HollywoodHubbub » horror

DARK SHADOWS review

Frantic Monkey — Sun, 20 May 2012 06:10:31 +0000

Written by: Seth Grahame-Smith and John August and Dan Curtis (TV series)
Directed by: Tim Burton
Genre: Horror, comedy

Barnabas (Johnny Depp) has the world at his feet. The master of Collinwood Manor, Barnabas is rich, powerful and an inveterate playboy…until he makes the grave mistake of falling in love with a beauty named Josette DuPres (Bella Heathcote) and breaking the heart of Angelique Bouchard (Eva Green). A witch in every sense of the word, Angelique dooms him to a fate worse than death—turning him into a vampire, and then burying him…alive.

Nearly two centuries later, Barnabas is inadvertently freed from his tomb and emerges into the very changed world of 1972, a stranger in an even stranger time. Returning to Collinwood Manor, he finds that his once-grand estate has fallen into ruin, and the dysfunctional remnants of the Collins family have fared little better, each harboring their own dark secrets.

Family matriarch Elizabeth Collins Stoddard (Michelle Pfeiffer) is the one person Barnabas entrusts with the truth of his identity. But his rather odd and anachronistic behavior immediately raises the suspicions of the live-in psychiatrist, Dr. Julia Hoffman (Helena Bonham Carter), who has no idea what kind of problems she’s really digging up.

As Barnabas sets out to restore his family name to its former glory, one thing stands in his way: Collinsport’s leading denizen, who goes by the name Angie…and who bears a striking resemblance to a very old acquaintance of Barnabas Collins.

Also residing in Collinwood Manor are Elizabeth’s ne’er-do-well brother, Roger Collins, (Jonny Lee Miller); her rebellious teenage daughter Carolyn Stoddard (Chloë Grace Moretz); and Roger’s precocious 10-year-old son, David Collins (Gully McGrath). The longsuffering caretaker of Collinwood is Willie Loomis (Jackie Earle Haley), and new to the Collins’ employ is David’s nanny, Victoria Winters (Bella Heathcote), who is, mysteriously, the mirror image of Barnabas’ one true love, Josette.

That’s a long synopsis for a film where nothing much happens, although I think anyone who watches Dark Shadows does so because they want to see Johnny Depp as a kooky character rather than so they can see an outstanding story.

Despite the fairly ordinary story, I enjoyed the film because of the look, the cast, and the soundtrack. Let’s be honest, Depp has made a habit out of playing weird characters in Tim Burton films, and his turn as Barnabus was an enjoyable additional to his catalogue of characters. In addition, because I had no idea who was in Dark Shadows I was pleasantly surprised to see Michelle Pfeiffer, Jackie Earle Haley and Chloe Moretz. Eva Green also did a good job with what she was given. Acting hot and crazy suits her.

One of the first things I noticed, and liked, about the film was the soundtrack and it’s use of cool songs like “Nights in White Satin” by The Moody Blues and “Season of the Witch” by Donovan. The Alice Cooper cameo was pretty cool too because the last thing I can remember him cameoing in what Wayne’s World.

The problem with Dark Shadows is that the cast, the look and the soundtrack, don’t make up for a weirdly structured, unfunny and boring film. It wasn’t until past the 1 hour mark that anything of substance happened, with everything before this being used to introduce the characters and illustrate Barnabus’ “fish out of water” situation. The ludicrous sex scene between Barnabus and Angelique took more away from the film than it added. Eva Green’s supreme sexiness was completely wasted.

I’ve long given up hope that Tim Burton will make a good film (his last truly good film was Sleepy Hollow in 1999) and Dark Shadows does nothing to change that. It’s a passable film which allows the audience to see Johnny Depp hamming it up as a vampire Captain Sparrow.

CONCLUSION
I have no clue whether Dark Shadows adheres to the old TV show or not, but I suspect it doesn’t matter one way or the other. Dark Shadows isn’t a bad film, certainly not as bad as Battleship or Tim and Eric’s Billion Dollar Movie, but it isn’t especially good either. Ultimately, if you go in expecting a harmless retro gothic comedy horror you probably won’t come away disappointed.

RATING: 5/10
FLICKCHART RANKING: 541 of 1514

DARK SHADOWS review HollywoodHubbub

First poster for MANIAC starring Elijah Wood

Frantic Monkey — Sun, 20 May 2012 01:16:18 +0000

First poster for MANIAC starring Elijah Wood HollywoodHubbub

Here’s the first poster (lo-res only at the moment) for the upcoming horror remake Maniac starring Elijah Wood has arrived just ahead of the films premiere at Cannes.

