Scream 4

The scream series is back yet again. Much like a wound that just will not heal. Though the key of what sets these films apart from the rest. Is the same team from the very first installment all the way to the latest one. Are all involved from the cast of characters we've grown up watching. To Kevin with his outstanding writing. To the master director Wes Craven. Even with adding up those factors. Could Scream 4, being new life into horror or just leave us dead tired of the ghostface killer?

It's been ten years since the tragedy of the Woodsboro massacres. Sidney has reformed her self and is ready to start empowering others through her new book. Though never escaping the horrors of her past. It is once again repeating. The killings of everyone close to Sidney. She and others must band together to survive the real life re making's of the Stab movies.

Sure the same characters. We've loved throughout the series are here. Their acting never misses a beat. Now on the other hand. We have a whole new cast of the younger generation. Standing out in the main focus are Hayden Panettiere and Emma Roberts. Their performances are solid throughout. The new deputy under Dewey played by Marley Shelton is more of a comical character. My guess is to fill the void of Dewey having to be serious this time around. Though one scene involving her and Sidney. Is a little off putting and felt way of track. The other two deputies played by Adam Brody and Anthony Anderson. Also provide us with some very funny moments. Only I wish they could have had a few extra scenes. In the one scene between the two. Anthony is giving himself a overview of the rules. I wonder why did they skip the main rule. Everyone in the audience was thinking of. If I had to pick out the bad apple from the bunch. That award goes to Nico Tortorella. Who plays as Emma's ex boyfriend, Trevor Sheldon. A creepy and all to non believable character. If they were trying to lead our thoughts in another direction. Making him stand out to be the killer in every scene. Leaves no room for imagination to overtake the guessing game.

For those, who were unsatisfied with Scream two and three. You can now relax a little. As this film follows so closely to the style of the original. That it's hard to believe. This is the fourth in the series and not a direct sequel. The snazzy dialog jumps on so many topics of the Internet and social life, horror film scenarios and most importantly remakes. Some people might find this to be annoying. Though I believe that's how the series started out to begin with. A play on play of all the horror films. The killings and the gore factor out due any of the previous films. Let along most horror films I've seen in the past years. Sure jumps scares are always there. Though it's the tension they build during the attack scenes. That I find quite unsettling. The rules we followed of past horror films are tossed out. As characters and situations happen literally out of nowhere. Even up the twisting journey we take. The film had me second guessing everything. Which is truly a hard task to complete. When most people just try to seek out who the killer or killers are. From the very start of the film.


There is much I do not want to spoil in this film. So I will simply say. This is hands down one of the best horror films. I have seen here in america in years. This is truly a sequel, that not only hits you multiple times but leaves you wanting more and more as each scene passes. Well done job Wes Craven and Kevin Williamson. I can say I'm looking forward to another one. Though, what can you do to top yourself this time?

Your Highness

O yeah, those who brought us Pineapple Express. Are back to bring us another stoner comedy though this time set in the medieval period. Could this magic trick work or fall as flat as the box office numbers for pineapple did?

The kings greater son returns home with his new soon to be wife. Though an evil sorcerer spoils those plans by kidnapping the kings love. So brother and brother are off upon their massive quest to stop the warlock and retrieve his love.

In a stoner comedy, I'm not expecting to walk out saying the acting was solid.  Danny McBrides handles a Zack or Seth role. How ever you would like to choose.  Though the stand out was Natalie. She knows even for this type of movie. To showcase why she is a great actress. Who really failed to impress me was the sorcerer played by Justin Theroux. While being the arch nemesis. He was quite unfunny. Also I did not feel threaten by his character at any time.

If I walked into this movie not thinking comedy. It might have fared out better. Though from the trailer I was given the impression. I would be laughing. This is rarely unseen as the jokes are quite simple. If using cussing in medieval times Is funny. Then you might enjoy a lot of the film. I found myself chuckling a few times but for a comedy. I expected way more. Setting that aside. The film that's left is not that bad. Worth a Netflix watch but not quite a must see in theaters.

Hanna

A young girl kicking butt to Chemical Brothers music. Could that simply be enough or have we've seen this before?

Hanna is the name of a young girl who lives and trains with her father in the woods. Having no touch of reality. She soon wants to explore the world beyond the trees. Her father grants her wish. Though it comes at a price. By doing so will expose her and her fathers location to a CIA agent. Who has been hunting them for years.

