rontepper-38401's reviews

I am known for my very long reviews. This won't be one of them. Ms. Spielberg, what on earth were you thinking? I don't even know what to say. The synopsis sounded derivative but interesting. The trailer made me curious- but then, this movie?

The plot barely matters because there almost is none. There is exposition in the first 5 minutes including the films title. It serves no purpose- it becomes an afterthought- gives you a hint of a possible story that never materializes. It then gives you unlikeable characters you have no reason to care about, and after seeing cliche after cliche of typical thriller tropes well- the question becomes- why didn't i turn it off?

I didn't because it was Steven Spielberg's daughter's first film and i was hoping it would eventually become more engaging and more interesting. What's shocking is it actually got worse -- and there was no great metaphor that people "needed to understand" or "didn't get". This is not a deep film. It could have been adults who ended up at the house for the purpose we later discover. There was no twist at the end, only a boring obvious common sense reveal. The reason given in the first 5 minutes was not based on jealousy but was just an excuse for a scapegoat. In fact, those 5 minutes seemed like a setup for another movie entirely - certainly not this one.

Please- for your next film, pick up a decent script and a story that's interesting and that would justify becoming a full length movie. Thank you.

Frozen Days is a fascinating film by first time Director/Writer Danny Lerner. It is an Israeli film seen by few here in America since its initial release years ago. Although it borrows from other films, it remains a unique experience, with a twist that you won't see coming- it will haunt you forever.

Beautiful Anat Klausner stars in her first film as a wondering MDMA drug dealer who works the empty streets of Tel Aviv every night. She is quite lonely living in solitude. One night, she connects with a man through a Chat App. After a brief meeting, they set up a date in a nightclub which also doubles as her workplace. She gets high on her own supply- and minutes later, a suicide bomber sets off an explosion killing and wounding many people. It is here that the film takes a very bizarre turn. It sends her into a world of paranoia and delusions, where previous events repeat themselves and her ability to distinguish between reality and fantasy come into question. Identities blur as a result of trauma. It visits the realm of films such as "The Tenant" "Jacob's Ladder", and "Carnival of Souls". You get the idea.

The film is shot with an obscure aspect ratio in video format consistent with film noir. There are many John Frankenheimer type claustrophobic images- where spatial proportions are affirmed and later averted adding ominous vibes that heighten our/her sense of dissociation. Although some dislike the ending, it works for me. We soon realize that part of what we see has come from the drug induced mind of one of the characters who experienced trauma. The soundtrack is sparse with piano keys that somehow work. The film is fascinating as it is disturbing- which leaves room for alternate interpretations. One might be some sort of Transgender nightmare, but that might be a reach

But there is more. The 5 years before this was filmed there were an incredible 131 suicide bombings that took place in Israel. These ubiquitous attacks created a climate where disassociation, loneliness, paranoia, and feelings of alienation were a collective norm rather than an aberration - thus the film can be seen as a metaphor for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. There are also some sociological aspects that are reflected that are indigenous.

In any event, try and see this film while you still can. It truly is a hidden gem.

I have admired the films of Isaac Ezban for 10 years now. El Incidente was his first film in 2014. One look at that trailer- and I was obsessed- fascinated- and addicted. I wanted more. Here's an artist whose ideas are as unique as they are original, where simple logic is often dismissed in favor of abstract ideology.

Parvulos tells the story of the aftermath of a near Apocalypse. 3 young brothers- Salvador, Oliver, and Benji (Mateo Ortega Casillas) have a close bond, and their mutual struggles to survive under adversity is beginning to wear them down. All they have in this world is each other. They are in the middle of nowhere. Their Parents seem to be missing. They hunt to eat. Vegetables will not grow. How bad is this new world? Salvador mixes honey with worms for a smoothie to start off the day. That's bad. Judging from the objects in their house, it could be the 1970s. They have no electricity, but Dad, an Engineer, showed his son how to power electrical devices by riding a bike- not an easy task for an oldest son missing a half leg. They try to stay upbeat, but that seems almost impossible in this barren world we see and know very little of.

Oh, and before I forget- there are 2 bloodthirsty Monsters chained up, angry, and demanding to be fed- but why should they care about hunting animals to feed monstrous Zombies- wonders Benjie- especially when they barely have enough food for themselves? Ok- A key REVEAL ahead concerning the Zombies identity.

