Anomalisa G
Here we have a different kind of animation. For adults.
The characters have heads with what appear to be puzzle pieces. It was fascinating to see familiar settings
rendered in this world, everything from the hotel room itself to the ice
machine. Would I have liked this if it
were the same exact movie in live-action with real actors? My mental magic-8 ball says “Not
likely.” Is this strictly style over
substance and only works because of presentation? The 8-ball says “Signs point to yes.” 6/9/2016
Available Men B
Seven short films involving gay men that are all lame. The final film, “Sissy Frenchfry,” is okay
but still not worth watching. “Irene
Williams” doesn’t belong here at all, as it chronicles an old woman’s life who
happens to be friends with a gay man. It
might work on its own but I don’t understand why it was included here? Queer cinema is already limited so if garbage
like this stopped being made there might be more available (wink, wink). 6/4/2016
Deadpool OK
The superhero movie that’s supposed to be the anti-superhero
movie innumerous people are raving about.
The film is pretty violent and Ryan Reynolds looks the best he’s ever
did (before being turned into “pepperoni pizza bread”---I honestly never
thought he was hot before.) Breaking the
fourth wall wasn’t too funny and made the film too parodical in the Scary Movie vein. There’s some funny moments, mostly slight
chuckle over laugh-out-loud (performing cunnilingus with vampire teeth got the
loudest laugh from me). Ultimately, it’s
a typical superhero film topped off with a sappy love story. I still think the best R-rated comic book
adaptation is The Crow. 6/7/2016
Devil’s Mile OK
Some people involved with this film are associated with Rue
Morgue Magazine. I had high hopes
and expectations since that’s my favorite magazine. The film is certainly ominous, well-shot and
suspenseful, but it’s also derivative and done better before. I was reminded of a better film called Dead End while watching. I’m not dismissing Devil’s Mile. I’d even say
watch it but just don’t expect anything wholly original. 6/10/2016
Hotel Hell OK/G
I only got this because I had a Redbox code and because
there’s an evil clown on the cover.
There is a clown in the film but it’s not the same one on the
cover. The titular hotel is just the
wraparound segment in this anthology film.
I didn’t know this was an anthology film (consisting of a haunted house,
the aforementioned clown, a backwoods cannibalistic creature and the wraparound
hotel mentioned). I like anthology
films. I can’t deny that all three
segments kept my interest despite being poorly shot. The clown in the film isn’t as cool as the
one on the cover either. Hell, I’m going
to lean more towards G than OK for being better and different than I
thought. I just wish covers wouldn’t be
so misleading, especially when it’s an evil clown! 6/5/2016
The Offering EH
Possession flicks are D.O.A.
One part actually did frighten me and it wasn’t a typical “jump scare” where
the music gets louder and anyone with a pulse would react. Emphasis on the one part. There’s an
interesting notion pertaining to a sea creature mentioned in the Old Testament,
but this faith-based thriller offers (pun intended) nothing we haven’t seen
before (and most of what came before wasn’t worth watching either). Let’s see:
A sibling or close friend dies.
The survived sibling/friend investigates. The investigator comes across cases involving
similar deaths. There’s a final confrontation
with the evil entity. Everything’s
resolved and wrapped in a pretty little bow.
Final image suggests a possible sequel.
Yawn. 6/10/2016
Pride and Prejudice
and Zombies OK
I really liked the book.
The movie wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be, but that doesn’t mean
I think it should’ve leaped from page to screen. There are some worthy moments. The paper scenes in the beginning depicting
historical events leading to the present time were truly magnificent. While some violence is implied, there are
some rather bloody scenes for a PG-13 film.
My biggest beef is that the zombies talk and live like humans. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t necessarily hate
talking zombies (I’m a fan of the Return
of the Living Dead series with Return
of the Living Dead Part II being the first zombie movie I saw) but they’re
the most effective when brainless shambling mutes. Plus, they didn’t talk in the book (I hate to
compare but that’s what I expected)! To
sum it up, the Pride and Prejudice
parts were boring and the Zombies
part was, more or less, fun. I think you
should just read the book. 6/4/2016
Zootopia G
I’m going to reference an
Android tagline not only because I like it but it also applies to this new
Disney film: Be together. Not the same.
This world inhabited solely by animals, both “prey” and “predator,”
contains metaphors for human struggles such as gender, race and sexual
orientation. Has a positive message for
kids about acceptance in a diverse world.
This world would be rather boring if we were all the same, just don’t
“hate” others for being different or make assumptions on how other groups are
perceived/stereotyped. We, humans and
animals, all generally have the same traits underneath and just want to live
our lives how we desire. There’s enough
here for all ages to enjoy. 6/9/2016
---Sean O.
No comments:
Post a Comment