boyinflares
Joined Jun 2004
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In "The Descent" six girlfriend gather for their yearly caving adventure - only this time, one of the girls has discovered some caves which do not appear on any map - pity for them, as their fun adventure turns into a terrifying fight for their lives as they encounter some deadly sub-human creatures.
So what is so fantastic about "The Descent" then? Well, the acting for a start. All six young women are talented actresses who bring their respective characters to life. Shauna MacDonald plays the troubled Sarah, Natalie Mendoza is the over-achieving Juno, Alex Reid portrays the comely Beth, Saskia Mulder is the lovely Rebecca, and MyAnna Buring plays her sensitive sister, while Nora-Jane No one rounds out the cast as newcomer Holly.
Secondly, the wait. You know something is going to happen, but the film does take a little while for the action and tension to begin. But it does have a sense of morbidness right from the beginning. "The Descent", like many horror films, uses a back story, in this case a tragic event that happened one year earlier to Sarah, which plays an important part throughout the film.
However, what's most memorable about "The Descent" though is the terror that quite literally surrounds the cast when they are in these mysterious new caverns. And it's not just the mysterious sub-human like creatures - but the caverns themselves which prove to be dangerous for the trapped girls. People with claustrophobia should be cautioned before watching this film! The gore is brutal - there's no doubt about that, and as most of the girls, particularly Juno and Sarah, put up great fights against the creatures, the gore - blood, guts, everything - is plentiful - but without being distasteful. Particularly disturbing scenes include when Sarah falls into the pit of blood, the death scene where - I won't name her - is still alive and watching as the creatures begin to eat her, and a climatic and deadly encounter between two of the girls.
"The Descent" combines the best parts of horror films and wraps them all into one tightly produced masterpiece - if the creatures don't get you, the caves certainly will.
So what is so fantastic about "The Descent" then? Well, the acting for a start. All six young women are talented actresses who bring their respective characters to life. Shauna MacDonald plays the troubled Sarah, Natalie Mendoza is the over-achieving Juno, Alex Reid portrays the comely Beth, Saskia Mulder is the lovely Rebecca, and MyAnna Buring plays her sensitive sister, while Nora-Jane No one rounds out the cast as newcomer Holly.
Secondly, the wait. You know something is going to happen, but the film does take a little while for the action and tension to begin. But it does have a sense of morbidness right from the beginning. "The Descent", like many horror films, uses a back story, in this case a tragic event that happened one year earlier to Sarah, which plays an important part throughout the film.
However, what's most memorable about "The Descent" though is the terror that quite literally surrounds the cast when they are in these mysterious new caverns. And it's not just the mysterious sub-human like creatures - but the caverns themselves which prove to be dangerous for the trapped girls. People with claustrophobia should be cautioned before watching this film! The gore is brutal - there's no doubt about that, and as most of the girls, particularly Juno and Sarah, put up great fights against the creatures, the gore - blood, guts, everything - is plentiful - but without being distasteful. Particularly disturbing scenes include when Sarah falls into the pit of blood, the death scene where - I won't name her - is still alive and watching as the creatures begin to eat her, and a climatic and deadly encounter between two of the girls.
"The Descent" combines the best parts of horror films and wraps them all into one tightly produced masterpiece - if the creatures don't get you, the caves certainly will.
Funny man Eddie Murphy tackles a big role in "Norbit" - literally. That is of course Rasputia, an obese woman with a whole lot of attitude. As in previous Eddie Murphy films, multiple roles are played by Murphy. The title-character Norbit, a meek man who gets more than he bargained for when at age 10 he is rescued from bullies by 10 year old Rasputia, and Mr. Wong, Norbit's "father" at the adoption centre.
After giving a quick and often funny insight to Norbit's young life, the film kicks off with Norbit and Rasputia's wedding ceremony, then delves into the complications that arise in their lives as Norbit's childhood sweetheart Kate (Thandie Newton) moves back into the neighbourhood to by the orphanage - which is also what Rasputia's powerful brothers want to do. Norbit also disapproves of Kate's fiancée Deion (Cuba Gooding Jr).
While Norbit is an enjoyable thing, there is an awful lot going on, which is not a bad thing, just a tad distracting at times. The acting is pretty good all-round, especially from Murphy, in all three of his roles. Eddie Griffin is hilarious as Pope Sweet Jesus. Pat Crawford Brown (from "Depserate Housewives") has a small but memorable role, and Laura Ortiz (from the Hilsl Have Eyes remake) has a blink and you'll miss her part.
There may be some who may get offended at "Norbit", perhaps thinking that it makes fun of fat people, but really, Rasputia's weight is hardly made fun at. Rasputia is incredibly funny in a trailer-trash kind of way. Most of the laughs I got came from her, however some of the comedy in "Norbit" is not that funny, but it's still an enjoyable film.
After giving a quick and often funny insight to Norbit's young life, the film kicks off with Norbit and Rasputia's wedding ceremony, then delves into the complications that arise in their lives as Norbit's childhood sweetheart Kate (Thandie Newton) moves back into the neighbourhood to by the orphanage - which is also what Rasputia's powerful brothers want to do. Norbit also disapproves of Kate's fiancée Deion (Cuba Gooding Jr).
While Norbit is an enjoyable thing, there is an awful lot going on, which is not a bad thing, just a tad distracting at times. The acting is pretty good all-round, especially from Murphy, in all three of his roles. Eddie Griffin is hilarious as Pope Sweet Jesus. Pat Crawford Brown (from "Depserate Housewives") has a small but memorable role, and Laura Ortiz (from the Hilsl Have Eyes remake) has a blink and you'll miss her part.
There may be some who may get offended at "Norbit", perhaps thinking that it makes fun of fat people, but really, Rasputia's weight is hardly made fun at. Rasputia is incredibly funny in a trailer-trash kind of way. Most of the laughs I got came from her, however some of the comedy in "Norbit" is not that funny, but it's still an enjoyable film.
Compared to other horror / slasher films that is. But they're not that bad, and all of them, even this entry, worth a watch. However, tempted viewers should be warned that "I'll Always Know What You Did Last Summer" (aside from being a mouthful) is near to being a carbon copy of the original film in terms of characters and situation.
Interestingly, the film starts out similarly to "Final Destination 3", with a group of friends at a carnival (not as flash as FD3's amusement park though), and things take a turn for the worse when they play a practical joke regarding the legend of the Fisherman, that results in one of their friends getting killed. A year later, the four friends who covered up their own part in their other friends' death, all begin receiving mysterious messages.
Sound familiar? The film is not that bad though. While the characters may not be that likable, they are well acted. Brooke Nevin plays lead character Amber and does a decent job. Hottie David Paetkau plays the hot-headed Colby. Tammy DeVitto is fairly good as Zoe, and Ben Easter, while in a smaller role, probably gives the best performance as one of the many red-hearings, Lance. Clayton Taylor has a small role as the ill-fated P.J. and hottie K.C. Clyde plays Deputy Hafner.
While the back-story of the previous "Summer" films was terribly confusing, it is not explicitly mentioned here, though both films get a small acknowledgment. The somewhat unsurprising revelation in this third installment is rather bland and a let down also. Though some of the deaths were quite gruesome, it would have been best if this franchise was continued with surviving stars of the previous films, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Freddie Prinze Jr and Brandy. However, as mentioned, "I'll Always Know" is not a complete waste of time, it has its moments. Oh yeah, the DVD cover is also terrible, as one the blonde girl at the back barely has a part in the film, David Paetkau should have been on the cover.
Interestingly, the film starts out similarly to "Final Destination 3", with a group of friends at a carnival (not as flash as FD3's amusement park though), and things take a turn for the worse when they play a practical joke regarding the legend of the Fisherman, that results in one of their friends getting killed. A year later, the four friends who covered up their own part in their other friends' death, all begin receiving mysterious messages.
Sound familiar? The film is not that bad though. While the characters may not be that likable, they are well acted. Brooke Nevin plays lead character Amber and does a decent job. Hottie David Paetkau plays the hot-headed Colby. Tammy DeVitto is fairly good as Zoe, and Ben Easter, while in a smaller role, probably gives the best performance as one of the many red-hearings, Lance. Clayton Taylor has a small role as the ill-fated P.J. and hottie K.C. Clyde plays Deputy Hafner.
While the back-story of the previous "Summer" films was terribly confusing, it is not explicitly mentioned here, though both films get a small acknowledgment. The somewhat unsurprising revelation in this third installment is rather bland and a let down also. Though some of the deaths were quite gruesome, it would have been best if this franchise was continued with surviving stars of the previous films, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Freddie Prinze Jr and Brandy. However, as mentioned, "I'll Always Know" is not a complete waste of time, it has its moments. Oh yeah, the DVD cover is also terrible, as one the blonde girl at the back barely has a part in the film, David Paetkau should have been on the cover.