Flashback/ Showcase Movie: Stigmata

Stigmata:  -+: 1999: HRR:  This was a great movie, period.  I'm sorry, but to rate this movie a 22% is pathetic.  Stop.  I won't mention which site..but I have asked people about this movie and they all remember it and liked it!  I really get frustrated when great movies are rated so poorly.  

Actually, perhaps that makes this site worthy.  It isn't swayed by public opinion.  I could care less.  I like old movies, new movies, CGI movies, Disney movies, horror movies, especially horror movies, and I will rate them according to MY opinion.  

Honestly, this movie starred a very pretty Patrica Arquette and had an original story line.  Stigmata is actually a phenomenon scrutinized and debated for centuries. Anyway, back to the movie, it was directed by Rubert Wainwright and captured the truly eerie, complicated topic that is the Stigmata phenomenon.  This is a movie that had a passionate side to it and didn't hold back punches.  It didn't have huge knives or decapitation scenes, it was just subtle, sexy and seductive.  

Maybe that was just Patrica Arquette.  She looked amazing in this movie.  


OK, so that's not the most flattering picture of her, but it shows you just how creepy this movie was.  Can you guess what language that is in the pic on the wall?  

The dynamic between Patricia and the male lead, Gabriel Bryne, really make this movie memorable (can we say sacriglicious?).  It had a tinge of sex appeal, but mainly it was Gabriel's character that was just plain SCARED to crap of her.  Who wouldn't be?  She was very thrilling and terrifying... her eyes told the whole story.

I loved this movie and I'm trying to get my hands on it since it was STOLEN from my private collection from a jealous ex.  OK, it has to be a good movie if your ex steals it.  

I can't find it anywhere.  I do remember the stigmata scene in the subway, as well as the scene in the club, but I only watched it once. Side note, it haunted me recently in a nightmare, ergo this post. This might be making me a little bit BIASED, but seriously, I had a nightmare of this movie about 10 years after it came out.  Forget about the bad reviews, watch this NOW!...POWER OF SUGGESTION::::91%

GOTH: Perfect Horror/ Love Story?

   

Goth 2099: --: HRR:  On it's surface, Gen TAKAHASI wrote a horror movie about a serial killer that happened to involve a character played extremely well by RIN TAKANASHI.  Well was this your average, over acted horror/romantic movie fair? NO

What really grabs you in this movie is the characterization and the way that the director makes you understand the people in it.  The female lead is pretty and understated which fits her role very well because she is not the most "happy go lucky" type of leads.  She's a dark, morose character who is into the Gothic lifestyle and it fits her to a tee.  Her new found boyfriend is as aptly suited.

So I guess the question is...is this a love story or a horror movie?  Well, it falls into a very cool category of which I call horror/ love story.  But it delivers too.  It's not all vampires and werewolves.

Definite stand out points are when you get to see the lead's room, where she first meets the killer in the coffee house and of course when she is in her last hours.  This movie is so dark, but so whimsically comical it's almost a true contradiction.  

I think this movie is as good or BETTER than I'm a Robot, as has been reviewed earlier.  Please take note that it is a foreign film so you will have subtitles.  >>>>92%

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Thanks for everyone viewing my blog to get it over 1000 hits.  I know it's not much but it's a start:)

In celebration of Halloween, I will be reviewing only horror movies again.  Yes, I'm subjecting myself to this again, just for the readers of this blog. 

Also, keep tuned for a new blog that's an interactive story as well as another that is a book I'm writing..

Damien Sight

The Original Carrie: Prepare for the Remake!

CARRIE:  1976: --:  Since the new remake came out starring Chloe Grace Moritz and Julianne Moore, I thought I would give everyone a refresher of the first movie starring Sissy Spacek, (isn't that a great name?).  She captured the role extremely well and was so spooky that her eyes alone made me cringe when I was a little kid watching this movie.   John Travolta was also in this movie for those who are fans.

