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Reviews
Escape Room (2019)
Good that could've been better
A movie that is really a copy of "Cube" on a much more detailed and clearer level of explanation, this film is actually really good. But it could've been better if not for the similarities to Cube. The room with the combination even has a graphic depiction of the Cube on it! I'm surprised no other reviewers noticed that. Even so, the "rooms" in this file are very impressive, especially the winter scene, with unique details and outcomes.
Given the fact that Zoe is so intelligent and sensible, it made no sense at all that she would get the police involved after surviving. Clearly she, and the other survivor, would've known full well to vanish away and stay quiet, for fear of being whisked away back into the Escape a Room. And then the inevitable happens with the bad guys telling us they have already located Zoe, because she didn't stay quiet, and will be kidnapped once again and go through the torment. Ugh, that ending was so bad. At first it was refreshing to see not just one, but TWO survivors in a movie about traps and death, only to have it end in such a cliche.
Still, this film is actually very good, and definitely worth seeing more than once.
Contracted (2013)
No explantion; no sense
Quite simply, the "virus" Samantha "contracts" is never ever remotely explained. And only people reviewing this movie on here have come up with that, as well as in the brief description of the movie, but if you were to watch this movie with no knowledge, you'd really never know how Samantha got sick.
The overall gore factor and effects are actually really, really good. Problem is, that's all that's good as far as the movie goes, other than good acting across the board. The storyline drag on for one reason: you are left to guess what the hell happened to her to get her so sick. The only thing really sick about this movie is the ending. It's sick to the point of being bad. That kind of ending makes you say "why the hell did I watch this?!"
Beaches (2017)
Way too over paced
When a movie is remade, you have to expect everyone to make a comparison. In that regard, this new version is just flat. It doesn't allow the viewer the chance to gain any depth or get drawn into the movie. You can just feel the rush of this movie trying to cram it all in to fit the allotted commercial insertions. Such a shame. The opening scenes with the two young girls are poorly acted. I almost stopped watching, but the adults pulled it off. Nia Long gives an exceptional performance. But again, this entire movie is so rushed, the great performance is overshadowed by the hasty flow. The singing by Menzel is actually good, which is another positive. But overall, the original is a major standout compared to this. TV movie remake failed in this case, unfortunately. You can't tell this incredible story in less than 90 minutes. And trying to do so is why it fell way short.
The Thing (2011)
Interesting.
It goes without saying, anyone reviewing this must have seen John Carpenter's remake of THE THING (1982). That film is a cult classic and my absolute favorite horror and sci-fi film of all time. It is that good, and remains that good, because it's unique: all male cast, totally clueless who (or what) is "the thing," and the ending leaves you wondering a lot.
So, to watch this 2011 version, the first thing I noticed was the opening text on the screen where is says we are in 1982 (still) and in Antartica (still). This alone confusingly tricked me into thinking, "Okay, this is a total remake...ugh!" But at the end of the film, DURING THE CREDITS (bizarrely unique) you are then shown that this movie is a prequel to Carpenter's film. Different approach.
The movie moves too fast, and the gripping drama you felt in 1982 is just not here in 2011. This film is certainly not bad, and some approaches are really cool, like the new way to figure out who is "the thing," which I won't reveal.
Personally, I felt there were just too many people in this film, leading to too many instances of people being quickly killed instead of taken over. A smaller cast would have been so much more easier to deal with, and would have allowed SOME character development.
Going up against Carpenter's film this "prequel" had a lot to live up to. It doesn't, but it's certainly not bad at all...definitely worthy of watching, and some moments are really tense...but it needs more drama for sure.
Triangle (2009)
Very enlightening and refreshing...in some ways
Never heard of this movie, never read a thing about it at all...just happened to stumble upon it on a movie channel right at the opening credits.
It's fun going into a movie with no expectation of what it's about at all. Things get weird after just about two minutes into the film, drawing you in very early for an intriguing, yet, admittedly, confusing journey. This is one film you must watch more than once. Anyone who acts like or types a review on this film and sound like they have some explanation on perfect cue is lying. NO ONE could get everything nailed down after watching this film just once, and even after several repeated viewings, you'd walk away clueless on some things, UNLESS you did internet research.
SPOILER ALERT: For example, the closing scenes in the movie, when Jess has the car accident, and emerges totally unscathed, yet, her son, as we are told by a cab driver who is IN FRONT of her car, makes no sense. The cabby actually tells her her son "had no chance." I thought to myself, "how could he possible know?" So, at that point, I was like "this cabby is weird...what is going on?" Upon my next viewing of the film, I deduced somehow, the cabby is involved and is more than a regular cabby. It wasn't until I did further research that I learned who the cabby really was, but why should I, or anyone for that matter, have to do research to understand a movie? The only complaint I have about so many of today's films is that half the movie is left to view subjecture and theory. Sure, more clarity is needed in this film, but without a doubt, it is a thriller in a refreshing way, and has become a favorite film of mine, even if it is confusing at times. Well worth a watch...or ten...lol.
Changeling (2008)
Gripping drama
When not one person leaves the theater for almost two and a half hours, that speaks volumes in my book, and just show how completely gripping this film is. If you like a drama that quickly engages you and takes you to some very dark corners and even gory corners, then you will enjoy this.
Beautifully set, and well told without all the confusion so typical of today's films, almost every detail is presented and cleared up concisely. I'm not ordinarily one to focus in on camera angles, lighting, etc., but the opening shot is just gorgeous, and the film is very well lit, not overly colored, and just seems to really portray the right mood and feeling. Stellar acting on the part of everyone--and their are a number of characters--really bring this film home.
This is the single best film I've seen in years. It's about time we were presented with an engaging, sad, and very shocking drama, as opposed to boring remakes, sequels and lame animated films that go nowhere. This is a must see film.
Cloverfield (2008)
Dreadful...to put it mildly
There is no way anyone can tell me that this movie was even remotely worth seeing. They "shaky" camera effect for the ENTIRE movie was absolutely, PATHETIC. The storyline...boring. The creature...never explained. Then again, that's the premise of the movie. Fortunately, my friend let me borrow his DVD, and after she told me she loved it, I was like "you've got to be kidding." Sure, people are talking about it now, but in a year, it will be totally forgotten, thank goodness. This is one reason I've stopped going to movie theaters, and probably another reason why so many theaters are closing. When exactly was the last time a really good horror movie came out?
10,000 BC (2008)
The desert saves the day
Point blank, if not for the story line being transferred from the bizarre cold homeland to the supposed Egyptian desert, this movie would have ranked even lower for me.
This movie starts off, slow, and frankly, rather dumb. I understand we are being thrown way back in time, but why must everyone look so unkept, ugly, filthy, dirty? And, please...at one point, a group travel very far to a warm land, only to return to the below freezing homeland...why not just MOVE the homeland to the warm, fertile area. Hello? Who would chose to live in such harsh conditions? Anyway, after a very boring first hour, the move FINALLY kicks into gear as we are transformed to Egypt, and my word, the sets, the scenes, the gargantuan grandiose of it all...completely compelling at this point, and an interesting take on what might have happened and how a wonder of the world could have been created.
Perhaps, the most anti-climactic scene in I don't know how long occurs, when the head "god" or deity is always enshrouded, so you never see what he or she looks like. Then, out of mortal nowhere, he gets harpooned, and we never get to see what he looks like!?!?!? What in the world? Totally disappointing.
If not for the desert scenes, this movie would be a bomb. I can't highly recommend it, because let's be honest here...who was not bored with the first hour? At least final hour makes it worth while.