the wrathful dove

Friday night, Melinda and I went to see the new horror film The Strangers starring Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman. While it was a mistake to have taken Melinda along with me (it was definitely not her type of movie), I thoroughly enjoyed this a great little horror film from a first time writer/director as it delivered great suspense and chills with very little blood, but ample amounts of psychological manipulation. Also, kudos go out to the two leads who used some excellent acting chops to deliver us a believable couple experiencing one hell of a nasty night.

I highly recommend this film to anyone who loves being scared and disturbed. I consider it in the same vein as true genre gems like the original The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Halloween, The Shining, and The Descent - all films that know how to deliver the goods when it comes to creepiness, tension, and that illusive tone of pure doomed dread. 

So my wife and I went to see the latest Harry Potter film last evening.

I am not a hardcore Harry Potter fan. When the original film came out, I had never read any of the books as I don’t tend to read children’s books, although I had heard that they were rather good from some of our friends. However, the 2001 film won me over for its excellence and its since of wonder. When the second movie finally loomed near, my wife and I read the first book, and thereafter, we adopted this pattern for our Potter consumption: read the novel from which the previous movie was adapted to refresh our memories and then see the lastest film entry.

Our pattern was doomed to failure as we continued to enjoy the successive film adaptions. After watching Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, my wife could wait no more and she plunged ahead devouring books 4-6. Seeing as I didn’t want to risk having the story spoiled for me accidentally and seeing as my wife was eager to discuss the books, I too followed her in this reading endeavor and found myself enjoying every moment of the series.
Read more

Transformer fans rejoice!

Lovers of awesome action packed spectacle rejoice!

Michael Bay has delivered us one hell of a cinematic roller coaster ride. This Transfan just had the pleasure of seeing a sneak preview of the new film that starts everywhere on July 3 (although there are some early showings on July 2 at 8PM and midnight) and I walked out of the movie theater with a great big smile on my face. Even the fact that it was pouring down rain and my car was a football field away from the entrance to the movie theater couldn’t dampen my parade after this movie.

This film delivers the goods on all accounts and delivers them in a big way! The action is fantastic, the special effects are perfect, and surprisingly enough (in such an action special effects driven feature) the actors all turn in great performances that add that extra special touch to the film. Also, the humor works very well and is satisfying and natural instead of silly and forced.

Transformer fans will be pleased and yet people who don’t have a clue who Optimus Prime or Megatron are will enjoy this ride, too judging by the enthusiastic reaction of my friend who knew nothing going into the film other than that it was a movie that featured giant transforming robots.

About the only small complaint that I can offer is that they did such a great job with setting up the story and bringing the Transformers into the picture that they wind up having too little time in the epic finale to develop any of the Decepticon characters to the degree that lovers of the comic and show will remember. However, I’m sure that this will be rectified in the sequel that is hinted at by the movie’s final minutes.

Go see this movie as soon as you can! You’ll have a blast. So far this has been the best time at the movies all year for yours truly. What a great movie! Thank you, Michael Bay.