EvilPhoEniX

Pretty. A girl thinks she has bedbugs in her apartment, so she calls an exterminator, only to find something else. It’s well made, the idea is interesting, but the WTF ending that veered into bizarre comedy just didn't sit right with me.

A two-hour history show and a chilling, gripping drama about the genocide in Sebrenica! There have been plenty of World War II movies, but a film about the greatest tragedy in modern history has only just arrived. I put the film off for a long time, not even its Oscar win could convince me, but it became a virtue out of necessity and I gave it a chance. Although I would have liked some war action, or more detailed executions – the only way the attempt to shock can work – it won me over in the end. Fortunately it has a great pace, the main character Aida is always running around somewhere, solving things and trying to save her family from execution. The emotions work quite well, the atmosphere is chilling, and it's definitely a situation none of us would want to find ourselves in. The acting is also top notch and the UN is shown in a not nice light. 75%

From the first trailer, I was looking forward to a grittier dinosaur affair, but unfortunately the film disappoints on multiple levels. It's a huge mistake that only Adam Driver is stuck on the planet, if there was at least a 15 man crew stuck there we could have got a proper R-rated dinosaur survival, where they wouldn't have skimped on the gore or darker atmosphere, and I would currently be drooling with bliss and screaming with excitement to the heavens, and wouldn't mind at all that it's silly and story-wise flat, but too bad. The dinosaurs looked cool though, and when they are on set they are something to watch. I liked the high tech weapons and the pretty decent scares. But everything in between was pretty mind-numbing and uninteresting, with no pace, no tension and no atmosphere, which is a mystery they couldn't use. 5/10.

A decent ghost story from Indonesia from a director who has potential. Kimo Stamboel has been sucking lately, but William Chandra's (MatiAnak, Cult) latest release made a decent impression on me. The story unfolds from a birthday party where a girl mysteriously disappears and returns after some time as a revenge spirit. We don't find out what happened to her until the end, which I liked. Nothing original, but I have no problem with it, it managed to keep my attention and I appreciate that more. I do appreciate that the ghost goes on a rampage somewhere around the 25 minute mark and sets off a decent series of brutal murders, with sets this film apart a lot. There are no stupid teasers and jump-scares, just a ghost out for revenge and giving its victims with unpleasant deaths (the murders are surprisingly numerous and are both inventive and decently brutal), and there’s also the delightfully creepy ghost mask (thankfully they avoided CGI, if there's one thing I hate it's the black smoke that ghosts usually have around them). The technical side is also top notch and the scene with the grandmother is a decent atmospheric blast. There was even a twist in the finale, so definitely eager and functional for me. I'll enjoy enjoy a slasher and ghost story crossover. 7/10.

A likeable Spanish ghost film without any higher ambitions, but it reliably meets all the necessary parameters, and nothing better from the ghost genre has come out this year. The story is set in the 1980s and centres on two friends who go out partying, get molly and hitchhike home with two guys. On their way they run into a girl holding a doll who disappeared years ago, and the trouble can begin. Pretty interesting ghost mythology around the doll and the ghost, likeable young actors, the ghost looks great (like a zombie bride but perfect practical make-up, no CGI), really uncomfortable look, has a nice pace, and the film isn't afraid to execute some of the characters, which I always welcome, and the atmosphere is cool too (the jump-scares didn't really work for me, but the ghost's appearance on the set just looked good and had the appropriate gusto). It's not as good as Don’t Listen or Malasaña 32, but it's still better than anything from America, or this year. If the competition was bigger, I'd stick with a strong three stars, but it's been a long time since I've seen a nicely made ghost film with a fine villain, so I'll happily upgrade. 7/10.

Another great short from the director of Ignore It!! A great idea set in a changing cabin. Creepy, atmospheric, spectacular. Really cool.

Dormani is a smart boy. His Milkman was already fine and Ornate can again rely on an interesting idea and unconventional concept. It may lack funding, but the creative vision and playfulness is there. The finale is fine and creepy. 6/10.

My good old and beloved Patryk Vega is back! I look forward to every film of this director, knowing I'm going to have a royal good time no matter what the topic, because it's always an incredible ride. This won't be one of his most celebrated films though (violence and gore are completely absent this time), and his previous, Small World, was pure exploitation purgatory. This time he takes on love relationships and coronavirus and once again delivers it with great candor and style. We have three girlfriends. One is a journalist (an unbelievable bitch!) who fucks Tinder guys and ruins the career biggest playboy in town's career (I felt really sorry for the guy and what he goes through for her is really unbelievable hell, including getting raped by a guy!). The other one is a photographer and she launches the acting career of a young model she’s sleeping with, but he makes it all the way to Porn, so she's mentally devastated. The third one is a lawyer who gets fooled by a charming Arab and experiences a literal Islamic relationship including humiliation and abuse – this relationship was really decently heated and nicely highlighted Muslim culture and its relationship with women. The last story is about a Jehovah's Witness who becomes a stripper and a world class slut – this was the funniest story. Vega incorporates the coronavirus in a very funny way, where the ensuing lockdown ruins everyone's love relationships and lives. I've never seen someone use the coronavirus in a script in such a way that it turns the whole movie 90 degrees. Visually it's very good, it has a great vibe at times, the music is brilliant, the characters are likeable, the pace is insanely fast, it goes from scene to scene, the film doesn't get boring for a moment, and there's some humour too. Vega has once again accomplished the mission.

An interesting semi-documentary insight into a police department tasked with protecting children from paedophiles and sexual predators, which in this case are usually their own fathers or grandfathers. It reminded me a bit of End of Watch, only set in France. It has a more TV look, but that adds to the authenticity and the daily work of the police is portrayed in detail, without any exaggerations and with all the problems. The interrogations of children and paedophiles, the arguments with colleagues or the insights into the personal lives of the police officers – this was the line I enjoyed the least. The acting is very good and the dialogue is chilling and uncomfortable. Some scenes are great, while some passages I found a bit boring. The ratings were tipping the scales for me as I watched, but then the finale came and it was decided. The final argument in the office among the colleagues was so brutal that it gave me chills. That was a proper acting tour-de-force. And the interrogation of the little boy who didn't want the gym teacher who groped him to go to jail because he liked him. Awesome! The final shot just underscores the whole depression and is properly shocking. Good film, anyone who likes crime dramas or anything with paedophiles should give it a chance. 7/10.

Awesome! Dinner is about to be served and the father goes to his son, saying that “The Woman” has returned. If you ignore her everything will be fine like last time. Great acting, creepy atmosphere, a well executed and interesting idea. A feature film would be welcome. 8/10.