Thai Horror: Sick Nurses

SICK NURSES: 2007: Horror:  If you're in the mood for a little "tongue in cheek" horror, Thailand style, Sick Nurses will satisfy your hunger.  Not only is it filmed with panache, but it also had enough gore to make this one of my favorite Eastern filmed horror movies.  



The directors Piraphan Laoyant and Thodpol Sirsiant did a great job injecting some diversity in a genre filled with ax murders and other psycho nut jobs.  They also captured many of the elements of the culture with amazing scenery shots and wide camera scenes depicting city and rural backdrops during the beginning.  Above all else though, they demonstrated a keen sense for setting up scares and although some weren't entirely original in their material, the delivery was.  Focusing on shock value, the directors often took wide camera shots from above to "frame" the killing scenes as if they were works of art. 


Many of the scenes were framed after the killing is done.

Did this movie steal an exact scene from Ju On? Yes it did.  Did it steal most of the scares from Ju On? Well, that remains to be interpreted but I didn't mind.  It had enough of it's own element that I forgot about it.  Maybe it was a homage to Ju On. I Will give this the benefit of the doubt.  

  
Even the ghosts looked similar to Ju On.

Speaking of Ju On, there are some similarities to The Ring, especially with the scene where the young lady is in her room and the television starts to blur and distort.  This was one of the main elements in The Ring that caused the paranormal killings in the first place.  The Ring was conceived in 1998 while Ju On's first movie was made in 2002, as a direct to film project.  

   
Ju On isn't in the clear either, having "borrowed" some elements of The Ring.  

The more and more I've watched horror movies, I've noticed that it's very hard to come across a truly original concept.  Some exceptions are The Conjuring, The Possession, and Sinister. 

 
These were 2 great horror movies that had original concepts or changed a concept.

On my 24th day of nonstop horror movies, Sick Nurses was a welcome surprise because it had enough humor, sex appeal, gore, and style to keep me interested.  The killing scenes were very original and showed just enough of the ghosts to be effective, while being elusive.  The special effects and makeup were all done very well.  

  
Sick Nurses had some very stylish and creative killing scenes.

Stand out scenes are the first possession scene when the annoying girl's purse attacks her.  Also, the scene where the "pretty girl" gets it and of course, the Ju On copy scene in the shower.  Hell, they stole THAT from Hitchcock anyway, so let's not be picky here. 

Sick Nurses killing scene

This is on Netflix right now, watch it::80%

THIS WEEK'S HORROR SHOWCASE: THE EXORCIST, THE BEGINNING

THE EXORCIST: THE BEGINNING:  2004: -+:  HRR:  This movie is one of my favorites of the movies involving demonic possession because it is a prequel to the 1973 movie, The Exorcist  starring Linda Blair.  Not only does this movie have great character development, explain the origins of the evil that plagues Linda Blair and others in the subsequent movies, but also is in itself pretty scary.

Stellan Skarsgard, who plays father Merrin, is excellent as is Izabello Scorupco.  There is plenty of foreshadowing in this movie and interesting use of flashbacks.  You get see why Father Merrin loses his faith during this movie because it shows how in WWII, he had to deal with a very traumatic experience. 

The mythology surrounding the buried church, as well as explaining the origin of the demon is very well done and make the movie believable, (in as much as you believe in demons).  It does take a little while to get moving, but during that time explanations regarding the church, the characters, and the archaeological dig take place.  Many don't know that there are actually 4 formal Exorcist movies, and this one is one of the better ones in my opinion.  The second one is forgettable and very campy, while the third one was pretty good.

This movie has excellent music and the special effects are spot on.  Stand out scenes are when the child first gets possessed and the tribesman conduct an African Exorcism, when the dogs tear apart the young bully, when the spirit possesses Izabello and finally when Father Merrin realizes she is possessed because her room is completely taken over by evil.

This was directed by Raymond Harlin and didn't do well in the theatres or with critics. It actually bombed which is odd, because I enjoyed it, especially in the context of being a prequel to The Exorcist.  Perhaps it was too hyped up or people just didn't want to sit through it:::86%

Flashback Time: Flateliners..

FLATLINERS: 1990: ++: HRR:  Well, this movie has Julia Roberts, Kiefer Sutherland, William Baldwin and Oliver Platt.  Who the heck is Oliver Platt?  Exactly..One of my favorite movies that I quiz "so called" movie buffs on, this movie will keep you guessing until the end.  Isn't that the point?

Yes, Julia Roberts was her usual charming self and Kiefer Sutherland basically played the part of the Lost Boys' vampire but this movie has serious teeth.  It deals with an intriguing premise and draws you in with it's background, development and characters.

Although it's a late 80s early 90s movie, you forget about that pretty quickly, except for some of the music choices and costumes.  When you boil it down, it's still a pretty creepy movie that has it's fair share of very convincing horror.  It just gets under skin in a way that all great movies should.  That's why you should watch it.

Do the characters at times seem a little "over dramatic"?  Yes, but I guess that's what the director was going for.  Stand out scenes are the dream scenes, the flashback scenes, the scene in the subway with the foul-mouthed girl, when William Baldwin has flashbacks about his trysts, and of course, when the kids with roller blades chase one of the main characters. 

I don't want to give away the ending, because it's one of the best parts!  Just watch this hidden gem when you have a moment, and watch it alone, in the dark!::::88%

Stephen King's Horror Showcase

Since Damien asked me to take over his blog while he was on vacation, I informed him that I would only be rating horror movies. In the process, I realized that many of the movies that I enjoyed were originally novels by Stephen King, so I decided to devote an entire section to the movies inspired by his novels.

Never one to shy away from the limelight, he regularly played cameos in his movies, playing obscure characters in a similar fashion to Quentin Tarantino; He played a caretaker, a bartender, a driver etc.

If you haven't already seen my weekly horror showcase featuring King's Pet Semetary , the movie is definitely worth seeing again or seeing for the first time! Well, without further adieu, let's get going on some classic King..

THE SHINING: 1980:+-: HRR:  Starring Jack Nicholson, this movie is very difficult to rate since it's already been dissected by so many.  The only thing that I might add is the fact that the insanity portrayed in the movie builds steadily to create a moment of suspense, or moments of suspense that are probably the most tangible of ANY horror movie.  This movie had it all...

