nicolailaros Reviews

The Unseen (1980)

Great Horror from the amazing 80's

[9/10 · 18 October 2022]

The Unseen directed by Danny Steinman (Friday the 13th Part V: A New Beginning) is one of these amazing Horror movies I wish I could have seen back in the 80's.

The plot imagined by makeup legends Stan Winston & Tom Burman and also Texas Chainsaw screenwriter Kim Henkel is perfectly well structured and for once totally plausible all the way long, the acting (Barbara Bach but the whole cast ensemble too) top notch and the atmosphere is as well creepy and highly dramatic in an unexpected way.

Indeed, this story is told in a way that makes it almost impossible not to feel some empathy with the protagonists shown here: every character has is own qualities and weaknesses... even if the landlord is a very very sic (and also poor) soul, believe me! For once, I also enjoyed the absence of any "Final Girl" or super-woman here - this movie doesn't need stuff like that to be a hell of a ride & a human experience!

All in all, The Unseen manages adequately and at the same time to frighten as well as to entertain in a very effective/scary way. The production values are great. Only the appearance of the Unseen was a bit of a deception for me (Greg Reardon has done so much better elsewhere)... even if the whole approach was once again a very realistic one. Maybe I just had the wrong idea what to expect here right from the beginning... I was surprised, in a good way!

The Unseen is definitely a GEM of a 80's horror movie in every sense of the word. If you can "grab it out" somewhere, don't hesitate one single sec: You won't regret it!

Flowers in the Attic (1987)

A movie Jeffrey Bloom can be proud of!

[10/10 · 12 October 2022]

First of all, when I decided to watch this film a few nights ago, I hadn't heard nor red anything about Flowers in the Attic till then. The only thing I knew was that Jeffrey Bloom, the director here, had one of his screenplays adapted in Joseph Sargent "Nightmares" and that he directed "The Beach", a fun exploitation film from the early Eighties. That was all & and believe me, that's fine with me!

A lot of people here seems having had (once again!) a bad time with a book (a) becoming a film (b) "because it's not a bright adaptation of a book"... Really? Even if I would have known all this background, would my opinion be so different? Isn't it that easy to understand that a) isn't b) and vice versa? I didn't care and focused here on A MOVIE!

And believe it or not, I must admit that it didn't even take too long before the magic (or the horror?) worked on me!

Indeed, the actors (especially the young ones but of course Louise Fletcher too!) are brilliantly portraying these characters facing human perversion: The whole story gave me the creeps for several reasons! This is psychological violence pushed on the highest level: No gore nor special effects in the world would be able to transpose on the screen! Absolutely terrifying in every possible way! Try to experience it without shivering...

Then Jeffrey Bloom directed this movie in the most adequate way, with choosing first a superb & fitting location and a good, eerie camera work. The suspense is working very effectively here and I must admit that I can't understand the low ratings once again on IMDB... It is a bit sad... No, YOUR version of a book isn't necessarily the one that will nor can fit the screen... So please, give Flowers in The Attic a break and enjoy it for what it is: a flawless description of immorality and a superb thrill all the (slow burning) ride along! In other therms, a GREAT CHILLER/MOVIE if you don't expect ways too much...

Don't Worry Darling (I) (2022)

A future Classic (but not for the wrong audience!)

[10/10 · 11 October 2022]

Don't Worry Darling directed by Olivia Wilde (Tron Legacy, In Time) is visionary, stylish and nightmarish all at the same time. The less you know, the more you will enjoy this unbelievable achievement of hers. And believe it or not but the whole subject PERFECTLY fits into our time! Finally, the miracle happened: THIS IS THE REAL "US" Jordan Peele wasn't able to accomplish back in 2019 with his so called movie! And sooo (very, very!) much more.

2010, Darren Aronofski brought you Black Swan. Here comes on of the most delightful and well written mind blowing stuff of cinema history! The 2022 masterpiece you don't want to miss: Go check it out by yourself. Hurry, it won't hold too long against the next MARVEL or DC comics production to come... There is definitely something WRONG nowadays, isn't it?...lol... so Don't Worry Darling!

The Horror Show (1989)

A missleading (opportunist&wrong) tittle for a great fight between G&E!

[8/10 · 5 October 2022]

Did House III ever exist? In the mind of some producers, I would say without hesitating for one second: Certainly! But is THIS the real House III? There are reasonable doubts in this matter as much as lots of different versions out there: even the actors seem to be a bit confused when it comes to mention there participation to this movie...lol... In France, this film was indeed always reviewed as The Horror Show directed by Jim Isaacs (who gave us Jason X and who was, for example, a former SFX technician on David Cronenberg's Existenz) and nothing else. Then, things came to change when it was released on video. Why? Do you really need a clue?... Yes, business is business! But even as such, it flopped at the US box-office and was released on VHS everywhere else !

So Horror Show became House III directed by James Isaacs & David Blythe (Death Warmed Up) on video, even if this guy was fired in the earliest stage of movie making... WTF???

Whatsoever, I was terribly disappointed when I rented it in the 90ies: indeed, I saw a lot of genuinely creepy pics in my favourite film-magazines that didn't even showed up in the final (?) version/print I could put my hands on! What a mess of a movie this was then...

But the story wasn't still over, especially years later after having noticed that there were now better versions released on Blu/Ray And I must admit that this time, I was a lot more thrilled! Indeed, I could find a House-Box with all four instalments. And I finally could enjoy The Horror Show in a full-uncut & HD version. Is it now Oscar worthy? Certainly not.

But: The whole plot makes a bit more sense and the confrontation between Lance Herinksen (Aliens) and Brion James (Shockwaves) is worth the ticket!

As a matter of fact, The Horror Show is still nothing more than a Nightmare on Elm Street & Wes Craven filmo rip-off with a memorable villain (Max Jenke) and a good lead. Actor Brion James even mentioned proudly this one as being on of his whole career's favorite Characters/interpretations. The KNB practical special effects are great too, as Mac Ahlberg's (Director of Photography on the great previous instalments House & House II, the Second Story) moody/gloomy-nightmarish images.

