zhennis
Joined Oct 2010
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zhennis's rating
Paranormal Activity 2 is a prequel/sequel to its original predecessor Paranormal Activity. The film explores deeper into Katie's family history and the evil forces that are relentlessly chasing them.
This is a very simple film that will receive a very simple review. While this film delivers its share of scares, there is nothing new in the scare department for this film. The addition of a teen daughter, a baby, and a German Shepard make the scares look new however, they were recycled from the original. The best addition to this series that this particular film added was the high-angle security camera installed in the family's home. The high angles supplemented with the hand-held camera create a higher sense of tension which leads to scarier scare scenes from the anticipatory side of things. Quite frankly, this is an enjoyable film, however if you are not a fan of the original film then you will not like this installment. If the original scared the living bejesus out of you then you will not be disappointed with this prequel/sequel.
This is a very simple film that will receive a very simple review. While this film delivers its share of scares, there is nothing new in the scare department for this film. The addition of a teen daughter, a baby, and a German Shepard make the scares look new however, they were recycled from the original. The best addition to this series that this particular film added was the high-angle security camera installed in the family's home. The high angles supplemented with the hand-held camera create a higher sense of tension which leads to scarier scare scenes from the anticipatory side of things. Quite frankly, this is an enjoyable film, however if you are not a fan of the original film then you will not like this installment. If the original scared the living bejesus out of you then you will not be disappointed with this prequel/sequel.
Rampage, although a fiery film that takes us somewhat into the mind of a psychotic young-adult (Bill Williamson) who goes on a killing spree. Bill Williamson actually has an end-game that may surprise you because it is severely different from how these situations typically turn-out in real life. This film has heart; however, it is the blackest of hearts that this film embodies as nobody is safe during this psychotic 'rampage' thriller.
The most noticeable element in this film is the choice made by director Uwe Boll to use the hand-held camera. The shakiness and instability of the hand-held camera draws a parallel with Bill's mind and emotions in the film as he himself is on unstable ground and is rather psychotic. The quick flash-cuts show that allude to Bill's mind/memory as being fragmented hinting that maybe he does not quite remember everything he has done or is doing. The use of hand-held cameras induces reality upon the audience despite their knowledge that it is only a film. It gives a greater sense of reality that this could actually be happening. The camera-work is extraordinary in its decisions of what to or what not to show the audience.
The acting for this film is also fairly decent when considering the actors are playing 'default' characters. There is nothing in these characters that makes them stand out from any other character in any other movie. What we get is the average run-of-the-mill characters that do enough to move the story along and keep the audience interested, but when considering this is such a psychological movie in regards to the psychotic nature of the main character, I was hoping for a little inventiveness in this film's characters.
The most noticeable element in this film is the choice made by director Uwe Boll to use the hand-held camera. The shakiness and instability of the hand-held camera draws a parallel with Bill's mind and emotions in the film as he himself is on unstable ground and is rather psychotic. The quick flash-cuts show that allude to Bill's mind/memory as being fragmented hinting that maybe he does not quite remember everything he has done or is doing. The use of hand-held cameras induces reality upon the audience despite their knowledge that it is only a film. It gives a greater sense of reality that this could actually be happening. The camera-work is extraordinary in its decisions of what to or what not to show the audience.
The acting for this film is also fairly decent when considering the actors are playing 'default' characters. There is nothing in these characters that makes them stand out from any other character in any other movie. What we get is the average run-of-the-mill characters that do enough to move the story along and keep the audience interested, but when considering this is such a psychological movie in regards to the psychotic nature of the main character, I was hoping for a little inventiveness in this film's characters.
If anyone can take a movie which involves extraterrestrials coming to our planet and close the door on the sci-fi elements of the story, it's John Carpenter. The films relationship to outer space is quickly closed off and the film's focus becomes the relationship between humanity and alien-life as it exists in a complicated relationship of love. Jenny Hayden (played by Karen Allen) finds it difficult to accept that her late husband's image is being used by an alien so it can stay somewhat undercover from our government forces. After Jenny discovers that Starman means her no harm and the alien desperately needs to get him before Earth's elements kill him. Jenny becomes sympathetic towards him and even begins to fall in love. The question that remains is whether or not, with the aid of Jenny, Starman can return home safely.
Obviously when you require a human actor to successfully portray a visitor from another planet while in a human body, one needs to choose a talented cast. The acting by Jeff Bridges is exquisite as he is able to show how understanding and misunderstanding the English language as well as facial expressions impacts the level of success in regards to communication. With his limited knowledge of the English language and his unfamiliarity with human expressions, Bridges must portray a being that not only does not understand but does not become frustrated with the complexities of human behavior.
This John Carpenter film differs from his other directing jobs simply because he does not use the same style and techniques that he frequently used in films such as Assault on Precinct 13, Halloween, and the Fog. Despite being stripped of Carpenter's 'Carpenter-ness', the film is shot very well and keeps it simple. The acting as well as the light-hearted story, carry this film, as opposed to Carpenter using his techniques in the aforementioned films to carry them to their respective conclusions. Overall, this film successfully portrays the love story, the sci-fi subtext, and human misunderstanding.
Obviously when you require a human actor to successfully portray a visitor from another planet while in a human body, one needs to choose a talented cast. The acting by Jeff Bridges is exquisite as he is able to show how understanding and misunderstanding the English language as well as facial expressions impacts the level of success in regards to communication. With his limited knowledge of the English language and his unfamiliarity with human expressions, Bridges must portray a being that not only does not understand but does not become frustrated with the complexities of human behavior.
This John Carpenter film differs from his other directing jobs simply because he does not use the same style and techniques that he frequently used in films such as Assault on Precinct 13, Halloween, and the Fog. Despite being stripped of Carpenter's 'Carpenter-ness', the film is shot very well and keeps it simple. The acting as well as the light-hearted story, carry this film, as opposed to Carpenter using his techniques in the aforementioned films to carry them to their respective conclusions. Overall, this film successfully portrays the love story, the sci-fi subtext, and human misunderstanding.