Right off the bat, I want to say that I'm a huge fan of the Richard Matheson novel that this movie is based on. The book is an absolute classic and you can check out a "Top Vampire Movies and Books" piece I did for RVA Magazine here for more on it. Suffice it to say that it's a work of fiction that I hold so near and dear to my heart that I shied away from this Will Smith vehicle for quite some time. Of course, I'm actually a big fan of Charlton Heston's The Omega Man from 1971 (also based on the book, and also a very loose interpretation of the material) as well as the more faithful (but cheaply made) Vincent Price version entitled The Last Man on Earth from 1964, so I couldn't avoid the most recent attempt at bringing this tale to screen forever. And you know what? I liked it. I honestly think it was probably a better picture than either of the previous versions to grace the silver screen, but I still favor The Omega Man. Will Smith does an awesome job in the 2007 version, but he's not quite in Heston's league. Smith is modern cinematic royalty, and it's close, but Heston was one of best ever and I preferred his take on the character of Robert Neville. Anyway, this most recent version of the film exchanges Matheson's vampires for CGI mutants with a powerful thirst for blood and Spider-Man's ability to run, jump, and climb walls. The CGI can be a little problematic, but the powerful (and heartbreaking) tale of Sam the heroic dog offsets any shortcomings so far as the effects are concerned. The plot zips along at a nifty pace and there are several rousing action scenes in the mix. There's also a compelling story and a worthy conclusion--a pair of them actually, as I thought the alternate ending featured on the Blu-Ray I watched was equally potent. Legendary? I think not, but definitely worth a watch. Just be sure to dig up a copy of The Omega Man if you like what you see.
Final Grade: B
Showing posts with label CGI. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CGI. Show all posts
Sunday, February 15, 2015
Saturday, July 12, 2014
Salem/Under the Dome
I love Salem. If you're a fan of horror and you aren't watching it, you're missing out. It's kinky, it's dark, it's gruesome, it boasts a fantastic cast, and the soundtrack is equally impressive. I really don't want to say much about the plot. It's about witches, of course, but it's really fresh and exciting. I think this is definitely one of those cases where the less you know going in, the more you're going to enjoy yourself. The show's creators may have felt the same way; the previews were intriguing but didn't really give a lot away, and I've been surprised and delighted by the program from the very beginning.
Bonus points: In addition to stealing the show as Cotton Mather, Seth Gabel has a killer beard. I've never seen this dude in anything before, and while the show is brimming with quality performances, he's been a bit of a revelation. He's good, really, really good.
Under the Dome is a different story. I really enjoyed the way the first season started. This is when the series was being a bit more faithful to the book, but King intrigued me with all his talk about taking the show in a different direction and presenting a different conclusion. Early in the second season, I think it's become obvious that this approach was a dreadful mistake. Hey, if you like it, you're free to watch it, but I think a very promising series has devolved into garbage. I don't think I'm going to keep watching it; Season 2 has been downright painful. Whereas the book (a top-notch affair with a somewhat lackluster ending) focused on the people and the human conflict playing out under the dome to great effect, the show has become more of a mediocre CGI and bizarre plot twist showcase.
It's depressing, particularly when you look at the cast and think about what could have been. The talent is still working hard to make it work, but plot holes, massive gaps in logic, and poor effects have ruined a program I was really enjoying early on.
Anyway, if you're not watching Salem, join the party--it's a wicked good time. And if you're still sailing with Under the Dome, well, may God have mercy on your soul.
Bonus points: In addition to stealing the show as Cotton Mather, Seth Gabel has a killer beard. I've never seen this dude in anything before, and while the show is brimming with quality performances, he's been a bit of a revelation. He's good, really, really good.
Under the Dome is a different story. I really enjoyed the way the first season started. This is when the series was being a bit more faithful to the book, but King intrigued me with all his talk about taking the show in a different direction and presenting a different conclusion. Early in the second season, I think it's become obvious that this approach was a dreadful mistake. Hey, if you like it, you're free to watch it, but I think a very promising series has devolved into garbage. I don't think I'm going to keep watching it; Season 2 has been downright painful. Whereas the book (a top-notch affair with a somewhat lackluster ending) focused on the people and the human conflict playing out under the dome to great effect, the show has become more of a mediocre CGI and bizarre plot twist showcase.
It's depressing, particularly when you look at the cast and think about what could have been. The talent is still working hard to make it work, but plot holes, massive gaps in logic, and poor effects have ruined a program I was really enjoying early on.
Anyway, if you're not watching Salem, join the party--it's a wicked good time. And if you're still sailing with Under the Dome, well, may God have mercy on your soul.
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