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Darkphoenix1988
Reviews
Fear Itself: Something with Bite (2009)
The ingredients for Something with Bite.
I liked this one. Not loved, but liked, much more than the 1998 attempt at werewolf-comedy, an American werewolf in Paris. Here we have an African-American couch potato slash veterinarian who is doing night shift, when suddenly, they bring in a large animal. "My! What big eyes/ears/teeth you have!" The poor thing has been run over, and in its last moment, it takes a snapper at Wilbur, our vet. This sets into motion a sometimes funny set of events that leads up to a rather sad, but in a way, disturbing climax. The acting is reminiscent of other films like Vampire in Brooklyn, and the casting is quite perfect. It has its downsides here and there, but overall it's worth the watch.The best thing about this one, is that it keeps its Fear Itself Trademark UNhappy ending, but in such a way that it actually is happy after all. Compared to other episodes of Fear Itself, this one should not be viewed with great expectations of scares and suspense, but it delivers in other ways. Add a bag of playfulness, a dash of strange and a pinch of serious, and you have SOMETHING WITH BITE.
Fear Itself: Chance (2009)
Still trying to figure it out.
Alright, first off, apparently Chance Miller is schizophrenic, and psychotic. Either that or he's possessed by something that came with the vase he was so desperately trying to sell. Either way, this one has so much loose ends and unexplainable concepts, that it became tedious. The acting was good, though. It's always a treat to see Ethan Embry on TV. He has a smile that melts my heart, but even he couldn't save this little ep. Why did Chance have those nightmares? Why was his reflection distorted in the beginning but not in the end? My thoughts are that he probably made peace with his bad side at the end, but that is just the point, they are only thoughts. There is no clarity, not even on if he really did everything he did throughout the 40 minutes. This was one of the weaker episodes to me. Oh well, better luck next time?
Queer as Folk: We Will Survive! (2005)
"We will survive"
For those who have missed the opportunity to watch this series, I have great sympathy. Without spoiling anything, I can safely say that the final episode leaves you with so much mixed emotion. You want to laugh. You want to cry. You feel joy. Your heart breaks. It's like watching your best friend driving off into the sunset. You don't know if you would ever see him again, but you draw happiness from the fact that he is now immortal and you didn't have to watch him die, or become something you wouldn't recognize. A blaze of glory. a shining inspiration. Unforgettable. That's how Queer as Folk will always be remembered. We hope to see a film very soon.
Angel: A Hole in the World (2004)
Bittersweet, just the way I love it.
Along with "You're Welcome" and "Not Fade Away", this episode of one of my all time favorite television series of all time, is one I would just watch over and over again, growing more aware of the little hidden meanings and character developments each time. Amy Acker scored some major points with me in this episode and so did the rest of the cast, especially Lorne, and (I'm sorry) Eve. How weak and helpless the little witch has become... I just tingled with delight when they found her, all begging and looking like the wrong end of dog. Hehehe. Back to Fred, what can I say, the girl went out with a bang. They do kill her character off, but before they do, they show us how much of a fighter and how brave the "background bookworm sweetheart" really is. Her final scenes are heartbreaking, and then, oh, what's this? A blue goddess emerges! Gotta hand it to Joss, there has never been a better way to kill off a character than to bring in a cold, emotionless, über cool being into the picture to (literally) replace her. Throw my emotions into a blender and put in on high speed, will ya? Damn I love this show.
Lords of the Jungle (2006)
Yummy blend
Mix a twink, a few bears, a lot of muscles, a Croatian, 2 or 3 African guys and a few tropical fruits in a blender, and voilà, u get a delicious blend of steamy island-porn. The camera ratio is amazing, not something we see a lot these days, and a lot of effort have been put into the whole cinematic aspect. It looks like you are renting a regular movie when you start watching it... Until the boys start getting naaawty. Although it is flawlessly shot and is easy on the eye, it isn't perfect. Never have I seen gay porn that really had effect since Blue Sky. But hey, like I said, it's fun to watch and it has its hot moments, but is sitting through almost 3 hours of the same unoriginal gay positions really worth it?
Private Man 04: Job Wanted (2002)
George Vidanov is a god among men
If it weren't for the utterly delicious George Vidanov and his gorgeous co-star Janos Volt, this piece of slow-motion porn would have been just another boring, tedious hour and a half of average looking men getting it on. But by some divine miracle, seeing George and even Janos doing their stuff, it makes it worth the while. The story basically goes, George comes home finding his boyfriend having sex with Antonio. He then dumps him and then has sex with Antonio. Antonio shows him an article about test subjects for a new sexuality serum. George then goes to see Janos, who offers him the serum, and tells him the serum made him become gay. They have sex. They go to meet 2 clients to further test the serum. They have sex with them. Then Janos proposes to George they bring his ex into the business. George refuses until Janos coaxes him into (again) having sex. So there you have it. Plot in a nutshell. So see it or not, your choice. I say see it for George and Janos. What they're doing in such a sad mono tonal movie, heaven knows.
Supernatural: Malleus Maleficarum (2008)
Finally!
I was waiting for this episode for a while now, dealing with normal "innocent" housewife witches gone bad. I was absolutely delighted with this episode. The murders by witchcraft was all so clever and unusual. And call me crazy, but I'm mad about Ruby. The way she can persuade even a tough cookie like Dean to shut up and listen. She is much less annoying and a lot more fascinating than Bela. And finally discovering her origins, BONUS! This episode is one of the few in this season that I really really enjoyed, especially the closing scene, gave me goosebumps. And Dean coming to the horrible realization that his end might not be his end after all. If only Supernatural would return to its roots, and this whole war and the Devil's Gate opening, it could have been left for a final season, seeing as it all seems so ultimate, like the last battle. But hey, what's that? Do I smell a season four already? (grins) Wonder what's next...
El espinazo del diablo (2001)
Strange, as I expected...
OK, so I noticed this one on the DVD shelf yesterday, and I thought, why not? I had seen Pan's labyrinth a month ago, and maybe 2 or so other films by Del Toro. And as it usually happens while watching his films, I was at least a little disturbed and unnerved by how familiar it felt watching the characters interact. It was like watching daily events of life unfold, that's how real it seemed. Except for the whole ghost story weaved into it, but which also plays a vital part since I really wouldn't have been interested if it had been another drama film. I rented it for my horror fix, and I sure got it, but I got a lot more than that.
I don't know how he does it, but Guillermo knows how to make me cringe by showing me a mixture of fantasy and reality. And that's not necessarily a bad thing. In fact it's not everyday I find a movie that actually unsettles me. And that is the whole point of a horror film. To unsettle you, scare you, startle you, whatever. As long as it makes you feel something. And for that I say cheers to the big man for achieving what most directors don't care about anymore these days, to instill emotion in the viewer. Especially your feelings toward the characters. Some you hate, some you feel sympathy for, some you don't understand and you may even be fond of the little boy with the goggles...
I can't say I loved the film. That would be a lie, because it didn't make me feel good at all. I can, however, say that it is a piece of art I will not easily forget, and respect for a long while to come.