I found out about this movie in Fangoria Magazine and even though "The Video Eye of Dr. Cyclops" only gave this movie 1 1/2 "eyeballs" out of 5, I saw it on Netflix and decided to give it a try because it was a brand new take on the Frankenstein story. I figured it would be too "Blair Witch" for me but jumped in anyway and AM SO GLAD I DID. While it does have that "lets make a documentary" essence that made "Blair Witch" a blockbuster (spurning a whole lot of similar movies that sucked)and which now the "Paranormal Activity" movies have brought back to life, I was instantly captured from the first sentence. I was particularly taken by the intelligence of this film. The character of Dr. Jonathan Venkenhein (which is very reminiscent of how "Frankenstein" sounds) starts right out by telling the camera that it was HIS family that created the monster and that he believes it is still alive and wants to go on an expedition to find it. This film is not for you if you're looking for lots of gore, but in this case I think less is more. Jonathan has researched his family archives and put together theories his entire life that convinced me in the first 5 minutes of the film that I was all in and would have gone with him in a second. While the info he gives in the beginning is rather abundant and (more importantly) believable, he continues to divulge more information as the expedition goes on keeping it interesting. I highly recommend it!
Reviews
11 Reviews
Night Hawks
28 January 2012
Warning: Spoilers
I think you all know me well enough by now to know that I put a certain weight on the outrageous factor. This episode did not have it so I am giving it only an 8. However, it was highly enjoyable in that it was hard to figure out exactly what was going on and made me think. I also enjoy when an episode is all over the place, only to all come together perfectly at the end.
I thought the killers accent was way more southern than mid-west Oklahoma. And this is just one of the many factual inaccuracies that plague this show. However, as I've said in the past, I don't watch this show because it's technically accurate or believable. I watch to be entertained. And, while I was disappointed there was nothing gruesome here to see, I enjoyed the episode nonetheless.
I thought the killers accent was way more southern than mid-west Oklahoma. And this is just one of the many factual inaccuracies that plague this show. However, as I've said in the past, I don't watch this show because it's technically accurate or believable. I watch to be entertained. And, while I was disappointed there was nothing gruesome here to see, I enjoyed the episode nonetheless.
Smothered in Ickiness
28 January 2012
Warning: Spoilers
Here we have an episode that went where few shows dare to go. The killer in this episode is acting out on the fact that his mother abused him sexually as a child. While child sex offenders of all types are despising, I find it particularly horrible when it is a mother who is abusing her own child. It was for this reason that I gave this episode a 10. I actually felt sorry for the killer by the time this episode was over, and the fact that he turned out to still be a kid was only one part of the reason.
As I get further into this season I am becoming more and more comfortable with the characters so my reviews are more episode content oriented as we go along. I enjoyed this episode. If only because I found it very hard to watch.
As I get further into this season I am becoming more and more comfortable with the characters so my reviews are more episode content oriented as we go along. I enjoyed this episode. If only because I found it very hard to watch.
The Fire is Right Here
28 January 2012
Warning: Spoilers
I gave this episode a 7 because I've seen a similar story line on other crime shows. While this was well done (and I enjoyed it), I was a little anxious to see what yet the next episode would bring.
I'm thinking, in particular, of a Law & Order: Criminal Intent episode where a mother tries to blow up the car she's in with her children. So I found the grieving father thing a little lame. However, I had never heard of the "Last Generation Movement" (which may or may not really exist), and that put a ray of sunlight into it. But, only a ray.
I am getting to know and love the characters even more, including Forest Whitaker who I sometimes have trouble understanding when he speaks. So, I'm sticking with the program and am going to see this season out.
I'm thinking, in particular, of a Law & Order: Criminal Intent episode where a mother tries to blow up the car she's in with her children. So I found the grieving father thing a little lame. However, I had never heard of the "Last Generation Movement" (which may or may not really exist), and that put a ray of sunlight into it. But, only a ray.
I am getting to know and love the characters even more, including Forest Whitaker who I sometimes have trouble understanding when he speaks. So, I'm sticking with the program and am going to see this season out.
