Paranormal Activity 3
Plot: The series goes back in time once again, this time to 1988. Katie (Chloe Csengery) and Kristi (Jessica Tyler Brown) befriend an entity. Their father, Dennis (Christopher Nicholas Smith), installs cameras throughout the house (he’s a video editor), in hopes of catching some paranormal activity. His wife, Julie (Laren Bittner), isn’t pleased with this. But, like the rest of the family, she learns there’s more to worry about then video cameras.
Review: While this is a step up from the second installment, it still runs into some of the same problems. For starters, going back in time is screwing with continuity (this one especially). They need to get away from doing this and just focus on others experiencing paranormal activity. The other problem is too many cheap scares. This may have fewer boo scares than the last, but there’s still enough to cheapen the actual scares. We do get to have fun scanning the rooms again, as directors Henry Joos & Ariel Schulman do build some nice tension.
What they don’t do is film a satisfying ending. It left a sour taste in my mouth, more so than the boo scares. Some of the effects implemented in that sequence are hokey, just like in the rest of the film. Some, however, are really well done (the bed sheet is a good example). There’s just not enough effective scares here to fully whet one’s appetite.
Final Rating: C+
Apollo 18
Plot: Decades-old footage has been found of Apollo 18, a secret NASA mission that sent three astronauts (two on the moon, one orbiting space) for research. What they find reveals why we’ve never gone back.
Review: Found footage films can be very intense and satisfying. The director (this time being Gonzalo Lopez-Gallego) has a new frontier in which to build tension. It also gives the viewer a more interactive experience, as they can scan the area for clues. Films such as “Paranormal Activity”. “Ghost Watch” and “The Blair Witch Project” have used this to near perfection.
“Apollo 18” uses it to near disaster. No tension is built in this eighty-six minute slog through boredom. Gonzalo has a hard time developing any suspense or in making the astronauts into relatable characters. I didn’t care what happened to them, nor was I invested into scanning the area. The reveal of what’s troubling them is wholly unsatisfying. There’s only one good scare in this film and it’s very brief. That does not make a good movie.
Final Rating: D-
Take Shelter
Plot: Curtis (Michael Shannon) is a devoted father and husband. He’s a hard worker looking to give his wife, Samantha (Jessica Chastain) and daughter, Hannah (Tova Stewart), a good life. When he begins having nightmares and hallucinations of the apocalypse, he tackles with his emotions and dilemma on whether or not to invest in a shelter to protect his family. As his sanity drops, his family and friends begin to worry.
Review: This is a solid dramatic thriller with an astonishing performance from Michael Shannon. He splendidly conveys the dismay of his downfall and bounces off of the concerned patrons nicely. The deeper he goes into paranoia, the better (and more severe) his performance gets. Jessica Chastain is also wonderful as his wife, who is struggling with his newfound paranoia.
The director, Jeff Nichols, has a good handle on the suspense and drama. He could have focused a bit more on the public’s response to Curtis’ actions. The scene in the fire hall is effective, but could have been built better. A better ending would have also helped. The film also goes on a bit too long, which would’ve been alleviated and made more essential. The aspects that do deliver hit strongly.
Final Rating: B
Final Destination 5
Plot: A group of workers going on a weekend retreat are saved from a horrific bridge collapse when Sam Lawton (Nicholas D’Agosto) has a premonition and gets them to safety. This screws up death’s plan and, one by one, they are hunted down and brutally slain. The only way for them to avoid death once again is to kill someone else and gain their lifespan.
Review: The fourth installment started showing signs of wear and tear in the series, hence why it was originally slated as the last. Steven Quale proves there’s still life in this series in this new, gruesome entry. The inclusion of saving yourself through murder is tacky and gets in the way, but the majority of the inventive deaths deliver.
The performances, as usual, are serviceable at best. Tony Todd puts in another chilling performance as William Bludworth, the local coroner. David Koechner is enjoyable as Dennis, the hotheaded and selfish boss of the company that Sam works for. Some of the other actors (such as Emma Bell) can be a bit grating, but that’s to be expected. We come for the deaths and they deliver. An ingenious and wicked ending is icing on the cake.
Final Rating: B
Cropsey
Plot: Barbara Brancaccio and Joshua Zeman head to Staten Island to document the case of child abductions and murders. What drives them to do so is the connection this true story has to that of the urban legend of Cropsey from when they were children.
Review: This documentary is a chilling account of Andre Rand, a child abductor who’s going back on trial shortly for his release. Barbara and Joshua interview local residents on the subject, while intertwining expeditions throughout the abandoned hospital and old news clips of the crime.
It starts off strong with a spooky introduction of the urban legend of Cropsey. This ties in nicely to Andre Rand, but does lose it’s tension and suspense along the way. It gets a bit slow in the middle, but picks back up near the end. The film can be a bit unfocused, but the real horror seeps through. Some may describe it as a glorified news report, but I found it to be potent.
Final Rating: B
What’s Your Number?
Plot: After reading an article that women who sleep with more than twenty men are destined to be single, Ally Darling (Anna Faris) decides to track down her twenty exes in hopes of finding the right one. She enlists the help of her neighbor, Colin Shea (Chris Evans), in tracking them down. In reward, she’ll allow him to hide out in her apartment from his one night stands.
Review: This predictable, lighthearted comedy may not be chock full of laughs, but it has more than the average romantic comedy. It waves it’s R-rating freely, which helps at times, yet feels forced at others. The likeability of the two stars goes a long way in making this comedy work. Some lame scenarios (such as playing strip HORSE) are made tolerable thanks to Faris and Evans.
The tales of how Ally met her exes could have been handled better. They’re done throughout the film in quick nuggets, but aren’t that satisfying. One in particular, Andy Samberg as a puppeteer, is done poorly and had a lot more to offer. The relationship Ally has with her sister Daisy (Ari Graynor) and mother Ava (Blythe Danner) provide some much needed laughs and backstory.
“What’s Your Number?” isn’t an entirely successful comedy. Some of the jokes are forced and the scenarios are lazy. The actors put forth their best efforts and make the best with what they got. The result is a breezy afternoon watch with your significant other.
Final Rating: B-
Playing Columbine
Plot: Danny Ledonne chronicles the inception and backlash of his game, “Super Columbie Massacre RPG!”. He goes into detail of why he created the game, as well as getting interviews with people from both sides of the spectrum. He uses archival footage from the news and syndicated television shows to further show the effects his game and the media has on people.
Review: This fascinating documentary is told in great fashion by the game’s creator, Danny Ledonne. He reveals himself to be a pleasant fellow who unfortunately related to the kids from the Columbine Massacre. He decided to create an RPG of the incident to cope with it and teach himself and others how serious an issue it is. By taking control of the characters, you get an insight into what they’re thinking and are forced to see the tragedy and depression your actions bring.
When the game is labeled as a “murder simulator”, Danny launches a crusade to defend himself. Aiding him are fellow game developers and gamers themselves. Opposing him are politicians and family members of the victims (though some support him). This documentary rarely misses a beat. It’s only true flaw is that it becomes repetitive near the end.
Final Rating: A-