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ferryboy
Reviews
Watchmen (2009)
As a fan of the comic books, loved it
I've heard opinions ranging the entire spectrum on this movie. Most of what I heard was bad, but those who enjoyed it seemed to be the only people who had actually read the comics.
Reading them ahead of time is a good idea, as the movie, despite its length, does lose a few important points of the story, and could leave those unfamiliar with the books confused at times.
I'm not one that usually has the patience to sit through a near three hour movie, but Watchmen was a compelling, enthralling experience all of the way through.
If you're familiar with Watchmen, you may notice that the Curse of The Black Freighter segments are left out. There is a DVD that just came out that contains an animated version of the story-within-a-story, and it's highly recommended. It also includes a mockumentary version of "Under the Hood", but it's a not-so-interesting look into the private lives of the superheroes already worked through in the comic and movie
Joe's Apartment (1996)
Surprisingly cute, simple comedy about my least favorite bug
I absolutely detest roaches. Effing can't stand them, which is why the movie is a success. Making what I think to be one of the most disgusting creatures on Earth to be endearing, lovable characters was a huge stretch, but it was the most successful aspect of the movie.
The story is simple, and oftentimes can be dull, but the occasional insect song and dance routine, along with several apartment-sized battles between roach and human that stay consistently silly, it's easy to look past the tired love story.
A wholly original, fun movie, anyone willing to let loose and laugh at some three stooges- esquire comedy will most likely enjoy the slapstick and excrement-related humor.
Chances are that you can buy this movie for less than five dollars on DVD at this point, so if you happen to pass it, pick it up. What do you have to lose?
WALL·E (2008)
Cute, Passionate, Smart
I had been anticipating this one for a few months, and It delivered on my expectations fully. Again, Pixar makes a great family film that really is for the WHOLE family. A simple, yet very passionate story, a simple message (which may have been a BIT much at times, but I'll get to that), eccentric characters, and, as we can always expect from Pixar, Eye Candy.
You first realize that you are seeing a different kind of picture right from the start. A vast view of space coupled with an upbeat show tune dazzles the eyes, and (at least in theaters) gives a sense of vertigo. The camera then pans to Earth, and with a short breath, we are whisked down the the desolate, dry surface, giving perfect contrast to the colorful view of the universe we just left.
Then, of course, we meet Wall-E, who is everything we have wanted him to be. Curious, playful and loving (Cockroaches have never been so cute), we glimpse his life for a glorious few minutes as he scampers around a ruined Earth, gathering artifacts from our dead culture.
And then, Wall-E's world is blown away by a large ship, and a small, sleek robot who calls herself Eva, and a cute, yet strangely moving romance between the two that will send you through every aspect of the emotional spectrum.
The movie takes a turn when we meet the humans traveling aboard large cruise-like spaceships. All of them are horribly obese, and thriving the laziest way that they can. They cannot walk, cook, play, or even think for themselves. This is where the message really begins to kick in.
While relevant, the dreary message often takes away from the spark (fuck it, pun intended) of the robot-romance between Wall-E and Eve, which is the real reason most of us came to see the movie.
But, do not let this stop you from seeing this movie. By far my personal favorite of the Pixar saga yet, Wall-E delivers everything we hoped it would and more, offering a meaty, heartfelt pleasure most "family" films just do not deliver.
Jurassic Park (1993)
I Nearly forgot how good this movie was
I remember my dad and I watching the first two movies when I was about seven through ten years old. Between Jurassic Park, Star Wars, and Indiana Jones, I think I spent nearly a third of my life popping videos into the VCR and having a jolly good time while rain poured constantly in northern Washington.
but anyway, on to the movie:
It just came on AMC, and I decided to give it a shot again. Curious about one of the actors, I decided to boot up IMDb and check out the flick. I was a little perturbed by the negative feedback left by some, but I'm sure they just have problems with enjoying themselves. This is one of those movies that are impossible not to enjoy. It's funny, thrilling, eye-catching, interesting and altogether fun as hell. All of this from just one scene.
