AFTER DARK FILMS TO DIE FOR: Crazy Eights

Crazy Eights
2006
Starring: Traci Lords, Frank Whaley, and Dina Meyer.
IMDB

What the box says:

Six people are brought together at the funeral of a childhood friend. While settling the estate, they discover a map, which leads them on a search for a long-forgotten time capsule, at the request of their dead friend. What they discover reawakens repressed childhood traumas and leads them on a journey through their long-abandoned childhood home: a home with a terrible secret and a mysterious dead girl who will lead them to their strange fates.

What Mat says:

In mid 50's through the late  70's families were paid to have their children participate in "harmless child behavioral" studies at a town institute. The studies may not have been as kosher as they seemed to the families of the patients involved. Now in the present we find that a Teacher, an Artist, and a Holyman are haunted by visions of violence and ghostlike apparitions. When a friend dies, the three join a group of others who had a similar upbringing to go through the estate of the deceased. As a part of the estate the remaining 6 "Crazy Eights" discover a map to a time capsule they had buried as kids, and as a final wish Brax Young has asked the friends to stick together and locate the capsule leaving them only a note saying "we can beat this evil, but not alone". The trip to the old time capsule takes a toll on the friends when they discuss the recent stream of bad dreams each has had in the passed weeks. Things get even more crazy when they discover an addition to their childhood capsule, human remains. After attempting to bail on the body, and getting hopelessly lost, the 6 seek refuge in a nearby white house. An injury and more human remains beg the team to go deeper in to investigate the dilapidated/condemned home. What they find about themselves, and their past changes the friends forever.

The Verdict:

On a personal level I have never liked ghost films. Nor have I liked films that take place in an asylum type environment (with the exception of Session 9). I feel it gives movies a "haunted house" feel, like at any moment a teenager in a mask and an outfit resembling doctors scrubs is going to jump out and say BOO. This film failed to impress on almost every level. The story was weak, there was very little violence or gore which kind of felt like a letdown considering the After Dark Horror films were supposed to be "EXTREME". The characters are weak and the only ones I found my self taking any interest in where the ones that seemed written to be heels. I wouldn't even waste the time renting this film unless you are trying to see all the Films to Die for or your into ghost flicks.

Two Wolves.

AFTER DARK FILMS TO DIE FOR: Borderland

Borderland
2007
Starring: Brian Presley, Jake Muxworthy, and Rider Strong.

IMDB

What the box says:

When three Texas University students travel to a Mexican border town on the eve of their graduation, the last thing they expect is to face their own deaths. Without warning, they fall pray to an ancient blood cult hell-bent on finding candidates for human sacrifice. Inspired by a true story.

What Mat says:

A group of drunken, stupid, party animals decide to drive through the night to get to Mexico for "real freedom" and partying. The three immediately take to the local culture... AKA strip clubs and whores. The evening takes an odd tun when one gets cut in a bar fight defending a bartender, while anothers hooker time is interrupted by her screaming infant. The next day the hard partying continues when the friends make the always good decision to take shrooms with local women they just met, hang out a Mexican carnival, and proceed to harass locals and act all around obnoxious. Phil finds himself high and alone as he travels home alone. Lucky for a blood thirsty cult he happens their way. With the help of the local bartender , Ed and Henry go to hunt down what happened to Phil. Realizing that everyone in town is scared shitless of the cult and their priests Ed and Henry depend on a native cop who has witnessed the cults brutality first hand. Will they make it back to U.S. soil alive? Will an old cop finally avenge his partner? OR will a bunch of american douchebags get what they deserve and die in a Mexican bordertown?

The Verdict:

This film falls into that horror category that got really popular a few years ago with films like Turistas, and Hostel, where you get trapped in a foreign country making it nearly impossible for you to leave unless THEY let you. With the exception of Eli Roths Hostel films I have never connected with these films and this one is no exception. It seems to take forever before anything really happens and once it does it feels lack luster at best. The creepy head priest played by man pretty Beto Cuevas reminds me of the Man in White from the Desperado film with is super clean white clothing. In addition to having a slow start leading to an ending that feels like it belongs in an Action film (complete with hand to hand combat and shootouts) the middle of the film seems to tell you nothing about why things happen then suddenly makes some lame excuse. For example halfway through the characters start talking about how the cult can cloud mens minds or some such nonsense giving me flashbacks of old Shadow radio programs and a drooling Tim Curry. Overall the film is shot well and it has Rider Strong in it who I have total respect for ever since Cabin Fever (... ok AND Boy Meets World...) but I would never buy this movie. At the end of the day its rentable at best.

