Take 4 DVD Reviews

En Espanol, Por Favor

2009-08-07T23:57:00.000-07:00

I had originally set out to simply watch four foreign films, with a skew towards the thriller/mystery genre...but then noticed that I had quite a few Spanish flicks in my rental queue. Having taken four years of high school French, I definitely had to flip the subtitles on for these...enjoy.

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Los cronocrimenes (2007)

In English?: Timecrimes

In the Beginning: While relaxing at home one afternoon, Hector receives a mysterious phone call...and things just devolve into strangeness from there. From his backyard, he spies a strange woman in the woods (whom he later finds unconscious and naked), he gets stabbed and chased by a mysterious bandage-faced man, and stumbles upon a mysterious science facility while trying to escape.

The Plot Thickens: Only a minor spoiler here, but while trying to evade the strange, bandaged man, one thing leads to another and Hector finds himself transported an hour into the past...with a chance to dig deeper into what just transpired.

Lessons Learned: 1) Those who don't learn from the past are doomed to repeat it. 2) Literally. 3) Sometimes three or four times.

Top IMDB Plot Keywords: Time Machine; Scissors; Woods; Car; Binoculars

And I Quote: Clara: "Time flies here..."

Curt's Take: Worth Considering - I rented this sci-fi mystery at the recommendation of Chris Hardwick (host of G4's Web Soup and @nerdist on Twitter). I have to say...was pretty damn entertaining. It took a little while to ramp up, but once you get the idea of what's going on, the whole movie turns into a puzzle...with the savvy viewer being able to figure out about 80% of what is happening, while being pleasantly surprised by the remaining 20%. Not a high production value, but you get over that pretty quickly.

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[REC] (2007)

In English?: Well, it kind of is English...the title signifies the "record" button of a video camera.

In the Beginning: A reporter and cameraman for a late-night news program are spending the night in a firehouse, covering a typical night in the lives of a local team of Barcelona firefighters.

The Plot Thickens: Several hours into the news coverage, the firefighters respond to a call at a local apartment complex (with reporter/cameraman in tow). Seems that an elderly woman became trapped in her apartment...likely because zombies have trouble with doorknobs. Oops...spoiler.

Lessons Learned: 1) America doesn't just produce poor remakes of Asian horror films. It also produces poor remakes of Spanish horror films. 2) Not all zombies are slowpokes. Some can frickin' book it. Oh, wait...we already knew that. 3) At some point, put down the damn news camera and RUN.

Top IMDB Plot Keywords: Fire Station; Apartment Building; Police; Self Sacrifice; Violence

And I Quote: Angela [to the news camera]: "It's nearly 2am and we're still sealed in this building that we came to with the firemen earlier this evening to assist an elderly woman who attacked a policeman and a fireman. They're both in critical condition. The police won't let us leave and are giving us no explanations."

Random Trivia: In one scene, a body falls violently into the lobby from one of the stairwell landings above. None of the actors knew this was going to happen, so the reaction you see from those on film was one of genuine surprise and shock.

Curt's Take: Worth Considering - I'd seen the American version of this film (Quarantine) in theaters last year and while that some good moments of shock value, the remake doesn't hold up to this original (although I doubt I'm surprising anyone with that revelation). The strange thing is it looks like the American remake used the EXACT same building...which is strange since no sets were used in this version (only actual buildings). So, I enjoyed this film...but think I would have enjoyed it more if I hadn't already seen the remake. Plus, I'm a sucker for "first person POV" films, where the audience is told the story through "found footage" of a video camera (e.g. The Blair Witch Project, Cloverfield). So check this out...but it IS a zombie film at its core, so keep in mind you'll also be getting all sorts of baggage that come along with that.

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El metodo (2005)

In English?: The Method

In the Beginning: Seven job candidates find themselves in consideration for a high-level position at a mysterious corporation, and all come in on the same day for the final round of interviews.

The Plot Thickens: The candidates soon learn that this is no ordinary job interview, but rather one that employs The Gronholm Method, wherein the group of candidates is responsible for weeding the group down themselves, eliminating those that they deem unfit for the job. The fact that one of the participants may (or may not?) be an insider already working for the company doesn't do everyone's paranoia much good.

Lessons Learned: 1) Trust no one. 2) Always assume you're being watched. 3) If the previous two rules come into play during a job interview, you might just want to ask yourself if this is REALLY someplace you want to work.

Top IMDB Plot Keywords: Message; Revelation; Eating; Bitterness; Rage

Curt's Take: Must See - I was very pleasantly surprised by this. I had thought this was going to perhaps be more of a suspense/thriller than it was...with the candidates being put through grueling physical tasks, risking bodily harm for themselves and the others in the group...but it was much more of a psychological drama. Much of the movie is filmed with the candidates seated around a table talking to each other...and while this could potentially doom the film to being forgettable, it actually drew me in and held my attention unwaveringly. So if you're looking for a change of pace, give this one a shot.

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El orfanato (2007)

In English?: The Orphanage

In the Beginning: A woman, Laura, moves into a large manor home with her husband and son, hoping to refurbish it and turn it into an orphanage that she would then run. It helps that the manor used to be an orphanage...and that Laura had been an orphan there many, many years ago.

The Plot Thickens: Mysterious events during an open house for the soon-to-open orphanage lead Laura into wondering whether the strange occurrences around the house are more than her imagination.

Lessons Learned: 1) Crosswalks are for crossing...not standing there, motionless. 2) You're never too old for a game of hide-and-seek. 3) Seeing is believing...but sometimes believing is seeing.

Top IMDB Plot Keywords: Orphange; Children; HIV; Adopted Son

Curt's Take: Must See - I wasn't sure exactly what I was going to get from this film, but the few previews I'd seen of it a couple years back made it look like an artistically shot thriller. Plus I knew that Guillermo del Toro was a producer on the film (and I liked Pan's Labyrinth), so I figured this might be something I'd really like...and I wasn't disappointed. This film had me at the opening credits, which were beautifully designed, and kept me straight through to the end...weaving a wonderful story the entire way through. I was expecting it to be scarier than it was, but what I ended up getting was a perfect mix of mystery, suspense and drama. Check this one out.

DVDead Selections

2009-07-25T14:30:00.000-07:00

Not much to go into here...four flicks, all of which have "dead" in the title. And, surprisingly, they aren't all horror movies.

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Dead and Breakfast (2004)

Expectations Going In: When you've got a terrible pun in the title of a horror movie, things do not bode well. Really just hoping it's so bad that the mockability factor make it enjoyable...I do like a cheesy flick. There will probably be a bunch of young actors I don't know...then one fairly well-known (though not recently employed) actor that makes an appearance.

What I Got: Well, this was not at all what I expected...but that's what I get when I rent a film without reading the description. I had assumed that this was a slasher flick, with a handful of young guys and gals getting bumped off one-by-one at a creepy bed and breakfast. Instead, it involved an evil Tibetan spirit getting unleashed on an unsuspecting town, turning all the locals (both the living and the dead) into a mob of possessed homicidal psychopaths. Plus, ended up being a lot more tongue-in-cheek than I had anticipated.

Familiar Faces: I was right on one count, though...this had a lot of people I didn't recognize in it. But there were also a lot of familiar faces that had brief cameos: David Carradine, Portia de Rossi, Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Diedrick Bader. In addition, Jeremy Sisto had a pretty major role in the flick.

And I Quote: Lisa: "Would you mind telling me what in the Sam Hill is going on around here?" The Drifter: "I don't think you would believe me if I told you." Lisa: "Friend, after what I've seen tonight, you could tell me an evil spirit rose up from the dead and decided to possess the entire town and I would believe you." The Drifter: [Awkward silence]

Random Trivia: Thirty-four gallons of "blood" were used over the course of the shoot.

Top IMDB Keywords: Bed and Breakfast; Heart Attack; Bad Teeth; Shot in the Forehead; Blood Bath

Curt's Take: Not a Priority - Although I was taken off-guard by this, and enjoyed it a lot more than I thought it was...it stops short of getting a rating of Worth Considering. It's still not THAT great...but I was glad to see that it didn't take itself too seriously.

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Dead Alive (1992)

Expectations Going In: Well, I know this is directed by Peter Jackson...and I've had friends give me a range of opinion on it, from it being an excellent cult classic of the horror genre to it beign one of the worse movies around. So, either way, I figure it's about high time I saw it.

What I Got: Wow. Just...wow. This has to be one of the goriest, over-the-top, tongue-in-cheek flicks I've ever seen. The contagious bite of a Sumatran rat-monkey wreaks all flavors of havoc on a small New Zealand town, turning many of its inhabitants into flesh-eating monsters...leaving Lionel, our hero, and Paquita, a local grocer, to save the day.

Familiar Faces: None that you'd recognize on-screen...but as I mentioned above, Peter Jackson is director.

And I Quote: Paquita: "Your mother ate my dog!" Lionel: "Not all of it..."

Random Trivia: The movie is said to be the bloodiest of all time, as measured by the amount of film blood used during production. In fact, during the final scene, 300 liters of fake blood were used.

Top IMDB Keywords: Zombie; Love; Monkey; Zoo; New Zealand

Curt's Take: Must See - If you have any affinity at all for horror movies, you have to see this one, both for Peter Jackson's involvement and for what is simply an iconic masterpiece of tongue-in-cheek horror. I honestly can't believe I'd gone this long without seeing one of the most over-the-top zombie flicks in history. I do have to say, though, if you can't stand horror flicks and/or get squeamish at the site of blood and gore, you may want to pass on this one. But if you've always wanted to plow into a bunch of zombies holding a lawnmower aloft in front of you...then this should be on your list. Well done, Mr. Jackson...well done, indeed.

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Dead Man's Shoes (2004)

Expectations Going In: I'm watching this at the recommendation of Nick, head of the creative department where I work. I really don't know much about this, except that he told me it's pretty powerful stuff. He's a Brit, though...so we'll see what that means. Nick: Told you I'd get around to watching this, mate!

What I Got: An interesting revenge film in which Richard, a soldier, returns to his small hometown to get even with the local thugs that had been brutalizing his mentally-changed brother. Definitely goes to show that you shouldn't dish it out if you can't take it.

Familiar Faces: You've got several UK actors in this, but nobody you'd likely recognize.

And I Quote: Richard: "God will forgive them. He'll forgive them and allow them into heaven. I can't live with that."

Random Trivia: When Richard breaks into the apartment and spraypaints "Cheyne Stoking" on the wall, this is a reference to the name of the breathing pattern that is a sign of impending death in very sick patients.

Top IMDB Keywords: Brother; Revenge; Anger; Punishment; Home Movie Footage

Curt's Take: Worth Considering - I like a good revenge film. And, all things considered, this was a pretty good revenge film. Although it wasn't the main thrust of the film, I found myself really drawn to the idea that, no matter how big a fish you are in your pond, odds are there are bigger fish in bigger ponds somewhere else out there...and you best not mess with them. The accents made following along tough at a couple points, but I still was able to keep up. So you if you're looking for an engaging flick and stumble upon this one, I'd say it's worth checking out.

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Dead Fish (2004)

Expectations Going In: Absolutely none. I only rented this to get a fourth film with "dead" in the title. So we'll see...

What I Got: An okay comic crime caper flick...but nothing remarkable.

Familiar Faces: A few unknowns, but you'd definitely recognize Gary Oldman and probably Billy Zane.

And I Quote: Abe: "I am Abe Klein. Today is my 21st birthday and it's the worst day of my entire life."

Top IMDB Keywords:Pregnancy; England; Dominatrix; Murder; Cell Phone

Curt's Take: Not a Priority -As you may tell by the brevity of the above commentary, this just didn't make a big impression on me. The cell phone of a young man and an assassin accidentally get swapped and hilarity supposedly ensues in the resulting confusion. It didn't completely suck, but definitely isn't something I'd go out of my way to see.

Leading into July

2009-07-23T23:51:00.001-07:00

Trying to get back into the swing of things with these reviews, folks. It's been a few months, so I figured what better way to kick things off than a review idea I'd been tossing around in the back of my head for a while...it's pretty easy to pick out...

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March of the Penguins (2005)

The Basics: Originally a French nature documentary, the version shown on American screens was narrated by Morgan Freeman and won an Oscar for best documentary

In the Beginning...: Simultaneously, several troops of penguins in Antarctica leave their separate safe havens and trek for miles to gather together for a big ol' penguin orgy. Good times.

The Plot Thickens: The several months that follow involve a gauntlet of challenges: the male penguins keeping the eggs warm, the females venturing out on their own in search of food, the young penguins surviving the cold and predators. All done to perpetuate the species.

And I Quote: Narrator: "There is a mysterious ritual that dates back thousands of years. No living creature has survived it except the penguin. They have wings but cannot fly. They're birds that think they're fish. And every year, they embark on a nearly impossible journey to find a mate."

IMDB Plot Keywords: Penguin, Egg, Ice, Fish, Blizzard

Random Trivia: For March of the Penguins, Morgan Freeman recorded all of his narration in one day.

Curt's Take - Must See: I had gone into this expecting the worst. Well, let me clarify...I wasn't expecting a terrible film, but I WAS expecting it take a nasty turn at some point. Somewhere along the line, I swear I'd heard from someone that you goes in a direction you don't expect. So my mind, of course, is going all sorts of wonderful directions: cannibalistic parents, mutant killer seals, death by glacial drift. No dice, though. What I got was a great story about how life...(to quote Jurassic Park)...finds a way. Check this one out.

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April Fool's Day (2008)

The Basics: A supposed homage to the 1986 cult classic film of the same name, this horror film was straight to video and starred a bunch of folks you probably don't know (including Taylor Cole, who had a small role on NBC's Heroes and Josh Henderson, who played Edie's nephew onDesperate Housewives).

In the Beginning...: Desiree and Blaine Carter, millionaire siblings and orphaned members of the North Carolina upper crust (which, apparently, does exist) throw an elaborate debutant ball for a friend of theirs, invite half the town...all to pull an elaborate prank to embarrass their former friend, Milan. Any bets as to whether or not the prank goes horribly wrong?

The Plot Thickens: The prank goes horribly wrong.

IMDB Plot Keywords: Penguin, Egg, Ice, Fish, Blizzard

Random Trivia: The producer, Frank Mancuso Jr., was also the producer for the "original" film from the 1980s. He also produced Lindsay Lohan's I Know Who Killed Me, as well asSpecies III. Translation: He must be stopped.

Curt's Take - Don't Bother: At least the original is kind of funny. This was just painful. And predictable. And as a public service, I'm spoiling the hell out of this one: everyone starts getting bumped off a year later, one by one, and Torrance (the actress) is the killer...except the deaths are all a prank designed to get Desiree Carter to confess to poisoning Milan. No need to thank me.

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May (2002)

The Basics: A romantic thriller/horror film, starring Angela Bettis, Jeremy Sisto and Anna Faris; Rated R for strong violence/gore, some sexuality and language

In the Beginning...: May, a shy, young woman who has a lazy eye, a collectible doll for a best friend and takes "socially awkward" to a whole new level, develops a crush on a local mechanic and becomes the target of a friendly female co-worker's affection.

The Plot Thickens: May, not the most stable person to begin with, doesn't really know how to handle it when her new-found relationships hit a rough patch, and the results are a bit...unsettling.

And I Quote: May: "I saw someone today. A boy. You know how when you meet someone...and you think you like them? And then, the more you talk to them, you see parts you don't like. Like that guy on the bench. And sometimes, you end up not liking any parts at all. But this boy is different. I like every part of him. Especially his hands. They're beautiful."

IMDB Plot Keywords: Doll, Hand, Eye, Sewing, Surgery

Curt's Take - Not a Priority: A good word to describe this film? Unsettling. You know from the beginning that May is just a bit...off. And you don't really know where that's going to lead. You just know it's not going to end well...and when things DO take a turn, it's a pretty no-holds-barred ride through to the end. That constant tension kept me interested most of the time...but looking back, I can't wholeheartedly recommend it.

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Junebug (2005)

The Basics: A comedic drama, starring Embeth Davidtz, Amy Adams, Alessandro Nivola and Ben McKenzie; Rated R for sexual content and language

In the Beginning...: Madeleine, a British art dealer based in Chicago, travels to rural North Carolina to track down a reclusive local artist. While in the area with her husband of six months, George, she visits her new in-laws for the first time...and hopes to make a positive first impression.

The Plot Thickens: While a guest of her husband's family, Madeliene struggles to navigate this rustic lifestyle that is unfamiliar to her, while puzzling out George's parents, his brother, Johnny and pregnant sister-in-law, Ashley...who themselves seem unsure how to react to this woman who is suddenly part of their family.

And I Quote: Ashley (to Johnny): "God loves you just the way you are...but He loves you too much to let you stay that way."

IMDB Plot Keywords: North Carolina, Art, Art Gallery, Pregnany, Artist

Curt's Take - Not a Priority: This is a tough one to rate. I think that, technically, it was a fine film: great cast, good script, etc. It's just that it wasn't something that I normally find on my plate, so to speak. You can't help but like Amy Adams in this, and the family dynamics are kind of interesting to watch...but there's nothing that really pulled me in and got me excited to see how the next 15 minutes were going to play out. And because of that, I can't wholeheartedly get behind it.

Review of the Living Dead

2009-04-14T22:21:00.000-07:00

And six months later...Take 4 DVD Reviews is back. And what better way to celebrate the return of that which was thought departed then to review four films featuring the walking dead. Ironically, this was written back in October around Halloween...and just now sees the light of day.

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Zombie (1979)

The Basics: An Italian horror film (directed by Lucio Fulci), with a mix of American, British and Italian actors/actresses (including Ian McCulloch, Tisa Farrow, and Richard Johnson); Released as Zombie in the US, but originally titled Zombi 2; Rated R for horror violence/gore and nudity

What's Going On: A reporter is sent to the Antilles in the Caribbean to track down the owner of an abandoned boat that drifted into a New York Harbor (well, there was a zombie on it...but nobody, technically, you know...alive). He is joined by the missing man's daughter, and together (along with another couple) they trace the missing man to a secluded island...where the dead don't seem to be staying dead.

Voodoo or Viral?: It's hard to classify these zombies. At one point, they are attributed to a curse/spell cast by a witch doctor on the other side of the island.but these zombies appear to be your rotting/not-so-fresh-from-the-casket variety, whose bite turns others into the walking dead. So maybe voodoo raised 'em, but a virus spreads 'em.

Top IMDB Plot Keywords: Slap in the Face; Extreme Gore; Notorious; Body Bag; Gash in the Face

Things to Watch For: An epic battle between a zombie and a shark. Definitely must-see TV.

And I Quote: Dr. Menard: "The boat can leave now. Tell the crew."

