Cast: Mark Ruffalo, Ethan Hawke, Amamda Peet, Angela Featherstone, Lindsay McKeon, Brian Goodman, Donnie Wahlberg, Eddie Lynch, Will Lyman
Directed By: Brian Goodman
Written By: Brian Goodman & Donnie Wahlberg & Paul T. Murray
Cinematography By: Chris Norr
Editor: Robert Hoffman
The problem with this film is that since it is based on a true story there are only a certain amount of liberties you can take with the story.
It would have been nice to learn a bit more about the side characters who are actually more interesting then the lead character but we only get slight glimpses into there lives which leaves you wanting more.
That alas is the movies big problem it is interesting and you can get into it but it feels like a story you have seen plenty of times before and the things that could set it apart isn’t going to be in it because it is based on the director’s life and wants to stay as true to the situations that it allows. So whle you would expect more sex and or violence it remains rather tame in both.
This film doesn’t glamorize the criminal life but shows it’s more mundane day to day existence there are some joys but many lows and not as much money as you would expect and you have to keep hustling and making deals just to make a nice chunk of change and have a continuing income.
The film does have it’s dramatic scenes as it tells of criminal life redemption addiction and trying to do what’s right by friends and family due to obligations and getting clean and your life in order. Mostly through one character’s eyes but you always have a sense of what’s going to happen next there is little to no surprise in the film.
It doesn’t help that the film and it’s story is presented it comes off devoid of color and bland. Since it is a story of redemption if you are looking for a violent gangster story this is not the type of film for you. It tells one characters story who is not that deep into the gangster life.
It tries to tell the life story of the lead but the early scenes while defining the code of the streets goes by so fast you don’t really feel it gives any deeper insights into the characters plus the film jumps around in times a few times that it leaves you to wonder what exactly happened during those years and how it may have changed them. Like for instance when he becomes addicted to drugs I understand it is from the pressure but they could have explained it a little better because it seems he just drinks then the next scene he just want to get high no build-up at all. One scene while in prison with a child molester and there beating him up seems more like a scene there to make the characters sympathetic and just.
Donnie Wahlberg who has proven himself a good actor after moving on from his music group the new kids on the block not only appears in the film but also helped co-write it. The film feels authentic but not a story that seems that filmable. It is a nice attempt and it has potential but turns about disappointing.
Mark Ruffalo is a actor I always though of as dependent but has never impressed me that may be the allure of him as a actor to critics and filmmakers he doesn’t showboat but you totally believe him as the character he is playing because he easily immerses himself so thoroughly and doesn’t take away from his fellow actors while garnering attention for himself at the same time.
Ethan Hawke seems to be making a habit at this point in his career by playing criminals, hoods or cops. Much more dangerous characters then when his career first started and he is good at it. I really liked his character and wished he was in more of the film.
It’s a ok rental
GRADE: C
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Sunday, April 12, 2009
GREAT ACTORS, BIG BUDGET MOVIES
Why is it now when certain stars work together in a film it feels like a special event or like a added bonus like if you like him you’ll love the fact that this star isn’t is in it too.
If you look at classic films like GUNS OF THE NAVARONE or LAWRENCE OF ARABIA great actors always co-starred with each other for whatever reasons. Now it seems you have to satisfy the egos of the stars for them just to work together. It’s just like how all the great actors seem to be doing big budget action or Super hero films.
I guess because at this point they come cheaper then the movie stars who can’t act even though the films are more centered on effects then cast but at least you know you’ll get a good performance plus it gives the actor to add some box-office clout to there name unfortunately though it seems only in these movies, Do you ever get a superstar cast of actors to be in the same films.
Look at IRON MAN and THE INCREDIBLE HULK both of which have a great cast for a drama. Under those circumstances the films would be oscar bait but you have all this talent for a blockbuster movie. I’m not putting it down I regularly enjoy these films but why does it have to be only for these type of films? How come there isn’t a drama that co-stars Edward Norton and Robert Downey Jr.
If you look at classic films like GUNS OF THE NAVARONE or LAWRENCE OF ARABIA great actors always co-starred with each other for whatever reasons. Now it seems you have to satisfy the egos of the stars for them just to work together. It’s just like how all the great actors seem to be doing big budget action or Super hero films.
