"The Narrows"

Kevin Zegers
Vincent D'Onofrio
Sophia Bush
Eddie Cahill
Monica Keena
Roger Rees
Michael Kelly
Titus Welliver
Tony Cucci
Anthony Fazio




R           106min           2008




A 19 year old Brooklyn boy who is torn between two worlds when his photography portfolio wins him a partial scholarship to NYU. He must figure out how to balance his Italian neighborhood roots with the expansive, sophisticated world on the other side of the East River. This compelling coming-of-age story combines suspense, murder and loyalty. Based on Tim McLoughlin's novel "Heart of the Old Country." Written by Anonymous on IMDB.com

“The Narrows” I totally found by accident. I was previewing movies for next weeks release when I came across this film. I like all the main starts so I watched and was surprised by this drama. I could relate to this drama. I think most people could relate to the realism of the drama based on Based on Tim McLoughlin's novel "Heart of the Old Country.

The way its told is somewhat disconjunctive like NCIS at the breaks. Certain defining moments are out of place and in black and white; then everything leading up to it is told. If you watch NCIS is old hat but for this film it felt interesting and it worked for “The Narrows” because it got you wondering happening.

From the special features the original source material took place in the seventies. I think the way the updated and made it relevant and modern worked. Like Sophia Bush said in the special features you can imagine this happening right now somewhere in the city. I'm hoping that “they” can make it out just as Mike did.

If you in the mood for a good gritty drama then this will film that hunger. It had great acting from Vincent D'Onofrio, I don't think he's every met a part he couldn't play. The drama is sound, intelligent and relevant. “The Narrows” will not disappoint movie fans.

I give “The Narrows” 3 out of 5.

"The Unborn"

Odette Yustman
Gary Oldman
Meagan Good
Cam Gigandet
Idris Elba
Jane Alexander
Atticus Shaffer
James Remar
Carla Gugino






Unrated           87min           2009




Enter a world of unrelenting evil as terror finds a new form in The Unborn. In this shocking supernatural thriller, a young woman, Casey (Yustman), is plagued by chilling dreams and tortured by a demonic ghost that haunts her waking hours. Her only hope to break the debilitating paranormal curse is in an exorcism with spiritual advisor Sendak (Oldman). See what lies beyond the doorway of our world in this non-stop nightmare of the undead. – from the back cover

“The Unborn” blends the natural with the supernatural very well. I'm a believer in the others side from various experiences as a child. I don't watch many horror films as a rule. “The Unborn” called out to me with an intriguing premise. Having seen the power of twins first hand, it gave me even more to be frighten of. Many people rule out the improbable as impossible.

I have never liked mirrors and having seen “Mirrors” which is the perfect setup to this film. Remember scary movie night...”Mirrors” and “The Unborn”. “The Unborn” had me jumping like a little girl. The cuts and the musical cues did a perfect job of setting the mood and eeriness of the situation.


I give “The Unborn” 4 out of 5.

"The Lazarus Project"

Paul Walker
Piper Perabo
Lambert Wilson
Linda Cardellini
Shawn Hatosy
Matthew Goodwin
Brooklyn Proulx
Tony Curran
Bob Gunton


PG13 100min 2008

With parole almost behind him, Ben (Paul walker) can't believe how much he has to be thankful for: a beautiful wife, an adorable little girl and a steady paycheck. Life is good. But when he unexpectantly loses his job. Ben foolishly turns back to crime, joining his ex-con brother (Shawn Hatosy) in a robbery with deadly consequences. Suddenly facing a lethal injection, Ben must say goodbye to his family and prepare himself for the worst.

But his death sentence isn't quite what it seems, as Ben regains consciousness near an eerie psychiatric ward, where he's told he's been hired as the groundskeeper, was his previous life only a dream or is he part of something far more sinister?

The Lazarus Project is a strange film that a savvy movie watcher can pick apart in the first fifteen minutes. But the reason we I watch films is to be entertained. This film accomplishes the task. I don't remember seeing this released in theaters because it does have major weak moments.

Even with its weak moments its still an entertaining drama and trying to find the mystery of the drama is half the fun. The clues that are supposed to be subtle are fully apparent. Which gives away major plot points of the film really early. Leaving the film to loses its edge and fall flat. Only if you're a fan of the actors could you entertain this film.

I give The Lazarus Project 2 out of 5.

"Carolina Moon"

Claire Forlani
Oliver Hudson
Josie Davis
Jonathan Scrafe
Chad Willett
Jacqueline Bisset



Unrated           95min           2007



Tory (Claire Forlani) knew coming home wouldn’t be easy, even if she didn’t have a gift for psychic visions. A trip down memory lane means reliving horrific images that flashed through her mind many years before, the night her childhood friend Hope was brutally killed. As though that were not twisted enough, Tory soon discovers that Hope’s death was only the first in a string and the worst part? This sociopath has been waiting patiently for Tory’s return. So now she has two choices: use her supernatural powers to catch this killer or end up his next victim! – from the backcover

Based on the novel of the same name by Nora Robert, "Carolina Moon" had the science fiction that I liked, it does capture the small town Carolina feel, and the characters could be people I know. However, I think the film went over the top in how the killer got away with the murder.

Claire Forlani plays a woman who embraces her paranormal powers but still has to adjust to using them in the real world. Being haunted by how her power can go aright, she does a good job of displaying the emotion of the character. The story shows how complicated its is to use your gift for good and how it can become a curse. Even with it being a big part of the story it doesn’t overpower the story.

