niccutts Reviews

Edge of Extinction (2020)

I enjoyed this....

[5/10 · 18 June 2020]

Although I only gave this a 5, I think this deserves respect for the pure dedication with who hit was made. It was clearly a project that was undertaken with passion and vision. The acting was decent in the main, and although the pacing was a little slow, I think this is clearly an indication of a film crew with future potential. Actors and directors. I appreciated it, thanks guys.

The Innkeepers (2011)

One of the worst films I have ever seen

[1/10 · 13 January 2012]

I don't say this lightly, but I'm afraid this was truly, truly awful. From the moment I put it on the acting was not just poor but down right irritating. Overacting from a lead that displayed no charm, screen presence or realness. The script was extremely poor and the direction was even worse. The film presents numerous scenes where you are left wondering, what was the point of that? There was no build up to the 'scares' and when they did happen they were undermined by a screaming tantrum from the lead actress replacing any fright you might have experienced with a feeling of wonderment as to why the studio sanctioned this film. Perhaps the worst thing about this film is that the trailer actually looked quite good. It doesn't surprise me that the PR people chose to not advertise the film on the back of the lead actress, or any of the other actors for that matter. I note that in previous reviews this film was compared to "insidious" which to me is a travesty. I'm not saying Insidious was great - I thought it was maybe a 6. This film is a 1 and everyone concerned with it's production should be truly ashamed of themselves.

I implore you, save yourself a truly irritating experience and don't watch this film. It is utter tripe.

What the #$*! Do We (K)now!? (2004)

From a psychologist's perspective

[6/10 · 16 March 2005]

This program certainly touches on some interesting issues and for the main part I am skeptical. If you are going to adopt a scientific perspective and argue for fact, then evidence should be presented to support this 'fact'. Where this program goes wrong is in the way it is presented. It relates opinion and conjecture as fact and uses the 'expert' testimony of pseudo-scientists for credibility. This is dangerous in the way that something called the 'Barnum Effect' in psychological research is. The Barnum Effect involves the presentation of generalised and appealing information (such as that we are all gods). Granted this information could be true, but the fact that it is in an area where so many people seek clarification, and that it offers an intuitively appealing alternative view, means that people are more likely to accept it. Borrowing from one of the few scientific ideas presented, if there is no established neural net (or schemata) in an area, then we experience less difficulty in adopting a new neural net.

Having said this, I am not necessarily convinced that all of the arguments within the film are without foundation. I believe the philosophy of the film is in the right spirit and it follows a school of thought similar to that of Carl Jung and his 'Collective Unconscious'. This concept that we are all connected is not a new one and is theory rather than fact (but then isn't all religion if we look at it with our scientific hats on).

The idea of personal empowerment and that we control our bodies, minds and destiny is a positive one and for this reason I kind of liked the program. It could have been done better (what was that dance scene in the middle all about) and could have been handled more sensitively. But at least it gets peoples attention by being so arrogant in its presentation.

9 Songs (2004)

More than just a cheap porn flick

[5/10 · 12 March 2005]

This film is not just a porno. The film has no plot- granted- but it isn't supposed supposed to have. The film is a thematic commentary on sexual politics and is designed to be graphic yet realistic in order to relate directly to its audiences experiences. It shows how fickle the most intensely sexual relationships can be and how easily we can mistake lust for love. It is going to be controversial due to the central theme of sex. If you can put the film into context as not a gratuitous sex film, but simply an accurate portryal of reality, it is actually quite liberating to watch. Don't get me wrong, this is not a good 'film' but it has some value attached to its unflinching realism. If your open minded and handle the juxtaposition of a woman using a man for sex then give it a go (just don't watch it with your Grandma!).

The Flight of Dragons (1982 Video)

Inspiring movie

[8/10 · 9 March 2005]

I watched this film over and over again when I was a kid on and just watched it now maybe 20 years since I last saw it. Its magic has transcended the years and it really has a beautiful innocence that can appeal to children and adults alike. This is the kind of film that can remind you of what it was like to dream and inspire you to seek out those dreams. The plot is simplistic but the themes of magic vs logic are really allegorical and make you think "why should I be content with what I've got when there's so much more to be had?". All sounds a bit profound I know but I think the value in this movie is really found when you watch it as an adult having seen it first when you were a child. Show it to your kids and keep it alive- its been deleted now but that kind of imaginative and rich film should never die.