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mattbrat
Reviews
Open Water 2: Adrift (2006)
Nice Surprise!
I'm wondering if this movie would have done better without tacking on Open Water 2 and just calling it Adrift because I know I was not looking forward to watching it purely because who needs an Open Water 2 for crissakes? Now, keeping in mind I have been nursing a wicked hangover so my sensitivities are on amber alert while my tolerance for mindless entertainment is bottomless- I actually really enjoyed this movie. I think kudos go to the cast and crew for making a very believable situation seem like a reality and in this case, a simple foolish mistake *SPOILER* of not dropping the ladder before all on board go swimming is something that easily could happen to any one of us. I felt that the actors really invested in their characters and I'm wondering if the director spent a lot of time with the actors who played couples as the two committed couples has great chemistry *SPOILER* which made their tragedies so much sadder. Its hard to recommend a movie that really bums you out afterwards but if you like well-acted, taut thrillers, ignore the cash-grab sequel title and enjoy the movie as it were an original (oh and p.s. it really is as it has nothing to do with the first one.) Oh and a big shout out for the guy who composed the score. It's fantastic and used sparingly to great effect!
In 3 Tagen bist du tot (2006)
Shades of Old Canadian 80s slashers
I couldn't help be reminded of my home country of Canada as I watched this solid teen thriller. My home and native land was responsible (thanks in part to American execs with money to invest in tax shelters) for some of the most memorable slashers to come out of the 80s (and the 70s with Black Christmas). Happy Birthday To Me, Prom Night, Terror Train, My Bloody Valentine just to name a few. Another poster mentioned that this film couldn't be compared to the best 80s slasher flicks because the pacing was too slow and spent too much time on characterization... um... have you seen 80s slashers? With the exception of crappy Friday the 13th movies, the best 80s slashers made you care about the victims in peril, and for the most part, the actors playing the teenagers could actually act (probably because they were all 30 playing 18). This movie was huge surprise and I couldn't have cared less that the blood and gore was at a minimum-the fish tank scene was all anyone needs for gore content! I don't see the comparisons to I Know What You Did Last Whatever... unless you count the drinking and driving and running over something, but it was a deer, not a fisherman, and Bambi's family didn't come after the teens. Every great slasher flick usually utilizes the same formula, someone is killing them one by one for sins of the past. I think this is the first one that actually doesn't reveal the sin until the very end which I thought was quite effective. I loved the interactions the teens had with their parents as well, something not often seen. I also enjoyed not knowing who or when someone would die, all the members of the clique had their moments in the spotlight and a FINAL GIRL or GUY could have been any of them. And not to give any SPOILERS away... but the actor behind the killings..... WOW!!!! I had every conviction that the killer's identity was completely plausible. Do yourself a huge favor, if you enjoy the slasher genre for characters, suspense, a good mystery, and terrific atmosphere, then rent 3 Days Dead! Take it from a hardcore slasher fan!
Eating Out 2: Sloppy Seconds (2006)
Disagree with Hollywood Music
The previous poster had a real disdain for this movie because it was superficial and insulting and not considered 'art'. He then goes on to insult the director and the writer and that's when I stopped reading. The intent of movies like Eating Out and this superior sequel is to entertain and tittilate. It's not even considered a 'no-brainer' because there is actually a lot of wit packed into the screenplay. Why on earth would someone expect anything less from a film title 'Eating Out' in the first place? Give me a break! This movie is sexy, funny, offensive and silly. Exactly what what we should expect. What we SHOULDN'T expect is the wonderful comedic performances from the cast especially from Rebekah Kochan as sex pot Tiffani and American Idol castoff Jim Verraros (who is way too cute to be playing the 'average' guy). The only thing that saved this film from getting a perfect score from me was the running time was much too short, perhaps when they release the DVD they could give us a director's cut of more Tiffani and more gratuitous nudity by the terrific looking Marco Dapper and Brett Chuckerman!
Undead (2003)
wow!
Exceeded all mine and my partner's expectations. Big fan of all things horror here and well I knew going into this that Undead was supposed to be a pretty good movie - I truly had no idea just how g.d good it really is. I cannot believe that they made this movie for a million bucks ! What an incredible ride with gruesome f/x, likable characters and a edge of your seat pacing. I hope they make a sequel really soon. A sign of a good movie is being disappointed when it ends, the epilogue had set the audience up for more great zombie drama. Not only will horror fans will love this movie, but also beauty queens who feel underestimated by society ( see the movie you'll get it).
Dead Birds (2004)
Where's Tipi Hedren when you need her?
I like my bird horror movies to fly straight and fly right. Too bad this movie has nothing to do with birds. Apparently the titular character's part was cut significantly from the finished product and even then it was a dead BIRD (singular) Nothing logical seems to take flight. If you're going to make a slow, ominous horror tale that will test the viewer's patience, at least give the viewer a pay off. Yes there are scary beasties, yes there are some good shock gags, yes there is some impressive acting from the cast, but at the end of the film you are left wondering , " What the hell did I just watch?" I still was very entertained by the film and will recommend it to my friends but I still would have liked a little more clarity. The Making Of Documentary of the film gets 1 star for featuring drunk, foul mouthed producers, a homophobic slur from one of the actors, a bagpipe playing Henry Thomas and a very annoyed looking actress (who wouldn't be with these jackasses running the show?)
Hellbent (2004)
a welcomed return to the slasher genre
We screened this film at the reelout queer film festival in Kingston last month. The producers wouldn't send us a preview copy of the movie, ensuring us that it was of fine quality and would pack the seats. Well they were right. I'm a huge slasher buff and prefer the old school 70s/early 80s style slice and dice flicks to the lame self-referential ones today. Maybe it was the graininess of the 35mm print the studio sent, but I felt like I was watching a film made during that era. The film wasn't at all camp, (something one naturally would expect from a gay horror movie) in fact, it was pretty darn intense. And the creators of the film were damn smart to write sympathetic characters we could relate to. This movie shouldn't be classified as a "gay" movie, anyone who enjoys slasher flicks with likable characters to cheer on will enjoy it. I hope it becomes available on DVD soon and look forward to the inevitable sequel HellBent... er?