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Film reviews

The Creator Review

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Artificial Intelligence, or AI, is a subject that is very prominent today, and it seems to get more attention every day. AI already provides many conveniences in our modern life, but there is also a dark side to it. For one thing, it is already replacing human jobs, which can be frustrating. It also has the potential to cause anarchy. The Creator, a spellbinding and unforgettable sci-fi adventure written and directed by Gareth Edwards, shows a dangerous but exciting side to AI.

The setting for The Creator is Bangkok, Thailand, in the year 2065. There is a war between humans and robots, and AI is at the center of the conflict. In the film, an ex-soldier and widower, Joshua (played by John David Washington), realizes that he has a chance to put an end to the war when Colonel Howell (played by Allison Janney) informs him that there is a secret weapon that may be the source of the problems and conflicts with humans, robots, and AI. It is a robot, and he goes by the name Alphie (played by Madeleine Yuna Voyles). Joshua though, decides to take Alphie into his own hands and race through time to find another solution. His connection with Alphie is the key to the film’s thrills.

The whole universe in The Creator will make viewers ask themselves whether humans and AI will always live in anarchy. Joshua is the one dealing with the reality of the harsh world around him, in addition to the death of his wife, and there is redemption even for his wife who is gone. But any good coming around for Joshua is based on the mission with Alphie. How advanced is the AI in The Creator? What are the politics that can cause a war? What makes Alphie the source to the world’s problem surrounding AI? There are many questions and scientific facts and theories that make The Creator a compelling ride of cinema magic. It’s a world where deserts and villages have bunkers. There are cars that hover like hoverboards, and even the police officers are robots. Robots and AI having the upper hand is a hurdle that Joshua must overcome. But can he do it logically and theoretically in an uncharted and chaotic world? The Creator is full of surprises.

With this film taking place in the far away future, there is a form of movie math that came into my head after watching the film. Take Children of Men (2006) and throw in a whole lot of I, Robot (2004). In my view Children of Men was much better than I, Robot. But The Creator ends with an I, Robot related ending—a weird world with a new hope for a magnificent future.


The writing and directing of The Creator is one-of-a-kind. It’s s an in-depth journey of faith, love, connection, and a future like no other. An inspiring adventure with a creative and futuristic narrative. Four out of four stars for The Creator.

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.