MICHAEL BIEHN LAUREN GERMAN MILO VENTIMIGLIA ROSANNA ARQUETTE
AFTER A NUCLEAR ATTACK ON NEW YORK, NINE PEOPLE END UP IN A BOMB SHELTER IN THE BASEMENT OF AN APARTMENT BUILDING. THE SHELTER WAS BUILT BY THE BUILDING'S SUPER MICKEY (BIEHN), AND INCLUDES EVA (GERMAN), JOSH (VENTIMIGLIA) AND MARILYN (ARQUETTE) WHO NOT ONLY ARE TRYING TO SURVIVE TO NUCLEAR FALLOUT BUT ARE ALSO TRYING TO SURVIVE EACH OTHER.
THIS IS ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE MOVIES WHERE PEOPLE ARE HOLED UP TOGETHER AND THEN WE GET TO WATCH THEM INTERACT AS THEY SLOWLY DEVOLVE INTO THE BASIC ANIMALISTIC BEASTS HUMANS ARE. AS A RESULT, THIS MOVIE CAN BE HARD AND DISTURBING TO WATCH: SOME SCENES ARE VERY BRUTAL, SOME SCENES ARE VERY PHYSICALLY RAW AND SOME SCENES ARE JUST INDESCRIBABLE.
THE DIRECTION WAS GOOD, IT KEPT THE STORY FLOWING AND THE TENSION CRANKED UP. ACCORDING TO THE DVD COMMENTARY, THE DIRECTOR ALLOWED THE ACTORS TO DO QUITE A BIT OF IMPROVISATION, AND I THINK THAT ADDED A LOT TO THE REALISM OF THE CHARACTERS.
AS FOR THE ACTING, I THOUGHT MICKEY WAS A LITTLE OVER THE TOP A FEW TIMES; JOSH WENT FROM A BRASH YOUNG MAN TO A VERY CHILLING DARK DICTATOR LIKE ANIMAL. BUT I WAS MOST IMPRESSED WITH ARQUETTE: HER MARILYN STARTS OFF AS A VERY SCARED MOTHER WITH A YOUNG DAUGHTER TO BECOMING THE SEXUAL PLAYTHING OF JOSH AND HIS PARTNER, ALLOWING HERSELF TO BE SEXUALLY BRUTALIZED WITH TRAGIC RESULTS.
THIS ISN'T AN UPLIFTING MOVIE, IT IS DARK, BRUTAL, DISTURBING AND ENDS VERY BLEAKLY. THAT BEING SAID, IT IS HARD TO RECOMMEND, BUT I FEEL IT IS A MOVIE YOU SHOULD SEE.
RATING 3 out of 5
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
WOLF MOON
A GROUP OF FRIENDS ARE HAVING A PARTY AT THEIR ENGLISH COUNTRY MANOR WHEN THEY GET ATTACKED BY A WOLF LIKE CREATURE AND THEN TRY TO SURVIVE.
SOMEWHAT OF A MEDIOCRE HORROR MOVIE. THERE'S NOTHING REALLY NEW, ALTHOUGH THE DIRECTOR IS ABLE TO CREATE SOME TENSION AND SUSPENSE. BUT, MOST OF THE CHARACTERS ARE SO UNLIKEABLE I WAS ROOTING FOR THEM TO GET KILLED. ACTING AND EFFECTS ARE OKAY, STORY IS A LITTLE WEAK AND THE DIRECTION GETS THE STORY TO WHERE IT HAS TO GO. WATCH AT YOUR OWN RISK.
RATING 2 out of 5
SOMEWHAT OF A MEDIOCRE HORROR MOVIE. THERE'S NOTHING REALLY NEW, ALTHOUGH THE DIRECTOR IS ABLE TO CREATE SOME TENSION AND SUSPENSE. BUT, MOST OF THE CHARACTERS ARE SO UNLIKEABLE I WAS ROOTING FOR THEM TO GET KILLED. ACTING AND EFFECTS ARE OKAY, STORY IS A LITTLE WEAK AND THE DIRECTION GETS THE STORY TO WHERE IT HAS TO GO. WATCH AT YOUR OWN RISK.
RATING 2 out of 5
Monday, July 30, 2012
SAVAGES
TAYLOR KITSCH AARON JOHNSON BLAKE LIVELY BENICIO DEL TORO SALMA
HAYAK JOHN TRAVOLTA
THIS MOVIE TELLS THE STORY OF BEN AND CHON (JOHNSON AND KITSCH) AND THEIR GIRLFRIEND O (LIVELY) WHEN A MEXICAN DRUG CARTEL RUN BY ELENA (HAYAK) AND HER ENFORCER LADO (DEL TORO) TRY TO TAKE OVER BEN AND CHON'S MARIJUANA BUSINESS. ALSO INVOLVED IS DENNIS (TRAVOLTA) A CORRUPT DEA AGENT.
AS THE MOVIE STARTS, BEN, CHON AND O ARE ON TOP OF THE WORLD. THEIR BUSINESS IS DOING GREAT, MAKING THEM TONS OF MONEY AND ALLOWING THEM TO LIVE AS THEY WANT. BUT THEN THE MEXICANS BEGIN TO MOVE IN, AND WHEN BEN AND CHON REJECT THE CARTEL'S OFFER, LADO KIDNAPS O AS A BARGAINING TOOL TO FORCE THE BOYS INTO ACCEPTING THE OFFER. BEN AND CHON HAVE THEIR OWN PLANS: MAINLY TO GET O BACK, GET OUT OF THE DRUG TRADE AND GO LIVE SOMEWHERE FAR AWAY WHERE IT IS WARM.
AFTER O IS TAKEN, THE REST OF THE MOVIE IS ABOUT WHAT BEN AND CHON TRY TO DO TO GET HER BACK. THEY TRY MANY DIFFERENT THINGS, USUALLY WITH HELP FROM DENNIS BY PROVIDING INFORMATION.
THIS IS AN OLIVER STONE MOVIE, AND SO YOU WOULD EXPECT IT TO BE POLITICAL AND CONTROVERSIAL. IT HAS NEITHER OF THOSE. IN FACT, IT IS JUST PRETTY MUCH A RUN OF THE MILL DRAMA ABOUT THE DRUG TRADE THAT ANYONE COULD HAVE DONE.
