets-revenge films. Yes, it's a little over contrived but not so much to detract. Becky could be the daughter Buffy and. John Wick absent any supernatural antagonists. Becky has surprises and Suspense; Wrath of Becky is tamer. Eggs there's never a part that you want to FF because your sitting on the edge of your sofa/chair like Becky. . Negatives: it's not a suspense/thriller like it promotes-at least for me and it's not in today's horror genre - at all. The gore is moderate to fair. There's a lot of foreshadowing, so her " how's she going to get out of this one" scenes were expected. But every minute keeps us entertained. Lastly, it's seems almost like a pilot for a new film or even TV series and, if so, the direction it's taking is passé.

I think had J 'Anybody" and not JLo been the star, the ratings would be a point higher across the "board." I've seen few of Lopez's films and found them too formulaic and nearing boredom. The Mother though kept me entertained to the end. Most of the reviews I read below 5 were accurate, but few said if the film overall was entertaining. If you want a female lead action hero, this is worthy. Although I can't easily see JLo in the role which has relatively mild action scenes, she pulled it off fine. But all or most of the common criticisms are accurate: plot holes, odd continuity, unnecessary filters or our-of ficus shots, etc., this does have all that and more.

This is a movie that I either I couldn't understand or the director/writer just screwed up. Not sure which. A young couple moves to the rural country where electricity a d telephone are unconnected: cell service spotty. The move was perhaps the last major effort to save their decaying marriage. She's recovering from a bad miscarriage. Is she suffering from depression, delusions, paranoia? Maybe . Is he an over-controlling misogynist. Why, yes he is. The country house comes with all kinds of strangeness including the sound of a telephone ring in the neighbors house where telephone service is supposed to be nonexistent. Does her husband listen to her reports? Of course not. The strange events get more evident the audience can think of ways she could prove her experiences or prove she's crazy. But the mentally distressed wife wife doesn't think of any of these. She begins taking risks that really are irrational. So, is she being gaslit, or is something weird afoot? And. If so, will the films maker provide clarity which the audience deserves?

This is a remarkably effective low budget movie. A small Midwest, rural community has had several children disappearances and the authorities have no clue. That last two that went missing was a 12 year old girl and her 6 year old brother. Meanwhile two other brothers decide to shoot off illegal fireworks with 4 friends but far enough away from town that the local cops won't see. The brothers come across one of the missing and vie to help out. But that's easier said than done. The biggest weakness and cause for many of the lower reviews is the backstory/events that fuel rhe "kidnappers"." Leaving the motivation/causes out doesn't make the movie weaker- just makes the plot more horrific. The plot "holes" are well covered with inferential scenes, meaning that it keeps the audience more involved than typical horror movie. Few classic tropes, in fact, it's a pretty fresh film. The cinematic violence is mild compared to the horrendous violence inferred from scenes. Feels a bit like Deliverance but with more of a horror quality and innocence, except pretty much the whole cast are portrayed by minors. Character development is A quality. The acting:direction is variable, they keep in a few scenes where some of the supporting roles were way to stiff. But the two leads are good. It's got a bit of the coming of age feel to it. Definitely a 5 or better film most of the bad reviews can't review without spoilers- so, maybe the ending isn't expected and it has a sub quality feel to it.

This movie kept me entertained, or a least awake through to the end. Some of the story was not predictable but a lot was. The supporting plot (kind of the history and rule of this enchanted/cursed game) just happen to show up when the plot deadened. Too much of this weak plot structure throughout movie. The plot is that 6 young adults play a board game and stuff happens. Humankind meets Ouige for for the thriller/slasher crowd, but doesn't hold the morbid action. Theres a huge hole in the plot line.. starts with the Spanish Inquisition where a monk is sent to rid the world of its evil by burning it, but on second thought..."Next 2020 and a creepy used crap-store is selling it, and the store manager coaxes this American blond surfer dude to take it and play Mamba, (the name of the game). Specially when the nonstop surf and beach crowd are rainout of there fun during a "spring break-like" holiday. And they do, all apps, drinking dancing, mating is out on hold so these kids can play their recently acquired board game.

I've binged over the past 6 months on horror and sci-fi thrillers. By and large horror movies almost never reach the cinematic appeal of a great box office drama. So I tend to crank up my ratings for this category. Otherwise wel would never have a 10. This movie has depth. Character development, story , twists and well timed progression. It doesn't lend itself to discussing plot other than it's another creepy doll film. I thoroughly enjoyed it and the end comes together brilliantly .on the down side sSeveral plot turns are a little too predictable. I watched the sequel too, which held my interest to the end and was not as predictable, but it wasn't made as well either.

