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Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, a review by Jon

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End   3/5

Blimey. This film is very long and very messy. I only have a vague idea of what was going on! However it's great fun and I loved every minute. The performances, the effects, the scale; it's an incredible achievement.

The story has certainly become more serious after the near-perfect first film and some of the interviews imply that was the intention. But it's at odds with the frequent silliness. There are a couple of scenes that are certainly a bit too daft and if anyone can list a step-by-step "Who Crossed Who" list, it would be much appreciated.

Through all it's problems, it's held together by a first class cast. Johnny Depp of course is a marvel, an absolute joy every time he's on the screen. Plus the outtakes show he stayed in character throughout, so I bet that shoot was great fun. He's backed up by Geoffrey Rush as Barbossa and their banter is hilarious as they argue over who is captain of the Black Pearl. Bill Nighy as Davy Jones is a hoot too, curling his way around every line. Kiera Knightley and Orlando Bloom don't have so much to play with, but I think they are still good. And Chow Yun Fat cuts a great image. Finally a mention for Keith Richards' much publicised cameo. He was great, though brief. Depp really did base a huge amount of Sparrow's character on him, so he had no need to act; his swagger and slurring fitted perfectly!

Gore Verbinski seemed to be going for broke on this one. The detail and scale continually threaten to drown the whole lot, but he holds it together and it's never short of spectacular. It never forgets to be funny, which is very important when the film as a whole doesn't make a lick of sense.

The ending is great. It importantly ties off the plot, but leaves several characters right back where they started. It's definitely open for a sequel of sorts, or it could be seen as a typical pirate sunset and be left at that.

I welcome a new one though. I really do. Recent part threes have all been a bloated mess and thought this is no different, it still manages to be fun. And Jack Sparrow has inspired a new signature quote! 

(From Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End on January 20th, 2008)

It's Alive, a review by Jimmy

Title : It's Alive (1973)

Overview
Our modern world is full of marvels -- but also polluted air, foods sprayed with deadly chemicals, misused drugs and hidden radioactive substances. Ever wonder how these poisons might affect a developing child in the womb? 'It's Alive' offers a shocking possibility -- and in so doing has become a creepy cult classic!

My Impression
This is one of the few movies where I feel sad for the "monster", since he isn't responsible for what he do. In fact he is only a newborn child and when he attacks someone this is just because he is affraid and wants to defend himself. The only thing he wants is to return with his parents. This is easy to make the link between this mutated baby and a real one who is deficient mentally or physically. This is not the first time that I watch this and everytime I let a couple of tears escape.

For the rest the acting is really good particullary John Ryan who gives a fantastic performance as the child's father. The script by Larry Cohen is original and you can even connect it with the Thalidomide failure in the sixties.

This film is really nuanced and it isn't just an horror movie. One last thing : watch this fast before the remake release that will completly destroy this movie and transform it as only a monster movie 
 
Rating :

Number of film watch : 15

(From My October Horror Marathon on October 6th, 2008)

Smallville Marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

9. ROGUE
The secret is out - perhaps. Clark performs a lifesaving act of superheroism, thinking there is no witnesses, but a nearby cop sees everything, and he has blackmail in mind.

My Thoughts:
This was another good episode... nothing that really stands out on it... but enjoyable.

10. SHIMMER
A servant is supposed to be invisible to their employers. But someone at Lex's mansion takes that axiom literally when he uses an invisibility potion to cloak himself during a manor-wide terror spree.

My Thoughts:
In my opinion only an ok episode. Has a couple decent moments but like the one before... nothing all that special about it.

11. HUG
His kryptonite-infused handshakeseals the deal! a manipulative, wheeler-dealer entreprenuer exerts a myseterious power over Smallville residents - and even convinces Clark's dad to sell the family farm.

My Thoughts:
This is a good episode. an interesting situation... and the first time they use the forget angle when someone finds out that Clark isn't "normal".

12. LEECH
Lets see how the other half live. After a fluke lightning strike, Clark experiences the joys and pains of a normal human existance, and a classmate suddenly has the powers once weilded by Clark.

My Thoughts:
This one is a really good episode... I enjoyed it a lot... the storyline of how another could/would handle the powers Clark possesses is an interesting one.

(From Smallville Marathon on July 31st, 2007)