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shanman-1
Reviews
Black Snake Moan (2006)
Better than you would think
I did not expect much from this movie. The stereotypical wayward is held captive by the stereotypical religious savior, with the purpose of changing the former. It isn't new. I also do not like Christina Ricci. Neither her acting, nor her scantily-clad body. But I was surprised. The well-written dialog stunningly delivered by Lazarus (S. L. Jackson), and some interesting points in the plot had me glad that I watched it. Again, S. L. Jackson is responsible for giving a movie some powerful and memorable lines that I cannot image any one else delivering. ... "No. You ain't right yet." ... The Reverend (John Cothran Jr.) was more than just a secondary support character. He helped give some real character-building to Lazarus. His speech about heaven was a pivotal part in the movie. This movie is much better than any of the Movie Posters or stills hint at.
Survival Island (2002)
The ONLY movie I couldn't finish
I love campy, cheap, bad movies. MST3k would be my dream job. In my 38 years of watching all types of movies... this was one I could not finish watching. I ALWAYS have to watch a movie to the end. I HAVE to, no matter how bad it is (ex: Cannibal Holocaust 2). But after 45 minutes, I simply could not bring myself to finish watch a killer piñata. I almost feel bad commenting on a movie I did not finish watching, but that fact just goes to show how bad this movie was. I would rather watch Showgirls 10 times. I watched Battlefield Earth. I watched Howard the Duck. Waterworld twice. I liked Anaconda. I could NOT finish watching this one.
The Beast of Hollow Mountain (1956)
Worst Stop-Motion I've Seen
I love the old 50's movies, and have since I was a kid. (It's easier to catch them these days with Cable TV.) So I appreciate the non-CG effects, the simple plots, the dialogue style, etc. But this movie went to extremes. There is a difference between holding off on the monster, to not ruin the suspense in the first 30 minutes... and waiting for the *last 20 minutes* to show it. The stop-motion animation is worse than movie of this era (Beast from 20,000 Fathoms, 20 Million Miles to Earth), and even worse then movies before it (King Kong, Mighty Joe Young). Seriously, Gumby looked better. And for some reason, a T-Rex has a bright red tongue that would make Gene Simmons envious. My 6-year old though it was funny, not scary. My 4-year old even said that the dinosaur and "that mud" (end scene) looks like "the clay we play with". I think that if it wasn't a T-Rex, but rather just a rabid and large wolf - it would have made a better movie.
They Call Him Sasquatch (2003)
Good effort. Don't expect 'Airplane'.
Before viewing this movie, know that is a low-budget goofy comedy without current big name comedy stars. Technically the sound was one of those turn-it-up, turn-it-down, turn-it-up movies. The sound track should NOT drown out the voices! The first few minutes drag without excitement and only a little humor. It picks up better later on. Yes, the humor is low-brow and slapstick. But some of it is done well.
Neal McDonough has some good scenes and hams it up a bit, but not way too much. What can you say about Garry Marshall? He definitely adds to the movie.
News: The beautiful and sexy Vené Arcoraci also does comedy! She's multi-talented. The implied love scene (sorry guys no nudity) with her and a grungy mountain man is down-right funny.
Two good ol' boys hunters looking to bag a "Sis-kwitch" are reminiscent of Laurel and Hardy, Three Stooges, etc... at an amateur level, but still making you laugh. They had some good lines, and acted very well together. Good chemistry.
(Did I mention Vené Arcoraci is beautiful and sexy and can also do comedy acting?)
Randy McPherson made Phil Stuckling Sr. (the Dad) a character to love and laugh at. I wish I lived next to the Stuckings.
Overall, it was a decent flick to watch as long as you KNOW you are looking for some good, mindless humor that you also know isn't a mainstream, big-budget classic.
Schiave bianche - Violenza in Amazzonia (1985)
And I love bad films
I normally love watching cheap, bad films. But the acting in this one was one of the worst I have ever seen. Killer Klowns from Outer Space was Shakespeare's Hamlet compared to this film. I saw this as Cannibal Holocaust 2, and it was nothing compared to the original. Worst - It contains NO cannibalism! The plot is thin as a film could have. There is a "twist" at the end that is no surprise. Gore scenes are more fake than the older original. This is just a sad, sad attempt. Yes, some of the scenery is beautiful to see, but I got VERY tired of seeing the lead actress in the nude. (THAT'S just sad!) I don't spend time writing reviews of movies, but I HAD to for this one - it was that bad.