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michaelm1979
My top 10 favorite movies of all time would be in no order except for the first selection:
1: "Halloween"
2: "Saw"
3: "Scream" (The trilogy)
4: "I Know What You Did Last Summer"
5: "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" (2003)
6: "Red Eye"
7: "The Notebook"
8: "Saw 2"
9: "Psycho" (1960)
10: "Madonna: I'm Going To Tell You A Secret"
Reviews
Halloween II (2009)
My Review On "Halloween II" ***SPOILERS***
OK, I went into this film with nothing to compare it to as it was simply a sequel to "Rob Zombies Halloween". But after seeing it, I still have a blank spot in my mind that something was missing.
The film focused SO much on blood and gore to the MAX that it made the legendary Michael Myers look like a "Jason" type character.
Did I expect this to be anything like the original "Halloween" movies, not at all. But I DID expect them to sustain the pure evil that invaded Michael Myers and keep that going with leaving certain things to the imagination. For example what he fed off of and how he survived.
Many of the characters were everything and ANYTHING you would expect from a Rob Zombie movie. But in this genre, it went a little too far. The escape scene with the 2 cops or whatever they were talking about having sex with corpses was just out this World and SO unrealistic. Michael Myers is supposed to be the psychopath, not the one's carrying him away.
Laurie was obviously a weathered down young girl after the experiences of a year earlier. Do I think it was showcased well, yes, but in all honestly, the acting on Scout's part seemed a little contrived and rushed and not really giving the viewer anything to feel bad for. I know she lost her Family in the first. That's enough to *beep* up anyone. But my sense of dread of what was coming her way was just not there.
I'm a MAJOR fan of Danielle Harris and still believe she is one actress that for some reason Hollywood overlooks. She's amazing at what she does. If ANYTHING, she and her Father (Brad Dourif) were the only characters in the film worth watching.
Annie was obviously strong and moved on to what had happened to her and her Friends in the first film. She was a MAJOR asset to "Halloween II". Laurie on the other hand seemed somewhat annoying in some scenes. Just a personal opinion. ;) The music score in this film was HORRID. I mean absolutely TERRIBLE. There was NO sample of ANY of John Carpenter's "Halloween" theme throughout, only at the very end. That score is a MUST for ANY "Halloween". I don't care that it was a sequel to Rob's first film, he had that score in remake vision, it should have been in the follow up.
The layout of the story seemed to be all over the place. Sherri Moon Zombie, whom I love as an actress, seemed somewhat out of place. I know she was a vision Michael was having as was Laurie. But what the heck was up with the white horse? Unless I happened to miss something.
Dr. Loomis became a character no different than Michael Myers if you ask me. I could not STAND his presence in this film. He had no compassion. He had no regrets on making a book on the deaths of young teenagers from the first film.
I'm giving this film a 5/10 and that's being NICE. LOL. I ONLY rate it that high because of the stellar performance that Brad Dourif and Danielle Harris offered the film. That is really all it had going for it.
Other than that, we know Laurie inherits the evil that is Michael Myers. But the movie to me was no more than just a body count. Heads being crushed, dogs being eaten alive, throats getting slashed, torture.
And to add on top of that, they show Michael Myers without his mask on. THAT was a HUGE mistake. He's supposed to be the "Boogeyman", someone VERY dark and VERY mysterious. They completely lost any mystery of Michael Myers by showing what he looked like without his mask.
Sorry to go on and if I'm being repetitive, I guess the reason being is that the film really did not me with any lasting impression.
That's all I can say for now. If you liked Rob's first attempt and are planning to see this and expect him to follow the same formula of some sense, then I say go in with NO expectations and then MAYBE you'll feel you SORT of got your moneys worth. Me, just a flat out body count slasher flick that held no lasting impression and POSSIBLY the WEAKEST of all "Halloween" entries tracing back to 1982.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning (2006)
An Absolute Nightmare In The Excercise Of Human Torture
We went to see this movie last night and afterwards realized that the 2003 remake of the horror classic is quite tame compared to this. It's incredible how viceral horror/slasher movies have become for this generation.
The film starts off in a slaughterhouse and a monster is born. The quick run up of how leatherface became a "man" during the credits was impressive. The slaughterhouse in which he works gets shut down. He's got to find some new meat to chop. He sure as hell does.
On a road trip across Texas, four friends run into trouble with a biker gang and as a result have an accident and run into the vicious "Sheriff Hoyt". As the female lead, Chrissie, tries to track down her friends that the sheriff has taken to that iconic house of the Hewitt residence, she's faced with many obsticles on the way, trying not to get caught. She fails and the unbelievable begins.
The movie takes the audience on an explicitly VIOLENT journey and never ceases to grab you by the jugular. The visuals are almost too tense to bare and the acting is fantastic by the lead characters and R. Lee Ermey makes you cringe at the sight of him and at the sound of his viciously demanding tone.
