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

The BFG (2016)

Summary 
Ten-year-old Sophie is in for the adventure of a lifetime when she meets the Big Friendly Giant. Naturally scared at first, the young girl soon realizes that the 24-foot behemoth is actually quite gentle and charming. As their friendship grows, Sophie's presence attracts the unwanted attention of Bloodbottler, Fleshlumpeater and other giants.

Genre : Fantasy/Family
Country : UK/USA/Canada

Cast : 
Mark Rylance : BFG

Ruby Barnhill : Sophie
Penelope Wilton : The Queen

Director : Steven Spielberg

My opinion 

“Where am I?
Giant country!” 

Steven Spielberg knows how to bring the magical world of Roald Dahl to life on a screen in a masterly way. Occasionally I need to watch a not too complicated or weighty film. Such a film that takes you to an enchanting, carefree world and to forget about everyday worries for a while. This time it's a lovable little girl, Sophie (Ruby Barnhill), who after seeing the big friendly giant wandering through the dark streets of London is kidnapped by him and taken to Giant Country. Just like Mowgli in "The Jungle Book", Sophie is surrounded by computer-generated animations. But not completely. The face of the BFG looked quite familiar. Afterwards I discovered that Mark Rylance, who recently starred as Rudolf Abel in "Bridge of Spies" (also directed by Spielberg and he received an Academy Award for it), was the one whose face was used to shape the friendly, vegetarian giant.

Again, it's admirable how a little puny girl must act in a void, because I think the whole country inhabited by the giant giants is just a room filled with blue screens. Especially the majestic scene where she goes hunting for dreams along with the gentle giant, is a prime example of technological magic. When the less peaceful giants start looking for Sophie, those images made me think of "Jack the Giant Slayer". And the made-up language used by the friendly giant, proves where J.K. Rowling took inspiration from so she could design the quirky lingo her characters spoke in the Potter series. But it's particularly the shaping and impressive design that you're gazing at with open mouth. The landscapes in Giant Country and the home of BFG is detailed and sharply imaged. But especially old London looks fantastic. Nocturnal London where the big friendly giant wanders around so he can blow his dream into the children's bedrooms and where he ingeniously (and sometimes hilariously) manages to hide for wandering night owls.

 
Most importantly is to let yourself be carried away in this wonderful world, otherwise it all looks rather childish. The film isn't particularly terrifying. This makes it suitable for little kids. And they'll amuse themselves when the gentle giant pulls out his home-brewed "frobscottle". Drinking this greenish substance results in a fairly serious form of flatulence. Normally you'll see comical situations with lots of farting or belching in a vulgar comedy. But here it produces some hilarious moments (even in the presence of the Queen).

 
There's actually nothing negative to say about this movie. Besides the fact that it was never really exciting or impressive. Maybe I'm not so easily impressed by something and are we already accustomed to these fabulous gadgets used in the world of movies. But I didn't experience that wow feeling when watching "The BFG". It wasn't like the first "Harry Potter" movie. Or the first part of "The Lord of the Rings". There wasn't that magical atmosphere that makes it seem like you were teleported to another imaginary world. And that's what I missed in this, especially charming, fairy tale. In a way it's also a touching story. The not so big giant, eating slimy cucumber-like vegetables instead of human flesh and thereby being bullied. And then there's that vulnerable little girl jumping into the breach for him. An engaging and simultaneously amusing story that younger children can enjoy. In other words, a suitable family film.

My rating 6,5/10
Links : IMDB

Ghostbusters (2016)

Summary 
Following a ghost invasion of Manhattan, paranormal enthusiasts Erin Gilbert and Abby Yates, nuclear engineer Jillian Holtzmann, and subway worker Patty Tolan band together to stop the otherworldly threat.

Genre : Fantasy/Comedy
Country : USA

Cast : 
Kristen Wiig : Erin Gilbert

Melissa McCarthy : Abby Yates
Kate McKinnon : Jillian Holtzmann
Leslie Jones : Patty Tolan

Director : Paul Feig

My opinion

“I'm Ed Mulgrave.
I'm the historian at the Aldridge Mansion,
and I believe it's haunted.
If you could just come take a look.“

There's one thing I'm firmly convinced of. And that's to stay clear of milestones in film history. A milestone is a film that isn't necessarily brilliant or an absolute masterpiece, but it made a particular impression on me. For instance "Evil Dead". For me that movie is a milestone because this was the first real horror I watched and I afterwards I wasn't haunted by traumatic nightmares. When I left the cinema hall after watching "Grease", I thought I was as tough and cool as Danny. "Back to the Future" remains a rock-solid classic for me. And "Ghostbusters" from 1984 was also such a milestone. It became a kind of a hype and it'll still be appreciated by film lovers after 50 years and broadcasted on television on Saturdaynight. I'm sure no one will remember this remake after lets say a year. It may safely be added to the list of unnecessary made and totally failed remakes in the history of motion pictures.

