my brief thoughts on.... 'Fanboys'

so you want to see a movie written for fanboys about fanboys....? well, this is that movie.... and for some reason, i'm wondering what took me so long to see it....?!?! this movie is full of inside jokes.... nerd jokes.... movie jokes.... comic jokes.... and quoteable moments.... this movie is every fanboys dream.... right down to the lead girl in the Lea bikini from 'Jedi'.... not too mention it's about the 'Star Wars' movies.... and even touches on the 'Star Wars' vs. 'Star Trek' battle.... it's full of funny cameos.... it's never boring and the script is hilarious.... this movie has just about everything you could ask for.... i don't know that anything i could write would really do it justice.... you just have to see it to enjoy it.... and it's already got a spot on my DVD shelf for the day that i own it.... and, oh yes, i will own it.... this is one of those movies that you can watch over and over and enjoy it every time.... i think this will stand the test of time....

the premise involves the upcoming release of 'The Phantom Menace' and a group of fanboys who are counting down the days to see it.... they even have a plan to make a trip to Skywalker ranch to steal a print and see it 6 months before anyone else.... all of this is just talk until they find out that one of them has cancer and may not live to see it's release.... so they start off on a roadtrip across country to see if they can make their dream come true....
this movie has so much going for it.... and there is one scene in particular involving two famous folks that made me laugh so hard i nearly passed out.... and then pooped myself.... granted the whole movie doesn't have moments like that.... but it's still a very funny and entertaining movie.... something that i gave 4 out of 5 stars and recommend that all fanboys and girls go and watch.... if you haven't seen it already.... i know i look forward to seeing it again.... it's a rollercoaster ride of comedy and drama that is a just a great example of what good filmaking should be.... go watch it tonight....

other movies to watch: 'The Phantom Menace', 'Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back' and 'Film Geek'

my brief thoughts on.... 'Lake Mungo'

with a title like 'Lake Mungo' it really doesn't tell you much about what to expect with this movie.... it's vague at best.... however, once you've seen the movie you understand the title.... it still seems to be a poor choice for a title to me, however i understand why they picked it.... that being said.... this is a well done movie.... not an entirely new premise, but still one that is pulled off decently.... the actors are well cast and do well with the source material.... this type of movie is almost becoming a genre unto itself.... the documentary style horror movie.... from 'The Blair Witch Project' to 'Paranormal Activity'.... this is another one to add to the list.... it's not based on any actual events, but it's presented in a way that you wouldn't be sure if you didn't know it was fictional....

the story centers around a 16 year old who mysteriously drowns.... and not long after her death, strange things begin happening around her home.... and her family isn't sure what to make of it.... so they begin to investigate to see wht they can find out.... what they find is disturbing.... and slowly over time a puzzle emerges as they find out more and more about their daughter.... and who she was before she died.... it raises more questions and brings about more problems.... and soon things come to a head as they finally get all of their answers....
i found this to be a 3 out of 5 star rating.... i don't think it really deserved more or less.... it's an average movie.... not really scary, but clever.... something that's worth the time to watch.... just not something for repeated viewings.... and i have to admit that the scenes at Lake Mungo are the most shocking and interesting of the entire movie.... and i recommend that if you do watch this OnDemand that you stick around through the credits to see some more questions that you didn't even know you had, answered.... it's not gory.... it's kind of slow....but the payoff is pretty well worth it.... and i'm not a huge fan of ghost stories....

if you like this, watch: 'The Blair Witch Project', 'Quarantine' and 'Paranormal Activity'

my brief thoughts on.... 'Air Guitar Nation'

i saw you playing air guitar.... you know you've done it.... i think we all have at some point.... but who knew there were championships for this....?!?! that it's nearly a sport....?!?! and that the world finals are held in Finland....?!?! i didn't know any of it before hearing about this on the radio when it first came out.... and i've been waiting to see it ever since.... and last night was the night.... it was OnDemand and ready to go.... it's a one of a kind documentary that you won't see any other documntary about.... it's fun.... and you'd think that they're poking fun at these people.... as the whole thing seems kind of silly.... but the joke wears off quick and you realize how seriously people take this "artform".... and by the end, you respect the guys for their 'airness' and wonder if you might be able to compete yourself.... the only real problem i would have with competing is having the balls to get before a large audience and pretend to play a guitar.... i think i'd be on the sidelines.... but hey, that's just me.... one side note on this, the 'sport' is growing.... so you'll probably be hering more and more about this as time goes on....

