J*A*S*M

I don’t really know whose idea it was to remake or reboot an almost forgotten horror franchise, while at the same time piss off those few potential enthusiastic fans with the fact that “The” Leprechaun isn’t there, but whatever, I’ve no problem with that. The execution is fine, the clichés sometimes aren’t (the fake rescues, when a character gets into someone’s car, but that person actually works with the villain, I hate them), the leprechauns look like the mutants from The Descent, and it has a short enough run. As a forgettable creature feature of the week is alright. 5/10

If it is about shit, at least make it fun. Alas, Septic Man is mostly boring.

I struggled a bit with the premise, It made little sense to me. I couldn’t find a very convincing causal mechanism in the way the dystopia is supposed to work out. But then I put that aside and let myself be carried away by the effective and poignant execution of the first story, which brought tears to my eyes in the climax. In the hour that followed I waited for a spark, something that would ignite the revolution against the system under the symbol of Michisirube’s protest song, but nothing. Instead of that, I got two stories, the second of which (about a blind girl) is significantly weaker, basically your typical emotional blackmail. As a whole is very inconsistent, but at least that part with the hero musician is great.

It’s pretty good fun as a guilty pleasure, but I would be afraid of using the word “smart” to refer to this film. The Arrival has a very serious sci-fi premise, but the execution is that of a B-movie, with awful dialogues and some truly WTF moments. The next time I want to discreetly kill someone, I will let a bathtub fall through the floor. Great idea. And the whole thing is brought down by Charlie Sheen, who doesn’t even look like Charlie Sheen. Actually, I don’t really how to rate it, two stars would be fine, but also four. I’ll leave it at three.

David Jung’s début, The Possession of Michael King, is another addition to the growing family of mockumentaries about possessions, not exactly J*A*S*M’s favourite sub-genre. After the spooky stories of James Wan (the tales of the Warrens), the horrors of Scott Derrickson (The Exorcism of Emily Rose), and the activities of Orren Peli, the Community of Horror Fans is saturated with the trend in modern spooky stories. But, overall, The Possession of Michael King, father of Ellie King and husband of Samantha King, is an example of solid horror and also a reminder of the excessive use of that silly attribute in the form of a name that says nothing in the title of a horror film. The Demon of Ferdy the Ant is cool.

A very slow and focused psychological drama about an eco-terrorist attack and the consequences the perpetrators have to face. Don’t expect a lot fun, it will actually require a lot of patience. I don’t agree with the main characters, I don’t even like them, but the film as a whole is fortunately smarter than them and it doesn’t blindly and unilaterally take their side. So, better that than that.

For most of its run this film was surprisingly likeable because it wasn’t the self-serving and cheap emotional blackmail that I feared. And, even though in the end things eventually take the path of emotional blackmail, one it had skilfully crossed up that point, I still liked it. The strongest point is that both of the stars manage to play their roles in a very likeable way. I was actually looking forward to being sarcastically nasty at them, but I can’t.

A solid mindfuck. I didn’t know much about it in advance (just the genre label of comedy/drama, which is quite misleading), so the creators had me exactly where they wanted me and when they wanted me. Definitely an original and remarkable movie that will surprise you. 80 %

It’s nicely shot and atmospheric, but after that “twist” I couldn’t believe anything.

I was expecting an average horror-lite snack, but in the end (rather early, actually) Para Elisa turned out to be a pretty good Spanish style psychopathic exploitation. It’s not that original, though (the inspiration with Misery for instance, can’t be denied), but I won’t lie, there was at least one moment in the story where the film surprised me and made me feel very sorry for the likeable leading female character. It’s a pity how fast it gets to the end, it could have easily lasted another 15 minutes.