Just Watched Movies: 2007

[ZapRowsdower]

pulpmariachi said:

Frankenstein -- classic B-movie. So what if it doesn't follow the book nearly at all? Neither does "The Bourne Identity." Or "Children of Men." Iconic performace by Karloff unfortunatley, it's really too short so there's kind of this feeling that everything has to get rushed rushed rushed in order to finish. Amazing photography though. B+.

Actually, that's precisely what I felt about Dracula. I thought Frankenstein was handled much better.

I still enjoyed Dracula though.

[Heineken Skywalker]

THE YAKUZA PAPERS: PROXY WAR (1973)

Really talky by comparison with the first two entries in the series.

5/10

[ZapRowsdower]

The Hills Have Eyes II (2007)

You know, I went into this without having seen any TV spots or full trailers (aside from that enticing teaser, where you see the bodies being dragged across the desert from the perspective of one of the bodies). All I had were the negative reviews, and knowledge that a different director was at the helm than in the first one. While I prefer Aja's take, this one actually managed to make a pretty solid horror flick. I mean, if you enjoy the genre, you can probably live with the cliches and some of the cheesiness. And it DID deliver in terms of suspense. It's far from perfect... I mean, it's barely good. But it's a solid time-passer for your average Horror fan. C+

The Reaping

Loses points for originality. Much like the critics are saying, this has definitely borrowed from other Horror films like Rosemary's Baby and the Omen. I don't see so much where the Exorcist comes into play (not every demonic horror film is a ripoff of the Exorcist, you know). But definitely the other two. That being said, I was entertained and kept in suspense. In spite of how confusing it is, its plot holes, David Morrissey's poor impression of Liam Neeson (I firmly believe Morrissey must be one of the worst actors alive), and of course the movie itself, it works. Funny enough, if you check your brain at the door, this can be an enjoyable flick. C+

Although one really must wonder what in God's name Hilary Swank was doing in that movie.

[frankenjohn]

Mr. Bean's Holiday- It was very funny at some parts, but at others childish and improbable. Atkinson still does a great Bean though. C+.

[Heineken Skywalker]

THIS FILM IS NOT YET RATED (2006)

Good documentary about the MPAA and their hopelessly outdated and puritanical views on what films should be rated before they're released on audiences who need to be protected from the "evils" of movies, ie: sex, violence, drug use and all around debauchery.
Like SUPERSIZE ME('s) "revelation" that eating at McDonald's everyday will make you fat and sick, the observation here that the members of the MPAA tend to go a bit nuttier over sex and nudity than violence shouldn't be a surprise to anyone who is at all knowledgeable about the film and ratings industries. And I would count pretty much everyone who is a visitor to this site and others like it, among that group.
Still, like that other documentary, this is done in a breezy and entertaining enough manner that even though there aren't too many surprises it's still worth watching.

7.5/10

[Termination]

Rocky Balboa (2006) (Blu-Ray)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital - 8/10
HD Audio LPCM - 9/10

Chicken Little (2005) (Blu-Ray)

HD Video - Reference
HD Audio Dolby Digital - 9/10
HD Audio LPCM - 10/10

Eragon (2006) (Blu-Ray)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio dts - 10/10

[ZapRowsdower]

The Matrix - Yeah, I heard all the criticisms. I'm even familiar with the work that the Wachowskis borrowed from. And frankly, I don't give a damn. This was a very well-written, well-directed picture that I will always love. A+

[Heineken Skywalker]

GRINDHOUSE (2007)

9/10

Wanna know more? Feel free to check out my review in REVIEW HELL.

[frankenjohn]

Meet the Robinsons- Walt Disney would've very much enjoyed this slick, well-animated, and well written film. B+.

Blades of Glory- Very very stupid. Also very funny. Oh, and Will Ferrell is great as usual. B.

The Lookout- A smart, tense heist thriller. Scott Frank writes another good suspense thriller. B.

[Termination]

James Taylor: A MusiCares Person of the Year Tribute (2006) (HD DVD)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio dts - 9/10

The Eagles: Farewell Tour 1 - Live In Melbourne (2005) (HD DVD)

HD Video - 9/10
HD Audio dts - 10/10

Hart's War (2002) (Blu-Ray)

HD Video - Reference
HD Audio dts - 8/10

[Pulpmariachi]

Grindhouse -- well that was pretty cool. A-.

[Termination]

Rising Sun (1993) (Blu-Ray)

HD Video - 7/10
HD Audio dts - 9/10

[Heineken Skywalker]

SYRIANA (2005)

Definitely not your typical Hollywood fare. A thinking man's political thriller that had me scratching my head more than once. I consider myself of above average intelligence, but by the end of this film, I wasn't sure if I understoood all of it. But I also think that was kind of the point. The movie doesn't spoon feed us the answers and it reaffirms my opinion that we're never completely sure who the bad guys and good guys are when it comes to the American government and it's dealings with the Middle East.
Basically, there's a lot of shady shit going on that we'll never be privy to.
Great performances by George Clooney, Alexander Siddig, Matt Damon and Christopher Plummer who in almost every role always seems like he's up to no good before he even opens his mouth.

7/10

[Pulpmariachi]

Mary Shelly's Frankenstein -- even more boring than the book. De Niro makes a great creature though, but I'll stick with the 31 version. At least it's 70 minutes long. This was 123 minutes of snooze. C-.

[Termination]

Layer Cake (2004) (Blu-Ray)

HD Video - 8/10
HD Audio Dolby Digital - 8/10
HD Audio LPCM - 8/10

Windtalkers (2002) (Blu-Ray)

HD Video - 7/10
HD Audio dts - 7/10