After an hour of goo and slime and ichor, with still no evidence of a plot, I noped out of this nauseating, pointless, and cliché laden disaster. This is a hard pass.
Reviews
16 Reviews
What Lies Beneath
(2000)
Quite possibly the dullest ghost story, ever made.
16 January 2015
I should have known better, when I saw it was Dreamworks, that it was going to be a snoozer.
With a bit of obvious stealing from Hitchock's Rear Window (and even a little nod to Psycho, both in image and soundtrack) if you're looking for a originality, real terror, interesting characters, and compelling acting, you won't find any of it here.
Lifestyles of the Anxiously Bored and Wealthy! Watch Michelle Pfeiffer playing a nervous, wealthy housewife, with a singular facial expression, and a ego-maniacal husband, as she putters around her big, empty house... watch the front door open by itself over and over again... watch a picture fall down and shatter over and over again... watch the bathtub being full of water over and over again... watch the story unfold exactly the way you guessed it would, one dull, predictable scene after another... So, so, so thrilling.
I kept watching because I really hoped the story would get better... *sigh* No dice. I will say, however, that I did enjoy the photography towards the end of the film (seriously, what took so long?!) If you're looking for a Hitchcockian thriller, why settle for this second-rate wannabe mess? Just go watch Hitchcock, and stay far away from What Lies Beneath.
With a bit of obvious stealing from Hitchock's Rear Window (and even a little nod to Psycho, both in image and soundtrack) if you're looking for a originality, real terror, interesting characters, and compelling acting, you won't find any of it here.
Lifestyles of the Anxiously Bored and Wealthy! Watch Michelle Pfeiffer playing a nervous, wealthy housewife, with a singular facial expression, and a ego-maniacal husband, as she putters around her big, empty house... watch the front door open by itself over and over again... watch a picture fall down and shatter over and over again... watch the bathtub being full of water over and over again... watch the story unfold exactly the way you guessed it would, one dull, predictable scene after another... So, so, so thrilling.
I kept watching because I really hoped the story would get better... *sigh* No dice. I will say, however, that I did enjoy the photography towards the end of the film (seriously, what took so long?!) If you're looking for a Hitchcockian thriller, why settle for this second-rate wannabe mess? Just go watch Hitchcock, and stay far away from What Lies Beneath.
Maleficent
(2014)
Fanciful, beautiful, exciting, and fun : an instant favourite!
16 June 2014
With faeries, shapeshifters, enchanted forests, and Angelina Jolie being a bada** in sexy fantasy costumes with horns... what's not to love?! I was anxiously awaiting its release all year, as Maleficent has always been one of my favourite villains, and I must say, it far surpassed all of my expectations.
I saw it in 3D, which was great fun... though sadly, no theatre in my area is showing it in English, so I cannot properly comment on the original scripted dialogue and the quality of voice acting from the original cast, but the French dub wasn't too bad (for a dub), and I can say that the physical language of the film is really well done; Jolie's performance, in particular, was absolutely captivating! In his directorial debut, Robert Stromberg's well-seasoned talents as a visual effects artist (90+ credits, to date, with a heavy emphasis on matte painting) were certainly put to good use. The effects nearly steal the show from Jolie, with lots of faeryland splendour and sparkle, beautiful landscapes, and adorable creatures. There's so much to see, and all of it is delightful.
Much to my surprise, the story is quite different from Disney's original Sleeping Beauty (on which this film is inspired, both as a prequel and a re-telling.) Although I'm a fan of the original, I am pleased with several of the changes, including what is, in my opinion, a much more appropriate and relevant moral (particularly for young ladies.) Bravo.
It remains a family film, though the story is darker than the original, and even brutal in one scene (I was not alone in gasping aloud!) One should be advised of the potential scariness for very young / sensitive viewers.
The characterisation is much more sophisticated than one might expect from a typical Disney film, and certainly more so than the original 1950's animated Sleeping Beauty. I found that most of the main characters have much more dynamic personalities, as compared to their original counter-parts, and although they retain a certain archetype, no one is completely flat and mono-chromatic, and they even evolve (as real people do), throughout the course of story.
