Victor_Santamaria Reviews

Civil War (2024)

A great wasted opportunity

[1/10 · 12 May 2024]

Truly disappointing. Flat, boring, overrated by many critics, without any character. Big issues in the plot and direction.

Using the resource of death and frivolous savagery, in an aimless way and without any sense, without giving it a reason previously, has never been enough to introduce any viewer into any film.

Even scenes that could have been very tense and rewarding are very poorly developed. The story is so empty and directionless that it really gets annoying.

Anyone who wants to see and really feel a story of a true civil war in the United States, and not a simple invasion, biased, unbalanced and poorly told, should not waste the time watching it without being prepared to feel certainly deceived.

Io Capitano (2023)

Much more than a masterpiece

[10/10 · 8 April 2024]

There is something about cinema that stays in each and every one of us. Like the sun accompanies every footprint in the desert, like the loneliness of the sea endures on every impossible journey. There is something why not even the strongest winds can separate an eternal friendship.

All that and more is Io Capitano. A struggle that does not cease between the spirit and necessity. Between sadness and hope. The beautiful and contradictory portrait of a terrible journey narrated in a sublime way, of a future that does not exist and only circumstances, courage and bravery end up forging it. A work of art that will take your soul along paths you can not imagine, to places where only the joy of living can defeat to the invincible cruelty. Where the human being and his faith are bigger than anything, bigger than his luck.

Concrete Utopia (2023)

Shocking, aggressive and terribly entertaining

[10/10 · 12 March 2024]

A community of neighbors is trapped and isolated in a building after a devastating earthquake that completely destroys the city. Soon, decisions will have to be made based on the supposed order and rules that define human beings in a contradictory and malevolent way to make the community prosper in the most effective way possible within the chaos and absolute lack of hope.

Everyone knows that Korean cinema is generally a safe bet without surprises, with interesting and very well produced stories. However, in this case we are faced with great genius, possibly the best of the best. A true thriller that takes you little by little from the most superficial part of the human being to the deepest part, shaking you between the most sinister and the greatest mercy.

Shocking, aggressive and terribly entertaining. An experience that will make you want to return to the cinema again and again to discover gems like this among so much ruin that we find in a current cinema that has never been so close and so far from decadence.

No Way Up (2024)

Cinema in its finest form

[10/10 · 12 March 2024]

A group of passengers fight to survive in a spectacular plane crash in the open sea in a film with a surprising and very exciting rhythm.

Masterfully developed, it will not let you breathe for a single second, raising the idea that while it is very possible that nothing will go well, there is a remote hope that little by little turns into an impossible act of faith.

The character development is outstanding, very serious and more than effective, allowing you to get to know them just enough and necessary to then connect and suffer with each of them. Directed, played and performed in an outstanding way with exceptional photography and music.

Definitely one of the best films of recent years that will simply take you by surprise and immerse you again in the great illusion of enjoying the seventh art, giving a lesson on what cinema is and why it is made.

The Beekeeper (2024)

Wellcome back Mr. Statham

[10/10 · 30 January 2024]

It is a great pleasure to see again this actor doing what he does best: kicking ass and in an outstanding way. Statham takes revenge in that film for what he needed so much and for which so many of us miss him. Pure highly entertaining action in a fine plot with even one last interesting twist when you thought everything was already served. He leaves a line of corpses and screwed people as long as the years he's been doing this.

Fight choreography of the highest level and some in particular, like the last one, really very good and even the most credible. I had such a good time that not giving a 10 and getting lost in criticisms and certain considerations would be in bad taste for such a tasty honey.

Poor Things (2023)

Boring, flat, extremely overrated

[1/10 · 27 January 2024]

Lack of creativity always focuses on the "how" instead of the "what". This film is a display of visual attempts to trap you in an absolute lack of well-crafted narrative. And I say visual attempt because it doesn't end up being something that visually makes sense. Everything is poorly developed, from the beginning to the end. There is no intrigue, not even in the end, which would have gave for a lot. The entire film is a spectacle of fireworks that are nothing more than that in order to try to entertain the eye as much as possible in about two and a half hours that seemed eternal, and where I managed to contemplate a worthy escape from the movie theater by first time in my life. I feel sorry for actors like Mr. Dafoe who, although he is spectacular as always, I highly doubt that this film has served him as anything more than making money. I feel sorry for Miss Stone for exposing herself and her skin this way for a movie that isn't worth it. I must be honest in saying that when the movie ended and the credits rolled I paid attention to a beautiful soundtrack as I got up from my seat exhausted.

