Movie Review - The Descent (2005)

If you ever think you live a sheltered life… you do. We are only able to watch movies that are available here in North America. What I mean is that other countries have produced great movies but they just do not end up here. The world is our stage and we should explore what other countries are able to release.

I just finished watching “The Descent” (2005). The movie is made by a UK production company and also filmed there. Although the movie opened in theatres in the UK, it was a year later when it came to North America but only with limited previews. I’m not even sure you can buy the DVD here.

The premise is pretty simple. Sarah feels that she is ready to get on with her life and her friends want to help by putting together a trip that she will remember. The last trip was the previous year; while returning home from water rafting trip, her husband and daughter get killed in a motor vehicle accident involving impalement of copper tubes. Sarah and her five friends go on a trip to the Appalachian Mountains for a bit of exploration The group arrives at the predestination with the help from a tour book but as it turns out, the cave is not the one listed on the map nor does it appear to be explored. One of the girls thought it would be a better idea to explore something that wasn’t already a tourist trap. The girls make their descent into the cave network and soon become trapped by falling rocks. While trying to find a way out, a shadowy figure is spotted and the group scurries in fear. With the help of flashlights, flares and a video camera on night mode they are able to navigate through the caves running away from cannibalistic humanoid creatures trying to survive. One by one, Sarah’s friends are taken by the creatures and it it's up to Sarah to get herself out.

The movie seemed a bit slow, 40 minutes in and no action. Lots of talk... girls ? I will say that once the action of the creatures came in the movie picked up like a roller coaster. The acting was okay, no one stood out. The creature affects decent, some blood and gore.

The story doesn’t sound that original but it was alright for what it was. It’s definitely a movie you would want to watch with your girlfriend, wife or mother -you get the idea. It was like “Sister Hood of the Traveling Pants” meets “The Cave” (2005).

All in all it wasn’t too bad. I rate it a 7/10.

Movie Review - Moon (2009)

How about something that plays with your mind? I just finished watching “Moon” (2009). It is classified as SCIFI and is a prime example of science fiction at its best. The film had limited screening in the US and Canada but originates from the UK as an independent film.

I won’t give away too much of the story but basically it involves an anstronaught farmer; Sam Bell who tends to the cultivation of helium-3 some sort of power fusion crop. Every so often he goes out and collects a cylinder from the automated combines. The cylinder is then launched back to earth. He interacts with GURTY the computer system that helps him through daily life. Sam only has just 2 weeks left out of a 3 year mission and then someone else comes up to relieve him. Things change one day for him, while out driving the rover, he crashes it and knocks himself unconscious. When he awakes he finds that the person that had rescued him is not someone he would have expected. He then must come to terms with his station in life and carry it through to the end.

The movie stars Sam Rockwell playing Sam Bell an astronaut tending to the lunar moon farm. I’m, not familiar with his work but his acting in this movie was decent. I really enjoyed his characterizations. The other actor which I would like to give hats off to is Kevin Spacey. He voiced GURTY (similar to HAL 9000) - a computer with such finesse.

Not too much for effects, the sets were simple but this movie was all about the story, the characters and the personal-mid life crisis that Sam Bell goes through. This movie kept my attention so much that I never once paused it nor did I run to the bathroom. I really enjoyed this one and recommend viewing it. I rate it 8.5/10.

Movie Review - Alien Raiders (2008)

It’s amazing how many movies are made and end up to be direct-to-DVD, sometimes they’re duds and sometimes not. This movie is in the middle as far as far as quality goes but was a little on the fun side. I just finished watching "Alien Raiders" (2008). Sounds intriguing? It did for me.

The film opens with a grocery store closing for the night, located in a small town some where in Arizona. The cashier is just taking the last of the customers and the store manager has just announced that the store is closing. The scene then switches to a van pulling up. Enter a group of masked gunmen who yell out that this is a robbery. Everyone in the store is frightened and hides. Some shots are fired and some are killed. The masked men soon take control and lock the doors. What seemingly looks like a robbery turns out to more of a 'witch' hunt. One by one each patron is investigated and interrogated by a man telepathically. You soon find out that the group is really scientists searching for an alien organism which they have traced to be at the store. The interrogator gets shot by a cop who was in the store and now it’s back to the old method - chopping of a finger. By this time there are police outside the door trying to negotiate for the return of the hostages. Some who passed the scan are able to leave while the others are left behind. The hostages later find out that they are dealing with an alien parasite and must band together with their captors to fight the alien controlled host.

The story wasn’t bad, holds some merit but I felt that more could have been done. A little bit of a twist I think, it kept me guessing. To me it was almost like ‘Clue’ meets ‘The Usual Suspects' meets 'Alien’ with 'The Mist'. This movie is low budget –obviously, filmed in a grocery store. I think it is an independent film. The pace of the movie was fantastic. There were a few decent gore scenes and the effects were acceptable. The acting was okay nothing too terrible.

It’s up to you if you want to give it a go. I personally like independent low budget films so I give an 'A' for effort but rate it 6/10.

Movie Review - Mulberry Street (2006)

Alright, I have a good one for you. I should add that I was pleasantly surprised. May I present “Mulberry Street” (2006). This movie is categorized as a horror thriller. I should also mention that the movie is an independent and had a budget of $60,000.

The movie opens showing various tenants living their lives in a small apartment building. You meet Clutch; a father who lives with a gay man awaiting the return of his daughter from the military; a single mother with her son and two older gentlemen sharing a flat. They all know each other. Then intermixed are scenes of the sewer; rats eating each other behaving oddly. The start I will admit is slow and you wonder where this is all going. The news is reporting strange incidents of rat bites with swarming. This has led to an outbreak of some sort of infection. An epidemic of huge proportions have transformed the residents of Manhattan into some sort of zombie rat like creatures and so the story focuses on the survival of the six tenants.

