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THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT
Writing the review of this horror thriller alone still gives me the chills. Despite the hype, indie-turned-commercial flick The Blair Witch Project is hauntingly spooky and disgustingly effective. For one, the camera work has been done solely by the young and raw actors themselves. This accounts for the highly giddying and puke-evoking effect throughout the entire movie. If you ignore this major but overshadowed side-effect, Blair emerges as one of the scariest and most realistic movie in the history of this genre. With a fantastic plot that teases and leads the audience steadyly into the realm of witchcraft and pure nightmare, the only comforting thought you can bear is that you are not as silly as any of them to venture into the voodoo world without proper preparation and spiritual ammunition. The fact that you do not get to visually witness any creepy drone with fur and blood-shot eyeballs floating about with long jagged nails is no comfort. If you are not convinced that your imagination is often more lethal than any Hollywood special f/x, Blair should put that lingering thought to rest. The twisted eeriness plus that sick soundtrack that sounds like babies' yelling and the devil incarnate's cry is pure hell. Think The Exorcist set in any other quiet American town set in the 90s happening to people unlike us. You will enjoy this film if you're not too psyched to catch non-stop action see helpless victims running about like those babes in teen-flicks. If you're ready
to be lead, to expect nothing more than what the 8-day shoot offers, you should appreciate this as much as I do. To attempt to explain the impact of this film...
I refuse to shut my eyes despite the fact that I really felt like puking any moment halfway through the movie, all thanks to the horribly shaking camera work.
Don't wanna close my eyes... cos I don't wanna miss a thing (wouldn't this movie be more suitable for aerosmith's chart-topper?).
Undoubtedly one of the most understated and underhyped film this year, Playing By Heart is a dream come true for movie-lovers in search of originality, style and star-power in a film. The tales of 6 couples rolled into a beautiful piece, you will be enchanted by the screenwriting in the first few minutes. The best part is that you are drawn deeper and deeper into the stories and lives of these highly interesting couples. Ryan Phillippe is amazing as the lovesick punk with a big heart, if you can resist picturing him as the slimball casanovic Sebastian in Cruel Intentions. Angelina Jolie is too perfect for the role, if that is possible. She is the epitome of a hot drama actor (pardon the oxymoron). They will take your breath away... man! Quaid and Stowe, Connery and Rowlands, Mohr... not one of the characters is lacklustre, not even jaded queen Gillian Anderson. This film is complimented by legendary music composer John Barry (Oscar-winner the Dances With Wolves soundtrack), a tight script plus
the sizzling chemistry between the actors. Even Anthony Edwards exuded charm as an unfaithful pastor. There is seemingly little more I can say to further
justify the awe of this romantic picture. Catch it on video if you must, for few films such as this come along in one lifetime. Think Go (Katie Holmes,
Scott Wolf, Jay Mohr) and Pulp Fiction (Samuel L Jackson, John Travolta) but based wholly on love stories... trust me this one time.
Funnier and more entertaining than expected, Martin Lawrence hasn't lost his comic timing as he clearly displays his
antics and timing in this hilarious comedy about an ex-prisoner going undercover as a police in LAPD to retrieve the diamond he stole
years ago. Things start to complicate when he scores in popularity with his 'peers' and is forced to pull-off police assignments.
This comedy is less action-oriented but nevertheless a good one to catch. Promises to relief stress and bowel irregularities... at least for 2 hours.
This French film about an aspiring actor who finally made it in Paris a run of good timing and luck
is endearing and typical of French comedy. A little rural in speed and thankfully the lead is funny enough to
sustain the simple story. Light-hearted and clean for the entire family to enjoy - pas mal.
"James, that is too risky!" - on swimming out of the submarine. "Spare me the jokes, I've heard them all" - regarding her name.
"That is a GPS signal" - on the radar sensory data. Dr Christmas Jones (Denise Richards) is the lamest doctor character since Sharon Stone did her scientist role in Sphere.
A bad role and bad acting is quite frankly beyond remedy, even with a killer-bod and pouty lips. Did I mention hot clothes?
"This is the first time I'm having Christmas in Turkey" - on sleeping with Dr Christmas in Istanbul. "The world is not enough... it's a family motto." -
replying to Elektra's (Sophie Marceau) offer of the world to him. Suave Bond played for the 3rd time by Pierce Brosnan is starting to get tiring and weary.
The corny jokes, quick deaths, around-the-world-in-2-hours filming... no wonder the world is not enough. The next installment should have the British spy track down terrorists in Mars...
The only plus point about the film is versatile sizzling bond chick Elektra. Sophie is hot and cold melted into a fantastic body with smart-a** punchlines. She can easily top the Bond girls this decade,
well, maybe second to Michelle Yeoh. Catch this if you must... you'll get more laughs than adrenalin rushes.
Do I sense a copycat? Sixth Sense b-rate style is served in Stir Of Echoes with a thinner and weaker plot
and cheesier lighting. It started out pretty well with real horrific scenes and tight film editing to bring a few solid scares but sadly
deteriorates into your late night flicks when the story becomes less like a psychological thriller and more like a Sixth Sense spoof.
Kevin Bacon is fantastic as the obsessive target of a lingering spirit but with a weak story, there is little space for him to stretch.
You can quite safely give this a miss.
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