You don't sit down to a film called "Death Spa" and expect artfully crafted horror filled with terror, suspense, tension and deep characters and creative death sequences. No, you expect cheese and this film gives it to you! "Death Spa" is terribly made and is filled with bad acting, atrocious editing, a story that pretty much makes no logical sense and terrible practical effects and death sequences. But all the bad things this film throws at you mixes together to create something magically entertaining. Yes, this film is one of those "it's so bad its good" ordeals and it is the perfect feature to gather with friends and riff the night away. And the best part is this film is so terribly made that you don't even have to make fun of it to laugh. It's pretty much an accidental comedy and that's why it is so fun to watch.
Reviews
325 Reviews
Death Spa
(1988)
Terribly made...but that's why it's fun to watch.
23 October 2015
Warning: Spoilers
Poltergeist
(2015)
Great cast but not a classic like its original...
23 October 2015
Warning: Spoilers
I won't go as far as to say that the remake of "Poltergeist" is a great film but, for the most part, the film isn't that bad.
The story is interesting and does a great job at honoring the original and I felt the cast was fantastic. The scares aren't the creepiest or enough to make my heart skip a beat but it has its moments that were genuinely creepy. However, the film doesn't do enough to differentiate itself from the classic original and it is nowhere near as unsettling. For the most part, I was definitely entertained but I don't see this one as being as classic as what came before it.
The story is interesting and does a great job at honoring the original and I felt the cast was fantastic. The scares aren't the creepiest or enough to make my heart skip a beat but it has its moments that were genuinely creepy. However, the film doesn't do enough to differentiate itself from the classic original and it is nowhere near as unsettling. For the most part, I was definitely entertained but I don't see this one as being as classic as what came before it.
Unfinished Business
(I) (2015)
With this cast, how did it end up so unfunny?
23 October 2015
Warning: Spoilers
While "Unfinished Business" isn't a terrible film, it is far, far from being a good or even halfway decent one for me.
The cast in the film is great and doing the best they can but this film's weaknesses come from a story that feels like the script wasn't finished, jokes that probably needed a few re-writes or, at the very least, a workshop or two in order to get some punchlines that have some kick to them and not just half-hearted shock gags, the character development constantly feels like it is struggling to get moving and the movie just can't marry its comedy and drama into one working force. There was potential for this film—even if it was for just a middle-of-the-road comedy—but with a final product that feels like it needed more work, the potential is completely lost.
The cast in the film is great and doing the best they can but this film's weaknesses come from a story that feels like the script wasn't finished, jokes that probably needed a few re-writes or, at the very least, a workshop or two in order to get some punchlines that have some kick to them and not just half-hearted shock gags, the character development constantly feels like it is struggling to get moving and the movie just can't marry its comedy and drama into one working force. There was potential for this film—even if it was for just a middle-of-the-road comedy—but with a final product that feels like it needed more work, the potential is completely lost.
Society
(1989)
Messed up...and that's why it's great!
23 October 2015
Warning: Spoilers
I had never seen this cult classic until recently and, I have to say, I'm glad I saw it now because I don't know if I would have appreciated it when it came out.
The film is incredibly dumb but that's part of why it is fun to watch. From a story, acting, character and editing standpoint, the film is painful to sit through because the story is really sloppy, the acting is really cheesy, the characters are terribly crafted and the editing is choppy but the film contains one of the best final acts I've ever seen in a body horror film. The final moments of the film are equal parts insane, scary and hilarious. The thing that makes this insanity that much more amusing and entertaining is the fact that the make-up effects that are within the final act are crazy good and very impressive. Sure, the film handles their metaphors and themes during this section of the film with all the grace of a 300 lbs. ballerina with vertigo but it doesn't stop this part from being the delicious icing on an otherwise forgettable cake. This film is overwhelming dumb but mightily entertaining for numerous reasons!
