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Reviews
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018)
This Potterhead was satisfied
I have no idea why the critics are hating this film. I have to say that even though the reviews had me a little worried, I really enjoyed the film. Could certain things have been done bettee? Sure, it's not perfect. But it's certainly not the confusing, convoluted mess the professional critics are painting it as.
I see no reason anyone who liked the HP films and the first Beasts wouldn't enjoy this one. Me, I can't wait to see what's going to happen next after the twists the end of the film takes! It's going to be a long two years.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 (2010)
Excellent
Deathly Hallows part 1 is arguably the best Harry Potter film to date, right up there with the first film. I was slightly disappointed at first, but upon my second viewing I fell in love with it.
Hogwarts is completely absent from this film. It now focuses on Harry, Ron, and Hermione leaving their previous lives behind and going into hiding and on the run from the ministry of magic which has been infiltrated by Voldemort's minions. Much of the film takes place out in the wilderness.
We see the trio's friendship strained and repeatedly tested, living in close quarters and struggling to track down the remaining "Horcruxes"-objects in which Lord Voldemort has contained a fragment of his soul. In order to put an end to Voldemort once and for all, they need to locate these Horcruxes and destroy them. Their journey takes them all over the countryside of Britain.
The highlight of the film was a scene in which our heroes disguise themselves as Ministry Of Magic employees using Polyjuice Potion and infiltrate the ministry, which has now become very Nazi-like in their efforts to detain and interrogate witches and wizards who aren't "pure-blood", and those working against Voldemort. BRILLIANTLY done, and while this film has much less light-hearted humor than the last, there are a few chuckles to be had in this scene.
The actors are at the top of their game, I can think of no one here who turned in a lackluster performance. And as always, the film is chock full of highly respected British actors such as Rhys Ifans, Ralph Fiennes, Helena Bonham Carter, Jason Isaacs, Bill Nighy, Alan Rickman, etc.
The film does have some emotional moments where I could feel myself struggling to keep from getting a little misty eyed. It's unfortunate that the saddest scene is at the end, which does leave a not-so-happy ending, but what can you expect seeing as this is only part 1.
The film isn't for small children, but if they have seen the other films, they will be fine. There's no cursing here beyond "piss" or "damn". There is a scene that suggests passionate nude kissing, of course without showing parts. There is one scene with a decent amount of blood when a character nearly looses an arm, and also a somewhat brief torture scene (by magic) that is mostly heard rather than seen.
The soundtrack is amazing and moving, very well done. I particularly like "The Oblivation" and "Decoy Detonators".
Overall, this is a fantastic film. Don't attempt to really understand what's going on if you're not familiar with the past films, you'll be pretty lost.
The Mist (2007)
The best horror film of 2007-heck, in YEARS
I could go on and on, but I'll keep it simple. The Mist centers around a grocery store full of normal citizens shopping for supplies after a devastating storm who are forced to come face to face with unimaginable terror when a strange, unnaturally thick fog rolls in, carrying...things. Slimy, tentacled things. Bugs the size of Rottweilers. Creatures as tall as mountains peaks. Prehistoric-looking birds. Creatures who are trying to get inside. But you may find that the scariest thing in the film are not the inexplicable creatures themselves, but the behavior of the average Joes thrown into a situation beyond their comprehension. You'll see what happens when a crowd of terrified people are stuffed together in one store, thrown in the dark, with all the accepted norms thrown out the window. Minds will snap. An unhinged religious fanatic's rantings and ravings about a blood sacrifice bringing everything back to normal will at first be ignored...and then seem to make more and more sense. People will turn on each other and atrocities will be committed...and that's just the humans.
There are things out there. Big things. And the entire front of the store is plate glass.
The best horror film in years, with one of the most shocking endings you'll ever see. Even better than 1408. Go see it.
Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995)
The second WORST in the series
This was just garbage, with the exception of a few good scares. The only one in the series that could possibly give me a bigger headache is 8 (Ressurection). There are several problems. Paul Rudd's acting. The Thorn storyline. Jamie Lloyd being killed off. Crappy, cheesy "metal" music that occasionally starts up during chases. The little boy having nightmares with Michael telling him to do "bad things". Over the top, disgusting gore. And just sheer boredom. It's a travesty that this got the same rating as Halloween 5, which is vastly superior. Go watch 4, go watch 5, go watch 1, but for the love of God don't bother with 6 or 8 unless you're a die hard fan, and only then if you have a bottle of Excedrin on hand.
Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988)
Excellent, on par with the original!
Halloween 4 definitely deserves a higher rating. It's an excellent horror movie, and on par with the original.