I guess because at this point they come cheaper then the movie stars who can’t act even though the films are more centered on effects then cast but at least you know you’ll get a good performance plus it gives the actor to add some box-office clout to there name unfortunately though it seems only in these movies, Do you ever get a superstar cast of actors to be in the same films.
Look at IRON MAN and THE INCREDIBLE HULK both of which have a great cast for a drama. Under those circumstances the films would be oscar bait but you have all this talent for a blockbuster movie. I’m not putting it down I regularly enjoy these films but why does it have to be only for these type of films? How come there isn’t a drama that co-stars Edward Norton and Robert Downey Jr.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
GATTACA (1998)
Cast: Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman, Elias Koates, Loren Dean, Alan Arkin, Jude Law, Blair Underwood, Gore Vidal, Xander Berkley, Maya Rudolph, Mason Gamble, William Lee Scott, Ernest Borgnine, Tony Shaloub, Ken Marino,
Written & Directed By: Andrew Niccol
Cinematography By: Slawomir Idziak
Editor: Lisa Zeno Churgin
Original Music By: Michal Nyman
Production Design: Jan Roelfs
The Scary thing about this movie is the thought that the film’s world is coming closer to being a reality. In the search for our planet to become a utopia instead of leaving things natural and up to chance or nature we constantly find ourselves wanting to control everything in our life and world. This film explores a world with those choices available and what it can do to people who strive for more then what has been decided for them.
The film is a eye opener just from a art direction stand point everything is post modern and clean. Nothing is out of place. The acting is phenomenal it is the film Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke fell in love on. Uma with her statuesque beauty was a natural for this film. This is one of the first times Ethan Hawke really impressed me as a actor it is also the first time I saw Jude law act. And it reminds me of what a wonderful actor he can be.
This is Andrew Niccol’s first film he wrote the Truman show and followed this film with the film S1mone and just like that film he is attracted to cold surreal images devoid of too much color very precise and very clean and clear. While having vivid ides and creativity and unforgettable surreal images like paintings
The film is one that is very unappreciated over time I would have hoped it would have become more popular but it is still a undiscovered gem. I like it as a sci-fi story that says more about the human spirit and humanity then it does about actual science. Then it also involves a murder mystery detective storyline. It does keep the story moving but it could have been dropped and still been a interesting film.
This is a film more for you to discover then me tell you too much about it just trust me see it I’m sure you will enjoy it. I could complain about the lack of minorities in this future but hey you have to pick and choose your battles and I don’t feel this film is overtly racist it just is what it is and as usual forgets about that component totally.
The story follows Ethan Hawke’s character who is deemed a genetic failure since he was born the natural way whose parents decide there next child will be designed. In his teens he runs away from home and ends up a janitor his future decided for him but he wants to become a astronaut so he goes underground and buys someone else’s identity and cells so that he can achieve this dream even going through painful and time consuming plastic surgery just to achieve it. He has the smarts for it but not the physical aspects and stamina says science and while he is going through preparations for his launch a murder happens at the facility and into his life a pair of detectives investigating it. It’s almost like CSI Where anything biological can give you away a spare hair, skin, Sweat. The enemy in this film that will betray you is your DNA
GRADE: A-
Written & Directed By: Andrew Niccol
Cinematography By: Slawomir Idziak
Editor: Lisa Zeno Churgin
Original Music By: Michal Nyman
Production Design: Jan Roelfs
The Scary thing about this movie is the thought that the film’s world is coming closer to being a reality. In the search for our planet to become a utopia instead of leaving things natural and up to chance or nature we constantly find ourselves wanting to control everything in our life and world. This film explores a world with those choices available and what it can do to people who strive for more then what has been decided for them.
The film is a eye opener just from a art direction stand point everything is post modern and clean. Nothing is out of place. The acting is phenomenal it is the film Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke fell in love on. Uma with her statuesque beauty was a natural for this film. This is one of the first times Ethan Hawke really impressed me as a actor it is also the first time I saw Jude law act. And it reminds me of what a wonderful actor he can be.
