Nov 9: Fall From Grace

"The shocking story of Rev. Fred Phelps, the Westboro Baptist Church, those who oppose it, and those who chose to leave it all behind."

Directed by: K. Ryan Jones, Rated: NR, 71 minutes

Just like my previous review of Jesus Camp, this review of Fall From Grace, another controversial documentary that treads into territories, that will certainly inspire conflicting conversation. However, this time around I don't think you need to be a full believer in God, or a fan of religion to know that the topic of this film, Fred Phelps and his family, are terrible, terrible people. Fall From Grace is a documentary that sets out to understand the lives of Phelps, his family, and his church, The Westboro Baptist Church, and try to come to a conclusion as to where their hate comes from and what their message is all about. It's an unflinching portrait of a man that was simply overlooked by God in the creation process and his motive and mission to remind the world, especially the United States, of its impending doom at the hands of homosexuals.

"Ye with black souls shall be turned away at the pearly gates" Nick 5:14

As some of you may know, Fred Phelps is behind the picketing of soldier's funerals, the protesting at any event related to homosexuality, and the continued sign-holding of posters littered with offensive words and derogatory terms. He's a man driven by, what he says, the mission of God and he utilizes the Bible and his own family to spread his word of hate. Quoting scripture to fit around his own beliefs and pulling chunks out from here and there (none in relation to what the book actually states), Phelps has created a cult, made up of entirely his own family (60+ members) that all believe the hate he has planted in each and every one of them. Director K. Ryan Jones attempts to understand where such evil and wicked behavior stems from, and in Fall From Grace's moments of peeking into the secret life of Phelps and his family, we witness a terrifying world. Phelps has 13 children himself (four have defected from the Church and have "excommunicated" themselves from the family) and even more grandchildren. Each of these people, including the kids, have been brainwashed by Fred's hate and take up the church's flag with pride. Even the kids, who know very little about the subject matter of which the protesting is about, fully believe that homosexuals are the filth of the earth and that they will burn in hell for destroying America. It's incredibly depressing to see such young kids carrying the banner of hate and it makes you feel sorry for them and their upbringing.

I mean, f**k. This is just too much...

Fall From Grace's mission is not to have you sympathize with Phelps, but give you a first-hand look at the man and his family. The man is a terrible piece of shit and deserves no attention, and luckily this film interweaves interviews him with other Christian pastors, leaders, and regular people who have encountered the Phelps family. Its in these little interviews that we are painted a picture of the devastation Phelps and his family have wrecked on the U.S and how their protesting has given Christians, as a whole, a bad image. It's a documentary that's hard to watch, and really doesn't teach you anything new, as much as it reaffirms your own disgust for the Westboro Baptist Church. It's baffling that these individuals think that they are not only the savior of the people, but that they will get first class tickets to Heaven. They are worse than criminals and the loop holes they burrow through only adds to the level of filth. Only watch Fall From Grace if you're curious, as it will only lead to more frustration. 

The Bad, The Ugly, The Worst:

Fred Phelps, his family, and his church

Overall: 6.5/10

Discussion Question:

Free Speech is one of the biggest rights this country is founded on, but should there be limitations to that and an accepted courtesy that should be enforced as well?

Trailer:

Oct 27: Final Destination 2

"When Kimberly has a violent premonition of a highway pileup she blocks the freeway, keeping a few others meant to die, safe...Or are they? The survivors mysteriously start dying and it's up to Kimberly to stop it before she's next."

Directed by: David R. Ellis, Rated: R, 90 minutes

The Final Destination movies have left a rather sour taste lately, with each of the newer films being more ridiculous than the last. However, the first two installments are quality flicks that have the most entertaining of deaths and a much higher production value. Final Destination 2 also has one of the best and thus, most scary traffic accidents I have ever seen and starts the film off with an epic bang. To this day I cannot drive behind a truck carrying logs without thinking it's only going to be the catalyst of some roadside tragedy. So, in that aspect the film is successful and leaves you a little worried about an occasional day-to-day event.

If anything, the FD films make you think of the absolute worst case scenarios in every situation. 

Taking place one year after the events of the first film, Final Destination 2 follows Kimberly (A.J Cook) a young co-ed who's on her way to Cancun with her friends. Before pulling onto the highway, Kim experiences a premonition of a horrible traffic accident that kills dozens, including herself and her friends. She snaps out of this vision just in time and blocks off the entrance so none of the people she saw die could get onto the freeway. Everyone thinks she's crazy but then the accident actually occurs, freaking out herself and those around her. Soon after the close call, the people that Kim "saved" begun dying under unusual circumstances (pretty much Mouse Trap with death) and she realizes that death is coming back to finish the job that Kim stopped it from completing. 

A bitch to set up with only a brief moment of satisfaction. 

Final Destination 2 suffers from rather lackluster acting and bits of dialogue that make you laugh, but the actual death sequences are pretty damn good. Many of them are unexpected and following the trademark of the series, you're led to believe that certain people will die a particular way, only to be shocked by the actual method of death-ucution. Some of them are incredibly creative and you can't help but laugh at the imagination behind such things and the fact you're finding people getting decapitated, squashed, speared, or stabbed so...satisfying. If anything, the films makes you feel like a horrible human being but when you have those moments of bad dialogue and piss-poor acting, you're easily reminded of the campy-ness of the entire situation. 

Crossed-eye physic death visions? Check.

