PAUL GIAMATTI AMY RYAN JEFFREY TAMBOR BOBBY CANNAVALE
BURT YOUNG ALEX SHAFFER MELANIE LYNSKEY
MIKE (GIAMATTI) IS A STRUGGLING LAWYER MARRIED TO JACKIE (RYAN) WITH TWO KIDS. HE ALSO VOLUNTEERS AS THE HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING COACH WITH HIS TWO FRIENDS VIG (TAMBOR) AND TERRY (CANNAVALE). THEIR TEAM LOSES MORE MATCHES THAN IT WINS. MIKE IS THE COURT APPOINTED LAWYER FOR LEO (YOUNG), WHO IS WEALTHY BUT SUFFERING FROM DEMENTIA. DURING A HEARING, MIKE DECIDES TO BECOME THE LEGAL GUARDIAN FOR LEO ONLY SO HE CAN GET THE $1500 MONTHLY STIPEND. ALL SEEMS GOOD UNTIL LEO'S GRANDSON KYLE (SHAFFER) SHOWS UP, RUNNING AWAY FROM HIS MOTHER CINDY (LYNSKEY). KYLE ALSO HAPPENS TOP BE A CHAMPION WRESTLER.
WIN WIN HAS IT ALL: COMEDY, DRAMA, ACTION, A WELL WRITTEN STORY AND GREAT PERFORMANCES, MAINLY FROM THE ALWAYS EXCELLENT GIAMATTI. HE HAS PLAYED THIS TYPE OF DOWN ON HIS LUCK CHARACTER MANY TIMES, AND IT SHOWS IN HIS PERFORMANCE THAT HE KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT TO DO AND HOW TO DO IT TO MAKE MIKE COMPLETELY BELIEVABLE. I ALSO FOUND SHAFFER'S PERFORMANCE AS KYLE TO BE QUITE GOOD: HE IS STRUGGLING WITH THE RELATIONSHIP TO HIS MOTHER, TRYING TO FIT IN AT A NEW SCHOOL, GET BACK INTO WRESTLING, LIVING WITH A NEW FAMILY AND GETTING TO KNOW HIS GRANDFATHER.
RATING 3 out of 5
Monday, September 24, 2012
LUCKY
COLIN HANKS ARI GRAYNOR ANN-MARGARET JEFFREY TAMBOR
BEN (HANKS) HAS JUST WON THE STATE LOTTERY, MEETS, DATES AND MARRIES HIS CHILDHOOD FRIEND LUCY (GRAYNOR), LIVES WITH HIS MOM PAULINE (MARGARET) AND IS BEING INVESTIGATED BY DETECTIVE WAYLON (TAMBOR). BEN ALSO HAS A LITTLE SECRET: HE IS A SERIAL KILLER.
LUCKY IS A VERY DARK COMEDY. THE PERFORMANCES ARE GREAT, ESPECIALLY HANKS AS BEN, WHO HAS CREATED A VERY QUIRKY CHARACTER, AND GRAYNOR AS LUCY, WHO DELIVERS MOST OF THE COMEDY IN A VERY STRANGE BUT LIKABLE WAY. THE STORY, WHILE SOMEWHAT FAR FETCHED, IS WELL WRITTEN AND STAYS WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF WHAT IS LAID OUT IN THE MOVIE. FINALLY, WHILE THIS IS A COMEDY, YOU SHOULD ALSO BE AWARE THAT IT DOES DEAL WITH A SERIAL KILLER AND THEREFORE HAS SOME SCENES THAT ARE NOT VERY FUNNY, ALTHOUGH NOTHING IS TOO GRAPHIC OR GORY.
RATING 3 out of 5
BEN (HANKS) HAS JUST WON THE STATE LOTTERY, MEETS, DATES AND MARRIES HIS CHILDHOOD FRIEND LUCY (GRAYNOR), LIVES WITH HIS MOM PAULINE (MARGARET) AND IS BEING INVESTIGATED BY DETECTIVE WAYLON (TAMBOR). BEN ALSO HAS A LITTLE SECRET: HE IS A SERIAL KILLER.
LUCKY IS A VERY DARK COMEDY. THE PERFORMANCES ARE GREAT, ESPECIALLY HANKS AS BEN, WHO HAS CREATED A VERY QUIRKY CHARACTER, AND GRAYNOR AS LUCY, WHO DELIVERS MOST OF THE COMEDY IN A VERY STRANGE BUT LIKABLE WAY. THE STORY, WHILE SOMEWHAT FAR FETCHED, IS WELL WRITTEN AND STAYS WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF WHAT IS LAID OUT IN THE MOVIE. FINALLY, WHILE THIS IS A COMEDY, YOU SHOULD ALSO BE AWARE THAT IT DOES DEAL WITH A SERIAL KILLER AND THEREFORE HAS SOME SCENES THAT ARE NOT VERY FUNNY, ALTHOUGH NOTHING IS TOO GRAPHIC OR GORY.
