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Reviews
Baby Reindeer (2024)
A Gem! Don't read any with spoilers!
Firstly I rarely give anything more than an 8, this was 9 from me. This is one review that I don't want even a hint of a spoiler in, so I'm going to do my best to review without giving any of the story away because it's that good. I started this completely blind, because it's a rainy Saturday at home, and it was new on Netflix. I'm so happy I did because it was a great series. So good that I not only binged it but watched it without ever checking my phone or getting distracted by anything else. The pace is great, keeps you not only interested but just as you think you know what's happening, you're surprised again and again. Sometimes heartbreaking surprises, sometimes heartwarming surprises.
This is not a typical "stalker" movie, it's so much more, that it is a disservice calling it that. It has so much depth from all the characters. Yet all the fat is trimmed, so it just makes the characters more complex but keeps the plot going.
I really wasn't prepared for the diverse emotions from utter loneliness all the way to unconditional love and anything in between like anger, trauma etc. People are created by our experiences and where we take those experiences and what we choose to do with them. Maybe because I now know it's based on a true story that these people are so well developed and multifaceted. The acting is superb! It's a richly rewarding watch. I'm so glad I randomly chose to spend this rainy day with such a great find. I highly recommend!!
Ripley (2024)
Disappointed
I was really looking forward to this series, being a fan of the books and the '99 film. I tried very hard while watching to not compare it to that film, and had to keep reminding myself to not do so. Almost an exercise in futility considering how superior that film is to this. Even if I hadn't ever seen the film, I'd still feel the same about this series. So I let a day go by before writing my review but I still haven't changed my opinion. This series does follow the book more closely than the last film did.
Unlike what other reviews have said, I didn't mind the black and white. Other than it makes an incredibly vibrant country like Italy look drab. Even in winter, which is the season it's set in, Italy is full of life. According to the series there's only about ten people who live in whole country because you don't really see anyone other than these characters. The cinematography is beautiful and definitely the best thing about this series. But I have to think if it had been in color it might have helped this slow and downright dull series pack a little punch. It gives Italy and its gorgeous coast, cities and life the bland flavor of what a post war eastern block communist country is depicted in other films. There is also a very strong art house vein, with far too many and too long shots of stairs, alleys and streets.
Dakota Fanning who I really like, and was excited to see in something new was the best in this film of the three main characters. And this was far from her best work, though the last episodes she does give a little more. She's not bad at all, but there's no emotion. She has no chemistry with the actor who plays Dickey, who in turn has no chemistry with the actor who plays Tom. The acting overall isn't bad it's just not giving much of anything. I've also seen complaints about Freddie being played by a woman or non binary (I've read both in the review and I'm not sure which is correct nomenclature for the actor, I'll just say she) but frankly she gives the best performance because she has some feeling. Not just flat affects and performance like the rest. The best scenes are with the police inspector, which have a little tension but could have really had more. The inspector is my favorite character of all of them, he at least gives some performance. They try to have a cat and mouse conflict but it just doesn't quite happen. Leaving me with no care of who dies or not and if anyone is caught or not.
Dickey and Tom are supposed to have real chemistry that leads Tom to believe that Dickie has feelings for him. Tom is supposed to be a master at impersonating people to con people. None of these are believably pulled off in this or even attempted. There are even unexplained plot holes that demand you have some knowledge of the book or you'd be totally lost. That's if you even make it far because it is very slow. Slow isn't a dealbreaker for me if there's pay off and this lacks much. When a murder scene is boring then there is a problem.
I can only guess that the European art house style is what they were purposefully trying to portray. The dry dialogue even in what should be emotional moments, black and white with too long shots of stairs for no reason, exaggerated "I'm bored" style of acting. Which doesn't help when the plot and acting is plugging along monotonously. It does pick up in the last two episodes. Sometimes a film tries too hard to be avant-gard and it just doesn't work. Had it been a 90-180 min movie it would've been better but a series needs to keep you captivated to want to watch not just to see if something happens. Anyone who rated this over a 6 has either not seen the '99 movie or trying to seem like a high brow art film buff, but they're way off. So I was disappointed, and will go watch the Talented Mr Ripely to cleanse my brain and give it the gorgeous Italian feel and burning tension it's screaming for.
It Comes at Night (2017)
Give it a 2nd chance! 1st timers: my spoilers help this movie, read anyway!
I originally saw this in the theater and because of the title and being labeled as horror genre, I didn't like it. I spent the whole time wondering and waiting for what was going to come at night. After it was over I decided I didn't like it and wished (given how expensive movie tix are now) I had chosen to see something else...
I just watched it again, a few years later now, and had completely different experience. I also read many of the review's on here because they vary so greatly. I suggest reading some of the higher rated spoiler reviews, before you watch whether for the first or second time.
I believe the title is to blame for so many people disliking the movie. I urge those who strongly disliked it to give it another chance. This time because I wasn't expecting what comes at night, which I now realize was distracting me from the real plot, I enjoyed it quite a bit. I was able to pay closer attention to the psychological aspects and the both subtle and not so subtle symbolism, that I hadn't noticed the first time. I could get into what I believe is what metaphorically coming at night, but there are many other better written reviews that do a good job of explaining the different opinions. One excellent review in particular, goes into great detail and depth of analyzing the various realities and symbols that are interwoven throughout the movie.
