THE QUEEN (2006)

TITLE
The Queen

STARRING
Helen Mirren, Michael Sheen, James Cromwell, Sylvia Syms, Alex Jennings, Helen McCrory, Rojer Allam, Julian Firth

WHAT THE BOX DOESN'T TELL YOU
It cannot be that one of the movies I most looked forward to seeing was such a tremendous let down! I'm beginning to think all the fuss wasn't actually over the Queen or PM, but anything that reminded us once again of Diana. In many regards, I found myself wanting, maybe because I built this movie up to be something of a contender for all of the many honors for which it was nominated. When the last scene faded, it only managed to dazzle via the performances of Helen Mirren and Michael Sheen as Queen Elizabeth II and PM Tony Blair, respectively. Perhaps Americans cannot be accurate barometers of the importance of the story in a movie like this, but then again, this film receive an international audience and is therefore up for international criticism. I was frustrated with the script and the supporting cast almost immediately. Where this movie could have gone is unfathomable, where it did go was dull at best, sometimes managing not connect the simplest scenes with real meaning or transition. I read several reviews arguing that the highlight of the film is how the script was pieced together from interviews, many of which corroborated one another. Honestly, if any of it is true, I think the novelty of the film is the performances of Mirren and Sheen, who carefully navigate an tense burgeoning relationship fraught with assumptions and disappointment from the start, somehow managing to understand the other's point of view in the process.

WHY I WOULD RENT IT AGAIN
There's a really great scene where Sheen as Blair is watching the events unfold, discussing the Queen's speech with his staff, none of whom are the least bit sympathetic to the Royal Family's situation. In that moment, he musters up a couple of great lines in retaliation of their disregard for her with all of the intensity you hoped to find throughout the movie. Possibly the best writing of the movie, second only to the probably almost entirely fictional scene with the Queen and the stag. Like Bobby, this movie has a lot of places to go, but it never quite gets there and I'm not sure I'd view it again unless on cable.

WILL MY GIRLFRIEND/BOYFRIEND LIKE IT?
Possibly, but not really. I think Americans who watch the movie will just be outraged that Diana wasn't honored as a Royal from the moment of her death, not understanding the depths and complexities of a monarchy. Those who do understand it will be looking for something a bit more dramatic, displaying some epic qualities.

SPECIAL FEATURES
Absolutely nothing except a "making-of" featurette, what a disappointment. Especially considering the magnitude of this film.

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DEJA VU (2006)

TITLE
Deja Vu

STARRING
Denzel Washington, Paula Patton, Val Kilmer, Jim Caviezel, Adam Goldberg, Bruce Greenwood, Erika Alexander

WHAT THE BOX DOESN'T TELL YOU
I can't be certain the box doesn't tell you this, but I am fairly assured that this is one of those movies that is far less confusing than its trailer would lead you to believe. I'm glad it was boiled down to the really simple principle of time travel, because the preview made it appear as if it would be a series of complicated premonitions, stalking, and general unexplained activity - but time travel, even on a really limited basis, is something I can get behind. This is the usual Tony Scott production, where until the last moment you're waiting to see if everything will happen as you suspect it should. As for performances, Denzel Washington - standard hero type character we've seen him play for years, nowhere near as good as his role in Inside Man, which has to be among my Top Ten for 2006! Paula Patton, wife of Robin Thicke, was very engaging and I think one of the better African American leads to turn out, high praise indeed considering last year gave us Dreamgirls, landing a few new performers on the map. Val Kilmer is back from dead, this must be at least the third movie he had out in 2006, his role was gratuitous but well-cast(see last sentence of the paragraph). Our only bummer is that Jim Caviezel, who I always liked and thought could embrace roles of varying natures has been demoted in Hollywood to a supporting role. I am struck by the cast, as you should be, because both leads and several supporting cast members are all part of different ethnicities with most of the supporting Caucasian cast biting the dust along the way, save Agent Pryzwarra (Kilmer).