This is Andrew Niccol’s first film he wrote the Truman show and followed this film with the film S1mone and just like that film he is attracted to cold surreal images devoid of too much color very precise and very clean and clear. While having vivid ides and creativity and unforgettable surreal images like paintings
The film is one that is very unappreciated over time I would have hoped it would have become more popular but it is still a undiscovered gem. I like it as a sci-fi story that says more about the human spirit and humanity then it does about actual science. Then it also involves a murder mystery detective storyline. It does keep the story moving but it could have been dropped and still been a interesting film.
This is a film more for you to discover then me tell you too much about it just trust me see it I’m sure you will enjoy it. I could complain about the lack of minorities in this future but hey you have to pick and choose your battles and I don’t feel this film is overtly racist it just is what it is and as usual forgets about that component totally.
The story follows Ethan Hawke’s character who is deemed a genetic failure since he was born the natural way whose parents decide there next child will be designed. In his teens he runs away from home and ends up a janitor his future decided for him but he wants to become a astronaut so he goes underground and buys someone else’s identity and cells so that he can achieve this dream even going through painful and time consuming plastic surgery just to achieve it. He has the smarts for it but not the physical aspects and stamina says science and while he is going through preparations for his launch a murder happens at the facility and into his life a pair of detectives investigating it. It’s almost like CSI Where anything biological can give you away a spare hair, skin, Sweat. The enemy in this film that will betray you is your DNA
GRADE: A-
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
Monday, March 30, 2009
KILLSHOT (2009)
Cast: Mickey Rourke, Diane Lane, Thomas Jane, Joseph Gordon Levitt, Hal Holbrook, Rosario Dawson. Lois Smith, Don McManus
Directed By: John Madden
Written By: Hossein Amini
Based On The Novel By: Elmore Leonard
Cinematography By: Caleb Deschanel
Editor: Mick Audsley & Lisa Gunning
While based on the Elmore Leonard pulp novel. This film strives to be down and dirty noir but it comes off as rushed and mistakes moody for deep when it comes off as neither. The film also tries to make some of the characters mystical, spiritual and quirky there again it fails. It’s a shame after Mickey Rourke’s comeback in the wrestler that tis film is seeing the light of day where as if it was released when it was supposed to be about two years ago it wouldn’t be as embarrassing he doesn’t embarrass himself and while this material seems right up his alley these are the type of projects I would expect when he was struggling to make a come back at least this one looked like it was supposed to make it to theaters
This film has quite a history originally it was set up with Tony Scott directing and Robert DeNiro and Quentin Tarantino playing the native American Hitman and his sociopathic temp partner, then that fell apart. It then looked like it was going to go with Viggo Mortensen playing the husband lead and Justin Timberlake as Richie the Sociopathic temp partner of the native American hit man. In the end we got the cast and director we have now originally Johnny Knoxville had a role as a corrupt cop but he was cut out of the film totally because test audiences hated his character. Which would explain why the film is so short when the book is very thick and usually are more intricately plotted here things seem cut and dry and simple fake and also cheap, which really doesn’t help also we hardly know anything about any of the characters, which makes it hard to care about them when they are imperil good or bad. The film also went through a bunch of re-shoots and while they couldn’t decide whether or not it was good enough to make it to the Bigscreen this ended up going straight to home video which with a humble heart I have to admit is where it belongs. It’s a shame as u wanted to like the film I like the cast I only wish they had better material and john madden does have style and I rather enjoyed changing lanes but this just was not the story to utilize his talents with.
Rosario dawson has a thankless role that amounts to her character being a whore who changes alliances rather quickly between low lifes. Then the film tries to make us feel sorry for her when her life is on the line. In fact the film tries to make her one of the most innocent characters. So I instantly hated her character and while I respect Joseph Gordon Levitt as a actor again this performance felt like a performance and in his quest to create a character he went a little to far and made it feel like a caricature. He tried too hard
The film tries to show the changing shifts in the characters of Mickey and Joseph when earlier he is so worried about Mickey killing Rosario’s character he pulls a gun on him. Only later in the film when Mickey has to make a decision he shows mercy, where we expect him to bring death. It is Joseph who seems to lose his humanity while in a rare moment Mickey shows mercy. That is really the only noteworthy scene other then a rather shocking one near the end that involves the death of a major character. But these scenes are not enough to save the film.