So I found this on Hulu and it had an intriguing summary and ratings that weren't in the toilet. I was hugely surprised at how good this film was and how it's continued to surprise and keep me interested. When Done, I wondered how it didn't earn a solid 7, maybe some 8s. Nearly all the bad reviews compare it to a prior movie(s) made by the same filmmakers. I hadn't seen it and had no expectations. Absent an unreasonable comparison, this is a brilliant low budget movie that is quirky, fun, sci-fi "ish", and deep exploration without boring dialogue into these two characters- and eventually a dominant one and a more submissive one. The dominant one keeps finding out that he's wrongly critiqued and thrown shade on the other, who keeps making the major progress in finding major related events. There's not really anything shocking or disturbing by it's end because the writers included enough foreshadowing that no matter how attached you become to a character, we know these two characters pursue an exploration of some phenomena that doesn't go as "hoped." I found the two actors first rate, totally believable -hell I think I've met them. The character study done within the film is great, deep. This unbalanced friendship is fascinating to watch. The sci-fi angle keeps us guessing well past the credits. There's an exploration into madness, the characters (one in particular) keeps seeing bizarre relationships and coincidences. Both of them and the audience has to question when a "coincidental" event has meaning or if they're adding meaning to it by driving themselves to find an explanation. The drive ultimately brings out the the "dark side" of their personalities, but nothing is that dark..these are otherwise two not-so-successful but intelligent people confronted with verifiable supernatural events. They see this as a possible breakout opportunity for fame and success. I completely enjoyed it, and the movie stands on its own without the personality exploration.

This is one of those "let's root for the underdog team", who have plenty of B dialogue and fun diversions. Give them some "help" from quirky friends. And don't overdue the menace factor (oh well, a bit am too much of the SMERSH and CHAOS merger. Plenty of violence and blood, but they obviously held back. This was a great beginning of a series, but I haven't figured out if it died. The formula was not novel at all but we still have to decipher who are the good gymuys, or even if there are any. Mean while how will this excessively good looking Asian male imbedded with super warrior technology and a winning personality and busting with empathy and honestly get by. Maybe his well balanced, funny, brave African American sidekick with visions of being a novelist and good father/husband will help. Don't miss unless Hollywood formula firms are too low brow. Otherwise this is a great family film with PG 13 kids perfect with popcorn , candy and drinks other than from a soda fountain.

To me horror movies just always rank lower than good dramas and thrillers. Usually because the plot/script leaves holes or contradictions. This plot is tight. As tight as any drama. It would be an 8 for me but 8s or better should have some deeper meaning from the surface plot. I don't think you'll find it here unless you watch with hallucinogens. But 7 easily. Surprise, thrillers, anxiety (usually from great character ideation), comedy of sorts, but not funny. And absent seeing/reading a spoiler review, the viewer is taken on a wild ride of misdirection. Only if you can't stand too much anxiety about does good ultimately trump evil and if so at what cost? What is good , and early trap involvement, and FF to ease the nerves, which 'embarrassingly I had to, every moment is good, even goofs are possibly part to the plot. I've outlawed my daughter babysitting preteens-nothing good warrants it. The box office results make no sense unless the release date was poorly planned. Or the numbers are off by 3 digits, or the finance department was cursed.

The highest reviews seem to come from those knowledgeable in Class, Gothic Norwegian Horror. Coming from a more American horror officialdom, this held my attention to the very end. At which point I decided I'm not a fan of classic, gothic Norwegian blah blah. It's slow, which can be great, but it turns out not to be here. Has a good ending, at least from a child's perspective. Captures the lonely, cold feeling of the unexploited Northern European forests and community. Cinematoagraphy , sound music and acting all done well. The "boy" seems to be overly directed. We never see him break out of his cautious, quiet pace ...Ever! Not very 11 year-old-like. But maybe that's gothic for you.

Well, nothing new here. Ok entertainment Although the high school students appear too old, maybe they just got held back a lot. The plot becomes evident well before the 1st half. Murdered high school "good guy's" younger bro finds a local witch who helps lil brother deal with his Tragic loss through dark magic and there's a 6 day waiting period, sort of like buy a registered firearm. However the zombified older brother stil has tasks to complete before his Pinocchio self become a real boy. Small town student psychologist and financee & deputy whatever, just happen the two normals on the track to discover naughty witchcraft. Who will live, who will perish, how gory is it, who's left for Sequel the producers are hoping for. Doesn't really matter since a this one is too weak to launch one. Nice talent for a 2nd rate film.

I just gave Pet a 6; it was a great movie- an easy 8- well made production, brilliantly acted, filmed etc. Progressive plot line and script but a last "scene" that was sooo predicable for a thriller and out of context with the plot, that it gets the same rating as this, 6. In Honeybee, 90% of the acting sucked, nearly 1/2 the scenes were poorly lit or over lit, obviously not enough of a budget to refilm slightly flubbed scenes. But altogether I found it cohesive and entertaining. It too had the predictable last scene for a B thriller, but it fit perfectly. So enjoy this 6! PS, the starring characters pulled off there parts well.

