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Reviews
Amusement (2008)
Underrated
Here's the thing,
If you give this movie a low rating, you haven't seen more than 90% of the low-budget horror movies that get released these days.
"Amusement" script is pretty hollow, but the cinematography, the photography, the ambiance and some of the acting make up for the lack of a strong story.
There are some good frightening moments, and the tension is there from beginning to end.
If you like slashers with some suspense do give it a go.
Besides, there's a killer clown in it, and that alone makes it worth the watch.
Noite Escura (2004)
Very good, very dark
Excellent cinematography and above average performances, make this the one of the darkest, 'in your face' dramas ever produced in Portugal.
Beatriz Batarda is indeed one of the best Portuguese actresses of our time, and Fernando Luís surprises with a performance well beyond anything he's done in television.
Mr. Canijo continues to innovate with his camera work and overlapped dialogs. He's one of the few Portuguese directors who's not afraid to experiment concepts and techniques that haven't been usually used in the making of Portuguese Cinema.
9 out of 10.
Highly recommended.
Saw (2004)
Independent masterpiece script turned into one of the best horror films ever
Twisted, clever, superbly directed and pretty well acted.
Clive Barker eat your heart out. Poe would have been proud.
Horror/Thriller fans, clench your thirst, cause it doesn't get any better than this.
SAW is no Se7en. It twists in other directions. It is a breed apart, created by two newcomers who have already proved more than worthy in the genre.
9/10 for the all movie, 10/10 just for the ending twist edge.
The Salton Sea (2002)
Surprised
I'd seen the poster of Salton Sea in a video magazine, and much to my surprise noticed that Val Kilmer's name was on it. Weird, since he hasn't been (at least to my knowledge), in any famous production in the past 3 or four years (probably more). I missed the movie when it hit the cinemas here in Portugal, and viewed it this weekend after renting it out of the back shelf of the store i usually attend. And i gotta say that i thought it was a piece of film-noir art, one of the best movies i've seen. Kilmer's performance, as well as all his fellow co-stars, is fluid, credible and unique. The casting team did a great job, and D.J. Caruso, with the rarely used permision given to his cast to explore and improvise the scenes, made it all work like a charm. Look at D'Onofrio's character and you will understand what i mean. The photography is conveniently brilliant, the twists are clever and everything falls into the places they should be. A cannot help myself but to give this one a solid 10/10.