The Gruesome Twosome
28 January 2012
If I was totally in love with the previous episode, "Devotion," due to it's outrageous gruesomeness, you can imagine how delighted I was to find there were, in fact, two in a row.
"Jane," is every bit as wonderful as "Devotion" was as far as exploring just how sick and gruesome the human mind can be. Since I have included spoilers in the last couple of reviews for this show, I will refrain from that here for maximum effect. Let's just say, lots of people are kidnapped every day. We know that all kinds of things happen to them and they often end up dead. But I assure you, what happens to these women is not one of the things you've ever imagined. Enjoy!
"Jane," is every bit as wonderful as "Devotion" was as far as exploring just how sick and gruesome the human mind can be. Since I have included spoilers in the last couple of reviews for this show, I will refrain from that here for maximum effect. Let's just say, lots of people are kidnapped every day. We know that all kinds of things happen to them and they often end up dead. But I assure you, what happens to these women is not one of the things you've ever imagined. Enjoy!
My Devotion is Solid!
28 January 2012
Warning: Spoilers
I've read the other review on this episode and obviously I came out on the other side of it. LOL!
I don't watch crime shows like these to enjoy their accuracy or how believable they are. I'll read the local newspaper if I want to get that. I watch shows of this caliber to be entertained in a specific way (and I'll admit here that I've been a horror fan my whole life). In my book, the more gruesome and outrageous it is, the better I like it.
It is for this reason that I give this episode a solid 10. Unlike the previous reviewer, I sat up at full attention when the sister (who was shown as being a live, interacting prisoner of the killer in the first half of the episode) turned out to be dead. How awesome is that??
I do not intend for this review to be a criticism of the previous review. To each his own for sure! But I am referring to it here to show that there are, in fact, different strokes for different folks. Someone who digs what I dig will definitely enjoy this episode!
I don't watch crime shows like these to enjoy their accuracy or how believable they are. I'll read the local newspaper if I want to get that. I watch shows of this caliber to be entertained in a specific way (and I'll admit here that I've been a horror fan my whole life). In my book, the more gruesome and outrageous it is, the better I like it.
It is for this reason that I give this episode a solid 10. Unlike the previous reviewer, I sat up at full attention when the sister (who was shown as being a live, interacting prisoner of the killer in the first half of the episode) turned out to be dead. How awesome is that??
I do not intend for this review to be a criticism of the previous review. To each his own for sure! But I am referring to it here to show that there are, in fact, different strokes for different folks. Someone who digs what I dig will definitely enjoy this episode!
Bang! Bang! Bang!
27 January 2012
Warning: Spoilers
Another wonderful addition to this series. Out of 4 episodes so far I've only been disappointed with the first. I'm so glad I stuck this out.
This episode holds plenty of tension, thrills, and info-tech geek to satisfy everyone. There's a serial sniper on the lose in Chicago, killing people at random. With each shot (dead center between the eyes) coming from distances farther than the previous one, this guy is building up to a climax... but what?
Our team knows that time is of the essence but all of their avenues of investigation are turning them down the wrong streets.
tic toc, tic toc, tic toc...
This episode holds plenty of tension, thrills, and info-tech geek to satisfy everyone. There's a serial sniper on the lose in Chicago, killing people at random. With each shot (dead center between the eyes) coming from distances farther than the previous one, this guy is building up to a climax... but what?
Our team knows that time is of the essence but all of their avenues of investigation are turning them down the wrong streets.
tic toc, tic toc, tic toc...
Do You See What I See?
27 January 2012
Ah yes, and now we get down to the nitty-gritty, my friends. I'm only 3 episodes in and I am now officially hooked on Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior. The characters are now my friends (Penelope has good taste), and the cases are getting grittier and more gruesome.
I will not divulge the details of this wonderful episode, but let me say that if you have thus been on the fence about this series, this episode will convince you to stay. The characters are my friends now because they are also becoming more comfortable with each other and themselves. They are no longer giving the impression that this is their first case together or the first time they've met and have moved into the realm of having been together for a long time and knowing each other inside and out.
This case is, by far, my favorite so far. It had a gruesome factor that was very close to being over the top, which I LOVE. Again, I did not have this one figured out by the end (and thought I had it figured out within the first 5 minutes). I give this episode, as the last, a solid 10. And I mean it!
