Review: Evil Dead

I have returned! You could say I'm... back from the dead (ba dum psshhh). Here are some thoughts on the remake of the cult classic... "Evil Dead."

A brief plot summary (from iMDb):
Five friends head to a remote cabin, where the discovery of a Book of the Dead leads them to unwittingly summon up demons living in the nearby woods. The evil presence possesses them until only one is left to fight for survival.

So, basically it's the same plot as the original. They do try to add some additional backstory this time, but really it's the age-old cabin in the woods horror plot. You don't have to have seen Sam Raimi's cult classic starring Bruce Campbell to enjoy the new version, but you will notice the similarities as well as some more subtle homages to the original if you have.

One question a lot of people are probably thinking: Is it as good as the original?  Well... no, the original is best. BUT, even as a fan of the original I greatly enjoyed the remake for what it was: an over-the-top, well-executed gore fest.

The Good:
The effects in this movie were fantastic. The filmmakers weren't shy about letting everyone know that they would be using a lot of practical effects rather than relying on digital effects. And it paid off. The practical effects were spectacular. Of course, the reliance on practical effects meant that some of the CGI looked a bit awkward, particularly in one scene that I won't give away here. But overall you will be squealing and squirming as a result of the special effects.
The gore. Now, I'm not usually a huge fan of gory films (they don't scare me, I just find them gross). But this film was great about building up tension leading into the gory moments. You knew that something bad was going to happen, and you knew what that bad thing was likely going to be, you just didn't know how long they were gonna build up to you actually seeing it. Look out for the scene after the bathroom mirror gets smashed... I was squirming the whole time and peeking through my fingers. Another thing I liked about the gore was, though it was much more realistic than the corn syrup, claymation, etc., effects of the original, it was still utterly over the top. Once the filmmakers let loose, they really let loose, to the point where you're groaning and laughing at the same time.
I also appreciated the little send-ups to the original. Certain scenes are obviously straight out of Raimi's film, but there are subtler references. Yes, the classic car makes an appearance. And if you liked the poster for the original, you'll appreciate some of the imagery in the new movie.

The Not So Good:
The acting. Now, not all of it was terrible. The female lead (played by Jane Levy) does a great job as a woman possessed. It seemed like she really threw herself into the role, and the creepy makeup helps, too. I also enjoyed the "Eric" character (he's kind of this version's "Scott). But overall, the acting was a bit mediocre. Not everyone can be Bruce Campbell, I guess...
The pacing. The beginning is slow, y'all. I appreciate the attempts to provide more of a backstory as to why the characters are there and what their motivations are, but it could have been shortened. I'm not looking for familial drama and prodigal-son-esque narratives. Just bring on the campy horror.
And of course, you've got some weird plot points and stupid decisions made by the characters. Stupid decisions are often expected in a horror film like this, but I don't  like it when a plot is dependent on otherwise intelligent-seeming characters acting stupidly.

Overall:
See "Evil Dead"... but first watch the original. It's available on Netflix, and not only will you have a great time, I think you'll get more out of the remake. I believe "Evil Dead" has left most theaters, but you haven't missed out by not seeing it on the big screen. I enjoyed it, I don't mind having paid for a movie ticket to see it, but if watching the original first means you miss seeing the remake in cinemas... it's okay.

No, I didn't die!

Hi there,

So I seem to have fallen significantly behind in updating this blog. As mentioned in my bio section, I am a grad student, and boy has it gotten busy. But summer is almost here, and though I still have school, I will have considerably less on my plate. So expect more regular posts, especially with all the summer blockbusters coming out.

I will return to reviews soon, starting with... Evil Dead.

Review: Django Unchained

I've got to admit something... I have a total crush on Christoph Waltz.

Seriously. Look at him. He's adorable. And awesome. Not to mention a fantastic actor. Why do I bring this up? Because he was a substantial part of why I enjoyed the movie I'm reviewing today: "Django Unchained."

A brief plot summary (again stolen from iMDb):
Former dentist, Dr. King Schultz, buys the freedom of a slave, Django, and trains him with the intent to make him his deputy bounty hunter. Instead, he is led to the site of Django's wife who is under the hands of Calvin Candie, a ruthless plantation owner.

"Django Unchained" is a great homage to Westerns and one hell of a revenge flick. Now, I'm not really a fan of the Western genre, but let me tell you, I loved this movie. It's Tarantino at his best, better even than "Inglorious Basterds," in my opinion. That's right, I said it.
This movie has it all: humor, drama, violence, romance, action, a kick-ass soundtrack, and of course... Christoph Waltz.

