The Book of Revelation (2006)

The Book of Revelation (2006)

Directed by: Ana Kokkinos
Screenplay by: Ana Kokkinos and Andrew Bovell

Genre: Mystery | Romance | Thriller
Running Time: 119 Minutes
MPAA Rating: Unrated
Viewed: Rental DVD - Family Video

A secret he would not share. An obsession he could not control. A
  mystery he dare not resolve.

[IMDb]

Comments: The Book of Revelation is a bizarre film that definitely features some role reversals not normally seen in cinema. The problem with the film is that after an interesting and compelling first act, the film falls apart after the revelation of what occurred to Daniel. The Book of Revelation tells the story of of a kidnapped man, who is raped and tormented by three women who never reveal their face. While this may sound like a dream come true to most men, Daniel falls apart and loses interest in most things. He becomes obsessed with finding the women who did this (and in doing so proceeds to become a man-whore, sleeping with anyone he thinks may be the women, looking for marks which will identify his captors). Revelation becomes a mess in the second half, and unfortunately loses most of its compelling nature. Perhaps the worst part of the film was the fact that Anna Torv (from Fringe) played two roles in the film, but yet she never had any "revelations" herself. Or maybe that was just the worst part for me.

Outpost (2008)

Outpost (2008)

Directed by: Steve Barker
Screenplay by: Rae Brunton

Genre: Action | Horror
Running Time: 90 Minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Viewed: Rental DVD - Family Video

You can't kill what's already dead.

[IMDb]

Comments: I've been interested in Outpost for awhile now. It was recommended to me by this kid I went to school with (that I didn't know well) based solely on the fact that we both enjoyed the Nazi zombie mode on Call of Duty: World at War. Well, his taste in movies is questionable. Looking at Outpost from the outside, it looks like a decent entry into the horror genre. But after nothing happened for the first 40 minutes, I was wondering when the action and excitement was going to start. I thought maybe the film was methodically paced for a pulse-pounding finale; that wasn't the case either. The final act of the film lacked any kind of punch. Outpost is a completely mediocre film, which is a damn shame. I had some high hopes for it.

Sick Nurses (2007)

Sick Nurses (2007)

Directed by: Piraphan Laoyont and Thodsapol Siriwiwat
Screenplay by: Piraphan Laoyont and Thodsapol Siriwiwat

Genre: Crime | Horror
Running Time: 82 Minutes
MPAA Rating: Unrated
Viewed: Rental DVD - Family Video

Beauty cannot last but death is forever.

[IMDb]

Comments: Contrary to what the title may lead you to believe, this is not porn. Sick Nurses is another Asian horror film that features those creepy-looking ghosts. Considering that I do not watch too many of these J-horror types, I enjoyed the film. Sick Nurses centers around a doctor and a bevy of attractive nurses that sell corpses. He is dating one of the nurses, but ends up having an affair with her sister. The nurse proceeds to flip shit and threatens to expose the corpse-selling business, so the other nurses tie her down and naturally stab the shit out of her until she's dead. This, of course, leaves the door open for the nurse to return as a ghost and wreak havoc on the others. Sick Nurses was a tad confusing at first, but the film eventually explains itself, despite its lack of dialogue. There's also a few twists that I wasn't expecting, which made me enjoy the film even more. Asian horror is always interesting, as it's usually way more fucked up than anything the U.S. produces (at least commercially). Sick Nurses fits nicely in with other Asian gore films, and is worth a watch if this is your thing.

Also Known As: Suay Laak Sai

Copycat (2008)

Copycat (2008)

Directed by: Andy Hurst
Screenplay by: Ellis Walker

Genre: Thriller
Running Time: 85 Minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Viewed: Rental DVD - Family Video

He learned from the masters.

[IMDb]

Comments: For a low budget, straight-to-DVD film that's gotten horrible reviews, Copycat's production values are good, the acting is passable, and the dialogue isn't complete garbage. It had a chance to be a decent film. The story is about a 'copycat' serial killer who kills victims and leaves references or video tapes to past serial murderers. That would have been fine and dandy, but for some reason we are given 15-20 minute flashbacks about Richard Ramirez, Jeffrey Dahmer, and Ed Gein. Each. That left roughly 30 minutes for the actual story, which is completely underdeveloped and ripped off from every other serial killer movie. (Just so you know, I am now going to ruin the ending for you.) Toward the end, after we finish watching the Ed Gein piece, our leading lady (who has been captured) is given a gun by the killer so that he can die, as he is tired of killing. So she kills him. Okay, I can live with that. Then the lead detective, who has aided her throughout the film and is a love interest shows up. And then she shoots him too. Why? I don't know. It doesn't make any sense. Copycat is a pathetic film. Any horror fan already knows all the stories of the big serial killers. All Andy Hurst accomplished was wasting my fucking time.