Definitely a step up from the PG-13 fare that director Jonathan Liebsman of "Darkness Falls" is more associated with. The story of how leatherface became such a monster is well examined. Also some interesting bits in the film to help one understand some of the circumstances in the 2003 remake are brought to surface.
In conclusion, if you're a horror buff and like your slasher/horror flicks to have no holds barred terror throughout, this is the HALLOWEEN ticket for you. Be warned however, if you were disturbed by the 1973 original, this film gives the term a whole new meaning.
I'm Going to Tell You a Secret (2005)
An amazing journey from beginning to end (Possible Spoilers)
This is the best documentary I've seen EVER. Madonna shows that she pulls out all the stops and never fails to push the envelope in any department, in this case it's political. "I'm Going To Tell You A Secret" chronicles the events of her 2004 "Re-Invention World Tour" and Madonna showcases herself as a pop sensation, devoted Mother and Wife, political warrior, and most of all, her true self and her devotion to the study of Kaballah. From the beginning with the opening of "The Beast Within", Madonna begins with her partnership with music producer Stuart Price and having a very candid conversation about God and her beliefs and throughout the documentary, voices her opinion on the political and material world we live in today, yet she never comes across as preachy. There are several clips of her performances from the concert and her views on life off stage. It's genuinely touching, making us realize that we all have to be grateful for the blessings that we have in life and to not take them for granted. Want what you have and not what you don't is one of the most important messages. Her rendition of John Lennon's "Imagine" is absolutely mind blowing. The images depicted of the poverty stricken countries during the song is enough to make the toughest of people cry their eyes out. She delivers many important messages with her dancers and states that we all enter the world as better people than who we are and have compassion for all mankind and take into consideration the pain and suffering that is going on in the world. Without taking responsibility for your own actions and watching what you say to others makes your talents useless. This is so true. Madonna never ceases to amaze and impress and expose the world to closeted issues that must be tackled. In her own words, we are all responsible for making the world a better place. You could not ask for a better documentary. Even the if you're the least bit involved in her art/music and not an aficionado, anyone would appreciate this masterpiece. It is highly recommended.
The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
The most refreshing movie experience of the year!
We went to see this movie last night and I can not begin to explain how much I enjoyed it. It was hilarious from beginning to end. The movie had everything going for it, a great story revolving around the fashion industry and the lengths people are willing to go to fit in, look fabulous, even if that means not eating. I hope that the movie spoke important volumes to people that feel they need to be a certain size. I love the contrast of a Woman being in charge VS. a Man. It was an important message to some people out there that live their whole lives centering on their career and realize the more important things they're missing out on. The acting was top-notch and Meryl Streep, well I'm never disappointed by her work, she's a genius. Anne Hathaway was refreshingly grown up and this was a big step up from "The Princess Diaries" franchise. Great to see her in such an adult role, which she does with great confidence. The direction was excellent and the visuals were amazing. I love the cinematography surrounding the beautiful locations. The soundtrack was FANTASTIC. Two Madonna songs was extra icing on top the cake. "Jump" and "Vogue" were two perfect choices. I love this movie and was impressed that they left the funniest parts out of the trailer. An impressive ensemble cast. Nothing else really to say about it. It was a fantastic film and I strongly encourage many to go and see it, you won't be let down. A+++++++++++++
Basic Instinct 2 (2006)
The Best Belated Sequel One Could Ask For
I saw the original "Basic Instinct" when I was 13 years old and thought it was absolutely fantastic with a slam bang ending. The sequel "Basic Instinct 2: Risk Addiction" is surprisingly well done with a lot of plot twists that I would not dare give away. ***(POSSIBLE SPOILERS)*** Sharon Stone gracefully steps back into the shoes of cinema's most notorious female vixen Catherine Tramell. The film opens with a smash, and as the result of the death of a sports star, Catherine Tramell is once again the prime suspect in a murder. She is, as we all know, diagnosed with what Dr. Michael Glass calls a 'Risk Addiction', a need to prove to herself and others that she is basically invincible. The story carries out with great dialogue and Catherine speaks as freely as she always has. Like Detective Nick Curran in the original, Dr. Glass is entranced in her web of lies and seduction, meanwhile taken into the seedy undergrounds of sex and violence. David Morrissey is perfect for this role. Unlike most sequels, this manages to be unique, rather than attempting to imitate the first film. There are some obvious homages, but nothing over the top. Catherine Tramell is brilliant and masters her ways of manipulation stonger than ever. This film helps fans of the original understand her character better. Michael Caton-Jones ("Scandal") is a man of genius by taking risks and directing something from an old formula and making it fresh again. John Murphy, the composer does the film justice by reinventing the Jerry Goldsmith theme from the original, which is one of the best scores in Hollywood history. All actors are brilliant and the cinematography is breath-taking. If you liked the original and are willing to see something different than most sequels, I urge you to go and see this film. It's one to be experienced on the big screen and sit back and enjoy.