Movie Review
Movie Review
Starting Out in the Evening
Filming Location:
Mew York City
New York
(2007)
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Trailer: Starting Out in the Evening
Frank Langella--Lili Taylor
Lauren Ambrose--Adrian Lester
"Frank Langella (Dracula, Good Night, and Good Luck.) stars in Andrew Wagner's independent drama Starting Out in the Evening, an adaptation of the acclaimed 1999 best-seller by Brian Morton. Langella plays Leonard Schiller, a once-celebrated author whose first four novels inspired Heather Wolfe (Lauren Ambrose) to pursue a career as a writer. These days, Leonard is still working toward completion of the novel that has occupied his life for nearly a decade. On the surface..."
Viewed:
On Showtime
January 4th, 2010
My Comment: Quite well acted moved. Enjoyable.
The Finish: What does a college student know? Nothing.
My Rating:
- * Did not finish movie
- ** Wasted my time on this one
- *** Worth seeing--once is enough
- **** Happy to see multiple times
- ***** Must own dvd
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An American Carol
Filming Location:
Los Angeles
California
(2008)
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Trailer: An American Carol
Kevin Farley as Michael Malone
Trace Adkins--Geoffrey Arend--Leslie Nielsen
Kelsey Grammer--Robert Davi
Jon Voight--Paris Hilton
Kevin Sorbo--David Alan Grier
Dennis Hopper--Gary Coleman
James Woods--Fred Travalena
Bill O'Reilly
"Ebenezer Scrooge gets the parody treatment from veteran writer/director David Zucker (Airplane!, Scary Movie 4) with this comedy starring Kevin Farley (Chris's brother) as a derisive documentarian (ŕ la Michael Moore) who's visited by three ghosts intent on instilling the American spirit in the disillusioned filmmaker."
Viewed:
On Showtime
January 4th, 2010
My Comment: Pretty funny movie based on A Christmas Carol, but the humor comes and goes. Tons of cameos from actors who will never work again.
The Finish: Just like the book, it'll never happen.
My Rating:
- * Did not finish movie
- ** Wasted my time on this one
- *** Worth seeing--once is enough
- **** Happy to see multiple times
- ***** Must own dvd
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Bug
Filming Location:
Metairie, Louisiana
Olancha, California
(2006)
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Trailer: Bug
Ashley Judd
Lynn Collins--Harry Connick, Jr.
Michael Shannon--Brian F. O'Byrne
"Academy Award-winning Exorcist director William Friedkin scuttles deep into the darkest recesses of the traumatized human psyche with this tale of a lonely bartender haunted by the long-ago disappearance of her young son, and the paranoia that emerges when she enters into a tentative relationship with a deeply disturbed drifter. ...Bug centers on Agnes (Ashley Judd), who tends bar alongside pal R.C., and has recently moved into a shoddy roadside motel in hopes of avoiding her menacing and recently paroled..."
Viewed:
On Demand Fearnet.com
January 7th, 2010
My Comment: A fat and naked Ashley Judd is not nearly as attractive as the slimmer version. Harry Connick, Jr. is shirtless and in prison-shape and Michael Shannon looks like a freak and is one. Don't look for 20 cuts a minute or CG or even very many special effects. This was a movie made in the Twilight Zone motif. Lots of tension and a little bit of violence.
I'm fairly sure the movie was underwritten by Alcoa Aluminum. And as weird as it sounds, bedbugs are making a comeback in the United States.
The Finish: Satisfying ending because you don't really know until the end and then the credits roll.
My Rating:
- * Did not finish movie
- ** Wasted my time on this one
- *** Worth seeing--once is enough
- **** Happy to see multiple times
- ***** Must own dvd
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A Little Trip to Heaven
Filming Location:
Hlemmur, Reykjavik
Iceland
(2005)
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Trailer: A Little Trip to Heaven
Forest Whitaker--Jeremy Renner
Philip Jackson--Julia Stiles
Peter Coyote--Anne Reid
"Three stories of human treachery are given an unexpected link in this dry comedy drama from Icelandic filmmaker Baltasar Kormákur. Holt (Forest Whitaker) is an insurance investigator who is sent to Minnesota to look into a bus accident; the bus seems to have had significantly more passengers after it crashed than it had when it left the station, and Holt, posing as a police detective, needs to know who is telling the truth and who is attempting to cash in on the tragedy..."
Viewed:
On Demand Sundance Channel
January 5th, 2010
My Comment: A confusing movie with great acting by Whitaker, Stiles (whose tiny love-buds we do not see) and Renner. But hang in there and it will all come clear. Most likely made with Icelandic sensitivities in mind, it takes a little while for Norte Americanos to comprehend just what is going on.
The Finish: Keep in mind the title as you watch the end of the movie.
