Movies and Boredom

Over the past week or two I've gotten a chance to catch up on some movies and figured since I'm bored out of my mind right now I'd talk about them for lack of a better topic.

I could have talked about all the SDCC stuff, but seeing as how I've read maybe one news item amdist the hundreds out there now I'm not yet qualified. Maybe Monday....

Anyway, the movies I got to see were When a Stranger Calls, Dark Water, Underworld Evolution, Starsky and Hutch, Anacondas: Hunt for the Blood Orchid, Something New, Just Like Heaven, Monster In Law and Chronicles of Narnia. There may have been one or two others, I don't remember. Oh yeah, I also saw The Skeleton Key and Volcano High. Oh, and Crash. Sheesh, and The Secret Window.

Yes, that's a LOT of movies for two weeks, but my mother, brother and I kind of went on a splurge. Since none of us have had a vacation this summer, and the chances of one now are slim with my brother starting school in two weeks, we deserved this little pleasure.

So, here are my thoughts on each of them.

When a Stranger Calls
The concept is great, but the delivery not so much. It was decent throughout most of it, but the girl suddenly went from nonchalant to petrified with no in between. And the reveal of the stalker being in the house felt completely forced. The ending was just as sparce and really ruined the decency of the rest of the movie. I give it a C-

Dark Water
This was actually a pretty good movie if a little slow. But the momentum picked up at the right spots, and the suspense was pretty much maintained. The ending, however, was just a let down. It could have been handled a lot better and played out without sucking, but it didn't. Again, the ending ruined it for me. B-

Underworld Evolution
Great movie. Not quite as good as the first for me, but I loved seeing Marcus with his wings and all. Great fight scenes, but the plot could have been a bit fuller. I give it an A-

Starsky and Hutch
Had some funny parts, but wasn't nearly as funny as it could have been. Not one of Stiller's and Wilson's better efforts. C+

Anacondas: Hunt for the Blood Orchid
Not nearly as good as the first, which I really enjoyed. The snakes weren't the main attraction this time, but rather just a sideshow basically. It really defeated the purpose of a sequel all together. And because of seeing the first one the suspense was dead in the water to use an expression. C-

Something New
Huge social commentary, and a look at racism from the opposite angle. Yes, it's a chick flick, but it was a pretty good one. It had its moments of laughter, sadness and anger. B-

Just Like Heaven
Yep, another chick flick, and an even better one. It helps that I think Reese Witherspoon is an excellent actress and fine human being. I have enjoyed everything I've seen her in so far. This was no exception. A-

Monster In Law
Now this was a chick flick. Normally I love Lopez in anything, even Gigli. But this movie was a borefest for guys. My mom liked it, but I would have been happier never seeing it. And I liked Wedding Planner! D

Chronicles of Narnia
Pretty faithful to the original, but everything in the entire film felt very rushed. I don't agree with most that the religious overtones overshadowed the film though. They were obviously there, but they didn't turn it into a religious commentary from my point of view at all. This was nowhere near a Lord of The Rings, but it was decent. Could have been a lot better, but it was okay. C+

The Skeleton Key
Pretty decent thriller with a chilling ending and reveal. The clues became apparent at all the right spots, the pacing flowed as it should have. It left me with an eerie feeling I couldn't shake for a couple of days and still gives me chills when I think about it. A-

Volcano High
This movie was...unique. It was the dubbed version where hip-hop stars did the voice overs, which was interesting. The fight scenes were kind of lackluster though, and the plot was kind of thin and twisted. It seemed to promote rebelling against authority in a bad way, which I didn't care for. And the hero of the film didn't even fight until the end, and that was a very short fight, so it was kind of a waste of a build up. And the stupid disc kept freezing on me! I have no alternative but to give this sad film a big fat F.

Crash
This was a really good movie that covered a lot of social issues and stereotypes, and showed how the smallest things connect us as a whole. But the ending was incredibly sad, and the movie left me kind of depressed. Had it not been for that fact I might have given it a higher score. This one's a borderline B+ to A-.

The Secret Window
Chilling, suspenseful, intelligent, all around enjoyable. A-

And that's this week's edition of Gonzogoose Theatre. :)

B-Out