Oh, the Horror! pt. 5...

Tamara (2006)

Add the on-going high school tradition of hazing and bullying that will most likely carry on forever with the practice of witchcraft and you get this film, Tamara. Usually revenge based horror films are “A-ok” with me. They make for some pretty entertaining shots of viciously getting back at those who did the main character wrong. Look at the perfect template for that, Carrie. This film, on the other hand, could not hold that movie’s hair if it had to throw up from watching this one.

The basic premise consists of a teenage girl, Tamara (Jenna Dewan), who dresses with no self esteem, is constantly teased and whose father rather give affection to his collection of beer bottles than to his own daughter. She develops a crush on a teacher in school and decides to try a love spell on him after she makes a move on him and is rejected. A couple of mean teens decide to play a cruel joke on her by pretending to be the teacher and invite her to be with him at a motel. Bottom line, things go horribly wrong and she winds up on the other side of the living, or so they think. She goes through the rest of the movie magically controlling them into doing whatever she wishes, some in the bloodiest of ways.

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National Novel Writing Month 2010

Soooo, I've decided to place another challenge upon myself.  In addition to seeing as many films as I humanly can, working on my on-going romance fiction and holding down a full-time job, I've signed up to participate in National Novel Writing Month aka NaNoWriMo.  This "competition" was brought to my attention by a writer whose blog I follow. 

The criteria seems pretty simple.  Participants have exactly one month, November, to write a 50,000-word novel.  From the 1st to the 30th.  What caught my interest was it doesn't even have to be good; just 50,000 words long.  I mean I'm not going to just submit some complete dog crap and call it a novel (maybe half dog crap/half bird crap).  But I'll try to pull something worth reading out of my pink (dark pink, sounds less girly), wrinkled, amateur writer brain.  For those of you who would like to follow me on my plight for 50,000-word stardom, follow that link above and search for my name.  There's also a link on the side under "Also Worth It" with a couple of other sites you should considering checking out.

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Freaky Like my Lady Pyramid!

My new Favorite Commercial:

You think this blog managed to have of all these film reviews, discussions and creative content by being slow? TIMES UP!  It got all of that stuff because it's Faaaasssst.

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Let's go Knicks!!!

Oh, the Horror! pt.4...

Dead of Winter (2007)


A horror movie that contains young people, partying and drugs. Wow, where have I seen that combination before? Oh yeah, pretty much everywhere. However, Dead of Winter is the only scary movie (that I can remember anyway) where the drugs are the main antagonist. Well, the drugs combined with not so smart twenty year olds.

Also titled Lost Signal, the paranoia filled journey begins with a couple, Kevin and Tiffany (Al Santos & Sandra McCoy), preparing to begin the New Year by deciding to move in with each other. While attending a New Year’s Eve party, they experiment with crystal meth and decide to make their way home. The trip is loaded with hallucinations and visions of them thinking that they are being followed by an unknown stalker. They “crash” their vehicle and find themselves attempting to navigate their way through a snowy set of woods. Their drug induced experience turns out to be a not so good one as they soon begin to turn on each other and lose their minds.

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Oh, the Horror! pt. 3...

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2009)

Not exactly a horror film per say keeping up with my scary movie theme to go along with this very special time of year, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo does contain shades of horror movie lore. The story and scenes of suspense will keep you captivated until the very end just like a good horror movie would. Hearing of all the praise and accolades this film was receiving, I couldn’t wait until next week to check it out.

The plot revolves around two main characters; Mikael Blomkvist (Michael Nyqvist), an ace reporter who has been seemingly framed for gun-running among other crimes after he tries to take down a tycoon of a major corporation. The other is an expert computer hacker and researcher, Lisbeth Salander (Noomi Rapace), who is hired to follow Blomkvist and keep tabs on his life. After he is found guilty on the afore-mentioned charges, he is hired by a wealthy man named Henrik Vanger to solve the 40-year old disappearance of his niece, Harriet before his jail sentence begins.

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Oh, the Horror! pt. 2...

           Growing up, I was always more afraid of Freddy Krueger than Jason Voorhees, Michael Myers or any other sadistic fictional killer who viciously murders their victims just for the hell of it.  My reason: same reason as everyone else’s; the man haunts your dreams.  There really isn’t anything you can do if someone decides to invade a place where most people should probably feel is their safe haven.  After a long day at work or school, you can always fall into a good dream during a nap or at night where you can make anything happen.  Sneak into the hottest girl at school’s window for a midnight treat, hit the lottery and do what you want with the loot, win the Super Bowl with your favorite team and then tell the world that you’re going to Disney World afterwards. 

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Oh, the Horror!

In general the horror genre is my favorite.  But these days, the lack of good horror films has proven to be much scarier than the movies themselves.  In the spirit of Halloween, I’ve decided to try to delve deeper into the horror movie catacombs in search of films that have flown under the radar.  Somewhat invisible to the big Hollywood limelight, there are many films that people have never heard of usually that turn out to be better than the ones we pay $8.00 and up to go see in the cinema.  I still have a lot of work to do but here are a few that I’ve checked out recently.

