MOVIE REVIEW: LAKE MUNGO

MOVIE REVIEW: LAKE MUNGO

ON VIDEO



Sixteen-year-old ALICE PALMER drowns while swimming in the local dam. When her body is recovered and a verdict of accidental death returned, her grieving family buries her. The family then experiences a series of strange and inexplicable events centered in and around their home.

Directed by Joel Anderson

Cast: Rosie Traynor, David Pledger, Martin Sharpe, Talia Zucker

Release Date: Jan 21, 2010

Rated R for a scene of sexuality, and brief gruesome images

Runtime: 89 Minutes

Genres: Art House/Foreign, Drama, Horror, Mystery, Thriller

Lake Mungo is a hidden gem of a horror film. It’s not a horror film in the most standard definition; instead it’s a serious mocumentary that explores ghostly goings on with a family along with their grief and sense of loss. It all done with some a deft hand that it feels real for the better part of it’s run time. Director Joel Anderson really hits on some interesting nerves as he gives his film an emotional center that feels authentic and realistic. Slow to start the plot really finds its footing as the central mystery unravels. Unlike the recent Paranormal Activity series which places you in the actual house for the duration, Lake Mungo makes great use of blurry videos and photos intermixed with talking head interviews with the people involved. It feels like an actual documentary you might see on TV. The plot itself is strong but leaves a lot of open threads that remain unanswered through the films conclusion. It’s the kind of ghost story that really simmers in your mind, percolating well after the film is over.

B

MOVIE REVIEW: ATTACK THE BLOCK

ON VIDEO
ATTACK THE BLOCK



A group of London teens find themselves in the middle of an alien invasion and fight to defend their tower block from some evil extraterrestrials in this stylish sci-fi romp from the producers of Shaun of the Dead and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: Joe Cornish

Cast: John Boyega, Jodie Whittaker, Franz Drameh, Luke Treadaway, Nick Frost, Jumayn Hunter

Release Date: Jul 29, 2011

Rated R for drug content, pervasive language and creature violence

Runtime: 1 hr. 28 min.

Genres: Action/Adventure, Art House/Foreign, Comedy

Review:

Some movies instantly bring a strong sense of energy to the screen. It permeates through the screen the instant it starts. While it doesn’t always mean it’s the best filmed or plotted story out there, it does have that palpable sense present throughout. Attack the Block is that kind of film, far from perfect but imbued with enough cinematic energy to make you over look some of the more glaring flaws. First time director Joe Cornish has an interesting style which gives his low budget alien invasion dramdy a fun sense of itself. Cornish moves the film along at a brisk pace but it never feels rushed. Some of the characters are a flimsily written but the performances from the young cast really helps make it easier to watch. Front and center is John Boyega, his performance is fascinating throughout. Believable for the better part of the film, he has a quiet strength that’s a real treat to watch. Luke Treadaway is a good fun as stoner college student along for the ride. Jodie Whittaker does solid work but fairly forgettable as the female lead. Attack the Block is kind of a modern day amalgam of 80’s type kid adventure films, mix with some 90’s street films, remixed and blended with aliens and a dose of self aware comedy.

B

MOVIE REVIEW: PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 3

IN THEATERS

PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 3



The Paranormal Activity franchise continues with this third outing from Paramount Pictures. Oren Peli and Jason Blum return to produce the highly secretive feature, with Catfish's directing duo of Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman taking on the helming duties. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, Rovi

Director: Henry Joost, Ariel Schulman

Cast: Chloe Csengery, Jessica Tyler Brown, Christopher Nicholas Smith

Release Date: Oct 21, 2011

Rated R for some violence, language, brief sexuality and drug use

Runtime: 1 hr. 25 min.

Genres: Horror

Review:

The fact that Paranormal Activity is a franchise is an achievement in of itself. From the humblest of beginnings it’s brought us some of the best scares of the last decade. The sequel was pretty impressive in that it expanded the mythos of the original story and upped the scares. This third entry follows the same general pattern as the previous films. We hear things, see things fly around and watch as terrified people try to figure what’s going on. This third entry goes back to Katie and Kristy’s childhood to show the start of the whole thing. Directors Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman are right at home, they directed the possibly real / fake Catfish, in this setting. They set up some interesting scares and while the film keeps with the previous film’s mantra of being subtle, they show more of what goes bump in the night. It’s all done well, even if it makes you wonder if along with demonic possession a need to document everything on film is a family trait. Sadly, something is missing here. There are a few jump scares but it lacks the pop of the first two. As a result it all feels very like you are going down a road well traveled and the scares all come at fairly obvious moments. The bigger sin is that the mythos isn’t expanded all that much, most of the plot has been mentioned in the previous films so there is no massive reveal to make the whole thing worthwhile.

