mulcahyj-07545 Reviews

Castle Freak (1995 Video)

18 years before I got to watching this. Should have made the wait infinity. No offence to those who enjoyed.

[2/10 · 29 November 2023]

First excuse, I was reading a book watching this which I picked up very quickly after first ten minutes of awful acting, cinematography, plot (possibly my error by picking up book) but this film is not very good quality. Yes I know the overall intention was DTV so budget was wafer thin. Maybe I should give the film credit for producing a whole film. But it was hard to follow basically because the opening was so bad I just lost interest. Genuinely good talent like Jeffery Combs and Barbara Crampton may have joined due to the good experience with Stuart Gordon in the 80's. Their potential is not really used at all. Re-Animator ( except for one scene which crossed the line even for me even with a VERY high threshold because it was not shocking or amusing) and From Beyond are stand out relatively small budget still producing classics. This? Maybe my fault for not paying more attention was plotless. But the lack of attention goes two ways. Make me interested and I will pay more intention. This is why I suspect no one has added a synopsis on IMDB. No one delighted enough to sum up a whole film. So when we come to some of the shock moments with poor material effect and make up they just looked more than a little distasteful. Or gross. Only a few times but if you have viewed you will know.

All unfortunate really as a movie. Stuart Gordon wrote a potential disaster in the 90s of a remake of Invasion of the Body Snatchers too. He is rembered with great regard for his talent to me. This is just not one of his greatest achievements.

If you have not seen this and you come across the chance too...well your decision. But within the first ten minutes you will know the standards applied here.

Thinking about it, if you haven't seen his, for which he wrote the screenplay and was directed by Abel Ferrara, Body Snatchers then you will find one of his classic underrated 90s movie.

Mindhunter (2017–2019)

Quite brilliant TV limited series that some, with good reason won't get/like.

[10/10 · 25 November 2023]

I can imagine a lots of people turned away from this during the first episode, or after the first or even after ten episodes. Thing is, this series is limited to reality as it is based on real events. So don't expect car chases, solved crimes in a one episode dollop or even big advances from one episode to another.

What you will get is a brilliant interpretation of real life events constructed brilliantly by David Fincher. This is arguably the best work of David Fincher to work within the parameters of the source material and make it intriguing without the option of an ending to an episode and, arguably, the two series. There is an understandable appetite by some viewers of a third series. But then he would have had to push away from the reality of source material and then away from real events and reality. The only goal, if you like, is the advance in psychology profiling of some disturbing individuals to better understand them with the hope of dealing with horrors to come. Viewers are intitled to their own opinions, so some will find this challenging or even boring. I found it gripping and very disturbing. I advise to give it a couple of episodes. If you are dissatisfied by them, well this is not for you. I suspect most people, like me, will be gripped after the first episode.

Broil (2020)

Almost felt like a Wes Anderson style horror movie.

[7/10 · 14 June 2021]

I was really puzzled by this film. I have to admit I couldn't totally follow it on first viewing and I doubt the penny will drop completely on second viewing. I don't know anything of the background of who constructed the plot and directed. I will look to that more as I did enjoy this, a 7/10, for me, and at the conclusion which I found enthralling and almost understandable I felt more than satisfied with it.

I understand the complaints here on the music soundtrack being very loud and hard to hear dialogue. I hope on second viewing subtitles are available. But I do think this was intentional rather than poor sound editing.

The constant, a lot of the time too quick to take in, flashbacks of plot where at times overwhelming.. I am sure that part was also intentional.

There was a strong, in my opinion, Wes Anderson style feel to the film. But it is a downright horror film at times very disturbing.

Lastly ,I am still not quite totally sure what the plot was. It was baffling to me at times but I think I am missing until I analyse it logically I may get everything that happened. I am not saying I didn't totally understand it. I did. Enjoyed it. But there are things I need to piece together fully with a second viewing. I hope that part of my view encourages people who may enjoy it to to watch. If you are looking for a straightforward horror movie you will not like this. But I felt the emotion of some of the characters even when it became obvious I shouldn't. Or possibly should? But it did pull me in and also I found it. Gripping.

Run (I) (2020)

Gripping psychological thriller/horror.

[7/10 · 17 April 2021]

Firstly Sarah Paulson is stunning. As ever. Her talent to play good or bad characters is stunning. She can also play a character that has a mix of both. That is what makes her stand out so much. Her talent is remarkable.

Kiera Allen has arguably the more difficult role. She plays it brilliantly which is vital for this film to work. She has the talent for a good future in the industry which is so hard to succeed in.

