Pinouchipop Reviews

The Garden (I) (2006)

Very good for that kind of movie

[8/10 · 17 March 2022]

Again the endless story, how many thousands of times repeated...

It is always absolutely ridiculous to present THE devil, opposed to ONE individual - one family, one group - as if this grain of sand in the entire cosmos, in a story of an hour and a half or a little more, could tell the tipping of the said cosmos into the Apocalypse.

Except that... Like Faust, there can be some successful fables. I'm not saying that this film is a stroke of genius of the caliber of The Divine Comedy, but it is very well done.

So if you like this kind of dichotomous opposition brought to the screen, in a metaphysical reflection sauce, you will like it.

It's nothing like the great movie Seven, but it's well done enough to watch to the end... That's why I gave it 8 stars. (And Lance Herrikson is as good as ever...)

Cold Mountain (2003)

Don't watch if already sad or depressed!!!

[8/10 · 15 March 2022]

Beautiful and accurate movie, yet horrifyingly violent and filled with cruelty.

I class it among the most depressing movies I have seen in my sixty-something years of life. Although extremely good, well done, with extremely good actors. I agree with the Oscars.

I would have liked to see it just a tiny bit least fixated on the ugliest instincts of men when struck by the horrors of war. It is never sweet and pretty, but let's say I felt crushed by the end of the movie as a whole.

In short, it is a feel-sad movie. Bring your box of tissues.

Storm Warning (2007)

INSANELY HORRIFYING!!!

[10/10 · 30 January 2022]

The crazy guys are'nt just insane, they are absolutely disgusting. They are filty, they have rotten teeth, you can almost smell them and you get a foul taste in your mouth by just watching them on the screen.

Do such creepy people really exist? You cringe at the mere tought of it. You feel horrified for that poor couple.

This is one of the most violent, creepy and gorish movie I ever saw.

But gee, that woman has guts! What could she do? What might she do to escape these mad, enraged lunatics?

Watch and see... Well... I must admit she could'nt do much... And him? How could he prevent her from being brutalized and raped by these creatures?

Horrifying, brutal, bloody, gory - among the most terrifying movies you could watch. Horror movie? That's putting it mildly!...

You asked for a horror movie? Here's one indeed! I give it 10 stars, because it is frighteningly successful in giving you the heebee jeebies!

Shrooms (2007)

Extremely confusing

[5/10 · 23 January 2022]

Young people experience terrifying hallucinations after consuming hallucinogenic mushrooms. Okay, we get that.

But the development of the scenario systematically alternates between hallucination and what is supposed to be happening in reality.

So much so that we soon don't know very well what is actually happening, versus what is the product of drug-induced hallucination.

The movie editing does not offer a link between the images, which follow one another without transition.

The result is pure hogwash. Watching that movie is a total waste of time. I gave 5 stars nonetheless, since I consider that the actors are not bad. The scenario is bad. And the editing is worse. Far worse.

Vivarium (2019)

Terribly disappointing

[2/10 · 27 December 2021]

The beginning seemed so promising... But the solution to the mystery never comes. If you watch expecting to understand in the end what it was all about and who (also what) these bizarre human-like creatures are, exactly, stop watching immediately, because you won't.

Nothing is explained. This is terribly frustrating. Hundreds of uninhabitated identical houses, arranged to form an inextricable labyrinth of which the young couple can't find the exit.

OK, we get it. But we are never told nor shown where these came from, nor their purpose for doing what they do.

An alternate reality? A quantum leap? Really? I even re-watched the begining, to see wether there was some hint I failed to catch... But there was'nt any.

It is sad that this movie never gives us a clear answer, because the protagonists, little boy included, are really very good actors.

For that good acting, I give one star. The second star I give is for good ideas - even if they fall flat in the end.

Death Tunnel (2005)

Where does this story goes, exactly?

[1/10 · 12 December 2021]

A succession of beautiful girls pacing the corridors of some decommissioned hospital that should have been demolished long ago.

