And now for a trip down memory lane: Back when I was a young lad, my dad used to look for kids movies we could watch whenever we were up to no good and around our block there was a store that had an incredible collection of movies for sale. The selection was absolutely fantastic, with movies that were very hard to find and rare, and became even more so once the Blockbuster’s and Netflix’s of the world choked them out. Either way, he bought us this movie called “Hawk Jones” on VHS for a mere five bucks and boasted about its surefire entertainment value. Well, he wasn’t incorrect.
Against the Wind (2007)
We’re all going to get old and die, and some of us may not even see old age. But for those of us who sit up at nights wondering what being elderly will entail and how coming to terms with old age would be like, Dan Masucci confronts the topic quite well with “Against the Wind,” a dramatic short about an old man looking back at his life. “Against the Wind” was especially gripping for me, as Masucci manages to touch on actual fears people in my position have had.
Amateur Porn Star Killer 2 (2007)
Whether I liked the movie or not, I was very hesitant about the prospect of “Amateur Porn Star Killer 2,” because I think the first movie worked perfect on its own as a standalone event. We here at Cinema Crazed love the dudes at Alter Ego, but we do not hesitate to express disdain at curious film moves and call someone on their bullshit. “Amateur Porn Star Killer 2” has a great visual flair about itself and really seems to build up to something eventually explosive that I found difficult to turn away from. Remember, I was very cynical and almost unwilling to give this a chance for fear this would be just a rehash, but alas, I ended up really liking it in the end. “Amateur Porn Star Killer 2” meets our previous killer and voyeur Brandon who has now moved on to yet another victim in another city. What Ryan seems to strive for with both films is to get us infatuated with these women somehow getting us to sympathize for this killer when he finds he’s infatuated with them. Michiko Jimenez was a gorgeous and innocent young girl who was surprisingly sexy and in a sense Ryan seems to idealize the character setting her up for this fall which ends as a harsh blow to the audience.
Appleseed Saga: Ex Machina (2007) (DVD)
There’s simply no denying it; “Appleseed Ex Machina” has some utterly incredible animation with some of the best character designs I’ve seen in the CGI field in years. The landscapes are extraordinary, the visuals are absolutely dazzling, and much of the action is committed with a tight editing brilliance that keeps the action in a constant rapid fire pace. The “Appleseed” films always have the most dazzling computer animation, even if you don’t always receive the most enriching experience. If you recall our early review of the first “Appleseed” movie, you’ll remember that we pretty much disliked everything it stood for. It was overly complicated, cliché, tedious as all hell, and was pretty much existent for its incredible animation with zero substance to provide its audience. Okay, so John Woo allegedly produced this sequel, so what? “Appleseed Ex Machina” is just the same movie as its predecessor, except just boring with a little more to offer, which isn’t saying much when you consider the first film’s goals.
I Fucking Hate You (2008)
Forsman and writers Kerr and Woods manage to not only add an implication of relationship discord, but also allude to many potential themes in the nine minute relationship dramedy that spotlights a recently split couple who are learning to cope without each other. Though they never really explain, it’s clear from the get go that these two have been through so much with one another and the cause of their inevitable split was both bitter and wrenching. Woods is rather superb as the inept Ron who just can’t seem to explain how much he still loves his ex Carol, who has moved on with her life and is in the middle of a much more fulfilling relationship.
30 Days of Night (2007) (DVD)
I guess it’s just a cardinal rule from now on, but regardless of who you are, some comic books just can’t be movies. Because while “30 Days of Night” is a very good vampire film, it just isn’t the best I’ve ever seen. I wasn’t tingling, I wasn’t beaming, and I simply wasn’t connecting to these fanged fucks from beginning to the end. Granted, “30 Days of Night” is a great chaotic vampire film that puts the bite back into these demonic beings, but watching it a second time grants a better sense of clarity, and it’s just not a masterpiece. Watching it again also made me appreciate what I may have ignored the first time. David Slade has a great grasp on the concept and narrative presented here giving his vampires an utter sense of terror. They’re mindless, but they’re also calculating and clever without being homoerotic and mopey theater patrons. “30 Days of Night” is a valiant success at completely rethinking the vampire concept, and it works for what it promises.
Wrestlemaniac (El Mascarado Massacre) (2006)
In a nutshell “Wrestlemaniac” hurts so good. It’s a stupid, moronic, and outright cheesy slasher flick and yet… I liked it. Believe it or not, “Wrestlemaniac” has every opportunity to fall on its face. It’s a little over an hour in length, it has this obnoxious yellow tint, and has some terrible acting, but the first ten minutes really do sell us on the intentions of it being nothing more than a tongue in cheek horror farce. I mean, when the primary monster is a psychotic luchador, you have to make the compromise and loosen your strings a bit, folks.