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Post by DSR on Sept 20, 2009 0:33:06 GMT -5
I want to watch Basket Case 2 and 3 still, I've only seen one. By the way, the main character(s) from Basket Case make a cameo in a movie called Brain Damage, DSR. But you probably knew that. Yes, I knew that, good sir. Though I didn't know it from seeing the movie, as I rented it once for a day, put it in my VCR, hit play, and then promptly fell asleep. When I awoke, I (probably unfairly) blamed the movie for my lapse in consciousness and returned it the next day without having finished it. I may give it a second chance in the future. *shrug*
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Post by tap on Sept 20, 2009 0:43:06 GMT -5
Saw III (2006): I'm just going to make this as painful as possible - I didn't care for this movie. At all. Long, bloated, and extremely repetitive, this movie was some kind of chore to sit through. In addition to those qualities, the character who is the primary lesson learner in this film - Jeff, a man obsessed with revenge against the driver who killed his son - seemed to me to just be a giant douche who lets several innocent people die throughout this film. Also, there's MUCH more emphasis on gore. Tobin Bell, who is onscreen more than in the other movies in the series, is the only saving grace of this one. * out of ****. I actually liked this one more than Saw II. I've found the more intimate the game the better the film is for it. Having too many characters (II, V) bogs the whole thing down. I guess the only quibble I have with this review is the use of the word "innocent." Jigsaw has always tried to get the main character of each film to see things through his point-of-view. In doing so, he also sympathizes with the characters he's testing. He completely understands why Jeff feels these people are responsible. But there's a difference between responsibility and culpability. Jigsaw knows the difference between the two, but it's not up to him to impart that knowledge to those being tested directly: they have to learn that for themselves. This is why I don't like the phrase "torture porn" fixed on the Saw serious because there is a heavy moral streak throughout all of them. The violence isn't gratuitous like the Hostel films (and its derivatives). The violence in the Saw films is cathartic. Violence is but a way of breaking through and realizing that moral centre that people are too easily to forget in their daily lives. Jeff forgives, but at what cost? It's always too little too late. But he had that choice. Jigsaw always granted him that choice, to step in and save these people who Jeff feels are to blame for the lack of justice. What I find so interesting about the Saw films (and granted, they aren't great films at all, but I enjoy the way they've somehow expanded the plot... even though the plot itself is contrived, I bite, because it's always fun to wonder where they will take things next) is that Jigsaw dealt with people easily identified as "problem cases" (see Saw II). Junkies, thieves, prostitutes, etc. But he also focused on those who don't see these people (or REALLY see these people), like Dr. Gordon, like Detective Matthews, like Jeff. Those who fall through the cracks are ignored by the "happy" middle class families. But then, Jigsaw takes another bent with the past couple of films, going after white collar workers. He now identifies those who've fallen through the cracks as symptoms, targeting those who are the problem. In a brass tax sort of way, Jigsaw combines his morality, of having a second chance, with economy, of being denied a chance to begin with. He's a cultural critic, in a way, and yes, he does have the law on his side (just not in the way we normally describe the law). I don't think this was consciously set in place with Saw I, but it's a take I like, because you never see a killer combine morality with ideology in this way. Jason, Freddy, Michael, they all kill because they have to. It's a compulsion. Their evil is innate, almost a force of nature. They are the moral protectors against vice (sex, drugs, booze, defiance against authority, etc.) Someone like Pinhead, however, represents the absence of evil altogether. Hell is a place, not a state of being, so he does not suffer damnation and recognizes the thin line between pain and pleasure. He's a philosopher of phenomenology (in an upside down sort of way). Jigsaw, contrary to the aforementioned killers, does not murder anyone at all (actively). Just because he places them in a homicidal situation does not mean there is no way out. He's utopian, he's ideological. He truly believes people can be better, but they need to be separated from the myopia of their everyday lives and realize a) the impact they have on others and b) the joys and advantage they have that they choose to ignore or waste. He implicates everyone, even himself, because he tested the limits of his own body. He's the most flawed, but the most human, and maybe the most "true" of any horror icon in the past... 40 years? All this of this just to say: I don't think anyone is ever wholly innocent in the Saw universe. Is Jeff still a douche? Probably. I haven't even touched upon why the "torture" horror film has taken off in the past couple of years, but that's for another post, maybe.