Although Chloe Grace (Kickass movies) is a talented actress, she has some pretty big shoes to fill here.  I'm not as concerned with Julianne Moore because the mother in the first one was good, but not great and was pretty much acting like a religious freak the whole movie with little variation.  Plus Julianne Moore is a great actress (see  review of Silence of the Lambs 2). 

This movie hit all the chords as exemplified in the scene in the showers, the scene where the blood was poured on her and when she fights with her mother after the prom.  The music was sufficiently frightening but subtle and built up the suspense nicely.  Brian De Palma directed this movie extremely well and it's going to be hard to top this one indeed. 


Watch it and let me know...it's great, builds suspense, has great characterization, and plus it's KING. Again the music (Pino Dinnogio)  was spot on, almost Quentin Tarantinoesque, Yes, I just used his name as an adjective...first time..SORRY... I'm definitely going to watch the remake and I have high hopes for it. Some trivia here, there was actually a Carrie 2, but it flopped, unlike this 1976 movie that won multiple academy awards.  :::89%

Real Life Horror: Blue Caprice

The Blue Caprice: 2013: --:Drm/ Hrr:  I came across this movie and decided to watch it because it dealt with a difficult and troubling subject, i.e. the sniper who hid in the blue Caprice and randomly shot many innocent people with little to no remorse.

It's hard to watch this movie and not draw parallels to the Manchurian Candidate because the father in this movie essentially brainwashed the adolescent into killing in cold blood for feelings of revenge (the first killing) and feelings of social rejection.  In a time of the mass murder in CT, this movie is very chilling.  The scenery, the acting, and above else, the realism in this film astoundingly convincing. 

There isn't much to complain about in this movie, as it accurately depicts, are as accurately as I could imagine, the killing spree which took place on the 2002 Beltway sniper attacks.  Not only do I recommend this movie, but I say that it is a movie that everyone should watch that is curious as to why this youth would kill indiscriminately to appease a man who took him under his wing. 

The only thing that I can take away from this movie is that it ended abruptly, but I guess that is true to life as well.  Alexandre Moore directed Isiah Washington and Tequan Richmond with great success in this movie based on actual events::::84%

Dead In Tombstone VS Machete

Since there is a new Machete flick coming out, I thought it would be appropriate to have an old school battle between two Danny Trejo movies:

      VS.  
Dead in Tombstone: 2013: +-: Act:  Danny Trejo has a face only a mother can love, and probably only after a few shots of tequila. Notwithstanding, this is a definitely a future, cult hit that borrows from many ideas and images.  Does it add anything new to the premise or is it just a few new characters that "spice" up the premise of a Western?

I was surprised to see that Robert Rodriguez wasn't the director, as he was in past Danny movies, such as Machete.  Roel Reine does a decent job in this Western and adds some stylistic elements which set this movie apart from a dying genre.  Maybe it's dying for a reason though.  Past Westerns lately have flopped and maybe it's because the audience is not typically interested in this anymore. The idea of horses, trains, six shooters, etc. may be taking the way of the title of this movie.  

However, there were some elements that made this movie a typical Danny Trejo movie and it didn't bore me to death.  More like bore me to a nice nap.  I thought the emphasis on time was original and the CGI elements were a nice touch.

Micky Rourke is in it and plays an interesting character, as the devil who gives Danny another chance.  He has to, guess what, kill his old crew and avenge his death...YAWN..Again, there were some gruesome killing scenes in this, but I couldn't help but thinking that this movie was done before, and the actors were just substituted.  I will have to add that the actress in this movie was very good and did a great job.  Hell, she kept me interested, it certainly wasn't Danny's good skin.  Dina Meyer is talented and should be used more often.  

The music by Hybrid was decent and I enjoyed it.  Overall, this movie has some scenes that are stand outs like in the mine, where he goes up the stairs on a horse and when he uses the mini-gun.  Other than that, probably a movie that should "keep it moving".:::::68%

Machete:  2010: ++: ACT:  It's interesting to see how two different movies can vary so much with the same actor.  From the very beginning, this movie had style, panache, and a serious attitude. That's because Robert Rodriguez directed it.  No doubt about that.

