Movie Reviews With Flavor!
Thursday, July 27, 2006
The H List
Hancock
Hard Candy
Harry Potter and The Order of The Phoenix
Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone
The Haunting
Hua Hun (a.k.a. A Soul Haunted by Painting)
Hard Candy
Harry Potter and The Order of The Phoenix
Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone
The Haunting
Hua Hun (a.k.a. A Soul Haunted by Painting)
Lady In the Water (2006)
Director: M. Knight Shyamalan
Venue: theater
Trailer
Let me preface this review by stating, “I am an M. Knight Shamalan fan”. So, you might find that I’m a little bit biased. However, it often seems that a man has no harsh a critic as his greatest fan. One need only peruse the comments left by old-school Star Wars fans in regards to the newest additions to the series as proof of that statement. The trailers for Lady in the Water initially led me to believe that this movie was a horror film. Not so. This lady is a fairy tale. So, don’t purchase your ticket expecting to be scared out of your wits. By all means, do purchase that ticket, but go in willing to be lead along a path of whimsy and puzzlement placed in a time close to our own. It’s about time we learned to imagine again.
The entire movie takes place at an apartment complex. The opening sequence fills the audience in as to the background of the tale. Immediately afterward, we are introduced to the cast of important characters. Pay attention, if you can, because you’ll need these clues to figure out the puzzle. A mysterious lady emerges from the complex’s swimming pool and involves its caretaker in her quest to find a certain writer and then return to her aquatic homeworld. He continues, without question, to aid her in her mission. The tennents are soon drawn in and so is the audience, as we try to pick up the pieces. If Lady in the Water wasn’t based on a book, then I applaud the director’s imagination. If it is, then I applaud his adaptation. Either way, full points for originality.
Plot: 5 stars
There weren’t any characters that I didn’t enjoy, and there aren’t any actors in this movie that I can condemn. Following the habits of Alfred Hitchcock and Stephen King, Shamalan likes to appear in each of his films, if only as a cameo. My only criticism of the cast is the director’s portrayal of himself as the noble squire. Although he knows he is ill fated, he chooses to boldly strike forth as a martyr. It just seems a bit conceited to me. For comic relief, one of the tennants of the building happens to be a movie critic and I can’t help but imagine that Shamalan is striking back. Once again, each actor plays their role expertly and isn’t unbelieveable, even for a moment.
Acting: 4 stars
Lady in the Water isn’t a gun-blast extravaganza. Neither is it a kung-fu classic. However, it does have elements of suspense and pulse pounding. What exists in the way of action is played out timely and skillfully. It serves the purpose of pulling the audience into the drama. Anyone expecting an all out battle with the sinister beast will be disappointed.
Action: 3 stars
There is plenty of CGI in Lady. But, it isn’t glorified. The mood is enhanced well by the sets and lighting. Although there is no definate time frame expressed (the writer still uses a typewriter), there is the sense of a modern day relevence. What I’m saying is, it’s easy to imagine oneself as a tennant in this building. The setting is appropriate to draw in the viewer.
Visual: 3 stars
Dialogue is believeable and sometimes whitty, especially during the three-way conversations of the asian tennant, her mother, and the caretaker. Every line is fitting to its character. Even the film critic’s monologue to himself aids the absorbtion of the audience. Early on in the film, it’s curious that each of the character’s should be so ready to believe in our fairy tale. But, the dialogue eventually helps to illustrate the director’s awareness of the audience’s thoughts.
Dialogue: 4 stars
In summation, see it, see it, see it! It’s worth the price of admission for the adventure alone. This is one movie I’d love to see again and will anxiously await purchase on DVD.
Alternate viewing choice: The Village
***Note: If you found this review via IMDB, please let us know by leaving a comment. Thanks!***
Monday, July 24, 2006
UnDead (2003)
Director: The Spierig Brothers
Venue: DVD
DVD Features: unavailable
Althought I’ve long been a horror movie fan, I had, until recently, shied away from zombie flicks. However, movies like Night of the Living Dead and 28 Days Later have forced me to recognize that there are a handful of genuinely entertaining films that feature animated corpses. While digging through the “4 for 20” bin at the local movie store, I stumbled across UnDead. It was the endorsement at the top of the box that convinced me to give it a shot. It read, “The most inventive zombie film since Peter Jackson’s Brain Dead”, a quote by Tony Timpone of Fangoria Magazine. First, Peter Jackson has made a few great horror movies (yes, he worked before Lord of the Rings). Second, I figure that anyone working at Fangoria must know a thing or two about horror.
