Nov 4: Red Lights

"Psychologist Margaret Matheson and her assistant study paranormal activity, which leads them to investigate a world-renowned psychic who has resurfaced years after his toughest critic mysteriously passed away."

Directed by: Rodrigo Cortes, Rated: R, 113 minutes

For those of you who have been reading this blog from the start, you know how big of a fan I am of Rodrigo Cortes' 2010 masterpiece, Buried. It's a film that proved to be incredible on both technical aspects and on how to craft a story. Well, Cortes' followup, Red Lights, doesn't have the wow factor of buried, nor is it really an experiment in filmmaker. It is, however, a well-crafted thriller that has plenty of things going for it. Unfortunately, in contrast, there are a handful of things to dislike about the film, such as a rather weak second act that leaves the movie stumbling onward towards its conclusion.

I still stand by Ryan Reynolds and feel he was completely overlooked for the Oscars in 2011. 

The film's introduction is incredibly engaging. Sigourney Weaver plays Margaret Matheson, a psychologist who makes a living off of proving the illegitimacy of so-called "psychics" that scam their audiences into believing what they do is real. Her assistant, Tom Buckley (Cillian Murphy) is a genius physicist but refuses to teach in his field, because of his loyalty to Margaret and the fact he finds what they do incredibly interesting. When retired all-star psychic, Simon Silver (Robert DeNiro), decides to get back into the game years after an accident, the world turns its focus upon the man, as do Tom and Margaret. A shroud of mystery surrounds Silver and Tom struggles to find out how he manages to seemingly read minds, bend spoons, and do all sorts of psychic things. As the secrets begin to unravel, Tom realizes that there is much greater things behind all of the happenings. Unfortunately, he's too caught up in everything and the only way "out" is to continue moving forward, facing Silver head on. 

You don't fock around with this guy. 

The first thirty minutes of Red Lights shows the duo taking down a handful of psychics by hijacking radio frequencies and all sorts of clever methods to prove they're fake. It's a job I certainly would love to have myself as I can only see great joy in ruining the lives of these high profile scam artists. It's also one of the better parts of the film and starts the film off with a lot of excitement. Unfortunately, the second act loses the energy of the intro and as more questions are raised, Red Lights grows tiresome. Lucky for us, by its conclusion, the movie regains its composure and delivers a pretty unique and unpredictable finish that honestly leaves you satisfied, even if some of those questions are still left unanswered. It's something that is easy to look past after the credits roll, but after processing your thoughts about everything, you're left with a rather bland taste in your mouth.

Mainstream psychics like this asshole need to "cross-over" into oblivion. 

A large part of the (somewhat) success of Red Lights is its cast. Cortes managed to recruit some incredible actors for his followup and they elevate it to something worth watching. Sigourney Weaver's role is somewhat substantial and reminds us that she's more talented than her sci-fi cameos. Robert DeNiro also seems to be getting a better grasp on his career, and doesn't quite remind us of his past greatness, but takes a step back toward it.  But even with two powerhouses, the star of Red Lights is Cillian Murphy, who shows us time and again that he's one of the greatest actors working today. He's mesmerizing as Tom Buckley and steals every scene he's in. He has this intensity about him that you don't find a lot and as his paranoia combines with his own intelligence (that Murphy always brings to the table), you can't help but understand his skewed frustrations. Personally, I would watch the man talk to a wall for ninety minutes, as I find him that interesting, and Red Lights does a great job of complimenting his abilities. The film also packs a strong supporting cast that includes Elizabeth Olsen, Toby Jones, and Craig Roberts. 

Seriously, world. Give this man every damn award you can think of. Shower him with love. Admire his talents. IDOLIZE HIM.

Red Lights received an incredibly small release in theaters and a quiet release on DVD. It's a film that deserves some love and attention for its acting and at times, its clever script. Rodrigo Cortes proves again that he's a talented filmmaker and while it's not on the same level as Buried, Red Lights still manages to be successful. It's suspenseful with plenty of twists, and has a unique ending that left me wanting a sequel (that would head in a completely opposite direction). Call me a nice guy, but I can forgive the film's faults and definitely recommend it. While it's not worth running out and buying, it's certainly worth renting and I really hope more people give this under-looked film a chance. If anything, the love and attention you'd show the film would at least give Cortes the money he deserves to continue making movies that are far more unconventional than what we're used to seeing.