Dirt and peeling walls. Images succeeding one another randomly without narrative logic.

The only things I found interesting were the old pictures documenting the horrifying havoc caused by tuberculosis before the advent of penicillin. But these would be even more interesting in a documentary, or a really good reconstitution.

A lot of molasses, colored corn syrup and yellow corn starch pudding goo do not suffice to relate the horrors of an epidemic - even with the help of the beautiful breasts of beautiful blonde teenagers.

Useless lenghts and lots of annoying bawling and screaming. A very bad movie.

Arcade (1993 Video)

I am writing this on October 20, 2021

[8/10 · 20 October 2021]

This movie has been released almost 30 years ago. What is funny is that I am 63 and i have played strictly ONE video game in my life: Mario Bros, the very first version. The one in which you either got to the next level until you reached the end and won, or you had to begin over, and over, and over...You could get hooked very quickly.

I wanted to practice a bit, so I might be able to play with my son, who was 7 or 8 years old at the time. So I began to play one evening he was at his father's. I persevered, intent on getting to level two... at least!...

Suddenly, I checked the clock. It was past 4:00 in the morning! I then reallzed why I felt so tired and I was hit by how ridiculous wath I was doing actually was. How useless was what I had been doing?

I hit the off button and NEVER played again.

So when I saw what Arcade was about, I could relate, even if I am not much aware of the looks of the 2020's a lot more elaborate virtual games.

The girl main character is a beautiful and good 20ish actress, while the teens are also good.

The idea of a programed devil grabbing them, intending to make them fall in a virtual reality, leaving ours behind, was new at the time.

I watched it in French on Frissons TV, some kind of Rewind channel for horror movies, airing in Québec.

For all the reasons listed upwards, I gave it an 8. It is obviously outdated, but it still is worth watching, with microwaved popcorn and soda, some rainy Sunday afternoon...

T.

Death Valley (1982)

Very good movie

[9/10 · 18 October 2021]

I enjoyed very much. Kept me awame 'till 4:00 AM to see it's end before going to bed.

Surprising elements. A few lenghts, that is why I gave 9.

The little boy is very good.

Seen in French.

Si vous êtes au Québec et que vous avez Frissons TV, profitez-en si vous le voyez à l'horaire.

The Ring (2002)

A movie flowing well

[7/10 · 5 October 2021]

I wrote a first review that did not give justice to that movie. I guess I was very tired when I first watched it. I gave it an other try, paying full attention.

Verdict : I still don't find it outstanding, it hauls ideas on its storyline that have been exploited again and again. It does it better than many, but does not leap far enough to stand out among other movies of that kind.

To make it short: good suspense, but don't expect anything strikingly new.

The Unborn (2009)

A mixup of hackneyed horror clichés

[3/10 · 4 October 2021]

A disturbed mother pregnant with twins. One dies in the womb and wants to be born by other means. Who will he haunt and plague?

Add a dash of Holocaust, a pinch of Kabbalah, a teaspoon of superstitions becoming real threats.

Since I am patient, I kept watching. Head twisted 360°, the creeper is ambling upside down, boooh!

And don't forget the mandatory exorcism that absolutely must be performed! "It" really loves twisted heads! Even dogs' ones!

The occasional transformation in monsters to make you jump...

It's got it all, folks!

All the annoying repetitions of hackneyed devils or other religion-borrowed beetles and scum!

Desperately predictable. I am surprised and disappointed that Garry Oldman acted in that movie.

Be prepared to be blown away by the nasty wind of the devil!

Wanna watch an horror movie, tonight? Choose an other one. Even a classic Halloween!

Come Play (2020)

Good children actors

[8/10 · 3 October 2021]

Young Azhy Robertson is REALLY good.

Although the character's "autistic" behavior is not very believable, he plays it as directed and does it well. So do the other kids.

The idea of a book's character coming to.life is hardly a new one, but the reason given by Larry for it being born is something different.

I was hooked and watched that movie until the end, being pleased with its twists and turns.

