CinemaClown

An ice-cold folk horror that's as steeped in Scandinavian myth as it is enveloped in the freezing climate, The Damned is patient in its approach, measured in its execution, and makes excellent use of the elements to deliver a silently unnerving & incessantly disquieting chiller that sustains its mystery & foreboding aura with ease and is also steered by strong inputs from its committed cast.

Written & directed by Tholdur Palsson in his feature film debut, the story unfolds in 19th century Icelandic village caught in the midst of a cruel winter and follows a widow tasked with a difficult choice. The setup is terrific, immersing us into its isolated setting effortlessly, and quietly brings claustrophobia into play as weather worsens & death grips the town. Finely scripted too but the ending is a mixed bag.

The remote Icelandic location, harsh surroundings, wintry ambience, ominous mood, controlled camerawork, glacial pace & tense score, all contribute in creating an environment of existential dread which is then elevated by sincere performances. The tension & suspense is bone-chilling at times and the sinister feeling not only lingers but it also gets under the skin every now n then. The finale however didn't work for me.

Overall, The Damned does capture the eeriness of an evil lurking in the shadows but then also doesn't do much with that often repeated setup. Palsson's direction exhibits plenty of promise but his script required more fine tuning, for the ending doesn't provide a satisfying payoff. The slow-burn narrative, terrific use of atmosphere & sturdy work from the cast help make the ride interesting but this Icelandic horror had much more to offer.

A gleefully wicked & delightfully demented sci-fi pierced with elements of horror & dark comedy, Companion is a skilfully crafted & expertly executed genre offering that plays to its strengths, is well-aware of its limitations, and is elevated to better heights by a fiendishly fantastic showcase from its leading lady. Fun, amusing & entertaining, the film delivers the desired goods despite its predictable premise.

Written & directed by Drew Hancock in his directorial debut, the film doesn't bring anything new to the table but it sure plays its cards right from start to finish. Lighthearted for the most part yet addressing the themes with clarity, Hancock sets the story into motion soon after all characters are introduced and then allows the plot to get more twisted as it progresses while also making it easy for us to root for the lead.

The technical aspects are sound, with breezy pace & clever editing complementing the steady camerawork while trimming much of the narrative fat it could do without. The characters don't carry much depth but the performances are still good, with Sophie Thatcher stealing the show. Her range of physicality & emotional output does stand out more than others but the rest offer fine support in their roles, especially Jack Quaid.

Overall, Companion is a welcome entry in its genre(s) that neatly juggles the laughs with thrills and offers an enjoyable ride that concludes with a satisfying payoff. Not amongst the greatest examples of its kind but still promising a wild ride, Hancock's debut feature marks an excellent start to his filmmaking journey, has far more positives than negatives, makes for a biting satire, and is best experienced when you go in blind. Definitely recommended.

An adrenaline-fuelled powerhouse that captures the soaring highs & crushing lows of any sport through its meticulously choreographed & sharply animated game of basketball, The First Slam Dunk is bursting with energy, emotions & excitement when the match is being played and makes for one of the most gripping, thrilling & entertaining sport films to come out in recent years.

Written & directed by Takehiko Inoue, the story follows a high-school kid who immerses himself in basketball after the loss of his brother and covers his struggle with loss, grief, purpose & self-worth in flashbacks. Inoue's direction is at its best when depicting the ebbs n flow of the match being played but stumbles a bit when trying to balance that with the characters' past & origins.

The flashbacks play a key role in characterisation that provides more depth to these players on the basketball court but the back n forth storytelling is also overdone and often disrupt the flow & momentum of the game. The animation implements both hand-drawn & CGI elements into its imagery which gives it a dash of style & splendour. Voice actors do their part while background score heightens it all.

Overall, The First Slam Dunk effortlessly delivers the tension, suspense & nail-biting qualities of any great sport and is possibly the finest film centred on basketball. The picture shoots, scores, dazzles & delights with every slam dunk, keeps the audience invested in the game from start to finish, and delivers an ending that's going to leave its viewers enthralled, satisfied & breathless. One of the best examples of its genre.