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***1/2
Directed By: Ben Rock
Starring: Carlos Bernard, Mathew St. Patrick
Plot Synopsis:
It’s the end of yet another night at Hastings Supermarket, an idyllic family grocery store in Buck Lake, Arizona. But the normal monotony of rounding up shopping carts and settling out the cash drawers is broken at 11:07pm, just before closing when a group of masked and armed-to-the-teeth militants invades the store, immediately killing several of the employees and shoppers and holding the rest hostage.
Though the hostage-takers at first appear to be robbers or terrorists, they reveal themselves to be a cadre of rogue scientists that has discovered and tracked an alien infestation to this store on this night, and they are determined to find out which of the survivors are extraterrestrials and end the invasion at any cost. (Trailer Addict)
Review:
So, the award for the lamest title of a good movie goes to … Alien Raiders. I mean, seriously, this is where studio intervention is a bad thing. Originally titled Supermarket (I know, not much of a better title), Alien Raiders is a movie that is way better than the title suggests. When I first heard of this movie, I was thinking it would be a low-grade Sci Fi Channel original crap-fest. But, then I started hearing some good things and decided to check it out. Alien Raiders has no right to be as good as it is. It’s a blast.
The plot is basically Dog Day Afternoon crossed with John Carpenter’s The Thing. Nothing groundbreaking or terribly original here, but for a genre picture that’s never a big deal. What’s awesome about Alien Raiders is the use of practical make-up effects and only a slight use of CGI when needed. I wish more movies used this technique. In a CGI addicted Hollywood, it’s nice to see a proper combo of effects. This is how it’s done, people.
Released straight to DVD on Warner Bros’ Raw Feed label, Alien Raiders is easily the best Raw Feed release. The acting is top notch with 24’s Carlos Bernard showing us he deserves to be in more flicks. He’s so good here I think we’ll be seeing him in more movies (here’s hoping people actually see this movie). The acting across the board is not your standard B level acting. It’s all solid. The cast is made up of mostly TV actors (Rockmond Dunbar from Prison Break, Mathew St. Patrick from Six Feet Under) and they are all bringing their A game.
So, for a fun Sci-Fi/Horror romp give Alien Raiders a chance. Here’s hoping Warner Brothers doesn’t get involved with re-naming movies too much in the future. I think with a name like Supermarket the beginning of the movie would be a bit more suspenseful. And although the ending is a bit contrived (I figured it out with 20 minutes to go) this is a fun little movie that is hopefully a springboard for the director Ben Rock and the main cast. Alien Raiders totally deserves your attention. Spread the word!
Rated R for bloody violence, disturbing images and language.
*****
Directed By: Danny Boyle
Starring: Dev Patel, Anil Kapoor
Plot Synopsis:
Slumdog Millionaire is the story of Jamal Malik, an 18 year-old orphan from the slums of Mumbai, who is about to experience the biggest day of his life. With the whole nation watching, he is just one question away from winning a staggering 20 million rupees on India’s “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?”
But when the show breaks for the night, police arrest him on suspicion of cheating; how could a street kid know so much? Desperate to prove his innocence, Jamal tells the story of his life in the slum where he and his brother grew up, of their adventures together on the road, of vicious encounters with local gangs, and of Latika, the girl he loved and lost. Each chapter of his story reveals the key to the answer to one of the game show’s questions.
Intrigued by Jamal’s story, the jaded Police Inspector begins to wonder what a young man with no apparent desire for riches is really doing on this game show?
When the new day dawns and Jamal returns to answer the final question, the Inspector and sixty million viewers are about to find out… (Trailer Addict)
Review:
It’s not every day a movie with no stars and small budget has the success that Danny Boyle’s newest movie Slumdog Millionaire has had. This film came out of nowhere, with very little marketing and is now winner of the coveted Best Picture Oscar (along with numerous more Oscars including Best Director for Danny Boyle). Slumdog Millionare is one of the most memorable, beautiful and affecting movies I’ve seen in a long time.
The plot is a simple one: boy from the slums of India finds success on a game show and pursues the love of his life. It’s Danny Boyle’s execution that makes this picture so stirring. Telling this story through flashbacks was a brave choice and it makes Slumdog Millionaire much more interesting than what it sounds like on paper. Honestly, when I read the synopsis I wasn’t running out to purchase a ticket. But sitting in the theater, my jaw was on the floor.
