sharkme94 Reviews

Anatomy of a Fall (2023)

Good not great

[7/10 · 19 February 2024]

I went into this with very little expectations, not knowing much other than that the critics were crazy about it. I'm glad I watched it and there was definitely a lot to enjoy and to admire, but as I walked out of the theater I really couldn't decide how I ultimately felt about it, which doesn't seem like the intended impact of any movie.

The acting was great, but I'm honestly surprised that everyone is focusing on Sandra Hüller and not Milo Machado Graner. Undoubtedly the best performance by a young actor I've seen in a very long time, that kid should seriously be the one on the Oscar ballot. Hüller was good, but I felt like the story required her to be very restrained for most of the time; she shined when the moment called for passion, but that just didn't happen all that often. This isn't necessarily a bad thing; I think it made sense in-story and to lean too much into the drama would have felt saccharine, but when contrasted with that one amazing scene (you know the one I'm talking about), there weren't as many memorable moments.

I think I'm personally just not a fan of the courtroom drama structure. The dialogue was good and the scenes in the trial never failed to engage me, but they did start to feel like they were dragging past a point.

The main problem for me was the ending; at the end of the day it felt very anticlimactic. With the way things were wrapping up I kept holding my hand for their to be a bit twist, a final gut punch, that just never came. It seems like it was meant to be ambiguous, but I don't want an ambiguous ending when I've already sat through 2 and a half hours of debate on the guilt of the protagonist. It just wasn't very satisfying.

The Boys in the Boat (2023)

Unremarkable feel-good sports movie

[6/10 · 30 December 2023]

As a former rower, I'm glad I saw this movie. There's a certain mental stamina, in addition to physical strength, required to row a boat fast and in sync with others that not many people realize. This movie definitely made an effort to capture that, but it didn't always quite hit the mark. The creators definitely felt a lot of respect for the sport, but I don't think they would have quite sold it to me if I didn't feel the same.

The script was the biggest weak point for this movie. It was very uninspired, totally predictable. The dialogue was very wooden, and the characters were almost entirely flat. Joel Edgerton sold me on his character as a very guarded, stern-faced coach with a heart of gold, but the rest of the cast was pretty unremarkable. It's not all their fault though, most of them get very little to work with. The last scene actually made me roll my eyes, it was so cheesy and frankly amateur.

The music was a interesting. I really didn't like the score in the opening and first few scenes, but it really got me at the story's pivotal moments. That should be what counts I guess.

I did really enjoy the set though; the costumes to the production design were excellent and really painted a picture of an America that has been suffering from 5 years of the Depression that are starting to claw their way through hope and resilience to a bit of a better place.

All and all, this was a really warm feel-good story, just not one of the best movies ever made. I'm glad I saw it, but will probably never watch it again.

Barbarian (2022)

it made me uncomfortable (in all the right ways)

[7/10 · 7 November 2023]

There's a lot to say about Barbarian, and even days later I'm still processing my feelings. The film is tense, unsettling, claustrophobic, and bizarre. It's got a lot going on and I mean a lot, honestly feeling like 3 different movies rolled into one. It was entirely unpredictable and makes for a wild ride, and the pieces all generally came together at the end but they definitely felt a bit clunky at times. There was a lot of subtext which was generally handled well, not beating me over the head too much.

The first third of the movie was the best part for me. It was terrifyingly real, and I was frightened for the main character even though I had no clue why. There is a lot of every day horror in this sequence; being alone in an unfamiliar city, realizing you're staying in a bad part of town, sharing your living space with a stranger, being locked out of a room with no one to help you. The feeling of helplessness is tangible and all too familiar.

The initial dynamic between the two main characters is cringey and uncomfortable, deliberately so. I felt my skin crawl, as I'm sure women feel every day in these real life situations. I found myself watching Bill Skargard and anxiously checking myself hoping that I never come across that way, so aggressively and suspiciously nice.

From there we descend into a completely unhinged world of darkness and twisted horror. The scene where the main character first discovers the dark secret and is exploring in the dark is claustrophobic and terrifying.

There are several monsters in this story, several different kinds of monster, and the film plays with the line between victim and villain for each of them. This almost made the ending fall a little flat because you're not quite sure how you feel about the different characters' fates.

They did an interesting job on the main character; she's aware almost on a meta level of all the red flags surrounding her, when to have her guard up, and what the smart decision is in any given situation. That said, there would be no movie without characters going into the folkloric dark basement, but with this character it feels against how she is written so it makes these decisions frustrating.

There's a lot this film has to offer; it's very unique and very well-made. If you don't think too much about all the details, it really is an extremely creepy, fun, terrifying ride.

