Okay, I have finally watched the movie, and here is my overall opinion. Disappointed.
This movie is mostly about the gross out factor which wasn't even that big of a deal when it came down to it. Watching the surgery was the sickest part and that last for only a minute or so. I did like how he sets up a language barrier by putting the Asian as the lead, but other than that I found no real well done sadistic quality of this movie.
I also felt that the script was poorly written and even more so poorly acted. It almost turned into a cheap shlockfest when it came to the noisy no personality teens being caught by an evil german doctor.There was nothing in the movie, besides the actual surgery that invoked any sort of sympathy and that's where I felt it really lacked substance.
The overall idea of the movie is over hyped and unfortunately camp with its execution. I felt the movie would have been some what improved if it took a more Frankenstein like point of view and focused on the doctor's life and goals instead of some random tourists who happened to fall in the most cliche styled capture ever.
I am not to excited for a sequel and I felt the directing of this movie was very poor.
Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
points for originality, but thats the only thing it had going for it.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Honoring: John Carpenter
John Carpenter was born January 16, 1948 and is an American film director, producer, screenwriter, composer, editor, and actor. Although Carpenter has worked in numerous film genres, his name is most commonly associated with horror and science fiction.
John Carpenter's first major film as director was Dark Star (1974) a science fiction black comedy that he cowrote, produced, directed, and composed for. Carpenter's next film was Assault on Precinct 13 (1976), a low-budget thriller influenced by the films of Howard Hawks. He not only wrote, directed and scored it, but also edited the film under the pseudonym "John T. Chance". The film was released in the United States to mixed critical reviews and unsuccessful box-office profits, but after it was screened at the 1977 London Film Festival, it became a commercial success in Europe and is often credited with launching Carpenter's career.
John Carpenter's third film was his legendary smash hit "Halloween" that helped launch the slasher genre. Originally an idea suggested by producer Irwin Yablans which was entitled The Babysitter Murders, he envisioned a film about babysitters being menaced by a stalker, Carpenter took the idea and another suggestion from Yablans that it take place during Halloween and thus the series was made. Carpenter again worked with a relatively small budget, $320,000. The film grossed over $65 million, making it one of the most successful independent films of all time.
Carpenter followed up the success of Halloween with The Fog (1980), a supernatural revenge tale inspired by horror comics such as Tales from the Crypt. Completing The Fog was an unusually difficult process for Carpenter. He was dissatisfied with the view rough cut of the film. He had to devise a way to salvage a nearly finished film that did not meet his standards. In order to make the movie more coherent and frightening, Carpenter shot additional footage that included a number of new scenes. Approximately one-third of the finished film is the newer footage. Carpenter immediately followed The Fog with the science-fiction adventure Escape from New York (1981), which quickly picked up large cult and mainstream audiences as well as critical acclaim.
His next film, The Thing (1982), is notable for its high production values, including innovative special effects by Rob Bottin, special visual effects by matte artist Albert Whitlock, a score by Ennio Morricone and a cast including rising star Kurt Russell and respected character actors such as Wilford Brimley, Richard Dysart, Keith David, and Richard Masur. The Thing was made with a budget of $15,000,000, Carpenter's largest up to that point, and distributed by Universal Pictures. Although Carpenter's film was ostensibly a remake of the 1951 Howard Hawks film, The Thing from Another World, Carpenter's version is more faithful to the John W. Campbell, Jr. short story, Who Goes There?, upon which both films were based. The Thing was part of Carpenter's Apocalypse Trilogy a trio of film's with depicted scenarios of the apocalypse.
Years continued and John Carpenter has been credited from movie to movie, including, but not limited to: In the Mouth of Madness, Prince of Darkness, Christine, Village of the Damn, They Live, and Escape from L.A. His career has been quite the vast exploration of his many talents. He is undeniably one of horror's greatest contributors and only years will tell if John Carpenter's movies will be able to remain as timeless as they have so far.
So today, I pay great respect to this legend and can only hope that his future projects will keep bringing out the innovative mind of this legendary director.
Discuss...
John Carpenter's first major film as director was Dark Star (1974) a science fiction black comedy that he cowrote, produced, directed, and composed for. Carpenter's next film was Assault on Precinct 13 (1976), a low-budget thriller influenced by the films of Howard Hawks. He not only wrote, directed and scored it, but also edited the film under the pseudonym "John T. Chance". The film was released in the United States to mixed critical reviews and unsuccessful box-office profits, but after it was screened at the 1977 London Film Festival, it became a commercial success in Europe and is often credited with launching Carpenter's career.
