maxDOPE Reviews

Sunset Contract (2019)

Lacks suspense, poor direction

[2 October 2021]

This movie looks okay, the core idea is interesting and Paris Jefferson is excellent! But that's where it ends, unfortunately.

It feels like the director left his creativity at home when shooting this. This movie lacks emotion, there is no build-up, excitement or tension. It feels static and calculated, almost like a collection of stills. And the end is just silly. A missed opportunity. Better luck next time !

Rise of the Footsoldier (2007)

Not what I expected

[12 February 2008]

This movie could have been great. It is not in my opinion. The storyline is fragmented, the editor appears not to be able to choose between a Guy Ritchie-style of storytelling and a more straightforward one. There is a great emphasis on excessive violence, including torture. Too much so if you ask me. The characters are very shallow and stereo-typed, I would have liked to see more depth there. It is hard to identify with the main character. As a result the movie remains shallow as a whole.

The movie says it gives the spectator an inside view of the British criminal underclass, more in particular the Essex underclass. Football-hooligans, steroids, cocaine, heroine and violence, lots and lots of violence. Violence resulting from paranoia and fear in general. In this movie no-one seems to use his (or her) brain, we're looking at a bunch of animals in clothes. Like I said, there is not much of a plot and the storytelling leaves a lot to be desired.

If you're a male below 30, like gore and hardcore violence and think that's entertaining, than this is a movie for you. If you're looking for a movie portraying real people with a well developed storyline, suspense and depth, well... you can skip this one.

The Reflecting Skin (1990)

Why is David Lynch a well known director and Philip Ridley is not ?

[6 December 2007]

I have always been attracted to more or less surreal movies. Movies that trigger something in you, in a very subtle way. Movies that appear to tap into that unknown territory we call the subconscious. Movies that are unpredictable, yet do make sense somehow. David Lynch makes this type of movies. So does Philip Ridley.

The Reflecting Skin is a movie like I just described. A little boy takes the stories told to him a bit too serious. This, combined with a rural American 50's environment, mostly inhabited with weirdo's is the foundation for a quality movie. The photography is great, everything works good together. The only criticism I have is that a few less weirdo's might have made the movie more powerful in the end.

If you liked movies like Blue Velvet and Lost Highway this one is for you.

Let's hope Ridley gets back to film making soon.