Phil sees THE DARKEST HOUR in 2D at the Camera 12-January 7, 2012

Welcome back folks! So the second feature I saw on Saturday was the new science fiction, alien invasion, end of the world, apocalyptic horror film THE DARKEST HOUR. While watching it I thought to myself, "Oh boy, this is going to be a tough one to review."

Theatrical Movie Poster (2011)

Stop me if you've heard this one: Two cool, good looking guys meet two very hot and sexy ladies and a douchebag guy and they survive an alien invasion and try to find other survivors and along the way discover how to defeat these hostile aliens and save humanity. Does this sound familiar to you? Yeah, I thought it did too.

OK, so now that we have established that this film contains nothing new and is basically the same schlock flick that Hollywood has been putting out for the past decade, let me tell you what I did like about the film. First: the two actresses in the film are Olivia Thirlby and Rachael Taylor who portray Natalie and Anne respectively. Now I've been a big fan of Thirlby for quite some time. From JUNO to THE WACKNESS to NO STRINGS ATTACHED, Thirlby is a very talented actress and I enjoy her work. Taylor is just smoking hot. From the first time I saw her in Michael Bay's 2007 film TRANSFORMERS, I was infatuated. But when I saw her in films like BOTTLE SHOCK, SPLINTERHEADS, and SUMMER CODA, her acting in these films were amazing. Taylor really is a gifted actress. I hope these ladies will appear in another film together again. The played off one another great and have good on-screen chemistry.

The other thing I liked about the film was it was filmed on location in Moscow. It's been a long time since I've seen Moscow in a film (I think the last time was in ROCKY IV). Having the film take place there was a very good idea, giving it an exotic look, having incredible looking buildings and ancient and historical landmarks and monuments really made the film look impressive.

Other than these two items, the rest of the film is recycled crap. I saw the film in 2D, to which I am very thankful. If I saw it in 3D, I would have wanted to stab my eyes out with a plastic fork. The movie is bad, just really, really bad. There is nothing original about the film. By the end of the film, the main character Sean (portrayed by Emile Hirsch) becomes the 21st century version of John Conner from the TERMINATOR series. I mean it's so damn obvious. I want to know if the filmmakers thought nobody would notice this? Well guess what guys? I noticed it, and you guys suck!

THE DARKEST HOUR is one awful sci-fi, horror film. Folks best skip this film all together. Don't go see it, don't Netflix it when it comes out, don't Redbox it, just ignore it all together. Hopefully it will be forgotten, and I shall never have to see it ever again.

THE DARKEST HOUR is currently playing in theaters nationwide, including at the Camera Cinemas here in the Bay Area. To view showtimes, check their website at www.cameracinemas.com

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!

Phil sees A DANGEROUS METHOD at the Camera 12-January 7, 2012

This past Saturday I went nuts! I went and saw four movies: three at the Camera 12 during the day and a midnight show at the Camera 3, both located in beautiful downtown San Jose. So for the first film of the day that I saw was David Cronenberg's A DANGEROUS METHOD.

Theatrical Movie Poster (2011)

Based on a true story, the film chronicles the story of the intense relationship between Carl Jung (Michael Fassbender) and his mentor Sigmund Freud (Viggo Mortensen) and the birth of psychoanalysis, and Sabina Spielrein (Kira Knightley), the troubled but beautiful young woman who comes between the two of them. Soon Jung becomes obsessed with Sabina and succumbs to his sexual desires and they become entwined with one another, despite Freud's disapproval with the idea.

The screenplay was adapted by Christopher Hampton from his 2002 stage play The Talking Cure, which was based on the 1993 non-fiction book by John Kerr, A Most Dangerous Method: the story of Jung, Freud, and Sabina Spielrein.

Once again director Cronenberg ventures into familiar territory: human sexuality and the human condition. Like what he explored in his previous films like DEAD RINGERS, THE FLY and CRASH,  Cronenberg has made a career out exploring taboos such as sex, death, a social anxieties. Here, highlighting the progression of psychoanalysis, Carl has a sexual awakening, thanks to both Sabina and his other patient Otto Gross (Vincent Cassel), who informs him that sexual depravity is not an illness, but can be used as a treatment. With Sabina as his lover, he begins to question the traditional scientific method that Freud has implemented in the science community. Soon their friendship becomes frayed, with Sabina literally caught in the middle.

