This film isn't for everyone: it's subtle and sad, thought provoking and frustrating. A lot of the action happens during the silences and can easily be overlooked if you're not paying attention. Sometimes paying close attention isn't enough because the explanations aren't simple or easy to come by, just like life. This isn't a feel-good movie, it's more about discovering the humanity/limitations in the people we look up to. Would I recommend this movie? Yes (with caveats). Actors are on point, the cinematography was incredible, direction is solid. It's just not an easy watch, if you're paying attention.
!!UPDATED!!! @bigal406 I get the concept of this film, I just don't think it adds anything new (and borrows heavily from previous films) to the established canon and I really wish that it did. That being said, it's an entertaining film, just pretty standard and familiar. If we look at the other synthetics across the franchise (David, Ash, Annalee, Walter, Bishop, Andy) the crisis of conscience seems to be a common theme. Again, entertaining and a must for true Alien fans, like me. BTW, I LOVED the emotional range of Andy. I was genuinely moved by the actor's performance. Original: I'm surprised at how formulaic this film is. Granted, the source material is fairly well-known (alien ship, alien egg, face hugger, sussy android, strong female heroine) but c'mon! This film also borrows quite heavily from the sacred Alien Cannon. Iconic lines from previous Alien films like "Get away from her, you b*tch" and "Game over, man" get used, making everything feel cheapened. And,
I'm not exactly sure about this film. Perhaps it's a film about repression? Maybe it's about disparities in gender, age and socioeconomic status? Can it be that this film is about bleak (and ultimately worthless) existence? Maybe it's about karmic debt and predestination? I think there are metaphors and parallels in the dry, barren landscape and game hunting, but execution/direction just isn't there. I'm trying to find something redeeming to about this film, but, in all honesty, I just don't get it. Maybe the horror is simply that this movie exists.
I don't normally watch this type of movie, but the trailer looked interesting, so I decided to let it play in the background while I did other things. My background idea didn't last very long, because this movie drew me in quickly. There's so much to like about "Dominique". Of course, there's a lot of action but this movie has so much more going on: humor, revenge, corruption, betrayal, a love story! Our heroine is a badassed Ukranian with a very special skillset. And while it's no longer unusual to see skinny "gringas" who kick major rump, there's something about this particular one that really makes me believe. In fact, this movie was so good that I'm watching it a second time as I write this. The plot is the typical run of the mill fare (hero is new in town, decides to help the family in need) but its execution is not. Yeah, I really liked this flick. Do yourself a favor and watch it!
There's a lot to unpack in this film and some of it gets lost in societal nuances that simply don't translate well. Basically, the patriarch of the family passes away and the young son becomes the new man of the house. There is plenty of subtext about the role of Pakistani women and not much of it is positive: the women are portrayed as naive, impulsive, superstitious and ultimately powerless. While such themes should be universal, it just rings as hollow here.
It's hard to review this film without spoilers, especially considering my one caveat about horror movies. So, stop reading if you don't want spoilers. While this movie is basically about grief and grieving, SPOILER ALERT: a beloved pet is killed. I HATE that! Had I known beforehand, I wouldn't have bothered watching the movie. I can deal with a horror movie's blood and gore, but there's just something downright cruel (and unnecessary) about an innocent pet being killed that I loathe. What is it? A physical manifestation of shared trauma/grief or something more...? I just don't care all that much, because the pet got killed.
This was an unexpected delight. Apparently, this was a passion project for Peter Dinklage and it's easy to see why: he's badassed in this film! And this may be Juliette Lewis' best role ever. It was super easy to suspend disbelief, and I found most of the acting quite believable. Funny to think that most of the roles were originally offered to other actors: a quick online search shows how Hollywood views "types" and to be honest, the actors could have been switched without it impacting the storyline all that much. Would I watch this film again? Probably not, it's not really a genre I like, but Peter and Juliette's performances were so strong that I don't have a problem recommending it to others.
