MichaelRAllen Reviews

The Lodger (2009)

The Lodger Murders Movie Audiences

[7/10 · 10 February 2009]

"The Lodger," now on DVD develops a storyline involving a tenant living with a lonely landlady and serial killings in the West Hollywood area of Los Angeles. The film seems to involve two separate stories, with different characters who meet in the final climactic finish; however, no closure is given to the story as the killer within "The Lodger," escapes capture. Alfred Molina, the lead in the film begins the story at the scene of a grisly murder and the picture revolves mostly around this character's attempts at tracking down an anonymous serial killer. The settings are primarily shot in the downtown Los Angeles area with several scenes from an urban neighbourhood contrasting the busyness of the city. The characters and lives of Detective Manning (Molina) are given an early initial reveal while the back stories of the landlady and the lodger are not given even a partial reveal until midway into the film. Near the end of the film the life of the lodger is given a partial reveal, which seems slightly disappointing.

The original musical score that haunts the picture throughout really adds an entire dimension to the film that enhances the movie watching experience. The soundtrack begins early in the film, subtly and hovers in the background during many of the scenes. Composer John Frizzell produces an excellent composition that adds to the overall intensity of the film while highlighting certain climactic scenes. The musical score, while not taking center stage in the film makes "The Lodger," a more fulfilling visceral experience.

Lighting, acting, and story development are each well done, but director David Ondaatje's use of Los Angeles city streets, in fast forward mode seems overly mysterious in tone. The movie begins with a CGI image of blood, in veins that transforms into the city streets of Los Angeles, and during the film several shots of traffic moving exceptionally fast break up the pacing within "The Lodger." Possibly symbolic of the transitory nature of the killer the streets of Los Angeles are shown throughout the movie to ease the pacing at certain key points in the film. As well, overhead shots of the sky, with clouds are meant to show the transition of time, but their symbolic interpretation seems ambiguous. On the acting side the portrayal of Rachel Leigh Cook as a somewhat distraught, lonely housewife is done with subtly and a flair for the under dramatic, that keeps the viewer's attention on the believability of the story. Other actors including; Alfred Molina as an over-worked detective, and Donal Logue as a potential suspect are especially well done and deliver realism to the story. In addition, the lighting, which takes place primarily in natural daylight, gives "The Lodger," an eerie feel as shots of alleyways and streets are shot in partial darkness.

Director David Ondaatje, nephew of writer Michael Ondaatje delivers a strong film, surprisingly after only directing two previous feature films. Ondaatje switches often between the use of stead-cams and a hand held 35mm to display various shots of the Los Angeles landscapes and characters within the film. Often using medium shots at the beginning of a scene and then slowly rotating left or right as the director moves in for a close-up, Ondaatje's manages to keep the visuals interesting while keeping character interactions short. Many of the dialogue scenes between the landlady and tenant are kept to less than a minute, and often to less than thirty seconds. The quick changes between scenes and characters can be somewhat distracting, but Ondaatje is quickly moving the story along as the killer's vile habits are slowly given a reveal. Focusing on the killer's view or a knife blade the killer utilizes a mysterious quality, which while frustrating at times does manage to make the film slightly more intense. Another directing quirk from Ondaatje seems to be his love for filming feet as several frames are shot exclusively of women's feet and rarely of the killer's.

The sets, actors, and filming techniques each do their part in delivering an excellent psychological thriller, that while overly sparse on the action scenes manages to hold the viewer's full attention throughout. The light musical compositions along with experienced actors are a bonus and both elements are able to develop a very intriguing story that delves into the motivations of a serial killer. "The Lodger," from relatively new director David Ondaatje does not give closure to the story, but the film, overall is very entertaining to watch.

7 Creepy Skulls out of 10.

My Bloody Valentine (2009)

My Bloody Valentine 3-D A Deadly Blind Date

[6/10 · 17 January 2009]

The use of three dimensional effects have not been a part of cinema for over twenty years, with IMAX the exception, but now it is back and better than ever in 2009. During "My Bloody Valentine 3-D," the audience will experience large pickaxes, flying bullets and tree limbs coming out of the screen and into your lap. At times the effect seems gimmicky as the story forces the occurrence of projectiles moving through the air and other times the three dimensional effects hit it just right. When you see the film you will know when the effect works; the mesmerizing visuals are sometimes jaw-dropping, literally.

Writers Tom Farver and Zane Smith keep the pace up throughout "My Bloody Valentine 3-D," right until the end when it appears that a miner, with grievances will take on a whole town. Right from the beginning the story starts off with a woman on the run from a mysterious figure, behind a breathing mask who seems to delight in wrecking other people's good time. The start to the movie is explosive and the film does not back down from creating a suspenseful horror flick that is simply out to horrify and be fun. At times the dialogue or introduction of characters into scenes comes off as slightly campy, but the delivery of lines in each scene is generating intensity for the final climactic act.