Blackout (2007)

          Complete strangers find themselves trapped in an elevator due to a neighborhood blackout.  Each one of them desperately needing to be somewhere else at the very time they become entombed with each other.  As the minutes turn into hours and frustration turns into being terrified, they slowly learn more and more about each other.  Including the fact that one of them is keeping a secret; that they are a serial killer.

            I know what you’re thinking, “ok, this sounds just like M. Night’s Devil that came out last month”.  I thought the same thing, in fact that was one of the main aspects that lured my attention.  The outcome is that, yes, it is similar but I may remind you that this film was released in 2007.  So if anyone is actually playing copycat, it would be the newest project.  But there are differences; the obvious number of people trapped on the elevator, their reasons for wanting to rid themselves of the transport their sharing and there’s nothing supernatural about this one. 

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The Proposal (2009)

           There probably have been about a million different takes on the “date-night” favorite, the romantic comedy.  I for one think these different plays on two characters falling in love are a good thing.  It keeps the genre fresh and always delightful.  The Proposal directed by Anne Fletcher continues the flow of somewhat unique plotlines.

            The story begins where else but in New York City with aspiring editor Andrew Paxton (Ryan Reynolds) trying to work his way up the corporate ladder as the executive assistant, or secretary, of Margaret Tate (Sandra Bullock).  Margaret is a “take no names, unforgiving” type of business woman.  She doesn’t play games and is all about getting work done.  An unexpected dilemma concerning her legal status in the U.S. presents itself when the company’s top executives inform her that she will be fired and deported back to her homeland of Canada. 

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Paranormal Entity (2009)

There are many films that try to capitalize on the success of other projects.  Usually these types of movies are referred to as “mockbuster’s”.  I’m not sure if Paranormal Entity was truly created with the intention of attempting to play on the success of its better known counterpart, Paranormal Activity, but it sure seems quite obvious.  Director/producer/writer and one of the main actors, Shane Van Dyke, tries desperately to recreate the mood and mindset that audiences found themselves in when they left their viewing of Activity.  I personally feel that he failed at this task.

            Similar plot, story, setting, climax, result, everything.  Thomas Finley (Van Dyke) lives at home along with his mother, Ellen (Fia Perera), and sister, Samantha (Erin Marie Hogan).  Before the release of this footage, Thomas was arrested for the alleged rape and murder of his sister as well as the murder of a paranormal investigator.  He tried to convince the authorities that it was actually the doing of an invisible demonic force that terrorized his family within their home.  The movie begins with the disclaimer that people close to the family felt this footage should be shown to the public to help explain the mystery of the family’s downward spiral after the death of their husband and father, David.

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Jackass 3D

With subject matter that included the likes of insane stunts, painful pranks and disgusting results, I don’t think anyone ever thought that Jackass would progress into an all out franchise. But after considering how much people love to see the misfortunes of other people, especially when it usually winds up with them in some kind of severe pain, are you really surprised? With the success of the Mtv-born show created way back in 2000, Jackass has since spawned two movies and even a couple of spin-offs; Wildboyz & Viva la Bam. Now the entire original cast has returned to utilize the growing technology that 3D has to offer.


Jackass 3D is typically more of the same…but this time with three-dimensional special effects. Johnny Knoxville, Bam Margera, Wee-man, Chris Pontius, Preston Lacy, Steve-O and the rest of the gang are once again voluntarily hurting themselves for our viewing pleasure. Being continuously rammed by a goat, staging a bar fight and arrest provided exclusively by little people, peeing into the jet stream of a plane, and the hysterical huge hand “high-five” stunt seen in the trailer are just the beginning. Of course the gang pushes the rated-R cushion to the limit not caring about what they reveal to the audience or what they do to each other.

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Legion (2010)

           Say your prayers, be nice to your fellow man, stop all the hatred and fighting, live in peace and harmony and most of all honor and praise Him.  There’s a lot more to it than that obviously, according the Good Book itself, but those are a couple of the basics.  Legion provides a look at a possible result of what can happen if we all don’t follow these rules.  Taking it just a smidgen past living by the Ten Commandments, this film shows us that the Lord is not always all merciful and his Army will do what is necessary to get His point across.

            Basic plot: God is pissed off and sends his Army of angels to take out an unborn child who is destined to lead humanity out of our period of darkness.  Whoever stands in the way of this mission will suffer a similar fate.  Basically, we’ve had our chance to live in His vision and have failed miserably.  Michael the Archangel (Paul Bettany) takes it upon himself to disobey his orders to kill the child and decides instead to try to protect it.  His faith in mankind hasn’t wavered and he alone stands in the way of humanity and complete extermination.

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TheMovie411 Blog Awards 2010

Well, it would seem that someone actually likes me, or least likes my blog.  It's been nominated for TheMovie411 Blog Awards 2010 under the category of Best Newcomer Movie Blog Award.  Voting for this and all of the other categories involved begin on November 20th.  If you deem my blog worthy enough to possibly win this award, I first thank you for your generally superb intelligence and decision making.  Secondly, I direct you to the the award picure posted right underneath my list of loyal followers which I hope will continue to grow. 

