Tag: 2007

Categories
Movie Review

Disturbia (2007) Movie Review

Disturbia – Movie Review

Director: D.J. Caruso

Writer: Christopher Landon, Carl Ellsworth (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: When a teenager is placed under house arrest, he succumbs to despair and starts spying on his neighbors, hoping to spice up his life. This, however, leads him to witness a serial killer on the loose.

Runtime: 1 Hour 45 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Disturbia starts when Kale’s (LeBeouf) father tragically dies in an accident. One year later, Kale hasn’t recovered and gets provoked by a teacher causing him to be placed under house arrest. Kale must adapt to remaining in his home, with his already strained relationship with his mother and knowing one of the police officers Gutierrez (Cantillo) is waiting for him to mess up.

During his house arrest, Kale gets a new neighbour in Ashley (Roemer) and must learn to adapt to life without leaving his home. However, his spying on the neighbours sees him witness a neighbour commit a crime and he believes he lives next door to a serial killer. He must put his friends together to help solve the situation before the killer strikes again.

Verdict on Disturbia

Disturbia is a thriller following a teenager under house arrest who believes his neighbour is a serial killer. He teams up with his friends to investigate, but he can’t leave his home to learn the truth.

This movie is a modern retelling of the Hitchcock classic ‘Rear Window’. It does the same idea of someone trapped believing there is a murderer next door. However, this movie is filled with problematic issues. First, is why Kale never got any professional help after his father’s help and how a teacher is allowed to use his father’s death against him. Second, Kale’s behaviour doesn’t help, he is messy, disrespectful and creepy by watching the neighbours. Finally, it lacks the tension the original had, trying to make everything feel like a fast forward no attention span concept. In the end, this lacks interesting characters and any tension to elevate it in any way.

Where to Watch

JustWatch

Final Thoughts – Disturbia fails to grab the tension is desperately needs.

Categories
Movie Review

Missionary Man (2007) Movie Review

Missionary Man is a by the book late-night action movie.

Missionary Man Poster

Director: Dolph Lundgren

Writer: Dolph Lundgren, Frank Valdez (Screenplay)

Starring: Dolph Lundgren, Kateri Walker, Chelsea Rickets, Matthew Tompkins, John D Montoya, James Chalke

Plot: A mysterious stranger rolls into town on a unique motorcycle. All he carries is the bible and a desire for justice. Past vengeance collides as Ryder rights an injustice from his past and liberates the small town from a malicious oppressor.


Tagline – No sin shall go unpunished.

Runtime: 1 Hour 33 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Missionary Man starts when a stranger Ryder (Lundgren) comes to a small town for a funeral of a former soldier. Ryder explores the town, he learns of the man John Reno (Tompkins) trying to take over the town. Forcing people to agree to what he wants in the town.

As the two come to heads, Ryder will lead a fight to liberate the town. Returning the freedom it once had, protecting the family of his former friend.

Thoughts on Missionary Man

Missionary Man is one of the action movies which will give us a stranger coming to a small town. Where he will need to get into a battle against a ruthless casino owner who will kill anyone that doesn’t agree with his plans.

This is everything the basic late-night action movie needs to be for story, it isn’t very deep and doesn’t try to be. Dolph Lundgren as the action star is great fun to watch, but he does struggle with the directing more. As most of the supporting cast characters don’t get to make as much of an impact as they could in the film. There is nothing overly fresh in this film, it is only something you could enjoy in a late-night action movie.

Categories
Movie Review

EAgle vs Shark (2007) Movie Review

Eagle vs Shark – ABC Film Challenge – Comedy – E – Eagle vs Shark – Movie Review

Eagle vs Shark

Director: Taika Waititi

Writer: Loren Taylor, Taika Waititi (Screenplay)

Cast

  • Loren Taylor (Minutes Past Midnight)
  • Jermaine Clement (What We Do in the Shadows)
  • Craig Hall (Boy)
  • Joel Tobeck (30 Days of Night)
  • Brian Sergent (Braindead)

Plot: The tale of two socially-awkward misfits and the strange ways they try to find love: through revenge on high-school bullies, burgers, and video games.

