tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291030824233215862024-03-13T09:10:35.990-07:00Cinenut : movie reviews, in a nutshellUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger79125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529103082423321586.post-56694221462617687002015-02-04T03:32:00.000-08:002015-02-04T03:41:46.499-08:00The Theory of Everything<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2O6gvhmw1CQ/VNH9U0aJ5RI/AAAAAAAACjU/jG5R1Xp4HU0/s1600/theory%2Bof%2Beverything.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2O6gvhmw1CQ/VNH9U0aJ5RI/AAAAAAAACjU/jG5R1Xp4HU0/s1600/theory%2Bof%2Beverything.jpg" height="320" width="216" /></a>Stars: 10 / 10<br />
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Inspiring, beautiful, heart wrenching, one of the best films (and acting perfromances,) I have ever seen!<br />
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Eddie Redmayne's performance as cosmologist Stephen Hawking will blow your mind! The physical demands of his performance are incredibly intense, and his likeness to the real Hawking is astounding. You will forget that you're watching an actor, and completely loose yourself in the emotional impact of his performance. Even Hawking said, in an email to the director, that he felt like he was watching himself on the screen. <br />
<br />
Felicity Jones, as real-life super woman Jane Hawking, is nothing short of stunning. She plays through the whole gambit of emotions, and thoroughly convinces.<br />
<br />
The visuals in this film are absolutely gorgeous. Purposeful and intentional, every scene is beautifully staged, blocked, and shot, with the carefulest attention to detail, colour, and flow of movement. CGI is used sparingly, but eloquently, with captivating beauty.<br />
<br />
The score, like it's visual companion, is elegant, sophisticated, and gorgeous! I loved the music in every scene, with it's delicate nuances, never overwhelming, never dull, and never shrill, it blends and weaves itself perfectly into every scene, like a character of its own, giving a unique and heart-felt perfromance in tandum with the physical actors.<br />
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Cleverly edited; I especially loved editing at the film's conclusion... you'll see! <br />
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The Theory of Everything goes to great lengths to bring us back in time, paying the greatest of attention to tiny details, including an actual award medallion and signed thesis of the real Hawking.<br />
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I'm unable to find a good trailer that doesn't over-spoil key</div>
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plot moments and surprises, so I have nothing to post. Just trust me... </div>
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<b>SEE THIS FILM.</b> <b>Inspiration (and tears) guarenteed. </b></div>
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IMDB:<b> <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2980516/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_5" target="_blank">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2980516/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_5 </a></b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529103082423321586.post-80658365722843327552015-02-04T02:02:00.002-08:002015-02-04T03:41:46.509-08:00The Immitation Game<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Stars: 9 / 10<br />
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An incredibly well made film, with an emotionally stirring (true) story, which is sure to make your heart ache and your mind reel.<br />
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A must-see for anyone interested in WWII, cyphers, mathematics, the history of computers, and human rights.... oh, and Benedict Cumberbatch, because seriously, this guy is amazing!<br />
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Cumberbatch's performance of Alan Turing is nothing short of brilliant. His dedication to characterisation details is totally professional and completely believable (apparently, at his own request, Cumberbatch wore false teeth that were modeled after Turing's real set of dentures.)<br />
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So if I loved it so much, why didn't I give The Immitation Game a perfect score of 10 stars?! Though they were well done, neither the cinematography nor score were particularly "wowing" (with the exception for some of the air raid sequences, where were really beautiful, despite their horrific context,) but the visuals and the music were, most certainly, appropriate -- nothing wrong with them, but not amazing enough for <i>perfection</i>.<br />
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Impressive attention to period costumes (including one suit that was an authentic vintage piece from the 40's) and set designs.<br />
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I enjoyed the editing in this film, with occasional cuts to wartime footage, which managed to horrify, without being gory. In fact, this film manages to shock and horrify without being gory-graphic at all. It's is also smut-free, without the usual obligatory nipple flash and sex romp that one comes to expect from modern cinema. So, for those of you who are squemish about sex and violence, you'll have no problems here.<i> </i>The Immitation Game is not about cheap thills and spills, and doesn't need to fill up time with pyrotechniques, it's about storytelling, and titilates with fine acting, history, intellect, and the human heart.<br />
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Bottom line: SEE THIS FILM. <br />
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IMDB: <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2084970/?ref_=tttr_tr_tt">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2084970/?ref_=tttr_tr_tt</a><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eWq5wAX8K8A?rel=0" width="560"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529103082423321586.post-59591951027305839702015-01-16T06:43:00.003-08:002015-01-16T07:53:43.559-08:00What Lies Beneath<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Stars: 2 / 10<br />
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Quite possibly the dullest ghost story, ever made. (I should have known better, when I saw it was Dreamworks, that it was going to be a snoozer.)<br />
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Taylor-made for overly-sheltered, ageing WASPs, with a bit of obvious stealing
from Hitchock's Rear Window (and even a little nod to Psycho, both in image and soundtrack) if you're looking for a originality, real terror,
interesting characters, and compelling acting, you won't find any of it
here. <br />
<br />
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Lifestyles of the Anxiously Bored and Wealthy! Watch Michelle Pfeiffer playing a nervous, wealthy housewife, with a singular facial expression, and a ego-maniacal husband, as she putters around her big, empty house... watch the front door open by itself over and over again... watch a picture fall down and shatter over and over again... watch the bathtub being full of water over and over again... watch the story unfold exactly the way you guessed it would, one dull, predictable scene after another... So, so, so thrilling. <br />
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<br />
