Review: Let the Right One In (2008)

Yes, it does make "Twilight" look amateurish.

from Wikipedia:

Directed by Tomas Alfredson, was released in 2008 to widespread critical acclaim. An English language remake, to be directed by Matt Reeves, is scheduled for release in 2010.

I suspect the English version will lose all the subtlety and play down the issues to make it more appealing to the masses, thereby destroying the story in its entirety. It's the timid, subtle cinematographic elements of this film that give it credence. When we look into Eli the vampire's eyes and see how oddly blue they are, even in the dark; when Oskar has a sublte face twitch, or his gaze fades, or he is admiring a classmate. I suspect any English translation will lose its charm, by virtue of us American's having the subtlety of Anne Coulter at a gay pride parade.

If you like morbid-type film, you need to see this movie now. I wouldn't rate it as a thriller or a horror movie, or even a romance; it's kind of all three rolled into one. And very much a movie to watch on a hot, midsummer sunday, when you're lingering on the couch and dreaming of the snow.

This film is ultimately subtle, rarely relying in the cliché special fx we see in typical vampire movies. And perhaps more impressively, it doesn't delve into the romance of being a vampire. Eli's existence is a lonely, solitary existence, for the most part. By virtue of her vampirism, perhaps out of an analogy of outward racism, she is dejected by society and forced to live in an apartment complex similar to the projects. When she meets Oskar, the film's protagonist, we see her standing triumphantly over a busted jungle gym. This is the theme of the film, in fact: to win out, despite your oddness.

The soundtrack was so subtle that I don't even remember there being one and I didn't miss it. That, in my opinion, is the definition of subtlety.

The cinematography was excellent. I noticed no problems with lighting or failed special fx, save during one instance: cats, is all I'm gonna say. You could tell their budget got stretched there, but it wasn't so jarring to cause any permanent damage to the integrity of the film.

This is a modern-day Romeo & Juliet. Oskar is beaten by school bullies, while Eli is subjected to a life of boredom in her apartment. Only by using each other's skills will they find a way out of their pitiful lives.

If this movie fails anywhere, it's in the slow, drawling, almost dream-like way this story is told. Perhaps it is this that reminds the viewer of their own adolescence. Nevertheless, there are times when camera lingers in a place we don't want to be for a touch too long, but that's part of the beauty. I really wanted to SEE the outcome of their spree and I was left feeling as if there was no final development.

There are places the director seemed to feel comfortable, while other places he did not (or could not show us--probably due to budget constraints). If the English translation could flush out these parts, it might be good. I think if they stick to the same point of view as this film, they will do well.

Somebody give THIS movie an Academy Award, please.

Sifted: 9.5/10

Movie Review: Turistas (2006)

Okay, so we didn't watch this one with the in-law, which was probably wise, because my laughter during some of the murder scenes would have probably made her feel more than a little uneasy about me.

If you enjoy horror films, you'll probably like Turistas. No, it's not great. No, it's not even that good. But it's entertaining and, some would say, even plausible.

Plot: A group of young American backpackers in Brazil find themselves stranded after a bus accident. They hike their way to an amazing, secret club/bar on the beach and decide to stay, only to find themselves out of their element, victimized by the locals. Teaming up with one local, they end up at a house of horrors.

This film is, in fact, a modern-day version of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre, only not as good. It stars a bunch of relative nobodies, save for Josh Duhamel (who is still a relative nobody, I suppose), and Melissa George (who does a great impression of a D'Abo sister circa 1986).

There is some hearty subtext going here, with plenty of racial overtones regarding class and globalization, but it's pretty light-hearted and never really coalesces into anything preachy or worthwhile.

Turistas wasn't a bad film. It just wasn't very good. And in a genre of ever-increasing kill rates and psychotic methods of dispatch, this was relatively boring. In any event, it's worth a rental, but I would laugh at you if I saw this one in your DVD collection.

Sifted: 5/10

The Violence of the Lambs!

Check out this trailer for Black Sheep and chuckle until your diaphragm gets all numb and tingly. This makes Snakes On A Plane look downright amateurish.

Hey Matt Drudge, is this some sort of analogy for the rise of Christian Fundamentalism? Clearly, the scientists represent Atheists, right? Lol.

Britney Spears Shaves Her Head!

And here's some CNN Video of Britney sporting her new 'do.

Clearly, this is a time-shifting moment in Hollywood history. Forever, we will be forced to divide the celebrity time line between the "Pre-Sheared Spears" and "Baldy Spears" eras.

I have to confess: I love her now.

Apparently, she got a couple of tattoos at the same time. How balsy is that?

Video: Discover Foie Gras

I'm no vegetarian, and I have to confess I've often wondered how foie gras tastes. I doubt I'll be eating it anytime soon. But I wonder if there's some way to produce it that is more humane?

Warning: You might find this video disturbing.

Movie: 2001 Maniacs (2005)

Last night I decided to watch a bad horror movie. Because it's the Halloween season, I happen to have several B-flicks lingering on my DVR right now. Bad movies, like Thralls (recently aired on Spike TV) and Dracula III: Legacy. Whether or not I'll ever watch them is moot, really. I keep them there as comfort, sort of like a chubby person keeps ice cream in the freezer. And yes, I have three different flavors in there right now ... waiting.

Showtime was featuring this movie, 2001 Maniacs. It's about a group of college students who are travelling to Florida for Spring Break. On the way, they get detoured into a remote town in Georgia, where they are welcomed as the guests of honor to a celebration. Unbeknownst to them, they'll be attending an annual barbecue ... as the main course.

Every Southern stereotype is here: the southern gentleman courter; the guy who has a romantic relationship with a sheep; the lesbian kissing-cousins; the town slut; the ultra-violent, animal-torturing teenager.

Stereotypes in this film were so pervasive, in fact, that I felt a little uncomfortable and even offended. And I'm no Southerner, by any means. But like a witness to a horrible freeway accident, I couldn't take my eyes off it!

The students represented a diverse cross-section of liberal demographics. There was the freaky, interracial couple; the gay guy; the promiscuous college girl; the nerdy virgin; and the wannabe jock. Each of them are, in turn, set upon by the town folk in one horrid way or another.

This flick featured: a girl getting drawn and quartered (yes, that kind of drawn and quartered, by horses); a girl getting the southern belle treatment (upside the head); a smashing performance by someone getting cold pressed to death; a sexually suggestive skewering; death by acidic moonshine; razor-sharp horseshoes being tossed at human remains; a barbed-wire beheading; secret maggots; and yes, the always enjoyable death by fellatio.

The performances were subpar, (except maybe for Robert Englund, who is always spectacularly macabre) but I couldn't help thinking a new psycho family has been brought into the fold of horror films. This movie is a cult classic and will certainly have a sequel.

Even today, there's that annoying song playing in my head: "The South's gonna rise again! Yeehaw!"

Sifted: 6/10