Director: Carter Smith
Starring: Jonathan Tucker, Shawn Ashmore, Jena Malone, Laura Ramsey, Joe Anderson
Genre: Horror
Certificate: 18
Rating: ****
The Ruins is an interesting horror film - although it has its fair share of gore, it also genuinely is terrifying. Who would have thought that something as harmless as vines could cause so much suffering? Although at times it is hard to understand what is happening/why somebody would do that, it is actually a very good film, with disgusting (mostly medical) gore, and haunting performances from Laura Ramsey, who, along with Jena Malone, show off the best of their acting abilities here. That's not to say the others aren't good - they definitely are, but Ramsey and Malone are just...better. I accept that the plot probably isn't the best in the world, but The Ruins works with what is has, and does so extremely well. Some parts are predictable, but not so much that the film is boring. Most of the gore stems from self-amputations, and slicing into your own skin to remove some vines. All in all, although this film is not the best by any account, you still have to accept that it is pretty good.
Showing posts with label Jena Malone. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jena Malone. Show all posts
Monday, 4 May 2009
Friday, 10 April 2009
Donnie Darko (2001)
Director: Richard Kelly
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone, Drew Barrymore, James Duval, Beth Grant, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Mary McDonnell, Holmes Osbourne, Katharine Ross, Patrick Swayze, Noah Wyle
Certificate: 15
Genre: Psychological thriller
Rating: **** - good
Review: Donnie Darko is one of those films, similar to the Underworld series, which does not impress the critics, yet seems to be extremely popular. After watching the film the second time (this time with my friends, so I could discuss it afterwards), I realised just how good it really is. The cast are well-known, and so you can expect the acting not to be poor. The script is inappropriately humourous in some places, and well-written all over - the comedy part, for example the dinner table scene, is hilarious. The plot is complicated (but makes complete sense once you have thought about it), so if you do not like to have to think hard whilst watching a film, this will not be for you. Basically, a young boy, Donnie Darko (Jake Gyllenhaal), sees terrifying visions of a man dressed in a bunny-suit, stating that the end of the world is coming, and decides he must be the one to unravel the strange occurences affecting his school, home, and life. This is a hauntingly brilliant film, which will make you cry, laugh, and shock you, all at once.
Be prepared to question reality.
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone, Drew Barrymore, James Duval, Beth Grant, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Mary McDonnell, Holmes Osbourne, Katharine Ross, Patrick Swayze, Noah Wyle
Certificate: 15
Genre: Psychological thriller
Rating: **** - good
Review: Donnie Darko is one of those films, similar to the Underworld series, which does not impress the critics, yet seems to be extremely popular. After watching the film the second time (this time with my friends, so I could discuss it afterwards), I realised just how good it really is. The cast are well-known, and so you can expect the acting not to be poor. The script is inappropriately humourous in some places, and well-written all over - the comedy part, for example the dinner table scene, is hilarious. The plot is complicated (but makes complete sense once you have thought about it), so if you do not like to have to think hard whilst watching a film, this will not be for you. Basically, a young boy, Donnie Darko (Jake Gyllenhaal), sees terrifying visions of a man dressed in a bunny-suit, stating that the end of the world is coming, and decides he must be the one to unravel the strange occurences affecting his school, home, and life. This is a hauntingly brilliant film, which will make you cry, laugh, and shock you, all at once.
Be prepared to question reality.
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