Ah it’s the holiday season again. Now, no matter what holiday you celebrate or even if you don’t celebrate a holiday at all, we are all subjected to the same television. That is what unites us this season. So I’ve been thinking about the quality of programming that we are given around this time. When most shows go into reruns to catch us up for what is supposed to be a spectacular come back, holiday movies invade the airwaves. Now, I love a good “Charlie Brown Christmas.” That movie is a classic. And the Charlie Brown New Years Eve one is great. He spends that whole party running around making sure everything is great and hopes that the little red headed girl shows up and then when she does he misses her. Aww, poor Charlie Brown.
Another classic holiday movie that you can’t escape is “It’s A Wonderful Life.” Now, I’m sorry if you love that movie, but I just can’t stand it. I can get behind Jimmy Stewart in just about everything. This movie however, it is like two hours too long. And if an angel gets its wings every time a bell rings then there are more angels than there are people on the planet and that disturbs me a little. Kind of creepy if you think about it.
There are however some shows that aren’t going into reruns. One in particular is “Jersey Shore.” Yes, you love to hate it. I just love to love it. The ridiculousness is amazing. You just watch and stare and can’t believe that people like this really exist. Well, I have it on good authority from some Jersey shore natives that they do exist and they are exactly like these people on the show! I know, amazing. I definitely think you should follow this show. There is already extreme controversy surrounding it. Italian American groups are renouncing it because it portrays these Italian American “guidos” and “guidettes” in a negative light (FYI- when they act like that on a regular basis, it isn’t MTV’s fault for showing it). Some of the sponsors are also pulling their ads because they don’t want to be associated with it. Well, I’m all for it. And since in the last show the one girl got punched in the face by a guy we need to watch and see what happens to this guy cause you know the boys on this show won’t let him get off without a black eye.
Sorry this is a short one but I haven’t had too much time to watch TV seeing as how I had two jobs. But now that one is over I’m back to sitting in front of the television watching all of the desirable and undesirable shows that they have to offer for the rest of this season. Happy watching and enjoy this clip from “Jersey Shore.”
The Princess & the Frog (2009) Genre: Animation, Family Rated: G Running Time: 97 minutes
This Disney movie, based loosely off of The Frog Princess, a novel by E.D. Baker is the first Disney film to star an African American lead. E.D Baker's novel was motivated by the Grimm Brother's story, The Frog Prince. (Grimm Brothers as you may know, are the widely known fairytale writers who've created many classic tales. Among the most popular are: Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Snow White.)
The story takes place in New Orleans, Louisiana. Not just any city and not just any neighborhood - we meet Tiana, voiced by Anika Noni Rose, in The French Quarter, one of the most renowned neighborhoods of New Orleans. She's an inspired, hard-working young woman full of inspiration, set finish her father's dream of opening a restaurant. Her prosperous best friend Charlotte, voiced by Jennifer Cody, is enchanted by the mere idea of a foreign prince's arrival in hopes of falling madly in love. Naveen, voiced by Bruno Campos, is a young, carefree prince from Maldonia and is a passionate young man. Who is also broke. Getting mixed up with some shady voodoo, Naveen gets amphibiously transformed and Tiana somehow gets mixed in with it all!
The viewing experience alone was interesting enough to rememer: - the dancing little girl in the theatre who couldn't get enough of the catchy tunes. The teenage girl behind us sniffling when a particular (won't spoil the movie!) character doesn't make it. It all seems silly but everything about it made me happy! Then to behold the quality of wonderful story-telling and vivid animation was just incredible. The root of where this story take place has an immense amount of history, it makes those who aren't knowledged in the area make you need to see this town! You can't help but desire to be a part of the richness of the music, the spicy deliciousness of its cuisine and the history of its people. I couldn't get home soon enough to google what I could about the French Quarter and those of Creole descent.
Even more, the songs are catchy and full of messages. The song sung at the Mama Odie's (Jenifer Lewis) Tree in the middle of the bayou I believe called Dig Deeper, has a positive message in the face of our current superficial-filled, bling bling desired culture. Not to mention, Walt Disney's history of racial sensitivity is close to nil and this is an incredible feat that has been well executed.
So pleasing is this experience; I give this five out of five frames!
See below for the trailer:
Be sure to head to the forum at www.j1studios.com to chat about whether or not I've convinced you to check this out.
"Gossip Girl" Channel: CW (check local listings Day/Time: Mondays at 9pm Rating: Mature,
Oh Gossip Girl, how I love you. The way you make us all sit here and wonder if Serena is really so dumb as to think that this new congressman would actually give up his career and reputation for her is amazing. How you make me see Chuck as Hamlet, talking to his dead father is inspiring. While his father wasn’t asking that he avenge his death, instead criticizing him to the fullest, makes no never mind to me. And poor misguided Jenny, seemingly becoming a nicer queen but really only doing it to mask her own devious behavior of selling drugs without her raccoon eyes, really makes you ponder life.
The events of the past episode kind of made sense but also left you wondering how in the hell people don’t just throw their hands up in the air in bewilderment throughout the whole episode. Apparently it is the one year anniversary of Chuck’s dad’s death and he isn’t handling it well. He sees him and is talking to him throughout the whole show. It goes a bit far seeing as how they haven’t shown this behavior at all in the past episodes but what the hell. Wasn’t the worst part of the show. Jenny selling drugs to pay for her once undesired queendom wasn’t even the worst part. Dan trying to get over and/or cover up his love for Vanessa with her clearly desperate drama school friend wasn’t the worst part (even though it was pretty horrendous when she pulled out what I imagine to be a Carrie Prejean style sex tape of herself to seduce him).
Clearly the worst part was the whole blackmail ridiculousness that was the situation between Serena, Trip (the married congressman), Maureen (his wife), and the letter from Serena’s biological father to her mother Lily. Yes, I know it sounds convoluted but need I remind you that this is basically a teen soap? So pretty much Serena ran off with Trip for a week, amazingly he had no congressmanly duties, and Maureen finds them to blackmail them. Serena doesn’t believe that Trip would lie to her about meeting with Maureen and gets all indignant when she learns the truth from Nate, Trip’s cousin and of course a past lover of Serena who still loves her. She tries to run off with all her bags into the middle of the biggest “town” in NY, Nassau County, and runs smack into Trip outside the door. They drive off and in the midst of driving her home Trip gets kind of creepy stalker like and not paying attention runs into the guardrail while trying to avoid a wayward pack of three wolves. Where Trip really lets me down is he calls MAUREEN first instead of 911 to help the passed out Serena. In the end we find that he really is like a spineless politician when he goes with Maureen and their thinly veiled Chappaquiddick reference kind of lost all meaning in and amongst the scenes following. I mean, I don’t care what this letter has to say about whatever Lily was doing with Serena’s biological father when she claimed to be with her ailing cancer stricken mother, I don’t think it would be enough to blackmail Serena with. All Lily has to do is come clean to her now husband, Rufus, and Maureen has nothing. And how could Maureen just give up her trump card to Rufus? Makes no sense! Yes I am leaving out some things here, but you get the gist.