This is a very good movie on all criteriia. A good movie keeps the audience interest from scene to scene with plot and cinematography, acting feels so real, you forget their actors, music enhances theme, plot development is most difficult because it needs to address a wide audience with varying level of criticality. Good Marvel movies often have wide appeal because they intrigued at varying levels. But Marvel inundates the audience with special, monumental effects. To me an 8+ movie does this without EXCESSIVE effects..some yes, of course, but not a growing crescendo of major effects. This movie is a great example of a winning thriller. But the final scene literally undoes much of it with an unexpected and unnecessary twist, which average producers probably think is necessary part of the formula.

I hope that my headline doesn't count as a spoiler. My unique tastes and values reduced my rating from a 7.5 to 8 to a 6, because I honestly wouldn't recommend watching it. It's an side look at teen America for what might have been the Breakfast Club. Dialogue, acting, Directing even hair and costumes were great. The character development is offbeat but great and contemporary. Three girls who have their own offbeat clique shame and extort some crappy adults. The lead characters is 17 going mid-thirties with an edge and all heart. Now she's getting a stepbrother who at first glance is going to be "The picked on kid in high school. She could distance him, most teens would do that. But she listens and try's to help him reclaim his life! Wild ass comendability. But the MO these girls employ to help get justice, has a flaw. A big one - maybe. And now this irreverent , happy life they've carved out for themselves until HS is in the past may lead them headfirst is into the moral/emotional abyss. Skip it.

Strong overall fast paced clever crime drama/thriller with well pace twists. Plenty of purposeful action and special effects, but not excessive. Too much of Wesley Snipe's trademark, overly coiffed and ALWAYS smartly attired cool guy...the worst part. Jason Stratham pulls off varying depths of roles without displaying his overly choreographed MMA skills.. thank God. The slimy police captain.. trite. Other negatives, "he wasn't just a better cop, he was a better man that's you." and more drivel here-and-there. The writers should have finished their degrees and upped their vocabulary. Great movie, but not great enough to warrant an 8 or higher because it just isn't that memorable or meaningful. Best parts are the almost completely unexpected plot depths and twists, which are well paced to keep up the viewers' interests-not such an easy task- and maybe the ending (no spoilers here). The true lead, Ryan Phillippe is introduced as a fast rising, wet-behind-the-ears nepotistic detective ordered by the Chief to shadow (aka, spy on Stratham - the seasoned, cynical, unfairly treated lead detective). Philippe's character proves stronger, smarter than we expect and turns out to be the glue holding this together. He does a believable job of it. I say it's good for the whole family- no excessive sex, violence, gore or language for an average American audience.

Small team of young PhDs and at least on Md embark on a study for alheimers or something, but their research leads them astray to explore a treatment protocol to return dead animals back to life. This a zillion questions this would elicit namely what about dealing with the underlying cause of the initial death- cancer infested organs, post-Mortem decay, extreme trauma, irreparable heart etc. But this is a good tool for bringing very health people back to life-I guess. Some of the questions are mitigated when diseased organs appeared healed by the process. Deals with on of the main questions, but it wasn't anticipated. There's a few shallow discussions about whether the persons soul comes back etc. They are caught by the "Review Board, and told they violates the sacred protocol of this respected hospital and medical research facilty, concurrently an evil corporate pharmacological enters the scene, maybe spies and then an accident kill g on of the four. Should they use this to bring them back to life- after all Huma. Trials without oversight is the gravest of issues, would the deceased even want it...what's a yuppie researcher to do??? I enjoyed it and I'm glad they didn't leave much ro spinout a sequel.

I found the movie enjoyably watchable all the way through. The title is a miss though. It's vague explanation pops up toward the end with an unnecessary scene to plop in the phrase. No scenes had excess dialogue or action or gore. First horror film for months I wasn't compelled to FF. An well once respected tenured Oxford psychology professor who's is trying to get his big/legacy contribution is obsessed with proving the supernatural world is a creation of our own minds and reports of people who've been brought back to like after being declared dead and tell of a tunnel/white light etc, have experienced nothing but the brains way to mitigate fear of dying, not a supernatural event. Casting is believable; acting first rate. But however, I've never set foot on Oxford Campus where the 1st 1/2 of film allegedly takes place. There's not many unexpected twists, but right to the end there are several plausible outcomes. The movie chooses one with minimal ambiguity leaving room for a sequel, but just a small opening. (usually horror genre has shows the phantom/menace isn't truly gone and the audience is prepped for the sequel). Theirs a scintilla of that but no more and it doesn't leave any feeling of incompleteness-at least for me. I think it's suitable for 13 and above. I also found the music/score dominated by rhythm instruments totally unique, on target and apropos for the few "tense scenes). 7 is probably on the high side., since I don't think it will be long remembered but within the main stream horror genre-7 is fair.

