moviefreak2010
Joined Jul 2006
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moviefreak2010's rating
I've been a fan of Joe Carnahan ever since I rented Narc on DVD from my now closed video store. Narc is one of the most underrated films of the last ten years. Containing Ray Liotta's best performance ever and the fact he didn't get a Oscar for it boggles me. Carnahan created a film that was intense, raw, and had emotional depth. Then he made Smokin Aces which I liked as well. The A Team I have yet to see but very much want to. With that said, it seems that with The A Team that we were seeing what Carnahan was building his career to. Leaving the dark edge thrillers for campy action films (which I have no problem with).
Then he makes The Grey which I saw the trailer and thought it'll be okay. This movie caught me by complete surprise. The dark edge Carnahan returns with a vengeance with The Grey. I won't describe the plot because it is about as simple as you think. However, good films can be made from a simple plot, it takes good writing. Carnahan is a good writer and you can see that in the film. You actually see men talking to each other that we could all relate to as opposed to them saying dialogue that would only carry the plot along.
The performance by Liam Neeson is a little different from his actions roles like Taken. I'll even go as far and say that this film is better than Taken. I love Taken, don't get me wrong, but this film would only worked if we can cared for the characters and not depend only on action. The film delivers that in a basket for you.
It's very suspenseful as well. What Carnahan does brilliantly is that we never, not one do we see the wolves from their POV. Instead, we stay with the seven men throughout the whole movie. Every jump scare in this works because of both good direction and no music is in it that can indicate when the attack can happen. In fact, I haven't see a film that had done that sine John Carpenter's The Thing. The wolves could attack at any point of time in the film and you are on edge throughout the film.
We need more directors like Carnahan, sure he ain't no Scorsese or Kubrick type but films like The Twilight Saga and Transformers 3 make me stop caring for current movies. Carnahan shows that we can still make very good action thrillers if we took the time and actually develop them. If Transformers 3 was the worst experience I've ever had, this was the best experience next to The Dark Knight. Oh yes, I went there.
Then he makes The Grey which I saw the trailer and thought it'll be okay. This movie caught me by complete surprise. The dark edge Carnahan returns with a vengeance with The Grey. I won't describe the plot because it is about as simple as you think. However, good films can be made from a simple plot, it takes good writing. Carnahan is a good writer and you can see that in the film. You actually see men talking to each other that we could all relate to as opposed to them saying dialogue that would only carry the plot along.
The performance by Liam Neeson is a little different from his actions roles like Taken. I'll even go as far and say that this film is better than Taken. I love Taken, don't get me wrong, but this film would only worked if we can cared for the characters and not depend only on action. The film delivers that in a basket for you.
It's very suspenseful as well. What Carnahan does brilliantly is that we never, not one do we see the wolves from their POV. Instead, we stay with the seven men throughout the whole movie. Every jump scare in this works because of both good direction and no music is in it that can indicate when the attack can happen. In fact, I haven't see a film that had done that sine John Carpenter's The Thing. The wolves could attack at any point of time in the film and you are on edge throughout the film.
We need more directors like Carnahan, sure he ain't no Scorsese or Kubrick type but films like The Twilight Saga and Transformers 3 make me stop caring for current movies. Carnahan shows that we can still make very good action thrillers if we took the time and actually develop them. If Transformers 3 was the worst experience I've ever had, this was the best experience next to The Dark Knight. Oh yes, I went there.
4 out of 4 points
NOTE: Available only at thecinemasnob.com for free viewing.
What begins like a sleazy exploitation film, THE HOOKER WITH A HEART OF GOLD becomes something much more and beyond. This film reminds me of MIDNIGHT HEAT, another triumph made by amateur exploitation filmmaker Brad Jones who also directed CHEAP and GAME BOYS.
What makes HOOKER great is that it's a mini series so it allows time to develop all of its characters. They all lovable no matter how bad or sleazy that they are, each of them are redeemable and honesty I didn't want to see any of them die, even the villain despite of his insanity.
The title is the best of all because it both literal and poetic. Its poetic because Sarah Lewis, our main character, is a lovable person and someone you want to be with despite she's a hooker and does coke. Its also literal because she really has a golden heart.
PLOT: Film begins with Dr. Rogen (Brain Lewis) attempting an operation on a corpse using a prototype mechanical heart that is painted gold. That is until he is stop by Don (Ryan Michette, the producer of HOOKER) and Mike (Jake Norvell). Rogen owes money to their employer Steele.
Then we are introduce to The Hooker (Sarah Lewis, and yes that is her name in the credits) snorting some cocaine with her customer. The Hooker is tired of the life and wants out which her pimp Zalman (Jones) does not take lightly.
The hooker escapes from his clutches until she is accidentally ran over by Rogen. He brings her to his basement and uses the prototype heart on her, replacing her old heart. The second she awakens, they hit it off and becomes friends and have a romance which is the most interesting part.
There is more to the plot which I will not reveal to you. Like MIDNIGHT HEAT, you should see it without being told about.
Overall, its Brad Jones' masterpiece. Out all the films he has done, its the best acted and most well crafted. According to interviews, Jones would like to do a DVD of HOOKER. I hope he does because I will be first in line to get it.
NOTE: Available only at thecinemasnob.com for free viewing.
What begins like a sleazy exploitation film, THE HOOKER WITH A HEART OF GOLD becomes something much more and beyond. This film reminds me of MIDNIGHT HEAT, another triumph made by amateur exploitation filmmaker Brad Jones who also directed CHEAP and GAME BOYS.
What makes HOOKER great is that it's a mini series so it allows time to develop all of its characters. They all lovable no matter how bad or sleazy that they are, each of them are redeemable and honesty I didn't want to see any of them die, even the villain despite of his insanity.
The title is the best of all because it both literal and poetic. Its poetic because Sarah Lewis, our main character, is a lovable person and someone you want to be with despite she's a hooker and does coke. Its also literal because she really has a golden heart.
PLOT: Film begins with Dr. Rogen (Brain Lewis) attempting an operation on a corpse using a prototype mechanical heart that is painted gold. That is until he is stop by Don (Ryan Michette, the producer of HOOKER) and Mike (Jake Norvell). Rogen owes money to their employer Steele.
Then we are introduce to The Hooker (Sarah Lewis, and yes that is her name in the credits) snorting some cocaine with her customer. The Hooker is tired of the life and wants out which her pimp Zalman (Jones) does not take lightly.
The hooker escapes from his clutches until she is accidentally ran over by Rogen. He brings her to his basement and uses the prototype heart on her, replacing her old heart. The second she awakens, they hit it off and becomes friends and have a romance which is the most interesting part.
There is more to the plot which I will not reveal to you. Like MIDNIGHT HEAT, you should see it without being told about.
Overall, its Brad Jones' masterpiece. Out all the films he has done, its the best acted and most well crafted. According to interviews, Jones would like to do a DVD of HOOKER. I hope he does because I will be first in line to get it.
NOTE: This movie is only available on thecinemasnob.com
Watching Brad Jones' CHEAP made me consider on either giving this zero points or the current points I have it now. This is a violent, vulgar, depraving, and ugly film but at the exact same time that is what is meant to be. Brad knows what movie he wants it to be and he goes all the way with his vision and that is sort of understanding that word "vision".
Nevertheless, I sort of enjoyed it, it's not offensive and tries not to moralize its story like most movies in this genre do. Not a single character in this movie has any redeeming values. One is a rapist and drug user, two are killers and enjoy it, one is the director conducting all this gruesome murders, and their cameraman is a child pornographer. That is a smart move on Brad's part not to go that route of morality and making characters redeemable. In the sick world we live in today, who knows what would happen. I honestly believe that something like this could happen.
So, three points will have to do with this movie.
PLOT: Movie begins with a two killers beating a woman to death while its being recorded on camera. Don't all good movies do? It then cuts to days before when a porn actress asking money from her manager Max Force (David Gobble) for her drug need. He rapes her in turn for the money. Subtle.
Then we meet Jack Stone (Jones) after having sex with the woman that was beaten to death in the opening he has an idea to make films that have never been done before. He hires two women (Carrie Jo Stucki and Jessica Stone) and his cameraman Manny (Nick Foster) to create a film. Of course, they are creating snuff films of the girls in mask murdering their victims in gruesome ways that I will not describe to you. That woman they beat to death in the movie has got it easy I'll give you only that.
They sell it to Force and it becomes popular online. However, Force's drug use starts going out of control and he ends up raping one of the girls. Stone and their girls then exact revenge on him.
Overall, CHEAP is what it wants and needs to be. There is a craft in the making of this movie despite being one of those shot on crappy video quality. I am aware of they have a term for it but I think IMDb will allowed me to say it so I'll keep at that.
The performance are not all strong but they do their best with the material they have. Jones and Gobble are the best in the movie which is not a surprise to me. And the soundtrack is a nice touch considering the subject material. In ways it reminded me of Dennis Hopper's EASY RIDER. Have no idea why but...it happens sometimes.
Watching Brad Jones' CHEAP made me consider on either giving this zero points or the current points I have it now. This is a violent, vulgar, depraving, and ugly film but at the exact same time that is what is meant to be. Brad knows what movie he wants it to be and he goes all the way with his vision and that is sort of understanding that word "vision".
Nevertheless, I sort of enjoyed it, it's not offensive and tries not to moralize its story like most movies in this genre do. Not a single character in this movie has any redeeming values. One is a rapist and drug user, two are killers and enjoy it, one is the director conducting all this gruesome murders, and their cameraman is a child pornographer. That is a smart move on Brad's part not to go that route of morality and making characters redeemable. In the sick world we live in today, who knows what would happen. I honestly believe that something like this could happen.
So, three points will have to do with this movie.
PLOT: Movie begins with a two killers beating a woman to death while its being recorded on camera. Don't all good movies do? It then cuts to days before when a porn actress asking money from her manager Max Force (David Gobble) for her drug need. He rapes her in turn for the money. Subtle.
Then we meet Jack Stone (Jones) after having sex with the woman that was beaten to death in the opening he has an idea to make films that have never been done before. He hires two women (Carrie Jo Stucki and Jessica Stone) and his cameraman Manny (Nick Foster) to create a film. Of course, they are creating snuff films of the girls in mask murdering their victims in gruesome ways that I will not describe to you. That woman they beat to death in the movie has got it easy I'll give you only that.
They sell it to Force and it becomes popular online. However, Force's drug use starts going out of control and he ends up raping one of the girls. Stone and their girls then exact revenge on him.
Overall, CHEAP is what it wants and needs to be. There is a craft in the making of this movie despite being one of those shot on crappy video quality. I am aware of they have a term for it but I think IMDb will allowed me to say it so I'll keep at that.
The performance are not all strong but they do their best with the material they have. Jones and Gobble are the best in the movie which is not a surprise to me. And the soundtrack is a nice touch considering the subject material. In ways it reminded me of Dennis Hopper's EASY RIDER. Have no idea why but...it happens sometimes.