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Molly (2 KP) rated Deepwater Horizon (2016) in Movies
Feb 6, 2018
Close to Home
Living in Texas all of my life and being surrounded by the oil and gas industry, this movie was close to my heart. Because of the realness of the event, my rating may be a bit biased, but I did enjoy the film. Mark Wahlberg and Kurt Russell, along with a pretty dynamic supporting cast, recreated the event well and made me care about the outcome. Semi-spoiler...I HATED the bad guy by the end of the movie. No sympathy for him what-so-ever.
Antoine Fuqua recommended Apocalypse Now (1979) in Movies (curated)
David McK (3185 KP) rated San Andreas (2015) in Movies
Jun 14, 2020 (Updated Jun 16, 2020)
You could be forgiven by, basically, thinking this disaster film deserves the tag line "The Rock Vs an Earthquake".
You'd be wrong, however, with surprisingly little made of Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson's physicality, as a Los Angeles Fire Department search-and-rescue helicopter pilot who goes off-book on a mission to rescue his family following a magnitude 9 (the largest recorded) earthquake along the San Andreas fault.
Very much a by-the-books movie (and it knows it!), with young love flourishing amongst the ruins and devastation, and with the circumstances leading to a reconciliation of the leading mans nuclear family (who started the movie filing for divorce), whilst his wife's new-boyfriend ends up, ummm, 'disposed off' in the third act after he shows his true colours.
You'd be wrong, however, with surprisingly little made of Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson's physicality, as a Los Angeles Fire Department search-and-rescue helicopter pilot who goes off-book on a mission to rescue his family following a magnitude 9 (the largest recorded) earthquake along the San Andreas fault.
Very much a by-the-books movie (and it knows it!), with young love flourishing amongst the ruins and devastation, and with the circumstances leading to a reconciliation of the leading mans nuclear family (who started the movie filing for divorce), whilst his wife's new-boyfriend ends up, ummm, 'disposed off' in the third act after he shows his true colours.
Karica Truebenbach (156 KP) rated Unbreakable (2000) in Movies
Sep 29, 2018 (Updated Oct 4, 2018)
Nope
Contains spoilers, click to show
So a guy in a wheelchair who breaks a bone if someone breathes on him too hard decides to go around setting epic disaster-sized booby traps and murdering people simply so he can find someone who consistently survives said traps unscathed because that person must be a superhero? Because he decided one day that he must be a supervillain? And the hero's costume is a yellow rain slicker because his kryptonite is water? Look, I'll watch Samuel L do darn near anything, but the entire premise of this movie stretched the bounds of reality. I know that Shyamalan loves twists and turns, but this one went straight off a cliff. Who got Glass to all these places? His elderly mother? What possessed him to go, "I must be evil because why else would I have the uber version of brittle bone disease?" Perhaps if this had been released as a graphic novel-type movie ( a la Sin City), I would have been more accepting of the plot, but it wasn't and I wasn't. Hopefully the third movie will be better...
Movie Metropolis (309 KP) rated San Andreas (2015) in Movies
Jun 10, 2019
As solid as the Rock
Who doesn’t love a good disaster movie? From Dante’s Peak to The Day After Tomorrow, there’s enough city-levelling action in the movie archives to terrify even the most urban of us.
The genre came to a head somewhat in 2009 with the overly cheesy 2012. Directed by Roland Emmerich, aka the disaster movie king, it was a huge box-office success but audiences were turned off by the idea of destroying the entire globe.
After a few years off, the genre returns with San Andreas. But can this earthquake-based blockbuster evoke memories of yesteryear’s disaster flicks?
Dwayne Johnson stars as Ray Gaines, a chief rescue officer with the LAFD and in typical The Rock style, manages to captivate the audience from beginning to end of this exceptionally cheesy yet surprisingly effective movie.
The beautiful Carla Gugino plays Ray’s estranged wife, Emma with Alexandra Daddario taking on the role of their daughter Blake. There’s even a small role for Kylie Minogue, though she is rather unnoticed here.
San Andreas follows the three central characters as they try to reunite with one another after a series of devastating earthquakes along the west coast of America, all of which are predicted by brilliant seismologist Lawrence – a wasted Paul Giamatti.
The film is visually stunning, but as with any in the genre, lacks a defined story with the characters being thrown from one amazing set piece to another. From the very beginning the audience is subjected to gargantuan action sequences including the much-marketed tsunami that acts as a placeholder for the film’s final act – it is absolutely mesmerising to watch.
Johnson proves time-and-time again that he is in the right business. Along with Schwarzenegger he is at his best in films where his brawn is needed the most and it’s certainly the case here. Surprisingly though, The Rock provides a rich emotional undertone due to a horrific past family incident.
