What Films Have You Seen Recently?

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by J Harker

Hit and miss with you Dem.

Very true.

[J Harker]

Originally Posted by Demdike@Cult Labs

Very true.

[J Harker]

That said we seem to like a few of the same flicks.

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by J Harker

That said we seem to like a few of the same flicks.

[J Harker]

Must be to do with...

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by J Harker

Must be to do with...

You and your half bottles.

[J Harker]

Nowt wrong with half bottles. S'long as you buy two.

[keirarts]

The Dead Zone

Christopher Walken plays Johnny, a teacher who wakes up after a five year Coma to discover he has the power of second sight. The power is more of a curse and he becomes a recluse before being roped in to assisting in catching a serial killer haunting Castle Rock. Then he shakes the hand of presidential candidate Gregg Stillson and has a terrifying vision of the future.
Dead zone is one of those rare occurrences of a film that actually improves upon the book. I remember reading an interview with Cronenberg where he mentions the first script written by King himself played more like a slasher film with the focus on Johnny hunting Dodds. To his credit Cronenberg discarded that idea and focused more on the human drama with a stunning central performance from Christopher Walken who really delivers a nuanced performance as the gentle school teacher who seems to be constantly on the receiving end of bad luck. The film fits well into the filmography of early Cronenberg as while there are no gloopy effects in place the film does focus on the human body undergoing a significant change and the philosophical and social implications of that change.
The Australian Blu-ray is region B and looks great. It's bare bones, so if a boutique label in the U.S or U.K picks it up we may see some bonus features. There is a UK DVD release with a commentary from Kim Newman that's worth picking up.

[Nordicdusk]

image.jpg

Most if not everyone her has seen the classic Robocop so when I heard about this like a lot of remakes I avoided it until last night my girlfriend said we will give it a shot anyway Gary Oldman and Michael Keaton are alway worth a watch if nothing else it had them going for it but could they save the film.

The plot :

In order to gain public approval of their robotics program OCP need a prospect they can sell to the public because the robots they use in combat can not be used on American soil. They decide the best way around this is to put a human with emotions and feelings inside one of the suits to get a law passed so they can take over from the cops and patrol the cities of America.

Acting:

The acting is a real mixed bag here as a big fan of the two actors I mentioned at the beginning I really enjoyed their screen time but one problem with Keatons villain role which is no fault of his own but for the head of an evil corporation he was pretty non threatening so the writing was pretty bad for his character. Samuel L Jackson was just his typical self shouting his head off for no reason don't get me wrong I'm a fan of his but he has played this exact same role in many films already again bad writing for another big actor can you see a pattern emerging here. Next up the guy who plays Murphy no idea what his name is but I'm not pushed to find out his acting was terrible he was as much a robot before he became Robocop as he was in the suit.

Visuals:

Visually the robots looked pretty impressive I didn't think it looked too cgi heavy they managed to make it look pretty realistic especially at they start when they were patrolling the Middle East and we saw plants of them n the screen at once. Even Robocop blazing around on his motorbike around the city weaving in and out of traffic was solid there was one bike scene towards the end that left a lot to be desired but still I found the rest solid.

Final Impressions :

I can't pretend that I was not comparing this to the original no matter how hard I tried not too but in the back of my mind I couldn't help it but that's only natural. I'm going to say right off the bat I did not enjoy this at all the first hour bored me so much I felt no connection to anyone no matter how hard to tried and they tried hard to get me emotionally involved with Murphy and his family but in the end I felt so disconnected from them I just didn't care. Even when Murphy delivered the iconic line dead or alive you're coming with me I just laughed because it came across forced and awkwardly cheesy like the actor was embaressed to even say it himself. I tried but I felt nothing watching this.

Film 4/10

4 for visuals alone.

[J Harker]

Originally Posted by Nordicdusk

Attachment 178034

Most if not everyone her has seen the classic Robocop so when I heard about this like a lot of remakes I avoided it until last night my girlfriend said we will give it a shot anyway Gary Oldman and Michael Keaton are alway worth a watch if nothing else it had them going for it but could they save the film.

The plot :

In order to gain public approval of their robotics program OCP need a prospect they can sell to the public because the robots they use in combat can not be used on American soil. They decide the best way around this is to put a human with emotions and feelings inside one of the suits to get a law passed so they can take over from the cops and patrol the cities of America.

Acting:

The acting is a real mixed bag here as a big fan of the two actors I mentioned at the beginning I really enjoyed their screen time but one problem with Keatons villain role which is no fault of his own but for the head of an evil corporation he was pretty non threatening so the writing was pretty bad for his character. Samuel L Jackson was just his typical self shouting his head off for no reason don't get me wrong I'm a fan of his but he has played this exact same role in many films already again bad writing for another big actor can you see a pattern emerging here. Next up the guy who plays Murphy no idea what his name is but I'm not pushed to find out his acting was terrible he was as much a robot before he became Robocop as he was in the suit.

Visuals:

Visually the robots looked pretty impressive I didn't think it looked too cgi heavy they managed to make it look pretty realistic especially at they start when they were patrolling the Middle East and we saw plants of them n the screen at once. Even Robocop blazing around on his motorbike around the city weaving in and out of traffic was solid there was one bike scene towards the end that left a lot to be desired but still I found the rest solid.

Final Impressions :

I can't pretend that I was not comparing this to the original no matter how hard I tried not too but in the back of my mind I couldn't help it but that's only natural. I'm going to say right off the bat I did not enjoy this at all the first hour bored me so much I felt no connection to anyone no matter how hard to tried and they tried hard to get me emotionally involved with Murphy and his family but in the end I felt so disconnected from them I just didn't care. Even when Murphy delivered the iconic line dead or alive you're coming with me I just laughed because it came across forced and awkwardly cheesy like the actor was embaressed to even say it himself. I tried but I felt nothing watching this.

Film 4/10

4 for visuals alone.

His name is Joel Kinnaman, he's a Swedish actor and he is easily the films biggest problem. Terrible casting. Good review though Nord, its an easy film to tear apart because it is pissing upon something so sacred but i do think its entertaining enough if not judged too harshly.