Reviews With Mike Furches: thriller

Showing posts with label thriller. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Waking Madison

Sometimes you see a movie that is pure entertainment, then other times a great comedy, there are the mysteries, and sometimes they surround themselves with a side of life we just can’t comprehend. We know when we see a good movie. Waking Madison is a good movie. It wraps itself in mystery so much it becomes difficult to tell others about it without giving away so much that it would damage or destroy the experience.

Madison is a young woman who has many struggles due in part to her childhood. She has developed Dissociative Identity Disorder. She has become tired of the things life has thrown her way and decides to get well. There are struggles in her recovery and there is more control in her life by others than she realizes. There are those involved in her recovery that we have various feelings for, some we like, some we don’t, but just like real life, there are things we like and don’t like in our own lives. It is as Madison realizes who she is that recovery has the potential to take place.

Waking Madison is not a movie for all people, one has to think and stick it out until the end to fully understand the story. It movie is unique, while some mysteries have an epiphany moment; this one has 2 or more, of which the last one in the closing moments, brings everything together. I credit the direction provided by Katherine Brooks. She has a talented cast to work around though including Elisabeth Shue who plays psychiatrist Dr. Elizabeth Barnes and Sarah Roemer who does a very nice job as Madison. Throw in a supporting cast of people like Will Patton and Taryn Manning and there is a quality cast of actors. In the special features Elisabeth Shue states it is the first time in 25 years of acting that she has ever been directed by a female director. This largely female cast delivers a powerful punch.

Director Brooks does an excellent job at developing the role of Madison which is largely based on her own life. In the journey of the movie, and it is a journey, we learn more about Madison with each step she takes. It is confusing as there is a hodgepodge of activities that has the viewer for the longest time wondering what is going on. As the script and characters develop there is in the conclusion of the film a moment where we totally understand what has been happening. It is done in such a way that for many they will want to go back and watch the film again to catch things they missed along the way. Unfortunately for many, I suspect they will stop the journey of the film and turn around and either turn off the DVD or quit watching all together. It is one of the things that make the tough times of the journey difficult, the process of getting to the end may not be fun, but once you get to the conclusion you will find rewards. The ending of the journey helps the viewer understand the journey and completing it proved satisfying for me.

There are times have a presumption of what others are like based on appearances. Unfortunately, the make-up of our personalities and the sometimes chemical imbalances that exist within the brains of some are things that are unseen and impact our wellness. This is especially true for those with mental illness. The need to love others, even those in our family, is something many take for granted. We don’t always realize how others will react to the love, or lack of love we give them. Neither do we understand the journeys that have brought them to the place they are in life. How people respond to the difficulties of life is different, I have always been impressed at how the mind adapts to the extreme pressures of life. Others look at how some do this as horrific, but in some situations I have learned to look at them as God given ways to deal and cope with the hardship. While on the surface some things seem like horrors, for others, it is as if God found a way to take that meant for evil and turned it around and used it for good.

Waking Madison is a movie that will either be liked or hated. I really liked it; of course I took the whole trip from beginning to end. I understood the themes being addressed because I have worked with people like Madison. This film is not easy to watch, and while it could have been more entertaining, I don’t know if it would have been as powerful. This is a drama in its purest form; it is story that is horrific and unfortunately all too real for many. Is it worth watching? You bet it is, but more importantly it is worth understanding.

While I really enjoyed this movie I don’t know I could say it is worth owning for many because it is difficult to watch at times. Certainly the hardest viewing is the first; the second is somewhat enlightening as to better understand the story and concept being presented, after that, it is hard to imagine this being a multiple viewing DVD. The ample special features which include interviews, deleted scenes, a director’s commentary and more are rather appropriate for mental health professionals and others with an interest in the subject matter. I can recommend it certainly for education purposes. There is quality story telling, a methodology of direction, and excellent acting. For film enthusiast, I think they will enjoy this well made, low budget, educational enlightening journey.

To see the video posted below, click on the video, if the video doesn’t appear or appears in distorted form, click on the following link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGwa_vlGMro

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Monday, July 11, 2011

Deliver Us From Evil

Sometimes a movie you don’t expect much from will surprise you, when that surprise produces quite possibly one of the best directed, acted, thrilling, mesmerizing scripts you have ever seen that surprise is more than just a surprise, it is a memorable moment that sticks with you days, and even weeks, months and years after the viewing. Deliver Us From Evil the Danish film directed by Ole Bornedal is one of the best films I have seen in some time, and deserving of moving into my top 25 of all time, maybe even higher.

Deliver Us From Evil is the story of two brothers, one who has moved back into his quaint Danish town with his wife and children. It seems as if for the one brother everything goes right. The second brother is one where it seems as if everything goes wrong. Jens Andersen who plays the bad brother of Lars seemingly has a horrific accident where he tries to pass the accident off on another. As a result people are blamed for things they may not have done and this working class small town, used to drunken escapades from its town’s people decides to take revenge on an innocent family. In the process, the concepts of faith and decency are challenged with the precept that all persons, even people of seemingly strong Christian beliefs, are challenged with the reality that certainly the potential of evil, if not evil itself dwells within each person.

