Pandorum - A surprisingly good sci fi horror flick

When Pandorum came out, I thought it looked awesome, but I also knew it had the potential to be very cheesy. Well, I missed it when it was in the theaters, and while I think it did okay, it didn't kill the box office so my expectations dropped a little bit. When I went to Blockbuster, the clerk, who regularly gives me his opinion on the movies I rent, told me Pandorum was actually a pretty good movie. I still had pretty low expectations going in, but he was right, surprisingly it is a pretty dang good flick.

Pandorum is along the same lines as Event Horizon and Sunshine. It's the lost-in-space, don't-know-what's-going-on, type of movie. In it. two astronauts, Bower (Ben Foster - the meth head from Alpha Dog) and Payton (Dennis Quaid), wake up from hyper sleep to find themselves alone on a space ship. They no memory of who they are, what they are doing, or what has happened to the crew of their 60,000 passenger ship the Elysium. They are unable to access the ship's bridge, and cannot communicate with any other members of the crew, including the flight team they are to apparently supposed relieve. Bower must then explore under Payton's radio guidance, the spacecraft to locate the other crew members and to restart the power source of the ship. Along his journey through the massive ship, Bower must battle the possibility that he could have Pandorum, a psychological condition brought on by extended periods of hyper-sleep and its symptoms and effects, including severe paranoia, vivid hallucinations, and homicidal tendencies. He also encounters dead bodies, and fast moving, cannibalistic humanoid creatures. He also encounters some other survivors who have been living on the ship, fighting and running from these evil creatures. They work together to reach the ship's power source to help Bower reset it before the ship "dies." It is discovered what the mission of the ship actually is, and what has caused all the evil on the ship. Will they be able to survive not only the evil creatures, but each other, and the Pandorum?

This is an incredibly dark movie. I watched this on a cold rainy afternoon, and I recommend everyone else do the same to get a better effect. I really like both Ben Foster and Dennis Quaid, and they did not disappoint in this movie either. The cast is rounded out by Cam Gigandet (The OC, Twilight, Never Back Down), Antje Traue (the resident hottie) and Cung Le (the resident ass kicker). The whole lost in space on a ship with no place run thing is a pretty scary concept, and this flick does a good job of heightening that fear. Pandorum is smart, and as believable as sci fi movies can be, meaning that maybe, just maybe something like this could possibly maybe happen. It is violent and has a lot of "That's pretty nasty!" moments. But at the same time, it's not too overdone. It almost seems necessary in this one.

Regardless of how good this movie actually is, it's clearly intended for only a certain type of audience. If you liked Event Horizon, Sunshine, or even the Alien movies, you'll enjoy this one. This movie isn't perfect by any means and there are a few plot holes, but who cares really? It's entertaining. It scares you and makes you think a little bit at the same time. Guys, I wouldn't recommend this one for a date, unless you've got a girl who likes scary movies. Otherwise, I think this one is best enjoyed either alone or with some other sci fi horror fans.

Extract - Another funny trailer at least...

Extract is Mike Judge's latest movie. Mike Judge is the genius behind such classics as Office Space, Beavis and Butthead, and King of the Hill. But he seriously missed the boat on Extract. It's another one of those movies that had a hilarious movie trailer but a not so hilarious movie. I have to say I was supremely disappointed in this one. While I never really got into Beavis and Butthead or King of the Hill, I thought Office Space was awesome, and I still do. Extract is one I wish I had not seen because it kind of hurts my admiration for Mr. Judge.

Extract is about Joel (Jason Bateman - Juno, Arrested Development). He owns an extract factory. He's trying to sell the company to General Mills and get out from under the huge weight on his shoulders. But in his journey of life he has a horrific workplace injury/ potential lawsuit to deal with, a possibly unfaithful wife to worry about, an annoying neighbor to avoid, a scam artist hottie to try to seduce, and a doped up best friend to listen to. All of this is seemingly undeserved because Bateman's Joel really seems like a decent guy.

