daveygenius's Reviews

Morgan (2016)

7/10

14 September 2016

Warning: Spoilers

As a person who enjoys the good thriller I found Morgan creepy with an element of sadness towards The lead character.....

This Film is one that takes you into one thought process making your mind up about those on screen and then you change your mind on more than one occasion .....

How do I talk about this film without giving a spoiler..... well here goes.

In a nut shell corporations shouldn't play God, Morgan is a display of man becoming the creator and getting it wrong .....

If you enjoy a film that leaves you guessing throughout then this is a great film for you.... I for one enjoy a twist in a thriller, if you have a few hours to kill go see this Dark thriller!

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Don't Breathe (2016)

9/10

Tension and terror at every turn!

14 September 2016

Warning: Spoilers

Don't Breath is a quality terror flick that is guaranteed to keep you sitting with sweaty palms from the opening credits to the last.

The classic medley of an Old House, paranoia and the Dark lock you in to the feeling of Chlostrophobia and panic..... watching this at the Cinema with the benefit of surround sound sets you to believing that it may not just be the cast who may struggle to stay alive, yes I was looking over my shoulder by the end.

With an excellent blend of casting and the constant shift of who to root for throughout you should go and see this little scary gem!

Yes there are plenty of twists and turns but I will leave you the viewer to find out for yourself!

Enjoy

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Spectre (I) (2015)

10/10

Tying up loose ends!

1 November 2015

First of all I enjoyed this for its classic bond feel..... The figure in the dark.... The villains base... A mute henchman.... Etc

Without giving to much away the best thing about this picture was its link to the previous three films and the reason why such characters became involved in the story. Previous films were one off stories with very little mention of the past ...with the exception of the opening of "diamonds are forever" initially following Tracey bonds demise in "on her majesty's secret service".

Before the direction of Sam Mendez bond films were rarely dark.... But to me what gives these new films their edge is the ability to cross the line of violence, something I feel is closer to the books of Fleming and indeed reality, before this only a licence to kill showed real edge.

The question now is just how do u top two truly great films, if Mendez refuses one more then I pity the new guy and indeed a new bond.... The bar is high and I fear could only be lowered, prove me wrong!

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The Magnificent Seven (1960)

8/10

A classic.... Enough said!

27 August 2015

First of all I would like to say I'm not a fan of westerns in any way shape or form, in fact I've spent many a Sunday afternoon catching up on my sleep in front of them!... BUT! The magnificent seven was indeed everything all the hype said it would be.

In Hollywood it's extremely rare to have so many A list actors on one set with the notable exception of oceans 11 for example. Astronomic egos aside the chemistry between notably McQueen and Brynner was superb, in fact there was almost no room on the screen for the other 5 guys, Bronson, Wallach, Coburn, Vaughn and Dexter.

This film had me gripped for the full 2 hours, with all its early 60s shine and in your face "gonna beat you up and laugh" machismo.

Of course it helps if you didn't watch the "three amigos" before hand because unfortunately I kept thinking dusty, Ned and lucky may also turn up for a fight, the music and the stereotyped Mexicans were pretty much the same, so for goodness sake stay away from "the three amigos" before watching this classic!

In summary I recommend "the magnificent seven", I was skeptical because I loath most westerns, this however is one you will not take your self off the sofa for so put the kettle on load yourself up with snacks and enjoy this classic!

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The Exorcist (1973)

10/10

An intense roller coaster

24 August 2015

To begin with, this is my favourite horror film! 33 years on and in my opinion the Exorcist holds its own it set a precedents for many horror films that followed.

I have heard many present day viewers of this movie say it is funny in terms of special effects, that's their opinion! I first watched this in 1999 on VHS, it took me 2 years to pluck up the courage to watch it again without someone else in the house!

I agree that the movie begins slowly in Iraq and watching for the first time it's easy to think at this point, "ok what's all the hype about, an old dude digging in the desert... Ooh terrifying"... I did that and as the film builds into a frenzy it's time for jokers and doubters to retract the boring film statement as this reviewer did once regan began her rapid decent into possession.

Some horror films can end in a lacklustre fashion such as poltergeist 2 did but the exorcist just kept going right to the finale, classic!

With top notch direction from friedkin and writing from Blatty we are treated to only the best Hollywood has to offer, not forgetting the awesome eerie theme from Mike oldfield (tubular bells).... Awesome effects, acting and theme if you are still undecided then I say watch this film with the lights on and a full house!

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Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977)

2/10

The exorcist with a hint of the chuckle brothers!

23 August 2015

Warning: Spoilers

Now rather than jump on the "this is awful" bad wagon, I want to say that I've seen this film many times now and you may read this thinking why?

I could highlight the many unintentional comedy elements such as the moment when Reagan goes cross eyed under the effects of the hypnosis machine, or the funky sock swinging moment at the end to scare off the locust (I'm guessing the sock was a father Merrin relic from Iraq aka 1973), and of course darth vadar as the African locust....

I can see a good back story in this movie, how did the devil get to regan, what happened to Merrin in regans room in 73, and what happened after father carris freed regan of perzuzu, basically it tied up some loose ends for me.

OK the choice of a moody Richard burton was questionable in casting, and when under hypnosis he travelled the length of a subway somehow landing on top of a fake devil regan back in Washington, I did question the merits of this and the obviously different actress pretending to be Linda Blair (Blair didn't want the hours of make up again).

One stroke of rare genius was setting fire to the previously mute housekeeper at the end, she guaranteed her exit from any future exorcist spin offs or remakes, I just can't help thinking that nobody else wanted the gig, (Claus, the butler pulling out after reading the script).

In summary no film or director other than a friedkin/blatty partnership could have even come close to touching the original and groundbreaking 1973 exorcist! It was a one off success and should have remained that way.

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Escape from Alcatraz (1979)

10/10

Gripping, tense, exciting classic film

23 August 2015

Just watched this classic film tonight, an understated masterpiece from beginning to end...

It's very rare to see a film that leaves you wondering, will they succeed, will they fail and so on.... Without giving away spoilers I will be buying this classic on DVD for my permanent collection!

Characters through a true story combine well, many familiar faces no doubt launching their careers through this film... For example "Mr heckles" in friends aka Charlie bunns, and the doc, in a particularly standout scene also played old man Marley in home alone 1990 amongst others.....

If you have never seen this film get it on demand!

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The Babadook (2014)

7/10

A run of the mill psychological thriller

22 August 2015

May I start by saying this is not a bad movie, it's dark but at the same time more absorbing than your average kitchen towel!

Many have been aghast at the use of colours, but to be honest would this movie have conveyed the feeling of depression and oppression had principal cast members gone around in a super fun happy Technicolor world, I think not....

Watching this movie the feeling of hopelessness and loss are paramount, directors message achieved I believe.

It is clever, very clever as you the viewer do not see at great lengths he who lurks in the shadows, a must in a good psychological thriller.

My only real criticism with the movie is that I found it to be much like any other horror film, the same undertones and basic storyline, creepy child, hopeless mother, possession and a finale with a wits end desperation fight seen.

In summary the babbadook is a strange if not quirky film that is gripping in places, a headache in other places, confusing but OK if you enjoy a good run of the mill psychologically suggestive film.

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