Tuesday 18 June 2013

Mini Reviews - Maniac (2012), Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters (2013), In Their Skin (2012), Dark Skies (2013), Eddie: The Sleepwalking Cannibal (2012)

With the amount of films I've watched this past couple of weeks, I've decided to do a few mini reviews! So here you go...

Maniac (2012)
Starring: Elijah Wood, America Olivo, Liane Balaban, Nora Arnezeder, Sammi Rotibi.
Director: Franck Khalfoun.
Writers: Alexandre Aja, Grégory Levasseur, C.A. Rosenberg.

In this remake of the 1980 classic, we follow and see things through Frank's (Elijah Wood) eyes via some impressive first person perspective camera work. As the owner of a mannequin shop, Frank develops a dangerous obsession with the young artist, Anna (Liane Balaban).

Even though we don't actually see Wood that often, his performance is fantastic, with some great support from Arnezeder. The score is worth mentioning too as it's very cool. This really is one of the best remakes you will get to see as well as one of the best films this year!

I highly recommend watching Maniac!

Maniac gets 5 Stars
Check out the trailer...



Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters (2013)
Starring: Jeremy Renner, Gemma Arterton, Famke Janssen, Pihla Viitala, Derek Mears.
Director & Writer: Tommy Wirkola.

We all know this childhood story and if you're not aware, the Hansel and Gretel theme has been represented by 5 different films this year!

This adaption is action packed and quite brutal at times with some great SFX. Renner and Arterton play Hansel and Gretel, but for me Janssen stole the show as the evil witch, Muriel. The story itself was a nice little twist to the fairy tail.

I was rather surprised by how much I enjoyed it! It was a lot better than I expected and made for a very fun, bloody and entertaining watch.


Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters gets 4 Stars
Check out the trailer...



In Their Skin (2012)
Starring: Selma Blair, Joshua Close, James D'Arcy, Rachel Miner, Quinn Lord, Alex Ferris.
Director: Jeremy Power Regimbal.
Writers: Joshua Close, Justin Tyler Close, Jeremy Power Regimbal.

The Hughes cottage vacation is violently interrupted by a family on a murderous and identity stealing journey, in search of the "perfect" life.

This is another instalment in the home invasion sub-genre, but lacks the same feel and quality as other films in that category such as The Strangers (2008) and Funny Games (2007).

Even though the acting was solid, it all felt like it stuck to the formula a little too close which made it less interesting and unoriginal. 

In Their Skin gets 2.5 Stars
Check out the trailer...


Dark Skies (2013)
Starring: Keri Russell, Josh Hamilton, Dakota Goyo, Kadan Rockett.
Director & Writer: Scott Stewart.

As the Barret family's peaceful suburban life is rocked by an escalating series of disturbing events, they come to learn that a terrifying and deadly force is after them.

This Sci-Fi/Horror kept to a very simple formula and delivered it well. Russell gives the best performance in the movie. With solid acting and decent SFX, I found it entertaining and creepy.

This one is worth giving a go.






Dark Skies gets 3 Stars

Check out the trailer...



Eddie: The Sleepwalking Cannibal (2012)
Starring: Thure Lindhardt, Georgina Reilly, Dylan Smith, Alain Goulem, Stephen McHattie.
Director: Boris Rodriguez.
Writers: Boris Rodriguez, Jonathan Rannells.

A painter, Lars (Lindhardt), struggling for inspiration finds an unexpected muse after he accepts a teaching position in a small town and becomes the caregiver to Eddie (Smith), a seemingly docile art student with a rare sleepwalking condition.

This really was a fun ride from start to finish with lots of gore thrown in for good measure. Excellent performances were giving from Lindhardt and Smith, even thought Eddie has no lines. Lars provides comedy timing and Eddie gives us the blood!



Eddie: The Sleepwalking Cannibal gets 4 Stars

Check out the trailer...

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