RATING 3 out of 5
Monday, September 17, 2012
ENTER NOWHERE
SCOTT EASTWOOD KATHERINE WATERSTON SARA PAXTON
TOM, JODY AND SAMANTHA (EASTWOOD, PAXTON AND WATERSTON) ARE THREE STRANGERS WHO END UP AT A DESERTED CABIN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WOODS. AS THE MOVIE UNFOLDS, THEY BEGIN TO LEARN ABOUT THEMSELVES AND EACH OTHER, FINALLY REALIZING WHY THEY ARE THERE AND WHAT THEY MUST DO TO SURVIVE.
AS A VIEWER, WE ARE DROPPED INTO THIS STORY AND WE HAVE TO LEARN WHAT IS GOING ON AS THE CHARACTERS LEARN WHAT IS GOING ON. IT IS A VERY EFFECTIVE WAY OF TELLING A STORY, SINCE IT KEEPS US INVOLVED AND INTERESTED IN THE MOVIE.
AS FOR THE MOVIE, IT IS VERY WELL DONE. THE STORY IS STRONG AND THE DIRECTION KEEPS THINGS MOVING. WITH THE THEME OF THIS STORY, IT IS VERY EASY TO GET THE VIEWER CONFUSED, BUT THE DIRECTOR AVOIDS THAT AND MAKES IT UNDERSTANDABLE.
THE ACTING IS ALSO GOOD. EASTWOOD KEEPS TOM FROM TURNING INTO A JERK AND MAKES HIS WANTING TO CARE FOR THE OTHERS SEEM TRUTHFUL AND BELIEVABLE. PAXTON PLAYS JODY AS THE INDEPENDENT AND SMART ASS ONE WHO JUST WANTS TO LEAVE. HOWEVER, AS HER CHARACTER GROWS, SHE BECOMES SUPPORTIVE AND CARING TO THE OTHER TWO. FINALLY, AS SAMANTHA, WATERSTON IS THE WEAKEST OF THE THREE. BUT WHEN SHE HAS TO STEP UP AND HELP, SHE DOES IT WITHOUT QUESTION.
FINALLY, THE TWIST AT THE END IS NOT TOO UNEXPECTED, BUT IF YOU WEREN'T WATCHING CLOSELY, YOU MIGHT BE SURPRISED. THIS IS A MOVIE I WOULD EASILY RECOMMEND.
RATING 3 out of 5
TOM, JODY AND SAMANTHA (EASTWOOD, PAXTON AND WATERSTON) ARE THREE STRANGERS WHO END UP AT A DESERTED CABIN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WOODS. AS THE MOVIE UNFOLDS, THEY BEGIN TO LEARN ABOUT THEMSELVES AND EACH OTHER, FINALLY REALIZING WHY THEY ARE THERE AND WHAT THEY MUST DO TO SURVIVE.
AS A VIEWER, WE ARE DROPPED INTO THIS STORY AND WE HAVE TO LEARN WHAT IS GOING ON AS THE CHARACTERS LEARN WHAT IS GOING ON. IT IS A VERY EFFECTIVE WAY OF TELLING A STORY, SINCE IT KEEPS US INVOLVED AND INTERESTED IN THE MOVIE.
AS FOR THE MOVIE, IT IS VERY WELL DONE. THE STORY IS STRONG AND THE DIRECTION KEEPS THINGS MOVING. WITH THE THEME OF THIS STORY, IT IS VERY EASY TO GET THE VIEWER CONFUSED, BUT THE DIRECTOR AVOIDS THAT AND MAKES IT UNDERSTANDABLE.
THE ACTING IS ALSO GOOD. EASTWOOD KEEPS TOM FROM TURNING INTO A JERK AND MAKES HIS WANTING TO CARE FOR THE OTHERS SEEM TRUTHFUL AND BELIEVABLE. PAXTON PLAYS JODY AS THE INDEPENDENT AND SMART ASS ONE WHO JUST WANTS TO LEAVE. HOWEVER, AS HER CHARACTER GROWS, SHE BECOMES SUPPORTIVE AND CARING TO THE OTHER TWO. FINALLY, AS SAMANTHA, WATERSTON IS THE WEAKEST OF THE THREE. BUT WHEN SHE HAS TO STEP UP AND HELP, SHE DOES IT WITHOUT QUESTION.
FINALLY, THE TWIST AT THE END IS NOT TOO UNEXPECTED, BUT IF YOU WEREN'T WATCHING CLOSELY, YOU MIGHT BE SURPRISED. THIS IS A MOVIE I WOULD EASILY RECOMMEND.
RATING 3 out of 5
RED WHITE and BLUE
AMANDA FULLER NOAH TAYLOR MARC SENTER
ERICA (FULLER) EXISTS IN A WORLD OF SLEAZY BARS, DEAD END JOBS AND ONE NIGHT STANDS. ONE NIGHT SHE BEDS FRANKI (SENTER) AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF THAT MEETING SETS OFF A FURY OF EVENTS THAT LEAD TO A BRUTAL HORRIFYING AND VIOLENT RESULT, WITH NATE (TAYLOR) THE MAN AT THE CENTER OF THE STORM.
