The King Tide

That's what we deserves far higher ratings than some of them that are being given. From the very first moment I was enamored by this movie. The the premise is unique and the plot fresh and fun. The acting is realistic and deep. Throughout the film it combined fantasy with realism, life with death, and never had to provide the audience with answers to the plot. You are left to understand it and interpret it on your own. For an inexpensive movie with a cast of 33 people, this was a refreshing break from a lot of the movies out there now. I highly suggest and recommend this film. It's a great film for a date night and certainly passes as a good Friday night mystery for a more mature family.

This is the sort of movie that flies under the radar but deserves a lot more credit. It is well written, put together, feels cohesive and acted well. The story line is a little far fetched but it's done in a way that doesn't make you think it is. Everyone plays their part well and it's a thoroughly enjoyable cinematic experience. It's has highs and lows, but it transports you to what is happening in the screen which is the true art of cinema if you ask me. I am trying really hard not to give anything away as it's way more enjoyable if you just let it happen. The majority of the cast aren't massive actors but they are brilliant in it. I will definitely watch this again.

The concept for this film is interesting, but it is slow and plodding. The story is good, as is the acting, but theres very little momentum. The cinematography is excellent, though because of the lack of momentum, I didn't feel any urgency or tension in the film. Its not a horror film or thriller, but more of a drama with fantasy elements. I chose to watch it over two nights because I lost interest midway, due to the slow-moving pace. I think this film would have been better at about 90 minutes. The dialogue, shots, and music are just too slow. Perhaps better editing would have been in order.

The concept for this film is interesting, but it is slow and plodding. The story is good, as is the actung. But theres very little momentum and it comes off as a Lifetime movie. The cinematography is excellent, though often the images at night are too dark. Because of the lack of momentum, I didn't feel any urgency or tension in the film. Its not a horror film or thriller, but more of a drama with fantasy elements. I chose to watch it over two nights because I couldn't pay attention after an hour of slow-moving, repetitive scenes of islanders arguing over their future. I think this film would have been better at about 90 minutes. As with most modern films, this one runs about 10 minutes too long. The dialogue, shots, and music are just too slow.

One of Cinema's greatest virtues is working with themes that discuss morals, belief, power and human nature. This proposal is never easy to execute, nor to be fully understood in the final production result. What is seen on the screen can often result in controversy, subversion and controversies even if the narrative there brings a portrait close to our reality. The Canadian film The King Tide (2023) by Christian Sparkes aims to work with these issues. Here, the director intends to explore the changes in a peaceful, isolated and idyllic fishing village that changes its behavior after the unexpected arrival of a girl with extraordinary powers. Of course, Sparkes uses Fiction, as well as metaphors and symbolism, to dialogue with much of what we see in society. Once again, Cinema reflects on the impacts of a community that will now need to deal with the powers at its disposal. Far from being another typical superhero film, the gift of the girl Isla (Alix West Lefler) will serve as the trigger for a series of changes in the village. Another important resource for creating a dark atmosphere in the film is the desolate situation of the village itself. Furthermore, residents are determined not to have contact with other places, and they don't even look for doctors and clinics outside the island. This adds a tone of conservatism that ends up weighing on the girl's situation of extreme idolatry, in addition to impacting the antagonism of ideas among some inhabitants. The final half hour also guarantees extra tension, all leading up to an explosive ending that will leave the viewer with varied interpretations and some questions. If this is what Cinema must be like, Sparkes is on a good path.

