10.7.2010 | By Jack Rico |
How does one recommend a torture film to women? What does one say? “Dear, you’ll love that scene where five men rape a woman silly?” Obviously not, but as a critic, one hopes that the female in question is one whose tastes in macabre films entertain her. For those who are sensitive to bloody images, this review is irrelevant to you. Read More
10.5.2010 | By Jack Rico |
Rated: R for strong bloody horror violence, disturbing images, terror and language.
Release Date: 2010-04-30
Starring: Wesley Strick, Eric Heisserer
Director(s):
Distributor:
Film Genre:
Country:USA
Official Website: http://www.nightmareonelmstreet.com/
If anyone remembers the original ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’ from 1984, you’ll most likely remember how scary it was. Not the case with this vapid, inconsequential remake. Like Rob Zombie’s Halloween, this film is part prequel, part remake. This re-imagining of the horror icon Freddy Krueger, a serial-killer who wields a glove with four blades embedded in the fingers and kills people in their dreams, resulting in their real death in reality, is bland and absent of the fright the original possessed.
The reason this version doesn’t work is mostly due to miscasting. Jackie Earle Haley is too small and frail for the part, in contrast to Robert Englund’s lanky, slim frame. Haley looks like the “classic” Freddy in silhouette, but the illusion disappears in close-up. His make up appears vaguely reptilian, like an old guy with a bad skin condition. I’m not going to get too in depth with this, but know that Haley isn’t scaring anybody.
For those of you that love the Krueger and are curious to see for yourself how unscary this new Nightmare is, go ahead and watch it. It’s fate should’ve been the DVD shelves to begin with.
10.5.2010 | By Jack Rico |
Rated: R for disturbing elements including strong sexuality, nudity, sci-fi violence and language.
Release Date: 2010-06-04
Starring: Vincenzo Natali & Antoinette Terry Bryant
Director(s):
Distributor:
Film Genre:
Country:USA
Official Website: http://www.splicethefilm.com/
‘Splice,’ is in this critic’s opinion, one of the worst, if not arguably the worst movie of 2010. There are so many wrong things with it on so many levels I don’t even know where to begin. Actually, I do know where to begin. Let’s start with the plotline that Warner Bros. has up on their press website for the film:
Superstar genetic engineers Clive (Adrien Brody) and Elsa (Sarah Polley) specialize in splicing DNA from different animals to create incredible new hybrids. Now they want to use human DNA in a hybrid that could revolutionize science and medicine. But when the pharmaceutical company that funds their research forbids it, Clive and Elsa secretly take their boldest experimentation underground — risking their careers by pushing the boundaries of science to serve their own curiosity and ambition. The result is Dren, an amazing, strangely beautiful creature of uncommon intelligence and an array of unexpected physical developments. At first, Dren (spelled ‘NERD’ backwards, wink, wink). exceeds their wildest dreams. But as she grows and learns at an accelerated rate, her existence threatens to become their worst nightmare.
The story sounds compelling and gripping, piquing ones interest of the outcome. Regrettably, when you finish experiencing this disjointed effort, the results are baffling and incomprehensible. There are numerous leaps of logic – instances when the protagonists act in a fashion that only characters in a comedy would. It’s as if the screenwriters wanted to hammer home how idiotic these scientists really are. Ultimately, our heroes actions in the second act are aberrations of consistent implausibilities.
The character of Elsa played by Sarah Polley is a vexing figure who is pigheaded, ambitious and arrogant. She’s not a likable character, you don’t root for her but rather against her. Her behavior towards volatile situations and tense moments are obtuse and supercilious. Brody on the other hand is cautious, correct in his ways, but eventually turns out to be a milksop of a man who lets his unstable woman take charge of critical situations and of his morals. The movie finally collapses when several Freudian occurrences transpire without any rhyme or reason. I can only describe them as some of the most preposterous, unlikely and outrageous twists I have seen in movies (‘Orphan’ by Spaniard director Jaume Collet-Serra comes a close second).