One drawback, however : I strongly doubt that a youth afflicted of audimutity might make such quick progress in the time lapse of a few days...

That being said, I expect young Robertson has a promising career as an actor awaiting him.

The Empty Man (2020)

It seemed promising, but...

[5/10 · 2 October 2021]

That movie tried to chew more than it could swallow. Maybe the complexity of the novel was hard to adapt to the screen - although I did not read it.

The result is extremely confusing, especially the end of the movie. Too many links overlaping end up creating a ball of tangled strings. I thought: where is it going? Oh... I get it... But the "explaining" is more mingling than enlightening.

Although I did not read the novel, I suspect that this adaptation is not a success...

Puppet Master III: Toulon's Revenge (1991 Video)

Like a cartoon...

[6/10 · 19 August 2021]

I had actually never seen any puppet master movie. It felt like some kind of a comic book adaptation, let's say like the first of the series of Batman movies, but in less sophisticated.

Not bad, but no genius material either. The puppet master being some kind of avenger. The idea of using Hitler and the Gestapo as Toulon's Nemesis was pretty ridiculous, but Richard Lynch being as good as usual and the puppets being funny in a silly way, it was'nt so bad in the end.

However, it is not my kind of horror movie. I watched it because of the viewers' good comments.

I give a 6 because if you llike the genre, I guess you will find it pretty good.

But for my taste... Boy! Was it silly! If the puppets were at least better looking, it might have a stronger impact.

But considering the year it was launched, it was OK.

Revenge of the Rats (2001 TV Movie)

Very good catastrophy movie

[10/10 · 18 August 2021]

I thoroughly enjoyed that movie. It is very good in its genre.

It is thrilling and not overly gorish, provided you don't want to vomit or litterally faint at the sight of one single rat... Because there are lots of them!

I wanted to see what would happen to the endearing protagonists. The actors were pretty good and the children were believable.

All in all, a good 90 minutes "just watch and forget your worries" TV time.

Enjoy!

Farewell, My Lovely (1975)

Confusing

[7/10 · 17 August 2021]

I have read A LOT of noir crime novels. But although Chandler is a major figure and among the first to write what was at the root of the genre, I never liked his stories. After trying two of his most praised books, I trew in the towel.

Since I had noticed that I could really enjoy some novels I was unable to read - the writing, dialogues, or something else like the atmosphere - in some adaptations for the screen, I gave this one a chance.

The acting is great, Mitchum feels authentic as Philip Marlowe; Charlotte Rampling is both beautiful and very good; the Madam is larger than life as well as "Mountain Man King Kong".

The indeed are in 1940's America, it is undeniable and very good.

But I can't fathom the plot - where is this going exactly? What am I supposed to have understood already, when yet another chatacter is killed, which is linked to a previous one and relates - well it seems so - to that other one who is linked to that previous one... But how exactly? Uh... What just happened and what does it mean?

Duh...

Although there is a lot of good...acting, decors, filming... I feel annoyed by the fact I wonder if I am dumb for being so confused...

I guess I PROBABLY just don't like Chandler. I can't find a string to follow!

This is one of these movies you persist watching, thinking : "It will be clear soon".... But it is not.

There are still 45 minutes to watch when I throw in the towel. I've had enough.

I could go on watching just for the good acting. And too bad if I still don't get it in the end... Like watching a beautiful landscape.

But would you?...

White Cannibal Queen (1980)

Why is'nt there a zero star?!?!?

[1/10 · 12 August 2021]

That bad! Really. Horrible images, ridiculous pretended "natives" bouncing up around their badly played preys, ugly smeared makeup...

If there is a story, it gets lost in the jungle!

Not worth losing time watching.

The Wolf of Snow Hollow (2020)

Gee, that one is good!

[10/10 · 12 August 2021]

One of the best werewolf movies I ever saw. Totally different. How can that be? Watch it, you'll see.

Tenebrae (1982)

Not bad but...

[5/10 · 12 August 2021]

If you like watching walls of any kind, ceilings, fences and 15 seconds (at least) of camera filming furniture, you will love that movie!