Slumdog Millionaire has absolutely no stars. No one we’re familiar with seeing in the hundreds of American movies that come out each year. Because of this, we’re drawn into the story and become more invested in the characters. Believe me, if Tom Cruise or Brad Pitt were cast in this movie, it would be a staggeringly different film. All the performances are amazing. Even the child actors are breathtaking.
Danny Boyle is showing some incredible chops as a director. The variety he brings to each picture is refreshing. He’s done a dark comedy (Trainspotting), a zombie movie (28 Days Later…), a family movie (Millions), compelling sci-fi (Sunshine), and now a stirring and uplifting drama with Slumdog Millionaire. Movies like this don’t come along very often. This is finally a Best Picture winner we’ll be remembering many years down the line.
Rated R for some violence, disturbing images and brief language.
***1/2
Directed By: Bruce Campbell
Starring: Bruce Campbell, Grace Thorsen, Taylor Sharpe
Plot Synopsis:
My Name Is Bruce is the heroic struggle of a small mining town (Gold Lick, Oregon) to rid itself of a vengeful monster. Guan-di (James J. Peck), the Chinese god of war and protector of the dead, has been unleashed by cemetery desecrating teenagers to protect the graves of Chinese miners lost in a deadly cave-in of yesteryear.
The deadly demon’s mission is to eradicate all those who transgressed against the tomb (relatives included), which is virtually the entire population of Gold Lick. The inbred community has to find a solution so Jeff (Taylor Sharpe), the sole survivor of a deadly Guan-Di encounter, takes it upon himself to kidnap his idol, Bruce Campbell (Bruce Campbell), star of countless B-movie horror films, and recruit him to be their local savior. (Trailer Addict)
Review:
I love me some Bruce Campbell. My first introduction to him was in the 3rd Evil Dead movie, Army of Darkness. Yes, I was young and impressionable. I remember seeing the Army of Darkness trailer with it’s skeleton army and heavy metal background music. Once I saw the introduction of his chain saw hand, I knew this was a movie I had to check out.
Bruce Campbell is easily on top of his game in the Evil Dead series. He’s one of those actors that no matter what kind of movie he’s in you enjoy watching him. Bruce has starred in great things such as Bubba Ho-tep, The Adventures of Brisco County Jr., The Evil Dead, Evil Dead II, and Army of Darkness. He’s also been in total shit: Assault on Dome 4, Alien Apocalypse and Tornado! (just to name a few, the list actually goes on.) BUT, at least he’s working, right? And strangely, even in the crappiest movie, Bruce Campbell is awesome. Yes. I’m a fan.
Which brings us to My Name Is Bruce. A film directed by Bruce Campbell, starring Bruce Campbell, about Bruce Campbell fighting an ancient Chinese Demon. If that doesn’t get you interested, this movie isn’t for you. Bruce has created a movie strictly for his fans. He plays an “alternate” version of himself and has no problems making fun of his career choices or himself. That’s what makes Bruce Campbell such a class act.
But, does all this make for a great movie? Well, no. It’s not a great movie by any means. However, My Name Is Bruce knows what it is and delivers a lot of fun! It actually makes me want to go out and buy more of his movies, even the crappy ones. Once I finished watching My Name Is Bruce I added a few flicks to my Amazon Wish List (Maniac Cop, anyone?)
So, if you’re a Bruce Campbell fan you will LOVE My Name Is Bruce. It has a great sense of humor and seeing Bruce Campbell in a leading role again is a lot of fun. If you’re on the fence about him, watch his classics that are listed in this review. Once you drink the Bruce Campbell Kool-Aid I think you’ll enjoy My Name Is Bruce. However, if you just don’t get it. Skip it, I won’t judge you!
Rated R for language and some violence.
****
Directed By: Ryûhei Kitamura
Starring: Bradley Cooper, Vinnie Jones
Plot Synopsis:
When Leon Kaufman’s (Bradley Cooper) latest body of work – a collection of provocative, nighttime studies of the city and its inhabitants — earns the struggling photographer interest from prominent art gallerist Susan Hoff (Brooke Shields), she propels him to get grittier and show the darker side of humanity for his upcoming debut at her downtown art space.
Believing he’s finally on track for success, Leon’s obsessive pursuit of dark subject matter leads him into the path of a serial killer, Mahogany (Vinnie Jones), the subway murderer who stalks late-night commuters — ultimately butchering them in the most gruesome ways imaginable.