Maleficent is not a musical (thankfully). The film's score isn't particularly noteworthy (aha, see what I did there?) but there is a slightly strange, though not all together unpleasant, version of Sleeping Beauty's signature song Once Upon A Dream, sung by Lana Del Rey, that plays through the credits. If you're a Del Rey fan, you'll be pleased, and if not... well... most people don't care about the credits anyway, so hopefully, you're one of them.
The costumes and wardrobe, especially for Maleficent, are fantastic. I really enjoyed the re-imagined costumes for the 3 good faeries (so much fine detail!) There are a lot of winged characters in this tale (yay!) and each one is uniquely designed and detailed.
I highly recommend Maleficent to anyone who loves a visually-stunning fantasy adventure and strong female leads.
I saw it in 3D, which was great fun... though sadly, no theatre in my area is showing it in English, so I cannot properly comment on the original scripted dialogue and the quality of voice acting from the original cast, but the French dub wasn't too bad (for a dub), and I can say that the physical language of the film is really well done; Jolie's performance, in particular, was absolutely captivating! In his directorial debut, Robert Stromberg's well-seasoned talents as a visual effects artist (90+ credits, to date, with a heavy emphasis on matte painting) were certainly put to good use. The effects nearly steal the show from Jolie, with lots of faeryland splendour and sparkle, beautiful landscapes, and adorable creatures. There's so much to see, and all of it is delightful.
Much to my surprise, the story is quite different from Disney's original Sleeping Beauty (on which this film is inspired, both as a prequel and a re-telling.) Although I'm a fan of the original, I am pleased with several of the changes, including what is, in my opinion, a much more appropriate and relevant moral (particularly for young ladies.) Bravo.
It remains a family film, though the story is darker than the original, and even brutal in one scene (I was not alone in gasping aloud!) One should be advised of the potential scariness for very young / sensitive viewers.
The characterisation is much more sophisticated than one might expect from a typical Disney film, and certainly more so than the original 1950's animated Sleeping Beauty. I found that most of the main characters have much more dynamic personalities, as compared to their original counter-parts, and although they retain a certain archetype, no one is completely flat and mono-chromatic, and they even evolve (as real people do), throughout the course of story.
Maleficent is not a musical (thankfully). The film's score isn't particularly noteworthy (aha, see what I did there?) but there is a slightly strange, though not all together unpleasant, version of Sleeping Beauty's signature song Once Upon A Dream, sung by Lana Del Rey, that plays through the credits. If you're a Del Rey fan, you'll be pleased, and if not... well... most people don't care about the credits anyway, so hopefully, you're one of them.
The costumes and wardrobe, especially for Maleficent, are fantastic. I really enjoyed the re-imagined costumes for the 3 good faeries (so much fine detail!) There are a lot of winged characters in this tale (yay!) and each one is uniquely designed and detailed.
I highly recommend Maleficent to anyone who loves a visually-stunning fantasy adventure and strong female leads.
Gravity
(2013)
If this had been a silent film, it would have been perfect
15 June 2014
Visuals : 10 ... Script: 0 If this had been a silent film, it would have been perfect, but, sadly, it's rife with banal and irritating chitter-chatter, none of which was used to truly propel the story nor profoundly flesh-out the characters. Everything that needed to be known could have simply been shown in a couple of captions, and expressed through body language/facial expressions. NOTHING needed to be said here, especially not this dribble that was passed off as dialogue.
The special effects and astounding real-ness of this film, however, blew me away! The attention to detail and the shocking realism of the actors' weightlessness is stunning! Though I warn you: anyone who is highly sensitive to motion sickness will want to avoid this film.
Clooney's performance may be generic (due to his weak-water scripting,) but Bullock's performance is impressive, and uncharacteristically physical.
