ChristopherLewisWheeler

Good evening, everyone! I'm Mr. C Reviewer, and tonight we'll be diving into the film The Old Ways. I had the opportunity to watch the movie on Netflix. This movie originally premiered in October, 2020, and has a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It is rated for viewers aged 15 and older. As someone on the autism spectrum, I deeply appreciate subtitles for their ability to clarify dialogue and enhance my comprehension, allowing me to fully engage with a film's story. In this particular movie, I found the subtitles especially helpful in translating non-English speech just without the chant portions not being included. The film was directed by Christopher Alender and written by Marcos Gabriel.

Summary: A Mexican-American journalist, Cristina Lopez, returns to her ancestral home near Veracruz, Mexico, to investigate a story about witchcraft and healing. However, her investigation takes a terrifying turn when she is kidnapped by locals who believe she is possessed by a demon.

Review: -The film's opening, while effective in establishing the premise, could have benefited from more initial context to enhance viewer engagement with the protagonist. The immediate introduction to Cristina's predicament, though compelling, left me wanting a bit more background to fully connect with her. I was captivated by the film's exploration of cultural identity, the internal struggles faced by the characters, and the resolution of the tension between tradition and modern life. The film immediately captivated me, swiftly plunging into the heart of the drama without unnecessary preamble. As the narrative unfolded, the escalating tension successfully drew me in. However, I found the pacing to be somewhat uneven, and the film's length felt excessive. While the core story was engaging, a more streamlined approach and enhanced character development would have significantly improved the overall experience. I appreciated the use of flashbacks throughout the film, particularly those depicting Cristina's exploration of secluded locations, setting the stage for the central event. These scenes contrasted effectively with her struggle to overcome the event's aftermath. While the flashbacks offered glimpses into Cristina's childhood and professional life, I felt they were somewhat limited in scope. I wished for a deeper exploration of her character, as the flashbacks provided the primary context for understanding her, given the film's focus on her fight for survival and recovery. The film effectively employs rituals and the protagonist's isolation to heighten suspense. I appreciate how the narrative maintains a sense of ambiguity, allowing us to experience the unfolding events alongside Cristina, fostering a shared journey of discovery. The film's exploration of cultural identity and the conflict between modern and traditional beliefs enriched the central mystery, elevating it beyond a typical horror narrative. However, I felt the film could have been improved by a more in-depth examination of the demon and its origins. I desired a more detailed exploration of the demon's backstory and the specific lore associated with the possession, as the film didn't delve deeply enough into these aspects for my liking. I found the film to be unsettling and impactful, even though it lacked jump scares. The experience gave me a few chills, and while I wouldn't have minded a few, I ultimately felt the movie was effective without them. I found the acting to be generally strong, though some scenes could have been improved. Brigitte delivered a compelling performance, effectively conveying the emotional and physical strain of the possession and the character's inner turmoil. Her portrayal brought authenticity and depth to the role, which significantly enhanced the film's overall impact. The smaller cast also aided in keeping track of the characters. The script's dialogue generally served its purpose, contributing to the film's atmosphere and incorporating comedic elements that aided in cohesion. While the dialogue wasn't always a standout feature, it wasn't detrimental to the overall experience. However, there were instances where the pacing felt sluggish, particularly in the actors' delivery. The sound design was crucial for immersing me in the film's world and amplifying the scares. The whispers, chanting, and unsettling noises, along with ambient sounds like wind and creaking, were instrumental in creating an immersive and unsettling atmosphere, and the soundtrack was fitting.

-The film's makeup was crucial in depicting the physical and psychological toll of possession, while the costumes established cultural context and character identities. The makeup artists effectively visualized the character's internal conflict and the encroaching evil. The costumes were authentic in representing the local culture and the characters' roles. While I felt some aspects of the makeup could have been more subtle early on to build suspense, and the costumes could have been more detailed to enhance cultural authenticity, these were minor issues that didn't significantly detract from my overall enjoyment of the movie. I found its realism and impact significantly amplified the atmosphere and horror. The intensity of the gore, while graphic, felt essential to the narrative, particularly in conveying the story's themes and supernatural elements. I appreciated the initial scene's clarity, which used on-screen text to identify the location. To enhance this, including the year alongside the location would have provided valuable context. Similarly, when introducing the older Cristina, incorporating the current year would further aid in understanding the passage of time within the narrative. The film's aesthetic, characterized by its raw and authentic look, bolsters the plausibility of the supernatural occurrences. The use of a handheld camera, particularly during certain scenes, intensifies the feeling of confinement and urgency, immersing me into the protagonist's perspective and heightening the sense of vulnerability. I find the film's atmospheric quality is greatly enhanced by its use of low-light cinematography, primarily candlelight, especially within the enclosed environment of the main setting. The film's setting in a remote part of Mexico played a crucial role in creating a feeling of isolation and fear. The visual style of the Veracruz jungle, with its rich vegetation and shadows, is visually stunning and enhances the overall look of the film. The setting also allows for the inclusion of local customs and beliefs, which makes the exorcism ceremonies feel new and specific to the location. The seamless editing significantly enhanced the film's ability to draw me into its world. I appreciated the film's restraint in using computer-generated imagery. The limited CGI enhanced the narrative, and while it served its purpose, there's room for improvement in its execution.

