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Reviews
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024)
CGI "effects" ruined it. Stupid & pointless
Just another piece of Hollywood crap with decent storyline but the overuse of cheap computer generated graphics absolutely ruined it. Fake smoke, fake fire, it's all so obvious. It's kinda like playing a video game. The graphics are not natural, and the constant fake smoke & fire looks as fake as a video game. Not to mention it seems to go on forever. The wasteland vehicles are cool but the cheap special effects makes it seem as if it's a joke. Everything in the film seemed fake. How could this garbage get a 7+ out of 10? Lots of phoney reviews from the background cast I assume. Garbage. Hollywood sucks.
Sorcerer (1977)
I FIGURED IT OUT!! They are in the Dominican Republic
Here I am watching Sorcerer for probably the 25 time and noticed something. I have a 4K version of the film so the detail is pretty good. I've read tons of reviews that have said the location of the filming was a "name less" South American country.... in fact, it was filmed far from South America. The Dominican Republic.
In the beginning part of the film, the guy with the sunglasses and hat (no clue what his name is). Anyway, he arrives on that first flight into town and during "customs" (a filthy old man with a fly swatter) he said his passport was in the luggage inside the plane. He then said he was thirsty and bribing "customs" with a 50 peso bill. For maybe half-a-sec you can read clearly "Dominican Republic" on the bill. The only other scenario would mean they brought Dominican Republic money to South America which makes no sense whatsoever.
Anyway, thought someone might find that interesting!
Violation (2020)
Could have been SO much better!
This is a dark eerie film COULD have been fantastic! In a film setting like this, the setting itself is so 'intrusive' that it's basically becomes part of the film. They knew the location was key. And to their credit found a pretty great place to shoot. That's when they got lazy. You could have filmed any story you wanted. Why this crap story? But because the atmosphere was so cool and unique, it might attain a score of 5/10 based on the location itself. I wish more directors would film in such unique places.
The story was bland and uninteresting... Not one of the characters in the entire film are likable.... Every scene has long drawn out camera wide shots just to increase film run time. It's basically a 25 minute movie. Add the 'fill' then PUFF! Just like pop corn, corn looks small until you add hot air.
Smile (2022)
VERY boring copy of "It Follows"
Here's a movie I was thinking was going to be a great horror movie. Not only is not great, it's boring for a Horror movie. It's a complete ripoff of "It Follows". It's very slow with only a few action scenes. The atmosphere was excellent. Shame, even with great atmosphere, they couldn't make the film work. I kinda wish I had my 2 hours back. It's about a doctor who, after watching a patient kill herself, begins seeing strange things. These strange images and people are what haunts her throughout the film. She begins losing her mind, and towards the end of the film we have no closure at all. Which to be sounds like a excuse for a sequel. Let's hope not.
Life Below Zero (2013)
Omg, she's STILL there!
I used to be a big fan of the show until I got incredibly tired and annoyed of Sue Akins. So annoyed I actually stopped watching the show for over 2 years. I was relieved I wouldn't have to see it's face again. So here I am over 2+ years later and see Life Below Zero on the guide. I hesitated selecting the channel fearing I'd have to see it again. I said, nah they must have got rid of the old bat by now. I turned it on and 1 second later I heard it's voice. Then I had to see it. Yes I mean Sue! I got horribly nauseous and had to skip dinner. I should be ok by tomorrow. I will not be watching anymore!
Homestead Rescue (2016)
Not so great
Here we have a "Fabio" wannabe who wears his shirts unbuttoned like a 70's drag queen. I enjoy watching most anything on Nat Geo but this show is pretty low-grade.
Tijuana Bible (2019)
Depressing and kind slow at times. It's interesting and will keep your attention
This is not a high budget film by any means. However, It also has the ability to take the viewer to some pretty rare "in your face" ghetto locations in Tijuana that are just completely in ruin. Why do I say "rare footage"? I think most film crews would pass on filming in the slums of Tijuana. It
Its not a 'happy' movie either. And it keeps being depressing throughout. I don't think I saw one person smile during the entire film. The story is good enough to keep one's attention till the end.
Malignant (2021)
I didn't think this was a comedy?!
So in the beginning, we see the main character and the outside of her house from the street several times in the film. The house from the street is maybe as wide as 20', maybe 25' wide. Didn't look too long either from the side view. Anyway, why does the "inside" of the house look like it was filmed in a massive mansion with rooms, hallways, windows & furniture everywhere! The house from the "outside" looks like maybe 1000' sq feet per floor. It also clearly shows no room to the left of the door. There is a wall. But amazingly "inside" there's a huge room to the left of the door! Wow how'd that happen? I thought there was a wall there?? Someone said to themselves "oh, no one will notice". Umm, yes people are going to notice when in one scene there's a wall and in the next scene from inside there's suddenly a large room where the wall should be!
