Friday, November 4, 2011
[FULL TRAILER] UNDERWORLD AWAKENING 3D
Monday, October 31, 2011
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
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
Saturday, October 29, 2011
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
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
Sunday, October 23, 2011
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
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
Saturday, October 22, 2011
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-
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-
Thursday, October 13, 2011
[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….
All that being said, this reunion of all the original cast looks like it might capture was funny about the original, looks pretty funny….
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