Neighbors

I finished reading DARK HOLLOW. One theme throughout the novel that I found fascinating was the theme of neighbors. The character is not only acquainted with his neighbors but they are his best friends. Nowadays that's truly uncommon. The character points that out on two occasions. He says that no one knows their neighbors anymore. We just pass each other exchanging nodding hellos and other pleasantries; maybe some small talk. But not much more.

Having come to this realization, I felt envious of what he had. I am among the commonplace here. I don't talk to my neighbors. I may nod or say hello when passing by to get to my apartment, but I haven't talked to them much, and I certainly don't know them. I don't necessarily get along with them (they make a bunch of noise upstairs), but I do wish it were different. Maybe in different circumstances it would be different. Maybe it's just how our society is today. That's another debate.

Memorable Quote: Henry David Thoreau

“If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.”
--Henry David Thoreau

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE news!

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE is my favorite band. Lead singer, Howard Jones, has recently left KSE's current tour due to an undisclosed "personal issue". Instead of canceling their shows, Phil Labonte, lead singer of ALL THAT REMAINS (my Top Five favorite bands), is taking over. They are still offering their fans refunds, but I guarantee not too many people will cash in on that because the shows that they've completed with Labonte have received a positive responses. Personally, I would love to see them with Phil. I would just love to hear one song with him doing lead vocals. There's a video on youtube (link through Killswitch's website, http://www.killswitchengage.com/) of a recent performance in Baltimore, but the audio quality is extremely poor. You can barely hear Phil's vocals. It's still something to see. Both bands, in addition to being the leaders/innovators of the "melodic metalcore" genre in the mid to late 90s, and both being from Massachusetts, are good friends. To me that's AMAZING!

Currently Reading: DARK HOLLOW by Brian Keene

I've never read a book so quickly. I started Sunday and I'm nearly finished. It's so enthralling. It really captures me. It's exciting, suspenseful, and oddly fascinating. The way that makes you say, "Oh my goodness. Did he really say that? Is he really doing that? I have to read more." I've never been able to read a book so easily. I feel like the book flows so effortless for me. Maybe it's the way Keene rights, or maybe it's because I'm so captivated. Either way this is a fantastic horror novel by a very talented and emerging writer (if he's not huge already). I can't wait to finish it.

Movie Review: SHUTTER ISLAND (2010)

SHUTTER ISLAND (2010)
Directed by: Martin Scorsese
Written by: Laeta Kalokridis
Based on the novel by Dennis Lehane

First, I must say that I read the novel beforehand. And as much as I don't won't to be one of those people who always say the book was much better, in this instance it's true...but not by much. I would never take anything away from Martin Scorsese. He is an amazingly talented director that has a true vision and always produces a quality film. Such is the case with SHUTTER ISLAND. I just found the novel to be more compelling in certain scenes. As with all novels that are adapted to film, there are certain little details left out that I would have loved to have seen. With that being said, I still enjoyed SHUTTER ISLAND very much. The main thing to understand is watching a movie and reading a book are two completely different experiences. You can't expect to get the same feeling from one or the other.

The presence the film brings is unique. The look of the island when you first see it is very ominous. The film's score contributes its own anxiety throughout. The cast is great. The standout performance for me is Ben Kinsley as Dr. Cawley. You get a sense of dramatic pull from him and his acting. The special effects are ever-present, but all too noticeable. There must have been a lot of shooting on green screen. I'd much more prefer a more practical setting, but I'm sure their location scouting produced very limited results. The film's end is very powerful and emotional. The last scene in the movie really makes the whole experience worthwhile and makes it stand apart from the novel.

Overall, SHUTTER ISLAND isn't Scorsese's best, but if you are a fan of his, it should not be missed. It's very well made and captures the essence of the source material fantastically.

Overall Rating = 7.4/10.0
/5

Currently Listening To: DREDG "The Pariah, The Parrot, The Delusion" (2009)

DREDG "The Pariah, The Parrot, The Delusion"

Another great album by one of my favorite bands. At first I wasn't impressed but after listening more and more I realized how emotional and cathartic it is. Truly a great accomplishment.

Movie Review: THE WOLFMAN (2010)

THE WOLFMAN (2010)
Directed by: Joe Johnston
Written by: Andrew Kevin Walker and David Shelf
Based on the 1941 Screenplay by Curt Siodmak

All the problems and dilemmas this movie had endured during it's production, post-production, and release really had me worried about how the movie itself might turn out. After having seen it, I realize that none of it means much as long as what's on screen is made as best it can and made well. Luckily it is. I love it! I found it to have been terrifically well made despite all the reported problems.

