Welcome to this week’s edition of my movie blog. Sorry for being late on this edition. Been a little under the weather but I’m better now. Paramount’s finally have a release date for David Fincher’s cut of Zodiac. According to davisdvd.com, the 2-disc edition of the film will be in stores on January 8th. It is definitely good news to hear that it’s being released in January. Hopefully, this is push to get this film some Oscar nominations, which it rightfully deserves. It’s the best film, I’ve seen so far this year. Also you can now find The Movie Blog on Blogspot too at anthonythurber.blogspot.com.
Reviews
Rating System
5 Stars – Highly Recommended
4 Stars – Recommended
3 Stars – Good / Average Film
2 Stars – Disappointing Film
1 Stars – Totally Awful
In Theaters
3:10 To Yuma
3:10 to Yuma is the latest film from James Mangold (Copland, Girl, Interrupted). The film is about a rancher (Christian Bale) who agrees to help transport a captured outlaw (Russell Crowe) to the train station, so the outlaw can stand trial in Yuma, for his crimes. On their way there, the outlaw tries to escape him and the group by playing mind game them. With his gang of ruthless thugs trying to set the outlaw, the rancher must get him on the train to Yuma, before he is set free by his gang. 3:10 to Yuma is an action-packed western. James Mangold goes a great job keeping the action moving, as there was never a dull moment in the film. I liked how the screenplay tells the story of the two main characters from two opposite ends from each other. It also had good subplot that explores the relationship between the Dan Evans character and his son. Both Bales and Crowe give great performances. Their on-screen chemistry was great to watch, as they both played off of each other very well. 3:10 to Yuma is a film that western fans will enjoy. 5 Stars. Rated R. 117 Min.
New Releases on DVD
Severance
Severance is about a group of employees from a weapons manufacture company, who are out on a company retreat for the weekend. What was supposed to a weekend for team-building turns deadly, when a crazed and vengeful killer begins to stalk them. Soon their retreat, turns into a fight for survival in the wilderness. Laura Harris (24, and the upcoming TV series Women’s Murder Club) and Toby Stephens (Die Another Day) star in the film directed by Christopher Smith. Severance was a fun movie to watch. Both writer-director Christopher Smith and co-writer James Moran did a great job balancing the horror and comedy elements, as it didn’t get too silly or too over the top. Also, the humor didn’t make the villains in the film laughable, which is needed to make a successful horror-comedy. The characters in the film were great, as they were entertaining and not too stupid. Severance will satisfy both fans of The Office and gory films. 4 Stars. Rated R. 96 Mins.
DVD Pick of the Week
Quentin Tarantino’s Death Proof
Death Proof is a send-up of the seventies slasher and drag racing movies where a stuntman (Kurt Russell) who stalks beautiful women with his car. Soon a group of young women (Rosario Dawson, Zoe Bell, and Tracie Thoms) will begin to fight back and try to end Stuntman Mike’s reign of terror. Rose McGowan (Planet Terror) and Eil Roth (director of Hostel and Cabin Fever) also star in the film. The film Death Proof is the serious film of these two Grindhouse films. When we look back at Quentin Tarantino’s career twenty years from now, Death Proof will be his most underrated film. There is a lot of character development here. While some people complained about the film being slow and too talky, I had no problem with, as it made me care about the female characters that were being put in danger here. Also, it helps makes the last half of the film more suspenseful. Also I liked the acting in the film. Kurt Russell gives a great performance in the film, as he was very entertaining. The stunts in the film were great, as they felt realistic and kept the suspense going. Even though I enjoyed both films when I saw Grindhouse back in April, Death Proof was the best film of the two and that’s why it’s my DVD pick of the week. 5 Stars. Unrated. 113 Mins.