Three Wolves.

Africa Screams

Africa Screams
1949
Starring: Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, and Clyde Beatty.
IMDB

What the box says:

Bud Abbott and Lou Costello are back, and this time on the trail of a hidden diamond mine located in the deepest, darkest jungles of Africa. Lou plays Stanley Livington, a wimpy book salesman, who at the urging of is friend Buzz Johnson (a big game hunter played by Bud) agrees to lead an African expedition, despite his fear of wild animals. Along the way they bump into a giant gorilla, a cannibal tribe and villainous expedition members whose real motives imperil the duo with hilarious results!

What Mat says:

Stanley Livingston is a salesperson at a bookstore in the "Jungle" department. This is odd because he's so afraid of animals that he "didn't eat his first animal cracker until he was 5". On the same day two gentleman, and one mysterious woman come in inquiring about a map in an old book. Stanley happens to remember the map although the book itself is out of print. The gentleman offer $1,000 unbeknownst to Stan across the store a woman is offering $2,500 for the same information. Livinston and his boss Buzz Johnson go to the madams home only to find money is no object to her and that the gentlemen who inquired about the Map also work for her. Stanley regales her staff with stories of "lion taming" after Johnson tells them that he is a great outdoors man/big game hunter. Hilarity issues when the two decide to follow the rich woman on her trip to Africa to "hunt a large Orangutan". We discover this is only a cover for diamond hunting. Fast talking Buzz continues to wheel and deal for more money not realizing that Stanley cant remember the map and that their seemingly friendly hostess may not be as kind hearted as she seems. After being stalked by an Orangutan, almost killed by a lion, and slapped by Buzz Stanley stumbles upon a diamond pile. But the treasures do not come without a cost! When an African cannibal tribe attempts to take the two hostage they find themselves running for their life in the deep jungles of Africa.

The Verdict:

I am going to level with you... I have NEVER seen an Abbott and Costello film. This is my first one. Keeping in mind that these two were comedy legends I went into this film expecting a lot. I actually really enjoyed the jokes, and the physical comedy the movie brought to the table. Being 1949 this film is not very politically correct. If you are easily offended (which I am not) you may want to pass on this one, the one blaring example is use of the word "boy" in reference to the African helpers on the expedition. Tackling a film about Africa only a few years before the Civil Rights/Black Power movements went into full swing probably adds to the non PC ways of the film. If you like the traditional comedy styling of this era this film is a good, light watch that's good for a few laughs and one of the REALLY nice things is that it's available to watch for free on Youtube as well as many other places around the net.

Acts of Death

Acts of Death (AKA The Final Curtain)
2007
Starring: Reggie Bannister, Jason Carter, and Caitlin Cauchy.
IMDB

What the box says:

Baxter University's Theater Group has a secret club that "initiates" young freshman girls. When one initiation gets out of hand, a beautiful actress is left to die. Too scared to confess their crime, the group tries to get away with the murder. But the next night, when the group stays late for rehearsal, it becomes apparent that someone wants them to pay for their actions. ho many will die before the final curtain comes down on these acts of death?

What Mat says:

A University theater troupe lead by Felix Craven open the film by preforming a hazing ritual on the new troupe members  They break into the theater building, attempting to dodges drunken security guard Gus, to party with drugs and booze on the main stage. Things seem harmless at first until group super douche/sexual predator Chase slips drugs into one of the unsuspecting freshman's drinks and offers to show her the "secret room". Things go horribly wrong when Chases drug causes the girl to have a seizure, so instead of... you know... helping, he decides to cover it up by burning the video tape evidence (which his classy girlfriend was shooting). Things get worse for Mr. Rapist when the body disappears and they find the girl conscious once more but choosing to hang herself from the balcony. Now Felix, Chase, and Sabrina have to find a way to hide a body so they cannot be blamed. People start dying under mysterious circumstances as the three killers try to live life as normally as possible. With the body count rising the friends decide to try and escape a killer and keep their crimes a secret. 

