Reviews

I actually enjoyed it. It was pretty tense when it wanted to be and the atmosphere was pretty suspenseful. Very little jump scares unlike most horror films these days and more among the lines of the terror that could happen. Had a bit of a late 70s/early 80s tone to it as I was somehow reminded of Halloween. I can't help but also wonder if Twilight Zone was an inspiration. There was just something about it felt like it could be among those many scenarios. Scary, subtle, fun, though leaves you questioning some of the film's standards of how this particular monster works specifically beyond the explained rules. How does it kill? Thrusting your leg aggressively? At some points it makes no sense, or at least to most horror movie standards but this only makes it interesting to question more (should there be a sequel) should you be one like me that overthinks such topics. And seriously? Kids, what is the deal with your logic? I know you're teens, but geez. Some of the choices, guys... not sure which is dimmer: your choices or the gloomy camera lenses. ....Clearly I was somewhat invested in these characters haha. The music was interesting to listen to-- old electronic synths mixed with a bit of spooky ambiance. Occasionally there are sounds reminiscent of a Super Mario game and bled a sense of John Carpenter somewhere in our midst. Overall the the film is clearly flawed in it's way, but still manages to keep an interesting, surreal take on the genre.

My rating? A C+ Worst. STD. Ever.

Now for my major question: Where do I get myself one of those seashell eReaders?

Forget everything you know about newlyweds Brad and Janet Majors and the events involving a drag queen from space for the time being. There will be no aliens or references to classic science fiction, b movie, and horror films. No Barry and no Susan. What we have now is a different couple to play the pair in the new decade. This time the role of Brad Majors goes to Cliff De Young, an actor from films like The Hunger and even a Stephen King miniseries. Janet Weiss, Or should I say Janet Majors now, is to be played by Jessica Harper, known primarily for her main role in Dario Argento?M)s Suspiria. But there are a few familiar faces out there to put a smile on our faces. Though familiar, they hold different identities then what we knew them as before. Our tub of warm waters of sins of the flesh will now be drained clean and refilled by misunderstood reality and game show satire. The music is usually hit-and-miss in the tune department but tends to make up for it in lyrics. This movie is quite different from its predecessor, which caused the movie to be... well... not as much beloved by the Rocky Horror fans. For its time, no one could quite understand the satire, seeing as back then there were few game shows and reality Television. The movie is definitely a cult classic, but never quite managed to stack up to Rocky Horror. You could say being the sequel to Rocky Horror is both a blessing and a curse. Without Rocky, this movie would probably not catch as many fans's interest, yet with it, people, even today consider this quite a terrible sequel for the franchise. Although terrible in it's way, it is quite entertaining and difficult not to love at times. You have to watch it numerous times to truly understand what goes on behind the scenes of DTV. Like sushi in the 80s, they both plead for a second chance and eventually gain it by some. The idea of the film's satire may be a brilliant one but sadly it leaves most viewers "Bitchin' in the kitchen" in the end.

Overall Best Songs: "Duel Duet", "Lullaby", "Shock Treatment", Great lyrics: "Look What I Did To My Id", "Looking For Trade"

Three best friends in high school decide to take an offer from a sex site. A woman invites them over to have some good times. But when they get there things turn ugly. The woman is kidnaps them, revealing that they were lured in by a right-wing religious extremist church that believe they were sent to eradicate homosexuality from the world. Seeing as though three men will share one woman they see this as a form of homosexual act and have complete intention on brutally killing them. Everything goes south from there when the police and FBI discover that the church houses enough firearms to support a small army.

