Reviews

15 years after this movie came out, I watched this movie. Not out of fear, if anything scared me, I was afraid that this would be Dawson's Creek with serial killers and on a personal note that is scarier that ANY horror movie icon could ever be, but I digress, let's get to it.

Basic Story Guide (contains a few spoilers) After attending a beauty pageant, Julie James, Helen Shivers, Ray Bronson, and Barry Cox, are driving home after celebrating their last year together. As Barry's drink falls on Ray (who is driving), they all hear a THUD! the sound of a high velocity impact. Upon inspecting the car, and suspecting that it may have been an animal, Julie makes a horrifying discovery: a boot. A few feet away, they find the mutilated remains of a man. After debating on going to the police, the four decide that the best course of action is to dump the man in the river, and NEVER speaking of this again.

One year later, Julie receives a message that only contains seven words: "I know what you did last summer."

Before I give you the verdict I will say this, I am fan of 90's slashers and 90's horror movies. The Craft, The Faculity, Sleepy Hollow, Urban Legend, Scream even Scary Movie (a parody of 90's slasher movies so I love it), etc. So my opinion of this maybe a little bias but I will give you my honest opinion from how I feel about it.

Verdict:

Other than a few plot holes and numerous clichés, over all it's a solid 90's horror movie. Well acted, and good energy between four main characters. Descent tension but a little weak on scares. And it contains one the best chase scenes. Sarah Michelle Geller sells it well.

Overall 7/10

Basic Story Guide:

(contains a few minor spoilers)

Natalie Simons is attending college at Pendleton University, when the news hits collage that Michelle Mancini, a fellow student at Pendleton, was murdered the previous night. Although the police are focusing on the gas station attendant who last saw Michelle, the killer then strikes again. This time Natalie witnesses the attack but is able to escape, but another college student is not so fortunate. As she is recovering, Natalie makes a realization: Michelle was murdered by a guy in the backseat with an ax, and her class mate was murdered by being hung above a car while Natalie was inside it. All of the murders thus far are being taken from urban legends, and made into horrific reality. And this is only beginning…

Verdict:

Between I Know What You Did Last Summer, Scream, and its surprisingly successful sequel, its sister silver screen slasher Urban Legend kind of fell into obscurity, and bordered on the rarely being seen. In spite of this I have only one real problem with it, the woman who played Michelle Mancini acted like she was in a soap opera, even by horror movie standard her acting was horrendous. If you can make it past that, you'll probably enjoy the rest of the movie.

The killings in this are unique, and original. In the words of Timothy Olyphant from Scream 2, "It's all about execution," and because of the originality of the murders, I bumped up the number of stars on it. I'm big on originality, when it comes to my horror movies. When you consider it's competition, it's lucky to have even been seen at all. And while it may not stand out as the greatest slasher or horror movie of the 1990's it can still stand on its own two feet.

7/10

Basic Story Guide: After Kristen McKay turns down a marriage proposal from her boyfriend James Hoyt, they return to his summer vacation home where after a few minutes of recovering, a knock on the door. A figure obscured by the shadows, asks if Tamera is home. Upon telling her that she has the house, she leaves. James decides to drive into town for a pack of cigarettes, and leaves Kristen alone (to quote Zoey from Left 4 Dead, a cabin in the middle of nowhere, I've seen this movie before). After James leaves, a knock comes again from the front door. The same girl who came by earlier is back and asks again "Is Tamera home?" Once again is told she has the wrong house, she leaves again. But then Kristen hears another loud BANG on the door, like someone slamming something heavy against a the door. Thus begins a night of terror that will push Kristen and her lover far beyond what they thought they were capable of.

Afterword: Forgive the poorly written basic story guide, but it was the only way to avoid major spoilers. Sorry.

Verdict: I saw the trailer, and I instantly wanted to see it. I truly was enticed, and thought it would be a really good slasher flick. Which is why I now believe in what Otis Driftwood said in The Devil's Rejects: "Keep your expectation low, that way you are never disappointed." And this movie disappointed me more than the third Scream installment , which was a BIG let down.

For a horror movie, it is not scary. It maybe has one part in it that will make you jump and get your adrenaline pumping. And that is a huge let down. For a slasher film, it's not very bloody. One scene of blood in a slasher flick is not enough for blood-thirsty horror move fans, such as myself. There was more blood in 1960's Psycho in the shower scene than in this entire movie (oh um...spoiler alert?). Also, this movie is depressing. From the get go, it's just depressing knowing that James' marriage proposal is rejected, and the overall opening few scenes are boring. It just never really picks up.

