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dandxchen
Reviews
Come and Find Me (2016)
An original and suspenseful thriller with a bittersweet ending.
I will start by being honest and saying that initially, the ending felt like a disappointment, almost like the entire film had built me up for an amazing ending that I never received. There were so many ideas swimming in my head throughout watching from the get go, yet this movie chose to take a seemingly obvious ending and evoke a delayed sense of shock shortly after the credits started to roll. It has only been in the hours after watching the whole movie that the intentions of the Director had most probably planned on how it would leave the viewer feeling kicked in and boy, I've been so emotional since.
Without spoiling anything as I truly believe that this movie is nothing like most in its genre and hope that you give it a chance, the insidious way it succumbs you to replay the events that took place (including the flash backs which provide tiny yet crucial pieces of information that explain the dynamics between this starstruck couple) from the first scene causes everything to slowly and almost weightlessly settle into place; leaving you feeling quite forlorn and overwhelmed by the journey of emotions experienced by this "Romeo & Juliet" couple.
As much as I initially felt (and honestly still do) after watching this movie that there were lots of questions that viewers were compelled to raise about Claire's past that remain unanswered (and this would almost ALWAYS frustrate me with other movies, it really didn't matter.
I do not feel like I NEEDED tohave the answers. Why? Well, for starters the acting by all of the cast was amazing (with Anabelle Willis giving a performance that equalled her being Grace in Peaky Blinders), with all actors showing you how the job is done properly, with little effort in being so convincing. You always know when an actor is phenomenal when they continue acting despite the camera not being focused on them/ All of Anabelle's tiny gestures, body language and subtle hints that she was hiding things from the guy whose heart belonged to her were what perfected her already flawless performance. She is one of the best and natural born actresses I have seen.
No, it's not as action packed and CGI crammed as other popular movies; the violence is as graphic as it needs to be, the script is marvellous and the dynamic between the cast doesn't feel false.
But this movie succeeds in sneakily drawing you in, hook line and sinker.
It doesn't need to try too hard to achieve the desired impact on the viewer and it is most certainly a prime example of less being more.
Its ending stabs you in the heart with the stealth and severity of a murderous shadow holding a Valyrian steel knife, killing you softly.
A standing ovation to the Director, Cast and all who were involved in making this movie. This is a piece of art to be proud of.
Body (2015)
This movie would score 6 in Scrabble C.R.A.P
Technically, my review does contain spoilers but the movie's conclusion will ruin any chance this movie had of being memorable. Having said that, I won't forget just how disappointing the conclusion was.
Had such high hopes for this movie and had my suspicion that it was going to be similar to Identity (where there multiple personalities lead you to assume there are several characters involved), I would have been pleased, albeit omitting the suspenseful ending that particular movie provided. Yes, I would have worked out the ending within 15 minutes but I would've been happy with that.
Sorry guys (and girls), but this movie's ending was like opening the Xmas gift from you (ex)boyfriend expecting Victoria's Secret sexy lingerie and instead, be gutted cos it8s a pack of Primark full brief knickers(in Size 12 when your a Size 8).
Granted, the ending wasn't predictable, I'll say that much but only because I never envisaged it would be so darn rubbish.
What was the point in one of the 3 main characters commenting on how the Scrabble board had followed them???? I honestly thought that was an ominous comment that meant it was going to be a great mind f*** movie like Triangle OR Identity. Boy was I wrong! The only actor that gets any credit for their performance is Holly's boyfriend, who was in the movie for just over 5 mins. And what was the point in that? He loves Holly but not enough to endure anything other than a "walk on- walk off" part. I would've been more entertained if there had been a "wax on- wax off" scene lasting the entire running time of the movie, with everyone polishing the numerous cars outside with Turtle Polish!!!! Do yourself a favour and play Scrabble instead of watching this movie. It'll be more entertaining!
Return to Sender (2015)
When your sympathy ends up with the rapist, NOT his victim, there's a BIG problem!
Am so unimpressed with this movie that I intend to keep this short and spend my time trying to work out how I've been left feeling sorry for the antagonist sex offender and NOT his victim.
As much as it clearly wasn't deemed pertinent that Miranda was actually a person the audience ought to like for this plot to work, it is, I feel, the MAIN reason why it just didn't deliver.
Of course, her aggressor was someone we all despise in real life, but the entire tone and script of this movie forces you to actually sympathise with the textbook villain; Miranda's manipulative, controlling, clinical perspective of life and those in it allowed her to hoodwink William (the guy who raped her)into thinking she had forgiven him and............get this, invites him round to "fix things" with a couple of freshly-made lemonades thrown in!!!!!
Guess the moral of this movie is don't speak to people you have seriously wronged or accept drinks from them. They may not truly have accepted you're apologies but will definitely make YOU sorry!