I think I loved the end when Chuck finally went to his dad’s grave and finds a mysterious woman leaving the same flowers that were his dead mother’s favorite. Obviously we are supposed to be led to believe that this is his mother. While it’s all tied together with a locket, and that’s cheesy, it still made me want to see the next episode and find out why his mother is really alive and where she’s been this entire time pretending to be dead. Needless to say, I can’t wait for the next episode. And I’m not ashamed one bit people.
I give this episode four frames just because of the promise for the next episode and some of the funny things that happened this episode.
Here is a clip from what is coming up on the next episode that is coming, sadly, in 2010.
Head over to j1studios.com's forum to discuss Gossip Girl or tell me that you hate it and can't believe I watch it. (Doesn't matter cause I'm going to keep watching it.)
I know no one is ready for this: the Bella & Edward romance story.... and a rogue ninja assassin?!?! Indeed, I come to you with dual, humble offerings of drama and some tasty butt-kicking. A Double Feature you ask - yes! Read on....
New Moon (2009) Running Time: 130 minutes Rated PG-13 Genre: Drama/Fantasy/Romance Director: Chris Weitz
Ahhhh, the cheesy romance between two desire-filled teens - not quite a scene put at the top of any of my flick picks. Yet there's something annoyingly appealing about seeing the exchange between Bella's angst-filled presence and Edward's tough-to-read facade. All is contained within this second installment of the Twilight series, (The first of which is Twilight (2008)) based off of Stephenie Meyer's novels.
When the much-hyped, original Twilight movie arrived in theatres, it was an instant hit - women, young and old(er) fell hard for the misunderstood Edward Cullen (Robert Pattison), a "17 year old" vampire in a family of semi-self controlled vamps recently settled in the small town of Forks, Washington.
The story continues where it left off: Isabella Swan, aka Bella (Kristen Stewart), remains immersed in Edwardland and is currently obsessed with the reality of her aging while her beloved keeps his youth. A family time accident sparks the Cullen Family's departure from the town thus rendering Bella heartless and depressed. Her desire shifts to depending on the rush of living the dangerous life for happiness as it gives her visions of Edward. Bad Girl Bella's desire encourages the bonds of her relationship with Jacob and a loving friendship between the two becomes more complicated. Secrets are discovered and it all comes to a dramatic yet predictable head.
There were many obnoxious recurring themes - Bella's extended depressed stage, excuse me, whole life, is enough to make you sick to your stomach (it's over the top). The uninspired acting by many of the main characters. Edward's muttering - I still do not know half of what he said. The plain ol' cheesiness. The movie wasn't totally ridiculous though; the fight scenes were impressive and once the first film is seen, you grudgingly want to know what develops with Jacob (Taylor Lautner) and Bella's friendship and the human-vampire conundrum. In addition, in previews shown on television, the wolves seen are technically werewolves. While I don't usually get angry about adding a slight new twist on old tales, simply put - these are not werewolves! In and of themselves, they are extremely well-done. Terrifying and powerful creatures they are, powerful wolves to be exact - not werewolves. Then again, what can I expect from a film that depicts "vampires" that have reflections and can mingle in the daylight. Alrighty.
Another aspect to factor in and something I was only aware of after reviewing some message boards, is the disgust with how this story portrays young women. While being a teen and falling in love is tear inducing and brings the end of the world feeling when you're without him, Bella's lack of any tad of a personality strength, sense of independence or will-power and her hopelessness-without-Edward deal is quite putrefying and not something "tweens" need to rely on as images to look to as "cool". Bella needs, thrives even, off of Edward and can you guess what happens while he's gone? She stares out of a window for months, isolates her already loner self from her few friends and wallows in self-pity, only seeing a glimmer of happiness from the visions she sees of Edward. While we wouldn't have the freedom we desired if all films were positive, this is a series that is impacting youth at a pivotal age - can't we have an ounce of self respect from the protagonist for the sake of the chil'ren?
For those that love the series and who crave seeing the novels come to life, the teenage girl in me can understand those that will unquestionably buy into all of this. To sum it up - it is somewhat cute but all-in-all, the extended moans Bella exudes whenever stepping within 5 feet of Edward get sickening. Fast.
Ninja Assassin (2009) Running Time: 99 minutes Rated R Genre: Action/Adventure/Thriller Director: James McTeigue (directed V for Vendetta)
Ninja Assassin, starring Raizo (a South Korean popstar, Rain), a meticulously and ruthlessly trained ninja who had escaped the secret Ozunu Clan, follows his life throughout his childhood and into adulthood. The Ozunu Clan kidnaps orphaned children to train them as perfect killers through blood, sweat and many, many tears. The clan works for hire and they are the best out there; no feelings, no mercy, just pure skill and ruthlessness. Raizo is a superb fighter, with his teacher, Takeshi (Rick Yune) never letting up, knowing that his potential is immense. Raizo later rebels and leaves as a result of the clans murder of his young love. This rebellion is not taken well - the Ozunu clan takes allegiance to them under all circumstances, no exceptions.
Raizo meets Mika Coretti (Naomie Harris), a European CIA agent who discovers the danger of knowing the existence of the clan. Their goal is to take down the clan but a formidable and futile task it seems.
What is expected occurs: someone dear to Raizo is killed thus his disapproval of those who once instructed him is sealed. Many fight scenes between fellow ninjas including his "brother". Swift blocks, chopped limbs, quick body shifts, dodging swords - the movements are exciting to see but are not new or original. Raizo's skill with his swinging Kusai-gama (a traditional Japanese weapon) is incredible. There are some scenes which made your pupil's dilate and your palms sweaty out of anxiousness and eagerness, yearning to see how the injured Raizo is going to dodge the 50+ assassins who have him trapped.
