Return to House on Haunted Hill (2007)

Return to House on Haunted Hill

The Good:
A number of gorgeous actresses in the film, nice followup in that respect to the original.
I like Andrew Lee Potts as an actor (see Primeval).
The plot was an interesting attempt to continue the story while adding new elements.

The Bad:
While it was an interesting attempt at a sequel, the "new" story was not so innovative.
The motivations were paper-thin.
Story itself was lackluster and very predictable.
Not scary.
Non-creative deaths.

Overall: Meh... skip it unless you just "have to see it" or you feel compelled to complete series in horror.

Babylon A.D. (2008)

Babylon A.D.

The Good:
Vin Diesel is definitely a guilty pleasure of mine. He is not a super actor, but he is our generation's Arnold, or John Wayne... you gotta love a straight-up action flick!
Interesting concept.
A believable futuristic world, I liked the setting a lot.

The Bad:
The story was a great skeleton, but not a fully realized tale.
My ability to suspend disbelief was "challenged" in a few places.
Not a big fan of the soundtrack in general.

Overall: It is no Children of Men as far as a future film is concerned, and it is not a Chronicles of Riddick as far as a Vin Desel film is concerned, but it is a decent action movie. Don't expect much more.

Dead Space: Downfall (2008)

Dead Space: Downfall

The Good:
The story got going pretty fast and though not all that original, it was fun and fast-paced.
Animated zombies!
Interesting soundtrack.

The Bad:
It was a bit predictable.
Some of the aspects of the plot were left pretty vague.
I didn't really feel or identify with any of the characters.
Inconsistent zombie ability.

Overall: Not a terrible animated zombie flick, still no City of Rott, though the genre is slightly different. I enjoyed it, but it is an anime film to be honest.

*Just discovered it was a prequel to a video game... makes more sense now... well, not really, but reasons for some things are more understandable now.*

Hamlet 2 (2008)

Hamlet 2

Non-traditional Pope review:

I don't know exactly how to describe this film. It is definitely a wonderful farce or perhaps a "parody of a tragedy". More heart and humor than a High School High and still carrying a good message... basically. I laughed aloud multiple times. Were there parts that were ridiculous? Of course. Was it predictable? Absolutely. Did that diminish the film? Not at all. It was fun and light and delivered exactly what I was hoping for in this kind of a film. A good movie, not great, but jolly good. :-) "Rock me sexy Jesus!"

The Strangers (2008)

The Strangers

The Good:
The cinematography was pretty good.
The acting was alright.
The soundtrack added to the film.

The Bad:
Loud expected "bangs" to startle the viewer, along with a lot of outside of the characters' POV shots to 'heighten' suspense - neither worked.
The lack of motivation and intelligence on both sides was astounding.
Predictable.
Became less and less creepy by trying to be more and more creepy.

Overall: I wasn't into it, then I was, then I realized my orginal instinct was right. Watch Vacancy instead - similar concept, better execution.

The Mutant Chronicles (2008)

The Mutant Chronicles

It has been a while seen I have watched this - I usually try to review a film shortly after viewing it, this one slipped my mind. I liked it ok, but honestly, it was like watching a really good cut-scene from a video game for 2 hours. Neat, stylized, decent acting, overtones of a specific branch of fantasy/sci-fi that is little explored, but I kept thinking, "When do I pick the controller back up?"

Starship Troopers 3: Marauder (2008)

Starship Troopers 3: Marauder

The Good:
The newsreel simulations are entertaining.
Um... brief nudity?
I like the movie poster alright.

The Bad:
The plot.
The sets.
The acting.
You get the point.

Overall: Even Jolene Blalock could not save the film. Better than Starship Troopers 2: Hero of the Federation... but that ain't saying much.

Twilight (2008)

Twilight

The Good:
There was a few minutes of action that was directed/edited decently.
I liked the acting of the guy who played Carlisile and the girl who played Alice, and I thought that the film could have used a little more screen time for the guy playing Jacob.
Pretty good soundtrack.

The Bad:
The narration was completely unnecessary, most of it was portrayed in the acting and did not need to be spoon-fed to me.
The pacing - super slow.
I know it is drama, but I could have used a little more action.
The main vampire Edward, his acting was dead... pun intended.
I didn't really care for the main character Bella, her motivations seemed vague.
Vampire in the daylight...and they do what in the sun? Give me a break! A classic creature of folklore was just completely rewritten, which I am ok with, as long as it is done well - it wasn't.

Overall: Maybe it is because I haven't read the novel. Maybe it is because I have been watching True Blood and loving it. Maybe it is because it is written for teenaged girls. Maybe I am too much a fan of the horror genre. Maybe... I didn't like the film.

On a funny/weird/stupid side note if you've seen the film or read the book: I woke up this morning laughing, saying, "And so the bacon fell in love with the ham."