EvilPhoEniX

Another variation on Home Alone like the recent Better Watch Out, and it succeeded just as well. Better Watch Out focused more on story and twists, whereas The Babysitter focuses mainly on gore and humour, so both score points with me, although seeing them all together in one film would have been even more of a kick. The film is nicely shot, very sexy, decently suspenseful and above all very gory, the deaths are impressive and will please the eye of many a horror fan. Definitely one of the best horror comedies this year. 75%

Great idea and decently made, only it somehow fizzles out into the void because of the open ending, something I couldn’t have done without. 65%

A pleasantly wacky comedy about the relationship between a mother and daughter who swap bodies after visiting a Chinese restaurant. The idea is brilliant and it makes for a number of funny and offbeat situations. I had fun. 75%.

I’m not all that familiar with Cary Fukunaga’s work, I've only seen Beasts of no Nation, and Sin Nombre is a similarly themed film, also featuring kids from a gritty setting. Mexico, refugees and Mexican gangs is quite a hot topic, so the very interesting story with some gritty scenes, especially the finale, is very intense and unexpected. I'm satisfied I had fun. 80%.

Neill Blomkamp proves with this short that he still has it in him and shows what an Alien film directed by him could look like. Zygote is reminiscent of The Thing, but in a modern package, and has a solid atmosphere and a perfect central monster that not only looks great, but the way it works and what it can do is absolutely perfect. I'm praying he makes a feature film with this theme. Even from the introduction where they write the crew numbers 100, it's clear that we would be in for the ultimate sci-fi massacre with 98 dead bodies, which sounds like a dream come true. 80%

I haven't read the book, but I believe that it is definitely more interesting. The film feels very rushed in places and what can we say, cramming seven books into ninety minutes is impossible, a longer running time would have been better. I have no complaints about the acting, Idris Elba is a proper hero and Matthew McConaughey as the bad guy is excellent – it's a wonder that A-list actors are in such a B-movie. The action is decent, nicely shot, only the scene with the demons was too dark. There’s almost no atmosphere, so I wouldn't describe the film as horror even though it is labelled as such here, but for one viewing I think it's decent, inoffensive fun. 65%

If you fancy a chilling thriller from Iceland from director Baltasar Kormákur (Everest, 2 Guns, Contraband), The Oath is the right choice. The story tells of a successful cardiac surgeon whose daughter starts dating a drug dealer and is willing to do anything to break up their relationship, but it will cost him a lot of trouble that will turn his life upside down. The atmosphere of Iceland is properly chilling, the acting, especially from the lead, is excellent, the police are intrusive and quite clever, and the final denouement is certainly gripping. It is disappointing that there is no violence, but everything is made up for by a hefty dose of suspense. I had fun. 70%.

A film has almost amateurish performances, and it stars Josh Stewart (the main character from The Collection), who is disgustingly unlikeable and comes across as bored and annoyed throughout the film. On the one hand, the film is a big detective borefest that's hard to finish, but on the other hand, it has some pretty decent make-up effects and there are a number of brutal deaths (the finale in the pool is pretty cool). I don't recommend it, it’s a cheaper B-movie from a not very successful director. 45%

Better Watch Out is a very decently made, suspenseful and clever film with great acting, and it’s strongest point are the several twists and surprises it offers. I enjoyed the creative play with genre and the devilish 15 year old Levi Miller, who does an admirable job for a little boy and I would love to see him in similar films again. The only issue is that the film skimps a lot on the brutality. A fun flick that will bring the Christmas spirit into your home. For a miserable year like this, a nice genre piece! 75%

Similar to City of God, but not nearly as good, this is still an above average film from an unusual and rugged setting that has a lot to offer. I enjoyed watching the story of how a young kid grows up to be a full-fledged gangster and a feared man of his neighborhood. It's entertaining enough, decently gritty in places, so yeah these movies are starting to get me. 80%