-I found the ending to be satisfying, although a bit predictable. The conclusion was fulfilling, and I appreciated how it circled back to the beginning in a way. While some aspects were a bit over the top, I found it to be okay. I liked that it hinted at what might happen next.

I rate each film I watch out of 10 and for this one, I give it a 6.7 Remember this was what I thought about the movie personally and I suggest that you give it a go for yourself.

Good evening, everyone! I'm Mr. C Reviewer, and tonight we'll be diving into the film Night Wolf. I had the opportunity to watch the movie on Netflix. This movie originally premiered on August 28, 2010, and has a runtime of 1 hour and 21 minutes. It is rated for viewers aged 15 and older. Notably, parts of the film were filmed in England, UK. As someone on the autism spectrum, I've found subtitles incredibly helpful; they significantly enhance my understanding of the dialogue, enabling me to fully immerse myself in the film's narrative when I need to. The film was directed by Jonathan Glendening and written by Adam Phillips.

Summary: Sarah Tyler returns to her family's isolated countryside home in England after spending time away, for a long-delayed visit. As a violent storm rages outside, cutting off the house from the outside world, Sarah, her family, and friends are trapped together. However, the storm brings something terrifying with it: a creature of immense power and savagery.

Review: -I found the beginning of the film to be heavily focused on character introductions, which diminished my initial engagement. The setup, including the home scene with Sarah and her father and the subsequent party, felt drawn out, and I was eager for the action to begin sooner. I find the film compelling because it serves as a stark warning about the devastating impact of familial secrets, the repercussions of past deeds, and the fight for existence when confronted by malevolence. The film initially unfolds at a measured pace, but it quickly accelerates during the horror sequences to heighten the suspense and deliver a more impactful experience later on. I feel the current narrative structure of the movie could be improved by incorporating flashbacks or pictures in the car at the beginning of the film. Integrating these flashbacks while Sarah is driving to the house would allow the audience to witness the characters' relationships unfold naturally, rather than being told about them within the movie. This would enhance the emotional impact and make the characters' connections more believable even more. I found the suspense gripping, especially during the tense sequences inside the house where the characters desperately tried to avoid the creature; I was often on the edge of my seat. I found the cast's portrayal of their roles to be generally commendable, with some performances being quite strong. While the acting was acceptable overall, certain scenes could have benefited from more nuanced delivery. There were moments where the acting felt slightly exaggerated. The film's dialogue unfortunately detracted from the overall experience. The conversations felt unnatural and failed to establish genuine connections between the characters, lacking the necessary depth and sophistication to feel authentic. The music and sound effects profoundly shaped the film's atmosphere, directly impacting my overall experience. However, the acting's audio quality was less than ideal, creating a noticeable disconnect due to what sounded like poor microphone placement in some scenes.

-I found the creature's design to be somewhat underwhelming, and the special effects were lacking. The creature's appearance was a mixed experience; it wasn't a traditional werewolf, which was a bit disappointing. However, I did appreciate the transformation sequence. Unfortunately, a noticeable flaw was the visible use of a bald cap on one of the characters during the transformation scene, particularly around the edges and neck, which was poorly blended and quite distracting in the close-up shots. The film presented some graphic scenes, and while the gore occasionally felt realistic, it ultimately disappointed. The blood effects appeared somewhat underwhelming, and I anticipated a higher level of gore. The movie, in my opinion, could have been more impactful in this regard. I found the use of POV shots effective in building suspense. The glimpses from the monster's perspective, even when the creature wasn't fully visible, were particularly chilling. The film masterfully employed distinct POV shots of the terrified teens, peering through cracks and around corners, which significantly heightened the tension. I also appreciated the brief POV updates on the police, which provided a sense of the investigation's progress. The film's pervasive darkness, a consequence of its lighting choices, frequently obscured the action, making comprehension challenging. I found myself compelled to increase my screen's brightness to continue watching, as the visuals were consistently dim throughout the majority of the movie. The editing choices detracted from the viewing experience; I found it challenging to follow the plot and fully grasp the unfolding events. A more refined editing approach could have significantly heightened the suspense and delivered a more captivating and thrilling narrative.

-I found myself disliking the social dynamics within the group; their gossip and immaturity were off-putting. Their attempts at coolness felt forced, and the characters lacked depth, making their motivations and relationships unconvincing. The unrealistic interactions detracted from the story's engagement. I believe the film could have benefited from a greater focus on the central monster, rather than the characters' interpersonal conflicts.