There was no real surprise - Raizo fought with precision and grace, as we expected him to. I am glad that Mika and Raizo did NOT have a love connection - it would have taken away from the story, as many, many movies do. They forge a crisis-imparted connection that is sweet; we thank the creators for recognizing that there is not a need to always have an awkwardly placed love exchange between the hero and the victim.
My opinion: Raizo was well-cast, Mika did alright, loved Raizo's solo training scene ;) and the computer generated blood that was criticized wasn't horrible at all (it made sense in a movie of this nature). I do not understand those that felt there needed to be a deep, verbally-charged, life-impacting film. I do feel that the characters could have been developed more fully but we got what we needed to understand a straight-forward plot. It's an action movie guys, come on.
My advise: this is the type of movie you'd watch again on cable, but do not need to buy on Blu-Ray.
So I thought it was time to give you guys a little update on what I have been watching lately. Now I may not be watching the most sophisticated of programming but I’m addicted. The first thing that I’m catching you up on is Gossip Girl. Yeah, I know. But I have been hooked since the first season and now must continue to watch it. Now I’m not going to tell you everything that has been happening for the past two and half seasons but I will go over the last episode that aired this past Monday. Apparently Serena is torn between her desire to have an affair with married new Congressman and old crush Tripp Van der bilt and not being a slut. So she turns to her friend Nate, Tripp’s cousin, who has extensive knowledge in this department, for help. His solution is to keep her away from him by going on a bar crawl. Genius! Jenny decides to help Chuck by giving some foreign ambassador’s son a tour of NYC and finds out that he sells drugs in the park. Chuck comes to her rescue when she gets into an awkward drug deal in a bar. What a wonderful step brother he is. Blair continues her quest to become queen of NYU by trying to get in with the Tisch crowd and their cabaret. She does this by going through Olivia, who is a big movie star attending NYU with her. Olivia just so happens to be in a relationship with Dan and roommates with Vanessa, who has been lifelong friends with Dan. The tension with those three can be cut with a cleaver since in the last episode they all had a threesome because they thought Olivia would be leaving to shoot a movie, which of course it fell through. Olivia suspects that Vanessa has a thing for Dan, which she does, and that Dan might have that same thing for her. Well in the end the cabaret performance with their little group goes off pretty well considering it’s a musical version of Snow White set to Lady Gaga songs. But it’s the end of Olivia on the show because it has been confirmed that Dan does like Vanessa by a kiss and a look that he gave her during the threesome. So in the end Serena’s slutty ways win out and she goes off with Tripp when she finds out his wife did a not so good thing and she makes out with him. Jenny is lured by the “dangerous” ways of the foreign kid who looks like a 35 year old man. Blair shows up the snotty Tisch kids by getting them in to see a private Lady Gaga concert that they couldn’t get themselves. Dan realizes that Olivia is done with him and that he really does like Vanessa, but maybe she’s moved on to someone else. Just think, that’s not even the tip of the iceberg for these tangled stories. This is a clip from the next episode that is unfortunately two weeks away.
The next show I have been following is America’s Next Top Model: Cycle Short Girls. It ended last night with the predictable winner of Nicole. Now I waxed poetic earlier in the season about how Tyra is out of control with her whole stereotypes and craziness and how the season just felt hypocritical to me. Well I still feel that way. Yeah Nicole is gorgeous and she takes great pictures. My beef is not with that. Even though I would have preferred Laura to win, I’m okay with Nicole winning. I just can’t get over Tyra and her letting out her inner crazy person. Now, my day job is as a mental health case manager so I work with crazy people on a regular basis so I feel comfortable enough saying that I think Tyra has the DID (Dissociative Identity Disorder, or split personality). She’s all over the place with her accents and characters and general weirdness. I can’t get over it. I’m sorry. But yeah, Nicole won. Woo hoo! Looking forward to the next season Tyra. Still waiting for the all plus sized model cycle. Here is a clip from the season.
Lastly one of the shows I follow is the new show Vampire Diaries. Now I’m not big on this whole vampire craze sweeping the world. I cannot stand any part of the Twilight crap that is out there or any of the other vampire based books. This show however caught my attention. It’s not the best show out there or even has the best acting or story lines but I’m kind of hooked. It follows Elena, whose world has been turned upside down by the death of her parents, and Stefan, who is new to town and has the bruiting good looks that all vampires have. To mix it up Stefan has a brother, Damon, who is also a vampire that is pretty evil and is out to do something which we haven’t figured out yet. Elena’s best friend, Bonnie, just so happens to come from a long line of witches and she is starting to get visions and feelings. On this last episode Bonnie’s visions of an old relative are increasing due to an old necklace that once belonged to her. It shows us a little into what Damon has planned. It is revealed that there was an arrangement between him and Bonnie’s relative in order to save a woman that both he and Stefan loved (who coincidentally looks just like, you guessed it, Elena) from a fire that killed the whole town over a century ago. In the end things settle a little but Stefan has just reinforced for himself that he needs to stay away from Elena so she is safe. He’s going to leave town. Sucks for him and her since she actually likes him even though he is a vampire. Please tell me you caught the use of the word sucks going with the theme of vampires. Okay, moving on. I’m enjoying seeing where this is going. I’m not quite sure what Damon is up to or who this new vampire guy is that seems to be interested in Elena’s aunt, who she now lives with, but I want to know. So I’m going to keep watching. Here is a clip for the next episode. (Just so you know, there is a bit of Elena in her underwear in this clip cause she and Stefan will probably have sex in this episode. Lucky girl!)
Well kids, you can follow what I'm watching or find "crap" of your own to watch. Either way head over to the forum and talk about my shows or your shows, or just shows.
Until next time kids, this has been Hava!
Info for all of the shows listed above can be found the CW's website.
A couple months ago, I posted trailers of movies I was looking forward to. The only one seen was Zombieland (see my review on 10/26/09) as that’s the only one to have been released yet.
The last previews I posted were for:
• Wolfman (in theatres February 10th, 2010) • Ninja Assassin (in theatres November 25th, 2009) • Zombieland (released October 2nd, 2009) • 2012 (in theatres November 13th, 2009 = today!)
Ninja Assassin and 2012 will be seen soon enough, just keep checking in for my review!!
There are indeed many more films to anticipate, at least these are some I'm anxious to see. Take a peeksie of the following trailers and tell me what you think!
