First Impression:
Like Saw II, Saw III managed to once again up the ante from a plot twist standpoint. The final twist of Saw III is probably the best of the entire series. It really is a bunch of small twists tied together and revealed almost all at once. It blew me away.
On the other hand, I was absolutely stunned at the amount of gore and the nastiness of some of the traps. The movies are all called Saw, but this one was the first I really had to look away (or almost look away) from the screen. My main problem with this film was the main Jigsaw subject. I didn't like the guy. And I should have. Because we are supposed to be feeling his pain as he struggles to deal with personal tragedy and play Jigsaw's game. Instead, the guy got on my nerves. This blunted the movies impact and kept me from liking it as much as Saw II.
Now:
On second look, the increase in gore stands out even more greatly than when first viewed. It's almost ridiculous. I've heard Saw referred to as torture porn. I think this movie may have come closest to earning that title. On second look, I did look away from a few moments in the film, because I actually don't like gore. I still didn't like Jigsaw's main subject, but that didn't affect my enjoyment of the film as much.
My main problem with Saw III is the epilogue to Saw II that is tacked onto the beginning of this film along with a slow start to Saw III's story. The epilogue itself was cool, and needed, as Saw II's ending left us hanging a bit (as did the original Saw; both are rectified partially in Saw III). But it contributes to Saw III taking a while to get going. Act II being a mixed bag hurts after such a slow start.
Also, the flashbacks are back, but in a reasonable quantity.
On second look, the wild ending (which was set up well by the rest of the film) makes the movie.
Grade: B-
Thursday, November 12, 2009
On Second Look: Saw II
First Impression:
Saw II killed to me the first time I saw it. The main selling point was the improved final twist, which was a notch above the first. It also expanding the Jigsaw character's back story, and had an improved plot with more turns. Donnie Walberg's emotional performance gave the story intensity. The other central characters also put in strong performances. I remember feeling a bit jipped by the B-story of the people trapped in the house. It seemed rushed and incomplete. There seemed to be a ton of thought put into it but it also felt rushed. This Saw film impressed me the most on first viewing.
Now:
There is still a clear jump in quality from the first to the second Saw film, in plotting, acting and cinematography. The ending twist holds up but, like Saw, there is a somewhat silly chase sequence towards the end. Overall, the acting doesn't quite hold up as well on second viewing, but it is still an improvement. On second viewing, I felt better about the B-story mentioned above, in terms of timing, and what is shown versus what isn't. Towards the end of the movie, when people start running around the abandoned house, it gets silly, but that's forgivable. Flashbacks are used very sparingly here, which helps the movies pace. This would end up being the exception to the rule, when it comes to flashbacks and Saw films.
This Saw movie does a good job pulling the viewer in and keeping them guessing as it is slowly revealed what is going on. Ultimately, I think this will go down as the best stand-alone Saw film.
Grade: B
Saw II killed to me the first time I saw it. The main selling point was the improved final twist, which was a notch above the first. It also expanding the Jigsaw character's back story, and had an improved plot with more turns. Donnie Walberg's emotional performance gave the story intensity. The other central characters also put in strong performances. I remember feeling a bit jipped by the B-story of the people trapped in the house. It seemed rushed and incomplete. There seemed to be a ton of thought put into it but it also felt rushed. This Saw film impressed me the most on first viewing.
Now:
There is still a clear jump in quality from the first to the second Saw film, in plotting, acting and cinematography. The ending twist holds up but, like Saw, there is a somewhat silly chase sequence towards the end. Overall, the acting doesn't quite hold up as well on second viewing, but it is still an improvement. On second viewing, I felt better about the B-story mentioned above, in terms of timing, and what is shown versus what isn't. Towards the end of the movie, when people start running around the abandoned house, it gets silly, but that's forgivable. Flashbacks are used very sparingly here, which helps the movies pace. This would end up being the exception to the rule, when it comes to flashbacks and Saw films.
This Saw movie does a good job pulling the viewer in and keeping them guessing as it is slowly revealed what is going on. Ultimately, I think this will go down as the best stand-alone Saw film.
