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Film reviews

It Lives Inside Review

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Religion and culture create a theme of terror in It Lives Inside. The title speaks for itself based on the foundation of the film’s setup. There is that eerie feeling of terror that shivers through the audience as they realize a spirit is growing. Sadly, it is not that surprising nor very innovative. It Lives Inside is based on a shared perspective of families celebrating a holiday based on their culture and the belief that their tradition keeps evil spirits out of their lives. In It Lives Inside the tradition brings the evil spirit to haunt its main character. Then, as the film progresses, there are some gems and wonders. However, it becomes a film which is about time being of the essence to fight off the spirit rather than the story working hard to be very interesting.

In It Lives Inside, the film focuses on Poorna (played by Neeru Bajwa). She is an Indian American teenager who is disconnected from the reality of her cultural identity. She struggles to practice religion with her parents in her home life. She also has had a falling out with a close friend, Tamira (played by Mohana Krishnan). As Poorna keeps distancing herself from Tamira, a demonic spirit begins to slowly arise and finds its way to Poorna. Suddenly, Tamira is missing, and the demonic spirit stays with Poorna. With the unexplained deaths of Poorna’s friends, she must find what is necessary to stop the demonic spirit from wrecking her own life.

Poorna’s loneliness is where the spirit finds its motive. The fascination of It Lives Inside is how solitude and disconnect are what target Poorna. She is disconnected from who she is as a person and questions her faith. The film’s writing lacks emphasis on the links to the terror caused by the demonic spirit. The film continues to be a bit of a trainwreck with typical horror film scares. The idea is somewhat creative and interesting, but the writing falls flat.

Poorna’s life of facing agonizing frustrations is where the film is invigorating. The fact that her relationship with her parents is in an odd place builds the haunting aspects more than the demonic spirit. Does Poorna want to be cool? Does Poorna hate her life? Is there a past scenario that leads Poorna to be more distant? Where is the logic to the demonic spirit bringing Poorna trouble? Many unanswered questions seem half-answered throughout the film. Perhaps it is because the film seems rushed.

There are many spiritual discussions and disagreements in the story. Even Poorna’s parents believe that being unfaithful is what causes the problems in her life. There may be some truth to that, but Poorna struggles to talk about the problem which is complicated. All of It Lives Inside is a disappointing drag that never finds a way to pick itself up as much as it should. This is somewhat upsetting because its plotline could have included more details, explanations, and a better understanding of why problems arise. What does arise is hatred within Poorna’s family and a demonic spirit appearing in strange fragments throughout the film. Two out of four stars for It Lives Inside.

Film reviews

Saw X Review

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A franchise that continues. However, this is a franchise thatinvolves some misdirection for its audience. Ultimately, the phrase, “Let the game begin,” means the many games of Saw are not over yet. Saw X is the one film in the franchise that is more in-depth and has more meaningful creepy games. I was sold on Saw, Saw II, and Saw III. The later ones became more mediocre. In Saw X, the terror is reborn. It is a wild ride where deceit and deception are bound to have consequences. The brilliance in Saw X is the backstory. The violence still has consequences, but the storyline shows how the killer John Kramer aka Jigsaw (played by Tobin Bell) became a man who finds bad people and puts them in traps to test their chances of survival.

The film begins with Kramer being delivered the news that he is terminally ill with cancer and close to the point of death. He goes to Mexico to receive treatment in hopes that his cancer can be cured. However, he realizes that the surgeons did not do the treatment on him, but instead lied to him. This is what invigorates John to punish the victims who lied to him. For all who keep wondering where Jigsaw’s motive was in all the other Saw films over the years, Saw X has the answer to that question.

John’s victims are the ones who lied about their procedures and cost others their lives. The reasons behind John’s horrific games of survival are because then it does not label the deaths like he killed them. He calls it, “A real awakening,” and audiences better fasten their seatbelts because it is relentless and dangerous.

