Search

Search only in certain items:

40x40

Emma @ The Movies (1786 KP) rated A Private War (2018) in Movies

Jun 22, 2019 (Updated Sep 25, 2019)  
A Private War (2018)
A Private War (2018)
2018 | Biography, Drama, War
I really do think that this viewing of A Private War was enhanced by the inclusion of the Q&A with cast and crew at the end. Not so much for the acting process and things but for the look at facts behind the movie itself. It's something They Shall Not Grow Old did too. Having the extra feature like this is a great inclusion, especially because a lot of movie-goers will just leave the cinema with assumptions about what they've seen and not do any further research.

One thing I'd noted during the film was just how real the acting felt from the civilians. The reason for that (as discovered in the Q&A) was because they were actual civilians who had their lives changed by war. The moments they had on screen had an amazing impact before you even discovered that fact.

The acting talent in this does an amazing job. Tom Hollander and Corey Johnson bring us solid supporting roles, and there's a nice surprise of Stanley Tucci too. I'm only seen Jamie Dornan in last year's Robin Hood and he was reasonable in that, his appearance in A Private War is good but against all the other things happening it's not making it into my top ten things about the film.

Now... Rosamund Pike... there's no denying she's a wonderful actress and this role must have been so difficult to get right. Intensity and compassion when she's in the field and interviewing, to the sadness and emotion when she is home and struggling with her situation, Pike covers pretty much everything. There's only one moment where I didn't feel the connection to the character. Marie opens up to Paul in what feels like it should be an emotional scene but when it cuts out to the next one I was surprised that it didn't really hit as well as everything else did.

I loved the way they used subtitles in this, or rather didn't. When we see Marie talking her way through a roadblock the suspense is everywhere, there's no instant translation and that coupled with some great camera work gives you that feeling of mild panic along with the characters.

I wasn't entirely sure what I was getting myself into when I booked a ticket for this. I even had to pay for it as it was classified as an event rather than a film (which I thought was a little cheeky considering none of the other Q&A screenings I've been to have been) but it was £6 well spent.

We also get treated to hearing Annie Lennox's creation, Requiem For A Private War. Atmospheric and haunting, the song made me pause, her instantly recognisable voice hits the right tone for the film.

What you should do

When this comes out on February 15th you should definitely go and see it. It's an interesting creation and shows you a side of journalism that many have probably never even thought about.

Movie thing you wish you could take home

I've got a bathtub that Stanley Tucci is more than welcome to come and sit in... I know I've just brought the tone of this would review down with this but I don't care.
  
40x40

BackToTheMovies (56 KP) rated Fear Clinic (2014) in Movies

Jun 12, 2019 (Updated Jun 12, 2019)  
Fear Clinic (2014)
Fear Clinic (2014)
2014 |
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Movie Rating
A Horror Movie That Makes You Think!
The film revolves around a shooting that takes place in a diner that traumatizes a group of survivors who check themselves into the Fear Clinic, a clinic run by Dr.Andover a man who has created a unique way of treating phobia's using a revolutionary new technology called the fear chamber. The fear chamber works by re-animating your worst fears into hallucinations so you can combat your fear face to face. However within the story the fears start manifesting themselves in the real world and this new technology that Dr.Andover has created is slowly opening up a doorway to allow fear incarnate to wreak havoc on the patients of the clinic.

Fear Clinic has an incredibly strong cast line up with Robert Englund (Nightmare on Elm Street) reprising his role as Dr.Andover, Thomas Dekker (Heroes) as Blake, Fiona Dourif (Curse of Chucky) as Sara a survivor of the diner shooting, Angelina Armani (Chromeskull 2) as another survivor Caylee and Corey Taylor in his first ever acting role as Bauer a porter at the clinic. Joining this stellar cast are a whole host of other amazing talent including Brandon Beemer, Cleopatra Coleman, Kevin Gage and Felisha Tirrell.

The movie as a whole was incredibly strong, what started off as an incredibly slow build up actually built the story up rather nicely and gave us some in depth character building and information, it is rare to see a good character build in indy horrors but Fear Clinic did it maybe even too much at times. Either way the second half of the movie eclipses the first by a long shot, once the story is set the action begins and with Bob Kurtzman and Steve Johnson behind the SPFX team the excitement and effects do not disappoint. As fear incarnate slowly starts to develop in the real world the SPFX team has amazingly brought this character to life taking on a persona that was unsettling to watch (Minus the visible bald cap on Robert Englund's head). The intro to the movie however slow always had a creepy and uncomfortable vibe, almost putting you in the clinic itself, testing your nerves, straining your ability to relax and always putting you on edge for what is about to come. It was a great touch and full credit to the team for drawing it out over the films duration without letting go of that emotion.

The film contains deep undertones and emotional depth in terms of people's fears and phobia's but there are some points within the movie that need to be tightened up a bit. Certain scenes need explaining more and as fear incarnate starts to manifest itself the build up and gore is lacking within the story so even thou the creature looks amazing, it doesn't strike fear into the audience which is a shame as now the audience is isolated from the story. Never the less the movie flows nicely and as it stands its a great introduction to a franchise but it does feels quite rushed in places and action is scarce in places as the build up is painstakingly drawn out, hopefully this is tightened up for the DVD release version or Director's cut.

Convoluted in places but a movie that stands higher than most Horror's that are being released at the present, a new generation of cerebral Horror. A movie that will make you think rather than spaced out watching the screen, a movie that when finished you'll rewind to make the jigsaw pieces fit. A very smart movie.

If you're used to watching Horror movies with a vacant mind then you will be disappointed with Fear Clinic, it's time to engage your brain, the Fear Clinic is open for business.

FEAR ON!