How movies piss me off (689 hits)
Category: NoneRating: 1.33 on 6 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by <oleannder.at.hotmail.com> (View user info) at 2004-06-11 12:48:21 EDT
**** Spoilers Abound ****** (maybe)
As many of my friends will tell you - never ever watch a mystery or horror with me as I will have figured out the whodunnit portion within the first 10 mins & then tell the person I am with. I spoil everything. I should be killed. Seriously, please just go ahead & kill me if we ever watch a movie together. You will be sparing everyone I know from 2 hours of sitting in a theatre for no reason.
It's not that I want to ruin their movie experience, it's more like I want to see if I'm right about how it ends & I need a witness to verify my glory. I am a complete freak & although it's something that I'm working on I don't think I will ever get over it.
Which brings me to the point of this sad little post. Movies need to get a little more creative when it comes to mystery or horror flicks. I have seen two movies recently which help demonstrate both sides of the argument.
I think that there has been a total of one movie in the last 3 years that kept me guessing until the end. Identity. Not one of the greatest films of all time, but I enjoyed it because I couldn't guess the movie twist. Sure we find it out a good 15 mins before the movie actually ends but I was very surprised. It's refreshing when I can't figure out the ending in advance. Anywhoo... it's not a 'big think' movie but you still do need to pay attention to everything.
John Cusack once again has a great role with some real depth to it. Ray Liotta was convincing as the movies 'psychopath'. In fact I didn't even vomit when I saw Jake Busey on the screen - a great accomplishment for me (as any one who has had the misfortune of seeing 'Fast Sofa' will agree).
This film had a lot of promise even if it was jumpy & a bit thin in certain areas. It was very well thought out & the end was a shock for once. Which brings me to Gothika.
I had this figured out by the first time we see Charles S. Dutton on screen & are supposed to believe that he is married to Halle Berry. What?? These two show as much real love for each other as Michael & Lisa Marie did so you know that something just isn't right in Happyville. I am not a lesbian but if I were a guy married to Halle Berry we would never wear clothes, let alone leave the bedroom. So of course he turns out to be a sick serial killer / rapist & she is possessed by one of his victims & kills him. Duh. That the sheriff is in on it is obvious when he throws a wobbly tantrum & wings murder scene photo's at her.
And what is the deal with the end? Why is she set free? Sure she proves that her husband & his pal were evil rapist / murderers but she still killed them. When did 'possession by ghost' start to be allowed as a defense? At the very least she belongs in an institution until the end of time. Rather then spoil the 'surprise' for my boyfriend I wrote what I thought would happen down & he read it after the movie. His movie is safe & I still get my 'oooh's' & 'aaaaah's'. A happy compromise.
My point is that there is not a hell of a lot of originality in these flicks today. You know why? TOO MANY DAMNED CLUES!!!! Directors are becoming like this more & more. I have an idea for you Mr. M. Night Shyamalan... maybe this time.... DON'T add some kind of 'funky' twist to your flick. Everyone expects it from you now. We all know it's going to happen. The last surprise you gave the public was in the Sixth Sense. I knew Bruce Willis was dead 1/4 the way through this movie but it was still a treat to see because it was a pretty damned good idea.
Maybe the twist in 'The Village' should be Anna Nicole Smith popping up outta nowhere & throwing candy coated marshmallow boobies at everyone. That would scare the hell out of me.
User Reviews
Submitted by Istaros (user info) at 2004-06-12 11:17:02 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Last time Shyamalan used a twist was in Unbreakable -and Signs didn't have one.
Submitted by Falco (user info) at 2004-06-12 10:53:33 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
ID. is a good movie haha
Submitted by Avals (user info) at 2004-06-12 10:36:35 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I wonder - what did you think about Fight Club or The Usual Suspects?
Just asking. Have a +2 for a well written post.
Submitted by Yes (user info) at 2004-06-11 16:20:35 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
i do this too.
Submitted by reallybored (user info) at 2004-06-11 13:34:02 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Anne Nichole Smith got hot again. Thats awesome.
Submitted by Caulaincourt (user info) at 2004-06-11 13:29:48 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I don't have time to read this but I thought you needed some attention.
Here +2