Random Trivia: Despite being called Zombi 2, the film is not a sequel to anything. When the makers found out that there was another unrelated movie called Zombie coming out at the same time, they added the "2" in to differentiate the two films.

Curt's Take - Worth Considering: The over-the-top gore that characterizes the Italian horror genre is something that has to be witnessed first-hand. I mean, the acting is pretty bad.and it's a bit disconcerting when some of the actors' voices are dubbed over, and some aren't. But the special effects (especially the make-up effects) are pretty damn good for something made in 1979. I'd go so far as to say that I wouldn't try watching this one sober, though...otherwise, it falls pretty quickly into the Not a Priority range. But as far as horror movies (and zombie movies) go...you may want to check it out if that's your cup of tea.

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The Serpent and the Rainbow (1988)

The Basics: A horror film (based on a book by Wade Davis) starring Bill Pullman, Cathy Tyson, Zakes Mokae and Paul Winfield; Rated R (having a hard time finding out why.but guessing it's because of horror violence/gore)

What's Going On?: An anthropologist (Pullman) travels to Haiti, on behalf of an American pharmaceutical firm, to get details on a drug that can either bring people back from the dead...or do a damn good job of mimicking death. Unfortunately, hilarity does NOT ensue, as our hero gets deeper and deeper into the political climate and voodoo culture of the island nation.

Voodoo or Viral?: Much more voodoo in nature, than viral. No rotting corpses or spreading of infection here. Just mental games, soul snatching, and drug use.

Top IMDB Plot Keywords: Male Nudity; Disturbing; Cockfighting; Female Nudity; Voodoo

Things to Watch For: Lots and lots of beheadings.

And I Quote: Lucien Celine: "Whatever happens, death is not the end."

Random Trivia: Due to political strife and civil turmoil in Haiti during the production, the local government informed the film crew that they could not guarantee their safety for the remainder of the shoot. The crew subsequently relocated to the nearby Dominican Republic to complete filming.

Curt's Take - Worth Considering: I'd heard of this one, but added it to my last after it made VH1's Top Horror Films list. It wasn't your typical zombie flick, and you can tell Wes Craven (the director) tried his level best to ensure this horror film kept a cohesive storyline, even though it rolls more like a mystery/thriller for a good deal of the film, but the last half hour or so is a trippy horror flick. Bill Pullman does a good job, too. So...if you're looking for a classy zombie film, you might want to catch this one.

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SARS Wars: Bangkok Zombie Crisis (2004)

The Basics: An action/horror/comedy from Thailand, released under the Thai title Khun krabii hiiroh; Not rated, due to no theatrical release in the United States.but guessing it would be rated R

What's Going On?: Another strain of the SARS virus migrates from Africa to Bangkok, via a very resilient mosquito, infecting many of the residents of an apartment complex, where it just so happens that the daughter of a wealthy businessman is being held for ransom. Can the man sent to rescue the young woman get both of them out alive?

Voodoo or Viral?: Definitely viral. No voodoo here. Plus, uncharacteristically, these zombies can MOVE. I mean, they're damn fast. Not your typical group of shamblers.

Top IMDB Plot Keywords: Thailand; Sword Fighting; Zombie

Things to Watch For: Where to start...this is one weird movie. I guess I would be remiss to not mention the pregnant zombie and her little baby zombie. Who knew umbilical cords were so elastic.

And I Quote: Master Thep: "We have zombies, a bomb, and now a giant snake..."

Random Trivia: Apparently, there's quite a cult following to this. And it sounds like there's going to be a sequel. Dear Lord, help us all.

Curt's Take - Don't Bother: Shocking, I know.but you can probably just go ahead and skip this one. It's meant to be funny.but it's just...I don't know...weird. Shaun of the Dead is a much better spoof of the genre. You really should only check this out if you have a LOT of alcohol (or other stuff) on hand. That might bump up the rating to Not a Priority¸ but even that's being generous.

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Undead (2003)

The Basics: A horror/sci-fi comedy, starring some Aussies (Felicity Mason, Mungo McKay and Rob Jenkins, to name a few); Rated R for strong violence, gore and language

What's Going On?: The small town of Berkeley (located somewhere in Australia) is beset upon by strange glowing meteors that seem to leave behind a wake of zombified townsfolk. So what's up with the alien sightings, strange downpours of scalding rain and huge wall of spikes that seems to be surrounding the town?

Voodoo or Viral?: Much more viral than voodoo. And definitely spreadable. But since meteors are involved, we're probably looking at some sort of space virus.

Top IMDB Plot Keywords: Shot in the Head; Fall from Height; Basement; Nordenfelt Gun; Farmhouse

Things to Watch For: Subtitles...was a bit hard to follow the accent at times. Also, though, some pretty wicked plot twists.

And I Quote: Marion: "One day you're out on your boat.and you get attacked by zombie fish. They munch at your face, like you're the main course at an all-you-can-eat crazy country boy buffet. You walk away, tell the town your story; they think you're mad. Everyone thinks you're mad. You think I'm mad. It happens again. This time it's not zombie fish...it's zombie Berkeley. But this time I'm prepared, I'm ready to fight whatever they can throw at me. Still...I wasn't strong enough, the strongest ones are always the last ones left; if that's not me, it must be you. If that was the case you wouldn't have battled the undead and lived. You'd be the entree at a smorgasbord of brainfood."

Random Trivia: The original screenplay did not have any swearing. Most of the swearing in the film was ad-libbed by the actors.

Curt's Take - Worth Considering: By no means a GREAT film, but it was pretty damn good...took me by surprise, as I think I just expected your typical zombie flick. But this definitely put a unique spin on things. You're not only wondering who is going to survive, but this one has you thinking the entire time, trying to make sense of everything that is happening. And if you do figure things out early.it doesn't ruin the movie. Sure, it's gory.but this fresh take on zombie films was will keep your interest and enjoyment levels high. Would recommend checking it out.if you don't mind horror films.

Take 4: Rock-Tober

2008-10-07T23:41:00.001-07:00

For the purposes of this edition of Take 4, “Clarktober” is on a brief hiatus…but only for the time it takes you to read this review of four movies starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Then back to your regularly scheduled month of awesomeness.

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Doom (2005)

The Basics: A sci-fi/action/horror flick, based loosely on the video game of the same name, starring The Rock and nobody else you know; Rated R for strong violence/gore and language.

What is The Rock Cooking?: As the leader of a group of Space Marines, The Rock is cooking up a scheme to stop a deadly threat that is rapidly taking over a research facility on the planet Mars, with the hopes to contain it before it spreads through an interplanetary portal and end up on Earth.

Top IMDB Search Terms: Villain Played by Lead Actor; Chase Scene; Character’s Point of View Camera Shot; Extreme Violence; One Word Title

Random Trivia: The locker the BFG weapon (and bonus points if you know what BFG stands for) is stored is designated “IDKFA.” This is the in-game cheat code that will give the player full weapons and ammo.

And I Quote: Samantha Grimm: “Ten percent of the human genome is still unmapped. Some say it's the genetic blueprint for the soul.”

Curt’s Take: Run in Fear – This was pretty bad. Cringe-worthy. Avoid it all costs. Successful film adaptations of video games are few and far between, and this attempt plunges into that gap of failures like a cast-iron lemming. Acting, camerawork, writing…it’s been close to two months since I’ve seen this, and it still leaves a sad, sad taste in my mouth.

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Be Cool (2005)

The Basics: A crime comedy (and sequel to Get Shorty…and based on the novel by Elmore Leonard), starring John Travolta, Uma Thurman, Vince Vaughn, Cedric the Entertainer, Debi Mazar…and The Rock; Rated PG-13 for violence, sensuality, and language involving sexual references.

What is The Rock Cooking?: As Elliot Wilhelm, a gay bodyguard to Vince Vaughn, The Rock isn’t cooking up much. He isn’t a lead character, and is resigned to working in the background while John Travolta’s character, Chili Palmer, moves his focus from the movie industry to the music industry…bringing his unique East Coast mobster-esque vibe to the West Coast entertainment scene.

Top IMDB Search Terms: Sequel; Gay Interest; Acting Musician; Baseball Bat; Basketball

Random Trivia: The scenes at the NBA game with John Travolta and Uma Thurman were filmed at the Staples Center during a game between the Lakers and the Sacramento Kings on February 26, 2004. Although the film depicts the Lakers winning the game, they lost 101-103.

And I Quote: Chili Palmer: “I hate sequels.”

Curt’s Take: Not a Priority – It’s been many years since I’ve seen Get Shorty, but I remember liking it…kind of a “fish out of water” tale about the movie industry. Here, we focus more on the music industry…and it just didn’t seem to translate as well. There were a few chuckleworthy moments, but nothing that made it worth strongly recommending. I have to admit, The Rock jumped wholeheartedly into his role as a gay bodyguard.

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Walking Tall (2004)

The Basics: An action/comedy (based loosely on real events), starring The Rock, Johnny Knoxville, Neal McDonough and Kristen Wilson; Rated PG-13 for sequences of intense violence, sexual content, drug material and language.

What is The Rock Cooking?: Here, The Rock is cooking up a big ol’ tub of whoop-ass. Fresh out of the Army, he comes back to the town he grew up in…only to find that the big name in local business isn’t quite working within the bounds of the law (not that the law really cares that much). Much ass-kicking ensues.

Top IMDB Search Terms: Football; Old Flame; Court Scene; Gun; Broken Leg

Random Trivia: Dwayne Johnson's stunt double in this movie was his cousin, Tanoai Reed.

And I Quote: Jay Hamilton: “Do you get tired of being all that you can be?” Chris Vaughn: “No, I'm still all that I can be.” Jay Hamilton: “Oh yeah? We'll just see about that...”

Curt’s Take: Worth Considering –Truth be told, I only added this one because I needed a fourth movie starring The Rock…and it sure as hell wasn’t going to be that one where he plays a football player who discovers he has a daughter from a previous relationship and has to welcome her into his life (The Game Plan?). And I was pleasantly surprised. Very much so. It’s a decent action movie, and a pretty good “fighting the power/cheer for the underdog” flick. Sure, there are better movies out there…but I kinda liked it.

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Southland Tales (2006)

The Basics: A drama/comedy/sci-fi film starring a bunch of people: Dwayne Johnson, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Seann William Scott, Justin Timberlake, Nora Dunn, John Larroquette, Jon Lovitz, Mandy Moore, Kevin Smith, Cheri Oteri and Amy Poehler; Rated R for language, violence, sexual material and some drug content.

What is The Rock Cooking?: Here, The Rock is cooking up trouble as a former soldier…but more as a witless pawn than anything else. It’s a post-apocalyptic Los Angeles, and The Rock (as Boxer Santaros) is waking up in the sand, with a pretty bad case of amnesia. Sure, he was engaged to the president’s daughter…but he can’t quite remember that. And so, he ends up part of a massive conspiratorial plot…that’s way too convoluted for me to explain here.

Top IMDB Search Terms: Soldier; Blackmail; Dream Sequence; Alternative Timeline; Allegory

Random Trivia: This was the first film for Dwayne Johnson to drop "The Rock" in his billing.

And I Quote: Boxer Santaros: “I'm a pimp... and pimps don't commit suicide.”

Curt’s Take: Worth Considering – I think I drank the Kool-Aid on this one. After I first got done watching it, I was like, “Wha…?” But then I parts of it sink in…and found out that it was written and directed by Richard Kelly, who also was behind one of my favorite movies, Donnie Darko. Maybe it was just me rationalizing things after the fact, but I started getting more intrigued by what I saw. So, some advance warning: 1) It’s a bit surreal and all over the place and 2) it’s a bit long, so go into it well-rested. Still…it’s pretty damn unique AND it takes place right in my own neck of the woods (with many scenes set in the South Bay and Venice Beach). I plan to see it again.

Take 4 TV: Two from Cable

2008-10-02T20:53:00.001-07:00

It’s been a while, so I’ll just take the official stance that Take 4 Reviews was on hiatus for the month of September. But now that it’s Clarktober (oh, you heard me right, folks), I felt I should get back on track, starting with a review of the first season of two TV series, one from Showtime and one from HBO.

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Weeds: Season One (2005)

The Basics: A comedy/drama on Showtime, currently in its fourth season. It stars Mary-Louise Parker, Elizabeth Perkins, and Kevin Nealon.

The Premise: In order to continue to give her family the life to which they’ve grown accustomed, a widow takes on the mantle of “provider of herbal remedies” to the local community, while dealing with the school issues of her two sons, a slacker brother-in-law who would just as soon smoke all their profits, and all the other ins and outs of supply and demand in suburban California.

Random Trivia: The name of Nancy and Andy's "fakery" is Breadsticks and Scones. The cap that bakery employees wear shortens the name of the bakery to "BS" as a joke.

And I Quote: Doug Wilson: “It's a weed wonderland, Nancy. It's like Amsterdam only you don't have to visit the Anne Frank house and pretend to be all sad and shit.”

Curt’s Take – Must See: All I know is that this show has a huge following at work…and I can see why: it’s funny, it’s well-written, and the characters are great. It focuses much less on the moral issues of whether marijuana is evil or benign, and looks more at the lengths to which a mother will go to provide for her family. It’s got language, sex, and plenty of drug references…but it’s all in good fun. If you don’t have much of a sense of humor and have a tough time looking at otherwise serious situations with a grin and smirk, this probably isn’t for you. Otherwise, you should really check this out.

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Entourage: Season One (2004)

The Basics: A comedy/drama on HBO, marching forward toward the start of its fifth season. It stars Kevin Connolly, Adrian Grenier, Kevin Dillon, Jerry Ferrara and Jeremy Piven.

The Premise: A young actor from New York lives in the Hollywood hills with a group of friends who act as his consultants, confidantes…and entourage. Together, they battle slimy agents, lousy scripts and other hazards native to the Hollywood scene.

Random Trivia: Kevin Connolly had actually retired from acting when show creators first approached about doing the show. It wasn't until he was informed the part of Eric had been written specifically for him that he decided to take part.

And I Quote: Ari Gold: “Let's hug it out, bitch.”

Curt’s Take – Must See: At first, I was hesitant about this. I really didn’t think I’d enjoy it…while I do enjoy some elements of the California lifestyle, I’m more attuned to the laid back South Bay beach scene, rather than the “east of the 405” Hollywood “scene to be seen” mentality. That having been said, I quickly found that the series doesn’t take itself all that seriously. It gently mocks the Hollywood vibe, presents some honest-to-goodness genuine moments, and presents a bunch of characters that are shades of truth that mirror parts of all of us. Check it out…it’s a fun time.

Take 4: Four Random Comedies

2008-08-27T21:49:00.000-07:00

The Talent Given Us (2004)

The Basics: A comedy/drama written and directed by Andrew Wagner, and starring his parents and two sisters. Kind of a strange casting decision, but I think he was looking for a realistic portrayal of an American family.

In 25 Words or Less: The parents of a reclusive Hollywood writer take a spontaneous cross-country trip to visit their son, dragging along their two daughters on the adventure.

Curt’s Take – Not a Priority: I didn’t realize until the end of the film that the writer/director threw his parents, Judy and Allen Wagner, into the main roles of this film…two folks who didn’t have any prior acting experience (that I can tell). Both of his sisters (Emily and Maggie) have had acting roles…and they all pretty much just play themselves in the film. To that end, this just kind of becomes an exploration of family issues, from fidelity and commitment to resentment and forgiveness…all while trapped in a minivan traveling across the nation from New Jersey to California. It feels real, I’ll give it that…and Wagner went to great ends to ensure that. But, was I entertained and sucked in? Not so much. I felt I was supposed to connect and empathize with his mom, Judy, but she is such a rollercoaster of emotions that she bounces back and forth between being relatable and slightly crazy. So, while it was an interesting approach…I can’t recommend it in good faith.

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Death at a Funeral (2007)

The Basics: A comedy starring Matthew MacFadyen and Keeley Hawes (both of the BBC’s MI-5). Also starring a bunch of other Brits, plus Alan Tudyk (of Serenity and Firefly) and Peter Dinklage (of The Station Agent). Rated R for language and drug content.

In 25 Words or Less: The death of Daniel’s father draws his extended dysfunctional family together, leading to one of the more interesting funerals any of them have ever attended.

Top IMDB Plot Keywords: Hallucination; Parking Space; Midget; Aunt

And I Quote: Jane: “Would you like a cup of tea, Sandra?” Sandra: “Tea can do many things, Jane, but it can't bring back the dead.”

Curt’s Take – Worth Considering: Truth be told, I do kind of have a thing for subtle British humor, so this was bound to be something I would enjoy. It’s a very good ensemble film, with several interwoven plotlines, clever writing and a subtle brand of comedy that permeates everything. All I can say is that if these sorts of things generally appeal to you, check it out…you’ll have a good time and come away smiling.

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Keeping Mum (2005)

The Basics: A dark comedy starring Kristin Scott Thomas, Maggie Smith, Rowan Atkinson and Patrick Swayze. Rated R for language and some sexual content/nudity.

In 25 Words or Less: The Goodfellows hire a new housekeeper, an elderly woman whose past holds a dark secret that begins to hold sway over their family and community.

Top IMDB Plot Keywords: Car; American Abroad; Blood; Animal in Cast Credits; Death

And I Quote: Petey Goodfellow: “Billy Martin's dead! Billy Martin's dead!” Gloria Goodfellow [whispering to Grace]: “Is Billy Martin really dead?” Grace Hawkins: “No, just unconscious. But don't tell Petey; he's very excited.”

Curt’s Take – Worth Considering: This was a lot of fun. Again, a British comedy, so that was a check in the “plus” column. And I also like dark comedies, so that’s two for two. The idea of an elderly woman you don’t want to cross, especially as played by the excellent Maggie Smith, was reminiscent of Arsenic and Old Lace, but with a bit more edge. Again, would recommend checking this one out.

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Stranger than Fiction (2006)

The Basics: A comedy/drama/fantasy, starring Will Ferrell, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Emma Thompson, Dustin Hoffman and Queen Latifah. Rated PG-13 for some disturbing images, sexuality, brief language and nudity.

In 25 Words or Less: Harold Crick wakes up one day to find that a mysterious voice is narrating his life…and predicting his demise.

Top IMDB Plot Keywords: IRS Agent; Brushing Teeth; Surreal; Car in Water

Random Trivia: While filming, Will Ferrell had an earpiece that fed him Emma Thompson's narrative line in order to ensure the other actors reacted more naturally to Ferrell's seemingly non-sequitur reactions and lines.