There is a faint hint of "2001: Space Oddessy" in the scent of this film, though it clearly stands apart. The not-so-subtle metaphors for gestation, birth, re-birth, and evolution are beautifully illustrated in this film, and give the viewer an eloquent buffet of food-for-thought.
The ecological situation this film presents is quite serious, and not something that one might have been previously aware of... kudos to director and writer Cuarón for approaching this little-known, yet globally effecting subject, which not only effects the environment but also the future of human space exploration and communications. (I recommend that you check out the accompanying documentary, which is offered as a "special feature" on the DVD.) Because the dialogue is so painfully stupid, next time I watch Gravity, I'll be sure to put the film on mute and enjoy its visual excellence with some ambient music, instead: voila, perfection!
The special effects and astounding real-ness of this film, however, blew me away! The attention to detail and the shocking realism of the actors' weightlessness is stunning! Though I warn you: anyone who is highly sensitive to motion sickness will want to avoid this film.
Clooney's performance may be generic (due to his weak-water scripting,) but Bullock's performance is impressive, and uncharacteristically physical.
There is a faint hint of "2001: Space Oddessy" in the scent of this film, though it clearly stands apart. The not-so-subtle metaphors for gestation, birth, re-birth, and evolution are beautifully illustrated in this film, and give the viewer an eloquent buffet of food-for-thought.
The ecological situation this film presents is quite serious, and not something that one might have been previously aware of... kudos to director and writer Cuarón for approaching this little-known, yet globally effecting subject, which not only effects the environment but also the future of human space exploration and communications. (I recommend that you check out the accompanying documentary, which is offered as a "special feature" on the DVD.) Because the dialogue is so painfully stupid, next time I watch Gravity, I'll be sure to put the film on mute and enjoy its visual excellence with some ambient music, instead: voila, perfection!
Millennium Actress
(2001)
A Masterpiece of Art & Storytelling
15 June 2014
Brilliant ! Beautiful ! Heartbreaking and hilarious.
A uniquely told story, with a mystery that kept me on the edge of my seat, laughing, crying, and everything in between.
The artistic geniuses of Madhouse animation have done it again, bringing us an exquisitely animated feast for the eyes. There are so many "wow" moments in this film, with great attention to realistic details, textures, and shadows. Millennium Actress is truly a visual masterpiece.
This is a MUST SEE film for fans of anime, and anyone who likes a slightly surreal, mysterious, amusing, yet heart-tugging story.
The only thing this film left me wanting was : more.
A uniquely told story, with a mystery that kept me on the edge of my seat, laughing, crying, and everything in between.
The artistic geniuses of Madhouse animation have done it again, bringing us an exquisitely animated feast for the eyes. There are so many "wow" moments in this film, with great attention to realistic details, textures, and shadows. Millennium Actress is truly a visual masterpiece.
This is a MUST SEE film for fans of anime, and anyone who likes a slightly surreal, mysterious, amusing, yet heart-tugging story.
The only thing this film left me wanting was : more.
The Beaver
(2011)
A seriously strange dramedy
15 June 2014
Warning: Spoilers
The story centers around deep, clinical depression, even touching on suicidal tendencies and self-injury, and how serious depression can erode not only an individual, but also a family. This is really serious stuff... and yet, when a guy is talking through a beaver puppet, one can't help but giggle, even when something really heavy is happening. As a viewer, that's really awkward and uncomfortable. I enjoy dark comedies, but there was something too deranged about this dramedy's comic element; it was often so awkward, that it made me feel totally disconnected from the seriousness of film. The overwhelming and demented humour of Mel Gibson with a cockney beaver hand puppet really does overshadow the dramatic and serious core of the story. This, dear reader, is a big problem, and the biggest reason why I didn't score this film higher than a 6.
The other big reason why it doesn't deserve a higher score is: There's something overly reminiscent of American Beauty here. Although The Beaver is "different", and quite weird, I can't say it's unique. The side-story of the son and his love interest smells so much like American Beauty, it's even a bit boooo worthy.
