Evil Dead (2013)
Evil Dead (2013)
I have not seen the original film that this movie is a remake of, The Evil Dead (1981). I hardly knew anything about this movie before watching it, except that it was about dead people that come back to life and are evil; go figure right?
A young woman with a drug problem goes to a remote cabin in the woods. Her brother and 3 of their friends join her to show support as she tries to quit her addiction. Unknowingly the woods had recently become haunted by evil spirits. They find a book in the cabin that causes each one of them to be possessed by demons. Eventually they are all desperately fighting for their lives.
The movie is directed by Fede Alvarez, and the noteworthy cast includes Jane Levy, Shiloh Fernandez, Lou Taylor Pucci, Jessica Lucas, and Elizabeth Blackmore.
This film is the epitome of what it wrong with the horror movie genre today. Instead of trying to be scary with a well thought out story and quality filmmaking and acting, this movie relies solely on blood and guts entirely for the shock value.
The story is ludicrous and hardly tries to make sense. It seems like its only intention is to try to depict evil and death. If that is in fact the only point of the film, then they were successful. There is a lot of evil and there is a lot of death. So much so, that it all becomes laughable and you just want the movie to end so that the suffering stops; the suffering of both the characters in the film and the viewers.
The acting was awful because it appears like they spent all of their money on the gory special effects and didn’t have any left over to pay for a decent cast. The only thing that this movie has going for it is how disturbingly grotesque and realistic the special effects are. However, the bloody special effects help this movie to be the true definition of a “slasher” film.
This horror movie does not scare, it tortures. It will probably easily be the bloodiest movie of the year and maybe even so far this century. If you enjoy gut-wrenching dismemberment and more liquids exiting the human body than it can actually hold, then this movie is for you.
I rate this movie a 0 on a scale of 1-10.
Buy, rent, or run? Run far away and hide. Save your time, money, and dignity.
Movie Picture of the Day 7/23/13
Daniel Craig and Liev Schreiber in the incredible movie that is based on a true story, Defiance (2008).
Red 2 (2013)
Red 2 (2013)
After how awesome Red (2010) was, I thought for sure that Red 2 could never live up to its predecessor.
Frank Moses (Bruce Willis) is a retired CIA agent who cannot seem to stay retired from mayhem. In this sequel to Red (2010), Moses bands together with a group of friends who also happen to be misfit murderers, in order to try to track down a missing nuke.
The film was directed by Dean Parisot and the rest of the noteworthy cast includes John Malkovich, Mary-Louise Parker, Helen Mirren, Anthony Hopkins, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Byung-hun Lee, Neal McDonough, David Thewlis, Tim Pigott Smith, and Brian Cox.
In Red (2010) Malkovich completely stole the show. He was quirky and hilarious. He was the reason why the movie was so funny and probably the biggest contributor to its success. I assumed that I was in for a disappointment when I walked into Red 2. How could they possibly top the original? I think that I was not alone with this question because Red 2 did not do as well in theatres as it should have over the weekend.
Rarely does a sequel ever top the original and rarely is a sequel ever as good as the original. Well folks, I am here to tell you that Red 2 is almost as good as the original, if not as good. The acting was excellent, the action was thrilling, and the movie was hysterical.
I’m not sure how they pulled it off, but John Malkovich was just as funny in Red 2 as he was in Red. He might have even been funnier.
Zeta-Jones, Hopkins, and McDonough were all nice additions to the already spectacular cast.
The chemistry between Willis and Parker was priceless. There is a lot more humor between the duo now that their characters are an established couple.
The film was fast-paced and everything flowed nicely. It was all quick and to the point with never a dull moment. It might just be the action/comedy of the year.
If you thought that Red was great, do yourself a favor and go out and see Red 2. As sequels go, this one does not disappoint.
I rate this movie a 9 on a scale of 1-10.
Buy, rent, or run? Buy.
If you liked Red 2, then you will probably enjoy:
R.I.P. Dennis Farina
Dennis Farina passed away today in Scottsdale, Arizona at the age of 69. The cause of death is unknown, but what is known is that the world lost a superb character actor. (It was released later on that he died of a blood clot in his lung.)
Farina was in television and movies for 31 years. He is probably best known for his parts in Snatch. (2000) and Saving Private Ryan (1998). He was also in 46 episodes of “Law & Order” from 2004-2006. I especially liked his characters in Snatch. and Stealing Harvard (2002). He usually played a tough-guy character, but he had a way of being funny at the same time. It was a sort of charm that most people don’t possess and he will be missed.