THIS IS A GRITTY MOVIE THAT NEVER LETS UP IN A RELENTLESS PUSH OF REALISTIC SEEDINESS. THE STORY WILL SHOCK YOU, IT WILL SADDEN YOU AND IT WILL PROBABLY LEAVE YOU FEELING A SENSE OF HOPELESSNESS KNOWING THAT THIS IS A STORY THAT COULD HAPPEN IN ANY TOWN, AND THAT IS WHY THIS MOVIE IS SO TERRIFYING.
AS ERICA, FULLER GIVES AN OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE. SEXUALLY ABUSED AS A CHILD, ERICA HAS GROWN UP SEEING MEN ONLY AS OBJECTS TO USE, WHICH SEE DOES, UNABLE TO CONNECT EMOTIONALLY. SHE HAS VERY LITTLE JOY IN HER LIFE, AND MOST OF HER TIME IS SPENT WORKING, DRINKING AND HAVING SEX. FULLER BRINGS ALL THIS, AND MORE, TO HER CHARACTER.
FRANKI IS SOMEWHAT OF A JERK. THE ONLY THING HE CARES ABOUT IS HIS CANCER STRICKEN MOTHER; HE USES HIS FRIENDS, ABUSES HIS JOB AND MAKES SOME VERY BAD CHOICES THAT SCREW UP HIS LIFE. AS FRANKI, SENTER GIVES A PERFORMANCE THAT MAKES YOU WANT TO HATE HIM ONE MINUTE AND THEN FEEL SORRY FOR HIM THE NEXT. FRANKI IS PROBABLY THE MOST LIKABLE, BUT THAT'S NOT SAYING MUCH.
NATE IS THE MOST TERRIFYING AND SCARY CHARACTER I HAVE SEEN IN A MOVIE IN QUITE A LONG TIME. FROM HIS TELLING ERICA ABOUT HOW HE USED TO TORTURE FAMILY PETS TO THE SAVAGE REVENGE HE PERFORMS IN THE LAST THIRD OF THE MOVIE, YOUR EYES WILL BE GLUED TO HIM THROUGHOUT. TAYLOR HAS CHOSEN TO PORTRAY NATE AS A SOFT SPOKEN, CALM AND VERY METHODICAL MADMAN. IT IS A PERFORMANCE THAT SHOULD NOT BE MISSED.
THIS IS NOT A MOVIE FOR EVERYONE. THE FIRST TWO THIRDS ARE ALMOST LIKE A CHARACTER STUDY OF ERICA AND FRANKI, WHICH ONLY SETS UP THE LAST THIRD, WHERE WE LEARN ALL ABOUT NATE AND JUST HOW CRAZY AND VIOLENT HE IS. IF YOU LIKE GRITTY IN YOUR FACE THRILLER/HORROR MOVIES, THEN THIS IS THE ONE FOR YOU.
RATING 3.5 out of 5
ERICA (FULLER) EXISTS IN A WORLD OF SLEAZY BARS, DEAD END JOBS AND ONE NIGHT STANDS. ONE NIGHT SHE BEDS FRANKI (SENTER) AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF THAT MEETING SETS OFF A FURY OF EVENTS THAT LEAD TO A BRUTAL HORRIFYING AND VIOLENT RESULT, WITH NATE (TAYLOR) THE MAN AT THE CENTER OF THE STORM.
THIS IS A GRITTY MOVIE THAT NEVER LETS UP IN A RELENTLESS PUSH OF REALISTIC SEEDINESS. THE STORY WILL SHOCK YOU, IT WILL SADDEN YOU AND IT WILL PROBABLY LEAVE YOU FEELING A SENSE OF HOPELESSNESS KNOWING THAT THIS IS A STORY THAT COULD HAPPEN IN ANY TOWN, AND THAT IS WHY THIS MOVIE IS SO TERRIFYING.
AS ERICA, FULLER GIVES AN OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE. SEXUALLY ABUSED AS A CHILD, ERICA HAS GROWN UP SEEING MEN ONLY AS OBJECTS TO USE, WHICH SEE DOES, UNABLE TO CONNECT EMOTIONALLY. SHE HAS VERY LITTLE JOY IN HER LIFE, AND MOST OF HER TIME IS SPENT WORKING, DRINKING AND HAVING SEX. FULLER BRINGS ALL THIS, AND MORE, TO HER CHARACTER.
FRANKI IS SOMEWHAT OF A JERK. THE ONLY THING HE CARES ABOUT IS HIS CANCER STRICKEN MOTHER; HE USES HIS FRIENDS, ABUSES HIS JOB AND MAKES SOME VERY BAD CHOICES THAT SCREW UP HIS LIFE. AS FRANKI, SENTER GIVES A PERFORMANCE THAT MAKES YOU WANT TO HATE HIM ONE MINUTE AND THEN FEEL SORRY FOR HIM THE NEXT. FRANKI IS PROBABLY THE MOST LIKABLE, BUT THAT'S NOT SAYING MUCH.
