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JohnCinema2022
Reviews
Saw X (2023)
The premise is good but it lacks elsewhere
The Good
Story wise, the movie did a great job developing John Kramer character.
The Bad
First of all, you can probably tell what's gonna happen after 20 minutes in the movie. The setup with the fake treatment screams scam and you know that the rest of the movie will be about revenge. Of course, it is reveal that the treatment is a money grab and nothing was done to John.
Then, when all the "participants" are setup, there's 2 majors clues that let you know where this is heading. The first one is the fact that Amanda puts the confiscated phone on a cart that is very within reach of the participants, almost like she wants them to be able to get it (which is the case).
The second clue is that you can clearly see that the trap made for the main scammer needs 2 persons but she's the only one tied. Later in the movie, she's able to make a quick call saying "I was kidnapped" before Amanda throw the cellphone away. Not long after, one of the previous patient arrive, screaming that he's here because he got scammed and that he want's his money back. In the middle of the night..... yeah right.
Of course, the patient is the husband of the scammer and proceeds to free her. They then ask to John and the little kid to tied themselves on the game originally intended for her. What's bogging me the most about this twist is that even if it was planned by John, he or the kid could have died if the couple just had a little more patience. But no, they decide to go BOTH searching for the money, hence triggering the "real" final trap and releasing John and the kid.
Finally, let us not fool ourselves. We go to these movies mainly for the traps.
The first one, apart from being just imaginary, was too easy. Getting your fingers broken (on only one hand) is nothing compared to what we know of Jigsaw.
The brain operation trap was creative but there's absolutely no way someone can pull it without doing brain damage to himself, preventing him to finish the job.
Other traps were basically "cut yourself" or "break some bone", I was expecting more elaborated machinery.
John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023)
It's good but a bit lackluster storywise.
The first 3 movies were setting the lore with new elements. First movie, you learn about John Wick. Second movie, you discover the Continental and all it's implication. Third movie, you learn about the high table, their hierarchy, John's origin etc.
The 4th movie feels empty in term of new ideas. Basically, they just bring another high-graded goon sent by the table, just like the judicator in chapter 3.
They also bring back the concept of the assassin that uses dog to fight.
Finally, the whole part were John seeks asylum in his family and got his ticket cancelled is all reversed already.
Otherwise, the movie is great. Intense action, touching tribute to Lance Reddick and the ftop-view fight scene are really well done.
Smile (2022)
Was expecting more
So, whenever I see an horror movie rated 6 or above on IMDB, I expect something that do things differently from other horrors movie. Unfortunately, this is not the case here.
This movie has every generic ingredients:
- A "curse" that only the main character can see
- Everyone else thinks that she's crazy
- The classic "I lifted the curse!!" moment, followed by "Haha, you're still cursed"
- A bad (I guess) ending with no plot twist.
I almost felt laughing during the final 10-15 minutes, a part that oddly reminds me of Barbarian.
It's not a bad movie but I can't say that it's good neither. Just don't expect anything out of the ordinary.
Barbarian (2022)
I've created an account to make this review
Well, I don't understand all the 8+/10. I watched this movie expecting nothing but it seemed to be well received by the early viewers.
The first half of the movie appeared to be building a solid intrigue but as it unfold, meh. There's sooo many plot holes, the ending is mediocre and even cliché just like the "We don't believe you" police scene".
There's some positive tho:
- The movie doesn't heavily rely on jump-scare. But it's not really a scary movie by any means. I don't know what people saying "this is the best horror movie I've seen" have smoked before watching this.
- The run-time is good because you'll almost want to fast-forward at some point.
Should you watch it? Maybe, but don't expect anything.