zhennis Reviews

Paranormal Activity 2 (2010)

I didn't know ghosts could be recycled.

[6/10 · 27 October 2010]

Paranormal Activity 2 is a prequel/sequel to its original predecessor Paranormal Activity. The film explores deeper into Katie's family history and the evil forces that are relentlessly chasing them.

This is a very simple film that will receive a very simple review. While this film delivers its share of scares, there is nothing new in the scare department for this film. The addition of a teen daughter, a baby, and a German Shepard make the scares look new however, they were recycled from the original. The best addition to this series that this particular film added was the high-angle security camera installed in the family's home. The high angles supplemented with the hand-held camera create a higher sense of tension which leads to scarier scare scenes from the anticipatory side of things. Quite frankly, this is an enjoyable film, however if you are not a fan of the original film then you will not like this installment. If the original scared the living bejesus out of you then you will not be disappointed with this prequel/sequel.

Rampage (2009)

Ra-Ra-Ra-Rampage

[5/10 · 27 October 2010]

Rampage, although a fiery film that takes us somewhat into the mind of a psychotic young-adult (Bill Williamson) who goes on a killing spree. Bill Williamson actually has an end-game that may surprise you because it is severely different from how these situations typically turn-out in real life. This film has heart; however, it is the blackest of hearts that this film embodies as nobody is safe during this psychotic 'rampage' thriller.

The most noticeable element in this film is the choice made by director Uwe Boll to use the hand-held camera. The shakiness and instability of the hand-held camera draws a parallel with Bill's mind and emotions in the film as he himself is on unstable ground and is rather psychotic. The quick flash-cuts show that allude to Bill's mind/memory as being fragmented hinting that maybe he does not quite remember everything he has done or is doing. The use of hand-held cameras induces reality upon the audience despite their knowledge that it is only a film. It gives a greater sense of reality that this could actually be happening. The camera-work is extraordinary in its decisions of what to or what not to show the audience.

The acting for this film is also fairly decent when considering the actors are playing 'default' characters. There is nothing in these characters that makes them stand out from any other character in any other movie. What we get is the average run-of-the-mill characters that do enough to move the story along and keep the audience interested, but when considering this is such a psychological movie in regards to the psychotic nature of the main character, I was hoping for a little inventiveness in this film's characters.

Starman (1984)

The Stars Are Out Tonight!!!

[7/10 · 24 October 2010]

If anyone can take a movie which involves extraterrestrials coming to our planet and close the door on the sci-fi elements of the story, it's John Carpenter. The films relationship to outer space is quickly closed off and the film's focus becomes the relationship between humanity and alien-life as it exists in a complicated relationship of love. Jenny Hayden (played by Karen Allen) finds it difficult to accept that her late husband's image is being used by an alien so it can stay somewhat undercover from our government forces. After Jenny discovers that Starman means her no harm and the alien desperately needs to get him before Earth's elements kill him. Jenny becomes sympathetic towards him and even begins to fall in love. The question that remains is whether or not, with the aid of Jenny, Starman can return home safely.

Obviously when you require a human actor to successfully portray a visitor from another planet while in a human body, one needs to choose a talented cast. The acting by Jeff Bridges is exquisite as he is able to show how understanding and misunderstanding the English language as well as facial expressions impacts the level of success in regards to communication. With his limited knowledge of the English language and his unfamiliarity with human expressions, Bridges must portray a being that not only does not understand but does not become frustrated with the complexities of human behavior.

This John Carpenter film differs from his other directing jobs simply because he does not use the same style and techniques that he frequently used in films such as Assault on Precinct 13, Halloween, and the Fog. Despite being stripped of Carpenter's 'Carpenter-ness', the film is shot very well and keeps it simple. The acting as well as the light-hearted story, carry this film, as opposed to Carpenter using his techniques in the aforementioned films to carry them to their respective conclusions. Overall, this film successfully portrays the love story, the sci-fi subtext, and human misunderstanding.

Frozen (I) (2010)

This movie does not freeze before its finale!!!!

[7/10 · 20 October 2010]

Frozen is one of those rare low budget suspense films that makes adequate use of its resources without relying on a cult following (films such as Paranormal Activity). That is to say Frozen is an adequate enough movie on its own that it does not need the support/promotions that Paranormal Activity received. Frozen's plot is simply stated as follows: Three college-aged kids bribe a ski-lift operator to allow them to go on one last run before the lift is shut down for bad weather. On their way to the top of the slope the lift is stopped and shut-down and will not be up and running for an entire week leaving the three stranded and alone. They must battle the elements and figure an escape route if they want to survive. As death stares them in the eyes they must battle their cracking wills and their freezing limbs.