Based on the action game, Prince of Persia (2009) starring Jake Gyllenhaal seems interesting. He looks enough like the character and is not too shabby to look at either ;) I usually can gauge how well I'll think a movie will be prior to release and I'd say that it looks to be a decent/neat video game-based action movie. Nothing more, nothing less! The film will be released May 28, 2010.
While I usually tend towards the non-emotional, this movie looks like a tear-jerker. Yet as a family-centered gal, the intensity of the topic and the idea that someone can communicate after death to those still "alive", is intriguing. Set to be released January 15, 2010, see The Lovely Bones (2009):
The Storm Warriors (or Storm Riders II) (2009) Lastly, by accident I saw this title and was intrigued. In viewing the trailer, my eyes loved the flow of motion and artistry shown in the fight scenes. The original, Storm Riders, which came out in 1998, was a movie based off of a Chinese comic called Fung Wan. This is the second film yet was made to be a stand-alone. Set to be released in China on December 17, 2009, I'm uncertain when we'll see it here (but usually things are ruined once they get here so trying to see the original Chinese movie with subtitles seems to be the wisest move). Check it out:
Tell me what you think: comment on the forum, post a message or shoot me an email!
Interview with Brian O'Halloran from "Clerks" (That's me up there with Brian!)
You know a conversation is going to be good when it starts with talk of stalking and luring people into smart cars with candy at conventions. Luckily for me that is how my interview with Brian O’Halloran, who played Dante Hicks in the hilarious movie "Clerks," started at GameX. Brian was so approachable it was disgusting. Even though they were charging $20 for an autograph, I got one for my friend for free earlier in the day while he was watching a Rock Band tournament.
After getting through the pleasantries, which for us was laced with some severe sarcasm, we got down to the meat and potatoes of what I really wanted to know. After seeing almost every Kevin Smith movie made, "Clerks" was his first, I had to know if Brian thought that "Clerks" should have been first to come out. Brian brought up the good point that "Clerks" opened doors for Kevin Smith that his other movies wouldn’t be able to. It gave the movie world something to base his work off of. It also gave Kevin something to base his other movies off of. If you have never seen any Kevin Smith movies then let me tell you that pretty much all of them are based in some small town in New Jersey and if they went anywhere else, it always started there. They typically have reoccurring characters, such as Jay and Silent Bob (played by Smith), and others that move freely in and out like neighbors you occasionally chat with while getting the morning paper.
I asked Brian if he felt waiting 12 years between the release of "Clerks" and "Clerks II" was a smart move on the part of Kevin Smith. The movies after "Clerks" for Kevin Smith showed more growth, Brian said. Everyone involved learned what worked with the audience and capitalized on it by producing more movies that had the same brand of sarcastic humor and smart characters. Brian felt that they needed the time to develop, grow, and acquire more people. Brian said that many people had never seen the first movie before seeing "Clerks II" and that sent them back looking for "Clerks." They had tried to bring "Clerks" back in 2000 in cartoon form. Brian said that it ran for only one or two episodes before the network trashed it, but six had been made. You can now catch them playing on Adult Swim. Brian mentioned that maybe if enough people wrote to Adult Swim requesting it to come back they could pull a Family Guy and have it come back. That is contingent on Kevin agreeing though.
If you don’t think that you have seen enough of Brian lately then you will be happy to know that he just filmed a small spot as a waiter in a movie with Reese Witherspoon and Paul Rudd that was shooting in Philly. It is slated to come out next summer. In case you missed him he had a small part in "The Happening," where oddly enough, as Brian pointed out, he played a jeep driver who was heading back to NJ. He was also in the horror movie comedy "Brutal Massacre: A Comedy" which was documentary style about making a horror movie with gory side effects.
If I could have stayed with him for the rest of day and bullshitted with him I certainly would have. I think we would be good friends if given the opportunity. (Brian, if you’re reading this, email me.) Unfortunately people started coming over and asking for his autograph and trying to make small talk. The nerve of them. My experience with him ended with my camera asking if anyone blinked. How fitting since the whole experience was so surreal I felt like I was dreaming.
I give this interview 10 frames! Yeah, I cheated and doubled it up.
I also recommend checking out "Clerks" and "Clerks II." Both get 5 out of 5 frames.
Here is the movie's trailer from back in 1994. Enjoy!
Well head on over to the forum at j1studios and discuss the awesomeness that is "Clerks," the awesomeness that is Brian O'Halloran, or just the general awesomeness that are Kevin Smith movies (except "Jersey Girl." That just wasn't good sweetie.)
Zombieland's premise is about a young man, Columbus, (Jesse Eisenberg), who is heading to Columbus, OH in search of any living family, in an earth overtaken by zombies. He meets Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson) along the way and in their travels learn about one another's idiosyncrasies such as Tallahassee's obsession with Twinkies and Columbus' rules of survival along with his ever-evident lack of contact with the female species. (All the characters are given locational names due to Tallahassee's statement of it being best not to get too attached by knowing one another's real names)
In their travels they meet sisters Wichita (Emma Stone) and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin) who are survivalists in a manner not predicted, by us or by Columbus & Tallahassee. Their travels to their respective destinations consist of creatively and with immense enjoyment, pummeling & killing zombies. Done with lots of gore, blood, guck, guts, grossness and more, for us lovers of such films - this is the perfect combination of bloodshed and silly, quirky fun. Midway through the film we have a sweet cameo by a seasoned "fighter". Some really neat features of the film include the comically stated (and strategically posted via fun 3-D text graphics) rules for survival including "Check the Back Seat", "Cardio" and "The Double Tap". Provided are quirky characters that actually don't annoy you. Some films are guilty of the trying-to-hard-to-make-you-like-the-character and come up with random nuances that are either inconsistent, in bad humor, boring etc.. These characters have just the right amount of odd behavior that some may even be able to relate too and enough substance to keep you interested in what the end of the film will bring. Shuan of the Dead was one of the first of this type of movie hybrid - it is not a movie easily lived up to but Zombieland did.
For all those who love zombie films, or horror films in general, we don't appreciate stupid moves. Must the girl in heels whose boyfriend HAD to check outside to see what was going on WITHOUT a weapon then herself go in search of him IN THE DARK with no weapon or a makeshift "weapon" consisting of a spatula? We need some characters to have a more realistic (as realistic as achievable in a zombie world :)) reaction. Shooting a zombie not once, but multiple times seems pretty realistic/wise to me. Columbus' rules of survival are just that; adapted responses due to circumstance.The four people we meet are still around because they didn't decide to walk alone in the dark, never check the back seat or just plain 'ol act foolish.