If this movie had stretched out longer the plot holes may have it collapse. Every movie has plot holes. But if it made well enough they become irrelevant. That is the beauty of film making. But with its relevantly short running time run benefits from that too.

Very enjoyable and the references and maybe inspiration are not concealed so in no way is this a rrip-off of other great movies. There was an element, maybe unrealised or inspired, of Rear Window too just from the desperation as opposed to the obvious similarities that this film contains.

For a thrilling watch I would recommend this to anyone. It is not a timeless classic. It is a well made gripping thriller. No silly jump scares. But there was one scene that made me jump out my skin. Using my pc will always make me jumpy from now on!

Dead Dicks (2019)

Brilliant concept on a limited budget does well.

[6/10 · 17 February 2021]

The negatves?. Obviously this is a low budget film, obvious by the limited locations and characters. Some of the dialogue is quite poor and also their actions and choices, some of which are..unusual. The positives? Brilliant concept. I can't think of another film that uses the basis of the script. So in my opinion very original so thought provoking. So much to the extent that you would consider your choices and actions. Yes the unfeasibly shock of the concept is accepted by one, or two (or more!) a bit too quickly. But the core plot itself quite well unfocused you from that. Don't expect any explanation of what is happening. If the film did it would collapse. A relatively short running time doesn't give you enough time to consider it and actually gives you thoughts of what the reality, the possibilities maybe just the mind blowing concept. Not a plot spoiler but also a positive for me is the low budget maybe gives it no CGI and any special effects, this is not a plot spoiler obvious early on, are done in a physical not a computer generated way. After watching I considered, and will, watching it again. You will not get all the answers served on a plate to you here. That is probably one of the best elements of the film. The film manages to be quite deep thinking and fast moving at the same time. The two blend well together. It has a lot of amusement too from your reaction to events. This wasn't done on a huge budget. But as I say the core of the script is so entertaining, original and unlikely it is manages not to make me find it a great watch. My fear is a studio will grab it, remake it and ruin it. Interestingly in UK it is called Dead D.... which confused me in to giving it a go in the first place. I prefer that title. It becomes clear what it is actually called very quickly! I hope my review has given you an insight, but no spoilers which is difficult in a review, and know enough to know if you will enjoy it or not. For anyone it does attract I hope it surprises, entertains, make you ponder possibilities when you are actually watching and are entertained as much as me.

The Vigil (2019)

Good low budget unsettling and disturbing horror film.

[7/10 · 7 January 2021]

Whilst this is a low budget film the tight story doesn't really need a big budget. It would have added nothing to what you will see here. Good script, acting, directorship and editing. It becomes quite clear, no spoilers here, that evils forces here feed on past guilt even if guilt should not be felt for events you had no control over. I was a bit unsure if the main character had been purposely offered the Vigil to deal with his mental trauma or if it was coincidental. I may have lost focus on whether it was as the film is unsettling and quite disturbing at times. I will not go in to the plot anymore in case of spoilers but being a Catholic it was very interesting to see this from a Jewish religion and culture perspective and the second I have recently the other being the 2012 film The Possession which I found excellent. The Possession was a more of a more frightening and big event film but this film is more gentle and disturbing story. I can't say how accurate the portraying of Jewish religion and culture is of either but for me from a different perspective as I am not an expert on their beliefs actually added to the effect and power of both.

I recommend this as a frightening, slow burning movie despite it not being overlong so overall a solid 7/10.

Doctor Sleep (2019)

Stunning adaptation of a book I thought impossible to adapt to screen..

[9/10 · 28 December 2020]

The first thing people may ask before viewing is complicated. Do you need to have seen The Shining? Do you need to have read The Shining? Is it a good option to read Doctor Sleep first? A quick answer is I think no to all. You may still find this film stunning. To totally appreciate it? Well these are from my personal thoughts. But if you walked in with little or no knowledge of the latter options you would probably find it a disturbing and frightening film with a tight plot. It has a long running time but there is a lot to cram in to the film but it doesn't feel that way as the story moves fast and genuinely surprising and frightening? Like horror movies? That is enough in my opinion. Ewan MacGregor is very good and holds the movie together. The child actress is perfect, she could have a massive film career ahead. Rebecca Ferguson is stunning. She manages to pull off being beautiful and in her own way some how a caring one but obviously deep down outright evil and vile. A stunning performance. Book adaptations can be a mess. This is not in anyway. It's compressed content in a long running time is still gripping. And as I say disturbing, frightening and gripping. A 9/10 pushing seriously to a 10/10 and does not require any previous watching of The Shining or having to read The Shining or Doctor Sleep. This is a horror movie. And a damned good one.