The film is incredibly dumb but that's part of why it is fun to watch. From a story, acting, character and editing standpoint, the film is painful to sit through because the story is really sloppy, the acting is really cheesy, the characters are terribly crafted and the editing is choppy but the film contains one of the best final acts I've ever seen in a body horror film. The final moments of the film are equal parts insane, scary and hilarious. The thing that makes this insanity that much more amusing and entertaining is the fact that the make-up effects that are within the final act are crazy good and very impressive. Sure, the film handles their metaphors and themes during this section of the film with all the grace of a 300 lbs. ballerina with vertigo but it doesn't stop this part from being the delicious icing on an otherwise forgettable cake. This film is overwhelming dumb but mightily entertaining for numerous reasons!
The Refrigerator
(1991)
It's cheesy but fun cheesy!
23 October 2015
Warning: Spoilers
I'm one of those guys who really likes cheesy horror films. I find them to be some of the best examples of comedy out there so, naturally, I flock to films like "The Refrigerator." What's great about this 90s film is the fact it never tries to be a legit horror film but, rather, goes the dark comedy route. Occasionally, this formula works in its favor and I have a genuine laugh over what is happening but, when this is not happening, I got to enjoy all the things I love about poorly made cheesy horror films. It has bad acting, awful practical effects and a silly story that all come together to make something very amusing and entertaining in that special "this movie is so bad it's good" way. Then, to top it all off, the film just gets hysterical as it poorly attempts to craft action scenes where people are battling a fridge from hell. It's not a great film but it's definitely one of those fun ones where you can make a night of it by gather up the buddies and chuckling the evening away.
The Green Inferno
(2013)
Doesn't deliver the shock that the film that inspired it could...
10 October 2015
Warning: Spoilers
I'm sure Eli Roth fans loved this film but I was kinda bored with it.
The performances from Lorenza Izzo, Ariel Levy and Aaron Burs (and all the numerous extras) are decent but too much of the supporting cast is forgettable or awful in their roles—of course, this might not be a lack of talent from the actor but due to how poorly written and developed there are. So many characters are defined either by just their name or a single defining attribute that will eventually be accredited to them as the film rolls by. However, despite this, I did dig the visuals, its throwback feel to the cannibal films of the 70s and the amazing practical effects by Greg Nicotero.
"The Green Inferno" had the potential to live up to its predecessors like "Cannibal Holocaust" but falls really short of it due to a weak plot and some dark humor gags that fell flat. This film clearly wants to shock you but doesn't come off as horrific as the films that inspired it. Add in the fact that you can see things almost as equally bloody on regular television doesn't help the shock-factor of this one. Overall, the film has its merits but just not enough of them for me to really enjoy it.
The performances from Lorenza Izzo, Ariel Levy and Aaron Burs (and all the numerous extras) are decent but too much of the supporting cast is forgettable or awful in their roles—of course, this might not be a lack of talent from the actor but due to how poorly written and developed there are. So many characters are defined either by just their name or a single defining attribute that will eventually be accredited to them as the film rolls by. However, despite this, I did dig the visuals, its throwback feel to the cannibal films of the 70s and the amazing practical effects by Greg Nicotero.
"The Green Inferno" had the potential to live up to its predecessors like "Cannibal Holocaust" but falls really short of it due to a weak plot and some dark humor gags that fell flat. This film clearly wants to shock you but doesn't come off as horrific as the films that inspired it. Add in the fact that you can see things almost as equally bloody on regular television doesn't help the shock-factor of this one. Overall, the film has its merits but just not enough of them for me to really enjoy it.
Blackhat
(2015)
The movie sort of feels like it doesn't want to try...
10 October 2015
Warning: Spoilers
The trailer seemed kinda cool for this one but, instead, I found a film that was overwhelming in the fact it was underwhelming.
