Poor things (2023)
I settled down to watch poor things and my first thought was it looked artistically very impressive, it had a Wes Anderson style cinematic look and each scene was really visually engaging, the only issue I had with this film was its sexual nature, I had heard prior to this the film had the similar themes to Saltburn and I thought maybe this was something I would enjoy due to the dark nature, although if I’m honest I found the sexual scenes in this film to be a bit overbearing and too much. Not only that, again, like Saltburn, I had suggested this film to my dad and we watched it together so it was a bit uncomfortable. I think overall the film had a strong feminist theme about discovering your sexuality, owning your own body and making your own rules and not being tied down by controlling men, I think the ending was quite a twist and strengthened the message about female empowerment and independence. That said I did find the message a bit confusing, The encouragement of being sexually promiscious and liberated to the extent of the objectification of women felt a bit counterintuitive.
I think this would make a really interesting immersive experience with its whimsical and childlike cinematic scenes and nature. What made me a bit unsettled was the nature of the storyline where Emma stone was playing a woman with a child’s brain, I wasn’t sure how to feel about the scenes of a sexual nature being that she was quite childlike and this made me rather uncomfortable. Overall the film was visually engaging and hauntingly beautiful, although the subject matter was quite dark, I felt the blockbuster vibe came through a bit too strong and didn’t make me feel as engaged as other films.
The responder (2024)
I sat down to watch the second series of the responder with the family. The story follows a policeman who gets involved with various drug gangs in order to free him self from his struggles with income and keeping a good connection with his ex-wife and child as they threaten to leave the country. I thoroughly enjoyed the first season mostly because of the colour grading and the dark themes. The darkness of this show resonated deeply with me as well as the hardships and the struggles it touched upon in the series. The show really delves into drug culture and how certain people end up in certain situations and why and it really helps the viewer to empathise with the characters despite their seemingly questionable choices and lives. This show had a dark blue colour grading that made the scenery look overcast and gloomy which reflected the theme really well and the score was reflective of the misery in the show. The screenplay was really effective although I did think they repeated a lot of the themes from the first season. I find it quite interesting how viewers can be made to empathise with characters that have less than favourable characteristics but this show really effectively showed how vulnerable people can be exploited and steered in the wrong direction when desperate. I loved the dark and overcast feel to this show and is something I’m looking to add to my final outcome.
Longlegs (2024)
Being a passionate horror enthusiast, I was eagerly looking forward to the release of "Longlegs." Given the abundance of glowing reviews and a flawless 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, my expectations were incredibly high. I was eagerly anticipating the chance to be terrified by the film, which had been promoted as the most frightening of the decade. So, with a sense of anticipation, I made my way to the cinema, prepared for an evening filled with suspense and terror.
The opening scenes of "Longlegs" were truly impressive. The initial five minutes had an undeniable spookiness, setting a captivating and eerie atmosphere. The cinematography was absolutely stunning, capturing the essence of iconic films such as "Hereditary" and "Silence of the Lambs." The atmosphere was primed for what I anticipated to be a thrilling and exhilarating experience.
However, as the film went on, my initial excitement started to fade. The pacing became much slower, which made it challenging to stay engaged. The character development was lacking; we didn't get much insight into the characters or their motivations. The lack of depth in their characters made it difficult to form a connection or feel invested in what happened to them.
The film was made worse by its heavy reliance on unnecessary jump scares, which felt more like cheap tricks than genuine horror. The main antagonist, the character I was really excited to see, only showed up for a brief five minutes. I was quite let down and unimpressed by the limited screen time given to the supposedly terrifying presence, leaving me feeling disappointed.
I grew more and more disinterested and unfocused as the movie continued. The screenplay was filled with plot holes and inconsistencies, which made it challenging to follow the story. Throughout the film, there were random biblical references that seemed cringey and overused, failing to add any depth.
As someone who usually enjoys horror films, this experience was quite different. "Longlegs" did not live up to its claim of being the most terrifying movie of the decade. Instead, it left me feeling disappointed and annoyed.
As I reflect on the experience, I am reminded of a quote by Plutarch "It is easy to find fault, but to do better is difficult." . Although creating a successful horror film can be quite challenging, the critical acclaim and high expectations surrounding "Longlegs" only intensified the disappointment caused by its shortcomings.
