“Sufficient will can overcome any pain.”
--Aged Genghis from the graphic novel Doctor Strange and Doctor Doom: Triumph and Torment (as written by Roger Stern)
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Currently Listening to: LORDI - The Arockalypse (2006
LORDI - The Arockalypse (2006)
Excellent heavy metal, horrorcore. The album is pretty solid all the way through. The top track being “Hardrock Hallelujah” (track 7). Other great songs include: “Bringing Back The Balls To The Rock”, “Who's Your Daddy”, “They Only Come Out At Night”, and my second favorite, and one of my overall favorite Lordi songs, “It Snows In Hell”.
I love Lordi’s appearance. They dress up in the full garb for concerts and are never seen out of it. They take what Slipknot and Mushroomhead gave and make it extreme. Much like Gwar, except not as overly obtrusive.
If you’re a fan of horror films you should check out DARK FLOORS. Lordi is in it. They are the monsters. How cool is that for a rock band. They're so horrifying and grotesque in appearance that they are actually in a horror movie, pretty much playing themselves, sans the whole rock band persona.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Movie Review: G.I. JOE (2009)
G.I. JOE (2009)
directed by: Stephen Summers
written by: Stuart Beattie and David Elliot & Paul Lovett
I was very entertained by this exciting, action-packed adventure. Despite some horrible casting, I found it to be fun while capturing the true G.I. Joe experience.
Synopsis:
A secret special ops, anti-terrorism task force battles an underground terrorist organization headed by a corrupt arms dealer.
Cinematography/Special Effects:
It’s interesting to see how the cinematography plays out in an effects-heavy action/adventure. I imagine it can get pretty complicated shooting on location and setting up shots knowing it will undergo hours of manipulation in post-production. I think Mitchell Amundsen (director of photography) did a good job while offering some nice views of Paris and Washington, and provides fast-paced and exciting action sequences. I particularly like the Paris chase scene.
Rating = B-
Acting:
Can’t expect much from this cast. Channing Tatum as Duke is one of the worst casting decisions I’ve seen in awhile. His acting goes as far as him standing in front of a mirror. Marlon Wayans has been in some acting heavy roles before (REQUIEM FOR A DREAM) but is mostly comedy relief here. Ray Park does what’s expected of him as Snake Eyes, if not more. Dennis Quaid as General Hawk is just bad and almost laughable at times (Grandpa needs a cane). The standout performance is Sienna Miller as The Baroness/Ana. She exudes a sultry seductiveness, coupled with her shockingly good looks, that makes it difficult to take your eyes off at times. More so as the dark, mysterious Baroness rather than the bright and bubbly Ana.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt turning out to be Cobra Commander really makes me scratch my head.
D
Direction:
Stephen Sommers won’t win any oscars, but he makes some fun movies. That’s the case here. He certainly can do special effects heavy productions. Don’t know if he had any say in casting. That would definitely be a blemish. In terms of storytelling, creating mood, and pulling an audience in, I would say he passes.
C
Music/Score/Sound Design:
Quality and effective Alan Silvestri score. Very good sound development and design that meaningfully enhances the visuals.
B+
Script/Story:
Vastly different from the cartoons and comics in terms of characters’ origins. The essence of the original characters as well as thematic elements and atmosphere have been preserved. Not enough back story on Snake Eyes. And I’m not quite sure about how I feel about Baroness flipping and being romantically involved with Duke. Probably could have done without it, but it seems to work well enough.
C+
G.I. Joe is an action-packed, immensely exciting, thrilling adventure with decent special effects and lackluster acting that should otherwise keep you entertained. Probably will be appreciated more by the fans of the cartoons and comics (and kids) than adults looking to be captivated by heartfelt storytelling.
Overall Rating = 8.0/10.0
Let me know what you think. Email responses to dvass77@gmail.com
directed by: Stephen Summers
written by: Stuart Beattie and David Elliot & Paul Lovett
I was very entertained by this exciting, action-packed adventure. Despite some horrible casting, I found it to be fun while capturing the true G.I. Joe experience.
Synopsis:
A secret special ops, anti-terrorism task force battles an underground terrorist organization headed by a corrupt arms dealer.
Cinematography/Special Effects:
It’s interesting to see how the cinematography plays out in an effects-heavy action/adventure. I imagine it can get pretty complicated shooting on location and setting up shots knowing it will undergo hours of manipulation in post-production. I think Mitchell Amundsen (director of photography) did a good job while offering some nice views of Paris and Washington, and provides fast-paced and exciting action sequences. I particularly like the Paris chase scene.
