Benton_Phillips Reviews

The Poughkeepsie Tapes (2007)

This isn't horror

[1/10 · 17 November 2023]

When looking for a good horror movie there's specific things you look for you want a good evil protagonist that you can empathise with but also despise, dislikable relatable leads that can be killed off and either inventive or gory deaths these are some basic examples.

When a horror film doesn't even touch these elements and has no story structure it's not even a movie.

A film that is back to back snuff films isn't shocking when there's no setup just boring and a bit perverse when it doesn't drive narrative.

Realistic killings doesn't make a movie, this isn't worth sitting through continous uncomfortable scenes back to back.

Watch man bites dog or naked, instead to get a better cinema experience.

Prey (I) (2022)

Good film in the predator series, caveat is understanding the ratings

[6/10 · 15 December 2022]

This is a good film and enjoyable in its own right, it becomes difficult to rate when considering the franchise (obviously excluding the avp nonsense) Here are the predator films ratings, if they match up with your read, otherwise its on you.

Predator - 10 Predator 2 - 9 (he ain't too old for this 'predator') Predators - 6 The Predator - 6 This is on par with the last 2 easily, it brought enough inventiveness to the franchise and a story angle the previous 2 did. As a predator fan watch and enjoy. The predator is my favourite out the 3 but the 1st stands alone and I can help but love Danny glover lethal weapon the pred, what a 90s concept!

Altered Carbon (2018–2020)

Season 1 rating.. high 8. View as a single season

[8/10 · 22 March 2022]

The story, characters/acting are a high level in season 1 with good character arcs, a true sci-fi watch.

Joel kinnamon delivers a great lead with supporting cast that really flesh out the world.

Sci-fi fans will love it, view as a single season there's nothing added in season 2.

8.5 season 1. 3 for season 2 - Anthony Mackie not a good subsite for Joel kinnamon.

Safety Not Guaranteed (2012)

Pretty sure I'm in love with this film

[7/10 · 14 October 2012]

This is an instant response to just finishing watching this film so please excuse any hyperbole, but I am keen not to under whelm this brilliantly made film.

Its rare that I watch a film an instantly becomes a favourite but I believe this film has just reached such a mighty height. A really good concept with excellent characters delivered with equally good performances, especially Kenneth (Mark Duplass) played it pitch perfect with excellent comic timing.

The story although offbeat never strays too far into the ridiculous and neither does the humour, at times indie films can almost become a parody of themselves. This is not no of those cases it is finely balanced just enough humour to counter emotion, while driving a compelling story.

Hopefully this film will avoid the dreaded patronising pat on the head of "what a charming film" which would be a massive under sell, as the makers deserve a lot more credit.

Like good films with your comedy, Safety not Guaranteed.

Resident Evil: Retribution (2012)

Girls, Guns, Zombies and...

[5/10 · 21 September 2012]

So what's this film about? you might ask, well there's girls and there's guns.. lots of them, and zombies.. lots of those as well.

If you've decide you've wanted to spend your time watching a zombie franchise on it's fifth sequel then your standards are quite apparent and as such you will not be disappointed by the high levels of girl on zombie violence.

But maybe this isn't enough for you, maybe you require an involved storyline dealing with the complexities of human nature.. as previously stated you've decided to watch the fifth sequel in a franchise just be glad that you have this kind of time on your hands.

OK, the story is got to get from A to B, but oh know, zombies! Where's the tension there? ..did I mention they've only got two hours till the bomb explodes! Oh yeah there's a bomb!

There's also a heavy dose of leather, soviet zombies and Michelle Rodriguez *breaks a man's heart*.

I've given it a five merely because it's fifth in the series, films like this one transcend ratings.

Beyond the Black Rainbow (2010)

Mercurial indeed.

[5/10 · 9 September 2012]

I heard about this title mid 2011 and has been near the top of my list ever since, not sure what the delay was in distribution but it's been quite a wait, which fuelled my desire to see this film. The instant I saw the trailer I was certain this was my kind of film, vague dialogue hinting a hidden depths, long drawn out scenes with sinister undertones and beautifully crafted futurism styled sets (maybe a little to Kubrick-esk) but still great looking. Everything was in place for a successful romp around a mercurial world spawned and brought to life in nightmarish vision by Panos Cosmatos.

