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Phaleg36
Reviews
Wounds (2019)
Doesn't succeed
This film doesn't really do justice to the source material, which in itself isn't that amazing. There's a creepy idea in there somewhere, about someone who is empty inside seeking to be possessed but it's buried in a mediocre film. The people in the film are supposed to be low lives but all look like pampered actors. It's lit very blandly and doesn't really even look like a horror movie.
The Thing (1982)
This is a great movie
My mum wanted me to get her some VHS tapes for Christmas. She's worn out all of hers. There's nowhere that does blank ones anymore so I got some movies on tape at an old Mom and Pop on Oliver Plunkett St. I of course picked some movies I like, Cube, The Thing, and Solaris(not really suitable to watch on VHS more a DVD title but the other two are fine.) I wasn't crazy about watching the Thing again for some reason and just put it on for something to watch over breakfast. But I'm glad I did! I suppose it was being a bit older and wiser that made me appreciate it more. When I was young I probably only concentrated on those gross-out bodily effects(which are still awesome although they have more a look of artistic sculpture to them now then real body parts.) But now I could appreciate every other aspect of the film, and it's all superb! The script is brilliant, the film grabs you from the very first scene, it's very unusual and arresting, a helicopter chasing a dog through the tundra, right away you're hooked, and it doesn't let up all the way to a brave and uncompromising ending. There is no fat in the script, everything serves the stories. If you want to know who the characters are just observe how they behave in the situation, there's no need to take time off from the plot to listen to MacReady talk about his time in Vietnam, we can see what kind of man he is very easily. Kurt Russel's performance, and every line he speaks, informs us. He is a hero simply because he does what he has to do, he kills a man(probably as an example) and he doesn't apologise. It's kill or be killed. He's ready to sacrifice himself to protect humankind but he doesn't make a song and dance about it, he has really one speech, it's only a few lines but inspires and says it all. The setting is wonderful, it's something we hadn't seen much of before and it explains how they're not able to get help. Not to mention the lovely juxtaposition of fire and ice. Also how great is it to see a group of capable, intelligent men put their heads together to meet the threat, instead of just being victims waiting to happen. Despite the large cast and the lack of individual attention, all stand out, due to the acting and writing skill. And those great names! If I had one problem it would be what I see as a plot hole, why didn't they bring Childs with them at the end when they went to test Blair. I understand they mightn't have wanted the thing to take over the camp but it seems like they would have all four stuck together. But a small point. All in all a great flick, one worthy of study in film class. Can't believe they didn't make a sequel!
Violence Jack: Baiorensu jakku: herusuuindo hen (1990)
a steaming pile of justice
This was my first and last foray into anime. I bought this film but I just can't bring my self to display it on my DVD shelf. I have pretty gory stuff like event horizon and evil dead. I like a good blood and guts exploitation if its done right but Violence Jack doesn't do it right or indeed anything right. It says 1990 but this looks like it was made in the early seventies you know that period where everyone was really miserable and sometimes naked. This is a grotty clammy cheesy sh*t-fest from start to finish. Also its got lots of r*pe which is messed up. All the men are hairy r*pe ogres and all the women victimy infants apart from the lesbians who are of course evil. I know not all anime is like this but this pile of turds has put me off the genre for a while. I'm giving the film two points because when asked for his name the giant of the title sticks a massive jack knife into the table and says:"I have no name but this does. Call me Jack, call me Violence Jack." You gotta love that.