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These were the three films I rented for this three day weekend.
I'll start with the Sentinel. This film didn't really do it for me. It's okay, but I didn't get nearly as much of a rise out of it as I do from the series 24, although Kiefer Sutherland plays a similar type role to that series. Just seemed kind of typical of the political suspense genre and I was bored with the feigned passion between Michael Douglas and Kim Basinger.
I got The Wicker Man because all the reviews I read and heard said it was a weak remake of the original. Only after watching the extra (very recommended, but only after watching the film) documenting such things as the extraordinary problems the original had with release and distribution did I understand how I missed it first time around. This isn't the type horror/suspense movie for those looking for a lot of blood, gore, and pop out of the shadows terror, but rather a surrealistic, nightmarish visit to an island ruled by pagan ritual and immersed in fertility rites. More eerie in effect, but I thought it was a one-of-a-kind and excellent cinematic experience. Christopher Lee believed in the film so much that he waived his salary and, at a much later time, proclaimed it the best film he'd ever been in, although I'm not sure if that statement was made before his involvement in The Lord of the Rings. Oh, and it contains more than a fair share of nudity.
Akeelah and the Bee is just a wonderful family film. My wife and I just sat there replaying certain scenes over and over. It's about a girl from South Central LA entering the national spelling bee competition. Yeah, I know the subject matter doesn't sound all that interesting, but, what can I say, this film brought as big a smile to my face as any DVD I've watched all summer. It reunites Laurence Fishburne and Angela Bassett for the first time since What's Love Got To Do With It, but Keke Palmer, who plays the part of the 11 year old Akeelah steals the show. Excellent acting all around and characters that have real depth to them. Like Wicker Man, you get the feeling that it is a labor of love type thing.
I'll start with the Sentinel. This film didn't really do it for me. It's okay, but I didn't get nearly as much of a rise out of it as I do from the series 24, although Kiefer Sutherland plays a similar type role to that series. Just seemed kind of typical of the political suspense genre and I was bored with the feigned passion between Michael Douglas and Kim Basinger.
I got The Wicker Man because all the reviews I read and heard said it was a weak remake of the original. Only after watching the extra (very recommended, but only after watching the film) documenting such things as the extraordinary problems the original had with release and distribution did I understand how I missed it first time around. This isn't the type horror/suspense movie for those looking for a lot of blood, gore, and pop out of the shadows terror, but rather a surrealistic, nightmarish visit to an island ruled by pagan ritual and immersed in fertility rites. More eerie in effect, but I thought it was a one-of-a-kind and excellent cinematic experience. Christopher Lee believed in the film so much that he waived his salary and, at a much later time, proclaimed it the best film he'd ever been in, although I'm not sure if that statement was made before his involvement in The Lord of the Rings. Oh, and it contains more than a fair share of nudity.
Akeelah and the Bee is just a wonderful family film. My wife and I just sat there replaying certain scenes over and over. It's about a girl from South Central LA entering the national spelling bee competition. Yeah, I know the subject matter doesn't sound all that interesting, but, what can I say, this film brought as big a smile to my face as any DVD I've watched all summer. It reunites Laurence Fishburne and Angela Bassett for the first time since What's Love Got To Do With It, but Keke Palmer, who plays the part of the 11 year old Akeelah steals the show. Excellent acting all around and characters that have real depth to them. Like Wicker Man, you get the feeling that it is a labor of love type thing.
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