When Survival Meets The Supernatural 👻
1. Bird Box
⭐Rate: 8/10
🎬Review: I must have been the right audience for this movie. Before watching it I read several reviews and some of them critized it for being pointless and also for being a waste of two hours. But I decided to still watch it and that was great. Why? Probably because I am a father to a two year old son that I love more than anything. So I could relate to Sandra Bullocks character throughout. The decisions she took, the dedication she showed throughout was based on the love and protection for her child and loved ones. I don't want to write more than that. I thought the movie was great thoughout. Two hours felt like one hour. It was intense and interesting. Perhaps predictable as well but for this movie I didn't mind that. My curiosity was still on the highest level throughout.
One thought though is that perhaps some bad reviews comes from people watching this on a small screen. This movie is probably best viewed on a big screen with a good sound.
I don't want to write reviews for good movies because I think a good movie should be seen without any previous knowledge. But since this in my opinion is underrated and many of the negative reviews will scare viewers I felt I needed to say something.
2. Sweetheart, 2019
⭐Rate: 7/10
🎬Review: I think that most of the ratings for this movie are a little low. I found this movie interesting and it kept me wondering what might happen next. The acting was a little better than I expected, good enough to carry it along without wanting to turn it off. The only thing that irritates me is that I found myself thinking that Jenn's initial survival skills were a little lame.
3. Cargo, 2017
⭐Rate: 6/10
🎬Review: I am a little surprised by all the accolades, and the excellent reviews this film received, it isn't bad, it's just slow, and it pains me to say it, but just another zombie story, albeit one that is incredibly well made, and superbly acted.
I always look for something unique, and a little different in such a highly regarded film, sadly I couldn't see anything, it's watchable, but I found it too slow.
Martin Freeman is terrific, and the best thing about it. It's a decent watch, but there are many better films in this genre. 6/10
4. The Silence, 2019
⭐Rate: 7/10
🎬Review: Some deadly bats, with the ability to overpower and kill humans, have escaped from their enclave, and have their sights set on taking over the world. Hugh Andrews (Stanley Tucci) must protect his family, including his daughter Ally (Kiernan Shipka) who suffers from acute deafness, and needs to communicate in sign language, which comes in handy since the terrifying flying beasts react most forcefully to sound.
Horror has become a genre as largely manufactured as pop music these days, an original idea an occasional bonus, secondary to cheap CGI and jump scares. And so, the recent theatrically released A Quiet Place, divided opinion, a creative premise at least, in spite of its outlandishness. Its certainly that film that first springs to mind when presented with The Silence, despite also being a hodgepodge of other such films in the cultural consciousness, including The Mist and Cloverfield.
Despite arriving in its shadow, I'd still consider The Silence the better film between it and AQP. It at least establishes something in the way of human connection with the main characters, and takes the time to develop them in an effective way, meaning we care about them more. Its also easier to digest some flying, killer bats than it is giant, spider like things. Performances wise, Tucci is sturdy and reliable in the lead, strongly supported by Shipka in the crucial role as his deaf daughter.
It's impressive and effective, for a film that manages to cram it all into ninety minutes. While not a perfect film, its certainly a huge step up from a guy whose directorial debut was Mortal Kombat: Annihilation! ***
5. Underwater, 2020
⭐Rate: 7/10
🎬Review: As a fan of William Eubank's 2014 film "The Signal" I was pretty excited for this. The Signal offered a lot of thrills and suspense and a twist ending that leaves you gobsmacked.
Underwater did not quite live up to the same shock value. Less build-up or development to make much of it float anywhere above mediocre. The setting, scenery, and cinematography and music however is stunning.
This is the love child of Alien, Cloverfield, A Quiet Place, The Abyss, Soma, DeepStar Six, HP Lovecraft Etc. But doesn't carry as much weight.
What's your favorite horror movie of all time? Tell me in the comments!
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Movies often blend survival themes with supernatural elements, offering viewers unique storytelling and suspense. Films like Bird Box, where characters must survive against an unseen entity, emphasize the lengths a parent will go to protect their loved ones. In Sweetheart, we see a woman stranded on a deserted island battling a mysterious creature, highlighting both physical survival and psychological thrills. Cargo adds depth with its emotional storyline set in a zombie-infested world where a father’s quest to protect his daughter resonates deeply. The Silence introduces a terrifying twist where sound is the enemy, forcing characters to adapt in creative ways, showcasing human resilience. Lastly, Underwater immerses audiences in a claustrophobic environment with its stunning visuals while delivering traditional horror elements. Each of these films not only entertains but provokes thought about the primal instinct to survive. For fans of horror and thriller genres, these movies provide a captivating mix of fear and compelling narratives that explore the struggles of human nature in extreme situations.