AS YOU WOULD EXPECT, IT IS VIOLENT AND SOME SCENES ARE DISTURBING, HOWEVER I HAVE A FEELING THAT IN REAL LIFE THE VIOLENCE IS MUCH MORE HORRIFIC AND SHOCKING.
I FOUND THE ACTING TO BE GOOD. ALL THE MAIN CHARACTERS DO A GOOD JOB, BUT I REALLY LIKED DEL TORO'S LADO: VERY LAID BACK BUT ABLE TO KILL OR TORTURE WITHOUT A CONSCIENCE. I ALSO LIKED THE ARC OF JOHNSON'S BEN: HE STARTS OFF AS A PEACE LOVING GUY NOT WANTING TO HURT ANYONE, BUT BY THE END HAS BECOME ONE OF THE SAVAGES, SIMPLY BECAUSE OF WHAT HE HAS TO DO TO SURVIVE.
FINALLY, MY ONLY REAL DISLIKE IS THAT O NARRATES THROUGHOUT THE MOVIE. I REALLY DISLIKE NARRATION SINCE IT ONLY TAKES AWAY FROM THE STORY. I THINK IT IS MUCH BETTER TO JUST LET THE STORY UNFOLD BY ITSELF. A GOOD DRAMA THAT I CAN RECOMMEND.
RATING 3 out of 5
HAYAK JOHN TRAVOLTA
THIS MOVIE TELLS THE STORY OF BEN AND CHON (JOHNSON AND KITSCH) AND THEIR GIRLFRIEND O (LIVELY) WHEN A MEXICAN DRUG CARTEL RUN BY ELENA (HAYAK) AND HER ENFORCER LADO (DEL TORO) TRY TO TAKE OVER BEN AND CHON'S MARIJUANA BUSINESS. ALSO INVOLVED IS DENNIS (TRAVOLTA) A CORRUPT DEA AGENT.
AS THE MOVIE STARTS, BEN, CHON AND O ARE ON TOP OF THE WORLD. THEIR BUSINESS IS DOING GREAT, MAKING THEM TONS OF MONEY AND ALLOWING THEM TO LIVE AS THEY WANT. BUT THEN THE MEXICANS BEGIN TO MOVE IN, AND WHEN BEN AND CHON REJECT THE CARTEL'S OFFER, LADO KIDNAPS O AS A BARGAINING TOOL TO FORCE THE BOYS INTO ACCEPTING THE OFFER. BEN AND CHON HAVE THEIR OWN PLANS: MAINLY TO GET O BACK, GET OUT OF THE DRUG TRADE AND GO LIVE SOMEWHERE FAR AWAY WHERE IT IS WARM.
AFTER O IS TAKEN, THE REST OF THE MOVIE IS ABOUT WHAT BEN AND CHON TRY TO DO TO GET HER BACK. THEY TRY MANY DIFFERENT THINGS, USUALLY WITH HELP FROM DENNIS BY PROVIDING INFORMATION.
THIS IS AN OLIVER STONE MOVIE, AND SO YOU WOULD EXPECT IT TO BE POLITICAL AND CONTROVERSIAL. IT HAS NEITHER OF THOSE. IN FACT, IT IS JUST PRETTY MUCH A RUN OF THE MILL DRAMA ABOUT THE DRUG TRADE THAT ANYONE COULD HAVE DONE.
AS YOU WOULD EXPECT, IT IS VIOLENT AND SOME SCENES ARE DISTURBING, HOWEVER I HAVE A FEELING THAT IN REAL LIFE THE VIOLENCE IS MUCH MORE HORRIFIC AND SHOCKING.
I FOUND THE ACTING TO BE GOOD. ALL THE MAIN CHARACTERS DO A GOOD JOB, BUT I REALLY LIKED DEL TORO'S LADO: VERY LAID BACK BUT ABLE TO KILL OR TORTURE WITHOUT A CONSCIENCE. I ALSO LIKED THE ARC OF JOHNSON'S BEN: HE STARTS OFF AS A PEACE LOVING GUY NOT WANTING TO HURT ANYONE, BUT BY THE END HAS BECOME ONE OF THE SAVAGES, SIMPLY BECAUSE OF WHAT HE HAS TO DO TO SURVIVE.
FINALLY, MY ONLY REAL DISLIKE IS THAT O NARRATES THROUGHOUT THE MOVIE. I REALLY DISLIKE NARRATION SINCE IT ONLY TAKES AWAY FROM THE STORY. I THINK IT IS MUCH BETTER TO JUST LET THE STORY UNFOLD BY ITSELF. A GOOD DRAMA THAT I CAN RECOMMEND.
RATING 3 out of 5
A LONELY PLACE TO DIE
WHILE ROCK CLIMBING IN THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS, FIVE FRIENDS STUMBLE UPON A LITTLE GIRL BURIED IN A BOX IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. AFTER RESCUING HER, THEY BEGIN TO HEAD TO THE NEAREST POLICE STATION, BUT ALONG THE WAY ARE ATTACKED BY THE MEN WHO KIDNAPPED THE GIRL AND THEY MUST THEN TRY TO SURVIVE.
FIRST, THE GOOD STUFF: THE SCENES OF THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS WERE WELL FILMED AND QUITE BREATHTAKING; THE CLIMBING SCENES WERE TENSE, THRILLING AND LOOKED TO BE BELIEVABLE; THE ACTING WAS GOOD, EVEN THE LITTLE GIRL.
NOW, THE BAD: TOWARD THE END OF THE FILM THERE IS A FESTIVAL IN A TOWN WHERE CHILDREN ARE PRESENT YET A LOT OF THE WOMEN IN THE FESTIVAL ARE TOPLESS--I FOUND THIS HARD TO BELIEVE; DURING THIS FESTIVAL THERE IS ONLY ONE, OR MAYBE TWO, POLICEMEN ON DUTY--THAT DIDN'T SEEM TO BE CORRECT; FINALLY, THE STORY WAS FULL OF HOLES AND DIDN'T SEEM TO BE VERY FOCUSED. IT STARTS OFF AS A SURVIVAL IN THE MOUNTAINS PICTURE BUT THEN ENDS UP IN A TOWN WHERE THE BAD GUYS ARE KILLING EACH OTHER WHILE LOOKING FOR THE GIRL. NOT A GREAT MOVIE, NOT A BAD MOVIE, BUT JUST A MOVIE THAT LOST ITS FOCUS.