He captures the element of Machete to a tee and Danny Trejo hit on all cylinders.  Plus Jessica Alba is in it, as well as Robert De Niro and Michelle Rodriguez.  This movie has so many cameos, it makes you wonder why it is only considered a cult hit.  Did I mention that 
Don Johnson, Cheech, and Lindsey Lohan are in it?  No, but they are.  

Stand out scenes are the ending with the modified cars, when Cheech takes revenge and says, "God Forgives, I don't!", when Lindsey Lohan is in the pool and when Machete puts the mini-gun on the motorcycle.  I also loved the sex scene and when the egg gets cooked on the hot floor.  PLEASE watch this awesome, gritty, exteremely violeny action movie..I don't need to spend a lot of time on this movie...Watch it...you won't regret it::::89%

Machete wins HANDS DOWN.  Can't wait for Machete 2!!!

Flashback Classics: The Hannibal Lecter saga

The Silence of the Lambs:  1991: ++: Thr/Hrr:  I can't believe that it's been over decade since this amazing movie came out and thrilled/ shocked audiences around the world.  Not a movie to watch only once, I've easily watched this movie about 5-6 times completely and for certain parts, about 10 times.  Everything from the casting, the characters, to the music and plot structure set new water marks for the thriller/ horror genre.

Jonathon Demme does an outstanding job directing this movie based on a novel by Thomas Harris.  Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Scott Glen and Ted Levine put up performances that dominate their careers.  Ted Levine as Buffalo Bill is so extremely creepy that it either makes you laugh or makes you cringe.  I say that it made me laugh only because it makes me think of the South Park parody where Cartman plays "Lambs" in the basement and recreates the "put the lotion in the basket" scene.  The actual scene is one of my favorites, as it is for many, because Bill starts out being cordial but then loses it and curses at the mayor's daughter.  

It's tough to rate this movie because it has received so much acclaim.  It's actually in the US Congress Film registry due to it's accuracy and realism in depicting the life of a madman.  It also won 5 academy awards and was immensely successful in theaters.  An odd fact about this is that the person who wrote the "Goodbye Horses" (from the scene where Bill gets naked) was Harold Shore, who was also tormented by his sexuality like Buffalo Bill.  He also wrote  some of the music in The Shining.  There's some trivia for you to impress your movie buddies.  Or not..

There were many terrifying parts of this movie, but the ending, where Clarice looks for Bill in the dark while he stalks her with the night vision goggles, is unforgettable.  I also liked when Clarice meets Bill at the door and he says, "Oh wait...was she a big fat person"?  This isn't intended to be a slight against larger people, but his voice, his face and how he looks totally befuddled are hilarious.  I loved it when Hannibel, how is only in the movie for 20 minutes mind you, says, "I'd love to chat but I'm having some for dinner".   I'm sure you've seen this movie, but watch it again, since Halloween is coming up:::94%


Hannibal: 2001:+++:Thr/Hrr:  I have to admit when I heard about this movie I had some trepidation because not only did Jodie Foster and Jonathon Demme decline to be in the sequel, but because how can you top the first, perfect thriller/ horror?  Well, the answer is by showing how a total psychopath like Dr. Lecter can also have a softer side.  A side where he not only wants to eat his victims, but he wants to find some that aren't on his menu.  Can this be possible?
Well, in a way.  Is this better than the first?  Read on..

Julianne Moore, whom I like as an actress a great deal, was very believable and I feel she added a more feminine quality to the role of Clarice Starling.  She always looks great on film, but in this movie, she was outstanding.  The casting worked well because she has the "look" of Jodie Foster, but more attractive.  Her acting was stellar and her accent never made you question it's validity.  The onscreen chemistry between Dr. Lecter and Julianne Moore was as good or better in this movie.  After awhile, you forget about Jodie Foster completely.

