The Film:

Jon: The international poster, the one Donny famously dubbed “best poster ever” to me on the phone on day, is in fact an eye catcher. Movies make stars, but I might be inclined to say that Odette Yustman might be a star because of that poster. It’s eerie, but features her in some whitey-tighties which have caused a stir. When the scene came on early in the film, the one from the poster, you could hear a few men get excited. It’s a great poster.

Donny: That poster IS the best poster ever! I could stare at Odette Yustman’s derrière all day long. My Lord, that girl has got an awesome backside, and I have to give it to the films publicity team for realizing the production value Odette was able to bring to the film’s poster. After seeing that amazing poster I started counting the days until the flicks release. All I can really say is that it is a competently shot film, with a competent cast and a decent script. On paper this flick has the makings of a killer film, but the truth is that it’s pretty bland. Basically a babysitter is stalked by an evil Jewish demon instead of a mask wearing maniac that likes to kill on holidays. Formulaic is the word that comes to mind when I think about this movie. Not that there’s anything wrong with formulaic movies. I love the holiday slasher films, and I love a good ghost story as well, but this one didn’t bring a truly memorable villain to the table. And in my opinion that is what makes an awesome horror movie, a memorable villain.

On the bright side, the exorcism scene was pretty cool, Odette was stunning in every scene, and Gary Oldman was also pretty good as Rabbi Sendak. The film wasn’t all that bad. I’m just getting tired of people walking on all fours, and other J-horror mainstays that seem to be creeping into most horror flicks lately. It is definitely better than a lot of the other PG-13 horror that has hit the screens lately, but it just didn’t pack enough punch or originality to keep me interested for long.

Jon: Yeah I agree with Donny here. As a PG-13 horror film, it’s okay. I think with an R-rating though, Goyer could’ve been freed to explore some ideas further, possibly making a better film. To me, ghost films aren’t that scary. I’m sorry, I know most people do like them, I don’t. Now this film has a great idea about possession but not the Christianity form, rather a Jewish demon, which I really wanted to see more of.

Odette is good, as is Oldman, even though there’s nothing in the script to let him chew on. I liked the final third of the film a lot. The build up a bit slow, even with the ghostly doings, so when we get to the exorcism, the film opens up to some action and terror. I was hoping for more of this, I think the trailer promises more of this which we didn’t get.

I know we sound down on the film. I’m sure more websites are going to be way more brutal. I don’t think the film deserves it be harshly written off. Donny didn’t like the dogs, I did. There is one cool violent piece that happens to Odette and her mom which was cool. Unborn needed one more rewrite, as I think we expected more than we got.

The Blu Ray:

Audio/Video: Universal offers up a pretty decent looking high def transfer. The film is draped in blu hues, and all of that looks really good. I expected this to look good and it is. Even better is the DTS track; aggressive rear activity, heavy bass, clear dialogue, all in all a superb audio track.

Deleted Scenes: In HD, runs 7 minutes.

Conclusion: Lacking decent extras, the disc is really good looking/sounding, but the film is ho-hum ghost fare.

The Film: Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

The Blu Ray: Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

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Time flies when you are watching movies-a lot of movies, and 2009 has already reached its halfway point. Here at Killer Film, we try to catch as much of the films being released as possible, and we would like to present our 2009 Mid Year Report. Keep it mind, this is only what we have seen, and we can safely say we wish we’ve seen more, but we do still have the second half of the year to catch up. Without further ado, here’s our take of 2009 so far.

Quick Thoughts on the Year so far…

Donny: While I love horror, drama, documentary, and every other genre of film out there, my favorite by far is comedy.  In my opinion there is nothing better than watching good joke unfold on screen, but on the other hand if said joke doesn’t work (Year One) then my beloved genre falls flat on its face.  Luckily, this year we’ve had some amazing comedies grace us with their undeniable funny.  So far my favorites include; The Hangover, Adventureland, I Love You, Man, and the awesome direct to DVD 18 Year Old Virgin.  I’m also looking forward to Funny People and I want to see mega-hottie Megan Fox in Jennifer’s Body.  Lets hope the rest of the year offers up the good to make this year more than mediocre.  

Jon: I think so far, it’s been a decent year as of July 1st. A few select films are really worth seeing, others are okay. I suspect the rest of the year will have great documentaries, as I haven’t seen much so far released this year. I have enjoyed seeing studios taking chances on unique films like Watchmen, Observe and Report, and The Hangover, and that’s refreshing. 3-D films have been big and constantly pushed, a trend we will see more of. For the most part, 2009 started off slow, for me, and is just now picking up. See you all at the end of the year!

