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rambrandt1234
Reviews
Crysis (2007)
Phenomenal graphics
I can't give it a 10 because there is a point at which being calculatingly perfect with the grass, trees, clouds and buildings begins to appear to the eye as a mere texture, which suspends your belief in the 3D world in which you're playing. It gets harder to tell close objects from farther objects because, though the distant objects are smaller as they would be, there is still too much detail, so that the distant objects begin to appear as smaller elements that are next to the nearer objects rather than farther away. That is why I'm suggesting to all who wish to really enjoy this 3D environment in the same way that you enjoy your 3D vision, to get the free Natural Mod 1.2 for Crysis. It will add an element of frugality to the sharpness of objects as they literally fade into the distance. Very distant mountains have a more realistic fog, making them appear more distant and realistic. The net result is that even objects that are only a distance of 5 ft. farther away from you seem much more 3D, making it easier to strategize as far as sneaking up, attacking or jumping over something or someone. Don't listen to complaints that it makes things look washed out; that's just someone who hasn't re-adjusted his contrast and gamma settings as a result of the inherently milder appearance of shadows and color, as these do fade in the distance. phenomenal It also adds a much needed glare to the sunlight as it shines through leaves and clouds. Even the moon glows as it's supposed to. It will renew your faith in this game's potential as it enlivens the realism. You'll want to start over at the beginning again, just to marvel at detail that you missed before. To find it, type "natural mod 1.2" in Google.
Blur (2007)
Go to an art museum instead!
I thought that the hideous red face on the main character's canvas looked familiar so I looked it up and, yes, it's almost line for line the famous sketch "Head studies" by Leonardo da Vinci at the Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest. Of course, it could be just a coincidence, but I think it's a subliminal message, something like, "Go to the museum, go to the museum, don't waste your money, don't waste your money..." Anyway, it starts out interesting, with good acting on the part of a group of interesting practically unknowns. Then it ever so slowly gets spookier and cornier in a grossly subtle and confusing fashion. They use lots of contrived false leads to nowhere in particular until the end, when it slaps you in the face and blatantly says to you, "You should have gone to the museum, you wasted your money..." I just wish I could spoil the ending for you, but for the most part, it was so boring that it's a blur.
Vacancy (2007)
It'll getcha!
Generally, when the previews give away the essence of the plot, it's hard to be scared when you know what's coming. Not so with this one. I already knew about the 'vacancy' at the desolate road-side inn and the element of terror that would arise when they looked at the videos in their room, so the first 20 minutes of waiting for them to get there was rather boring. But when they finally do, that's when everything I thought I knew becomes the fodder of my doubt as to how the events will unfold. Luke and Kate are great as the argumentative couple with a grim secret that keeps them at odds and unsuspecting of the eventual horror they're entering into when they get a room. The videos are just a pretense to what would become any vacationers worst nightmare. The obvious frailty of the previous victims to the events leading to their demise draws you into this couple's eventual horror when they realize they are very well living out the last hours of their lives. But when they realize that a game is afoot, the real excitement begins as their survival becomes a winnable option, if they can figure out how to keep away from the hotel 'staff' long enough to get to safety. The terrifying two-thirds of the movie after they get a room is well worth the ticket!
Primeval (2007)
Much better than "Lake Placid"
I hate to buck the general spirit of opinion, but only an honest viewing of this movie in comparison to other 'horrormentories', and horror movies in general, would be fair. This movie is a gem. Ever hear of "Jaws"? Much better! "Frankenfish"? Much more believable and unpredictable from start to end. "Anaconda"? Digital snakes don't scare me; but this gator is incredibly well done; very scary. And no fake boo's to sustain suspense; none needed. This is Africa, the most violent nation on the earth. The fact that the movie takes place in such a violent backdrop is scary enough. The people are well represented, from the simple villagers who accept the gator attacks as a part of life to the executions of villagers who threaten the local war lord. The cast work well together. The threats all around them completely overshadow any individual character play. Though there's a leading man and a vivacious babe, there's no developing love story to save them. There's some good humor throughout, but not enough to alleviate your expectations of the imminent demise of any one of them. Your fear is completely natural; the threats completely real. The cinematography is much better than most horror movies; some of the most natural I've ever seen. They managed to find a comfortable center between the perfect glean of dinosaur scales in "Jurassic Park" and the foggy surrealism of "From Hell". Highly recommended.
Frágiles (2005)
Ally McBooooo?
There is acting life (albeit horrific) after Ally McBeal! No kidding, I didn't know she could act. But Calista Flockhart can with fluid aplomb as demonstrated by this horror gem. Similar to "The Skeleton Key" in its plot and feel, this hospital horror boo-donit moves quickly into the murky depths of the strange goings-on at a children's hospital that is soon to be closed. When the new night nurse, Amy, played by Flockhart, arrives to take the place of the last (fleeing) night nurse, the creepy nature of the recent 'accidents' of the children and their subsequent fearful behavior give her pangs of heart-felt anguish at their suffering. Her protective instincts (heightened by a job related trauma she herself recently experienced) kick into high gear, and she begins stalking the underlying cause of these events, although the rest of the staff buttress the mystery with listless denial, or is their passivity a part of a larger, more sinister cover-up? The haunting music, sound and visual effects transparently blend together in a well spun intensity that doesn't require the more overtly obvious shock-factor 'bumps in the night' and miscues holding other less dramatically driven, cheap-thrills horror movies together. Hey, we all know its not real, but so is your money, and you won't be wasting it if you rent this movie!
The Amityville Horror (2005)
2nd times the charm!
I wasn't impressed with the first one at all. The acting and plot seemed as hokey as the tentative fraud that surrounded the 'actual' events. But this version is quite good. The acting by everyone was right on. Both Reynolds and George were great, particularly George. She is a fine actress with a bright future. The kid's were great as well. Their acting alone would have made this a good movie, but the special effects and sound were fantastic as well, neither being overdone like the original. The sound was very atmospheric, the subtlety of which lent challenge to the ear. This subtlety was evident in the graphic effects as well since most of the violence was implied with blood splatter and sound, there being very little actual gore.