MOVIE REVIEW: CONTAGION

IN THEATERS

CONTAGION



Steven Soderbergh presents this look at what happens when an infectious disease threatens humanity through varied viewpoints from an ensemble cast, including Marion Cotillard, Matt Damon, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, Laurence Fishburne, and Kate Winslet. The Informant's Scott Z. Burns provides the script. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, Rovi

Director: Steven Soderbergh

Cast: Marion Cotillard, Matt Damon, Laurence Fishburne, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow
and Kate Winslet

Release Date: Sep 09, 2011

Rated: Disturbing content and some language

Genres: Action/Adventure, Suspense/Thriller

Review:

The easiest test of how effective Contagion is how quickly you start to consciously think about touching your face, grabbing a door handle or holding hands with a loved one. Contagion is the type of film that maintains such a close proximity with reality that it feels like an extravagant “what if” documentary. Steven Soderbergh is the perfect director for this germaphobic waking nightmare. Soderbergh reins this film in, keeping the flights of fancy that countless other similar films take so easily, while maintaining his usual detached sensibility and faux naturalism. It’s a different kind of horror film that makes the mundane and common look horrific and vaguely terrifying. The assembled stars are all game even if more than a few get shafted in screen time or fulfilled story lines. Kate Winslet, Laurence Fishburne and Jude Law leave the biggest impressions each for very different reasons. The plot itself does waver a bit in the last act and it kind of stumbles towards the finish line, feeling more exhausted than accomplished. Still it’s leaves enough of an impression that it’ll make you think about touching the door on your way out of the theater.

B+

Bluray quality; Video is fantastic across the board ; Sound is equally impressive.

I was hand-selected to be a member of Blu-ray Elite, a beta program from Warner Home Video which has graciously sent me this free Blu-ray disc.

MOVIE REVIEW: APOLLO 18

IN THEATERS

APOLLO 18



NASA's canceled trip to the moon in the 1970s is the basis for this found-footage-style picture exploring the urban legend surrounding that mission -- what if Apollo 18 actually did occur and the proof of extraterrestrial life exists on film? Wanted's Timur Bekmambetov produces the film, with Spanish director Gonzalo Lopez-Gallego taking on helming duties. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, Rovi

Director: Gonzalo Lopez-Gallego

Cast: Lloyd Owen, Warren Christie

Release Date: Sep 02, 2011

Rated PG-13 for some disturbing sequences and language

Runtime: 1 hr. 26 min.

Genres: Suspense/Thriller

Review:

I’m generally a big fan of the “found footage” films; the genre is just a lot of fun for me. Typically though the films are done on a very small budget and really kind of hit some primal nerve that really digs deep. Apollo 18 sounds like an interesting concept but once we get into the meat of the film it just meanders along, hitting very obvious points and providing maybe one or 2 jump scares. I’m not sure if it could have worked with a better set up or if the antagonist of the film just come off as too silly to be scary. The concept works and I appreciated the mixing of actual archival footage with the film giving it’s a semblance of authenticity. The cast does what’s it’s asked and they fit their parts well but the roles are all terribly underwritten. The story is fairly straightforward and just feels like Blair Witch NASA. It never grabs you and is only mildly interesting making a short film feel incredibly long.

D

MOVIE REVIEW: [REC] ²

ON VIDEO

[REC] 2



Picking up just a few short minutes after the first film left off, Jaume Balagueró and Paco Plaza's adrenalized action horror sequel follows a heavily armed SWAT team and a tight-lipped medical officer as they venture into the quarantined tenement building to uncover the origins of the bizarre outbreak. Their helmet-mounted cameras capturing every nerve-shredding moment of the mission, the team must fight for their lives when they're beset by rampaging victims of the demonic virus. Now, with each new attack, the infection grows, and the horde gains power. Should the virus somehow manage to spread outside, the result would be a disaster of apocalyptic proportions. But there's still hope; the medical officer seems to know something about this infection that he hasn't yet shared with the others. Somewhere in the building, an antidote to the virus waits to be discovered. But in order to find it, these terrified soldiers will have to fight their way through a true hell on Earth. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Directors: Paco Plaza, Jaume Balagueró

Cast: Jonathan Mellor, Ariel Casas, Alejandro Casaseca, Pablo Rosso, Manuela Velasco

Release Date: Jul 09, 2010

Rated R for Strong bloody violence, disturbing images and pervasive language

Runtime: 1 hr. 25 min.

