Final Destination 3 (2006)

"This Ride Will Be The Death Of You."

Rated R.

Starring: Mary Elizabeth Winstead, and Ryan Merriman

The third installment of the destiny based plotline, it's more creative than the others. The actors are more unknown, but do a really good job. Truthfully, I have to admit, the only reason why I saw this movie is because I heard about "The Thrill Ride Edition," dvd. You can choose different decisions which actually change the outcome of the movie. It's pretty amazing, but otherwise, it's a mediocre movie.

*** 3.5 stars out of 5. (for the dvd).

Recommended if you liked: Final Destination. lol

When a Stranger Calls (2006)

"Evil Dials Home."

PG-13

Starring: Camilla Belle, Tommy Flanagan, and Katie Cassidy.

A remake of the classic 1970's horror film wielding the line, "The call is coming from inside the house!" The very unknown actress, Belle, did an ok job of attempting a scared high schooler, but I've seen MUCH better. Maybe had she been an adequate actress, the movie would've been better. Not surprisingly at it's placement, and it's only horror film around the release date, the movie tripled it's budget in sales, a great gain for the production company. I was pretty impressed with Tommy Flanagan as "Stranger." He was creepy as fuck, even though he was a skinny little man.

2 out of 5 stars.

Recommended if you liked: Scream, I Know What You Did Last Summer, and Halloween.

Review

So I was just reviewing the movies I've seen this year, because at the end of every year, I make a best and worst list of the movies I've seen. Well, I've only seen 37 movies that were released in 2006, and a LOT of them are horror flicks. So I'm going to be writing reviews up on most all of the horror flicks. Be prepared.

X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)

"Take a stand."

PG-13

Starring: Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Ian McKellan, Famke Janssen, Anna Paquin, Kelsey Grammer, James Marsden, Rebecca Romijn, Shawn Ashmore, Aaron Stanford, Vinnie Jones, Patrick Stewart, Ben Foster, Ellen Page, and Daniel Cudmore.

The third installment of the X-Men series is packed with tons of action and characters. After a "Cure" is made that can reverse the mutant gene, a resistance grows, and The Brotherhood eventually become violent. The X-Men of course come to the rescue, partially for the rest of the homo sapiens, and partially for their estranged teammate, Jean Grey, now known as The Phoenix.

I was literally like peeing myself waiting for this movie. I like it a lot, but I mean, sure, I didn't rush out and buy it or anything. It's got the most action of all the movies, that's for sure. I wan't the biggest fan of all the characters. I mean, they could've been there, but they didn't need to have specific parts, like Angel, for example. I did like the addition of Best though, since he technically was one of the original 5 X-Men. What the hell was up with Phoenix? They were heading the right direction in in X2: X-Men United with the fiery aura around Jean as she used her powers, and the glowing eyes. Now, Ratner made her into some scary, dark eyed, veiny bitch. What the hell? That is what disappointed me the most, above the fact that they didn't END the series, even though they went into it knowing there wasn't going to be another movie. Sigh...I love my X-Men.

**** 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Recommended if you liked: Spiderman, Elektra, X2: X-Men United, and The Fantastic Four.

Red Corner (1997)

"Severity for those who resist."

Rated R.

Starring: Richard Gere, Ling Bai, Bradley Whitford, and Byron Mann.

Richard Gere stars as a man who travels to China to solidify and close a big business deal. In the process, he meets a woman, who he brings home and sleeps with. The following morning, she's dead, and he's the only suspect.

I had seen this movie before when it came out in theatres, and didn't remember a damn thing about it. Generally, this means that I didn't like the movie, so I pushed it out of my mind. Well, that was pretty much right. Not only did it piss me off that there was SO much untranslated Chinese, but the acting sucked. His lawyer was adorable, and I think she's actually a pretty big actress there now.

** 2 out of 5 stars.

Recommended if you liked: Brokedown Palace.

Instinct (1999)

"One man's mind, is another man's mystery."

Rated R.

Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Cuba Gooding Jr., Maura Tierny and Donald Sutherland

I've been quickly falling in love with the AMC movie channel on cable. I was delighted to find myself at the exact beginning of "Instinct" just by chance. I was suprised to like the movie so well. Hopkins played a former doctor turned criminally insane after living with gorillas for over 2 years. Cuba Gooding Jr. is the doctor put on his case, when he is captured and taken to jail, and it's his confusing journey to find the reason for the hater risiding within Hopkins character.