To be fair, a few things that may not be for everyone are the amount of close-up, flesh-revealing clips. Not for the faint of heart. (In my opinion though; you go to an apocalyptic film about zombies- you should expect blood and guts) This may be on the level of Dawn of the Dead and even a bit of Saw (not as extreme but in the realm of where-most-movies would pan away, this one does not). It's not done to scare you, just to gross you out and cringe all with a smile on your face and a giggle of morbid delight. In addition, of course there is a small romance exchange which is a bit cheesy.
All in all - this is a must see. If you cringe when thinking of brains and blood - this may not be for you but even those who are not jolly at the thought of brain-consumption, the witty humor is enough to capture and entertain - go see it!
I give it a five out of five frames!
Trailer:
Danae signing off!
Saunter on over to the J1studios.com forum to chat and voice your opinion!
"America's Next Top Model" Channel: The CW (Check local listings) Time: 8pm EST, Wednesdays
The models on this cycle of America’s Next Top Model may be short, but they are not short on attitude or bitchiness. Of course we are going to find cattiness with a house full of girls all vying for the same prize. These girls however are amping it up just a bit I think. Another thing that has been amped up is Tyra Banks’ craziness. It seems that with every new cycle she has been showing her real side or should I say her other personality. I’m waiting for her to name it a la Beyonce and her alter ego Sasha freaking Fierce. We are into the fourth show of the cycle and already I’m getting frustrated. We get that these girls are all 5’7 and under. You don’t have to keep telling us!
There are some glaring obvious things in these past three shows. There is some hypocriticalness to it. Tyra keeps preaching about how beautiful their shortness is and to be proud of it, but in the next breath says that the modeling world still isn’t ready for it and to make themselves look longer. Every chance that Tyra gets she throws in some stupid skit about some photographer or agent making fun of short girls who want to model and she steps in with some crazy accent or costume to save the day. She reinforces their shortness by making them wear flats to judging. If any of the tall girls in previous cycles were to wear flats to panel they would have been berated. You would think that of all the girls who were ever on Top Model, the short ones should be wearing 10 inch heels. That’s if we are to believe that they have to keep looking tall to be hired. Also, the stage height makes them look that much shorter. The step that Tyra stands on at panel is significantly higher than ever before. It makes her look like a giant compared to the aspiring models. Frankly Tyra, I’m confused.
The challenges and photo shoots have been typical for Top Model; nothing new and inventive because they have short girls. The only thing that is different is that they say to look longer more. Hopefully as this cycle goes on they will stop stressing the fact that because they are short people won’t want to hire them and will focus on the fact that these are gorgeous girls who actually have some talent for modeling. True they are still green and wet behind the ears, but that’s no different than any of the tall girls before them. Tyra, give us a chance to think to ourselves, “Wow, that girl is only 5’5? She looks 5’10.” Stop shoving down my throat that they are shorter than me. (FYI, I’m 5’9.) Of course I will continue to watch this cycle through to the end to see who wins. I will be properly outraged every week if the wrong girl goes home just to keep drama on the show. And since all of the shows have been taped and the winner of the show has already been chosen I will most likely have to suffer through all of the horrendous short talk. But I beseech you Tyra, stop trying to make yourself look like a pioneer when you are only making yourself like a jerk with all of your hysterics. It’s getting old.
I'm giving this cycle so far 3 frames. The glaring hypocriticalness of it all is dragging my opinion of it down.
Head over to the forum to discuss this cycle of Top Model, or any of the previous cycles.
Short and sweet: here are a few films that have peaked my interest. May not be a District 9 or Star Trek, but 2009 still has a few hopefuls left....
"2012" (2009) While the end of the world dilemma has been done quiet a few times before; I do not believe on this scale. Independence Day & Armageddon - great action movies and absolute hits. The Day After Tomorrow also was a decent movie. Even most recently Transformers II (ugh) did the potential annihilation of mankind topic - we like destruction and we like it big. 2012 though does it so well, its imaginable; you can feel yourself holding on for dear life. View a tsunami like no other:
"Zombieland" (2009) Who doesn't adore drooling, bloody, brain-ingesting zombies? And a good laugh to boot? Check it out:
"Ninja Assassin" (2009) This looks amazing; with such potential. PLEASE don't let me down!
"The Wolfman" (2009) Lastly, this is not an '09 movie as it comes out in 02/10 but I recently peeked at this trailer and loved what I saw. Benicio Del Toro AND Anthony Hopkins in a fantasy/horror film about a werewolf (or wolfman)? Holla:
Come to the forum and tell ME what you are looking forward too!
“Ghost Hunters” Channel: SciFi (I refuse to call it SyFy) Check your local listings Time/Day: 9pm Wednesday
The new season of “Ghost Hunters” came back to the SciFi channel last Wednesday. If you don’t know what “Ghost Hunters” is then you need to get on it quickly. Each episode is full of suspense and just the right amount of creepiness to keep you watching. Usually you will see two cases in the hour long episodes. You are taken through the investigation, the going through of the evidence, and the reveal to the owners of the property they just investigated by the TAPS (The Atlantic Paranormal Society) team. There is typically a team of five or six, always led by the founders of TAPS, Jay & Grant. Regular investigators are Steve, Dave, and Kris. The show keeps you on the edge of your seat.
The first investigation on this episode finds the team at the Samuel Mudd House in Waldorf, MD. This place is famous for having John Wilkes Booth stay there after having just assassinated President Lincoln. There have been all types of reports ranging from seeing figures around a fire to a rocking chair rocking on its own. The team goes through the investigation checking out all of the “hot spots” with their equipment. Their tools usually consist of a thermal imagining camera, hand held cameras, K2 meter, digital voice recorders and the list goes on. As Jay and Grant go through one of the rooms Grant has an experience where he feels something hit his hand. They both also feel static charge through the air in certain areas of the room. Grant and Jay are then outside heading towards another “hot spot” when they have the human figure pass in front of their thermal imagining camera when nothing or no one was in front of them. The rest of the team goes through the house but none of them get anything. After Steve and Dave go through the evidence Jay and Grant present the evidence they have found. Of course they show the owner of the home the footage of the figure passing in front of them. They also have an audio recording of a voice saying, “I am not guilty.” They have determined that there is some sort of haunting occurring there.
