Scream (1996)

Where were you when Scream forever changed the rules of horror? (i was being born). Suddenly the basic cliche's and staples of the teen scream subgenre were outed for their predictability and cheesiness. Ah, yes, Scream and it's sequels (number 4 came out recently and i've heard it's pretty good), it's imitators (the I Know what you did last summer franchise) and it's parodies (the Scary Movie franchise). Teen slashers and the 'movie' spoofs would be frightfully different if Scream - directed well by modern master of suspense Wes Craven - hadn't some on the scene.

To begin what has become one of my favourite horror movies we have Casey (Drew Barrymore) answering the phone, now considering Barrymore's stardom back in 1996 (and she's still popular today) imagine the shock that came to audiences when she was murdered. Not unlike the shock audiences got when Janet Leigh met her untimely death 20 minutes into Psycho (1960). 

As i was saying: from here the story unfolds and comes to focus on Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) and other characters connected to her. Oh and Courtney Cox is in there as reporter Gale Weathers (i like her better in this than i ever did on Friends) who is desperate to know everything, of course (as most people know) she ended up romancing Dewey (David Arquette) both on and off the screen.

i love this movie, i cannot put into words how much i love it. Not only is it well acted (something i know i didn't expect) but it also points out how dumb and funny horror movies are (and also slyly referencing Jamie Lee Curtis' abundant presence in a lot of them). Steve Ulrich as Billy (Sidney's boyfriend) is a good performance, he kind of reminded me of Johnny Depp in this movie, i think that was the intention. 

I have yet to see 2, 3, 4 but i want to very much. You see, i wanted to see 4, but first i simply had to see the original. I hate when people see the remake or sequel without seeing the original film, it's a sort pet peeve of mine. 

I don't watch a lot of horror movies, but i can tell you that when i do watch one they are usually of the teenage slasher variety, none of them have ever really lived up to my expectations, but this one managed to. That's pretty big then. Some parts of are even, well, not 'scary, but genuinely suspenseful.

I have been inspired. I am going to seek out more horrors. But only the good ones, not trashy horror (i can't stand those) i'm talking The Exorcist, Halloween and Misery (already read and loved the book). I love it when a film inspires me to do something, it hasn't happened in a while. I 'm just glad it hasn't inspired me to be a serial killer, but then....

"We all go a little mad sometimes" Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins) Psycho (1960)

Somewhere in Time (1980)

The hopeless romantic in me was completely taken with this flawed but well executed tale. Christopher Reeve showed an extraordinary range that i wish had been displayed more often, i think being known as the definitive Superman grew tedious for him. It sure would have for me. (Of course me playing Superman would be slightly ridiculous).

The plot is somewhat straight forward and unbelievable (but it's fantasy so that doesn't really matter). Richard Collier (Reeve) is a renowned playwright who is staying at the Grand Hotel, while there he see's a picture of Elise Mckenna (Jane Seymour), a stage actress from 1912. He is completely fascinated by her and seeks information about her. He soon finds that Elise (at that point very old and played by Susan French) had given him a watch 8 years, ago (of course he had no idea who she was), she asked him to 'Come back to me' and then she was gone. Convinced that he is meant to be with her he hypnotizes himself to go back in time.

This is movie that doesn't rest on it's time travel (TT can often come across as a bit gimmicky) or it's two (very good looking and talented) stars. It is one of those romance films that you know is completely absurd and yet you want to believe that it could happen and that it is possible, which i think is why i liked it so much. I  found the ending to be a little cliche'd but then i remembered that this was made in the late 70s/80 and the cinema romances back in those days often were a little silly for me. But i think i didn't like the ending because it was the ending. I wanted the movie to go a bit longer just so i could witness more of the amazing chemistry between Reeve and Seymour.

All in all i am glad that i finally got around to watching this movie and am sure that i will watch it again one day. I would recommend this to people who are fans of things like The Time Travelers Wife (2009) and Kate and Leopold (2001)- both movies about love across different times. But also to people who enjoy a good romance like me. I don't watch many romance movies because i find a lot of them cheesy and cliche' ridden, but i liked this one. I would certainly like to read the book it was adapted from though.

"There is so much to say.... i cannot find the words. Except for these: i love you" Elise Mckenna (Jane Seymour), Somewhere in Time

Everything i want to Say.....

