It Follows

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Annie has sex with her boyfriend. Afterward, some unknown entity follows her. She is told that the only way to get rid of it before it kills her is to have sex with someone else.

This film was directed by David Robert Mitchell. The plot of this film is very simple; sleeping with someone will get you killed. Which makes this film's story fall into one of most old horror cliches imaginable. The humorous part is that when the characters do have sex it is one of the most sad and uninteresting parts of the film. It shows the pathetic desperation of men and the naivety of women. Surprisingly there is really isn't any nudity from the main characters that I can recall. As a horror film it begins strongly with unnerving imagery, but ends on a dull note. The film should've ended where it began (I think). Interestingly, the horror is done with very minimalistic scares; which isn't seen in modern horror films. When the ever-changing entity is briefly seen it is eerie and strange to look at. The cinematography keeps the film entertaining. Yes, there will very likely be a sequel. It is also unique that this film used an unpopular cast. Maika Monroe played the role of Jay Height. She was able to pull of fear and sadness. However, the rest of the time she just felt uninteresting on screen. 

I give this film 3 out of 5 stars! It has some creepy images, but doesn't provide any major scares.

This film can be seen on DVD.

Answer to last blog: Actress Wei Tang and actor Leehom Wang worked together on the film Lust, Caution.

Que: What other film has actress Maika Monroe starred in?

Age of Ice

Its Kind of a Funny Story

The Guest

Innocence

Blackhat

Caution: This Might Contain Spoilers!

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Furloughed convict, Nick Hathaway, joins the FBI in a case to hunt down the criminal controlling a RAT (Remote Access Tool) "blackhat". Nick must work with American and Chinese associates, and travel to various regions of the world, to hunt down this criminal.

This film was directed by Michael Mann. This films tries to make a technological thriller into a fast paced thriller. It even features a known action star as its title character. However, to make a story like this believable you cannot turn it into an action thriller. Particularly, when the technical jargon that is used to explain this film is wrong. Hackers do not have heroic fights. This film also generates a lack of character relationships. None of the characters provide a bond that will make audiences feel for them. To make it worse, there isn't enough build to hate the villains. The main villain's henchmen is more hated, and that's only because he got more screen time. To make it worse, it feels like cheap writing was used to create shortcuts in the story. Chris Hemsworth played the role of Nick Hathaway. He was decent in the role, but seemed to lack any real motivation. Wei Tang played the role of Chen Lien. She was a good supporting actress for Hemsworth, but felt like the most useless character in the film. Leehom Wang played the role of Chen Dawai. He was good as a secondary supporting role-even though he didn't really stand out.

I give this film 2 out of 5 stars! Its poorly written and standard acting hurt this film. 

It can be seen on DVD.

Answer to last blog: Director Jaco Van Dormael, Mr. Nobody, directed the film The Eight Day.

Que: What other film has actress Wei Tang and actor Leehom Wang starred in together?

Lust, Caution

The Golden Era

My Lucky Star

All

Mr. Nobody

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Nemo Nobody (Craft) was born with the ability to see what path his life choices will take. At a critical junction, he stands on a platform trying to decide if he should board the train to join his mother or stay on the platform with his father. From this choice he constructs different variations of what could happen. He even views a future version of himself living as the last mortal within a society of quasi-immortality.

This film was directed and written by Jaco Van Dormael. This was an usual film, so it naturally received praise from critics. This story is a little complicated to explain. The heart of it is that a child is trying to make a choice. In doing so, he creates the path that each choice will lead him toward. Each path, shown sporadically throughout the film, has its heartbreak and its rewards. Humorously in the end, he decides to screw the choice of mother or father, and travels down an entirely new path (an unknowing future). However, the narrative is explained through the old dying mortal man living years into the future. It is believed that his mind is broken, but really he is just explaining what the child is discovering. Although, it really begs the question how can these people be immortal if they do not exist? There is also use of a time reversal; which felt highly unnecessary. It would make more sense if time reversed back to his original choice. Ultimately, this film's story shows that life, in all its forms, is worth living. There were also a few other bits that felt unneeded to tell this story. However, there are moments when he asking questions about life that make you wonder. Its method for telling that story can become somewhat confusing if you don't pay attention; it cuts in and out of these various choices at random intervals. One of the things I did enjoy was how each story had a different feeling with the uses of color, backdrops, and personalities. 

Jared Leto played the role of Adult Nemo and Old Nemo. His various performances of Adult Nemo and Old Nemo were great. His hidden emotions really revealed the heart character within this convoluted story. Toby Regbo played Nemo age 15. His performance was a good following to Leto's performance. Thomas Byrne played the role of Nemo age 9. For what little time he was on screen he was good. Juno Temple played the role of Anna age 15. As the first real love interest for Nemo, she was great working alongside Regbo. Her performance created a desperate and lonely character. It gave her adult version something to work with. Sarah Polley played the role of Adult Elise. The second love interest in Nemo's life was more fanatical. There were a few moments that it felt too over the top to be real, but it worked for the film. Linh-Dan Pham (Linh Dan Pam) played the role of Adult Jean. The third love interest in Nemo's life wasn't shown on screen very often, and nothing about her stood out from the rest of the crowd.

I give this film 3 out of 5 stars! It has a convoluted story that some audiences are going to love. 

This film can be seen on Netflix Instant Que.

Answer to last blog: Actress Alicia Vikander, Seventh Son, also starred in the film Ex Machina.

Que: What other film did director Jaco Van Dormael direct?

The Secret Life of Words

Chapter 27

Meadowland

The Eight Day

Seventh Son

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This film is based off the novel The last Apprentice: Revenge of the Witch (The Spook's Apprentice) written by Joseph Delaney. As the red moon rises, Mother Malkin (leader of the witches) escapes the tomb she was imprisoned in by Master Spook Gregory. Master Gregory, having lost his last apprentice, seeks young Tom (a seventh son of a seventh son) to assist him in the defeat of Mother Malkin and her followers.

This film was directed by Sergey Bodrov (Sergei Bodrov).  Okay, this is more likely better in novel format, and the novel is very different from the film. The plot remains very predictable and familiar to the genre. This film shows several unique witch type characters that are not fully explained. These characters overloaded the general story, and their lack of importance remain disheartening. There also is a lack of understanding between the character relationships. In many ways, it felt like this film was trying to hard for a child-friendly epic that contains a somewhat happy ending. Most of the graphics used for this film are good on screen. The overly dramatic acting dragged this film down. Ben Barnes played the role of Tom Ward. He was decent in this role, but it wasn't enough to give the character a feeling of importance. Jeff Bridges played the role of Master Gregory. His performance was too far over the top dramatic. Everything felt unnecessarily intense. Julianne Moore played the role of Mother Malkin. Her performance was flatlined through most of the film. Alicia Vikander played the role of Alice. She was good working alongside the other cast, but wasn't given enough time on screen to make an impact.

I give this film 2 out of 5 stars! It has the roots for an epic story, but its performances shatter this film's potential. 

This film can be seen on DVD.

Answer to last blog: Actress Abigail Breslin, Maggie, starred in the zombie film Zombieland.

Que: What other film has actress Alicia Vikander stared in?

The Big Wedding

Ex Machina

Still Alice

A Yakuza Daughter Never Cries

Maggie

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In a post apocalyptic future, many people have become infected with the Necroambulist virus (a zombie-like virus). Maggie Vogel becomes infected with the slow acting virus. Her father, Wade Vogel, brings her home and tries to help through the effects of the virus.

This film was directed by Henry Hobson. This film is unexpectedly different for several reasons. First being, even though this is a zombie film it is not a horror film. There are no scares, nor any thrills. This film is a dramatic virus about a daughter who has gained a deadly virus. Secondly, it is not an action film. Even though Arnold Schwarzenegger is one of the leading characters in a zombie film, there is very little action. What little action there is-is only used to further the stories emotional territory. With that in mind, it has a new approach to zombie stories in that we purely see the emotional toll this virus takes on families. It also shows how a struggling society tries to survive. The make-up for the zombie transformation was simple and great on screen. There isn't any sexuality, and very little violence. Even though there is a lot hindering the actors performances, it still allows an emotional connection to the characters. Arnold Schwarzenegger played the role of Wade Vogel. In this very different role, he manages to show that he can do more than just fight. He also manages to look decent on screen for his age. Abigail Breslin played the role of Maggie Vogel. Returning to the zombie genre has worked for her. She is able to show the character's struggle underneath her strength. 

I give this film 3 out of 5 stars! It is a decent sincere zombie story. It presents a different aspect to the genre outside of horror and action.

This film can be found on DVD.

Answer to last blog: Director Peyton Reed, Ant-Man, directed the film Yes Man.

Que: What other Zombie film has actress Abigail Breslin stared in?

Resident Evil: Afterlife

World War Z

Zombieland

Diary of the Dead

Ant-Man

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This film is based off the Marvel comic characters Scott Lang and Hank Pym. Scott is brought into Pym's plan for stopping Darren Cross from re-creating the Ant-Man suit (Yellowjacket) after a failed robbery attempt of the Ant-Man suit.

This film was directed by Peyton Reed. The Marvel-Disney universe has continued to expand by bringing many hero's to the big and small screen in such rapid succession that many audiences are starting to become tired. After the Avenger's films many audiences are expecting a lot more than a standard hero origin story. That aside, this origin story does bring a few new things to the table that haven't been seen in others. Firstly, this film is very aware of the remaining Marvel-Disney universe that it includes a lot of it.  S.H.I.E.L.D. and Hydra both make an appearance in this film. However, Hydra has become overused at this point. The story also doesn't have a perfect hero. He's a released prisoner that continues walking a fine line between criminal and hero. Even though he refuses to kill anyone, and only steals to do good, it is still fairly easy to say that he is still a criminal. The origin story was also very comedic and heartfelt family story instead of dramatic. Even though it is predictable, it is still enjoyable. There is some good action, and some great computer animation. The cinematography frequently follows the character's growing and shrieking, so it can become disorienting to some audiences. There aren't any official plans for a sequel (even though the two end credit clips promise him appearing in other franchise films). 

Paul Rudd played the role of Scott Lang/Ant-Man. Even though I really wanted to see Nathan Fillion in this role, Rudd was great on screen. He had the sensitivity and the humor to pull it off. Michael Douglas played the role of Dr. Hank Prym. He was unexpectedly humorous, and a decent scientist mentor. Evangeline Lily played the role of Hope van Dyne. There was very little to emotionally connect audiences to this character. She was good working opposite Rudd. Corey Stoll played the role of Darren Cross/Yellowjacket. He was a decent villain, but not the greatest. He worked to carry the film's story, but nothing about him was frightening.

I give this film 4 out of 5 stars! It isn't the best hero film out there, but it still has a great story.

This film can be seen in theaters. 

Answer to last blog: Director Neil Bloomkamp has directed 3 films that feature actor Sharito Copley.

Que: What other film has director Peyton Reed directed?

Dumb and Dumber To

The Incredible Burt Wonderstone

Yes Man

Mr. Popper's Penguins