I dig that the film presents a more realistic vision of hackers and trended away from doing cyber crime that way action films often present it (read that as WAY over-the-top and to the point that a lot of screenwriters might not actually know how computers work) but I quickly realized why we usually go so nuts with the hacker criminals in the movies because this version just resulted in a story that never feels too important or that interesting. Then, as if mirroring this feel, the visuals are bland and forgettable and the paltry action that is delivered in such a way that it's clear it exists only as an apology for the fact you are probably wasting your time watching the film comes off as being completely pointless and uninteresting. The cast in the film is doing their job well enough but it's just not enough to save this mediocre and mundane feature.
I dig that the film presents a more realistic vision of hackers and trended away from doing cyber crime that way action films often present it (read that as WAY over-the-top and to the point that a lot of screenwriters might not actually know how computers work) but I quickly realized why we usually go so nuts with the hacker criminals in the movies because this version just resulted in a story that never feels too important or that interesting. Then, as if mirroring this feel, the visuals are bland and forgettable and the paltry action that is delivered in such a way that it's clear it exists only as an apology for the fact you are probably wasting your time watching the film comes off as being completely pointless and uninteresting. The cast in the film is doing their job well enough but it's just not enough to save this mediocre and mundane feature.
The Gunman
(2015)
There was potential to this one but potential that's never reached...
10 October 2015
Warning: Spoilers
There's clearly some potential to "The Gunman" due to having a great action director at the helm, a great cast and some awesome fight scenes but, sadly, the potential is never truly reached.
The film is a long way from being terrible and the movie is very entertaining at parts but it is hampered by a story and plot that is way too familiar and predictable, a character attribute in our protagonist that just reeks of being a bad plot device, a truly unsatisfying ending and roles that were just too small for some of the films bigger and more talented stars. I was hoping this film would be a lot better but, as it stands, it's not too terrible. It's serviceable but it's clear that this film could have been something more.
The film is a long way from being terrible and the movie is very entertaining at parts but it is hampered by a story and plot that is way too familiar and predictable, a character attribute in our protagonist that just reeks of being a bad plot device, a truly unsatisfying ending and roles that were just too small for some of the films bigger and more talented stars. I was hoping this film would be a lot better but, as it stands, it's not too terrible. It's serviceable but it's clear that this film could have been something more.
A great follow up to an surprisingly great first film!
20 September 2015
Warning: Spoilers
I was pretty excited for "The Scorch Trials" because the first one caught me by surprised. I thought I wasn't going to enjoy this franchise but I really dig it. This second film does a decent job of continuing the mythology and mystery while it expands the world it exists in, develops the lead character and provides some very intense and exciting action. The only downsides I found was that a lot of characters go horribly underdeveloped and are basically used as plot devices, the running time feels a little longer than it needs to be and it makes the entire film feel like it is unsure where exactly it should stop and provide an ending that is satisfying enough but also gets you pumped for the final film and there were some action sequences that were hard to watch due to lighting and a shaky cam that was a little too shaky. Beyond this, I really enjoyed this film and can't wait for the next film!
Focus
(II) (2015)
The characters are great but the story is weak...
19 September 2015
Warning: Spoilers
The strongest thing about "Focus" and the one thing that made it an absolutely great film is the performances from Will Smith and Margot Robbie. Separately they are incredible but when they get together they are a force of nature and really make scenes very engaging and incredibly addicting to watch. This easily could have made for a great film but being this film is about con people doing con stuff, you kinda need some conflict and a flashy and neat con to go with it. This film achieves this on a case by case basis and has some cool con scenes but the major con, the focal point of the film in the final half, feels very weak and isn't as developed or feathered out as well as some of the minor con scenes that occur earlier in the film. This ends up crafting a weak point of conflict for the characters and it makes for an antagonist who barely feels like he's in the story. "Focus" is a decent movie with some absolutely awesome acting in it but it fails at doing what films about con men (and women) are suppose to do
and that is actually have a cool con going on.
Cooties
(2014)
Gory zombie kid fun!