And I Quote: Dr. Hilbert: “Well is it possible at one time that you were made of stone, wood, lye, varied corpse parts? Or, earth made holy by rabbinical elders?” Harold: “No. Look, look. I'm sorry, but what do these questions have to do with anything?” Dr. Hilbert: “Nothing. The only way to find out what story you're in is to determine what stories you're not in. Odd as it may seem, I've just ruled out half of Greek literature, seven fairy tales, ten Chinese fables, and determined conclusively that you are not King Hamlet, Scout Finch, Miss Marple, Frankenstein's Monster, or a golem. Hmm? Aren't you relieved to know you're not a golem?” Harold: “Yes. I am relieved to know that I am not a golem.” Dr. Hilbert: “Good. Do you have magical powers?”

Curt’s Take – Must See: Saying I’m not a Will Ferrell fan is like saying that PETA wouldn’t exactly take to Cruella DeVille’s approach to fashion. A bit of an understatement. To that end, choosing to sit through this was a big step for me. Many folks had recommended I check this out, though, so figured I’d give it a shot. And they were right. It was great to see that Will Ferrell could tackle a somewhat serious role. The story was fantastical and surreal enough for me to really get into, and you come to really care about the characters...and to question whether or not to think of them as “characters.” It’s really quite meta. And you should see it.

Take 4 TV: Touched

2008-08-20T23:41:00.000-07:00

Touching Evil: Season 1 (1997)

The Basics: A crime/drama from the UK starring Robson Green and Nicola Walker. It also aired on PBS’s program Mystery! The first season is comprised of three two-hour long episodes, each split into two parts.

What’s Going On?: Detective Inspector Dave Creegan works for (and helped establish) the Organized and Serial Crimes Unit in London, which focuses on…well…organized and serial crimes. After getting shot in the head, surviving, and taking a leave of absence, Creegan comes back to the OSC, only to find that many of the faces have changed. He still takes his job seriously, though, and his co-workers soon come to find that, if Creegan’s on the case, justice will be served…one way or another.

Top IMDB Plot Keywords: Murder; Police; TV Mini-Series

Life Lessons from Touching Evil: 1) Dogs are man’s best friend. Usually. 2) Near-death experiences are better than dead experiences. 3) Acid and video games don’t mix.

Curt’s Take – Worth Considering: I really grew to immediately like the characters as I was watching the first disc of this series. I got sucked into the mystery, too...the mystery of a serial kidnapper. While I was less enthralled by the next two discs, they were still engaging, containing a good mix of mystery, character development, and the continuation of previous storylines. There’s nothing that really sets this crime drama significantly apart, device-wise, from other shows on television…it’s just great casting, directing and writing. I’d check it out.

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Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Touch of Satan (1998)

The Basics: Mystery Science Theater 3000 (or MST3K, as it’s known by fans) is a television show starring a humble janitor, stranded on a satellite in space by mad scientists, and forced to watch some of the worst movies of all time as part of their evil experiments. Mike, the janitor, built a couple robot pals to help pass the time, keep him company, and join him in mercilessly mocking the movies that are meant to torture him.

What’s Going On?: In this episode, Pearl (the mad scientist) has to leave her humble castle, placing a babysitter in charge of her henchmen…and in charge of delivering this episodes stinker of a movie, The Touch of Satan, to Mike, Crow, and Tom (Mike’s two robot friends). The Touch of Satan is a lovely little gem where a young man, traveling the country, stops at a lonely walnut ranch for some rest, only to find that evil resides on this nut farm. The three weather the film, in spite of an appearance made by Tom’s psychotic great-grandmother.

Top IMDB Plot Keywords: Babysitter; Ape; Good Versus Evil; Android; Mad Scientist

Life Lessons from The Touch of Satan: 1) Fire isn’t good for one’s complexion. 2) Some great-grandmothers are better left locked in the attic. 3) A little touch of Satan goes a long way.

And I Quote: Jodie [a character in the movie]: “Does your father mind if I skip rocks across his pond?” Melissa [also in the movie]: “You'll have to ask him. Is that your car?” Jodie: “Yeah.” Mike [mocking Melissa]: “Mind if I skip rocks across it?”

Curt’s Take – Not a Priority: I’ve reviewed several episodes of MST3K before. This one was okay. There have been funnier, there have been worse. If you’re going to catch the show (and I highly recommend that you do), I’d start with a different episode, such as Mitchell or Pod People.

Take 4: Spectrum

2008-08-17T19:35:00.000-07:00

In honor of Bastille Day last month (July 14), below is a review of the French Trois Couleurs trilogy. Well…to be honest…I watched these films and wrote up this review sometime in mid-June, and am finally getting around to sending it out now. But…it would definitely have been appropriate for the French holiday. Oh…plus one more film to round out the quartet. Thanks to Matt for recommending the trilogy.

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Blue (1993)

The Basics: The first installment in the Three Colors trilogy, this French drama stars Juliette Binoche, plays with subtitles, and is unrated…but I’d guess it would get a PG-13 rated if it was released in theaters in the U.S. (maybe even a PG). Not much in the way of violence, language, sexuality, etc.

What’s Going On?: Julie, her husband (a famous composer) and her young daughter are in a terrible car accident, leaving Julie a childless widow. Never fully confronting her grief, Julie resigns herself to disconnecting from the world around her, living in solitude and anonymity in busy downtown Paris. This turns out to be more difficult than she first imagines, as life continues on around her, drawing her into the lives of those she encounters. Will she be able to cope with her loss, or will she completely detach from society and vanish in a spiral of despair?

Top IMDB Plot Keywords: Polish; Part of Trilogy; Color in Title; Death of Daughter; Death of Husband

Random Trivia: The trilogy explores the meaning behind the three colors of the French flag…liberty, equality, and fraternity. In Blue, writer/director Krzysztof Kieslowski interprets “liberty” as “being free from anything and everything, having no ties and no commitments to anyone.”

And I Quote: Julie: “Now I have only one thing left to do: nothing. I don't want any belongings, any memories. No friends, no love. Those are all traps.”

Curt’s Take – Not a Priority (w/Caveat): First off, this isn’t an extremely exciting film. It’s a pretty basic drama, and not much of an emotional rollercoaster. The artistic use of color, though, was extremely interesting. The color blue, for example, is used quite frequently…often to depict moments of isolation. Shots will be set up so that blue, white and red appear concurrently or one after another. So, for this movie on its own, I’d give this a rating of Not a Priority, but in actuality, you should likely watch it. Why? Read on.

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White (1994)

The Basics: The second installment in the Three Colors trilogy, starring Zbigniew Zamachowki (seriously) and Julie Delpy is a comedy/drama. Again, this has subtitles, but this time because it’s in both Polish and French. Again, thinking this would get a PG-13.

What’s Going On?: Karol Karol, a Polish hairdresser and immigrant to France, isn’t sure how to handle the fact that his new bride, Dominque, wants a divorce…just because he’s having trouble performing in bed. He ends up traveling back to Warsaw, re-establishing himself in his profession…and through uncharacteristic risk and guile, ends up advancing pretty rapidly up the socioeconomic ladder. But through all this, he can’t help but think about Dominque...

Top IMDB Plot Keywords: Cuckold; Thieves; Sex Scene; Telephone Call; Part of Trilogy

Random Trivia: Although almost every shot in the film contains at least one white object, the color itself doesn’t hold symbolic significance, as the colors blue and red do in the other movies of the trilogy. Indeed, here, white is more used to represent an absence of color.

And I Quote: Karol Karol [pointing a gun at a man who wants help committing suicide]: “That was a blank. The next one's real. Are you sure?”

Curt’s Take – Worth Considering: I really enjoyed this one…especially compared to Blue. You almost immediately feel sympathy for Karol, the main character, and want nothing more for him than for him to succeed. The tone is also completely different than in Blue…ironically, White is sort of a dark comedy. And this is where the “equality” sort of comes into play: Karol Karol hasn’t exactly been treated fairly since he left Poland for France…and what better way to gain equality than through revenge?

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Red (1994)

The Basics: The final installment of the Three Colors trilogy, a drama starring Irene Jacob and Jean-Louis Trintignant, with subtitles. Would peg this as a PG-13 film, as well.

What’s Going On?: Valentine, a young commercial model living in France, accidentally hits a dog with her car. She tracks down the owner, and finds him to be 1) a recluse, 2) a retired judge, and 3) listening in on the phone conversations of his neighbors through sophisticated surveillance equipment. At first she is disgusted with his actions, but then slowly comes to learn more about the man behind the façade, and they grow to become good friends (“fraternity”).

Top IMDB Plot Keywords: Color in Title; Trilogy; Part of Trilogy; Geneva, Switzerland

Random Trivia: This was the final movie for filmmaker Krzysztof Kieslowski. After completion, he stated that he felt there was nothing left for him to say.

And I Quote: Valentine: “I feel something important is happening around me. And it scares me.”

Curt’s Take – Must See: For something that is pretty much a straight-up drama with a romantic bent, I was surprised how much I fell in love with this film. The use of the color red throughout the movie is both eye-catching and breathtaking, while the story of a simple, good-hearted woman ends up evolving into something much, much more. The story grows slowly, capturing you, and by the time it reaches the end, you’re just sitting there in rapt attention. But now the tough part…this IS a trilogy and you do get the most out of this by seeing all three films. So, my advice: sit through Blue…to enjoy White…and ultimately really, really get sucked into Red.

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Colors (1988)

The Basics: A crime drama starring Sean Penn and Robert Duvall, as well as Maria Conchita Alonso, Don Cheadle and Damon Wayans; While the rating isn’t listed online, this has to be Rated R – we’re talking nudity, language, violence, drug use…the works.

What’s Going On?: A newcomer to the LAPD, Danny McGavin, gets partnered up with long-time veteran, Bob Hodges. Their job? To patrol the mean streets of Los Angeles and put an end to the gang warfare between the Bloods (wearing red) and the Crips (wearing blue). No easy task.

Top IMDB Plot Keywords: Buddy Cop; Rap Music; Graffiti; Cop; Female Nudity

Random Trivia: Perhaps not that surprisingly, Sean Penn was arrested and spent close to a month in jail after hitting an extra on the set of this film who was taking snapshots of Penn without his permission.

And I Quote: Dr. Feelgood: “Hey man, these handcuffs are too tight.” Danny McGavin: “Well they ain't built for comfort, pal.”

Curt’s Take – Worth Considering: I wasn’t expecting too much from this one…the dated rap music during the opening credits was especially hard to take seriously. It proved, however, to be a decent “buddy film,” not unlike the Lethal Weapon series (although less funny). In addition, for it being early in his career, Sean Penn does a pretty good job in this role. It paints a pretty grim picture of the fight against street violence in Los Angeles, but the fact that at different points you start feeling pangs of sympathy for different gang factions…well, it’s something worth checking out.

Take 4: It's My Birthday, Dammit

2008-07-15T21:44:00.000-07:00

So, my birthday was June 28, and I decided, what the hell…it’s my special day, and I’m going to watch whatever the hell I want to watch. So read on, and take a look at the four movies I decided to check out.

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The Film Crew: Killers from Space (2007)

In 25 Words Or Less…: Mike, Kevin and Bill, members of The Film Crew, sit through cheesy films and leave snarky commentary tracks that mercilessly mock what they are watching.

Why Did I Pick This?: I’m a huge fan of Mystery Science Theater 3000 (MST3K), and these three guys formed the trio of Mike Nelson and (the voices behind) his two robot pals, Tom Servo and Crow T. Robot. I was hoping that it would be just as enjoyable as the original series.

Curt’s Take – Worth Considering: It was a bit disconcerting to watch this, actually. Sitting through The Film Crew was nearly identical to sitting through an episode of MST3K. The only difference was that there was no silhouette of Mike, Tom and Crow at the bottom of the screen…other than that, the voices were completely the same. I kept having to remind myself that Mike wasn’t trading barbs with Crow and Tom…he was bantering with Bill Corbett and Kevin Murphy. This took some getting used to, but when it comes down to it, the hilarity of the jokes and pop culture commentary were on par with those from the original MST3K series. If you liked them from that, definitely consider taking this one for a spin. As for the film they were mocking, Killers from Space, it was pretty bad…and Peter Graves, one of the stars, gave them plenty of material with which to work.

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Flight of the Living Dead (2007)

In 25 Words Or Less…: A scientific experiment contained in a plane’s cargo hold gets loose and starts contaminating the passengers and crew, who must now fight for their lives.

Why Did I Pick This?: Come on! Is that not the BEST title ever for a zombie movie? Genius!

Top IMDB Plot Keywords: Jumping; Cargo Bay; Head Chopped Off; Shot in the Forehead; Celebrity

And I Quote…: Frank: “You thought it was me gnawing on the passengers? Nah, I'm a vegetarian.”

Curt’s Take – Don’t Bother: I thought this might be a clever send-off of zombie flicks. No such luck. Over the top gore, little in the way of hilarity, and way too lengthy zombie attack scenes. Definitely a rip-off of Snakes on a Plane, and had the potential to be much more entertaining than it was. So if you’re curious (like I was) how a zombie attack would play out on a plane…just go on and keep wondering. You’re better off not watching this.

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A Midsummer Night’s Rave (2002)

In 25 Words Or Less…: The tale of Puck, Lysander, Hermia and the rest of the gang from Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream get a modern-day makeover.

Why Did I Pick This?: I’ve always enjoyed remakes/updates of Shakespeare’s plays (I’m still trying to track down the Ethan Hawke version of Hamlet that takes place in the hectic world of banking and high finance), and Midsummer has steadfastly been one of my favorites.

Top IMDB Plot Keywords: Drugs; Rave; Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream

And I Quote…: Puck's Monologue

Curt’s Take – Worth Considering: I really enjoyed this…but if you aren’t familiar with the original story and characters, you probably aren’t going to get a lot out of it. The music is thumping, the pace is fast, and you just kind of fall into it. So if you do know your Helena from your Hermia and your Demetrius from your Lysander, check this out…and don’t forget your glowsticks.

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Black Sheep (2006)

In 25 Words Or Less…: A farm owner in New Zealand creates a new breed of genetically-superior sheep…but something goes horribly, horribly wrong.

Why Did I Pick This?: I’m always game for odd mixtures of humor and horror…and the idea of a bunch of sheep going all The Birds on farmers, scientists and animal rights activists is right up my alley.

Top IMDB Plot Keywords: Severed Foot; Weresheep; Vegetarian; Exploding Fart; Vegan

And I Quote…: Tucker: “What about the sheep?” Angus: “Fuck the sheep!” Tucker: “No time for that bro. Go! Go! Go!”

Curt’s Take – Worth Considering: Heh. Good times. Clever writing, great cast, and a frickin’ ridiculous premise. Check it out if you’re in for a good laugh, and don’t mind your horror mixed up with a fair bit of comedy (or vice versa). Just beware…it does get a bit graphic/gory at times.

Take 4: Horrorfest Revisited (2006)

2008-07-09T22:09:00.000-07:00

Each fall for the past couple years, I’ve attended After Dark Films’ Horrorfest: “Eight Films to Die For.” It pretty much is exactly what it sounds like…a week-long celebration of eight independent horror films. I usually try to hit them all over the opening weekend, but always manage to miss some. Back in 2006, I managed to hit six of the eight films…but then two additional films were added as “special engagement” screenings. I’ve finally caught up on all the 2006 films through Netflix…read on for the reviews.

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The Tripper (2006)

The Basics: A slasher/horror film starring Jaime King, Thomas Jane, Lukas Haas, Jason Mewes and Marsha Thomason (despite what you might think at first, you probably know each of these folks from at least one movie or television show), with brief appearances by Paul Reubens, David Arquette and Courteney Cox (the latter two also produced the film); Rated R for strong horror violence and gore, drug content, language and some sexuality/nudity

What’s Going On: The weekend-long American Free Love Festival rock concert is taking place in the remote forests of Northern California, and hippies and potheads from all over the nation are converging there for several days of music, tripping and love. And while the local authorities attempt to keep peace and security at the festival, a Ronald Reagan-masked psycho with an axe is showing those left-wing commies what’s what…although he does throw in an occasional redneck to show his bipartisanship.

Top IMDB Plot Keywords: Nude Man Murdered; Knife Throwing; Marijuana; Neck Breaking Scene; Stabbed in the Back

Random Trivia: It rained so much during filming of The Tripper that director/writer/producer David Arquette, at the wrap party, gave each cast and crew member a personalized poncho. In fact, one of the few days it DIDN'T rain was when they shot the rain scenes. They had to make rain for these scenes.

And I Quote: Preppy Victim [before being killed]: “But I'm a Republican!”

Curt’s Take – Don’t Bother: This one is a bit out of left field, because it wasn’t exactly part of the formal Horrorfest schedule. Originally, it was slated to be shown with all the other films, but then David Arquette decided he’d rather it hit theaters on April 20 (for obvious reasons, to those in the know). However, while it was removed from the schedule, I do remember a local theater showing it as part of a one-night engagement during the festival…so it somehow did get snuck in. Anyway, it might have been fun to see this in a theater with a bunch of rowdy horror movie fans…but it really wasn’t that great. It wasn’t scary, just gory…and when it tried to be funny, it was only partially successful. The story was so all over the map that it took a lot of effort just to stay on course. All in all…don’t bother.

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Snoop Dogg’s Hood of Horror (2006)

The Basics: A horror comedy, starring Snoop Dogg, Ernie Hudson, Danny Trejo, Brande Roderick and a cameo by Jason Alexander. Rated R for pervasive strong violence and gore, sexuality, nudity and language. Yep…they cover all the bases.

What’s Going On: Snoop Dogg (in the guise of what can only be described as a demonic pimp) hosts three short horror films revolving around evil graffiti, sadistic slumlords and greedy rappers who get more than they bargain for. It’s like Tales from the Hood…but with the added legitimacy of Snoop Dogg. All the stories are tied together through a strange, surreal animated sequence.

Top IMDB Plot Keywords: Shot in the Back; After Dark Horrorfest; Shot in the Forehead; Self Mutilation

And I Quote: Roscoe: “That's what I call irony and gluttony all rolled up into one messy package.”

Curt’s Take – Don’t Bother: As far as horror movies go, this is pretty weak. In essence, you basically have three half-hour short films, and none of them do a good job in building a truly scary experience in thirty minutes of time. Sure, some of it’s supposed to be campy and over-the-top, but what you have here is either a horror trilogy that’s not that scary or a comedic trilogy that’s not that funny. There are scarier movies out there and funnier movies out there…see them instead. Unless you’re just a Snoop fan…in which case I can’t see you not seeing this.

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Wicked Little Things (2006)

The Basics: A horror movie starring several folks you don’t know (Lori Heuring, Scout Taylor-Compton, Chloe Moretz), although you might recognize Ben Cross and Geoffrey Lewis.

