Saturday, June 4, 2011

Scream 3 - 7 stars out of 10

Scream 3 - 7 stars out of 10

"Scream 3" matches the wit of the first two without falling into the typical slasher-sequel-flop.  One of the great things about this franchise is that each film is totally unique.  Where the second film focused on the things that typically happen in sequels (and included those elements in the film), this one took a new direction by killing off the characters in the same order that they die in the fictitious "Stab 3."  I think that it's clever how Liev Schreiber makes a cameo as the character Cotton Weary who, in context, just made a cameo in "Stab 3."  The parallels throughout this film (and this series) are very creative.  Campbell, Cox, and Arquette develop further and Patrick Dempsey is great, but the rest of the cast is pretty stale.  The real highlight is the script, in which the writers are incredibly effective at making multiple characters look guilty.  I love how each of these films has the "Scooby Doo effect," where you are truly clueless about who the murderer is until the mask is removed at the end.  Although it cannot match the original Scream, this third installment is fresh and finds new ways for Ghostface to murder his numerous victims - if you saw the first two, you must see this one.

Scream 2 - 7 stars out of 10

Scream 2 - 7 stars out of 10

A talented cast comes together for part 2 in Wes Craven's often-imitated-but-never-duplicated slasher franchise, "Scream."  Scream 2 is unique in that fully acknowledges that it is a sequel and creates a duality between the sequel killing and the sequel movie.  Despite it's incredible twist at the end and heartpounding intensity, it does not achieve the conceptual perfection (or gorey shock value) of the original.  This film once again pays homage to other scary movies (as well as other famous sequels), and I particularly love the featuring of Nosferatu in the background of the sorority house scene.  Aside from our favorites from the first (Campbell, Arquette, and a much more likeable Cox), the cast contains young versions of Liev Schreiber, Portia di Rossi, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Joshua Jackson.  The most surprising performance comes from Laurie Metcalf - just wait.  Scream 2 starts with an unexpected sequence, ends with an unforseeable twist, and is full of surprises inbetween - this is a treat for any fan of slasher films.

Friday, June 3, 2011

Scream - 8 stars out of 10

Scream - 8 stars out of 10

"Scream" is the king of the slasher movies. It birthed a new generation of scary movies, none of which ever achieved the amount of chills contained in the famous Drew Barrymore sequence at the start of the film. Although she isn't known for anything but Scream, the soft-spoken Neve Campell makes the perfect victim for this story. ...Matthew Lillard provides comic relief at all of the right times to give a break from the almost-constant terror... although some moments would be better without the relief. The key is that there are several believable suspects but the writers control which character you suspect at all times. My only complaint is that Dewey makes the worst cop ever but, despite the frustration, it makes the film better. The combination of allusions to a previous generation of horror films and creative (though brutal) deaths make Scream into a shocking display of movie magnificence. Ghostface is one of the scariest-looking villains ever and Wes Craven's ending is so twisted (and genius) that you will have to see it to believe it.

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Autumn in New York - 5 stars out of 10

Autumn in New York - 5 stars out of 10

Winona Ryder is the cutest actress ever. I couldn’t look away from the screen for a second. I think that Richard Gere should move over and let me date her. That being said, the age gap between the main characters of this film was a little creepy. That age gap between the actors was 22 years, the difference between the characters e...ven wider (26). To make matters worse, they never come right out and say it but he had a relationship with her mother. The story is fairly typical and I didn't have much of an emotional reaction to the events of the film, but it did provide Ryder with the opportunity to display the full range of emotions, from joy to devastation. She stole the show with her performance and she is reason enough to watch this otherwise predictable story. Vera Farmiga's big blue eyes light up the screen and she added some depth to the story (and drew a lot of attention) with her emotional performance. I love the casting director for adding J.K. Simmons to the cast and honestly, he brought a lot more to the film than Richard Gere. "Autumn in New York" isn't the best drama that I've watched but Ryder's performance makes it memorable.

The Green Hornet - 8 stars out of 10

The Green Hornet - 8 stars out of 10

"The Green Hornet" somehow manages to be a superhero film AND a superhero parody at the same time. The film is magnificent because of its clever casting. Seth Rogan and Jay Chou are great in the main roles (Kato is one of the coolest movie characters ever) but the real treat is Christoph Waltz as Chudnofsky and James Franco in an excellent comedic cameo.  Although the critics seemed to hate this film, I thought that it was very clever. The characters were funny, the premise was unique, and the action sequences were cool. The simultaneous slow-motion/real-time cinematography was mindblowing and the scene where the screen kept splitting in half until one scene evolved into sixteen different scenes was one of the coolest movie sequences that I have ever seen. In fact, the only flaw was the fight scene between Rogen and Chou lasted way too long. Any fan of superhero films and/or the modern breed of comedies will enjoy this film. Rogen isn't my favorite but this significantly cleaner version of his films really caught my eye.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Message in a Bottle - 7 stars out of 10

Message in a Bottle - 7 stars out of 10

The idea of a message in a bottle, floating in a body of water for a stranger to discover, is often parodied but rarely treated with the delicacy with which Nicholas Sparks penned this love story. I expected to hate this film but ended up enjoying the story. The mystery of "G" unfolds beautifully on the screen in a sort of "inverse ...character development." Rather than watch the character develop over time, he has already developed but the aspects of his personality are explained piece by piece as the story progresses. Costner plays the role well while Robin Wright Penn steals the show. I believe this to be her finest performance in any film. Paul Newman is just amazing and, although his character only has a dozen moments, each one is poignant and memorable. Although I don't care for the ending (it doesn't have to be happy, but could've ended more believably), this story has a lot to offer, particularly the wonderful phone conversation. The moments without dialogue are punctuated by gorgeous string themes, composed by Gabriel Yared. It isn't the best chick flick that I've seen but I would watch it again.

