scottiejarrett7 Reviews

Slow Burn (2005)

Stung Me! Happily.

[9/10 · 28 June 2019]

Many good reviews, comparing this to great films with complex plots. Nobody mentioned "The Sting," a movie that for sure stung me. So did "Slow Burn." I enjoyed aspects that some reviewers complained about - the involved flashbacks, LL Cool J's describing smells for people and places, the clever and often amusing dialogue throughout. And of course, the twisted plot. For me, not too complicated to follow and be happily stung. The characters are intriguing, capable of creating empathy and suspension of disbelief. Ray Liotta is at his serious, intense best. Jolene Blalock is utterly beautiful, with slick sexy acting chops too. (Check out the online musical tribute to her - breathtaking photos.) "Slow Burn" is an excellent up and down ride of a film. My advice - watch it and form your own opinion.

Stolen (2009)

Anguish and Mystery

[8/10 · 2 July 2018]

There are many good reviews here, even the ones that didn't appreciate the film as much as I did. I remember the true-life abduction of Adam Walsh. His tragedy changed his father's life completely and forever empowered the search for missing and murdered children, that Adam's death be not in vain. In "Stolen," the bitter sorrow and self-recrimination of the fathers, whose sons disappeared in a few moments of inattention, was the film's true focus. Unraveling the mystery of the killer's identity, well done in my opinion, was interesting, but secondary. The film's greatest strength was the search for some kind of emotional absolution for the devastated fathers. Minor flaws, which other reviewers have accurately noted, need not deter anyone from watching this truly powerful and intimately human drama.

Nothing Left to Fear (2013)

At Least Some Good-Looking Pseudo-Teens

[5/10 · 16 June 2018]

The film's faults are clear in other reviews. Slow-to-no-action pacing with major plot-points left unexplained. Why didn't they start with the legend of Stull, Kansas? Surely one of the kids would have done what I'll have to do - Google the place to find out... With limited character development, piddling special effects, and few decent scares, the film squanders an interesting premise. There's one good aspect which led me to give it a kind 5 rating: Ethan Peck (Gregory Peck's grandson with grandpa's macho steely manner) and the two gals, Rebekah Brandes and Jennifer Stone - 28, 29, and 21 at filming thus pseudo-teens - are attractive young folk. Let's wish them better luck in their future flicks.

Liars All (2013)

Love, Life and Lies (with Spoilers)

[7/10 · 10 March 2017]

I like "Liars All" - the characters and the plot are both intriguing. I chose the film (On Demand) because it stars Matt Lanter. NBC's time-travel drama "Timeless" (a favorite show) displays Matt at his macho best. So handsome! Those amazing blue eyes could charm the pants off me, if paired with a rare treat, a full-faced, completely irresistible smile. As Mike, he's not the rugged self-disciplined special-ops guy. OK, he's a bit dorky and thoroughly malleable, but who wouldn't choose him over the self-absorbed user Dennis (Torrance Coombs) ?? Missy (Gillian Zinser), that's who. If Mike could conceal his unrequited love, maybe she'd go for him instead of Dennis, who doesn't bother to conceal his disdain. Missy combines flash sexuality with fatal passion. She's hot, but utterly fixated on the MCP Dennis. (Remember that apt insult, liberated women??) I empathize with Missy's dismay at being dumped, even if maybe she does earn it. Then there's Katie (Sara Paxton), pretty wide-eyed near-innocence at its best. Or is she lying?

What do I like most about the film? The dialogue and character situations, TRUTH or DARE. Look deep. Here are essential questions we human beings face. TRUTH. Where does "real life" exist? Is it in the outside world, or only in our thoughts and viewpoints? Reality and fantasy collide inside, so what is truth? If you really believe a false idea, does that make you a liar? Katie describes life as "mostly falsehoods" - except when something strips away our protective playacting. Drugs and drama (here) equal DARE. Taking a risk becomes possible, even desirable. Daring brings out the deepest hidden aspects of self, the dangerous possibilities, to placate fears and self- doubts, if only temporarily. But a deadly dare also brings on very negative consequences (punishments). So is the pleasure worth the pain? Love plays its part, too, in the search for truth amid the dares and self-deceptions. Is there one person somewhere, a soul mate, who can complete and bring out our best/truest self? Or is love just another illusion we enjoy perpetrating on ourselves and others? No matter how we present ourselves, aren't we LIARS ALL?