19 September 2015
Warning: Spoilers
"Cooties" is fairly wicked fun and a somewhat new take on the zombie experience. It doesn't want to play by the usual zombie fiction tropes and is self-aware enough to make fun of itself when it does do this. It has some really great actors filling up the roster and they all play characters that are fun or have the potential to be really enjoyable. However, some of the characters really don't feel like they are bringing enough to the action and it is either annoying that they are around or aren't allowed to shine brighter than the few scenes they are given. Additionally, even though the film comes out the gates with fast pace horror and comedy, the momentum slows down a bit when the Third Act starts and it makes the story and running length feel longer than it really is. Finally, the film doesn't have a very big body count and this feels completely unjustified when you realize that so many members of the survivor group aren't really given the spotlight as much as others are. Still, the film is edgy with its gory humor and fun take on zombies.
Turbo Kid
(2015)
Insane and fun!
18 September 2015
Warning: Spoilers
This movie is absolutely ridiculous and I loved every second of it!
"Turbo Kid" lovingly lampoons old 80s sci-fi and the future that they really thought could have happened in the 90s. The synthesizer soundtrack, the cheesy effects and the story all add up to a film that isn't making fun of the 80s cheap B-movies but rather honoring them and that's one of the things that makes this feature so enjoyable. Additionally, the film has some really amusing characters who are all played by very talented actors and it has some very over-the-top and super silly gory action and comedy sequences that are incredibly fun to watch. My only complaint about the film is the fact the more innocent, G-rated jokes the film has at time are cringe-worthy but the rest of the film is very entertaining—even though it isn't for everyone.
"Turbo Kid" lovingly lampoons old 80s sci-fi and the future that they really thought could have happened in the 90s. The synthesizer soundtrack, the cheesy effects and the story all add up to a film that isn't making fun of the 80s cheap B-movies but rather honoring them and that's one of the things that makes this feature so enjoyable. Additionally, the film has some really amusing characters who are all played by very talented actors and it has some very over-the-top and super silly gory action and comedy sequences that are incredibly fun to watch. My only complaint about the film is the fact the more innocent, G-rated jokes the film has at time are cringe-worthy but the rest of the film is very entertaining—even though it isn't for everyone.
Strange Magic
(2015)
Pretty to look at but boring to watch...
18 September 2015
Warning: Spoilers
The strongest thing "Strange Magic" has working for it is the fact it is absolutely gorgeous to look at. The animation and the colors it is constantly throwing at you are beautiful to look at and really make the film a sight to behold. It's basically a work of art in this sense. However, aside from the fact I enjoyed the voice acting as well, that's pretty much where the film ends for me because I really didn't care for the rest of it.
I dig the fact the film was inspired by Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and thought the film had the potential to be a creative new way to bring Shakespeare (or Shakespeare inspired material) to a new generation but the potential this film had was bogged down by its lazy plot and character development. The film feels like it is going through the motions of a Shakespearian outline and its over-reliance on unoriginal music made the feature feel like it wasn't putting in its all and just giving out the bare minimum. While the songs this musical uses aren't terrible and the performances of them are genuinely good but using already established songs rather than originals for the story feels like a short-cut rather than trying to be hip and cool while doing a story that is very reminiscent of Billy Shakes. Also, I can't believe I just said "hip." I could see this film one day being a cult hit to a very particular group (drama and theater kids come to mind) but, overall, I just didn't find this one too special or noteworthy. It's not a bad film; I just found it a tad forgettable.
I dig the fact the film was inspired by Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and thought the film had the potential to be a creative new way to bring Shakespeare (or Shakespeare inspired material) to a new generation but the potential this film had was bogged down by its lazy plot and character development. The film feels like it is going through the motions of a Shakespearian outline and its over-reliance on unoriginal music made the feature feel like it wasn't putting in its all and just giving out the bare minimum. While the songs this musical uses aren't terrible and the performances of them are genuinely good but using already established songs rather than originals for the story feels like a short-cut rather than trying to be hip and cool while doing a story that is very reminiscent of Billy Shakes. Also, I can't believe I just said "hip." I could see this film one day being a cult hit to a very particular group (drama and theater kids come to mind) but, overall, I just didn't find this one too special or noteworthy. It's not a bad film; I just found it a tad forgettable.
