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Junji Ito Maniac: Japanese Tales of the Macabre

Collection of short horror manga

Wittenberg
Wittenberg
05-02-2023
8

Worthwhile collection of weird but effective horror stories

As usual, I needed time to adjust to some of the intricacies of Manga that always annoy me. But eventually I did, thanks to high tempo and the wonderfully weird, intense and sometimes quite scary stories. Most of them are open-ended or just end plain unhappy. Refreshing.
8

Lux Æterna

Actors and crew are trying to shoot a moviescene featuring the burning of witches

Wittenberg
Wittenberg
24-09-2023
8

Utterly strange, uncomfortable and intense

Even if this movie is mostly people cursing and shouting in chaos, and it remains unclear what the real problem is, there is something very intense about it. The anxious feeling of wanting to leave the place is deep. The finale will blast your senses, leaving you shellshocked on the couch. Awesome.
8

Smile

Psychiatrist investigates a chain of people who kill themselves after have seen a smile from strangers

Wittenberg
Wittenberg
28-12-2022
8

Quality horror to make you smile

While the concept is quite familiar, I quite enjoyed this. On a few occasions it resorts to banal jump scares, but mostly it proves that it stands above these, with quality horror containing plenty of moments to send shivers down your spine.
8

Alpha

Set in the stone age, a boy gets seperated form his group and must find his way home, but befriends a wolf along the way

Wittenberg
Wittenberg
16-12-2019
8

Beautiful and heartfelt

I like to think of this as perhaps the first domestication of wolfs, eventually leading to dog breeds. Extremely pretty, akin towards kitsch, but never crossing that line. The storyline is also gripping, making me care about this journey and swallowing tears near the end.
8

You Won't be Alone

In the nineteeth century, a young girl is turning into a witch, inhabiting different bodies as she goes

Wittenberg
Wittenberg
02-07-2023
8

A poetic, beautiful and unique witch movie

With numerous voice-overs pondering her faith, the dreamy cinematography and absence of viewer pampering, this felt more than a poetic essay, depicting witches more as misunderstood outcasts than malicious beings. I found it beautiful and a highly refreshing.
8

Saint Maud

Deeply religious palliative nurse becomes dangerously fanatical when she thinks she has performed a revelation on a patient

Wittenberg
Wittenberg
01-08-2021
8

Impressive and scary, with thick layers of atmosphere

An impressive psychological thriller with some horror and supernatural elements in a very tasteful, restrained and effective way. The atmosphere oozes of the screen, performances are great, especially Maud's of course.
8

Radius

A man looses his memory after car accident, and acquires a deadly trait for people getting too close him

Wittenberg
Wittenberg
26-08-2023
8

An exciting orginal

What a nice surprise this was. An movie with some fresh ideas, tightly brought to the screen and intriguing from the very beginning until the end. It's never sensationalist, but let's the script and actors deliver the thrills.
8

The Northman

When his father is killed, a young viking grows up with nothing but revenge on his mind

Wittenberg
Wittenberg
17-04-2022
8

Great as a spectacle, but average in involvement

A big, brutal, sweaty and intense historic epic, that I was spectating and enjoying rather than feeling. Perhaps because all characters continuously speak in this these articulated, poetic, over-dramatic phrases, which kind of dehumanizes them. It worked in Lighthouse, here it alienates.
8

Camp X-Ray

Newbie MP soldier get stationed at Guantanamo, where she bonds with one of the detainees

Wittenberg
Wittenberg
05-03-2016
8

Honest little gem

A sober yet rewarding experience, with an awesome looking and playing Stewart and very good music backing it up. I sort of missed a beat in the transition of Lector turning into a genuine nice guy, but that's ok.
8

Big Hero 6

Talented young inventor must befriend (and upgrade) a clumpsy medical robot in order to save the world from his own invention

Wittenberg
Wittenberg
26-12-2016
8

Excellent

A fantastic animation that is spot on with exiting action, great visuals, humor and it is not afraid to reach some deeper emotions as well.
8

Oblivion

Engineer is looking after droids doing their last business on earthbefore mankind heads for titan. But is it like that?