the movie centers around two competitors, Bjorn Turoque (Born to Rock) and C-Diddy.... it follows their rise among the different levels of competition all the way to the worl championships.... it also sheds a light on a subculture that most of us probably never even knew existed.... every character in the movie is interesting.... you want them to succeed and you get behind their journey.... i couldn't help but find myself cheering them on by the end of the movie.... and getting excited to see what kind of performance would come out of each person.... and they're from all over the world.... now the competition between the two main characters reminds me slightly of the movie 'The King if Kong'....
i don't know why anyone hasn't done a documenty on this before.... it seems to be a no-brainer.... who wouldn't want to see people pretend to play guitar in costmes and fake personas....? i knew i didn't think twice.... it's amazingly well done.... i'm suprised how fascinating the documentary filmakers made this.... i mean it's a sideshow all on its own.... but they took it to a whole different level.... i would even consider watching this one again.... it's just so much fun.... i gave it a high 3 out of 5 stars.... it's fantastic. go. watch. now.

the only other similar documentary is: 'The King of Kong'

my brief thoughts on.... 'Zombies of Mass Destruction'

once again, a simple browse through Netflix and you come across a little slice of gold.... i'd heard of this once a while ago.... but forgot about it.... and when i saw it pop up, i did a little research and heard a lot of good things.... so i added it to the queue and watched it the same night.... wow.... what a keen little flick.... it proves that there are still good zombie movies being made under the radar.... this is kind of along the lines of 'Shaun of the Dead'.... ie: kind of funny, but this one is not over the top hilarious.... it's more satire.... i mean, you can probably gauge that from the title.... and the tagline on the poster.... it is a bit of a commentary of the state of affairs in 2003, when the movie is set.... the characters are unique and fun to watch.... the situations are silly and gory.... i mean the special effects are pretty damn well done.... a LOT of blood and guts.... almost anime-ish.... the zombies are traditional and creepy.... they shamble, not run.... the one big difference is that with the actual premise of the movie, the dead don't come back from the grave.... they're living people who've been turned.... or killed by a zombie and come back.... that's a huge change from a lot of the movies like this you'd normally see.... but once again, another simliarity to 'Shaun of the Dead'....

the small town of Port Gamble is over run by hordes of zombies after terrorists release a biological weapon that creates zombies.... (hence 'Zombies of Mass Destruction').... the movie centers around a group of different people who's lives all intersect over the course of the evening of the outbreak.... you've got gun toting Republicans, two gay men who came to town for one of them to come out, an Iranian family who get the finger pointed at them for the mess, two candidates running for mayor, an overzealous preacher and the rest of the town....
this is a really well done movie.... i recommended it to zombie fans of either the regular kind or the funny kind.... this covers both.... it's well written.... the zombie action is high quality.... the characters are ones you can get behind and you care about what happens to them.... it has it's share of twists and turns and is well worth the time to invest in watching it.... so if you've run out of good zombie movies to watch these days.... this one is one you should watch.... it'll make you feel good and get out that zombie cravings you've been having.... it's OnDemand right now.... so no wait for Netflix to bring it to your mailbox.... i gave it 3 out of 5 stars with the consideration of giving it 4.... watch it and check it out.... i think you'll dig it....

if you like this, check out: 'Dead Alive aka Brain Damage', 'Shaun of the Dead' and 'Hide and Creep'

my brief thoughts on.... 'I Think We're Alone Now'

