Saraitda

*Known as "#Alive" on Netflix in the states* Saraitda has me feeling mixed. I find some of the imagery and mental toll to be quite interesting. On top of that, the effects are really good, and it takes a few turns I didn't entirely expect. However, it also divulges into some cliches, and kinda pins itself into a corner by its paper thin synopsis. Because of that, it's ends pretty predictably. On top of that, the lip syncing and audio dubbing is horrible. Still, it's okay.

Not sure I've ever seen a movie that felt so intensely contemporary as this one, which gives it a sort of built-in energy and verisimilitude. The movie kind of squanders that starting goodwill though and ends up being a fairly generic, light-weight piece of entertainment that has just enough momentum to make you see it through but absolutely zero staying power. The film-making is sprightly but very clearly aping all the better zombie movies.

A well made, but trope heavy zombie movie where every nut and bolt was taken from other zombie movies. But nowadays it's awful hard to come up with a fresh take on the zombie genre, so I can cut it some slack there, but I find it hard to forgive a zombie movie this light on the gore.

Asian zombie cinema is definitely different than it's North American counter part, and this film is no different. While an American film might have our hero go guns blazing into the unknown, this mostly focuses on being lost and feeling helpless during a zombie outbreak. Different and watchable, despite a weak ending.

Of course it resonates in 2020. But while it seems cool and easygoing, it also kind of drags everytime it breaks the isolation to search for some movement -- when actually it would be more interesting if this were just numb and not fast and twist-driven. In a way, there is a millennial vibe that seems authentic and so, but it never takes off beyond hitting the clean, crowd-pleasing spots we all expect it to hit. And what about that guys-internet-can-actually-be-good-and-save-us-all finale? Jesus

Asian zombies are the best zombies, but the plot is rather thin and unoriginal. Feels like more could have been done.

Yet another example of why I'd make a point to get bitten and join the horde day #1 of the zombie apocalypse; it just seems so much more fun. #Alive has some good ideas, but not the ability to separate them from the dull ones and choose which ones to go with. Certainly timely, but... when you think of lockdown, do you think "Fun shenanigans"?

Slightly limp zombie drama whose obligatory societal commentary remains very surface-level. I liked the grounding of the story in the realistically portrayed technological lifestyle of the two young protagonists (compare and contrast with dross like 'Unfriended', 'Friend Request', etc.) but when the action gets going, it all starts to feel awfully familiar and unsurprising.

Pretty fun zombie movie.

This is not a good movie, but its 2020, we are in the midst of a pandemic, and it pushes the right buttons.

The first half hour or so is engaging, with a likeably goofy performance by Yoo and some obvious 2020 topicality. Alas, it settles into derivative genre fare and winds down to a whimper of an ending. Passable, but could have been so much more.

A decent zombie isolation horror set in a tiny apartment. Ended up living mostly on its sweet moments as our game nerd befriends a lady in the neighboring building as zombies floor the streets below. The zombie mob scenes didn't really work well in my eyes. Poorly staged. But thankfully the other aspects gave it some personality.

Its an ok twist on the usual zombie film. Just the right length.

Would've gotten an 85 from me if not for the ending. It was way too good to be true. Rest of the movie was fine, boring at times, but gripping enough overall to keep me watching. I can understand the ending too, considering it was filmed during the peak of coronavirus. Still, if they were brave enough to make a realistic, and naturally bad, ending, this would've easily been my favorite zombie movie.

Honestly, it's fine. It's entertaining in parts but it will disappear into the mountains of other similar zombie films. Which is a little disappointing, because the one unique part about this was the use of social media but while okay, it seemed like it was a little wasted and not special enough.

Sadly another 3rd act fallout to mediocracy, especially with that ending.. It isn't awful though. Some good twists and additiond to the zombie culture but overal, apart from a bit of modernization, not much to offer.

I actually quite enjoyed this. The beginning was pretty cool but the main character was pretty lame. But just when I started to get bored they introduced the female lead and things started to pick up a bit. The ending was pretty awesome. As for the zombies, they looked pretty good and were quite scary when attacking 1 to 1 but the crowd scenes were a bit lackluster as the zombies seemed to become less lethal mostly for plot reason so that the cast had a fighting chance.

B+

not great

Not bad.

A South Korean version of “La Nuit a dévoré le monde”. Try it! [Full review]

2.10.20(+)

Hayatımda böylesine kötü ve amaçsız bir film izlemedim. Hashtag kullanarak hayatını kurtaran alık bir çocuk, delikanlı kız, zombi karısına yedirecek insan bulmaya çalışan koca yürekli adam ve gözleri korkunç zombilerle tuhaf bir seyirlik oldu bizim için.

Solid zombie flick. Solid quarantine flick.