But, for all it's promise and as much as I really wanted to love this film it did fall a little flat. The set design is beautifully crafted, and the high photography levels of some of the scenes is something to be admired, but on occasion a little arbitrary as some scenes did not drive character or narrative forwards nor did it express or emphasis emotions.

The narrative is overly grand which I like (keep it simple) and is deliberately slow and off-paced, which will definitely separate the film lovers from the average watcher that may have stumbled across this film, as you will need to invest a little concentration. There was a downfall to the film as mysterious and menacing atmosphere that it postured at the start did dissipate throughout the film.

This is a first attempt by a director who clearly has a cinematic eye with a good understanding of film taking inspiration from some great directors. Unfortunately he didn't quite create the level of intrigue found in a Kubrick film or a deliver the ruptured reality of a Lynch film and missed the overall depth of a Tarkovskiy film, but it wasn't without it's own moments.

Definitely worth your time - A steady start from a new director but it's worth remembering art house isn't an exact science, hopefully he will get the chance to produce more in the future.

Total Recall (I) (2012)

Partial Recall - Not as I remembered it

[3/10 · 19 August 2012]

Film making is a tricky business, idea development, creative vision and connecting with a contemporary audience, all can be difficult so why not take the easy route and rehash something that has already been made, - what a good idea as we have no of our own.

Total Recall (1990) was a interpretation of a Philip k. Dick short story, from Paul Verhoeven who is not someone I consider to be a great director by any means, but what I can say is that he read "We Can Remember It For You Wholesale" and then endeavoured to create a vision of the way he saw and understand the vivid world Philip k. Dick had created - (This is otherwise known as the film making process).

Total Recall (2012) is an interpretation of a 1990's film keeping the names including a few not so subtle wink-wink moments to the original and zero character development - ('Well you've seen the original so we don't have to tell you a story you already know' - ...)

You are left with a triple distilled story that needs some kind of magician in terms of a visionary director to compile any sort of coherent narrative "call Len Wiseman".

(Len Wiseman, a history, esteemed graduate of the 'Michael Bay Ethos Academy' - their mantra of the three E's; Expansive, Explosive and Empty.)

My question marks over the narrative can be summarised with one simple and often utter phrase 'A chick with three boobs, awesome' - awesome? yes, but wait, why? there's no narrative tool in place for it, this is merely a random event that has been has been lost in translation. Oh, and a final point Len I know you married her (and fair play on that one) but your wife can't play 'bad girl' no matter how much you want her to.

So when you feel the need make a film but don't have the time and energy to make something original don't deface a cult classic or any film for that matter, just don't make anything and you know why because I can watch Total Recall on DVD, its sitting right there, and has been entertaining me for 15 years.

Hardware (1990)

"Good News... There is no F**king Good News"- indeed Angry Bob

[4/10 · 16 August 2012]

I found this film recently, during one of my many stumbling to find hidden treasures forgot by time and overlooked by audiences alike. I really thought and hoped this would be a hidden scfi gem, unfortunately it wasn't. The first 20 minutes were compelling industrial post-apocalyptic backdrop, red tinged sky, cyber-punk stylised scavengers, Iggy Pop as Nihalistic Radio DJ "Angry Bob" (which I love as a narrative tool i.e. The Warriors - completely undeveloped in this film) and there was even a midget thrown in as well (one of the time bandits i think).

Off to a good start, nicely paced with wide angled shots, I like the landscape good now lets build on this. Then this is where the movie fails or at least the director fails in bringing it to life, there's no momentum building its filmed at a singular pace, clearly watched blade runner in the run up to making the film and wanted to imitate the haunting and beautifully shot slow marauding pace that Ridley Scott provides - but then you need interesting character development.

The meat and bones of the film is the robot skull that Mo brings back for his girl as a xmas present manages to replicate itself back to life, in her apartment and now she has to deal with that, which is not a particularly expansive idea in itself but workable. This concept means there should be a pace change more tension or even horror, it offers the opportunity for the director to inject some momentum (that the dialogue has been hinting at) - but it doesn't happen - there is no peril, at no point do you think she is any really danger. You may argue that limitations with the special effects were at the route of the problem, but we all knew going it the film even in the 90s we knew the sfx would be bad, in a low budget scfi movie there always bad - just get on with it. Show the whole robot, make it mobile and workable - yeah but now it looks fake and lame so what, your watching a low budget cyber-punk scfi movie what were you expecting, who cares as long as its not tame like the one the director has used here.