Also Known As: Diary of a Serial Killer

Trapped Ashes (2006)

Trapped Ashes (2006)

Directed by: Sean S. Cunningham, Joe Dante, John Gaeta, Monte
  Hellman, and Ken Russell
Screenplay by: Dennis Bartok

Genre: Horror
Running Time: 105 Minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Viewed: Rental DVD - Family Video

[IMDb]

Comments: Well, it took me long enough to sit down and finally watch Trapped Ashes. I can't say I was disappointed in the film because I didn't expect much. The movie is about 7 people stranded in a legendary haunted film set, and they each must tell a horrific true story. The film reminds me of something that would've been on a television show such as The Twilight Zone (well, plus some additional violence and nudity). There's nothing particularly atrocious about the film, but at the same time there's not a whole lot that's good, either. Some of the concepts for the stories are interesting (my favorite being the vampiric breast implants), but none of them stand out. Trapped Ashes is a bland film, but if you're a horror buff, you may find some parts interesting. Other than those select few, you can find a better way to spend your time.

Scarce (2008)

Scarce (2008)

Directed by: Jesse T. Cook and John Geddes
Screenplay by: Jesse T. Cook and John Geddes

Genre: Horror | Thriller
Running Time: 93 Minutes
MPAA Rating: Unrated
Viewed: Rental DVD - Family Video

How will anyone find you when you've been eaten?

[IMDb]

Comments: Perhaps one of the most ambiguously gay films I've ever watched, Scarce was one of the worst movies I've seen in a long time. It featured nearly 50 minutes of unneeded buildup to the horror, only for nothing interesting to happen. However, there was plenty of discussion about "curing meat," "eating flesh," and lots of touching and groping of barely clad male bodies. Yeah. The film started out somewhat promising, at least after a naked and bloody Jesus-looking dude finished running around. Eventually, we were treated to some lesbian action (for only 10 seconds) and a few funny lines (the one dude was made fun of because he looked like one of the guys from Street Fighter - sonic boom!). But words can truly not describe what a waste of time Scarce was. I will be happy to place this film on my Shittiest Films of 2008 list.

Plague Town (2008)

Plague Town (2008)

Directed by: David Gregory
Screenplay by: John Cregan and David Gregory

Genre: Horror
Running Time: 88 Minutes
MPAA Rating: Unrated
Viewed: Rental DVD - Family Video

It's in the blood.

[IMDb]

Comments: I had a heightened interest in Plague Town over the past few weeks due to some asshat over at DVD Talk that gave the film a "highly recommended" review. It was my own dumb ass fault that I didn't actually read the damn review (and I still haven't), and instead only looked at the sweet DVD cover and decided that this movie was going to be awesome. This movie is not awesome. Plague Town is an overwhelmingly standard no-budget horror film. When it comes to the horror genre, I realize that original ideas are few and far between. It usually comes down to whether or not the film contains solid entertainment or kick ass death scenes. Sadly, while there is plenty of gore in Plague Town, said gore is executed rather poorly. The film isn't completely awful or anything that drastic, it's just rather ho-hum. Same old shit, different day. Luckily for me, I just returned this film (along with Donkey Punch) and rented four more abysmal looking horror films. At least they give me something interesting to write about.

Donkey Punch (2008)

Donkey Punch (2008)

Directed by: Oliver Blackburn
Screenplay by: Oliver Blackburn and David Bloom

Genre: Drama | Thriller
Running Time: 99 Minutes
MPAA Rating: Unrated
Viewed: Rental DVD - Family Video

This party is going overboard.

