Last Seen Contemporary Movie

[Sculpt]

Evil Dead 2013

Just saw this a few nights ago with a buddy of mine. We're fans of the original two films. I'll keep this brief. I'll start with my buddy's summary: he said he'll do horrible things so he can go to hell and torture Rami for eternity for letting this film be made. He didn't like it.

We peppered the movie with a lot of "I'm your brother", "Where's my needle?" and "Momma's gonna bye you a mocking bird." We had to entertain ourselves with comments, ala MST2K style, because the film dialogue and logic was lacking. Classic case was Eric, the educated guy with glasses, is studying the book, after serious, deadly, mysterious things are occurring to these kids, and he declares to the others, something like, "I think this book raises demons." To which the Olivia, the brown actress, responds, "Shut up, Eric!". That pretty much sums up the film for me. Any hint of something smart, interesting, logical, funny or good, and the film instead goes dumb, numb or boring -- 'cool teen dumb'. I thought it failed at building characters, developing the story, building suspense and mood, music, logic, humor, etc. It was so painfully less at everything that the original two were.

[roshiq]

Wreck-It Ralph (2012)



>>: B+

Now You See Me (2013)



>>: B+

Hatchet III (2013)



>>: B-

[_____V_____]

A scattered family comes together for the wedding of the adopted son. And once one skeleton rolls out of the closet, plenty more start rolling out, showing how dysfunctional and funny behind-the-scenes stuff can be.

All-star cast, but despite so many familiar faces and some genuinely laugh-out loud moments, the film missed substance. Too many things started to happen too quickly. The only character you could care about was Katherine Heigl's, and it was a shame, really.

Could have been much better.


* * ½






First things first, Mark Harmon looks uncannily similar to Tom Cruise. So much so, it makes me wonder if the role wasn't written for Cruise first, and the makers had to search for a hurried replacement for him. A quick look at IMDB confirms part of it - although the actor Harmon replaced was originally Don Johnson. Bad choice, because Harmon looks completely out of place in his character and fumbles through the film.

Connery puts in a restrained performance, except for a bar scene when he takes on a guy 3 times his side with his "right thumb", so to speak. It could have been intense, but it became funny instead. Meg Ryan tries her bit to make things exciting during her on-screen moments, but they are few.

The plot starts off interestingly enough as a crime/investigation caper, but tapers off into unwanted drama, shoddily-developed second half screenplay, and a completely dissatisfying ending.

The only reason for watching this would be Meg Ryan. It's 1988, and she's simply drop-dead gorgeous (this being one of her early films).




* * ½

[phantomstranger]

"Gallowwalkers" (2013)
-Wesley Snipes

Plot: Rotten Tomatoes

A cursed gunman (Snipes) whose victims come back from the dead recruits a young warrior to help in the fight against a gang of zombies.

Phantom's Review: As I've stated in older posts, I love westerns, their my other favorite genre after horror , so when these two genres meet, I always hope that we're finally going to get a film that shows the best of these two type of films. Sadly, "Gallowwalkers" dosn't even come close, to showing the best of anything.
To be fair, the film is shot nicely and the director tries to capture a spaghetti western look, which he does OK. and their are a couple of truly beautiful women in tight corsets that look nice, and Wesley Snipes makes for a charismatic western hero, but that's about it.
The plot is virtually non existent, the acting is below average, the action minimal, and the scares are none.
A major disappointment.
Hopefully one day someone will make a good "Weird" western with the right amount of action and thrills, but that's not now.

[Bastion1023]

Finally watched the original Oldboy ahead of the upcoming remake. I was expecting a good movie and I was still blown away by it. Great performances and a plot that keeps you guessing until the end. I even appreciate that the last shot lets you decide what the fate of the main character. I highly recommend if you haven't seen it yet and don't mind subtitles.

[hammerfan]

The Hobbit

It was ok. I actually fell asleep at one point. LOL

[Sicknero]

Originally Posted by hammerfan

The Hobbit

It was ok. I actually fell asleep at one point. LOL

:D That good huh?

[hammerfan]

Originally Posted by Sicknero

:D That good huh?

LOL, I think part of my problem with it is that the book was never my favorite. I always preferred The Lord of the Rings. And the other part of my problem was I was really tired. :D

[ChronoGrl]

The Last Exorcism Part II (2013)



I honestly have no idea why I thought this would be worth watching. I'm a bit embarrassed that I even gave it a try... Then again, I'm amused by the title - I mean, how can there be a Part II if it's the LAST exorcism, AMIRITE?


...


Kiss of the Damned (2012)



Pretty. Stylized. And how 'bout that cool retro poster?? What I liked about this movie is that it was a good homage to 70's vampire flicks - Erotic, sensual - I found the concept to be interesting and different than the slasher/zombie fare that has been thrown at us lately. If you're a fan of the genre, I say definitely see it. There was a lot I liked about it, but also a lot that I didn't (Milo Ventimiglia, who plays our male lead is honestly terrible, to be honest), and in the end I was a bit disappointed. That being said, if you like stylized, slow-burning 70's horror, you'll dig this.

...

Argo (2012)



Absolutely fascinating and gripping true story. Ok movie. I was actually more interested in the pieces that I heard on NPR about the tale than I was in the movie itself.

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Dead Before Dawn (2012)



Mostly unsuccessful horror comedy. Watch Shaun of the Dead instead.

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Side Effects (2013)



Heard really good things about this and I was honestly captivated until the "twist"... Not really sure that it needed to be that complicated, and I'm not convinced that it worked. Also, what I found troubling...

[SPOILERS]

As someone who suffers from depression and bi-polar, I honestly connected with this movie immediately and loved that we were actually given what I thought was a convincing and horrifying look at depression... Buuuuuuuuut then of course Emily kills her husband... So what's the message, that medication is bad?? siiiiiiiiiiiigh - Honestly, I'm lucky enough to find medication that works for me... AND I know that there are a LOT of people who are against these types of meds... BUT I hate the message that THESE TYPES OF MEDS ARE BAD because, honestly, while they might not be for everyone, they have seriously turned my life around....... So, there was THAT... But THEN it turns out that Emily was FAKING?! SERIOUSLY?! So all of the first 1/3 of the movie where I thought, "Wow! I think it's important that we're seeing depression in screen," WAS JUST A LIE?! So, what - Message #2 is that people who are depressed are actually faking it?!?!"

I know I'm exaggerating but those two themes really hit me; I found them ignorant and just for the purpose of a relatively ridiculous "thriller."

[/SPOILERS]

[Angra]

Originally Posted by ChronoGrl

Argo (2012)



Absolutely fascinating and gripping true story. Ok movie. I was actually more interested in the pieces that I heard on NPR about the tale than I was in the movie itself.

Argo fuck yourself..