Topic: Never Ending Movie Marathon (short reviews)

[samuelrichardscott]

Dead Man Running (2009)

Overview:
The world's favourite gangster duo is back on breathtaking form in the year's most explosive, high-octane blockbuster! The clock is ticking and the boys, Danny Dyer (Doghouse, The Business) and Tamer Hassan (Eastern Promises, The Business), have just 24 hours to raise $100,000 in cash to pay back bloodthirsty New York kingpin, Mr Thigo (Curtis 50 Cent Jackson). Fail... and everyone dies. Get ready for an adrenaline-fuelled thrill-ride as our heroes take desperate measures - from cage fighting to armed robbery - to come up with the cash in time. What would you be willing to risk if you were a DEAD MAN RUNNING?

My Thoughts:
Yep, it's another cockney gangster-type movie starring Tamer Hassan and Danny Dyer - this time directed by Alex de Rakoff. So what does it do to be better than your typical Hassan/Dyer flick? Unfortunately not too much. The plot is fun but never pushes any boundaries and the dialogue is mediocre at best. The soundtrack is strong providing you like energy-pounding beats but it is missing the OTT action to go with it. They've scored a blinder in somehow getting Brenda Blethyn in a solid supporting role and the cameos include 50 Cent and Omid Djalili among others, but the film is just too pedestrian to really recommend. Still, it is a solid rental / cheap purchase for fans of the genre/cast. 3/5

[samuelrichardscott]

Severance (2006)

Overview:
Following a boom in military arms sales, the team at Palisade Defence are rewarded with a team-building weekend in the wilds of Eastern Europe. But what begins as a corporate jolly rapidly descends into a deadly nightmare as they are pitched into a terrifying fight for survival against a forgotten army of bloodthirsty maniacs armed with machetes, flamethrowers, machine guns and a thirst for revenge.
If the team can survive the bear traps and treacherous pits long enough to show their guts rather than losing them, they may just learn that getting slaughtered with workmates isn't always a good idea. This graphic and gory tale directed by Christopher Smith (Creep) and starring Danny Dyer (The Business, Football Factory) proves once and for all that waiting for staff cuts is absolute torture.

My Thoughts:
Those looking to watch Severance thinking they are going to get an out-and-out horror will be disappointed, because Severance is a horror-comedy - and one of the better ones at that. The humour throughout is quite dark and a huge chunk of the movie will be celebrated by anybody who has ever had to endure a "team-building" weekend with their colleagues as there is a lot of funny riffing on the coach trip towards the lodge to introduce you to the different characteristics of each role. Director Smith didn't go overboard on either the horror or the comedy and found a good level of both to keep the story going. The cast are well selected, especially Danny Dyer, Laura Harris and Tim McInnerny - and they hired actual Eastern Europeans to play the Eastern Europeans instead of getting some dodgy English-language bit-actors with a bumbling accent (one of my movie pet peeves). Recommended. 3.5/5

[samuelrichardscott]

Scooby-Doo and the Ghoul School (1988)

Overview:
Scooby-Doo and Shaggy learn there are things even scarier than homework in this feature-length field trip into mystery and mayhem! The academic adventure begins when the boys sign on as gym teachers at Miss Grimwood's School for Ghouls - only to discover the pupils are (zoinks!) daughters of the world's most frightfully famous monsters! But when the girl-ghouls are kidnapped by the evil Revolta and her spider-bat flunkies, our heroes spring into action to rescue their fiendish little friends in spectacular Scooby-Doo style!

My Thoughts:
Yawn. I'm a fan of the original Scooby-Doo cartoon series, but this 1988 feature-length movie left a lot to be desired. The animation is not of a particularly high quality, the story is rather boring and it doesn't have much in the way of humour that one would hope for. Also, some of the main characters like Fred, Velma and Daphne were completely glossed over. I'm not sure even the most die-hard of Scooby fans will enjoy this one. Skip it. 1.5/5

[samuelrichardscott]

^^^^ makes it into my list as the worst film of 1988 (that I've watched since 1st Jan 2010) just edging out 976-EVIL.

[samuelrichardscott]

Devil (2010)

Overview:
Five seemingly ordinary people become trapped in a skyscraper elevator. Each has a dirty secret, a tainted past. All seems well until the lights go out … and the screaming begins. With no way to escape, the horrific truth dawns that one of them is the Devil … and only then do they realise that very bad things happen for very good reasons. From the mind of M Night Shyamalan (Sixth Sense, Signs), the director of Quarantine and the writer of 30 Days of Night, Devil is an unforgettably scary movie that will leave you breathless!

