Scream Bloody Entertainment

Now that the holiday break is finally here, it’s time to sit back and enjoy some movies, both new and old. This past week in particular has been quite an intense one, as you can see below.

Monday

The Kids Are All Right (2010) - 7/10
I’m not much for family dramas, especially when they try to mix some comedy in there as well, but I definitely enjoyed The Kids Are All Right. It’s a really well-made film, entertaining from start to finish and filled with some casual, but smart humour that works almost every time. Both Julianne Moore and Annette Bening were really great in their roles and I wouldn’t be surprised if they both got nominated for the Oscars, as their lively and emotional performances were the driving force of this film. Then you’ve got Mark Ruffalo, who was quite impressive himself, along with Josh Hutcherson and Mia Wasikowska. The Kids Are All Right tackles some interesting themes regarding family and the movie really makes you think about certain things. It would have been quite a depressing experience, had it not been for its upbeat style and the well-written comedy that made everything more enjoyable. I really recommend giving The Kids Are All Right a watch, as it is a well-crafted dramedy filled with some impressive performances and an interesting plot.

Tuesday

Black Swan (2010) - 9/10
Darren Aronofsky has been quite an intriguing director in my eyes and I always found his movies to be really unique and very thought-provoking. As such, I was really excited about seeing Black Swan, about which I heard a lot of good stuff. Right from the start I was simply mesmerized by Natalie Portman’s outstanding performance and I’ve never really seen her play a part with such passion before. The movie itself was truly spectacular as well, and among the excellent cinematography and impressive visual spectacle was a really interesting story, one that will certainly appeal to everyone, even those who are not particularly interested in ballet. I didn’t expect Black Swan to be as creepy as it was, but Darren Aronofsky managed to create a really dark atmosphere filled with disturbing moments and powerful characters. Then again, the movie wouldn’t even be half as effective without Natalie Portman’s performance, so she really deserves a lot of credit for the film’s overall quality. I’m already looking forward to giving Black Swan another watch, which really says a lot about this incredible film.

And Soon the Darkness (2010) - 3/10
Even though And Soon the Darkness was one of those films where you get the feeling that it won’t turn out pretty well when checking out the trailer or the poster, I was still somewhat anxious to see it, mainly because actors such as Amber Heard and Karl Urban may be able to turn this project around. Unfortunately, even though it started off pretty good, the film turned into a complete mess by the end. The premise was interesting enough and Amber Heard and Odette Yustman made a good team, but it all went to hell once the action started kicking in. It ended up being a very confusing movie, filled with clichés and characters that made the dumbest decisions one could think of. Hell, Karl Urban played a relatively cool dude with some hints of badassery, but he was barely in the film at all and his character was completely useless and didn’t do anything to deserve any screen time at all. After all was said and done, the film ended in the worst possible way, while offering little satisfaction to its conclusion. Even with Amber Heard, Karl Urban and Odette Yustman, And Soon the Darkness was still a complete waste of effort. Skip this one.

Wednesday

The A-Team (2010) - 7/10
Even though some movies seem doomed from the start, there are still a couple of pleasant surprises over the years that break away and manage to make for some very enjoyable experiences. The A-Team is one such movie, as I really had my doubts on whether I should even bother with it, but ultimately it turned out to be on heck of a good action flick. The chemistry between lead actors Liam Neeson, Bradley Cooper, Sharlto Copley and Quinton Jackson was exceptional and contributed a lot towards the film’s overall impression. Despite being highly unrealistic (then again, it’s an action film and it such things are to be expected), The A-Team boasts quite an impressive screenplay filled with little twists and turns that make it really enjoyable and entertaining to watch. The humour also works great and it doesn’t feel either stupid or excessive, unlike many similar flicks. All in all, The A-Team is a great action flick, far better than what we’re used to seeing these days, and makes for a perfect film on a Saturday night. Have fun!

Thursday

The Last Exorcism (2010) - 6/10
Despite the mixed reception ranging from horrible to decent, I actually ended up really enjoying The Last Exorcism. The use of handheld camera was a fresh addition in this subgenre that has been very much under the radar for a long time now. It actually took a while for the film to set things up and start getting into the action, and I’ve found the exposition to be slightly overlong and rather unnecessary. Still, once it got going, things got really intense. There were some really memorable moments to be had in this one, which were really effective and pretty damn creepy, although I have to say that I’m a real sucker when it comes to paranormal and demonic themes. Ashley Bell’s performance as the possessed girl was very impressive and thanks to her some scenes were truly terrifying. I found the ending to be somewhat out-of-place in comparison to the rest of the film, though it didn’t really bother me as much as it did to other viewers (or so I heard). Ultimately, The Last Exorcism was quite a fun scary movie, even though it was a flawed one as well. Still, one of the better ones this year, that’s for sure.