You may think, ‘so what’. I know the film is not really that original but this movie is more about getting there than anything else. What I mean is there is a storyline behind the tenants which resulted in excellent characterization. This showed through as the acting was decent -not award wining but above average. The camera work was just amazing. The pans, the pull ups, some good special effects were used but nothing over the top. The only thing I didn’t like is that the film seemed like it was sped up to show the craziness of the rat turned people.

No matter what, this movie is better than independent and better than being a direct-to-DVD. I do recommend watching it and rate it 7/10. I was impressed for what it was and I hope my review conveys that.

Movie Review - Mirrors 2 (2010)

I just love to be disappointed with sequels. Not just any sequel but a ‘direct to DVD’ sequel. If you haven’t had a chance to watch “Mirrors 2” (2010) –Don’t!

I did like the original movie and was intrigued by a sequel. Sadly it was not up to par.

Here’s the story; the Mayflower department store has relocated to New Orleans and will be opening soon. A freak accident involving a night security guard eating glass leaves the position open. Max Matheson is recently on the road to recovery after loosing his fiancée in a tragic car accident. Max gets volunteered to be the new night security guard by his father Jack who owns Mayflower. On Max’s first night he starts having visions, one of which is an executive which he met earlier that day being killed in her bathroom. He later recognizes a woman he sees in the mirror to be the same one pictured in the missing flyer taped to pole outside. He contacts the sister and begins to unravel both the mysterious disappearance of the woman and the killings of key operations staff at Mayflower.

Does it sound familiar? It should, the story is really the exact same premise as the original but with a few small changes. Even still, I found it to be completely predictable. It did hold my attention only just so I could watch the ‘train wreck’ unfold.

There is decent gore with some good death scenes. It made me think of the “Final Destination” franchise. The acting was okay; acceptable for what it was. The movie starred Nick Stohl (he played John Connor in Terminator 3). I didn’t really recognize anyone else. There was a little bit of gratuitous nudity within, just enough to forget the movie was bad for about 20 seconds. This movie had potential to be better but failed to do so.

I would not recommend viewing this. It was a waste of time. I say it was okay and rate it 3.5/10. Watch out for those ‘direct to DVD’ movies. Anyone see this?

Movie Review - Dark Star (1974)

Everything has a beginning and that is especially true with the latest sci-fi movie "Dark Star" (1974). It was directed and co wrote by John Carpenter. It's basically his second movie made before "Halloween" (1978).

The story surrounds 4 astronauts aboard a small scout spaceship whose mission is to seek out unstable planets and destroy them to make way for colonization. Sound simple enough? They’ve been doing it now for 20 earth years or 3 of theirs and to make matters worse the ship is starting to malfunction with age. They have been denied any retrofitting or repairs due to recent cut backs. A recent electrical accident has left their Commander; Powell dead but he is still able to communicate left on ice in a cryro-freezer. The crew is quirky, an alien beach ball being is loose, and the ship and the bombs have their own personality. Things really get out of hand when the computer malfunctions and the bomb #20 wants to detonate. It’s up to the crew to pull together to get through.

Now, I won’t give away anymore than that. You will just have to watch it.

There was good use of camera work. The set was not bad for what it was. The affects were decent for it's time and in fact the person responsible was hired by George Lucas. Some of the wardrobe and props were questionable though. The acting was alright, all unknowns. The musical score was fantastic, made by John Carpenter himself and had that "Halloween" sound that we are all use to.

This movie was fun but serious at times. It was like “2001: A Space Odyssey” (1968) on crack. While watching I couldn’t help but notice some similarities; this movie may have been the inspiration to the “Red Dwarf” series.

I really liked this hidden jem low budget film. I recommend viewing it and rate it 7.5/10. If anything you should be curious what John Carpenter was able to do as a novice film maker.

Movie Review - Krull (1983)

You must see “Krull” (1983), it is an adventure mixed sci-fi fantasy; a cool combo to have. The era seems to be medieval times but takes place on the planet Krull.

The story is as follows; Prince Colwyn of one kingdom is set to marry Princess Lyssa of another in hopes of becoming allies instead of being rivals and band together to fight the evil that has taken their planet captive. The Beast and his army of darkness take cover in a mountain like castle dubbed ‘the black fortress’. It is capable of teleporting to another location every sundown. On the day of the wedding, the beast sends in his goons to disrupt the proceedings killing off the magistrate and the guests. Princess Lyssa is captured and taken back to the black fortress. It is now up to Prince Colwyn to rescue her and kill the evil beast. He embarks on a journey meeting up with a wise man, a novice magician, a band of escaped prisoners and a seer. Together they track down the fortress and take hold. Well, obviously he is victorious -- kills the beast and rescues the Princess but the story is about how he gets there. It is a tale of magic and wonder as well as a journey of self discovery for the Prince.

The film has decent effects for the time. The storyline might be considered cliché but it was done well. I really liked the way it was shot and the camera work was good. The acting was alright. No one really stood out. There is a young Liam Neeson, Todd Carty and few other actors who have made a decent career since this movie release. One thing I did notice which was somewhat annoying (because it was too obvious). If you listen to the musical score, you will notice that it sounds too much like the same style from Star Trek II +, compliments of James Horner.

I really liked this movie. It really kept my attention. It was like Lord of Rings with elements of King Arthur’s story, mixed with a little Star Wars. Throw all that together and add the fun and adventure of Indiana Jones; fantastic. I would recommend viewing this movie and rate it 8/10. Good solid all around decent effort.

Movie Review - Radioactive Dreams (1985)

Got an interesting one for you, not entirely the best but I think it holds a deeper meaning. I should mention that sometimes movies that are made in the 80’s should stay in the 80’s. What I am referring to is the post apocalyptic flick “Radioactive Dreams” (1985).

The story opens with an atomic bomb dropping and two older men grab their sons and take them within a cave entrance. Then we see the son’s grown up; Philip Hammer and Marlowe Chandler. They are about to break out of their underground bomb shelter where they had been living there for about 15 years. They are surprised and in awe over their new surroundings but soon adapt. The boys are very simple in nature and highly influenced by detective fiction. They soon encounter a woman survivor; Miles Archer and pick her up. Miles accidentally drops her keys in the car but later runs away. The boys must try to track her down to give them back to her but find very quickly that everyone else is after them to get the keys. They encounter various mutated freaky individuals and punky bikers. It’s later revealed that the keys will activate the only remaining nuclear missiles. So, it’s up to the boys to save the world.

