blindognathan Reviews

Freeze Frame (2004)

"I didn't do nothing!"

[10/10 · 12 July 2005]

(I apologize for the title of this review, but it's one of Lee's lines that has always stuck in my mind. That and his wicked scream at the start and end of the movie- the one he lets out when he shaves his head; and then, again when he stands by the three, dead bodies in another part of his 'home'.)

Anyway: can I just say that I love, love, love this movie. Up until seeing it; all I knew of Lee was his comedy- so I never once imagined how genuinely creepy or serious he could be, until I made the decision to go and rent this movie from my local blockbuster video shop . . .and I must also profess to being just a little bit frightened by his performance (especially during the scene when he's interrogating/threatening-to-kill the Ian McNiece character; Seiger. (And, like many of you who have already reviewed this film; I felt a good deal of compassion for Lee's character- among one, maybe two others.)

I mean; for an innocent man to be accused/convicted of such a heinous crime as murder can't be the best feeling in the world- but it's something that happens all the time! So; in a bizarre way; this film makes the audience confront the awesome feelings of sadness, confusion, paranoia- generally all the things Lee's character goes through, all the way to the end.

This movie is very well cast. (I can't see anyone else playing 'Sean' except for Lee!) The writing, I must say, is very much like one of those crime-murder-mystery novels you'd see on a dusty bookshop shelf somewhere. The sound design is clever. The lighting effects are very surreal- and the music is another thing that- since my first, initial time of watching it- has stuck with me. (Much like that weird song in 'The Ring', and things like that.)

One of my favourite scenes in this movie comes just before the credits- when one of the accusing police officers looks at 'Sean' and asks him; how he would feel if the video-recording the two of them had just watched; was to- somehow- get 'lost.' Well, Sean is not fussed by this in the slightest! He simply looks at the police officer and says: he's 'alibied up.'; because: "I emailed it to the papers before you got here!" YES!!!!! NICE ONE, LEE!!!!!

Seed of Chucky (2004)

"That's my boy!"

[10/10 · 30 June 2005]

I've always been a Chucky fan, so; quite naturally, I enjoyed this one. (But I do have one, small gripe: is it me, or did that fight scene at the end seem just a little bit too easy? I mean, come on! Chucky never even had half a chance before Jennifer Tilly/Tiffany passed Glen the axe! No, no. If I had been in charge of the writing; I would have made it so that poor Chuck had time to strike back a few times- you know, like he normally has.)

In regards to everything else though: great. Brad Dourif: as always; delivers two hundred and fifty percent of himself! Perfection. (If you want my opinion; I'd say he's one of the main reasons this series is so well liked! Everybody loves a bad boy.)He's such a great screamer. (I actually found myself feeling sorry for him a lot in this one.)

The soundtrack is really nice. Creepy. (Much like 'Bride of')

The main title sequence has one of the most disturbing visuals of birth I have ever seen. (Much like 'Bride of' has one of the strangest sex scenes I've ever seen.)

Jennifer Tilly: Well . . .I'm not sure how to feel about her. I mean, I like her enough as an actress (like in 'Hide and Seek'; she was just evil) but in this . . .she probably could have played herself less like a damsel-in-distress, and given herself a little more self confidence.

Redman: awful. Worst acting I've seen in a long while. (But I must admit; he did make me wanna slug him, 'cause of the way he was treating the afore mentioned Ms. Tilly.) I think Tiffany says it best: "That pig!"

Billy Boyd: Awe. Loved him in LOTR, loved him in this. (I knew right away that Glen was a boy. All you've gotta do is listen to his voice . . .and can I just say; Glen is the most Scottish sounding Londoner I think I've ever heard!)

With Honors (1994)

Boy-oh-boy!

[10/10 · 3 January 2005]

I have wanted to see this movie for the longest of times, and now that I have; I can honestly say that it was definitely worth the wait.

A moment that angered me is; when Simon is sitting with Monty in the library with Monty- reading from their books- then, this woman comes over and says (to Simon) "Um, excuse me, sir; but you can't stay here." Now, that, to me said one of two things; A.) That she is either telling him this because the library is for student use only, or B.) she is telling him this because of what he is. And my guess is, it's probably B! I know how people react to those in Simon's position.

Now, on a lighter note; Two of my favourite scenes are: When Simon and Monty sit down to dinner, and Simon reveals that he used whatever was available. And then, a horrified look comes to Monty's face as he realises that what he is eating is not a chicken, but in fact; it is the beloved rooster belonging to his room-mate.

And my second favourite scene is when another one of Monty's room-mates walks into the bathroom, sees Simon sitting there, reading a paper and says; "Holy s**t!" Then Simon- who is wearing a Tye-dye hippy shirt and sunglasses- stands up, looks down and says "You think so? 'Cos it looks like the regular, garden variety to me." I also liked the moment when Simon is talking about a dog he had as a child, and how it used to love chasing cars ("He got run over 3 times!")

By the end of this movie, my mother and me were both in tears (But I wont go into the details as to why. You'll have to see the movie to find the reason.)

Adue, Adue. Parting is such sweet sorrow.

The Passion of the Christ (2004)

Aw, you gotta be f***in' kiddin' me!

[20 September 2004]

I saw this film. Had me in tears. Now, I may not be a religious person, but I am definitely a person who knows how much she can take. And I can quite honestly say that this film put me through something that I really couldn't handle.

Like I said; it had me in tears, it made me feel ill- hey, that scene where they're nailing him up on the cross made me feel so sick to watch, I had to look away. (I think I'll stick to something like Monty Python's 'Life of Brian' in the future.)

But the scene that really set me away tear wise was the one where he receives his first 'punishment.' (You know, the one where they whip him and beat him almost to death and then consider stopping.)

This film is no f***ing 'Brave Heart', I can tell you that!

(Although, I thought the appearance of the Devil in the garden of Gethsemane and in the scene where Judas kills himself was quite a nice little detail, but this is just about the only thing I liked about it. I thought she gave the movie a little 'horror movie' feel. Her and her little minions.)

Spontaneous Combustion (1989)

I don't understand!

[4 September 2004]

I really don't understand why so many people hate this movie! I mean, I cry every time I see the end of it, I love the music that gets played over the end credits (the one I like to call the 'Sam & Lisa love theme',) I love the acting, and I love the *tragic* relationship between the two main characters.

Brad Dourif's always been one of my favourite actors, and I think it's really cool that he puts so much into his acting in 'Spontaneous Combustion' that he is actually sweating. (Remember that scene in the phone box when he's talking to Lisa and asking her 'what was in those pills you gave me?'

I think Tobe Hooper did really well making this one. (I'm looking forward to seeing his new film; 'Brew', which also stars Brad Dourif and Bill Moseley from 'House of 1000 Corpses.')