Insidious Indeed

the following review was written by my good friend, austin balaich.  he will periodically be one of my honorary film critics, specializing in animations.  here's to austin:

Scary movies don’t scare me anymore these days.  The definition of scary movies to the common people typically end up in words such as gory, bloody, gross, and many other similar terms.  The film by James Wan puts the word “Insidious” to the test in this scary thriller.  As I watched how the film gradually gets scarier and scarier, this movie definitely stays true to the designation, “Insidious”.  

Starring Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne, they’re parents of a child who gets captured in a coma, but the parents eventually figure out that it’s not just a coma.  The path they have to take to bring their son back to reality depicts all kinds of insidiousness in this movie.  Ghosts, demons, eerie sounds and occurrences were cleverly edited and put together in this film.  As I carefully watched this film, I literally felt creeped out as the multiple overhead and following camera angles show much vulnerability around the parents.  There were some moments where my heart suddenly stops beating and some other where my mind was forced to reject the graveness of this so-called reality this film is suggesting.  This is a clever film, and it truly will make you check your closet for monsters before you go to bed.

I give this film 4 out of 5 stars for its brilliant use of horror other than these gory and gross movies.  It reminds me of the unusual similarities of horror and thriller to the film by Alejandro Amenabar, The Others.  If you liked The Others, you’ll get spooked while watching Insidious.    

thanks austin!!

the man who loved his wife

darren aronofsky continues his string of far-out films with The Fountain starring hugh jackman and rachel weisz.  it is hard to say if the weirdness masked the heartfelt notion that a one-woman man can save his dying wife.  it is in human nature to feel powerless when a loved one is nearing death.  some of us panic. some of us are scared and want nothing to do with the thought of a possible life beyond one here on earth.  and some of us believe, myself included, that there is life beyond the grave - and eventually, we can be victors over death.

culturally, there is one thing i can relate with the film.  the wedding ring is a symbol of eternal love.  i can feel for jackman's character when he lost his ring.

hugh jackman really did an admirable job.  i was impressed with his diligence in staying in character.  all in all - the movie was too weird for me, with scenes changing from earth to a nebula star and a former life in old spain and new spain.  i can't comprehend the craziness of what could be a simple love story between man and wife.

i give The Fountain 2 out of 5 stars.

Popcorn Cake equals Sticky Fingers!

about time for my first popcorn recipe!!!!!  this is a recipe that i have always enjoyed, and hope you do too!  some of you may want to try some sticky finger food when watching your next movie.  one item you absolutely need is a hot air popper and an appetite because these are mighty addicting!

ingredients:
16 cups popped popcorn
1 stick (1/2 cup) butter - never use margarine, it will ruin the flavor
1 1/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup Karo syrup (light)
1/2 tsp vanilla
3 cups mini-marshmallows

optional ingredients:
EXTRA VANILLA!!!
1 cup shelled peanuts
1 1/2 cups small gumdrops

directions:
mix popcorn, marshmallows and if desired the shelled peanuts and gumdrops.  in pan melt butter, add sugar and Karo syrup.  bring to a boil and simmer three minutes.  add 1/2 tsp vanilla...or desired amount, extra if you're me...pour over popcorn and mix well.

if you really want it "cake-like" use a bundt cake pan and fill it up.  let cool and turn upside down on plate.  if you're like me, eat it straight from the bowl, allow for sticky fingers to get messy and enjoy the warmth of popcorn cake.

i rate this treat 9.5 stars out of 10! 

werewolf truce?

amanda seyfried gave a fantastic effort in Red Riding Hood.  her magnetic red hooded cape complimented her acting in a way that made the film worthwhile, once.  however, her supporting cast let her down, even to the level of disappointment.  personally, the story of lovers staving off an arranged marriage is an old tale, and the twist that someone is the werewolf gave the story some spice. 

Red Riding Hood follows the same woodland fantasyland genre as stephanie myers' Twilight.  ironically, or not, both films are directed by catherine hardwicke.  the werewolf and vampire fad is still a novelty in american society and Red Riding Hood takes advantage of it.  the film was dark in many aspects, and when a small town is taken aback by murder, everyone is a suspect.  trust no one.  seyfried played her part extremely well, especially since she plays the innocent, wide-eyed girl her other films.  i appreciated the fact she branched out to expand her resume.  i can't say the same for her cast-mates. 

this movie is a good movie to watch once, and maybe once again 10 years down the road.  i give the film 2.5 stars out of 5.

Money Never Sleeps

money money money...Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps makes me care less about money and more about my family.  you would expect more from a movie starring shia labeouf and michael douglas.  while the movie accurately portrays investment bankers shorting share-holders and the very real possibility of government bailouts of wall street (hasn't that happened before....?) at the expense of the public, the acting job by douglas and labeouf made me sick to my stomach.  good thing i borrowed this from the public library, for free mind you, because i wouldn't spend a cent to see this movie.  shia  in Transformers would be a better stay-at-home date.

i give this film a 1.5 out of 5 stars.

truth in politicians?

three murders: two connected and one seemingly unrelated.  or so the world thought.  State of Play - so it seems.

academy award winner russell crowe plays cal mccaffrey, a dc reporter assigned to investigate the death of his college roommate's, up-and-coming politician stephan collins (ben affleck),  research assistant.  stumbling upon suspicious evidence and withholding them from the police assigned to the case, cal along with colleague della frye (rachel mcadams) seek to find the truth.

placing a love triangle on the line is a risky move, even for cal mccaffrey.  does cal, who keeps focusing on his story use his friend and his wife as sources or is he trying to protect them?  or do collins and his wife use cal as their source and use the case as payback from cal using them in the past? 

in a normal world - finding truth may not involve jeopardizing friendships, careers and maybe even self dignity.  however, clearly when a "friend" who uses his own friend to cover up mistakes, especially when he is a public official, for personal gains is a definite no-no.

State of Play incorporates verbal and non-verbal communication to get the message across. cal and della pick up on puzzle pieces to solve not one, but three murders.  director kevin macdonald has definitely earned the title auteur in this work and should be placed on the right hand of steven spielberg and george lucas.  State of Play is the ultimate neo-noir film.

who's the hypocrite?

i give this film 4.5 stars out of 5.

retreat?

combine Independence Day with any other war movie inbred with War of the Worlds and you get Battle: Los Angeles.  aaron eckhart plays a Marine staff sergeant who fights demons from his past to lead a platoon dead set against him and follow orders only because of rank.  while i must praise eckhart for stepping out of his usual role as the male protagonist in stereotypical chick flicks to star in this action film, i must question the motives of director jonathan liebesman and writer christopher bertolini what was going through their heads when they planned this film. 

the film is great eye candy if you're a pyromaniac - however, the movie doesn't have much narration besides "survival" and taking back los angeles.  i think that if there was a relationship developing between staff sergeant nantz (who recently had his retirement approved and was forced back into the line of duty) and veterinarian michelle (played by bridget moynahan) the film would have been much better.  Battle: Los Angeles flirts with the idea but it didn't develop enough into a meaningful relationship other than a great admiration from michelle toward staff sergeant nantz. 

eckart exceptionally plays a character who we all hope every Marine is, a Marine through and through.  i have a cousin who is in the US Marine Corps and pray for his safety. 

Battle: Los Angeles is a movie worth watching once.  it is not worth the full price of a recently released dvd.  i'd wait until it is on sale for five bucks at wal-mart or target before purchasing it. 

hoorah! semper fi!

i give this film 3 out of 5 stars.