Restoration (1995)

Restoration (1995)

Directed by: Michael Hoffman

Starring:

Robert Downey Jr.
Sam Neill
David Thewlis
Meg Ryan
Ian McKellen
Hugh Grant

Synopisis:

Robert Merivel (Robert Downey Jr.) is an up and coming student of medicine. He is also a womanizer who spends more money than he has on woman and wine. His friend John Pearce (David Thewlis) tries to warn him and guide him back to his studies but as usuaul is met with resistance from Robert. One day while the two friends were working in the local hospital a patient comes with a remarkable wound. Robert dared to touch the wound while John looked timidely on. This action set Robert's life on a new course, King Charles II (Sam Neill) took note of Robert's wonderment and requested him to come to the palace and look at after a patient in disperate need of medical attention.

Robert is lead a stray from his calling literally by order of the King. Robert's life is changed again when the King orders him to marry the King's mistress. In exchange for marrying in name only Robert is given a Knighthood and an estate. Just as quickly as he was thrown into the King's fantasy world, Robert is tossed out.

After being cast out from the Kings good graces, he seeks out his friend John and joins in him in the treatment of insane. Robert takes an unusual perspective on treating the asylum patients and it appears to work. He also starts to notice one female patient, Katherine (Meg Ryan. He gets involved with her romantically and at the same time his friend John contracts the black plague and dies. Robert and Katherine leave the asylum.

Robert and Katherine find themselves back in England with the black plague in full swing. All the physicians have left and the well are being hold up with the plague ridden. Robert finds his way back to his calling and starts to treat the ill but under his friends name, John Pearce. His talents get him noticed again by the King and he is needed once again at the palace.


Review:

This is a good period movie. The storyline shows how back in the 1600's a Kingly request can shape someone's life. It also shows one man's journey to find himself and his reason for being alive. The movie is a bit long but that does not take away from story being told. The main character, Robert, though educated is a fool by his own design. His youth was spent chasing his desires which gave him instant gradification but left his life empty of accomplishment. As the story progressed the viewer can see how the character allowing himself to be shaped by the people around him during different stages of his life. In a way showing how someone can easily become a follower with simple temptation. In the end Robert became the master of his own fate and found more precious things to hold dear than creature comforts, thus freeing him from any Kingly request or allowing himself to be manipulated into beiing a stooge.

1969 (Distributed in 1988)

1969

Directed by: Ernest Thompson

Starring
Robert Downey Jr.
Keifer Sutherland
Winona Ryder
Joanna Cassidy


Synopsis:

Ralph Carr (Robert Downey Jr.) and Scott (Keifer Sutherland) are best friends who grew up togeather and both went to college to avoid the Vietnam draft. Scott's brother is a Marine and has been sent out to fight. During this time Ralph flunks out of school and is in danger of being drafted while Scott's brother is first considered Missing in Action but then is confirmed dead. Scott an undecided youth disagrees with the war but doesn't know how to break away from his parents ideas and struggles to find himself. He goes from hiding in college, to trying to help his friend not get drafted and also makes an attempt to save himself by trying to cross the Canadian border. In the end Scott comes into his own and stands up for what he believes in.


Review:

The characters were all generic, as well as the plot. Even the strife of someone dying in the war was overshadowed by the inability to convey that anything major was really happening in the movie. The director tried to take the viewer on a journey about how the war affected a small town which seemed to remain untouched by any tragedy. The movie comes across as a bit sugar coated with no real show of emotion one way or the other. There are no signficant parts which come to mind to fully describe this movie as other than bland.

Santa and The Fairy Snow Queen (1951)

Santa and the Fairy Snow Queen

Made by Sid Davis' film company
Starring: I don't think any of the actors in this want to be associated with it.

Synopsis: Santa's elf/helper Snoopy over hears Santa inviting the Fairy Snow Queen over for a sugar cookie snack; or maybe a bootie call, it was the 50's they had to keep it clean. Snoopy the "I'm snorting coke off screen" Elf, guides the watcher or victim; whatever you feel like after watching this; to Santa's work shop to see what happens. When the Fairy Queen shows up he is asleep so she decides to be a hag and play a trick on him. She turns all the toys in his workshop into living beings. When the torture, err, fun is over the Fairy Snow hag tries to turn them back but they don't want to go. According to the Fairy Snow Douche Bag her magic only works on willing participants; if only the Bush administration's "magic" were limited in this way. Santa then scolds The Fairy Queen and lays a guilt trip as thick as a shag rug on the toys for being selfish. In the end the toys go back to being toys, the Fairy Snow Wrench learns a valuable lesson, and Snoopy snorts her Christmas bonus.