remember the 80's pop star Tiffany....? well, this documentary focuses on two people who do.... REALLY do.... Jeff, a 50-year-old man with Asperger's syndrome, and Kelly, an "intersexual" (Hermaphrodite) who claims to have had an inspirational friendship with the singer when they were teens.... these two go beyond fans into the realm of creepy stalkers.... as a matter of fact, Jeff was forced to stay away from Tiffany while she was in her teens and he was in his 30's.... it was a 3 year restriction, but nowadays he goes to all the shows he can and seems to get as close to her as often as he can.... he's got hundreds of pictures with her.... hugs her, gets cheek kisses.... so i guess all was forgiven finally.... Kelly seems to think that it's her/his destiny to be with Tiffany and that's all there is to it.... he/she believes it so deeply it's disturbing and sad at the same time.... Kelly has never had a relationship and is a lonely individual.... where as Jeff is a bit more outgoing and has friends.... he's still way over the top.... i've seen horror movies that aren't nearly as scary as this documentary.... it makes me glad not to be famous.... or a hot redheaded singer.... either way....
this is a 3 out of 5 star 1 hour documentary.... and i can't recommend it enough as a study of the human condition.... these two people are so bizarre and out there that they have to be seen to be believed.... i am still in shock at them both.... i felt dirty after watching them.... and it was funny at the end that Jeff, realizing that Tiffany was happily married and only going to be a friend, brought up another obsession.... Alyssa Milano.... i nearly lost it when i saw this turn of events.... because it just showed how messed up he was.... and Kelly i just felt sad for.... they were both so socially inept and akward.... it hurt.... this really is something that you have to see to believe and thank goodness it's OnDemand right now.... so don't miss out....! i can't compare it with any other documentary.... and if i didn't know that it was real, i would almost think it was a mockumentary.... it's so over the top and strange.... anyway.... it just makes me wonder what Debbie Gibson has to put up with....

i can't think of anything else like this.... check this out and tell your friends

my brief thoughts on.... 'Black Sheep' (2006)

what is it about New Zealand and great filmaking....? not only the countryside, but the movies themselves.... they're are just so many good ones.... and now i can add this one to the list.... this also tied in with my other movie i reviewed here 'Isolation'.... in my "Farmland Massacre' double feature.... first off, this movie has Peter Jackson written all over it.... and i'm suprised he didn't produce it or something.... i mean, it feels like some of his original works long before the 'Lord of the Rings' movies.... not to mention, WETA Workshop did the special effects.... and they're Peter Jackson's go to guys.... i can't say that i saw any CGI here.... it seems that everything was done the old school way.... which i prefer.... i think the other way is cheating in horror films.... just because it's so noticable.... however, this just feels homemade with a bigger budget.... which is another great thing about New Zealand.... they fund filmakers.... the government.... why can't we support the arts more here....?!?! it's messed up.... anyway.... this is a comedy that got a lot of press and deserves all of the good press it received.... it's a great movie.... alone or in a group....

similar to 'Isolation', this movie directly links to the idea that genetics are to blame for the massacre that follows.... as the head of the sheep farm it's trying to create the perfect sheep.... but the side effects of the research creates something horrific.... killer sheep that attack humans and kill them.... and if they don't kill them, then they turn them into Were-Sheep.... giant half human half sheep monsters.... you have our hero who has a fear of sheep due to a traumatic childhood experience.... a heroine who is an animal rights activist and their fight for their lives from the killer sheep....
it's a totally unique story.... or maybe more of a unique twist on an old theme.... one that by itself is funny in theory.... but is even funnier carried out.... to see such docile creatures turn violent is crazy.... it just has to be seen to be believed.... i not only found myself laughing out loud, but i cringed at the gore at times and even felt the tension as our heros are being chased and running for their lives.... i easily gave this 4 out of 5 stars.... and it deserves every one of them.... it's totally different than 'Isolation', but it's still a fantastic way to spend an evening.... and i recommend watching them together.... they don't make 100% sense together, but where else are you going to find two movies about farmland killing sprees....? i can't think of any other ones off the top of my head....

if you like this, try: 'Isolation', 'Bad Taste' and 'Dead Alive aka Brain Damage'

my brief thoughts on.... 'Isolation'

i remember the first time i saw the man eating cow in 'The Tick' comic book way back in the early 90's.... however, i never thought i'd see a movie that kind of portrayed that character in real life.... but this little Irish movie took that idea a bit and brought it to a whole different level.... granted there are no man eating cows.... but their are cows that kill.... and this ties together with the other review i put up here for 'Black Sheep' (2006).... it was my "Farmland Massacre" double feature.... right off the bat, i have to say that this movie is extremely well done.... it's old school special effects, no CGI.... it's a true creature feature like from the days of old.... the last one i saw that was similar to this was the movie 'Splinter'.... that's one of the reasons i give this movie a lot of props.... it was very gooey and gory and full of nasty bits.... all of it done by someone in a workshop.... not on a computer.... and i can really respect that.... it's just not done that much anymore.... and i also give this movie a lot of credit for originality.... i can honestly say that i've never heard of this premise, never seen anything similar, it's unique.... just for that reason it's worth it to watch it.... not too mention, the directing and cinematography and actors are great.... it's a very brooding and dark, gritty film.... and yes, it's about cows.

