IanGabrielG's reviews

I saw two movies last night. One is the ridiculously good 'Rebel Ridge' (it has a 6.8. It should be a 10) and the other was Havoc. Let's talk about Havoc --

The good -- The script was pretty decent and fast paced, good performances, pretty good cinematography (whenever they weren't using excessive CGI), and decently staged action sequences with plenty of gore and violence, which is what this type of film is about.

The bad -- excessive use of poorly done CGI in order to cut down on on-location filming. The CGI was a video game quality stuff. There was no photorealism whatsoever, and it was overused. The other thing, and this is my main gripe, the use of shaky cam. It was almost impossible to enjoy some of the action sequences because of the excessive use of shaky cam. It truly was need-less and it brought down the quality of the film.

Overall watchable but could've been a hell of a lot better!

And I know why the film has the rating it has. It's really complex and layered. You're fed quite a bit of information, almost too much to keep track of.

Cuckoo is so complicated I had to look up a YouTube video after watching the film so I could fill in the gaps. Now, I shouldn't need to do that to fully understand a movie, that much is true, but it also doesn't necessarily make it a bad film. It is very unique and very different from most of the horror out there.

So, to some extend the complexity of the film is both it's forte and damnation; other than that, the acting, the cinematography, pacing are all great.

That's not to say Nosferatu is a bad film. Everything about it is top notch. It is very atmospheric, a little sensual, and had a couple of really good scenes (loved the pigeon scene) but it also drags quite a bit. Coppola's version had more WTF moments. It was more grotesque, more sensual, more messed up, and it even had bestiality in it, which is crazy.

I liked the Anthony Hopkins character more than Willem Dafoe's, but more importantly I liked Gary Oldman as Dracula far more than I liked Bill Skardgard. Nosferatu's Dracula felt 2-dimentional and mostly constipated. Eggers tried to make him more ominous, I get it, but I still liked Coppola's version better. Oh, and I sorely missed Dracula's wives. They were ridiculous in Coppola's film.

If you've never seen Coppola's Dracula, you owe to yourself to watch that before you watch Nosferatu.

I just love it when the European or American media portraits the Cuban regime in a manner other than the people-starving, human-rights-violating, freedom-of-expression-oppressing dictatorship they really are!

Take an ignorant writer/director, half-a-dozen spoon-full of lies, some really wonderful communist-loving actors, mix it all together and this is what you get. Dictatorships are notoriously good at manipulating the media, especially ignorant directors. Just remember Mr. Director -- They only show you what they want you to see. 'The Interview' portrayed this example in a beautifully satirical manner.

And ask yourself this question -- if the Cuban regime is such a perfect system, then why are Cubans risking their lives in the shark-infested high seas in homemade inflatable rafts? Abandoning the island like rats leaving a sinking ship? For fun, I guess?

Other than that, the film is wonderful. I personally recommend the director abandon the European union and go live in Cuba like the rest of the folk who were born on the island.

Signed

• a Cuban expat living in Miami.

This is a professional production with a healthy budget. The music, cinematography, acting -- production-wise, everything is top notch! BUT...and that's a big but, the script! Oh, man, that's script is HORRIBLE!!!!! It's original, and for that I gave the movie a 4 instead of a 2, but the characters act in completely unrealistic ways and most of the scenarios are completely unbelievable.

The movie started fairly well, but by the time the main character gets to the old man's cabin it's all gone to hell. The rest of the thing is an unholy mess! Original idea killed by a piss poor attempt at screenwriting! Bummer!

My particular cup of tea are supernatural horror and mystery thrillers. This is the kind of film that you have to go into knowing as little as possible and it will blow your mind. So, don't read any more reviews because one word will spoil it for you. This mystery film is spectacularly good. It will keep you at the edge of your seat throughout and you will want to watch it more than once. It is a complex mystery, so you do need to stay sharp; otherwise, you won't understand what's happening. If you like puzzles and brain teasers, you'll love this. Trust me, everything ties up beautifully. If you like gore and mindless violence, move on. This one isn't for you.

Beautifully shot and well acted, this supernatural drama is a surreal and trippy journey dealing with self-image, the meaning of life, philosophy, and perhaps even mental illness. There are some adult situations but nothing that would offend its audience. I feel like a lot of it is open to interpretation, which is cool. The main cast performance, especially that of the girlfriend, the brother, and the main character are truly great. I really enjoyed the dynamic of the relationships between these 3 characters. This is quite an emotional piece and they pull it off beautifully. The film does have a powerful message, which is something that lots of main stream films are missing these days, and it gives a lot of food for thought. If you like philosophy and very deep, thoughtful and artistic films this definitely worth a watch.