Ray Liotta was the obnoxious FBI agent who you want to hate, and you do, especially up to the end at the dinner table.  This scene presents one of my favorite parts where, well you watch it, but Ray "loses his head" after being rude and interrupting a conversation between Clarice and Lecter, who are having a very romantic dinner.  I loved the part of the "Patsy" detective and when he gets hung.  That's is another great part of the movie.  The lecture that Dr. gives sets the mood completely well and his entrance was a great example of foreshadowing.  It should be noted the Dino De Laurentis (music from the Conan Movies) and Ridley Scott directed this.  They did a great job and perhaps it was good that this movie had different directors.  

I also liked the character that is forced to live with very little ability to move and was apparently a victim of Hannibal who was convinced to cut his face off and feed it to the dogs.  As he said, "It seemed like an good idea at the time".  How wrong he was.  This sets up the drama in the movie and is a pretty good driving force, but not as strong as the force in the first movie to find "Buffalo Bill"  I loved when he was fed to his "pets"..

Now, this movie wasn't a rehash of the first, it was a very interesting, entertaining sequel which gives you more insight into Dr. Lecter.  The Clarice character isn't developed that much, but she didn't really have to be because the first one did all the heavy lifting.  In terms of horror/ thriller, the first one is hands down more terrifying, but this one was the sequel that needed to be.  It "completes" the first one and gives you more perspective into Dr. Lecter.  I loved the part when Dr has to decide over his hand and being arrested.  What does he decide?  Watch it if you haven't:::89%


Hannibal Rising: 2007:+-: Thr:Hrr:  I have stumped so many "so called" movie experts by asking them how many Lambs movies there have been. I always get 2, sometimes, 3 (Red Dragon), but I never get this one. Why?

Well, it's because this movie flopped after the audience realized it was almost completely different from the other two and also because if you take away the name, it's not even close to one of the other Lecter movies. However it is stylish (at times) and I liked Lady Murasaki's character.  She was sufficiently dark and brooding and a perfect mentor for a young Hannibal Lecter.  Gaspard Ulliel plays a young Hannibal but looks nothing like the Dr. later in his life.   Very bad casting here and it just goes downhill..

On it's surface, it sets up an adequate explanation of why Hannibal becomes a cannibal but this fails because it seems so contrived, especially in the end, where it is as "Hollywood" as can be.  I did not like the ending at all.  Some of the killing scenes in this movie were decent, but no where near as horrifying as the first or even the second.  The story definitely dragged and there should have been more of an emphasis on the love story because Lady Murasaki and the young Hannibal.  It failed on that end (just a bunch of stares and awkward moments).  This just ended up confusing the focus of the movie as well the saga.  Why was this movie made?::::56%


The Manhunter: 1986: -+:  Thr:  This movie was a buildup in my mind to the critically acclaimed Silence of the Lambs.  I sometimes think this movie was a litmus test to see if the Harris novel would shock audiences too much or if it would be received well.  Don't get me wrong, there are many groups that opposed the Lambs but overall it was an outstanding success.

From the beginning, this movie had it's issues, from the name of the movie, (initially to be Red Dragon), the casting of Hannibal and the Tooth Fairy, and also with the ending.  Dino Di Laurentis received a lot of criticism because of this movie due to the title, but his reason was that he thought people would think it's a kung-fu movie.  Wow, we must be a bunch of illiterate, uncultured masses aren't we?  William Peterson was also criticized at first, but as this movie was watched in subsequent years, he was heralded as a strong character.  In watching it, I thought he was completely well suited for the role.  I have to admit, I don't remember everything about this movie..someone "borrowed" my copy and I can't find it anywhere, but I remember liking it. 

The music was outstanding in this movie, although a little dated.  Hey, it was 1986.  It's a rumor that the people who wrote the music worked on Miami Vice.  There was also heavy use of colors and tints in this movie, which initially drew criticism, but then was appreciated by some cult followers.  The ending of this movie is outstanding.  This movie has a definite '80s feel and is nostalgic and entertaining to watch:::62%

I'm not going to rate Red Dragon, because I strongly believe it doesn't fit well here. It's too much of a rehash, but if you want to get your Hannibal fix, it's worth a watch:::N/A

Which family is more dysfunctional?

