Saw V (2008) ,Review
October 26, 2008 by Anand Pandey
Filed under Review
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Story
Having inherited the mantle of the serial killer known as Jigsaw (Tobin Bell), Detective Mark Hoffman (Costas Mandylor) tries to cover his tracks while executing yet another elaborate torture scheme and staying one step ahead of FBI agent Peter Strahm (Scott Patterson), who survived his previous encounter with Jigsaw but may not be so lucky this time around. Like so many horror franchises of recent (and not-so-recent) vintage — Halloween, Friday the 13th, A Nightmare on Elm Street — the latest Saw doesn’t deviate from the formula. Endlessly repeating the same rudimentary elements may spell big bucks at the box-office, forked over by the Saw faithful, but even die-hard fans will be hard-pressed to find something even remotely new or inventive here. In what must be an effort to mix things up, screenwriters Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan revise (i.e. screw around with) some of the earlier film’s plot twists with “new” flashbacks that offer different perspectives than was first depicted. If this is intended to provide surprise to the well-worn storyline, it isn’t successful. It only makes a murky story even murkier.
Tobin Bell stars as Jigsaw in Lions Gate Entertainment
Acting
Jigsaw may have met his end at the conclusion of Saw IV, but Tobin Bell is all over the place this time around, seen either in flashback or on television screens. With his menacing, whispery delivery, Bell can hardly be accused of sleepwalking through his role, but one suspects that the basic enticements for him here were top billing — and the paycheck that goes along with it. The beefy Mandylor skulks his way through the one-dimensional role of Hoffman, while Patterson brings a bit of intensity to his role as the dogged Strahm. Betsy Russell, fondly remembered as a teen B-movie queen of the 1980s (Private School, Avenging Angel) plays Jigsaw’s ex-wife, while Meagan Good and Julie Benz (in an ill-fitting black wig) portray two of the latest “players” in the latest Jigsaw puzzle. Shawnee Smith, Angus MacFadyen and Danny Glover, who all met their onscreen ends in previous installments, make token flashback appearances here — to no discernible effect.
Meagan Good stars in Lions Gate Entertainment
Direction
Mark Hackl, the production designer of Saw II – IV, who was originally tapped to direct the fourth installment, now makes his directorial debut. As one might expect, he retains the decayed urban design of the previous films (which he, of course, designed), and there are the requisite gallons of gore and guts for those who enjoy that sort of thing. What would the Saw films be without such visceral pleasantries? But, for all the technical ingenuity of some of the lethal booby traps, there’s a distinct dullness to the proceedings. Saw V is appropriately gruesome, but it’s not particularly exciting or suspenseful. As a Halloween scare-fest, it’s all trick and no treat … and, yes, the door is left wide open for another installment. Enough’s enough, already.
High School Musical 3: Senior Year (2008)
October 26, 2008 by Anand Pandey
Filed under Review
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Story
What story? Does it really matter? Basically, the Wildcats have graduated to the big screen for their senior year with the daunting task of — guess what? — putting on a big show. In addition to performance anxiety, the singing and dancing kids must also figure out what to wear and who to bring to the prom. Troy (Zac Efron) and Gabriella (Vanessa Hudgens), in particular, have to figure out what is to become of their romance when Gaby goes to Stanford, while Troy stays in Arizona. Adding to the drama is the fact representatives from Julliard will be in attendance at the show and their approval could be just the showbiz break these young talents are looking for. All of this interstitial storytelling is just an excuse to launch into one of the 10 big musical numbers written for this theatrical continuation of the enormously successful Emmy-winning Disney Channel TV films, and although the songs seem to have come out of the same cookie cutter mold, the production values make this HSM an eye-popping celebration of song and dance that’s pure entertainment from start to finish.
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Acting
This attractive and energetic young cast have used the two previous films to grow into their roles and win instant audience recognition. It’s in the expanded and more demanding musical numbers that everyone really gets their turn in the sun, and no one disappoints. Zac Efron channels Justin Timberlake with his athletic and singular “Scream,” a breakdance against the walls of the school’s hallway that’s pretty damn thrilling to watch. It’s the hip-hop equivalent of Fred Astaire’s classic dance on the ceiling in 1950’s Royal Wedding. Equally effective is his intense auto junkyard number with Corbin Bleu (returning as Chad), “The Boys Are Back,” is a lively paean to Michael Jackson’s ‘80s videos like Beat It. Hudgens does nicely with the largely forgettable ballads “Walk Away” and “Right Here Right Now” (with Efron). Lucas Grabeel, back as Ryan, goes all top hat and tails on us in the Broadway inspired “I Want It All” — opposite diva-like Sharpay, played with conniving authority once again by Ashley Tisdale. Monique Coleman as Taylor is right at home here as well along with the other veteran of the earlier films Olesya Rulin as Kelsi. Assuming the series goes on after graduation, a new generation of HSM performers will be required and that is the apparent reason for the generous screen time given to younger, newer cast members: Matt Prokop, Justin Martin and young British import Jemma McKenzie–Brown.
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Direction
With director/choreographer Kenny Ortega at the helm, the HSM concept has been opened up to fill the expanse of the big screen. At its core, the musical numbers are much, MUCH larger and grandiose than they ever were in the TV films. Ortega and his team have used bright vivid Technicolor images reminiscent of the heyday of ‘50s Hollywood musicals and married it to a contemporary approach. Still, he seems to be channeling in some ways the elaborate Busby Berkeley movie musicals of the ‘30s, particularly in Grabeel’s set pieces. Clearly, Ortega ‘gets it’ and knows what style and verve a musical like this needs — no matter how young the intended audience. Having the luxury of directing most of his primary cast in the two previous HSM TV outings, he takes that small-screen energy and lets it explode in all its widescreen glory.
Ed Norton says no to Fight Club musical
October 26, 2008 by Anand Pandey
Filed under News
Edward Norton has gone on record to say that he will not be starring in the proposed musical version of his hit movie FIGHT CLUB, contrary to reports. The actor, who starred in the David Fincher modern classic opposite Brad Pitt, also commented as to who would be ideal to play his part.
“This has been floating around for a while. I’ve seen different notions of it,” he told MTV. “I doubt it’ll be me and Brad.”
“I know Brad can’t sing,” Norton added. “Reznor would be about the right vibe for it, I guess.”
Norton refers to Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor, who is developing the musical with David Fincher.