karl_consiglio Reviews

Elephant (2003)

Great movie, elephant suspense.

[9/10 · 21 September 2013]

Elephant suspense. I love the director's take that Eric shoots his partner in crime, didn't see that coming;-) which is not what actually happened but a small touch like that makes all the difference vis a vis hate, accumulated hate. The kiss that girl gives that boy gives us hope. The school itself seemed good enough. The headmaster fairly reasonable. The school has all the facilities. OK nothing is perfect as in the real world. But as John Lennon said (just a mere coincidence that he was shot) "We all got both Hitler and Jesus inside of us, we all want Jesus to win" Trust me I'm not religious. Everything in this film is so pre-9/11 isn't it? Even the slow jump of the dog..... freezes the tempo of the film.... the intro and the 3 angles of repetition of the shooting .... a masterpiece of a film based on a real story.

The Broken Tower (2011)

A drag

[3/10 · 6 August 2013]

Not a particularly great poet to begin with. I don't know why the film is in black and white, is that supposed to make it look more arty or something? I don't see why he was not happy with the advertising job. He could have still found time for his poems on the side. His poems are really heavy and monotonous and pedantic, I bet they don't necessarily mean anything most of the time. They just kind of sound like they do. But its just drunken delirium. Some nice shots under the bridge. The guy does have a nice smile. Poet was destructive. I bet Ginsberg liked this guy. Lucky guy got to travel a lot, not bad for a broke cliché of a suffering artist.

Hyde Park on Hudson (2012)

Sweet film

[7/10 · 27 June 2013]

A rather sweet film. Not Bill Murray as we expect him. And yet I couldn't imagine anyone more suitable. Much ado about nothing really and men know that. Women worry too much. Two great flawed personalities as we all are. They have a drink. A smoke. A hot dog. Share a joke. While the women hassle about as usual. A lot of terrible things could have been avoided had there been more pleasant weekends like this. The presence of the American Indians made quite an impression. Because they got screwed more than the female Americans in this film at the end of the day. Funny to see a British King still telling his wife not to compare him to his brother while an American President is having his wife and lovers coming to terms with the fact that he has other lovers. Those pictures on the wall depicting the British as monkeys, as the characters in the film suggested, were indeed rather symbolically true at the end of the day although the Americans were supposedly supposed to be the less sophisticated.

Life of Pi (2012)

Lousy attempt to make a rational mind believe in God

[3/10 · 30 March 2013]

I enjoyed this movie vis a vis the survival cast away aspect in the unlikely company of a Bengali tiger. But it's no lawyer to help one believe in God. Trying to prove God in symbolic terms has long exhausted itself. Not even beauty, no matter how sublime, still does not prove god.

In this film the guy asks for signs, but not even that would satisfy me, I want presence and a proper explanation. Otherwise everything is just based on chance.

People buy this film because many have their appetite whet for any exotic mystery, especially from the likes of India.

I find this film frighteningly naive. If thats the point of it then even worse.

Shallow Grave (1994)

Enjoyed it but..

[7/10 · 6 December 2012]

Immediately they should have hidden the money. Then call the police about the body. Then when all the investigating is over split the money. And each goes their own way. Until they meet again all prosperous. But apart from that it was a tight all suspenseful movie. Never undermine anybody! Thing is my way would not have got that guy all messed up. Love the snappy humor. Could they not have chopped the body up together? Done pieces in turns maybe? Share the responsibility. My favorite part was when under questioning the chick was asked whether she remembers people by their faces or names best. And being a nurse she says "diseases". Then the investigator says that just like her he recalls people's behavior by their crimes. I do recommend this movie.

The Bucks County Massacre (2010)

Lame

[2/10 · 27 October 2012]

You find yourself waiting for stuff to start happening and when it finally does, all we are given is a lot of annoying noise before we are even presented with the "monster". The creature is obviously human and I think there where enough boys to bust its head in, not by venturing after it in its territory/the woods, but sticking together at the house on the look out. that guy who took the second rifle made the same mistake as the one who took the first, by then the lesson should have been learnt. They could have left, they had the cars, yeah OK but then it was too late. All I'm trying to say is that they could have gone about it the way they would a large bear, which is actually stronger than this cannibal. Question remains if there was more than one of these things. Not even the surviver at the end tells us anything. We saw too little and Blair Witch beats this without showing anything. Thats the thing it trys to be a Blair Witch without offering any new surprizes or strike a new chord in any way. What you feel is nervous, but not scared. No one phoned for help again?

