Review: The Strangers: Prey at Night (2018)

“Why are you doing this?”
– Kinsey

SYNOPSIS: A family of four staying at a secluded mobile home park for the night are stalked and then hunted by three masked psychopaths. – via IMDB

So after sitting through that disaster that was The Strangers, I completely forgot that there was a sequel to it. I disliked the first enough that I wrote off the second and forgot about it, but dear Eric the Chop asked me whether I had watched the second, and offered that it wasn’t too bad. So, that is all I needed to sell it to me, the recommendation from the Chop, and I hit it up and let me tell you, I did not expect to enjoy it o.O But I did!

There are still some heavy issues with this movie, but it fixed some of the major flaws of the first movie, namely the totally hateful characters and the worst logic of all time. The characters this time around actually fought, and the three masked strangers certainly took them for a ride, terrorizing and hunting, but it was just better to watch than its predecessor. Also, it didn’t feel like it was a million years long. Also, I was a big fan of the soundtrack.

So while the characters are still not the best and the dialogue is silly and naturally questionable horror movie logic prevails constantly, the movie is not bad. In fact, I went into this expecting to hate it, and then eventually I ended up enjoying it. It isn’t great, but it was a fun horror movie watch for a movie night. It’s a quick watch, and doesn’t grate on you like its predecessor. Not bad!

Rapid Review: Drive (2011)

“You tell me where we start, where we’re going, where we’re going afterwards. I give you five minutes when we get there. Anything happens in that five minutes and I’m yours. No matter what. Anything a minute on either side of that and you’re on your own. I don’t sit in while you’re running it down. I don’t carry a gun. I drive.”
– Driver

SYNOPSIS: A mysterious Hollywood stuntman and mechanic moonlights as a getaway driver and finds himself trouble when he helps out his neighbor. – via IMDB

I cannot believe that it took me so long to get to it! I have always read around the internet how it is said to be good and all that, but I just never got to it, and it has been waiting for me to check it out for months. Finally, it was going to happen. It was time. Just wow. My mind was completely and utterly blown. I am pretty indifferent about Ryan Gosling, not a huge fan, don’t hate him, doesn’t bother me to see him in a film or anything. But this was the first time that I was actually swept away by him. He was just perfect in his role as Driver. He put so much into the character. The film had a brilliant cast, and Carey Mulligan was also just great to watch. The chemistry between her and Gosling was also extremely impressive and very believable. Their little shy romance was so beautiful to watch, and not overbearing and soppy. The kiss that they shared was simply one of the most breathtaking kisses I have ever seen on the screen. It was stunning. Bryan Cranston was entertaining, as always. The concept for this film was fresh and new in a few ways, and it was executed incredibly well, so Nicolas Winding Refn seriously needs some props for that. The camera work was awesome, and the lighting and emphasis on certain things was beautiful to behold. I am more impressed than I can put into words. The violence was not excessive (as so many people complained about), though it definitely was present. There was not one moment where the film started lagging and losing its momentum – it maintained its greatness from the off and continued in the same streak. The film progresses smoothly and is wonderful to watch. The cast was absolutely awesome, they worked so well together. The soundtrack caught me by surprise, but worked perfectly for the film. Overall, this movie is totally worth the watch, I cannot recommend it highly enough!