EvilPhoEniX

A solid old school paranoid psycho thriller with a touch of Hitchcock. I usually find genre films with a similar concept to be mediocre, but Watcher managed to win me over with something despite its slow pace. The attractive and well-acted Maika Monroe moves to Bucharest to visit her husband, but he spends most of the day at work, so the main character has to spend most of her time alone and Bucharest is not exactly an ideal place to spend your free time. The film also works well because of the setting, where the main character tries to fit in in an unfamiliar city where she knows no one, most of the people are sketchy, there is a serial killer who hangs out in the city and cuts women's heads off, and she is stalked by her next door neighbour. Apparently Romania is a country without curtains, and thanks to the big windows overlooking all the neighbours, it manages to evoke the right uncomfortable feelings. An honest, authentic, realistic and chilling slow burn with excellent craftsmanship, a great female lead, a good bad guy, an intense final half hour (the metro is atmospheric awesome), and an awesome finale! You can say that the film could have brought some more fundamental twist, but I'm still surprisingly satisfied with the quality this time. Story 3/5. Action 2/5, Humor 0/5, Violence 2/5, Fun 4/5 Music 4/5, Visuals 4/5, Atmosphere 4/5, Suspense 4/5, Emotion 3/5, Actors 4/5. 7/10

Surgery is the new sex! Horror maestro David Cronenberg returns to the genre that made him famous (body horror) after a few years and creates an interestingly twisted world with a strong philosophical overlay, thoughtful dialogue, decent casting, a novel point and idea, and there are a few enjoyable disgusting bit. Again, people ran out of theaters in America, but this is again overhyped and definitely had more potential given the premise, but I liked it relatively. It's very strange though, with a touch of arthouse, a slower pace, and not many outright horror scenes, but the world itself managed to keep me glued to my seat and wondering what would come of it. Viggo Mortensen is very good, Léa Seydoux shows up naked so all is well, and Kristen Stewart has a smaller and very weird role. You can see Cronenberg's signature, some of the futuristic ideas deserve a chapter to themselves, and the whole organ swapping idea is impressive (the dissection of a small child is the most interesting, but the drill in the head and the hybrid with the ears are also cool). The guts and dissection are quite enjoyable, but there can't be much talk of atmosphere or proper gore. A strange film, hard to rate, there are things I enjoyed a lot, but the pacing could have been better and the horror side could have been given more space. For a fringe audience only. We are making art out of anarchy. Story 4/5. Action 2/5, Humor 1/5, Violence 3/5, Fun 3/5 Music 4/5, Visuals 3/5, Atmosphere 3/5, Suspense 3/5, Emotion 2/5, Actors 4/5. 6/10.

Psychological slow burn horror drama is not one of my favourite subgenres, and I hesitated to rate it here too, but I came to the conclusion that this is a noteworthy affair that, despite its slower pace, manages to cause discomfort and chills. The story focuses on a Danish family who receive an invitation to visit from their Dutch friends, whom they met while on vacation. As usual, things don't go as planned. It's interestingly contrived, the Dutch are definitely weird, but at the same time they don't evoke the typical traits of psychopaths that the viewer would expect in a film of this ilk, which I found quite unusual. The Danish protagonist, was unlikeable in his behaviour (the acting is also not great), but the film managed to hold my attention even though nothing much special happens throughout it. It flows at a slow pace, but the atmosphere thickens and the psychological pressure builds up. The final act is decently heart-pounding and unpleasant (weaker characters may find the film hard to take), and the film's attempt to shock definitely succeeds, though again not to an excessive degree, as it sticks to realistic boundaries, managing to be all the more chilling. It won't be for everyone, some will be bored, others will be depressed. I have given a warning. Story 3/5. Action 2/5, Humor 1/5, Violence 1/5, Fun 3/5 Music 4/5, Visuals 3/5, Atmosphere 4/5, Suspense 3/5, Emotion 4/5, Actors 3/5. 7/10.

Alex de la Iglesia and his Spanish slasher is a mediocre one-off that had more potential. The director probably won't go beyond his 2010 highlight The Last Circus (The Bar was also solid), but the rest of his output falls more into the average range, and his new release, though attractive for its setting, lacks substance for my taste in terms of horror. A group of Spanish tourists in Venice (the setting is probably the biggest attraction) are terrorized by locals who don't like tourists much, and the bad guys have nice creepy masks (the joker is the best). In terms of acting, the film doesn't really engage, the viewer doesn't form a relationship with the characters, the plot is too straightforward; I definitely expected a bit more ambitious genre film from a director who already has experience. The atmosphere doesn't really work and the gore isn't worth much either, the murders aren't that few but they aren't very audience-appealing. The finale definitely deserved more of a twist. As a one-off, however, it's okay, and as a slasher film it impresses thanks to the unusual setting and costumes. Story 3/5. Action 2/5, Humour 2/5, Violence 3/5, Fun 3/5 Music 2/5, Visuals 3/5, Atmosphere 3/5, Suspense 2/5, Emotion 3/5, Actors 2/5. 5.5/10