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Post by Maidpool w/ Cleaning Action on Sept 20, 2009 0:47:29 GMT -5
I want to watch Basket Case 2 and 3 still, I've only seen one. By the way, the main character(s) from Basket Case make a cameo in a movie called Brain Damage, DSR. But you probably knew that. Yes, I knew that, good sir. Though I didn't know it from seeing the movie, as I rented it once for a day, put it in my VCR, hit play, and then promptly fell asleep. When I awoke, I (probably unfairly) blamed the movie for my lapse in consciousness and returned it the next day without having finished it. I may give it a second chance in the future. *shrug* Hey you have to love a talking phallic slug thing that injects heavily addicted drugs into your brain and speaks with a sophisticated accent.
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andrew8798
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Post by andrew8798 on Sept 20, 2009 0:51:14 GMT -5
Speaking of the Saw series I still need to get the rest of them on DVD only have the first one
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Post by DSR on Sept 20, 2009 1:22:08 GMT -5
Yes, I knew that, good sir. Though I didn't know it from seeing the movie, as I rented it once for a day, put it in my VCR, hit play, and then promptly fell asleep. When I awoke, I (probably unfairly) blamed the movie for my lapse in consciousness and returned it the next day without having finished it. I may give it a second chance in the future. *shrug* Hey you have to love a talking phallic slug thing that injects heavily addicted drugs into your brain and speaks with a sophisticated accent. Yeah, I read a review that said basically that, Brain Damage is probably the coolest PSA ever made.
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Ken Ivory
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Post by Ken Ivory on Sept 20, 2009 6:25:44 GMT -5
I just got back from Jennifer's Body and I just have this to say, it was a hell of a lot better than I thought it was going to be. It was nothing like what I expected and I mean that for the better. Infact, I felt it had the potential to be even more than it was but the last 1/4 of it kind of slipped off the track that the rest of the movie set up IMO. The one thing I didn't like about it is they had a TON of build up for Jennifer and Needy's relationship, that really didn't pay off at the end at all. All the build up to the complicated nature of their friendship/possibly more just pretty much crumbled apart at the end and really didn't play a factor in it. Oh yeah, agreed on pretty much all this. Didn't mention it in my review for whatever reason, but the point that the movie starts losing a little bit of steam to me is when Jennifer starts seducing Needy's boyfriend. I did enjoy the ending scenes quite a bit, however. I actually thought that the movie had been FANTASTIC up until that point, and was actually ready to give it a four-star review if it would have kept that level up. More than anything else, in this day and age of remakes and retreads, this flick was original all the way, and I highly recommend that people should check this movie out on that merit alone. Especially considering that they had a trailer for the incredibly uninspired Stepfather remake coming up before the movie. As for the Halloween III news, I quite enjoyed MBV3D, and if Lussier can fix this mess of a series, then he's the greatest film-maker of all time. Lastly, Saw mini-reviews: Saw III (2006): I'm just going to make this as painful as possible - I didn't care for this movie. At all. Long, bloated, and extremely repetitive, this movie was some kind of chore to sit through. In addition to those qualities, the character who is the primary lesson learner in this film - Jeff, a man obsessed with revenge against the driver who killed his son - seemed to me to just be a giant douche who lets several innocent people die throughout this film. Also, there's MUCH more emphasis on gore. Tobin Bell, who is onscreen more than in the other movies in the series, is the only saving grace of this one. * out of ****. Saw IV: An improvement over Saw III, that's for sure. Admittedly it's a little hard to follow, as the logistics of a serial killer continuing his work after his death is a little sketchy (to put it lightly), but nonetheless that's what we get with this film. This one focuses on Lieutenant Daniel Rigg, a man obsessed with saving everyone, and the last remaining investigator of the Jigsaw case to remain untouched. Once again, this one seems to run out of steam about halfway through, though, and the big surprise at the end was completely lame. ** out of ****. I agree with you on Saw III, too long and too much emphasis on gore. I hope you didn't see the director's cut because the ending of that one is just ridiculous. As for Saw IV, I would definitely watch it more than once as there is so much going on (different characters, stories and the style of story telling also) plus it kind of makes you appreciate III a little bit more. Saw V.....prepare to be disappointed. It's weak.
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Post by tap on Sept 20, 2009 11:10:07 GMT -5
There's a scene in Saw V that made me laugh out loud.
SPOILERS (in case TR hasn't seen it yet).
"How does this guy in this scene know EVERYTHING that went down through a flashback?"
