Film reviews

Strange Darling Review

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The film was shot in 35 MM projection. It follows a trail of terror based on moving parts of questioning. It has that subtle approach that makes its audience feel eerie. To the levels of creepy that like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Strange Darling is a dynamic of creepy that even left me in chills. Strange Darling is written and directed by JT Mollner. Mollner has an experimental approach with his dynamics of character in Strange Darling. That is probably why it is unsettling…on the levels of genius.

The film begins with chapters (they are in odd numbers). It creates a perspective of how conflicts began and what may have led up too many of the circumstances surrounding how the terror in the film has worsened. The level of perplexity in Strange Darling carries a vivid aspect of characterizations. The main characters are The Lady (played by Willa Fitzgerald) and The Demon (played by Kyle Gallner). A one-night stand of weird moving parts quickly goes awry. There is a trail of questions. Why does it get so out of hand? Who is more dangerous? Why are the films chapters jumping ahead and then reversing? The dynamics of characterizations and events flow the aspirational moments to keep its audience thinking.

It begins with a one-night stand scenario between The Lady and The Demon. There are already boiling factors of weird characterizations—both characters possess a form of disturbance in their dialogue. Their encounter is one that steadily grows to have questioning moments. This is by the usage of agreeing and then disagreeing, arguing, and then getting more aggressive and violent. Suddenly, it is a landscape of a horrifying ride. The Lady is on the run from The Demon.

My thoughts on the film began to linger with curiosity. Most of the film is a cat-and-mouse game. A scenario of good terms finding its red flags and then leading to a bigger and life-threatening mess to be cleaned up. Who will survive the outcome of this horrific event? They are both clearly bad people. Strange Darling is inevitable along the lines of keeping its audience intact with thinking back to the reasoning of the meet-up.

The interactive momentum of elements of surprise is the depths of surrealness. Strange Darling makes its landscape vast of deeper elements—the moving parts to what leads to treachery. Its pacing also goes smoothly. The vividness of Strange Darling comes across as blindsiding. Its “blindsiding” is done properly. The Lady has a creepy personality, The Demon has traits of confusion and bizarre expectations, both take the situation for granted—that is the realms of a vast array of suspense in Strange Darling.

It feels like a David Lynch world. With Lynch being one who is all about lighting to bring in elements of terror for effect, Mollner does this in his approach with Strange Darling. He brings in fades, frequent rotation of chapters, scenes, and transitions infrequently. Regardless of the technological aspects, his mix of patterns keeps its audience feeling a stunning world of unnoticed evidence. There is a secret to disturbing factors that continues to boil the thought-process for the film’s audience.

The brilliance of this one-of-a-kind adventure is that it keeps painting the picture of moving parts—it gives its audience perspective on what went wrong. With evidence ranging from cocaine, ketamine, knives, guns, and tasers—it is clear there is no happy ending, but there is going to be a luring effect. It is all about putting the pieces together.

With the background of both characters having weird vibes, Strange Darling is one that feels experimental. “Experimental” along the lines of how the characters truly are as humans. How insane are they? Who is more to be concerned about? The Lady is running for her life, and The Demon is going through all tides to try and end her (after the one-night stand). The chance of survival hits a minimum level in Strange Darling.

It is gorgeous, exhilarating, and dominating. Strange Darling is terror combined with psychological and slasher, with a lighting track of realism of an old school feeling. The cinematography feels like a new age of horror. That is because of how the heightening level is in its tone of direction. “Tone of direction” which matches the level of darkness that thrives Strange Darling. Three-and-a-half out of four stars.

Film reviews

Sebastian Review

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This film involves a thorough examination of feelings. It is very psychological and there are moments that are hard to handle. Sebastian is an odyssey of a young writer who is trying to go deeper with his creativity. As he is trying to navigate his journey, there are dark secrets in his personal life. Written and directed by Mikko Makela, Sebastian is deep and realistic when it comes to mental consequences. From the performance of Ruaridh Mollica (as the main character Max), Sebastian portrays how sensitive humans can be based on judgment, choices, and morals. Sebastian leaves its audience asking, why take all the risks to lead a more authentic life?

Sebastian focuses on a young writer named Max who is in histwenties and lives in London. He is an aspiring writer with a gift for words as well as examining human thoughts in everyday society. He gets lots of recognition, and even a book contract due to his talent and connection. How does Max find the words to create such real moments in his stories?

After hours, Max finds himself working as a gay escort. His exploration of dangerous voyeurism helps him detail his characters’ stories. Sebastian is the name of Max’s character in his story. Max is this individual in the real-world, and Sebastian is his fictionalized character.

Max’s life finds him repeatedly in detrimental situations. The writing of the film gets more questionable as Max keeps having sexual encounters with other guys. He does this so he can keep growing and detailing his story. On the other hand, these activities are messing with his thought process. It’s a powerhouse of struggles where sexuality keeps leading to more obsessive and disconnect. Max’s colleague Amna (played by Hiftu Quasem) senses Max is not in a good mental head space because his performance and aptitude with his writing schedule gradually deteriorate. Are frequent sexual encounters becoming a higher priority than Max’s day job?

