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kvnogill
Reviews
Abattoir (2016)
Pass or waste your time and get pissed off
Terrible film. Terrible script. Terrible editing. Marginal direction. Terrible ending, which is to say that the ending is not that bad relative to the story but was handled so poorly in set-up and delivery as to make it terrible.
There are some excellent actors who do a decent job of not "phoning in" their performances even though the script they had to read probably had them second guessing their involvement.
The set design and cinematography are, by contrast, excellent, which is the only thing keeping this film from being a B-movie
Mostly, based upon my study of film and not my experience as a novelist, the direction and script are terrible. Which is too bad because the story could have been on the level of 13 Ghosts (both versions) or House on Haunted Hill (both versions).
Do not watch this film, it will only piss you off.
Penance Lane (2020)
Potential
It's a very good story. From supernatural to horror to plain sociopathic greedy corruption. Unfortunately it needed a far better director, maybe Aaron Koontz. Someone who knows horror.
The script could use some work but it's not too terrible. Even the actors were okay and John Schneider actually does a good job. It's too bad, even with mostly unknown actors, a really good director could have done wonders.
Twilight (1998)
Good story on bad casting choice.
The story is good and the dialogue is good and there a lot of wonderful actors who do a great job but Paul Newman, in his late 70s and he looks every bit of it, is just much to old for the role. In the day he owned every scene he was in. In this film he removes suspension of disbelief each time he on camera. Not that he can't still act, he's just
Much too old.
Bill & Ted Face the Music (2020)
Stupid fun
It was really bad but Bill and Ted's daughters were funny and the robot was funny and the whole thing was just stupid, but it was fun and brainless and why not.
Taffin (1988)
Brosnan's cool
A decent version of every old western movie where a lone gunslinger is reluctantly hired to fight the powers that be.
The difference is the Irish setting and the young absolutely cool Pierce Brosnan. His coolness and charm are in overdrive in this film. It's difficult to understand why he didn't have a career similar to Gerard Butler, the James Bond roll not withstanding.
If you like those old westerns and you like Pearce Brosnan. It's well worth a watch.
Ghosts of Mars (2001)
Vintage Carpenter, but could have been classic Carpenter
I'm not going into detail here. This movie's script, musical score, and cinematography are vintage John Carpenter. What it needed, to be an "Escape from New York" or "The Thing", was a better class of actors. Natasha Henstridge is okay, Jason Stratham is Jason Stratham without the cool Kung Fu stuff ( you do the math) and Ice. Cube is terrible. First, he can't act. Second, are we to believe that in the very distant future the inner-city ghetto dialogue is still a thing? The guy is charismatic enough but did I say he can't act? He makes Natasha Henstridge look like a much better actor
The only other thing that would have been cool is if after the Natasha Henstridge Character communed with the Martians, she gave a bit more of their back story. Might even have opened up sequel possibilities.
The fact that as I write this I cannot recall any of the character's names is telling.
Moonlight (2007)
Come back Mic
Great show, even 14 years later. They could restart it now with only a little tweaking
Van Helsing (2004)
Fun
It's just fun movie. Even as goofy and over the top as it sometimes gets it works because both Hugh Jackman and Kate Beckinsale put in the effort. Also what guy doesn't like to watch a film with Kate Beckinsale?
L.A. Confidential (1997)
Classic
Recently watched this again. This is a great movie. Excellent acting, writing, directing, cinematography, you name it, and the plot twists got me even though I had seen it on the initial release. If you like mystery, a little action and period movies set during the Hollywood "golden age" you'll love this one.