Really enjoyed it! Just an extension of the first film that came out a few years ago, with the Muppets having "gone Hollywood" - and the 1 Million Moms who are all hating on the series already only blowing smoke about A) something they haven't even seen yet; and B) something all their whining is only going to bring more press, attention, and probably ratings too. Enjoyed it much more than I thought I would, it brings the old series into modern-day with the behind-the-scenes look at Miss Piggy's chat show, and was a lot of fun. Truly looking forward to more, and love the interaction with the live celebrities - this round, particularly with Elizabeth Banks and Piggy, or even her with Scooter in the electric cart!
Reviews
15 Reviews
The Muppets.
(2015–2016)
Really fun and enjoyable; brings the old series into modern-day
22 September 2015
Limitless
(2015–2016)
Truly boring - and badly cast with an even more monotone Jake McDorman
22 September 2015
Really wanted to like this. Really TRIED to like this, especially as Bradley Cooper is one of my favorite actors, and was so incredibly nice and humble when I had the good fortune to meet him in person.
But the series suffers from, first, a misfire in Jake McDorman, who from his first scene I just became so irritated with, it was hard to connect with or care about the character from then on. He's just not that good an actor, certainly not good enough to lead his own series (sorry, just one person's opinion, of course).
But the show itself was also a bit grating, as it seemed to deploy clichés of so many other series of the genre - friend of hero gets killed, hero is blamed for the crime and must prove himself innocent - and the scenes are he takes the drug and you have the multiple personalities and frenetic, headache-inducing scenes in need of ritalin ... nah, it was just too much. Might have thought different, had the show a better lead actor, but the pilot was enough for me and I don't think it will have a long life on CBS (much like "Supergirl").
But the series suffers from, first, a misfire in Jake McDorman, who from his first scene I just became so irritated with, it was hard to connect with or care about the character from then on. He's just not that good an actor, certainly not good enough to lead his own series (sorry, just one person's opinion, of course).
But the show itself was also a bit grating, as it seemed to deploy clichés of so many other series of the genre - friend of hero gets killed, hero is blamed for the crime and must prove himself innocent - and the scenes are he takes the drug and you have the multiple personalities and frenetic, headache-inducing scenes in need of ritalin ... nah, it was just too much. Might have thought different, had the show a better lead actor, but the pilot was enough for me and I don't think it will have a long life on CBS (much like "Supergirl").
Zoo
(2015–2017)
It had me ... then lost me in melodrama and bad acting
8 August 2015
Stopped reading James Patterson around the time he started pimping his name out for money to writer wannabes so they could get on the bestseller lists, but am a huge James Wolk fan, have thought Nonso Anozie was great since "Dracula", and was looking forward to this one ... and the pilot and second episode or so were intriguing.
But five episodes in, am growing to really dislike the series. The whole "reveal" in episode five I saw coming by episode three, and Billy Burke has got to be one of the worst actors in the history of television; all he ever does is play the same pompous ass know-it-all, and even that's grown thin - I just cringe whenever he's on-screen and want to turn the show off, period.
Worse, the animal scenes - what the entire series plays up - are few and far between, and one thing that always grates me in a film or TV series is when music cues or a thunder-like crescendo sounds to cue the viewer that "Hey, this is something important here, that you need to remember for later!" (or to let you know we are now going to WASHINGTON, D.C. or maybe ALABAMA or even RIO DE JANEIRO. And "Zoo", sadly, does that over and over and over again, drawing self-absorbed attention to itself and throwing you out of the viewing experience entirely.
Am thinking episode five is it for me. The series has gotten so melodramatic it's starting to get embarrassing for the actors, and - oh, yeah - did I mention that I regret watching it every time Billy Burke is on screen? Even the scene in ep5 with the bear, kind of cool potential but too many jump cuts back and forth and a weak resolution to that whole situation even had that fizzling like a wet firecracker.
But five episodes in, am growing to really dislike the series. The whole "reveal" in episode five I saw coming by episode three, and Billy Burke has got to be one of the worst actors in the history of television; all he ever does is play the same pompous ass know-it-all, and even that's grown thin - I just cringe whenever he's on-screen and want to turn the show off, period.
