my thoughts on.... 'The Crazies' (2010)

in George A. Romero's original film version of 'The Crazies' from 1973, he used the military as opposed to the actual "Crazies" to show how crazy the military actually is.... not nearly as much as the "Crazies" themselves.... in this 2010 update.... i don't think the producer, writer and director didn't seem to get that.... granted, i think that everyone wanted more of the actual "Crazies" in the original.... and me, personally, was kind of let down in the way it was handled by Mr. Romero.... i actually reviewed this movie already on this blog and let's just say that i didn't care too much for it.... and i'm a fan of his.... so when the trailers and previews for this movie seemed to indicate that they were making it more focused on the "Crazies" themselves, i was happy.... it looked more like a zombie movie or a plague movie.... like '28 Days Later'.... what we got instead was a watered down mixture of the military version from Romero's vision and the zombie-like victims of this version.... and the mixture didn't work.... it ended up just being kind of a big mess of a movie....

the story behind the infection and containment revolve around a plane crashing into the main water supply of a small town.... the plane contained a bio-chemical weapon that was headed to another location for destruction, but crashed instead.... and what happens next is the slow downfall of a community under the grasp of a horrific virus and the tight fisted grip of the military.... it's a total breakdown of society itself.... and as the military takes over the town to try and stop the spread of the virus, things get out of control.... and our heros must fight against all odds to save themselves and whatever they can of the town...

this isn't a terrible movie.... but it's also not great either.... even the lovely Radha Mitchell can only do so much to save this movie.... it's just a big mess.... i don't think it really knew what it wanted to be exactly.... and that shone through the entire movie.... granted there were some pretty darn creepy moments.... and some very tense ones.... and that made the movie worthwhile to watch.... but there just weren't enough of them to save the movie overall.... the scene in the schoolhouse with the man with the pitchfork is especially effective.... and probably one of the most powerful scenes.... and i've heard some complaints about the ending.... i think it was the best way to end it.... and without giving anything away, i think it made sense and gave a solid finish to the movie....

i give it 3 out of 5 stars.... which might be a bit generous.... but i felt that the good vs. the bad balanced themselves out pretty well.... would i own it....? maybe if it was a few bucks to help complete my Radha Mitchell collection.... but i don't know that i would make a strong effort to watch it over and over.... i just don't think it has that kind of staying power.... i would ask that you give it a chance.... you might dig it.... it's an improvement over the original, which is considered a classic.... i just expeceted more.

if you like this, check out: '28 Days Later', 'Quarantine' and 'Day of the Dead' (1985)

my thoughts on.... 'Babysitter Wanted'

i've been hearing about this movie for a while now.... and i was awaiting it's arrival on DVD.... finally it showed up.... and last night i was able to sit down and soak it all in.... now you may think this is just another 'When A Stranger Calls', but it's so much more.... i enjoyed this movie from the credits to the credits and everything inbetween.... it had just the right amount of creepiness, suspense, blood, gore and good actors that it all belnded almost perfectly.... it feels like i'm constantly heaping praise on so many movies.... but i've gotten so lucky lately and seen some really amazing films.... so once again, here i go.... but before you think this is another 'The House of the Devil'.... let me tell you that it's not.... although there are similarities, they are 100% different films....

an 18 year old devout catholic girl named Angie, heads off to community college to study art histroy.... once she gets there she realizes she needs to earn some extra money in order to survive.... so she takes a number for a babysitting job out at a farmhouse far away from the college out in the boonies.... the couple are extremely nice and their son is a little shy, but takes a liking to Angie and she gets the job.... in the meantime, Angie meets a good upstanding Christian boy and they soon start to date.... she also begins to notice that someone seems to be stalking her and that there has been a rash of dissapearances around the area of young girls.... afraid that she might be next on the list, she goes to the local sheriff, played by Bill Moseley, and tells him her fears.... he gives her his card and off she goes.... the first night of babysitting arrives and during her time at the house she begins to notice strange things and soon the supposed stalked breaks down the door to the house and that's where the movie really gets started....
this film has a few well placed twists and turns.... some excellent timing and everything is just so well done.... that you don't see what's coming right away.... unless you read a lot of reviews for the movie ahead of time.... (which i don't recommend).... it's so much nicer to just let this movie unfold before your eyes.... to see what Angie sees and to learn what she learns in real time.... it makes this so much better of a movie.... and to experience this the way that the director intended, i would ask you to rent this on blind faith and just trust your Uncle Joel.... knowing too much ahead of time is not always a good thing.... oh one little detail i'll let slip.... Bill Moseley plays a good guy....!

once again, this was a no brainer and 4 out of 5 stars was well deserved.... this is the reason i love horror films.... it has all the elements that prove why this genre is so popular, but still a bit taboo.... it's not available OnDemand just yet, so you'll have to rent it.... but Netflix has it and i'm sure most popular video stores will carry it too, if they have any brains at all.... Blockbuster, i'm looking at you.... i know i usually inform you if i'll be including a film in my DVD collection and that kind of serves as my ultimate seal of approval.... and yes, this one will be included someday.... i can't wait to watch it again.... to see Angie's character arc.... it's more than worth the price of admission just to see that change.... i'm off to my babysitting job now.

if you like this, check out: 'When a Stranger Calls' (either one), 'The House of the Devil' and 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre'