Reviews
Dawn of the Dead (2004)
Beware: the rules have changed
This movie, the latest in the "zombie genre", is probably on e of the most intense movies I have seen in a long time. The fact that nobody seems to know what is really happening gives it a more realistic feel (and not necessarily a happy feel, either). Those who survive to congregate at the mall have each undergone a trial by fire to get there, and "the fun is just beginning". Television broadcast (and what radio broadcast they can find) all pretty much lead to the same conclusion- this seems to be happening everywhere, so there might not be any safe havens left (other than where they are right now- the mall). As far as the "rules of zombie movies" (which were pretty much established by George Romero in the original Night of the Living Dead) go,there have been some definite changes: 1.Not everyone who has ever died is being resurrected. Only those who are actually bitten are becoming zombies. 2.If someone gets killed by any means other than being bitten, that person is dead. 3.The infection is a blood-borne pathogen, so anything feeding directly off of the bloodstream of the victim is also infected (unborn children of infected mothers, in other words). 4.The infection heightens the adrenal gland's output to phenomenal levels, resulting in increased speed, enhanced strength, and single-mindedness of purpose: to feed! 5.Feeding seems to be as simple as a single bite of uninfected flesh, or a mouthful of uninfected blood. There are no absolute feeding frenzies resulting in the total dismemberment of the victim. 6.Animals are of no importance to zombies, and are, therefore, ignored. The only rule that seems to be the same is: shoot them in the head to totally stop them. The only thing I will say about the plot is: the best laid plans often go wrong (or just don't turn out exactly as planned). I did truly enjoy this movie ,and can't wait to see what these new rules spawn.
Van Helsing (2004)
Attack of the boom mics
We went to see Van Helsing at the drive-in, as we felt this was the perfect venue for viewing such an epic. The costumes truly matched the period. The special effects were top-notch. The weapons and mechanical contrivances seemed well-suited to the tasks at hand. The story was another example of Stephen Sommer's penchant for combining genres into a single cohesive unit. Everything, in fact, was working well until, roughly, the second half of the movie. It was at this point that we noticed an "uncredited actor" making a surprise cameo appearance, and stealing multiple scenes thereafter. The first appearance was during the scene under the ruins of the windmill. The actors are conversing when suddenly, from above, we spotted THE BOOM MICROPHONE! It surprised us so much to think that a movie of this calibre (and all the money that was spent making it) would contain such a mistake! As it turns out, that was just the first of many appearances by the boom mic. Indoor scenes, Outdoor scenes- it got to be such a distraction that it became laughable. There were at least 10 such instances, and there might well have been more. These, in my opinion, took the movie from the status of "great" to "hilarious", which further endeared it to me- I began to see the instances as a tribute to "old, bad horror movies", an homage, if you will. I will have to see the movie in a regular theatre to see if this mics are as easily evident on an indoor screen. I would really like to hear from the production crew whether this was done on purpose, or if it was a gross oversight.
Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)
Revenge is a dish best served cold
This movie brings out a theme that Quentin Tarantino has hinted at before: don't make women mad, because they will kill you. He is also paying tribute to several martial arts movies of the past: Five fingers Of Death, Five Deadly Venoms, Game Of Death,and many different samurai movies. He is also giving nods to different directors: Hitchcock, in particular, with his camera placement during key scenes.
It is obvious that Tarantino places Bruce Lee in high regard, because he has no less than 3 tributes to him in this movie: the yellow workout suit with black piping worn by the Bride, the Kato masks worn by the Crazy 88s, and the playing of the Green Hornet theme during a car/motorcycle ride (the idea of one person holding off a rival army could also be seen as a nod to The Dragon).
The action, the fights, and the over-the-top violence mark this movie as a definite "R"(although I'm sure it could have gotten an "X" for violence not too long ago).
I had a great time watching this movie, and can't wait to see the 2nd half next year.
Eight Legged Freaks (2002)
If "Arachnophobia" made you shiver,this one will make you quiver.
If the movie "Arachnophobia" made you jump, gave you nightmares, or disturbed you enough that you are afraid to feel for a lightswitch in a dark,don't see "Eight Legged Freaks". This one has the feel of late 50's -early 60's horror/sci-fi movies without the phony looking monsters. These spiders looked REAL and their movements were orchestrated in such a way that you felt like you were really watching giant spiders on the screen. I can't say any of the human actors had really stand-out performances, because the spiders were the stars of this one. I will say that this movie and "Spider-Man" have the potential to interest young budding arachnophiles to take a serious look at the scientific side of spiders. Each of these movies gives the scientific names and characteristics of the different spiders involved(before the radiation takes effect),and does a super job of presenting their habits and idiosyncrasies. The only thing that might be questioned in either movie is the aggressiveness of the arachnids portrayed(perhaps this is the fault of the radiation as well). I give this movie "eight digits up" for sheer entertainment value.
Undercover Brother (2002)
70's fair with a soulful flair
This movie takes its cues and jokes from 70's movies and TV shows. Its 70's fair with a soulful flair. Eddie Griffin is excellent as Undercover Brother.Chi Mcbride is great as the aging angry Chief. David Chappell is crazy as Conspiracy Brother.Aunjanue Ellis as Sistah Girl,Gary Anthony Williams as Smart Brother and Neil Patrick Harris as Lance round out an excellent ensemble cast as the members of The Brotherhood. Chris Kattan gives his usual over-the-top performance as the sinister Mr. Feather, and Denise Richards is super-hot and sexy as Penelope Snow,the White She-Devil. I was looking forward to ths movie and found it thoroughly enjoyable. Anyone who likes spy movies should find this spoof of the genre enjoyable. If ya' can't laugh at this one, you ain't got no business havin' a mouth! 2 afro pic fists in the air for Undercover Brother!