Movie Review: Apollo 18

Yup, I am reviewing an indie film. Now indie films can be good, but the majority of them are either really bad, or hilariously bad.

Apollo 18 is about a top secret mission to the moon and due to what happens on it, the record was removed, the government made up a fake story to say how the people involved died when in reality, they discovered life on the moon and it killed them.

That is pretty much the summary of the movie, so I just saved you an hour and a half of your time. I was expecting it to be like other bad horror films (so bad I can laugh at it). However, this movie was boring! I didn't even get a jump scare out of this. It tried though, but it suffers from two things; a stupid concept and a bad alien design.

As far as the camera shooting goes, that was probably the best part of it, and the acting wasn't too bad. It seems believable that they were actually astronauts, but too much bad overshadows that. The concept is... wait for it... The aliens are space rocks. SPACE ROCKS??? Do I even have to explain how stupid that is?
Not only that, but if you look closely enough at the aliens, they look like the crabs you would see in A game made by Nintendo (Metriod or Legend of Zelda maybe). It's just embarrassing! It is hard to believe someone thought this was scary.

This one, I can't recommend to anyone and watch it at your own risk.

Movie Review: The Count of Monte Cristo (2002)

I did not plan another movie based from the Baroque period, I swear. This was another request.

I'm sure a lot of people know the story of The Count of Monte Cristo. A man who was falsely charged with treason is locked away for 13 years and plans that time, plus another 3 years in preparation, to get revenge on others. It is a deep story on revenge and the consequences of seeking revenge. I haven't read much of the book myself, but it is something a lot of people love. But how did the movie do in my eyes?
For starters, the casting was done well. The actors fit the roles very well. That is something I liked about the movie. The problem I have with it is the second half of the movie. Isn't it supposed to teach how bad revenge is? Then why does he get the woman he loves, his son he just met, and all his wealth in the end? (spoiler alert!) Is that how the book ends? It's not a very believable ending. I was expecting something to teach me how revenge is a bad thing and that you loose what is most important in order to achieve it. There was a Simpson's parody of this story that did that! This movie didn't do that for me. Also some moments of dialogue that should have been serious, but ended up being laughable. That is poor pacing. I enjoyed the first half and was really into the story, but the second half was a fast fall that made me dislike the movie greatly.
I know a lot of people like this movie (my wife is one of them) and that is fine, I don't think any less of people who do. This isn't one of those movies that is terrible beyond all belief (I'll get to those, just wait.) But on a personal level, I didn't like it. I'm thankful I saw it, but I won't be watching it again anytime soon.

Movie Review: The Phantom of the Opera

So this is my first movie review on the blog and I must say, I am excited to be doing it. It will mean I will be able to post more often than I have been. Don't worry, I'll still do album and music reviews, I will be doing this as well. It is actually easier. I will be giving a different analysis for a movie though, not a number rating.

Now for the review. The Phantom of the Opera (2004) is a film adaptation of the famous Broadway show that still is Broadway's oldest living play. Directed by Joel Shumacher, who is known best for what he did to the Batman character with Batman and Robin (that is a review for another time.) and this was a project he did after that movie. Now audiences enjoyed the movie, but it was hated by critics. Where do I stand on this spectrum? Eh, somewhere in the middle. I think it didn't do enough to really adapt into a film and it had too much music in areas where dialogue or even just silence could have made the scene better, but the places where the music works it works really well. Another problem lies with some of the choreographed scene have jumps in between them and you can't even enjoy all the effort the actors and dancers did. The best part of it was the casting however. Gerald Butler really caught me off guard with his performance as the Phantom. Everyone else did a well enough job and fulfilled the role as well. The portrayal is probably the weakest part of the movie. At times I either felt chemistry between characters and sometimes I didn't. It confused my emotions almost as much as a Tyler Perry movie does. Final thoughts? I would label it a guilty pleasure. Personally I don't like Operas, but I found myself enjoy some parts and hating others. If you liked all of it or hated all of it, that is fine. If you want to see it yourself I won't stop you, but if you want a recommendation from me, it wouldn't be this one.

