28 Weeks Later

Nevertheless, I was pleasantly surprised by 28 Weeks Later. It opened with a bang both with the story and the zombies, virus folks, or whatever you want to call them. The movie really delivered a tense horror drama. It was the best of this type of movie that I’ve seen in a long time. My only gripe came about 2 minutes before the movie ended. I didn’t care for the ending, but it wasn’t enough to undo my overall enjoyment of the film.

Movie synopsis:

Six months have passed since the rage virus has annihilated the British Isles. The U.S. Army declares that the war against infection has been won, and that the reconstruction of the country can begin. As the first wave of refugees return, a family is reunited–but one of them unwittingly carries a terrible secret. The virus is not yet dead, and this time–showing no outward symptoms–it is more dangerous than ever.

Movie trailer:

Blood and Chocolate

I want to pan the film. It definitely had enough cheese for several macaroni & cheese dinners.

Yet, I have to say that despite all its flaws, I found the film mildly engaging. The story wasn’t too bad, and despite the some awkward editing and a general lack of special effects, all the actors seemed seriously committed to delivering this story. I have to give special props to Hugh Dancy though. He was so good, that at times, it seemed as if he was in a much better movie than the rest of the other actors.

Movie synopsis:

Ten years ago, in the remote mountains of Colorado, a young girl watched helplessly as her family was murdered by a pack of angry men for the secret they carried in their blood. Now, though she lives half a world away, Vivian Gandillon is still running. Living in relative safety in Bucharest, Vivian spends her days working at a chocolate shop and nights trawling the city’s underground clubs. During a chance encounter in an abandoned church celebrating the loup garoux (werewolves), Aiden unknowingly comes face-to-face with the real thing, Vivian.

“Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” opens Wednesday in 4,285 U.S. and Canadian theaters and in 44 markets around the world. The studio is shipping out 22,000 copies globally, Warner Bros. said on Tuesday.

For Warner Bros., “Phoenix” nearly double its previous wide release of “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” in 24 world markets. Along with strong fan interest, the theater count should drive strong ticket sales for a “Potter” movie especially given how movie ticket prices have risen this year.

I’m a little burnt out on the series, but I’ll probably see the darn movie anyway…

The only thing scary these days about horror movies is the state of their box office grosses.

Since May 6, when “House of Wax” was released, five horror films have been unveiled — and they have consistently under-performed. Warner Bros. Pictures’ much-hyped “Wax” remake sold a modest $32.1 million worth of tickets, zombiefest ”
George A. Romero’s Land of the Dead” stumbled with a meager $20.3 million, Asian horror remake “Dark Water” grossed a murky $23.1 million, and French import “High Tension” yielded a limp $3.6 million.

Lions Gate Releasing held high hopes for this weekend’s debut of Rob Zombie’s “The Devil’s Rejects,” but the fright-fest debuted No. 8 at the box office, grossing a modest $7 million, and will likely suffer a steep falloff on its second weekend.

In the midst of a genre glut, spookmeisters are definitely on edge, wondering if the horror bubble has burst. source

Of all these so-called duds, I did see “Dark Water.” It had the Japanese horror feel but I think it was a little too “art-house.” The movie was possibly the victim of having little too much talent. The actors were superb but the movie was unfocused, almost disjointed. Ultimately, I didn’t care for the ending; however, I will reserve final judgment until I can check it out on DVD. I’ve been known to change my mind.

Helen McCarter (Kimberly Elise) seemingly had the perfect life with husband Charles McCarter (Steve Harris). Over the years, Helen has been a faithful and loving wife, while Charles built a successful and lucrative career as a prominent Atlanta attorney. They wear the latest fashions, drive the nicest cars, have all the possessions they need, and they live on an expansive estate complete with an extravagant mansion, swimming pool, tennis court and all the trappings of wealth - a little piece of paradise away from the city. However, on the eve of their 18th wedding anniversary, Helen’s paradise begins to crumble as Charles announces that he wants a divorce. He abruptly and literally tosses Helen out of the mansion to make room for the other woman. With all of her possessions packed in a moving van, Helen starts on her journey to put the pieces of her life back together. Through the assistance of her friends, family, faith, and a twist of fate, Helen finds the strength and empowerment she needs to get control of her circumstances. She also finds that the tragic events of her life soon become comic, especially with the guidance and help - mostly unsolicited, by the way - of her gun-toting, and much beloved grandmother figure Madea (Tyler Perry).

I saw this movie yesterday and I must say that it was pretty good. It was an emotional journey. Some have described this movie as a comedy, but I winced, jumped and yelled out more than I laughed. The movie was well-acted and was far more complete than I expected from first-time director, Tyler Perry. I enjoyed seeing the great Cicely Tyson on screen again. I was a little disappointed by Helen’s expression of rage after seemingly getting her life on track. It wasn’t wholly convincing that she would be able to go back to her new life after totally abandoning it. But I guess that’s what makes it a movie.

Synopsis from movie website:

Born with a gift he didn’t want, the ability to clearly recognize the half-breed angels and demons that walk the earth in human skin, Constantine (KEANU REEVES) was driven to take his own life to escape the tormenting clarity of his vision. But he failed. Resuscitated against his will, he found himself cast back into the land of the living. Now, marked as an attempted suicide with a temporary lease on life, he patrols the earthly border between heaven and hell, hoping in vain to earn his way to salvation by sending the devil’s foot soldiers back to the depths.

But Constantine is no saint. Disillusioned by the world around him and at odds with the one beyond, he’s a hard-drinking, hard-living bitter hero who scorns the very idea of heroism. Constantine will fight to save your soul but he doesn’t want your admiration or your thanks – and certainly not your sympathy.

All he wants is a reprieve.

When a desperate but skeptical police detective (RACHEL WEISZ as Angela Dodson) enlists his help in solving the mysterious death of her beloved twin sister (also played by Weisz), their investigation takes them through the world of demons and angels that exists just beneath the landscape of contemporary Los Angeles. Caught in a catastrophic series of otherworldly events, the two become inextricably involved and seek to find their own peace at whatever cost.