      VS.    
So these two families have their problems.  Hell, one of them isn't really even a family.  Read on to see which movie get's the nod...


We're the Millers: 2013: ++: CMDY:  This movie had parts of it that were really funny and the premise was similar to other movies but was sufficiently different to make it work.  The actors work well together, especially Jennifer Aniston, Emma Roberts, and Jason Sudeikis.  Overall the movie isn't predictable and kept me laughing but it did remind me a little bit of Pineapple Express at moments. 

However, there were times were it was try a little hard like when they meet the other family whose father is a retire DEA agent, who was similar to the FBI agent who is Tom Arnold in True Lies.  This is somewhat superficial, but he did remind me of that character.  The addition of Ed Helms was one of the best parts of the movie because he gave a performance diametrically different from The Hangover movies.  He had some great lines in this flick and is easily a reason to watch this movie if you appreciated his characters in Hangover I, II, and III.

I had some minor gripes, especially in the beginning when everything and everyone one falls perfectly into place.  However, I laughed when the fake baby gets run over, when they find out how much product they need to ship, when Jennifer dances like a stripper, and when Emma teaches Will Poulter how to kiss and his crush walks in.  That's pretty classic stuff.   I also liked when Will gets stung.  This movie has some great parts in it and was a lighthearted movie to watch and forget about your worries, should you have any::::75%


The Family: 2013:+-:CMDY:  Starring Robert De Niro and Michelle Pfeiffer, this movie had some isolated good scenes and spotty acting in it.  These characters have been done so many times that they are almost caricatures of themselves.  De Niro makes that smirk about 20 times in this movie where he distorts his face like he just had a lemon put in his mouth.  Pfeiffer's accent was very reminiscent of her role in Married to the Mob and at times sounded extremely phony sometimes. 

Dianna Agron is a new face in this movie, at least for me, and she put on a pretty good show for most of the movie, but when she had her heart broken, it was a little overkill.  It wasn't terrible though.  Her brother is doing a good job assimilating into the new school system and actually I enjoyed the way he started getting the "rackets" in the school like cheating, homework, extorting cigarette sellers, and even make fake IDs.  Again, this premise has been done in many, many similar movies. 

Tommy Lee Jones was pretty much his common character in every movie.  I enjoyed his part in the movie at times, although more than not, it was too repetitive.  I enjoyed when De Niro beats up the plumber, drags the fertilizer owner by the car, and when Michelle gets kicked out of the church due to her sins.  Luc Besson produced and directed a very cliché film that seemed more of a pet project for his delight than a movie that would be enjoyable and fresh for the public.  The reception was mixed but overall negative.  If it didn't have some many famous actors, it would have surely flopped.  It didn't escape that by great strides though.  A disappointing movie. So much of this movie was rehash.:::::55%

So Meet The Millers takes the cake here although both are not the best movies..

Do you have Insomnia? Watch this movie!

Closed Circuit:  2013: ++: Thr:  I want my time back.  Not my money, but my TIME, which is a valuable and hardly expendable commodity.  This movie really should have been at least 1 hour shorter and at that point, it isn't even a movie at all. Due to the feigned British accents, ridiculously trite characters, and extremely boring plot, this movie succeeded in putting me into a deep sleep.  I will add this to my collection as a sleep inducing medication.  It's one of those movies that some people will say, "Oh it was so good because it dealt with lawyers, intrigue and British Intelligence".  These people also collect coupons and get in your way at the store and ask for complicated lottery pics and take forever.  HATE THAT!

Rebecca Hall, who usually does a good job, delivers an extremely dull and uninspiring performance.  This is surprising because I really liked her in The Town, which is a very good Ben Affleck movie.  Maybe it was the direction, poorly executed by John Crowly, the setting, or the insulting dialogue that made this movie fail.  Maybe it's just not a good movie.  Whatever it was, this movie made me fall asleep within hours of waking up in the morning and drinking an energy drink.  