Frank (wood), a victim of child abuse, owns a mannequin store, and is sought out by an artist named Anna (Nora Arnezeder) for help with her upcoming exhibition. Soon, scalping mannequins stirs Frank’s inner demons, unleashing a scornful serial killer who wants skin, not plastic.

Maniac is due to premiere at Cannes on May 26th so it won’t be long until some reviews start trickling out.

First poster for MANIAC starring Elijah Wood HollywoodHubbub

A frickin’ cool KNIGHTS OF BADASSDOM trailer

Frantic Monkey — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 09:02:28 +0000

A frickin’ cool KNIGHTS OF BADASSDOM trailer HollywoodHubbub

I’d heard the title Knights of Badassdom mentioned in a number of places when True Blood was getting ready to return and Ryan Kwanten was doing interviews, but I hadn’t bothered to investigate it any further.

I should of. It looks sweet as.

IMDB says:

Live-action role players conjure up a demon from hell by mistake and must deal with the consequences.

Ryan Kwanten, Steve Zahn, Peter Dinklage, Danny Pudi and Summer Glau star. It’s due for release later this year. Check out the trailer.

A frickin’ cool KNIGHTS OF BADASSDOM trailer HollywoodHubbub

Another TUCKER & DALE VS EVIL poster

Frantic Monkey — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 22:53:29 +0000

Another TUCKER & DALE VS EVIL poster HollywoodHubbub

Here’s another poster for Tucker & Dale vs Evil. Anyone would think they’re trying to build up interest for the film.

Another TUCKER & DALE VS EVIL poster HollywoodHubbub

TUCKER & DALE VS EVIL is finally coming out.

Frantic Monkey — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 11:25:20 +0000

TUCKER & DALE VS EVIL is finally coming out. HollywoodHubbub

Yep, Tucker & Dale vs Evil is finally coming out in the US after I saw it months ago (and it played at various festivals months before that).

Anyway, here’s the new poster for the film.

TUCKER & DALE VS EVIL is finally coming out. HollywoodHubbub

365 Day Unseen Movie Marathon – Day 74 – SEASON OF THE WITCH (2011)

Frantic Monkey — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 09:19:31 +0000

365 Day Unseen Movie Marathon – Day 74 – SEASON OF THE WITCH (2011) HollywoodHubbub

Title: Season of the Witch

Directed by: Dominic Sena

Written by: Bragi F. Schut

Initial Flickchart position: #1068 of 1392 overall. My #5 film, of 5, from the year 2011.

What It’s About:
14th-century knights transport a suspected witch to a monastery, where monks deduce her powers could be the source of the Black Plague.

General Comments:
Nic Cage really does make some odd choices with his roles. Red Rock West, Leaving Las Vegas, Face/Off, Bringing Out the Dead, Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call – New Orleans, Kick-Ass. They’re all good to great films, but then he goes and appears in garbage like Ghost Rider, Next, Bangkok Dangerous and Knowing. Season of the Witch falls into the latter category. It features some truly terrible dialogue, a whole bunch of religious bullshit, Cage getting angry and yelling through spit, and Ron Perlman doing his “I’m big and hitting stuff” routine. It’s below average in every possible way, and makes Drive Angry look like a masterpiece.

Watch Season of the Witch too see how low Nic Cage is willing to go.

Rating: 4.5/10

365 Day Unseen Movie Marathon – Day 74 – SEASON OF THE WITCH (2011) HollywoodHubbub

365 Day Unseen Movie Marathon – Day 60 – LET ME IN (2010)

Frantic Monkey — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 11:02:36 +0000

365 Day Unseen Movie Marathon – Day 60 – LET ME IN (2010) HollywoodHubbub

Title: Let Me In

Directed by: Matt Reeves

Written by: Matt Reeves and John Ajvide Lindqvist (novel and screenplay Lat den ratte komma in)

Initial Flickchart position: #195 of 1374 overall. My #10 film, of 71, from the year 2010.

What It’s About:
A bullied young boy befriends a young female vampire who lives in secrecy with her guardian.

