It's JJ Abrams, how bad could it be?
It's about some kids who are trying to make a movie. Meanwhile, there's a deputy (who's also a father, but they misfire that point continually) who's trying to grow a pair. At the same time, the Cloverfield monster returns to rampage around the town.
Have to say, Moviebob nailed this one pretty good. This does read as three rather distinct plot lines that just so happen to take place in the same locale, but otherwise have little connection between each other.
Moreover, one plot line is irrelevant, and when the other two combine there is no level of disbelief suspension that will allow that to happen. At one point, I was thinking 'Scooby Doo', but even that reads as more believable, and I'm including the talking dog!
To be honest, the only reason why I might not suggest, say, illegally download a terrible quality cam of the movie is that I doubt they'll include the end credits, which contains the only moment that made me actually enjoy the movie.
[END]
Thursday, 30 June 2011
Super 4
Wednesday, 29 June 2011
Turn Very Wrong
So I saw an ad on a DVD for the last of these movies, and thought it looked mildly interesting, so decided to watch the franchise. (There is a number four, it seems, which is the prequel to the series, but I don't have that.)
Wrong Turn (2003): And so it begins. A group of young men and women break down in the woods, and get attacked by inbred folk. Really. That's the premise, and it couldn't be more generic. The movie pretends there are some character moments, but they matter not a jot. It's a slasher movie, so we get to see them getting picked off one by one. Some interesting deaths, but nothing spectacular. Big stars: Desmond Harrington and Eliza Dushku.
Wrong Turn 2: Dead End (2007): The big change for this movie... it's a bunch of survival reality show contestants that are getting stabbed and hacked. And we get to see more of the family. Other than that... there's more whining^H^Hcharactersation of the cast, and there's actually someone competent at fighting them. Hoozah! Big stars: ..umm.. Henry Rollins, I guess.
Wrong Turn 3: Left for Dead (2009): Prisoners escape in a transfer, end up in the mountains, and... slowly get killed off. Um, yeah. Some interesting deaths, some minor decent acting, otherwise... yeah. Just another entry of generic-ness. Big stars: ... ?
[END]
Tuesday, 28 June 2011
Go ahead, bake my quiche
Actually, I haven't encountered the quiche episode yet (if there is one), but there are lots of other products in The Great British Bake Off. Yes, once again I've been distracted by food series, but not Heston, nor Sue and Giles, but Sue and Mel.
There are six episodes, and we are starting with eight amateur bakers. In each episode, dedicated to a theme (eg cakes, bread, etc), they get to show off a single signature item, then they do a technical challenge of all using the same recipe (at least ingredients and idea of what should be made), then they have to create a range of things. So far, each technical challenge has been described as 'the most difficult technical challenge so far'. Really? Anyway...
The two judges are Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry. So far they've been aligned in their opinions... however, I've noticed that Paul usually opines first and Mary agrees with him. It's hard to read if she does actually think the same, or is simply going along with him. I presume she can think for herself but... take charge woman!
At the end of episode episode an announcer says "if you've been inspired then go to our website." Have to say, watching this, a word beginning with in- does occur to me, but it's not inspired.
It's not the slang-fest bitch fight of a lot of competitive shows... but I like that. Sedately British. Now excuse me, I'm thinking about a nice Chelsea bun...
[END]
Monday, 27 June 2011
Insipidious
Ha, finally managed to catch the movie that's following in the footsteps of Paranormal Activity.
After a rather odd opening (I'll come back to in a bit), this movie does a very slow build of odd things happening, books falling off, strange sounds, and then people creeping about the place. However, the pinnacle is reached when the paranormal investigators turn up... and that's definitely a turning point as the movie starts pinging off the goofy meter.
And Hewey and Dewey as the paranormal techs certainly establish a rather bizarre double act, completely undercutting any and all tension raised. The movie tries to build it up again, but just can't keep itself straight.
What we end up with is a cross between Paranormal Activity, Poltergeist, (*) and about ten pounds of cheese.
And then there's the sound-track. During the opening credits, we get an excessively over the top attack of violin strings, which sets the stage of bizarre music. It flips from tension-tightening to syrupy romantic on a dime in an entirely inappropriate way. And then more violin strings. Whoever did the music had the Psycho soundtrack on as "inspiration" too often.
It was a try, but falls over not being sure what kind of movie it is...
(*)Dammit, there was another ghost horror movie I was reminded of, but can't remember what. Could easily have been an episode of an anthology series too... if I remember, I might update this.
[END]
Sunday, 26 June 2011
Of Steam, Steel and Murder
Back to Stormhaven Island, we spend some time wandering about the island, consider various forms of grave robbing... oh, and finding out we can't trust anyone! Also, Gavin's past makes a surprising appearance...
Bert catches us with another plot, that we barely manage to engage with properly. Oh, and our paranoia is really getting in our way more than helping...
Listen, if you might, to Game 38. On Rapidshare and Hotfile.
[END]
QE2
I've seen Quarantine. And [REC]. And [REC]2. So why wouldn't I want to see this movie?
Oh, so many reasons...
A group of people are in a building... I mean, on a plane. And then a virus infects people and they start turning into zombies and attacking each other. And the people not infected run around trying not to get infected, and failing in many ways.
Um, yeah... so, this direct to discount bin movie is a redo of the original. In [REC]2, they worked into the story of [REC] and developed it in a weird way that worked for them. For this, Quarantine happened, and now this happens over here. Because... yeah, because... yeah, this so easily could have been a 'zombies on a plane' movie that could have been a stand alone, but instead they decide to hook into the Quarantine 'franchise'.
Another big sign this movie is totally worth seeing... I mean not. I haven't heard of any of the actors. Usually there's some minor star, or noted tv personality, but this has... no-one. And I wouldn't be shocked that the no-one's it does have don't want to be someones due to this movie.
This should have been a movie people wanted to see. Nope. Now, let's just hope no-one sees this and decides 'this needs to inspire Q3!'.
[END]
Saturday, 25 June 2011
Projecting Lantern's Light
You know how I suggested that there should be a decent continuity of non-comic Green Lantern? Well, it's unlikely to be the movie... 39% really? I know it isn't the best movie ever, but... really? 26%??? Sigh, I guess there won't be a sequel after all...
But there will be something. An animated series!
Have to say, with that voice, I was expecting a silhouetted Lantern to come out in a 30s suit, brandishing a gun and putting a bullet through the camera lens...
Anyway, yay for cartoon series. Depending on who the writers are, this could be decent. (Not that I have any idea who decent writers would be for the cartoon series... Not even sure I'd want Geoff Johns to be associated with it...)
[END]
