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The Green Inferno Review

9/29/2015

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by Stephen Milek
​Well it’s been a long road for The Green Inferno.  Scheduled to be released last year then suddenly pulled due to the studio’s financial difficulties. It was in limbo for a while but earlier this year it was backed by Blumhouse productions and got a release date.  Finally Eli Roth’s cannibal film was unleashed on the world.  

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The Green Inferno Review

9/26/2015

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By Christopher k House

The Green Inferno has been causing buzz for some time. Many thought it would never see the light of day. Legal issues threatened to keep it shelved. Recently, Jason Blum picked the film up for his Blumhouse Productons. Eli Roth's homage to Cannibal Holocaust 'The Green Inferno' delivers the goods when it come to disgusting gore.

The film opens with a group of college protesters planning a trip to Peru to protest the destruction of the rainforest. The group, led by Alejandro (Ariel Levy) chain themselves to the heavy equipment used to clear the trees. Things go wrong when Justine (Lorenza Izzo) fumbles with her lock and is unable to secure her chain. The group is quickly removed and put on a plane back to America.

After an unexpected plane crash deep in the heart of the jungle in an impressive display of carnage, a few members of the group survive. Little do they know, they crash right in a village of cannibals. The group is quickly captured and, one of the group is quickly eaten alive in front of their eyes. The gore was certainly disgusting and lived up tot the hype. Being warned by the usher while entering the theater to bring a barf bag wasn't far off the mark. The film has a lot of style but, very little substance. Plot wise, it was thin, very thin. The look and the feel of the film was spot on but the overall package lacked severely.

We've waited a long time for Eli Roth got get back in the director's chair and deliver a fresh horror film. The Green Inferno came close but, missed the mark and leaves us wanting more. The fact that a sequel is hinted at gives us hope for a better tomorrow.

Grade C
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The Martian review

9/22/2015

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By Christopher K House

Matt Damon stars as Mark Watney, a biologist/astronaut in this adaptation of Andy Weir's 2011 science fiction book. The Martian begins on a desolate planet in an unknown time. There is no back story, how we got there, what we are doing. Watney and his crew mates including Commander Melissa Lewis (Jessica Chastain) Chris Beck (Sebastian Shaw) Rick Martinez (Michael Pena) and Beth Johanssen (Kate Mara) experience a severe storm while outside their shelter on a mission. The storm forces an emergency evacuation and the crew head to a ship to leave the planet, all during this wild storm. Watney is injured and presumed dead, the crew leave with out him unable to recover his body. Unbeknownst to them, Watney miraculously survives the ferocious storm.

This is the setup to Ridley Scott's interpretation of this exciting 'Robinson Crusoe' story of a man stranded alone. The film felt like a weird prequel to Christopher Nolan's Interstellar in it's early trailers. Thankfully, this is able to distinguish itself apart from that "other" science fiction story. The first thing that stood out is Damon's performance. He is able to capture the audience and keep them, important in a role that is demanding like this.

Watney begins by rationing his supplies and using science to solve his problems. The film may have had flawed science but, NASA contributed over 50 pages to the script so, there was a feeling of authenticity to it. Suspension of disbelief is important going into this. Don't analyze it, just enjoy the ride.

The film had moments of "found footage" feelings to it, Watney talked to himself, recording his conversations in cameras located throughout the habitat. With moments of great humor, Damon's delivery of clever one liners was hilarious.

The ground crew, finding evidence that Watney is alive must decide the best route to take. Watney's crew, on their way back to Earth is unaware he is alive. NASA director Teddy Sanders (Jeff Daniels) decides the best choice is not to tell them so they can focus on the voyage home. This is against the wishes of flight director Mitch Henderson (Sean Bean) who goes behind Teddy's back and tells them anyway. This sets in motion plans for a rescue mission. Chances are slim but, they have a chance to bring him home.

A star studded spectacle with co stars Donald Glover, Kristen Wiig, Chiwetel Ejifor The Martian was full of talented performers. Director Ridley Scott passed on directing a sequel to Prometheus in favor of this. Scott's vison of space travel was apparent here, echoing his past classic Alien in it's feel. The star of the show is Damon of course. He delivered what the film needed, a performance that made you genuinely care about the character and his plight.

The special effects were nothing short of fantastic to boot. Echoing past Oscar Winner "Gravity" there were true edge of your seat moments. At almost 2 and a half hours, it felt a bit long. That was the biggest drawback. There was too much "down time" between the interesting parts and tended to drift. All told, in the end the film was a great package. The version I saw was in 3D and I felt it was unnecessary and strained the eyes. See it in 2D, you aren't missing anything.

The Martian delivered.

