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nat365
Reviews
The Ghost Squad (2005)
gritty
This is the first really gritty police drama I've seen for a long time. I am a big fan of CSI, Law and Order SVU, Without A Trace. But unlike those shows, that have the shine of Hollywood on them, this really feels dirty. It's portraying police work as it is. No false glamour, just real people, doing a job that most people wouldn't have the stomach for.
SPOILERS:
I loved the first episode of this, when Amy got into the 'Ghost Squad'. She was forced to turn on her friends, and although she didn't like it, she did it. It was a great introduction to the series, and to Amy's character.
The second episode was far less straightforward. In fact, for most of it I was confused as to who was undercover, who was undercover with the people who were undercover, and who were the straightforward bad guys (although it's possibly my fault, for not giving the program my absolute full attention during the first half). However, I equate this confusion with a good programme. It made me think, and many TV shows are scared to challenge their audiences in this way.
Lots of swearing, but that's to be expected in real life, so that's what you get here. I'm always amazed that Jack Bauer gets through each of his horrible days, swearing so little.
Anyway, to sum up, this is a brilliant new drama, full of promise. I hope it lives up to it's first couple of episodes, and from what I've seen so far, I'm sure it will.
Cabin Fever (2002)
how was this scary again?
This movie was absolutely terrible. I am a movie lover, and I have seen hundreds of films, and this is the only one I can truly say was awful. The virus thing has been done well before, but this was not done well. You knew that it was only a matter of time before they all had the virus. There was no loophole, no way they could avoid it. Therefore, the suspense lay in waiting to see how they realised it, and how gruesome it was.
***** SPOILERS *****
Now, don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of gruesome killings, but not this. I mean, come on? You're watching her shave her legs. Watching her shave her legs. You know that the razor's going to take off her flesh. You know it's going to happen. She's still shaving normally.... AAAAH... not. Everything was done for gore and shock factor, and not one thing gave me a real scare.
However, there was one thing that I did enjoy, and that was the ending. The fact that the guys who simply killed the remaining kids, rather than trying to help them, then dumped the bodies - (very carelessly, I might add. They could have got the clever ones, who realised that dumping a contagious body in a source for drinking water is a no-no, but instead, they get the stupid ones to dump the body) - will now get the disease, and it will spread everywhere, is a very ironic, funny and clever ending.
However, it's the only ironic, funny and clever thing in this whole movie. I may also have seen it as the best bit because the movie did, in fact, end. My advice, unless you are a fan of gratuitous gore, very little plot, and no suspense (apart from waiting to see how the next oozing bloody wound will manifest itself) then avoid it. Or just watch the last fifteen minutes. You'll get the overall point of the movie, and the best bit, all in one.
Kiss the Girls (1997)
Good, but not as good as the book.
I very much enjoyed this film, and the characters are extremely well portrayed, particularly Kate (Ashley Judd) and Alex (Morgan Freedman).
However, the book (as is usually the case with films adapted from books), has a far superior storyline. The twist, which is predictable in the film, is almost impossible to spot in the book, and the final confrontation in the book is, again, much better than the way they do it in the film. Also, the Gentleman Caller storyline is much more fully explored.
Also, if you have read any of James Patterson's 'Alex Cross' series, you will realize just how mis-cast Morgan Freedman is. He may put across a brilliant performance, but I have spoken to several people who have both read the book and watched the film, and they all agree that the Alex in the book is a much younger and more dynamic character.
However, though I can't remember my exact thoughts on the film before I read the book, I must have thought it was good, as it was on the basis of the film that I decided to read the books. My recommendation is that you watch the film, then read the book, as this will allow you to enjoy the film without making comparisons.