My Rating:
- * Did not finish movie
- ** Wasted my time on this one
- *** Worth seeing--once is enough
- **** Happy to see multiple times
- ***** Must own dvd
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Dillinger
Ardmore, Oklahoma
(1973)
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Trailer: Dillinger
Warren Oates--Michelle Phillips
Harry Dean Stanton--Geoffrey Lewis
Ben Johnson--Cloris Leachman
Richard Dreyfuss--John Martin
"John Milius's first directorial effort in its own small way set the stage in the 1970s for a subgenre of action films that depict a nostalgia for historical figures tinged with a hard-edged skepticism. Warren Oates stars as John Dillinger, whose short-lived career as Public Enemy No.1 was, at least according to Milius, promoted by Dillinger with a self-absorbed boosterism, comforting his victims by telling them, "Someday you'll tell your grandchildren about this."
Viewed:
December 28th, 2009
My Comment: Warren Oates, Michelle Phillips, Harry Dean Stanton, Ben Johnson, Cloris Leachman, Richard Dreyfuss, do I need to say more? While in 2009 this movie seems violent, but nothing special, in 1973 it was cutting edge. It also has one of the highest gunshot count of any movie I've seen.
The Finish: We all know what happened to John Dillinger, but what about the story about his . . .
My Rating:
- * Did not finish movie
- ** Wasted my time on this one
- *** Worth seeing--once is enough
- **** Happy to see multiple times
- ***** Must own dvd
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Spirit Trap
Bucharest, Romania
(2005)
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Trailer: Spirit Trap
Billie Piper--Sam Troughton
Alsou--Luke Mably
Emma Catherwood
"Four college students trapped in an abandoned mansion struggle to find an escape as a malevolent spirit taunts them from the other side and fantasy begins to blur with reality in this claustrophobic frightener that offers a terrifying view of life after death." ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
Viewed:
December 25th, 2009
My Comment: Horror movie with a clock that slips dimensions, I guess. I kept waiting to see Billie Piper topless, but it never happened. I see Billie has lost considerable weight in the meanwhile.
The Finish: Big switch at the end. That's been used about a million times.
My Rating:
- * Did not finish movie
- ** Wasted my time on this one
- *** Worth seeing--once is enough
- **** Happy to see multiple times
- ***** Must own dvd
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District 9
Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
(2009)
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Trailer: District 9
Sharlto Copley--David James
Koobus Venter--Mandla Gaduka
Eugene Khumbanyiwa--Jason Cope
Vanessa Haywood--Kenneth Nkosi
"Director Neill Blomkamp teams with producer Peter Jackson for this tale of extraterrestrial refugees stuck in contemporary South Africa. It's been 28 years since the aliens made first contact, but there was never any attack from the skies, nor any profound technological revelation capable of advancing our society. Instead, the aliens were treated as refugees. They were the last of their kind, and in order to accommodate them, the government of South Africa set up a makeshift home in District 9 as politicians and world leaders debated how to..."
Viewed:
December 30th, 2009
My Comment: A wonderful hard-science fiction story without any overt political bent. Cinematography is breathtaking. CG is indistinguishable from reality. Action is non-stop.
The Finish: Satisfying.
My Rating:
- * Did not finish movie
- ** Wasted my time on this one
- *** Worth seeing--once is enough
- **** Happy to see multiple times
- ***** Must own dvd
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Disturbing Behavior
Port Coquitlam,
British Columbia, Canada
(1998)
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Trailer: Disturbing Behavior
James Marsden--Katie Holmes
Nick Stahl--Bruce Greenwood
Steve Railsback--Bill Sadler
William Sadler
"David Nutter made his directorial debut with this fantasy thriller, attempting a switch on The Stepford Wives premise. The Clark family moves from Chicago to Cradle Bay, and Steve Clark (James Marsden) is cautioned by Gavin Strick (Nick Stahl) about the separating factions at the local high school, where the Blue Ribbons, a club of robotic perfect students, rule. Gavin claims a conspiracy is..."
Viewed on Showtime:
December 24th, 2009
My Comment: A fun twist on the Stepford wives. A little worn of an idea, but still interesting to see what happens.
The Finish: Of course the good guys win.
My Rating:
- * Did not finish movie
- ** Wasted my time on this one
- *** Worth seeing--once is enough
- **** Happy to see multiple times
- ***** Must own dvd
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Transsiberian
China
(2008)
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Trailer: Transsiberian
Woody Harrelson--Emily Mortimer
Eduardo Noriega--Kate Mara
Thomas Kretschmann--Ben Kingsley
"When an American couple traveling from China to Moscow on the Trans-Siberian Railway meets an outwardly friendly couple traveling the same route, deception soon gives way to murder in The Machinist director Brad Anderson's tense tale of international intrigue. Ben Kingsley and Thomas Kretschmann co-star as a pair of Russian police officers striving to solve the case and stop the rising body count." ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
Viewed on Showtime:
December 22nd, 2009
My Comment: I picked this up several times before at the Blockbuster store, but then for some reason put it down. The scenery is great. The realistic settings of a Russian train show what a s**t-hole that country still remains. The acting is good, the plot is good. An uncomfortable and tense movie at times.
