lumkinsc98 Reviews

Shaun of the Dead (2004)

Shaun of the Dead: Zombies, gore, jokes...mmm mmmm good! 10/10

[10/10 · 31 May 2004]

Dog Soldiers.

28 Days Later.

Haute Tension.

Undead.

Over the past year or so, it seems that just about all of the great horror films have come from everywhere but the USA. With the release of Shaun of the Dead, that streak seems to want to keep on keepin' on.

Ladies and gentlemen, I do believe that I now have a brand spankin' new "favorite zombie film ever". We've talked about this in a few threads so far this year, have it be about the trailer or whatever, and I just now got the chance to watch this instant classic tonight. When I woke up today I didn't have any intention on view it today, but thank God that all of that changed.

The film starts out somewhat slow, a rather odd pacing for a film of this sort. We are introduced to all of the characters right off the bat, in a way that feels more like a drama or a romantic comedy than any sort of horror film. Then again, as the tagline says, it is basically a romantic comedy...with zombies. Starting out, I was questioning the way it began, but once it was all said and done it made the start of the film just feel perfect to me. You had enough of all of the characters by the time the real action started, that all of the characters actually meant something to you.

I appreciate that, especially in a film of this sort. Many filmmakers never take the time to allow the viewer to have any sort of understanding of any of the characters in a film like this, with the exception of one or two main stars.

So yeah, a romantic comedy...with zombies is basically what we have here, and by God it's absolutely perfect. Even at the start, when the plot seems to be going at a slower pace, there are things in the background letting you know what is to come, various little things where you see the zombie epidemic starting up, and it's just a riot. Shaun doesn't seem to expect anything, and why should he? Afterall, who in their right mind would actually take small details and come to the conclusion that zombies must be a comin'?

I can't remember the last time a "horror" film had such a perfect mixture of, well, everything. Laughs (a lot of laughs), sentimental moments, straight up action, gore gore and more gore, a great script, a fantastic and simple plot, and every other thing you could ask for. It's all here, and it all comes together unlike any film in recent memory.

Oh yeah, the zombies in this film...they aren't kung-fu stars, they don't run up and down the streets, and they aren't superhuman. What we're dealing with here are old school, hard-core, wanting nothing but YOUR flesh zombies who can hardly stand up or walk.

Just the way I like em.

Without even needing to think about it for even a second, without second thoughts, this gets an instant 10/10 rating from me. Dawn of the Dead? House of 1000 Corpses? House of the Dead? I don't think so, nothing like that can even touch this film, it's not even a contest. Hey, I loved Dawn of the Dead just as much as the next guy, it was great also, but Shaun just blows it out of the water in my opinion.

It's weird, in Shaun I literally do not have a single complaint. There wasn't even a character that I hated, like there almost always is in a film like this. I either flat out loved every character in the film, or I loved to hate them. If this one is released in theaters here in the USA, you can be sure that I'll be the first one standing in line. I already want to see it on the big screen, and I really want the DVD right now.

Yeah, I say it's my favorite "zombie" film, but it's much more than that also. I mean, I have the same sort of feeling now that I've seen this film that I had after seeing flicks like Big Fish and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind earlier this year. That feeling being of 100% satisfaction.

Download it, then watch it in the theater when it comes out here in the USA, and then buy the DVD.

And pray to God for a sequel of some sort, or at least another feature film from the duo of Simon Pegg (main star) and Edgar Wright (director). They also co-wrote the script with one another, this being their first major feature film. So that's all for now, I'm sure I'll make more comments on this as the thread goes forward. I just wanted to get a few things off my chest before bed. Hopefully this will get a few of you interested in it, just as I helped some people get interested in Haute Tension, Undead, and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

We can't allow films like these to go unnoticed.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

I now have a new favorite film...wow.

[10/10 · 19 March 2004]

If any of you know me and talk to me away from the message boards, you more than likely know that my personal favorite film of all time is Memento. When I first saw that movie, it just blew me away. I became obsessed with the concept and the film itself. It's been a few years ago since I first saw Memento in the theater, and I didn't think that I'd ever see a film that I enjoyed more than Memento, especially already.

However, with Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, I might just be able to say just that. After months of waiting for this one to be released, I finally was able to check it out tonight.

Wow.

