Ratings Central - Movies

Identity  is a film that continues to hold its ground as a compelling murder mystery, offering a unique narrative that delves into the complexities of Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). Despite my limited knowledge of psychology, I found its portrayal of DID intriguing, particularly how the identities within a single mind eliminate each other to arrive at one dominant personality. While this may not be an accurate representation of therapeutic practices, it makes for a fascinating plot device. Image by Reddit Engaging Mystery and Suspense The film excels in creating suspense, making the audience suspect various characters trapped in a motel of being the killer. The script skillfully makes you believe it could be any one of five or so characters, keeping viewers on edge. The movie offers a unique glimpse into DID by showing the internal conflict among different identities, each trying to assert dominance. While not necessarily realistic, it provides an interesting framework for the n

A Quiet Place: Day One was a tough one to critique. It wasn’t a bad movie by any means, but as a "Quiet Place" film, it fell very short of the mark expected. This installment is more of a drama about a young woman surviving the initial alien attack, rather than a gripping horror-thriller that fans of the series might want, and rightfully so, expect. Image by Gateway Film Center A Drama in Disguise While the film ties into the "Quiet Place" series, it doesn’t need to. The drama is so well-constructed that it could have been any disaster movie, and the plot and outcome would remain unchanged. This could have been about surviving a massive hurricane, earthquake, or any other catastrophe, and it would have made just as much sense. The "Quiet Place" elements feel forced, making it clear this movie was shoehorned into the franchise to leverage its popularity. Image by IMDb Missteps in Character Development The main character is compelling—she’s strong and resil

Scream was a breath of fresh air in the mid-90s horror scene, revitalizing a genre that had begun to feel stale. It’s easy to forget just how original this movie was when it first hit theaters. Sure, it leaned heavily on established horror tropes, but it did so with a level of self-awareness and cleverness that felt revolutionary at the time. Image by Rotten Tomatoes A Clever Subversion of Horror Tropes Scream does an excellent job of making fun of its own audience while simultaneously subverting their expectations. It’s a film that knows you’ve seen all the horror tropes before and plays with that knowledge to keep you on your toes. The script is ingeniously meta, poking fun at the very conventions it employs. Characters openly discuss horror movie rules, only to fall victim to them in unexpected ways. It’s a smart, self-aware approach that keeps you engaged. Image by The Guardian Brutal Killings and Genuine Suspense One of the standout elements of Scream is its unapologetic brutal

Pixar's Up is a film that stands out not just for its unique story but for the profound emotional depth it brings to the screen. It’s a beautiful mix of adventure, heartache, and redemption that speaks to audiences of all ages. But, does it still hold up today 15 years later? Wow, that's weird to say. Let's take a look. Image by Wikipedia The Heart-Wrenching Beginning From the moment Up starts, Pixar grabs you by the heartstrings and doesn’t let go. The opening montage of Carl and Ellie’s life together is one of the most emotionally potent sequences in recent memory. We watch them grow from childhood sweethearts to an elderly couple, facing the highs and lows of life together. This includes a gut-wrenching moment where they lose their unborn child, a daring move for an animated film but one that pays off in grounding the story in real, relatable human experiences. It’s rare for a film, especially an animated one, to handle such heavy topics with grace and subtlety. Pixar

Okay, let’s dive into The Bloodline Killer . I know, I know—indie horror can be hit or miss, and this one... well, it took a bit of a nosedive. But let’s give it a fair shot. Image by fullhdfilmizlesene.com.tr A Storyline Familiar Yet Different The setup for The Bloodline Killer is intriguingly odd. Picture a family dealing with the grief of losing their father to a masked maniac. Sounds like a solid start for a horror movie, right? Here’s the twist: the grieving family isn’t your typical young, scared bunch. The mother is pushing 60, and her sons are in their late 30s. It’s a strange choice that stands out, but not always in a good way. Seeing grown adults act with the kind of irrational fear and poor decision-making you’d expect from teens is… interesting, to say the least. Image by IMDb Killer or Puppy? Hard to Tell The movie tries to introduce its own horror icon, and it fails. Miserably. Our masked killer, Lee, is the cousin of the grieving family. He moves like he’s got two left

Let’s get one thing out of the way: I never saw the original Strangers movies. When I heard The Strangers: Chapter 1 wasn’t a continuation or a reboot but a “reimagining,” I was intrigued. A fresh take on a couple being terrorized by masked strangers in the middle of nowhere sounded like my kind of horror flick. I was ready to be on the edge of my seat, gripping my popcorn with every twist and turn. But alas, what I got was a movie that started with promise and quickly dissolved into frustration and disbelief. Image by Quora Setting the Scene First off, the set design and costumes deserve some props. The film nails that creepy, isolated vibe. The cabin and surrounding woods provide the perfect backdrop for a night of terror. The masked strangers give off a distinct "Jason" aura without feeling like outright copycats. Visually, the movie has a lot going for it. Image by Screen Rant The Suspension of Disbelief – or Lack Thereof Now, every horror movie requires a bit of suspen

Alright, let’s dive into IF , the latest flick that had all the potential to be a heartwarming tale but ended up stumbling over its own premise. Before we get too far in, I must say, I had hopes. Not high hopes, but hopes. With a unique concept and a cast that included Ryan Reynolds, you’d think this film would be a surefire hit. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t. IF introduces us to the world of imaginary friends (IFs) and the impact they have on the people who create them. Sounds intriguing, right? Sadly, what starts as a promising setup quickly turns into a muddled mess. The concept is great, but the execution leaves a lot to be desired. Image by FirstShowing.net The Good Let’s start on a positive note: Cailey Fleming , who plays Bea, did a remarkable job with what she was given. Her portrayal of a girl caught between childhood and adulthood was nuanced and believable. She brought a sense of maturity to her role while still managing to capture the innocence of being a kid. It's a shame