John Carpenter's third film was his legendary smash hit "Halloween" that helped launch the slasher genre. Originally an idea suggested by producer Irwin Yablans which was entitled The Babysitter Murders, he envisioned a film about babysitters being menaced by a stalker, Carpenter took the idea and another suggestion from Yablans that it take place during Halloween and thus the series was made. Carpenter again worked with a relatively small budget, $320,000. The film grossed over $65 million, making it one of the most successful independent films of all time.
Carpenter followed up the success of Halloween with The Fog (1980), a supernatural revenge tale inspired by horror comics such as Tales from the Crypt. Completing The Fog was an unusually difficult process for Carpenter. He was dissatisfied with the view rough cut of the film. He had to devise a way to salvage a nearly finished film that did not meet his standards. In order to make the movie more coherent and frightening, Carpenter shot additional footage that included a number of new scenes. Approximately one-third of the finished film is the newer footage. Carpenter immediately followed The Fog with the science-fiction adventure Escape from New York (1981), which quickly picked up large cult and mainstream audiences as well as critical acclaim.
His next film, The Thing (1982), is notable for its high production values, including innovative special effects by Rob Bottin, special visual effects by matte artist Albert Whitlock, a score by Ennio Morricone and a cast including rising star Kurt Russell and respected character actors such as Wilford Brimley, Richard Dysart, Keith David, and Richard Masur. The Thing was made with a budget of $15,000,000, Carpenter's largest up to that point, and distributed by Universal Pictures. Although Carpenter's film was ostensibly a remake of the 1951 Howard Hawks film, The Thing from Another World, Carpenter's version is more faithful to the John W. Campbell, Jr. short story, Who Goes There?, upon which both films were based. The Thing was part of Carpenter's Apocalypse Trilogy a trio of film's with depicted scenarios of the apocalypse.
Years continued and John Carpenter has been credited from movie to movie, including, but not limited to: In the Mouth of Madness, Prince of Darkness, Christine, Village of the Damn, They Live, and Escape from L.A. His career has been quite the vast exploration of his many talents. He is undeniably one of horror's greatest contributors and only years will tell if John Carpenter's movies will be able to remain as timeless as they have so far.
So today, I pay great respect to this legend and can only hope that his future projects will keep bringing out the innovative mind of this legendary director.
Discuss...
Review: The Curse of Frankenstein
For those familiar with the horror industry, one name from the 40s-60s should stand out in particular, Hammer films. The hammer horror movies are famous for reviving Gothic horr into the film industry. Many of their classics include; The Qautermass Xperiment, The Satanic Rites of Dracula (future review pending), and many other films. One of the earliest ventures of Hammer Films into the horror industry was the infamous "Curse of Frankenstein" and interesting adaptation of Mary Shelley's story that is often overlook due to its Universal counter part.
With a great cast (including Peter Cushing and Christopher Less), an amazing script, and a well-seasoned director this movie is definitely an underrated classic. The plot is very well paced and doesn't even come close to insulting the audiences' intelligence. This adaptation focuses its narrative on the Doctor Victor Von Frankenstein as opposed to the monster like is Universal counter part. This movie is very easy to follow, but rarely boring in its content.
Score: 4 out of 5
High replay value, well produced with a low budget, and definitely of of Hammer's finest film, its only downside is its lack of attention around the horror world.
(Review original post on Myyearbook.com forums)
With a great cast (including Peter Cushing and Christopher Less), an amazing script, and a well-seasoned director this movie is definitely an underrated classic. The plot is very well paced and doesn't even come close to insulting the audiences' intelligence. This adaptation focuses its narrative on the Doctor Victor Von Frankenstein as opposed to the monster like is Universal counter part. This movie is very easy to follow, but rarely boring in its content.
Score: 4 out of 5
High replay value, well produced with a low budget, and definitely of of Hammer's finest film, its only downside is its lack of attention around the horror world.
(Review original post on Myyearbook.com forums)
Reivew: The Last Man on Earth
As many of you are aware, a recent blockbuster that hit the silver screen not to long ago was "I Am Legend" a film Starring Will Smith, an adaptation of the story of the same name. Little to many people's knowledge, it isn't the first adaptation, there have been two other films to hit the silver screen who have played off this very same book. One being the Omega Man and the movie I am reviewing The Last Man on Earth.
I want to start off this review with the reason I love this movie so much, its lead actor; Vincent Price, playing the protagonist who is forced to fight against vampires in order to survive. The films mood is very unsettling and very well done and Vincet Price's performance was almost "Price"less (don't worry, no more puns from here on out). The story telling in this film is fantastic and is paced perfectly for the point of the story. The intense dialogue of the protagonist and the directing of the film helps bring out the despair any human would be feeling if stuck in that position.
Another reason I feel this movie is superior to its recent counter part is its ending, a much more powerful ending with no real punches pulled. The daunting silence that fills up the last minute or so of the film is one that could sit up hairs on almost any arm. Its a great flick and great for even the most modern of horror fan.
Rating: 4 out of 5
High replay value (seen it about three or four times since purchasing it.), great story with an amazing execution, the only draw back of the film is that it has not aged well, the make-up is very poor for the vampires and isn't very convincing at any extent. This movie is one of the movies on my "Must See" List. Enjoy
(Review originally posted on Myyearbook.com forums)
I want to start off this review with the reason I love this movie so much, its lead actor; Vincent Price, playing the protagonist who is forced to fight against vampires in order to survive. The films mood is very unsettling and very well done and Vincet Price's performance was almost "Price"less (don't worry, no more puns from here on out). The story telling in this film is fantastic and is paced perfectly for the point of the story. The intense dialogue of the protagonist and the directing of the film helps bring out the despair any human would be feeling if stuck in that position.
Another reason I feel this movie is superior to its recent counter part is its ending, a much more powerful ending with no real punches pulled. The daunting silence that fills up the last minute or so of the film is one that could sit up hairs on almost any arm. Its a great flick and great for even the most modern of horror fan.
Rating: 4 out of 5
High replay value (seen it about three or four times since purchasing it.), great story with an amazing execution, the only draw back of the film is that it has not aged well, the make-up is very poor for the vampires and isn't very convincing at any extent. This movie is one of the movies on my "Must See" List. Enjoy
(Review originally posted on Myyearbook.com forums)
Review: Wizard of Gore
There are many genre's that come to mind when thinking about the schlock of the movie world, but none have been so grand as the Exploitation film. An exploitation film is a type of film that is promoted by "exploiting" often lurid subject matter. It has also been the main source of many spin off genres: Blaxsploitation, Sexploitation, Nazisploitation, spaghetti westerns and many more. Today I offer a tribute to the world of exploitation by doing a review of a movie directed by the God father of exploitation films HG Lewis. The film I have chosen to review is often hailed as his most well known and most popular film; The Wizard of Gore. A film starring Ray Sager as Montag...THE MAGNIFICENT, and Judy Cler as Sharron Carson.
This film is almost infamous for its campy effects, slightly incoherent but original story, and its almost ridiculous ending. Now normally this would entail a negative review, but as a cheap exploitation flick I found it very entertaining and loads of fun. The effects are what offers most of the movies appeal as you see the cheesy fake blood and organs being squished in the hands of Montag...THE MAGNIFICENT! Loud and obnoxious screaming along with jumpy and inconsistent music will fill your ears ten minutes at a time as you watched them get "Slaughtered" in various and funny ways.
Now, it has been brought to my attention that there is a remake lurking around, but I can assure, much like Plan 9 From Outer Space, the remake is just a lose touch in what made the original fun and entertaining.
Review: 3 out of 5
High replay value, fun to watch, but also can get lost in the world of exploitation as nothing huge and its plot is still a bit incoherent at times.
(originally posted on the Myyearbook.com Forums)
This film is almost infamous for its campy effects, slightly incoherent but original story, and its almost ridiculous ending. Now normally this would entail a negative review, but as a cheap exploitation flick I found it very entertaining and loads of fun. The effects are what offers most of the movies appeal as you see the cheesy fake blood and organs being squished in the hands of Montag...THE MAGNIFICENT! Loud and obnoxious screaming along with jumpy and inconsistent music will fill your ears ten minutes at a time as you watched them get "Slaughtered" in various and funny ways.
Now, it has been brought to my attention that there is a remake lurking around, but I can assure, much like Plan 9 From Outer Space, the remake is just a lose touch in what made the original fun and entertaining.
Review: 3 out of 5
High replay value, fun to watch, but also can get lost in the world of exploitation as nothing huge and its plot is still a bit incoherent at times.
(originally posted on the Myyearbook.com Forums)
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