pendrell-2 Reviews

Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981)

A good sequel with not much replay value

[6/10 · 9 January 2000]

I have to say first off that when I first saw this I was very young and it scared me good. The film has a great opening sequence, and a great finale (almost all the best scenes are in the final third of the film. The main problem with this friday is that it is pretty much humourless (Humour being the only way to entertain until Jason arrives). Without humour the characters are just the boring, badly acted, cardboard characters they are destined to be. Jason makes a great debut in this one. In this he is more of a really strong man than a unkillable monster. I liked that and also Steve Miners direction is really good for these kinds of films, he is always selling you the movie every scene through and the final third of the film see's him pull out all the best sequences (This movie has some of the best sequences in the whole series). Amy Steel makes the best friday heroine. She really makes this movie very enjoyable when she is on screen. So with the best heroine and the debut of Jason, the only thing holding this movie back is the script (even more so than most friday films). It contains no good characters (Amy Steel excepted) and it is basically dull and humourless. The plotting is also flawed, with there being basically no action till the final third of the film and little build up before it. Having said that this is still enjoyable first time round. Overall i give this friday a 6.

Friday the 13th (1980)

Graphic Shocker that started a genre

[7/10 · 5 January 2000]

Here it is. Friday the 13th, infamous to all children of the 80's. i saw this film when I was only 13. I had never seen a movie before in which you actually saw people get graphically murdered. It shocked me. There was no gun shot and then they fall over, in this movie they get stabbed through the neck, and then BLOOD comes pouring out. Terrific. I was terrified and when the unforgettable finale occurred and finished. I could feel my heart physically thumping against my chest. Then they hit me with one final scare (something which still gets me to this day), ended, and there I lay scared, thrilled and in utter euphoria. Horror movies I believe are one of the two best genre's there are (the other being drama). Although Friday the 13th is not one of the best examples of how good horror can be. It is a great film to watch when you are young and to watch the whole series from 1-9 is almost a rites of passage for every teenager (or film buff). The story is simple. A group of young people set up a holiday camp only to all get killed by a deranged lunatic. Its derivative now, but it was the first (Halloween is not a slasher film, its a proper terror movie) to do this kind of film. I have seen it since and time does not do it good. But I still love it and enjoy watching it. Dont expect a film classic. But if you like horror, watch this film and enjoy what it is. On a final note *spoiler coming up* I really did think Betsy Palmer was terrific in this. She was electric in the end scenes and it was so much better to have someone who was actually just a person who had gone crazy. I gave friday the 13th a 7.

Maniac Cop (1988)

Great premise and some very dark humour. WARNING *Spoilers* inside

[7/10 · 2 January 2000]

Maniac Cop. The plot. A maniac policeman is walking the streets of New York, killing at random. This excellent premise for a horror film is given good treatment by director William Lustig and scriptor Larry Cohen (who has been involved with many good horror films). *Spoilers* The opening of a policeman equiping himself for duty is a great opening and sets the tone nicely. The reasons for the maniac cops killings are explained, and Bruce Campbell and Tom Atkins turn in two very nice performances. The film begins with a woman being attacked by muggers and running for a policeman. Big mistake. She is killed and the muggers are arrested for her murder. They say it was a cop and Tom Atkins believes them. Unfortunately the Mayor thinks he is a bit crazy. Bruce Campbells a normal cop who has marrige trouble's (his wife thinks he is the maniac cop) and after his wifes murder he is set up as the culprit for all the murders the the police chief. I won't say any more about the plot except to say the ending is a bit of a dissapointment. The dialogue is good and often very funny (intentionally), and as usual Larry provides some social commentry through the use of social icons being twisted around. The music in this film is great and Jay Chattaway really has shown a good hand for being able to score horror movies. Overall I would say that Maniac Cop will give a horror fan their fill without being too spectacular and with an open mind the average movie goer may find it worth watching if they don't know what to watch. My score 7/10 Because I'm a big fan of horror.

