Godforsaken (2020) ★★★½
Godforsaken shows both the strength and the weakness of the style.
Granted, I was not into the whole demon possession thing, so religious found footage has a way of keeping me at an arm's length. The healing scene was a frown moment. They were trying to present some sort of happiness, but you could tell this was not going to end well. Also, the gimmick of people running and screaming whilst holding a camera is something you can only keep up for so long.
That said... when done right, found footage can be creepy as hell. And this film certainly has it's share of those moments. Wether it was the collective suicide, or the possession of Chad's mom.
Good stuff nonetheless.
Benny Loves You (2019) ★★★½
Benny Loves You is a lovely horror comedy in the vein of Critters and Leprechaun. It has the upper hand on most of them since it's more*entertaining.
It would be easy to go for a scary looking bear, but Benny has an adorable Elmo-like look, with an equally cute voice. I also love how the killer bear is actually scared of horror films.*
The first kill is pretty sweet and the humor is the type of stupid , silly fun that comes with the*territory.
Recmommend for people who like Gremlins and Critters. Maybe a double bill with*Ted?
Coffee and Cigarettes (2003) ★★½
An artsy comedy about the simple joys of life. Nothing memorable, like most day to day conversations, but it has a few funny moments. Among others transitioning Bill Murray and the awkward bit between Alfred Molina and Steve*Coogan.
And it does end on one of the coolest versions of Louie Louie*ever.
Shaun of the Dead 2004 ★★★★★
One of those rare gems that survives and even improves on every*rewatch.
So many injokes, easter eggs, foreshadowing, callbacks,... just impossible to go over the jokes. And all of this hilarity ensues in a zed word movie that shies away from neither full on gore or touching*moments.
And the front door is open!*Again!!
Cloverfield (2008) ★★★
Cloverfield, the answer to the question: What would it be like to live through a Godzilla-like Roland Emmerich*film?
Technically speaking, this counts as found footage, even though its budget is over 400 times that of The Blair Witch Project. Which is well used in order to let even the mass carnage and big explosions in the found footage*format.
It does work well in realising what it sets out to do, it does keep you on the edge of your seat at times and it realises that the biggest mistake a found footage can make is overstaying its welcome. So the running time is not so much short, but not too*long.
That said, the mix of not all that likable characters and the idea of the film does not keep not work as well as we (may have) thought back then keep it from being a genuine four star movie. It's "just" three stars*now.