In the second investigation of the night the teams heads to Edgewood Plantation in Charles City, VA. This house use to be a signal post for the Confederacy. After hearing the claims of paranormal activity and getting a tour of the facilities the team sets up for a night of investigating. Unfortunately for the team and the readers is that nothing was really found. There was only one instance when the K2 meter goes off uncontrollably. Some say that when the meter goes off it is reacting to the electromagnetic waves from the ghost. When Kris went out to research the land she found that there was documentation to support a person staying in that area with the same name as a ghost that was reportedly speaking to an individual at Edgewood Plantation. So it’s safe to say the team did not determine the plantation was haunted.
I personally can’t get enough of this show. It is interesting to watch the team go in and try to debunk all of the claims of paranormal activity. When the find something though you are freaking out because it’s so real. This show makes you look at the shadows on your wall a little differently and listen harder to the sounds around your house. While I normally am on the edge of my seat I have to admit that the second half of this episode left me wanting more. I know that not every place they go to will be haunted but the plantation just wasn’t that interesting especially in comparison to the Mudd house. I will be watching next week though in hopes of catching a glimpse of a ghost.
So I am giving this episode four frames. I give the series five frames, but this episode was disappointing.
Check out this video clip
Also check out the website for TAPS: http://www.the-atlantic-paranormal-society.com/
Head on over to the forum at j1studios.com to discuss the show, ghosts, whatever makes you happy. A healthy debate about the existence of ghosts should be fun.
Wow, wow, wow. The under the cut film, District 9 came upon us stealthily and had many soon squirming in anticipation. In first hearing about District 9 via facebook.com, (the site that can bring together friends and family, can be the initiator to a new relationship or an end to one:http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=114523173025&ref=share), intrigued I was!
The idea alone; a sci-fi film with creatures unlike I’d ever seen captured me. I then learned that the film was based off of a short 6-minute film called “Alive in Joburg”, written and directed (just as District 9) by Neill Blomkamp, a South African native.
Blomkamp was initially directing Halo (also produced by Peter Jackson) but according to internet sources, either disagreements between productions studios and/or budget issues caused filming to screech to a halt and Blomkamp was informed that filming was to cease. This led the way for the Peter Jackson/Neill Blomkamp partnership to fully develop into an original movie-making experience.
What I had thought would be an entertaining, “that’s so cool”, nerd fueled sci-fi experience turned out to be so much more than I expected and RARELY do movies impress me /deem my initial judgment void. **SPOILER ALERT **
The opening alone was unexpected – unaware was I that it was a documentary-style film and thus was thrown into the film featuring commentary on the happenings of twenty years past, when an alien ship had arrived and had stopped directly over Johannesburg, South Africa. It hovered above for three months until the humans decided to investigate and make their way into the ship. They discovered a large group of aliens who were malnourished and sick. The aliens are later assessed as apparently being all "workers", with their leadership gone (they state the possibility of the leaders having fallen ill and died). I can’t speak much more on the story as I’ve given more than most knew when first going to see the film!
Make a note to self (and this is you guys posting a mental note to your temperamental and forgetful brains) that you must see this politically poignant, emotionally compelling, and still graphically amazing story, a reflection of what a group of people can do to one another, ignorance too many ethnic groups have been guilty of. The aliens are looked down upon, treated like dirt because of being misunderstood – no matter how silly (and when you see this movie you will not think it silly) the idea is, the craziness is how it portrays that which many of those who came before us (and into current day) have either been guilty of, directly experienced or been a victim of. It is a powerful film - it made my heart ache on a different level.
To its detriment, the strange and sometimes ridiculous reaction in specific scenes by our main character, Wikus van der Merwe (played by Sharlto Copley) annoyed me. While I have never been in a tense situation with aliens (well…), a purposeful and fairly smart response is expected and was not usually provided here. In addition, I love violence in films (violence, not necessarily victimization) and the graphics were amazing but to some it may be a bit much.
I give this a four and a half out of five frames. Not quite perfect but a powerful film indeed!!
Teaser Trailer below!!!!
Danae signing off!
I beg of you, come to the J1studios.com forum to chat if you’ve seen this film or suggest a film that pleasantly surprised you!
“Real Housewives of Atlanta” Channel: Bravo (check your local listings) Time/Day: 10pm Thursdays
Last Thursday marked the return of the “Real Housewives of Atlanta” on Bravo. They are back for their second season and they are poised and ready to tear each other apart just like last season. Dyshaun Snow, who was more boring than watching paint dry, from the first season is out and Grammy award winning Kandi Burruss is in. In the premiere we are brought up to date on what is happening in the lives of our housewives. Lisa and her husband are thinking about having another child. Kim has broken up with her meal ticket boyfriend and she wants to design her own line of wigs. Nene and family have moved into a new home in Lisa’s neighborhood. Sheree has been forced to move due to unfortunate situations with her ex husband. She is also planning an independence party since she is officially divorced. We are introduced to Kandi’s world and given a bit of a background on her music career in Xscape and her songwriting for other artists. The viewers also learn that she is working on her own record and has recently gotten engaged.
The drama never stops with these ladies. When we left the housewives at the end of the first season Nene and Kim were not speaking after a long feud throughout the season. Kim and Sheree had become quick friends sharing in their mutual dislike for Nene. During the premiere we find out that Kim and Nene have never gotten together to quash their differences like they promised on the finale. If nothing else they only have more of a problem with each other. Sheree and Kim are now no longer besties and Sheree has been keeping her distance. It also seems that Kim has been spreading some vicious rumors about Lisa. So basically she is alienating herself from everyone on the show. Way to go.
In the premiere Sheree and Nene make up and become friends again after absolutely hating each other last season. There were some “brush off” scenes between Kim and the other girls at Niecy Nash’s birthday party which got Lisa, Nene, and Sheree all in a tizzy and discussing how they don’t like her. I have to admit that the real fireworks didn’t start for me until the last five minutes of the show. Sheree was displeased, to say the least, with the party planner for her independence party. During her meeting with him, let’s just say things got a little heated. No, that is a gross misrepresentation of what happened. It almost came to blows. Sheree and that man were in each other’s faces, yelling and screaming, calling each other all types of names. He was dragged kicking and screaming out of the room by a colleague. Hmm, I think Sheree’s party may have to be postponed while she looks for another party planner.