Unfortunately, there is such a lack of originality in San Andreas’ story that it’s easy to signpost exactly what is going to happen before it actually does. The reason? Simply because it’s been done to death. Disaster flicks are very 90s with Dante’s Peak having a similar family unit and even in the noughties, The Day After Tomorrow featuring the well-worn reuniting with children plotline.
There are some clever touches however, parts of the film where you would expect generic clichés, it cleverly dangles a red herring and then moves the plot in a completely different direction.
It’s clear to see that disaster movies will always find their audience. Those not looking for a deep and meaningful story and a rollercoaster ride of special effects instead will find much to enjoy here.
Dwayne Johnson is superb in his role with the majority of the other characters falling by the wayside somewhat, and in the end, San Andreas proves to be a solid if not overly original experience.
It’s fair to say though, this film is more than worth the price of a cinema ticket.
https://moviemetropolis.net/2015/05/31/as-solid-as-the-rock-san-andreas-review/
The genre came to a head somewhat in 2009 with the overly cheesy 2012. Directed by Roland Emmerich, aka the disaster movie king, it was a huge box-office success but audiences were turned off by the idea of destroying the entire globe.
After a few years off, the genre returns with San Andreas. But can this earthquake-based blockbuster evoke memories of yesteryear’s disaster flicks?
Dwayne Johnson stars as Ray Gaines, a chief rescue officer with the LAFD and in typical The Rock style, manages to captivate the audience from beginning to end of this exceptionally cheesy yet surprisingly effective movie.
The beautiful Carla Gugino plays Ray’s estranged wife, Emma with Alexandra Daddario taking on the role of their daughter Blake. There’s even a small role for Kylie Minogue, though she is rather unnoticed here.
San Andreas follows the three central characters as they try to reunite with one another after a series of devastating earthquakes along the west coast of America, all of which are predicted by brilliant seismologist Lawrence – a wasted Paul Giamatti.
The film is visually stunning, but as with any in the genre, lacks a defined story with the characters being thrown from one amazing set piece to another. From the very beginning the audience is subjected to gargantuan action sequences including the much-marketed tsunami that acts as a placeholder for the film’s final act – it is absolutely mesmerising to watch.
Johnson proves time-and-time again that he is in the right business. Along with Schwarzenegger he is at his best in films where his brawn is needed the most and it’s certainly the case here. Surprisingly though, The Rock provides a rich emotional undertone due to a horrific past family incident.
Unfortunately, there is such a lack of originality in San Andreas’ story that it’s easy to signpost exactly what is going to happen before it actually does. The reason? Simply because it’s been done to death. Disaster flicks are very 90s with Dante’s Peak having a similar family unit and even in the noughties, The Day After Tomorrow featuring the well-worn reuniting with children plotline.
There are some clever touches however, parts of the film where you would expect generic clichés, it cleverly dangles a red herring and then moves the plot in a completely different direction.
It’s clear to see that disaster movies will always find their audience. Those not looking for a deep and meaningful story and a rollercoaster ride of special effects instead will find much to enjoy here.
Dwayne Johnson is superb in his role with the majority of the other characters falling by the wayside somewhat, and in the end, San Andreas proves to be a solid if not overly original experience.
It’s fair to say though, this film is more than worth the price of a cinema ticket.
https://moviemetropolis.net/2015/05/31/as-solid-as-the-rock-san-andreas-review/
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated Jason X (2001) in Movies
Oct 17, 2019
Deep Space Jason
So the reason why this film excist is because new line was just waiting for Freddy vs. Jason to happen. So while thier were waiting, their put out this. And ohh boy it was bad. So bad its good, yes its one of those movies. With already Hellraiser and the Leprechaun had movies in space, so the next villian to be up in space was no question Jason. Also this movie toke place in the future, oh my. So whats the plot then....
The year is 2455. The Place is Old Earth. Once the shimmering blue jewel of the galaxy, Old Earth is now a contaminated planet abandoned for centuries. Yet humans have returned to the deadly place that they once fled. Not to live, but to research the ancient rusting artifacts of the bygone civilizations that caused this environmental disaster. And little does the most recent landing party of intrepid young explorers realize the fate that awaits them.
Their are intresting kills in this movie, also Uber-Jason that is a plus in my book.
The charcters are not intresting, dont even bother with them, expect for Jason. Jason is the only one that you should care about.
Would i reccordmend this movie, yes i would, even though its a dumb movie and that makes no sense. Its still a fun movie to watch.