Unfriended
(2014)
It's unique but boring...
18 September 2015
Warning: Spoilers
Normally horror films don't get too unique or use modern technology to tell a story. Often we see the same old stuff told over and over again (How many movies are about murderous and inbred hillbillies attacking city folks who just were on vacation?) and too many times when they start acknowledging technology they end up making it evil somehow. "Unfriended" did something unique and original and told a story entirely through social media sites, the internet, instant messaging and video chat. I thought I was going to hate that but actually found it pretty interesting
but I still didn't enjoy the film.
While this format allowed for truly original character development, is also made the film and its characters impossible to invest in. Watching people get injured (and possibly killed through doing stupid things) on the internet is now considered an act of comedy so watching these character on a chat window get murdered didn't have the same effect as being right there in the grisly action like you would on normal formatted horror films. Additionally, the only sympathetic character was the "bad guy" who was tormenting the kids because the "victims" in this film were truly horrible people that were impossible to feel any sympathy for. This dynamic also made for a moral that was pretty muddy and unclear—it sorta feels like it is saying bullying is bad but it also made the victim of bullying a ghost that murders people. That kinda feels like victim blaming.
There was some potential to "Unfriended" and the film is honestly very unique but it wasn't scary and the characters were too horrible to care about. It didn't live up to the potential it had but the potential was there and I applaud the film for telling a story in a truly original way.
While this format allowed for truly original character development, is also made the film and its characters impossible to invest in. Watching people get injured (and possibly killed through doing stupid things) on the internet is now considered an act of comedy so watching these character on a chat window get murdered didn't have the same effect as being right there in the grisly action like you would on normal formatted horror films. Additionally, the only sympathetic character was the "bad guy" who was tormenting the kids because the "victims" in this film were truly horrible people that were impossible to feel any sympathy for. This dynamic also made for a moral that was pretty muddy and unclear—it sorta feels like it is saying bullying is bad but it also made the victim of bullying a ghost that murders people. That kinda feels like victim blaming.
There was some potential to "Unfriended" and the film is honestly very unique but it wasn't scary and the characters were too horrible to care about. It didn't live up to the potential it had but the potential was there and I applaud the film for telling a story in a truly original way.
Ex Machina
(2014)
Some of the best Sci-fi I've ever seen!
11 September 2015
Warning: Spoilers
"Ex Machina" is definitely one of those re-defining sci-fi films that will stick with me for a long time.
The story is simple but incredible in the way it is intelligent without coming off like it's pretentious, creepy without being scary and dramatic without being cartoonishly so. The characters are incredibly dynamic and captivating to watch and when you combine that to the amazing story and the intense and spectacular visuals, it combines in a Voltron sorta way to make a film that is unlike most of the films churned out in this particular genre.
The story is simple but incredible in the way it is intelligent without coming off like it's pretentious, creepy without being scary and dramatic without being cartoonishly so. The characters are incredibly dynamic and captivating to watch and when you combine that to the amazing story and the intense and spectacular visuals, it combines in a Voltron sorta way to make a film that is unlike most of the films churned out in this particular genre.
Boat Trip
(2002)
Painfully unfunny and in really bad taste...
11 September 2015
Warning: Spoilers
I avoided this film since it came out because it looked like it wasn't worth my time but because I've heard and laughed at Dan Harmon's description and rants about the film, I figured I'd give it a shot.
I won't pull punches here: The film is awful. The humor is lower than sub-par, it's downright mean-spirited and predicated on the fact that the writer clearly had no idea how homosexuals act and decided to have out-dated and offensive stereotypes take the place of somewhat decently conceived gags. The acting is so tortuously over-the-top that it looks like people trying to make fun of over-actors but failing because they can't act and, finally, the editing can only be described as a hack job. The only shining light the film has is the fact it has contributed to some great material for Dan Harmon to joke about on his podcast.