All in all, if you take it for what it is, a bit as Halloween III: Season of the Witch, another totally independent movie inside a franchise, there is indeed a lot to like here.

Just don't miss the point here: This story isn't about a haunted/magical house but about a traumatised cop facing his inner ghosts/ fighting his evil nemesis to which he seems to be linked as the Ying & Yang... You may even figure out that this is a much darker version of Craven's great campy Shocker (1989)! House III aka The Horror Show aka Shocker II? Yep, that's it... here we go...lol...

Piggy (2022)

Sundanceable BS

[1/10 · 27 September 2022]

I saw it just at the FEFFS: Wow, how awful this pretentious, boring, stupid excuse for an act of pseudo emancipation is!!!

Everything here has been studied carefully in order to be "the next indie sensation dans l'air du temps" with lots of lots of clues in the end credits (ah, the "making of": A priority here as it seems!) not to lost of bit of this wannabe "Women's lib" future classic.

Women take control? Why not... but certainly not like that!

Some people find this movie funny... hum, really???

As a matter of fact, there is nothing here what makes a movie a classic, : A GREAT leading character to begin with... BUT: Not even close neither in this case!

If there must be something to save in this utter rubbish, than it may be the direction. But otherwise, the GREAT WHITE NOTHING. A pale excuse for a movie (the deliberately chosen 1:33 format defines the level here)...

It's a shame because I love Spanish horror & the subject has a lot of potential.

Watch "Alleluia" (2014 -Fabrice du Welz) instead and avoid this mess at ALL costs if it opens in a cinema next to you!

Don't Grow Up (2015)

Ratings are missing the point: A great movie (if you don't expect too much!)

[9/10 · 6 September 2022]

4.6 rating on IMDB??? People here seem to miss once again the point: Alone (European title for Don't Grow Up) is neither Army of the Dead nor WWZ: How can it be if you check up HOW & WERE this movie has been made. Have you? WOW, I seriously doubt that!!! So don't wonder folks...!

As a matter of fact, this movie is a (very) low budget seemingly dedicated to those who liked (loved?) for instance film-experiences such as Carriers (2009) or Children of Men (2006), even if this movie NEVER intends to compete with Alfonso Cuaron's total masterpiece.

Thierry Poiraud (yes, the guy who brought you the funky Atomic Circus: The Return of James Bataille with Jason Flemyng back in 2004) is a very solid and yet gifted too director, even if he worked on this one without his brother Didier as on Goal of the Dead...

The portrayal of the whole situation (music, sound, images, direction) is definitely an achievement and has all the ride along high kinetic power and strong impact (what for such a low budget, is kind of miraculous!):

Especially the young actors are all excellent and there terrible fate is perfectly well portrayed here, the action is violent and believable, but most important: The whole situation stays always highly plausible and human.

Watching this movie, even not in a so called "rainy Saturday night with beer and fries" climate, stays an overwhelming, stunning experience. But the main compliment to the movie makers & actors, even if the whole thing may be a bit predictable, is that Alone is NEVER boring, far from that! BUT IT ISN'T (AND CAN'T BE) A FULL THROTTLE ACTION FLICK for LOW BRAINERS!

So if you want to experience an atmospheric, deeply human, sincere and nearly naturalistic horror adventure/journey, don't look any further. Thierry Poiraud's gift to the audience is worth every single minute of the 81 min. Running time, believe me!

And don't forget: Don't Grow Up... Alone!

Orphan: First Kill (2022)

What a huge surprise! What a twist! Superior pre/sequel? HELL YEAH!

[10/10 · 30 August 2022]

I'm just out the movie for a couple of hours now and I still can't believe it: Orphan: First kill managed it not only to be a worthy "sequel" 13 years after Jaume Collet Serra's EXCELLENT Orphan, it's even a better movie than the first one!

Once again, the magic works: Isabelle Fuhrman's portrayal of Esther is absolutely riveting and mesmerizing in every way. And she's not only astonishing: Each time she appears on screen, her Character is THE CHILL FACTOR, she's sooo creepy, especially when she looks right into the camera and smiles! All this is also certainly due to the multiple techniques brilliantly used to cheat on her actual size: what seems highly improbable is here just amazing and gives the picture a kind of unusual weirdness and a truly morbid touch. This is so rare nowadays!

And Julia Stiles is also the perfect "look into the mirror" for the whole believable plot: her character is such an welcome add to the story, believe me! And of course, her performance is once again astonishing!

It would be a shame do spoil this wonderful prequel so let me just say that they did everything right with the script and even hired a competent, yes even good director (William Brent Bell) who did an even better job here than for his best effort so far, the very effective (and somehow pretty close in style) The Boy.

As far as I'm concerned, a little miracle occurred here and I'm proud to say that for a movie I didn't expect anything from, Orphan 2: First kill is a hell of a surprise and yes (!), maybe even better than Orphan "first of it's kind" from 2009. So check it out by yourselves in the nearest cinema as soon as possible! On of the best Summer 2022 movies you will get out there!

Dark Glasses (2022)

What did you expect?

[7/10 · 20 August 2022]

I'm just back from beautiful Milano where I finally could put my hands on a DVD copy (no BluRay in shops so far, even in the director's own country!) of Dario Argento's latest effort: Occhiali Neri aka Dark Glasses.

I was a huge fan of his cinema, at least until Stendhal Syndrome (1996). Since, his films were for me at best lazy attempts to perpetuate the Giallo genre (NonHoSonno for instance) and I almost gave up all hopes.

Then came La Terza Madre (disastrous... but somehow entertaining!) and his own version of Dracula; believe it or not, and even if flawed from start to finish with horrendous CGI effects nobody needs, I actually liked it a lot more than his previous misfires. Especially the very dusty Hammer tone of the whole thing (and Rutger too, of course).

