I am shocked by the positive response to this film. I thought it was brain dead even for horror film standards. None of it makes any sense. It lacks suspense or any good performances and it borders on self-parody. Luckily, it was a free watch with my HBO Max subscription because if I paid money at the theater for it, I would certainly be pissed. As it stands, I am just thoroughly disappointed.
Reviews
12 Reviews
Halloween Party
(2019)
Amy Groening is the highlight in this low budget horror-comedy
26 September 2021
Caught this on Amazon Prime and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. It was competently directed and edited, and had some witty banter, and enough blood to keep things interesting. Amy Groening does a nice job in this and I would love to see her get more exposure in a wide release film.
Zack Snyder's Justice League
(2021)
Bloated Snyder Cut Is Interesting But Not Good
19 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
We have finally gotten the "what could have been" Snyder Cut and the results are... interesting. It is true that it is both the same as the 2017 film as well as being different. Some of these differences are more obvious than others. Such as; it's twice the length of the 2017 film. So there's quite a bit here we haven't seen before. For example, both Steppenwolf and Cyborg are more fleshed out this time around. There's also no creepy mustaches-less CGI or unnecessary Russians gumming up the works.
Those obvious differences aside, there's plenty of similarities. For example, The Flash is still the comedic relief, spouting out even more one liners than he did in the 2017 version. That's probably the most surprising thing about the Snyder Cut; the amount of humor that is in it. So it should be pointed out that despite what many people have claimed over the years, it is quite evident that a majority of the 2017 film was indeed directed by Zack Snyder. It's just that certain scenes were sometimes made shorter and/or shown in a different order, but in the grand scheme of things, very few scenes didn't carry over.
The Snyder Cut, however, does share a similar flaw that hampered "Batman v Superman". The pacing is a bit stop and go and that's really due to the fact that it needs to cover too much ground. There's far too much character and story exposition required here because they didn't properly set it up in previous films. If nothing else, Snyder's Cut proves that this universe really needed a few standalone movies before it even existed in the first place. One of my biggest gripes, however, is with the choice of songs. None of them really worked for me. In fact, they were almost unintentionally funny. That Barry/Iris slo-mo sequence, in particular, is dreadful. That all said, It's not all bad. There is actually something to enjoy here, it's just not enough to hail it as anything more than a failed experiment.
So for better or worse, this is Snyder's vision and for some, that's more important than the actual quality itself. But at the end of the day, no matter how bad it is, it's always interesting to have to watch to opposing cuts of the same film.
Those obvious differences aside, there's plenty of similarities. For example, The Flash is still the comedic relief, spouting out even more one liners than he did in the 2017 version. That's probably the most surprising thing about the Snyder Cut; the amount of humor that is in it. So it should be pointed out that despite what many people have claimed over the years, it is quite evident that a majority of the 2017 film was indeed directed by Zack Snyder. It's just that certain scenes were sometimes made shorter and/or shown in a different order, but in the grand scheme of things, very few scenes didn't carry over.
The Snyder Cut, however, does share a similar flaw that hampered "Batman v Superman". The pacing is a bit stop and go and that's really due to the fact that it needs to cover too much ground. There's far too much character and story exposition required here because they didn't properly set it up in previous films. If nothing else, Snyder's Cut proves that this universe really needed a few standalone movies before it even existed in the first place. One of my biggest gripes, however, is with the choice of songs. None of them really worked for me. In fact, they were almost unintentionally funny. That Barry/Iris slo-mo sequence, in particular, is dreadful. That all said, It's not all bad. There is actually something to enjoy here, it's just not enough to hail it as anything more than a failed experiment.
So for better or worse, this is Snyder's vision and for some, that's more important than the actual quality itself. But at the end of the day, no matter how bad it is, it's always interesting to have to watch to opposing cuts of the same film.
Finally Star Wars Drops Formula And Gives Us Something Fresh & Exciting
22 December 2017
I am blown away by how amazing The Last Jedi is. Do not pay any mind to the butthurt DCEU fans that seem intent drive the score down for this film. They vow to do likewise with the upcoming avengers. Wise up people and check this movie out if you want to see it. You will not be disappointed. It's filled with twists and turns and exhilirating action. I've seen it twice already and I'm seeing it again tomorrow.