Oh and the title, you ask?  Yes, it's very clever to point out that police interviewing rooms have cameras and they spy on you. Amazing!  It's also very clever to point out that there are cameras filming the streets of a city.  Really, I had no idea..I've been living under a rock for 30 years.  The plot was even more absurd.  Could you imaging that MI5 has double agents working within drug cartels?  NO, that's impossible.  Who would have thought that?

Did I mention Julia Styles is in this as well?  NO, because that's doesn't matter much.  Yes, there was some good interchange between Eric Bana, aka one of the many Hulks, and Rebecca, but overall, it feels forced.  No on screen chemistry at all.  It's as if they took all the cues from British society that bore people and didn't use the ones that are compelling.  

If Rebecca Hall says "whawwwwt?" one more time in this movie, she should be a parrot, not an actress.  Come on, not even British people say whawwwwwt so obnoxiously..The movie picks up some momentum at the end, but by that time, you're probably asleep,  Forget about Advil PMs...just watch Closed Circuit::::61%

Movies at a quick glance

OK, so these were good movies but they don't get their own spotlights, so here are some quick and dirty movie reviews.


BOUNTY KILLER: 2013 :+-: ACT:   I was very surprised by this movie, not because it was good, but because I found myself watching it again..  That's always the sign of a good movie.  Let's begin this breakdown the right way.  The plot was thin as paper, and the conflicts were easily deciphered, but that's not the point is it? 

No not really.  This movie claims it's a mix between the Road Warrior and Kill Bill... no you didn't just bring up two of my favorite movies..did you????  Yes they did.. but did it deliver??? Let's see..

OK, so I really enjoyed the female role of Kristanna Loken.  She hit the spot, and overall, did a great job.  The writing and the script however were EXTREMELY suspect.  IT seemed like it was copied from something else.  The premise of the movie reminded me of I Wastelands on the XBOX 360.  It is NOT a mix of Kill Bill and Road Warrior.  Overall this movie had a stylish point and a nice edge.  I'll give it a 79% for trying...


I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE 2:  2013: --; HRR:  I thought this movie had many, many legs, like a centipede.  Not only was it a nod to the Saw movies, but it had it's own original take on the matter and man o man did it take on the matter.  

Violence, blood, gore, you name, it's here.  IF you haven't thought of a way to kill someone, well, watch this movie and you will get inspired.  (This blog doesn't endorse or condone such events)  

This is a revenge movie all the way.  Sometimes I wondered if the gratuitous violence was just there to fill the void of a plot that runs out of steam at times.  Give it some time and don't eat before you watch it..otherwise, you might have issues..:  81%


PAWN SHOP CHRONICLES: 2013: +-: DRAM:  Ok,,,, so one of the characters in this movie was in the Fast and the Furious and one of the characters in it is an Elvis impersonator.  It also has Elijah Woods aka Frodo Tea Baggins from the Shire, in a completely different role that you may have thought he could pull off.  There are actually many famous actors in this movie such as Matt Dillon, Brendan Fraser, Vincent D'Onofrio, Thomas Jane and Paul Walker.  

This is an example of the type of movie that has three story lines that become intertwined.  Was it worth watching?  At times it was and at times it was cringe- worthy. Of course, it all revolves around a pawn shop that has one item that draws three completely different lives to it.  It should be noted that this movie has a very disturbing torture scene in it and guess who the victim is?  Well, you should watch it because I don't give out spoilers.

The first two story lines were interesting enough to make you sit through the third one which actually makes all the other stories unravel.  The movie almost pokes fun at itself with the last story but depending on your viewpoint, you might actually like the ending. Again, I loved the first story and the second, but the last one about Elvis and redemption...that's a complicated topic...BEST leave that one alone unless you can truly capture it..69%::::: 

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