Despite however you feel about Eric Bana. He does a good job here. Providing some action and tension to scenes. Hanna, who is played by Saoirse Ronan. Acts more like a robot. She's very stiff and dead like. So we do not get to see any real depth to her character. The side family that we get to meet. Are a fun and interesting group of characters. Cate Blanchett who has given great performances before. Just falls flat in this film. She plays quite an evil character but more of a softer evil. I should have feared her but instead was annoyed by her.

Sure the fight scenes are cool and are close to Bourne Identity. Some people might have a problem with this. What helps is having Chemical Brothers do the score. Also along the way Hanna runs into a free form family. This provides some comedy and a breather to other wise would be a tense thriller. A real life fairy tale twisted into a great film. Pushing near two hours does not appear to be a problem. As the length is carried out well through out.

If your looking for a good spy thriller. With some cool fighting scenes and a hyping soundtrack. Hanna is worth a watch in theaters.

Insidious

James Wan and Leigh Whannell not only had a hit with Saw. They changed horror in this newer state of generations. Their other film Dead Silence while I did like. Others will strongly disagree. Did not have a spark of the same status. Though this time he is back with a vengeance. Taking on the much tiresome haunted house element. We have seen Paranormal Activity and many other films tackle this in the past years. Could Insidious strike or just fall flat? Read on to find out.

Josh Lambert and his wife Renai want a new fresh start with their family. Moving into a house seems to be the right idea. Until their son unexpectedly falls into a deep sided coma. Doctors are left baffled as their test results keep coming back negative. With having no answer of whats to come. Strange and I mean strange things start to happen around the house. The family fights to make sense of things while trying to being back their son.

The acting was alright in some key scenes. Showing the depth of sorrow over their sons condition. Also when the strange things happen. The reactions felt natural. Others moments were kind of bland. Seems that their is a deeper back story between the husband and wife. Though its left missing in mystery. We do gather hints here and there. The helpers as I call them. Played by Leigh Whannell and Angus Sampson with their leader Lin Shaye. Were a nice added touch. As they provided some sense of comedy and realism to the tense scary scenes. Performing test as I've seen on ghost shows of today. Would be cool to have a side film staring this team.

The regular bumps and booms are there. Though their is a very creepy over tone. Much like how the Paranormal series did but this time around it is way better. Instead of waiting for something to simply pop out. There's a feeling of being scared as your unsure what will happen at any time. The scares are different and that helped a lot. Ranging from loud sounds to full apparitions that were quite creepy. There was more than a few good scares that caused me to shift in my seat. Also if you are a Saw fan. Keep an eye out for a symbol you should be familiar with.  Without giving to much of the story away. The later scenes in which the hauntings are push to the maxim. It is truly a sight to be seen. Also the "Red" character. Awesome designed and terrifying at the same time.


If your into the whole Paranormal series. Then you could easily spend the full price and walk out happy. If your thinking of Saw and it might be blood filed. Then your thinking plan wrong. It is rated PG-13. Though I never would have notice otherwise. With a few dull moments the tense other ones make up for it.

Source Code

Sure based on the trailer people might assume it was Groundhogs Day. Only turned into a scfi-thriller. Could they be right or way wrong?

The Soucre Code tells the story of a soldier who awakes aboard a train only to find things are a bit off settling. Soon he discovers he is someone else. Only to be killed in a explosion. Traveling back to his original body. He meets Goodwin. Who is his contact through a monitor She begins to slowly and dreadfully explain just what the source code is. The story seems simple. Though it finds ways to keep you second guessing to the very last minute.

Jake Gyllenhaal has been in good films and yet bad ones as well. I'm still trying to forget Prince of Persia. Anyway this time around he delivers a good performance. Ranging from different emotions. The weak link of the cast would have to be Vera Farmiga. Who I expected far more from. Seeing her in Up In The Air and The Departed. She showcased way more than in those films. In fact most of the time I found her character to be annoying. Michelle Monaghant is not as deep as her character should have been. She more so fills the spot. Now Jeffrey Wright plays quite a character. Being at times the bad guy and the good guy though he pulls it off very well. Through out the film you can tell who is of the main focus through out the film is Jake.