There is a point where Max feels a sense of warmth from one of his encounters. This involves an individual named Nicholas (played by Jonathan Hyde). He begins to realize that Max is much better on the inside than what he is doing to dig deeper into his research. Because Nicholas shares the same interests and aspirations as Max, he sees a better way for Max. The roller coaster ride of behaviors creates a life where fulfillment comes with many risks—the more risqué the choices, the deeper the story. Max’s emotions are inevitable—his sadness, anger, rage, confusion, and eagerness all lead to turmoil and have an impact. Sebastian sends a heavy reminder that life’s challenges require tolerance and reflection.

Max’s does not consider the irreparable consequences. While creating a reputation for himself, his sexuality and research tactics may be beneficial. However, his encounters are messing with his head and get to the point where he finds himself losing valuables. For those who work in jobs that require research and persistence, the direction of Sebastian reminds us how to think more realistically about the lengths we should go to create a story. Sebastian leaves painful feelings that are engrossing. The slippery slope only gets steeper as Max’s writing assignments keep falling short which leads to more disconnect and additional shady behaviors to detail in his novel. Can Max find a new approach?

Sebastian is daring and will haunt audiences. Artistry and truth meld and boggle in this film. The story results in a boiling pot of destruction that makes us ask why we are human. There is a narrative path that evokes real empathy yet requires mental tolerance. Three-and-a-half out of four stars.

Film reviews

Alien: Romulus Review

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The scary creatures are deep and crawl with no mercy. Alien: Romulus trembles with screams. It is a setting where survival is life or death. For the first time, the terror fuels its audience on a different level. Written and directed by Fede Alvarez, he knows how to set up suspense where hiding is impossible. Alvarez creates nightmares that have twists. For those who were scared after his project Don’t Breathe (2016), expect that level of nightmare to crank up a notch in Alien: Romulus

My respect for Alvarez is based on how he sets up his characters who are facing peril to think otherwise. He has an eye for bringing in discoveries as the haunting unfolds. He did this well in Don’t Breathe which was set around the discovery of a blind serial killer. His approach to turmoil leaves his viewers feeling like they are in a chilling environment living on the edge where death is likely.

The setting in this film is between the era of Alien (1979) andAliens (1986). This time frame leads to lots of excitement which makes the sci-fi setting feel like the essential setup. Alvarez brings old and new audiences back to the brilliance of shockers in Alien: Romulus. The film is original and uses a different approach which appeals to younger age groups. How deep is the horror of Alien: Romulus?

In the film, there are young space colonizers on a mission. These individuals are Kay (played by Isabela Merced), Rain (played by Cailee Spaeny), Tyler (played by Archie Renaux), Andy (played by David Jonsson), Navarro (played by Aileen Wu), and Bjorn (played by Spike Fearn). They embark on a mission to get supplies for an abandoned spacecraft. Once they go on board, some creatures begin to hatch. When the ship is condemned with faulty equipment and no place to run, the tone in Alien: Romulusis set for survival to be critical.

Andy is the most resourceful character. He is an AI Robot and operates to do what ensures safety. Andy’s sense of understanding becomes the essential aspect of the heightened suspense in Alien: Romulus. Rain is related to Andy, but the rest of the gang is like her family. Not all will find the means to survive. The younger generation in Alien: Romulus creates a landscape of curiosity. Do they know what they are doing? Do they know the threats of what they are up against? How much time do they have? It is a death maze that is ludicrous and compelling.

The power punches of the lurking evils create an odyssey that never stops. The revelation of what makes an alien film enthralling has been reborn with Alien: Romulus. New characters, new setup, new environment, and a detrimental task. These vital components dig deep into the audience’s skin and leave viewers wanting more.

The frequent suspenseful shot angles create a rollercoaster ride of space and horror combined. The lack of oxygen and resources is the first factor, and the aliens are the second. Those two elements keep finding themselves in an unforgettable face-off. It does get repulsive at times but that is meant to scare the audience. The director nails that aspect cinematically well. Hedoes so with depth, characteristics of anxiety, and continued struggle with defenses.

The film leaves its audience on the edge of their seats and so people should be ready to fasten their seatbelts. Space turbulence abounds and aliens are swarming the aircraft as they continue to multiply. It is like Mad Max meets Gravity and climaxes with Alien. The characters are in continuous peril. They float and fight in the space air. The creatures follow them wherever they go.

Alvarez is a genius with his dangerous space station mind. This is one of the most thrilling Alien films I have seen. However, the biggest success factor of the film is the performance of Spaeny. She steals the film. Her attitude is to never give up. She keeps fighting and delivers her best to the masses in Alien: Romulus. Three-and-a-half out of four stars.

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