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Ratings Scale: Brutal: * Kinda Sucked: ** Average: *** Loved It: **** Perfection: ***** |
| Soylent Green (Laserdisc) |
 Director: Richard Fleischer Main Stars: Charlton Heston, Leigh Taylor-Young, Edward G. Robinson, Brock Peters Rating: **** The year is 2022, the world's population has spiraled out of control and people are confined to overcrowded cities where real food has long disappeared and been replaced by synthetic substitutes made by the Soylent corporation. Jobs are scarce, food riots common, the poor live in stairwells and churches, and the rich live a life of luxury sequestered away in armed dwellings. Detective Thorn (Heston) is assigned with solving an increasing number of homicides. His partner Sol (Robinson), a crotchety old man who remembers when the Earth used to be beautiful, gathers information by going through long forgotten books. One day Thorn is called to investigate the murder of a rich and powerful man, a man who was on Soylent’s board of directors, and a man who was haunted by a horrific truth. Despite being made in 1973 it has help up surprisingly well over time. In fact, outside of a few scenes you'd hardly know it was filmed back then. Sadly I already knew the surprise ending which was a bit anti-climatic but I can't fault the movie for that. For a movie so engrained in popular culture I'd guess that most people my age or younger haven't seen it. That's a shame because this is one of the all time Sci-Fi classics. |
| The Road (Blu-Ray) |
 Director: John Hillcoat Main Stars: Viggo Mortensen, Charlize Theron, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Molly Parker, Robert Duvall Rating: ***** End of the world type movies have always held a particular fascination for me. So when I first saw the trailer for this I couldn't wait to see it. The Road tells the tale of a man and his 11 year old son struggling to survive in a post-apocalyptic world. A world where all the animals are dead, hunger is ever present, bands of cannibals roam the charred countryside, and their only defense is an antiquated gun with only two rounds remaining. While there are other characters - an almost unrecognizable Robert Duvall and Charlize as the wife who gives up hope - the film is really about the father (Mortensen) and the son (Smit-McPhee) and they carry the movie. Both give great performances and thoroughly draw you into the film. While not technically a horror movie, a number of scenes and imagery are particularly horrific and haunting. About the only thing I didn't like was the ending, mostly because in my mind I had a different outcome envisioned. It is however faithful to the acclaimed novel it's based on, so you can't really fault it for that. This is simply terrific filmmaking, it's one of the best of the year, and it will stick with you long after it's over. |
| THX 1138 (Laserdisc) |
 Director: George Lucas Main Stars: Robert Duvall, Donald Pleasence, Maggie McOmie, Don Pedro Colley Rating: **** Before Luke Skywalker there was THX 1138...George Lucas' first feature tells the story of the title character (Duvall) living in a bleak futuristic world where people are forcibly medicated to get through their mind numbing day building robotic guards and where sex is forbidden. One day THX 1138 stops taking his meds, falls in love with his roommate LUH (McOmie), and almost causes a catastrophic accident due to his lack of focus. Soon he and his roommate end up imprisoned in an all white, endless prison along with several other deviants. When LUH is taken from him he vows to escape and find her again all while being relentlessly chased by the same robotic guards he helped build. For a movie that came out in '71 it surprisingly holds up well. The visuals are bleak and sparse, nicely setting the tone of the film. And the story for it's time was definitely radical. The version I watched was the Japanese laserdisc, and like most Japanese LD's you get improved quality over the North American releases with the tradeoff of having to watch Japanese subtitles. Also of note, this is the best quality 'original' version released. Lucas released a DVD version in 2004 which like his rereleases of the original Star Wars films had a number of CGI enhancements and tweaks which I personally think are an abomination. Finally, if you ever wondered where Lucasfilm came up with the name for the sound standard THX - it was from this film. |
| The Hurt Locker (Blu-Ray) |
 Director: Kathryn Bigelow Main Stars: Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie, Brian Geraghty, Guy Pearce, Ralph Fiennes Rating: ***** William James (Renner) has an unenviable job to do as a bomb disposal specialist in the Army. He finds himself in Iraq with Bravo Company after their specialist was killed in an ambush. In addition to working with a new unit whose members worry that his recklessness will get them killed, he also has to contend with snipers, the heat, and a hostile population. All while knowing that the slightest miscalculation will quickly end his life. "The rush of battle is often a potent and lethal addiction, for war is a drug." With that quote what is essentially the perfect war movie begins. It doesn't preach, it doesn't stereotype. What it does is put you in the midst of extremely tense situations and that tension is carried throughout the movie. It puts you in the mindset of the soldiers doing their job and concentrating on making it through to the next day. Based on journalist Mark Boal's reports from when he was embedded with a bomb squad in Iraq, there is a definite sense of realism and authenticity. Oscar winner for Best Picture and Best Director, I can't recommend this movie enough. |