The movie stars a young John Stockwell and Michael Dudikoff. The acting was on the poor side. I felt like I was watching a high school production. I didn’t like how eccentric the boys were to the point of annoyance but could be considered ‘over acting’. There are definitely problems with the script as it didn’t seem to flow right. The plot was terrible, lots of holes. Just sloppy fun.

This flick definitely screams 80's with its cheesiness, musical soundtrack and of course costume design. There are a lot of influences from the 80’s, 40’s and 50’s. Almost like “Grease” but 80’s style. For example; the final scene ended with a musical number. I’m really not sure about this movie at all. I’m thinking maybe I should watch it again?

For now, I’ll rate it 5.5/10.

Movie Review - Screamers 2: The Hunting (2009)

A die hard SCIFI fan would have to sit through this movie. What I’m referring to is “Screamers 2: The Hunting” (2009). Now, I really enjoyed the original “Screamers” (1995) movie and thought I would give the sequel a try. Oh, Oh… my mistake. I mean it wasn’t terrible but it wasn’t good. Okay maybe it was terrible. It’s too bad that we wait years for a follow up. The movie was not even released at the theatre but rather ‘direct to DVD’ and you just know there is nothing good that comes from those. The original movie was based on a novel “Second Variety” by Philip K. Dick. I just love the movies that are based on his works.

The movie in no way picks up from the original but it does takes place on the same planet Sirius 6B. It follows a crew of rescue military personnel sent from earth to investigate an SOS distress signal. They land and are greeted with attacks from a small faction of survivors and ground screamers. The crew later meets up with Guy - the leader of the survivors and takes cover in an underground military bunker. The real problems start when some captured facsimile human screamers are accidentally released and the bunker is compromised by a horde of screamers. With the very little survivors left they make their way to an abandoned station searching for power modules for the ship and meet up with the doctor responsible for making screamers. By this time there are more screamers on the way and in just a few short hours the planet will be bombed with meteors. So, needless to say only two escape back to the ship (Victoria and Guy) and embark for the voyage home in stasis. 2 months later, Victoria is pregnant and with a screamer child who is Guy’s. The ending is what really ruined any creditability that the film had up to that point.

The storyline was weak, the script was terrible. At times it seemed like it was predictable. With this movie, I pretty much knew that Guy was a screamer. The acting was okay. The effects were not bad but at times I found it a little cheesy. The film is just all around awkward that is not worthy to be viewed again. I would rate this 4/10 and note that I wish it was better. I do recommend watching the original. It is definitely a classic.

Movie Review - The Terminal Man (1974)

I just viewed “The Terminal Man” (1974) thinking it was scifi. Yeah, I was a little off. It wasn’t too bad. I mean, you have to keep in mind the year in which it was made in. The book of the same name was published in 1972 by Michael Crichton.

The story involves a man; Harry Benson, who is involved in an accident and receives some sort of head trauma. He is never the same. Harry now suffers from seizures which make him go into a fit of rage and become very violent. Recently he has been locked up for his crimes but released to a doctor for treatment. He has been chosen to be the first in an experiment in which they will implant computer sensory devices in his head. This is to help control the fits he has. His brain soon learns to overcome the electronic suppression and provides him with small windows of madness in which he escapes and kills again.

Too many things have gone bad when computers are integrated with the human psyche.

I had to keep watching to see where this was going. It was very slow in setting up but once it got going it kept my attention.

The acting wasn’t too bad, could always be better. It was an interesting concept but the movie played out just a little too weak for my liking. Maybe it’s just me but, I would not recommend seeing this little jem. I rate this film 4.5/10.

Movie Review - The Philadelphia Experiment (1984)

The one thing about time travel movies is that it is filled with flaws. I’m sure you will be thinking the same thing when you watch “The Philadelphia Experiment” (1984). It is supposedly based on actual events which have been highly criticized as a hoax.

The story unfolds in the year 1943 and involves a couple of naval serviceman; Jim Parker and David Herdeg. They are about to embark on a maiden voyage aboard a destroyer battleship which has an untested cloaking system. They are to remain invisible from radar but get more than they bargained for. The ship disappears from present time and while in a panic the two go overboard only to land on an airbase in future 1984. A rip in space time has occurred and is shown with a funnel type hole opening in the sky followed by lighting storms. They are intercepted by the military police. In a race against time -literally they must search out the truth and stop the storms while finding away back. The love interest Alison Hayes is set on helping them but ends up falling for David. In the meantime Jim Parker has developed symptoms of time lag and soon disappears. I really want to leave it at that as so I don’t spoil it.

The acting was decent, no one really stood out but they didn’t suck. The main character David Herdeg played by a Michael Pare reminded me so much of Brendan Fraser (The Mummy). His mannerisms and the way he spoke. In fact if they do a remake, he would be perfect. The special effects were alright along with set and scenes.

I really enjoyed this movie. It was a good mix of action, adventure, science and even love. It held a certain nostalgia being that it takes place in 1984. It makes me think about the culture shock that one would feel if being dropped 40 years into the future. Moreover, it is likely what our grandparents might be thinking about with the ideas of how things have progressed. I do recommend viewing this and rate it a 7.5/10.

Movie Review - A Boy and His Dog (1975)

Got to love post apocalyptic films, it shows us a picture of what our world would be like should the bombs fall. This type of sub genre of science fiction is more real because it is what we fear. So if you mix it up with humour, it tends to be a lot better to watch. What I mean is contained within “A Boy and His Dog (1975).

