When you watch a movie and realize it's not just bad but also just plain stupid, you know you are watching a real stinker.

Well, to be fair, it's a made for TV thriller and I therefore should also judge it as one. Everything about this movie has 'TV quality' written over it; The look, the characters, the dialog, the acting and the awful, almost constantly present, music. This movie leaves no question about this being a made for TV movie and also should only ever been shown and seen that way.

But the problem is not so much in its quality. Reason why this movie is a bad and silly one to watch is simply due to its formulaic and poorly written story. The main issue this movie suffers from is that it's trying to be a thriller but without ever giving you anything suspenseful. It thinks that by simply being 'mysterious' with its story it's going to create some tension for the movie. But in fact, by simply just being mysterious, it constantly feels like the movie is not doing anything at all. No one ever seems in danger, it's unclear were its story is ever heading at and there is never a good tense or engaging build up to anything. It isn't until the movie its final 20 minutes or so that the story finally starts to develop into something that remotely resembles a thriller. A very formulaic, bad and predictable one but a thriller nevertheless.

Before that point, the movie mostly consists out of people behaving incredibly irrationally and not talking or listening to each other, making the one stupid and improbable decision after the other. It's all more annoying than anything else really. It really isn't a very well constructed or subtle movie about anything. I mean seriously, the moment the Elizabeth Berkley characters enters the movie you know she is trouble and her constant smirking and staring isn't exactly hiding the fact that she is up to no good. And it's not like Elizabeth Berkley ever got cast in any movies because of her wonderful acting abilities, so why give her such a big role in this one? Just because it's a recognizable name I guess and because she is great to look at but truth remains, she really isn't a too great or convincing femme fatale for this movie.

A very standard and poorly executed thriller, that really isn't worth any of your time.

4/10

This is Jean-Claude Van Damme's best movie in years. Not that I'm an expert on Van Damme movies but I'm of course well aware of the reputation of all of his movies and have seen enough of them to know that 90% of them don't ever, in any way, surpasses the level of a B-movie. But there actually is absolutely nothing B-movie like about this movie though, which is part of the reason why it's a pretty enjoyable and good one.

Of course the biggest reason why this movie is so perfectly watchable is because it's a fun and very self aware one. It's more of a parody and comedy than a serious action flick really, in which Jean-Claude Van Damme plays the lead role as himself. And not necessarily just in a comical type of way but also in a very profound and honest one. In a strange way you can say that this movie feels a bit like a biopic as well, were it not for the fact that of course everything in this movie was scripted.

And the movie even features a pretty decent and original story. I was expecting a sort of wrong person, at the wrong place, at the wrong time, type of movie. A "Die Hard" type of action flick so to speak but I was surprised to not only find out that the movie was something completely different but also because of how original it was and how well it worked out. Well, for most part though. The movie does become a bit tiresome after a while, due to the way how the story is told.

With some imagination you can still call this an action flick, even though there really hardly is any action in it and it truly is more of a comedy and even a bit of a heartfelt drama, that however is still shot and directed as a true action movie. It's a real good looking movie, with a pretty good atmosphere and fast paced directing by Mabrouk El Mechri. The story however is still lacking at some points. It feels like the movie and its story still had more potential in it really and instead of being just good, this really could have been a great movie, considering its main premise.


Main problem with the story and the way it is being told, is that it for most part consists out of the same events, that constantly get told from different perspectives. So every time you think that the story is ready to move along, it's moving back again, by telling you the same events all over again, only this time shown from a different perspective. Of course this also helps to move the story forward some times but not at always. Sometimes it comes across as a bit gimmicky and just isn't adding enough to either the story- and character developments. It only distracts, slows the movie down and makes it feel overlong. Even though the actual movie is only 97 minutes short, it feels like it's well over 2 hours long and I was even getting a bit bored with it toward the end.

Still the movie deserves plenty of credit. Even though this obviously wasn't a very expensive movie to make and it got done outside of Hollywood, in Van Damme's native Belgium, it's totally feeling and looking like an expensive and very professional Hollywood production. It of course also deserves plenty of credit for its original concept, even though the execution of it feels somewhat lacking at times.

It also is a movie in which Jean-Claude Van Damme truly has to act, even though he mostly is just playing himself. I'm sure he had plenty of fun with it and it truly is HIS movie, perhaps more so than any other movie that he had done. Now, I won't claim that Van Damme is an outstanding actor in this but it's good to see that he has some more range than just delivering one liners and kicking people's butts. He definitely did a more than capable job!

A perfectly watchable and fun Van Damme movie, even to those we aren't familiar with- or big fans of him and the work he has done in the past.

7/10

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This is way more than just an ordinary fall and rise story. As a matter of fact, it's actually something totally different!