RATING 2.5 out of 5
FIRST, THE GOOD STUFF: THE SCENES OF THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS WERE WELL FILMED AND QUITE BREATHTAKING; THE CLIMBING SCENES WERE TENSE, THRILLING AND LOOKED TO BE BELIEVABLE; THE ACTING WAS GOOD, EVEN THE LITTLE GIRL.
NOW, THE BAD: TOWARD THE END OF THE FILM THERE IS A FESTIVAL IN A TOWN WHERE CHILDREN ARE PRESENT YET A LOT OF THE WOMEN IN THE FESTIVAL ARE TOPLESS--I FOUND THIS HARD TO BELIEVE; DURING THIS FESTIVAL THERE IS ONLY ONE, OR MAYBE TWO, POLICEMEN ON DUTY--THAT DIDN'T SEEM TO BE CORRECT; FINALLY, THE STORY WAS FULL OF HOLES AND DIDN'T SEEM TO BE VERY FOCUSED. IT STARTS OFF AS A SURVIVAL IN THE MOUNTAINS PICTURE BUT THEN ENDS UP IN A TOWN WHERE THE BAD GUYS ARE KILLING EACH OTHER WHILE LOOKING FOR THE GIRL. NOT A GREAT MOVIE, NOT A BAD MOVIE, BUT JUST A MOVIE THAT LOST ITS FOCUS.
RATING 2.5 out of 5
CHRONICLE
ONE NIGHT WHILE ATTENDING A PARTY, THREE HIGH SCHOOL FRIENDS, ANDREW, MATT AND STEVE DISCOVER A HOLE IN THE GROUND WITH A STRANGE NOISE COMING OUT OF IT. THE THREE GO DOWN TO LOOK AROUND AND FIND A LARGE GLOWING CRYSTAL. THE NEXT DAY THEY FIND OUT THEY HAVE THE POWER TO MOVE THINGS. THE MORE THEY LEARN HOW TO USE THEIR POWER AND THE STRONGER THEY GET, THEIR LIVES BEGIN TO TUMBLE OUT OF CONTROL.
THIS MOVIE STARTS OFF NOT BEING TOO SERIOUS: MOST OF THE SCENES ARE OF THE GUYS PULLING PRACTICAL JOKES ON UNSUSPECTING PEOPLE, BUT AS THE MOVIE GOES ALONG AND THEIR POWER GROWS, THE MOVIE GETS VERY SERIOUS AND VERY DARK.
I THOUGHT THE EFFECTS WERE DONE QUITE WELL AND LOOKED BELIEVABLE; THE ACTING WAS GOOD AND DIRECTION WAS OKAY, HOWEVER IT SEEMED LIKE THE THREE FRIENDS ACCEPTED THIS NEW POWER A LITTLE TOO EASILY, AND DIDN'T SEEM TO BE TOO CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT IT WAS DOING TO THEM, BUT THEY WERE ONLY CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT THEY COULD DO TO OTHERS. FINALLY, I WOULD HAVE LIKED SOME SORT OF EXPLANATION ABOUT THE CRYSTAL, BUT THERE IS NONE.
RATING 2.5 out of 5
THIS MOVIE STARTS OFF NOT BEING TOO SERIOUS: MOST OF THE SCENES ARE OF THE GUYS PULLING PRACTICAL JOKES ON UNSUSPECTING PEOPLE, BUT AS THE MOVIE GOES ALONG AND THEIR POWER GROWS, THE MOVIE GETS VERY SERIOUS AND VERY DARK.
I THOUGHT THE EFFECTS WERE DONE QUITE WELL AND LOOKED BELIEVABLE; THE ACTING WAS GOOD AND DIRECTION WAS OKAY, HOWEVER IT SEEMED LIKE THE THREE FRIENDS ACCEPTED THIS NEW POWER A LITTLE TOO EASILY, AND DIDN'T SEEM TO BE TOO CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT IT WAS DOING TO THEM, BUT THEY WERE ONLY CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT THEY COULD DO TO OTHERS. FINALLY, I WOULD HAVE LIKED SOME SORT OF EXPLANATION ABOUT THE CRYSTAL, BUT THERE IS NONE.
RATING 2.5 out of 5
Monday, July 23, 2012
TAKE SHELTER
MICHAEL SHANNON JESSICA CHASTAIN
CURTIS (SHANNON) IS A MIDDLE CLASS FAMILY MAN MARRIED TO SAMANTHA (CHASTAIN) WITH A DAUGHTER. HE WORKS AS A WELL DRILLER ON A CONSTRUCTION SITE. ONE DAY HE HAS A NIGHTMARE ABOUT AN APOCALYPTIC STORM, WHICH IS FOLLOWED BY MORE DREAMS THAT ARE MORE TERRIFYING AND HORRIFIC. WITH A HISTORY OF MENTAL ILLNESS IN HIS FAMILY, CURTIS STARTS SEEING A COUNSELOR TO HELP, BUT THE DREAMS GET WORSE AND CURTIS EVEN BEGINS TO HALLUCINATE WHILE AWAKE. BELIEVING THE END IS NEAR, CURTIS BUILDS A STORM SHELTER FOR PROTECTION, BUT THAT ONLY CAUSES MORE PROBLEMS FOR HIMSELF, HIS MARRIAGE, HIS FAMILY AND HIS FRIENDS.
THIS IS AN OUTSTANDING MOVIE. IT HAS MANY LAYERS THAT CAN BE INTERPRETED IN SO MANY DIFFERENT WAYS, DEPENDING ON HOW YOU VIEW THE MOVIE. BOTH SHANNON AND CHASTAIN GIVE REMARKABLE BELIEVABLE PERFORMANCES: HE AS A PERSON WHO THINKS HE IS SLOWLY GOING INSANE BUT HAS NO IDEA WHY OR WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT, WITH THIS ALL CONSUMING DESIRE TO BUILD A SHELTER TO PROTECT HIS FAMILY; SHE AS A PERSON WHO IS WATCHING THE MAN SHE LOVES BECOME SOMEONE ELSE, NOT KNOWING WHY, BUT THERE TO SUPPORT HIM, AND THEN WHEN SHE LEARNS EVERYTHING, RATHER THAN RUNNING SHE STAYS TO HELP IN ANY WAY SHE CAN.