Rating = B-
Acting:
Can’t expect much from this cast. Channing Tatum as Duke is one of the worst casting decisions I’ve seen in awhile. His acting goes as far as him standing in front of a mirror. Marlon Wayans has been in some acting heavy roles before (REQUIEM FOR A DREAM) but is mostly comedy relief here. Ray Park does what’s expected of him as Snake Eyes, if not more. Dennis Quaid as General Hawk is just bad and almost laughable at times (Grandpa needs a cane). The standout performance is Sienna Miller as The Baroness/Ana. She exudes a sultry seductiveness, coupled with her shockingly good looks, that makes it difficult to take your eyes off at times. More so as the dark, mysterious Baroness rather than the bright and bubbly Ana.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt turning out to be Cobra Commander really makes me scratch my head.
D
Direction:
Stephen Sommers won’t win any oscars, but he makes some fun movies. That’s the case here. He certainly can do special effects heavy productions. Don’t know if he had any say in casting. That would definitely be a blemish. In terms of storytelling, creating mood, and pulling an audience in, I would say he passes.
C
Music/Score/Sound Design:
Quality and effective Alan Silvestri score. Very good sound development and design that meaningfully enhances the visuals.
B+
Script/Story:
Vastly different from the cartoons and comics in terms of characters’ origins. The essence of the original characters as well as thematic elements and atmosphere have been preserved. Not enough back story on Snake Eyes. And I’m not quite sure about how I feel about Baroness flipping and being romantically involved with Duke. Probably could have done without it, but it seems to work well enough.
C+
G.I. Joe is an action-packed, immensely exciting, thrilling adventure with decent special effects and lackluster acting that should otherwise keep you entertained. Probably will be appreciated more by the fans of the cartoons and comics (and kids) than adults looking to be captivated by heartfelt storytelling.
Overall Rating = 8.0/10.0
Let me know what you think. Email responses to dvass77@gmail.com
Friday, August 14, 2009
THE POWER OF FILMMAKING - DISTRICT 9
Movie Review:
DISTRICT 9
Directed by: Neill Blomkamp
Written by: Neill Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell
This film is easily the top movie of the year. There’s not many words that can describe how good it truly is. Amazing, spectacular, astonishing, and phenomenal just don’t quite seem to do it justice. Movies like these make me realize the power of filmmaking and why I want to be involved.
Just to be safe:
Synopsis:
A psuedo-documentary look back on the presence an alien species that came to earth, and whose ship remains dormant above the city of Johannesburg, South Africa. The story follows Wickers Van Den Merwe (an agent for MNU, a government agency that deals with the aliens) and his recently appointed mission to formerly relocate the population of aliens, or “prawns”, currently living in fenced in slums below their ship to new government built camps in order to supposedly better house them.
Cinematography/Special Effects:
Amazing! The documentary style introductions set a reality-based tone to the film. I was blown away by the authenticity of the vintage film and stock-based footage, that only seemed to add to the feeling of this being an actual event. Once the action gets going, you are immediately sucked in. The suspension of disbelief is never in question. Considering the content and subject matter, that’s quite impression. There are plenty of gorgeous skyline shots of Johannesburg and the ship. The creature animations our some of the best I’ve ever seen. Truly amazing how far technology has advanced. I felt the prawns’ movements and actions were super-realistic. Whoever acted as the motion captures for them deserves an Oscar. There are some wicked cool effects with the alien weaponry. Again, making it seem that if they were real, that’s what it would be like.
Rating: A
Acting:
Surprisingly good despite being an all foreign cast. No overacting, showboating American Super-Action stars here to muddle a great script. Sharlto Copley does a superb job representing the main character, Wickers. His performance is as captivating as any role in a multitude of sci-fi pictures. His relation with the CGI based creatures is blatantly convincing, making me feel that there was an actually person acting out the creatures’ parts on set.
B+
Direction:
Never hearing of Neill Blomkamp, I would have to say that this is a good indicator that this is an extremely talented individual. His ability to present this story as if it were an actual event is unprecedented (perhaps the only thing coming close to THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT). The story is executed to perfection. The acting is spot on. There are huge amounts of special effects that don’t get in the way of the action and only seem to augment the story and performances of everyone and everything involved. And at the end of the day, he wasn’t making a film about aliens. He wasn’t making an action film. He wasn’t showing the execs at Microsoft that he could do a HALO film. He is telling a story. And it’s got a lot of heart and a lot of guts. That takes a talented director to pull all that off.
A+
Music/Score/Sound Design:
Another astonishing feat. Beautiful score that accentuates the brilliant emotion of the film. Good selection of music to set the tone of the action and chaos of the film. Excellent sound design. From the alien weapons to the prawn dialect, there are no shortages of creativity and visionary design.