NATE IS THE MOST TERRIFYING AND SCARY CHARACTER I HAVE SEEN IN A MOVIE IN QUITE A LONG TIME. FROM HIS TELLING ERICA ABOUT HOW HE USED TO TORTURE FAMILY PETS TO THE SAVAGE REVENGE HE PERFORMS IN THE LAST THIRD OF THE MOVIE, YOUR EYES WILL BE GLUED TO HIM THROUGHOUT. TAYLOR HAS CHOSEN TO PORTRAY NATE AS A SOFT SPOKEN, CALM AND VERY METHODICAL MADMAN. IT IS A PERFORMANCE THAT SHOULD NOT BE MISSED.
THIS IS NOT A MOVIE FOR EVERYONE. THE FIRST TWO THIRDS ARE ALMOST LIKE A CHARACTER STUDY OF ERICA AND FRANKI, WHICH ONLY SETS UP THE LAST THIRD, WHERE WE LEARN ALL ABOUT NATE AND JUST HOW CRAZY AND VIOLENT HE IS. IF YOU LIKE GRITTY IN YOUR FACE THRILLER/HORROR MOVIES, THEN THIS IS THE ONE FOR YOU.
RATING 3.5 out of 5
Thursday, September 13, 2012
MEET MONICA VELOUR
KIM CATTRALL DUSTIN INGRAM BRIAN DENNEHY
TOBE (INGRAM) HAS JUST GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL HE LIVES WITH HIS GRANDFATHER POP POP (DENNEHY) AND RUNS A MOBILE HOT DOG TRUCK, THE FAMILY'S BUSINESS. TOBE IS ALSO A HUGE FAN OF MONICA VELOUR (CATTRALL) A FORMER PORN STAR FROM THE 80'S. AS A GRADUATION PRESENT POP POP GIVES TOBE THE HOT DOG TRUCK, WHICH TOBE PUTS UP FOR SALE. HE GETS AN OFFER FROM A MAN IN INDIANA, AND IT JUST SO HAPPENS THAT MONICA IS MAKING AN APPEARANCE AT A NEAR BY STRIP CLUB, SO TOBE DRIVES THE TRUCK TO INDIANA. ONCE THERE, HE BECOMES FRIENDS WITH MONICA, BUT ALSO DISCOVERS SHE IS CARRYING A LOT OF BAGGAGE WITH MANY PERSONAL PROBLEMS.
CATTRALL'S PERFORMANCE AS VELOUR IS INCREDIBLE. EVERYTHING FROM HER POSTURE TO HER LOOK TO HER ATTITUDE TO HER LIFE CHOICES CREATES A HARDENED WASHED UP VERY BELIEVABLE EX PORN STAR. INGRAM IS ALMOST JUST AS GOOD. HE PORTRAYS TOBE AS A QUIRKY, NERDY, INNOCENT AND NAIVE TEENAGER WHO REALLY CAN'T BELIEVE WHERE HE IS, BUT ACCEPTS IT AND ONLY WANTS TO HELP BECAUSE OF HIS CRUSH ON MONICA. THE STORY IS WELL WRITTEN WITH QUITE BELIEVABLE DIALOGUE, PROBABLY BECAUSE MANY OF THE LINES CAME FROM REAL EX PORN STARS WHOM THE WRITER HAD INTERVIEWED. DON'T PASS UP THIS GEM OF A MOVIE.
RATING 3 out of 5
TOBE (INGRAM) HAS JUST GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL HE LIVES WITH HIS GRANDFATHER POP POP (DENNEHY) AND RUNS A MOBILE HOT DOG TRUCK, THE FAMILY'S BUSINESS. TOBE IS ALSO A HUGE FAN OF MONICA VELOUR (CATTRALL) A FORMER PORN STAR FROM THE 80'S. AS A GRADUATION PRESENT POP POP GIVES TOBE THE HOT DOG TRUCK, WHICH TOBE PUTS UP FOR SALE. HE GETS AN OFFER FROM A MAN IN INDIANA, AND IT JUST SO HAPPENS THAT MONICA IS MAKING AN APPEARANCE AT A NEAR BY STRIP CLUB, SO TOBE DRIVES THE TRUCK TO INDIANA. ONCE THERE, HE BECOMES FRIENDS WITH MONICA, BUT ALSO DISCOVERS SHE IS CARRYING A LOT OF BAGGAGE WITH MANY PERSONAL PROBLEMS.
CATTRALL'S PERFORMANCE AS VELOUR IS INCREDIBLE. EVERYTHING FROM HER POSTURE TO HER LOOK TO HER ATTITUDE TO HER LIFE CHOICES CREATES A HARDENED WASHED UP VERY BELIEVABLE EX PORN STAR. INGRAM IS ALMOST JUST AS GOOD. HE PORTRAYS TOBE AS A QUIRKY, NERDY, INNOCENT AND NAIVE TEENAGER WHO REALLY CAN'T BELIEVE WHERE HE IS, BUT ACCEPTS IT AND ONLY WANTS TO HELP BECAUSE OF HIS CRUSH ON MONICA. THE STORY IS WELL WRITTEN WITH QUITE BELIEVABLE DIALOGUE, PROBABLY BECAUSE MANY OF THE LINES CAME FROM REAL EX PORN STARS WHOM THE WRITER HAD INTERVIEWED. DON'T PASS UP THIS GEM OF A MOVIE.