I kept watching because I really hoped the story would get
better... *sigh* No dice.<br />
I will say, however, that I did enjoy the photography towards the
end of the film (seriously, what took so long?!)<br />
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If you're looking for a Hitchcockian thriller, why settle for this second-rate wannabe mess? Just go watch Hitchcock, and stay far away from What Lies Beneath.<br />
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IMDB:<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0161081/?ref_=wl_li_i" target="_blank"> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0161081/?ref_=wl_li_i</a><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Vm4Fw2QElA4?rel=0" width="560"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529103082423321586.post-39234576234812216382015-01-15T07:03:00.000-08:002015-01-15T07:08:55.574-08:00The Woman in Black (2012)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Stars: 5 / 10<br />
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A good old-fashioned, slow-paced creeper. A classical Hammer setting and story (<i>oh, those angry, distrustful villagers!</i>) <br />
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Predictable and slightly dragging, this is not a great film, by any means, but generally it was entertaining and spooky.<br />
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The production quality was fairly impressive for an indie film. Decent effects, makeup, and acting (<i>and Radcliffe is just so pretty when he's sad</i>). Great locations, costumes and sets. I really liked the actual antique toys used in the film (loaned to the production by a private collector...<i> niiice</i>!) <br />
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Although it's spooky, I really wanted to like this film more than I did... sadly, the most horrific things about it are the over-use of "boo scares", accompanied by sudden orchestral slamming and ear-piecing screaming ghost faces (<i>ugh, that one trick pony is sooo tired.</i>) Honestly, the noisy pop-up scares really cheapened the overall fear factor of the film and are the primary reason why it didn't score higher for me.<br />
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Even though it's not particularly distinctive, and certainly far from perfect, overall, I still enjoyed The Woman in Black. I would recommend this film to someone who is a fan of classical Hammer films, slow-burn ghost stories, and someone who prefers psychological terror, rather than gore. <br />
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IMDB: <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1596365/?ref_=rvi_tt">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1596365/?ref_=rvi_tt</a><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/dPYMUnJGURI?rel=0" width="560"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529103082423321586.post-46601939371660650262015-01-13T11:15:00.002-08:002015-02-04T03:32:48.866-08:00Interstellar<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8y6gudea4eM/VLVtVJ3jWdI/AAAAAAAAChA/ZYv1oVqN-bY/s1600/interstellar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8y6gudea4eM/VLVtVJ3jWdI/AAAAAAAAChA/ZYv1oVqN-bY/s1600/interstellar.jpg" height="320" width="205" /></a></div>
Stars: 9 / 10<br />
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Fabulous! Practically perfection.<br />
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Beautiful visuals, with effects that don't upstage the human drama, yet
still manage to "wow!"<br />
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Moving performances,
particularly from McConaughey (I admit it, I cried a bit!) and a cast
who look like "real people."<br />
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An elegant score. Captivating, and perfectly synced with the imagery.<br />
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A plausible and interesting futuristic
setting, which could be today, tomorrow, or a hundred years from now...
so very relevant. Occasionally predictable, but still some suspense and
surprise, and leaves you with lots to discuss afterwards.<br />
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My only (perhaps shallow) complaint of the entire film is that the daughter's name, "Murph", is really awkward and ugly, and when you hear it
drawled over and over, especially in tender moments of the story, it's
distracting and icky... like a strange hair on your table, in a 5 star
restaurant... it's not on your plate, but it's still on the table... right next to your fork... eww. <br />
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Otherwise, this movie is fantastic! <b>See it. You'll be glad you did.</b><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529103082423321586.post-24524113777013411722015-01-13T10:56:00.000-08:002015-01-15T07:19:19.711-08:00Annabelle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Stars: 1 / 10<br />
<br />Basically, it's Rosemary's Baby -meets- Child's Play.<br />
Prequel to <a href="http://cinenut.blogspot.fr/2013/11/the-conjuring.html" target="_blank">The Conjuring. </a><br />
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If you've already seen Rosemary's Baby, then don't bother to see Annabelle.<br />
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If you've never seen Rosemary's Baby, then don't bother to see Annabelle, and watch R.B., instead.<br />
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This film has NOTHING to offer. Nothing. at. all. <br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529103082423321586.post-50775029542460823992015-01-13T10:41:00.001-08:002015-01-15T07:19:19.760-08:00Jessabelle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nMBxdKszCyc/VLVlVZ3oPwI/AAAAAAAACgo/wznogynaTCQ/s1600/jessabelle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nMBxdKszCyc/VLVlVZ3oPwI/AAAAAAAACgo/wznogynaTCQ/s1600/jessabelle.jpg" /></a></div>
Stars: 4 / 10<br />
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Tepid, but not terrible. Kind of like Passion Fish -meets- The Skeleton Key. The 1st half had a few
creepy bits, but I found it too obvious and predictable to even come
within the zip code of "scary." Not the kind of film that leaves a
lasting impression, but served its purpose as an amusing B-grade
time killer.<br />
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IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2300975/?ref_=nv_sr_1<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/CoBCEdt_BC8?rel=0" width="560"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529103082423321586.post-17081500916108417252014-07-12T14:10:00.003-07:002015-01-15T07:19:19.695-08:00The Haunting in Connecticut<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r_dYXEhSvdQ/U8GiCgpLZRI/AAAAAAAABxE/A_W2lzp3V8Y/s1600/haunting+in+conn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r_dYXEhSvdQ/U8GiCgpLZRI/AAAAAAAABxE/A_W2lzp3V8Y/s1600/haunting+in+conn.jpg" height="320" width="207" /></a></div>
<b>Stars:</b> 3 / 10 <br />
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Generic hokum abounds. If you're looking for cheap, gooey, and trite, you'll get plenty of it. I wanted to like this film... but it just wouldn't let me. <br />
<br />
Honestly, I think I could have really enjoyed this story, had it
simply been a humanistic drama (a family struggles to cope with their teenager's cancer while he suffers from "haunting" hallucinations), rather than a been-there-done-that
