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Obren
 
 
 
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  • Review count
    7
  • Helpfulness votes
    5
  • First review
    September 15, 2008
  • Last review
    October 1, 2008
  • Featured reviews
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  • Average rating
    3.3
 
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Obren's Reviews
 
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
The Life and Times of Michael Myers
on October 1, 2008
Posted by: Obren
from Santa Cruz, CA
I'm not a big horror fan. My housemates have repeatedly talked me into watching slasher film after slasher film, and I still just can't get into the genre. But this film is different. This film is actually really good. And that's not to say that other slasher films aren't. (I could never discredit the Scream series.) Rob Zombie's "Halloween" just goes beyond the simple bad-guy-with-a-knife stereotype and delivers an amazingly scary and sad story of a well-known fictional psychopath.
In this version of "Halloween", director Rob Zombie doesn't just retell the original story in his own style - he retells it well: Zombie's "Halloween" is more of a biography of Michael Myers than a slasher film staring Michael Myers. The first and best example of this is the opening act of the film: the back-story of Myers's childhood is almost thirty minutes long. (Most slasher films tell the back-story in a short five-minute teaser before the opening credits.) Once the audience is attached to Myers' character, the story progresses to show Myers' troubled life in a mental institution, his escape from the mental institution and finally his killing spree. Most films wouldn't go into this much detail on the nemesis's character which is what makes Zombie's version so good.
Overall, this movie will likely appeal more to horror fans but non-horror fans, such as myself, may enjoy it too. Yes, it shows blood and guts, but it's a great retelling of Michael Myers's story and I highly recommend it.
What's great about it: Incredible retelling of a classic horror film character
What's not so great: n/a
I would recommend this to a friend!
+3points
3of 3voted this as helpful.
 
One might imagine that the short, witty "mockumentaries" that result from Christopher Guest's improvisational filmmaking style leave a lot of good footage on the cutting room floor. As the Best in Show DVD demonstrates, that assumption is correct. The DVD includes no less than 17 deleted scenes, some of which originally appeared on the film's promotional website, and many of which could have easily been included in the film without bloating its running time. It's clear that Guest's editing instincts were at their most ruthless when it came to his own scenes as low-key babbler Harlan Pepper, but each of the main characters shows up at least once in this section. A nice touch is that the scenes can all be viewed in succession without returning to the menu after each one. The DVD also includes information on eight cast members and one theatrical trailer. Guest's commentary with co-star and co-writer Eugene Levy is disappointingly sparse, considering their off-screen friendships with many of their castmates and the fact that they have five of the movie's credits between them. There are a few minor sound-related glitches, as actors' voices sometimes shift channels abruptly and for no clear reason. The best reason to own this DVD is the movie itself and the material that never made it to the big screen.
 
Customer Rating
2 out of 5
2
"Best In Show" Maybe not Quite the Best in Show
on September 24, 2008
Posted by: Obren
from Santa Cruz, CA
While I find nothing wrong with Christopher Guest's mocumentary films, and most times even find them incredibly funny, "Best in Show" missed its mark. Guest continously puts his characters in awkwardly funny situations that should make the audience chuckle and laugh, but I just don't see it. The film took itself seriously, which is what most audiences loved, but I just couldn't get into it. The characters are well-rounded and developed, the cinematography is great, but the plot just doesn't go anywhere. The film follows a group of dog show contestants on the road to, and during, a national dog show competition, and that's it. There's no twists. There's no punch lines. There's no relief factor. Just ninety minutes of owners and their dogs. I could have easily gotten the same thing on Animal Planet.
What's great about it: Well-rounded characters
What's not so great: Not enough plot to carry the film
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
-2points
0of 2voted this as helpful.
 
Customer Rating
1 out of 5
1
Not Worth Watching
on September 22, 2008
Posted by: Obren
from Santa Cruz, CA
I don't think I'll ever understand movies like this. I've never seen the point of boxing or fighting except for one man to prove dominance over another. And honestly, nobody cares who's more masculine. You don't have to be at the top of the masculinity food chain to have a good life, and that's the message this movie doesn't send.
"Never Back Down" entices a wide female audience with lots of buff shirtless guys beating each other up. "Never Back down" also entices a large male audience with a story of the underdog rising to the top by beating the life out of people. And unfortunately neither draw makes for a good film. The entire point of this movie is that the underdog cannot and will not have a happy, peaceful life until he can beat the resident school bully. This is not the kind of message that needs to be sent to teenagers. While I may have only just left my teenage years, I do not believe that violence is the answer to all our problems and therefore think this movie was a horrible idea from start to finish. I've never wanted to throw the remote at my television set any more than when I watched this film.
If you're big on boxing and men being each other up, yes you'll like this movie. And I know there's a big enough audience out there that will appreciate this film. But I honestly don't see the point in anything the main character does in this film, and therefore cannot recommend it to anyone else.
What's great about it: Semi interesting teaser for a story line
What's not so great: Lack of depth in actual story line, negative overall message of film
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
-5points
0of 5voted this as helpful.
 