Basically, the psychotic knife-wielding serial killer with a cheap dime store mask is back and terrorizing the town of Haddonfield, Illinois once again. This time he's after his adorable seven year old niece, Jamie (Danielle Harris), and anyone who gets in his way. Jamie's teenage foster sister Rachel (Ellie Cornell) eventually grows to care for her and tries desperately to protect her. As the entire town is placed under lockdown in the search for Michael, a group of drunken rednecks pile in their truck and try to take matters into their own hands by finding Michael themselves. There is also a subplot dealing with Rachel and her cheating boyfriend, Brady. The movie is very entertaining, and a little frightening at times, but at the same time it can be hilarious. At the end of the movie, we see Michael trying to possess little Jamie, and the story is continued in part 5 (which isn't as good but still pretty good).
Overall, 4 is the best in the series after the original.
Silent Hill (2006)
Very disturbing
I'll assume you're already familiar with the plot, and if you aren't there are plenty of other places to find it. I just wanted to say that while I'm a huge fan of the games (espescially the first, which the movie is loosely based on), I found one scene in the film to be the most disturbing thing I've seen on the big screen, ever. Basically, we see a flashback in which a little girl is tormented by her peers, then we hear her screaming as she molested in a bathroom stall. But then we see her being dragged away SCREAMING from her horrified mother by some cult members, shackled, and we hear her scream and sob as she's burns to a crisp. Then we see her mother screaming at the sight of her mutilated body, and we see the fried girl wheeled away on a stretcher. Not only that, but we learn that she spends 30 years lieing in an oxygen tent in agony. For me, this scene ruined the movie for me. Unfortunately, you can't just skip this scene, because it explains almost the ENTIRE PLOT.
Also, while the first half is creepy and atmospheric, they really over do the blood and guts at the end.
And it's a shame, because there is some very cool stuff to be seen here. If you're very sensitive like me, and haven't seen very many disturbing movies, then you should AVOID. If, however, you're a fan and the idea of a screaming little girl being fried alive doesn't phase you, then enjoy. For me, it was just too much.
Full House (1987)
I admit, I still watch it
I know, I know. It's sappy and clichéd and outdated. But I watch it whenever I get the chance. It's hard to deny that it's always entertaining, even if you have seen reruns of the episodes a hundred times over the years.
Danny Tanner is a single father to three girls. Michelle is the youngest, Stephanie is the fesity middle child, and DJ is the oldest who's more concerned with boys and school. Also living in the Tanner house is Danny's rock-star wannabe, Elvis idolizing brother in law Jesse, Danny's longtime friend Joey, and later on in the series, Jesse's loving, sweet wife Becky and their two twin boys Nicky and Alex. And one golden retriever named Comet. Other characters include Danny's girlfriend Vicky, DJ's air-headed but hilarious best friend Kimmy Gibbler who often walks in uninvited, and DJ's constantly eating boyfriend Steve.
Typically an episode involves one of the characters (typically one of the girls) having a problem and one of the family members (usually Danny) talking with them about their problem. In the eight years that Full House was on, the show dealt with issues such as drinking, peer pressure, smoking, child abuse, first crushes, the loss of loved ones, shoplifting, embarrassing moments, learning to drive, coping with disappointment, responsibiliy, dating, and even sex.
We all remember when Stephanie accidentally drove Joey's beloved car into the kitchen. We all remember when Papouli died. How about when Kimmy piereced Stephanie's ears? DJ throwing together Kimmy's surprise 16th birthday party at the last minute after forgetting? Michelle knocking over the dinosuar at the museum? The family trip to Disney World? Stephanie and Michelle accidentally flying to New Zealand? Stephanie's humiliating first "date"? Jesse breaking both of his arms? Stephanie's birthday party at the gas station? Michelle's amnesia? Stephanie's classmate who was being abused by his father? Joey and Stephanie at the mother/daughter sleepover party? The birth of Nicky and Alex? Jesse's hit single in Japan? Danny giving DJ her first driving lesson? All of the adults becoming addicted to Michelle's video game? Michelle losing the staring role in the play? Denise's uncle turning out to be Little Richard? Danny struggling to propose to Vicky? Comet's big day on the town with the girl of his dreams?
You can still watch reruns of Full House on ABC Family from 3:00 to 4:00 PM eastern time.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
The best since Sorcerer's Stone
Goblet Of Fire is the fourth installment in the popular Harry Potter series, about a British boy wizard named (what else?) Harry Potter who attends the Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft And Wizardry with his best friends, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger.
This time around, in his fourth year, Harry's been plagued by a terrible recurring nightmare of the Dark Lord Voldemort, his mousy, cowardly servant Peter "Wormtail" Pettigrew, and a mysterious young man whom Harry has never met, all gathered in an abandoned old house, plotting the downfall of "The Boy Who Lived".
