Showing posts with label F. Show all posts
Showing posts with label F. Show all posts
Monday, September 13, 2010
FATHER'S DAY (1997)
Directed By: Ivan Reitman
Written By: Lowell Ganz & Babaloo Mandel
Based on the film “Les Comperes” written by: Francis Verber
Cinematography By: Stephen h. Burum
Editor: Sheldon Kahn & Wendy Greene Bricmont
CAST: Robin Williams, Billy Crystal, Nastassja Kinski, Julia Louise-Dreyfus, Bruce Greenwood, Haylie Johnson, Mark McGrath, Charles Rocket, Jared Harris, Louis Lombardi, Patti D’Arbanville, Ricky Harris, Dana Gould,
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
A HOLE IN MY HEART
Cast: Thorsten Flinck, Bjorn Almroth, Saana Brading, Goran Marjanovi
Written & Directed By: Lukas Moodysson
Cinematography By: Malin Fornander & Jesper Kurlandsky & Karl Strandlind & Lukas Moodysson
Editor: Michal Leszczylowski
Friday, May 28, 2010
9 1/2 WEEKS (1986)
Directed By: Adrian Lyne
Written By: Zalaman King & Sarah Kernochan & Patricia Louisiana Knop
Based on the novel by: Elizabeth Mcneill
Cinematography By: Peter Bizou
Editor: Tom Rolf, Mark Winitsky, Ed Hansen, Caroline Biggerstaff
CAST: Kim Basinger, Mickey Rourke, Karen Young, Christine Baranski, David Marguiles, Margaret Whtton, Dan Lauria
Saturday, May 1, 2010
ARE WE DONE YET (2007)
CAST: Ice Cube, Nia Long, John C. McGinley, Jacob Vargas, Jonathan Katz, Magic Johnson
Directed By: Steve Carr
Written By: Hank Nelkin; Based on Characters Written By: Steven Gary Banks & Claudio Grazioso; Based on the original screenplay “Mr Blandings Builds His Dream House” By Norman Panama & Melvin Frank
Cinematography By: Jack N. Green
Editor: Craig Herring
Sunday, October 18, 2009
HOSTEL: Part 2 (2007)
Cast: Lauren German, Bijou Phillips, Heather Matarazzo, Roger Bart, Jay Hernandez, Jordan Ladd, Richard Burgi, Vera Jordanova
Written & Directed By Eli Roth
Cinematography By: Milan Chadima
Editor: Gorge Folsey Jr.
This was one of those movies that had a chance to really be something different something special make this franchise count go past all the accusations that had been thrown not only at the film but the filmmaker but as they say in easy rider Not we but “he blew it”
This film takes place on the same train after the last one ended but after tieing up loose ends fro the first film we are thrust into the company’s next sale of three girls visiting Prague who are American and there to study art who have almost no personalities just character types the shy one the good girl the party girl as they are seduced into being captured how they are sold to the highest bidder and the death set-up it also focuses on two friends one alpha male who gets his buddy involved the alpha-male feels this is the ultimate hunting trip and will give him the killer edge in business he feels it will toughen his friend up and let him get out the aggression he can’t at home with his wife and kids. We see what they have to go through to get certified and prepared
This is almost the same story as the first movie except he has replaced the males with girls who don’t have as much fun or hook-up instead before they are kidnapped they just have fun and think of all the art they will get to see and experience. Kind of a stereotypical way to make these characters. But also if the whole big idea here is to make the women get tortured then this is just another typical horror film where women are mutilated and tortured in states of undress almost like a punishment for being femanine that was what made the first film so different was it was the males who were hunted and mutilated
There are only a few things in general which make this film interesting finding out how the business works was interesting but could have been explored more like it would have been a departure from what was expected if the while story was told from the business part of view with having to deal with the escape of the girls from the planning of the abduction or in something totally different remake the first film totally seeing how the business deals with the set-up the sale and trying to find Paxton when he escapes and dealing with the deaths of there workers and clients. The other interesting thing is the next to final scene where there are double crosses and revelations galore before the ridiculous revenge filled final scene. The reason this movie will probably be remembered is the castration of a character in full close-up which he deserved for his all of a sudden change in demeanor that makes no sense and also as punishment for making the audience sit through this whole movie and this is the only really edgy scene in the whole film
Despite his intention to shock Mr. Roth also tries to beautify certain scenes of the carnage with what he deems as artistic flourishes that he has seen in European films this movie strives to be like and seems to be at least a little modeled on but it comes off more as pretentious and unnecessary and with little sense like the killing of one character by a woman who seems to be a countess she hands the girl upside down naked and slashes her with a blade that makes blood drop onto her while she seems to get turned on by bathing in the blood the way I described it is more exciting then the finished product of the scene
There are some scenes where he tries some dreamlike surreal imagery but it’s out of place in a film like this so it just makes you wonder what is going on it isn’t subtly put in there it’s more just comes out of nowhere and is too abrupt. He seems to be trying to make a art film where as this is and was like it’s predecessor a popcorn horror movie with extreme violence almost a exploitation movie or a grindhouse film with gloss
The first movie had a cameo by filmmaker Takashi Miike and just like his body of work the first film was over the top lunacy at certain points but entertaining this film with a cameo by filmmaker Ruggero Deodato is like his body of work lots of beautiful camera work but really all that does is decorate the gore his films are more exploitationish in a sick depraved way where as mike’s films are sick but fun.
