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Stay (2005)
Brilliant! Once again, another example of box office revenue meaning nothing
As stated in the subject, this film is pure brilliance! The story is not completely original, it draws small inspirations from such films as "Identity", "Fight Club", "12 Monkeys" and even a little "Sixth Sense". But don't let that deter you if you did not care for those films! "Stay" is pure, cinematic genius from beginning to end.
Marc Forster is probably one of the greatest up-and-coming directors of our time. What he's done with this film will make any cinephile drool with delight. There are so many innovative camera techniques that your eyes experience a sensory overload of pure genius. One of these trademarks is a technique where he transitions from one setting to another while still making you think you're in the previous scene for a few seconds. For example, in a scene where we see Ewen McGregor's character in a shop, the camera then switches views to the glass door of the shop, which we see another important character looking through it. The door opens and the character walks through, at which point we realize he was going through a subway door in a totally different scene. Forster uses this technique, as well as many other amazing tricks, throughout, and it's no less brilliant every time we see it them.
As I said, the plot will remind you of a few other movies, yet the actual twisted ending, and the avenue which Forster and the writers take us there, is so completely different and interesting that this film simply must be seen.
McGregor did a fantastic job as psychiatrist Sam Foster, and Gosling was unbelievably realistic and convincing as the mentally unstable patient. Of special note is Bob Hoskin's almost cameo role as Foster's friend Leon. His character is so sympathetic and believable that it almost made me cry.
As usual with such films as last years "The Jacket", this movie was marketed as some supernatural horror film, but it's by no means a horror film. In fact I went into this movie dreading all the jump scenes and disturbing, weirdness that would make me run from my car to my front door at night, but really this is a straight up thriller in the vein of "12 Monkeys" and "Sixth Sense" (minus the ghostly appearances and dead people).
If you consider yourself someone who is tired of Hollywood's big-budget, slam-bang drivel and want to actually have your brain scrambling with thoughts throughout an entire film, RUN, do not walk, and see this film.
The Cave (2005)
Not nearly as bad as everyone says. Just a fun popcorn flick
I went into this movie expecting just your average creature feature akin to Pitch Black, and I wasn't let down. It is, indeed, just your average creature feature. It's not the next best thing to Aliens, but it's not the travesty most reviewers here are making it out to be either.
The Cave is a fun popcorn flick. There's no really deep plot or amazing acting talent. What this movie does have is a few very intense, suspenseful moments, which is only aided by the very dark and claustrophobic atmosphere of the cave. It also has your average thriller twist at the end which I did not see coming.
The cinematography and directing by first-timer Bruce Hunt is surprisingly well done. His background as assistance director for the Matrix films and Dark City is apparent here. While he's no Spielberg or Cameron, he keeps the camera angles interesting, and there are scenes within vast, tall rooms in the cave that are quite breathtaking. One complaint, however, is that he chose to follow other directors mistakes in jarring the camera in a very frenetic and sickening manner back and forth whenever one of the characters is being attacked by the creature. This is not only very annoying and disorienting, but is IMO just a trick to cover up the poor creature fx.
Speaking of the FX, I have to say I'm 50/50 here. Sometimes they looked good, and sometimes they looked like they were from a Sci-Fi Channel original movie. The creature effects that looked good were the closeups, which utilized real models. These looked quite realistic. But far away shots of the CGI creatures are not so impressive.
If you want to sit down on a Friday night and just have fun, then pick up The Cave.
Psycho (1960)
Overrated, underperformed B-movie
Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho" has gone down in history as one of the most psychologically disturbing thrillers ever made. I strongly disagree. I started this movie fully expecting to be disturbed and scared, but finished it feeling robbed. The problem with this movie is the hype. Had it not been hyped as the scariest film ever made, than it would have gone over better. But as it stands, Psycho DOESN'T stand. Back in 1960, movie-going Americans were not at all expecting this, had never seen anything like this, and were probably very shocked when they did. This movie started the endless number of slasher-type films we know today, such as "Halloween", and the Jason series. Of them, I can't say Psycho is any better. Hitchcock does well with the cinematography, but falls short in the suspense area. His predecessors, such as Ridley Scott (Alien), Robert Zemeckis (What Lies Beneath), and many others succeeded where he failed. The acting in Psycho is pretty good, though sometimes mechanical. Bottom-line: If you have NEVER seen a horror film, particularly of the slasher type, than you will find this a chilling film. But for modern, decensitized America, it will only be looked at as a good B-movie.
Jason X (2001)
Worse of the worst...