Then there's the question posed on Missy's unused card. "What would it take to make you kill someone?" I was waiting for the TRUTH: we'd see Katie burst in and pull the trigger on Missy, and neither Mike nor Dennis would accuse her since both are complicit in the death. I guessed wrong, but Katie's expression in the closing seconds makes an informative final twist: TRUTH, she would have done it, no doubt, if only she could DARE.

Maggie (I) (2015)

No Conan or Action Jackson Here

[7/10 · 14 November 2016]

I bought the DVD of "Maggie." The cover shows the stars, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Abigail Breslin, in a dark pose, both photographically and emotionally. I half-expected a black-and-white film noire. There was no description of plot, certainly no mention of a viral zombie outbreak. Good, because then I wouldn't have bought "Maggie" and would have missed this very touching human drama.

RANT: I've had it with flesh-eating zombies running amok and being shot to bits by struggling survivors. "Night of the Living Dead" (the original) did that well enough. Worse, Romero's classic supplanted the historical meaning of zombie, a dead/alive slave under control of a voodoo master. Horror filmmakers jumped on the bandwagon full of gory bod-hungry corpses crying "Brains, brains!" The Caribbean zombie flick is all but kaput - except for Wes Craven's "The Serpent and the Rainbow," a bright and trippy fantasy in an otherwise dreary repetitive genre. Well, that's my rant on zombie movies. This one is not a bit typical, although Maggie's walking dead are obviously flesh-eaters still.

The reviews here have adequate details of production and plot so I'll skip that. Good horror movies should be able to forego frequent jump-scares and withstand the light of day. "Maggie" was filmed (intentionally) with little color or light, fulfilling the director's stated desire (DVD commentary) to reprise the Great Depression with a modern-yet-retro feel. Scenes are dark and gloomy, slowly building up a grinding sense of foreboding and despair. However, good acting, genuine dialogue and a credible screenplay (even with flesh-eating zombies) keep "Maggie" out of the dumps. There's a touching finale with a couple of absolutely reasonable twists.

For those who think Schwarzenegger fails to show emotional depth in his action flicks, try "End of Days" or "Collateral Damage," two of my favorite Arnie films. There he creates the solid emotional foundation that "Maggie" builds on. At his age, it's good to see Arnold Schwarzenegger move beyond endless violent action into the realm of human drama. Seven stars for this slow but engrossing film.

Scary or Die (2012)

Interesting If Not Quite Gripping (Slight Spoilers)

[7/10 · 1 November 2016]

"Scary or Die" turned out to be much better than expected, especially given Comcast's misguiding description, which failed even to identify the anthology format. The five varied segments were not at all scary, for this jaded adult, but they kept me watching and dragged out first revulsion and later empathy. There were some decent plot-twists as well, especially the end of first segment. I wondered if the two rednecks were the only ones using their bloody brand of de-immigration policy. Southern horror fans should stick together, so I second the spot-on review by SouthernHorrorFan - well-earned praise for these interesting offerings, "Scary or Die" proves that filmmakers don't need a big budget to succeed in generating some decent horror.

Cry Wolf (2005)

Intelligent and Suspenseful

[8/10 · 16 September 2016]

Very entertaining, surprisingly good for a small budget and unknown actors. I kept thinking I'd seen Tom (quite good-lookin') somewhere. Sure enough, he's Jared Padalecki, Supernatural's Sam Winchester, just getting started on his more stellar career. Julian Morris, playing Owen Matthews, did an excellent job as the campus newcomer with a somewhat shady past. Kept me wondering. In fact, the whole film did, right through the last scene. I went back to replay that one (On Demand) just to watch Lindy Booth's marvelous blue eyes. Then I ran in to look up IMDb and encourage an audience. This film is perfect for anyone who likes a thriller/horror flick, one with some intelligence instead of all jump-scares and blood. Read the excellent reviews below for additional praise. Happy viewing, y'all!

