March 31, 2010
Quarantine (2008)
Should I see it?
This is a needless remake of the Spanish film [REC]. If its not a shot-for-shot remake, it is very close.
Angela Vidal (Jennifer Carpenter) is a pretty, late-night show hostess. She is spending the night shooting her show in a firehouse. The firemen are called out and Angela and her cameraman Scott tag along.
They are called to an apartment building where a deranged woman is causing problems. Before long, it is learned that the building is a death trap. A rabies-like disease is going around turning people into violent zombies. The building is quickly quarantined and we watch through Scott's camera as things go from worrisome to disastrous.
This is not a half-bad zombie film. It is a retread however. The original [REC] has more spark and seems to have more depth. [REC] is a Spanish-language film however and if you're not a fan of subtitles, this is a reasonable alternative. The subtitles are worth it however.
Related Reviews:
Other remakes
The Manchurian Candidate (2004)
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)
Other Critic’s Reviews:
Reel Film
eFilmCritic
Click here to buy your copy of
You Are What You See:
Watching Movies Through a Christian Lens
Labels: film, Jennifer Carpenter, movie review
posted by Michelle Obama's Left Nut at 2:00 PM
0 comment(s)
Share
October 7, 2008
The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005)
Should I see it?
Yes.
Yes.
Short Review: Even sans pea soup, this is the best horror film in decades.
This film was made for $19,000,000.00. Released at the same time, Spielberg’s War of The Worlds cost $132,000,000.00. Proof that it doesn’t take massive budgets to make greatness.
The Exorcist dominated cinematic exorcisms much in the same way Bond is the only real spy and Star Wars is the touchstone for all space films. These classics defined their subject matter, and to even think of getting a foothold on their ground is risky business. The Exorcism of Emily Rose made me forget about The Exorcist (the best horror film of all time.) This was done through the film's revolutionary element its deep sense of reality. Director/Co-Writer Scott Derrickson infuses a strong sense of the real into his film which only serves to buttress the horror. Exorcism and demonic possession is a serious topic and Derrickson has the intelligence to take it sincerely. His honest look at the subject is what makes this film brilliant. The Exorcist took its subject matter very seriously as well, but upon reflection took loose translations of reality. This film doesn’t go the pea soup and head-spinning route. It keeps its characters and their troubles within the realm of the possible.
Derrickson’s film is strongly paced and smartly presented. Through the lens of a courtroom, we are exposed to the strange case of Emily Rose. Emily’s priest Father Moore is on trial for negligent homicide, a result of the young woman’s death. Since the film comes at the subject matter through this avenue, Derrickson is able to present Emily’s story patiently and to it fullest effect. The courtroom scenes issue explanations of what is to come and then we are sent off to the horrible world of poor Emily Rose. The continual set up presentation of scary scenes is quite powerful. The courtroom setting also sets up a Protestant court convicting a Catholic idea vibe…luckily this isn’t pushed too hard. I’ll move on before I get into a Protestant vs. Catholic thing.
The performances in the film match the strength of the writing and directing. Tom Wilkinson as Father Moore and Laura Linney as his attorney Erin Bruner perform to their normal high standards. These two are continuously good performers who almost always manage to offer solid work. The star of the film is Jennifer Carpenter who portrays Emily. While she doesn’t get many actual lines, she offers very convincing renditions of being possessed and going insane. This may not seem like much but it can be very difficult for an actor to get this kind of performance done properly. There is a thin line between scary and stupid. While filming, the actor must look like a complete idiot writhing on the ground or making funny faces. They have to give their full trust to their director and hope they are talented enough to keep them from looking like a moron on the big screen. Carpenter’s performance is striking in that it doesn’t seem forced. As with Derrickson’s direction, Carpenter shows truthfulness in her performance and that gives this film its heart.
Overall, this is a truly brilliant film. If you haven’t already seen this film, you should. It is clearly worth the rental price. Outstanding.
Click on the screamer to view the trailer
Related Reviews:
Possession movies
Fallen (1998)
Dominion: The Prequel To The Exorcist (2005)
Other Critic's Reviews:
Film Geeks
Beyond Hollywood
Labels: film, Jennifer Carpenter, Laura Linney, movie review, Tom Wilkerson
posted by Michelle Obama's Left Nut at 5:00 PM
0 comment(s)
Share
May 5, 2008
Movie Trailer: Quarantine
I have a weakness for zombie movies. They're stupid and I know better, but I can't help myself. I can't explain it, I just love em'. This admitted, I can't say this one turns my crank. I'm fine with the zombie element, as a matter of fact I love it. The stick wicket is the premise. Can we stop with the first-person movies already? Thanks to Ruggero Deodato (Cannibal Holocaust) and then those goofballs Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sanchez for belching out Blair Witch Project, now everyone with a budget under 1 million thinks its clever to do the "lost footage" routine. Attention all independent filmmakers, we know you're short on funds and things are being done on the cheap. Not everyone can be Michael Bay and not every film is a corporate event. Concentrate on story and good film making and we won't care your movie looks like it was shot in a high school AV room.
What pains me is that this isn't the first time with the "lost footage" gimmick for creators John Erick and Drew Dowdle. They made their mark with last year's most pathetic release The Poughkeepsie Tapes which was made of footage taken from a serial killer's point-of-view. I have the same reaction to this movie as I did with that one - just what the world needed another movie for stupid people.
What pains me is that this isn't the first time with the "lost footage" gimmick for creators John Erick and Drew Dowdle. They made their mark with last year's most pathetic release The Poughkeepsie Tapes which was made of footage taken from a serial killer's point-of-view. I have the same reaction to this movie as I did with that one - just what the world needed another movie for stupid people.
Click here to visit the official site
Return to the Movie Trailer Page
Screenwriters: John Erick Dowdle, and Drew Dowdle (The Poughkeepsie Tapes)
Director: John Erick Dowdle
Actors: Johnathon Schaech (8MM2), Jennifer Carpenter (The Exorcism of Emily Rose), and Columbus Short (Stomp the Yard)
Labels: first-person, Jennifer Carpenter, zombie
posted by Michelle Obama's Left Nut at 5:22 PM
1 comment(s)
Share
Previous Posts
Friends & Reads
Christian & Culture
Film Resources
Christian Sites
Faithcom
Featured On
Good News Film Reviews LLC 2004-2010 - used with permission
Images, video and titles are the property of their respective copyright holders. Good News Film Reviews LLC claims no ownership or connection to them.
The views expressed on this site are not the opinion of any advertiser or external entity.
While we take care to only link to responsible entities, Good News Film Reviews LLC takes no responsibility for the content linked from this site. There are sharks in the waters. Surf at your own risk.
The Template is generated via PsycHo and is Licensed.