[IMDb]

Comments: Ever since I heard there was a movie called Donkey Punch, I knew that I'd see it one day. I figured the title was nothing more than a ploy to capture people's attention to a sub-par film. Imagine my surprise when the film was actually decent, and the whole story revolved around a girl killed via donkey punch! Okay, I got a little too excited there. The film is rather exploitative, but not enough to be classified as such. Instead, we have a drama filled with horror elements. There's a rather revealing orgy (where said donkey punch takes place), as well as some pretty decent kill scenes that were more graphic than I expected, since this isn't a straight horror film. None of the characters are remotely likable, and they tend to make decisions that only serve to keep the film going. Usually that pisses me off, but the way that characters met their death kept me in good spirits. The soundtrack was good as well, and probably made me like the film even more (the use of a remix of M83's "Don't Save Us From the Flames" during the orgy was amazing). Overall, Donkey Punch certainly isn't a great film, but I'll be damned if I wasn't entertained.

The Proposal (2009)

The Proposal (2009)

Directed by: Anne Fletcher
Screenplay by: Pete Chiarelli

Genre: Comedy | Romance
Running Time: 107 Minutes
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Viewed: Theater

Here comes the bribe...

[IMDb]

Comments: So, some of the family was going to see The Proposal today. I had nothing better to do, and so I figured I'd tag along. After all, I like Ryan Reynolds. And, some moments in the trailer actually made me chuckle (Betty White feeling up Sandra Bullock, Reynolds having issues with "the morning"). I figured it would be a passable film and I would enjoy myself. I was wrong. I became vehemently angry by the middle of the film, as I was being spoonfed "comedy" while being completely derived of any character development. I can tolerate this as long as there is copious amounts of either violence or nudity. Surprisingly, there is none of this in The Proposal (sans a nice shot of Bullock all wet but covering herself after coming out of the shower). I enjoy romantic comedies as long as there is some thought put into the film. Sadly, viewers are derived of this in the film, and there were only a handful of scenes that were worthwhile. Bullock goes from being a complete bitch to a likable lady simply because she's Sandra Bullock, not because she has any meaningful growth as a character. The scene where she's discussing her life with Reynolds at night is the best scene, and the only one where she somewhat talks about why she does what she does. Note to the writer and director: dialogue is good! Instead of being forcefed Bullock singing "Get Low" with Betty White dancing as an Indian around in the woods (a major what-the-fuck moment that made little fucking sense), let your characters speak! So as you may have guessed, I really didn't care for this movie. Pass.

Inglourious Basterds (2009) -- Trailer

This is actually the second trailer released for Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds, but I didn't get all that excited over the first one. Combining that with the so-so reviews the film got (I expect a lot of people to hate this film simply because Tarantino is directing the film), I wasn't too hyped initially. But the second trailer looks amazing (and I love the use of Murder By Death's "Coming Home" toward the end of the trailer), and I am now once again excited for the film. I don't consider myself a Tarantino "fanboy," but I have enjoyed all of his films, including Death Proof, which wasn't received all that well. I do love Brad Pitt though, and thus I am eagerly anticipating seeing him as a Basterd.

Gran Torino (2008)

Gran Torino (2008)

Directed by: Clint Eastwood
Screenplay by: Nick Schenk

Genre: Crime | Drama
Running Time: 116 Minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Viewed: Owned DVD

[IMDb]

Comments: There's just something about Gran Torino that I love. While the story may not be the most original or new idea in recent years (a tale of race and redemption), it's Clint Eastwood's possible final acting role that makes the film memorable and very affecting. Clint provides much of the humor and heart as the racist war veteran who has no relationship with his own kids, but eventually finds one with two Asian teens that move into the neighborhood. It's easy to relate to Eastwood despite the racial epithets he spews throughout (many of which turn out to be more hilarious rather than offensive), and I was amped for Eastwood to unleash a torrent of kickass. Seeing him beat the snot out of a kid a fourth of his age was sweet as well. Despite some spotty acting by the minor characters (which made me really question some of the casting decisions) and some cruddy dialogue, Gran Torino really affected me. I definitely recommend this one.

How to Lose Friends & Alienate People (2008)

How to Lose Friends & Alienate People (2008)

Directed by: Robert B. Weide
Screenplay by: Peter Straughan

Genre: Comedy | Romance
Running Time: 110 Minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Viewed: DVD

Brace yourselves, America.