I was surprised when I first heard of his new film Dark Glasses which was part of the selection of this year's Berlinale. Even more when first voices raised to praise this movie: Argento made a new film, and a good one too again, was it truly conceivable, even possible??

Then I saw the user's rate and reviews here: WOW! What a contrast.

After having seen Dark Glasses (need some?), I would like to know from you guys: Why soooo much HATE? What is the point of writing here that Dario directed only one good movie in his whole career (Suspiria, hum, really?) and despise his entire career in a row: Frustration or ignorance? Maybe both: Even if you can't see (lol...) the point of the Giallo genre and hate maybe all his previous efforts, WTF is wrong with you? Why do you need to disgust other (younger) potential viewers/cinephiles? Is the actual CGI-overkill cinematographic feast feeding from your eyes and generating some kind of weird ultimate brain cancer? Maybe so... I only can suggest that you stay far away from Italian films, it seems hopeless for you!

OF COURSE Argento's Dark Glasses isn't a new masterpiece. Of course the whole thing is flawed (especially the script's plot holes and the killer in itself), but there are also PLENTY of JOYS here: At first, the actors are GOOD (even Asia Argento which is unrecognisable), the direction is energetic (the chase sequences) and visually compelling (even if HD is a poor support), the atmosphere is great etc... Then it is a kind of twin brother to Aura's Enigma (Trauma) which I'm very fond of: indeed, Dario has NEVER had compassion for his female leading roles, except in both movies. Even if the whole plot isn't full of twists and climaxes, this story is somehow compelling and original for the Maestro.

At least, believe me: This is NOT A GIALLO!

Just imagine one second that the whole story is a metaphor for Diana's (half ways) "transformation" or even redemption... The film make sense, especially when you listen a bit more carefully to the meaning of the "solar eclipse" shown during the introduction.

So even if there are a lot of (minor) flaws here, and even if it isn't Dario's return "at his best" (hey, give the man a break, he is 80 years "young" now!), WHAT DID YOU EXPECT??? Instead of a miracle, just enjoy this good synthesis of his career: It's much MUCH more worth your time than David Cronenberg's WTF Crimes of the Future, believe me!

The Amityville Curse (1990 Video)

2,9 rating? OMG: Folks & IMDB, you are the BEST...Lol...!

[10/10 · 7 August 2022]

The fifth Amityville version has been maligned for so many years now (33!) that I was really dubious when I had the opportunity to buy it's German BluRay release.

So far, I loved the previous films, the three first of course and have a kind of a crush for the fourth installment in this franchise: Sandor Stern (the man behind the terrifying "Pin" starring Terry O'Quinn) did an amazing job, combining beautifully well the old (the overture with the exorcism in the classic house) and the new (the poltergeist stuff with the possessed evil lamp). A real treat of a (TV!) film.

So, naturally, I was a bit sceptical when I red the few reviews on this film here. Whas it really worth these 91 minutes of my girlfriend (and mine) life?

Firsteval. Let me tell you that this Amityville 5 is a (very) pleasant surprise: Tom Berry (who produced the other few preceding movies) did a pretty good job here as a director: his version of this Amityville II: The Possessed stuff is a very atmospheric journey into the gloomy Canadian autumn landscape/small town vibe. This film is a slow-burner, and for good reasons once in a while, and it is also a well portrayed rehash of "the events that happened before the Lutz familly" moved into the house (even if there is a kind of lack of continuity in the whole thing....).

For today's standards, the story of a priest killed in his own church by somebody or something "for believable reasons" is a new perspective on the events portrayed since 1978 in each picture and is somehow linked to the actual scandals shaking the Catholic Church nowadays!

The actors are all doing perfectly well the job, especially Kim Coates (Silent Hill) who is brilliant here as a "(no more) smoking victim" of things to come... His wife is pretty good looking too and very pragmatic ("Let's leave this f... house NOW!").

91 minutes and no jump-scares (except one very efficient at the beginning!), no CGI, no lame dialogues (even if some of the protagonists are jerks!): Wow! I didn't expect ALL THAT at all. Even the make-up effects are effective here.

But what pleased me most is the visual tone and the cinematography of The Amityville Curse: Rodney Gibbons (a Canadian cinematographer known for Scanners II and Screamers) did an amazing job once again: the visuals and rotting, depressing atmosphere in and surrounding the house is sooo effective!

All in all, I would say that the movie depicts quite brilliantly the sadness of the whole situation, is fairly entertaining and even sometime scary/suspense full. The movie is somehow much more realistic than the previous (and coming) installments.

What can a 80' B-Movie lover ask for more? Yes,for a nice pair of boobs or two maybe, I know... But now, I got the "Curse" surrounding this fifth installment... Take care, MAJOR SPOILER here to come (...lol...): It doesn't EVEN take place in the "original house"... OMG, no s... (forbidden word here...lol...!)!!! Great folks. I nearly missed this one thanks to you and your low ratings here. Have you even SEEN the movie? The new house used here is so creepy that I have reasonable doubts... Haters, as ever, you are sooo lame. Please do yourselves a favor, just go and watch something else (Doctor Strange, Spiderman Far from Home for instance...lol...) and let the horror-genre to whom it belongs! You seamingly simply won't & can't get it!

But for all you B-movies lovers out there, just give this one a try. On BluRay with a 1080p image quality, of course! You may be surprised as I was, and maybe in a good way too!

A good 8/10, but here and now...

Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)

The Best of the Best

[10/10 · 28 July 2022]

Even if I am a huge Close Encounter, Star Wars, Blade Runner, 2001/2010, Outland, Alien, Star Trek of course etc fan and all (hard or not) SF in general, I think this mindblowing and moving motion picture by director genius Robert Wise & Alan Dean Foster's superior script tops them ALL!

Is this the best SF movie ever? Maybe! Is this the best SF movie with such a universal, mesmerizing, powerful philosophical depth in his core? ABSOLUTELY without a single doubt!

