Exodus Trailer

Lately Ridley Scott has really been off his game. He has directed classics such as Alien and Blade Runner and the Oscar winning Gladiator but lately his films have been off. Prometheus was the one movie that had themes that out weighed the story and was slightly upsetting in the end. We can’t forget the disaster The Counselor, which was nearly unwatchable it really pained me to sit through it. The reason that I am eagerly anticipating this movie is because Scott has delved in this genre before and I liked Kingdom of Heaven and loved Gladiator. Hopefully that Exodus: Gods and Kings is somewhat of a comeback to the Ridley Scott that I loved. The look and feel of this movie has me interested as well. The poster and cinematography have this black and gold hue, which I like, and Christian Bale looks like a suitable Moses. Sadly the Egyptians aren’t looking as promising. I feel the casting Joel Edgerton as Ramesses isn’t a good choice, not because he is a bad actor but because I don’t feel like he is suitable for the race portrayed. In the end I’m looking forward to this but not exactly high anticipation at all.

Based on the story of Moses from the Old Testament. The movie chronicles the relationship between Moses (Christian Bale) and Ramesses (Joel Edgerton).  It is an interpretation freeing of the Israelites from Egypt.

Directed by: Ridley Scott. Starring Christian Bale as Moses, Joel Edgerton as Rhamses, Aaron Paul as Joshua, John Turturro as Seti, and Ben Kingsley as Nun. Produced by Scott Free Productions and distributed by 20th Century Fox

Deliver Us From Evil Review, A Chilling Yet Flawed Thriller

Deliver Us From Evil

Directed by: Scott Derrickson

Starring: Eric Bana, Édgar Ramírez, Olivia Munn, Joel McHale, and Sean Harris

Horror is one of those genres that tend to be very subjective. Not everyone has the same opinion in regards to what they find scary, it’s along the same lines of comedy. The Exorcist is hailed as the scariest and also the greatest horror films of all time. I love The Exorcist and I think that it defines the horror genre. Recently I can’t say that I have the same opinion of horror movies now. They like to thrive of jump scares instead of having subtle terror that causes chills to crawl down your arms. The last one that really caused me to experience fear and that was The Ring, which I will not watch to this day again. Surprisingly enough I feel that Scott Derrickson has a great understanding of horror, though he still does rely on jump scares but the way that he uses atmosphere and sound to frighten you is something horror movies have been lacking a lot recently. Sinister is one of my favorite horror movies recently and I think it is actually terrifying until the rushed ending. Deliver Us From Evil follows suit with Sinister, it has a lot of flaws in its first two acts that really bothers me but once you get to the end you completely forget about that and experience one the greatest exorcism scenes that I’ve seen.

Apparently based on the true story of New York cop Ralph Sarchie (Eric Bana) and his experience with renegade priest Father Mendoza (Édgar Ramírez). After responding to a dispatch involving a woman who threw her baby into a ravine at the local zoo. At first Sarchie believes that the woman is on drugs but as the case deepens he realizes that some much more sinister and evil is at work.

With the help of Mendoza he begins to find clues revolving around a disgraced former Iraq solider and the evil spirit that dwells with in him.  As the case goes on Ralph begins experiencing strange events regarding his past and his family. To stop the evil at hand Ralph has to confess his sins that haunt him and ultimately become a better man if he every wants to stop the possessed solider.

The problems that I have towards todays horror movies are all still present here and it really detracts from the experience. For the first two acts jump scares are the thing but the mystery behind the movie is a lot more intriguing than the movie itself. I never felt that it was never meant to be an actual horror movie but instead just a typical thriller with a much more haunting presence. Much like Seven, the story follows the search for a killer that they can’t seem to catch. It’s interesting when they decide to do this with a killer possessed by a demon and I think that’s the biggest strength of the film.

My biggest problems really brought it down but the stuff I like I really loved and it’s conflict in the final result and makes it hard to grade. Every time that Joel McHale’s character, Ralph’s partner Butler, is on screen makes me hate this movie more. He’s trying to be the comic relief in a movie that doesn’t require it and truly isn’t a welcome addition to the movie. It seems that every horror film now always feature the family troubles with the main character and the demon always comes for the characters family in the end and that’s another cliche that should be in a movie that tries to be completely different than similar movies. You could completely trim 15 minutes from this movie and they’d have a solid movie.

What I did like is Scott Derrickson’s control of the camera and the way that he can makes any atmosphere into something truly creepy. In Sinister he was able to make a small house into something that made house into something truly creepy and claustrophobic. The atmosphere of this movie is beyond perfect. Derrickson has me convinced that New York is terrifying place to be, with constant raining and the harsh shadows, and that’s where the films power lies in creating a terrifying canvas of a city that is manipulated to serve the story and the mood they are trying to convey. Unlike Sinister this movie had a rough first two acts and a strong third act which completely changed my opinion on the movie in the end. The exorcism scene is by far one of the most terrifying scenes in a horror film to date and really completed a movie that really needed the help. It does end a little abruptly but it works for the overall narrative and makes the movie one to see. The chemistry between Bana and Ramírez also makes it more interesting to watch the two interact, especially in the final act.

If you are a true fan of horror movies or are looking for a movie to watch on a Friday night than you can’t really go wrong with this. It’s a flawed yet entertaining horror film that delivers a very strong finally.

Grade: C

Fury Trailer

David Ayer surprised me with End of Watch but his other movies, Street Kings, Harsh Times, and Sabotage, didn’t quite leave their marks. As good as the trailer makes this seem, I’m not quite sure it will be quite as good as End of Watch. End of Watch was a breath of fresh air in the tired buddy cop genre. It utilized found footage and combined it with real footage to create such a unique and intriguing movie, just like Inglorious Basterds took a different approach to a tired genre. I’m hoping Fury falls into this category, a different take on the WWII drama. The one thing it does is center its story on something unlike any other and that is setting it in a tank with a condensed cast. I like the casting throughout, Brad Pitt as Wardaddy looks like a variation of Aldo Raine from Basterds. I’m hoping for good things when it comes to this movie but given Ayer’s track record it does have me worried.

The film is set during the last months of World War II in April 1945. As the Allies make their final push in the European Theater, a battle-hardened U.S. Army sergeant in the 2nd Armored Division named Wardaddy (Brad Pitt) commands a Sherman tank called “Fury” and its five-man crew on a deadly mission behind enemy lines. Outnumbered and outgunned, Wardaddy and his men face overwhelming odds in their heroic attempts to strike at the heart of Nazi Germany.

Directed by David Ayer. Starring Brad Pitt as Wardaddy, Shia LeBeouf as Boyd Swan, Logan Lerman as Norman Ellison, Michael Peña as Trini Garcia, and Jon Bernthal as Grady Travis. Produced by Columbia Pictures and distributed by Sony Pictures.