Suggestion Box (Nov. 9 - 16)

Clash of the Titans Trailer - Yay violence, mythology, creatures and CGI. Check it out here.

Date Night Trailer – Two of TV’s best comedians finally come together for this film. Should be great. Check out Tina Fey and Steve Carell here.

Green Zone Trailer – Matt Damon doing what he does best. Check it out here.

Leap Year Trailer - Who knows if this film will move beyond the usual romantic comedy, but I am pretty much willing to watch Amy Adams in anything, so here's to high hopes. Check it out here.

Now Playing Review - Paranormal Activity

Paranormal Activity may not be the scariest movie ever, but it will haunt you long after the final scene ends (and in large part because of it).

In hopes of figuring out what has been going bump in the night, Micah (Micah Sloat) decides to use a video camera to catch these random occurrences, which have been plaguing his girlfriend Katie (Katie Featherston) since she was a child. At first, some slightly disturbing things happen, from minor door movements to the sound of footsteps on the stairs outside their bedroom. All creepy events in their own right, sure, but nothing to contact the local exorcist about. However, as the slow build continues and the nights progress, this entity seems to want more, moving from the realm of “Hey! Notice me!” to “I am going to use your blood to paint a mural on the wall! Wanna see?” Now it’s time to start panicking.

Though the majority of the action happens while the couple sleeps, it is clear that its affect on the two is just as strong during the day. In the beginning, Micah and Katie seem as if this is going to be a fun little investigation to take part in, with Micah being especially enthusiastic with his brand new toy. The footage of the two as they banter with each other, poke fun and generally have a great time is hilarious, but when things start to spiral out of control their tempers begin to wear thin. Micah continues to depend on the camera, often thinking of it first before his girlfriend when things start to go down, and Katie starts to get fed up, and rightfully so. Even after its clear that the entity is probably not something to prod and jab with a stick, Micah continues to do so, taking the stubborn (but protective in his own way), macho man role a little too seriously, all the while failing to understand Katie’s obviously overwhelming fear.

On it’s own, this “case study” isn’t really one of the scariest things ever made because the majority of the footage doesn’t actually involve the demonic activity. Instead, it is devoted to the daily lives of the two, though trivial at first, it actually creates a foreboding feeling. This feeling of impending doom amplifies everything that happens at night, and the anticipation and fear begins to build among the audience. This is furthered through the use of the camera’s POV, which creates a mirroring of the desperate feelings of hopelessness and of not being in control that the couple feels within the audience. There is a constant question about what is just outside the frame of the camera, and not knowing this is terrifying. In other words, the footage was creepy, but it is the feeling of not having control in a scary situation like this that really has an affect on the audience. But more so than anything else, the reason that this film is as scary as it is has nothing to do with what is shown, because when you get down to it the film doesn't really get that scary till the very end (depending on how easily frightened you are). What really gets you is when you get home and lay down that night to go to bed. Every noise and every shadow is questionable, and you begin to wonder if there is some truth to what the movie is playing with. I am not ashamed to admit that I slept with my trusted guard dog tight at my side and with the TV on that night for light and noise to drown out everything else. Basically, I was scared.

Depending on who you are and what you believe, Paranormal Activity might just be another horror film to you. But if you have even the slightest inclination towards believing in ghosts and goblins, then be prepared to go to bed a little bit more paranoid after seeing this film.

Final Grade: B+/A-

Suggestion Box (Nov. 2 - 8)

Avatar Trailer – A longer trailer has been released that goes into more depth about the storyline of the film. Though I can’t say how I feel about the creature design, it looks like it will be an interesting film. Check it out here.

Dear John Trailer – For those of you who got all mushy over The Notebook like I did, another book by Nicholas Sparks has been adapted for the screen. Check it out here.

Prince of Persia Trailer Released – Looks like they are going to do a lot of justice to the game, especially with the effects. Hope the story and comedy of the games does not get lost though. Check it out here.

TV Review - V Series Premiere

The series premiere of V kicks off a season of what could be some pretty interesting science fiction television, as long as they loosen up on hitting the viewing audience over the head with earth’s “saviors.”

Around the world everyone’s daily lives are interrupted with an earthly shaking. However, what one would assume to be seismic activity is actually the welcome committee acknowledging the presence of some alien ships docking about numerous major cities. Promising peace and an exchange of knowledge and technology, these aliens appear to be just what Earth needs. But nothing is ever what it appears, and sneaking into the first episode are clear indications that a resistance force better get in gear if man is to survive whatever the “Vs” have planned.

From the “V” in the credits, it’s obvious that no good can come of their presence on earth. I mean, could that letter look like it is drenched in any more blood? But what’s even more forceful is all the religious references pointing to the Vs forcing the idea that they are the second coming. Even from the beginning with the vibrations they cause entering Earth’s atmosphere, they dethrone Jesus from his place on high in the church building, nearly killing a man as the statue came crashing to the ground. But that’s the most obvious “we are your new saviors, worship us instead” statement. There are even other Christian references that became a little too much as the plot progresses (though it is also possible that I am reading way too much into everything, but hear me out). When teenage “I love the Vs” Tyler Evans is taking the tour of the ship, the little blonde V takes the floating apple all seductively (don’t fall for this trick Tyler! We know where it leads!), and furthering this Garden of Eden reference, the show chooses to create the aliens as being scale covered (possibly reptilian looking) with a human suit on top.