I've seen Memento over and over again, so I can't really say for sure that I enjoyed Eternal Sunshine more, but I do believe that once I watch it a few more times to really let everything sink in, I'll be able to say it without a doubt.

I checked this film out right before I saw Dawn of the Dead (yep, double duty for me tonight), and the first thought I had after leaving the theater was that I might as well not even watch another film for a while, because no way in hell could anything even come close to the perfection of Eternal Sunshine.

Charlie Kaufman is a freaking genius. From Being John to Adaptation and now this, I've decided the guy is not only screwed up in the head, but he is also a genius, period. He's just such a great writer. I've loved his work before Eternal, but this script is hands down the best that I have ever read, and it is presented on the big screen perfectly.

This film isn't like his other films however, it's much deeper. Eternal is not a gimmick film, it is NOT a comedy. It's a true love story, with a Kaufman feel to it. I could go on and on talking about how perfect this film is in my eyes.

The overall film itself isn't the only thing that's so great, as it's so much more than the story. The performances of everyone involved go above and beyond. Jim Carey proves once again to me that he is much more than the physical comedic actor that so many have certified him as without even taking the time to realize that he is capable of so much more than just moving around in an insane way. To me, he's just a damn fine actor. If this film doesn't prove that, then nothing will. He brings forth so many different emotions, in such a sincere way. From fright to antisocial to depression and ultimately to being totally in love.

Jim Carey's chemistry with Kate Winslet, his love interest in the film, is just unreal as well. They interact with one another with just such great feel. Carey (Joel) being the antisocial type of guy when he first meets Winslet (Clementine), who is everything but antisocial, the type of woman who is totally forward and is just totally open and free, from the very start they work great together. Even though both have a totally different personality, it works together, and eventually the personalities meet in the middle, forming one hell of a bond between the two characters.

The performances of the other main stars, Mark Ruffalo, Kirsten Dunst, Tom Wilkinson, and Elijah Wood, also do a great job. Everything just clicks for everyone involved, it's just a great experience on film when you have something like that happen between all of the actors involved.

But back to the character of Clementine. I can't remember the last time that I saw a character in a film with such an energy that Clementine shows off. I'd go so far to say that the character is my favorite character ever. I don't know what to say about this other than just that. I could watch that character all day interact with Joel, or anything else.

The look of the film, the special effects, the dialogue, the theme, all of the actors, it all fits together perfectly. I know it's cliché, but it's like a big puzzle where all of the pieces fit together in just the right way.

And with Eternal, the film itself really is a huge puzzle.

That isn't an exaggeration at all. The film doesn't even click in your mind until about twenty minutes in, but it's in a good way. You just have to see it to understand what I mean.

So yeah, I do believe that I have a new "favorite film of all time". I could watch this one over and over again, and I know that when I do I'll notice something different each time through.

Go check this one out, do NOT allow this film to go unnoticed. I know that it will more than likely not do that great at the box office, as I understand that this isn't the type of thing that the masses would really "get". Either way, have it do good or bad at the box office, WE NEED MORE FILMS LIKE THIS IN Hollywood RIGHT NOW. I can't say that enough. In a town working on so many remakes and sequels, it's refreshing to see something as original as Eternal Sunshine come out from the ashes.

House of 1000 Corpses (2003)

Simply put, it wasn't worth the long wait.

[5/10 · 20 March 2003]

I didn't expect much of anything from this film, and I might as well say that right off the bat. The majority of the performers in this film are obscure, unknown actors which have rarely been in any films of true note, it's directed and written by a man who has never directed a film before (Rob Zombie if you are not aware), and quite frankly, this film has been through the wringer way too much, and it's painfully obvious. The most well known actor in this film would be cult star Sid Haig, but unfortunately his role in this film is nowhere as large as I had been led to believe leading up to this film. Simply put, this guy is the high point of "1000", as he totally captures each scene he is in.

The film begins on a great note. We start off with a great scene in Capt. Spaulding's Museum of Monsters and Madmen, which leads us into the musical opening for the credits. I'm no fan of Rob Zombie, but I do admit that his music goes along perfectly in a film of this sort. So along with his music, the demented images in this opening, it really set a great tone for the rest of the film. Well, I should say it set a great tone for the rest of the film, which only lasted for a few minutes. It quickly broke down, and all direction seemed to be lost.