Sorry to keep you guys waiting for new reviews, i really want to give you good ones. I rented Doctor Zhivago (1965) the same week i rented The Elephant Man (1980), but because Dr Z had such a long running time i couldn't find time in my busy schedule to watch it. My loss right? I watched the movie Fired Up! (2009) last night, which i found shallow but more enjoyable than what i expected it would be. But too predictable and boneheaded, i liked the two leads though so that's a plus and the humour though often crude will appeal to the teenage demographic (which is probably why i liked it).

I have recently added Stir Crazy (1980), Hyperdrive Series 2, some Carol Burnett Skits, Somewhere in Time (1980), The Kentucky Fried Movie (1977), The Major and The Minor (1942) and Tootsie (1982) to my already vast array of movies on my computer. i have yet to watch most of them but the ones i have watched are:

Tootsie (1982): which was terrific and Very, Very, Very funny. It features Dustin Hoffman in my personal favourite performance of his with Jessica Lange, Bill Murray and Teri Garr giving great support. Hoffman plays Michael Dorsey a struggling actor with a reputation for being difficult, in order to get a role he dresses up as Dorothy Michaels and gets a job on a soap opera, but (of course) problems arise when he begin to fall for his co-star (Lange).

The Major and The Minor (1942): charming, silly, funny and albeit slightly creepy movie starring Ginger Rogers and Ray Milland as Susan (Suzu) Applegate and Major Kirby respectively. I found the movie funny, the plot was paper thin but the dialogue and chemistry between the actors kept it going. The plot is: Susan only has enough money to afford the half (child) fare for the train home, so she dresses up as a 12 year old in order to make the cut, Major Kirby actually does think she's a twelve a year old. It's a romantic comedy. Creepy right? But look past that weirdness because it's really just an innocent movie with some very funny lines. Did i mention it is written by Billy Wilder (Some Like It Hot, The Apartment)?

Rocky (1976): The prototype of the underdog sporting movie still packs a punch (forgive the pun) today. Sylvester Stallone mumbles his way through the movie in way that Marlon Brando would be proud of, but i mean that in a good way. The one thing i don't like about some movies is that it's not very realistic to be able know exactly what people are saying. anyway as i was saying: Stallone created a lasting hero in Rocky Balboa (aka The Italian Stallion) a southpaw (left handed) boxer who has a shot at the big time. I loved the movie. (NOTE- i'd copied this off my brothers hard drive about a month before but i hadn't watched it yet).

To finish off: i know i'm no writer and i am awful at being subjective, but hey i still love movies. Don't forget to comment!

"He doesn't know it's a damn show! He thinks it's a damn fight!" Apollos Trainer (Tony Burton), Rocky.

The Elephant man (1980)

A poetic, beautiful, sentimental and thrilling masterpiece. And that's just the impression i got from the film within the first 5 minutes. These five minutes had me totally awestruck. And i hadn't even had first glimpse of the face of the so-called 'Elephant man'. The picture of the pregnant woman being knocked down by an elephant; her screams and the elephants slowly mixing- becoming indistinct from one another- showed the true artistry that can be seen (and heard) in film.
(It should be noted that to get the sort of irony of this scene that you watch the movie the whole way through to know just where the inspiration for the opening came from.)

We do not get to see the face of John Merrick (in real life his name was Joseph Merrick but i'm not sure that matters very much) until about a half hour into the movie, and we do not hear him talk for longer. But when he does speak, it is human, this is a man. John Hurts performance as John Merrick is praised for good reason, the make up used was brilliant and realistic and is an absolute marvel (well done make up team!). The black and white was used to great effect, it really fit into the Victorian era in which the movie takes place. Anthony Hopkins is almost unrecognisable (i had only seen him in Silence of The Lambs) as Dr Treeves, the kind man who rescues John from his cruel 'owner.'

The films most famous scene depicts John being surrounded by a curious and fearful mob, lampooning him with torment, questions and making him feel like a caged animal. The same way he was treated before, only this time he knew he was something else. "I am not and animal! i am a human being!" he screams, so clearly, so desperately, so... simply. The high point of the film.