UnDead takes place in a small town somewhere in Australia. It involves a small handful of characters, a dash of comedy, and a twist of alien encounter. I won’t bother breaking down the plot, as it’s basically the same as every other zombie film ever made. A band of unlikely cohorts find themselves surrounded by legions of the walking dead and have to fight their way out. I did enjoy the alien twist, the “down under” lingo and the ending.
Plot: 3 ½ stars
There weren’t any actors in UnDead that I recognized, but they all did a solid job (on the scale of horror movie acting). The two primary characters are a gun-toting fisherman, who seems a little nuts, and a newly crowned “catch of the day” queen down on her luck. They both kick ass at kicking zombie ass. They’re also both likeable in their strange and separate ways. In any zombie movie, there are two types of human characters. One the one hand, there are those who embrace their survival role with gusto. On the other, there are the helpless hysterics. Among the latter, UnDead features a law officer who agitated my nerves completely. I think he must have been an Australian inside joke, but does the fact that I hated the guy point to good acting or no?
Acting: 3 stars
There has to be a certain element of action in any zombie movie. After all, the best way to kill one is to remove its head. I have a sneaking suspeicion that The Spierig Brothers are fans of John Woo. The action in UnDead is practically an homage to Woo’s gunplay choreography. There are some inventive weapons in the movie as well. Zombies get killed via sawblade, canned air and “The Club”. Overall, the action is entertaining, comedic and well placed.
Action: 4 stars
Another vitally important aspect to reviewing a zombie movie is atmosphere and special effects. UnDead does have some CGI, but it isn’t overused or hokey. If UnDead had had a larger budget, I think it would have been tempting to go overboard. Most of the gore is done the old fashioned way and I almost always appreciate it when film-makers go that route in an age when it’s become easy to rely on computers. The atmosphere in this movie is appropriately dark and desolate.
Visual: 4 stars
There isn’t much to say about the dialogue in this film. “Braaaaains…” In a few scenes, a noticeable attempt is made at humor and “cool”, but that effort falls short of the mark. There weren’t any lines that really stuck with me and there weren’t any “laugh-out-loud” moments via dialoge.
Dialogue: 2 stars
Overall, I can say that UnDead is a solid, fun zombie film with a healthy helping of gore. I recommend viewing, definitely and possibly purchase.
Alternate viewing choice: Shawn of the Dead
IMDB site
Official site: not found (Lions Gate Films)
Rotten Tomatoes review
***Note: If you found this review via IMDB, please let us know by leaving a comment. Thanks!***
Notice: A Few Changes
I'd like readers to be aware of a few new things here. I've decided that the CGI/ cinemetography category is better named "visual effect" so as to encompass computer effects, set design, atmosphere, etc. Secondly, instead of giving my ratings as a list at the beginning of each review, I've decided to list the ratings for each category separately, after the corresponding paragraph. This way, readers will be forced to actually read the reviews. (hee hee hee)
Please expect continuing changes as I get the hang of things around here. I will always post a notice when I decide to mix it up!
Please expect continuing changes as I get the hang of things around here. I will always post a notice when I decide to mix it up!
Friday, July 14, 2006
Superman Returns (2006)
Director: Bryan Singer
Venue: theater
Starring: Bryan Singer, Kate Bosworth, Parker Posey
Trailer
Neko's Rating:
Plot: 3 stars
Acting: 3 stars
Action: 3 stars
CGI: 4 stars
Dialogue: 3 stars
Review:
So they finally made another Superman movie, eh? There seems to be a rash of superhero movies being released lately. I’d be curious to know what Christopher Reeves thinks of the new guy. Naturally, the new film will be compared to it’s prequels by reviewers, audiences, and pop media. There will be no exception here.
The movie opens with Superman’s return to Earth after a long quest to find the remains of his home planet, Krypton. While he was away, the rest of the world has been going about its business, especially Lois Lane (Kate Bosworth). She’s got a new man and a son in tow, as well as a Pulitzer Prize she earned for her article entitled, “Why the world doesn’t need Superman”. Uh oh, looks like someone is bitter. The plot of the film centers around two issues: the relationship between Lois and Superman (Bryan Singer) and Lex Luthor‘s new plan to drown a large portion of the U.S. So, what else is new?