The Finish: As the finish closes in we are wondering exactly how the American's are going to get out of it. There appears to be no way. The climax even surprised my son, who usually guesses the ending of any movie.
My Rating:
- * Did not finish movie
- ** Wasted my time on this one
- *** Worth seeing--once is enough
- **** Happy to see multiple times
- ***** Must own dvd
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Dexter Season 4
Alamitos Bay,
Long Beach, California
(2009)
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Trailer: Dexter Season 4
Michael C. Hall--Julie Benz
James Remar as Harry Morgan
Lauren Vélez--David Zayas
Desmond Harrington--C.S. Lee
Keith Carradine--Jennifer Carpenter
Courtney Ford--John Lithgow
"Meet Dexter Morgan. By day he's a blood splatter pattern expert for the Miami Metro police department. But by night - he takes on an entirely different persona: serial killer. But Dexter isn't your average serial killer as he only kills people who fit a very prolific and precise "moral code" taught to him by his late father Harry (he didn't kill Harry, honest), and developed very thoroughly throughout each kill. While dealing with his daily activities and his boss..."
Viewed on Showtime:
December 25th, 2009
My Comment: An excellent series, lots of good characters, good acting and good writing. Man does that Courtney Ford got a cute little bod. Especially when its naked.
The Finish: Not, 'The Finish' but Season 4's finish. Everyone was caught by surprise. I for one was not nearly as saddened as I hear some of the Dexter's regular fan base were.
My Rating:
- * Did not finish movie
- ** Wasted my time on this one
- *** Worth seeing--once is enough
- **** Happy to see multiple times
- ***** Must own dvd
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Killer Movie
Chambers Hotel
Minneapolis, Minnesota
(2008)
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Trailer: Killer Movie
Paul Wesley--Kaley Cuoco
Gloria Votsis--Torrey DeVitto
Jason London--Cyia Batten
"This feature film tells the story of a reality television shoot that goes terrifyingly awry when its crew becomes stranded in a remote Northern town. A killer is on the loose, stalking cast and crew members one by one. As past suspicions, betrayals and secrets inexplicably come into play, the unimaginable horror of shooting this reality show becomes all too real for Jake Tanner, the show's director, his crew and Hollywood starlet Blanca Champion. With jump out of your seat special effects, spot on comic timing from excellent actors, heart stopping suspense and inventive murder sequences, this movie is a scary, sexy, fun and unforgettable ride ripped from today's headlines. "
Viewed on Showtime:
December 21st, 2009
My Comment: A fun reality movie murder mystery. Lots of blood, good acting, bitchin' women. Every character in the movie must have AT&T as their cell phone carrier since they can rarely make or receive calls.
The Finish: Prit' Near everyone dies, with no one watching (with me) able to guess who the murderer was.
My Rating:
- * Did not finish movie
- ** Wasted my time on this one
- *** Worth seeing--once is enough
- **** Happy to see multiple times
- ***** Must own dvd
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Borderland
Ensenada, Baja California Norte, Mexico
(2007)
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Trailer: Borderland
Brian Presley--Jake Muxworthy
Damián Alcázar--Martha Higareda
Rider Strong--Sean Astin
"Director Zev Berman teams with screenwriter Eric Poppen to explore the occult-based Mexican border town murder spree that claimed the lives of sixty innocents between January and March of 1989 alone. Graduation is drawing near and the spring breeze is blowing, what better time for three thrill-seeking Texas University students to make a run for the border to celebrate with one last wild weekend of drinking and debauchery? Though all the elements were in place for the perfect weekend getaway, this hard-partying trio is about to find out just how quickly things can take a turn for the worse when..."
Viewed on FearNet:
December 16th, 2009
My Comment: What the hell is going on? Doesn't anyone watch and learn from all these movies about Americans visiting foreign lands and awful things happening to them? Based on a true story about Santeria worship in Mexico (my neighbor to the south) three Americans are literally whittled down to one. Lots of blood, gore, and dead women wearing goat heads. However, I think to save on special effect costs, you'll see a machete hack flesh and then the camera will cut away ala Hitchcock. If you like Saw & Hostel, you'll like this one.
The Finish: Lots of people are brutalized, gun-shot, dismembered, and die, but someone's got to live to tell the story, eh?
