Change Your Image
NiteOwl94
Ratings
Most Recently Rated
Reviews
Riverdale (2017)
Fantastic.
I grew up with Archie comics. Like bubble gum, apple pie, and Saturday morning cartoons, it was something I always took for granted. The carefree 50's Americana in silly comic strips was always oddly comforting. I can remember reading the comics to cheer myself up after a bad fight with a friend, or after something didn't work out for me.
Never once did I expect to be so engrossed in a CW show about Archie, because that sounds like a terrible idea. I'm picky about TV, and the only two CW shows I bother with are Supernatural and The Flash, and I already gave up on one of those, I'll let you guess which. But, Riverdale is bold TV, and it mostly glosses over the plastic artifice that plagues most High School shows.
The characters in Riverdale are familiar, yes, but they're not cartoon characters anymore. They're characters with legitimate emotions and development arcs. The show is also set against the backdrop of a murder mystery, which gives the show plenty of forward momentum, making it easy to liken it to the atmospheric works of David Lynch. People are keen to compare it to Twin Peaks, but I'm more fond of a Blue Velvet comparison myself.
Sure, the show is lurid and melodramatic, but that's okay. It works. It feels surreal, and that's perfect for a show like this. It blends small town 50's Americana with modern day trappings. Archie will always be caught between Betty and Veronica. There will always be a football team, and bands, and pesky teachers- but the difference is, in Riverdale, almost none of it is played for a punchline.
It's an engrossing mystery show that brings to mind Nancy Drew or The Hardy Boys if they weren't written for kids. People do sick and bad stuff in the show, but there's always a centered focus on the human aspect- on friendship. The show is anchored by its lead actors, and they are fantastic. The characters feel like the ones I remember from the pages, but written by a grown up hand, for grown up fans. I also found myself knee-deep in references and in-jokes that only actual Archie readers would get. You couldn't wipe the smile off my face if you tried.
I do feel that this first season bit off quite a bit. Over just thirteen episodes, the few main subplots are shifted and flipped several times. But, the show makes it a point to hammer home the fact that this town has secrets, and as such- so does the show. It's fun, and full of pop culture references, but also grounded and nostalgic. How it manages all that AND an unsettling Gothic atmosphere is well beyond me. All I know is that I will absolutely be tuning in for season 2.
To say that this is nothing like the comics would be insulting. The creators put a lot of effort into capturing the evergreen elements of the comic that readers loved and found familiar. But it also angles the show to engage fans that aren't kids anymore. The show appeals to the kid in me, and the adult I am now, by providing plenty of nostalgia, but also a gripping mystery yarn the likes of which David Lynch would probably endorse himself.
Baskin (2015)
An eerie, bloody, gory, fever dream!
I'd had my eye on this movie for over a year. Constantly checking to see if, when, and where it was getting released. The first trailer for it immediately hooked me, and I needed to see this movie. Now I finally have, and I can safely say the wait was worth it. With what little reviews are even out there at this point, critics and keyboard warriors are complaining that Baskin is 'low on plot'. Hearing that as a complaint really grinds my gears. See, there are some movies that are just devoid of enough creativity to generate an interesting plot, and then there are other movies like Baskin, that are that way by design. If you don't like the movie... fine. But, it's REALLY well made.
The 'low on plot' complaint gets more absurd the more I think about it because so many masterful and classic movies have threadbare plots and nobody even bats an eyelash. In fact, they praise how it does so much with so little. Where's THAT love for Baskin? Writer and director Can Evernol has crafted a wonderfully nightmarish movie that seems to understand the very fabric of a bad dream- a dream you keep trying to wake up from and can't. Baskin makes enough sense from scene to scene that you can follow the narrative as a movie, but there are enough plot threads and details that stick out to give the movie a thoroughly dreamlike quality.
It dives in and out of deeper dream realms, characters deliver spooky speeches about fate and death. The camera fetishizes details that look irrelevant, so your eyes are drawn in, scouring the scene for clues or hints or something lurking in the shadows. Every scene is atmospheric and moody, giving the movie an uneasy vibe even when not much is really happening. The movie has a simple plot, but that doesn't mean it's a simple movie. It leaves a lot open to your imagination, but not in the way you might think. That concept when married to horror movies usually means that the killers or the monster isn't ever really seen, or that all the gory stuff happens off screen. Neither is true of Baskin.
It lets you use your imagination when it comes to the story. There's obviously a much bigger and more complex history to the antagonists of this movie, and thinking about what that might be is just as unnerving and scary as watching them kill their victims. And, speaking of victims, by the time our protagonists, a team of five police officers, happen to stumble across their lair, an old abandoned police station- we can clearly see they've been at this for a while. This small cult has killed dozens and dozens of people in extremely brutal and ritualistic manners. Also, I've got to give props to the filmmakers for creating one of the most disturbing looking cults I've ever seen.