This film has so many levels to it. It's hard not to find something to like. Certain scenes were shot beautifully. Showing how deep the relationship between Jake and Michelle characters are. That credit goes to Duncan Jones. Who also directed Moon. Though I run into a problem. It felt as if it was missing something. As to what I can't place a finger on it.  I can't say the ending but it's quite a mind trip. That will leave you talking and talking for days. If you have seen primer. Then that's the feeling I'm referring too. Overall if you like a good popcorn thriller. Those parts are there but it does have a hint of smartest to it. So for a low price go ahead you will easily enjoy the time.

Sucker Punch

With saying the name Zack Snyder. You should know just who I'm referring to. The guy who did the amped up zombie remake Dawn of the Dead. Also the beloved or much hated Watchmen. Though could he strike with a sharp knife or barley cut into our imagine with a dull knife?

Young baby doll must protect her sister. After her mother unquestionably dies. Though some maddening tries. She fails and is committed to a mental hospital by I assume her step dad. Inside she goes through steps to free not only her self but her mind and others. In this fantasy world she meets a strange leader simply named Wise Man. Who tells her in order to escape she must find and retrieve five items. These scenes are a blast to watch. Touching from anime elements to dragon medieval days. The main highlight would have to be the world war 2 segment.  Baby doll and 4 other women battle.....wait for it. Nazi Steam-punk Zombies! It's quite an awesome sight and based on that idea. I wanted to see a whole separate film based on that.

The acting from the cast is overall solid except from Carla Gugino. I've seen her acting great before. Though here she's just quite flat of a character. I really enjoyed the Wise Man played by Scott Glenn. I wanted to see more of his character on the screen other than just stepping in from time to time.  Not to mention they use Jon Hamm to play more of a cameo being a doctor/high roller. While seeing his performance in the film "The Town." I was convinced they cast him for the wrong part. Instead he should have played Blue Jones the gang leader. Who is played by Oscar Isaac. Which he does not do a bad job he just does not provide the fear his character should have had. The other women are all basically the same performance rolled into one. No stand outs in that crowd.

The main problem lies with in it being a weak story. Zack, did direct Watchmen. So I know he can follow a already great story. Though trying to make any sense of this film is a very easy task but finding a reason to care is not. Characters are tossed around like footballs. Yet their just fine with no real threat. Also each of the fantasy scenes seem to top each other until the last one. Which seemed to be lacking in the creativity section and there is no big climax to be found. The one thing I did want to see or at least get a taste of would be Baby Doll's dance. We only see her start and finish it with everyone in the room having an astonishing look upon their faces. Why keep teasing us if your not going to let us indulge? I do enjoy slow monition. When used at the right time and not often. That's something quite of the opposite. As their is slow monition used every 5-10 minutes it seems. Even the whole intro segment feels to be filmed in entirely slow monition. In question is how much shorter could the film be if played in normal time I wonder?

With the film running at the two hour mark. Seems way over done about half way through. Visually it's quite a film. Everything else it lacks fully. Empty characters and a small story without any depth might leave most people leaving with negative taste of what Zack has to offer. If this is what a Sucker Punch feels like. Then your strike Zack had the right speed but did not even hurt when landed.

Red Riding Hood

There once was a little girl who wore red, She had a wolf chasing her into bed. Yeah that's about as far as I'm going to keep that going. I won't torment you any longer. On to the review we go, Read on to find if the film had a bite or just sunk below.

Inside of a little village lives a young women named Valerie. She's in love with a poor woodcutter who her family doesn't see fit to marry her. So there sits the least of her problems. There's a werewolf haunting the town. First it would only take animals though now it's taking humans. Amanda Seyfried plays the role of little red riding hood. She's a beautiful female and delivers a normal performance. Her love interests both cancel each other out. Shiloh Fernanez who's one of them. Stands out and not in a good way. Every one else looks to fit the part. Yet he looks as if he came from off the set of vampire diaries. Though who could really try to stand out in this cast when being in the same scene as Gary Oldman. He steals the audience and makes you believe in the mean old CGI wolf. More on that a little later. 