All this might sound petty, but when I see location mistakes that could have been avoided if they wanted to, it makes me question the rest of the film. If the bar is set this low for minor details, you can almost bet there are going to be more errors to keep watch for. And yes, there were additional detail mistakes and holes throughout. All-in-all, that's what kinda ruined it for me.
Les démons (2015)
"Borefest" with no real payout in the end...
I'll give the film this.... it does a great job at the old saying "it's boring, but in 10 minutes it'll pickup". Seeing it's 120 minutes long, I said that to myself 11 times. Well in the end, it never did pickup.
The cinematography and direction were great. It didn't feel like a low budget film. The plot was creepy and uncomfortable. But in general there was a lot of filler. Slow long zooms in and out. Lots of empty conversations & excessively long scenes.
Watch List (2019)
Outstanding Film from the Philippines
This is a film superb! It's also rather depressing but it's a story that needs to be told. My wife is from the Philippines and I have been there almost a dozen times, so I am familiar with President Duterte and his policies. I understand what he's trying to do to reduce or eliminate drug users and drug pushers but the killing of innocents or former drug users who have reformed themselves is a very fine line. It's a raw film that will suck you in and play with your emotions. Are government sponsored vigilante groups killing both suspected drug users & pushers, yet also kill random innocent people really the answer?? If you are that random innocent person killed for being in the wrong place at the wrong time, maybe you might feel differently...
Hush (2016)
So bad I couldn't finish watching.
I really have no idea where the positive reviews are coming from. About every decision the woman makes are wrong. The neighbor comes over and is initially fooled thing this loser hood is a deputy. The 'bad guy' is a little worm who looks more like Bud Bundy than a killer. Couldn't take the lameness anymore. Promptly erased it from my pc.
Halloween (2018)
The movie was just ok...
WOW! Talk about a overhyped movie. And how about that ending?? There sure wasn't much of a end. And yes, of course, there's no real proof Myers died in the fire leaving yet another possiblity of a sequel. It wasn't a horrible film. It just wasn't a good one either.
Death Wish (2018)
Not as good as the original
As a guy who's seen every 'Death Wish' film several times, I was disappointed when I viewed this. I knew when I first heard about this remake I knewit probably won't be very good. I was so hoping I was wrong and that it would be a great film. But it offers nothing new. There's very little in common with the original film (aside from basic plot). Sadly it's just an average action film.... Bruce WiIlis acting as "Paul Kersey" wasn't a great idea. The real Paul Kersey (Bronson) was a badass, but he just didn't know it yet. Bruce Willis isn't so tough in this film. Plus he sure doesn't look or act like a modern-day Paul Kersey.
Remakes of great films either work or they don't. This is an example of it not really working. The real bummer of it all is now that this remake has been done, they'll probably never make another since it was just done and failed. I see many people talk of this being some kind of a political film. I don't think it was anything political. I thought if anyone could pull this off, Eli Roth would have a good change to make it work. He's directed and been involved in some excellent films! This isn't one of them...
Also it's concerning that dozens of reviews for this film are clearly fake and this film is rated far higher than it deserves. FAKE REVIEWS "Don't listen to the critics - they're all haters. This is the best action film ever!" FAKE, FAKE & FAKE. I didn't hear what the critics had to say. After watching it I wish I had.
If this had been called anything else but Death Wish i'd think overall it'd be a average film. I think I am more upset that they tried to remake "Death Wish" a gritty 70's masterpiece and turned the remake into a mess and pass it out with the Death Wish title. If Bronson was alive and saw this he'd be laughing...
The Florida Project (2017)
Horrible slow and depressing
WOW! Just wow.... What is with all of the positive reviews???? Most of them have to be fake. Watching grass grow is more enjoyable. This is a film takes place in what you might consider to be Florida's ghetto. Starring are two women (that's a stretch) raising their kids in a run-down motel near Disney World in Florida. They are loud, rude and trashy. So are their kids.
There is nothing fun or positive about this film. It's just like the title of this review. HORRIBLY SLOW & DEPRESSING. I've seen well over a couple thousand films and I can't recall the last time I disliked a film so much. Could it be because the trashy mother reminds me of my sister-in-law? Ok I'll tell ya. She reminds me EXACTLY how my sister-in-law behaves and acts!! 😤
12 Feet Deep (2017)
Just another boring low budget film with nothing to offer
OK, so most of this film is shot under a pool cover at a public pool. Apparently, the pool guy forgot to check the pool before pressing the button that shuts the cover - trapping the main characters of the film under the cover.
