Years before exorcising the devil from Regan MacNeil, Father Merrin (Stellan Skarsgård) experiences a crisis of faith, leaves the priesthood and heads to Africa on an archaeological expedition, where he unearths a perfectly preserved ancient church. The mysterious church, horrific events and the healing of a crippled boy (Billy Crawford) soon draw Merrin into a battle against pure evil in this creepy prequel to the 1973 horror classic. - taken from Netflix.com
I am not big into Horror films, but sometimes I enjoy one. Tonight, this was the best I could find in the instant play queue. It has been years since I have seen "The Exorcist" so some of that story is not coming to mind, though this film obviously did not have much to do with the original. Keeping in mind the whole story was more of a mind-set for the next one, it wasn't terrible. Events as they played out were pretty predictable, and there weren't as many scenes to make one jump at the action. Very low budget and few special effects. I felt it was more of a whole man and God thing than Man of God fighting Evil. Enjoyed the theme more than the movie. I give it 2 stars, well, I'll bump it to 3 just because from what I remember, it could have been the start of the mindset for Father Merrin in the original. Besides, I thought this might be an earlier movie for Skarsgard.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
Movie Review : "The Parking Lot Movie"
Over the course of three years, filmmaker Meghan Eckman tracked thecomings and goings of a solitary parking lot in Charlottesville, Va., chroniclingthe lives of the attendants who were working there. This inspiring documentary is the result. Hanging tough as they navigate the range of human emotion -- from hope to frustration, from a sense of limitless possibilities to stagnation --the film's subjects embody the pursuit of the American Dream. - taken from Netflix.com
What can I say about this one? Not much. I watched it on recommendation from some friends, who apparently understood it better than I. Maybe my lack of Sociology classes, or anthropology, or some college in general ruined it for me. Basically and Indie documentary about guys that worked at a particular parking lot. Most were some sort of undergraduate student, in some humanities course and try to spout life altering snippets about life as a parking lot attendant. Maybe that's why I don't get it. Worse movie rating so far.... 1 star.
What can I say about this one? Not much. I watched it on recommendation from some friends, who apparently understood it better than I. Maybe my lack of Sociology classes, or anthropology, or some college in general ruined it for me. Basically and Indie documentary about guys that worked at a particular parking lot. Most were some sort of undergraduate student, in some humanities course and try to spout life altering snippets about life as a parking lot attendant. Maybe that's why I don't get it. Worse movie rating so far.... 1 star.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Movie Review : "Predators"
Rugged mercenary Royce (Adrien Brody) inherits command of an elite team of human fighters -- including dorky-but-dangerous Edwin (Topher Grace) and tough-but-beautiful Isabelle (Alice Braga) -- as they are hunted by a race of ruthless alien trackers known as Predators. Director Nimród Antal's sci-fi action explosion, which also stars Laurence Fishburne and an uzi-toting Danny Trejo, is a direct sequel to the 1987 blockbuster Predator. - taken from Netflix.com
This is like, what.... Fourth movie in this line? There was "Predator" with Schwarzeneggar; "Predator II" with Danny Glover; "AVP:Alien vs Predator" and "Alien vs Predator : Requiem". So I guess that makes the 5th film. Either way, it kind of goes back to the first original movie. About 8 (or so) humans from Earth awaken while in free fall, to land on what they determine later, is an alien planet. Each of them was selected for a reason, and the movie is spent them 'discovering' why each of them is there, as they are hunted by the Predators. At one point there is reference to the first movie in this series, which I thought was nice, since the last couple weren't even related it seems. Of course, Netflix description states it is a direct sequel to the first one. Overall, I found it a bit boring, and was not happy about the two bigger-named actors being killed off, but that happens. I give it 3 starts, since it at least kept me watching to see how it would end.
