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Monday, December 31, 2012

Film Filter: Off - In Dreams

In Dreams R (1999)

Annette Bening, Robert Downey Jr., Katie Sagona

Film Filter: On- Claire Cooper has a beautiful daughter and committed husband, but often times has strange dreams.  It isn't until after her daughter is kidnapped and murdered that she realizes her dream had predicted it, and that he mind is somehow connected to the murderer's.  As she suffers the dreams while conscious and endures a nervous breakdown, she must also struggle to inform the authorities about the killer and his next move.  The problem is, who will believe Claire's premonitions while she is locked in a mental hospital?
Things to note: Good cinematography, Robert Downey Jr. delivers a great performance, Annette Bening delivers a poor performance, interesting premise, unexplained connections between characters, stupid psychiatrist.

You'll like this movie if you enjoy:
Murder mysteries involving children or the mentally unstable, 
like Gothika, Hide and Seek, The Sixth Sense, or Shutter Island



Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Film Filter: Off - Slither

Slither R (2006)

Nathan Fillion, Elizabeth Banks, Michael Rooker 

Film Filter: On- When a small, hick town gets hit with a strange meteor-like object, the townspeople start getting an appetite for flesh.  Determined to get to the bottom of the incident, the chief of police must team up with his high school crush to get some answers.  As it turns out, her husband is the root of all the mayhem, which leaves them both with some difficult decisions.
Things to note: Great cast, unique take on a common genre, good comedic moments, well paced, good use of special effects, some inconsistencies in storyline.



You'll like this movie if you enjoy:
Zombie movies with a humorous twist, like 
Shaun of the Dead, Dead Alive, or Zombieland


Film Filter: Off - Identity

Identity R (2003)
John Cusack, Ray Liotta, Amanda Peet

Film Filter: On- When a convicted serial killer has less than 24 hours until his death sentence, judges and lawyers must come together at the last minute to review evidence that could alter his sentence.  After hearing the testimony regarding the new evidence, along with an interview with the mass murderer, the judge must decide whether the criminal deserves a second chance and treatment, or if it is all just an act.
Things to note: Strong cast, interesting story, good use of multiple stories, good twist at the end, irrational situations, frustrating situations

Despite not having much wrong with it, it didn't impress the pants off me 
and two weeks from now it will be dynamically forgettable


You'll like this movie if you enjoy:
Horror thrillers that explore the human psyche, 
like In Dreams, Gothika, or Primal Fear


Saturday, November 24, 2012

Film Filter: Off - Don't be Afraid of the Dark

Don't be Afraid of the Dark R (2010)

Katie Holmes, Guy Pearce, Bailee Madison

Film Filter: On When Sally is told by her mother that she will be living with her dad and his new girlfriend, she is less than pleased.  To top it all off, they are both busy re-modeling the house, and there are no children her age to play with.  Lonely, and feeling unloved, Sally turns to strange creatures that live in the basement to seek solace and friendship.  As her interactions with the creatures heightens, she realizes they are not looking for friendship, and that the hungry critters do not want to eat raisins.  With the help of her dad's girlfriend, Sally must find a way to get rid of the creatures for good, before they can get rid of her.
Things to note: Great scenery, well cast, several circumstances of illogical thinking, interesting antagonists, confusing ending, contradicting scenery to character interactions.



You'll like this movie if you enjoy:
Children-centered mythological scary stories, like 
Pan's Labyrinth, The Others, or The Orphanage



Monday, November 12, 2012

Film Filter: Off - Paranormal Activity 2

Paranormal Activity 2 R (2010)

 Katie Featherston, Micah Sloat, Molly Ephraim

Film Filter: On- Prior to the haunting of Katie and Micah, Katie's sister's family first encounters a demon spirit in their home.  Uncertain as to what the unexplained bumps in the night can be attributed to, the family installs a series of security cameras around the house.  In the days following, the unexplained scenarios get much more frequent, and also heighten in intensity.  It seems that no one in the house share's Kristi's fear that the supernatural may be responsible for the chaos.  As Kristi starts to realize that her baby may be the focus of the spirit, it is her job to try to convince her family of the spirit's danger before someone gets hurt.
Things to note: This movie answers questions that arose in the second movie, the characters in both movies are related and appear in both films, events unfold similarly to those in the first film, events unfold a little too slowly without much of a climax, frustrating scenarios.