There is, however, great acting, from all members of the cast. I may find Gibson distasteful as a person, but he is, as this movie clearly proves, capable of being an excellent actor. His cockney accent, in particular, is fantastic, as is his masterful deadpan. Anton Yelchin (who plays Ensign Chekov in the Star Trek reboot films) is a surprisingly capable young actor. I hope to see more dramatic work from him in the future.
Foster is an exceptional director, and since she rarely comes out of hiding, it's really a shame that Gibson's personal life scandals tanked the promotion and theatrical distribution of this film (it cost 21 million dollars to make, and didn't even earn 1 million at the box office . . . ouch!)
If you like "weird and heavy" stories, and movies about dysfunctional family dynamics, and you have a bizarre and/or unconventional sense of humour, then this movie is for you!
The other big reason why it doesn't deserve a higher score is: There's something overly reminiscent of American Beauty here. Although The Beaver is "different", and quite weird, I can't say it's unique. The side-story of the son and his love interest smells so much like American Beauty, it's even a bit boooo worthy.
There is, however, great acting, from all members of the cast. I may find Gibson distasteful as a person, but he is, as this movie clearly proves, capable of being an excellent actor. His cockney accent, in particular, is fantastic, as is his masterful deadpan. Anton Yelchin (who plays Ensign Chekov in the Star Trek reboot films) is a surprisingly capable young actor. I hope to see more dramatic work from him in the future.
Foster is an exceptional director, and since she rarely comes out of hiding, it's really a shame that Gibson's personal life scandals tanked the promotion and theatrical distribution of this film (it cost 21 million dollars to make, and didn't even earn 1 million at the box office . . . ouch!)
If you like "weird and heavy" stories, and movies about dysfunctional family dynamics, and you have a bizarre and/or unconventional sense of humour, then this movie is for you!
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
(1988)
LOL's are guaranteed : this is late-80's silly-comedy gold!
15 June 2014
One of my all-time favourite comedies. LOL's are guaranteed! Clever script, top acting (Michael Caine and Steve Martin have great chemistry, making me wish they'd made more films together), smooth editing, and cute music.
A special nod for the costuming (perhaps the brainchild of director Oz): I really love the way that they juxtapose the light-and-dark costuming for Caine and Martin, particularly accentuating their opposite-ness, in a delightfully harmonious way.
I've seen this film over a dozen times, and it still makes me laugh. This is late-80's silly-comedy gold!
A special nod for the costuming (perhaps the brainchild of director Oz): I really love the way that they juxtapose the light-and-dark costuming for Caine and Martin, particularly accentuating their opposite-ness, in a delightfully harmonious way.
I've seen this film over a dozen times, and it still makes me laugh. This is late-80's silly-comedy gold!
A tedious tale with all the grace and speed of a flat tire. FAIL.
14 June 2014
Stilted, unnatural acting, something of an amateur community theatre calibre.
A tedious and unbelievable tale, any hint of mystery and macabre is quickly squashed by boredom and ill-chosen "tell me" rather than "show me" elements in a script that moves along with all the grace and speed of a flat tire.
Crap acting, lazy direction, obnoxious score, lacklustre lighting, poorly constructed story, badly written script ( with an unnecessarily disturbing implication of animal torture and murder, to which the characters don't have any emotional reaction whatsoever) round out this pitiful disappointment into one of the worst movies I've ever sat through. How this ever managed to have a 7-star rating on IMDb is beyond me.
This horrendous flop of a film would better serve as kindling. Don't waste your time.
(The only thing that kept me from shutting it off, 30 minutes in, is a personal goal to see all of Foster's films... no cheats. So far, this is the only one that has been painfully bad.)
A tedious and unbelievable tale, any hint of mystery and macabre is quickly squashed by boredom and ill-chosen "tell me" rather than "show me" elements in a script that moves along with all the grace and speed of a flat tire.