Carrington (1995)

Brilliant Drama, about love and suffering

[10/10 · 31 December 1999]

This is possibly the best character study made in their last ten years. Taken from a biography of Lytton. This tells an emotionally complete tale of Dora Carrington and her love for Lytton. There is great drama here right from the start. Lytton is a homosexual writer who fancys young men. Dora is a painter who does not want to sleep with her "friend", because she believes its just for the physical (Which the film later shows to be true). Initially Dora is put off by Lytton (as is the viewer) but later as she says to him, She is burdened by one of the most self abasing loves for him. He also in turn loves her. But as he states they can do nothing about sleeping together. This is the contrast which is kept up throughout the whole film. All of Carringtons lovers physically love her body, and one of them even loves her (in a selfish way). But Lytton and Carrington love each other without sex, and their love is the strongest. As with the best Drama's, the character development never stops the whole way through. Each character is so well drawn and acted (Special credit must go to Emma Thompson and Jonathon Pryce, although the rest of the cast is also good) that you know how they are feeling even when it is not directly said or implemented. there is spoken and unspoken conflict in every scene. The two main characters are already in conflict while being in love. She loves him and he loves her but he is only attracted by men. Great drama manages to have conflict in every scene, and this one does. Great music from Micheal Nyman manages to capture the sentiments of this film especially well. So many more things could be said about the excellent narrative structure and lovely cinematography. But to be safe I will simply keep with my opening line. See Carrington. It does not pander to the audiences or ever become exploitational. It is a rare movie where the climax to the film is so fitting that you really can feel the emotion involved in these final frames. This is a film not to be missed.

Blade (1998)

A bad case of glorifying Genocide

[3/10 · 25 December 1999]

Here is a film called BLADE. The story follows as such. A woman is bitten by a vampire and is pregnant. She is rushed to hospital where her son is saved and grows up to be Blade. He is a half vampire who goes around killing all sorts of vampires and vampires lackeys, meanwhile trying to find a better serum to contain his vampiric tendencies. He has a older mentor (played by Kris Kristofferson) who makes all his weapons for him, a female sidekick who he rescued and is now confronted by an evil vampire called played by stephen dorff. Who wishes to bring about the end of the world and *spoiler* needs Blades blood to do it. I was given this film for Christmas and was willing to give it a go, as I love movies of all types and have always loved the driven hero action films. When the film opens up with a techno dance scene involving sprinklers with blood I thought I would be in for a treat. I was wrong after this scene which kicks things off really well, everyone shows their true natures. Kristofferson has forgotten how to act, and it feels like you have seen a better version of him in many other movies. Wesley Snipes doesnt get past his costume or his first scene. A one note performance all throughout the film. He isnt even cool as an action hero (Batman, Bruce Lee) and doesnt have that driven desire for revenge (Conan, Robocop, Crow) to make you want him to attack the baddies and watching the movie it is obvious that if he didnt have vampires to kill he wouldnt have anything else to do. Thats all there is to his Character. The vampires are not evil and nasty or even very stylish. They are just the chosen form for the hero to go up against. Dont get me wrong I love action movies and mindless films. But this was missing all that makes action films great. The details that good movies always know about and have. That is a driving motivation for the lead character, a reason to relate to them and root for them as they kill the enemy. It also needs an understanding of action movies. The metaphor (not a deep one) for action films is that good will triumph over evil. This film doesnt have it.