The Verdict:

If you hate seeing whats happening in your movies this film is for you. Half the time the screen is so dark you cant even make out what the characters are doing or who's saying what. Some of the acting is pretty good but others feel like they were grabbed right out of an HS b-squad acting group. The gore is minimal at best and not as bloody as I would have liked to see, to consider this film a slasher flick. The only thing that kept me going was seeing Glenn Shadix (AKA Otho from Beetlejuice) hanging out as a badass security guard for some strange reason. I found myself constantly checking my watch to see when the film would be over and waiting for the Climax to finally arrive... however I was sadly let down as there didn't seem to ever be a Climax worth mentioning. I will never be watching this film again but I am giving it an extra half star for having the balls/connections to locate Shadix and throw him in there.

One and a half Wolves.

Actors and Sin

Actors and Sin
1952
Starring: Edward G. Robinson, Eddie Albe, and Marsha Hunt.
IMDB

What the box says:

*Well there wasn't one I could find. All the "synopsis" pages I found were more like mini reviews. So I will just put in my 2 cents. However the movie in it's entirety is available in the above you tube video.*

What Mat says:

Act 1:

Marcia, a happy, popular, actress is found dead with gunshots in the heart as we open the scene. Her father recants us with stories of her fame to help try and solve the mysterious murder.We go back to at time when Marcia was happy enjoying one of her biggest opening nights. After preforming in her fiances newest play Mr. Tillayou, her father and ex-star himself, arrives to congratulate his daughter and meet her future husband. An altercation, however, has Mr. Tillayou in a tizzy, after a jaded reporter mentions his daughters sharp tongue. We begin to find that Marcia may not be what she seems, quick with her tongue to make insults o break up an occasional marriage. Marcia begins to unravel, her husband leaves her, her anxiety is mounting over a new performance  and her standoffish nature begins to wear thin on those around her. Her depressive nature shows through even more after braving an altercation with the jealous, armed wife of a co-worker. Her gruff nature and man-eating ways continue to alienate her and she's gaining enemies quickly, leaving us to wonder Who Killed Marcia Tillayou?

Act 2:

Orlando Higgens, a big shot agent to the stars, things he's the top of the walk. HE spends most of his days lounging about and turning down the hopes and dreams of writers and actors who call upon him several times a day. An accident occurs when a "half wit" sends in a script called The Woman of Sin and one of Mr. Higgens assistants sends it to the famous Empire films. Through another mishap the film script ends up on the desk of the Empire films head himself, who refers to the script as "better than gone with the wind". The only problem? The original writer has ceased calling after Orlandos constant denials. Empire begins to offer Orlando and the mystery writer absurd amounts of money for the script, while Orlandos staff struggles to find the "half wit" Ms. Daisy Marcher who wrote it. When Daisy is finally found she isn't quite what Mr. Higgens expected... her real name is Millicent Egelhofer and shes 9 years old. Orlando sees a chance to cash in as well as play Empire as a scapegoat if this new film is a flop.

The Verdict:

The film is split into 2 very different and unique parts. The first being a drama about a murder feels like an eternity when you watch it. The acting is over the top and the mystery is like an episode of Murder She Wrote at best. After suffering through the first half I was hesitant to continue with part 2. I was however excited to find that there was NO connection between the two stories other than a Hollywood/Fame theme. The second act is funny and doesn't take itself to seriously. It has subtle lines and situations that may not be some peoples cup of tea compared to laugh out loud comedy styling many of us are used to today. Overall the second act was enjoyable and Jenny Hecht (although at times a HORRIBLE actress) is adorable and makes the story fun to watch. Had the second act not been included in this film the rating would have been much lower. This is not a film I would run out to purchase and I don't think I would even bother watching the first act ever again.

Three Wolves.

