HALLOWEEN II (2009)

HALLOWEEN II

DIR: Rob Zombie
(2009)

(Great Big Fat Spoilers ensue)

So I just finished watching Rob Zombie's direct follow-up sequel to Halloween; Halloween II, and I must say after all the negative reviews I somewhat feel the need to defend this movie.

First let me start by briefly pointing out the three obvious flaws; The opening dream sequence was way too long, the linked psychosis angle was ridiculous and the introduction of characters only to be killed off is so 20 years ago.

Now with that being said the real purpose of this film should have stayed focused on Laurie's mental well being and for a minute there I thought and hoped that would be the case. Her therapy sessions were the real standout of the story so it shocked me when in the third act all that clever writing had dissipated and what we were left with was the most cliched shit imaginable.

The opening sequence was way too long and would have benefited from shorter pacing, the reveal becomes obvious because of the drawn out length. Although I suppose that may have been the intention, but that's like been handed a wrapped present and being told what it is as you're in the process of opening it.

Laurie picking up the blade at the climax (Yes I'm well aware we were to be convinced she was mentally headed in that direction) was sorry to say but nothing less than stupid only to be shot multiple times without any given orders. And although I liked Sheriff Brackett going after Michael in the barn house lets face it he would have been in absolutely no state to do so after his daughter's brutal murder. (Did she survive? ...again)

As always with his films, the music Rob Zombie incorporated was spot on perfect. The use of Love Hurts during the final sequence was genius, the scene itself makes up for was we just saw minutes ago. This dream-like sequence was one of only two that should have stayed as all the rest of these visions ruined what could have been a well played out straight story, the one other keeper was when a young Michael Myers informs his mother that he had found "Boo." Having his inner-self and mother follow him around really in my opinion was unreasonably distracting and then to have Laurie somehow also see them too, c'mon. Preferably Carpenters excuse of linking the two characters with a curse was far more logical.

Casting was spot on with the one OBVIOUS exception. Why recast the young Michael Myers? He was primarily used just as an unnecessary "ghost" so then why couldn't he have been an older version like say I don't know -- the original actor! To me watching 'the new kid' was very off-putting. I think there was one flashback scene where he needed to be young but not enough to be recast.

The added characters were great - if only they had more screen time. It was a crying shame that they all had to die. Geez, did anyone in the film make it out alive?

Lastly I must close by stating the film's BIGGEST problem: It was not scary! Not even in the slightest. It's just Michael Myers randomly killing people. It didn't even have the much needed feeling of Laurie being stalked. If only in some sane world Zombie could or would re-cut the print making the above changes even if it included some added re-shoots it would so definitely be worth it, because as I hinted at the beginning of this rant: I did not hate this movie.

No rating at this time.

P is for Portman - P is for Pussy... Holy Shit! She's turning into a bird!

Oh Hellz yeah!!! Aronofsky's done it again.



The first trailer for his upcoming Ballet Fatale 'Black Swan' starring Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis has finally been released.

After the semi-disappointment I got from James Cameron's 'Avatar' (but more on theat another day) and the decline in vision from Luc Besson, I truely beleive Darren Aronofsky is the best most original film-maker working in the industry today; I mean currently who else is capable of producing Oscar worthy (& winning) Indie films one after another?

Upon first learning about this project (and coming across subsequent tidbits like the fact he didn't write it) I feared that this film's narrative would be too straight for the director; especially just coming of 'The wrestler.' But just now discovering and viewing the trailer, my balls dropped a little more. It has all of the required elements of an Aronofsky masterpiece: bodily mutilation, sex/love, and most importantly dillusion.

Enjoy...

Cemetery Junction Trailer

When I first discovered news regarding Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant's new collaborative effort 'Cemetery Junction' I was excited. They truly are comedic geniuses with the ability to include heart -- aka 'Dramady.'

After showing the trailer to a friend he remarked how he would like to see it on release which I immediately countered with "good luck" knowing that it would likely never see a theatrical release outside the United Kingdom.



As it turns out I was correct - for the most part, you see it opened way back in April and I hadn't heard a peep about it.

For no reason what-so-ever it popped into my head today, so checking IMDB I discovered it was released internationally mostly parts of Europe but oddly enough June saw a New Zealand release date, though no actual surprise to me as they seem to get a lot of film and TV before their much bigger brother Australia.

Anyway as the rest of us eagerly await a DVD release or fingers-crossed limited theatrical run, check out the trailer below.



Great to see Gervais' love for David Bowie is still prevalent and from watching that trailer and reading the tag line: 'Be Young. Be Free. Be Somebody.' I sense the combination of Cameron Crowe mets Judd Apatow with English sensibility.

MACHETE!!!!!! RED BAND TRAILER!

At long last we get the 'Red Band Trailer' for 'Machete' and my God -- it is bloody awesome! After the subdued take on the last trailer what we are treated to this time is even more and extended footage of mostly full on action orientated sequences.