Again Cronenberg's directing in superb, capturing the emotional and the scenic beauty in this period piece. Knightley does a incredible job performing the insane but intelligent Sabina: from raging lunacy to sexual mistress to professional doctor, Knightley really gives an impressive performance. Both Fassbender and Mortensen give us the intellectual fight that I was hoping to see. Powerful and  commanding performances by these two actors.

A DANGEROUS METHOD is a brilliant, though-provoking, absorbing period drama that tells us the story of love, lust and the beginnings of psychoanalysis. Great directing, great story, great acting add up to a very impressive movie. Definitely a must-see!

A DANGEROUS METHOD is currently playing in theaters nationwide, including at the Camera Cinemas here in the Bay Area. To view showtimes, visit their website at www.cameracinemas.com

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!

Phil sees SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS at the Camera 7 Pruneyard-January 6, 2012

The second film I saw Friday night at the Camera 7 in the Pruneyard Campbell was one I had very low expectations for. However after the screening of the film I was rather impressed. Very rarely do I see a sequel that is better than the original. With SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOW, I can say that this was a much better film than the first film.

Theatrical Movie Poster (2011)

Once again Robert Downey Jr. portrays Sherlock Holmes, the world's greatest detective as well as Jude Law as his sidekick Dr. Watson. In this sequel, Holmes is working on his most important case ever. Tracking down a series of clues leads him to his most dangerous adversary ever: the brilliant mastermind criminal Professor James Moriarty (Jared Harris). Holmes and Watson join forces yet again, along with help of a gypsy woman named Sim (Noomi Rapace) and Holmes's older brother Mycroft Holmes (Stephen Fry), to thwart the evil Moriarty from starting a international war in Europe.

What makes this film better than the previous film is the inclusion of Moriarty into the formula. Your hero is only as good as his villain. Where would Superman be without Lex Luthor? Batman without the Joker? Captain America without the Red Skull? Peter Pan and Captain Hook, Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader, these are heroes that need their villain to make them legendary. With Holmes, Moriarty is a worthy adversary, and Harris gives a brilliant performance. Downy and Law renew their on screen chemistry and give their usual perfect performances.

Also worth noting is Rapace making her English language film debut. Rapace is internationally famous for her portrayal of Lisbeth Salander in the original Swedish versions of the DRAGON TATTOO trilogy. Rapace's role as the gypsy Sim is flat and her character neither rises to any occasion or is offered any romance. She's just there to hang around Holmes and Watson. It's a real shame because of Rapace's acclaim performance as Lisabeth, she deserved a much better role. Also look for Rachel McAdams, who returns as Irene Adler, but don't expect too much screen time of her character. To be honest, her appearance in the film was totally unnecessary. Director Guy Ritchie does a tremendous job of creating some amazing action scenes while giving audiences the chance to get reacquainted with these eccentric and eclectic characters.

SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS is a fun-filled action ride of a flick. So don't expect to see the same thing in the last film. This was a better film and more enjoyable. So if you're looking for a fun Saturday night film, than this film is perfect for you. Enjoy!

SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS is currently playing in theaters nationwide, including at the Camera Cinemas here in the Bay Area. To view showtimes, visit their website at www.cameracinemas.com

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!

Phil sees TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY at the Camera 7 Pruneyard-January 6, 2011

Welcome everybody to 2012 and welcome to an all new year of film reviews! I hope you had a lot of fun on New Year's Eve! Now that the holidays are behind us, it's now time to get back to watching movies! So for tonight I headed back to the Camera 7 in the Pruneyard Campbell and saw two great films. The first film up is one that has been causing quite a buzz lately, and with very good reason. Featuring a cast of talented actors, TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY is, without question, one of the best spy thrillers I have ever witnessed.

Theatrical Movie Poster (2012)

The film is based on author John le Carré's groundbreaking cold war bestseller. Control (John Hurt), the leader of an unknown sector of the British Intelligence service, is ousted along with his long-standing companion George Smiley (Gary Oldman) due to a botched operation in Budapest, Hungary which saw the officer Jim Prideaux (Mark Strong) murdered in public. Control was under the impression that there was a mole among the top ranking members of the service, referred to as the Circus by the other top ranking members due to its location in Cambridge Circus, London. Smiley is drawn out of retirement to pinpoint the culprit after Control passes away. Alongside the young Intelligence officer Peter Guillam (Benedict Cumberbatch), Smiley has four primary candidates to focus his investigation upon; the last remaining members of the Circus, Bill Haydon (Colin Firth), Percy Alleline (Toby Jones), Roy Bland (Ciaran Hinds) and Toby Esterhase (David Dencik).