Friday

Aliens in the Attic (2009) - 4/10
I caught this film on TV right as it was about to start and decided to stay with it, seeing as I had nothing better to do at that time. In the end, I can’t say that I didn’t enjoy it, but it’s definitely just your standard family fun film, with some sci-fi elements in the mix. The acting is barely decent, but then again, most of the cast didn’t have much to work with. I was however impressed by Robert Hoffman’s lively and funny performance and most of the laughs (which weren’t too many) came from him and the way he performed in certain scenes. The CGI wasn’t too shabby, but not exactly good either. The story was predictable and filled with all the clichés that you’d expect to find in a movie like this one, but some parts were handled in a smart way, I guess. I’m sure kids will enjoy this film as it has all the right ingredients to appeal to a young audience, but for adults it’s hard not to be turned off by its constant flaws and clichés. Aliens in the Attic remains an entertaining watch and giving it a go certainly won’t hurt anyone, but I’m sure one could find something better to spend their time on.

Saturday

Love Actually (2003) - 7/10
You really can’t have holidays without any holiday movies, so I decided to give Love Actually a go, mainly because it’s gotten so many positive reviews from all around. It was indeed a great film, though it wasn’t really as good as I had expected. The story is very interesting, spanning over two hours that are highly entertaining. I think the film’s strongest point lies in its vast number of characters, but it is also one of its major flaws. Just to see how all these characters come together and develop is truly impressive, especially how they’re all connected in one way or another and I found most of the acting to be really solid. However, some characters aren’t given enough attention throughout the film and so you end up with a couple that feel really underdeveloped and they could have easily been removed from the film without even making much of a difference to how the story played out. Nevertheless, you’ve got great actors such as Liam Neeson, Colin Firth, Bill Nighy, Emma Thompson, Martin Freeman, Hugh Grant and many others doing a really good job in their roles and giving the film a sense of realism. Overall, Love Actually is an above-average rom-com that deserves a watch, especially around this time of the year.

Sunday

Saving Private Ryan (1998) - 9/10
It’s been a really long time since I heard about Saving Private Ryan and I’ve been meaning to watch it ever since, but I never really got around to do it until now. However, now that I have finally seen it, I can honestly say that it was totally worth the wait and all the expectations that have increased over the years have been all blown away by this truly remarkable achievement in the history of cinema. The opening scene depicting the battle on the beach was beyond anything I have ever seen in a movie before and it all looked so realistic that it was frightening. The acting was amazing, from lead actor Tom Hanks all the way down to the smallest of roles. I found the story to be somewhat weak, as the film’s main storyline felt rather small in scale compared to its promising first thirty minutes. Nevertheless, Steven Spielberg definitely made the most of it, creating a war movie of grand proportions filled with amazing shots and countless memorable scenes. The cinematography is downright brilliant and makes for one intense and gritty experience. For those who think they can handle witnessing war at its most brutal and unforgiving, Saving Private Ryan is no doubt a must-see.

Escape from Darkness

the plot
A man wakes up in a cave with no recollection of who he is or how he even got there.

the good
- the bleak and gloomy look of the film
- interesting mix between horror and sci-fi
- outstanding on a visual level
- solid ending

the bad
- nothing happens in the first half hour
- incredibly slow-paced
- wooden acting from the lead
- incomprehensible story

the ugly
- mud
- dude attached to the wall
- ugly creatures
- injected
- rape
- transformation

things I learned from watching this movie
- sensual love can quickly turn into rape if you're not too careful
- people like to talk in riddles
- in every god forsaken cave there's bound to be at least one hot girl
- don't ask what is going on, you'll never get a straight answer

summary
Eden Log is a perfect example of what happens when creativity supersedes control. It is beautiful to look at, with all its bleak and dark visuals, and the cinematography is truly impressive, but that doesn't excuse poor acting and an incoherent plot. Most of the time the film is too slow to keep the viewer engaged enough in it, though thankfully there are some monsters to keep things interesting. Once again, I applaud Eden Log's visuals and it is really a beauty to look at, but as a film it definitely lacks in some departments.

horror meter: 3 muddy stars (out of 5)

Nishishi

Year: 2010
Number of episodes: 25 (aprox. 25 min per episode)
Genre: Romance

Amagami SS is a lighthearted romantic high-school anime with a little bit of humour here and there, telling the story of Junichi Tachibana, who had his heart broken two years ago on Christmas when he got stood up by his date. Therefore, he has a hard time opening up to his feelings and fears that he will have to spend another Christmas alone. Luckily for him, there are plenty of girls in his high school that he will soon get close to.

This anime consisting of twenty-five episodes is divided into story arcs, each leading to a different path for Junichi as he gets involved with different girls. There are six girls in total, each developing a deeper relationship with Junichi over the course of four episodes, after which everything resets and it starts with a different story arc. The last episode is sort of an arc on its own, and it’s mainly there to explain some stuff such as why our hopeless romantic protagonist got stood up two years ago.

