guirunkaryyk

You know, I really don't expect much out of zombie movies. You basically go into these knowing what to expect, but every now and then, you get one that manages to redefine what horror really is. In this case, horror is the 88 minutes of awfulness that is this film. Horrible dialogue, worse acting, and the assumption that the viewers themselves are as brain-dead as the zombies in the film. That ailment would be about the only way any form of entertainment is going to be had, unless you're a fan of an incohesive storyline, nonexistent direction or 20-something year-old teeny-boppers who couldn't act their way out of a wet paper sack. In fact, I'll go so far as to say that on the steaming pile of crap that the zombie film genre has become, this one is squarely at the top.

Director Ellory Elkayem should be tried for crimes against humanity, because that's exactly what this film is. In my opinion, he's managed to even usurp laughingstock Uwe Boll for the title of the world's most incompetent director. I'm sure some will say, "But it's just a zombie horror movie, you knew what it would be going in." Sure, that's true, but that just goes to show how this movie takes awful to a whole new level.You can tell that this is squarely aimed at a teenage, young adult audience (you can tell from all the "Extreme" content and the "metalcore" soundtrack), but knowing that just makes me ask this: Are the youthful really so dumb as to be entertained by this? I surely hope not...

I went into this movie really wanting to like it, especially after the less than stellar Rocky V left the franchise in a place it shouldn't have been. Fortunately for me and everyone else, Sylvester Stallone has come through in a huge way, creating a film that thoroughly involves the viewer and has you rooting for the aging champion, just as you did in its predecessors. The use of flashbacks and cameos are key (I especially liked Spider Rico's inclusion), and really take you back to the humble beginnings of the original Rocky.

Everything is character-driven here, and the cast delivers. Stallone's performance is impressive (especially when you consider how he is often unfairly ridiculed), Burt Young is as great as ever as Paulie, and Tony Burton (Duke, Rocky's trainer) is as energizing as ever. New cast members Geraldine Hughes and Milo Ventimiglia also turn in convincing performances of characters you're vaguely familiar with, but who have grown up an awful lot since you last saw them. Finally, Antonio Tarver also turns in an adequate performance as the champion who has in a way lost his own "Eye of the Tiger" and learns what he's made of by the aging Champion and comes to respect him.

If you'll give Stallone and this film a chance, you'll be entertained. Stallone shows that he still has the heart and ability to make an engaging motion picture, and in that regard, his achievement with this film closely mirrors that of the Rocky Balboa character. When it comes to Stallone, critics and comics abound, but this should silence them, at least for a time. If you have to give credit where it's due, it's time Stallone got his. Whether this happens remains to be seen, but for fans of Stallone, Rocky, and honestly, film as entertainment in general, you'll have to agree that Rocky is indeed, back on top...

I just got in from seeing Joss Whedon's Serenity, and I have to say that I'm pleasantly surprised. I caught a couple of the Firefly episodes when it was on TV, and while I liked them well enough, I was never really what you'd call a big fan (Farscape on the other hand)...

Serenity drags you in and actually does what any good movie (or game) does, and that's make you care about the characters. Even if you've never seen a single episode of the show, it stands alone very well, and drops you into the universe so you know what's going on, without actually rehashing on everything that's already happened to the specific crew members in the show.

Good stuff, fine dialogue, just-enough-to-be-impressed effects work, and a story (and characters) that's a bit more grey than the usual high-contrast black and white morality you see in far too many of its ilk.

It's good watching, so go see it. I may well do so again next weekend...