dst2201
Lifetime Total
1+
IMDb Member
21 years
Reviews
Hangman's Curse (2003)
An Entertaining Film - Possible Spoilers
This movie was recently shown (May 15, 2005) on one Encore's Movie Channels. I missed the first 15 minutes but came away with a good feeling about it. It features a good storyline, genuine suspense and a general value set that wasn't offensive. In short, I was entertained and drawn into the story. What more could I ask?
I've read many of the other user comments about this film and feel compelled to defend this project. A couple of posters guffawed at the biology of a hybrid spider that has a bite more dangerous then that of either of its parents. This is a bogus objection. It's not at all uncommon for the viewer to have to suspend reality in a movie. Consider all those explosions that go "boom" in space in the Star Wars flicks. Or, how about that 90 degree turn at 50 MPH+ in a bus that Sandra Bullock made in Speed? It's a movie, people!
I also saw some posters objecting to the Goth kids getting "saved." I don't claim to be an expert on the Goth lifestyle but it seems to me that these kids took it several steps beyond the funky makeup, piercings and black clothes. They were worshiping Satan, physically hurting people and plotting and wishing for other's deaths. Sounds like something you need to be saved from to me.
Finally, the overriding criticism in most posts was that this was a Christian film. It portrayed a set of values to which non-Christians had difficulty relating. To this I say, welcome to the world of the Christian movie-goer. This happens to Christians all of the time when we see mainstream movies. The story lines, characterizations and dialogue of secular movies defame and ridicule our Savior and our values. If we don't like it, we're told to stay away. I'd like to offer the same advice to those objecting to the Christian theme of this movie but I won't. Instead, I encourage you to see it as it has some redemptive value.
Now that I've got that off my chest, let me give you some specifics. There's a scene where the teenage girl lead is approached by one of the football players. She invites him to go for a walk and I thought uh-oh, they're going to find a place to get busy. Instead, the innocence and romantic charm of a walk in the woods is portrayed. I appreciated this so much more than them finding a secluded place to have a roll in the hay!
The scenes in the forbidden hallway were genuinely spooky. Not in a blood and guts kind of way but rather in a mysterious, nervous anticipation kind of way.
On the down side was Frank Peretti's portrayal of an eccentric "expert." He was way, way, way over the top. I like my experts to be more serious but given the aforementioned biological stretches, maybe casting this role in eccentricity helped the stretches to go down more easily.
Seven out of ten stars for me.
I've read many of the other user comments about this film and feel compelled to defend this project. A couple of posters guffawed at the biology of a hybrid spider that has a bite more dangerous then that of either of its parents. This is a bogus objection. It's not at all uncommon for the viewer to have to suspend reality in a movie. Consider all those explosions that go "boom" in space in the Star Wars flicks. Or, how about that 90 degree turn at 50 MPH+ in a bus that Sandra Bullock made in Speed? It's a movie, people!
I also saw some posters objecting to the Goth kids getting "saved." I don't claim to be an expert on the Goth lifestyle but it seems to me that these kids took it several steps beyond the funky makeup, piercings and black clothes. They were worshiping Satan, physically hurting people and plotting and wishing for other's deaths. Sounds like something you need to be saved from to me.
Finally, the overriding criticism in most posts was that this was a Christian film. It portrayed a set of values to which non-Christians had difficulty relating. To this I say, welcome to the world of the Christian movie-goer. This happens to Christians all of the time when we see mainstream movies. The story lines, characterizations and dialogue of secular movies defame and ridicule our Savior and our values. If we don't like it, we're told to stay away. I'd like to offer the same advice to those objecting to the Christian theme of this movie but I won't. Instead, I encourage you to see it as it has some redemptive value.
Now that I've got that off my chest, let me give you some specifics. There's a scene where the teenage girl lead is approached by one of the football players. She invites him to go for a walk and I thought uh-oh, they're going to find a place to get busy. Instead, the innocence and romantic charm of a walk in the woods is portrayed. I appreciated this so much more than them finding a secluded place to have a roll in the hay!
