dtobias9 Reviews

Devil (2010)

Beautifully and subtly told!

[2 September 2011]

I have been a fan of MNS since the Sixth Sense. Now granted some stories he's brought to film have been better than others but in typical MNS form his stories always carry a powerful but subtle message that most might miss when going to his films expecting only excitement, action, thrills and chills. Airbender was dreadful but a great film for small children who could care less if there was a thought-provoking plot. But the rest of his films including this one really make you think. Devil starts out beautiful with a scripture: Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. Many of you have perhaps watched animal channel and seen how lions hunt prey (I have a point I promise). Lions are very skilled at hunting, they blend in with the surroundings, quietly stalking, and the prey they hunt are usually the weakest and the most distracted of the herd. You don't know they are there until the lion is ready to pounce and subdue. Here in this movie the prey are arrogant, prideful, materialistic, self-absorbed, unforgiving, deceitful, dishonest, angry, etc, all the things that can blind you from seeing destruction that is imminent. This film is a gem in my eyes, and hopefully you can see this as cautionary tale instead of just a scary movie.

The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (2008–2009)

Fabulous!!!!!!!

[10/10 · 23 April 2009]

I have always been a fan of Jill Scott and her music, and it's wonderful to see her abilities as an actress as well. This show is so engaging it leaves me wanting more and anxiously waiting for the next episode! Anika Noni Rose is excellent in her role as well, and I pray that this show is nominated and awards will be given for the acting as well as the writing of the show. I am also impressed with the positive light it shines on Botswana, for so long parts of Africa is always seen as this poor, devastated country with flies crawling over the faces of starving children. Don't get me wrong, this truly does happen, but poverty is everywhere even here in the states. But for once they are showing another side of life in a country where the people are full of life, a country full of beauty and grace, despite the hardships they face.

The Appeared (2007)

Excellent Story!!!!!!!

[10/10 · 7 February 2009]

If you want something different than the usual horror genre, this is the movie for you. I would personally describe it as horror with a supernatural twist/thriller within a mystery. Long description, but that's what it is. I wanted to see it first and foremost because it was filmed in Madrid, Spain (having lived there, some things were recognizable), and I am a fan of supernatural horror flicks. The plot of this movie was NOT predictable whatsoever, which is good. I hate movies you can figure out in the first five minutes of watching them. I was so engaged in the film that I did not move from seat for fear of missing one little detail. There are some parts that made me gasp even, and what you find out in the end is really disturbing,intriguing, and extremely unexpected. Oh, and just a further note, the Spanish they speak in the movie is a castilian dialect, but that's why they have English subtitles.

Mirrors (I) (2008)

One word....Frightening!!!

[10/10 · 7 February 2009]

I love when a movie really makes my hair stand on end, this one did it for me throughout. There are so many twists and turns, and the ending was very unexpected. All the characters were believable and Kiefer Sutherland's performance as the inwardly tortured ex-cop teetering on the edge of insanity was excellent. If you rent this, definitely view the unrated version, I yelped out loud a few times. I would definitely put this in the category of supernatural horror guaranteed to scare the s___ out of you. It's really quite intense, and even though most horror movies don't really scare me (I actually laugh at most and find them to be more comical than scary), this is not a movie you want to watch just before going to bed. You might want to watch it during the day, just so you can filter it out later, otherwise you might be dreaming about it.

Ray (I) (2004)

A film not to be missed

[10/10 · 24 April 2005]

I love when you can watch a movie that takes you into its full realm. After the first 15 minutes I felt I was really watching Ray Charles. I have seen many actors do portrayals of celebrities, singers, athletes, and many other famous people, but rarely have I watched a film in where I felt it so closely resemble the person in speech, appearance, gestures, even down to Ray Charles' pattern of walk. Jaime Foxx's portrayal was gritty, emotional, compelling, and overall his best work to date. Taylor Hackford chose this film out of love and respect for Ray Charles, and it's very evident in the final result of this film. I hope that anyone who watches this film will walk away with a sense of newfound admiration for one of the great legends and music ground breakers of our time.