wildsparrow16 Reviews

Bear (I) (2010)

Grrrrrrr....ipping! You will root for the bear....

[9/10 · 3 April 2023]

2.9 stars, seriously? I loved this movie! Yes, most of the characters were unlikeable, but it was still very suspenseful. Sometimes it is emotional - the scene were the bear grieves for his mate was very powerful 9bears do this). The huffing and puffing of the bear was chilling (bears do sound like they have COPD). I thought this was much better than Grizzly (but not as scary as Backcountry). There are some underlying messages here and a not-so-subtle message about how we invade their home For example, Nick apologizes to the bear for invading his home. The initial scene is disturbing for bear lovers as the female is shot relentlessly, even after backing down. You will find yo9urself rooting for the bear as others have mentioned. This movie is worth a watch.

Backcountry (I) (2014)

Terrifying...

[8/10 · 1 April 2023]

The attack scene was the scariest I have seen since Jaws. This movie stayed withy me so much that I will be buying a camp perimeter alarm for my tent. The pre-attack scene was also terrifying, as Bear breathes in the delicious smell of human hot pockets while they are sleeping. This movie would have been perfect if there were more bear views and more of Eric Balfours character. I read two bears were used for this movie, Chester and Charlie. They were huge and terrifying. Black bears are normally shy and will run up a tree if they see you, but fatal maulings have occured. This bore no resemblance to the true story whatsoever. In the true story, the bear was starving just before hibernation time. In the movie, the bear was healthy and the couple was sleeping (in reality, they were cooking dinner and the woman was killed).

Grief (II) (2017)

Painful journey into a parent's broken heart...

[9/10 · 21 July 2022]

This movie is unforgettable. It is flawed and veers into a few directions, but ultimately, this a very serious film. It has some very humorous moments to keep you from turning it off because it is such a dark film. We witness the feeble attempts of best friends thinking "a night out" will actually help, or that being reminded by our ex that they "hurt too", will somehow alleviate the pain. He is grieving his dead son, looks like H*ll, is losing his house, his wife left him, he is out of money and loses his job. What could possibly go wrong? But he sees himself as too much of a "coward" to end it. But he tries. He does his research and he tries different methods. HIs portrayal of a grief-stricken parent is one of the best I have ever seen. This movie will stay with me. You will think at one point when he is naked on the balcony yelling at officers Cox and Strawberry, that this is a dark comedy. You will be wrong.

The Black String (2018)

Psychotic break or something more sinister?

[8/10 · 18 May 2022]

Frankie's performance was phenomenal. He plays a very sympathetic character - a guy who works his a** off at night in a liquor store, but still can't make ends meet. His parents help pay his rent, but offer nothing in the way of emotional support despite how hard he works. He is incredibly lonely, has one friend, and subpar social skills. He hooks up with a gal at a chat line just to go out and have a bite to eat but she seduces him. She is gone in the morning, and from there begins a gradual psychotic break as mysterious things begin to happen to him. Just when you think it is all in his head, something will happen to indicate there is something supernatural at work. His behavior becomes more erratic the more scared he becomes. He eventually ends up in a psych ward where he becomes particularly vulnerable (to his own demons or to real ones - it becomes apparent in the end). The ending was exceptionally macabre, unfortunately - it will be hard to get out of your head. This is a chilling movie and Frankie deserves accolades for his role. Good acting from all characters.

The House on Pine Street (2015)

Surprisingly chilling story....

[7/10 · 13 May 2022]

I was surprised at how good this was. Unlike a traditional ghost story, this one leaves you pondering something at the end - it is thought-provoking. It moves slowly and starts to build at a more rapid pace. The lead character is very unlikeable, but this is pertinent to the story. She is troubled, her husband is beginning to lose patience with her, and her mother is controlling and mean. She is pregnant with a child she does not want, and has just moved to a town she hates in a house she is not crazy about. What could go wrong? The "spiritual advisor" named Walter knows something is wrong, but can't quite place what it is. It has some elements of such classics as Burnt Offerings and Haunting of Hill House. It is worth your time.

Last Kind Words (2012)

Beautiful, haunting gothic tale...

