The great Gilly Hopkins (2016)

Summary 
A feisty foster kid's outrageous scheme to be reunited with her birth mother has unintended consequences in The Great Gilly Hopkins, an entertaining film for the entire family. Gilly Hopkins has seen more than her share of foster homes and has outwitted every family she has lived with. In an effort to escape her new foster mother Maime Trotter's endless loving care, Gilly concocts a plan that she believes will bring her mother running to her rescue. But when the ploy blows up in Gilly's face it threatens to ruin the only chance she's ever had to be part of a real family.

Genre : Comedy/Family/Drama
Country : USA

Cast : 
Sophie Nélisse : Gilly Hopkins

Kathy Bates : Maime Trotter
Glenn Close : Nonnie Hopkins

Director : Stephen Herek

My opinion

"Both of us are smart and we know it.
But the thing that brings us closer than intelligence is anger.”

Ready for another corny teen drama that'll move you to tears? One that has all the familiar clichés and where you'll know in advance how it will end? It's not a love story with a couple of lovebirds who first can't stand each other and in the end, in a moment of supreme bliss, they fall into each other's arms. It's also not a well-known story about a young criminal who's experiencing a drastic change of identity due to a certain trustworthy person and when he's converted he goes on a mission as a devout priest in poor Africa. No. This time it's a stubborn 12 year old girl (Sophie Nélisse) who changes foster homes one after the other because of her impossible behavior. Gilly Hopkins only has one wish. And that's to be reunited with her natural mother who left her behind while moving to San Francisco.

Then one day she's assigned to the religious Maime Trotter (Kathy Bates), who's a model of kindness and masquerades as the supreme mother-hen. Gilly does everything to come across as hateful and impossible to handle. She closes herself off, disclaims each friendly treatment, she treats W.E. (Zachary Hernandez) in a denigrating way, imitates in a ridiculing manner Maime's use of affectionate words, makes no effort to integrate and even steals from the nice neighbor Mr. Randolph (Bill Cobbs). In school she tries to keep up this rebellious attitude. The first school day ends already in a fight with six fellow students, she snubs at a young girl (Clare Foley as Agnes) who approached her in a friendly way and she acts aloof during lessons. It seems as if Gilly is trying to provoke with her behavior so everybody gets angry at her.

You could call her an obnoxious, disrespectful and rebellious teenage girl, to say the least. It amazes me that Kathy Bates hasn't tied her to a bed, pushed some logs under her legs and just like in "Misery" amputated her feet with a heavy ax. Despite Gilly's intense efforts to make Maime's (and others) life miserable, you can easily guess how she'll react when her wealthy grandmother Nonie Hopkins (Glenn Close) shows up and suggests to take care of her. That's the decisive moment when the rebellious girl breaks down emotionally and proves that deep down she truly has a human, sensitive heart. For most female viewers this is the right time to search for that handkerchief.

Although it's clearly a film meant for a youthful audience, I wasn't annoyed by it constantly. The way Gilly tackled the bullies at school was highly amusing. And the used subject about a teenager who wants to be united again with her natural mother (the mother's motivation to leave her, shows that she didn't have real maternal feelings) felt kind of mature. Maybe it was sort of Dickension, but I could live with that. Also, the performances were very worthwhile. Kathy Bates played a brilliant part as the caring foster mother who sees the good in every person. Her love for the outcasts in our society is endless. Therefore the goodness to invite the lonely neighbor to dinner every day. Also a splendid rendition of Bill Cobbs. Finally, Sophie Nélisse who nevertheless delivers a superb performance. Although she doesn't look 12 and isn't really sympathetic due to her behavior. The only thing that struck me was her rather rapid change of personality. The transformation from a rebel to a loving teenager was rather abrupt. "The Great Gilly Hopkins" is a perfect family film to watch together with your (older) kids.

My rating 6/10
Links : IMDB

Come back to me (2014)

Summary 
Sarah and Josh are married suburbanites. After a car accident, Sarah suffers blackouts. As her life spirals she hides a camera in her home and unlocks a horrific secret with far-reaching consequences.

