Arrival G
We actually do get to see the aliens right away (within the
first half hour) and they are awesome!
They’re tentacled Lovecraftian beings that look like they could do some
major fucking damage if need be. Therein
lies the problem I had and what others might have as well. Don’t expect any action like Independence Day, Fire in the Sky or (ahem) Mars
Attacks! This is strictly a thinking
person’s film that’s more poetic than anarchic.
There’s nothing entirely wrong with that if the movie works. I was intrigued mostly. It’s basically a dramatic sci-fi picture
that’s equal parts ominous and saptastic (but in the right way). 11/16/2016
Fort Tilden EH/OK
Well, if Beavis and Butthead were live-action women in their
20’s, these girls would come close. Only
difference is we’re laughing with
Beavis and Butthead, these women we’re laughing at. I don’t know if they
were aware of their idiocy or just acted naturally sans qualms. Seriously, how dense can you be to purchase a
trash can barrel from a bum for $200 when it wasn’t even his? Or ask for iced
coffee at a convenience store, watch them simply put ice cubes into cups of hot
coffee, accept it, pay for it and then immediately trash it when exiting the
store? Or notice a kid eyeballing your
bike outside a store, watch him loosen the chain, get on and ride away while
continuing to stand in line at the register?
At least the girl behind them was able to notice how dumb these girls
were. Aside from all that, some part of
me enjoyed the trip they took, wondered what hardship was to befall them next,
and wanted to see where it was all headed.
I also liked how uninhibited they were, like me. I just wish they weren’t such stupid
bitches. 11/23/2016
The Good Neighbor G
The Good Neighbor
was actually good. I was thoroughly engaged. Sure, there’s elements of other movies like Rear Window, Disturbia, Alone with Her
and others involving hidden cameras, but it had my attention and leaves no
unanswered questions. Next time you experience
ghostly activity just remember that “Big Brother” might be watching and
controlling. It’s all fun and games
until someone takes things the wrong way and someone dies. The look on one of the actor’s faces at the
very end shows that some people believe any
media exposure is still exposure. On a side
note, I cracked up when hearing the plural of penis in a way I never heard
before. 11/19/2016
Greetings VB
Maybe I should stop adding (Netflix) recommendations or stop
adding movies no one heard but sound good.
I guess it’s the feeling of having discovered an unknown movie and
introducing it to the world (or at least people I know). Columbus did NOT discover America, he invaded
it. There were people already living
here so he didn’t “discover” it. I do
like “discovering” unknown movies that are actually good. Lately I haven’t had any luck. Since Ouija boards are currently all the
rage, this 2007 movie came up on a list.
The “Ouija board” in question is just a small round table with nothing written
on it and a glass cup used as the planchette.
As for the story, I’m guessing it’s about a “ghost” that locks several
people in a house. Various messages are
split up and appear in several places like a mirror, book and even someone’s
hand. Menstrual blood is involved too
somehow. Don’t ask. I lost interest way before that. This movie was only 71 minutes but it felt
like 271 minutes. Instead of greeting this movie, bid adieu. Let it stay in obscurity and allow no one
else to “discover” it. 11/17/2016
Independence Day: Resurgence VB/B
Lately it seems sequels are made decades later instead of a
year or two apart. In this case, time
doesn’t seem to heal bad sequels. I was
only half a fan of Independence Day. I remember seeing it theatrically upon its
release back in 1996 (I saw it in the cheap theater where movies were shown
right before being released on video). I
enjoyed parts of it, hated parts of it and ultimately thought it was too
long. Thankfully, this movie wasn’t as long but it was still long
enough. I knew it wasn’t a good sign
when I wanted this to be over right away.
Ironically, I prefer the inaction of Arrival
(see above) over the action (entirely ineffective) of this. I hated this movie. The only thing I sorta liked was the Queen
alien but that was too little too late.
If a third movie is made, whether 20 years from now or not, I hope it’s
a lot better than this poop. 11/17/2016
Mojave EH
I got nothing out of this cat-and-mouse thriller. I kept thinking it was going to get better
but it ended before that could happen.
When it was over I felt like it was only part of the story. Mark Wahlberg has an embarrassingly awful
supporting role. I feel like I’m being
too kind by giving it an EH rating. 11/19/2016
Most Likely To Die OK/G
People like me (and horror fans) don’t watch slasher films
expecting a masterpiece, or a well-written script for that matter. We know beforehand they’re meant to be
brainless bloody fun. Sure, there’s many
worse than others and some really good ones (Halloween, Black Christmas,
Sleepaway Camp, etc.), but we
generally know we’re about to see a group of people getting offed at a specific
location. It all comes down to the
execution, characterization, gore, weaponry utilized, and the way the deaths
occur. I personally have an odd
fascination with sharp weapons (knives, axes, machetes, etc.) and love to see
them used in horror films. It’s safe to
say this film doesn’t entirely disappoint.
The killer has a creative way of eliminating his victims. Everyone’s senior picture with their
superlative (hence the title) written beneath hangs on the wall where the
mini-ten year reunion is taking place.
Each one is killed relatively close to their superlative. The kills are worthy enough. I particularly like the “graduation cap
knife.” It meanders quite a bit and
leaves open the possibility for a sequel like so many other body count films,
but I think true (and not too picky) fans are most likely to enjoy. 11/17/2016
Satanic OK
I liked this at first.
It seemed like a fun movie about a group of friends visiting historical
atrocity sites, only to befall something horrific eventually. With a title like that, you know things
aren’t going to end well for at least some of the characters. Just a matter of how and when. It loses steam in the middle but picks back
up at the end. The ending is slightly
ambiguous and frustrating but the final scene is quite chilling. I wanted more though. 11/21/2016
Shut In OK
As of now, and before seeing it, this has a 0% rating on
Rotten Tomatoes. That’s why I was hoping
I’d like it. I figured out the twist
right away. I’ve seen too many movies to
not figure out several outcomes for modern movies. The reasoning behind the twist does make for
a compelling psychological drama albeit a slightly twisted one. Creepy houses especially surrounded by woods
always get to me too. Ironically, that’s
my idea of a dream home; I like woods (I’m equally fascinated and frightened by
them). Anyway, while I don’t share the overall
disdain as my fellow critics, I’m not entirely recommending it. You don’t need to see it on the big screen,
even during bargain times. Wait to rent
it from Redbox for $1.50 or free with a complimentary code, or get it through
Netflix (most plans probably equal a little over $1 a movie if you return them
regularly). 11/15/2016
---Sean O.
