April 2024 Review: The Best Movies I Saw Last Month
It’s clear that in the last few months various life events have prevented me from truly being able to enjoy what I love most: watching movies. April was no exception. Still, that did not prevent me from finding some really great movies to watch.
Last month I had the pleasure to check out 13 First Time Watches and rewatch 2 films.
Re-Watch Highlight: The Tunnel (2011); Director: Carlo Ledesma; Australia
Underneath Sydney lies a series of tunnels that spread across the entire city. Plans to irrigate the ground water that occupies several chambers was stalled due to unknown reasons. A team of journalists stumble upon the mystery and begin peeling back the layers of the underground enigma. They soon learn that something truly terrifying is happening underneath their feet that their city is determined to sweep under the rug. About a decade ago I checked out The Tunnel for the first time, as found footage was my jam growing up. Unfortunately, it didn’t resonate with me too much, and looking back I can see why. The Tunnel is by no means an exceptional film, but it is a solid creature feature with some unsettling moments. Its anticlimactic ending and slow build up make it a struggle for viewers not patient enough to enjoy the claustrophobic setting. Solid acting, special effects work, and an engaging conspiracy work to make this Australian found footage flick one to check out for horror aficionados and casual cinephiles alike.
Previous Rating: 5/10
New Rating: 6/10
BEST #6) Lord of Misrule (2024); Director: William Brent Bell; United Kingdom/Ireland
After moving to a new town to spread the word of God, a minister and her husband find themselves embroiled in every parent’s worst nightmare. While attending the town’s annual festival, their daughter goes missing. Frustrated at the lack of progress and confused as to the town’s blasé attitude, the minister strips back the town’s horrifying legacy to uncover the truth of her daughter’s whereabouts. Folk horror that doesn’t set any new boundaries, Lord of Misrule is an engaging and well-directed enough horror film that delivers its familiar premise with aplomb. Leads Tuppence Middleton and Ralph Ineson carry the film’s emotional weight well before leading viewers to its dark conclusion. Its story might get lost in the threads of better iterations of small-town rituals, but Lord of Misrule has a style all its own that feels delightfully dark and affecting all the same. William Brent Bell may be a divisive director, but this is easily one of his more accessible films that should entertain anyone looking to kill two hours easily.
Overall Score? 6/10
BEST #5) Moon Garden (2023); Director: Ryan Stevens Harris; United States
A five-year old finds herself lost in the grungy technicolor dreamscape of her mind while stuck in a coma following her violent reaction to her parents constant fighting. Heartbroken that their daughter is caught between life and death, her parents are forced to watch helplessly as she fights to stay alive. In her dreams, however, the little girl finds agency in a twisted fantasy world where she struggles to evade a spectral entity that means her harm. Moon Garden is a beautifully rendered nightmare that operates on dream logic and vibes. Aesthetically and technically speaking it is a marvel, with its varying sets evoking feelings of awe and terror alike. Clever uses of its scenery, lighting, and practical effects make some of the wilder elements of Moon Garden come to life despite its meager budget. It does lack in a cohesive story and consistent performances, but the film makes up for it with its audacious vision.
Overall Score? 7/10
BEST #4) Sting (2024); Director: Kiah Roache-Turner; Australia/United States
Please check out the full review here.
Overall Score? 7/10
BEST #3) The First Omen (2024); Director: Arkasha Stevenson; United States/Italy/United Kingdom/Canada/Serbia
Please check out the full review here.
Overall Score? 8/10
BEST #2) Abigail (2024); Director: Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett; Ireland/United States/Canada
Please check out the full review here.
Overall Score? 8/10
BEST #1) Mute Witness (1994); Director: Anthony Waller; United Kingdom/Russia/Germany
Filming a sleazy slasher flick in Russia, a mute make-up artist, Billy, finds herself in peril when she stumbles upon a real-life murder after accidentally getting locked inside the building long after her peers left. Using her wits to stay one step ahead of the killers, she narrowly evades detection while the killers hunt her down. Once the film’s second act hits, Mute Witness changes course yet again revealing another element that Billy must contend with if she hopes to stay alive. One of the most heart-pounding first acts in recent memory, Mute Witness subverts expectations for a slasher film by inverting the traditional three acts of its story in a unique manner. It sags a bit in the middle and the end doesn’t quite stick the landing, but the journey is a blast. Filled with tension, laughs, and memorable characters, Mute Witness serves as a reminder that sometimes a good chase scene is all you need to keep a slasher fresh and fun.
Overall Score? 8/10
