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IR Film Review: A QUIET PLACE - PART II [Paramount]
The approach in any sequel is one of structure and continuation. The interesting idea of "A Quiet Place" and its actual effectiveness was based on the notion of silence. The question becomes how to do that especially with one of your main protagonists is, story-wise, not really available for the second film.
IR Film Review: THOSE WHO WISH ME DEAD [Warner Brothers]
"Those Who Wish Me Dead" is an intriguing spin on a movie we have seen before and yet is effectively done and entertaining. It is a fun romp with dark and dramatic overtones that doesn't hit the viewer over the head to learn something (or watch a bunch of CGI). It is old school while still being refreshingly of its time.
IR Film Review: THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW [Netflix]
The texture of "The Woman In The Window" is an interesting one but it is perspective that it perhaps moves a little too broadly within the narrative. Based on the novel by A.J. Finn, the book itself (having talked to the author just before this adaptation began shooting) was a mediation on his own insomnia.
IR Film Review: THE DJINN [IFC Midnight]
In "The Djinn", this aspect is given a darker turn with metaphors that abound. But what the film really creates is a haunted house movie in the middle of urban sprawl.
IR Film Review: WRATH OF MAN [Miramax/MGM]
"Wrath Of Man" is a tale of revenge, more 70s action than grindhouse but with some interesting additions.
IR Film Review: FRIED BARRY [Shudder]
Director Ryan Kruger who seems to have financed and done a lot of the film on his own, overdoes some of the clichés but doesn't pull back on the body horror or general visceral nature of the proceeding which is admirable.
IR Film Review: CLIFF WALKERS [CMC]
"Cliff Walkers", the follow up of Zhang Yimou to his magical realism historical epic "Shadow" is interesting idea with less CG but a much more straightforward storyline set after the invasion of China by Japan during World War II. While the story is very much from the Chinese perspective, it does allow an interesting mode of thought in how the Chinese saw their captors.
IR Film Review: STOWAWAY [Netflix]
The essence of choice in survival situations comes down to individuality and how one reflects in that moment in time. Although on a grander scale with a different interaction of actors, Joe Penna's "Stowaway" starring Toni Collette, Anna Kendrick and Daniel Dae Kim follows the same ideal of what path would one choose.
IR Film Review: KEEP AN EYE OUT [Dekanalog]
Director Quentin Dupieux who has always formulated in idea of the wrong way people end up in their story despite their correct course (Fest Track interviewed his actors at Sundance for his film "Wrong") reflects in a more minimalist structure in "Keep An Eye Out" but with no less frolic and disdain.