Genre : Horror/Mystery
Country : USA

Cast : 
Katie Walder : Sarah

Nathan Keyes : Dale
Matt Passmore : Josh

Director : Paul Leyden

My opinion

“Why would God give a Christlike gift tot the very Devil  himself …”

"Come back to me" is an indie horror with a fascinating and original basic idea, but the repetitive nature in the middle was a bit to much. The opening scene, where you're witnessing domestic violence with a rather bloody ending, was a masterful move by the creators of this strange film. The change of scenery, from the murder scene in Reno to a sleeping suburb in Las Vegas, was rather abrupt and confusing. But later in the film, you'll know that the seemingly emotionless boy from Reno is the same person who lives in that quiet suburb and lives opposite Josh (Matt Passmore) and Sarah (Katie Walder). His name is Dale (Nathan Keyes). A strange behaving, concluded guy who acts pretty retarded and exhibits a kind of fascination for Sarah at the first encounter.

Josh and Sarah are an attractive, young couple. Josh is croupier in a casino. Sarah studies at an unknown university and works on a thesis about the influence of pornography. Still one specific problem hampers their relationship. Sarah's desire to have children isn't actually fulfilled. In fact, if you look at Josh's reaction, it seems as if he isn't really enthusiastic about it. When Sarah is being hounded by terrifying nightmares, after which she awakens in an entirely different location with sometimes strange injury and not knowing how she ended up there, and she gets blessed with an immaculate conception, everything becomes a bit of a mess. Sarah is convinced there's something fishy going on and she decides to install a camera system in her house. In this way she tries to figure out what's causing these hellish nightmare.

The cover of this film isn't really impressive, so to say. And certainly not frightening. To be honest I wasn't expecting much. A typical horror with stalker elements, I thought to myself. Ultimately, at first sight it seems not to be really special at all. But believe me, the phenomenon Sarah has to deal with, is quite a unique find. Granted, there are more movies with a weird, creepy neighbor or a lovely lady who receives nocturnal visits of unsavory characters. But I've never encountered such a phenomenon, that disturbs Sarah's sleep, in any other horror. The film contains the necessary tension and suspense. Plus there's this supernatural skill added to the story. And those surveillance cameras created an atmosphere which made me think of "Paranormal Activity" immediately. By the way, that's not one of my favorite movies.

Katie Walder is not only pleasing to the eye. She also manages to play a proper role. A vivacious and sexy blonde, whose daily rhythm gets screwed up because of some realistic, nightmarish dreams. The end-result is a hysterical and helpless young lady. It's not Oscar worthy, but it's convincing. Matt Passmore's part is limited and not so overwhelming. But that has more to do with the script than the person. The most memorable interpretation is provided by Nathan Keyes. Without a problem he turns into the strange and creepy Dale. Perhaps all this sounds a bit vague and superficial. But that's because "Come back to me" is such a type of film where it's best you know as little as possible about it. Let me just say that the excellent performances, the creepy and dark atmosphere, the haunting music and surely highly surprising (and in a certain way also most hilarious) end, turned this probably unknown film into an entertaining discovery. Definitely worth to give it a try.

My rating 7/10
Links : IMDB

Crushed (2015)

Summary 
A young woman returns home to her family vineyard after her father dies in an accident on the winery. But when his death is ruled a murder and her mother becomes the prime suspect she must uncover the truth.

Genre : Mystery/Thriller
Country : Australia

Cast : 
Sarah Bishop : Ellia

Les Hill : David
Remy Brand : Zac

Director : Megan Riakos

My opinion

There are already a number of Australian films that made an indelible impression on me. Even such an impression that I've become a little fan of movies originating from this part of the world. Perhaps "Crushed" is the first minor disappointment. Not because it's an ordinary murder mystery with all associated developments and  necessary turns. But simply because there was something missing to make a perfect investigators story. And that's suspense, tension and mystery. It wasn't so to speak exciting and the outcome of the whole story was just predictable. The only surprising part was the quite violent and bloody ending. Actually, I didn't see that one coming.

