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F (2010)
Worth watching if you aren't after a gore fest
This is a great little psychological horror/thriller, and I really wish it was tagged as psychological because it seems as though some of the marketing and expectations of other viewers was more geared toward a standard gory splatter film. If that's what you're into then this may not be the film for you, but if tension and filling in the blanks with your own imagination is your thing, then you can't go wrong here.
The film does a great job of creating a realistic atmosphere and then slowly raising the suspense and this trend continues throughout. There is some graphic gore but it's used sparingly and parts of the narrative that would otherwise turn this into a non-thinker are wisely left out, which allows for a far more immersive experience as you draw from your own thoughts to complete the film. That isn't to say that the filmmakers have been lazy or simply ran out of ideas or money; it's all done purposely and it certainly achieves the intended effect. The unknowns are what make this film scary, and fear of the unknown is a far stronger emotion to draw on than fear of blood or gore. Also, the film doesn't fall into the (lazy) trap of using shock scares to make the viewer jump; the film stalks you as the assailants stalk the victims. This, as with most successful psychological horrors, is a more mature take on the genre and I am very glad of the break from formula.
In terms of production values, this doesn't fall into the B-movie category at all. The casting is great on all but one of the characters (I won't mention who, but it's a really very minor role which doesn't damage the experience) and the other actors all manage to realistically convey the fear that comes from being stalked by unknown predators. The video is crisp and the direction doesn't rely on cheap tricks like quick cuts, shaky-cam, or constant extreme close- ups, but goes for a more sedate approach which, again, allows for the tension to rise and rise. Audio production values are also top notch with an unassuming soundtrack peppered with the odd hint of spooky melody. Sound effects aren't over the top and increase the realism of the experience. I would have liked to spend more time in the college during a normal day to get an idea of the size and general layout of the place, as well as to contrast the emptiness of the building at night, but that's a minor gripe.
A lot of people appear not to have liked the ending, but (without spoiling anything) I will say that it fits with the rest of the film. It's largely a set piece production and, with the ending the way it is, there is scope for a sequel to expand on the events that occur in this film or, again, the viewer can draw upon their own thoughts and perspective.
Overall I found this film to be gripping, suspenseful, and with just enough innate malice and hold on reality to create a 'what if' situation where anybody, teacher or not, could see this happening to them at some point. I sincerely hope that a sequel will be made which maintains this level of self control over how much of the gore the viewer needs to see. It's certainly a cut above the formulaic slasher/splatter films that are all too common, and it's a lot more scary too.
The Hottie & the Nottie (2008)
An honest review
First off, I have seen a lot of films in my time and this is nowhere near the bottom 100 in acting, plot, humour, direction, wardrobe, makeup, or anything else. Unfortunately, the sheer volume of votes by people who haven't bothered to see it means this review will probably get lost and ignored, but I think this film deserves better than it's getting so I'll try anyway.
I won't go over the plot because that can be seen above, except to say that its the usual love story sort of thing. I don't think the filmmakers were going for anything mindblowingly original here, nor is that what we end up with. What we do get is a sweet and lighthearted film that takes an everyday setting and throws in some fairly normal, although exaggerated, characters and builds a simple little interwoven romance around them. From the outset it's not difficult to predict what will happen in the end, the acting of Paris Hilton isn't what I'd call good but it's by no means teeth grindingly bad either, and the characters (especially June and Johann) have been taken to the extreme in terms of looks and talent respectively but that is no bad thing. The aforementioned things do prevent you from getting fully immersed in things and you're constantly reminded that you're watching a film, but I think thats okay for something that only wants to entertain you for a while. The other actors were good, it was shot well, and the script and narrative, however simple, were well matched with the cinematography and general feel of the film. The film made me laugh several times (which is more than I can say for most recent comedies), the interactions between characters was handled well and the ancillary characters neither infringed upon the main ones or felt pointlessly lost in the background, and the direction, whilst not world class, was better than I've seen in a lot of films and no shots felt out of place or jarred you from the flow of the film.
Overall, I found this film entertaining despite not being immersive or 'deep' and, since I believe that was the intention, I can't say the filmmakers failed here. I don't feel that I've wasted my time, I had no trouble watching this all the way through, and although I probably wouldn't watch it again for several years I thought it managed to lift itself above the usual standard of Hollywood films these days, if only a little. If you cant stand Paris Hilton, if you want to tax your brain, or if you want a film to get lost in then this is one to avoid, however if you've got some time to fill and you want to see something that wont weigh you down then you can't really go wrong with this one. There's far, far worse out there, trust me.
Fatwa (2006)
A confused mess of a film
<< some may consider a few things below spoilers, but i do not. they have no impact on the storyline and give nothing away >>
this film was the worst i have seen in quite some time. the first 3/4 of the film have nothing at all to do with the storyline and just consist of drawn out character development for characters i care less than nothing about. the last 1/4 had what looked like the start of a promising thriller in it, but then it all just fell apart. I'm trying hard not to give anything away for those who do wish to see it, but the ending makes no sense in several different ways and there is a very high level of politicking going on here.
its hard to tell whether those who made the film wanted to snipe at the middle east or the Americans, because both will be insulted after seeing this film. our 'terrorist' has rather serious mental health problems, which seems to suggest that he has no rational justification for the acts he planned to carry out. near the end we are given his reasoning but the fact that a Libyan (the only non American in sight) is mentally disturbed and a terrorist is deeply insulting. as for the Americans, well the film opens with the thickest piece of hypocrisy I've ever seen, george bush making a speech. even those who are bush supporters would have to admit that this speech and the propaganda that is spouted by laurens character during the film is at least as true (if not more true) if you replace words like 'terrorist' and 'muslim' with 'soldier' and 'american' or 'christian'.
i fail to see what point, if any, this film was trying to get across to the viewer. its overuse of tertiary characters, the inexplicable decisions made by them, the lack of any drive in the narrative (if you can call it that), and that mentioned above makes this a truly shameful waste of time and money for all those involved and any who choose to see it. i rate this film 0/10, which is rare, because i see no redeeming features in it whatsoever. some, however, may enjoy the sex scenes so for those only wanting to see that, i give it 3/10.
Silent Hill (2006)
Worse than most of the horror b-movies of late.
This film was abysmal. If you liked the games then go ahead and watch it, but if not then i don't think there's much for you here. The film is comprised of alternating scenes of the lead character screaming (it really is loud, so turn down your speakers) and her husband shouting. Now, the scenes where she is screaming contain all the usual gory monsters and all that stuff, but there's no real horror or fear here. there's no attempt to make the viewer feel uneasy if they've ever seen blood before and, of course, the lead characters constant screaming will stay with you for several hours after you leave. the scenes with her husband are generally quite dull and don't really add anything to the film (since the narrative doesn't really exist). if you've read a blurb/synopsis for this film then thats what happens in the film. there's nothing else there.. at all.
overall I'm giving this a pathetic 3/10 because my ears are still ringing and i got no entertainment from this film whatsoever. 13 ghosts, house on haunted hill, resident evil, et al, all do this so much better so just watch one of them instead.