Watching Amagami SS can be kind of an unstable experience, as some episodes may be better than others, or even entire story arcs could go right or wrong for each individual viewer. I did enjoy most of it, although there were indeed some ups and downs here and there, and by the end it was pretty obvious to me how I felt about each story arc in particular. As such, I’ll be giving you a closer look into each arc and why exactly I liked or disliked it. This remains, however, my own personal opinion, and I’m sure some may have a different view on the whole thing. Let’s get started now, shall we?

Some minor spoilers ahead.

Haruka Morishima


The first story arc starts in a pretty great way and I have to say that even though I did not expect much going into this anime, I was entirely captivated by the first episode. It was very entertaining and kept things at a casual level, which made it an easy and pleasant experience. Regarding Haruka Morishima, she’s in her final year and is considered one of the most popular girls in Junichi’s high school. Like I said, this story arc had a good start, but over its course I kinda felt more and more turned off by it. First of all, there’s a scene involving a weird fetish that even though is somewhat cute, feels awkward and ultimately throws that entire episode off balance. Then there’s Haruka’s personality – her insensitive manners and the way she treats Junichi at times doesn’t give much credibility to their whole “love story.” Plus, there’s little to no chemistry between them, which makes things even worse. The 10-years-later scene at the end of the arc was a nice little touch, though.

Kaoru Tanamachi


A huge improvement over the first story arc, this one works much better as it features a good sense of progress between the leads’ relationship and some drama over its course keeps things interesting and more emotionally involving. One of Junichi’s childhood friends, Kaoru Tanamachi is in the same class as him and works a part-time job as a waitress. There’s a good sense of development between them as the story goes on and the final episode delivers a satisfying conclusion, even if it feels a little rushed. The chemistry between Junichi and Kaoru is also excellent and their interactions are quite enjoyable, often accompanied by some good laughs. One of the better story arcs of the series, for sure.

Sae Nakata


Next up is Sae Nakata, an underclassman and friend of Miya’s, Junichi’s younger sister. Sae is extremely shy and the reason why Junichi and her end up spending so much time together is because Junichi decides to help her improve her social skills. Do not be surprised if you find her voice to be annoying, which many actually did. For those who enjoy Sae’s personality, this should prove to be a really nice arc, as it does pretty much everything right, including the ending.

Ai Nanasaki


Another friend of Miya’s and around the same age as her and Sae, Ai Nanasaki is part of the school’s swimming team and her first encounter with Junichi leads to her calling him a pervert. Unlike many of the other girls, Ai’s personality is easily likeable and her relationship with Junichi develops in a natural and pleasing way. Unfortunately, there were some weird stuff in this arc as well, including a trip to the amusement park that makes for some odd moments that just don’t fit in this anime. Nevertheless, Ai’s arc is an enjoyable one and has become my favourite, especially due to the well-done ending.

Rihoko Sakurai


Rihoko Sakurai is another childhood friend of Junichi, although their relationship has been minimal over the years and mostly held at a casual level. Most of this arc centers around Rihoko’s battle with her unusually big appetite as she tries to go on a diet. For me, this arc has been by far the least interesting, especially considering that nothing really happens, even in the final episode, as Rihoko and Junichi actually don’t end up being together, although it isn’t out of the question in the long run.

Tsukasa Ayatsuji


Coincidentally or not, the final story arc is the one I’ve been looking forward to the most, as I found Tsukasa Ayatsuji quite intriguing as the anime progressed. Unfortunately, this one took a surprising turn when it was revealed that Tsuakasa actually had two personalities and her real one was marked by extreme tsundere qualities. Not to say that the arc wasn’t interesting, because it really was, and the ending was satisfying enough, especially since it showed us another “10-years-later” scene, but Tsukasa’s sudden change of personality simply ruined my view of her for the rest of the arc. Still, it’s one of the most well-done arcs in the entire series.

Final episode and closing comments


The final episode features yet another girl, Risa Kamizaki, with her very own little story arc that develops in the last twenty minutes, as well as explaining why Junichi got stoop up on his date two years ago. I was mostly lukewarm towards this episode, although it was somewhat of a nice addition to the end of the series. Risa’s actions, however, made it hard to root for her or even like her, but it seems that Junichi had no problem with that at all.

All in all, Amagami SS turned out to be quite a good anime and made for some really pleasant experiences. I found it to be very addicting to watch, especially since everything develops so fast and new story arcs always make for a breath of fresh air. On a visual level, Amagami SS looks great. The art is very fitting and the animation is very well done. You won’t likely end up calling this one of your favourites, but it’s still a series well worth watching.

Oh, the holidays are here! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, everybody! May next year be a fruitful one for horror films, because let’s face it, this one was pretty bad. For films in general, though, I feel that 2010 has been quite a good year and there will definitely be plenty of films to choose from when I make my top list of the year. Looking forward to that already, although it will still take some time since I have to catch up with some of the newer releases.