THE MOVIE IS SOMEWHAT SLOW MOVING, BUT THE STORM SEQUENCES ARE FULL OF TENSION AND DREAD, AND ALONG THE WAY THE MOVIE DOES BUILD TO SOME SMALL CLIMAXES, AND THEN FINALLY TO THE ENDING, WHICH SHOULD BE LEFT FOR THE VIEWER TO DECIDE UPON. THIS IS A MUST WATCH MOVIE.
RATING 3.5 out of 5
CURTIS (SHANNON) IS A MIDDLE CLASS FAMILY MAN MARRIED TO SAMANTHA (CHASTAIN) WITH A DAUGHTER. HE WORKS AS A WELL DRILLER ON A CONSTRUCTION SITE. ONE DAY HE HAS A NIGHTMARE ABOUT AN APOCALYPTIC STORM, WHICH IS FOLLOWED BY MORE DREAMS THAT ARE MORE TERRIFYING AND HORRIFIC. WITH A HISTORY OF MENTAL ILLNESS IN HIS FAMILY, CURTIS STARTS SEEING A COUNSELOR TO HELP, BUT THE DREAMS GET WORSE AND CURTIS EVEN BEGINS TO HALLUCINATE WHILE AWAKE. BELIEVING THE END IS NEAR, CURTIS BUILDS A STORM SHELTER FOR PROTECTION, BUT THAT ONLY CAUSES MORE PROBLEMS FOR HIMSELF, HIS MARRIAGE, HIS FAMILY AND HIS FRIENDS.
THIS IS AN OUTSTANDING MOVIE. IT HAS MANY LAYERS THAT CAN BE INTERPRETED IN SO MANY DIFFERENT WAYS, DEPENDING ON HOW YOU VIEW THE MOVIE. BOTH SHANNON AND CHASTAIN GIVE REMARKABLE BELIEVABLE PERFORMANCES: HE AS A PERSON WHO THINKS HE IS SLOWLY GOING INSANE BUT HAS NO IDEA WHY OR WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT, WITH THIS ALL CONSUMING DESIRE TO BUILD A SHELTER TO PROTECT HIS FAMILY; SHE AS A PERSON WHO IS WATCHING THE MAN SHE LOVES BECOME SOMEONE ELSE, NOT KNOWING WHY, BUT THERE TO SUPPORT HIM, AND THEN WHEN SHE LEARNS EVERYTHING, RATHER THAN RUNNING SHE STAYS TO HELP IN ANY WAY SHE CAN.
THE MOVIE IS SOMEWHAT SLOW MOVING, BUT THE STORM SEQUENCES ARE FULL OF TENSION AND DREAD, AND ALONG THE WAY THE MOVIE DOES BUILD TO SOME SMALL CLIMAXES, AND THEN FINALLY TO THE ENDING, WHICH SHOULD BE LEFT FOR THE VIEWER TO DECIDE UPON. THIS IS A MUST WATCH MOVIE.
RATING 3.5 out of 5
TEXAS KILLING FIELDS
SAM WORTHINGTON JEFFREY DEAN MORGAN JESSICA CHASTAIN CHLOE
GRACE MORETZ
SET IN TEXAS CITY, TEXAS, THIS MOVIE FOLLOWS THE LIVES OF TWO HOMICIDE DETECTIVES, MIKE SOUDER (WORTHINGTON) AND BRIAN HEIGH (MORGAN) AS THEY TRY TO SOLVE NOT ONLY A MURDER IN THEIR OWN TOWN, BUT ALSO HELP OUT A FELLOW DETECTIVE, PAM STALL (CHASTAIN) AS SHE TRIES TO SOLVE A SERIES OF MURDERS OCCURRING IN THE BAYOUS, ALSO KNOWN AS THE KILLING FIELDS.
THIS MOVIE SEEMS TO HAVE A LACK OF DIRECTION. AFTER WATCHING IT I COULDN'T DECIDE IF IT WAS ABOUT THE DETECTIVES, ABOUT THE MURDERS OR ABOUT BOTH OF THEM. THEY ARE BOTH COMPELLING STORIES AND IF THE DIRECTOR HAD CHOSEN ONE TO BE THE MAIN FOCUS, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A LOT BETTER MOVIE.
THE STORY ASIDE, THE ACTING WAS GENERALLY GOOD. WORTHINGTON OVERACTED IN A FEW SCENES, MORGAN SEEMED ALMOST ASLEEP IN A FEW SCENES, CHASTAIN AS THE LONE FEMALE IN A MALE DOMINATED SOUTHERN WORLD WAS VERY GOOD, BUT MORETZ, AS LITTLE ANN, SHOWED ONCE AGAIN WHAT AN OUTSTANDING ACTOR SHE IS. HER CHARACTER IS ABUSED AND NEGLECTED, AND SHE WAS ABLE TO EXPRESS HER FEELINGS INCREDIBLY WELL, SOMETIMES ONLY THROUGH A LOOK.
I ALSO LIKED THE FEEL OF THE MOVIE. THE DIRECTOR WAS ABLE TO CAPTURE THE LONELINESS AND THE CREEPINESS OF THE BAYOUS, THE STARK CONTRAST OF HOW PEOPLE LIVED AND THE INTERACTIONS BETWEEN PEOPLE, RATHER IT BE RACIALLY MOTIVATED, POLICE--CRIMINAL OR JUST A FAMILY GET TOGETHER. I WILL RECOMMEND THIS MOVIE, BUT WITH SOME RESERVATIONS.
RATING 2.5 out of 5
GRACE MORETZ
SET IN TEXAS CITY, TEXAS, THIS MOVIE FOLLOWS THE LIVES OF TWO HOMICIDE DETECTIVES, MIKE SOUDER (WORTHINGTON) AND BRIAN HEIGH (MORGAN) AS THEY TRY TO SOLVE NOT ONLY A MURDER IN THEIR OWN TOWN, BUT ALSO HELP OUT A FELLOW DETECTIVE, PAM STALL (CHASTAIN) AS SHE TRIES TO SOLVE A SERIES OF MURDERS OCCURRING IN THE BAYOUS, ALSO KNOWN AS THE KILLING FIELDS.