I guess this film was Eli Roth’s fate he already had made 2 pretty good films Cabin Fever and the original hostel maybe he had too much confidence being the wunderkind of horror and this hopefully brought him back down to focus on good work instead of anything I do will fly.
GRADE: F
Written & Directed By Eli Roth
Cinematography By: Milan Chadima
Editor: Gorge Folsey Jr.
This was one of those movies that had a chance to really be something different something special make this franchise count go past all the accusations that had been thrown not only at the film but the filmmaker but as they say in easy rider Not we but “he blew it”
This film takes place on the same train after the last one ended but after tieing up loose ends fro the first film we are thrust into the company’s next sale of three girls visiting Prague who are American and there to study art who have almost no personalities just character types the shy one the good girl the party girl as they are seduced into being captured how they are sold to the highest bidder and the death set-up it also focuses on two friends one alpha male who gets his buddy involved the alpha-male feels this is the ultimate hunting trip and will give him the killer edge in business he feels it will toughen his friend up and let him get out the aggression he can’t at home with his wife and kids. We see what they have to go through to get certified and prepared
This is almost the same story as the first movie except he has replaced the males with girls who don’t have as much fun or hook-up instead before they are kidnapped they just have fun and think of all the art they will get to see and experience. Kind of a stereotypical way to make these characters. But also if the whole big idea here is to make the women get tortured then this is just another typical horror film where women are mutilated and tortured in states of undress almost like a punishment for being femanine that was what made the first film so different was it was the males who were hunted and mutilated
There are only a few things in general which make this film interesting finding out how the business works was interesting but could have been explored more like it would have been a departure from what was expected if the while story was told from the business part of view with having to deal with the escape of the girls from the planning of the abduction or in something totally different remake the first film totally seeing how the business deals with the set-up the sale and trying to find Paxton when he escapes and dealing with the deaths of there workers and clients. The other interesting thing is the next to final scene where there are double crosses and revelations galore before the ridiculous revenge filled final scene. The reason this movie will probably be remembered is the castration of a character in full close-up which he deserved for his all of a sudden change in demeanor that makes no sense and also as punishment for making the audience sit through this whole movie and this is the only really edgy scene in the whole film
Despite his intention to shock Mr. Roth also tries to beautify certain scenes of the carnage with what he deems as artistic flourishes that he has seen in European films this movie strives to be like and seems to be at least a little modeled on but it comes off more as pretentious and unnecessary and with little sense like the killing of one character by a woman who seems to be a countess she hands the girl upside down naked and slashes her with a blade that makes blood drop onto her while she seems to get turned on by bathing in the blood the way I described it is more exciting then the finished product of the scene
There are some scenes where he tries some dreamlike surreal imagery but it’s out of place in a film like this so it just makes you wonder what is going on it isn’t subtly put in there it’s more just comes out of nowhere and is too abrupt. He seems to be trying to make a art film where as this is and was like it’s predecessor a popcorn horror movie with extreme violence almost a exploitation movie or a grindhouse film with gloss
The first movie had a cameo by filmmaker Takashi Miike and just like his body of work the first film was over the top lunacy at certain points but entertaining this film with a cameo by filmmaker Ruggero Deodato is like his body of work lots of beautiful camera work but really all that does is decorate the gore his films are more exploitationish in a sick depraved way where as mike’s films are sick but fun.
I guess this film was Eli Roth’s fate he already had made 2 pretty good films Cabin Fever and the original hostel maybe he had too much confidence being the wunderkind of horror and this hopefully brought him back down to focus on good work instead of anything I do will fly.
GRADE: F
Saturday, August 15, 2009
TROY (2004)
Directed By: Wolfgang Peterson
Written By: Daid Benioff
Based on the poem – The Illiad by Homer
Cinematography By: Paul Bond & Roger Pratt
Editor: Peter Honess
CAST: Brad Pitt, Eric Bana, Orlando Bloom, Rose Byrne, Peter O’Toole, Brian Cox, Diane Kruger, Garrett Hedlund, Julie Christie, Saffron Burrows, Owain Yeoman,
The film is grand but in trying to tell this grand story a lot of things have to fall by the wayside to make a enjoyable entertaining movie. Because above all else it seems the effects are the thing that is most important to the film then characters, plot or acting. The only other thing that seems important is the beauty of the actors.
The disappointments of the film are many. For instance you have this great dramatic cast of classically trained mostly British actors in supporting roles. They gear up like this will be a historical epic with plenty of dramatic opportunities. Instead they get a middle ages war film with many overwrought melodramatic scenes. Mostly though battle scenes that the main cast is not involved in so they are more like window dressing and wasted. Which is one of the films major flaws. The Film tries too hard to be something it’s not then can’t decide what type of films it wants to be.
Films of this magnitude don’t usually have top of the line actors. This film having so many is very uncommon. So to try and please them and there fans they each have scenes to shine in. Which makes the film too long and feel bloated. It’s no wonder when Terry Gilliam Was considered to direct the film he only made it 5 pages into the script before he stopped and turned it down
The film builds up to a great sword fight scene that the film has been hinting at throughout and when it finally happens. It is pretty much a letdown. It is realistic for the believability of the weight of the armor and weapons but for the most part is one-sided and not much of a spectacle. In fact the fight between Eric Bana and the imposter was more impressive albeit quicker.