Bateman, who I think can really do no wrong, plays this role a little too straight. I mean, he plays an incredible likable if not a little up tight guy, but he's just not really the funny that I like to see him be. You do genuinely feel for the guy when the world decides to take a huge dump on him. Mila Kunis (That 70s Show) plays the hot little scam artist, and while she has developed into a pretty smoking hot girl, you really don't like her at all, but you do see what Bateman's character sees in her, because, like I said before, she's hot. David Koechner (Champ Kind from Anchorman) plays the most annoying person I've seen on screen in a long time. Annoying characters are funny when, yes, while they annoy the other characters, they are are still funny to the audience. Well, Koechner plays this role too good I think because he annoyed the hell out me too. So I did not laugh at his annoyances towards Joel, because I was just as frustrated. Kristen Wiig (SNL) plays Joel's wife, and really has no redeeming qualities. She's not the normally funny actress that I like, she's a bad wife, and yet Joel still loves her. Yet another reason to like the guy. Ben Affleck plays the role of the bartending, pot smoking best friend, and while he did a pretty good job in this movie, Ben Affleck just isn't all that believable as a pot head. I'm sorry, he's just better suited playing an ass hole or something.

While I was quite disappointed in this movie, it wasn't totally devoid of laughs. There are a couple of parts that actually made me laugh out loud, but for the most part it was just lacking. It felt like it was almost good, but just missed a little bit of one ingredient that could have made it really enjoyable. If you are sick on a Tuesday afternoon, and there's nothing else on, or if its on and you are looking to watch something before you go to bed, I suggest watching it. You'll have a decent time with it. Or if you are a big Mike Judge fan and may dig some of his humor more than me, you'll like this one. Otherwise, I wouldn't waste a movie rental on this one.

Crazy Heart - Crazy Good

Due to my actually having work to do during the day and my complete laziness at night, I missed an opportunity to make myself seem really cool. I'm going to brag a little bit here and let all of you know that I saw Crazy Heart before it was even released in theaters. It's what happens when you are a famous movie blogger...or you just know someone who has an uncle who is a very important person...whichever. My plan was to write this review before the movie actually came out like real movie critics do, but I clearly missed the boat on that one. Nonetheless, on to the movie.

It wouldn't surprise me if many of you didn't know what Crazy Heart was about as it is not a hugely marketed movie, but it is definitely a good one. If you've been watching the awards shows at all you may have noticed that Jeff Bridges has been winning Best Actor at like all of them. It's for his performance in Crazy Heart.

Bad Blake (Jeff Bridges) is a broken-down, hard-living, Waylon Jennings/Kris Kristopherson-esque country music singer who's had way too many marriages, far too many years on the road and way too many drinks way too many times. He's still a brilliant song writer, but he's just too broken down, and too broke, and too drunk. However, when Bad meets Jean (Maggie Gyllenhaal), a journalist who discovers the real man behind the musician, he can’t help but reach for salvation and a new, better life.

I know that description sounds a bit cliche, and maybe it is, but let's be honest with ourselves here, sometimes cliche is awesome. I mean we've seen the story many times before. Down on his luck guy meets girl who sees the real him, he wants to change, wants to be better, and in the end he is. But we haven't seen this story told with Jeff Bridges playing that down on his luck guy, and with Maggie Gyllenhaal playing that girl, or with Robert Duvall playing a friend.

This story or this movie would not have been nearly as good if anyone else were playing Bad Blake but Jeff Bridges. I mean, I'll go ahead and tell you, I have a total man crush on him and think that everything he does is awesome, but this truly is some of the best acting I've seen. After I saw that movie, I said "If Jeff Bridges doesn't win an Oscar for that role, I'm going to freak out." Well, so far he's on the right track.

While I think this movie is amazing, I realize that this isn't a movie for everyone. I can enjoy an otherwise dull movie because of the acting, many people can't. Not to say this is a dull movie, but there isn't a lot of action. Hardly any humor. It's got some dark parts too. But it is an great movie. If you like music, especially country music, you'll love this movie. There are some really awesome songs in it. The cast is made up of Jeff Bridges, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Robert Duvall, and Colin Farrell. With the exception of Colin Farrell being in Daredevil, these actors don't really make many bad movies. I personally think everyone should see this movie just to watch Jeff Bridges work his magic, but just know, it is kind of slow. There's no great climax or action. It's just a story about people, their struggles, and the little things that get us through them. It really is a great movie.