General Comments:
I still consider it to be a completely unnecessary remake, but seen as how it’s an almost scene for scene copy, is in English, and stars probably my favourite up and coming actress in Chloe Moretz, I think that it’s a damn good film. I find all remakes to be pointless exercises because they’re never any better than the original and really amount to a cash grab by the studios. Still, Kodi Smit-McPhee and Chloe Moretz gave really good performances, and I was pleasantly surprised that they kept Abby as a boy, although from memory they don’t seem to have delved as deep into that aspect as they did in the original Lat den ratte komma in.

Watch Let Me In because it’s a surprisingly good remake starring the fantastically awesome Chloe Moretz.

Rating: 8/10

365 Day Unseen Movie Marathon – Day 60 – LET ME IN (2010) HollywoodHubbub

365 Day Unseen Movie Marathon – Day 51 – MANIAC COP (1988)

Frantic Monkey — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 23:03:35 +0000

365 Day Unseen Movie Marathon – Day 51 – MANIAC COP (1988) HollywoodHubbub

Title: Maniac Cop

Directed by: William Lustig

Written by: Larry Cohen

Current Flickchart position: #496 of 1363 overall. My #12 film, of 23, from the year 1988.

What It’s About:
In New York, a man in a cop’s uniform starts killing people for no apparent reason.

General Comments:
I just couldn’t resist. An ’80s horror flick set in New York starring Bruce Campbell. There was no way I wasn’t gonna enjoy it. It’s cheesy, simple, and fairly poorly acted but it’s exactly the type of film I enjoy. The only way this would of been better was if Cordell was actually undead, kinda like Jason Voorhees or Michael Myers.

Watch Maniac Cop because Bruce Campbell is a God damn legend.

Rating: 5.5/10

365 Day Unseen Movie Marathon – Day 51 – MANIAC COP (1988) HollywoodHubbub

365 Day Unseen Movie Marathon – Day 33 – HATCHET II (2010)

Frantic Monkey — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 09:22:22 +0000

365 Day Unseen Movie Marathon – Day 33 – HATCHET II (2010) HollywoodHubbub

Title: Hatchet II

Written and Directed by: Adam Green

Current Flickchart position: #322 of 1348 overall. My #29 film, of 59, from the year 2010.

What It’s About:
Marybeth escapes the clutches of the deformed, swamp-dwelling iconic killer Victor Crowley. After learning the truth about her family’s connection to the hatchet-wielding madman, Marybeth returns to the Louisiana swamps along with an army of hunters to recover the bodies of her family and exact the bloodiest revenge against the bayou butcher.

General Comments:
Hatchet II is more of the same ’80s style monster/slasher vibe from the first film but with the comedy really toned down. I got a real Friday 13th crossed with Rambo feel early on in the film and for the most part that’s a pretty fitting description. I’m glad Tony Todd got a bigger role this time round and I was exceedingly happy that Marybeth was now being played by Danielle Harris, an actress I love because she was in Halloween 4, Halloween 5, and The Last Boy Scout. It’s just a shame the sequel isn’t as good as the first one.

Watch Hatchet II for more outlandish kills and to see Danielle Harris kick major ass.

Rating: 5.5/10

365 Day Unseen Movie Marathon – Day 33 – HATCHET II (2010) HollywoodHubbub

365 Day Unseen Movie Marathon – Day 32 – HATCHET (2006)

Frantic Monkey — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 09:51:32 +0000

365 Day Unseen Movie Marathon – Day 32 – HATCHET (2006) HollywoodHubbub

Title: Hatchet

Written and Directed by: Adam Green

Current Flickchart position: #316 of 1347 overall. My #27 film, of 62, from the year 2007 (Flickchart has the film incorrectly listed as a 2007 release).

What It’s About:
When a group of tourists on a New Orleans haunted swamp tour find themselves stranded in the wilderness, their evening of fun and spooks turns into a horrific nightmare.

General Comments:
Hatchet is a nice throwback to ’80s style monster/slasher films with a bit of ’90s humour thrown in. Like any good horror there are some very gory and exaggerated kills, and a psycho bad guy/monster with no clear indication why he’s killing everyone in sight. Bonus points for finally allowing me to see Mercedes McNab topless. I’ve been waiting for that since Buffy.

Watch Hatchet because it’s a good enjoyable horror flick that will make you jump. Just like the glory days of the Friday 13th films back in the ’80s.

Rating: 6.5/10

365 Day Unseen Movie Marathon – Day 32 – HATCHET (2006) HollywoodHubbub