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shmobbie
Reviews
Srpski film (2010)
That saying, "Some things you can't unsee.."
That saying, "Some things you can't unsee" is definitely in full affect here. I saw this at the SF indiefest with a small theater packed with people and left utterly speechless. I have seen everything under the sun when it comes to sick and twisted cinema and this tops it all.
What's insane is that this movie is REALLY well made; Some very impressive camera work, disgustingly sharp and mean spirited dialogue, a believable cast and some serious nailbiter scenes. Oh yeah, it's actually got some laugh out loud moments also, but it never takes you away from that feeling of dread and utter disgust.
As a previous review said, there are about 4 scenes that I will never forget in my life. I saw this about a week ago and every time I see the friends I saw it with the scenes come up in our conversations. There are things put on celluloid that I never, ever thought I would see in a cinema in America(or Europe for that matter).
Go into this with extreme caution and a very open mind. I loved it.
We Have Decided Not to Die (2004)
Beautiful short caught by chance
So, I won't mention what any of the other reviewers are saying because if you want to know what this special short film is about then you can read the plot synopsis or the other reviews.
I will say that I sat down on my couch, stoned, and started to watch a different short on IFC that was followed by this: A beautifully crafted and strange short film that I could never begin to explain. Well, I could try to explain it but I doubt my interpretation would matter. I didn't get bored, but hey, I was stoned(I'm also not one of those stoner's who think everything is interesting when I'm stoned, it actually gives me quite the short attention span), so say what you will.
My favorite ritual was the third, the other two were well done but this one stagnated in my mind for the longest time.
My only real gripe with this is the first ritual. I enjoyed it but it made me feel sort of uneasy, maybe that was the goal seeing as how it was meant to represent a womb? who knows. great stuff.
See prang (2008)
Fun
So, I'm going to write a little mini review for each short as they show and as I see them and then do a review of the movie as a whole after..
story 1: Happiness effective little ghost story using texting as a medium where a recently deceased ghost talks to a home ridden young woman. I will say that this one is pretty creepy, some great shots are displayed and some cliché stuff is also used. I liked this one a lot for some reason, I usually don't get so into movies using cell phones as main plot devices, I.e. one missed call.
story 2: Tit For Tat Bad nu metal in Thai playing almost constantly, check. Attractive main cast bullies who picks on nerdy kid, check. Revenge story? Yes. This one plays out a little similar to another thai film, Art of the Devil 2 which I didn't enjoy too much. It's directed by the dude who did Shutter, which I also didn't like so much.. But despite the awful CG at the end, I enjoyed this one, it was fun and predictable. Predictable may be bad other places, but I enjoyed it here.
story 3: In the Middle I started out disliking this one.. Nu metal, kayaking, stereotypical teenage dudes.. But it's ripe with movie references, comedy that's actually funny, and a pretty decently creepy story. Based on other reviews I thought this might be a lot worse but I actually really enjoyed it.
story 4: Last Fright Probably my favorite of the 4 shorts just because it was built up so well. This one had the most 'classic' feel to it and was a lot of fun, I jumped on the inside a couple times and was into this one all the way through. Nice little Hitchcockian score also.
Anyway, Fun is the best way to describe this nice little anthology. I grew up on Tales From the Crypt and Creepshow and I'm recently in the past years getting more and more into Asian cinema so this is a film I've been looking forward to. Bottom line, it entertained me and that's all I need.
A great rental at least!
The Puppet Masters (1994)
Hmmm
I have never read the novel this was movie was based on, or any of his other works for that matter, so I have nothing to compare this film to. I also haven't seen Invasion of the Body Snatchers (shame on me). With that said, I have one question: Why the HELL wouldn't you just invent some sort of kevlar armor that attaches to the back and neck in a comfortable fashion? You would think at least the armed forces dudes would have thought about it.. I mean c'mon boys. Anyway, I thought this was entertaining enough for a boring Tuesday afternoon. I've wanted to see this since when it was released and I was much younger and I'm glad I finally have. Fun concept.
Reno 911!: Miami (2007)
bland, at best..
I've been watching this television show since it started airing, and I really do enjoy it, I don't exactly wait for its showing but I've seen every episode thanks to hours in a van and having the seasons on the DVD.
when I went to see this movie I think I expected non stop laughter, maybe the writers would just link all the funniest moments they could think of and keep me laughing for the short time of an hour and a half and some since they can usually keep me smiling through the course of a half hour episode, surely with this set of diverse characters they could keep it coming... buuuut I was wrong.
this is a very bland movie, and is like a longer episode of the television show, only they really just merely juiced up the maturity of the jokes and added the words and nudity they couldn't show on TV, yet it barely helped the comedy, in fact I found myself bored on more than one occasion. I think when they released this movie they pretty much knew it was a straight hit or miss, but I'm also not sure how big the following of the show is...
I did like some of this movie, and I did laugh on some occasions (the rock had a funny cameo), but I never doubled up over the hilarity.
if you have nothing else to watch or you're a huge fan of the TV show, then see this. but I wasn't that happy with my $8.50