[IMDb]

Comments: How to Lose Friends & Alienate People is a wildly uneven film. The first half of the movie is pretty horrible, as the characters are neither likable nor believable. Jeff Bridges' character is ridiculous, and he only becomes more realistic toward the end of the film. Simon Pegg is initially unlikeable, and you can really understand why no one likes him. The first half of How to Lose Friends is unfunny and waste of time. Luckily, the film "evens out" in the second half. It doesn't get much funnier, but Pegg shows a more human and likeable side, and the film really gains steam with the almost romance of Pegg and Kirsten Dunst. How to Lose Friends & Alienate People could have been a much better film, but instead it is full of missteps from a first-time director. And Simon Pegg's always better when he's killing zombies or beating up old people.

Doubt (2008)

Doubt (2008)

Directed by: John Patrick Shanley
Screenplay by: John Patrick Shanley

Genre: Drama | Mystery
Running Time: 104 Minutes
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Viewed: Rental DVD - Blockbuster

[IMDb]

Comments: The real highlight of Doubt is the performance of its lead actors; I can only imagine how powerful the play would have been. The story itself lends more to a play as well. I felt the film dragged on too long in certain parts. I think John Patrick Shanley was intent on showing how life was rigid and uneventful in Catholic schools in the 1960s. While he is successful, it creates a lot of anticipation in the viewer, who is patiently waiting for the movie progress. The last act is both stirring and excellent, and excellently acted by both Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Meryl Streep (big surprise there). I enjoyed Doubt, but I feel guilty giving it just four stars as it was in many critics' end-of-the-year list. But despite the strong leads, I never really was completely immersed in the film until the final "showdown" between Streep and Hoffman. Still, Doubt is a great movie, and worth a view regardless of belief.

The Uninvited (2009)

The Uninvited (2009)

Directed by: Charles Guard and Thomas Guard
Screenplay by: Craig Rosenberg, Doug Miro, and Carlo Bernard

Genre: Drama | Horror | Mystery | Thriller
Running Time: 87 Minutes
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Viewed: Rental DVD - Blockbuster

Fear moves in.

[IMDb]

Comments: I had no idea until I made this post that The Uninvited was a remake of A Tale of Two Sisters. I've always wanted to see that movie, but sadly I never got around to it. It shouldn't surprise me though, as most PG-13 horror films these days are rip-offs of Asian horror. However, unlike most remakes, The Uninvited isn't completely horrible. There's nothing particularly original about the story (I have no idea if the plot/twist is the same as it is in A Tale of Two Sisters). The twist in the end, while somewhat unexpected, is nothing new or mind-blowing. I've seen it all before. Emily Browning was cute as hell in her role, and I no longer feel guilty saying that. Even though she looks like she's 13, she's actually 20(!). It's also weird seeing Elizabeth Banks as an evil character, because she's normally a barrel full of awesome in whatever role she's in. All that being said, there's nothing particularly great (or horrible) about The Uninvited, as it's your standard PG-13 horror flick. You could certainly do worse, though.

Zombieland (2009) -- Trailer

Sorry for the influx of trailers recently, but it's fucking Woody Harrelson fighting zombies! The writers and director scare me, as they've done nothing of note... ever (unless you were a fan of Cruel Intentions 3). But, Zombieland at least looks awesome now, and hopefully it won't let me down.

Dead Snow (2009) -- Trailer

Nazi fucking zombies!!!

The 27 Club (2008) -- Trailer

I was perusing Trailer Addict this evening and watching some new trailers when I came upon The 27 Club. It looks incredible. I'm not sure what the deal is with the release date/DVD street date with the film, as it apparently premiered in the middle of last year. But, these are the breaks with independent films. The 27 Club looks top notch, and one I'm eagerly awaiting to purchase on DVD.

Die Hard: With a Vengeance (1995)

Die Hard: With a Vengeance (1995)

Directed by: John McTiernan
Screenplay by: Jonathan Hensleigh

Genre: Action | Thriller
Running Time: 131 Minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Viewed: Owned DVD

Think fast. Look alive. Die hard.

[IMDb]

Comments: Just in case anyone is wondering, I skipped the original and best Die Hard because I've seen it so many goddamn times, and it's been years since I've seen the others. Anyway, the third installment of the John McClane saga is definitely the best Die Hard film, behind the original. Despite having a few ridiculous moments, the overall strength of the script combined with the addition of Samuel L. motherfuckin' Jackson makes With a Vengeance a winner. Jackson was the perfect choice to accompany Willis in the film, as the two have great chemistry and deliver some funny lines. I wonder when villains will learn to map out where guys like McClane are before plotting their capers. One would think that if he's within 500 miles, you're automatically fucked.

