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Underworld: Blood Wars (2016)
I Truly Wanted this to be Good...
I really did want to like this movie, I really did. Theo James was one of the few welcome additions to Underworld: Awakening, and looked forward to his part in Blood Wars. And, for the most part, I enjoyed the role he played and his performance. But between the weak character development and the seemingly brief, rushed plot connections that should have instead more of a focal point at this point in the saga, I just felt so disappointed by this. I still got the expected satisfaction of vampire and werewolf bloodshed, but the addition of snow Selene with magic transportation powers and the ripping out of backbones, it all just seemed like a little too much... even for an Underworld installation. In this sense it seemed reminiscent of the unnecessary 'Tomb of the Dragon Emperor' installment of The Mummy franchise.
Anyways, if you've followed the series up to this point, it's definitely necessary to see this movie. However I wouldn't expect much. And if you're going in with no Underworld background, you may honestly enjoy this movie a little more. Sorry, Selene, I've got to go with the critics on this one.
3/10
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (2008)
Yetis Kicking Field Goals?
Now let's just begin by saying this movie is bad... Yetis kicking field goals at the gate to Shangri-la, Ricochet Rick playing golf with mummy soldier heads, a shape-shifting Chinese Emperor, throwing chunks of your clay face as a weapon... I could go on. The point is, this movie was incredibly off the wall. While I understand that this goofy craziness was probably the plan all along, the reason why I did not enjoy this film as it was meant to be was because it was supposed to be a continuation of the Mummy movie franchise. For that reason, I think there was a certain line of craziness that was made by the previous two movies that needed to be stood behind to keep that element of continuity. Instead, this film takes it to a level that never should have been reached! Yes I laughed out loud at some of the silliness, and at times found myself enjoying certain action scenes / movie moments, but overall I am giving this a 4/10. It deserves some credit, but did I enjoy it? No. Was it a good way to end the O'Connell Mummy trilogy? Definitely not. Sorry guys, this one can rule in hell with the cursed Emperor Qin...
Underworld: Evolution (2006)
Never Understood the Critics!
I will forever be confused as to why the Metascore on this film is the lowest of any of the Underworld movies. Let's be honest, nobody is going into these films with the possible expectation of an Oscar nomination. You either play this movie because A) you like Vampires and/or Werewolves or B) (and the most obvious reason) Kate Beckinsale.
In my opinion this is the best installment in the Underworld franchise (I have yet to see Blood Wars but from what I've heard that wont be a contender). I think this is the best because it has everything that people should be watching this movie for, in my opinion. Good action, surprisingly good CG for a 2006 film fantasy thriller with a $50,000,000 budget (which seems like a lot until you realize that Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter had a $69,000,000 budget in 2012 and was less than stellar...), lots of Kate Beckinsale from lots of great angles, and involvement from each angle of the Vampire/Lycan story.
So I end with this.. if you're going into this expecting stellar acting, no plot holes, and no desire to see mostly biting, blood, death, then don't see this. If you're going into this having seen any other Underworld movies and wanting more of a very attractive British actress in tight black leather killing werewolves (among other things)... then I am confident that you will enjoy this second installment more than any of the others.
7/10, hope this helps the uncertain viewer!
Top Dog (2014)
Green Street Pt. 2?
So I saw that this movie was being released and saw that, like Green Street, the writer was Dougie Brimson. Now I really liked Green Street, I'd even say it's one of my favorite movies of all-time in that genre. And I gotta say that overall, I liked Top Dog as well.
Good suspense, acting was overall good, and I liked to see a reappearance of Leo Gregory after his great performance in Green Street.
So I give this movie a 7 out of 10. I very much enjoy these movies with the English football firm backgrounds, and this one did not let down. I thought, however, that it may have been too close in resemblance to Green Street in many respects, so the lack of creativity brought my rating down a tad. Overall, good movie, highly recommended for those who like the work of Dougie Brimson / Green Street, but also recommended for everyone else as well.
Enemy (2013)
Not a Film for the Everyday Moviegoer!!
I definitely do not usually take the time to write a review about movies I've seen, simply just rate them to keep a record. However, I believe that this film deserves to have one written, and I hope people take the time to read it.
I believe that this film will only be truly enjoyed and appreciated by those who are willing to look deeper into the meaning and not just look at it at face value and then get frustrated when they can't figure out what it's saying. I must give most credit to Slate.com staff writer Forrest Wickman for saving me the time of doing the research.
I've come to the conclusion that this film is (clearly) meant to be more than your run-of-the- mill thriller. I believe it circulates around the idea that so many people are oblivious to the fact that parts of the world are falling ruin to a Totalitarian state. The idea of Individual expression is becoming lost as Society is being censored through propaganda and entertainment. In this film, Adam Bell represents this Individual expression that is either oblivious or choosing to ignore what society around him is falling victim to. His double, Anthony Claire, represents an essentially alternate form of himself that is the 'lost individual', consumed by the world of entertainment and his own ego. As the movie progresses, we begin to see them turn into one another, struggling to find their identity with the apparent knowledge that they have an identical form of themselves elsewhere. It seems as though Anthony is representing Adam's attempt to erase memories of his regrets. His struggling marriage and lingering affair are aspects of Adam's life that he needs to rid himself of.
This leads finally to this idea of the spiders. The author of the The Double, the book upon which the movie is based, is José Saramago. José wrote strongly and lived through regimes overpowered by fascism. This idea is seen here, as gradually Adam sees spiders in his dream replacing humans in form. This is almost reminiscent of Invasion of the Body Snatchers, where everybody is replaced by emotionless beings. The spiders are these dark memories of Adam that are taking over, that he sees in his dreams. They continue to become larger and more prominent the more he sees them. This is, until finally he rids himself of them completely (represented by the crash). I still have yet to figure out why Villeneuve chose these replacements to be spiders, but this quote by José Saramago (from a different work) may explain something:
"There is no lack of spiders' webs in the world, from some you escape, in others you die. The fugitive will find shelter in a boardinghouse under an assumed name, thinking he is safe, he has no idea that his spider will be the daughter of the landlady
a dedicated nationalist who will regenerate his heart and mind."
Subtle representations of spider's webs are seen throughout the film, adding another element by suggesting that the main character doesn't even see this 'Totalitarian Web' (if you will) taking over the city until he was already trapped in it. As far as the ending goes, use your imagination!! But I believe that when Adam opens the envelope to reveal the key to the Strip Club from the beginning of the film, this brings the memories back and he can't resist the urge. He tells Helen he may have plans that evening, and he walks in to see she has become a spider. He sighs sadly, realizing what's happened.
Themes of Identity, Compulsion, and Totalitarianism are just three that could be deduced from this fascinating film. Sorry for such a wordy review, but I love movies that make me think and look deeper, and Denis Villeneuve truly created an amazing film with 'Enemy.'
10/10 stars.