What’s Going On: A widow and her two daughters move to her former husband’s run-down and secluded family home in the mountains of Pennsylvania after running into financial troubles. Not far from their property, an abandoned coal mine holds a troubled history and a terrible secret. Are the rumors of zombie children coal miners simply tall tales told to frighten visitors? And if they were, would that make much of a horror movie?

Top IMDB Plot Keywords: Widow; Evil Children; Explosion; Mining Camp; Mine Disaster

Random Trivia: Tobe Hooper (director of the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Poltergeist) was initially attached to direct the film.

And I Quote: Lisa: “If you ever want to get in my pants again, you better start the car and get my ass out of here RIGHT NOW.”

Curt’s Take - Not a Priority: This was much better than the first two films. It was well-told, the acting didn’t suck…and it tried to be a horror movie. Still, there was still a bit left to be desired. The cinematography was often quite dark…you have a hard time telling what’s going on in the shot, and much of it takes place at night. Also, the horror elements (see the “zombie children coal miners” reference above) weren’t all that frightening. At times they are, sure…but at other times, when you see the gang of them moving through the woods, they just look like, well, a bunch of kids moving quickly through the woods, trying not to fall down and impale themselves on their pickaxes. I will say this…you don’t see pickaxes nearly enough in horror movies. Quick, efficient, and readily able to get the job down. Hell, they’re even throwable. Horror movies definitely need more pickaxes. Anyway, the movie didn’t suck and was entertaining at points…give it a shot if you got nothing better lined up.
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The Hamiltons (2006)

The Basics: A drama/thriller starring (as the Hamiltons) Cory Knauf, Samuel Child, Joseph McKelheer and Mackenzie Firgens. Rated R for strong violence, language and some sexual content.

What’s Going On: Meet the Hamilton siblings: David, the twins (Wendell and Darlene), young Francis…and then, of course, Lenny…who’s kept locked up in a small room under the house. They’re just trying to survive after the loss of their parents…but let’s just say that they aren’t all that they appear to be at first glance. They’ve moved six times in the past two years, and people tend to go missing when they’re around. Life as a Hamilton isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

Top IMDB Plot Keywords: Gagged and Bound; Night Vision; Joint; Revelation; Trapped in House

And I Quote: Wendell: “Katie…if monsters were real, they’d be a lot different then they are on TV.”

Curt’s Take – Worth Considering: By far, this was the best of this group of four movies. The story slowly but surely pulls you in, as you begin to wonder what the hell is up with this strange group of siblings. And just when I thought I knew what was going on…about two-thirds of the way through the movie, the rug gets pulled out from under my feet. And it happened twice more after that. I love a movie that keeps me guessing, that has characters you root for and characters you love to hate, and that has you on the edge of your seat. Although the title is pretty unassuming, I recommend checking this out if you stumble upon it.

Take 4 TV: Peter Gunn

2008-06-24T00:12:00.000-07:00

Peter Gunn (1958)

The Basics: An action/crime drama that aired on television for three seasons, starring Craig Stevens, Herschel Bernardi and Lola Albright. I played the theme song quite a bit in high school band…so figured it was high time I saw the series.

What’s Going On?: Peter Gunn is your classic film noir private detective, pounding the black and white streets of the city, and thinking through cases at a jazzy little nightclub called “Mother’s,” where his girlfriend, Edie, works as a singer. His cases range from mysterious deaths and blackmail to missing people and robbery investigations…all with a swinging soundtrack by Henry Mancini. And each solved within half an hour.

Top IMDB Plot Keywords: Maitre D’; Private Detective; Jazz; Famous Opening Theme

Random Trivia: This was one of the first television shows to have its own original score and it was the first to feature modern jazz for a soundtrack. Previously, producers used generic music scores that were used in many television productions. RCA released an album of music from Peter Gunn, featuring the title song and other pieces. It reached #1 on Billboard's chart, stayed there ten weeks, and stayed on the list for the next two years. It was so successful that RCA put together a sequel. Henry Mancini received an Emmy nomination for the theme and won two Grammys for the album.

Curt’s Take – Worth Considering: First off, a confession…I didn’t sit through all 32 episodes. Instead, I caught the first 16, and made my decision at that point. This wasn’t like a lot of programs on television today, where a serialized story is told that builds from episode to episode. Here, every crime, investigation and resolution happens in about 30 minutes time. This is classic film noir detective-work here, folks…with a great jazz soundtrack to accompany the action. Because of that, I say catch four or five episodes, and you’ll have gotten a good flavor for the series.

Take 4: Job Titles

2008-06-12T23:22:00.000-07:00

Poolhall Junkies (2002)

The Basics: Drama/thriller starring Mars Callahan, Chazz Palminteri, Rick “Don’t Call Me Ricky” Schroder and Michael Rosenbaum. And Christopher Walken. Gotta love Christopher Walken. Rated R for language and some sexual content. And probably for Christopher Walken. He’s the thinking man’s Chuck Norris.

Help Wanted: Young, cocky guy who can “run the table” needed to take on hotshot, nationally ranked pool champ for pride and money. Sharp hustling skills a must.

Job Description: Johnny Doyle would likely be a nationally-ranked pool player, if he hadn’t dedicated his life to mastering the art of the poolhall hustle. Once he gets out from under the thumb of his ego-obsessed mentor, Johnny tries to make an honest living…but escaping the life of a poolhall junkie is never easy.

Random Trivia: There were no camera tricks or special film editing used for any of the billiards shots in the film, although many of the special "trick shots" were performed by billiards legend Robert LeBlanc, who appears as professional "Bobby LeBlanc" in the film.

And I Quote: Joe: “You beat them, you take their money, you call them names to their faces... and they love you. I don't know how you do it. I never saw anything like it. Beating a man out of his money, that's easy. Anybody can do that. But beating a man out of his money and making him like it... that's an art. That's an art of a true hustler.”

Curt’s Take – Not a Priority: This film was a bit of a roller coaster. There were moments where the writing was decent…but those moments were outnumbered by what I felt was largely a formulaic and predictable story/script. At several points, I was spot-on in calling what was going to be happening in the next scene, and even in the “comedic timing” they were going to use to try to transition to that scene. The acting wasn’t great, with only Christopher Walken really standing out as giving a truly enjoyable performance (I’m half-tempted to give it a Worth Considering, just because he’s in it). So, if you like movies that center around billiards and hustling, check this out…otherwise, you’re not missing much…except the pseudo-comeback of Rick(y) Schroder.

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Flyboys (2006)

The Basics: Action/drama starring James Franco and Jean Reno (and several other lesser-knowns). Rated PG-13 for war action violence (World War I, to be specific) and some sexual content (basically, there’s a French brothel).

Help Wanted: Americans who are drawn by the heroic and romantic allure of being the world’s first fighter pilots needed to join a French fighter squadron to battle Germany during the first World War.

Job Description: Blaine Rawlings, an orphaned rancher from Arizona, sees newsreel of footage of French fighter pilots and (since America hasn’t joined the war yet) decides to go to France and fight for the Allies by enlisting in the Lafayette Escadrille fighter squadron. He and his fellow Americans are quickly thrown from the thrills, heroics and romanticism of biplanes and barnstorming into the reality of the battlefront.

Random Trivia: The real Lafayette Escadrille had a pair of lion cubs as mascots. One was indeed named "Whiskey," as in the film. The other, appropriately enough, was named "Soda."

And I Quote: Skinner: “So how many planes do you have to shoot down to get back in father's good books?” Lowry: “Just mine.”

Curt’s Take – Worth Considering: There used to be two things that would, without fail, grab my attention in a film…courtroom scenes and poker playing scenes. I think I can now add to that list dogfights. No, not the Michael Vick type…I’m talking about aerial combat between fighter planes. I’ve never been a huge fan of Top Gun, though, so I think in this case it was the vintage biplanes that did it for me. Just like the men who crossed to France to join the Escadrille, I think I’ve got a soft spot for the romanticism and heroicism that surrounds planes in the early part of the 20th century. Even with that, the story helps puts a face to a small number of the lives that helped the Allies in the early stages of the Great War, and does so in a really enjoyable manner. Try to catch this if you can.

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The Fearless Vampire Killers (1967)

The Basics: A cult comedy/horror starring Jack MacGowran, Sharon Tate, and Roman Polanski (who also wrote and directed). This film was unrated by the MPAA, but is pretty light on language and violence…I’d place it at a PG or PG-13.

Help Wanted: Professor and young assistant needed to investigate vampire sightings in extremely rural Transylvania. Must be able to provide own crucifixes, garlic and stakes.

Job Description: Professor Abronsius and Alfred (his protégé) visit a remote Transylvanian village on their quest to find and destroy vampires. As it so happens, the village they stumble upon is frequented by a local vampire, and the two undead hunters must venture into the castle of their foe in order to save the family of a local innkeeper. But who exactly is the predator and who is the prey?

Random Trivia: Sharon Tate replaced Jill St John, who withdrew shortly before shooting. She would later go on to marry Roman Polanski…and ultimately would prove to be one of the victims of the nefarious “Manson Family.”

And I Quote: Shagal [as a young woman tries to fend him off with a cross]: “Oy vey, have you got the wrong vampire.”

Curt’s Take – Not a Priority: I think I remember stumbling upon this on cable several years ago, but not really understanding the humor. Here it is, probably a good seven or eight years later, and I’m still not sure why this is considered a “cult comedy classic.” Maybe it’s the 1960s approach to humor, but I just didn’t find it that entertaining. It wasn’t bad, per se…just not really engaging or interesting. Still...there are worse ways to spend your time, I suppose. And there are much worse vampire movies out there.

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Bottom Feeders (1998)

The Basics: Action/crime movie starring not much of anyone…except you might recognize John Saxon (but I doubt it). Rated R for violence and language.

Help Wanted: Getaway driver needed for amateur crime caper. Prior criminal experience a plus.

Job Description: Plank McCall gets recruited by his cousin Earl into helping a group of amateur criminals loot a poker game frequented by some pretty unsavory (but wealthy) local characters. And while the gang over at Ocean’s Eleven can handle an intricate plot with many participants and moving parts…this group has to commit the plan to memory through Dr. Seuss-like rhyming verse (e.g. “He drives around back, as cool as can be…and waits for his buddies who he’s happy to see”). So, needless to say…things don’t go that well. Now, various members of the gang are on the run…but who will betray who, and who will live to tell the tale?

Random Trivia: Also released under the name Criminal Minds.

And I Quote: Plank: “I do gotta get over to Grace’s, Tammy. Um, I need to…uh, borrow...a car. You got any neighbors you don’t like?” Tammy [pointing to another double-wide]: “Well…they always yell at the kids.”

Curt’s Take – Don’t Bother: Poor cinematography. Poor writing. Poor acting. There’s nothing really positive about this…and I love heist movies (I guess you can add that to courtroom dramas, poker games, and aerial dogfights). There were some decent ideas in the story, yes…and that’s all that really keeps this from getting a rating of Run in Fear. It’s just that translating the idea into a script and then onto screen didn’t really go off that well. It’s like the morons in the film decided to, as their next joint venture, produce this movie. Bad idea.

Take 4 TV: Cold Feet, Season 1

2008-05-26T21:55:00.000-07:00

Cold Feet, Season 1 (1997)

The Basics: Award-winning British comedy-drama that revolves around the lives of three couples of friends, as they deal with dating, marriage, children…and all the other complications that come with relationships today. Think of it as a more serious (and more British) Friends.

And I Quote: Rachel: “He told me that he loved me by shoving a rose up his bottom.” Adam: “Roses. Don't talk to me about roses - big painful, thorny roses. I'm the world's first human vase.”

Top IMDB Plot Keywords: Couple; Friend; Lover; Men

Random Trivia: Over the course of its run (1997-2003), it won fifteen major television awards, and was nominated for an additional nineteen.

Curt’s Take: Worth Considering – I’d say it’s definitely worth checking out the pilot episode and maybe an additional episode (three DVDs total). But if you try to sit through the entire first season over a couple days (six episodes, in addition to the pilot) like I did, you’ll likely grow tired of it pretty quickly. Still…it’s written well, you grow close to the characters, and I even laughed out loud at several points. So check out an episode or two. Given that, though, I currently don’t have any plans to catch future seasons. It was good…but I’ve moved on.

Take 4: Murder, Anyone?

2008-05-18T22:02:00.000-07:00

The Murder Game (2006)

The Basics: A horror film, starring nobody you’ve ever heard of…trust me; Not having been released to the big screen, it’s also unrated

In the Beginning…: A group of friends love to play a little game called “Murder,” in which one of them is randomly picked to be a killer and must dispose of the rest of the group using a collection of fake weaponry. They decide to try their game, after hours, in a self-storage locker facility…just to add a bit of thrill to the game.

The Plot Thickens: Someone starts to take the game a bit too seriously. Gee, there’s a surprise.

Curt’s Take: Run in Fear – I’m not going to spend too much time on this one. This gem mixes the production value of a college film with grade school-level writing. I’ll admit, the concept is one that I like…the old “guess who the killer is” game, while suspects get narrowed down, one-by-one. But when I can consciously count how many times I roll my eyes during the movie (14, if you must know), it’s pretty bad. This one is only worth watching if you plan on mocking it the entire time.

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Murder Party (2007)

The Basics: A comedic/horror independent film, also starring nobody you’ve likely heard of; Once again, this is unrated…do you sense a theme?

In the Beginning…: A mild-mannered office worker, Chris, stumbles upon a random invitation to a “Murder Party” on Halloween…and decides to throw caution to the wind and attend.

The Plot Thickens: Upon his arrival, Chris finds himself in the clutches of a group of rogue artists, intent on murdering him as part of their artistic “statement.”

Top IMDB Plot Keywords: Murder; Hipster; New York; Pretension

And I Quote: Chris: “I…dumped myself.”

Curt’s Take: Must See – Upon seeing the preview for this, I knew I had to take a chance and see it. It’s not often that a horror/comedy is also an award-winner (“Best Feature Film” at the Vail Film Festival). It was the right mix of quirkiness and dark comedy for my tastes, and has a “hero” that is impossible to not root for. My style of humor doesn’t always link up with those of my friends, though, and there are a couple slow points in the film, so take my recommendation with a grain of salt…but if you’re looking for something different and don’t mind a bit of blood , definitely check this out.

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Memories of Murder (2003)

The Basics: A South Korean crime/thriller that won 11 awards, including the Grand Bell Award from South Korea and the Silver Seashell Award at the San Sebastian International Film Festival; Once again…no stars you’ve likely heard of (unless you’re a fan of South Korean cinema)

In the Beginning…: A woman is found brutally raped and murdered in rural South Korea. Because it’s 1986, however, investigate techniques aren’t all they’re cracked up to be, and the two police detectives on the case face many false starts as they begin to investigate the case.

The Plot Thickens: When another body is found, the detectives realize they are facing the region’s first serial killer…and have no clue what to do. A cop from the city is brought in to assist on the case, and the trio of detectives find themselves in a battle of wits with a twisted murderer.

Top IMDB Plot Keywords: Rumor; Murder Investigation; Corrupt Cop; Murder Suspect; Red Dress

And I Quote: Suspect: “But…is wanking a crime?”

Curt’s Take: Worth Considering – One of the podcasts that I regularly listen to is Scene Unseen Movie Reviews. Several weeks ago, during a “Murder”-themed movie review podcast, one of the reviewers recommended checking this DVD out. At the time, I was looking for a movie with “Murder” in the title to round out this review, so decided I’d give it a shot. I wasn’t disappointed. The dubbing was a little bit cheesy, but the story was engaging enough…with equal parts thrill, mystery, drama and humor…that you easily overlook it. I’d recommend giving this one a shot.

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Toolbox Murders (2003)

The Basics: A horror/mystery, starring…yet again…nobody you’ve ever heard of. Four for four. Nice. Rated R for strong violence and gore, language, some sexuality and brief drug use.

In the Beginning…: A young teacher, Nell, and her husband (a doctor) move to Hollywood, where he plans to complete his residency. They rent an apartment in the once glamorous Lusman Arms, which is currently undergoing major renovations.

The Plot Thickens: Once the couple moves in, they notice strange, construction-like sounds echoing throughout the building…after hours, when the construction workers have gone home. Add to that the mysterious disappearance of neighbor after neighbor, and Nell decides to dig into the history of the building in order to figure out what exactly is going on.

Top IMDB Plot Keywords: Actor; Voyeur; Webcam; Circular Saw; Moving In

And I Quote: Chas: “It's not about what can get in…it's about what's already here.”

Curt’s Take: Don’t Bother – Basically, a pointless slasher movie. You get the feeling that the crew just decided to film a supernatural thriller in a hotel, and came up with the script as an afterthought. To be fair, there are some okay moments in the script…but those moments tended to be given to half-assed actors. Likewise, the people who could act their way out of a bag ended up getting the crap writing. With better coordination, the movie might have been watchable. As it stands, the movie was meant to shock with its horror effects…and in that it is successful…some pretty gruesome stuff, but a movie can’t stand on blood and guts alone.

Take 4: State-by-State

2008-05-06T23:17:00.000-07:00

Garden State (2004)

The Basics: A drama/comedy/romance starring Zach Braff, Natalie Portman and Peter Sarsgaard; Rated R for language, drug use and a scene of sexuality.

In the Beginning…: After having been out-of-touch with his family for several years, living in Los Angeles as a semi-successful actor (and waiter), Andrew Largeman returns home to New Jersey for his mother’s funeral.

The Plot Thickens: Andrew’s return home re-awakens many things inside of him, and inspires him to take a sabbatical from the emotion-suppressing medication that he has been on since his youth. From reuniting with old hometown friends and meeting a young woman who proves to be a beacon of light in the dreary weather of the Garden State…to finally confronting his dad on decades-old issues…Andrew’s trip home proves to be more of an eye-opener than he ever anticipated.

Top IMDB Plot Keywords: Fingerprints; Boyfriend/Girlfriend Relationship; Animal in Cast Credits; Hole; Cemetery

And I Quote: Andrew: “We're not playing Spin the Bottle; how old are we? More importantly, how old are they?” Jesse: “Oh, they're all legal. I think...”

Curt’s Take: Worth Considering – I remember all the buzz that this independent film generated when it came out several years ago. I also had quite a few friends who were absolutely fascinated by it, so I’m surprised it’s taken me this long to catch it. I wasn’t as enthralled by it as others seemed to be, though…but it was still pretty good as far as dramas go (I wouldn’t consider it a comedy, exactly). So if you’re looking for a decent low-key film with good writing (and if you can overlook Natalie Portman’s stilted acting), this isn’t a bad choice.

