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brutalbeaver
Reviews
The Dukes of Hazzard (2005)
I miss the TV show, but the movie isn't total crap.
I think the problem most people have with this film is that it is such a severe departure from the old TV show. I was actually rather pleased that it was a different take. Don't get me wrong, I loved the old television show, and feel it was far superior to the film. What is nice about the film is that it doesn't try to recapture the spirit of the show. To many film adaptations attempt this and fail miserably. The key to getting at least some enjoyment out of the movie is to not compare it to the source material. Just look at it like another mindless Summer action comedy and accept that no incarnation of "The Dukes of Hazzard" is ever going to be a dramatic masterpiece. One of the biggest complaints I've seen about the movie is that the acting sucked. You really shouldn't go to a movie starring a pot-smoking country singer, a pop bimbo, the Stif-miester, and that other jackass and expect an Oscar quality performance; you should go expecting dick jokes and stupid human tricks. That's exactly what the film delivered. It's a fairly competent potty-joke of a film and should be treated as such. That said, I was thoroughly disgusted with what they did to Roscoe; In the TV show, the bumbling but likable dolt was the funniest character of all, whereas the dumb psychopath in the movie was far to dislike-able to bear the proud name of Coltrain. Incidentally, I would recommend saving a few bucks and seeing this in a matinée or waiting for DVD rental. I didn't say it was a great film, I just said it was passable.
Janghwa, Hongryeon (2003)
What a head trip!
"Tale of Two Sisters" has to be one of the creepiest films I've seen recently. In the end there is no actual supernatural element, despite what one is led to expect throughout the film. The story seems to be about two sisters, who, upon returning to their father's home after some sort of absence (later revealed to have been a stay in a mental institution) are forced to deal with not only a seemingly schizophrenic and possibly bi-polar stepmother who lashes out at the younger of the girls when the mood strikes her and cheerfully tells them she's prepared a special dinner at another time., but some presence as yet unexplained. It is later revealed that the younger sister is dead, and exists only in the troubled minds of her older sister, who was unable to save her, and her step-mother, who was callous enough to let her die. Much about the specifics of the strange family is not revealed in the film, but it definitely leaves a viewer with a creepy feeling and a nagging hint of confusion. Definitely not light viewing; watch this one when you really want to think about what you've seen. It's a hell of a puzzler.
The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra (2001)
Unbelievably funny
It seems the film was made to make Ed Wood's work look talented and thoughtful by comparison. It worked! This film does such a good job of spoofing old fashioned inept sci-fi craptaculars that it's almost as funny as watching the real thing. It's a nice change of pace to see the occasional film that doesn't take itself too seriously, and I doubt this film would take itself anywhere. Remarkably hokey and irreverent. I can't imagine anyone actually referring to "science so often in one script, but it works. The special (as in short-bus special) effects were great. I swear if I hadn't known better I almost would have mistaken it for a B-movie thriller from the 1960s.
Sin City (2005)
Sex, violence, crime, This film has it all.
I just got back from the theater and I've gotta say, I'm astounded. I expected this to be a fun movie, but five minutes into the film it kicked into an adrenaline fueled rush that didn't let up until the bloody end. It captured the seedy and violent tones of the graphic novels in a way that I can honestly say I've never seen a motion picture adaptation of any other form of literature achieve. Sin city is what film noir could have been had there been no handicaps leveraged on Hollywood due to ethical paranoia. The lines were delivered in a tone reminiscent to the best detective/crime flicks from the 1940s, and the action, while admittedly over-the-top, gave the picture a feel that's destined to stand out against the usual Hollywood action fare. For anyone who likes pistols blazing and blood spilling in the movies this is a must-see.
Ju No-myeong Bakery (2000)
Finally, a romantic comedy that doesn't put me to sleep.
"Love Factory" is an outstanding film. Normally I stay away from romantic comedies, but this one moved at a pace that made it much more enjoyable than the Julia Roberts/Hugh Grant crap that is typically released in the U.S. It really drags the viewer through an impressive range of emotion. One minute you think it's the funniest thing out there and the next it seems a bit depressing. Ultimately it resolves as a somewhat uplifting film. Much of it's charm evolves from what seems like understated slapstick, similar to what was typical in the television show "Ally McBeal," except in this film it was actually funny and timed well. It may also appeal to those who enjoy the television show "King of the Hill," as the protagonist's love of baking rivals Hank Hill's love for propane and propane accessories. It's an excellent and comical film about ordinary people.
Crystal Force 2: Dark Angel (1994)
It's that bad!!!
I've seen many bad horror movies. Heck I like most bad horror movies but even I couldn't get past some of the serious flaws in this one. Here are a few of the biggies: Lots of dialogue with very little substance, very poor acting, substandard special effects. It was exploitive, which, admittedly can sometimes be a plus in a low budget film. Unfortunately, the awkward placement of a naked girl here and there in this one, just wasn't enough to redeem it. The general story wasn't entirely horrible as an idea, (with a really terrific writer, it might have been fleshed out into a solidly mediocre screenplay) but it was contrived and very limiting to the film's scope. It looks like something that was thrown together over the course of a weekend by people who just wanted to kill time. If you want my advice, watch something else.