Live Free or Die Hard
(2007)
Fun movie ... worth the price of admission!!
30 June 2007
John McClane is back!!!! After being very skeptical of the PG-13 rating and voicing my displeasure about it on the IMDb boards, I must admit that I thoroughly enjoyed the movie despite the PG-13 rating. The movie still had balls and was certainly a hard PG-13 film.
The movie had some wild and fun action scenes - the tunnel sequence was awesome - and it was a funny, edge-of-your-seat action film. It may not be as good as the first (or even the third film), but it is still a damn good "Die Hard" movie. Hopefully, this film will do well enough for a fifth film.
If you are a fan of the "Die Hard" movies, you will not be disappointed!!!
The movie had some wild and fun action scenes - the tunnel sequence was awesome - and it was a funny, edge-of-your-seat action film. It may not be as good as the first (or even the third film), but it is still a damn good "Die Hard" movie. Hopefully, this film will do well enough for a fifth film.
If you are a fan of the "Die Hard" movies, you will not be disappointed!!!
Farewell to the Planet of the Apes
(1980 TV Movie)
Not as fluid as "Back to the Planet of the Apes,"
14 January 2007
Warning: Spoilers
In 1974, CBS began a "Planet of the Apes" prime-time TV series after Fox had concluded it's highly-successful theatrically released films ("Planet of the Apes," "Beneath the Planet of the Apes," "Escape From the Planet of the Apes," "Conquest of the Planet of the Apes," and "Battle for the Planet of the Apes"). However, due to directly competing to hit shows like "Sanford & Son" in the same time slot, the show would fold-up after just 13 episodes.
Seven years later, several episodes of the TV series would be edited into five made-for-television movies. "Farewell to the Planet of the Apes" was the last of such films. 'Farewell' was compiled from episodes "Tomorrow's Tide" and "Up Above the World So High".
The episode "Tomorrow's Tide" is about how the astronauts, Burke and Vidron, are captured in a fishing village employing human slave labor, they must prove their worth as fishermen or be sacrificed to the gods of the sea. "Up Above the World So High" is about Galen's flight on a hang glider highlights this story about the fugitives' attempts to help a human who is determined to learn the secret of flying.
Not as fluid as "Back to the Planet of the Apes," but for what it is, 'Farewell' is an entertaining 'Apes' flick. Check out the episodes on the DVD release of the complete television series of "Planet of the Apes".
Seven years later, several episodes of the TV series would be edited into five made-for-television movies. "Farewell to the Planet of the Apes" was the last of such films. 'Farewell' was compiled from episodes "Tomorrow's Tide" and "Up Above the World So High".
The episode "Tomorrow's Tide" is about how the astronauts, Burke and Vidron, are captured in a fishing village employing human slave labor, they must prove their worth as fishermen or be sacrificed to the gods of the sea. "Up Above the World So High" is about Galen's flight on a hang glider highlights this story about the fugitives' attempts to help a human who is determined to learn the secret of flying.
Not as fluid as "Back to the Planet of the Apes," but for what it is, 'Farewell' is an entertaining 'Apes' flick. Check out the episodes on the DVD release of the complete television series of "Planet of the Apes".
Back to the Planet of the Apes
(1980 TV Movie)
... entertaining and fast paced ...
14 January 2007
Warning: Spoilers
In 1974, CBS began a "Planet of the Apes" prime-time TV series after Fox had concluded it's highly-successful theatrically released films ("Planet of the Apes," "Beneath the Planet of the Apes," "Escape From the Planet of the Apes," "Conquest of the Planet of the Apes," and "Battle for the Planet of the Apes"). However, due to directly competing to hit shows like "Sanford & Son" in the same time slot, the show would fold-up after just 13 episodes.
Seven years later, several episodes of the TV series would be edited into five made-for-television movies. "Back to the Planet of the Apes" was the first of such films. "Back to the Planet of the Apes" was compiled from the debut episode ("Escape From Tomorrow") and the series' third episode ("The Trap").