Everyone knows the plot of this film I assume. It's about a group of kids who are driving along, they run out of gas and are forced to stop at the odd, old looking gas station where they meet odd characters, which then lead them to a scary and broken down house in the middle of nowhere, where all sorts of horror and murder begins to take place. Now call me crazy, I've been called that before, but does that not sound just like a plot seen before in a movie just of this sort? It's so obvious that Rob Zombie wanted so bad for this one to be Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2000, but he fails to reach that goal.

The rest of this film is a horrible mixture of very bad acting, virtually no storyline or plot, no explanation for anything that is going on really, horrible editing, and an attempt at "cool shots" and the such, which only comes across as headache inducing. The film just seems to be one huge mess of various scenes trying to disturb the viewer, nothing really fits together in any way at all. Out of all of the camera angles, effects, and everything of that sort that we see throughout this film, there is only ONE which I feel is in any way truly original, cool, and horrifying. The shot is a closeup of the right part of someones face, and over their shoulder, we see "somone" following them as they are at a dead end trying to figure out what to do now. The shot holds there for a few moments, as the figure in the background over their shoulder moves closer and closer, and then they slowly turn their head to look over their shoulder, and the other half of their face appears as they do so, as they see the figure behind them. This is one of my favorite angles/shots that I have seen in years. There is nothing fancy about it, there are no special effects involved. As a matter of fact, it's the type of shot that any one of us could go out and shoot right now, but that's the thing. It's simple, and in this film it proves that less, is indeed more.

That is my favorite part of the entire film besides the very beginning before the opening credits/song. The rest of the film is simply "just there", with really no positives that I can think of. The only real positive I suppose that I CAN name besides what I've said before, is that of the character Baby, played by newcomer Sheri Moon, this is her debut acting role. As from the "1000" web site, "Rob Zombie fans will recognize her from her numerous rock video appearances including such favorites as Dragula, Living Dead Girl and More Human Than Human.", so you may have seen her before if you've seen his videos. She is hot, beautiful, and has a great voice. I can't say much about her acting though, it pretty much just ran into the wall like most everyone else in this film.

Also, the ending of this film comes out of nowhere. I like the ending of this film, but it just comes out of nowhere. I can't really explain it so as to not spoil it, but just be ready for a very abrupt ending. Also, do not look for tons of gore and graphic death scenes in this film, because you will NOT find them here. This film is all about being emotionally disturbing by using quick jumps, setting, and the overall mood... ...it's just too bad that The Texas Chainsaw Massacre did the very same thing years before, and did it much better.

After waiting years for this film to finally finish up filming, and to be released, I am now forced to say that it was not worth the long wait.

My Little Eye (2002)

It grabbed me by the neck, and caught MY eye.

[7/10 · 27 February 2003]

The Little Eye is a British made film, shot in Canada, with American actors. The plot is rather basic really, somewhat like Halloween Resurrection mixed with Blair Witch, topped off with the TV show, Big Brother (a LOT of that actually is in this). To sum it up, here ya go... ...it is about five young people who find an ad on the internet, for a contest. The idea, is that if they stay in a house in the middle of nowhere, they will win one million dollars. Sounds easy, but as you would think, there are catches. First off, their every move is broadcast on the internet for people to view via subscription. There are camera's virtually everywhere, from outside to the bath room, and everywhere in between. They are not allowed to step foot outside at night, they have a curfew that they MUST follow. During the day they can go anywhere, but they are so far out in the middle of nowhere, it's pointless to go beyond their yard really. Besides, not a single one of them no where they are, who is running the contest, or anything.

As I sat here and watched it, I found myself really getting into the film. It seemed to capture me, making me want to find out just what in the hell is going on, who is putting on the contest, and everything else. I do however wish there was just a tad bit more character development, but what is there suffices. The movie basically jumps right near the end of their six months, so there is a lot of stuff that you don't see, which I'm sure would have helped me get to know the characters a bit better, and their relationships with one another. Like I said though, what they do show us, and present to us, does the job fine.

There are only seven people in the entire movie. Each one of these people are virtually brand new to film also, giving the viewer a more "realistic" look and feel. Instead of putting someone in this one that everyone would know who it is, we instead see characters who look and feel more like real people, and I liked that. These people have had their spots on TV, and minor roles in small pictures before (one was in Ginger Snaps, another overlooked film), and one of the guys in this one, this was his first role ever. The point, is that the cast works here, period.

