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Hellboy II, a review by Dragonfire

The fate of mankind hangs in the balance when a ruthless prince awakens an unstoppable army of creatures and wages war with the human world.  It's up to Hellboy and his team of paranormal outcasts to face off with the forces of darkness in the ultimate battle of good versus evil!

My Thoughts

I liked the first movie featuring Hellboy and I liked this one as well.  This movie connected to the first one well while still having a different, unique plot.  Certain things about the characters would make more sense if the movies were watched in order.  I did think that some elements were liked things that Guillerno del Toro used in Pan's Labyrinth.  The fantasy things worked well in Hellboy's world.  The movie was very entertaining, with great special effects, interesting action scenes, and an interesting plot.  There was some humor used here and there throughout the movie as well that I thought worked well.  I know some didn't care for it, but I liked the scene when Hellboy got Abe to drink beer and they started singing along to a Barry Manilow song.  People who liked the first movie should give this one a chance. 

 

(From My November Alphabet Marathon on November 14th, 2008)

Caribe, a review by Danae Cassandra

Where We Are:  Costa Rica
wikipedia

What We Watched:


Caribe
Year of Release:  2004
Directed By:  Esteban Ramirez
Genre:  Drama
Starring:  Jorge Perugorria, Cuca Escribano, Maya Zapata

Overview
This tantalizing tale of passion and betrayal created a sensation when it was first released. With its atmosphere of unspoiled tropical beaches and an unforgettable cast featuring the charismatic Jorge Perugorria (Strawberry & Chocolate) as Vicente and the seductive Maya Zapata (Bordertown) as his lover Irene, CARIBE casts an intoxicating spell. While Vicente experiences a passion like none he has ever before experienced, his life hangs in the balance as an American oil company threatens to destroy him unless he betrays the country he loves.

My Thoughts:
This is a film about a man's life as it falls apart, and about how corporate mentality destroys lives.  Vincente is a good man with a happy life, a wonderful relationship with his wife, and a beautiful banana plantation.  An oil company wants to drill off the coast of Costa Rica and the local people, including Vincente oppose it.  Then the exporter that buys Vincente's bananas tells him they can no longer do so, because corporate wants more profit.  Vincente, now faced with losing his plantation, is tempted to take work from the oil company to save it.  As he is tempted in one area, he is tempted in another, by his wife's beautiful half-sister, Irene, who has come to visit.  And when gives into one temptation, he gives into the other, his personal life paralleling his professional one.

This was a good film, but not without its flaws.  It seemed disjointed, as if the filmmaker wasn't certain which story he wanted to tell:  that of the fight against the oil company or that of the love triangle between Vincente, Irene and Abigail.  Or that the filmmaker wanted to tell the love triangle story but thought his film needed more than that.  The flow wasn't always the best and the two stories could have been interwoven better.  You could see the filmmaker tried to do so, because there are obvious parallels and connections between the two stories in Vincente's life.  You also know it isn't going to end well, because Vincente has fallen in love with one woman while he still loves another.  However Vincente's ending feels forced, but there were few ways for the filmmaker to get out of the situation he had created.  I was pleased to see that the two women patched up their relationship at the end, however.

I liked the acting in the film.  I felt all of the three leads did a good job and I understood and sympathized with each of them.  The camera work was average, but Caribe did a good job at showcasing the beauty of Costa Rica and its environment, and what the people had to lose with the entre of oil extraction.

Bechdel Test:  Pass, but barely.  Irene & Abigail talk about their mother, but most of their conversations are about Vincente.

Overall: 2.75/5

(From Around the World in 86 Movies on March 5th, 2012)

The Flash Marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

Guest Stars:
Vito D'Ambrosio as Bellows
Biff Manard as Murphy
Jonathan Brandis as Terry
Perrey Reeves as Pepper
Michele Lamar Richards as Joan Sullivan

My Thoughts:
Another good episode. The bad guy in this one is a bit over the top... but that is to be expected in a show like this. I liked the kids in this one. They did a fine job.

My Rating:

(From The Flash Marathon on April 11th, 2010)