I will not divulge the details of this wonderful episode, but let me say that if you have thus been on the fence about this series, this episode will convince you to stay. The characters are my friends now because they are also becoming more comfortable with each other and themselves. They are no longer giving the impression that this is their first case together or the first time they've met and have moved into the realm of having been together for a long time and knowing each other inside and out.
This case is, by far, my favorite so far. It had a gruesome factor that was very close to being over the top, which I LOVE. Again, I did not have this one figured out by the end (and thought I had it figured out within the first 5 minutes). I give this episode, as the last, a solid 10. And I mean it!
I've Joined the Lonely Hearts Club
27 January 2012
OK, it's me again, the willing --yet skeptical-- new viewer... and so far the only one who has taken it upon themselves to review this show.
I find myself here at the end of the second episode feeling elated. I found in this episode everything I was missing in the original series. Although it started out a bit "oh-this-is-so-ordinary" it quickly turned itself around. There were twists and turns and an ending that brought great satisfaction (mostly because I could not figure it out ahead of time).
I've hung out with these characters before, albeit only once (except for Penelope, who invited me to the party), and I've decided I like them. Some of them I like A LOT. And lucky for me, they've invited me to hang out with them again. I am looking forward to the occasion.
I find myself here at the end of the second episode feeling elated. I found in this episode everything I was missing in the original series. Although it started out a bit "oh-this-is-so-ordinary" it quickly turned itself around. There were twists and turns and an ending that brought great satisfaction (mostly because I could not figure it out ahead of time).
I've hung out with these characters before, albeit only once (except for Penelope, who invited me to the party), and I've decided I like them. Some of them I like A LOT. And lucky for me, they've invited me to hang out with them again. I am looking forward to the occasion.
Another Way to Look At It
26 January 2012
As a fan of the original Criminal Minds, I found this on Netflix instant streaming and decided to give it a try since (for various reasons) I cannot currently watch Criminal Minds. I like Janeane Garofalo and Kristin Vangsness so figured there was nothing to lose.
All in all it was a good show. I have not yet watched the rest of the season, although I intend to. I'm giving this episode only a 7 because I thought it was a little stiff (and I'm not used to Garofalo not being funny --albeit very good in a serious role). I think my main problem here is that I'm craving a show that I'm now trying to substitute and I don't know these characters yet so it doesn't feel quite right to me. Thankfully, Penelope Garcia was there to save the day in that regard. She popped up at just the right moments.
And while I grew bored with Forest Whitaker's furrowed brow throughout (I felt he was trying too hard), it was very nice to see him smile (more than once) in this episode... something his Criminal Minds counterpart, Thomas Gibson, never does.
And that's another way to look at it.
All in all it was a good show. I have not yet watched the rest of the season, although I intend to. I'm giving this episode only a 7 because I thought it was a little stiff (and I'm not used to Garofalo not being funny --albeit very good in a serious role). I think my main problem here is that I'm craving a show that I'm now trying to substitute and I don't know these characters yet so it doesn't feel quite right to me. Thankfully, Penelope Garcia was there to save the day in that regard. She popped up at just the right moments.
And while I grew bored with Forest Whitaker's furrowed brow throughout (I felt he was trying too hard), it was very nice to see him smile (more than once) in this episode... something his Criminal Minds counterpart, Thomas Gibson, never does.
And that's another way to look at it.
Never Would Have Happened
19 December 2011
Warning: Spoilers
I thought this episode was the worst one I've seen in the series. For 4 1/2 seasons, Mulder has been convinced that his sister was abducted by aliens as a kid. HE'S EVEN SEEN CLONES OF HER. Now why, after all the evidence to the contrary he's found, would he suddenly change course and even consider that she might have been simply abducted and killed by a serial killer --no matter how convincing and charming that serial killer might be? Even Scully, who has been skeptical about the alien abduction theory from the beginning, is not buying this guys story and yet Mulder places himself on an emotional roller coaster, taking great chances to give this man a chance to prove his story. The Mulder I have grown to know and love would never have given this guy a second glance when said he killed Samantha.
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