Especially the perfect casting of the cult leader in Mehmet Cerrahoglu. Now, obviously, that name won't mean much to most audiences because this is Mehmet's first and only screen credit. But... oh my god. His performance was deeply unsettling and extremely disturbing. I can see a bright (or dark..?) future for him in horror movies. He's like a new Michael Berryman, and I say that with as much love and fondness for this genre and the actors in it as humanly possible. He stole the whole show away from the well established leads up to that point. Mehmet had dynamic and chilling on screen presence.
A lot of Can Evernol's inspirations are readily apparent to genre fans. Clive Barker, Eli Roth, David Lynch, and Nicolas Winding Refn- to name just a few. He manages to blend an eerie Euro art-house vibe with a hardcore splatter flick vibe. Actually, no- scratch that. He doesn't blend them- he does something a lot riskier. The first half of the movie is eerie Euro art-house cinema, and the second half of the movie smashes in, rubbing our faces in the anxiety inducing, gross- out, extreme gore, of your (above) average splatter flick. Baskin might not be the bloodiest or most insane movie ever, but just because I- as a genre fan, am jaded as hell, doesn't mean I can't recognize it for the demented and wild ride that it is.
It's a sick and haunting movie that is more concerned with moods and instantly disturbing imagery than it is with backstory and plotting. The necessary story bits are told through the characters and their interactions, and that was fine to me. I liked that aspect of the movie. Baskin succeeds overall, but excels in leaving you with memorable images of things the average person wouldn't ever want to see, let alone have it stuck in their head. Baskin doesn't look cheap, or low budget. It's immersive and gritty, and it's readily apparent flaws can be chalked up to differing tastes and opinions. Some people like more plot-heavy horror movies, so obviously they might be let down by Baskin a bit, but that doesn't mean it's thin plot is a flaw.
In retrospect, the movie does feel rather small. It only really has three locations, a restaurant, a highway, and the old not-so-abandoned police station. What makes it feel small is how little actually happens in each location. The movie milks each second it can out of every setting it has, and it's surprisingly effective. In lesser hands, this movie would've been an absolute misfire. But, as is, it's a slick and well made piece of gore-splatter cinema. It's moody cinematography, vibrant colors, and synth heavy score bring to mind an extra bloody and Satanic spun Wrong Turn by way of Nicolas Winding Refn. I couldn't say that like it's a bad thing even if I tried. Baskin is destined for overnight cult status, and genre immortality. I loved it.
American Cyborg: Steel Warrior (1993)
I really don't get why people dislike this so harshly
It's a ripoff sure, but who watches a Cannon movie from the 90's called "American Cyborg: Steel Warrior" and expects originality? Gimme a break. Good acting? Good story? Psh. Forget that nonsense. This is a movie about spin kicks, bone breaking, shootouts, and lots of running. The special effects are on par with Nemesis (1992) and as a low budget sci-fi actioner, it doesn't disappoint. It has a fast pace (thank god) and lots of action. Those two things are essential for any low budget flick like this. I hate sitting through a movie with "cyborg" or "warrior" in the title, and it's slow and boring. The filmmakers behind these kinds of movies realized that they had martial artists on their hands and not actors. So they loaded the movies up (most of them) with fighting, and action, and if we're lucky- some female nudity. I don't remember if anyone gets naked in "American Cyborg: Steel Warrior" but I do remember plenty of decently choreographed ass kicking. More than all that, the set design (while nothing over original) is fantastic. They really went all out to create a post apocalyptic world here that's more that just empty wasteland. There are makeshift cities and hideouts here that are visually impressive and alive with color. Lots of rubble, ruins, and neon signs. Just the way I like it. It makes for a perfect backdrop to all the cyborg ass-kicking in the movie. Not to mention the movie has lots of varied sets and villains. I mean, by general standards on IMDb this should be at least a 5.2 Anything less is just unfair. Even Roger Ebert understood that you have to judge a movie based on what it's intended to do, and who it's intended for. As a late-night cable actioner, this movie is supposed to keep you entertained and nothing else. I loved it.
Honeymoon (2014)
Simply Fantastic
I had known about Honeymoon for a fair minute. A month or two. However, in doing a bit of looking up on it, word of mouth wasn't great. In fact people complained the movie was vapid, and even a bit threadbare. Others accused it of being slow and tedious. I don't know exactly what they were expecting, or what kinds of movies those reviewers like... but Honeymoon was none of those things.