My Rating:
- * Did not finish movie
- ** Wasted my time on this one
- *** Worth seeing--once is enough
- **** Grimly watch multiple times
- ***** Must own dvd
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Screamers
Joliette, Québec, Canada
(1995)
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Trailer: Screamers
Bruce Boa--Roy Dupuis
Andrew Lauer
Peter Weller--Jennifer Rubin
"This action-packed sci-fi thriller is set upon the planet Sirius 6B in the year 2078. The planet has been decimated by a vast nuclear war. Many have survived, but their continued survival is threatened by the dreaded screamers, strange shape-changing mechanical creatures who use razor sharp knives to hack up any life-form in their way. They earned their name because when they kill, they make a horrible high pitched sound. The first screamer makes its appearance as a lone soldier approaches a bunker. He has come to deliver an important message from the NEB to its enemy the Alliance. Unfortunately, the low flying screamer gets to the soldier first..."
Viewed on FearNet:
December 15th, 2009
My Comment: An off-Earth war that lasts for too long finally has the two sides joining together to fight against the screamers who've taken on a life of their own and, Henry Ford-like, have set up their own factory to build improved screamers that live above ground...and walk on two legs. I love that the soldiers have to smoke a cigarette named 'reds' to avoid getting radiation poisoning.
The Finish: Has a couple of twists you kind of see them coming, but overall a worthwhile post Robocop movie for Peter Weller, et al.
My Rating:
- * Did not finish movie
- ** Wasted my time on this one
- *** Worth seeing--once is enough
- **** Happy to see multiple times
- ***** Must own dvd
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Route 666
Joshua Tree, California
(2001)
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Trailer: Route 666
Lou Diamond Phillips--Alex McArthur
Sven Ole Thorsen
(Thorgrim: Conan the Barbarian)
L.Q. Jones
(153 credits @ IMDb)
Lori Petty
(Tank Girl)
Dale Midkiff
(cousin of Dr. Skip Midkiff)
Steven Williams
(Mr.X in X-Files)
Mercedes Colon
(buff beauty)
"The brutal murder of a prison chain gang reverberates through time, leaving an unsuspecting pair of special agents doing battle against the forces of the undead in this tale of highway horror from director William Wesley. When a pair of Mafia hitmen force special agents Jack (Lou Diamond Phillips) and Stephanie (Lori Petty) off the beaten path and down a haunted desert shortcut..."
Viewed on FearNet:
December 14th, 2009
My Comment: A predictably bloody horror movie with some actors you will recognize and decent acting. Lou Diamond Phillips how has thee fallen so far?
The Finish: Just like in real life, blood is thicker than water, and good always triumphs.
My Rating:
- * Did not finish movie
- ** Wasted my time on this one
- *** Worth seeing--once is enough
- **** Happy to see multiple times
- ***** Must own dvd
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20 Million Miles from Earth
Ponte St. Angelo,
Rome, Lazio, Italy
(1957)
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Trailer: 20 Million Miles to Earth
William Hopper--Frank Puglia
Thomas Brown Henry--Joan Taylor
John Zaremba--Tito Vuolo
"One of special-effects wizard Ray Harryhausen's pre-Seventh Voyage of Sinbad efforts, 20 Million Miles to Earth borrows a few pages from King Kong. An American spaceship crashlands off the coast of Sicily. The rescue party discovers that the astronauts have inadvertently brought back a curious gelatinous mass from the planet Venus. This lump of goo rapidly evolves into be a living reptilian creature, which scientists..."
Viewed:
December 10th, 2009
My Comment: A fun 1950s black and white movie like I grew up with.
The Finish: Hey, it's 1950 what do you think?
My Rating:
- * Did not finish movie
- ** Wasted my time on this one
- *** Worth seeing--once is enough
- **** Happy to see multiple times
- ***** Must own dvd
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Franklyn:
Lincoln's Inn Fields,
Holborn, London, England
(2008)
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Trailer: Franklyn
Eva Green--Sam Riley
James Faulkner--Ryan Phillippe
Bernard Hill--Stephen Walters
"Director/screenwriter Gerald McMorrow makes his feature debut with this ambitious psychological sci-fi drama set between contemporary London and the dystopic Meanwhile City, where the separation between church and state has been obliterated to make way for a religion-dominated society. As atheist vigilante Jonathan Preest (Ryan Phillippe) prepares to seek revenge against Meanwhile City's..."
Viewed:
December 5th, 2009
My Comment: A dark, CG-heavy movie that takes a while to get a handle on. Always had a problem with parallel universe movies.
The Finish: Before the end, you can't help but figure the end out.
My Rating:
- * Did not finish movie
- ** Wasted my time on this one
- *** Worth seeing--once is enough
- **** Happy to see multiple times
- ***** Must own dvd
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Movie Reviews ... Last Entry
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