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Reviews
Baskin (2015)
Wasted potential
I've heard a lot about Baskin so I was pretty excited going into this movie. Unfortunately, I was left feeling a little disappointed. I understand the concept and what the movie was going for, but everything didn't come together quite as well as it should have. I enjoyed the slow, methodical pacing in the second half, but the first half (which is almost entirely buildup) dragged a fair amount in places.
Also, none of the characters are particularly likeable. So when bad things happen to them, you don't really care. Your emotional investment depends on the mileage gore and body horror can get out of you. It would have been more interesting if good people were trapped in this situation. Then the main message wouldn't be - oh bad people go to hell. And while there are surrealist elements to this film, the plot leaves a lot of questions. Not in the sense that you're begging for answers, but more like you're wondering what sense any of this makes.
Having said that, some of the visuals are visceral, terrifying, and extremely creative. The unflinching brutality will make you squirm, and the second half is packed with tension. I just wish there was more to this film.
The Cleansing Hour (2019)
Unexpectedly fun time
I didn't know what to expect going into this, but The Cleansing Hour was a great time. Funny, intense, and with a smart plot, it's definitely worth watching. It goes off the rails in the third act but this movie is best enjoyed when you just go along for the ride.
It's worth watching if you like horror and a good exorcism movie. I quite enjoyed the fact that most of the film takes place in one location, making it all feel more intimidate despite hundreds of thousands of people joining the stream.
Watch it without the intention of picking it apart and you'll have a great time. It's not a masterpiece, but it's lots of fun.
Discontinued (2022)
Strange, contemplative movie.
First things first, this is not a comedy. This is a movie that shines a light on the fact that the world as we know it, and it's societal and cultural norms and expectations aren't built for everyone. This is a character study of one young woman who learns more about what it means to be alive when faced with the end of days.
It is on the slower side and it's far from perfect, but it asks interesting questions. We're supposed to be social animals right? So why do so many of us thrive in solitude? Why do widely accepted societal norms cause anxiety and depress certain people, when these norms exist to give structure to what it means to be part of a society in the first place? Watch it with an open mind.