Alexia Anastasio's SALOME Review

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(More customer reviews)Very stiff and self indulgent, borderline trashy and not in a cool way, even though its only thirteen minutes you'll never get that time back.

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Reel Paradise (2005) Review

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(More customer reviews)Reel Paradise features a family of four intelligent, talented, articulate people from America-parents John and Janet Pierson, daughter Georgia, and son Wyatt, who go to Fiji to reopen an abandoned movie theatre.
The effect they have on the culture of the island and the effect the island has on them produces a story that grabbed this viewer from the outset and held me to the end. Frankly, when I see two adults who are willing to tackle a project so far out in left field like this and then two children who are so witty and able to adapt to new surroundings in such a hurry, I have greater respect for my fellow human beings.
Director Steve James gives an unsparing view of the stresses and strains - and the triumphs -- of being in this situation. And the Piersons are to be commended to letting the lens peer into their homelife. Frankly, I think that they shine through the whole process. And as for Wyatt and Georgia, if I had kids, I could only hope that they would be so bright.
This film intrigues the viewer on several levels:
--Seeing the reaction of the Fiji natives to the films.
--Observing the adaptive capabilities of the Piersons.
--All the subplots like the Catholic Church's negative reaction to the Piersons giving the natives free admittance to the films and Wyatt's taking over the announcing one night, not to mention the landlord scene.
If you want to spend a couple of hours immersed in another culture, Reel Paradise is a great way to do just that.

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Award-winning director Steve James' (Hoop Dreams, Stevie) Reel Paradise tells the extraordinary story of one American family's unique adventure running a cinema in one of the most isolated villages on the planet.

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Dead at the Box Office Review

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(More customer reviews)Perhaps best known for once being the lowest rated horror film on IMDb, `Dead at the Box Office' tells the story of a struggling independent movie theatre looking for anything they can to save their beloved movie house. As if their prayers are answered, the cinema's crew discovers an old movie reel of what they believe is a classic B-movie preview. Unfortunately for them, the reel actually holds a mind-control device created by a mad Nazi scientist. Soon, the theatre is overrun by a horde of murderous, flesh-eating zombies and the employees must find a way to put a stop to the ravenous monsters.
Perhaps it's low expectations. Perhaps it's an unending passion for zombie cinema. Or perhaps it's a warped mind that has lost its ability to recognize horrible cinema. Whatever it may be. . . but I just couldn't seem to hate this movie the way so many others have. Sure, the acting is as unimpressive as can be. And sure, the writing is pretty terrible, with ridiculous dialogue and uneven pacing. And, maybe all the lame special effects could have been purchased for $10 from Party City. But, the film did seem to have some serious heart to it, not to mention a pretty wicked story. It was pretty obvious that it was made by people who love the zombie subgenre; and, for that alone, it should be placed above most other ultra low-budget horrors that have come out. Now, this isn't to say this is a good movie. No, it's a bad movie. A very bad movie. But it's far from the worst, if only due to its watchability and comedy. As long as there are films like `The Zombie Diaries' or the `Night of the Living Dead 3D' remake, `Dead at the Box Office' should be saved as the bottom-level zombie flicks.
The one thing a movie like this brings to light is the unfortunate hypocrisy that rules the film industry. It's a sad state of affairs when someone with true passion for the genre like director Shawn Sutler is forced to be stuck with z-grade inadequacy while remake hounds like Nelson McCormick get to helm multi-million dollar productions with no heart or soul whatsoever.
Perhaps one day our genre will go back to rewarding people who actually care about horror, but it seems a far way off from now.
Final Verdict: 4/10. If only for the passion behind it.
-AP3-


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Dante's Inferno Review

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(More customer reviews)Ovation TV is showing this film in their animation week. Thank you, Ovation.
As Virgil says, "I don't like puppets." But I will make an exception for this work of art. The technique is similar to the Shadow Puppetry of SE Asia. At one point, Ulysses introduces a movie of what he did after Troy. The "movie" uses the traditional shadow puppets to show Bush's fantasy of bringing democracy to the Middle East. The entire movie is clever in its use of the puppetry.
This is the ultimate message movie with heavy-handed commentary. But hey, it's Dante's tour of Hell, no subtlety needed. I have only read summaries of the original story so cannot tell you how close it is to Dante's version. Beatrice makes a token appearance. But the people shown range from Lizzie Borden to the man who set up the Jews to be blamed for the crucifying of Christ. There's even a surprise guest from the Bush Administration. Fox News provides some transportation.
Gay men are shown being forced to dance to techno music. Someone is condemned for downloading Metallica. Several Popes show up, including John Paul II. Somehow you will be offended by this movie. Get over it.
I am looking forward to owning my own copy so that I can pause the film and read the signs on the scenery.


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Hell goes animated as apocalyptic graphic novel artwork and eerie Victorian toy theater converge in this subversively satiric update of a literary classic. Reinterpreted with the use of intricately hand-drawn puppets and stunning miniature sets, this bizarre travelogue narrated by Dante, a hard-living hoodie-clad twenty-something, will take you on a gritty, violent tour of hell that bears a disturbing resemblance to our own world. Featuring the dark, mood-drenched voice of Dermot Mulroney (Zodiac, My Best Friend's Wedding) as Dante, and the wizened pipes of James Cromwell (L.A. Confidential, Six Feet Under ) as his ghostly guide, Dante s Inferno is like nothing you ve ever experienced before.

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Orson Welles in "The Hitch Hiker" (2005) Review

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(More customer reviews)Not recognizing the story by it's title, and not particularly a huge fan of animation, I plugged this DVD into my machine with only mild interest and little expectation. And within the first three minutes I was hooked! The feature itself is a mere half an hour length, and it ended way before I was ready for it to finish. The presentation evoked feelings I haven't experienced in years, with Orson Welle's commanding voice bringing me back to long car rides home from my grandparents house, sitting next to my father in the front seat, and listening to recordings of the old radio shows on the powerhouse "WJR Detroit - The Great Voice of the Great Lakes." There is a quality in the animation of this version of "The Hitch Hiker" which makes the story seem bigger and more important, like wonderful illustrations in a classic book. And there is an absolute intrigue in this production that will appeal to old and young alike. This story has been captured in various productions throughout the years, but none like this. This is a fresh and unique concept, combining the vocal performance of a master story teller with the visual allure of a gallery of wonderful renderings. I haven't finished watching all of the extras on this DVD, and I don't that I will. But the feature presentation was well worth the price, and I've shared it with many of my family and friends who are anticipating the next installment in this series as much as I am. Bravo!

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Service (2008) Review

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(More customer reviews)I like Brillante Mendoza films because of their realism. His films pull back the curtain on a side of the Philippines that most would not want the world to see.
I remember watching a news story from the Philippines last year about police raiding a theater such as the one depicted in this story. The setting for the movie is an old movie house that has seen better days.
The owner is on the verge of bankruptcy and the once large movie house (that is the setting for this story) is deteriorating. The only thing keeping the place open is the owner's ability to borrow money.
The main customers are gays and call boys who use the theater for anonymous sexual rendevous.


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Fairy Tale Theater: The Movie Review

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(More customer reviews)Having enjoyed the Fairy Tale Theater show at Martin's Fantasy Island for the past few years-it was a joy for my children and myself to be able to bring a part of it home with us. The characters are unique and the combination of puppets with people was very different. My 2 boys have watched the movie so many times I may need to order another copy. The acting is very good and the fact that is was all done using Green Screen makes it even more impressive. Very enjoyable for kids (and adults) of all ages. I highly recommend the movie.

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