my brief thoughts on.... 'Legion' (2010)

from the time this was released, i've heard nothing but bad things about it.... there were a few positive things, here and there, that they pointed out in the movie but overall it was a failure.... this movie was intended to be a trilogy, however it's doubtful that this will happen now.... i'm a man that will give just about any movie out there a day in court.... some sooner than others, but eventually they will be seen.... and i stayed away from this one for quite a while because i was biased against it from the reviews.... i needed to give it some time and distance so that i could watch it with clear eyes.... (however, when it came out on Netflix OnDemand.... i can never refuse that.... so i watched it before i was totally unbiased....).... once i finally sat down to view this, i had very low expectations still, but the trailer showed some promise so i had a faint glimmer of hope.... i can honestly say that from the first scene on, i was intrigued.... and the further into the movie i went, the more interested i became.... it felt like a zombie movie, but with angels....

the basic story wasn't new, however the bigger storyline was something that i hadn't seen before.... i believe that this movie really could have been something.... i'm not sure what i can pinpoint that killed it, but i felt the ending could have been done much better.... that's the biggest thing that bothered me.... that and what i call 'the 'Stigmata' effect.... a movie that basis itself in religion, but disregards religion and just makes it up however they want.... or however will fit the best in the movie....

to keep the plot breakdown as simple as possible: angels come to earth, in human form, to stop the birth of a child that will save humanity.... but a small group of people, including the pregnant woman, barricade themselves in an old diner.... the only thing that can protect them is the angel, Michael, who gives up his place in heaven to save the child and humanity.... (that wasn't as simple as i would hope....)

the cast really puts on a good show and does the best with everything they have.... the special effects are done fairly well.... i enjoyed the action sequences.... i mean, who doesn't love massive amounts of guns firing....? the hordes of angels are frightening and change the way angels are thought of.... (part of the changes made to religious icons to meet the needs of the storyline).... it's a very dark movie that had a lot of promise.... i could see how this got greenlit to be made, i just wonder how it could go so wrong....? maybe i'm missing something....? or perhaps i'm just a simple guy who is easily entertained....?

i gave it 3 out of 5 stars and even watched it a second time.... i really think they should have re-thought the ending.... and perhaps the casting of Lucas Black as one of the leads.... not that i dislike him, but he just doesn't sell the storyline.... and i can't say i'd want to see him in a sequel.... maybe that's what happened....? i don't know.... maybe the world will never know.... either way, i recommend to check this out.... just close your eyes at the end or shut if off before the last 15 minutes play out.... it's a fun little time waster....

if you like this, watch: a zombie movie.... it's kind of what they were going for i think.

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'