3 out of 5. Philip Ridley's THE REFLECTING SKIN is a richly textured piece of filmwork. There's a lot of metaphor
running around in the barren fields of the young Seth Dove. There's a
cruelty and the debauchery of childhood innocence that permeates
throughout and feels right for some reason. The acting is just okay, but
the photography and art direction is really great.
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3 out of 5. Antonio Bird's RAVENOUS was a surprising treat if
you like horror films. This was smart, darkly funny at times with great
cast that included GUY PEARCE and ROBERT CARLYLE. I don't watch horror
films like I used to but if they were as
well done as this I would. The horror in this shifts from situational
to one of acceptance by the characters. It's when they cross the line
that things really get interesting. If you liked THE PROPOSITION for
it's left of center western themes you'll like Ravenous just the same.
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4 out of 5. ONIBABA by Kaneto Shindô was one
of the first Japanese films I ever saw. I remember the photography and
use of cutaways of the tall grass, luring you into a seduction of
safety. It twists and turns and gets really creepy as samurai bodies
pile up under the terrible hands of mother and daughter. This is the
kind Japanese horror film that I like. Great execution!
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3 out of 5. CUBE is a great example of how a
smart director like Vincenzo Natali can make the best use of his art
skills with so little. Like PRIMER the concept is deceptively simple and
yet highly believable in the context
we're given. It's a great little thriller/horror film that is clever and
smart without being overly aware of itself. I like these kinds of films
because when you pull back to see the larger picture there is an even
bigger story at hand.
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