Serena: Being a huge horror aficionada, I was disappointed by the initial lackluster horror films slashing their way to the big screen, but I was quite surprised by how exceptionally well done the mainstream horror fare was this year. I also was blown away by some hidden gems like Pontypool, Dead Snow and The Children (my fave film of 2009 so far) that all reminded us why foreign films are owning the horror genre these days.  However, most of the big budget anticipated action films of 2009 have all left a bad taste in this reviewer’s mouth.  So far 2009’s films are a far cry from last year’s jam-packed list, but I’m looking forward to being entertained by Jake West’s Doghouse, Diablo Cody’s anticipated horror follow-up, Jennifer’s Body and to see how Juno is going to react to being left for dead in a cave in The Descent 2. 

Now, to the good stuff….

Best Films

Donny: The Hangover, I Love You, Man, Adventureland , Che

Jon: Pixar’s Up, Goodbye Solo, and Che

Serena: The Children,  Pontypool, The Last House on the Left, Drag me to Hell

Worst Films

Donny: Paul Blart: Mall Cop, Bride Wars, Street Fighter: Legend of Chun-Li

Jon: Pink Panther 2, Paul Blart: Mall Cop, and Street Fighter: Legend of Chun-Li

Serena: Bride Wars, Obsessed and Transformers 2 (sorry Donny! )

One Honorable Mention Pick

Donny: Downloading Nancy

Jon: The Girlfriend Experience 

Serena:  Downloading Nancy

Best Comedy

Donny: I Love You, Man

Jon: I Love You, Man

Serena: I Love You, Man

Best Horror:

Donny: Drag Me to Hell

Jon: Drag Me to Hell

Serena: The Children

Best Limited Release/Direct-to-DVD

Donny: 18 Year Old Virgin

Jon: Medicine for Melancholy

Serena: Pontypool

Best Direct-to-DVD Horror Film

Donny: Laid to Rest

Jon: Laid to Rest

Serena: Acolytes

Best 2008 Film Seen in 2009

Donny: How to Alienate People and Lose Friends

Jon: Waltz with Bashir

Serena: How to Alienate People and Lose Friends

One Film We Regrettably Missed 

Donny: Pontypool

Jon: Hunger

Serena: Adventureland

One Film We are Glad We Missed

Donny: Dance Flick

Jon: Dance Flick 

Serena: The Unborn

Well, we said ours, so what are yours? Tell us in the forums, comment below, or email us at donny@killerfilm.com and jon@killerfilm.com . Keep it here at Killer Film for more reviews, features, interviews, and news, and see you at the movies!

Is Hollywood Just Recycling the Same Movies?

After watching many people do their part to lead eco-friendly lives by implementing the three R’s on Earth Day, it occurred to me that Hollywood has also been employing the three R’s into its films. In recent years, we have seen Hollywood reduce the rating, reuse the name and recycle the premise of countless films, however, there is nothing eco-friendly about reprocessed entertainment. In fact, it has become the film industry’s ironic way of littering. 

These days it seems that Hollywood puts as much effort into its film projects as a male sports fanatic does while wiping his ass in a bathroom stall during a live event and the results are generally the same—lazy, sloppy and generally only have embarrassing skid marks to show for it. 

Although the myriad of remakes and sequels are generally guilty of this hindering phenomenon, it is the so called “original” and stand alone films that are supportive and accountable for the creativity being sucked out of cinema today. This year alone, I have discovered a group of films with stories that we have seem numerous times before, only proving to be unofficial remakes without the copyright infringement. Here are some examples that show how 2009 is the year of cinematic déjà vu.

Obsessive and Psychotic Women Films

Every few years or so, we are reminded how gosh darn emotional women can get and we have Glenn Close’s infamous and crazy character in Fatal Attraction to thank for that. Being a member of the fairer sex, I have always cursed that film because it gave women a bad name. Although with the introduction of the “f*ck buddy” phenomenon that has affected many lives in recent years, (thanks Sex and the City!) I have seen all of my female friends and acquaintances who have been jilted at one point pull off revenge tactics as pathetic as conveniently “missing” periods, to as extreme as “suicide” attempts involving too many Menstrual Tylenol pills on an empty stomach. These chaotic emotional turns are why movies like this month’s Obsessed will continue to flourish at the box office. The only good that will come of this will be for men to reconsider ending their convenient winter relationships so quickly. 

