Phil sees THE DIVERGENT SERIES: ALLEGIANT from Lionsgate/Summit Entertainment - July 27, 2016

Ok, ok......I can do this.....I can do this review....I can do this....here goes.....Welcome folks to another installment of Phil's Film Adventures! Today's film is the continuation of a brave heroine who must save her people and the one she loves from an evil entity that........ummmmmmm.......oh boy this hurts. Seriously I'm in excruciating pain as I am writing this. Want to know the reason why? Well it's because I saw the film ALLEGIANT, the latest chapter in the DIVERGENT series and it sucked so bad that I can't believe I watched the whole movie in its entirety! What the hell is wrong with me?!? Why would info this to myself?!? Oh the pain! The pain!!

Theatrical Movie Poster

The film's official synopsis: After the earth-shattering revelations of INSURGENT, Tris (Shailene Woodley) must escape with Four (Theo James) and go beyond the wall enclosing Chicago. For the first time ever, they will leave the only city and family they have ever known. Once outside, old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless with the revelation of shocking new truths. Tris and Four must quickly decide who they can trust as a ruthless battle ignites beyond the walls of Chicago which threatens all of humanity. In order to survive, Tris will be forced to make impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice and love.

Holy hell this was bad movie! Everything that you would not want to seein a movie is here: bad acting, shitty story, crappy characters, lame motivations, pure boredom at its lowest!! I think I actually became dumber after watching this! And this was originally aimed at those tween kids who liked THE HUNGER GAMES, THE MAZE RUNNER and the TWILIGHT series. I hate to say this Summit Entertainment but those movies were made for an audience that are now ADULTS!!! Those kids are now in college, have jobs, dating and such. The audience for the DIVERGENT series is no longer there! You guys totally missed the boat and came in way too late. The first film came out a year before THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY PART 2 for crying out loud! Talk about being late to the party!!

To add further insult to injury, the company has now decided to release the final DIVERGENT film entitled ASCENDANT as a TV movie due to this film's very poor boxoffice take. Oh, you didn't hear about that bit of news? Well, it came to light during the San Diego ComicCon with lead actress Shailene Woodley being asked her thoughts about the film's theatrical cancellation during her panel for her upcoming film SNOWDEN. The film grossed $179.2 million at the boxoffice against its budget of $110 million. However, one needs to take into account the marketing budget they studio spent to promote the film. With that taken into consideration, the film lost money which again prompted this move that was taken by Summit Entertainment/Lionsgate.

ALLEGIANT is both a commercial and critical bomb!! This film has literally killed the franchise and will now be always referred to as the BATMAN & ROBIN of the series!! It's time to leave the tween book film adaptations behind and start making original films again. 1 out of 5 stars!! Not even worth your time!!

ALLEGIANT is still currently playing in select theaters nationwide. The film is also available on Blu-Ray and DVD as well as On Demand, digital download and at Redboxes.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!

Phil sees THE LEGEND OF TARZAN in 3D from Warner Bros. Pictures - July 12, 2016

When author Edgar Rice Burroughs published "Tarzan the Ape Man" in 1912, I don't think even he would know just how much of an impact his creation would have on both pop culture and society. Burroughs wrote the first 24 novels, chronicling all the action and adventure of the legendary Ape Man. In 1918, the first film adaptation of Tarzan was released but it wasn't until MGM's TARZAN THE APE MAN starring the five-time Olympic gold medal swimmer Johnny Weissmuller that he really became popular. Over the past 105 years, Tarzan has appeared in several different mediums: films, cartoons, television shows, comic books, video games, stage productions, radio and, of course, novels. Now Warner Bros. Pictures have released their take on this legendary character in their newest film THE LEGEND OF TARZAN directed by David Yates and starring Alexander Skarsgård, Margot Robbie, Samuel L. Jackson, Christoph Waltz, Djimon Hounsou, John Hurt, and Jim Broadbent.

