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.

Movie Review - Shutter Island (2010)

Alright, I have a decent movie for you all…. Shutter Island (2010), this movie is classified as a psychological thriller. I can say it was and probably considered a mind bender !?! You WILL NEED to watch this flick twice. Come to think, it actually reminded me of Total Recall (1990) -with its complex themes of simulated reality.

If I actually provided a summary, it would spoil the plot but I will say... you will be pleasantly surprised. A short synopsis; the story follows a US Marshall and his partner investigating the mysterious disappearance of a dangerous mental patient from an ‘Alcatraz like' mental hospital located on an island.

This movie is directed by Martin Scorsese and he did a fine job. I found that there were many scenes along with the musical score that had ‘Hitchcock’ written all over it. I knew at the least the story would be fantastic given the director’s past accomplishments. The only thing I wasn’t sure about was the star role played by Leonardo DiCaprio. Within minutes of viewing, that thought disappeared and by the end of the movie I arrived at a new outlook for his acting.

I would recommend you watch this movie. It may not be a scary gory zombie flick but it thrilled me to the point that I didn’t realize that the movie was 2 hours long. The genre of this film is not typically something I would view. With that said, I can’t think of anything bad to say nor can I really suggest on things to improve. I rate it 9/10. You should watch if your fan of Hitchcock like I am.

Movie Review - Legion (2010)

This review is more of a warning; please do not watch the movie “Legion” 2010. Had I known what I was watching, I probably would not have bothered. So, I lost 100 minutes of my life and if I had paid to see it in the theater or bought this film on DVD, I would be demanding my money back. I decided to keep watching hoping it would lead to something better…

This movie is categorized as apocalyptic fantasy-horror. Well I can vouch it was. The acting was so-so, only Dennis Quaid held things together. Story line is such that it surrounds impending doom with some sort of judgment day Armageddon involving angels (not really explained). An angel-Michael was sent down from God to get things started but had a change of heart that led him to cutting off his wings to assume mortality??? Later, after some mass hysteria and deaths with plagues, he then helps a small group survive holding up in a rundown diner off the interstate. Everyone is caught up protecting a promiscuous teen who is pregnant with some bastard savior child whom the other angels are out to kill. Sound interesting? It does but don’t be fooled.

The fright scenes were terrible and lacked any real action. The movie trailer is very misleading as all the action is contained within it. I would have liked less talk and more angel slaying though. There was only one fight scene (at the end) which involved two angels battling it out. This movie was slow paced and set up too much back story to the point of being boring.

It defiantly had potential but was all cheap visual effects without proper story backbone. Not even gratuitous nudity could have helped. I rate this movie 3/10.

Movie Review - The Unborn (2009)

I think something should be said about new horror, been there done that. With that said, I just finished watching “The Unborn” (2009). This movie is categorized as a supernatural-horror thriller. I don’t normally watch this sub genre that much as I like zombies but also because it is new.

Although the plot line seems unique to me, it is very reminisant of the new horror-thrillers that are being produced in the last decade. The special effects were okay, kind of reminded me again of few other movies I had seen in the past. I wasn’t entirely convinced by this movie and I though why… the answer is because it seems to play out to perfect. I wouldn’t entirely say it was predictable but again; there was a certain ‘Déjà vu’ attached to it that I couldn’t shake.

The story is this; a girl is being haunted by a demon, she researches and finds out it drove her mother to suicide. She meets her grandmother who tells her the background about the demon and the connection with the family. She later finds out she is a twin and this demon has a hard on for twins (as do I). In an effort to rid herself of the demon she contacts a rabbi. The ending is what you would expect, complete with an exorcism and demon battle which everyone dies. To add insult to injury she finds out her bastard boyfriend knocked her up with twins... I'm sorry to say I think this movie will live on in a sequel.

This movie kept my attention but again nothing special other than a scantily dressed girl. I can say there were some pretty freaky scary scenes but that’s it. If you watch it, I can only assume that there wasn’t anything else on. I mean it is still horror but I rate it 3.5/10 and that was being kind.

Movie Review - Daybreakers (2009)

Vampires are cool aren’t they? This is why I decided to watch yet another flick on that sub-genre but this time with an open mind. The movie in question is “Daybreakers” (2009). I would definitely categorize this film as being a science fiction-horror even though it is listed as a horror-thriller.