Is it political satire movie or biggotry caught on film? Whatever it is, it seems to be a mixed bag of genres, throwing several things into our faces so fast we're not sure how to react. We have horror, suspense, action, drama, war, and so on. Make up your mind, movie! Which do you want to be? Nonetheless it is quite an interesting watch, not because of the plot, but who the director is: Kevin "Silent Bob" Smith! Most of his works are usually Your-early-20s-suck-dramas (and the one satire on Catholocism) with his signature characters and actors, and now here he comes with something that breaks his own mold. But despite the major flaw (constant loss of track on the plot) it manages to be quite frightening at times. The acting is where this movie really shines. The antagonists are exceptionally frightening and Michael Parks as the priest of an extremist church really takes each scene. Like they say in the movie- "People just do the strangest things when they believe they're entitled. But they do even stranger things when they just plain believe". It's also nice to see John Goodman back in the movies once again with a significant amount of weight lost. He does a good job at playing an action hero-figure. ....Just don't make him yell... This film breaks the mold of the directors usual work and provides us with strong actors but sadly, easily loses track of what it's trying to tell us on several occasions.

Amanda Woods is an LA woman in the movie business with a big mansion and everything going for her until she recently discovered that her boyfriend had been cheating on her behind her back. Across the pond we meet an English journalist Iris Simpkins- a woman who feels she just can't get away from a particular man that enjoys having affairs with her on and off. Recently he becomes engaged to another woman, crushing Iris's heart when he still constantly messes with her after the announcement. Out of heartbreak the two woman meet through a vacation home exchange website and agree to switch places for a few weeks, having a bit of culture shock as Amanda had never experienced the simple life and Iris the riches. Expecting to be on vacation in solitude Amanda meets a Iris's brother and an affair begins, sprouting something bigger than they expected. Iris soon meets a movie composer and a veteran from the golden age of cinema. She befriends the old man and invites the composer with her during each visit as their relationship grows into a deep friendship. As both women's heartbreak starts to mend, the dread of going back starts to sink in as new love heals the injuries of heartbreak's past, changing their lives forever...

For a chick flick I must say, despite several clichés in the genre, it is certainly a set of heartwarming stories for the Christmas season. If you ever had the chance to view the trailer and the film both, you'll see that both are completely different. The Holiday will throw your emotions off guard in several scenes. Cameron Diaz's portrayal of Amanda is a double-edge sword of her usual mediocre, whiny, hollow characters throughout her career. Yes, she is quite annoying and typical in this film but actually works for her character when it comes to her development. Despite my disliking for her character I found her scene where she makes a surprise visit to Jude Law's character's home, discovering that he's more than just some random guy to have sex with- but a single father of two daughters with many other insecurities. It's a great scene of vulnerability for the characters on this part of the story and my personal favorite of the film. Kate Winslet's role as Iris is far more interesting though. As damaged goods from an on-and-off affair with a man, it's a far more vulnerable though clichéd performance and yet much more relatable to the target audience. A sweet young girl in a strange town, managing to come across an old man clearly in need. She is unable to resist and helps him out, discovering at his home that he spent the majority of his life as a writing in the golden age of the movie business. She also befriends a music composer of movie soundtracks that joins her in visits with the old man. This part of the story is honestly more interesting and heartfelt. It's not quite romance just yet. It's more of a portrayal of a budding relationship. Jack Black plays the love-interest for Iris. Not the greatest looking guy in the movie but he certainly has a lot of charm (and somehow able to hold some form of class for Jack Black standards, though there is a signature "Scrubaly-doodaly-doo" scene present, though surprisingly fitting). Overall the film makes a pleasant surprise of a chick flick that clearly has it's flaws here and there but the film itself knows it as well. It's a simple, entertaining, heartwarming movie that's best watched with a loved one (significant other, mother, grandmother). Come for the unexpected warmth, stay for the tear-jerking moments, leave for the harsh whine of Diaz. Something that could've been a really great modern classic but not quite there yet.

Two journalists careers are at stake (no pun intended?) when they are assigned to travel to Transylvania to prove that the Frankenstein monster truly exists. Made a laughing stock of within five minutes of being there, they eventually find a mad scientists and his creations: A "Frankenstein monster", "Wolfman", and sexy female "vampire". The poor man's Young Frankenstein gives a few laughs here and there but tended to give light chuckles rather than actual laughing out loud. Don't get me wrong, the film does have some fun parts but overall it does not come off as a memorable classic, however the Mel Brooks subtlety shines some light on it. if you're a Jeff Goldblum fan, this is your movie. Otherwise it's a very slow 40s horror spoof. Not terrible but nothing too legendary.