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themongoose93
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Silent Hill (2006)
A good adaptation
I imagine a worse version of this story, which would actually be a more direct adaptation of the game material. In that, you'd follow Harry (or James, or even Heather) in a straight telling of their story. It would be a mess. Those games depend on a mystery/horror ambience and structure that would absolutely not translate.
So, they didn't go that route. The result is a story in the vein of Silent Hill, exploring the same themes of love, faith and revenge. It's an adaptation which uses setting, theme, and the fantastic score to craft its own narrative, familiar yet different. The story is muddled, using Sean Bean in a mostly pointless role while giving Radha Mitchell little to do except run around in the other world.
Also, they changed her name to "Sharon". Dumb choice.
The Killer (2023)
Amongst the Normies
Fassbender spends the entire movie explaining his motivations not to the audience, but to himself. It is the tale of a hitman seemingly motivated by pure professionalism, yet lying to himself constantly. He rejects his human instincts intellectually, even as he follows them. The character seems sterile - as designed, sure, but also as portrayed. This makes him uninteresting to watch. There are plenty of highlights to make this worthwhile, yet I agree it's not Fincher's best. As always, Fincher's filmmaking remains absolutely top-notch with beautiful scenes shot around the world. The main character remains a blank slate and thus hard to care about, though that is the point.
Asteroid City (2023)
A Missing Core
When I think back on my favorite of Wes Anderson's films, they all contain an emotional core that I found strangely absent in Asteroid City. By this, I mean that the characters fail to connect or reconnect in any meaningful way as a result of the plot. Normally, I look for character growth and development caused by the events of the film, but Asteroid City has little. The meta sections undercut what little character development there is - you are constantly reminded that this is a play within a show within a movie. I disliked when the meta sections interrupted and could not understand how they fit into the structure of this story. Just when characters were starting to fit, these awkward sections would ruin the pacing. The structure ruined this movie.
Skinamarink (2022)
Experimental and Enjoyable
I gave this experimental film every advantage I could think of - watched it late at night, alone, and with complete focus. It paid off in a strange way that filled me with incredible dread without relying on a narrative. Without a narrative or characters, the visuals are the only thing going here - they are creepy as hell. However, I agree that what is demanded of the audience is to essentially stare into the dark & strange corners of a house for 90 minutes or whatever. This is something you can demand once; I will probably never watch it again. This is better described as an experience than a movie, and while it was very enjoyable it's not for everyone.
Glass (2019)
Honestly Surprised
Well, this rating is a surprise to me as well. While I had enjoyed the prior movies in this trilogy, I was prepared for another Shyamalan flop - and didn't get one.
If you thread together Unbreakable, Split, and Glass, this is a superb series of superhero lore. In fact, I found myself genuinely upset at the climax of their three stories. The narrative found something I have to consider a very, very solid trilogy.
The performances were excellent throughout, as was the directing. I understood what Shyamalan was going for, and just why the performances fit that vision.
I would also like to commend the DoP/Cinematographer, Mike Gioulakis. Honestly the best work out of the three movies.
Midnight Mass (2021)
A religious experience.
One of the most intriguing and horrifying series I have ever watched. As a Catholic myself, this is disturbingly close to home but anyone should find this masterpiece to be captivating.
On the nature of faith and atheism, sacrament and superstition, this script is simply phenomenal. The characters are grappling with the real threat and promise of faith itself, and the performances are top notch. Hamish Linklater deserves every award possible for this role!
The special effects are great as well! The horror is kept well into the subtle shadows until the peak of the story itself - just perfect.
Savageland (2015)
Lake Mungo this ain't
I was recommended this movie by someone who loved Lake Mungo as much as I do, so I came in with above-average expectations. Well, I can say that the structure of this "documentary" didn't work well with the found-footage elements, although it came close. What I wanted was a story almost entirely grounded in reality, but with subtle hints of inexplicable things that built over time. This movie is structured to remove much of the mystery from the very beginning, so there's no subtle horror as I expected.
Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead (1995)
A Man Looks Out for His Friends
I would heartily recommend this film both on the strength of its performances and on the startling clarity of its plot. For this movie, the die is already cast for most of the main actors. As part of the audience, you must come to terms with the fate that hangs over the heads of all the cast, just as the main former-mafia lead desperately tries to save them. Each must deal with their lot on their own, and you will see how this plays out.
The lead spends the film trying to save his companions from the hit that awaits them for failing their mission for the mob. As I see it, he is trying to redeem himself for the accident by saving their lives, even as his past works to end theirs. His quest for redemption is rocky at best.
The Master (2012)
The Searcher
Joaquin Phoenix, in a defining role, plays a character who has been searching for an unknown for his entire life. The film presents a character struggling with purpose itself; a man who cannot commit to anything. In latching himself on to Hoffman, he attempts to absorb the meaning of someone who he cannot understand, yet for some reason trusts. The performances are mesmerizing. Phoenix portrays the role of a lifetime in a character who dreams of someone who can give his life meaning, but cannot fully commit.
Session 9 (2001)
"He brought it on himself"
The movie mostly accomplishes what it sets out to, with an atmosphere that carries you through the low points. A pervasive feeling of dread is in nearly every scene of this movie, as the characters work, argue , and explore in a massive, decrepit insane asylum. This is one of those classic-style horror movies that relies more on horrifying implications rather than explicit gore and violence, which I appreciated. The plot is simple enough, leaving room for further development by the other aspects of the movie. I will say that there are a few moments of cheesy acting, notably the famous stairway scene from David Caruso. Also, for what it's worth, there are zero jump-scares.
Chernobyl (2019)
Sacrifice
An amazing miniseries, probably my favorite. I was not aware of the extent of the disaster, nor the toll of the remedy. Compelling performances by all involved.