Archives

Cape Vincent Foreign and Independent Film Series

Update: Lars and the Real Girl.

This is one of my favorite films of 2007.  This is such a sweet story that is the perfect mix of reality and fantasy.  The tone is amazing.  This film was nominated for a best original screenplay Oscar but beat out by “Juno” - which I also liked, but not as much as “Lars and the Real Girl,” which is much more “original.”  Part fairytale, part love story, it is perfectly beguiling, disarming and heartfelt.  Very Good Flick!

Check This Out:

For those of you who are spending your winter (don’t say the “W” word) in the North Country, the eagerly anticipated Cape Vincent Foreign and Independent Film Series has a show tonight, THURSDAY NOVEMBER 20thh at 7pm.

The Series runs the first and third Thursday every month through April 2009 except January due to New Year’s Day- in January the movies switch to the second and fourth Thursdays of the month - one month only.

At the Community Room at St. John’s Episcopal Church on Market Street.

The film series is sponsored by the Cape Vincent Community Library

Films are intended for mature audiences.

For more information call 654-2132

FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE

Quantum of Solace - Movie Review

by BJ Clary

Warning: Potential Spoilers

The many adventures of 007 have created one of the longest running action series on the big screen. The cunning and charming James Bond has graced the screen 22 times and has yet to disappoint an audience. Quantum of Solace is the latest addition to the series and the second Bond film for the sixth man to play the role, Daniel Craig (Casino Royale, The Golden Compass).

Quantum of Solace joins Bond after the events of Casino Royale. Vesper, the first woman Bond actually loved, is dead thanks to a mysterious and ever present organization known as Quantum, which has given him a great deal of motivation to try and take it down. A brief bit of interrogation and some computer work courtesy of MI6 points Bond in the direction of Dominic Greene, head of a faux environmental group called Greene Planet. Greene and Quantum are moving national powers around for something big that has everyone guessing, incorrectly at that.

During his investigation of Greene, Bond meets Camille (Olga Kurylenko, Max Payne, Hitman) a woman using Greene for his connections to the man who killed her family. Unfortunately, Greene and his connections aren’t the only things the two have to worry about. Bond’s more aggressive attitude has MI6 doubting his ability and loyalties, causing a stop on his credentials and an order to bring him in as soon as possible.

As far as Bond movies go, this is…another one. That’s not the say the movie isn’t good. The action sequences are true to Bond form and the acting is flawless. 007 has not lost his touch. This film just does not seem to add anything new to the series as a whole. If anything, the movie takes some things away (which some people may see as adding something new). The spy gadgets are gone, with the exception of a business card tracking device, so all you techies out there will have to get your fix from the touch screen moments at MI6.

This film also lacked the essential Bond Girl. There were girls present with Bond, but I would not classify them as Bond Girls. Their roles do not carry throughout the film, forcing their entry and exit to take place in one block of time. Not only that, but gone are the days of the supporting female with a name rife with innuendo. At least for now.

Casino Royale began a reimagining of the Bond universe that is continued in Quantum of Solace. Some die hard fans of the series may not be happy with the missing pieces in this film, but in terms of action and excitement, Bond delivers. This story line is far from over, so if you want to keep up on the world of Bond, or are just looking for an action movie to get your heart racing, Quantum of Solace is worth watching.

Tuesday November 11 DVD Releases

Hellboy (Ron Perlman) and his team (Selma Blair, Doug Jones) are back again to save the world in the sequel “Hellboy II: The Golden Army“.

Fans of dark fantasy will like this new release.

Star Wars is back yet again with the release of the CGI-animated theatrical film Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

It’s up to the Jedi Knights to maintain order and restore peace as the Clone Wars sweep through the galaxy. Long time Star Wars fans should be aware this is more of a kids movie.

“Kung Fu Panda” is an animated comedy that will have you laughing from the beginning.

Po the Panda (Jack Black) dreams of becoming a Kung Fu Master. Unexpectedly he is chosen to study alongside legendary fighters and Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman). His training is put to the test when a vengeful snow leopard (Ian McShane) heads there way and it’s up to Po to defend everyone.

 

TV shows on DVD this week are the complete 7th seasons of “Scrubs” and “7th Heaven”.

Role Models - Movie Review

by BJ Clary

Warning: Potential Spoilers!