The basic story is Mickey Rourke plays a burned out hitman who does a job and kills one more then he was supposed to and incurs the wrath of his employers while on the run he needs to make some cash so he decides to go in with a con who is extorting money when they go to collect the money they fail to collect and attack a couple who see there faces and can identify them so they attempt to murder them but they survive again and go into the witness protection program while the killers still hunt them down. until finally a standoff comes. Now this being a crime film you expect this usually the films are updated westerns in a urban landscape and have to do with all sorts of morality and character.
The only thing I don’t like about films like these is that the characters are so dislikeable but then they make the characters look so stylish and cool to be emulated so no matter what has happened on screen how evil they are through style alone by the end of the film you are sad to see them go not based on whether you even really liked them. The score also gets really annoying after awhile like every moment is so dramatic or is going to be life changing trust me there isn’t too much for it to.
It’s a shame as this is one of those almost was it could have been something it’s one of those films I wish I or someone could go back to the drawing board and give it another try now that we know what not to do.
Skip it unless you are a Mickey Rourke completist.
GRADE: D-
Directed By: John Madden
Written By: Hossein Amini
Based On The Novel By: Elmore Leonard
Cinematography By: Caleb Deschanel
Editor: Mick Audsley & Lisa Gunning
While based on the Elmore Leonard pulp novel. This film strives to be down and dirty noir but it comes off as rushed and mistakes moody for deep when it comes off as neither. The film also tries to make some of the characters mystical, spiritual and quirky there again it fails. It’s a shame after Mickey Rourke’s comeback in the wrestler that tis film is seeing the light of day where as if it was released when it was supposed to be about two years ago it wouldn’t be as embarrassing he doesn’t embarrass himself and while this material seems right up his alley these are the type of projects I would expect when he was struggling to make a come back at least this one looked like it was supposed to make it to theaters
This film has quite a history originally it was set up with Tony Scott directing and Robert DeNiro and Quentin Tarantino playing the native American Hitman and his sociopathic temp partner, then that fell apart. It then looked like it was going to go with Viggo Mortensen playing the husband lead and Justin Timberlake as Richie the Sociopathic temp partner of the native American hit man. In the end we got the cast and director we have now originally Johnny Knoxville had a role as a corrupt cop but he was cut out of the film totally because test audiences hated his character. Which would explain why the film is so short when the book is very thick and usually are more intricately plotted here things seem cut and dry and simple fake and also cheap, which really doesn’t help also we hardly know anything about any of the characters, which makes it hard to care about them when they are imperil good or bad. The film also went through a bunch of re-shoots and while they couldn’t decide whether or not it was good enough to make it to the Bigscreen this ended up going straight to home video which with a humble heart I have to admit is where it belongs. It’s a shame as u wanted to like the film I like the cast I only wish they had better material and john madden does have style and I rather enjoyed changing lanes but this just was not the story to utilize his talents with.
Rosario dawson has a thankless role that amounts to her character being a whore who changes alliances rather quickly between low lifes. Then the film tries to make us feel sorry for her when her life is on the line. In fact the film tries to make her one of the most innocent characters. So I instantly hated her character and while I respect Joseph Gordon Levitt as a actor again this performance felt like a performance and in his quest to create a character he went a little to far and made it feel like a caricature. He tried too hard
The film tries to show the changing shifts in the characters of Mickey and Joseph when earlier he is so worried about Mickey killing Rosario’s character he pulls a gun on him. Only later in the film when Mickey has to make a decision he shows mercy, where we expect him to bring death. It is Joseph who seems to lose his humanity while in a rare moment Mickey shows mercy. That is really the only noteworthy scene other then a rather shocking one near the end that involves the death of a major character. But these scenes are not enough to save the film.
