By Jason Rugaard | Wednesday, August 25th, 2010
3 1/2 Stars
Aleandre Aja homage to the Roger Corman B movie and 80’s underwater ‘Creature Feature’ is a cheerfully distasteful and pitch perfect horror comedy. With some of the best use of 3D this side of ‘Avatar’. Pic starts out with an attack on a lonely fisherman, played by Richard Dreyfuss in a knowing nod to Spielberg’s classic. In fact the basic plot is very similar to the Original ‘Jaws’, sea creatures attack horny teenagers during spring-break at sleepy lake town in Arizona. Elisabeth Shue is the town sheriff who discovers the washed up bodies of early victims and – Continue reading…
By Jason Rugaard | Thursday, June 3rd, 2010
3 Stars
Adrien Brody and Sarah Polley are geneticists and lovers overseeing the creation of a new life form in director Vincenzo Natali’s latest sci-fi/horror hybrid. Not content with the progress they’ve made in their research before corporate backers have decided to stop funding, Polley mixes in human DNA and creates a living creature. At a rapidly accelerated growth rate it goes from arm- less beast with tail stinger to something that resembles a bizarrely attractive female humanoid. The film is beautifully shot and the special effects by Robert Munroe are unsettling and astoundingly effective. Its a tribute – Continue reading…
A Nightmare On Elm Street (2010) – Review
By Jason Rugaard | Friday, April 30th, 2010
3 Stars
The updated version of Wes Craven’s classic 1984 horror film is a satisfying trip back to Elm St.. Working from a fairly faithful screenplay by writers Wesley Strick and Eric Heisserer, director Samuel Bayer and producer Michael Bay have given the picture a glossy look and a few hallucinatory dream-scapes that are beautifully eerie. The return of Freddy Kruger is handled nicely by veteran actor Jackie Earle Haley, his version of the iconic villain is less camp more creepy pedophile. Wherein lies my biggest problem with the film, I missed the sense of wicked mischief that was – Continue reading…
Deadfall Trail (2009) – Review
By Trevor Anderson | Wednesday, March 24th, 2010
3 Stars
Deadfall Trail breaks the current low budget mold and brings back the good old days of 1990’s indie flicks. Director Roze has created one hell of a calling card with this film. Granted Deadfall Trail was shot on video (Red camera, if you can really count that as video), and in most instances there is a dead giveaway to that, although the picture quality and lighting are stunning. Cinematographer Tari Segal has captured the wilderness in such a way that you feel as if you’re there. This isn’t a movie filmed on a soundstage, but in the mountains – Continue reading…
By Jason Rugaard | Sunday, February 28th, 2010
2 1/2 Stars
An atmospheric look and clever use of lighting and sound design elevate an uninspired script by Andrew Kevin Walker and David Self. Director Joe Johnston keeps the narrative moving along at a brisk pace. However the gratuitous violence sometimes depicted as cartoonish and other times gruesomely realistic, rob the film of any consistent tone. Benicio Del Toro is mis-cast as an English heir who is bitten by the Wolf and quickly begins transforming into a night creature himself. Anthony Hopkins seems to be the only one in on the joke playing his character (appropriately) in the vein – Continue reading…
Jennifer’s Body (2009) – Review
By Trevor Anderson | Wednesday, February 24th, 2010
1 Star
Everyone loved the dialogue from Juno, but Diablo Cody’s cheap Joss Whedon wannabe talk is never at its worst than in Jennifer’s Body. Hats off to casting Megan Fox though, who’s vapid personality actually suites Cody’s words. There are some choice lines spoken by Fox’s character in the film, but they are lost in an ocean of bad ones. Never really funny, scary or just plain entertaining, this movie is a complete mess. Although I will admit the basic idea is quite intriguing. What would happen if you tried to sacrifice a virgin to the devil to gain – Continue reading…
By Trevor Anderson | Saturday, February 6th, 2010
3 1/2 Stars
Zombieland is pure fun for any zombie movie lover out there. From the rules of staying alive told to us by our timid hero Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg), or Tallahassee’s (Woodie Harrelson) insane appetite for zombie killing, this movie delivers both action and laughs. Jesse Eisenberg does a better version of Michael Cera than Michael Cera. Woodie Harrelson is both tough and lovable. The chemistry between these two on the screen really brings this film to life. Rounding out the cast is Emma Stone and Abigail Breslin as sisters who give these guys a reason to keep on – Continue reading…
Paranormal Activity (2009) – Review
By Jason Rugaard | Monday, February 1st, 2010
3 Stars
Kate (Featherston) and Micah (Sloat) are a young couple living together for the first time only to discover that an unwanted presence appears nightly. The sleeper hit of fall 2009 divided audiences upon its theatrical release. Those who were unnerved by the atmospheric tone and palpable sense of impending dread, and others who felt the ‘Blair Witch’ style storytelling and amateurish acting was laughable. Admittedly this ultra-low budget film is essentially just another entry into the haunted house genera, yet it’s an especially effective example. Slam-Bang ending is the biggest ‘Jump’ moment, in an otherwise quietly evocative thriller.
Director: – Continue reading…
Rajan: i am sure a certain harrison ford will equal that record. Stallone becomes 1st Movie Star to Headline #1 Openings in last 5 Decades – News