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Reviews
The Shortcut (2009)
Nothing Special Here..
What can I say? It's a B-slasher flick with a pretty good cast and a weak plot. Really, the movie starts out very very weak. I was afraid it was going Disney horror on me. The script is really cheesy in the parts and the scares are so ridiculously stupid, it's not even worth laughing about. But as the film progresses the mood starts to change and the characters become more and more developed and the suspense starts to build. I really loved the character development here. I especially loved Mark (Dave Franco) who is really a funny, cowardly guy. He has some really funny back and forths with Lisa (Shannon Woodward) who is also very well developed and fun to watch. So overall, I liked the acting and characters. The plot was super weak. I didn't understand why in the world some random teenagers would care that much about going to that man's house. There reasoning was they wanted to know if that man was killing dogs. Well if he was, why wouldn't they just call higher authority to go check it out? Nope, they had to be on the case themselves. Which I suppose I can't fault since our little bleeders need a creepy place to get slashed away anyways. The deaths are all pretty well done, even though none of them are creative or gory in any way. It's very bland so I wouldn't recommend this to gore hounds.
The finale, which comes a bit too soon, is very predictable but it's still a nice little twist for this low-budget slasher. Even if it is a bit outlandish and confusing.
Overall, The Shortcut has it's moments, but overall it's an average B-slasher. Nothing more.
The Girl Next Door (2007)
Frighteningly realistic and it will leave you questioning the world we live in!
I don't really know where to start. I am still deeply disturbed and have been for days after seeing this film. I don't think a film has ever affected me so much.
"The Girl Next Door" is based on the true (yes TRUE events) story of a young girl named Meg and her sister Susan who move in with a foster mom after their parents are killed in an accident. The foster mom begins to abuse the girls and then singles out Meg and gets her kids and numerous kids in the neighborhood to abuse her. She is starved, raped, beaten, burnt, and many other horrible things. She is abused like this for 3 months until ultimately, she dies.
Meg is played by the sweet and innocent Blythe Auffarth. She is so charismatic and looks beautiful on screen. She plays Meg hauntingly well. Whether she's screaming, crying in despair, or just laying looking down right pathetic, she never loses the audience. You really want this girl to survive. You really want to kill the evil people doing this to her.
Which brings me to our main villain. Ruth Chandler. She is played by Blanche Baker who I HATED in this film. No, I didn't hate her acting. Her acting was amazing, which is why I hated her. She is vile, disgusting, evil, alcoholic, and she is the ring leader of the torment. You will absolutely HATE her and want to kill her yourself. I know I did.
The last person I want to point out is young David Morgan. He plays David Mache, who befriends Meg and even develops a crush on her. He starts to notice odd things about Ruth and the way she treats Meg. He begins to become uncomfortable with the situation, but he wasn't even ready for what was to come. When he first sees Meg tied up in the basement, he is horrified. Throughout the rest of the movie, he struggles with his own self, trying to distinguish wrong from right. He knows what is happening is so wrong but yet he can't seem to do anything about it. Well he tries to help Meg numerous times, but all are to no avail. You really want to grab him and shake him and say "JUST TELL SOMEONE!!" but of course you can't. And in the finale, he lays with Meg in one of the most heart-wrenching scenes I have ever seen. He lays with her and cries as she slowly dies after some words to hi. David Morgan really did a good job. I hope to see him in the future.
The main thing that disturbs me about this movie is the kids. It's so disturbing to me that kids so young and even older could commit such horrible acts. It really is a disturbing film and if you are easily disturbed please do not bother with this film. And it is based on a true story once again, which to think about only will lower your faith in humanity. Trust me, this is a super powerful film.
10 out of 10 stars
Across the Hall (2009)
Excellent!
I have read many complaints on how this is "boring" and the scenes are dragged out. I can see how many people are not used to intelligent movies (no offense intended) due to the constant action and cheap scares released in theaters these days. THIS is a movie that deserves a theater release. A very intelligent thriller, with a superb cast that tells a very dark story. The 3 main actors, especially Brittany Murphy, really did an excellent job. The story is told in a flashback/memento way and is executed perfectly. I felt all the flashbacks were correctly positioned and the conclusion might not blow you away- but it's pretty damn good. There are numerous twists and turns but the final twist is jaw-dropping. I want more thrillers like this! 10/10
Horsemen (2009)
Horrible Execution, Nice Plot
Horsemen is everything that I hate about movies. It is ruined by poor imaginations. It actually has potential, it has a good plot, and has cast that draws you into it. But the lack of intelligence in this movie is befuddling. The script is written to (what it seems) be able to let 2 year old understand what is going on. Some of the most obvious things are said numerous times and it becomes repetitive and annoying.