Not only is it a historical piece with plenty of supernatural elements, it also had that psychological element to it that made it extremely hard to watch unless you were ready for what it throws (check verb tense) it at you.  At some points, this movie wears you down and makes you easily impressionable to sudden attacks of stimulation, which differ from the obnoxious silent to loud sequences of most cheesy horror flicks.  This movie SCARES you and SCARES you in a realistic way.  Cabin Fever is real.

Then again, we are talking about a Stanley Kubrick film and therefore this is no ordinary film.  I actually ran into someone this weekend that didn't watch this movie and I was so utterly insulted that I suggested he watch it with his family!  LOL, just kidding, LOL I'm not..

Stand out scenes are the point where he was drooling by the typewriter, his tongue stuck out with the bat, when he was stuck in the freezer and of course when the two girls said..."Come play with me Danny!"  Not to mention the Soirée and the bathroom scene.  I can go on and on and on.  I won't talk about the axe scene...you know what I'm talking about or you wouldn't be reading my blog.

At some point, you need to talk about the sound and the music.  It was a PART of the movie that blended seamlessly.  The sound effects and the suspense were extremely related and at many points, you have to imagine the movie without the sound effects and know it wouldn't be the same. 

Mr. Holloran was great as was the bulgy eyed mother with extreme Thyroid problems, that also starred as ...well that was a LOOONG time ago.  No need to date myself.  Anyway, there was killing, blood, people dressed as stuffed up animals having sex, and basically, you need to watch this excellent ,but disturbing movie!  95%




IT: 1990:  +-: HRR:  Although not "technically" a horror movie, but a mini-series on television, it still earns a place in this segment.  Borrowing from Stand By Me, this movie deals with a ghost or apparition that takes different forms as the person's worst nightmare.

This is a concept that King deals with many times.  Pennywise, the clown, is both frightening and convincing as a horror figure and gives proof to the notion that clowns ARE in fact weird and people have an absolute right to fear them.

Honestly, watching this mini-series was a RARE treat and I wish I could get it on video or Blu-Ray.  I just can't find it yet.  I remember it being very convincing and I loved it.  If you can find it and haven't watched it like The Stand, get it and remember what television was meant to be.  I Can't rate it because I don't exactly remember every part of it..I know if was intriguing and I challenge you to find it!::::UNRATED!


THE CHILDREN OF THE CORN:  1984: +-: HRR:  Linda Hamilton, as seen in the better Terminator movies, is in this film which portrays the uprising of children against their parents because they are being spurred on by an entity in the corn...only King could make this believable, likeable and understandable..

This movie develops nicely, paces extremely well, and the casting is spot on.  It's a very short and sweet movie that takes itself as seriously as it needs to.  The main "baddy" is Malachi, an extremely odd looking man and the main mastermind is even weirder.  Don't believe me?  Watch it although you have probably seen the "South Park" treatment of the "Don't go down that Roooad part".

There are many parts of this movie which I love and it Easily gets in the 90s.  It was just that creepy and became a cult classic and was used in many adaptations and spoofs.  In terms of the scary aspect, it had it's blood as evidenced in the diner scene, the scene where Malachi and his buddies kills the mechanic. 

Much of the suspense is built organically, and the music is still in my head.  Da DA da Di Da DAaaaaa.  Very nice.

Watch it and get a good scare!  90%


CUJO: 190??:  -?:  Cujo was just such a visceral movie that there isn't much to be said about it but try to watch it because it will torment you. 

The star of this movie was definitely the dog, a magnificent St. Bernard whose drool and growling made this movie hard to watch.  This is one movie that you felt worse for the humans than the animals.  It should have almost read, "No humans were harmed in this film".

Not the most "successful" movie, it still holds the cult following.  Also, when there is a bad, menacing dog, don't you say, "It's not a Cujo is it?"

Stand out scenes are the whole time the dog tries to break into the car, little by little, bit by bit.  It's so realistic, it's as if King had this happen to him.  That's the magic of King!:::::87%



CARRIE:  1976: --:  Sissy Spacek, isn't that a great name?, was brilliant in this adaptation.  Again, this movie hit all the chords such as in the scene in the showers, the scene where the blood was poured on her, as copied in whatever that 70s movie was, it's a classic.  You don't believe me??

Watch it and let me know...it's great, builds suspense, has great characterization, and plus it's KING. Again the music was spot on, almost Quentin Tarantinoesque, Yes, I just used his name as an adjective...first time..SORRY... expect more PRAISE::89%

This Week's Horror Showcase..THE WOMAN IN BLACK

THE WOMAN IN BLACK:  2012: +-: HRR:  This is admittedly a BIG movie for Daniel Radcliff as he was just coming out of the Harry Potter series.  Some artists wouldn't want to take a chance with a British Canadian/ Swedish horror script.  He did and the results are somewhat interesting to attack on a critical level because if you exclude his work as Harry Potter, he isn't half bad.  Could he have another place in Hollywood?  Probably, as long as he doesn't hang out with the riff raff..

What I saw here was obviously a movie that took Heavily from The Others, a movie to be reviewed soon.  The sets almost looked Exactly like the ones in that movie and it was almost embarrassing.  Not to mention the part when there was a Terminator3 ( or one of those movies) effect used with the ghost that rose from the dead in a bed and looked precisely like the Terminator that was the liquid steel.

I digress, again.  Let's just say that Mr. Radcliff did in fact have the fakest sideburns I have seen since Elvis impersonators and a painted on 5 o'clock shadow...the makeup artist should be and was probably FIRED after this one!.. BUT... It was way too long...

Another movie plagued by this pacing issue.  It was basically a "house of horrors" movie whereby the house was the horror and it was similar to walking through an amusement park-like scenario.  Only it took 45 minutes to get to the house!  IS there something or someone out there telling directors that they need to drag movies on?  They aren't going to build the suspense like The Shining so JUST STOP ASKING for 2 1/2 hour movies. 

This movie would have been much better, much shorter!  Do they think that people need to be in a movie theatre that long and it justifies the price?  IS it dollar per minute?  Don't try to make movies and theatrical art like a commodity..  Leave that up to the merchandisers.  Let the directors direct and make good movies PLEASE!!