For me I read The Shining before I watched the film. I remember feeling incredibly disappointed but still appreciated Kubrick's loose interpretation. If I had watched The Shining first I would have appreciated Kubrick's work more. It is well known King didn't like the film. I understand why. But his book as brilliant as it was would have been almost impossible to put to film then. Or now really. You could try watching the TV movie mini series. If you do give me your impression of it. I watched thirty minutes and switched it off. But apparently King was happy of it as it put more of his story to screen. But there should be no real debate on this. The Shining move is one of Stanley Kubricks best pieces of work. A true classic. The Stephen King book as a true classic piece of horror literature. Can I advise you which to experience first. No. The both great pieces of work which will give you a great piece of work. I was disappointed reading the book first then viewing the film second. But they are my opinions. We all appreciate art differently. You may unlike me like reading the book first? We all take things in a similar manner or completely different. So don't follow my opinion. Just consider it. For those who have already experienced it in the same way as I you may and a lot of you feel totally differently. Such is life.

As for Doctor Sleep I read the book first. I thought it was one of King's classics. I didn't think it could be put to film. But they have brilliantly here. The film is not a carbon copy. Just brilliant in its own way. It manages to reference the film version and the book version of The Stand and the core of the book version of Doctor Sleep to create a unique piece of work. It does have a long running time but the story displayed needs it. A rushed version would have been awful. It mixes slow and fast pacing and the references unique between the book and film version excellently. Depending on whether you have only watched or read the movie version of The Shining it doesn't matter as they just blend in beautifully. The advantage of read both sources of books and film version of The Shining as nice as they are, I loved those, are not a prequisite in any combination to viewing this. I found it so disturbing and unsettling I watched it in two halves. Not because it was too long but I found the content hard to take.

So there you go. No matter of your knowledge or non at all of The Shining you would find this an outstanding horror film. I would even find the writer/director taking on a version of The Stand safe in his hands and I can not give it a higher recommendation by me!

The Hunt (II) (2020)

Expected 1/10 on reading concept which elevates this to 8/10 after viewing. Very enjoyable.

[8/10 · 16 November 2020]

I came across this movie without any knowledge of it's apperant controversy before release. I just read the basic concept and it didn't sound original at all. But I gave it a chance and after a few minutes picked up a few shocks from the start. I didn't expect them and will reveal nothing here. Even before Betty Gilpin, one of the talented actors that gave me a feeling to give it a chance, you are dragged back and forth as to what to expect for a good quality level. It starts at a gripping pace for me which didn't let up. Some reviewers are not happy at the pace the film goes in the middle section. If it kept up to it's opening scenes the film would have been over after fifteen minutes. It had to present you with a well constructed plot line, which it does very well, or it would have collapsed. But even with the foot of the accelerator there are enough twists and uncertainty of to what was actually going on. It surprised me so many times I had a constant feeling of uneasiness which is very hard to do with the high levels of very dark humour. The film is obviously meant to not be taken too seriously but also maintains a gripping plot which the makers deserve a lot of credit for. Sometimes films like this blow it approaching and concluding it. This film doesn't.

It does include stereotypical characters but they are essential for the storyline. It seems to have upset people with both left and right sides political views simultaneously which was obviously the intention of the makers. If they are really upset and can't see the silliness it pokes at both side as I say simultaneously then the intentions of the makers are spot on. If you are offended take a few steps back and think about the whole movie not just what offends you. If you still don't get it well there is no hope for you! Go and watch something bland or what makes your opinions feel right and people on the other side of the spectrum must be horrible. I can't think of movies on both sides that will do that for you which are of any good substance similar to this off the top of my head to help you sorry.

Betty Gilpin is excellent in this and you feel a lot of determination, apparent indifference at times and dark humour in her character. The mystery character is obvious and not a surprise so I am not spoiling the plot but she is essential for the film to progress and conclude. Warning! The gore levels are incredibly high. But the dark humour did not make them nauseating and were essential for the feeling of the plot. They are very brutal though so if you can't stomach that kind of content probably best if you didn't watch. Or give it a few minutes and you may accept it with the humour which is done very well and actually made me laught a lot.

It is a pity this didn't get a cinematic release. Whether that was because the awful times we are going through or the controversy attached to it I don't know but for me the quality is so high I think it may have done well. But even on television I found it very dark humouress, decent plot holding it together and some great acting quality so a 8/10 for me. It is one of those movies I WILL watch again in the future.

