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Reviews
Nefarious (2023)
Best Realistic Demon Possession Movie to Date
Nefarious is hands down the best movie to date about realistic demonic possession. It's not a great movie, but it is good movie that is both riveting and thought provoking throughout, excepting the last seven minutes. Yet, there are no twisting heads, bouncing beds, contorted or marred faces, sexual innuendo or even significant vulgar language. It is near 95% simple dialog between two normal looking people, one of whom is possessed.
Much of it is written from the demon's perspective. Nefarious lays out clearly the inner workings of the battle between good and evil. The movie unapologetically deals with an array of encroaching societal norms that oppose God. Consequently, those who stridently support those norms will be offended. This is evident in the movie's reviews. Movie critics have generally given it poor views. For example, on the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 35% of 17 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 4.5/10. However, Rotten Tomato audiences gave the film a 96% positive rating.
Though it is far more realistic than the demon-possession movie standard, The Exorcist, it is not of the same movie making caliber. The Exorcist, in my opinion, compares honorably with any movie ever made, regardless of genre. Still, Nefarious bests The Exorcist both in writing and authenticity about the principal subject matter. I suppose Nefarious is the only movie to date that quotes the old and new testament scriptures, Alastair Crowley, and Shakespeare.
Movie review sites will list it as a Horror/Thriller. I think of it more like how Linda Blair adamantly defines The Exorcist: a "Theological Thriller". Do not be afraid of this movie. It is not a horror movie by today's standard. In fact, I believe most families in America would be okay, perhaps even encouraging of their older teen children viewing it. Parents should watch it first to be certain. To give you yet another thumbnail of where it lands in regard to family appropriateness, in the United States it is rated "R", in Alberta Canada, "PG", and in British Columbia Canada, "PG-14".
Overall, Nefarious is a quality movie that has something important to say. Splitting hairs, I give it a 7.4/10. One enjoyment hint: Turn on captioning and pay attention. The demon talks fast.
The Eyes of Tammy Faye (2021)
Extraordinarily beautiful movie best for those who watched The PTL Club
As a christian, I always worry how Hollywood is going to treat other christians in films, especially those who are in the spotlight. Hollywood is usually very harsh, which is unfortunate since it causes many christians to be quiet about their faith.
I couldn't have been more pleased about the treatment Jim and Tammy. It was fair and didn't seem to pull punches when the more embarrassing times of their ministry were unveiled. But, it also showed just beautifully their love, faith, knowledge, and passion for Jesus. It had me in tears more than once.
I'm not breaking any news here, but Jessica Chastain was fabulous. The minutia of speech inflections and personality quirks that made christians fall in love with Tammy Faye, were flawless. Only Tammy's family might be more critical.
Life is difficult and with a nod to Jon Voight, "It's suppose to be difficult". It was easy to hurt with Jim and Tammy in the movie because christian living is difficult and because of how far we all are from imperfection, frequently it does hurt. It was easy to empathize and sympathize.
If you watched The PTL Club back then and loved their show, you will love this show just as much, maybe more. If you didn't watch them back then, it might be hard to relate. Just go in with the right attitude and you might come out as someone who loves Tammy too.
The Pact (2012)
One of my fav horror movies. Gripping, detailed, scary--you'll need to watch again.
I understand why this movie hasn't received consistent high marks. It is a puzzle and the director doesn't baby you with easy pieces. It's not a puzzle of a cat. It's more like a puzzle of a Canadian forest, but the clues are there! That is one reason it is so interesting. I watched it for the 5th time yesterday and I'll be darned if I didn't discover another piece of the puzzle.
So, if you don't pay careful attention, it's very possible the movie won't make sense to you and you'll shrug off the movie quite dissatisfied. But, I guarantee you, if you listen and watch carefully, you will find yourself saying, "Oh, so that's why ... ". The details and clues in the movie are subtle, but frequent and very rewarding when you find them.
Here's another hint for enjoying the movie. If you see text in a book an actor is reading, read along, if an actor points at something, pay attention. There's all kinds of little things, easter eggs, one might say, that if you catch them, the whole movie will be much more satisfying.
The scary moments in the movie were quite scary ... above average. Excellent performances by the main characters. Top-notch writing. Gripping score.
I suspect that "The Pact" will be a late bloomer and rise from where it is today on IMDB, 5.7, to a more deserving number that more accurately reflects its quality.
Life, Liberty & Levin (2018)
Keen interviews with smart people
From the first show, Levin has dominated his Sunday Night Time slot. For good reason, his guests are stellar. Levin, a Constitutional expert, has earned the nickname, "The Great One". He is immensely smart, plain spoken, and direct.
But, his quality of guests are where this program really shines. A few include, Climatologist Dr. Patrick Michaels, who provided counterpoint to why the world is not going to end in 12 years, George Gilder, technology expert, discussing life after Google, and Brandon Straka, a gay civil rights leader, who left the Democrat party and started the #Walkaway movement. My favorite episode so far had a guest, I can't remember his name, who was an expert on electromagnetic pulse and the US electrical grid, discussing how we were vulnerable to these sort of attacks.
I record every episode so I can review them multiple times, if needed, as some episodes are packed with scientific or other types of intellectual material that I enjoy reviewing on occasion.
The Descent (2005)
Richly Textured Psychological Horror/Thriller
The reason to watch "The Descent" is that it is a well-crafted, richly textured, tense, arm-chair squeezing, and gratifying film that is probably not quite like anything you have seen before. You will experience a descent, in more ways than one.
Its pace will not satisfy everyone. Just like the pace of "No Country For Old Men" or "Unforgiven" will not satisfy everyone. It takes time for the story to develop and the tension and horror to build. But, believe me, there is tension and horror.
Part of this movie's triumph, is how it effectively it makes use of subtle glances and verbal cues that potently, yet subtly blend friction and even hostility into the movie.
The score is mesmerizing as well, with deep swells that touch the inner parts of the being. As years have past, I have found the score to be one of the most compelling parts of the movie. It is satisfying and seems perfectly matched to the film.
I have found that, like most good movies, "The Descent" has earned more of my admiration through the years. I enjoyed the movie "Alien" when it first came out, but I've only recently begun to appreciate just how good it is. "The Descent" has similarly earned my respect through the course of time. It's not as good as "Alien", but it certainly leaves a resounding impact on your emotions, such that upon finishing the movie, you feel overwhelmed, gratified, and realizing ... "Wow, I just saw something really significant."
I don't know another horror/thriller that will leave you feeling quite like you will at the end of "The Descent".