The story picks up some years after world war IV. In a war torn desert wasteland roaming, we find a boy (Vic) and his dog (Blood). They are survivors trying to live in a world uncivilized and over run by savages. Vic can telepathically speak with his dog and they help each other navigate through the desert. Vic is nomadic in nature. There is purpose besides just living, search out for the rare female and have his way with her. This seems to be a priority at times above eating, having shelter or staying away from trouble. Things get out of hand when he decides to protect his female prize (Quilla June) from a clan of marauders who want to rape her. The two appear to fall for each other but she soon disappears on him. He is later lured below the surface to look for her and is surprised to stumble upon a community of extremist Christians living there in robotic harmony. He is captured and conned into assisting 35 brides with getting pregnant but later meets up with Quilla June and she pleas for help to leave the compound. I don’t want to spoil it further but you certainly will enjoy this tale for the hopeless chase for sex.

This movie stars a young Don Johnson, his actor was decent. The story is a bit weak and there was a lack of visuals. Although, great characterization and dialogue. The telepathic dog is most entertaining. The boy and his dog seem to play off each other like a comedy duo or a married couple. This film was not produced as mainstream but rather as an independent. As such, it has developed a bit of a cult status. I thought for what is well done but not worthy of a high rating. I recommend watching it but rate it 6.5/10

Movie Review - Futureworld (1976)

Going SCIFI on you now and have a little ‘jem’ called "Futureworld" (1976). It is actually a sequel of "Westworld" (1973). The movie does draw on the success of the original film (directed by Michael Crichton) and develops a story from it. In fact this franchise even spawned a series (1980).

Delos Entertainment has re opened their theme park. You may play out a character in a fantasy world (medieval, roman or even the old west); filled with robotic AI characters controlled to make their guest’s stay enjoyable and believable. It is now safer than ever and their systems are now under control. In an attempt to show the world of their efforts, they invite numerous government officials and people of great importance that they think will give good reviews and attract further business. On the guest list is two reporters; Chuck Browning (played by Peter Fonda) and Tracy Ballard (played by Blythe Danner). Things are still not what they seem and it's up to the two reporters to uncover and expose the truth. I won’t give too much of the story as I don’t want to spoil it for you all.

The acting was alright; nothing special. Some pretty decent special effects for the time but with simple set designs. I thought for a sequel it did stand on its own. It would likely make a bit more sense if you watch the original just as a back story. It definitely was interesting enough to keep my attention. I kept thinking to my self “Now what is Delos up to now”?

Actor Yul Brynner who plays a gunslinger was the star of the original “Westworld” but for some reason they seem to use him in some filler scenes. It was laughable and I think it was purely to draw viewers to the fact that he would be in the sequel. So, besides that, I can’t really say I didn’t like it. A good solid movie worthy of viewing, I rate it 7.5/10

Movie Review - The Invasion (2008)

Okay, I have an interesting one for you; "The Invasion" (2008). Now, it is a remake of “The Invasion of the Body Snatchers”. This is considered the fourth version. The first came out in 1956 B&W. I’m sure for that time it was thrilling. Another version was later released in 1978 which resulted in the same story but with a few things added and changed. Then, Hollywood decided to reboot the film in 1993 which turned out to be mediocre and an unnecessary attempt to draw excitement. I wasn’t too impressed with that version. I’m not sure why they would choose to do so again BUT, this new version is decent. The premise is much the same but it was altered to a point where it could be its own fresh take.

This movie starts, and you’re immediately thrown directly into the action. For the first 5 minutes it seems that you are picking up in the middle of some sort of epidemic. You soon later find out that the beginning is more like around the end. The movie then proceeds to explain the whole story from the beginning.

So, I’m sure you may have seen one the versions, but the premise for this movie goes as follows: A space shuttle blows up upon entry thereby scattering pieces of the hull in various locations of the US. It is identified that the wreckage contains some alien type fungus that is not prone to high temperatures, meaning that it cannot die. People who came in contact with the wreckage are exposed to the virus fungus. The alien virus begins to re write DNA but this can only happen when sleeping. Once infected you are void of any feeling and are in a state of consciousness while being controlled by the alien; making it truly an invasion.

The film stars Nicole Kidman as the main character. She was alright; I don't care much for her. I won’t say she ruined it but thank goodness for supporting Daniel Craig (new 007) and he is always very good. There is lots of action, dialogue is decent, and effects are decent.

I didn’t feel like I was really watching a remake. This movie did keep my attention and in fact I rather liked this version. I rate it 7.5/10 and recommend viewing it.

Movie Review - Resident Evil: Afterlife (2010)

For the last few years I’ve been awaiting the return of Resident Evil; with three movies and multiple games under the franchise belt and now the latest installment "Resident Evil: Afterlife" (2010). I will say, it's definitely true that sequels kill a movie franchise. I for one am a fan but there is limitations to my fandom. In all honesty, the franchise seems to have gone hill with every sequel.

This was the last and final straw for me though.

Where do I begin? The story line is terrible and unfolds with Alice looking for survivors in a world overrun by the deadly ‘T-virus’ and zombies. Her mission is to guide the survivors to a safe haven known as ‘Arcadia’ located in Alaska but the mission gets thwarted by the Umbrella Corporation, namely Wesker. By the half way mark I was bored. The zombie action was a snooze. I'm used to a certain caliber and this isn't it. I know the movies are made for the fans but come on.

Alice is still played by Millia Jovovich, not much changes with her same old. There are some new faces and some old faces carried over from the previous movie (Extinction 2007). No one really stands out as having superb acting. The Wesker character played by Shawn Roberts was a rip off of Agent Smith from ‘The Matrix’. I did like him but that’s because I love the Matrix. I can’t blame the actors as the issue is really with the script.

This movie may have been more exciting had I seen it in 3D. This I will agree with but you shouldn't have to be blinded by cheap effects to like a movie. In my opinion, this is the worst film of the year subsequently making Resident Evil one of the worst franchises in cinematography. It hurts me to give a low rating; 5/10 -don't waste your time.

Movie Review - 100 Feet (2009)

It's tough to find a flick out there that keeps your attention. The movie "100 Feet" (2009) does just that. The beginning seems slow but you realize it's building towards something.