Brilliant. 8/10.

The Invisible Man (I) (2020)

Surprisingly brilliant!

[8/10 · 31 October 2020]

Another Invisible Man movie from the original source of the classic book and played by Claude Raines to Chevy Chase. I wasn't expecting much but it gripped me from the first scene. Without giving anything away (SO NO SPOILERS HERE) it is obvious that the focus, pun not intended, is from a woman in a terrible marriage. From that point the scifi element is almost, obviously not completely, pushed aside and it becomes a psychological horror thriller of a woman who may be brinking on insanity from two points of view really. One being characters attitude to her and the other you doubting whether she can mentally cope with her situation and obstacles. There is not a huge cast in this plot so the actors all have big roles to play and they do so brilliantly in the demands a screenplay requires. As for directorship and cinematography it is all done very well.

I honestly can't praise this film enough so giving it a huge 8/10. It is almost grueling than enjoyable and heightens towards a enthralling climax. The script takes the original source, rips it up and throws it out the window and creates a psychological horror/thriller. Or thriller/horror. Undecided on which is more dominant as my head is still spinning from viewing. Most recommended viewing, this time pun intended!

The Turning (2020)

Good film. Low ratings possibly in hands of the marketing by the studio to wrong audience?

[7/10 · 12 October 2020]

Not sure how this film was marketed but I suspect it was marketed to the wrong audience. I was aware of the book, never read it, and knew enough to know just enough what to expect. Or rather know what not to expect. Lots of complaints of loose ends and plot holes. Sorry for those people who expected something very different. I am sure even a number of those people actually understood what was intended by the makers. In a way it took me by surprise because at quite a few points I thought it may plummet into a CGI demon or zombie creature chasing around a mansion with a huge blood drenched chainsaw as is a lot of the drivel dumped on us. That is not a spoiler, maybe a warning to potential viewers that isn't what you are going to get. Even among those who appreciated the film there wereh very different takes on the plot from beginning to end. My view is similar or identical to some of those but I am not pretentious enough to say we are the only viewers who have the only correct understanding of the film. It even took me a lot of debate in my own head as to when the film actually started. Or indeed finished.

Shed of the Dead (2019)

Daft as a brush. But a fun 90 minutes if not taken seriously.

[5/10 · 28 September 2020]

This film makes no secret of it reference sources not being original. Shed of the Dead's name as Shed being so close to Shaun shouts out loud that this is a piece of fun you know not to take it seriously. The four lead characters were all excellent joining the fun. You can't really make a parody of a parody and expect viewers not to switch their brain off and enjoy the comedy of the piece so anyone complaining of the large chunks of other movies and can complain to be surprised. The Shed itself is the centrepiece of the film as well as the bathroom of the main character. That said the humour is very crude and not for family viewing. I didn't expect much from this so the enjoyment I took from it was intensified. Only one other significant character was Bill Mosley, who I didn't initially recognize, who has a lot of fun in his role. 5/10. Seems like a poor rating but it's not. It is very amusing and the fantasy world the main character sometimes lives in added to the fun a lot. A low budget horror comedy and parody of a parody! Made me laugh a lot. Bit more of the imagined fantasy world would have added to the enjoyment but I imagine the budget didn't stretch to it.

Hostage Radio (II) (2019)

Nerve wracking.

[8/10 · 1 September 2020]

Was expecting much from this but the lead actor drags you in quickly with a brilliant, as is often with him, performance. A tight plot that is gripping with tension constantly rising. Not a horror film but an intense, story slowly revealing, script. But I can see why this can be judged a horror film. Horror films can have monsters and this does in what horrors people are prepared to do. Would strongly reccomend this to anyone who enjoys, enjoyment is an odd word to describe this type of film, strong thrillers. Compacted in more than one way. Direction, actors....everything drops in very well.

A Million Ways to Die in the West (2014)

Second viewing 2020. Still 10/10.

[10/10 · 26 July 2020]

Firstly. Do you like Family Guy yes/no? If yes you may like this film. (Possibly) If no you probably won't. (Probably). If you have never seen Family Guy but have a knowledgeable but slightly twisted but are not offended by humour some consider bad taste in many ways but can see through it because you are intelligent enough to see through it and know the humour is intended to offend those who carry those views and are really the offenders of distateful and offensive or much worse views. Then you may or may not like this film.

The film itself I found incredibly amusing, well directed, great at times cinematography, and brilliantly acted by talent who got the humour in the first place. But humour like this on a film length needs a good story to put it together. Is it very original or predictable? Not really. But the pace of the story is excellent and the strength of the humour is so strong, if you like it, will actually be disappointed when it ends it so amusing.

Seth MacFarlane has proved himself as a director in Family Guy, of course a very different media to a feature length film, and proved himself as a director of film with Ted. Of course he acted in that too, if unseen in a way.

In this he actually as well as directing and co-writting, acts and takes the lead role. His comic timing is spot on. But his acting also holds the film together. He has done serious roles since and gave a double slap in the face to viewers who think he is not a good actor.

That all aside I watched this film many years ago and found it massive fun from the first scene. If you don't like the first scene it is not for you.

I love film. Of every genre. If the film is quality. My favourite film is Subway by Luc Besson. But I don't concentrate on one genre. I delve in to all. Sometimes you find just plain bad film. This I did not. It was a joy first time. Probably better second time. Picked up a few jokes and Easter Eggs I missed first time. I only watch a limited number of films more than once. This? In a year or two I will likely watch it again.

Know what you are going to watch before you watch it.

And I hope you laugh as much as I did and will. A full 10/10. If only i could turn it up to eleven as I would rate it that highly.

Upgrade (2018)

Stunning.

[9/10 · 4 July 2020]

I came in to this film with a, ahem, open mind. I didn't expect much of it as it was released in 2018 and passed me by. Visually stunning. Great story. Top class acting and direction. I only knew the basic premise of the film and it just stunned me again and again sometimes at a non stop rate but never loses the plot itself when doing so. I would advise anyone considering my inadvertent approach and just watch it without even watching trailers. It was not the expected low budget looking daft b movie. It was not. I was so encroached in it I did not notice it was filmed in Australia but set in America. If I watch it again, which I will, I would not notice again. I can see why some reviews I have now read see the comparison with Black Mirror episodes. Again I didn't pick up on that either as it was so engrossing. Massively good 9/10 film. I may change that to 10/10 when I get my breath back.

The Dark Red (2018)

Stunned me.

[9/10 · 24 June 2020]

Lowly rated film. For me started well and got better. Even when it finished I was puzzled by the ending and its implications on the whole plot. Reality or a perceived easy or hard reality for the main character? If it is reality it raises more questions than it answers on many levels and likewise if it is only a partially preferred reality. It is either a very clever thoughtful movie or one that is just that is accidentally or partially intentional. I knew nothing about this film before I watched it and avoided reviews and the IMDB user rating which would have put me off. Glad I wasn't and enjoyed it as a film I can't place into any category or categories as it depends how you think about it. I am still unsure now after thinking about it and may need to watch it again. If you want a straight joyride this is not for you. For me it was an enjoyable, at times exciting, disturbing and complex film. But I cant guarentee I am right!

The Black String (2018)

Impressive.

[6/10 · 7 June 2020]

Muniz is excellent in his role with his portrayal of desperation as all his roads to get away are seemingly closed but keeps you unknowing if his running away from what he perceives is real or in his head. You learn early on, so no spoiler, that he had issues in high school. But these are not explained and may not have been issues at all. No one close to him seems trustworthy to me or maybe I was thinking wrongly too. The utter desperation he feels make this quite an emotional wrenching film. This is classed as a horror film. It was for me. Yes it took me by surprise. Muniz coming from a sitcom I have never watched still seemed to be tagged by it before watching. That was kicked away very quickly. I am not sure if his required use of a bicycle at times was slapping you in the face for having pre restrictions of what you thought a child actor could achieve in later life and calling you an idiot. If it was they did it very well and I felt a bit of guilt for thinking this was a film I would turn off after ten minutes. But I digress. The film itself was very unnerving and disturbing for me. Some of the editing from scene to scene at times seemed abrupt. It could have been that was the intention. But it didn't sit well with me at times. Overall the story was kind of take or leave it. You watched it and raised more questions than answers. When a film does this badly it is awful. This did it quite well. Made me think s lot. If you want a mindless slasher movie look elsewhere. It's not for you. Keep walking. Nothing to see here. Anyone who wants a film that surprises you how good it is and leaves you wondering whether you liked it or not this is ideal. 6/10. Maybe a 7/10 but I had some issues with the editing.

Incontrol (2017)

Very intriguing and enjoyable movie.