RATING 3 out of 5
BRIDESMAIDS
KRISTIN WIIG MAYA RUDOLPH ROSE BYRNE MELISSA McCARTHY ELLIE KEMPER
WENDI McCLENDON-COVEY
LILLIAN (RUDOLPH) IS GETTING MARRIED AND SHE ASKS HER BEST FRIEND ANNIE (WIIG) TO BE HER MAID OF HONOR ALONG WITH HER BRIDESMAIDS: HELEN, MEGAN, BECCA AND RITA (BYRNE, McCARTHY, KEMPER AND McCLENDON-COVEY.) ANNIE INSTANTLY DISLIKES HELEN, AND WHILE PREPARING FOR THE MARRIAGE, ANNIE AND HELEN ARE CONSTANTLY TRYING TO ONE UP EACH OTHER AND BUTTING HEADS.
THIS IS A GOD AWFUL MOVIE. IT'S NOT FUNNY, MANY SCENES GO ON MUCH TOO LONG AND MOST OF THE SAD ATTEMPTS AT HUMOR ARE BASED IN JUVENILE THOUGHTS THAT FALL FLAT. THE CHARACTER OF ANNIE IS A JEALOUS SELF-CENTERED PERSON WHO YOU ARE HAPPY TO SEE HER LIFE FALL APART. THERE IS NOTHING REDEEMING ABOUT HER. THE REST OF THE CHARACTERS ARE, IN THEIR OWN WAY, JUST AS IRRITATING, SELF-CENTERED OR JUST BORING TO WATCH. IN FACT, THE ENTIRE MOVIE IS BORING. DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND SKIP IT.
RATING 1.5 OUT OF 5
WENDI McCLENDON-COVEY
LILLIAN (RUDOLPH) IS GETTING MARRIED AND SHE ASKS HER BEST FRIEND ANNIE (WIIG) TO BE HER MAID OF HONOR ALONG WITH HER BRIDESMAIDS: HELEN, MEGAN, BECCA AND RITA (BYRNE, McCARTHY, KEMPER AND McCLENDON-COVEY.) ANNIE INSTANTLY DISLIKES HELEN, AND WHILE PREPARING FOR THE MARRIAGE, ANNIE AND HELEN ARE CONSTANTLY TRYING TO ONE UP EACH OTHER AND BUTTING HEADS.
THIS IS A GOD AWFUL MOVIE. IT'S NOT FUNNY, MANY SCENES GO ON MUCH TOO LONG AND MOST OF THE SAD ATTEMPTS AT HUMOR ARE BASED IN JUVENILE THOUGHTS THAT FALL FLAT. THE CHARACTER OF ANNIE IS A JEALOUS SELF-CENTERED PERSON WHO YOU ARE HAPPY TO SEE HER LIFE FALL APART. THERE IS NOTHING REDEEMING ABOUT HER. THE REST OF THE CHARACTERS ARE, IN THEIR OWN WAY, JUST AS IRRITATING, SELF-CENTERED OR JUST BORING TO WATCH. IN FACT, THE ENTIRE MOVIE IS BORING. DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND SKIP IT.
RATING 1.5 OUT OF 5
Monday, September 10, 2012
THE RAID: REDEMPTION
SET IN JAKARTA, A POLICE SWAT TEAM INFILTRATES AN APARTMENT HOUSE RUN BY A NOTORIOUS DRUG LORD. THEIR GOAL IS TO EITHER KILL OR ARREST THE DRUG LORD AND CLEAN UP THE BUILDING IN THE PROCESS.
OH MY GOD, BE SURE YOU HAVE YOUR SEAT BELT ON WHILE WATCHING THIS MOVIE. IT IS A NON-STOP THRILL RIDE OF MARTIAL ARTS FIGHTING, VIOLENCE, GORE AND SPURTING BLOOD. THE FIGHT SCENES ARE INCREDIBLY FAST , REALISTIC, BONE CRUNCHING, VIOLENT AND OVER THE TOP MARTIAL ARTS ACTION. THE OTHER BATTLE SCENES ARE EXCESSIVE IN THEIR AMOUNT OF GUNFIRE, VIOLENCE AND GORE, BUT ARE STAGED AND EXECUTED VERY WELL.
THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST ACTION MOVIES I HAVE SEEN IN QUITE A LONG TIME. THERE'S NOT MUCH OF A PLOT AND THE STORY IS THIN, BUT WITH THIS TYPE OF MOVIE THAT REALLY DOESN'T MATTER SINCE THE ACTION MAKES UP FOR ANY OTHER SHORTCOMINGS THE MOVIE MAY HAVE. MY SUGGESTION IS TO STRAP YOURSELF INTO A CHAIR, PUT THIS ON AND GET READY FOR THE RIDE OF YOUR LIFE.
RATING 3 out of 5
OH MY GOD, BE SURE YOU HAVE YOUR SEAT BELT ON WHILE WATCHING THIS MOVIE. IT IS A NON-STOP THRILL RIDE OF MARTIAL ARTS FIGHTING, VIOLENCE, GORE AND SPURTING BLOOD. THE FIGHT SCENES ARE INCREDIBLY FAST , REALISTIC, BONE CRUNCHING, VIOLENT AND OVER THE TOP MARTIAL ARTS ACTION. THE OTHER BATTLE SCENES ARE EXCESSIVE IN THEIR AMOUNT OF GUNFIRE, VIOLENCE AND GORE, BUT ARE STAGED AND EXECUTED VERY WELL.
THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST ACTION MOVIES I HAVE SEEN IN QUITE A LONG TIME. THERE'S NOT MUCH OF A PLOT AND THE STORY IS THIN, BUT WITH THIS TYPE OF MOVIE THAT REALLY DOESN'T MATTER SINCE THE ACTION MAKES UP FOR ANY OTHER SHORTCOMINGS THE MOVIE MAY HAVE. MY SUGGESTION IS TO STRAP YOURSELF INTO A CHAIR, PUT THIS ON AND GET READY FOR THE RIDE OF YOUR LIFE.
RATING 3 out of 5
IN HER SKIN
GUY PEARCE MIRANDA OTTO RUTH BRADLEY SAM NEILL KATE BELL
THE BARBERS (PEARCE AND OTTO) EXPERIENCE THEIR WORST NIGHTMARE WHEN THEIR 15 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER RACHEL (BELL) GOES MISSING. WITHOUT GETTING MUCH HELP FROM THE POLICE, THE BARBERS SEARCH FOR THEIR DAUGHTER THEMSELVES, BUT NEVER FIND HER. FINALLY, A MISSING PERSON POLICEMAN GETS INVOLVED, AND SOON THE INVESTIGATION IS FOCUSED ON CAROLINE REID (BRADLEY), A FORMER BABYSITTER FOR KATE AND ALSO A PERSON SUFFERING FROM MEDICAL AND MENTAL PROBLEMS. THE POLICE ARE HELPED BY CAROLINE'S FATHER (NEILL), AND THE TRUTH IS FINALLY REVEALED.
THIS IS A DEPRESSING YET VERY POWERFUL MOVIE THAT IS MADE EVEN MORE STRONGER BY BEING BASED ON A TRUE STORY. THE SADNESS COMES FROM THE DEATH OF KATE, THE FEELINGS OF LOSS AND HELPLESSNESS HER PARENTS EXPERIENCED, THE OBVIOUS AND VERY EASY TO SEE SEVERE MENTAL PROBLEMS OF CAROLINE THAT HER FAMILY AND FRIENDS IGNORED WHEN SHE SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN HELP AND THE INABILITY OF CAROLINE'S FATHER TO SEEK HELP FOR HER, EVEN WHEN SHE LASHES OUT IN A VIOLENT ATTEMPT TO BE NOTICED, BECAUSE OF HIS SELF-INTEREST IN HIMSELF. CAROLINE IS AN OVERWEIGHT AVERAGE LOOKING PERSON WHOSE PARENTS ARE GOING THROUGH A DIVORCE. KATE IS A BEAUTIFUL YOUNG WOMAN LIVING IN A FAMILY WHO LOVES EACH OTHER. CAROLINE IS JEALOUS OF THAT, AND THAT JEALOUSLY ALONG WITH HER MENTAL ILLNESS SENDS HER INTO A RAGE THAT LEADS TO THE TRAGIC DEATH OF KATE.
THE POWER OF THIS MOVIE LIES IN THE PERFORMANCES OF PEARCE, OTTO AND ESPECIALLY BRADLEY. IN WATCHING PEARCE AND OTTO AS THE BARBERS, YOU CAN SENSE ALL THAT THEY ARE FEELING AND WHAT THEY ARE EXPERIENCING. BUT, BRADLEY'S PORTRAYAL OF CAROLINE IS STUNNING AND TERRIFYING. HER VIOLENT OUTBURSTS ARE INCREDIBLY REALISTIC AND HARD TO WATCH; IN THE OTHER SCENES, YOU CAN SEE THE SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS SHE HAS AND HOW SCARY THAT IS KNOWING WHAT SHE IS PLANNING TO DO. ALSO, THERE ARE TWO OR THREE TIMES SHE BRAVELY GOES TO A PLACE THAT IS UNBELIEVABLY TRUE AND HEART WRENCHINGLY RAW. YES, THIS MOVIE IS DIFFICULT TO WATCH, BUT YOU SHOULD WATCH IT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
RATING 3.5 out of 5
THE BARBERS (PEARCE AND OTTO) EXPERIENCE THEIR WORST NIGHTMARE WHEN THEIR 15 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER RACHEL (BELL) GOES MISSING. WITHOUT GETTING MUCH HELP FROM THE POLICE, THE BARBERS SEARCH FOR THEIR DAUGHTER THEMSELVES, BUT NEVER FIND HER. FINALLY, A MISSING PERSON POLICEMAN GETS INVOLVED, AND SOON THE INVESTIGATION IS FOCUSED ON CAROLINE REID (BRADLEY), A FORMER BABYSITTER FOR KATE AND ALSO A PERSON SUFFERING FROM MEDICAL AND MENTAL PROBLEMS. THE POLICE ARE HELPED BY CAROLINE'S FATHER (NEILL), AND THE TRUTH IS FINALLY REVEALED.
