Category Archives: Movie review

Movie review: Alien: Covenant

22 Friday Dec 2017

Posted by in Alien franchise, Movie review

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Some time has passed now since Ridley Scott’s latest chapter in the Alien universe was released.

As with most movie franchises that have been so immersed in our psyche and reawakened the nostalgia in us all when the latest adaptation hits the screens, we yearn for that ‘magic moment’ that connected us to the world in the first place.

It only exasperates things further when in this instance there have been two successes from the outset and have left such a strong mark that many have tried to replicate but fallen short of every time, even Scott himself with his prequel Prometheus, which many felt fell short of their expectations.

For good or ill, Scott has chosen to delve deeper into his journey and provided us with Covenant, the true beginning of our favourite Xenomorph.

The trouble lies with trying to provide the audience with all that we fell in love with offering something new in the mix at the same time.

A fine line to walk along and one that will guarantee some unhappy punters regardless.
The journey does carry on where Prometheus left us and David’s (Michael Fassbender) search for the ultimate creation in a God-like pursuit.

When the crew of the Covenant, an ark carrying human cargo to their new Eden, are woken early from their hyper sleep, their troubles begin. Despite a form of salvation appearing in a transmission originating from an inhabitable planet, their journey takes them further down the rabbit hole.
Cue new creatures and a world within David’s playground.

Some fine performances are on display with Fassbender’s dual role of David and Walter, alongside Katherine Waterston’s Dany (the voice of reason and hope), Billy Crudup’s faith driven leader of the group, and Danny McBride’s pilot Tennessee.

Much more could have been made of Demián Bichir’s Sgt Lope and his talents are criminally wasted, but one could put that down to an over-populated cast who one can’t really differentiate as the film goes on. Their expendable for a reason but our care factor is non existent when they are knocked off one by one as a result.

As far as offering something new to the genre, Scott does provide us with some fascinating creatures and a possible hint and something less tribal and intuitive is on hand only to be squashed by the ‘outsiders’. But one can’t help but feel that there is something missing to this tale and if rumours are to be believed that the next venture may completely be remiss of the xenomorphs, then we are left scratching our heads and pondering the end game to Scott’s vision.
It’s little wonder then, that some traditionalists are campaigning for Blomkamps’s vision for an alternate take on the universe to become a reality.

The Diagnosis:
Whilst there are plenty of entertaining moments in this film with some strong performances from the cast and ultimately an enjoyable narrative, the faithful fans of the original movie will be disappointed in this latest direction.
Recommended for those who have never drifted into the Alien universe before, but what does that say when you’re effectively alienating your fan base in a quest for one man’s vision?

  • Saul Muerte

Movie review: Life

13 Wednesday Dec 2017

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When life gives you lemons you make lemonade or in this case, when Life gives you aliens you get a carbon copy of everything you’ve seen before, and yet it’s strangely watchable despite its obvious flaws.

When a six-man crew encounter evidence of life on Mars, they get more than they bargained for.

Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Rebecca Ferguson, and Ryan Reynolds who all turn out solid performances as the storyline ticks along at a fairly decent pace.

It’s just a shame that Life doesn’t offer any smart alternatives in the process of its narration.

The only glimmer of difference comes in sacrificing one of its key players in a semi-shock twist moment.

By the films conclusion though, it tries to pull another trick but this resolution could be seen from a mile off and the audience is left disappointed as a result.

The Diagnosis:
Most cinephiles may note the comparisons with Alien and other sci-fi horror movies if its kind, but it is a great attempt at a modern entry into this genre and has enough energy and pace to keep the momentum moving along.
This combined with the strong acting make it compelling viewing despite its flaws.

  • Saul Muerte

Movie review: 47 Meters Down

11 Monday Dec 2017

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Or a more accurate description would be ‘Just barely brimming above the surface’, as this movie never really dives any new depths in Shark horror films.

It would appear that this is a tough task to take on, as many souls have ventured into the big blue to tackle one of humankind’s greatest predators. However, since Spielberg’s classic Jaws invented the term ‘blockbuster’ back in 1975, those pretenders have been left drifting with no sense of direction at all.