Although the scenario is sometime confusing, there are many good moments.

Many improbable details, too. The beginning was so promising! But then suddenly it is as though the camera keeps filming the environment for much too long idle moments that are supposed to crrate suspense, but end up building annoyment.

There is a fascinating scene featuring a girl and a dog. Darn good.

I thought this movie could have been sonmuch better. It should have been quicker paced, for one thing.

All in all: not bad, but not good either. Enjoy the good scenes and fast forward the idle-dull -nothing-happening ones...

My Girl (1991)

Always touching, at every viewing

[10/10 · 23 July 2021]

I have seen this movie many times. It is always as good as the previous time.

The comment of user "Zachsaltz" summarizes what I think and how I feel about it. I could'nt express it better.

Wonderful movie.

Killer Grandma (2018)

Very good " predictable" movie

[7/10 · 21 July 2021]

I feel people who gave an extremely low rating and bad - or even nasty - critics were much too harsh.

The actors are good. The little family is engaging and Granny is deeply troubled and scary. Yes, the course of action is predictable, but it it unrolls the eay it should and the little girl is totally natural and REALLY good.

Grandma is beautiful, believable as creepy crazy woman in total denial of her irresponsability causing her daughter's death.

All the kids are good and believable, as well as the protagonist's friends. I must day that if I had relied on the bad ratings and skipped watching that movie, I would have missed a good time.

This is a movie to watch on a day when you want to relax and not rack your brains to follow a complicated plot with lots of twists and turns and intricate plot.

Perfect Friday night end-of-the-week movie to watch eating Cheetos with cola while vedging on the couch!👍

Ms .45 (1981)

Beautiful protagonist is'nt enough

[2/10 · 15 July 2021]

She is really beautiful and carmine lipstick suits her perfectly. But it is the essential of her assets. Violence is the main subject of this movie. If you put it on mute, you might enjoy watching the beautiful girl for a while. Because the horrible music sounds like the yowling of a cat being skinned alive. Or an electrical weed eater mowing non-stop. Noise pretending to be music. Horribly painnful. The beautiful actress is the movie's single interest. Give it a few minutes and then watch something else.

Bedlam (1946)

Delicious!

[10/10 · 12 July 2021]

Wonderful dialogues rendered by great actors. It is a gem. A must-be-watched by viewers who appreciate the subtleties of perfectly accurate acting and the creation of the perfect atmosphere in which the action takes place.

All of this paired with the eminently accurate tone and clear elocution. That movie has a kind of theatrical magic, that suits both the depicted era and the yesteryears patterns of speech.

Zombie High (1987)

Aside from a he music...

[8/10 · 15 June 2021]

...which is sometimes annoying and ill- adjusted to what is jappening on the screen, that movie is a good horror movie for the period. I enjoyed it and consider that the acting was good. It was among the first movies in which the beautiful Virginia Madsen performed and she did an excellent job.

Remember it' a 1980's production and therefore it mirrors the clothes, the hair and the attitudes as well as at least some part of the way of life of the period.

It's entertaining and there is enough suspense for you to.keep watching until the end and wanting to know how it will end. Therefore, enjoy with a bowl of popcorn and a soft drink.

Student Bodies (1981)

Absolutely delicious!

[10/10 · 15 June 2021]

Great horror movie satyre. Parodies pretty much every aspect of the teenagers horror movies taking place in a high school that were produced in the 1980 that you might think about. Every cliché is cleverly revisited! Hilarious, witty, a gem!

Paranormal Investigation (2018)

Watched it till the end

[7/10 · 12 June 2021]

Nothing new there. Well... There is something, when I think a bit more: a genuine sense of authenticity. You believe it is actually happening, for real. The characters are engaging and the acting is very good.

That is obviously the reason I watched it till the end, which I found less believable (how did Andreï succeed in finding such information so so quickly and easily?

And the final scene was utterly predictable, therefore disappponting. That is why three stars are missing...