tlovesmovies Reviews

Orphan (2009)

Twisted Film with Depraved Undertones

[1/10 · 20 March 2011]

By all means never never let children see this film. I was drawn into an early morning viewing of Orphan when I saw Vera Farmiga and Peter Sarsgaard in an initial scene. They are marvelous actors and typically in movies worth watching, and, at first, the plot seemed intriguing. Then the movie starts spinning its tale of this evil child worse than the Omen's Damien. But that's not what makes the film awful, it's the manipulation of both the children and the audience as it builds the beyond belief evilness of the title character.

On top of the depravity towards the end of the film which I will not "spoil" nor do I want to discuss further, the film deteriorates into down right silliness, which would make you laugh if it weren't so morbid. I highly recommend skipping this film, and can't stress enough how children should never be allowed to watch it.

Seconds (1966)

Unusual film with striking close-ups

[6/10 · 19 March 2011]

The filming and editing of this movie as well as some of the performances are what make this worth watching. The story line is bizarre and depressing and frankly not all that compelling. Rock Hudson is surprisingly not what you would expect. This is one of his standout, while odd, roles.

The way the camera zooms in on faces and has them fill the screen is unique. I cannot recall seeing this technique very often. In one sense this was distracting, but since I found the plot so disturbing I began focusing on dramatic, technical aspects of this work.

I think it might have been a better film, and one that would have received more critical recognition, had the plot been reworked some, perhaps demonstrating more clearly why certain choices were made. As it stood it had the feel of an expanded Twilight Zone episode as opposed to a powerful full length suspense film.