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Banshee (2013)
Good ideas ruined by bad writing
This show has a great premise and interesting characters, but it's brought down by a weak script. Characters frequently do implausible things. The romance subplot feels lame and forced. I gave up after the 4th episode, which took a left turn into absurdity with no explanation provided.
If you can turn off your brain and suspend disbelief completely, this would probably be an enjoyable show. There's brutal violence, sinister villains, and abundant T&A. It has a lot of the same appeal as the STARZ Spartacus series. I wish I could take it on those merits, but I'm having a hard time overlooking its weaknesses.
The acting is also middling. Antony Starr has proven acting chops, but they're not really in evidence here. The guy who plays Kai Proctor does a pretty good job, but no one else really stood out to me.
Carrion (2020)
Amateurish acting, but fun and visually impressive
My biggest complaint about this film is the acting. The lead actress is decent, but the others are often unconvincing when delivering their lines. If you can look past that, it's a fun B-movie with gorgeous visuals and a clever twist ending. At ~72 minutes it doesn't overstay its welcome either.
The strongest element of this film is its visual appeal. While many things about "Carrion" feel low-budget, the cinematography and editing are excellent. I see that the director is an experienced visual effects artist and it really shows here.
The plot is a bit sparse, or shall we say impressionistic. This movie is more focused on creating a feeling and a visual experience rather than a rich narrative. I would have given the plot a thumbs down, but I think the twist in the final act redeemed it for me. I didn't find it scary, but it was fun and quirky.
Another reviewer compared this movie to the work of Panos Cosmatos and that seems fair. I think "Beyond the Black Rainbow" is a better movie overall, but if you enjoyed it then I'd recommend giving "Carrion" a try.