I will admit Brad Pitt has never looked better physically and facial wise This movie presents him as a fierce warrior who is almost womanly beautiful. But still gives a barely passable performance.
Another one of the more laughable aspects of the film is how fast the royals cousin who is kidnapped and turned into a slave to brad Pitt. Becomes his willing lover so fast is questionable then at the ending of the film it’s presented as a great love story.
I don’t know too much about history but Orlando Bloom’s character is made through most of the film to be a spoiled pretty boy. Stealing another rulers wife. Then getting beaten badly while barely putting up a fight his family has to suffer for his crimes defending him. He chickens out of another fight. Then at the end he finds courage and becomes a heroic archer warrior (That reminds the audience of his role in the LORD OF THE RINGS TRILOGY a little too much) this leads to learning the story of Achilles Heel.
While the film tries for epic and does have some amazing shots. Half o them you can tell are digital and feel like videogame scenes. This film just feels inauthentic and like a bad game of Dress-up.
The film is never really exciting nor do you feel anything for its characters. I advise skipping.
GRADE: F
Written By: Daid Benioff
Based on the poem – The Illiad by Homer
Cinematography By: Paul Bond & Roger Pratt
Editor: Peter Honess
CAST: Brad Pitt, Eric Bana, Orlando Bloom, Rose Byrne, Peter O’Toole, Brian Cox, Diane Kruger, Garrett Hedlund, Julie Christie, Saffron Burrows, Owain Yeoman,
The film is grand but in trying to tell this grand story a lot of things have to fall by the wayside to make a enjoyable entertaining movie. Because above all else it seems the effects are the thing that is most important to the film then characters, plot or acting. The only other thing that seems important is the beauty of the actors.
The disappointments of the film are many. For instance you have this great dramatic cast of classically trained mostly British actors in supporting roles. They gear up like this will be a historical epic with plenty of dramatic opportunities. Instead they get a middle ages war film with many overwrought melodramatic scenes. Mostly though battle scenes that the main cast is not involved in so they are more like window dressing and wasted. Which is one of the films major flaws. The Film tries too hard to be something it’s not then can’t decide what type of films it wants to be.
Films of this magnitude don’t usually have top of the line actors. This film having so many is very uncommon. So to try and please them and there fans they each have scenes to shine in. Which makes the film too long and feel bloated. It’s no wonder when Terry Gilliam Was considered to direct the film he only made it 5 pages into the script before he stopped and turned it down
The film builds up to a great sword fight scene that the film has been hinting at throughout and when it finally happens. It is pretty much a letdown. It is realistic for the believability of the weight of the armor and weapons but for the most part is one-sided and not much of a spectacle. In fact the fight between Eric Bana and the imposter was more impressive albeit quicker.
I will admit Brad Pitt has never looked better physically and facial wise This movie presents him as a fierce warrior who is almost womanly beautiful. But still gives a barely passable performance.
Another one of the more laughable aspects of the film is how fast the royals cousin who is kidnapped and turned into a slave to brad Pitt. Becomes his willing lover so fast is questionable then at the ending of the film it’s presented as a great love story.
I don’t know too much about history but Orlando Bloom’s character is made through most of the film to be a spoiled pretty boy. Stealing another rulers wife. Then getting beaten badly while barely putting up a fight his family has to suffer for his crimes defending him. He chickens out of another fight. Then at the end he finds courage and becomes a heroic archer warrior (That reminds the audience of his role in the LORD OF THE RINGS TRILOGY a little too much) this leads to learning the story of Achilles Heel.
While the film tries for epic and does have some amazing shots. Half o them you can tell are digital and feel like videogame scenes. This film just feels inauthentic and like a bad game of Dress-up.
The film is never really exciting nor do you feel anything for its characters. I advise skipping.
GRADE: F
Sunday, July 5, 2009
DAY OF THE DEAD (2008) Remake
Directed By: Steve Miner
Written By: Jeffrey Reddick;
Based On The Original Script “Day Of The Dead” By: George Romero
Cinematography By: Patrick Cady
Editor: Nathan Easterling
CAST: Mena Suvari, Ving Rhames, Nick Cannon, Annalynne McCord, Pat Kilbane, Ian McNiece
The film is so bad that after awhile I don’t even think the director could take it too seriously as the film gets more ridiculous and seems to make up the rules of zombieism as it goes along until soon it almost resembles a Sci-Fi channel original movie or a really bad comic book. Especially the scene where the group of survivors hear a zombie in the air duct and all the characters who have a gun shoot up in the air at it like it is a reflex they don’t even look when they shoot. Plus when did it become acceptable for zombies to all of a sudden have super human powers. I’m not talking about the strength, I’m talking defying the logics of gravity all of a sudden they can scale walls like Spiderman and leap in the air 50 feet.
Ving Rhames is in this movie more as a extended cameo. Though he is top billed it actually is more of a Nick Cannon and Mena Suvari movie. So that should alert you to the quality of the material. The only reason I can think that Mr. Rhames appears in this movie is either a big paycheck or he felt a loyalty to the series after starring in The DAWN OF THE DEAD Remake.
Nick Cannon seems only to be here to crack racial jokes about why do white people do this. Then he becomes selfless all of a sudden even though throughout the film he’s been pretty much only the strong survive street type.
Mena Suvari who I am glad to see working apparently a lot maybe she is hoping to find that role that immortalizes her again or at least resurrects her career but this and the films she has taken recently are not it. My advice fire your agent you deserve better then this you do have talent and beauty.
I can see why this movie never made it to theaters. Not only because of the low budget but it feels cheap. The effects are horrible. The script idiotic it just feels like a product that was rushed and made t make a quick buck not paying any attention to quality
What did they spend on this movie whatever it was wasn’t enough a true director can overcome difficulties to make something somewhat decent even if the script sucks, which it does. Or the actors are not great, Most are not to bad.
Even though the film is a brisk 87 minutes it felt longer like it was a actor oriented play since the cast seemed so small. To add to the problems of the movie the try to be shocking ending makes no sense.
There is a noticeable difference between this and the DAWN OF THE DEAD Remake other then talent in front of and behind the Camera. The Dawn remake was handled by a talented artist who was visionary and had original ideas for pacing and camera angles. It also has a true director Zach Snyder. Steve Miner is a good television director making a speedy schedule making film he can make the ordinary look extraordinary on a certain budget but when it comes to movies he’s a bit of a hack. He has had his triumphs but he has a somewhat limited talent with film. Which was perfectly fine for Friday the 13th Part 2 and 3 and lake placid but the first two were in the 80’s. for those films you didn’t have to necessarily be good or have style or flair, but since then Halloween: H20 he hasn’t been too visionary actually not too good maybe he’s comfortable and stands by his reputation and resume. Bringing films on budget and on time and they make enough money to be considered successful.
In the end watching this I feel cheated.
GRADE: F
Written By: Jeffrey Reddick;
Based On The Original Script “Day Of The Dead” By: George Romero
Cinematography By: Patrick Cady
Editor: Nathan Easterling
CAST: Mena Suvari, Ving Rhames, Nick Cannon, Annalynne McCord, Pat Kilbane, Ian McNiece
The film is so bad that after awhile I don’t even think the director could take it too seriously as the film gets more ridiculous and seems to make up the rules of zombieism as it goes along until soon it almost resembles a Sci-Fi channel original movie or a really bad comic book. Especially the scene where the group of survivors hear a zombie in the air duct and all the characters who have a gun shoot up in the air at it like it is a reflex they don’t even look when they shoot. Plus when did it become acceptable for zombies to all of a sudden have super human powers. I’m not talking about the strength, I’m talking defying the logics of gravity all of a sudden they can scale walls like Spiderman and leap in the air 50 feet.
Ving Rhames is in this movie more as a extended cameo. Though he is top billed it actually is more of a Nick Cannon and Mena Suvari movie. So that should alert you to the quality of the material. The only reason I can think that Mr. Rhames appears in this movie is either a big paycheck or he felt a loyalty to the series after starring in The DAWN OF THE DEAD Remake.
Nick Cannon seems only to be here to crack racial jokes about why do white people do this. Then he becomes selfless all of a sudden even though throughout the film he’s been pretty much only the strong survive street type.
Mena Suvari who I am glad to see working apparently a lot maybe she is hoping to find that role that immortalizes her again or at least resurrects her career but this and the films she has taken recently are not it. My advice fire your agent you deserve better then this you do have talent and beauty.
I can see why this movie never made it to theaters. Not only because of the low budget but it feels cheap. The effects are horrible. The script idiotic it just feels like a product that was rushed and made t make a quick buck not paying any attention to quality
What did they spend on this movie whatever it was wasn’t enough a true director can overcome difficulties to make something somewhat decent even if the script sucks, which it does. Or the actors are not great, Most are not to bad.
Even though the film is a brisk 87 minutes it felt longer like it was a actor oriented play since the cast seemed so small. To add to the problems of the movie the try to be shocking ending makes no sense.
There is a noticeable difference between this and the DAWN OF THE DEAD Remake other then talent in front of and behind the Camera. The Dawn remake was handled by a talented artist who was visionary and had original ideas for pacing and camera angles. It also has a true director Zach Snyder. Steve Miner is a good television director making a speedy schedule making film he can make the ordinary look extraordinary on a certain budget but when it comes to movies he’s a bit of a hack. He has had his triumphs but he has a somewhat limited talent with film. Which was perfectly fine for Friday the 13th Part 2 and 3 and lake placid but the first two were in the 80’s. for those films you didn’t have to necessarily be good or have style or flair, but since then Halloween: H20 he hasn’t been too visionary actually not too good maybe he’s comfortable and stands by his reputation and resume. Bringing films on budget and on time and they make enough money to be considered successful.
In the end watching this I feel cheated.
GRADE: F
Friday, May 1, 2009
PAPARAZZI (2004)
Directed By: Paul Abascal
Written By: Forrest Smith
Cinematography By: Daryn Okada
Editor: Robin Russell
CAST: Cole Hauser, Robin Tunney, Tom Sizemore, Daniel Baldwin, Dennis Farina, Tom Hollander, Kevin Gage, Kelly Carlson, Andi Eystad, Clyde Kusatsu, Sal Lopez, Fay Masterson, Tim Thomerson
Not so much a film as a revenge movie fantasy. It seems this film was either dreamed up by Mel Gibson or he had the idea and gave it to a screenwriter. It could have been just some enterprising screenwriter who saw how celebrities feel about the paparazzi and used it to try and get into the right hands.