At heart you have a Twilight story here mixed with an old fairy tale. In fact it is directed by Catherine Hardwicke. Who also directed the first Twilight. It is written by David Johnson who wrote a favorite of mine called Orphan. Combing those two explains why the film never leaves me bored. Even when it's diving into the triangle love story. This is something Twilight could not get right. The other part besides the love story expresses a thriller more so than a horror film. Thus putting a who's the wolf guessing game. It handles that part very well. I would have enjoyed a little more emphasis on the killings and the wolf it's self. Every time someone gets killed it's just a scratch or a bite. That's hard for me to believe for a "killer" werewolf of that size not to inflict a bit more. Now onto the wolf. It does not look bad at all even for being CGI. Though I've seen better in lower budget films. It's never really scary as I imagine. There are only a few scenes that truly steal line for line from the fairy tale. Those sound off putting and quite stupid. As if they were injected in the screenplay only to tie it to the film's title.

A retelling of a classic fairy tale that's done with a few twist. I enjoyed the medieval setting and Gary Oldman's performance as the wolf hunter. It's hard for me to suggest this title to everyone. If you like a thriller mixed with a little bit of a love interest. Than it's worth a watch at low matinee price. If your looking for a grim fairy tale with horror elements. Than you might want to wonder else where.

Battle: Los Angeles

There is a battle going on and yes we've all been there and done that before. It was called Independence Day and also District-9. Though this time around their bringing the war down to the home front. Could we survive or fade out into the night?

A Marine platoon lead by Aaron Eckhart is sent out into the field to battle a nasty alien invasion. The background is the last surviving battleground Los Angeles. All of platoon held their own in providing solid performance. Ne-Yo who's know more for singing did a good job as well. Michelle Rodriguez who normally angers me when ever she steps in a scene. Wasn't bad this time around. She gave more of a focus performance. The subject of the film is action. I'm sorry if you wondered in thinking this would be a sequel to District-9. With having a remarkable story and action together. It comes close in some elements but not in others. To describe the look and sound would be the word gorgeous. I haven't seen a film look this remarkable since District-9. Though that film had imagination and that's what was really lacking here. While the battle scenes were spot on they felt as if they were missing something. Maybe some unique weapons or giving us something we haven't seen before. The story is simple and short but has a lot of heart for this kind of action category. While being quite a long film clocking in near the two hour mark. It doesn't appear to be drawn out in the downtime scenes. The final, while should have been the biggest highlight of the film. Only has a hint of tension and nothing extraordinary that we didn't previous see in the film before hand.

If your up for some great looking battle scenes stringed together by some empty characters with a simple story. Go ahead and give it a watch. At full price you won't be too disappointed or at home it's really worth the time.

Paul (Early Review)

The comedy duo that has graced us with such films that are in my favorite collection. Does Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz ring any bells at all? If not then stop and go....wait finish reading this review then go watch those two films. Though this time Simon Pegg and Nick Frost are back without Edger Wright. Could that mean the magic is still there?

Simon and Nick are on a journey across the country to visit such historic alien spots. When they happen to cross paths with guess what? If you guessed an alien. Then you should already know most of this film off the bat. The team duo doesn't do a bad job doing what their known best for. Paul the alien who's voice by Seth Rogen. Does a solid job all around. Though I will say I was surprised by Jason Bateman. Who did not portray his regular Arrested Development acting style. At first my thought was great he's not falling back to the same old but as the film finished. I wish he had because it would have over shadowed the non-comedy agents played by Joe Lo Truglio and Bill Hader. They are just thrown in fully for a comedic effect but fail overall. Which is sad because a R rated alien comedy should have been so much more. Structurally the movie was directed fine by Greg Mottola. The huge problem lied with the dialog. Written by Simon and Nick themselves. Only leads to expecting to laugh every few minutes. Though I found myself laughing every so often. Paul should have been more raunchy much like how Santa was quite extreme in Bad Santa. Their is a cool very short cameo that had me second guessing if it was real or not. Nothing to get excited for but was a cool added touch.

I can't say Paul was terrible by far. It was more of a solid feature. That maybe if Edger Wright would have helped with the writing. Would achieve what it was shooting for. Don't be fooled by the R rating. It's more of a front to just throw in a few swear words. I wouldn't suggest paying full price but a low price ($5) would easily be worth the time.