THIS IS A DEPRESSING YET VERY POWERFUL MOVIE THAT IS MADE EVEN MORE STRONGER BY BEING BASED ON A TRUE STORY. THE SADNESS COMES FROM THE DEATH OF KATE, THE FEELINGS OF LOSS AND HELPLESSNESS HER PARENTS EXPERIENCED, THE OBVIOUS AND VERY EASY TO SEE SEVERE MENTAL PROBLEMS OF CAROLINE THAT HER FAMILY AND FRIENDS IGNORED WHEN SHE SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN HELP AND THE INABILITY OF CAROLINE'S FATHER TO SEEK HELP FOR HER, EVEN WHEN SHE LASHES OUT IN A VIOLENT ATTEMPT TO BE NOTICED, BECAUSE OF HIS SELF-INTEREST IN HIMSELF. CAROLINE IS AN OVERWEIGHT AVERAGE LOOKING PERSON WHOSE PARENTS ARE GOING THROUGH A DIVORCE. KATE IS A BEAUTIFUL YOUNG WOMAN LIVING IN A FAMILY WHO LOVES EACH OTHER. CAROLINE IS JEALOUS OF THAT, AND THAT JEALOUSLY ALONG WITH HER MENTAL ILLNESS SENDS HER INTO A RAGE THAT LEADS TO THE TRAGIC DEATH OF KATE.
THE POWER OF THIS MOVIE LIES IN THE PERFORMANCES OF PEARCE, OTTO AND ESPECIALLY BRADLEY. IN WATCHING PEARCE AND OTTO AS THE BARBERS, YOU CAN SENSE ALL THAT THEY ARE FEELING AND WHAT THEY ARE EXPERIENCING. BUT, BRADLEY'S PORTRAYAL OF CAROLINE IS STUNNING AND TERRIFYING. HER VIOLENT OUTBURSTS ARE INCREDIBLY REALISTIC AND HARD TO WATCH; IN THE OTHER SCENES, YOU CAN SEE THE SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS SHE HAS AND HOW SCARY THAT IS KNOWING WHAT SHE IS PLANNING TO DO. ALSO, THERE ARE TWO OR THREE TIMES SHE BRAVELY GOES TO A PLACE THAT IS UNBELIEVABLY TRUE AND HEART WRENCHINGLY RAW. YES, THIS MOVIE IS DIFFICULT TO WATCH, BUT YOU SHOULD WATCH IT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
RATING 3.5 out of 5
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
SECONDS APART
EDMUND ENTIN GARY ENTIN ORLANDO JONES SAMANTHA DROKE
TWINS JONAH AND SETH (THE ENTINS) HAVE THE ABILITY TO MAKE PEOPLE DO AND SEE THINGS THEY MAY NOT NORMALLY DO. IN EXPLORING THIS POWER, THE TWINS HAVE STARTED A PROJECT WHERE THEY FILM PEOPLE WHO ARE UNDER THEIR SPELL, USUALLY ENDING IN DEATH FOR THOSE AFFECTED PEOPLE. THE DETECTIVE (JONES) INVESTIGATING THE MURDERS SUSPECTS THE TWINS, BUT IS UNABLE TO PROVE ANYTHING. THEN ONE DAY A GIRL, EVE (DROKE) COMES BETWEEN JONAH AND SETH, AND THE JEALOUSLY BETWEEN THE TWINS ERUPTS INTO A TRAGIC ENDING BATTLE.
A RATHER UNIQUE STORY FOR A HORROR MOVIE. I FOUND IT TO BE REFRESHING AND IT DIDN'T SINK INTO SOME OF THE SIMPLISTIC CLICHES THAT OFTEN SHOW UP WITH STORIES ABOUT TWINS. AND ALTHOUGH SOME THINGS WEREN'T EXPLAINED COMPLETELY, THE STORY DID STAY TOGETHER AND MAINTAINED A LOGICALLY PLOT LINE.
THE ENTINS DID A VERY GOOD JOB IN PORTRAYING JONAH AND SETH: CREEPY, CONFIDENT, NAIVE WHEN NEEDED AND LOSING CONTROL WHEN DEALING WITH THE JEALOUSLY CAUSED BY EVE.
FINALLY, THE DIRECTOR IS VERY GOOD IN GIVING THIS MOVIE A LOOK AND FEEL OF A CLASSIC HORROR MOVIE BUT WITH NEW CONCEPTS. YOU SHOULD DEFINITELY CHECK OUT SECONDS APART.
RATING 3 out of 5
TWINS JONAH AND SETH (THE ENTINS) HAVE THE ABILITY TO MAKE PEOPLE DO AND SEE THINGS THEY MAY NOT NORMALLY DO. IN EXPLORING THIS POWER, THE TWINS HAVE STARTED A PROJECT WHERE THEY FILM PEOPLE WHO ARE UNDER THEIR SPELL, USUALLY ENDING IN DEATH FOR THOSE AFFECTED PEOPLE. THE DETECTIVE (JONES) INVESTIGATING THE MURDERS SUSPECTS THE TWINS, BUT IS UNABLE TO PROVE ANYTHING. THEN ONE DAY A GIRL, EVE (DROKE) COMES BETWEEN JONAH AND SETH, AND THE JEALOUSLY BETWEEN THE TWINS ERUPTS INTO A TRAGIC ENDING BATTLE.