Crap acting, lazy direction, obnoxious score, lacklustre lighting, poorly constructed story, badly written script ( with an unnecessarily disturbing implication of animal torture and murder, to which the characters don't have any emotional reaction whatsoever) round out this pitiful disappointment into one of the worst movies I've ever sat through. How this ever managed to have a 7-star rating on IMDb is beyond me.
This horrendous flop of a film would better serve as kindling. Don't waste your time.
(The only thing that kept me from shutting it off, 30 minutes in, is a personal goal to see all of Foster's films... no cheats. So far, this is the only one that has been painfully bad.)
Absentia
(I) (2011)
CREEPY! Better than expected.
10 July 2013
This film is CREEPY! I went in expecting nonsense, but really, it's much better than I expected. Not the most amazing movie you'll ever see, but it's certain different.
Entertaining, and sometimes a little scary, I recommend it for anyone who likes something dark and different, yet the viewer will need to accept a certain level of fairytale-ness, and allow a bit of their inner child to take over and suspend their disbelief.
There are several positives worth mentioning: -- This is a really creative story. For someone who sees lots of horror and fantasy films, I was pleased to see something DIFFERENT.
-- I was creeped out, so kudos to the film makers: mission accomplished! -- I liked the balance of realism with the fantasy/myth elements of the story.
-- The makeup and special effects were well done, and considering this was a lower budget indie film, I was impressed with their creative and imaginative solutions to achieving effects that work, both in the visuals and the sound.
-- I liked the ending. A good resolution can make or break a film, and here, IMO, they've succeeded.
Entertaining, and sometimes a little scary, I recommend it for anyone who likes something dark and different, yet the viewer will need to accept a certain level of fairytale-ness, and allow a bit of their inner child to take over and suspend their disbelief.
There are several positives worth mentioning: -- This is a really creative story. For someone who sees lots of horror and fantasy films, I was pleased to see something DIFFERENT.
-- I was creeped out, so kudos to the film makers: mission accomplished! -- I liked the balance of realism with the fantasy/myth elements of the story.
-- The makeup and special effects were well done, and considering this was a lower budget indie film, I was impressed with their creative and imaginative solutions to achieving effects that work, both in the visuals and the sound.
-- I liked the ending. A good resolution can make or break a film, and here, IMO, they've succeeded.
Copying Beethoven
(2006)
Awful. 104 minutes of my life that cannot be returned to me.
10 July 2013
Use a passionate creative genius, forget history, make stuff up, add f'ed-up camera work and sub-par acting... Bam! Voila, this movie happens. 104 minutes of my life that cannot be returned to me.
The story is full of historical inaccuracies and out-right fiction. It's so far-removed from the truth that one cannot rightly even consider this a biopic. Even calling it "historical fiction" is a reeeally big stretch.
The jolting camera work gave me a headache. Beethoven's personality and music, alone, should have be enough to give this movie plenty of fire and passion - the "creative" camera effects were unnecessary and ineffective.
The acting is atrocious.
Hestitantly, I gave a couple stars just for the costumes and score, which were both "ok", not spectacular, by any means, but there was certainly an effort made in these two departments.
The rest of the film, however, is total garbage.
If you want to see an imagined story about Beethoven that's actually good, skip this stinkbomb, and go straight to Immortal Beloved.
The story is full of historical inaccuracies and out-right fiction. It's so far-removed from the truth that one cannot rightly even consider this a biopic. Even calling it "historical fiction" is a reeeally big stretch.
The jolting camera work gave me a headache. Beethoven's personality and music, alone, should have be enough to give this movie plenty of fire and passion - the "creative" camera effects were unnecessary and ineffective.
The acting is atrocious.
Hestitantly, I gave a couple stars just for the costumes and score, which were both "ok", not spectacular, by any means, but there was certainly an effort made in these two departments.
The rest of the film, however, is total garbage.
If you want to see an imagined story about Beethoven that's actually good, skip this stinkbomb, and go straight to Immortal Beloved.
Alone in the Dark
(2005)
There's nothing likable about this movie
10 July 2013
On my list of "worst movies ever made".
There is nothing likable about this movie. It's totally worthless noise.
