fay_star Reviews

Z (I) (2019)

Adequate Imaginary Friend Horror

[6/10 · 23 October 2020]

I thought it had potential from the trailer, and it did, but didn't follow through on a lot of things. It's an okay creep but nothing special.

The acting of the main lead, Keegan Connor Tracy, saves the movie a few points, she gives a really genuine emotional performance. But she has poor dialogue and a lot of plot holes to contend with.

There were a lot of potential additives that the missed, particular in regard to what happened when she was a child and her father's death.

The ending was quite predictable but unavoidable really. People who enjoyed horror movies like Babbadook would probably like best.

Slasher (2016–2023)

Pretty Decent Anthology Slasher Shows

[8/10 · 22 October 2020]

I wasn't expecting much from these series, thought it may be a poor American Horror Story, but it is actually pretty good!

The stories and characters are independent to each series with some of the same cast.

All three series tell the story of different slasher serial killers. The stories are a lot more complex and unpredictable than expected which is great.

Series 1 is about The Executioner copycat murders based around the seven deadly sins and related to the original murder 30yrs before. The casting is great, good to see Katie McGrath in a leading role.

Series 2 is about a serial killer targeting a group of former summer camp workers related to a killing there 5yrs earlier. Almost has a I-know-what-you-did-last-summer vibe.

Series 3, the most recent, is the most enjoyable in my opinion, the most proper slasher. The story is around tenants of an apartment block being murdered, somehow linked to a murder the previous year. The ensemble cast is fantastic, dialogue is good and the whole series is bingeworthy.

All in all, I'm really looking forward to what season 4 has to offer.

Altered Carbon (2018–2020)

Fantastic Start, Second Season Terrible

[9/10 · 21 October 2020]

The first season of this show was fantastic, definitely bingeworthy! The production and dialogue was brilliant, and all the actors were awesome.

The two actors playing Kovacs, Joel Kinnaman and Will Yun Lee, were particularly great - excellent casting!

The imagery of the show was perfectly executed, a futuristic gothic universe with loads of potential.

Was devastated that the second season fell far below the first, the acting and casting change ruined it. You can watch the first season as a standalone though!

Into the Night (II) (2020–2021)

Great Modern Apocalyptic Show

[8/10 · 21 October 2020]

I enjoyed this first season, it's a very good start for Netflix's first Belgian show. The science is a bit far-fetched but the plot is quite good. The acting is decent though a few characters are a bit annoying. The dubbing in English is very well done and you quickly forget it's dubbed. Looking forward to what season 2 brings.

Hell House LLC (2015)

Decent Found Footage Scares

[7/10 · 19 October 2020]

Yes the genre is getting saturated with low-budget found footage movies, this is surprisingly decently executed. The plot is also nothing new but the arc over the 3 films is quite decent.

The acting at first appears quite poor, until the creepiness really kicks in, which helps the scares surprisingly.

The set is pretty cool and confusing so where corridors lead etc stays surprising despite not being a massive set.

A lot of the scares are what we'd be worrying about in that situation, the turn of a head, the shadow behind you.

The series are worth a binge watch if don't want to think too hard or take it too seriously.

REC (2007)

Excellent, Found Footage Done Right!

[8/10 · 19 October 2020]

This is a fantastic horror, one of the better made found footage films!

Many first time watchers will find it familiar as it was remade (as so many of the good ones are) as American film with Jennifer Carpenter as 'Quarantine'. This original is still the superior even with it's lower budget!

The actors are fantastic, and there's an extra something in a movie that is shot chronologically that shooting out of sequence can't supply in a performance.

The filming is all done on location, no built sets, and the effect is great.

All in all, a fantastic horror worth adding to your collection!

The Tunnel (I) (2011)

Average Found Footage Aussie Horror

[5/10 · 19 October 2020]

Pretty average shaky found footage movie. The plot is pretty good but the focus on investigative journalists is getting quite overdone. The set is creepy and a lot of potential for intense scares and suspense. The acting is adequate but not fantastic, with the later interview parts not fitting in very well. Wouldn't seek it out but would watch if nothing much else on!

Sanatorium (2013)

Great Found Footage Low Budget Horror

[7/10 · 19 October 2020]

There are a lot of found footage horrors these days, and this isn't the best but is very far from the worst.

The actors do a pretty decent job on what must have been a hard shoot, there is a great set and pretty well executed scares without trying to show too much.

It's not the most original but does a decent job on a very low budget.

Worth a watch in the dark over Halloween.

6 Days (I) (2017)

Great Historical Movie

[9/10 · 17 October 2020]

A fantastic portrayal of a major historical event in Britain. I am too young to remember the event itself but remember the news coverage from over the years.

The film is perfectly balanced between the reality of slow-time responses in hostage situations and the suspense of the situation.

It does not glorify the violence of the hostage takers nor the violence of the SAS, it just shows what that could have looked like on the inside.

The acting is superb, particularly from Ben Turner, Mark Strong and Jamie Bell.

The low-budget nature of the film doesn't show through, the production quality is fantastic.

Sinister (I) (2012)

Decent Thriller Horror

[7/10 · 17 October 2020]

Not as sinister as the title would imply but a good showing! The plot is decent but is in my opinion more of a thriller than a horror.

The acting is decent, particularly by the kids. The scripting and production is good. The dark and supernatural imagery is very well executed, with less is more.

There are a few plot holes and missed opportunities but overall a decent film.

House of the Witch (2017 TV Movie)

Poor, Just Poor...

[3/10 · 17 October 2020]

Spoiler: there is no plot, no suspense, no point.

The story is non-existent, the acting is terrible, the scares are filmsy.

Save your time, watch something else.

The Last House on the Left (2009)

The Real Horror Potential

[7/10 · 17 October 2020]

I love horror movies, especially supernatural ones, but sometimes the real potential of horror to scare us is the real possibility of it happening.

The real horror is the potential of bad people out to do bad things, just outside your window, a few metres from your door, the real news story that keeps you awake at night.

This movie does that, leaves you wanting to check your doors are locked.

I've not seen the original, but recommend this competent remake for all horror fans!

Thir13en Ghosts (2001)

Great Potential Wasted

[5/10 · 17 October 2020]

A poor showing of what could have had real potential.

The plot had potential, the acting and scripting let it down massively. There were so many flaws in the story and no real thread to hang on to.

Production went straight for cheap scare tactics, jumps and gore but didn't live up to their promise of anything significant.

Wouldn't rush out to watch this...

The Thing (1982)

Simply Fantastic Cult Classic!

[10/10 · 17 October 2020]

One of the best films I have in my collection and one I happily return to regularly!

It led me into the horror genre, but is very difficult to surpass in quality even with much more money being poured into the genre now.

Both the story and script are superb, the dialogue is excellent and the production is great.

The acting is fantastic, a proper ensemble cast with Kurt Russell leading the charge.

Everyone should see this at some point!

Get Out (I) (2017)

Good Timing, Poor Production

[4/10 · 17 October 2020]

Audiences have been raving about this upcoming movie and it's relevance to current movements. Unfortunately it doesn't appear to have been the big showing people expected. The plot appears to be a poor child of the Skeleton Key and Stepford Wives. Acting and dialogue didn't increase it's production value. A poor showing.

The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

Classic Film, Standing Test of Time

[10/10 · 17 October 2020]

One of the so-called greatest films of all time - at last one I can agree with.

The movie is a classic blockbuster: great acting, great plot, great dialogue and great directing.

The writing is fantastic, the screenplay translates so well from the original text without losing much.

One for the history books and for your permanent collection.

Jojo Rabbit (2019)

Simply Brilliant!

[10/10 · 17 October 2020]

One of the best movies to be produced in recent years!