You'll like this movie if you enjoy:
Supernatural ghost stories like Paranormal Activity,
 Poltergeist, or the Blair Witch Project.

Friday, November 2, 2012

Film Filter: Off - Sinister


Sinister R (2012)

Ethan Hawke, Juliet Rylance, James Ransone 

Film Filter: On- When Ellison,  a washed up true-crime writer, decides to pursue a missing girl in a suburban town, he immediately finds himself getting the cold shoulder from police officials.  To top it all off his family is not pleased about the move either, as they have found themselves uprooted time and time again for his writing ambitions.  The icing on the cake in this scenario is that instead of moving down the street from the house where the murders happened, unbeknownst to all but Ellison, they have moved into it.  The rest of the film takes shape as the family struggles to separate their fears and memories of past horrific events from reality, until the line between the two blurs and slowly dissipates.
Things to note: Good cast, interesting story line, good scare tactics, unique use of sound and music, desire of more information regarding characters.




You’ll like this movie if you enjoy
Supernatural horror films involving demons and children,
like Insidious, Paranormal Activity, or Poltergeist


Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Film Filter: Off - The Thing


The Thing (2011)

Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Joel Edgerton, Ulrich Thomsen 

Film Filter: On-  When a group of researchers is called together to investigate a discovery in Antarctica, they are all excited and curious.  Once there, they see that they have unearthed a foreign creature that had been frozen in an underground glacier.  After testing a sample of the alien's flesh, it is revealed that its cells can imitate human cells, meaning it can replicate its prey.  Unfortunately for the researchers this information is divulged after the fact, as the creature has already escaped.  They must now work together to figure out a way to detect real humans from the alien imitator, before one of its hosts is able to escape into modern civilization to wreak havoc on the masses.
Things to note: Good cast, very interesting and well-used story, visually interesting special effects that are used to the appropriate degree, consistent information as the original film, great ending, no loose ends in story line.

You'll like this movie if you enjoy:
Alien movies or films about body-snatching, like 
The Faculty, Alien, or Body Snatchers



Monday, October 8, 2012

Film Filter: Off - Session 9

Session 9  R (2001)

David Caruso, Stephen Gevedon, Paul Guilfoyle

Film Filter: On- When a group of workers is assigned to fix up an abandoned mental institution with a sordid past, they find out that if they can complete the task in a week, they will be able to split a handsome bonus.  Motivated by the monetary prospects of the job, they immerse themselves in their work, until they discover more about what the facility's history contains.  Determined to complete the project in time, they continue to work tirelessly, in hopes that they can finish the building before the building finishes them.
Things to note: Very disjointed and unclear plot, poor characterization and development, no climax, inconclusive ending.

You'll like this movie if you enjoy:
A poor man's version of any of the following: The Ward, 
Shutter Island, Blair Witch Project



Thursday, September 20, 2012

Film Filter: Off - The Possession

The Possession PG-13 (2012)

Natasha Calis, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Kyra Sedgwick 

Film Filter: On- Coping with their parents' divorce, Hannah and Emily are bounced back and forth between the two homes.  As their father is purchasing things for his new home at a yard sale, Emily stumbles upon a mysterious box that she is drawn to.  Her father obliges the purchase, and it is then that Emily creates an unhealthy attachment with the box.  As unexplainable occurrences surround her, Emily starts to lose control of herself.  Eventually, her father starts to suspect the behavior isn't something of this world, but can he figure out a way to save his daughter before her body is overtaken by an unwelcome spirit?
Things to note: Very good cast, interesting cinematography, odd looking spirit, unique plot, some frustrating circumstances.