I loved the sound in this film also, as it really added to the mood. As a matter of fact, the sound and camera work actually made the film more scary than it actually was. This was a great job of using audio and visual to make the story really stand out more than it actually should be. Obviously you have different camera angles as you could expect in a film of this type, but they are not overused, and when they ARE used, it's done for a reason. I also loved the "night vision" effect of the web-cam's which gave everyone really evil looking eyes in the dark, very cool indeed.

The story as a whole is fine, because you aren't really expecting too much of it when you watch it. It grabbed me at the beginning, began to feel flat, and then right when they made me feel comfortable, they grab you once again by the balls and drag you into their world. I loved the ending also, I really, really, did.

Overall it was much better than other horror/thrillers that we see. This is my favorite one of this type in quite some time now. Still though, that isn't saying all that much, because MOST here lately have just been horrible. I think a lot of you guys would enjoy it if you checked it out, I sure did. My final score... ...7/10.

Johnny English (2003)

In the vein of Naked Gun, Mr. Bean style!

[6/10 · 25 February 2003]

This movie stars Rowan Atkinson as Johnny English, and he plays a role something of the sort of a James Bond, a bumbling James Bond (think Lt. Frank Drebin in the Naked Gun series). The plot is very basic also, so there is nothing at all to think about. The Crown Jewel's are stolen, and it's up to English to save the day, alongside his partner, and a mystery woman played by Natalie Imbruglia (yes, THAT Natalie Imburglia). The "bad guy" is played by John Malkovich, so we're good there. Like I said though, there really isn't that much to the story, it's your basic Naked Gun type thing, with many visual gags throughout the film. I'd venture to say that if you dig stuff like Naked Gun, then you'll enjoy this one for what it is.

Now, I may be just a little bias, because I've loved Rowan Atkinson for years. The moment I first saw the TV show "Mr. Bean", I've loved watching his comedy. I don't know why, but even just looking at the guy makes me laugh. Anyhow, that's that. He does what he's always done here in this one for the most part, and at times he is actually pretty good in this role. I'm not talking it's all over the place, but in a couple of scenes I was actually ready to think he was playing in a drama/action like James Bond.

John Malkovich is just about always gold, and if you've seen him play the bad guy before, you know what to expect.

I was most shocked at Natalie, she did pretty good for what was there. I mean, she had the type of role that many women could play, but still, coming from here I was surprised and pleased. While watching the movie, I didn't even think of her as "the singer" a single time, so that has to be a good thing, right?

Many of the gags have been done before that we have here in this one, and many times they have been done better. You see shades of Naked Gun, Austin Powers, and all other types of films in that vein. There is some originality here though, and you'll know it when you see it. This will not win any awards, and it more than likely wont do all that great once it goes nation wide in August, but it's a great "check your brain at the door" comedy/action.

One Hour Photo (2002)

A perfect example of why I truly love film.

[8/10 · 4 September 2002]

This is not a review of the film, I just wanted to share a couple of thoughts with everyone. First off, you must see this film somehow. It doesn't matter how, just go out and see it somehow! I am simply blown away with it, from top to bottom. The look, the script, the dialogue, and above all else... ...the performance of one Robin Williams. Not only is he IN it, but he gives his best performance ever IMO. Add to that, the fact that he has some of my favorite lines in the entire history of film to work with, and we are really talking. Just hearing him explain and describe pictures, photography, etc... is awesome as hell. This is a total "must see", and for him to be deprived of any recognition of this role, and film as a whole, will truly be a misfortune.

With a showing like this, it makes one wonder why in the hell he never started doing more "psycho" roles until here recently (with this film, and also the recent Insomnia). What Alfred Hitchcock did to the shower in terms of how movie viewers look upon it, Mark Romanek has done to one hour photo places, and clerks.

At first thought, a film about a one hour photo place, and clerk could be nothing more than a boring mess. Not here however, it is clever, inventive, and damned chilling. As a matter of fact, this film has a few of the most disturbing scenes I have ever witnessed in the history of my watching film. In short, this is about a one hour photo guy, who obsesses over those individuals who go to him to have their film developed, and it goes from there. I can't truly say much more than that, as to not give away any of the plot. I will say this though... ...have you ever wondered "what if" that one hour photo guy made just one more extra set of your photos and kept them for himself? This film, well, it really makes you think, not only about one hour photo stations or clerks, but about photography, and more importantly, life, in a whole new way.

