Movie Nights: Week in review 4.12-4.18
This week we mostly watched remakes of foreign films, some were better than others.
The Wailing (2016)
The Wailing was the only movie that we watched this week that was not a remake! Although we could see a remake of this being made in the future and we wouldn’t be mad about it. The Wailing is very dark, gritty and original. The story follows a policeman and his family in a small town in South Korea. Shortly after a Japanese visitor shows up in town, villagers start attacking each other, hysteria builds and the police try to unravel this new mystery. This is more of a slow burn suspense film but it does have some great bloody and gory scenes with some really frightening images. The daughter in the film is played by Kim Hwan-hee and she does an incredible job as such a young actress she was incredibly captivating. Not going to lie, this film is a time commitment and a bit of a downer vibe but great if you are in the mood for that. This one is definitely worth a watch if you like Asian horror.
Photo Credit IMDB
Suspiria (2018)
(Remake of Suspiria 1977)
This was a first time watch for us and it has been a while since we’ve seen the original so it was a little harder to compare but that actually might have made us enjoy it more. Right off the bat we were into it because the cast is stacked, Chloe Grace Moretz, Mia Goth and Tilda Swinton killed their performances. Dakota Johnson also felt very believable and almost relatable in her role, she’s very new girl with something to prove vibes. The whole movie has really great sound mixing and foley work that really brings it together. The body horror in the movie looks great and was super weird and witchy, the way it happened in conjunction with dancing was really interesting and unique. The setting is stunning, filming at the Grand Hotel Campo dei Fiori in Italy gave it such an authentic vibe. We loved all the red tones and the gore at the end. Suspiria (2018) is a slow paced and suspenseful trip to a bloody end. Definitely worth a watch.
Photo Credit IMDB
The Grudge (2020)
Remake of Ju-on: The Grudge (2002)
This movie is supposed to be a remake of the 2002 Ju-on: The Grudge but bears little to no resemblance. We rarely say this but this time, watching this movie was just a waste of time. We found no redeeming qualities that made it worth watching. It starts off with a very weird jump scare and is followed by a nonsense plot involving poorly written and hollow characters you don’t care about. Nothing in this movie is even remotely frightening. The ending made even less sense than the rest and really left us with a bad taste in our mouths. Not worth watching at all.
Photo Credit IMDB
The Ring (2002)
Remake of Ringu (1998)
The Ring (2002) is very nostalgic for us and we love it! The rainy day vibes throughout and a lot of creepy imagery makes it a great one for when you’re in a gloomy mood. We really enjoy the blue and green tints of color throughout and they add to that uneasy feeling. There are a lot of ominous moments and we really like the overall feel of the film. It holds your attention and has great tension that builds throughout. There is an incredible scene with a horse that has stuck with us for years and years. Plus on top of all of that the acting is solid too! Most definitely worth a watch.
Photo Credit IMDB
The Uninvited
Remake of A Tale of Two Sisters (2003)
This movie is a fun little teen scream, a remake of a Korean film, called “A tale of two sisters" with a similar premise. This movie is set in Maine but filmed in Vancouver for its beautiful location, the house they chose is gorgeous and right on a treacherous waterfront. This movie very much has a 2000s vibe and the vocabulary of the characters reflects this. It follows two teen sisters (Emily Browning and Arielle Kebbel) when Anna comes home after a suicide attempt following the death of their mother. They become convinced their father’s new girlfriend is trying to kill them and chaos ensues. There are a lot of nightmare/dream sequences that at times make it hard to know what to believe but overall a very straightforward plot. Uninvited is predictable yet still very enjoyable to watch unfold. Worth a. watch if you’re in the mood for a teen scream with a twist.
Photo Credit IMDB
Nightwatch
Remake of Nightwatch (1997)
This movie has a great premise with a stellar cast, it grew on us as we watched with a little bit of a slower start. It follows a group of friends and a necrophiliac serial killer that become intertwined. With Patricia Arquette, Josh Brolin, Ewan, McGregor and Nick Nolte as some of our favorites this cast is stacked and keeps the story interesting and captivating. We love the brutality of the murders and the graphic first kill scene. It has a good soundtrack and great tension throughout with some really creepy parts. Definitely worth a watch if you’re in a 90’s horror/suspense vibe.
Photo Credit