While director Johannes Roberts (F, The Other Side of the Door) does his best to weave through the tension surrounding two sisters who attempt a cage dive for the first time, only to plummet to the ocean floor.

As there oxygen runs low, they must brave the shark infested water in order to survive.
Australian Claire Holt cuts a fine performance as the fearless Kate and one can see her career escalating beyond The Vampire Diaries from which she became a household name.

Where as Mandy Moore’s Lisa grates, and as twee as she may appear to be, by the end of the movie you’re wishing that she would become shark bait so that we don’t have to endure her shrill voice in every panic-driven scene.

On a lighter note, it was refreshing to see Matthew Modine back despite little screen time.

His role as the boats captain has a subtlety to it that only an actor of his expertise can pull off whilst still being believe able. His presence is a welcome relief during the scenes when the girls are submerged, albeit in the occasionally voice across the comms system.

The diagnosis:
With the promise of a sequel in the works titled 48 Meters Down, it must be doing something right, and whilst it is watchable, this hardly blows you out of the water.
Best advice would be to get tanked and watch with some mates.
At least then you can rely on the good company.

 

  • Saul Muerte

Movie review: The Killing of a Sacred Deer

08 Friday Dec 2017

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Alternate Title: Surgeon’s Choice

 

If you asked me to list my favourite directors, here are my top three:

  1. Guillermo del Toro – I want to curl up inside his brain and take a nap despite the soul-crushing disappointment that was Crimson Peak (2015)
  2. Simon Rumley – You must watch Red, White & Blue (2010) or his deranged but brilliant contribution to the anthology horror film Little Deaths (2011)
  3. Yorgos Lanthimos. Oh, Yorgos Lanthimos, you beautiful weirdo.

Lanthimos, the Greek director of Dogtooth (2009) and The Lobster (2015), gifts us with yet another glimpse into his weird and wonderful imagination in this psychological horror film.
The Killing of a Sacred Deer is based on the Greek myth of King Agamemnon, his daughter Iphigenia, the goddess Artemis and, as per the film’s title, one dead deer. Go forth and Google.

Colin Farrell, star of The Lobster and the director’s deadpan muse, is in the best form of his career.
He plays Dr. Steven Murphy, a successful cardiothoracic surgeon, with a beautiful wife played by the icily perfect Nicole Kidman, two beautiful kids (Kim and Bob) and a beautiful home.
Other than a strange bedroom ritual (I won’t divulge more here but it does kind of involve general anaesthesia), his life appears to be perfect. Until everything goes to shite.

When he first meets with the teenage Martin (the excellent newcomer, Barry Keoghan), you immediately think “Hmmmm.” Martin immediately comes off as odd and unnerving. Their meetings appear to be quite suspect especially when Steven gifts him an expensive watch and lies to a colleague about who he is when he unexpectedly visits him at his hospital.

When Steven invites him home to meet his family, it appears that the relationship between the boy and the surgeon is innocent. The viewer goes from suspecting Steven is up to no good to suspecting Martin himself. It soon becomes evident that Steven has a stalker on his hands…

Half way through the film, and after a building sense of dread, the film suddenly veers from Fatal Attraction to Sophie’s Choice. To give any more away would be to deprive you of the thrill of watching the film with no idea what’s going on or what’s going to happen next.

Diagnosis:

The Killing of a Sacred Deer is definitely a Yorgos Lanthimos film yet it doesn’t feel like the carbon copy of a successful formula (ahem, Wes Anderson). If you are a fan of the director, you will definitely enjoy the film and if you are new to his work, it may just make you want to watch his earlier films.

 

  • Vanessa Cervantes

Movie review – Borley Rectory

29 Wednesday Nov 2017

Posted by in A Night of Horror Film Festival, Movie review

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Declared as ‘The most haunted house in England’, by Harry Price, who happened to be one of the earlier pioneers in paranormal research and along with that statement, The Borley Rectory has been embedded in the psyche of anyone with an interest in things that go bump in the night.

Question marks have been raised about the authenticity of Mr Price proclamation and certain suggestions have been raised about his character with some even suggesting that he was a charlatan, out for profit. Especially when he penned a series of books on the subject.