Worse, the animal scenes - what the entire series plays up - are few and far between, and one thing that always grates me in a film or TV series is when music cues or a thunder-like crescendo sounds to cue the viewer that "Hey, this is something important here, that you need to remember for later!" (or to let you know we are now going to WASHINGTON, D.C. or maybe ALABAMA or even RIO DE JANEIRO. And "Zoo", sadly, does that over and over and over again, drawing self-absorbed attention to itself and throwing you out of the viewing experience entirely.
Am thinking episode five is it for me. The series has gotten so melodramatic it's starting to get embarrassing for the actors, and - oh, yeah - did I mention that I regret watching it every time Billy Burke is on screen? Even the scene in ep5 with the bear, kind of cool potential but too many jump cuts back and forth and a weak resolution to that whole situation even had that fizzling like a wet firecracker.
Tusk
(I) (2014)
Maybe the worst film I've seen so far this year
2 December 2014
Not sure what drugs Kevin was on when he wrote and directed this piece of garbage, but they must have been strong - and judging from the partial podcast overlay on the second half of the end credits of this waste of a film, he's still on them.
Sad that actors like Justin Long and Johnny Depp would be a part of this dreck - which, had it played like a straight horror flick instead of for the lowest common denominator of people who thing gross equals funny, it may have been worth something ... but from the time you learn the true reason behind why Justin Long's character, Wallace, has been abducted by Michael Parks' homicidal lunatic, the film ventures into nothing but a ridiculous, repulsive and even perplexing/stupid mess of some of the unfunniest "comedy" ever put on film. I can't say enough about how awful this film is, am angry that I wasted the 101 minutes it took to watch it, and why Kevin Smith continues to make films is beyond me; I know, at least, I won't be watching another one. Truly, horribly bad.
Sad that actors like Justin Long and Johnny Depp would be a part of this dreck - which, had it played like a straight horror flick instead of for the lowest common denominator of people who thing gross equals funny, it may have been worth something ... but from the time you learn the true reason behind why Justin Long's character, Wallace, has been abducted by Michael Parks' homicidal lunatic, the film ventures into nothing but a ridiculous, repulsive and even perplexing/stupid mess of some of the unfunniest "comedy" ever put on film. I can't say enough about how awful this film is, am angry that I wasted the 101 minutes it took to watch it, and why Kevin Smith continues to make films is beyond me; I know, at least, I won't be watching another one. Truly, horribly bad.
The Mysteries of Laura
(2014–2016)
Hope it lasts, the pilot was a good start (especially for a pilot) ...
24 September 2014
Finally watched the pilot (episode two tonight); really impressed. Just the right mix of light comedy and mystery, without one genre encroaching on the other. Debra Messing is, as always, like comfort food to watch. Really hope this lasts, even as a mystery level enjoyed the storyline of the pilot. Just wanna take a strap or something to her kids' backsides on the show, though; what hellions! Anyway, LOVED IT ... which, of course, means it will most likely be canceled after a few episodes.
Messing plays a homicide cop in the throes of both trying to divorce her cheating husband and find a pre-K school that will take her two extremely ... ummm ... rambunctious sons. All while trying to solve the murder of a rich tech guru who was about to release a new smartphone that would revolutionize the market.
Not sure where all the hate is coming from for the show, pilots usually struggle with an identity or to gain footing and this one didn't. Hope the series can build on that and get even better.
Messing plays a homicide cop in the throes of both trying to divorce her cheating husband and find a pre-K school that will take her two extremely ... ummm ... rambunctious sons. All while trying to solve the murder of a rich tech guru who was about to release a new smartphone that would revolutionize the market.
Not sure where all the hate is coming from for the show, pilots usually struggle with an identity or to gain footing and this one didn't. Hope the series can build on that and get even better.
Really
(2014)
Jay, I had such hopes for this one ...