Action Jackson

Action Jackson
1988
Starring: Carl Weathers, Craig T. Nelson, and Vanity
IMDB

What the box says:

Like the blast from a .44 magnum, Action Jackson explodes with the most spectacular action/adventure excitement of the year. Carl Weathers is Detroit police sergeant Jericho "ACTION" Jackson. He's pitted against the brutal thugs of ruthless auto tycoon Peter Dellaphlane, who's out to murder his way to political power. Jackson's also involved with Dellaplane's beautiful wife Patrice-and his exotic mistress Sydney. Framed up and hunted down by his own cops, Jackson sets up a desperate showdown that hurls Action Jackson toward a heart-stopping climax.

What Mat says:

Smartass Ex-Lieutenant "Action" Jackson acts as the mythical hardass in his amazingly falice joke infatuated work place (no seriously in the first 11 minutes they reference the male member about eleventeen times). WE quickly discover the cause of his infamy and the loss of his stripes comes from a police brutality case involving "man of the year" Peter Dellaplane's son. Things are in the hole for "Action" until an informant/friend named Tony brings to his attention that a string of ultra violent attacks on other scumbags in the area (brought on by some bitchin navy seal/ninja wannabes) may be the work of the Dellaplane company. After some very forward semi-aggressive stalking Mr Jackson forces his way into Peters life... by forming a relationship... with Dellaplanes Wife. After discovering his wife knows more than he thought, and had been speaking with Jackson Mr. and Mrs. Dellaplane have a slight marital dispute that ends with Jackson framed. Now "Action" Jackson must fight through all the bad guys, kick ass, throw dudes from one building to another, kill some wicked one liners, and avoid getting his "balls chopped off" while he attempts to get close enough to Dellaplane for a final showdown.

The Verdict:

WOW.. Just WOW. I was born in the mid eighties so I was to young to remember a lot of the action comedies that got big in the mid to late eighties such as Lethal Weapon. This movie made me laugh, LITERALLY outloud. The acting was very tough guy-esque and I feel like anyone who is big on Man Movies would love it. The jokes are cliche but funny and the film doesn't seem to take itself to seriously. For example Action Jackson does a mid air front flip over a speeding car... yeah its THAT kind of badass and that's the reason I gave this film a slightly higher rating than I would have. The cheesiness of the 80's action was well balanced with humor and it made for a more entertaining experience than I was expecting. I will probably purchase this film, though not for the reason you may think. Its a good movie to pull out some beers, and watch with your buddies if you want to have a good laugh, see some cheesy action, but not a lot of gore.

Three and a half Wolves.

Across the Tracks

Across The Tracks
1991
Starring: Rick Schroder, Brad Pitt, and Carrie Snodgress
IMDB

What the box Fandango says:
*This is the first movie I have reviewed where I couldn't actually find what was printed on the back of the box!*
Rick Schroder and Brad Pitt are cast as unlikely brothers in Across the Tracks. Schroder is a drug-dealing layabout, while Pitt is a hardworking "model son". When Schroder begins straightening himself out by becoming a high school track star, Pitt suffers the pangs of jealous, retreating into alcohol. Now it's Ricky's turn to reform Brad!

What Mat says:
A trailer park widowed mother does her best to deal with her two sons. One is a great student and a school track star, the other is a car stealing, ne'er-do-well. After being arrested fro his heavy metal loving, leather jacket wearing ways (oh and car stealing... don't forget the grand theft auto) Billy comes home to turmoil with his "perfect" brother and his prim and proper mother. Joe becomes defensive of his mother and trys to help Billy break his nun-chuck toting, leather jacket wearing ways by getting him into running. Joes frustration mounts as he attempts to balance school, track, and trying to score a running scholarship, while Billy tries to keep himself clean and stay away from his hard partying ex friends. Joe actually begins to learn from Billy when he starts overworking himself practicing for a big race. Billy and Joe decide Billy should try to get on his schools track team where he would be teammates with the super sweet badasses that tried to beat him on his first day back. We find slowly that maybe their father is to blame fro their bad behaviors as the brothers prepare to race one another in a big upcoming winner take all track meet!