Tape (2001)

Shakespeare Said It

[5/10 · 19 November 2015]

How could this flick get so many positive reviews? Encore gives it three stars and Roger Ebert 3 and a half out of four. I was expecting a taut dramatic piece with a fascinating plot. Ugh. Who cares what happened ten years ago at the end of high school? Whatever happened, the three characters must have somehow moved on, albeit in different directions. A drug dealer, a film maker and an assistant DA. Why rehash the past? I agree with Ken Spiker's review. "Tape" is pointless, boring and repetitive. It has trite dialogue and no true dramatic tension. Sum it up in two words: uninteresting drivel. Although "Tape" has little in common with William Shakespeare's well-crafted comedies and tragedies, it could aptly steal one of his titles: MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING.

Crazy as Hell (2002)

Fascinating as Hell (spoilers)

[8/10 · 15 September 2015]

Never watched "E.R" so this was my first experience with Eriq La Salle, very satisfying. Michael Beach was familiar from "Third Watch" where he played a likable, intelligent doctor, as he does in this film. Ty Adams, the controversial and outwardly over-confident psychiatrist, claims to "cure" mental illness without drugs. His outward egotism covers deep neuroses of fear and self-doubt, especially since his drug-free treatment resulted in the suicides of his daughter-patient, and then his devastated wife. Ty soon finds himself in conflict with Dr. Delazo (Ronny Cox), the passionless director of the mental hospital. Stress increases exponentially when Ty is assigned a new patient, the Man who calls himself Satan (Eriq La Salle). Satan seems competent, not psychotic, and he volunteered for treatment because he wants a soul. Outwardly charming and perceptive, Satan is compellingly honest yet marvelously deceptive. Every confrontation reveals a different incarnation in appearance and affect. Satan slowly strips Ty of his self-deceptions, revealing his inner demons and inability to cope. The last scenes took me by surprise, as each character is revealed in demonic form, and Ty's protestations don't save him from the fate he chose for himself. This film will stand on its strengths of characterization and theme even when the twists are no longer a shock.

Witness for the Prosecution (1957)

Brilliant performances enhance twisted tale (Spoilers)

[9/10 · 15 September 2015]

Many viewings don't dim the brilliance of this film. The first time, of course, the plot twists engross and likely fool the viewer. Even when the story is familiar, the workings out of the action enchant and delight. Strong performances by Charles Laughton, the barrister staunchly defending the innocent and charming Tyrone Power, so frequently the hero in his films, contrast with Marlene Dietrich's despicable role as his cold-hearted and faithless spouse. Her disdain for love and fidelity, her absolute selfishness, reveal her as a liar and bigamist determined to undermine her helpless husband. Supporting cast members are all spot-on, especially Elsa Lanchester, the competent yet frequently subverted nurse, who actually knows the contents of her employer's thermos of cocoa and equally understands his resolve in defense of the innocent. Long after the viewer can recall the plot, the formalities of British justice illuminated by brilliant characterizations keep this film fresh and absorbing, an absolute gem of American cinema, convincingly posing as British.

An American Ghost Story (I) (2012)

Not-so-Superman: "Great Caesar's ghost!" - in a sheet no less

[2/10 · 3 July 2015]

Mild spoilers: Very disappointing. The main character was unattractive, not just physically but emotionally. Absolutely unlikable and unbelievable, whether hero or anti-hero. (Not sure which this unsympathetic twerp was meant to be.) He wasn't bad enough to be a villain nor good enough to be a hero. Poor acting kills even a well-produced effort, which this was not. Right from the start, I was making fun of the name - Twa-dork-us, Twa-doofus etc. No producer would willing select such an untalented "star"...unless...midway in, I guessed that Twardokus had ponied up the money for this dull low-budget horror show, and so he claimed the lead. The inaction dragged along (few shocks, no digital effects, etc.) until the very last gasp - the actor's, not mine. Having only ghosts-in-sheets saved a lot of budget money, but the final conflict was nonetheless effective. Shockingly so, since there was no horrible reveal of the ghost's true ghastly appearance. No horrible reveal of any sort. The bulk of the film was just plain boring. Blame it on Twardokus' inability to project emotions or to generate interest.