The backstory - there was a Pandemic in Mexico. People died - and a new vaccine was needed. But viruses mutate rapidly- leaving previous vaccines ineffective. A Pharmaceutical Company screwed up their latest vaccine- no clinical trials - leaving those who were injected to become blood thirsty Zombies (obviously an anti-vaccine theme)- The infected hope for an antidote to this vaccine- but why the sense of urgency for this family?

The REVEAL- Hopefully for a cure for Mom and Dad-. Obviously, they got infected and had the 2 oldest boys chain them in the basement before they transformed into Zombies for their children's safety. (On a personal level - my father died from Covid- and to imply that the Vaccine is worse than the Virus is somewhat offensive) Benji was never told by his 2 older brothers, because it would be too traumatic. The irony is that in this new world, trauma was a part of everyday life. Benji finds renewed hope. He interacts with them- reads them stories and tries to teach them as they once taught him. He even attempts a family Xmas party. What some found as dark humor invoked sadness in me- it was heartbreaking to see both the before and after pictures of their past Xmas photos, and to laugh at their condition would be like laughing at the handicapped- which for me transcended any level of humor. Maybe I took the film too seriously.

The children and infected parents change roles on parenting. Their father always told them only 2 things remain constant in life- FAMILY and CHANGE. Parents are responsible for their children early in life and years later- it's the child's turn in most cultures- an analogy here for the role a caregiver of sick parents and its effects on the lives of those children Involved. Ezban said this film was very personal to him and dedicated it to his brothers.

One problem I have here is that the reveal of the Zombies identity is too early in the film- there is another 90 minutes left- it's just a reveal, not a twist. Who else could these Zombies be? There is no way that a kid with one leg and 2 little boys could capture and chain up anyone without help, especially a violent Zombie. It would have been better with a visual backstory. The scares would be greater knowing that it's the parents from the start- and seeing that transformation change the family dynamics.

What Ezban does so well is to focus on the dynamics of sibling relationships dealing as best they could in a near impossible situation and not deviate from that core value. There are other characters in the film worth mentioning- a scavenger, played by actress Carla Adell, who helps Salvador lose his virginity and then upon leaving has an unwelcome surprise. Zoe' Hernandez plays the leader of an opportunistic group of religious zealots (the Trumpets- The 4 Horseman and the Apocalypse) who explains that he has the only antidote- but they have bad intentions. Most of the horror in this film comes in the 3rd act- and it has a bleak bordering on cruel ending. A new family dynamic takes form. Ezban always believed that you can't have a happy ending in any horror film. In the end, the boys' purpose in this world was to stay alive and protect the family at all costs - and that remains the heart of this story- they ALL sacrifice SOMETHING- either their innocence or their lives, and in some cases- both. That is what sets this film above the competition and makes it unique. The focus remains on family.

The cast were great- highlighted by the 3 young actors who played Salvador, Oliver, and especially Benji- also the psychotic Zoe' Hernández ("We are the flesh"). Ebzan's crew- Rodrigo Sandoval, Adelle Achar, and Edy Lan- reunite from El Incidente. Achar in particular should be in demand for her excellent art/production design, and the sound design at times is incredible on building tension. Ezban's attempt to mix family drama in such a film of this genre is quite ambitious. He takes risks in unexpected ways. Despite its few flaws- the movie kept me fully invested- had an excellent pace. Ezban does a great job in fleshing out his characters, and that's inspired writing- in a personally inspirational film.

One Note- The killing and gutting of a Sheltie Dog in the beginning will probably not sit well with American Audiences- but in this new world - it was necessary for survival. Still, it's considered a taboo- "Man's best friend?" In summary- this is a very good film for so many reasons- as for Fantasia in Montreal, the best since 2023s "Red Rooms". My grade reflects that, and people should definitely make an effort to see it.

We all know the story behind The Evil Eye. Actually, many stories- and in most countries those stories are taken quite seriously. Mexico is one. It's been said that just a strong glance can cast a spell on those most vulnerable- babies and small children- resulting in illness or even death. The Aztec and Mayan Cultures date this phenomenon back as early as 1300 BC. Even today, almost all countries have bracelets designed to either repel or absorb this "negative energy".

Now, take the truly original imagination of one of Mexico's most gifted young filmmakers- and you may have something really special.

This story revolves around a family of 4 - William & Rebecca, and their two young daughters- Nala (played by promising Paola Miguel) and Luna- who is ill. The movie begins with her hospitalization. She has organ failure and there is nothing more they can do. In desperation, Rebecca turns to her estranged mother- played brilliantly by Ofelia Medina. She has not seen her mother in years, and the family have never met her. Ezban creates immediate sustained tension between all 3 women. Parents go away for a few days, leaving both kids alone with Grandma and her Maid - Abigail. Right off the bat, Nala and Grandma are at each other's throats. Their angst grows while little Luna's life hangs in the balance.

One night, Abigail tells both kids a scary tale about Triplets. In the story, an evil Witch pays them a visit at night to suck a child's blood in order to steal their youth. One girl got so sick, that the other 2 sisters in the story sought help from a Sorcerer and struck a deal- She taught the girls how to make a "Baca"- a Caribbean mythical being who grants wishes but in turn- brings evil. The stage is set.

What fascinates me with Witchcraft are the details. For example, they remove their skin - when they fly- only to "reskin" themselves later, and Salt proves deadly. Ezban creates this horrifying creature with little to no CGI. This film is a battle to the end between Grandma and Nala until reaching its shocking, conclusion.

Shout out to the amazing Production Design by Adelle Achar- Her work was brilliant in "El Incidente" as well. Her imagination and attention to detail perfectly complements Ezban's unique vision. Solid 8/10.

There are many ways one can look at this documentary. I'll give credit for it being an excellent overview of one of the most gifted musicians of our generation. Eric Clapton is a music legend, and in all fairness, he doesn't try to hide his shortcomings as a human being. But therein lies the problem. Some things are better left unsaid.

There are things I found surprising here, for example- no mention of his work with Delaney and Bonnie Bramlett. They greatly influenced his musical direction, connected him to Duane Allman, Leon Russell, and an impressive supporting cast of musicians- who encouraged him to write and sing more- while providing an escape from a psychological and professional rut he desperately needed to escape from.

The problem I have with this documentary is that it tries to make us feel sympathy for Clapton, and I have to question why.

Clapton was brought up by his Grandparents in a very loving home. He barely knew his mother, and only saw her twice as a child, Somehow, this documentary is presented in a way that it uses it as an excuse for all the poor choices and irresponsible behavior Clapton made in his life. Truth is, he has never taken full responsibility for his actions except by way of past reflection.

This documentary was filled with too many- "I really should have apologized" or "I really wished I hadn't done that" -- for my liking. It showed us how fame, fortune, and self-centered behavior can bring out the monster in some people and yet still leave them looking for sympathy. Being called "God" may have been the worst thing that ever happened to him.

Clapton left his original band- the Yardbirds- without notice. He later abandoned the band "Blind Faith" much like the Yardbirds- without notice, even to Steve Winwood. He influenced Delaney and Bonnie's band members to leave them for more money to form the "Dominos", and eventually tried to convince a married women to run away with him - wife of his best friend (George Harrison) only to abuse her later (resulting from his battles with Alcohol). His 5-year-old son died- having fallen out of a window - evidently unsupervised by his girlfriend who was unstable at the time.

Although he has had periods later in life of showing good will towards others with benefit concerts (something almost every artist does during their careers), even his diehard fans were not spared. I was at that concert in Pittsburgh in 1986, and the movie depicts just a glimpse of what happened. It was ugly. Racist rants. Drunken behavior- Destroyed relationships seems to be a habit with him and In some cases, one has to wonder if there was ever a relationship at all. Patty Boyd recently wrote in her book that there was an ugly incident which led to her leaving Clapton leading to their divorce. She had enough

Clapton also received undeserved credit in this documentary. They pointed out that he "opened the door" for Blues musicians, making it easier for them to get exposure to the general public- but was this a wonderful gesture on his part- or simply the byproduct of playing their music? Big difference. One can actually say without THEIR inspiration- he never would have picked up a guitar in the first place.

What really bothered me though was his failure to give credit to those who loved him and even saved him from further self-destruction. Pete Townsend dragged him out of bed during his drug addiction and got him back onstage, saving both his life and his career. Procol Harum's Gary Brooker did the same by helping him kick his alcoholism by sharing his passion for fishing. Patty Boyd? Many people helped him thru his down times but were NEVER mentioned or given credit for any of their support along the way. For a documentary of such length, there was surely enough time- and again, going public with all this baggage just to boast he was a survivor- his words in the interview

And why the rush at the end- it goes from his son's tragedy to being happily married to another woman now with 3 kids and a 17-year-old daughter? A huge period of time that i guess just flew by.

