michael-yates-88-308634 Reviews

Stonehearst Asylum (2014)

Critics may want to take their meds...

[8/10 · 15 November 2014]

I enjoy movies with plot twists, with underlying stories and a mystery that has to be worked out by the viewer. This is that type of movie. I haven't read the short story but there is an excellent story at the heart of this movie.

The cast is amazing. Ben Kingsly, Michael Cane, David Thewlis, Brendan Gleeson, Kate Beckinsale... I mean, come on... how much talent do you want for one cast.. They all do a great job..

Brad Anderson is fantastic at these moody mystery thrillers in my opinion. I loved "Session 9" and "The Machinist". He is obviously a fan of the twist ending.

This is an excellent movie. I have read viewer reviews about the story being far fetched... if this was such an important feature for movies then there would be very few movies we could judge to be realistic. Besides I enjoy the escapism of a well written story despite the fact that there are things in the story that are unlikely to happen in a real (non-entertaining) world.

The Babadook (2014)

Disturbing mix between The Shining and Home Alone

[5/10 · 3 November 2014]

This movie is one of the most disturbing and sad I have watched for a long time. It actually was difficult to watch because of the fact that no one was helping this poor lady and troubled boy. And like most thrillers it was slow. Add slow with disturbing and sad and it is really difficult to watch.

I like the concept of the Babadook but the execution of the monster didn't really work for me. Like "The Pact", when the danger came from a source of reality I found it a lot more scary. But this movie isn't even close to "The Pact" (IMO).

Without spoiling, I do like the fact that she was a children's book writer and she was not coping with the loss of her husband and the theme the entire movie was implying. I like the entire story underneath a story but I think it went to far for that alternative story to ring true...movies where they are more subtle in regards to this are more enjoyable (Again IMO).

The six year old kid made some pretty impressive home made weapons and traps which reminded me of "Home Alone" (I know, strange comparison). He also understood the situation to a remarkable level. I can't see a six year old having the capability to be so resourceful and insightful but hey, we are possibly watching a movie about a children's book horror character coming to life so reality is out the window.

Also the ending didn't work for me either (Again IMO). To explain would spoil.

In summary, I found this movie more disturbing than scary...it was uneasy to watch and I wouldn't watch it again. However I admire the talent of the Director and the product outcome on such a low budget and the performances of the Mother and Child. The child was amazing, it would have been an incredibly difficult role to play for such a young child.

Everyone else seems to be raving about it. It may have cult hit written all over it. maybe I missed something...

Anna (VII) (2013)

Very Interesting Thriller!

[8/10 · 18 May 2014]

This movie has a 6.4 rating as of May 2014 which is slightly too low I think. I give it a 7.5 out of 10. I have noticed that thrillers, unless they are great thrillers like The Usual Suspects etc.. are scored very low because of two reasons. Firstly thrillers are general slow paced at first and build suspense and tension. Some people lose interest quickly. Secondly, some people just don't get it. Due to the audience not following the dynamics of the thriller they score it low.

The title Anna is a better title than Mindscape in my opinion because the story is a personal story about the character Anna and the main character's memory of his past love also named Anna.

The main concept of Anna is not original and there are little things in the movies that require you to suspend belief etc etc etc...like all movies it is not perfect...but I really enjoyed the movie..I think the acting was great from Mark Strong and the support cast..I didn't know that the young girl, played by Taissa Farmiga, is the younger sister of Vera Farmiga. She is excellent.

I think the story was predictable and I would have done something slightly different to make it less predictable but I can't explain further without spoiling. Having said that I still really enjoyed the movie. It is much better than most thrillers out there, some with much bigger budgets.

Some reviewers have posted on the message board that they didn't like the details..I loved the details, this is what elevates the movie above most..it may not always be believable but Hey! we are watching a movie about a guy who can enter peoples memories, what was everyone expecting...

It is a really interesting thriller that is well acted and despite being predictable it has a very clever plot versus underlying plot script...I recommend it above the majority of thrillers out there....great work!