You'll like this movie if you enjoy:
Movies about possession in children, like the Exorcist, 
or The Exorcism of Emily Rose



Sunday, September 9, 2012

Seeing this movie this week...will you be there?


Film Filter: Off - Madison County

Madison County Unrated (2011)

Colley Bailey, Matt Mercer,  Ace Marrero 

Film Filter: On- For his college thesis paper, James has set out to find an author in Madison County so he can interview him.  The author's book spills details on the brutal murders that took place in the rural county over a decade ago.  In attempts to make the trip enjoyable, James invites a group of friends to take the half-day trip with him, but the pleasure trip takes a turn for the worse.  James desperately wants to know the truth about Madison County, but the longer they stay and the more they find out, the fewer of them remain.
Things to note: Great novice cast, decent characterization, some predictable moments, frustrating character situations, most of the movie takes place in broad daylight, little background information given on the killer



You'll like this movie if you enjoy:
Predictable slasher flicks with a memorable killer, like
 I Know What You Did Last Summer, Halloween, or Friday the 13th



Saturday, September 8, 2012

New Movie Coming out 10/5/12...are you going to see it??


Film Filter: Off - The Mothman Prophecies

The Mothman Prophecies PG-13 (2002)
 
Richard Gere, Laura Linney, David Eigenberg 

Film Filter: On- When John Klein unexpectedly and suddenly loses his wife to a brian tumor, he uncovers some unsettling pictures she drew that cause him to question her death.  Two years down the road, John finds himself in a small rural town called Point Pleasant, with no memory of how he got there.  He, the town sheriff, and community members are all spooked by an entity dubbed the Mothman, and what's more frightening is the fact that this supernatural presence has the ability to see into the past and the future, predicting horrific events in which many people's lives are lost.  The question is will John be able to resume his normal life, or will he slowly begin to lose his mind as he continues to stalk the Mothman in hopes to prevent worldwide disasters.
Things to note: Good use of symbolism, good cast, interesting topic based on true events, story loses focus, some events lack believability.


You'll like this movie if you enjoy:
Movies about supernatural entities that make 
human contact, like Insidious or Poltergeist



Saturday, August 25, 2012

New Poll and Funny Video

Hello there, avid readers!

It has taken me SO very long to calculate the results of our last poll, "Which villain would win in an epic villain battle to the death?"  The majority went with Jason, by 40%.  Not my personal choice, but that's okay.  He did come back to life almost a hundred times by now, so I've got to give the guy credit there.

Anyway, I'm going to post a new poll today, and I'm planning on leaving it up for much longer so people can get more time to vote.  The new poll is going to sort of relate to this video I'm posting, in the sense that most scary movies have IDIOTS for victims.  I guess that's what's so enjoyable about watching them...I mean, if I had a Baby Ruth for every time I cursed at a horror flick moron for doing the wrong thing, I would have type two diabetes.  However, we can all agree that there are certain instinctive things we, as human beings, do that help us in terms of surviving.  Each person has their own strengths and weaknesses, and to be honest a lot of the reason I watch horror films is so that I can be prepared in my own daily life, should I be attacked by a freaking psychopath.  I mean, good theives watch bad ones get caught and learn from it, so the way I see it good survivors need to watch dumbasses bite the dust.  It's for the same reason that I watch 1,000 Ways to Die.

Enough for my philosophical rambling...here's the poll question: "If you were sitting on your couch watching (insert T.V. show name here) alone in the late evening, and you heard someone in your house, what would be the FIRST thing you would do after you called 911?"

Okay, so let's talk.  I know this seems like a no-brainer...but keep in mind the FIRST thing you'd do after calling 911, because let's face it, unless your phone is charging in the attic, that's anyone's first move if they have an IQ higher than 4.  Really put yourself in that situation and think about it.  If your answer is not listed as an option, please e-mail me or comment on my blog.