The Act of Killing (2012)

Eye-opening, visceral, and deeply disturbing

[8/10 · 23 May 2023]

Watching this movie was perplexing and upsetting experience. It somehow manages to create an impactful experience through multiple intertwining elements that have no business blending as well as they do: experimental filmmaking across multiple genres, gory re-enactments of atrocities that are all too real, depressing exploration of systemic corruption, and brutally honest studies of some of the most evil human beings on the planet. We follow several paramilitary leaders as they go about their daily lives (extorting local business owners, orchestrating explicitly performative political rallies, cozying up to both journalists and local politicians, passing vile life lessons onto the children around then) and detailing, often with pride and relish, stories of the thousands of murders they committed against the government's political enemies. These men are eccentric, colorful, and often seem to enjoy the simple things like dancing to music and watching movies with their loved ones; and in the same heartbeat they will describe assaulting and murdering people in the most horrid ways imaginable. In spite of everything, there is a surprising amount of cognitive dissonance in this study of evil; many of them are remarkably self-aware of their crimes, yet also deeply in denial. We see people compartmentalize and repress their true feelings about their crimes, justifying it by the power and material wealth they reap, and yet also reporting nightmares and discomfort at close viewing of these re-enactments. It was truly shocking seeing someone who could be your grandfather go from doing a little dance in a bar to reenacting how he killed a baby in front of her mother. It was also horrifically upsetting to see how this behavior, this brutal form of martial law enforcement, is not only tolerated by the government (people speak pretty freely of murder and don't mince words) but is celebrated and glorified. The most shocking scene to me is when our cast of characters went on a talk show to discuss their murders and methods, all while the host and audience smiled enthusiastically saying "Yes, excellent work, death to communists!" A truly grim but fascinating viewing experience into a world governed by fear and the people who enforce their status quo.

The Reef: Stalked (2022)

Not as impactful as the original

[6/10 · 18 April 2023]

The Reef is perhaps the most terrifying shark movie I have ever seen. It was stunningly realistic, so even though the characters were flat and the acting was weak I was still gripping the edge of my seat the whole time. It was naturally going to be tough to follow.

The sequel at least puts in the work to flesh (some of) the characters out and explore their relationships. They did something interesting with the main character's PTSD that colored her experience in the water, but the acting was still generally subpar.

The movie definitely has its moments of both jump scares and unnerving realism, but it just wasn't as effective as the first one. There were a lot of things they could have done differently to build more suspense (the shark generally doesn't do much other than you see the fin circling them, whereas the original showcased a range of realistic shark behavior). If you've ever seen a real life story of shark encounters with kayakers, it's pretty terrifying and there's more the movie could have done.

They basically tried to imitate The Shallows by the end, which was a weird choice to me. The impact of the first movie was in the sense of powerlessness you get, there's seriously nothing you can do in that situation. So departing from that was a weird choice for me.

Definitely worth the watch, but not the best (or worst) shark movie.

Blonde (2022)

I genuinely can't decide...

[7/10 · 8 October 2022]

Credit where credit is due. This movie is inventive and technically well crafted. I thought the music was beautiful. Ana de Armas was really captivating, and you feel for her at times. The moments leading up to her decision to take her last pills were genuinely moving.

That said. This movie was often tedious, nonsensical, and vapid. It was way too long, and if you remove all the scenes where literally nothing happened you could probably get it down to a more palatable form. There are very few scenes that aren't focused on trauma, and it gets exhausting. As inventive as the movie was, they chose very weird times to incorporate surrealist content that just felt disruptive. It switched back and forth from black to white with no rhyme or reason.

This movie was a very confusing experience for reasons other than the style mixing historical content with experimental tactics. I could not figure out when they were being empathetic to Norma Jean and when they were just churning out Oscar bait. I had a very similar reaction watching Spencer, that it was technically well done but not in a respectful way. 2022 seems to be the year where cranking out movies and TV shows about still living or not long dead celebrities is finally going out of style. Blonde, Dahmer, Pam and Tommy all received pushback for being exploitative and disrespectful. What used to be a guarantee for all the awards (just last year Spencer was lauded for doing the exact same thing Blonde did) is now becoming tired and unoriginal.

Points for aesthetics and for Ana de Armas, but that's about it.

When a Stranger Calls (1979)

Such a mixed bag

[5/10 · 11 July 2022]

So many complicated emotions with this film.

First of all, this film scared the living daylights out of me, to the point where I still get nightmares decades later. The sheer normalcy is what does it for me; unlike so many horror movies, this feels so real. It could happen on your street in your house.

The music is profoundly effective, and adds so much scariness to the experience.

