Almost Buddhist - 戲‧論

★★☆☆☆   I went to the cinema for the first time in quite a long time to catch ‘Alien: Romulus’, which is set in between ‘ Alien ’ and ‘Aliens’, and considered more like a carefree spin-off than any serious prequel or sequel to the series. In case you’re still curious, ‘Alien: Romulus’ offers no answers or links to whatever’s left unsolved in Ridley Scott’s ‘ Prometheus ’ and ‘ Alien: Covenant ’ that reminds me of when I last bought a film ticket. 7 years ago! 2017! Time flying is so much scarier and deadlier than any alien I guess! To me 1979’s ‘Alien’ is an undisputed sci-fi horror classic, unbeatable and incomparable, period. Even James Cameron’s ‘Aliens’, despite well told and choreographed, is still more like a forgettable action showoff than a psychological slow-burn horror that would make one itch to revisit from time to time. And all those sequels and crossovers coming up later are either jokes or trash! Sir Ridley Scott therefore, has made up two prequels to his own ‘Alie...

★★☆☆☆   Crime thrillers are sure my cup of tea, but only a few has managed to stick around my mind after all these years. Most are easily forgotten due to their pretentious but in fact shallow and preposterous way of presentation. Maybe it’s my fault that I’d prefer crime thrillers only involving man’s demonic outrage to those implying that supernatural power is the stuff behind it all. And ‘Longlegs’ appears to be the former at first but turns out it’s something else! ‘Longlegs’ is not based on a true story though it seems like it is, which enables it to have a pretty neat and gripping beginning. As it develops however, this totally made up story starts to lose its charm. And the way it ends is such a complete turn-off that would make you regret the time you’ve spent on it.   I guess it’d be better that they leave the crime unsolved and unexplained rather than put the blame on something demonic or satanic or supernatural power related insanity. Most people check out the f...