haunted house story (which relies<i> much</i> too heavily on outrageous gore and cheap boo-scares, rather than real psychological terror and original storytelling.)<br />
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The story, as well as unoriginal, is unbalanced, going between heartbreaking drama and superstitious nonsense, with over-the-top gooey gross-out sequences that tend to nauseate, rather than terrify. By the grand finale, it became so unbelievable and outrageous that it was just laugh-out-loud hilarious. A general sense of secondary embarrassment for the cast and crew soon follows, as the credits roll by. . .<br />
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I had the most intense feeling of deja-vu throughout this film. Although I'm certain I'd not watched it before, there were several moments where I really did question, "haven't I already seen this?!" Perhaps the odd (if not occasionally uncomfortable) deja-vu sensation is because several elements of this film are strongly similar and/or blatantly derived to the Amityville Horror remake (2005), and Stir of Echos (1999). There are also some striking similarities to The Conjuring, which probably took cues from this film, since it was released several years later (though I did see it first.) You'll also find a bouquet of "haunted house" clichés alla The Haunting (1963 and 1999), Burnt Offerings (1976), etc.etc.etc. <br />
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The score, in likening to its story, was really unbalanced. There were moments of Micheal Nyman-esque beauty, coupled with generic filler and obnoxious violin shrieks that only cheapened the jumpy scares.<br />
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The acting, editing, lighting, special effects, and all other general aspects of the film were ... "okay"... not particularly noteworthy, in either direction. However, the overall atmosphere of the house is spooky and I did feel a scene of dread and tension in several moments, on account of the set.<br />
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By the way, a little note for the paranormal gourmet: the self-proclaimed demonologists and ghost hunters Ed and Lorraine
Warren, who were involved in the paranormal investigations in both of
the actual Amityville and Conjuring cases - even being featured as
characters in The Conjuring's lead cast - were investigators for the
real-life case which inspired The Haunting in Connecticut. <br />
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Be warned: If you are looking for a documentary, you won't find it here. This is, without a doubt, one of the most unbelievable "true story" films I've seen, yet. The movie is <u>loosely</u> inspired by the accounts of Al and Carmen
Snedeker, who lived in a former funeral parlour in
Southington, Connecticut, which they claimed to have been haunted. The story was first published by Ray Garton, in his book "In A Dark Place". Garton has since distanced himself from
the claims of the Snedecker family and the Warrens, and he
disowned the book, proclaiming it to be 100% fiction. Several elements of the film's story have been altered from the original facts, up to the point of out-right lies, including the information about the house, given just before the end credits.<br />
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<b>Director:</b> Peter Cornwell<br />
<b>Year:</b> 2009<br />
<b>Main Cast:</b> Virginia Madsen, Kyle Gallner, <span class="itemprop" itemprop="name">Elias Koteas, </span><span class="itemprop" itemprop="name">Martin Donovan</span><br />
<b>IMDB:</b> <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0492044/?ref_=nv_sr_2" target="_blank">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0492044/?ref_=nv_sr_2 </a><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529103082423321586.post-35857094256492790192014-07-12T06:53:00.003-07:002014-07-12T10:58:49.890-07:00The Tale of Princess Kaguya ("Kaguyahime no monogatari")<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oaC7F3SHvyU/U8F0DSMSNuI/AAAAAAAABwk/rPFG8AfUsq8/s1600/Kaguya-Hime_no_Monogatari_poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oaC7F3SHvyU/U8F0DSMSNuI/AAAAAAAABwk/rPFG8AfUsq8/s1600/Kaguya-Hime_no_Monogatari_poster.jpg" height="320" width="226" /></a></div>
<b>Stars: </b>10 / 10 !!!<br />
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Nothing short of <b>P e r f e c t i o n</b>.<br />
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A fascinating and mysterious story, filled with a spectrum of wonder, tragedy, laughter, and love, yet the artwork, alone, is enough to make this film a treasure. The watercolour and charcoal drawings are so beautiful that they made me weep... <br />
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I recommend The Tale of Princess Kaguya to everyone who loves contemporary illustration, the beauty of nature, and fairytale stories that make your heart burst.<br />
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<i>Just a note: </i>I watched this in the theatre (in Japanese, with French subtitles,) and if it's still playing at a theatre near you: go! It would be a terrible shame to miss this on the big screen, because the visuals really are that awesome!<br />
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<b>Director: </b><span class="itemprop" itemprop="name">Isao Takahata</span></div>
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<span class="itemprop" itemprop="name"><b>Year:</b> 2013</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="itemprop" itemprop="name"><b>IMDB: </b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2576852/?ref_=nv_sr_1" target="_blank">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2576852/?ref_=nv_sr_1 </a></span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/TZK_qeKGAms?rel=0" width="560"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529103082423321586.post-59620481530851942602014-07-12T06:27:00.004-07:002014-07-12T14:10:55.623-07:00Grave Encounters<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pkgyU2e65qs/U8E08248vhI/AAAAAAAABv4/h2TU42OdfEw/s1600/grave+encounters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pkgyU2e65qs/U8E08248vhI/AAAAAAAABv4/h2TU42OdfEw/s1600/grave+encounters.jpg" /></a></div>
<b>Stars:</b> 1 / 10<br />
<br />
The tv show Ghost Adventures - meets - The Blair Witch Project, with a few cheap effects, alla The Grudge. <br />
<br />
If this had been an intentional spoof, maybe they <i>could have</i> had something, but, sadly, it's meant as a straight-faced haunted horror story. . . [insert facepalm here]<br />
<br />
What this film is NOT: scary, inventive, entertaining, worth watching... at all.<br />
<br />
<br />
1 tiny, dim star for the melancholic piano music that played through the closing credits... and shit-all to the rest of this Canadian indie masterpiece of FAIL.<br />
<br />
<table class="simpleTable simpleCreditsTable"><tbody>
<tr><td class="name"><br /></td><td><br /></td><td class="credit"><br /></td><td class="credit"><br /></td><td class="credit"><br /></td><td class="credit"><br /></td><td class="credit"><br /></td><td class="credit"><br /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="name"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Director:</b>Colin Minihan & Stuart Ortiz (as The Vicious Brothers)<br />
<b>Year: 2011</b><br />