Theatrical Movie Poster

The film's official synopsis: It has been years since the man once known as Tarzan (Skarsgård) left the jungles of Africa behind for a gentrified life as John Clayton III, Lord Greystoke, with his beloved wife, Jane (Robbie) at his side.Now, he has been invited back to the Congo to serve as a trade emissary of Parliament, unaware that he is a pawn in a deadly convergence of greed and revenge, masterminded by the Belgian, Captain Leon Rom (Waltz). But those behind the murderous plot have no idea what they are about to unleash.

Let me start off by say that I am a little torn here. First, it was action packed, had a great script, fantastic acting, cool special effects, intense drama and contained the spirit of Burroughs' creation. Alexander is the perfect Tarzan, one of the best interperpitation of the character in years. Hollywood's current "It" Margot Robbie (THE WOLF OF WALL STREET, FOCUS, WHISKEY TANGO FOXTROT and the upcoming DC Comics film SUICIDE SQUAD) shines as she brings her version of Jane: strong, tough, ballsy and not afraid to speak her mind. Mr. Samuel L. Jackson is still a bad ass and Christoph Waltz is perfectly cast as the evil antagonist Leon Rom, who will stop at nothing from accomplishing his assignment as well as kill Tarzan.

With everything I said that I loved about the film, there was a little bit of confusion that I confronted. There were a lot of characters and rivals that made it a little difficult to follow and keep track of. It takes place in Africa but it looked a little to dark and gloomy in some parts. The CGI animals for the most part were excellent but there were some scenes that looked really fake.

However, all nit picking aside, director Yates does a fine job of keeping the film moving at a well pace filled with action and character development. His previous output includes the last three HARRY POTTER films: THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX and THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PARTS 1 & 2. So he has proven that he can deliver the goods for those summer blockbusters that the studios depend on. Credit to writers Adam Cozard and Craig Bower for forgoing the normal Tarzan origin story that we've been told several times and crafting a script that shows the characters where they are now and what is going on in their lives currently.

THE LEGEND OF TARZAN is a great action-filled summertime movie!! I really enjoyed it as I was transported back to my childhood, reminiscing of the old Saturday Morning Cartoon I used to watch and the old toys I used to play with. If you're a lifelong Tarzan fan, then your going to enjoy this film immensely! 4 out of 5 stars!! Recommended viewing!!

THE LEGEND OF TARZAN is playing in both 2D and 3D in theaters nationwide, including the Century Greenback 16 in Sacramento. Check your local listing to see if it is playing at a theater near you.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show! 

Phil sees INDEPENDENCE DAY: RESURGENCE from 20th Century Fox - July 12,2016

When INDEPENDENCE DAY opened back in 1996, it became the biggest summer blockbuster of that year. Director Michael Bay was riding high and soon there was talk of a sequel, but that was all it was: just talk. Now, twenty years later, INDEPENDENCE DAY: RESURGENCE has finally arrived and fans have of the original have been waiting with anticipation. Would it be memorable? Would it live up to the hype? Would it be as good as the first film? To be honest, that would be a big fat "No" to all three questions.

Theatrical Movie Poster

The film's official synopsis: We always knew they were coming back. After INDEPENDENCE DAY redefined the event movie genre, the next epic chapter delivers global spectacle on an unimaginable scale. Using recovered alien technology, the nations of Earth have collaborated on an immense defense program to protect the planet. But nothing can prepare us for the aliens’ advanced and unprecedented force. Only the ingenuity of a few brave men and women can bring our world back from the brink of extinction.

Now instead of doing my usual review, I thought it would more informative and educational (not to mention hilariously fun) to list everything that was wrong with the movie, and believe me folks there were a lot of things wrong! Consider this a lesson in film critique 101. So let's begin, shall we class?

1) The filmmakers waited way too long to make the sequel.

2) The movie was totally rushed.

3) We're bombarded with characters we don't care about.

4) All special effects and no real story.

5) Hold on a sec, was there even a story?

6) Will Smith wasn't in it. I'm perfectly fine with that.