The Good:

terrific acting that carries the film above averageness and turns the movie into a very interesting ride

The Bad:

a second act that's lacking the energy of the introduction and leaves you slightly bored

The Ugly:

knowing that there is a large majority of people that believe in psychics and rely on them for many of their day to day decisions

7.4/10

Trailer:

June 22: Ghostbusters

"Three unemployed parapsychology professors set up shop as a unique ghost removal service."

Ghostbusters is not only a classic, it's one of the best comedies of all time. It's been quoted, spoofed, and referenced over and over and has spawned a sequel, a cartoon series, an iconic theme song, and plenty of merchandise. It features Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd in arguably their best roles (at their prime) and blends the supernatural with the super funny in glorious fashion. Not to mention, Ghostbusters features a giant, evil marshmallow man that arrives at the movie's conclusion, wrecking havoc on New York City. That alone would make a movie for me, yet Ghostbusters goes above and beyond just the "usual" massive s'more. 

Life tip: Use Reese's Peanut Butter Cups instead of chocolate for s'mores. It's GLORIOUS. 

Ghostbusters is so good, every line and special effect clings to your memory, never to be forgotten or trumped. The story follows Dr. Peter Venkman (Murray), Dr. Raymond Stantz (Aykroyd), and Dr. Egon Spengler (Harold Ramis), three professors turned supernatural researchers, who, after losing their jobs, start a ghost hunting and capturing business. Venkman joins mostly for the franchising opportunities and possible fortune to be made (and the ladies), while Stantz and Spengler are much more serious about their new "calling". Their business proves very successful and the trio become quite the celebrities. With their growing attention comes investigation, and the new business is threatened to be shut down by the EPA, as their proton packs (devices used to capture ghosts) are believed to have possible negative effects on the environment. When the Ghostbusters discover that a portal to another dimension has been opened in the apartment of poor Dana (Sigourney Weaver), threatening to unleash a great evil on the world, the crew takes it into their hands to save the city and show that they are a much greater good than bad to the world. 

Even though they kind of look like super villains. 

There's really not a lot I can say about Ghostbusters that hasn't been said already by someone, somewhere. It's a universally loved film seen by practically everyone and is certainly deserving of all the praise it has been given. It's smart, side-splitting funny, and continues to entertain new and old audiences. Bill Murray certainly steals the show and practically ever line uttered from him is comedic gold. His dead-pan humor is beyond genius and Ghostbusters is one of the first films to show he is most definitely a national treasure. I cannot recommend Ghostbusters enough and if for some weird, inexcusable reason you haven't seen it already, go buy it immediately. 

The Good:

campy but brilliant special effects for its time (1984)

The Better:

a memorable cast that has perfect chemistry and shows you how fun it must have been to make a movie with your friends

The Best:

Bill Murray being Bill Murray and proving to everyone that he is the greatest comedian of all time (yes, I am being that bold)

Overall: 9.6/10

Trailer:

June 18: Prometheus

"A team of explorers discover a clue to the origins of mankind on Earth, leading them on a journey to the darkest corners of the universe. There, they must fight a terrifying battle to save the future of the human race."

I have finally seen Prometheus (a prequel" to Alien). After 16 alien movies and of course, their reviews, I can officially wrap up "Alien Week(s)" and move on to watch whatever I want. And, boy was the wait worth while. Prometheus certainly delivers. It's big, it's beautiful, it's horrific, and it's on an entirely different scale than anything I have ever seen before. Prometheus is massive, and although it is weighed down a little bit because of its size (and its many questions raised), the movie is still an epic masterpiece that continues to show how incredible a director Ridley Scott is. The film raises some very significant questions about who we are, where we come from, and who created us, all very profound. However, most of these questions don't get answered completely and it is somewhat frustrating. These mysteries may be answered in a director's cut DVD release but I feel that it may have asked a little too many questions to answer in a two hour film. 

Unanswered questions tend to be a theme for Prometheus writer, Damon Lindelof. 