Runtime: 1 Hour 33 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Eagle vs Shark starts when socially awkward Lily (Taylor) spends her time wishing she could spend time with equally socially awkward Jarrod (Clement). When the two get to spend more time together, Jarrod invites Lily to spend time with his family.

Here, Jarrod must deal with his own past problems to understand how much he could have in the future. This shows how Lily has made a positive change in the man she dreamed of being with.

Verdict on Eagle Vs Shark

Eagle vs Shark is a romantic comedy following two socially awkward strangers as they spend more time together. It takes us to the pair’s personal lives, as they learn about what love is really about. This shows the difference in lives the pair have had.

The movie gets to show how people in life can change others, for the better. Helping them understand what is important in life, by showing a love that nobody else can. It is all told in a quirky comedy style that we have now become familiar with from Taika Waititi. There is plenty of heart in the movie, showing how events in the past will have caused problems in the future.

Final Thoughts – Eagle vs Shark is a quirky comedy.

Categories
Movie Review

Next (2007) Movie Review

Next – ABC Film Challenge – Thriller – N – Next – Movie Review

Next

Director: Lee Tamahori

Writer: Gary Goldman, Jonathan Hensleigh, Paul Bernbaum (Screenplay)

Writer: Philip K Dick (Novel)

Cast

Plot: A Las Vegas magician who can see into the future is pursued by FBI agents seeking to use his abilities to prevent a nuclear terrorist attack.

Runtime: 1 Hour 36 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Next starts when Las Vegas magician Cris Johnson (Cage) goes through his typical con routine, as he waits for his perfect moment. He can see two minutes into the future but for some reason, he can see Liz (Biel) further. As he keeps returning, he has drawn the eyes of the FBI. Callie (Moore) wants Cris to help with her latest case.

Cris goes on the run with Liz, and Callie needs to find him to help stop a terrorist attack. While the terrorists Mr Smith (Kretschmann) has orders to eliminate Cris before he stops their own plan.

Verdict on Next

Next is a sci-fi thriller that follows a magician with psychic powers that gives him the ability to see two minutes into the future. He meets someone who makes his ability stronger and needed to stop a terrorist attack.

This gives us an interesting concept that takes us through an idea of a psychic uses his skills for his own profit without hurting anyone. Drawn into a criminal case while first falling in love with someone, he can finally meet. The film leaves us feeling flat with the final act, because the film is left on a massive cliff-hanger. This does have a good cast and does get Nicolas Cage having plenty of fun.

Final Thoughts – Next is a frustrating thriller left with too many questions.

Categories
Movie Review

Stardust (2007) Movie Review

ABC Film Challenge – 2000s Movies – Y – Stardust. Under Y because of the character Yvaine.

Stardust Poster

Director: Matthew Vaughn

Writer: Jane Goldman, Matthew Vaughn (Screenplay) Neil Gaiman (Novel)

Cast: Charlie Cox, Claire Danes, Sienna Miller, Robert De Niro (Hide and Seek), Henry Cavill, Michelle Pfeiffer

Plot: In a countryside town bordering on a magical land, a young man makes a promise to his beloved that he’ll retrieve a fallen star by venturing into the magical realm.

Runtime: 2 Hours 7 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Stardust starts when young man Tristan (Cox) desires leaving the small town known as Wall. Wanting to win the heart of his love Victoria (Miller). He looks to follow in his footsteps on his father, entering the magical land.

When the king (O’Toole) dies, he leaves his children to search for a fallen star. The one that would take his place on the throne. This draws out witches lead by Lamia (Pfeiffer) who wants the stardust for herself and sisters. Tristan finds himself in the middle of a daring adventure, where he finds Yvaine (Danes). The vessel the star created, as he learns who he really is.

Thoughts on Stardust

Stardust is a fantasy adventure movie taking us across a new version of the world. The story brings us plenty of fantasy elements, mixed with the chase for destiny. We see the sides come together for a showdown, bringing the characters from different world together.