Album Review: Nine Lashes- From Water to War

Nine Lashes is a somewhat new Christian Rock band with their first album release in 2009. From Water to War is the band's third album release to date, and how is it compared to some of the albums from last year? Very well actually. I listened to this album multiple times and every song is different. What separates it from their last album, World We View, they added more piano and synthesizer to most of their songs, but kept the heavy sound they gave us previously. Take note Linkin Park and Fall Out Boy, this is how you add digital sounds and keep your original sound at the same time. Yes, it is possible! Lyrically, it is beautiful, but in one or two songs it can be a little too preachy. That will turn off those who are not religious or atheist. You can really tell there is effort in the rest of the band. The vocalist really shines in this album as well as the guitarists. Drum work and bass is equally great and gets your adrenaline going. This is the right way to start the new year and I am looking forward to more coming out. My verdict is a 9/10!! I recommend this album to those looking for good Christian Rock outside of bands like Red, Skillet, and Thousand Foot Krutch. Nine Lashes deserves a place among other great Christian bands and I will recommend them to anyone looking for something new.

Album Review: Daughtry's Baptized

Daughtry has done it again with their fourth album release to date. This time around they have added not only electropop sounds, but also some southern rock and country sounds, while maintaining that element that makes them who they are. It is a welcoming addition to Daughtry's history and a nice change from other songs they have done. Though, it is not perfect. There is a song that has repetitive lyrics that is not a fun to follow along to compared to the rest of the songs, but that is really the only problem I have with it. Lyrics wise, it is symbolic and can be beautiful. It is also fun to just sing along to, like the rest of Daughtry's work. As things stand now, hopefully this will open the door to more Rock bands that are trying to make a living. They have found that middle ground between keeping the same sound and completely changing the sound that other bands have tried to do and failed. My final verdict is a 9/10. I recommend this album to Daughtry's hardcore followers (like myself) and people who are new to his material.

First impression: Daughtry, Waiting for Superman and Long Live Rock &Roll

I have been a follower of Daughtry since Chris' time on American Idol. So far, I have been impressed by him and the band. For the hits that have came out prior to his upcoming album, this is going to be an impressive album compared to their other works. Waiting for Superman is a more synthesizer driven song, which he has never done before, but Daughtry's main elements are still there in the song. Long Live Rock & Roll is a throw back to the old days of Rock & Roll and the great time that was and how much people like me miss it. I'm going to be honest, I love both songs for different reasons. If all the songs are as good as these two, this album could possibly bring Rock back into the mainstream. I am not kidding. Do not disappoint me, Chris! I am buying this album.

Album Review: Korn's The Paradigm Shift

Korn has become an image in today's Metal society. Not only did they helm a new genre into the public eye, but have also maintained some kind of image for themselves throughout the years.With Brian "Head" Welch back in the band for the new album, there was a lot of suspense for the new album. But how is the new album, The Paradigm Shift? Compared to their last couple of albums, it is a great improvement. Compared to their earlier music (Follow The Leader for example) it falls a little flat. Instrumentally, it is great, though some digital sounds throw it off for me. Lyrically, some songs are dark and others are perverted. Language wise, it is like an R-rated movie. I don't really have an issue with fowl language, except if it is over the top and continuous. If a band does this they sound rather immature. It's not as bad as a teenager that doesn't know how to swear, it's more like he is continually stubbing his toe and swearing in frustration. Overall, I should accept that Korn is not the same band as they were in the 90's. But I still can't recommend the entire album to people. My verdict is a 7/10. Check out the songs on Spotify or Pandora, then buy the ones you want.

Songs I recommend: What We Do, Lullaby for a Sadist

Songs I didn't care for: Paranoid and Aroused, Prey For Me