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Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated Shutter Island (2010) in Movies
Aug 8, 2019
The mysterious disappearance of a patient has left the security of Aschecliffe Mental Facility baffled. In an effort to figure out exactly what occurred, they have brought in US Marshalls Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo). But when a number of questionable situations are uncovered, such as the restricted castle where they keep the most violent patients and the mysterious muchrumored about lighthouse, Teddy ends up investigating more than he bargained for.
This Martin Scorsese adaption of “Shutter Island” takes viewers on a visual retelling of the popular 2003 novel authored by Dennis Lehane. It is a film that takes you straight into the detective scene of the 1950’s with a mystery that is both complex and has a compelling plot.
“Shutter Island” is a very visual film, from the immersion we get into Teddy’s memories to the hugely powerful storms that at times scatter the film. Equally well defined are the details, from the plush décor of the doctor’s quarters to the intensely retro soundtrack. Costumes are also a key feature of this film, establishing the date with ease in a way that does not detract from the comprehensive story.
It is hard not to support Teddy in his quest to figure out the mysteries of Shutter Island. He is a likeable good guy to the core. And in a film filled with baddies such as the two good cop/bad cop doctors played by Ben Kingsley and Mac von Sydow, a good protagonist is a requirement. Further filling out the film is Dolores, Teddy’s wife played by Michelle Williams.
If you like mysteries, thrillers, or a good look back in time, “Shutter Island” will leave you guessing and wondering right up until the very end, in a way that only the talented Scorsese can.
This Martin Scorsese adaption of “Shutter Island” takes viewers on a visual retelling of the popular 2003 novel authored by Dennis Lehane. It is a film that takes you straight into the detective scene of the 1950’s with a mystery that is both complex and has a compelling plot.
“Shutter Island” is a very visual film, from the immersion we get into Teddy’s memories to the hugely powerful storms that at times scatter the film. Equally well defined are the details, from the plush décor of the doctor’s quarters to the intensely retro soundtrack. Costumes are also a key feature of this film, establishing the date with ease in a way that does not detract from the comprehensive story.
It is hard not to support Teddy in his quest to figure out the mysteries of Shutter Island. He is a likeable good guy to the core. And in a film filled with baddies such as the two good cop/bad cop doctors played by Ben Kingsley and Mac von Sydow, a good protagonist is a requirement. Further filling out the film is Dolores, Teddy’s wife played by Michelle Williams.
If you like mysteries, thrillers, or a good look back in time, “Shutter Island” will leave you guessing and wondering right up until the very end, in a way that only the talented Scorsese can.
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated Ninja Assassin (2009) in Movies
Aug 8, 2019
The Ozunu Clan has long been secretly kidnapping and training children to become ninjas. But when a set of Europol agents get a little too close to discovering the secret, it is up to a former student of the Clan, Raizo (Rain), to defend the agents against the brutal ninjas’ attacks.
The film is loosely plotted at best, but it does manage to keep the viewer interested. Maybe it is the consistent comedy mixed with undeniable bloodshed. And there is bloodshed. “Ninja Assassin” is absolutely splattered with gore, weapons, and the unexpected attack that only ninjas can bring.
Joel Silver, of “Lethal Weapon”, “Die Hard”, and “Predator” fame, and the renowned Wachowski brothers, creators of “the Matrix”, are the producers behind “Ninja Assassin”. Therefore it should come as no surprise that the fight scenes are also engrossing in this ninja-tacular flick.
The international cast includes Korean superstar Rain as Raizo and martial arts regular Sho Kosugi, as the ninja master. The appearance of Ben Miles (from the hit British TV show “Coupling”) as Ryan Maslow, superior to the Europol officer and lead Mika Coretti (Naomie Harris), also enhances the casting of this one of kind film.
And it is one of a kind. What is most appealing about “Ninja Assassin” is that it truly displays ninjas in the way every child thinks about them; cunning, violent, and awesome. Somehow in a world full of films that feel like a new version of the same old thing, “Ninja Assassin” has… dare I write… a freshness.
Keeping you on the edge of your seat, focused on the nonstop 360 degree fight sequences and funny one-liners, “Ninja Assassin” brings more than expected to the big screen.
