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Reviews
Utopia (2020)
Unnervingly mediocre
I guess the show is trying to be different, gritty, and unexpected. By torturing or killing off likeable characters, and leaving the bad ones alive. Or I should say leaving the bad actors alive. The one positive thing is that the series grabbed my attention from the get-go, but then it started to wane less than halfway through. I get that you're trying to be all blood and gore, and adult, and everybody gets perfectly shot in the head on the first try, but... calm down. These characters are acting like the end of the world is nigh, and it's literally just a handful of people.
Tales from the Crypt: People Who Live in Brass Hearses (1993)
Great Episode!
I can't wait for season 5 to come out on DVD, because I thought this episode was one of the better crafted ones. It had a great mix of horror, suspense, and gore. Bill Paxton and Brad Dourif play bumbling crooks who think that the local ice cream man has millions in loot stored away (obviously from his high paid job of peddling treats to kiddos). Veteran character actor Michael Lerner plays the aforementioned frozen treat salesman who hides a "secret." Dourif plays almost an identical character from "Urban Legend." And Paxton is his "Near Dark" form. But no matter, it still ranks as one of the better episodes in my opinion. I think you'll really enjoy the ending, too.
The Village (2004)
Bryce Dallas Howard
That about sums it up. Bryce Dallas Howard is one of the best reasons to see this movie. She is talented, funny, and very beautiful. And I'm glad that Shyamalan had the smarts to cast her in her first featured role. Now, for the picture itself, it is a decent one. I'd give it about 2 1/2 stars. It can be sort of a letdown for some viewers. The thing about Shyamalan films that he should realize- they don't require a second viewing. Now, that may or may not be the director's intent. Perhaps his ideology is that "great films should only be viewed once" or something. That's an incorrect assumption. Great films make you want to see them again and again... At any rate, the film has some good qualitites. The cinematography is splendid. The period costumes as well as the dialogue are great. The choice of actors is superb. Adrien Brody, Brendan Gleeson, Cherry Jones (I just love her!) and the others, make for an interesting yarn. Go see it for yourself, with an open mind. You might like it. I did.
Highwaymen (2004)
Low-budget Fast and Furious
The trailer really motivated me to see Highwaymen the other day. It looked like Duel, Fast & the Furious, JoyRide, and The Car all rolled into one.
The movie's premise is set from the get-go: John Cavaziel's character is hunting down a crazed driver who killed his wife some five or more years ago. Along the way, he rescues a damsel in distress, thus thwarting the crazed driver's attempts to make her road kill.
This sets the stage for the final act of the film, in which the hero and villian must make a final stand, with the heroine as the prize. This is probably one of the things that struck me as odd- there are only two acts to this film. At 78 minutes, it's very brief, without a lot of time to develop some of the characters. I get the feeling it was patched together from a minimal amount of footage, just so it could say it had a theatrical run. It also strikes me as a bit of a "low-budget film" (even though it IS New Line.)
All in all, I would give it 7 out of 10. It's a fun ride, even though it is short. Hey, amusement parks have been doing that for years...
X2 (2003)
Reminds me of movies that came before
This film reminded me of The Empire Strikes Back. It has a dark tone to it, the heroes pick up additional allies to help aid them against an insurmountable force, something happens to a major character, and the cliffhanger paves the way for more adventures. High praise, I realize, but when watching it, I just had that feeling that I was watching an well-crafted movie. The three years were worth the wait- this was phenomenal!
Signs (2002)
This means something.
Most of the people that comment on this movie are going to relate the fact that they were disappointed. And that's okay- your opinion of a movie should always include your pre-showing as well as post-showing emotions. But to those people I just have to say, "You just don't get it." Everyone is going into this movie thinking it is some kind of chilling horror, or blood-and-gore slasher flick. Shyamalan doesn't do those tired genres, thankfully. Instead, he gives us a warm, funny, emotionally-charged, and yes, suspenseful thriller which manages to compact an entire list of genres into one whole film.
I have seen the movie twice already- the first time for myself, and the second time just for crowd reactions. I wasn't bored through either showing. This is in part to some great acting by Phoenix, and some PHENOMENAL acting by the two child leads! Gibson isn't too bad either, but I have to admit, his part could have been played by anyone (sorry Mel :)
I think for the first time Shyamalan really brings us a film that doesn't rely on smoke and mirrors to please the audience. For all those naysayers out there, I would suggest that you view the film again, either now, or when it is available for home use. Look- and listen closer. You might just be able to make out the 'Signs.'