Now, let’s pick this sucker apart. Plot. Watching a Superman movie is much like watching an episode of Scooby Doo or Sailor Moon. The same thing basically happens in each one. I think I can excuse this movie’s lack of originality in light of the fact that it’s been so long since the previous film. New audiences need to be with the way the writers kept the continuity of the story line intact. Lex Luthor is out of prison and I love the explaination of why he was released. Sure, Superman brings the baddies in, but does he ever appear in court? Good point. I also enjoyed the fact that Lois’s new fella isn’t an unlikeable replacement. Otherwise, it would be easy to hate him and begrudge Lois for making poor choices. Lane also has a son and he seems to be the only one to notice the similarity between Clark Kent and the Man of Steel. I have one question though. The way I understand it, Kryptonite is part of Superman’s home planet. So, shouldn’t exposure to Kryptonite make him just like a normal guy? If that’s true, why does he always get his ass kicked when his powers are taken away? I mean, the guy is pretty buff to begin with. Shouldn’t he be able to fight like a really buff human could?
Acting. My favorite casting choice is the new Lex Luthor. I’m not going to mention who the new actor is, but I never thought anyone could replace Gene Hackman as the arch nemesis. I was pleasantly surprised! The part is played with just as much villany, but not as much goofy. In fact, the new Luthor seems to be a lot better at planning than before. His sidekick is played by Parker Posey. I’m not her biggest fan. Think “Blade Trinity” without the fangs (literally and figuratively). Bryan Singer does, in fact, make a good Superman/Kent. He’s got the strong jaw, trademark curl, and sparkling smile required for the job. Oh, and he doesn’t look bad in tights either. I think Singer does a good job and I hope he doesn’t get too much flack for trying to fill Reeve’s costume. How about Lois Lane? No, I can’t say that I’m happy with Kate Bosworth as a replacement. Visually, I think she’s too manly and she comes off as a complete bitch during the entire film. Margot Kidder needn’t loose sleep over her status as the best Lois ever.
Action. For the most part, the action flows nicely in Superman Returns. Aside from the first half hour or so, there aren’t any long periods of boredom. I don’t have any complaints about the camera angles or the choreography. There weren’t any scenes that had me at the edge of my seat either.
CGI. Obviously, a superhero movie in this day and age is going to be chock full of special effects. Although they weren’t particularly astounding, I think they were relatively seamless and believeable. My favorite CGI scene is when Lois and family are rescued from the sinking ship. I think it was more the style in which it’s done, rather than the graphics particularly, but it was cool nonetheless.
Dialogue. The dialogue, like the action, was well done, but not fantastic. I don’t remember any moment where I laughed out loud at any of the comedy. I also can’t recall any lines that would make a good tattoo. However, I don’t think I moaned in disgust either. So-so.
In summary, I definitely recommend going to see Superman Returns. It’s fun and worth what I paid for admission to see it on the big screen. Fans of the old movies won’t be disappointed. However, if you’re unfamiliar with the Superman saga, you might want to bone up with some rentals first.
Alternate viewing choice: Spiderman 2
Official Site
IMDB Site
Rotten Tomatoes review
***Note: If you found this review via IMDB, please let us know by leaving a comment. Thanks!***
Thursday, July 13, 2006
About Neko Noir
Neko was born in the Midwestern United States. She spent many years in Austin, Texas, where she attended college before living for a brief period in San Diego, California. Although she has no formal education in cinema, or personal ties to the business, she has great passion for film and enjoys writing and sharing her opinion. She spends most of her time curled up with her three cats in front of the DVD player.
Tired of reading clinical reviews of Hollywood Blockbusters she’d never want to see, Neko decided to start Gummi Popcorn. Her goal is to share her love of movies with a casual voice and a candid personality. Instead of dry, technical analysis, her reviews offer the type of advice one might hear from a friend. Neko also ties her love of art and web design into Gummi Popcorn and has designed the entire site personally. (Note: the current layout is a Blogger template, and not created by Neko.)
Tired of reading clinical reviews of Hollywood Blockbusters she’d never want to see, Neko decided to start Gummi Popcorn. Her goal is to share her love of movies with a casual voice and a candid personality. Instead of dry, technical analysis, her reviews offer the type of advice one might hear from a friend. Neko also ties her love of art and web design into Gummi Popcorn and has designed the entire site personally. (Note: the current layout is a Blogger template, and not created by Neko.)
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