It has been said that comedy is one of the most difficult forms of entertainment to do well. The comedies I have seen lately, with the exception of Zack and Miri, prove that statement beyond a shadow of a doubt. Movies like Nick and Noras Infinite Playlist promise hilarity but then fail to deliver once I hit the chair. Thankfully, in the past few weeks, good comedies have been hitting the big screen that make me hope the holiday movie season will soon be in full force. The newest dash of optimism to hit the screen this week is Role Models, a gem that makes up for all the comedic tragedies of the last few months.

[caption id="attachment_11568" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Seann William Scott and Paul Rudd "][/caption]

Seann WIlliam Scott (The Promotion, Mr. Woodcock) and Paul Rudd (Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Over Her Dead Body) play Wheeler and Danny, two energy drink spokesmen who tour middle schools trying to keep kids off drugs and on Minotaur (the energy drink). After ten years with Minotaur, Danny has grown tired of his job and has become quite cantankerous (a friendlier adjective), but his partner Wheeler could not be happier.

Danny’s newly developed attitude drives his girlfriend Beth, played by Elizabeth Banks (Zackand Miri, Meet Bill), to end their relationship, which does little to help to situation. A confrontation with the police later that day causes Danny to make some bad decisions and drag happy-go-lucky Wheeler down with him.

Lucky for this duo, Danny’s now ex-girlfriend is a lawyer and manages to reduce their sentence to 150 hours of community service with Sturdy Wings, a Big Brothers Big Sisters type of organization. Wheeler is paired with Ronnie, the most difficult child in the roster, while Danny is assigned to Augie, one of the older children in the program who dawns a cape and enjoys live action role playing. As you can imagine, though it is a bit cliche, hilarity does ensue.

[caption id="attachment_11569" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Paul Rudd, Seann William Scott and Bobb'e J. Thompson"][/caption]

This movie is filled with one liners and monologues that will keep you rolling in the isles. The majority of the humor comes from Rudd, who is quick witted and cynical, and young Bobb’e J. Thompson (as Ronnie), who steals the show with his insults and sex crazed attitude. This is a very impressive feat considering the movie feels like it is centered mainly on Rudd and his character transformation.

Christoper Mintz-Plasse, as Augie Farks, comes in a close third with his nerdy mannerisms and the army of role players who make up the magical, medieval world of LAIRE. The role playing action may seem strange in the beginning, but as the movie progresses these scenes become more and more intriguing until you are fully engrossed in the foam combat by the end.

The only problem I can find in the movie is that, as I mentioned earlier, the movie seems to be Rudd centered. His transformation is significant but all the characters, other than William Scott, undergo a change as well. These changes, however, take a back seat to Rudd as you will only see about a minute or so of any noticeable difference in the other characters. Given that the movie was co-written by Rudd, one can see where this issue comes from.

Role Models is a movie I can not recommended enough. I must warn you though that just because there are children in this movie, do not think it is family friendly. If you are opposed to cussing and mild nudity, you might want to take the family to Madagascar 2. If, however, you are just looking for a night of belly laughs, Role Models should be your first choice.

Zack and Miri - Movie Review

by BJ Clary

Warning: Potential Spoilers and use of the word ‘porno’

From the comedic mind of Kevin Smith (Clerks 2, Dogma) comes Zack and Miri Make a Porno, a film that’s full name alone has stirred up some controversy. This is a true test for Smith as it is his second attempt at a film using new characters since the failed Jersey Girl. For those of you expecting another failure, you will be quite dissapointed.

[caption id="attachment_10842" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Elizabeth Banks and Seth Rogen"][/caption]

Zack and Miri tells the story of, surprisingly enough, Zack Brown and Miriam Linky, played by Seth Rogen (Knocked Up, Superbad) and Elizabeth Banks (The 40 Year Old Virgin, W.) respectively, two life long friends who are down on their luck. Thanks to some “spontaneous purchases”, the two are unable to pay their utility bills, which results in their water and power being turned off. In a moment of desperation Zack and Miri decide that the best way to solve their problems is to make and distribute a pornographic movie.

With the help of Zack’s co-worker Delaney (Craig Robinson, Pineapple Express) the two manage to cast, write, and begin shooting their very own dirty movie. The process introduces a hilarious cast of characters who are trying to do whatever they can to get this movie finished. There is also a love story mixed in as well, but it doesn’t take the lead until the last thirty minutes or so of the film. All in all, the story is well thought out and delivered.

