Directed by: Guillermo del Toro
Released: 2001
Country: Spain, Mexico
Genre: Horror, Mystery, Drama, Fantasy
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review
''The Devil's Backbone'' is set during the Spanish Civil War. The story takes place in an orphanage run by Caseras (played by Federico Luppi) and Carmen (played by Marisa Paredes). The authorities and the teachers try their best to protect the children from the horrors of the outside world. When a new boy, Carlos (played by Fernando Tielve) comes to the orphanage, he eventually comes to realize that there are secrets and an unsolved mystery in the orphanage.
''The Devil's Backbone'' had a Gothic, dark atmosphere and since I love anything Gothic, I really admired this film. I admired the atmosphere. I found the gradual revelations fascinating. While I did not love, love, love the film, there was a sort of haunting poetry running throughout the film. There were atmospherically tense moments but ultimately, the film culminated in a rather sentimental ending. The atmospheric horror film turns out to be an extremely touching and emotionally powerful film. It still haunts me when I think of it.
Directed by: Tim Burton
Released: 1988
Country: United States
Genres: Comedy, Horror, Fantasy
Cast: Michael Keaton, Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Winona Ryder, Catherine O'Hara, Jeffrey Jones
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review
This is only the second Tim Burton film that I am reviewing for this blog, but I had reviewed several of his films in my previous film review blog. Tim Burton is one of my favorite directors. I just love the dark cinematography, the gothic atmosphere, the dark and dry humor of his films (and I also love the scores by Danny Elfman, who has composed the scores for most Burton films).
''Beetlejuice'' is not really a typical Tim Burton film. Here, there is no Gothic atmosphere, there is no gloomy feeling prevailing. Instead, it is completely a hilarious, absolutely funny film that, though not bearing some of the general Burtonsque features, is definitely one of the funniest films that he has directed. It's also the lightest and goofiest Tim Burton film that I have seen, and there is also a certain amount of warmth that I definitely loved.
Adam (Alec Baldwin) and Barbara (Geena Davis) are a happy couple. When we first see them, their actions instantly give us the impression that they are deeply in love, that their lives are lovely, carefree, beautiful. They are on vacation, and they go happily for a drive... However, a tragedy strikes: they meet an accident, and their car falls into a river.
However, the very next moment, we see that Adam and Barbara have returned to their house, and try to warm themselves in front of a fireplace. Umm, have they actually survived the crash? The very next moment, we get the answer: they can't see their reflection in the mirror... Barbara notices a strange book, and when she points it out to Adam, he reads the title, ''Handbook of the Recently Diseased''. Barbara corrects him; the title is actually ''Handbook of the Recently Deceased''... and that means, they have died, and now they have returned to their house as ghosts. They can't even get out of the house, because when they try to go out, they end up in a strange desert filled with dangerous animals...
The house is soon sold, and a family moves into the house. The family consists of Mr Deetz, Mrs Deetz and their daughter (well, Mrs Deetz's stepdaughter), Lydia, played by a young Winona Ryder. Lydia always dresses in black, in a Gothic way, always dressing as if she is in mourning. It is apparent that she doesn't enjoy her life, and always remains depressed.
Adam and Barbara are really annoyed, because Mrs Deetz is making a lot of changes in the house. They decide to take the help of ''Beetleguise'' (Michael Keaton), a ''bio-exorcist''. However, they are warned that Beetleguise is a real troublemaker, and they decide not to call him, and decide to scare the Deetzes away from the house themselves. But Beetleguise is waiting to be called...
The film was indeed very light and hilarious! While I cannot say that I absolutely loved it, I definitely enjoyed it, very much!!! It kept me laughing (one of my favorite funny scenes is the one where Mrs Deetz and the guests start dancing around the dining table)! There was also a certain amount of warmth that I really appreciated. For example, the relationship between Adam and Barbara is really very touching. Also, the fondness that Barbara develops for Lydia is really very sweet and warm. I really loved the lightness, the humor of this movie. The cinematography and the score is noteworthy as well.
