Sci-fi/Action, 117 Minutes, 2014
You can’t review this movie without comparing it to the classic 1987 original [IMDB]. Directed by Paul Verhoeven [IMDB], the original was a brutally violent action flick that hid a disturbingly snarky satirical commentary on modern society (a formula he would leverage again 10 years later in “Starship Troopers” [IMDB]). This reboot? Well, it’s very pretty.
Romance/Horror, 90 Minutes, 2009:
You know what the torture porn genre needs? More romantic comedy! At least that’s what somebody had to say to get this movie made. Actually they had walk into a meeting – probably several – and convince a whole room full of people that the winning combination has got to be horror-romantic-torture-thriller-comedy. Or maybe it was thriller-romantic-torture-comedy-horror. Or maybe…
Drama/Mystery, 100 Minutes, 2010
Written, directed and produced by Gary Wheeler [IMDB], a man who’s catalog is filled with made-for-TV, faith-affirming, saccharine dramas this movie is, perhaps not surprisingly, a made-for-TV, faith-affirming, saccharine drama. The Christian message isn’t quite overbearing, but it’s also far from subtle.
Zombie alert!
See the review of “Detention of the Dead” on our sister site, MoreBrains.com dedicated to all things zombie!
Horror, 114 Minutes, 2011
Anthologies are difficult. Almost by definition they’re a hit or miss affair with a vengeful bell-curve describing the quality of each segment. If you’re lucky, you’ll get one really effective piece. If you’re unlucky you’ll spiral into disappointment as you build up hope during each transition that this one will be the really effective piece. Low-budget anthologies tend to suffer a host of other issues as well.
Horror/Thriller, 89 Minutes, 2011
Low-budget horror is a mostly-miss affair. Characters as thin as the fake blood they’re splashed in and plots as trite as a “Love is…” poster. The train-wrecks are fun in their own way, but the real joy is in finding the (very) few that hit their mark. This is one of those.
Sci-fi/Action, 123 Minutes, 2014
I had every intention of spending this entire review snarkily discussing the weird similarities this movie has with 1998’s universally riviled “Godzilla” [IMDB]. I had that intention all the way up until the moment that Cracked did it better, first. Bastards. Instead, I’ll take a different tack and discuss why so many of the things in this movie worked compared to the previous attempt. (There may be minor spoilers ahead.)
Drama/Romance, 97 Minutes, 2012
You know what makes a good love story? When you can’t decide if the people involved are assholes or not, that’s what. If they’re clearly assholes then it’s easy: they don’t deserve love and it’s a bad love story. If they’re clearly not assholes then it’s also easy: they’ll get love but it won’t matter because it’s not real and it’s a bad love story. On the other hand, if you’re honestly not sure there’s a good chance that those characters may be worth caring about. Real people are assholes sometimes and a good love story needs real people.
Zombie alert!
See the review of “Rise of the Zombies” on our sister site, MoreBrains.com dedicated to all things zombie!
“We Need to Talk about Kevin” on IMDB
Thriller, 112 Minutes, 2011
Kids suck, amirite or amirite? I mean you’re perfectly happy living your life, spending your disposable income and sleeping through the night. You want to go out; you go out! You want to beat “Final Fantasy VII” in a sitting; you do it! Then, out of nowhere, BAM! Then, nine-months later it all goes to hell. The crying, diaper changing and total lack of privacy. And don’t get me started on the enduring antisocial behavior, diminished empathy and remorse, and disinhibited or bold behavior!
![IMDB, Godzilla [2014]](http://depressedpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/imdb-godzilla-2014.jpg)