The basic story is Mickey Rourke plays a burned out hitman who does a job and kills one more then he was supposed to and incurs the wrath of his employers while on the run he needs to make some cash so he decides to go in with a con who is extorting money when they go to collect the money they fail to collect and attack a couple who see there faces and can identify them so they attempt to murder them but they survive again and go into the witness protection program while the killers still hunt them down. until finally a standoff comes. Now this being a crime film you expect this usually the films are updated westerns in a urban landscape and have to do with all sorts of morality and character.
The only thing I don’t like about films like these is that the characters are so dislikeable but then they make the characters look so stylish and cool to be emulated so no matter what has happened on screen how evil they are through style alone by the end of the film you are sad to see them go not based on whether you even really liked them. The score also gets really annoying after awhile like every moment is so dramatic or is going to be life changing trust me there isn’t too much for it to.
It’s a shame as this is one of those almost was it could have been something it’s one of those films I wish I or someone could go back to the drawing board and give it another try now that we know what not to do.
Skip it unless you are a Mickey Rourke completist.
GRADE: D-
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
Thursday, March 19, 2009
DRIVE (1997)
Cast: Kadeem Hardison, Mark Dacoascus, Brittany Murphy, Tracy Walter, Sanna Lathan
Directed By: Steven Wang
Written By: Scott Phillps
Cinematography By: Michael G. Wojciechowski
Editor: Ivan Lidizinsky
Now this is what the film “Shoot ‘Em Up” should have been this film is action packed, funny, campy full of energy you don’t take it seriously for a minute as one situation gets more ridiculous then the last one.
The film is Successful with very few stars and a limited budget.
The Chemistry and charisma of the two leads help. This is the film where I discovered Mark Dacoscus (I Saw “Only The Strong” Years Later) who handles most of the action where as kadeem Is the everyman and the comic relief like a low budget but good version of “Rush Hour” tag team of Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker. Then add in Brittany Murphy as a over the top horny teenager who helps them. Her scenes are perfect and add to the lunacy and infectous energy. It’s rather sad when she Exits the film. You will find yourself praying that she makes another appearance. This was a star making role for Brittany Murphy her full comedic talent on display.
Considering this film so over the top nothing seems out of place or too bizarre. The Story is mark dacoscus is transporting a energized battery in his body that gives him endless energy he is trying to deliver it to a rival company who will remove it. When his company tries to kill him they try to stop him along the way so that he is practically a fugitive who kidnaps out of work Kadeem hardison for his car and promises him a million dollars half of his pay when he delivers the battery. Then in the final battle must face off with a guy who has a new and improved version of the battery sure allof this is ridiculous but it is also fun and entertaining.
This is a must see a definite rent if you can find it and if at all possible buy it at 14.95 it’s worth it.
GRADE: C+
Directed By: Steven Wang
Written By: Scott Phillps
Cinematography By: Michael G. Wojciechowski
Editor: Ivan Lidizinsky
Now this is what the film “Shoot ‘Em Up” should have been this film is action packed, funny, campy full of energy you don’t take it seriously for a minute as one situation gets more ridiculous then the last one.
The film is Successful with very few stars and a limited budget.
The Chemistry and charisma of the two leads help. This is the film where I discovered Mark Dacoscus (I Saw “Only The Strong” Years Later) who handles most of the action where as kadeem Is the everyman and the comic relief like a low budget but good version of “Rush Hour” tag team of Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker. Then add in Brittany Murphy as a over the top horny teenager who helps them. Her scenes are perfect and add to the lunacy and infectous energy. It’s rather sad when she Exits the film. You will find yourself praying that she makes another appearance. This was a star making role for Brittany Murphy her full comedic talent on display.
Considering this film so over the top nothing seems out of place or too bizarre. The Story is mark dacoscus is transporting a energized battery in his body that gives him endless energy he is trying to deliver it to a rival company who will remove it. When his company tries to kill him they try to stop him along the way so that he is practically a fugitive who kidnaps out of work Kadeem hardison for his car and promises him a million dollars half of his pay when he delivers the battery. Then in the final battle must face off with a guy who has a new and improved version of the battery sure allof this is ridiculous but it is also fun and entertaining.
This is a must see a definite rent if you can find it and if at all possible buy it at 14.95 it’s worth it.
GRADE: C+
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