Grace

Rating: ★★★★½ 

Directed By: Paul Solet

Starring: Jordan Ladd

Plot Synopsis:

Madeline Matheson is eight months pregnant and determined to deliver her unborn child, Grace, naturally. When an accident leaves Grace dead inside her, Madeline insists on carrying the baby’s corpse to term. Weeks later, when Madeline delivers, the baby miraculously returns to life… With an appetite. (Leomax Entertainment)

Review:

With all the derivative and brainless dreck that comes out every year in the Horror Genre, it’s always nice to see a film that operates as a good FILM as well as a good HORROR story.  Paul Solet‘s debut film, Grace is a slow moving, disgusting, horrific, uncomfortable and disturbing film.  It’s also one of the most beautiful films I’ve seen this year.

The reason why I love the Horror genre so much is the variety of stories that can be told.  Grace isn’t a monster movie.  It isn’t a zombie movie.  It’s a what if film.  What would you do if your child was different? Craving human blood different.  Grace explores the connection between mother and child in the context of a horror film.  How far can a mother go to take care of her child, even if the child is highly unnatural?

This is Jordan Ladd‘s (Cabin Fever, Deathproof, Hostel part II) film.  She carries it all the way through, and is a gem to watch.  Her emotions are portrayed to perfection, with subtlety.  Horror movies lend to over-acting very easily.  However, here she shows some amazing control and is perfect.  Jordan Ladd has my vote for Best Actress of 2009, if only the Oscars would honor acting in the Independent Horror genre.  Here’s to wishful thinking.

All other performances are servicable.  But no real stand outs, since this film is centered around Jordan Ladd‘s character.  One gripe would be Gabrielle Rose.  She’s the mother-in-law character and is a bit cliche and over-the-top.  Not sure if I should blame her or the director on this one, but everyone else isn’t this over-the-top.

For a first movie and a totally independent movie, Paul Solet has some chops.  This is a strongly directed film; from the controlled slow build pace, to the unsettling effects, he knows what he’s doing.  It will be fun to see him grow as a director.  Grace is the perfect movie for him not to be typecast as solely a Horror director.  There is enough to chew on in this film for non-Horror fans as well.  As long as you can stomach it.

Grace is a surprisingly good film.  Not the normal Horror fare, and that is refreshing.  In fact, 2009 has been a good year for original Horror films (even though the standard remakes have been overloading the box office).  Grace is not for those with a weak stomach, there is some truly disturbing imagery here.  But, it’s a strong, slow build of a film that is interesting and compelling throughout.  Paul Solet‘s Grace is at the top the list for best Horror films of 2009.

Rated R for bloody images, violence and some sexual content.

The Last Winter

Rating: ★★★½☆ 

Directed By: Larry Fessenden

Starring: Ron Perlman, James LeGros, Connie Britton, Zach Gilford

Plot Synopsis:

Ron Perlman stars as Ed Pollack, an oil company employee who arrives in Alaska. He’s eager to take some of the tundra’s oil bounty, but the rising temperatures have an environmental scientist (James LeGros) worried about the irreparable damage they could do to the Alaskan wilderness. Soon things start to go wrong at their camp, and one of their one dies mysteriously. Whether it’s cabin fever, poisonous gas, or supernatural forces, something is threatening the camp and the people who live there. (Rottentomatoes.com)

Review:

The Last Winter is a slow burn, claustrophobic thriller set in the remote Alaskan wilderness.  It’s not a thrill-a-minute story, but one that unfolds in a logical yet unsettling way.  What makes The Last Winter work is not necessarily the effects or scares.  The character development is strong and the film makers rely on our relationship with the characters to build the story’s main tension.  Not many horror movies these days trust their audiences enough and burn through plot to get to the scares.  The Last Winter is a genuinly creepy tale, but is no crap-your-pants frightfest.

The Last Winter is totally a lower budget movie.  It was made on the cheap, with minimal sets and the Alaskan setting helps with the scope of the film.  A lot of white backdrop really stretches the production dollar.  I believe it is also Larry Fessenden‘s first film.  The direction is simple yet strong.  All characters are believable and Larry Fessenden knows how to frame a shot.