Wittenberg
Wittenberg
19-05-2013
8

pretty sci-fi mindmangler

Extremely beautiful and a pleasant SF mindbender. Some ideas we have seen before, and it maybe a bit sterile, but it blends very well.
8

The Nightingale

After unspeakable cruelty was done to a woman and her family, she chases down the perpetrators through the Tasmanian bush, with the aid of a native aboriginal

Wittenberg
Wittenberg
12-05-2020
8

Heavy, but very good

It covers a lot of heavy-handed subjects (racism, revenge, rape, murder, repression) and inevitably features some tough scenes. But it has all been done really well. I liked how during the revenge part she remained fragile and insecure, and didn't have sudden superskills that came out of nowhere.
8

Starship Troopers

Friends sign in to combat terror from space. Both their skills and friendship are put to the test.

Wittenberg
Wittenberg
26-08-2015
8

A brutal space fight that requires the right mindset

It all depends on whether you can appreciate the deeper meaning of incredibly cheesy barbie people have soap opera relationship quarrels - followed by dismembering fights with aliens.
8

Arrival

Linguist is asked to crack the language of the aliens who landed and ask them: why are you here?

Wittenberg
Wittenberg
17-11-2016
8

Elegant, deep and sober scifi, just the way I like it.

My favorite movie themes combined: science fiction and deep mystery/mind benders that will have you pondering days after. Excellent and refreshing.
8

Bird Box

Woman tries to bring two kids to a save haven in a world overrun by a suicide pandamonium

Wittenberg
Wittenberg
02-01-2019
8

Original and exhilarating

My goodness: a highly original (not withstanding the similar 'The Happening'), strongly acted and nail-biting movie that is very well put together. Those are not easy to come by these days. It once again shows the strength of NOT showing or explaining everything and anything.
8

Boyhood

Movie portraying the ups and downs in the life of Mason and his family between his 5th and 18th year

RockmeNow
RockmeNow
20-01-2015
8

There are many good reasons why this movie is nominated for the Oscars

I was suprised by the excellent casting and makeup artists that convincingly managed to make the characters look older during the movie, until I realised (read somewhere) that it was filmed with the same cast over a 12 year period. Great acting and empathetic presentation of the targeted zeitgeist.
8

All Is Lost

Solo sailer tries to survive when his ship is rammed by an adrift sea container.

Wittenberg
Wittenberg
10-02-2014
8

Intimate and gripping

Very good and very close portrait of a man struggling against all odds. The absence of dialogue is mesmerizing and effective. I felt guilty opening a beer while watching this. I think that's a good sign (but I still opened one nonetheless).
8

Zootropolis

Rabbit tries to make it as a police officer in the big city inhabited by all kinds of animals

Wittenberg
Wittenberg
19-06-2016
8

A matured quality animation

A wonderful tale that is brought to live with colorful charterers, a good sense of humor and a detective crime story that has an mature quality to it.
8

Get Out

Black boyfriend gets to meet his white inlaws for the first time, in a mansion where something weird is going on with the black personel

Wittenberg
Wittenberg
18-11-2018
8

What's going on?

The sense that something's not right but you can't quite grasp what it is has been done extremely well and carries this movie till the end. Together with the fine actors, this was a highly entertaining movie with a dash of horror.
8

Everything Everywhere All at Once

Woman struggling to manage her store, marriage, tax audit and daughter, suddenly gets access to skills of her self in other parallel dimensions

Wittenberg
Wittenberg
26-05-2022
8

Completely bonkers yet keeping it real

Probably the craziest, most out-there, outrageous, over the top movie ever, that still - impressively - manages to keep it together, bring it with humor and have it resonate on an emotional level. It's too bizarre to really reach inside, but I am just so glad that stuff like this gets green-lighted.
8

Still Alice

A woman is diagnosed with Early-onset Alzheimer's Disease and tries to deal with it together with her family