[8/10 · 8 May 2022]

I am surprised by the low reviews. Another review described this a Southern Gothic ghost story, and that is an accurate description. It moves slowly and takes place in a small town. The atmosphere is spooky but very real (think Sling Blade but with supernatural elements). The boy and his family are staying on a homestead for extra work because his (abusive) dad lost his job. The strange land owner refuses to sell even though he is broke because of the "history" of the place. The lonely boy wanders and stumbles into the woods where he meets a beautiful and mysterious girl. She becomes a reprieve for him, from his mean father and weak mother who never comes to his aid. But he learns this reprieve came at a price. There is a lot of subject packed into this little movie - history, murder, mayhem, love triangles, and the supernatural. The acting was solid all the way around. If you want gore and jump scares, this is not for you.

Separation (I) (2021)

Creepy tale of a twisted mother's love....

[7/10 · 29 July 2021]

I am surprised by so many bad reviews - I quite enjoyed this. Rupert Friend portrayed his role wall as a devoted, but unemployed father and comic-book artist. His character is very kind and makes you care what happens to him. The mother is a vindictive shrew and the little girl is put in the middle of the squabbling couple. Tragedy strikes and things take a strange turn. Dad eventually lands a job and more interesting characters emerge - particulary his friend who is convinced something sinister is amiss and immediately recognizes the pain and misery in his new friend's eyes. This movie gives an accurate portrayal of the pain of divorce and custody battles, but at the end of the day, it is still a thriller. It was beautifully filmed and at one point I actually got a little teary-eyed. It is kind of a surreal thriller - no gore or jump scares. It does move slowly, but is worth the watch.

The Dose (2020)

Incredible performance by Portaluppi in this intense thriller...

[9/10 · 11 June 2021]

This was a psychological thriller with the most sympathetic protagonist I have seen in years (Portaluppi). He works hard at his thankless job, goes home to his starkly humble apartment and eats his meager meals. You find yourself really rooting for him and wanting good things for him - but alas, his nemesis enters the scene and things begin to spiral at a Hitchcockian pace. This was something different and not to be missed.

The Dress Up Gang (2019– )

Tender, funny, wacky....

[10/10 · 19 December 2020]

I had never heard of this show and was channel surfing - hooked after first episode. There is nothing not to like. It is about friends, doing the right thing, and life's everyday situations taken to hysterically funny levels. Do not miss the skunk episode.

Rent-A-Pal (2020)

Dark, but very gripping....

[7/10 · 12 September 2020]

This was much better than I had expected, given a simple premise and low budget. The acting was excellent and it is well-paced. It is a journey of a gentle, caregiver's descent into madness when life becomes more than he can handle. We see a kind, gentle, incredibly lonely man who spends his days taking good care of his dementia-ridden, potty-mouthed mother. The movie takes place in the 80's which is pretty cool. We watch his angst escalate as well as his loneliness. He "befriends" a man on a tape, that is how lonely he is. This turns out to not be a healthy 'relationship', as one can imagine. Things get very, very dark from there. This is very suspenseful movie, but quite dark. If you are okay with that, I recommend it.

Lost Bayou (2019)

Hypnotic tale of grief and mysticism...

[10/10 · 29 August 2020]

This movie was haunting and beautiful. It is a tale of grief, mysticism and prodigal children. Wayward, addicted child returns to her father who is not doing well, mentally. She is trying to cope with the emotional black hole of having had her baby removed from her custody. The woman and father begin to renew their relationship and she learns some surprising things are taking place in and around the home. They meet a stranger in their journey, and the plot thickens. Could this stranger be the key to unlocking a mystery that surrounds them? This is an unforgettable character study, as well. It is deep, emotional, and slow-moving. If you require a fast pace and jump scares, this is not for you.

Relic (2020)

Chilling but profound...