Believe it or not, I was a big fan of Clapton, but he never was a God in my eyes- just an ordinary man with one extraordinary talent. There's a big difference between living the blues and playing it. Clapton's Blues were the results of his own selfish actions- unlike the Blues masters, who were TRULY dealt a bad hand in life and had to express their hardships thru their music. Many today still live in poverty- not multimillion dollar mansions.

Well, rarely do I write reviews for a film which could be acted out on stage, but despite its terrible reviews, I have to give this a 6/10 for the plot twist alone. I didn't it see coming.

6 strangers are tied up and bound in a cellar. They all have no idea how they got there. They are told that only 1 will leave alive and it's up to them to decide on which one. As the story unfolds, we find a government agency is behind it and there is a secret reason they are all there. But is the reason given true, or is there something else going on? They all confess to being sinners, but despite the flashbacks we are shown, can anyone's confession be trusted?

"The Eyes" may not be a well acted film but to be honest, there is a reason for that too, as you will understand at the end of the movie. It makes me laugh at the reviews for those who trash the acting. I guess they miss the whole point of the film, or just weren't paying attention.

One can argue that this is hardly a film by normal standards. It's a play that happens to be acted out ON film, and as for its wooden direction or shoe string budget, who cares? I wasn't expecting Doctor Zhivago.

For those who expect "Saw" because of the setup, it isn't. There is little violence if any in this film. What we really have here is an elaborate game being played out- a cat and mouse tale, whose sole purpose is to set up a very unique and clever twist. As time goes by, "being original" is becoming harder and harder. They at least tried something clever. It does keep you guessing, and the ending makes it worthwhile- for those who are willing to hang in there.

1968 was a turbulent time in both Mexican and United States history. It was a time of great sociological unrest, when authority was questioned, and social protests became prominent. While the United States lost Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr, the Mexican government used its power to suppress political opposition from innocent students leading to a massacre in Tlatelolco during the reign of president Diaz- shortly before the 1968 Olympics.

I bring this up only because it serves as background for Isaac Ezban's fascinating and imaginative second Science Fiction film- "The Similars".

Setup- 8 people find themselves stranded at a bus station during a devastating rainstorm only five hours outside of Mexico City. But this is no ordinary storm, nor are the news reports that come in. This rain contains a lot more than just water.

The cast of characters are comprised of an old man on the verge of retirement, a pregnant woman on the run, a medical student, a mother and her handicapped son, and a few significant others. As with his brilliant debut film- "El Incidente", the characters seem inconsequential to the story. They are used merely to examine the human condition when put in a position of extreme circumstance.

As the story unfolds, we witness a strange phenomenon. Each character, by way of a bizarre seizure, wake up no memory and the same face. As expected tensions arise, characters become desperate for answers, paranoia takes over, and violence- including a few deaths. The student fears the government is involved. Others believe it's the Devil. An old native Aztec woman has an opinion too, but nobody can understand a word she says. This is only the premise. No Spoilers.

Could one of these characters hold the secret? Is there some sort of cosmic game taking place? Can fantasy become an uncontrollable reality? One character actually does, my only fault with the film. It wasn't needed- the setup was fascinating enough. There is dark humor throughout this film, which Ezban delivers- tongue in cheek. I won't spoil the surprises. This is a fun, imaginative journey into Science Fiction. While his feature film "El Incidente" was explained within the context of abstract spiritual realism, this story has it's dots well connected and unfolds with perfect timing.

The film's main metaphor is - what does man become when stripped of his identity? That was in question that tragic day in Tlatelolco in 1968. Somehow, the military forgot that individuality can not be compromised, and there are dangers when our identity is suppressed in favor of forced conformity- in other words- when people are forced to "All Become The Same" (tagline). The fact that Ezban used a Sociological equivalency to his Sy/Fy story shows that this Director may become a true future visionary in the world of modern day Cinema.

The direction of Ezban, along with the cinematography of Isi Sarfati, leave the film with a real 60s look and feel. Yes, this is very much Ezban's tribute to Rod Serling's - The Twilight Zone - with a unique twist by Ezban that Serling would have loved. Like great Writers and Directors, Ezban's story is fun, fascinating, and totally original- and just when you think you have the film figured out, he throws us the proverbial curve ball and dares us to hit it. Don't be misled by the trailer. Violence is kept to a minimum. On imagination alone, I give this a rating of 8/10.

Rod Serling once wrote "It has been said that God created the Heaven and Earth, but it's up to each individual to create their own personal or private Hell". Well, not necessarily, as we find out in this truly incredible film debut - Writer/Director Isaac Ezban's "El Incidente".