Sometimes you need to understand a GREAT movie by understanding why a mediocre movie doesn't "WOW" audiences.  It's a very subtle quality that is hard to describe.  Usually it has to do with plot pacing, cinematography, casting, and music.  This movie didn't fail on anyone of those in particular, but didn't excel in one either.  It's watchable because it shows how an actor can break the mold.  It's mildly scary and I was scared a few times like when the woman showed up behind him and the woman hung herself. 

Ideally, this is just going to have "cult appeal" because Harry Potter was in it and didn't butcher it.  Plus it did use some nice tactics to scare you like with the mirror affect in the peripheral vision, but that was it.  LOW 80s..:83%

THIS WEEK'S HORROR SHOWCASE: PET SEMATARY! (some spoilers)

PET SEMATARY: 1989: -+: HR:  ONE OF STEPHEN KING'S BEST MOVIE ADAPTATIONS, THIS MOVIE IS STILL COMPELLING TODAY AND HAS MANY SCENES THAT ARE NOT ONLY MEMORABLE, BUT QUITE ORIGINAL.  DIRECTED BY MARY LAMBERT THIS FILM HAS THE FATHER FROM THE MUNSTERS SHOW OF THE 60s, FRED GWYNNE AS THE NOSEY BUT HELPFUL NEIGHBOR , DALE MIDKIFF, DENISE CROSBY AND MIKO HUGHES AS GAGE.

PUTTING FRED GWYNNE IN THIS MOVIE INSTANTLY ADDS A CERTAIN EERIE QUALITY, BECAUSE HE IS IN HIMSELF EERIE.  THERE IS SOME FORESHADOWING AS KING LOVES TO DO BECAUSE THEY MOVE TO A PICTURESQUE HOME NEAR A BUSY STREET FLOWING WITH HUGE TRUCKS WHICH HAVE A CRUSHING ROLE IN THE MOVIE. 

WHAT REALLY SEPARATES THIS MOVIE FROM IT'S COMPETITION SUCH AS THE OTHER STEPHEN KING MOVIES IS HOW TIGHTLY THE PLOT IS WOUND AND SEEMINGLY UNWINDS ONCE THE CAT GETS RUN OVER.  WITHOUT GIVING AWAY THE PLOT, THIS MOVIE HAS SOME EXCELLENT USE OF FLASHBACKS, (THE SCENES WITH ZELDA) AND ALSO SOME SIDE STORIES WITH THE MAID WHO KILLS HERSELF.

IT'S ONE OF THOSE MOVIES WHERE YOU KIND OF KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN, BUT IT DOESN'T RUIN IT.  AS THE SPANISH AND ITALIANS SAY, IT'S THE "DESENVUELVO" OR UNRAVELING OF THE STORY THAT MATTERS.   THIS SHOWS KING'S MASTERFUL WRITING STYLE BECAUSE HE MAKES YOU REALLY CARE ABOUT THE CHARACTERS SO IT'S NOT SO MUCH KNOWING WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN, BUT SEEING IT UNFOLD IN FRONT OF YOU LIKE AN OMNIPRESCENT 3RD PERSON. 

THE STAND OUT SCENES ARE THE SCENE WITH THE GHOST, WHEN THE FATHER HAS TO UN EARTH HIS DEAD SON, THE SCENE IN THE FUNERAL HOME WHERE ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE AND MY FAVORITE, WHEN GAGE KILLS FRED GWYNNE.  ALSO MEMORABLE ARE WHEN THE WIFE COMES BACK..KIND OF SEXUAL AND KIND OF GROTESQUE.  THIS IS A GREAT MOVIE AND DEFINITELY WORTH SEEING AGAIN.  IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN IT, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?:::91%

PS, ITS MISSPELLED BECAUSE THE KIDS MISPELLED IT IN THE BOOK AND IN THE MOVIE IF YOU WERE WONDERING BETWEEN "CEMETARY AND SEMETARY"
PPS; I'M CONSIDERING DOING A FULL STEPHAN KING SECTION FOR THE HORROR MOVIES, SO HOLD TIGHT!

A HORROR MOVIE TRIPLE FEATURE!

THE LAST EXORCISM II: 2013:--:  SO THIS MOVIE STARTS OUT WITHOUT MUCH EXPLANATION ABOUT THE FIRST ONE, WHICH DOESN'T SEEM TO MATTER BECAUSE YOU GET THE SENSE THAT THE FIRST ONE WASN'T REALLY WORTH WHILE.

THE MAIN CHARACTER GETS SHIPPED AWAY TO SOME HALFWAY HOUSE!!  OMG, THIS HAS LITERALLY BEEN THE PLOT FOR 80% OF HORROR MOVIES, PLEASE DON'T INSULT MY INTELLIGENCE..

THE ACTORS ARE NOT WORTH MENTIONING, WHICH MAKES SENSE.  THERE SEEMS TO BE SOME CORRELATION BETWEEN RADIO FREQUENCIES AND GHOSTS STOLEN FROM WHITE NOISE".  BASICALLY, THE WAY THAT THIS MOVIE "SCARES" YOU IS BY HAVING A QUIET POINT, THEN AN EXTREMELY LOUD POINT.  THIS TACTIC IS SO OVERUSED AND CHEESY IT MAKES ME SICK.  I'M GLAD TO REVIEW THIS MOVIE, BECAUSE IT WILL BE THE "PLACEBO" OR INSULTING BENCHMARK TO WHICH OTHER ACCEPTABLE MOVIES WILL BE BASED UPON.

WHEN THE MOVIE SEEMED TO GATHER SOME STEAM IT WAS RIPPING OFF ANOTHER MOVIE, LIKE WHEN THE BIRDS HIT THE WINDOWS OF THE CHURCH AND WHEN THE PERSON TOOK A PICTURE WITH THE MAIN CHARACTER AND HIS FACE WAS DISTORTED LIKE THE GRUDGE, THE OMEN AND THE RING.  THIS MOVIE HAS NO SHAME!!