The greatest feature of this film is that the story and acting are able to drive the movie to its finale without running out of gas as many similar movies tend to burn-out before the ending. Frozen, however, is relentless in its story and its heart is as cold as the elements the three friends are trying to survive. While the film is not blockbuster smash-hit, this is a contribution to the film industry that any horror, suspense, thriller, or action buff would most likely enjoy.

Black Dynamite (2009)

Check this flick out you Jive-Turkey!!!!!

[9/10 · 20 October 2010]

Black Dynamite is a film that perfectly combines the look, attitude, and mojo of the 1970s films that featured Kung-Fu and blends it well into a world that even Shaft would have felt at home. Black Dynamite is also the name of the film's featured hero. After Black Dynamite discovers that his brother has been killed, he goes on an ass-whoopin' tour that all jive-turkeys would be scared of. The mystery of his brothers murder goes beyond his immediate past as Black Dynamite must jump, punch, and kick (simultaneously) against an evil foe from his past.

The most wonderful and most brilliant aspects of this film have to be the writing and the acting which are more than perfect for this movie. In a movie that is over-the-top, you have to have writing and acting that can grasp the style of the film and hold it down so that it does not get out of control which is always dangerous in a film such as Black Dynamite. In all the films that I have viewed that have attempted to capture a similar story/parody blend, this is by far the best. The film is able to apprehend the style from the 1970s and hold it in full force throughout the entire film. The writing and the acting go perfectly hand-in-hand as each character represents a character that was generic to Kung-Fu/Black-Crime films from the 1970s.

The directing by Scott Sanders also deserves some special mention as it is not hard to tell that Sanders did his homework and used the shot (camera) techniques that are familiar to the 70s films in which this film pay homage to. The cutting techniques that are rough in parts, quick in others, yet also linger on, are implemented in a finely tuned fashion. This is one of the greatest comedy/parodies of our generation.

After.Life (2009)

Liam Neeson brings the dead to life in this film!!!!!

[7/10 · 20 October 2010]

After-Life embraces the mystery/thriller sub-genre of the drama genre's style and refuses to relent even up to and after its conclusion. The film relies on the question of whether or not those in the funeral home are dead or only being led to believe they are dead. Despite having evidence for both sides of this issue displayed throughout the film, you will be left to decide for yourself as to which side you believe. It is possible that both scenarios occur actively in the film. This film has a "Saw" style of lesson-learning involved in the story. It seems that the inability to love is the motive in After-Life whereas the inability to live life is Jigsaw's motive.

While the acting from Justin Long & Christina Ricci is on par with their other performances in recent history, Liam Neeson offer a performance that will rival his performance in Taken. Neeson is the reason this film is so suspenseful because he is able to create a character that can be viewed as delusional, insane, psychotic, or "gifted" without forcing the audience to believe only one of these characteristics.

Entertainment wise this film is not a blockbuster but connects many good directorial and cinemagraphical elements. The musical score is as eerie as John Carpenter's Halloween score. There is not much bad that can be said about this film. The shot choices are sensible and simple without being overtly creative. This is a film that allows the story to evolve on its own and the actors to the story its character.

Braindead (1992)

The Dead Should Stay Dead

[4/10 · 18 October 2010]

Dead Alive is a film that embodies a typical yet somehow fresh stereotypical zombie film. The outbreak of the virus is started by monkeys which is usually the most used since the outbreak of the HIV virus that is thought to have originated in monkeys. The difference comes when trying to destroy the zombies. Unlike the films of George A. Romero, which explain how to defeat the walking dead, Peter Jacksons installment in the genre forces our protagonist to explore different ways to destroy zombies. The story revolves around the inability to let go of the people we love despite their shortcomings, and the fact that they are deceased.

This film could influence both short and long reviews; however, in the style and the focus of my reviews this will be rather short. Dead Alive ultimately is a film that looks like it was created purely to show off (Peter Jackson's) special effects talents. Now, one can say James Cameron created Avatar simply to show off special effects but it did not "look" that way. Dead Alive obviously sacrifices technical elements such as camera angles and setting variety. This is not a film for anyone looking for a blockbuster film. However, if you are interested in the career of Peter Jackson and/or innovative uses of special effects. If this film does have an upside to it other than its creative use of special effects, it is the acting. Typically the acting of horror movies is sub-par however the Dead Alive cast is able to exemplify the sarcasm and humility within the film. The acting style resembles District 9 where you have the perfect cast for the movie even if the movie is not so great. Dead Alive has a serious cult following that claims this to be the best zombie movie of all time. While I agree that Peter Jackson along with George A. Romero defined the zombie film, I believe Romero's installments to be far more entertaining.