The plot seems a bit weird and shouldn't work, but the excellent acting, production, dialogue and soundtrack somehow pull off an amazing movie!

The acting is superb, the children especially. The dialogue makes you cry like a baby, then wet your pants laughing. The production and cinematography is fantastic. The soundtrack is awesome.

I find it hard to find much fault. Well worth a watch and adding to your collection!

The Haunting of Bly Manor (2020)

Another Rework of the Turning of the Screw

[8/10 · 17 October 2020]

For those expecting a sequel to The Haunting at Hill House, this is certainly not that. There are some of the main cast but telling a completely different story in England as different characters.

The casting of american actors for english characters was a terrible idea, most cannot maintain any sort of adequate english accent, nevermind the same type as each other.

The story is a new retelling of the Turning of the Screw, and is interesting at parts, particularly later in the series, but overall it is very drawn out and over aimed.

The Rite (2011)

Gritty Exorcism Movie

[8/10 · 17 October 2020]

I found this to be one of the better exorcism movies, not a supernatural blockbuster, but gritty in the dirt type exorcism.

Colin O'Donoghue and Anthony Hopkins are on top of their acting game, though let down a little by the dialogue.

The cinematography and production is good though obviously not got a massive budget.

Would recommend for a cosy night in with popcorn if you like a more intellectual horror.

The 15:17 to Paris (2018)

The Real Heroes Reenact

[6/10 · 17 October 2020]

The true story is quite well known in Europe, 3 american tourists brought down a terrorist attacker onboard a moving train to Paris.

This film is the story of the three from childhood that led them to being on the train that day, and the three are acted by the original americans.

The acting can be excused when you are aware that they are the real people, and potential connect better.

This is not an action film, it's 95% background of their friendship and the last part is the actual incident. It's nice cutting into the real awards with same actors/people.

Overall, it's adequate but not great.

1408 (2007)

Fantastic Stephen King Psychological Horror

[9/10 · 9 October 2020]

One of the better adaptions from a Stephen King short story! The story telling and production are very good and the acting by John Cusack and Samuel L Jackson is great. A great psychological slowburn horror!

Dead Silence (2007)

Decent Creepy Doll Show

[6/10 · 9 October 2020]

I enjoyed this show more than perhaps it deserves. It's a supernatural horror that starts with a man accused of murdering his wife that leads to more murdering by creepy possessed ventriloquist dolls while he tries to solve the case. Overall the acting is adequate, the local town legend is pretty typical but somehow the dolls still manage to creep me out. I suspect that's the James Wan influence.

Mirrors (I) (2008)

Decent Ghostly Scares

[7/10 · 9 October 2020]

This isn't a bad movie if you enjoy jumpy ghost stories and a bit of gore. The plot is decent and becomes more complex and interesting as the film progresses. Kiefer Sutherland's acting moves the film from adequate to decent watching, full of emotion and connection with the viewer. I would recommend for a comfy saturday on the sofa.

The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005)

Fantastic Intelligent Horror

[9/10 · 9 October 2020]

One of the best exorcism films I've come across! It is fantastically produced, the script is excellent and the acting great. Tom Wilkinson and Jennifer Carpenter steal the show, particularly during the exorcism scenes. The plot is almost wholly flashbacks during the trial, which could have worked poorly but was excellently executed. The balance of religious, medical and legal blends perfectly to make an intelligent but spiritually mature story. Highly recommend!!

The Conjuring (2013)

One of the Best Horrors in Recent Years

[10/10 · 9 October 2020]

I simply love this movie! It is a refreshing take on the traditional haunted house, with fantastic production and direction.

The aesthetics are perfectly balanced, the acting is superb from the entire cast, particularly Lili Taylor and Vera Farmiga.

The horror doesn't rely on gore and cheap tricks, it haunts you from the fantastic storytelling, dramatic timing and subtle haunting creep. Brilliant soundtrack and cinematography.

Highly recommend!!!