Die Hard 2: Die Harder (1990)

Die Hard 2: Die Harder (1990)

Directed by: Renny Harlin
Screenplay by: Steven E. de Souza and Doug Richardson

Genre: Action | Thriller
Running Time: 124 Minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Viewed: Owned DVD

Look who's back in the wrong place at the right time!

[IMDb]

Comments: It's scary to go into a film knowing it's directed by Renny Harlin. Luckily, he made Die Hard 2 before he produced such gems as Driven and 12 Rounds. Anyway, Die Hard 2 is definitely the weakest of the original trilogy, and about on par with Live Free or Die Hard. The action in the film is both exciting and entertaining, but some of the plot has glaring holes. How in the world do both Holly and Dick (he'll always be Walter Peck in my heart) end up on the same flight the entire way around the country? Why does the SWAT team put on such an elaborate show for Andy Sipowicz and John McClane? Why wouldn't they just kill them? That's only a few of the problems with Die Hard 2. But, on the other hand, it's fucking John McClane and explosions out the ass. Yippee ki-yay, motherfucker.

Live Free or Die Hard (2007)

Live Free or Die Hard (2007)

Directed by: Len Wiseman
Screenplay by: Mark Bomback

Genre: Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller
Running Time: 130 Minutes
MPAA Rating: Unrated
Viewed: Owned DVD

Yippee Ki Yay Mo - John 6:27.

[IMDb]

Comments: After the lack of adrenaline in The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3, I felt the need to ramp the action quotient up a bit. And with the ridiculous amount of action in Live Free or Die Hard, I feel that I have accomplished this. I was originally annoyed by the fourth entry into the Die Hard series the first time I saw it in theaters; the PG-13 aspect, combined with the ludicrous things that happen (throwing a car into a helicopter, the whole F16/18 wheeler scene) made the film seem completely asinine. But watching the film a second time, with the f-bombs intact (even if a lot of them are dubbed in) made me enjoy the film for what it is: solid entertainment. Bruce Willis is just as funny as he is in the earlier films, and Justin Long doesn't annoy me as much as other sidekicks from recent years (here's looking at you, Shia LaBeouf). Live Free or Die Hard is an entertaining film, as long as you can ignore some of the more idiotic aspects of the film.

The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 (2009)

The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 (2009)

Directed by: Tony Scott
Screenplay by: Angelo Pizzo

Genre: Crime | Drama | Thriller
Running Time: 106 Minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Viewed: Theater

[IMDb]

Comments: The great thing about big budget action films is that if there's a weak or ridiculous storyline, it can be covered up by explosions. Lots and lots of explosions. The problem with The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 is that it has the plot of a summer blockbuster, but none of the BOOM! Pelham tries to be more of a character driven suspense film, where we are given extensive knowledge into the lives of Denzel Washington (terrific as always) and John Travolta. Unfortunately, this makes the film feel rather laborious as we wait for a pulse-pounding scene, which never really happens. I like the idea of the film, but Tony Scott's execution and visual pizazz makes the movie feel like something it isn't. I like both Scott and Washington, but their films have gotten worse over the years. From the excellent Man on Fire, to the pretty decent Deja Vu, to this summer's Pelham, I think the two need to start picking better projects (and I can't forget about 1995's Crimson Tide, but I've never seen the film). The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 isn't the worst choice you could make at the theater, but there's certainly better options out there to spend your hard-earned money.

Hoosiers (1986)

Hoosiers (1986)

Directed by: David Anspaugh
Screenplay by: Angelo Pizzo

Genre: Drama | Sport
Running Time: 114 Minutes
MPAA Rating: PG
Viewed: Owned DVD

They needed a second chance to finish first.

[IMDb]

Comments: Sports movies have become somewhat harder for me to watch after plowing through three seasons of Friday Night Lights. I expect to get a thorough back story for each character with each getting significant screen time. Jimmy's character is given a little story, but for being the star player he is never really developed and his story is barely told. But let's not mistake ourselves. Hoosiers is all about Gene Hackman, and he shines in the role. You feel for him and want him to succeed. Dennis Hopper is excellent as well, and he shows much more acting ability as Shooter than his usual crazy characters. While Hoosiers has a few glaring issues, it's still a fun movie to watch. I love you guys.