The plot of this horror film is somewhat conventional with Tom Hanniger returning to his hometown in order to heal some past misgivings at the hands of a bloody serial killer. "My Bloody Valentine 3-D," mostly centres on the character of Tom Hanniger, with Sarah and Axel Palmer supporting. Adding enough smaller characters to keep the story complex and creating enough diverging plot lines to keep things tight "My Bloody Valentine 3-D," does a good job of keeping the killer's identity mysterious while piquing viewer's curiosity. Instead of going for a closed box Hollywood ending the film slightly steps it up by leaving the ending open for a sequel. Some of the most successful film franchises come from the horror genre and "My Bloody Valentine 3-D," might be trying to capitalize on future returns by delivering a plot twist that slightly disappoints.

Lighting, environments, and music are all spot on, only the overacting of certain characters distracts from an otherwise excellent horror film. Many of the scenes within "My Bloody Valentine 3-D," take place in darkly lit mine shafts or the interiors of houses, at night and the overall tone feels like a thriller while showing enough gore to entertain horror fans. The music in the film is subtle enough while picking up the pace slightly during action sequences. On the other hand, the musical score of "My Bloody Valentine 3-D," could have been much more eerie in order to build up further tension. The acting of Jaimie King comes off as pretentious and somewhat naive while Kerr Smith, appearing to take his role of a small time sheriff a little too seriously displays some awkwardness. The rest of the actors including veterans; Tom Atkins and Kevin Tighe play their smaller parts well; Jensen Ackles, could have taken a darker approach to his character, in order to truly deliver a role of someone who is struggling with the trauma of past brutal events but the portrayal is still good.

Overall "My Bloody Valentine 3-D," delivers an entertaining ride through dark alleys, mine shafts and the evil minds of writers Todd Farmer and Zane Smith. Slightly on the lighter side of the horror genre this film develops enough jump scares, with the help of three dimensional effects to deliver a fun and fast 101 minutes. See this one with a friend and laugh out loud when a 20' branch comes screaming at your head (and try not to duck)! 6 Mesmerizing Skulls out of 10.

Shrooms (2007)

Shrooms Might Scare Audiences to Death

[6/10 · 14 January 2009]

"Shrooms," melds hallucinogens with psychopathic killers, in a mostly foggy environment and the outcome is something original, but not without flaws. Set in the back woods of Ireland most of the characters spend their time looking hypnotically at talking cows, mysterious shapes, and natural jellies. The killer in the film is mostly in black and grotesquely disfigured, moving in and out of the darkness the killer seems to delight in the psychological torture of his victims until the time is right to snuff one out. The special effects in "Shrooms," are on the low budget side of the scale, but the use of significant amounts of fog creates enough creepiness in the film to keep things mysterious. As well, the distortion of audio and visuals allows for some ambiguity as to whether the story is a bad trip on mushrooms or an actual life and death situation.

The main plot of "Shrooms," revolves around a 19th century boy's reform school where torture, murder, and sadism where commonplace, but now the ancestors of the school seem to be taking out their mistreatment on some innocent campers. Using grainy flashbacks and hallucinations the story develops mainly through the character Holly, who after taking several "death-head," mushrooms is able to see into the future and the murders of several of her friends. Not really able to save her friends Holly mostly adds to the supernatural element of the film that is already strong throughout the film. The inclusion of some Gaelic hunters seems to distract from the story or create a pause in the action, yet when the chips are down "Shrooms," is really a story of survival.

Shifting in lighting from daylight to nighttime then back and forth "Shrooms," really could have kept the entire picture in darker environments to increase the overall creepiness of the film. The best ghost stories seem to take place in the darkness where the imagination of the mind can really flow. Yet, each scene is front and center without darkness or much mystery and the lightness of the film dispels the possibility of some scares. However, "Shrooms," keeps the intensity up by isolating each of the characters in forests, and old run down buildings; so, the suspense is there but it could have been greater with the inclusion of darker environments.

The acting of the film is done by a mostly amateur cast, no big names here, and the delivery of dialogue and physical acting are done with believability. There is little dialogue in the second half of "Shrooms," with most of the campers in the story crying out, trembling, or receiving the sharp end of a knife. The focus of the acting is on the physical and while the film does not require Shakespearean acting, more dialogue in the second half of the film could have made the characterizations a little more sharp. Only the portrayal of Jack Huston as an Irish adventurer and guide stands out as exemplary.

"Shrooms," delivers enough gore, suspense and scares to entertain and makes this film very watchable. However, "Shrooms," holds back on many of the death scenes with several of these pieces occurring off screen. And the premise of six twenty-somethings having a bad trip in the backwoods of Ireland seems somewhat simplistic, but the overall feel of the film gives this reviewer confidence in a recommend.

Farm House (2008)

Farmhouse Sends Viewers Straight to Hell

[6/10 · 14 January 2009]

SPOILER: Using a back story and flashbacks "Farmhouse," drifts back and forth between the past and present while delivering an interesting story of a couple on the run. William Lee Scott plays the father of a handicapped child and Jamie Anne Allman the mother; both actors deliver a performance rich in distress and anger at their situation. The story presents the struggles in dealing with a child who will never be normal or healthy and how a young couple chooses to cope with the situation. Slowly as the film progresses the actual environment in which the characters are attempting to get away from is given a reveal. In the "Farmhouse," the flashbacks actually work and breathe new energy into a sometimes brutally horrific cinema watching experience.

The original score from Mark Petrie delivers a tone seemingly from ancient times as a woman's voice wails in low tones while string instruments fade in and out with the sound effects of the film. It is continually amazing how an original score can really amplify the intensity of a film and offer a one two punch as long as the story holds its own. In the "Farmhouse," both the musical composition and sometimes haunting visuals act as a team to create a harmonizing visual and aural experience. Never taking center stage, but heightening near the end of the film the score really adds its own personality to the "Farmhouse." Adding one of the most brutal torture scenes in recent movie history the "Farmhouse," does not shy from the gore or violence, yet the focus of the film is in delivering a tense, suspenseful story full of character insights. Steven Weber delivers a fine performance as Samael who seems to delight in the misfortunes of others while stalking, drowning, and basically tormenting other characters in the film. As well, Kelly Hu takes center stage and her characters brutal disfigurement of another female, with help from a cheese grater is almost completely unwatchable. However, each of the torture scenes is moving towards a frightening and shocking plot twist that few if any viewers might expect.

Supernatural elements of hell, the afterlife, and consequences of actions are the main themes of this slightly serious film. Leaving the interpretation of right and wrong, and really when are judgements this clear, up to the viewer the fate of the central couple seems unjust, but not without some merit. The sudden shift in the last fifth of the film from a country house to the gates of hell, full of demons really gives the "Farmhouse," bonus points for originality. Staying within a mostly man versus man plot line the surprise ending of a couple attempting to save themselves from a life of damnation adds an unlikely, yet devilish little twist at the end of the film.

Mostly unheard of supernatural, torture flick the "Farmhouse," will fully satiate horror fans with tales of extortion, and the (im)possibility of redemption. Starting off soft then immersing the viewer into the often times sick imagination of writer Daniel P. Coughlin, the "Farmhouse," is a cinema treat that must be seen. Enjoyable, surprising, and believable the "Farmhouse," can be found now at local movie stores as this film was given a late 2008 release date.

Eden Lake (2008)

Taking Horror in Film to the Next Level

[8/10 · 29 November 2008]

"Eden Lake," has received a limited release and it has sparked a great deal of talk amongst horror fans. The film has aroused feelings of fright, sadness, excitement, and anger in many film audiences, but the important theme of British thuggery has been dealt with in an exceptional way. "Eden Lake," was created as a very unique piece of cinema art, and must be watched by those who are interested in, and can handle strong subject matter. Writer and director James Watkins has stepped way out of the typical Hollywood formula of; boy meets girl, boy loses girl, and boy gets girl back. Instead "Eden Lake," delved into a new formula where a happy couple is terrorized, harassed, assaulted and then brutally tortured.

This film's plot is very non-standard, with Jenny a nursery school teacher and her boyfriend Steve making their way to a remote camping spot. Unfortunately, there at the campsite this young couple bumps into a group of obnoxious kids who are hell bent on destroying their good time. As tempers flare and the vandalism escalates, an already tense situation develops into a fight for survival. It is not the intention of this review to give away major plot developments, but let it be known that this picture is gruesome throughout and ends on a terrifying note.

The haunting musical score is the creation of master composer David Julyan and the music of the film adds to the overall tension of "Eden Lake." Julyan is also the musical director of other films including; "The Descent," "The Prestige," and a forthcoming feature "The Descent: Part 2." Much of Julyan's musical score is very eerie with few light notes, and the score acts as a subtle guide to heighten the film's intensity. The music is very reminiscent of the horror film "The Descent." One message that "Eden Lake," effectively delivers to the audience is that if youth violence is not kept in check then it will develop into a national concern. This theme comes across early in the film; through a radio broadcast in the car, and throughout the film with many instances of violence involving juveniles. As well, in the final few scenes of "Eden Lake," one of the main gang members breaks the fourth wall by peering into the camera. While smirking at the movie-watching audience it becomes clear who is the winner of this chilling film.

If you can sit through some initial terrifying scenes then in the end your reward will be a very open ending, which will leave most people thinking about this film days later. Watch this film for its message and how it delivers it, and you will thank yourself for the experience that is "Eden Lake."