Brought to you by OBS staff member Rose

Name: The Time Machine (1960)
Rated: PG
Running Time: 103 minutes

Director: George Pál

Synopsis
When an English gentleman and inventor, George (Rod Taylor), invites four high society friends over for dinner, his friends ponder his tardiness. Ms. Watchett (Doris Lloyd), George’s housemaid, announces that a handwritten note from George informs that they should head to the dining room and start dinner without him. After they sit down and start their feast, George appears torn and tattered through the doorway and begins to tell his friends his journey in the time machine.

Review
The Time Machine released in 1960, is based on the novella by H. G. Wells of the same name, first published in 1895. The prospect of seeing this older film excited me for I never had the pleasure and I tried to put my 21st century film expectations aside for I did not want it to cloud my judgment.

Seeing George sit in his ‘Time Machine’ at the starting date of 1902, the special effects depicted the changes in the outside world that he could easily view from his garage. Night and day sped forward, as did the weather and a view of a clothing store mannequin depicted the change in style of women’s dress through the years. One gaff I found with this is, his city was pummeled from WW II and that good ol’ trusty storefront mannequin remained constant, which made no logical sense. The Time Machine time stop-motion and time-lapse trickery did win an Oscar for Best Special effects so that renders me mum on any further digs. Maybe.

After seeing his city destroyed during an atomic air raid in the 1960’s and escaping a volcanic eruption of hot oozing lava just in time, he travels forward full throttle thousands of years into the future. Changes to the earth terrain encapsulate him under rock. Finally in the year 802,701 he is able to venture into his surrounding and stops. Here he meets the Eloi, an unassuming, uncaring, universally blonde childlike community that lives in fruitful abundance and unabashed naivety, which is reminiscent from something out of Twilight Zone.

After his first encounter with the Eloi, by saving a woman named Weena (Yvette Mimieux) from drowning, he follows her to have lunch with the rest of the Village of the Damned look alikes. Here he questions the Eloi and realizes they are being controlled by the Morlocks who live underground. Society as he knew it has been divided between those who don’t work and don’t care, to those who rule them and use them as cattle. His image of the Garden of Eden quickly falls away. After visiting a library and all the books turn to dust, he is distraught at the idea that the Eloi has let civilization and knowledge fall by the waste side and allowed themselves to become lambs for the slaughter. Here the acting is laid on thick. George yells, rants and raves with aplomb but to no avail. Wanting to leave such an unstructured and jejune existence, he tries to flee but his time machine is taken by the Morlocks. Cue the battle of George and the Morlocks, who look like they are dressed in store bought Halloween costumes. I must admit I laughed when I saw them.

I know I am suppose to take this movie at face value and look upon it in awe of the special effects ability of it’s time but it was difficult. In moments like these is where I say the book would be better than the movie. You are able to fabricate your own scenes and there is nothing wilder and more real than ones own imagination.

The ending was paramount in my enjoying the film for I appreciated the moral it conveyed. George returns back to the future with the ideology that he can make a difference and change the Eloi and make a better life for himself and them. There are additional morals to be learned and more psychological aspects to consider, but I’ll let you figure those out, for regardless of the fact that it might not be the best acting you’ve ever seen nor the most believable special effects, the story it tells is timeless.

Rating: 7/10 stars

Due to the new Alice in Wonderland coming out, a lot of Alice merchandise is hitting the shelf’s including SyFy’s Alice on DVD. One of our staff members bought and watched it and now brings you a nice little review.

Brought to you by OBS staff member Erin

Name: SyFy Alice
Rated: TV-14
Running Time: 240 minutes

Director: Nick Willing

Synopsis
150 years after the original Alice visits, another Alice has come to Wonderland, but it’s very different than the one Lewis Carroll described. The Red Queen has complete control over the inhabitants, keeping them submissive with “tea” harvested from oysters…

Alice Hamilton is a martial arts instructor who lives with her mom while searching for the father who disappeared when she was ten. Her world is turned upside down the night she introduces her boyfriend to her mother; after he leaves her apartment he is kidnapped and Alice chases after him, following the kidnappers through a mirror.

Review
Following the success of Tin Man in 2007, SyFy hoped to revamp another classic, this time Alice in Wonderland, with a 60’s drugs, crime, and casino feel (think “White Rabbit” by Jefferson Airplane).

