Quick and Dirty Movie Reviews
March 28th, 2011 — Drama, Horror, Stage Adaptation
Basic Plot: A treasonous tyrant descends into madness. The dialogue is original Shakespeare in a modern setting, flavored with Imperial Russia.
Outburst: Rupert Goold is proof of the fine line between genius and insanity, and I’m not quite sure which side of the line this production falls on. It is creepy and dark, with stellar performances.
— Only fans of Shakespeare will enjoy this movie (and they will enjoy it immensely). Others will probably fall asleep.
December 30th, 2010 — Foreign with Subtitles, Horror
Basic Plot: Aging antiques dealer stumbles across a device that turns him into a vampire. Too bad he isn’t the only one who wants it.
Outburst: Possibly one of the most original takes on vampirism I’ve seen in awhile. Have I mentioned that director Guillermo del Toro is insane? Genius, yes, but still insane.
/DVD — This is a slow character horror, not a slasher or scary movie. If you need nonstop action, look elsewhere. Goths, collectors of mythical tales, and Guillermo del Toro fans will want to add it to their collections.
Wikipedia Entry: Cronos (film)
BUY IT NOW! Cronos (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]
December 30th, 2010 — Foreign with Subtitles, Horror, Romantic
Basic Plot: Bullied kid gets a crush on his new neighbor, who happens to be a vampire.
Outburst: The actors seem stilted. It is hard to say if it is from bad acting or if kids in Sweden act that way normally. Some interestingly creepy scenes.
/DVD — If you like vampire romance and are immune to vague overtones of pedophilia, this movie is right for you. Goths will want to add it to their collections.
Official Website: Let the Right One In
BUY IT NOW! Let The Right One In (DVD)
September 24th, 2010 — Horror, Mystery
Basic Plot: Strange doings at an abandoned mental hospital when the asbestos cleaning crew goes to work there.
Outburst: This is a creep-your-pants-off style of psychological horror. It took me two tries to actually watch it, because even though I adore Peter Mullen, I have a hard time taking David Caruso seriously after CSI and that awful movie Jade. Once you start watching, however, it really drags you in.
— You have to love indie horror films, lean scripts, and spartan visuals to really get into this movie. If you like over the top or heavy special effects, look elsewhere. As a rainy day horror film, it will give you a delightful shudder.
November 15th, 2009 — Horror
Basic Plot: Werewolves battle each other over a child fated to bring about an end to lycanthropy.
Outburst: It wasn’t a terrible movie, because it would have been funnier. Not very good, weak premise and mediocre acting.
— Only if you are truly bored and really like werewolves.
September 5th, 2009 — Drama, Horror, Musical
Basic Plot: Based on a hit Broadway musical, the story of Sweeney Todd, a murderous barber, and his devious accomplice Ms. Lovett, a seller of suspicious meat-pies.
Outburst: Everything we love about Tim Burton wrapped into a wickedly sinister horror film. It’s always fun to see a film for the first time and know it to be an instant cult classic.
/CULT DVD — Unless you are adamantely opposed to horror films or musicals (in which case you win a pass) you must see this film. Go ask your cult-film-loving friends to borrow a copy of their DVD.
Official Website: Sweeney Todd, The Movie
Wikipedia: Sweeney Todd, original musical
Wikipedia: the character of Sweeney Todd, who originally appeared as the main protagonist in a penny dreadful serial titled The String of Pearls.
August 23rd, 2009 — Horror
Basic Plot: A skeptical writer spends the night in an evil hotel room. Based on a story by Stephen King.
Outburst: True to form, King’s short stories seem to create better movies than his novels. This is a horror flick, creepy in nature but without much blood, death, or destruction. You will be pleasantly freaked out, not jumpy at small sounds afterward… unless you watch it in your hotel room.
-– Be prepared for psychological weirdness, not gruesome mayhem.