Monday

Deja Vu (2006) - 6/10
Since I just saw Unstoppable not too long ago, I decided to continue the Tony Scott trend and give Deja Vu a go, a movie which I’ve been quite eager to see for a long time now due to the whole time travel thing going on with it. Unfortunately, I didn’t turn out to be as good as I had expected, but it was an entertaining ride nonetheless, and one filled with some nice little twists and turns as well. Denzel Washington did a great job, as always, along with Tony Scott’s fitting directing for an action flick. I expected the movie to do more with the time travel element involved, but it was decent enough. I was quite surprised to see how long it took for the film to actually get into the action, as it had a good amount of exposition in the beginning. The ending was somewhat confusing, though it did provide a satisfying conclusion to the story. While not the best work by director Tony Scott, Deja Vu remains an enjoyable experience that’s worth the time.

Tuesday

Cyrus (2010) - 4/10
I can’t say that I was particularly excited about seeing Cyrus, but I was definitely interested to see how John C. Reilly and Jonah Hill would perform in a drama. The beginning of the film gave me a good feeling, as it started out pretty great, but by the end of the first half it sort of became mundane and really weak in execution. Both John C. Reilly and Jonah Hill did a decent enough job, but neither of them actually impressed me too much. Fortunately, Marisa Tomei delivered a pretty enjoyable performance and seemed to share some good chemistry with both Reilly and Hill. Even though I expected this film to have a slower pace, it still turned out to be quite a drag, and there was simply not enough character development to justify its overlong scenes. The directing wasn’t too impressive either and the constant quick zooming in on the characters faces was downright terrible and did not fit at all with the movie’s style. As such, Cyrus is a pretty mediocre dramedy and ultimately lacks the complexity to make it an enjoyable ride. Some may find it better than others, though, so maybe it is worth giving it a shot just to see for yourself.

Friday

Ils (2006) - 5/10
I’m a sucker for French horror films due to some really pleasant past experiences, so I was really interested to see what Ils had to offer. Unfortunately, it didn’t turn out to be quite what I expected and it ultimately played out in a very familiar manner. There are some decent thrills to be had along the way as well as a few creepy scenes, but the final reveal is too underwhelming to make them matter. A big plus is the cinematography, which is really excellent and makes the film a lot more enjoyable, with well-constructed shots and angles. Acting-wise, this movie doesn’t have much to offer, except for the lead heroine, who does a good enough job at crucial moments. Another thing worth mentioning is the opening scene, which is really well-done and makes for some chilling tension. That’s about all there is to say about Ils – nothing much to see here, to be honest, but it isn’t exactly a bad horror flick either. It’s kind of in-between, which sometimes is actually the worst place a film can be in.

Saturday

Devil (2010) - 7/10
After the disaster that was The Last Airbender, it’s gotten hard to trust anything with M. Night Shyamalan’s name on it. Therefore, I wasn’t exactly sure how to feel about Devil, but I did find its premise quite intriguing, and found myself really looking forward to seeing it, despite having no idea if it would be any good whatsoever. In the end, it turned out to be quite an enjoyable horror flick with a very unique setting and some really well-done thrills. The story developed nicely and some scenes were surprisingly intense, making the whole experience a lot more fun and engaging. The twist wasn’t exactly predictable, either, which made the conclusion all the more satisfying. I wish the movie would have passed on some clichés along the way, but it still remained a pretty solid film. The acting was uneven, with some of the cast doing a better job than others. Like I said, I did not expect much, but Devil actually turned out to be one of the best horror flicks of the year.

Believe In Him.

the plot
An evangelical minister decides to let a documentary crew film his last exorcism.

the good
- enjoyable pacing
- can be truly terrifying at times
- a couple of interesting little twists and turns
- visceral performance from Ashley Bell
- some really disturbing scenes
- the mockumentary style gives the film some fresh air

the bad
- too much exposition in the beginning
- dumb characters
- the shaky cam is a bit excessive during certain scenes
- out-of-place ending
- could have used some more scary scenes

the ugly
- creepy sounds
- boiling water
- sliced in the face
- death of a kitty
- bending backwards
- breaking fingers
- birth of a demon
- hacked to pieces with an axe
- decapitation

things I learned from watching this movie
- possessed people would never say 'blowing job'
- the last job always seems to go wrong
- when a kid tells you to make a U-turn, you better freakin' make that U-turn
- nightgowns and possessions go hand in hand
- being gay is the best cop-out for getting a girl pregnant
- the best way to defeat a demon engulfed in flames is to run towards him screaming like crazy while holding your prank cross in your hand

summary
Despite it belonging to a horror subgenre that is nowadays depleted with most audiences, The Last Exorcism turns out to be quite a good horror flick, with its mockumentary style and use of shaky cam giving it a fresh feel and making it somewhat of a new experience for everyone. Even though it has its flaws and the ending feels confusing and does not fit at all, there are plenty of thrills and some disturbing moments throughout that make it worth a watch. Plus it also features a terrifyingly impressive performance by actress Ashley Bell, who plays the possessed girl. The Last Exorcism is quite a decent horror flick even with all the problems surfacing around it.