[caption id="attachment_10851" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks as Zack and Miri"][/caption]

As is usually the case with Kevin Smith movies, Zack and Miri is very dialog driven. The characters deliver a plethora of one liners, humorous anecdotes, and observations to keep the audience rolling in the isles. The film is not without a few gross out moments, but they take a back seat to the exceptional writing. It’s easy to see Smith’s signature writing style in this movie, especially when the characters have a brief discussion about Lost.

I honestly had trouble finding anything bad to say about this movie, mostly because I was laughing the majority of the time. The porno sections of the movie are actually pretty tame considering what they could have done, and the characters are so awkward that the scenes appear dialed down even more. It still isn’t a family movie, but don’t expect 90 minutes of smut. It’s good for guys, or gals, night out.

It has been a while since I saw a comedy that genuinely had me laughing from beginning to end. Most try too hard to be funny or only have enough jokes to justify a trailer. Zack and Miri Make a Porno manages to balance humor and story perfectly to keep the audiences entertained and interested at the same time. It may not be for everyone but if you don’t mind a little vulgarity, it could be for you.

High School Musical 3 - Movie Review

by BJ Clary

Warning: Potential Spoilers!

When I saw the first High School Musical I thought it was a fun movie that broke the mold of the typical Disney Channel movie. I could never of predicted how popular it would become. The next thing I knew, there was a touring show, sing-along movie releases and then a sequel. The popularity has not faltered as now we have the big screen debut of the series with HIgh School Musical 3: Senior Year. True to form, the movie does not disappoint.

[caption id="attachment_10183" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="The High School Musical cast"][/caption]

This episode in the series rejoins our favorite high school bunch during, as the title suggests, senior year. More specifically, the last month or so of senior year. Everyone has their college plans set except Troy (Zac Efron). After an exceptional performance in the championship basketball game, he is practically signed up to go to the University of Albuquerque. When a potential scholarship to Julliard rears its head, thanks to his theater prowess, Troy begins to question whether or not he is making decisions for himself or if his family is making his decisions for him. On top of that there is prom and a new musical to worry about. High school is so difficult.

Though everyone else has their own problems as well, the film centers on Troy’s issues as well as his girlfriend Gabriella (Vanessa Hudgens), who plays a huge role in Troy’s decision. The film also includes the devious plans of Sharpay (Ashley Tisdale) who wants the lead role (again) and forces her brother Ryan (Lucas Grabeel) to help her get what she wants. There is a lot going on.

[caption id="attachment_10184" align="alignnone" width="240" caption="Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens as Troy and Gabriella live"][/caption]

From the beginning you can spot the big screen budget being put to use in this film. The previous made-for-TV films were great, but the production values have been exceeded in this film. The music breaks are bigger and better with a lot more flash, and the dance numbers have been punched up to Michael Jackson-esque proportions. I can’t imagine how the series as a whole would look if all the films had this much money in them.

What I really liked about this movie was that it actually focused on the musical within the musical. A lot of the big numbers are actually in the musical they are performing for the school, so you will see some real theater style stage transitions and such. It was a welcome addition that really added to the experience. It’s about time we actually got to see the musical.

This movie is not without its problems. There are a few moments with cheesy or cliche dialog and an overuse of rain, but that is to be expected in this type of movie. The only issue I had that I could not blame on the genre was the final song which I can only assume was titled “High School Musical.” You can’t go this far with a series and then lose all creativity in the last three minutes of the final movie. Tisk tisk.

The High School Musical series has developed quite a following over the past couple of years and has finally recieved its shot at the big screen. HIgh School Musical 3: Senior Year has not lost any of the series steam and should please fans and newcomers alike. It’s a great film to watch with the family or simply if you are looking for a good time at the theater. “Get your head in the game” and go see this movie.

Calling Artists, Entertainers, Patrons of the Arts, Organizers

I would love to promote your arts and entertainment events in the Tri-County Area.  My website is been up over a month and it has been great writing about events and doing the weekend to do list, but I often need information for events.  This will especially be true as the busy months of summer slip into fall and winter and there are less things happening.

I love using video on my Thursday night Fox 28 News segment, so if you have at least 30 seconds of quality video, this will help.   Also pictures are great for the website.

Information can be sent electronically to me at artsent@wwnytv.net.  You can side video content on DVD and other material snail mail (traditional usps) to me at:

Craig Thornton

WWNY/WNYF

120 Arcade Street

Watertown, NY 13601

Be Sure to include contact information in case I want more information.