The Good:
The cast is excellent. Jamie Foxx gives a convincing performance as a man hell-bent on reuniting with his wife. Django is a man of few words, but what he does say is powerfully delivered, and his actions deliver even more power. Leonardo DiCaprio dives into his character as a seemingly charming, but simultaneously dark and threatening, plantation owner, Calvin Candie. I really think Leo got snubbed by the Academy this year when he didn't receive a nomination for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. I don't want to give too much away, but wait until the scene where Candie discusses phrenology and cuts his hand... he is truly mesmerizing. Samuel L. Jackson and Kerry Washington also do well, Jackson being uncharacteristically unlikeable in this film. Many other fun and interesting supporting cast members also show up along the way. And then there's my man, Christoph. He did receive an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Dr. King Schulz, and a well-deserved nomination it is. Waltz exudes charisma and likeability much in the way that he did in "Inglorious Basterds;" only this time, he's not a Nazi, and I don't feel bad for rooting for him. Waltz easily spouts off Tarantino dialogue, in both English and German (squee!). While audiences will likely remember his more humorous lines, I was also deeply touched by Waltz's wordless acting, his ability to convey Shulz's disgust at the human cruelty he witnesses via facial expression and body language. Waltz is up against some tough competitors this year, but I really hope he brings home another Oscar (especially after they snubbed Leo, someone from "Django" should get it).
Other good aspects of the film: the cinematography, the humor and the soundtrack. Seriously, the soundtrack is phenomenal. It's got everything from Western themes to classical compositions to rap. And it all works! I think I may be buying (or "buying") it in the near future.

The Not So Good:
There honestly was not much wrong with this movie. It was a bit long, yes, but I never found myself checking the time to see how much was left. It kept my interest the whole time. And yes, there was gore, so if you've got a weak stomach this film might not be for you, but it's what you'd expect from Tarantino. Some have criticized the frequent use of the N-word in the movie, but in my opinion, it wasn't used to be gratuitous or exploitative. It was used, because that's how people talked in 1858. You're not supposed to like it. It's supposed to make you uncomfortable, to convey the utter disregard that most white people had for Blacks. They were slaves to them, "N-words" if you will, not people. So was I bothered by it? Yes. But not because I felt the filmmakers were being disrespectful or racist, but because they wanted me to be bothered by it.

Overall: 
Go see "Django Unchained." It's a brilliant film with memorable characters, an engaging plot, technical artistry, and the signature QT style. It will definitely be remembered as one of Tarantino's best, and, though I haven't seen them all, is my personal favorite of all of his films that I've seen.

Oh... and did I mention that Cristoph Waltz is in it?

Aww yeah...

Review: Silver Linings Playbook

In honor of Superbowl weekend, I thought my first review should be of a film that includes a little football. Now, "Silver Linings Playbook" is NOT a "football movie," despite what the poster might suggest, but football does come into play. 

A quick summary of the plot (stolen from iMDb):

Life doesn't always go according to plan. Pat Solatano has lost everything - his house, his job, and his wife. He now finds himself living back with his mother and father after spending eight months in a state institution on a plea bargain. Pat is determined to rebuild his life, remain positive and reunite with his wife, despite the challenging circumstances of their separation. All Pat's parents want is for him to get back on his feet - and to share their family's obsession with the Philadelphia Eagles football team. When Pat meets Tiffany, a mysterious girl with problems of her own, things get complicated. Tiffany offers to help Pat reconnect with his wife, but only if he'll do something very important for her in return. As their deal plays out, an unexpected bond begins to form between them, and silver linings appear in both of their lives.

So, what did I think? I loved it. "Silver Linings Playbook" skillfully combines humor, drama and romance without falling into your typical rom-com trap. The ending doesn't feel forced. I don't want to go into too muchdetail, because I really want people to go see the movie, but suffice it to say that this is not just another "chick flick." 

The Good:

This film is incredibly well-acted. Bradley Cooper gives, in my opinion, one of his best performances and portrays a man living with mental illness in a way that is believable. He doesn't seem like a caricature. Jennifer Lawrence is wonderful and proves that she can play adult characters  in addition to the teen characters that have skyrocketed her into the spotlight (Katniss, Mystique). Robert De Niro is brilliant as always and Jacki Weaver (with whom I was previously unfamiliar) gives a strong performance. The supporting characters each add in a nice flavor. Heck, even Chris Tucker gives a good performance.

The movie also transitions from humor to drama and back again seamlessly. In one scene I would be misty-eyed, and in the next I was laughing out loud. I don't want to use the whole "I laughed, I cried" cliche, but this film really does play on your emotions in ways that can be heartwarming and heartbreaking. 

The Not So Good:

Like any movie, "Silver Linings Playbook" has flaws. It drags a bit in the middle, but picks back up in the last act. And although, as I previously mentioned, the film is well-acted, there isn't as much character development of the supporting cast as I would have liked. Jacki Weaver occasionally falls into the Italian mom stereotype. Dash Mihok's character just kind of fades out of the picture. And I think that Julia Stiles's talent was rather under-utilized. 

Overall:

"Silver Linings Playbook" is a great, slice of life picture.  To me, it felt like dropping in and watching a chunk of these characters' lives play out, unforced, unhurried and without contrivance. You connect with the leads and want to see their stories work out for the best. I highly recommend checking out this little gem. 

My First Blog!

My name is Erin. I am a graduate student studying speech-language pathology. I have no film school training, no industry background, I haven't acted since high school theater... I just really like movies. I like watching them, reading/watching reviews about them, learning how they're made. And I like discussing them. So I decided to start this blog to share my opinions on various films I've seen. This is my first blog ever, so it's a bit of an experiment. We'll see how it goes. First review coming soon!