Review Dream House (2011)
genre:thriller
Dream House is one of those movies the least you know about it the better the experience will be.As for most thriller and horror movies made these days the
people who are making the trailers completely disregard the ethics when it comes to revealing spoilers.Dream House had such a trailer.And it completely ruins the movie since it is essential for the buildup.Not to say that Dream House has nothing else to offer.It does only the rest is rather bland compared to the big reveal halfway through.Luckily I am one of the few who had not seen the trailer and found myself enjoying the movie.I can't stress enough that people who want to experience movies as they are meant to should avoid trailers or forums and better stick to (spoiler free) reviews on the net. But the fact that I enjoyed the movie does not mean it is without flaws.Apart from the suspense until the important reveal one of the biggest flaws is the lack of other thrills or scary moments. Forget the fact that Dream House is not a haunted house movie.There could have been scenes to emphasize the atmosphere of the house or used as red herrings to suggest or hint that things aren't what they seem just to throw the viewer off guard.It would have enhanced the viewing experience considerably.Especially for avid fans of the genre like me since a lot of plot elements in the movie can be predicted early on.I don't mind cliche as long as it is backed up by some creativity combining these to done to death elements.It doesn't help that the pace also is too slow at times.But having said that most of these flaws are compensated by decent acting on part of Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz. Overall Dream House has just enough to offer if you aren't too critical.A movie to save for those rainy days or when nothing is on.
Review Night Visitor (1989)
genre:thriller
Take a little Rear Window,add a sample of Fright Night,mix it with some satanism and serial killer stuff in a Boy cried Wolf like story and I just described Night Visitor to you.One of the things I have noticed that needs to be adressed at once is the fact that Night Visitor even with a somewhat unlikely plot is being advertised as a horror comedy.And it's not.While some situations may come across as comedic to some most of the events are meant to be taken serious.The acting is solid throughout.And the main characters are very likable.The direction is a bit sloppy but the tension and suspense remain once it starts.That being said the suspense is much lighter than that of Fright Night for example.But there is enough that makes you want to root for Billy Colton our main character.Since the villains are particularly nasty and creepy.
Delightful little thriller!
Review Get The Gringo
a.k.a. How I spent my
summer vacation (2012)
genre:action,drama
"el pueblecito" -- the little village inside the walls
What may come across as fiction or mockery seems to be more real than you think.The unique prison system featured in Get the Gringo is based on an actual penitentiary named La Mesa prison in Tijuana that existed until 2002,the year they decided it gotten out of hand and demolished it..And that is quite astonishing to say the least.Because my initial reaction to the village (including shops,women and children) within a prison was that of non belief.I really thought it was pure fiction.So our main character played by Mel Gibson (for the most part nameless) who at a certain time does say his name is Reginald T. Barnes ends up in this prison after he fails to escape from both the Mexican and the American police.At this point we get the impression that Reginald is not the smartest criminal around. However this seems to be more a case of bad luck then not having the wits since soon after we get to see what Reginald is all about.We will get to see a ruthless and relentless man that apparently has compassion. Which he shows for this 9 year old boy he befriends.On an artistic level this is not a groundbreaking or challenging role for him.It simply is the Mel Gibson we know from before he got infamous.And I must say it was very rewarding to seem him do his stuff.Add to that a wonderful supporting cast,solid action and humor and you know you can't go wrong with this one.But while the movie is very enjoyable it isn't extraordinary and does have this Direct to DVD feel to it.Not a problem for me personally.Just mentioning since for some it could be a deal breaker.Overall this is a Mel Gibson actioner that definitely is worth watching.
Review Gone (2012)
genre:thriller
Gone already is an underrated thriller.The reviews would have you believe this is an awful movie while in truth this a thoroughly enjoyable movie if you give it a chance. So it's not Hitchcock or David Fincher.But it does succeed in caring for the main character and her quest.Which is to find her sister who suddenly disappeared without leaving a single message. Our main character Amanda Seyfried is the only one who is certain her sister is abducted.No one else (including the police) believes anything she says. For which they do have a good reason.And this does add to the suspense. Now I personally am also looking for brilliant on your edge seat thrillers as many as possible.But those are relative hard to find.Let's face it.It's hard to come up with stories so creative and surprising that haven't been done before. Which is one of the reasons I go retro and watch everything I have skipped on.Or look for movies like this one that get trashed by reviewers for being average or even bad.Because sometimes those are the ones that do what I want them to do or surprise me the most.In this case there won't be original twists or turns.But my attention was grabbed from start till finish. Which I can't say for a lot of contemporary movies I have seen.I do think that when it comes to thrillers or horrors one has to be able to suspend disbelief and follow the logic or rules of the universe in that movie.Which is not always that easy.Gone however doesn't go over the top that the events are that inconceivable. Of course there are moments that have you thinking."Wait a minute! Tell me that did not just happen". Like the masters of horror and thrillers weren't guilty of that.Guess what,those are the moments that I like the most when pulled of right.Gone is filled with those moments and gets away with it in large part because of the very lovable Amanda.That doesn't mean I agreed with all the logic of the story and the character.It simply means I was able to overlook them and got rewarded for doing so. Give it a chance!
Review The Deadly Duo
a.k.a. Shuang xia (1971)
genre:martial arts,wuxia
The Deadly Duo is with right to be called a kungfu classic.So what is it that makes this one stand out.Ti Lung,David Chiang,Bolo Yeung for starters.But mostly because this Shaw Brothers production delivers almost non stop action.And everything is in function of that action.It's fast paced and doesn't waste a minute of celluloid. Like it should. No comic relief (at least intentionally),not too much drama,simply heroic stuff and lots of fighting.If there is one point of criticism that could be made is the lack of one on one battles.But seriously how can one on one battles be more awesome then two men fighting hundreds and hundreds of men that keep coming and coming.One to watch!
Old school House (a little deep and progressive).Videoclip contains footage from No,No,Nanette (1940) and Second Chorus (1940) considered to be public domain.
Review Cold Blooded Beast
a.k.a. Slaughter Hotel
a.k.a. Asylum Erotica (1971)
genre:giallo,softcore
Sleazy is an understatement.I was not expecting this.Most giallo's never shy away from boobs,bottoms and occasional full frontal nudity.But here we are treated to them in full galore. Lines are almost crossed (although very quick and briefly) between hardcore and softcore porn where we can see glimpses of pink flesh.That surely must be a rare affair.And I loved it.Too bad though that the rest of Cold Blooded Beast is rather slow and dull.The start looked promising.Everything was setup nicely and at first I really was fascinated with the characters.However these characters never really come to life and mainly the female ones are restricted to actions of sexual nature.Klaus Kinski is present only in a rather insignificant role.So what about the killer? Yes,there is a killer walking around,slowly,limping but very deadly.For each kill he uses a different weapon. The weapons are conveniently placed in some medieval collection which might not have been the smartest thing to do in a "nut house".Our killer throughout the movie is quite slow and illogical.Therefore it was rather hilarious to see this killer running so fast and suddenly being very effective and efficient murdering any one on his path while fleeing. Talk about psycho. Even with the best intentions and proper preparation Cold Blooded Beast will disappoint.But there are stand out moments that might be worth checking out when in the right mood.
