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Wednesday, April 30, 2008

My Six Degrees Of Kevin Bacon

I was on a message board that brought up this topic. After some thought I realized I too could be connected to Kevin Bacon


It starts with yours truly


Who once upon a time was distantly related to actress Melissa Behr (her mother was married to my cousin, the marriage has since ended)


Melissa starred in a movie called Perfect Tenant with Maxwell Caulfield

Maxwell Caulfield starred in Empire Records with Robin Tunney

Robin starred in a film called The Craft alongside Neve Campbell


Neve starred in a flick called Wild Things with Kevin Bacon


And there you go, the connection may be vague but it still counts.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

The I Inside


Every once in awhile there is a film where everything just comes together. The actors are top-notch, the script is perfect, and the ending actually surprises you. The I Inside is just one of those films.

Ryan Phillipe plays Simon Cable, a young man who awakens in a hospital with no memory of how he got there. He has a dead brother who might have killed, his wife, Anna who hates his guts, and a mysterious young woman named Claire who claims to be in love with him. He finds himself mysteriously leaping back and forth from 2002 to 2000 the year that he was in a serious car accident. Simon now must figure out the truth before he loses his mind.

The movie is a terrific thriller that keeps you guessing up until the very end. It has an unpredictable ending that doesn't insult your intelligence. The cast is great as well, Piper Perabo owns the role as the hateful and scheming Anna, Sarah Polley is as usual ethereal as Claire, and Stephen Rea plays a doctor who tries to help Simon.

If you want a smart and intriguing suspense movie, look no further this one is worth a watch.

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Prom Night


I don't know why they refer to this as a remake as 1980s Prom Night. There are virtually no similarities between the two films save for the title.

The plot centers around Donna Keppell, a young teen whose entire family was butchered by a teacher who was obsessed with her. Now three years later, Donna is preparing for her senior prom unaware that the teacher has now escaped and is coming for her.

The film really holds up due to acting of Brittany Snow who plays Donna. She's a good actress and takes a character that could've been annoying and makes you sympathetic to her. Other actors include Jonathan Schaech, Linden Ashby, and a brief appearance by Ming Na.

There is surprisingly little gore in this movie and some character development. However it seems strange to devote such depth into characters (mainly the first two killed) who you know will not be long for this world.

All in all, it's a pretty decent little slasher, not the best but still enjoyable to watch.

Saturday, April 12, 2008

What City I Would Like To Visit


This is for the blogroll thing I am in. The topic is what city in any country would you like to visit. The city I would like to visit is not really a city all but an Indonesian island, Bali.

I have always been obsessed with Bali and the culture. For instance Gamelan music ( a popular percussion orchestra music) has always been a favorite of mine. Whenever I listen to it I feel changed somehow. I love Indonesian food, particular favorites include Nasi Goreng and Satay.

Now I guess one would assume that that wouldn't be enough reason to want to visit the place but the main aspect of my desire to go there is how I feel about going there. Whenever I read a travel book or watch a documentary on Bali I feel this buzz go through me. It seems like a place that I would adore, a place where I could feel inspired and challenged.

My only concern is that I know Bali is a popular tourist destination, I'd hate to have to share my Bali with some ignorant tourist who only wishes to party. Or worst have the locals think that I am one of those ignorant tourists.

Still if I ever manage to make it there it would be a dream come true.

American Psycho 2: All American Girl



I used to like Mila Kunis but now that I've seen this film I flat out adore her. This film follows the character of Rachel Newman. Rachel at the tender age of 12 is kidnapped along with her unfortunate babysitter and held captive by Patrick Bateman. She manages to get free and kills Patrick never telling a soul she was there.

6 years later, Rachel is a college student who is intent on landing the coveted TA position under Prof. Robert Starkman (William Shatner). Almost everyone who gets the position goes to the FBI academy in Quantico which is Rachel's goal. However there are 3 other students who all have an edge to beat Rachel and Rachel hates to lose.

The film is cute and funny, Mila Kunis actually makes her character extremely likable despite the subject matter. The script is awesome filled with hysterical one liners and an ending you can't guess. This is especially great for me as I have a tendency to guess too many movie endings before the movie is half over. To find one that surprises me is a film to treasure.

If you have a dark sense of humor you'll love this film.

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Day Of The Dead


I am using the teaser poster for this review. The DVD poster which basically looks like some guy vomiting up a zombie was too gross.

If you think this film is similar to the awesome 2004 remake of Dawn Of The Dead, think again. This film is more akin to some god awful made for Sci-Fi Channel tv movie.

The plot centers around Corporal Sarah Cross (a badly miscast Mena Suvari) who returns to her hometown during a zombie outbreak. After the entire town, including her mother fall ill to the virus, Sarah is desperate to find her younger brother before it's too late.

The film sadly is boring, the special effects are sub par, and despite the fact that the awesome Ving Rhames is portrayed as a major character in the trailers, he barely lasts 30 minutes in the film. The film bears no direct resemblance to the 1985 version. There is a female soldier as a lead character and a zombie who acts human and becomes an ally. That's about it.

And beware the ending which is a stupid zombie jumping out at the screen in the last frame. If it's not funny in those stupid Youtube videos, it's not funny on the silver screen. This marks the first time in a long time that I haven't enjoyed watching a zombie film, and I have seen some pretty Z grade ones.

Sunday, April 6, 2008

April Fool's Day


Normally I'd be all up in arms over another '80s classic horror film being revamped but luckily for this movie I barely remember the original. This enabled me to watch it with a fresher mind than I'll likely have when Terror Train and Prom Night's remakes emerge.

The movie by no means is the best horror film in the world but it doesn't suck either. The movie focuses on rich siblings Blaine and Desiree whose April Fools prank on Desiree's frenemy, Milan results in her accidental death.

A year later Blaine, Desiree, and four of their friends who were present at Milan's death start receiving warnings supposedly from Milan. The warnings insist that whoever was responsible for Milan's death must step forward or all the others will die.

The film is suspenseful and actually surprises the viewer with it's twists and turns. I not only couldn't predict the ending I enjoyed it immensely.

I also have to give it up for Rumer Scout Compton, when I saw her in Rob Zombie's Halloween remake I didn't like her. But her role in April Fools Day was cute and intriguing and I may now have to re watch Halloween to see if it's changed my view on her.

The film doesn't star anyone else I recognize but the actress who plays Desiree bears a startling resemblance to Buffy/Angel actress Charisma Carpenter.

Open Water 2: Adrift


This film had to be the worst rendition of a perfectly good movie idea that I have ever seen. 6 friends go out on a yacht and all end up diving into the water. Unfortunately for them none of these geniuses bothered to check if the ladder was down. Now all trapped in the water with an unattended baby on board they struggle to get back on.

The first bad thing about this film is not a single character is likable enough to root for. They overlook countless opportunities to get back on the boat. The in fighting is pointless and one character's death is so abrupt and confusing that you wonder if the script writers lost interest at one point and just started to wing it.

The ending was flat out the most vague and stupid ending I have ever seen. This is a movie that you should avoid at all costs.

The film stars Eric Dane, Cameron Mathison, and Susan May Pratt, three decent actors who deserved so much better.