The story line is as follows; Marnie Watson (Famke Janssen) is convicted on man-slaughter charges for killing her abusive husband in self defense at their home. After a bit of a vacation in the slammer, she is now home but under house arrest with an electronic ankle bracelet which only has a range of 100 feet. Still with me so far?

Enter, the un-rested enraged spirit of her dead husband who is haunting her. The movie shifts to Marnie trying to rid the spirit of her home.

This movie wasn't really scary as it was suspenseful. The background music and sound effects helped solidify the moods of a haunting. This is what I would call cheap thrills. I won't lie though; I did jump a few times. The acting was average, visuals were average.

A good upstanding film worthy of viewing but the ending could have been slightly better. The premise sounds unique but the idea of a haunting spirit in a home is unoriginal.

I rate it 6/10. Good strong effort here.

Movie Review - The Lost (2009) TV

Alright, I have a really good one for you. It's not really a horror but more of a thriller, could be considered crime mystery drama. The movie is called "The Lost" (2009) and it was a made for TV. Okay, I know what you’re thinking but I assure you this movie is decent.

The story follows a Psychologist Doctor; Kevin who is played by Armand Assante. He has just written a book explaining the connection of being sexually abused and the development of multiple personality disorder. A woman meets up with him to plea for help, actually more like blackmails him to help her sister in a mental institute as he may have misdiagnosed her 3 years prior. He later finds she has distinct personalities which go against symptoms of the disorder. With a little investigation uncovers the truth behind her mysterious illness while uncovering his dark past. I think I will stop there as I don't want to ruin it for you all.

The acting was fantastic, everyone played their part. Armand Assante, great as always. I say; hats off to Lacey Chabert who played Jane –the girl with multiple personalities. The story and dialogue was smart and intelligent. I’m a fan of psychology and found it to be interesting on other levels.

I was super impressed with this movie however, it did end abruptly which I did not like. I felt that it could have been tied up a bit better. So I give it my approval rating of 6.5/10

Movie Review - Night Skies (2007)

I can’t be sure about alien abduction films but one thing for sure; they are creepy. It is the unknown that we fear. With that said, I just finished watching "Night Skies" (2007).

This movie is supposed to be a reenactment of an alien abduction -something called ‘The Phoenix Lights’. The acting overall was mediocre at best and the only actor worthy to note is Jason Connery (who is the son of Sean Connery) but even his performance was a bit of a disappointment.

It involves a few 20 something’s going on a trip to Las Vegas in a motor home. They soon get lost on a woodsy back road which was supposed to be a short cut. Their motor home then encounters a stranded truck and its driver (by smashing into it). Some passengers are hurt and help must be found. Things start to shake up when the aliens release their havoc. Need I say more?

The movie pace was a little slow to build. While waiting, I was subject to boring cliché lines read by second rate actors. Once the film got going it didn't take too long for me to get scared. There's nothing like blurred images of grey aliens running, popping head shots and of course the constant clicking. The camera work was alright, lots of POV shots helped create the mood to freak me out.

After watching this film I had an alien induced dream that night. I’m sure I wasn’t abducted but still felt odd. So, although I was deeply touched by this flick, it still lacked a decent story. Yes, I agree that it is a reenactment but still it was poorly done. I felt like I was watching a soap or TV movie so I rate it 4/10.

Movie Review - Pulse 2: Afterlife (2008)

I’m on a bit of a ‘B’ rated kick right now, searching for films worthy of a positive review –if any. Hidden gems and the under rated films waiting to be rediscovered. I got a real 'winner' here; “Pulse 2: Afterlife” (2008). Keep in mind that this movie is a sequel which apparently went straight to DVD and there is good reason for that. The original “Pulse” came out in 2006, which I don’t recall watching? Now, it may have made some sense to watch the original to really 'get it' however, I think it should stand on its own.

The story opens right into some eerie action, a man dressing up in a red suit, a TV type image of woman accosting a person in the alley. The scene then switches to a woman in her dilapidated apartment, realizing that her daughter is gone and so the adventure begins with that. There is an apparent plague which shows as a blackish vein mould on the body which some how was spread through the internet. As the condition worsens, your body turns to dust and you are digitized between spirit worlds. Somewhat interesting, freaky enough to be a horror but by no means scary. Yes, I thought I had seen this story before as this film kind of reminded me of “Silent Hill” (2006) and “Feardotcom” (2002) and perhaps “The Ring” (2002). I won’t give away anymore of the story, if your interested you can see it for yourself.

The acting was alright, nothing fantastic to mention any stand out actors. The camera work was okay, special effects okay. I felt that there could have been more done with the story. I’m intrigued about what the original was like and surprisingly there is a 3rd sequel available to watch, if I dare. This movie is all around o-k-a-y, so I rate it 4/10 and note it’s definitely a ‘B’ movie but I say ‘B+’ with + for effort.

Movie Review - Solomon Kane (2009)

I'm proud to present the following movie; "Solomon Kane" (2009). At first I thought it was a low budget 'no name' type movie because I had never heard of it before or recall it coming out to the theatre. This movie is classified as adventure and fantasy, I wasn’t going to review it but I felt the need to let you all know what I thought.

The main character is Solomon Kane played by James Purefoy and he did a fantastic job. I felt James had captured the moods and scene changes that the character went through.

The story occurs at a time of darkness; there is evil everywhere that has taken over the lands. Solomon Kane has had quite the past which resulted in his soul being damned for hell but after redeeming himself his goal is to rid evil. He arrives on the scene dressed as a puritan daunting the hat and a cloak, armed with deadly weapons of that era. He is highly skilled at killing and knows how to handle swords and a gun. I suppose almost like a puritan superhero. In short, it was it reminded me of ‘Van Helsing’ but only out to destroy evil do'ers enchanted by Satan

I was intrigued by this character and so I wondered if it was based on a book. As it turns out, the character has roots in literature found in the late 16^th-17^th century and later in comics.