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Scotland, PA (2001)

The Basics: A comedy/crime film (based on Williams Shakespeare’s tragedy, Macbeth), starring James LeGros, Maura Tierney and Christopher Walken; Rated R for language, some nudity, drug content and brief violence

In the Beginning…: Joe “Mac” McBeth and his wife Pat work alongside each other in a small-town hamburger stand, Duncan’s Café. But Pat has aspirations beyond being a simple waitress and wants more for her slacker husband than being a burger flipper for the rest of this life.

The Plot Thickens: Pat concocts a plan that will bring her and her husband a fair bit more money and power in the small town of Scotland, PA…but it involves doing something about Norm Duncan, their boss. And, of course, getting away with it…which the local law enforcement, Lieutenant McDuff, doesn’t make easy.

Top IMDB Plot Keywords: 1970s; Shakespeare’s Macbeth; Family Business; Fast Food Restaurant

And I Quote: Pat: “We’re not bad people, Mac…just underachievers who have to make up for lost time.”

Curt’s Take: Must See – First off, I’m a big fan of creative/modern takes on classic works…especially Shakespeare. Plus, I love Maura Tierney and Christopher Walken. I’m guessing I would have enjoyed it even more if I’d ever read Macbeth. It’s set in 1970’s rural Pennsylvania, among rednecks and trailer parks, has a rockin’ 70’s soundtrack, and on top of all that, it was just very damn funny. Check it out.

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The OH in Ohio (2006)

The Basics: A comedy/drama/romance starring Parkey Posey, Paul Rudd, Danny DeVito and Mischa Barton; Rated R for sexual content, language and some drug use

In the Beginning…: Priscilla Chase is a rising star in her career, VP of a company responsible for bringing new business to the city of Cleveland. Unfortunately, however, she isn’t as successful at having a fulfilling sex life with her husband, Jack.

The Plot Thickens: Priscilla begins to explore ways to get over her “dysfunction,” and ends up causing a deeper rift in her marriage. But will their time apart from each other give Priscilla and Jack new-found appreciation for what they have…or will it open their eyes more to what they’ve been missing?

Top IMDB Plot Keywords: Vibrating Cell Phone; Love Rectangle; Self-Help Group; Pot Smoking

And I Quote: Coach Popovitch: “Me and wifey... we incorporate a lot of technology in our marital relations.” Jack Chase: “I'm uncomfortable now.”

Curt’s Take: Don’t Bother – I’m a pretty big fan of Parker Posey, from her improv skills in Best of Show (and other Christopher Guest movies) to her role in Scream 3, I think she’s just damn hilarious. But not in this. And the same goes for Paul Rudd…normally I think he’s pretty frickin’ funny. But again…if you don’t have a decent story and script, your actors are screwed, no matter how talented they are. For me…it just didn’t feel at all original. You can go ahead and skip this one.

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Eerie, Indiana: Compendium #1 (1991)

The Basics: Three episodes of a sci-fi/family television series, starring Omri Katz and Justin Shenkarow (nineteen episodes were produced in total, but only three appear on this DVD)

In the Beginning…: Marshall Teller and his family move to the small town of Eerie, Indiana (population 16,661) when his dad gets a job as an engineer at a local corporation.

The Plot Thickens: Marshall quickly becomes convinced that Eerie is “center of weirdness for the universe,” where the neighbor looks like Elvis, dental headgear picks up the thoughts of the local dog population (who happen to be planning a revolt) and Daylight Savings Time holds a special trap for those who forget to set their clocks back an hour…

Top IMDB Plot Keywords: Small Town; Children; Kids and Family

And I Quote: Marshall Teller: “My name is Marshall Teller. Not too long ago, I was living in New Jersey, just across the river from New York City. It was crowded, polluted, and full of crime. I loved it. But my parents wanted a better life for my sister and me. So we moved to a place so wholesome, so squeaky clean, you could only find it on TV. Unfortunately, nothing could be further from the truth. Sure, my new hometown looks normal enough, but look again. What's wrong with this picture? The American Dream come true, right? Wrong. Nobody believes me, but this is the center of weirdness for the entire planet: Eerie, Indiana. My home, sweet home. Still don't believe me? You will.

Curt’s Take: Worth Considering – Okay, I rented this one because I remember watching it back in high school and I really liked the quirky concept at the time. Looking back on it now, the idea and the tone reminds me a lot of current-day shows like Pushing Daisies and Eureka. I actually think a similar show might be pretty successful on television today. Anyway, the three episodes on this disc are fun, go by pretty quickly, and leave you wanting a little bit more (knowing there are sixteen more episodes floating around out there). So give this one a shot…if you grew up in a small town like I did, or if you were a big fan of The Goonies while growing up, you will probably find this to be a fun ride.

Take 4 TV: Miracles and Mysteries

2008-03-30T23:17:00.000-07:00

Miracles: The Complete Series (2003)

The Basics: Miracles is one of those ill-fated television series that had maybe six or seven episodes make it on the air, but was cancelled due to poor ratings. It is a drama/scifi/thriller that stars Skeet Ulrich, Angus Macfadyen and Marisa Ramirez.

What’s Going on Here?: Paul Callan works for the Catholic Church, investigating supposed religious miracles, and using stringent scientific method to identify whether the event is indeed miraculous…or if it can be explained through other means. After investigating the case of a young boy who seems to have the ability to heal the sick and wounded, he ends up at odds with the church, and goes to work for a mysterious organization that also investigates strange happenings…but for the purpose of saving mankind.

Random Trivia: The show is based on an original screenplay by Michael Petroni that had been purchased by Spyglass Entertainment. When Spyglass decided to turn the screenplay into a television series, they hired Richard Hatem to adapt it into long-form format. Petroni and Hatem share credit as the shows creators

Curt’s Take: Worth Considering – I really enjoyed this show while it was on TV back in the day, and was glad to have the opportunity to check out all the episodes that had been produced, but weren’t able to make it on the air. It’s sort of like The X-Files, but with a more supernatural bent than science fiction. In The X-Files, you’re always wondering if aliens are involved. In Miracles, the big question is whether evil is involved. Anyway, the main reason I wanted to review this was because of the episode called “The Friendly Skies.” A plane vanishes into thin air right before landing…and then several minutes later it reappears in mid-flight. Upon landing, the plane and its passengers (several of whom are exhibiting strange behavior) are quarantined by the government, and Paul and his colleagues are brought in to aid in the investigation. It’s one of the most moving television episodes of any program I’ve ever seen…do yourself a favor and rent the first disc just to see this one episode.

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The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (1984)

The Basics: This 13-episode British-produced crime/mystery television series stars Jeremy Brett and David Burke as Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson (respectively).

What’s Going On Here?: If you’re not familiar with who Sherlock Holmes is, I’m afraid there’s no help for you. Each episode is an hour-long dramatization of one of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous stories of the great consulting detective, with such famous cases as “The Speckled Band,” “The Dancing Men,” and “The Red-Headed League.”

Top IMDB Plot Keywords: Detective; Sherlock Holmes; Based on Short Story; Private Detective; Victorian Era

Curt’s Take: Not a Priority – Now, I’ve always liked the tales from the Holmes universe. And it was kind of cool seeing dramatizations of some of the stories I’ve read. They are pretty faithful to the original stories, for the most part, but they do move pretty damn slowly. The look and feel is definitely dated to the early 80’s, and it isn’t that exciting to watch. Plus, after you watch enough of these consecutively, you start to be able to be as intuitive as the great detective himself in figuring out what’s going on. I’d really only recommend checking out any part of this series if 1) you’re a fan of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s work and 2) if there’s a story that you’re just aching to see brought to the small screen.

Take 4 TV: The Black Adder...and More

2008-03-10T23:54:00.000-07:00

The Black Adder…and Sequels (1983 – 1999)

What’s Going On: In 1983, the BBC aired a six episode comedy called The Black Adder, which featured the story of Edmund, Duke of Edinburgh (played by Mr. Bean’s Rowan Atkinson), during the reign of Richard IV (his father). With his faithful servant Baldrick and his moronic compatriot Lord Percy, Edmund (who takes the nickname “The Black Adder” to sound more mysterious and cunning), conceives of plot after failed plot to gain power in his father’s household.

Three years later, the BBC aired Blackadder II. This six episode series takes place further in the future, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, and follows the life of Lord Edmund Blackadder (again, played by Atkinson), supposedly a descendent of the original Duke of Edinburgh…now a courtier of the Queen. He still has a Baldrick and a Percy at hand to help him out (descendents of the originals, it is assumed), and he is still hungry for power…and just as useless at gaining it.

Finally, bring on Blackadder the Third and Blackadder Goes Forth, where Atkinson plays two more Edmund Blackadders: respectively, a butler to George (the Prince Regent of Wales) and a British military captain during World War One. Baldrick is back in both series, but Percy is replaced by Prince George (and then Lieutenant George in the fourth installment). At the end of all this, in 1999, a special entitled Blackadder Back & Forth was filmed, which features a time-traveling member of the Blackadder line that visits the past…and the lives of his descendents.

Top Plot Keywords from IMDB.com (The Black Adder): Dark Ages; Royalty;

Great Britain

; King Richard III; Cunning Plan

Random Trivia: Much of this series was shot on location, which resulted in a cost considered exorbitant at the time for a BBC series. As a result it was not renewed for a second series, however in 1984 the team was able to convince BBC One to produce a second series with the understanding that costs would have to be cut dramatically (for example Blackadder II was shot entirely in a studio).

And I Quote…(Blackadder the Third): Mrs. Miggins: “Bonjour, Monsiuer.” Blackadder: “Excuse me?” Mrs. Miggins [explaining]: “It's French.” Blackadder: “So is eating frogs, cruelty to geese and urinating on the streets.”

Curt’s Take: Worth Considering: I say this with one caveat…seeing the entire run of episodes is NOT something I recommend. Instead, what I’d say is “worth considering” is perhaps catching the first episode of each season (or “series,” as they say in Britain). You get a feel for the humor, it doesn’t wear thin on you, and (most importantly) you get to see how the series evolves over time…and through time. Each Blackadder is slightly different from the one before. Between the first two seasons, Rowan Atkinson does an especially astonishing job in transforming Blackadder from a sniveling Mr. Bean-like wimp to a confident, cunning player in the court of the Queen. By just sampling a handful of episodes as recommended, you get to gain a taste of what is an essential part of British television comedy, see the actual acting talent of Rowan Atkinson, and not have your brain leak out of your ears like I did by watching twenty-four episodes plus a reunion special over the course of a week.

Take 4: Five Letters, Starts with C...

2008-03-03T23:57:00.001-08:00

Crash (2004)

The Basics: Oscar-winning crime/drama, featuring an all-star cast, including Sandra Bullock, Don Cheadle, Matt Dillon, Jennifer Esposito, Brendan Fraser, Terrence Howard, Ludacris, and Ryan Phillipe; Rated R for language, sexual content, and some violence

What’s Going On: The lives of a diverse group of strangers in Los Angeles collide and interweave in a masterfully orchestrated tale that explores race relations in the 21st century from the perspective of multiple cultural viewpoints

Top Plot Keywords from IMDB.com: Chinese American; Film with Ambiguous Title; Chop Shop; Black Cop; Hispanic

Random Trivia: Sandra Bullock was so committed to appearing in this film that bought her own plane ticket to fly to the set

And I Quote…: Anthony: “Look around! You couldn't find a whiter, safer or better lit part of this city. But this white woman sees two black guys, who look like UCLA students, strolling down the sidewalk and her reaction is blind fear. I mean, look at us! Are we dressed like gangbangers? Do we look threatening? No. Fact, if anybody should be scared, it's us: the only two black faces surrounded by a sea of over-caffeinated white people, patrolled by the triggerhappy LAPD. So, why aren't we scared?” Peter: “Because we have guns?” Anthony: “You could be right.”

Curt’s Take: Must See – Yes, it’s been several years since Crash has been in theaters and won Best Picture at the Oscar’s. I’m often a little late when it comes to these things…hell, it wouldn’t surprise me if I didn’t see No Country for Old Men until sometime in 2010. That having been said, I feel bad I waited until now to see this. Crash is a truly excellent film, and I normally don’t go for “pure” dramas. The story is so engaging, as are the overlapping stories of the various characters, that it’s really amazing to watch it play out. There’s no real main plot to follow, so just rent it, sit back, and watch the tales unfold. You’ll get sucked in without even realizing it.

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Crank (2006)

The Basics: Action/crime/drama starring Jason Statham; Rated R for strong violence, pervasive language, sexuality, nudity and drug use

What’s Going On: Chev Chelios (a professional assassin played by Statham) wakes up to find that he has been injected with a poison that will kill him if his heart rate drops. He sets out to seek his vengeance and find a cure, but has to engage in plenty of bar fights, car chases and random acts of public sex in order to make sure his adrenaline levels stay up so he can keep going and going and going…

Top Plot Keywords from IMDB.com: Extreme Violence; Energy Drink; Black Comedy; Red Bull; Head Butt

Random Trivia: Crank has a number of references to 80's arcade games. In the opening credits there are flashes of arcade boot-up sequences and the high score table of Robotron: 2084 is briefly displayed. Verona's sidekick is seen playing Berzerk in the car. The humanoid graphic of Berzerk is also displayed on the male toilet door Chev enters.

And I Quote…: Chev Chelios: I'm looking for something that begins with an E.” Pharmacist: “England?”

Curt’s Take: Worth Considering – I don’t know what it is about Jason Statham’s action movies, but (for the most part) they make damn good beer and popcorn flicks. Lots of action, interesting cinematography, and a bit of tongue-in-cheek humor. They’re not life-changing, award-winning films, mind you…but as far as attention-grabbing action films that don’t take themselves too seriously, they’re a good time, and Crank is no exception. Every now and then the film interrupts itself to remind the audience that Statham has to get his adrenaline going again, but other than those slightly jarring breaks, catch this if you’re just hanging out with some buddies.

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Chaos (1999)

The Basics: A Korean crime/mystery/thriller; Like many imports that never made it to U.S. screens, it is not rated.

What’s Going On: A banker has lunch with his wife, only to find that she vanished while he was paying the check. Later, he gets a call from a mysterious man claiming to have kidnapped his wife, demanding a ransom. Seems pretty basic…but not everything is as it seems in this film noir from the Far East. Be prepared to question everybody’s roles and motivations as a pretty decent mystery plays out in front of you…

Top Plot Keywords from IMDB.com: Kidnapping

Random Trivia: If you’ve seen Hitchcock’s Vertigo, you may recognize many similar themes and plot elements.

Curt’s Take: Worth Considering – I wasn’t too keen on this at first, but this film from overseas has so many complex layers that peel away as you watch it, it’s like a modern-day Hitchcock import from the East. I still have a few unanswered questions about everything that transpired, but think that another viewing might deal with this. Just be prepared for a film that switches character point-of-view and goes backward and forward in time…it’ll keep you on your toes, but once you get a feel for how deep this seemingly basic storyline runs, you’ll likely be hooked.

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Creep (2004)

The Basics: British horror/thriller, starring Franka Potente (of Run, Lola, Run and The Bourne Identity); Rated R for strong bloody horror violence (now there’s a fun phrase you don’t hear often), language, some drug use and sexual content

What’s Going On: A young party-girl gets trapped in London’s Underground subway system after hours, facing off against a sadistic killer.

Top Plot Keywords from IMDB.com: Throat Slitting; Stabbed in the Crotch; Impalement; Gore; Sliced in Two

Random Trivia: Advertising posters showing a bloody hand sliding down a London Underground train window were banned from the Underground as being in bad taste, even though scenes had been filmed with permission in disused stations on the Underground. Producer Julie Baines found this "highly amusing" and "a bit ludicrous," noting that the film is "not based on real events - if it is, we are all in trouble." The ban was later removed, although not in time for the film's British opening.

And I Quote…: Jimmy: “Homeless people don't go missing, homeless people are missing.”

Curt’s Take: Not a Priority – The only thing that this film has going it for it are some truly tense moments, and a fun little exploration of what it would be like to be trapped in the subterranean world of mass transit during the midnight hours. As in a typical horror film, you find yourself having little sympathy for the main character and other actors, who make one disastrously moronic decision after another. And it’s definitely pretty horrific at points (see “Keywords” above), so I wouldn’t go out and rent this one…but you might find yourself sucked in if channel surfing and bored.

Take 4: A Bunch of Bull

2008-02-04T00:03:00.000-08:00

Ah...my first "official" review of 2008. Here we have a three-disc TV series that I reviewed...and a single, solitary movie, in order to bring the disc count up to four. I'm nothing if not consistent.

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Penn & Teller: Bullshit! - Season Three (2005)

The Basics: Television series on Showtime, with five completed seasons having aired; Most episodes rated TV-MA (mostly for language and nudity, I'm guessing)

What's Going on Here? During each half hour episode of their award-winning series, stage magicians and comedians Penn & Teller confront head-on many of the popularly held beliefs that society has on a wide variety of topics. Their goal? To separate fact from myth, to encourage critical thinking...and to end stupidity if they can. With episodes coverinig everything from endangered species and ghost hunting to Gandhi and The Patriot Act, their show continually surprises you with what you think you know.

Random Trivia: Penn has stated that those they ask to be on the show to interview know in advance what the name of the show is, what kind of show it is and even generally knowing what side Penn & Teller will be on. Not only this, the interview subjects are even given copies of past shows to view (with the exception of those interviewed during Season One). And yet...they keep comin' on.

And I Quote: Penn: "Sure, we lie, cheat, and swindle. We've been known to deal in a bit of bullshit ourselves. So some of you may ask, "Why pee on someone else's parade?" One important difference: WE TELL YOU WE'RE LYING!"

Curt's Take: Must See - Catch at least a few episodes of this show...from any season. You're likely to find a lot of episodes where you fall squarely on Penn & Teller's side of things...but still end up learning things you didn't know. And then there will be that handful of episodes that really challenge your beliefs and test your open-mindedness. I firmly believe that this is vital to our growth as...well...as intelligent people. So catch a few reruns on Showtime, or throw this in your rental line-up. At the very least, you'll learn to do a little research before taking anything for granted.

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Riding the Bullet (2004)

The Basics: A horror/thriller, based on a short story by Stephen King, starring Jonathan Jackson, David Arquette and Barbara Hershey; Rated R for violence, disturbing images, language, drug use and some nudity

What's Going on Here?: It's October in 1969, and young, over-imaginative Alan Parker is about to head out with friends to a John Lennon concert in Toronto. Shortly before leaving, he receives word that his mom had a stroke. Giving his tickets to his friends, Alan much hitchhike 120 miles to make it home and visit his recovering mother in the hospital. Along his journey, he meets several interesting characters...some who may not have the best interest of Alan (or his mom) at heart.

Random Trivia: The old red car with the white top that is featured several times in the film is supposed to be a 1958 Plymouth Fury...the same make and model as the Stephen King's killer car Christine.