THE MOVIE STARTED TO GAIN SOME MOMENTUM AFTER THE POSSESSION SCENE WHEN THE DUFUS PRIEST PERSON CONJURES UP THE DEMON, AND SHE GETS POSSESSED BY THE "EVIL SPIRIT"?  I DON'T KNOW WHO SINCE I DIDN'T WATCH THE FIRST ONE.  SO I GUESS THEY ASSUMED EVERYONE WATCHED THE FIRST ONE??  OH AND THEN IT ENDS..ABRUPTLY.  WOW, THIS MOVIE WAS HORRIBLE:::::59%


SILENT HILL:  2011: -+:HR:  I REALLY WANTED TO LIKE THIS ONE, BUT IT FAILED.  I FELT LIKE A DEJECTED PROM DATE THAT PAID A LOT FOR THE TUX, BUT GOT LEFT IN THE AUDITORIUM BY MYSELF.  GREAT EFFECTS AND GREAT LOOKING BAD GUYS DO NOT MAKE UP FOR A VERY FLIMSY PLOT. 

I WOULDN'T EVEN CALL IT A PLOT REALLY.  AGAIN, MAYBE IT WAS BECAUSE I DIDN'T SEE THE FIRST 2?  WHY SHOULD THAT MATTER?  THEY WEREN'T EXACTLY ESSENTIAL MOVIES TO SEE.  I WOULD KNOW.

THAT BEING SAID, THE QUALITY OF THE HORROR MOMENTS ARE QUITE GOOD, ESPECIALLY THE SCENE WITH THE SPIDER MANNEQUINS AND THE ZOMBIE NURSES.  I ALSO LIKED THE FIGHT SCENE AND WHEN THE TRIANGLE HEAD GUY CHOPS OFF THE HANDS OF THE PERVERTS IN THE ASYLUM.

OTHER THAN THAT, THIS MOVIE HAS NOTHING ELSE GOING FOR IT.  IT WASN'T SCARY, NOR WAS IT COMPELLING.  IT WAS A BUNCH OF PUKE WITH SOME NICE LOOKING CHUNKS IN THE BLOODY MESS::69%


THE POSSESSION: 2012, --:  THIS MOVIE WAS ACTUALLY A SURPRISINGLY GOOD MOVIE GIVEN THE FACT THAT THE PREVIOUS TWO MOVIES I RENTED WERE PATHETIC.  I WAS STARTING TO THINK THAT HORROR MOVIES HAVE BECOME SOME SORT OF WAY STATION FOR HORRIBLE DIRECTORS.

THIS MOVIE STARTED OUT AUSPICIOUSLY BY DECLARING THAT IT'S A "TRUE STORY"..YHEA SO WAS PARANORMAL ACTIVITY AND THE AMITYVILLE HORROR (WHICH WAS A GREAT MOVIE IN IT'S ORIGINAL FORM BTW).  THERE ARE NO ACTORS OR ACTRESSES WORTH MENTIONING BUT THEY DO AN ACCEPTABLE JOB HERE I.E THEY DIDN'T OVER ACT OR BUTCHER THE MOVIE.

THERE WAS AN INTERESTING BACKDROP IN THIS AND SOME ENGAGING MYTHOLOGY REGARDING JEWISH EXORCISM.  APPARENTLY THERE IS SUCH A THING AND IT MADE FOR A MOVIE WHICH HAD IT'S FAIR SHARE OF FRIGHTENING PORTIONS.  IT DID ACTUALLY SCARE ME A FEW TIMES, AND NOT WITH CHEESY QUIET TO LOUD SEQUENCES. 

IT HAD A GOOD LENGTH, NOT TOO SHORT AND NOT TOO LONG.  THE SPECIAL EFFECTS WERE INTERESTING, AND THE SHOT WHERE THE HAND WAS IN THE THROAT WAS REALLY COOL, AS WAS THE SCENE IN THE MRI.  SOME ORIGINAL SCARES IN THIS MOVIE, SO MAYBE THEY WERE ORIGINAL BECAUSE IT'S A "TRUE STORY"?

I WASN'T REALLY EVER BORED WITH THE MOVIE AND IT HAD SOME GREAT SCENES LIKE THE LAST POSSESSION EXORCISM AND THE EXIT SIGN, THE PART WHERE THE MOTHS WERE FLYING EVERYWHERE, AND FINALLY WHEN THE A HOLE BOYFRIEND DENTIST HAD HIS TEETH PULLED.  GOOD STUFF!  I GIVE THIS A:::87%

OBSCURE MOVIES OF THE MONTH AND DEGREES OF SEPARATION: ICHI, ICHI THE KILLER, & AUDITION

ICHI:  2000: --F:ACT:  I BOUGHT THIS MOVIE ON A WHIM, BUT IT OPENED UP A WHOLE WORLD OF DIMENSIONS FOR ME, ALA DEGREES OF SEPARATION.  FROM THIS, I ACCIDENTALLY FOUND ICHI THE KILLER, ANOTHER WEIRD, BUT KILLER MOVIE...AND AUDITION, WHICH STILL HAUNTS ME TO THIS DAY..THIS POST WILL ATTEMPT, I STRESS ATTEMPT, TO DEAL WITH THEM ALL..

THIS MOVIE HAS A SPECIAL QUALITY, AND I APOLOGIZE FOR USING SUCH A GENERALIZED TERM LIKE "SPECIAL".  I SAY THAT BECAUSE IT MAKES ME FEEL THAT EVERY TIME I SEE IT.  THE MAIN CHARACTER IS BLIND AND IS ALSO A MUSICIAN.  THIS CORRELATION OF MUSICIAN AND MARTIAL ARTIST PLAYS OUT IN CROUCHING TIGER HIDDEN DRAGON BECAUSE THE FEMALE ROLE IS A GREAT CALLIGRAPHIST.  I CAN APPRECIATE THAT BECAUSE IT IS "ALL IN THE WRISTS"

I DIGRESS, BUT THIS MOVIE MAKES YOU REALLY APPRECIATE THE SUBTLE QUALITY OF A MARTIAL ARTS MOVIE THAT DOESN'T HAVE PEOPLE FLYING OVER ROOF TOPS AND PERFORMING UN-REALISTIC MOVES.  WHAT YOU SEE HERE IS POSSIBLE.  HARUKA AYASE IS BRILLIANT IN THIS FILM AND KEEPS YOU AWAY BUT BRINGS YOU IN AT THE END.  THIS IS ONLY DONE WELL BY A QUIET, BROODING FEMALE ROLE AND SHE NAILS IT..NAILS IT.