horror meter: 3 blowing stars (out of 5)

“Beauty is unbearable, drives us to despair, offering us for a minute the glimpse of an eternity that we should like to stretch out over the whole of time.” - Albert Camus

The world of Darren Aronofsky is truly a bizarre one, but also one which has taken its viewers along in strange adventures filled with emotional impact and beauty for the craft of film. While his strengths most certainly lie in surrealism and the realm of dreams, he has also proven himself to be quite capable of delivering gritty realism, as seen in The Wrestler. Few directors can create such unique and engaging films, especially these days when studios limit creativity and demand familiarity instead of originality. As such, someone like Darren Aronofsky represents a ray of hope for those that look for more in movies than just entertainment.

The most recent film from director Darren Aronofsky is entitled Black Swan and it stars Natalie Portman as Nina, a ballerina who is struggling with her new role in a new production of the famous play Swan Lake, where she has been cast to play both the innocent White Swan and the sensual Black Swan. Pushed to the edge by the demanding and rough attitude of her trainer (played by Vincent Cassel) and the fierce competition between her and another dancer (Milla Kunis), Nina begins to slowly drift into a world of lies and deceit, where the line between what is real and what is not fades away.


It takes some time for Black Swan to show its true colours and get into the psychological thriller that it ultimately is, but it doesn’t take a genius to realize that something bad is about to happen right from the start. The unsettling music, the troubled expression on Nina’s face and the distressing image of the world that she lives in are all signs that things will definitely take a turn for the worst soon. The calm before the storm is done in an exceptional manner thanks to Darren Aronofsky’s masterful directing and Natalie Portman’s haunting performance.

Once strange things start happening, everything changes. The audience may have some sort of a prediction or expectations towards just how bad things will get, but few will actually be prepared for where the film takes us. Much like the decadence into insanity, our perspective of reality and fantasy slowly melts together and soon enough, no one can be sure just what is real anymore. In a way, we go through the exact same thing that Nina goes through, and maybe for that reason this flawed character that is always striving for perfection is so easy to connect with.


Whatever Black Swan may be categorized as, in its true nature it is a full-fledged horror film. Maybe an unconventional one that does not share many characteristics of the genre, but it is by far the most disturbing and downright frightening film I have seen in quite a long time. It is relentless and the more extreme scenes will surely leave a mark on anyone, as they are done in such an outstanding manner that it is hard not to be entirely absorbed by their power. Take a good look at them and you’ll realize that clichés are not entirely absent, but nevertheless things play out in a way that has been rarely seen in movies before.

The driving force of the movie is without a doubt Natalie Portman’s extraordinary performance as the troubled, innocent Nina, who always strives for perfection and a way to escape from the numerous obstacles that bring her down from day to day. It is truly amazing to see how Portman can express so much emotion in a single scene and how easy she makes it for the audience to connect with her character. Her transformation from the shy and aspiring ballerina to the crazed and confident woman at the end is done in a spectacular manner without feeling artificial or fake whatsoever. Natalie Portman’s performance is without a doubt one of the year’s very best.


On a visual level, Black Swan is a true marvel to watch. Unlike most of the other Aronofsky films, this one looks clean and polished, almost looked after too much but nonetheless visually striking. Its gritty, dirty side can be found within the characters, especially Nina, but the film is hauntingly beautiful. The score fits like a glove and the various scenes that include dancing and ballet are highly enjoyable and carry a deeper meaning at all times. Everything that Nina does and all the things that happen to her are there for a reason, guiding us to a final place so dark, yet wonderfully unique, that it is hard not to be overwhelmed with emotion.

Darren Aronofsky may have directed some truly brilliant films in the past, but Black Swan is without a doubt his masterpiece. It is complete in all aspects, acted out in a flawless manner by Natalie Portman and filled with so many memorable scenes that it is simply a crime not to call it one of the best movies of the year. How Aronofsky can portray the life of a ballerina into such a nightmarish way will probably remain an enigma to everyone, but even a fool can tell just how glorious and phenomenal his achievement is. For in the end, nothing else matters but perfection, and Black Swan has definitely found it.

This week has been pretty tough, with some really stressful exams, but luckily I got the chance to visit the theatre afterwards and clear my mind. As such, I saw some pretty good films that I’ve been looking both new and old.