With his concerned girlfriend Maya (Leslie Bibb) fearing for his life, Leon’s relentless fascination with Mahogany lures him further and further into the bowels of the subways and ultimately into an abyss of pure evil – inadvertently pulling Maya right along with him.
The horror thriller Midnight Meat Train stars Bradley Cooper (Wedding Crashers, TV’s Alias), Vinnie Jones (X-Men: The Last Stand, Snatch), Brooke Shields (Nip/Tuck), and Leslie Bibb (the upcoming Trick ‘r Treat, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby).
Also starring are Roger Bart (Hostel: Part II, TV’sDesperate Housewives), Peter Jacobson (Good Night, and Good Luck), Barbara Eve Harris (TV’s Prison Break), and UFC mixed martial arts fighter Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson.
Midnight Meat Train is directed by critically acclaimed Japanese director Ryûhei Kitamura (Versus, Azumi) in his American debut, and based on legendary horror writer Clive Barker’s popular, eponymous short story from his classic Books of Blood collection. The screenplay was adapted by Jeff Buhler. (Trailer Addict)
Review:
Clive Barker is one of the few Horror Genre storytellers that genuinly creeps me out. As a director he’s responsible for some genuine creep-fests (Hellraiser,Lord of Illusions) that are extremely creepy and visually stunning. As a writer, I haven’t given Clive Barker a chance. All I know whenever his work is adapted, it’s been hit or miss (Candyman).
With The Midnight Meat Train, Clive Barker has teamed up with Asian film maker Ryûhei Kitamura who is responsible for 2 of my favorite Asian films: Versus and Azumi). The result is an interesting and unsettling story combined with a very stylish and unique look. The Midnight Meat Train, while it has some minor flaws; gives us an intriguing premise, beautiful yet horrific visuals and one of the most memorable movie killers in recent memory.
Let’s get the negative out of the way first. The main flaw with this movie is the director’s use of CGI blood. If you’ve watched any of Ryûhei Kitamura’s previous efforts it may not be so jarring. There’s too much splatter. Unreal amounts of blood fill the screen and instead of making the scene horrific, the result is opposite. But, being familiar with Ryûhei Kitamura’s movies I was able to push that criticism aside.
Now, with my one criticism out of the way, let’s talk about one of the most original Horror movies to come out in recent memory. The Midnight Meat Train is atmospheric, moody, gorgeously shot journey into madness. Basically, a struggling photgrapher (Bradley Cooper, Will Tippin in TV’s Alias) gets obsessed with following a potential serial killer deep in the city’s subway system. Along the way he witnesses a brutal murder and is now plagued with his obessions and doing the right thing.
One of the defining characteristics of The Midnight Meat Train is the killer, Mahogany (Vinnie Jones). Vinnie Jones is amazing in this role. He has one line, but the way he makes Mahogany into a fully fleshed out character is incredible. There’s a moment where you even feel a sort of sympathy for Mahogany through the course of the film.
For the Horror buff, The Midnight Meat Train is a must see. I’m shocked that Lionsgate didn’t know how to market this movie. They robbed it of a proper theatrical release and dumped it to DVD, but a movie like this can’t be forgotten. It’s a cult classic waiting to happen. I can’t recommend this to the casual movie goer, but if you’re brave and don’t mind A LOT of gore, The Midnight Meat Train is one of the best releases of 2009 so far.
Rated R for sequences of strong bloody gruesome violence, grisly images involving nudity, sexual content and language.
I can’t wait for this book to come out in May. Just added it to my Amazon Wish List
Product Description:
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: The Classic Regency Romance - Now with Ultraviolent Zombie Mayhem! (Paperback)
by Jane Austen (Author), Seth Grahame-Smith (Author)
“Pride and Prejudice and Zombies” features the original text of Jane Austen’s beloved novel with all-new scenes of bone crunching zombie action.
3 Posters for Quentin Tarantino’s WWII epic Inglorious Basterds have surfaced. Totall awesomeness. Read the full story Here. See them at Empire with a full story also.
3 Posters for Quentin Tarantino’s WWII epic Inglorious Basterds have surfaced. Totall awesomeness. Read the full story Here. See them at Empire with a full story also.
3 Posters for Quentin Tarantino’s WWII epic Inglorious Basterds have surfaced. Totall awesomeness. Read the full story Here. See them at Empire with a full story also.