Although I was ‘thrilled’, I couldn’t help but notice the obvious similarities to the movie “Last Man on Earth” (1964) in which Dr. Robert Morgan (Vincent Price) is the only one left living fighting vampires who of course have turned by some sort of plague? Another a few movies close to it would be the remakes “The Omega Man” (1971) and Will Smith’s “I am Legend” (2007). So, the idea may not have been unique, there was some original concepts with regards to a cure.

The storyline is simple; a plague turns people into vampires, they need blood to survive. Human blood is of course the best vintage and so the supply soon runs out. The movie jumps forward 10 years later from the beginning of the plague. A pharmaceutical company is researching synthetic blood and seems to be the main military clout. Hysteria breaks out and vampires are starved turning them into aggressive bat like creatures. Later, a small faction of humans meets with vampires to reveal and explore a possible end.

The gore and blood scenes were decent, splatter fest. The editing and special effects were fantastic adding that ‘Matrix’ - 'Van Helsing' feel. This movie had my attention the whole way through but I couldn’t help but wonder why the vampires didn’t consider cloning people. Supposedly this film takes place in the year 2019; one would think that present technologies would continue to be researched. The acting and characters were adequate for their parts. Just a solid well put together film.

Some might think this flick was a rip off but I don’t care. It is worth watching. I rate this film 8.5/10. If anything, you should watch for the similarities.

Movie Review - Lifeforce (1985)

I thought I would switch it up and view a science fiction movie. What a surprise, it's also classified as horror too! I have to admit, I felt a bit confused; it was like “2001 Space Odyssey” meets “Fright Night” with a twinge of “28 Days”. The title is called “Lifeforce” (1985).

The basic premise is like this: a group of 3 ‘space vampires’ (2 guys and 1 girl who are enclosed is glass like coffins) who are awaken by a space exploration team near Halley’s Comet. They then ‘feed’ on most of the ship crew-all but one and are some how are brought back to earth. On earth, the space officials are trying to solve the mystery of why the space craft was almost blown up, track down the vampires, and kill them. While the space vampires are being tracked down, they of course are feeding on multiple victims. The feeding is not in the traditional sense that one would expect from a vampire but rather orally-sucking some sort of electrical ‘life-force’ from the unsuspecting victims. (It actually reminds me of how the Wraith from “Stargate: Atlantis” suck life from a person too.) The Space Vampires seem to feed to the point that the hosts are reduced to skeletons but some how only have 2 hours of life before turning into dust. In some cases, victims were zombiefied and crazed while passing on their vampire tendencies.

The special effects aren’t too bad for what is was. I do like the skeletons; a little blood splattering here and there was good. Not a big budget film and it shows. All in all it was a good mix. I don’t think I would really recommend this film, but I would suggest watching if your fan of horror. I give this movie 3/10.

Book Review - Terminator and Philosophy

Thought I would do something different than post a movie review. How about a book report... I recently just finished reading “Terminator and Philosophy: I’ll Be Back, Therefore I am” by William Irwin, Richard Brown and Kevin Decker. Yes, this book is both entertaining and educational. Ever wonder what John Connor, Sarah Connor or the T-101 was thinking? This book explores the deeper meanings behind their reason for existence and how they relate with the events of judgment day and the machines.

Let me just say that this book was fantastic, a bit deep and hard to swallow at times. Basically, the book contains a compilation of essays written by various scholars to explore and debate philosophical ideas and apply them to the Terminator franchise (Terminator, T2 Judgment Day, T3 Rise of the Machines and The Sarah Connor Chronicles). There are several quotes, and citations from the franchise to help solidify their arguments. I did find at times that it was a bit of an overkill dwelling on certain topics to the point of annoyance (almost like beating a dead horse).

The themes presented were completely profound. In some cases I felt I needed a University degree to comprehend the ideas within. This book has it all; everything from theories to speculation. The truth is no one really knows and it is unlikely that James Cameron put that much thought into his movie. It is what it is; an action packed flick with fighting robots.

I have always been interested in philosophy but the topic is so boringly dry... however, when put into the context of the Terminator franchise it has life and new meaning. I did lean a thing and enjoyed reading it. Being that I'm a big fan of the franchise and the Terminator universe, that I just had to read it.

I highly recommend reading this book; even if you’re not into philosophy but as a fan. Who knows, you may just pick up a thing or two about one of the best movie franchises in history.
THE TERMINATOR, HE'LL BE BACK