I couldn't really guess what the character of Beetlejuice can actually be called. A comedic villain? I don't think that ''villain'' is actually the word that would suit his character. He is a real troublemaker, that I absolutely agree with, and many of his actions could have had dangerous results, but, after all... I would rather say that he is a comedic troublemaker than a comedic villain.
This is obviously not my favorite Tim Burton film (my favorite is still ''Big Fish''), but ''Beetlejuice'' is really a hilarious, entertaining funny film, perhaps even one of the lightest films that Burton has ever made!
4 out of 5
Directed by: James Wan
Released: 2013
Country: United States
Genres: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Cast: Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Lili Taylor, Ron Livingston
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Review
Having heard a lot about ''The Conjuring'', I had been anticipating to watch it. When I finally watched it a few days ago, I didn't think it was one of the scariest films I have watched. It was scary, yes, but not that terrifying either. But yet, the sudden shocks are worth mentioning, and the film itself is extremely well-made, with atmosphere and strong performance, especially from Vera Farmiga and Lili Taylor.
Roger and Carolyn Perron, along with their five daughters, move to a house. As soon as they arrive, strange incidences start happening... some strange, scary, unexplainable incidences that makes them convinced that there is indeed a supernatural presence in this house. They ask Ed and Lorraine Warren, well-known paranormal investigators, to investigate. The Warrens come across shocking things about the house's past.
Except the few shocking scenes, including the jump scares (which were very, very scary), I didn't really think that the film was that terrifying. However, it is a really well-made film. It has a great atmosphere and the characters are really well-developed. The film delves into the emotions of the characters, especially those of Carolyn and Lorraine, played by Taylor and Farmiga respectively. Carolyn is worried about her family, about the safety of her daughters, about the strange happenings in her house, and Lorraine is touched by Carolyn's big family. She wants to help her, wants to keep the beautiful family safe. There is also a sweet chemistry between Ed (played by Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine, as Ed wants to protect Lorraine. Every paranormal activity that they investigate leave a bad impact on Lorraine, and Ed wants to protect Lorraine from this.
Another amazing thing about the film is that it doesn't take a LONG time to develop the atmosphere, rather there is an atmosphere from the beginning of the film.
Some people may find ''The Conjuring'' more scary; I don't know why I didn't feel it was that scary! There were some scenes that were extremely terrifying. The jump scares and some of the images kept haunting me for some time (the ghost on the wardrobe and a few other scenes terrified me). As a movie, ''The Conjuring'' is really good; the background, cinematography, script and performances were really good.
3.5 out of 5
Suspiria (1977 movie)
Directed by: Dario Argento
Released: 1977
Country: Italy
Genres: Horror, Mystery
Rating: 4 out of 5
Short review
Suspiria is about a famous dance academy. Our protagonist, Suzy Bannion, enrolls in the academy, and after her arrival there, she starts noticing that strange, mysterious, scary things have been happening in the academy. She soon comes across dark secrets, hidden mysteries about the academy...
''Suspiria'' was a wonderful film, indeed! It was very suspenseful and kept me really engrossed! The most memorable thing about this film is probably the use of color. It's a beautifully colorful film. The use of red, blue, and green are commonly seen, and the red light in the corridor makes the whole atmosphere more scary, lonely, suspenseful. This use of colors is the most memorable aspect of the film. The score is also very good, and the performances are really good. Suspenseful, scary, and engrossing throughout, this is a really colorful film I would really recommend!
Mrs Miniver (1942 film)
Directed by: William Wyler
Released: 1942
Country: United Kingdom
Genres: War drama
Rating: 4 out of 5
Short review
''Mrs Miniver'' tells an emotionally intense and painful story about how normal people's life can be affected because of wars. The story starts in the summer of 1939, with a happy middle class family, the sweet and wonderful Minivers: architect Clem Miniver (Walter Pidgeon), his wife, Kay Miniver (Greer Garson), and their children: Vin (Richard Ney), T
oby (Christopher Severn), and Judy (Clare Sanders). The early parts of the film shows the carefree, happy life of the Minivers before the World War II. Vin falls in love with Carol (Teresa Wright), the sweet granddaughter of the aristocratic Lady Beldon (Dame May Whitty), who is excessively arrogant about her social position.
