I think the biggest mistake of this film was putting it in the hands of a director who only had a few tv episodes of experience, and otherwise was a cinematographer on films where the camera work was only okay. He does capture some moments well, but he doesn't know how to pace a scene, his blocking is sometimes clumsy, and he has very little ability to build suspense. The mediocre editing and constant, repetitive score also make this feel more like a tv movie than a theatrical film, and they don't even have the great "who's who" case of familiar faces the first film was littered with.
"The Raft" is definitely the strongest work, with the annoyance of the teens balanced out by the great tension of their situation. I don't know why they felt they had to go the rapey angle with the fondling near the end (and focus on it for as long as they did), but I gave a little extra cheer when the wave washed over the dude.
As for the other two, "Chief" takes too long to get going, but the payoff is amusing enough, whereas "Hitch-Hiker" starts out strong, but then just keeps going and going and going until it fizzles out with a weak payoff. My favorite scene is actually when all the vehicles stop around the dead guy, their grisly curiosity balanced with a desire to genuinely see if they could help. Plus, more King acting. :)
The animated segments are a bit rough, but fun, and do have a nice vibe the first film didn't entirely capture. But yeah, the ultimate Goosebumps payoff is more amusing than scary.
Ultimately, I neither particularly like nor dislike this one. It's not scary and has too many dull stretches, but it's amusing enough to warrant a watch.
"Creepshow 3" is easily one of the worst movies I've ever seen. Inept in every way. I've never made a movie, so I don't know how difficult it must be, but I feel certain that if someone came to my apartment right now, kidnapped me, and took me to some film set and forced me to direct a movie, I could do better than "Creepshow 3." It wouldn't be a good movie; but it wouldn't be as bad as that piece of dookie.
I didn't want to put this in the post and "spoil" my review, but I feel like I need to tip my hat to Joe Flaherty and his Count Floyd character, who inspired me to do my best to come up with a solution after I discovered this film wasn't scary at all.
I'll take live-action you over that animated version any day of the week! The animation in the movie...well, let's just say it doesn't do it any favors.
I enjoyed how the repeated "Thanks for the ride, lady!" made you break character. That was pretty funny.
I don't hate this movie, but it's damn sure a step down from the first one.
The animation is pretty cheaply done, but I think growing up with enough 80s cartoons allowed me to turn a blind eye to that.
I just don't understand how King writing the story, Romero adapting it into a screenplay, or Michael Gornick directing all really thought having him say that over and over was somehow supposed to creep us out. :)
I don't think it was supposed to be creepy. It was a satirical classist statement, as he wasn't a bad guy, but a destroyed innocent just struggling to make this woman accept guilt for the crime she committed. Which is why I felt the ending didn't work, as it didn't pay off this theme.
I agree that it's satirical, but I feel like the music and her screams are suggesting that this is supposed to all be very frightening. I dare say it could have been, had he either said something different or nothing at all.
I don't know for sure whether it's supposed to be creepy or not, but if I had to bet money on it, I'd bet that it was supposed to be. I would guess that pretty much the entire movie is supposed to be; it's just so poorly-directed that basically NOTHING in it actually creeps.
I'll say this for it, though: it's memorable. Thanks for the ride lady! Hey! Lady! Thanks for the ride!
I said it on Twitter, but I figured I'd elaborate here. As final episodes go... well, it doesn't really feel like a finale (because it was never intended as one, obviously), but I thought it was a strong note to end the video version of Castle Rock Companion on. While I've become weary of gimmick review framing devices, I thought it worked in this case, and you played the character pretty well. And it was generally a pretty informative and entertaining two-parter
As I think you know, I'm not a fan of gimmick reviewers myself, but I figured Halloween was a good time to have a bit of fun. I'm very glad to hear you enjoyed it.
I think the biggest mistake of this film was putting it in the hands of a director who only had a few tv episodes of experience, and otherwise was a cinematographer on films where the camera work was only okay. He does capture some moments well, but he doesn't know how to pace a scene, his blocking is sometimes clumsy, and he has very little ability to build suspense. The mediocre editing and constant, repetitive score also make this feel more like a tv movie than a theatrical film, and they don't even have the great "who's who" case of familiar faces the first film was littered with.
ReplyDelete"The Raft" is definitely the strongest work, with the annoyance of the teens balanced out by the great tension of their situation. I don't know why they felt they had to go the rapey angle with the fondling near the end (and focus on it for as long as they did), but I gave a little extra cheer when the wave washed over the dude.
As for the other two, "Chief" takes too long to get going, but the payoff is amusing enough, whereas "Hitch-Hiker" starts out strong, but then just keeps going and going and going until it fizzles out with a weak payoff. My favorite scene is actually when all the vehicles stop around the dead guy, their grisly curiosity balanced with a desire to genuinely see if they could help. Plus, more King acting. :)
The animated segments are a bit rough, but fun, and do have a nice vibe the first film didn't entirely capture. But yeah, the ultimate Goosebumps payoff is more amusing than scary.
Ultimately, I neither particularly like nor dislike this one. It's not scary and has too many dull stretches, but it's amusing enough to warrant a watch.
And now to crack open my copy of Creepshow 3.
"Creepshow 3" is easily one of the worst movies I've ever seen. Inept in every way. I've never made a movie, so I don't know how difficult it must be, but I feel certain that if someone came to my apartment right now, kidnapped me, and took me to some film set and forced me to direct a movie, I could do better than "Creepshow 3." It wouldn't be a good movie; but it wouldn't be as bad as that piece of dookie.
DeleteI didn't want to put this in the post and "spoil" my review, but I feel like I need to tip my hat to Joe Flaherty and his Count Floyd character, who inspired me to do my best to come up with a solution after I discovered this film wasn't scary at all.
ReplyDeleteI'll take live-action you over that animated version any day of the week! The animation in the movie...well, let's just say it doesn't do it any favors.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed how the repeated "Thanks for the ride, lady!" made you break character. That was pretty funny.
I don't hate this movie, but it's damn sure a step down from the first one.
The animation is pretty cheaply done, but I think growing up with enough 80s cartoons allowed me to turn a blind eye to that.
DeleteI just don't understand how King writing the story, Romero adapting it into a screenplay, or Michael Gornick directing all really thought having him say that over and over was somehow supposed to creep us out. :)
I don't think it was supposed to be creepy. It was a satirical classist statement, as he wasn't a bad guy, but a destroyed innocent just struggling to make this woman accept guilt for the crime she committed. Which is why I felt the ending didn't work, as it didn't pay off this theme.
DeleteI agree that it's satirical, but I feel like the music and her screams are suggesting that this is supposed to all be very frightening. I dare say it could have been, had he either said something different or nothing at all.
DeleteI don't know for sure whether it's supposed to be creepy or not, but if I had to bet money on it, I'd bet that it was supposed to be. I would guess that pretty much the entire movie is supposed to be; it's just so poorly-directed that basically NOTHING in it actually creeps.
DeleteI'll say this for it, though: it's memorable. Thanks for the ride lady! Hey! Lady! Thanks for the ride!
NEVER forgetting that one...
I said it on Twitter, but I figured I'd elaborate here. As final episodes go... well, it doesn't really feel like a finale (because it was never intended as one, obviously), but I thought it was a strong note to end the video version of Castle Rock Companion on. While I've become weary of gimmick review framing devices, I thought it worked in this case, and you played the character pretty well. And it was generally a pretty informative and entertaining two-parter
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to the written version.
As I think you know, I'm not a fan of gimmick reviewers myself, but I figured Halloween was a good time to have a bit of fun. I'm very glad to hear you enjoyed it.
Delete