Review:

I read a few things about this film short prior doing this review; it was a holiday special that aired in the 50's. It's special alright!

Dear Lord! The film short was only 27 minutes long but I still prayed for it to end quickly. This is proof Ed Wood is not the worst director of all time. How in the world did this escape the movie lot? Better yet what movie executive gave the green light to this debacle?

Let me start with the narrator/host Snoopy, who is supposed to be an Elf in Santa's workshop. Yes, elves are supposed to be cute, friendly, energetic, and happy. Not overbearing, hard to watch, and generally annoying. I'm talking about Snoopy jumping all over everything, running around, and practically humping the floor. She reminded me of what my cat does when she's in heat, jumping around, rubbing up against everything and sticking her butt up at you if you pet her. I gotta say there must have been some good drugs on that set to keep the actors there.

The Fairy Snow Queen wasn't much better really. She made a sad, sad attempt to ballet dance elegantly, but failing miserably, around the small set that is suppose to be Santa's workshop. The typical Christmas toys were there a baby doll, a rag doll, a toy solider, a Victorian doll and a jack in the box. Amazingly enough the jack in the box was more annoying than Snoopy, I know hard to believe someone felt the need to out act poor Snoopy. Oh, and I forgot to mention Santa is a giant man, the only thing you see in the workshop shots is his big boot. The actor playing Santa was not filmed with any of the other actors. My guess is he was too creepy and none of the other actors wanted to go near him, or he didn't regularly bath; take your pick.

Along with some long lasting night terrors, there was a memorable line which I will carry with me always. It's when Santa is chastising the Fairy Snow Queen, he says "But they need to be changed back, something terrible could happen. They could get hurt or fall in love." That's right kids you heard it, Santa says love is a terrible thing.

There is one redeeming quality about this short film, TV special, train wreck; what ever you want to call it. It makes good MST3K material, if you are in a MST3K mood and you have Comcast Cable, you can find this gem under the free Something Weird segments.

Diamonds and Guns (2007)

Diamonds and Guns

Starring:

Renee O'Connor
Helena Beaven
Jed Sura
Jonathan Fraser
Raymond O'Connor
E. Sean Griffin
Cynthia Szigeti
Julian Moses

Synopsis aka Spoiler: Ashley (Renee O'Connor) and Bria (Helena Beaven) are roommates and best friends who are on the brink of eviction and for Bria deportation looms around the corner. In a last ditch effort they go to Vegas to try their luck there. Bria meets Francis (Jed Sura) after Ashley comes down with food poisoning and is stuck in the room for the rest of the night. Francis is the hotel owners, Mr. Gretano (Raymond O'Connor), son. He is engaged to Connie (Julian Moses), who is the daughter of another hotel owner, Mrs. Antignatti (Cynthia Szigeti). Bria and Francias end up together after a night of drinking. Francias gets his best friend, Johnny B. (Jonathan Fraser), involved to help him get out of the mess he and Bria have caused.

Ashley is left on her own until the next morning when Bria demands a doctor be sent to the room to care for her. The hotel desk clerk (E. Sean Griffin) gets the brunt of the abuse from everyone. He has to endure angering Connie because Francias is avoiding her and he is trying to cover for him, Johnny B. is breathing down his neck to find out about Bria and Bria is insisting he call a doctor to help her friend. So, the desk clerk does what any desk clerk would do, he grabs Francias and tells him to go check on the sick guest.

Ashley ends up being cared for by Francias while Johnny B. tries to find Bria. Through being sick and given drugs Ashley still wants to do what she came there for, audition for one of the Vegas shows. I don't want to give away the whole plot so I’ll let it here.

Review:

If you are a Xena fan or Renee O'Connor fan you've been waiting a long time for this movie. The film had its rough spots and it almost looked like it wasn't going to be released. Luckily, this project has seen the light of day and was become available for mass release.

The film has a campy, light hearted feel to it. The story line is simple, along with the dialog and edits. Which is good, the premises of the movie aren’t to wow you with special effects or even to impress you with over bearing artistic shots. It's to show how two friends get wrapped up in one laughable situation after another. Oh and Ted Raimi as a landlord ;).

There are plenty of cut away scenes which make for great comedic effect, like when Ashley gets sick at the roulette table; you see her looking ill and lurch forward. The scene cuts away to the roulette attendant you hear Ashley get sick and by the reaction on the roulette attendants face its clear the puck landed in the roulette spinner.

I also liked the 4 box wipes used to show what was going on in 4 different places at the same time. There were some great one shot in there like Ashley propped up sleeping in a display of dolls. Of course the movie pokes fun at great chase scene stereo types for example Brea is being chased by Johnny B. and she is running everywhere while he's walking at a mildly fast pace but always seems to be right behind her.