The film begins with three astronauts from 1980, who travel through a time warp and crash on Earth in 3085. One of the astronauts is killed in the impact, and the two survivors - Alan Virdon (Ron Harper) and Peter Burke (James Naughton) - find that the world is now ruled by a race of intelligent apes. After being caught by the Ape Army and sentenced to death by the orangutan-led tribunal, the two condemned men are visited in their cell by a curious chimpanzee named Galen (Roddy McDowall). Galen, who is intrigued by the men's accounts of an advanced human civilization from centuries ago, accidentally kills a gorilla and is charged with murder. Soon there after, Virdon, Burke, and Galen all escape the ape city and are fugitives hunted by a determined gorilla named General Urko (Mark Lenard). Virdon manages to salvage a computer disk from the downed spaceship before it is destroyed by the gorillas, and the trio's travels take them to the earthquake-prone remains of a human city, where they are cornered by Urko's troops.
The film is an entertaining and fast paced adventure despite not fitting into the time-line of the 'Apes' films. The film is infrequently shown on television BUT the complete TV series has been released on DVD at an affordable price. A must have for any fans of the 'Apes' movies.
Seven years later, several episodes of the TV series would be edited into five made-for-television movies. "Back to the Planet of the Apes" was the first of such films. "Back to the Planet of the Apes" was compiled from the debut episode ("Escape From Tomorrow") and the series' third episode ("The Trap").
The film begins with three astronauts from 1980, who travel through a time warp and crash on Earth in 3085. One of the astronauts is killed in the impact, and the two survivors - Alan Virdon (Ron Harper) and Peter Burke (James Naughton) - find that the world is now ruled by a race of intelligent apes. After being caught by the Ape Army and sentenced to death by the orangutan-led tribunal, the two condemned men are visited in their cell by a curious chimpanzee named Galen (Roddy McDowall). Galen, who is intrigued by the men's accounts of an advanced human civilization from centuries ago, accidentally kills a gorilla and is charged with murder. Soon there after, Virdon, Burke, and Galen all escape the ape city and are fugitives hunted by a determined gorilla named General Urko (Mark Lenard). Virdon manages to salvage a computer disk from the downed spaceship before it is destroyed by the gorillas, and the trio's travels take them to the earthquake-prone remains of a human city, where they are cornered by Urko's troops.
The film is an entertaining and fast paced adventure despite not fitting into the time-line of the 'Apes' films. The film is infrequently shown on television BUT the complete TV series has been released on DVD at an affordable price. A must have for any fans of the 'Apes' movies.
The Constant Gardener
(2005)
... Worth Watching ...
29 January 2006
THE CONSTANT GARDENER
(Rated R / Color / 129 min.)
CAST: Ralph Fiennes, Rachel Weisz, Hubert Koundé, Danny Huston, Daniele Harford, Bill Nighy, Keith Pearson, John Sibi-Okumu, Donald Sumpter
WRITTEN BY: Jeffrey Caine ("Goldeneye") Based on the novel by John le Carré
DIRECTED BY: Fernando Meirelles ("City of God")
"It's like it's a marriage of convenience and all it produces are dead offspring." - Tessa (Rachel Weisz)
REVIEW:
THE CONSTANT GARDENER, though preachy, is a well-written, well-acted film that is strictly hampered by the irritating use of the hand-held camera-work that director Fernando Meirellesto insisted on using throughout the film. One can't help to wonder how much better off the film would have been had the original choice of Mike Newell had signed on to direct the film instead. The film could also have benefited from shifting some scenes around ... but all in all, THE CONSTANT GARDENER is worth watching.
7/10
(Rated R / Color / 129 min.)
CAST: Ralph Fiennes, Rachel Weisz, Hubert Koundé, Danny Huston, Daniele Harford, Bill Nighy, Keith Pearson, John Sibi-Okumu, Donald Sumpter
WRITTEN BY: Jeffrey Caine ("Goldeneye") Based on the novel by John le Carré
DIRECTED BY: Fernando Meirelles ("City of God")
"It's like it's a marriage of convenience and all it produces are dead offspring." - Tessa (Rachel Weisz)
REVIEW:
THE CONSTANT GARDENER, though preachy, is a well-written, well-acted film that is strictly hampered by the irritating use of the hand-held camera-work that director Fernando Meirellesto insisted on using throughout the film. One can't help to wonder how much better off the film would have been had the original choice of Mike Newell had signed on to direct the film instead. The film could also have benefited from shifting some scenes around ... but all in all, THE CONSTANT GARDENER is worth watching.