Meeting Evil (2012)

Stupid

[1/10 · 8 August 2012]

First of all the concept itself has become a cliché. So unless you going to do something better than what has already been done regarding films that involve an intruder, then scrap the idea. And it was loaded with flaws. The worst part was when John(the victim) had already been questioned by the police, he is concerned about his family, the police send people to guard his house, but come on he never described the bad guy to them?? They don't know what they are looking out for when he gets there, its ridiculous. And when the bad guy gets into the house they actually let him manipulate them psychologically vis a vis some affair John's wife has been having, its really stupid.

Madison County (2011)

Really bad film

[1/10 · 8 June 2012]

My first serious complaint as such was when they stop at the diner. They were hungry and they stopped there. They are soon leaving. Did they eat? We never see the food. The creature himself is really not scary. One nutter with a pig's head in the middle of nowhere. I don't know how those remaining by the house got so separated. Anyways all you really got to do is run. The surviving girl is traumatized but as such unharmed. Run luv!! Then there is the other survivor, he beats the psycho up, but never finishes him off. And there is a lot of not hanging on to one's weapons, obviously the nutter keeps getting up. An all round cliché. What a lot of wait for nothing.

Shame (2011)

I feel the concept is flawed.

[6/10 · 10 April 2012]

Just finished watching it, guilty/shame why because he was having sex while his sister was killing herself???? What if he was playing billiards? He wouldn't play billiards again the next day out of shame? Oh come on!! He was a very supportive guy, she couldn't wait till he gets home? I mean you can support the ones you love and help as best you can but they are not your problem to solve. They (brother and sister) were very similar, one just happened to be a bit tougher on the side. Tight film, convincing in the sense that we still feel the bad lettuce regardless of what I'm saying, but I'm not sure if i learn t anything I didn't know. Overcoming one's sense of shame is a part of growing up. Mobile phones are a problem because you're expected to answer now, better when we didn't have them. I don't think the guy was particularly weird, I think many a dude can relate to him.

The Last Exorcism (2010)

Cliché Galore

[9 August 2011]

Lets put it this way. This movie tries to strike chords we've already experienced. Via the The Exorcist. That would be the least of it. If anything it makes The Exorcist look good, not bad. But most obviously Rosemary's Baby and The Blair Witch Project. And thereby it fails. Because it strikes no new chord within us at all. Its just one big cliché. Thankfully there were none of the stupid effects I feared it would be loaded with. The acting is OK. This film just contributes towards Religion becoming deader and deader these days. Another lie on the part of the devil I guess. To lead us astray. I dunno. I don't care. I'm just here. For whatever its worth.

It Waits (2005)

Its the audience that left waiting

[2 August 2011]

Its more like the audience that is left waiting. Patiently you wait for all the romanticism to be over so as the film could start, then the sex scene, with the candles, doesn't even give us a glimpse of her tits. Which is a shame because she has a glorious rack. In fact often you forget you watching a horror flick, its more like an episode of Beautiful. When the monster finally starts getting nasty, i don't how she manages to sleep, and how they hang around talking. She doesn't seem as traumatized by the awful stuff the monster does as she was about the car crash that killed her friend. Anyway she wastes a lot of bullets, and food.

Stone (2010)

The Shaman

[7/10 · 9 February 2011]

I thought it was a great come back for Norton. Stone is the Shaman of the entire prison, this ain't spoon fed in the film. Its just the sense I got. The radio is always on the Existence debate channel. There is a lot about passing judgment, forgiveness. Forgiveness of others as well as self. Its a very religious film, spiritual, meditative. Not just in the Catholic sense at all. It deals with conscience and guilt. DeNiro should never have slept with the guys wife. But don't expect an action film. Because he forgives him. I mean who can blame him, Jovovich is downright hot. A somewhat slow film. But it makes sense. Loved the stuff Stone was saying about the fire taking over.

Salt (2010)

Bad film

[2/10 · 6 January 2011]

The only good moment is in the trailer, when the guy says "Then you are a Russian spy". Its all downhill after that, and she is treated, and hunted, more like a terrorist than a spy. Eventually and inevitably, she even behaves more like a terrorist than a spy. And why should a country that deems itself good be concerned with spies. A good government ought to be transparent. Incredible how she can beat up the strongest of American guards beat them senseless, and she can do the same to the Russians men thought by the same teacher too, no problem. By the way the American president is black. But the only black man we see in this film is only there for us not to fear him another Russian spy. The film starts with her running, and ends with her still running.