-The ending presented an intriguing twist, which I appreciated. However, its impact was somewhat diminished by its predictability, stemming from a recent viewing of a similar film. The parallels made the outcome apparent, and I suspect other viewers might have anticipated it as well. Despite this, I still found the ending enjoyable. The adherence to werewolf folklore in the resolution was a particularly positive element.

I rate each film I watch out of 10 and for this one, I give it a 8.3 Remember this was what I thought about the movie personally and I suggest that you give it a go for yourself.

Good evening, everyone! I'm Mr. C Reviewer, and tonight we'll be diving into the film Brick. I had the opportunity to watch the movie on Netflix. This movie originally premiered on July 2, 2025, and has a runtime of 1 hour and 39 minutes. It is rated for viewers aged 15 and older. Notably, parts of the film were filmed in Prague, Czech Republic. I appreciated that the film was dubbed in English, as it allowed me to focus on the visuals and overall story without constantly pausing to read subtitles. Originally in German, this English dub was a welcome feature. As someone on the autism spectrum, I've found subtitles incredibly helpful; they significantly enhance my understanding of the dialogue, enabling me to fully immerse myself in the film's narrative when I need to. The film was both directed and written by Philip Koch.

Summary: In Hamburg, a couple named Tim and Olivia find themselves trapped when their apartment is sealed by an inexplicable, high-tech, magnetic barrier. This impenetrable, black brick wall has encased their entire building, isolating them from the outside world. As they seek escape, they realize they are not the only ones caught in this terrifying situation.

Review: -The film immediately grabs your attention, introducing Tim, a game developer, whose work struggles are compounded by his partner Liv's desire to end their relationship. The central mystery unfolds with the sudden appearance of a black, brick-like wall, completely isolating their apartment building and trapping everyone inside. This immediate setup generates a feeling of confinement and suspense. I appreciated the film's quick pace and the originality of its premise, which provides a solid base for an engaging narrative. The opening credits captivated me; the music, combined with the dynamic imagery of shifting bricks, created a seamless and engaging introduction that perfectly set the tone for the film. The film explored several profound themes, including the significance of dialogue, the perils of distrust, the lasting effects of past experiences, the understanding that truth is often personal, the potential downsides of technological advancements, and the enduring strength of the human will. I found the film's length detracted from its overall impact; the narrative's momentum seemed to wane as it progressed, making the experience less engaging has it could have been. I appreciated the use of flashbacks as a narrative tool. They served to delve into the emotional heart of the film, particularly the relationship between Tim and Liv, offering insight into their history and the origins of their present struggles. The intention was to reveal the source of their pain and its impact on their connection. I found the mystery in the film to be captivating, and I enjoyed the suspense it created, as well as the way it kept me guessing. The performances of Matthias and Ruby were a definite highlight of the film; their portrayal felt authentic and engaging. The smaller cast size also enhanced the viewing experience, making it easier to follow the narrative and remember each character's role. The score employed unusual instruments and methods, crafting a distinctive soundscape. I found the soundtrack to be both captivating and a genuine cinematic treasure, its music perfectly complementing the film's surreal and gritty narrative.

-The convincingly realistic gore further amplified the film's impact. I found myself wishing the film included on-screen text to indicate the passage of time, particularly given the interior settings where natural light isn't available to provide visual cues. The camera work, particularly the roving and tilting shots, enhances the exploration of the holes made in the walls, adding to the dynamic feel of the confined spaces. The strategic use of low lighting in the scenes was highly effective, ensuring visual clarity while contributing to the atmosphere. I particularly appreciated the multiple light sources, such as lamps and fairy lights, which added depth and nuance to the environments. The resulting interplay of shadows and low-key lighting heightened the sense of unease and isolation, underscoring the characters' confinement. The distinct aesthetic of each apartment, a direct reflection of its inhabitants, provides a compelling layer of character to the otherwise limited space, deepening my perception of the individuals who where living there. I appreciate the editing, but I believe it could more powerfully convey the story's emotional depth, especially Tim and Liv's relationship. I envision enhanced use of flashbacks, close-ups, and similar techniques to forge a deeper bond with the characters. The visual effects, particularly the brick wall, could have been improved. While not disastrous, the rendering lacked detail and realism. Enhanced visual fidelity would have significantly elevated the believability and impact of the scene.

-The conclusion was satisfying, resolving the central mystery and generating a feeling of disquiet, which suggests a future instalment. While the plot's simplicity made the twist somewhat foreseeable and less impactful, it wasn't entirely ineffective. The story's ambiguity, however, allows for varied interpretations and opens the door for sequels

I rate each film I watch out of 10 and for this one, I give it a 8.6 Remember this was what I thought about the movie personally and I suggest that you give it a go for yourself.