I love seeing Ron Perlman in smaller films.  He’s the kind of guy who will give a first time director a shot, even if the film ends up not working (Mutant Chronicles).  The man loves to work and if you look at his IMDB page, it’s pretty impressive.  Plus, even if the movie sucks, he’s always great.  Here he plays the most low-key character I’ve seen him play.  He plays Ed Pollack, a manager of an Oil Outpost responsible for searching for Alaskan Oil.  It’s fun seeing him play the “ordinary guy” role since  I’m so used to seeing Ron Perlman in some sort of character make-up (Hellboy, Beauty and the Beast, Outlander).  Perlman is great here and gets to showcase his range as an actor.

The other actors get the job done to serve the story.  There’s nothing outstanding here, but no one is chewing scenery and help support the story.  A couple stand outs are James LeGros (sporting a pretty awesome beard) and Kevin Corrigan (you may remember him from a small, yet memorable appearance in Superbad).

As a whole, the story of The Last Winter is interesting.  It’s not mind blowing by any means, and they missed out on a massive WOW shot at the end of the film (probably due to budget), but for an hour and a half, you’ll be entertained.  If anything, you’ll appreciate that it isn’t a run of the mill horror story and attempts to be different.

Not Rated.

JCVD

Rating: ★★★★½ 

Directed By: Mabrouk El Mechri

Starring: Jean-Claude Van Damme

Plot Synopsis:

Between his tax problems and his legal battle with his wife for the custody of his daughter, these are hard times for the action movie star who finds that even Steven Seagal has pinched a role from him! In JCVD, Jean-Claude Van Damme returns to the country of his birth to seek the peace and tranquility he can no longer enjoy in the United States.

Review:

Can a movie change your perception of an aging actor? Bruce Campbell gave us fans an homage movie with My Name Is Bruce.  Stallone brought back Rambo and Rocky Balboa.  Mickey Rourke turned in a heart felt and amazing performance with The Wrestler.  Who’s next? Schwartzenegger? Seagal? Nope.  It’s Jean-Claude Van Damme.  And he’s turned in the performance of a lifetime with JCVD.

I’m actually in shock with how much I loved this film.  The timing was perfect with me viewing JCVD.  The weekend before I had just viewed Timecop and Hard Target.  I even blogged about the mullets in both films.  From Dolph Lungren to Steven Seagal, I think Jean-Claude Van Damme‘s films are the funnest to revisit.  Why? You ask.  Because he’s freaking awesome! If you put  him in the room with Lungren, Seagal, Schwartzenegger and Stallone, I would wager that Jean-Claude Van Damme would kick all their asses.  He’s the best athelete and more highly trained in martial arts that those meatheads put together.  Don’t get me wrong, I have a soft spot for all those 80′s action stars.  Jean-Claude Van Damme just kicks ass ok? Even with a mullet, so get off my back.

Anyway, on to the review.  Jean-Claude Van Damme pours his heart out with his performance in JCVD.  It’s absolutely amazing how much he emotes here. Sure, the guy can kick ass when needed, but he’s no thesbian.  JCVD gives Van Damme a chance to act in his native tongue, French.  He seems to be free here, more comfortable than I’ve ever seen him.

The concept is interesting.  This is a highly stylized film (not over done) and very meta.  Jean-Claude Van Damme plays himself, kind of an alternate reality self.  He’s struggling to pay the bills, going through a bitter custody battle for his daughter, and can’t seem to catch a break.  Near the beginning of the movie, he gets involved with a robbery and that’s where this movie gets going.  I don’t want to spoil anything, because JCVD is a film that works best when you’re suprised at each turn.  The film has a sense of humor, yet is extremely sincere in what it’s trying to do.

The supporting cast is great.  No “known names” are involved and that really helps ground this film in its “pseudo” reality.  The color pallet of the film is very much subdued, a lot of greys and browns.  There are some instances where it feels like a black and white film.  I really love the look of the film and am glad they keep it consistant here.

I really don’t have a lot to gripe about.  The only criticisms I have are an over abundance of jump-cuts.  This is due to the stylized aspect to the film, but I have a video production back ground, and maybe that’s why it grates on me.  Jump cuts are a “no no”! However in context, I think it works.  Also, JCVD plays on the fact that the viewer has seen a majority of Jean-Claude Van Damme movies.  The good and the bad.  If you’re a Jean-Claude Van Damme virgin, you may be at a dis-advantage.  Although, not as bad as My Name is Bruce.  Finally, the “4th Wall” is broken and is a bit jarring at first.  However, this is probably the best use of the “4th Wall” I’ve ever seen in a film.  It works, but briefly took me out of the film until I understood what was going on.

JCVD come highly recommended.  Jean-Claude Van Damme is a revalation here.  It’s remarkable to see a “B” level actor be so good.  It’s a shame that his performance was over shadowed by Mickey Rourke.  I think Jean-Claude Van Damme could have been an easy contendor for Best Actor in many Awards Shows.

Trailer:

Stills:

Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist

Rating: ★★★☆☆ 

Directed By: Peter Sollett

Starring: Michael Cera, Kat Dennings

Plot Synopsis:

Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist is a comedy about two people thrust together for one hilarious, sleepless night of adventure in a world of mix tapes, late-night living, and, live, loud music. Nick (Michael Cera) frequents New York’s indie rock scene nursing a broken heart and a vague ability to play the bass.

Norah (Kat Dennings) is questioning pretty much all of her assumptions about the world. Though they have nothing in common except for their taste in music, their chance encounter leads to an all-night quest to find a legendary band’s secret show and ends up becoming the first date in a romance that could change both their lives.(Amazon)

Review:

Teen comedies are really hit or miss for me these days.  Some are smart and funny (Superbad) while others leave me scratching my head with how out of touch with reality they are (High School Musical).  Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist does a great job of being mostly rooted in reality with a believable (enough) love story.  What it does right is make me miss the days when I used to go to shows and stay out all night with no real responsibilities.  Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist is a smart, funny and sweet little movie.

For the most part, I really enjoyed this movie.  Michael Cera is perfectly cast for the awkward musician suffering from the heartbreak of being dumped by his girlfriend.  He is awesome here, unfortunately I don’t know how much longer he can play the goofy teenager.  He has to be nearing is Twenties by now and may not have much longevity as an actor.  I can’t imagine him as a 30 year old playing a serious role, and the roles he’s playing now won’t translate well to a 30 year old.  We’ll see what the future brings.

Playing opposite Michael Cera is Kat Dennings.  She is pretty great here as well.  It’s great seeing a normal looking girl playing the romantic interest.  So often the female role in these movies is played by a malnourished bombshell.  Kat Dennings plays her character with a sarcasm and awkwardness that is believable, but also is someone you can see Michael Cera’s character being attracted to.

There were a couple things that prevented me from loving this movie.  The supporting characters, while somewhat funny, were very one dimensional.  I wish they were a bit more fleshed out.  Also, there’s a whole “orgasm” subplot and an awkward and unbelievable love scene that wasn’t romantic nor did it add anything the plot.  I’m not against these types of scenes if they add something to the story, however here it just falls flat.

As a whole, Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist is a sweet love story, with solid performances from the leads and a great soundtrack.  I felt drawn into the world with these characters and found myself wanting to head up to the city and see some live bands play.  While there are moments that don’t live up to their potential, I can recommend Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist as a rental.

Rated PG-13 for mature thematic material including teen drinking, sexuality, language and crude behavior.

Alien Raiders

Rating: ★★★½☆ 

Directed By: Ben Rock

Starring: Carlos Bernard, Mathew St. Patrick

Plot Synopsis:

It’s the end of yet another night at Hastings Supermarket, an idyllic family grocery store in Buck Lake, Arizona. But the normal monotony of rounding up shopping carts and settling out the cash drawers is broken at 11:07pm, just before closing when a group of masked and armed-to-the-teeth militants invades the store, immediately killing several of the employees and shoppers and holding the rest hostage.

Though the hostage-takers at first appear to be robbers or terrorists, they reveal themselves to be a cadre of rogue scientists that has discovered and tracked an alien infestation to this store on this night, and they are determined to find out which of the survivors are extraterrestrials and end the invasion at any cost. (Trailer Addict)

Review:

So, the award for the lamest title of a good movie goes to … Alien Raiders.  I mean, seriously, this is where studio intervention is a bad thing.  Originally titled Supermarket (I know, not much of a better title), Alien Raiders is a movie that is way better than the title suggests.  When I first heard of this movie, I was thinking it would be a low-grade Sci Fi Channel original crap-fest.  But, then I started hearing some good things and decided to check it out.  Alien Raiders has no right to be as good as it is.  It’s a blast.