The Blair Witch Project (1999)

A frightening outing? Nope. Outed as boring and poorly executed.

[1/10 · 3 July 2015]

Ugh! No thanx to "Blair Witch" for the continuing onslaught of "found footage" films. "Found footage" - alias shaky, misdirected, often incomprehensible filming with no attempt to portray the action clearly. This contrivance must save a lot of money since it provides an excuse to delete a competent cinematographer from the budget. "Blair Witch" took a truly compelling notion and turned it into an unscary, unprofessional so-called horror movie. The characters are annoying brats. Lost in the woods, maybe something is after them. Who cares what happens to them? Good thing we don't care, since their fates are left to the imagination. There's NO witch in "Blair Witch" and the result is not bewitching. The greatest mystery in this non-horror film is that Roger Ebert rated it 4 stars. He even applauded its "rock-bottom production values." I don't find those pathetic values admirable. If zero star(s) were possible, it would be zero. To give it a rating, I give it 1 star. One star means "rambling, boring non-effort, not worth watching."

The Last Light (2014)

Darker Than You Think (Spoilers)

[8/10 · 1 June 2015]

GreyBird77 aptly defines three categories of "bad" movies. I liked "The Last Light" and will have no trouble remembering that I've seen it. It's a compelling psychological horror movie, a post-apocalyptic allegory. Seven survivors are trapped in a gloomy hospital following a mysterious event which bathed the outer world in intense light. No one seems to know what actually happened, but ferocious unseen monsters lurk in the corridors, waiting to attack and consume them. Strong characterizations give emotional impact to a drama that unfolds with more talk than action. Jack (Ed Quinn - look familiar? He played Jill Hennessy's boyfriend in two episodes of "Crossing Jordan") is the leader of the group, a strong anti-hero. Even as his deep character flaws become apparent, you're pulling for him to survive and escape the dark place that confines him. Noah (Edward Furlong) gives questionable advice, misguiding Jack and leading him to the ultimate reveal. What a marvelous glimpse of evil incarnate - a neurotic bureaucrat in a boring, tedious job. He has no real power and certainly no joy in disposing of the souls which have ensnared themselves in his domain. "The Last Light" intends to be dark and damning, and it certainly succeeds.

Starman (1984)

Magnificent Film (Slight Spoilers)

[9/10 · 28 May 2015]

Yes! This is a marvelous movie about humanity - our fears, hopes, strengths and weaknesses. Jeff Bridges is amazing as the Starman - he really seems to be not of this earth. Karen Allen is lovely and so appealing as she overcomes her fear and proves that love is universal. Plus Charles Martin Smith - Terry the Toad (ugh!) in "American Graffiti" - really rocks it as a humanitarian scientist, one who realizes that we invited the Starman and owe him a little respect. Not exactly handsome, but he's grown so lovable since his early role as a clumsy nerd. Probably he played that unattractive part so convincingly because he's an intelligent and talented actor. I've seen the flick ten times or more but it never grows old. It always amazes me. The acting is convincing and the story is well told. Indeed it is a brilliant romance which warms and informs the heart.

Omen IV: The Awakening (1991 TV Movie)

MILD SPOILERS - Delia the Magnificent

[6/10 · 20 May 2015]

Sure, the hidden secret of the story was far-fetched, but little Asia Viera as Delia was magnificent. Such expressive, spiteful eyes. She didn't say anything as she wreaked havoc on detractors. Her venom was justly spent on some wretched characters. I felt sorry for her - she didn't ask to be born that way. Unlike Damien (Omen II and III) she didn't attract a following of flatterers who choose to side with evil. A little coven of "Delians" would have been tasty. There is a strange attraction to evil that few films successfully exploit. When Delia came to enjoy her powers, the film missed out on fully illuminating them. I'd like to see a grown-up Delia taking care of her little brother the Antichrist. Maybe some juicy sibling rivalry...