The weight of the entire film is placed on the 2 lead actresses who by mistake are now stuck in the pool with the cover closed on a holiday weekend with no way to get out. Sounds like a film that could be good, right? Wrong. I don't see this costing more than $5k to make the entire film. I'm not against low budget films, but it has the feel like it could have been filmed by an amateur.
The entire film is claustrophobic, boring and drags on forever. It has the feel like it could have been shot in a couple days using one or two GoPro cameras at any neighbor pool... In any event, 90 minutes later the film offers very little but a predictable ending. Barely watchable...
Independence Day: Resurgence (2016)
Complete garbage...........
I got stuck watching this & because of the kids had to sit through it. This is the most horrible film I have seen in recent memory. Absolutely ridiculous story line, terrible acting & absurd 'special' effects. The movie seems to be written for a audience of 4 year old kids. I won't even go into the substance of the film because there is none. As I sit here & finish watching this, I can't believe people in a movie studio somewhere said to themselves "hey everyone, this looks like a great movie project", and actually could look themselves in the face after the meeting finished.
A complete embarrassment for anyone involved in the project. If you're out of the target demo of a small child, chances are you'll also come to the same conclusion. Maybe you'll cherry-coat it with a rating of 3 or 4 to be nice but you know what I mean.
Night Drive (2010)
Great film! I don't understand the negative reviews...
Wow, only a 4.5 IMDb rating?? It was a great horror film with excellent suspense & acting. The only thing I would say is that the name of the film really doesn't do it justice. Anyway, a group of people from different backgrounds go out on a safari in a Land Rover type safari truck. They stop for a moment to enjoy the scenery then suddenly people from the group start disappearing. What happens to them is truly a nightmare! It has a "Wrong Turn" kind-of plot to it where the people are basically hunted by mysterious people hidden in the brush. Sure, it's not a 10/10 film, but what horror movie is? Suspenseful until the ending credits! Solid 8/10
I Spit on Your Grave III: Vengeance Is Mine (2015)
Boring & uninteresting - Nothing like the others...
This movie drags on & on without any payout. It follows the aftermath of the modern 'I Spit on Your Grave' where she stays in the cabin & has to deal with the corrupt sheriff & his accomplices. She spends much of the movie in a Psych chair detailing her unfortunate vacation she previously had. This film had nothing to offer - no good story line, little violence & basically focuses on the main character who at this point is 'damaged goods'. A complete waste of time - so boring I wouldn't even group this film with the others. It's just a 'PG' rated type film with a slow storyline. Disappointing would sum it up.... Well, that sums up the movie in a nutshell - but IMDb wants 10 lines of description before I submit. There really isn't any more to this film that needs discussion. A complete waste of time I think is a accurate description. If you want well-done disturbing horror movies, watch the first 3. I don't even know why they made this film - it's terrible for the reasons stated above.
Pressure (2015)
Excellent film - won't disappoint!
I wasn't sure what to expect - I watched it without knowing very little about the film. Let me say it didn't disappoint! It has a very similar feel to "The Abyss". Saying that, I don't think it was as good as 'The Abyss', but still very good for those who like deep sea movies where misc problems cause human life to be threatened. At the bottom of the ocean it almost feels like one is as far away as outer space. When things do go wrong it seems there's no one to help. And oxygen is always an issue.
In this movie, the 'mothership' sinks in a storm while 4 men are trapped in a small sub welding a broken oil pipeline. Unlike The Abyss (where the data & oxygen cord is disconnected before the storm), the main ship sinks with the cord attached making the small craft unable to reach the surface as the cord keeps the sub just below the surface.
Lots of excitement, believable acting, and great effects make this film work. Great edge-of-your-seat action that won't disappoint!
Catch Hell (2014)
Above average thriller!