This film is just a showcase for violence. Why do you go for Blade??? Because he is seeking revenge for a tortured past??? NO Because he is driven by a moral obligation to make the world better??? No. Its because he has a cool jacket and sunglasses, and knows martial arts. The violence in this film is not intense or graphic. Or even disturbing/unsettling in the least. What it is, is frequent and empty. To boil it all down the plot is. One man attempting to kill a whole race because he knows they are evil and should be killed. Not being subtle but I think Hitler thought the same way. Without any motivation for the violence it just becomes a way for the filmakers to entertain you. While the editing in this film is great, and the cinematography is being inventive, in the end it is just a director who does not understand the genre he is doing and isnt good enough to break out a new one. The script is predictable and doesnt even get "The Heroes Journey" right. The dialogue is aweful and stilted and wiith all this considered the only way left for the main characters to express what they are like is through their acts of violence!!! Blade is a cool good guy because he has a cool sword and does flashy martial arts. Robocop was also violent but the main character had a personality and you know he wouldnt want to kill anyone if the bad guys hadnt killed him and werent trying to destroy the city. Blase likes killing vampires, he likes killing people who align themselves with vampires. He trains so he can beat up vampire servants real good. The main point of this film is to show Violence (and possibly genocide) in a cool and fashionable way without any motivation behind it. Senseless violence for a pointless movie. What I am trying to say is that violence in films can be justified (and good) but this is just a showcase for violence as entertainment, Dont watch Blade. Its bad. Even the special effects are about as unimpressive as you could get!!!

Fade to Black (1980)

A sad Character study of a young man who loses touch with reality

[7/10 · 20 December 1999]

There are three types of horror films 1.the scary horror film (designed as you would think to scare you. 2.The black comedy (Its meant to be funny, but not everyone will find this true. Third and last are the dramatic horror films, they play like a drama film except they are much darker and usually have something to do with mental illnesses. This movie is of the third kind, It is a sad character study of a young man called Eric who spends all his time watching movies and finding out trivia about them. He has no apparent friends and he lives with his wheelchair bound aunt, who really is at odds with him. The film is very original and has a incredible lead performance from the actor playing Eric. They cops on the other hand are all really badly done, I just couldnt wait till they left the screen and every time they appeared again I grimly waited for there departure. Most of the other actors do quite a good job in this film and it also sports a young Mickey Rouke in what I think was his first film role. I would recommend this film only to horror fans, The film references, the characters and the direction are all tuned to giving any horror fan a good time for their money. Its not for everyone. But thats what I liked about it.

Sisters (1972)

A fantastically disturbing film, not to be miised

[9/10 · 19 December 1999]

Wow, Ive just finished watching this film and simply cannot believe what I have seen. This is a supremely distubing film with terrific direction and great performances all round. I dont want to say anything about the plot for fear of hurting another persons enjoyment of it if they happen to watch it. When I say disturbing, I mean Disturbing. I have seen more horror movies than anyone I know and it takes something pretty special to make me feel uncomfortable but this movie did it. I urge all horror fans out there, go see this film. Although Carrie is still my favourite. Sisters may just be Brian De Palma's best film ever, with excellent visually absorbing direction. No more needs to be said, find this film. Wait till your by yourself and then watch it, and feel the horror crawl into your mind.

Highlander (1986)

The lost art of great cinema heroism. There was only ever one

[8/10 · 18 December 1999]

What to say about this movie. I personally think this film is a must see. Some movies exist in a place of their own, removed from the usual kind of films you watch. They make a world inside themselves and you either go with it or stand back and make pretenses to superiority. The storyline is a great one. A group of immortals are located around the earth and one day they shall all be summoned together to fight for something only known as "The Prize". A wonderful chance for many different types of situations. Many of which are explored in a quite commendable screenplay. These situations range from the dramatic to the humourous and never once sinking the film into bedlam. All the actors are great, with the one exception of Connors modern day love interest (she really annoyed beyond all reason). Christopher Lambert and Sean Connery both created two truly likeable heros (Lambert especially). Clancy Brown went right over the top with his portrayal of the "Kurgan" and last of all a special a special mention must go to the actress who played Connors main love interest who died. Her scenes with him gave a real emotional centre to the film and created a real driving motivation to feel for these characters. The direction by Russell Mucahly was inventive and in the end really makes this film into the timeless classic it is. It may throw some people off but it gives the film that distinction from the norm that helps to keep it in your memory. the soundtrack is great with a memorable main theme by Micheal Kamen and Queen songs. The cinematography wonderfully captures the scottish highlands and helps give the film that grand romantic look of an epic. This film should be studied by hollywood who really have forgotten how to create great cinema, and the lost art of cinematic spectacle. In summing up a great film which should be enjoyed by all who love great fantasy pictures.