WHY I WOULD RENT IT AGAIN
I think I might pick up more with a second go round. You know, really grasp the mechanics of time travel, and with proper ATF funding, perhaps build my own unit.

WILL MY GIRLFRIEND/BOYFRIEND LIKE IT?
Oh yeah, something for everyone.

SPECIAL FEATURES
A boring Making-of-featurette, honestly those shouldn't even be considered "extras." Other trailers, etc.

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FREEDOM WRITERS (2006)

TITLE
Freedom Writers

STARRING
Hilary Swank, Patrick Dempsey, Mario, Imelda Staunton April Lee Hernandez, Deance Wyatt, Hunter Parrish

WHAT THE BOX DOESN'T TELL YOU
The only thing not to like about this film, save the typical feel of "based on a true story," is Hilary Swank as a newly hired teacher in one of Long Beach's more violent schools. She specializes in a kind of awkwardness with every role that makes my stomach turn and viewing her performances hardly bearable. Now, you might use the excuse that this is a role in which being a uneasy and ill-suited to the situation is completely relative to the storyline.....great, a short list of other actresses I would rather watch in the role, Jennifer Garner, Ginnifer Goodwin or Julia Stiles. Swank cannot pull off a recent college graduate anymore, nor is it believable that she would pursue a route of extreme perseverance in the face of harsh adversity. If I were Erin Gruwell, I would be devastated that Swank was chosen to portray me as her hollow performance marred the film. The writing is vividly true to the situations which befall students inside and outside of their classroom. There is an earnest cast of newcomers to the feature film-style acting, some of who seem very promising, and there there is Swank, at nearly every turn reminding you this is just a movie that needed an academy award-winning actress to get it bankrolled.

WHY I WOULD RENT IT AGAIN
I would not. I really wanted to give this movie the benefit of the doubt, and it isn't the movie which disappointed for the record. It is the casting of Swank, who ruined some of the most sincere scenes in the movie. Although I didn't relish it on my first, and only viewing, Ryan Gosling's performance in Half Nelson was more befitting a teacher with wrestling with personal conflicts and real issues.

WILL MY GIRLFRIEND/BOYFRIEND LIKE IT?
I think this is universally the kind of movie many types of people want to enjoy, and judging from box office numbers, did enjoy.

SPECIAL FEATURES
Yes, there are special features.

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COPYING BEETHOVEN (2006)

TITLE
Copying Beethoven

STARRING
Ed Harris, Diane Kruger, Ralph Riach, Joe Anderson, Matthew Goode, Gabor Bohus, Matyelok Gibbs

WHAT THE BOX DOESN'T TELL YOU
It's both beautiful and brilliant - a real accomplishment in acting. Diane Kruger, who plays Beethoven's copyist and muse, Anna Holtz was not more remarkable in any role she's taken so far as she was in this film. She's had some big shoes to fill as Helen in Troy and other prominent roles in popular films like National Treasure and Wicker Park. Most roles clearly have not used her talents. Ed Harris as Ludwig von Beethoven was well-cast, though that should not surprise since he is an actor's actor, having conquered stage, cinema, and television throughout his career. Both are a joy to watch and make the film all the more enchanting.

WHY I WOULD RENT IT AGAIN
I just loved this film. The music of Beethoven wasn't hard on the ears either. This was definitely Oscar-caliber acting, which I now feel was horribly overlooked.

WILL MY GIRLFRIEND/BOYFRIEND LIKE IT?
I would suggest this movie to any fan of acting, drama or music.

SPECIAL FEATURES
There's a few; some interesting tidbits on Beethoven, might be worth a look.

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THE HISTORY BOYS (2006)

TITLE
The History Boys

STARRING
Richard Griffiths, Samuel Barnett, Dominic Cooper, Frances de la Tour, Jamie Parker, Russell Tovey, Andrew Knott, Stephen Campbell Moore, Sacha Dhawan, Jame Corden, Samuel Anderson, Clive Merrison, Georgia Taylor.

