Sting: There Is Nothing More Scary And Depressing Than A Flat Block

Summary

Arachnophobia in the confines of a flat block.

I have never suffered with a fear of spiders, I have known many who have and to them this film must be terrifying. Essentially this film is a creature feature with an air not too dissimilar to Evil Dead Rise, though that was more about demons than spiders. There is something about the urban decay of an apartment block that makes the threat posed by this film feel far more real and lived.

I thought there were a number of good grisly moments, as well as some light body horror/gore nothing too strong however. I would say this film definitely leans on more of a comedic side of horror than an actual scary side, with their being a degree of levity to the spider kills.

I would say this theme that has been recurring in 2024 of step dads needing to assert themselves and find their place in the family unit is becoming drawn out and I would dare say overplayed. Whilst the story can be done in an endearing way it quite often repeats the beats seen in other films which gives off a repetitive feeling especially if you are a repeat watcher of horror films

Overall, fun but not the greatest horror film you will see this year.

3/5

Pros.

The kills

The confines

Some of the silly aspects work

Cons.

It is badly paced

Too much family drama

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How To Please A Woman: Sally Phillips Breaks Bad

3/5

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

After losing both her marriage, in an emotional sense, and her job, in a literal sense, Gina, played by Sally Phillips, embarks on a new chapter in her life: one centred around topless men and sex for hire.

I feel like I have seen this film before, a woman sick of her life and her husband breaks bad. Once upon a time that would be a new and novel idea but now it feels fairly tame and by the numbers. Moreover, the female gaze angel around the woman using men for sex, rather than it being the other way around, does feel a little bit more revolutionary, but even that feels like well-worn ground these days.

However, I do think that Sally Phillip does manage to save this film and gives and earnest performance. If an actor of a lesser talent tried to do the same role no doubt the film would have felt incredibly generic and average, but Phillips manages to elevate the material.

In terms of the film’s comedy it made me smile a few times and chuckle here and there but for the most part I didn’t find it that funny, certainly it was not laugh out loud.

Overall, Philips elevates what is otherwise a very familiar film.

Pros.

Phillips

It is watchable

A few laughs here and there

Cons.

It feels a bit too familiar

Pacing issues

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Rams: Shaun The Sheep’s Depressing Cousin

Written by Luke Barnes

Rams is an Australian comedy drama film directed by Jeremey Sims. The plot sees two ram breeder brothers, long estranged, come together to save their way of life when all of their livestock catches a deadly disease.

I think once again this is a classic example of miscategorisation, I don’t know if it is a national sense of humour that I just don’t get but this to me is in no way a comedy film. If you find scenes of animals being put down and then a mass burning grave of said animals anything other than wildly depressing then I am worried for you.

As such the film did not meet my expectations but viewed as a dramatic piece then it is a different conversation. I think as a drama film about the plight of farmers and how easily they can lose it all, this film has real merit. The film goes out of its way to really highlight the bond between these men and their animals as well as the bond between them as people. I found myself caring a lot about the characters as the film went on.

I thought Sam Neil was damn near perfect in the lead role, and this film proves to be yet another impressive feather in his cap.

Overall, miscategorised, this is not a comedy film, but it is a surprisingly emotional drama.

Pros.

Sam Neill

The emotions

The cinematography

Cons.

It is distressing

It is deeply depressing

3/5

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Wolf Creek: The Australian Micheal Myers

Wolf Creek is an Australian horror thriller film directed by Greg Mclean. The plot follows a group of tourists that become targeted by a demented xenophobic serial killer who hunts them down with the intent to kill them. This film was based on a series of real-life backpacker murders that happened in Australia a few years before the film was released.

In horror circles, this film has a reputation, it is held up as being a great slasher film and one of the best Australian horror films. However when I put it on I was incredibly disappointed with it. I thought it was boring and that it couldn’t hold a candle to other Australian horror gems like The Babadook and Boar.

I thought the only redeemable thing about this film is John Jarrett. Jarrett is an Australian national treasure and his involvement with this is the thing that got me excited for it. He plays the evil killer Mick Taylor and he gives the best performance he can, he is manic and off the wall and his character is the only really memorable part of this film.

My issues start with the fact that this film is boring, there is only about 10 minutes of it that are actually interesting and watchable. This film suffers from some of the worst pacing issues I have seen in a long time, the first act is a chore to get through and makes you want to turn it off and it doesn’t pick up until the last 10 minutes; even they aren’t worth the wait.

The characters are bland and forgettable and the based on true story bent to it has been done to death and this film is not doing anything new or interesting with it.

Overall, this film is a bore and one that is a test of strength to finish

Pros.

John Jarrett.

Cons.

It is boring.

It does nothing new with the format.

The characters are paper thin.

It takes a lot to finish it.

1/5

Reviewed by Luke