Rest in Peace Dennis Farina.
Now In Theatres Movie Reviews July 19th – 25th
Now In Theatres Movie Reviews July 19th – 25th
Click here for Now In Theatres Movie Reviews August 23rd – 29th
I have not seen all of the movies that are currently in theatres right now, but I have seen and reviewed 24 of them. Some of the films have been in theatres for a while now and others are newer releases. If you are having trouble deciding what movie to see in theatres, I hope that you will consult my list for help. Movie ticket prices are pretty expensive these days, and I might be able to help save you some of your hard earned cash. My ratings will help you decide what are the best movies currently in theatres and what are the worst movies currently in theatres. Also, at the bottom of the list I have provided you with previews of movies that are out that I have not seen yet.
Click on each title below for a preview, poster artwork, and my full review of that movie:
Star Trek Into Darkness (2013)
Oz The Great and Powerful (2013)
The Place Beyond the Pines (2013)
The Incredible Burt Wonderstone (2013)
Click on each title below for a preview and poster artwork of that movie along with my opinion of whether or not I think that film will be any good:
I hope that you find my reviews helpful. I will continue to update this list when I have seen more movies, so feel free to check back regularly. Also, I plan on making a new list each week as more films are released. Happy movie watching from www.brockingmovies.com
Click on this link for Now In Theatres Movie Reviews July 26th – August 1st
Movie Picture of the Day 7/21/13
The always lovable legendary John Candy as Uncle Buck in the film Uncle Buck (1989).
The Conjuring (2013)
The Conjuring (2013)
For those of you that you know me, you know that I am a horror movie skeptic. I get fed up with the endless slasher films and b-rated crap out there, so I usually only watch a horror movie if I think that it has potential. With that said, I showed up to watch The Conjuring on opening night in theatres.
The film is supposedly based on a true story. It follows Ed and Lorraine Warren who are known as demonologists, or paranormal investigators. The couple is called upon for help from a family who are experiencing horrific unexplained events in their new house. The movie tells the story of the case that turned out to be the most disturbing during their entire career as investigators.
The movie was directed by James Wan and the noteworthy cast includes Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Ron Livingston, Lili Taylor, Shanley Caswell, Hayley McFarland, Joey King, Mackenzie Foy, Kyla Deaver, Shannon Kook, and John Brotherton.
The Conjuring was spooky. The film does a wonderful job of gradually building the tension until the creepy climax of the story where horror is all over the screen. You’ll be able to feel the tingling down your spine from the chilling images scattered throughout the movie.
I think that I expected the film to be scarier. However, it did have a good amount of horror throughout. It was very tastefully made. It definitely didn’t feel like it tried too hard. It turned out to be just the right amount of freaky. Any more might have made it less believable.
For a horror movie, the acting was pretty decent, especially from Farmiga and Taylor. This was a major contributing factor to the quality of the film because more often than not, scary movies have poor actors.
The movie was slow at times, but that didn’t really take away from it. It just took its’ time building the tension.
The special effects were spooktastic and very haunting. It’s amazing what they can do these days.
Overall, if you are looking for a good creepshow, then look no further than The Conjuring. It could quite possibly be the best horror movie of the year.
I rate this movie an 8.5 on a scale of 1-10.
Buy, rent, or run? Buy.
Movie Picture of the Day 7/20/13
Russell Crowe fought with strength and honor in probably the greatest epic film ever made, Gladiator (2000).
Happy Birthday to Ray Allen
Happy Birthday to Ray Allen! The greatest 3-point shooter to ever live turns 38 years old today.
Allen acted opposite Denzel Washington in the movie He Got Game (1998). Apparently he was also in Harvard Man (2001), which I have not seen.
Ray is an okay actor, but an amazing basketball player. Most recently he can be credited for winning the 2013 NBA Finals for the Miami Heat. The San Antonio Spurs had the Heat backed into a corner. Lebron James couldn’t finish, so it took a real superstar (Ray Allen) to knock down a 3-pointer at the buzzer in game 6, that ultimately won the Championship. It was a dagger through the heart of the Spurs and Allen did the stabbing. If it weren’t for Ray, the Heat would have lost.
Ray Allen has probably the purest shot that I have ever seen. I will never forget the 2008 NBA Finals when he helped the Boston Celtics claim victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.
It was tough to see him leave the Celtics and go over to the darkside. In my mind he will always be a Celtic. He definitely Got Game!
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