What to say??? We've seen this before - a guy get's kidnapped, tortured & told he will be killed later (why they don't just kill him now when it would make sense would erase the need for the film so we go through it). It is a well filmed thriller (low budget i'm sure, but it doesn't show). The actors are good, the action is good, and the story ends like all of the others - the guy eventually escapes killing the people who chained him up. There is some "Deliverence" style stereotypes of those in the woods wanting to have sex with other men because there is nothing else around, or simply because no woman would want to have sex with these swamp folks. There are some racial & homophobic statements throughout (which is fine with me, but the 'Political Correct' folks probably don't like it thus I would venture to guess the low rating of the movie). I think it deserves a rating higher than 5. Anyway, it is above average for the type of film it is - I enjoyed it. Didn't look at the clock once, so that's also a good sign. I wouldn't go out of my way to see this film but if watching it an option, it is more than worth a 2 hour viewing if you want some backwoods action! I would rate it a B
Metro Manila (2013)
WOW - Amazing and Realistic!
I'll briefly go into my background. I married a Filipina and though we were married in Cebu, I was in Manila several times for visits to the Embassy to get her Visa. Overall, I have been to the Philippines nine times in total and know it rather well for being an American.
The story is amazing and the quality of the film (actual direction, camera work, scenery, acting, video quality, etc) is by far the best Philippine movie there is out there PERIOD! I found it memorizing as I felt as if I was there. It had the film quality of a big-budget American film that was filmed in a 3rd world Country that REALLY tells how things are for some people in other parts of the world.
Because I see Philippine movies and shows almost daily (in the background at home) and the quality is so bad, the last thing I really wanted to see is a Philippine movie. I know the Philippine people try their best when it comes to film given the tools they have to work with, but for anyone who is not a Filipino, their movies and TV shows are pretty bad and quite unwatchable. They enjoy them so I suppose that's what counts. However when I came across this film, the British Direction and the high IMDb ratings really excited me to actually see a well-made movie set in the Philippines! This outperformed and then some..... You'll witness first hand a honest and loving family risking everything for a better life only to go through unimaginable obstacles in the raw streets of Manila.
I can't wait to watch it with my wife! Even if I didn't have a Philippine connection, this is by far the best Foreign movie I have seen in years - Good job! A++
Prisoners (2013)
Completely Filled with Inconsistencies..........
I primarily watched this movie because it received a rating of over an 8 on IMDb. What does that mean to me? A movie in the caliber of Jurassic Park, The Shining, Jaws, The Deer Hunter, Pulp Fiction, The Godfather, etc. I mean..... Movies that REALLY made an impact in cinema in one way or another. Those truly unforgettable movies that are just plain special. Not only is this movie not 'special', it has more holes than a block of swiss cheese.
1) A guy sees a refrigerator with a long cord and the first thing that comes to mind is a secret door behind it??? Ridiculous....
2) If this 'mentally challenged' suspect is in fact just a victim and not involved, why did he whisper something to the child's father like he was involved, when in the end he wasn't?
3) When the father is drugged and told to back the Trans Am up under gun point with the door is wide open, why doesn't he just step on the gas, collect the sick woman in the open door like a net, and run her over?????
4) If the woman was in fact worried about the police 'sniffing' around her house, WHY would she take the children out of the hole in the ground WHERE NO ONE COULD POSSIBLY KNOW THEY WERE, and put in a bedroom where they could easily escape and were one was eventually found by the detective??
5) If this woman was so intent on keeping all of this a secret, why would she ALL OF A SUDDEN decide to throw in the towel and get caught red handed when the detective showed up at her house for an unrelated matter?
6) After the police departments 'forensic' team goes through the motor home, WHY is it they find no trace of the girls (when in fact that WAS the vehicle used in the kidnapping), nor they do not find any trace of that psychopath woman (which also turned out was in the RV)??
7) Why bring this 'copy-cat' kidnapper into the movie??? Why?? He buys children's clothes from the store and breaks into the kidnapped kids houses and steals their clothes? They could have shaved 30 minutes off this overly-long movie just by keeping this unnecessary character out of the movie completely and spent that time fixing the laundry list of inconsistencies....
8) How is the main characters former addiction to alcohol necessary ANYWHERE in the film?? Just another one of many distractions to keep the holes in this movie camouflaged.
This is just a sign of modern day movies which fail to deliver, and the forgiving audiences that don't care that a film if full of inconsistencies and still think it is somehow it is worthy of 'film of the year'?? I've also learned that a IMDb rating of over an 8 doesn't really mean much anymore. I could go on and on and on with examples on how this movie fell apart...... Lots of suspense & had potential if someone had actually taken the time to fix the storyline. It had the basic ingredients to be a GREAT film! Very little in this movie adds up. It's a shame such excellent resources were not properly utilized and all that is left is a unrealistic mess.
Bigfoot's Wild Weekend (2012)
Wow.... I knew it was going to be bad, but not this bad....