What could have been an amazing concept was marred by simplistic writing and some less than believable acting from some of the major characters. Even Kathy Bates was less than stellar. Despite this, I watched the miniseries twice; just to see more of Hatter and the White Knight.

If you can get past the subpar acting, it’s worth watching at least once. The way the characters were interpreted for this modern adaptation are interesting: from Hatter running a tea house, to the White Rabbit organization and the members of the court, the caterpillar is head of an anti-Red Queen Organization, and Tweedle Dee and Dumb are psychotic doctors. However, the March Hare would have been better if his back story had been flushed out more; he seems like an addition that was thrown in at the last second.

I’m not sure if a third part would have developed some of the half thought out plot lines, but it may have helped.

Rating: 5.5/10 stars

Don’t drink the water!

Brought to you by OBS staff member Rose

Name: The Crazies
Rated: R
Running Time: 101 minutes

Director: Breck Eisner

Synopsis
Ogden Marsh, with a population of 1,200, is just like any other small farm town, until the town drunk walks on the baseball field during a game with a shotgun in hand and a mysterious unsettling look in his eye. After a mysterious toxin contaminates the town’s water supply, death and mayhem ensue. The question is…who will survive?

Review
Having never seen the original I came to this film with nothing to reference or compare and for this I was thankful. I was just hoping I wouldn’t be able to make a grilled cheese sandwich with it after I was done watching. Thankfully Breck Eisner’s (the son of ex-Disney head Michael Eisner) remake of George Romero’s 1973 movie does not resort to any cheesy ploys to get our attention.

What makes a good scary movie? Suspense, blood, horror, interesting plot twists, frenzied action, cat and mouse hide and go seek chases, and the probability of the storyline actually happening. The Crazies has all of this and not one, but two central villains to worry about.

After the first incident when Sheriff David Dutton (played by Timothy Olyphant) must shoot a despondent Rory Gunfield, the town drunk, the movie picks up speed and never lets down. The action is a slow motion snowball effect, creepy and unsettling, too calm at first, but this is what makes us frightened. You never know where danger lurks until it’s right upon the characters, and you jump in your seat. If you live in a small town and it unfortunately becomes contaminated by toxins, trust me, you’re not safe. The scariest aspect of the film is it could actually happen.

Graphic violence between the crazies and the sane can be compared to letting loose a hundred Mike Meyers on Xanax. However urgent in their plight to kill the unfortunate, there is a slight pause and serenity in their actions, which adds a very creepy aspect to their demented one-track mind killing. In other ways the violence shown is reminiscent of historical atrocities which is made apparent in one scene, where we see the citizens who passed government inspection, being carted off in trucks with wooden slates. Eyes peer out from inside, hands slip through, fingers gripping the slates in panic and the first thing that comes to mind is the Holocaust. It was an eerie site, one that was quite disturbing. It is no surprise this was used in the film, as the original (released when Vietnam War was still going on) also used political metaphors, ones for Communism and the Vietcong, and if they aren’t stopped, it will spread and become a problem.

The best scene set-up in this movie was the car wash scene, hands down. What Jaws did for people swimming in the ocean, this scene does for washing your car in a drive-through. Tightly shot, enclosed in basically a tin can, movement at every angle, blind spots and crazy-ass folk coming in through the windows. I was squirming in my seat. When you think it’s finally over, it’s topped off with a huge ‘holy sh*t’ moment. The movie is relentless.

Timothy Olyphant (Sheriff David Dutton), Radha Mitchell (who plays his pregnant wife Jody) and Joe Anderson (Russell Clark, David’s Deputy) really bite into their characters, with their portrayals well performed and anything but stero-typical.

With all this horror, the movie also blends in humor seamlessly, in just the right doses. The movie theater I was in provided another dose of humor that I shall share with you. Twenty minutes in, a male patron a few rows in front shouts out “Be quiet”, followed by a louder bellow “If you don’t simmer your child, I will come up there”, which was answered by a patron above and to the left of me, saying “Relax”. (All the while nothing was heard prior, so this argument was perplexing.) Another patron remarked that the male patron’s initial outburst was overboard. All was quiet, for five seconds, when someone else shouted out “Crazy!” Muffled laughter was heard round the audience. It was classic.