Sorry, but this film reminds me of these people in instagram making tiny sounds with old film cameras that nowbody uses anymore and in a truly nostalgic well recorded process that ends in a photography that do not work for nothing.

The Last Voyage of the Demeter (2023)

Dracula UNSEEN

[10/10 · 21 August 2023]

In an intense and cruel dramatization of a Count Dracula like we have never seen, it tells the story of this diabolical being's journey from Romania to England.

The film is surprising for how events happen, which although they are no novelty for those who know the story, will not cease to pleasantly surprise us to the point of overwhelming us in general terms and especially on several occasions as no other film of this character has done.

Being tremendously enjoyable, and sure to see on more than one occasion, at various points you are really so satisfied with the making, acting and the plot that you wish it never ended and that this cursed ship did not reach port.

The cinema cried out for a long time for a horror film like this, and undoubtedly another adaptation of such a distinguished story and the most interesting character, a film from which they will bite you again and again corrupting confidence in yourself and your levels of security, leaving you with all your blood but somewhat frozen.

Coma (1978)

One of the best thrillers ever made

[8/10 · 28 March 2023]

In one of the best hospitals in the country, a couple of doctors will face a terrifying and disturbing situation in which healthy patients will end up in a coma with no apparent explanation. The suspense and tension that the film manages to convey will immerse you in one of the best intrigue stories of all time. Brilliantly directed and performed by its entire cast, based on a novel by Robin Cook and with music by the master Jerry Goldsmith, this remarkable and benchmark thriller plays in a masterful and unforgettable way with the anguish and satisfaction of the genre, until it reaches an end almost impossible and heartbreaking.

Salem's Lot (1979)

Unique vampire masterpiece

[10/10 · 29 January 2023]

A writer returns to his hometown where he soon finds the opposite of the peace and inspiration he longed for. A strange aura of evil and uncontrolled vampirism begins to penetrate each and every corner of his life.

Cult horror movie in two episodes that marked an entire generation. The film tackles with absolute mastery all the terror involved in death and bloodthirsty resurrected.

Based on the novel by the Terror Master Stephen King and directed by another genius of terror with titles as outstanding as Poltergeist, Invaders from Mars, Lifeforce and many others, the terror and anguish that is capable of transmitting the film, places it between the unforgettable and very few really favorite of any fan of the vampire genre. A film capable of creating a lasting hobby eternally. Novel, teleplay, direction, interpretation, photography and music are aligned magically to create a climate of restlessness, despair and mystery that lead the film to be among the best of the best.

Orphan: First Kill (2022)

I would love Esther to be my daughter

[9/10 · 2 October 2022]

In a surprising plot twist we find ourselves immersed in a more than original thriller where Esther will conquer your little heart if she hadn't already done so. Although this very interesting plot that completely enhances the film, the beginning in the mental hospital is somewhat careless, not being really possible for these events to take place from a logical point of view, as far as the security of the facilities is concerned and what could be considered as a part of the script to be improved.

It is neither the origin of Esther nor her first murder, just the prequel to the jewel from 2009 we all already know. The only thing I'm sure of is that I want to see more of Mrs. Isabelle Fuhrman killing people, I don't care if as villain or a heroine; it will not the point anymore and it will be just beautiful.

Nope (2022)

Absolutely great

[10/10 · 26 August 2022]

Movies like this make me really happy, they move me, they make me never want them to end, keeping me stunned in a feeling that movies like this will always be worth the wait to be able to enjoy the cinema until I die.

Totally original and exciting. A must of the genre. A cult movie since its inception.

