Reviews

The Grudge 2 is possibly - no, make that probably - the worst horror sequel I've seen since Blair Witch 2. In fact, in many ways it was probably worse.

Think of all of your played-out horror movie clichés; roll them up in an absolute mess of a plot-line (which is actually three completely separate stories); add a circus of bad actors; and finally, take all of the unrelenting shock and suspense that made The Grudge so great and flush it straight down the toilet, and you have yourself The Grudge 2.

I am a huge fan of the horror genre. I have seen hundreds of horror movies, and I believe The Grudge was a modern masterpiece. However, Hollywood definitely got its hands on the sequel, and, as Hollywood tends to do, made what could've been a successful, entertaining and utterly horrifying sequel into a steaming pile of camel poo. Thanks a lot, Hollywood! The worthless plot of this story goes absolutely nowhere, which leaves the viewer feeling like they've lost two hours of their life which they'll never get back. What may become its only redeeming factor is that it obviously left the door wide open for a third installment. Hopefully, when that installment is released, the bumbling idiots in Hollywood will pull their heads out and follow the Ju On series, rather than trying to Americanize a high-quality Japanese achievement.

If you loved the first for the same reasons I did, my guess is that you'll hate the sequel. Of course, this is all just my opinion.

Honestly, I was completely shocked by this film. I didn't see it in theaters because it honestly didn't look like the type of film I would typically find appealing. But when the DVD was released, I snatched it up in a hurry because my wife loves romantic comedies. And that's exactly what we thought we were going to get. Instead we got a poignant, heartfelt and almost painfully realistic piece of insight into the psychology and calamity of two people struggling to hold onto something they never had ahold of in the first place: love.

First of all, I must say that Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Aniston were absolutely fantastic. I'm a huge fan of Vince's and I've enjoyed Jennifer in most of the films I've seen her in, but I've never appreciated either of them as much as I did in The Break-up. Their acting was directly on-target. The initial fight scene (when the break-up actually occurs) was so phenomenal I actually paused the movie when it was over just to take it all in. I've never seen two people on screen portray a 'lovers quarrel' so accurately and realistically. Hats off to Jen and Vince for an outstanding performance.

The movie definitely has its funny moments. Vince brings his usual fast-talking wit to the screen and that's an instant recipe for comedy in my book. But what I really took from this movie, as someone who is in a committed relationship and understands (as well as the average person can) the complexities of love, was its underlying message. Love is not all moonlight and roses; it's not always romantic, it's not always fun and it's sure as hell not always easy. But hard work, dedication and a solid foundation of love and respect can bring two people through just about anything together. This movie is absolutely brilliant and I'd recommend it to anyone, but especially married couples or people in committed relationships.

If there has ever been a worse novel-to-film adaptation, I haven't seen it. This film, at best, is loosely based on John Grisham's novel and does the book no justice. While Matt Damon (Rudy Baylor), Danny DeVito (Deck Shifflet) and Jon Voight (Leo Drummond) are outstanding in their respective roles, it is more the substance of the film that is lacking. If you've read the book, you'll know what I mean. The film starts halfway through the book with Rudy already working for Bruiser Stone (who is played quite effectively by Mickey Rourke, I might add), and gives no background as to why he's there or the circumstances that led up to his employment with Bruiser. The viewer is then led through the trial process quickly and with virtually no tie-ins to the deep emotional impact of the case on Dot Black and Donny Ray. The viewer is given no insight into the relationships between Rudy and Kelly Riker, Rudy and Dot Black, or even Rudy and Donny Ray. There are several events in the film that are completely contradictory to the events and even the sequence of the book. I could go on for an hour, but you get the picture. In short, if you've read the book and loved it as I did, you'll probably hate the film. If you haven't read the book or read it and hated it, it's possible you may enjoy the film. I myself found it deeply dissatisfying.