Cons: first of all, the acting is horrible. With the exception of Bentley, who is terrifyingly convincing, all of the actors seem very mediocre. Every single line delivered just falls flat and feels so disingenuous.

The script is an absolute mess. Walton is trying to do too much; adapt his original short film, incorporate a 7 year time gap to rip off Halloween, study the killer's psyche, detective story, and stalker horror. Walton shoots himself in the foot and the result is just incoherent.

The movie's serious flaws do not take away from its overall impact. The beginning and end are without a doubt some of the most suspenseful, terrifying scenes I have ever seen. It's just a shame Walton lost so much of that momentum in the middle act.

The Sitter (1977)

Atrocious

[1/10 · 11 July 2022]

Just have to preface this by saying that 'When a Stranger Calls' is one of the most effective, terrifying horror films of all time. I was so excited when I found out this predecessor existed.

Good Lord.

This 20 minute short is a verbatim version of the first 20 minutes of the film. It honestly makes me lose respect for the original film; the way Walton adapted this segment verbatim, as if it was perfect.

The acting is absolutely horrendous on all fronts; the main girl is laughable, the cops are completely tone deaf.

The music is comically juvenile; if they were aiming for ironic creepiness what they hit was just disjointed.

1 star. This short is laughably amateur.

Killing Them Softly (2012)

Stellar acting, boring story

[6/10 · 15 March 2022]

There was nothing about the premise of this movie that drew me in other than the late, great James Gandolfini. It had great promise at times; there was strong editing, cinematography, sound, and dialogue. The beginning sequence and the heroin scene showed creative filmmaking, and you could tell they were going for something really original.

The middle portion of the movie (50% - 80%) seemed to lose track of itself; spending way too much time just going back and forth in inconsequential dialogue between Pitt and Gandolfini. They're great together, but it went on so long as to dilute all the tension it had been building up until that point.

They were clearly trying to go for a thesis about the American people with the connections to the Great Recession and the election of Barack Obama, but the idea wasn't quite developed enough to really land. They tried to drive it home with Brad Pitt's monologue at the end, but then the cut was sort of abrupt.

All in all, very well done but not actually all that entertaining.

The VVitch: A New-England Folktale (2015)

Masterfully crafted, wholly original, profoundly moving and utterly terrifying

[10/10 · 14 November 2020]

This is truly the greatest horror film of the 21st century. It is a period piece that is extraordinarily authentic, yet the attention to detail only adds to the dark atmosphere rather than distracting. The story feels like an eclectic blend of the dark strange atmosphere of "The Shining" and the drama of "The Crucible". Robert Eggers displays a powerhouse of technical filmmaking precision and masterful writing. The actors are incredible and the music is unforgettable. The story is biblical, horrifying, and devastating. This film is not for everyone; some may find the dialogue boring, but the attentive viewer will find it only adds to the hypnotic atmosphere. If you appreciate deep characters, story, and cinema as an art, you will love this film. I remember being so shaken by the ending that I couldn't breathe, and this will forever be one of my favorite horror films. 10/10

Easy A (2010)

Never Gets Old!

[8/10 · 9 November 2011]

I love this movie. Didn't think I would, but I do. The guys and I wanted to watch Texas Chainsaw Massacre, but the girls put this on instead. We all thought it was going to be a huge chick flick, but it's actually hysterical enough that it's not boring. There's drama, sure, but at the same time it's funny enough to keep everyone interested. The humor can be crass, but it's also very intelligent, the kind you have to watch a few times to get everything. This film is quotable and relatable for everyone. It also has great actors and a great soundtrack. I was disappointed when my English teacher told us we're not watching this because it actually doesn't have anything to do with The Scarlet Letter :(

The Uninvited (2009)

Big surprise

[8/10 · 24 November 2009]

This movie blew me away. Really. I was going to go see it when it came out, but never got around to it. So I saw it over the summer, and I was completely mesmerized. Trust me, do not judge a book by its cover. I know from watching the trailer it doesn't seem very original; rebellious kids clashing with step-parents they're convinced are killers; but this movie is anything but cliché. It's a great blend of ghosts, mysteries, drama, and horror. You will be so glad you saw it. It is so cleverly written, and so brilliantly acted that you'll want to watch it over and over. I have, and it never gets old. I've made friends watch it, and each of them thanked me for it. You will too. Emily Browning is so great as the heroine, Anna, who is just trying to get back to her normal, teenage life. Arielle Kebbel is a great sideshow as the hilarious, sexy, more wild older sister Alex. Rachel is hard to characterize, because she is such a nice lady, yet subtly evil, the kind you can only catch when you're not sleeping with her. There are so many twists and side plots that it may seem a little muddled, but then Anna wakes up to find a trail of blood leading out of her room. The ending is so shocking and so smart that it's a little hard to grasp at first. Once it sinks in, everything all of a sudden makes sense, and you realize how intellectual and disturbing this movie actually is. It made me question my own sanity. No movie has ever done that before. Anyway, see this movie, it is awesome. 8/10