The Girl Next Door (2007)

The Girl Next Door (2007)

Directed by: Gregory Wilson
Screenplay by: Daniel Farrands and Philip Nutman

Genre: Crime | Drama | Thriller
Running Time: 91 Minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Viewed: Owned DVD

In this town murder became the neighborhood game.

[IMDb]

Comments: This Girl Next Door certainly doesn't star Elisha Cuthbert. This film is a gut-wrenching-make-you-feel-dirty horror film about some fucked up people. Now, I've seen a lot of films like this, and a lot of them feature some campy and ridiculous plot devices that takes the viewer "out" of the seriousness of the film. None of these things are present in The Girl Next Door. The film isn't that great of a film by itself; the acting is subpar and the ending feels overly rushed. But the grittiness and nastiness of the film really keeps the viewer's eyes glued to the screen. Perhaps the reason why the film has such an effect was that Jack Ketchum's novel (the basis for this film) was based on the real-life murder of Sylvia Likens. While the film differs from this real life event, there are more shocking things that the writers and director could have included that would have made the film even more sickening (the Wikipedia page describes these events). The Girl Next Door is a painful movie to watch, and one that I can't imagine I'll be watching again any time soon.

Shutter Island (2009) -- Trailer

I don't have much to say as I'm trying to pass the time until my beloved Penguins take the ice for Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals. But here is one of my most anticipated new films, Martin Scorsese's Shutter Island. Looks awesome.

Up (2009)

Up (2009)

Directed by: Pete Docter and Bob Peterson
Screenplay by: Pete Docter and Bob Peterson

Genre: Animation | Action | Adventure | Comedy | Family
Running Time: 96 Minutes
MPAA Rating: PG
Viewed: Theater

[IMDb]

Comments: Continuing the ever-impressive Pixar tradition, Up is yet another magical film that is without a doubt one of the finest animated films I've ever seen. The 3-D is amazing and never distracting, and the animation is just great. The story itself is well-written, but a bit sad. Actually, it's very sad. Throughout the film (especially the beginning), you may feel your eyes filling up. Many themes are adult-oriented (losing an unborn child, losing your wife, not having a father around), and I can see parts of the film bothering kids. Luckily, I hate kids, so I don't care what they think. Parts of the film are goofy, but they always end up working because of the strong story and sense of connection the audience feels to the characters. Up is a funny and deeply moving film that is definitely among the year's best so far. It is a movie that all ages can appreciate and enjoy, and one that I recommend to everyone.

Darkman (1990)

Darkman (1990)

Directed by: Sam Raimi
Screenplay by: Chuck Pfarrer, Sam Raimi, Ivan Raimi, Daniel Goldin,
  and Joshua Goldin

Genre: Action | Crime | Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller
Running Time: 96 Minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Viewed: Owned DVD

Now, crime has a new enemy, and justice has a new face!

[IMDb]

Comments: Sam Raimi's Darkman follows the path that was laid by previous superhero-type films. Robocop comes to mind, and there's numerous scenes within Darkman that are reminiscent of Tim Burton's Batman. Liam Neeson and Frances McDormand show none of the acting ability that they possess, and thus much of the dialogue becomes laughable. It sounds like I'm really shitting on this film, but I did enjoy it (probably because I know what Sam Raimi did before and after Darkman). However, while watching the film, I was constantly reminded of the early '90s by the subpar effects and cheese-ridden scenes. Luckily, the best part of Darkman is at the end, when we are treated to a Bruce Campbell cameo! But overall, Darkman is one of Raimi's weaker films. Perhaps if he injected some more humor into the proceedings, the film might be a bit better. But as it stands, Darkman is just another forgotten movie that only gets remembered because of the fact that Sam Raimi's name is attached.

Home Movie (2008)

Home Movie (2008)

Directed by: Christopher Denham
Screenplay by: Christopher Denham

Genre: Drama | Thriller
Running Time: 77 Minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Viewed: Rental DVD - Blockbuster

Some memories are best forgotten.

