Here are the first few movies I've reviewed: Buried, Let Me In and... Fido. Not sure one way or the other about seeing these movies and need a final push? Never even heard of some (frankly, I'd be surprised if you knew of Fido)? Read on and see what my take was on each.
As a FYI, my future goal is to review two movies a week, posting them on Monday. One will be currently in theaters and one available in stores (read: Netflix streaming). You're super lucky this week as I review two current movies... and one you've never heard of.
Let Me In
Brief: The story revolves around Owen, a bullied and somewhat troubled young boy, who befriends his new neighbor, a seemingly innocent young girl at odds with her "father." As their relationship grows and Owen's troubles intensify, a grisly string of murders stir up trouble in their small town and Owen slowly grows to realize his new friend is not all that she appears to be.
My Take: Let Me In is a remake of an excellent Swedish film Let the Right One In. Typically, the Hollywood remake of a foreign film is poorly executed and really didn't even need to be made. In this case, however, if you were a fan of the Swedish version, you'll be a fan of this one as well (though you'll have trouble comparing and nit-picking the minor differences between the two).
If you're new to the story entirely, watch it with the understanding that no, this |vampire| movie is nothing like Twilight. The story is entirely unique and under all the grisly bits is really focusing on very troubled, strained and unusual relationships. It does an interesting job of charming and horrifying at the same time, as the very adult issues being dealt with in the movie are put on the two doe-eyed twelve year-old children. More or less.
I thoroughly enjoyed it, but expect those that don't care for darker/edgier stories will not.
Should You See It: If you are a fan of a slow build-up, can stand a little gore (much less in the Swedish version) and can get past/don't mind the vampire element: yes. The acting is superb and the story is a unique (if dark) one, a rare find in the vampire genre. Definitely a break from the sex/violence overdrive you'll find in almost every other fang-film. Understand, however, there are no puppies or rainbows to brighten your day here.
Should Kids See This: No.(When possible, answers to this question will link to www.kids-in-mind.com so you can make that call for yourself) Though not a smut, gore or language fest (a little of each), it's also a movie aimed at an adult audience.
Buried
Brief: Paul is a U.S. contractor working in Iraq. After an attack by a group of Iraqis he wakes to find he is buried alive inside a coffin. With only a lighter and a cell phone it's a race against time to escape this claustrophobic death trap.
My Take: This is Ryan Reynolds in a box, acting his butt off for an hour and forty minutes. Minimal cuts, zero breaks from the one claustrophobic setting. Unlike other one-setting or one-actor movies, this one works really well, due entirely to the excellent camera work, pacing and above all... acting.
While I didn't care for the film overall (and it's such a simple film it's impossible to say why I didn't care for it without spoiling everything), I'm an even bigger fan of Mr. Reynolds now. There were a few moments, where he is absolutely losing it that I really, truly felt it. They were very authentic, raw and emotional moments that really carried the intensity of the film.
Should You See It: If you are even a little bit claustrophobic: no. Again, the entirety of this movie takes place in a coffin and Ryan sells it. Just a little too believable for people that have issues with small spaces. However, if you are even a little bit of a fan of Ryan Reynolds (or the director), see this film to support them. Amazing. Work.
Should Kids See This: Probably Not. Though the only real issue is the language, it's still very much an adult, intense film.
Fido
Brief: Timmy Robinson's best friend in the whole wide world is a six-foot tall rotting zombie named Fido. But when Fido eats the next-door neighbor, Mom and Dad hit the roof, and Timmy has to go to the ends of the earth to keep Fido a part of the family. A boy-and-his-dog movie for grown ups, "FIDO" will rip your heart out. My Take: Definitely unsure as to what I would find when watching this (especially considering how grotesque the cover makes the movie seem), I found Fido's extreme campy humor to be quite entertaining. I also find the film a little difficult to describe. The best I can come up with is Lassie meets Shaun of the Dead. At no point does the movie take itself seriously and most of it is pretty ridiculous (though not too gory for a zombie flick... less so even than Zombieland).
Should You See It: You'll need to be into campy humor. If you aren't, this flick probably won't hold much interest for you, but... It's free and streaming on Netflix, so I say: Yes, see this. This movie does actually contain puppies and a possible rainbow of happiness... just beware the puppy will probably try to eat you.
Should Kids See This: Probably Not. Though rather gore-lite for a zombie flick, people still do get et. There's also some creepy Mommy-Zombie "chemistry" that (bless the Lord) doesn't go anywhere. Still uber-creepy.
Below is a preview so you have SOME idea what to expect.
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