MovieGuy2007 Reviews

Grave Encounters (2011)

Not perfect -- but definitely worth it

[7/10 · 28 August 2011]

I admit, I'm a big fan of the found-footage genre. I know that it's becoming more and more of a cliché these days in the film industry, but I think some low-budget directors can create some really intense works with a vivid imagination. The Vicious Bros. did just that with "Grave Encounters".

When the trailer for this first debuted, I have to admit I was intrigued. Being a big fan of ghost-hunting shows, and taking place in an abandoned mental hospital (Session 9, anyone?), it held a lot of promise. Thankfully, this movie didn't disappoint.

The film at times is almost a shot-for-shot recreation of "Ghost Adventures" - you can almost identify the lead in that show with the lead in this movie - and that works to its advantage. I think it's a very creative move to take something familiar with a wide viewing audience and add their own take on it - not so much as "what if this stuff is real", but "what if this stuff not only exists, but doesn't relent".

Due to the found-footage genre approach that the movie takes, it's of course going to invite comparison to "The Blair Witch Project" and "Paranormal Activity". Despite the fact that I enjoyed both of those films, I still recommend this one. It's got a style that's all its own, and the scares range from the subtle to downright jump-out-of-your-seat. I give it a 7/10, because it occasionally loses touch with the fact that discerning audiences fear what *can't* be seen, but it's still one hell of a scary ride.

Deep Impact (1998)

Fantastic and Moving

[9/10 · 13 March 2007]

Having seen such films as Armageddon and The Day After Tomorrow, I really expected this film to be basically an effects demo reel. Most disaster films fit into this category: their plot is loosely tied together with some major event; humanity is threatened, a group of heroes is sent to try to save the world, and mankind prevails over nature. The rest of the film is essentially nifty visual effects that don't do much to enhance the plot.

So when I saw the first half of Deep Impact, I was amazed. Apart from a brief montage of special effects in the opening sequence (a car crash that simply screams "big budget"), the movie is one of the first disaster movies I've seen that actually focuses more on the human side of the drama rather than the awesome visual effects that computers can accomplish.

Many times during the film, especially during the latter half, I felt myself touched by the realism that the actors and actresses convey. There are moments when you realize how fragile and precious life is, and that's saying something for a film of this budget.

While the visual effects are indeed impressive, there are other features that make Deep Impact a necessary film to watch. James Horner's music is strikingly similar to his previous "Titanic" and "Apollo 13" scores, but it is still hauntingly beautiful and fits the tone of the movie perfectly. Tea Leoni does a good job of portraying a newscaster attempting to cover the events surrounding her while dealing with her own personal emotions, which is undoubtedly a hard act to pull off. Elijah Wood shows his skill years before "Lord of the Rings" hit theaters. The other actors and actresses are very realistic and emotional, and the movie flows smoothly with their presence.

All in all, this movie is not one to be missed. Keep an open mind while watching this movie: don't watch it with the misconception that it's just going to be another one of those big-budget dull blockbuster films that gets churned out every summer. This one dares to avoid the seemingly standard clichés set by other films of the genre, which makes it a truly unique film to experience.

Score: 9/10

United 93 (2006)

A Chilling Film

[9/10 · 30 January 2007]

United 93 was the first movie released that dared tackle the all-too-sensitive subject of September 11th. It went under an immense amount of controversy; some felt that it was too soon to release a film about such a horrific national tragedy. Despite the initial criticism, however, United 93 manages to handle such a delicate subject gracefully and poignantly, creating a unique cinematic experience that is nearly impossible to rival.

United 93 tells the powerful and emotional story of the only hijacked flight on September 11th that failed to reach its intended target. The film switches between air traffic controllers and the passengers/crew of the ill-fated flight. The film delves into the human experiences aboard the flight in a tasteful manner: instead of relying on big-budget effects shots as one might expect for such a massive event, director Paul Greengrass effectively uses a documentary-style approach, creating an unparalleled sense of realism that deeply adds to the emotional punch this film offers.

This film literally gave me chills. It's suspenseful, heartbreaking, and emotional at the same time. You'll forget you're watching a movie during it: the actors and the crew have collaborated beautifully to created a unique experience that will haunt you for a long time afterwards. This film is certainly not one to be missed by anyone.

Rating: 9/10 (Excellent)