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[Movie Review] Daybreakers

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Mon, 01/11/2010 - 04:39
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Overall Feeling: 
Daybreakers is a good film but it isn’t the vampire tour de force some had hoped it would be based on the trailers. The film is still good as it’s quite nice visually and has some good acting but the story is missing a certain amount of depth to it which hinders things a bit. It’s nice that we have a vampire movie that doesn’t have romance or is merely gore porn as Daybreakers does some unique things and is a solid film to check out if you have your expectations dialed down a bit. If you like the aspects of vampire society that was shown in the first “Blade” movie then you’ll probably love Daybreakers as it’s that amped up a bit.
The Pros: 
The style of the film is good and the Spierig Brothers show their talent in directing despite this only being their second film. Ethan Hawke and Willem Dafoe turn in nice performances with Sam Neill being the best out of the bunch as the antagonist. Thankfully Daybreakers doesn’t hold back with the gore and doesn’t have CG blood and all around has some nice special effects.
The Cons: 
The story is a bit weak at times with under developed characters. For a world whose population is mostly vampires the exact rise of that society is laid out a bit too conveniently. Even though the gore is awesome it may be a bit too much for some, especially at the end of the film which as a whole falls apart a bit.
ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
7

In this day and age vampires just aren’t what they used to be. Sure, they still have that mystique to them but for the most part they’ve been relegated to starring in the dreams of women, and surely a few men, due to the craze of Twilight and True Blood. For a good portion of their history aside from being romanticized vampires were also extremely deadly and frightening creatures that just didn’t fall in love with girls and sparkle in the sun.

[Movie Review] Avatar

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Sat, 12/19/2009 - 21:37
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Overall Feeling: 
Avatar won’t amaze you with an amazing story or characters but it will blow your mind when it comes to the visuals and how rich and engaging the world James Cameron created is. There hasn’t been a film like this that has created something that is so detailed and fully realized that it will just suck people up into the experience of Jake Sully and the battle happening on the planet of Pandora. And as far as being a James Cameron film it is easily in his top three as he’s on the top of his game and presents some amazing action scenes and once again sets the bar for special effects.
The Pros: 
Jaw dropping special effects, intense and original action and the design for Pandora and its creatures is some of the most original stuff that’s been created in awhile. The technology used to capture the performance of the actors is amazing and shines through Zoe Saldana’s amazing performance as Neytiri. Though a bit cliché the story still has moments where it shines and has a few classic James Cameron trademarks.
The Cons: 
The story isn’t anything we haven’t seen before and that may turn some people off. Most of the characters never really grow after they’re established and that’s a missed opportunity especially when it comes to characters like Parker Selfridge.
ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
9

I don’t think there has been a movie that has had the same amount of anticipation as Avatar.

[Movie Review] Far Cry - A Uwe Boll film

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Sun, 11/29/2009 - 19:13
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Overall Feeling: 
Far Cry isn't the complete trash many would expect it to be. Instead it's a dumb popcorn action movie that stays pretty true to the video game. Things are still a bit rough around the edges but as a whole the film is worth checking out for those who love B-grade action movies or want to sit back with some friends and goof on the cheesy acting.
The Pros: 
Uwe continues to improve his directing and even though it may not be as epic as it was in "In the Name of the King" the action scenes are entertaining. Til Schweiger turns in a nice performance as the lead and the rest of the cast is solid despite some stiffness and hackneyed dialog. The audio commentary by Uwe is priceless.
The Cons: 
The movie doesn't have that epic scope some may have associated with what a Far Cry movie would be like. Towards the end things drag a bit and the finale could've used a bit more punch. And like some of Uwe's other films the ending just kind of happens and feels off in a way. Some of the comedy can be bad and drag on longer than it should have.
ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
6

Most gamers hate him but you have to admit that Uwe Boll is a genius. The man knows how to keep his name popping up in various entertainment circles and he continues to make films based on video games for reasonable budgets despite the apparent low quality.  When it comes to Uwe I personally love him since he doesn’t take any crap from anyone and he makes films that you can always laugh at since they can be complete trash at times.  After his last effort Postal, Uwe is back at it again with an adaptation of the hit game Far Cry.

