As Above, So Below (2014)

I think the horror genre is tap out at this point in time.

Admittedly, apart from the decent Deliver Us From Evil (2014) and also Babadok (2014) I am not sure there is any good horror in 2014.

I watched the above today and it is just decent.

Points are scored for "showing" the French Catacomb. Why would any living person visited the said place is beyond me (same goes for the English version)!!

Who would have thought that Nicolas Flamel (a 14th Century's scribe and manuscript-seller) (of Harry Potter fame??!) is really.

Supposedly, there is a rumor after his death, during the 17th century that he had discovered The Philosopher's Stone and the said stone has the ability to grant immortality.

In this movie, archaeologist, Scarlett, takes father her father and is chasing after The Philosopher's Stone and at any cost...

Apparently, Nicolas Flamel grave holds the the secret, and the catacombs runs underneath his tomb...

Let the terror begin???

It is a mildly entertaining horror movie.

For a horror movie, there really isn't much that is really scary or shocking... Even with the French Catacomb as the back drop...

My Two Sen

The Day the Earth Caught Fire (1961)

Now, for something really different.

This is the first time I watched this movie (it is English) and it is pretty good.

The transfer is pleasant and the storyline (drama) is actually gripping. Considered director Val Guest crowning achievement.

Was headline by English actor, Edward Judd (who is very good here and for some odd reason did not achieve stardom that everyone who saw this expected him to.)

Janet Munro had a good run at Disney, and on returning to England asked Van Guest to grow her up in the eyes of her audience (so please be advise that there are some nude scenes in this movie and that earned this movie an X rating in England).

This movie "prophesied" global warming and when the script was send to a scientist for science verification during production, the scientist replied to the director/script writer (Van Guest) was "gripping but the science in it is b@lls" (the director's exact words, not mine).

One major difference between 1961 and now is news print. Back then the newspaper is seen as a reliable source of information, and reports have a duty to report what is true, nowadays... lets just say, the sale of advertisement is the forefront.

This movie has an interesting way to end the movie.

My Two Sen

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Jan 5 2015, 08:37 AM

Horns (2013)

Okay.

This movie is probably one of the most "multi-genre" movie I have seen, it is... "stunning"

Tragedy, Murder-Mystery, Love Story, Horror, Drama & Black Comedy!?!

Many people would know about this movie because of Daniel Radcliffe.

I know about his role in Equus, but actually seeing him the the "flesh"... I am not going to see the Harry Potter series the same, ever again...

A big chunk of the movie is the and unfortunately, I solved the mystery 15 mins in, so... the ending was sort of anti climatic for me...

And in the end

All I can add to this is this movie is different.

Modestly budgeted, quite polish-ly executed. I kinda like this. It is off beat.

I think you will either love it or hate it.

My Two Sen.

The Vault of Horror (1973)

Now this really brings me back to the past.

I actually remember watching this on TV back in the day, on RTM!!!!

Excellent example of what you can do with good actors, good story and 0 budget!

The English is really good with this method of delivery!!!

This is an anthology, meaning there are five stories in one movie, namely,

Segment 1 "Midnight Mess"
Segment 2 "The Neat Job"
Segment 3 "This Trick'll Kill You"
Segment 4 "Bargain in Death"
Segment 5 "Drawn and Quartered"

Each story as they were told, gets more and more macabre!

And at the end of it all, a conclusion is done.

The ending has been widely imitated and have to add, when I first watched it on TV many years ago the ending blew my MIND!!!!

After all the big budget flops, you don't know how much I enjoy this, and if you like horror, give this a go, why don't you.

My Two Sen

Trust me.

You will shed tears of sorrow. after you had a chance to watch Jupiter Descending.

You will lament the fact The Wachowskis are reduced to this..... I not even quite sure how to describe THIS!!!

Words fail me...

Bad

Oh don't get me wrong, I like Cloud Atlas too.

I just have to add, too enjoy Jupiter Descending, you better lower you expectation another 10x!!!!!