El Incidente begins with a striking image of a very old woman in her last few minutes of life. She's still in her wedding dress, riding an escalator to an unknown origin in the future. It's followed by a sequence where we see an endless ocean, railroad track, road, stairway, and hallway. These shots act as a road map by Ezban for us to follow on his journey into a Universe of his own creation, and what a glorious journey it is

There are 2 separate yet connected stories for us to follow, both fragmented non linear narratives about a family's venture on a road trip, and a detective's successful chase of 2 petty thieves on a stairway of an apartment building. In both scenes, we witness multiple incidents, both involving a traumatic death. A detective shoots one of the criminals while on the stairway- yet claims it wasn't his doing- while the father of a family gets lost- while his daughter suffers a severe asthma attack for which he assumes much of the blame. Both groups hear an explosion shortly after each incident occurs, and both find themselves frozen in space- but not time - and isolated from the rest of the world. They are trapped - and what they do during that time will have huge implications in determining the course of their lives.

While the family on the road keep passing the same landmarks over and over again, the Cop and 2 criminals discover an endless loop of repeated floors of the building in which they are trapped. There is much more to both stories and yes, they are connected. Listen closely to the conversation between both brothers in one's dying moments on the stairway. The regret of rushing thru childhood in quest of a happier adulthood is crucial to the film's theme.

We are now transported 35 years into the future-- Act 2

Act 2 on the staircase contains the film's most creative and fascinating images. A vending machine that automatically fills up with food at will, a mural of fascinating drawings on the walls listing the number of days since the incident occurred- a bizarre religious ritual, a collection of empty plastic water bottles that contain (that's a secret) and the most beautiful images of food captured on film since Antonioni's "Zabriskie Point". The way the characters adapt to their new stairway home over those years with what little they had was amazingly creative- like utilizing limitless water bottles for use as a make shift shower, and nail clippers for mirrors. The relationships between characters grew as well as their lives depended on cooperation. (Ezban and set designer Adelle Achar used a lot of imagination in highlighting this fascinating and original segment) Michael Parkinson Pintor on murals

Act 2 of the family on the road could have used a little more development, but still in all fairness it was realistic and true to the story. The father and son are alive, but remain quite distant. The mother is catatonic and soon dies, and the little girl has long been deceased. They have not adapted to their surroundings nearly as well. A revelation soon occurs in both stories, and some warnings as well. Only when the elderly approach death in both stories do they realize what is happening- who they really are, and have to try to break an unbreakable course of events that are inevitable- making one wonder if they can overcome the limitations in their choices to act. The characters were told that they must resist temptation and remember their names. If they don't, the cycles will continue.

The movie seems to ask us do we indeed have control of our actions or are our actions predetermined, and if so, by who and why? In critiquing cinema, as in our regular lives, it seems we make our choices based on subjective impulses and live by these choices as though we have grasped an "absolute truth" Fans of mystery enjoy figuring out the unknown but are often left frustrated when the process seems like an exercise in futility (as one might feel here) This is a movie experience you must surrender to. Rather than trying to solve all the mystery of this film, or understand its bizarre logic, enjoy the experience in these unique worlds created by Ezban. Someone once said that in Science Fiction, a writer doesn't have to embarrassed for loving strange ideas- in fact, it's almost encouraged. I might add, it's not a sin for the viewer to love those ideas either. I alone am the latter.

If there is a flaw, it might be understanding Ezban's tagline and the cause-and-effect aspects of the film. There is a lot going on here. Spending equal time in both worlds would have made the film easier to understand. It's also hard to connect or even feel compassion for the characters in this film, leaving a void in our caring about the outcome. Regardless of its logistics and our emotional detachment from unlikeable characters, we remain trapped- along with the characters- in a beautiful yet claustrophobic nightmarish loop. It does leave us with questions. Most nightmares do, but few are this fascinating.

If you pay close attention, (which few people do), the film shows us how mortality and the deterioration of aging goes hand in hand with the loss of innocence and the dreams of our youth. It is a reminder that not staying active by living life to its fullest will only lead to self-destruction, This is a film that crawls inside your head and stays there- a film you're not likely to forget.

Of course, sometimes the metaphors are missed, but that's the fault of the viewer not the filmmaker. This was easily one of the most fascinating films I've ever seen in years- an amazing existential journey - and on that basis alone, it gets a 9/10 from me- I loved it, and no, this is NOT a paid review.