WHAT THE BOX DOESN'T TELL YOU
The story is a bit hard to stomach for a comedy as it is not simply about the achievements of some schoolboys or the relationship between teacher and pupil, in fact it does involve the questionable conduct of a faculty member, which your never quite certain happened, although all address it as if it has. Of course the broody lads have a variety of barriers to their educational and social successes, though they are most remarkable at their school and are competing for places at Cambridge and Oxford. I was thinking from the preview it might be more along the lines of a British version of Dead Poets Society or The Emperor's Club, but it falls short of both. As a devotee of British film, I like to think I understand and appreciate their attraction for unorthodox sexual tensions or their aptitude for intersecting storylines, but this movie misses something. Perhaps its genre is misidentified.

WHY I WOULD RENT IT AGAIN
I enjoyed parts. The last two scenes (ending) are brilliant, and its possibly the best ending I've come across in recent years. The actors do a lot with this script, it was preceded by a stage version that was tremendously successful. The performances of the three principal teachers, Hector (Griffiths), Irwin (Moore) and Lintott (de la Tour) are not to be overlooked.

WILL MY GIRLFRIEND/BOYFRIEND LIKE IT?
This movie has a very small audience.

SPECIAL FEATURES
Miss them and you won't miss much.

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THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND (2006)

TITLE
The Last King of Scotland

STARRING
Forrest Whitaker, James McAvoy, Gillian Anderson, Kerry Washington, Simon McBurney, David Oyelowo

WHAT THE BOX DOESN'T TELL YOU
Terrible place that Africa, so many troubles plague its many countries and this is just one of those stories. How much is fact and how much is truth via perspective, is unknown, but Gen. Idi Amin (Whitaker) was responsible for the genocide of over 300,000 people - more people than occupy Iceland today. If that's not impressive, the torture he inflicted on those closest to him, including his own doctor (McAvoy) may be. A life lived in excess for the few can only translate to a life lived in poverty for the many. Rarely does a coup equate to a better life for the citizens of that country, this is one of those movies that's not asking you to consider the issue, but rather the perspectives primarily, of these two men. Gillian Anderson looks great in the movie.....it took me a minute to recognize her as a blond, probably smaller by about three dress sizes from her days on the X-Files. As a whole, the film is not remarkable, but the performances are believable and Whitaker appears more than deserving of his Oscar for the role.

WHY I WOULD RENT IT AGAIN
You know it would have to be a theme for the evening, like "early movies from James McAvoy's career", or "Oscar Winners from films (cir. 2006)." I just didn't prefer this drama/biopic to others I saw this year, though I think it was worth seeing once.

WILL MY GIRLFRIEND/BOYFRIEND LIKE IT?
It's rated R for a reason, the young, faint of heart and squeamish should sit this one out.

SPECIAL FEATURES
A couple, mostly standard fare, skip the deleted scenes.

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NOTES ON A SCANDAL (2006)

TITLE
Notes on a Scandal

STARRING
Judi Dench, Cate Blanchett, Bill Nighy, Andrew Simpson

WHAT THE BOX DOESN'T TELL YOU
A lot......it really doesn't begin to divulge how juicy this film's storyline is, and how could it? Betrayal, lesbian infatuation, adultery, a teacher-student tryst, misguided friendships, an abandoned marriage, torrid tempers and so much more. It would be hard to review this movie without giving away too much, so assume that the previous sentence describes the events of this movie, not necessarily in order. The title refers to the dairies kept by Barb (Dench), who is at her best in this movie, she's just a pariah in every way and splendid to watch. She also offers a real-time voiceover throughout the movie with some clever observations - great screenwriting at work. I imagine for some, based on the currency of the drama there are some who will not enjoy this film, but its adventurous for a British film. Any fan of movies cannot deny it was crap that Cate Blanchett won an Oscar for her lousy, if not inept portrayal of the great Katharine Hepburn in The Aviator. Oh, but she more than makes up for it in this film, she's brilliant. I rarely think of her as a serious lead or talent, though she's earning her way up my rankings.