No disappointments in this series. Each episode has a full story, while the series has several larger mysteries and continuing drama, binge or take your time-both work. I avoided it initially because the name suggested a Netflix spinoff of Locke &Key (another YA supernatural series). Netflix is the only common element. L&K is more like " The Waltons meets Gandolf". This is fresh: take place in 2023 London, except about 50 years ago the world was subjected to a new shift/phenomena. The human death rate increased noticeably but modestly. Cause was unknown, not disease, not a toxin, not violence. The governments around the world acknowledged that not only were ghosts now a reality, and some could injure or kill humans. Because activity of ghosts are more present at night, governments' passed curfew laws to protect citizens. These distractions leave that world with fewer technological advances: seems to be circa late 1990's based on phones etc. Some materials hurt ghosts, namely salt, iron, silver. It sounds like there are about a dozen classifications of ghosts, varying in lethality. Individual ghosts though are tied to a physical object, like a doll, ring etc. Find it, contain the ghost. The other major nuance is that only children and young adults can see them. So teens are actively recruited by private security companies. Lockwood is a small security firm run by a driven, highly intelligent teen along with two others who couldn't fit in with conventional teams. The script/story is tight. I couldn't pickup on any plot hole which usually accompany an-alternative-world theme. There's plenty of villains, corruption, well-meaning buffoons, and good guys and those in-between. Has realistic and entertaining action. The writers dialed down the YA "coming of age angst" which is a relief; and departed from the common teen love themes producers have exploited to death. So this feels like a truly fresh and entertaining drama with action and mystery. Don't skip it just because it YA. You should know after episode 2 if it's for you.

Can't see how this could rank lower than a 7. Its a slightly supernatural, quirky, anti-hero movie. I couldn't stop rooting for the core character and his "friends and family." I watched it with several short breaks. Not sure why, maybe needed time to assimilate some of the weirdness. This is NOT an artsy weird movie and it has a plot: dark humor, but it's not "overly clever and cheesy" like so many films of this nature today.. Just right for what it is. For a low budget type picture seems to be a great value, but it probably has limited marketing and distribution. The characters are cast perfectly. Ambiance and settings perfect. It's definitely violent and wee bit in the violent side, but not unnecessary or gratuitous. I would recommend it to all my friends. And they would would be pleased I did.

This film follows the standard plot pattern of a possesssed house or person with the target family initially disbelievers. The movie has a subplot with another family having just experienced the same "symptoms." But about all we can glean is that the child died and the father has a heart attack (could it related to the other mysterious going's-on?) The police and social workers add a new thread, but like the first family, there's no further development. Like the genre's standard plot, a family friend suggests they talk to an uncredentialed dream interpretation therapist. When the family hears what she has to say, which w compasses much more than dreams, the bumpy and fast moving conclusion begins. And about 10 minutes later we're looking at credits.

The movie captivated me through beginning to about 2/3 through. Its well acted and filmed. I was expecting horror and all that comes with it. It has some of the beginnings of it: strange visions or possibly the character's' imagination- director leaves the answer unclear. Some mystical, African, supernatural myths. It also showcases the plight of hardworking immigrants and the struggles that come with being undocumented, plus the elitist, self-serving duplicitous nature of a Manhattan-based , socially sympathetic WASP couple posing as being caring, activist-oriented, and racially blind. Aahh! That may have been thee horror part, but I say it's simply drama focusing on the the great social divide. The end really leaves the audience with a lot of new and old questions. But no answers- perhaps that's purposeful. The big picture of the ending is clear enough but left me feeling cheated - very much like the main character. Wrapped up better, this could easily been a highly recommended drama (IMDB 6, 7 maybe 8), or even a horror movie . But it's simply a mostly, watchable film.

I think the biggest issue behind the low ratings is the title. Expecting a sniper film, then This movie is a disappointment. It's not a sniper movie and the few sniper scenes aren't conventional at all, there's no spotter. No hours/days of waiting, idiotic off-the-cuff planning the snipe, etc. But it's a good movie for a small group of over-trained special forces types with a bass ass girl in the mix, led by a true blue, but jaded CIA/JSOC commander. The villains have similar backgrounds to the good guys but chose a faster but immoral path to riches. Can the reprehensible human/drug traffickers with protection from top-level Corrupt government officials be stopped by by this "rag tag" tight team of "good guys"? The hand to hand combat scenes get long, at least for me. But that's why Sony invented FF. I recommend it, unless you want top level choreographed combat skills and realistic LEO involvement, etc.