voyager1560 Reviews

Venom (2005)

Better Than Average

[7/10 · 13 July 2006]

***May Contain Spoilers***

This movie is a pleasant surprise. While it is marketed to resemble a dozen movies similar to it, Venom has better than average plot development, an effectively eerie mood, and good suspense. The actors are unknowns, but they are believable. The film also avoids many horror movie clichés that would have otherwise dragged it down to a lower level.

Venom is evocative of many Wes Craven movies, especially Cursed, where another kind of "monster" is out attacking young people. In both, there is constant mayhem and suspense and the plots are easy to follow and moves quickly. I enjoyed the voodoo subtext here and even wished the story explained more of it and its role in motivating the killer.

Well worth a view on cable or DVD.

Dark Water (2005)

Adept Psychological Thriller--But Not for Kids

[24 June 2006]

I agree with the user comment above in regard to the fact that teenagers will not appreciate this film. I kept telling myself as I was watching it, that it is not a movie that kids will understand. I shouldn't say 'all' kids, but probably most. Ironically, this is a movie that kids should see because they can learn about elements that a good movie usually contains: developed characters, a good plot, and excellent acting, to name a few. Not to mention that the movie gives the viewer a lot to think about and is an expertly crafted piece of psychological suspense.

There are reasons this movie will most likely not appeal to young people. To begin with, it is NOT a horror movie. It might be marketed to look like one, but it is more of a psychological thriller of sorts. So many kids will go to it expecting blood, gore and action, but get a literate, story-driven film instead--one in which thinking is required to fully understand what is going on. This is a movie that requires "active" viewing, just as if one were to read a well written novel with round characters, symbolism, and whatever other elements it may have to raise it beyond the level of mediocrity.

Unlike a more conventional horror movie like Boogeyman (which I also liked for other reasons), Dark Water is rooted in psychology and the inner and outer conflicts the characters attempt to overcome. It is also a film adept in creating a dark, disturbing mood. In fact, I was really impressed with its ability to play with one's emotions and fears so strongly. As another use noted above, it's almost as if the 'horror' is subliminal. The viewer doesn't necessarily have to see it in order to feel it. I think this is partly because we've all dealt with bits and pieces of what some of the main characters have to go through here. Some of their own discomfort seems familiar to us.

It is sad that many younger people cannot appreciate movies of this nature.

Infection (2004)

I thought I was understanding everything, until...

[7/10 · 22 April 2006]

I thought the movie was creepy and very unsettling. Like many Asian horror movies, the director had excellent command of the medium--great lighting, moodiness and effects.

Toward the end, as the story was unraveling, I thought it was all coming together beautifully: the infection as a sort of huge guilt trip, spread through the subconscious of those responsible for covering up the accidental death of that one patient. Then, a whole new twist and storyline seemed to crop up out of nowhere--and unnecessarily so--that completely muddled the movie for me, an annoying trait of a lot of these Asian horror films. I just wished the director could have left well enough alone. It sort of turned a visually stunning psychological horror piece into a convoluted mess--fun to watch though...

Camp (2003)

An uneven but heartfelt film

[7/10 · 25 December 2005]

Camp is an offbeat and quirky film. It is an uneven blend of coming of age drama and dazzling musical numbers performed by a talented cast of kids.

What Camp excels at is its effective portrayal of teenage relationships and the often complex nature of trying to work out one's own sexual identity and self-concept at such a pivotal age. We can easily relate to the character Michael's need to come to terms with his parents over his gay lifestyle. His friendship with Vlad, an attractive, self-confident cabin-mate, is also complex and filled with angst. Vlad himself creates interest as a handsome and talented quasi-narcissist who flirts with girls and tries to get Michael's attention as well. All of the young characters are interesting.

Camp's flaws are its unevenness, especially from scene to scene. It is a haphazard mix of comedy, some of it awkward and some of it amusing, moments of real drama, musical performances which are snippets of popular Braodway shows, and lousy acting from the adult performers. The film would have benefited from one last rewrite that could have done the double duty of fleshing out the adult characters a bit more, such as the camp director and the musical director, and tightening up all of the loose elements.

Nevertheless, Camp's musical numbers are entertaining enough to save the film from its apparent weaknesses. Add to this good performances from the younger cast members and the film's ability to effectively capture an authentic slice of adolescent life, make Camp a worthwhile experience.