It looks like i am throwing a lot of blame towards the director and well i am he is to blame for the pacing problems and the using the slow zoom or drifting camera smacks of ridley scott (blade runner and aliens).

This may seem harsh but its frustrating when all the pieces are there to make a good post-apocalyptic romp, but then is just lost due to a lack of narrative or film direction.

[REC] 3: Genesis (2012)

A zombie filled love story... go on...

[6/10 · 27 July 2012]

The third instalment of the (Rec) series, third in sequence, first in originality. First in the series we have (Rec) another "28 days"-esk zombie virus movie sure why not - film it with a shaky hand-held and you've got yourselves a movie. (Rec)2 or (Rec) take two, the same thing again but with a convoluted science meets religion storyline, (so it wasn't rabies then). - throw in even more shoddy camera work, don't forget forget to turn the camera upside down to mess with the audiences perspective and just generally annoy. (Rec)3 by far the best, minus the first 20 mins which was amateur filming (I get it, its actually happening.. but could you capture real events while framing). A good old family style wedding crasher zombie romp; including man in suit of armour and mace, bridal dresses accesserised with chainsaws and the usually blood splatter thrown in - captured in frame as well - good for you. The movie can up just short of becoming a brilliant zombie watch, a few more unique zombie kills and it might just of made it. For me this is where the "thrillogy" (ha) -nice. should have started.

The Mist (2007)

Well delivered film; Would of made one hell of a series!

[8/10 · 30 March 2012]

Frank Darabont's Stephen King adaptation made for great viewing but I can't help but feel this would of made for a great 7 episode series allowing for great subtlety in character and narrative development, a series would of made for a great opportunity to deliver a higher impact of moments without exposing the lack of CG/SFX, which were tamely administered in a film context. But this is beside the point Darabont's focus on the human reaction to the breakdown of social constructions and descent to their primal nature was refreshing earnest and well formulated with the help of very good character actors (again would of work well in a TV setting.) This was no doubt the driving force for behind Darabont being commissioned 'The Walking Dead' by AMC (which by the way was one of the finest first seasons of TV there's been in along while) (second season after Darabont departed.. not so much.) In conclusion very decent effort as film, still think it would of made one hell of a series!

The Walking Dead (2010–2022)

This is what's wrong with American TV!

[8/10 · 26 November 2011]

First let me state that I was hooked to the first series, gripping and entertaining, Andrew Lincoln bolstering the acting line-up, all good stuff. Yet, sadly we move on to series two which is now twice as long and destroyed all pace to the series, after a well paced start with six episodes to series one with good characters and firm direction to building the series into a compelling watch. The cliffhangers in a "continuation" series need to be much, much stronger, I put this down to greedy American production either make a compelling one series drama or make short snappy series. I hope this series does not turn into a mere "tune-in" series with no real point or direction ie. Lost (a series that could of been a landmark single series but became so convoluted that I don't think even the writers knew where it was going.) Just to round up I'm not having a go (well sort of) its more a hopeful plea not to ruin this series with good potential.

Transsiberian (2008)

Surprised. Well directed thriller.

[8/10 · 12 August 2008]

I had heard little about this film before watching it, apart from the cast that included the wonderful Ben Kingsley as well as Emily Mortimer and Woody Harrelson. Who each added a great depth to their respective characters making for compelling viewing. The blend of great actors and natural dialogue makes for an emotive and visceral experience.

Brad Anderson has made a well paced thriller that explores the vast emptiness and deprived parts of Russia, and at the same time in contrast capturing the beautiful scenic landscape, as the characters delve deeper into the twisting roads of the narrative. Other than The Machinist (2004) I was unfamiliar with his work but will probably lookout for upcoming features as he has shown great competency in both the writing and direction of this film. Balancing the dramatic aspects of the narrative with the overall film.

The most important thing to note is that it is an independently produced film, which means it is free from the constraints of the mainstream but unfortunately this may mean that it falls through the net as independent films are often unable to compete with the marketing capacity of studio productions. As a result this film will probably not receive a nation wide release across UK cinemas, which is a shame.

This film is great watch with a solid narrative structure and with honest performances from all actors involved, hopefully you'll find Transsiberian a worthwhile watch as I did.