Grade: B
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
On Second Look: Saw
On Second Look:
First Impression:
When I first watched Saw, I was drawn in by the mystery of it all and the slow reveal of it. I also relished the twisty ending. However, even on first viewing, I remember starting to lose interest at points due to the overly long flashbacks. I also remember finding Danny Glover and Cary Elwes performances as odd feeling, especially Danny Glover playing an obsessed cop.
Now:
The B-movish feel, even as compared to later sequels, is glaring. The chase sequence that includes dueling car interiors is just silly. The performace of one of the main characters (who was also the screenwriter) is noticibly weak. The meandering flashbacks still seem so and the twistiness is not quite as impressive as it was. Not that it affected my enjoyment of the film, but the bathroom where the central drama takes place is much smaller than I remembered. Still, on the whole, the film holds up.
One stark contrast to the later films is the lack of a focus on horror or gore. It is a thriller about the hunt of a serial killer told in parallel with the perilous state of his latest victims. There are a few scares and a little gore but not enough to hang its hat on, as it were.
All in all, it holds up a bit better than I expected dispite iffy acting and directing.
Grade: B
First Impression:
When I first watched Saw, I was drawn in by the mystery of it all and the slow reveal of it. I also relished the twisty ending. However, even on first viewing, I remember starting to lose interest at points due to the overly long flashbacks. I also remember finding Danny Glover and Cary Elwes performances as odd feeling, especially Danny Glover playing an obsessed cop.
Now:
The B-movish feel, even as compared to later sequels, is glaring. The chase sequence that includes dueling car interiors is just silly. The performace of one of the main characters (who was also the screenwriter) is noticibly weak. The meandering flashbacks still seem so and the twistiness is not quite as impressive as it was. Not that it affected my enjoyment of the film, but the bathroom where the central drama takes place is much smaller than I remembered. Still, on the whole, the film holds up.
One stark contrast to the later films is the lack of a focus on horror or gore. It is a thriller about the hunt of a serial killer told in parallel with the perilous state of his latest victims. There are a few scares and a little gore but not enough to hang its hat on, as it were.
All in all, it holds up a bit better than I expected dispite iffy acting and directing.
Grade: B
Looking back at the Saw Franchise
Having just seen Saw VI, it got me to thinking about the franchise as a whole in terms of the shifting nature of the films and their relative quality. In the next week or two, I'm going to watch the first five again and start a new segment called "On Second Look".
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Movie Breakdown: Deja Vu
Plot Architype: A Mystery Type [Come Back To]
Page 1: Terrorist Attack
Act I: Doug Carlin begins his investigation of the attack. He begins to make headway, and impress people.
Inciting Incident: Doug becomes invested in female victim, Claire, professionally and personaly. AND Doug finds out his partner was killed in the attack.
End of Act I: Doug accept offer to help with "special" team despite his reservations because of his partner and the female victim, Claire.
Act II, Part 1: Doug works with secret team to begin to investigate attack with their special technology, focusing on the female victim's life. Doug becomes more invested in Claire.
Mid-Point: Doug convinces team to send note back in time. BUT Doug's partner, Larry, finds it instead of him.
Act II, Part 2: Doug and team catch up with the terrorist using their technology and follow him.
Protagonist's lowest Moment: Larry is murdered by the terrorist.
End of Act II: Doug tries to find peace with Claire's death but cannot. He can't let go. So... Doug is sent back in time.
Act III: Doug, in the past, sacrifices himself to stop the bombing, saving Claire and the 500 people.
End: Doug from that timeline meets Claire.
GREAT SCENE: Mid-Point Scene in which the technology is explained to Doug and he convinces team to send the note back.
ODD SCENE: Doug's scene in Act II, Part 2 when he is deposing the terrorist. Dialogue kinda goes all over the place to get to the end that the writer wanted.
ODD SCENE: Claire's funeral at the begining of Act II, Part 1. Is it needed? What's up with the Limo Drivers?
TIMING ANALYSIS: Act III is a bit long 40+ minutes. Otherwise, the movie is timed well.