Elsewhere - 3 stars out of 10

Elsewhere - 3 stars out of 10

"Elsewhere" is a thriller about a girl who disappears after meeting a lot of strangers on a MySpace-type website. It gains momentum toward the end but lacks the dramatic build over the first hour necessary for a "good" thriller. Set in a small town, it contains all of the stereotypical characters: The irresponsible friend, the corr...upt cop, the awkward Christian father, and the nice nerd that saves the day. Unfortunately, on the scale of good acting, Anna Kendrick scores a 10 while the rest of the cast averages a 2. She is obviously levels above the rest of the cast and, while she is a joy to watch, she makes everybody else look weak. In addition to the poor acting, the dialogue leaves something to be desired, particularly when delivered by bad actors. This was basically a good excuse to stare at Anna Kendrick for a few hours. The only reason that I can think of to watch this film again (or in the first place) is my crush on Kendrick - if you do not share this sentiment, I'd recommend Scream or Devil. Or anything else.

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Scrooged - 7 stars out of 10

Scrooged - 7 stars out of 10

"Scrooged" is a unique parody of Dickens' famous fable.  Bill Murray brings his brand of humor, though it is not executed as expertly as in movies like What About Bob and Groundhog Day.  The lovely Karen Allen was perfectly cast as Claire, Scrooge's long-lost love.  As the greedy tv executive (Murray) puts together a live Christmas Eve broadcast of "A Christmas Carol," he experiences his own New York City version.  The highlight of his journey is the ghost of Christmas Present, played by Carol Kane.  My favorite piece of trivia from this film is that the brother of Murray's character is actually his real-life brother.  It certainly cannot compare to "true" telling of Dickens' tale and probably shouldn't become a part of any family's yearly Christmas traditions, but it's good for a few laughs.

Confessions of a Shopaholic - 7 stars out of 10

Confessions of a Shopaholic - 7 stars out of 10

This movie really surprised me (in a good way). I expected to just put this on in the background while I did work but I couldn't stop watching. Isla Fisher was endearing and cute while Kristin Scott Thomas elevated the acting beyond that of a typical comedy. This film falls short of being great but does provide some great laughs through its supporting cast of big names (Cusack, Lithgow, Goodman) and wonderful interactions between Fisher and Dancy. You won't be able to resist laughing at a few parts, particularly their dance with the fan.

The Seventh Seal (Det Sjunde inseglet) - 3 stars out of 10

The Seventh Seal (Det Sjunde inseglet) - 3 stars out of 10

Based on everybody else's reviews, I guess that I just didn't get it. Though I can see the artistry of the film, I felt like it was a slow-moving story focusing on characters with whom I could not identify. Perhaps I'll give it another shot in a few years but my first viewing left me less than impressed.

Spoorloos (The Vanishing) (1988) - 8 stars out of 10

Spoorloos (The Vanishing) (1988) - 8 stars out of 10

I really enjoyed the storytelling technique of this film. Knowing the basic premise of the movie, you experience several instances of paranoia thinking "Is it going to happen now?" I enjoyed the performance of Gene Bervoets and, although the development of his relationship with Johanna ter Steege is very brief, the cute factor immediately drew my interest.  The one thing that I didn't buy was the kidnapper's obsession - he just didn't seem passionate about it. Perhaps his lack of emotion in scenes with his family was intentional, but overall it just seemed weak. The unconventional sequence of events kept me on edge and the ending was quite upsetting - definitely an above-average thriller.

For my review of the inferior American remake, see:http://jonnysdailymoviereview.blogspot.com/2012/04/vanishing-3-stars-out-of-10.html

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader - 7 stars out of 10

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader - 7 stars out of 10

"The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" is another enjoyable installment in the Narnia series! I was nervous that the special effects would be terrible since Disney didn't make this one but, aside from the dragon sometimes looking too "cartoony," I was really impressed with the special effects, particularly Reepicheep whose vocal nuances were perfectly reflected in his animation. The film was definitely lacking in acting quality (probably because of the deprivation of Popplewell and Moseley), character development, and awesome fight scenes when compared to the previous two; however, Will Poulter acts with maturity beyond his age and unquestionably stole the show! Every line had me laughing, though that's definitely the mood of this film (comic, not dark like "Prince Caspian"). Voyage is a very entertaining film with lots of cool special effects - it is not on the same level as the first two but I am still looking forward to the next film appearing in the future!!!