Ellia (Sarah Bishops) returns to her family after hearing the terrible news of her father's death. Apparently a heavy barrel fell on the head of this vineyard owner in Australia. The result isn't a persistent hangover, but a fatal skull fracture. Ellia left quietly after the death of her twin brother and she has been incommunicado with her family since then. Not surprisingly, the initial contacts appeared to be rather coolly. Not to say hostile. As it turns out that her dad seems to be murdered, her mother Sophie (Roxane Wilson) started to mess around with an uncle (Les Hill) in the Australian bushes and gets arrested because the police finds it suspicious that she wants to sell the family business, Ellia gets caught up in a complicated puzzle.

The first positive side of this film. They don't beat around the bush. Before you know it, you're looking at a murder mystery, a family dynasty shaking on its foundations, an unexplained drama out of the past and an erroneous environmental decision causing trouble for plants on the surrounding lands and hostile neighbours. Indeed, it's alot. And yet it's a matter of logical elimination to find out who did it. In "Crushed" the simple rule of most murder mysteries is maintained. Those who look most suspicious, are usually the ones who ultimately didn't do it. So take a close look at the individuals that surround Ellia and choose the person you'd never expect to be the suspect. Bingo.

Despite the abundance of subjects and the sometimes disappointing acting, there were also some good sides to this film. The used images were excellent from time to time. And the denouement was surprisingly brutal with an unprecedented number of casualties as a result. Most notable and outstanding role was played by Remy Brand as the timid and emotionally hurt brother Zac. The only thing that started to annoy me were the amount of consumed glasses of wine. I realize that there is a link with a vineyard, but at one point I had the feeling that wine was the only beverage they could drink there. Or the climate is causing an insufferable thirst. It wasn't exactly real added value. It's just that I constantly wondered whether she had a drinking problem or not. Are you a fan of a typical detective story, now happening in the land of kangaroos, then it is worth to see it.

 

My rating 5/10
Links : IMDB

They look like people (2015)

Summary 
Suspecting that people around him are turning into evil creatures, a troubled man questions whether to protect his only friend from an impending war, or from himself.

Genre : Drama/Horror
Country : USA

Cast : 
MacLeod Andrews : Wyatt

Evan Demouchel : Christian
Margaret Ying Drake : Mara

Director : Perry Blackshear

My opinion 

“You are a mountain.
You are a hundred miles high.
All that your enemies place in your way.
Betrayal, lies, poison.
You devour and become stronger.
You are invincible.
Those that try to hurt you, will turn silent and will bow down.
For what can people do, to hurt a mountain.”

When you see this one in the horror section of your VOD offer, I can already warn you. This is not a horror in the strict sense of the word. It's not a creepy or eerie film packed with demonic forces or bloody scenes where a crazy psychotic diligently swings around with a razor-sharp machete. The horror takes place in the psyche of Wyatt (MacLeod Andrews). One day he just stands on the sidewalk near Christian's (Evan Dumochel) apartment. As we learn later they used to be best friends when they were young and hung out together a lot, spending their time playing all sorts of childish games like throwing rolled up pantyhose's at each other for instance. Both are having a difficult time because of a breakup. However, Christian tries to put his life back on the right track by listening to motivational tapes, fitness intensely and trying to seduce his boss Mara (Margaret Ying Drake). In contrast Wyatt finds himself in a self-destructive spiral of insanity and disillusionment. He's convinced that humanity is slowly being eliminated by creepy aliens or monsters and gradually taking over people's identity.

Well to be honest, it's all a bit vague and it all seems rather absurd. At the beginning of the movie you can already enjoy such an absurd moment when the two friends go out one night and end up at the emergency of the local hospital with a friend of Mara. I honestly admit it. I've watched this scene with them in the waiting room several times. Not because of the importance of this fragment, but because it looked so hilarious. Then again, it's the only funny moment throughout the movie. For the rest we're only witnessing how worrying Wyatt's situation evolves and the fact that Christian could become a victim of Wyatt's paranoia without realizing it. Or Wyatt is right and part of the world has transformed into murderous demons. Are those observations and mysterious phone calls real? Or do they only exist in Wyatt's deranged fantasies? Once again, don't expect an answer to. You'll still be groping in the dark when the movie finishes.