Your privilege here: Witness here the birth of a new life form. Star Trek the Motion Picture is a journey far beyond (a lot of people's) imagination with no turning/coming back ever. An odyssey of the human kind "Where No Man has Ever Been Before". An SF experience of it's own kind. What need I say more? If you are in mature (are you?) and engaging SF, just live it, breath it, feel it! Bon voyage(r...lol...) and see you beyond the great barrier!

A Good Day to Die Hard (2013)

Give this (good) movie and John Moore a beak, please!

[10/10 · 1 July 2022]

C'mon people, what is wrong with you haters? After Live Free and Die Hard from Underworld (!) director Len Wiseman (...lol...!!), what else did you expect here?

It's a shame what happend in the previous movie (as for ex Mc Clane fighting a F35 on a highway: wtf?... and surviving, Mc Lane killing Maggie Q with a 4x4: omg...). John Moore just tries to fix things here, even if he sadly has to built further on after what has been introduced in the fourth installment.

In other words: He is walking on thin ice ("die hard" fans anyone...???).

Oh, and for you, this one is not a real Die Hard film? And the previous one was??? Let me laugh out loud! The ice maybe was too thin for some of you, wasn't it?

Instead of yawning: enjoy the straight forward story line here, the rough execution (Moore shows that he is more than competent here) and the positive synergy between Willis and a good acting Jay Courtney. I did!

The car chase in Moscow is a highlight in the whole franchise: Wow, what an adrenaline rush!!! Love it!

Only the end with the Helicopter was a bit too WTF and CGI overloaded for my taste. A bit sad 'cause large amounts of (great) action here has been very well managed in the old fashioned way...

But, but: More important here is that considering the situation in Russia and the Ukraine, this movie rules and is even more actual/up to date to catch the vibe than ever.

So all in all, my final verdict is that Die Hard 5 is a solid addition to the franchise, especially after what precedes and almost buried John McLane forever! ...

Yippe ki yaye mf!!!

Men (2022)

Alex Garland is still Alex Garland: Men!

[10/10 · 24 June 2022]

What a strange world we are living in nowadays: For today's audience, everything must be clear, politically correct, "over-Marvelized", CGI filled, user friendly or directed by a classic "author" (David Cronenberg as THE latest example) etc... Exactly what none of Alex Garland previous movies are nor has ever been. Oh, don't you know them?...lol... That figures!

As a matter of fact, this new "Garland Experience" may be outrageous to some people, but in the end, it is such a delight on every level that I decided to defend it against all haters/light heartened audiences that don't even try to understand this (dark) poetry about our human nature: At first, let me just say that Men is a beautiful looking film and Rob Hardy's (Boy A, Ex Machina, Annihilation...) pictorial art is top notch once again here: Rain & nature in the English countryside/London are real treats, the film is an eye candy. What a delight!

Then the actors, especially Rory Kinnear (deserves the Oscar!!!)and Jessie Buckley, are just perfect. As perfect as the drama going SLOWLY but EFFECTIVELY on in this movie and so well depict by Garland's direction and screenplay: Wow!

This is about Changing/Evolving/Pain/Madness/Reason. Aren't all his movies/shows dealing with these universal themes?

But for the first time, I noticed something new in his art: Men is funny. Yes, yes, even very funny, in an unexpected, British way. Great!

And at last, believe me or not too but let me just say that if you are looking for a true "Cronenbergian" movie actually, this one is the masterpiece David couldn't (or actually wouldn't) offer his audience with "Crimes of the Future".

So don't waste your time and just experience the right stuff from the right pic/author, ok? Smile (Rory Kinnear sooo British style;-))...

Firestarter (2022)

This is how to adapt a book (King or not)!

[10/10 · 18 June 2022]

Let me say at first that I can't as a matter of fact be surprised to witness how maligned this movie is actually (by the press and the public):

Nowadays, "if you really like movies, you HAVE to like Doctor Strange 2" (this is now called "political correctness"). Well, I hate it! And I hate political correctness too.

On the other side, I love good/brilliant movies. They are stimulating and make me feel alive (in my heart AND my brain...).

And, oh Lord, this one directed by Keith Thomas (check out his excellent The Vigil) is definitely one of these gems. Even more than that: It is so good in comparison to the (very) lame Mark L. Lester one from 1984 that I feel a bit sad for those who always try to compare... what is incomparable: talent and complete lake of talent (even if Lester did some good stuff elsewhere...).

This new version of Firestarter is going to be, one day or another, strongly revaluated. And this Blumhouse Production even may become a true B classic. Everything is so great (Zac Efron. Ryan Kiera Armstrong, Carpenter's haunting score... and especially Michael Greyeyes who steals the show!!!) here, and actually so sad and dark too... (what a movie the Pet Sematary remake would have been directed by this guy here...wow!). This work is so maligned and underappreciated... Is it too intelligent for it's own good?...lol...

Of course some elements from the book has been changed for the purpose of a GOOD MOVIE ADAPTATION. And I really think this here is how it needs to be done from here. Don't you know: A movie is NOT a book! A movie is NOT your own imagination!...

All in all (direction, actors, effects, music etc...) are perfectly executed and, most important part, this is a movie with a (real) heart in his core.

The exact opposite of the common trash threw in our face in theatres actually...

Firestarter 2022? Simply perfect! Brilliant! And if there is more to come (sadly not I suppose...), I'm ready! Flaws anywhere? Who cares...lol...

Oh, and by the way haters, even Stephen King like this movie and he's proud his name is attached to this work...

What an embarrassment, isn't it?... lol... so sorry...lol... 10 out of 10, for all the hate this movie doesn't deserve... and it's true qualities!

Haters, don't spread venom, just go and check out for yourselves!

Crimes of the Future (2022)

Retirement may be THE option

[4/10 · 13 June 2022]

Crimes of the Future... What a (great!) title.