C

MOVIE REVIEW: RED STATE

RED STATE


Kevin Smith steps his foot into horror territory with this politically tinged fright flick starring Michael Parks (From Dusk Till Dawn, Grindhouse) as a controversial Fred Phelps-ish reverend who brings his own brand of zealotry to a wayward group of teens. Smith directs from his own long-in-development script. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, Rovi

Director: Kevin Smith

Cast: Michael Parks, Melissa Leo, John Goodman, Kyle Gallner, Michael Angarano

Release Date: Jan 23, 2011

Rated R for disturbing content, some sexual content, strong violence, pervasive language and brief nudity

Runtime: 1 hr. 37 min.

Genres: Horror, Suspense/Thriller

Review:

You have to give Kevin Smith credit for stepping outside of the box and trying something different. Red State is a messy message movie that has Smith painting with really broad strokes, creating something that feels rushed and terribly underdeveloped. Watching Red State, you can see where Smith’s mind is but he never achieves a fully realized vision. Instead Red State is a choppy film that has strange tonal changes throughout, with some weird comedic asides. Wonderful character actor, Michael Parks, is placed front and center and Smith gives him free reign with the character which succeeds to varying degrees. Parks is impressive and mystifying in his opening appearance, a nearly 15 minute monologue/ sermon but as the film wears on he should have been reigned in a tad to avoid the caricature the ends the film. Smith has the scaffolding of a film dealing with religious zealots like Fred Phelps, Jim Jones or David Koresh but it turns into something closer to satire. John Goodman and his group of ATF agents are a prime example of this, playing more as types than actual characters. Melissa Leo and Stephen Root show up and barely register. The finale is an almost silly tangent into the bizarre that leaves you scratching your head wondering what Smith intention in this splatterfest was.

C-

[Red Band Trailer] American Reunion

I’ve never been a big time fan of the series but the first 2 were pretty funny then it just went into a head spin down ending in craptastic Direct to Video entries.

All that being said, this reunion of all the original cast looks like it might capture was funny about the original, looks pretty funny….

MOVIE REVIEW: THE THING (2011)

IN THEATERS

THE THING (2011)

An American paleontologist and a team of Norwegian scientists fight for their lives against a shape-shifting extraterrestrial that can perfectly mimic any living creature in this prequel to John Carpenter's 1982 horror classic. Upon receiving word that the Antarctic research team has unearthed an alien craft, paleontologist Kate Lloyd (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) joins the group to explore what secrets the ship might hold. Though by Kate's estimation the creature inside the spaceship has been dead for centuries, it has actually just been lying dormant in the ice. Perfectly preserved, it has awaited the day when it would finally be freed from its frigid prison; now, after eons of lying in wait, that day has finally come. Suddenly revived during a crucial experiment, the malevolent alien begins methodically mimicking each member of the crew undetected. By the time Kate realizes the frightening implications of the creature's unique ability, it may already be too late. As paranoia among the crew begins to intensify, it's up to Kate and the crew's helicopter pilot, Carter (Joel Edgerton), to make sure the extraterrestrial menace is exterminated before it has the opportunity to escape -- for, should it manage to make its way to a heavily populated area, humanity's days may be numbered. Matthijs Van Heijningen Jr. makes his feature directorial debut from a script by Eric Heisserer and Battlestar Galactica's Ronald D. Moore. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
Director: Matthijs van Heijningen Jr.

Cast: Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Joel Edgerton, Ulrich Thomsen, Eric Christian Olsen, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje

Release Date: Oct 14, 2011

Rated R for Strong creature violence and gore, disturbing images and language

Runtime: 1 hr. 43 min.

Genres: Horror, Sci-Fi/Fantasy

REVIEW:

The Thing prequel was always going to be a dicey subject for me since Carpenter’s remake from the 80’s is one of my top 3 favorite horror films of all time. I’ve tried to keep an open mind but I am only human and I’m sure my prejudices infect this review more than it should. This prequel feels a lot like a remake especially in the first act. It plays very similarly but first time director Matthijs van Heijningen Jr. seems more interested in getting to the creature effect as opposed to building up suspense. The story also changes the creature’s logic, making it more aggressive where as Carpenter’s version reacted in a more defensive manner. The effects in of themselves are impressive and pay homage to the Carpenter film but the CGI is of variable quality, occasionally looking very good then looking incredibly bad in others. Heinjinigen turns this prequel more into a standard creature feature with characters that could barely be called paper thin. The characters, including the lead, feel like nothing more than fodder for creature. Mary Elizabeth Winstead is terribly miscast her and she reads lines about as flatly as they can be read. Her performance and character are never engaging or interesting instead a general sense of bland throughout. The remainder of the cast is simply asked to replicate versions of characters from the Carpenter film, with Joel Edgerton and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje doing their best Kirk Russell and Keith David impersonations. There are a few scares here and there but with the lack of any tangible suspense they are all telegraphed making them fairly obvious. The final act plays more like something from the Aliens franchise. The ambiguity of the Carpenter film is missing right through the end. A nice wrap up scene, setting up the Carpenter film, during the credits is well done but doesn’t do much but put the final pieces in place. Fans of the Carpenter film will find things to like here and there and will probably walkout with the desire to watch the Carpenter film as soon as they leave the theater, quickly forgetting this prequel.