The award picture is linked to TheMovie411 blog where you will be able to vote for your favorite blogsites.  Again, voting begins on the 20th of November, so for those of you who care, don't hesitate to join in and share your opinions on your fellow bloggers.  I know it sounds incredibly cliche, but it's quite an honor to simply be nominated.  Thanks again and keep blogging!

Keith (2008)

           Not your typical romance chick-flick, Keith directed by Todd Kessler, poses a different spin on the outlook of teenage high school romances.  Although still about love and trying to find one’s self, it dives a little deeper into the fact that you simply cannot control what turns your feelings take.  No matter how hard you may try. 

            Natalie (Elisabeth Harnois) is a high school senior who pretty much has her hand in just about everything.  Star tennis player, straight-A student and year book editor, her schedule is kept pretty full in order to give her that edge in acquiring a scholarship to Duke University.  Not really having much time for herself, she meets and takes an interest to a transfer student named Rafael (Ignacio Serrichio).  They begin to spend time with each other and eventually become a couple just when she is paired up for a chemistry assignment with a care-free, rebellious unorthodox student named Keith (Jesse McCartney).  At first, he is quite un-cooperative with her in completing their project which annoys her and she tries to get out of working with him but to no avail. 

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Romance Films ♥ N.Y.

             In the light of my ongoing romance fiction, I’ve decided to combine that genre with the backdrop of my hometown for my 100^th posting.  A feat that some might consider small but that I am personally quite proud of.

  With other popular cities such as Spain, Italy and some spots in the Caribbean which are known for their uber-romantic effect on unsuspecting visitors only seeking a cool vacation spot, New York is sometimes forgotten.  It’s probably just as special to get down on one knee in Times Square or Central Park as it is to do the same underneath the Eiffel Tower.  Yes, the Big Apple goes by many names and yields countless reputations for several different things, both positive and negative, but it is quite the romantic environment.  Not actually having done this myself because I am hip to the enchantment that can take over one’s mind, especially a love-sick female. I dare any guy to take their girl or one that they may be trying to impress into the city that never sleeps and leave without her staring at you with those googly eyes.  Especially if you take them shopping along Fifth Ave.  Better be toting a pretty big wallet if you want to do that.

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"If Christ Cracked the Sky" - David

Here's the lateset track from a friend of mine:

The Social Network (2010)

         Unless you have simply had something against the internet for the past 6 of 7 years, you know what Facebook is.  You also know what MySpace and many other social networking sites are and for.  Want to find a long-lost relative, let everyone know your phone number has changed, publicize the end of a relationship, brag about the start of a new one or just keep in touch with a friend who lives across the country?  Facebook has served as an easy way of doing all of this.  Even more so than the traditional and now too common way of basically picking up the telephone.  Constantly adding friends, changing relationship statuses, and letting other Facebook members what you might be doing this weekend are just some of the basic features that can be utilized.  The Social Network, directed by David Finchers, gives an inside look at the creation of the site. It is based on the novel written by Ben Mezrich titled The Accidental Billionaires published in 2009 which tells the story of the founding of Facebook.   

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The Town (2010)

           A more than proud New York Yankee fan myself, I am supposed to be geared to hate everything Boston.  From their sports teams down to their way of life.  But I can’t, I must give credit where it is due, even if it is owed to a city who houses the despised Red Sox (who missed the playoffs this year might I add).  They are a loyal bunch, they stand by their teams and stick with their own no matter what happens.  I happen to occasionally root for the Boston Celtics, only because I like Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo and yes, although slightly on the older side, they are a very good team and will hopefully do well this upcoming season.  I must also give credit to their films. 

Some of the best movies ever placed on a big screen have taken place in, around, or near this city.  Many of the individuals who are linked to these films are from the Boston area and have done well to entertain us.  Mystic River, Gone Baby Gone, and one of my ultimate all-time favorites The Departed have come out of Beantown.  The latest and perhaps one of the greatest, The Town, directed by Ben Affleck a Cambridge, Massachusetts native, carries on that legacy.  But yes, I still retain my loathing for the Red Sox.  I have to, as a New Yorker; it’s just the right thing to do.

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The Hurt Locker (2008)

The Hurt Locker delivers in ways and areas that other war films don’t touch on.  Not only focusing on the action, killing and death facets of war, it shines a light on the human side of soldiers and those involved in the violent result that comes along with it.  Director Kathryn Bigelow puts us right in the middle of present-day Iraq to tag along with a U.S. Army bomb-unit who only has a little over a month left before they can go home.

            Sergeant First Class William James (Jeremy Renner) takes over a bomb containment squad after its former leader, Staff Sergeant Matt Thompson (Guy Pierce), is killed while trying to neutralize an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) left in the middle of an Iraqi town.  The team, Sergeant JT Sanborn (Anthony Mackie) and Specialist Owen Eldridge (Brian Geraghty), is left to learn to take on and deal with James’ reckless and unorthodox tactics.

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