WHY I WOULD RENT IT AGAIN
I really liked what they chose to include in this film and the things they left on the curring room floor - just good editing at work, and I would say this screenplay was translated with an intensity, both rare and wonderful. It's everything a drama should be.

WILL MY GIRLFRIEND/BOYFRIEND LIKE IT?
For: those who love dramas, British film, the actors noted above.

SPECIAL FEATURES
Most are skippable, but likely not to disappoint. I enjoyed the "In Character with Cate Blanchett" feature.

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BOBBY (2006)

TITLE
Bobby

STARRING
Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher, Martin Sheen, Helen Hunt, Shia LeBeouf, Sharon Stone, Emilio Estevez, Lindsay Lohan, Laurence Fishburne, William H. Macy, Anthony Hopkins, Harry Belafonte, Nick Cannon, Joshua Jackson, Heather Graham, Freddy Rodriguez, Elijah Wood, Christian Slater, Jacob Vargas

WHAT THE BOX DOESN'T TELL YOU
Mucho talent does not equate to epic movie-making. This is a composite of stories of people who were present on the day Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated at the Ambassador Hotel, paying particular attention to those who were in the line of fire. This movie will not teach you anything about RFK, it might help to learn about the culture and events surrounding Kennedy's run for presidency, such as Vietnam, racial tensions in America, rise of illegal drug usage, societal pressures, etc. What the film does well is cut old footage of Bobby's campaign and modern scenes filmed for the movie. Consequently, you never see someone portraying Kennedy in the film aside from a few select scenes, where the actor's face is not shown. It's a good effort by Estevez, who wrote, directed, and acted in the film, but its definitely not a great film. I would suggest it is almost a waste to combine so many substantial acting talents, when they only have a few scenes in which to take part. It is also difficult to portray a presidential (or similarly calibered) figure in a way that is immensely interesting. I think JFK and Nixon, were also films that disappointed me, perhaps because it is impossible to recreate for people who were not present during those times the emotional content and feelings that make those events so historic.

WHY I WOULD RENT IT AGAIN
I wouldn't. Like I say, great effort, not a great movie. I would much rather watch something like An American President, Citizen Kane, Primary Colors, and Guilty By Suspicion, all of which use fictitious characters too address semi-historical situations. Good movie-making is not necessarily about a singular true story and then finding America's hottest talents to fill the roles and retell the story. On a personal note: Helen Hunt -it is torture to watch you in such a emaciated state, please return to health.

WILL MY GIRLFRIEND/BOYFRIEND LIKE IT?
I've heard people rave about this movie, that it was a crime it wasn't nominated for Best Picture Oscar. I'm not one of them, but I think it is equally appealing to both men and women.

SPECIAL FEATURES
There are a few, especially with Estevez.

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VAN WILDER 2: THE RISE OF TAJ (2006)

TITLE
Van Wilder 2: The Rise of Taj

STARRING
Kal Penn, Glen Barry, Anthoney Cozens, Steven Rathman, Holly Davidson, Lauren Cohan, Daniel Percival

WHAT THE BOX DOESN'T TELL YOU
Forget about the fact that the only name you may recognize from the list above is that of Kal Penn (Taj). This definitely has an ensemble feel and it is every bit the typical Hollywood sequel-style writing. Most events are predictable, which is not to suggest they lack humor. In the traditional style of all that is 'National Lampoon's,' there is some raunchy comedy and plenty of cleavage. The movie follows Taj from the original Van Wilder movie to his doctoral gig at fictitious Camford University in England, where he is immediately pitted against the Fox and Hounds Fraternity and its leader, Pip Everett (Percival), who turn him away to live as a teaching assistant with a band of social misfits. Taj takes it upon himself to turn them into the premier group of students and house on campus was well as winning the hear of Pip's gal (Cohan). It's interesting that they have this movie take place in England, where it is more socially acceptable and common to see Indian men and women as mainstream. This probably helped American audiences avoid the awkwardness of a male Indian lead, which is certainly uncommon for our cinema and a first for Penn.