The Sum of All Fears (2002)

The Sum of All Fears = Dramatic Realism!

[7/10 · 3 June 2002]

First off, allow me to explain what I mean by that. "Fears" was filmed early last year, long before 9/11. At that time, it was look at as nothing more than an political/action film, just like many before it. However, once 9/11 came around, the film began to mean much, much more. It went from being "just another film", to actually being a possibly blueprint on events which could actually occur in the USA, something that would not have been thought of as a possible reality, before 9/11. So, with all of that in mind... ...now, the film is looked at more so, as a dramatic interpretation of the world that we truly live in today. A world of true ist threat, a world of true lack of security in America, and above all else, a world in which the truly unthought of, can indeed be acted out upon.

The Sum of All Fears however when looked at in it's whole form, as a film, leaves a bit to be desired. The buildup is fantastic, the action scenes and the horrific "nuclear blast" is truly emotionally unsetting, but after "the big bang" takes place, the film begins to dwindle down, as if Tom Clancy didn't know where to truly take it. I can not say much more, in fear of spoiling anything, but you will understand what I mean when you see it for yourself.

The acting however, is top notch. The main two players here are Morgan Freeman and Ben Afleck. Freeman, who is almost always flawless, pulls out a convincing role here, and shines as always, but the big story is that of Afleck himself. Look at often as nothing more than a cookie-cutter persona on the big screen, he seems to be coming into his own. In Changing Lanes he began to show what he is truly about, and in "Fears" he goes the next step, proving (in my eyes at least), that he is much more than we all have come to expect from him. So yes, Afleck is looking very good, and comfortable, in his role here as Jack Ryan.

Now, I'm heard many look at "Fears" and say that it was flawed, because of the failure to allow this Jack Ryan, to follow suit more so with the ones that have come before him, but in my view, that should not take away from this film. This film plays more so as a stand alone film, not to be thought of in the same way as the others. This is even more noticeable in the fact that this Jack Ryan is so much younger, and it is in current day. So do not allow this to take away from "Fears", because in doing so, you are only taking the petty, and making it much more than it should amount up to.

Overall, I give this film a 7.5/10 rating. The fact that after the "blast", the film goes off in a direction which I would have preferred it not to, is the only reason I give it such a lower rating. But it is a must see, for everyone who can possibly get the chance... ...if you wish to see what could be reality, acted out before your eyes on the big screen, then this film, is the one for you!

Insomnia (2002)

Christopher Nolan does it again!

[8/10 · 24 May 2002]

First off, Christopher Nolan is one of my biggest influences when it comes to film and screen writing. With films such as Following and Memento, both of which reached cult following levels, he is well on his way to a successful Hollywood career. Then, today came, his 3rd film was released, Insomnia. Based on a 1997 Norwegian film written by Nikolaj Frobenius and Erik Skjoldbjærg, Insomnia is a true work of art in the world of film.

Christopher Nolan takes all that was the 1997 film, and brings it to the next level, using his own style of directing, a musical score with shades of Memento, and an all star cast. Al Pacino and Robin Williams pulls out the greatest performances of their careers in the past decade, if not in their ENTIRE careers in my eyes.

Pacino once again excels in the role of master dective, while Williams takes this chance to show his "dark side", and he does it so well. I can only hope that this is a rebirth of Robin Williams, and as it stands with his upcoming film One Hour Photo (which he once again plays a dark, psychotic role), it seems to be just that! Hilary Swank also pulls out what is the greatest role of her career.

Insomnia brings you in as an audience, with it's perfectly woven plot, with a film noir feel to it, just as Nolan's first two films. It is a rollercoster ride of drama and suspense as you watch Al Pacino from the very beginning unravel, and the rest of the story and his past catches up with him. I can not say much more about it, as I do not wish to spoil anything about if for you, but I do want to say this... ...go see it, right now, and enjoy. If you love crime/mystery/drama films with that wonderful Film Noir feel to it, you will love this film. If that isn't your thing, then the performances of the three main actors are worth the price of a ticket in itself.

Finally I just want to say, that Insomnia proves once and for all that Christopher Nolan will indeed be a force to reckoned with in Hollywood. I've said it before, and I'll say it again... ...Christopher Nolan is well on his way to becoming the Hollywood legend which he proves he is capable of becoming.