BUT: What has it anyhow or anyway something to do with THIS movie? Have I missed something important?

Cronenberg's return to Body horror? Sounds a good idea, doesn't it?

Yeah, as a concept... But let's face reality: this "sundanceable" slow-burner is nothing else than a rehash (a sum of a career for some "fans"...hum, really?!?) of Chromosome 3, The Fly, Crash, Existenz, Naked Lunch with bites of Maps to the Stars (a new and strange relationship between the author and toilets...) and Cosmopolis (blah, blah, blah...): Wow, what's the point? No more inspiration left?...

What may work here and there (with stimulating -and plausible- concepts, agreed!) in the first half becomes ways tooo conceptual and booooring in the second so that I often wished this whole Crime of The Future (... but happening in the Present in my case, as I was gliding in a strange coma as never before watching/experiencing a Cronenberg...gosh!) just ends here and now!

All in all, this is maybe the worst movie from the "mind of his author of The Dead Zone" (lol) since A History of Violence. Even if the beginning is quite promising and has some beautifully weird/disturbing moments to offer, it ends as an unexpected snooze fest. No climax for instance, no (real) end. Intended? Hell yes! But isn't it a bit too easy Mr. Cronenberg?

Even Brian Yuzna did it ways better with his ironical Society (with much more Cronenberg stuff inside than this one) some of years ago...

Maybe the deception of 2022 so far.

Top Gun: Maverick (2022)

Vibrant and human sequel/homage

[9/10 · 27 May 2022]

A lot of sequels equal or even truly improve over the original, as for instance Aliens, Alien3, Star Wars 2, Star Trek 2, Ghost in the Shell 2, The Bourne Ultimatum, Die Hard: With a Vengeance, Beverly Hills Cop 2, Friday the 13th Part 2, Evil Dead 2, Nightmare on Elm Street 3, The Exorcist 3, Return of the Creature of the Lagoon, Critters 2 etc, etc...

Of course, some people will disagree. And there always will be. Cliché brand marked as they are forever. And for all those eternal sceptical now comes Top Gun: Maverick by Joseph Kosinski, Tom Cruise & Jerry Bruckheimer.

This overwhelming, touching, supremely well directed CGI free IMAX experience proves once again that a movie is once and for all a very intimate odyssey into people's mind & soul, sequel or not.

As a matter of fact, when it has a true and unique director's vision (Joseph Kosinski did Tron Legacy, Oblivion, Only the Brave... need I say more?!!) in his core, his elevation (as the actor's in their cockpits flying for real!) over mass-production and his impact on true movie lover's minds may be a gift nobody can honestly refuse nowadays.

In this sad, over Marvelised and CGI overloaded world, movies like Top Gun: Maverick are this fresh refill of clean air we all are so deeply in need of.

The general idea why this movie has been made? Just for money? Then take two minutes to think about the beautifully integrated Iceman/Val Kilmer character and this last movie shot after 2 hours and 11minutes of captivating beauty, power and delight: An airplane crossing the sky, free as possible from the ground' basic rules of gravitation. Pure magic in the same sense than this other vibrant homage to pilots and sky adventurers: Hayao Miyazaki's The Wind Rises. Tears in my eyes. Love in my heart.

Thank you Tom, Joseph, Tony & Jerry!

Ogre (2021)

Finally something good from France!

[9/10 · 4 May 2022]

At first, let me just introduce this review by saying that I'm definitely not fond of French cinema, especially because NOTHING ELSE than (mostly) stupid comedies and putrid dramas of the "how Lola's last broken relationship ended in cries and despair" kind are produced under the hype brand mark "Qualité Française" for a couple of years now (30 years almost: WOW!). That's LIFE folks, but for sure NOT why I'm going to see a MOVIE in a movie theatre. For sure not, I love to be ENTERTAINED/EXPERIENCE something else, and even if it's just an allegory of our own reality!

Whatsoever, sometimes movies as Haute Tension, Calvaire, Le Pacte des Loups, Doberman, 36.15 Code Père-Noël, Baxter etc... makes me keep faith in the fact that French Genre-Cinema (as they did it so well 'til the 80'!) is still alive and may, from time to time, generously offer people like me a little Treat!

And here comes now Ogre from promising director Arnaud Malherbe. As a matter of fact, as soon as the movie begins, it's already noticeable that the audience is going to experience something else.

Indeed, Pénélope Pouriat (Director of Photography) did a great job, using marvellously well the beautiful contrasts nature offers and describing in very gloomy and adequate tones the landscapes in which the story is going to take place.

Actress Ana Girardot and young Giovanni Pucci are perfectly well portraying as Mother and son, both just going to live in a small rural village lost somewhere in the middle of nowhere: As a matter of fact, she is a teacher and has been assigned to work there. But other reasons are driving her away from her/their former lifestyle... They soon meet the only Doctor there, a good looking & seducing but also odd/dark/independant character which Chloé falls in love with. What are his secrets? And Why is a child missing since a couple of days? What is really going on in this strange dying village? And what kind of menace does little Jules fearing when night comes? Or is the village simply cursed and the bogeyman waitin' in the dark?

Arnaud Malherbe wrote a very engaging, believable horror-fairy-tale with psychological undertone and depicts perfectly well as much as accurately what life looks like in these places time seems to have forgotten by now.

But what counts most for me: this movie stays still a true (...) horror-fantasy movie WITH A CREATURE and assume it's real identity until the end, something that The Swarm (La Nuée) wasn't sadly able to do (lack of faith and courage? French film-politics? Who knows...).

So, yes: Finally, finally, something good from France. Thank you Arnaud Malherbe! Go and check this one out, you won't regret it. Official Selection Gérarmer 2022.

Moon 44 (1990)

32 years ago, in a galaxy far, far away...

