Cliff Note Reviews #1

Cliff Note Reviews is an ongoing series where I briefly state my thoughts on recent films I've watched but don't have the desire to create a full review surrounding.  Short and to the point opinions on films that might make decent weekend watchers when you have nothing else to do, films to completely stay away from, and occasionally a few highly recommended films that I simply don't feel need to be given a full review due to already overexposure.

Inception (2010)

Every year there's a couple films that everyone (critics and viewers alike) seem to overdue on the gush factor, Inception was one of those films. Initially I stayed away, usually over-hyped productions fail to impress me.  Inception is good, but far from the bandwagon of brilliance everyone seemed to be riding.  It's a more modern day The Matrix without the latex and "The One" talk, no where near as confusing and mind bending as everyone hyped it up to be, and in my opinon a little too long in the tooth.  For a fun popcorn film it's an above average thriller, but I was more impressed with Nolan's The Prestige in terms of suspense and mystery, and if you're looking for a film that really gives you a headache watch Stay.  8/10

The Wicker Man (1973)

Touted by some as one of the best horror films ever made, The Wicker Man is a cult B-movie horror that's certainly going to appeal to a select audience.  Aside from the performance of Christopher Lee and the all too brief appearance by another Hammer alumni, Ingrid Pitt, The Wicker Man seems to go nowhere for a span of 88 minutes which feels like over two hours!  It's rarely scary, hardly suspenseful, and concludes with an ending that is not only unsatisfying but quite aggravating.  4/10

The Wicker Man (2006)

The sequel to "one of the best horror films ever made" ends up being touted as "one of the worst films ever made."  Ironically I thought in terms of overall entertainment they're seemingly equal.  On the plus side this Nicolas Cage remake has something the original didn't, decent scenes of suspense that even while predictable kept the film moving at a viewable pace.  Also the film manages to not take itself seriously at all, which doesn't assist it in being any good, but allows for a few memorial scenes of amusing and incredibly awful overacting.  Unfortunately they opted for sticking with the original ending that still managed to leave the same sour taste in my mouth.  The original wins in ambiance the sequel wins in terms of flow, ultimately I disliked them both the same.   4/10