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Serenity1984
Reviews
The Birthday (2004)
A Hidden Gem! But not for everybody! Spoilers!
I got this imported from Germany and my wife and i watched it together. It is a very weird little film. The feeling and style is very much of a David Lynch movie mixed with the Shining, and I'm not not comparing it to the these 2 classics just its look and style. The film is about Norman who goes to meet his Girlfriend at her fathers Birthday at a hotel. He has some friends on the upper floor who are all having a party. He does not have the strongest relationship with his girlfriend and she is very controlling. She sends him to the party on his own, nobody knows him at all. It feels very awkward even with his girlfriend finally coming down. Its about 40 mins in when the film really kicks into gear with a very over the top waiter saves Norman and advises him that a demon is going to be born in the hotel in the body of someone who will die at the party. His friends on the top floor are sacrifices. I wont go onto ruin the rest but a lot more happens and is brilliant. Corey Feldman broke away from his child actor persona here. He is in every scene the other actors are really just there but all play there parts. I can see why Corey is proud of this film, he really does shine. I cant actually believe with all the crap that is released today not one studio picked this up and released it. It would not have a problem gaining a cult audience at all. I am glad i picked this up and when i ordered it i thought its cool we will watch it and ill sell it and get my money back. The Birthday has taken its rightful place on my DVD shelf. If you want to check something out a little different from mainstream, and get the feel back of those old 70s and 80's horror films you once watched buy this. My rating is a worthy 8/10
Starship Troopers 3: Marauder (2008)
Best Direct to DVD i have seen in a long time! spoilers!
I got my blu ray last night and my mates all showed up, We were not expecting much. We just wanted some cheesy propaganda ads, some good brutal action and Casper Van dien Say " Do you want to live for ever!".
It did not disappoint it is amazing, The story without giving to much away is not as epic as the original but that means nothing! Johnny is the only returning character and you don't need anyone else. Its been 5 years since the original. The film is quickly introducing us to the new characters and then right into some really good action. It follows the pretty much the same formula as the the original Johnny does something bad and is in trouble for it, everyone thinks he is dead. He then goes on a rescue mission for someone he had a relationship with. We loved it! The great parts, the brain from the original is back and has a part to play.
The characters- Dix Hauser is played very well by Boris Kodjoe, he is Rico's friends and is also seeing his ex lola beck, played by Jolene Blalock. Both characters and actors are really good additions to the series.
Amanda Donohoe brilliant her character was a major surprise for us! enjoyed watching this character evolve on screen.
Casper Van Dien knows this character and falls into the role with ease! It was great to have Rico's Roughnecks back!
I think what makes this film brilliant is that its written by and directed by Edward Neumeier who wrote the original. He gets the chance to show us the world he created through his own eyes.
The bad Special effects this film should have had a lot more money behind it! There is some crap! in cinemas these days and this is a film that if had some more money would have been amazing on the big screen!
Overall See it don't expect much of a budget but everything else is great! P.S i hated Starship Troopers 2 so i am not biased on the starship films it is a great direct to DVD movie!
Lost Boys: The Tribe (2008)
Hits the right notes just out of tune! Spoilers be aware!
I watched this last week when my blu-ray showed, its taken me that long to digest what i thought. I am a huge fan of the original as are my friends. We liked aspects of the film and respect to the creators of the tribe for trying to do something new but keep a few nostalgic moments in there but it just does not work. The vampires in this are nothing like the original lost boys, they have gone with trying to show us what the Lost boys of todays culture are like. There's to much swearing and useless violence which never really pays off or has much point. The charisma and mystery is gone surrounding the vampires as has their style.
There is Angus Sutherland who does a good job, he is head vamp but the rest of the vampires all have a part which kind of feels all over the place. The Lost Boys really focused on David (kiefer Sutherland) the other vampires were just there.
The kids don't suck but other than having the surname Emerson, there is no connection to Michael star or even Sam. you have to make your own mind if they are the offspring or just new characters. The actual performances from Tad and Autumn are good they pull it off and do entertain but again i just like Angus they lacked the material in this film.
The big part of the Film Edgar Frog has grown up and become a LONE vampire hunter not Rambo yet but his innocence is gone and Corey Feldman knocks it out the park bringing Edgar back to the screen. This is what the fans were waiting on and thanks to Warner for giving this character more screen time, he really takes the film from a 4.5 to 6 out of 10 easy.
The Director does OK nothing amazing, to be honest id love to see John Gulager (Feast1,2,3) direct Lost boys 3.He is a man that can work with a budget and do amazing things. I just don't think pesce get Lost boys. He gets Vampires just not the Lost boys mythology. He did well with what he had and told his story which is not a bad film, we just need someone who is a fan boy like us all for lost boys and make it new for others too.
The writers on this i don't think they knew if they were coming or going, which i feel is where the tribe falls not enough is explained, the characters are just not interesting. I felt like they thought oh fans will think this is cool and just put it in. Its like the Fat guy on the Sax at the start come on! The use of the Emerson name no references made just make a reference to star or Michael, hell even Edgar acknowledge them. The vampire deaths hmmm! wont go into that! The god dam Aunt they go to stay with agh! There is no need for her part at all and is nothing on the grandpa from the original. The Fact they blocked Haim and newlander is nuts! why not Sam as their uncle god! Now in the cave at the end Edgar is fighting with a vamp, he tells Edgar his brother is there why? he does not show up at all in the film its like Yes! something for us!then nothing! really bad writing! like i said all the right notes just out of tune!
Now after the actors names in the credits the film cuts back there is a 57 second scene between Feldman and Haim which is kind of cool but when you see the alternative endings you will really wish they had gone with the 1st alternative ending.In these endings Haim does a really good job and again i just don't think the writers got his character at all. All i can say is i hope they make the ending they went with some kind of Edgar nightmare he wakes up and it was dream and plays into the alternative ending or something. If Lost boys 3 goes ahead better writers or more time on script a new director someone who cares about the mythology. It will need just a bit more of a budget not massive just a little more lol! Here is the Big part More Corey Feldman, Corey Haim, Jamison Newlander. I would also like maybe to see Laddie back in some form with the guys.
Overall the Tribe is nothing on the Original Lost Boys It does not suck but is not great either. Its a good Friday and Saturday night movie with the missus or if your a fan boy you can see the Coreys in a movie no matter how short that time is.