The Verdict:
The movie was actually shot in 1989 but wasn't actually released until 1991. The funny thing is that Pitt (besides his muscle mass) pretty much looks the EXACT SAME as he does now. Even down to his haircut! The film screams after school special and ends up being nothing more than a story about family, friends, and turning your life around. What keeps it from actually being an after school special you ask? Well all the "fuck"s, "pussy"s, and even one "suck my dick". Overall the film feels very much geared for disenfranchised youth and gives you the feeling right from the get go that you may learn something here. When considering my rating I gave this one an extra half wolf for Brad Pitts unwavering dedication to that haircut over all these years and the under the breath/muttered "suck my dick"

Two and a half wolves.

Across the Hall

Across the Hall
2009
Starring: Mike Vogel, Danny Pino, and Brittany Murphy.
IMDB

What the box says:
In this tense, stylish noir thriller, Terry follows his fiance, June to a seedy hotel where she's been meeting another man. Drunk and distraught, Terry calls best friend Julian and reveals that he's holed up across the hall from the lovers with a stolen gun and murder on his mind. A chilling cat-and-mouse game ensues, forcing Julian to risk his own life to keep his friend from doing the unthinkable.

What Mat says:
Jealous and paranoid Terry believes his fiance June is cheating on him, so he follows her to the once prestigious Riverview Hotel. He talks his way into a nearby room through the concierge who loves the hotel and remembers the glory days when movie stars and famous politicians stayed there. Three friends become intertwined in a web of lies and deceit as Terry unravels in his room drinking, smoking, and becoming more paranoid as he brandishes his newly stolen pistol, gathered only hours before from the drawer of his best friend Julian whom he believes may be able to help with his paranoia. Julian and June attempt to cover up their own secrets while working together to calm the unraveling Terry who in a desperate attempt to see the cheater begins sending June room service. After trying to protect a stranger in the hallway from Terrys gun toting rage,  the stranger is mistaken for Junes other man. When a fatal accident occurs involving the three friends the remaining two most cope with the death of the third, and sift through the cobwebs of lies they have all been creating for some time. One seeks the truth while the other must lie to cover his secrets falling deeper into the web of lies to save his own skin

The Verdict:
This film has a strong noir feel from the get go and even the music that sporadically plays throughout the film is noir-esque using soft brass instruments. The plot line is twisted and the movie is NOT linear. If you happen to miss even 5 minutes of this film you could be missing very important details. The atmosphere is seedy and immediately draws you in. Each character has a strong set of emotions and you actually begin to feel for each one. My score below is what I give the movie, however be aware this is NOT for everyone. Because of the non linear nature of the film some people may find it hard to follow and with so many plot twists some may feel that it's confusing. I loved the drama and the intense nature of the film and I would recommend it to anyone who considers themselves a fan of noir films or a film buff.

Four Wolves.

Acolytes

Acolytes
2008
Starring: Joel Edgerton, Michael Dorman, and Sebastian Gregory.
IMDB 

What the box says:
Following the disappearance of a young female classmate, shy high-schooler Mark stumbles upon a fresh grave in the woods of his peaceful suburb, and spies a 4WD driving away from the scene. With the help of two friends - James and his girlfriend Chasely - Mark decides to return to the scene to dig up what they imagine is simply someone's dead pet. Their bit of fun turns perilous, however, when they unearth the body of a Canadian backpacker. They embark upon a hunt for the identity of the killer, and James soon realizes that their grim discovery could help them exact revenge upon Gary Parker, a brutal bully who robbed them of their innocence years before and who was recently released from prison. Acolytes quickly tuns into a sinister tale of deception and betrayal as the three teens find themselves in over their heads, trying to outwit a serial killer as hi turns the tables on them and lures them into his violent world.

What Kayla says
Three troubled high school teenagers one who is secretly in love the the other and one is dating the other  get board one day so the decide to go hang out in the woods. After sitting there watching the love of his life make out with his childhood best friends Mark decides to go for a walk in the wood away for them. As hes walking he stumbles on a strange older man burring something human like in the ground. When the man drives away he goes to cheek it out but didn't like what he found. So he runs back to get his friends James and Chasely to tell them what he discovered, they asked him what he look like but all he could see was a butterfly tire cover. So now him and friends are out looking for this car and they run into a lot of ass kicking braking in to houses and old spin-chilling memories on there journey.