Page 1: Terrorist Attack
Act I: Doug Carlin begins his investigation of the attack. He begins to make headway, and impress people.
Inciting Incident: Doug becomes invested in female victim, Claire, professionally and personaly. AND Doug finds out his partner was killed in the attack.
End of Act I: Doug accept offer to help with "special" team despite his reservations because of his partner and the female victim, Claire.
Act II, Part 1: Doug works with secret team to begin to investigate attack with their special technology, focusing on the female victim's life. Doug becomes more invested in Claire.
Mid-Point: Doug convinces team to send note back in time. BUT Doug's partner, Larry, finds it instead of him.
Act II, Part 2: Doug and team catch up with the terrorist using their technology and follow him.
Protagonist's lowest Moment: Larry is murdered by the terrorist.
End of Act II: Doug tries to find peace with Claire's death but cannot. He can't let go. So... Doug is sent back in time.
Act III: Doug, in the past, sacrifices himself to stop the bombing, saving Claire and the 500 people.
End: Doug from that timeline meets Claire.
GREAT SCENE: Mid-Point Scene in which the technology is explained to Doug and he convinces team to send the note back.
ODD SCENE: Doug's scene in Act II, Part 2 when he is deposing the terrorist. Dialogue kinda goes all over the place to get to the end that the writer wanted.
ODD SCENE: Claire's funeral at the begining of Act II, Part 1. Is it needed? What's up with the Limo Drivers?
TIMING ANALYSIS: Act III is a bit long 40+ minutes. Otherwise, the movie is timed well.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Movie Review: W. (2008)
I was entertained watching this movie because of the deftness with which the Bush Administration was portrayed (the acting and the dialogue). There are some well done scenes. However, as a cohesive 2 hour narrative, W. fails.
The movie is an exercise in character study of a sort. It intermixes a narrative of the run-up, execution, and immediate fallout of the Iraq War II with a fast-forward narrative of the youth of George W. Bush. These things are interesting to watch in the abstract, but there is no narrative arch taking you through it all.
The life of George W. Bush is a great (i.e. intriguing) story. But the plot of W. makes poor use of it. It stands only an solid exercise in the staging of history.
Grade: C
The movie is an exercise in character study of a sort. It intermixes a narrative of the run-up, execution, and immediate fallout of the Iraq War II with a fast-forward narrative of the youth of George W. Bush. These things are interesting to watch in the abstract, but there is no narrative arch taking you through it all.
The life of George W. Bush is a great (i.e. intriguing) story. But the plot of W. makes poor use of it. It stands only an solid exercise in the staging of history.
Grade: C
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Movie Ratings: 2009
ALL MOVIES
The Hangover (2009): A
The Hurt Locker (2009): A
Sherlock Holmes (2009): A
Up In The Air (2009): A-
State of Play (2009): B+
District 9 (2009): B
Avatar(2009): B
The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 (2009): B
Notorious (2009): B
A Perfect Getaway (2009): B
Star Trek (2009): B
Moon (2009): B
Fast & Furious (2009): B
The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard (2009): B
Zombieland (2009): B
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince(2009): B
Inglorious Bastards (2009): B
Saw VI (2009): B
A Serious Man (2009): B-
X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009): B-
The Informant! (2009): B-
Couples Retreat (2009): B-
Public Enemies (2009): B-
Terminator Salvation (2009): B-
Taken (2009): B-
Surrogates (2009): B-
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (2009): B-
Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2009): B-
Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (2009): B-