Final Destination 2 is a great follow-up to the original film (that's great in its own right). Unfortunately, the series took an immediate downturn after this film and has never looked back. With imaginative scares that are somewhat realistic (as opposed to the stupid over-the-top CGI deaths of the sequels), Final Destination is both suspenseful and funny. It's a movie that keeps you guessing even if you're a pro of the genre. It's what makes the film worthwhile and worth your time. I'd recommend sitting down and watching the first two Final Desitnations but never even blinking at the thought of watching the sequels. Have you not seen any of the films but have only heard bad things of the more recent entries, go back and watch the first two and see that the franchise is not entirely awful. Horrible things have good beginnings? 

The Good:

unexpected deaths that make you yell in excitement/disgust/surprise at the screen

The Bad:

pretty bad acting all around, even though a few of the actors are pretty likable on their own

The Ugly:

a script that never tries hard enough to be good and instead of leaning more towards campy and awful, it dances around the category of bleh

6.3/10

Discussion Question:
Do the Final Destination films deserve a spot in the "Horror Hall of Fame" or are they forgettable thrillers that are just a series of death sequences that are grotesquely entertaining?

Trailer:

Jan 11: Final Destination 5

"Survivors of a suspension-bridge collapse learn there's no way you can cheat Death."

   Now, I have always somewhat enjoyed the Final Destination movies. The first two, I truly believe are good movies. However, after the third installment, the series has spiraled down into a ridiculous, gory, gimmicky abyss. Ever since the reboot of 3D (yes it's a reboot- it's been around since the 50s), horror filmmakers believe it's all about the stuff that pops out at you. This is where everything goes wrong. 

Because it's totally believable that a shark flies over an audience. 

  

     The Final Destination movies have never been about the story or the acting...and never ever about the script; but, at one point, a film stops being a film and becomes a montage of death. Final Destination 5 has sunk to that level, where it really is no longer a movie. The story is exactly the same as the others, with a handful of attempts at "twists". 

I cracked the code!

  Final Destination 5 is, in my opinion, the worst of the franchise. I cannot even critique the script, as I feel one was not even on set. I think the director just told the actors which person was going to die, and they had to improvise up to the point the special effects guys stepped in. Speaking of effects, they screamed "I'M A GREEN SCREEN!" and the gore was flung at your face like a chimpanzee throwing it's poo across the zoo yard during monkey recess. 

My shit's Final Destination? Your face. 

    

   The usual saving grace in any horror film is an attractive lady, to who we can project our frustrations on. Final Destination 5 is not only lacking in that department, but presents us with a couple of very unusual looking ladies. The female lead looks like the love child of Sylvester Stallone (lazy face and all) and a puffer fish while another girl looks like a stretched out munchkin. One would think that because of their looks, they were cast for their acting abilities; but, in fact, any acting ability is completely absent. The film flat-lines in every category, and at only 90 minutes in length, I would have rather watched a bunch of fail videos on YouTube. At least then I wouldn't have to worry about shit being flung at my face.

Sight: The effects were so campy and over the top ridiculous I couldn't even try to take this movie seriously. It belongs in an amusement park where the seats shake and air blows in your face. 

Sound: Thinking back, I do not even remember any of the music in the film. I can't even give credit to the sound effects, as I assume they are just recycled from the first four films. 

Skill: No.

Script: Double no.

Overall: 2.7/10

Best Quote: 

Peter: "Wait a minute. We kill someone, we get their life?"

Jan 8: Four Lions

"Four incompetent British jihadists set out to train for and commit an act of terror"

    Four Lions is an absolutely genius film. It's a British comedy that follows four idiotic Muslims who attempt to come up with a plan for a jihad and see it through until the end. This movie is pretty much what would happen if you cloned Mr. Bean, gave him an AK-47, and handed him a "Terrorism for Dummies" book. 

   Two of the four "heroes" of the tale are sent off to Pakistan for terrorist training, but within days are kicked out and sent back home for their incompetence. They argue about which direction Mecca is and use cell phones to take souvenir pictures to send back home. That's like Dexter tweeting every time his dark passenger takes another life. 

   @victim #newbloodslide!

   Four Lions is comforting in that you know not just anyone can be a terrorist. The film, in a way, is actually a guide to show you how not to be one. You don't train crows to be your personal bombers nor do you buy massive amounts of ingredients for homemade bombs at your local hardware store, using all sorts of disguises while doing so. Amazon is also a horrible place to buy what you need for your send off to heaven. 

It went something like that

   I really can't recommend this movie enough. In a weird way, you almost root for the guys because of how badly they want to get their jobs done. But then again, you realize how idiotic all of them are and wonder how they even get dressed in the morning. So, in a sense, it's guilt free cheering for them because you know they are so incapable. If this film taught me anything, it's that the idiot down the street talking to the birds with a fake British accent could very well be a terrorist. 

Sight: The film is shot in an documentary style. It's Blair Witch meets Modern Family, but with terrorists!

Sound: There is not a whole lot of music throughout, but there is one awesome use of "Dancing in the Moonlight"

Skill: Hilarious acting and perfect comedic timing, the whole cast brings laughs.

Script: While clever, original and very smart, the dialogue reminds me why British humor is the best humour (see what I did there?).

Overall: 8.9/10

Best Quote:

Omar: "What parts of the car are Jewish?"

Fessal: "Spark plugs."

Barry: "Yeah! Jews invented spark plugs to control global traffic!"