[IMDb]

Comments: When it comes to "found footage" films, I've enjoyed the ones I've seen. The Blair Witch Project and Cloverfield immediately come to mind, and I've always been a fan of those films. Therefore, I was interested about Home Movie the first time I read about it. And in terms of the script, the storytelling through a digital camera, and overall effectiveness, Home Movie is a success. I was continuously interested in what was going to unfold, and I found the kids to be a bit creepy. But, there were more than a few things that didn't sit with me so well. The reasons why a family would continue to keep chronicling their children's descent into madness is beyond me. It's completely ridiculous that some of these things would be recorded. Also, (some spoilers) the ease with which the kids drag unconscious bodies around is strange, and the fact that both parents are shown laying on the kitchen table and tied up is beyond me. Superhuman kid strength? I guess. And why does the mother, a psychologist, chronicle her children's plight throughout the film on the family camera? I'm sure Grandma would love to hear about the kids crucifying the cat and attacking and biting some kid in a bathroom. Anyway, while Home Movie has its issues, it's an interesting watch and a different take on a "possession" film. It's worth a watch if you're in the mood for it.

The International (2009)

The International (2009)

Directed by: Tom Tykwer
Screenplay by: Eric Singer

Genre: Crime | Thriller
Running Time: 118 Minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Viewed: Rental DVD - Blockbuster

Is your money making a killing?

[IMDb]

Comments: One of the main reasons why The International got such mixed reviews is that there's no real emotion in the film, and there's no reason to care about Clive Owen. He's given very little in the way of a back story, and you never see any scenes where he's not working. I understand that, but I think the first half of the film is crafted incredibly well, so it doesn't matter what Owen's back story is because the viewer is too caught up in the proceedings. The International then explodes into an amazing shootout at the Guggenheim, which is one of the best I've seen in awhile and the high point of the film. Sadly, the film slows down considerably after that and we're left with a decent, but ultimately unsatisfying finale. The International is definitely worth a watch, and one that will hold your attention through the end. Especially if you're a Clive Owen fan and enjoy when he shoots people.

(500) Days of Summer -- Trailer

I'm a sucker for a good love story. So... yeah.

Killshot (2008)

Killshot (2008)

Directed by: John Madden
Screenplay by: Hossein Amini

Genre: Action | Drama | Thriller
Running Time: 95 Minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Viewed: Rental DVD - Blockbuster

Yesterday she was a witness. Today she's a target.

[IMDb]

Comments: The best phrase I can think of to describe this movie is... meh. There's nothing particularly horrible about John Madden's Killshot, but then again, there's nothing really good about it, either. Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who has made quite the comeback to the indie scene in the last few years, is just as annoying as his character. Mickey Rourke is bland as the cold-blooded hitman, and Thomas Jane and Diane Lane are both rathering boring as well. No one stands out for the audience to root for, and thus I had no real connection at all to the film. Killshot has been completed since early 2006, and yet the film didn't come out on DVD until a few weeks ago. That should give you an idea as to how good the film is. Also, Johnny Knoxville was apparently in the movie, yet all of his scenes were cut out because he didn't do well with the test audiences (luckily the studio was willing to put no bonus features at all on the DVD, so we can't see those scenes), so that too should let you know how good of a movie this is. Killshot would be a decent movie to watch on a rainy day on USA or TNT at 1:00 in the afternoon, but that's about it.

The Hangover (2009)

The Hangover (2009)

Directed by: Todd Phillips
Screenplay by: Jon Lucas and Scott Moore

Genre: Comedy
Running Time: 100 Minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Viewed: Theater

Some guys just can't handle Vegas.

[IMDb]

Comments: Since I've been watching mainly TV on DVD recently, it's nice to go see a movie in the theater, as it's been awhile. The Hangover was a funny and entertaining film, à la director Todd Phillips' Old School. There's really nothing to emotionally involve the viewer (as we've seen recently in Judd Apatow and company's films), but that really doesn't matter as the film is enjoyable and hilarious. Zach Galifianakis is easily the funniest of the group, but the cast is well-rounded and each plays their part just fine. The Mike Tyson bit went on a tad too long, as the man is a wretched actor and giving him more than one line is a mistake, but it's easy to overlook given the rest of the film. The Hangover has done so well that a sequel has already been given the green light, so we will see more hijinks in a few years (and I also found out they're making Old School Dos and Road Trip II: Beer Pong... ugh). Anyway, The Hangover is solid entertainment and a fun way to spend an afternoon.