See you at the Theater, Concert, Festival, Art Gallery…ETC.

Quarantine

Quarantine

Reviewed by Doug Rice

On March 11 2008, the government sealed off an apartment complex in Los Angeles. The residents were never seen again. No details. No witnesses. No evidence. Until now…

That’s the tagline for the new horror flick from Screen Gems that just hit theaters, and right on time for the chilly Halloween season.   It’s the first of several horror films set to make their wide release in an effort to cash in on this spooky time of year, but if you ask this reviewer, it’s easily the best option to send a shiver up your spine.

The plot follows a late night television reporter, Angela Vidal (played strongly by Dexter’s Jennifer Carpenter) and her regular cameraman Scott (Steve Harris), as they are looking to shoot an in-depth look at the life of a fire fighter in Los Angeles.  The two start their night at a firehouse making their rounds with the smoke-eaters, camping it up for the camera and shooting the run of the mill glop that usually comprises such late night filler.

Also, as the camera continues to roll, you also get to see a lot of the real life antics of the station and the personal side of, Jake (Jay Hernandez) and George (Johnathon Schaech), the 2 firefighters they are shadowing for the night.  It’s just when the night seems to be winding down when the station gets a call that sends the men to action.

To the delight of Angela and the promise of more interesting footage, they climb aboard the truck to ride along for what they think will be a run of the mill call.  Unfortunately, as with the premise of all horror films, they were terribly wrong.

Within a few minutes of arriving at an old apartment building in the heart of the city, the tone and atmosphere change drastically as the firemen and police quickly try to piece together the reason for the call and what exactly is happening.

The residents of the building are visibly upset and confused by the situation and relay the strange circumstances that brought the emergency crew there.  Its only upon entering the apartment of an elderly woman do we realize the reason behind the mysterious call as the woman shows signs of a strange illness that she is quickly succumbing to.  That’s when the excrement hits the electric air-circulating device.

A sudden attack turns the situation upside down and as residents and rescue workers attempt to flee, they are greeted with locked doors and confusion as to why they are unexpectedly trapped in the building.  Panic and emotion quickly consume the group as they try to assess the circumstances while looking for other possible exits.

These attempts are inexplicably met with armed soldiers that are doing their very best to seal off the building.  With no way to escape, the confined group is forced to deal with the stark reality of their situation and the oddly familiar illness that is turning the infected into mindless flesh-eaters!

What makes this film different from most is that is shown in the reality point-of-view that made the, Blair Witch Project, such a startling success.  The entire film is shot with Scott’s camera (!), with no editing and very few cuts.  You are an actual witness as these terrifying events continue to unfold in real time and put you in the middle of fray.

From the fun banter and interaction at the fire station to the frantic and frightening images captured during Angela and Scott’s plight, the film captures a true voyeuristic approach that is at the heart of the world’s fascination with reality television.

The action is uncensored, out of control and very unsettling.  Some may complain about the swaying camera and moments of jittery shooting amidst the more intense sequences, but I had no trouble following along with the action or the progression of the story.  Not to mention that if shot in a conventional way, you would definitely sacrifice the tension and overall dread that you feel from being directly involved in the story.

Quarantine, is actually a remake of the popular Spanish horror flick [REC].  The film was only released a few years ago very successfully and quickly caught the attention of American producers who wanted to bring the horrifying story to U.S. audiences.

The writer/directing duo of John Erick Dowdle and his brother Drew Dowdle, whose previous film, The Poughkeepsie Tapes, was done in the same style as Quarantine, were so enamored by the original that they are rumored to have recreated most of the film’s action shot for shot with their remake.  From what I’ve read, the only things that were changed by the duo were the circumstances behind the mysterious outbreak and some additional material that added 12 minutes to the running time of the film.

Not having seen the original, I would have to say that the Dowdle brothers did a phenomenal job at replicating what is said to have been one of the scariest films in years.

As a whole, Quarantine, delivers throughout with solid acting from its ensemble cast (including Marin Hinkle- probably known best from our viewers as, Judith, from the CBS comedy, 2 1/2 Men, and Jermaine Jackson!).  The plot is setup and executed in a very believable way and the situation, though extreme, is never hokey or implausible.  Though not gratuitous, the violence is extreme and well placed throughout the film, adding a very real sense of menace to the threat.

