MrAlfa Reviews

The Frozen Ground (2013)

Just a good thriller

[7/10 · 3 November 2013]

An authentic thrilling atmosphere, a solid cast and script, a true story based movie. I need no more for entertainment. This is not a documentary and is not intended to be. The movie doesn't investigate the serial killer relationships, the background, nor try to explain the exceptional investigating work of the police. Most of the negative reviews I have read point on these shortcomings, but this is simply a thriller and it does what it has to do: it thrills you, from the beginning to the end. Considering what is being proposed usually as thriller, this is worth to be watched and it is entertaining. Is it a masterpiece? No. Is it a good movie? Yes.

Last Kind Words (2012)

Enjoyable tale.

[7/10 · 14 June 2013]

I do not understand the low rating. The film is enjoyable and valuable in several respects. The photo is very beautiful and the actors recite their part in proper way, through a history that goes smoothly until the end. Perhaps it is not a masterpiece of cinema, but it deserves more than 4 stars. It 'a nice love story, with a good pinch of mystery with a remarkable soundtrack. Come on! There are many other films out there that deserve 4 stars or less, yet exceeding the sufficiency according to the reviews here. Maybe nothing new or surprising, but certainly a nice movie, worth to be enjoyed. Just do not expect a horror movie that makes you scream and squirm, or a breathtaking thriller, although it has some interesting moments for those who does not disdain a chill: relax, put on the DVD, enjoy the tale and judge for yourself.

In Time (2011)

Topical, enjoyable, suggestive movie.

[8/10 · 23 February 2012]

It's possible that the film was not developed to the fullest. It is still a good movie anyway, enjoyable and interesting. Probably is not even easy to deepen all the aspects suggested by the theme. I find it very topical. The scenes in the workplace are certainly suggestive. From the time when the robberies start and the unlikely transformation of the princess into bandit, maybe the movie loses something, going in the direction of an action movie. But probably this was the original intention. There are however many interesting points and some key messages, which allow you to think and that tickle the imagination. This leads to further personal developments, which is at the end a feature in an good film, in my opinion. I think that the film may end with the phrase "you can do anything in 24 hours", since what follows is quite unnecessary and most suitable, in fact, to how the film was developed at the end. But the message stays clear, as it remains a good movie. It is not possible to give less than seven stars to the movie, beyond the development I give eight for the concept and to counteract the undeserved low ratings.

Awake (2012)

No dreams or no reality?

[8/10 · 22 February 2012]

Only wakefulness and sleep. No dream. Or perhaps no reality? And who decides what is reality? An exciting new TV series, which began with an outstanding pilot. Crime, drama, mystery... wisely mixed ingredients that promise a splendid series. It will be hard to wait each week to see the sequel. And even more until mid-March, now. Unfortunately, as with many TV series with complicated plots, there is the risk of a sudden interruption. Let's hope not because it seems very promising. Amusing character played by B. D. Wong, as the counterpart played by Cherry Jones. Probably, "marble face" of Steve Harris fits for this part, or at least it seems appropriate to me. So far, however, only a good introduction: let's hope for a worthy continuation!

The Valdemar Legacy (2010)

A well told tale.

[8/10 · 30 January 2012]

A good movie, at least according to this first part. It is important to know that it is the first part of two. Thing that perhaps those who wrote negative reviews did not have in mind. Maybe not Academy Awards actors, but the acting is good. Also good plot, photography and the overall atmosphere. An hour and a half of nice entertainment, a funny and well told tale , which leaves you with the desire to see the continuation. Well, maybe not worth the eight stars that I gave, but it was the only way to rise a bit the average. And in the end it is worth not less than seven. Let's hope that the second part is valid and will not disappoint the expectations.

Kill List (2011)

Waste of time! No sense.

[2/10 · 7 January 2012]

There is no plot. The screenplay is slow and full of gaps. There should be maybe two stories, that somehow come together with each other. But not one of them is developed. None of them makes sense. It seems there is no real attempt to tell something. The characters are also non-existent, no depth, no story, no character. Dialogues botched. I can not understand how it could have had so many positive reviews. Really! I have seen many crappy movies, but this is definitely one of the most absurd, pointless, poorly managed and too much promoted. A good idea at the pub after two beers, maybe. Making a film of it is another thing.

Dorothy Mills (2008)

Brilliant movie.

[8/10 · 16 February 2011]

Is getting hard to trust the IMDb votes, recently... What's wrong with this movie? I would say that is well above the average of the movies of this genre. Well-constructed, well acted, well directed, a good script, great idea.

You could probably say that takes a little 'too much. But you can not say that you get bored, even for a moment. Nothing to do with a horror movie, masterful thriller, cleverly mixes the ghost story in the psychological thriller genre.

A great trial of actress for Jenn Murray.

Give less than 8 would be lying.

My Soul to Take (2010)

Entertaining movie.

[7/10 · 12 February 2011]

Overall a good entertainment movie. A very promising start, which makes you want to continue the vision, expecting a sequel just as good. Even if it remembers the usual teen movie, the film seems to grow in other directions. It is not a horror movie but a thriller that also manages to give moments of suspense and keeps you glued to the screen. Unfortunately, you soon begin to understand who is guilty, despite a feeble attempt to move the viewer's suspicions and their hope that it is not. The film begins to lose consistency gradually approaching the final, awful and predictable, which finally ruined what could have been a great film of its kind. Considering the garbage around, I'd give the film a discrete vote and six stars. I will put seven so that the overall evaluation can grow: in my opinion it is too low at the moment.