And I Quote: Alan: "Nothing seems to last. But The Bullet...The Bullet is constant. The Bullet is always there. You wait in line, that's all. And when it's your turn to ride The Bullet, maybe you ride, maybe you run. Either way, it comes to the same thing. Fun is fun. And done is done. Nobody lives forever, but we all shine on."

Curt's Take: Don't Bother - Unlike This Mist (recently in theaters), I'd never heard of this Stephen King story. And to be honest, I have no idea how this title ended up in my rental list...maybe because the previews made it look like it involved a haunted amusement park. As a horror movie, it wasn't scary; as a thriller, it didn't deliver edge-of-your-seat tension; and as a drama, it really didn't contain characters you felt that strongly about. Overall, I'm wondering why I even spent 98 minutes watching this. I'd tell you more about it, but don't want to accidentally give you a reason to watch it. Just don't.

Take 4: Speed Dial

2008-01-27T22:42:00.000-08:00

Ah...the last of my "catch up" reviews from 2007. Going to keep this "Telephone Titles" review short and sweet, as there weren't any earth-shattering "Must See" films amongst the group. There are a few cautionary tales, however, so you may want to read on, just to be safe...

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Cellular (2004)

The Basics: An action/thriller, starring Kim Basinger, Chris Evans, William H. Macy and Jason Statham; Rated PG-13 for violence, terror situations, language and (GASP!) sexual references

What's Going On?: A science teacher is kidnapped, but manages to cobble together a simple working phone from her place of confinement. She has to rely on blind luck, however, in actually connecting with someone, and ends up making it through to a young slacker who finds himself caught in the middle of a conspiracy plot in downtown LA.

Curt's Take: Run in Fear - Really...for the sake of all that is holy...do not see this film. Not only do they beat you mercilessly over the head with the fact (and I use that term loosely) that if Chris Evans loses the signal on his cellphone, Kim Basinger is basically screwed...but they really make that plot device central to pretty much every scene in the movie. There aren't really any likeable characters in the film, except perhaps William H. Macy's...but even then it's more out of pity that he ended up in this loser of a movie. Plus, they go to LAX, and it's not even LAX. Pathetic.

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Phone (2002)

The Basics: A horror-laced mystery from South Korea (under the native title Pon); Rated R for violence/disturbing images and some sexual material

What's Going On?: A journalist changes her cellphone number to escape a threatening cyber-stalker, and ends up with a phone number that has belonged a string of people who have all died under mysterious circumstances. Plus, she's now getting "Unlisted" calls that are just damn creepy. What's the history of the phone number, is her life in danger, and is this just a knock-off of The Ring?

Curt's Take: Not a Priority - Considering that I had to go online to help understand the plot (yeah, it was pretty confusing), I wouldn't spend a lot of energy trying to track this film down and watch it. I originally added it to my list thinking it was the Asian predecessor of the American film One Missed Call, but it turns out that it wasn't. I do have to say, though, that the ending was damn creepy and scary...and even though I wasn't sure what had really transpired up to that point, or why the ending was supposed to make sense, it did have me on the edge of my seat.

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The Call of Cthulhu (2005)

The Basics: An independent silent film based on the works of horror author H.P. Lovecraft, meant to hearken back to the early days of stylized black and white horror movies

What's Going On?: A dying professor turns over documents to his nephew that detail the machinations of a mysterious cult, and the history of the men who had been tracking and researching it over the past several decades. The nephew takes on the mantle of investigator and tries to get to the bottom of what is going on...while maintaining his grip on sanity.

Curt's Take: Worth Considering - I'd recommend checking this out not for the story or the high-quality filmmakinig, but rather because it's a valiant attempt to recreate the feel of the era of silent films, right down to the special effect, title/speech cards, and music. Plus, it's only 45 minutes long, so it's not huge time commitment. And if you're a fan of horror literature, you may just get a kick out of seeing H.P. Lovecraft's most famous story translated into a short film.

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The Seven Dials Mystery (1982)

The Basics: A British telefilm based on a mystery written by the great Agatha Christie

What's Going On?: A group of friends are staying at a country manor, and one of them dies in his bed. Later, it's discovered that the death may, in fact, have been murder...and that a mysterious secret society known as the Seven Dials was likely involved. One young woman, along with a couple of her friends, steps in to investigate...bringing herself closer to the center of a dangerous conspiracy.

Curt's Take: Don't Bother - And this one was added because I was looking for another movie with a "telephone"-type word in the title. I love a good mystery...and you can usually count on Agatha Christie to deliver, but this teleplay falls way short of other more dedicated films. It's lengthy, overly-complicated, and I'm still not sure of everything that happened. If you're going to sit through a Christie mystery, check out Death on the Nile or Ten Little Indians instead.

Take 4: Movie Marathon #2

2008-01-16T00:44:00.000-08:00

So, I took another stab at making it through four movies in one evening with my buddy Ryan from Michigan State. Warning: Much beer was consumed during the viewing of these films. This film review was undertaken by professional Big Ten alumni...do not attempt this at home. Results may vary.

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Frostbiten (2006)

The Basics: A Swedish horror/comedy, unrated in the United States (it had no theatrical release). So get ready to read those subtitles.

What's Going on Here?: Annika (a doctor) and her daughter, Saga, move to a town in northern Sweden, near the Arctic Circle, where the winter months see one long period of nightfall, lasting about thirty days. Saga soon falls in with a crowd of kids that party down on weekends with recreational drugs. One such drug, scored from the local hospital, proves to be a little more experimental than recreational...or "Sketchy" as opposed to "Fun" (see below)...and starts turning the local teens into bloodthirsty vampires.

Random Trivia: Although released in 2006, the first draft of the script was completed back in 1999.

And I Quote...: Vega: "Can you PLEASE stop throwing garden gnomes at me?!?"

Ryan's Take: Luge (2.5 Snowflakes) - Think John Carpenter's The Thing meets The Exorcist meets Insomnia meets a Taco Bell commercial. In this low-brow vampire flick, moving to a new school means moving to a Nordic country and starting to hang out with the wrong crowd. A few drinks later, a lapdog is challenging the ownership of major characters' souls and "huffing" inhalents doesn't sound like such a good idea after all.

Curt's Take: Worth Considering - I don't know if it was the adult substances that Ryan and I had been consuming, but this is worth seeing just for the talking dog (apparently, vampires can understand the language of canines). Sure, it was campy and a bit out there...but the vampire effects were decent, there were some creepy moments...but some damn funny moments, too. Consider giving this one a shot if you stumble upon it somehow.

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Severance (2006)

The Basics: A comedy/horror/thriller starring a bunch of British folks (and Laura Harris)...but no need for subtitles, unless you're having trouble with the accents; Rated R for strong bloody violence, language, drug content, and some sexuality/nudity.

What's Going on Here?: The sales division of a multi-national weapons manufacturing corporation retreats into the woods of Eastern Europe for a team-building weekend, only to find that somebody is less interested in team-building and more interested in team-decimating.

Random Trivia: The "CRM-114 'Platoon Buster' Land Mine" discussed in the movie is a reference to the CRM-114 radio in Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb.

And I Quote...: Richard: "I can't spell success without 'u.' And you, and you, and you..." Harris: "There's only one "u" in success."

Ryan's Take: Written Warning (2.5 Safety Scissors) - Who doesn't want to see a bunch of wankers with British accents get sliced up over some HR-related spat? This horror flick with a sense of humor was in the same vein as the fake trailers put together for Grindhouse: "Machete," "Thanksgiving," and "Don't." Super campy and fun enough, this one ended up bogged down more in the administrative detail of carving someone up with a letter opener than some high-concept strategy session that ends with a paper-cutter beheading.

Curt's Take: Not a Priority - In concept, this is a film I'd be all over. Hell, I was thrilled by the previews and immediately added it to my Netflix queue when I saw that it was soon to be released. That having been said, reality fell far short of expectations. It was much more thriller and much less comedy than I would have liked, the characters weren't terribly likeable, and it just seemed to drag on with plenty of gaping holes in the storyline. If someone else had/has a different experience with this one, please let me know...I might actually be willing to give it another shot.

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D.O.A.: Dead or Alive (2006)

The Basics: An action/adventure film, with a low-star cast that includes Jaime Pressley and Eric Roberts; Rated PG-13 for pervasive martial arts and action violence, some sexuality and nudity.

What's Going on Here?: Based on the supposedly popular series of "Dead or Alive" video games, this film is sort of a Mortal Kombat for pretty people. The "DOA" in the title is a sort of international martial arts contest (by invitation only), and the film follows the trials and tribulations of four attractive young women who enter the contest (a sexy jewel thief, a sexy pro-wrestler, a sexy ninja princess and the sexy daughter of the former master of the tournament). But a malevolent force lurks behind the shadows of the tournament...

Random Trivia: Milo Ventimiglia (Peter Petrelli on Heroes) was originally supposed to play the computer geek-ish Weatherby, but dropped out because he didn't like the way the character was developed. He instead appeared in Stay Alive another video game movie.

And I Quote...: Christie: "Look at this. They've been monitoring everything we do." Tina: "Jeez, bunch of pervs..."

Ryan's Take: Tap Out (2 Turnbuckles) - Based on what I'm told is a beach volleyball video game, "DOA" is that one contest where only the most elite mixed-martial artists spar to the point where one falls down. You heard right. No one dies in DOA, making the title a disappointing misnomer. Jamie Pressley wears a bikini and says words, but she also learns important lessons about the meaning of trust, taking a dive, and taunting ad baiting opponents. The big takeaway here is that if you knock someone down in a fight, you should be able to follow your finishing move up with a witty pun before the split-screen introduction of the next match-up.

Curt's Take: Worth Considering - Okay, this is ONLY worth catching if there is beer (or some other controlled substance) involved. And it's a guy flick. Those caveats having been laid out, the fight scenes are damn fun to watch. If you're laying low for an evening, and want a stupid, cheesy flick to kick back with and watch with your buddies, you could do a LOT worse than this...so give it a shot.

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The Boys & Girls Guide to Getting Down (2006)

The Basics: A comedy starring a bunch of people you probably don't know...and that's okay; Rated R for pervasive drug content, strong sexuality, nudity and language.

What's Going on Here?: Need some tips on how to party and handle the L.A. scene? Look no further than this handy video guide that instructs you on how to master all the aspects of "getting down," including important info on getting ready for a night in the city, how to get past bouncers, how to score free drinks (amongst other things)...and how to recover the morning after.

Random Trivia: Filmed on location at several L.A. hotspots, including Vine Bar, Star Shoes and Beauty Bar.

And I Quote...: Narrator: "Drugs can be divided into two groups: 'Sketchy' and 'Fun.'"

Curt's Take: Buy, Watch, Repeat - I've given this rating out maybe one or two times before...in short, this is beyond a Must See. I can't really top Ryan's review of it, so I'm just going to let him take it from here...

Ryan's Take: Rolling (5 out of 5 Tabs) - Taking an instructional video tone, The Boys & Girls Guide to Getting Down is an entertaining and informative descent into the inner bowels of the Hollywood party scene. If you don't know what a "guest bindle" is, and the only defense you have against a fiend Dysoning your entire stash is the nipple bump, then you probably don't understand "The Cahuanga Principle" either. This movie would be a cautionary tale, except for the fact that nothing bad seems to happen to anyone.

Some things covered by the guide you may have already known. And I quote: "Ever since Charles Darwin's published his idea of natural selection, we've known that the propagation of the species depends on genetic mutation and through the fertilization of multiple partners. In other words, both girls and boys are hard-wired to get down. That's why sex is fun."

Have not laughed this hard since "Hot Fuzz". Repeat viewing is really the only way to truly make the guide work for you.

2008-01-09T00:26:00.000-08:00

Every so often Hollywood makes a charming little thriller to scare its audiences. And every so often, Hollywood decides to give that movie a facelift several decades later. This review is a tale of four such films.

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The Omen (2006)

The Basics: A horror/thriller starring Liev Schreiber, Julia Stiles, Pete Postlethwaite and Mia Farrow (not to mention newcomer Seamus Davey-Fitzpatrick as little Damien); Rated R for disturbing violent content, graphic images and some language; Based on the 1976 horror/thriller of the same name, starring Gregory Peck and Lee Remick.

What's Going On Here?: An American ambassador begins to take another look at the strange events that are happening around his adopted son, and he starts to question whether or not the religious omens that are taking place in the world might not have something to do with the young tyke. And the big slobbering black dogs that have mysteriously appeared to protect his kid are a little off-putting, too.

Kind of Cute, Yet Creepy, Trivia: During filming, Seamus Davey-Fitzpatrick was never told that his character was supposed to be the Anti-Christ; co-star Julia Stiles has commented that it was because the filmmakers thought "he was too young to understand it, but he was really obedient when John asked him for the Damien face."

Overheard in The Omen: Nanny: [right before she commits suicide] "This is for you, Damien! All of this is for you!"

Curt's Take: Don't Bother - Nice try, I guess. But if you're going to see The Omen, stick with the original. This remake really adds nothing new to what was pretty decent (and a classic) thriller. At times I felt like I was just watching scenes from the 1976 version...only updated with new actors and a slightly different bit of art direction. Some of the dialogue seemed directly taken from the original, as did some of the settings and camera work. The main difference seemed to be an artistic attempt at using the color red at dramatic, noticeable moments. All in all...I was underwhelmed. Stick with the Peck/Remick version...it holds up well after three decades.

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The Manchurian Candidate (2004)

The Basics: A mystery/thriller starring Denzel Washington, Liev Schreiber (again), Meryl Streep and Jon Voight; Rated R for violence and some language; Based on the 1962 mystery/thriller of the same name, starring Frank Sinatra, Angela Lansbury, Janet Leigh and Laurence Harvey.

What's Going On Here?: Okay, this gets a little confusing...years after their platoon is ambushed in Kuwait, various survivors struggle through disturbing nightmares, blackouts and what seems like an acute case of Gulf War Syndrome. Is this just post-traumatic stress disorder? Or did something more nefarious happen out in that desert? Captain Ben Marco struggles to find answers, while Sergeant Raymond Shaw deals with the aftermath of being the "hero" of the ambush, dealing with Marco's conspiracy theories...and running for President of the United States.

Motivation Trivia: Though many assume Meryl Streep to have based her performance upon Hillary Rodham Clinton, Streep has cited Peggy Noonan, Condoleezza Rice and Dick Cheney as her inspiration for the role of Eleanor Shaw, domineering and politically-savvy mother of Sergeant Shaw.

Overheard in The Manchurian Candidate: Ben Marco: "What about my dreams?" Delp: "What if all this is your dream and you are really still back in Kuwait?"

Curt's Take: Not a Priority - First off, the original 1962 version is one of my favorite films. I highly recommend checking it out. But how does this remake hold up? Well, part of the problem is in calling it a remake. It's really more of a reimaging of the story for the 21st century. If you watch the new version, trying to see how it tracks with the old version...you'll just end up very confused. It's almost a completely new film, just with some common themes carried over. If you're aching for a Liev Schreiber film, definitely watch this over The Omen, but don't kick yourself if you miss this one. Kick yourself if you miss the one that's over forty years old, and yet still tells a hell of a story.

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Willard (2003)

The Basics: A horror/thriller starring Crispin Glover, R. Lee Ermey and Laura Harring; Rated PG-13 for terror/violence, some sexual content and language; Based on the 1971 horror film of the same name, starring Bruce Davison, Elsa Lanchester and Ernest Borgine.

What's Going On Here?: Socially awkward Willard Stiles befriends rats, learns to control them (for the most part), and instructs them to do his bidding when his life starts to spiral out of control. If that doesn't spell "Oscar," I don't know what does.

Continuity Trivia: All of the photos in the house of Willard's father, Martin Stiles, are of actor Bruce Davison, who played the part of Willard in the original 1971 version of the film.

Overheard in Willard: Willard's Mother: "Willard! There are rats in the basement!"

Curt's Take: Worth Considering - Okay, I was a bit surprised. This was actually kind of fun to watch. It wasn't completely serious and wasn't exactly "scary," and I got pretty sucked in from an "Okay, where are they going to take this one" perspective. I never saw the original, to be honest, but I'm guessing you might as well just watch this one. Crispin Glover is just a fun, creepy actor...like a B-List Christopher Walken. So don't automatically turn your nose up at this one...if you're in the mood for a little cheese (no pun intended), you might want to consider giving this one a shot.

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The Amityville Horror (2005)

The Basics: A horror/mystery/thriller starring Ryan Reynolds and Melissa George; Rated R for violence, disturbing images, language, brief sexuality and drug use; Based on the 1979 horror/mystery/thriller of the same name, starring James Brolin and Margot Kidder.

What's Going On Here?: George Lutz, his new wife, and her three children from a prior marriage move into a house in Amityville, a small town on Long Island. Sure, they got a great deal on it...then again, six murders had been committed there not too long ago. Shortly after moving in, the Lutz family begins to hear whispers and see strange figures out of the corner of their eye. The youngest daughter gains an eerie imaginary friend. And George begins acting very peculiar...

Rather Disturbing Trivia: Just before shooting started, the body of a fisherman who had been murdered washed up on the bank of the river right near the main house. Good times.

Overheard in The Amityville Horror: George Lutz: "Houses don't kill people. People kill people."

Curt's Take: Must See - Now this is how to do a remake. Sure, the original version was creepy...but Andrew Douglas, the director, upped the ante on every front and made this remake truly terrifying. The visual effects used to bring the haunting to life are a nice progression to what had been done twenty-five years earlier, and your pulse races even if you've seen the original and know where the story is heading...because you're not 100% sure it's going to end up in the same place.

Take 4: Playing Catch-Up

2008-01-07T23:43:00.000-08:00

Note: I'm WAY behind. In fact, the review below was written back in early December...I just never got around to sending it out. Add to that the fact that I've got about three more reviews (about 12 movies) I need to catch up on, and I can already sense this is going to be an uphill battle. But I shall push forward and overcome.

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Typically when I sit down to watch a television series through Netflix, that consists of wading through four or five (sometimes even six) discs of episodes for an entire season. But every so often, a series comes along that manages to contain itself to just a couple discs. In this review, I cover two such series.

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Prime Suspect: Series One (1991)

The Premise: A female police detective in England takes over a murder investigation where not only is the prime suspect extremely hard to prove guilty, but where she is also challenged daily to prove herself within an extremely sexist male police force. Her personal life also becomes a challenge to maintain as she becomes more and more engrossed in bringing the murderer to justice.

Plot Keywords: Murder Investigation; Women; Private Detective; Intimacy; Tense

Familiar Faces: Well-known and extremely talented British actress Helen Mirren, of such hit films as Gosford Park and The Queen plays Detective Chief Inspector Jane Tennison, the heroine of this four-episode series (in Britain, what we call a "season" they refer to as a "series"), as well as the six following series, culminating in 2006's Prime Suspect: The Final Act.