7) Even though Michael Bay didn't direct this, it still has the typical stereotypes and barrage of military shots.

8) Another Bay trademark are all the product placements. 

9) Buy American! Buy a Chevy!

10) Ok I remember now. No, there wasn't a story.

11) Actress Patricia Whitmore, who played the President's daughter Mae Whitman in the first film, was recast with Maika Monroe because the filmmakers felt that she wasn't pretty enough. Booo!! I call bullshit on that decision!!

12) Bill Pullman, Jeff Goldblum, Vivica A. Fox, Bret Spiner and Judd Hirsh are back and their characters are as two-dimensional as in the original.

13) Liam Hemsworth can't act. Stop trying to make him a star. He's not. Just stop it people.

14) Jessie T. Usher tries to be like Will Smith in the film but he just falls flat on his face.

15) OMG why am I still watching this piece of crap!

16) The Queen Alien in this movie looked a lot like the Queen Alien from ALIENS. I smell a lawsuit coming on. Just saying.

17) Good grief this movie sucks!

18) Sela Ward plays the President of the United States in the film and she gets killed. Thank you Hollywood for that misogynistic statement. I feel sorry for Hilary Clinton if she wins the presidency in November.

19) Holy crap this movie is long!!

20) Director Roland Emmerich's previous work includes 2012, WHITE HOUSE DOWN and THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW. See a theme here people?!?

21) The end credits were the best part of the movie.

So, in conclusion, INDEPENDENCE DAY: RESURGENCE is a total piece of crap of a film and a total waste of your time and money! Seriously, I don't think you should rent it when it comes out! Kids, just say no to bad, overblown Hollywood sequels. 2 out of 5 stars!

INDEPENDENCE DAY: RESURGENCE is currently playing in both 2D and 3D in theaters nationwide, including the Century Greenback 16 in Sacramento. Check your local listing to see if it is playing at a theater near you.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show! 

Phil sees THE CONJURING 2 from New Line Cinema/Warner Bros. Pictures - July 12, 2016

When I first saw THE CONJURING back in 2013, I said it was "The best horror film of the year." I just recently rewatched the film and it still made my skin crawl, even in the comfort of my home. That right there is the power of film and it proves that filmmaker James Wan is the master of supernatural horror. Fast forward to this past weekend and the sequel THE CONJURING 2 is finally released to theaters and yours truly went to his local cinema and sat near the front so as to absorb all the horror that was projected onto the silver screen.

Theatrical Movie Poster

The film's official synopsis: In 1977, paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren (Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga respectively) travel to London, England, where single mother Peggy Hodgson (Frances O'Connor) believes that something evil is in her home. When Peggy's youngest daughter Janet (Madison Wolfe) starts showing signs of demonic possession, Ed and Lorraine attempt to help the besieged girl, only to find themselves targeted by the malicious spirits.

James Wan has accomplished a rare and difficult feat: he made a sequel that is better than the original. That is very hard to do, especially in this day and age. Films like THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, THE GODFATHER PART II and TERMINATOR 2: JUDGEMENT DAY are all perfect examples of when the sequel far surpasses the original in every way. So congratulations to Mr. Wan for this outstanding g and rare accomplishment.

Wan takes what made the first film so terrifying and cranks up to twelve. He's attention to detail is without question. From the fantastic 1970's inspired intro credits to the set-ups for his jump scares to the simple framing with disturbing sounds and music to build up the tension within a scene, Wan is, in my humble opinion, one of the best horror directors of the past twenty years and ranks among those legendary, iconic filmmakers like George Romero, John Carpenter, Tobe Hoper, Wes Craven and Dario Argento.

The film offers both familiarities and new additions for fans. Both Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga return once again as Ed and Lorraine Warren, once again displaying their fanatic on-screen chemistry. However this time they are sent over to London to investigate a haunted house that has been terrorizing the Hodgson family. More specifically, this poltergeist is interested in the youngest daughter Janet and will stop at nothing till she is its new host. A huge round of applause to child actress Madison Wolfe, who puts in one the best performances ever in a horror film. Not since young Linda Blair in THE EXORCIST has a child been this horrifyingly disturbing. 