The fright horror we were putatively in for was diminished to only special effects editing and dimwitted risible scenes of absurdity, nothing more. Not once was I scared (unlike The Strangers or The House of The Devil recently). I kept placing my hands on my face, but in disbelief for the inanity unfolding before my very eyes. The trailer is patrly the culprit. It misleads us into expecting a flat out terror film full of suspense building sequences matched with high-intense graphics. Rather, it delivers a science fiction drama of the likes of Species, to be exact. Horror is only a secondary thought here.
Guillermo Del Toro served as a producer and did a descent job in creating Dren and most of the special effects with the budgets he was provided. Director Vincenzo Natali shot a beautifully dark and mysterious production that is visually appealing, but the payoff is painful not only to the viewing experience but to the pocket as well. If you can, stay away from this film, unless you want to see how bad it is. That sometimes happens to me too.
10.1.2010 | By Jack Rico |
For those who have not seen ‘Let the Right One In,’ you’ll like it’s Hollywood remake – ‘Let Me In.’ If you’ve already seen the Swedish original, this new version will feel choppy and uninteresting, only until the second half where it really picks up. Read More
09.29.2010 | By Jack Rico |
Although ‘The Social Network‘ isn’t a masterpiece, this film will undoubtedly be the film that defines our generation. Each decade had a film that captured the zeitgeist of the times such as ‘Saturday Night Fever‘ in the 70’s, ‘The Breakfast Club‘ in the 80’s and ‘Reality Bites‘ in the 90’s. ‘The Social Network’, based on the origins of Facebook.com, the popular global social network, possesses clever dialogue, entertaining performances, and a captivating and inspiring story that draws you in. Director David Fincher (The Curious Case of Benajmin Button, Fight Club, Panic Room) and writer Aaron Sorkin‘s brilliant script have created a biopic that will easily be nominated for several Oscars including Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Picture.
The plot is about the origins of Facebook, through conflicting viewpoints of two of the most intelligent young people who claim to have been there at the moment of its conception – Mark Zuckerberg and the Brazilian financier Eduardo Saverin. The result is a drama full of creation and destruction, intentionally avoiding having a single point of view. The characters are Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg), the brilliant Harvard student who designed a site that seemed to redefine the social fabric of our days overnight, Eduardo Saverin (Andrew Garfield), who used to be the best friend of Zuckerberg and provided the money to start the new company, the founder of Napster, Sean Parker (Justin Timberlake), who led Facebook to venture capitalists in Silicon Valley, and the Winklevoss twins (Armie Hammer) who claim that their idea was stolen are suing Zuckerberg for their intellectual property. But the chaos of creation leads to conflicting passions about how it all happened and who deserves recognition for what is clearly is the most important idea of the century. Tensions reign that divides friends and unleash legal action.
I must say that the real magic of the film does not come from the actors but from Fincher and screenwriter Sorkin. Fincher’s direction is refreshingly consistent. He has always been obsessed with antisocial and rebellious characters, but now, in mid-career, he has become more subtle, more eloquent in their arcs, both comic and tragic. Sorkin on the other hand, is a master of the written word. His script is smart, witty and absorbing. He made an impressive amount of research to get to the core of the story. He read legal statements, court documents, which offered the best possible material. The only thing that could be a detriment to the film is that it might have felt long in some parts.
Among the performances, actor Armie Hammer impressed. His role was a tough one. He played the Winklevoss twins – by himself (courtesy of special effects). Two of the best lines in the film, and perhaps of the year, were delivered by him. Another one that stands out is Jesse Eisenberg, who has undoubtedly done the best work of his career. His role as Zuckerberg – full of awkward moments, quick and extended philosophical monologues – was fierce, sad and brave. Basically, he gave us a soup of personalities and emotions that ultimately proved difficult to decipher – was Zuckerberg a hero or a villain?
Many are curious to know how things went with Justin Timberlake. I say this with all sincerity, he wasn’t so bad. The role fit him like a glove. His performance did not cause any kind of hysteria in the theater I saw it in – unlike his musical performances. His performance is modest at best, nothing to criticize.
Our new Spider-Man, Andrew Garfield, who played Eduardo Saverin, shows that has the acting chops to become an excellent actor for years to come.
I’m sure you’ll like ‘The Social Network’. Why? Because it moves quickly, no scene is wasted, the theme is current and compelling, the performances are magnetic and riveting and the dialogue is engrossing and unforgettable. What more do you want from a film!
