bayardhiler

Let me start this review by saying I knew what this movie was going to be before I even stepped into the theater. I knew it wasn't going to be on par with the original Jurassic Park, I knew it wasn't going to win any Oscars or awards or any praise from critics. Nope, the only thing this movie was going to be was a ridiculous, unbelievable, farfetched dinosaur fest made for the summer blockbuster season to cash in on an established franchise. And sure enough, that's what I got. Does that mean it isn't entertaining? Not at all. In fact, if you go in to the movie with the same mindset that I did. there's a good chance that you will have a really good time for two hours. The dinosaurs look absolutely incredible with the CGI, the T-Rex is scary for the first time since Jurassic Park: The Lost World, the new genetic monstrosity that's created and known as the Idnoraptor is an awesome creature, and on top of it all, we have Starlord himself, Christ Pratt, returning as Owen Grady to save the day. In addition to Pratt, we also have Bryce Dallas Howard returning as Claire, and the addition of new characters played by the likes of Ted Levine and Rafe Spall. Unfortunately, where the movie goes bad is it's plot. If you've read up on this movie at all, you probably have a good notion of what it is so I won't go into too much detail about it other than to say that Claire and Owen are contacted by an old partner of John Hammond's, Benjamin Lockwood, (played by James Cromwell ) for a rescue mission be undertaken to get the dinosaurs off the old island because of an eruption of the island's volcano that will wipe it out all the dinosaurs and correct man's mistake. Little do Claire and Owen know, it's all a lie, as Lockwood's associate, Eli Mills (Rafe Spall) plans on double crossing all of them by auctioning off the dinosaurs for the highest bidding to anyone who will buy them, arms dealers, warlords, crooked corporate executives, etc. As a result, the movie goes from being on an island to being at a giant mansion where the dinosaurs are taken to be held, displayed on fashion runway, and then naturally escape to cause havoc. As you can imagine, this is where the movie is most farfetched and hard to believe, and has plot holes galore! Why go to all the trouble of using dinosaurs as weapons (in particular the Indoraptor) when drones and robot technology has made killing machines more efficient and deadly than ever before????? There are many more plot holes you can find from other reviews or by seeing it yourself; I just don't have the space to point them all out! Still, I can't lie, I enjoyed dinosaurs run amok in a large mansion in the dark of night and if you're like me, you will too. Bottom line is, this movie won't be one you'll remember or cherish for years after seeing it like the first JP. But if you happen to be looking for some mindless fun for two hours, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom is your film. P.S. Also starring Jeff Goldblum, in a small cameo as Ian Malcolm.

I first saw "The Legacy" many moons ago as a kid on the old Sci-fi Channel and though I can't say I understood the plot, it was a film that always stayed with me. Having seen the movie recently as an adult, I am able to see it through mature eyes. And though I can't say it's a perfect film, it is certainly an entertaining film.

The story begins when architect Margaret (Katherine Ross) and her boyfriend Pete (Sam Elliot) receive a mysterious job offer over in old England. Though initially reluctant at first, Pete agrees to go to England with his gal, where, while riding a motorcycle together, the two get into an accident with a mysterious Jason Mountolive, who, being the well mannered English gentleman, offers the couple tea at his country estate. But as is usual the case in these types of movies, not all is as it seems, for while at the estate, they meet the foreboding Nurse Adams (Margaret Tyzack), Pete almost gets burned to death in the shower, and five other mysterious guests show up, all of whom have a lot of skeletons in their closets! The rouge assortment of guests include Charles Gray as a former Nazi and weapons dealer and Roger Daltrey as (what else?) a rock star! All of these guests owe their success to Mountolive, and all have been summoned to inherit the dying Mountolive's Satanic wealth and power, his legacy. All, that is, except Margaret, who has been sucked into the whole affair by forces beyond her understanding after a ring is forced onto her hand that she is unable to remove. But it becomes apparent that someone or something isn't content with six sharing the power, as one by one the guests begin to die in mysterious ways (including one memorable scene of a woman drowning in a pool because something prevents her from surfacing after diving). Will Margaret and Pete survive or they doomed to join the other guests?

"The Legacy" is one of those films that almost seems to have been the result of a writer getting drunk one night, and deciding to put stories like "The Omen" and "Ten Little Indians", as well as others, in a blender to see what happens! The movie is certainly a product of its times, having been made in the late 70's after such films like "The Omen" and "The Exorcist" and others came out. And while the plot of "The Legacy" is not always as clear or developed as those other films, it does at least keep the viewers attention. Director Richard Marquand does a competent job weaving the story together and creating a tense atmosphere and the actors all hit their mark, be it the always dependable Charles Gray, the foreboding Margaret Tyzack or even The Who's Roger Daltrey. But the biggest screen presence of all in this whole movie is Sam Elliot and Katherine Ross together. The two just ooze chemistry with one another when on screen, and the fact that they ended up getting married and are still together after all these years is no surprise after seeing this. Indeed, if it weren't for that onscreen chemistry between the two, I don't think the movie would have been half as effective as it is. To be sure, not everyone will connect to this film, but for those that do, it's well worth the time to see it.

I was a little kid when we borrowed a VHS of a certain little movie called "The Funhouse" from our neighbor. Me and my mother didn't quite know what to expect, but boy we're in for a surprise! "The Funhouse" was a film that absolutely scarred the bejeus out of me as a kid, so much so that it always stayed with me. It wasn't until a little while ago that I was able to see this horror gem again and despite not having seen it in years, it was still as creepy and unsettling as I remembered it. Directed by the late, great Tobe Hooper of "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" fame, it's a simple story of four teenagers who go to carnival to do what most teenagers like to do, smoke weed, get laid, etc. Then one of them has the bright idea of staying the in the funhouse after closing. Little do they know, they'll get a lot more than they bargained for! After seeing a man with a Frankenstein mask murder a would be prostitute, it's a fight to the death as they are stalked by the man in the mask (and his father, the funhouse barker) who we soon discover, has a very good reason to not show his face in public. Will any of them survive or are they doomed to die in the funhouse?

"The Funhouse" is one of those films that doesn't get a lot of attention, which I've always found unfortunate and a little odd, for, though it may not be the best horror film ever made, I always found "The Funhouse" to be a very well made movie. It captured the seedy underbelly of traveling carnivals, a phenomenon that has largely disappeared as I understand it (Unfortunate, as I wouldn't mind have seeing this myself). The colors of the carnival lights are rich and vibrant, and hide the darkness that permeates the carnie world. The film is made better by Kevin Conway who plays all three carnival barkers, and who adds a sense of menace and sleaziness throughout the picture. Elizabeth Berridge should also be mentioned here for adding a touch innocence as Amy, one of the teenagers, who seems to know that under the veneer of fun there's darkness and seediness surrounding her and her friends. Then there is the monster himself. We have no idea what lies under that mask, but after he takes it off, we wish he'd have kept it on. As someone who's seen his fair share of horror monsters, I can unequivocally say the face of the monster here is hideous, terrifying, and beyond ugly. Rick Baker should be congratulated for creating such a gruesome make up effect, especially for a film that doesn't get much notice. The movie is able to show the horror of the creature while at the same time showing a pitifulness to the creature we are left with not doubt this deformed individual has been abused and ostracized it's all life. Indeed, I don't think the fact that the creature wears a Frankenstein monster's mask is a coincidence. And of course, Tobe Hooper should be given credit for weaving such a horrific tale. Indeed, one wishes he would have had a more successful career in Hollywood, as it's evident here he had a few more good movies in him other than just Texas Massacre. So if you're ever in the mood for a great scare, check out "The Funhouse".

Beware the funhouse!!!!!