RockmeNow
RockmeNow
02-03-2015
8

Impressive

An eye-opener for everybody, including myself, who had not been directly confronted before with the devastating consequences of Early-onset Alzheimer's Disease. There are many good reasons why Julianne Moore won an Oscar for her role in this impressive movie.
8

Kung Fu Panda 3

In order to repell a new threat to peace, Panda must resort to his Panda family to learn the power of chi

Wittenberg
Wittenberg
18-04-2016
8

A very mature and excellent episode

Some fatigue may kick in, as we can sort of predict how everything it going to turn out. But the humor, atmosphere, unique blend of 3d animation and traditional artwork, the loyalty to the characters and the depth of the story remain of a very high standard.
8

Speak No Evil

Danish couple visits Dutch friends they met on vacation. The weekend slowly becomes agonizing, then turns into something much worse.

Wittenberg
Wittenberg
20-11-2022
8

A tough watch, but the quality makes it a worthwile one

The feeling of ever growing discomfort really gets to you, and works well because of the natural acting and settings. It ends sad and depraved, but somehow feels like the right conclusion of the dread that had been accumulating.
8

Sinister

Writer and his family move into a house where horrible attrocities have taken place, so he can research these and write a book about it. To start him of, he finds a box with old 8mm films...

Wittenberg
Wittenberg
29-02-2016
8

Eerie

Didn't crawl under the skin as I thought it would (for some reason), but a very eerie, umcomfortable and stylish horror nevertheless. 8mm graininess is used to great effect together with really unsettling music.
8

The Sessions

Disabled man gets sex therapy

Wittenberg
Wittenberg
22-04-2013
8

Comfortable uncomforable sex

With mixed feelings of embarrassment and compassion you are allowed to observe these wonderfully open, honest en tender sessions. These actors deliver an amazingly fragile performance and the movie keeps everything light with a good sense of humor as well.
8

I Origins

In a search for the evolutionary origins of the eye, the lovelifes of the scientists lead to an even more profound discovery

Wittenberg
Wittenberg
19-01-2015
8

A wonderfull mix science of spirituality

Appeared slighty pro-spirituality, anti-science, depicting scientist as strange, rigid, disconnected people. It's no big problem though, because it is still a very well done, nicely paced movie with an unsubstantiated premise that is nevertheless nice to see where it's going.
8

Django Unchained

Bounty hunter frees slave, together they go on a violent trip set things straight and rescue the slave's wife.

Wittenberg
Wittenberg
09-06-2014
8

Up with Tarantino's standards and trademak style

A bold, daring and violent way to address slavery, full of Tarantino-style endless chit-chat and under-the-skin tension that somehow keeps you on the edge of your seat. I thought Django himself was overshadowed and flat, but then again I am not a big fan of Foxx.
8

Lamb

Couple who run a secluded sheepfarm get a very special lamb one day

Wittenberg
Wittenberg
12-11-2021
8

Bizarre and modest at the same time

I think I'd call it horror, which is uncanny, bizarre and disturbing but at the same time very plain, pure and subtle and without ever becoming cheap. And I finally liked Noomi Rappace, who looks and acts fantastic here.
8

The Covenant

An American soldier's life in Afghanistan is saved by a local translator, a debt he gets to pay back.

Wittenberg
Wittenberg
14-03-2024
8

Good and gripping

A good war movie with some tense moments, good performances and a gripping story of debt and friendship. I was quite moved by it. Only their perfect aim, especially compared to the Taliban's, was a bit dissapointing.
8

Solo: A Star Wars Story

Young Han is seperated from his girl, and goes through great lengths and cosmic adventures to get back and save her

Wittenberg
Wittenberg
03-06-2018
8

A welcome change

Contains just the right amount of Star Wars icons to make it connect to the universe, but never lazily riding it. By focusing on a small group of people, I felt a much more intimate connection than the main movies. The portayal of the younger Han actually worked for me. Funny and exciting, too.
8