All in all I was highly entertained by the premiere of the second season of the “Real Housewives of Atlanta.” It was the perfect mix of catch up and drama that settles you back in with the girls as if they never left. The preview of the season to come also shows crazy promise. It appears that in the next episode Nene and Sheree gang up on Kim that leads to an altercation on the street where Kim possibly loses her wig. Yes folks, the white girl loses her wig this time around. Real Housewives, breaking racial stereotypes one episode at a time.
I gave this episode four frames out of five. Only four because I think there could have been a little more drama and a little less catching up.
For more information on the Real Housewives of Atlanta and other Bravo programs head to http://www.bravotv.com/the-real-housewives-of-atlanta.
Head over to www.j1studios.com to discuss the real housewives and the drama yet to come in the forum!
A young man joining a church that promotes the “purging” of the sinfulness and evil that are vampires when just last season he was addicted to “V” – vampire blood.
A strong-willed guy, trapped in a vampire lair for weeks, starved, abused, scared, returns to a “normal” life only to have them return and request of him a big favor.
An innocent and naïve teenage red-head just turned by a vampire, with her bitter at the tight leash her maker is trying to keep on her, falls for a sweet young local.
This is just a smidgen of the drama, the blood lust, the incredibly addictive insanity of what goes on in a small town called Bon Temps, Louisiana. If you haven’t heard of it, a) you should be ashamed (or maybe you’re just afraid) and b) find a way to watch it!! This is only season two of HBO’s newest hit, True Blood and it gets tastier and tastier by the moment!
We met Sookie Stackhouse (a telepath and the main character) in the first season, waitressing at the Merlotte’s, owned by Sam Merlotte. It is the spot where all the locals gather and at which Sookie meets her first vampire, Bill Compton and falls hard. This relationship breeds controversy as vampires are fighting for their rights as a critical part of society. Their argument is backed by the option to not feed on humans any longer but on synthetic blood called True Blood. Followed by their encounter is a fight in which Sookie saves Bill and their lives are now forever intertwined. The episodes are pregnant with new secrets, forbidden love, personality clashes, and blood sucking vampires. I’m so immensely pleased at the aura of the writing and the acting – you are clutching your pillow out of anxiety to discover if Sookie’s brother really did kill those women, or if it will be discovered whether Lafayette is simply missing or dead.
I don’t want to give away ANY spoilers because it IS SO GOOD!!
You must bite, suck and feed on this juiciness. Don’t be afraid…
Don't act like you're surprised:
see below for a preview of season 2.... eeeeeek!!!!
Head on over to www.j1studios.com to chat about your favorite moments.
“Hell’s Kitchen” Channel: FOX (Check your local listings) Time/Day: 8pm Tuesdays
If you have never seen FOX’s reality show “Hell’s Kitchen” then you have been missing out. The general premise is this foul-mouthed master chef, Gordon Ramsey, is looking for the best chef to run the kitchen in a big restaurant (this year it is the Araxi restaurant in Wistler, British Columbia, Canada. The site of the 2010 winter Olympics). The chefs have to prove themselves through a series of challenges and dinner services and the whole time Ramsey is yelling at them and calling them some pretty funny names.
This season in the two hour premiere we were introduced to 16 new chefs (find their profiles here http://www.fox.com/hellskitchen) who all think they have what it takes. The 16 are divided in two teams of 8, the men against the women. The chefs have to first make their signature dishes for Ramsey with the hopes of impressing him. Well let’s say that out of the 16 only 5 got favorable reviews. After that it is on the punishments and rewards. Whenever a team wins a challenge they get a reward that usually affords them time with Ramsey. That is valuable. This time the men won dinner and a little celebrating upstairs in the apartments. The women had to clean up the kitchen. Fast forward to dinner service. In a few brief words, it was horrible. One of the male contestants was thrown out and off the show. The women never even served any appetizers. So of course they lost. When you lose you have to put up people for elimination that you think messed up the most and Ramsey then decides who should go home. This time around it was Melinda for being a deer caught in headlights. What was so great about this first half though was that it was the return of Robert, a contestant from last season who had to leave for medical reasons. Ramsey thought he would do better on the women’s team.
In the second half of the show we get another challenge where the teams have to clean whole shrimp perfectly. Again the men win by just one prawn. They were rewarded with a lunch with Ramsey where we find that ex-marine Joseph has no desire to pal around with Gordon. He just wants to cook and win. The women had to clean all of the shrimp that would be used for the next dinner service. The personalities really start to come out amongst the women and you can see that some people aren’t as great as they think they are. At dinner service people are butting heads all over the place. The maitre ‘d, Jean-Philippe (JP), got into with Van, the country Texas boy. Tennille (No, the captain isn’t there) almost served raw shrimp to a pregnant woman. People were all over the place and couldn’t cook right. The kitchen was shut down prematurely again. This time both teams lost and had to pick two people each to be put up for elimination. The best part of this show was the very end. The women put up their people without a problem but when Joseph was asked to say who the first person up was and why he just couldn’t get it together. It evolved into him saying he “ain’t no bitch” and going to get up in Ramsey’s face. Then of course the screen goes black and we have to wait till next week to see what happens.
I must say that I am biased towards loving this show because I love cooking and cursing and I get all of that and then some with “Hell’s Kitchen” and Gordon Ramsey. This season however looks very promising. The personalities are getting stronger and you never know what’s going to happen. Hell, next week there may even be punches thrown. Although I have to say, Joseph, I think you have some anger issues you need to resolve. Can we say PTSD people? Cause I think his therapist can.
I give this episode, and probably the whole season, 5 frames out of 5. I just prefer my food with a side of bitchiness and excessive cursing.
Head on over to J1studios to discuss reality, cursing, and the genius that is Gordon Ramsey.
Until next time kids, this has been Hava.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
“Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen” (2009) Rated PG-13 Adventure/Action Running Time: 150 minutes
In the mood for a serious dedication to the Transformer’s fan base, nonstop heroism and laud worthy movie making? Run, run as fast as you can, don’t look back, stop for no one and be thankful you survived because you are not going to find it here.
This movie is not worth the time to summarize the ridiculousness-masked-by-crazy-cg-effects-and-pretty-neat-fighting-scenes so please read the following from www.imdb.com: “The battle for Earth has ended but the battle for the universe has just begun. After returning to Cybertron, Starscream assumes command of the Decepticons, and has decided to return to Earth with force. The Autobots believing that peace was possible finds out that Megatron's dead body has been stolen from the US Military by Skorpinox and revives him using his own spark. Now Megatron is back seeking revenge and with Starscream and more Decepticon reinforcements on the way, the Autobots with reinforcements of their own, may have more to deal with then meets the eye.”