The film makes the paparazzi way over the top sure they can be scummy but they literally make them that way in this film unshaved dirty looking one is a biker one is over the tp and acts like he is a drug dealer.
There isn’t too much for me to say about this film because there isn’t too much material here to talk about.
Plenty of celebrities cameo in the film. Which still doesn’t make the film all that interesting.
It has plenty of action sequences that are nothing special and plot-holes that are still gaping and need to be shut.
One of the main problems with the film is that the audience can watch but they can't sympathisize with this film they are not stalked or in the limelight like the stars are so this is more of a movie for the hollywood community to stand up and cheer for the only element we in the audiecne can root for or enjoy is the man pushed way too far and taking justice into his own arms. Even though it is a more upscale less tragic or thought provoking version of DEATH WISH
SPOILERS
The subplot of all the pressure getting to his wife who slowly goes insane, but who miracoulsly gets better soon as the men are dead. And the fact that he commits the murders even though he is a nice guy yet not only has ne reservations about doing it but also feels no guilt about it afterwards at all not even after the first one shows you the type of vapid piece of cinema we are watching I realize I shouldn’t be looking for it in this type of film but I was hoping.
END SPOILERS
It’s a shame too Cole Hauser finally gets a leading man role and it’s in this. Just note that the people associated with this film haven’t really worked since. It should have been obvious this film wasn’t worth it when the leading role was turned down by George Clooney, Tom Cruise. Even Kurt Russell and Vince Vaughn Though Vaughn does cameo. Maybe the film hit to close to home or too much like there dream come true since the first two are notorious for there hatred of the paparazzi.
In the end it feels like a total waste of time. Skip It
GRADE: F
Written By: Forrest Smith
Cinematography By: Daryn Okada
Editor: Robin Russell
CAST: Cole Hauser, Robin Tunney, Tom Sizemore, Daniel Baldwin, Dennis Farina, Tom Hollander, Kevin Gage, Kelly Carlson, Andi Eystad, Clyde Kusatsu, Sal Lopez, Fay Masterson, Tim Thomerson
Not so much a film as a revenge movie fantasy. It seems this film was either dreamed up by Mel Gibson or he had the idea and gave it to a screenwriter. It could have been just some enterprising screenwriter who saw how celebrities feel about the paparazzi and used it to try and get into the right hands.
The film makes the paparazzi way over the top sure they can be scummy but they literally make them that way in this film unshaved dirty looking one is a biker one is over the tp and acts like he is a drug dealer.
There isn’t too much for me to say about this film because there isn’t too much material here to talk about.
Plenty of celebrities cameo in the film. Which still doesn’t make the film all that interesting.
It has plenty of action sequences that are nothing special and plot-holes that are still gaping and need to be shut.
One of the main problems with the film is that the audience can watch but they can't sympathisize with this film they are not stalked or in the limelight like the stars are so this is more of a movie for the hollywood community to stand up and cheer for the only element we in the audiecne can root for or enjoy is the man pushed way too far and taking justice into his own arms. Even though it is a more upscale less tragic or thought provoking version of DEATH WISH
SPOILERS
The subplot of all the pressure getting to his wife who slowly goes insane, but who miracoulsly gets better soon as the men are dead. And the fact that he commits the murders even though he is a nice guy yet not only has ne reservations about doing it but also feels no guilt about it afterwards at all not even after the first one shows you the type of vapid piece of cinema we are watching I realize I shouldn’t be looking for it in this type of film but I was hoping.
END SPOILERS
It’s a shame too Cole Hauser finally gets a leading man role and it’s in this. Just note that the people associated with this film haven’t really worked since. It should have been obvious this film wasn’t worth it when the leading role was turned down by George Clooney, Tom Cruise. Even Kurt Russell and Vince Vaughn Though Vaughn does cameo. Maybe the film hit to close to home or too much like there dream come true since the first two are notorious for there hatred of the paparazzi.
In the end it feels like a total waste of time. Skip It
GRADE: F
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
PUNISHER: WAR ZONE (2008)
Cast: Ray Stevenson, Colin Salmon, Julie Benz, Dash Mihok, Dominic West, Doug Hutchinson, Wayne Knight, Keram Malicki-Sanchez, Ron Lea
Directed By: Lexi Alexander
Written By: Nick Santora & Art Marcum & Matt Holloway
Cinematography By: Steve Gainer
Editor: William Yeh
This is yet another attempt to make and launch the punisher as a viable comic book movie series. Now I will admit I liked the last one even though it delved away from the original source. This film has ray Stevenson playing frank castle and while he has the look he just doesn’t seem to have emotions to make his punisher not only believable but likeable which brings up the idea that are awe supposed to really like a glorified vigilante who goes after his prey while not letting anything stand in his way.
If this film had been made in the 80’s it would have been passable. Come on the monkey gang a bunch of meth head acrobatic goons who are lead by a dreadlocked black guy with a Scottish accent. That shows you what type of film this is. The film plays exactly like a comic book way over the top to the point of being ridiculous and half the actors perform that way especially the villains dominic west playing jigsaw chews the Scenery left and right. While seeming to be n his own 1930’s Gangster movie. So does his right hand man crazy brother played by the always overacting doug Hutchinson who at least always seems to be having fun.