You've been warned AVFAN.... YOU'VE BEEN WARNED!!!

(Eg read my reviews in My Movie Thread Ver 2, at Movie and Music)

I might shock a couple of people with my latest review....

Tinker Bell and the Legend of the NeverBeast Blu-ray (2015)

Yes yes, laugh all you want.

I was surprised myself when I read the reviews for this and in the reviews I read, it was highly recommended.

Mind you, this is a direct to DVD program

Part of John Lasseter's revamp when he was made the head of Disney animation.

And this one is actually very VERY good.

Musically amazing & the story is engaging, and very well told.

They treated this like major cinema animation.

I highly recommend this.

To coin a phase of you young'un, I get more feels from this compared to the latest The Wachowski's work!

Understand that this is just my personal opinion

My Two Sen

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Mar 30 2015, 12:10 AM

Exodus: Gods and Kings (2014)

My, has Uncle Owen (Joel Edgerton) - Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005), grown!!!



Ridley Scott did no spare any expense making this movie.

The production value for this movie is through the roof.

The wardrobes, props, wigs etc are all as authentic as I imagine, being a fan of anything ancient Egypt (I watch all documentaries and book I can get my hands on, on that subject matter)

After watching this, I am puzzled as to why it was ban in Malaysia!!!

Anybody here know what the reason this movie it was banned?

Casting, is interesting.

From stars who are known around the world (Ben Kingsley, Christian Bale ect) to actors who is only known in their respective country (Joel Edgerton, Australia).

Here lays one of the issue. For this to work, the two main characters Moses (Christian Bale) and Ramses (Joel Edgerton) has to have a love/hate relationship. This is where the movie fail to deliver.

Also updating an iconic movie like The Ten Commandments (1956) (which was also a remake) you cannot help but compare, and anything you do differently will be much scrutinize.

I understand that Ridley wanted to make this movie more inline with more up to date research, just does not hit the spot...

The interaction between all the characters could have been much better.

I have to say to me the biggest issue is Ramses (Joel Edgerton). I am not suggesting that Joel Edgerton is a bad actor. I am afraid his character is written poorly. Not at all like the Ramses in the Egyptian writing....

On a plus side, the sound is AMAZING!!!!

To borrow a term from you young'uns, what hit me in the feels most is the "In Memory Of to Tony Scott" at the end...

Done!!

My Two Sen

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Mar 29 2015, 09:47 PM

Wow, thanks for the heads up.

Yes, I believe Ridley as per mention in my post, choose the, God used nature to do his bidding route, which did not go well with most of the general public.

Yes no flaming bush! Ten Plagues of Egypt is due to natural causes, I think they did imply the death of the first born was because of divine intervention. I also have to add that the little boy who is supposed to be THE divine is actually... creepy. Not saying that The divine is creepy, but the way Ridley depicted him is...

As for the parting of the Red Sea vs Low Tide scene, I have read another intriguing school of thought on that subject matter. I would prefer not to mention here. Do not want to start a riot, by reiterating what I have read. If anyone is interested just pm me.

Thanks for the reply again and take care

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Mar 31 2015, 01:47 PM

Seriously, anyone who had watched this in Malaysia cinema (was it shown?)

How the heck did it go through the censorship board???

Seventh Son (2014)

Why oh why oh why-o....

Why are movies like this made?!!!

If they had USD 95,000,000 to throw down the drain, throw it my way!!!

Why is wrong with this movie??

Let me count the ways

1) Jeff Bridges is a pretty good actor. Why is he "channeling" Sean Connery here (accent). Terrible, just TERRIBLE!! After R.I.P. and now this?? Shame on you Jeff, SHAME ON YOU!!!

2) Julianne Moore (Dragon/Witch Queen)... Really??!? Seriously????

3) Kit Harington.... He did not even GET the chance to show his abs!!! ( Yes, ladies, I am saying this on your behalf)

4) Ben Barnes (Tom Ward) grew up as a farmer (pig feeder) but after been "procured" by Jeff Bridges (Master Gregory) he is able to easily read ancient text and scroll.... Which farmer in ancient time did THAT!!!!!