For fans who love the Saw franchise, Saw X steps up the game. It finally tells the story that was not told to audiencesfrom the beginning. Throughout the Saw films, many would start out as death traps and a fight for survival but included very little backstory. This time audiences learn much more and that is why I find it to be the most captivating film in the franchise.

I will not elaborate on the types of torture, because they are quite gruesome (as the audience expects). I will say, however,prepare to be wowed by seeing the real John Kramer aka Jigsaw come to life again in Saw X.

There is no turning back on the terror that comes from every corner of this film. Redemption has consequences. Lies do not go unpunished. It is a rollercoaster ride of puzzles and survival. It is a franchise that always finds compelling ways to write about and display various terror tactics. There are moments where Saw X may seem repetitive with the other films, but in the end, audiences are there for a thrill ride.

There is a unique aspect to the film’s unexpected scares and traps, i.e., the fact that Kramer is smart. He is skilled at using theory senses to know what outcomes will occur if steps are right or wrong. Despite him being a killer, his revenge makes more sense in Saw X. His actions are still wrong morally butplayed out with gut-wrenching direction. There is no hiding in Saw X. Three out of four stars.

Film reviews

Fair Play Review

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The world of wealthy companies and favoritism is put to the test in Fair Play. Written and directed by Chloe Domont, this psychological drama is chilling. The tension and personality clashes make Fair Play sharp and edgy, yet also gut wrenching. Fair Play is one of the most daring films because of the harsh outcomes. The film makes viewers think about workplace boundaries. The most suspenseful aspect of Fair Play is the tension between a couple who are also colleagues.

The film takes place in New York. The couple who are also colleagues are named Emily and Luke (played by Phoebe Dynevor and Alden Ehreneich). They work at a hedge fund company that is cutthroat. They are madly in love with each other and have a good life outside of work. Their boss is Campbell (played by Eddie Marsen). Campbell is focused on being successful and making profits. Both Emily and Luke work hard at their jobs and try to keep their relationship a secret. However, once Emily receives a promotion, the tension begins to rise with Luke. Emily is in a position where she has power over Luke and their relationship begins to experience turmoil. With Emily always being on top of her game to please Campbell, Luke’s attitude begins to worsen. His envy of Emily’s success creates the boiling point in Fair Play.

The shifting attitudes between Emily and Luke is where the film takes off on a deadly ride of cat and mouse between the two. Their relationship is in a detrimental place. Luke keeps getting more jealous of the opportunities that come around for Emily. Luke is smart but keeps getting the raw end of the deal from Campbell. Fair Play kept me wondering how much more damaging the dynamics could become as the game gets increasingly harder for the hedge fund company. Emily always seems to have the upper hand which makes Luke feel like he is under-employed. Therefore, Luke begins to start making Emily feel like garbage. The close relationship they had outside their office becomes unhealthy and unstable. Attitudes shift when certain events lead to blindsiding. More opportunities for Emily equal less growth for Luke. The better things go for Emily, the more jealous and hateful Luke becomes.

The egotistical behaviors that are displayed between Emily and Luke is where Fair Playtakes off and becomes an unexpectedly brilliant ride. The conflicts feel real, which makes the film quite haunting. I was worried that Fair Play was going to run into detrimental errors, but fortunately it worked out to be an unexpected masterpiece. The film holds no bars at the hatred caused by the clashes between Emily and Luke.

The fierce competition is the key to the film’s brilliance. Fair Play is a film where fuel is added to the fire in the cut-throat world of a hedge fund company. The cinematography and lighting play into the dark moments between Emily and Luke. Emily is at the center of the story because she is Luke’s boss. She begins to pull back on her support for Luke due to his immaturity which keeps deteriorating. Who will be the success in the hedge fund company? Emily or Luke? Can they still find a way to be in a happy relationship as well as colleagues? Or do they need to cut ties or find an alternative? Find out in Fair Play. Three and a half out of four stars.