I BROUGHT UP ICHI THE KILLER BECAUSE WHILE I WAS TRYING TO FIND OUT ABOUT THIS FILM, THIS OTHER MOVIE CAME UP, SO I WILL TAKE A SHORT SEGUE...



ICHI THE KILLER:  2001, -+: F ACT:  VERY QUICKLY, IF YOU HAVE A QUEASY STOMACH, DO NOT, I SAY DO NOT WATCH THIS MOVIE.  IT IS EGREGIOUSLY OVER THE TOP AND A COUP DE ET AT OF PIERCINGS, BRUTALITY, SADO-MASOCHISM AND TURTLES, YES TURTLES..

ANYWAY ,THIS EXTREMELY VIOLENT, YET CONSISTENTLY LOGICAL MOVIE MAKES YOU THINK LIKE A YAKUZA WARLORD, THEIR ASSASSINS, AND THEIR LOVERS.  THIS IS QUITE A MOVIE.  THE MAIN CHARACTER HAS A PENCHANT FOR PAIN, AND HIS "BOSS" DOLES OUT THE BEST TYPE.

ONCE HE IS MISSING, HE GOES TO LOOK FOR HIM.  THE ONLY PROBLEM IS THAT SOMEONE IS HUNTING HIM..WOW, THIS MOVIE IS WICKED..WATCH IT, BUT DON'T EAT LUNCH BEFORE HAND. 

STAND OUT SCENES ARE WHEN HE REFUSES TO CUT OFF HIS FINGER, THE TRADITIONAL MANNER OF DEALING WITH DISHONOR, BUT ACTUALLY CUTS OF PART OF HIS TONGUE AND SHOWS IT TO THE OTHER YAKUZA LORDS.  ALSO WHEN ICHI FIGHTS AT THE END, IT'S BRUTAL..THIS MOVIE GETS A SOLID::::87%

NOW BACK TO ICHI...



THIS MOVIE GETS A GREAT, AND WELL WORTH 91%% BUT UNFORTUNATELY, THIS DIDN'T END HERE.  NO, I HAD TO STUMBLE UPON ANOTHER GRIPPING BUT EXTREMELY WRONG MOVIE..AUDITION.


THIS MOVIE GAVE ME NIGHTMARES FOR A WEEK, AND SOME OF THEM WEREN'T EXACTLY THE BAD ONES LOL
AUDITION: 1999:+ HRR:  THIS MOVIE IS SURPRISINGLY SENSUAL, WHILE IT RIPS YOUR HEART OUT OF YOUR THROAT.  THE WAY THAT THE FEMALE ROLE JUST TOYS WITH YOU, AND CAREFULLY UTILYZES HER TOOLS TO DEVASTATE HER GREEDY TARGET IS EXTREMELY DISTURBING.

I HAVE TO ADMIT, I SPENT SOME TIME GETTING THE IMAGES OUT OF MY HEAD HERE, SO I WILL WATCH IT AGAIN TO PUT MORE DETAILS HERE...BUT YOU WATCH IT IF YOU CAN..I CHALLENGE YOU!

WATCH IT TO GAIN A NEW RESPECT FOR A POWERFUL WOMAN ROLE IN A MOVIE.  IT DOESN'T GET ANY CRAZIER THAN THIS ONE.  UNREAL MOVIE THAT I WATCH ONLY WHEN I AM IN A GOOD MOOD.  I LOVE THIS MOVIE::95!!!%%%

This Week's Showcase: Amadeus

AMADEUS:  1984, + DRA: A VARIATION ON THE STORY BY PUSHKIN ( 1830), THIS HAUNTING MOVIE WILL UNDOUBTEDLY MAKE YOU REMEMBER THE CACOPHONOUS LAUGHTER OF MOZART, PLAYED SUPERLY BY TOM HULCE.  THE SCREENPLAY AND CINEMATOGRAPHY ARE TOP NOTCH, AS IS THE CASTING.  I COULDN'T PICTURE ANYONE ELSE PLAYING SALIERI, THE JEALOUS COURT COMPOSER WHO WORKS DILIGENTLY AS HE SPEAKS TO THE LORD, IMPLORING HIM FOR "INSPIRATION".

NOT ONLY DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE PART OF THIS MOVIE WITH THE SCREEN SHOTS, BUT YOU ALSO ACTUALLY FEEL SORRY FOR SALIERI, PLAYED EASILY BY F MURRAY ABRAHAM (YOU GET THE FEELING THAT HE DIDN'T HAVE TO TRY VERY HARD FOR IT). 

DIRECTED BY MILOS FORMAN AND WRITTEN BY PETER SHAFFER, IT'S A MUST WATCH AND IF YOU HAVE SEEN IT, WATCH IT AGAIN BECAUSE YOU WILL DEFINITELY FIND SOMETHING NEW IN THE MOVIE.

MEMORABLE SCENES WERE WHEN MOZART SURPRISES SALIERI AS HE PROPOSES TO HIS SOON TO BE WIFE BY TALKING BACKWARDS; SALIERI PAINFULLY REALIZES THAT THE "HEATHEN" HE SEES IS ACTUALLY MOZART. 

IN ADDITION, THE SCENE DURING THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO WHEN THE GHOST BREAKS THE BRICK WALL, SYMBOLIZING MOZART'S FATHER POSSIBLY BREAKING MOZART'S PSYCHE, IS PERVASIVE AND GIVES THE MOVIE IT'S "IMAGE"..THIS CONNECTS BACK TO SALIERI WHO TRIES TO DESTROY THE OPERA, BUT SECRETLY GOES TO EVERY PERFORMANCE.

FINALLY, MOZART'S GRADUAL DEMISE IS VERY REALISTIC BECAUSE IT SHOWS HOW THE JEALOUSY OF A PEER CAN BE DEVASTATING AND CONFUSING, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE PERSON IS AS SERVILE AS SALIERI. 