A Perfect Getaway (2009)

Outstanding

[10/10 · 26 April 2014]

This is a very good thriller with a great twist... I find it funny reading the other reviewers who just didn't get it...they are all claiming inconsistencies but if you watch the movie again you will see a different context to every conversation...so this movie has a low rating because the audience isn't smart enough to follow...a shame really..The movie is consistent from beginning to end...I won't give anything away...just don't listen to the reviewers who don't like the movie because it is inconsistent..they are embarrassingly incorrect...

Kelle Sanchez and Milla are beautiful and great and Olyphant and Zahn are also brilliant... and Hemsworth makes an appearance in one of his first Hollywood outings...

Whodunnit? (2013)

Excellent show...well done..

[10/10 · 21 March 2014]

Some people compare shows to the high and mighty image of their favorite show from the past...you can like this show too...and I did...great first episode...loved the theatrics of the first episode finale,..I also loved the rest of the 9 episode series...and I didn't work out whodunnit but had more than enough info to do so...I recommend...at least watch the first episode and see if you get hooked like me....I hope there is a second series... Excellent production... The butler is fantastic.... The reality contestants are not annoying And well written crime investigation episode... Loved it... Great production... The Butler was fantastic... The reality contestants were not annoying (mostly).. Well written crime investigation scenarios.... I highly recommend...

The Art of the Steal (2013)

Fantastic Heist Movie...good Twist ...Loved it!

[8/10 · 8 February 2014]

If you love heist movies like me then you will love this one...without spoiling, it has all the ingredients for a good heist movie: protagonist is hard done by antagonist; trust is burnt; work together again for a big score; can they trust each other again? But what I like about this movies is the intricate story...there are things afoot and they're not twelve inches...Can you work it out? I had a rough idea without working out the details but I still loved it.... works much better than Now You See Me in my opinion...has a B grade movie feel but an A grade kick in the pants at the end...I do like Kurt Russell and Matt Dillon. And it is great to see Kenneth Welsh...A very Good Movie...

Utopia (I) (2013–2014)

Wow!

[10/10 · 31 August 2013]

This is a brilliantly crafted political conspiracy thriller. Usually these types of thrillers are so far fetched it doesn't draw you in. Utopia does not suffer from this at all. At the heart of this incredible story is a moral question that can be debated and is a very real issue which gives the story credence...

The first 5 minutes caught my attention better than any other TV series I have ever seen and I think the first episode is the best first episode of any TV series I have come across. It does slow down a little in places during the 6 episode series but it ramps up again towards the end.

Remember, every detail is a clue.

I couldn't recommend this enough.... I hope there is a series 2...

Extracted (2012)

Extracted Everything Possible from a Small Budget

[8/10 · 15 June 2013]

I love this film. It has a great Sci-Fi story but also plays out as a suspense thriller with an emotionally charged plot. It had an obvious small budget and I only recognize some of the actors but I think they did a great job.

It reminds me a little of the Sci-Fi movie Cypher and has that 'epic story on a small budget' feel like the movie Ink. I love both those movies and that is most probably why I also love this movie.

It is a little slow at times but that is normal for a slow burn suspense thriller...

Simply put, it has a great story (concept), good acting, great ending...

I recommend it if you like the movies: Cypher; Ink; Donnie Darko....

A hidden Gem....

Ink (I) (2009)

Fantastic Fantasy with epic ambition and independent authenticity

[9/10 · 15 April 2012]

This is one of my favorite movies. Great story. It has why does this happen or why didn't the character do that moments but all is forgiven by an outstanding story and the leads acting was brilliant.

My favorite movies are The Usual Suspects, Donnie Darko, Fight Club, Watchmen. If you like those types of movies I think you will love this movie.

It has a great plot twist at the end and is emotionally touching.

I give it a 10/10 for originality and great film making on an independent budget.

I have watched this movie several times. There are things you see differently he second and third time around.

A hidden gem I will be telling my friends about.