Amazing......... I was expecting a bad movie, and this outperformed. It is simply HORRIBLE!!! It is a softcore-porn type film featuring several nasty uneducated 'women' covered in ink . The porn set must have been closed that day and they needed work. Anyway, some guy runs around in a gorilla costume in the hills as various women are on a camping trip. There are some hillbillies and a Sheriff mixed in to try to find "Bigfoot", aka, the guy with the Halloween costume. In one scene, Bigfoot is seen drinking the campers beer. Hmmmm... In another scene, 'Bigfoot' was brave enough to jump in the water with the girls, only to risk exposing himself to the potential STD's the women actors were probably carrying. Perhaps the Halloween costume acted as a water-tight condom protecting whoever was inside?!? Or, maybe Bigfoot was drunk because of the beer, and wasn't thinking about the consequences. Hopefully it's just something some antibiotics can fix. Don't get me wrong - there is absolutely nothing wrong with naked girls running around the hills camping! But can they at least be decent looking & not some porno movie rejects??!
Undocumented (2010)
Well done - low budget movie!
This is a movie which could happen. Almost to the point, it could be a true story. Whether it is or not, I am not sure. It starts out as a group of students heading South with cameras to document what it is like for a group of Mexican citizens to cross the border from Mexico to the US illegally and the students and their cameras come along for the ride, filming as they go. It starts in Mexico where they all meet up and head for the border. They use a 'drug tunnel' as their method of crossing the International border. Upon entering the US, they meet up with a U-Haul type truck near the highway where they are to be taken to a safe house. They gather in the back of the truck, and before they leave, the people in the back of the truck hear some talk, then 3 gunshots. Not knowing what happened, the truck begins to move. They end up in a compound run by masked American "patriots" who's goal is to punish the illegals for entering the US, and taking advantage of 'the system'. They all end up in some type of compound where they are questioned and tortured. During the process, some of them die at the hands of these masked 'patriots'. It seems these 'patriots' think they are protecting the US, and thus give them an excuse to torture these Mexicans and treat them like they are less than human, and torture them for crossing the border and taking advantage of the system. The American students are forced to document the torture using their cameras so the tapes will end up back in Mexico to be played in the media so other Mexicans who have a desire to enter the US illegally will reconsider their plan. There is quite a lot of torture scenes, and the captured Mexicans are treated like animals. Some of the scenes are difficult to watch, and depending on your political views, may consider some of the treatment of these prisoners justified, It is difficult to watch no matter your political views. Despite the torture scenes, it has the feel of a movie that has a higher budget than was allocated. It is well done, and the actors are well played. The movie focuses on a real problem the US faces, and shows the uglier side of this 'problem'. Despite the violence and torture, the masked 'patriots' make a point that many Americans feel. The violence borders excessive and it seems like the illegal crossing is just a way to justify torture of people. However, since this movie plays like something that could actually happen, and does it well, I rate it an 7. It's not a movie for children, though it is a well done drama that makes a point of how extreme political views can be carried out.
The Human Centipede II (Full Sequence) (2011)
Sick, disturbing & unsettling.
First of all, I think Tom Six, the director of this film is apparently not a mentally well individual and probably needs help. Please don't get me wrong, I can enjoy a good horror movie. Devil's Rejects, A Serbian Film, Saw, Hostel, etc. Those kind of movies are a cakewalk (except maybe 'A Serbian Film') compared to this. As hard as I try, I can't even think of a film to compare this to. I have seen the first Human Centipede and was appalled. When Human Centipede 2 came out, I suppose I was curious and wanted to see how Tom could utilize feces for his next 'masterpiece'.
This is a film has very little plot. It is all about feces. Do we really need a movie with feces involved? I know people have fetishes, and Tom Six seems to have a feces fetish (which is fine, I suppose), but why share it with the world? Sure, I could sit here and bash the director, Tom Six, but after researching his background, he seems to get a thrill over peoples reaction to this kind of subject matter, and he isn't afraid to say so. This also confirms his his need of therapy or confinement to a mental institution. If you enjoy watching people forced to consume feces, this film may be right up your alley.
So I ask myself...... Who would finance this kind of vile? What kind of company would distribute this? Who would pull out their checkbook and pay for movie props, actors, camera equipment and rent movie locations for this kind of film? Who is in charge of making the fake fecal matter in the film? That must be a rewarding job. What kind of actor would look at this script and say "Oh yes - I really wan't to be a star in this movie."? How can you look at yourself in the mirror after being an actor/actress in this movie? I have more respect for actors in porno movies.
Think carefully before watching this movie. Because once you watch it, you can't unwatch it.