Night of the Living Dead

Alexander the mediocre. That was the running joke back in NOLA when this film was released. The film isn't that bad. Collin Farrell whom I'm getting used to seeing in films is quite good in this film. I also thought he was good in Phone Booth and S.W.A.T. The film could have been another Caligula had they decided to delve more into the sexuality of Alexander. The film stars all of the beautiful people of Hollywood. Jared Leto, Angelina Jolie, Val Kilmer, Rosario Dawson, Johnathan Rhys Davies and Anthony Hopkins to name a few. The battle scenes are very gory and you wonder if any animals were hurt in the process. Of course with digital photography just about anything can be done and this film adds a lot of realism. I guess that's what makes a film good when you wonder about people getting hurt, etc. It's worth a look. I found it more entertaining than Gladiator, but that's just my opinion and I do like Russell Crowe, but the film didn't do it for me. Perhaps I'll watch it again and see if I get a better take on the film.

It has been many, many, many years since I've seen Night of the Living Dead. George A. Romero's classic horror film about zombies. This film has been colorized since it's making, but I watched a remastered black and white version on DVD. This film must have been something when it was first released. There are so many taboos present. First you have a black lead put against a white cast. Sexual inuendos between a black man and a white woman. Power struggles for who would be in control. And the film didn't have a happy ending. This film has inspired many horror film makers as well. You can also see that Mr. Romero was inspired by Alfred Hitchcock. The lighting, the shadows, the scene in which the little girl kills her mother. This was inspired by the famous shower scene from Psycho. You never see the gardening tool and the mother in the same shot. And the blood drips from the wall. It's a great scene. I think perhaps tonight I will watch Psycho before I pack up my laptop to take my journey back to NOLA to see how things are. I'm hoping to shoot some video and see what I can come up with. Perhaps a 15 minute short or maybe something longer. The artist in me will create something. Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind.

Always out numbered

This film stars Laurence Fishburn as an ex con trying to get his life together. It's a shame that the system doesn't allow people to get back into society easier. It's not the best work that Mr. Fishburn has done, but it is an interesting film. The cast also includes, Bill Nunn, Cicely Tyson, Natalie Cole, Isiah Washington and Laurie Metcalf. There are many stories intertwined in the telling of his story which gives it more of a real life feel. Check it out if you get time. Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind.

Soul Survivor

Okay, I picked this film up because I had never seen it, my horror collection was back in NOLA and there were some stars in the film that I liked. Also it was from the guy that brought us I know what you did last summer. I was expecting something unique and I guess in a way this film has a surreal, feel to it. It has great club scenes and the mind illusions and visuals are pretty cool. It's not a really bad movie, but it's not really a horror film. No chopping of heads or knives or any of that sort of thing. It's more of a thriller as to what is going to happen next. If you like Wes Bentley from American Beauty or Casey Affleck or Luke Wilson, these are the names that are tied to the film. The others are virtually unknown. One of the girls reminded me of the girl from the Sopranos, but I don't remember her name. Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind.

An eye for an eye

The film stars Sally Field and Kiefer Sutherland in a thriller about justice. When I saw this film the first time the opening sequence was one of the best I had ever seen in film. That alone is worth the time to sit and watch this movie. The film also stars Ed Harris, Joe Mantega and Beverly D'Angelo. Give it a viewing. I think I'm gonna watch something scary tonight. Something I haven't seen. Perhaps I'll watch Soul Survivor. Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind.

East of Eden

East of Eden was James Dean's first film. He was also nominated for an Academy Award. James Dean gives an incredible performance as a son trying desperately to get his father's love. So many men will be able to relate to this film. Everyone needs love and you get it where you can. Sometimes a person becomes destructive to themselves with the lack of love. If you have not seen this film, I highly recommend it. The film stars Julie Harris, Burl Ives and Raymond Massey. Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind.

Crash and the Sahara

I've reviewed Crash before, but because I love movies so much, I don't mind watching films over and over and over... A good film is never boring and art well, I can just stare at art all day long. The message in Crash is so powerful and it makes you think. How many times do we need to be touched, held, told that we are loved? Nature forced that upon many people who needed to know they were loved and that people cared. There are signs and messages all around us. People are too rapped up into their jobs and things that don't mean %***!!^& and they are missing out on something that people need to survive. Crash stars, Larenz Tate, Don Cheadle, Terrence Howard, Brendan Fraser, Sandra Bullock, Jennifer Espisito, Beverly Todd, Ludacris, Thandie Newton, Matt Dillon, Ryan Philippe and Loretta Devine. It is a must see film!