I’ll back with a new edition of the movie blog this weekend, which will include reviews for Bug, and Dragon Heat. Until next time, have a good day.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Saturday, September 15, 2007
9/15 Edition of The Anthony T Movie Blog
Welcome to this week's edition of my movie blog. Things have been going good. This is the first post on blogspot.com. For all those who have read my myspace, don't worry I will still be posting there. Another blog entry that I've just started on myspace called The Underrated Film Blog will be a myspace exclusive. To read that go to www.myspace.com/anthonythurber. Also I've all ready started on new material for October, where I'm going to put the spotlight on independent horror films with the first annual Horrorfest on this blog. I wanted to do this because I haven't covered much horror on myspace, even thought I'm a fan of the genre. Each week starting in October, this blog entry will be showcasing two independent horror films per week. I've already have five films that will be reviewed during Horrorfest 2007. So that means, I'm opened to suggestions, on the final three films and if any filmmaker wants to send me a copy of their full length feature or short horror film, for me to review, please feel free to get in contact with me via email through my profile page on myspace or email me at anthonythurber@hotmail.com. I don't expect anyone to take me up on that offer, but I'm very opened to reviewing your film, if you're serious about it, just send me an email. I'll unveil the list of films, on the weekend of September 28th, in this blog.
Reviews
Rating System
5 Stars – Highly Recommended
4 Stars – Recommended
3 Stars – Good / Average Film
2 Stars – Disappointing Film
1 Star – Totally Awful
In Theaters
Shoot ‘Em up
Clive Owens (The Inside Man and the upcoming Elizabeth: The Golden Age) is back with his latest action film Shoot ‘Em Up. Owens plays a man named Mr. Smith, who wants to be left alone in life until he runs into a pregnant woman being attacked by thugs and then has to deliver her baby during a shootout. Mr. Smith then, has to protect the child after the child’s mother was murdered by an eccentric deceitful hit man (Paul Giamatti) and his numerous henchmen. Will Mr. Smith survive this mess and protect the baby. Michael Davis (Monster Man) directed the film with Monica Bellucii co-staring. Shoot ‘Em Up was a fun action movie to. I thought the action sequences and the editing of this film were much better than in War, a movie I reviewed a couple of weeks ago. Clive Owens seems to be one of those actors that seem to do no wrong, in his selection of films. He was the perfect choice to play Mr. Smith in this film, as he greatly projects that tough guy image that’s needed in these noir/pulp films. Both he and Paul Giamatti had great chemistry together onscreen. I was nice to Paul Giamatti play something that’s different from what he has been doing as of lately and he does it well. Fans of Grindhouse and Sin City will enjoy this film a lot. Shoot ‘Em up is a high octane action film that won’t leave you disappointed. 5 Stars. Rated R. 88 Mins
Hatchet
Hatchet is a film that has been gaining a lot of buzz online and support from various horror publications. The film is about two friends (Deon Richmond, Joel Moore) who are in New Orleans for Mardi gras. They deicide to go on a haunted swamp tour for night of fun, but a mysterious man named Victor Crowley (Kane Hodder) is going to turn their trip into a gruesome nightmare. Horror legends, Robert England (A Nightmare on Elm Street, Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon) Tony Todd (Candyman, Final Destination) also co-stars in this film. Hatchet was a very frightening film. The film lives up to one of its taglines "Old School American Horror". The film's director Adam Green does a great job in setting up the characters, by building up the characters in the first half-hour. He also puts in a little humor during that time which helped set up the characters. The acting was good, along with the production value, as it didn't feel like your typical low-budget horror film. I'm looking very forward to Adam Green's next film Spiral, in which he co-directs with Joel Moore. I highly urge you to check out Hatchet this weekend, if it's playing in a theater near you, so were not subject to needless remakes and dreaded PG-13 horror films. 5 Stars. Rated R. 83 Mins.
DVD Pick of the Week
Away From Her
Grant (Gordon Pinsent) and Fiona (Julie Christie) have been married for almost fifty year. Up to this point, their marriage has been good. However, when Fiona begins to suffer from Alzheimer's disease and ends up in a nursing home. When there, Fiona becomes acquainted with another man who is confined to a wheel chair there. This puts her relationship with Grant to the test, as their relationship begins to drift away. Away From Her is the directorial debut from actress Sarah Polley (Dawn of the Dead (2004), Go) and is based on the short story "The Bear Came Over the Mountain" by Alice Munro. Away From Her is truly, one of the year's best films. Polley did an effective job exploring the effect of Alzheimer's and how it impacts others, who have loved ones suffering from the disease. The screenplay, in which she also wrote, explored the relationship between the Pinsent and Christie character very well. It also made very invested in the Pinsent character, as it made me feel sorry that he was helpless, in trying to get his wife to remember him. Both, Gordon Pinsent and Julie Christie gave Academy Award level performances in the film. Hopefully, we will get a chance to see Sarah Polley direct more films in near future, as this was truly a great film to watch. 5 Stars. Rated PG-13. 110Mins.
That's it for this edition of the movie blog. Until next time, have a good day
Reviews
Rating System
5 Stars – Highly Recommended
4 Stars – Recommended
3 Stars – Good / Average Film
2 Stars – Disappointing Film
1 Star – Totally Awful
In Theaters
Shoot ‘Em up
Clive Owens (The Inside Man and the upcoming Elizabeth: The Golden Age) is back with his latest action film Shoot ‘Em Up. Owens plays a man named Mr. Smith, who wants to be left alone in life until he runs into a pregnant woman being attacked by thugs and then has to deliver her baby during a shootout. Mr. Smith then, has to protect the child after the child’s mother was murdered by an eccentric deceitful hit man (Paul Giamatti) and his numerous henchmen. Will Mr. Smith survive this mess and protect the baby. Michael Davis (Monster Man) directed the film with Monica Bellucii co-staring. Shoot ‘Em Up was a fun action movie to. I thought the action sequences and the editing of this film were much better than in War, a movie I reviewed a couple of weeks ago. Clive Owens seems to be one of those actors that seem to do no wrong, in his selection of films. He was the perfect choice to play Mr. Smith in this film, as he greatly projects that tough guy image that’s needed in these noir/pulp films. Both he and Paul Giamatti had great chemistry together onscreen. I was nice to Paul Giamatti play something that’s different from what he has been doing as of lately and he does it well. Fans of Grindhouse and Sin City will enjoy this film a lot. Shoot ‘Em up is a high octane action film that won’t leave you disappointed. 5 Stars. Rated R. 88 Mins
Hatchet
Hatchet is a film that has been gaining a lot of buzz online and support from various horror publications. The film is about two friends (Deon Richmond, Joel Moore) who are in New Orleans for Mardi gras. They deicide to go on a haunted swamp tour for night of fun, but a mysterious man named Victor Crowley (Kane Hodder) is going to turn their trip into a gruesome nightmare. Horror legends, Robert England (A Nightmare on Elm Street, Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon) Tony Todd (Candyman, Final Destination) also co-stars in this film. Hatchet was a very frightening film. The film lives up to one of its taglines "Old School American Horror". The film's director Adam Green does a great job in setting up the characters, by building up the characters in the first half-hour. He also puts in a little humor during that time which helped set up the characters. The acting was good, along with the production value, as it didn't feel like your typical low-budget horror film. I'm looking very forward to Adam Green's next film Spiral, in which he co-directs with Joel Moore. I highly urge you to check out Hatchet this weekend, if it's playing in a theater near you, so were not subject to needless remakes and dreaded PG-13 horror films. 5 Stars. Rated R. 83 Mins.
DVD Pick of the Week
Away From Her
Grant (Gordon Pinsent) and Fiona (Julie Christie) have been married for almost fifty year. Up to this point, their marriage has been good. However, when Fiona begins to suffer from Alzheimer's disease and ends up in a nursing home. When there, Fiona becomes acquainted with another man who is confined to a wheel chair there. This puts her relationship with Grant to the test, as their relationship begins to drift away. Away From Her is the directorial debut from actress Sarah Polley (Dawn of the Dead (2004), Go) and is based on the short story "The Bear Came Over the Mountain" by Alice Munro. Away From Her is truly, one of the year's best films. Polley did an effective job exploring the effect of Alzheimer's and how it impacts others, who have loved ones suffering from the disease. The screenplay, in which she also wrote, explored the relationship between the Pinsent and Christie character very well. It also made very invested in the Pinsent character, as it made me feel sorry that he was helpless, in trying to get his wife to remember him. Both, Gordon Pinsent and Julie Christie gave Academy Award level performances in the film. Hopefully, we will get a chance to see Sarah Polley direct more films in near future, as this was truly a great film to watch. 5 Stars. Rated PG-13. 110Mins.
That's it for this edition of the movie blog. Until next time, have a good day
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