This updated Bloody Mary tale feels fresh, funny and thrilling start to finish. I loved the use of social media 'whoring', as I like to call it, in the film and how a little social media challenge goes completely wrong. Like all good horror it has something to say about the times we're living in and the idiotic things people sometimes do for a little fame or popularity. The film has plenty of scary moments, the night cinematography was really good and the Bloody Mary make up and effects were top notch. The film has a lot of funny scenes, catchy dialogue, colorful characters and all in all it felt like there was never a dull moment. If you're looking for some fun entertainment, look no further. It is a fun way to pass an hour and change.

Seven Lost is a WWII film that realistically depicts the lives and involvement of seven soldiers during WWII. The film takes the time to flesh out the character so you feel for each one of them and their struggles. The performances were fantastic, the battle sequences were very well made, and the writing was on point. A film of this nature doesn't work if the writing is not well researched and accurate. This film gets a lot of point for the accuracy of its narrative. Production values such as weaponry, uniforms and photography are also great. All in all it is a very thrilling story of survival and definitely worth a watch if you like historical films, war films, or survival films.

I loved this intricate and very well acted indie drama. Olivia is a great actress. A quiet drama like this would not work without some amazing, nuanced performances, and luckily the casting was spot on in this film. The lead actress is very beautiful and she definitely commands the screen. The film was very well shot, especially the exteriors around Australia. It had great use of locations and the moody but not overwhelming score at the end was right on spot. I really enjoyed this subtle drama told from the perspective of this young woman. If you're tired of over the top films and the overacting of daytime television, and you're looking for something intimate this movie is definitely for you. Excellent little film.

I loved this film. The characters in it are very well portrayed and the lines are right on point. I guess one of the things that makes this comedy great is the writing.

If you're looking for political comedy in tune with our times this is definitely for you. A project of this nature wouldn't work without some amazing acting and it was beautifully carried out. It reminded me a little of office space, but more political in its comedy. I wouldn't be surprised if it gains a cult following the way Office Space did. They don't make a lot of movies like this so when you get it it is a real treasure. Give you a shot. You'll love it.

I loved this throwback to 80's slasher films. The killer's POV shots were very well done and were quite unnerving. The music was spot on. Honestly, I don't think the film would've worked as well as it does without it. This who'd done it keeps you at the edge of your seat and always guessing as to who the killer could be, and you feel for the characters - especially the parents. The movie is extremely well paced, that's for sure. It is very well directed and edited, and the actor the plays the stalker is great. Stay for the credits - there's a little sequence there worth seeing. A really fun movie. Worth the watch!

I loved this second installment in the Stalker series. The movie was pretty good but this was excellent. Definitely better than the first one in all the ways that count. The story was very thrilling. The two detectives were excellent. Honestly, all of the actors did a great job. I loved the comedic elements, the cinematography. I especially liked the dream sequence and the unhinged acting by Sean Nugent. I appreciated that in order to keep the story grounded they introduced the elements of PTSD that linked the first and second films. If you want to enjoy a thrilling good time check this little jewel out.

I decided to give this film a chance because I wanted something sexy, intimate, with good acting -- which are the ingredients that are absolutely necessary for this type of film. Unfortunately, this was unwatchable. Visually the film is a snooze fest and the poor sound is very distracting. I don't know what else to say. The best thing about the movie is probably the poster. It got me. Other than that unfortunately it doesn't work. I like indie films and I take a chance when I feel they'll bring something new to the table but this didn't bring anything at all. I'm going to go rewatch The Handmaiden.

The film opens with really beautiful drone photography of New York and an up-beat soundtrack that elevates the film. From the first character interactions I had a smile on my face. The film is very funny. The dialogue is very witty and well-written, and the director did an amazing job casting great actors to be in this feel-good comedy. This was definitely my cup of tea and it will be yours too if you like irreverent comedies. I like the type of movies that bring characters of different ethnicities and walks of life together and the chemistry that develops as a result of that. I can't wait to see the second installment of this movie. If you like a bit of New York scenery, tongue in cheek comedy, and very likeable characters this movie is definitely for you.

The acting in this film is phenomenal and that's in big part thanks to dialogue that felt natural and realistic. One can tell that a lot of rehearsal time was put in refining the performances that finally made it to the film. The whole project is very well photographed with anamorphic lenses. It tackles what happens to relationships as a result of the neglect that comes from working too much - the lying, the infidelity, the headaches and heartaches, and how things can spiral completely out of control. It is a very mature and diversified film. The effects, the make-up, the sound - all of it was top notch. This film is definitely worth a watch!

