February 3, 2021

I’ll Take Your Dead (2018) Movie Review

Director: Chad Archibald

Writer: Chad Archibald, Jayme Laforest (Screenplay)

Starring: Aidan Devine, Ava Preston, Jess Salgueiro, Brandon McKnight, Michael Reventar, Ari Millen

Plot: A farmer makes a living disposing of bodies. One day, 3 bodies are delivered – except the young woman is still alive. If set free, the gang will come after him and his daughter.

Runtime: 1 Hour 23 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Verdict: Slow Horror

Story: I’ll Take Your Dead starts as we meet a farmer William (Devine) who lives on a remote farm with his daughter Gloria (Preston), they both have a secret, William disposes of dead bodies, while Gloria sees dead people around the house.

William gets the latest batch of dead bodies bought to his house to dispose of, only one Jackie (Salgueiro) isn’t dead, William fixes her up, looking to learn her story, showing his daughter a good example, as she looks to overcome her fears.

Thoughts on I’ll Take Your Dead

Characters – William is a man that has built a reputation, he lives off the grid with his daughter on a farm, criminals call him the butcher because of his work disposing of dead bodies, when the latest body turns out to be still alive, he must decide how to protect his daughter if the threat returns. Gloria is the daughter of William, she sees the dead around the farm, scared of some which she sees coming for her, she ends up befriending Jackie, learning things her father wouldn’t offer her. Jackie is one of the victims that isn’t dead, she is tied up as she must prove she is good to William and why she should be spared.

Performances – Aidan Devine, Ava Preston and Jess Salgueiro are all great to watch, they give us an interesting turn on their characters through the film, giving the group or solo scenes justice through the film.

Story – The story here follows a man that disposes of bodies that gets caught up in the middle of the bigger problem when one of the bodies isn’t dead, meaning the criminals will return to finish the job, putting his own daughter at risk. The story here does go in different directions because the job is unique, with it being kept a secret, while we don’t get enough focus on Gloria and her ability and fear of seeing the dead people. We do look at Gloria coming of age in a stranger way that we would normally see and play into the hands of showing that everybody might have a story, you just need to listen to them first.

Horror – The horror side of the film comes from how Gloria is haunted by the dead in the house, this could have been bigger only it doesn’t hit the heights it seems to think it wants too.

Settings – The film keeps most of the film set on the farm, it shows us how William can operate without interference and is trying to escape the life he found himself trapped in.

Scene of the Movie – The wave.

That Moment That Annoyed Me – Slow pacing doesn’t make the showdown worth it.

Final Thoughts – This is a slow paced movie that doesn’t seem to hit the sides of the film that is desiring to get to, with moments leading to something before moving towards another direction.

Overall: Slow-paced horror.

ABC Film Challenge – Oscar Nomination – C – The Candidate (1972) Movie Review

Director: Michael Ritchie

Writer: Jeremy Larner (Screenplay)

Starring: Robert Redford, Peter Boyle, Melvyn Douglas, Don Porter, Allen Garfield, Karen Carlson

Plot: Bill McKay is a candidate for the U.S. Senate from California. He has no hope of winning, so he is willing to tweak the establishment.

Tagline – Too Handsome. Too Young. Too Liberal. Doesn’t have a chance. He’s PERFECT!

Runtime: 1 Hour 50 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: The Candidate starts when Bill McKay (Redford) is asked to run for US Senate for California, he doesn’t expect to win, he isn’t expected to win, he is expected to be a rival that could help the first choice Crocker Jarmon (Porter) look better, with Bill needing to just say what he wants on the campaign.

As the campaign continues, Bill starts gaining momentum seeing he being a real challenge to take the senate seat, with his honest speaking, one that is looking to make a difference in America.

Thoughts on The Candidate

Characters – Bill McKay is a honest guy that saw his father in the senate and now has been convinced to run for a public show, one where he can do what he wants, never being seen as a true contender to win. He doesn’t want to listen to instructions or use his father’s reputation to help him, but his speeches turn the heads of the public who see him offering something more that before. Marvin Lucas is running the campaign for Bill, he puts him in the right locations for the press, campaign moments, he knows how to do his job behind the curtain. Senator Crocker Jarmon is the favourite to retain the seat, he is the easy favourite for the seat and is using Bill as an easy opposition.

Performances – Robert Redford is wonderful in the leading role, showing us all that he was one of the best in the business when this film was released. Peter Boyle works well in his role, which can be said for the whole cast who shine through the film with the acting never looking out of place.

Story – The story here follows a man that finds himself put into a race for senate only for his views and opinions to lead him to become the front runner in a world he wasn’t prepared for. When you look at this story, you need to first understand how the American election process works, which can be a lot more complicated than it shows in the film, this can make this film a little bit hard to follow, while seeing how somebody saying the things people want to hear could see them become the one the people want to see in power.

Comedy – The comedy does seem to come from how Redford delivers some of the lines and how he speaks like most normal people would like to see a Politian speak.

Settings – The film takes us to most of the campaign based settings, it shows us how a potential senator would need to meet people from most backgrounds.

Scene of the Movie – What do we do now?

That Moment That Annoyed Me – It is difficult to understand the election process.

Final Thoughts – This is a well-acted and comedy that shows how if you say the right words, the people will believe you can make a difference.