On to the next.  I saw this funny video by HISHE, they make animated films on "how _______should have ended."  I found one on Scream, and found it funny because they took a more pragmatic look at it, which as you well know is my horror movie philosophy.

Click here to take a look!

I hope you've enjoyed the August reviews!  September brings the start of a new year of teaching, so I'll try to keep you updated as much as I can!

Frightfully yours, 
-Corri

FIlm Filter: Off - Silent House

Silent House R (2011)

 Elizabeth Olsen, Adam Trese, Eric Sheffer Stevens 

Film Filter: On- When Sarah visits her family's old lake house with her father, it's very remnant of when she lived there as a child.  As she, her father, and her uncle fix the house up and discard old memorabilia, they run into some obstacles.  Despite the fact that there is no electricity, cell phone reception, or available windows for light (as they are all boarded up) the most haunting thing about the ancient lake house are the unexplained noises and occurrences.  Once she finds her father bloody and unconscious upstairs, Sarah vows to get help.  The only problem is that the house contains a secret, and will not let her leave until she uncovers it.
Things to note:  The entire film is made from one single camera shot, well-selected cast, film drags in the middle, unexpected ending.



You'll like this movie if you enjoy:
Haunted house stories, like Paranormal Activity or Insidious.


Monday, August 20, 2012

Film Filter: Off - The Human Centipede

The Human Centipede R (2009)

Dieter Laser, Ashley C. Williams, Ashlynn Yennie

Film Filter: On- After a deranged scientist has a breakthrough experiment with three dogs connected with one digestive system, he fantasizes about re-creating this phenomenon with human test subjects.  When stumbling across three unlucky personalities, Dr. Heiter kidnaps them and locks them in his underground laboratory, his intent to transform them into a horrifying creature that he must re-teach the most simplistic human actions.  When the three guinea pigs realize his intent, they discover that this crazy surgeon will stop at nothing to create his delusional fantasy.  Their future appears dismal, unless the three can find a way to work together to escape.
Things to note- Foreign film with many subtitles, many scenes with grotesque surgical procedures, poorly developed characters, frustrating but intriguing plot.


You'll like this movie if you enjoy:
Scientific or social experiment films, like Frankenstein or Saw.



Friday, July 13, 2012

Film Filter: Off - Fallen

Fallen R (1998)

Denzel Washington, John Goodman, Donald Sutherland 

Film Filter: On Detective John Hobbes is an upstanding detective who believes in the good of the justice system and police force.  After catching a notorious criminal, Reese, who is sentenced to death, Hobbes becomes victim to a cat and mouse game that is strikingly similar to past events involving both Reese, and another detective who committed suicide many years prior.  The deeper Hobbes gets into the investigation, the more surreal and dangerous things become for him and those he loves.  Hobbes must decide for himself if uncovering the truth is worth sacrificing everything he has...including his life.
Things to note: Excellent storyline, very god cast, solid narration, film stays consistent with prior facts given, great ending.

You'll like this movie if you enjoy:
Theological thrillers involving crime and murder, 
like Close Your Eyes or Lost Souls



Film Filter: Off - Primal Fear


Primal Fear R (1996)

Richard Gere, Laura Linney, Edward Norton 

Film Filter: On- An egocentric lawyer notorious for defending hardened criminals decides to take on a case of a young 19 year old boy who is accused of murder.  Although the case seems like an impossible up-hill climb for the defendant, Marty is determined to win the case.  As the trial progresses, Marty becomes convinced of the boy's innocence, and will stop at nothing to make sure the boy receives a fair trial.  The only thing that seems to be getting in the way are the secrets that his client keeps from him, leaving Marty to wonder how much young Aaron Stampler is really hiding.
Things to note: Very strong cast, first big film for Edward Norton, great plot, based off a book, cheesy music, dialogue sometimes seems forced.