THE ONLY THING THAT I WANTED MORE OF WAS THE DEBAUCHERY, BUT THAT WAS ONLY BECAUSE IT WHET MY APPETITE WITH IT'S SCENERY.  COSTUMES, CHOREOGRAPHY, AND THE KING, WHO DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO SIGHT READ, WERE GREAT.  WATCH IT AGAIN::90%

NOTE:  THIS WAS NOMINATED FOR 53 AWARDS AND RECEIVED 40 INCLUDING 7 ACADEMY AWARDS (ONE OF WHICH WAS BEST PICTURE).  IT WAS ADAPTED FROM A STAGE PLAY BY SHAFFER IN 1979, WHICH I AM SORRY TO HAVE MISSED.  I'M STILL LOOKING FOR ANY MEMORABILIA FROM THAT PLAY

Movies: Part II (UPDATED)

LEGEND OF PI:2012, ++::  ALTHOUGH I HEARD A LOT ABOUT THIS MOVIE, I WAS STILL SURPRISED.  THE DEPTH AND LEVELS IN WHICH IT CHALLENGES THE VIEWER ARE ADMIRABLE AND OCCASIONALLY A BIT DISTURBING.  THERE ARE MANY ELEMENTS AT WORK HERE AND THE FACT THAT THE AUTHOR OF THE NOVEL, YANN MARTEL, ALLOWED THIS MOVIE TO BE MADE IS SURPRISING.  AT SOME POINT, I'M SURE THERE WAS SOME APPREHENSION, BECAUSE THE EFFECTS WOULD HAVE HAD TO BE STUNNING.  THEY WERE STUNNING.

OCCASIONALLY CGI WORKS AND DOES WHAT IS IMPOSSIBLE ON THE BIG SCREEN AND I AM SURE THAT THIS MOVIE FALLS INTO THIS CATEGORY.  THE ONLY WAY THIS MOVIE WOULD WORK IS WITH CGI, PERIOD.  ANG LEE DOESN'T DISAPPOINT IN THIS EPIC MOVIE AND REALLY, IT TAKES A FEW TIMES TO WATCH TO REALLY GET INTO THE DETAILS.

THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE RELIGIOUS ASPECTS IS DIFFICULT TO EXPLAIN, BUT HANDLED RATHER WELL.  WHY SHOULDN'T THERE BE A UNIFORM WAY TO WORSHIP A GOD?  MORE THAN THAT THIS IS A MOVIE ABOUT FAITH AND OVERCOMING OBSTACLES THAT SEEM INSURMOUNTABLE. 

SURAJ SHARMA PUTS ON A GREAT PERFORMANCE AND I WONDER WHAT HE WILL DO NOW.  THIS MOVIE OPERATES UNDER A CERTAIN GRACE WHICH IS HARD TO DESCRIBE AND PROBABLY DIFFERENT FOR EACH VIEWER.  STANDOUT SCENES ARE WHEN THE TIGER IS TAMED, THERE IS THE STORM AT SEA, AND OF COURSE WHEN THEY ARE ON THE ISLAND.  THIS MOVIE IS A MUST WATCH AND I PLAN ON OWNING IT::93%


JACK REACHER:  2011:++ ACT:  A SURPRISINGLY ACCEPTABLE MOVIE FOR TOM CRUISE WHO SHOWS THAT HE CAN STILL ACT AND BE A LEADING MAN.  THE FEMALE ROLE OF PAULA WAGNER IS ALSO A PLEASANT SURPRISE AND SHE IS ATTRACTIVE AND OVERALL PUTS ON A GREAT PERFORMANCE.  NOT TO BE FAN BOY, HERE, BUT THE SCENE WHERE SHE WORE BLACK WAS STUNNING.

THERE ARE SOME INTERESTING DYNAMICS HERE, ALTHOUGH IT'S WAY TOO LONG.  THIS MOVIE COULD HAVE DEFINITELY BEEN SHORTER.  GOD HELP YOU IF YOU HAD A KID KICKING YOUR SEAT OR THE OBLIGATORY CELL PHONE TALKER; THIS MOVIE WOULD HAVE BEEN INTOLERABLE IN THE THEATRE. 

PERHAPS CHRISTOPHER MCQUIRIE WANTED TO DO LEE CHILD'S CHARACTER JUSTICE, BUT AFTER 2 HOURS, THAT'S ENOUGH.  GREAT FIGHTING SCENES, AND I ESPECIALLY LIKED THE CARS IN THIS ONE.  PAULA WAGNER ALSO GAVE IT A SIDE THAT IS PERSONABLE.  ROBERT DUVALLE HAS A CAMEO AND GIVES THIS MOVIES SOME DEPTH.  THE STAR FROM THE NEW DIE HARD IS IN THIS MOVIE AND SEEMS TO BE WELL LIKED BY DIRECTORS.  HE MIGHT HAVE A GOOD CAREER GOING AFTER THESE TWO FLICKS.

STAND OUT SCENES WERE DEFINITELY WHEN TOM ALMOST KISSED PAULA AND HIS IMAGE WAS DISPLAYED IN MIRRORS LIKE ALTERNATE SIDES OF HIS COMPLICATED PERSONALITY...WELL DONE!  IN ADDITION, I LIKED WHEN HE BEAT UP THE BAD GUYS BY HAVING THEM HIT THEMSELVES IN THE BATHROOM.  GOOD FIGHTING CHOREOGRAPHY WAS SEEN THROUGHOUT THIS MOVIE.  IT'S A GOOD MOVIE THAT COULD HAVE BEEN SHORTER.  AGAIN, I WAS PLEASANTLY SURPRISED AFTER THIS ONE THOUGH, SO A SORT OF MUST WATCH IF YOU CAN TAKE A BREAK IN THE MIDDLE:::79%

PS, THIS WAS POSTPONED DUE TO THE SANDY HOOK MASSACRE


A GOOD DAY TO DE HARD::2013, +, ACT:: OK, SO I DID WATCH THIS MOVIE, ONLY BECAUSE I WAS EXTREMELY BORED AND IT MADE A DECENT SEGUE FROM JACK REACHER. 