Oliver Hudson captures the modern southern farming gentleman, as Josie Davis capture the southern wild child to a tee. The setting of the film could be anywhere in the south and southerners will know someone like most of these characters. "Carolina Moon" also displays so wonderful and open scenes showing off the location, capturing an aspect of small town life in the south.

Where the film has, a flaw is in the killer. The film bends and breaks the rule of Tory’s powers to fit the story. The flaws allow the killer to get away with too. The one thing hurts the film in my opinion taking me out of the film.

I give it 2/5 Gs.

"11:14"

Rachel Leigh Cook
Hillary Swank
Patrick Swayze
Barbara Hershey
Henry Thomas
Colin Hanks
Shawn Hatosy
Ben Foster
Rick Gomez

R           86min           2003


“11:14” is about the lives of several residents of this town and their events that converge at 11:14 in a traffic accident. Reminiscent in its storytelling to “Pulp Fiction”and “Memento”it has many interesting characters. This is a true indie film with Hollywood actors in the parts and they are not wasted. It has great writing and character develop.

The non-linear storytelling lends its self to the film. The way its told it references itself to give the viewer a better understanding of what is happening and what they are seeing. I took each section told at face value and it wasn’t until middle ways that the big picture came into view.

“11:14” has talented actors in their parts. Hillary Swank was shocking in this unglamorous and unconventional role; at first her high profile was a little distracting to me and took me out of the film until her character was developed later in the film. Overall this was a well cast film. It’s parts were better that the total sum.

Once you see the big picture you realize you how seemly outrageous this film is and how its these random events in life that lead to things like this. This film is a perfect example of the ‘Chaos Theory’. Events that lead to the craziest night in these people’s lives and the will never know how connected they are.


I give it 3/5 Gs.

The Skeleton Key

Kate Hudson
Gena Rowlands
John Hurt
Peter Sarsgaard
Joy Bryant

PG13           104min           2005

“The Skeleton Key” is a film about a hospice nurse (Hudson) taking care of a older gentlemen in a creepy house with his wife (Rowlands) in Louisiana and the strange occurrences that she stumps upon, where nothing is what it seems.

This film is a creepy suspense tale with a ending that made me laugh, which it wasn’t intended to due. It’s because of the reason given at the end that made me laugh. Then it made me wonder if this could really happen. Our world is definite with having concrete prove, not on believing. To anyone belief is a powerful force and should be discounted.

This movie takes the viewer on the same journey as Hudson’s character searches for clues to solving the mystery of the Skeleton Key. Especially in the bayou, known to be a hot spot for the occult, some mystery should be left unturned. Even if you don’t believe there are forces out there at work.

People discount these forces everyday because there is no proof, it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. That fear of the unknown is what this movie relies on and does a great job of conveying it. Miss direction and the slight of hands are use from the very beginning. This is a true suspense thriller.

‘The Skeleton Key’ builds the suspense and tension in you as well as the movie. In the end your relieved for the release of tension, overjoyed for the ending and disappointed that the ride is over. Whether you feel the ending is tragic or comical. It will be satisfying.

I give it 3/5 Gs.

Stay

Ewan McGregor
Ryan Gosling
Naomi Watts
Bob Hoskins
Elizabeth Reaser
Katie Burton
Janeane Garofalo

R           99min           2005

“Stay” is a movie that is about a psychiatrist trying to save a patient from committing suicide while holding on to his sanity.

From the beginning reality is not what it seems and you never grasp what’s going on until the ended. This film flips and turns. Once you think you got it figured out it throws another curve ball. Not until the end of the movie do you get and then you question what you just saw.

'Stay' is poorly executed. When you do finally reach the end you are disappointed. It’s not what you expected from this film. The story didn’t support the talent that was cast in the roles. McGregor and Gosling hold there own against each other.

Naomi Watts did a good job in a character that was under-developed. It was as if she was thrown in just to have a female in the cast. Other characters could have figured out what her character brought to the film. She was definitely misused in this film.

What this film was going for and what it pulled off are two different things. I don’t know if it was designed to be this way given the ending, if it was then it went over my head. I like the actors in the film but I felt cheated at the end. Only fans of one of the actors will appreciate this film.

I give it 2/5 Gs.

'Godsend'

Greg Kinnear
Rebecca Romijn
Robert DeNiro
Cameron Bright


PG13       102mins       2004

This movie is a suspense filled thriller. Cameron Bright's performance is excellent and chilling. It reminds me of the first time I saw 'Children of the Corn'. It gives you one scenario of what can go wrong with stem cell research and cloning. Now a days people get caught up in the fiction part and forget that sooner or later fiction can become reality. We are in a technological boom. Overall I found it to be a enjoyable popcorn movie.

I give it a 3/5 Gs




If a loved one died would you clone them or accept their death, if you could?

Wicker Park

Josh Hartnett
Rose Byrne
Matthew Lillard
Diane Kruger
Christopher Cousins
Jessica Pare
Vlasta Vrana

PG13       90mins       2004

A movie based on "L'Appartement" by Gilles Mimoune. Having never seen "L'Appartement", I found "Wicker Park" a wickly, funny, & twisted love story. Its a movie that should be closely paid attention to. The director uses a lot of flashbacks to tell his story.

I give it 4/5 Gs.

Do you believe in second chance romances?