I Love You, Man (2009): B-
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009): C+
2012 (2009): C+
The International (2009): C+
He's Just Not That Into You (2009): C+
Extract (2009): C+
Watchmen (2009): C+
Push(2009): C+
Armored (2009): C+
Away We Go (2009):
The Invention of Lying (2009): C
Knowing (2009): C
Funny People (2009): C
Friday the 13th (2009): C
Dance Flick (2009): C-
Law Abiding Citizen (2009): D
Whiteout (2009): D
Observe and Report(2009): D
Bruno(2009): F (Didn't Finish)
TBD(2009): TBD
MOVIES TO SEE
-Up(Pixar Flick)
-The Messenger(Oscar Flick)
-Night At The Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
-Angels and Demons
-Drag Me To Hell
-The Uninvited
-Monsters Vs. Aliens
-Crank High Voltage
-Gamer(Cheesy Looking)
-TBD
MOVIES OF GENERAL INTEREST
-Invictus(Oscar Flick)
-Crazy Heart(Oscar Flick)
-The Blind Side
-The Lovely Bones
-Sorority Row
-9
-Pandorum
-Whip It
-The Final Destination
-Halloween II
-Bride Wars
-The Unborn
-My Bloody Valentine 3-D
-I Love You Beth Cooper
-Year One
-Adventureland
-Coraline
-Tyler Perry's Madea Goes To Jail
-12 Rounds
-Ghosts of Girlfriends Past
-TBD
The Hangover (2009): A
The Hurt Locker (2009): A
Sherlock Holmes (2009): A
Up In The Air (2009): A-
State of Play (2009): B+
District 9 (2009): B
Avatar(2009): B
The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 (2009): B
Notorious (2009): B
A Perfect Getaway (2009): B
Star Trek (2009): B
Moon (2009): B
Fast & Furious (2009): B
The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard (2009): B
Zombieland (2009): B
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince(2009): B
Inglorious Bastards (2009): B
Saw VI (2009): B
A Serious Man (2009): B-
X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009): B-
The Informant! (2009): B-
Couples Retreat (2009): B-
Public Enemies (2009): B-
Terminator Salvation (2009): B-
Taken (2009): B-
Surrogates (2009): B-
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (2009): B-
Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2009): B-
Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (2009): B-
I Love You, Man (2009): B-
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009): C+
2012 (2009): C+
The International (2009): C+
He's Just Not That Into You (2009): C+
Extract (2009): C+
Watchmen (2009): C+
Push(2009): C+
Armored (2009): C+
Away We Go (2009):
The Invention of Lying (2009): C
Knowing (2009): C
Funny People (2009): C
Friday the 13th (2009): C
Dance Flick (2009): C-
Law Abiding Citizen (2009): D
Whiteout (2009): D
Observe and Report(2009): D
Bruno(2009): F (Didn't Finish)
TBD(2009): TBD
MOVIES TO SEE
-Up(Pixar Flick)
-The Messenger(Oscar Flick)
-Night At The Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
-Angels and Demons
-Drag Me To Hell
-The Uninvited
-Monsters Vs. Aliens
-Crank High Voltage
-Gamer(Cheesy Looking)
-TBD
MOVIES OF GENERAL INTEREST
-Invictus(Oscar Flick)
-Crazy Heart(Oscar Flick)
-The Blind Side
-The Lovely Bones
-Sorority Row
-9
-Pandorum
-Whip It
-The Final Destination
-Halloween II
-Bride Wars
-The Unborn
-My Bloody Valentine 3-D
-I Love You Beth Cooper
-Year One
-Adventureland
-Coraline
-Tyler Perry's Madea Goes To Jail
-12 Rounds
-Ghosts of Girlfriends Past
-TBD
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Stand-Up Comedy Specials 2000-2009
STAND-UP SPECIALS RATINGS
Dave Chappelle: Killin' Them Softly (2000): A
Dave Chappelle: For What It's Worth(2004): A-
Steve Harvey: Still Trippin'(2008): B+
Ricky Gervais: Out of England(2008): Liked (B/B-)
Kathy Griffin: Everybody Can Suck It (2007): B-/C+ Kathy Griffin: ...Is Not Nicole Kidman (2005): C
Dave Chappelle: Killin' Them Softly (2000): A
Dave Chappelle: For What It's Worth(2004): A-
Steve Harvey: Still Trippin'(2008): B+
Ricky Gervais: Out of England(2008): Liked (B/B-)
Kathy Griffin: Everybody Can Suck It (2007): B-/C+ Kathy Griffin: ...Is Not Nicole Kidman (2005): C
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