THIS MOVIE SEEMS TO HAVE A LACK OF DIRECTION. AFTER WATCHING IT I COULDN'T DECIDE IF IT WAS ABOUT THE DETECTIVES, ABOUT THE MURDERS OR ABOUT BOTH OF THEM. THEY ARE BOTH COMPELLING STORIES AND IF THE DIRECTOR HAD CHOSEN ONE TO BE THE MAIN FOCUS, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A LOT BETTER MOVIE.
THE STORY ASIDE, THE ACTING WAS GENERALLY GOOD. WORTHINGTON OVERACTED IN A FEW SCENES, MORGAN SEEMED ALMOST ASLEEP IN A FEW SCENES, CHASTAIN AS THE LONE FEMALE IN A MALE DOMINATED SOUTHERN WORLD WAS VERY GOOD, BUT MORETZ, AS LITTLE ANN, SHOWED ONCE AGAIN WHAT AN OUTSTANDING ACTOR SHE IS. HER CHARACTER IS ABUSED AND NEGLECTED, AND SHE WAS ABLE TO EXPRESS HER FEELINGS INCREDIBLY WELL, SOMETIMES ONLY THROUGH A LOOK.
I ALSO LIKED THE FEEL OF THE MOVIE. THE DIRECTOR WAS ABLE TO CAPTURE THE LONELINESS AND THE CREEPINESS OF THE BAYOUS, THE STARK CONTRAST OF HOW PEOPLE LIVED AND THE INTERACTIONS BETWEEN PEOPLE, RATHER IT BE RACIALLY MOTIVATED, POLICE--CRIMINAL OR JUST A FAMILY GET TOGETHER. I WILL RECOMMEND THIS MOVIE, BUT WITH SOME RESERVATIONS.
RATING 2.5 out of 5
Monday, July 16, 2012
RESURRECTION COUNTY
TWO COUPLES ARE ON A CAMPING TRIP. THEY END UP IN RESURRECTION COUNTY WHERE THEY RUN AFOUL OF SOME SOUTHERN REDNECK RELIGIOUS ZEALOTS WHO TAKE THE "EYE FOR AN EYE" REVENGE TENET VERY SERIOUSLY.
THERE'S NOT A LOT TO SAY ABOUT THIS MOVIE. I WOULD DESCRIBE IT AS SOUTHERN REDNECK TORTURE PORN DELIVERED TO BOTH MALES AND FEMALES IN A BRUTAL HUMILIATING FASHION THAT AT TIMES IS HARD TO WATCH. I SUPPOSE IF YOU ARE INTO THIS TYPE OF FILM, THEN RESURRECTION COUNTY SHOULD GO ON YOUR WATCH LIST: THE TORTURE SCENES ARE DONE WELL AND ARE EFFECTIVE. THE LITTLE BITS OF RELIGIOUS THEOLOGY THROWN IN ALONG THE WAY MAKE IT EVEN SEEM MORE DISTURBING.
RATING 2.5 out of 5
THERE'S NOT A LOT TO SAY ABOUT THIS MOVIE. I WOULD DESCRIBE IT AS SOUTHERN REDNECK TORTURE PORN DELIVERED TO BOTH MALES AND FEMALES IN A BRUTAL HUMILIATING FASHION THAT AT TIMES IS HARD TO WATCH. I SUPPOSE IF YOU ARE INTO THIS TYPE OF FILM, THEN RESURRECTION COUNTY SHOULD GO ON YOUR WATCH LIST: THE TORTURE SCENES ARE DONE WELL AND ARE EFFECTIVE. THE LITTLE BITS OF RELIGIOUS THEOLOGY THROWN IN ALONG THE WAY MAKE IT EVEN SEEM MORE DISTURBING.
RATING 2.5 out of 5
PLAYBACK
IN 1994, HARLAN DIEHL MURDERS HIS ENTIRE FAMILY AND VIDEO TAPES THE WHOLE INCIDENT. EIGHTEEN YEARS LATER, AS PART OF A SCHOOL ASSIGNMENT, 6 FRIENDS DECIDE TO INVESTIGATE THE MURDERS AND DO A REPORT ON THEM. HOWEVER, WHEN WATCHING ONE OF THE TAPES, ONE OF THE GROUP GETS POSSESSED BY THE SPIRIT OF DIEHL AND GOES ON A MURDER SPREE.
FOR A HORROR MOVIE, THE STORY WAS WELL DONE AND HAD MORE TWISTS AND TURNS THAN MIGHT BE EXPECTED, ALTHOUGH IT WAS THIN ENOUGH TO SEE WHERE THE STORY WAS GOING AND HOW IT WOULD END. THE MURDERS WEREN'T SOAKED IN BLOOD BUT WERE VIOLENT AND GORY ENOUGH TO BE EFFECTIVE. THE ACTORS WHO PLAYED THE MAIN CHARACTERS DID A GOOD JOB AND SEEMED TO BE BELIEVABLE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. A GOOD CHOICE FOR A WEEKEND HORROR MOVIE FEST.
RATING 2.5 out of 5
FOR A HORROR MOVIE, THE STORY WAS WELL DONE AND HAD MORE TWISTS AND TURNS THAN MIGHT BE EXPECTED, ALTHOUGH IT WAS THIN ENOUGH TO SEE WHERE THE STORY WAS GOING AND HOW IT WOULD END. THE MURDERS WEREN'T SOAKED IN BLOOD BUT WERE VIOLENT AND GORY ENOUGH TO BE EFFECTIVE. THE ACTORS WHO PLAYED THE MAIN CHARACTERS DID A GOOD JOB AND SEEMED TO BE BELIEVABLE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. A GOOD CHOICE FOR A WEEKEND HORROR MOVIE FEST.
RATING 2.5 out of 5
RESTRAINT
STEPHAN MOYER TRAVIS FIMMEL TERESA PALMER
RON AND DALE (FIMMEL AND PALMER) ARE FELONS ON THE RUN. THEY END UP AT A COUNTRY ESTATE OWNED BY ANDREW (MOYER) WHO HAS JUST SPLIT UP WITH HIS FIANCEE AND ALSO HAPPENS TO BE AGORAPHOBIC. ANDREW, IN TRYING NOT TO DIE, SUGGESTS A PLAN TO RON AND DALE THAT WILL GET THEM A LOT OF MONEY.
