Change Your Image
scott8823
Reviews
Pontypool (2008)
McHattie's performance carries the film. Worth a viewing if you like word-play.
McHattie's performance, as well as his real life wife, Houle's carried the film. If you enjoy reading, and enjoy clever word-play, you'll find this movie interesting. If you are only watching for a zombie flick perspective, you'll be less than thrilled. In fact, traditional fans of zombie movies may find themselves disappointed with the twist on the zombie genre. However, that very twist makes the theme interesting intellectually. This movie will cause you to reflect on the power of words. The idea of the movie is creative.
So, this movie is something different, and for that reason, you may want to give it a viewing. You won't need to give it more than one, though. The final post-credit scene with McHattie and Houle, where she is in an oriental fabric, and where he is wearing sun-glasses detracted from the film. Another reviewer commented on this, and that person is correct.
The Naked Witch (1961)
Worse than Seasonal Affective Disorder; don't view it!
To be fair, this low budget film should be viewed from the prism of its time, but even so, I don't recommend wasting any of yours on viewing it. Frankly, I didn't watch it all the way through, which is something rare for me. 1961 was a pretty repressed time in our country, and I think the main object of the film makers' intent was to titillate with the idea of a naked female character. I have a hard time believing that the protagonist didn't take a change of clothes on his journey, nor could I believe that the bedroom was 18th century. I regret that "Mystery Science Theatre 3000" is no more, as this film would have been great for them to spoof. This movie is worse than Seasonal Affective Disorder. Do yourself a favor and avoid it at all costs.
The Skeleton Key (2005)
Wonderful film with great performances and a dark, mystical plot.
This is a wonderfully atmospheric film, beautifully shot, with terrific performances all around; veteran actress Gena Rowlands steals the show, but veteran actor John Hurt comes in as a close second. Hurt is best known for his many speaking roles in a stellar career which has spanned decades; his many fans consider his voice to be wonderful, which is why it is striking to find him playing a role with only one brief line. It is no easy thing to give a great performance without using one's voice, which is why we had special appreciation for his facial expressions. My wife is a big fan of his, and she was actually the one who pointed this out... I'm a fan of Saarsgard, and once again, he delivers! The protagonist is well played by an actress who makes her sympathetic. The plot is great. To appreciate the film though, one has to have a mind open to mysticism; if you are deeply offended by "magical thinking," don't bother with the film. However, if you are willing to admit that metaphysical actions are possible, then you'll enjoy this fine work of art! This is not a film on the level of "Rosemary's Baby," in which Ms. Rowland's famous, late husband played, but it is a good film which will get you thinking. Rebecca and I decided to buy it, and we've watched it two or three times in the last four years; it is textured, and we find something new to talk about each time. It is worth more than one viewing!
Hunting Humans (2002)
Above average plot for a very low budget film; worth a viewing...
For a LOW BUDGET FILM, this was actually a fun watch; my wife and I took it in on a rainy Sunday afternoon here in Knoxville. It was included on a four movie DVD with a British film from 1970 entitled "The Beast in the Cellar," but I digress...
O.K. the previous review just before mine is correct about the opening. A famous on-line reviewer once wrote that if you see a woman's breasts in the first five minutes, it is a bad movie. The narration was annoying, just as the previous review mentioned. However, if you're killing some time, give this movie a chance. The writing is pretty well done after the first eight to ten minutes of the movie. The plot is about a serial killer, and there is an interesting twist. THE MAIN PROBLEM I had with the film was THE SOUND. One could hear the lead character's voice, but the supporting cast's voices were harder to hear for all of the office scenes.
The reviewer before me commented on the bad acting. Not all of the acting was bad, just most of it was... The lead character and his antagonist were played by good actors, IMO. Many of the film angles were creative, surprisingly so for such a low budget film. A trick the main character plays on a detective is darkly funny.
Finally, this is no "Silence of the Lambs," "Seven," or "American Psycho." But it is somewhat original, and it has a good plot, which makes it a fun view.