This is not your typical spy film. If you are expecting to see car chases, gadgets galore, spills. thrills, beautiful women, and highly stylized choreographed fight scenes, then you will be disappointed. If however, you wanted to see a beautifully played and observed spy film, one that makes you think while watching it, enticing you to unravel the mystery along with our protagonist, then this is the film that you having been wishing for.

The film was directed by Swedish filmmaker Tomas Alfredson, who erupted upon the international scene three years ago with his film adaption of John Ajvide Lindqvist's novel LET THE RIGHT ONE IN. After the success of the film, Alfredson was soon attached to this project as director. Needless to say, Alfredson does an incredible job and allows the film to unfold at an almost flawless pace. Every sequence contains a small snippet of information which allows the viewer to conduct their own investigation alongside with Smiley's. While the narrative is also driven along by strong performances from the primarily male cast, Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Toby Jones, Ciaran Hinds, David Dencik, Stephen Graham and Kathy Burke all give strong, commanding performances. There is nothing that I can say that will give these fine actors enough praise. All are outstanding, which is very rare to see in a film these days.

All in all, TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY is simply a masterpiece of incredible intelligence; a film that will no doubt win several awards in the coming year. If you want to see a fantastic, international spy film that will knock you out of your chair, then by all means see this film!

TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY is currently playing in theaters nationwide, including at the Camera Cinemas here in the Bay Area. To view showtimes, visit their website at www.cameracinemas.com

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!

Phil reviews HERSCHELL GORDON LEWIS: THE GODFATHER OF GORE DVD on The Midnight Horror Sinema Show-Jan. 5, 2011

Hello again my faithful readers! I've been pretty busy over on THE MIDNIGHT HORROR SINEMA SHOW. My newest review is on the recently released documentary HERSCHELL GORDON LEWIS: THE GODFATHER OF GORE. The film was directed by Frank Henenlotter, who directed the film FRANKENHOOKER, which was the first film I reviewed for my new film blog. The film chronicles the career of the man who invented the term "Gore" with films like BLOOD FEAST, TWO THOUSAND MANIACS, and COLOR ME BLOOD RED. This was the first feature film release by Something Weird Video, home to some of the world's most insane, craziest, and bizarre films ever made on the face of the Earth! So click here to read my review, then go check out the films of Herschell Gordon Lewis.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!

Phil reviews the INTRUDER Blu-Ray+DVD combo pack on THE MIDNIGHT HORROR SINEMA SHOW-January 4, 2011

Hello again my faithful gorehounds! Over on my horror film blog THE MIDNIGHT HORROR SINEMA SHOW I just finished my review of Synapse Films' Blu-Ray+DVD combo of the long, lost slasher film classic INTRUDER. The film was directed by Scott Spiegel (co-writer of EVIL DEAD 2) and produced by Lawrence Bender (producer of Quentin Tarantino's films). This was a great horror film, and for those of you out there in the dark who haven't seen this film, I'm telling you all right now that you're missing out! A true lost classic has been restored, so click here and read up on the film! And trust me when I say that you'll never want to go grocery shopping at night ever again!

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!

Phil wishes you all a HAPPY NEW YEAR!-January 1, 2012

Hello everybody!! Well 2011 was a very busy year for me!

Since starting my movie blog back in March, I saw some amazing films while attending some of my favorite film festivals; such as the San Francisco Silent Film Festival as well as the Bronco Billy's Silent Film Festival over at the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum. Plus attending the Movies For Maniacs series at the world famous Castro Theratre as well as Peaches Christ's screenings! Overall, I had so much fun this past year. Now in 2012, I'll be bringing you even more fun! I'm planning to attend the San Francisco Film Noir Film Festival at the Castro and the Another Hole In The Head Horror Film Fest at the Roxie. I'll also be continuing my regular shows at the Camera Cinemas, including the Cult Movie series and the ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW midnight screenings. Plus my normal film fests and my return to my favorite film festival of all time: The Cinequest Film Festival right here in my hometown of San Jose! Plus I'll also be reviewing only the very best horror/non-horror Blu-Rays and DVDs on my new film blog THE MIDNIGHT HORROR SINEMA SHOW!

It goes without saying that 2012 will be a very interesting year! And of course, I would like to thank all of you who joined me on my cinematic adventures in 2011. To all of you who left me comments and signed up to follow my blog, my deepest thanks! I hope you enjoyed my reviews and thoughts. Now let's say goodbye to 2011, and welcome 2012 with a bang!!

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!