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Reviews
Friday Night Lights (2006)
Enjoy the characters, TV at its best!
Having read the huge numbers of negative comments here, I felt that I had to write in support of what is a truly fabulous show. Coming from England my enjoyment of what is a very American show may come as a surprise, but once you start watching this show, you can't stop watching! This is in large part down to the characters. These are people you come to care about - you want to see the path that they follow, and hope that great things happen to them. Yes, season 2 is not as great as season 1, but you still find yourself unable to drag yourself away from the engrossing community that is shown here.
And those who complain of the camera work; this is merely a different way of viewing that many find very interesting. We constantly get other views of a situation - rather than merely a static impression, we are drawn into a scene.
Overall I cannot compliment this series enough. Fantastic viewing, superb acting, excellent writing. This hands down beats the majority of television. Watch the pilot, become engrossed, and finish off the next three series - you won't be disappointed.
Black Water (2007)
Atmospheric, well made, keeps you on the edge of your seat
I put this movie on not expecting much, other than a B movie gore fest. Thankfully I was presented with a very well made film, that built up the suspense and managed to maintain it throughout its run time. This was an impressive achievement. The acting was solid, creating characters that you cared about and related to; and although some may find the film slow, it did force you to think about what you would have done in the same situation. Added to this there was some fine camera work and the directors pulled it all together admirably. An excellent effort then, that is well worth your time if you prefer development and suspense over gore.
Trigger Man (2007)
Please God don't bother!
I have seen poor movies in my time, but this really takes the biscuit! Why oh why has this film been made? There just is nothing here whatsoever. Please put your trust in me, flick the off switch and destroy your copy of this film. There is a plot... that could take about 5 minutes to show on camera. This is the key problem, the story 'based on a true story' (mmm... whatever) just in no way lends itself to be padded out for 80 minutes. And so we therefore have to sit through over an hour of watching people walk around. That is it! In the whole first half an hour absolutely nothing happens, apart from watching someone walk to a shop... and then 3 guys walking through a wood. This time could perhaps have been spent on developing character... but no. And so there is absolutely no connection to the people on screen, and so when they start to get shot, we couldn't care less! In fact I was in the end vouching for the baddie so that the film would end! On top of this the camera work is truly horrific! This director/editor/writer/producer, Ti West is rubbish. I hate to hit a guy, but really, his work is pants! These dull close ups continuously, and then long single takes following people as they walk - I'm sure he thinks he's clever, but the results are so dull I just wanted to stop the film and slit my wrists! How this man has been brought on to direct the next cabin fever movie is beyond me! To finish, the acting is also woeful,... which goes for the film as a whole. Preserve your sanity, stick clear of this heap of total excrement!
Ghoulies (1984)
Only for die hard 80s addicts
Having read a number of positive reviews on this movie, let me be brutally honest and say that this is a pretty poor effort. The plot is nonsensical, the acting, though not all awful, is shoddy, the special effects look very dated nowadays, and the ending is truly ridiculous! I'm not even sure why the movie is called 'Ghoulies' seeing as they do so little throughout the film! Okay, for nostalgia fans of the 1980s there are some awful haircuts, and amusing cloakroom choices, but that is not a reason to watch a film. This spends huge amounts of time building up to the ending, which is a total let down. honestly, how films like this got made I don't know - surely the actors must have been sat on the set thinking, 'Why am I talking to a moving piece of snot' (which is in large part all that the ghoulies look like - about as menacing as my nan without her teeth in - no hold on, she's far scarier!). Reviews might compare this film to Gremlins, but they are in a totally different ball-park - don't watch this movie, watch Gremlins instead... or even 'Critters' for that matter.
The Final Curtain (2007)
Very average... if that...
Let's get straight to the point, this is low budget horror. So at the end, you've probably got what you asked for; below par acting, below par sets, below par directing and below par anything else that you might want to add. Of course you can come across very good low budget movies, and this certainly doesn't rank as one of the worst I've seen by any stretch of the imagination (see scarecrow or the Pumpkin Karver for that accolade for example), but this could have been so much better. The plot is typical slasher horror fair, with young college students trapped in a building, and the first half hour is quite interesting, setting up the situation. But then the film slows right down, and unfortunately it is very clichéd and never really sparks. There are also a number of very odd situations created that are plain annoying, and as with so many recent movies the attempted 'twist' is just pants. Certainly if the director had cut 20 or even 30 minutes out of this film it would have been a far more enjoyable fair. As it stands its a passable way to waste an evening if you have nothing better to do, and aren't expecting great cinema, but there are far better slasher movies out there.
Wind Chill (2007)
Well produced, well acted excellent movie
A fan of the horror genre, this really stands side by side any horror movie made in the 21st century. As many mention this sticks clear of the gore factor and replaces it with huge amounts of tension that builds and builds as the film moves forward. Compared to 'Peny Dreadful', another recent 'people-stuck-in-a-car' movie, this is certainly superior. This is due to the excellent acting from the leads who build a good rapport with the audience and really drag you into the situation. On top of this (when allowed) the score is very good, and the direction uses the background to great effect which will make repeated viewing even more enjoyable to pick up on other pieces of the puzzle.
Yes there are some weaknesses - I wasn't totally enamoured with some of the end pieces- but overall this is a very slick effort, and certainly makes you look forward to forthcoming efforts by the director and the lead actors.
Tom yum goong (2005)
Breathtaking!
Wow! I have just watched this, and am still getting my breath back! If ever a movie deserved the title 'action' this certainly does. The plot is bye the bye, as our here Tony Jaa clobbers his way through Sydney. I've watched him in Ong Bak, and thought that was awesome, but this really does take the action a step further - the fight scenes are just incredible. It is in fact difficult to believe that the actors do all there own stunts (so how Jaa got through this I don't know!), and there are no wires or special effects - just total insane fighting. There are too many great scenes to discuss here, but one that needs special mention is the tower scene. Here for nearly five minutes, in one shot, Jaa ascends a tower fighting hordes of enemies - in one shot!!!! Incredible, if you're a fan of martial arts films, or action, you must see this movie!
The Pumpkin Karver (2006)
Truly terrible
I'm sorry, but I cannot understand how anyone could possible enjoy watching this movie. Indeed, I am annoyed with myself for watching the whole of this terrible piece of trite. Okay, so the film starts off fine, for the first five minutes, and looks like it's going to be quite interesting... but then it descends into nonsensical rubbish!
Key problems: The plot (if I can call it that!) - just does not make any sense! And the so called twist at the end is so obvious that it can't even be called a twist! The characters - The lead character whines and moans, and just becomes plain irritating - why the girl falls for him I have absolutely no idea! Add to this a bunch of totally annoying 'friends' (especially the 'stoner' mates, who are horrific!) who are all cardboard cutout prats. The acting - Words can hardly express how awful they are... especially the lead guy who is so bad I wanted to stick pins in my eyes. The writing - whoever wrote this should look very hard at themselves - a lot of it makes no sense - for example the old man, what the hell is he talking about?!?!?
Overall: There is nothing for me to praise in this film, please stay away from it, this is one of the worst films ever made - I am amazed that it was ever put into production. Terrible!!!!