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andrew8798
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Post by andrew8798 on Sept 20, 2009 12:22:35 GMT -5
Update on Halloween 3-D
Todd Farmer is also confirming
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Welfare Willis
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Post by Welfare Willis on Sept 21, 2009 8:01:13 GMT -5
Update on Halloween 3-D Todd Farmer is also confirming Haha! Great statement by Todd. Hard for me to hate on the guy. He did write Jason X, but he also wrote MBV 3D. So I saw a couple films over the weekend and thought I'd write my thoughts out. Video Violence 1&2- These films were actually shot on a home video camera. While no where near the best films I've ever seen, Video Violence does have a charm to it due to it's story similarity to the Wicker Man. I thought part two was much worse due to the lack of a protagnist and weakness of Howard and Eli as main characters. A lot of gore shots but no real story. Waxwork- cheesy 80's fun starring 80's celebs: Zach Galligan (Gremlins 1 & 2), Deborah Foreman (April Fools Day), Michelle Johnson (Blame it on Rio). Really the film is a tribute to the horror films that came before it and pulls those tributes off very well. Plus the film has a small person butler. Midnight Movie- TR did an excellent review of this film already, but I found the blu-ray at walmart for $10 Friday. Great film. The film reminded me a little of Ringu in it's supernatural elements, but make no mistake... this is at it's heart a slasher film. In a era of remakes and retreads, it's nice to have an original slasher film.
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Lick Ness Monster
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Post by Lick Ness Monster on Sept 21, 2009 9:10:19 GMT -5
Midnight Movie- TR did an excellent review of this film already, but I found the blu-ray at walmart for $10 Friday. Great film. The film reminded me a little of Ringu in it's supernatural elements, but make no mistake... this is at it's heart a slasher film. In a era of remakes and retreads, it's nice to have an original slasher film. In the interest of credit, you're mistaken there. I haven't seen Midnight Movie.
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Welfare Willis
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Post by Welfare Willis on Sept 21, 2009 9:35:33 GMT -5
Midnight Movie- TR did an excellent review of this film already, but I found the blu-ray at walmart for $10 Friday. Great film. The film reminded me a little of Ringu in it's supernatural elements, but make no mistake... this is at it's heart a slasher film. In a era of remakes and retreads, it's nice to have an original slasher film. In the interest of credit, you're mistaken there. I haven't seen Midnight Movie. Oh no. I know someone here had seen it because I read their review. That would explain why the search function couldn't find the post.
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Post by GuyOfOwnage on Sept 21, 2009 11:08:09 GMT -5
Just a quick request for any of the mods that post in here...could one of you please lock thread #4? It appears that no one bothered to do so at the end of the last thread, and I'd rather not have someone bumping it. The link's on the first page of this thread if you need it. Thanks.
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Post by Maidpool w/ Cleaning Action on Sept 21, 2009 11:58:28 GMT -5
Taken care of.
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Welfare Willis
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Post by Welfare Willis on Sept 21, 2009 16:14:08 GMT -5
Also, TR I think I'm ready to dip my feet a little more in the asian film scene. I've read some of your reviews but have trouble finding some of them. Care to indulge me with some of your favorite Asian horror not including Audition?
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Lick Ness Monster
Dennis Stamp
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Post by Lick Ness Monster on Sept 21, 2009 21:03:53 GMT -5
Also, TR I think I'm ready to dip my feet a little more in the asian film scene. I've read some of your reviews but have trouble finding some of them. Care to indulge me with some of your favorite Asian horror not including Audition? - The entire Ju-On series - Curse 1 & 2 and Grudge 1 & 2. Pure awesomeness from front to back with the most badass female villain in all of horror, Kayako Saeki, as marvelously played by WC horror hall of fame inductee Takako Fuji. - A Tale of Two Sisters- Marebito- Ringu series - the "Anthology of Terror" box set is a good buy, even though Rasen is a pretty weak film it's still worth watching - Pulse (a.k.a. Kairo- The O.G. versions of The Eye, Shutter, Premonition and Dark Water are all very good - LOADS better than their American counterparts - The Takashi Miike collection of awesomeness: Dead or Alive trilogy, One Missed Call, Ichi the Killer, and MPD Psycho- Apartment 1303 (although not many others like this movie as much as I do, as I identify with it in a VERY personal way) - Tomie (just the first film, don't bother with the box set) ...I'm sure I missed a few, but that's what I can think of right now.
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theryno665
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Post by theryno665 on Sept 21, 2009 21:21:47 GMT -5
As much as I love Asian cinema, I can't really recommend anything not done by Takashi Miike when it comes to horror. I've seen Ju-On and A Tale of Two Sisters and wasn't really impressed with either of them. It really depends on how you like your horror though. A good chunk of Asian horror is usually based on suspense and build-up...or in the case of Miike and his counterparts, just how much disturbing stuff you can handle. But since I like my horror gory and sometimes cheesy, most Asian horror just isn't for me.