[10/10 · 16 April 2022]

In France, Roland Emmerich and his career, since his very beginning behind a camera always criticised on mostly every level (stupidity of his movies, lowbrainer, Teutonic copycat with not an inch of a new idea and a pile of rusty crap to sell...) by the "wannabe independent-spirit" (lol...) "expert" press, for example my beloved Mad Movies... and Co.

After his first (and almost unknown for most of the audience) effort, the very ambitious SF & student film called "The Noah's Ark Principle", almost every film "directed by..." got systematically bad reviews (politely said...).

Now the question is: Why? Let me guess: as evreybody knows, France isn't (nor has ever been) in the past centuries quiet much fond of Germany, his language and history, and there may be here and there some solid reasons, of course ! Unfortunately, history and Art have sometimes been confused, especially by some media positions.

As a matter of fact, the economic and artistic expansion of this (mean/enemy, as GB as a matter of fact, and Holland, and...etc...) country has been faced sceptically by many many people. And there has always been some kind a strange jealousy since.

Another explanation may be that since 1990, the year in which Moon 44 has been made in Germany , French SF didn't even exist otherwise than as a concept or has been reduced to cinematographic "WTF-Wonders" like Terminus (1986 directed by Pierre William Glenn)... Hum. Yes, maybe, just maybe (the situation hasn't change a lot since, by the way...).

Therefore, this modest tiny little SF Production (6 million D-Marks as budget!) called Moon 44 and directed by Emmerich has been literally dismembered as some kind of copy material assembled by "wannabe Jim -Aliens- Cameron" newbie Roland! WOW folks! I can remember clearly what came up about this one before and after the former (and cult!) French Avoriaz Fantastic Film Festival in 1991... and so I didn't go to see it and has instead of been waiting 31 years to get a proper copy ('cause just newly released)!

And what a pity it is for the audience! Even more: a shame. Because even if Moon 44 isn't an accomplishment as ALIENS, OUTLAND, BLADE RUNNER, THUNDERBIRDS and the later released TIMECOP (oups!) and FORTRESS (does he even one bit of a second try to be???), it is a great B movie with plenty of joy, fun and charm: YES, for sure, it is!

For example, for such a "super-low-low-cost" budget-production, the models and special effects are as a matter of fact mesmerizingly well done! Made by Emmerich himself and Volker Engler (Oscar winner for Independence day!), the lovely-detailed miniature effects are still astonishing, even for today's standards!

Karl Walter Lindenlaub (UNIVERSAL SOLDIER, STARGATE, ID4, GODZILLA. ROB ROY, THE JACKAL), as a mostly unknown artist, also did a tremendous job, allowing for instance the sets to shine bright in their functional and gloomy/dirty environment (a foreign, outer world moon exploited by huge corporations who send poor settlers there to create a digging colony providing new energy resources, officially for our dying Earth...) as such a picture request it (it's a Dark SF concept we are talkin' about here: cf. The rape scene of the kiddie by the sic Scooter character...). Great visuals all along the movie, even if any type of audience can figure out the restrictions here and there...

And what else can we say? What about the cast? No real "Star" in sight? Ok: But isn't it always a delightful pleasure to see once again solid B-movie veterans as Michael Paré (STREETS OF FIRE., PHILADELPHIA EXPERIMENT..), Brian Thompson (TERMINATOR, COBRA...). Stephen Geoffrey's (FRIGHT NIGHT...), Leon Rippy (TRACK 29, YOUNG GUNS 2, KUFFS, STARGATE...) and the one and unique Malcolm McDowell (CLOCKWORK ORANGE, and, euh, DOOMSDAY...lol...) in the same pic??? Ten times of course it is! Especially if they all seem to have some good fun playing their parts, as it is obviously the case here! Even youngster Dean Devlin (the future screenwriter and producer on R. Emmerich most famous blockbusters and director of GEOSTORM) ist giving an enjoyable performance, especially for this kind of mostly annoying type of sidekick in a otherwise gritty movie...

Of course, this movie has it flaws, especially the small story, but who cares? All considered, how is it possible not to give this fine little movie some more credit (and respect once and for all for his director who did all by himself, in Germany-Europe for instance!) because we all know that we are living on a dying planet (if things go on like they do until now, of course...) and that our governments (corporative thinking always on it's way too here, yes sir!) are already looking for outer world solutions (Trash evacuation, new energy and life sources etc...). Is the director somehow visionary in it's own ways?

As already mentioned, this movie isn't a "clean", enjoyable and in the "usual politically correctness swimming" kind of tale: YES, Mr Emmerich is emerging it's audience in a world (somehow even our actual world?) in which governments (relayed by the chosen Corporative Spirit!) use no less than children to take responsibilities for kamikaze high-tech helicopters driven by HS-convicts sent on a desolate moon too die there defending there capitalistic interests! Wow, so much for Roland Emmerich-filmo's lack of background clarity, pertinence and criticism of the ugly aspects of capitalism gone wild.

Of course, don't understand me wrong, Moon 44 is "just" a B-Movie and can't compete with its illustrious predecessors (once again, does he only try to do so?), but a delightful, fun and classic/classy B-Movie with a heart in it's cove, lots of love for details and old fashioned, beautiful and various SFX of all kind, a good cast and some violent action too. What is there not to love?

In other words, if you are looking for the perfect Saturday night movie session film, don't look any further: here you get it! Find a good copy (in its original ratio 2:35:1), sit back/lay back and ENJOY this old fashioned, 0% CGI, action packed, low-budget/ major results SF - classic from the early Nineties. Yeah, just be entertained by the SHOW (and for former movie students without a dime, the master class) here!

P. S.: By the way, MM just published an interview of Roland Emmerich (?) and brought us the DVD-copy of this wonderful movie I missed to watch years ago because of their own continuously massively destructive reviews (??). They even liked Moonfall (???), arguing "He finally got us. Respect!"... Lol... Bienvenu en France, le pays de mon enfance!...

