Change Your Image
mattwoldm
Reviews
Encounters (1993)
Mildly entertaining thriller from down unduh which lacks thrills or sense.
Despite some decent performances and some stylish flourishes here and there, the story doesn't lead anywhere, lacks suspense or thrills, and is poorly directed and overall, constructed. There is no really climax to this film and is riddled with plot holes, cliches, and poor editing choices. Consider yourself fortunate if you never encounter this film.
The Bye Bye Man (2017)
Bad Bad Man
The entire foundation of this film, which is its story, is just bad. Take a ridiculously unthought-out premise and flimsy storyline, add in an amateurish script with some uneven-to-terrible acting and a godawful movie title--and the result? A pointlessly drab movie-going experience. Despite a few seedlings of interesting ideas, and one or two minor scares, this is a watered-down, bloodless and fairly scare-less exercise. The worst part, for me, is that it's totally un-smart. How and why did veteran actors Carrie Ann Moss and Faye Dunaway involve themselves in this project?
Hold the Dark (2018)
Netflix...you're SO hit and miss! And this is a miss.
OK so it's not super fair for me to be contributing this review, which I very very rarely do, but I'm feeling strongly compelled to so. Folks in L.A. may notice billboard all over town publicizing Netflix's original movie du jour.
Only a few minutes into this movie and am about to slit my wrists (only figuratively)! One of the main characters, or I assume will be, is whispering every single line. Yes it's only 5 minutes in but I'm not sure if I can take another minute of t her whispering. She and the 'wolf hunter' are having the most obnoxiously phony conversation I've ever witnessed (that's hyperbole of course). Here are a few examples of the stilted conversations:
Him: You met your husband in the village?
Her: I didn't meet him anywhere. I knew him my own life. I don't have a memory he isn't in.
Him: To go to war
Her: Someone on the radio said it's not a real war (whisper, glazy look)
Her: He said he'd never leave me. Words can be worthless like that. (Whisper whisper)
The term 'The child' has been dropped in several times as well. #awful
He: but you were (pause) happy here (pause) once
She (whispering):That's not a question we ask ourselves. I've seen pictures, girls in magazines, bathing suits and sand...seems strange to me.
She: There s a hot springs not so far from here. A few hours walking...
I can't do this.
Oculus (2013)
Mommy? Daddy? ZZZZZZZZZZZZ.
Oh what a mess. While watching I kept imagining a room full of student writers passionately conceiving what they thought was a clever, artistic, highly intelligent and complex tale of the supernatural. The problem is that none of what was conceived in that room translates effectively on film, and the constant flip-flopping from past to present, an ambitious gimmick to help tell the story, doesn't help matters. I didn't buy any of it for a minute. However if you're a fan of cheesy Disney-esque cheapies like 'Insidious' and 'The Conjuring' that feature rehashed ideas from better movies 'spine-tingling' evil spirits, and families in peril, you might enjoy this dud.
Frontière(s) (2007)
Shocking and terrifying journey that will leave you reeling.
The extraordinary French horror renaissance has reached its apex with this terrifying thrill ride. Frontieres truly reaches new frontiers in terms of visceral terror. The film is creative, fresh, and utterly riveting. It's also very very scary. I've been watching and studying horror movies since I was a kid and have seen nearly every scary film made from the classics to the obscure; I'm nearly unflappable. Having said that, I was damn-near uncomfortable experiencing this powerful, and needless to say, very interesting film. Sidenote...was happily surprised to find Estelle Lefebure featured in the cast! Looking for an unforgettable and shocking movie? See Frontiers at all costs.
Bug (1975)
Fun stuff
This movie isn't really that bad at all. I have a very fond memory is of this passing through our local drive-in, me wishing that I was one of the big kids and that I could go see such a terrifying violent horror movie. I remember tha period, you know, Day Of The Animals, Grizzly, Don't Go In The House, The Swarm, etc. What a great era man! So - I just watched this movie for the second time (I saw it once before but don't remember when). It's great as a "capsule in time" . Things I liked - some decent shots, some not hideous special effects - the cast giving it their best shot to keep a straight face. And would agree with a few others, the second half, after, I would also agree the snorefest of "experiments", things take a turn for the better. Darker, unpredictable, actually kind of scary, and
completely over the top zany, I didn't see that coming. So not bad at all
entertaining enough to rent on a Thursday night. OK - now I'm gonig to watch NO DEPOSIT NO RETURN...buhhh bye now..buh bye