When you think of Jurrasic Park, one of the first things to come up is, of course, the Special Effects. Regardless of what many naysayers of CGI (I'll count myself as one of those), Jurassic Park was way ahead of its time. Between the massive T Rex and the fast and devious velociraptors, it becomes very apparent very soon that the makers of this movie were looking to shake things up a bit. And the best thing? No matter how grandiose the animations and effects, all of it seems tasteful. Nothing seems overdone or out of place. None of the effects in this movie seemed out of place or "too much." I've looked at some movies that I loved as a child, and seen the raping of technology just for the sake of it. Jurassic Park is not one of those movies, and, naysayer that I am, I still enjoy this movie.
What can I say about the story? Since we first uncovered a fossil, the human race has been amazed by dinosaurs. I'm just surprised that it took so long for someone to write a book about something like this. I love the original book from Michael Crighton, a masterpiece in science fiction, and I can say that the original premise for this movie and the book itself is probably one of the better I've ever seen. What young child doesn't want to see a real dinosaur? And, in all honesty, what adult really ever grows out of that dream? Even if the sh1t hadn't hit the fan, the movie would still be intriguing.
"BOOM. BOOM. You know what that is? An impact trauma, that's what that is" I don't think a glass of water has ever had me more excited. The actors pulled out all of the cards to make this work even more so for me. As an actor, I've seen when someone isn't working their hardest. When someone doesn't really care about what they're doing. This is why I respect the actors in this movie so much. There is never a point where I feel like something could have been done better, or even slightly different. What is really wonderful is that Spielberg again shines in directing the kids, who are always immersed in the action, right along with the experienced veterans. Instead of being a sort of extra bit added on to evoke some extra emotion, the kids shine with the light of stars, creating the illusion, rather than just portraying it.
Of course, the science is often a bit off, but I don't know if I'd like the movie so much if it were pumped full of as much jargon as the book. Like any self-respecting American raised in the 1990's, sometimes I just want to see a good action-adventure, and Steven Spielberg really gives us what we want in Jurrasic Park
Six-String Samurai (1998)
If you happen to dig samurai, Americana, Guitars, and a whole lot of surf rock:
As a big camp-movie fan (A real one, rather than the people who only find the ones that get onto the shelves at Blockbuster), I am completely biased, as this is completely B-Rated.
The only thing missing from this movie was zombies (and if they had been in this flick, I would have given it a ten). Six String Samurai looked great just from the description on the On-Demand screen.
something along the lines of
"Buddy, a fifties rock-and-roller must fight his way across post-apocolyptic US against pro bowlers, a cannibal "Cleaver" family, and even Death Himself in order to become the new rock and roll King!"
If that concept sounds even remotely interesting to you, you're in for a blast.
if not, screw off. You don't need the indie movie scene, and the indie movie scene doesn't need you.
The movie starts out with the little whiny kid seeing his mother killed, which you'll be happy for pretty soon, because the little bastard is annoying as hell.
Anyway, a Buddy Holly-like character runs in with a semi-hollow Gibson and a samurai sword, and goes at the bad guys.
Now, repeat this ten times, add in some of the best characters you have ever seen (The Carver's were sheer genius), and you've got a damn good movie.
Not to mention that the entire soundtrack is made up of classic surf tunes such as Misirou.
Overall, great camp flick, and as a fan of the low-budget underdogs, I am very biased. If you like Night of the Living Dead, Dead Alive, Evil Dead, or anything at all with Bruce Campbell in it, you will enjoy this movie.
And just a note, this movie was really cool from the beginning on, and you may not think it could get better, and then BAM! Bruce Campbell cameo! Just because of that, the movie should get one million out of ten, but, I omitted that fact from the actual rating, so just go enjoy it.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
If you understand "camp', you should dig it
so, yeah, it's a terrible movie. the problem is that no one really seems to understand that it's meant to be just that.
Rocky Horror is a spoof of all of those low-budget sci-fi films that came out in the 50's and 60's. There was nothing great about those films other than that there was no cgi or advanced editing techniques that we have today.