[Movie Review] Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant is an easy going and enjoyable vampire film

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Sun, 10/25/2009 - 08:06
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Overall Feeling: 
Cirque du Freak surprised me as it's a film that despite being aimed towards a younger audience is still enjoyable to watch. The film never once comes across as a film for kids or tweens and as a whole the movie is executed quite well. Aside from a few issues Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant is a movie that's worth checking out in the theaters or at least a rental if you like fantasy films.
The Pros: 
Nice acting from John C. Reilly and the supporting cast. Good visuals from a design standpoint that offer things that most of us haven't seen before. The movie does a good job of not cramming too much mythology down our throats or giving us too much info at once. Good story that hints at an extremely deep world of mythology that only the surface was scratched on in the film.
The Cons: 
The plot is fairly predictable and the slight corny factor in the dialogue may turn some off. It would've been nice if there was some more depth given to members of the Cirque du Freak. The directing could've been a bit sharper in the fighting scenes which suffer from the popular shaky close cam effect. At times you can tell stuff was removed from the film which makes the pace seem faster than it should be.
ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
7

Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant is the latest film based on a popular book series to come via Hollywood in the hopes that it’ll be a success of Harry Potter proportions and not another flop like Eragon.  The film seems to be hoping to ride on the recent vampire tidal wave that has hit with the success of things like True Blood and the ever infamous Twilight series.  Despite being a kid friendly vampire movie that has an entirely different set of vampire rules that most are familiar with, Cirque du Freak is a film is

[MOVIE REVIEW] Are you ready to experience Black Dynamite?

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Mon, 10/19/2009 - 17:16
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Overall Feeling: 
Black Dynamite is an absolute blast that never misses a note comedy and directing wise. The story is crazy but is still believable as a 70s exploitation film. The film isn't a lame comedy like Undercover Brother or things of that nature and instead ranks with Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz as one of the best parody/comedy films to be released in quite some time.
The Pros: 
Amazing directing that knows how to properly use certain visual jokes in the right places. The story is flat out hilarious as it slowly escalates into madness that will have you rolling on the floor laughing. The acting by Michael Jai White and the supporting cast is terrific as it's never over done to the point where it'll take you out of the film.
The Cons: 
While the crazy turn towards the end of the movie is fine some people may be turned off by how insane it gets. The comedy isn't for everyone, especially for those easily offended.
ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
8

When it comes to parody films it’s somewhat difficult to find a good balance.  For the most part you get films that are flat out comedies such as Airplane, Scary Movie and the horrific films in the Epic Movie franchise. But sometimes you get films that are more like homage’s to a genre like Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz and Planet Terror.

[MOVIE REVIEW] Astro Boy's film debut falls extremely short

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Sun, 10/18/2009 - 07:41
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Overall Feeling: 
Astro Boy could've been a nice film that pays respect to the property it's based upon while giving new viewers a look at this wonderful character. Instead what we get is a film that does stay true to the origins of the character but from there goes into a really lame and predictable story that is filled with too many jokes for its own good. Even as a sci-fi action movie Astro Boy leaves a lot to be desired.
The Pros: 
It's a good film to put on for the kids and not have to worry about them for 94 minutes. The directing and action scenes are ok but may leave you wishing they were amped up a bit.
The Cons: 
Terrible jokes. The movie drags because of the bad jokes and scenes that attempt to be dramatic. Voice acting feels uninspired at times. The story for the movie hits the marks of what should be in an Astro Boy movie but fails miserably at expanding them and making them entertaining.
ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
4

In North America it’s pretty safe to say that Mickey Mouse is one of our iconic characters whose popularity spans the globe.  Since being created little old Mickey has brought joy to many through the various projects he's appeared in.  Japan has their version of Mickey, albeit with more of a sci-fi and action edge, in the classic manga/anime character Astro Boy. 

Ninja Assassin review: Our thoughts on the pre-release screener viewing

Submitted by Corey Rollins on Fri, 10/16/2009 - 13:32
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Overall Feeling: 
A much needed roundhouse kick of refreshment in the Ninja genre. Intense action, a good plot and some light humour make this a must see for any fan of hardcore action flicks. Especially if you like Ninjas.
The Pros: 
Fantastic back story around how the Ninja's train their warriors. Excellent over the top visual FX help sell every action scene. As far as Ninja themed flicks go, there is a great mix of action, intense graphic violence and drama.
The Cons: 
Some action scenes could have benefited from more wide shots. A few of the more dramatic dialogue exchanges were overly cheesy. A few lose ends that would have been nice to tie up or further explain that I won't reveal due to MAJOR spoilers. Not a huge deal though.
ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
9

Let me start off by pointing out the logo for our website has a Ninja in it.  We don't screw around when it comes to reviewing Ninja flicks and demand only the finest in stealthy bad ass action. Knowing this, you can imagine how high my expectations were for a movie titled "Ninja Assassin" that writes its logo in blood. A bold statement considering the lead actor is a Korean pop mega star.