The Lamp (2010)

Very good FAMILY movie

[8/10 · 19 December 2014]

Right you are, Golidog (review). I think "The Lamp" has been seriously underrated so far. I selected the film (On Demand) because Meredith Salenger was in the cast. As a teen, she was so enjoyable in "The Journey of Natty Gann." Here Cameron Ten Napel (Josh) is an equally marvelous child actor, with a range of believable emotions and a totally irresistible smile. I just kept thinking, "She is sooo cute!" Jason London, Louis Gossett Jr., and Muse Watson round out the excellent cast. "The Lamp" does exactly what it is supposed to do. How wonderful to find a family movie - with no curse words or sex scenes - just a sweet message that reaffirms the power of faith and love. I really like this film.

A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010)

Additional flaws

[2/10 · 25 November 2014]

If I'd never seen Wes Craven's wonderfully original and scary film, this offering would have been barely passable. Compared to the first (and best!) Nightmare, the remake is an utter failure. Other reviewers have nailed many of its flaws. Nobody has mentioned the lack of the creepy musical theme that so effectively built tension in the original. The remake seemed determined not to use it. It sounded just once in the opening sequence. That's the music that says "A Nightmare on Elm Street." It was missing with nothing to replace it. Likewise, the children's jump rope chant (so innocent at first, until its implications become clear) was clumsily used in this reboot. It was never even said in its entirety. This remake lacked the classic elements that defined the Nightmare. Very disappointing!

Pumpkinhead (1988)

The Horrific Price of Vengeance

[9/10 · 4 June 2014]

"Pumpkinhead" is an eerie masterpiece - gripping action made stronger by its themes of vengeance and remorse. Lance Henriksen creates a strong and sympathetic character as Ed Harley, Billy's loving and grieving father. He pays the creepy backwoods witch Haggis (true evil personified) to summon a "vengeance demon" to punish the young folks involved in his son's accidental death. Haggis warns that the magic has a "powerful price" but she isn't really trying to dissuade him. In a stroke of foreshadowing, he imagines poor dead Billy sitting up to ask, "What have you done, Daddy?" Ed Harley doesn't realize the true impact of his choice...until it's too late. He becomes increasingly linked with the implacable monster. His face and Pumpkinhead's transmogrify, a spooky visual reveal of the nature of the demon.

Ed Harley wasn't evil but his choice created evil, with dire results. The last scene is masterful. Haggis buries Pumpkinhead's dessicated body. It wears the handmade necklace Billy gave his daddy. Like Ed Harley, we finally understand the powerful price of demonic revenge.

Lance Henriksen portrays a tough man with heart. He and the supporting cast - especially Bunt, Haggis and little Billy - make the supernatural events believable. The good characterizations, inventive plot, nasty demon and eerie backwoods locales raise this film above the level of run-of-the-morgue horror.

Three lackluster sequels had none of the strengths and depth of the original. Will the planned series reboot rekindle the spirit of "Pumpkinhead" through strong characters and thematic force? If not, why bother? The first incarnation is good enough to stand alone.

Ghost (1990)

Ghost - A Love Story and More

[9/10 · 15 May 2014]

I just bought the special collector's edition DVD and watched "Ghost" again. It never gets old. It's exciting and emotionally stirring - a great love story, an absorbing mystery, and a touching spiritual experience, too. The excellent cast intensifies all these aspects: Good-hearted Sam (Patrick Swayze) doesn't want to move on until he can DO something - to protect the woman he loves and to right the wrong done him. Lovely Molly (Demi Moore) is outwardly tough, yet somehow fragile as she faces the loss of her soul-mate. The pain in her eyes is so real, the tears so believable. Hilarious Oda Mae (Whoopi Goldberg) lightens the action with a bright touch of humor. Even the creepy evil-doers are truly frightening. The beautiful love theme "Unchained Melody" by the Righteous Brothers flows through the entire storyline.

Sadly, Patrick Swayze died after a valiant fight against pancreatic cancer. Watching this movie, I feel his loss keenly. "Ghost" stands as a bright memorial to this talented dancer and much beloved actor.