Rating B+

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Turbo Kid review

9/7/2015

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By Christopher K House
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Turbo Kid is based on the short film T Is For Turbo, written and directed by the trio of Francois Simard, Anouk Whissell and Yoann-Karl Whissell. It never pretends to be anything it's not. Nothing short of a blast from the past that is humorous and witty. Turbo Kid is the story of "The Kid" (Munro Chambers) who is all alone in the distant, post apocalyptic future of 1997. Combing the wasteland for anything he can to survive. Alone in his way too awesome hideout, he reads comic books and worships the fictional comic book hero "Turbo Rider". The future has a tyrannical overlord bent on ruling the world, Zeus (Michael Ironside) who rules with an iron fist alongside his henchmen. On one of his scavenging outings, The Kid encounters a young woman named Apple (Laurence Leboeuf) who become enamored with the reluctant Kid. 

When The Kid uncovers a crashed ship, he finds it holds a deceased soldier donning a suit similar to his idol "Turbo Rider".  Attempting to avoid Zeus' thugs, they are surrounded by a group of some of his worst. Apple is kidnapped and The Kid narrowly escapes. It's up to The Kid to don the super suit and save his friend and, the world from Zeus.

The Film is an obvious homage to 1980's sci fi action flicks like Ice Pirates, Mega Force or Metalstorm. It doesn't take itself seriously and has clever 1980's dialogue. For an independent B film, the production quality and costumes were top notch. rivaling even the biggest Hollywood blockbusters. To say the film was Mad Max on BMX bikes is a very accurate description. Every one had a rad BMX, even the bad guys.

The acting in the film was top notch, Ironside is the perfect villain. Munro Chambers, best known for Degrassi - The Next Generation was likable as the solitary Kid.  Everything about Turbo Kid just worked. With films like this and the sensational short film "Kung Fury", these homages are hilariously cheesy and I hope there are more like them. From the fake intro to the credits, this is a heck of a good time. Turbo Kid is playing at the 2015 Milwaukee Film Festival and is not to be missed.


Rating A

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Killer Rack review

9/4/2015

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By Christopher K. House


In an age where Hollywood can't seem to find any original ideas, we rely on the indie film makers of the world to deliver fresh ideas. Director Greg Lambertson (Dry Bones) does just that with his latest offering KILLER RACK. The film, written by co-star Paul McGinnis begins by introducing us to the self professed mad scientist Dr. Thulu (Debbie Rochon), who is determined to please the dark gods she worships. Along with her trusty side kick Nurse Herbie (Robert Bozek), she waits for the right woman to extract her evil plan to conquer the world. Enter, Betty (Jessica Zwolak) a flat chested girl in a big boob world. Poor Betty has a problem, she just can't catch a break with her boob-less figure. She has a low self esteem, a failing love life and a dead end job. Her only real friend is Tim (McGinnis) her co-worker secretly in love with her. As a last resort, Betty seeks the help of Dr. Thulu to remove a mole but, is talked into enhancing her bust size. Unwittingly, Betty has become Thulu's pawn, thus becoming the KILLER RACK. With her new hypnotizing boobs, Betty is taken over by the great boob dark lord and starts a killing spree. It's up to detectives Bartles and James to solve the case. Will they be able to figure out what is going on before the boob lord rules the world? Like the great Troma films, KILLER RACK relies on dark comedy and horror to tell it's story. KILLER RACK's humor varies from subtle to in your face. Lloyd Kaufman even has a cameo as a doctor with a boob fetish. 

KILLER RACK is a cleverly written comedy/horror film that delivers something fresh. Jessica Zwolak was likable as poor Betty, Indie horror veteran Debbie Rochon was nefarious as Dr. Thulu, the whole cast was an ensemble of talent. You are guaranteed to have the theme song "FUN BAGS" stuck in your head for a very long time, I promise you that.
An IndiGoGo hit, KILLER RACK relied on fans to help co-fund the project. Thankfully they delivered, the end result is a humorous romp in a weird world. Killer Rack is making the festival rounds right now, if you get a chance to see it don't miss it. 


Rating B+
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    About Chris

    A film fan from an early age, Chris is a true cinephile. Starting with his first big screen experience, Star Wars to the current indie films, it's obvious he is obsessed with film. Chris has been writing about film and television since the early days of the internet. Chris is also a member of OFTA, the Online Film and Television Critic's Association.
    Follow on Twitter @TheFilmBully
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    About Steve

    A lover of all movies. Steve will watch anything from classic silent films to modern horror films.  Obsessed with the Oscars and Film festivals. Steve prides himself on watching every movie on the AFI 100 Greatest Movies and every Oscar winner. 
    Follow on Twitter @MovieRPH

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