The Concession Stand - October 29th 2013

Exam (2009), Life & Times Of Tim (2008), Sound Of Thunder (2005), The Super Milk-Chan Show (1998), Supernova (2000), Disaster Movie (2008), The Day The Earth Stopped (2008), The Green Hornet (1940)

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The Concession Stand    Want to read this in a different language ? Change the TO field to your own country and click the TRANSLATE button after going HERE THE CONCESSION STAND © October 2013 Written by David Wicker Please do not reprint without permission This will be one of my new Tuesday writings and I will add a listing of 10 reviews each time I post an added chapter to this book. These videos will be rated from 1-5 stars additionally. [ CHOOSE A DIFFERENT SET ] * * * These reviews are Rated: EVERYONE Suspense, Mystery, Logic, Puzzle (2009) EXAM (NR) [1] Excellent. It's amazing what you can do with a little to no budget film idea that has a solid and gripping plot. There is a job opening which is of utmost importance to eight strangers from all works of the world, including one from France who doesn't speak English. Their would-be-employer each gives them a piece of paper and tells them, "If you damage your test sheet, you are out, if you ask for the guard's help, you are out, if you ask for our help, you are out." He lets that sink in, then finally says, "There is one question before you." pointing to the single piece of paper on everyone's desk. He checks to see if there are any questions at this point, no ? BEGIN. You have 80 minutes which click down on a large digital timer at the front of the room. Only the armed guard remains after their instructor leaves, a camera to watch them, and diffuse lighting. The would-be test takers then realize their sheets are blank aside from their code # on the front. There is no question listed. Chaos ensues as each tries to rationalize WHERE the question could be. Invisible ink ? Ultraviolet ? Radioactive ? Where could it be !? Incredible story, varied and different personalities, some psychotic, some rational, some compassionate, some hateful. All must work together to solve the question to this EXAM, that is, as soon as they can find it ! Ending will knock your socks off for its concise and deliberate logic of what was missed because it was so painfully obvious. Definite re-watch value. If you liked Cube, then you'll most definitely love this unique and limited budget twist on the old SOLVE THE PUZZLE idea. Don't miss this amazing and reflective film on both the human spirit to achieve and share its findings compassionately, and the hateful side of humanity that will do anything to win. Anything. Comedy, Trust Issues, Animation, Adult Themes (2008) LIFE & TIMES OF TIM (R) [2] Just briefly, the animation is horrid. Must be like 5 frames-per-second. The comedy and stories are PRICELESS though. Great humor, definitely adult, and TIM, poor innocent little TIM is basically just a really nice guy that never stands up for himself, lets everyone walk all over him, and gets into one crazy adventure after another. Hmm ... Somehow I can relate to this. Anyways, people have preconceived notions about TIM and say the meanest and rudest things about him, which everyone immediately thinks is true since, "Oh, that sounds like TIM alright." and he gets in some very VERY sticky situations because of it. Good rewatch value, but not for the graphics which are on par or less than Squidbillies; very bad. But aside from that, the stories, voice acting, and sincerity of delivery is quite good. Good to watch to see if your friends are taking advantage of you - and sometimes they will. Time Travel, Sci-Fi, Consequences (2005) SOUND OF THUNDER (PG-13) [3] Sound Of Thunder. Perhaps an understatement at best. This is a really GOOD sci-fi film, perhaps the most believable and realistic approach to the theories involving time-travel. The premise, rich fat-cat gets paid millions to take people on a special tour, to the far past, to shoot down a large dinosaur. They are in special biotic suits, locked down to prevent leaving 'footprints' through the time stream they travel, and armed with a rifle that shoots ice pellets (so no effect to the past) and hunting down giant dinosaurs that are going to die 5-minutes after they arrive anyways to ensure no corruption of time. It also seems like a good way to make money, until, something ... happens. Something so infinitesimally small and yet because it effects time for millions of years ultimately alters the entire course, evolution, and DNA of mankind in a series of thunderous shock waves. A lot of viewers are calling this skimpy on special effects but the story is hardcore Sci-Fi with definite rewatch value. If you've ever been interested in the far-reaching effects and consequences of time-travel then do not miss this film. Cartoon, Zany, Insanity, Anime (1998) THE SUPER MILK-CHAN SHOW (NR) [4] OK, well, don't expect to learn anything useful from this. It's cute, but probably not for kids with Ms. Chan's language. I would rate it PG if you're thinking of your own kids. There's nothing kinky either, not even remotely, so if you're looking for Fan Service or Hentai, keep moving on. The stories are sweet but arsenic. Little baby Milk is an insufferably cute girl but VERY self-serving and self-loving tossing out insult after insult to those around her and then somehow maniacally reverting back to cuteness and innocence again, and often not of her own accord. She receives calls from the President (undefined country) and goes out to do the mission he gives her and often misinterpreting them, finds a considerably simpler childlike (and often wrong) solution for the crisis and then saying, "Let's go out for sushi or something." which ends the episode. The series is both forgettable and memorable. If you're looking for a deep plot, you're dearly going to hate this. If you want to put your brain on Osterize then this is the pudding for you. The animation is crisp high quality which is considerably better than similar adult animated no-plot series like Squidbillies and 12 Oz. mouse. My biggest complaint, there is no growth, there is repetition, and unrelated live-action brief camera videos. Very little of other episodes is ever mentioned later or referenced to. It also adds an odd and most unfunny bits during the episode showing video of staff members outside or in the park with someone speaking voice over of something completely unrelated. Could do without that entirely. The series repeats scenes and animation sequences almost as much as Danger Mouse did. So every day it's a brand new world for the milk-eyed little waif. I'm rating it 4 stars however because Milk-Chan is REALLY cute in the show. - dw817 . EPIC, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Consequences, Motives (2000) SUPERNOVA (R) [5] Guyz, this film is nothing short of AWESOME. If you liked the original ALIEN then you'll love this ! Very strong personalities in the crew members and you can definitely associate with them and their internal 'demons.' The trials and mishaps of using warp technology. They come across an Item constructed in the 9th dimension of reality and the film goes into detail about it's impact on mortal man. And there is bad guy who has god-like abilities takes on the whole crew of the ship, preying on their trust and especially the innocence of the naive mind. Great rewatch value. Excellent special FX, nothing cheesy or hokey about it. The same tension that matches the best hardcore SCI-FI movies out there. Dialogue is very intelligent and precise. You don't want to miss this ! Spoof, Comedy, Dancing, Raunchy (2008) DISASTER MOVIE (UR) [6] If you're looking for a zero plot film with incredible dance moves, edge-of-your seat fighting, special effects only par to Lost In Space Season 2 and poking fun and silliness at everything from now to a few years ago in the cinema and stardom of blockbuster disaster movies, then look no further. You've hit the gold mine my friend for this kind of free eye-candy and low-brow humor. Stupidity difficult to match, color it different, and definitely twisted. Great rewatch value. 4 stars people. Compelling, Sci-Fi, Awareness (2008) THE DAY THE EARTH STOPPED (NR) [7] A surprisingly well-done and original film by the bad boy copy-cat film company, Asylum, whom is well-known for their totally cheap and horrible rips of blockbuster films. It's not an action flick by any means but a thought-provoking insightful film that shows the BASE of us, as a human species, what we are capable of, and what we'd LIKE to be capable of. It doesn't hold to any illusions or simple answers. It is finite and complete. Like life and death, neither of which we truly understand. Special FX are excellent. I personally think this is a new story, unlike The Day The Earth Stood Still, which for its recent release IS an action-film. Excellent rewatch value as well. You decide what you think about this film, but don't miss watching it for a unique and provocative spin on an old story. B&W, Action-Adventure, Superhero, Crime (1940) THE GREEN HORNET (NR) [8] This series is AWESOME. For it's time period, it has dazzling effects and terrifying cliff-hangers that are REAL as CGI and green-screen ability did not exist in this time period. The hornet ? With the help of Kato, his assistant, and using a super-charged car that buzzes like a hornet when it moves and is capable of 200mph in split seconds, the adventure doesn't get any thicker than this ! The hornet brushes his wings against some real baddies with an evil organization called The Syndicate which will stop at nothing to see his end. The stunts are real as are the dangers in staging them in this excellent and amazing series. 5 stars all the way and special commendation to the fearless stuntmen ! Sales, Sex, Murder, Drugs, Crime (2003) SUCKERS (R) [9] I saw this film last Saturday with my G/F (Oct 26 2013). It's one I had seen years ago but still rate it a full 5-stars today. The story is a simple one. You have a boss who runs a business selling cars. Sell them ANY way you can. Having been in sales myself I can say this film is flat on accurate and downright hilarious. You will love the business meetings where the boss explains in his unique way the purpose of his employees is to screw every customer that comes their way for every dime they have, and then carefully explains the math on how to do it using leases, loans, trade-ins, and amortization schemes. And no, that's not fictional as I remember this in my own sales day. But on top of this you get a bonus. Apparently not everything is as it seems and while the characters in it are extremely well played - some are likable, lovable, and some are hated, there are secrets - smuggling of drugs, money laundering, racism, cold-blooded murder, and hard decisions to make. Despite it's obviously low budget, this is the finest film of it's class I have ever seen. Mesmerizing, shocking, WTF did you just see ??, you name it. Re-watch value cause some bits you don't understand until you've seen it a 2nd time. Rated R for EXTREME language, nudity, and violence. But you MUST see it, even doubly so if you have ever done any work in the sales field. Monster, Crime, Action & Adventure, Greed, Disaster (1998) DEEP RISING (R) [10] I saw this film last night (Oct 28 2013) so you're gonna get a fresh 24-hour review of it. You have a story of a cruise ship out in the middle of nowhere and another smaller stealthy ship approaching, preparing to rob it. And - because of the unmitigated greed of a LARGE number of people in here, almost everyone dies, and in many ways it's their own fault. There is a giant and very believable sea monster that eats almost all of the crew and some of the nastiest greediest people you will ever find. What's interesting is the underdog is the one who is rewarded in this film and anyone who shows just a bit of disregard for his fellow man gets it in the end, and very badly too. It's almost like the monster has a conscience and is wreaking exacting justice. A refreshing movie to finally see all the bad guys get theirs, and MY there are a bunch of them ! So it clearly has re-watch value as you are rooting for the good guys to get through it all. Very HIGH level of special FX and terrifying moments where you just DON'T want to be where you are right now or wind up getting eaten by this thing. Imagine Titanic versus 60,000 Leagues Under The Sea where the tentacles are in every part of the ship, and you have a pretty good idea what's going on. Characters are well played out, strong dialogue, and language, so yes for this and violence it is rated R, but no nudity. Next Tuesday I will do 10-more dreams and alternative between this subject (my movie reviews) and that. Return back HOME   You are Earth Visitor #