5) I know I am cheesy... But this movie TAKES the CAKE!! Talk about cheesy dialog...

And many MANY more...

Hollywood, in the future, if you have 95 million to pour down the drain, call me, okay??

My Two Sen.

With Marvel in the limelight now, DC's material are always overlook.

Which is a shame.

Yes, DC has dropped the ball, and have to add, they do have worthy material left to be explored.

Case in point,

Batman Vs Robin (2015)

Oh My Goodness.

Is this a heavy storyline!!

Yes, this is the continuation of The Son Of Batman (2014).

I would never had thought amputating kid appendages and fitting dangerous prosthetic on them would be so graphically shown...

Also the stoic humor between Batman/Bruce Wayne and Robin/Damien is actually amusing...

Say what you want about DC, when it comes to their animated stuff, they do push the envelope (eg they do not think only kids watch animation).

This movie explores the father/son further. Also the mantel of robin (Dick Greyson and Damien) has so many levels yet to be explored....

I love this I love this I love this!!!

My Two Sen

A USD 95 Million dollar, lazy, rainy Sunday Afternoon movie... Okay...

Legendary Production Company sure is rich...

HAHAHAHAHAHA!

Please don't get me into trouble....

Please do

The Boy Next Door (2015)

It actually started out decent. Premise was good, and the first act worked.

In the spirit of Fatal Attraction (1987)/The Hands That Rock The Cradle (1992) (eg. thriller)

And then something strange happened...

Noah Sandborn (Ryan Guzman) had to portray a "villain"...

I don't think his acting skills is there yet....

The script after the first act, was not very sure how to deliver!?!...

And that is not the good sign.

So much so that when the end credits roll, you go, meh....

Also interesting that Kristin Chenoweth took such a small role.

My Two Sen

Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (2014)

Let's cut through the chase, this is not a fantastic movie.

There really isn't much here that the last two installments have not done.

To top it off the reason for the movie is so weak and pointless....

Shame on you Ben Stiller, for doing this...

Also shame on Ben Kingsley for being part of this...

It was also difficult to see Robin Williams and Mickey Rooney and know this movie is their last.

R.I.P. guys.

My Two Sen

Mortdecai (2015)

Can you try to write a clever/charming/delightful script and end up with the opposite?

The answer is yes, yes you can.

Here is a fine example, Mortdecai (2015)! It is so clever, that is is stupid, unfunny and another waste of production fund...

It is uninspired work by Johnny Depp trying his best to out Mr Bean, Mr Bean... Tedious, really...

Paul Bettany, for some odd reason tried to channel Jason Statham.

Ewan McGregor & Gwyneth Paltrow roles are superfluous...

The result, this USD 60 million movie, only made USD 7,605,668 in the States...

Sometimes, numbers do not lie.

My Two Sen.

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: May 3 2015, 11:05 PM

Taken 3 (2014)

When the 1st Taken (2008) came out, it was fresh.

An all american girl on an Europe tour gets caught up with a bad crowd and her BAD ass father comes to her rescue.

The bad guys, English human trafficker and Middle East super rich!!

The general public was taken aback by it, and it was very well received.

I still use the gun sound scene as reference material for sound systems.

Fast forward 6 years and now we have Taken 3... Do the general public still amour?

In short now...

The premised is now jaded

In the first movie, Stuart St John (Xander Berkeley) was a decent guy.

Bryan Mills (Liam Neeson) used ALL his resource to investigate him.

But in Taken 3, to make the character less generic and more "sexy", the recast Dougray Scott (Mission Impossible 2) as Stuart St. John.



The payback is also circumspect.... In the first, is was an All American Sweetheart, and now, it is a "Oh Uh, I am a teenage mom"

This movie in my opinion should have remained at 1.

I know recycling is good for the environment, but seriously Hollywood, Staph!!!!

My Two Sen.