[7/10 · 24 May 2020]

If you are after a thought provoking film this may be good view. If you are after action or flashy scifi avoid. It made me think so deeply that I rated it 6/10 after viewing then thought it through again and raised it to 7/10. As I read a quick summary of plot I was expecting what I got and it delivered. The film is quite slow moving hence my initial 6/10. But on review I appreciate this was intentional by the film makers to draw you into the story. I had my suspicions on how the movie would conclude but certainly not completely and more than enough to think back through the film for characters actions and intentions. It certainly made you consider how you would react to being within a group of people who could control the minds of others. Made you wonder whether they had only performed actions in control of people, who are unaware they are being controlled, that the people would normally do anyway and to what extent they could push the moral boundaries of what they would do themselves. For me this was explained at the conclusion sufficiently though I can understand why this has left some viewers confused and feeling that they needed more explained at the end. For this movie to fully explain what exactly was going on it would have required to double it running time. And it would also ruined parts of it conclusion as they were the main things to be focused on from the beginning. So yes there is an element of mystery to it. The fact I enjoyed watching it, liked the central and for want of a better words emotional element, then left me wondering about the unexplained and imagining possible explanations made it a very good experience. It is the type of movie that is hard to write a review for as I always do so for anyone who reads this has or has not seen so try to give away too much details of the plot. So I hope those who have viewed the film see where I am coming from in my thoughts of the film and give enough, just, information for those who are considering watching it.

Deep thinking, pun intended, thought proving experience.

The Hasty Heart (1949)

A review of a movie that moved me many years ago.

[7/10 · 14 May 2020]

I remember this film clearly though I was ten at the time. It initially intrigued me because Reagan was in it, a politician I certainly did not admire as I was politically aware even then and I am English by the way but still entitled to my views, so seeing he could act surprised me. That was soon forgotten as the plot became more important. Reagan, and the other actors and especially actress all contribute to the gripping emotion of the film. Todd though is stunning and invokes emotion of sympathy to extreme dislike stunningly. The premise of the film is quite simple but because it tugs at your emotions left to right, pun intended, it absorbs you and what you want to happen very well. As you are aware of the health situation Todd's character is in it still manages you to like and dislike, sometimes simultaneously, him as the plot develops. I have an admission to make. Though I started to take a deep interest in film very early of all genres though I had a deeper interest in comedy, understandable as a young, and horror this film still is a film that sticks in my mind deeply from my mind. It kicked me hard emotionally. And I remember clearly that I cried during the film. I remember the shock that a film could provoke such a deep emotional response. Personally I could not watch this film again even though it is in my opinion a classic because of the reality of life and death and also the intention of people to cope with it. I would recomend anyone watching this. Even though it must seem odd to see someone who became the President of the USA to film viewers especially younger people I can say this is an excellently made film and maybe you will never forget the performance of Todd too. You may even shed a tear? I did.

Prevenge (2016)

Very original funny and disturbing.

[8/10 · 25 April 2020]

No spoilers. Amusing and disturbing. To find yourself backing a pregnant woman to kill people shows how well this was written, directed, edited and acted in a low budget movie that was filmed in double quick time as Alice Lowe was actually eight months pregnant at the time. Her performance is top class in a film she wrote herself over three days as she wanted to keep acting despite being pregnant and came up with something exceptionally original and hard to find which genre it is mainly in. I would class it in order horror, comedy, thriller and drama. There are many loose ends (pun intended) left open which I suppose adds mystery to its list of genres. Alice Lowe is the main and overriding character in the film so the uncertainty of the reasons for her behaviour are vital to be done well. And she does.

If you want something different and original it is a good watch. If you think you will find this pro- feminism trash, as some reviewers say here (do we have moderators still?) pick up something in would probably find rubbish. We are all different and have different views. But I have seen far too many reviews here complaining films are just pro liberal, pro left wingism, pro black, pro Mexican (???) and pro feminist etc. I dont know what drivel these people watch but can they please avoid films that make you think too much and dont write offensive reviews.

Enjoyed this film very much. Hope I have explained it sufficiently without giving spoilers for you to know what to expect.

The Sound Barrier (1952)

Classic partially fictional but a classic nonetheless.

[8/10 · 18 April 2020]

Absolute classic. If you push away it is not a true representation of the race to break the sound barrier it is a fantastic representation of the race itself at the cost of lost pilots willingly risking their lives in the thing they love doing. The technology is simplified and incorrect in many ways but it goes unimportant as the movies blends the emotional cost weighs against the increasing technology to the extent you feel the pain in the drama. Ralph Richardson brilliantly plays his character making you wonder if he actually cares about the human cost or is just suppressing emotion in the way many people do. David Leans direction is excellent and it is a shame this film was not made in colour but an excellent film nonetheless. I have watched this film more than once which I dont do for a lot of films but many I do are David Lean's. Not his greatest film. But still a classic.