The scares are many and the suspense is thick, especially in the film’s last 15 action packed minutes!  Quarantine, will definitely play better in the theatre than in your home and is not for the faint of heart, but if you have the stomach and are looking for a real Halloween treat, the cost of going to the movies could easily replace the admission for most haunted attractions this time of the year.

Max Payne - Movie Review

by BJ Clary

Warning: Spoiler Alert

Historically, and by “historically” I mean over the past 4 years or so, video game based movies have been dreadful. Whether it be the a low budget or an unqualified staff, these types of movies have yet to capture the true excitement of their namesakes on the silver screen. Max Payne, 20th Century Fox’s newest foray into the genre, however….is no exception.

[caption id="attachment_9719" align="alignnone" width="190" caption="Mark Wahlberg as Max Payne"][/caption]

Max Payne follows the story of Max Payne (Mark Wahlberg, The Happening, Shooter), an NYC detective whose wife and young child are murdered by members of a mysterious street gang. The case goes unsolved by normal means so Detective Payne decides to take more violent action. These are the only facts that survived the crossover. I may have only played two levels of the first game, but I’m pretty sure the story did not go in the direction this movie chose.

Payne finds a new lead in his quest for vengeance after running across a group of drug users bearing a mark similar to the men who attacked his family. Unfortunately for Payne, everyone he comes in contact with from within this group ends up dead and in pieces. Now Max has the cops as well as some other unsavory characters on his tail as he tries to unravel this series of events.

The premise seems sound, but the delivery is terrible. Wahlberg provides the only decent performance in this film, and considering his counterparts, that isn’t saying much. Mila Kunis (That 70’s Show, Forgetting Sarah Marshal) plays a Russian gangster with a horrific accent who tries to help Max locate the man who killed her sister. It may just be me, but I find it difficult to believe Kunis as a dangerous Russian gangster, and her acting does not help.

Former rapper Ludacris (2Fast 2 Furious, RocknRolla) joins the party as a Lieutenant in Internal Affairs who is looking into Max. Who in their right mind could have thought he was the right choice for this role? He surprisingly does better than Kunis but still does nothing to save this movie.

[caption id="attachment_9723" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Mark Wahlberg and Mila Kunis"][/caption]

Unfortunately, even if the acting were better, the plot is still enough to ruin the franchise. The drug users Payne encounters are subject to strange visions of winged demons, which is just over the top. With the money that was spent on the demon affects, the studio probably could have afforded better actors for the supporting roles.

Demons aside, the film was simply poorly put together. Character development was lacking and relationships were poorly formed. Mila Kunis’ character comes to Payne’s aid in the final scene of the movie without a real reason or emotional connection to him at all. I could go on about all the ridiculous moments in this movie, but I don’t want to subject you to that.

The only redeeming parts of this movie are the action sequences and there are not enough of them to bring this movie out of the abyss. The video game was famous for its slow motion shooting, and this movie only provides one true slow-mo moment. Less talking and more shooting could have made this movie slightly bearable, but that is a stretch.

For a solid 100 minutes, director John Moore (The Omen) manages to maintain an air of disappointment and mediocrity in the theater with Max Payne. History should have taught me to stay away from this film, but for some reason I ignored the past and subjected myself this shell of a movie. Please…don’t make the same mistake I did. Spare yourself the “payne.”

October 17-19

Haunted October heats up as Temps Cool Down

Haunted House

At Madison Barracks in Sackets Harbor 6pm-10pm tonight Friday, October 17th, call 315-646-3575.

Burrville Cider Mill presents:  An Afternoon with the Authors

Noon to 3pm, Saturday October 18th, 18176 route 156, Plank Road, 315-788-7292

Authors:

Marcus Martin, Author of the thriller series: “The Carthage Chronicles” Don’t Pay the Ferryman, Don’t Fear the Reaper, Revenge of the Reaper

Joseph Sweet:  Author of horror novels: Hell 101, The Fall

Hope Marston, Young Adult and Children’s Author: Against the Tide, Little Book of Manatees and others.

THERESA SCARECROW CONTEST ongoing from October 15th through 30th.  $25 prize for each of the winners in these three categories:  Funniest, Most Original and Scariest.