WHY I WOULD RENT IT AGAIN
It's funny; not mind blowing roll on the floor with laughter and hysteria, but there are some good scenes and Penn is a pleasure to watch. Viewing the first Van Wilder is not required, but recommended. Having never watched the original all the way through (though it us owned by our household) I cannot attest to which is better. My husband believes the first is superior because of the acting talent involved in the first film.

WILL MY GIRLFRIEND/BOYFRIEND LIKE IT?
Yes.

SPECIAL FEATURES
Ehhh, I suggest skipping it unless you are a extras fanatic.

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FLANNEL PAJAMAS (2006)

TITLE
Flannel Pajamas

STARRING
Julianne Nicholson, Justin Kirk, Jamie Harrold, Chelsea Altman

WHAT THE BOX DOESN'T TELL YOU
It's basically a drama, forget the allusion of romance or comedy. There is no feel-good ending in sight, though there are some charming moments where I'm sure every couple can lament. When it says it's about a " mismatched couple falling in and out of love," that is the truth. The couple of course is played by the always intelligent, Julianne Nicholson (I'm With Lucy, Little Black Book) and less known, but still worthy Justin Kirk (Weeds, Angels in America). At times the movie can feel very independent, so there are some rough edits and awkward angles, but the movie is definitely a product with some finish.

WHY I WOULD RENT IT AGAIN
Every relationship has its moments where the sparkle has faded and I believe this movie represents those well. At first blush you might be tempted to turn it off, the first scene is the most poorly constructed to my way of thinking, but if you hang in there, you can see some very professional talents pull of the pleasant and earnest times in a relationship that make all of the other stuff worth it. Still, this is not one of those movies where they tough it out and break into some song and dance about how they were always meant for each other and that's a courage within screenwriting that we rarely see.

WILL MY GIRLFRIEND/BOYFRIEND LIKE IT?
Oh, this is very much one of those movies for the thinking person, and couples amidst their own turmoil would be ill-advised to watch it.

SPECIAL FEATURES
Pretty low budget DVD - you won't miss much here.

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CHILDREN OF MEN (2006)

TITLE
Children of Men

STARRING
Clive Owen, Julianne Moore, Michael Caine, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Claire-Hope Ashitey

WHAT THE BOX DOESN'T TELL YOU
The script took about 10 years to write. Now that might sound to you like a very long time, but in fact, several drafts were written, optioned, and then disregarded by writer/director Alfonso Cuaron (and team).

When adapting a movie from a book, especially a successful one, I am a firm believer it should occur in one of two distinct ways. 1. The movie should be as close an adaptation as is cinematically possible to the book (The LOTR Trilogy is a good example; three movies, four books, but Peter Jackson did it right). 2. Perhaps the book was written at a time when its issues were visionary, but, by today's standards are no longer so and a revisioning by the screenwriter is necessary to evoke the sentiments of the book. (I struggle for a good example of this, but let me put it out there that 10 Things I Hate About You was based on Shakespeare's 'Taming of the Shrew,' and I am fond of its successful translation to the 21st century.) The cinematic adaptation of Children of Men is rather like the second and reading the book (although I recommend it) is not necessary.

WHY I WOULD RENT IT AGAIN
Dystopian films are my thing. I love them, I cannot write them, but I love them, and this one was good. Nobody really knows what the future has in store for us, yet we are smothered with Utopian images despite our rather invasive and plague-like effect on our physical environment. This film is seemingly well edited, and it has to be or you run the risk of not including a critical piece of information that clues the audience into why the world is the way it is only 20 years from now.