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Fascinating Futuristic Science Fiction Drama
on September 19, 2008
Posted by: Obren
from Santa Cruz, CA
"Gattaca" was originally released in 1997 with very little publicity, but instantly collected a dedicated fanbase. Today, two decades later, the growing fanbase of this science fiction drama has dubbed it one of the most creative and unique perspectives on the future, and they're right.
Director Andrew Niccol paints the picture of a future where humans are valued for little more than their DNA structures. Prospective employees must give blood samples as part of their initial interview process, allowing employers to unfairly discriminate against applicants with undesireable DNA structures (poor health, balding, heart problems, etc.). Into this picture Niccol paints Vincent, an underdog "degenerate" who will do whatever it takes to achieve his dream job: working at Gattaca Aerospace Center and flying into outter space. As the story unfolds, the audience sees just how far Vincent is willing to go to make his dreams a reality, and the consequences that arise from his actions.
"Gattaca" entices its audience with an interesting storyline, and then delivers throughout the rest of the film with beautiful cinematography, well-rounded characters, and plot twists that make for an overall incredible expereince.
What's great about it: Brilliant story line, amazing cinematography
I would recommend this to a friend!
+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
 
Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Strong Third Album from The Used
on September 18, 2008
Posted by: Obren
from Santa Cruz, CA
I've been a fan of The Used since I stumbled across "A Box of Sharp Objects" from their debut album several years ago. Something about the way the band meshes both light and heavy melodies together with thought-provoking lyrics intrigued me. And while this concotion worked for some of the tracks on the debut, it didn't work for all of them.
However, the band has made significant progress with their third studio album, "Lies for the Liars". The use of orchestra instruments and sound effects make more tracks more interesting, giving the disc a sound that is more refined than its predecessors.
For anyone who enjoys rock music of any kind, I suggest this album. I also suggest giving both previous albums ("The Used" [self titled] and "In Love and Death") a listen. The band has changed its image and its sound from album to album, but they're still both worth the listen.
1. The Ripper 5/5
2. Pretty Handsome Awkward 5/5
3. The Bird And The Worm 5/5
4. Earthquake 3/5
5. Hospital 3/5
6. Paralyzed 4/5
7. With Me Tonight 4/5
8. Wake The Dead 5/5
9. Find A Way 4/5
10. Liar Liar [Burn In H*ll] 3/5
11. Smother Me 3/5
Overall Grade: 4/5
What's great about it: Catchy singles, melodies and lyrics
What's not so great: Some songs not quite as strong as others
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
Customer Rating
3 out of 5
3
A Delicate Situation Indeed
on September 16, 2008
Posted by: Obren
from Santa Cruz, CA
I originally heard this band open for My Chemical Romance six months ago, and instantly liked some of their tunes, but never brought myself to buy the CD. Now that I have finally purchased the disc, I'm not very impressed. I will say that I expected more from a band that's put out several albums before. It seems like they've released this new disc with all the tenacity and teenage-angst of a college drop-out band's debut album. While some of the tunes got me nodding my head with the beat, very few made me want to turn the music up loud and rock out. If you enjoy pop-rock music, you can expect a decent amount of interest in this album. If you're like me and prefer alternative rock, you won't be very impressed.
1. Thank You (4/5)
2. The Day That You Decide (3/5)
3. Catacombs (3/5)
4. Please, Please (4/5)
5. Where Did I Go? (Part of the Team) (3/5)
6. Boring (4/5)
7. One Thing (4/5)
8. Dear Mom & Dad, (2/5)
9. It's The Same (2/5)
10. America (Chasing Ghosts) (4/5)
11. I Am A Refugee (3/5)
Overall Grade: 3/5
What's great about it: Great energy in concert
What's not so great: Lack musical talent and strength in the studio
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
Customer Rating
3 out of 5
3
Saosin Falls Short of Expectations
on September 15, 2008
Posted by: Obren
from Santa Cruz, CA
I heard "You're Not Alone" and "Voices" all over the internet and the radio, and immediately fell in love with the band. However, while there were some impressive songs on this album, there weren't enough of them. The album fell short of my expectations by seemingly throwing a handful of good-but-not-great songs in between a few instant hits. Though it may not be an instant classic in my eyes, I suggest purchasing the album anyhow. It's worth the listen. My personal favorites included "It's Far Better to Learn" , "Voices", and "You're Not Alone".
My grade distribution/break-down is as follows:
1. It s Far Better to Learn 5/5
2. Sleepers 3/5
3. It s So Simple 3/5
4. Voices 5/5
5. Finding Home 2/5
6. Follow And Feel 3/5
7. Come Close 4/5
8. I Never Wanted To 4/5
9. Collapse 3/5
10. You re Not Alone 5/5
11. Bury Your Head 3/5
12. Some Sense Of Security 2/5
Overall Grade: 42/60 ~3.5 stars
What's great about it: Catchy singles
What's not so great: Not enough quality songs to support catchy singles and make the CD stand out
I would recommend this to a friend!
-2points
0of 2voted this as helpful.
 
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