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Reviews
The Killer (2023)
The Netflix Downgrade is REAL
First off, let me address the elephant in the room of this film that NEEDS to be called out and acknowledged before going any further.
The CGI, green screens, and low effort CGI combat animation is HORRENDOUSLY BAD. I never expected to be so repulsed from quality like this in a David Fincher film. I seriously couldn't believe it. It felt like I was watching a new Marvel movie with such low effort.
Now since that's out of the way, I'm a huge David Fincher fan because of what he brings to the table in terms of tone and mature storytelling with Zodiac, Manhunter; Gone Girl, Se7en, etc. As a newcomer to Michael Fassbender other than in Prometheus, I'm now a fan. His performance and Dexter-like monologue is something I have been wanting to see more of ever since the end of Dexter and Dexter: New Blood.
This film clearly draws influence from Dexter and American Psycho. And there's a lot of fun that comes with these influences. However it feels like a recent low when it comes to David Fincher filmography. I wholeheartedly believe that Netflix affected his freedom as a filmmaker in terms of story / character choices, budget, and etc. The final act ends abruptly and on a less than satisfying note.
I'm still glad that this movie exists, and we have something inspired by American Psycho and Dexter in a stylistic sense. It does feel like a very intentionally sanitized movie due to the main character (compliment), but it fails to rise to the film reputation of David Fincher due to filmmaking decisions and CGI + green screens instead of real stunt work and authentic filming vocations.
There are some clever moments, insights into the conscious mind, and statements on consumerism and its weaknesses that also make this entertaining. I recommend, but don't expect Fincher quality outside of the psychological and non-action shots with Fassbender.
Cuando acecha la maldad (2023)
Not as good as people say it is
This movie didn't live up to the critic and fan praise after going in knowing it would be a different movie and giving it plenty of generous leeway on quality and expectations. The first 40 minutes are solid, but it often fails to execute. After that the movie drags and drags on with many dull moments that never pay off, or provide a thought provoking ending such as gems like Suspiria 2018, Neon Demon, Drive, etc. Characters make predictably dumb decisions as usual to drive a plot forward.
This is a filmmaker with potential, and a great influence for future Spanish horror. However, I believe this film was given too much credit and acclaim because it wasn't held to such high standards as other horror films. After leaving the film, you may try to grasp onto a theme or message, but the ending is not one to impress. I'm glad I waited to watch this on Shudder vs traveling 2 hours to a theater. This falls in line with the many IFC films I find interesting and unique, but fail to be entertaining or interesting enough to maintain attention. Be careful and don't go in with expectations set by people raving about the film.
Midsommer (2003)
Ari Aster STOLE This Movie Plot
From character names and original concepts, Midsommar by Ari Aster is a very entertaining movie, but it cannot be ignored that he STOLE multiple concepts and EVEN CHARACTER NAMES from this film. This is a disgraceful lack of respect for originality in the film industry and not enough people have spoken in regards to the similarities aside from Chris Stuckmann on YouTube.
Ari Aster is too talented of a filmmaker to be rehashing and adopting old scripts to an extensive lack of originality. I hope this film receives the credibility it deserves in regards to the plot and concept in the future. To Ari Aster: make more original films.
A Classic Horror Story (2021)
Silent Hill + Cabin in the Woods + Midsommar
The title of this review says it all. Nothing new to the genre. Mediocre at best for a general audience but not worth your time unless you need a filler horror movie. Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Wrong Turn, and other influences mentioned without a refreshing spin to justify the "homage."
A Mediocre Horror Story.
The Walking Dead: Acts of God (2022)
WORST episode of Part 2 - Rushed & Disappointing
After an excellent 2nd third of the season (my favorite season in recent years), episode 16 suffers from a rushed performance all-around including action scenes, storylines, and psychological aspects emphasized previously. The acting front suffers as well with mediocre performances of some legacy characters and poor use of unfitting soundtracks. Lack of performance partially seems to be on the writers' side of the show however.
Few redeeming qualities aside from Greg Nicotero zombie work & the short dialogue between Maggie & Negan + dialogue with Eugene and his girlfriend.
The action scenes were incredibly boring with no style or substance. The junkyard setting & tension was a nice environment for a firefight. However the scene is poorly done aside from the zombie setup near the end. A little less yelling & grunting + a lack of or better soundtrack in the cabin standoff would've given the scene a much different and more serious tone.
Although the dialogue with Maggie & Negan was enjoyable, I'm finding myself with less confidence in their chemistry for the upcoming Isle of the Dead Spin-off. Jeffrey Dean Morgan is just on another level.
Incredibly great season that suffers from this obviously rushed episode. I'll continue to watch until the end as a hardcore fan of the show since Halloween on Day 1. This criticism is useless for the higher ups of the show considering it recently finished filming, but I hope it's taken into consideration to improve future spin-offs.
Need better writers or a refreshing showrunner willing to take risks and focus less on viewer retention.
Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022)
Amazing continuation! Leatherface fans will enjoy!
One of the best TCM movies I've seen in a long time coming from a hardcore horror fan! I haven't had this much fun since the Evil Dead 2013 remake. This film shines in many aspects that I was looking for. Impressive Leatherface horror, creative kills, epic soundtrack, well-done tension & use of sound. Great cinematography and use of lighting. Special effects are near excellent.
- There's also a very aesthetically pleasing credits scene that I watched all the way through (something I never do). There's a post-credits scene as well which is awesome.
- Characters: Surprisingly some likeable qualities but like with most TCM movies, we root for Leatherface and the same mostly applies here. There's a few sensitive scenes/topics where if it's a turn-off for you, I'd recommend powering through. Surprisingly this movie does a solid job of combating controversy with providing perspective and displaying humanity between characters in regards to common ground.
- Conclusion - TCM offers a lot of new style and substance as a fine addition to the series while paying just the right amount of respect toward the original.
Overall, I know this isn't a cinematic masterpiece but I'm giving this a 10/10 as a fun horror movie & a sequel beyond expectations + to offset the point subtraction horror movies usually get on IMDb due to the genre.
Don't Breathe 2 (2021)
Better than the first movie
Great attention to detail and well strung tension in the first half. This film takes on a different perspective and runs with it. I enjoyed this more than the original which I was also a fan of. Fede Alvarez does it once again!