davidahenning Reviews

Apples Never Fall (2024)

I didn't expect to like this show so much.

[8/10 · 28 March 2024]

I don't ask a lot from a film - or series in this case. All I ask for is a realistic, believable plot, characters with real strengths and weaknesses, conflict and conclusion. Sadly, that's a big ask for most movies these days.

I had no expectations of Apples Never Fall other than some engaging cinematography. But I was pleasantly surprised when it was all over. Although, I admit that I nearly didn't watch the last episode after the set up. But I'm very glad I did. Here is what I got for my patience: A believable story (for the most part), at least six characters with a clear character arc, conflict that shifted slightly with ever telling of the story and a very satisfying resolution (even if it depended on a trope which I could have done without). I don't ask much. All expectations were met.

Insomnium (2017)

Bless their hearts! I know they really tried.

[2/10 · 11 December 2023]

I'm a pretty positive person. I always try to see the bright side of things especially for an indie horror film - one of my favorite genres. So there are some positive things that can be said about Insomnium. For instance, some reviews said this film was a cure for insomnia but I had very different experience. Insomnium kept me guessing the whole time. Questions like: "It's daytime, right? Or is it night? I can't tell." And "Who throws toothbrushes at someone??" "Why do they only make video-calls?" "Who the heck is SHE?" And so many other questions right up to the end.

I like Brad Pennington (although I can't think of anything he was in) so I was kind of routing for this film. That's why I gave it such a high rating - 2 stars. I'm sure he did his best with the script he was given. And I wish Scott Powers the best in all of his future endeavors.

Another positive thing I can say about Insomnium is that it has a plot. Somewhere, mid way through the movie, I figured that there was nothing more to the plot than "sleeping roommate causes tension." (A side note: The roommate with insomnia is asleep through most of the movie. Don't let that detail distract you.) In the end, in the last seen, the last shot in fact, I realized that there was a much more complicated plot. This little surprise was craftily hidden from the viewer. Most filmmakers rely on devices like foreshadowing to keep the viewer interested. Not so here. Of course, I will not spoil the film for you by trying to explain. You'll have to watch to the end, like I did, to catch this clever twist.

All in all I felt that I had been, somehow, cheated out of 80 minutes that I could never get back. But as I thought about this film all the next day (which is usually my indicator of a great film for me) I realized that Insomnium showed me how important the little details are. The tiny little scenes that denote the passage of time or explains the presence of a new character, the dialog that sets up a protagonist's explosive reaction to a situation... Insomnium emphasizes these little clips by their omission. I have to admit, I enjoyed this film more than any other awful film I've seen.

Nine Perfect Strangers (2021)

A lot of potential but...

[6/10 · 23 September 2021]

There was a lot of story here and it seemed to be building up to a big final scene. Well, it wasn't. Steven King could not write a more pointless, detached and boring ending.

Unearth (II) (2020)

How did this ever get made?

[1/10 · 23 August 2021]

No plot. Horrible casting - it's hard to tell the parents from the "children". And no horror in this "horror movie". Spoiler: nothing happens until the last twenty minutes and, thrust me, it's not worth the wait.

Framing John DeLorean (2019)

Good but could have been so much better.

[5/10 · 26 May 2021]

I remember when this was happening but at that point in my life, I was not interested in the whole affair. It was a good to see this documentary but I know there was so much more that should be in the story. It would been so much better without Baldwin. They should have used the time and money on more research and story telling.

Eli (I) (2019)

Very disappointing

[1/10 · 20 January 2020]

A hour and 15 minutes of a fairly good build up of a predictable story. But then it took a nose dive into the worst movie tropes. So disappointed. Find another film to watch tonight.

Dave Chappelle: Sticks & Stones (2019 TV Special)

I laughed...

[9/10 · 3 September 2019]

Dave made some disgusting statements and I groaned. He made a joke about people I disagreed with and I laughed. He told a joke that offended me and I laughed. Best of all, he said exactly what he was thinking and didn't say anything to appease anyone.