[6/10 · 11 July 2020]

This movie clearly personifies the guilt a mother feels as she realizes she was not there for her mother as dementia sets in. The guilt the young woman feels is glaringly apparent in the first few minutes when she could not even bear to tell the police officer the last time she saw her because it had been too long. As her guilt progresses, so does the elderly woman's condition. There are some creepy manifestations throughout the film, although cinematography was bad - many scenes were too dark to view. The young woman begins to research 'retirement homes' and the elderly woman finds out about it. Of course, this begins an even deeper rift. The grandaughter decides to move in to help out and is a source of light and hope in the movie, reminding her mother that we must care for our aging parents if we can; "they changed our nappies, and one day we are to change theirs". They stay in the house and things get very strange. The vibrant, pretty elderly woman becomes "not herself" and begins to age rapidly. The young woman's guilt spirals; "I am sorry I wasn't there for you." The ending is deeply profound, chilling and beautiful. If you don't appreciate it, you haven't been there.

Downton Abbey (2010–2015)

No more counting sheep...just watch this!

[4/10 · 8 June 2020]

I am going to go against the grain here and say that I am finding rather boring. Granted, I am only on season two, hoping it will get better. I find most of the characters unlikable, but not in an exciting way. They are just boring. The mother is just a waste of space, and daughter Mary is mean-spirited and full of herself ( I much preferred her in Good Behavior which I highly recommend). The only interesting characters are Thomas and Ms. O'Brien. The servants are far more interesting than the Crowley's.

Zombi Child (2019)

Worst thriller in years....

[1/10 · 20 May 2020]

This was so boring I couldn't even finish watching it (57 minutes). There was no plot, no script, and no acting.

School girls bonding with 'outsider' (1/4 movie) School girl writing love letters to long distance lover (1/2 movie) Zombie/man wandering fields (1/4 movie)

Killing Eve: Are You from Pinner? (2020) Season 3, Episode 5

Haunting, unforgettable episode....

[10/10 · 15 May 2020]

I have not missed an episode, and this one was unforgettable. We finally learn the circumstances that made this beautiful, feral, homicidal woman-child who she is today, The pain and anguish she attempts to hide in the last scene confirms her Emmy-worthiness. Fantastic acting by all parties.

Paradise Lost (2020)

Surprisingly riveting...

[8/10 · 5 May 2020]

I had not heard about this show and was surprised to find it binge-worthy. It is a crime drama with supernatural elements thrown in. The characters are all unique and the acting is done well. Nick Nolte still has it, and I hope if there is another season, that we will see more of him. It is hard for other actors to not pale in comparison to him, but the cast was quite good. This show covers many things - murder, mental illness, clairvoyance, parental relations, spousal relations, political corruption, criminal justice/injustice, etc. Some of the legal/investigation stuff was a bit too drawn out.

At Eternity's Gate (2018)

A beautiful portrayal of a beautiful human...

[10/10 · 6 April 2020]

I am not well versed in art and I went into this only knowing that I love Van Gogh's art and knowing a bit about his troubled life. This movie knocked my emotions out of the park (ok, out of the wheat fields in this particular case). Dafoe never has disappointed, but he WAS Van Gogh in this movie. The emotions he was able to elicit were a constant tug on the heart (as if Van Gogh's life doesn't already do that). The movie was well-done from his humble beginning through his rather unappreciated life, his descent into mental turmoil and realistic to the very end of his controversial death.

Doctor Sleep (2019)

Could have been much more...

[5/10 · 8 February 2020]

I was not expecting something comparable to The Shining, but I was expecting more than this delivered. The acting was quite good, it was just a poor storyline. I found it overly simplistic, almost as if geared towards children or slow-witted teens (note, I would not recommend this for children). It could have been much more. However, it was mildly entertaining, albeit slow. Not a bad watch, but had so much potential.

The Sonata (2018)

Not exactly a mind-bender....

[4/10 · 27 January 2020]

This movie will not stimulate your brain nor will it scare you. However, it was very atmospheric and moved at a nice pace. It started off quite good then for some reason, took a nose dive about half way through. The protagonist was also somewhat unlikeable and we never really get to know her in order to like her better. I found myself not really caring what happens to any of the characters. It started off well, but needed more character development and more of a story. The ending was overly simplistic. But I can't say it was boring.

Home with a View of the Monster (2019)

Murderous ghost.....or something more human?

[7/10 · 19 January 2020]

This movie was truly creepy. The first 10 minutes were really boring and I almost turned it off. I am glad I didn't because it really starts to get under your skin after that. You will wonder throughout the movie exactly how many ghosts are there, as it will be hard to determine who is real, who is mentally unstable and who is dead. It was well done with no gore and no jump scares.