B+
Script/Story:
Unique. Inventive. Intriguing. Dramatic. Emotional. Sensible. Depth. Artful. There’s a lot that can describe this story. I love stories about aliens. And I love thinking about first contact and how we would relate to unknown life forms. This presents an interesting take. It’s not “we come in peace”. It’s not a “hostile takeover”. It’s about a group of living beings (who have, some how, got here and want to go home) versus the greed of humanity.
A+
This has to be a movie everyone goes and sees. I know I’m presenting a lot of positivity here because I’m such a fan of the Sci-Fi genre, and I‘m very excited to get another masterpiece (right up there with ALIENS and T2). However, it’s really a great film with a lot of excitement, drama and masterful special effects. The story has heart. It makes you think. It makes you feel. It makes you wonder. Those are all signs of a great film and this is certainly that.
Overall Rating = 9.6/10.0
DISTRICT 9
Directed by: Neill Blomkamp
Written by: Neill Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell
This film is easily the top movie of the year. There’s not many words that can describe how good it truly is. Amazing, spectacular, astonishing, and phenomenal just don’t quite seem to do it justice. Movies like these make me realize the power of filmmaking and why I want to be involved.
Just to be safe:
Synopsis:
A psuedo-documentary look back on the presence an alien species that came to earth, and whose ship remains dormant above the city of Johannesburg, South Africa. The story follows Wickers Van Den Merwe (an agent for MNU, a government agency that deals with the aliens) and his recently appointed mission to formerly relocate the population of aliens, or “prawns”, currently living in fenced in slums below their ship to new government built camps in order to supposedly better house them.
Cinematography/Special Effects:
Amazing! The documentary style introductions set a reality-based tone to the film. I was blown away by the authenticity of the vintage film and stock-based footage, that only seemed to add to the feeling of this being an actual event. Once the action gets going, you are immediately sucked in. The suspension of disbelief is never in question. Considering the content and subject matter, that’s quite impression. There are plenty of gorgeous skyline shots of Johannesburg and the ship. The creature animations our some of the best I’ve ever seen. Truly amazing how far technology has advanced. I felt the prawns’ movements and actions were super-realistic. Whoever acted as the motion captures for them deserves an Oscar. There are some wicked cool effects with the alien weaponry. Again, making it seem that if they were real, that’s what it would be like.
Rating: A
Acting:
Surprisingly good despite being an all foreign cast. No overacting, showboating American Super-Action stars here to muddle a great script. Sharlto Copley does a superb job representing the main character, Wickers. His performance is as captivating as any role in a multitude of sci-fi pictures. His relation with the CGI based creatures is blatantly convincing, making me feel that there was an actually person acting out the creatures’ parts on set.
B+
Direction:
Never hearing of Neill Blomkamp, I would have to say that this is a good indicator that this is an extremely talented individual. His ability to present this story as if it were an actual event is unprecedented (perhaps the only thing coming close to THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT). The story is executed to perfection. The acting is spot on. There are huge amounts of special effects that don’t get in the way of the action and only seem to augment the story and performances of everyone and everything involved. And at the end of the day, he wasn’t making a film about aliens. He wasn’t making an action film. He wasn’t showing the execs at Microsoft that he could do a HALO film. He is telling a story. And it’s got a lot of heart and a lot of guts. That takes a talented director to pull all that off.
A+
Music/Score/Sound Design:
Another astonishing feat. Beautiful score that accentuates the brilliant emotion of the film. Good selection of music to set the tone of the action and chaos of the film. Excellent sound design. From the alien weapons to the prawn dialect, there are no shortages of creativity and visionary design.
B+
Script/Story:
Unique. Inventive. Intriguing. Dramatic. Emotional. Sensible. Depth. Artful. There’s a lot that can describe this story. I love stories about aliens. And I love thinking about first contact and how we would relate to unknown life forms. This presents an interesting take. It’s not “we come in peace”. It’s not a “hostile takeover”. It’s about a group of living beings (who have, some how, got here and want to go home) versus the greed of humanity.
A+
This has to be a movie everyone goes and sees. I know I’m presenting a lot of positivity here because I’m such a fan of the Sci-Fi genre, and I‘m very excited to get another masterpiece (right up there with ALIENS and T2). However, it’s really a great film with a lot of excitement, drama and masterful special effects. The story has heart. It makes you think. It makes you feel. It makes you wonder. Those are all signs of a great film and this is certainly that.
Overall Rating = 9.6/10.0
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Currently Reading: MONSTROSITY
MONSTROSITY
by Edward Lee
Down on her luck Clare finally gets a break. But in her good fortune she stumbles upon a horror that she’s never imagined.
Very good book so far. I can really get into it. It’s got a lot of cool, classic horror elements with a modern twist. The characters are enjoyable to read. There is some very gruesome descriptions of what the monsters are and do. I love it so far. Lee might not be as skilled as Stephen King, but he can write horror. That is clear. And I dig it.
by Edward Lee
Down on her luck Clare finally gets a break. But in her good fortune she stumbles upon a horror that she’s never imagined.