Zombieland has the perfect mix of action, comedy and good old fashioned zombie violence

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Sun, 10/04/2009 - 08:45
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Overall Feeling: 
Zombieland is probably one of the surprise movies of the year. Instead of giving us a movie that has a lot of zombie gore and lame gags to go along with it we have a movie that has a lot of heart and focuses on the characters instead of giving us zombie gore porn. The acting and writing is spot-on and the film is just entertaining as hell.
The Pros: 
Really good acting from the cast especially from Woody Harrelson. The writing knows when to keep things serious and when it's time for the silliness but it never goes overboard when it comes to the jokes and their meaning or execution. Zombieland also features a nice amount of action most of which looks like it was ripped out of the game "Dead Rising." The movie also has the best cameo appearance ever to be in a movie but I won't spoil who it is.
The Cons: 
The last act while good almost feels a bit rushed and has a few dumb decisions made by the characters. Other than that there's not much to harp on the movie aside from perhaps giving us a bigger look at the emotional impact the zombie apocalypse has on the characters.
ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
9

Zombies movies aren’t anything new and over the years we’ve seen a ton hit theaters with the first big one being George Romero’s classic “Night of the Living Dead” in 1968. As the years went on most of the movies that have dealt with the zombie menace have had the same type of characters and storylines and really haven’t done anything new.  Not everyone is expecting deep drama with their zombie movies but aside from “28 Days Later” and a few other smaller films most zombie movies are just carbon copies of one another.

Surrogates is the latest big sci-fi film that fails to impress

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Sat, 09/26/2009 - 11:45
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Overall Feeling: 
You can't help but feel disappointed after seeing Surrogates. The movie has an amazing concept that is never fully realized as the story bounces from one plot to the next at breakneck speed due to the short running time. The movie never expands upon the core question it brings up and lacks any sort of visual or action appeal to make up for the poor script and plot. If you're bored in a few months and want something to rent then the movie is perfect since it's a brain dead sci-fi film that could've used an additional 30 minutes to flesh things out.
The Pros: 
Bruce Willis turns in an ok performance. A few scenes have nice framing that helps set the mood and make the film look visually appealing for a few seconds before returning to mediocrity. Radha Mitchell and Rosamund Pike are nice to look at.
The Cons: 
Story is completely unrealized on all fronts to the point where it's almost offensive. The film lacks any character in the action, design and sci-fi department which makes it boring to watch and sit through.
ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
5

As the years go on society becomes more reliant and addicted to the latest technology that is available to us.  Whether its simple things like an iPod, the internet, an internet based cell phone or even videogames at times technology can overtake our lives far past the point where it’s good for us.  The latest hot technology will of course get a big following and lots of use since it’s the hot trend or it indeed improves upon our life but sometimes we just become too complacent with things and forget how we were able to get through with our lives prior to the tech release.  A

Pandorum has ADD

Submitted by Casey White on Thu, 09/24/2009 - 21:51
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Overall Feeling: 
The movie seems to be sold as a sci-fi thriller. In actuality it ends up being more of gore-horror film. It's hard to pin down exactly what the crew was going for, it seems like their idea of what the movie was supposed to be changes from scene to scene. Overall it's enjoyable, but not something you'll be required to go out of your way for.
The Pros: 
As a horror movie it's decent. There are a couple of moments within it that will cater to your blood-lust, and may give you a case of the squeemies. The dialog on the whole is serviceable and the acting for the most part is on par for the type of film provided. It's an enjoyable film, but forgettable.
The Cons: 
The film that was offered up in the trailers is no where to be found. What was promised was a dark and creepy sci-fi psycho-thriller. What's delivered is a fairly standard sci-fi horror film with a wandering aim.
ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
6

 

Pandorum is a sci-fi thriller based in a time after the end of Earth. The basic plot line is that Earth’s resources have become so scarce that we need to strike out to find a new world to inhabit. This of course is a fairly standardized ideal that’s been used in a variety of other sci-fi works, and only aids as a launching point for the true focus of the story. This would be the crew of the ship. 

Jennifer's Body: Does the combination of blood, guts and Megan Fox work?

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Sun, 09/20/2009 - 10:21
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Overall Feeling: 
Jennifer's Body is ultimately a goofy sub-horror film that has some cool moments accompanied by Megan Fox hotness but is held back by a story that seems a bit unrealized in ideals and how straight forward it is. Maybe the goal of the film was to deliver a simple and straightforward horror flick but in that regard it really doesn't stack up to the best the genre has to offer but the movie is still entertaining to watch.
The Pros: 
Story is decent and has some nice dialogue. The cast turns in nice performances with Adam Brody being a nice standout. Karyn Kusama doesn't resort to typical horror directing trends and instead keeps things varied for the most part. Oh yeah, there's this unknown actress named Megan Fox who happens to be smoking hot.
The Cons: 
While the story is decent at times it feels a bit unrealized in terms of execution and the dialogue can be a bit too catchphrase ridden at times. The movie may disappoint some horror and gore hounds out there since it doesn't offer a lot. It's almost a bit disappointing that the extent of Jennifer's demonic form is just having a really wide jaw with pointy teeth.
ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
6

Horror movies as of late have followed the same predictable plots and trends which either revolves around a crazed killer being on the loose or some type of haunting or ghostly apparition that’s causing terror on normal and unsuspecting people. Obviously those types of stories are old horror plot devices that will continue to be seen and in some cases when properly executed they can be pretty damn good. When the first trailer for “Jennifer’s Body” was released a lot of people didn’t know what to think.