Street Trash (1987)

Good fun

[7/10 · 20 September 2010]

The thing I like about B-movies is that can go all the way, well at least within their budget. Sometimes you see big budgets that have all the money and know how and yet keep their films boringly safe and thereby uncreative. I loved Street trash, particularly the cinematography, good composition and use of color(not referring to the gluey stuff that comes out of the bodies here). The music might have been a wee bit too spoon feeding and the use of dirt of the characters faces, at times the make up was a wee bit overdone. I wonder why that nice chick did not bother taking that dirty kid she fancied home, first and foremost for, privacy, safety and so as he may have a wash before going down on him.

Precious (II) (2009)

Flawed ending

[5/10 · 19 July 2010]

I felt everything one ought to feel for the main character in the story in the sense of compassion. All the way I also felt all the rage one ought to feel against her mother. But come the climax, a very felt climax that goes to the core of our main protagonist's ordeal, does not go to the root of the monster that made the mother what she is, a monster that not even the psychiatrist wanted to touch, but that in her way, own right has a history that ought to examined just like that of Precious. Its easy to judge people simply on the lines that we/I would never do such acts but even the worst of acts can be justified according to one's ordeal. What I am trying to say hear is what is it that might have happened to Precious' mother in childhood to make her what she became, a great lack of opportunity maybe way less than that of Precious and we are not all strong.

Peacock (2010)

Creepy

[6/10 · 20 May 2010]

I would be lying if I said I was not creeped out just a little. The film does hold you. No BOO fright clichés. Just that long sickening feeling that something crazy is gonna reveal itself. In the end does it? I dunno, maybe I would have preferred the alternate ending, I dunno. Cillian was great playing this part, there was something very Tim Roth about his eeriness. Obviously the film does recall Psycho. I like the clashing calmness dressed as Emma against the main character's nerves and fears. At the beginning of the film I thought the dude was an autistic adult. The train in the back yard, I believe its a metaphor, was awesome.

Nine (2009)

Irrelevant film

[4/10 · 12 May 2010]

I felt it was most misleading. I have long come to detest the cliché of the suffering artist. Can't a man's creativity detach itself from his personal life? There are a couple of good songs in there, but for me this film ends there. An overwhelming handful of clichés, and whether or not Nicole jumped in the fountain or not is irrelevant. Potentially the worst high budget, BIG cast film I have ever seen. How annoyingly self absorbed the guy is. And since when do Italians speak English amongst themselves? The ending is terrible, when that kid, representing Contini as a child jumps on his lap, that's terrible, big fat zero for originality right there. If you must see a good film that steals Fellini's Otto E Mezzo, then watch Woody Allen's Stardust Memories. I can carry on crushing this film, but I think my point has been made. And even his coat and his cigarettes....terrible.

Battle of Britain (1969)

A rather pleasant film

[7/10 · 26 April 2010]

You don't have to be a fighter plane freak to enjoy this film. This film teaches a lot on a historical note. One thing to notice is the difference in attitude between German sky fighters and British fighters. A Nazi was expected to do his best to win medals, whereas a Brit was not encouraged to show off or brag. It was more a matter of teamwork for the Brits, lots of tea drinking. Having mentioned tea sipping Brits, watched "A Bridge too Far" last week as well, but I found this film by far the better. One cant help notice the toy planes. But there are moments of great scenery. One must appreciate when it was made.

Alice in Wonderland (I) (2010)

Rather disappointing

[4/10 · 9 March 2010]

Just came back from watching it at the Cinema right now. I feel rather empty. Offers nothing we know not of all ready. It all happens way too fast. A very spoon feeding adaptation, a thing I would have expected Tim Burton to overcome. All the obvious cute clichés, particularly the obvious Gothic ones to flush down the toilet by now, I was hoping for a refreshing approach. Was like a new school overly colorful cartoon. All them special effects make not the recipe to a good movie. I hate films with predictable outcomes. I guess Johnny Depp was OK, certainly not the role of his lifetime. Best thing I could say about the film is the size of the queen's head, bringing out the "Off with their heads" as but a projection of her own insecurities....but that's about it. Shame.

Children of the Corn (2009 TV Movie)

Good concept...but just didn't pull it off.