King Kong (2005)

Insanely good

[9/10 · 7 October 2009]

Peter Jackson's remake of King Kong is without a doubt one of the best movies I have ever seen. Everything about this movie, from the characters to the dialogue to the special effects to the acting to the action to the music was near perfect. I was completely spellbound watching it, even when people are being eaten by giant bugs. Peter Jackson takes his time to do a good job with every scene; he doesn't just rush through it and focus on the main parts, like a lot of movies seem to do lately. That's why it's such a great movie: effort is put in so every scene is fantastic. Naomi Watts was stunning as Ann Darrows, and her performance tugs at the heartstrings of anyone watching. As for King Kong himself, no one could have done better. He is fierce yet pitiful, unstoppable yet another victim of people wrecking nature. To make a long story short, don't let the running time of the film scare you, every minute is filled with passion and perfection. 9/10

When a Stranger Calls (2006)

An actually good movie.

[5/10 · 11 June 2009]

OK, I know everyone says this is awful, worst thing ever, blah blah blah, but I strongly disagree. Simon West's remake of When A Stranger Calls is actually a very good movie. I personally liked it much better than the original, because while that was only suspenseful at the beginning and the end, this has chills all the way through. From the beginning scene to the end scene at the hospital, this movie is tense, suspenseful, and frightening. This film has a much better ear for dialogue and more insight to the character Jill. The house is more interesting as well as Jill herself, because in this movie she is up and about and ready for action, whereas in the original she just sits around waiting for the phone to ring. You actually fear for her and with her. Camilla Belle is perfect for the role, because she just portrays the emotion so well. She is expressing horror, despair, and terror. The fear on her face looks completely real, which is rare in horror films. She has the audience spellbound for the whole experience. Belle carries the film beautifully on her own without much help from other characters. Her performance is much more realistic than that of Carol Kane. Her exotic looks are another appealing factor. She has one good career ahead of her. The music is less unique than that of the original, but it's better and creepier. As for the stranger, he is mysterious, mesmerizing, terrifying. Everything a good villain should be. The audience is transfixed when the phone rings and he whispers to Jill in the dark. When the automatic lights mysteriously turn on and off, a chill will run through your spine. The effect of hiding his face without a cheesy mask worked, and when it's finally revealed at the end, it's... well it's scary. The movie ends with a bang, and leaves the audience stunned. So all in all, very creepy, much better than the original. 7/10

Halloween (1978)

Very scary

[8/10 · 31 May 2009]

OK, so this isn't the best thing I've ever seen. It's not even the scariest movie I've ever seen. But it is just so creepy and scary that it cancels out all the bad aspects, which is saying something. It was made more cheaply than it could have been. Pretty bad script. Not great actors. There was probably one too many scare scenes where he's staring at them from behind and when they turn around he's gone. But it is still extremely scary. The music sends chills down your spine. You will not want to walk around your own house at night. The part where Laurie sees him from her neighbor's yard always freaks me out. Michael Myers is just so freaking scary. I saw the six year old part when I was six and have been freaked out about it ever since. Everything from his heavy breathing to his mask to his calm, not-rushed way of chasing you is just plain eerie. He is a psycho, and he wants to kill this one girl and no one knows why. He is an unstoppable force. It's weird but effective the way she can never get away from him and he never dies, but it gets old after the original. This one's the limit.It doesn't go overboard with the sex or blood. I don't know why it's called a slasher, but I do know why it's called a classic. It's just so much fun to watch. So all in all, not worth worshiping, but definitely watch it next Halloween. 6/10

Drag Me to Hell (2009)

a roller coaster

[8/10 · 31 May 2009]

I went to see this last night with my friends and they all thought it was really bad and cheesy, and to some point I agree with them. But all in all, this was a very good, very creepy horror movie. It was definitely a better use of my Saturday night than sitting at home. I was on edge the whole time, and kept jumping. The first scene of the movie is very scary, and a good set-up for the rest. Some parts of it were funny as well as scary, like the fight in Christine's car. Sam Raimi does an excellent job of getting the audience scared for Christine. There were parents behind us with a five year old girl whose eyes they kept covered, and think even 12 is too young to see. I was very surprised that it was PG-13 and not R. 8/10