This movie is a pretty surprising one, in the sense that it's probably different from what you would expect it to be. You see images from this movie, you watch some clips and trailer and you see an aging Mickey Rourke, fighting in the ring as a wrestler and you automatically start to assume this is going to be some sort of underdog sports movie, or one that's going to be about a once great wrestler, trying to make to get the top again. And sure, in some ways you could also still look at this movie that way but at the same time the movie, the story and its characters also have way more to offer than just that!

It basically is a great character study. Thing I took out of this movie is that it's one that shows how circumstances and surroundings can change but people themselves don't always change that easily. Randy 'The Ram' is trying to adapt and he's trying to change and become a better person for those who love him but it's hard to change who you are deep inside and it's hard to ignore and turn your back to the things you need or enjoy and feel comfortable with. This movie is about that journey and life cycle, in my opinion. It's also more about the journey than the actual outcome really and that's also why I didn't mind the ending of the movie. It was perfectly suitable actually, in my opinion. As a matter of fact, it was absolutely perfect and the only right way for this movie to end.

Same all goes for the Marisa Tomei character really and at times I was wondering if the movie secretly wasn't supposed to be all about her. In some ways her character is just as interesting, if not more so. Her character goes through the same journey, only thing is that she doesn't realize it, until she starts to get closer to Mickey Rourke character. In some ways I truly was more interested in her character at times and not just because she's nude all the time.

Of course everybody is talking about Mickey Rourke and his great comeback performance. And that's fine and he deserves all the credits he gets but the downside of this all is that nobody is talking about Marisa Tomei's performance really, though in some ways her character was much harder to portray. I mean, here we have a 43-year old woman, who's playing a stripper and has to be nude and semi-nude, throughout basically the entire movie. She played the role really well and above all things, she was believable in her part.

Seeing how this is a character study, it's a movie that's all about its storytelling of course. The actors are one of the things that make the storytelling great and let it work out but the writing and directing are of course two of the other, all important, elements that let this movie work out as a great one. It's a real subtly and engaging told movie, that gets you involved with its characters and their minds. At times the movie doesn't have to tell you anything, in order to understand what's going through a character's mind. That's great storytelling as well in my opinion, when a movie doesn't have to lay out everything for you.

It's a movie that's kept deliberately small, in order for you to feel more involved with the movie its story and characters. That's why the camera also always stays close to its subject and it feels like it's following him around literally everywhere. it's more of a random slice of life movie, rather than one that's constantly following a main plot line really.

it's also a movie that's probably going to make you look differently at wrestling. If you think it's all fake and pre-planned, you may be right but that doesn't take away anything from the fact that it's a real tough and physical sport, that can completely wear people out, as this movie clearly shows. The sequences within the ring are all pretty intense ones to watch.

A wonderful and truly powerful character study!

8/10

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You know, the thing about horror movies is that once you have seen a lot of them, they all sort of start to look alike after awhile. It makes them predictable and all of the clichés and genre trappings will become more obvious to you and might even start to annoy you. So every time a horror movie comes out that tries to do something new and original, I welcome- and applaud them. It's truly like a breath of fresh air and once more make it apparent that it's simply not true that there is no way that you can't be original with movies anymore, unlike popular belief.

Still this movie isn't all that popular or well respected and I actually can still see why as well. While most more seasoned and hardened horror lovers are going to like and applaud this movie, for not falling for the usual genre trapping and being original with its concept, the more average moviegoer might not be getting out of it what he/she was ready for. They might even consider this movie to be a bit of a bore, with not enough scares, gore, or deaths in it. Not me though.

It's best to watch this movie without knowing anything about it. It's far more enjoyable once you don't know who it's killer/monster is going to be. It enhances the mystery and tension as well, which is something that gets buildup and handled very well in this movie. It doesn't throw you right into the action but actually takes its time to setup its story and characters. Because of this you also feel more involved, with both the story and characters, that are in it.

It's also a movie in which literally no one is ever safe. You just don't know, while watching this movie, who is going to die and who is eventually going to survive, till the end (if there are any survivors that is). The movie doesn't pick just one or two main character but instead is focusing on a whole (small) group.

I'm somewhat surprised that the director and some of its actors are still waiting for their definitive breakthrough. The acting and directing for this movie is all so much better than the usual genre outing. It's a really good and professional looking movie, in which all the scenes get handled very well and effectively. Besides, the characters aren't some annoying or ignorant teens, that want to party all day long and are oblivious to the dangers and situation around them. No, instead the characters are ones that still like the party but are educated and smart ones at the same time, who think rationally (well, most of the time) and never do anything stupid, or something that feels too far fetched and that's beyond belief.

Still when you start analyzing, some of the stuff in its story still appears simplistic and flawed though. I for instance thought that the characters never did enough, to try and get out of their situation. Sure, they are constantly busy surviving but they never come up with a plan to even try to take out the movie its 'villain(s)', for instance. And really, while watching this movie, I myself came up with 3 different plans, they could have tried out. And there is some more stuff like this in the story that once you start thinking about, just doesn't make all that much sense.

