Log: week 13 / 2021

Performances are somewhat overdone, the direction is too functional, the mix of genres doesn't quite work and the runtime is excessive. All these things hold the film back from greatness. There are some interesting scenes and the plot is fun enough, I just don't understand where a film like this gets its reputation. Decent, but nothing more.

The art style is rather stylish, though I'm not a big fan of this type of exaggerated animation. The songs aren't that great, the plot is somewhat drab and the characters are one-dimensional, but there are a few standout moments and the film is nice and short. Not great, but better than expected.

I generally like these crazy family type horror film and Milburn's direction is perfect. A uneasy soundtrack, smart framing (he pulls the same trick - where someone is in the room but is kept out of frame until later in the scene - several times, but it's always effective) and stellar performances make this a real treat. The only problem is that the runtime's a bit too long, with a handful of scenes stretched just beyond their breaking point. But Milburn shows promise, fingers crossed his first film won't be his last.

Not everything works and some parts are really outdated, but overall the film has retained a certain charm because of Zeman's unique approach. It's really like nothing I'd ever seen before, which at this stage has become a pretty big plus. It's still way too clumsy for me to love it unconditionally, performances are basic, the execution's pretty childish and the effects can be pretty crummy, but at least it was memorable.

The animation isn't terrible, but the character models are pretty ugly and the voice acting is just atrocious. The story is all over the place too. Some bits are interesting, others less so, which makes it harder than needed to keep focused. There surely is potential here, but overall the film is way too uneven to turn it into an enjoyable experience.

The mix of animation and live action is interesting, but the animation itself is pretty outdated and the art style isn't all that appealing. The bigger problem is that even though the world for these two people changes from peaceful retirement to dire nuclear warfare in the blink of an eye, the characters themselves are very much stuck in their ways. Whatever happens around them, their reaction is always the same. Though the film has some poignant scenes, it's just not enough to make a big impression.

Harrelson and Moore are decent but they don't exactly sparkle, Redford is quite bleak. The premise is fun, but characters behave somewhat randomly and the film gets too cheesy at times when it should've been more daring. The film hasn't retained much of its original edge, what remains is a pretty basic Hollywood romance and unfulfilled potential.

The presentation is light and breezy, Long and Vand do a good job and the pacing is perfect. But safe one or two scenes, there's nothing that truly stands out. It's all a bit too predictable, and I don't think it's a film I'll be remembering for long. But if you're looking for some fun filler, it certainly does the job.

The camera work is static and the first half is just way too dialogue-driven. There's just endless conversation that stands in the way of building up a moody atmosphere. The second half is ever so slightly better, but by then the film had already lost me. Wasn't too impressed by the performances either and the horror elements are miniscule. This felt more like a bad stage play to me.

It's a proven formula, but the eerie Russian forests, great sound design and some smart scares make sure that there's plenty of genre fun to be had. Performances are also decent and the runtime is nice and short, just don't expect to see anything original or surprising. It's a bit too by the numbers to really stand out, but otherwise it's pretty cool filler.

The second short film is the clear highlight, very reminiscent of Memories' Magnetic Rose segment. The first and third are solid, only the fourth feels a little obsolete. Interesting effects, great sound design, solid performances and a superb central mystery make this a very cool project though. Don't listen to all the naysayers, just watch this when you're in the mood for a fun sci-fi project.

Performances are pretty weak, but it's mostly the adventure that fails to engage. A barren trek through the wilderness sounded more than appealing enough, but somehow it doesn't feel half as epic or impressive as it should've been. Pacing issues, mediocre action scenes and some exceedingly cheesy moments make it hard to like this film.

The Banishing is a solid slowburner, but it lacks the audiovisual finish to stand out. There are some very moody scenes, performances are good across the board and there are a few solid scares, but overall it's not enough to convince me this wasn't just another haunted house flick sporting a dramatic backstory. Quality filler, but I'd hoped for something more.

Performances are a little weak and the comedy doesn't work that well, but the martial arts scenes are on point and the sets/costumes look nice enough. Like most of these film, the short runtime and solid pacing are perks, apart from that it's just simple genre fare that will appeal to fans, but few others.

The effects are really cheap and the cast is clearly C-grade, but the designs are pretty cool and Amemiya does his best to put his limited budget to good use. It's no blockbuster material, nor is it a stylish, accomplished auteur film, but if you're in the mood for some badass genre cheese, this is one of the better films I've seen.

The performances are decent, but the music is pretty bland and the film lacks the glitz and glamour of a great musical. It feels a little like watching a basic biopic with some songs thrown in just because the film deals with recording artists. Not that I was expecting a lot from Dreamgirls, but this could've easily been much better.