the story revolves around a single farmer who has agreed to have a cow of his experimented on by an outside group.... they're trying to create more fertile cows to increase production for milk, food, etc.... so basically the intentions are good.... however, something goes terribly wrong.... the cow that they're testing on is pregnant and the calf bites more than one person in utero and once it's out.... because of this, they have to kill the cow and eventually the mother.... but while examining the calf, they realize it was pregnant too.... soon after this, all hell breaks loose on the farm as people begin dying one after another.... it becomes a massacre....
i just happened across this movie on accident.... it was mentioned in a review for 'Black Sheep' (2006).... and was recommended as a follow up or tie in to the other movie.... and luckily it was OnDemand, so while i had 'Black Sheep' rented i could watch this one too.... i really recommend that you watch this.... as it's something you can see that's totally new.... it's a very fresh feeling movie.... i don't know why more people haven't heard of it.... it's one of those little gems that you have to hear about from word of mouth.... now, i've mentioned several times that there are cows and killing in this, but what does the killing is a cow in a way.... but it's something much more horrific in reality.... and the final act of the movie you really can feel the tension of the whole situation and it's got it's tense and scary moments.... it's a very effective movie.... and i tip my hat to the director and writer for creating such a tight little movie.... i gave it 3 out of 5 stars with a slight edging towards 4.... however, it may take another viewing before it pushes me over the edge.... you may think differently.... regardless.... add it to the queue and check it out.... maybe have some milk and cookies while watching it.

other films like this: 'Alien', 'Black Sheep' (2006)and 'Splinter'

my brief thoughts on.... 'Broken'

i've just finished this movie and i can honestly say i have no idea how i feel about it.... it doesn't make "Saw look like a children's film." but it starts out pretty harshly.... and was hard to watch.... but the entire 2nd act is far from gut wrenching or disturbing.... it's a lot of washing of pots and pans and our heroine trying to escape from her captor.... i can say this about the movie.... i had no idea where it was going.... i mean, it seemed pretty cut and dry, but it never really let on how it would end.... so it did hold my attention.... and when another women joined the group as another captive, things got more interesting.... it just never reached any sort point or reason why we should bother watching it.... it's weird to feel that way about a movie.... but it's kind of the sense i got.... that i was just watching it because it was on and it wasn't really going anywhere specific.... i can honestly say that after finishing it, that the writer was dragging us along for this ride just so we could reach the ending.... it was just shocking enough and disturbing that it left you feeling like the wind got knocked out of you.... and maybe that was the point of the rest of the movie being so evenly paced.... so you get lulled into a sense of safety.... i don't know....

a person just listed in the credits as 'The Man' is hard at work putting women through a series of tortures to see how far they'll go.... and if they're worthy to ultimatly be his slaves.... you see more than one woman unable to take the torture.... but one woman is so determined to find her child that she's willing to do anything to live long enough to find out what The Man has done with her.... and this is no short period of time we're talking about.... nearly two months of being held captive and yet she holds on to hope that she'll escape and find out what happened or her captor will tell her something....
this movie got a lot of bad press for it's treatment of women and i see why.... the first 20 minutes are pretty hard to watch.... but if you've seen 'Saw' or 'Hostel', it's nothing you can't stomach.... but as you can imagine the woman gradually gains the power.... and it's no longer about women in bondage.... but as i said earlier on, do we really care in the end....? i can't say.... it's such a weird little movie.... it reminds me slightly of 'Wolf Creek', but without the non-stop horror.... this movie is more about the put coming to a boil.... anyway.... i gave it 2 out of 5 stars.... not something i would recommened.... and if you want to know the ending, drop me a line and i'll give it up to you.... so you don't have to sit through the rest.... this is mediocre at best.