09.24.2010 | By Jack Rico |
‘Buried’ is perhaps one of the most emotionally uncomfortable films you will see this year. The idea of walking out of the theater due to its inherent claustrophobic visuals might cross your mind, but try to stay to the end because it will extract an abstruse, if not, enraged reaction from you. You won’t recognize yourself after seeing the final scenes of this movie. You will be an emotionally wreck!
The premise is extremely intriguing. The very first frame has American truck driver, Paul Conroy (Ryan Reynolds), waking up in a coffin six feet underground in Irak. He’s in utter blackness, silence and barely able to breath, but he isn’t ready to die. But with no idea of who put him there or why, life for the family man instantly becomes a hellish struggle for survival. Buried with only a cell phone and a lighter, his contact with the outside world and ability to piece together clues that could help him discover his location are maddeningly limited. Poor reception, a rapidly draining battery, and a dwindling oxygen supply become his worst enemies in a tightly confined race against time. Fighting panic, despair and delirium, Paul Conroy has only ninety minutes to be rescued before his worst nightmare comes true.
It is rare in today’s Hollywood spectrum to see a film acted by only one person and Ryan Reynolds pulls it of brilliantly. He had a lot of help from Spanish director Rodrigo Cortés who provides constricted, suffocating shots that’ll make you cringe several times.
If Cortés and Reynolds set out to achieve a film that will stir up your emotions, then I must admit they did a masterful job. I left the screening speechless and unable to formulate or utter an immediate opinion on the film for days. The subtextual, inherently moral and political conflicts the film brings forth questions your very outlook of the world today. Buried is a visceral and powerful film that you will not be able to shake off long after you leave the theater. If that’s not the principal reason you go to the movies, then I don’t know what is.
The one moment where the credibility of the movie suffers is a snake scene that just seemed too random to take seriously. It was obviously inserted to prevent any monotony the pacing could have encountered.
Nevertheless, if Hitchcock were alive today, I truly do believe, he would have indulged in directing this film. I think Cortés and Reynolds pulled off a difficult film to entertain people with. Let’s now see if Danny Boyle’s version with James Franco, ‘127 Hours,’ is better!
09.21.2010 | By Jack Rico |
Rated: R for a rape scene, violent images, some graphic nudity and language.
Release Date: 2010-04-16
Starring: Juan José Campanella
Director(s):
Distributor:
Film Genre:
Country:Argentina
Official Website: http://www.elsecretodesusojos.com/
09.21.2010 | By Jack Rico |
Rated: PG-13 for violence including intense sequences of warfare, and some sexual content.
Release Date: 2010-05-14
Starring: Brian Helgeland
Director(s):
Distributor:
Film Genre:
Country:USA
Official Website: http://www.robinhoodthemovie.com/
The new adaptation of Robin Hood, directed by Ridley Scott (Alien, Blade Runner, Gladiator) and starring Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett hits the big screen after much anticipation and hype. Is this the definitive version to ever be done by Hollywood? Not by far, but it is a noble intent. This adaptation is a prequel, that is, an account of the origins of the green hero before he stole from the rich and helped the poor. The film has some fine moments but also lacks of a fresh new approach to an old story.
The plot begins with the death of King Richard of England (Danny Huston) and Robin Longstride (Crowe) traveling to Nottingham, a city that suffers from corruption and oppressive taxes from the sheriff, to start a new life. There, Robin falls in love with the widow Lady Marion (Blanchette), meets Friar Tuck (Mark Addy) and fights in the war against the French.
To be fair, I found the film to be entertaining and visually absorbing, but due to weak development of the story and shortcomings of some secondary characters, there were moments of confusion in several of its sequences. For example, for most of the film, I could not distinguish who were the British or the French, I couldn’t understand the dialogue very well at first due to the rough and the villains motives weren’t fleshed out properly.
However, if you’re looking to entertain yourself, any imperfections the film might have are put aside for the high level entertainment value. I particularly left satisfied enough to recommend it for a few reasons: one because Crowe and Blanchette are tremendous actors, second because the director Ridley Scott captured beautiful scenes, and third, the locations and details of the movie transport you to back to that period. Robin Hood is worth the watch.
Go to our film page