You'll like this movie if you enjoy:
Crime thrillers involving the law, like Double Jeopardy



Friday the 13th 2-for-1 Special

Hello, virtual friends, and Happy Friday the 13th!

I want to update you on the recent poll I added, the advice people received, and to give you not one but TWO reviews of some of my all time favorite movies.

So, since you could vote for more than one category, the votes for "What motivates you to watch a scary movie" were as follows: 100% of voters went for unique story and plot, while 25% went for scary/pop out moments.  125%?  Whatevs.

In terms of advice, we've got:

  • Always buy a four door vehicle, or your friends will perish
  • Check your backseat for axe murderers, so you don't perish
  • Don't walk in the direction of creepy circumstances; you will certainly perish
  • Scan the area for possible weapons, to prevent your inimitable perish-ing
Thanks for the advice!  I should be more diligent in following it, though.  I had a close call the other night when someone was tailgating me and flashing their high beams in my rear view mirror.  I thought I felt hot breath on my neck and was done for, but it was a false alarm.  No axe murderer, just a hobo.

Anyway, my new poll is up!  Of the following horror villains, who would reign supreme in a battle to the death?
  1. Freddy
  2. Jason
  3. Michael Myers
  4. Jigsaw, or
  5. Ghost Face
Whaddya think?  Let me know and I'll update ya'll in about a week.

In the meantime, check out my 2-for-1 special reviews on Fallen and Primal Fear.  They're both excellent films that you should check out!

I'm always open to any comments on my blog discussing my posts, or anything in particular.

Frightfully yours,
-Corri


Thursday, June 28, 2012

Film Filter: Off - Horror Movie 101: Lesson Learned

What piece of advice have YOU received from horror films?




No, this is not the title of the most recent horror flick to hit theaters, it's an honest question...and I want to know your answer!

I'll start.

So I drive a 2006 PT Cruiser named Pheobe.  She's periwinkle, and the inside of her is like a walking advertisement for Waste Management, but we still love each other.  A lot of times people ask me why I selected her for my automobile, and I give a lot of reasons.  "I like the color."  "She was affordable."  "I like to drive mini-hearses in bizarre colors." etc.  Well, few people know the real reason I selected Pheobe, so feel honored by your now inclusion to this elite group.

THE PHEOBS
While, no, I don't care all that much about make, model, color, interior, or other superfluous aspects of vehicles, there is one attribute that is non-negotiable: having four doors.

Is it starting to click, yet?

In the back of my twisted, overly paranoid (yet logical!) mind, my adult self is reverting back to the hundreds of scary movies I have seen that involve some sort of chase between the villain and the victim.  Let me paint a worst-case-scenario picture for you:

Three of my friends and I are walking to my car from a long day at the beach.  It's a two-door Honda Civic.  All of a sudden (gasp!) Swamp-Man appears on the shore, and begins chasing us down! Struggling to sprint in flip flops, two of us make it to the car ahead of the others...and Swamp-Man is right on their tails!  The other two finally make it to the car but, in my panic, I've dropped the keys!  I have just enough time to open the door, unlock the passenger door, and then there is a split second to make a life or death decision:

AHHH!

Option 1: Should I fold back the seats and let the slow pokes in, leaving my other friend and I vulnerable?  If we get killed first, then the doors remain open and unlocked for Swamp-Man to reach my other friends. Besides, we all know how long it actually takes for people to get behind the retarded folding seats: too long.  Not only will my quick-like-a-fox friend and I surely perish, but there's more than a good chance we all will.  No bueno.

Option 2: Should I hop in with the shotgun passenger and leave the other two stranded? If I hop in with my (not slow) friend and immediately lock the doors, my other two friends may have a chance to escape if they can run.  Plus, I now have the opportunity to try to run Swamp-Man over with my car, provided he doesn't have absurd Jeepers Creepers like jumping abilities.

As you can see, option 2 is the winner here.  Will my friends maybe die?  Yes, and that would suck, but the survival rate overall would improve, and we have to think globally in these times of distress.