The plot is basically Dog Day Afternoon crossed with John Carpenter’s The Thing.  Nothing groundbreaking or terribly original here, but for a genre picture that’s never a big deal.  What’s awesome about Alien Raiders is the use of practical make-up effects and only a slight use of CGI when needed.  I wish more movies used this technique.  In a CGI addicted Hollywood, it’s nice to see a proper combo of effects.  This is how it’s done, people.

Released straight to DVD on Warner Bros’ Raw Feed label, Alien Raiders is easily the best Raw Feed release.  The acting is top notch with 24’s Carlos Bernard showing us he deserves to be in more flicks.  He’s so good here I think we’ll be seeing him in more movies (here’s hoping people actually see this movie).  The acting across the board is not  your standard B level acting.  It’s all solid.  The cast is made up of mostly TV actors (Rockmond Dunbar from Prison Break, Mathew St. Patrick from Six Feet Under) and they are all bringing their A game.

So, for a fun Sci-Fi/Horror romp give Alien Raiders a chance.  Here’s hoping Warner Brothers doesn’t get involved with re-naming movies too much in the future.  I think with a name like Supermarket the beginning of the movie would be a bit more suspenseful.  And although the ending is a bit contrived (I figured it out with 20 minutes to go) this is a fun little movie that is hopefully a springboard for the director Ben Rock and the main cast.  Alien Raiders totally deserves your attention.  Spread the word!

Rated R for bloody violence, disturbing images and language.

Slumdog Millionaire

Rating: ★★★★★ 

Directed By: Danny Boyle

Starring: Dev Patel, Anil Kapoor

Plot Synopsis:

Slumdog Millionaire is the story of Jamal Malik, an 18 year-old orphan from the slums of Mumbai, who is about to experience the biggest day of his life. With the whole nation watching, he is just one question away from winning a staggering 20 million rupees on India’s “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?”

But when the show breaks for the night, police arrest him on suspicion of cheating; how could a street kid know so much? Desperate to prove his innocence, Jamal tells the story of his life in the slum where he and his brother grew up, of their adventures together on the road, of vicious encounters with local gangs, and of Latika, the girl he loved and lost. Each chapter of his story reveals the key to the answer to one of the game show’s questions.

Intrigued by Jamal’s story, the jaded Police Inspector begins to wonder what a young man with no apparent desire for riches is really doing on this game show?

When the new day dawns and Jamal returns to answer the final question, the Inspector and sixty million viewers are about to find out… (Trailer Addict)

Review:

It’s not every day a movie with no stars and small budget has the success that Danny Boyle’s newest movie Slumdog Millionaire has had.  This film came out of nowhere, with very little marketing and is now winner of the coveted Best Picture Oscar (along with numerous more Oscars including Best Director for Danny Boyle).  Slumdog Millionare is one of the most memorable, beautiful and affecting movies I’ve seen in a long time.

The plot is a simple one: boy from the slums of India finds success on a game show and pursues the love of his life.  It’s Danny Boyle’s execution that makes this picture so stirring.  Telling this story through flashbacks was a brave choice and it makes Slumdog Millionaire much more interesting than what it sounds like on paper.  Honestly, when I read the synopsis I wasn’t running out to purchase a ticket.  But sitting in the theater, my jaw was on the floor.

Slumdog Millionaire has absolutely no stars.  No one we’re familiar with seeing in the hundreds of American movies that come out each year.  Because of this, we’re drawn into the story and become more invested in the characters.  Believe me, if Tom Cruise or Brad Pitt were cast in this movie, it would be a staggeringly different film.  All the performances are amazing.  Even the child actors are breathtaking.

Danny Boyle is showing some incredible chops as a director.  The variety he brings to each picture is refreshing.  He’s done a dark comedy (Trainspotting), a zombie movie (28 Days Later…), a family movie (Millions), compelling sci-fi (Sunshine), and now a stirring and uplifting drama with Slumdog Millionaire.  Movies like this don’t come along very often.  This is finally a Best Picture winner we’ll be remembering many years down the line.

