Continuing my theme of movies with colons in their titles, Tales from the Crypt: Ritual was an interesting horror/thriller with surprises and some horrific scenes that involved the tightened closing of my eyes. This film, starring Tim Curry, Jennifer Grey, and Craig Sheffer, was supposed to be part of the anthology of Tales of the Crypt movies but was marketed as its own independent film and later released in its rightful place of Tales of the Crypt Horrors.
This film follows a Dr. who, after having her license revoked, receives a job in Jamaica tending to a man with a type of brain tumor that is difficult to pronounce. (What medical condition isn't?) The patient believes he is haunted by some evil force brought on my local voodoo and that is causing his hallucinations and erratic behavior.
Like other horror films, there are characters that you know are going to die some horrible death. And like other films certain elements are predictable. However, what makes this horror/thriller a relative success (in my mind) is that there are still fresh elements of surprise that keep you on the edge of your seat and makes you wish you drank less before sitting down to watch it. I speak as though I am a connoisseur of Horror flicks, but am not. This genre is at the lower end of my preference list.
Another thing that made this movie enjoyable were the limitations or selected moments of gore. Gore is the main reason I typically dislike Horror flicks. Even though I know the blood is fake and the skin slapping against the wall isn't actual human flesh, I still have little stomach for it. This movie had "those" scenes but was more focused of mystery and suspense as the mode of storytelling.
Technically speaking, the special effects (the bread and butter of horror films) was pretty good when my eyes were open. The transitions were quick and seamless to prohibit audience members boredom and disinterest. Likewise, the acting was pretty good. A few supporting actors could probably stand to be coached on the Jamaican dialect, but were still watchable.
Ultimately, I would give this a 3.75 out of 5 stars. The ending brought the story full circle and left me satisfied, or I would have just given it a 3 star rating. (Take note Hollywood) I was also disappointed that the scary looking skeleton puppet thing didn't appear at any time. not even in the credits. I mena he is an icon of the Crypt franchise, but alas, I will survive.
Monday, August 27, 2012
Xanadu: The Musical [Review]
Do you remember skating arenas? I do. I loved skating around to the loud catchy tunes and flashing lights of my hometown arena.Though, I never did master the whole skating backwards thing. If you share in my nostalgic sentiment then Xanadu, staring Olivia Newton John, Gene Kelly, and Micheal Beck, might be a worthwhile treat for you to watch.
Directed by Robert Greenwald, Xanadu's plot involves a down on his luck graphic artist (Beck) meeting a muse (Newton John) who inspires him to open up a club/ roller skating arena. However, they fall in love and are forbidden to be together (since she's a muse and he is a mortal). Yep, this is the big conflict of the film.
This film, set and recorded in the 80's offer a look back at the big hair and leotards that left their mark on the decade. The cast plays their respective roles well. Gene Kelly, dance legend extraordinaire, is amazing as the would be owner of Xanadu. I waited anxiously for the time when he would dance/tap. Its like watching a Julia Roberts moving waiting for her big teeth smile and laugh. Audience members have their expectations. Getting back to Gene; he tapped as gracefully and agile as ever along side Olivia Newton John. Olivia, who originally hails from Australia, did little to mask her accent. But it worked since she was this mysterious muse.
The transitions and film angles seemed in keeping with the theme of a roller skating movie. That is glowing lights were used to outline the actors as various intervals and the transitions, which were cool at the time, remind me of the trial version of Powerpoint 1997. (A bit of a back handed compliment if ever there was one)
Ultimately, musicals are meant to entertain and make you feel good. Which this movie did. Thankfully, the cheesiness normally associated with musicals was minimized in characterization and just seemed more amplified in the "lets find something glitzy for Gene Kelly to put on" scene. I would give this film a 4 out of 5 stars. (this is based on the fact that its production value was much higher 20+ years ago and that it had Gene Kelly in it) Now to go buy some skates.
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Wallace and Gromit: Loaf and Death [Review]
This quaint little Brittish clay-mation import hearkens to days of animation using only clay figures. Other clay mation films are most popular around Christmas time with the likes of Rudolph, Frosty, Jack Frost, and The Little Drummer boy. The painstaking detail of capturing each movement as a still and then stringing them together in an animated sequence is remarkable to say the least. This installment within the series, Wallace and Gromit: Loaf and Death, stars the voice talents of Peter Sallis and is directed by Nick Park.
The basic plot of this film is following the mysterious murders of 12 local bakers, Gromit (Wallace's Dog) finds himself suspicious of the new love interest known previously as the Bake-O-Lite Girl and seeks to investigate her. Wallace being the ever naive and unassuming baker/inventor knows only that he is in love.
