THE SUBSTITUTE - 8/10 (B+)

Now this was great! A very stylish, atmospheric, creepy, and funny flick. It's not really a horror movie, but close enough to put in the genre. Highly recommended!

Horrible, absolutely horrible! The writing and acting were both atrocious. Perhaps something was lost in translation because I can't imagine the writing being this poor. I couldn't even make it halfway through before shutting it off.

Trackman, another one of the foreign Ghost House Underground films, was a much easier watch and a downright beautiful film to look at.

B+



This Danish sci-fi comedy/horror has shown once again Denmark's penchant for some well-done dark humor. Essentially it's a kids film about a substitute teacher who ends up being a vicious alien and wants to abduct the whole class to her planet in order to conduct experiments with them trying to find out how to feel empathy (something only the humans can apparently). It works as a less gory and much funnier version of The Faculty. Paprika Steen (it's actual her real name it seems!) is splendid in the leading role as the delightfully vicious alien and teacher, harassing the kids, making fun of them and at the same time presenting herself to the parents as the victim. She's just a joy to watch. The cast ensemble of the kids is pretty decent itself.

Some unnecessary aspects aside, it's just a good fun film. It's much edgier than a Hollywood version of this movie would be and a lot of the humor is just evil, but that's what made it so enjoyable. It's no high art and it's predictable, but it's sure a blast to spend a time. A certain scene actually had me laughing for at least a minute after it has passed. It involves a dream and a chicken...you'll know when you see it.

I watched this again the other night. It's a small gem. I'd enjoy seeing a US remake if done right.

I have seen it again recently too. Very fun film.