Wednesday

Faster (2010) - 6/10
I’ve kinda forsaken Dwayne Johnson since he started starring in all the family films over the last couple of years, but I decided to check Faster out after reading some really positive reviews. I went into the movie knowing little to nothing (except for what you can make out from the poster) and was pleasantly surprised by an entertaining film filled with little twists and turns. Granted, Faster does play out like many other action flicks, but it is relatively well-constructed and delivers a satisfying pay-off. The excessive amount of characters threw me off a little, especially the little story arc going on between Maggie Grace and Oliver Jackson-Cohen, which could have been easily dropped without making much of a difference to how the movie played out. Dwayne Johnson did somewhat of a good job as the lead character, though I don’t think he was exactly sure what he was going for in the role. What I enjoyed most in Faster was Billy Bob Thornton’s surprisingly good performance, along with some really well-done action scenes. It is unfortunate that this film underperformed at the box office the way it did, especially because it stands as a solid action flick that is both enjoyable and entertaining.

Unstoppable (2010) - 7/10
The first time I heard about Tony Scott’s new movie Unstoppable, I was skeptical as to how it was gonna play out, especially because the film’s premise seemed unappealing and also because I’ve gotten pretty sick of the Denzel Washington and Tony Scott pair up. Fortunately, Unstoppable turned out to be much better than I expected and it’s safe to say that I was highly entertained from start to finish. You can’t go wrong with a well-done build-up, an intense climax and a satisfying pay-off, and that’s exactly what this film is all about. I actually came to enjoy Denzel Washington’s performance and was also pleasantly surprised by how well Chris Pine handled his leading role. More than anything, though, I found Unstoppable to be very intriguing and it really kept me on the edge the entire time. Definitely check this one out as it’s one of the better action flicks to come around this year.

Thursday

Due Date (2010) - 5/10
Lukewarm is probably the best way to describe my feelings for Due Date, a movie which I didn’t feel particularly excited about, yet still wanted to see it because of Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galifianakis. As a road trip movie, Due Date is somewhat of an interesting watch, but as a comedy it falls flat in almost all aspects. There are surprisingly few laughs to be had and a lot of the jokes just feel awkward and weird. Furthermore, there’s a constant change between comedy and drama that simply does not work and makes the movie fail in both genres. Robert Downey Jr. definitely played a character quite different from what he’s used to and Zach Galifianakis delivered a surprisingly powerful performance, but ultimately Due Date fails due to some significant flaws and a plot that doesn’t know where it’s heading. Maybe worth a watch for the sake of entertainment or the actors, but there’s not much else to be had here other than that.

Friday

28 Days Later (2002) - 8/10
I saw 28 Days Later for the first time when I was a lot younger and it was one of the scariest horror films for me. I remember being completely terrified throughout the entire movie and the sight of the running zombies really left a mark on me. After all those years, I finally got around to giving it another watch and I have to say that it holds up really well. Cillian Murphy is great in the leading role and the rest of the cast do a pretty good job as well, but it’s the excellent cinematography and Danny Boyle’s powerful directing that make this film great. The shots of abandoned London are haunting and beautifully filmed and tension that comes up every time the zombies draw close is truly unmatched by any other zombie flick. For those looking for a wild and intense experience, 28 Days Later will make for a solid choice, but beware, for it can also get quite brutal at times. You have been warned.

Sunday

Frailty (2002) - 7/10
When I first heard about Frailty a while back, it looked highly interesting to me, but I never really got around to watching it until recently, when opportunity arose. It most definitely did not play out the way I expected it to, but that’s actually a good thing, because this movie turn out to be much better than I expected. It is also one heck of a weird experience, with an excellent performance by Bill Paxton, along with his outstanding directorial prowess. Although Frailty can be quite slow at times, it is a highly engaging movie that boasts a unique and intriguing plot and a lot of creepy and weird moments. Not only that, but there’s also a twist at the end, which, although it is somewhat predictable, changes your entire perspective on the film. I highly recommend Frailty to anyone looking for a solid thriller that is unlike any other movie you’ve seen before.

Bad Things Happen For A Reason

the plot
A group of people get stuck in an elevator... and one of them is the devil.

the good
- solid acting
- the narration
- good build-up
- keeps you guessing until the very end
- excellent cinematography
- claustrophobic and well-paced
- very intense at times
- unexpected twist

the bad
- a few plotholes
- the devil could have looked and acted better
- lukewarm ending
- the catholic latino dude

the ugly
- people falling off buildings
- bitten in the back
- shard of glass to the neck
- hanged from an electrical cord
- electrocuted
- twisted neck
- slashed throat
- creepy black eyes
- car crash

things I learned from watching this movie
- if you stuck with the stairs for this long, better keep it up
- bad people should avoid taking elevators
- never try to lighten up the mood
- Satan always finds a way to ruin the day

summary
After his last couple of films, it seems as though anything with M. Night Shyamalan's name written on it is bound to fail, but Devil proves to be a surprisingly good horror thriller with an interesting premise and a really solid twist. It does have a couple of weaker points and there sure are some plotholes here and there, but the film is very effective and makes for a highly intense ride. Ultimately, Devil overcomes the whole M. Night Shyamalan hate and turns out to be a very well done horror film.

horror meter: 4 devilish stars (out of 5)

You'll never feel safe in your home again.