The acting is very good. All the actors involved contribute to the quality of the acting, creating believable and likable characters. It's very enjoying to watch talented individuals work on the big screen and build off one another. I wasn't sure Benicio was the best man for the part, but he does an excellent job of playing the legendary character, Lawrence Talbot, and I was left quite impressed. Emily Blunt is breathtaking. She is also an extremely gifted actress. I couldn't be more impressed with her. Anthony Hopkins plays a strange, and refreshing, role for himself. Hugo Weaving brings his A-game. I didn't expect less.

The story itself is quite good as well. I feel it pays homage to the classic Universal Monster and appropriately builds on the mythos, adding a fresh new take that is both interesting and exciting to experience. Walker and Self have done a superb job with this piece of work.

Now to the one aspect of the film that show its flaws, which are easily justified by the influx of problems that transpired in post-production, the editing. It gets choppy and somewhat difficult to follow at times and can pull you away from the drama and mood of the film. However, it can be considered to be a part of the feeling of what the Lawrence Talbot is feeling and going through. If perceived in that light, it works.

I am impressed by director Joe Johston. I feel he did a great job considering what he had to go through. He handled an all-star cast, managed a big-budget, highly anticipated remake, and was able to produce a quality film. CAPTAIN AMERICA is in good hands.

Overall I enjoyed the film with immense delight (the gore is fantastic and brutal; all too appropriate for a beast such as it was), and I truly believe it to be one of the best remakes I've seen. It's great to see the Horror genre get one right.

Overall Rating = 9.2/10.0
1/2 (out of 5)

Memorable Quote:

“The progress of an artist is a continual self-sacrifice, a continual extinction of personality.”
--T.S. Eliot

Movie Review: EDGE OF DARKNESS (2010)

EDGE OF DARKNESS (2010)
Directed by: Martin Campbell
Written by: William Monahan and Andrew Bovell
Based on a teleplay by Troy Kennedy-Martin

This is an excellent film that proves how much story and depth can push a movie and truly make it stand out. It has meaning and it shows how far that can drive a film. The filmmakers had something to say instead of just blowing stuff up. That's important when it comes to making a great film. That's what this is.

I'm not a Mel Gibson fan. In fact, since he decided to make his own films and become a self-righteous anti-Semite, I've somewhat loathed him. I miss Riggs. Having said that, Gibson gives a tremendous performance and shows effort to this role and creates a compelling character. I find myself torn, not liking Gibson but thoroughly enjoying his character, Thomas Craven.

The story is very interesting and dramatic, not being over-convoluted, allowing you to follow while not knowing all that there is; keeping you involved. It's depth and pace really flow and allow the movie to build on itself until the very end, and you're left smiling and thinking.

I'm extremely excited about the director, Martin Campbell. I love CASINO ROYALE. He accomplishes a lot with that film, and he matches it here. And it doesn't have such an iconic character to do it with. The film is based on a 1985 British TV mini-series that he directed. The premise is the same, making it that much more inventive for its time.

Overall, I enjoyed watching it and it left me thinking. I've always thought that that is the mark of a truly great film. Campbell has impressed me and I look forward to his future projects, including GREEN LATERN (in pre-production).

Rating=8.7/10.0 - 1/2 (out of 5)

Movie Review: THE LOVELY BONES (2009)

THE LOVELY BONES
Directed by: Peter Jackson
Written by: Fran Walsh, Pilippa Boyens, and Peter Jackson
Adapted from a novel by Alice Sebold

I was somewhat disappointed by this film. I love Peter Jackson as a genre director in more of the horror and fantasy/sci-fi world. His drama pieces just don't resonate with me. There's no doubt that he's one of the best directors out there and that he's always capable of producing quality work. I don't particularly like this one. As I've said before, the horror genre needs quality filmmakers pushing the genre. Peter Jackson has proven himself there and I'd like to see him push the genre further ahead into the artistry of what filmmaking truly is.

I admire the vision of THE LOVELY BONES. It's clear that Alice Sebold had a vision and Peter Jackson captured it on screen. The story is fairly interesting, but the ending is extremely deflating. I honestly expected more.

Of course the special effects are amazing. However, I felt they lacked meaning on a practical level. That may underscore the premise for them in the context of the film, but I felt their significance was somewhat dubious. With that said, they are unique and at times aw-inspiring.

The acting is truly topflight. Plenty of great performances. I can honestly say that there's not one that you can look at and say that it could have been better. I really think this is a testament to the direction of Peter Jackson.

Overall, I feel the film works better as a love story than it does at a shot of revenge. It's very dramatic and emotional, but doesn't captivate me in the way I would have liked.

Rating = 6.2/10.0 - 1/2