The verdict;
It was a good movie if you like serial kills films. Its suspencival and thrilling and good for everyone to watch Ill probably watch it again if I'm in the mood for a messed up film.
                                                                             4 Star
What Mat says:
Three rebellious, angsty, teens friendship is stressed by a relationship between two of the friends. One day, after becoming bored with the lovey nature of the other two, Mark goes for a walk in the woods and discovers a man burying something. He hides and follows the mystery mans vehicle to the main road. After discussing what Mark saw James decides they should go back and uncover the burial assuming it to be drugs, money, or someones dead pet. Upon unearthing the grave site the three make a grisly discovery and have to decide weather or not to tell the police. James (aka Mr. Big Balls) decides to "catch" the mystery man. James and Mark however are not what they appear, having gone through a a horrible ordeal together in their youth involving local anti-Semite/hatemonger with Nazi tattoos. The teens make the always wise decision to attempt to blackmail the serial killer to show their childhood aggressor a thing or two.

The Verdict:
I have always had an affinity for Serial Killer and Slasher films. Perhaps it comes from a love of being scared. This films dark nature and intense feel instantly made this a must have for my collection. The teens each personify a portion of all teen youth. James is a smartass, unrelenting, and feels invincible. Mark is awkward, withdrawn, lonely, angry, and seemingly unpopular. Chasely is flirty, hormonaly confused, and in some ways a total sheep bending to Marks every whim. The film has two major evil forces that weigh on the teens making it stand out and blurring the line between good and evil/right and wrong. The Killer and the Semite are both well portrayed and incredibly creepy. The amount of discomfort I felt when seeing the killer in this film was equivalent to the stomach churning feeling I got when seeing the evil in The Lovely Bones. I would definitely reccomend this film to anyone who enjoys a good thriller film with a limited amount of gore but plenty of jumps, scares, and a creepy vibe.

Four Wolves

Aces

Aces
2006
Starring: Lacey Toups, Christina Morris, and Sheena Chou
IMDB

What the box says:
Aces is the story of three college girls who bring the world of high-stakes poker to its knees. Elle is the Decoy, distracting the other players with her sultry allure; Pieti is the Brain, hooking the team into the hottest high-tech gadgetry; and Brooke is the Closer, using he mathematical skills to bring home hand after hand. Together they form a team that takes the Sand Diego poker scene by storm, seduces Las Vegas, and competes against the world's leading players in Rio de Janeiro.
What Kayla says
A college student is struggeling to find a job as she lives off here mom as she try's to makes some extra cash to make ends meet.She runs into one of her friends Pietis a college girl addicted to online poker. Pietis convinces her to hang out with her and her friend Elle a slutty little drink girl at the casinos who knows her way around the tables. The girls go to a under ground casino were the big boys play and try to mathematically hustle the guys of there money and use few tricks of there own.
The verdict
It was okay very staged and boarding.
What Mat says:
2 struggling college students are trying to make ends meet in life and school. Pieti is obsessed with online poker as a means of some small income outside of daddys deep pockets. After meeting Elle a swift, slight of handed, cardshark they decide to use the collegete math skills of Brooke and Pieti's quick hands to mark cards with dye that can only been seen by special glasses.

The Verdict:
The acting feels clunky and unpolished. Feels very made for TV.