Questions aside, the history of The Borley Rectory is certainly a strange one and one can only study its background and discover that it’s an odd place where curious and unexplainable things have occurred.

So it’s little wonder that no one has really documented the history before.

Well thankfully director Ashley Thorpe had that curiosity and passion to explore the stories that have decorated The Borley Rectory over the years and transformed it into what can only be described as a masterpiece of filmmaking.

Thorpe is able to transform the mystery and suspense and present the viewer with a unique style of documentary using his own blend of animation.

The style and manner of the film not only flows with ease but could also craft a new and exciting way to present historical documentaries for the digital generation.

Guiding us along the way is the delicate tones of Julian Sands who narrates the tales and characters journeys throughout the film.

The ensemble cast too are simply amazing and deftly underplay their roles to perfection.
Nods especially go out to Jonathan Rigby as Harry Price, Reece Shearsmith (The League of Gentlemen) as V.C. Wall, and Nicholas Vince (Hellraiser) ad Rev. Smith.

The Diagnosis:
With Borley Rectory, Thorpe captures the eeriness whilst also staying informative and engaging. At times the screen feels like it is breathing with a life of its own and lifts the viewer from scene with a sense of unease.

– Paul Farrell

Catch the screening of Borley Rectory at the A Night of Horror Film Festival.

Screening times and tickets available below:

SUNDAY 3rd DECEMBER – 3PM
Buy Ticket from Dendy Newtown Cinemas here.

 

Ashley Thorpe interview

https://player.whooshkaa.com/player/episode/id/157913?visual=true&sharing=true

Movie review – Better Watch Out

24 Friday Nov 2017

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It’s the holiday season in suburban America; snow blankets the streets, lights adorn every home, and a troublesome boy is left in the care of his babysitter while his parents step out for the night.
Sounds a bit like Home Alone, right? Well, this is Home Alone with blood, lots of blood.

Better Watch Out is a surprising addition to the horror-comedy genre from Canadian-Australian director Chris Peckover.

Despite its US setting, the film was shot in Sydney with three Australian actors in the lead, all of whom did an impressive job with a difficult script.

What starts as a home invasion thriller ends in completely different territory. Luke (Levi Miller) has a crush on his teenage babysitter Ashley (Olivia DeJonge – The Visit) and uses their time alone at home together to make his move.

Before things can get too awkward however, the phonelines are cut, a brick is thrown through a window, and a shadow lingers outside.

Rarely does a film manage to hide its secret from an audience until the big reveal, but Better Watch Out did just that.

The plot twists and turns worked a Christmas treat, and the bloodletting was just plain fun. But some of the scenes failed to pack much of a punch, and the whole thing felt like it was trying too hard to be weird.

The Diagnosis:
You’ll walk away feeling mildly uncomfortable, but it probably won’t keep you awake on Christmas night.

– Ellin Williams

Movie review – Musclecar

22 Wednesday Nov 2017

Posted by in A Night of Horror Film Festival, Movie review

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Musclecar is a rampage of mayhem that shifts through the gears to a new level of cult Ozploitation.
It’s an Aussie oddball film and one not to be missed if you like a bit of a laugh.

Alrighty, let me paint the picture for you. B grade film maker Bambi (Jacinta Stapleton, Neighbours) spends her last 10k on her dream car before finding out the grant for her new film has been cancelled… dun DUN DUNN.

She’s left with a shiny new big red car and no money to run it. With the help of an admirer, Randy, Bambi resorts to murdering drunken men before using their blood to run her car… an obvious alternative to picking up a few extra shifts at Coles and hitting up her local SHELL.

The film has you on edge from the get go. Perhaps it’s the inherent objectaphillia, or Bambi’s revved up ringtone, or maybe even the way she hooks up a human heart to the engine of the car… hmm.

Nevertheless, Dwayne Labbé has creepy down pat. The insanity builds throughout the 75- minute saga enough to wrap up the film with a satisfying bang.
Murderers who just kill their victims and don’t do anything weird with them is sooo last Wednesday.