I won't pull punches here: The film is awful. The humor is lower than sub-par, it's downright mean-spirited and predicated on the fact that the writer clearly had no idea how homosexuals act and decided to have out-dated and offensive stereotypes take the place of somewhat decently conceived gags. The acting is so tortuously over-the-top that it looks like people trying to make fun of over-actors but failing because they can't act and, finally, the editing can only be described as a hack job. The only shining light the film has is the fact it has contributed to some great material for Dan Harmon to joke about on his podcast.
Lost River
(2014)
Not too bad for Gosling's filmmaking debut...
3 September 2015
Warning: Spoilers
Nobody's perfect even though we all secretly thought Ryan Gosling was. In his first attempt at writing and directing a film, he proves that he may not be the perfect specimen and does, in fact, actually have some flaws about him.
For a feature film debut, "Lost River" wasn't completely terrible. Visually it looks great, the music is good and the story has the potential to be David Lynch-level compelling and weird but the final product was just boring and sloppy. While the visuals may look neat, the whole vibe of the film feels completely lifted from Gosling's two-time collaborator Nicolas Winding Refn and doesn't have many points of originality that one can point at and claim that such points will come to define Gosling's directing style. Additionally, the film's story is slow and boring and like it is never actually going to get moving, the plot is sloppy, the acting isn't that memorable and the character development is atrocious and haphazardly put together. As it stands for Gosling's first film, it's not terrible but it doesn't stand on its own merits of a decent and watchable film.
Greetings, Earthlings! The name is Rev. Ron and if you feel like reading more of my thoughts and experiences with films (including more on "Lost River") you can visit and follow my blog at RevRonMovies.BlogSpot.com. Thanks!
For a feature film debut, "Lost River" wasn't completely terrible. Visually it looks great, the music is good and the story has the potential to be David Lynch-level compelling and weird but the final product was just boring and sloppy. While the visuals may look neat, the whole vibe of the film feels completely lifted from Gosling's two-time collaborator Nicolas Winding Refn and doesn't have many points of originality that one can point at and claim that such points will come to define Gosling's directing style. Additionally, the film's story is slow and boring and like it is never actually going to get moving, the plot is sloppy, the acting isn't that memorable and the character development is atrocious and haphazardly put together. As it stands for Gosling's first film, it's not terrible but it doesn't stand on its own merits of a decent and watchable film.
Greetings, Earthlings! The name is Rev. Ron and if you feel like reading more of my thoughts and experiences with films (including more on "Lost River") you can visit and follow my blog at RevRonMovies.BlogSpot.com. Thanks!
Eulogy
(2004)
Bland, unfunny and the actors just look like they don't care.
1 September 2015
Warning: Spoilers
I'm usually a fan of dramedies that involve family troubles and the hardships that come with loving your parents and siblings but also being annoyed to no living end with them but "Eulogy" was just so bland and flavorless.
The script for the film is just weak and sparsely sprinkled with unfunny jokes. They are so unfunny that I found myself getting into an internal debate and question whether what I saw was intended to be funny or was just something spat out on to the script page. Then you have one-dimensional characters that were written without anything neither interesting about them nor deep enough to be relatable and likable. Finally, you have a cast who really, really looks like they just don't give a flying flip about what they are making. It really made for a film that was just one long experiment in boredom and was incredibly tedious. It's a shame because there's decent actors in it and it might have been better if more care was taken with the entire product.
The script for the film is just weak and sparsely sprinkled with unfunny jokes. They are so unfunny that I found myself getting into an internal debate and question whether what I saw was intended to be funny or was just something spat out on to the script page. Then you have one-dimensional characters that were written without anything neither interesting about them nor deep enough to be relatable and likable. Finally, you have a cast who really, really looks like they just don't give a flying flip about what they are making. It really made for a film that was just one long experiment in boredom and was incredibly tedious. It's a shame because there's decent actors in it and it might have been better if more care was taken with the entire product.