Honestly, I cannot think of one single redeeming moment... the story is stupid, the script is trite, the characters are 1-dimentional (as is the acting); I could care less if they lived or died. There's nothing special about the effects, nor the cinematography, nor the score. Several pointless scenes of mindless, ear-numbing shoot-em-up's that neither moved the plot along, nor offered any entertainment value, whatsoever.
No one should be subjected to this film, ever, under any circumstances. The only thing this film is really good for is fire kindling.
There is nothing likable about this movie. It's totally worthless noise.
Honestly, I cannot think of one single redeeming moment... the story is stupid, the script is trite, the characters are 1-dimentional (as is the acting); I could care less if they lived or died. There's nothing special about the effects, nor the cinematography, nor the score. Several pointless scenes of mindless, ear-numbing shoot-em-up's that neither moved the plot along, nor offered any entertainment value, whatsoever.
No one should be subjected to this film, ever, under any circumstances. The only thing this film is really good for is fire kindling.
The Yellow Wallpaper
(II) (2012)
One of the SCARIEST movies I've seen in the last decade
11 September 2012
Warning: Spoilers
The Yellow Wallpaper is one of the SCARIEST movies I've seen in the last decade, and the ending -- omg! I'm rarely surprised by endings anymore, particularly within the horror and thriller genres, but wow, I did not see THAT coming.
The synopsis here on IMDb doesn't do it justice, but I can see why they witheld a lot of the details, to protect the secrets of the story. Without using spoilers, I can say that what seems like it might be a ho-hum spooky house story, actually develops into something really creative, scary, and surprising! The actors are fantastic, and even though some are familiar faces, their performances are so well done that I was able to forget that I was watching "that guy" and "that lady" and let myself get immersed in the story. Cushing, Landau, and Dickey really captivate.
For keeping my heart racing for the whole last hour (seriously!), making me jump in several parts, and for keeping me surprised through to the end, I gave it 9 stars. This is a scary movie done right! I would recommend this film to anyone who loves a really scary but not particularly gory movie.
The synopsis here on IMDb doesn't do it justice, but I can see why they witheld a lot of the details, to protect the secrets of the story. Without using spoilers, I can say that what seems like it might be a ho-hum spooky house story, actually develops into something really creative, scary, and surprising! The actors are fantastic, and even though some are familiar faces, their performances are so well done that I was able to forget that I was watching "that guy" and "that lady" and let myself get immersed in the story. Cushing, Landau, and Dickey really captivate.
For keeping my heart racing for the whole last hour (seriously!), making me jump in several parts, and for keeping me surprised through to the end, I gave it 9 stars. This is a scary movie done right! I would recommend this film to anyone who loves a really scary but not particularly gory movie.
Paranormal Activity 2
(2010)
snoozefest
11 September 2012
Warning: Spoilers
Paranormal Activity 2 was a total snoozefest. In fact, this is one of the most boring movies I have ever seen.
NOTHING happens for the first 45 minutes... then a few seconds of not-scary-door-moving type stuff over the next 10 minutes... and then there are a couple of quick makes-you-jump moments in the last 20 minutes, but no real creepiness, no heart-pounding scares, and nothing original and/or interesting in the story. *yawn* Every single character (except the dog) is unlikeable, and I actually found myself hoping that they would all just "hurry up and die already!" I also could have done without the screaming baby. Yeah, there is nothing scary, nor entertaining about listening to a baby scream on security camera footage, over and over again; it's just obnoxious.
Watching this family through their security cameras and hand-held video footage just came across as overly voyeuristic, rather than "artsy" or "stylistic". There were several conversations that seemed totally inappropriate to film with a hand-held cam, as well as a few moments where the daughter films herself surfing on the internet (seriously? who does that? nobody!) that made the footage feel unrealistic and completely staged.
I liked the 1st Paranormal Activity, which I found to be creepy (even when it was being predictable) but this prequel was a complete let down.
