DVD Review: Hatchet II

Starring: Danielle Harris, Tony Todd, Kane Hodder

Directed by: Adam Green

Plot: After escaping the clutches of deformed swamp dweller Victor Crowley, Marybeth (Harris) enlists the help of voodoo man Reverend Zombie (Todd) and a group of unsuspecting croc hunters to rid the wasteland of the rampant murderer.

Horror fans all over the globe have come to know writer/director Adam Green as the man that was to thank for bringing old school American horror back to our screens in the form of the viciously blood-thirsty super-villain Victor Crowley. Reuniting with Hodder (the man behind the deformed mask), Green returns four years later with Hatchet II, picking up the second the original ended with Marybeth, a quiet but hot tempered girl in search for her family, at the clutches of the beast.

Harris (known, most probably, as Michael Myer's niece in Halloween 4 and 5) takes over the role from previous heroine Tamara Feldman, but with the script at a predictably lesser advantage than the first the character lets slip all sense of vulnerability and issues an overwhelmingly annoying and unconvincing relay of moans and whining tones. Still, while Feldman bagged certain aspects, she's nothing against Harris' sharp, brutal screams and enthusiasm towards the more physically demanding scenes -- the last scene springs instantly to mind. Other than Harris, the only true stand-out cast member is of course Hodder. Working previously on a few Friday the 13th films, his brawn-like stance is built for villains of Crowley's stature, forcefully positioning helpless victims into scenarios where an uncountable amount of limbs are destined to be viciously torn off, accompanied by the comedic and outlandishly perfect shot of what i can only assume is a gallon of 'blood' being thrown against an almost idyllically arranged tree.

Much like the first, the script is amusingly brainless, but Green knows this. His tongue-in-cheek nature towards Victor Crowley's carnage is what lights the screen, mixing humour -- albeit cheap shots at a formulaic joke -- with his horrendously brilliant, unsurpassably extravagant array of jaw-dropping, laugh-out-loud deaths. I mean, only Adam Green could write in a chainsaw seesaw and make it as cringe-inducing but so over-the-top that it sparks an applause. For doing so, it's hard not to praise him.

His B-grade charms may fall second best due to a lackluster script and odd editing, but his talents don't go unappreciated, especially by those who admired the original. A ferociously entertaining, excessively gory slasher featuring, if i'm correct, 17 on-screen death scenes. Well, to make it in the horror bizz, you've got to up your game. Hatchet II doesn't redefine the slasher genre, but it's one hell of a fun ride. Long live Victor Crowley, your handy hatchet and that damn impressive ten-foot chainsaw!

3/5

This Week's DVD/Blu-ray Choice, November 22nd

This week's chosen release is, unsurprisingly, Pixar's smash-hit Toy Story 3.

Pixar's highly anticipated sequel -- carrying on the story of Woody, Buzz and co. after a pro-longed eleven years -- beat all expectations and box office numbers, with Lee Unkrich, Pixar's handyman, helming the project. Astoundingly, the story was as invigorating and as fresh as any other stand-alone film, bringing life to the toys that have unfortunately been left behind by their owner, Andy. Unintentionally shipped off to Sunnyside Daycare Centre, our toys must battle it out with Lotso, a strawberry scented cuddly toy whose previous life with his owner left him miserable and deluded. An immensely enjoyable, hilarious and brilliantly heartfelt farewell to the toys. This is Pixar, a blu-ray purchase is recommended.

Honourable Mentions:

Thankfully the only other release this week is Nativity, a heartwarming Christmas tale of one grouchy teacher (Martin Freeman) coming to terms with the nativity play he has to plan. Full of uplifting musical numbers and cutesy kids to warm the hearts of those wishing for a delightful Christmas flick to tide themselves over for the 25th.

DVD Review: The Reef

Starring: Damian Walshe-Howling, Zoe Naylor, Gyton Grantley, Adrienne Pickering

Directed by: Andrew Traucki

Plot: With their sailboat capsized along the Great Barrier Reef, the crew attempt to swim to a nearby island. Unbeknownst to them, a 15-foot great white shark is stalking them.

Those who've seen Traucki's previous creature feature Black Water will know exactly what they're in for. Bold enough to evade CG and animatronics and use the real thing -- crocodiles for Black Water and now sharks for The Reef -- proves most profitable, with intensity levels cranked sky high and the believability factor laying within the reactions of those stranded in the ocean.

Starring a cast of fairly unknown actors, it's an unmissable fact how simplistic the script is, consisting of solely whimpers, cries of help and moaning about how pissed off they are and whose fault it was -- much like the 2003's indie thriller Open Water. Thankfully, where The Reef sets itself apart from Open Water is with the characters themselves. These are characters you can truly level with, despite little to almost no background story. They're faced with a life-or-death situation, and we're hurtled along on the risky adventure with them. Once realisation of a mysterious entity following them sets in, all hell breaks loose when said entity shows its ominous fin, triggering a trail of panicked splashes followed by blood.

As intense as the third act is, it never truly beats how deeply unnerving the first two are. Swimming to what they hope is safety, the countless shots of the deep unknown are chilling. Casting shots on the never-ending surface in hope of some sign of where our hopeful survivors lay, yet the only reassurance they can rest upon is, at first, splashes in the distance.

