Philattio

I hesitated a couple times before I finally decided to rent this film out. Basically the film revolves around teenage individuals who live in the city of New York, and have a position in the social scale of partying. The film is lead by Chase Crawford from "Gossip Girl." In this he stars as "White Mike," a sober drug dealer who has never taken a drug or sip of alcohol. The section of his life of which the film chooses to observe takes place after the death of his Mother of him he had lost to cancer. This leaves him drifting throughout the dullness of New York dealing drugs to his ex-classmates and a particular girl named Jessica, who is hung over from a new drug called "Twelve" and wants more. As she finds herself played by this drug the events in the film escalates into plots of murder, sex and drama leading to the sleek finale of where the mess that explodes at an 18th birthday.

I have to say the best thing about this film is the way the characters interact with each other. Although I am not a fan of Chase Crawford, his performance towards the end of a lost soul left numb by the death of his Mother caused me to feel sympathetic for the guy. Crawford's performance is unlikeable and blank at times but it stands almost unnoticeable by the witty performances of the ensemble.

The film leaves us to deal with a range of characters at different levels. Emily Meade, Jeremy Allen White, Rory Culkin, 50 Cent and Esti Ginzburg all give the film a variety of drama's in different tones. Emily Meade plays Jessica, she is my favorite character with her strong individuality of a girl who knows what she wants yet has a weakness to the drug Twelve, progressing to methods of desperation when she discovers she has no money for one last fix. Rory Culkin delivers another likable performance as Chris, a guy who lives alone in his parents townhouse, throwing parties for the sake of if it, while giving into his weakness of women as he finds himself manipulated by a blonde social princess, Sara Ludlow. He deals calmly and accustomed to his Brothers large explosive egotistical personality. Emma Roberts who stars as Chase Crawford's love interest, tries hard yet innocently to spend time with him. His reaction of always wanting to leave her causes frustration and desire of him healing from grief and committing love to her.

These characters are pleasing to me as I am interested in stories about rich kids of take advantage of their wealth, money and power. These stories fascinate me ever since I read the novel, Less than Zero.

Keifer Sutherland's deep Sin-City-meet's-Ghostface tone of narrating gives the film a dark downbeat pace. His smooth voice embodying the senses of sadness, corruption and pleasure.

The only problem I had with this movie was Rory Culkin's brother Billy Magnussen who performed annoyingly and just plain lame at times. The character Magnussen portrays has just escaped from rehab after assaulting a officer there. His douchebag outbursts, crude comments, and self centered cockiness could have been portrayed with a better actor like Ryan Phillippe or Channing Tatum or just someone better. This stupid brainf****d character however gives a chilling intimidating ending tying the ribbon to this dark interesting film.

The film is not perfect, but for a straight to DVD feature I am pleased with the character driven plots. It doesn't waste time or dwell on certain topics like most underrated films, it's not stereotypical ignoring the use of character's we've seen before. It's cinematography and tone is similar to Daydream Nation starring Kat Dennings as the lead.

I like this film. Check it out.

I grew up with the Scream films since I was 8 - which was when I first watched Scream 1996. By the time Scream 2 released on DVD I had vivid nightmares of Ghostface stalking me outside my house. When I went through my faze of horror movies Scream was always the one that I loved.

The start is the most memorable part of the film. It left me speechless and shocked with it's complex and playfulness and self aware humor that it played with. When we are finally reintroduced back to Woodsboro with Sidney, Gale and Dewey I was suddenly in my element. I felt as though I was back in the 90's; not only are we reunited with the iconic Ghostface and the stars, Neve, Courtney and David, but the film also looks, feels and sounds like a 90's film without being outdated.

Its warm cinematography, tight shots, dutch tilts, catchy soundtrack and the genius of Kevin Williamson's script flowed together creating this satisfying sequel which was worth waiting for.

Sidney Prescott is now much stronger in this film; this time she battle's Ghostface, confronting his first appearance and helping our new younger characters as she knows the tricks and suspicions of trust towards the other sinister characters.

The new characters fit well into place, Emma Roberts, Hayden Peneteire, Nico Tortorella, Marley Shelton, Rory Culkin, Alison Brie, Adam Brodie all deliver the most pleasing comedic performances.

The twist caught me off guard; you will never guess who the killer is! Although it felt anti-climatic and almost too-soon of a revelation, it still made it worth watching as our killer handled his/her post- revelation-performance even more twisted and even funny at the same time.

The film is not like Halloween 4, Saw VI, Nightmare on Elm St 4 or Final Destination 4. It honors the original very much and its one of the few sequels that have left me feeling satisfied, scared, thrilled and inspired.

Scream 4 left me speechless and lost for words. Everynow and then I pick up the DVD and think "oh my god... they actually finally did it." Thank god Neve, David and Courtney returned with Wes and Kevin.

The film is satisfying on its on. I don't mind is Scream 5 never happens, but I'd love for it to happen.