In the end, "Longlegs" didn't quite satisfy my taste. Although it had a promising start and visually impressive moments, the lack of character development, uneven pacing, and excessive use of jump scares ultimately resulted in a forgettable experience. As a horror enthusiast, I eagerly anticipate upcoming films that will meet the high expectations and provide the intense scares and excitement I desire
The opening scenes of "Longlegs" were truly impressive. The initial five minutes had an undeniable spookiness, setting a captivating and eerie atmosphere. The cinematography was absolutely stunning, capturing the essence of iconic films such as "Hereditary" and "Silence of the Lambs." The atmosphere was primed for what I anticipated to be a thrilling and exhilarating experience.
However, as the film went on, my initial excitement started to fade. The pacing became much slower, which made it challenging to stay engaged. The character development was lacking; we didn't get much insight into the characters or their motivations. The lack of depth in their characters made it difficult to form a connection or feel invested in what happened to them.
The film was made worse by its heavy reliance on unnecessary jump scares, which felt more like cheap tricks than genuine horror. The main antagonist, the character I was really excited to see, only showed up for a brief five minutes. I was quite let down and unimpressed by the limited screen time given to the supposedly terrifying presence, leaving me feeling disappointed.
I grew more and more disinterested and unfocused as the movie continued. The screenplay was filled with plot holes and inconsistencies, which made it challenging to follow the story. Throughout the film, there were random biblical references that seemed cringey and overused, failing to add any depth.
As someone who usually enjoys horror films, this experience was quite different. "Longlegs" did not live up to its claim of being the most terrifying movie of the decade. Instead, it left me feeling disappointed and annoyed.
As I reflect on the experience, I am reminded of a quote by Plutarch "It is easy to find fault, but to do better is difficult." . Although creating a successful horror film can be quite challenging, the critical acclaim and high expectations surrounding "Longlegs" only intensified the disappointment caused by its shortcomings.
In the end, "Longlegs" didn't quite satisfy my taste. Although it had a promising start and visually impressive moments, the lack of character development, uneven pacing, and excessive use of jump scares ultimately resulted in a forgettable experience. As a horror enthusiast, I eagerly anticipate upcoming films that will meet the high expectations and provide the intense scares and excitement I desire
Late night with the devil (2023)
One evening this summer, I settled in with my brother to watch "Late Night with the Devil," a film that instantly grabbed my attention with its vintage setting and stylish presentation. The film's references to the Illuminati and the alleged rituals followed by Hollywood stars to stay popular and relevant were captivating and relevant, considering the recent news surrounding these subjects. The atmosphere was eerie and the themes felt relevant, which enhanced the viewing experience.
However, I didn't find the film frightening at all. My recent experiences with other horror films may have influenced my reactions, or maybe I was just feeling indifferent that night. Looking back on my experience, I believe that if I had seen this six years ago, prior to converting to Islam, it would have been more unsettling due to its themes. After gaining a deeper understanding of religion, spirits, and God, my perspective has completely changed. As a result, Hollywood's interpretations of these subjects now appear quite nonsensical to me.
Although it didn't quite live up to my expectations in terms of scariness, "Late Night with the Devil" managed to captivate me with its storyline. The premise of this movie is quite unique, as it revolves around a live studio show that includes a seance on stage. This sets it apart from your typical horror movies. The film successfully kept me engaged from start to finish, although it didn't provide the level of fright I was anticipating.
"Late Night with the Devil" was executed with great style. The retro aesthetic was executed flawlessly, and the film's meticulous attention to detail in capturing the essence of a past era was truly remarkable. Although it may not have been the scariest movie I've watched, it definitely stood out with its unique and unforgettable approach. Overall, I would say it was a good film, engaging and visually appealing, even if it didn't quite hit the mark in terms of delivering chills.
However, I didn't find the film frightening at all. My recent experiences with other horror films may have influenced my reactions, or maybe I was just feeling indifferent that night. Looking back on my experience, I believe that if I had seen this six years ago, prior to converting to Islam, it would have been more unsettling due to its themes. After gaining a deeper understanding of religion, spirits, and God, my perspective has completely changed. As a result, Hollywood's interpretations of these subjects now appear quite nonsensical to me.
Although it didn't quite live up to my expectations in terms of scariness, "Late Night with the Devil" managed to captivate me with its storyline. The premise of this movie is quite unique, as it revolves around a live studio show that includes a seance on stage. This sets it apart from your typical horror movies. The film successfully kept me engaged from start to finish, although it didn't provide the level of fright I was anticipating.
"Late Night with the Devil" was executed with great style. The retro aesthetic was executed flawlessly, and the film's meticulous attention to detail in capturing the essence of a past era was truly remarkable. Although it may not have been the scariest movie I've watched, it definitely stood out with its unique and unforgettable approach. Overall, I would say it was a good film, engaging and visually appealing, even if it didn't quite hit the mark in terms of delivering chills.