If you are looking for a good situational comedy, you found it with Diamonds and Guns. The comedy displayed in the film is good and is not too ridiculous or over the top. Keeping with the campy feel it's fun to watch and is entertaining. Oh, one last thing, farts are funny.

Beowulf

Beowulf
Directed by Robert Zemeckis
Starring:
Ray Windstone
Robin Wright Penn
Anthony Hopkins
Crispin Glover
Angelina Jolie


Plot:

A young, brazen Beowulf (Ray Windstone) promises his men glory and riches, they set out across the seas to answer a call from King Hrothgar (Anthony Hopkins). His kingdom is being terrorized by Grendel (Crispin Glover) and no one in Denmark can defeat the beast. Beowulf and his men defeat Grendel and now Beowulf has to deal with Grendel's mother (Angelina Jolie). After his dealings with her, Hrothgar announces Beowulf his heir leaving everything including his Queen Wealthow (Robin Wright Penn). Hrothgar kills himself shortly after his announcement. Beowulf remains King for several decades until his past comes back to haunt him. Of course I am only breezing over the story, there is much, much more to go over. If you want the whole story watch the movie :).

Review:

The storyline is one of the oldest stories out there. I particularly like how Beowulf was portrayed like a brazen youth with a never admit defeat attitude. This was shown with Beowulf talking about losing a swimming contest and why he lost it. Instead of saying shrugging his shoulders and saying oh well, he went into a story about being attacked by sea monsters during the race and it was his bravery that cost him the race not his slowness to cross the finish line.

The animation was really well done at at parts you almost had to guess if it was live action or not, like when there was a close up of a character's face but for most of the movie it was like watching a well animated video game. As always there are quirks to figure out like the "We've all been snorting coke and can't move our upper lips syndrome" which has plagued all animated movies.

The PG-13 rating is a bit of concern. While there is not a lot of blood and extremely brief nudity, which was masked by an almost comical ode to Austin Power way. The violence and brutality was still there and at times there were close up views of what was happening in detail. Also, the behind the scenes relationship of Beowulf's and Wealthow's royal marriage could be considered a subject matter for a more mature audience. I can see why the PG-13 rating was given, there wasn't much blood and no bad language, but a word of caution to parents, if you aren't prepared to answer the "Beowulf is married to the Queen why is there another woman in his bed?" or "How come Hrothgar gave the Queen to Beowulf, isn't she married to him and why would she be married to Beowulf just because the Beowulf is King, doesn't she get to chose?" Also, if you don't know the answers you may want to brush up a bit on the story and maybe some old world customs.

If you like old legends retold then I think you will truly enjoy this movie. The animated action is well done and storyline tight. It doesn't have any drag time like you see in most movies now, the plot and action keep you interested.

The Darkroom

The Darkroom (2006)

Director: Mike Hurst

Starring:

Greg Grunberg
Lucy Lawless
Reed Diamond
Shawn Pyfrom

Plot: FYI, I normally try to do a basic plot point. I don't like going into specifics for spoiler purposes.

A mental patient (Reed Diamond) who has had amnesia for 15 years is given an experimental drug. The drug is designed to help people with amnesia to remember their life and things like their name, family, where they might live or grew up. After the patient escapes the facility his dreams become nightmares with flash images of what looks to be a crime, he is plagued by a creature that chases him in his dreams, he also has hallucinations involving the creature. He figures the creature is a creation from the drug and tries his best to dismiss it's presence. However, he fears he has done a heinous murder, he lays low in the homeless community. During his self exile he manages to befriend a boy named Stanley(Shawn Pyfrom) by chasing off two bullys.

The boy has his own family problems, his mother (Lucy Lawless) is an alcoholic and his step father (Greg Grunberg) is detached, distance and secretive. The marriage is strained because the father goes out late at night with a camera and has a dark room in the house, which he constantly keeps locked. The relationship between the step father and boy is also strained, the step father is constantly reminded that he is not the boys real father and he hates to be reminded of that fact. With the help of his new friend, Stanley finds out his step fathers secrets which he is not fully prepared to find out. There is a bit of a twist to this story but I will leave that up to the reader to figure out on their own.

Review: The main reason I watched this film was simply for Lucy Lawless. She has always played fairly strong minded women so it was nice to see her ability to play a vulnerable house wife is just as great. Even though this was a supporting role Lucy is able to convey the anger and mental pain the character feels toward the husband and also the feeling of helplessness of being in an unhappy marriage.