Even the backgrounds and locations just feel like a set or are on a lot almost like cardboard scenery in a school play nothing in this movie feels real at all. The action sequences while they are impressive just seem to be there for the gratuitous violence half of it not needed or not needed to be shown as much as it is. I men come on the punisher puches a guy in the face and his fist goes right through the guys skull. To show how unnatural the movie is the beginning and the creation of the villain Jigsaw feels like it is a variation of Tim burton’s batman creation of the joker.
This film makes every criminal seem like a violent psychopath. And everytime someone gets hit they must bleed a lot. I will give this film credit in that it seems to be a all-star extravaganza of character actors who all need better work then this.
It’s a shame Lexi Alexander started off well with the film “Green Street Hooligans” and I hoped she would continue while showing a great talent for violent scenes but also seeming to handle dramatic ones also. Here she is a natural as a action director but any other scenes are terrible. The Script doesn’t help by giving the punisher a family like hs own that was killed to bond with and protect. She is also one of the few Female directors out there nonetheless directing action films.
But let’s face it if this is the type of film you are interested in and want to watch it doesn’t matter what I say you’ll go to see it and probably love it. To me it’s like watching a midnight movie it is that ridiculous. But it is a time waster. It seems like it should hae gone straight to home video. I guess it’s back to the drawing board for a film that seems like it would be simple enough to make a decent movie from. The fact that this is not a sequel as it was set up to be and none of the cast from the last punisher returned was a hint at how bad this would be. Plus director john Dahl (The Last Seduction) Turned it down right before it was due to be filmed. If it was a sequel they could have had john travolta’s son from the first film comeback seeking vengeance.
Even Doug Hutchinson originally turned it down hating the script but Lexi Alexander called him personally and told him her vision of the film which got him to sign on. Paddy Constantine (In America) Was also cast cast when dominic west turned his role down originally but he changed his mind and paddy was sent packing. He actually should thank Mr. West for saving him from this movie. There was also a r-rated version of the script written by the shield writer Kurt sutter that brung the punisher out of the comic books and into the realistic streets of new york fighting crime. But the studio wanting sequel opputunities decided to go with anther script they had sutter became so disgusted he didn’t even accept a story by credit.
The only nice thing I can say is that the lighting is good and the Production values are not embarrassing. This film has obviously never heard of the term overkill.
Skip It
GRADE: F
Directed By: Lexi Alexander
Written By: Nick Santora & Art Marcum & Matt Holloway
Cinematography By: Steve Gainer
Editor: William Yeh
This is yet another attempt to make and launch the punisher as a viable comic book movie series. Now I will admit I liked the last one even though it delved away from the original source. This film has ray Stevenson playing frank castle and while he has the look he just doesn’t seem to have emotions to make his punisher not only believable but likeable which brings up the idea that are awe supposed to really like a glorified vigilante who goes after his prey while not letting anything stand in his way.
If this film had been made in the 80’s it would have been passable. Come on the monkey gang a bunch of meth head acrobatic goons who are lead by a dreadlocked black guy with a Scottish accent. That shows you what type of film this is. The film plays exactly like a comic book way over the top to the point of being ridiculous and half the actors perform that way especially the villains dominic west playing jigsaw chews the Scenery left and right. While seeming to be n his own 1930’s Gangster movie. So does his right hand man crazy brother played by the always overacting doug Hutchinson who at least always seems to be having fun.
Even the backgrounds and locations just feel like a set or are on a lot almost like cardboard scenery in a school play nothing in this movie feels real at all. The action sequences while they are impressive just seem to be there for the gratuitous violence half of it not needed or not needed to be shown as much as it is. I men come on the punisher puches a guy in the face and his fist goes right through the guys skull. To show how unnatural the movie is the beginning and the creation of the villain Jigsaw feels like it is a variation of Tim burton’s batman creation of the joker.
This film makes every criminal seem like a violent psychopath. And everytime someone gets hit they must bleed a lot. I will give this film credit in that it seems to be a all-star extravaganza of character actors who all need better work then this.
It’s a shame Lexi Alexander started off well with the film “Green Street Hooligans” and I hoped she would continue while showing a great talent for violent scenes but also seeming to handle dramatic ones also. Here she is a natural as a action director but any other scenes are terrible. The Script doesn’t help by giving the punisher a family like hs own that was killed to bond with and protect. She is also one of the few Female directors out there nonetheless directing action films.
But let’s face it if this is the type of film you are interested in and want to watch it doesn’t matter what I say you’ll go to see it and probably love it. To me it’s like watching a midnight movie it is that ridiculous. But it is a time waster. It seems like it should hae gone straight to home video. I guess it’s back to the drawing board for a film that seems like it would be simple enough to make a decent movie from. The fact that this is not a sequel as it was set up to be and none of the cast from the last punisher returned was a hint at how bad this would be. Plus director john Dahl (The Last Seduction) Turned it down right before it was due to be filmed. If it was a sequel they could have had john travolta’s son from the first film comeback seeking vengeance.
Even Doug Hutchinson originally turned it down hating the script but Lexi Alexander called him personally and told him her vision of the film which got him to sign on. Paddy Constantine (In America) Was also cast cast when dominic west turned his role down originally but he changed his mind and paddy was sent packing. He actually should thank Mr. West for saving him from this movie. There was also a r-rated version of the script written by the shield writer Kurt sutter that brung the punisher out of the comic books and into the realistic streets of new york fighting crime. But the studio wanting sequel opputunities decided to go with anther script they had sutter became so disgusted he didn’t even accept a story by credit.
