Eight for Silver - (Prime, purchase)
Kinda weird the sites I usually rely on for all manner of international movie curiosities didn't have this listed at all, is if it didn't exist. Had to rely on fucking Amazon to learn and access this film, which feels all kindsa uncomfortable. Anyway, is period British horror about evil British ppl doing what they do best, and they very much do not hang about letting you know they're irredeemable kunts within the first couple of scenes. It's comparable to, if not outright beats RRR in that aspect.
Ok, this is overall a pleasant surprise. But not without some shaky issues. So main criticisms are this does have a noticeable budget issue in some places, mainly the poor decision to use daylight CGI in a couple of moments. Is rookie mistake to pick daytime if your CGI budget is thin. Also what could be best described as the "protagonist" is a bit basic and uninteresting. I can see how he passes the casting barrier of "blandly attractive, plus eagerness with a nice smile" but the film doesn't give him much and he doesn't bring anything of interest character-wise, so when certain plot beats insinuate we are supposed to care about his thoughts and revelations, they do not do a convincing job unfortunately. There is sometimes this depth-of-field filter where the edges of the screen are blurred in various shots, which am not sure if imagining yet. Kinda feels like an above-average UK telly show before the "prestige" series era took off.
Plus sides are better: all other performances are convincing, some moments of practical effects I almost cheered at too. Has an unexpected trajectory, with a bookend connection am not entirely sure what to think of yet. And there's the appealing baseline of spooky revenge peppered throughout. Overall I did enjoy it despite the odd moments the limits wore thin.
Lamb - (MUBI)
Alright I know like nobody likes this film, but fuck it, i do! And I don't quite know how to defend that.