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Reviews
The Last Sect (2006)
Disappointing Effort
The Last Sect looked to have potential and features some good acting, but ultimately it doesn't deliver. As others have pointed out, it doesn't have the overt sexuality or gore of a 70's B-Movie, but neither does it achieve the stylistic, indie feel of cult classics like the Hunger. It seems to be trying for a blend of both, but fails to manage either successfully.
It's expected that plot and dialogue are going to be weak in a vampire flick, but this needs to made up for with either exciting action or style. What action there is gets bogged down by excruciatingly slow pacing, and an overload of talking. I believe they were trying to go for indie clever with the dialogue but it just comes across as dull. The visuals and imagery are nice, but not memorable. The mistake they make here is not adding the contrasting element of horrific to the dreamlike, erotic sequences so we end up with a lot of bland pretty.
I give it a 3 for the acting and for potential, but as lenient as I am when it comes to bad vampire movies, I can't give The Last Sect a good grade. The movie ends up stuck in a no man's land, neither intellectual nor gratuitous and instead, much I hate to say it, only manages to be boring.
Gosford Park (2001)
Warning- Not recommended for Vin Diesel fans
If the merit of a movie is judged by how many explosions, profanity, car chases and busty wenches in push-up bras are included then this movie is a boring, rotten waste of time. If you do enjoy period pieces with lots of talking and acting..... well then, Gosford Park lives up to all expectations! The funny points in this movie are subtle, and generally require an appreciation of satire. (oh, but if you can't understand English accents or understated sarcasm, don't bother) There are subtle clues as the movie progresses that do tell you whodunit, but of course you have to figure it out by paying attention during all that time they spend introducing the characters..... Oh look, that endless dialogue is there for a reason! Gosford Park has elements of both Agatha Christie and Howard's End and is superbly done. Helen Mirren is fabulous as always. Thumbs way up on this one! Oh....but if you don't like movies that make you think, well maybe Gosford Park isn't for you. Rent an action flick and give those brain cells a rest.
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
A great fantasy film, but not Tolkien
Warning: SPOILERS
If you're a hardcore Tolkien fan, one of those people who takes the book and a flashlight into the theater with you to make sure they get the dialogue right, DON'T go see this movie. If you want to see a beautifully put-together fantasy film with kick-ass special efx, grand battle scenes, and cute elves then yes, DEFINITELY go see it. I admit I enjoyed this movie, I would even blow $7 to see it again. But as a Tolkien fan, I hatesssss it preciousss! Nasssty Jackssssonsss! Almost nothing happens as it is written in the book; and while I can forgive taking poetic license to create movie thrills, I think it could have been done without completely losing 90% of the original plot! The entmoot and the ents attack on Isengard could have been yet another sweeping battle scene, had they decided to spend more time on the ents and less on Arwen and Elrond. While I have no problem with the scenes involving the elves and Aragorn, they belonged in the next movie, not Two Towers. It would have been a better bet to include Shelob. I also hate the idea of the elves running like scared sheep to the grey havens which they do NOT do before the end of the war. Another peeve is the character of Faramir. A noble, complicated character in the book, he's portrayed as a bullying jerk in the movie. If Jackson was going for the frodo-centric approach why didn't he develop Faramir's admiration for the ring-bearer? I was disappointed with the treatment of Legolas and Gimli's friendship. Legolas delivers one-liners for Aragorn, and Gimli is the comic relief. (give the dwarf some respect!) And where is Eomer? Sure, they have him show up with Gandalf to save the day, but he should be there with Aragorn in the last ditch stand to save the Deep. And why are there Elves fighting at Helm's Deep? This battle is for the glory of Rohan. The pointy-ears don't belong there, stealing the show! Would it have been so hard to have Gandalf return with Erkenbrand as he should? The final bit of aggravating nonsense is Theoden being possessed by Saruman. What gives? I expected pea soup, and his head to start spinning at any moment. The redeeming factor in all this was Gollum. His schizophrenic ring-addiction is captured beautifully! You don't know whether to laugh or cry, rather like Gollum himself. He deserves an Oscar! The bottom line is that Jackson, like all filmmakers, made this movie to sell tickets to movie audiences. He didn't make it for Tolkien fans. That said, it's worth the time and popcorn, but don't hope for anything as faithfully done as Fellowship. This is a great fantasy movie that just happens to use Tolkien characters and is set in middle earth. Is it The Two Towers? No, alas, that it is not.