Resident Evil: Retribution

So for this entry I saw Resident Evil: Retribution. This film already gets a thumbs up from me, Michelle Rodriguez...anything with her is worth watching. Or as I call her (jumping on the A-Rod, etc. bandwagon) M-Rod. Even if M-Rod's only in one scene of a movie, I'll watch the whole damn thing, just to see her. Much like I'll watch anything with Ariana Grande, but that's for another time.

Just the thought of Alice working with Wesker is just not something I would've thought of. Also, I'm tickled pink that Kevin Durand, one of my favorite actors, is in this film. He's awesome at playing a badass. I guess that's why he's been typecast as such.

I love it. An undead army with weapons...reminds me of the film Outpost.

I think it's needless to say, but this film has one hell of a climatic fight scene. M-Rod and Milla Jovovich doin' some badassery like they always do. I'm gonna say it already, They are the queens of action and straight up badass.

I love how every film in the Resident Evil series ends with a scene setting up the next film. I wish more film franchises would do that.

Daybreakers (2009)

So, I decided I'd watch a vampire movie and I watched 2009s Daybreakers starring Ethan Hawke and Willem Dafoe. I'll be honest, I'm the eternal pessimest. I didn't expect too much goin' into the movie, however I was pleasently surprised. Don't get me wrong, it's not great. Though it was nice to have some of Willem Dafoe's face covered by facial hair (I'm mean, I know). Ethan Hawke wasn't too bad either. Aside from these two, the acting in the film was forgettable. The story was passable and the special effects were middle of the road.

*SPOILER ALERT*
My biggest grip was the ending. Where's the closure? I understand you have to leave it open to a possible sequel, though I don't see that happening, but you still need to have more closure than that. I mean, just driving off into the sunset with a narration that you have a "cure" is crap.

Here's what I would've done; I would've shown them driving into the city and tracking down those who were turned and wish to be human again and giving them the cure. Then I would have them to tell others they find that want to be human and help them spread the cure that way. Which would then lead to the sequel and have the bad guys trying to stop them. It makes more sense than the b.s. ending this film had.

*END SPOILER ALERT*

Personally, if you have an hour and a half to kill and have NOTHING to do, give it a watch, it'll help pass the time. But if you're looking for a GREAT sci-fi/vampire movie, pass. That is unless you're one of those geeky ladies that gets damp at the thought of Ethan Hawke shirtless.

A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010)

Well, I finally watched A Nightmare on Elm Street the other day. I must say that I really enjoyed it. It wasn't overly gory nor was it not gory enough. The acting was well done and I think Rooney Mara did a wonderful job in the film. Thomas Dekker also did a great job in making the viewer just hate his character in the beginning and then had you rooting for him later on. It's hard to believe that's the kid from the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show. Yeah, that kid. And the guy they brought in to replace Robert Englund did a great job. But still, when I think of Freddy Krueger I'll always see Mr. Englund. I liked the fact that this vision of the film is so close to the way Wes Craven had originally written the character. I hope this will start to revitalize the slasher genre. This generation needs to be able to go to bed and be terrified, just as people were in the '70s with 'Jaws' and the ocean. It's not that much to ask for, I don't think. I hope to see more well done slasher movies in the near future.

11-11-11

I watched 11-11-11 today. It wasn't bad, actually, it was rather good. The special effects were well done and the acting, for the most part is well done and not forced.

They did a good job setting up tension through out, for example; once Sadie popped up in Spain, from that moment on I didn't trust her. As well, I never trusted Anna but I didn't see the ending coming. Though I did think the father might have been, how should I put this.....batty.

I really enjoyed the movie and if you like a flick that will keep you guessing and not really scare you, but maybe make you jump a few times and keep you glued, I say watch it.

Flashback to 1995 with 12 Monkeys

This time, we're going 1990s with Bruce Willis in 12 Monkeys. Personally, I think Willis' performance was over shadowed by that of Brad Pitt as a mental patient. I found Pitt to be truly entertaining in this role. I will say this much, I've seen more of Bruce Willis than I would ever care to see again....from a male perspective that is. And what is it with Bruce Willis and 1995? He made two great sci-fi films with 12 Monkeys and the cult hit The Fifth Element.

In case anyone is wondering, I'm typing this as I'm watching the movie. I figure it's easier this way to review it.

The idea of future scientists sending someone back into the past to try to change our future/their past, has to make you wonder, should some of the people placed in mental institutions be looked at as possible time-travelers? Not that I'm saying that it is or will be possible. But, it makes one wonder.


While watching the movie, I did notice (as I am one to do) at least one continuity error. During the part of the movie where James Cole is in the county mental hospital he as drool running down his chin, it is then removed by Jeffrey Goines (Pitt) and the camera cuts to a shot of Goines from behind Cole and the drool has returned.


The twitchy behavior that Pitt brings to the Goines character really made the character work in the film. I feel, if done any other way, it just wouldn't have worked as well. I love the use of misdirection with the kidnapping of Railly. Not to mention when they turn to hide from the cops and they're on camera. That's the sort of humor you wouldn't expect in a sci-fi film. Who the hell created the statue in front of the Garden of the Zoological Society? I mean, that's just not right, in my opinion anyway.

The art of misdirection is an art form. If done properly, it can lead the viewer to make a misconception. If done poorly, it exposes the ending before the movies half over with. And if done perfectly, it leaves just a hint of doubt when it's placed.

In the end, this is a very good movie, that if you haven't seen, you really should. I hope I didn't give too much away, I don't think I did.

Crash Underride

Prometheus

I must admit, I was looking forward to seeing this film and I as with all films, I didn't get my hopes up. What can I say, I'm a pessimist. Ridley Scott's latest dance with the sci-fi genre is good one. Don't get me wrong, it's not his best, but it's not the worst....admittedly I haven't seen all his sci-fi films so it very well could be HIS worst, but not THE worst.

After seeing Prometheus, I can tell you, it's not a bad movie, if you didn't go see it in  theaters, smart move. It's good, but not worth $15 or however much it is to go see. The special effects are wonderful, the scenery on the planet is beautiful and the acting is good as well. My biggest gripe was the fact that it's a two hour movie and the first have just drags by. During the second half the film really picked up however. If you get the chance to buy this dvd or at least rent it, I recommend that you do so.

Hope you've enjoyed the first post on my movies blog. Who knows, I might even start up a video games blog, we'll see. - Crash Underirde