Robin Reviews Stuff

Hi, my name is Robin and I review stuff. Mostly movies, but sometimes I review books, TV shows, games, and comics.

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Should I do a review of this movie?

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Little Nightmares is a fun game. A little on the short side, but I'd rather play a short game. That's tight, focused, and doesn't out stay its welcome. Than a longer game that starts to drag out and repeat itself. After all the gameplay isn't super original, another 2.5D platformer. There's only so much you can do with that. Even it's cool art style and atmosphere, that feels like a combination of Tim Burton and Spirited Away. Would only stay fresh and interesting for so long, so I definitely feel that the creators made the right choice in keeping the game short. I also enjoyed the surreal open endedness of the game, as it shows a lot, but says little. Leaving much of the interpretation up to the viewer. 

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Layers of Fear is one of the best horror games I've played in awhile. Its horror comes not from scary monsters out to kill you, but from the world you inhabit. Creating this surreal, claustrophobic, and terrifying atmosphere that keeps you on your toes. A perfect example of liminal space, and how the world/environment is just as important a character in a horror game. My only complaint is that the game does start to drag a bit towards the end. Especially if you play it all in one sitting, but I suspect the game was intended to be played in hour long chunks given the layout of each chapter. Layers of Fear is a great game. Playing like a combination of H.P. Lovecraft, and The Picture of Dorian Grey.

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As a fan of Junji Ito's work. I was excited to read his newest book Remina, but after reading it. I found it lacking when compared to the author's previous work. Remina lacked that slow build that made the horror feel more uncanny and uncomfortable. Slowly building to the final conclusion, but Remina feels lacking in that regard. With a story that just feels predictable, relying more on coincidence and convenience than a system of logic fitting the world of the story. The story is also hampered by flat characters that I don't really care about, but where the story really falters is in its horror. It lacks the distinct body horror that makes a Junji Ito story feel so visceral, and its cosmic horror elements seem simple and more of a secondary thought. While not terrible, Remina simply doesn't stand up to Junji Ito's past works.

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Factotum is the kind of book that you'll either like, or you won't. I personally enjoyed Factotum, finding its blunt to the point nature and flat narrative to be refreshing. The book simply is what it is, a perfect literary representation of the quote "sometimes life's a bitch, and than you keep on living." There is no escapism in Factotum, the narrative is gritty and real. Mired in the filth, and banality of everything day working life. There are no heroes in Factotum, just flawed humans.

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My feelings for mario 64 are constantly shifting, going from nostalgic fun to controller breaking frustration. Most of the difficulty coming from the fact that the camera controls about as well as a car with square tires. Sure it works, but not well. Leaving many of the platforming to be leaps of faith, instead of testing your skill. This is compounded by the fact that Mario handles like he's covered in lube and bananas. Making me feel like I only ever had a loose handling of the character. Honestly if it wasn't for the nostalgia of playing this game as a kid I'd find it hard to recommend. At its core it's a basic game that doesn't really offer much. If it wasn't for the fact that it was a Mario game nobody would remember it.

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The Wolf House is a stunningly beautiful movie. Containing an animation style that is part Lynch, part early surrealist, and part Hans Bellmer. The movie's visuals are both engrossing and terrifying. Leaving you with a slight discomfort under your skin. With it's dark visuals working to contrast the calm and familiar voices that narrate the movie. Reinforcing this sense of uncertainty, as we cannot rely upon what we are seeing or hearing as being truthful. Instead we are forced to come to our own conclusions about what is real and what the truth is. Not unlike a dream, The Wolf House makes sense until you really look at it. That's when the true horror emerges.

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Often when I revisit a game I played as a child. I find it stained by rose tinted glasses, often falling short of my fond memories. Super Mario Sunshine however is an exception to this rule. Having recently replayed the game I found myself enjoying it even more now. Sunshine is one of those rare games that has aged like a fine bottle of wine, and while I had moments of frustration. Mainly due to camera and controller issues. The gameplay still holds up. Plus coming back to this game as an adult I was able to enjoy the small details that I missed as a kid. Things like level design, music, and the small bits of flavor text from characters. Stuff that helps build the world and give each area a unique design. Sunshine deserves your love and I'd definitely recommend playing it.

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Tetsuo: The Iron Man is a wild ride that doesn't take its foot off the gas pedal for a second. Reading like the bastered lovechild of Cronenberg and a can opener. Its raw visuals and low budget make the body horror of the movie all the more visceral and surreal, as a man suddenly finds himself transforming into a metal man. Reminding me of a mechanical version of Kafka's Metamorphosis, as the lead character suddenly finds himself transformed into something horrific. If you want some intense surreal body horror I'd definitely recommend Tetsuo.

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Outlast is a simple game, and it's this simplicity that makes it such a horrifying experience. Stealth is your only option, this allows the game to focus on what it wants to be. Allowing the game to craft a tens pulse pounding experience. Where you're constantly worrying what's lurking in the shadows, what might be around the next corner. The only downside to the game is the last chapter isn't as strong, as the atmosphere and tone takes a sudden shift. This leaves the game's ending feeling especially blunt, and anticlimactic. Still nothing feels out of place and the progression to that final chapter makes sense within the logic of the game. Outlast is a game I'd recommend to anyone who wants a truly beautiful, atmospheric, and horrific survival horror game.

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Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind is a movie that reminds us the importance of pain and trauma in shaping who we are, and despite how much we wish to remove painful memories. It's those memories that ultimately define us. I may hate how things ended between myself and someone I once loved. I may hate living with the guilt of what I did and the consequences of my actions, but I would never want my memories of her removed. No one gets through life without acquiring some baggage, and those who forget the past are bound to repeat it. Besides you can't get rid of the bad without getting rid of the good as well. Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind is a movie about an individual who tries to deal with their pain in a way that is unhealthy and self destructive. Dooming themselves to repeat their actions.

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The House That Jack Built is one of those movies I hate myself for liking. The movie is about a serial killer named Jack, who is given the run time of the movie to explain why he’s a genius and brilliant artist. The movie can be incredibly disturbing at times getting under the viewers skin in a way that leaves them more than uncomfortable with the violence they are witnessing. I almost wish the movie was bad, so I could easily hate it as nothing more than poorly made gore porn, but the movie is made with both skill and talent. Commenting on themes of what is meaning and its importance when viewing art, and how we can often become obsessed with what something means. Instead of just allowing something to exist, and enjoy it for what it is. It is what it is. 

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Possum is a quiet movie. Its horror comes from an internal place rather than an external place. This in combination with the limited cast and settings, helps to build this overwhelming sense of claustrophobic isolation. Helping to reinforce the feeling of someone trapped and isolated by the trauma of their past. Leaving the viewer unsure of what is and isn't real. Horror isn't always a masked killer stabbing teenagers having sex. Sometimes it's a puppet in a bag, and how one finds themselves unable to escape it.

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The Fly first and foremost is a master class in practical effects, that read as both horrific and inhuman. While still reading as grounded and existing in the real world. This is what gives the movie’s body horror a more real and visceral feel. Every time a body part falls off, or flesh rips open it looks and feels real. I remember watching the fly for the first time as a kid and having to change the channel, because I was unable to handle it. What adds to the horror of The Fly is the fact that it takes its time to build. Spending time with the characters and their relationship. Building a love story, before shifting into a downward spiral of scifi madness and horror. The Fly is a wonderful movie that is definitely worth a watch.