Free and forgettable

I usually avoid the movies, given the usual interruption by cell phones ringing, the incessant sound of popcorn crunching, and the teeny boppers struggling to open their candy bars. Moreover, if I do go, I normally stay away from the horror flicks, and opt for a corny comedy (something like the House Bunny, let’s just say). However, when free movie tickets land in your lap it’s hard to say no. With that in mind, a friend and I ventured out to see the latest horror flick, sadly entitled, The Unborn.

Since I had seen the previews flick across the tv one too many times, I was hoping that The Unborn would be “re born” into something fresh and scary of course. Unfortunately, this movie was suspenseless and horrifically bad. In light of spoiling one movie* before, I feel obligated to withhold all the gory details. However, there are some terrifically corny moments throughout the film which I have to share.

The movie begins with a gorgeous young girl, Casey running along a lonely street. Out of nowhere she sees this ghost, who suddenly turns into a pudgy bulldog wearing a face mask. Instead of being shocked, I looked over at my friend, thinking, WTF? Where the hell did rover come from? As soon as the audience bursts out laughing, I realized why I paid nothing for this flick.

Yet, I’m still glued, waiting for the next crack of laughter to arise. I don’t have to wait long until Casey’s eyes randomly change colours and she starts imagining cockroaches crawling everywhere, and creepy little ghosts wondering in her backyard. I also got a kick out of her roommate, Romy. I think she should have been casted in the House Bunny too. Anyways, at one very ‘intense’ moment, Casey begins ranting about another ghost attack. Romy coolly retorts back, “Why don’t you just leave town.” Again, there is another tide of laughter pouring from the audience. Sadly, the film flat lines from that point onwards.

Even if the film is free and you have time to spare, I advise you pick a corny comedy over this one.

Let’s hope the New Year wont bring a sequel to this lousy horror flick.

*The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Valkyrie

Cruising to the top of the box office, like many other war based flicks, I was surprised how much I enjoyed Tom Cruise's latest movie Valkyrie. Directed by Bryan Singer, the movie traces the steps of a wounded colonel who tries to assassinate the infamous Adolf Hitler.

Although many of my high school history books depicted the catastrophic events in World War 2 they never delved into length about the events surrounding Hitler’s attempted assassination. Therefore, this historical thriller provided some helpful insight into a heroic but dangerous operation led by none other than Mr.Scientology himself. Although Cruise doesn’t speak an ounce of German in the film, he retains his credibility by parlaying the staunch and almost severe personality behind Colonel von Stauffenberg.

As the colonel, Cruise delivers a captivating portrayal of one individual who posesses enough courage to take on the furor (Hitler) when no one else did. Taking on risky business to save his country, the Hollywood actor demonstrates with unwavering composure how one man can easily steer the life of others, on either the good or the bad side. Unfortunately, the group of German officials assisting the colonel do not have enough backbone to make operation Valkyrie successful.

Despite the foiled assasination plot, Singer’s film provides an incredible look into the lives of a few German soldiers willing to step up to the plate and take on one of history’s most vilified men.