Deliver Us From Evil opens with quality filmmaking. The opening sequence reminds me stylistically of the noted Richard Attenborough shots of what is called long shots, without any cutaways or edits. The cinematography in this film is simply put, breathtaking. There is more about the direction of Ole Bornedal though. His use of edits, music and quite possibly one of the most unique usages of sound I have seen in a movie in quite some time is cinematic genius. One of the usages of sound he uses is silence, at times when we would expect noise, or harsh reality we hear silence. In one horrific scene towards the end of the movie there are the images of a horrific event, with no sound other than the birds chirping in the background. Deliver Us From Evil has caused me to search out more work from Bornedal because his work is that good.

Deliver Us From Evil starts off with the bad brother, Lars, making a delivery on a delivery truck. Along the way, he has an accident. In his attempt to hide his responsibility in the accident he gets a Bosnian immigrant who has faced his own horrific events to drive the truck as to appear as if he was the one involved in the accident. The Bosnian, Alain works for his brother and family. When the tragedy comes to the awareness of the town’s people, they go after Alain. Lars Brother, Johannes, takes in Alain to protect him. The owner of the truck company, Ingvar, played by Morgens Pederesen, is a highly religious man following in the footsteps of his wife, who is known as one of the most Christian women of the village. Morgens has an evil side though, and before long, many of the good people of the small community is moved to evil in order to execute what they believe is just vengeance.

One of the things we see in Deliver Us From Evil is each character change from their original impression on screen to become a different person at the conclusion of the movie. Where there is the impression of evil from the start, we see that character eventually show some positive traits, we also see characters perceived as good, become evil. Bornedal presents in a provocative way the potential of evil and its impact. The development of these characters is mesmerizing and thought provoking.

Deliver Us From Evil using as a backdrop to its story the exploration of evil, specifically in reference to what is commonly referred to as The Lords Prayer:
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Bornedal explores the concept of where evil come from. He presents that there is the potential of evil in each person, and it is more easily accessed than we think. What happens once evil is released is presented in a powerful, horrific, thrilling way that leaves the viewer thinking about what they have seen on screen for some time; for me days after the initial viewing. The importance of protecting ones self from the evil in others and especially the potential of evil within ones self has an impact that will either have us being grateful for the decisions we make, or regretting them and hopefully moving on to something better.

I loved this movie and its power. While there is something I suspect many will dislike, I have held back mentioning it up to this point to hopefully create interest in the film and the willingness of others to see it. For some though, they will have difficulty with the subtitles. While the film is subtitled, it is done so in an interesting way that is easy to read and keep caught up. I love film that incorporates faith perspectives in a real, thought provoking way. While there are harsh realities in this film, from nudity, to language, and even a harsh rape scene, the movie presents in a real way, the dangers of evil and the potential for people to do evil. Sometimes we fight battles around the world without seeing the evil in our own backyards.

One of the things I appreciate, especially in DVD’s is the special features and Deliver Us From Evil delivers. From the Making of Feature to deleted scenes and more, there are things to learn about this movie from watching the features. One thing to learn is the intent of Bornedal regarding the themes of the movie. While many are skeptical of the connection between the religious parallels and themes of a movie, if taking time to watch and listen, especially the commentaries, one will often times find they are not simple illusions they are concepts strongly intended by the makers of the film. There was nothing I didn’t like about this movie; it was as perfect a movie as I have seen in a very long time. It is certainly a movie that entertains but also causes one to think and contemplate on important themes surrounding life.

While Deliver Us From Evil may not be for everyone, it was for me a movie worth owning. It is for a mature audience which appreciates character development, thematic events, quality filmmaking, and good storytelling. If you fit into that audience, this is a must own. If you don’t, at least give it a shot via rental, who knows, you may find yourself liking film the way it should be made, with genius and intelligence.

To see the video posted below, click on the video, if the video doesn’t appear or appears in distorted form, click on the following link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K51Uv_tFpbQ

Monday, May 23, 2011

The Vanishing on 7th Street

I had heard of the movie, The Vanishing on 7th Street and the advance trailers had me wanting to see it. One of my favorite actors, John Leguizamo is in the film and while I haven’t always liked the movies he is in, I have enjoyed his talents as an actor. I was excited to review this movie especially with its haunting themes. In the movie there is a vanishing, much like a rapture that takes place in Detroit. In the shadows is an evil that takes not just the souls but the bodies of those it surrounds. The Vanishing follows the plights of several individuals who end up at a local bar trying to escape the horrors of the streets. In some ways there is a tribute here to the concepts originally presented in The Night of the Living Dead. Light keeps the shadows away, but unfortunately most of the power sources that keep the lights burning are gone and the days are getting shorter. The bar where the group gathers has a self powered generator, but the fuel is running out and those stuck in the bar have to find a way to keep on the light, otherwise, they will disappear to the creatures in the shadows.

