[JonE(vil)]

The last detail. 1973.
Two sailors are tasked with taking a young third sailor to a military jail.
Drama with bits of humour throughout, as there trip becomes more about giving the young guy a good time.
Character driven film, its a look at the time, with the older guys who have been in the navy for years, taking some pity on the younger one.
No plot other than that, but lively banter and the situations they naturally find themselves in or seek out, make for interesting watch.

[JonE(vil)]

Hokum. 2026.
8/10
A writer checks in to a hotel that has a witch locked in the honeymoon suite.
Supernatural thriller with jumps scares, the plot and characters are established at the start. The second act has the main lead in the room. This stops any further development as he looks and explores the interior.
Some obvious visual references to The Shinning, with the folklore aspect pretty light. Main focus being the characters misdeeds current and past. The jump scare moments are consistent, but with a style of filming that means even if you sense it, there is a chilling moment.

[JonE(vil)]

Before the devil knows your dead. 2007.
10/10
Two brothers plan to rob their parents jewelry store.
Crime drama that is well paced and brutal but not in a violent way. The film goes back and forth with certain dates on the day and weeks, before and after the robbery. These involve the two main characters, but also people caught up in the event. If it replays an event, it uses a different angle and gives a slightly extended view. Each of the brothers lives are carefully laid out, so to show the different difficulties they are in.
Gritty and engaging, solid film with great performance from Phillip Seymour Hoffman.

[JonE(vil)]

Dark of the sun. 1968.
6/10
A group of mercenaries in the D.R. of Congo are tasked with going to rescue a group of people and get a pile of uncut diamonds.
Interpersonal tension, the looming threat of 'rebels,' a time limit of three days. Solid action war film that does look a little cheesy, but works. The main characters are pretty one note, but it doesn't shy away from some of the gritty elements of war. Run time of 90 mins with some interesting action pieces.

[JonE(vil)]

Drifting clouds. 1996. Finland. (review from 2021)
7/10
A husband and wife both get laid off and have to start over.
Comedy but mostly drama from Finland about a husband and wife who both lose their jobs and the trials they have while sticking together and looking for work. The film is mostly made up of static shots with some movement from the actors, but whoa is it robotic.
Everyone in the film are so straight up and down and mostly emotionless it actually becomes a bit of a bore.
The story grinds along in a semi predictable way with a few laughs to be had.
(no english in the trailer)


The match factory girl. 1990. Finland. (same director)
7/10
A lonely young lady gets pregnant from a one night stand, after being rejected by the man and her parents, takes revenge.
Very similar to drifting clouds, has the same actress at the in the lead role, static shots, not alot of movement and probably even less dialogue.
Its a slow film that uses each scene to advance the story. Her not being picked at the local dance hall when its just her and a older woman. Lots of scenes of her alone in a bar and work, her mother and step father having tea. All quiet and non communicating.
This makes the film an observational experience. It does it well and in a 70 minute run time.

[JonE(vil)]

Southern comfort. 1981.
7/10
A group of national guardsman end up being quietly hunted by locals in a Louisiana swamp.
Centers on the soldiers who are a collection of personalities, that don't all get along.
The 'perceived enemy' are never seen till the end, with the soldiers stumbling around like their in a foreign land. More drama with a little action and contrasts to Vietnam.

[JonE(vil)]

Find me guilty. 2006.
4/10
True story court room drama with little bits of comedy, about the trial of a entire mob family, with one defending himself.
Starring Vin Diesel in the lead, it has a My cousin Vinny feel to it, but alot more long winded. With a two hour run time, it gets bogged down about the second hour. Made up from court transcripts, there are little bits of levity, but the serious proceedings shine thru and seem to clash with the look of the film.

[JonE(vil)]

The abominable Dr Phibes. 1971.
6/10
A composer thought dead kills one by one the doctors that lead to the death of his wife.
Slightly campy gothic horror, with 70s and art deco design, for the main setting of Phibes. No real action or tension, but a solid story that could be said to be a template for the saw films, or 'slasher' movies. Vincent Price stars and gives a good performance with no dialogue.

[JonE(vil)]

Mr Designer. 1987 Soviet Union.
5/10
A famous artist is asked to decorate a wealthy mans home. He is convinced that the mans wife was a model years before.
Slow film with no real dramatic elements, lots of style in the houses that its filmed, As it goes on it relies on the strangeness of the artist and his obsession with the young woman.
When it does get s a little dark near the end, it was just too late.
(Full movie)