RESTRAINT IS ANOTHER WELL DONE AUSTRALIAN THRILLER. ALL THE CHARACTERS ARE WELL DEVELOPED: RON IS JUST A LITTLE CRAZY, CAN BE SCARY AND BRUTAL, YET AT TIMES SHOWS HUMOR AND A WARMNESS; DALE STARTS OFF COMPLETELY DEVOTED TO RON, BUT AS SHE WATCHES RON AND LEARNS MORE ABOUT ANDREW, SHE SLOWLY STARTS HAVING FEELINGS FOR ANDREW; WITH ANDREW, HE STARTS OFF JUST TRYING TO SURVIVE, AND THEN IN GETTING TO KNOW RON AND DALE BETTER, HE BEGINS TO USE THEIR WEAKNESSES AGAINST THEM TO GAIN THE UPPER HAND. WHILE THIS IS A THRILLER THAT HAS IT'S VIOLENT AND SHOCKING MOMENTS, IT IS MORE OF A CHARACTER STUDY THAT IS DONE VERY WELL. PUT THIS IN YOUR QUEUE AND WATCH IT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
RATING 3 out of 5
RON AND DALE (FIMMEL AND PALMER) ARE FELONS ON THE RUN. THEY END UP AT A COUNTRY ESTATE OWNED BY ANDREW (MOYER) WHO HAS JUST SPLIT UP WITH HIS FIANCEE AND ALSO HAPPENS TO BE AGORAPHOBIC. ANDREW, IN TRYING NOT TO DIE, SUGGESTS A PLAN TO RON AND DALE THAT WILL GET THEM A LOT OF MONEY.
RESTRAINT IS ANOTHER WELL DONE AUSTRALIAN THRILLER. ALL THE CHARACTERS ARE WELL DEVELOPED: RON IS JUST A LITTLE CRAZY, CAN BE SCARY AND BRUTAL, YET AT TIMES SHOWS HUMOR AND A WARMNESS; DALE STARTS OFF COMPLETELY DEVOTED TO RON, BUT AS SHE WATCHES RON AND LEARNS MORE ABOUT ANDREW, SHE SLOWLY STARTS HAVING FEELINGS FOR ANDREW; WITH ANDREW, HE STARTS OFF JUST TRYING TO SURVIVE, AND THEN IN GETTING TO KNOW RON AND DALE BETTER, HE BEGINS TO USE THEIR WEAKNESSES AGAINST THEM TO GAIN THE UPPER HAND. WHILE THIS IS A THRILLER THAT HAS IT'S VIOLENT AND SHOCKING MOMENTS, IT IS MORE OF A CHARACTER STUDY THAT IS DONE VERY WELL. PUT THIS IN YOUR QUEUE AND WATCH IT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
RATING 3 out of 5
TRESPASS
NICOLAS CAGE NICOLE KIDMAN LIANA LIBERATO BEN MENDELSOHN
CAM GIGANDET
KYLE MILLER (CAGE) IS A SUCCESSFUL DIAMOND DEALER. ONE NIGHT, HIS HOUSE GETS INVADED BY A GANG OF BURGLARS, LED BY BROTHERS ELIAS AND JONAH
(MENDELSOHN AND GIGANDET.) MILLER'S WIFE SARAH (KIDMAN) AND DAUGHTER AVERY (LIBERATO) ARE ALSO HELD CAPTIVE BY THE GANG.
I WAS EXPECTING SO MUCH MORE FROM THIS MOVIE, BUT GOT NOTHING BUT DISAPPOINTMENT. THE STORY IS THIN, THERE ARE SOME HUGE PLOT HOLES AND IN GENERAL, THE ACTING IS SO OVER THE TOP IT ALMOST BECOMES HARD TO WATCH. THERE ARE INCONSISTENCIES IN THE CHARACTERS: SARAH, WHEN HIT ON BY JONAH, REBUFFS HIM FORCEFULLY YET WHEN DEALING WITH THE GANG SHE BECOMES A SCREAMING MESS; KYLE, WHEN PUSHED BY ELIAS, ACTS SCARED AND COWARDLY, YET THEN HE DOES A COMPLETE TURNAROUND AND BECOMES A STRONG FIGHTER.
ON THE PLUS SIDE, I THOUGHT MENDELSOHN DID A GOOD JOB AS THE LEADER OF THE GANG: FOR THE MOST PART HE REMAINS SUBDUED AND DETERMINED, MAKING ELIAS SEEM THAT MUCH MORE MENACING. YOU PROBABLY SHOULD SKIP THIS ONE.
RATING 2 out of 5
CAM GIGANDET
KYLE MILLER (CAGE) IS A SUCCESSFUL DIAMOND DEALER. ONE NIGHT, HIS HOUSE GETS INVADED BY A GANG OF BURGLARS, LED BY BROTHERS ELIAS AND JONAH
(MENDELSOHN AND GIGANDET.) MILLER'S WIFE SARAH (KIDMAN) AND DAUGHTER AVERY (LIBERATO) ARE ALSO HELD CAPTIVE BY THE GANG.
I WAS EXPECTING SO MUCH MORE FROM THIS MOVIE, BUT GOT NOTHING BUT DISAPPOINTMENT. THE STORY IS THIN, THERE ARE SOME HUGE PLOT HOLES AND IN GENERAL, THE ACTING IS SO OVER THE TOP IT ALMOST BECOMES HARD TO WATCH. THERE ARE INCONSISTENCIES IN THE CHARACTERS: SARAH, WHEN HIT ON BY JONAH, REBUFFS HIM FORCEFULLY YET WHEN DEALING WITH THE GANG SHE BECOMES A SCREAMING MESS; KYLE, WHEN PUSHED BY ELIAS, ACTS SCARED AND COWARDLY, YET THEN HE DOES A COMPLETE TURNAROUND AND BECOMES A STRONG FIGHTER.
