silmaril12 Reviews

The Son of the Shark (1993)

A hard to find gem that must be seen

[10/10 · 17 May 2012]

'Le Fils Du Requin' "Son of a Shark" is a brilliant film from director Agnes Merlet and screenwriter Santiago Amigorena. It tells the story of two brothers Martin and Simon Vander Hoes who are juvenile delinquents in their home town. They dropped out of school when mom left the family and they deal with the whiles of their drunken father yet they have a bond with their younger brother Luke. Martin and Simon always remain one step ahead of the law as they're always being tracked down and when they're separated from each other they have a knack for finding each other. Martin had an interest in an older girl Marie and he's desperate to have her come down to the beach with him where they'll make love once, just once and then they'll die. Martin's most quoted line; "I am the son of a man and a woman. But if I had been born the son of a female shark then, maybe I wouldn't be so mean". Sadly this film is only available on video and I have seen in in the cinema and own it on VHS. I've seen it at least 10 times but it has had the power to stay with me all these years.

The Thing (I) (2011)

You can't top Carpenter's Masterpiece

[8 November 2011]

Although this one takes place a few days prior to the Carpenter remake and we get all this tied together at the end, was this prequel actually necessary? No, that was the mystery behind the first Norwegian groups disastrous meeting with the creature from out there. That's what the original Bill Lancaster screenplay did and if we'd been intended to see what'd happened to them we'd have seen it only in snippets. It's much better to use our imaginations as to what happened when the American's arrive at the Norwegian camp. "They're not Swedish Mac, they're Norwegian" kept ringing in my head throughout the film which is abundant with messy computer effects though what Rob Bottin was able to create back in '82 you felt like you were watching a documentary. Two women abound in this story and we long for an all male cast which is what it needed for the strong sense of paranoia. It's loud and icky but come on so was Carpenter's though his was masterfully executed. Hollywood needs to stop shoveling our remakes and prequels and start adapting novels more often. This "Thing" gets a C-

Game of Thrones (2011–2019)

Great epic fantasy finally comes to television

[30 July 2011]

Although there have been a few tweaks here and there from the first book in the series, everything about the first series of "Game of Thrones" lived up to my expectations and exceeded it. That's what great TV is about. The writers, cast, directors and everyone else have done a superb job with the source material. My only complaint is the second series is also to be called "Game of Thrones". 'A Clash of Kings' needs to be its subtitle or, the series should've been titled after the full name of the novel series 'A Song of Ice and Fire' and then with the subtitles of the different novels beneath. Now, the torture of waiting until April 2012 begins. I have high expectations for series two including the epic skirmish the Battle of Blackwater Bay. That should be a thrill though due to budgetary reasons they may have to whittle it down. Let the "Clash" begin.

The Tree of Life (2011)

A real snore fest

[1/10 · 3 June 2011]

Dear Terrence Malick; This is in reference to your latest release; 'The Tree of Life". I'm sorry but I lasted only 30 minutes. After which I walked out and got a refund. When we see films, we need to be told a story, NOT hearing the inner mind thoughts of your characters on screen. Tell us what happens. You need to enroll in Robert McKee's "STORY" course and put that into your scripts. Then, we get images of the creation of the Earth? I stood up and said, "I've already seen 2001. What is this?" There was absolutely NOTHING going on and this thing won the Palme D'Or. Now I know why you don't show up to do interviews and let your cast speak of the film for you. You need to get out there and do it yourself. The same thing happened with me and "The New World". I want to be entertained not bored to tears. "Steeerike three, you're out of here!" Signed, A bored film-goer. No More Malick for me. 'Bye'.

Hesher (2010)

A waste of time and talent

[1/10 · 24 May 2011]

"Hesher" is one of the year's most disappointing films. I did snicker here and there and tried to like it but it was hopelessly pointless and full of drivel. Here is the ultimate slacker and there is nothing redeeming about the character Gordon-Levitt plays. Piper Laurie is a wonderful actor and young Devin Brochu is a handsome boy and a good actor but nothing helps the film move along not even Natalie Portman. The script sags and is so nonsensical that you cannot feel for any of the characters at all. It's scatterbrained and a total mess. "Hesher" was supposed to work his way into our hearts but that's one place where he'll never be. "Hesher" wasn't here.