The movie was decently put together, lots of action, good carnage and a good solid story. It came in at around 100 minutes but you didn’t feel it. I would definitely recommend seeing this movie and consider it a diamond in the rough. I look forward to a sequel and for that reason I would rate this film 8.5/10.

Movie Review - The Wolfman (2010)

Thought I needed a good scare and with all that full moon shining so bright lately, I decided to pop in “The Wolfman” (2010) to watch. Yes, I will agree that that this is yet another werewolf themed movie but I have to add, it enlists the acting excellence of Sir Anthony Hopkins alongside Benecio del Toro.

The movie is predictable, apart from the obvious -a werewolf running amok in a small English village; there is a bit of a twist. Okay, so the movie begins with Lawrence Talbot (de Toro) coming back home to investigate his brother’s disappearance. While out asking questions, he is faced with a werewolf and ends up being bit. In addition, there is a love interest Gwen Conliffe (Emily Blunt) who is his brother’s fiancée that also complicates things. Long story short, he ends up becoming a werewolf and finding out about his dark family secrets from his estranged father Sir John Talbot (Hopkins).

The story originates from a 1941 silent film of the same name but apparently the story has been greatly expanded. I haven't seen this film nor will I try to compare it to past interpretations of werewolf fantasy stories. I suppose you can say werewolf fiction is a timeless classical theme and can be made to fit any era or genre.

This movie was filmed dark; you just get that overall impression that in that point of time, life was not very happy. The music and the filming helped solidify the moods presented in each scene. To be more specific it reminded me of something that Tim Burton may produce. I found the movie to not be scary, sure the scenes of a werewolf tearing its claws was decent but by no means scary. There was some decent action overall and very good effects, especially with the change from man to wolf. to look for.

I do recommend seeing this movie. It was above average but nothing special. I’m a fan of horror and with classical themes of werewolves and vampires you can’t go wrong. I give this flick a rating of 7/10 but note it did have potential to be better.

Movie Review - April Fools Day (2008)

I was fooled! It just goes to show you that you just never know. The movie I'm referring to is "April Fools Day" (2008). This movie is supposed to be a remake of the 1985 classic and although it shares the same ideas, it is an entirely different movie.

The classification of this film is horror but there were also some comedic elements as well which was obviously on purpose. It kind of seemed like a bit of a mystery, almost like a “Clue” feel to it. The cast was not really anything to write home about but each member had a purpose and played it well.

The storyline follows a small group of friends who are rich spoiled brats. One brat likes to prank all the time and expose her friends for personal gain but this time she has gone to far. The plot thickens when her friends and brother seek revenge and she gets what she deserves.

The general idea of the films seems cliché at best and reminds me of a few other selections but you should enjoy the ending. I won’t give away anymore on this. This movie is some what predictable but fun as the story unravels itself. I would recommend seeing this film, it wasn't terrible and it wasn't great. I rate it 6/10.

Movie Review - Surrogates (2009)

Picture this; you’re lying in a reclining type chair at home and while lying there, you are in a state of rest because you have linked your mind with an android who is either a facsimile of yourself or perhaps someone completely different. You are safe from the world and no one can harm you. You are mobile once again instead of wheelchair bound, your surrogate is here to assist and play life out for you. Sounds intriguing, it is, you must watch the movie “Surrogates” (2009).

Now you know what the basic premise is but there is more; murder, mystery and action. I won’t give away the story on this one; you will just have to watch. There is also a lesson to be taught. I think it’s a comment on society about how we rely so much on technology that it makes us lazy. The beginning of the movie will explain everything and sets the movie up. I will say there were good intentions to create surrogates but that soon got out of hand.

This movie didn't have any special effects just a solid story line. The lead actor, Bruce Willis performed well and the rest of the cast was decent. This movie was fast paced and provided a lot of action. There was definitely a lot going on, I was glued to the screen on this one. The story was slightly predictable but still entertaining. The concept is neat and has merit but in some ways this movie reminded me too much of the game "The Sims" and also the movie "Avatar" (2009). I really liked this movie and would highly recommend watching it. I rate this flick 8/10.

Movie Review - The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008)

What is it with remakes these days, has Hollywood finally ran out of ideas? I'm thinking that when it comes to remakes, likely it will bomb, it’s a fact now. So it's best that you keep that in mind when you watch "The Day the Earth Stood Still" (2008). This movie is considered sci-fi, and it is, could be action and maybe drama. The basic premise; alien orb (craft) comes to earth, causes panic and of course military action. So, what else is new?

This movie had so many problems with it. I’m not sure where to start. The original movie (1951) worked well for what it was and explored on themes of peace and humanity, appropriate for that era. As such, this remake did not translate very well to a newer version. There was a lot of storyboard detail from the original missing so much so that without it, the movie lacked the same appeal. Instead, the movie explored the theme of us destroying the planet. Quite honestly, this movie was boring.

The performance of Keanu Reeves was better than I expected however, once daunting a power suit it was Matrix all over again. The acting was above average from Jennifer Connelly, and even Jaden Smith (Will Smith’s Son) with strong characterizations. The performances of the main cast were the least of the problems though. This film lacked direction and had a poorly written script. It was difficult to watch knowing what the 1951 version was how this did not ‘play’ out to represent the remake in any sense. The movie did pull some influence but not enough. I will say that there is a running theme between the two versions that involve how the US military likes to shoot and ask questions later.

There were some cool special effects; from the orb craft, giant robot and then to the horde of nano locusts. Don't be fooled it’s all just smoke and mirrors, sure this flick was jam packed of effects to ‘wow’ you but this is because it lacked any real story. This movie did keep my attention long enough to get through it though. I would not recommend viewing this movie but I do recommend watching the original 1951 version. I rate this film 4/10 but note that it would not be ‘cinematically’ correct to say it was a remake.

Movie Review - The Crazies (2010)

Alright kiddies, I have a good one for you... I just finished watching the remake of “The Crazies” (2010). This movie was decent and I was happy to view it. I’m afraid to say it was better than the original 1973 movie (sorry Mr. Romero). This movie was directed by Breck Eisner, unknown to me but the highlight was that the credits listed George A. Romero as Executive Producer. It’s clear he had some intervention in making this movie great. In my opinion, it may not have faired so well if he had no involvement.

