Thriller, 117 Minutes, 2011
Survival thrillers are a favorite of mine. Seeing people use the materials at hand and overcome incredible odds never gets old. I assumed I’d see men at their breaking points MacGyvering weapons and overcoming fierce wolves. Unfortunately this isn’t that kind of movie (although it repeatedly probes in that direction). But I really thought it was and I must admit that I had a very hard time switching gears and it definitely colored my perceptions.
Sci-fi, 92 Minutes, 2010
[This is the sixth review for this edition of my semi-regular “my-wife-is-visiting-relatives-so-I’m-watching-loads-of-crappy-movies” film festival. Yes, we’re back to the schlock.]
Horror, 101 Minutes, 2011
[This is the second review for this edition of my semi-regular “my-wife-is-visiting-relatives-so-I’m-watching-loads-of-crappy-movies” film festival.]
Thriller, 88 Minutes, 2011
This is Kevin Smith’s first attempt at a straight-up, no-nonsense drama. As a drama it succeeds in spades; there’s no joy of any kind in this story. The film will leave you feeling unclean and unsettled – which seems to be the intent – but unfortunately doesn’t have much staying power.
Drama, 101 Minutes, 2011
I’m torn about this one. On one hand there’s a rare and interesting portrayal of an atheist (always like to see that). On the other hand there’s a really stereotypical portrayal of an evangelical christian (which, to be honest, is also something I always like to see). But the interaction between them and the ultimate crisis presented just doesn’t ring true. The fact that pretty much everybody is a tool doesn’t really help.
Horror, 93 Minutes, 2010
Meh. I couldn’t get into this one. Basically it wandered around the point for a while then ended poorly.
A couple decide to get dropped off on an uninhabited island for two weeks. But – ohmygosh! – there’s a ghost on the island. How do we know that? Via the worst exposition technique ever, of course: they find an old journal detailing the only interesting events in the film. Events that we get to hear about, but not see.
The main characters are just punching-bags throughout the entire movie. They display almost no survival instinct at all. It’s like watching baby seals get clubbed. Clubbed by a ghost.
Horror, 88 Minutes, 2010
[This is the fourth review for this edition of my semi-regular “my-wife-and-kids-are-visiting-relatives-so-I’m-watching-loads-of-crappy-movies” film festival.]
Sci-f/Thriller, 105 Minutes, 2011
This movie started of on slippery footing with me because very early on it repeats the premise that we only use 10% of our brain. This inane, demonstrably false premise has to be stopped. I’m serious.