C

TV SHOW REVIEW: WEEDS SEASON 1 - 7

TV SHOW REVIEW: WEEDS SEASON 1 - 7



Synopsis:

Dark comedy about a single mother who makes ends meet by selling marijuana in the fictional suburb of Agrestic, California. The series exposes the dirty little secrets that lie behind the pristine lawns and shiny closed doors of homes in the of this gated community. Mary Louise Parker stars as the suburban mom who resorts to selling weed to support her family after her husband unexpectedly dies

Starring: Mary-Louise Parker, Hunter Parrish, Alexander Gould, Kevin Nealon, Justin Kirk

Weeds is an interesting show, for a dramedy it’s incredibly risky and bold, not just because of the subject matter either. Jenji Kohan has to be given credit for taking massive risk throughout the series’ 7 season run. Most shows stick with the status quo and stick with what works. Weeds, for better or worse, likes to stir the pot (pun intended). At its center is the lovely and snarky turn by Mary-Louise Parker. Parker has an interesting screen presence and an uncanny ability to deliver lines in a funny & sarcastic way. Her biggest talent is turning a character that becomes increasingly reckless, selfish and self centered likeable some how. It’s a daunting task to keep the audience on Nancy Botwin’s side and there are plenty of times that it’s impossible but regardless Parker make her interesting. Justin Kirk has a slightly easier time with Andy Botwin who starts off as kind of a mooch be really turns into the shows heart and soul. Andy functions nicely a passive stand in for the audience. Hunter Parrish and Alexander Gould really grow into their roles both literally and artistically as the series goes on. Gould’s character in particular takes an interesting but decently foreshadowed turn as the series goes on. Kevin Nealon really flexes his comedic muscle as stoner / once well respected bureaucrat and accountant, like everybody else’s character his story line takes many a twist and turn. An assortment of excellent character actors and actresses pepper the series all leaving lasting impressions which are especially noticeable when their characters disappear from the series. Elizabeth Perkins, Allie Grant, Tonye Patano and Romany Malco in particular do fine work and causally tossed aside during various seasons. I’d be a liar if I said that Weeds wasn’t occasionally frustrating and maddening. Things change a lot over the course of the series. Season 1 is vastly different from Season 7 but then again the characters would be incredibly boring if they stayed the same forever. Wouldn’t they? If Season 7 is the end and a massive cliffhanger we’re left with is the end, part of me feels like its oddly fitting. Time will tell if we get a proper end or not.

B-

[Official Trailer] The Avengers

Official trailer is finally out and it’s pretty damn Geektastic, watch it for yourself.

You get a nice sense of the scale that Whedon is going for and some nice action shots of all the heroes, of course Robert Downey Jr’s Tony Stark gets the best line in the trailer…..

MOVIE REVIEW: TROLLHUNTER

ON VIDEO

TROLLHUNTER



Three student filmmakers venture into the most isolated region of Norway on a mission to confront a notorious bear poacher, and discover that the elusive hunter's true prey is something far more extraordinary. Though Kalle, Thomas, and Johanna thought they were pursuing a criminal, after locating Hans (Otto Jespersen) with the help of some local hunters, they learn that bears are not his true target but a mere smokescreen to obscure what he's really after -- trolls. A secret government agency has been conspiring to cover up the existence of these massive monsters, but occasionally the trolls manage to break their containment area. Now, if the group can just survive long enough to get their incredible footage to the outside world, they could be responsible for revealing the most impressive cryptozoological discovery in the history of humankind. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: André Øvredal

Cast: Glenn Erland Trosterud, Otto Jespersen, Robert Stoltenberg, Knut Nærum

Release Date: Jun 10, 2011

Rated PG-13 for some sequences of creature terror

Runtime: 1 hr. 43 min.

Genres: Art House/Foreign, Horror

Review:

There is an incredible sense of fun and adventure at the heart of this “found footage” mockumentary. It benefits the film which never really takes itself overly seriously and serves the premise perfectly well. This low budget creature feature is an interesting film that feels more like a road movie which takes full advantage of the wonderfully mythical looking Norwegian landscapes. Director André Øvredal gives his film a surprisingly polished feel. So much so that it really doesn’t feel like a lot of “found footage” genre films. The CGI is impressive considering the minuscule budget; most of it is wisely hidden in the dark or night vision. His cast is fairly naturalistic and come across as authentic. Glenn Erland Trosterud, in particular, just nails his grizzled hunter who’s over the crap job he’s been tasked with. Watching Trosterud and knowing that an American remake is already in the works, remake deal was announced the day it was released internationally, I couldn’t help but think of Tommy Lee Jones in the role. I digress, the film is a lot of fun but it does have some flaws. A few portions of the film just seem like filler and the last act feels like it’s building up to an impressive climax but it doesn’t come through. Instead the film ends abruptly and certain parties portrayed previously suddenly become dangerous. It’s a strange finale but there is a funny little bit near the end with reminds you of the tone that makes Trollhunter easy to enjoy.

B-