WILL MY GIRLFRIEND/BOYFRIEND LIKE IT?
People with kids rarely like these kinds of movies unless they film buffs or enjoy the genre. It's sometimes difficult to imagine a world in chaos, with violence, but with fewer and fewer humans. If you are the kind to purely enjoy a movie or glean something from the visions of others, you will like this film. Incentive: Clive Owen (the only man who should have been chosen to be Bond) is our unwilling hero and his performance worth noting.

SPECIAL FEATURES
Saw it in theatres, look forward to renting it later this afternoon for special features!

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CURSE OF THE GOLDEN FLOWER (2006)

TITLE
Curse of the Golden Flower

STARRING
Chow Yun-Fat, Gong Li, Jay Chou, Liu Ye, Qin Junjie

WHAT THE BOX DOESN'T TELL YOU
This less about the action and more about the story - not a good thing when it comes to movies featuring marital arts. The story is interesting, though to grasp it all I suggest watching it in English or being fluent in Mandarin, the subtitles would be way too overwhelming. You really don't get a lot of impressive action until the last 20 minutes and it feels like an eternity to get there. As I said, there is a complex story involving the poisoning of the Empress, overthrow of the Emperor, and selection of a new Crown Prince, as well as the reveal of a hidden parental identity.

WHY I WOULD RENT IT AGAIN
Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, it ain't. I don't think I would check this out again. The costumes and scenery as per usual are superior.

WILL MY GIRLFRIEND/BOYFRIEND LIKE IT?
If you like, the person you've aligned with will also enjoy it, unless of course you are polar opposites or he/she doesn't like Asian cinema.

SPECIAL FEATURES
Yep - there are some. Filmed in the Forbidden City, which is vast, I be there are some good behind the scenes vignettes.

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BLACK CHRISTMAS (2006)

TITLE
Black Christmas

STARRING
Michelle Trachtenberg, Lacey Chabert, Oliver Hudson, Katie Cassidy, Andrea Martin, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Kristen Cloke

WHAT THE BOX DOESN'T TELL YOU
That they spent too much time, money, and young talent on remaking an already below average horror movie, the original was released in 1974. This retelling of an abused child's family and their unconventional Christmas celebrations, including his mother, father, stepfather, sister/daughter (uggh!) is so gruesome its good, but that is not the case. Instead, we get to watch Alpha Kappa sorority sisters (Trachtenberg, Chabert, Cassidy, Winstead) and their house mother (Martin) joined by random boyfriend (Hudson) and older sister of the first kill (Cloke) battle witlessly against a two related killers, both recently released or escaped from mental institutions who's views on being home for the holidays are a little apart from the mainstream.

WHY I WOULD RENT IT AGAIN
Yeah, no, I wouldn't.

WILL MY GIRLFRIEND/BOYFRIEND LIKE IT?
The 20 and under crowd will probably eat it up.

SPECIAL FEATURES
Martin starred in the original, and there is a commentary on the disc by her regarding her role in the remake. I can't say any of the features are worth it.

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THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS (2006)

TITLE
The Pursuit of Happyness

STARRING
Will Smith, Thandie Newton, Jaden Smith, Brain Howe, James Karen, Takayo Fischer

WHAT THE BOX DOESN'T TELL YOU
It doesn't tug on the heart strings nearly as much as it might seem from the trailer. This is a very good thing, because there was nothing about the preview that excited or interested me. I know the playing field isn't level, life throws more than a curveball to us, and the odds are generally stacked against you when it comes to breaking the rules of poverty, middle class, and wealth. Oh, and yes, there is a reason why happiness is spelled wrong.

WHY I WOULD RENT IT AGAIN
It is still not my kind of movie. I prefer those movies which entertain, enthrall or enlighten. Now, because this true story was turned into a major motion picture, you know your are assured of a happy ending - so that means all the awful stuff that happens in between you just have to endure. This movie does most of the unpleasant stuff justice - but not in a gripping or biting way. Spending the night in a subway bathroom with your preschooler and all the belongings you have, amounting to fewer than three suitcases cannot be undone emotionally. And maybe that's why I wouldn't watch it again. Chris Gardner (W. Smith) is just too strong, too unemotional, too near to a major breakdown without ever really getting there.

