Life (2017): I reviewed Life when it was released two and half years ago, but have been mysteriously drawn to it ever since, in spite of my harsh rating at the time (5/10). For the most part, I stand by my first impression, that the movie is a missed opportunity, in spite of it’s good looks and solid cast. What really causes it to fail is a lack of attention to detail that, too often, is required to make the plot work – which, of course, is why so many things just feel out of place. What stands out, though, is the scene where excrement gets real, a scene that completely terrified me, even in spite of its physical and logical inaccuracies. As far as tension and subliminal gore go, it’s probably one of the most uncomfortable moments I’ve ever seen in a horror movie. Given this, and the fact that Life is, ultimately, a competent (and expensive) B movie, I have to adjust my initial rating, bumping it up a grade – i.e. recommended for genre enthusiasts. 6/10
Paterson (2016): Jim Jarmusch may not be the most consistent filmmaker of his generation, but his desire for exploration is something to be admired, leading to more hits than misses. In Paterson, he finds the every-man, the non-hero more defining of us all than most leading men and women in cinema. Wrapped within a poem, with a very particular rhythm to it, the movie benefits of layered performances, as Adam Driver really captures the nuances, often left implied, of the titular character’s feelings, drive and desires. As you would expect, it’s a slow burner, but it definitely burns. In a world so demanding of attention and drama, Paterson really is the anti-movie. 8/10
Blinded by the Light (2019): It’s rare that a musical really finds the right tune and tone when using popular songs – in this case, Bruce Springsteen’s. Blinded by the Light does a great job at this, with the music emphasizing the story and elevating the whole gig. It’s a bit of a shame that said story relies on a lot of cliches, with the central conflict between a strict father and his angsty teenage son feeling all too familiar. If you can take it as it is, BbtL has enough to offer, with a strong feel-good vibe keeping it afloat. 7/10
I Kill Giants (2017): In the way that Hwood produces very similar movies within twelve month periods, I Kill Giants takes on the same theme as 2016s A Monster Calls – a young teen coping with the imminent death of a parent. This one is a bit more down to earth, with Barbara’s struggles to integrate within the crowd at school and come to terms with the injustice that has struck her life framed by the difficulties of those around her as well. It dares to get really dark with its main character, a kind of darkness that’s not just reserved to family members. However, its attempt to ‘cover’ the metaphor in various layers of fantasy, only to then unveil it all in a tired last act, does the movie a disfavour. This inability to stay true to itself is why I ultimately consider IKG is the lesser movie. 6/10
A Monster Calls (2016): It turns out, I forgot to review this one, although I saw it just about a month ago. If you’re going to watch just one of the two, AMC has more going for itself – a more consistent story, a befitting allegory and stronger visuals. Other than that, the two movies are really very similar, with different family troubles, similar bullying struggles and two justifiably angry kids at their centers. AMC may not be a perfect movie, because it also goes for a bunch of tired tropes, yet overall it just felt like the superior take on the matter at hand. 7/10
tributarystu 