BOOK SIGNING

John Briant, author of the Adirondack Detective Series

1PM Saturday, Borders Bookstore, Salmon Run Mall, Watertown, NY

Email: jbrnt@capital.net

QUARANTINE

By Doug Rice

On March 11 2008, the government sealed off an apartment complex in Los Angeles. The residents were never seen again. No details. No witnesses. No evidence. Until now…

That’s the tagline for the new horror flick from Screen Gems that just hit theaters, and right on time for the chilly Halloween season. It’s the first of several horror films set to make their wide release in an effort to cash in on this spooky time of year, but if you ask this reviewer, it’s easily the best option to send a shiver up your spine.

The plot follows a late night television reporter, Angela Vidal (played strongly by Dexter’s Jennifer Carpenter) and her regular cameraman Scott (Steve Harris), as they are looking to shoot an in-depth look at the life of a fire fighter in Los Angeles.

The two start their night at a firehouse making their rounds with the smoke-eaters, camping it up for the camera and shooting the run of the mill glop that usually comprises such late night filler. Also, as the camera continues to roll, you also get to see a lot of the real life antics of the station and the personal side of, Jake (Jay Hernandez) and George (Johnathon Schaech), the 2 firefighters they are shadowing for the night.

It’s just when the night seems to be winding down when the station gets a call that sends the men to action. To the delight of Angela and the promise of more interesting footage, they climb aboard the truck to ride along for what they think will be a run of the mill call. Unfortunately, as with the premise of all horror films, they were terribly wrong.

Within a few minutes of arriving at an old apartment building in the heart of the city, the tone and atmosphere change drastically as the firemen and police quickly try to piece together the reason for the call and what exactly is happening. The residents of the building are visibly upset and confused by the situation and relay the strange circumstances that brought the emergency crew there.

Its only upon entering the apartment of an elderly woman do we realize the reason behind the mysterious call as the woman shows signs of a strange illness that she is quickly succumbing to. That’s when the excrement hits the electric air-circulating device.

A sudden attack turns the situation upside down and as residents and rescue workers attempt to flee, they are greeted with locked doors and confusion as to why they are unexpectedly trapped in the building.

Panic and emotion quickly consume the group as they try to assess the circumstances while looking for other possible exits. These attempts are inexplicably met with armed soldiers that are doing their very best to seal off the building. With no way to escape, the confined group is forced to deal with the stark reality of their situation and the oddly familiar illness that is turning the infected into mindless flesh-eaters!

What makes this film different from most is that is shown in the reality point-of-view that made the, Blair Witch Project, such a startling success. The entire film is shot with Scott’s camera (!), with no editing and very few cuts. You are an actual witness as these terrifying events continue to unfold in real time and put you in the middle of fray.

From the fun banter and interaction at the fire station to the frantic and frightening images captured during Angela and Scott’s plight, the film captures a true voyeuristic approach that is at the heart of the world’s fascination with reality television.

The action is uncensored, out of control and very unsettling. Some may complain about the swaying camera and moments of jittery shooting amidst the more intense sequences, but I had no trouble following along with the action or the progression of the story. Not to mention that if shot in a conventional way, you would definitely sacrifice the tension and overall dread that you feel from being directly involved in the story.

Quarantine, is actually a remake of the popular Spanish horror flick [REC]. The film was only released a few years ago very successfully and quickly caught the attention of American producers who wanted to bring the horrifying story to U.S. audiences.

The writer/directing duo of John Erick Dowdle and his brother Drew Dowdle, whose previous film, The Poughkeepsie Tapes, was done in the same style as Quarantine, were so enamored by the original that they are rumored to have recreated most of the film’s action shot for shot with their remake.

From what I’ve read, the only things that were changed by the duo were the circumstances behind the mysterious outbreak and some additional material that added 12 minutes to the running time of the film. Not having seen the original, I would have to say that the Dowdle brothers did a phenomenal job at replicating what is said to have been one of the scariest films in years.

As a whole, Quarantine, delivers throughout with solid acting from its ensemble cast (including Marin Hinkle- probably known best from our viewers as, Judith, from the CBS comedy, 2 ½ Men, and Jermaine Jackson!). The plot is setup and executed in a very believable way and the situation, though extreme, is never hokey or implausible.

Though not gratuitous, the violence is extreme and well placed throughout the film, adding a very real sense of menace to the threat. The scares are many and the suspense is thick, especially in the film’s last 15 action packed minutes!

Quarantine, will definitely play better in the theatre than in your home and is not for the faint of heart, but if you have the stomach and are looking for a real Halloween treat, the cost of going to the movies could easily replace the admission for most haunted attractions this time of the year.

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