When watching any film one has certain assumptions and aspirations of what will happen. This film, though totally different from what I normally watch, still left me thinking "What do I want to happen?" My answer was one of a happy ending. All to often films seek out shocking endings that leave audience members ultimately dissatisfied. This film did not. The pudgy figures march their way right along the simple plot filled with some dramatic moments and a few iconic British tongue in cheek periods.
As mentioned before clay-mation is a remarkable style of film making. It requires the film creators to be concise and not have unnecessary scenes that don't serve the plot. It demands that only movements that are crucial to the story being told should be done. Though, film making now is more easily completed using computers, it is still painstaking work. I actually noticed a few times when I could see finger prints in the clay and they seemed to move along with the figure.
If rating this film on a 5 star system I would definitely give it a 4.5 at least. It's a cute little story with an endearing style of telling it. It is family friendly and not long at all clocking in at 29minutes. Though it is a film in a series, I didn't feel as though I was missing out on anything by not viewing the other films in the series.
The basic plot of this film is following the mysterious murders of 12 local bakers, Gromit (Wallace's Dog) finds himself suspicious of the new love interest known previously as the Bake-O-Lite Girl and seeks to investigate her. Wallace being the ever naive and unassuming baker/inventor knows only that he is in love.
When watching any film one has certain assumptions and aspirations of what will happen. This film, though totally different from what I normally watch, still left me thinking "What do I want to happen?" My answer was one of a happy ending. All to often films seek out shocking endings that leave audience members ultimately dissatisfied. This film did not. The pudgy figures march their way right along the simple plot filled with some dramatic moments and a few iconic British tongue in cheek periods.
As mentioned before clay-mation is a remarkable style of film making. It requires the film creators to be concise and not have unnecessary scenes that don't serve the plot. It demands that only movements that are crucial to the story being told should be done. Though, film making now is more easily completed using computers, it is still painstaking work. I actually noticed a few times when I could see finger prints in the clay and they seemed to move along with the figure.
If rating this film on a 5 star system I would definitely give it a 4.5 at least. It's a cute little story with an endearing style of telling it. It is family friendly and not long at all clocking in at 29minutes. Though it is a film in a series, I didn't feel as though I was missing out on anything by not viewing the other films in the series.
Monday, August 20, 2012
Media Survey
Media is all around us seeking to influence us. At times it can seem very entertaining and have a subtle message. Others are overt and practically scream their message. Over the past week I have logged my "media exposure" and will discuss it below.
I also found it interesting that websites themselves have advertisements in the forms of banners and links. Everyone is striving for business and to promote their opinion,service, or product. Even while working on Wednesday, I encountered a lot of ads. My job requires we use an online scheduling system. Along the sides and bottom of the webpage are constantly changing banners and ads.
As mentioned I don't have cable. I do a lot of entertainment viewing on Hulu, Netflix, and Youtube. Hulu and Youtube have really been pushing for commercials prior to video viewing. Their services are free after all and require some way of generating revenue. The interesting thing though is the lack of correlation that one ad will have with the video being viewed.
Ultimately, advertisements seek to inform people of what is available or what others think. Charities and political organizations have been promoting themselves respectively. I myself am looking for ways to promote a small business venture. In an almost completely networked world, where might we find ourselves in the next few years? Only time will tell. Wanna buy a costume from me?
- Saturday: Piddled on facebook for 2 hrs. (games, chat, etc.)
- Worked on Business Website for 2hrs.
- Sunday:Piddled on facebook for 2 hrs. (games, chat, etc.)
- Monday: Piddled on facebook for 2 hrs. (chat)
- Listened to Pandora online radio- 1 hr.
- Worked on Business Website for 1hr.
- Was on Youtube for 2 hrs.
- Listened to car radio on way home. (NPR)
- Tuesday: You tubed this morning for about 30minutes
- Piddled on facebook for 1 hr. (chat)
- Listened to the radio on my way to school (NPR)
- Also saw several billboards.
- Wednesday: Work Online (Banners)- 7hrs
- Thursday: Youtubed 3 hrs (researching)
- Friday: Listened to car Radio- 1hr
I also found it interesting that websites themselves have advertisements in the forms of banners and links. Everyone is striving for business and to promote their opinion,service, or product. Even while working on Wednesday, I encountered a lot of ads. My job requires we use an online scheduling system. Along the sides and bottom of the webpage are constantly changing banners and ads.
As mentioned I don't have cable. I do a lot of entertainment viewing on Hulu, Netflix, and Youtube. Hulu and Youtube have really been pushing for commercials prior to video viewing. Their services are free after all and require some way of generating revenue. The interesting thing though is the lack of correlation that one ad will have with the video being viewed.
Ultimately, advertisements seek to inform people of what is available or what others think. Charities and political organizations have been promoting themselves respectively. I myself am looking for ways to promote a small business venture. In an almost completely networked world, where might we find ourselves in the next few years? Only time will tell. Wanna buy a costume from me?
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