"Cold Prey" Sequel Gives Slasher Classics An Upgrade. Also "Juan" Is Better Than Shaun...

Cold Prey 2 (2008)

During the last Halloween Candy October Horror Marathon one of my favourites was a rather awesome Scandinavian slasher movie called "Cold Prey". The plot was pretty much the typical slasher movie plot, but what impressed me was the way the film focussed on the victims and made them all into interesting and very real characters. Perhaps the biggest problem with the slasher genre has generally been the lack of genuine character in the potential victims. Cold Prey had engaging and interesting characters who interacted well and even had a sense of humour.

If "Cold Prey" was Friday the 13th at a ski resort, "Cold Prey 2" is Halloween 2 at a ski resort. This time the main setting is a hospital. The one survivor of the last film is severely disturbed by what happened to her last time around, but she's also kind of badass now too. She's a bit like Ellen Ripley from the "Alien" series, in that she has skills that she possessed before the trouble started, but she's also been hardened by her experience. She's no longer surprised by the villain, so she's cool-headed, pro-active and the best person to have on your side when facing the threat.



( Read more... )

Juan Of The Dead (2011)

Inevitably when you start talking about a zombie comedy the tendency amongst reviewers is to make comparisons to "Shaun Of The Dead". I love "Shaun Of The Dead", but I am aware of a few problems with it.

( Read more... )

Shane Black Provides An Iron Man Movie Cram-Packed With Comedy. I Am Unsurprised...

Iron Man 3 (2013)

Before I start going into my review here, I feel that I need to provide some perspective. Let's note first that the hype has been absolutely INSANE ever since Joss Whedon released "Avengers Assemble" (that's the title on all the versions released over here and yes, you shall continue to share my pain). Let's also remember that "Iron Man 2" was somewhat compromised so that the Iron Man franchise could be used to tie together the various other Marvel superheroes.

Now let's backtrack all the way to the first 'Marvel Studios' movie. Naturally I am referring to "Iron Man". In that year the two big superhero movies were "Iron Man" and "The Dark Knight" and the big appeal of "Iron Man" was that Robert Downey Jr's character was completely different from Nolan's cold and brooding hero. "The Dark Knight" was serious and angsty, but "Iron Man" was light-hearted and fun.



( Read more... )

Ranking the Marvel Studios movies:
7. Captain America: The Last Avenger

I was seriously disappointed with this one. The characters felt flat, the action sequences were unengaging, and I was far too aware that Captain America's bright blue and red costume was ridiculously poorly suited to the stealth mission he was inexplicably pulling off by the end. In the end, I think this movie was taking itself far too seriously. It was a campy scenario and yet the movie decided to play it straight. I felt that was a mistake.

(My review of Captain America here)

( Read more... )