The Fanatic (2019)

Jhon Travolta delights us again

[10/10 · 12 June 2022]

A beautiful and endearing movie that becomes dark as the human being exhausts and destroys the patience and dignity of others. Travolta's acting records place him one more time at the pinnacle of acting. Devon Sawa was incredible in his role.

Time and fans will put this movie in its well-deserved place.

The Northman (2022)

Grandiloquent promises not kept

[6/10 · 27 April 2022]

Beatifull photography drowned out by its brevity among ships of war that never existed.

Disappointing from the very moment that a exciting revenge campaign against an empire is reduced to a village of come-down shepherds.

Morbius (2022)

Maybe next time

[5/10 · 2 April 2022]

A story that could have been as intense as dramatic but was left in something as superficial as uninteresting.

Jared Leto and Morbius the only ones who are saved on this abandoned ship.

Thirst (2009)

A nasty love story

[10/10 · 27 March 2022]

A vampire story where the romanticism does not end up fading although it darkens in favor of a very uncomfortable and sometimes disturbing realism.

She is the wild and perfect vampire. The ending is remarkable and without a doubt the best part of the film.

Ambulance (2022)

Absolutely surreal

[6/10 · 19 March 2022]

Remake of a Danish comedy in an attempt to make an action movie where the only good thing is the performance of all its actors.

The director in his terrible line of not allowing the film to breathe without any break. The camera totally crazy shaking everywhere and getting to produce serious dizziness.

Blacklight (2022)

Liam making the grade again

[10/10 · 19 March 2022]

Liam Neeson in another very entertaining action movie that bears his signature. The ending of the film is somewhat rushed and so easy that it's hard to believe.

What Lies Below (2020)

Collector's film for lovers of this genre

[10/10 · 9 February 2022]

Perfect amalgamation of different genres and sensations, directed by paths of terrifying intrigue that lead you to a surprise certainly hard to accept.

The Tenant (1976)

The weakness that feeds our problems

[10/10 · 29 January 2022]

The paranoia and illness narrated in a sublime way through the genius of Polanski would continue to be a terrifying reflection of today's society.

The film immerses you in a harrowing story from which it is impossible to escape.

Nightmare Alley (2021)

Film noir loves Cate Blanchett

[10/10 · 29 January 2022]

The axis formed by the disturbing relationship between Bradley Cooper and Cate Blanchett leads the film into a sordid frenzy where the two and a half hour runtime magically becomes very short.

Wrath of Man (2021)

This is not the Statham you expected

[5/10 · 22 May 2021]

The movie that could have been great or the best of this actor, leaves you with a sense of emptiness: too many unnecessary and incompressible deaths, too many very weird coincidences. Statham doesn't really beat up anyone, not even the bad guy, he did not appear as you thought you would see him, and you're waiting for him the whole movie.

Everything else is fine, even Clint Eastwood's son, who acts too well in this movie, very good. Very high performance in every way, except what the movie lacked.

Atlantis: The Lost Continent (1961)

A romantic adventure story

[10/10 · 13 May 2021]

A fabulous adventure story; the kind that was made at that time and the ones that are needed more and more. Those stories in which the bad guy was very bad and love ruled the story. Those films that transported us to other worlds with very well worked settings.

Killers Anonymous (2019)

Worst movie in 10 years.

[1/10 · 13 May 2021]

A lot of actors in the worst performance of their lives with a lousy story and worse direction. A totally aimlessly movie. The music so out of place as the whole film.

It is no longer necessary to give names of actors who with these decisions are other 10 meters more underground.

I See You (II) (2019)

What a 10!

[10/10 · 7 May 2021]

Deep and beautiful thriller. One of the best made in years. Writer, director, actors, music, everything is a big piece of art. It's as simple as once it starts you can't stop watching it. Among the films you search for writer and director just in the moment the movie is over.

The Unholy (2021)

The beauty and the beast

[3/10 · 30 April 2021]

A very nice girl and good actress (Cricket Brown) in a not at all interesting movie. Sometimes I have the feeling that everything about a film is totally wrong. This is simply one of them.