Speaking of reviews, though it didn't bother me in either viewings, many seemed hung up on what the mystery catastrophe, that has caused the apparent breakdown of society. It was obvious it's some sort of fatal illness. I don't know why so many needed/wanted more specific background information on this. In my opinion it was enough, the actions of the characters throughout paints clearly the picture of how dire and desperate the situation is, and not knowing the what, when, how aligns with the paranoia of the characters. Not everything needs to be explained in detail, the true plot is about the impact of the imagination when the terror of the unknown means life or death.
I know this movie would be rated much higher if it had a different title and wasn't listed as horror. I think that caused not only a distraction and a feeling of being cheated in some way, but also lost out its audience. The non horror fans didn't consider it and it irritated the horror fans because of the expectations of a true horror story. When both would enjoy it quite a bit! It's cerebral, moody and a great dark atmosphere. The acting is superb, which given the cast, as it should be. Even my first viewing I thought that they were excellent. Who are the true good or bad guys? Given the circumstances are there even any good or evil, When the survival of you and your family is all that matters. So as someone who would've previously rated this as maybe a 2, and gave it another chance, I really recommend others do the same. I think many will also have a similar change of mind that I did.
Devil's Workshop (2022)
Why?
The first 3/4 of the movie was getting good. Acting is excellent from the three main characters. In fact they're the reason I decided to watch this movie. The movie isn't bad, it kept my interest the whole time. It's the two storylines never reconnecting that ruins it. I was waiting at the end scene for it to finally come together but then it just ends.
It would have been better to not have the rival protagonist/antagonist subplot, and have focused more on the demonologist main plot. That's where the meat of the story is and needed context of a full backstory. Instead the end leaves you wondering why are we back here? And why did any of this happen?
It's a decent watch for when you can't find something else.
The Outwaters (2022)
Worst movie I've ever seen
Don't watch, could easily be the worst movie ever made... I'm only writing this review as a good deed, to hopefully save someone from wasting their time and getting a migraine. Anyone who rated this higher than 1 or 2 has to be a part of its production. Don't be fooled that it might be even an ok movie with just undeserved poor reviews. It's so bad that I'm actually irritated (for the first time ever) that I was tricked by the hype into watching.
I heard a lot of hype about this movie, that it was so terrifying and brutal that people were vomiting and walking out. Being a huge horror fan, I was excited to see if it came close to the hype. Sadly this movie didn't just fall short, it's one of, if not the worst film I've seen. I can count on one hand how many movies I didn't finish watching. Even if a movie is disappointing I'll almost always watch to the end. This was one of the few I've stopped watching. I can't even give spoilers because that would necessitate a plot.
Firstly, the first hour is painfully slow and boring. Almost nothing happens and actually ends up being the most exciting part of the film. The introduction of the characters and beginning of the trip to the desert is so slow, your looking forward to seeing them die just to have something happen! Not yet knowing that watching grass grow would be more interesting and exciting.
There is about ten minutes of somewhat interesting suspense built and misleads you to think that your patience will finally be rewarded. If you get this far in, stop there and save yourself from the "climax" and end. You'll also be saving yourself from a pounding headache and possibly nausea.
The rest of the movie is almost entirely a black screen with screeching audio. This is neither an exaggeration or an attempt at humor. Literally a black screen with occasional flashes of bloody ground or bloody feet walking or the awful screeching snake looking things. No storyline or any hint of what is happening, because you literally can't see anything. Or have enough discernible audio to have any idea of what's occurring. The only sound is a constant migraine inducing screeching. After sitting through 30 minutes of that I just couldn't physically take it anymore. I had a terrible headache, and due to the extreme shaky camerawork in the sparse moments of any visuals, nausea. THAT is the reason people we're becoming ill. Not the violence, or terror, which frankly is almost nonexistent.
Now because I didn't watch the last 15 minutes, I have no idea what happened and maybe in that little time it did a 180 and became a great movie. I highly doubt it, and even if it did, it couldn't make up for the literally painfully slow and boring majority. I can't think of a worse movie I've watched, and I've sat through a lot of bad horror movies. Very disappointing waste of time. If I had seen this in the theater, I would've demanded a refund. It's actually so terrible and physically painful to watch that I'm annoyed. Please do yourself a favor and skip this one.
Mystery at Blind Frog Ranch (2021)
Enjoy it for what it is...
I don't understand all the 1 star haters...
This isn't going to win any Emmy awards and it's not meant to be a documentary. Giving it a single star because it isn't a documentary mining show seems harsh. It's a not meant to be, and if it doesn't take itself seriously then you shouldn't either.
It's a fun mix of Oak Island and Skinwalker. With great "characters". The guys are funny and you can tell they're having a great time. The storyline is a bit all over the place, but just roll with it. We probably won't ever know what's in the box (insert Seven joke) like the never ending Oak Island storyline. And laugh at the very opportunistic trail cam catch a real Skinwalker!
Just enjoy it and don't look for deep scientific evidence!