A Menina do Mar

The concept for this film is interesting, but it is slow. The story is good, as is the acting.

The cinematography is excellent, though because of the lack of momentum, I didn't feel much urgency or tension in the film, until the very end. That's where this film finally comes together. It is worth the wait.

Its not really a horror film or thriller, but more of a drama with fantasy elements. I chose to watch it over two nights, due to the pace.

I think this film would have been better at about 90 minutes. The dialogue, shots, and music are just too slow. Perhaps better editing would have been in order.

Well the idea was there, so that's something positive, the execution was poor though. It was a promising idea, the kind where you can go all kind of directions with, but they managed to make a story with a lot of stupid decisions, creating problems where there should be none. I mean the kid knows she has special abilities so why just not ask the kid for a favour instead of coming with the most stupid plans? It's just annoying to follow as a story, add to that that they dragged it out, a too slow pace and you get an average movie. But it's worth a watch for the okay cinematography and good acting from the entire cast. Would I watch it again in the future? No.

This film seems to have really flown under the radar. In some ways it might not have a wide appeal but that is not because of its content and likely due to its marketing. I suspect the marketing budget is small for a Canadian made film. Horror seeking teens may find the trailer too slow and dry whereas some of the shall I say more "mature"/ sophisticated audiences seem to avoid anything that could be labelled horror.

The concept is quite clever. A small community that has lived on an island for quite some time is struggling until a young girl is delivered to them as a baby in a divine way. Isla, is able to essentially solve all of their ailments in one way or another. The start is a bit of a slow burn , but in this time the characters are developed and you become more invested. There are some really nice shots of Canada's East Coast as well.

Once the plot hits its climax it had my full undivided attention. Moral decisions are made and the consequences of actions have you on the edge of your seat.

Nothing in the film is frightening in a horror movie kind of way , however there is some intense violence in brief periods.

Overall, despite its simplicity it's one of my favourite movies of 2024.

One of Cinema's greatest virtues is working with themes that discuss morals, belief, power and human nature. This proposal is never easy to execute, nor to be fully understood in the final production result. What is seen on the screen can often result in controversy, subversion and controversies even if the narrative there brings a portrait close to our reality.

The Canadian film The King Tide (2023) by Christian Sparkes aims to work with these issues. Here, the director intends to explore the changes in a peaceful, isolated and idyllic fishing village that changes its behavior after the unexpected arrival of a girl with extraordinary powers.

Of course, Sparkes uses Fiction, as well as metaphors and symbolism, to dialogue with much of what we see in society. Once again, Cinema reflects on the impacts of a community that will now need to deal with the powers at its disposal. Far from being another typical superhero film, the gift of the girl Isla (Alix West Lefler) will serve as the trigger for a series of changes in the village.

Another important resource for creating a dark atmosphere in the film is the desolate situation of the village itself. Furthermore, residents are determined not to have contact with other places, and they don't even look for doctors and clinics outside the island. This adds a tone of conservatism that ends up weighing on the girl's situation of extreme idolatry, in addition to impacting the antagonism of ideas among some inhabitants.

The final half hour also guarantees extra tension, all leading up to an explosive ending that will leave the viewer with varied interpretations and some questions. If this is what Cinema must be like, Sparkes is on a good path.

It's a mystery/supernatural drama where a girl with "healing" abilities gets locked up on a remote island by her foster parents. The premise is interesting and the movie holds your attention well until the very end. The finale has a nice twist that you likely won't expect. One of the ideas it delivers pretty well is that people's generic morals usually get trashed when it's about their survival or survival of their closest relatives. Also that most people are inherently egoistic and try not to share something that benefits them, even if the potential benefits to others would vastly outweigh.

Just think of the movie's premise: a girl can heal people almost instantly by just letting them come close to her. How would a scientist or an engineer react to such a phenomenon? Obviously, research WHAT makes her have these powers. Why? Because the implications can be revolutionary. Imagine the huge positive impact to medicine worldwide. Millions, even billions of people could be saved. Yet, none of the dimwits populating this island cares. For 10 years, they keep the girl to themselves and create a semi-religious cult around her. And when troubles start, what do they do? They gather in a anonymous alcoholics-like meeting. To do what? No, not to strategize. But to "share their feelings" while holding a plush bear. The girl's step-father is the guy who found her as a baby. It was a random find so it could as well be anyone else. In his eternal wisdom, he doesn't want the girl to get abused by the "mainlanders" (the world outside the island). I guess, because scientists will stick needles into her and crack open her skull just out of curiosity, right? It's certainly better if she grows on a remote island and thinks that Paris is an imaginary place from fairy tales and treats an old TV set is a miracle.

A big plot hole that kinda kept nagging me throughout the movie: how could these island's inhabitants survive on an island for 10 years without ever contacting the mainland? After all, they aren't living in Medieval times so that they could create clothes, tools and everything else from wood, stone and leaves. In 10 years, batteries would run out, tools would break, and cars would burn through all of the gas. So, magically, the island lives as if it has all the modern resources like oil, metals, and basically the whole modern economy run in the background by something like 20-30 hillbillies + 1 drunk doctor. This doctor could prescribe only sleeping pills by the way, and those are still okay to take after 10 years. Or the pills just magically manifested themselves because well, it's a supernatural drama. And to light up the town, you don't need a power plant. It's just enough to find an electric cable lying on the road with sparks in it.

I was happy when the girl finally left the island - and that's where the movie had to end. Turn off your brain and enjoy the ride!