WILL MY GIRLFRIEND/BOYFRIEND LIKE IT?
Hey, I don't know many people who don't like Will Smith, and the movie is a lot easier on the mind and heart, so it doesn't exclude even the toughest guy or alienate the mom looking for a flick about parents and children.

SPECIAL FEATURES
Several, some of the deleted scenes are good and maybe should have been included.

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BLOOD DIAMOND (2006)

TITLE
Blood Diamond

STARRING
Leonardo DiCaprio, Djimon Hounsou, Jennifer Connelly, Arnold Vosloo, Stephen Collins, Kagiso Kuypers, David Harewood

WHAT THE BOX DOESN'T TELL YOU
The box cannot begin to describe how disappointing the casting of Leonardo DiCaprio as Zimbabwe military specialist, Danny Archer and Jennifer Connelly as devoted journalist, Maddy Bowen was. Individually, each was fine in their role, but as love interests there was nothing believable or wise about this match. While this was only the second time I've been truly engrossed in a DiCaprio character (the first, and far better was his role in The Departed), Connelly appeared a bit washed up. Emotionally gripping, and well-cast was Djimon Hounsou as fisherman Solomon Vandy and son, Dia, a schoolboy turned rebel captain, played intensely by newcomer Kagiso Kuypers. Pairing an opportunist like Archer with the earnestly motivated Vandy, who during his capture by rebel forces discovered and hid at great personal peril a 100+ carat pink diamond, Blood Diamond chronicles the conflict of Sierra Leone and the two men as they seek out the diamond for very different reasons.

WHY I WOULD RENT IT AGAIN
It's a well-written story of perpetual hope and the evils of man. Much too much of it is relatively true as African nations are constantly embroiled in turmoil pitting governments against rebels against law abiding tribes. The diamond market is heartlessly controlled by two families, fueling the reality of blood diamonds, though the issue gets far less attention today than the movie implies.

WILL MY GIRLFRIEND/BOYFRIEND LIKE IT?
Yes, there's something for everyone.

SPECIAL FEATURES
Run-of-the-mill special features are included.

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TURISTAS (2006)

TITLE
Turistas

STARRING
Josh Duhamel, Melissa George, Olivia Wilde, Desmond Askew, Agles Steib, Max Brown, Beau Garrett

WHAT THE BOX DOESN'T TELL YOU
It's your average horror movie capitalizing on the excessive enjoyment of persons from the superpower countries, so allured by the cheapness of commodities, accessibility, and unexploited beauty of the third world, that they must seek and adventure beyond reasonable limits. What the unfortunate worldly travelers don't know is that they are in over their heads when it is their bodily resources that are sought by a depraved doctor and the local villagers. Without giving away too much, and let's be honest - it's hard to do that with any horror movie and dimension and meaning are in short supply, we can safely say there are some who after repeated warnings get the picture, and begin to understand the danger that they are in - thus the struggle ensues. Acting could be much worse, plot is reasonable given the headlines we hear about such travels, but the lack of common sense is unbearably frustrating.

WHY I WOULD RENT IT AGAIN
My cinematic gluttony begins with horror films and ends somewhere near sci-fi or foreign slashers, so admittedly, I will pay the rental fee anytime to get an occasional scare. While my true passion lies in the dystopian genre, I find flicks like this incredibly fun to watch. How many mistakes can one person (or in this case a group) over the period of three days.

WILL MY GIRLFRIEND/BOYFRIEND LIKE IT?
Yeah, nowhere near as grotesque as it was made to seem. We're not talking Hostel here!

SPECIAL FEATURES
I'm still wondering how they came up with the money to get Duhamel and George signed on to this project.


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