But with or without these references, if people are going to survive at all, they better remember that it’s best to not trust in just anyone, no matter how shiny the gifts they bear are. For starters, they should not be flocking to these healing centers. Sure, they might perform miracles, but while they are giving you the ability to walk again, what else are they doing to you? And while the masses need to remember to question these free gifts, Chad Dekker, AKA the human voice of the Vs, better grow a conscience quick because this boost to his career isn’t going to matter when the space ships start going all Independence Day on the globe. But I am getting ahead of myself.

As much as I complain about this “savior” drenched episode, V does look to be a really promising addition to the science fiction genre on television, with some exciting footage coming up soon based on what the preview showed.

Final Grade: B

PS – who thinks a Cylon baby is in the works? We already have some human/alien relationships going on, with others most likely to develop. Yeah I am talking to you apple V.

PPS – As much as I hope they are going to reveal a non-human-covered V, I sure hope it doesn't turn out how it did in Signs. But then again, this show isn’t building tension based on not being able to see them, though it is working on the whole “they could be any one of us” card. Same but different.

Now Playing Review - Zombieland

If you cannot see the greatness of Zombieland, then you are as dead as the majority of the population of this film.

In the near future, the majority of the population of the United States has turned into a flesh-feeding mass due to a freakish incident that I would not dare to give away. We first meet the neurotic Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg), who up till now has only survived thanks to his long list of rules that often find themselves strategically placed on screen as they come into play, such as the use of seatbelts, cardio, and the better safe than sorry double-tap. For Columbus, survival is a lonely road, but one that eventually leads him to Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), who loves killing zombies about as much as they love eating people (though I suppose his love of Twinkies ranks highest on the scale). Adding another type of tension to the group is Wichita (Emma Stone), with her sister and copilot in con-artistry, Little Rock (Abigail Breslin). With a loose agreement that it is better to travel as a group, they set out, each hoping to survive long enough to reach their intended destination.

For a movie so adamant on pushing the ridiculous, it is far from pigeonholing itself as just another empty comedy leaning into the iffy spoof genre. Instead, among the laughs there is actually a lot of substance, including dynamic character relationships that in any other situation probably would fail horribly, heartstring tugging, character driving forces and dramatic turns, and tension fraught moments.

But let’s face it, these are just added bonuses that surprise the viewing audience. What everyone’s actually wanting is to laugh until it hurts, which is exactly what happens, and consistently so at that. Once the opening scenes of the spreading zombie outbreak pass, along with the slow-motion and gruesome gore displayed that makes you wonder if laughing out loud is really worth the risk of throwing up instead, the film settles down into a strong pace and solid blend of character development, comedy, and some pretty dumb decisions. As in groan inducing, “we’ll be safer if we split up” moments, or the apparent one use per weapon then throw it away rule. The kind of dumb decision that, had this been a full-blown horror film, would have been deal breakers, but here they just add to the fun. After all, if you stick with a gun for too long how will you ever know how great beating someone up with a banjo can be? Though I will say that it never gets old seeing Breslin totting a gun around.

Thanks to the blend of both zombie film and comedic elements, Zombieland turns out to be one of my favorite films of the year.

Final Grade: A

Suggestion Box (Oct. 26 - Nov. 1)

God of War Collection – It’s official, mark your calendars: On November 17^th, God of War 1 and 2 will be released in high-def on the PS3. So for those of you like me who have never played them, we can finally understand what all the hype is about before the 3^rd game comes out later.

Speaking of God of War: It has already been announced that a demo for the 3^rd installment will come with this collection, but now they have announced that the demo will also be included with the Blu-ray version of the film District 9. Not that the film itself isn’t enough of an incentive to buy this…

Assassin’s Creed Lineage: Episode 1 - a live-action series of web-shorts inspired by the new Assassin's Creed game. Check it out here.

Love: Teaser Trailer – An artsy film about an astronaut losing himself in space, which is apparently inspired by the music of Angels and Airwaves. Check it out here.

Rental Review - P2

In the spirit of the holiday I decided that I would treat myself to a little horror film. The problem is I am not always the best judge in selecting something because my love of the genre tends to block out the part of my brain that warns me as to how stupid the movie I am about to sit through is probably going to be. That’s how I got stuck watching Skinwalkers last year, and that’s why I ended up watching P2 tonight.

Angela (Rachel Nichols) devotes most of her time to her job, spending the majority of her time at the office. Unfortunately for her, the wrong person has taken notice of this, deciding that he will be the one to bring a little fun to her life. However, this security guard, Thomas (Wes Bentley), doesn’t choose to go about making her acquaintance in an acceptable way, but instead, decides to kidnap her on Christmas Eve, locking her in the parking garage with him.

The eeriness already attached to parking garages sets up the scene for this film, but fails to hold up for its entirety, which results in a slew of samplings from different characteristics of films from this genre in order to replace this loss. There is a lot of running, a lot of crying, a dipping dress that jumps back and forth between a wet t-shirt contest and Carrie’s night at the prom (please tell me she didn’t actually pick this out to wear over to her family gathering), and a few moments of extreme gore that fail to match up with the rest of the film. But worst of all, the opening scene of the film (which is by far the scariest thanks to the eerie sound of the Christmas songs playing throughout the garage) is a big give away to where the plot will find itself at some point later on, indicating that all of Angela’s attempts to escape prior to this moment are completely futile, which led me to lose my hope for her. Sure, any sane person would know that there is no way she will escape before the credits begin to roll, if at all, but still, something seemed ruined by this moment, and her actions no longer matter until the film gets back to this first scene.

Other than the initial fear the parking garage exudes, as well as some moments in Bentley’s performance of a psychopath, P2 ends up being just another weak “horror” film with nothing to contribute to the genre.

Final Grade: D