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
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