But, life changes as the war begins. To escape from the bombs and air raids, the people often have to take shelter in their cellars. Vin enlists in the air force. There are constant worries and fears about what may happen. The film follows the story of Mrs Miniver's experiences during the war, the losses and tragedies that she and her family come across.
''Mrs Miniver'' was an extremely touching film. Greer Garson is amazing. Teresa Wright is also very memorable; her sweet performance and beautiful smile are quite unforgettable. A sad film that portrays how a cheerful and happy family is greatly affected because of war.
4 out of 5
Iris (2001 film)
Directed by: Richard Eyre
Released: 2001
Country: United Kingdom
Genre: Biographical drama, Romance
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Short review
Iris is basically the story of the relationship between novelist Iris Murdoch (played by Judi Dench and Kate Winslet) and her husband, John Bailey (played by Jim Broadbent and Hugh Bonneville). The film shifts between two time settings: showing the young Iris and John Bailey and their developing relation on one hand, and on the other hand, an elderly Iris suffering from Alzheimer's disease, unable to write, unable to speak and express herself, losing the words that she once used to love so much, while John loves her extremely and cares for her.
''Iris'' was a moving film, a very sweet, touching, and beautiful story. Judi Dench and Jim Broadbent are great! Kate Winslet and Hugh Bonneville are good too. But what remains memorable is John Bailey's deep love for Iris. It was really emotional. For him, it's extremely painful that Iris can no longer write, use the words that she once loved, and he does his best to take care of Iris, to support her.
While I won't exactly say that the film is great enough to be unforgettable, it is certainly an emotional little journey, a sweet, moving, lovely film.
3.5 out of 5
Directed by: Robert Wiene
Released: 1920
Country: Germany
Genres: Horror, Mystery
Rating: 5 out of 5
Review
I can't praise ''The Cabinet of Dr Caligari'' enough--- it was such a wonderful, haunting, memorable film, that kept me thinking about it for a long time. ''The Cabinet of Dr Caligari'' has a haunting and engrossing presentation, AMAZING set decorations, and cinematography. I loved the film.
The film starts with two people talking, one of them is our protagonist, Francis, and the other is an elderly man. A woman in a white dresses walks by, and Francis tells the old man that she is his fiance. Francis tells the elderly man about the strange and scary incidences that he and his fiance had experienced...
Francis and his friend, Alan, had gone to visit the town fair. A strange man, Dr Caligari was exhibiting something in the fair. He was exhibiting a somnambulist, named Cesare, who sleeps all day long. Only Dr Caligari can wake him, and Cesare can predict the future. The curious Alan asks Cesare a question: how long he (Alan) will live. Cesare replies that he will live till dawn the next day. Startled, Alan and Francis leave the fair, but soon forget Cesare's prediction.
That night, however, Alan is mysteriously killed...
Francis guesses that Alan's death, along with another crime that recently occurred, is connected with Dr Caligari and Cesare... He searches for the truth behind these events... what is actually happening?
''The Cabinet of Caligari'' has an extremely memorable set decoration. The presentation is wonderful and haunting. As Dr Caligari, Warner Krauss is excellent. The character is presented in a very creepy way. Conrad Veidt, as Cesare, was creepy as well.
''The Cabinet of Dr Caligari'' is full of shocks, twists, and scares. It was so atmospheric, so haunting. The images are unforgettable, it's such a film that is extremely engrossing and haunting. Another remarkable thing about the film is the blue that indicates the night scenes.
The ending is certainly one of the most surprising endings that I have ever come across. I absolutely loved it.
With an extremely engrossing, scary, suspenseful and twisted story, wonderful presentation, set decoration and cinematography, it's a very memorable film and I would highly recommend it, it's a must watch.
5 out of 5