A Perfect Getaway - actually An Entertaining Thriller

If I had to pick a favorite movie genre, it would be the thriller genre. A good thriller has the heart pounding adrenaline rush that you get from a horror flick without the gore and fear, it has the story and performances that you get from a drama, and it usually has the excitement that you get from an action movie. However, it is super hard to make a good thriller. At the very least, a good thriller has to do one of two things. It has to have that moment near the end of the movie where you realize everything you thought you knew, you didn't, and/or it has to keep up the tension and keep you guessing for pretty much the entire movie. These are very difficult tasks because it is hard to create a situation where someone doesn't guess the ending or to create situation after situation that brings the intensity on a constant flow. This movie was able to do both. To a certain extent.

A Perfect Getaway follows three couples: honeymooners Cliff and Cydney (Steve Zahn - Sahara, Saving Silverman & Milla Jovovich - The 5th Element, Resident Evil), lovers Nick and Gina (Timothy Olyphant - Deadwood, Hitman, Catch and Release & Kiele Sanchez - Lost), and newlyweds Kale and Cleo (Chris Hemsworth - Capt. Tiberius Kirk in the new Star Trek & Marley Shelton - Sin City, Planet Terror) on a Hawaiian vacation who discover that psychopaths, a man and a woman, have killed another young couple and are now believed to be on the same secluded island that they are on. All three couples are on a remote trail, hiking to a secluded beach when they find out that the killers are on their island. The tension is created because we don't know which couple are the psychopaths. Cliff and Cydney seem like the all-American, scared, boring couple, or are they? Nick and Gina are a little crazy and free spirited and a little dangerous, but are they killer dangerous? Kale and Cleo seem like crazy killers, but is it really that easy to tell, or do they just look scary?

The film progresses nicely, as the couples try to figure out what's what and who's who. While every scene isn't outwardly tense, there is always this underlying tension. It does a good job of making you wonder what's going to happen next. You really keep questioning yourself as to who the killers are. Not only is the thriller aspect of the movie strong, the scenery and images are beautiful. Its lush and green. There are a lot of shot that look like they were in Jurassic Park and Lost which there should be bc they are filmed in the same locations.

Many of you seasoned movie watchers may be able to figure out the ending pretty easily, but then again maybe you won't. Regardless of whether you figure it out or not, the movie moves at a nice pace and keeps the tension high, and throws just enough at you that you can't be 100% sure that you've figured it out.

And just so you guys don't think I'm that easy to please, I do have a few knocks on this one. One of the characters has a terrible, I mean terrible southern accent (but she's hot so we forgive her). You really question the consistency of some characters. There are some overly dramatic/trying to be intimidating/ trying to be nice parts that while aren't that distracting, you kind of think about afterwards and say "that was a little much."

But over all, I really liked this movie. I was on the edge of my seat (or bed) most of the time. It kept me guessing until the big reveal. It doesn't hurt that the scenery is amazing, and I'm not just talking about the vegetation. Guys, all the girls are hot. But that's neither here nor there. If you like thrillers, or are just in the mood for a good, clever flick, this is a solid rental. Like I said, it has it's flaws, but as movie watching experiences go, this one is a really good one.

My apologies.

Something funky has been going on with my blog site and it keeps failing to publish my posts. I don't know if some of you have been getting tons of emails but sorry if you are. I think it's fixed now.

Check it out.

http://www.flixxy.com/bear-animal-nature-film.htm

I know I usually just review flicks on here, but my mom sent me this. Its really a great little video and there's no sad endings. However, I want you guys to ask yourself this; HOW THE HECK DID THEY FILM THIS ONE????

Avatar - WOW!!!