Rated R for some violence, disturbing images and brief language.

My Name Is Bruce

Rating: ★★★½☆ 

Directed By: Bruce Campbell

Starring: Bruce Campbell, Grace Thorsen, Taylor Sharpe

Plot Synopsis:

My Name Is Bruce is the heroic struggle of a small mining town (Gold Lick, Oregon) to rid itself of a vengeful monster. Guan-di (James J. Peck), the Chinese god of war and protector of the dead, has been unleashed by cemetery desecrating teenagers to protect the graves of Chinese miners lost in a deadly cave-in of yesteryear.

The deadly demon’s mission is to eradicate all those who transgressed against the tomb (relatives included), which is virtually the entire population of Gold Lick. The inbred community has to find a solution so Jeff (Taylor Sharpe), the sole survivor of a deadly Guan-Di encounter, takes it upon himself to kidnap his idol, Bruce Campbell (Bruce Campbell), star of countless B-movie horror films, and recruit him to be their local savior. (Trailer Addict)

Review:

I love me some Bruce Campbell.  My first introduction to him was in the 3rd Evil Dead movie, Army of Darkness.  Yes, I was young and impressionable.  I remember seeing the Army of Darkness trailer with it’s skeleton army and heavy metal background music.  Once I saw the introduction of his chain saw hand, I knew this was a movie I had to check out.

Bruce Campbell is easily on top of his game in the Evil Dead series.  He’s one of those actors that no matter what kind of movie he’s in you enjoy watching him.  Bruce has starred in great things such as Bubba Ho-tep, The Adventures of Brisco County Jr., The Evil Dead, Evil Dead II, and Army of Darkness.  He’s also been in total shit: Assault on Dome 4, Alien Apocalypse and Tornado! (just to name a few, the list actually goes on.) BUT, at least he’s working, right? And strangely, even in the crappiest movie, Bruce Campbell is awesome.  Yes.  I’m a fan.

Which brings us to My Name Is Bruce.  A film directed by Bruce Campbell, starring Bruce Campbell, about Bruce Campbell fighting an ancient Chinese Demon.  If that doesn’t get you interested, this movie isn’t for you.  Bruce has created a movie strictly for his fans.  He plays an “alternate” version of himself and has no problems making fun of his career choices or himself.  That’s what makes Bruce Campbell such a class act.

But, does all this make for a great movie? Well, no.  It’s not a great movie by any means.  However, My Name Is Bruce knows what it is and delivers a lot of fun! It actually makes me want to go out and buy more of his movies, even the crappy ones.  Once I finished watching My Name Is Bruce I added a few flicks to my Amazon Wish List (Maniac Cop, anyone?)

So, if you’re a Bruce Campbell fan you will LOVE My Name Is Bruce.  It has a great sense of humor and seeing Bruce Campbell in a leading role again is a lot of fun.  If you’re on the  fence about him, watch his classics that are listed in this review.  Once you drink the Bruce Campbell Kool-Aid I think you’ll enjoy My Name Is Bruce.  However, if you just don’t get it.  Skip it, I won’t judge you!

Rated R for language and some violence.

The Midnight Meat Train

Rating: ★★★★☆ 

Directed By: Ryûhei Kitamura

Starring: Bradley Cooper, Vinnie Jones

Plot Synopsis:

When Leon Kaufman’s (Bradley Cooper) latest body of work – a collection of provocative, nighttime studies of the city and its inhabitants — earns the struggling photographer interest from prominent art gallerist Susan Hoff (Brooke Shields), she propels him to get grittier and show the darker side of humanity for his upcoming debut at her downtown art space.
Believing he’s finally on track for success, Leon’s obsessive pursuit of dark subject matter leads him into the path of a serial killer, Mahogany (Vinnie Jones), the subway murderer who stalks late-night commuters — ultimately butchering them in the most gruesome ways imaginable.

With his concerned girlfriend Maya (Leslie Bibb) fearing for his life, Leon’s relentless fascination with Mahogany lures him further and further into the bowels of the subways and ultimately into an abyss of pure evil – inadvertently pulling Maya right along with him.