We Have Always Lived in the Castle (2018)

I have mixed feelings....

[5/10 · 19 May 2019]

This movie has no true genre. I was expecting gothic horror, but perhaps that was fault in having never read the book. It certainly was not scary (zero chills), nor was it suspenseful. But it does leave us pondering how equipped we are to handle human cruelty, both in enduring it, and in our capacity to forgive. Do we isolate ourselves or do we try to push forward? Or do we completely unravel and seek revenge or play out our hurt and rage until it has been avenged? These are questions this movie will leave you pondering, and of course much depends on our lot in life, our finances, our social support, our inner strength and many other factors.

Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)

Unforgettable.

[10/10 · 29 April 2019]

I knew this would be good, I did not know it would be a movie I would never forget. I don't know if Freddie was indeed the kind and gentle soul he was portray as in this film, I only know he was a musical legend. He is portrayed as too complex a person to even describe in this review. The scene where he is standing drenched in the rain and realizes he must cut loose the toxic people in his life is one of the most intense I have ever seen. He 'evolves' in this film, always knowing he was talented, but not always knowing he had so much more to offer as the person he was and the kindness he exuded. We are taken in moments to him tenderly caring for his many cats to giving performances to rock you out of your seat. We are taken to his journey to the hospital where he is recognized by a fan who sings a few notes as he begins to walk out the door. He stops, pauses, and sings back. We must remember this was a time when this horrible disease was kept utterly clandestine, so this small action was enough. We are taken on his journey with Mary, the Love of his Life. He is shy, wild, lost, kind, conflicted, lonely - but always fearless. Always loved.

A Dark Place (2018)

Scott drives directly into your soul....

[10/10 · 14 April 2019]

Andrew Scott (whom I was not familiar with prior to this film) gives an Oscar worthy performance as a sanitation worker somewhere on the spectrum or possibly Borderline Personality Disorder. Despite character assertions that he "is not a smart man", we learn this is not true as he pieces together parts of a murder and the dark past that surrounds it. Despite his inner turmoil, he is able to hold down a steady job and engage in social interactions when needed or desired. He is a kind, gentle soul who struggles in caring for his elderly mother and believes there is hope in a relationship with a woman with whom a relationship never even existed. However, the brief union did result in a lovely daughter who shares his kindheartedness. Perhaps she is part of his drive to find the killer of another child (we know the child is dead from the trailers and the first few minutes of the film). This takes place in a small town in the rust belt and political commentary is made without words in the first few minutes of the film where we see closed-down buildings with old election signs, expressing the irony. Some may be turned off by this, but you do not need to be of a certain party to appreciate this intense, haunting thriller. Scott is magnetic and the other characters are all exceptionally interesting and well-acted. It is a very slow-burn that completely engulfed me. This movie is disturbing in subject, but not gory or violent.

Knock Knock (I) (2015)

I found it entertaining, but not without some flaws...

[6/10 · 26 October 2018]

I actually enjoyed this movie. I can't compare to the 70's movie that I never saw and was not aware of. This started off painfully slow as it showed the happy life of a supposedly devoted family man ("I love you....no, I love you more...smooch smooch....."). But then it does pick up when the "girls" enter. I think for an architect, he was either not very bright or very naive, as their psychosis was apparent from within several minutes of them being inside the house. Things got very suspenseful and then turned a little sadistic, which I did not like. But then it got better. Overall, some of the scenes were a little too sadistic for my taste, but I did like Keanu in this. It is quite a dark movie. The acting by the girls was good.

Hereditary (2018)

Plan on not sleeping after watching this.

[8/10 · 14 September 2018]

This is the scariest movie I have seen in years. The only reason I didn't give it more stars is the ending was kind of crappy. It reminded me a lot of The Shining in terms of the descent into madness combined with supernatural occurences. A grief-stricken family tries to hold it together as the mother becomes more and more unglued - or is she? Is her hysteria justified? Does Grandma want to save her grandson from beyond the grave or does she want more? What is a husband to do while his wife loses her grip on reality? Or should he be forewarned and heed her advice? This could have a been a classic if not for the dissatisying ending. Very scary, I will be sleeping with the lights on tonight.