MY BLOODY VALENTINE 3D (2009)
My Rating: YYYDirector: Patrick Lussier
Cast: Jensen Ackles, Jaime King, Kerr Smith, Betsy Rue, Megan Boone, Edi Gathegi
MPAA: Rated R for graphic brutal horror violence and grisly images throughout, some strong sexuality, graphic nudity and language
US Gross: US$ 51.5 Million
Worldwide Gross: US$ 100.7 Million
The earlier years of slasher movies actually did not only introduce the super villains like Michael, Jason and Freddy, but also one brutal killer in the mining costume that kills his victims with a pickaxe in the less popular slasher movie, My Bloody Valentine. Tom Hanniger (Jensen Ackles) disappeared from his hometown for 10 years in order to forget the trauma that he had, as he witnessed the Valentine's night massacre that claimed the lives of 22 people 10 years ago. When he finally returns home to sell his father's mine, he finds out that his old nightmare is somehow starting all over again, as the killer also comes back to continue the unfinished massacre on the Valentine's Day. To make things worse, Tom is suspected of committing the murders. And now, he has to possibly face the killer in order to prove that he is innocent.
This is a remake from the 1981 original version. The 3D gimmick made me very excited to watch this movie in the theater. A 3D horror film? Which horror-fan that will not get excited. And Jensen Ackles made me want to see it even more, as Dean Winchester is my favorite character in "Supernatural". And apparently, the 3D was good. There were some chilling 3D stuffs shown, including throwing a pickax at you, and a flying body part out of the screen. The 3D did make some scenes becoming scarier. The tension was well made. My favorite scene was when the killer hunts Jamie King and Megan Boone in a mini market. It's a memorable adrenalin-pump scene. This movie also tried to give some twist by making the audiences to guess who the killer was, but it was a bit predictable to me. In overall, this is an enjoyable slasher movie. (MJ)
FRIDAY THE 13TH (2009)
MyRating: YYY1/2 Director: Marcus Nispel
Cast: Jared Padalecki, Danielle Panabaker, Amanda Righetti, Travis Van Winkle, Aaron Yoo, Derek Mears
MPAA: Rated R for strong bloody violence, some graphic sexual content, language and drug material
US Gross: US$ 65.0 Million
Worldwide Gross: US$ 91.4 Million
Jason Voorhees is back! And this time, he starts the killings all over again, as Friday the 13th's franchise took a reboot. After giving a quick introduction on how Jason turned into a killing machine, as he was neglected and let drown in the lake by the camp counsellors, and witnessing his mother being killed, the story then begins to roll and the killing spree begins. Jared Padalecki takes a trip to Crystal Lake to find his sister that mysteriously gone missing. There, he meets with a group of young adults, who spend their weekend in the family cottage of one of their rich member. They do all the sinful things, partying, drinking, drugs and sex, that perfectly provoke Jason to take a rampage on them.
I liked the old Friday the 13th series, and I found myself also to like this reboot. This was a good slasher movie that did not dishonor and butchering its predecessor, like many remakes did. The story was actually standard, with only different characters. Young people come, they do nasty things, and one by one they get killed. But somehow the storyline was interesting, thanks to the good script. The murders were gruesome, with the victims being killed with all kinds of tools by Jason. And this monster was still charismatic and skillful as ever. Jared Padalecki (Sam Winchester from "Supernatural") surely did not want to lose from his brother, Dean, that they appeared in two different slasher movies at almost the same time. The result was Friday the 13th won over My Bloody Valentine 3-D in the U.S. box office. But the total worldwide result was the other way around. Nevertheless, this movie was cruelly and brutally fun. And the slashing will definitely continue, as always. (MJ)
THE LAST HOUSE IN THE LEFT (2009)
MyRating: YYYYDirector: Dennis Iliadis
Cast: Tony Goldwin, Monica Potter, Sara Paxton, Garret Dillahunt, Aaron Paul, Spencer Treat Clark, Riki Lindhome
MPAA: Rated R for sadistic brutal violence including a rape and disturbing images, language, nudity and some drug use
US Gross: US$ 32.8 Million
Worldwide Gross: US$ 45.3 Million
This is another remake from the 1972 original version with the same title. A husband, a wife and their seventeen-year-old daughter go on a vacation to their house nearby the lake, without ever realizing that they will experience the worst thing that could happen in their lives, as a bunch of highly dangerous criminals kidnaps her daughter and her local girl friend. The daughter and her friend were then brutally assaulted, and raped. After the incident, the criminals come to her parents' house, in coincidence, and ask to stay for the night as strangers. When the parents discover what has happened to their beloved daughter, they do the things that they never thought they could, which is to take revenge for their daughter in a gruesome way, that will make the criminals to regret what they have done to their daughter.