Genres: Drama, Horror, Suspense/Thriller

REVIEW:

Jaume Balaguer and Paco Plaza's follow up to their dizzyingly wonderful first person zombie film [REC] is more a continuation than a straight up sequel. Picking up just moments after the first one ends, the directors continue the look and film of the first, via a SWAT team this go around with helmet cams. The multi camera aspect presented this go around is effective in giving the audience a different perspective during action sequences that get you even more close and personal during some of the encounters, it’s a great effect even if it feels like a video game from time to time. The story itself is beefed up, giving us more information on what’s going and what’s caused the whole thing all with a decidedly more religious and supernatural tenor. It works well since it’s something that was hinted at near the end of the original film. A minor issue comes about halfway through the film as the directors decide to stop everything and retrace the steps of another group from the very beginning. It’s not the best decision because it kind of kills the flow of the film. While the entire sequence is interesting there’s only very little of consequence that happens. Once this storyline catches back up it continues it path providing enough scares, thrills and surprises to make any horror fan happy and hoping for a third go around.

B+

MOVIE REVIEW: SUPER

ON VIDEO

SUPER



An average guy reacts to the frustration of losing his wife by adopting a crime-fighting persona known as the "Crimson Bolt," and targeting any criminal who crosses his path -- no matter how minor their infraction may be. Frank (Rainn Wilson) is husband to former alcoholic and drug addict Sarah (Liv Tyler), and he loves her with all his heart. Their wedding day was one of but two perfect moments in this Frank's life, but when Sarah runs away with charismatic drug dealer Jacques (Kevin Bacon), the loss was just too much for her mild-mannered husband to take. Subsequently transforming himself into the Crimson Bolt, Frank reasons that if he can take down Jacques along with the rest of the city's scum, his beloved wife will soon come running back. With his homemade suit and his handy pipe wrench, Frank goes to work cleaning up the streets and starts making headlines. But just as the Crimson Bolt becomes the talk of the town, sociopathic comic-store clerk Libby (Ellen Page) reinvents herself as "Boltie," and makes a play to become the controversial street hero's trusted sidekick. Perhaps by working together, the Crimson Bolt and Boltie can make an example of Jacques, and keep the streets safe for average citizens. But real life isn't like comic books, and sometimes when an average person tries to be a superhero, things can go very bad, very fast. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
Director: James Gunn

Cast: Rainn Wilson, Ellen Page, Liv Tyler, Kevin Bacon, Michael Rooker

Release Date: Apr 01, 2011

Rated R for strong bloody violence, pervasive language, sexual content
& drug use

Runtime: 1 hr. 36 min.

Genres: Art House, Comedy, Superhero

REVIEW:

James Gunn has shown a talent for a twisted sort of humor and a love for fanboy genres. His 2006 film Slither was a wonderful homage to classic 80’s creature features that people like me just loved. Super tries something similar with superheroes, it suffers from a variety of issues first and foremost Kick Ass having recently and successfully traversed the same path beforehand. At this point it’s almost impossible to avoid the comparisons. Still taken on its own merits Super just misses more than it doesn’t. You get the sense the heart of a good strong idea is in there somewhere but it never comes to fruition. The film just lacks any sense of rhythm or cohesion. It’s a real shame because there’s a strong cast assembled and everybody seems game. Rainn Wilson turns in a believable performance throughout. Ellen Page is mildly unhinged and kind of fun in limited screen time. Kevin Bacon and Nathan Fillion are criminally underused, a shame since more screen time for both of their characters might have helped the film. Liv Tyler and Michael Rooker show up but aren’t really asked to do much. While I’m sure Gunn’s heart was in the right place Super just feels like a massive misfire.

C-

MOVIE REVIEW: THE WARD

ON VIDEO

THE WARD


A young girl named Kristen (Amber Heard) awakens in a psychiatric hospital after setting a farmhouse ablaze, and finds herself stalked by a malevolent ghost in this psychological shocker from celebrated horror director John Carpenter (Halloween). Badly battered and seemingly stricken with amnesia, Kristen forges a fragile friendship with fellow patients Sarah (Danielle Panabaker), Iris (Lyndsy Fonseca), Emily (Mamie Gummer), and Zoey (Laura-Leigh) as her compassionate therapist, Dr. Stringer (Jared Harris), works to uncover the source of her mysterious condition. Later, at night, when the lights in her remote ward go dim, Kristen is confronted by an imposing phantom that seems intent on dragging her screaming into the darkness. Eventually, the other girls in the ward begin to vanish, one by one. Now, the harder Kristen fights to avoid falling prey to her shadowy pursuer, the more convinced she becomes that no patient who's checked in to North Bend Psychiatric Hospital ever comes out alive. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: John Carpenter

Cast: Amber Heard, Danielle Panabaker, Mamie Gummer, Lyndsy Fonseca, Jared Harris

Release Date: Jul 08, 2011

Rated R for violence and disturbing images

Runtime: 1 hr. 28 min.