Sinister (2012)
MY son's bogeys are more scarier than this pile of snot!
Really disappointing. Would have given this movie at least another 3 stars if any Bogeys had met their demise by consumption by the Bogey man OR anyone else for that matter!
Once AGAIN, I'm annoyed at myself for believing in a brand and assuming this movie would be good because it belonged to he Blum House Franchise.........WRRRRRONNNNNG with a capital WRRRRRRR!
The only actual jump scare that made me move back in a response associated with such a scene was actually NOT a jump scare.
When the son slowly emerged from the box in the fashion of a jack-in-the box with a hangover, I slowly found myself moving away from the screen and this was ONLY to work out who the heck was able to perform such a creepy contortionist move without getting back ache whilst uttering the moans of a ghost suffering with acute brain damage.
None of the characters were likable; well not the ones you were MEANT to like anyways. The Man who allegedly (and to my sheer disappointment never) ate bogeys was the only smart actor in this movie, barely featuring in it and covering his face with make-up when he did.
Total lack of dynamic between the so-called family members, lack of sufficient back story so that viewers may at least be able to attempt working out what rubbish they're being expected to swallow whilst paying for it.
And then the absolute shocker that had me thinking I was seeing things? Vincent D'Onofrio choosing to appear (however fleetingly, so he clearly wasn't too convinced this was a good movie either)in a movie which is centred around a Bogey Man? Firstly, the name of the Antagonist was false advertising as he apparently ate CHILDREN (or their souls) and NOT there bogeys which I genuinely feel would have made the movie a lot more interesting.
As for the ending, as much as any kind of murder involving innocent people (especially children) turns my stomach (either in a movie or real life), I am ashamed to say that I was pretty relieved when I no longer had to watch better acting from dead children in the WORST Hallowe'en costumes an make-up when compared to the ones that were meant to be alive.
This crap was so bad at being crap that it didn't even smell. The sequel should be called Sinster 2, Seriously????" as contemplating the need for a second helping of this nasal drip is just insane.
The Den (2013)
More Unfriendlier than Unfriended!
I compare this movie (Hacked or The Den) to Unfriended and those viewers who either liked, disliked or LOVED the aforementioned movie of the same ilk will totally understand why (even if the premise of both movies was NOT). I fall into the latter group, having watched Unfriended obsessively, enjoying the subliminal hints provided and ONLY comprehended by those who also "got" the movie; realising why certain (seemingly unimportant details) were necessary for the movie to work.
I've started my review with the above to assist those interested in watching this movie when deciding whether it's one they would enjoy.
I do not wish to rob any chance potential viewers of Hacked (aka The Den) may have of enjoying this brilliant movie (albeit behind slightly open fingers of both hands covering their faces, most DEFINITELY towards the end), therefore I will not take this opportunity to spoil what I feel is a seriously original plot which will leave most with a more apprehensive and discerning outlook on just how technology, the web and the potential vulnerability we all place ourselves in spending so much time engaging with people online.
I guess there are 3 main significant differences between this movie and Unfriended; the first being that it is a lot more graphically disturbing scenes. Secondly (and most essentially), the main character is EXTREMELY likable which is why I personally feel this movie works more effectively from the onset. Most of the reviews (both from the general public AND critics) for Unfriended acknowledged how unlikable all of the characters were. I intend to write a review for Unfriended as I feel that this was deliberate on the Director's part and most definitely essential to the whole point of the movie. Lastly (and I promise to refrain from raving about a movie other than the one I am meant to be discussing after this!), I cannot envisage my wish to re-watch Hacked as many times as I did Unfriended in order to identify small pertinent details that compelled me to keep re-watching it due to how disturbing the ending is.
I genuinely thought I had nailed the gnarled ending of this movie (YES! am finally referring SOLELY to Hacked, HALLELUJAH!) from about 30 minutes in but BOY was I wrong! The twists and turns throughout made me feel like I was on a rogue roller-coaster and my head is still dizzy even an hour after watching it. NOT because I didn't get it but BECAUSE everything made sense! Ironically, the last scene (consisting of less than a minute) is the most disturbing despite a total abstinence of ANY violence and without revealing a thing (which would defeat the whole object of me writing a review that doesn't contain spoilers, as well as ensuring it will be my first and last chance to provide feedback to others by being black listed), you will only be able to understand (and undoubtedly agree) with this statement if you choose to watch the entire movie.
Hacked is brilliantly acted from the entire cast, does nothing that isn't needed to deliver and succeeds in doing just that.........even if the message is seriously unsavoury! Bloody Amazing, though not sure I will be watching it again just yet.......for all of the right reasons!!!!