venckman-1 Reviews

Lost: A Tale of Two Cities (2006) Season 3, Episode 1

Intense.

[10/10 · 11 October 2006]

One of the best, most unusual, most emotionally intense episodes shown thus far.

From its dazzling opening, the tension is ratcheted up and the tone darkens to the final scenes, which hint that things will get far worse for our friends before they get better -- if they get better at all.

For all its range, the episode is really about Jack and the surprisingly ugly and dark corners of his psyche. Matthew Fox, who has been excellent throughout the show's run, really shines here. He is performance is quite powerful and extremely moving. If this episode is an indicator of where the series is headed this season, we're in for quite a ride.

Boggy Creek II: And the Legend Continues (1983)

It's I Expected and More!

[2/10 · 30 September 2006]

If you like the kind of film where everyone, men and women both, prance about swamps wearing extremely short shorts that ride up severely, in pursuit of a gap toothed man in a monkey suit, then this is for you! If you've always dreamed of seeing inappropriate teacher/student relationships unfold in agonizingly slow motion before your unbelieving eyes, then run, don't walk, to whatever Z-grade video store is nearest you to get your mitts on this gem. But even these wonders don't begin to approach the real joy of this film. Just when you are ready to gouge out your eyes, the movie unleashes it's secret weapon on us. His name is Crenshaw, and he is obese and filthy and quite hairy. He wears a tourniquet on his head, and is far too scantily clad for his, or our, good. All of the eye bleach in the world will not erase the image from your mind. He alone raises the score from the 1 that this movie deserves to the 2 that I've given it. And has there ever been a more unwelcome bit of product placement than the University of Arkansas enjoys with this film? I think not.

The Descent (2005)

A group of gal-pals go spelunking in Appalachia, and don't have a particularly good time.

[7/10 · 7 August 2006]

"The Descent" is an excellent horror movie with several scenes of real horror, lots of juicy/squishy sound effects accompanied by gobs of ruby-red blood, and a psychological element that gives it -- no pun intended -- unexpected depth. It's a decently written, solidly acted, fast-paced effort that has it's excesses (a few cheap scares and a virtual lake of blood that really aren't needed -- it's scary and gory enough already, thanks), but it's hard to hold it's weaknesses against it, given how well it delivers the scares. Appalachia hasn't looked this unappealing as a vacation destination since "Deliverance." By the end of the film, you're dying for something as wholesome and sweet as a 8-toed, banjo-picking mutant -- but alas, this little movie has something far more sinister in store for you. If you're not claustrophobic when you see "The Descent," you will be when it's over.

Fantastic Four (I) (2005)

Fantastic Fun

[8/10 · 10 July 2005]

I've never seen so many critics so very wrong about a movie. Ignore the critical drubbing -- this movie is lots of fun. It's fast paced, it's funny, and it's well-acted by a terrific cast (kudos to Gruffudd, Chiklis, and Evans, who are pitch perfect). Here's a comic book movie that doesn't bore you with attempts to be Hamlet. It embraces its pulp origins, and goes about its business with sincerity and its tongue firmly in cheek. It's not perfect -- the Human Torch's "rock video" moments bring the film to a screeching halt on a couple of occasions and there's a few sequences that don't quite work -- but these are minor gripes. This is a sunny, big-hearted, good-natured movie that kids and adults alike will enjoy.