This is like, what.... Fourth movie in this line? There was "Predator" with Schwarzeneggar; "Predator II" with Danny Glover; "AVP:Alien vs Predator" and "Alien vs Predator : Requiem". So I guess that makes the 5th film. Either way, it kind of goes back to the first original movie. About 8 (or so) humans from Earth awaken while in free fall, to land on what they determine later, is an alien planet. Each of them was selected for a reason, and the movie is spent them 'discovering' why each of them is there, as they are hunted by the Predators. At one point there is reference to the first movie in this series, which I thought was nice, since the last couple weren't even related it seems. Of course, Netflix description states it is a direct sequel to the first one. Overall, I found it a bit boring, and was not happy about the two bigger-named actors being killed off, but that happens. I give it 3 starts, since it at least kept me watching to see how it would end.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Movie Review : "Twilight Saga: Eclipse"
Danger stalks Seattle with a rash of mysterious killings that have Bella (Kristen Stewart) feeling less secure than ever in the third installment of this teen fantasy series based on the best-selling books by Stephenie Meyer. With a malevolent vampire continuing her quest for revenge from the sidelines, the human Bella must reconcile her love for Edward (Robert Pattinson), a vampire, and her growing feelings for Jacob (Taylor Lautner), a werewolf. - taken from Netflix.com
This is the third installment of the 4 book series written by Stephanie Meyers. As many readers would say, usually the middle portion of any series of books, tends to be a bit boring, and drags along. This movie was no exception. Though I had read the complete series long before any movie was going to be made, and evidently, those year made a difference, as I could not really place what seemed to happen in this one as being part of the story, except a few bits of the whole plot. Honestly, the teenage clamor surrounding this whole series has probably jaded me for the movie experience. I do give some credit though tot he author, because at the time, it is getting younger readers to pick a book up, if only to find out how it all ends, prior to the release of the final book-to-movie. All in all, I give it 3 stars.
This is the third installment of the 4 book series written by Stephanie Meyers. As many readers would say, usually the middle portion of any series of books, tends to be a bit boring, and drags along. This movie was no exception. Though I had read the complete series long before any movie was going to be made, and evidently, those year made a difference, as I could not really place what seemed to happen in this one as being part of the story, except a few bits of the whole plot. Honestly, the teenage clamor surrounding this whole series has probably jaded me for the movie experience. I do give some credit though tot he author, because at the time, it is getting younger readers to pick a book up, if only to find out how it all ends, prior to the release of the final book-to-movie. All in all, I give it 3 stars.
Book Review : "Divine Appointments" by Charlene Ann Baumbich
This story revolves around 4 central characters and their interactions over mostly the span of a few weeks. Each of them could be any person one would meet on the street. It follows them individually and together as they interact and react to situations. The mysterious way that God works in our lives is reflected in small ways that the author has placed in a seemingly benign way in this story. Follow the lives of Josie, an independent, go-forward consultant, as she finds a mysterious snow globe and how its scene encourages her to open herself; Lyle, his job loss and remorse of a missed loved life drive him to go back to an earlier time of his life where he felt what he did was something good. Marsha, who learns how friends can change you, and changes of the heart; and Barb, as she allows God to use her to encourage others, and how one sacrifice can change the world like the wind from the wings of a butterfly. For a Christian book, I enjoyed reading it and give it 4 stars.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Movie Review : "The Sorcerer's Apprentice"
While Horvath (Alfred Molina) and Drake (Toby Kebbell) plot to restore Morgana Le Fay (Alice Krige) to power, master sorcerer Balthazar Blake (Nicolas Cage) makes physics student Dave Stutle (Jay Baruchel) his apprentice, teaching him enough magic to save the world from sure ruin. Also featuring Monica Bellucci, Teresa Palmer and Toby Kebbell, this whimsical fantasy is a live-action update of the beloved animated short from the 1940s, "Fantasia." - taken from Netflix.com
Great movie for the family. We sat down to watch it this evening, while having some pizza and sodas. My boys loved the flick, laughing at some of the scenes. Even the 4 year old was quoting some of the lines from it. Definitely a 5 star for family.
Great movie for the family. We sat down to watch it this evening, while having some pizza and sodas. My boys loved the flick, laughing at some of the scenes. Even the 4 year old was quoting some of the lines from it. Definitely a 5 star for family.
Movie Review : "Barry Munday"
Barry Munday wakes up after being attacked to realize that he's missing his family jewels. To make matters worse, he learns he's facing a paternity lawsuit filed by a woman he can't remember having sex with. - taken from IMDB.com
Sometimes you just need a corny, time-waster of a movie, and that is what I thought this one was when I put it in my queue to watch. Barry is a guy, that yes, has lost the jewels (I won't say how, as it is part of the story). Barry is also the typical, stereotyped male chauvinistic character women just believe are real creeps. That's what makes this a corny time-waster. The storyline turned out to be better than I expected, and shows some of the good side of people, and how sometimes choices we make affect other people. Overall, was a good time watching, and I give it 4 stars.
Sometimes you just need a corny, time-waster of a movie, and that is what I thought this one was when I put it in my queue to watch. Barry is a guy, that yes, has lost the jewels (I won't say how, as it is part of the story). Barry is also the typical, stereotyped male chauvinistic character women just believe are real creeps. That's what makes this a corny time-waster. The storyline turned out to be better than I expected, and shows some of the good side of people, and how sometimes choices we make affect other people. Overall, was a good time watching, and I give it 4 stars.
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