2 out of 10 stars from me: 1 star for low-budget ingenuity on the (not-so) special effects and 1 star for the one and only sudden, jumpy quick-scare in the kitchen scene.
I would only recommend this movie as a sleep aid for those who suffer from severe insomnia. Zzzzz.
NOTHING happens for the first 45 minutes... then a few seconds of not-scary-door-moving type stuff over the next 10 minutes... and then there are a couple of quick makes-you-jump moments in the last 20 minutes, but no real creepiness, no heart-pounding scares, and nothing original and/or interesting in the story. *yawn* Every single character (except the dog) is unlikeable, and I actually found myself hoping that they would all just "hurry up and die already!" I also could have done without the screaming baby. Yeah, there is nothing scary, nor entertaining about listening to a baby scream on security camera footage, over and over again; it's just obnoxious.
Watching this family through their security cameras and hand-held video footage just came across as overly voyeuristic, rather than "artsy" or "stylistic". There were several conversations that seemed totally inappropriate to film with a hand-held cam, as well as a few moments where the daughter films herself surfing on the internet (seriously? who does that? nobody!) that made the footage feel unrealistic and completely staged.
I liked the 1st Paranormal Activity, which I found to be creepy (even when it was being predictable) but this prequel was a complete let down.
2 out of 10 stars from me: 1 star for low-budget ingenuity on the (not-so) special effects and 1 star for the one and only sudden, jumpy quick-scare in the kitchen scene.
I would only recommend this movie as a sleep aid for those who suffer from severe insomnia. Zzzzz.
Season of the Witch
(1972)
Not Romero's best; a good idea goes flop
10 June 2011
3 stars for humour (although totally unintended). If you want a cheesy 70's witchcraft B-movie just for some cheap laughs at the wigs and swinging lingo, then by all means, enjoy! The overall idea of this film was pretty good, but it failed to meet the mark. The story seems lost, trying to get itself on track, but frequently gets diverted on a psychedelic trip of misdirection.
Bored and disillusioned housewives, alcoholism, the occult, female self-empowerment, the 1970's sexual revolution, bizarre dream sequences... This story is trying to be about so much, and ends up being a jumbled mess. Romero, whatever you were trying to say here, it's totally lost in cinematic translation.
I also found this film to be strikingly dated. The "hip" script comes off as silly. Unlike Romero's previous films, this dialouge seems unusually forced and artificial.
Anti-climatic. Poorly edited. Corny costumes and effects. Silly dialouge. Meandering and floundering plot. Annoying electronic soundtrack. Lack-luster acting. Cheap film, trying to be artistic, but ends up poorly made, desperate and lost in itself. I had a few laughs, but I wouldn't want to watch it again.
Note: For anyone who is a witch, it's likely that this movie won't be as offensive as most "witchcraft" movies tend to be, as it does treat the subject with more sensitivity and accuracy than I had expected.
Bored and disillusioned housewives, alcoholism, the occult, female self-empowerment, the 1970's sexual revolution, bizarre dream sequences... This story is trying to be about so much, and ends up being a jumbled mess. Romero, whatever you were trying to say here, it's totally lost in cinematic translation.
I also found this film to be strikingly dated. The "hip" script comes off as silly. Unlike Romero's previous films, this dialouge seems unusually forced and artificial.
Anti-climatic. Poorly edited. Corny costumes and effects. Silly dialouge. Meandering and floundering plot. Annoying electronic soundtrack. Lack-luster acting. Cheap film, trying to be artistic, but ends up poorly made, desperate and lost in itself. I had a few laughs, but I wouldn't want to watch it again.
Note: For anyone who is a witch, it's likely that this movie won't be as offensive as most "witchcraft" movies tend to be, as it does treat the subject with more sensitivity and accuracy than I had expected.
28 Weeks Later
(2007)
What a waste of potential
10 June 2011
Although it's a sequel, I had expected to see something more than hoards of blood-barfing rage victims running after a frightened little band of protagonists, and slaughtering everyone in their path. Didn't we already get that in the first film? Isn't there something else the filmmakers would like to add to this tragic apocalyptic tale? No? Well then why did they bother to make a second film ?!