Spiderhead had the potential to be a big hit, but unfortunately remained a mediocre film, which is a wonder considering who is behind it. When Joseph Kosinski, who blew everyone away with Maverick, the writer of both Deadpool movies, Hemsworth and Teller, plus an original premise come together on set, it's almost hard to believe that the final product is a bit of an easy skip. The film takes place in probably the least realistic prison (there are some nice interiors), where there are no rules at work, nothing is explained properly, there's just a scientist testing drugs on prisoners, which in itself sounds fine because drugs are fun, but what might have been the most fun thing about the film is kind of boring in places. I was quite bothered by the lack of test subjects (there are about three people being tested?), the lack of any significant intensity. I was expecting some sort of trippy prison massacre, but I would have taken an uncomfortable stuffiness in the air. None of that happens, there is only one suspenseful scene (everyone probably can guess which one it is), and the finale is very much off the mark. On the other hand, I liked the music, it is is excellent, the actors do their thing and there are a few minor twists and turns, so it managed to serve as a one-off, but expectations were much different. Untapped potential, but it wasn't a waste of time for me. Story 3/5. Action 2/5, Humour 2/5, Violence 1/5, Fun 3/5 Music 4/5, Visuals 4/5, Atmosphere 3/5, Suspense 2/5, Emotion 3/5, Actors 3/5. 5.5/10

The conclusion of the dinosaur trilogy will be a commercial success. Disappointment prevails among the critics, but I am satisfied. For my money, it's certainly more entertaining and engaging than the sequel, which as is usual with sequels that are just filler for the finale. The first hour impresses in the form of news, where the dinosaurs get to our civilization and their way of living with us, this entertained me a lot. The plot then moves to Malta, where the film incidentally climaxes with a half hour action dinosaur romp, quite possibly the best dinosaur action sequence ever, though it is all too similar to Bond or MI, but a motherfucking ride nonetheless. The finale is about 40 minutes long and it's properly spectacular, there's a horror atmosphere conjured up in places (the mutant locusts are great), there are plenty of genetically modified dinosaurs which I welcomed, the central little girl isn't annoying, the nostalgia and emotion works, and, most importantly, it reminded me of my favourite PS1 game “Dino Crisis 2” in the locations, the action and the detail, which I ran through about 15 times as a kid and I take it as a tribute. A few things could have been done better, but what the hell, it's the only dinosaur franchise that's quality and there's definitely no competition anytime soon. I enjoyed it. Story 3/5. Action 5/5, Humor 3/5, Violence 0/5, Fun 5/5 Music 4/5, Visuals 5/5, Atmosphere 4/5, Suspense 4/5, Emotion 4/5, Actors 3/5. 8/10.

A proper craftsmanship and acting show. The story focuses on Michael Peterson (Colin Firth), a writer accused of murdering his wife who was found dead under the stairs, and it makes for a 16 year-long judicial struggle that I really enjoyed. The first four episodes are excellent, there's an uncomfortable sultriness in the air, a thick atmosphere, the emotional hell of all involved is palpable, there's a proper and thorough investigation by the defence and the prosecutors with very detailed gathering of evidence, I really felt I was watching people who do this for a living doing their best. The court-scenes are also very tense, the dialogue is good and the various alternatives to falling down the stairs are raw and unpleasant except there’s no blood. The second half falls slightly and shortening it to six episodes would definitely have been more acceptable. The scenes with the family and the kids were the least interesting and for me unnecessary – kind of the mandatory filler of today's shows – and the flashbacks are downright annoying and at times quite confusing, and too frequent frequent, but still for me it was quality filmmaking and entertainment, I’m definitely glad I gave it a chance. Also, praise for the soundtrack and the theme song, it was divine. Story 4/5. Action 1/5, Humor 1/5, Violence 3/5, Fun 4/5 Music 5/5, Visuals 4/5, Atmosphere 5/5, Suspense 4/5, Emotion 4/5, Actors 5/5. 7.5/10.

The French can do it better. The premise is interesting, the main character is a doctor who works as an emergency physician during the Christmas holidays, he accidentally injures his back in an encounter with a pizza delivery man, who now has to fill in for the doctor when he treats patients. Rather a black comedy, there aren't many wisecracks and it could have been sillier and wackier, but it was passable for one viewing. 55%

Loved it. Adam Sandler has matured and as most actors stagnate in their old age (Willis and co), he is having a decent acting heyday. I like these zero to hero motivational sports stories, so far none have outright pissed me off, and since they really only come around once a year I appreciate the present qualities enough. The storyline isn't surprising, but that doesn't matter at all. The film has heart, drive, decent dialogue, a charismatic cast, emotion, tension, power, energy, motivation, humour, great music and thrilling matches (especially with the central rival, he was a proper son of a bitch)There are few wisecracks that will stick in my memory, and overall it is a very enjoyable film (basketball fans will be ready for one more star). 8/10.

A likeable romantic comedy that playfully uses the trendy theme of the time loop and slightly varies it. The main here character does not repeat a day, but each day for him means a year has passed, which is quite original and unconventional, and the whole film builds on it and benefits from it. Every day the main character explores what has changed in the last year and it's funny and at times emotionally sad. The actors are likeable, the idea is great, the emotion and wit works, the dialogue is top notch. A very feel good genre film. 7.5/10