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Resident Evil 2002 ★★½
I went in with low expectations and the first twenty, thirty minutes were actually pretty good, with a nice zombie atmos and decent kills.
Then the main character gets the type of memory that's convenient for the screenwriter and it disintegrates into generic action territory with hot people doing badass stuff and a dull bad guy reveal. But the action bits are okay(ish) and badass Michelle Rodriguez is the best Michelle Rodriguez.
Speak No Evil 2022 ★★★★
A Danish and a Dutch couple meet while on holiday. They hit it off and the Dutch invite the Danes over for a visit, only for them to find out that their hosts are not all they are cracked up to be.
For me, this film delivered. I like how it builds up the atmosphere with the foreboding score inversely proportional to the amicality of the atmosphere between the couples. As the story progresses, it peels away layer after layer with Patrick and Karin becoming less and less friendly, slowly revealing their true nature and intentions. In that aspect, it's possible to see the dinner scene as a form of grooming with the mother's eye on the near future.
This is all about manipulation and social control by alpha people over beta people. About wolves in sheeps clothing. Slowly, but surely, the Dutch parents assert their dominance over the Danes, with the scene at he restaurant and everything after as a key element. That's where the Dutchies really gain the upper hand. Where they know, we can do pretty much anything to these saps and they will be too scared/polite/... to put up a fight, let alone present themselves as a worthy adversary.
Social media are filling up with people annoyed by the beta nature of the Danish parents – in large part to it being available on Shudder, thus reaching a bigger audience then the type of art house film theatre(s) where I saw it. Not only was it not entirely correct – the mother did want to run away quite quickly – it could also be counted as a testament to the Dutch couple and their cunningness. As one scene shows, they are experienced in this “game” and so they know by now how and where to pick their next victims. In my opinion, the only thing breaking that mold was actually the sex scene. Given their history, this couple would be more likely to drop everything passion related on a dime and attend to their daughter calling for them, especially knowing the situation they are in.
The gory scene that everybody talks about, delivers on the intensity and eeriness. I went into the film a bit sceptical – what with all the “the scariest movie you will see this year” yadda yadda I have seen in the past on Netflix, social media,... Birdbox being the main culprit that comes to mind, but there are others as well. Only to end up thinking: wow, they really went there.
To me, this is the point where whatever is left of the spirit in the Danes breaks, allowing for a rather cruel closing sequence and ditto final shot of Bjorn and Louise. With an exchange reminiscent of an infamous dialogue in The Strangers: Why are you doing this? Be cause you were home/because you let us. Same scariness, same cruel, lackadaisacal delivery. Visually, the shot looks good, but it does make Patrick and Karin look a bit sloppy, which does not fit with their seemingly meticulous MO.
Well recommended, especially for fans of slow burns.
To be avoided by people going in a with a state of mind that says “I want it to make sense (ie (seemlessly) fit in my personal logic)”
The Purge: Anarchy 2014 ★★★
The second part of The Purge series is a step up from part 1 in that it delves more into the actual phenomenon of the purge, rather than focus on just one family.
We are slowly introduced to a variety of characters who somehow end up together towards the end of the first act. A struggling woman who not only has to take care of her daughter, but also of her ailing father. Thus allowing for a slight bit of Medicare commentary. There's a couple breaking up, but not really. And badass Frank Grillo on a revenge plot to avenge the death of his son. I understand how it needs this time to set things up and introduce everyone, but it somehow looks a tad bit messy, even on a rewatch.
Like I said, this one goes into the various aspects of The Purge a bit more, with quite a bit of social commentary. About how the poor dread this night and do all they can to survive and how the rich breeze through it and use their wealth to both stay safe and still purge. Best exemplified in the subplot where the father “sells” himself so that rich people can kill him 100.000 dollars in the safety of their home. Or the bit towards with a bit of a Running Man/Hunger Games-ish spectacle. It also allows for more elaborate kills and awesome shots like the Gatlin gun in the back of the truck.
Which, now that I think about it, raises an interesting question: Would the purge inadvertantly create a new market there? For example, for upper middle class people to buy/rent a condo in non purging countries like Canada or Mexico. Might make for a subplot with a lower middle class character saving for such a condo.
I also like how this one takes us outside more, showing how the danger can come from literally everywhere and at any time, even in the wee hours before the commencement.
As mentioned, Frank Grillo wants to kill the man who killed his son. An understandable state of mind and the type of quest you would probably see more often if the purge were to be an actual annual tradition. At least, there is more to it than to the type of petty killing a lot of people would stupe to during a purge. Like the colleague who got the promotion you were vying for, or the woman taking your favorite parking spot the day before the purge. And people with relationship issues? You might want to put off breaking up for a few days or even weeks.
And of course, there is the anti purge movement which, compared to The Purge: Election Year, is still pretty much in the background. Only to really pop up towards the end. Allowing (albeit unintentionally) for Election Year to improve on that.
Nothing all too mindblowing, but it makes for a decent sequel.
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