But for some reason that I cannot explain, it is strangely watchable, but only when I really want to watch something that is different or have seen all of my other movies and slasher flicks and need a break from the same movies.

5/ 10

Basic Story Guide: Spoiler Alert (once again I am forced to spoil a few things about the movie, I humbly apologize but it is unavoidable)

The movie begins in Hollywood were Cotton Weary is set to do a cameo in the upcoming movie Stab 3: Return to Woodsboro. But on his way home, he receives a phone call from none other than Ghostface, demanding the where abouts of Sidney Prescott. After not disclosing her location, Ghostface kills both Cotten and his girlfriend.

Meanwhile, Sidney Prescott, living in total isolation, works as a crisis counselor, and is absolutely terrified that the murders will resume. Her fears are well founded as she learns about the murder of Cotton Weary. Meanwhile, Gale Weathers is approached Detective Mark Kincaid to show her a new development, and a change in Ghostface's pattern: he left a photo at the murder scene of Cotton Weary of a young woman in her 20's. Gale recognizes the woman as none other than Maureen Prescott, Sidney's mother. Now, Sidney must confront not only the psychopath behind the mask, but a ghost of her own past, the woman she called mother.

Verdict:

The final chapter of the horror movie trilogy that breathed life back into the slasher genre during the 90's was labored during this movie. Not saying its bad, but it's like eating too much ice cream, tastes good the first time you eat it (Scream), it's even good when it goes down (Scream 2) but then it hurts so much (Scream 3). It's above average at best, but it does rely on tired clichés. And there is one part that just made me want to scream (no pun intended). It was just way out there and although it is nothing major, it's just one of those things that doesn't belong in Scream.

(spoiler) Basically put, a house EXPLODES! Why in the name of Hades would a house explode in a horror movie? When you take into account that this a horror movie that prides itself on meta humor, bloody violence and the like.

It's just a mild irritation but still the movie itself is pretty good overall. The killer's identity is a bit of a stretch, but not impossible. This movie mostly deals with Sidney putting the past with her mother to rest and coming to terms with her. If you are a die hard Scream fan (such as myself) you will like this movie, but it won't win over any non-converts.

An above finish to this film trilogy...or, like Creed's song at the end asks, "Is this the end for us my friends?"

7/10

That is exactly what it is. A sequel that doesn't suck. This continuation is actually as good as the origin of the quadrilogy (god I really hate that word, why not just call it a trilogy plus one). Anywho, you know what is next (sorry for sounding so self-important).

Basic Story Guide:

Two years after the Woodsboro murders, everyone from the original movie (who survived) have gotten on with their lives. While two collage seniors are attending a movie preview of "Stab," the movie adaptation of the "Woodsboro Murders," not just the event itself but a book written by Gale Weathers, both are killed by someone wearing the infamous "Ghostface" mask. Sidney Prescott is attending Windsor Collage along side Randy Meeks when she receives the news of the two murders and is adamant that this is just the beginning, while Randy is skeptical. After the third victim is found murdered, Gale sees a pattern: some of the names match up to victims of the first killing spree, and there is only conclusion, a copycat on campus and wanting to make a real sequel. Sidney is once again pitted against Ghostface, but by the end, not everyone who made it out of Woodsboro may not make it out of Windsor Collage alive.

Verdict:

While this movie is not as good as the Scream, it is (as the title implies) a sequel that does not suck. A rarity in the horror genre. Those who were attracted to Screams style of bloody violence, the meta humor, and the mystery of who-done-it, will love Scream 2 as much as the first.

Some of the basic story guide spoils some of the movie, but I needed an good intro, and this was as good as I could make it.

Basic Story Guide:

Spoiler Alert (some of the introducing paragraph spoils certain aspect of the beginning scene, if you wish to remain in the dark, read from "Enter Sidney Prescott,")

Woodsboro, a town settled far away from the more violent and notorious states of California, such as L.A., or Oakland. But one night, while a teenager is settling down to watch a horror movie, she receives a phone call from an unknown person. At first, its all innocent flirting from both person on the phone and your girl. Until, he begins stalking her, with repeated phone calls. (spoiler, if you wish to remain in the dark, do not read) After an extended amount of time, young Casey, and her boyfriend are both murdered.