I'll Take Your Dead (2018)

Very enjoyable.

[8/10 · 13 March 2020]

As I watched this movie I thought it had been misrepresented and misadvertised. In a way it was. But it tips it toes in multiple film genres but does so quite quickly in a slightly short running time. By doing so it does not give you an obvious clue in to which genre it is going to develop into. But the direction, editing and great performances by main characters does not make this a problem for the movie in my opinion. It is not a spoiler to know what the main profession of the father figure is. It does not become a major problem of the immoral profession of the father, though enforced, to dismiss him as a sympathetic character. In case you dont know I want reveal what it is although it is splattered all over the advertising and was correctly anyway as it is revealed in the first scenes. I could pick up on plot holes in this movie and issues with incredibly quick bonding relationships but as I say it is short running and the characters well played, written, edited and directed. Some viewers may be disappointed after viewing as it was not totally the genre they were expecting which is understandable. For me, after viewing I could not give it an overall film genre it fits in to or even of the many it presents you is the dominant of them. That could be a reason of why this was not a major success which is very disappointing to me as I find it so enjoyable and more people I am sure would be if they were aware of this film. It is obvious to anyone reading this I have not actually included any details of the story any details of the film within this review. This is because if I did I would not know where to stop and tell the story start to finish and this would out point it does not really drop in to one genre completely and also how unlikely some events are such as the aforementioned quickly developing relationships. The only thing I can say it was quite a short film but didn't feel plodding as a lot happened quickly but didn't feel rushed. And if you do watch I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Hell Is Where the Home Is (2018)

Not great! Not bad and from someone who hates home invasion films 5/10 not bad.

[5/10 · 12 March 2020]

I read little a about this movie but as it was on as a premier and the short description suggested supernatural or outright horror I gave it a go. After going back and reading more short descriptions it is clear it is a 'home Invasion' film or however this horrid sub genre is described. They reached and continue to with The Purge and its sequels. I find those incredibly distastefuI I dislike them more than found footage films. The Purge had an original concept. But because it was original doesnt meant the make it a great original concept. Both are a stream of cheap trash.

That said I did watch this so 5/10 is a surprisingly high score from me. Why? Because I wasnt disappointed. It was quite tense if a bit predictable, nothing new for these movies I imagine. There were some quite original unexpected turns in the movie from start to finish. The acting was quite good and direction and cinematography good also. I cant say if it is really quite original though as I watch little of these films. But I did find it as I say quite original, story turning and well acted etc so no complaints from me. The actress who says she is a neighbour and asks to enter the house use the phone as her car has broken down, not a spoiler it happens very early, I found very unsettling but played it so well as to guessing to whether she is just a likeable neighbour or else. One moment you find her amusing and insightful to the other characters as they discuss their relationships and makes you think she is a red herring even though you ask yourself why didn't she just walk home. Makes you think she may have just entered the home and inadvertently got herself in to danger. This a good point in the movie making you question whether the couples individually in their attitude to her shows where this movie is going. I am sure I have seen this friendly nosey neighbour actress asking for help in other films or tv but should cant remember at the moment so my next step is to look in IMDB for her past work. So overall if you like home invasion films you may like this better than me. If you dislike home invasion films you may enjoy this film as much as me. So I reccomend it as a 5/10 film. I thought it was quite enjoyable but because when I realised the sub genre it was that score may have been slightly boosted from 4.5/10 (which would have boosted it to 5/10) anyway. It is edited well so doesnt overstay its welcome and makes the story fast moving without losing the sense of unease, mystery and tension. Not great. Not in anyway bad in my opinion.

Isabelle (I) (2018)

Not recommended in my opinion.

[3/10 · 9 March 2020]

