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Reviews
Fear X (2003)
Fear X - Bleak and Oblivious
Those two words best sum this movie up. It starts out fairly good because of the main character's back story development, and the subsequent emotionally devolved state of subsistence that Turturro's character is obsessively committed to experiencing.
While Deborah Kara Unger is great at whatever endeavor she applies her skill set to, she's barely worth mentioning here as she has all of 4 minutes of actual screen time. What!?
The ENTIRE weight of this regretful watch rests solely on Turturro's more than capable shoulders. Whereas I'm certain that he more than aptly captured whatever it is that the director sought to achieve, there's only so much an actor, even a really good one, can do with what amounts to a low tension train wreck of a film.
Please leave all that auteur flavor of the day hobnob for viewers with too much time on their hands as this film simply doesn't hunt. Pretending that this movie is some kind of directorial psychology treatise is really just the stuff that mercy killings are made of. It's terrible. It's a true shame too, as it contained ample talent amid a cast that was well proportioned, but without strong writing were left projecting a hopeless sense of misplaced opportunity. The notion that this is a suspense film is misplaced falsehood as well. There's simply far too much revealed in a disjointed clumsy cavalcade of unexplained circumstances and motiveless tragedy.
The bottom line is that this film attempts to be Kubrickesque, or perhaps Lynchian, and rather just ends up falling into a void of it's own making. Not a win in the least.
The Jester (2023)
The Jester himself works, NOTHING else does!
If you're looking for a well written, and directed movie, this ain't it! Could easily contain some of the worst writing and direction ever. You've got girls, boys, and men crying minus a single tear...what!? It's called an eye dropper and water guys, it's practically FREE!!
The Jester himself admittedly puts on a talented performance, and you can tell it's ALL down to the actor themself. My guess is that this person is a preforming mime magician, and if they're not, they'd make a very good one. There is simply not a single shred of support from the writer and director to found in the entirety of this movie. Because of this fact it seems like the movie will NEVER end, and believe me when I tell you, that IS the scariest thing about this movie.
The story line is a rambling, confused, and an ill contrived mess. I dunno, maybe this is why the Jester is POed, cause goodness knows that there is no other motive or justification made clear.
For those critics (the movie's crew without a doubt) crying about how because this film wasn't a high budget project no one should be complaining, but rather should be drinking beer and eating popcorn...What!? Really? I got news for you thick-skull and inebriated, movies, despite their budget, are either a) Good, or b) Bad. This movie takes option b) to a whole new and unquestionably TRAGIC level.
Writing, 1 star
Directing 1 star (and I'm being generous!)
Acting .5 star
Originality 0 star
Fright 0 star
Total, an exceptionally generous 2.5 stars.
Two Face: The Grey (2020)
REAL Review
This "documentary" is made in the style of "I'm an amateur and come off as disjointed and real so people will believe me". This 3286th installment of the blair witch chapter in the near endless tome of homemade paranormal videos is no less disappointing or revealing. This doc meanders through radio spots, stage screening appearances, and low grade shot on video footage all so people will believe in flashes of light and faceless aliens. Is this REALLY the best we can hope for with respect to and for the paranormal? There is absolutely NOTHING here folks, apart from fans of aliens and aimless paranormal heresay. The video touts the fact that it's the only government sanctioned paranormal study. How many of these government "sanctioned" (I wonder if the makers mean "grant funded"?) studies did land down under turn away exactly? If this is honestly the best that an official study or project can deliver on, it's no wonder why they put the brakes on. Maybe these guys could get Stan Romanek to build them some better props and story lines next time.