<b>Main Cast: </b>(seriously, who cares)<b> </b><br />
<b>IMDB: </b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1703199/?ref_=rvi_tt">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1703199/?ref_=rvi_tt</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529103082423321586.post-59196415562009575942014-06-16T04:28:00.003-07:002015-01-15T07:19:19.793-08:00Maleficent<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zk7jnaa9tig/U57Kzak99KI/AAAAAAAABsY/XFner6r3FlY/s1600/malef.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zk7jnaa9tig/U57Kzak99KI/AAAAAAAABsY/XFner6r3FlY/s1600/malef.jpg" /></a></div>
<b>Stars: 8 / 10</b><br />
<br />
Fanciful, beautiful, exciting, and fun : an instant favourite! With faeries, shapeshifters, enchanted forests, and Angelina Jolie being a badass in sexy fantasy costumes with horns... what's not to love?! <br />
<br />
I was anxiously awaiting its release all year, as Maleficent has always been one of my favourite villains, and I must say, it far surpassed all of my expectations. <br />
<br />
I saw it in 3D, which was great fun... though sadly, no theatre in my area is showing it in English, so I cannot properly comment on the original scripted dialogue and the quality of voice acting from the original cast, but the French dub wasn't too bad (for a dub), and I can say that the physical language of the film is really well done; Jolie's performance, in particular, was absolutely captivating!<br />
<br />
In his directorial debut, Robert Stromberg's well-seasoned talents as a visual effects artist (90+ credits, to date, with a heavy emphasis on matte painting) were certainly put to good use. The effects <i>nearly</i> steal the show from Jolie, with lots of faeryland splendour and sparkle, beautiful landscapes, and adorable creatures. There's so much to see, and all of it is delightful.<br />
<br />
Much to my surprise, the story is quite different from Disney's original Sleeping Beauty (on which this film is inspired, both as a prequel and a re-telling.) Although I'm a fan of the original, I am pleased with several of the
changes, including what is, in my opinion, a much more appropriate and
relevant moral (particularly for young ladies.) Bravo.<br />
<br />
It remains a family film, though the story is darker than the original, and even brutal in one scene (I was not alone in gasping aloud!) One should be advised of the potential scariness for very young / sensitive viewers.<br />
<br />
The characterisation is much more sophisticated than one might expect from a typical Disney film, and certainly more so than the original 1950's animated Sleeping Beauty. I found that most of the main characters (except for Aurora/Sleeping Beauty) have much more dynamic personalities, as compared to their original counter-parts, and although they retain a certain archetype, no one is completely flat and mono-chromatic, and they even evolve (as real people do), throughout the course of story. <br />
<br />
<br />
Maleficent is not a musical (thankfully). The film's score isn't particularly noteworthy (aha, see what I did there?) but there is a slightly strange, though not all together unpleasant, version of Sleeping Beauty's signature song <i>Once Upon A Dream</i>, sung by Lana Del Rey, that plays through the credits. If you're a Del Rey fan, you'll be pleased, and if not... well... most people don't care about the credits anyway, so hopefully, you're one of them.<br />
<br />
The costumes and wardrobe, especially for Maleficent, are fantastic. I
really enjoyed the re-imagined costumes for the 3 good faeries (so much
fine detail!) There are a lot of winged characters in this tale (yay!) and each one is uniquely designed and detailed.<br />
<br />
<br />
I highly recommend Maleficent to anyone who loves a visually-stunning fantasy adventure and strong female leads.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Director: </b><span class="itemprop" itemprop="name">Robert Stromberg</span><br />
<b>Year: </b>2014<br />
<b>Main Cast:</b> Angelina Jolie, <span class="itemprop" itemprop="name">Sharlto Copley</span>, Elle Fanning<br />
<b>IMDB: </b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1587310/?ref_=shtt_ov_tt">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1587310/?ref_=shtt_ov_tt</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/k1nkymQupbY?rel=0" width="560"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529103082423321586.post-61874029872280425592014-06-15T12:45:00.001-07:002015-02-04T03:32:48.877-08:00Gravity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T_TTn1bZOLQ/U532R7-yJ0I/AAAAAAAABsI/C1DBqa5lVXE/s1600/gravity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T_TTn1bZOLQ/U532R7-yJ0I/AAAAAAAABsI/C1DBqa5lVXE/s1600/gravity.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Stars: 5 / 10<br />
<br />
Visuals : 10 ... Script: 0<br />
<br />
<b>If this had been a silent film, it would have been perfect</b>, but, sadly, it's rife with banal and irritating chitter-chatter, none of which was used to truly propel the story nor profoundly flesh-out the characters. Everything that needed to be known could have simply been shown in a couple of captions, and expressed through body language/facial expressions. NOTHING needed to be said here, especially not this dribble that was passed off as dialogue.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The special effects and astounding real-ness of this film, however, blew me away! The attention to detail and the shocking realism of the actors' weightlessness is stunning! Though I warn you: anyone who is highly sensitive to motion sickness will want to avoid this film. <br />
<br />
Clooney's performance may be generic (due to his weak-water scripting,) but Bullock's performance is impressive, and uncharacteristically physical.<br />
<br />
There is a faint hint of "2001: Space Oddessy" in the scent of this film, though it clearly stands apart. The not-so-subtle metaphors for gestation, birth, re-birth, and evolution are beautifully illustrated in this film, and give the viewer an eloquent buffet of food-for-thought.<br />
<br />
The ecological situation that Gravity presents is quite serious, and not something that one might have been previously aware of... kudos to director and writer Cuarón for approaching this little-known, yet globally effecting subject, which not only effects the environment but also the future of human space exploration and communications. (I recommend that you check out the accompanying documentary, which is offered as a "special feature" on the DVD.) <br />
<br />
<br />
Because the dialogue is so painfully stupid, next time I watch Gravity, I'll be sure to put the film on mute and enjoy its visual excellence with some ambient music, instead: voila, perfection!<br />
<br />
<b></b><br />
<b></b><br />
<b><br />Director: </b><span class="itemprop" itemprop="name">Alfonso Cuarón</span><br />
<b>Year: </b>2013<b><br /></b><br />
<b>Main Cast: </b><span class="itemprop" itemprop="name">Sandra Bullock</span>,
<span class="itemprop" itemprop="name">George Clooney</span>,
<span class="itemprop" itemprop="name">Ed Harris</span><br />
<b>IMDB</b>: <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1454468/?ref_=nv_sr_1">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1454468/?ref_=nv_sr_1</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/doLizp4PJmc?rel=0" width="560"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529103082423321586.post-90762876486777458312014-06-14T08:30:00.001-07:002015-01-15T07:19:19.865-08:00300<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gVzib9roADI/U5xfjF7eG2I/AAAAAAAABr4/54mucN4yEMc/s1600/300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gVzib9roADI/U5xfjF7eG2I/AAAAAAAABr4/54mucN4yEMc/s1600/300.jpg" /></a></div>