Fall

Two girlfriends climb a huge radio tower to overcome trauma

Wittenberg
Wittenberg
13-11-2022
8

I forgot what movies can do to you

"These first 10 minutes were more exciting that the entire Starwars series we are watching," my wife remarked. And she was right. It may not be perfect or very realistic, but I can't remember a recent movie I shouted advice at, and which caused so much anxiety and sweaty hands.
8

The Martian

Left for dead astronaut on mars tries to survive
average 8.0

RockmeNow
RockmeNow
15-01-2016
8

Mars revisited

Great visuals and rather convincing approach to the Mars hype (except for the last 30 minutes or so).
8

Wittenberg
Wittenberg
23-10-2015
8

It's 'gravity' in mars. Or 'Cast Away' on mars.

A splendid, sharp looking and wholefully exciting space survival adventure. It's fantasy of course, but with just enough ties to science to make you buy it. I thought maybe the high count of jokes and wisecracks sort of distracted from the gravity of the situation.
8

The Impossible

A family tries to survive the 2004 tsunami in Thailand

Wittenberg
Wittenberg
13-04-2014
8

Terrifying and heart shattering

A terrifying and heart shattering experience throughout. Very well done, although maybe a little over eager to bring the viewer to tears.... but goodness did they succeed!
8

Mama

Couple takes in two little girls that have been living alone in the woods for many years. Or have they?

Wittenberg
Wittenberg
12-08-2014
8

Fine, original and well made horror

Like many horror movies, it sort of keeps you occupied with somewhat isolated scary scenes and jumpscares until it's time for the finale. But it did so in a more stylish, original, creepy and effective way than most.
8

Kubo and the Two Strings

Stop motion animation about a young boy who enters a ghostly realm to flee from dark enemies and prepare for a confrontation with his grandpa, who is after the boys eye.

Wittenberg
Wittenberg
07-08-2019
8

Wonderfully diverse, different and pleasant

The story may sound bizarre, but it is told in a very interesting, confident and pleasantly mysterious way. It is beautiful to look at, has some really exciting scenes and is a welcome change in style from the big-name animations coming from the big studios.
8

The Hateful Eight

Bounty hunter, his prisoner, and a bunch of cowboys get stranded in an inn, in a Agatha Christie kind of setting

RockmeNow
RockmeNow
15-01-2016
8

Who can be trusted? Damn those cowboys, just shoot them all...

Typical Tarantino twists, blood, gore, and humour in a successfull blend of western and detective elements. The story slowly unfolds in this somewhat lenghty movie, but manages to grasp your attention until the last second....
8

2010: The Year We Make Contact

A russian spaceship takes along some americans to investigate what happened to HAL, the Discovery and the monolith

Wittenberg
Wittenberg
31-07-2023
8

An exciting continuation

While it is perhaps not as mysterious and far-reaching as 2001, this still is an exciting sci-fi epic. It may be different, but it's story fits the narrative perfectly, and features some awesome setpieces, effects and characters. Mind you: even in diminished form the story is still captivating.
8

The Shawshank Redemption

A banker is send to prison unguilty, where he slowly makes new friends and uses his skills to be going places

Wittenberg
Wittenberg
09-01-2022
8

Yes it's good (But not that good)

Finally I saw this endlessly lauded movie. I agree that it is good and very gripping. I can't remember a recent movie that I was this much 'into'. But the best movie ever made? Perhaps I am just not that into prison movies, and the idea that only super smart will make it is hardly inspiring, is it?
8

First Man

Neil Armstrong's mission to the moon

Wittenberg
Wittenberg
04-11-2018
8

But why so serious

Apparently, everyone involved was deeply serious and humorless about going to the moon, making this movie more depressing than it probably ought to be. But my goodness, those spaceflight scenes are mindbogglingly exciting and extremely well shot.
8

Skinamarink

Dark and grainy footage of two toddlers trying to make it through the night when the house gets weird, and their parents disappear