Blah blah blah - the second installation of the Transformers epic was a much-awaited experience. 2007’s “Transformers” while slightly irking some of the die-hard fans due to technicalities, was overall, an exciting experience. The storyline was simple yet for a first movie needed not to be overwhelming. You truly saw who the Autobots were and pledged allegiance! Yet director Michael Bay had to ruin a good thing figuring all that us easily deceivable viewers needed was awesome computer effects and a hot girl and we would be set. Ugh! (Yes, another sound effect because this movie required such). Here were some of the thoughts running through my head while hanging my head in disappointment upon exiting the theatre:
Spare me the “greatness” that is Revenge of the Fallen and bring me back to the valiant Optimus Prime’s and the adventures him and his Autobots encounter. I do not need the high school/collage drama – give me a real TRANSFORMERS MOVIE!!!
I just watched the trailer which made me angry as there was an overflow of potential and yet... :(
I give this movie a two out of five frames.
Go to www.j1studios.com to voice your highly valued opinion!
“Spring Awakening” (2007) Rated: Not suitable for young children Musical Running Time: 2 ½ hours (includes one 20 min. intermission)
“Spring Awakening” A New Kind of Musical
“Spring Awakening” is a musical set in 19th century Germany about teenagers learning about sexuality, life, and love all set to an amazing rock score. When this musical debuted in 2007 it won eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and Best Original Score. “Spring Awakening” was brought to life by Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik from a play written by Frank Wedekind. It brought new life to Broadway with its up front approach to sex and sexuality in young adults. The score alone was unlike anything that had been heard. The thumping rock beats and strong singing bring this story to life. Serious issues mixed with the right amount of humor draw the audience in and keep them captivated till the very last note.
When I bought these tickets I knew nothing about “Spring Awakening” except that it won tons of Tonys and everyone had been saying it was amazing. And now that I’ve seen it, I would have to agree with the masses. From the first song where young Wendla yearns to know more about her body and begs her mother to tell her where babies really come from to the final song where the entire cast belts out everything that they’ve learned, I was hooked. “Spring Awakening” follows the developing love between Wendla and Melchior, a much admired boy who questions religion and why they should listen and believe everything that adults tell them. It also follows Melchior’s friend, Moritz. He is so overwhelmed with all of these burgeoning feelings and desires he loses his way in school which eventually leads to his downfall. Along the way we hear bits of the other characters’ lives and learn how they are making it through their transition into adulthood and through all of the trials and tribulations they have to endure. And how the adults struggle to keep their control of these questioning children.
The cast was the best part for me. Without them it would just be great rock music. The performers invited me in and I felt like I was a part of the show. Imagine my surprise when I found out that Jake Epstein, an actor from a show on Canadian television, Degrassi: The Next Generation, that I am in love with, was playing Melchior. He surpassed all of my expectations. All of the young actors did. The band was a major part of this show. Positioned on the stage with the actors instead of in the orchestra pit hidden, made them an integral part of the story. The music was its own character.
I would go into more of the story but I wouldn’t want to give any of it away. I think going into it with no knowledge of what you are about to see makes “Spring Awakening” infinitely better. I know that I will have the score to this musical stuck in my head for weeks. Images of simulated sex, school boys kissing, and graveyard scenes will forever be burned into my memory. But now I’ve said too much. “Spring Awakening” will open your eyes to a new kind of musical and will leave you begging for one more song.
I give this stage show five out of five frames. It had everything you could want from a musical.
http://www.springawakening.com/home (check out the official site for songs, videos, reviews, and tour dates) http://www.the-n.com/ntv/shows/index (for more information on Degrassi: The Next Generation)
Now head on over to http://www.j1studios.com to discuss this and other musicals that you have loved. Or if you hate musicals, discuss that too.
Until next time kids, this has been Hava.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
“Drag Me to Hell”
“Drag Me to Hell” 2009 Rated PG-13 Horror/Thriller Running time: 99 minutes
Directed by Sam Raimi, (famous for his 1981’s “The Evil Dead” and Spiderman Trilogy) and written by him and his brother Ivan Raimi, this account of a young woman, who in being cursed by a gypsy, has three days before being taken to hell, brings us back to the essentials of what horror films should inflict: the creepies, the crawlies and chills down your spine. The bonus is quite a few friggin hilarious encounters.
A young woman, Christine Brown, is a loan officer at a bank who is trying to get promoted but to do so, has to prove her ability to make tough decisions. An older customer arrives, a gypsy named Mrs. Ganush, and needs Christine’s assistance as she’s failed to pay her mortgage for the past few months. With the knowledge that the poor Mrs. Ganush is having health issues and is begging for another extension, yet also knowing that this is her chance to prove to her superior that she is the gal for the promotion, she denies Mrs. Ganush’s request. Mrs. Ganush doesn’t leave without a fight and Christine leaves work later a bit disturbed but proud that she did what was going to set her apart to her employer. In the parking lot she finds a surprise, Mrs. Ganush is not simply letting Christine get away with that type of decision making. A struggle ensues and after much hair-pulling and jaw-biting (literally), the old gypsy placing a curse on her. Christine will now face terrors never imagined as she discovers just what she’s gotten herself into and attempts to be absolved of her crime. I won’t give much more away as this is worth every horrifying turn!
What may be simple nuances to some are the blocks of what a classic horror movie should contain: the gross factor (e.g. bodily fluids seeping into mouths gone rampant) and the truth that what you don’t see is scarier than pushing a bloody monster in your face throughout every scene (e.g. when the demon slowly climbs the stairs having backed Christine into her bedroom, the slick shadow hands reach under the crack beneath the door frame and manage to get a hold of her) – a simple scene that doesn’t need garish atrocities to terrify you.
Yet a few detractions: in a scene in her garage, the cg effects were a bit too obvious – this either should’ve been omitted or altered. In addition, the over the top “arm in the mouth” scene (you’ll understand once seen) seems to be somewhat out of place and a bit too ridiculous.
All in all, to manifest a story that you can both laugh at and then turn and bite your fingernails in fear while avoiding too much cheesiness is not a feat easily accomplished and Raimi doesn’t falter.
Rating this movie with consideration of its genre, I give this film five out of five frames!
Go to the j1studios forum to chat about this film along with other classic horror favs!