"They look like people" is certainly not interesting because of some visual feats(these are missing completely), but because of the insane and threatening atmosphere. The interaction between the two protagonists is sublimely developed. The relationship between Christian and Wyatt evolves from reasonable distant and strange, to a newfound trust. The moment one asks the other to shave his back, you may well assume that they aren't complete strangers to each other. And although Christian instinctively feels something's wrong, the actual denouement is a strong example of faith.

This movie certainly won't be appreciated by many and it won't be a commercial high-flyer. But that's mostly the case with an indie. Limited resources but extremely high creativity and a quirky character. Maybe I was initially a little disappointed because it's more a psychological drama than a vicious horror. But ultimately it was still pretty intriguing enough. The image of a person who suffers from a psychological disorder was effectively portrayed. Now I can imagine a bit how a schizophrenic person experiences everyday life. You like a dark, pretty vague but very meticulously put together low-budget film? Then you definitely need to give "They look like people" a chance ....

My rating 6/10
Links : IMDB

Fear Inc. (2016)

Summary 
Fear, Inc. follows a company of degenerates who can be hired for a premium to bring your greatest fears to life. But when horror junkie Joe Foster's customized scare seemingly begins, he and his friends must decide if this company is there to scare them or make them pawns in their own sick game.

Genre : Horror/Comedy
Country : USA

Cast : 
Lucas Neff : Joe

Caitlin Stasey : Lindsey
Chris Marquette : Ben
Stephanie Drake : Ashleigh

Director : Vincent Masciale

My opinion

“I just overheard you guys saying this wasn't scary enough.
If you ever wanna be really scared, just call that number.
Custom scares just for you.
I promise you will not be disappointed.”

I always had a problem when filmmakers combine horror with comedy. I thought the "Scary Movie" franchise was unspeakably bad. Although the first film was alright. A whole series of parodies on famous horror classics crammed into one movie. There were some fun chuckle-moments. But I gave up after episode two. It became a parody of itself. Never a good sign. Still, I was pleasantly surprised by "Fear Inc.", which eventually followed the same pattern, but the ending and concept was slightly different. Although at a certain point I got tired of that same routine with Joe (Lucas Neff), who reminded me of Jake Gyllenhaal a lot, thinking it's just Fear Inc. playing games with him. (Peter... That was the initial idea, dumbhead)

Joe is a typical American good-for-nothing who's living a carefree life thanks to the financial situation of his girlfriend Lindsey (Caitlin Stasey). So he spends his days with unabashedly doing nothing, solo-playing booze games and probably watching horrormovies on a huge flat screen all day. Joe is a living Wikipedia when it comes to horror and he can quote effortlessly from every horror classic and play scenes from it without hesitating. There's really nothing so to speak where he's afraid of. He gives a romanticized cinematic twist to any life-threatening situation. Until the moment a stranger gives him a calling card of "Fear Inc." during a date. It's a company that'll make your worst nightmare to come true. Custom scares so to say. And despite the warning from his best friend Ben (Chris Marquette), who came over to spend the weekend at Joe's place together with his wife Asleigh (Stephanie Drake), that the company isn't particularly reliable and the people running it have a somewhat sinister reputation, Joe can't restrain himself to contact that firm anyway.

It's therefore not surprising that from then on some disturbing situation start to occur. Before they know it, the four are attacked by masked invaders and the whole situation gets out of hand. Nevertheless, Joe continues to believe that it is all a hoax, put in motion by Fear Inc. As expected, I didn't exactly think it was a funny movie. But even though this is a low-budget film,it surprised me pleasantly. It was quite thrilling at times and the horror scenes nevertheless looked very professional. Joe wearing a Freddy Kruger outfit was perhaps the funniest part but mostly it was only bland humor. Horror fans will appreciate the references to horror classics and recognize them immediatly. Especially the "Saw" parody was extremely successful.

All in all this was a highly enjoyable film. Despite the limited resources and the brief period in which it was made, "Fear Inc." could convince. And that because of the concept, the sometimes bloody but splendid realized horror scenes and of course the cast. It's a film where you're never sure how it will eventually end up. "Fear Inc." is not really creepy enough to call it horror. And it's also not funny enough to call it comedy. But with a group of friends and drinking the same amount of alcohol as the four did in this film, it could well be an ideal film to fill a Saturday night. Lots of fun guaranteed.

My rating 6/10
Links : IMDB