The highlight of this film is the appearance of the original Ghostbusters actors: Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson and a bust of Harold Ramis (who unfortunately died in 2014). And the funniest thing is that Murray plays a skeptic who doesn't believe in the existence of ghosts. And strangely enough, Chris "Thor" Hemsworth was the funniest character from the new cast. Funny, the majority thinks the opposite about these two last facts. For the rest, this is simply a duplicate of the original film. The storyline is almost identical (with some minor adaptations). The biggest difference are the special effects. They look sophisticated and are very impressive compared to those of 32 years ago (quite obviously) and a Ghostbusters team that consists entirely of women. I don't have a problem with that. But nonetheless it's still not clear to me why they've chosen this option.

Maybe it's me or the fact that the nostalgic value of this film is very high. Perhaps the opinion about this film will be different if you're from a younger generation and you've never seen the first version. Sure, in that case it's still brand new and highly original. But someone like me who's part of an older generation and who has enjoyed the original film, just sees a duplicate, full of recycled ideas and reused objects, infused with not so humorous humor. Admit it, when you smile more about the fumbling of a hunk, who impersonated "Thor" once, this raises all kind of questions. Maybe it's because I have no affinity with the female so-called humorous actress Melissa McCarthy. I thought "The Heat" was horrible. And I pulled the plug on "Spy" after half an hour because I was bursting into tears rather than in laughter. Who you gonna call? Not these ghostbusters for sure ...

Nonetheless, it's admirable they persisted in making this reboot. You don't need to be a genius to realize that this version would be overshadowed by its predecessor and would never manage to beat it. And if you don't have a unique storyline and all kinds of objects from the first film are used again (the paranormal apparitions Slimer and the Marsh Mellow Man, the famous tune, their headquarter and the Ghostbusters vehicle), there's only one thing that remains : the interaction between the main characters and the humor. And even that was toe-curling bad and irritating. The humor used by Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd was so natural, genuin and ingenuous. What's demonstrated here is so plastic and as implausible as the ghostly entities that flood New York City. Well, I stand by my first statement. Milestones are untouchable.

My rating 2/10
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

Oculus (2013)

Summary 
A woman tries to exonerate her brother, who was convicted of murder, by proving that the crime was committed by a supernatural phenomenon.

Genre : Horror
Country : USA

Cast : 
Karen Gillan : Kaylie Russell

Brenton Thwaites : Tim Russell
Katee Sackhoff : Marie Russell

Director : Mike Flanagan

My opinion

Who was that lady in your office today?
Yeah, Dad, who was that lady in your office today?
What lady?
I don't know. Just some lady. 

Halloween night. All channels are stuffed with horrors to entertain you during this scary night. Unfortunately these are always the same recurring wellknown movies (I'm sure the budget of the Film Department isn't that big). Best I choose one from the seemingly endless list of never watched horror movies. And I always wanted to watch "Oculus" (despite some negative comments I've read). And I must say, I was still pleasantly surprised. Not because of the horrifying or frightening content since that part was almost missing completely. But it was because of the ingeniously interwoven storylines from the past and the present that fascinated me. Although it caused a huge muddle in the end. At some point I was so confused, I didn't even know in which time cycle the story took place.

The mirror is a very popular prop in horrors (a nice compilation of famous "mirror scares" can be found here). Personally, I really liked the way a mirror was used in the film "Candyman. In "Oculus" apparently an old, antique mirror is the source of all sorts of situations that get out of hand. Only one could ask whether or not this mirror is causing people in this particular family to see delusions. Or is it just a genetic disorder? And because of that disorder the psyche of those persons start mixing illusions with reality. And that's the sophisticated part of this movie. The intertwining of reality and illusion. Are there indeed dark forces hiding in this mirror? And are these forces encouraging an individual to commit heinous acts? Or are those personal delusions playing a major part?