Accepted

Accepted
2006
Starring: Justin Long, Jonah Hill, and Blake Lively
IMDB

What the box says:
From the producer of Bruce Almighty and Liar Liar comes a whole new school of thought Accepted. When every college turns him down Bartleby "B" Gaines decides to make one up. Welcome to South Harmon Institute of Technology, where the students teach the classes, the dean lives in a trailer in the back, and Bartleby's on the way to scoring with the girl of his dreams. It's a raunchy, rowdy, flat-out funny college comedy that critics are calling "freaking hilarious".
What Kayla says;
High School student Bartleby just graduated school and is going to attend college but little does he know the School he applied for rejects him and he is stuck working at some store with his dad unless he gets into a college. So he comes up with the idea of making a fake admissions form for some school no ones heard about.  His parents buy the admission form but they wanna see the school so him and his friends scramble to make a abandon mental hospital pass as there college.
The Verdict;
I love this movie its always been one of my favorites. Its a good movie to watch with friends and family and on a date if you want a romantic comedy, I watch it again but not over and over. I laughed at some parts and it was funny to see one of the movies that made Joan Hill the funny comedian he is to day.
                                                                                3 stars
What Mat says:
Trouble making fast talking Ohio HS student Bartleby is attempting to make his way through HS and into college using only his wit. After multiple failures and rejection letters he creates a master plan to fool his success obsessed father and creates a fake acceptance letter for a fake branch of the local college. Things spiral out of control when his father insists on dropping him off and meeting the dean AFTER handing him a $10,000 check. Flipping a dilapidated mental facility to a faux college is the easy part, the hard part is when a website programmer accidentally makes the fake acceptance letter available to thousands of local students who were also rejected from every school they applied to. B decides on a "new" teaching technique... ask what the students want to learn and teach them THAT. Each failure or reject finds what makes them feel good and begins to follow their dreams. As the main branch of the local school attempts to expand to create a pompus "grand gateway" the attempt to purchase the old mental facility and find that something is happening in the building that they DO NOT approve of.

The Verdict:
This movie rings echos of movies like Ferris Buelers Day Off. The main character even has many of the same fast talking, maliciously intelligent qualities. The difference is that this film doesn't feel like it has the same staying power. The actors did a good job of portraying college students and you actually begin to root for the rejects by the middle of the movie even though many of them at first appear to be gruff and unteachable. I found only a few times when I actually laughed out loud but for me the crowning moments were the scenes with a still heavy Jonah Hill, and a self loathing dean played by Lewis Black. Overall I feel like compared to movies like Super Bad, Kick Ass, or even older movies like Caddyshack this movies claim of "raunchy"  and "rowdy" humor just hasn't held up. I don't think I would buy this movie but I also didn't dislike the experience of watching it.

Absolute Zero

Absolute Zero
2006
Starring: Jeff Fahey, Eika Eleniak, and Bill Dow.
IMDB

What the box says:
Inter Sci climatologist David Koch has evidence that a shift in the Earth's polarity triggered the last Ice Age...in a single day. Now, it's happening again, and there's no time to escape. As the termperature plummets, Miami is blasted with snow and ice. Evacuation routes are jammed. The only chance David, his old flame Bryn, and a few other hopeful survivors have is to hole themselves up in a special chamber at Inter Sci. A desperate race for survival is ignited as nature's fury rages and the termerature plunges toward -459.67 degrees F... ABSOLUTE ZERO.

What Mat says:
If you LOVE dark lines on your movie characters due to horribly done blue screen this ones for you! Like bad actors and that real made for TV look and feel? Rent absolute zero today!

What Kayla says:
I gave it a ZERO its stupid.

The Verdict:

About A Boy

About A Boy
2002
Starring: Hugh Grant, Nicholas Hoult, and Toni Collette.
IMDB

What the box says:
Based on Nick Hornby's popular British novel, About A Boy is a comedy-drama starring Hugh Grant as Will, a rich, child-free and irresponsible Londoner in his thirties who, in search of available women, invents an imaginary son and starts attending single parent meetings. As a result of his liaisons, he meets Marcus, an odd 12-year-old boy with problems at school. Gradually, Will teaches Marcus how to be a cool kid, Marcus helps Will to finally grow up.

What Mat says:
Lying, English trust-fund baby and playboy Will is a womanizer who thinks he has finally found his comfort zone when he falls for a woman with a child. After the relationship fails Will attempts to to lie his way into single parent meetings in order to find another single mother. His initial lie entails an imaginary child and a baby mama who is less than interested in their faux child's life. While at a gathering for the single parents group he meets a troubled young man named Marcus. Marcus begins to fall for Will at first only for his money, then he learns there is more to the playboy than he initially thought. Will takes Marcus under his wing and attempts to turn him from geeky, hippy, vegetarian, loser to trendy rap singing, Joe everybody. Marcus begins to gain self confidence while Will learns the life lessons he missed out on. Marcuses hippy, depressed, suicidal Mother weighs heavy on him as he attempts to wade through youth, home turmoil, and hormones.