P. S. S.: To mister Del Toro: Haven't you seen (and of course ENZZZZOYED A quiet A LOT!!!) this early effort by Roland emmerich before directing your magnificent and underestimated PACIFIC RIM?...lol...

The Shadow of Chikara (1977)

From the autor of The town That Dredd Sundown...

[8/10 · 15 April 2022]

...that said, if you are fond of those kind of odd, strange little gems, The Shadow of Chikara may perfectly well be made/suitable for you!

In other words: Yes, be prepared, this is NOT your typical spooky horror tale!

Indeed, the director of this intense and weird "Western that turns out to be closer to other genres like a chiller, horror and even fantasy" Earl. E. Smith (who wrote The Legend of Boogey Creek too) did a great job (even, admittedly, with its own flaws): This film stats on common, well-known ground (what we call in France La Guerre de Secession/the Secession War -The American Civil War) and explores after an action-packed overture other ways: When our three leading protagonists (a Confederate, his friend and allied Indian, a geologist) try to find some hidden stones (they may be diamonds, if refereed to their owner who died on the battlefield) in a desolate mountain, things get strange and spooky: as a matter of fact, the Indian feels a "presence" following them. Things get even more complicate when these three stressed men discover the place were a real slaughter took place; they also quickly find out that only a girl (played by Clint Eastwood's former wife Sondra Locke) survived in this tragedy. Can they reasonably left her behind? Yeah, the tension grows and grows!

This is Mister Smith first and only movie, and he manages for his once and never again directorial achievement to create a realistic, menacing and scary atmosphere as they loved it in the 70. No effects of any kind, no jump scare etc... Wow!

So yep, of course, this isn't an action packed Super Hero Movie, nor even a "13 Ghosts CGI overkill" nor a gory splatter-film. It may even be somehow predictable (not too easy to find out what's going on, isn't it?). But this is a great, tense and very well acted effort. At the end, when I sit back and thought about the whole story, it made definitely even more sense and so I must admit that I found it even more profoundly disturbing. A haunting performance, indeed.

Jo Don Baker is perfect as always and Ted Neeley and Joy N. Houck Jr. Gave fine performances too. What else can a film freak ask for?

So in my humble opinion, this is all in all a real treat and really need to be revaluated.

N.b.: If you manage to find this gem somewhere, be careful: it has been reedited from 114 min to a 90 min cut with bleeps... Whatsoever, this movie is so hard to find nowadays, don't hesitate. Even then, with a poor SD quality, you won't regret it if you are fond of this kind of movie, believe me!

The Velvet Queen (2021)

The reason why whe should learn to readapt/reconnect with the/our world

[9/10 · 21 March 2022]

This truly magnificent testimony of some of the most intimate aspects of wildlife is surely a wonderful gift for human audiences all over the globe.

It shares with us a way on its own to be touched and mesmerised by the absolute beauty, the strength and the wisdom of Nature.

This 1 hour 30 minutes audiovisual journey through the valley of lights and shadows in Tibet's Himalaya Chain isn't just unforgettable. Somehow, it is much much more: All these encounters/discoveries are still the irrefutable proof how badly our World needs us to respect it in every inch of its purest designs to be able to exist as a whole... They "still" are... and isn't this respect the most obvious (only?) way for us humans to conceivably claim a legetimate right for our future life on Earth? In peace, harmony and respect with the whole World and every kind of natural environment? I believe it is!

Enjoy this haunting ride at the far end of the World: Your own deep human nature will be grateful! Thank you Vincent, Marie and Sylvain.

Eye of the Cat (1969)

Revenge of the Cat People?

[9/10 · 19 March 2022]

If you are fond of movies like "Scream of Fear" (1961) or "The Legacy"(1978), my sincere advice to you now is: just check this one out!

This utterly brilliantly directed, written and played movie by David Lowell Rich is the kind of cat and mouse game you won't forget too easily: Joseph Stefano (screenwriter for Alfred Hitchcocks "Psycho") did once again a great job and plays admirably for 102 minutes with the audience's nerves. The actors are great too and their chemistry is perfect.

Sadly, these "Eyes of the Cat" are a little known and an otherwise hugely underappreciate ride deep into human's twisted nature. Twisted and ambiguous, as for example cats may be...or been perceived by many.

In the end, this perfectly well crafted thriller may even been understood as a kind of allegory on the animality of our own specie. Or at least as a metaphor for some kind of deep humanity hidden in all cats, escpecially when facing the feline nature of some humans surrounding them. Deep and engaging, but not for everyone, for sure.

As far as I'm concerned, this is a true and unique hidden gem of a horror-thriller with a surrealistic undertone and an ambiguous end. Lots of chills and twists to expect. What's more to wish for? Enjoy!

Backdraft 2 (2019 Video)

30 years have passed... and they are back!

[8/10 · 9 March 2022]

How sad to see such a good (video) production rated sooo low. C'mon haters, what's up? Nowhere else to spread your lousy venom?

Yeah, as a matter of fact, this isn't Backdraft (1990-Ron Howard). Uh? WHAT??? Not the same cast, nor the same story, nor the same 80' touch, nore se same budget, nore, nore...???. Yes, damn right!!!

And yet, Donald Sutherland, William Baldwin, Gregory Widen (Highlander, God's Army... and Backdraft's scripts!) and even Ron Howard are back and not only just intending to pay their bills!

2019: does it ring a bell? A new time, a new world, a new aera, new threats & challenges. And for sure a new vibe. Does this sound coherent? Damn sure it is!

And for what this movie stands, this well crafted movie delivers in almost every domain: Very good cast, dialogues, action, direction etc... A courageous Gonzalo Lopez Gallego (El Rey de la Montana, Apollo 18) did the right choices for this "never asked for sequel of a classic" and offers us/you a very solid & good (if not great) action-packed ride for at least 101 minutes.

So what else can we/you ask for and expect in return from a movie like this (28 years guys!!!)?