2 September 2014
Warning: Spoilers
(not really spoilers, but better safe than sorry) About a funny as a colonoscopy, this was a HUGE disappointment for me as it was produced by and stars Jay Chandrasekhar of the Broken Lizard comedy troupe, so I really had hopes for this one. Too many characters to cram into one pilot - you feel like you got to know, much less give a hang about, none of them (and one is so pathetic and annoying, it hurts just to see him on-screen) ... and the only humor in the pilot is either sex (will Jay's character get his birthday blowjob?) or drugs (everyone gets drunk and high at the friends' get-together, which I guess is funny except tanked and stoned they're all still so damn boring). Truly bad, unfunny, and a prime example of the worst of comedies that rely only on sex and drugs jokes to be funny ... and aren't.
Sharknado 2: The Second One
(2014 TV Movie)
Got everything WRONG the first one got RIGHT
3 August 2014
Warning: Spoilers
(Doesn't really contain spoilers, IMO, but some may think so ... hence the warning)
What a rotten piece of garbage this film was - so much so, I felt the need to jump on and write a review here.
The first SHARKNADO was fun, an entertaining B-movie (Big-Time!) because it took itself seriously - one of the markings of a good B-movie. It roughly set up the few main characters, the situation, let all hell break loose, and even with the mediocre acting and slightly worse special effects (seriously, does ANYONE expect decent special effects from a SyFy Channel production?) you could totally get into the campiness, sit back and have fun and enjoy the ride.
None of that exists with this dreck, the 89th film I've seen so far this year and by far the worst. Anchored by one of the most horribly-written scripts ever (seriously, this writer should be banned from Hollywood for life), this sequel takes NOTHING seriously and knows it. Even from the opening plane sequence, the entire film is forcefully always winking at you from its depths, as if to say, "This is crap, and we know it - but ain't it fun?" It's not even trying to take itself seriously, or be in any way "common-sensical" - and that's exactly what was so great about the first one; even with the outrageous, ridiculous goings-on in SHARKNADO, the film treated itself as if it could all happen in real life. It rooted an absurd premise in the real world.
But the world of SHARKNADO 2 involves things like a hole in the wall of a 747, plummeting toward earth, that does NOT immediately suck out a flight attendant who is standing in the middle of the aisle, not even so much as holding onto a seat (instead, a shark flying at her down the aisle gets her) ... yet, minutes later, another character is hanging on for dear life, about to be sucked out of the plane ... while a man lies on the floor next to her, NOT being pulled from the plane, and - worse yet - TOSSES A GUN at her, which lands on the floor of the plane below her, and just sits there, yet again the air pressure loss of the rapidly descending plane picking and choosing who or what it takes!
Not insane enough? How about a major character who loses their hand to a shark, is rushed to a hospital for emergency surgery ... and mere hours later is fully dressed and running around NYC driving a stolen ambulance, trying to help stop the devastation?
If that's not enough, you have the head of the Statue of Liberty rolling non-stop around Manhattan like a bowling ball ... or hordes of New Yorkers pulling machetes and chainsaws and knives and axes from their cars to shark hunt (yeah, I know, it's supposed to be funny, a comment on the preparedness of anything on the part of tough NYC residents - but one of the city's biggest fans, I felt it was pretty easy to see the insult through the humor).
And, a true sign of any truly awful film, cameo after cameo of out-of- work actors or "celebrities" (Jared, from Subway? REALLY?), jammed anywhere into the film the director could find room - effectively throwing you out of the story with, yet again, the film openly winking at your with its "Do you see this; do you SEE this?!?" mentality.
And all of THIS doesn't even take into account the amount of third-rate plastic surgery on display here, by not only most of the female actors, but even Mark McGrath (who should never attempt acting again while he still draws breath) looks like his face is plasticized. Enough of the actors in this film look like they've been to Joan Rivers' plastic surgeon, it's both distracting and a bit scary.
Bad acting, an unforgivable script, sub-par special effects (yes, even for SyFy Channel), extreme closeups used to hide the fact they didn't have the budget to show the real action, sharks that kill by landing on you instead of biting (a major theme, here), a total defiance of the laws of gravity (not to mention common sense), and more stuff I'd think about if I didn't have a headache by now all, add up to make SHARKNADO 2: THE SECOND ONE a smug, pretentious, self-inflated, trite, and absolutely dull-beyond-belief 85 minutes that I not only had to force myself to sit through (hoping SOMETHING good would happen, because I loved the first one so much) ... but remain, even now, absolutely mad at myself for having even watched.