other similar-ish movies: 'Wolf Creek', 'Saw' and 'Hostel'

just my thoughts.... on peoples judgements.

as some of you may or may not know.... depending on if you follow me on Facebook or not.... and if you don't, you should.... i've been catching a lot of hell on and off the Facebook page for my movie watching habits.... as all of you who are reading this also read my blog, you know my viewing habits.... it's a mix of genres, but i prefer horror.... i've also stated that not everything that i watch gets written about.... i don't write about the TV that i watch.... i don't write about movies that i watch that i've already seen and reviewed.... and it's an even blend between everything.... it's not all just horror, that would be boring.... and it's not all just one genre of any kind.... that's what's so wonderful about TV and cinema.... there's something for everyone and every mood.... and if you don't like what you see, find something else....! if it was all saturated with just one thing, no one would go and see movies or rent them or watch broadcast television.... people would probably read more books.... (which wouldn't be a bad thing.).... anyway, my point.... i've been catching hell lately for my love of the horror genre.... now that all comes about because i'm in the midst of the some mental issues which are being addressed by a psyche and a therapist.... whom BOTH know what i do in my spare time.... and probably know more about me than the majority of people that know me.... and they seem to have no problems with any of it.... so why the heck is everyone else playing armchair psyche....? they're not the ones who have to struggle every single day just to get the strength to go into a job which creates such panic that i have to take large doeses of meds to be able to function.... the amounts that would leave most people drooling.... yes, i have a severe anxiety disorder and depression.... but it's being treated and has been all along.... but when i come home to the safety of my living room....what the heck difference does it make what i watch....?!?! it's my time to get my relief and release from the daily shackles of my anxiety and just relax.... it's just that simple....

everyone needs that in their life.... we all need stress relievers.... and for me, it's watching something and writing about it.... it fills my quest for entertainment and my need to be creative.... is there something wrong with that....? i'm a 36 year old man.... i've lived long enough to make my own decisions and to do whatever i want.... i have a family that i support.... a life that i live.... and if i want to spend a little quiet time with Mr. TV, so be it....! and everyone comes down on horror so hard.... it serves a purpose.... just like comedy allows you the release of laughter and the joy of that.... or action allows you to live out your testosterone filled fantasy life.... or drama lets you have a good cry over other peoples problems so you can forget about your own.... horror allows you to face you fears.... the things that you fear the most in real life take on the persona of some fictional monster and you get the chance to face it and stare it down.... it releases that primal instinct that we all have to be strong and that we can deal with anything.... granted not any one particular genre is for everyone, but i don't go around saying, "You watch too many dramas and it's making you a big drama queen. You over react to everything and life is just one horrific disaster after another.".... that would be silly.... no one would do that.... but those of us who love horror are demonized and looked down upon because of our personal preferences.... and i bet that the majority of us in this category are more well adjusted then those in the other categories.... what's my point to all of this....? i just want it to stop.... you live your life, i'll live mine.... if we share an interest, then great! let's talk about it.... if i like something you do to, then great! let's talk about it.... but if you just here to bash me in the head for something that i love.... take a look in the mirror.... passing judgement on people, last time i checked, was wrong.... we're all here to live our lives how ever we please.... and to be happy.... as long as we're not hurting anyone else in the process then what's the problem....? so for those of you out there thinking you have all the answers.... please, keep them to yourselves.... if you don't like what i write about here, feel free to post a comment as to why you hated the movie or what i said.... free speech is welcome.... but don't brow beat me to death outside of this or in real life.... because for every finger you point at me, there's 3 more pointing right back at you.

end of story.

my brief thoughts on.... 'Repo! The Genetic Opera'

i've never been much of a fan of musicals.... and i may catch flack for this, but i'm not even a fan of 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show'.... that's the closest thing i can relate to this.... although this movie is not funny.... it still has it's satirical moments, but it's not ha ha funny.... now before you go to watch this movie.... (which is OnDemand).... you should know it is a full on musical.... there is very little talking.... it's 98.5% singing.... well, maybe not a musical.... to be more correct, a rock opera.... because it has big guitars, bass and drums.... and is anything but quiet.... the big difference between this movie and other ones like it is that it's not afraid to pull any punches.... this is full of blood, guts, gore and icky stuff.... i mean, it's about repossesing body parts.... it has to have it's share of horror.... and it's not subtle.... this movie has a lot going for it just as a horror film.... but when you add that additional layer of music, it turns it into something entirely different.... and i can't decide exactly how i feel about it....