The horror thriller Midnight Meat Train stars Bradley Cooper (Wedding Crashers, TV’s Alias), Vinnie Jones (X-Men: The Last Stand, Snatch), Brooke Shields (Nip/Tuck), and Leslie Bibb (the upcoming Trick ‘r Treat, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby).

Also starring are Roger Bart (Hostel: Part II, TV’sDesperate Housewives), Peter Jacobson (Good Night, and Good Luck), Barbara Eve Harris (TV’s Prison Break), and UFC mixed martial arts fighter Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson.

Midnight Meat Train is directed by critically acclaimed Japanese director Ryûhei Kitamura (Versus, Azumi) in his American debut, and based on legendary horror writer Clive Barker’s popular, eponymous short story from his classic Books of Blood collection. The screenplay was adapted by Jeff Buhler. (Trailer Addict)

Review:

Clive Barker is one of the few Horror Genre storytellers that genuinly creeps me out.  As a director he’s responsible for some genuine creep-fests (Hellraiser,Lord of Illusions) that are extremely creepy and visually stunning.  As a writer, I haven’t given Clive Barker a chance.  All I know whenever his work is adapted, it’s been hit or miss (Candyman).

With The Midnight Meat Train, Clive Barker has teamed up with Asian film maker Ryûhei Kitamura who is responsible for 2 of my favorite Asian films: Versus and Azumi).  The result is an interesting and unsettling story combined with a very stylish and unique look.  The Midnight Meat Train, while it has some minor flaws; gives us an intriguing premise, beautiful yet horrific visuals and one of the most memorable movie killers in recent memory.

Let’s get the negative out of the way first.  The main flaw with this movie is the director’s use of CGI blood.  If you’ve watched any of Ryûhei Kitamura’s previous efforts it may not be so jarring.  There’s too much splatter.  Unreal amounts of blood fill the screen and instead of making the scene horrific, the result is opposite.  But, being familiar with Ryûhei Kitamura’s movies I was able to push that criticism aside.

Now, with my one criticism out of the way, let’s talk about one of the most original Horror movies to come out in recent memory.  The Midnight Meat Train is atmospheric, moody, gorgeously shot journey into madness.  Basically, a struggling photgrapher (Bradley Cooper, Will Tippin in TV’s Alias) gets obsessed with following a potential serial killer deep in the city’s subway system.  Along the way he witnesses a brutal murder and is now plagued with his obessions and doing the right thing.

One of the defining characteristics of The Midnight Meat Train is the killer, Mahogany (Vinnie Jones).  Vinnie Jones is amazing in this role.  He has one line, but the way he makes Mahogany into a fully fleshed out character is incredible.  There’s a moment where you even feel a sort of sympathy for Mahogany through the course of the film.

For the Horror buff, The Midnight Meat Train is a must see.  I’m shocked that Lionsgate didn’t know how to market this movie.  They robbed it of a proper theatrical release and dumped it to DVD, but a movie like this can’t be forgotten.  It’s a cult classic waiting to happen.  I can’t recommend this to the casual movie goer, but if you’re brave and don’t mind A LOT of gore, The Midnight Meat Train is one of the best releases of 2009 so far.

Rated R for sequences of strong bloody gruesome violence, grisly images involving nudity, sexual content and language.

Fritt Vilt (Cold Prey)

Rating: ★★★★☆ 

Directed By: Roar Uthaug

Starring: Ingrid Bolsø Berdal, Rolf Kristian Larsen

Plot Synopsis:

Five teenage snowboarders are forced to spend the night in a mysteriously abandoned ski lodge. Except somebody – or something – already lives there. It is huge, savage and unstoppable…and now it’s pissed off. But if you think this is going to be the usual ‘trapped teens stalked by a maniac’ movie, you’re dead wrong.

From the first chilling kill to the final horrific twist, prepare yourself for the smart, intense and award-winning European sensation that has terrified audiences around the world and put the edge back into the body-count genre.

Review:

Slasher movies are never going to win any awards for plot or characterization.  What separates the multitude of films in this sub-genre of Horror is the execution.  The most recent Friday the 13th remake comes to mind as well as it’s classic original and films like John Carpenter’s Halloween.  Young adults or teens stalked by unstoppable killer.