But oh well, at least the movie definitely still has originality going for it and it's made in a far better and more appealing way than just the average genre attempt. Horror lovers should definitely be able to appreciate this movie, despite all of its flaws!

7/10

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Oh no, not another horror movie set in an old asylum. But guess what! This movie actually manages to work out as a good and original one! There is still something weird about the movie though. It basically had a great and promising premise but yet the movie is not half as great and scary as it potentially could had been.

Thing that I love about the movie is that it's ghost and villain is a Freddy Krueger like character, who uses the kid's fears against them and to get to them. And no, it's not like this movie is basically being a big ripoff of the "A Nightmare on Elm Street" franchise. It just differs too much, in tone, setup and storytelling.

But here at the same time also lays a problem with this movie. The storytelling is sort of lacking, especially when it comes down to its horror. This movie is basically being a horror movie, without ever truly feeling like one. The setup, tension and mystery is all a bit too lacking, which is probably the main reason why the movie has a poor reputation. A bit harsh if you ask me, since the movie is definitely worthy of some more credit.

I have seen plenty of very similar sort of genre movie, throughout the years and I simply have to say that this movie absolutely feels far more original and enjoyable than the average genre attempt. It's probably all due to it that the movie feels less clichéd and is mostly doing its own thing. Like I said, it's a horror movie without ever feeling like in. In that regard it also might be better to simply look upon this movie as a thriller. That way, once you're not expecting any of the usual horror tropes, you really might end up liking the movie better.

So in some ways I really do like the movie but I still can't call it a very good or successful one either. The tension, storytelling, mystery, horror is all a bit too lacking for that but I still could really appreciate the movie for its originally and the way it managed to avoid most of the genre clichés, by mostly simply keep on doing its own thing throughout.

6/10

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This short is OK. A tad bit simplistic maybe but it at least does nothing wrong really.

It at the same time still ain't no short that shall live on in memory for very long. It doesn't really make an impact, in a provoking, original, or shocking kind of way.

With a bit of a stronger buildup the movie potential could had a more powerful and effective horror atmosphere to it, or maybe it could had also achieved this by having a somewhat stronger and better written plot in it. It still tries hard to create a certain horror atmosphere but its style and approach kind of fell short and reminded me more of an 1990's movie than a 2008 one really.

All the movie basically is, is buildup, without ever having a very rewarding payoff in it as well. Not that the movie disappoints an awful lot though. I mean, not much was to be expected from a 5 minute short and it of course is also too short to ever start to feel like a totally pointless or horrible watch.

It is what it is and it honestly is nothing too bad to watch but it's clearly no absolute must-see either.

6/10

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*** This review may contain spoilers ***

The one reason why this documentary works out is because of its fascinating and original subject. It however feels like its only being a retelling and a look back at events but it doesn't quite ever answers the why and hows.

So the documentary opens with telling you that its main subject had died, during an attempt to cross the Tasman sea in nothing more but a small kayak. Was this a good and smart thing for the documentary? Well, it of course takes away most of the tension already but it opens plenty of other doors for the documentary to handle and for its interviewees to talk about, so it's not something that I'm holding against this documentary, though I can certainly imaging some people already being turned off by this.

The one thing I was a bit bummed out about was the fact that the movie told you its main subject did not survived but the videotapes that filmed his journey did. However as it turns out by the end, the video tapes of the last couple of days were destroyed by the salty sea water, so we actually don't get to see what happened to Andrew McAuley and how come he suddenly drowned after traveling for 3 weeks straight and having survived a big storm already. New Zealand was literally in his sight but we now will never know what happened to him. So it in fact feels a bit pointless for the movie to show some of the earlier tapes but not show the climax, so to speak, in a not very respectful way but it just feels a bit like an anticlimax.

So it doesn't gives you the why and how but it also doesn't ever explain the why's as to why McAuley wanted to attempt this journey in the first, while he had a young son and a loving wife and an earlier attempted already stranded after 1 day of peddling. It was an extremely dangerous journey and many people thought it was impossible for him to survive under these treacherous conditions. He himself also was very well aware of this and he himself doesn't even seem to know why he's doing it and is openly doubtful about the outcome. The documentary doesn't ever answer for him, or makes it clear as to why he would even consider attempting such a thing.

However if you look at it as simply an adventurous quest of endurance, persistence and courage, the story still works out well and fascinating enough. It switches back and forth between the found footage of McAuley's endeavor and his family, friends and supporters at the time and afterward, looking back at all, long after they learned about his faith. It does definitely has its moments but I wouldn't exactly call or consider this documentary to be a particularly well made or good looking one. It all feels pretty formulaic and it just doesn't ever delves too deep into things, probably because it had too much respect for its main subject; McAuley and his journey.

It definitely remains good and interesting enough to watch but it's nothing to run out for.

7/10

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