Random Trivia: On the documentary following the second half of Prime Suspect: The Final Act, Helen Mirren notes that Jackie Malton (a UK television script consultant and former senior police officer) and her colleagues gave the first Prime Suspect a standing ovation because they felt it was the first time the police had been accurately portrayed on television.

And I Quote: DCI Jane Tennison: "So what do you think?" DI Frank Burkin: "About what, sir?" DCI Jane Tennison: "My voice suddenly got lower, has it? Maybe my knickers are too tight. Listen, I like to be called Governor or The Boss. I don't like Ma'am - I'm not the bloody Queen. So take your pick." DI Frank Burkin: "Yes Ma'am."

Curt's Take: Not a Priority - On the one hand, it was a pretty good story, and Helen Mirren does a bang-up acting job. But on the other hand, it seemed like a story that could have been told in one or two episodes was stretched out to four...and the ending was a little weak (in my mind), as if they just needed to suddenly end it. If you like police dramas, and want to see how the BBC handles one, check this out. Otherwise, it wasn't overly remarkable enough to go out of your way to see.

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Unscripted: The Complete Series

The Premise: Several struggling actors in Los Angeles travel between casting calls, auditions and acting classes, doing the utmost to live their dream and make it big in Hollywood, with more than their fare share of stumbling blocks making the journey a bumpy one.

Plot Keywords: Acting Lesson; Actor Playing Himself; Acting Coach; Aspiring Actor; Casting

Familiar Faces: Probably nobody you recognize in one of the leading roles (Krista Allen of Baywatch, Bryan Greenberg of One Tree Hill, and Jennifer Hall of Nip/Tuck all play themselves), except for the cameo appearances by such stars as Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie (when Jennifer is on the set of Mr. and Mrs. Smith), Keanu Reeves and Shia LeBeouf (when she's on the set of Constantine) in addition to Meryl Streep, John Stamos, Laura San Giacomo, Jon Lovitz and many other guest roles.

Random Trivia: Many of the "on set" scenes that take place are instances in which the main actors actually had roles in movies and television programs (such as when Bryan appears in Life with Bonnie and One Tree Hill). To that end, the series is an interesting mix of on-set reality and fabricated casting moments...with a nice blend of improvisation and real moments.

And I Quote: Goddard: "Acting is an extremely privileged profession. I know how hard it is, but it is nowhere near as difficult as what the ordinary person has to do to get through life."

Curt's Take: Worth Considering - On the one hand, you've got an interesting documentary-style approach to storytelling, in which the "story" actually consists of real people playing themselves...but in partially fictional situations (peppered with moments of "actuality" from the acting industry). The characters are genuine (which isn't surprising, given that they are playing themselves), and the ups and downs of their lives are wonderfully engaging. On the other hand, if you're not interested in the acting business, or what goes on in the entertainment industry, this probably isn't for you. I'd recommend giving it a shot, though...it's just a shame it didn't stick around for more than one season, so these ten episodes will have to last you.

Take 4: Thanksgiving Films (Sort Of...)

2007-11-25T23:53:00.000-08:00

Ah...Thanksgiving. A time for feasting...but a time for films? There aren't a bunch of Turkey Day movies out there, so I decided to improvise a little with a four-course meal of movies that span genres, as well as giving a little Thanksgiving flavor...sort of.

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Coming to America (1988)

What It's Not About: It's not the story of the pilgrims arrival at Plymouth Rock.

What You Actually Get: Directed by John Landis, it's the story of an African prince who leaves his homeland for New York City in order to find a woman who loves him for who he is on the inside, rather than go through with the marriage that his parents have arranged for him back home.

Familiar Faces: Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall play Prince Akeem and his friend Semmi...as well as several other characters (in typical Eddie Murphy fashion). You also have James Earl Jones playing Murphy's father; John Amos as Murphy's boss at the fast food joint, McDowell's; and ER's Eriq La Salle playing the boyfriend of the girl that Murphy falls in love with (who, incidentally, is played by one Shari Headley). You also have a small role for comedian Louie Anderson, and a fun little bit by Don Ameche and Ralph Bellamy, reprising their roles as the Duke Brothers from 1983's Trading Places (another Eddie Murphy film). Finally you have two early appearances by a couple now big-name actors: Samuel L. Jackson, in the role of "Hold-Up Man," and Cuba Gooding Jr, in the role of "Boy Getting Haircut."

Random Trivia: Most of the dance that's performed by the royal dancers before presenting Prince Akeem's queen-to-be is a high-tempo rendition of the dance from Michael Jackson's Thriller (also directed by John Landis).

And I Quote: Semmi:[looking at America on a globe] "The land is so big. The choices so infinite. Where shall we go...L.A. or New York?"

Curt's Take: Not a Priority - I feel sorta bad giving this a relatively low review, because a friend at work was stunned I hadn't seen this (one of his favorite films) and strongly urged me to watch it. So, on Thanksgiving evening, I popped this in...and maybe it was the tryptophan from the turkey, but I don't know...I had a hard time getting into it. Yes, it's got a dated look and feel, so I think it's hard for me to come into this in late 2007, see it for the first time, and enjoy it as much as some others do (I've said the same thing about Stripes and Animal House). Plus, I've never been a huge fan of Eddie Murphy movies. That all having been said, it is kind of a classic film (in the comedic sense) so you may want to see it anyway. Looking back, the writing is actually pretty good...maybe it was just the acting/delivery. Regardless, I can now check it off my list and move on.

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The Science of Sleep (2006)

What It's Not About: It's not a riveting documentary about how turkey puts you into a food coma

What You Actually Get: Directed and written by Michel Gondry (who also directed Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, the upcoming Be Kind Rewind, and numerous music videos), it's the story of a young Spanish-speaking artist named Stephane, who moves back from Mexico to Paris to live with his mom in the apartment building that she manages. The young Stephane gets a job at a calendar-production company, starts to fall for the new tenant across the hall (Stephanie)...and slowly starts to lose control of reality as his dreams take on a more and more prevalent part of his life.

Familiar Faces: I'm not that familiar with French or Mexican actors, so I didn't recognize anyone, but the leads are Gael Garcia Bernal (Stephane) and Charlotte Gainsbourgh (Stephanie).

Random Trivia: There are several references in this movie to Michel Gondry's various music videos. The "piano up the stairs" scene is a reference to his video for the artist Lucas's song "Lucas With the Lid Off," which features a very similar sequence. The dolls that Gael García Bernal pulls out of the desk during one of the Stephane TV sequences are from his video for Oui Oui's song "Les Cailloux." The White Stripes song in the soundtrack is a reference to the many videos Gondry has done for them. The giant hands in an early dream sequence are from the Foo Fighters' "Everlong" video. Stéphane's bed and porch are similar to those from Chemical Brothers' "Let Forever Be" video.

And I Quote: Stephane: "The brain is the most complex thing in the universe and it's right behind the nose."

Curt's Take: Worth Considering - On the one hand, the dream-like effects and style behind this film are definitely one-of-a-kind. I've seen some unique cinematography out there similar to this, but it's rare that you just stumble across it. On the other hand, I was lost for portions of the film...unsure what exactly was going on. I don't know if it was the mix of languages (some is in English, and some is subtitled in Spanish or French) or a lack of anything compelling going on during certain moments, but my mind was wandering...daydreaming, if you will. That having been said, it's rare to come across something like this, and even if it's a bit of a battle to make it through to the end, it's unique enough that I'd say consider checking it out.

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Return to the House on Haunted Hill (2007)

What It's Not About: It's not the story of me heading back home to spend Thanksgiving with family members.

What You Actually Get: It's the sequel to 1999's remake of a 1959 Vincent Price horror film. In the remake, five strangers arrive at a mysterious house/former asylum, with the challenge of seeing who can last through the night. In this follow-up, the sister of one of the people from the '99 version travels to the house with a team of nefarious treasure hunters, seeking a lost idol that is rumored to be somewhere within the spooky asylum.

Familiar Faces: Like The Science of Sleep, I didn't recognize any of these actors. Unlike The Science of Sleep, I think it has more to do with them not having been in much of anything, as opposed to them not having been in much of anything that isn't a foreign film. None of the actors from the orginal are in this...apart from one Jeffrey Combs, who plays the creepy ghost of Dr. Vannacutt.

Random Trivia: Went straight to video...any surprises there?

And I Quote: Main Baddy: "Samuel's going to stay back here with pretty boy. Pretty boy, make sure you don't get any funny ideas, because Samuel will kill you. Right, Samuel?" Samuel: "Huh? Oh...yeah. I'll kill you." Main Baddy: "See?"

Curt's Take: Not a Priority - On the one hand, it was watchable. The acting wasn't terrible (for the most part), the story was coherent (for the most part) and there were some genuinely creepy moments. On the other hand, I thought the original was scarier...and if you want to catch a good horror film, there are plenty of better ones out there (try the American remake of The Grudge, please). Still...it kept my interest, but didn't rock my world. If you've seen the '99 remake and enjoyed it, you should probably just bump this up to rating of Worth Considering, if only because it explains more about the history of the asylum.

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13 Tzameti (2005)

What It's Not About: It's not the story of how many pounds I gained over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend

What You Actually Get: This French black and white film is the story of Sebastien, a young repairman who steals a secretive letter during a dead-end roofing job. The letter ends up leading him through a series of mysterious instructions, only to end up placing him in a high-stakes game where he must gamble with his life.

Familiar Faces: Three movies now where I didn't see anyone I recognized. Blame it on this being a French film (which also means "expect subtitles").

Random Trivia: This film won several awards, including the 2006 Grand Jury Prize from the Sundance Film Festival, the 2006 European Discovery of the Year from the European Film Awards, and the Luigi de Laurentis Award from the 2005 Venice Film Festival.

And I Quote: Various People Throughout: "Can I bet on your guy?"

Curt's Take: Worth Considering - On the one hand, this had some of the most tense "edge-of-your-seat" scenes that I've seen in a movie in a long time. From the beginning, when you're wondering what the heck is going on, through the end, where you're wondering what the outcome is going to be, this film draws you in and doesn't let go. On the other hand, some of it did get lost in translation for me, as the subtitles didn't seem to capture everything that was being said each time. Also, this came damn close to being a Must See, but the beginning did drag a little for me. I don't think the subject matter is too polarizing...it isn't bloody or anything...just that the situation Sebastien gets put in is a little disturbing. So check out the trailer, and decide for yourself...

Take 4: Comic Book Review

2007-11-11T21:36:00.001-08:00

It's been a while since my last review, but now it's time to get back in the swing of things! This time around Take 4 takes a look at the world of comic books, from movies based on comics to ones that revolve around the world of comics and comic book culture. Read on, true believers!

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Elektra (2005)

The Basics: Comic book-based action/fantasy/thriller starring Jennifer Garner; Rated PG-13 for action violence; Running time of 97 minutes

The Starting Premise: Elektra, the heroine from the Ben Affleck bomb Daredevil, is brought back from the dead and earns her living as a brooding assassin so stealthy that she is spoken of as existing only in legend. Oh, yeah...spoiler...she died in Daredevil.

And Then?: Elektra takes on "one last case" (how many times have we heard THAT line before?), only to find herself in the middle of a crisis of conscience. Enter a gang of super-assassins with super-powers, and Elektra finds herself using her skills to protect those she was originally supposed to eliminate.

And I Quote: Stick: "Her name was Elektra. She was a warrior. She was also dead. Well, nobody's perfect. Only a warrior can come back from death and even then the second life is never quite like the first."

Random Trivia: Due to the low level response from the previous film, Daredevil, promotion for this movie claimed ties to the movie X-Men instead, which had a much higher popularity response. The first promotional mention of ties to the Daredevil movie only took place one week before the Elektra movie was to be released.

Curt's Take - Worth Considering: On the one hand, this is much better than Daredevil...although that isn't saying much. Also, you don't have to have seen Daredevil to get much out of Elektra (it was nice of the filmmakers to not put folks through that). On the other hand, the acting isn't great...but it doesn't necessarily have to be for an action/adventure flick. The art direction and fight choreography make up for that, though, and the acting kind of fades into the background. In the end, it's an enjoyable comic book adaptation (a comic I've never heard of, mind you) with a heroine that's pleasant enough to look at, and five super-villains that are pretty bad-ass...except for their names. I mean, a woman named "Typhoid" who spreads sickness and disease? "Blight" or "Clap" are so much more pleasant on the ears. Anyway, you might want to check this out...it isn't that bad (by comparison, at least).

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Hellboy (2004)

The Basics: Comic book-based action/sci-fi flick, starring Ron Perlman, John Hurt, Rupert Evans and Selma Blair; Rated PG-13 for sci-fi action violence and frightening images; Running time of 122 minutes

The Starting Premise: Back in 1944, near the end of World War II, Hitler's Nazi forces turn to dark magic and the occult as a means to win the war. A contingent of American troops come across the Nazis (and the Russian "mad monk," Rasputin) attempting to open up a portal to another dimension to bring through big dark, evil baddies from beyond space and time to help them take over the world...or destroy it, as would likely have happened had the American forces not foiled the attempt. Turns out something DID make it through the portal, though...a scared, horned red child-like being that the forces adopt as their own and name Hellboy.

And Then?: Fast forward some sixty years or so, and we watch as Hellboy grows up under the care of a young professor who had been accompanying the military forces. He's now part of a government group known as the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense (BPRD), and along with a telepathic fish-man, they investigate and handle matters of national security that the government doesn't want to see in the headlines. Enter a recent FBI graduate, recruited to act as "best friend/babysitter" for Hellboy, a former BPRD member who is having trouble controlling her powerful pyrokinesis, and the possible return of Rasputin, and the world finds itself in need of a hero like Hellboy more than ever.

And I Quote: Professor Broom: "In the absence of light, darkness prevails. There are things that go bump in the night, Agent Myers. Make no mistake about that. And we are the ones who bump back."

Random Trivia: Director Guillermo del Toro for years considered this film a dream project and had always wanted to cast Ron Perlman in the lead, but could never secure a budget or studio approval. After the massive success of Blade II, del Toro was offered Blade: Trinity or Hellboy, and though he briefly considered trying to schedule both in, he chose Hellboy.

Curt's Take - Worth Considering: On the one hand, the special effects are great, and the movie maintains a real "comic book feel" to it. And while it doesn't take itself too seriously, the thought-out storyline (based on several Hellboy comics) was pretty interesting and Perlman did a great acting job as Hellboy. On the other hand, Perlman is one of the few decent actors in the movie (I'm looking at you, Selma Blair). Luckily, most people won't be going into this to see the great acting chops. I think a lot of folks are going to have a hard time getting past the seemingly ridiculous title, but if you're looking for a decent action flick with a decent story, I suggest you stop judging books by their covers and check this out.

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Comic Book Villains (2002)

The Basics: Dark comedy starring Donal Logue, Cary Elwes, Michael Rapaport, Natasha Lyonne, DJ Qualls, Eileen Brennan, and Danny Masterson; Rated R for language, violence, some sexuality and drug content; Running time of 92 minutes

The Starting Premise: The owners of two rival comic book shops discover that a local recluse has passed away and hear a rumor that he left behind a treasure trove of mint-condition comic books that he had been collecting over the past fifty years. Raymond, a slacker/comic book connoisseur, sees the collection as his chance to join the upper ranks of the comic book elite and make a name for himself, while Norman and Judy link see the collection as a huge financial windfall that will change their lives forever.

And Then?: When the rivals go to check out the collection, they find that it is being held onto by the deceased's mother, in remembrance of her son. They each try to ingratiate themselves with her and insinuate themselves into her life...but when push comes to shove, the comic book store owners begin to escalate matters until they quickly spiral out of control.

And I Quote: Conan: "My mom's hot. She's trying to date the UPS guy."

Random Trivia: When Raymond asks Norman if he's ever been to San Diego, he's referring to Comic-Con, the world's largest comic book conventions (and the setting for the last DVD that I review, below). While it was original designed to showcase comic books, sci-fi/fantasy, and film/television (and related popular arts), it has since expanded to include a larger range of pop culture elements, including horror, anime, manga, animation, toys, collectible card games and video games. This past summer, it drew over 127,000 attendees.

Curt's Take - Not a Priority: On the one hand, I was drawn into this because it was quite a different feel from the previous two "comic book" movies I reviewd. Plus, it had a surprising number of people in it that I recognized (see The Basics above). The writing and acting was pretty decent, too. Nothing to write home about, but still watchable. On the other hand, you can quickly predict the direction that the plot is going to take, and there aren't a hell of a lot of surprises in it. Plus, it begins to drag a bit towards the end...a fact amazing in itself because 1) that's when the most action takes place and 2) the movie is only an hour and a half long. In the end, while I was glad I got to see it, I can't saw I'd necessarily recommend it to anyone. Don't steer clear, necessarily...but also don't go out of your way.

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Comic Book: The Movie (2004)

The Basics: Mockumentary, starring Mark Hamill and Donna D'Errico, with cameos by such convention icons as Stan Lee, Matt Groening, Bruce Campbell and Kevin Smith; Rated PG-13 for language, sexual content and some drug references

The Starting Premise: Donald Swan is a huge fan of comic books, and one of the foremost authorities on legendary World War II-era comic book character, Commander Courage. Now it's the 21st century, and Commander Courage has been re-imagined as a hero named "Codename: Courage," a terrorist-fighting vigilante. A Hollywood studio is set to turn the comic into a movie, and brings Donald out to California to act as an expert consultant on the film (to lend it credibility), and to visit Comic-Con in San Diego with a camera crew where the film is being announced.

And Then?: It turns out Donald isn't a fan of the redesign of his favorite hero, and tries to persuade the studio marketing folks that new isn't always better, blindsiding them with one stunt after another during their visit to the world's biggest comic book convention.

And I Quote: Paul Dini: "They did put him in Vietnam and they tried to put a more whimsical skew on his adversaries. There was a character called Ho-Ho-Ho Chi Minh who was sort of a combination...like, a gagster version of a Vietnamese madman."

Random Trivia: At one point, Donald (Mark Hamill) and the crew ask to sit at a table with three men, but they are scared away. The three men at the table are Hamill's co-stars from the original Star Wars trilogy: Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca), David Prowse (Darth Vader), and Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett).