It is a world that feels massive, one we could easily have spent more time within. The unique creations behind the abilities and deaths created are going to be remembered. This comes off like one of the more interesting, brave and unique fantasy movies.

Having an all-star cast helps make the movie stand out. Michelle Pfeiffer as the evil which like figure, uses her beauty to make her become a real threat in the movie. Robet De Niro in the supporting role that goes against everything we know from him works well for a few laughs along the way. Even the early role from Charlie Cox shows him to be the rising star.

Overall, this is a wonderfully fun adventure fantasy movie. One that can be put upon the best of all time.

Final Thoughts – Stardust is wonderfully entertaining movie.

Categories
Movie Review

Lions for Lambs (2007) Movie Review

Lions for Lambs – ABC Film Challenge – 00’s Movies – T – Tom Cruise in Lions for Lambs Movie Review

Lions for Lambs

Director: Robert Redford

Writer: Matthew Michael Carnahan (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: Injuries sustained by two Army rangers behind enemy lines in Afghanistan set off a sequence of events involving a congressman, a journalist and a professor.

Runtime: 1 Hour 32 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Lions for Lambs starts as Senator Jasper Irving (Cruise) agrees to give journalist Janine Roth (Streep) an exclusive interview. The interview gives his stance on the Afghanistan war and America’s involvement in it. Meanwhile, two soldiers Rodriguez (Pena) and Finch (Luke) get lost behind enemy lines. Elsewhere, Professor Malley (Redford) is challenging student Todd Hayes (Garfield) on understanding his role in discussing the military involvement in Afghanistan.

As the cornerstones are placed, we see the events that led to the soldier getting lost in the enemy lines. Gives us a bigger discussion about the American’s involvement in the middle east war.

Verdict on Lions for Lambs

Lions for Lambs is a thriller drama that brings the discussions about America’s involvement in the conflict in Iraq/Afghanistan war. It offers the discussion from a couple of points of view, a senator doing what he thinks is right. A reporter that doesn’t agree with him. Two soldiers that get caught behind enemy lines and a professor teaching a student about choices in life.

This ends up feeling very slow, never really getting going because none of the conversations felt like they were deep enough. They all felt like basic conversations that didn’t want to take about the bigger issue. The story drags along despite the star power involved in the film.

Final Thoughts – Lions for Lambs is a slow drama that doesn’t seem to get going.

Categories
Movie Review

National Treasure: Book of Secrets (2007) Movie Review

ABC Film Challenge – 2000s Movies – N – National Treasure: Book of Secrets – Movie Review

National Treasure Book of Secrets

Director: Jon Turteltaub

Writer: Marianne Wibberley, Cormac Wibberley (Screenplay)

Writer: Gregory Poirier, Marianne Wibberley, Cormac Wibberley, Ted Elliott, Terry Rossio (Story)

Cast

Plot: Benjamin Gates must follow a clue left in John Wilkes Booth’s diary to prove his ancestor’s innocence in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.

Runtime: 2 Hours 4 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: National Treasure: Book of Secrets starts when a new discovery in Thomas Gates is included of working with John Wilkes Booth in the Lincoln assassination. Ben Gates (Cage) isn’t going to accept this new theory thrown out by Mitch Wilkinson (Harris).

Ben goes in search of the truth about his Great-Grandfather after it starts tearing up his father Patrick (Voight). He reluctantly works with Abigail (Kruger) and his best friend Riley (Bartha) in another series of clues to solve a moment in history.

Verdict on National Treasure: Book of Secrets

National Treasure: Book of Secrets is the second chapter in the Benjamin Gates adventures. This time Ben wants to clear his family name which has been thrown into ruin after a document reveals this ancestor’s involvement in the Lincoln assassination.

The adventure treasure hunting side of the movie is great fun, keeping up with the original in the series. The ability to mix a treasure hunt and conspiracy theories adds to the entertainment movie. For an adventure movie that has something for everyone.

Nicolas Cage as Ben Gates is wonderful to watch as Ben Gates. Justin Bartha gets the funny moments to lighten up the scenes in the movie. Ed Harris makes the villain stand out without being too cheesy in his role. The supporting cast is great too, giving an all-around strong series of performances from everyone involved.