A simply pieced together thriller that contains real bite, with enough live-action stock footage of great white sharks doing what they do best, all successfully frightening enough to thwart any person who plans on swimming along the Great Barrier Reef any time soon. The 'based on a true story' aspect surely is enough to send chills...

3/5

Cinema Review: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part One

"These are dark times, there is no denying," exclaims Bill Nighy's Minister of Magic, an enthusiastic but sadly deluded leader forced into an unfortunate circumstance, bowing out to the dark Lord Voldemort and his minions and forcing his oppression on others in search of Harry Potter and all those wishing to help him. This is the world all wizards, witches, elves, dwarves and even muggles are unfortunately a part of now; an extremely troubled, more sinister advancement compared to the almost angelic world we were faced with in 'Philosopher's Stone'.

J.K. Rowling's renowned books depicting a young wizard destined to avenge the death of his parents is worldwide for its creativity and sheer spellbinding nature, capturing audiences all over the world for the past thirteen years. The latest triggers off the end of an era, the first segment of the inevitable finale most have been dreading in hope it doesn't end, or some, though i assume only a few, have been eagerly anticipating its demise; Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part One.

Forced as outlaws, Harry, Ron and Hermione unwillingly leave the comfort of their homes in search of the five remaining horcruxes (objects holding one of several pieces of Voldemort's soul), leaving them to fend for themselves, evading snatchers, death eaters and any other loyal servant to Voldemort himself.

Undoubtedly the darkest entry of the franchise, the familiar, cosy setting of Hogwarts is sadly absent, leaving our three, now fully grown, characters truly on their own with little-to-no hope of where to find and destroy these horcruxes that contains the only true way of abolising Voldemort once and for all. Once thrown on this perilous journey, the film is entirely character based, with the connection between our three heroes never appearing as strong as featured in Deathly Hallows: Part One. Believable in almost every aspect, their friendship on and off-screen is partially the reason the entire franchise works so well. Under the watchful eye of keen director David Yates (in his third outing with the Potter clan), they've remained throughout as characters that enable full investment, and, throughout the series, have grown all the more complex, with layer upon layer providing material for the young actors to also grow, to evolve into the particularly bright, genuine actors that they've become. While Radcliffe may still struggle with some aspects, his eagerness is never gone a miss, with Watson and Grint on top form as their personal, more intimate, relationship eventually spawns in the penultimate chapter -- scenes that, while only hinted at, are overwhelmingly heartwarming. Another scene in particular featuring Radcliffe and Watson in a 'will they, won't they' scenario is unarguably poignant and a true delight to watch, breaking the tension the film is so riddled with.

Now able to Apparate, the three simply link arms and are swept off to their desired location. In doing so, Part One takes place in dozens of gorgeous but somewhat unnerving destinations, ranging from darkened forests to the indisputably unsafe Malfoy Manor to Godric Hollow, a secluded town once home to the Potter parents and the Dumbledore clan, leading to several clues and a scene that advertently jump starts the heart and proves first-hand how adult the films now are. A potentially distasteful variation compared to the grounds of Hogwarts, but change was needed for an entry as serious as this -- with a story containing elements that parallel the nazi movement, it was inevitable.

A courageous, tight-knit adaptation of Rowling's source material sparks the best in Yates. An enthralling, dark and broody epic that highlights how wondrously inventive the story truly is. While newcomers will be scratching their heads, the dedicated fans will be cheering, laughing and crying throughout and left reeling from the cliffhanger that splits the story with aimless ease. While it may be the beginning of the end, July 2011 couldn't come quicker.

5/5

Cinema Review: You Again

It's an unequivocal fact that the vast majority of 'chick flicks', or in this case a film with a central cast consisting of mainly females, are shot down due to their lack or originality, culminating in a tiresome, never-ending string of all too familiar cases of deja vu that inevitably ends its short lifespan on the back burner of painfully truthful reviews from critics that have spent years dissing the tripe that is regurgitated out of Hollywood's stomach.

You Again, the latest from family-friendly director Andy Fickman, is almost no different. An uninspired plot focusing of Marni (Veronica Mars' Kristin Bell), a successful PR pro forced to relive her high school hell once she finds out her brother is marrying the one girl that tormented her throughout her pre-adolescent years. Once her mother (Jamie Lee Curtis) is also forced to relive her past nightmare -- a nightmare in the form of former best friend Sigourney Weaver -- they both end up in a messy, dreadfully embarrassing weekend full of vengeance and enough slapstick mayhem that was undoubtedly originated in one of National Lampoon's hits.

With a passably entertaining plot, the problem the film faces on countless occasions is Moe Jelline's unarguably amateur writing, forcing the film to down-spiral in an all-too-U rated, almost child-inspired route that is consistently vapid and clichéd, failing to perform on most levels as the film it could have been if a splash of dirty humour and a more vicious array of nail scratching and name calling was included. It's almost as though Jelline and Fickmans' combined efforts were to make this year's naughtiest Disney film. With that said, the full 100 minutes is as entertaining as any film of the particular rom-com genre.