ON THE PLUS SIDE, I THOUGHT MENDELSOHN DID A GOOD JOB AS THE LEADER OF THE GANG: FOR THE MOST PART HE REMAINS SUBDUED AND DETERMINED, MAKING ELIAS SEEM THAT MUCH MORE MENACING. YOU PROBABLY SHOULD SKIP THIS ONE.
RATING 2 out of 5
Monday, July 9, 2012
TERROR AT BLOOD FART LAKE
A GROUP OF COLLEGE FRIENDS DECIDE TO HAVE ONE LAST FLING BEFORE SCHOOL STARTS, BUT RUN INTO A CRAZED KILLER.
THIS MOVIE TRIES TO BE A CAMPY SATIRICAL TAKE ON SLASHER MOVIES, BUT FAILS IN A BLAST OF NUCLEAR ANNIHILATION. I THINK IF EVERYTHING HAD BEEN TONED DOWN A FEW NOTCHES THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A MUCH BETTER MOVIE. BUT THE ACTING, COSTUMES AND WRITING ARE SO OVER THE TOP THAT IT ALL BECOMES UNBEARABLE AND IRRITATING. THERE ARE A FEW MOMENTS OF HUMOR AND SOME RAUNCHY LINES THAT WERE FUNNY, BUT FOR THE MOST PART, IT WAS JUST BAD.
RATING 1 out of 5
THIS MOVIE TRIES TO BE A CAMPY SATIRICAL TAKE ON SLASHER MOVIES, BUT FAILS IN A BLAST OF NUCLEAR ANNIHILATION. I THINK IF EVERYTHING HAD BEEN TONED DOWN A FEW NOTCHES THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A MUCH BETTER MOVIE. BUT THE ACTING, COSTUMES AND WRITING ARE SO OVER THE TOP THAT IT ALL BECOMES UNBEARABLE AND IRRITATING. THERE ARE A FEW MOMENTS OF HUMOR AND SOME RAUNCHY LINES THAT WERE FUNNY, BUT FOR THE MOST PART, IT WAS JUST BAD.
RATING 1 out of 5
THE GIRL IN THE BASEMENT
ALEC IS AN INTROVERTED 23 YEAR OLD VIRGIN WHO COMES FROM AN ABUSIVE FAMILY. HE'S WORKING AS A DISHWASHER AND GETS A CRUSH ON KATE, ONE OF THE SERVERS AT THE RESTAURANT. HE FINALLY GETS UP THE COURAGE TO ASK HER OUT, BUT ON THEIR DATE KATE IS MORE INTERESTED IN CHECKING THE TIME THAN GETTING TO KNOW ALEC. ALEC SNAPS, KNOCKS HER OUT, KIDNAPS HER AND TIES HER UP IN HIS BASEMENT.
WE NEVER FIND OUT WHY ALEC KIDNAPS KATE, AND HE NEVER REALLY FIGURES OUT WHAT TO DO WITH HER. DURING HER TIME IN THE BASEMENT KATE SLOWLY LEARNS JUST HOW MENTALLY UNSTABLE ALEC IS, AND SHE BEGINS TO USE WHAT SHE LEARNS TO BECOME FRIENDS WITH ALEC IN HOPES HE WILL LET HER GO. ALEC AND KATE HAVE SOME INTERESTING INTERACTIONS, THINGS YOU DON'T ALWAYS SEE IN A MOVIE THAT, IN GENERAL, RING TRUE. FINALLY, EVERYTHING IS RESOLVED WHEN ALEC ATTACKS HIS ABUSIVE MOM WHILE AT THE SAME TIME ONE OF KATE'S FRIENDS SHOWS UP AND FINDS HER.
THIS MOVIE IS LISTED AS "REINDEER GAMES" AT IMDB. IT WAS CHANGED TO "THE GIRL IN THE BASEMENT" WHEN THE BEN AFFLECK "REINDEER GAMES" CAME OUT IN 2000. ALSO, IN A TRAGIC EVENT, SHAYNE WORCESTER, THE DIRECTOR, WAS KILLED IN A RANDOM MUGGING IN SAN FRANCISCO IN 1999. THIS MOVIE WAS MADE IN 1996.
RATING 2.5 out of 5
WE NEVER FIND OUT WHY ALEC KIDNAPS KATE, AND HE NEVER REALLY FIGURES OUT WHAT TO DO WITH HER. DURING HER TIME IN THE BASEMENT KATE SLOWLY LEARNS JUST HOW MENTALLY UNSTABLE ALEC IS, AND SHE BEGINS TO USE WHAT SHE LEARNS TO BECOME FRIENDS WITH ALEC IN HOPES HE WILL LET HER GO. ALEC AND KATE HAVE SOME INTERESTING INTERACTIONS, THINGS YOU DON'T ALWAYS SEE IN A MOVIE THAT, IN GENERAL, RING TRUE. FINALLY, EVERYTHING IS RESOLVED WHEN ALEC ATTACKS HIS ABUSIVE MOM WHILE AT THE SAME TIME ONE OF KATE'S FRIENDS SHOWS UP AND FINDS HER.
THIS MOVIE IS LISTED AS "REINDEER GAMES" AT IMDB. IT WAS CHANGED TO "THE GIRL IN THE BASEMENT" WHEN THE BEN AFFLECK "REINDEER GAMES" CAME OUT IN 2000. ALSO, IN A TRAGIC EVENT, SHAYNE WORCESTER, THE DIRECTOR, WAS KILLED IN A RANDOM MUGGING IN SAN FRANCISCO IN 1999. THIS MOVIE WAS MADE IN 1996.
RATING 2.5 out of 5
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
ARENA
SAMUEL L. JACKSON KELLAN LUTZ KATIA WINTER
DAVID LORD (LUTZ) IS KIDNAPPED BY MILLA (WINTER) AND FORCED INTO A BRUTAL ONLINE FIGHTING SITE RUN BY LOGAN (JACKSON.) THE FIGHTS ARE TO THE DEATH, AND LORD MAKES A DEAL WITH LOGAN THAT IF HE CAN SURVIVE 10 FIGHTS THEN HE WILL GET HIS FREEDOM.