The film deserves a 5, but I'm giving it a 4 to offset the ridiculously high ratings. Allow me to explain: Like all films, this one has some good qualities -- excellent setting, lighting, cinematography, acting, etc. The actors really did an amazing job. The creature designs are really good too. My main beef is with the screenplay and these ridiculously high ratings. At a 7 on IMDb I went into this expecting something amazing. Instead what I got for 45 minutes of film was one completely unbelievable scenario after another. No matter how much I stuck with it and tried to suspend disbelief it was almost impossible because the characters were so ridiculously stupid! The story is intriguing and the film does have its moments. When Justin Long is introduces 45 minutes in things do get better, but still. This film deserves far from a 7!

Cohabitation is a very introspective and insightful film into the life of a paramedic dealing with a severe case of PTSD and what happens when in order to make ends meet she brings in a new roommate. If you liked 'Single White Female', this one is most definitely for you. Cohabitation was very well written with a lot of insightful details with regards to those suffering from PTSD, the side effects, and treatments. It also shows the twists and turns that take place when someone who works as a first responder can't do their job anymore. The movie is beautifully lit and photographed and showcases some great locations. It is a very well-done thriller with the little comedy weaved in in the right spots. Definitely recommend.

This dramatic piece of work was excellent start to finish. If you like the more dramatic stuff that Woody Allen has to offer then this film is definitely for you. It is a very realistic portrayal at how the lies of one person can destroy many lives; how one lie can escalate completely out of control. The last movie I saw that was excellent and deal with a similar subject matter was Ridley Scott's The Duel, and if you liked that film you'd probably enjoy this too. It is very dialogue driven piece and emotionally hard. The actors in this are amazing. Truly amazing! The cinematography, the split screen montages, the dialogue - all of it was top notch. I can't stress enough how well it was written and how realistic it is. Amazing work from first time director Todd Theman!

This is the kind of the racy, kinky movie I love. The actors were really good in their roles and very easy on the eyes. The main girl was amazing. I kind of have a crush on her now. She's a very good actress and is very sexy. There was plenty of horizontal action and a lot of soapy drama in between.

I loved the aerial shot of North Carolina and there were more than a few lines that made me chuckle; the dialogue was on point. These actors really do carry the whole movie. Entanglement takes a dramatic look at mental illness but doesn't forget to entertain. It was very well made so give it a shot. Thumbs up.

Yo, section 8 is dope. It reminded me a lot of movies like Training Day, Belly, Gang Related, and Street Kings. It is raw, gritty, with dialogue straight from the streets and characters that walk and talk like the real deal. The film is an intricate web of lies and backstabbing and it is riveting from beginning to end. There is a lot of shooting, drugs, and even girl/girl action. Many actors were used in order to bring this underworld to life and the props, locations, and wardrobe are right on point. You do get involved with the characters and you do feel for them. It was messed up when Big Reese got shot. I really enjoyed this flick and if you're looking for a story about crooked cops and the underworld this is definitely for you.

I was planning to rate this with a 6 but because the ratings are a little lower than they should be (I almost didn't watch it based on these) I'll give it a 7 to offset that. I'm a sucker for thrillers. This one had a pretty well fleshed out story, interesting characters, intrigue, pretty good actors and performances, but without a doubt the best thing about the film was the cinematograph / location. They shot in locations that were mind-blowing. I really enjoyed the scenery. With a tighter script, a bit more conflict between characters, and a bit more tension woven in this would've been very, very solid. Regardless, I'd still recommend it. It was well made.

I value more characterization and story over action. The relationships between the main characters in this story leave quite a bit to be desired. A lot of the relationships are vague. I a lot the backstory is also pretty vague and somewhat shallow. To me the most profound relationship was the brother and sister relationship of Tyler's teammates and I did feel for them when the brother gets killed. The relationship between Tyler and his wife could've been fleshed out a little more. The Georgian kid's performance was not that good, especially in scenes he's supposed to be scared. Regardless of all that I've mentioned, which is mostly me being very picky, the film has some spectacularly well-made action set pieces, very cool locations, and it was very entertaining through.

Ok, so the movie was fun, once it does get going I enjoyed myself; however, it does take a while to get going. The beginning drags quite a bit, and I get that they're trying to establish characters and relationships, but they could've sped the whole thing up. Acting was good, details of the story were pretty elaborate -- I liked that they went to great lengths to explain the science behind the doll -- but the whole thing needed to get rolling faster. The doll was extremely well done. For that they get a ten, but the story could've been a little more fast paced and more comedy could've worked too. All in all it was fun, but maybe it shouldn't have been as hyped up as it was.