While Jelline's writing maintains its rather unambiguous state, the strong, well written female leads prove an extravagantly amount more entertaining than anything else to be featured. Bell and rival Odette Yustman illuminate the screen, floundering about the scenes whilst clashing superbly, yet are overly dramatic and camp enough to enforce the clearly melodramatic script. However, as a rivalry goes, the conflict and sheer unabashed nature between Ellen Ripley and Laurie Strode themselves takes the cake with every slice intact, despite the quick descent into a schmaltzy-saccharine manner.

Hardly ambitious, but You Again provides enough harmless laughs to light up a dull Friday night with the girls. A shrill, glitzy but consistently entertaining fair with a man-grabbing Betty White, what's not to enjoy?

3/5

Cinema Review: Skyline

The Strause Brothers -- the pair that simultaneously assisted Paul Anderson in almost destroying the Alien/Predator franchises with their renditions of Alien Vs. Predator -- attempt box office success with one of this years alien invasion flicks, depicting one unimaginably cack-handed group of predictably good looking party-goers against a force of, on one hand, extreme beauty and, on the other, a race of extremely unforgiving extra terrestrials.

Graffiti artist Jarrod (Eric Balfour) and girlfriend Elaine (Scottie Thompson) head to L.A. for a weekend of drunken fun with successful special effects artist Terry (Scrubs' Donald Faison) and his girl Candice (Brittany Daniel). The morning after, the pack are rudely awoken by bright beams of light, leaving some in an uncontrollably unresponsive state.

As a gargantuan spaceship descends from the clouds Independence Day-style, minions are released to collect those strays that they've failed to already vacuum up into it's gaping, ominous but profoundly sinister floating hell-hole. Trapped inside their multistory apartment block, the anxious group must decide whether to flee or patiently wait for help.

The set-up is as unoriginal as they come, introducing two couples we're, from what i gather from every other sci-fi flick, meant to level with from the get go. Jarrod and Elaine, the down-to-earth, partly-likable duo are thrown into personal turmoil once they uncover something life changing, whereas big-headed best friend Terry and his distinctly unpleasant and hilariously clichéd bimbo girlfriend are the genuine opposite, simply placing a ticking time bomb above their dimwitted craniums with how long they have left before being unwillingly swooped up by the evil lurking outside - the evil which, once released from the Mothership, can sprout tentacles that is an undoubtable nod to War of the Worlds. Once the action truly starts, clear stupidity gets the best of them and we're forced, also unwillingly, to watch them attempt to cling on to their blatantly unworthy and dreadfully uninteresting lives.

Character wise, there's truly nothing original about Skyline. The Strause brothers set the film up rather fantastically with the extravagant special effects -- made all the more awe-inspiring due to the small budget -- that you would normally see in a big budget, most probably 3D, post-apocalyptic epic, but newcomer writing duo Joshua Cordes and Liam O'Donnell clearly worship the likes of Roland Emmerich and H.G. Wells all too much.

Still, with the amount of face-palming occurring in the audience at the sheer audacity of the script, it's simply gob-smacking at how entertaining the final product actually is. With the top notch special effects illuminating the screen and the modernized E.T.s trying their hardest at wiping out humanity, it's the true definition of a mindless, Saturday night whiz-pop-bang-fest that Michael Bay is usually at the helm of.

Aside from the atrocious last act where the writing truly turns completely bonkers, Skyline is incontrovertibly sloppy in places, but, if expectations are low enough, provides enough thrills to hold you over for Gareth Edwards' low-budget invasion love story Monsters and Sony's competition World Invasion: Battle L.A.

2.5/5

Movie News: Scream 4 Causes Mass Anticipation!

Ghostface's long awaited return has been severely under-publicised on Great Expectations - blame the three week holiday, however, seeing as the trilogy has proven to be one of the most inventive trilogies to have cropped up in my lifespan, i have a somewhat never-ending love for Kevin Williamson's fantastically dark script and Wes Craven's keen eye for directing.

Floods of images were thrown onto the internet and welcomed by a pack of wild gore hounds, placing the latest entry -- a supposed opening for a brand new trilogy -- on one of the most anticipated of next year. With it re-defining the slasher genre in the early 90's, high, very high hopes have been placed upon it's already massive shoulders.

With a short but infuriatingly delicious teaser released at this year's Scream Awards, it was only a matter of time before a brand-new trailer was released, accompanied by the many high definition screen caps detailing Ghostface's latest band of hopeful survivors, as well as the glorious return of the three originals; heroine Sidney, damaged cop Dewey and loud-mouthed but undoubtedly lovable Gale Weathers.

Below you'll find the latest teaser for Wes Craven's latest, providing a look at the fresh faces ready for the picking, two of which include 4.3.2.1's starlet Emma Roberts and Rory Culkin, with a hopeful array of surprising, 'big name' cameos being slyly kept under wraps. True Blood star Anna Paquin and romcom favourite Kristin Bell are featured, but how many more can they fit in?

The film is set for an April 15th, 2011 UK release, leaving all of us fans reeling in anticipation.