Wittenberg
Wittenberg
12-04-2023
8

Quite brilliant if the concept clicks with you

A very demanding movie, both in terms of pacing and visuals, but I was impressed. My interpretation is that it shows horror experienced through the eyes of people who have not yet learned the normal scares or panic adults would have. Scary, uneasy, touching, quite brilliant and totally unique.
8

Enter the Void

Smalltime drug dealer in Tokyo experiences after death experience and reincarnation... while on drugs

Wittenberg
Wittenberg
13-01-2018
8

What a trip

I am assuming this is about the closest you can get to tripping out (or dying) in beautiful Tokyo without doing any drugs. The camera work, images an music are really extraordinarily done and it treats the 'expected' after-death events in a sort of believable way. Very long though.
8

A Quiet Place Part Two

Apart from a flashback, a seamless continuation of part one, in which the family is trying to find a safe place

Wittenberg
Wittenberg
28-07-2021
8

Just as good as part one

A worthy sequel in that it really offers the same level of acting, nailbiting tension and heartfelt performances. Clearly one of the better horrors of the last few years.
8

Hereditary

The death of a tyrant grandmother does not spell relieve, but drags a family into paranormal turmoil

Wittenberg
Wittenberg
15-07-2018
8

No cheap tricks, pure dread.

While I may not have been as shellshocked as many other reviewers, I do agree think this was remarkably good under-the-skin horror that uses some common themes but threats them in a much more adult, slow and agonizing manner.
8

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners

After his mother dies, a boy has nothing left to loose, installs a bionic component and joins some some cyberpunks to get even

Wittenberg
Wittenberg
16-10-2022
8

Restored my faith in anime

Just when I thought anime was just not for me, along comes this gorgeously drawn, well acted, cool, brutal and absolutely kick ass anime. It's use of music is also quite fresh.
8

Infinity Pool

Couple on vacation in a fascistic country descend into hellish and surrealistic peril when they leave the resort

Wittenberg
Wittenberg
26-02-2023
8

A tasty shocker

Although it has plenty of bizarre and shocking scenes, this movie doesn't solely rely on them, but also is a feisty crime and science fiction story on it's own right. I was really enjoying this, and Mia is such a screen presence again!
8

Life

The crew of spacestation ISS manages to acquire a sample from mars soil... with life in it.

Wittenberg
Wittenberg
01-04-2017
8

Very good space horror

It is not perfect, but overall I found this to be very solid, exciting, great looking film that reconfirmed just how much and why I love space horror. The spacestation and camerawork floating through it are first class.
8

Resurrection

A woman has an anxiety attack when a man from her past shows up in her live. What happened here?

Wittenberg
Wittenberg
23-12-2022
8

Great actors, story and weirdness.

Rebecca Hall once again carries this neat little mystery/horror puzzler with strides. It's all done very tastefully, acted beautifully, and some tasty absurdity is gives you something to ponder on.
8

Joker

How Joker, you know - Batman's nemesis, came to be

Wittenberg
Wittenberg
31-10-2021
8

Exactly what Joker's origin story deserves

It's done right. You can feel the man sliding off, the transformation is plausible and understandable, it's not simplistic right and wrong, and I sympathized with him. The movie also features beautifully lit scenery and of course world class acting.
8

Paranorman

Not only does this kid see ghost, he is now trying to get rid of zombies and a witchcurse too.

Wittenberg
Wittenberg
28-05-2013
8

Horror for kids, made with love and style

Unique stylish claylooks, a wonderful atmosphere, great effects and big heart.
8

Inside Out

5 separate emotions in a girls' head are trying to keep it together when she and her parents move to a new city

Wittenberg
Wittenberg
31-07-2015
8

Unique, emotional, courageous and wonderful

One of the most unique, brave and original movies ever to come out of a major animation studio. A collage of symbolism en abstractions that is still child-friendly and a great experience. It made me cry as well, which I needed to hide from popcorn munching kiddies all around me in the theater.
8

Movies found: 1030 | max movies per page: 50 | Showing: 51 - 100

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