“A Prayer Before Dawn” (2018): Brutal, Honest, Realistic
A PRAYER BEFORE DAWN, directed by Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire, started out unsettlingly similar to any other prison drama. But when we get used to the tone, we see just how cruel and realistic this movie is. Yes, it is based on the real-life experiences of young English boxer Billy Moore. Based on the memoir by English […]
CARGO (2018) – A Character-Driven Zombie Movie
This Australian post-apocalyptic thriller CARGO is a good addition to the zombie genre with an interesting concept and a fairly moving storyline. While the film is set in a zombie-infested region, as a result of a global pandemic, it has its tender moments as it captures the journey of a father to save his daughter. […]
THE DUEL (2016) – Harrelson Shines As An Evil Preacher
Woody Harrelson in company with Liam Hemsworth shines in this Kieran Darcy-Smith-directed Western-like drama THE DUEL. A revenge thriller sort, the film has not been a critics’ favorite, but the performance of Harrelson as a cult leader has been praiseworthy. In 1846 the United States engaged in a bloody war with Mexico over the newly […]
‘Under the Shadow’ (2016): A Horror Film Based On 1980s Tehran
Well, I am hopeful of the horror genre, which is constantly evolving with innovation in story, concept, as well as overall treatment in filmmaking. Iranian film Under the Shadow is probably the best example of how one filmmaker tries to pass social commentary in terms of women empowerment and repressing tradition while making not a […]
How It Ends (2018) I Review I Never Really Ends Well
David M. Rosenthal-directed and Forest Whitaker starrer Netflix disaster drama How It Ends is neither a good thriller nor a drama. Set during some unknown geological apocalypse, I see the film as a simple road trip by two people who tries to reconnect, leaving aside their past. The film follows an expectant father Will (Theo […]
Jekhane Bhooter Bhoy (2012) – A Film with Three Amusing Ghost Stories
Bengali filmmaker Sandip Ray’s 2012 movie Jekhane Bhooter Bhoy (English: Where There Is Fear of Ghosts) is an intriguing film featuring three different ghost stories. Considering the production value—presumably quite modest—and its unique storytelling style, I must say this film is a treat to watch. Unlike many other horror movies, this one doesn’t aim to […]
‘Veronica’ (2017) – An Extremely Chilling Horror Film
Far away from the genre clichés, Veronica (VERÓNICA) is one of those special modern-day horror films that holds the essence of classic horror films with special weightage on characters and situations to create the most frightening experience. Set in Madrid in the year 1991, this horror movie follows the titular character Veronica (Sandra Escacena), a […]
Feed (2017): A Powerful Look at Anorexia and Eating Disorders
The movie Feed narrates the life of 18-year-old twins Olivia (Troian Bellisario) and Matthew Grey (Tom Felton), who are born into a world of privilege and constantly face high expectations from their parents. The film explores their close bond and how Olivia’s life begins to unravel after her brother dies in a car accident. Although […]
The Witch (2016) – When the Devil Tricks a Devout
Debutant writer-director Robert Eggers hits the right punch at the right time with the film The Witch when the horror genre is challenging filmmakers to live up to the high expectations in terms of subject matter, narration, and elements of scare that should no way be cliché. If I have to introduce the film in just one […]
He Never Died (2015) – An Amusing Horror Film
He Never Died is an independent comedy-horror film starring Henry Rollins as a strange loner with cannibalistic tendencies. This is Rollins’ remarkable feature-length acting debut. Sincere to say, I don’t know anything about the guy or his other television roles. However, based solely on this one film, I would grade him as a highly good […]