JOHN MOORE DOESN'T BUTCHER THE SERIES AND THIS MOVIE DOES HAVE IT'S POSITIVE ELEMENTS.  BRUCE WILLIS DOESN'T LOOK HORRIBLE IN THIS AND IS STILL DOING HIS BEST TO IMPRESS FANS, WHICH I FEEL ARE TOO OLD TO APPRECIATE THIS AND HIS ONE LINERS, BUT HE TRIES.  THE ENEMIES ARE RUSSIANS, GOD IS THAT ALWAYS THE CASE, AND YES, THEY ARE RUDE AND BRUTISH.  CAN SOMEONE DIRECT A RUSSIAN VILLAIN WITH SOME PANACHE? 

I FELL ASLEEP DURING THIS, BUT I DO REMEMBER A CHARMING FEMALE VILLAIN. THE NEW LEADING ROLE (JAI COURTNEY), WHO WAS ALSO IN JACK REACHER, SEEMS TO BE GOOD ON FILM AND WILL PROBABLY HAVE A GOOD CAREER.  YULIYA WAS ABSOLUTELY BREATHTAKING IN THIS AND I NEED MORE, MORE MORE. 

OK, SO THERE WERE HELICOPTERS, BIG GUNS, LACKLUSTER BADDIES AND THE USUAL DRIVEL IN ACTION MOVIES LIKE THIS...  NOTHING TO REALLY REMEMBER IN THIS MOVIE.  I EASILY RANK IT BELOW JACK REACHER.  PLUS, BRUCE SAID, "YIPPIE KAY YAY!!"  NOO, JUST STOP, THAT GENERATION IS ALREADY WORRIED ABOUT MORTGAGE PAYMENTS AND PAMPERS TO LIKE THAT LINE::69%, BARELY 70% BECAUSE OF YULIYA..


FIRE WALK WITH ME:  1992, ++, THR:  HOW MANY TIMES CAN I SAY THAT THIS IS MY FAVORITE MOVIE OF ALL TIME?  WELL, A FEW TIMES, I GUESS.  DAVID LYNCH MIGHT HAVE LOST HIS MIND AT SOME POINT, BUT I GOT TO SEE IT HAPPEN ON THE BIG SCREEN...THAT COUNTS FOR SOMETHING.

WHETHER OR NOT IT WAS THE PSYCHEDELIC MONTAGES, OR THE TALKING BACKWARD, OR HAVING DAVID BOWIE AND CHRIS ISAAC DO CAMEOS..HOW CAN YOU DOUBT THIS TROUBLED GENIUS' ART FORM?  JUST BECAUSE HE "LOST HIS MIND" DOESN'T MEAN THAT HIS ART SUFFERED.  QUITE THE CONTRARY, IT WAS THE DRIVING FORCE BEING SUCH PIECES AS BLUE VELVET, LOST HIGHWAY AND OF COURSE HIS TOURE DE FORCE, FIRE WALK WITH ME.

SINCE THIS IS AN UPCOMING "SHOWCASE OF THE WEEK", I WILL NOT FULLY RATE IT....YET


NATURAL BORN KILLERS: 1994, ++, ACT::OLIVER STONE IS AT HIS BEST, WELL WHEN IS HE NOT AT HIS BEST, IN THIS EYE OPENING SATIRE ABOUT SERIAL KILLERS MICKEY AND MALLORY, LOOSELY BASED ON REALITY.  WOODY HARRELSON IS EXTREMELY EFFECTIVE IN THIS FILM, BUT I WAS ESPECIALLY SURPRISED BY JULLIETTE LEWIS' PERFORMANCE AS THE PSYCHOTIC, SEX CRAZED DAUGHTER OF A FATHER WHO MOLESTED HER.

AS THE POT DEALER IN DUE DATE, JULIETTE PUTS ON A VERY MATURE, STRIKINGLY VISCERAL PERFORMANCE THAT WAS TRULY MEANT FOR HER.  I CAN'T IMAGINE SOMEONE ELSE PULLING THAT OFF.  THIS MOVIE IS DISTURBING, BUT A MUST WATCH.  I SUGGEST HAVING AN "OLIVER STONE" NIGHT IN WHICH YOU WATCH PLATOON, JFK AND THIS AT LEAST.

STAND OUT SCENES ARE THE TOUCHINGLY ROMANTIC SCENE ON THE BRIDGE WHEN THEY TIE THE KNOT AND MALLORY CURSES OUT SOME ONLOOKERS FOR BEEPING THEIR HORN.  ALSO WHEN MALLORY DANCES IN THE DINER AND KILLS THE PERVERT.."BEEP BEEP!"; AND OF COURSE, THE SCENE WHERE THEY TRIPPED ON PEYOTE AND THE SNAKES WERE EVERYWHERE..

DID I MENTION THAT ROBERT DOWNEY JR IS IN THIS AS WELL AS RODNEY DANGERFIELD AS THE PERV DAD,.. TOM SIZEMORE AS THE COP AND MANY MANY OTHER PROMINENT ACTORS?..WAS THAT EVEN A SENTENCE???

THIS MOVIE HAS EVERYTHING, A JAIL BREAK SCENE, EXCELLENT MUSIC, SUPERB PHOTOGRAPHY, SUSPENSE AND THE PLOT JUST TAKES YOU ON A ROLLER COASTER THAT THRILLS AND SENDS CHILLS DOWN YOUR SPINE.  PLEASE WATCH THIS, BUT NOT WITH THE KIDDIES!  :::91%


WANTED:  2008, ++, ACT:  SOMEONE ASKED ME WHY I TEND TO RATE MOVIES PRETTY HIGHLY, AND SOMEHOW FIND REDEEMING VALUE IN MOVIES.  WELL, THE WAY I LOOK AT IT, WATCHING MOVIES SHOULD BE ENJOYABLE; MORE THAN LIKELY YOU'RE HOME, OR IN A THEATRE, HAVING A SNACK, IN A COOL ENVIRONMENT AND GENERALLY LETTING GO.

ANGELENA JOLIE WAS EXCELLENT IN THIS MOVIE, NOT JUST BECAUSE SHE LOOKED GOOD, BUT SHE ALSO PERFORMED THE STUNTS WITH EASE.  SHE IS GOOD AT PLAYING THAT "BAD" GIRL TYPE AS SEEN IN GIRL INTERRUPTED, SALT, AND SOMETIMES EVEN TOMB RAIDER. 