"28 Weeks Later" lacked in quality plot devices, script, acting, editing, cinematography, originality, and believability. It was overly predictable, mind-numbingly gory, poorly filmed (shakey-cam overdose!) and failed to live up to the cleverness of it's predecessor "28 Days Later".
I failed to emotionally invest in any of the characters as they run and stumble their way through a totally ridiculous and predictable story, and I really didn't care if any of them made it out alive or not. Meh.
Totally predicable. From the very start, you know where they're taking you... and they take you there, one awful scene after another. This movie offered me no surprises whatsoever, other than it's surprisingly horrible script and total failure as entertainment (not something I expected, since I did enjoy "28 Days Later")
The amount of violence and gore in this film is ridiculous. I'm not adverse to gore and slasher movies per se, but I do object to pointless and lengthy sequences of gratuitous slaughter that offer no dramatic, nor artistic effect, and leave me feeling like I'm being attemptedly brainwashed into gore-desensitization by the filmmakers, rather than being entertained and/or emotionally moved by the violent and graphic images on the screen. It wasn't startling, it wasn't terrifying, it wasn't creative, it wasn't even humorous...it was just pointless...
Just like the rest of this film : pointless.
"28 Weeks Later" lacked in quality plot devices, script, acting, editing, cinematography, originality, and believability. It was overly predictable, mind-numbingly gory, poorly filmed (shakey-cam overdose!) and failed to live up to the cleverness of it's predecessor "28 Days Later".
I failed to emotionally invest in any of the characters as they run and stumble their way through a totally ridiculous and predictable story, and I really didn't care if any of them made it out alive or not. Meh.
Totally predicable. From the very start, you know where they're taking you... and they take you there, one awful scene after another. This movie offered me no surprises whatsoever, other than it's surprisingly horrible script and total failure as entertainment (not something I expected, since I did enjoy "28 Days Later")
The amount of violence and gore in this film is ridiculous. I'm not adverse to gore and slasher movies per se, but I do object to pointless and lengthy sequences of gratuitous slaughter that offer no dramatic, nor artistic effect, and leave me feeling like I'm being attemptedly brainwashed into gore-desensitization by the filmmakers, rather than being entertained and/or emotionally moved by the violent and graphic images on the screen. It wasn't startling, it wasn't terrifying, it wasn't creative, it wasn't even humorous...it was just pointless...
Just like the rest of this film : pointless.
Diary of the Dead
(2007)
Disappointing snooze-fest
9 June 2011
I'd expect this kind of movie from a novice filmmaker, and not from the zombie genius who MADE this genre 30 years ago. If you love Romero's earlier work, spare yourself: this movie is a total disappointment. The first time I tried to watch it, I couldn't suffer past 10 minutes of this amateurish snooze-fest.
The only thing slower than the zombies is the pace of the story. (And OK Romero, we get it: you think zombies should be slow.) The dialouge is corny, boring, and trite. The editing and effects are lack-luster. The story is totally unbelievable (even for a zombie apocalypse!) And the characers, I couldn't care less if they live or die... well, maybe die, because at least then there's no more stupid, blathering dialouge.
Romero said he was interested in going back to his roots, to make a low budget indie film in which he'd have total control... an amiable idea that turned into a total waste of time for anyone who bothered to sit through this cinematic disaster.
The only thing slower than the zombies is the pace of the story. (And OK Romero, we get it: you think zombies should be slow.) The dialouge is corny, boring, and trite. The editing and effects are lack-luster. The story is totally unbelievable (even for a zombie apocalypse!) And the characers, I couldn't care less if they live or die... well, maybe die, because at least then there's no more stupid, blathering dialouge.
Romero said he was interested in going back to his roots, to make a low budget indie film in which he'd have total control... an amiable idea that turned into a total waste of time for anyone who bothered to sit through this cinematic disaster.
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