this is set in the future where a plague or something has caused a large part of the population to suffer from organ failures.... it wipes out a huge portion of society.... and the people that are left turn to a big corporation who are willing to provide replacement organs to save lives.... and they'll even put them on an installment plan.... but this comes with a potential price.... as they get the ability to reposses the organs if they default on their payments.... that's where the repo men come into play.... meanwhile, the head of the corporation is dying and his three children are all eyeing the throne.... and he has yet to name a replacement.... that's just the meat of it.... there's a lot of other things going on as well.... the side dishes to the main course....
so after all of this.... have i changed my opinion on musical/rock operas....? not really.... i still find them hard to watch.... and i can't really say why.... all i know is that something just doesn't sit right with me when i watch them.... this movie was the better of the ones i've seen.... i mean where else can you see Bill Moseley, Paris Hilton, Alexa Vega (of 'Spy Kids'), Paul Sorvino, Sarah Brightman and some actor who goes by the name Ogre....? the cast was excellent.... the music was interesting.... the story was original.... it was well directed and the cinematography was well done.... i don't really have anything bad to say about it.... i just can't get past my bias.... oh well, maybe someday.... until then.... i don't regret seeing this.... i just don't know if i'll need to see it again anytime soon.... oh and it's a 3 out of 5 star rating from me.

if you like this, check out: 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show', 'Cannibal! The Musical'....are there any others....?

my very brief thoughts on.... 'Raw Meat'

Donald Pleasence is the only thing worthwhile in this movie.... he's actually funny.... and after seeing him in all of the 'Halloween' movies being so serious, this was a nice change of pace.... other than that.... this was dull, boring, slow, uninteresting and all around lame.... i don't know where any of the good reviews came from.... i mean, it was the 70's.... but there were good movies that came out of that time period.... this just wasn't one of them.... and another thing, i like slow paced movies.... some of my top 10 favorite movies are extremely slow.... however, this was slow without a purpose.... ugh.
the last of some trapped people who resorted to cannibalism to survive in the subway system starts stalking subway riders.... there's some deaths.... the police get involved.... stuff happens and it ends.

i couldn't wait for it to end.... i was bored to tears.... 1 out of 5 stars.... not even Donald Pleasence could save this piece of garbage.... it's OnDemand if you're looking for a way to go to sleep tonight.... it's like NyQuil for moviegoers.... crap, crap, crap....

there's some paint drying, i'll watch that instead of this again.

my brief thoughts on.... 'Survival of the Dead'

for the longest time this was just called '....Of the Dead'.... eventually George A. Romero chose a full title.... and thus we had 'Suvival of the Dead'.... now as you all know, George A. Romero is my hero.... he created the modern zombie and my favorite sub-genre of the horror world.... i love zombies more than any other monster out there.... so just knowing that George was taking on yet another zombie epic made me happy.... what's kind of interesting though, is that the first 4 films: 'Night of the Living Dead' (1968), 'Dawn of the Dead' (1978), 'Day of the Dead' (1985), and 'Land of the Dead'.... were all part of a series of films.... a quadrilogy of sorts.... he didn't necessarily start out to make them be a series, but it kind of organically happened and he made an epic series of films.... since then he almost rebooted his own series.... 'Diary of the Dead' was a new take on the original genre.... we're still dealing with the shambling dead, but it's at the beginning of the outbreak.... so it's a do-over.... it's like the first 4 movies never happened.... then with 'Survival of the Dead' he ties it in with 'Diary of the Dead' in such a way that it's almost a sequel.... which could mean more in the series.... despite the fact that critics say that George has said all he can say with the zombie genre.... he seems to still have stories to tell.... and as long as i'm alive and he's alive, i'll keep seeing an zombie movies he puts out.... despite how good or bad they may be.... so far, i've been satisfied with all of his work to date.... and this movie was no exception.... do i honestly think this will reach out to all of the masses and leave an impression, no. i'll be honest.... this is for die hard fans.... i don't know that the casual horror film buff would count this as a modern masterpiece or anything.... the story is original and the characters are kind of a mixture of characters from all his other movies.... and he's started to rely some more on humor in his films to help carry them and make them seem more fresh.... some of it works, some doesn't....