The year is 2455. The Place is Old Earth. Once the shimmering blue jewel of the galaxy, Old Earth is now a contaminated planet abandoned for centuries. Yet humans have returned to the deadly place that they once fled. Not to live, but to research the ancient rusting artifacts of the bygone civilizations that caused this environmental disaster. And little does the most recent landing party of intrepid young explorers realize the fate that awaits them.
Their are intresting kills in this movie, also Uber-Jason that is a plus in my book.
The charcters are not intresting, dont even bother with them, expect for Jason. Jason is the only one that you should care about.
Would i reccordmend this movie, yes i would, even though its a dumb movie and that makes no sense. Its still a fun movie to watch.
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated Unstoppable (2010) in Movies
Jun 15, 2020
Stop The Runaway Train Before Its Too Late
I have seen this movie about 6-7 times now. Each time i watch it, its a good time. The action, the drama and the suspense. Both Denzel and Chris do a excellent job in ths film which is inspired by true events.
The plot: When a massive, unmanned locomotive roars out of control, the threat is more ominous than just a derailment. The train is laden with toxic chemicals, and an accident would decimate human life and cause an environmental disaster. The only hope of bringing the train to a safe stop is in the hands of a veteran engineer (Denzel Washington) and a young conductor (Chris Pine), who must risk their lives to save those in the runaway's path. Inspired by true events.
Its a good movie.
The plot: When a massive, unmanned locomotive roars out of control, the threat is more ominous than just a derailment. The train is laden with toxic chemicals, and an accident would decimate human life and cause an environmental disaster. The only hope of bringing the train to a safe stop is in the hands of a veteran engineer (Denzel Washington) and a young conductor (Chris Pine), who must risk their lives to save those in the runaway's path. Inspired by true events.
Its a good movie.
David McK (3185 KP) rated Daylight (1996) in Movies
Apr 11, 2021 (Updated Apr 11, 2021)
1996 disaster movie with Sylvester Stallone (and an early role for Viggo Mortenson) as a disgraced Fire and Rescue chief, who has to help a disparate group of survivors escape from a collapsed tunnel 100 feet below the Hudson river following explosions which have sealed off said tunnel.
As such, this ticks all the boxes of the genre: race against time? Check. Trapped family group? Check. Feisty female companion? Check. Helpful red-out-by-family-group description of tunnel in early portions of movie? Check. Tragic past for hero? Check. Convicts who 'turn good' and help out? Check.
It even has a Chekhov's Gun, people!
(for those uninitiated: Chekov's Gun is a dramatic principle that states every element in a story must be necessary e.g. if a 'gun' is introduced in Act 1 it must go off in Act 3)
As such, this ticks all the boxes of the genre: race against time? Check. Trapped family group? Check. Feisty female companion? Check. Helpful red-out-by-family-group description of tunnel in early portions of movie? Check. Tragic past for hero? Check. Convicts who 'turn good' and help out? Check.
It even has a Chekhov's Gun, people!
(for those uninitiated: Chekov's Gun is a dramatic principle that states every element in a story must be necessary e.g. if a 'gun' is introduced in Act 1 it must go off in Act 3)
Mothergamer (1511 KP) rated Death on the Nile (2022) in Movies
Apr 22, 2022
I really wanted to like this because I grew up on Agatha Christie books and watching the PBS Poirot series with my grandmother. I love Poirot and I like this book, but the screen adaptation is odd. There were strange decisions like including the character Bouc when he's not even in this book and having something happen to him that is not part of the story at all. The pacing felt off with the movie feeling boring and slow in some spots and then a few moments of interesting sprinkled here and there. There didn't seem to be a lot of chemistry among the cast and the actress with four credits to her career so far did a better job emoting and acting than longtime veterans. Branagh did great as Poirot, he was great in the first movie too, but the movie took so long to get going and then when it got to the big reveal it got better. It felt so uneven and I was disappointed. It's not a complete disaster, but it's not stellar either.
David McK (3185 KP) rated Twister (1996) in Movies
Jul 7, 2020
Disaster movie - of a sort - from 1996, that is probably best remembered for 2 words: "flying cow".
This follows the exploits of a group of storm chasers - who really only act as ciphers to move the audience from one breathless set piece to the next - who are doing, well, just that: trying to get in front of a Twister to launch scientific equipment up into it to further their understanding of the same, and so that they can better predict just when and where one is going to hit.
Storm Chasers, apparently, are a real thing. Why you'd want to be one is beyond me.
This follows the exploits of a group of storm chasers - who really only act as ciphers to move the audience from one breathless set piece to the next - who are doing, well, just that: trying to get in front of a Twister to launch scientific equipment up into it to further their understanding of the same, and so that they can better predict just when and where one is going to hit.
Storm Chasers, apparently, are a real thing. Why you'd want to be one is beyond me.