Enter Sidney Prescott, an average teenager of who is still recovering from the tragic murder of her mother a year prior. The murderer, Cotton Weary has been placed in prison, is awaiting the death sentence. As she begins to put her life back together from this traumatic event, she then receives phone call from an unknown person. Sidney finally realizes she is in the cross hairs of a killer who is relentless, and that she may have placed the wrong person in prison for her mothers murder.

Verdict: This movie is my all time favorite. The acting in it is convincing, the plot is throughly engaging, and the characters are absolutely enjoyable. Although I will say this (spoiler alert for a certain event in the movie): by the time the party scene starts up, it's almost like it has out of steam, and then it picks back up, so be prepped for that. But this movie is my all time favorite horror movie for three reasons:

1.) The main character had a back story to her, and the movie had a plot. It wasn't some nihilistic movie like Hostel or something along those lines where someone is standing on a street corner and is abducted by a deranged psychopath, and plunged into violent circumstances.

2.) The movie has a balance of both comedy and horror. One moment you are laughing, the next you are jumping in your seat. And the characters themselves are lovable, even the killer. They literally grow on you.

3.) This movie breathed life back into the slasher genre, most of the movies were sub-par, but none-the-less, effective and creative. Urban Legends, I Know What You Did Last Summer and Cherry Falls being a few that stick out in my mind.

Overall, an awesome movie, and I am grateful for seeing this movie. Thank you Wes Craven for making this historical movie.

10 out of 10

this movie is nothing more than a psychological thriller, like Number 23 Secret Window. Though not scary, it is fully engaging.

Basic Story Guide

Owen Matthews is the new guy at Westlake Preparatory Academy, and on his first day is invited to a game in the school chapel with other members of the school, a game called "Cry Wolf." The game is simple, figure out who the wolf is and eliminate them by discovering the his identity. But soon Dodger, the "school queen" becomes bored with playing the same game night after night with same people, and decides to play the game, with the entire school. The next day, she and Owen make a killer, capitalizing on a murder of a town girl a few days prior. They then send an email all over the campus and the students eat it up and start telling everyone about it. But as the rumors begin surge, But as Owen begins receiving IM's from someone calling themselves "the Wolf," Owen and his companions begins thinking that the lie they made is fast becoming a reality.

Notes (this is where I tell you things about the movie I enjoyed, and hated about the movie):

I absolutely loved the pace of the movie, not too fast paced so that you missed something, but not so slow you are bored out of your skull.

But there are parts that some of the actors were just overly dramatic in their lines, which annoyed me. I'm not saying that all lines were overly dramatic, just some of lines were could have been left out, and wouldn't have affected the overall outcome of the movie.

Verdict

As the title of my review states, this movie is not a horror movie. It is not scary, not blood soaked fun, it's a psychological thriller like Secret Window, or The Number 23. And believe me the ending is something you will never see coming. This movie gets inside your mind and it just won't get out. So for those looking for a horror movie, look else where. If you looking for a thriller, you have found it.

6/10

With more and more video games being made into live action movies, I was actually afraid to see this movie, because every movie based on a video game has been butchered by their movie counter parts. Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, Resident Evil, and Hit-man, all good/ descent video games made into the worst possible movies imaginable. But enough about video games, let's get onto the movie review:

Basic Story Guide: The story focuses on Rose, Christopher, and their adopted daughter Sharon De Silva. The De Silva's are concerned about their child, because at night, Sharon sleep walks, and upon awakening, she utters the name of a town in West Virginia called Slent Hill. Rose, in an attempt to get some answers, takes Sharon to the place she keeps calling "home." On the way, a child steps in front of the car, causing Rose to lose control, and crash into a ditch. When Rose awakens, she discovers her daughter is missing. Now, along with the feisty police offer, Cybil Bennet, Rose must not only find her beloved daughter, but piece together what happened in Silent Hill, a past that is as black as the darkest embers from the coal fires still burning underneath this town.

Verdict: As the title of this review stated, I was never a fan of the video games, but I was a fan of the Resident Evil games (there is a method to my madness here so be patient). I absolutely HATED the Resident Evil movies, whereas I love this movie.

Visually impressive, great plot, the acting is a little overly dramatic, and the dialog itself is a little inane. Some parts in the dialog literally makes you embarrassed they even said it. But overall, enjoyable. Don't run to see this movie, but at least watch it.

