Reviews

The featured reviewed has the word "contrived" in the first sentence, that is being gentle. This film is an exercise in proving that there are never limits when it comes to clichés and shallow characters. If you take an absurd premise, add a whole bunch of stereotypical, self-obsessed family members spouting sarcastic dialog, you too might be able to find someone at Amazon willing to finance it. Presto, you can make money and make a crappy movie! As to enjoyment, well, comedies are supposed to make you laugh, not predict what will happen next. And what happens is very predictable. Add to that, it gives 21st century women a bad name, gay people a bad name, why, come to think of it, it is even capable of giving comedy a bad name. My rating of 2 is based on decent pacing and editing, the reason we all watch the Oscars to see who wins the award for that particular category. If you actually end up liking any people in this film, it might be the reason you need a therapist, but not the one in this film!

Unlike "The Thing" this film hasn't aged as well as that masterpiece. It is, without a doubt, a great idea turned into an entertaining story. It's hard to get past the suspicion that it somehow is a response to the overwhelming success of Stephen King. In any case, the acting is on par for a horror flick, although I doubt Sam Neill would claim this to be his finest work, Jürgen Prochnow delivers his usual unsettling character, a pedestrian performance from Julie Carmen and Charlton Heston delivers a stellar imitation of Charlton Heston. There are plot holes galore (why does he turn around instead of simply driving through the bloodthirsty crowd the second time?) It all comes together in the last 20 minutes, though and proves that this was John Carpenter doing what he does best, leaving you with a sense of unease and a wonderful queasy feeling with which to fall asleep.

This is a comedy, but only if viewed in German. It is a black and very harsh comedy on a culture which, sadly, is part of Germany. Europeans do not have a Caribbean or Florida to vacation in, much less Mexico or Hawaii. There is not a Las Vegas with cheap flights, they basically have Spain. And whether it's Brits or Germans or Dutch, Mallorca stands out as the island where there is no limit when it comes to the bottom of the barrel, and the music on the island reflects that. This is the German take on that life. Amazingly, two of the bigger "stars" of that scene actually take part in the movie, which gives you an idea of how much money they make there and how much they disregard their audience. I can well imagine a dubbed version of this series would fall flat on its face. But it is well written, well acted and for Germany, a mirror of sorts- It's not all Germans, but boy, is it Germans on vacation on the south shore of Malle!

This makes "Snakes On A Plane" seem to be based on a true story. How often have you asked yourself "What happens if a vampire mother gets on plane with her young son?". Even if you never asked yourself this, here's the answer. Continuity is rubber-based, considerations of aerodynamics and avionics only get in the way of the action and who hasn't at least once thought that Islamic terrorists wouldn't be adverse to involving a gay sociopathic flight attendant? Escapist entertainment Made In Germany (actually the Czech Republic but details are just that, details) which kicks ass and at some point leaves you rooting for the vampire, after all, she is also a loving mother.

Crazy, absurd and most importantly, the one cinematic chance to see that a one-handed man can actually be handcuffed.

Fine entertainment, but.....c'mon it could have been a bit shorter. The science is supposedly theoretically sound, but if you haven't got a masters in physics, you might want to do your homework beforehand. The Happy Ending was pre-programmed and the entire thing appeals to our American Idealism, but the greatest film of all time as you may read elsewhere, not quite. But again, entertaining. My only serious gripe is when the town seems to be evacuating in what is clearly an ecological disaster, EVERYBODY can afford gas for their cars? Logic would dictate that if drought is leading to food shortages, the exploitation of crude oil and its refinement and distribution would also be affected. OK, it's a nitpickers gripe, but someone has to pick the nits. A solid 7, and thankfully there's a pause button so a person at some point can find nourishment.

Had he not taken the lead role, perhaps this would have truly worked, but the strengths of the film outweigh the weaknesses, As a Boston boy, Affleck is always believable, as a gangster, I'm not so sure. In a world full of Marvel movies it isn't really a surprise that the initial audience gave it a thumbs down. I am pretty sure that in the long run its reputation will improve.

It's seldom to see a film these days that tells a clearly deliniated story, brings together an ensemble of actors of equal caliber and demonstrates how the collective effort of making that film results in an effort that will stand the test of time. If the topic interests you, make the effort to see this. It will not disappoint.