the story revolves around two seperate groups of people.... some rogue army members who are living by their own laws and just trying to stay alive.... it also involves two groups at war on a small island debating on whether it's better to keep the zombies and try to train them to eat something else or to kill them all and live safetly on the island away from the threat of the outbreak.... the first group overtakes the second group and banishes them off of the island into the real world where the outbreak is all to real.... where the two sets of main characters collide is when the army folks hear that the group that's been banished has plans to go back to the island and take it back over and make it safe for families to live on.... thus begins a shaky partnership.... of course all is going well until they get to the island and things get sketchy and what was going to be a peaceful ending to a horrific situation.... ends up far from peaceful....
i can honestly say this isn't George's strongest work to date.... but it was an enjoyable ride and a unique take on a genre that has been over saturated with the same things over and over.... he was able to create something new and different.... but compared to some of the other things that George has done outside of zombie films, this is still his bread a butter.... and i hope that he continues to play with genre.... i think he has some more interesting tales to spin.... now my ratings on this movie are a little biased due to my love of the genre and of George A. Romero.... it's because of this that i gave it 4 out of 5 stars.... do i think that it 100% deserves that high of a rating, i'm not sure.... all i know is that i enjoyed my time spent watching it and know that it will be added to my DVD collection when i get the money together to do so.... as no zombie collection is complete without all of Romero's work.... and this is the only one i'm missing.... go watch it if you have the time.... but go into it just expecting to have fun.... don't expect high art and i think you'll get a kick out of it....

if you like this, check out: 'Diary of the Dead', 'Land of the Dead' and 'Day of the Dead' (1985)

my brief thoughts on.... 'Aeon Flux'

i remember watching this cartoon on MTV and thinking WTF half the time.... granted, i enjoyed it.... but it was just so different from anything else out there.... so that when i heard that they were making a live action movie, i was skeptical.... some of the stuff that Aeon does in the cartoon goes WAY beyond anything a real person could do or be capable of.... therefore a live movie just seemed way to ambitious.... i think that's why i stayed away from this so long.... i figured at some point i'd give it a shot.... and once it hit the OnDemand section of Netflix, i figured now was as good as time as any.... not too mention, i saw Charlize come up on a list of badass action chicks.... and this is the only example of a movie she's been in where she was an ass kicker.... so all the more reason to watch this.... however, my expectations were really low....

its 400+ years in the future and mankind was wiped out.... only a few survived and were walled up in a utopian city where they can live and thrive in safety and peace.... meanwhile, outside the walls, nature has taken over the earth again.... man hasn't laid a finger on it since they were nearly made extinct.... strange things are happening and people are disappearing.... and there is a small renegade group of people aware of this and fighting against the problems with the system.... Aeon Flux is one of those people.... the movie unfolds in such a way that everything is explained slowly over the course of the movie.... intertwined with some sci-fi action and adventure....
overall, i wouldn't say it was a waste of my time.... i enjoyed it for the most part.... but i really think it could have been so much more.... there was such an in depth storyline that it could have been a bit longer and dealt more with all of the sub plots.... but it all seem pre-packaged to meet a certain time frame for the big wigs making the movie.... Charlize does a good job in the role.... and i enjoyed watching her kick some ass.... but again, a little more would have been better.... everything just seemed a little vague.... it's like a recipe that could have been the best food ever, but just wasn't seasoned right.... i gave it 3 out of 5 stars for a strong effort to convert such a difficult cartoon onto the big screen.... i think they managed pretty well overall.... for a straight sci-fi movie, it was worth the effort.... all in all.... a decent movie to spend a Friday night watching....

if you like this, check out: 'Equilibrium', 'The Matrix' and 'The Fifth Element'

my brief thoughts on.... 'Operation: Endgame'

once again.... a couple of quick notes about this poster.... 1) the movie should be called 'Project: Endgame' as that's the way it's referred to in the movie.... not 'Operation: Endgame'.... 2) there are a LOT of guns in this movie poster.... and let me say that only one gun is fired in the movie and it's nothing like any of the ones featured in the poster.... this is hugely misleading or false advertsing.... as i was expecting something like 'The Tournament' and got nothing like that.... all the weapons used are improvised.... anyway.... that being said.... that was a major gripe with this movie.... the poster.

this movie has a huge cast of comedians and a few action stars.... (as you can see from the poster).... Rob Corddry being the coolest of the bunch.... he should make an actual action flick.... i'd pay to see it.... his character is by and large the most likable character in the movie.... this movie is enjoyable to watch, but kind of falls short on overall plot.... i mean, the plot is interesting enough, however i just don't know how much i care about it overall as there are so many characters to follow and a lot of plot to shove into a small amount of time.... i mean the movie has a less than 1 and a half hour running time.... this really needed 2 hours to make it work.... i really wanted to get into some of the other characters.... as there was some good strong bases to build on.... just too damn short.
the plot centers around two groups of government agents who aren't really friendly.... both are overseen by a man by the name of the 'Devil'.... and all of their codenames are based on tarot cards.... nobody uses their own names.... it's the first day for an agent named the 'Fool'.... and during his first day the 'Devil' is killed and soon the two groups realize that the 'Project: Endgame' program had been started.... which meant that the entire complex was going to be vaporized.... so the two groups team up with each other and soon it's dog eat dog.... as they slowly began killing each other.... so you never want to get to attached to any main character, because they may not last long.... and during all of this, they're trying to find a way out....

this movie had so much potential.... but it was all wasted on a short running time.... i don't know if money was an issue or just bad screenwriting.... but it ruined what could have been something pretty kick ass.... i just left the whole experience wanting more.... and it wasn't there.... not too mention the ending was a let down.... enough of it was interesting enough to give it 3 out of 5 stars.... but it was just barely 3 stars.... i can't say i would push you to run out and watch it.... however, i suppose it's a Saturday movie to kill time with.... maybe on cable or if it ever comes OnDemand.... other than that.... watch 'The Tournament' again....

the only other movie that i can relate this too is: 'The Tournament'

my brief thoughts on.... 'Simon Says'

first thing i have to say is that Crispin Glover on this poster above looks nothing like him.... although in the movie.... he strangely matches the image.... anyway....

the poster also boasts "Best horror movie of 2009".... um, hardly.... granted, Crispin Glover makes this tolerable.... but it's such an over the top premise.... that it's hard to buy any of it.... and the actors try really hard to make you buy into it.... and they throw every cliche and horror movie staple into this mess.... but what really sets this apart is the way that our villans Simon and Stanley kill people.... pick axes.... lots and lots of pick axes.... not just a couple here and there, but they built machines that weild them in the 10's, 20's and 30 at a time.... so in some scenes you'll find our victims dodging pick axes like nobody's business.... it's so over the top it's funny.... i've never seen anything quite like it.... who uses this as their weapon of choice to such an extreme....?!?! not any movie villan i can think of in the recent past.... so what's the plot you ask....?

Simon and Stanley (both played by Glover) are twins who killed their parents, but got away with it due to an insanity plea.... together they run a gas station of sorts where tourists stop on their way to go camping in the woods.... the two brothers are beyond socially inept.... but somehow manage to make things still work.... during the early part of the movie, 5 campers stop by to pick up some things and catch the eye of the brothers.... and soon the campers find themselves being hunted by the pick axe weilding maniacs.... along with some random other campers and a some really random painballers....!?!? the weapons that kill everyone are insane.... eventually we'r down to the last person and the final fight ensues....
i can't say i hated this.... because i love watching Crispin Glover do his thing.... he's just so entertaining to watch.... but the method to his madness is just so.... so.... silly.... you just have to watch it with a group of friends to really appreciate it.... oh and yes, his catch phrase while killing people is, "Simon says....".... oddly enough, right....? i gave it 2 out of 5 stars.... and the majority of those stars are shared between Glover's performances and the whole strange pick axe thing.... so if for no other reason.... watch it just for that and ignore the rest.... because the rest is just your normal bad horror fare....

i doubt you'll enjoy this.... so i won't make any recommendations like it.