the plot
A woman and her husband are being terrorized in their remote home by a group of strangers.

the good
- the opening scene
- impressive cinematography
- one creepy house
- some really intense sequences
- solid ending

the bad
- dumb characters
- some plotholes
- underwhelming reveal
- plays out much like every other similar horror film
- weak acting

the ugly
- strangled in the car
- pierced by glass
- falling from the balcony

things I learned from watching this movie
- owning a big and creepy house located far away from civilisation is not very healthy
- never go without cell phones
- children are quite capable of deceit

summary
Unlike other modern French horror films, Ils is a movie that plays out much like you'd expect from a movie of its nature. It has an interesting, even if not entirely well-developed premise and it delivers lots of thrillers and a good amount of tension that keeps you on the edge. On the other hand, it also suffers from some underwhelming acting, mediocre characters and the lack of a good story. Worth a quick watch for the thrills, but there's not much to be had beyond that.

horror meter: 3 childish stars (out of 5)

I didn’t get to see much this week since I had to prepare for some upcoming exams, but fear not, for everything will return to normal once I get done with all of this. Until then, I leave you with one movie that feels quite special to me.

Wednesday

Resident Evil: Afterlife (2010) - 6/10
Believe it or not, I’m actually quite a big fan of the Resident Evil film series and I enjoyed every movie up to this point, to some degree. As such, I was really excited about seeing Resident Evil: Afterlife. Unfortunately, I missed out when it played in theatres, so I had to wait for the DVD release. Now that I finally got the chance to watch, I have to say that it’s pretty much on the same level with the rest of the films in the series. In other words, those who hated the first three movies will likely not enjoy this one either, but those who liked them will have lots of fun with this one. As usual, Resident Evil: Afterlife does not sport much of a story, but it does follow a plot that is easy to follow. Milla Jovovich is as good as ever as Alice, kicking ass just on the first day. I would have liked to see more zombie action, however. In the end, I had a lot of fun with this one, even though it’s definitely a very flawed movie. Well worth a watch if you know what you’re getting into.

“Remember, we all stumble, every one of us. That’s why it’s a comfort to go hand in hand.” - Emily Kimbrough

Director Tony Scott takes the action into the world of trains and locomotives in his newest film, entitled appropriately Unstoppable. Admittedly, it has been quite a while since we have seen a really good Tony Scott movie, especially since last year’s The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 was received in a very underwhelming manner and it was definitely a step down, from a critic’s viewpoint. Because of this, it’s no surprise that some people have gotten sick of all the action flicks that Scott has been sending our way for more than ten years now, whether good or bad. On the other hand, some feel that he is far from done with the industry and has a lot more to offer in the following years. I find myself sort of in the middle right now, but that was no reason for me not to go out and give his newest movie a go the moment I got the chance to do so. You can’t deny the value of entertainment, that’s for sure.

Unstoppable stars Denzel Washington, who has had several collaborations with director Tony Scott up to this point, and Chris Pine, an up-and-coming star who some may remember from J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek, where he played none other than James T. Kirk himself. They play a veteran engineer and a novice conductor respectively, who race against the clock to stop a runaway freight train filled with flammable chemicals. The story develops nicely: the beginning introduces us to the characters and explains how the whole situation started, while the very last scenes display an impressive cinematic conclusion, paired with a fitting ending. It actually takes quite a while for main characters Frank (Washington) and Will (Pine) to connect with the central plot, but the movie never suffers as it compensates with a solid amount of tension and other characters that push the story forward.


There’s no doubt that Unstoppable is a Tony Scott film in all its glory. You’ve got the increasingly intense build-up, the entertaining and fast-paced climax and, of course, Denzel Washington. It’s safe to say that Scott and Washington make a solid match, and this film only goes further to prove that this combination works well together. Denzel Washington is at the top of his game and there’s actually surprisingly good chemistry between him and Chris Pine, which makes the scenes where they’re together all the more enjoyable. Even though I have high hopes for Chris Pine’s future in Hollywood, I did have my doubts on whether he’d be able to carry this film as an action movie character. He did a great job in the end and he sure has the screen presence to take on similar roles in the future. Not to forget Denzel Washington’s contribution in all of this, though.

On a visual level, Unstoppable looks stunning. The cinematography is excellent, especially the shots of the freight train that somehow manage to instill tension and fear in just a couple of moments. Like many other directors, Tony Scott has a couple of signature moves that make his films easy to identify as his own. Unstoppable is no different – it looks and behaves exactly like an action movie of this caliber should, and Scott’s influence is present at all times. On the other hand, this film looks and feels a lot more realistic than some of his previous work. Even after having to give up a couple of stylish effects and fast edits, Tony Scott still manages to make Unstoppable as intense and entertaining as every other one of his movies.