The story line follows much the same premise as the original; loose biological weapon virus on a small town and the military try to contain it. There was little guess work watching the movie but it still held much suspense and surprise. I kept thinking, what angle is being used and what elements would be evident from the original. I can safely say that this remake used the original 1973 as inspiration and was not a direct copy.

There were aspects of the original which were missing from this remake; for example, in the original there was a scientist who was trying desperately to find a cure. This movie did not explore that. There seemed to be less of a spin with military control compared to the original version and the remake places more focus on surviving towns people. The main characters are the town sheriff and his pregnant wife who is a doctor while the original was a firefighter and his wife a nurse. So yes, while it sounds close to the original film, there were enough differences that made it fresh. Even the ending was a bit different.

The make up and the special effects were fantastic. The gore was good for what it was, not over the top but was adequate. This movie was fast paced and kept my attention the whole time; I only wished that there was more. The acting and characterization were above average and everyone pulled their weight.

This is a good solid flick that could hold it’s own, you would never know it was a remake. Fantastic job overall ! I rate this movie 10/10 but note that I couldn’t find anything really wrong with it. This movie worked well and it showed.

Movie Review - Splice (2009)

I just finished watching a wild one here, “Splice” (2009). This movie had it all; funny, sad, amazing, intelligent and sexy. The film involves two scientists Clive (Adrian Broody) and Elsa (Sarah Polley) who is into biochemistry and gene splicing. After knowing that their program will be shut down they conceive the idea to create some sort of hybrid creature human mix. The intention was see if they could even do it but they soon grew attached and saw the experiment through to the end.

There are definitely movies out there with virtually the same premise of ‘playing god’ but this one seemed unique to me. I wanted to watch. Not because I thought it was a train wreck but because it was thought provoking. I mean -the implications of creating life and splicing genes is mind blowing. Are we ready to cross the ethical boundaries? I am sure we are only mere steps away from engineering the perfect being. I can only imagine that there is already testing like this behind closed doors, but we don’t hear about it because it is so controversial.

I mentioned sexy earlier; seduction and transformation are explored with this creature. It was very shocking and disturbing to say the least, I thought I was watching a movie directed by David Cronenburg as he usually entertains with themes of this nature. I say hats off to the actual director Vincenzo Natali.

The pace of the film was perfect, didn’t feel too long or too short and kept my attention. The creature effects were amazing and the actress playing it did a wonderful job capturing the essence of her character in each phase of life; from a child with wonderment to a confident young woman and later an aggressive man. She was the real star with having no dialogue she had to rely on face expressions alone.

Sarah Polley performed well, she’s a decent actress. She held everything together as she always does. Meanwhile, Adrian Broody was not, his performance was mediocre in fact I question why he chose to do such a role.

There is a lot more to this movie after you scratch the surface and I could easily go on about it, but you will just have to see it. I will agree it was lacking ‘something’ (can’t place finger) that would have made it fantastic. Sadly this will be a movie that will fall through the cracks even in DVD sales. It wasn’t perfect by any means but it was a fun ride. I rate this film 7/10.

Movie Review - A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010)

So, I’m thinking remakes right now and it got me thinking about “A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010)”. I have to admit, I was excited to see this one, not much into remakes but I was curious. Well, within the first 20 minutes, I regretted watching this flick. I decided to follow through to see if it got better or worse. I did make it through to the end clenching my teeth. It was worse than I anticipated. The original 1984 version was perfect and didn’t need a ‘reboot’.

In most cases remakes tend to ‘borrow’ elements from the original but this movie stole scenes directly from the original concept. Now, the story line did sway from the original 1984 movie and it definitely was unique but the set up was too sloppy. The look and feel of this movie was not scary at all; it had some cheap thrills here and there but was not even close to the same caliber that the 1984 movie left us craving for more. The “Halloween” (2007) remake was better in this regard and was a true ‘reboot’ of the franchise.

The acting overall was so-so, nothing special. The usual you would expect from teens that are self absorbed these days. It’s funny how the times have changed and it’s evident with the use of computers-internet and cell phones as play into the picture. The only performance worthy was that of Jackie Earle Haley (Freddy Krueger). He made Freddy his own. If I could compare his performance though, I would say it was like watching Val Kilmer acting out Batman. So well, that might be better than George Clooney it’s not even close to Michael Keaton –if you know what I mean. The costume design was the same but the make up effects on Freddy’s face wasn’t ‘scary’ looking. To put it plainly, for such a main character –he was dull.

I would not recommend viewing this movie; it would be a waste of time. I would however recommend watching the sequel to see if they resolved their mistakes. Remakes mean that it has potential to suck the minute it hits the theatres but it doesn’t always have to be this way. I did keep an open mind and was raped, so I rate this movie 3/10. I’m very disappointed that it lacked on so many levels and should I have paid to go to the theatre, I would have demanded for my money back!

Movie Review - The Crazies (1973)

I was doing a bit of research, going through a list of movies to see made by my favorite director; George A. Romero and came across this flick; “The Crazies” (1973). I was really prompted to view this because there was a remake released February 2010. I never knew this movie existed. In any case I thought I would view the original version to compare to the new version. (Look for my review in the coming weeks)

The story involves the military control of a small town due to some contagion virus that gets loose. The airborne virus seems to cause insanity and in some cases makes residents do things they wouldn’t ordinarily do. It seems to me that this film could be considered a comment on the military and how they value human life. The movie explores chemical warfare and its effects of fear with how people will do anything to survive. This film is slightly more realistic compared to zombie themes but is very thought provoking.

