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Reviews
Angels & Demons (2009)
If you read the book, prepare to be disappointed
Of the people I saw Angels & Demons with, only 2 of us had read the book. And everyone besides the 2 of us liked the movie. I think we would've liked it as well had we not come in with such high expectations from an amazing novel.
The problem is how far they stray from the novel for seemingly pointless reasons. The character of Maximillian Kohler (director of CERN and suspect in the bomb threat) is completely absent from the movie. The real villain's reason for the attack has been altered so much that it doesn't even question the same issues of the religion as intended in the story. And what on Earth was the point of changing the final Illuminati symbol?! One of the most fascinating parts of the book was the artistry of these designs, and they left out the most incredible one. There are also dozens more differences that will irritate any fan of the book.
If you've read the book, just watch it on DVD if at all. If you haven't read it, go see it and my guess is you'll love it. I'm sure I would have. I think from now on, I'll read the book after the movie to avoid disappointment, because the books always seem to be better. But hey, at least Tom Hanks got rid of that weird wannabe mullet from the first film.
American Gun (2005)
Great acting but anti-climactic
Forest Whitaker, Marcia Gay Harden, Chris Marquette, and Tony Goldwyn give outstanding performances, but they could not save the abrupt ending and need for more closure in this film. It helped that Harden, Marquette and Goldwyn were given the strongest storyline in the film. Whitaker's did not fully develop, and its big finish was lackluster and left me wanting more. The storyline between Donald Sutherland and Linda Cardellini was the most disappointing of all. There was no significant change or resolution to make the viewer feel as if the movie was really over. "American Gun" does an adequate job of arguing for stricter gun control, but there are a few major flaws to that argument that present themselves, leaving the viewer confused about what to think. Worth seeing, but don't expect to be WOWed. I'm willing to bet there are better movies out there about how guns affect American society.
Hostel (2005)
hostel = the goodness
'Hostel' is by no means an Academy Award winner, but it is exactly what Eli Roth intended it to be - a good, solid creepy movie (a definite step up from the letdown known as 'Cabin Fever' which was still pretty funny). Yes, it is just another movie for young men all about sex and ultra-violence. Yes it's pretty low-budget. And it's definitely not for the faint of heart. But if you're looking for a good gross-out with plenty of unnecessary sex, then this movie is perfect for you.
Paxton and Josh are American friends traveling Europe in search of a good, preferably illegal, time. They partner up with a random Icelandic man and hit clubs and brothels to have the trip of a lifetime. But when they hear about the beautiful girls of Slovakia, they decide to change their itinerary. And one by one, people come up missing at their new hostel, and no one is quite who they appear to be. With a pretty crazy plot twist, eerie performances from some new actors, and gut-wrenching effects, 'Hostel' is sure to become a classic horror film.