Reviews

[Vivie]

Back then, when I was younger I wouldn't have considered 99% of these films. I was still stuck and obsessed with cartoonized movies and would think ones acted out were plain boring. However looking back at this now, EXAM looks like a really good one. I mean, damn why not? Might as well tack that movie onto the list. Another that I recognized right off the bat is "The Sound of Thunder." I had recently read the story in my Honors English class, and I never knew till now that there was a movie made based on it!
Bettertackthatontomylisttoo.

[dw817]

CGI and Cartoons still get very high marks with me. Occasionally some films have a merge of the two, like H.O.P. or Scooby-Doo. I still feel CGI, in the purest form, like Despicable Me and Cloudy w a chance of Meatballs are some fine works of animation.

[MandaBear]

Interesting I just might have to watch one of these movies one day!

[dw817]

I see I forgot to post a review for Forbin Project. Hmm ... I haven't reviewed that one yet so I'll save it for next time. There's some good stuff out there, Amanda. :7

[ferousfinite]

Knowledge is power. It always has been and always will be. Somehow Spamming is now acceptable in this Social Media Society. I love to watch movies but when I am writing I need to focus on writing.

[dw817]

Well I hope you didn't see this article as SPAM. These are my own heart-felt words about movies that I've watched and enjoyed. There is a time for everything. A time to do, and a time to observe.

I try to balance this when I can giving myself ample time in the morning to write - and time leftover in the evening to observe, whether it's reading and commenting on others' works or even later in the evening, watching a video or two.

In all cases, it is a learning experience and sometimes the pick of these are best shared. :)