| The Brothers Grimm (Blu-Ray) |
 Director: Terry Gilliam Main Stars: Matt Damon, Heath Ledger, Monica Bellucci, Jonathan Pryce, Peter Stormare Rating: *** Will (Damon) and Jacob (Ledger) are two brothers making a living conning superstitious German townspeople in the early 1800's. Their streak of luck comes to an end when the occupying French army led by General Delatombe (Pryce) who is on to their bag of tricks, order them to the village of Marbaden to expose the con artists terrorizing the town with a series of supernatural disappearances. Unfortunately for the brothers they soon find out they are dealing with the real thing. I love Terry Gilliam. Brazil is one of my all time favourite films and I thought The Fisher King was brilliant. While somewhat entertaining, this doesn't rank up there with those two greats. Visually the movie is signature Gilliam - beautiful and boldly imagined. It's the story that is the weak point. At times serious and at times slapstick the movie doesn't quite no what it wants to be. While Ledger does a great job as always, Damon's performance is somewhat wanting. Super hottie Bellucci should make for some terrific eye candy, but unfortunately she spends most of her screen time in makeup as a hideously aged witch. So all you're left with is the scenery, which while enchanting can't make up for the film's other shortcomings. |
| Coraline (Blu-Ray) |
 Director: Henry Selick Main Stars: Voices of Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher, Jennifer Saunders, Keith David Rating: ** Coraline and her family move into a new house which they share with a number of eccentric characters. One day she discovers a hidden door which leads to a magical world - one where her every desire is met and her 'other' family begs her to stay with them. In fact, she soon discovers they have no intention of ever letting her go. What a strange, odd movie. Visually, it is amazing and like Nightmare and Corpse Bride is full of stop motion goodness. It is also the first stop motion film to be made in 3D. My understanding is that in the theatres it was terrific, but on Blu-Ray with the cheapo glasses it looked useless so I ended up watching the 2D version instead. Story wise Coraline is a very dark and disturbing film. I wouldn't recommend it for children - unless you want to get them to do chores by threatening to sew buttons into their eyes that is. Terrific visuals and an oddly disturbing story should make for a winner right? For some reason it just didn't work for me. Perhaps it was because despite all the eye candy I wasn't drawn in emotionally with the characters. In the end I was left disappointed. |
| Sherlock Holmes (Blu-Ray) |
 Director: Guy Ritchie Main Stars: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams, Eddie Marsan, Mark Strong Rating: **** Holmes (Downey) and his faithful companion Dr. Watson (Law) have just thwarted a satanic ritual and sent it's ringleader, Lord Blackwood (Strong), to prison where he is scheduled to die by hanging. But before he draws his final breath he summons Holmes to see him and cryptically warns him of the future. Holmes' adventures would seem to be at and end - until he gets word that Blackwood has seemingly arisen from the dead. I've never really read the books so I can't comment on how authentic it is to the literary character. However, I do know that I found this to be a very enjoyable, fast paced film. In retrospect the story isn't anything special. Instead, what makes this film great is the dynamic between the two main characters. Downey is his usual likeable, manic self and Law plays the straight man to perfection. Add in Rachel McAdams as the eye candy plus the aforementioned fast pacing and you've got a winner. The other standout is the terrific visuals and huge set pieces. Director Ritchie manages to bring 1891 London to life without resorting to obvious CGI effects. Sherlock Holmes is a blast from start to finish. |
| Where the Wild Things Are (Blu-Ray) |
 Director: Spike Jonze Main Stars: Max Records, Catherine Keener, Mark Ruffalo Rating: ** Max (Records) is a young kid with an active imagination. It's his way of coping with a dysfunctional family and feeling that the world is against him. One night he has a violent confrontation with his mother (Keener) and runs away in a primal rage. Soon he finds himself boarding a boat that whisks him through stormy seas. Eventually he crashes on a remote place inhabited with giant, bizarre creatures who like him are also caught up in their own misery. When I saw the trailer for this I really wanted to see it. I also knew going in that it was based on a popular children's book. Sadly I was left with a profound sense of disappointment as the credits rolled. First off, this movie is very dark - both literally and figuratively. I kept thinking to myself 'am I watching a kids movie or a horror?'. Thankfully by the second half it lightens up visually and I'm not entirely sure that wasn't on purpose - possibly to reflect entering the lightness of his imagination? Still it was annoying. I also had a hard time keeping awake as it was so slow. Normally I like slow moving films as long as there is something there to keep my attention, but this was excruciating. I was also put off by the sense of menace throughout. Those cute creatures were just as likely to disembowel the kid as play with him. All that said, there was one thing which hugely impressed me and that was the puppeteer work. That in itself might be enough reason to see it. Ultimately, Where the Wild Things Are is to adult for children and not adult enough for grown ups. |