The Vanishing plays like a smaller, well done, independent film. While there is some quality cinematography, good acting, and a nice story line, it is still lacking. Unfortunately most people are accustomed to big time CGI and scary monsters. While the film costs some 10 million dollars to make it just doesn’t come across as a picture of that caliber. While on a large scale this would still be considered by many as a small budget film, it had a large enough budget to have the picture look like a higher quality than it is. That isn’t to say that the direction provide by Brad Anderson is bad, but it isn’t great either. While there is a haunting and entertaining score, despite the poor acting by a quality cast, it falls short in the production. The overtly dark overtones and lackluster creatures were a let down.

In the story, there is a mass power outage. People start disappearing, leaving behind their clothing, cars, and aircraft, whatever with the bodies disappearing. What appears in the movie resembles what one would think would occur by the rapture which was supposed to happen on May 21. Unfortunately, as the story develops we have no idea what has caused the events and it appears as if the direction and story line care less about details like this. The story is simple, something crappy happens, people disappear, and the creatures in the shadows take people from their bodies. There are people hiding out in a bar and they have to find ways to create light. As the batteries in the flashlights start to go dead, they decide to get a truck and somehow use the truck to keep the generator in the bar going. In this seemingly Myst type of film by Steven King, we get lost. The characters seem to forget that alcohol burns, thus enabling them to start fires. An important premise, especially when considering they are in a bar. The viewer sees the characters as so stupid that we don’t mind it when they start droping off one by one. If that description sounds muddied you will get lost in the rest of the story line.

One of the problems with The Vanishing on 7th Street is the lack of direction with the characters. The lead role is never clear. Hayden Christensen plays Luke, the hero yet there is also Leguizamo playing the part of Paul. There is so little character development it is hard to develop a liking of any of the characters, even in the young man James played by Jacob Latimore. While the concept is intriguing and seemingly promising, we don’t have the character development to make it work. This is a part of the problem with the movie.

The concept of staying in the light and out of the darkness is something that is quite intriguing and had me having promise in the movie. It is a concept that is spoken about often in the Bible. The importance of staying in the light, yet at the same time walking close enough to the darkness to reach those in the dark. We see this portrayed throughout the movie, especially so in the climatic ending where we see it played out in a church. Here we see a thought provoking portrayal of the importance of staying close to the safety around us provided by light, while at the same time, caring enough for those around us to sacrificially help them escape the death of the darkness. There are things in the dark that takes life, more often than not; those things are dangerous to our survival. The concept of walking in light, being aware of the dangers around us is a theme worth telling. One of the things portrayed that was appreciated is the ability of children to be open to the spiritual realms around us. Often times their concepts of evil and good have not been diluted and in their innocence we can find the answers to salvation.

The Vanishing on 7th Street isn’t a horrible movie but it isn’t great either. I wanted more, expected more but unfortunately got less. I appreciated the spiritual symbolism from the usage of churches, the conflict with God, and the potential salvation provided through the church. I just wish I cared more for the characters and the plot and script were better developed. While there are good themes worthy of viewing, I found the DVD, although loaded with special features was more suited for a rental than a purchase. There is a nice look to the film, although it was a letdown. One of my favorite parts of the DVD features which were unusual was the trailers for upcoming films, including, Hobo With a Shotgun. If getting this in the bargain rental, you will be okay, otherwise, you may be disappointed, not just for the cost, but the time it takes to watch this movie.

To see the video posted below click on the video. If the video isn’t at full scale or doesn’t show up, click on the following link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0JiuX5ByHk

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Click to visit with Pastor Mike regarding any of your needs. He will respond to each request personally, and if need be refer you to one of our other pastors.

Click to subscribe to my blog

Click to visit and join our sister group at MySpace Hollywood Jesus.

Now for those that do not know, make sure you check out the numerous articles and blogs by checking out the archives. If visiting The Virtual Pew or MySpace they are archived on the left hand side of the page. Scroll down to where you see newer or older listed under archives and then click there. There are hundreds of postings so make sure to check out the archives. You can also contact me for a free e-book pre edit version of The Keystone Kid at mike@thevirtualpew.comYou can visit http://www.thevirtualpew.com/ and on the front page down on the left side you sill see our store. Your purchase provides needed funds to The Virtual Pew. If you do not see something to purchase you can click on the search engine, (do not put anything in the search box at this time). You will be taken to Amazon where you can search for anything you desire. Hopefully you will consider a gift to The Virtual Pew.

Now I get asked this quite often, Can we repost your blogs or articles? The short answer to that is, what an honor that you would ask, and by all means, spread the word.Here is our contact information

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Waking Madison

Monday, July 11, 2011

Deliver Us From Evil

Monday, May 23, 2011

The Vanishing on 7th Street

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