Drive Angry (3D)

Drive angry staring Nicolas Cage as Milton a warrior by choice escapes hell to seek revenge upon a murrdering cult who not only killed his daughter but has stolen his granddaughter. Upon doing so satan sends a character named "The Accountant" to reclaim what was his.

Beyond the story lies a great grindhouse style film. In fact this is what Death Proof should have been. Nicolas who is normally laughable when not making a joke. Is not so bad this time around. As it seems the genre fits more for his acting ability. Serious but not too serous. His side-kick Piper who's played by the lovely Amber Heard. Who If I had the choice between her and Megan Fox. Amber would win hands down. Not only due to her natural beauty but she's a fun enjoyable actress. Who offers a lot more than just something to look at in this role. Though the standout performance goes to William Fichtner. He's funny but a sleek character who you eagerly want to see more screen time of. The action is nonstop and top notch for popcorn fun. Unlike many other films the use of 3D is good here. Never becoming just a one trick but adding depth to scenes through out the film.

The legendary Tom Atkins who you might know from such classic films as The Fog, Halloween 3 and Night of the Creeps. Plays captain of the Oklahoma's police squad. Is barely used and that's such a shame. I would have liked a backstory connecting him to any of the characters. Also we meet an old friend of Milton just for the sake of slowing things down. Which would be fine though I felt he would have provided a greater addition to Milton's back story and to the action of the third act. Besides those cons we have the use of some horrible CGI that stands out only cause mostly everything else is shot in realtime or has better effects applied.

Going in with a open mind,some snacks, beer or some friends. You should easily be able to enjoy the ride. If you liked grindhouse's Death Proof but felt it should have had more fun instead of the rambling talk. Then its worth the regular admission. If you have the money to spare go for the 3D. In hoping there will be a sequel. My only wish would be to intensify the craziness but keep the awesome story going. Also to bring back William Fichtner and maybe satan for the hell of it.

Rubber

It's not every day, I can say these words. This is something truly creative and never before seen in the world of cinema. The premise behind Rubber is that it's a rubber tire hellbent on killing. Bare with me, cause I know that sounds just completely stupid. Trust me, it is pretty far out there though in a good way or bad? Read on to find out.

With a great start of opening dialog that will over work your mind. I believe this was stated for no other reason than explaining to ignore all logical thoughts and to sit back and enjoy. Behind the simple premise I can't explain much of any story to find. The tire rises, falls in love and goes upon a killing spree for no reason. Despite killing it's victims in only one way. It never gets boring seeing the after effect. I do find myself enjoying the parts in which it pretents to portray a regular film. Instead they decide to throw in an extremely confusing side story. Something to the effect of nothing the audience is seeing is real. Though when I say audience I don't mean us. I'm refering to the audience within the film. See what I mean by confusing huh? A play on play if that makes any sense.

The tire which is named Robert is the standout performance of the cast. I believe there is more emotion from the tire than the rest of the cast. Which says a lot about the acting overall. None of the characters have any depth and that's really a shame. The sheriff, the girl, the helper and the watcher. All could have had a deep background story though their left as bland as their title names. This only hurts the film even more. It's as if we wondered into a film from the second act and then left without a seeing the first or third. We are left with really nothing other than a killer tire with some awesome killing scenes.

Where was the connection between the cops finding the girl is beyond me. One minute they find the tire inside a house. Next scene their's the women the tire has had a crush on helping them. No relations or any info given as to how these two came together. More scenes follow that same out of place format. When your synopsis reads something along the lines of "A Killer Rubber Tire." I would like to see an extremely cheesy popcorn flick. Expecting a grindhouse style movie was no fault on my own. Though what I receive was a art house movie trying to be way to smart for it's subject matter. In which showing us something truly unbelievable but then taking the time to poke fun at us. As if making fun of an action star who doesn't get hurt jumping through a window. Is only taking us straight out of the film's world. Not sure about others though when I watch a film. I would liked to be transported into that world not thrown out and then tossed back in. With an expectance to believe. Choosing the simple route would have helped greatly.

Overall I can't recommend spending full price much less the on demand pricing for this title. With such high prices you run the risk of having an empty feeling in your mind and your wallet. If your looking for a great popcorn flick you would easily find half of it here. Though if you could catch it on Netflix or at Redbox. Which is surely low costing. It would be easily worth a watch.