THE STUNTS WERE ENTERTAINING AND COMPRISED MANY OF THE STAND OUT SCENES SUCH AS WHEN THE VIPER FLIPPED ON THE BUS, AND AT THE END WHERE THE..WELL, NO SPOILERS.  THE MALE CHARACTER (JAMES MCAVOY) WAS FORGETTABLE, BUT MAYBE THAT WAS THE POINT.  THIS WAS CONFIGURED FROM A COMIC STRIP, SO I BELIEVE MOST OF THE ATTENTION WAS DONE WITH THE STUNT SCENES.

THE BUTCHER WAS PRETTY BRUTAL WITH HIS KNIVES AND MORGAN FREEMAN WAS TYPICAL FREEMAN, BUT THIS TIME IT CAME OFF A LITTLE BIT PRETENTIOUS.  WATCH FOR ANGELINA JOLIE.  I ALSO LIKED IT WHEN THE MAIN CHARACTER FLIPS OUT TO NIN MUSIC.  THIS BROUGHT THIS MOVIE UP FROM A LOW 80S, TO A 85:::85%


INCEPTION: 2010, +++, ACT/DRM:  I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THIS MOVIE IS 3 YEARS OLD.  DIRECTED BY CHRISTOPHER NOLAN, THIS MOVIE FEATURES ENOUGH STAR POWER TO BE 3 MOVIES.  LEONARDO DICAPRIO IS STERN AND PENSIVE (DOES HE KEEP DOING THIS OR IS IT ME LATELY?)

I HAD TO SEE THIS MOVIE ABOUT 4 TIMES TO FINALLY GET IT.  IT'S JUST A LITTLE TOO LONG TO GET THE WHOLE FIRST TIME IN.  I ENJOYED MAL'S PERFORMANCE ELLEN PAGE AS WELL AS MARION COTILLARD BECAUSE THEY AREN'T EXACTLY THE LEAD FEMALE ROLES BUT THEY WORKED TO GIVE THE MOVIE AN EDGE.

I WOULD HAVE CHANGED THE WAY IT STARTED AND MADE IT FLOW QUICKER, BUT THAT'S NOT A HUGE GRIPE.  THE SCENERY WAS UNREAL AS WERE THE EFFECTS.  THIS WAS THE FIRST MOVIE TO REALLY TAKE THAT STOP ACTION PHOTO TO THE NEXT LEVEL AFTER THE MATRIX. 

IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN IT, SEE IT.  IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN IT MORE THAN ONCE, SEE IT AGAIN AND TAKE SOME BREAKS.  IT WILL MAKE A LOT MORE SENSE THAT WAY.  ONE OF MY FAVORITE MOVIES, THIS WILL KEEP YOU GUESSING LIKE A GOOD SPY MOVIE DOES AND HAS GREAT MUSIC AND PSYCHOLOGICAL INTERPLAY THAT WILL MAKE YOU KEEP COMING BACK FOR MORE.  SEE IT AGAIN AND AGAIN, UNTIL IT'S IN YOUR SUBCONSCIOUS::!::92%

This Week's Showcase: Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (English Version)

THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO:  +, DRA:  HAVING SEEN BOTH THE ENGLISH (2 TIMES) AND THE SWEDISH VERSIONS (3 TIMES),  I WILL SAY THAT THERE AREN'T ENOUGH DISCREPANCIES BETWEEN THE TWO THAT STYLISTIC ELEMENTS AND THE ACTORS/ ACTRESSES THEMSELVES AREN'T ENOUGH FOR ME TO LIKE ONE MORE THAN THE OTHER.

I HAPPEN TO LIKE THE ACTRESS IN THIS MOVIE A LOT.  ALTHOUGH SHE CAN SEEM UNEMOTIONAL AT TIMES, THIS WORKS IN THIS ROLE BECAUSE WHEN SHE DOES ERUPT, IT'S USUALLY PRETTY DRAMATIC (I FELT THAT THE SCENE WHERE SHE INKS HER PERVERT 'GUARDIAN' WAS MORE VISCERAL IN THIS VERSION. 

I LIKED ROONEY MARA IN THE NEW NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET, YES I DID SEE THAT, AND I'M REALLY STARTING TO LIKE HER MORE AND MORE. I WANT TO SEE HER IN MORE FILMS.  GRANTED, THIS MOVIE HAD THE ADVANTAGE OF BEING DOING AFTER THE SWEDISH VERSIONS, BUT THAT SHOULDN'T REALLY MATTER.

BEFORE THIS MOVIE, I HADN'T HEARD OF HER, BUT HERE SHE IS, TAKING ON THE ROLE OF THE HEROINE THOUGHT UP BY STEIG LARSSON AS LISBETH.  NOT ONLY IS THIS A CHALLENGING ROLE, BUT SHE HAS TO LIVE UP TO THE EXPECTATIONS OF EVERYONE WHO HAS READ THE BOOK AND/OR WATCHED THE SWEDISH VERSIONS.  CHANCES ARE YOU HAVE SEEN THE MOVIE AND READ THE BOOK, SO I'M PUTTING A DIFFERENT SPIN HERE.  

90% OF THE PEOPLE ASKED WILL TELL YOU THAT THIS VERSION DOESN'T HOLD A CANDLE TO THE ORIGINAL, BUT I DISAGREE.  DANIEL CRAIG IS JUST AS CAPABLE AS THE EMBATTLED MAGAZINE EDITOR BLOMVQUIST.  THE MUSIC HAS JUST THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF NIN TO BE DARK.

I REALLY FEEL MARA PULLED OFF THE ROLE BETTER.  SHE HAD MORE CHARISMA AND IT JUST WORKED FOR ME (I LIKED THE SCENE IN THE CLUB BETTER.  SHE HAS A MORE FEMININE QUALITY WHICH I THINK IS IMPORTANT TO NAIL DOWN THE WHOLE SEXY/ TOUGH GIRL ROLE.  I ALSO FELT THE CHEMISTRY BETWEEN SHE AND CRAIG WAS MUCH BETTER. WATCH THEM BOTH AGAIN SIDE BY SIDE AND SEE IF YOU DISAGREE THAT THE FINCHER VERSION IS AS GOOD OR BETTER.

STAND OUT SCENES ARE THE SCENES FOR ME ARE ANY WITH MARA IN THEM.  SORRY, I'M BEING FAN BOY HERE:::91%