THERE'S NOT MUCH TO THIS MOVIE. IT'S BRUTAL, VIOLENT AND BLOODY WITH A VERY THIN STORY. I'M NOT SURE WHY JACKSON WOULD BE IN CRAP LIKE THIS, MAYBE HE NEEDED THE MONEY. THE ACTING IS OKAY, THE FIGHT SCENES AREN'T EVEN STAGED THAT WELL AND SEEM TO BE VERY SHORT, AND I FOUND THE REACTIONS OF THE PEOPLE WATCHING ONLINE TO BE A LOT MORE ENTERTAINING THAN ANYTHING ELSE. I WOULD SAY IT IS HIGHLY PREDICTABLE, BUT THEN THE ENDING HITS YOU IN THE FACE LIKE SOME SLIMY FISH: CONCOCTED, ILL CONCEIVED AND PUT THERE TO MAKE IT SEEM LIKE SOME REDEEMING VALUE BUT IT ONLY MAKES THE VIEWER FEEL CHEATED AND LET DOWN. IF YOU ARE INTO BRUTALITY, VIOLENCE AND GORE THAN WATCH THIS MOVIE, IF NOT, THAN AVOID IT AT ALL COSTS.
RATING 2 out of 5
DAVID LORD (LUTZ) IS KIDNAPPED BY MILLA (WINTER) AND FORCED INTO A BRUTAL ONLINE FIGHTING SITE RUN BY LOGAN (JACKSON.) THE FIGHTS ARE TO THE DEATH, AND LORD MAKES A DEAL WITH LOGAN THAT IF HE CAN SURVIVE 10 FIGHTS THEN HE WILL GET HIS FREEDOM.
THERE'S NOT MUCH TO THIS MOVIE. IT'S BRUTAL, VIOLENT AND BLOODY WITH A VERY THIN STORY. I'M NOT SURE WHY JACKSON WOULD BE IN CRAP LIKE THIS, MAYBE HE NEEDED THE MONEY. THE ACTING IS OKAY, THE FIGHT SCENES AREN'T EVEN STAGED THAT WELL AND SEEM TO BE VERY SHORT, AND I FOUND THE REACTIONS OF THE PEOPLE WATCHING ONLINE TO BE A LOT MORE ENTERTAINING THAN ANYTHING ELSE. I WOULD SAY IT IS HIGHLY PREDICTABLE, BUT THEN THE ENDING HITS YOU IN THE FACE LIKE SOME SLIMY FISH: CONCOCTED, ILL CONCEIVED AND PUT THERE TO MAKE IT SEEM LIKE SOME REDEEMING VALUE BUT IT ONLY MAKES THE VIEWER FEEL CHEATED AND LET DOWN. IF YOU ARE INTO BRUTALITY, VIOLENCE AND GORE THAN WATCH THIS MOVIE, IF NOT, THAN AVOID IT AT ALL COSTS.
RATING 2 out of 5
THE DEBT
HELEN MIRREN TOM WILKINSON JESSICA CHASTAIN
SAM WORTHINGTON MARTON CSOKAS CIARAN HINDS
IN 1965 THREE MOSSAD AGENTS (CHASTAIN, WORTHINGTON AND CSOKAS) ARE SENT TO EAST GERMANY TO CAPTURE DIETER VOGEL, A NAZI WAR CRIMINAL. WHEN PROBLEMS ARISE, THEY DECIDE TO KEEP A SECRET ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED. THIRTY YEARS LATER, THE THREE (MIRREN, HINDS AND WILKINSON) DISCOVER THEIR SECRET MAY NOT BE SAFE AND DECIDE TO FIX THE PROBLEM.
THE MOVIE JUMPS BETWEEN 1965 AND 1997, BUT IT IS EASY TO FOLLOW AND THE BULK OF THE STORY TAKES PLACE IN 1965. WHILE THE STORY IS CENTERED ON THE CHARACTER OF RACHEL, PLAYED BY MIRREN AND CHASTAIN, WHO BOTH DO A VERY GOOD JOB, ALL OF THE OTHER ACTORS ARE GOOD IN THEIR ROLES. AND ALTHOUGH THE STORY DOES DELVE INTO A COUPLE OF SUB PLOTS, THE DIRECTOR KEEPS HIS AIM ON THE PREPARATION AND CAPTURE OF VOGEL AND THEN THE RESULTING PROBLEMS. THE SUSPENSE IS THERE; IT'S NOT AN EDGE OF YOUR SEAT THRILL RIDE, BUT THERE ARE SOME UNEXPECTED EVENTS THAT WILL KEEP YOUR INTEREST AND MAKE YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS. I FOUND THIS TO BE A GOOD SPY THRILLER AND RECOMMEND IT.
RATING 3.5 out of 5
SAM WORTHINGTON MARTON CSOKAS CIARAN HINDS
IN 1965 THREE MOSSAD AGENTS (CHASTAIN, WORTHINGTON AND CSOKAS) ARE SENT TO EAST GERMANY TO CAPTURE DIETER VOGEL, A NAZI WAR CRIMINAL. WHEN PROBLEMS ARISE, THEY DECIDE TO KEEP A SECRET ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED. THIRTY YEARS LATER, THE THREE (MIRREN, HINDS AND WILKINSON) DISCOVER THEIR SECRET MAY NOT BE SAFE AND DECIDE TO FIX THE PROBLEM.
THE MOVIE JUMPS BETWEEN 1965 AND 1997, BUT IT IS EASY TO FOLLOW AND THE BULK OF THE STORY TAKES PLACE IN 1965. WHILE THE STORY IS CENTERED ON THE CHARACTER OF RACHEL, PLAYED BY MIRREN AND CHASTAIN, WHO BOTH DO A VERY GOOD JOB, ALL OF THE OTHER ACTORS ARE GOOD IN THEIR ROLES. AND ALTHOUGH THE STORY DOES DELVE INTO A COUPLE OF SUB PLOTS, THE DIRECTOR KEEPS HIS AIM ON THE PREPARATION AND CAPTURE OF VOGEL AND THEN THE RESULTING PROBLEMS. THE SUSPENSE IS THERE; IT'S NOT AN EDGE OF YOUR SEAT THRILL RIDE, BUT THERE ARE SOME UNEXPECTED EVENTS THAT WILL KEEP YOUR INTEREST AND MAKE YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS. I FOUND THIS TO BE A GOOD SPY THRILLER AND RECOMMEND IT.
RATING 3.5 out of 5
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