The only nice thing I can say is that the lighting is good and the Production values are not embarrassing. This film has obviously never heard of the term overkill.
Skip It
GRADE: F
Sunday, March 22, 2009
HIT & RUN (2009)
Cast: Laura Breckenridge, Kevin Corrigan, Christopher Shand
Directed By: Enda McCallion
Written By: Diane Doniol-Valcroze & Arthur Flam
Cinematography By: Olivier Cocaul
Editor: Miklos Wright
This movie has been done many times before and better Look at “Creepshow” “I Know what you did last Summer” and “Stuck” it’s not surprising since they are all based on a urban legend. I know this film is straight to video so what did I expect. I expected if not quality then at least have some fun with the story.
“Stuck” managed to do it a lot better with the bar raised in content and drama alone giving you the perspective of both the victim and the accidental assailant. The problem with this film is that it seemed like a calling card made by a wanna-be director trying to break into the film business and he tries way too hard with overkill when it comes to camera movements, angles and placements also overactive editing. It makes me believe that the director saw a lot of guy ritchie’s movies and took notes during “Requiem For A Dream” The scene commits s even though set at night half the time were hard to see. It doesn’t feel real it feels like a film a bad one like a sci-fi channel original movie that has so much bad effects you can’t take it seriously at all.
Another oversight is that the film has actors who are known to be good but given this ridiculous material try to swim but sink. The director also tries to distract us by having the lead wear short distracting clothes which she does look good in and may even be true to the character but it would have helped if you are going to do something like that make the film a little more exploitive. Plus come in it’s a little ridiculous to make the menacing character a well respected kindergarten teacher.
It starts off promising by giving a more realistic portrait of college-age drinking and how irresponsible some people can be and what it could lead to. But it goes downhill fast especially considering this isn’t a very long movie.
By having Laura Breckenridge have most of her scenes alone at times it makes it seem like a one woman performance. She is a good actress and is quite fetching but deserves a better film then this. Watching the films and it’s endless clichés I can’t help but think of the many ways the story could have been done different and made something at least a bit more original.
For instance after she commits the crime we could see the drama and the effects it causes to her psyche from the guilt and constant paranoia that slowly drives her mad. Or you could have her character get away with it and realizing there was a witness who is blackmailing her and how she tries to get out of it she is guilty but doesn’t deserve the things she is forced to do. Or even the thought to be dead comes back and slowly plots his revenge. Or have her dealing with the crime and realizing she has a talent for it or enjoys it and slowly begins becoming a killer. Any of those could hae worked but instead we get a by the numbers films that tries to distract and impress with music video editing and camera shots.
The interesting things about these movies is that it is always a female who hits a male and I beliee that is because if it was the other way around. It would be hard for the audience to sympathize with a man hitting a woman under any circumstances we would hate him and feel he gets what he deserves where as with our double standard of thinking we automatically feel sorry for the woman and understand it’s a accident and can truly only hate her when she shows no compassion. Or if the victim just becomes really cruel and goes way too far in the revenge. It could have helped the film if she was a character who had character instead of someone we barely know and then are asked t feel sorry for her though we know little to nothing about her. Just because we spend time with her doesn’t mean we know her. Then the film almost makes it seem like it was a good thing she hit him since he is kind of crazy anyway and was a ticking time bomb. Instead of us feeling sympathy for him now we are totally in her corner though she was irresponsible.
This feel like a really bad episode of “Masters Of Horror” or a public service announcement against drinking and driving
SPOILERS
The Third act really turns ridiculous with him returning and killing a person who was only trying to help him and was not involved I what happened to him but I guess it was because he got in the way of his revenge that he had to be killed. The director tries to make the excuse for his homicidal behavior by one of the earlier reports on him missing saying he is manic depressive. Still all in all it’s bad filmmaking. Especially when he reacts more like a zombie then a man who survived a near death experience and wants revenge. I mean what’s with him stopping home to his family? Just to get his tools ? And the bleeding phone? Then killing his wife?
Skip it
GRADE: F
Directed By: Enda McCallion
Written By: Diane Doniol-Valcroze & Arthur Flam
Cinematography By: Olivier Cocaul
Editor: Miklos Wright
This movie has been done many times before and better Look at “Creepshow” “I Know what you did last Summer” and “Stuck” it’s not surprising since they are all based on a urban legend. I know this film is straight to video so what did I expect. I expected if not quality then at least have some fun with the story.
“Stuck” managed to do it a lot better with the bar raised in content and drama alone giving you the perspective of both the victim and the accidental assailant. The problem with this film is that it seemed like a calling card made by a wanna-be director trying to break into the film business and he tries way too hard with overkill when it comes to camera movements, angles and placements also overactive editing. It makes me believe that the director saw a lot of guy ritchie’s movies and took notes during “Requiem For A Dream” The scene commits s even though set at night half the time were hard to see. It doesn’t feel real it feels like a film a bad one like a sci-fi channel original movie that has so much bad effects you can’t take it seriously at all.
Another oversight is that the film has actors who are known to be good but given this ridiculous material try to swim but sink. The director also tries to distract us by having the lead wear short distracting clothes which she does look good in and may even be true to the character but it would have helped if you are going to do something like that make the film a little more exploitive. Plus come in it’s a little ridiculous to make the menacing character a well respected kindergarten teacher.