John (or Joseph) was treated as a freak for most of his life, but then came Dr Treeves, who taught him, who brought him out of his shell and who showed everyone that 'The Elephant Man' was a shy, gentle and intelligent human being. Anne Bancroft (as Madge Kendall, a theatre actress) visits John in his hospital room, where they converse and read lines from Romeo and Juliet, this is one of the best moments of the film. Good acting and very natural.

I am now a fan of all those involved with this movie, i don't know how accurate it was, but it was great. This was my first David Lynch (the director) movie, my 4th Anne Bancroft movie (i'd previously seen: Silent Movie, To Be Or not to Be and The Miracle Worker) and my first Hopkins movie, i haven't seen Silence of The lambs the whole way through (too chicken).

I found my self biting my nails throughout, hoping for some kind of magical cure for this 'beast' whom i had come to respect and admire. That is the shear power of this understated masterpiece, it isn't showy or vulgar and it doesn't rely heavily on theatrics (although admittedly it dips into sentimentality a lot) it just draws you in. In short, while this movie wasn't a thriller it had me biting my nails and my heart racing fast, it was really just a thrilling movie.

"Never. Oh, Never. Nothing will die. The stream flows, the wind blows, the cloud fleets, the heart beats. Nothing will die" Johns Mother (Phoebe Nicholls), The Elephant Man.


(There is more i could say but i think you know that this is one great movie already. Do not forget to comment!)

Casablanca (1942)

What is there left to say about a pinnacle of romance films and film in general? That's it is a beautifully crafted masterpiece? it's been said. That Rick Blaine is one of the most believable and attractive romantic leads in history? Said a thousand times. Or that Ingrid Bergman is, was and always will be a sublime actress? It has been said millions of times by millions of people across the world. And if they ever try to remake this, everyone one of those millions will band together and become the angriest mob in history.

Really, there is nothing new to say. Everyone knows how it ends, everyone knows the lines and everyone knows the song. I suppose that there being nothing new to say is a compliment to the movie, the idea that all that is good has been said about it is high praise when you think about it.

Rick (Bogart) and Ilsa (Bergman) are the epitome of doomed romance, you just want them to be together. You feel their pain when ever it becomes apparent that they can't. Giving good support are Paul Heinreid (as Laszlo), Claude Raines (as Louis) and (with limited but memorable screentime) Peter Lorre. It is a timeless tale of boy find girl, girls leaves boy, boy meets her again and loses her in a phone box (okay i made that last part up). But it is a perfect film set against the back drop of WW2. But for all of its war references there iare few fights, and the film is better for it. In my opinion.

i would like to take some time to say that i am sorry for all the delays in posting, i have been busy as of late and haven't had the time. Homework sucks. Anyway--

I wont go into details about the plot because it's better just to let you watch it and see it all for yourself. i hate it when people give away all of the plot and not let me be surprised by a few plot points. So i am pretty much putting into effect the old 'treat those as you want to be treated' thing. Anyway that's my review, it's not as long or as in depth as i would like, but as i said before- there is nothing new to say. Although i would like to say that if any man said "Here's looking at you kid" to me, i would fall head over heels in love with him.

"Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walked into mine" Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart), Casablanca

The Terminator (1984)

i saw this about a week or two ago but my internet decided to be painstakingly slow, so i didn't bother posting. sorry for making you wait so long. This is one of those movies where the sequel surpasses the original, but this movie is still one of my personal favourites of James Cameron's and of science fiction in general. James Cameron is good and all but his best work are not Avater (2009) and Titanic (1997) as many may think.

Most people should know the story by now, but here's the gist anyway- Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn) is sent back in time to protect Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) from The Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger), Why? because she is going to be the mother of John Connor, who will lead the resistance forces against the evil super computer Skynet.

The movie still boasts impressive explosions and the acting, while not Oscar worthy, is pretty good. Standouts are Linda Hamilton and Arnie. the small dashes of humour are also a welcome change from other science fictions. But what struck me most about the movie was that the more it went on (and this includes the second one) it became more and more believable. The computers we make to better our lives could really go haywire (this was also theme in one of- if not THE greatest- sci fi's ever: 2001: A Space Odyssey [1968]).

The second one is better (although i could've done without Edward Furlong as John) but this one is truly EPIC. and Arnie is one of the best villains ever in this one.

"Come with me if you want to live" Kyle Reese Michael Biehn), The Terminator