The good script made this become an outstanding remake, that will hold your breath while seeing the sadistic violence. Yes this movie was full of violence. But the most interesting ones were on how the parents pull the tactical revenge, that will make you yell at heart. You will definitely want to see the bad guys to eventually receive some kinds of punishments. They should meet their fates on what they've done. And that is the climax. The performances were solid, including Tony Goldwin and Monica Potter as the parents. And the beautiful Sara Paxton played as the daughter. If you are a horror fan that do not mind with some violence, then I would recommend this movie. (MJ)
DRAG ME TO HELL (2009)
MyRating: YYYYDirector: Sam Raimi
Cast: Alison Lohman, Justin Long, Lorna Raver, Dileep Rao, David Paymer, Adriana Barraza, Reggie Lee
MPAA: Rated PG-13 for sequences of horror violence, terror, disturbing images and language
US Gross: US$ 42.1 Million
Worldwide Gross: US$ 90.8 Million
Do not mess with gypsies! Christine Brown (Alison Lohman), a bank loan officer, found out her life never the same again, the day she was assaulted and got a curse from an angry old gypsy lady, Mrs. Ganush, to whom she refused to extend the loan that caused the old lady to loss her house. She begins to encounter some strange hallucinations and supernatural attacks. Worried for her life and to understand what is actually happening, Christine and her boyfriend (Justin Long) consult to a psychic. But what she learns is even more absurd, as the psychic tells her that her soul will be taken away to hell in three days time by a demon named Lamia. And the way to save her soul is to get rid of the curse.
This is an old school horror movie with the vibe of 1980s' horrors. Great story. Great scares. Great fun. All is cooked with a perfect formula by the master Sam Raimi, who came back to his root of horror (The Evil Dead) after the successful Spider-man trilogy. This man definitely knows how to make a good horror movie. And this piece is the prove. Besides the interesting premise and great script, the actings were also outstanding. Lorna Raver really chilled us with her scary look as Sylvia Ganush. And Alison Lohman was a perfect cast for her mild-mannered character, but has the ability to think of wicked things in her heart. There were many memorable chilling scenes, including Mrs. Ganush tapping her fingers on the office table, Christine and Mrs. Ganush's furious fight at the basement, and Christine digging a grave under a heavy rainfall. This is one great horror movie from one great director. For sure, you will get scared. So, do not mess with Sam Raimi! (MJ)
A PERFECT GETAWAY (2009)
MyRating: YYY1/2Director: David Twohy
Cast: Timothy Olyphant, Steve Zahn, Milla Jovovich, Kiele Sanchez, Marley Shelton, Chris Hemsworth
MPAA: Rated R for graphic violence, language including sexual references and some drug use
US Gross: US$ 15.5 Million
Worldwide Gross: US$ 22.9 Million
A newlywed, Steve Zahn and Milla Jovovich, choose the perfect-wrong place for their honeymoon, as they head off to Hawaii for vacation and discover that there are psychopath killers roaming around the islands and murdering tourists. On their way through the lush jungles of the island, they meets with two other mysterious couples. First couple is a wild and odd war veteran, Timothy Olyphant, and his girlfriend, Kiele Sanchez. The second is the disgruntled and suspicious Chris Hemsworth and Marley Shelton. Their journey soon becomes terror as the killers start to make their moves, and they realize that the killers could be someones close and someones they just knew. But who?
This is a clever thriller that may keep you on your seat and guess who the real killers are. The characters were interesting and well developed, and the performances were good. The movie also will spoil your eyes with the beautiful scenery of beaches, jungles, waterfalls and mountainsides. The tension were slowly built, with some twists that you may never expected. The actions were also tense enough with those exotic scenery in the background. This is indeed a perfect getaway. (MJ)
MYMOVIE CRITIC - REVIEWING MOVIES FROM THE AUDIENCE'S STANDPOINT