What a rotten piece of garbage this film was - so much so, I felt the need to jump on and write a review here.
The first SHARKNADO was fun, an entertaining B-movie (Big-Time!) because it took itself seriously - one of the markings of a good B-movie. It roughly set up the few main characters, the situation, let all hell break loose, and even with the mediocre acting and slightly worse special effects (seriously, does ANYONE expect decent special effects from a SyFy Channel production?) you could totally get into the campiness, sit back and have fun and enjoy the ride.
None of that exists with this dreck, the 89th film I've seen so far this year and by far the worst. Anchored by one of the most horribly-written scripts ever (seriously, this writer should be banned from Hollywood for life), this sequel takes NOTHING seriously and knows it. Even from the opening plane sequence, the entire film is forcefully always winking at you from its depths, as if to say, "This is crap, and we know it - but ain't it fun?" It's not even trying to take itself seriously, or be in any way "common-sensical" - and that's exactly what was so great about the first one; even with the outrageous, ridiculous goings-on in SHARKNADO, the film treated itself as if it could all happen in real life. It rooted an absurd premise in the real world.
But the world of SHARKNADO 2 involves things like a hole in the wall of a 747, plummeting toward earth, that does NOT immediately suck out a flight attendant who is standing in the middle of the aisle, not even so much as holding onto a seat (instead, a shark flying at her down the aisle gets her) ... yet, minutes later, another character is hanging on for dear life, about to be sucked out of the plane ... while a man lies on the floor next to her, NOT being pulled from the plane, and - worse yet - TOSSES A GUN at her, which lands on the floor of the plane below her, and just sits there, yet again the air pressure loss of the rapidly descending plane picking and choosing who or what it takes!
Not insane enough? How about a major character who loses their hand to a shark, is rushed to a hospital for emergency surgery ... and mere hours later is fully dressed and running around NYC driving a stolen ambulance, trying to help stop the devastation?
If that's not enough, you have the head of the Statue of Liberty rolling non-stop around Manhattan like a bowling ball ... or hordes of New Yorkers pulling machetes and chainsaws and knives and axes from their cars to shark hunt (yeah, I know, it's supposed to be funny, a comment on the preparedness of anything on the part of tough NYC residents - but one of the city's biggest fans, I felt it was pretty easy to see the insult through the humor).
And, a true sign of any truly awful film, cameo after cameo of out-of- work actors or "celebrities" (Jared, from Subway? REALLY?), jammed anywhere into the film the director could find room - effectively throwing you out of the story with, yet again, the film openly winking at your with its "Do you see this; do you SEE this?!?" mentality.
And all of THIS doesn't even take into account the amount of third-rate plastic surgery on display here, by not only most of the female actors, but even Mark McGrath (who should never attempt acting again while he still draws breath) looks like his face is plasticized. Enough of the actors in this film look like they've been to Joan Rivers' plastic surgeon, it's both distracting and a bit scary.
Bad acting, an unforgivable script, sub-par special effects (yes, even for SyFy Channel), extreme closeups used to hide the fact they didn't have the budget to show the real action, sharks that kill by landing on you instead of biting (a major theme, here), a total defiance of the laws of gravity (not to mention common sense), and more stuff I'd think about if I didn't have a headache by now all, add up to make SHARKNADO 2: THE SECOND ONE a smug, pretentious, self-inflated, trite, and absolutely dull-beyond-belief 85 minutes that I not only had to force myself to sit through (hoping SOMETHING good would happen, because I loved the first one so much) ... but remain, even now, absolutely mad at myself for having even watched.
Noah
(2014)
This film, like the Bible itself, is subject to interpretation ...
6 July 2014
Finally saw the film that had so many Christians wanting to do un- Christian-like things to its creators and star, when it was first released.
How was it?
I wish I could say for sure; am still thinking on it. I didn't NOT like the film - it's engaging from start to finish, never dull for all its 138 minutes, and I've read a lot of the concerns/issues (via reviews) that those who hated had with it, and had NO problem with the Watchers or how they handled them, or the liberties the filmmakers took with the story ... especially considering that, in the Bible, the story of Noah isn't exactly lengthy or full of detail. Had no issues with the film using the word "Creator" instead of "God" - uhh, I got who they were talking about - and though much has been said about the fact that Darren Aronofsky (the director and co-writer) is an atheist, I don't outright see where that came across in the film at all (in fact, I thought the film had some very strong things to say about things like faith, how mankind has done its best (through greed and violence and avarice) to destroy the very paradise He bestowed us with, even the complications of following blindly. The performances are solid (except for Logan Lerman, who got on my nerves from his first appearance), special effects well- done and believable (the scenes of the various animals, two by two, boarding the ark alone are worth watching the film for), and Crowe does well even during a time when you think Noah might have taken his faith just a bit over the deep end. I would say, overall, maybe seven stars out of ten. I think the film would have benefited from a cast of lesser-knowns, so that when watching you could have focused on Lila instead of Emma Watson, or say Methuselah instead of Anthony Hopkins (I wonder, sometimes, if this is why I love foreign - especially Asian - cinema so much; without such recognizable actors, it's ever more easier to focus on the characters, and subsequently their story). I also think the ending feels too "Hollywood"; the film itself has its wonderful moments of darkness, it's gritty ... the ending, not so much, it's closer to the sunshine and bunny farts of the typical Hollywood (almost Disney-esque) ending. Perfect? No. Worth seeing? Most definitely.
How was it?
I wish I could say for sure; am still thinking on it. I didn't NOT like the film - it's engaging from start to finish, never dull for all its 138 minutes, and I've read a lot of the concerns/issues (via reviews) that those who hated had with it, and had NO problem with the Watchers or how they handled them, or the liberties the filmmakers took with the story ... especially considering that, in the Bible, the story of Noah isn't exactly lengthy or full of detail. Had no issues with the film using the word "Creator" instead of "God" - uhh, I got who they were talking about - and though much has been said about the fact that Darren Aronofsky (the director and co-writer) is an atheist, I don't outright see where that came across in the film at all (in fact, I thought the film had some very strong things to say about things like faith, how mankind has done its best (through greed and violence and avarice) to destroy the very paradise He bestowed us with, even the complications of following blindly. The performances are solid (except for Logan Lerman, who got on my nerves from his first appearance), special effects well- done and believable (the scenes of the various animals, two by two, boarding the ark alone are worth watching the film for), and Crowe does well even during a time when you think Noah might have taken his faith just a bit over the deep end. I would say, overall, maybe seven stars out of ten. I think the film would have benefited from a cast of lesser-knowns, so that when watching you could have focused on Lila instead of Emma Watson, or say Methuselah instead of Anthony Hopkins (I wonder, sometimes, if this is why I love foreign - especially Asian - cinema so much; without such recognizable actors, it's ever more easier to focus on the characters, and subsequently their story). I also think the ending feels too "Hollywood"; the film itself has its wonderful moments of darkness, it's gritty ... the ending, not so much, it's closer to the sunshine and bunny farts of the typical Hollywood (almost Disney-esque) ending. Perfect? No. Worth seeing? Most definitely.
Gang Related
(2014)
Four actors I TRULY respect and like ... still can't save the series
24 May 2014
Or, at least, the pilot - as that's all I've seen so far.
Like one other reviewer, about 17 minutes I almost gave up and stopped watching, but ended up making it through the entire pilot. I have followed and appreciated Ramon Rodriguez, Jay Hernandez, Sung Kang and Cliff Curtis for YEARS, am fans of all four and that's the primary reason I watched this ...
But whoever the HELL cast RZA should be banned from working in the entertainment industry for life. He can't act for crap, his words are often slurred to the point you can't understand about a fourth of what he's saying, and he's just so unbelievable in every scene he is in, it throws you out of what emotional involvement you have invested in that scene - or even the series.
