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Totally Completely Fine (2023)
Enjoying this little gem
Great little show for Stan. The quirkyness of the main character makes the subject matter less heavy, if it was handled with a less eccentric hand it would be hard to swallow. Has me giggling with it and hopefully and I'm sure that it is it's intention it really helps a lot of people and that is an achievement in its self. If you are in to off beat aussie cinema you will love this. And Sydney looks beautiful! Breakout role for Kiwi Thomasin McKenzie, loved her as well in Italian Giallo infused Last Night In Soho. I'm halfway through my binge of Totally Completely Fine and I'm hoping it gets a bit of international attention as it's a pretty nifty little story. Hope you enjoy as well.
The Batman (2022)
Really painful
Was looking forward to this :( But it was overlong and uninteresting, really wanted to walk out of the cinema but kept hoping the the ending would bring something to round the story out and it didn't. Robert Pattison did his best emo Edward twilight vibe but it didn't work for me unfortunately as Batman in this case. Some of the shots of Gotham are cool but it was lacking the quirk in characters that Batman so deserves, villains fell flat and character development was lacking. The first 15 mins had me involved in the story then I was bored and then I got into it again with Catwoman then bored again after the story shifted. The main bad guy had a pasty Mark Zuckerberg vibe so that was a chuckle but otherwise wouldn't recommend. It's a 3 from me for cinematography but that's really it. Story was a boring and had a 5 min snooze at the 2 hour mark, so I would say that the power nap was my favourite bit and would definitely watch again for a sleep.
Byron Baes (2022)
Much needed basic trash
No amount of of sound healing, white linen, ripped white wash denim, beach waved hair and crystals could save this lot. But honestly can't stop watching! Doesn't really entice the viewer to holiday in Byron, has the same postcard effect as Jersey Shore and Geordie Shore. But it's an easy mindless binge with vino in hand. Had me laughing at the cast and Hannah's posh aussie put on voice lol So silly the whole thing, go for it if you are in the mood for some tacky trash influences with a slice of bogan new age spiritual rubbish.
Even Cowgirls Get the Blues (1993)
The most Wes Anderson movie that Wes Anderson never made
Haven't read the book so can't comment on that, but as a piece of visual art and comedy it's great. Sissy (Uma Thurman) is great in all her wide eyed wonder and trying to find her place in the world as a drifter. I've seen the film more then a few times and it grows on you. Music by K. D Lang is great and when you are in a 90's mood it satisfies. Great cast including Keanu Reeves and Heather Graham and other familiar faces. If you are a seeker of quirky movies this is for you. Misunderstood at the time and will probably not get the recognition it truely deserves. But well done to Gus Van Sant on one of his early efforts. I do wonder if Wes Anderson saw this film at the cinema back in 1993, definitely has a bit of his oddball flavour to it.
Ojing-eo geim (2021)
Binged! Please don't remake and ruin
Best Netflix show I've seen for awhile. Had echoes of Spanish film The Platform (2019) and of course The Hunger Games films.
Hard on their luck people pushed down and controlled by the top feeders of society, are approached to play a game to win the big bucks and get out of the current holes they have found themselves in.
And what a thrilling edge of your seat ride this makes for viewing. Unknown masked dictators are hosting a game-show of sorts were the players (In debt everyday people) are desperate to win the cash even if it costs them their lives.
Lots of twists and some deeper observations on humanity follow. Just a warning it's very violent and a bit trippy, so if that's not your thang obvs avoid. It also reminded me of the human sport elements in Eli Roth's Hostel and James Wan's Saw franchise so yes it's out there.
Will become a future cult classic and Korean cinema is having a golden moment after masterpieces like Parasite and The Handmaid. Squid Game's hyper realism is pretty visionary stuff for Netflix's typically bland output. Fly me to the moon 8/10.
Malignant (2021)
Operatic slasher
Really enjoyed this one from Wan. If you are a lover of vintage 60s/70s/80s horror suspense especially the Italian Giallo sort. Then this is a lot of fun. Recalls the greats like Dario Argento (Susperia, Tenebrae) Mario Brava (Blood and Black Lace, The Evil Eye) and Lucio Fulci (The New York Ripper, Don't Torture a Duckling)
These camp trash masters went for high shock thrillers with a masked killer on the loose committing outlandish murders on unsuspecting victims. Leading to twists and turns and a few plots holes but all in the name of fun and entertainment and a dash of glamour.
These midnight giallo movies from the 60s and seventies got censored heavily and became hard to find and collectable creating an underground market. American filmmakers payed attention and took inspiration from them and so came your Halloween, Friday the 13th and Carrie even Scream and many, many more.
Malignant is a neon soaked homage to the giallo genre and in my mind a humorous artful one at that. The fact that James Wan made this off the bat off the massive studio success of Aquaman intrigues even more. This is not a mainstream movie, be warned! It's out there blood soaked and kooky. He's taken a risk, maybe this will pay off give him more of a cult status, who knows. This and Insidious are my favourites from him.
Dare I say in some of the vision bits it has a bit of A Nightmare on elm street and even a hint of aussie 70's telekinesis body horror Patrick (1978). The jail bit near the end really was cool and violent and funny. But I did kinda think not using the old hospital a bit more was a missed opportunity, it would have made for a fantastic set piece could have gone really over the top with it! Italian Giallo was all for the camp and spectacular.
The irony in this is those films were made on the cheap but this looks expensive with the sets and the effects, Why not though hope it starts an underground filmmaking trend again. Not a mainstream film as the marketing suggests, a big budget alternative horror romp. The latest reel of Hollywood horror needed a good shake up, was getting so boring! Can I also say watch Censor (2021) if you like this kind of thing. I give Malignant a 8/10.