| Moon (Blu-Ray) |
 Director: Duncan Jones Main Stars: Sam Rockwell, voice of Kevin Spacey Rating: *** Sam (Rockwell) is nearing the end of his three year contract on a mining station located on the Moon. His is a life of solitude. The communications satellite is down and his only contact with Earth comes in the form of the occasional recorded message from his wife. His only companion is the maintenance robot, Gerty (Spacey). Increasingly on edge he soon starts seeing things and wonders if his grip on sanity is loosening. This little known film was high on my must see list. Sam Rockwell gives a truly great performance. Let's face it, he essentially carries the entire movie by himself - there are no other actors. Still I found myself being slightly disappointed. I won't give the twist away, but it came far to soon in the movie and I wish they would have played up whether he was losing his mind or not. I have to admire the fact that they made a very unique feeling film, I just wish they would have done the story differently. Moon is one of those frustrating movies which have the potential for greatness but ultimately come up short. |
| Alice in Wonderland (Theatre) (3D) |
 Director: Tim Burton Main Stars: Mia Wasikowska, Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway Rating: **** Alice (Wasikowska) is not your typical Victorian girl. She hates corsets and stockings and she keeps having the oddest dream over and over again. One day at a lavish party she finds herself faced with the prospect of being expected to marry an unpleasant man. Salvation appears in the form of the white rabbit from her dreams which she dashes after and soon finds herself once again in Wonderland. I only have the vaguest recollection of reading the story when I was a kid, so for me the fact that it doesn't stay true to the source (which is what most reviewers dwell upon) is irrelevant. In fact, if they had have paid attention they should have realized that the original story DID occur when she was a child - but she is now returning years later as an adult. About the only real negative aspect is that the story is somewhat simplistic, but what else would you expect from a Disney movie? All the actors give good performances, but I especially liked Carter's portrayal of the Red Queen. Visually I found the movie to be excellent. The 3D was also done well, especially considering that it wasn't filmed with 3D in mind (apparently the studio insisted it be added after the fact in order to cash in the current 3D fad, er craze). Frankly, I think I slightly prefer the world of Wonderland to that of Avatar. But then again I simply adore the twisted mind of Tim Burton. Don't agree with me? Off with your head! |
| Whip It (VOD) |
 Director: Drew Barrymore Main Stars: Ellen Page, Marcia Gay Harden, Kristen Wiig, Drew Barrymore, Juliette Lewis Rating: *** Drew Barrymore's directorial debut tells the tale of Bliss (Page), a 17 year old stuck in the tedium of small town Texas and smothered by her mother's desire to recapture her prestige and youth. Salvation appears one day in the unlikely form of the sport of roller derby. Can she overcome her disapproving parents, the physicality of the game, and the league's most vindictive player (Lewis)? Of course she can. This is after all a feel good, pretty much paint by numbers flick. There's no great revelation about humanity or any other such heady ideas to be found here. Still, the film succeeds extremely well at what it tries to be - simply an enjoyable film. Ellen Page is hugely likeable and all the cast turn in good performances. Juliette Lewis is particularly good as the rival player and it's a shame that she's been gone from movies for so long. Barrymore's debut might not be as groundbreaking as others from Hollywood royalty (Sofia Coppola comes to mind) but it is no less entertaining. Now lace up those skates and get out there! |
| Avatar (Theatre) (3D) |
 Director: James Cameron Main Stars: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Giovanni Ribisi Rating: **** One could summarize this movie as 'Dances With Wolves meets the Smurf Cats'. But that's not really doing it justice. Having spent over a decade working on this picture, James Cameron's latest film and his first since Titanic has hit movie screens everywhere. Jake Sully (Worthington) has a chance to step into his deceased brothers shoes and join the Avatar program on the far away planet of Pandora. His loyalty to the military soon starts to fade as he spends more and more time with the native population the Na'vi, eventually becoming one of them himself. Cameron is a great director but only a mediocre script writer. All of the actors give one dimensional performances, although some of them such as Sigourney Weaver and Giovanni Ribisi still manage to stand out. Technically this movie is in a category all its own and will likely influence future films for years to come. That said I wasn't blown away like I was the first time I saw Tron, Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within, or The Matrix. The 3D was neat although I felt nauseous for the first few minutes until my eyes adjusted. Maybe it was simply hyped to much because overall I felt slightly let down visually. Yet despite that I still managed to thoroughly enjoy the movie. Avatar has horrible dialog, stereotypical characters, and a simplistic story. But none of that really matters as you will still find yourself enchanted by Pandora's beautiful world by the time the credits roll. |