It starts off promising by giving a more realistic portrait of college-age drinking and how irresponsible some people can be and what it could lead to. But it goes downhill fast especially considering this isn’t a very long movie.
By having Laura Breckenridge have most of her scenes alone at times it makes it seem like a one woman performance. She is a good actress and is quite fetching but deserves a better film then this. Watching the films and it’s endless clichés I can’t help but think of the many ways the story could have been done different and made something at least a bit more original.
For instance after she commits the crime we could see the drama and the effects it causes to her psyche from the guilt and constant paranoia that slowly drives her mad. Or you could have her character get away with it and realizing there was a witness who is blackmailing her and how she tries to get out of it she is guilty but doesn’t deserve the things she is forced to do. Or even the thought to be dead comes back and slowly plots his revenge. Or have her dealing with the crime and realizing she has a talent for it or enjoys it and slowly begins becoming a killer. Any of those could hae worked but instead we get a by the numbers films that tries to distract and impress with music video editing and camera shots.
The interesting things about these movies is that it is always a female who hits a male and I beliee that is because if it was the other way around. It would be hard for the audience to sympathize with a man hitting a woman under any circumstances we would hate him and feel he gets what he deserves where as with our double standard of thinking we automatically feel sorry for the woman and understand it’s a accident and can truly only hate her when she shows no compassion. Or if the victim just becomes really cruel and goes way too far in the revenge. It could have helped the film if she was a character who had character instead of someone we barely know and then are asked t feel sorry for her though we know little to nothing about her. Just because we spend time with her doesn’t mean we know her. Then the film almost makes it seem like it was a good thing she hit him since he is kind of crazy anyway and was a ticking time bomb. Instead of us feeling sympathy for him now we are totally in her corner though she was irresponsible.
This feel like a really bad episode of “Masters Of Horror” or a public service announcement against drinking and driving
SPOILERS
The Third act really turns ridiculous with him returning and killing a person who was only trying to help him and was not involved I what happened to him but I guess it was because he got in the way of his revenge that he had to be killed. The director tries to make the excuse for his homicidal behavior by one of the earlier reports on him missing saying he is manic depressive. Still all in all it’s bad filmmaking. Especially when he reacts more like a zombie then a man who survived a near death experience and wants revenge. I mean what’s with him stopping home to his family? Just to get his tools ? And the bleeding phone? Then killing his wife?
Skip it
GRADE: F
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
HOW TO ROB A BANK (2007)
Written & Directed By: Andrew Jenkins
Director Of Photography: Joe Meade
Editors: Dennis M. Hill & M. Scott Smith
Cast: Nick Stahl, Erika Christensen, Gavin Rossdale, Terry Crews, Leo Fitzpatrick, David Carradine
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
THE WIZARD OF GORE (2007)
Cast: Kip Pardue, Bijou Phillips, Crispin Glover, Brad Dourif, Jeffrey Combs, Joshua John Miller, Evan Seinfeld
Directed & Edited By: Jeremy Kasten
Written By: Zach Chassler
Cinematography By: Christopher Duddy
What was I really expecting, Looking at the title. The title really says it all there is gore and there is magic not too much of a story and the little there is hardly makes any sense. It’s a shame I like the cast who are all actors I like but they are all wasted figuratively and literally with this film.
This is a ugly film it’s one I can truly say did not need to be thatgoes double since it is a remake. With the cast you could have gone and gotten a good script and made a play that was more entertaining. This is so far at the top of my list of the worst of the year.
There is a mystery in this movie that is pretty easy to figure out. That they try to sensationalize. Not that you will too much about the outcome. Jeffrey Combs is hardly recognizable in this film. The film also seems to be gory and disgusting just for disgusting sake.
It’s a joy to see Crispin Glover and Joshua Miller all grown up sharing the screen for the first time since “River’s Edge” but they could have found something better then this.
The Film is pretentious for even suggesting that anything in this is art or performance. Just like the Stylistic touch of having the lead and those around him dress and live in 1930’s style. Though still set in modern day half the time the film is so dark it’s hard to make out what is happening anyway.
The only real thing of note is that the suicide girls all play victims in this movie in states of undress.
GRADE: F
Directed & Edited By: Jeremy Kasten
Written By: Zach Chassler
Cinematography By: Christopher Duddy
What was I really expecting, Looking at the title. The title really says it all there is gore and there is magic not too much of a story and the little there is hardly makes any sense. It’s a shame I like the cast who are all actors I like but they are all wasted figuratively and literally with this film.
This is a ugly film it’s one I can truly say did not need to be thatgoes double since it is a remake. With the cast you could have gone and gotten a good script and made a play that was more entertaining. This is so far at the top of my list of the worst of the year.
There is a mystery in this movie that is pretty easy to figure out. That they try to sensationalize. Not that you will too much about the outcome. Jeffrey Combs is hardly recognizable in this film. The film also seems to be gory and disgusting just for disgusting sake.
It’s a joy to see Crispin Glover and Joshua Miller all grown up sharing the screen for the first time since “River’s Edge” but they could have found something better then this.
The Film is pretentious for even suggesting that anything in this is art or performance. Just like the Stylistic touch of having the lead and those around him dress and live in 1930’s style. Though still set in modern day half the time the film is so dark it’s hard to make out what is happening anyway.
The only real thing of note is that the suicide girls all play victims in this movie in states of undress.
GRADE: F
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