Unfortunately, Unstoppable also suffers from a couple of flaws that ultimately downgrade it from what could have been one of my favourite films of the year. First of all, you’ve got the clichés. They could have been bigger in number or more annoying, but it’s still bothersome after you’ve seen some in pretty much every Tony Scott film. Then there’s the excessive amount of side characters that are simply unnecessary in order for the story to progress and some of them are merely used as scapegoats to demonstrate just how dangerous the whole situation is or to aid the main characters in their struggle to stop the unmanned train. The feel-good ending could have also been executed in a better and more satisfying way, but I guess that’s a problem with almost every similar movie these days. Even after all that has been said, the film is still bloody great.

If you see Unstoppable playing at a cinema near you, I highly suggest you give it a go. Action films are really lack in quality nowadays and a film as good and as entertaining as this one is definitely a must-see. It’s also Tony Scott’s best in quite a couple of years and the pairing between Denzel Washington and newcomer Chris Pine works great. More than anything, though, Unstoppable keeps you on the edge of your seat and fully engaged in its plot, which rarely happens and works as well as it does here. If you’re looking for some fun at the movies, an interesting and well-developed plot and some good lead actors, look no further than Unstoppable. Grab some popcorn and let the good times begin!

His fear began when he woke up alone. His terror began when he realised he wasn't.

A man wakes up in a deserted hospital twenty eight days after suffering from an accident, only to discover that a virus has all but turned everyone into dangerous, rabid "Infected."

- terrifying and realistic
- impressive cinematography
- the bleak look of abandoned London
- solid acting, especially from Cillian Murphy
- brings some freshness into the zombie genre
- quite disturbing at times
- well paced and keeps you on the edge

- a couple of weird moments
- third act does not hold up well
- some dumb character decisions

- crazy chimps
- vomiting blood
- zombies on fire
- death by machete
- child zombie
- gunshots
- one execution
- eaten alive
- eyes gouged out
- shot in the stomach
- starving zombies

- animal liberation activists always manage to screw things up
- always take the shortcut through the dark and creepy underground tunnel
- when the zombies come, don't rely on rain, even if you're in freakin' London
- not stopping for cheeseburgers is not an option, even if it's the end of the world
- don't bring your women to elite soldiers
- underage girls on drugs are crazy

28 Days Later is without a doubt one of the best horror films to come out in the last decade. Its gritty and realistic look, the impressive performances from the leads and Danny Boyle's powerful direction make for one hell of a movie that is as efficient as it is disturbing. This is also one of those rare horror flicks that are worth the watch even for those who do not usually dwell within the genre. Whether it's a zombie movie or not, 28 Days Later is surely an excellent horror film.

horror meter: 4 infected stars (out of 5)

It’s that period of the year for me when I feel the need to see every new movie in theaters as soon as possible, and so I managed to check out two fresh-out-of-the-oven flicks, along with one that I’ve been meaning to watch for quite a while now.

Tuesday

Easy A (2010) - 7/10
Even though I’m not a big fan of teen comedies as they usually tend to be clichéd and repetitive, I was really excited to see Easy A, especially after the positive reviews that it got. After giving it a watch, it’s safe to say that this is one of the best teen comedies to come our way in a long time, and even though it does not contain a good amount of humour, it’s still a lot of fun to watch and makes for a great way to spend a couple of hours. Emma Stone is awesome in the leading role and she is definitely one of the best things about Easy A. The rest of the cast does a great job as well and most of the jokes work well and do not feel cheap, unlike in other teen comedies. The narration by the main character certainly brought the film in a better light, and made it all the more enjoyable and smart. I say this one for the books and should not be missed by either young or older audiences.

Friday

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010) - 7/10
As much of a fan that I am of the series, I usually wait for the DVD release before checking out the newest Harry Potter movie. I ended up making an exception this time, mainly due to all the hype this film’s been getting, but also because I was pretty excited to see how it would play out. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 is most definitely as good of a film as the rest in the series, but it’s also much more interesting due to its darker tones and the fact that the movie doesn’t take place at Hogwarts anymore. In addition, the chemistry between Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint is now stronger than ever and their performances in this one are among the best in the series. Unfortunately, as this film is only the first part of a novel, it lacks the proper closure and thus it is difficult to judge it without having seen the second part. Nevertheless, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 is most certainly worth a watch if you’ve stayed with the series for this long.

The Next Three Days (2010) - 6/10
I walked into this movie not knowing much and mainly because there wasn’t anything else playing at my theatre that seemed decent. It ultimately turned out to be a mixed bag, but Russell Crowe’s solid performance definitely worked in the film’s favour. Unfortunately, The Next Three Days doesn’t know exactly what it wants, and thus we get a movie split in two parts: the first one is a drama about a single father trying to take care of his child while the second part is a full-fledged thriller. None of the parts manage to reach their full potential and the transition between them hardly even works. I did, however, enjoy the film and was engaged in its plot the whole time, which kind of makes up for some of its flaws. I guess The Next Three Days does deserve a watch, just don’t expect too much from it and it’ll do the job.