Posts

Review for 1408

Unexplained going-ons, such as bizarre suicides attract few people. Among those people is a writer and paranormal debunker Mike Enslin (John Cusack). Despite the hotel clerk (Samuel L. Jackson) begging Mike to not go in the hotel room, Mike settles in the seemingly normal room, thinking about the deadline he has to make. Mike thinks 1408 is his ticket to the top of the best-seller list. Little does he know, soon he'll be thinking about how to escape the room. This horror film is perfect for All Hallows Eve! *** (three stars).  The end was a little bizarre.

Review for Dead City

Written by Joe McKinney, this Apocalyptic novel follows a Houston police officer named Eddie Hudson who is trying to find his wife and unborn child. Five cataclysmic hurricanes hit Texas, killing thousands. Amid the wreckage, a virus spreads throughout Texas turning the living into flesh-eating zombies. In search of his family, Eddie fights his way through crowds, which grow rapidly, of famished zombies. There really isn't anything unique about this story, it's kind of boring and the storyline is one that is repeated over and over. *** (three stars).

Review for Firewall

In this over-looked intense thriller, Harrison Ford serves an enticing performance acting the lead roll of a security system inventor named Jack Stanfield with a reputation as a man who has thought of everything. The smooth-sailing-life Jack has known quickly turns into a life-and-death situation for him and his family when a criminal (Paul Bettany) finds a way into Jack's personal life. Few scenes were hooky, the film served its purpose which was to entertain. Acting is always key. I give it **** (Four stars).

Review for The Conspirator

Conducted by Robert Redford, director of Lions For Lambs, this intense historical drama dating back to when President Lincoln was assasinated and the trial of Mary Surratt (Robin Wright Penn)  that follows. Young, ambitious and a rookie at the sport, Frederick Aiken (James McAvoy) takes on the challenge defending the suspected widow. Believing that Surratt might in fact be innocent , Aiken challenges public opinion to get her acquitted. This is one of those movies that seems simple and shallow. Satisfyingly surprising, the story takes the viewers deeper and deeper into riveting details revealed in court. **** (four stars).

Review for Thor

Inspired by the Marvel Comic's character, Thor (Chris Hernsworth), a powerful warrior, is forced to live among earthlings and learn humility by Odin (Anthony Hopkins), the king of Asgard. There, he encounters a soon-to-be friend (Natalie Portman) and unexpected foes from his world. This film is purely for entertainment. Some parts were better than others. Throughout the movie I wanted to shout out "Zoinx, Scooby". With Natalie Portman's performance as an exception, the acting was so-so. The Special Effects weren't great either. It wasn't disappointing, considering I wasn't expecting much. ** (two stars).

Review for Flight Plan

Still reeling from her husband's death, Kyle Pratt(Jodi Foster) is taking a plane from Berlin to New York on which her daughter disappears. When the captain of the plane (Sean Bean) and an air marshal (Peter Sarsgaard) start to doubt there ever was a girl with the panicked passenger, Kyle takes matters into her own hands  and embarks on a search for her daughter. This is an excellent, suspenseful thriller, seeded with great actors. **** (four stars).

Review for Paul

From the Brits who stared in Shaun Of The Dead and Hot Fuzz, this movie follows two Sci-fi fanatics who embark on an adventure to the famous Area 51, and discover the big-headed life-form called Paul (voice of Seth Rogan). Little do they know, their new alien friend is on the run from government authorities. As always, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost inject crude humor into this science fiction flick. At times, the humor was dim-witted, but overall the movie was entertaining.*** (three stars).