Prometheus' plot is very simple but incredibly complex at the same time. Two scientists, Dr. Elizabeth Shaw (Noomi Rapace) and Dr. Charlie Holloway (Logan Marshall-Green), discover a continued pattern in a bunch of archaic writings and paintings from different places on Earth, separated by centuries and hundreds of miles. Somehow, the two come to the conclusion that these graphics depict the story of our creation and that they must find the inspiration of the pictures, and thus "meet our makers". You kind of just go with this plot point, but it is a little confusing as to how they conclude to such a controversial and incredible idea. Shaw and Holloway are hired by Weyland Industries, a ridiculously wealthy company, and board the spaceship, Prometheus, along with 15 other individuals (geologists, biologists, space captains). The crew is put into a cryogenic sleep for two years and are carefully watched over by the android, David (Michael Fassbender), who studies ancient languages, movies, and even the crew's memories in order to better assist them when they awake. Prometheus lands on a planet "500 billion miles away" and the crew discover dome-like buildings that are clearly not made by nature. Shaw and Holloway lead a crew into the dark, mysterious chambers of this foreign settlement and discover a horror they could never even imagine. 

The cast of Prometheus is perfect. Michael Fassbender is outstanding as David and his robotic voice and nature dance the line between emotional and creepy. He has a playfully dangerous curiosity about everything and his obsession with touching everything, trying to figure out what it is, leads to a very unique kind of suspense. Noomi Rapace does a great job channeling her inner Sigourney Weaver, and shows you that women can be action stars right along with the men. And, of course, the film also stars Idris Elba, as Janek, Prometheus' captain. Elba continues to show me how flawless he is in any role he takes on and I continue to be absolutely shocked (and pissed off) that he's not in more movies. He's a strong leader and a great captain of the ship and he provides a lot of the laughs as well as the strong moral compass of the film. He knows what it takes to get something done as well as knowing what it takes to stop something from happening.

    He's also my pick for the alien ass-kicking Green Lantern in the Justice League movie. 

I really, really liked Prometheus. It's definitely a movie that, I can only assume, would be much more enjoyable on the big screen. The special effects are amazing and they blend incredibly well with real landscapes and "live" effects, similar to the original Alien. It does have its faults, as it tends to pose way too many questions for itself as well as some lazy plot holes, but it's still a very enjoyable experience. And, although the special effects are epic, the cast is what makes the movie. I would definitely recommend Prometheus and encourage you to see it in theaters, as it really is too big of a movie to watch on a TV or computer screen. 

The Good:

a bold premise that reaches for the stars and although leaves many questions unanswered, it still is very, very intriguing

The Better:

the special effects- wow

The Best:

Michael Fassbender, Noomi Rapace, Idris Elba

Overall: 8.5/10

Trailer:

June 13: Galaxy Quest

"The alumni cast of a cult space TV show have to play their roles as the real thing when an alien race needs their help."

Tim Allen has a very, very, hit and miss career. Sure, he has the Toy Story films under his belt but he really has not made a lot of quality live action films. Galaxy Quest is one of those rare outings as his role was pretty much written for him in mind. He plays Jason Nesmith, a full of himself actor who starred on a long running Star Trek-esque TV show in a role paralleling William Shatner's Captain James T. Kirk. He's at home in the role and embraces the cheese and over-the-top machismo he tries to exude. And, it's hilarious. Not to mention, Allen is accompanied by an out of this world (pun intended) cast that includes the likes of Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman, Tony Shaloub, and Sam Rockwell, each playing their own, dumbed down characters clearly inspired by Star Trek as well.  

And a very hilarious performance by Enrico Colantoni

The story follows the cast of Galaxy Quest, a long canceled TV show that has developed a cult following, as they find themselves wrapped up in a real galactic war. When Thermians (an tentacled alien race that disguises themselves as semi-humans) request that Nesmith aid them in a war against the evil Sarris, thus saving their people, Nesmith takes them as die-hard fans of the show and nothing more. When he agrees to "perform" for them, he realizes that it is all too real and that he is actually caught up in a space battle between two warring alien species. Nesmith at first finds the idea to be too obsurd, but then realizes it's his chance to be something important again and recruits his old cast mates for the adventure as well. The Thermians actually have designed their space ship after watching reruns of the Galaxy Quest, thinking it is actually "historical documents" depicting the crew's adventures. So, it's up to the fellow TV members to fall into their respective roles (for real) and save an entire alien race from being wiped out completely. A lot of pressure for a bunch of washed out actors that only make a living off of convention appearances and electronic store openings. 