Next, some may disagree, but I liked what the plot had going. Although it seems like a copy cat of many other movies, I was totally enticed from the get go, starting with Denis Quaid(who plays Detective Aidan Breslin), who is called to the crime scene where he finds a bag of teeth and the message "COME AND SEE" written on 4 trees surrounding. You are automatically thrown into mystery and suspense with the first body being discovered. As the movie progresses, you become more and more confused by the plot. Numerous story lines emerge, and how it all ties together is so poorly executed, I was angered. The writers should be ashamed! In the end, we discover the white horse (final horsemen, ring leader, etc) is (who knew?!? oh wait..I did!) Quaid's son. The quiet, angry teen who is obviously really upset by his dad's ignorance. Not only was the twist so predictable, the boy doesn't even fulfill what he wanted to. He is saved by, of course, Quaid (dad) in a not-so-emotional scene where his dad yet again promises to be there for him in the future. Look what it took to make him notice! But really, do the writers expect us to believe that his son was involved in this, murdered numerous people, and his dad is telling him everything will be OK? And the kid just agrees to it. "Yeah dad, I believe you this time. I just killed a bunch of people and am possibly insane, but hey- I'll take you up on that offer for that weekly visit to eat! How about it?" So that's basically the conclusion. And it leaves you feeling like the writers questioned your intelligence and angered that you wasted your time on this terrible film.
Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon (2006)
Chilling
Hey Scream, you have a visitor. And his name is Leslie Vernon. Slasher movies, at least you can say you got two movies that manage to be slasher and yet parody your hilarious clichés. Just like in the movie scream, you have this movie that basically mocks slasher films but at the same time is categorized as one of them. While it is a parody movie, it still adds its own terrifying elements. Just like Scream..am I being repetitive here? Let's first start off with our crazy man. Nathan Baesel plays the character Leslie Vernon. While adding a slight dark humor in there, there is also something so unusual about him. The rush he gets before slashing away a victim, his desire to do what he was "born to do." In more ways or less, he is like Patrick Bateman in Psycho. The acting is no where near a Christian bale performance, don't think I would compare the two. The whole idea of his character is to really mock serial killers. He let's a journalist group go with him through the process of planning a "slasher night." He can be funny and chilling at the same time.
This movie pulls off what scream did o so many years ago. They made a movie which is terrifying and humorous at the same time. That's why Leslie could plan everyones moves..the clichés. But the twist to the movie was nothing I would have expected. We no longer are watching a documentary here, we are watching a real slasher situation. So it goes from mocking a slasher to turning into a pretty scary one! This movie just kept my eyes glued to the screen and I would recommend it to all. If you enjoyed scream you will like this as well.
It is one that you definitely shouldn't miss. Give it a chance and ignore the naysayers.
Rating: 8 out of 10 stars
Coraline (2009)
Visually Stunning
11 year old, feisty little Coraline is determined to do what she wants, when she wants. She is so sick of her boring old life and her parents who don't seem to care for her. So she goes on a journey into a similar world where anything is possible and nothing is what it seems.
This visually stunning masterpiece from the producers of "The Nightmare Before Christmas" will not disappoint. If you are lucky enough to see it in 3D(RealD), then do not pass up this opportunity. The beautiful 3D effects and eye-popping images support this movie throughout. Don't prejudge this movie before you see it. It is not a "child's movie." It reaches beyond that and makes it enjoyable for adults as well. The movie actually has tense moments and is pretty thrilling. The contradiction of visual effects from Coraline's "normal world" and her "ideal world" are brilliant.
I have to admit, the 3D makes you appreciate the breathtaking visuals more. But you will still love this movie if you don't get to experience it in 3D. Overall, this is an instant classic and should not be overlooked by any age. Coraline will take you on a thrilling, beautiful journey that you won't soon forget. All of which leads up to a clever ending that is not expected! Go see it!
10 out of 10