The Messengers

Someone should have sent Sam Raimi's production company a message not to green-light this film. Ghost House production studios has now cranked out two movies that follow the identical horror-movie formulas. Take a weak story, set it in a dark, creepy house, then make the audience jump with thunderous sounds. Which would all be great and dandy if I was a brainless movie-goer with expectations lower than Ford Motor's current profit margins. But, myself, like many other horror movie fans out there, have minimum expectations that include good acting, a decent script, and tension built on true suspense, not loud folly work.

I will admit, the movie does at least succeed in the department of acting. The actors are good enough to deliver the dry, senseless script. So the acting is solid, how about the special effects. The special effects seemed borrowed from The Grudge. Odd moving, white-painted contortionists move across the ceiling. We've seen it over and over again in The Grudge, The Grudge II, Pulse, Them, etc. Time for a new format, stop ripping off Japanese horror. Special effects aside, the directing is mildly entertaining. The camera angles and cinematic styling are competent and engaging.

This movies is The Birds meets Bogeyman.

Rating: 3.5 out of 10

Pan's Labyrinth

The movie takes place during the Spanish Civil war and focuses its attention on a small girl named Ofelia. Ofelia is surrounded by violence, torture, cruelty, and sadness. To help her cope with these events in her real life, she retreats to a dream world. But the darkness of her real world soon begins to blend with that of her dream world creating a nightmarish landscape and a perilous journey.

Guillermo del Toro is obviously a very skilled writer and director. This movie has many complex layers that artfully intertwine with one another. The problem I had with the movie is that Toro brought a lot of influences from his movie Hellboy and I had a hard time separating the two movies in my mind. He crafted a very immersive Spanish Civil war setting that was unique and did not have a lot of the elements of Hellboy. But then in Ofelia's dream world, it was a spitting image of the symbolism, colors, and characteristics of the other film. These sequences felt more like a promo for the upcoming Hellboy 2 then they did for Ofelia's dreams.

That's probably the only negative thing I can say about this movie though. It is a very thought-provoking and original film that is very deserving of an Academy Award. The costume design for the Faun was truly amazing and the sound folly work is second-to-none.

If you're a war buff and you like Marilyn Manson videos than this movie was made just for you. If you like a strong story, interesting characters, and a dark tint to your films, then you should enjoy this film as well.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10

The Pursuit of Happiness

The story chronicles a period in the life of Christopher Gardner, a man who is determined to achieve against never-ending challenges. It begins in 1981 in San Francisco, and depicts a journey of a man and his son through poverty and homelessness to success. The occasional narration of the main character is appreciated, if not humorous at times.

I only had 2 issues relating to the characters. First, although it does happen in the world, I fought hard to accept that a mother would literally walk away from her child. Secondly, anyone who has a five-year-old would probably agree that this kid in the movie is not real. I have never known a child of this age to be so mellow, quiet, and passive about the circumstances around him. Oh sure - he had some crying and one outburst, but given the length and breadth of their journey, it was almost a surreal. Many children I know would not sit still for 30 seconds, let alone for hours on a bench. However, he does steal a scene or two, to his credit.

There is definitely evidence of a foreign film feel, as Italian director Gabriele Muccino delves deep to showcase raw emotions and the sublime ironies that so many of us never notice. Watching a convertible full of happy young people laughing as they drive by the endless line of homeless people vying for a simple bed for the night is only one subtle example. Some of the most poignant scenes are those with little or no dialogue at all.

Overall, this new drama/biopic is probably one of the best vehicles to showcase what a true talent Will Smith really is. It’s not much of a surprise that he is nominated for an Academy Award; it really is a stellar performance.

No matter what you may anticipate about this movie, you may be surprised. If you have expectations, leave them at the door and look forward to feeling good at the end, if not happy.

Rating: 7 out of 10
by Red Rob, the guest critic

Arthur and the Invisibles

I'm a big fan of Luc Besson's movies. He is a master at crafting unforgettable action films. But I have to be brutally honest when I give you my opinion of this movie and that is to tell you that's its pure crap. I've never seen such a hyper-active heap of hopelessness as this film. There isn't one redeming quality that makes this film watchable.

The voice overs are forced, rushed, poorly written and do not match the demeanor of the characters they are voicing. The editing for the film is like watching an MTV video on fast forward. The transitions between scenes or events are the screen are about as smooth and Seal's face (ouch, that was mean, but it's the first thing that came to mind). Not to mention the story is weak and frail and can barely hold itself up.

I wouldn't recommend this movie to anyone, kids included. It is to be avoided at all costs.

Rating: .5 out of 10