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jamesstewart1977
Reviews
Trust Me (2017)
Disappointing end to a promising series.
The series started off well - first two episodes were actually pretty good. Third one started to get silly...and fourth one was just downright ridiculous.
So, someone commits identity fraud, lies about medical qualifications, gets a job as a doctor (risking patients' lives in the process and also taking the place of real, hard-working, qualified doctors) and somehow ends up with a promotion at the end of it? And all without making a single serious medical error? Well, perhaps we should all give it a try!
She then tells people the husband is beating her, takes his daughter away and ends up getting him killed.
This series is unrealistic and tries to make a genuinely despicable and untrustworthy character into some sort of heroine.
Men (2022)
Great film....apart from the ending!
What were they thinking!? Was such a great, atmospheric, suspenseful film. Beautifully filmed, creepy and thought provoking. A whole number of interesting and bizarre characters. Amazing scenery and great acting.
I think in the end, they didn't know where else to go with it....an ending that is best forgotten. I won't go into detail, but i think they were trying to create an arty ending that just doesn't work considering how good this film at the beginning and middle. It just seems the ending was done with little thought and perhaps just trying for shock effect.
A shame, as could have been a classic, but alas.
Noise (2023)
Worst movie of this year?
Where do i begin...? This movie has absolutely zero plot. Starts off slow and a little eerie, but just as you think it is creating the foundations for a psychological scarefest...it does nothing.
Do not waste your time. Very disappointing and the end is pointless. Almost as pointless as the rest of the film. No idea what they were thinking!
Many of the recurrent characters and scenarios serve no purpose other than to waste the viewer's time. I am a big fan of psychological films, but this is just trying too hard and fails abysmally. Looking for a good, scary film to pass the time? Avoid this one at all costs.
A Dangerous Dynasty: House of Assad (2018)
One-sided and factually incorrect
I expected a balanced documentary - maybe something similar to 'Once upon a Time in Iraq' - but instead we are given something so bad, it's almost unwatchable. With its soap opera-style presentation, not only is this documentary completely one-sided, but it is also factually incorrect. Blaming Syria for the emergence of Al-Qaeda in Iraq and ISIS without attributing any blame for U. S/U. K foreign policy and their failing to act on intelligence as to the whereabouts of Zarqawi's training camps, is just laughable. Also, every person interviewed is someone who clearly had an agenda against Assad, and the attempted character assassination of Asma Al-Assad is not only completely sexist, but downright embarrassing.
If you are looking for an educational and well-balanced documentary regarding the roots of the political situation in Syria and rule of the Assad family, look elsewhere. And, if you know anything about Middle-Eastern politics/history, this documentary will be a complete insult to your intelligence.
Things Heard & Seen (2021)
Intelligent slow-burning psychological horror.
This film won't suit people who like a fast-paced ghost & ghouls horror. This is a slow-paced, thinking person's horror. Lots of references to Swedenborg and undoubtedly influenced a lot by The Shining. Strong characters, atmospheric and keeps you interested throughout. Perhaps the ending could have been better. Enjoyable and worth a watch if you like that genre of film.
Antebellum (2020)
Nice concept but poorly executed.
The concept of the film was nice with excellent cinematography and good acting. However, film is a bit long-winded, slow, confusing and genre is absolutely not a horror. Gets itself tied up at times and mostly downright boring. Same producers as 'Us' and 'Get Out' - I enjoyed both those films, but this doesn't come close to that standard.
Crawl (2019)
Abysmal film - one of the worst I have watched in a long time!
Where do I start? Well, seemed okay initially with them trying to escape a hurricane. A good old-style distaster movie. But then it got a bit ridiculous and unrealistic. I actually turned it off before the end as couldn't take any more punishment. Bitten by a giant alligator yet keep your limbs intact despite others being gobbled up with ease. Some might say this film is fun; I would say it is ridiculous. My advice? Do not watch.
You Should Have Left (2020)
Interesting concept but poorly executed.