It's a mystery/supernatural drama where a girl with "healing" abilities gets locked up on a remote island by her foster parents. The premise is interesting and the movie holds your attention well until the very end. The finale has a nice twist that you likely won't expect. One of the ideas it delivers pretty well is that people's generic morals usually get trashed when it's about their survival or survival of their closest relatives. Also that most people are inherently egoistic and try not to share something that benefits them, even if the potential benefits to others would vastly outweigh. Just think of the movie's premise: a girl can heal people almost instantly by just letting them come close to her. How would a scientist or an engineer react to such a phenomenon? Obviously, research WHAT makes her have these powers. Why? Because the implications can be revolutionary. Imagine the huge positive impact to medicine worldwide. Millions, even billions of people could be saved. Yet, none of the dimwits populating this island cares. For 10 years, they keep the girl to themselves and create a semi-religious cult around her. And when troubles start, what do they do? They gather in a anonymous alcoholics-like meeting. To do what? No, not to strategize. But to "share their feelings" while holding a plush bear. The girl's step-father is the guy who found her as a baby. It was a random find so it could as well be anyone else. In his eternal wisdom, he doesn't want the girl to get abused by the "mainlanders" (the world outside the island). I guess, because scientists will stick needles into her and crack open her skull just out of curiosity, right? It's certainly better if she grows on a remote island and thinks that Paris is an imaginary place from fairy tales and treats an old TV set is a miracle. A big plot hole that kinda kept nagging me throughout the movie: how could these island's inhabitants survive on an island for 10 years without ever contacting the mainland? After all, they aren't living in Medieval times so that they could create clothes, tools and everything else from wood, stone and leaves. In 10 years, batteries would run out, tools would break, and cars would burn through all of the gas. So, magically, the island lives as if it has all the modern resources like oil, metals, and basically the whole modern economy run in the background by something like 20-30 hillbillies + 1 drunk doctor. This doctor could prescribe only sleeping pills by the way, and those are still okay to take after 10 years. Or the pills just magically manifested themselves because well, it's a supernatural drama. And to light up the town, you don't need a power plant. It's just enough to find an electric cable lying on the road with sparks in it. I was happy when the girl finally left the island - and that's where the movie had to end. Turn off your brain and enjoy the ride!

I must say, by the time this movie ended, my mouth was agape! Very clever and unexpected. The whole setting was so isolated and a bit creepy. After they find Isla, it gets very interesting and you do get attached to some of the characters. Life seems so simple and uncomplicated and I wonder if life might be enjoyable without the internet and TV and cell phones and what not. I doubt I could do it, but it's fascinating to watch the way these townsfolk live. Of course, a bunch of different things happen and life starts to get more complicated for these folks. I won't spoil anything, but I was left with a few questions that I wish could have been answered. Nonetheless, by the time the end rolls around, you'll be very pleased that you chose this movie and it will stick with you for a while.

On a remote island after a storm, the community hears the cries of a baby and finds her trapped under a boat wreck. The baby seems to have magical healing properties. It's ten years later. The baby is now young girl Isla. She has been adopted by mayor Bobby (Clayne Crawford) and his wife Grace (Lara Jean Chorostecki). Grace's frail mother Faye (Frances Fisher) has recovered with Isla's help. The fishing is back. The community adores Isla and her healing powers. Isla discovers more of her powers. The community becomes divided over using Isla. I love the moody atmosphere. I am surprised that there isn't more religion in the movie's spiritual themes. In a way, I appreciate that it doesn't go full religious but it does go into the cult territories. The wasps do need to have a bigger scene. It is such an important incident. After a slow simmering middle, the tension really takes off with the arrival of the two mainlanders. This is a smallish movie and a simple idea. In its isolation, it shows something about the bigger human world.

Synopsis: three generations have chosen isolation on a Newfoundland coast island to avoid mainland present day, but an infant seemingly born of the sea brings the settlement a unique gift of healing powers. An unexpected death among the settlers brings tension among the group, and the gifted child Isla, is suddenly without her healing powers. Isla must now be protected by her adoptive father, Bobby (Clayne Crawford of Lethal Weapon tv series, the Channel, Integrity of Joseph Chambers) and he comes to the harsh and heartbreaking reality that leaving the group is soon his daughter's best hope. The group, however, has other plans, and the worst of humanity ensues: neighbor against neighbor, family against family, friends against friends, and just who will survive and why becomes the question on everyone's mind. Note: I must say that films like this always give you clues throughout, and I shouldn't have been so shocked, but I became so engrossed in the film and the characters that it really did make me gasp! The elements of creating a successful film came together: the story, script, director, editor, soundtrack, actors and more created an experience of simplicity in story, but complexity and tension in its evolution. It's eerie-creepy good!

1) First of all, lower your expectations, by no means it is a 10/10 nor a 9/10 movie. If someone watches this thinking that this is a masterpiece, they are gonna be disappointed. 2) This is a supernatural drama. There is a mystery element, there are also some dramatic moments and it gets intense during the last 15-20 minutes but it's mostly a slow, low-key drama. Biggest quality here is acting, every actor did a fine job. I can't say this is the most interesting movie i've watched but it was not boring either, i was curious to see where it goes and i enjoyed it. Nothing is being explained and for sure i wanted some answers but i didn't mind it much, i appreciated movie's enigmatic "nature". 3) Regarding of the ending, it was unexpected and that's a good thing. I mean, i am not even sure if i liked it or not but i liked the fact that i didn't see it coming. Overall, this was good. I can't recommend it or not, there are better movies to watch but if you are a fan of this genre, you will probably like it. And i can tell for sure that there are far worse 2024 movies.