[3/10 · 26 January 2010]

Look I been meaning to see the original for quite a well, haven't yet. I happened to get my hands on this version first. I thought the concept is superb, I imagine the book to be real good, and apparently the original film is effective. But to be honest I found this one rather terribly done. First and foremost, please, enough of those stupid boo fright snappy effects for nothing, that's cheating and we all getting a wee bit immune to it, it makes the film look lousy to begin with, that ain't no way to create a sickening atmosphere. Some crappy acting all over, or should I blame the script? I dunno, but kids included, I can see the parents helping them memorize those parts as though for a school play. The extras were awful too, I'm sorry boys and girls. Some really obvious spoon feeding annoyed me, like the new testament ripped out the bible and there are many stupid mistakes in this film, particularly in the chase, and then when the plants start going against the guy on the run, that's just too much. All this is a shame because I am aware of the impact the leader's words are supposed to have on me at the end when he shouts "SCARECROW!" but forget it.

Let the Right One In (2008)

Very satisfying

[8/10 · 19 December 2009]

Very romantic. Pretty much a perfect film or ultimate fairy tale to me personally. As a child I always fancied having a creature all feared by many as my friend, be it a lion for example, here we got a vampire. Oscar is brilliant, and so is Ela. The director really did find the perfect kids for the part, and 1980s snowy cold and frosty Sweden makes the perfect backdrop. One could say that this film dwells a lot on bullying. I can't help recalling that kid playing Floyd as a child in Alan Parker's The Wall in those scenes were he fancies the children taking over the school. I love a film like this where we are not even sure if Ela even truly exists. Is it all the kid's fantasy? I ask that since we are witnessing a world were the adults don't seem to be paying enough attention. The final swimming pool scene left me truly awestruck.

The Other Man (2008)

Subtle.

[7/10 · 11 December 2009]

This film did have one or two flaws I must point out. When Peter first finds out about the infidelities, he starts blatantly showing everyone he's going a little crazy, asking for a gun and all. And if he wishes to go and kill that guy, is it wise of him to ask his secretary book his flight? Apart from that I really liked this movie. I thought it very subtle and having many different layers to it. I loved the characters, some fine acting, and was shocked to find out she was dead, and that all her concerns earlier in the film were not necessarily due to the fact that she had a lover but death was the one. I found it interesting how Ralph, although his life was rather unstable, had a more positive approach to life, even on a passionate level. While Peter, settled in his marriage and well off financially, or oh well I don't, I guess that way he had more to lose.

Unseen Evil 2 (2004 Video)

So bad

[2/10 · 8 December 2009]

At first the Alien, although it looks stupid, at least it looks dramatic. But then later you can see its just a stupid costume. This film, and I never thought I would be saying this about any film, is as bad as Alien Apocalypse. At least its got the odd hot bad chick in it. All this film is about is waiting to see when the monster will strike, and when it will not, that's all. The gold is really cheesily placed too. Some really bad acting as well, and some really bad models for the helicopter and building that explodes ridiculously. Really stupid props, really stupid soldiers, color of jeep, and color of camping tent, everything is bad. If you gonna watch it anyway, look out for that scene when the alien jumps at the helicopter.

Into the Storm (2009 TV Movie)

I thought it was very good

[7/10 · 5 December 2009]

I thought it was very good. Someone said that it does not bring out the man's humor but I disagree. They also said that Clemmie looks more on the verge of divorcing him then the supportive wife she was, but I disagree on that too. One might say those things for they might remember a hell of a lot more having lived those years, but what I think this film gathers up best are those pieces in history as they have been recorded, and those most relevant for that matter. Very good acting in my opinion, very convincing. Churchill, what a man, I like these kind of biographical movies when they are done well, and this one sure was.

Deep Shock (2003 TV Movie)

Those stupid eels

[1/10 · 30 November 2009]

Actually had to stop it. Don't get me wrong, love bad monster movies. But this one was way too boring, regardless of the suspenseful music that never leads you anywhere. The actress had too many teeth and that moment when she makes contact with one of the beasts, was way too obvious a cliché. This film totally betrays the cover on the DVD which looks pretty interesting. From the cover one expects a giant monster, but you get these cute not as gigantic as expected electric eels. Moved on to watch another film called The Killer Rats but that's another review. Deep Shock was really crap, a big shame considering the fact that it looks pretty high budget.