Now as for Sahara, I had no intention of seeing this film. I was going to see it with my Brah in Hawaii, but we opted for Miss Congeniality 2 since he's a fan of Sandra Bullock. In any case he did finally see the film and told me about it. Having met Mathew recently here in Austin, Tx, and not having a film of his here and not knowing if my collection is safe I decided to buy a film that I did not have in the collection. So, I got Sahara. Mathew looks as good in person as he does on film. In fact he was wearing similar cargo pants the day I met him. If only I had my camera. Oh well, things happen for a reason. The film is quite interesting and the irony of Dr. John's song I was in the right place opening up the credits, made me homesick. Sahara stars Penelope Cruz and Steve Zahn. All stars are good in the film and it is quite entertaining. There are a few slow moments, but you can easily overlook that with all the great visuals. One day I hope to visit parts of Africa. I've always wanted to go on an African safari and photograph the animals up close and personal. It's what I do with people. LOL. If you have nothing better to do, sit back and check out the two films. Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind.

GTO

Japanese animation is the forfront of the craft. American animation has taken it to new levels. Being an artist I guess, it's one of the reasons I like the craft so much. I used to draw charcters and a comic strip during my high school years. GTO stands for Great Teacher Onizuka. Onizuka is a young adult male student teacher who decided to teach so that he could be around young girls. That story line sounds familiar. LOL. We learn that Onizuka used to be a member of a gang and does have some insecurities when he is around women. Of course the series is translated so it's interesting how the story comes about and the characters don't all appear to be ethnic Asians. Great music and set design add to the story. It's part of a series, I'll be watching the first four episodes. The Legend Begins introduces us to Onizuka and he has to deal with some bullies and being set up by a beautiful student in an uncompromising position. Next episode, Enter Uchiyamada, Onizuka meets his nemesis. Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind. Check back often.

Friday Foster

After such films as Coffy and Foxy Brown, Pam Griers films seemed to not have the same impact. In Friday Foster, Pam Grier stars as a photographer for Glance magazine. This film includes such great black actors as Eartha Kitt, Thalmus Rusalula, Scatman Crothers, Godfrey Cambridge, Jim Backus, New Orleans own, Carl Weathers and Yaphet Kotto. The film had an interesting story line, but it just seemed to fall short in some areas. Pam does to as well of a job as any, her hair looks great, not all wild as if they didn't know what to do with it. Her exotic beauty is really emphasized in this film as well as her body. Pam Grier remains tops with me. I'm still hoping that they release Drum on DVD. Pam Grier made this film in NOLA, in which she plays a slave and love interest to boxer, Ken Norton and slave owner, Warren Oates. If you don't know who Pam Grier is or you would like to see some of her films. Check out Black Mama White Mama, Coffy, Foxy Brown, Disney's Something Wicked This Way Comes and Quentin Tarrentino's Jackie Brown. She can also be seen on the cable series, The L word. Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind.

The Corrupter and

The corruptor, stars Chow Yun Phat and Mark Wahlberg as cops going after an Asian gang. It has lots of action, killing and blood. It's your typical action cop movie with a couple of twists and turns to keep things fun. Rumble in the Bronx is filled with stunts by Asian great Jackie Chan. I never saw any of his films until I saw Rush Hour 2 with Chris Tucker. It's an entertaining story with lots of martial arts moves. His stunts are over the top and you can see where many American action films have gotten some inspiration, but certain things can't be copied. I picked up a few DVDs since I've been in Austin. I'm gonna buy two or three more and then I'll stop until I can get home and see if my collection is still in tact. Thanks for stoppin by; keep an open mind.

Mars Attacks

I wasn't interested in seeing this film, but then I heard that Pam Grier was in the film. Well, when I saw it at a cheap price, I couldn't resist. I held on to it for a while before sitting down and watching it. Tim Burton directed the film as sort of a tribute to Ed Wood. It's a bit campy, but fun. Jack Nicholson has a dual role that is interesting. The film is filled with stars. I think this is Pam Grier's first film where she is part of an all start cast. Annette Bening, Jim Brown, Glen Close, Sarah Jessica Parker, Pierce Brosnan and Danny Devitto to name a few. Miscommunication could be the underlying message in this film. It's worth a look for a few laughs. I've added a few more films to my collection so I'll have something to watch and I can share some new reviews. Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind.