Movie Review - The Forgotten**1/2

The Forgotten - 2004
Directed by: Joseph Ruben
Writing credits: Gerald Di Pego
Genre: Thriller / Sci-Fi / Drama / Mystery
Main Cast:
Julianne Moore ..…… Telly Paretta
Gary Sinise…………. Dr. Jack Munce
Dominic West .…….. Ash Correll

I have been criticized to be too lenient on this movie. The reason I say this is because I don't believe this movie sucked. I know I usually do enjoy many movies, more than I should. However, I have low expectation for all alien movies anyway. Most of them are usually goofy and completely unbelievable.

That being said, this was the first time I was pleased with the plausibility of an alien movie. I don't want to give any of the storyline away but the way the story unfolded, if you give in to the idea that aliens can control our thoughts the movie makes sense. Granted that is a HUGE if, but nonetheless not as weak as other hilarious theories attempted in other movies. What makes sense is the strength between a mother and child. The movie did drag on just a bit longer than it should. Overall This movie would be a decent rental, wait until it comes out on DVD. If you rent it you won't hate it.

Plot Summary - courtesy of Sony Pictures
Nine-year-old Sam Paretta is dead, killed in a plane crash. Even though it's been fourteen months since the accident, his mother Telly (Julianne Moore, "Far From Heaven"), still grieves over the loss. But suddenly, her husband (Anthony Edwards, "ER") swears they never had a child and her psychiatrist (Gary Sinise, "C.S.I.: NY") insists she's delusional. But worst of all, there is absolutely no evidence to prove Sam ever existed. Haunted by the memories of her son, Telly's search for the truth propels her into a dark mind-shattering conspiracy of unearthly terror.

Movie Review - Shaun of the Dead***

Shaun of the Dead (2004)
Directed by: Edgar Wright
Writing credits: Simon Pegg, Edgar Wright
Genre: Action / Comedy / Horror /
Main Cast:
Simon Pegg .... Shaun
Kate Ashfield .... Liz
Nick Frost .... Ed
Lucy Davis .... Dianne
Dylan Moran .... David
Nicola Cunningham .... Mary
Peter Serafinowicz .... Pete

I had a good time watching this movie. Shaun of the dead was a great spoof of the zombie movies and in turn resulted in being a good zombie movie itself. The first half of the movie concentrated on the comical side of the characters. Whether you’re a fan of British humor or not I will find it hard to believe that a person will not laugh out loud at least once! I enjoyed the gradual change from the comedy to action horror, which I'll confess was much less horror than it was more gory. Look out for a very gory and graphic scene. I seldom look away from horror flicks, but in this one I had no choice. It was unexpected and disgusting, but understandably a must if one is too truly spoof a zombie film.

Plot Summary - courtesy of the Internet Movie Database
Shaun is having many problems in life. His long-time girlfriend has dumped him due to their almost daily expedition to Shaun's favourite pub, the Winchester. His temporary management job isn't going well at Foree Electronics, with his subordiantes not even giving him the time of day. His deadbeat flatmates, Pete and Ed, are at eachothers throats. And, oh yeah, London is overrun with multitudes of zombies. In the midst of this, he must save himself, Ed, his ex, his mom, and his precious record collection. There is a time when a hero must rise... from his couch.
Summary written by Matt Plenert

Rental Movie Review - Twisted ***

Twisted - 2004
Directed by - Philip Kaufman
Writing credits - Sarah Thorp
Genre: Thriller
Main Cast
Ashley Judd .... Jessica Shepard
Samuel L. Jackson .... John Mills
Andy Garcia .... Mike Delmarco

Twisted is a nice twist of the expected. This film had me guessing and doubting all along. Even though there are clues all along and I did pick up on them, I questioned them. Ashley Judd doesn’t strike you as a tough cop inspector one-nightstand type of chic. Actually she still doesn’t. I think she is best fit with the quirky chic flick love sappy movies. She sold me for the while; actually the movie storyline saved it. Sam Jackson and Andy Garcia meet up to their character just fine. Without delving into detail and risking a spoiler when you watch the film there will be a limited choice of possible suspects. The end is not surprising however getting there is worth the ride. This was an entertaining rental.

Movie Review - Resident Evil **1/2

Resident Evil: Apocalypse (2004)
Directed by -Alexander Witt
Writing credits - Paul W.S. Anderson
Genre: Action / Horror / Sci-Fi / Thriller
Main Cast
Milla Jovovich .... Alice
Sienna Guillory .... Jill Valentine
Oded Fehr .... Carlos Olivera
Jared Harris .... Dr. Ashford
Matthew G. Taylor .... Nemesis

Disappointing Evil

This sequel was a different type of movie than the first. At no time was I ever scared of the walking dead. I did like s few effects, which is the only reason one might opt to see this movie at the theater. Other than I don't recommend spending those $9. The story was very predictable and worse had many cheesy lines. Of course that is to be expected in an action film, which is what the movie ended up being. I suppose it more closely relates to it's game originator, but if that's what we wanted we are better off playing the actual game.

Rental Movie Review - Godsend **1/2

Godsend (2004)
Directed by - Nick Hamm
Writing credits - Mark Bomback
Genre: Drama / Fantasy / Horror / Thriller
Main Cast:
Greg Kinnear .... Paul Duncan
Rebecca Romijn-Stamos .... Jessie Duncan
Robert De Niro .... Richard Wells
Cameron Bright .... Adam Duncan

Decent performances were rendered by newly lead star Rebecca Romijn Stamos as well as fellow cast members Robert Deniro & Greg Kinnear. The kid did steal the lime light though. Cameron Bright plays Adam Duncan, the child of Paul & Jessie Duncan. (Kinnear/Stamos) After suffering through the death of their son Duncan Jessie and Paul are convinced to give up their normal life and move away with Dr. Richard Wells (Deniro) where he has promised to return their lost son through cloning. Things don't go as expected in fact things take a turn for the worse.

That's the part that disappointed me with this film. They could have done much better with the story. I was especially irritated with the ending. "That's it?" 0 you will surely exclaim as I did when the credits role. Cameron Bright can play an evil kid very well; his eyes and looks help that out. I wish they would have given it more of an evil spin instead of a predictable occurrence