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Reviews
Requiem for a Dream (2000)
a work of art that will floor you...
I'm not going to write a spoiler review for this,(although I usually do) simply because I want you to see this film!!!(by the way, avoid Hollywood Video and Blockbuster-they're carrying edited versions because apparently the film as Aronofsky intended it is 'too disturbing').
All I can say in an effort to keep this brief is that once again Mr. Aronofsky has produced a movie that is TRULY mesmerizing-as with Pi, I was unable to turn away for a second(even on some of the more graphic scenes - once you see it you will know what i'm referring to). Regardless of your stance on the drug issue, this is the true picture of heroin addiction-there is no room here for debate on whether it 'glorifies heroin' like some people tried to with Trainspotting(which i didn't understand-how could Trainspotting possibly depict a glamorous life as a junkie??? come on!!! oh yeah that really looks like fun when Renton attempts to retrieve his pills!)
ANYHOW I am without a doubt going to purchase this on DVD-it amazes me how much Aronofsky manages to completely immerse you in the story line, and rip your heart out without resorting to contrived Hollywood standbys of cute kids and the like. Some may complain this movie is graphic - yeah well that's REAL. The sheltered, ignorant masses of suburbia need to get a good idea of what absolute hell some people experience in their lives-and that it's not just the 'messed up youth of today' that have problems. You especially have to appreciate the depth of characters that is developed in order to give the viewer a feel of WHY people end up doing things like this to themselves.
Deep Blue Sea (1999)
I WANT...
a refund! no wait, I want the time I wasted of my life back!
(btw there's spoilers in here)
first off I would like to say, did no one else notice that these "wonderfully intelligent" marine biologists knew absolutely NOTHING about sharks??? for the love of god, anyone who's ever watched the discovery channel knows more than these fools.
i was hoping that because of Samuel L Jackson being in the film that I would be able to sit through it; alas he is done away with, albeit in a rather entertaining way.
however, i must say that this film definitely falls under the category of hilarious horror/action flicks(keep in mind though that humor was definitely not the intent of the creators of this piece of rot, and you may find yourself weeping uncontrollably). i'm sorry to say that anyone who is looking for a Jaws-type thriller is better off watching any episode of Crocodile Hunter. While LL Cool J was actually pretty funny in this, unfortunately out of the cast at hand if Samuel L Jackson couldn't save this, no one could have. Actually, this was beyond hope from the beginning......ahhhh, when will Hollywood learn to stop relying solely on special effects?
don't bother unless you're looped out enough to have a good laugh.
The Meateater (1979)
Good lord what have they done.....
***********SPOILERS IN HERE****************
ok, this movie makes absolutely NO sense. I am not kidding, it REALLY makes no sense. at all. this is a good one to laugh at though. a lot. a whole freakin' lot.
when you watch this, the first indication that there's going to be trouble is that the leading male character's name is Mitford. MITFORD???? honestly that will spark enough laughs in itself. this is a film that consists of, well some of the WORST acting I have ever born witness to. i do not know how to stress that enough-one may hear that often, but seriously this is BAD ACTING. I have seen my cat do a better job.
The other thing to keep in mind going into this is: what does the title have to do with the film? other than the multiple random references to meat, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!! it is truly bizarre: there are numerous times throughout where out of the blue, a reference to meat and it's wonderful values are emphasized. I have never heard a more truly, beautifully bad line than "We serve only the finest pure pork weiners here" while the Mother/owner of the "THEEAITUR" holds up a hot dog with a scary stepford-wives type grin on her face. WHY???? what is the freaking point??? is this some sort of wacky propaganda unleashed on the citizens of the world by the USDA and the cow farmers of America? that is the only explanation i can come up with-and while incredibly strange, after you see it you too may agree it is the most rational of possible explanations. actually i think that is the only thing that scared me about this.
not to mention the unnervingly odd nature films shown in the theater(or as pronounced in the god-knows-what-part-of-the-country accent, THEEAITUR); the fact that it seems to have been shot in the director's basement for various scenes; the sore lack of a complete conclusion to the story; or just the hilarity of a Sherrif named "Wombat."
I believe that the ending was hastily thrown together when the crew finally put down the water bong and said "oh s*** we only have $165 left and we have no ending! ok let's just do this!" the lack of continuity in the attempted plot is staggering.
honestly though folks, if you appreciate 'horror' movies that are so bad they're funny, this one will have you rolling on the floor.
Nightwatch (1997)
Fantastically shocking suspense thriller
BRILLIANT, CHILLING, & INTRIGUING!
It is always a pleasure to watch Ewan McGregor work, as he fully immerses himself into his roles-truly becoming the character he plays. I can honestly say this is the first film in a LONG time that, well it scared the crap out of me. Amazingly written, cast, and filmed, I felt it achieved an ingenious atmosphere similar to that in Stanley Kubrick's The Shining, which is imperative to the effect of a good suspense/thriller/horror film. One of my definite favourites, in case you couldn't tell =).
A Letter from Death Row (1998)
Pathetic
I was duped into watching this movie by my roommate, and it was so awful it was painful to watch. This was an attempt at a self-created vehicle by the washed-up singer of the 80's hair band Poison. The waste of film consists of a cliché plot which is incredibly scattered, and horrendous acting-even sub-par to USA Up All Night flicks! To add insult to injury you have to deal with Bret Michael's worthless songs throughout the movie. Absolutely not worth anyone's time-even if you didn't pay for the rental.
Shallow Grave (1994)
Brilliant!
A fabulous film examining what happens to a group of friends when their morals are put up for re-assessment for the purpose of monetary gain - and just how far some people would go for a little money. Ewan McGregor gives a stunning performance as Alex Law, and is quite the scene stealer with his believable portrayal of the initiator of the situation. Beautifully cast, this film also offers an intriguing plot, excellent direction, and the perfect locale.