Acting was ok but script gave characters with little or logical depth. At many times I thought characters with small roles would deepen and develop the story but then they seemed to disappear from the story even though their roles in the story if expanded would have given this film more sense to a confusing story. The hospital priest seemed to have unexplained insight into what was going on then suddenly disappeared. There was a role of an expert in to the afterlife and possession. I think. Very confusing character. I assumed this would be explained more later in the movie with his help in the couples situation. But then he was not to be seen again even though he seemed aware of the situation and consequences. The concerned sister who appeared quickly and put the couple in contact with him disappeared from the film too. The major role of the husband was just baffling. He seemed to be dismissive of the supernatural. Then a believer. Then not. And so on. His father was a policeman who's wife left him to bring his son up alone. Why? Was this an upcoming strong plot point. Nope. The wife had a father who had committed suicide because of his beliefs in supernatural. Was he mentally ill or actually able to see spirits etc? Could be an important plot point. Nope never mentioned again. The ending did not make any sense whatsoever. I think I know what it was trying to be. But I could be totally wrong it was that confusing. There was an ongoing terrible special effect that could have been forgiven if the story was better handled. But it wasnt so made the film look even cheaper. The quality of the actors was hard to judge as the material and story was so poor. Very disappointing for me. So many directions the film could have gone in that may have been better.It may have been edited badly and had a more coherent plot removed that made the film seem worse who knows? All I can say is in my opinion this is a very poor movie. I dont normally read too many reviews of movies I am attracted to to avoid spoilers so ultimately the blame lies in me for not looking at others views especially on IMDB for a little insight before viewing. And again that ending? Oh dear! If this review contains spoilers I would really like to know what they are and I maybe misunderstood a classic. But I find that highly unlikely.

Happy Death Day 2U (2019)

As enjoyable if more than the first. The same but also very different. Almost like an alternate universe(HA!).

[8/10 · 28 February 2020]

Lots of negative reviews here. Some of which come from people who liked this movie but didn't like this. Some of those because of the change in direction. If it was just a repeat of the first that would have upset them because of repetition. In a movie about repetition? Others didn't like the first one anyway. That surprised me as they watched this. Do they like repetition or not? Sorry. Couldn't resist that. Others didnt like the fact the genre completely changed. I was expecting it to be more of the same and was very surprised it wasn't and was done so well the change of genre I didnt even think about as the film was so engrossing it was not an issue for me at all. But we are all entitled to our opinion. I didnt expect the first film to be any good but really like it. Expected this film to blow it but was great fun for me. If you haven't seen the first film I would advise you strongly to watch it first. The quick catch up at the beginning is not going to be enough to anyway near understand this. The plot is full of holes and lack of logic. Doesnt matter one bit firstly because it moves so fast and is such fun it doesnt give you the chance or the willingness to dissect so you sit back and enjoy. Secondly the first was also full of plot holes and logic but also for the same reasons it didnt matter. Some reviewers, without giving spoilers, didnt seem to fully grasp that the characters action didnt effect other characters in they way they thought. You need to have a basic understanding in how the theory of infinite dimensions work. But that is understandable because it is quite a mind blowing concept or theory anyway. But I digress. Fast paced. Excellent acting. Great script. Great direction. Slightly less tension than the first film but more decisions to be made by the characters against an increasing run against time and odds and with mysteries to be solved as quickly as possible. My score of 8/10 is quite a high score for me to consider for any. But for the type of film it is it is a very good one of them I found.

But if you intend to watch this film you need to watch the first one before. But if you intend to watch this film you need to watch the first one before. But if you intend to watch this film you need to watch the first one before. But if you intend to watch this film yo.....MY LORD! IT IS HAPPENING TO ME NOW!!

Clinical (2017)

Surprisingly good.

[6/10 · 18 February 2020]

Caught this late at night whilst being unable to sleep, I have actually just finished watching it. It has has prevented me sleeping more as it captivated me. I knew nothing of this film and wasnt expecting a classic. It isn't. But I found it very entertaining and largely unsettling. I assumed it was a slow burning story of psychiatric treatment in that it is not a definitive science of talking treatment, drug prescription or both and even then getting a balance of it right. And it is in a way. But it has a strong thriller core to it and to whether the fear element is imagined, drug treatment effects in this case self administered (not a spoiler as this is revealed early though the viewer are not aware what meds and if they are taken excessively). I began to think it was some kind of statement that psychiatric treatment is in some way dangerous, which it is not from what I know of it, but it is just a well developed thriller built around it to good effect as it has three doctors with different approaches one of whom comes across as obnoxious. Ultimately this is all just to build a very interesting thriller and not a dig at psychiatry. I found the plot very surprising and I normally see turns in a movie coming a mile away. Not because I am extremely intelligent and films cant shock me. Normally because I see it in a film with a poorly written script. Reviewers here pointing out plot holes and unlikely events. But it is not an intended blockbuster. But great performances from all actors and took me on a journey I did not expect. Sometimes people should remind themselves it is not a documentary but a film. I could pick out plot holes etc. out of any film I have ever seen. But it is when you are entertained by a film your brain is clever enough to shove them to one side. So, quite a difficult review to write as I can not give any spoilers. I just hope others come across this film as I did and be as entertained as I was. But I also hope for them, as it has been for me, not on a dark, sleepless and windy night alone!