<b>Stars: 7 / 10</b><br />
<br />
A decadent spectacle of colour and choreography, elegant brutality, with an abundance of glorious beefcake and campy costumes, 300 was surprisingly fun to watch, and left me feeling creatively inspired and thoroughly entertained.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span dir="auto">Super kudos to the art direction and cgi teams!</span></span></span> The captivating and artistic visuals are what truly save this film from falling by the wayside with just any other beefy, cliché action romp.<br />
<br />
Particularly, bonus points go to the exquisitely produced sequence with "the oracle"... wow, that was gorgeous!<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span dir="auto"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span dir="auto">I haven't read the graphic novel, so I cannot say if it's well adapted, or not, but the script does well enough, and the story has a good pace.</span></span> </span>Additional points go to a gold-glimmering boss baddie who could well have been a<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span dir="auto"> Goa'uld... so much fun!</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span dir="auto">Although there is no shortage of hack-and-slash, 300's not nearly as bloody as I had expected it would be; in fact, I felt that the level of gore was rather tame, considering the body count and the manner of hacking and slashing. For example, decapitated bodies should have spurting blood from their necks, as hearts continue to pump blood out of aortas, but you'll not find that level of biological accuracy here. What you will find, however, are very well crafted (and sometimes lovely) digital splatter effects, which leave a very clean ground, even though hundreds of bodies lay on it.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span dir="auto">Overall, a really well made film, albeit a bit Hercules-meets-art-house, it is what it is, and it is: both beautiful AND fun. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span dir="auto"><br /></span></span></span><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span dir="auto"><b>Director: </b></span></span></span></b>Zack Snyder<br />
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span dir="auto"><b>Year:</b> 2006</span></span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span dir="auto"><b>Main Cast:</b> </span></span></span><span class="itemprop" itemprop="name">Gerard Butler, </span><span class="itemprop" itemprop="name">Lena Headey (<i>aka Queen Cersei</i>), </span><span class="itemprop" itemprop="name">David Wenham (<i>aka Faramir</i>), </span>Dominic West,<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="itemprop" itemprop="name"> Michael Fassbender (<i>aka Magneto</i>), Vincent Regan</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span dir="auto"><b>IMDB: </b></span></span></span></b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0416449/?ref_=nv_sr_2"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span dir="auto">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0416449/?ref_=nv_sr_2</span></span></span></a><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span dir="auto"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span dir="auto"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span dir="auto"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/UrIbxk7idYA?rel=0" width="560"></iframe></span></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529103082423321586.post-16683863735072143672014-06-14T07:19:00.001-07:002015-01-15T07:19:19.689-08:00The Little Girl Who Lives Down The Lane<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y7NK99BZB4A/U5xZIOz35XI/AAAAAAAABro/6jJ6zmiECkA/s1600/littlegil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y7NK99BZB4A/U5xZIOz35XI/AAAAAAAABro/6jJ6zmiECkA/s1600/littlegil.jpg" /></a></div>
<b>Stars: 1 / 10</b><br />
<br />
Stilted, unnatural acting, something of an amateur community theatre calibre.<br />
<br />
A tedious and unbelievable tale, any hint of mystery and macabre is quickly squashed by boredom and ill-chosen "tell me" rather than "show me" elements in a script that moves along with all the grace and speed of a flat tire.<br />
<br />
Crap acting, lazy direction, obnoxious score, lacklustre lighting, poorly constructed story, badly written script ( with an unnecessarily disturbing implication of hamster torture and murder, to which the characters don't have any emotional reaction whatsoever -- wtf ?!) round out this pitiful disappointment into <b>one of the worst movies I've ever sat through</b>.<br />
<br />
How this ever managed to have a 7-star rating on IMDB is beyond me. <br />
<br />
<br />
Please, fellow film fan, save yourself the time... you'd be better off punching yourself in the face, rather than sitting though this horrendous flop of a film.<br />
<br />
The only thing that kept me from shutting it off, 30 minutes in, is a
personal goal to see all of Foster's films... no cheats. So far, this is the only one that has been painfully bad.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Director: </b>Nicholas Gessner<br />
<b>Year:</b> 1976<b><br />Main Cast:</b> Jodie Foster, Scott Jacoby, Mort Shuman, Martin Sheen<br />
<b>IMDB: </b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0074806/?ref_=nv_sr_1">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0074806/?ref_=nv_sr_1</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529103082423321586.post-26883539450435065552014-06-13T13:35:00.001-07:002014-06-15T11:47:47.452-07:00Millennium Actress<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bbdHwsBkDGM/U5tcSX2ZyhI/AAAAAAAABrE/HM32v2WXauw/s1600/millen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bbdHwsBkDGM/U5tcSX2ZyhI/AAAAAAAABrE/HM32v2WXauw/s1600/millen.jpg" height="320" width="221" /></a></div>
<b>Stars:</b> 9 / 10<br />
<br />
<br />
Brilliant ! Beautiful ! Heartbreaking and hilarious.<br /><br />A uniquely told story, with a mystery that kept me on the edge of my seat, laughing, crying, and everything in between.<br /><br />The artistic geniuses of Madhouse animation have done it again,<br />bringing us an exquisitely animated feast for the eyes. There are so many "wow" moments in this film, with great attention to realistic details, textures, and shadows. Millennium Actress is truly a visual masterpiece. <br /><br />This is a MUST SEE film for fans of anime, and anyone who likes a slightly surreal, mysterious, amusing, yet heart-tugging story.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;">
The only thing this film left me wanting was : more.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v34OrzqbCJ0/U5tfdIOQnrI/AAAAAAAABrY/_-2JG73ZM74/s1600/millen2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v34OrzqbCJ0/U5tfdIOQnrI/AAAAAAAABrY/_-2JG73ZM74/s1600/millen2.jpg" height="320" width="227" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Director:</b> <span class="itemprop" itemprop="name">Satoshi Kon</span><br />
<b>Year:</b> 2001<b><br /></b><br />
<br />
