Alien 3 (dir. David Fincher): potentially interesting psych horror / slasher flick in space is a mess
David Fincher, “Alien 3” (1992) At least in this third episode in the Alien series, people finally figured out a new original way of killing the…
nausika
Hitchcock gives plenty of “Rope” in excellent interior murder mystery
Alfred Hitchcock, “Rope” (1948) Adapted from a play by Patrick Hamilton and based on an actual murder case in which two young men strangled a teenage…
Nang Nak: ghost horror story of a love that transcends death and passage of time
A very moving and emotional story of a love that endures beyond death and time. A farmer fights in a war and leaves his pregnant wife at home. After a long recuperation from wounds and injuries, he returns to find his wife and newborn happy and safe ... not knowing that they are actually ghosts. The village endeavours to tell him the truth but his wife's ghost becomes angry and brings terror and death to the villagers.
Psycho (dir. Alfred Hitchcock): good psych horror thriller about predestination / free will and men’s oppression of women
Alfred Hitchcock, “Psycho” (1960) This movie is a good psychological horror thriller with excellent performances from its two leads Anthony Perkins as Norman Bates and Janet Leigh as…
Aliens (dir. James Cameron): overstretched plot meets redeemed heroine in Vietnam War fable
James Cameron, “Aliens” (1986) Sequel to Ridley Scott’s “Alien”, this is a very different movie: “Alien” is basically a haunted-house horror story with ordinary civilian worker…
The Host (dir. Bong Joonho): political and social commentary combine with strong characters in monster flick
Bong Joonho, “The Host” (2006) Often billed as a horror film, “The Host” actually has as much comedy, drama and suspense thriller as it has horror.…
Buddha Collapsed out of Shame: charming child actors carry a bleak and pessimistic message
Hana Makhmalbaf, “Buddha Collapsed out of Shame” (2007) Charming and delightful with two small child actors playing the main parts, this film carries a sombre message…
Not “Frenzied” enough: a re-run of familiar ideas for Hitchcock but no more
Alfred Hitchcock, “Frenzy” (1972) Coming at the tail-end of the UK film director’s illustrious career, “Frenzy” is a straightforward murder thriller set in London in the…
Alien (dir. Ridley Scott): unique sci-fi/horror film with much to say about human society
Ridley Scott, “Alien” (1979) In the wake of news that Ridley Scott has started work on “Prometheus”, the movie prologue to “Alien”, it’s timely to revisit…
Brazilian Films, Portuguese-language Films
Elite Squad: powerful and thought-provoking study of police corruption and violence
Jose Padilha, “Elite Squad” (2007) An examination of corruption and brutality in a special forces unit of the Military Police of Rio de Janeiro state in…