Ratings Central - Movies

Going into The Bagman , I was fully prepared to sit through a low-budget gorefest, packed with cheap jump scares and predictable plotlines. But to my surprise, what I got was something much more refined—a slow-burn suspense thriller that outshines many bigger-budget projects. The film uses its time wisely, building tension and setting up a compelling atmosphere, while steering clear of the typical pitfalls that drag many horror flicks down. Image by IMDb Slow and Steady Wins the Race This movie doesn’t rush. It takes its time to develop the story, but does so in a way that keeps you mildly hooked. It’s one of those rare films where the slower pacing actually benefits the narrative, allowing each element to breathe and come into focus. You won’t find rapid-fire scares here, but rather a creeping sense of unease that makes you wonder what’s lurking in the shadows. The way The Bagman sets up its "rules"—through a twisted fairy tale—was pure brilliance. By tapping into something...

When I first heard about  The Substance , I was fully prepared to hate it. The concept just seemed weak, like something I’d seen recycled a dozen times in other sci-fi and horror flicks. But sometimes, it's good to be wrong. The movie managed to surprise me in more ways than I expected, and while it wasn’t without flaws, it certainly wasn’t the shallow mess I thought I’d be sitting through. Familiar Tropes, but Done Better Sure, there were elements in The Substance that I’ve seen before—stories about beauty, youth, and vanity have been done to death—but this one somehow managed to do it in a way that felt fresh. The execution here stood above a lot of other attempts at the same theme. I found myself more intrigued by the storytelling than I expected, and that’s saying something for a film I walked into with low expectations. One of the most enjoyable aspects of this film was the twists. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, The Substance would throw in something unexpecte...

The prospect of Speak No Evil (2024) intrigued me from the get-go. It’s a chilling thought: meeting strangers who could turn out to be sadistic killers—an everyday occurrence with terrifying possibilities. The potential for genuine thrills was there, but unfortunately, the film didn’t deliver the suspense it promised. Image by IMDb Something’s Just... Off I can’t quite put my finger on what was "wrong" with this movie, but there’s definitely something missing. Speak No Evil takes its sweet time introducing us to the characters and setting up the plot. It’s like the film was determined to make sure we were well-acquainted with everyone before anything remotely exciting happened. It’s not inherently bad to build up your characters, but when you’re an hour into a thriller, and nothing thrilling has happened, there's a problem. Image by CBR James McAvoy: The Misfire Performance I usually consider James McAvoy a standout star, but in this film, he just didn’t land for me. In...

Deadpool and Wolverine was a difficult movie to rate. On one hand, it’s a fan's dream to see all these characters from superhero movies past—some even from movies that never got made—all battling it out on the same screen. But that’s the entire movie, really. It’s almost as if the plot exists solely to justify bringing these characters together for one big farewell. Let me start with a bit of honesty: I’ve never been the biggest Deadpool fan. I don’t hate the character, but the constant 4th wall breaks get old fast. Sure, it’s funny at first—Deadpool is supposed to be irreverent and self-aware. But after a while, I found myself saying, "Okay, we get it, you can talk to the audience. Can we move on now?" There’s only so much self-referential humor I can take before it starts to feel forced. Image by IMDB Action-Packed but Hollow Deadpool and Wolverine is as wide as an ocean but as shallow as a puddle. There’s no shortage of exciting fights, hilarious one-liners, and epi...

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 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...

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...