First of all, Kevin Bacon carries this film. Without him, it would have been far less appealing. Secondly, the concept is an interesting one but is way too slow, no character development and at times is just dull. Certainly wouldn't describe it as a thriller and, although a few scary moments, not really a horror either. In addition, the age difference between the two main actors is a bit of a strange choice. Not the worst film in the world as actually does have some nice, creative moments, but I had exepected so much more and not gripping enough to stay in the memory any longer than 5 minutes after watching.
The Rental (2020)
Tense 'cabin-in-the-woods' thriller.
Not really what I'd class as a horror film, but definitely a thriller with a lot of suspense. Yes, there are some holes in the story and yes, the first half is perhaps a bit slower than some would like, but for me that really builds up to the tension and the finale. I thought the acting was not bad and I found it had quite an atmospheric feel to it with them being at a getaway in the middle of nowhere. For me, if you like 'cabin-in-the-woods' genre, then this is worth a watch.
A Fall from Grace (2020)
A sort of unrealistic version of Dirty John.
First of all, this film is not as terrible as the other reviews are making out. A one star review is most certainly unfair. However, saying that, it does have so many holes and unrealistic scenes that it does itself absolutely no favours. The film actually builds up a decent storyline of the Dirty John ilk, but then goes so far off track that it ends up a bit of a car crash. I gave it four stars because it was entertaining for the most part, but just became so completely unrealistic towards the end that it kind of ruined the film.
Marionette (2020)
Complex and enjoyable thriller.
Pleasantly surprised by this film. Definitely a thinking person's film, so if you are looking for cheap thrills, look elsewhere. An atmospheric film with great acting (especially from Reuten and Wolf) and a lot of suspense. And, just when you think it is all over, there is an an epilogue that explains all. Mentions of Schrödinger's cat theory and parallel universes all add to a fascinating film with many layers. I would highly recommend.
Sightless (2020)
Original psychological thriller which loses its way.
An interesting and original psychological thriller. However, the ending left me feeling a little disappointed as this could have been so much better. The plus side? Kept me engrossed throughout, acting was decent, great suspenseful storyline and I really loved the cinematography which gave us a sense of what the main character was hearing, sensing and feeling. The down side? Way too many plot holes as we got towards the second half of the film and the ending was just downright lazy. A shame as this was definitely on the right route for most of the film, but I think they just ran out of ideas.
The Lie (2018)
A good film....but could have been so much better.
Would have rated this far higher had it not been for the ending. Up until that point, I thought it was fantastic film - great acting, suspenseful, some real edge of your seat moments. Just a shame that they chose to go with that ending. Still worth a watch regardless as 90% of the film is really good....just that it could have been so much better.
Room for Rent (2019)
Creepy but fun.
Well, this film was actually a really enjoyable watch. At times suspenseful, at times creepy and at times downright uncomfortable to watch - but absolutely never dull. Only criticism I would have is the ending which was a little disappointing and not quite the crescendo it was building up to be, but other than that, good acting, good characters and a wonderful story. Perhaps not everyone's cup of tea, but I really enjoyed it.
Dreamkatcher (2020)
Don't waste your time!
First of all, this is not scary at all - if you're looking for a horror, give this one a miss. There is no real story to this - child is very annoying and the adults seem to have no clue how to act as parents. Lin Shayne is the only one who comes out of this film with pass marks in my opinion, as the rest of the acting was pretty poor. Not sure why they thought this would be a good idea, as the whole film has no plot from start to finish.
Black Death (2010)
Good atmospheric film - but all seems a bit pointless.
Not a bad film - acting is good and really gives an atmosphere of how it would have been during 1300's plague. However, I was kind of left a little disappointed at the end. The film lost its way a little and the ending was a bit unrealistic considering the predicament they found themselves in. Some good action scenes, many of them gruesome - but all a bit pointless.
El practicante (2020)
Hugely enjoyable psychological thriller.