Add to that stereotype upon stereotype, mix it up with a lot of violence (which, I guess, you would need to expect in a series called "Gang Related"), and even a lead character you can't really like or empathize with because he's (well, no spoilers here; if you've seen the pilot, you know what I mean) ... and it all adds up to a weak pilot that is going to have a looooooooong way to go in order to last as a series. Not sure I'll even watch episode two.
REALLY wanted to like this, too. Damnit.
Like one other reviewer, about 17 minutes I almost gave up and stopped watching, but ended up making it through the entire pilot. I have followed and appreciated Ramon Rodriguez, Jay Hernandez, Sung Kang and Cliff Curtis for YEARS, am fans of all four and that's the primary reason I watched this ...
But whoever the HELL cast RZA should be banned from working in the entertainment industry for life. He can't act for crap, his words are often slurred to the point you can't understand about a fourth of what he's saying, and he's just so unbelievable in every scene he is in, it throws you out of what emotional involvement you have invested in that scene - or even the series.
Add to that stereotype upon stereotype, mix it up with a lot of violence (which, I guess, you would need to expect in a series called "Gang Related"), and even a lead character you can't really like or empathize with because he's (well, no spoilers here; if you've seen the pilot, you know what I mean) ... and it all adds up to a weak pilot that is going to have a looooooooong way to go in order to last as a series. Not sure I'll even watch episode two.
REALLY wanted to like this, too. Damnit.
From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series
(2014–2016)
Sadly Disappointing
15 March 2014
Warning: Spoilers
As a huge fan of the original film, I was both curious and afraid to see what the TV series would look like, especially given the extreme violence and language that defined the movie, which would have to be considerably watered-down to make it to television.
Turns out that wasn't even the main problem of the pilot; instead you have mediocre writing (and some cringe-worthy, very unrealistic or unoriginal dialogue), some bad acting (the guy behind the liquor store counter, D.J. Cotrona who - in spots - is working too hard at channeling George Clooney), and - the worst offense - minor goofs that completely throw you out of the story, like (SPOILER ALERT!) how obvious it is that Gonzalez is NOT wearing a bulletproof vest, earlier in the episode, that magically saves his life in the end. And Wilmer Valderrama, who I do like ... well, him as a terrifying drug kingpin is something I still have yet to fully buy into.
But this IS a pilot, and a lot of changes, fixes, and improvements are often made between a pilot and episode two (and beyond) ... especially if the pilot was shot significantly earlier than the rest of the series. So will give it more of a try, but honestly if the writing and acting (at LEAST) don't improve from episode one, this might be one vamp series that gets staked early on.
Turns out that wasn't even the main problem of the pilot; instead you have mediocre writing (and some cringe-worthy, very unrealistic or unoriginal dialogue), some bad acting (the guy behind the liquor store counter, D.J. Cotrona who - in spots - is working too hard at channeling George Clooney), and - the worst offense - minor goofs that completely throw you out of the story, like (SPOILER ALERT!) how obvious it is that Gonzalez is NOT wearing a bulletproof vest, earlier in the episode, that magically saves his life in the end. And Wilmer Valderrama, who I do like ... well, him as a terrifying drug kingpin is something I still have yet to fully buy into.
But this IS a pilot, and a lot of changes, fixes, and improvements are often made between a pilot and episode two (and beyond) ... especially if the pilot was shot significantly earlier than the rest of the series. So will give it more of a try, but honestly if the writing and acting (at LEAST) don't improve from episode one, this might be one vamp series that gets staked early on.
Mind Games
(2014)
Too Annoying to Watch
1 March 2014
Like Christian Slater. REALLY like Steve Zahn. So I tried this for about halfway through the pilot, and found Zahn's character especially so manic, so loud, so annoying, I had to shut it off. If I had to watch his character every week, I think I'd start pulling the wings off butterflies, or something. Fairly weak writing, as well. Decent premise, truly annoying execution. There are too many good series on TV right now to make room for this one. I've known bipolar people before, had a close friend for years who was afflicted with it, but never experienced anyone like this. Too manic, and so grating. Sorry to repeat myself, but had to fill up ten lines; in short - PASS ON THIS ONE!
Looking
(2014–2015)
Yet another show that depicts gays being about nothing but sex
6 February 2014
Gave this show about twenty minutes into episode one, and turned it off. Since "Queer as Folk" have been sick to death of television series that depict gay men as being nothing about sex, sex, sex - as if nothing else enters the mind. When the one committed couple in the series entered into a casual as hell three-way with another dude (some commitment, guys), that was enough for me.
The series plays to stereotypes and the worst side of gay life. Total crap. I tried it because the cast features some of my favorite actors, but am sick of gay - and gay men - being depicted in film and TV as nothing but horn dogs looking for nothing in life but the next orgasm.
The series plays to stereotypes and the worst side of gay life. Total crap. I tried it because the cast features some of my favorite actors, but am sick of gay - and gay men - being depicted in film and TV as nothing but horn dogs looking for nothing in life but the next orgasm.
The Maze
(1953)
it had me ... until that incredibly lame ending ...
23 June 2013
A lot of "B-movie" SF/horror films of the 1950's are known for their cheesy monsters, cheap sets, and mediocre acting ... that all still works, somehow, to make up for an entertaining film that often becomes a "guilty pleasure". Such is the case for most of THE MAZE, a oddball of a film, originally shot in 3D and released in 1953, that starts off with plenty of mood and atmosphere.
Kitty (Veronica Hurst) is a very attractive, upper-class blonde English gal who is engaged to the handsome, lively and upbeat Gerald (Richard Carlson) - who, just prior to their wedding, has to make an emergency trip back to Scotland when his uncle passes away. Soon after his departure, Kitty receives a note from him, breaking off the engagement and saying that Gerald is remaining in Scotland. Disturbed and worried, Kitty ventures with her Aunt Edith (Katherine Emery, who also sporadically narrates the film) to Scotland and one hell of a creepy, moody castle with even creepier, moodier servants. Worse still, Gerald is not only angry and insolent that they've come, he's also lost all his vitality and happiness ... and appears to have aged twenty years from when Kitty last saw him only weeks ago.
There's something weird going on here, and it all centers around a huge hedge maze that sits just outside the castle walls. Entrance to it is forbidden, and one of the provisions of Kitty and Edith's continuing to stay (Kitty hoping for a way to help Gerald) is that they must be locked in their rooms every night - leading to more weirdness, as Kitty notices/hears something heavy being dragged past her door in the middle of the night (among other strange occurrences). Everything in the film builds up to the maze, and the secret Gerald and the castle's servants are hiding there - and the movies does its job well in building up a sense of foreboding and suspense ... only to end in one of the dippiest, most lame endings that almost spoils the entire experience of watching the film. So although I had some fun with most of it, the "WTF" of an ending in no way lived up to all that had gone before.
Kitty (Veronica Hurst) is a very attractive, upper-class blonde English gal who is engaged to the handsome, lively and upbeat Gerald (Richard Carlson) - who, just prior to their wedding, has to make an emergency trip back to Scotland when his uncle passes away. Soon after his departure, Kitty receives a note from him, breaking off the engagement and saying that Gerald is remaining in Scotland. Disturbed and worried, Kitty ventures with her Aunt Edith (Katherine Emery, who also sporadically narrates the film) to Scotland and one hell of a creepy, moody castle with even creepier, moodier servants. Worse still, Gerald is not only angry and insolent that they've come, he's also lost all his vitality and happiness ... and appears to have aged twenty years from when Kitty last saw him only weeks ago.
There's something weird going on here, and it all centers around a huge hedge maze that sits just outside the castle walls. Entrance to it is forbidden, and one of the provisions of Kitty and Edith's continuing to stay (Kitty hoping for a way to help Gerald) is that they must be locked in their rooms every night - leading to more weirdness, as Kitty notices/hears something heavy being dragged past her door in the middle of the night (among other strange occurrences). Everything in the film builds up to the maze, and the secret Gerald and the castle's servants are hiding there - and the movies does its job well in building up a sense of foreboding and suspense ... only to end in one of the dippiest, most lame endings that almost spoils the entire experience of watching the film. So although I had some fun with most of it, the "WTF" of an ending in no way lived up to all that had gone before.