Here's the beautiful thing, though.  With Pheobe, I don't have to choose between my friends living or dying!  Provided I never travel with more than four people, my sufficiently-doored PT Cruiser has enough room for everyone to survive and that, my friends, is my Horror Movie 101: Lesson Learned-

ALWAYS HAVE A FOUR DOOR VEHICLE!


(Unless you're a selfish prick and want your friends to die.)

So...it's your turn!   Now YOU get to tell ME what life lessons you've taken out of horror flicks.  Comment on my post, or e-mail me at chiapet_45 AT hotmail DOT com to let me know!  I'll take the top ones and post them on my blog for all to read, but in order for that to happen, you've got to get in touch with me.  I'm dying to hear from you.  :)

-Corri

Film Filter: Off - The Others

The Others PG-13 (2001)

Nicole Kidman, Christopher Eccleston, Fionnula Flanagan

Film Filter: On- A young, assumably widowed woman is left to take care of her two young children in her very large, empty home.  Due to the children's inability to be in the light, Grace is forced to keep the home in entire darkness.  As Grace concedes to the fact that she needs to hire servants to help upkeep with the large house, she and her children start to experience unexplained noises and occurrences within the household.  Determined to get to the bottom of it, Grace decides she will stop at nothing to reveal the truth about the house, but she must also decide if the truth is too much for Grace and her children to handle.

Things to note: Good cast, believable acting, slow moving plot, several twists, very good ending, not scary.


You'll like this movie if you enjoy:
Supernatural dramas, like the Sixth Sense or The Orphanage.


Thursday, May 17, 2012

Film Filter: Off - Shutter Island

Shutter Island  R (2010)

Leonardo DiCaprio, Emily Mortimer, Mark Ruffalo
Film Filter: On- A U.S. Federal Marshall and his new partner are on a quest to find a missing mental patient on the notorious Shutter Island.  Known for their unusual patients and sometimes unorthodox practices, Shutter Island is a mental institution for the criminally insane, housing patients too dangerous for other hospitals to manage.  As Teddy and Chuck investigate the escape, they start to become privy to some secrets about the facility that start to get the pair questioning who is trying to capture who in this tricky cat-and-mouse chase.  As they stand on the precipice of knowledge, they must decide how much information they wish to seek about Shutter Island, as knowing too much will result in them staying much longer than they had anticipated.
Things to note: Excellent cast, good dialogue, smooth transition from book to movie, good story evolution, excellent music score, captivating ending, awkward dream and flashback scenes.


You'll like this movie if you enjoy:
Thrillers that you must watch twice to 
appreciate, like Inception or The Ward.


Monday, May 14, 2012

Film Filter: Off- 7 Below

7 Below R (2012)

Val Kilmer, Ving Rhames, Luke Goss
Film Filter: On- A group of travelers gets stranded and must seek shelter in an old secluded home.  As a storm approaches, the group of strangers starts to experience the same paranormal sightings.  After they are informed that a family was murdered there exactly one hundred years prior, they must struggle to find a way out of the cursed house before they find themselves repeating the history of it.
Things to note: Novice cast, very badly developed and shallow characters, disjointed plot lines, weak dialogue, predictable pop out and death scenes, unbelievable relationships between characters, lack of information to further the plot along, unanswered questions.

This film was so bad that I don't want to 
waste any more text writing abo...


You'll like this movie if you enjoy:
A more diluted, less scary version of 
Amityville or any of its sequels.


Click here for Film Filter: Off

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

FIlm Filter:Off - The Cabin in the Woods

The Cabin in the Woods R (2012)


Kristen Connolly, Chris Hemsworth, Anna Hutchison
Film Filter: On When five friends decide to spend part of their summer vacation in one of their cousin's cabins, things start to turn mysterious.  From the sketchy locals, to the odd paintings and mirrors in the house, the group slowly starts to piece together that things are not what they seem.  The question is, will they live long enough to figure out who brought them there, and for what purpose?
Things to note: Believable dialogue, frequent humorous moments, interesting and new concept, good cast, very weird plot turns, unanswered questions, sometimes unrealistic scenarios.