7/10
Plan 9 from Outer Space
(1957)
So bad ... it's good.
28 January 2006
Cardboard tombstones, stock footage, incoherent dialog, inane acting ... and that's not even the half of it!!! PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE is a movie that is so bad ... it's good.
It is unintentionally funny with some truly inept film-making.
It must be seen to be believed.
Also Recommended:
It is unintentionally funny with some truly inept film-making.
It must be seen to be believed.
Also Recommended:
- Tim Burton's excellent biopic of Edward D.Wood, Jr. entitled ED WOOD.
- Wood's 1953 schlock-fest, GLEN OR GLENDA
- The documentary THE HAUNTED WORLD OF EDWARD D. WOOD, JR.
- Rudolph Grey's flawless book on the accounts of Ed Wood's life from those closest to him. The book is called "Nightmare of Ecstasy: The Life and Art of Edward D. Wood, Jr."
Million Dollar Baby
(2004)
MILLION DOLLAR BABY is a good movie --- not great --- but good
28 January 2006
I think MILLION DOLLAR BABY is a good movie --- not great --- but good. There were many moments of the film that were outlandish - especially some of the boxing sequences. Some of them were as unrealistic as you'd find in a ROCKY sequel.
However, Swank and Freeman gave excellent performance and some of the dialogue was quite good. Eastwood, on the other hand, come across too bland at times. The last church scene, IMO, was were he was at his best. As for his directing, Eastwood did a good solid job.
The film does suffer from inconsistent pacing and some emotionally manipulative sequences.
All in all, I'd give the film a 7/10.
However, Swank and Freeman gave excellent performance and some of the dialogue was quite good. Eastwood, on the other hand, come across too bland at times. The last church scene, IMO, was were he was at his best. As for his directing, Eastwood did a good solid job.
The film does suffer from inconsistent pacing and some emotionally manipulative sequences.
All in all, I'd give the film a 7/10.
King Kong
(2005)
KING KONG is massively overrated
9 January 2006
I do not know what the critics see in this film.
It is bad. Plain and simple.
Bad acting, some shoddy special effects and the film is easily an hour too long.
KING KONG had the potential of being something special but instead Peter Jackson delivers a pretentious and arrogant remake - or shall I say - re-imagining.
At a $207 million budget, I really don't know why the film cost that much.
Fortunately, I am quite pleased that the film has massively underperformed at the B.O. because this film is just a money making ploy and has nothing else to offer. Don't believe the critics who were apparently paid off for their positive reviews and do NOT see this film. Save your money and more importantly, your time.
It is bad. Plain and simple.
Bad acting, some shoddy special effects and the film is easily an hour too long.
KING KONG had the potential of being something special but instead Peter Jackson delivers a pretentious and arrogant remake - or shall I say - re-imagining.
At a $207 million budget, I really don't know why the film cost that much.
Fortunately, I am quite pleased that the film has massively underperformed at the B.O. because this film is just a money making ploy and has nothing else to offer. Don't believe the critics who were apparently paid off for their positive reviews and do NOT see this film. Save your money and more importantly, your time.
Resident Evil: Apocalypse
(2004)
Much Better Than The First ...
31 January 2005
I, for one, hated the first film. I found only the film's last few minutes to be exhilarating. The first film boasted bad CGI effects, poor make-up effects and it's biggest flaw was that it did not utilize the scenarios that played out in the ultra successful video games. That, however, has been corrected in this slam bang sequel. Non-stop action and the films fast-pace nature helps the viewer forget (or ignore) the film's weaknesses. And the film's weakness is mainly the script written by Paul W.S. Anderson. Weak dialog and a flimsy story are certainly things that may completely annoy a less-forgiving viewer. The film's direction by Alexander Witt is fair but flawed. I, for one, hate the use of slow motion and sped up frames that are consistently used in today's movies. However, with a bigger budget that improved the CGI and makeup, made it possible to make RE: Apocalypse an entertaining way of spending an evening. Just don't over-analyze the film and watch it for what it is. A 'leave your brain at the door' horror/action film.
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