Originally, there were early reports indicating that the film was going to focus on the Amityville Investigation, which was the case that made the Warrens a household name was well as the inspiration for the 1979 horror film classic THE AMITYVILLE HORROR. The film is actually about the the equally scary Enfield Poultergeist which plagued the Hodgson's Brimsdown home in Enfield, England in the late 70's. During the film's end credits, the actual pictures of the family as well as pictures of the haunting are shown, which look absolutely authentic to this viewer.

THE CONJURING 2 is the best horror film of 2016 and the best horror sequel of the last 30 years!! If you want be scared out of your mind that you'll be sleeping with the lights on for the next two weeks, the you need to see this film!! 5 out of 5 stars!! Very highly recommend!!

THE CONJURING 2 is currently playing in theaters nationwide, including the Century Greenback 16 in Sacramento. Check your local listing to see if it is playing at a theater near you.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!

Phil's Horror Watch: SOME KIND OF HATE (2015) from RLJ Entertainment -June 28, 2016

SOME KIND OF HATE Blu-Ray (2015)

SOME KIND OF HATE
Starring: Ronen Rubinstein, Grace Phipps, Sierra McCormick, Lexi Atkins, Spencer Breslin, Brando Eaton, Maestro Harrell
Written by Brian DeLeeuw & Adam Egypt Mortimer
Cinematography by Benji Bakshi
Edited by Josh Ethier
Produced by
Directed by Adam Egypt Mortimer
Distributed by RLJ Entertainment

Once again the independent horror film world has provided us horror fans another cinematic nightmare with social commentary that today's youths can all too easily relate to. Today's film addresses an issue that has been plaguing our public school system for decades: bullying. This crisis has gotten so out of hand that teens have been committing suicide as a way to escape their hellish torment. Unfortunately, some of these teens have been lashing out against their peers as school shootings have now become the norm. It is in this unstable and uncertain climate that makes the film SOME KIND OF HATE that much more relevant to today's youth.

The film's official synopsis: Relentless bullying has turned Lincoln's life into a nightmare. But he soon learns the true meaning of terror when he is sent to a remote school for troubled teens and the harassments start all over again. Only this time, someone is watching - a teenage girl named Moira who was driven to suicide by vicious bullying years ago. When Lincoln accidentally summons Moira from the grave, he unleashes a vengeful and unstoppable force on a mission of blood-soaked revenge.

Festival Movie Poster (2015)

The movie is also another fine example of transcending the horror genre to new heights. In this case, the slasher genre. Not since Freddy Kruger has there been a more terrifying supernatural entity that has caused more teen deaths than our main antagonist Moria, played by Sierra McCormick. While we are supposed to dispose the villain, Moria is more of a sympathetic character. She was bullied to the point of committing suicide and how do we not feel sorry for her. But her thirst for revenge only fuels her hatred and she comes to the aide via a cry for help from Lincoln, played by Ronen Rubinstein. Both McCormick and Rubinstein have great on-screen chemistry as they are the young and yang to each other. Add the beautiful and talented Grace Phipps as Lincoln's love interest Kaitlin (whose performance in the film was absolutely incredible!) and the film rises to the next level of believability and terror.

Writer/director Adam Egypt Mortimer (along with co-writer Brian DeLeeuw) combines the look and feel of a classic slasher film while simultaneously addressing the issue of bullying, something that has been talked about a lot in the news as of late. The issue of bullying has gotten completely out of hand to where children today can no longer handle it and their only escape is to either lash out with violence or commit suicide. Mortimer does a tremendous job of combining this terrible issue with supernatural horror, much like his predecessor Wes Craven did with 1984's horror classic A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET. His directing is a blend of hand held documentary and down and dirty grindhouse horror; meaning the camera doesn't flinch away from the gruesome gore and violence. Plus it didn't hurt that the film was shot with an authentic 1970's widescreen anamorphic lenses to give it that look and feel of a grindhouse flick.

