Fresh Fork

  enre:  Drama; Horror; Thriller Director:  Zach Cregger Writer:  Zach Cregger Starring:  Julia Garner ,  Josh Brolin ,  Alden Ehrenreich ,  Austin Abrams ,  Cary Christopher ,  Benedict Wong  and  Amy Madigan A movie that reaches cinematic heights during its two first acts to then "loose" itself maybe too much for its conclusion with a tonal shift that didn't work for me, but  Weapons  works mostly because of an amazing ensemble cast and a sense of mystery and intrigue that are instiled early on just as the movie begins. A superior film than Cregger's previous effort  Barbarian , but it just needed a maestro finale for me after what was a great cinematic symphony for me. The movie saves no time presenting the central conflict: the disappearance of 17 children, all from the same teacher's class, and there's a whole community not only looking for them but also looking for someone to blame for it. Still, it is a no...

  enre:  Horror/Mystery Director:  Oz Perkins Writer:  Oz Perkins Starring:  Maika Monroe, Blair Underwood, Alicia Witt  and  Nicolas Cage Longlegs  was a pleasant time at the movies. A solid crime-investigation film that surprises with a somewhat sloppy supernatural element that goes full force during the 3rd act, it might be defined as some kind of  Silence of the Lambs  meets  Hereditary , but  Longlegs  distinguishes itself thanks to Oz Perkins' direction: always tense, with a dark atmosphere of constant danger, even if the writing can't quite match the boldness of the execution. It's a very good cinematic ride, but it disappoints in its conclusion when its orchestration promised a grand finale. The movie's first scene is a great one, maybe one of the most creepy first scenes in recent years, and what unfolds after that makes you wonder about its connection with the narrative. The first act is brilliantly written, with...

  enre:  Horror; Drama; Comedy Director:  Coralie Fargeat Writer:  Coralie Fargeat Starring:  Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley  and  Dennis Quaid As a non-fan of horror flicks, I consider 2024 to be one of the most interesting years for the genre. For me,  The Substance  represents the genre peaking both in its style and in its utility: a movie that's both spellbiding but also makes you look away from its visual narrative; and a movie that comments society's obsession with beauty and perfection but also mocks it and offers a view of the ugly side of the coin. For its style and substance,  The Substance  might well be one of the most daring, smart and interesting movies I've seen in years! The movie starts with the star of Elizabeth Sparkle in Hollywood Walk of Fame, from its very beginning and going through time, losing interest from those who pass by, starting to crack and being covered in ketchup. It all plays like a brief summary of...