9: Despite the visuals and potential "9" falls a bit short

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Sun, 09/13/2009 - 14:08
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Overall Feeling: 
9 looks quite good visually and has an interesting concept but it still falls victim to the typical conceits such as standard characters and a story that isn't fully realized. It's nice to see something different out in theaters and I applaud the creative team for doing something different but it would've been nice if they focused on a story a bit more instead of relying on action scenes and the originality of the world and character design to carry the movie. 9 is ultimately an average kids movie instead of being a film that adults can enjoy and appreciate.
The Pros: 
The visuals are nice and it's nice to see something different from the stylized human or rainbow color animated movies that flood the market. It's also nice that the action scenes are intense and that the film doesn't shy away from showing certain things.
The Cons: 
Story feels unrealized and the characters are just textbook when it comes to their execution. The voice acting is solid but fails to really take the film to the next level or bring an added dimension to the characters. The movie is quite short and at times the pacing feels like it's simply stringing together the action scenes.
ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
6

Whenever a CGI movie is released it usually features a cast of talking animals, vehicles, or some other crap in a very standard and typical story that is meant to appeal to children.  We’ve been stuck with movies like that for the past decade with some of the Pixar films being the only ones that can appeal to both children and adults and every now and then an indie effort like the beautiful French film “Renaissance” pops up that gives us and adult story told through the medium of CGI.

Gamer: A perfect example of a movie that could've used a bit more dev time

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Sat, 09/05/2009 - 18:58
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Overall Feeling: 
Gamer has a wonderful concept but fails in the execution of things. The plot doesn't present anything new or give us anything to think about and the action scenes are nice but are brought down a bit by a frantic directing style. The movie is ok as an average action movie but is nowhere near the potential it could've reached based on the plot and the talent involved.
The Pros: 
Gerard Butler is a badass and Michael C. Hall turns in the 2nd best if not the best performance in the film. Nice use of colors in terms of setting the mood and giving character to the various worlds.
The Cons: 
Directing is a bit off at times; writing is nothing to write home about; pacing is off especially towards the end; there are parts that seem to be edited out or not fully realized in terms of story. Tons of missed opportunities to bring interesting questions about people's obsession with the game and what the world of Gamer is like. The ending is really damn lame.
ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
5

For some reason society is enamored with gladiatorial type bouts.

The Final Destination 3D provides entertainment bang for your buck

Submitted by Casey White on Sun, 08/30/2009 - 21:55
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Overall Feeling: 
Kind of like a rollercoaster, you'll be on the edge of your seat the majority of the film. Some scenes are up, some are down, and throughout you'll be filled with a sick sense of enjoyment.
The Pros: 
Delivers what's expected. Filmed in full 3D. Has some interesting and horrific death scenes. Self-aware film.
The Cons: 
Weaker of the series. Lackluster writing. Repeatitive deaths.
ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
7

 

The Final Destination films have always held a very special place in my heart. They fill a very specific niche that no other film has tapped thus far. In fact I would be hard pressed to name a film that even comes close. The movies have a knack for atmosphere. Common household objects and structures we generally ignore become the main characters in a film revolving around cheating death.

Inglourious Basterds: A WWII movie unlike any other

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Sat, 08/29/2009 - 14:05
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Overall Feeling: 
Inglourious Basterds is easily one of the best movies of the year. The production values are superb and as always Quentin Tarantino gives viewers some excellent writing and directing. Thankfully the movie doesn't take itself too seriously at times so it's not another depressing WWII movie. Instead Inglorious Basterds is a highly entertaining satirical WWII movie.
The Pros: 
Top notch writing and directing from Q.T. All the lead actors turn in excellent performances with Christoph Waltz being the best of the bunch. The movie is just entertaining as hell so I don't know what else to say.
The Cons: 
It would've been nice or at least interesting to see Brad Pitt's character expanded a bit. The Inglourious Basterds really aren't given a lot of depth as a whole aside from a few members.
ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
9

For awhile it seemed like the WWII genre in films was mirroring that of the WWII genre in video games.  Every now and then you would get a new WWII project that would have some good talent attached and you would think it would be good only for it to flounder and follow the same attributes and patterns that other projects had.

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