Anyway, back to the movie. This remake was done right, unlike other attempts like ‘It’s Alive’, which was so altered and butchered, it’s not even worth watching once, or the Halloween remakes which do the original no justice. The Crazies can stand tall and proud next to its predecessor. If you want a good scare I recommend seeing this film.

Rating: 9/10 stars

I am a lover of angels fallen to Earth stories and Constantine is one of the best out there. Let’s read a little bit more about it.

Brought to you by OBS staff member Krystal

Name: Constantine
Rated: R
Running Time: 121 minutes

Director: Francis Lawrence

Synopsis
Demon hunter John Constantine (Keanu Reeves) was born with a gift, or a curse, to see demons and angels walking this earth disguised as humans.

Now a skeptical police officer Angela Dodson (Rachel Weisz) has come to him to solve the mysterious suicide of her sister. Their investigation takes them through the world of demons and angels that exists just beneath the landscape of contemporary Los Angeles.

Review
Based on Vertigo Comic’s Hellblazer combined with elements of Garth Ennis’ “Dangerous Habits”, Constantine is far lacking in comparison. Constantine isn’t a graphic novel, but luckily it isn’t trying to be one.

John Constantine is the perfect anti-hero, a man trying to buy his way into heaven rather than do the right thing. Keanu Reeves, of course, manages to kill that brilliant character depth by playing Neo… in hell. That’s not to say the film is bad. On the contrary, I rather enjoy the film. Despite all my gripping I have to admit the humor between Reeve’s and his sidekick Chas (Shia LaBeouf ), although piled on thick, still manages to make me chuckle. In fact the film as a whole has a good sense of humor about itself.

Artistically it’s one of the most beautiful films I saw in 2005. Director Francis Lawrence brings a dark and moody film noir look to the film which perfectly fits a world where demons lurk hidden in dark corners. The CGI (computer generated imagery) while obvious at some points manages to be subtle in other areas, but honestly how are demons not going to be obvious CGI.

Overall, a worthy film of rental if you like the Matrix films, Reeves or are just a fan of the battles between Heaven and Hell on Earth.

Rating: 9.5/10 stars

One of the creepiest movies i’ve seen in a long time, The Descent is a great psychological thriller/horror. The darkness and claustrophobia really gets to you, even if you aren’t phobic. Let’s see what our OBS staffer has to say.

Brought to you by OBS staff member Rose

Name: The Descent
Rated: R
Running Time: 100 minutes

Director: Neil Marshall

Synopsis
When a young woman, Sarah (played by Shauna MacDonald), loses her husband and her daughter in a horrible car crash, she agrees to take an annual adventure-seeking caving expedition with 5 other friends to break out of her sorrow. Juno (Natalie Jackson Mendoza) is the thrill junkie among them, along with her new protégé’ and newbie to the group, Holly and leads the girls into what they think is the Borum Caverns, a Level 2 difficulty, mediocre and a known touristy cavern. Little do the rest know that Ms. I-Take-Too-Many-Risks has led them into uncharted territories.

Review
When The Descent was released it was the scariest movie to come out in a long time. This is probably due to the plausibility of the horror story. It is utterly frightening to the core. The beginning of the film with its two-minute back-story is filled with foreshadowing, if you pay attention. The naming of the movie was genius, as it pertains not only to the women’s descent into the foreboding caves, but a descent into hell of their minds and of their morals and humanity.

Descent’s story takes time to bake, it refuses to be rushed. We are not thrust into a gore fest in the first ten minutes that is why is works so well. The claustrophobia, tension and anxiety lead for much of the way. The back-story of certain characters surfaces again much later whilst their being chased and preyed upon by deadly vicious creatures. This lends a twist and a deep fissure between two of the friends, which is played out in the climax as they fight for their lives. Personally I think all the actresses did a great job, no stereo-typical screamers here.

If you haven’t seen it yet, run to your nearest video store, grab a friend, and turn off all the lights. This is a must see A+ horror film.

Rating: 10/10 stars

That’s right we have brought you the great world of comic book movies. If you haven’t seen the new “remakes” of the Batman movies… I highly suggest it. Don’t take my word alone though. Read what our OBS staff has to say.

