The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep, Child’s Play, Matchstick Men
Water Horse: Legend of the Deep, The
[ 3 stars out of 4 ]
I’ve always been curious about the loch ness monster but this is the first feature film I’m watched that focused on such a mythical creature. Even though there’s a lot of CGI, it doesn’t take away the emotional aspect of the story, which is about growth and maturity (which is reflected physically by the monster). This reminded me of a lighter version of “Pan’s Labyrinth” (because of the backdrop of the story is World War II) and “Free Willy” (during the final sequences). I found myself really rooting for the good guys and despising the “bad guys” to the point of vocalization! Not only that, I was really touched during the film’s emotional parts, such as the interactions between the main character and his father. Sci-fi action and drama aside, this also has comedic moments such as when particular characters would greatly exaggerate statements and those that were listening at the time would roll their eyes or look at each other with disbelief. Moments like that doused a little bit of the darker side of the film. Like most great children’s movie, this has darker moments and real peril which makes it that much more exciting, which means adults can enjoy the film as well.
Child’s Play
[ 4 stars out of 4 ]
When I was younger, I never thought dolls were creepy… until I saw this movie. The first time I saw this was when I was about six or seven years old. I was scared out of my wits but I couldn’t help but keep watching. More than ten years later, this is still one of my favourite movies because this is the film that made me fall in love with motion pictures. This picture was released more than twenty years ago but the jolts are still there. Three best scenes include: Chucky’s first kill, when the mother finds out that Chucky is alive, and the final showdown. Catherine Hicks, Alex Vincent, and Chris Sarandon all played plucky characters so it’s not hard to root for them. Hicks is especially good in this film because she gave various expressions that are perfect for certain scenes. I’m surprised she settled down with “7th Heaven” for more than ten years and didn’t focus on her film career. I think she would’ve flourished if she branched out. The movie is fast-paced; an hour into it, we’re already in the final confrontation, leaving twenty minutes of first-rate suspense. When the last frame arrives, the audience will get this feeling that the nightmare is just beginning. This movie definitely deserved sequels, but none of them could match the intensity of the original.
Matchstick Men
[ 3 stars out of 4 ]
Nicolas Cage gives a really entertaining performance as a con artist with obsessive-compulsive disorder who finds out that he has a fourteen-year-old daughter. Eventually, she learns of his true identity and the audience wonder how far it will go. Of course, the film takes a darker turn when one of the con jobs goes terribly wrong. I remember watching this back when it came out on DVD and was completely blown away by the trippy ending. But I think what’s most impressive by watching it the second time was how it gathers momentum prior to the astonishing finish. The only thing that sets this movie back a bit is its seemingly lost beginning. But when it finally found its footing, everything else was consistent and fascinating. Other brilliant perfomances include Sam Rockwell, as Cage’s partner in crime, and Alison Lohman as Cage’s daughter. Just when you think you feel one way for a character (especially toward the second half), everything suddenly flips upside down several times. This requires a close viewing in order to fully appreciate the bigger picture.
