showson2002 Reviews

Little Nicky (2000)

A Laugh For a Minute Then Down Hill All The Way!

[4 December 2004]

Little Nicky?? Well, from the film trailers and posters it seems an okay type of movie, there's sandler and some comedy gags on hell, sin and some nice touches about 'the talking dog' and of course the director of Pulp Fiction as a mad ranting blind vicar "the apocalypse! He is here!" (or something along those lines). Some okay CGI work adds entertainment to some 'sketch' like scenes, which is the films real flaw, from the on set this is a chain of sketches glued together by dumb jokes and sandler's geeky son of the devil character. The plot is so thin it doesn't generate any interest or comic style. The casting is just a quick flick in the US top name book, of guys who could be bothered at that period and the purpose of this movie is? Sandler is a funny guy and some of his movies have dimensions, but this is a 2nd rate take on Kevin Smith's Dogma film and what is needed is a few script re-writes and bucket loads of thought, because this was painful to watch, and that's the truth. P.S. It was also a total waste of studio time, effort and monety.

The Sunchaser (1996)

Road Trip From The Brutal Hood To The Mythic Mountain

[4 December 2004]

I just caught this on my TV. It is a slice of classic road trip perfection. Woody Harrleson and Anne Bancroft add weight as big names and the script and classy camera work does the rest. the script is top shelf realism with grit and it doesn;t shy away from ripping out the brutality and venom of urban society. The young man playing 'blue' the 17 year old put away for killing his father is professional and it's a shame I haven't seen him in further films, maybe someone should offer him some work. The road trip element is great and the freeways and highways are breath taking in beauty and well used for cinematography and as a tool to push along the dialogue throughout. The urban-dust plains contrast is well thought out and the story darts form one tense setting to another. The biggest surprise with this excellent 'gem that got away' is the humour in the most unbelieve-able circumstances. I personally loved the banter between Harrleson's doc and the young guy's tough insider. Casting is credible and the addition of a heart warming, touching and spiritual story line adds visual and though-provoking undertones. The magic side story increases interest and plays with the audiences take on if this roomer is truth or a legend. The under dog 'on-the-run' plot is gripping and apart from the use of the f word and graphic scenes of shootings this could have been a successful family film. I wonder if this movie gained any awards or acclaim as it definitely deserves some (if there is any justice). This is a buried treasure in the dust of forgotten film. Nice work by all creates a thought-provoking drama with some excellent landscapes of rock formations and dusty plains. Catch it if you get a chance.

Body Count (1986)

Spooky Shaman Comes To Slice Singletons

[4 December 2004]

Body Count is excellent late night slasher fun, if you have a couple of hours to "kill" and you have access to Body Count then play it on your VHS or DVD and enjoy. This isn't rocket science but slasher films about nutty guys, masks and large knives have a select audience, being teenagers and twenty somethings, so the audience and screen market will go on forever. Mixing legends, slasher killings, campers and the question 'who will get it next' isn't original, the formulas been done before, but that doesn't matter here. The real entertainment is in the setting and the low budget film making, sure the director never meant it that way. But this is late night fodder for popcorn and fizzy drinks. Switch off brain and watch. There's some clever camera work and though there are holes in the plot and in the way some characters behave, this only adds to the spectacle. The hybrid US-Italian production has created a half decent half naff film with a young, willing to do anything cast and some useful forest and mountain settings. The story is worth watching for, though I couldn't help feeling some of the bigger name cast members, just turned up to say the lines and then run. The twentysomethings playing teenagers do well as dim wit campers looking for fun and a camping road trip. The magic-myth-legend Native American shaman element is a great touch and though the plot dwells on the haunted burial site well-used story it does create some tension. Budget and professional standards do take a toll and some stylish stalk and slash scenes are wasted in dumb sketches and weak visuals. The film is worth a watch and I would recommend it for slasher lovers. The cast are like-able and it is shocking to witness their demise when it seems some are going to survive the ordeal. All in all, 7 out of 10 for effort and imagination. Italian style and American balls.

The Ninth Gate (1999)

Authentic Book Thriller With A Watch-able Spine.

[4 December 2004]

What can I say about this movie? It is pure authentic cinematic entertainment from start to finish. I was enthralled by Polanski's tense knife-edge plot and the nervous style of the plot. In the film everything and anything does happen. Depp is a top of his game book hunter and he's hired to find the one book legend says was written by the Devil himself. The plot twists like an eel and there's enough betrayal, back-stabbing, chases, double-crossing and hidden meanings to last you forever. The real question is, is this a wild goose-chase and will Depp's character get killed? The movie had elements that'll make you want to watch it again, with scenes having rich backgrounds, landscapes and glorious cinematography. There is a frightening occult undertone throughout and only watch it if you have nerves of steel and make sure you have a sofa to hide behind.

Top class casting, plot, script and story add spice and realism to a brilliant piece of film making, using rich European back drops to encourage old world medieval gloom and forebodeing. I would recommend this film completely. It will not disappoint lovers of one man out-of-his-depth films like North By North West and chase films like Ronin. Watch and enjoy.