Overall SOME KIND OF HATE is one of the best indie horror films of 2016!! If you are being bullied or you are bully, then you both should see this movie immediately! It will make you think twice about what you are doing! 4 1/2 out of 5 stars!! Highly recommended!!

SOME KIND OF HATE is currently available on DVD at your local retailer or online at the Amazon website. It is also available on Video On Demand, digital download and Amazon Prime. To learn more about RLJ Entertainment, visit their website at www.rljentertainment.com.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!

Phil attends an exclusive advanced screening of THE NEON DEMON from Amazon Studios - June 20, 2016

Hello again everybody and welcome to a very special edition of Phil's Film Adventures! While I was going through my Facebook feed I saw a very interesting post from the Sacramento Horror Film Festival. They were giving away free passes to an advanced screening of director Nicolas Winding Refn's new film THE NEON DEMON, which wont be in theaters until Friday, June 24th. Now I was very excited because I haven't done one of these types of screenings in over two years. So right after work, I headed down to the United Artists Arden Fair 6 Mall to check out this cinematic special occasion!

Theatrical Movie Poster

The film's official synopsis: When aspiring model Jesse moves to Los Angeles, her youth and vitality are devoured by a group of beauty-obsessed women who will use any means necessary to get what she has in The Neon Demon, the new horror thriller from Nicolas Winding Refn. The Neon Demon stars Elle Fanning (Maleficent, Super 8), Jena Malone (Inherent Vice, The Hunger Games series), Bella Heathcote (Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, Dark Shadows), Abbey Lee (Gods of Egypt, Max Max: Fury Road), Karl Glusman (Love, Stonewall), Keanu Reeves (John Wick, The Matrix series), Christina Hendricks (“Mad Men,” Drive), Desmond Harrington (“Dexter,” The Dark Knight Rises), Alessandro Nivola (A Most Violent Year, American Hustle), and Charles Baker (“Breaking Bad,” Wild).

Actress Elle Fanning gives one of her best performances ever! She commands your attention when she's on the screen. Her portrayal as Jesse is nothing short of riveting. We witness her character turn from a kind, sweet and naive young girl to a self-absorbed, arrogant and prissy supermodel. It's a slow turn that is utterly amazing to witness. It is an extraordinary performance! Jena Malone is also captivating, if not shocking, as Jesse's good friend and make-up artists Ruby. She goes the extra mile in the film and let me just say there's this amazing "Holy Shit!" moment that was freaking crazy! Then there's Bella Heathcote and Abbey Lee, who portray Gigi and Sarah respectively. These superficial, super shallow and superplastic supermodels are the antagonists to our fair Jesse, who will stop at nothing to make sure she doesn't steal their spotlight and fame. Also, look for Keanu Reeves appearing in a very minor role as the jackass motel manager Hank, who spreads his time smoking cigarettes and breaking into the rooms.

Nicolas Winding Refn's directing is perfection at its finest! His compositions and camera panning are simple buy yet very effective. His eye captures the beautiful and the ugliness of not only our characters but also of the Los Angeles fashion world as well. Refn's framing is superb, documenting the rise and fall of Jesse with such captivating fluently. But what I really loved was the gorgeous neon lighting throughout the film. The last time I watched a film with this much colorful lighting was Dario Argento's 1977 horror classic SUSPIRIA. Now I would also like to address his partner-in-crime, which would be cinematographer Natasha Braier, without whom Refn's wouldn't have been able to bring his film to the screen. Exquisitely photographed by this very talented individual! Also, Refn co-wrote the film with two other talented writers: Mary Laws and Polly Stenham. The sparse dialogue enhances his unique vision but the story is so fascinating that we can't help but get swept into the lovely chaos of our characters.