After weeks of trying to find a good film on Netflix (having watched almost all the decent ones) I finally came across this gem. A hugely enjoyable Spanish psychological thriller that I was glued to throughout - and a few unexpected plot twists along the way. Really enjoyable movie (there are actually a few really good Spanish thrillers on Netflix if you take the time to find them). Disturbing, creepy, suspenseful, good acting, good camera work and a fantastic ending. At times disturbing to watch, but that's why we enjoy psychological thrillers, isn't it? I give it 8 out of 10.
I See You (2019)
Excellent film with a slow start
For a while I wasn't sure where this film was going and it started off a little slow. But, by the end, I found it to be a really enjoyable watch. I really like how this was done and a lot of unanswered questions and unexplained incidents in the first part of the film were answered emphatically in the second part. A good, original concept and I would urge anyone to give this film time as all will be revealed. Definitely worth a watch.
The Call (2013)
Fantastic film - until the ridiculous ending!
I was really enjoying this film. Real edge of your seat stuff and great, original idea for a film. That was until the last half hour which is pretty much ridiculous and spoiled the film. No idea why they decided to go down that route with the film as took away any sense of realism - let's face it, the decisions taken by Halle Berry's character would simply never happen, especially as she had the whole police force out hunting for this guy. Disappointing.
The Night Clerk (2020)
Complete waste of time!
The first 30 minutes of this film are actually pretty decent - and then the film loses its way big time...and doesn't find its way back! I think they had a really good concept for a film but had no clue what to do with it, so we are left with a series of boring and pointless scenes that add absolutely no value to the film (the inclusion of Andrea is just bizarre and irrelevant). May as well just watch first 30 mins and then skip to the end as I found myself wanting to fast forward and get it over with. Painful to watch and a complete waste of my time.
Slumber (2017)
Nonsense!
This film started off ok and showed promise. However, quickly deteriorates and towards end I found myself falling asleep. Makes no sense and is not scary at all. My advice is look elsewhere as not really about sleep paralysis and you find yourself asking - why am i watching this!?
Shimmer Lake (2017)
Crime film in the style of Fargo.
Watched this film without expecting big things, but was pleasantly surprised. Yes, at times it could get a bit confusing with the plot being told backwards, but the film works well and actually in the end it is all pretty clever. A few similarities to Fargo/Coen Brothers, but overall they pulled it off. At times funny, at times edge of your seat, good acting and a few twists along the way. Definitely worth a watch.
Session 9 (2001)
Worthy psychological horror.
Really enjoyed this movie and a nice twist at the end. Some creepy moments, strong character development and a really good plot. Psychological horrors are more about what you don't see than what you do, and that is definitely the case with this one. Would highly recommend.
Mercy Black (2019)
Unoriginal and uninspiring.
Overall, quite a slow film and not really many scary moments. Starts off well enough, but characters have no real depth and there is no real development of the original plot. Found myself waiting for the film to end. Not the worst film in the world, but for fans of horror, I would give this one a miss.
Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019)
Expected so much more
A little disappointed with this movie and, for me, it doesn't come close the 'The Deliberate Stranger' (1986 Bundy movie starring Mark Harmon). So many important moments omitted and very little is seen of the crimes. If anything, the viewer cannot grasp the true evil of Bundy and instead we are forced to watch Lily Collins/Haley Joel Osment and so many scenes that do not add value to the movie. Nothing of Lake Sammamish and nothing of how Bundy managed to evade capture and travel to Florida without a cent to his name. And nothing of his gruesome crimes once he had arrived in Florida.
Any positives? Absolutely. I thought Zac Efron was superb as was the performance of John Malkovich (as always). In fact, it was the performance of Efron makes it all the more disappointing that the film should want to focus on so many irrelevant characters. Don't get me wrong, Elizabeth Kloepfer (played by Collins) should have played a part in the movie, but not such a prominent part. Bundy was away from Kloepfer in Salt Lake City and acted as a lone wolf most of the time, especially in Florida. Perhaps those who did not know about the Bundy crimes may be left in doubt as to the true evil. For me, this could have been so much better.