Final Thoughts – National Treasure: Book of Secrets is a great entertaining adventure movie.

Categories
Movie Review

ABC Film Challenge – 00’s Movies – M – Mr Bean’s Holiday (2007) Movie Review

Director: Steve Bendelack

Writer: Hamish McColl, Robin Driscoll (Screenplay)

Starring: Rowan Atkinson, Willem Dafoe, Karel Roden, Emma de Caunes, Jean Rochefort, Max Baldry

Plot: Mr. Bean wins a trip to Cannes where he unwittingly separates a young boy from his father and must help the two reunite. On the way he discovers France, bicycling, and true love.


Tagline – There’s no telling where he’s going… but everyone knows where he’s Bean!

Runtime: 1 Hour 30 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Mr Bean’s Holiday starts as Mr Bean (Atkinson) wins a raffle for a holiday to Cannes, a simple trip that only goes from bad to worse for the hapless figure. While in Paris Mr Bean accidently makes Emil (Roden) miss his train, leaving Mr Bean with his son Stepan (Baldry) trying to reunite the pair.

Along the way Mr Bean continues to find himself getting into trouble which will always work out well for him along the way, finding a way to enjoy the journey.

Thoughts on Mr Bean’s Holiday

Characters & Performances – Mr Bean is the character we all know, we know he will have misadventures along the way, this time he heads to France for a raffle ticket prize to Cannes. We follow his journey which will see him get into trouble and need to help a child reunite with his father in a race across the country. Rowan Atkinson continues to bring the unique style of humour to the role. When we look at this supporting cast, we get people that bounce off Rowan well to give us the extra laughs along the way.

Story – The story here follows Mr Bean on his latest adventure across France for a holiday, where he ends up needing to reunite a son with his father, with the language barriers causing the problems along the way. This story does have a much more interesting concept with the idea of the trip becoming chaos and the trip needing to be made more difficult adding to the adventure in the film. Some of the story is more ridiculous than other parts, but this is how a Mr Bean story unfolds, he just seems to fall into the right path.

Themes – Mr Bean’s Holiday is a comedy that falls into the slapstick world, which does do a better job than the first film, it does feel like we are watching an extended version of a Mr Bean adventure, which will use the locations to add humour through the film.

 

Mr Bean’s Holiday is an improvement on the first film and will keep the fans of the hapless character happy.

Categories
Movie Review

666: The Beast (2007) Movie Review

666 The Beast – Bland Horror

666: The Beast Poster

Director: Nick Everhart

Writer: Nick Everhart (Screenplay)

Cast: Chad Mathews, Makinna Ridgeway, Alma S Grey, Amol Shah, Collin Brock, Giovanni Bejarano, Doug Burch

Plot: Donald Lawson, the devil child from “666: The Child”, is now an adult and is determined to fulfil his destiny as the Antichrist.

Runtime: 1 Hour 29 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: 666: The Beast starts as Donald (Mathews) is preparing for a big promotion at work and his first child with Kate (Ridgway). He ends up getting a bigger promotion than planned, learning of his place in the world. One that will see him becoming distant from his wife.

Kate on the other hand starts struggling with loneliness in the wake of her sister’s death. Seeing Howard becoming distant, believing he isn’t doing what he is promising. The two sides of Christ will come to heads as Donald starts taking his connection to his father too seriously.

Thoughts on 666 The Beast

666 The Beast is a low-budget horror thriller. Exploring the idea that the antichrist has been born and grown up to take his place on Earth. Seeing the two sides coming together to create the battle between good and evil.

When we look at the story, it shows the weaknesses here. Bringing a story that doesn’t give us much more to work with. Leading to us going round in the same circle. Seeing the evil, getting eviller and the good, bringing life into the world.

The performances are not that strong either, with none of the stars making their character iconic. The directing is weak too, as too much is hidden from what we see.

You can watch the movie HERE.

Final Thoughts – 666 The Beast is a typical low-budget horror, with no real suspense.