The film is loosely plotted at best, but it does manage to keep the viewer interested. Maybe it is the consistent comedy mixed with undeniable bloodshed. And there is bloodshed. “Ninja Assassin” is absolutely splattered with gore, weapons, and the unexpected attack that only ninjas can bring.
Joel Silver, of “Lethal Weapon”, “Die Hard”, and “Predator” fame, and the renowned Wachowski brothers, creators of “the Matrix”, are the producers behind “Ninja Assassin”. Therefore it should come as no surprise that the fight scenes are also engrossing in this ninja-tacular flick.
The international cast includes Korean superstar Rain as Raizo and martial arts regular Sho Kosugi, as the ninja master. The appearance of Ben Miles (from the hit British TV show “Coupling”) as Ryan Maslow, superior to the Europol officer and lead Mika Coretti (Naomie Harris), also enhances the casting of this one of kind film.
And it is one of a kind. What is most appealing about “Ninja Assassin” is that it truly displays ninjas in the way every child thinks about them; cunning, violent, and awesome. Somehow in a world full of films that feel like a new version of the same old thing, “Ninja Assassin” has… dare I write… a freshness.
Keeping you on the edge of your seat, focused on the nonstop 360 degree fight sequences and funny one-liners, “Ninja Assassin” brings more than expected to the big screen.
Leigh J (71 KP) rated From Dusk Till Dawn (1996) in Movies
Nov 13, 2019
Bloody Brilliant!
Seth and Richie Gecko are criminals who have escaped Prison and are on the run. They are staying in a Hotel trying to think of a way to get into Mexico, where a criminal friend is waiting for them at a Bar, and from there they are starting a new life. At the Hotel there is a Pastor and his Son and Daughter who have arrived in a Mobile Home; Seth sees this and holds the family hostage until he's met with his friend at the Bar over the border. They just manage by the skin of their teeth to get past the Mexican border and are onward to the Bar... which turns out to be a sleazy Biker Bar called the Titty Twister. When they get into the Titty Twister; the Gecko Brothers love this place, full of fighting, Tequila and topless dancing women. But when a violent and bloody confrontation between the Gecko Brothers and the Titty Twister Security happens, the many members of Staff show their true colours... and it means the Brothers and his hostages are going to have to fight for their lives the whole night.
I LOVE From Dusk Till Dawn. I've seen it so many times now and I think it's amazing everytime. Robert Rodriguez has given a unique lease of life to Horror and teamed it with quite the "Cops 'N' Robbers" storyline. It's an extremely visual movie; especially when you get into the Titty Twister and all the chaos happens, and speaking of that, I love how chaotic it is in the Titty Twister. It seems like there's always something happening and there's little background details that you pick up everytime you watch it. It's a wonderful, wonderful Horror Movie and I will definitely be watching it again and again. Bloodcurlingly awesome!!
I LOVE From Dusk Till Dawn. I've seen it so many times now and I think it's amazing everytime. Robert Rodriguez has given a unique lease of life to Horror and teamed it with quite the "Cops 'N' Robbers" storyline. It's an extremely visual movie; especially when you get into the Titty Twister and all the chaos happens, and speaking of that, I love how chaotic it is in the Titty Twister. It seems like there's always something happening and there's little background details that you pick up everytime you watch it. It's a wonderful, wonderful Horror Movie and I will definitely be watching it again and again. Bloodcurlingly awesome!!
LeftSideCut (3778 KP) rated Doom: Annihilation (2019) in Movies
Feb 7, 2020
Doom Annihilation is not a good film, no sir, but it's honestly not as terrible as I expected it to be.
The main problem stems from the low budget - a low budget doesn't always mean a bad end product, but when that end product is a sci-fi horror based on a hyper violent video game, there are going to be issues.
The whole film has a plastic cheap look to it. It works to a certain degree - it does have a kind of Starship Troopers-esque aesthetic (a good thing), but the cheap looking weapons and re used sets are a glaring eyesore.
The monsters a very generic for the most part, but I do respect that the bulk of them are practical. The CGI that is used is mostly awful, with a few exceptions - the occasional exterior shots of the base are passable, and the ending sequence doesn't look too bad - but otherwise, it's used infrequently, and for good reason.
The actors involved all do the best with what they're given - lead Amy Manson is likable enough - but the poor character writing provides us with a group of cliché ridden Marines and scientists that feel like cannon fodder.
The only concrete connection to the Doom game series that I noticed was the character of Dr Betruger, but that's it. The fact that Bethesda and id Software stayed well away from this, and that the production team were not allowed to use anything from the 2016 Doom reboot onwards, shows that maybe this shouldn't have been a thing.
As a schlocky B-movie sci-fi horror, it's not completely terrible, but I can't help but feel it shouldn't have the Doom brand attached to it, and even a cheeky Wolfenstein reference won't change my mind on that.
The main problem stems from the low budget - a low budget doesn't always mean a bad end product, but when that end product is a sci-fi horror based on a hyper violent video game, there are going to be issues.
The whole film has a plastic cheap look to it. It works to a certain degree - it does have a kind of Starship Troopers-esque aesthetic (a good thing), but the cheap looking weapons and re used sets are a glaring eyesore.
The monsters a very generic for the most part, but I do respect that the bulk of them are practical. The CGI that is used is mostly awful, with a few exceptions - the occasional exterior shots of the base are passable, and the ending sequence doesn't look too bad - but otherwise, it's used infrequently, and for good reason.
The actors involved all do the best with what they're given - lead Amy Manson is likable enough - but the poor character writing provides us with a group of cliché ridden Marines and scientists that feel like cannon fodder.
The only concrete connection to the Doom game series that I noticed was the character of Dr Betruger, but that's it. The fact that Bethesda and id Software stayed well away from this, and that the production team were not allowed to use anything from the 2016 Doom reboot onwards, shows that maybe this shouldn't have been a thing.
As a schlocky B-movie sci-fi horror, it's not completely terrible, but I can't help but feel it shouldn't have the Doom brand attached to it, and even a cheeky Wolfenstein reference won't change my mind on that.
Kim Pook (101 KP) rated Bates Motel in TV
Aug 6, 2019
Acting (1 more)
Storylines
Hated psycho but enjoyed this
Contains spoilers, click to show
I never saw the original psycho but i did watch the 90s remake which i found very boring, so i went into this not expecting much at all. However, after the first episode i was hooked and bingewatched all 5 seasons in about 3 weeks.
Incase you have never seen or heard of psycho, it's about the teenage life of a boy called Norman Bates, who suffers with blackouts where he becomes violent. Norman helps run a motel with his mother Norma (yes, that's right - Norman and Norma haha!!) Who is very protective of her son. Seasons 1-3 we get to know about the bates and why they are unlike any normal family, there's a few murders but we wonder was it Norman or not? Season 4 and 5 is where it gets very good and Normans shy side of his personality starts to completely diminish and his 'mother' personality takes over more frequently.
Throughout the seasons there wasn't really any main character i disliked, each one had a gripping story attached to them and I even started to like chick - the strange trailer guy who had beef with Dylans dad (and normas brother). The only part of the show i wasn't interested in was Dylans job in the weed selling business but that didn't last long thankfully.
Funny enough I even felt sorry for Norman but at the same time i wanted to smack some sense into Norma for protecting him right up until he killed her.
The final episode was very sad but at the same time you feel happy because Norman got his wish and no longer had to fight 'Mother'. I know many people think a season 6 was needed but i think season 5 ended perfectly. I feel lost now I'm finished though.
Incase you have never seen or heard of psycho, it's about the teenage life of a boy called Norman Bates, who suffers with blackouts where he becomes violent. Norman helps run a motel with his mother Norma (yes, that's right - Norman and Norma haha!!) Who is very protective of her son. Seasons 1-3 we get to know about the bates and why they are unlike any normal family, there's a few murders but we wonder was it Norman or not? Season 4 and 5 is where it gets very good and Normans shy side of his personality starts to completely diminish and his 'mother' personality takes over more frequently.
Throughout the seasons there wasn't really any main character i disliked, each one had a gripping story attached to them and I even started to like chick - the strange trailer guy who had beef with Dylans dad (and normas brother). The only part of the show i wasn't interested in was Dylans job in the weed selling business but that didn't last long thankfully.
Funny enough I even felt sorry for Norman but at the same time i wanted to smack some sense into Norma for protecting him right up until he killed her.
The final episode was very sad but at the same time you feel happy because Norman got his wish and no longer had to fight 'Mother'. I know many people think a season 6 was needed but i think season 5 ended perfectly. I feel lost now I'm finished though.
AN
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