Very good book so far. I can really get into it. It’s got a lot of cool, classic horror elements with a modern twist. The characters are enjoyable to read. There is some very gruesome descriptions of what the monsters are and do. I love it so far. Lee might not be as skilled as Stephen King, but he can write horror. That is clear. And I dig it.
Movie Review: THE COLLECTOR
THE COLLECTOR
Directed by: Marcus Dunstan
Written by: Patrick Melton & Marcus Dunstan
Originally intended to be a prequel to SAW, writer-director Marcus Dunstan and writer Patrick Melton (SAW IV, V, VI) present an interesting, stylistic horror film that may lack in originality, but succeed in an enjoyable modern-horror film experience.
I thoroughly enjoyed THE COLLECTOR. The premise is rather simple: A man, trying to support his wife/girlfriend and their child, resorts to breaking in a house to steal a valuable gem. However, on the night of the heist, someone else has other plans for the house and its occupants.
Cinematically, this is a beautiful film. Opting for a more stylistic approach proves to be more effective, using filmic imagery and sensual tones to draw the viewer in. You become more comfortable with what’s going on in front of you and less aware of the horror and gore that will inevitably ensue. The sound design adds to the effect and really makes you question what‘s in store. Good job there. The acting is nothing special. Josh Stewart gives an adequate performance in the lead role. While Juan Fernandez‘s performance as the title character works, but could be better. He’s not as physically imposing as Jason Voorhees or Leatherface, but he does come off as very creepy, mysterious, and disturbed individual. I appreciated the fact that he isn’t all powerful. He gets knocked around almost as much as he dishes out torture and pain. His strength lies in his trickery. The character has a weird fascination with insects that is left for the audience to infer. He creates traps much like a spider lays its webs. I found that aspect to be quite interesting. Overall, the characters might not come off as likable as you’d want, but you certainly don’t want to see them die; and not in such painful fashion. Which is the desired affect for any horror movie protagonists.
Beware, this movie does contain booby traps/torture scenes similarly found in SAW, which is easier to understand once you realize its original intent (prequel). But also, any number of which can be forgiven when you come to understand the character’s motive. It’s not clearly given, but you can make some sense of it if you just use your imagination a bit. Besides, they produce some decent gore and make you cringe frequently.
Overall, THE COLLECTOR delivers plenty of horror and gore, but presents it in a very unique and elegant way that has past most, if not all, modern-horror films of its kind by.
Rating = 8.5/10.0
Directed by: Marcus Dunstan
Written by: Patrick Melton & Marcus Dunstan
Originally intended to be a prequel to SAW, writer-director Marcus Dunstan and writer Patrick Melton (SAW IV, V, VI) present an interesting, stylistic horror film that may lack in originality, but succeed in an enjoyable modern-horror film experience.
I thoroughly enjoyed THE COLLECTOR. The premise is rather simple: A man, trying to support his wife/girlfriend and their child, resorts to breaking in a house to steal a valuable gem. However, on the night of the heist, someone else has other plans for the house and its occupants.
Cinematically, this is a beautiful film. Opting for a more stylistic approach proves to be more effective, using filmic imagery and sensual tones to draw the viewer in. You become more comfortable with what’s going on in front of you and less aware of the horror and gore that will inevitably ensue. The sound design adds to the effect and really makes you question what‘s in store. Good job there. The acting is nothing special. Josh Stewart gives an adequate performance in the lead role. While Juan Fernandez‘s performance as the title character works, but could be better. He’s not as physically imposing as Jason Voorhees or Leatherface, but he does come off as very creepy, mysterious, and disturbed individual. I appreciated the fact that he isn’t all powerful. He gets knocked around almost as much as he dishes out torture and pain. His strength lies in his trickery. The character has a weird fascination with insects that is left for the audience to infer. He creates traps much like a spider lays its webs. I found that aspect to be quite interesting. Overall, the characters might not come off as likable as you’d want, but you certainly don’t want to see them die; and not in such painful fashion. Which is the desired affect for any horror movie protagonists.
Beware, this movie does contain booby traps/torture scenes similarly found in SAW, which is easier to understand once you realize its original intent (prequel). But also, any number of which can be forgiven when you come to understand the character’s motive. It’s not clearly given, but you can make some sense of it if you just use your imagination a bit. Besides, they produce some decent gore and make you cringe frequently.
Overall, THE COLLECTOR delivers plenty of horror and gore, but presents it in a very unique and elegant way that has past most, if not all, modern-horror films of its kind by.
Rating = 8.5/10.0
Acquiescence
Adults quickly learn the tithe of acquiescence when dealing with infants and young children.
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