Are Kaylie (Karen Gillan) and Tim Russell (Brenton "Gods of Egypt" Thwaites) both victim of the so-called "fuzzy-trace theory"? After many years, it's Kaylie who comes up with a plan to prove that her father wasn't the one who tortured and murdered their mother, but that he was manipulated by the evil mirror. Her brother Tim just spent 10 years in a psychiatric institution to get all his facts straight and heal from the trauma he experienced after putting a bullet through his father's head. Apparently that doesn't seem to bother Kaylie. She drags him back to the family home where she installed the dreaded mirror surrounded by cameras, electronic gadgets and a security system with an iron pin. She's determined to film the psychic influence of the mirror and put a halt to the infinite series of mysterious deaths by destroying the evil mirror. Tim throws in all sorts of counter arguments. Kaylie thinks it's all crap what he's saying and blames it on the years of confinement and indoctrination by the treating psychiatrists. Or is Tim healed after years of therapy and he got rid of the notorious familial mental state?

"Oculus" isn't about creepy or bloody situations. It's virtually never scary. So, there won't be any nail biting moments. And except the apple incident and a tooth extraction, this film is almost bloodless. Yet I found it exciting in some way. Two story lines from two different periods perfectly alternated, so the whole story is revealed in a slow way. As already mentioned earlier, this is somewhat exaggerated at the end, which in turn can cause confusion. In terms of performances are the teenagers Kaylie (Annalise Basso) and Tim (Garrett Ryan) the most convincing. The way they evolve from carefree youngsters into scared teens, is played beautifully. The horror on their face looks tremendously realistic. The older alter egos were rather one-dimensional. Obviously there's the tension between them as a believer and nonbeliever. "Oculus" is not really groundbreaking and certainly won't cause a stir in the horror landscape. But for horror fans it's still an enjoyable movie that rises effortlessly above the average. I even dare say it's a horror for beginners. I'm convinced that they can enjoy a peaceful night afterwards! Even if they take a look in the bathroom mirror while refreshing themselves ....

My rating 6/10
Links : IMDB

Heist (2015)

Summary 
When their attempt to rob a casino owned by the feared gangster Pope goes awry and a shootout ensues, Vaughn and Cox are forced to flee on foot and hijack city Bus 657 and take the passengers hostage.

Genre : Crime/Action
Country : USA

Cast : 
Jeffrey Dean Morgan : Vaughn

Robert De Niro : The Pope
Dave Bautista : Cox

Director : Scott Mann

My opinion

“I'm here to ask a favor, a big one.
How big?
$300,000 big, at least.”

"The Trust" was about a robbery in "Ocean's Eleven" style by a "Dumb and Dumber" looking duo. In this film it's "Ocean's Eleven" mixed with portions of "Speed". But this time without an adorable Sandra Bullock at the steering wheel. Robert De Niro doesn't need to prove that he's a class actor. That's beyond dispute. But if you look at the list of films he played in the last few years, I can only conclude that he just did a favor for a bunch of friends. Sometimes his contribution is terribly limited (as in "The bag man" and "American Hustle"). Mentioning his name is obviously part of a purely commercial strategy so the movie will get some extra attention. And there are a few films of such a pitiful level, that you start to believe that De Niro is hopelessly addicted to acting and he can't refuse to cooperate each time a script is shoved under his nose.

Mind you, this isn't the movie made in 2001 with Gene Hackman and Danny DeVito playing in it. I myself have never seen this version. But I am convinced that it can easily surpass this uninspired creation. Perhaps the chosen title is already a sign on the wall. Is there an even more meaningless and unoriginal title as "Heist"? Maybe it was intentionally to choose this title just to match it with the overall concept. Ultimately, there's nothing startling or innovative about this movie. It's a line up of clichéd events. Believe me. After one night, most details of the movie will be erased from your memory.

Luke Vaughn (Jeffrey Dean), an ex-soldier and blackjack dealer at a casino of The Pope (Robert De Niro), an unscrupulous mafia boss, is facing a huge problem. The procedure for his terminally ill daughter costs a fortune. His plea directed at The Pope is being rejected. The only choice he has (apparently) is to rob the vault of this thriving casino with the cooperation of the disgruntled bouncer Cox (Dave Bautista). That the robbery wouldn't go smoothly was predictable. And during their escape they hijack a bus. What follows is a chase by a squadron of policemen and also the furious entourage of the Pope. It looked like "Smokey and the Bandit", but less humorous.

The key words that first occurred to me were unoriginal, an obvious development and laziness. I was experiencing a whole range of deja vu's. And De Niro is a class actor who can make a memorable impression with ease, but his talent alone isn't enough to hide the fact that this was a not so exciting and rather boring movie. And Gina Carano isn't exactly the person who'll lift this movie to a higher level either. Not to mention the pretty senseless ending. It's because I'm a huge fan of De Niro that I didn't pull the emergency brake much earlier.

My rating 3/10
Links : IMDB