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Reviews
Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities: The Murmuring (2022)
Some of MR James and Hitchcock spliced together?
It originally looked to me like some sort of unofficial The Birds sequel (like many others I've always thought The Birds had a terrible ending). As someone who does like ghost stories I had a hard time staying with this one. I found it boring. I think it focused too much on uninteresting characters, and the allegory was not very inspired. I like haunted house stories but this one didn't do much for for me. This was really just a sad story with no big reveal or payoff. I suppose it did have an MR James feel to it, the two academics, remote setting, etc and perhaps if I was watching one of those BBC Ghost Story for Christmas adaptations I would feel different than I do about this. Maybe my expectations were off, idk. But that I don't think there was enough creativity here either.
Lisey's Story (2021)
So far I'm on Ep 4 and I can't wait for the next episode!!
I was hesitant to try this after reading some negative reviews on this site but I'm glad I did. It may require a bit more attention at the start but I don't find it hard to follow as others have stated. I hesitate even saying it might require more attention because that can make it sound boring, and its definitely not boring. The story revolves around middle aged adults and not people in their 20s, so I wonder if that could be turning some ppl off. I've also read complaints about the flashbacks and the so called dream sequences but I wouldn't be too concerned about either of those. The story does rely on those devices, but as more than just an atmosphere effect, and the story still flows naturally, imo.. This also isn't a paint-by-numbers horror story and I love that about it and that the supernatural or scifi elements are creative and not something I've seen before.. There's a strong group of protagonists, a violent, sociopathic antagonist and plenty of strong visuals. Lastly, if you're familiar with Magical Realism, it's mentioned in a scene by one of the characters so that might be what they're aiming for here.
The Simpsons: Gorgeous Grampa (2013)
Smart episode! Well written, good msg
There's nothing political or preachy in this episode.... still, the majority of the episode carries an important lesson on our society and reality tv culture. Watching this ep in 2020 i can really see that we were heading in a bad direction. The lesson as i see it, is that some children and adults behave badly because they crave attention. And for some adults that can manifest as an obnoxious viewpoint thats meant to shock and offend us, all as part of some craving for negative attention. It can become an addiction, and later, as Marg puts it, even turn people bad on the inside. The mentally ill shouldn't be entertainment and we should know better by now. As for those of us in 2020, as my mother use to say, please stop encouraging him.
NOS4A2 (2019)
Better than the book!
I listened to the whole novel via audiobook, about a year ago, which i found actually worked well with Joe Hills writing style... i find his novels move very slowly, which in the case of audiobooks is a good thing because its okay if you miss a line or two here and there. His writing style is very detailed...and too detailed and slow for my taste. Like his father, he starts writing his stories without planning them out and before he knows how the story will end...and for me that feels very noticeable. Im not sure if thats what happened here, but i do recall him sayng that in an interview. That said, unless i missed a lot more of the novel than i realized, the tv series is far, far superior!! It feels a lot more polished, more suspensful and is an overal much better story. I personally like supernatural horror and tend to avoid slasher horror, or worse. In regards to all the poor reviews ive just skimmed through, all i can say is that they either arent true horror fans, meaning they don't know or like the genre, or are only in it for the blood and guts. This is pg13, but the story still feels natural to me. Ive watched a whole lot of horror movies, and like i already said, i do prefer ghost and supernatural, and i say this one is definitely worth watching and above avg.
The Man Who Killed Don Quixote (2018)
A truly memorable film, highly imaginative & clever! I watched Brazil a year ago, not when it was released, but that said I enjoyed this more!
I had heard of the story but didn't know anything about it, which I think added to the enjoyment in this case. I was completely captivated and blown away by both the story and incredible,gifted imagination it must take to create something like this. This was one of those movies where I just couldn't help recognizing the skill and talent it must take to create something like this... I sat back in awe. I also connected with the characters, esp Adam Drivers chr and I liked the way the story blended fantasy with reality. That was something new for me... it felt completely original and I watch a lot of television. I read a review that said the ending sucked... well, I literally could not disagree more. It was an absolutely perfect end to an incredible movie. I don't want to say any more on the ending then that. To be honest, I think the low marks from some ppl must be because it's simply over their head, you know, the type of ppl who only watch action and comedy, not that this is a complex film, but I think some ppl don't know how to really watch a movie like this one that requires complete attention Ie you need to put down your phone, dim the lights and let yourself be absorbed by the film. I read another 1 star review because the reviewer said the Spanish didnt feel completely authentic. Can you imagine? Now I don't know Spanish but come on, surely it wasn't that bad! I just don't know what's wrong w ppl today... The amount of work and talent that is poured into a film like this only to be criticized by some arm chair quarterback...and there's too many of them as far as I'm concerned. There must be a lot of dumb ppl who are too blind or too stupid to know that they're stupid, you know? I've learned that if I'm going to look at the reviews, I need to be very careful who i trust, and I hope you do the same.
