[JonE(vil)]

Inside. 2007. France.
10/10
(Rewatch this film once every couple of years.)
Woman loses her unborn son in a car crash and seeks out the other woman.
Intense horror that absolutely delivers. Beatrice Dalle stands out as the 'villain' in the film. Her cold, calculating and methodical presence is truly epic.
The way it is shot with particular attention to lighting and editing gives the film a real dread. Regarded as one of the 'new wave of French extreme cinema' at the time. It deserves that title and to be recognized as a classic in the horror genre. With a run time of just under 90 mins, its a magnificent example of a slow paced brutal horror that will stand the test of time.

[JonE(vil)]

Wild roots. 2021. Hungary.
8/10
Low budget, but well scripted/directed drama about a 'bouncer' who doesn't have contact with daughter, but she ends up seeking him out.
The daughter lives with her grandmother. It flows nicely with certain events playing out that circle back round later. Overall it shows a bloke who is quick to anger, but begins to soften due to spending time with his daughter.

[JonE(vil)]

Children... 2011. South Korea.
6/10
Five children go missing in 1991.
Based on a true story, it sets the disappearance quickly and ensuing search. For the first hour is moves quickly, there are two main characters at that point, one being a doco producer and the a pych professor. The plot lays it on pretty thick in dealing with the parents and their ongoing trauma of losing their sons. The professor is certain one of the fathers is responsible, which proves incorrect and his part ends at the first hour. From there the film sticks with the producer but meanders for about half and hour, before refocusing on a suspect. With no real conclusion in the actual case it lacks the tension of a 'true crime' film.
​Trailer has no subtitles.

[JonE(vil)]

A girl at my door. 2014 South Korea.
8.5/10
A police woman who was transferred from Seoul to a small fishing village lets an abused young girl stay with her.
Intense slow burn drama that unfolds with a happy but underlying dread. The plot slowly shows the different sides to the main characters that builds to an unpredictable gripping third act.

[JonE(vil)]

The haunting of Julia. 1977.
8/10
A womans daughters dies and she moves into a haunted house.
Gothic horror that has believable characters and a plot that is engaging and intense. Centered around the main character played by Mia Farrow, it sets up the story of the house and its previous owner in a slow deliberate way. Similar to other horrors of the time, it creates a real dread for a earned suspenseful ending.

[JonE(vil)]

The devils deal. 2021. South Korea.
8/10
An aspiring politician gets 'help' to win an election, but no one is telling the truth.
Typical kind of political crime thriller that S.K. do pretty well. Has a number of characters, but only a set few that are core to the plot.
Everyone is trying to outfox the other so it does require a certain amount of paying attention. As the film goes on the tension does increase with a third act that is well earned.

[JonE(vil)]

This is not a movie. 2019.
10/10
Documentary about Robert Fisk.
Some focus on his early life and what shaped and influenced him to become a reporter. Bulk of it shows what he does, getting to where important events happen, interviewing people who were there. Archive footage shows important milestones in his life and just how committed he was to getting an actual account of what happened or a document. Confronting and intense, it is a timely reminder of what a committed reporter he was.

[JonE(vil)]

Ivy. 2015. Turkey.
7/10
Turkish version of The Lighthouse, but with a few more characters.
The main plot has a steady pace as tensions rise due to their situation. Kind of easy to see the internal friction that develops between them as characters. It levels out near the end but still maintains a sense of dread with some 'supernatural' elements.

[JonE(vil)]

Plan 75. 2023. Japan.
7.5/10
Kill the old.
A version of modern Japan has a elderly population problem. The government creates a department called 'Plan 75'. This allows people over that age to decide when they want to die, but it's not a terminal illness mercy killing situation. Things like social services and employment are cut off, making Plan 75 their only option.
First time director, it works well as a slow burn drama. There are a small group of characters, who kind of interact, but only for brief moments.
Its very subtle and reflects Japan, so there is a barrier to a degree.
Inspired by a bloke who killed and wounded a whole bunch of spastics and oldies in a rest home he worked in, the idea that living for them was burden on society and them. The film shows the viewer, no matter what age, you will get old.
And in a world now self obsessed, disconnected and increasing automated. You will find yourself at some point a 'burden' for your family or society.

[JonE(vil)]

The passion of Augustine. 2018/ France.
4/10
Classical studies in decline.
Interesting film, that shows the conflict of change. The film shows them with a strict christian order to their day. But the 'mother general' looks at numbers just as much as the bible and sees losses in the school due to the head nuns love of music (Bach, Mozart etc). Enter her sisters daughter, a bit of a trouble maker but a natural on the piano. I lost interest at the one hour mark and fast forwarded thru the last 45 mins.
Plot wise is shows the catholic church in general losing its grip on society. The nuns in the end change their clothes, and right at the end the music loving nun is wearing normal, but still conservative clothing.
Nothing really interesting, but it does show a considerable dumbing down of music.