Howl (2015)

Summary 
When passengers on a train are attacked by a creature, they must band together in order to survive until morning.

Genre : Horror
Country : UK

Cast : 
Ed Speleers : Joe

Holly Weston :  Ellen
Shauna Macdonald : Kate

Director : Paul Hyett

My opinion 

Read the title of this horror and you know already what it's about anyway. Nothing like a good werewolf movie from time to time. Although there's still a certain shortage of decent films when it comes to this genre. The last (for me personally) successful werewolf movie that I watched, was "Wer". On the other hand you'll see some abominably bad attempts like "Wolves" and "Night Wolf". "Howl", a movie from the UK, may not be as good as "An American Werewolf in London", but still managed to surprise me. And although it's a low-budget film, you can say that the look of the creatures terrorizing the passengers of the stranded train was successful. Probably the used anatomy will ensure a bit of protest by the followers of the genre, because it seemed like a mix of a wolf and the creature from "Splice." But that first attack with a bloody close-up took my breath away. Brilliant makeup and special effects. They looked at least less ridiculous than the furry creatures of "Late Phases" (a movie in which the acting impressed) with their ears decorated with tassels.

The progress of "Howl" is well considered and balanced. First a comprehensive introduction of all the characters. The middle section with the threatening situation they find themselves in. Followed by the final confrontation with the necessary victims and a predictable turn. Don't be surprised when some of the individuals make some stupid decisions again. However, the end might be a little surprising. Unfortunately, the look of the night creatures, when you can admire them in full regalia, isn't so convincing or frightening. To be honest they looked like individuals who returned from some kind of masked ball. But believe me, the first confrontation was bloody and ruthless. Sheer aggression focused on the terrible creature that struck in a deadly and gruesome way shortly before.

Not only the suspense and tension was a positive element in this film. The performances were enjoyable. A collection of colorful characters displaying that typical reserved British attitude. It surprised me they weren't having a tea break while being attacked by those animals. First, there's Joe (Ed Speleers), an undervalued train guard, whose life is an accumulation of setbacks and adversities. He is despised by colleagues and passengers see him as an incapable figure. His colleague Ellen (Holly Weston) ignores his romantic moves. Kate (Shauna Macdonald) hated Joe the first instance after she had to pay for a new ticket. Adrian (Elliot Cowan) is a cocky guy who in the end just tries to save his own neck. Nina (Rosie Day) is a spoiled brat. And then there's this elderly couple, who won't hide their outrage about the delay, a nerd-like young boy (Amit Shah), an engineer in the making (Sam Gittins) and an obese, lazy football player (Calvin Dean). The introduction sometimes is comical and highly recognizable.

Not only the werewolves provide for the eerie atmosphere. But also the location where the train gets stuck with its dark woods and the typical English fog banks, create a creepy mood. The origin of the creatures isn't explained in detail. Only the older man is aware of other mythical stories about broken down trains and passengers disappearing or being found in a pitiful state. But otherwise, you can only guess where these fast-paced, immensely strong and bloodthirsty creatures come from. Despite being a typical B-movie and the fact that I thought Paul Hyett's film "The seasoning house" was slightly better, this film is worthwhile to give it a try. It's not a top film with werewolves as subject, but it certainly is a movie that can compete with the better ones in this genre.

My rating 6/10
Links : IMDB

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

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

Noble (2014)

Summary 
Vietnam. 1989. Fourteen years after the end of the war. When Irish woman Christina Noble flies into Ho Chi Minh City she leaves behind an extraordinary life story. But the best is yet to come. Christina lands in a country "that she wouldn't be able to show you on a map". With a few dollars, a dream and her own hard-won courage, she is about to change everything. For hundreds of thousands of people. Forever.

Genre : Drama
Country : UK/Vietnam

Cast : 
Deirdre O'Kane : Christina Noble

Sarah Greene : Christina Noble (Middle)
Gloria Cramer Curtis : Christina Noble (Young)

Director : Stephen Bradley

My opinion

“And what's your name?
My name is
Mr. Reception Desk.
That's a nice name. “

"Noble" is nothing more than a biographical film about the (for me anyway unknown) Irish Christina Noble (Deirdre O'Kane). After a troubled and difficult life she has set a noble (Yep) target. Namely to offer the street children of Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam a better future. Mostly you see Christina in Vietnam moving heaven and earth to achieve her goal. A not so obvious task in which she has to convince the authorities and at the same time she tries to jolt foreign businessmen's consciences, so they are generous enough with their financial support. And so she tries to set up a shelter for those children in postwar Vietnam.

There's one thing you have to admit. This exceptional lady has sufficient reserves in terms of perseverance. Despite all the setbacks in her youth and the opposition she faces in Vietnam, she never gives up. And this thanks to her positive attitude. Throughout the film you're looking back at the turbulent life of Christina. It all starts in the slums of Dublin in the 40s. As a little girl (Gloria Cramer Curtis) she dreams of becoming such a famous singer like Doris Day. When her mother dies of tuberculosis and her father is unable to support his family (due to an alcohol problem), she ends up in a nunnery. In later life she's (Sarah Greene) a victim of a gang rape which in turn results in an unwanted pregnancy and her newborn son to be adopted. After moving to Birmingham with her best friend Joan (Ruth Negga), she is confronted with a cheating spouse and domestic violence. So you can safely say that Christina's life wasn't exactly rosy.

Perhaps that's why Christina demonstrates these unconstrained efforts when she arrives (thanks to a vision) in Vietnam. She is shocked by the appalling conditions in which children have to survive there. Perhaps the traumas of her own life are an extra motivation and she wants to give these poor children what she had missed all her life. A bit of security, affection, love and a hope for a better future. For her, poverty in Vietnam is equal to that what she experienced in Ireland.

Although the film lends itself to become a melodramatic tearjerker, they knew to avoid this anyway. Obviously Christina Noble isn't the only benefactress in this ruthless world. But her commitment and determination ensured that "The Christina Noble Children's Foundation" has already helped hundreds of thousands of children. Most likely this film will be broadcasted as an ordinary television drama. But the performances of the different Christina's are of an exceptionally high level. And despite the realistic and deadly serious storyline, they managed to incorporate a sliver of humor by means of a hilarious hotel receptionist. And in all honesty. This time it wasn't really bothering me that they used such a predictably happy ending once again.

My rating 6/10
Links : IMDB