<b>IMDB:</b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0291350/?ref_=fn_al_tt_6&licb=0.507682228059671" target="_blank"> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0291350/?ref_=fn_al_tt_6&licb=0.507682228059671</a><br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/jR4kZQfVokM?rel=0" width="560"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529103082423321586.post-2192804578023372822014-06-13T13:15:00.000-07:002015-01-15T07:19:19.706-08:00The Howling<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-42TwpjY0R0k/U5taPJpUzzI/AAAAAAAABq4/nu9AT1gjLhA/s1600/the+howling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-42TwpjY0R0k/U5taPJpUzzI/AAAAAAAABq4/nu9AT1gjLhA/s1600/the+howling.jpg" /></a></div>
Stars: 3 / 10<br />
<br />
It's a full moon, on Friday the 13th, so what better day to watch a werewolf classic?<br />
<br />
Generally, this movie's a crapfest, but I do enjoy a couple of the special effects: in particular, the morphing hand, Eddie's bullet removal and werewolf transformation are always a delight -- the later is, for me, ultimately, the only thing that's really worthwhile in this whole film.) For 1981, the anamatronic mouths on the werewolf costumes are pretty impressive, as well.<br />
<br />
There are also a few fun "<i>hey, it's that guy</i>" moments, including Robert Picardo (Star Trek Voyager's Doctor) Slim Pickens (Dr. Strangelove's cowboy pilot) and John Carradine (with 300+ film credits to his name, he's an ultimate "<i>that guy!</i>")<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
As fun as all that may be, however, The Howling has:<br />
<ul>
<li>one of <i>the worst</i> film scores I've ever heard</li>
<li>a weakling script</li>
<li>unlikeable characters </li>
<li>generally poor acting</li>
</ul>
Although it scared me at age 12 (sneakily watching an edited version, on late night tele,) as an adult, I find The Howling surprisingly un-scary, even with the nostalgia factor. *sad trombone*<br />
<br />
Unless you're looking for a horror film that's ridiculously easy to snark at, or if you're a die-hard fan of werewolf stories (no matter how badly made) then I'd advise you to steer clear of this film. Guarenteed, you won't find anything spectacular here.<br />
<br />
<b>Director: </b>Joe Dante<br />
<b>Year: </b>1981<br />
<b>Main Cast: </b>Dee Wallace,
<span class="itemprop" itemprop="name">Patrick Macnee</span>,
<span class="itemprop" itemprop="name">Dennis Dugan</span>, Robert Picardo<br />
<b>IMDB: </b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082533/?ref_=nv_sr_1">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082533/?ref_=nv_sr_1</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529103082423321586.post-54140033486616679502014-03-22T05:58:00.000-07:002015-01-15T07:19:19.779-08:00Dirty Rotten Scoundrels<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2MnO_QVoVh4/Uy2IfD6J8-I/AAAAAAAABaU/t_mmeiePir4/s1600/dirty_rotten_scoundrels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2MnO_QVoVh4/Uy2IfD6J8-I/AAAAAAAABaU/t_mmeiePir4/s1600/dirty_rotten_scoundrels.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
<b>Stars:</b> 8 / 10<br />
<br />
One of my all-time favourite comedies. LOL's guaranteed!<br />
<br />
Clever script, top acting, smooth editing, and cute music.<br />
<br />
A special nod for the costuming (perhaps the brainchild of director Oz): I really love the way that they juxtapose the light-and-dark costuming for Caine and Martin, particularly in the final scene, accentuating their opposite-ness in a delightfully harmonious way.<br />
<br />
I've seen this film over a dozen times, and it still makes me laugh! This is late-80's silly-comedy gold!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Direcor:</b> Frank Oz<br />
<b>Year:</b> 1988<br />
<b>Main Cast:</b> Michael Caine, Steve Martin, Glenne Headly<br />
<br />
<b>IMDB: </b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095031/?ref_=nv_sr_1">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095031/?ref_=nv_sr_1</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/0ke-v0e3Cd4?rel=0" width="420"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529103082423321586.post-75013080218525862142014-03-22T05:39:00.002-07:002015-01-16T07:25:30.260-08:00Nightmare (2011)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-daj8dyZ_Dx0/Uy2BIn3-VpI/AAAAAAAABaE/5evJXR-KDnc/s1600/Nightmare-2011-Movie-Poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-daj8dyZ_Dx0/Uy2BIn3-VpI/AAAAAAAABaE/5evJXR-KDnc/s1600/Nightmare-2011-Movie-Poster.jpg" height="320" width="224" /></a></div>
Stars: 2 / 10<br />
<br />
A Chinese psychological thriller, heavily inspired by Ringu / The Ring, with nothing original to offer. <br />
<br />
<br />
Occasionally interesting cinematography for the dream sequences.<br />
<br />
<br />
The story becomes so painfully dull and repetitive in the second half that I did a bit of fast-forwarding, just to get through it.<br />
<br />
<br />
I understand that the Chinese government censors are coming down hard on anything that even slightly smells of the supernatural, which, sadly for this film, really quashed any potential it may have had. A nice try, but, ultimately: FAIL.<br />
<br />
<br />
Director: Yip Wai Ying<br />
Year: 2011<br />
Main Cast: Zhou Xianxin, Victor Huang, Wu Jianfei, Gillian Chung, Kenny Kwan<br />
<br />
IMDB: no listing<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529103082423321586.post-29872418164915408282014-03-20T08:06:00.000-07:002015-01-15T07:19:19.722-08:00The Beaver<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uKk5dHRPyCw/UysDwpkr3pI/AAAAAAAABZ0/Lp1HXa1q9Io/s1600/The-Beaver-Poster-Teaser.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uKk5dHRPyCw/UysDwpkr3pI/AAAAAAAABZ0/Lp1HXa1q9Io/s1600/The-Beaver-Poster-Teaser.jpg" height="320" width="216" /></a></div>
<b>Stars:</b> 6 / 10<br />
<br />
<br />
A seriously strange dramedy.<br />
<br />
<br />
The story centers around deep, clinical depression, even touching on suicidal tendencies and self-injury, and how serious depression can erode not only an individual, but also a family. This is really serious stuff... and yet, when a guy is talking through a beaver puppet, one can't help but giggle, even when something really heavy is happening. As a viewer, that's really awkward and uncomfortable. I enjoy dark comedies, but there was something too deranged about this dramedy's comic element; it was often so awkward, that it made me feel totally disconnected from the seriousness of film. The overwhelming and demented humour of Mel Gibson with a cockney beaver hand puppet really does overshadow the dramatic and serious core of the story. This, dear reader, is a big problem, and the biggest reason why I didn't score this film higher than a 6.<br />
<br />
The other big reason why it doesn't deserve a higher score is: <br />
There's something <i>overly</i> reminiscent of American Beauty here. Although The Beaver is "different", and quite weird, I can't say it's
unique. The side-story of the son and his love interest smells so much
like American Beauty, it's even a bit <i>boooo</i> worthy.<br />
<br />
<br />
There is, however, great acting, from all members of the cast. I may find Gibson distasteful as a person, but he is, as this movie clearly proves, capable of being an excellent actor. His cockney accent, in particular, is fantastic, as is his masterful deadpan. Anton Yelchin (who plays Ensign Chekov in the Star Trek reboot films) is a surprisingly capable young actor. I hope to see more dramatic work from him in the future.<br />
