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Showing posts from August, 2024

Longlegs: A Creepy Visual Feast That Struggles to Find Its Footing

Longlegs was a difficult movie for me to review because it’s caught in a tug-of-war between two very different horror styles. On one hand, it seems to want to be a crime thriller in the vein of Silence of the Lambs , while on the other, it flirts with the supernatural horror of The Exorcist . Both of these films are iconic in their own rights, but they don’t belong together, and that’s where Longlegs falters IMO. Image by Wikipedia Artistic Vision: A Visual Standout Right away, I noticed that Longlegs is shot differently than most modern films. The artistic choices, especially the shift between the 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios, gave the older footage a genuinely vintage feel. This was a clever touch that added depth and atmosphere, making the movie visually compelling in a way that’s rare today. Image curtesy of Longlegs by C2 Motion Picture Group Missed Potential: A Grounded Horror That Never Was Personally, I would have loved if the film had hinted at a supernatural presence only to

Girl in the Basement: A Disturbing Story That’s Hard to Shake Off

Girl in the Basement is a film that might easily be overlooked as just another made-for-TV movie, but that would be a mistake. It’s actually a surprisingly well-crafted and emotionally gripping film, especially considering its television origins. Image by Senscritique A Heartbreaking, True Story The story at the heart of Girl in the Basement is absolutely heartbreaking. We’ve all seen movies that claim to be "Based on real events," but this one is different. It doesn’t take liberties with the truth for the sake of drama. In fact, it tones down the horrific reality of the true story it’s based on, which is almost unheard of. After researching the actual events, it’s clear why the filmmakers made this choice—it would have been too much to bear otherwise.  Image by Heavy.com Genuine Suspense and Engagement It’s been a long time since a film had me so actively engaged in the moment. The suspense in Girl in the Basement is palpable. From the first moment, I found myself anxious

Law Abiding Citizen: Morality Tale or Justified Vengeance?

When a father’s pursuit of justice turns into a campaign of vengeance, it raises the question: is he the villain or a wronged man seeking the justice he was denied? Law Abiding Citizen presents a gripping, darkly captivating narrative centered around Clyde Shelton, a man who takes justice into his own hands after the legal system fails him. The film offers an intriguing exploration of justice, morality, and the human spirit's limits when pushed to its breaking point. Image by Wikipedia Refreshing Storyline: A Father's Relentless Quest for Justice At its core, Law Abiding Citizen tells a refreshing story of a father, Clyde Shelton, who will do anything to avenge his family. After witnessing the brutal murder of his wife and daughter, Clyde is devastated when the justice system fails him, and ultimately, his family. The murderer cuts a deal with the prosecutor, Nick Rice, and receives a mere five years in prison.  The film explores Clyde's transformation from a grieving fat