Friday, November 15, 2013

Werewolf: The Beast Among Us (2012)



Number Rolled: 70
Movie Name/Year: Werewolf: The Beast Among Us (2012)
Genre: Horror
Length: 93 minutes
Rating: R
Director: Louis Morneau
Writer: Michael Tabb, Catherin Cyran, Louis Morneau
Actors: Steven Bauer, Nia Peeples, Stephen Rea, Ed Quinn, Guy Wilson, Ana Ularu, Rachel DiPillo, Adam Croasdell, Emil Hostina, Florin Piersic Jr., Zoltan Butuc, Dan Badarau, Ioan Ionescu, Stefan Iancu, Florin Stancu, Radu Iacoban

When word gets around about a werewolf terrorizing a 19th century village, a group of well trained, experienced hunters set out to help. Upon arrival they learn that there’s a lot more to this werewolf sighting than the others, something’s different. With the help of a medical student, they begin to learn more about the legendary creature they must face.

I loved this. It had a semi-B-movie feel to it (with the graphics and settings), but there were some aspects that seemed above the means of low-budget. The acting was one of those aspects, and I was thrilled to see a good, creepy, gory, well-acted, werewolf movie.

I’m a big fan of the RPG company, “White-Wolf.” Once upon a time, my friends and I would gather weekly to portray vampires (the non-sparkly kind), werewolves and mages in games that were violent and overly creative. So, when I come across movies that feature my favorite preternatural creatures, I’m always excited to see them. Unfortunately, most of those movies have featured more comedy or romance than horror. “Werewolf: The Beast Among Us,” focuses solely on the horror and mystery associated with the aspects that I used to love about role-playing out those creatures, with only underlying tones of romance.

There were minor issues I had with some of the characters, but there was absolutely no problem with the plot or the script. I could definitely watch this movie again.

Netflix’s Prediction for Me – 3.5/5
Overall Opinion – 4/5

Movie Trailer: 

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

High School Musical 2 (2007)


Number Rolled: 6
Movie Name/Year: High School Musical 2 (2007)
Genre: Children & Family
Length: 105 minutes
Rating: G
Director: Kenny Ortega
Writer: Peter Barsocchini
Actors: Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Lucas Grabeel, Corbin Bleu, Monique Coleman, Bart Johnson, Alyson Reed, Chris Warren Jr., Jessica Tuck, Robert Curtis Brown, Mark L. Taylor, Ryne Sanbrn, Olesya Rulin, KayCee Stroh, Tanya Chisholm, Miley Cyrus

School’s out and summer is just beginning for the Wildcats. Troy and Gabriella plan to spend the entire season working together at a country club, making money and going on dates. Sharpay, one of their classmates, has different plans for them. As they begin to start trying to enjoy their summer, she begins plotting to pull Troy away from his friends in order to steal him for herself.

I saw the good in the original “High School Musical.” I wasn’t as fond of it as a lot of people, but I got the message and I understood how people could easily like it.

The sequel is another story altogether. They kept the mediocre script but dropped the quality of the musical numbers and although they tried to keep a moral for the story, it just plain fell flat. Not only did it fall flat, but this movie completely nullified the lesson of the last movie. It was as if the first one didn’t exist. Suddenly Troy doesn’t want to be himself again and denies wanting to sing? What exactly was the point of sitting through the original “High School Musical” then?

The only difference between the two movies that I found to be an improvement was the acting of Lucas Grabeel. Maybe he took some acting classes between one and two, but I found him a lot more believable this time around. Everyone else seemed to drop in quality.

I can imagine it would be fun for kids, but I still feel like the way they made the first one obsolete caused this one to lose any meaning it might have had.

Netflix’s Prediction for Me – 3.2/5
Overall Opinion – 2/5

P.S. There are bloopers during the credit roll that are pretty good.

Movie Trailer:

Monday, November 11, 2013

Get Over It (2001)


Number Rolled: 20
Movie Name/Year: Get Over It (2001)
Genre: Comedy
Length: 86 minutes
Rating: PG-13
Director: Tommy O’Haver
Writer: R. Lee Fleming Jr.
Actors: Kirsten Dunst, Ben Foster, Melissa Sagemiller, Sisqo, Shane West, Colin Hanks, Zoe Saldana, Mila Kunis, Swoosie Kurtz, Ed Begley Jr., Martin Short, Carmen Electra, Vitamin C, Coolio, Christopher Jacot, Jonathan Whittaker

Berke runs into a childhood friend in the cafeteria of his high school and they hit it off. He thinks they’ll last forever but, after a while, she breaks it off. Despite his friends pressuring him to let go and get over it, Berke takes his own route – one that requires him to do anything possible to get her back. When the opportunity to join a play with her arises, he seeks aid in getting good enough for the part.

The first thing I’m going to do is swallow the knowledge that Shakespeare is rolling over in his grave. This isn’t the worst thing that’s ever happened to his work (which is saying something).

That being said, “Get Over It” not only failed to impress, but it seriously made me reconsider some of the movies I have on my list. Where it wasn’t a complete waste of time (there were a few laugh-worthy moments), it was still pretty bad and not something I can see myself watching again in the future. The methods the director used to portray things was inconsistent and almost kind of confusing, I find Martin Short to be unbearably annoying and the storyline was a bad recipe that was like watching someone butcher a chicken.

I’ll admit, when the movie was over I was left with a more content feeling than I thought I would be. It’s strange, actually. I hated the movie while watching, but almost have a pleasant memory of it. Still, I feel like I’m being generous with my overall opinion.

Netflix’s Prediction for Me – 3.3/5
Overall Opinion – 2/5

Movie Trailer: