foolwiththefez

I've seen too many movies. I admit it. That's why I can tell where most movies are going most of the time. This is especially true of horror movies. I don't mean to imply that all horror movies are same and therefore easily predictable. Rather that there is a tendency towards sameness when it comes to quickly made B grade horror movies. This tendency is what makes me treasure those rare B grade horror movies that manage to surprise me. Movies like "The Breed."

The movie, set in "the near future," opens with our main character, named Steve Grant (Bokeem Woodbine), and his partner tracking down a kidnapped girl. Grant is an agent of the NSA (National Security Agency) and I am unsure as to why an NSA Agent would be tracking a kidnapped girl. Unfortunately, so is the script. Moving on. The partners quickly find the girl (too late) and confront her kidnapper. The kidnapper turns out to be a vampire and slaughters Grant's partner.

It was at this point that I figured I knew where the movie was going. I assumed that this incident would open Grant's eye's to the world of the occult and he would either A) be kicked off the police force and become an independent vampire hunter or that B) he would be inducted into the secret branch of the police force that specializes in demolishing creatures of the night. Just as the movie looked to be headed straight for path B, it took a left turn and regained my interest. When Grant insists on telling the truth in his official report he is told that the Government has known about vampires for nearly a year and are working on integrating them into normal society. He is then introduced to his new partner, one Aaron Grey (Adrian Paul), who is a vampire and told that they must work together to catch this dangerous rogue who threatens the peace of both races.

This is a good premise for a movie and, to "The Breed's" credit, it tries to live up to this premise. It fails more than it succeeds, but at least it fails in a watchable way. The movie spends a little too much time on a murder investigation that isn't as complicated or as interesting as it seems. It sets up an ending that isn't as surprising as the movie wants it to be. It gives action scenes that aren't as exciting as they should be.

In between the scenes mentioned above we get a love story that, properly handled, could have been the basis for an entire movie of it's own. We watch two partners learn to trust each other and deal with their differences. We see totalitarian overtones to the government that, if played up more, could have added a whole new layer of depth to the movie. We meet some cool vampires. We see some cool death scenes.

Generally, this is a lousy movie, but it is a movie that tries hard. Sometimes, I'd rather watch a failure with high ambitions than a success with that settled for ordinary.

In "Videodrome," Max Renn (James Woods) runs a small cable channel that panders exclusively to the lowest common denominator market with sex and violence. In his quest to find the newest and most extreme material for his channel he stumbles upon a conspiracy that uses television to mind control the audience. This conspiracy faces resistance in the form of an underground cult dedicated to the idea that television is the instrument of mankind's evolution.

"Videodrome" is a high-brow movie with a gloriously low-brow protagonist. It deals with ideas like the nature of reality and its relationship to perception in startlingly direct and often grotesque ways. The movie mirrors the spiritual journey of the protagonist with a physical metamorphosis. In short, it is a complicated but excellent rewarding film.

"The Perfect Host" is entertaining and well made. It features a wonderfully fun and well realized performance by the underrated David Hyde Pierce. It is has an original concept. With all of these good qualities, it is not hard to forgive the movie for containing at least one twist too many or generally thinking itself more clever than it is.

John Taylor (Clayne Crawford) has just robbed a bank. Despite several layers of precautions designed to protect his identity and stymie pursuit, the police have quickly identified him and are closing in. In order to lie low, Taylor cons his way into the house of Warwick Wilson (David Hyde Pierce) who is preparing for a dinner party. Warwick turns out to not be as helpless as he appears and his dinner party ends up being both delightful and horrifying depending on one's perspective.

The movie is both a puzzle and a duel. As we watch, we slowly piece together complete portraits of both men (neither of whom are entirely what they first appear) and watch them struggle for dominance. Not all of the reveals are believable and the ending is far too tidy, but I could not help but enjoy "The Perfect Host." Made by a first time director, this movie radiates a sense of fun and free expression.