Age Switch Films

After Big, did we really NEED another film about someone miraculously (and might I add implausibly) ageing forwards and/or backwards overnight?  After watching Jennifer Garner, Mark Ruffalo and Gollum foolishly recreate the “Thriller” dance in 2004’s Big rip-off 13 Going on 30, you would think audiences would be scarred enough, but 2009’s 17 Again has proven that viewers are gluttons for punishment. How people could think predictable and immature dialogue, unknowing incestuous crushes and a geek to chic story is still engaging today is beyond me. If I had to watch 17 Again, I would want to be ‘2 hours younger again’ after the film was through.

Bloated Political Thrillers

Every year, we are introduced to yet another political thriller with an ensemble cast that is guaranteed to win over high and mighty critics and bore general viewers. This year is no exception with Kevin Macdonald’s State of Play.  I have seen enough of these bloated films to know there are certain rules that they usually always abide by.

Rule 1: The least shown celebrity in the film is the villain.

 Rule 2: The most exciting and gripping sequence will take place in a parking garage.

Rule 3: The end will not resolve any romantic subplot in the film.

Rule 4: There will be at least two red herrings that are as easy to spot as Tori Spelling’s eating disorder. 

If you still succumb to watching celebrities blatantly trying to win Oscar nominations for these glorified paycheck films in the theatres, please feel free to go to the washroom when the “pregnancy test-friendly” fountain sodas hit your bladder and treat yourself to a huge bag of popcorn, because it will most likely be the only thing you will remember about the film.

Interracial Romance Dramas

Since watching Katherine Houghton’s character bring Sidney Poitier home to meet her parents in 1967’s Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, the world has been made fully aware how taboo the subject of interracial dating can be. Although despite the fact that times have changed and we have a biracial President in Office, movies like 2009’s Hilary Duff’s interracial teen drama Greta are still being made. 

Being biracial myself, I always welcome movies about interracial relationships, but I’m actually really tired of seeing films ABOUT the STRUGGLES of being in an interracial relationship. Being half white and half black, I have dealt with different things, but since I’ve always been and always will be in interracial relationships, I can honestly tell you that majority of people don’t get offended by seeing two people together from different cultures or backgrounds anymore. In fact where I’m from, it’s actually rare to see two people of the same race together nowadays. (We’re not living in the fifties anymore!)

That’s probably why I liked the show Heroes so much. (*Note the word ‘liked.’) The show actually has characters in interracial relationships and they don’t deal with the struggles of being in one. They’re just right for each other, and that’s all. Although racism still exists, (it will never go away) it’s not a factor that affects my life everyday. I would really like movies to actually do what Heroes does, instead of constantly writing the dated and stereotypical “good wholesome white girl falling for a black guy from the streets” story we have seen time and time again. 

PG-13 Hauntings and American J-Horror Rip-offs

Since 2000’s American remake The Ring scared viewers world-wide, the J-Horror remake trend took over the horror genre, but now that French and British horror films have been ironically winning over horror geeks everywhere, the always inferior J-horror remakes have been thankfully disappearing. Unfortunately this has led to many films that homage many J-horror films.  If that’s not enough, viewers are still being put through CW-infused PG-13 “based on actual events” haunting films as well and it makes the devout horror geek inside want to scream. This year’s The Unborn, The Haunting in Connecticut and even Sam Raimi’s upcoming and highly anticipated Drag me to Hell all display signs of J-horror and haunting overload. There has got to be something scarier than seeing dead women with stringy black hair, CGI ghosts and strategically placed boo scares all the time.

Home Invasions Films Involving Tigers and Hurricanes 

Okay…that hasn’t been done before, but seriously there is an upcoming horror film called Burning Bright this year involving Garrett Dillahunt and a brother and sister hiding from a tiger in their house during a hurricane storm. I am sold on the premise alone.  I just wanted an excuse to bring this to readers’ attentions.

Despite Hollywood seeming to be completely devoid of ingenuity these days, it is the viewers that essentially keep the recycled film industry alive.  Instead of spending your hard earned dollars at the theatres of films that are rip-offs of better films that you could get in the bargain bin at Wal-Mart, why not support independent features that actually put some effort into stimulating your brain? I say this because if I have to write about another inspirational teacher movie with a hip-hop soundtrack that accompanies it…I will most likely start a protest after some much needed puking.  

This weekends top films were:

Paul Blart: Mall Cop……………….33.8 million

Gran Torino………………………….22.2 million

My Bloody Valentine 3D………….21.9 million

Notorious…………………………….21.5 million

Hotel for Dogs………………………17.7 million

Bride Wars……………………………11.7 million

The Unborn………………………….9.8 million

Defiance……………………………..9.2 million

Marley and Me……………………..6.3 million

Slumdog Millionaire………………5.9 million

Source Empire