Overall: 9/10

It is rare that I enjoy a drama movie, but this is one exception. This movie carries with it a powerful and gripping performances by Edward Norton, Edward Furlong, and all the others in this movie.

Basic Movie Guide: Derek Vinyard's (played by Edward Norton) father is killed while fighting a fire by suspected Compton drug dealers. Over the next few years, he transforms from a innocent teenager, to a anger fueled Neo-Nazi, who begins a gang in California called the D.O.C. (Disciples of Christ) and recruits young impressionable teenagers to commit acts of intimidation on immigrants and. One night, he murders two Crips and is sent to prison for three years. While in prison, he must confront a harsh truth: his little brother Danny (played by Edward Furlong) is heading down the same path that his older went down. Faced with this revelation, Derek must make a choice: continue down his path of destruction, or forsake the lifestyle that he, himself, built.

My Notes:

Spoiler Alert (may give away certain aspects of the movie but nothing too much I promise, but still if you wish to be surprised avoid reading until you see the section entitled "Verdict")

The rape in this movie is (while not as graphic as one of my other movie reviews I Spit on Your Grave) is still disturbing. However, it is not completely unwatchable. And while my previous review of I Spit on Your Grave may cast me in a hypocritical light, this rape is not graphic, it is enough to tell you what happened, and then it is over. It doesn't hang on it over ten or twenty minutes and then try to make a movie out of it. It starts, it ends in less than thirty seconds, and the movie continues.

The murder of one of the gang members in this movie is also disturbing, and graphic. The way he is killed is brutal, but it's over in less than second, if you blink, you will miss it.

And the ending is something that you will never see coming. It will makes some people literally jump in their seats, I promise you of that.

Spoiler Ended (Continue Reading)

Verdict:

Some may view this as a racism melodrama. Some may hate this movie because it may come across as preachy, or may even see it as trying too hard to be something more than just entertainment. But for my part, I enjoy this movie, and highly praise this movie for it's message, its powerful acting and how it depicts racism for what it truly is: a fire that sucks in everything around to feed it and burns everything it touches, and sometimes that flame burns you the most.

Rating 10/10

Edited From Previous Review

Ugh, this movie absolutely sucked in everyway. It sucked more than....lets just get to the review. There will be time to take out my frustrations during the verdict.

Basic Story Guide:

While staying in a cabin in the middle of the woods, an aspiring writer is beaten and raped by six men. But before they can kill her off, the woman drops of the side of a bridge. After a year, the young woman, having been driven insane by Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, returns, and begins killing off the men who brutalised her.

Verdict:

Seriously? This is honestly the best that entertainment can offer? You literally have to rape a woman for an extended period of time just to strike a nerve? seriously? You know, I don't have a weak stomach. I enjoy a good amount of blood and gore in horror movies. Decapitation, mutilations, etc. But the rape scene in this was WAAAAAY! out of line.

After about the third guy, i literally threw this movie across the room.

This movie is nothing more than female empowerment to the extreme. it is nothing more than a woman saying "Rape me, and I'll do worse to you." Good for you.

And to the people of whom are saying "This is not as good as the original," all I can say is,

...seriously?

This movie, in my humble opinion, is the best Star Trek made.

Basic story guide: On the maiden voyage of the Enterprise-B, guests Scotty, Checkov, and James Kirk all arrive as special guests. While investigating an energy ribbon, James Kirk is "killed." Seven decades later, Picard must stop Saron, a man so hell-bent on getting back into the said "ribbon" which is actually a temporal window into any point in history that the person wants to go. But to get back, Saron must destroy planetary stars in different sectors to alter the gravimetric forces in a sector to move the ribbon where he wants to go. A side effect (and i use the term lightly) of the destruction of these stars is a shock wave which destroys everything in a star system (ships, stations, planets, etc). Picard must stop him or 230 million people will die as a result, not including his own crew.

(SPOILER ALERT!) if this movie guide interests you at all, read no further.

The destruction of the Enterprise is really dramatic, gripping, and one hell of a ride.

I can honestly say that most of the bad reviews for this movie are a direct result of people who are angry that Enterprise is destroyed, or for the fact that the James Kirk finally dies. They don't understand that this is a send off, and that this movie is where EVERYTHING changes.

I suspect that some find this movie boring.

Some may complain about the "holes" in the story line.

But the movie itself is a lot better than Insurecction.

Over all...9/10. it does have its flaws but overall it's worth a watch.