Another thing I liked is how the creature is portrayed on screen. Part nightmare, part hallucination, part fear is what makes this creature. As the movie progressed the viewer can see what events caused this creature to be incorporated into the patients psyche. The creature did have a "Pumpkin head" feel to it, I'm sure thanks to the director experience on such films.

The movie doesn't get too graphic but it does show some pretty intense scenes. There's blood and murder, not a lot of gore. I think this is a good mix of storyline and horror. Like all movies there are some plot holes in it but they aren't bad. The horror part wasn't over bearing and the storyline kept it moving. Good movie if you like the horror genre but don't want the gore factor to get in the way or plot line to be senseless.

SCI Fi Channels Ghost Hunters - Sanatorium Live Results

Is it just me or has this show jumped the shark?

I caught the Sanatorium Live Results episode last night and I have to say it was a big departure from the first episodes aired. The reveal was nothing but reactions to things seen off camera. I understand it's hard to photograph or video tape hard cut evidence but please don't pass off people being freaked out as evidence of the paranormal. Let's face it there is already an atmosphere of uneasiness going into the place, people will get freaked out by seeing a mouse.

In the beginning, I remember Jason being a bit of a hard ass when it came to the evidence and wanting to declare a place haunted. I remember the team being less skittish and more logical about debunking things. I also recall Jason not allowing evidence that didn't show anything substantial. Showing someones reaction to something off camera is not evidence of anything but someone being startled by something explainable or by their own imagination.

Also, what was up with bringing a a wrestler on to the show? Are The Ghost Hunters going to start having "Guest Appearances" from B or C list celebrities? I did find it amusing to watch Elijah Burke scream like a girl and run away. I don't think he will be living that down anytime soon. But I did happen to notice something interesting on camera. Right before Elijah tweaked, it looked like Grant poked him in the side as a joke or maybe to give him a cue to get scared and run.

Are the days of seeing hard to debunk evidence gone from this show? Are they trying to hype up less active places or maybe cover up a bad place to investigate by filling the time with fluff? I'm not saying the Waverly place is or is not haunted and I can totally understand Jason and Grant not wanting egg on their face especially if they made a big deal about the investigation being live. Nobody wants to pull a Geraldo Rivera what's in Al Cappone's vault moment. But if you got nothing don't try to cover it up with a puppet show.

1408

1408
"That room is fucking evil."

Starring:

John Cusack
Samuel L. Jackson
Mary McCormack
Tony Shalhoub

I missed this one in the theaters meant to see, I am glad I waited for DVD. Like most Stephen King stories turned into movies it always lacks a certain plot point or feel. Like it's unfinished or something is left out.

The basic story, Mike Enslin (Cusack) is a struggling author who goes around the country debunking haunted hotels. Enslin's life hasn't turned out the way he likes, his young daughter dies of an unexplained illness, his career is a joke, and he is estranged from his wife. His life experiences have left him a faithless, sarcastic, alcoholic.

Enslin receives an intriguing post card simple telling him not to check out room 1408 at the Dolphin Hotel. Surprisingly enough (note the sarcasm) after much warning and resistance from the hotel management Enslin ends up at the hotel in room 1408. Before Enslin is finally given permission to be in the room he is told of the horrors that have transpired in the room, ranging from suicides, murder, to natural deaths. The claim is no one last more than an hour in the room.

The room visit starts off normal and pretty much turns into an acid trip. The effects are good and the illusions the room plays do give it a good story line and merit. However, the over use of plot twist hamper the movie leaves it lagging in some parts. By the last 15 minutes of the movie I just wanted it to end; I stopped caring if he got out alive or the reason the room has the energy it does, which I don't think is really explained. Even the alternate endings found on the special features leave much to be desired. It started out a good movie, I think some where rest of it got left on the editing room floor.

The Red Violin 1998

The Red Violin
"What do you do when the thing you most wanted, so perfect, just comes?"
Starring:

Samuel L. Jackson
Christoph Koncz
Jean-Luc Bideau
Jason Flemyng
Carlo Cecchi
I had this movie in my queue for so long I totally forgot why I rented it. For those you who keep 50 or movies in their rental queue at all times know what I'm talking about. You place the movie in your queue and forget about it until it pops up in your mailbox.

The Red Violin stars Carlo Cecchi as Nicolo Bussotti the creator of the violin. His wife is ripe with child and he makes what is considered to be the perfect violin for his coming baby. A house servant also a fortune teller reads the wife's future and tells her of the great travels that await her after the child is born. All seems well and the future bright for the couple and child. However, tragedy strikes and he is left without child and his wife. The night his wife and child parish, he completes the violin giving it its red finish and then gives it an orphanage.