The Verdict:
I was extremely surprised by this movie. Part of our experiment is that we don't find out what the movie is about before watching it. At first glance I made the false assumption based on the heartwarming cover and the fact it contained Hugh Grant that this would be a complete and total chick flick. I was extremely wrong! Although it is a great date movie that I feel any couple would enjoy equally. The film is funny and dramatic without seeming bipolar. Will starts the movie as an extremely dis-likable charcater but by the end you genuinely find that you care for every character in their own way. Although I am a little embarrassed to admit it I will buy this film and I could imagine I will be watching it on a semi regular basis.

Four Wolves.

What Kayla says:

An English man-child who dates women only to have a demeaning relationship with them, starts to date a single mom. The relationship goes fine till he decides to dump her, when come to  find out shes the one doing the break up.Then it comes to him, he'll date single moms so they'll be doing the breaking up, he gets of scott free. So he joins a group called S.P.A.T to pick up single moms.He lies about having a son and a no show mom.When he all the sudden meet a strange 12 year old boy with a suicidal mom.

The Verdict :

I liked the movie its a good date night movie, and its different. I would defiantly watch it again.

Four Anchors.

Abominable

Abominable
2006
Starring: Matt McCoy, Haley Joel, Christien Tinsley
IMDB

What the box says:
It has been sighted 42,000 times in 68 countries, a vicious creature of myth and legend called Sasquatch, Yeti, and perhaps most infamously, Bigfoot. We've hunted it for years. But what happens when it decides to hunt us? For newly paraplegic mountain climber Preston Rogers the horror hits home when this ravenous beast attacks a remote forest community. Will its next hot meal be a group of knuckehead hunters, a skeptical police chief, a cabin full of nubile co-eds, or a trapped Preston himself?

What Mat says:
Ridiculous, unintentionally funny.

What Kayla says:
...

The Verdict:

Abandon

Abandon
2002
Starring: Katie Homes, Benjamin Bratt, and Charlie Hunnam
IMDB

What the box says:
Katie Homles stars as a beautiful and success driven college student haunted by the disappearance of a former boyfriend, a brilliant young composer named Embry. Benjamin Bratt plays Wade Handler, a detective struggling to put back the pieces of a troubled career. When someone tied to Embry's past starts leaving clues, Embry's ex-girlfriend and Wade are drawn into a harrowing mystery-and plunged into an inescapable web of desire, deceit and murder.

What Mat Says:
A douche bag V-card taking boyfriend disappears after one of his "performance pieces" a.k.a plays. Some think he disappeared as part of a planned artistic stunt (thus solidifying my prior statement that he is a douche). His girlfriend, plagued by everyone leaving her (including her deadbeat father), is a highly intelligent student who attempts to deal with depression and stressing stemming from her missing boyfriend, an investigation into his disappearance , her final years in college, and her transition into the adult business world. As time progresses she becomes more unstable and begins having flashbacks of being abandoned.

The Verdict:
About what I expected. A decent movie for a night in but not one I would watch over and over. Seeing the Charlie Hunnam character makes me want to jump in front of oncoming traffic with his over dramatic, artsy, nonsense. The film is well made and at its core a thriller/mystery. Don't rent this one expecting anything very scary. My personal favorite part of the movie is a young relatively unknown Zooey Deschanel playing the part of the slutty friend, and the awkward tree hugger trying to "get with" the charter Holmes portrays. One more note on the plus side is I believe this is pre-Tom Cruise Katie.

Two Wolves

What Kayla Says:

A college girl Katie is going through some tough times while going through school. While writing a term paper to get into a work program, things start to spiral out of control. Her ex- boyfriend is missing she starts to get questioned by a cop to see if she knows anything about the events leading up to his disappearance. She regrets to in from him that she doesn't know anything. Suddenly she starts to see her ex and it freaks her out. Each time he leaves her something it always involves the book Dante's Inferno. As the movie trails on she keeps getting more depressed and keeps having  flash backs.

The Verdict;

It was an okay film, wasn't very scary, kind cliche. I'll buy the movie but I wouldn't watch it on a daily basis.

Three Anchors