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deekprime
Reviews
The Requin (2022)
Could've been much better with a decent budget.
"Hey! I've got a great idea for a movie. It's original, harrowing, and emotionally complex."
"Great! Let's try to get it funded.'"
"Nah, fam. I got this. Found some change under my couch cushions. We good."
This movie desperately needed a budget and at least some on-location shooting. It appears that, except for some establishing shots, the entire film was filmed on a soundstage. Marvel movies can get away with that because they pay out the butt for top tier VFX. This film had no money in its butt to give, and sadly it shows. It really, really shows. It's a shame because it could have been so much better.
Great White (2021)
I tried to hate it.
There's a huge difference between a shark movie that honestly aims for quality vs. A slapstick movie whose tongue is firmly planted in its razor sharp teeth. Great White aimed for the moon and - while it didn't get there - actually got to a pretty high altitude.
It had a lot of problems, sure. The budget didn't allow for very convincing VFX a good part of the time. The sharks roared -it didn't work for Jaws 4 and it doesn't work now. And somehow the characters suddenly became adept aquatic warriors toward the end with a way over-the-top climax.
But I still enjoyed it. The acting was good, seriously. It was a big surprise since that's usually not the case with films like that. The actors did a fine job. The cinematography was beautiful. Check out the lighting in the couple's house at the beginning of the film. Gorgeous. And the attack scenes were original; I was startled several times. You don't see them coming. It was a very tense viewing.
Is it Jaws? No. But it's a whole lot better than a lot of shark movies. I had a good time.
Nightmare Cinema (2018)
No business being as good as it was.
I didn't expect much out this movie, and I was pleasantly surprised. Decent budget, great production value, believable action, and original story. This was good.
The Night Watchmen (2017)
A little too much.
I'm a big horror movie fan, and I don't mind some dark humor along it. This, however, is more comedy than horror. It's difficult to maintain any sort of tension when every other scene feels like it was pulled straight from a sitcom. It's well made, and the dialogue is snappy; it's just too much slapstick for my tastes. Your results may vary.
That's Incredible! (1980)
Little show. Big memories.
How influential must a show have been to my child self to still be recalled so vividly over 40 years later? I was amazed to just find out that the series only had ten episodes. It was a product of its time, in a world rapidly expanding by technology and opening to view all the eclectic wonders it had to offer.
Castlevania (2017)
NO SPOILERS. Very brief review.
I love this series! And I love, love, LOVE the ending! In addition, I love the ending. That's all I wanted to say.
The Monster (2016)
Strong game that fumbles at the goal line.
First, I hate sports metaphors. I'll punch myself in the face for that title. I'm sorry.
As many have said, decisions and events in the final act are dubious and implausible, and that's a shame because otherwise this was a fine film. The dynamic between the mother and daughter, the flashbacks of their dysfunctional relationship, were painful in their realism and painstaking in their portrayal. I notice that the two lead actresses were nominated for several awards, and deservedly so.
Working in the healthcare field in a very public facing capacity, I have seen reversed relationships like the one depicted here too many times. A young child should not have to bear the burden of a parent who for whatever reason refuses to be an adult. Not only does it rob the child of a childhood, it leaves them broken before they ever reach adulthood, often causing the cycle to repeat itself.
At the same time, and as the film so effectively demonstrates, the parent does indeed love the child. She just doesn't have the skills, maturity, mental stability, and/or sobriety to convey that love in a healthy way. It's tragic no matter how you look at it.
And if you're thinking,"Wow, nerd, this is a weird digression for a horror movie review," then you can maybe see that this film is special in spite of its missteps during its final act.
This could have been a cookie cutter horror film that stumbles towards the end. It still stumbles, but the previous two-thirds make up for it. It's not a film that I'll forget anytime soon.