The violin is used by varies orphans for over 100 years until the time of Kaspar Weiss (Christoph Koncz) a young, very talented orphan. The monks in an effort to get the child proper training ask Georges Poussin (Jean-Luc Bideau) to tutor the boy. Poussin agrees the boy and the violin leave the orphanage. Sadly, Kaspar has a bad heart; the strain to please his teacher/father figure is too great and he dies before his playing can heard by anyone else. The monks bury the violin with the child but Poussin, in need of money breaks into the grave and take the violin to sell.

The violin travels the world with different owners mostly gypsies until it reaches England where it comes into the possession of Frederick Pope (Jason Flemyng) a highly passionate and famous violinist. From there it finds its way to China and remains there hidden because of the communist rule about foreign instruments.

After the death of its keeper the violin is taken back to modern day Montreal, where Charles Morritz (Samuel L. Jackson), discovers the truth behind the legend and the reason for the violin's unusual finish and sound. Once word gets out about The Red Violin the auction house it is commissioned to is filled with descendants and relatives of all the people the violin has come in contact with over the centuries. None of the descendants appear to be interested in playing the instrument; they simply want to have it for family reasons or to put it on display in a collection.
The movie ends with the violin continuing its journey.

Good movie if you are looking to spend an evening sitting on the couch, relaxing or if you are in the mood to be taken on a journey. I think Samuel L. Jackson was a great choice to play Charles Morritz and the role shows his varying acting range.

Pathfinder the movie review

Pathfinder the movie review

Fox films released Pathfinder: Legend of the Ghost Warrior starring Karl Urban as the ghost warrior. You may remember Karl from Doom, LOTR: The Twin Towers, LOTR: Return of The King, The Bourne Supremacy, Ghost Ship, the Chronicles of Riddick and the TV series Xena: Warrior Princess.

The movie is inspired by historical findings and based from the Dark Horse graphic novel "Pathfinder". Pathfinder is a story about a young Viking boy who is ship wrecked on Indian lands. The boy grows up with the Indians but he has trouble accepting himself and/or who he is. He is soon forced to a crossroads when the Vikings come back looking to conquer the land. This action adventure movie could be the sleeper hit of the season. The style of the cinematography is similar to the movie "300", dark, a bit grainy, and the grays colors being more pronounced while other colors are muted. The way the movie portrays the Vikings vs. the Indians is mostly in the mannerism and look of the Viking’s. For example calling the Indians savage while they are the ones slaughtering and killing everyone even children. They pillage and destroy each village not leaving a living soul behind. Also, the Viking armor is designed to make them look like nightmarish beast, complete with curved horned helmets and wearing what looks like bear pelts over their shoulders.

Another example is how the Vikings treat one another; a few flash back scenes show how Ghost, as a young boy, was treated by his father when he refused to kill another child. As the story progresses the viewer gets to see the contrast between the character Ghost and the Vikings who are suppose to be his people. The one big difference is showing compassion for others. The Vikings have none because they see it as a form of weakness which ultimately having no compassion proves to be their weakness. The movie has an array of really good action scenes and Karl Urban is great for the role. The story line is solid and doesn't get too mucked up with side stories. If you want the full effect of this movie, I would recommend seeing it while it is still in theaters.

The Squid and The Whale

Movie review: The Squid and The Whale (2005)
The Squid and The Whale (2005)
Premiered at the Sundance film festival in 2005, and is now available for rental. Written and directed by Noah Baumbach

Bernard Berkman, the father, is played by Jeff Daniels. The mother, Joan Berkman, is played by Laura Linney. The youngest son, Frank, is played by Owen Kline, Kevin Kline’s son and the oldest son, Walt, played by Jesse Eisenberg. The movie also stars Anna Paquin and William Baldwin.

The movie takes place in Brooklyn, New York in the late 1980’s and is based on the true story about Noah Baumbach’s experiences during his parents divorce. The parent’s marriage was already on thin ice. However, the distance grows when Bernard Berkman, a once successful writer turned teacher becomes jealous when his wife, Joan starts to taste success on her own also as a writer. As the family dissolves the children begin to take sides and act out. Walt becomes influenced by his father and blames the mother for the divorce, while Frank clings to the mother and begins to show signs of hating himself because he is his father’s son. The situation becomes more complicated when alcohol and behavioral problems start to plague both sons.

The movie does not have a happy ending and does not give any resolution to the problems. It’s meant to give a glimpse into what happened to one family when divorce splits the parents and the children are left to grow up on a custody schedule, or become the go between for communication between the parents.

The storyline is well paced and is a good pick if you want to watch a drama that doesn't go over the edge with the tear jerker moments.