Friday, September 9, 2016

The Last Days on Mars (2013)

This was a serious sci fi flick with so many potentials. You can find a cast full of recognized actors serving it well and a scenario giving its best, combing science fiction with horror elements. Only a few hours before the crew departs from Mars, an accident turns out to be disastrous for the whole mission. A great discovery on bacterial life changes to a lethal game for survival between the astronauts. The situation is really tough for everyone and as mission comes to its end, Vince, a brave technician tries to figure out what happened and what will be his next move in order to survive, isolated in an unfriendly planet. You will enjoy every moment of its dramatic sequence as this entertaining film delivers a great story.

Monday, August 29, 2016

White Bird in a Blizzard (2014)

Arraki's last film is a great attempt to mix some mystery alongside drama & thriller, sometimes successfully but sometimes lacks of tonal quality. There is a great cast delivering  some good acting too and the soundtrack is just amazing. I loved all these trippy moments coming to our hero's dreams. Kat is the average teenager, trying to satisfy her sexual desires at the late 80s. As Phil, her boyfriend, can't fulfill her demands, she turns to a local detective for more adventures after her mother's sudden disappearance. Her father was her doormat, a peaceful boring family man. Kat doesn't blame him for the situation and tries to understand the events surrounding her. The story works, there is some sense of mystery but the real hit is its shocking end.

 

Tuesday, August 23, 2016

The tripper (2006)

Tripper tastes like old wine. Sounds good, watching is even better. A b movie, directed at zeros, focusing in the oldskool style bloody stuff. Samantha and her friends decide to spend some time in the woods, visiting a psychedelic music festival. They love using drugs and being lost half of the day.The problems start when arriving at the spot and are assaulted by three local hillbillies. And this is only the beginning, as deranged psychopath serial-killer wearing a mask of Ronald Reagan uses an ax to kill the pacific stoned hippies. Deputy Buzz Hall investigates the crime scenes but there are various issues to be resolved as well. The atmosphere is creepy, cinematography also works good and blood fans will enjoy for sure.

Sunday, August 21, 2016

The Raid 2: Berandal (2014)

Do you remember the remarkable 'The Raid: Redemption' back in 2011? This is the sequel taking it to the next level. More nasty, more dark, more thoughtful. Rama's brother finally got assassinated by a mobster called Bejo, an intelligent guy who interferes into the local underground mafia, trying to divide the two gangs into a bloody war and take it all. Rama decides to be undercover, and gets imprisoned in order to gain Uco's trust, son of Bangun, leader of the Jakarta gang. More madmen and killers with incredible skills come into the game as betrayals come over and roles always change. Is there anyone for Rama to trust or he has to end it alone?
Director Gareth Evans delivers an awesome action film once more. Everything is well done for the audience's pleasure.

 

Saturday, July 9, 2016

The signal (2014)

Signal is a really interesting sci fi movie. Its cinematopraphy and cast make it work and it is something different in a good way. Three friends are trying to track down a mysterious hacker somewhere in the Nevada desert. Their passion lead them in an abandoned place where everything is going to change. The real terror begins after this incident and trough some artistic nostalgic-type flashbacks, the storyline delivers a great plot. The pacing is slow and methodical, doling out information in carefully measured doses before opening the floodgates during the film's climax. For a medium budgeted film, it sure does looks amazing. I can say it is a mindbender for serious sci fi fans.
 

Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Extinction (2015)

Extinction is not another typical zombie flick but maybe a beautiful exception. Even if you can think of it as a repetition at the beginning, everything is going to change soon at this well written story. Two different neighbors, Patrick and Jack, live peacefully somewhere in an abandoned place in the future. There was a zombie attack, nine years ago, and now Patrick raises up his daughter Lu, as Jack has no friends around, except his dog. There is a secret between these two men and they both have a common enemy that is still kept hidden. Surviving on the cold planet is really difficult and Lu tries to understand the meaning of being a human. Cool acting, nice atmosphere and an interesting horror film as well.

Monday, June 6, 2016

American Mary (2012)

A talented young girl tries her best in the medical university but she gets into troubles while doing the dirty job for a mobster. This is not her only problem as twisted doctors are trying to get closer to her and a few weird clients need her services at last. She is confused and has to take difficult decisions about her future that change everything. Her delicate passion for being a surgeon will drive her into a dark, bloody world. An interesting horror film with good acting and working plot. There is not enough gore as I was expecting but it is still an accomplishing gem. It is good to see new talent emerging with entertaining movies that don't follow the cookie cutter mold Hollywood has been giving us. 

Thursday, March 17, 2016

Mandariinid aka Tangerines (2013)

This is definitely one of the best films I am writing about for the last two years. A masterpiece from Georgia, telling the story of a quiet, peaceful old guy living in the middle of nowhere, in Apkhazia, a region where two armies are about to conflict. Ivo works as a carpenter, helping his childhood friend, Margus, collecting his tangerine crop. Someday, after a battle happening near their house, he finds two wounded men from opposite camps and decides to nurse them. This is going to be a very difficult task for him as they are ready to kill each other, but his peaceful mind will bring them to peace. A beautiful story for the war, the love of life and the selfless assistance of humans. Because these things among other, can name us humans as well and not animals. Amazing story line and soundtrack compose a powerful touching film to never forget.

Monday, March 14, 2016

Clown (2014)

Somewhere in a small town, a father tries to entertain his son at his birthday party. As he wears on an old fashioned clown costume, founded in an abandoned house, it will bring chaos to his life as it will transform him to an ancient demon. Kent tries to remove the evil suit over him but every attempt fails and gets him closer to the living nightmare as he loses control. His wife is the only one who understands him but this is not enough to save him for the endless pain. This is another Eli Roth's production, probably a good horror film with great moments for fans. Its great filming and acting can save your night, if you are looking for an interesting thrilling movie. The characters developing also works  and gives an overall positive result.

Monday, March 7, 2016

Escape from Tomorrow (2013)

What is actually the definition of cinema? Action, a good script, a better cinematography or a perfect role play? On this experimental as I can say film, maybe you can't find any of these or you may explore some new frontiers. It is all filmed in a Disney entertainment park, where you find Jim and his family try to spend some happy moments together until the father gets a notice that he got fire. After that, he obsesses with two young girls and starts being paranoid. The place seems to be unfriendly for his family and various issues appear in their relationship. The story goes insane more and more, presenting both surreal and horror elements into. A really bizarre film that made my mind move through his stunning black and white video production. So cinema or not, this gem is not for anyone!