HerveD Reviews

The Frozen Ground (2013)

A nice thriller

[7/10 · 11 May 2014]

If you liked 'Kissed the girls" (1997) featuring Morgan Freeman and Ashely Judd, you'll probably like "Frozen ground", as there are many similarities in the story.

Set in Alaska, the story follows a law enforcement agent Jack (Nicolas Cage) chasing a serial murderer and rapist. Everything links to the same man: Robert (John Cusack). With the miraculous escape of one of the kidnapped victim Cindy (Vanessa Hudgens), Jack is hoping to find tangible evidence to arrest the suspect. However, nothing is simple and Cindy is pretty unpredictable.

There isn't much suspense about the culprit as we know very early his identity, instead the focus is much more on whether the unrelenting Jack will be able to gather sufficient evidence to convict the suspect and prevent further murders. The movie overall is pretty good and the acting of Vanessa Hudgens and John Cusack is excellent.

The Signal (2007)

A nice thriller with a pinch of horror & humor

[7/10 · 1 May 2014]

Following the spread of a virus through TV and radio signals, the population is possessed with a killing impulse, and the few survivors are soon becoming paranoiac.

The movie is constructed from the perspective of 3 different situations introducing new characters all intertwined.

The story is centered around a husband determined to find his wife no matter what, while he is persuaded that she was having an affair. In the same time, his wife's lover is also looking for her. The plot isn't straight forward and the intrigue unfolds rather nicely, cadenced with a mix of horror and humor and a convincing casting.

Martyrs (2008)

Disturbing

[5/10 · 24 September 2013]

The story is about a young girl Lucy, who suffers from delusion following captivity and torture. With her childhood friend Anna, she goes back after the ones she believes are responsible for her misery.

This movie is very graphic, particularly disturbing and shocking. There are some similarities with Haute Tension and Hostel, but far more disturbing especially from the second half of the movie.

Now, this is not a bad movie, the acting is good and all but this is just not for everyone. It was not for me and I give it a 5/10 because I really didn't enjoy the end. If you feel that films such as "Hostel", "The Woman", "Deadgirl" are about your limits, do not watch this film since it goes beyond!! If you like extreme and disturbing movies, then you'll love it.

The Artist (I) (2011)

Brilliant old-fashioned black&white movie

[9/10 · 12 August 2013]

Despite of being shot recently, the movie brings back the atmoshpere of the traditional black&white movie in a brilliant way.

The main actor Jean Dujardin totally deserves his Oscar for his acting in this film and the main actress (whith whom he's already played other movies with) is very convincing as well.

The plot is easy to follow and overall the story is amusing and dramatic in the same time.

With a great cast and fantastic soundtrack, you won't get bored and enjoy this movie even if you're not an amateur of the black&white genre.

The Shining (1980)

A must see ~!

[10/10 · 13 August 2008]

This is one of the very few movies I'd recommend a friend to see at any cost.

We witness the degradation of an author's mental condition while he is taking a few months off to live in a hotel, with his wife and son, where he'd get inspiration for his next novel.

The master point in the movie, in my point of view, is how the director and great actor Jack Nicholson manage to gradually show the condition of the main character (played by Nicholson) going definitely wrong. We start with a very common writer who turns out to become totally insane by the end of the movie, but all that takes place in the hotel which somehow seems to be haunted by dead souls.

Excellent acting, chilling atmosphere in a perfect scenery makes you feel quite lonely and stuck with the characters.

Final Fantasy VI (1994 Video Game)

Probably the most intense and addictive RPG of its time

[10/10 · 13 August 2008]

Final Fantasy VI is undoubtedly the best RPG of the time it was released. It's innovative for the atmosphere of the game which is greatly and subtly balanced between chaos and fantasy. One of the very rare RPG to feature many main characters (13) and that you can freely chose without having ONE main character to keep in the group. The main storyline is interesting and exciting as it involves joining the rebellion against imperialism. Each step to pursue the story further, meet new members of your party, and following from time to time different the story through a different group of members is absolutely great.

The music as well is of great quality and helps to add depth in the game itself.

Simply Bravo

Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children (2005)

Final Fantasy VII (VG) atmosphere gathered in a nice piece of work !

[9/10 · 13 August 2008]

Unlike its predecessor Final Fantasy Spirits within, this one is close to the video game. The atmosphere is similar, the graphics very good and animation amazing.

The story is centered on Cloud Strife and his friend Zack. Cloud was the playable main character of the video game while Zack was a non player character (dead in the present time in the game) and which storyline was highly connected with Cloud's background. While you could only learn a very small part of the story between their past, the animation focus on both of them and many characters from the game are introduced here (even though they are not supposed to have met already).

The plot could have been better especially around the end which trends to go psychedelic, but I guess any FF series fan will be satisfied with this animation.

The only bad thing to say is that it's too short and you wish it could last one additional hour.

Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within (2001)

Beautiful effects....nothing more

[4/10 · 13 August 2008]

As a big fan of the Final Fantasy series which plots are always so interesting I couldn't wait to go to see the animation movie at the theater which I have been waiting for so long.

Visual effects are beautiful and...there is nothing more I could find positive about it. The plot seems confused, the characters not interesting and just too typical. I couldn't help feeling that the story was written for the visual effects since nothing much happen in this animation. The worst point about this animation is that it used the name Final Fantasy which, no matter how I see, is just an attempt to use the franchise game to lure people to the theater.

I give it a 4/10 for the effects. I would have rate the animation 5/10 if the title was different.

Final Fantasy game franchise fans : do not waste your time. Other audience may enjoy it though even though I am skeptic about it.