All of the "effects" were done manually, and they still managed to freak the hell out of their audiences.
Rocky Horror is an ode to all of those movies made with low budgets and big hearts. If you haven't been COMPLETELY tarnished by modern cgi, then you will get a lot of joy out of this movie.
__________________________
now, with the review of the actual movie through with, I can get on to the real reason I watch Rocky Horror Picture Show.
The Live Showings.
the live showings count for about six of the ten stars.
If you have never been to a live showing of RHPS, call all of the theaters in your area and find where it's shown.
right now.
here in Denver, we "Start out by making fun of the holocaust, and go downhill from there"
if you do not know what a sit and wiggle is, or what it entails to be a virgin, then prepare to get visually and audibly plucked (couldn't use the real word) repeatedly in the course of the movie.
not just plucked, but plucked three ways from Sunday. you will leave there a new person. A decidedly more perverted and insane person, but new nonetheless.
At seven bucks a pop, it's hardly a huge investment. And it's much better than going to see most of the bullshit that comes out in theaters now.
Make sure to take your conservative and republican friends, too.
They;ll get a real KICK out of it.
The Mangler (1995)
Great B-Rated gore flick
I didn't turn on this movie expecting much. I've always been a big fan of Stephen King's books, but the movies seemed to lack.
This movie was a pleasant surprise, though. I was happily grossed out of my mind enough times to satisfy my taste, and the characters, while very, very corny at times, were some of my favorites in years. You wont find much of an all-star ensemble, but, like George Romero, I don't like to see too many big stars in horror flicks. The story, while conceded, is interesting enough to keep you watching, The ending was well worth the wait, too, offering up some of the irony that King is so adept at.
If you're not a fan of B-rated movies, I'd steer clear. If you are, though, this is going to be one helluva fun ride. The Effects are very good, considering the budget was most likely very low.
Spider-Man 3 (2007)
I wasn't expecting much, and that's what i got.
I'm so very sorry for you if you paid money for this movie.
I can't even begin to explain how terrible the script, acting and overall plot was.
If you like action-packed sequences, then there are maybe two or three enjoyable moments. As for actual story? It seems like the writers got drunk, had an orgy and then decided to play a joke on America by writing the worst dialogue I've heard in a very long time.
Seeing my favorite Marvel villain, Venom brought to life almost made it worth it, but the character was short-lived, and had so much more potential.
do yourself a favor and just watch the first two instead.
28 Weeks Later (2007)
Probably THE BEST SEQUEL in years
I was heading to the theater ready to be disappointed. Although a huge fan of the original, I was turned off a bit by the idea of the US Army taking over Britain, and the new director.
The first scene changed all of that, though. Some have said that it is impossible to relate to the characters of this movie, which is completely untrue. While short lived, I felt for every person in that house. Add that to my complete disgust for Don as he ran from the house, and you have one ball of confused emotion.
Just the prologue alone made me love this movie. I haven't seen a beginning like that since Zack Snyder's Dawn of The Dead.
The presence of the US Armed forces turned out to be not half-bad, either. In fact, it was pulled off very well. The characters were realistic, ranging from emphatic to apathetic extremes throughout the movie.
The kids were extremely well-played. Child actors have yet to play a part as well as the two in this film did.
As far as plot holes, they can, for the most part, be ignored. The idea of the virus staying within species was bullshit, I can't lie, but as far as card-key using zombies, we never saw don close the door, did we?
I was very pleased to see that none of the old characters were in this one. Not because I disliked them (They still rank as some of my favorite cinematic characters) but because this really was a different story, based around the same virus. Staying away from well-known superstar actors was a great move, although it HAS been a rule since Romero first made the modern zombie in 68.
As a fan of zombie flicks, I could see many things tastefully taken from classic Romero flicks, as well as the new Land of The Dead come into play. This movie not only serves as a great sequel, but also an amazing memorial for all of the great B-Rated zombie flicks.
Ignore the low ratings of some others, and see this movie. If you enjoyed the first one, you will LOVE 28 Weeks Later.