Musclecar’s main fuel is the animated comic-book style panels that are used to separate or punctuate scenes. It makes me think that it could have been as effective, if not more so, if the entire film were animated.
The art really accentuates the genre and really sells its comedic layer. The absurd plot could not have survived if it didn’t stand by its funnies.

The Diagnosis:
Musclecar won’t intrinsically change you, or make you wish that your car came to life, but it makes for an entertaining hour and a bit…
The perfect fuel for a night in to drain your mind and feed your soul.

– Breana Garratt

Catch the screening of Musclecar at the A Night of Horror Film Festival.

Screening times and tickets available below:

SATURDAY 2nd DECEMBER – 9PM
Buy Ticket from Dendy Newtown Cinemas here.

 

Dwayne Labbe & Aaran Creece interview

https://player.whooshkaa.com/player/episode/id/156681?visual=true&sharing=true

Series review: The Mist Season 1 (2017)

22 Wednesday Nov 2017

Posted by in A Night of Horror Film Festival, Movie review

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Alternate Title: I Watched This So You Don’t Have To

Amazing performances from a diverse and talented cast.

A thrilling storyline.

Terrifying creatures, made all the scarier by almost never fully seeing them.

I refer of course to the 2007 film adaptation of Stephen King’s classic horror tale about a large group of terrified townspeople trapped in a grocery store by a strange, otherworldly mist. (I never tire of watching this film and in fact watched it a few times to rid myself of the bitter taste of mediocrity that was left in my mouth after watching the series.)

The 2017 television series was one of the worst things that these orbs in my face have been forced to look upon.

Lacklustre performances from an unmemorable and largely average cast (with the notable exception of Frances Conroy (the matriarch from Six Feet Under) who is tremendous despite her character being fairly annoying
Confusing and meandering plotlines, most of which go nowhere and serve no real purpose.

A mixed bag of monsters, most of which aim for Hannibal-esque special effects (I refer of course to the television series with Mads Mikkelsen and not the film), but lack their elegance, grotesque beauty and creativity.

To sum up the plot (if it can even be called much of one), the story centres around a family whose teenage daughter has been the victim of a heinous crime.

While dealing with the aftermath, they are separated from each other when an eerie mist suddenly descends upon their small Maine town.

They must deal with some not so fantastic neighbours (and the deadly mist of course which is the most likeable character in the series.)

Unlike the film which showed the good and the bad that come out in people while facing a crisis, the show only portrays seriously unlikeable characters who repeatedly do horrible, horrible things to one another.

Which brings me to the subject of the series finale (because this series was blessedly cancelled after the first season!)

I never watched Lost but I remember hearing people complaining that they had been loyal viewers for years and then were massively let down by the ending.

This was less of a letdown for me because I didn’t care about any of the characters but I still wanted some kind of payoff in terms of answers.

We dedicated ten hours of our lives to the show so the ending – abrupt and nonsensical – left me with my mouth fully agape for ten minutes. I could not believe that they chose to end the series – let alone a season – so poorly. I have never felt so cheated by a finale. I can’t say that I have fully recovered from it.

The Diagnosis:
Get you a man or woman who will endure 10 hours of terrible television to keep you company (and without complaint!) My gentleman companion earned himself so many gold stars for sitting with me to watch this series in its entirety that he gets a kidney from me if he ever needs one.
This TV series was that bad.

– Vanessa Cervantes

Movie review: The Marshes

21 Tuesday Nov 2017

Posted by in A Night of Horror Film Festival, Movie review

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THE MARSHES_TRAILER from 28Productions on Vimeo.

Straight from the offset, director Roger Scott lures you into his feature length directorial debut, The Marshes with an unsettling feeling deep within unfamiliar territory.

It’s a fantastic achievement as Scott’s attention to detail breathes new life onto the screen and in doing so awakens a fear that may have lay dormant in us all.

His ability to infuse a sense of Australian mythology and mysticism, and weave it into a thoroughly modern world allows the audience to fall deeper into a labyrinth of despair and confusion.

3 biologists who represent this ‘modern Australia’, venture out into the land, which I’m pretty sure has never been captured on screen before. A place deep inland, but instead of dry, red, desert, we are faced with lush vegetation as our setting.
But don’t get too comfortable, as something lurks within that will ensnare you and pull you apart.