The Boy
(I) (2015)
There was definitely potential here...
1 September 2015
Warning: Spoilers
"The Boy" was a bit of a mixed bag for me. It wasn't completely amazing but it definitely stopped short of being completely worthless.
On the good side, the film has some stupidly amazing performances from Rainn Wilson, David Morse and, especially, Jared Breeze. Additionally, director Craig William Macneill did a tremendous job of creating atmosphere and through visuals and music definitely gave the film an uneasy feeling that promised suspense and terror. On the bad side, the film never lives up to the atmosphere that was created due to a running length that felt too long, a story that dragged too often and poor character development.
The film had some potential but it stopped short of achieving it.
On the good side, the film has some stupidly amazing performances from Rainn Wilson, David Morse and, especially, Jared Breeze. Additionally, director Craig William Macneill did a tremendous job of creating atmosphere and through visuals and music definitely gave the film an uneasy feeling that promised suspense and terror. On the bad side, the film never lives up to the atmosphere that was created due to a running length that felt too long, a story that dragged too often and poor character development.
The film had some potential but it stopped short of achieving it.
Inherent Vice
(2014)
It's hard to follow but fun to watch!
1 September 2015
Warning: Spoilers
I'm not really familiar with the work of Thomas Pynchon but when you have a director who gave us "There Will Be Blood" and a very talented cast adapting one of his novels, I'm in! Everything from the lighting to the editing to the gags are excellently crafted in "Inherent Vice" and the talented cast showing off why they are as good as they are is the icing on the cake on this entertaining film. The only downside I had with the film is the fact the story and plot are just overflowing. The film is very complex and convoluted and it often made the film a little confusing and hard to follow. It wasn't one of those cases where the movie is too hard to understand but it was one of those films where the dialogue and plot are so intricate that you had to pay 100% attention to it and you couldn't really find the time to enjoy the other aspects of the feature—like the acting and comedy—because if you weren't paying attention or did something like blink or sneeze during one of the many exposition-heavy dialogue sequences, you ran the risk of missing a lot. However, this aside, the film is still pretty amazing.
Dead Rising: Watchtower
(2015)
It has its moments and is better than most video game adaptations...
18 August 2015
Warning: Spoilers
I consider myself a big fan of zombies and will pretty much take in all forms of entertainment they are in. A lot what they're involved in is really bad low budget films but that doesn't bother me none because there is an irresistible charm for me when it concerns bad movies. However, "Dead Rising: Watchtower" is a little different because it's a feature that takes place in a video game franchise I really enjoy.
The film might not be the most memorable or the most technically brilliant film put together but I did find it mildly enjoyable. It suffers from all the same follies that most low budget zombie films suffer from—like weak makeup, awful looking CG blood and acting that just barely cuts the mustard. This feature also suffers from a run time that feels a bit too long for the story and it makes for a lot of dragging and it starts to take itself way too seriously towards the end. However, there are some fun moments that make the film better than most video game adaptations and a lot of low budget zombie features. The nods and winks to the game are amusing and Rob Riggle's small role as Frank West easily is the best thing about the film.
It's definitely not the best zombie film I've seen in my life but it's entertaining enough that I wasn't bored.
The film might not be the most memorable or the most technically brilliant film put together but I did find it mildly enjoyable. It suffers from all the same follies that most low budget zombie films suffer from—like weak makeup, awful looking CG blood and acting that just barely cuts the mustard. This feature also suffers from a run time that feels a bit too long for the story and it makes for a lot of dragging and it starts to take itself way too seriously towards the end. However, there are some fun moments that make the film better than most video game adaptations and a lot of low budget zombie features. The nods and winks to the game are amusing and Rob Riggle's small role as Frank West easily is the best thing about the film.
It's definitely not the best zombie film I've seen in my life but it's entertaining enough that I wasn't bored.
Seventh Son
(I) (2014)
Fairly decent fantasy film that is not without its issues...