Take a little Braveheart, add some Dances with Wolves, sprinkle in bit of Pocahontas, some Ferngully, a little dash of Gorillas in the Mist, and finish it off with the most insane crazy visual effects and watch with some 3-D goggles for 2 hours and 40 mins and Voila! You have Avatar, one of the best movies I've ever seen. I mean day-ummm!! This movie is absolutely mind blowing! James Cameron has really out done himself which I think is his goal every time he sets out to make a movie. It's only been 12 years since his last motion picture. You guys may remember a small, little known movie called Titanic! Yeah, that is the highest grossing pic of all time and it looks like Avatar will be the 2nd highest. However, in my humble opinion, Avatar blows Titanic out of the water (no pun intended).

Avatar is the first movie of its kind and will change the way movies are made forever. I know the short segments in the previews kind of make it look like its any other CGI-laden, animated, motion capture movie. But its not. Trust me. They used a completely revolutionary technology in which the actors are filmed doing their thing, but the image that is shown on the other end of the camera is a 9 foot tall, blue humanoid creature that looks just like the actor. Its amazing! Its better than motion capture and prosthetics combined. So cool. And not only are the characters amazing to look at, so is the world that James Cameron has created. The colors are hyper brilliant, the creatures and plants in the world of Pandora are beautiful, and most of all the story is incredible.

I hope that all of you know what I'm actually raving about, but for those of you who were born yesterday or don't have any interaction with anything except the wall in front of your face, Avatar is one of the biggest films ever made, and its out in theaters right now. Its directed by James Cameron. He's the guys who made the first and second Terminators, Aliens, The Abyss, and the aforementioned Titanic. So basically he makes bad ass films. It stars Sam Worthington who starred in Terminator Salvation and is looking like he's the next Hollywood bad ass and Zoe Saldana who was in the new Star Trek and has 4 movies coming out this year. She's also hot, but all you see is her as a 9 foot tall blue creature the whole movie. It also has a supporting cast of Sigourney Weaver, Michelle Rodriguez, and Giovanni Ribisi, to name a few.

Here's what the movie is all about. When his scientist twin brother is killed and because having the same DNA is a requirement, paraplegic Marine Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) decides to take his place on a mission on the distant world of Pandora. There he learns that his mission will be aiding a greedy corporation in driving off the native humanoid "Na'vi" (the 9 foot tall blue creatures) in order to mine for the precious material buried beneath their homelands. In exchange for the spinal surgery that will "give him his legs back." Jake uses an an "avatar" identity which is a lab-created Na'vi which he can control with his mind while lying in machine that looks like a tanning bed. He agrees to gather intel for the cooperating military unit spearheaded by gung-ho Colonel Quaritch (played by some badass looking dude that I've never seen), while simultaneously attempting to infiltrate the Na'vi people to try and find a peaceful way to mine the material under their feet. Jake begins to bond with the native tribe and quickly falls in love with the beautiful alien Neytiri (Zoe Saldana). Things come to a head when Jake realizes that what the corporation and the military unit are trying to do is evil. Jake is forced to make a choice to continue to help the greedy humans or take a stand and fight back with the alien race that he has infiltrated.

As I said earlier, this is one of the best movies I've ever seen. So I am recommending this movie to every single person out there. Yes, it's long, but you don't feel like it is, it moves fast and you are totally captivated the whole time. Yes, its about 60% CGI, but its so real looking that you forget you are watching "fake" creatures. Yes, its super Sci Fi/Fantasy, but the story is great and the visuals alone are enough to captivate you. I've talked to many people who don't like Sci Fi and who say "I don't like unbelievable movies" or "I just can't get into watching a bunch of blue people run around." Well, I have this to say to you sceptics. Watch this movie anyway. I guarantee you that you will at the very least be spell bound by the visuals and I promise you you will start to get into the story, and you will walk out of the movie theater amazed.

On a side note, when you go see this in the theaters, opt for the 3D version. It's sick! You may feel a little dizzy for the first 5 or 10 minutes but you get used to it and it makes the movie watching experience that much better.