It makes the movie look like 'Planet Terror' on crack!

Seriously check it out for yourselves below...



Now if only the film can live up to its own expectations.

PREDATORS

DIR: Nimród Antal
(2010)

(Spoilers)

Okay so the gist is as follows...

A moderate group of Earths best bad-ass' are literally dumped on an unknown planet used entirely and specifically as a hunting reserve for the 'Predator' species of alien. In that one sentence alone enter the first two problems with this film.

1. There are too many characters (all of them potentially awesome but implemented only to be killed).
2. It wasn't the 'Predators' home planet.

The movie seemed to try really hard to recreate the 'Assault On Precinct 13' theme of rivals bonding together to fight a common enemy. Which I would have guess Robert Rodriguez borrowed directly from his and Tarantino's 'From Dusk Till Dawn' franchise, though it turns out he wrote the 'Predators' early script before that film. Which leads me to another thing, I had forgotten all about the fact that this is a reworked version of Rodriguez's script (so much so that Rodriguez didn't even receive a writing credit), that to me explains a lot why it didn't have that "edge" I was expecting (such a shame).

I've heard in past unrelated reviews people describing "phoned in performances" (from well known actors) and I never really could grasp that concept as I would personally first blame the script & dialogue. But whilst watching this movie that term really hit home. ALL of the actors in 'Predators' I will say except Adrian Brody gave such boring and unconvincing performances of what should otherwise be kick ass characters. This comment especially becomes relevant regarding the humor; there were so many jokes put in throughout the 106 minutes and I think only one of them actually worked. I had no choice but to cringe every time there was silent reaction to badly delivered punchlines.

A major problem for me was the lighting, why did all of the Predator action scenes have to happen at night? Even after making a point about how long the day lasts on that planet. Many people have criticised the samurai sword fight (do modern day Yakuza outside of the Kill-Bill-Verse still use swordplay)? My problem with it was the choreography and horrendous lighting not the actual concept itself.

For a motion picture where it has been widely stated wanted nothing to do with the AVP films that unfortunately exist and came before, the ending similarly borrows from the final act of 'Alien Vs Predator' albeit with a wasted mud reference to 'Predator.' Working alongside an alien let alone a Predator is so stupid -- The only time this that concept has actually worked was in the brilliant 'District 9.' How the hell does the Predator understand the English language? Brody was barely audible in that scene and it understood him perfectly. I can grasp other higher up positioned of their race understanding (the ones responsible for kidnapping the Prey) but this was just a hunter and a low level bottom of the barrel hunter at that as it turns out the bigger Predators hunt the smaller ones. Stupid.

All of this review has been negative but that doesn't mean I hated the movie I just had very high expectations with Rodriguez's name attached. There was just so much wrong with it that its very hard to ignore. However a lot of the visuals were amazing, the fact that they showed another extra terrestrial species also being hunted was cool. Lawrence Fishburnes crazy character Noland was a nice twist even if his very Matrix-like acting [Matrix being code for sub par] almost ruined the role.

The first act was a 7.5, the second became a 7, then once the credits rolled I really couldn't give this film more than...

6.5/10

Machete Trailer V2 (or is it 3)

So yet again we are treated with another 'Machete' trailer.

I must say Rodriguez really knows his stuff and I have confidence in his name alone. Every time I come across a bit of news regarding this movie I become instantly enthralled in the project -- ever since 'Grindhouse.' The promotional posters matching the ones used for 'Planet Terror' are perfect... In fact take a look for yourselves:



The only thing that does worry me albeit not that much is the co-directing credit to his editing buddy Ethan Maniquis, but we shall wait and see. The trailer below isn't of the highest quality which is strange considering its an official release (granted not posted by 20th Century Fox), it has come under fire for its serious tone, after viewing I didn't really see a problem with it however I will note that the previous 'leaked' humour- filled trailer works better.

Decide...



P.S. Speaking of Rodriguez I plan to see 'Predators' this coming weekend, a film as previously blogged was penned and produced by him. Expect a review post screening.

EDIT: Turns out after viewing 'Predators' that its not his original script, I wonder how much of it they actually used as he doesn't even get a 'Story By' credit.

YES, YES, YES!

Now I'm not sure why this is funny because everything said in it is the complete and utter truth.

'College Humor' are well known for their over-abundance of videos (there seems to be about 10 posted a day) but every now and then one sticks out. And today folks this is the one that I feel speaks more truth about the disastrous movie industry (specifically the Superhero genre) than anyone else outside of my own social group has spoken.

They use Spider-Man as the example and well you'll see... Oh and just a short mention, the ending gave me goosebumps like I haven't felt since watching Kick-ass.

Youtube won't let me embed this video, so click the link instead:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUT_h950obU

Now if only they let James Cameron make his version of the film in the first place... I wonder if every hero Producer remembers their first punch flop?

P.S. You may remember this post: Bring Me the Head of Sam Raimi.