Hellring

 The film becomes Dren’s growth, with its sexual and emotional implications, but without real structure.

 The logic of entertainment prevailed over that of cinematic credibility, with much of the screentime being wasted in a truly unnecessary and self-serving second part.

Vincenzo Natali’s Splice follows two biochemists creating a hybrid creature, but the film struggles to balance its sci-fi roots with horror elements. Despite strong actors, the narrative loses focus, especially in the second half becoming dominated by the creature Dren without solid structure. The film ultimately feels more like glossy entertainment than a credible cinematic piece. Read the full review and explore why Splice didn’t live up to its sci-fi horror promise.

 "Black Hawk Down is a grandiose film in the simplicity of its plot: a story of war and above all of men, insignificant pawns in games and situations bigger than themselves."

 "In wanting to bring History to the forefront, Scott lost sight of the linearity of his creation."

Ridley Scott's Black Hawk Down presents a realistic depiction of the 1993 US intervention in Somalia, highlighting the chaos and complexity of war. While visually impressive, the film struggles with character depth and narrative focus. It is praised for its realism and visual grandeur but criticized for losing linearity and emotional connection. Despite some flaws, Scott's direction remains commendable, backed by two Oscars for editing and sound. Explore the intense realism and cinematic power of Black Hawk Down—watch this visually stunning war epic now!

 "Halfway between the acidic doom of the early Sabbath and the massive stoner of Kyuss, these 3 musicians have delivered a debut capable of making a mark."

 "Four tracks of seminal Eastern European stoner. Few frills, no stylistic self-indulgence, but a lot of attitude and knowledge of the subject."

Stoned Jesus' debut album 'First Communion' offers a strong Eastern European take on stoner rock, combining influences from vintage '70s rock, doom metal, and psychedelic sounds. Though the band shows some early-stage repetitiveness, their musical knowledge and attitude shine, especially on tracks like 'Occult' and 'Black Woods.' The album stands out for its monolithic, progressive traits and marks a promising start for this Ukrainian trio. Dive into Stoned Jesus' 'First Communion' and experience a fresh Eastern European stoner rock journey. Listen now and explore their vintage doom vibes.

 "The fifth release from Arbouretum is an album that once again underlines the work done by Heumann (without whom the band would make no sense)."

 "The latest effort seems to wander here and there, without a precise goal."

The review analyzes Arbouretum's fifth album, 'Coming Out Of The Fog', highlighting the band's ongoing search for a distinctive musical identity. While some tracks like 'The Long Night' and 'Oceans Don’t Sing' impress with their rock and psychedelic elements, the album overall feels scattered and inconsistent. Dave Heumann's vocals remain a strong point, but the band’s inability to solidify a cohesive sound is noted. Fans may appreciate the effort, but a definitive artistic direction is still elusive. Discover Arbouretum’s evolving sound—listen to 'Coming Out Of The Fog' and explore their musical journey!

 The core of “The Way Back” is this very duality of man/nature that returns again as a hallmark of Weir’s cinema.

 “The Way Back” is first and foremost a film that lets the images speak, where there is ample space for silence.

Peter Weir's The Way Back presents a grand, visually stunning exploration of survival and the relationship between man and nature. Despite a sparse script and slow pace, the film's majestic imagery and strong performances build a powerful, visceral experience. It highlights Weir's signature style and avoids heavy political overtones, focusing instead on the epic journey towards freedom. The film's limited dialogue and plot thinness slightly hinder deeper character development, but the overall work remains a significant achievement. Discover Peter Weir’s breathtaking survival epic—watch The Way Back and experience cinema where nature and man collide.

 The Danish Moonless have shown that they do not possess originality with this first release.

 Essentially a work for lovers of the genre.

Moonless' 'Calling All Demons' is a robust stoner rock album rooted in classic influences like Kyuss and Black Sabbath. While the band delivers solid performances with abrasive guitars and heavy rhythms, the album lacks originality and innovation. This debut release appeals mainly to existing fans of the stoner genre but struggles to distinguish itself from its predecessors. Explore Moonless' 'Calling All Demons' if you love classic stoner rock riffs and heavy vibes.

 "Forever was never long enough."

 Legends of the Fall possesses the narrative strength of a passionate and captivating story that manages to be poetic, evocative, emotional, and also insightful.

Edward Zwick's 1994 film Legends of the Fall remains highly divisive due to its excessive drama and sentimentality. Despite its flaws, the movie excels at evoking deep emotions and exploring complex family relationships against a historical backdrop. The story’s poetic and evocative qualities make it a memorable narrative on love and loss. The film also won an Academy Award for Best Cinematography in 1995. Discover the emotional power of Legends of the Fall — watch the film and feel its timeless story.

 "Shrine appears as the most essential album ever produced by the band, where every single note fits the overall musical discourse."

 "A release that could seem, at least at first, a confusing work, emphasizing the sense of global and individual alienation the band sought to express."

Riverside returns after four years with Shrine Of New Generation Slaves (SONGS), showcasing a refined and essential approach to their progressive rock/metal style. The album balances melodic directness with emotional and compositional depth, marking a shift from their earlier complexity. While most tracks impress with their atmosphere and structure, 'Feel Like Falling' stands out as less convincing. Overall, SONGS is a successful evolution for one of Poland's notable prog bands. Explore Riverside’s Shrine Of New Generation Slaves for a fresh and intense prog rock journey!

 Pelican are going through a complex moment in their artistic life.

 This EP, while being enjoyable and much more accessible compared to the 'sonic dolmens' of the past, continues to leave doubts about the artistic path that the band from Evanston has decided to take.

Pelican’s Ataraxia/Taraxis EP marks a notable shift from their earlier heavy sludge sound toward more melodic and atmospheric compositions. The EP blends elements of post-rock with their stoner and sludge origins, producing a more accessible yet less powerful sound. While some tracks revisit their heavier roots, overall the work reflects the band's evolving artistic path and leaves questions about their future direction. Listen to Pelican’s Ataraxia/Taraxis EP to experience their evolving sound and unique blend of sludge and post-rock.

 Perhaps for the first time in their career, Manilla Road opt for a less 'artisanal' recording, striving for a sound clarity never sought before.

 The result is a good album, but not great, betrayed by some somewhat standardized and self-serving tracks.

Manilla Road's 'Mysterium' is a solid epic metal album characterized by improved sound clarity and a mix of classic and experimental elements. While several tracks capture the band's iconic style and theatricality, others feel less impactful or overly self-indulgent. The album showcases Mark Shelton's craftsmanship but also reveals signs of weariness in their nearly four-decade-long career. Overall, it's a good but not exceptional addition to their discography. Discover Manilla Road's unique epic metal journey and listen to Mysterium to experience a blend of raw power and refined sound.