I can't even put into words how incredible "Saw IV" is. Yes, I've read the message boards where everyone wants to get picked up as a movie reviewer, but whatever. This movie did something I didn't think could be done with a chapter 4 movie...I WANT MORE!!!! The ending left me a little confused until I got to the car, had a smoke, and started thinking about it. And I do have to say...I love how something like unanswered questions from a movie can consume my thoughts...I really do. I try so hard to keep things simple, and the fact that I can be going through the aisles at the grocery store after watching "Saw IV" contemplating plot twists and turns makes me smile...it really does. I'm serious...I was walking down the aisle in Kroger where my precious Coke Zero is, and it hit me...this movie was done like "The Empire Strikes Back". I mean you get a HUGE twist in the story and then have to wait for a new one to get questions answered. Now I visit a lot of horror movie message boards, and I swear they are all going nuts with theories about what this meant or what that meant...and that ROCKS! This movie did EXACTLY what it was supposed to do...not only give more details on Jigsaw's past but set the stage for the future. If you go see it, don't expect everything to be wrapped up in a neat little package, because it purposely leaves you wondering a few things. Now I know why when I read an interview with the writers they stated they have ideas for two more movies. Yes...this is being set up as a new trilogy. Holy crap! Does anyone else besides me see how unbelievably cool this is??? I have not watched a movie in a long time that left me pondering all sorts of future scenarios as to what might happen. The only time I do that is when it's a superhero movie, and only then because I wonder how it might get ruined...hahaha. But to think that a horror franchise actually has me beyond curious with four movies out is unreal. "Halloween 3" sucked, "Friday the 13th in 3D" sucked, The "Nightmare On Elm Street" movies took a dive in the second one, but the third was pretty good...my point is that this series is CONSTANTLY raising the bar. It's already the most successful horror franchise of all-time...and the fact they have fresh ideas about the story and will have me checking out news for "Saw V" is absolutely incredible. You know what else is incredible? When I went to see "Saw IV", one of the previews was for the new John Rambo movie...which is now coming out January 25th. Excuse me while I get a towel to soak up my drool. If the movie is even close to how cool the previews are, it will be a masterpiece. When I was walking to the theater "Saw IV" was in, the hall had a poster for the Rambo movie. I felt like dropping to my knees to bask in it's awesomeness, if that's a word. And one more thing that truly rocked, no one ruined my movie-going experience. I went to the 4:45 showing on Friday because I have been putting in a TON of extra hours for my job at night, so I figured I'd leave early on Friday. The whole day I was telling different project managers that I was leaving by 4:15 and that it was non-negotiable so I could see "Saw IV". Yep...people I work with think I'm a wee bit of a dork, but who cares. In fact, this Halloween we're having a costume contest at work where the prize is $100. Next time I'll have pictures...because my costume will definitely win. What am I going as? Just wait...
One movie I watched this week that I wish I hadn't was "Hostel 2". I saw the first one and didn't think it was anywhere near what people were making it out to be, so I decided to give the sequel a chance. Honestly, I would be better off for not having watched it. I'm not going to go into graphic details, but a movie filled with man's inhumanity to man with torture and death for pleasure is disgusting, and I wish I had just turned it off. Some people might not have any problem watching it, and it's not a knock on anyone who saw it and liked it, but believe it or not I have my limits. The horror movies I love may be gross, they may be graphic, but they also don't seem real, you know? "Hostel 2" seemed too real because I know how many sick and twisted people are in this world and what they might be capable of. Plus, I also have a HUGE hangup with violence against women. It's one thing where some sorority bimbo is screwing some guy in the woods and Jason from "Friday the 13th" enters the scene, but it's another when some girls are taking a trip to Europe and end up in the situations they do. Like I said, different things have a different effect on people, and "Hostel 2" was pretty disgusting to me. Ok, and now back to some fun stuff...
Seeing how it's Halloween this week, I feel the need to do something, and that's rank my favorite horror movies. You know what drives me nuts about Halloween? It's when people make too big of a deal out of it. Yes, I'm quite aware of the pagan origins and everything, and yes, I'm a Christian, but do I think a 6 year old kid dressed up as Spiderman going out to get candy has any concept of this? No...to him it's just a fun night to dress up as a superhero or whatever and get free candy. I'm sorry, I don't see how a little kid dressed as Spiderman getting some free candy is evil. So I'll be home that night handing out candy...and my yard rocks! I bought some more fake tombstones this year...so now I have 12 in my yard along with my Halloween banner on my door and pumpkin on the porch. And yes, I'll be watching horror movies that night while handing out candy. So what are my top picks? Here's some suggestions...and these are my personal opinions....