It's pacing deliberate, it's story simple, but it's all in taking the time to familiarize you with our protagonists. Trust me, nothing is arbitrary. Newlyweds Bea and Paul retreat to an old cabin that's been in her family for ages for their honeymoon. It doesn't take long for things to go awry as Bea's strange behavior starts to worry Paul. That's about as vague as the Netflix description was. At this point, you have no idea what it could be. The movie's tag-lines, seen on a few of it's different posters, all point in different directions. I don't even really want to tell you what I thought was going on because the littlest nudge in any direction could give the plot away... and that would be criminal.
It's not a big "twist" movie, but the fun in it is discovering what the hell is going on with these two as the movie progresses. It could be anything. The movie held my attention like nothing else has recently. I started to notice things, little things, just like Paul. Played by Harry Treadaway, Paul, who reminds me of a young Dennis Quaid, is our anchor. It's his point of view that the audience is seeing things unfold from. It's a familiar role that could easily slip into cliché. A concerned husband or father, noticing strange things about a wife, girlfriend, or daughter. Yet Treadaway's performance has us buying into every single second. It feels genuine and sincere. ...And also a bit familiar. Movies like The New Daughter, Possession, and The Possession spring to mind (all good movies). Not to say Honeymoon has too much else in common with those movies, so don't let those titles fool you. However, if you are a fan of that specific little sub-genre, you'll love Honeymoon.
Possession is a fantastic movie that is nothing but a emotionally charged drama about infidelity... until it pulls the rug out from under you in slow motion as the main character discovers something is just not right with his wife. As authentic and nerve wracking as the marital spats and ear-shattering shouting matches were in the first half of the Possession, Honeymoon is content to go in the entire other direction, obviously. Bea, played with charm and gusto by Rose Leslie, and Paul are the happiest newlyweds ever. Drunk on their own affection for each other and completely in love. Thankfully it never gets over saturated, and it's easy to get caught up in their happiness. I found myself smiling often and almost forgetting what kind of movie I was watching.
Both Leslie and Treadaway play their roles with such sincerity that it ends up being downright gut wrenching. No matter what you think this movie is about, keep an open mind. Experience it for what it is. Rather than drop a twist on you like a sack of bricks, it gives you enough hints and clues for you to slowly arrive at your own conclusion. In doing so, it avoids any sort of adverse knee-jerk reaction. A lesser movie might have tried to spin it as some big surprise at the end, but a smart moviegoer would have already figured it out. Putting it out there as a last minute surprise twist would've been borderline insulting, because the same movie has been prodding us to figure it out this whole time. And, you know... we frigging did. It needs to affirm our suspicions, not try to surprise us with what we already know.
Honeymoon does just that. By the time you figure it out, it's been handled so delicately and with such care that you just want the movie to acknowledge what's happened. It does, and... it's fantastic. The movie is a bit depressing so don't go in expecting something that'll leave you upbeat, but go in with a lot of patience, and an open mind. This visually stunning movie more than satisfied me. It's dripping with atmosphere and tension and it plays to it's own strengths. There was a lot on the shoulders of Leslie and Treadaway, having to carry basically a whole movie on their own, but they did it. They did it really damn well too. I can't recommend it enough. I'm in love with this haunting little movie. It was fantastic. Offhand, I can't even think of a single complaint.
Appurushido: Ekusu makina (2007)
Great flick, but...
On its own singular merit, ExMachina should get a solid 10, however, its target audience has lots of exposure to anime and cgi films. When held up to movies like Akira, The Incredibles and others, ExMachina excels exceptionally at action scenes and choreography, but lacks the grandiose semi-philosophical structure from Akira, and the emotional realistic impact from The Incredibles. Its not wrong to expect such qualities to be standard in a production that clearly had a lot of care and thought devoted to it. ExMachina hardly suffers from this too much, and is actually quite an impressive action movie that delivers some exceedingly thrilling scenes that aren't easily forgotten. The characters are fun, interesting and memorable and are quite unique which is one of Appleseed's biggest strengths. (even the manga)
ExMachina is produced and influenced by John Woo, but stop praising him so much for this! He didn't write or direct ExMachina, stop giving him undue credit. SERIOUSLY. Its NOT a "John Woo" film. Furthermore, ignore the pretentious slobbering half informed fanboys who blindly review ExMachina with less than half of their facts correct... they irritate me beyond belief.
Finally, Appleseed ExMachina is a top quality sci-fi adventure that can be judged independent of its impressive use of CGI. It will 'wow' you. Absolutely recommended.