Never before have I been 1/3 the way through a film and wanted it to end immediately. This movie is so bad, boring, clichéd, unoriginal, repetetive, and totally juvenile that it's beyond expression. It's simply unwatchable. From the non-stop bad humor to the horrible acting to the practically non-existant script, it's just a mess. If you've seen the first one, let alone 2 through 9, than this will simply be everything you've already seen, but in space. The violence/gore isn't shocking or frightening, it's just a total bore. Near the end Jason gets mutilated, but then comes back to life (what do you know?) stronger than ever. *yawn* Is this supposed to be new? This is by far the number one movie on your "Movies to watch only after you've seen everything else" list. 0/10
Pitch Black (2000)
Magnificant, awe-inspiring, but by no means scary
*Spoiler Alert*
The main review on the front of the DVD says "...scary As Hell!" Nothing could be farther from the truth. This movie has some excellent special effect, and the cinematography is supberb, but if you have seen Event Horizon, Sleepy Hollow, What Lies Beneath, etc. than this will be all about a great movie and no suspense. There are several rather disturbing scenes of a human being eaten alive by vicious bat-like creatures, and very computer-generated beings following them in the shadows, but it will scare only the weakest hearts. There is no more gore than the Mummy series.
The story is magnificant, though not totally original. Several people taking a trip on a spaceship to some distant planet crash-land into a mysterious world where it only gets dark every once in a great while. It just happens to chance that they arrive just in time for the solar eclipse that provides the only darkness to the planet. Only then do they realize they are going to be eaten alive by an unknown yet terrifying (to them) breed of creatures that only comes out in the dark. This is where the movie gets good. Vin Deisel plays a very believable Richard B. Riddick, a convict being transported to another prison. Very similar to John Carpenter's Ghosts of Mars. But the Similarities end there. Deisel, his eyes having been modified by an underground "doctor" in his previous prison, is the only one who is able to see the monsters. Everyone is forced to rely upon him to lead them to safety.
The movie's script is a little wanting, but overall did a fair job of conveying the point. The humor is decent, with a few funny quips coming from a British passenger. This movie shows that sci-fi films can still be made without being overly geeky (Battlefield Earth, Wing Commander) and poorly acted. It shows that sci-fi films aren't all show and no story. It shows that films can give the effect of claustrophobia and intensity without being overly gory and grotesque. If you like a good, intense fantasy film that isn't super-geeky and super-techie, check out Pitch Black.
Gekijôban Poketto Monsutâ: Myûtsû no Gyakushû (1998)
Nothing but hype...absolutely nothing!
The only reason this movie hit it off is because every kid from ages 2-9 dragged their parents to it, nothing more... besides the fact that it has virtually no storyline, absolutely horrible animation- following the over-hyped tv-show tradition- and boring fight scenes (besides the fact that they are exposing kids to violence)... what's the hype for? WHAT?!
I'd suggest a family outing to Toy Story 2 and forget this sorry excuse for a cartoon mess...
Entrapment (1999)
Excellent Acting, Engrossing and Clever Plot, Spectacular FX...
First, I have to admit that after seeing this movie, the first thing I thought of was "The Thomas Crowne Affair"... after all the plot is very similar... however there is a wonderful distinction between the two...
as in "Affair", Entrapment is about two people who find out they are both after the same thing... but you never know who is on who's side until the last minute... that's what I mean by engrossing... during the entire film the plot, the pace, everything that happens constantly changes to the exact opposite of what you would think should happen... very clever tricks, plans and ways the two team up to get to their goal are just one of the ways the film constantly surprises and delights you from start to finish... as again, as in "Affair", Entrapments ending seems dismal and depressing five minutes prior to the actual ending... but along comes a heartwarming, feel-good-inside ending that makes you want to leap for joy... this film completely delighted me with it's many, many surprises and new ideas, along with excellent acting and a soundtrack that keeps the adreneline going, this is one not to be missed... highly recommended!
Event Horizon (1997)
Excellent horror, supburb special fx, magnificent story line
I missed this film in the theaters, but when I saw it on TV I deeply regreted it. This is one of the most terrifying films I have come across. The storyline is truly unique. The thought of a ship built with an artificial black hole as an engine to bend time and space in half, thus reducing the distance between two points is very intriguing. What truly makes this film is the fact that the ship, after engaging this black hole, or Gateway as it's called in the film, it disappears, and 7 years later appears mysteriously. Where was the ship for 7 years? What places has it been, and what state is it in now? The horrifying discovery of what happened to the previous crew adds to the excitement. I have no ill comments of this film. Excellently done, acted, directed.