1) The Shining - To this day, this movie still gives me the creeps. Seeing those two giant-foreheaded twin girls going "come play with us Danny" just still freaks me out. Jack Nicholson was awesome in this, the music was great, and the entire film just had this vibe of impending doom.
2) The Texas Chainsaw Massacre - I don't mean the original, I mean the 2003 remake. I don't give a crap what anyone says, this movie is brilliant. Now I LOVE the original, but for a real horror movie, watch the remake. One thing that makes it so great is it was the first horror movie I saw in a LONG time where I actually felt sorry for the victims instead of watching a bunch of punk, spoiled teenagers getting whacked.
3) Saw - It was so refreshing watching this when it came out. It seemed new and original, plus it led to the awesome series of "Saw" movies. Yes, the acting is a little weak at times, but the story and the big swerve at the end are amazing. And like I said, the entire series of movies rocks, so you have to start with this one.
4) Nightmare On Elm Street - Seriously, who hasn't seen this...but it's a classic. Yeah, it looks dated by today's standards, but I'll never forget watching it for the first time because I knew nothing about it, some girl brought it over when it hit videotape and I fell in love with it. A truly original story and character in Freddy Krueger.
5) The Exorcist, the Director's Cut - Along with The Shining, this movie still freaks me out to this day...especially the Director's Cut that was released a few years back. It's just so unnerving to me, I wonder why in the heck I watch it...haha. The spider-walk scene sends a chill up my spine.
There you go, a few "must-see" movies for Halloween if you haven't seen them already. And honestly, if the remake of "Halloween" was out on DVD, that would be on this list as a suggestion...it's that good. I haven't decided what I'm going to watch yet while I stay home to hand out candy...which I LOVE doing. The fake tombstones are in the yard, the pumpkin is out, and the Halloween banner is on the door. I'm thinking of wearing the costume I'm going to wear to work while at home handing out candy. Oh it's going to rock, and I plan on winning the $100 prize at work that day. I need that money to buy a new videogame that's coming out this week!!! I mean I could go buy it, but I can justify buying it when I get free money and not feel irresponsible...haha!
So Friday I went to see "Saw IV", and Saturday I watched Georgia beat Florida!!! Let me say that again, GEORGIA BEAT FLORIDA!!! Wow, that sounds so nice...one more time...GEORGIA BEAT FLORIDA!!!! What a game!!! It literally made my season. And the best part is that I don't have to watch Atlanta lose on Sunday which would kill my buzz because they have a bye week...hahaha. Georgia beating Florida honestly means more to me than any other game during the season. Wait a sec...oh man...this is scary. I remember writing a couple of years back about dating during football season and how the football gods weren't too thrilled with me doing that and Atlanta sucked badly that year...in fact it was the year Vick broke his leg. Remember last time I wrote I mentioned about being nuts about the girl I was working with who quit and all that? Now that I'm not interested anymore, Georgia wins a HUGE game. Hmmmm....I have to start being more careful. My teams mean more to me than a woman possibly could...hahaha. And you might think I'm joking. That was honestly one of the best games I've seen in a while...and I've been smiling ever since. And with UT beating Arkansas, Georgia still has a chance to win the SEC East and play for the SEC title! And then that night I was engaged in some INTENSE aerial dogfighting - Ace Combat 6 for the Xbox 360. Man, what a game. I've played the older versions so I'm already quite savvy at it...but seeing the new graphics on the 360 is quite incredible. I got online to test out my skills, still remembering when that 10 year old kid KO'd me in one round on Fight Night, and I kicked some serious ass. For whatever reason, I've always had quite a knack for flying games, and when I was growing up dreaming of joining the military before two back operations ended that, I really wanted to fly helicopters in the Army or an F-18 in the Navy. I got online expecting to get killed quickly against other players, and in my first match I had the highest score. In fact, I entered the free-for-all mode where it's you against 15 other people...every man for himself...and I was rocking so much that other people started ganging up on me...and I STILL was blowing people out of the sky! Isn't all this fascinating? hahahaha. But it's the same reason I excel at a lot of games...I have incredible peripheral vision and can watch multiple items at the same time. And that has a lot to do with how well I've been doing in martial arts training. For example, when I'm sparring, I can look at the other person's eyes to see where they're looking to strike, yet still be able to clearly see if they might launch with a kick. The best was when a dude threw a feint like he was going to jab and went to throw a cross thinking I would block for the jab...but I was still able to see the cross coming because I stayed focused on his eyes. I've really picked up that a split-second before the other guy makes a move, their eyes will usually dart to where they are going to strike right before they do it, and because I'm fortunate enough to be able to see all four limbs at the same time, I've been doing quite well sparring. Again, I'm beyond curious as to how I would measure up in a street fight with all the training but I also hope I never have to find out.
Enough from me tonight. Next time, pictures of me on Halloween!!!