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Post by Mehe is F'n hardcore. on Sept 21, 2009 21:22:17 GMT -5
I feel like typing a bit, so I'm gonna throw in some horror movie opinions here.
Re-Animator: I think I've mentioned a couple of times that this is my favorite horror film of the 80's. It's got everything; blood, zombie-esque critters, Jeffrey Combs, boobs, glowing green stuff, and HP Lovecraft. What's not to love?
Sleepaway Camp: I was lucky enough to see this unspoiled. Never saw the end coming. I was like DAMN.
Carrie: As much as I would love to mark R-A as my favorite film ever, this on pretty much takes my horror cake. I was that girl in high school, and this movie is a giant catharsis for me. The end got me though. I jumped a mile at the end.
Basket Case 1,2, and 3: Having recently completed viewing of all this, I hereby dub Frank Henlotter a genius. Basket Case is obviously low budget, but the story is great, the effects are great, and the Bradley Twins are sympathetic characters. I always feel kinda sorry for Belial, who really just wants to exist. Another thing about these particular movies is that there's a line of continuity that you just don't find in most sequels. They're entirely faithful to each other.
Troma Films in General: WANT MOER ALWAYS.
More to come from Mehe later.
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Jiren
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Post by Jiren on Sept 21, 2009 22:51:52 GMT -5
I'll add "Uzmaki" Asian horror list.
It's weird as all hell but it's good
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Lick Ness Monster
Dennis Stamp
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Post by Lick Ness Monster on Sept 21, 2009 22:55:01 GMT -5
I feel like typing a bit, so I'm gonna throw in some horror movie opinions here. Re-Animator: I think I've mentioned a couple of times that this is my favorite horror film of the 80's. It's got everything; blood, zombie-esque critters, Jeffrey Combs, boobs, glowing green stuff, and HP Lovecraft. What's not to love? Sleepaway Camp: I was lucky enough to see this unspoiled. Never saw the end coming. I was like DAMN. Carrie: As much as I would love to mark R-A as my favorite film ever, this on pretty much takes my horror cake. I was that girl in high school, and this movie is a giant catharsis for me. The end got me though. I jumped a mile at the end. Basket Case 1,2, and 3: Having recently completed viewing of all this, I hereby dub Frank Henlotter a genius. Basket Case is obviously low budget, but the story is great, the effects are great, and the Bradley Twins are sympathetic characters. I always feel kinda sorry for Belial, who really just wants to exist. Another thing about these particular movies is that there's a line of continuity that you just don't find in most sequels. They're entirely faithful to each other. Troma Films in General: WANT MOER ALWAYS. More to come from Mehe later. That's a very good list, Unimehe. With the exception of Basket Case I love all of those films, although with the sizable cult following that the movie series has I'm definitely in the minority. I still have to see his new movie Bad Biology, which people either love or hate with no middle ground, it seems. Don't know if you follow this thread or not, but we actually had a little mini- Sleepaway Camp discussion a couple pages back. I too saw the movie without knowing the ending, which is kind of a rare thing when you're dealing with a 25+ year-old horror film. As much as I love Asian cinema, I can't really recommend anything not done by Takashi Miike when it comes to horror. I've seen Ju-On and A Tale of Two Sisters and wasn't really impressed with either of them. It really depends on how you like your horror though. A good chunk of Asian horror is usually based on suspense and build-up...or in the case of Miike and his counterparts, just how much disturbing stuff you can handle. But since I like my horror gory and sometimes cheesy, most Asian horror just isn't for me. I certainly see what you're saying, as a good chunk of Asian horror movies (well, at least the ones that are readily available for purchase over here) is based around the revenge ghost-style film (i.e., the "Japanese girl with long black hair down her face" ghost that many complain about), and they do all kind of meld together after a while...but then again, so did '80s slasher films, which I burned out on before getting into Asian horror. And at the time, this vast difference in style was very refreshing just because it was VERY different to what I was used to. To Fulci, if you're going to watch some Asian horror, just be aware that it is loads different from what we do here in the States, and you'll likely either love it immediately or tune it out.
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Jiren
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Post by Jiren on Sept 21, 2009 23:02:39 GMT -5
I really can't stand the Sleepaway Camp series, Yes the ending to the first was very good but the movie was "meh" at best.
It's strange that I hate them because I love cheesy crappy movies.
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