However, I could only imagine how awesome it would be to see William Shatner at the opening of a Best Buy

I would definitely recommend Galaxy Quest. Satire films are usually done in a very bad way, so whenever one succeeds in not only being funny but spoofing its source material as well as this does, it's worth a watch. The cast alone makes the film, and seeing Professor Snape in his version of Doctor Spock is magnificently brilliant. Keep in mind, Galaxy Quest is in no way, genius in its comedy but it's simply dumbed down just enough to enjoy it fully without having to tear it apart. It's fun, entertaining, has surprsingly good special effects, and is a nice nod to the complexities and love of a sci-fi super fan. 

The Good:

a solid cast with each actor owning his/her respective role

The Bad:

satire is still satire and while many of the jokes hit the mark, a couple just try a little too hard

The Ugly:

wondering why Tim Allen has had such a hard time capturing his "Tool Time"ness on the big screen and why he can't make more things like Galaxy Quest

Overall: 7.3/10

Trailer:

June 9: Alien

"A mining ship, investigating a suspected SOS, lands on a distant planet. The crew discovers some strange creatures and investigates."

So the buildup of "Alien Week" has lead to this. Well, the first part of it at least. I still need to see Prometheus. But to set myself up for the film, I revisited the original Alien movie itself. The 1979 sci-fi classic that paved way for every other movie I reviewed this week as well as creating a new standard for the horror genre. It's surprisingly how effective Alien still is after 33 years and shows that it is much more about the story, the characters, and the fear of being trapped in a spaceship with a deadly beast, than it is about fancy special effects and big explosions (although the effects in the film still look pretty damn good). Alien is a lot like Halloween, or other slasher films, but in space, with a giant creature instead of the creepy Michael Myers and none of the unnecessary (but necessary) sex scenes. 

I can only imagine how terrifying Halloween would have been if Myers had little creatures rape the faces of his victims before he brutally murders them. 

Alien follows the story of the Nostromo, a commercial mining ship that discovers an SOS signal coming from an unidentified planet. Upon landing, the crew sends out a team to investigate the signal and they come across eggs of some kind of creature. Events unfold and an alien creature boards the Nostromo, causing destruction and killing off members of the crew. Once the alien is on board, and after a memorable dinner scene, the terror really begins. With the alien's arrival, a heightened sense of paranoia and fear arrives with it for not only Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) and her crew, but for the audience as well. Alien is a claustrophobic film and Ridley Scott does an amazing job capturing the close quarters fight to the death. The narrow passageways  of the Nostromo are used wonderfully and Scott uses the setting and the sets masterfully. The use of a good score and terrific sound effects, including an almost constant heartbeat throughout the film, just adds to the scary atmosphere. And, with so many twists and turns in the ship, you never can expect what's around the next corner. 

Oh my f**king God.

Alien succeeds on so many levels. It's truly terrifying and has moments that will make you jump and cringe even if you have already seen the film. It's ingenious with its special effects, using props and real, live effects. The creature design for the alien has now become iconic and it still stands the test of time on its looks and scare factor. Sigourney Weaver is good as Ripley but I have to give it to Ian Holm, who plays the Nostromo's science officer, Ash. His role is very vital to the film's plot and how his story plays out is surprising as well as looking incredible. Alien is a classic. What Jaws does for the ocean, what Psycho does for showers, and what Halloween does for your own neighborhood, Alien does for space. Sure, very few of us will ever venture out into the final frontier, but I can't help wonder how many, if given the opportunity, would turn down an offer after watching Alien. Also, as we all have come to know, in space, no one can hear you scream.

The Good:

a horror movie disguised as a science fiction movie that scares the crap out of you

The Better:

great creature effects that still look good after 33 years and also scares the crap out of you

The Best:

even knowing what's going to happen and still having the crap scared out of you... the damn thing is that intense (and awesome)

Overall: 9.0/10

Trailer: