June 26, 2007

• movies I've seen recently...

  
  1408  (2007)  B+

  We can now add another classic to the prestigious line of Stephen King adaptations. "1408" is a memorable movie that is both a great scary story as well as a psychological drama. John Cusack does an acting tour de force, playing the role of Mike Enslin, who travels around the country in search of haunted hotel rooms, despite the fact he doesn't really believe in ghosts and such. Once he stays in room 1408 though, we are brought to wonder whether the hauntings that happen to him are set up by the hotel manager; played by Samuel L. Jackson, an actual haunting, or the fact that Mike had too much to drink and is just losing his mind. The situation that Mike is in will keep you at the edge of your seat, wondering what else is going to happen. In addition, the hauntings are also reflecting Mike's personal torment about a past tragedy in his life. The movie does a great job keeping the atmosphere tense in waiting on the next scare that'll suddenly jump up on screen. 1408 may not be the movie that'll keep people from staying in hotel rooms, but it is a movie that people should definitely see.

  
  Fantastic Four: Rise Of The Silver Surfer  (2007)  B-

  Truth be told, there wasn't really a demand for another Fantastic Four movie. The first film was an average movie that had some fun, and I don't think anybody really had any high expectations for the sequel. "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer" is thankfully a better movie than the first film, and it adds on more fun and excitement to keep you entertained. Sure the whole movie isn't that special, nor is it anything to brag about, but the character of the Silver Surfer is a welcome addition to make the film stand out a bit more. The chemistry between the main four stars however is the real highlight of the movie. Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans, and Michael Chiklis, has succeeded in making a believable super hero celebrity family, to the point where I wouldn't mind seeing them in future installments together. "Rise of the Silver Surfer" is a simple film through and through, so don't take things too seriously with it, and it'll keep you entertained.

  • 10:11 am
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