Log: week 35 / 2025
Grim and unpleasant, which is par for the course when looking at the horror films Germany produced around that time. The film isn't scary or extremely gory (though still not for the faint of heart), it's the lack of emotion and the coldness of the lead character that make this a true horror film. The presentation is a little basic, but the dreary colors and grainy look are perfect for the subject matter. The actors are decent enough, the special effects are a little iffy, but they do the job, and the film is short and to the point, so there's hardly any filler. This was better than expected, but I did start with rather low expectations.Read all
A somewhat generic HK crime flick, despite the presence of a star-studded cast. To be fair, none of the men were at the top of their careers at that point. Joe Cheung also isn't the most critically acclaimed director, so what you're getting is a rather simple genre affair with some rawer edges. The crime elements feel familiar, the mix of drama, crime, and action is typical for the films of that era, and the performances are decent, though guys like Yam and Lau were still looking for their best form. It's a bit too long, but other than that, it's amusing genre filler. Just don't expect too much of it.Read all
The original was a lukewarm Scream rip-off, this reboot follows in the footsteps of the Scream reboots. A very similar story, a returning cast, and a firm trust that it'll attract old fans to cover the costs. This 2025 version isn't a great film, but it's decent enough horror filler, with some cute references to the original film. Expect a slasher with some narrative twists, a cast of annoying twenty-something that are perfect cannon fodder, and a couple of generic kills. I feel that 90 minutes would've been more than enough for a film like this, and they could've done more to modernize the formula, but it didn't bore me. No sequels, please!Read all
Another short and sweet streamer flick, though not of the best to come out of China lately. The core elements are present: strange creatures on a mountain, a mythic object, minor tomb raiding vibes, and lots of action scenes. But the direction could've been tighter, and some of the CG is just horrible. But thanks to the fast pacing, some fun action choreographies, and a jam-packed selection of genre clichés, this is still an entertaining romp that is easy to recommend to fans of Chinese action/adventure films. Don't expect too much, but if you're looking for some solid genre filler, you can't go wrong with it.Read all
When Hong Kong does something similar to The Wicker Man. The result isn't all that similar, as Hong Kong horror is rather loud and energetic, but the premise and structure of both films do feel alike. Just don't expect to see the darker and more serious vibes, this is very much an 80s Hong Kong horror film. The performances are iffy, and the first half's a bit slow. But once the two groups are at odds with each other, the pacing picks up, and there are some entertaining moments. I wouldn't call this a genuine classic, it's not distinctive enough for that, but it's good fun if you know what you're getting into.Read all
A pretty rough drama. The protagonists aren't the easiest to empathize with, and their behavior isn't necessarily neatly confined to a single condition. To me, it made the characters more interesting and more well-rounded. Yamanaka has a very humane touch that adds depth to the film, and structurally, she made some fun yet challenging choices. The presentation could've been cleaner, and it's a pretty big departure from her lively breakthrough film, but Yamanaka shows that she has range. An impressive drama.
I appreciate the idea of doing something different, but too often cinema confuses experimentation with a nod to the past. This isn't a film that will push the medium forward. Instead, Soul to Squeeze toys with concepts and aesthetics that feel old and tired. It also doesn't help that the budget was a clear limiting factor. The performances were iffy, the execution felt cheap, and I didn't find anything too original or surprising. Sure enough, Soul to Squeeze is a bit different from most other films out there, and that deserves some credit, but it feels like I've seen it all before, sometimes in films that are over half a century old. Disappointing.Read all