Another aspect I loved about the film was the incredibly radical soundtrack! Music composer Cliff Martinez created a soundtrack that is an amalgam of 80's new wave synthesizer and traditional slasher music from like FRIDAY THE 13th. It's catchy, hypnotic and retro all at the same time. It's reminds of music that I would hear on the New Retro Wave website. It's new yet familiar at the same time, which is very difficult to pull off. I can't wait to buy the soundtrack and I hope it comes out on a totally awesome looking colored vinyl!

There are some who will say that this is not a horror film while some say it is an art house movie. Then there are those who will call it a thriller. Some might dare say it sucked and would want their money back. This is an experimental film; one that lies somewhere between an exquisite dreamlike state and a nightmarish plane of reality.

 THE NEON DEMON is my favorite film of the year thus far!! Words cannot describe how much I loved this movie!! It truly is a work of art and it must be seen on the big screen! So if you are bored of the typical Hollywood schlockbuster and the tired remakes/reboots/rehashes, then you must see this movie! 5 out of 5 stars!! Very highly recommended!!

THE NEON DEMON is currently playing in theaters nationwide, including at the United Artists Arden Fair 6 Mall. Check your local listings and theater to see if it's playing near you!

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!

Phil's Horror Watch: THE GREEN INFERNO (2015) from Universal Pictures - June 19, 2016

THE GREEN INFERNO Blu-Ray (2016)

THE GREEN INFERNO
Starring: Lorenza Izzo, Ariel Levy, Daryl Sabara, Kirby Bliss Blanton, Magda Apanowicz, Sky Ferreira, Nicolás Martínez, Aaron Burns, Ignacia Allamand, Ramón Llao, Matías López
Written by Eli Roth & Guillermo Amoedo
Cinematography by Antonio Quercia
Edited by Ernesto Díaz Espinoza
Directed by Eli Roth
Distributed by Universal Pictures

In 1996, filmmaker Eli Roth made his big screen debut with CABIN FEVER, his goretastic homage to Sam Raimi's 1981 horror classic EVIL DEAD. Then he went one to become one of the members of the "Splat Pack" in the early 2000's with his films HOSTEL and HOSTEL 2. Now, Roth has returned with his new movie that is, once again, a homage film. However, this time he's paying tribute to the great Italian director Ruggero Deodato and his infamous 1980 film CANNIBAL HALOCAUST. His new movie THE GREEN INFERNO follows in the grand tradition of the Italian cannibal genre.

The film's official synopsis: In New York, college student Justine joins a group of activists led by Alejandro and travels to Peru to protest against a timber industry that is destroying the Amazon rain forest. When the group is returning to civilization, the plane blows-up and crashes into the forest. Soon the survivors discover that they are not alone and they are abducted by a tribe of cannibals.

Theatrical Movie Poster (2015)

What I loved about the film is that it shows how much Roth has grown as a director. His visuals, his style of directing and his vision are leaps and bounds from his first film. It's very grand and very large in scope that it's beautifully captured that you almost forget that it's a horror movie. Not too many of these kinds of films are still being made.

With talking about the cast, I'd have to start this off with our leading lady Lorenza Izzo, who portrays Justine in the film. Her character means well, wants to make a difference in the world somehow, and naively, joins an activist group to help save an Amazon rainforest. She's you're typical young college student who is not sure where she's going. Even though her rich dad is paying for her schooling, she wants to do more. Izzo's performance was fantastic as she and her character were put through some of the most extreme scenes and situations. Ariel Levy who plays out antagonist Alejandro, who is one of the biggest foreign douchebags to grace the silver screen since those other douchebags from Roth's HOSTEL films. He says he means will but his true colors are brightly shown during the film. 

THE GREEN INFERNO is a worthy entry into the celebrated and beloved cannibal genre! The film is a genuine and horrifying tribute to those great Italian cannibal films of yesteryear that captured our curiosity when we the fans would rent them at our local mom & pop video stores and haunted our nightmares after we saw them! I dare you to watch this movie with the lights off! 4 out of 5 stars!! Recommend viewing!!

THE GREEN INFERNO is currently available on DVD at your local retailer or online at the Amazon website. It is also available on Video On Demand, digital download and Amazon Prime. 

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!