Thursday, October 10, 2024
If you’re looking for a film that annoys you just for existing this #Shocktober, this might be it. Otherwise, skip this narcissistic trainwreck. #jackmeatsflix
My quick rating - 2.4/10. This movie is a prime example of a film that feels like it was made just to annoy anyone unfortunate enough to watch it. The plot revolves around Arthur (Evan Marsh), a self-obsessed Internet star who celebrates his 3 million subscribers just as the apocalypse rudely interrupts his party. This shallow premise, unfortunately, sets the tone for the entire film. Arthur is so narcissistic and insufferable that the apocalyptic chaos barely feels like the focal point—it's more about him and his trivial concerns. His fixation on his roommate Darren (Darren Eisenhauer) hooking up with Emma (Olivia Scriven), a girl who has friend-zoned him for what seems like an eternity, adds unnecessary layers of frustration. Who cares about relationships when the world is ending? Visually, the film occasionally offers cool moments, like the waterless Manhattan concept, but it feels like wasted potential in a chaotic and confused narrative. Worse still, the scene flips to script readings adding a meta-level of irritation, making the whole thing feel more like a self-serving, pseudo-intellectual experiment rather than a cohesive story. Arthur's character, drenched in his own ego, is the epitome of everything people (myself included) avoid in Internet culture, particularly TikTok-style self-promotion. The movie’s attempts to be edgy or funny come off as forced and grating, leaving me wondering who thought this approach was a good idea. At its core, this flick is a confusing mess, riddled with characters you don’t care about and a plot that fumbles what could have been a cool premise instead unable to pick a genre. If you’re looking for a film that annoys you just for existing, this might be it. Otherwise, skip this narcissistic trainwreck.
Wednesday, October 9, 2024
Part 2 and this sequel let off the gas veering in the wrong direction of #Shocktober greatness but still is a disturbing psychological thriller with horror elements. #jackmeatsflix
My quick rating - 5.4/10. This sequel takes a familiar setting and attempts to ramp up the stakes with new layers of tension and moral complexity. A mysterious leader has taken control of the platform system, and survival becomes even more precarious, especially when eating from the wrong plate spells immediate death. The psychological and physical struggles of the characters are put front and center, forcing us to confront our own ideas of solidarity and survival. While the film attempts to capture the brilliance of its predecessor, it falls short in both depth and execution. There’s little explanation for newcomers, so seeing the first movie is almost a requirement to grasp the full weight of the situation. Where the original was a disturbing, thought-provoking reflection on human nature, this sequel feels more like a hollow echo. It moves along solidly for about two-thirds, offering disturbing insights into the brutality of the system and human desperation. But just as it seems to be building momentum, the plot takes a sharp detour, losing the tightness and intensity that made the first Platform so engaging. Though not as entertaining or impactful as the original, this flick still delivers some chilling moments. It’s a disturbing psychological thriller with horror elements, appealing to those willing to peer into the abyss of humanity’s darkest corners. However, the film’s collapse in its final act derails much of its potential, making it a less cohesive and satisfying experience overall.
This is exclusive to Netflix as of now.
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
I just watched the sequel the other night and realized I did NOT review the first back in March 2020 so here are the notes I took shortly after watching untouched. #jackmeatsflix
My quick rating - 7,4/10. Fairly timely, with all the hoarding of food. Two people per level in a prison cell. Food drops down to each level for 2 minutes, once per day. Eat what you can, that is all you get. The higher levels start with the full spread of food and slowly as the greed takes over and the food drops lower, the less there is. Sounds simple enough, and basic? Not in the slightest. This movie does so much with such a simple concept it is quite astounding. Without giving anything away, I will say find this one on Netflix if you have it, stat. A great find. The acting is unique to each character and their quirks. The solitude of the design is so basic and effective. This is truly how to succeed with flying colors on next to no budget, nor one needed when all involved shine.
This one is still exclusive to Netflix.
I checked out this slow psychological horror flick when I was in Syndey and it barely slides in for this #Shocktober as the suspense hooked me. #jackmeatsflix
My quick rating - 5.3/10. This movie sets itself up with an intriguing premise that promises psychological depth and a thoughtful exploration of societal pressures on women, particularly regarding motherhood. Dianna Agron delivers a solid performance, embodying the lead with conviction making her character's internal struggle believable and compelling. Agron truly carries the weight of the film on her shoulders, and in a better-structured narrative, her performance would have shined even more. However, the movie quickly falters as it loses focus. The plot feels disjointed, veering in multiple directions without fully committing to any of them. In the second half, the flick throws in new plot developments, but instead of adding depth, they feel scattered and ultimately lead nowhere. What could have been a sharp, focused psychological thriller instead feels like it's trying to do too much and succeeds at none of it. The dialogue at times is a bit too on-the-nose, lacking the subtlety that would have allowed the audience to engage more thoughtfully with the material. It has moments of tension—particularly one scene at a birthday party that stands out—but the film fails to deliver on the scares or suspense one might expect from its setup. Ultimately it is a missed opportunity. With its potential and great lead performance, it could have been a tightly crafted, engaging horror film. Unfortunately, its scattershot approach leaves it feeling more like a collection of ideas than a cohesive story. If the film had picked a lane and fleshed it out, it might have been something special. Instead, it leaves you wondering what it could have been.
This one is exclusive to Hulu as of now.
Monday, October 7, 2024
This #Shocktober flick tries to combine emotional storytelling with supernatural horror but is hindered by a low budget and a poorly written story. #jackmeatsflix
My quick rating - 3.8/10. I popped on this flick, directed by Asif Akbar, and got a haunting exploration of sacrifice, maternal love, and the supernatural. Despite the constraints of its budget, the film manages to deliver a story that is both touching and chilling, though not without major flaws. This film marks Terrence Howard's debut in the horror genre, and his performance is one of the standout elements. Howard brings depth and intensity to his role that helps elevate the material. His portrayal is nuanced and compelling, providing a strong anchor for the narrative. However, the story he created for the film is one of its weaknesses, lacking the cohesion and originality needed to truly captivate. The plot centers around a mother, haunted by a malevolent spirit since childhood, who becomes possessed in a desperate attempt to save her terminally ill daughter. This premise holds potential for emotional and supernatural drama. Unfortunately, the execution falls short in several areas, leaving much of this potential untapped. The film's budgetary limitations are evident, affecting the quality of special effects and the overall production value. While these constraints are understandable, they do hinder the film's ability to fully immerse us in its eerie atmosphere. The themes of sacrifice and maternal love are potent and well-intentioned, but the film struggles to balance these elements with its horror aspects. The narrative often feels disjointed, with moments of emotional depth undermined by pacing issues and a lack of narrative focus. The concept of a mother willingly becoming possessed to save her child is a powerful one, yet it lacks the necessary build-up and payoff to make it truly impactful. Cuba Gooding Jr..'s involvement is another point of interest, though his talent feels massively underutilized. His role, while significant, does not allow him to fully showcase his abilities, resulting in a sense of wasted potential. Overall, it is a film that strives to combine emotional storytelling with supernatural horror but is hindered by budgetary constraints and a poorly written story. Howard's performance is a key strength, adding depth to the film, but the story itself fails to fully deliver on its promising premise. Between the soft spot I have for the actors and the performances they gave, I let that outweigh the clear negatives that the lackluster script bored me with.
You can check this one out streaming on Shudder or AMC+ as of 2.10.24
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