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Dagon (2001)
Nothing Lovecraftian, plenty horrible and campy
First things first, don't plan on watching Dagon expecting a decent horror movie with a strong insidious and threatening Lovecraftian atmosphere and a good script. If you enjoy campy horror where decisions make no sense and the kind of dialogue no sane human would use, then this movie might be for you.
Not one single actor in this movie can act their way out of a pagoda. The dialogue and script are sometimes so atrocious that it becomes hilarious and the constant insistence on making everything wet makes you thirsty. And as a rotten cherry on top, the CGI is horrendous. Apart from the flashback, absolutely nothing works in this movie, and in that sense, perhaps it does work. What confuses me however is that the movie sometimes seems to take itself seriously and, in the end, I don't know what to make off it. Is it a serious horror movie, in which case, it's really a godawful movie and should not get more than a 3/10. Or are the bad script, dialogue and acting part of the charm of Stuart Gordon? In which case, I guess a 5/10 might do?
The reason I watched this movie, however, is because I'm an avid Lovecraft fan. And this movie has absolutely zero to do with his work. So, if you're here because you want to watch something Lovecraftian, best is that you look at Carpenter's "The Thing", because as a Lovecraftian work, this is 0/10.
The Recruit (2022)
A Rollercoaster of Wow
Seriously, I've been reading through the reviews to see whether I should give this a chance or not, and I really cannot understand the nay-sayers that complain about it being "unrealistic"
So, start this series understanding that this first and foremost is a comedy. Remember "insatiable"? Also a Netflix series that started out pretty chill and humouristic, but became gradually more dramatic? Well, this series does the same thing. The first 4 episodes introduces the characters in a lighthearted fashion, with a lot of humour that is pretty easy to see would not happen in the real world. However, it's not complete nonsense comedy either, you live with the characters, you follow them on their journey.
And honestly, eeeeverything in this series works. From the direction, to the actors, the story, the chemistry, it all just works perfectly. I am especially amazed by the main characters, he had me going with him all the way. And he has chemistry with every member of the cast.
I binged this series in one day and honestly, it's the best Netflix series I've watches since a long loooong time. And I'm very picky when it comes to series.
So seriously, watch this, you won't regret it.
Fair Play (2023)
An overused plot
When the movie started and it wasn't the guy who got the promotion but the girl, I was hopeful to get a different kind of movie. Initially when the guy was supportive it gave me hope.
But then it really went very fast, very deep into an all familiar plot device that the guy cannot handle the success of his girlfriend. Don't get me wrong, right now, in the 21st century, plenty of guys need to look in the mirror. As a movie though, there is nothing new, nothing bringing to this trope.
With one exception and that is the sheer brutality. The movie goes into some really dark and uncomfortable places. If I was hoping for a movie that actually had a guy be in fact supportive, this movie went 180 degrees the other direction and 5 km deep into the ground. It feels unreal, but leaves me with such a terrible, dark aftertaste.
Honestly, this might be the guy in me talking, but it did nothing to add to my perspective and just made me unpleasant and dark.
Paranormal (2020)
Missed Opportunity
I would've loved to see some different kind of horror coming from one of the first contemporary and prolific Arabic Fantasy and horror writers. However, this series is a serious let-down.
I'd say the main issue with this series is poor screenplay. The dialogue feels forced, unnatural and wooden. The characterisation makes us unable to empathise with anyone due to their one-dimensional personality, uninteresting backstories and counter-intuitive attitudes.
Also the follow up of scenes is boring and trite. The story is told in a way that simply doesn't draw us in.
The Hunt for Red October (1990)
A Predictable Boring and Overly Political Drama
A 'good' suspenseful thriller has the viewer on the edge of their seat wondering what will happen next. The Hunt of Red October however starts from the premise whether the Russian captain will defect yes or no. You can see this in the synopsis, the trailer and even the movie itself created this context early on. Without going into spoilers, there is simply no suspense at all.
another issue - very well said by another reviewer - is that the Russians are all pictured as comically incompetent, evil or unpleasant in contrast with the Americans who are all extraordinary competent, courageous and only want the best.
and finally, there is no real conflict in this movie. Every little issue is either solved by the heroic and brilliant Americans or the Russian's own stupidity. You just see events unfolding.
What you get is a movie with no suspense, laughable cardboard characters that present a clear good versus evil plot with no interesting conflict to speak off. When it comes to good thrillers, these are all the ingredients how Not to make a good movie. Maybe a Disney movie - but then set in a magical kingdom, so as not to ridicule themselves by misrepresenting the cold war.
A Thriller is supposed to keep you guessing what will happen, without knowing exactly who will do what with characters that you can believe.
Another way I'd like to describe this movie is as a kind of American self-insert fanfiction of the Cold War, with all the cringe worthy elements that these kind of fantictions have.
The Curse of Sleeping Beauty (2016)
it tries it's best but...
The film starts pretty good. The atmosphere is very early set, characters are introduced, and they all do a pretty good and convincing job - albeit with the occasional cliché (but you can overlook that).
The problem of the main character is revealed about one third into the movie, and then the solution starts. But, I don't know what exactly happened, perhaps they lost all their money, but in no time and for no good reason it just ends. there is no build up, no explanation given, it just ends. half of the introduced mysteries of the movie are not explained.
so you leave the cinema with a film that wasn't finished, and as such, only a 4/10
X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)
storytelling above special effects
this last decade, movies like these have been all about special effect, grand missions and strong emotional moments. They began to center around protagonists going far beyond their own strength and capabilities to defeat the evil. (think Wolverine in the 3nd X-men movie).
There are a thousand and one traps and cliché's that movies can fall into, and this one has avoided them all. I was blown away by the depth, the strength and the storytelling in this installment of the X-men. no over the top bad guys, no grand hero defying moments, but a story showing a maturity not shown a lot in these movies.
sometimes I felt that the actors were sort of mellow and could be a bit more emotional about the situation, but other than that... wow, just wow