In the Norwegian slasher entry Fritt Vilt (translated, Cold Prey) you have the basic Slasher plot, but with the frigid Norwegian mountain terrain as a major backdrop.  Plus, I think any movie in a foreign language automatically makes it seem “artistic”

What Fritt Vilt has going for it is not the plot.  Write that off immediately.  The element that makes this film so good is the return to classic conventions; that being a reliance on character, mood and tension and not on “creative kills” or buckets of gore.  The lack of gore has been criticized by some, however I think that is what separates this movie from the rest of recent Slasher flicks.  We’re more invested in these characters and their struggle to survive than waiting with baited breath for the next ditz to get offed.  These are real, believable characters and the tension comes from us wanting them to survive.

Now, I’m all for the campy “Friday the 13th” like over-the-top Horror flicks.  But it’s refreshing when a movie like Fritt Vilt comes along and offers up some genuine scares (I think I jumped about 3 times … and I never jump at these things), top notch cinematography, and really solid acting.  Highly recommended.

Not rated. This movie has not been rated by the MPAA.  But recommended for Mature audiences for violence, disturbing images and language.

Friday the 13th

Opening night “In-Theater Experience”: 

Rating: ★★★½☆ 

Actual Movie: 

Rating: ★★★☆☆ 

Directed By: Marcus Nispel

Starring: Jared Padalecki, Danielle Panabaker, and Derek Mears

Plot Synopsis:

After the supposed death of her son at a summer camp, a mother begins to kill the camp employees. After her death at the hands of the remaining employees, her son returns to continue her bloody work.

Review:

10:15pm, on Friday the 13th 2009 I sat in a packed theater filled with 75% black hoodie and T-shirt wearing males.  The remaining 25% was comprised of high school guys with unsuspecting girlfriend in tow.  Oh, and one parent who thought they could hid their infant (hearing a baby crying during a horror flick is really strange).

Anyway, we all were giddy with excitement waiting for the latest romp with Jason Vorhees at Camp Crystal Lake.  Once the theater darkened, I think we all got what we expected and had one hell of a time!

Opening with a 15 minute title sequence basically re-telling the original Friday the 13th and it’s sequel (Part 2), Friday the 13th grabs hold and is relentless.  The filmmakers decided to treat this story as grounded in reality as possible.  Jason Vorhees is mutated and mute, but a smart and efficient killer.  I prefer this Jason over the previous zombie-like Jasons (although they do have a special place in my heart, especially Part 7).

The plot is nothing special, the same thing we’ve seen in all 12 previous installments.  Young people out for a weekend of debauchery meet their brutal end one by one at the hands of Jason.  Who will make it to the end? That’s all we’re left to figure out.

The remake of Friday the 13th is by far superior to most of the earlier sequels.  If you enjoyed the Texas Chainsaw Massacre remake, you know you’re in good hands with director Marcus Nispel. It’s also the most intense and the best looking of the series.  Also, Derek Mears as Jason is totally badass and easily shows he’s not under Kane Hodder’s shadow.

If your a fan of the originals or a fan of scary movies, Friday the 13th is a good time.  Make sure you see it in a crowded theater, that’s part of the fun!

Rated R for strong bloody violence, some graphic sexual content, language and drug material.

UPDATE:

I know this is kind of back-tracking, but now that I’ve had some time to digest Platinum Dunes’ Friday the 13th I have less good things to say about it.

Here’s why: It was brought to my attention that Platinum Dunes and Marcus Nispel were promising the fans of Friday the 13th an amazing re-imagining.  Having seen all the Friday the 13ths, I can say that this IS NOT a re-imagining, remake or reboot.  This is basically Friday the 13th part 13.  They re-tell parts 1 through 3 within the first 20 minutes, but after that it’s the same old thing we’ve seen in the past 12 movies.

The biggest flaw is the lack of original and inventive kills that the fans have grown to love.  There’s 1 in the beginning of the film, but it pays tribute to a scene in one of the earlier movies.  There is nothing here that hasn’t been done already or in any other generic slasher.

So, upon re-visiting my thoughts, Platinum Dunes’ Friday the 13th is apparently less fun on any night other than opening night.  I can admit we all had a good time, but I would rather re-watch any of the previous Friday the 13th sequels (even Jason goes to Hell or Jason X) before watching this one again.

See my updated rating, which rates the opening night experience and the actual flick.