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian - 9 stars out of 10

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian - 9 stars out of 10

Though none of the Narnia films will compare to the first, this movie comes pretty close. The special effects steal the show though, as with the first, I was extremely impressed with the acting of such a young cast (particularly Peter and Susan)! Consistent with the books, the second movie was much darker than the first. I was glad that they did not try to make this TOO family friendly by cutting away before anybody died. Overall, the fighting was pretty intense and the story was effectively told in this limited movie length. The music was not as effective as in the first, though I loved Regina Spector at the end. The bad guys are truly evil, you'll really want the good guys to win, Caspian is likeable, and you will really blown away by the special effects; in short, see this movie!!!
(note that I did not mention Aslan in this review - that was not a mistake)

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Ulee's Gold - 1 star out of 10

Ulee's Gold - 1 star out of 10
"Ulee's Gold" is literally one of the most boring films that I have ever viewed. It is on par with (if not worse than) a Lifetime original movie. I regret continually telling myself that it would get better, all the way up until it'd anti-climactic ending. Unrealistically overdramatic and dragging slower than a body being dragged by an Amish buggy, this film created some of the worst moments of 2011 for me.

Roger & Me - 2 stars out of 10

Roger & Me - 2 stars out of 10

"Roger & Me" explores the economic failure of Flint, Michigan following the closing of their General Motors plant. Although it is interesting to see people being evicted from their homes on December 23 and the city's failed attempts to make this a tourist spot, in the end it is just too boring. Roger Smith deserves to have an entire documentary dragging his name through the mud after blowing off Michael Moore so many times, but in the end the documentary proves to be informative without being entertaining.

Death to Smoochy - 8 stars out of 10

Death to Smoochy - 8 stars out of 10

I've been avoiding this movie for years because of the cover but couldn't believe the depth hiding within this dark comedy. Amidst the ridiculousness of this plot, "Death to Smoochy" has some interesting themes regarding the exploitation of children through television and merchandise. Edward Norton, who is so well known for his bad-boy persona on (and off) the screen, has a dynamite performance as the kind-hearted dork that wants to change the world. Norton's versatility turns Smoochy into an incredibly loveable character and gives Sheldon Mopes an impressive transformation from start to finish. Though I never would have expected it, this is one of Robin Williams' finest roles. This character allows him to portray a blend of humor and drama, while allowing him to do all of his voices and accents! Finally, I must admit that Catherine Keener became one of my favorite actresses through this feisty lead role (and it doesn't hurt that she's gorgeous). Although Norton and Williams are incredible, Keener really stole the show for me, with fire in her eyes and also showing an interesting transformation. These three stood out, but the acting was strong all the way around, effectively bringing comedy to this dark plot. With things like Michael Rispoli's brain-damaged character and the step dad song, "Death to Smoochy" will have you rolling on the floor before the film draws to a conclusion.

Tuck Everlasting - 7 stars out of 10

Tuck Everlasting - 7 stars out of 10

"Tuck Everlasting" was much better than I expected. The key was its perfect casting, from the bright blue eyes of the beautiful Alexis Bledel to the incredible acting of Ben Kingsley to the spark in Elisabeth Shue's voice as the narrator. This unique take on the Fountain of Youth is clean enough for children but creates a nostalgic feel to provide the sentimentality necessary to keep adults interested. The film is complimented by William Ross's original score that transports you back to the turn of the 20th century. Disney has succeeded again at creating a children's film that is entertaining (not merely tolerable) for the entire family.

The Fifth Element - 3 stars out of 10

The Fifth Element - 3 stars out of 10

"The Fifth Element" offers an interesting perspective into futuristic Earth of the 23rd century, but not much else. I enjoyed the images of New York City much more than the characters, storyline, and particularly Chris Tucker screaming like a little girl. I typically love Willis and Oldman but these were not good roles for either of them. I gave this movie another shot, figuring that I was bound to like it better the second time but it actually had the inverse effect. This film has a few interesting moments and I like looking at Milla Jovovich but I probably won't ever watch this one again.

Waterworld - 2 stars out of 10

Waterworld - 2 stars out of 10

"Waterworld" is one of those films that isn't good but everybody has to see it at least once for its unique concept (and for being an infamously overbudgeted failure). The dialogue and the acting leave something to be desired (someone should've strangled Tina Majorino who ruined every scene by opening her mouth), but the scenery is gorgeous. The Peter Gunn Theme was horribly out of place and made me realize early on that this would not be a good experience. If they were trying to be anachronistic... they failed. When a film uses popular music throughout it can work (A Knight's Tale), but that single song was completely out of place. The Smokers had might as well been the extreme skateboarding robbers from Paul Blart: Mall Cop, possessing a lot of characteristics of goofy children's movie villains. I have a hard time believing that Kevin Costner didn't have the lead in Shawshank Redemption because of this film but everybody makes mistakes. I typically like Dennis Hopper but he was a less-than-adequate villain, earning a Razzie for being awful. Finally, when the old guy reappears in the sky, I was just done. This movie could've been an epic and innovative film is not for horrible dialogue, bad acting, and a weak story. Actually, they should just scrap this movie and use some of the scenery in Disney's "Earth."