The Brotherhood of the Wolf
This movie was not what I expected, but one really shouldn't go into a movie with set expectations. In reality, however, we all makes those assumptions. I assumed that this was a werewolf, martial arts movie. This was why I rented the film. Lets just say, it was nothing like my expectations. A french film with horrible english dubbed in, De Pact un de Lepus (My French is bad, sorry) was the story of a french town terrorized by a beast. This beast has the attention of the king, but not in a good way. The king wished to cover up the very exsistance of the beast. Now why would the king do something like that? Thats what our hero's are trying to find out. An ok move, nothing special.
1 and 1/2 out of 4 stars
Disturbing Behavior
This movie was easy to miss the first time it came out. I believe it came out the same year Scream and The Faculty (one of my favorites) did. However, on a recomendation from a friend, I rented it the other day. Wow, it was pretty watchable. Katie Holmes plays her usual cute piece of ass, but in this movie, she was "the grungy bad girl" stereotype. Kids at the Cable Bay High School are changing, and not for the better. Outcasts are suddenly showing up to school looking, acting and being accepted by "The Blue Ribbons", the local academic/athelete club. Even though their grades are better, the blue ribbons are very violent and seem to beat up on the entire school, with the blessing of the administrators. Of course, there is a nefarious plot and Katie and the gang must fight for their lives. Not bad, but once you have seen it, there is really no need to see it again.
2 out of 4 stars
The Station Agent
I got to see the sneak preview of this film last night, and I went in with no expectations at all. I wasn't even sure what the film was about, but I did know that there was a dwarf in it. That was it. That was all I knew. What I got was a wonderful movie about a anti-social, train loving dwarf named Finnebar (Finn) and the people that forced themselves into his life for the better. A wonderful collection of odd-ball characters that turn Finn's life around make this movie a true joy to watch. From Joe, the loud lunch truck driver who can't shut up to Olivia, the mother who has lost her son and is trying to recover from her grief, these people are so lonely that they storm their way into Finn's neat yet isolated exsistance. A real suprise, in a very good way,
The Station Agent should also be on your holiday movie list.
3 out of 4 stars
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
What a
wonderful movie!! Great characters and a great story makes me can't wait for a sequel and go out and pick up
the books that the movie is based on. The adventures of Capt. Jack Aubrey, The Doctor and his crew has probably been one of the most entertaining movies of the year. I was a bit nervous about this film because, usually, I'm not a big fan of nautical movies (with the noted exception of submarine movies). I love the historical genre, but usually not a big fan of it on the water. HOWEVER, I'm pleased to say that this movie had all of the historical fun without the tedium that sometimes goes along with this genre. Please, do yourself a favor this Thanksgiving. GO SEE THIS MOVIE!!!
4 out of 4 stars
The Eye
Another excellent Chinese movie that has been bought by Tom Cruise to be remade for the American audience. Very spooky and very The Ring-ish and The Sixth Sense-sih, but all in good ways. A blind Chinese girl gets eye implants, but starts see things that the previous owner saw. Even with the subtitles that sometimes detracts from the drama of foreign films (at least it does for me), this movie's slick action and interesting story overcomes some of the cultural differences. Please, for your own good, pick this one up..
3 and 1/2 out of 4 stars
Wrong Turn
With all the advertising that movies seem to get these days,
Wrong Turn seemed like 70 minute ad for the remake of Texas Chainsaw Massacre. With the exception of the character of Chris, I was rooting for the entire cast of dreamy teen actors to be gutted within the first five minutes of being introduced to them. With the exception of the "fake out" frights that this movie provided, it was a waste. Not very scary, but if they had gone into the background of the hulking, inbred, rednecks that were chasing these people, it could have been much more interesting.
1 and 1/2 out of 4 stars
Halloween Movie Summary
Halloween: The original, a classic. Made on a shoestring budget, this movie was the highest grossing independent movie made until the Blair Witch Project. The acting was not all that great, but the introduction of Michael Myers into our cultural lexicon still frightens people to this day. 4 out of 4 stars.
Halloween 2: Although not as strong as the original, the same cast is back as Michael tries to finish off Jamie Strode from the first movie. The comedy option is evident with the bumbling ambulance driver and the slutty nurse, but this movie is just as scary as the original. Its often overlooked, but shouldn't be missed.
3 and 1/2 out of 4
Halloween 3: Not part of the series, good try, but no...
Halloween 4-6: This brings the Jamie Lloyd saga into the series. Lloyd is supposedly Laurie Strode's daughter (which is ignored in later movies) and was adopted after Laurie was killed in a car crash. Michael chases Jamie and her friends around for three movies. Part 6 is very cheesy and should only be watched for the comedy option. "Kill for him, Danny" gets real old after a while.
2 out of 4 stars
Halloween H20: Many aspects of the other movies were ignored for the making of this movie. Plus, since Josh Hartnett is Strode's son in the movie, and he lives, Michael should (according to formula) come after him, right?? Well, he doesn't. But its not the holes that sink this ship, its the story, which starts with promise but goes downhill quick. And LL Cool J survives, horribly.
2 out of 4 stars
Halloween: Resurection: Or as I like to call it: "The attack of bad acting by rappers". Crap, Crap, Crap with a side of Crap. Don't see this unless drunk and wanting to pull a MST3K.
1 out of 4 stars