As it seems, as soon as a "2" is following any title, something seems to go wrong in the mind of some rusty folks. Yep, sequels also delivers often, guys (wrote a book on this particular subject): Check this one out... Oh, but did they even watched the movie before crying or fussing? Hum....let me guess... Can't believe the low rating here on IMDB: Wow! This little gem is ten times better than any wannabe action overloaded "Fast and Futlious" desaster zone (Spidey 3 anyone?). This is pure B entertainement at his best (means: not stupid!). My advice, if you can watch it/get it, give it a try! So if you don't know what to do tonight and look for a good movie to sit back, relax and enjoy, now you know!

The Cellar (1988)

Fear hiding in (your?) basement

[9/10 · 7 January 2022]

Strangely, this movie is called "Anthony II" in Germany, refering to the neither existant "Anthony I" (as a matter of fact "The Kindred" directed in 1987 by Stephen Carpenter and Jeffrey Obrow)... Whatsoever, I decided to give it a try ... and I must admit that I did well: Yes, I was positively surprised.

As a matter of fact, even if it isn't the greatest movie of all time, this effort by Kevin S. Tenney (Witchboard, Night of the Demons all in all good horror flicks) is clearly a treet of a B movie: A gorgeous location, an old indian ritual, parents having a hard time and unable to fucus on their child too, a good direction and a cool (puppet)monster... frankly, what's not to enjoy here?

The story is a good allegory about the hidden fears of mankind, and not only those of children!

All in all, I was pleasantly surprised by watching "The Cellar" and don't regret at all having even bought it. So if you can see or find it, don't miss it!

This will be a hell of a B night of the Demon!

Absolution (1978)

Powerful and tense gateway to horror

[10/10 · 2 January 2022]

When I saw this movie in a shop close to my place a couple of weeks ago, I must admit that I never heard anything about it. But I was intrigued by the beautiful artcover and the subject leading to believe this one may be quiet a lot more than just an average thriller.

But at first, I was also somehow a bit suspicious what about the whole thing may be: is it a just a Drame, a Thriller, a Horror Movie, or does it even contain some supernatural elements?

After watching Absolution, and definetly without spoiling anything at all, I must confess (lol...) that this gem is quiet a bit all of these flavours in a row. And yet, is it really?

The movie isn't fast paced and it can't be: Gosh folks, read the subject (yeah, and even the year it was made) before arguing it isn't the next F... & Furious movie!!! Of course, there are good reasons for this kind of rythm, ambiance & direction! Ever, by any chance, heard of character development guys?!!

So, if you are looking for a brilliantly written (Anthony Shaffer: Sleuth, Frenzy, The Wicker Man... need I say more?), elegantly shot and perfectly acted thriling ridel, one of the best crafted movies of the seventies, don't look further!

Absolution is perfection on all fronts and even further very modern in his meaning(s), especially nowadays considering all the fuss around scandals about clergymen in all the countries in this world...

Powerful, horrible ... and so human! You won't regret it... and you won't forget it! What a gem!

The Rift (1990)

1989: The year Aliens were hiding in the Abyss

[10/10 · 23 December 2021]

When I was 14, I red in "L'Ecran Fantastique", one of my beloved french film magazines at the time that a new adventure in the depth of the ocean would probably hit the screens that very same year: so next to the Piranha 3 "fake news" (April's Fool Day...lol...???), I saw some very strange and somehow disturbing images from a movie called The Rift and directed by Juan Piquer Simon (Pieces, Slugs)... Then, however, I never heard again from it... "til now": Weird, isn't it?!!

Indeed, a couple of days ago, my beloved Jo had a huge surprise for me: Guess what...!

So it took me indeed 32 years to see this deep see relic from the 80's. And I must confess that I highly enjoyed every second of it.

Do you remember treats like The Abyss, Leviathan, Deep Star Six, Creatures from the Abyss? If you can, and if you are also fond of Jules Vernes (20 000 leagues under the see) and other delights directed by Kevin Connor (Atlantis), don't miss this one at any cost.

The cast is good (Lee R. Ermey and Jack Scalia especially), the direction too and the SFX are perfectly executed by Colin Arthur (The Neverending Story) and his whole crew. No dreadful CGI in sight anywhere here!

What make this movie special is also the contribution of Ron Cobb (Alien, Conan...) to the look of the undersee caverns and the items found there. It adds a lot of "retro-SciFi" charme to the whole thing.

So if you had a lot of fun going back in a time capsule and experiencing more stuff than for example Juan Piquer Simon's bloody disgusting and highly entertaining Slugs (1988), find a copy of The Rift. Believe me, you definetly won't regret it!

So just give it a try, sit back and relax: This is a hell of a (ride) B movie, exactly as they now back then how to make'em! The trip is just about to begin for you now;-)

Messieurs, Mesdames, en route! Et bon voyage!

The Matrix Resurrections (I) (2021)

Pure Genius fourth time the ma(trix)gic

[10/10 · 22 December 2021]

Oh my God was I expecting (and somehow fearing) this movie!

I'm out of the theater for a couple of hours now and I must admit that this fourth Matrix is a)pure entertainment, b)reflexive and meta and c)genuinely ironical. The best Matrix so far? Not sure but let time decide...lol... Oh, done just for money? Really? Let me laugh: it's done exactly for those who still have a brain, a soul... and of course a (real/natural) heart.

Less and less people, as it seems. Sadly...snif, snif. Corona? Oh, then just reload folks... or resurrect, whatever! But: I know, it isn't that easy. Just a question of choice... Wow: How right the Washowskis (or Lana) still are, we humans just get what we deserve!

BRAVO to everyone involved in this 4th chapter! One of the best films so far this year and what a saga: mesmerising from start to finish. I'm overwhelmed (and glad that I kept fait after the two very good and recomforting teasers).

But an open mind and tolerance is hardly requested, of course.

P. S.(to the haters); Hey dudes, do yourselves a favor and plug on your brains and don't hate what you dont understand/what you even still havent't seen, ok?!!!