(Movie Review) The Possession (2012)

Aren’t scary movies the best? I mean, really? Other than a comic book movie (that is well done) or a really good comedy I can’t think of any genre of movies that I enjoy more. Now I want to clarify that I am not talking about those over-the-top gory films. Outside of the old Nightmare on Elm Street or Friday the 13^th franchises, gore movies have never been very appealing to me. I prefer the “bump” scary movies. Those films that just turn out to be slasher/gore films are the types of movies that I will often just sit back and laugh at, because there is nothing remotely relatable to them and anything that most of us have ever experienced. The appealing thing about suspenseful scary movies is that they are entirely relatable. Everyone has had those moments where they were alone in a dimly light room and swear they see something out of the corner of their eye. It’s such a rich and emotional area to make a movie from and I often find that I am drawn to movies like that. While this movie is far from perfect, it does turn out to be a really suspenseful supernatural film.

Storyline: In the wake of an ongoing divorce, Clyde (Morgan) is finding it hard to connect with his daughters Em (Calis) and Hannah (Davenport). The only time that he really gets to spend with them is when they come home with him on weekends. During one of the weekend visits Clyde takes the girls to a local garage sale where Em is drawn to an old box. After she talks her dad into purchasing it for her she happily places it in her room at his house. But there seems to be much more to this box when Clyde notices a change in Em. She becomes distant and, in a few cases, violent. Clyde is convinced that there is a connection to her new problems and this box, and he will go to any lengths to stop it from harming her. Clyde must find a way to convince those around him of what is going on and find a way to stop it once and for all.

Worth the admission? I say yes on this one. The only thing that I didn’t like about the movie was that the first 15-20 minutes of it was slow and at times seemed poorly edited.  After it gets through the first quarter of the movie it really picks up. Jeffery Dean Morgan, having worked in the paranormal world before (on Supernatural) turns in a solid performance, but it is Natasha Calis that really steals the show. She is fantastic as Em! Maybe I am being a little lenient on this film because it has been a while since I have watched a good scary/suspense movie, but I think that you should make plans to check it out.

(Movie Review) Casa de mi Padre (2012)

I love it when things don't exactly fit. You know? Say there is a bunch of ducks walking in a line and right in the middle of them is a chicken. And NONE of them realize that there is one small percentage of the group that doesn't actually belong. That is about the best way I can think of describing Casa de mi Padre. A movie that is about drama surrounding a family from Mexico and Will Ferrell plays the lead role...and he is a giant gingerish honky (who happens to speak pretty flawless Spanish). Awesomeness.

Storyline: Armando Alvarez (Will Ferrell) has lived and worked on his father's ranch in Mexico his entire life. As the ranch encounters financial difficulties, Armando's younger brother Raul (Diego Luna), shows up with his new fiancé, Sonia (Genesis Rodriguez). It seems that Raul's success as an international businessman means the ranch's troubles are over as he pledges to settle all debts his father has incurred. But when Armando falls for Sonia, and Raul's business dealings turn out to be less than legit, all hell breaks loose as they find themselves in a war with Mexico's most feared drug lord, the mighty Onza (Gael Garcia Bernal).From IMDB.com

The great thing about this movie is that it completely takes a dive all for the sake of making a few people laugh that "get it". I mean, look at the score on imdb.com. it clocks in a measly 5.5 rating, and only a 44% fresh rating at Rottentomatoes.com...but the critics that actually liked it are some of the more reputable critics out there. Is it a GREAT movie, hell no, but it takes those quirky things that people love about "b-movies" and glorifies them. Props that are obviously fake, using the same rolling background screen in every car driving scene, having the cuts be sharp and out of place, and below is a description of a scene that, to me, is in a league of its own.

There is a shot of two characters riding horses through a field, but to make it look as cheesy as possible, they never shoot the horses (there are no horses) but only shoot the actors from the chest up bouncing up and down to give the illusion of riding a horse. There is also a painted backdrop and to give the illusion that they are passing trees and such, the stagehands are moving small bushes past the actors in the background. Possibly one of the funniest things I have seen in a while. It's like a mashup of Grindhouse and Spaghetti Westerns.

If you have the time, you should check it out. Seriously. You will be glad you did, unless you end up hating it...then forget that I said anything.

(Movie Review) Premium Rush (2012)

Premium Rush fails to deliver with movie goers

In my opinion, the worst thing that an on-the-rise actor can do is come off of a critically acclaimed blockbuster and turn out a forgettable movie months later. You see it happen a lot and sometimes it can be the end of a career. Surviving in Hollywood is all about choices. Well, that and being incredibly good looking. With that in mind I have to admit that I think that Premium Rush was a really bad choice for Joseph Gordon-Levitt. I have been a fan of his since he was on 3^rd Rock From The Sun (1996), and he has been making some incredibly good decisions with his career lately. Inception, 50/50, and The Dark Knight Rises have all helped push him into a more visible part of the Hollywood spectrum, but doing a forgettable movie like Premium Rush is worse than not doing a movie at all. The movie isn’t bad, it’s actually kind of fun, but you could have put anyone in that role and it would have been just as forgettable.

Storyline: Wilee (Levitt) is the best at what he does. He is a courier for a delivery company in Manhattan. He is known to be a bit of a daredevil since he insists on riding with no brakes in a city that is known for cars and traffic. When Wilee is called in for a job he picks up his package and is soon accosted by a man in the parking lot that claims to be the owner of the item being delivered. When Wilee explains that items must be delivered once they are picked up the man becomes aggressive. Wilee soon finds himself being pursued through the streets of the city and must find a way to escape his dangerous pursuer. 

Worth the admission? Not really. I hate to say it, because it is actually a pretty fun little movie, but it is such a forgettable film that I can’t recommend that anyone pay to see it in the theater. Once it comes out on DVD or NETFLIX I think that it would be worth the money to watch it, but not in the theater.

I am going to go ahead and recommend that you all watch LOOPER when it comes out. Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Bruce Willis and opening on September, 28^th. The movie looks to be equal parts gangster movie, time travel movie, and action movie all rolled into one really interesting package. Be sure to check it out.