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Reviews
Batman: Under the Red Hood (2010)
Wow. This is more than just a cartoon.
I got the chance to borrow this DVD for the weekend, and I've watched it 3 times already. The animation was great. It was much like what we are used to with the always awesome DCAU "Batman", yet it was still slightly different and unique. It was more along the lines of the animated film "Batman: Gotham Knight" in terms of animation. The voice actors were all great. They delivered WAY above par in their roles. Iwas upset at first that Mr. Kevin Conroy wasn't voicing Batman/Bruce in this film, but after seeing and hearing Bruce Greenwood, I think he did great. Variety is good, and Conroy was apparently busy working on the Batman/Superman upcoming animated film. The Joker was also great. This film is not a kids film. There are some seriously disturbing images in this film, and without going into specifics I can say something about a bag of severed heads, drug dealers, dousing people in petrol and burning them alive, as well as many very intense fight scenes. There was one particular chase scene involving Batman and Nightwing chasing after The Red Hood, completely intense and really had me feeling the adrenaline. As for the story itself, I can say that not much of it came as a surprise to me being an avid Batman comic/graphic novel reader, but the writers gave us a very engaging story about a very conflicted hero. There are things taken directly from such greats as "A Death in the Family" and "The Killing Joke", and they both revolved around the mystery of the Red Hood. This film can be enjoyed by comic readers, as well as those who have not as much knowledge of Batman, because it's more about what makes Batman who he is. Yes it's a fictional tale, and not quite as "real world" as Nolans wonderful films, but there is still PLENTY of great action, suspense, and even a good bit of violence to satisfy us. I'd say the best Batman animated film since "Mask of the Phantasm".
Breaking Bad (2008)
A very rare masterpiece of a television show....
I first watched this show when it aired, based on a friends recommendation. I heard the premise, and was VERY interested. A middle aged highschool chemistry teacher dying of cancer starts making and selling crystal meth to support his family before he dies. He finds a kinship, and partner of sorts, with a former student/slacker of his, Jesse Pinkman. The first season was cut short, coming in at only 7 episodes, but the second season has the full 12. Give this show a chance, its very addictive. Walter White is a character you want to root for, but sometimes find yourself asking how you can. The pacing of the story is brilliant, as is the creepy foreshadowing of the finale all throughout the 2nd season. This isn't a typical show, with typical character... we empathize and sympathize with Walter White, and hope that in the end there is a reason for all his madness. He starts out as nothing more than a nerdy, over-qualified chemistry teacher, but by the end of the first season, he has definitely grown accustomed to his alter ego "Heisenberg", the meth kingpin of New Mexico. Obviously Walter gets himself in over his head, and thats what keeps us so interested... Season 3 starts in a couple weeks, and anyone who caught the 2nd season finale this past summer, is obviously dying to see where it goes from here!
Deadwood: A Two-Headed Beast (2006)
One of the best episodes ever....
When the song that played over the end credits, Bama Stuarts "I'm Coming Home", I had a very bittersweet feeling.. This episode showed that anybody, even very powerful, brutal, men... have their limits.. Everyone can break.. From Steve the drunk and Hostetlers situation, to Dan and Captain Turners brutal fight to the finish.. Men have their limits.. Dan is visibly very shaken, and we never see him like this... he is actually afraid... and saddend by what occurs... Wonderful acting by W. Earl Brown. Stunt coordinator Alan Graf as Captain Turner, George Hearts number one thug, also delivered far above par in his small, yet interesting role.. For once someone bigger and scarier and with a worse reputation has come to the town of Deadwood... and I am not just talking about the Captain Turner/Dan situation, but also the George Hearst/Al Swearengen situation as well... Al and Dan may be perhaps thinking they have met their match? But regardless, neither would ever back down from a fight..Dan literally in this case... Check this one out... its wonderful...... also learned that next fight I get in I should cover my whole body in a greasy lubricant of some kind.. LOL.. Enjoy.
Deadwood: Deep Water (2004)
This was the episode that SOLD me, big time...
Everything about this episode was fantastic. A great, great variety of different types of actors, as well as some brilliant storytelling make this episode as good as, if not better, than any old western film you can think of. Is it vulgar and disgusting at certain parts? YES. Watching this show makes you really feel how it was to live back then, in this lawless, defiant, sinful town that is growing more rapidly by the day. And seeing the whores of Swearengen's "Gem Saloon" makes it even more accurate, since thats what real people look like naked. Not this Hollywood lyposuction plastic surgery anorexic day.. The camps unspoken leader, Mr. Al Swearengen, is nothing short of breathtaking every scene he is in.. His character commits some HORRIBLE acts in this episode, yet I cannot help but like the guy. The episode picks up where the first one left off, and progresses the story in a way that leaves you feeling uneasy. Also I might ad, that you don't have to enjoy Westens to like this show.. The characters of this show go through a lot of the SAME problems we go through today.. It's just great seeing how people lived.. nobody in Deadwood takes a shower/bath for granted.. nor a good meal, alcohol, opium, etc.. But do yourself a favor, give this a chance.. this show is very rewarding to watch.. the dialog is diverse for a reason.. there are many different types of people coming to this town to make their fortunes.. From braindead miners, who can barely talk, read or write, to intellectual businessmen, to vicious thugs, to sweet innocent preachers and doctors.. this wide range in people would make their dialog to one another very very diverse.. but you start to understand it and its great.... So if you're sick of most CRAP on TV now.. watch this series... you'll later hate me for turning you on to it when you find out they cancelled it after season 3.. Way before its time..
Death Proof (2007)
Tarantino can still make a good film, without becoming a cliché of himself
I was very excited when I heard about Grindhouse. In the wake of the Saw/Hostel/Rob Zombie new age gritty, dirty real life horror, I was very pleased to learn Quentin(who co-produced Hostel) and another great director/collaborator, Robert Rodriquez were doing a double feature horror film. Fake previews, scratched, worn out film, missing reals, black and white, etc. make this seem like a Saturday matinée, or drive in kind of film. I suggest seeing this movie with the added scenes of the lap dance and extended sequences. The film opens very light-heartedly, and introduces several adorable, fun loving young ladies. In their innocent evening out partying, it becomes apparent that a man is following them. We are soon introduced to Stuntman Mike, in Kurt Russells return to more of an outlaw type character as opposed to his more recent roles("Poseidon", "Miracle"). You just cant help but like this guy from the beginning, he seems friendly, and he even has a way with the ladies despite his scar from "cutting himself shaving". This film has a unique pacing of characters, who seemed many at times, and although it takes place present day (text messages, cars, Movie billboards, etc.) it has a complete 1960's feel to it. I would even recommend this film to non-horror fans, as its more of a black comedy/thriller than a horror film. It does however retain several horror elements and shock value. This is a must-see for any Tarantino or horror kind of fan, yet don't think it's more than it is and just enjoy this entertaining tale and have fun. I liked it better than Planet Terror but it was impossible to top Russells performance as Stuntman Mike.
Saw (2004)
mix of suspense and horror equals a new cult classic
Two men awake in a filthy bathroom each chained to an opposite side of the room. As time passes the two men find themselves involved in a deadly game and without giving anything away, they are forced to make rather DIFFICULT choices to keep alive.
Fans of both the horror and the suspense genres will be pleased with a film that practically reinvents the wheel with its arch villain. The scene with the puppet tricycle is the stuff made from nightmares!
Horror went off into a new tangent, albeit BETTER tangent than it has been in years. In closing, SAW is a film that will make you really want to appreciate life.