Brought to you by OBS staff member Karolina

Name: Batman Begins
Rated: PG-13
Running Time: 140 minutes

Director: Christopher Nolan

Synopsis
Batman Begins explores the origins of the Batman legend and the Dark Knight’s emergence as a force for good in Gotham. In the wake of his parents’ murder, disillusioned industrial heir Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) travels the world seeking the means to fight injustice and turn fear against those who prey on the fearful. He returns to Gotham and unveils his alter-ego: Batman, a masked crusader who uses his strength, intellect and an array of high tech deceptions to fight the sinister forces that threaten the city. (Source: http://www.wbshop.com/)

Review
As a huge fan of the character of Batman from a young age, and someone who (while appreciating the other films for what they were) watched the Batman film franchise slowly but surely deteriorate, I must admit I was quite apprehensive when it was announced that Batman was being re-imagined. Every piece of information that came to light back then made me squirm in my chair. Christian Bale as Batman – I liked Christian Bale, but would he be the Bat? What about Alfred? And Commissioner Gordon? Would there be a Dick Grayson/Robin, or a Barbara Gordon/Batgirl?? (NB: I’m quite a fan of Dick Grayson in the comics – not so much in the previous movie adaptations)

I needn’t have worried. Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins leaves the other Batman films in the dust (bar Tim Burton’s ‘Batman’ which was fabulous for the late 80’s version of Batman), and relies heavily on the comic book Batman; a broody caped crusader, mired by a family tragedy, with strong values living in a city that is a cesspool of crime and corruption. The viewer is shown iconic scenes from the comic books (ie; a young Bruce Wayne kneeling over his slain parents in a Gotham City alley way) and yet some one who has never known the Batman comics world is given enough information, and new twists, to know exactly what is going on and not feel lost.

Christian Bale owns the portrayal of both Bruce Wayne and the Batman. For the solitary figure that Batman is, he has a brilliant supporting cast in Michael Caine’s portrayal of the ever loyal, and constantly long suffering, Alfred (the Waynes’ Butler), the street wise, heart-of-gold but slightly jaded Captain Gordon, played by Gary Oldman, and Lucius Fox, Bruce Wayne’s right-hand man, played by Morgan Freeman. There’s also a new character thrown in the mix, the strong willed, idealistic childhood love of Bruce Wayne, Rachel Dawes, played here by Katie Holmes (later played by Maggie Gyllenhaal).

In the ‘villains’ corner, we have ‘The Scarecrow’ – again a quite recognisable character to those who know the Batman comics – Jonathan Crane, a psychologist gone rogue, played superbly by Cillian Murphy. Carmine Falcone (played by Tom Wilkinson) is also ripped from the pages of Batman: Year One. Ra’s Al Ghul (Ken Watanabe), one of Batman’s fiercest foes in the comics also features in this movie. There is a minor villain as well, more Bruce Wayne’s enemy than Batman’s, Earle, ‘head’ of the Wayne business, who doesn’t take kindly to the fact that Bruce has returned to Gotham, years after being incommunicado, and he is played by Rutger Hauer.

Then, there’s Liam Neeson, who is wonderful in his role as Ducard – a man who, in the comics, is one of the Bat’s greatest teachers. He gets his own paragraph, because, like the Batman himself, he walks a fine line between light and dark – in the comics -and definitely in this movie.

This movie combines a sound knowledge of the Batman comics with it’s own refreshing twist; known characters getting a new angle to them, while still being clearly recognisable – and new characters fit well in the story. There were a few changes to Bruce’s tragic story from the comics, and some comic book fans were a little frustrated by this, but I think it worked for the movie setting, and for the story that Christopher Nolan wanted to tell. It’s a story of loss, and of fear, and of empowerment to overcome that fear, and of determination. And, of course, it’s the story of a man who will become one of the greatest superheroes of the DC-verse, one devoid of superpowers, but who has the smarts, the money, and the passion to be the best (and dresses up as a bat). The stellar cast are all in top form and wonderful to watch in this.

I could go on forever, but I will end by saying this: even five years on, and in light of it’s phenomenal sequel, this movie is still so worth watching.

Rating: 8.5/10 stars