Change Your Image
prettierwhenyoucry
Ratings
Most Recently Rated
Reviews
Greenland (2020)
Dull and poorly conceived disaster movie.
This film for many reasons, is underwhelming. I was irked by how dis-likeable the main protagonists are, and ultimately how selfish they are.
When they stop the plane in the third act, with their car, this was just totally unbelievable and pointless plot point. As was the exchange with Gerard Butler's character where he lied about his weight, where there are no consequences for his lying. They all get to board anyway. I understand that humans are desperate, but their sense of entitlement makes me route for them less at the end. For example, if Gerard's character had been left behind and the film ended with the plane taking off it would have been more impactful. The distater would have actually been felt more by the viewer, as an actual distaster.
Throughout, I was waiting for something to happen. The sense of urgency, the panic and the fear just doesn't translate in a gritty, meaningful way. It all feels too easy to digest, too convenient and even generic. The brutality of being attacked for your wrist band vs. the nice, helpful nursing staff always popping up was particularly idiotic to me.
Another point to consider is Gerard Butler's burn on his arm was another non-starter, as was the son's diabetes which wasn't mentioned as a risk in the second half due to human convenience. The plot leaves behind notions and thus lacks suspense. The burn actually really annoyed me. This guy is a class A dick, and he randomly saves one person out of many he could have before. The burn is meant to show his compassion? Am I meant to care about his welfare? I just didn't buy his actions or see him as a worthy character.
The film is paint by numbers, in terms of what it offers the viewer. I really thought it was mediocre at best in terms of what it could offer the disaster movie genre. The film didn't commit to itself and was really delivered half-baked. Also, there were too many tacked on scenes where it seemed impossible the main characters would ever reunite.
If they'd shaved off some of the journey and spent longer with the father of the wife, it would have added emotional weight to care about the reunion. Or if they had skipped this, shown the father as deceased to add to the desolation and brutality, then it would have been better. It just felt this scene was lost in the third act and unnecessary.
Another missed opportunity was when the son was kidnapped, and mother overpowered. The whole scenario is very unsettling yet I saw the character interaction not translate the intensity of emotions. The way it was conceived didn't convey any tension, it just seemed really fantastical when they were reunited so quickly. I would have removed this scene or made this scenario of the son going missing, a more impactful turn of events in terms of story and world building. Yes, I understand these people who took him are meant to be desperate, but I don't even care enough about this struggle. Because there's no struggle here.
The main characters just overcome too many events in a very bland way. I remember the comet was called Clarke but none of the actual character's names which speaks volumes. They had zero chemistry as a family unit.
The 6th Day (2000)
Really worth a watch
I watched this film with great pleasure at how 19 years on the film, despite its obvious outdated script is by far one of the truest depictions of worrying aspects of modern day society. Playing god has become normalised in the human sense of authority over the planet, and aesthetic value placed over authenticity. This film predicts pet cloning for example, and has creepy interactions with a doll and a hologram which highlights the morality of creating a.i for the human pleasure dome. The acting is above par, though at times the script and language use are painfully outdated is really my only criticism. The clothes are on point, I especially enjoyed the early noughties take on cyber punk post punk. The film also takes into play family values, the philosophy of what being human means, raises questions about social hierarchy, and the right to live (definitely feeling blade runner vibes). Albeit this could have been slicker, it could have been more well delivered in terms of tone and suspense however its appeal is certainly the overall message and questions it raises regarding cloning and the consequences of human perception.
The Divide (2011)
Underrated and Over-Hated - For Horror Lovers is Worth the Watch
This film is paradoxical in many ways and is flawed by its confusion of who the characters actually are. They seem to make very quick decisions which fundamentally are not relayed or explained well enough in the major plot twists. Yet, this movie left its mark on me after I binged on recent horrors. The acting is really decent despite the confusing plot and the suspense and build up leave you intrigued to know who 'they' are. The premise is familiar but I was left feeling refreshed by the way those trapped in isolation from a disaster referenced deeper human, primordial instincts. The forming of tribes and a Lord of The Flies affect is felt as the occupants slowly are driven mad. I loved the addition of Milo Ventimiglia was really a welcome one. He is a great actor and really shone in this movie. It is not the most polished thriller/horror I have ever encountered but it has its really stand-out shocking moments which make it worth the watch.
V/H/S (2012)
A thrilling POV peppered with dry wit, thrills and throwbacks
As usual the rating on IMDb for a recent horror falls short of realising how brilliant this horror really is. Many themes, symbols, and classic horror tales are played out unapologetically, leaving an indulgent audience participation which leaves horror lovers really satisfied with the content. The first storyline references The Lost Boys; the humour and delivery of acting left me laughing, scared, grossed out and really routing for the characters. The awkwardness of the scene culminating a downright thrilling and pleasing ending leaves this opening as the stand-out of the entire run. The humour and parodic nature of Eli Roth and the gross out of Itchi The Killer can be felt throughout. It really is an encompassing relay of horror classics with a modern portrayal. It is unfulfilled in explanation which is a tone throughout the movie but I think the whole point is that this is footage being watched in the film also, we are not meant to know the entire story as it is fundamentally a POV narration. I think its a movie to sit back, watch and enjoy without questioning too much the deeper meaning.