I was actually surprised to have liked this movie. It's kind of slow in the beginning, but near the midway point, things get more interesting, and you just want to know the answers. I was also surprised at the emotions brought out of me due to the film. I was really touched by the end of the movie. Anthony Hopkins did a great job acting, because probably for once, I actually looked at him and didn't think that he was Hannibal Lector. Cuba Gooding Jr. is always mediocre to me, because I could really see anyone acting that part out. The two actors did have good chemistry, and I'm always happy to see Maura Tierney in a film.

**** 4 out of 5 stars

Recommended if you liked: The Shawshank Redemption or Don't Say A Word

The Dark Corner (1946)

"Save your lipstick, girls, he plays for keeps."

Not Rated

Starring: Lucille Ball, Clifton Webb, William Bendix, and Mark Stevens.

It's funny how I actually came across this movie. I was having trouble sleeping, so I turned on a black and white movie, thinking it would put me to sleep. Turns out, it was a really good monocolor movie! Lucille Ball stars as Clifton Webb's secretary, and aides in helping him clear himself of the muder he has been accused.

I loved seeing Lucille Ball NOT playing Lucy. I actually had never seen her in anything else, and it was nice to see she was actually a versatile actress. Clifton Webb is dreamy, and I miss the class and savvy that actors back then carried with them. They don't capture those things in films anymore.

**** 4 out of 5 stars

Reccomended if you liked: Clue, Muholland Drive, The Lucy Show.

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning (2006)

"Witness The Birth Of Fear"

Rated R

Starring: Jordana Brewster, Taylor Handley, Diora Baird, Lee Tergeson, and R. Lee Ermey.

This movie takes you to the beginning, explaining the "birth of a legend," Leatherface.

I was really impressed how well they connected the two films. This was pretty much the most disgusting thing I've ever seen in my life, so if you can't handle extreme gore, I would not reccomend it. I was impressed with the acting, the blonde chick can scream really well. Good fun, nice horror.

**** 4 stars.

Recommended if you liked: Texas Chainsaw Massacre, House of 1000 Corpses, Saw

The Black Dahlia (2006)

Rated R.

Starring: Josh Hartnett, Scarlett Johansson, Aaron Eckhart, Hilary Swank, and Mia Kirshner.

A murder mystery starring Scarlett Johanssen, Josh Hartnett, Hilary Swank, and Aaron Eckhart. Based loosely on a true story of an aspiring actress' death.

I was really disappointed with this movie. I guess I went into it expecting more, and was let down. The acting was right on, minus a few select scenes by the Johanssen twins.

2.5 stars out of 5.

Superman Returns: An IMAX 3D Experience (2006)

PG-13

Starring: Brandon Routh, Kate Bosworth, Kevin Spacey, James Marsden, Parker Posey, and Marlon Brando (Archive).

Set to take place after Superman II, the story starts off with Superman's return, after a 5 year long search for his homeland. Lex Luthor conveniently resurfaces simultaneously, providing the plot against our favorite caped superhero.

Brandon Routh did a good job, though really, there's not much to playing superman except for smiling and delivering pointless phrases. Kevin Spacey was what I expected. Kate Bosworth sucked. She played the usually straight-forward, bossy, almost bitchy Lois Lane as a weak character, and it didn't fit well. Parker Posey played a good character to break the drama, and you couldn't help but like her as Kitty. It was visually entertaining with great CG effects.

**** 4 Stars.

I gave this 4 stars only because the 3D and IMAX version of the movie was really astonishing. And c'mon, let's admit it, Brandon Routh in 3D, that's enough! Otherwise, I'd give the movie 2.5 stars. It lacked plot and character development, and it disappointed me.

The Covenent (2006)

"Only the power of hell can help them."

PG- 13

Starring: Steven Strait, Laura Ramsey, Sebastian Stan, Taylor Kitsch, Chance Crawford, and Toby Hemingway.


Based around the Witches of Ipswitch, part of those involved in the Salem witch trials, the "Sons of Ipswitch" are the current descendants. The "Sons" contain "the power," which is given to them when they are 13, and come to full power when they ascend at 18. Problems occur when the fifth bloodline, believed to have perished, surfaces again with a vengence.

The actors were poorly selected, with the emphasis of perfection as a requirement. The boys portrayed as high schoolers looked to be no younger than 20, and with bodies like those of older. The script lacks credentials and explanation, but makes up with awesome computer effects and visually stimulating battles.

2.5 stars our of 5.

Reccomended if you liked: The Craft, The Skulls, The Crucible.