A RATHER UNIQUE STORY FOR A HORROR MOVIE. I FOUND IT TO BE REFRESHING AND IT DIDN'T SINK INTO SOME OF THE SIMPLISTIC CLICHES THAT OFTEN SHOW UP WITH STORIES ABOUT TWINS. AND ALTHOUGH SOME THINGS WEREN'T EXPLAINED COMPLETELY, THE STORY DID STAY TOGETHER AND MAINTAINED A LOGICALLY PLOT LINE.
THE ENTINS DID A VERY GOOD JOB IN PORTRAYING JONAH AND SETH: CREEPY, CONFIDENT, NAIVE WHEN NEEDED AND LOSING CONTROL WHEN DEALING WITH THE JEALOUSLY CAUSED BY EVE.
FINALLY, THE DIRECTOR IS VERY GOOD IN GIVING THIS MOVIE A LOOK AND FEEL OF A CLASSIC HORROR MOVIE BUT WITH NEW CONCEPTS. YOU SHOULD DEFINITELY CHECK OUT SECONDS APART.
RATING 3 out of 5
FERTILE GROUND
NATE AND EMILY WEAVER ARE A YOUNG COUPLE LIVING IN NEW YORK. NATE IS AN UP AND COMING ARTIST AND EMILY IS A CLOTHES DESIGNER WHO HAS PUT HER WORK ON HOLD TO HAVE A BABY. THEN ONE NIGHT THEY SUFFER A MISCARRIAGE. NOT WANTING TO STAY IN THEIR APARTMENT, THEY MOVE TO A COUNTRY ESTATE THAT HAS BEEN IN NATE'S FAMILY FOR DECADES. ONCE THERE, ALL SEEMS WELL UNTIL THEY DISCOVER SOME EVIL GOINGS ON AT THE HOUSE, AND EMILY SLOWLY BEGINS TO SINK INTO INSANITY.
FERTILE GROUND IS A GHOST STORY SET IN A HAUNTED HOUSE AND IT AFFECTS NATE AND EMILY IN DIFFERENT WAYS. NATE SLOWLY BEGINS TO TAKE ON THE PERSONA OF ONE OF HIS LONG LOST RELATIVES AND EMILY IS THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN SEE THE GHOSTS AND IN RESPONSE, SEEMS TO BE LOSING HER MIND.
FOR A HORROR MOVIE, THE ACTING IS OKAY, ALTHOUGH THERE IS NOTHING THERE THAT WILL GRAB YOU AS FANTASTIC. THE SPECIAL EFFECTS WERE EFFECTIVE, SOME WERE A BIT SIMPLE IN THEIR EXECUTION, NOR WAS THE MOVIE BLOODY OR VERY VIOLENT. THE DIRECTION KEPT THE MOVIE FLOWING, WITH THE SCARY PARTS SCARY AND THE TENSE PARTS TENSE. FINALLY, THE STORY IS GOOD ENOUGH TO GET ACROSS THE MAIN THEME OF THE MOVIE.
I DIDN'T HATE THIS MOVIE, BUT I ALSO DIDN'T THINK IT WAS ALL THAT GREAT. IT'S A MIDDLE OF THE ROAD HORROR MOVIE THAT MIGHT GIVE YOU A FEW SCARES, A FEW JUMPS AND POSSIBLY A FEW LAUGHS.
RATING 2.5 out of 5
FERTILE GROUND IS A GHOST STORY SET IN A HAUNTED HOUSE AND IT AFFECTS NATE AND EMILY IN DIFFERENT WAYS. NATE SLOWLY BEGINS TO TAKE ON THE PERSONA OF ONE OF HIS LONG LOST RELATIVES AND EMILY IS THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN SEE THE GHOSTS AND IN RESPONSE, SEEMS TO BE LOSING HER MIND.
FOR A HORROR MOVIE, THE ACTING IS OKAY, ALTHOUGH THERE IS NOTHING THERE THAT WILL GRAB YOU AS FANTASTIC. THE SPECIAL EFFECTS WERE EFFECTIVE, SOME WERE A BIT SIMPLE IN THEIR EXECUTION, NOR WAS THE MOVIE BLOODY OR VERY VIOLENT. THE DIRECTION KEPT THE MOVIE FLOWING, WITH THE SCARY PARTS SCARY AND THE TENSE PARTS TENSE. FINALLY, THE STORY IS GOOD ENOUGH TO GET ACROSS THE MAIN THEME OF THE MOVIE.
I DIDN'T HATE THIS MOVIE, BUT I ALSO DIDN'T THINK IT WAS ALL THAT GREAT. IT'S A MIDDLE OF THE ROAD HORROR MOVIE THAT MIGHT GIVE YOU A FEW SCARES, A FEW JUMPS AND POSSIBLY A FEW LAUGHS.
RATING 2.5 out of 5
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