The scenes in the forbidden hallway were genuinely spooky. Not in a blood and guts kind of way but rather in a mysterious, nervous anticipation kind of way.
On the down side was Frank Peretti's portrayal of an eccentric "expert." He was way, way, way over the top. I like my experts to be more serious but given the aforementioned biological stretches, maybe casting this role in eccentricity helped the stretches to go down more easily.
Seven out of ten stars for me.
Sol Goode (2003)
An Unoriginal Stinker
I recently watched this movie on TMC-XW. It represents everything that's wrong with the mentality of those that make movies. It "boasts" unbelievable characters, a derivative storyline and possibly the worst soundtrack I've ever heard.
Movie-makers have no grip on middle-American values. I consider myself decidedly middle American and do not know one person who uses the "f" word as much as these characters. They use it at times when it doesn't make sense. In addition, the characters are comic-bookish. The role of Happy the Cowboy and Sol's mom and dad are completely unbelivable. Maybe people in New York and California resemble these characters but you won't find them anywhere else.
But worse, these characters were thrust into a plot that's been done to . Platonic friends become lovers. Gee, how original. I knew within minutes of watching the movie how it would end.
Finally, the soundtrack was horrible and the music most times didn't even match the moment.
Stay away!
Movie-makers have no grip on middle-American values. I consider myself decidedly middle American and do not know one person who uses the "f" word as much as these characters. They use it at times when it doesn't make sense. In addition, the characters are comic-bookish. The role of Happy the Cowboy and Sol's mom and dad are completely unbelivable. Maybe people in New York and California resemble these characters but you won't find them anywhere else.
But worse, these characters were thrust into a plot that's been done to . Platonic friends become lovers. Gee, how original. I knew within minutes of watching the movie how it would end.
Finally, the soundtrack was horrible and the music most times didn't even match the moment.
Stay away!
The Women of Spring Break (1995)
What a stinker!
Just saw this moldy oldie today for the first time. I didn't realize that Shelly Long could be so wooden. And that 90210 kid was even worse. In fact there's not a good performance in the bunch. Take my advice....STAY AWAY!
Time Changer (2002)
Powerful commentary on what's gone wrong with the world.
Liked this movie enough to see it twice. How refreshing to see a movie that didn't make me cringe with it's vulgarities, obscenities, etc.
I've seen a number of "Christian" films and this is the best of the bunch I've seen. The story, while hardly original, provides some comedy, some drama and delivers a strong message. What separates this move from it's "Christian" predecessors is the quality of the acting. Time Changer benefits from a stable of veteran actors that includes Gavin McLeod, Hal Linden and Paul Rodriguez. Each gives a strong performance.
The acting isn't all good though, as evidenced by the two fellows who pursue the main character in the second half of the film. An interesting sidenote... the better of the two is a pretty good ringer for George Clooney.
The ending gives you kind of an eerie feeling and is designed to really make you think. And that's the point here. This movie allows you to step back from merely being entertained and tries to open your eyes to why the world has become what it is today. Would heartily recommend Time Changer to anyone.
I've seen a number of "Christian" films and this is the best of the bunch I've seen. The story, while hardly original, provides some comedy, some drama and delivers a strong message. What separates this move from it's "Christian" predecessors is the quality of the acting. Time Changer benefits from a stable of veteran actors that includes Gavin McLeod, Hal Linden and Paul Rodriguez. Each gives a strong performance.
The acting isn't all good though, as evidenced by the two fellows who pursue the main character in the second half of the film. An interesting sidenote... the better of the two is a pretty good ringer for George Clooney.
The ending gives you kind of an eerie feeling and is designed to really make you think. And that's the point here. This movie allows you to step back from merely being entertained and tries to open your eyes to why the world has become what it is today. Would heartily recommend Time Changer to anyone.