Genres: Horror, Suspense/Thriller

Review:

John Carpenter took a 9 year hiatus from feature filmmaking after making the dreadful Ghost of Mars. Carpenter’s return was mildly anticipated because he’s created a handful of favorites including one of my favorite horror films ever, his remake of The Thing. That being said, even the most diehard fan can’t ignore his obvious decline during the 90’s even though I am one of the few that liked Vampires. The Ward unfortunately just continues the decline, it’s biggest sin is that’s it not really a mess on the scale of Ghost of Mars but it’s just so bland and uninspired that you are left wondering why he chose this project to break his hiatus. The film is directed decently and it flows nicely but it’s just about as vanilla as it gets. Nothing about it has any identity or soul, it’s a mindless run through a plot that’s rudimentary and never really all that engaging. Amber Heard is incredibly easy on the eyes but her performance along with the rest of the cast, outside of Jared Harriss who looks like he’s really trying, is bland and nondescript. At best I can see it as a throwback to the “woman in cages” exploitation films from the 70’s but even that is kind of a stretch. It’s still better than Synder’s horrid Sucker Punch but that’s not really much of a compliment. Carpenter’s general sense of disinterest is so palpable that you can almost here him yawning in the background or maybe that’s you.

C-

MOVIE REVIEW: THE DEVIL’S DOUBLE

IN THEATERS

THE DEVIL’S DOUBLE



Dominic Cooper (An Education) headlines director Lee Tamahori's fact-based docudrama centering on the nightmarish experiences of an Iraqi army lieutenant whose life became a living hell after he was hand-selected to be a "fiday" (body double) for Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein's ruthless son Uday. Baghdad, 1987: Iraqi soldier Latif Yahia (Cooper) becomes privy to the inner workings of the royal family after receiving an offer he can't refuse. Desperate to protect his family and terrified of making any fatal missteps, Latif studies Uday's every personal tick in order to become the spitting image of the so-called "Black Prince." While some Iraqis might have been honored to be presented with such a unique opportunity, Uday's unparalleled sadism and debauched lifestyle quickly began to eat away at the very core of Latif's soul. As war with Kuwait looms on the horizon, Latif finds himself increasingly drawn to Uday's ravishing mistress Sarrab (Ludivine Sagnier), a woman with her own terrifying tales to tell about time spent with Iraq's cruelest son. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: Lee Tamahori

Cast: Dominic Cooper, Ludivine Sagnier, Raad Rawi, Philip Quast, Mimoun Oaissa

Release Date: Jul 29, 2011

Rated R for strong brutal violence and torture, sexual content, graphic nudity, drug use and pervasive language

Runtime: 1 hr. 48 min.

Genres: Action/Adventure, Drama

Review:

The Devil’s Double is a showcase in a lot of ways but first and foremost it’s about Dominic Cooper. Dominic Copper stars in duel roles, doing excellent work on both and making a complex story into something digestible and enthralling. This is Cooper’s film and it’s the kind of stage that most actors pray for. As Uday, Cooper is unhinged psychotic and incredibly watchable throughout. In this part of the role, he’s a living embodiment of the ID released onto the world. It’s a fascinating performance that’s mirrored, quite literally, by his turn as Latif. Cooper as Latif is somebody else entirely, a calm reserved man who’s simply in a bad situation. Cooper is able to balance both characters deftly throughout, with Uday bordering on caricature occasionally. Ludivine Sagnier is a striking vision but she’s mostly wooden mainly because of a thinly written role. Director Lee Tamahori handles the decadence and opulence involved with a steady hand but he occasionally gets a tad heavy handed. Tamahori only superficially glances over some of the more interesting relationships but never digs deeper. Regardless, this is an actor’s wet dream and Dominic Cooper shines.

B+