To Catch a Virgin Ghost
(2004)
Really nutty, really wonderful comedy/ghost story/mobster flick from Korea
17 June 2013
Warning: Spoilers
TO CATCH A VIRGIN GHOST (yeah, I swear, that's the title; it's also known as SISILY 2KM) is a fun, enjoyable black comedy-thriller set in a small village in South Korea. It'd be difficult to explain even the story without giving much away, but suffice to say the film opens with a thug on the run from the mob (after stealing a cache of diamonds), who accidentally crashes his SUV near a remote village. Walking to the village, he finds about a half-dozen country bumpkins, men and women working the fields, who he cons into letting him stay the night because he's stranded. When a practical joke gone bad results in the not-too- bright gangster's death (he cracks his skull on the toilet in the john), the villagers find one of the diamonds on him (he swallowed the rest; long story), and instead of calling the police they decide to bury the dead crook and sell the diamond to make their lives prosperous again. When the dead guy's ex-buddies from the mob come looking for him, the guy's crashed vehicle leads them directly to the simple villagers - and a female ghost that spooks the gang's leader big-time.
But this is a KOREAN film - which means the gangsters ... the villagers ... even the ghost are not what they may at first seem. Further, is the guy who stole the diamonds even really dead?? Things get very weird, very fast in this low-budget black comedy where, just when you think you KNOW who the bad guys are, you find your perception of things might just have been dead wrong.
I watched this on Netflix because (other than my love for Korean films) the film had some very well-received reviews there. Was so totally NOT disappointed; just keep in mind this one is both funny and a little bizarre - and well worth your time.
But this is a KOREAN film - which means the gangsters ... the villagers ... even the ghost are not what they may at first seem. Further, is the guy who stole the diamonds even really dead?? Things get very weird, very fast in this low-budget black comedy where, just when you think you KNOW who the bad guys are, you find your perception of things might just have been dead wrong.
I watched this on Netflix because (other than my love for Korean films) the film had some very well-received reviews there. Was so totally NOT disappointed; just keep in mind this one is both funny and a little bizarre - and well worth your time.
Pan Am
(2011–2012)
Great nostalgia - promising new series
26 September 2011
I've never submitted a review to IMDb, though am a screenwriter and have my own film review blog ... but the two negative reviews of "Pan Am" compelled me to put in my own two cents.
Too much in America, viewers want TV that doesn't make them think (one reason reality shows are so popular) - but even I was surprised by the negative review here that was partially due to the multiple story lines for the "Pan Am". I was easily able to follow all the story lines and characters, and thought the show captured the period (via costumes, music, props, etc.) MUCH better than, say, something like "The Playboy Club". So, SO many people are obsessed or intrigued by the 1960s era, it's a real shame the reviewer who naively put this show down to appealing only to those who go to bed by 10pm was completely clueless that this series has a broad-based appeal for all ages, thanks to story lines and character.
And how, from one pilot episode, can one reviewer make the judgment that this would make a better miniseries? "Pam Am" is excellent in writing, acting, characterization and settling you right into 1963. Worth your time, and I hope following episodes can continue with this quality.
Too much in America, viewers want TV that doesn't make them think (one reason reality shows are so popular) - but even I was surprised by the negative review here that was partially due to the multiple story lines for the "Pan Am". I was easily able to follow all the story lines and characters, and thought the show captured the period (via costumes, music, props, etc.) MUCH better than, say, something like "The Playboy Club". So, SO many people are obsessed or intrigued by the 1960s era, it's a real shame the reviewer who naively put this show down to appealing only to those who go to bed by 10pm was completely clueless that this series has a broad-based appeal for all ages, thanks to story lines and character.
And how, from one pilot episode, can one reviewer make the judgment that this would make a better miniseries? "Pam Am" is excellent in writing, acting, characterization and settling you right into 1963. Worth your time, and I hope following episodes can continue with this quality.
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