The actors are all unknown but they did fantastic job acting. The camera work and dialogue was definitely Romero. This movie lacked gore but it had a few clever killing scenes. I truly thought this was going to be a zombie action flick before viewing but it wasn’t bad for what it was. All in all, this movie had potential to be greater. I’m sure back in 1973 it may have been fearful to watch but lack by today’s horror standards. Now, you have to keep in mind the time for which it was released, the low budget and of course it is one of the early works of George A. Romero. I won’t rate this film, it just wouldn’t be fair but I will recommend viewing it.

*I wonder what the new version can offer…

Movie Review - Pandorum (2009)

So, I was looking through my collection of movies to watch, torn between a horror remake and what looks like a science fiction flick. I won’t lie; I’m more swayed with science fiction and in went the movie “Pandorum” (2009).

Although this flick is considered sci-fi or at least labeled, it could also be listed as horror-psychological thriller. I was pleasantly surprised what I saw.

The movie takes place in the future aboard a space transport ship. Apparently there are a few thousand on the way to colonize a distant planet. The story opens with two surviving members waking from their sleep pod only to find no power and no crew. They soon discover that they are not alone and to make matters worse, the power generator is dying.

In trying save the ship they encounter cannibalistic humanoid creatures roaming the ship. If this doesn’t sound bad, add ‘pandorum’ a condition known to make people go insane from deep space travel. I won’t give away the ending but let’s just say it ends happy.

The main character is Lieutenant Payton played by Dennis Quaid. I’m not a fan of his work but he did rather well compared to previous films. The other main character was Corporal Bower played by Ben Foster. He was in films like '3:10 to Yuma' or '30 days of Night'. I can’t remember what his performance was like but he held his own in this one.

The set and scenes were fantastic, a lot of detail. You knew you were on a ship and it was in the future, no question. The make up effects were decent, creatures were decent looking. Lighting and background music helped with the mood. I was moved.

To me it was like “Aliens” (1986) meets “Madmax” (1979) and may have borrowed the psychosis themes from “Event Horizon” (1997). This translates into a good mix. I can’t say it was a rip off but it was still fresh to see a mash of past ideas creating a decent storyline. I rate this movie 7.5/10 but I do think that a little more could have been done.

Book Review - Terminator Salvation: From the Ashes

I just finished reading “Terminator Salvation: From the Ashes”. Yes, I’m a big fan of the Terminator franchise. I have the sequel book next to read. This book was decently written. The intention is to read the book before watching the movie, sadly I never knew it existed until after. With that said my thoughts on the book are a little jaded.

The story opens following different factions of survivors in Los Angeles and shows the early roles that John Connor and his crew originated from. It also explores how Kyle Reese and Star ended up staying in LA and their role with the resistance.

I can see this book providing a bit of a ‘back story’ and shows some character development but it would seem that it only takes about 6-8 months back from the movie. It was a very simple and obvious plot line that lined the characters up for the movie. I found the ending to be dull, I did have more questions because the book and movie leaves me hanging. I would have wanted a full prequel from say the start of Judgment day or something longer back that explores the trials and tribulations of Skynet Central and the Resistance / Army in their efforts to gain control.

I did enjoy the book for what it was. Great imagery on the battle sequences with the T600's. I was wondering why there wasn’t reference of any fancy Skynet creations. The author only chose a specific event to focus on. All in all, I would recommend reading this book. I do rate it 7/10 because it had potential to be better but as a fan, it should be added to your summer reading list.

Guest Movie Review - Inception (2010)

July has been a busy month for me and well it has left me with no time to watch films. So, with that said, may I introduce our first guest movie reviewer John.

John writes:

“Inception” (2010) has been my most anticipated film ever since that first teaser leaked telling us that our mind is the scene of a crime. Christopher Nolan has quite a reputation for making spectacular films and already has an impressive filmography under his belt, but everyone was wondering if there was any way he could top The Dark Knight. Well my friends; put those fantastical thoughts of wonderment to rest because Mr. Nolan has outdone himself.

As soon as the film began, I was hooked. This doesn't happen very often and immediately I knew that this was going to be something special. Other than the extraordinary special effects, the most impressive aspect of the film is that every person in the main cast is important to the storyline. They are all given an appropriate amount of screen time and take full advantage of it. Every character has at least one moment where they have their time to shine. Sure, the film has Leonardo DiCaprio in it (we know he can hold his own since "Shutter Island") but I thought the ‘standout's’ were Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Ellen Page. With background forte’ in simple characterization and light humour, “Inception” will be both their ‘break out’ movies and allow them to pursue similar opportunities of the same caliber.

The film is fabulously complex as there are so many things going on at once, particularly in the ladder half of the film. It would be incredibly difficult to summarize without spoiling the entire story. Now, I could tell you about the last scene in the film right now and while it would make sense, things wouldn't fall into place or
be entirely appreciated unless you knew everything leading up to that point. You will just have to watch it. The film has and will continue to receive great reception but there will be people who will give this film an unfavorable review ONLY because they will have to see it a second time for the plot to truly sink in.

The film is superbly written. I'm a huge fan of films that make you think or are able to create something that at least feels like it is completely original and “Inception” accomplishes both of those things. On one hand, stealing anything you hold valuable from your dreams seems pretty far fetched. On the other, everyone dreams and everybody has secrets or at least something they keep locked away from most people. Imagining that those things are easily accessible to certain people because they've cracked the code on how to maneuver through your mental defenses is pretty intriguing and makes it seem easier to relate to since it's something everyone experiences. The hardest hitting movies are the ones that are believable. The “Matrix” got people to think and question our reality, where as “Inception” blows your mind and your left craving for more. The special effects were seamless and amazing and I've been wondering ever since, how the hell did they do that!?

While everyone is awaiting for the follow-up to “The Dark Knight”, “Inception” isn't the type of film that should be swept under the rug. It's fantastically original, contains a spectacular cast, is wonderfully
engrossing, and is definitely up to the high standard Christopher Nolan has set for himself with the other marvelous films on his resume'. In typical Nolan fashion, the ending is a huge tease but is ‘goosebump’-worthy, completely fitting, and difficult to imagine the film ending any other way. It's easy for me to say “Inception” will
be a finalist for movie of 2010.