11 August 2015
Warning: Spoilers
Average is probably how I would describe this film.
"Seventh Son" isn't terrible but it does suffer from a plot that feels unfocused and a tad like it is wandering, the film's antagonist doesn't get the attention she deserved and there are some great actors who go a tad wasted and underutilized. However, that being said, I did enjoy Jeff Bridges in it, there are some exciting action scenes and the effects were pretty good. The movie isn't incredible but I wasn't bored or annoyed with it either. It has its moments but not enough of them to make it anything but average.
"Seventh Son" isn't terrible but it does suffer from a plot that feels unfocused and a tad like it is wandering, the film's antagonist doesn't get the attention she deserved and there are some great actors who go a tad wasted and underutilized. However, that being said, I did enjoy Jeff Bridges in it, there are some exciting action scenes and the effects were pretty good. The movie isn't incredible but I wasn't bored or annoyed with it either. It has its moments but not enough of them to make it anything but average.
Pound of Flesh
(2015)
It took itself way too seriously...
11 August 2015
Warning: Spoilers
I was very interested in this film because the premise was a little wacky but I thought it would be an over-the-top silly action film that followed Jean-Claude Van Damme on a path of destruction to get to the one who stole his kidney. I was a little disappointed when I finished it.
The movie isn't terrible and has a couple minor issues that are easy to ignore. Heck, the feature even has some decent fight scenes and JCVD is not too bad in it. The real killer for this film for me, however, was how seriously it took itself. The film tried to be real emotional and dramatic and it didn't fit with the premise of JCVD fighting to get back his organ. The need to be overly dramatic and some fight scenes that were a bit lethargic ended up making the film a bit boring. I thought it was going to be fun but the movie just ended up being a tad tedious to sit through.
The movie isn't terrible and has a couple minor issues that are easy to ignore. Heck, the feature even has some decent fight scenes and JCVD is not too bad in it. The real killer for this film for me, however, was how seriously it took itself. The film tried to be real emotional and dramatic and it didn't fit with the premise of JCVD fighting to get back his organ. The need to be overly dramatic and some fight scenes that were a bit lethargic ended up making the film a bit boring. I thought it was going to be fun but the movie just ended up being a tad tedious to sit through.
The Theory of Everything
(2014)
Beautiful and emotional!
11 August 2015
Warning: Spoilers
You'd have to be missing a soul and own a black heart to not tear up with this one
so, I'm assuming that most people who comment on the Internet can't cry when watching this film.
"The Theory of Everything" is such a deeply emotional and beautiful bio-pic about the relationship between Stephen Hawking and Jane Hawking. The visuals are stunning, the story is very dramatic and it's hard to not sob watching the drama unfold and the performances are incredible beyond words. I have no real complaints about the film beyond the fact that the replay value of it is a little low for me. However, that aside, it's a terrific film and just absolutely fantastic in almost every way.
"The Theory of Everything" is such a deeply emotional and beautiful bio-pic about the relationship between Stephen Hawking and Jane Hawking. The visuals are stunning, the story is very dramatic and it's hard to not sob watching the drama unfold and the performances are incredible beyond words. I have no real complaints about the film beyond the fact that the replay value of it is a little low for me. However, that aside, it's a terrific film and just absolutely fantastic in almost every way.
What We Do in the Shadows
(2014)
Great, great, great comedy!
11 August 2015
Warning: Spoilers
Very simple but extremely creative sums up "What We Do in the Shadows" pretty well. That and extremely funny! In the wrong hands, this film could have been a complete mess but with it being written, directed and starring Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi and having an incredible cast right there with them, the film proved to be a wickedly entertaining feature with tons of laughs throughout the entire run. Everything about this film was awesome to me. The costumes looked great, the makeup was cool, the sets looked excellent, the jokes are top notch stuff, the characters are fun and the acting is fantastic! There was nothing about this film that didn't work for me and it made for a film with a very high replay value.
Tell Your Friends