Not terrible, but not that memorable and inconsistent to boot

You'll like this movie if you enjoy:
Comedic "scary" movies with multiple horrific villains and 
various sub plots, like 13 Ghosts 



Monday, March 26, 2012

Film Filter:Off - Season of the Witch

Season of the Witch PG-13 (2011)



Nicolas Cage, Ron Perlman, Claire Foy
Film Filter: On: A pair of 14th century knights rebels against the church during the Crusades and finds themselves in a village experiencing the Black Plague.  When a young woman is accused of witchcraft in relation to the Plague, the two knights take it upon themselves to take this woman to a monastery for the monks to give her a fair trial.  Once again working on behalf of the church, the two knights end up on a journey of questioning whether or not this woman is, indeed, as innocent as she has been perceived to be.
Things to note: Good cinematography, oddly written "one-liners" occasionally, poor special effects, pretty neutral acting skill on everyone's behalf other than Ron Perlman, inconsistent story line.


You'll like this movie if you enjoy:
Fantasy, witchcraft, or demon movies like The Crucible.


Thursday, February 23, 2012

Film Filter:Off - Scream 4


Scream 4 (2011)

Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, David Arquette

Film Filter: On- Ten years after the notorious Woodsboro murders, Sydney Prescott returns home to promote her new book on overcoming the role of being a victim.  Without fail, her return to the accursed town results in a repeat of the murders that occurred a mere decade earlier.  Discovering that the current murders are an imitation of the initial killings Sydney must figure out, with the help of some old friends, who is behind them before she finds herself as the ultimate victim.
Things to note: Very predictable, poor acting, not terribly scary, repetitive, good twist at the end.




You'll like this movie if you enjoy:
Predictable, continuing horror movie franchises, 
like all of the prior Scream films, or Saw.



Saturday, February 18, 2012

Film Filter:Off - Chronicle

Chronicle (2012) PG-13



Dane DeHaan, Alex Russell, Michael B. Jordan
Film Filter: On- A troubled high school senior dealing with family problems finds himself with two friends at an underground phenomenon that ends up granting them all with super-human powers.  As the group experiments with their skills in private, growing stronger with each day, they realize they must set rules and boundaries for themselves before their powers get out of hand.  Already under pressure for being a social outcast at school and having problems at home, Andrew starts to see this as an opportunity for power and revenge.  The three extraordinary teens must figure out how to calm Andrew's need for retribution before he starts to take his frustrations out on his enemies, and beyond.


Things to note: Slow paced, dual genre, unbalanced focus of characters, contradictory style, interesting perspective into main character's social and family life


You'll like this movie if you enjoy:
Super hero films like Unbreakable, or first person perspective thrillers like Cloverfield.
Click for Film Filter: Off

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Film Filter: Off- The Woman in Black

The Woman in Black (2012) PG-13



 Daniel Radcliffe, Janet McTeer, CiarĂ¡n Hinds


Film Filter: On- A young lawyer who is also a single dad is forced to take a case in a very unusual community if he wishes to keep his job.  Upon severe warnings to turn back from all members of the village, Arthur Kipps decides to ignore the superstitious rantings of a few and continue on his work at a secluded manor.  As Kipps spends more and more time at the establishment, he begins to experience unexplainable occurrences that seem to correlate with the deaths of local children.  In an effort to save the potential lives of the rest of the children and of his own son, Kipps must find a way to give the dark spirits of the town what they desire before it is too late, and he loses what is most precious to him.
Things to note: Appropriately dark cinematography, very good cast, plot sometimes dragged, many pop-up moments, good pacing of story line, sometimes redundant in methods of fright.


You'll like this movie if you enjoy:
Ghost stories that take place in an older time period, 
like The Others


Click for Film Filter: Off