Curt's Take - Don't Bother: On the one hand, this gives an interesting insider's look at what it's like at the world's largest comic book convention. On the other hand, the acting and camerawork are pretty damn bad, and the improvisational aspects are painful to watch. Truth be told...I wasn't able to sit through it all. It seems like they had what they thought was an interesting concept for a mockumentary, and it just failed on the follow through. It really just tries to hard to mix this fictional story of Donald and his passion for "Commander Courage," with a film that captures the essence of comic book culture. So skip this...unless you're a huge comic book fan and haven't been able to make it to Comic-Con, and just want to get a flavor of what it's like. But be warned...this is DAMN close to getting a "Run in Fear" rating. It's pretty bad.

Mystery Theme Review #2: Results!

2007-10-31T00:11:00.000-07:00

A couple reviews back, I presented another Take 4 Mystery Review challenge. In that review, I presented four films, and asked readers to write in with guesses about what theme tied the movies together. There were quite a few responses, and we ended up with eleven correct answers.

To refresh you memory, the four movies were Lady in the Water, A Mighty Wind, Brick, and Matchstick Men. The correct answer? Each of the four movies corresponded to one of the traditional four elements: water, air, earth or fire. My next challenge, though, was to narrow the field of eleven correct responses down to four winners. The participants engaged in four grueling rounds of trivia, with one winner crowned at the conclusion of each round. The questions had the challengers guessing how many films were in my Netflix list, how long I'd been a member, how many themed "groupings" of DVDs I had prepared and ready to go in my rental list, and a final, mind-ripping question involving my rental history, television shows, and some basic math.

In the end, four winners emerged: Eric Reid (of Kansas); Matt Persons (of Chicago); Justin Anderson (of North Carolina); and Ryan Greenwood (of North Hollywood). These winners will get to choose a DVD title for me to review at some point down the road. To the rest of you, keep your eyes peeled for more mystery-themed reviews!

Take 4 TV: 30 Rock (Season One)

2007-10-13T15:23:00.000-07:00

Last week I invited Take 4 readers to guess the theme of my latest group of four movie reviews. In the end, there were eleven correct entries...which are currently being narrowed down to a Final Four set of winners through a series of grueling tests and challenges. Okay, not all that grueling. Anyway, results on that coming soon. This week, we take a look at a sitcom DVD set that I blazed through in order to prepare myself for the upcoming new fall season.

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30 Rock: Season One (2006)

The Premise: Liz Lemon is the lead writer of a sketch-comedy show on NBC called "The Girlie Show," starring her friend Jenna. The network gets a new head of programming who immediately turns things upside down by bringing in comedian Tracy Jordan to lend his own brand of "urban comedy" to the show. Liz must now deal with her eccentric boss, a potentially unstable new star, and the demands of her cast, crew and writers, while figuring out how to keep her own personal life from spiraling out of control.

My Expectations: Last year, when Season One started on television, I caught the pilot...and was not impressed. I didn't bother tuning in for any future episodes. That was the same fall, however, where I did decide to give NBC's The Office another chance (I was a loyal fan of the BBC series was against them importing it to the US). I rented the first season on DVD...and ended up liking it as much as the original. So, this fall, with the new season of 30 Rock starting, and having heard buzz about it both among entertainment news and friends who are fans of the show, I decided I'd see if it did indeed get better after the first couple episodes, which several regular watchers told me was the case.

Familiar Faces: Tina Fey, former writer and actress on Saturday Night Live, portrays Liz, so you can't help but think that some of what you are seeing is autobiographical. Alec Baldwin, plays her new boss, Jack Donaghy, and comedian Tracy Morgan plays comedian Tracy Jordan. You might also recognize Jane Krakowski of Ally McBeal, as Jenna, the original star of "The Girlie Show."

Random Trivia: Not much of a secret if you've ever been to New York, but the title is derived from the address of NBC Universal in NYC: 30 Rockerfeller Plaza.

And I Quote: Jack: "Look at this video of a baby panda sneezing." Liz Lemon: "Oh, it's the *cutest* thing I've ever seen!" Jack: [abruptly interrupts her] "I need you to fire 10% of our workforce."

Curt's Take - Must See: I was very impressed. I don't think I liked it as much as The Office, but it was right up there. Very clever writing; a cast that starts off as off-putting and two-dimensional...but evolves into a great ensemble after about three or four episodes, containing some very real and relatable characters; engaging storylines -- it's a great triple threat of a show. Plus, Tina Fey has made me wish that Liz was real and living in Southern California. Surprisingly, 30 Rock is beginning to surpass The Office as my favorite new comedy series (largely in part to the antagonizing hour-long episodes that The Office is insisting on putting out this year). So, check out Season One on DVD...or just jump right into Season Two on television...the first season is great to watch, but isn't "necesssary" to understand about 85% of what's going on this season.

Take 4: Mystery Theme Review #2

2007-10-05T00:08:00.000-07:00

About this time last year, I published my first Take 4 Mystery Theme Review, asking the audience to guess the theme of the movies in the review. Out a couple dozen entries, only three successfully guessed correctly. It's time to give it another shot. Take a look at the reviews below, and tell me...what is the theme? As before, you don't need to have heard of or seen the films to understand what they have in common. Four winners will be chosen from correct entries, with winning guesses getting the chance to select a movie for me to watch, as well as having their thoughts printed in the review. Good luck!

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Lady in the Water (2006)

Elements of the Plot: Apartment superintendant, Cleveland Heap, suspects that someone is swimming in the complex's pool at night. One evening, while investigating, he accidentally slips and falls uconscious into the pool. He wakes up in his apartment, having been saved by a mysterious woman, who he slowly learns is here on a mysterious quest of great importance. What is her goal? What role do the residents of the building play in her plans?

Familiar Faces: Paul Giamatti plays Cleveland Heap, the protagonist of this story. You might also recognize Freddie Rodriguez, of Six Feet Under, although it is in a rather small role Finally, M. Night Shyamalan, the writer and director, has a rather large part (compared to the cameos he has had in his other films).

Random Trivia: This movie was originally set up at Disney, but M. Night Shyamalan departed from the studio over "creative differences," and brought it to Warner Brothers. Disney has produced Shyamalan's previous four films, and the studio's subsidiary Miramax Films also produced Wide Awake, which Shyamalan wrote and directed. This departure became the subject of the book "The Man Who Heard Voices: Or, How M. Night Shyamalan Risked His Career on a Fairy Tale."

And I Quote: Harry: "My god, this is like a moment from a horror movie. This is precisely the moment where the mutation or beast will attempt to kill an unlikable side character. But, in stories where there has been no prior cursing, violence, nudity or death, such as in a family film, the unlikable character will escape his encounter, and be referenced later in the story, having learned valuable lessons. He may even be given a humorous moment to allow the audience to feel good about him. This is where I turn to run. You will leap for me, I will shut the door, and you will land a fraction of a second too late..."

Recommended For...: Anybody who really liked M. Night's The Village (his weakest movie by far, in my opinion), and anyone who is interested in the art and process of storytelling. This movie doesn't have the traditional 'twist" of your typical M. Night film, but it is based on a bedtime story that he told his children.

Curt's Take: Not a Priority - Unfortunately, the movie read like a children's story (for adults, sort of) that was built piecemeal, over a series of weeks. I think part of what M. Night was trying to accomplish was to take the storytelling device of having each character be in the plot for a very specific reason, and to roll that out to a film. For me, it didn't translate that well, as you ended up having these characters who seemed like they were pretty well developed and conceptualized...but that end up having very minor participation in the story (apart from their specific role). So, while it was a little disjointed for me and I didn't enjoy it as much as I wanted to, I did appreciate what he tried to do (I like the idea of characters being self-aware that they might be in some sort of movie/story) with it.

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A Mighty Wind (2003)

Elements of the Plot: To commemorate the passing of a well-loved folk music concert promoter, several of the bands he helped make famous (The Folksmen, The Main Street Singers and Mitch & Mickey) gather together for a tribute concert in New York, some of whom have not played together or seen each other in decades.

Familiar Faces: This is a Christopher Guest ensemble mockumentary (like Best in Show and This is Spinal Tap), so you not only see a lot of faces, but a lot of familiar ones from his prior films. Not only do you have Christopher Guest himself, but you have Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Harry Shearer, Michael McKean, Fred Willard, Jane Lynch, Jennifer Coolidge, Parker Posey and John Michael Higgins.

Random Trivia: During several Spinal Tap "reunion tours" over the past couple decades, Michael McKean, Harry Shearer and Christopher Guest opened for themselves as "The Folksmen" and were booed during the first act, as people did not know (or care) that the two bands had the same musicians.

And I Quote: Jonathan Steinbloom: "Before we begin tonight's performance I would like to make a brief announcement. I'd like to warn you that some of the floral arrangements at tonight's performance have dangerously low hanging vines and may be poisonous. So please, whatever you do, don't eat 'em and don't become entangled in them or trip, please.

Recommended For...: Anybody who is a fan of Christopher Guest's comedies, or of improvised films in general. Like most of his films, he lets the improvisational expertise of his actors take over when the mood suits them, and will often end up with great material because of it.

Curt's Take: Worth Considering - It's by no means his funniest film, but still showcases some great performances. The folk music setting is about as exciting as you'd imagine it to be, and the musical performances of the bands sometimes lend too much seriousness to the script, but the cast is great at what they do, and still manage to engage you into the film.

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Matchstick Men (2003)

Elements of the Plot: Roy Weller is a con man with obsessive-compulsive disorder, but manages it pretty well with the help of some medication (the OCD, not the conning). His world gets thrown for a loop, however, when the daughter he never knew insinuates herself in his life and takes an immediate interest in his craft.

Familiar Faces: Nicholas Cage plays Roy, and Sam Rockwell plays his partner, Frank. You might also recognize Bruce McGill, who plays one of their targets. He's been in everything from Animal House to MacGyver.

Random Trivia: The airport scenes, which were set at Los Angeles International Airport, were actually filmed in the main entrance of the Anaheim Convention Center, a mile south of Disneyland. Due to recent security measures in the nation's airports, liberal filming rights for movies had been severely restricted on airport property.

And I Quote: Angela: "You're a con man?" Roy: "Con artist."

Recommended For...: Anybody who is a fan of Cage or Rockwell, I guess. It's not necessarily a true "con" or "heist" film, like Ocean's Eleven, so I wouldn't see it for that aspect. I guess if you have a thing for seeing actors portray psychological disorders such as OCD, then this might be right up your alley.

Curt's Take: Not a Priority - This might have been a lot more enjoyable if I hadn't guessed how it would all wrap up about twenty minutes into the film. There was one twist, involving Roy's wife, that I didn't see coming, but will leave that for you to work out (if you, for some reason), end up seeing this.

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Brick (2005)

Elements of the Plot: Brendan, a high schooler plays private detective and investigates the mysterious events leading up to and following the death of an ex-girlfriend.

Familiar Faces: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, of Third Rock from the Sun fame, plays Brendan and Emilie de Ravin (you might know her as Claire from Lost) plays his ex-girlfriend. Richard Roundtree (I'm talking 'bout Shaft) has a small role, while Lukas Haas (normally resigned to dorky teen roles over the years) gets to play a young twenty-something drug dealer who still lives at home with his mom. Fans of Heroes might recognize Nora Zehetner; she plays Laura in this film, but played Eden in Heroes, the young woman who could control your actions with a single word.

Random Trivia: The horn signal Brendan instructs Laura to give him (long, short, long, short) is the same as the doorbell signal Sam Spade tells Brigid O'Shaughnessy he'll use in The Maltese Falcon. Brendan's earlier line to Laura, "Now you are dangerous," is taken from the film as well.

And I Quote: Laura: "Do you trust me now?" Brendan: "Less than when I didn't trust you before."

Recommended For...: Fans of movies like The Big Sleep, Double Indemnity, The Maltese Falcom and other film noir mysteries. Film noir is a cinematic term used to describe stylish Hollywood detective stories, often characterized by hard-nosed private detectives, femme fatales that you never if you can trust, quick and clever banter and dialogue, and convoluted plotlines.

Curt's Take: Worth Considering - Even if you're not a fan of the film noir genre (or have no idea what it is), this still might be up your alley. Turning a high school scandal into a classic detective story takes skill, and I feel the writers and cast pulled it off.

Take 4: Films on a Plane

2007-09-21T22:27:00.001-07:00

Welcome to the next edition of Take 4 DVD Reviews. In this latest volume, I find myself on a round-trip flight to New York from Los Angeles on-board Virgin's new domestic airline, Virgin America. What does that have to do with this review? Well, usually on a plane, my laptop runs out of juice after one movie (if I'm lucky to make it through a whole film). But on Virgin America, each row of seats has it own set of power adaptors...so I had continuous juice for my cross-country excursion. I felt, "What better opportunity to get through four (random) films for a review?" So...I bring you...Films on a Plane.

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Bubble (2005)

In the Beginning: Two residents of a small town, Martha (a middle-aged woman taking care of her elderly father at home) and Kyle (a young high school dropout), have become friends through working together at the local doll factory, but have their normally routinized lives shaken up a bit when a new employee, Rose, joins them on the assembly line.

The Plot Thickens: When Rose seems to take an interest in Kyle, Martha begins to question both Rose's and her own intentions for the young man.

Viewing Circumstances: Popped this into the laptop on the flight out from Los Angeles to New York, riding coach on Virgin America, completing the entire viewing during the flight.

Familiar Faces: Nobody. The film was cast with locals from the small town, which lay on the border between Ohio and West Virginia. Martha, for example, was played by Debbie Doebereiner, who was the general manager of a local Wendy's, while Rose was played by Misty Wilkins, a local hair stylist and mother of four.

Top IMDB Plot Keywords: Working Class; Subconscious; Secret Love; Ohio; Hidden Agenda

Additional Notes: Not only were the actors inexperienced, but their lives were used to help guide the development of the story. For example, Dustin Ashley (who plays Kyle in the film) had to deal with a bad case of social anxiety while growing up, and this experience was incorporated into Kyle's story in the film. Much of the movie was largely improvised, too, with the actors being given "Point A" and "Point B," and then figuring out on their own how best to naturally get there.

Curt's Take: Worth Considering - I didn't know what to expect from this, other than a murder mystery and unconventional cast. I ended up really liking the feel of the film, as the cast came off as being very genuine and natural, exuding a sincerity that you don't often see on the screen. Still, it's definitely more of an experimental film than a true murder mystery, but Steven Soderbergh, the director, signed up with HDNet to develop six of these films, and he's thinking about doing the whole "unknown town and cast" thing for each of them. If I can track them down, I'll probably watch them, too.

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The Tunnel (2001)

In the Beginning: Based on a true story, after his friend escapes from post-WWII East Berlin to the West, champion German swimmer, Harry Melchior soon follows suit...but leaves his sister and her family behind.

The Plot Thickens: Now safely ensconced in West Berlin, Harry and a group of like-minded refugees struggle to construct a tunnel under the border and into East Berlin, with to develop a plan that will bring back family and other loved ones to their side of the city.

Viewing Circumstances: I watched this film in three shifts...a bit on the rest of the flight to New York, a bit in JFK airport (awaiting my flight back to Los Angeles), and the remainder on the plane in Virgin America's first class section (awww, yeah).

Familiar Faces: Again, nobody...unless you're familiar with German films, then you might know Heino Ferch and Nicolette Krebitz, I suppose.

Top IMDB Plot Keywords: Germany; History; Political; Tunnel

Additional Notes: Well, this was actually supposed to be a different German film entitled The Wedding Party, but Netflix messed up a little bit, and sent me the wrong title (in the right DVD jacket, mind you). I also had the sneaking suspicion I'd actually seen this before...but I checked my Netflix history and hadn't rented it through there. Maybe I was channeling a past life or something...

Curt's Take: Worth Considering - It was a long movie...over two and a half hours long...but I didn't really notice. The story was engaging, and while I only understood what they were saying with the help of subtitles, the actors still put on a great performance. It's just one of those things you get sucked into...and I'm not even a huge fan of historical pieces. But here you have a part of history that most folks are familiar with (the division of Berlin), and get to see how that impacted the lives of people like you and me. Sure, that's what movies like this are supposed to do, but I just found it to be surprisingly interesting.

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GamerZ (2006)

In the Beginning: Young Ralph is a huge fan of fantasy and role-playing games. Upon going off to college in Scotland, he finds a group of like-minded "gamers" that he can hang out with and do a test-run of a new game world and rules system that he developed on his own.

The Plot Thickens: Ralph begins to fall for the token female gamer in his group, Marlyn, but after inviting his former friend Lennie, to join the group (after he vows to stop bullying Ralph anymore), those plans don't exactly take off as he expected.

Viewing Circumstances: Watched this in its entirety in first class on the flight back from New York to Los Angeles.

Familiar Faces: Yet again...nobody. Unless you're strangely familiar with Scottish teen comedies.

Top IMDB Plot Keywords: Role-Playing Game; Dungeons and Dragons; University; Joyriding; Scotland

Additional Notes: Thick Scottish accents aren't the easiest to decipher, and this DVD was without a subtitle track. Ach!

Curt's Take: Not a Priority - I was a little disappointed in this one. I had first heard about it when reading about an overseas film festival, and thought it could have been a fun take on the topic of gaming (a topic I am, as my friends know, quite familiar with), but fell a little flat. I think some of it might have had to do with the language difficulties (see above), but if Ralph could have been attracted to a less, I don't know, psychotic-seeming girl, the romance aspect might have worked better for me. They tease you a bit with a classmate of Ralph's as being the romantic "foil" to Marlyn, but seem to drop that after a couple attempts, and you don't really hear about it much after that. So, yeah...skip this one, unless you're curious about what a Scottish independent film is like (or have ever rolled a die with more or less than six sides).

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The Grudge 2 (2006)

The Premise: Is it possible for an extremely violent act to leave a stain on a house...a stain that leaves its mark on any who enter? That was the premise of the original movie, The Grudge, based on the Japanese film Ju-on. That idea is carried on in this film (as in Ju-on 2).

Viewing Circumstances: I started watching this on the flight back to Los Angeles in first class, but had to shut it down after about half an hour, in preparation for landing. I then finished it up back at my apartment.

Familiar Faces: Of the three films, this will be the only one where you recognize some of the cast, namely Sarah Michelle Gellar and Amber Tamblyn, as well as Jennifer Beals and Joanna Cassidy.

Top IMDB Plot Keywords: Killer Child; Family Conflict; Hospital; Breaking and Entering; Fall From Height

Additional Notes: I'm glad I got to finish this off at home...I really enjoyed the first movie in this series, and wanted that same immersive experience for this one (the laptop just wasn't going to cut it).

Curt's Take: Not a Priority - This sequel was okay, but left me nowhere near as shaken as the original. Amber Tamblyn is believable as Buffy's...er...Gellar's sister, and the acting was decent, overall. It just didn't have those edge-of-your-seat scary moments that made you jump back and say "Whoa!" I'd still say to definitely catch the original, and (if you end up enjoying it) maybe catch this one when you can.