<br />
Foster is an exceptional director, and since she rarely comes out of hiding, it's really a shame that Gibson's personal life scandals tanked the promotion and theatrical distribution of this film (it cost 21 million dollars to make, and didn't even earn 1 million at the box office . . . ouch!) <br />
<br />
<br />
If you like "weird and heavy" stories, and movies about dysfunctional family dynamics, and you have a bizarre and/or unconventional sense of humour, then this movie is for you!<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Director: </b>Jodie Foster<br />
<b>Year:</b> 2011<br />
<b>Main Cast: </b>Mel Gibon, Anton Yelchin, Jodie Foster, Jennifer Lawrence, <span class="itemprop" itemprop="name">Riley Thomas Stewart</span><br />
<br />
<span class="itemprop" itemprop="name"><b>IMDB:</b> <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1321860/?ref_=nv_sr_1" target="_blank">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1321860/?ref_=nv_sr_1 </a></span><br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ttv-gvOzaPw?rel=0" width="560"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529103082423321586.post-57163250434698917592014-03-20T07:09:00.002-07:002015-01-15T07:19:19.788-08:00The Time Traveler's Wife<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HRyxtleO2lk/UyrvQXym7EI/AAAAAAAABZk/NcVEnz2RdWM/s1600/time+traveler%27s+wife.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HRyxtleO2lk/UyrvQXym7EI/AAAAAAAABZk/NcVEnz2RdWM/s1600/time+traveler's+wife.jpg" height="320" width="215" /></a></div>
<b>Stars:</b> 8 / 10<br />
<br />
<br />
Loved it! One of the finest romantic dramas AND time travel stories I've seen, all rolled into one.<br />
<br />
Different, interesting, and touching. I'm usually not a fan of romantic films, but this one is something special. A captivating story, beautiful cinematography and good, clean special effects. I really liked the casting and the subtle piano-based score, as well.<br />
<br />
Predicatble in some parts, but there were still a lot of surprises. <br />
<br />
<br />
I highly recommend it for fans of romance and time-travel stories, alike.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Director:</b> <span class="itemprop" itemprop="name">Robert Schwentke</span><br />
<b>Year:</b> 2009<br />
<b>Main Cast:</b> <span class="itemprop" itemprop="name">Eric Bana</span>, <span class="itemprop" itemprop="name">Rachel McAdams</span>, <span class="itemprop" itemprop="name">Ron Livingston, </span>Tatum McCann<br />
<br />
<b>IMDB:</b> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0452694/?ref_=ttfc_fc_tt<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Ok, so, the trailer is full of really horrible spoilers!<br />
DO NOT WATCH THE TRAILER.<br />
<br />
Instead, here is a little spoiler-free clip:<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Z5tpW_UlwFU?rel=0" width="420"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529103082423321586.post-4258927507614042014-03-19T09:44:00.003-07:002015-01-15T07:19:19.735-08:00Alice, Sweet Alice (aka Communion, aka Holy Terror)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q0xaUvaNRMg/UynJJEUbMrI/AAAAAAAABZU/pejChkpK9DY/s1600/Alice_Sweet_Alice.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q0xaUvaNRMg/UynJJEUbMrI/AAAAAAAABZU/pejChkpK9DY/s1600/Alice_Sweet_Alice.png" height="320" width="214" /></a></div>
<b>Stars:</b> 4 / 10<br /><br />Overall, an ok "whodunit" slasher/thriller. (*see below for further comments) I wasn't "wow'ed", but it did keep me guessing. Never scary, but sometimes creepy, with good plot twists.<br />
<br />
Low budget gore effects and poor sound quality as is typical of 70's films. A bit lazy from the continuity department: the story takes place in 1961, but there are several period costume and car goofs.<br />
<br />
* My biggest complaint, and it is quite LARGE, is <b>one scene shows actual abusive handling of a kitten</b>. The several seconds of meanness were cut from the original UK video release, because it violated their (stricter) animal cruelty laws. The scene has been reintroduced into the uncut DVD re-release. Although the rest of the film was ok, I will NEVER watch this movie again because the rough handling of the kitten was just too disturbing and upsetting. <b>There is NOTHING entertaining about watching a kitten being phycially abused, emotionally traumatised, and possibly seriously injured. </b>I realise that the laws and standards about animal abuse were different then than they are now, but it is not an excuse for throttling and throwing a baby cat in the name of entertainment... no matter when it was filmed.<br />
<br />
(And by the way, there was no mentioning of this on IMDB, under the violence/gore section of the film info. If I'd known, I wouldn't have watched it in the first place.)<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Director:</b> Alfred Sole<br /><b>Year:</b> 1976<br /><b>Main Cast:</b> Linda Miller, Paula E. Sheppard, Niles McMaster, Rudolph Willrich, Mildred Clinton<br />
<b><br />IMDB: </b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0076150/?ref_=nv_sr_1">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0076150/?ref_=nv_sr_1</a><b><br /></b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529103082423321586.post-34028934609393857072014-03-17T10:30:00.003-07:002015-01-15T07:19:19.731-08:00The Hills Have Eyes (1977)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8hZuD773QYY/UycuRA09ACI/AAAAAAAABZE/EPwCsfgmFLM/s1600/hills.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8hZuD773QYY/UycuRA09ACI/AAAAAAAABZE/EPwCsfgmFLM/s1600/hills.jpg" /></a></div>
<b>Stars: </b>2 / 10<b><br /></b><br />
<br />
Overrated.<br />
<br />
Yet again, Wes Craven manages to disapoint with his typcally whiney, anoying, and unlikeable characters, horrible diologue, lazy cinematography, and generally uninspired story. Poorly recorded sound and lackadaisical editing round out this over-hyped junk pile for a totally uninteresting cinematic experience.<br />
<br />
There were a few scenes of genuine horror, which managed to be both upsetting and disgusting, but the entire film failed to make me feel <i>afraid</i>.No goosebumps, no shivers... just moments of disgust, juxtaposed with annoyance and boredom.<br />
<br />
The only thing I find truly praiseworthy about this film were the costuling and cosmetic effects, which, considering its low budget, were actually pretty well done ( ... even if the blood looks like paint-and-ketchup, which is typical of 70's films, so I can overlook it. )<br />
<br />
A word of caution: there is so... much... shrill... screaming!! It won't be long before you're hoping and praying that one of the baddies will hurry up and kill the blond girl, just to save your ears!<br />
<br />
<b>Director:</b> Wes Craven<br />
<b>Year: </b>1977<br />
<b>Main Cast:</b> <span class="itemprop" itemprop="name">Janus Blythe</span>, <span class="itemprop" itemprop="name">Suze Lanier-Bramlett</span>, <span class="itemprop" itemprop="name">Dee Wallace</span>, <span class="itemprop" itemprop="name">Robert Houston</span>,
<span class="itemprop" itemprop="name">Martin Speer</span>, <span class="itemprop" itemprop="name">Russ Grieve</span>, <span class="itemprop" itemprop="name">Virginia Vincent</span>, <span class="itemprop" itemprop="name">Michael Berryman</span>, <span class="itemprop" itemprop="name">Lance Gordon</span>, <span class="itemprop" itemprop="name">James Whitworth</span><br />