The beauty of this Australian horror film is that Scott plays with your senses, clouding the characters thoughts and yours along with it, so that the very question of reality is thrown into the equation.

Speaking of characters, the cast involved, primarily the afore-mentioned biologists, allow for the atmosphere to appear more intimate and intense. Chief among them is Dafna Kronental who plays Dr Pria Ana, a woman that finds herself initially fighting for her place in the University, fighting for The Marshes, and ultimately fighting to stay alive. Kronental is incredibly believable as she goes through the motions and the tension ratchets up.

By the end of the movie, the sense of claustrophobia engulfs the viewer and your striving for the characters to find their freedom and survive their ordeal.

The Diagnosis:
With its unique vision and frightening consequences, The Marshes could well be a modern horror classic.

  • Paul Farrell

Catch the screening of The Marshes at the A Night of Horror Film Festival.

Screening times and tickets available below:

FRIDAY 1st DECEMBER – 7PM
Buy Ticket from Dendy Newtown Cinemas here.

 

Roger Scott interview

https://player.whooshkaa.com/player/episode/id/156415?visual=true&sharing=true

Is Stranger Things S2 a worthy follow up to the acclaimed first season?

06 Monday Nov 2017

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Hell yeah. The Duffer brothers knocked it out of the park again, at least for me.

Let me preface this by stating I’m a nerd born in 1973. I played the same games, watched the same movies and rode BMX bikes like the main characters.
So I was more than a little excited for Stranger Things S2.
I devoured it, binge watching it as much as the need for sleep and work allowed. I wasn’t disappointed.
If you haven’t watched season 1, stop reading and go watch it. I’ll try not to spoil season 2, but season one is fair game.

Stranger Things S2 picks up almost a year after Will’s rescue and the final defeat of the Demogorgon.
The boys are all back together, Steve and Nancy are still dating, and Joyce is splitting her time between work, fussing over Will and a new squeeze, played by Sean Astin.
Will is super messed up, seeing into the Upside Down as revealed in the finale of season one.
Mike is angry, missing Eleven. Dustin is showing off his new teeth and Lucas is his normal grounded self. Hopper has a secret.
And the Upside Down has not been idle.

Stranger Things S2 manages to build upon the characters, themes and mythology of the first season and build it into a bigger and more expansive story.
We see outside of the small Indiana town, the threat is larger, new characters are introduced, and we explore the backstories of some of the more interesting characters.
This season seems to pick up on the action side of things more than the first. The best analogy I can come up with is the change between Alien (1979) and Aliens (1986); the suspense is there, but the threat, and the response, is larger.

How can I review this show without talking about the one thing that made me squeal with joy throughout the first season…nostalgia? Man, I was in 80’s geek heaven with all the Easter eggs and references.
Ghostbusters, Aliens, Dragons Lair and DigDug.
IMDb has a list of 51 Easter Eggs referring to classic 80s films and games, and they probably missed more.
As I said at the start, I’m pretty much the same age as the ‘party’, so this was gold to me. Paul Reiser’s inclusion really gave me echoes of Aliens, especially in one particular scene.
Yet the Duffer brothers have managed to do it in a way that is not cheesy or gratuitous.

The pacing on the show was great, the characters developed well and the action was well done.
The acting is strong again, and we see some really fantastic performances.

As usual, the CGI is on point, slickly executed and not overdone. The monsters and threats are believable and frightening, and the protagonists’ responses seem to be realistic whilst remaining heroic.

The new characters are great for the most part, but one character and his particular arc seemed to me to be such an 80’s cliché, from the car to the attitude to the music choices. Judd Nelson, no one forgot about you.
For me, the stand out character and his development is Steve Harrington, that big haired douchebag that was slated to be a stereotyped 80s bully, who developed into a deep and multi layered character that will really warm your heart in this season.
Massive props to Joe Keery who plays Steve; it was his overall likability that transformed the character.

The Diagnosis:
I had a blast watching Stranger Things S2. If you liked the first season, you will love it.
The Duffer brothers have built on what worked in the first season, and not allowed it to get stale. The cast and production are overall fantastic.

– Noel Page