My Thoughts:
The first in an intended series of movies called "The Night Chronicles" where all the movies are based on ideas by M. Night Shyamalan, Devil is a cracking little horror. It's short at 76 minutes, but the time is well spent in making sure you don't actually see any of the horror, but feel the tension and atmosphere both inside the elevator and out. The cast gathered all suit their roles well, particularly Jacob Vargas, Bokeem Woodbine, Chris Messina and Caroline Dhavernas - and the script is polished and has enough twists in it to keep your interest. I had previously enjoyed director Dowdle's [REC] remake Quarantine and after viewing Devil, I look forward to his next flick, The Coup, which appears to have gathered an interesting cast. Recommended. 4/5

[Piffi]

Devil (2010)

Overview:
Five seemingly ordinary people become trapped in a skyscraper elevator. Each has a dirty secret, a tainted past. All seems well until the lights go out … and the screaming begins. With no way to escape, the horrific truth dawns that one of them is the Devil … and only then do they realise that very bad things happen for very good reasons. From the mind of M Night Shyamalan (Sixth Sense, Signs), the director of Quarantine and the writer of 30 Days of Night, Devil is an unforgettably scary movie that will leave you breathless!

My Thoughts:
The first in an intended series of movies called "The Night Chronicles" where all the movies are based on ideas by M. Night Shyamalan, Devil is a cracking little horror. It's short at 76 minutes, but the time is well spent in making sure you don't actually see any of the horror, but feel the tension and atmosphere both inside the elevator and out. The cast gathered all suit their roles well, particularly Jacob Vargas, Bokeem Woodbine, Chris Messina and Caroline Dhavernas - and the script is polished and has enough twists in it to keep your interest. I had previously enjoyed director Dowdle's [REC] remake Quarantine and after viewing Devil, I look forward to his next flick, The Coup, which appears to have gathered an interesting cast. Recommended. 4/5

Thanks for the review! I've been very curious on this one. But i havent been so sure if it would be worth the money.
But now, i'll see if i find it cheap

[samuelrichardscott]

Men of War (1994)

Overview:
Nick Gunar (Dolph Lundgren) is a burnt-out, jaded and hard-up former mercenary who is having a difficult time adjusting to civilian life. At the end of his rope, he is hired by the Nitro Mine Corporation to strong-arm the natives of a South China Sea island into giving up their rights to its valuable mineral resources. Nick loathes the thought of another mission, but this seemingly easy job will earn him enough money to get back with his estranged family. He recruits some of his former mercenary buddies to help him with the job. The island people refuse to give up their land and Nick decides to help them fight the greedy corporation that hired him. The island and its people bring Nick back to life. He finally finds something worth fighting for and a place to call home. As greed and treachery begin to unravel, Nick's band of mercenaries choose sides. Some are with him and others, still working for the corporation, will stop at nothing to destroy him.

My Thoughts:
There really isn't too much to say here compared to any other review of any other "standard Dolph Lundgren" movie. The acting is passable. The dialogue is cheesy. The action is standard fare. If you like Lundgren/Van Damme/Snipes movies, then you'll enjoy this. Rent it. 3/5

[samuelrichardscott]

51 (2011)

Overview:
Sci-fi horror in which a group of journalists touring the top secret Area 51 facility stumble upon one of its most mysterious inhabitants. When pressure from the American population forces the Air Force to provide journalists with access to Area 51 Colonel John Martin (Bruce Boxleitner) is assigned the duty of escorting members of the press around the facility. However the tour of journalists Sam (John Shea) Claire (Vanessa Branch) Mindy (Lena Clark) and Kevin (Damon Lipari) goes disastrously wrong when one of the facility's alien inmates takes advantage of their visit to escape from his cell. How much do the journalists really want to see what goes on at Area 51?

My Thoughts:
51 is yet another entry in the "After Dark" range of low budget horror movies, this time directed by Jason Connery. Basically, we have journalists being shown around Area 51 due to public pressure so the military are giving them a tour whilst hiding the aliens. Unfortunately for all involved, the aliens decide to breakout. It's quite a standard movie with some reasonable special effects among some poor green screen CGI. The acting is good enough, particularly Rachel Miner, Vanessa Branch and Bruce Boxleitner - though nobody excels, and the story moves at a good enough pace to not lose interest. 51 is not a great film, but it isn't bad either. Having also recently watched Connery's "The Philly Kid", I think he has found his place behind the camera directing movies in this budget/production range and as an additional bonus, it keeps him away from being in front of the camera. Rent it. 2.5/5

[Achim]

I will seek out Looper (was already on my list) and The Perks Of Being A Wallflower, thank you.

The cast are well selected, especially Danny Dyer, Laura Harris and Tim McInnerny

I always hear Kermode making fun of Dyer and wanted to know who that is. Now I realize I even own a movie with him

I agree with your review as I had a similar good time with it as you.

[samuelrichardscott]

Dyer is a proper cockney geezer who honestly can't act and is in 99% of British films Every now and again, he does surprise though and his TV shows are worth watching. He comes across as a funny guy in interviews etc.

[Achim]

Have you heard Kermode do a vocal Dyer impression...? Any idea where that comes from...?

[samuelrichardscott]

The Addams Family (1991)

Overview:
Looking for something CREEPY...SPOOKY...KOOKY...and altogether OOKY?
Come join The Addams Family for the most hilarious scarefest of this season or any other! When long-lost Uncle Fester (Christopher Lloyd) reappears after twenty-five years in the Bermuda Triangle, Gomez (Raul Julia) and Morticia (Anjelica Huston) plan a celebration to wake the dead.
But Wednesday (Christina Ricci) barely has time to warm up her electric chair before Thing points out Fester's uncommonly "normal" behavior. Could this Fester be a fake, part of an evil scheme to raid the Addams fortune?
Based on Charles Addams' beloved cartoons and following the success of the hit TV series, The Addams Family is a visual funhouse, packed with plenty of treats, tricks and turns by director Barry Sonnenfeld.

My Thoughts:
Pros:
- The casting is brilliant. From Raul Julia and Christopher Lloyd to Anjelica Huston and Christini Ricci, we have a solid well-rounded cast.
- There are some very fun set pieces, usually involving Wednesday and Puglsey.
- There are enough gags for both youngster and adults spread between visual humour and the script.
Cons:
- I wish more time had been put into the overall structuring of the story to make it a bit more solid. Sometimes it feels a little loose.
- Whilst it is consistently funny, there are no true laugh-out-loud moments.
Overall:
Solid comedy which is worth buying. Recommended. 3.5/5

[samuelrichardscott]

Arachnoquake (2012)

Overview:
Gigantic arachnids take over New Orleans in this Big Bug Sci-Fi movie. After a large earthquake hits the city, a new breed of spiders are on the loose and they seem to be growing by the second...

My Thoughts:
What can I say? I'm a sucker for these low-budget piss-poor creature features and this certainly fits the mould. Unfortunately it fails to get into the 'so bad it is good' category but there are a couple of redeeming features that may interest some. Whilst the casting is rather poor throughout, it should be noted that Edward Furlong is light years ahead of his colleagues and it's a shame his career has stooped this low (then again, not a surprise considering his myriad of personal problems reported in the press). The CGI is passable for the obviously non-existant budget, the story boring and the characters unlikeable. In an overpopulated genre, there is much better to watch than this. Avoid it unless you catch it on TV like I did and you're curious. 1.5/5

[samuelrichardscott]

Smokey and the Bandit (1977)

Overview:
Bootlegging truck driver the Bandit (Burt Reynolds) bets a Texan millionaire (Pat McCormick) that he can smuggle a consignment of prohibited beer across state lines from Texas to Atlanta in just over a day. Cue an extended car chase across the country, with Jackie Gleason playing the dim-witted sheriff in pursuit and Sally Field providing some on-the-road romance.

My Thoughts:
Smokey and the Bandit isn't a movie you watch for the storyline - you watch it for the long police chase and comedy element. Burt Reynolds, Sally Field, Jackie Gleason and Jerry Reed all look as though they enjoyed themselves immensely making the movie and that enjoyment rubs off easily on the viewer. There are some great set pieces, plenty of humour, silly one-liners and even a bit of romance. All in all, Smokey and the Bandit is one of the better anti-authority comedic chase movies of the seventies. Recommended. 3.5/5

[samuelrichardscott]

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

Overview:
A lost alien, three million light years away from home. A lonely ten-year old boy willing to take him home. Two lives changed by a timeless adventure and a friendship that knows no earthly bounds.
Winner of four Oscars and two Golden Globes, including Best Motion Picture, ET is funny, moving and unforgettable. A captivating classic that will embrace everyone with its magic touch.

My Thoughts:
Pros:
- This has stood the test of time very well. I find it just as exciting now as I did when I first watched it as a youngster in the late eighties.
- Spielberg always casts really well, this time with Dee Wallace, Peter Coyote, Henry Thomas, C. Thomas Howell and Drew Barrymore.
- The score is phenomenal. One of my favourites.
Cons:
- Sometimes the sentimentality is a little overplayed.
Overall:
A wonderful movie that will be remembered as a classic for years to come. Highly recommended. 4.5/5