The Twilight Zone: Replay (2019)
Great episode
I just finished reading a review that called this propaganda.... and what an inappropriate and disgusting way to describe an Emmy worthy episode thats about police brutality and racism in the United States. And on a special note, I loved the way they incorporated Passive Resistance at the end. Victims of police brutality, especially those related to civil rights, deserve to be remembered and honoured and this is a job well done! Funny how ppl complain about Hollywood cliches right up until they see something from Hollywood that delivers a punch! And it's a knock out! I suppose they want to see something that makes everything seem okay.... well in that case, they should stick to watching Disney and tv that's made for kids!
Velvet Buzzsaw (2019)
An original horror for a serious audience...and with excellent acting and production values! A very rare gem indeed!
I like horror and... I loved it! I read a lot of reviews and only very recently started posting comments myself. I think one of the problems with reviews.. or rather, the audience itself... is that they don't judge movies based on what the movie is trying to accomplish. This is an original horror movie, one that it isn't geared for torture porn lovers or to be the next pg13 block buster hit. It's original. And I suppose it says something about art and society. But really it's just a unique ghost story. And, as a horror film, with a supernatural side it has some of what many ppl like to refer to as cliches, But... so what! It's not about that. As long as it fits and advances the story, which it does. Thats why I like the genre... anything can happen, and to me, that means something. Each and every story like this creates and invites you into a new and mysterious world. I've seen lots of movies with high speed chases, killing and sex, but never wld I say a story is unoriginal for any of that... so why pick on horror/supernatural? In fact, why does a tv show like Supernatural (Sam and Dean) show demons and angels and monsters fighting and dying episode after episode and yet maintain a loyal following, while movies like this are criticized for having 'same old' cgi supernatural tropes? We don't get many movies like this one with high production values, and based on these reviews we won't see many more. Doesnt anyone appreciate a good old fashioned ghost story anymore? Because that's what this is... a good ghost story in a new and unique setting. And I liked it.
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (2018)
To the Writers of this show- JOB WELL DONE!!
Don't be discouraged by the comments you read here by ppl who are against social awareness in television! This is exactly what Hollywood needs!! I loved every episode and can't wait for more! And btw, for those of you who criticize Hollywood... try watching just Canadian cinema, or Indian cinema, or any other cinema for that matter, instead. Sure they've all made a few great products, but come off it! Such childish comments. The extreme reaction this show is getting, including the negative, is a good thing. You've made many ppl happy and entertained and ticked off a few others.. and don't you dare let that bother you. Lastly, try and imagine To Kill A Mockingbird without its 'politics'... it's a ridiculous criticism by ppl who need to be made uncomfortable.
Unsane (2018)
Lots of comments here from medical professionals & SURPRISE! THEY GOT IT ALL WRONG!
This movie does a very good job of capturing what it feels like to be involved in any stage of treatment for mental illness. I've been there and I know what it feels like. There's a feeling of complete and total lack of control (and lack of transparency, which is just as bad) when dealing with doctors and nurses. Just imagine- asking a question and your told "I'm not going to answer that. I don't
need to justify myself or my decisions with you". Its a world unlike anything else... and there's never anybody to complain to. Lets face it, a doctor doesn't exactly have a boss. And when its your word against theirs it doesn't matter anyways. The doctor has almost complete autonomy, so when you are stuck, you are really really stuck! These so called professionals deal with ppl who quite often can't adequately advocate for themselves on a good day and so they run circles around them, plain and simple. Its not about the patient, it never was! Its all about profit...the doctor sees as many ppl as possible and prescribes to balance his or her profit and risk. Think really hard about the society we live in and ask yourself- Can we really expect a highly paid, highly ambitious person to treat you the best they can out of the goodness of their hearts? Of course not.
I agree that there are plenty of plot holes in the film, but I think it was deliberately exaggerated to bring to light an important issue in health care, while also fulfilling its role as a horror movie. I do believe it accurately captures the dangers of a system that lacks the balance of power we see in the rest of society and I'd like to think most people will get that. There's also an important lesson here for a public that thinks they can simply throw money at the 'mental health' problem - its gonna take a lot more than that! Changes to policy and controls need to come first. ie)When it comes to opiates, Methadone, clean needles and dare i say it- Safe Injection Sites- are a far better investment than Rehab Centres. Next, lets work on reeling in some of the crazies and control freaks that are in this profession and try attracting more people who are cut out to be in a 'helping ppl' field.