Die Hard (1988)
Endearing
Die Hard is such a well made movie, the plot, its twists, the emotions, the shootouts, everything. In fact everything is so much well made that we completely overlook its weaknesses and accept the streamlined thrill ride presented to us. John Mclane is a NYC cop who travels to LA to meet his wife at a company Christmas party. The building where his wife works is towering and intimidating but his marital issues with his wife are that much more scary. However John hopes for a happy end to a stressful day and just embrace his wife, but no, a group of hi tech terrorists have taken over the building and are executing their well oiled plan to steal the company's billions. John of course will intervene. Kicking a** and taking names (litterally) has never felt so real and brutal before in a movie. Die Hard excels at excitement and changed the action genre forever. The subtleties and the glaring plausibility of the story makes it that much more intense, and even its hero seemed like the everyman. Thats what makes Die Hard so timeless.
Gamer (2009)
Don't, PLEASE don't waste your time and money
This is a shameful rehash of The Running Man mixed with Death Race. Its frantic and shaky and tries so desperately hard to be unique and have style but it really is nothing we have seen before. I didn't ask for much from this movie, less camera shaking and more gore, I might've liked it. But instead of delivering stunts and gore (like Death Race) it relies on its 'original' ideas and contrived plot to coast through its run time. The Running Man with Schwarzenegger had style and charisma, Death Race had stunts and gore, if i expected great acting from any of these I would be disappointed. I don't. ALL i ask is for watchable violence, none of that in Gamer, lots of camera shaking and running, but nothing impressive. OK, maybe an original story? Hell no, they figured The Running Man and Death Race had good stories lets steal theirs. There were at MOST 2 or 3 redeemable scenes where the writer felt a slight tinge of creativity, but its all hopeless in this lame cliché, called a 'movie', that hardly deserves the human effort it took to make it.
Dune (1984)
Stunningly original but nonetheless flawed
I judge movies based on how internally they were flawed, i hate comparing movies because no movie should be held accountable to any standard besides the one it sets for itself. Having said that, Dune is truly visually stunning, and disturbingly original. I love the ornateness of the designs; the antiquated elegance and systematic royalty of the Emperor's residence on Kaitain and house Atreides on Caladan, and the grimy yet evoking color scheme on Giede Prime. All the visual aspects of this movie is rare, original, and enthralling. The journey the characters take is at times a bit confusing and convulsive but it is beautiful and visually exciting. The music in Dune adds to the epic feeling that the movie gives, and engrosses you in its wonderful and emotionally thrilling score. Dune is not for casual viewing, to fully enjoy (and try to understand) the characters, the complexity, and the convulsed brilliance of Dune, you need patience, an open mind, and three hours of your time (and undivided attention). Enjoy!
My Science Project (1985)
A personal favorite
This is a very inventive movie, and when i was eight i wanted nothing more then to get my hands on that gizmo! This movie has it all: teen drama, roman gladiators, a time displaced gadget, annoying sidekicks, guns, dynamite, Dennis hopper as a hippie science teacher, fast cars, dinosaurs, WWII soldiers, high school, alien-like mutants, and a swirling vortex!!! what more could you want! Besides none of it is simply "there" it all is cohesive and goes well with the tone of the movie, there is so much to like about this movie, except that it drags a little in the beginning, otherwise it is a fun film like bill and Ted, or back to the future, nowhere as "big budget" as either but the special effects are very cool!
Dead Space: Downfall (2008)
Bloody awesome!
This is nothing more than a companion, and a compliment to the amazing game by EA games, and it fulfills all expectations i had of it. This manga does not push the limit as far as clever animation, but does offer some pretty interesting moments, the weapons are not spectacular neither are most of the characters, but the aren't out of place either, they fit very well in the Dead Space world. Also this will seem like a cheap ripoff to anyone who hasn't played the game, because so many elements feel like a different movie, such as resident evil, or aliens. But, for fans of the game it is nice to see the USG Ishimura in another light, and see so many nuances to the game that is very cool and satisfying. Don't expect revolutionary, this is best thought of as a really long DS intro, nothing more.
Deep Rising (1998)
Flat out fun!
this movie is cheesy and over the top, but knows it, and doesn't apologize! it is a ride full of laughs and gross stuff, it is hardly believable and highly cliché'd but the characters are fun, the pace is fast, and the action is fierce.
A captain and this two man (and woman) crew, rent their boat for hire to a bunch of hard-ass soldier-like thieves, they unknowingly take them to a ravaged cruise ship on its maiden voyage in the middle of a dark and story ocean, they encounter tons of dead bodies, large bloodthirsty worm-like sea monsters with wicked jaws and fangs. The captain (treat Williams) is real fun and pleasant to watch in this movie he takes charge and heroically saves the day.
See this simply fun flick on a Saturday afternoon for a fun, rollicking ride that delivers monsters, guns, explosions, and some b-rated acting. I really had a lot of fun with this simple movie, but simple isn't always bad!