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frostyglassesmcgee
Reviews
Bruiser (2000)
It takes all kinds,,,
This film seems to suffer primarily from improper promotion. Not a typical horror/Ramero feature whatsoever...
Lovely things about this film include: bitingly clever scrip with many satisfying full circles, ridiculous attention to detail in even the most trivial shot, energetic and convincing performances, and cavernously deep themes on identity, shame and self determination. Life is hard when you've been conditioned to bow down and look past and live with the unforgivable .This might very well be American Psycho mixed with Vanilla Sky, for the romantic SOB. Beautiful film. Gosh darn those flaws, but keep in mind it's not no slasher flick. It's a delving deep within, to a place in which we can all in some way identify. Watchable multiple times, tasty each. Cheers, E
AVPR: Aliens vs Predator - Requiem (2007)
Don't let the 4.7 rating take this gem away from you
I was prepared to laugh this one off, but it turned out to be immensely satisfying.
It is an appropriately silly, unsuspecting-Colorado-town build up to a night of delightfully absurd and jarring violence... with no beloved character off limits from the blissful carnage.
4.7? Don't let it deter you my friends! Its probably from people lookin for somethin in the wrong place ya know?
Also the effects were quite good. I watched it thinking it came out this last year and I somehow missed it, and was astonished to find I was more than 7 years off.
(Sigh) Witnessing extreme and shocking violence shot and edited unforgivingly in the style of my favorite 90's mega-disaster flick was a hefty punch my expectations' smug face.
I loved it.
Wishmaster (1997)
Candyman+Nightmare on Elm Street+Hellraiser= Complete Satisfaction
Why the Wishmaster has gone so unsung is perhaps due to the limitations of production at the time. In the 80's, much was forgiven on the basis of limitation... But once the threshold of "modern" horror films was crossed in the 90's, certain standards set by the industry may have forced a certain forgetfulness of DIY horrific sensibility and well, good clean sadistic fun.
Wishmaster makes up for its comic book "campiness" throughout, with its appropriately thorough approach to the mythological villain. (It's interesting that Robert Englund and Tony Todd both make an appearance in this film. Both of their characters are surprisingly upstaged by the Wishmaster, especially in the realm of dialogue. The Wishmaster's one-liners get under your skin rather than beat you over the head.) His motivation is clear from the outset, which may turn off those who seek more mystery in their horror fare. But I found the viewing experience rather comforting, much like reading the Brothers Grimm (before good night's rest...). The violence and gore is evenly spaced throughout the film, making for a satisfying viewing for blood and guts fans. The music is goofy as heck, but somehow doesn't detract from the arc of the story.
Some of the best films on IMDb are rated lower than 6, don't you forget it! In fact, seek them out... what you find within such films might be the "gem" that most people missed.
Swamp Thing (1990)
A fascinating series, buried in the cultural abyss... possibly due to two decades of misplaced expectations
I am surprised that I am only the second person to write a review for this series, (which may simply be a testament to the fact that it is indeed an obscure one).
I love the Swamp Thing. Both Len Wein's and Alan Morre's manifestations of him... and I find that this series approaches the character with great affection, and attention to his most important traits of compassion and wisdom. His moral code is complex, and his diplomacy restrained. He does not intervene in forceful and demanding ways, (as many super heros do), but rather works his miracles from the background, all but anonymously.
Now, it is possible this series was a victim of viewers' unfulfilled expectations of watching an entity of fury and unstoppable, unrelenting force demolish evil in every episode. It is true that he has such power, and he does indeed flex it when necessary... but what is most essential to his character is his remarkable ability to heal, care for, support, protect, console, and love all things alive. In this respect this series is a complete success.
Beyond the refinement of character, the series is also endlessly imaginative, and profoundly moral. The plots are original, and the script couldn't be any other way. Sometimes The Swamp Thing will say something, a bit of advice or an observational musing maybe, and it will just hit you hard for some reason, deep within.
I give this series 10 stars for it's painstaking attention to the things that make Swamp Thing so endearing and fascinating. I strongly recommend it, and this is coming from an avid fan of the graphic novels.