This movie was a fun and wild ride down Old Nostalgia Lane. There are some fairly heavy triggers throughout: child abuse, homelessness, drug abuse, child abduction, mental illness and murder, to name a few, but they're done with such irreverence that it's all just very trippy. This movie is basically "The Pee-Wee Herman's Show" for adults. Take an overly happy/very deranged adult (of a children's television show) add a gigantic man-eating chair, a talking clock and vintage Disney effects and you've got "Mr. Crocket". Some will find the hand puppets and graphics old fashioned; it is (and part of what makes it so much fun!). But it's important to consider when this movie happens (1980s). Is this movie breaking new ground? No. Are there any standout performances? No. Did I enjoy it and chuckle out loud? Yes. Do I recommend it? Yup. Like I said, a fun and wild ride down Old Nostalgia Lane.
UPDATED AGAIN @ Retro-PK. Your screenname suits you (retro=old fashioned, out of date and usually irrelevant). Relax man, it's just a movie! UPDATED for Retro-PK!! Wow, you seem really offended by my review. FWIW, I saw the movie on another site and posted my review here. Sorry about the cancer, but you seem like you probably deserved it. Original review: Whew, what a stinker! I saw a low-quality version of this film and was very underwhelmed. The poor quality gave a 1970s vibe, as did the simple plot and acting. The action takes place during (or shortly after WWII) so maybe that's the justification for the overall weakness of this film? Bottom line: move along, there's nothing new to see here.
Groan. I'm not sure to begin with this. Firstly, I agree with everything targetlad72 said: this is definitely a poor man's rip of "The Thing". These are some of the most ridiculously wooden caricatures I've seen since sitting through an elementary school play: the professor wears glasses and has a tweed jacket, the only minority speaks Ebonics and smokes w**d, the tired old mechanic has a bandana hanging from the back pocket of his overalls. The dialogue is just as lame as the characters and acting. And most importantly, if you've made the unfortunate mistake of investing your time/interest in this sham (please don't), the movie cuts off near the ending!! There's at least 10 minutes missing from this movie!! What kind of witchery is this?!
This film had a lot of potential: a cold and stormy night, a strange mother/daughter dynamic, a home-invasion...wonderful ingredients for a horror film...yet none of these components are used purposely. The casting was great, but they can't overcome a bad script. The fuzzy ending didn't help.
Considering the source material ("The Captain's Log") was a mere chapter in Bram Stoker's 1897 novel, "Dracula", I think the movie did an exceptional job. We're all familiar with vampire lore, but the environment where this film takes place is not. And contrary to some small-minded reviews on this site (chocapic and lotusland) people of color existed, even back then! For true horror fans, seeing Javier Botet (REC films) was an extra boon. All in all, this was a well done film and one that I have watched several times.
This is an anthology with a very weak throughline. Because the short stories have very little in common with each other, the throughline (the mysterious woman recounting the stories) needs to be compelling and strong. Unfortunately for "Night of the Missing", the mysterious woman is by far the weakest of all the segments. The ending is rather open, suggesting that a sequel could be in the works, which is regrettable because most of this anthology is unremarkable.
I agree with just about everything unruly-flat-earth had to say about Eli Roth's "Thanksgiving". The plot is both overly complex and contradictory. At times "Thanksgiving" tries to offer overviews, like "Scream" but ultimately fails on every level. While there might be some commentary about retail's holiday shopping glut, most of the characters show such disregard for each other and have such little common sense that it's hard to find anyone to root for. While the killings are sometimes graphic, the effects used are often so ludicrous that everything comes across as comical than intended. And don't get me started on the actors. WTH was McDreamy doing in this film? Spoiler alert: cashing his check. All in all, this is an uneven and poor attempt at horror.
Original: I'm surprised at how formulaic this film is. Granted, the source material is fairly well-known (alien ship, alien egg, face hugger, sussy android, strong female heroine) but c'mon! This film also borrows quite heavily from the sacred Alien Cannon. Iconic lines from previous Alien films like "Get away from her, you b*tch" and "Game over, man" get used, making everything feel cheapened. And,
When I clicked on the link to see the film's trailer, the entire movie played (in native language).
UPDATED for Retro-PK!! Wow, you seem really offended by my review. FWIW, I saw the movie on another site and posted my review here. Sorry about the cancer, but you seem like you probably deserved it.
Original review: Whew, what a stinker! I saw a low-quality version of this film and was very underwhelmed. The poor quality gave a 1970s vibe, as did the simple plot and acting. The action takes place during (or shortly after WWII) so maybe that's the justification for the overall weakness of this film? Bottom line: move along, there's nothing new to see here.