But these dreams are not all that Harry has to contend with. A fierce competition known as The Triwizard Tournament is being held at Hogwarts, with students from two other magical schools visiting. One student from each school over seventeen has the option to submit their name to the Goblet Of Fire, which will choose the competitors who will compete in a series of terrifying, potentially lethal magical tasks. Harry is more than happy to sit back and let others be the hero for a change, but someone else apparently has other plans. Harry is shocked and terrified when his name, which he had NEVER submitted in the first place, is selected by the Goblet as the FOURTH Triwizard Champion. The Goblet Of Fire, however, constitutes a binding magical contract, and Harry is forced to compete, despite being three years underage, and far less experienced than his opponents. While many of his classmates think Harry is just trying to get more fame and glory, Harry doesn't want any of this, and must rely on his closest friends and talents if he is to survive. Little does Harry know that a shocking twist of events will lead him straight into Voldemort's trap for the showdown of a lifetime.
Many new characters show up this year, including Harry's first crush, Cho Chang, the troublesome yellow journalist Rita Skeeter, the mysterious Durmstrang Headmaster, Igor Karkaroff, the absolutely gigantic Headmistress of Bueaxbatons and Hagrid's love interest, Madame Maxine, Hogwart's creepy, but lovable new Defense Against The Dark arts teacher Alastor Moody, and the cold as stone politician who is said to have once sent his own son to Azkaban, Barty Crouch. We also have the other three Triwizard Champions, Hogwarts own Cedric Diggory, the french heart breaker Fleur Delacour, and the young Bulgarian Quidditch Champion, Victor Krum.
Returning characters include the terminally-depressed girl ghost who lives in a toilet, Moaning Myrtle, Hogwarts sinister potions teacher who loathes Harry, Severus Snape, the stern but kindly Deputy Headmistress, Professor McGonagall, and Hogwarts Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, who is beginning to show his human side in his obvious terror for Harry's safety.
The trio has all improved greatly since the original film, and Daniel Radcliffe in particular does a fantastic job crying in one very emotional scene near the end. He is also very believable as a boy who is sick of being the hero and just wants to relax and be a normal kid. You see his stress and anxiety as he struggles to cope with the Tournament, which he never wanted any part of in the first place. He is only fourteen, yet you see him try to cope with his emotions and get through the tasks unscathed.
The adult actors are all terrific as well, with Ralph Fiennes and Jason Isaacs as villains, Timothy Spall as a cowardly servant of the Dark Lord, and David Tennant as a crazed madman. Alan Rickman is wonderful as always as the detestable Professor Snape. Brendan Gleeson turns in the best performance of all, however, as the paranoid, intimidating, but lovable new professor who devotes his time to helping Harry survive the perils of the Tournament.
Overall, Goblet Of Fire is the BEST Harry Potter movie since Sorcerer's Stone. Sure, there are quite a few things cut out, but you have to face that the book is HUGE and in order to make a movie of acceptable length, certain things had to go. It doesn't make the movie confusing. Even a non-reader will understand what's going on if he/she PAYS ATTENTION. But I do suggest a second viewing to grasp all of the subtle clues that you may have missed the first time around. Each Harry Potter movie, is, in a sense, a brilliant adventure/mystery with clues strewn through the movie for you to pick up on.
The Shining (1997)
Wonderful!
I will admit that I enjoyed the original version with Jack Nicholson, but you have to admit that it was nothing like the book in several parts. The 1997 Stephen King version is the version to watch if you enjoyed the book and want to see a film adaption that actually follows the book.
In the old Kubrik version, Jack Torrance was a nut case from the start. We never get to see any hint of a loving father, just a nut case. Steven Weber (I know it's an odd choice to play Jack, but he really does a great job here) portrays Jack as a loving father who is trying to put his past behind him and move on. We slowly and gradually watch him unravel as the evil spirits of the hotel overpower him. It's amazing how he slowly transforms from the loving, gentle father into a screaming, raving, threatening, mallet-wielding lunatic ready to bash his wife and son's brains in. I nearly shed a tear at the end as he struggled to fight off the spirits possessing him, as he yelled for Danny to run away while he could. It's also heart wrenching at the end when he sacrifices himself to save everyone else. The ending might seem a bit sugary-sweet to some, but I thought it was a nice touch to see that Jack will always be watching over Danny.
So, all told, it's a longer, more serious, more emotional, less gory, more accurate and realistic screen adaption of the classic horror novel. It's a nice change from the typical gory slashers. It's much more mature and sensitive than many other horror films. Don't listen to the haters. You owe it to yourself to see it.