<br />
<span class="itemprop" itemprop="name"><b>IMDB</b>:<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077681/?ref_=ttmd_md_nm" target="_blank"> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077681/?ref_=ttmd_md_nm </a></span><br />
<br />
<span class="itemprop" itemprop="name"> </span> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/edn5EzHXVBU?rel=0" width="560"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529103082423321586.post-80871206590191051432014-03-15T12:13:00.005-07:002015-01-15T07:19:19.842-08:00When a Stranger Calls (2006) <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q4tw6mIMQn8/UySlY3dOW4I/AAAAAAAABYw/KmLVk8L7CBg/s1600/When_A_Stranger_Calls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q4tw6mIMQn8/UySlY3dOW4I/AAAAAAAABYw/KmLVk8L7CBg/s1600/When_A_Stranger_Calls.jpg" height="320" width="216" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Stars:</b> 1 / 10<br />
<br />
What is this, a made for Disney Channel movie?!<br />
<br />
A sulky teen drama: "my bff kissed my bf and now my stoopid parents r making me babysit 'cause I went over my minutes. omg fml" does not a horror movie make.... albeit horrible to sit through.<br />
<br />
You will not find slasher kills, nor gore, nor sfx, nor mystery, nor thrills, nor scares here.<br />
<br />
What you will get is a teen girl who looks like a Tom Cruise clone who does nothing but play phone-tag for about an hour. Ugh. Pleeeeease, will somebody kill her already ??!!<br />
<br />
I gave this dreadful dud 1 little star only because the house (set) is amazing... what a dream of minimal, modernist Japanese-meets-Frank Lloyd Wright inspired design. Lovely! Seeing more of the house is ONLY reason why I didn't abandon this failed film.<br />
<br />
I do not recommend this movie to anyone. Honestly, you're better off jabbing a stick in your eye.<br />
<br />
Skip this lameduck remake, and just see the 1979 original:<a href="http://cinenut.blogspot.fr/2014/03/when-stranger-calls-1979.html" target="_blank"> http://cinenut.blogspot.fr/2014/03/when-stranger-calls-1979.html</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Director:</b> Simon West (tsk tsk!)<br />
<b>Year:</b> 2006 <br />
<b>Main Cast: </b>Camilla Belle<br />
<br />
<b>IMDB:</b> <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0455857/?ref_=nv_sr_1">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0455857/?ref_=nv_sr_1</a><br />
<br />
<br />
Even watching the trailer would be punishment... I won't do that you.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529103082423321586.post-64371465721898141542014-03-14T08:08:00.001-07:002015-01-15T07:19:19.815-08:00Black Christmas (1974)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5cB4Zq2oJ-4/UyMagg1ExkI/AAAAAAAABYg/wL0DPKwhSeg/s1600/blackxmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5cB4Zq2oJ-4/UyMagg1ExkI/AAAAAAAABYg/wL0DPKwhSeg/s1600/blackxmas.jpg" /></a></div>
Stars: 8 / 10<br />
<br />
An instant favourite! This is a must-see for any horror film aficionado.<br />
<br />
A cult classic, considered to be one of the earliest films of the slasher genre, which highly influenced the Halloween series, as well as numerous other stalker-style slashers and "menacing phone call" horror films (including a 2006 remake) Black Christmas holds its own amongst its peers, and wears its bloody laurels with all due deserve.<br />
<br />
Although it is technically a slasher film, there is a lot of psychological terror happening here, and the murder scenes are much less graphic than one can expect from contemporary films. There were several moments when I felt genuinely scared, and glad I'd kept the lights on!<br />
<br />
There is also a lot left up to the audience's own conclusions, which I absolutely love! Director Bob Clark manages to leave room for the audience's imagination, without creating holes in the storyline. <i>Bravo.</i><br />
<br />
Without giving spoilers, I will just say that I was absolutely shocked,
enthralled, and terrified by the villain's dialogue... I shall say no
more. <br />
<br />
I enjoyed the casting for Black Christmas: everyone seemed perfectly cast for their roles. It's easy to see that they had Bette Davis in mind for Marion Waldman's character, but this little-known actress plays it brilliantly. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
An interesting note about the music :<br />
Composer Carl Zittrer
said in an interview that he created the bizarre music score for the
film by tying forks, combs, and knives to the strings of his piano so
the sound would warp as he struck the keys. Zittrer also said he would
distort the sound further by recording audio tape while putting pressure
on the reels of the machine to make it turn slower. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(from IMDB)</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Director:</b> Bob Clark<br />
<b>Year:</b> 1974<br />
<b>Main Cast:</b> Olivia Hussey, Margot Kidder, Keir Dullea, John Saxon, Marion Waldman<br />
<br />
<b>IMDB:</b> <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0071222/">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0071222/</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/zgAH850xol4?rel=0" width="420"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529103082423321586.post-49792186332798191062014-03-13T06:23:00.002-07:002015-02-04T03:32:48.871-08:00Metropolis (1927)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tvnvglqlnWc/UyGxfjxPkxI/AAAAAAAABYQ/WPX8KIF9aO8/s1600/metropolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tvnvglqlnWc/UyGxfjxPkxI/AAAAAAAABYQ/WPX8KIF9aO8/s1600/metropolis.jpg" height="320" width="207" /></a></div>
Stars: 10 / 10<br />
<br />
This film is perfection.<br />
<br />
The very first full-length sci-fi film ever made. Beautiful sets and costumes. AMAZING special effects. SUPERB acting (Brigitte Helm, in particular, playing 5 different characters, is an exquisite actor and dancer -- I will certainly look for more of her films!) The choreography, particularly in the "workers" sequences is brilliant and beautiful.<br />
<br />
A MUST SEE for anyone who loves sci-fi, because everything made since, in one way or another, has been influenced by this masterpiece. I also recommend it for those who are interested in social commentary films, particularly those about classism, worker's rights, and pre-WWII German politics.<br />
<br />
I watched the restored version, in the theatre, with an HD re-recorded score, and previously lost scenes. If you can find the newly restored edition, I highly recommend it.<br />
<br />
<b>Director:</b> Fritz Lang<br />
<b>Year:</b> 1927 <br />
<b>Main Cast:</b> Brigitte Helm, <span class="itemprop" itemprop="name">Gustav Fröhlich</span>, <span class="itemprop" itemprop="name">Alfred Abel</span>,<span class="itemprop" itemprop="name"> </span><span class="itemprop" itemprop="name">Rudolf Klein-Rogge</span>,<span class="itemprop" itemprop="name"> Fritz Rasp</span>, <span class="itemprop" itemprop="name">Theodor Loos</span><br />
<br />
<span class="itemprop" itemprop="name"><b>IMDB:</b> <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0017136/?ref_=nv_sr_1" target="_blank">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0017136/?ref_=nv_sr_1 </a></span><br />
<span class="itemprop" itemprop="name"><br /></span>
<span class="itemprop" itemprop="name"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0