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Rose Red (2002)
8/10
Fantastic Haunted House Story
16 June 2016
This is one of those things that have been done before but that King does in a way that you might not expect. Having read Shirley Jackson's book that this was inspired by, and knowing how King likes to play his movies/TV shows/mini series, I am still always amazed at how spooked out I get with Rose Red.

It is long, but you won't regret it. Great acting, spooky house, and a creepy backstory make this one of my favorites. There are snarky comments, and for those die-hard King fans, references and similarities to other beloved stories.

Enjoy!!!
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The Revenant (I) (2015)
10/10
Ugly and Beautiful at the Same Time
23 May 2016
This is a hard movie to watch, and while I enjoyed it, it is not one I would jump at to watch again.

The cast and crew really earned the awards they won for this movie. Not only was it shot on location, out in the woods, in the harsh weather conditions, without any artificial light, you can see the effort and the suffering the actors in this movie had to go through for their art. This is movie making at it's best.

It is difficult to make it through the whole movie. Due to the long time it took to get from event to event, and the sometimes really gross and disturbing images, it was often times hard to keep my attention, and other times it made me want to cover my eyes. However, I do appreciate that when a character gets injured, they aren't "fixed" in the next scene, even though sometimes you want it to hurry up. Also, as a history major, I was impressed with the realistic and historical accuracy of life in the 1800's, for both Native Americans and the White Man.

This is beautifully shot, beautifully produced, and beautifully acted. If you are willing to sit through a difficult movie, with not a lot of dialogue, and are interested in seeing the ugly side of the frontier along with it's amazing beauty, then you will most definitely like this movie.

Even if you never watch it again, this is well worth seeing at least once.
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Standoff (I) (2016)
5/10
Not Exactly the Battle of Wits That Was Promised...
22 May 2016
As a fan of Thomas Jane and Lawrence Fishburne, I wanted to like this movie. However, what seemed to be pitched as a battle of wits turned into an hour and half screaming match between the two actors.

The movie is basically Jane attempting to keep a little girl from being killed by Fishburne with his last shotgun shell. The two of them spend the whole movie yelling insults and cursing at each other, with very little happening in between. The script tries to add some story by telling giving Jane's character a tragic backstory, but it really doesn't do much to keep the plot moving.

The best part of the movie is the little girl. Ella Ballentine has some definite talent, and finding out what happens to her is the only reason to finish watching the movie. This young actor adds a weariness and "old soul" quality to her character that makes her seem wiser beyond her years.

While pitched as a battle of wits, this is more of a pissing contest between two stubborn men. If that's your thing, then go for it.
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Tumbledown (2015)
8/10
Learning to Let Go
21 May 2016
I was expecting a romantic comedy when I got this movie, and I have to say that not only is that not what this is, I was pleasantly surprised.

This movie is about grieving and learning to let go of those we've lost, but it is also sweet in a sort of unexpected way. Rebecca Hall and Jason Sudeikis are a great pair and their on-screen chemistry is fantastic. It's the first movie that has made me a fan of Jason Sudeikis.

Set in the beautiful Maine mountains, the soft folk music in the background adds to the serenity of the mountainside and the heartbreak Hall's character is experiencing and the journey you'll go on with her.

If you're looking for a movie that is sweet, poignant, and guaranteed to tug at your heartstrings, this is it. I would highly recommend this movie.
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The Hallow (2015)
4/10
Fails to deliver...
14 May 2016
This movie has a good story and an interesting concept, even if it was a plot that had been done before. However, I feel like it fell short in delivering the horror aspect that it promised.

There are several bits that will make you jump, which I always appreciate, and the scenery and sets are just beautiful. Filming on location really gave this movie it's best quality, as people like me who live outside of Ireland really felt like they were there. I thought the actors all did a great job, and they made the audience really want to know if they were okay, which is the only reason I was able to actually finish it.

I probably won't watch this movie again. The script was okay, but it felt scattered and jumpy to me with a predictability that made it hard to hold my attention.
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