NEW RELEASES OCT. 8
This Tuesday, there are movies that appeal to a wide range of tastes:
Hangover III, Barbie: A Pony
Tale, Curse of Chucky, The Horses of McBride (a true story of a young girl’s
passion to save two horses stuck in snow in B.C.), Much Ado About Nothing, The
Purge, Stuck in Love, and After Earth (a Sci-Fi starring Will and Jaden Smith).
Since George Romero brought zombies to the forefront of B-movies, they
have cemented their place at the forefront of cult movie favourites. A new era
of Zombies has emerged--and this time they have invaded the Red Carpet. TV's
The Walking Dead has ushered in a new resurgence of zombie mania. This time,
instead of a cult following, zombies have infiltrated the mainstream. Despite
being snubbed at the Emmys by peers, The Walking Dead continues to dominate
viewer-wise.
"(The) season-three finale shattered the zombie drama's own ratings
record yet again, scoring 12.4 million total viewers in its initial 9 p.m.
broadcast and 8.1 million in the advertiser-coveted adults 18-49 demographic.
The numbers represent series bests in total viewers and the demographic".
Not since an all-star ensemble including Jack Nicholson, Glenn Close,
Annette Benning, Pierce Brosnan, Danny DeVito, Martin Short, Michael J. Fox,
Sarah Jessica Parker, Natalie Portman, Jack Black and many more, appeared in
MARS ATTACKS, has so much attention been focused on B-Movie territory.
ABOUT MY REVIEWS
As this is my first review, just an advisement that I intend to
strategically review movies without revealing vital plot information. I will
always attempt to disclose no more than one would learn from a trailer or the
synopsis that accompanies the movies on our website. Any review is an opinion
and I will try to give mine in as unbiased a fashion as possible, while
providing useful insight.
WORLD WAR Z--REVIEW
Riding the coattails of The Walking Dead's success comes World War Z, a
futuristic horror set in a post-apocalyptic world where, for unknown reasons,
the population is rapidly being infected and becoming Zombies. Caught in the
foray is Hollywood's golden boy, BRAD PITT. Pitt, at the pinnacle of his
career, immediately lends credibility and marketability to the film. Mainstream
viewers are hungry for more Walking Dead style action--combining strong
characters, suspense, plot twists, fast paced action, combined with the
standard shock and gore. Casual movie goers are drawn by the allure of Pitt and
many are making their first foray into the world of the macabre. In either
case, World War Z should satisfy all.
Any movie of this genre, whether horror, futuristic, or science fiction,
requires a suspension of disbelief. World War Z requires a little more than many.
There are holes in the script that one must ignore. The action and edge of your
seat excitement allows one to overlook these more easily. Pitt's character
Gerry Lane is caught in a vulnerable urban setting with his family when they
confront the crisis for the first time. Here, the survival rollercoaster
begins. The viewer begins to realize Lane is no Average Joe. His actions
foreshadow there is more to him than meets the eye.
Action is interspersed with scenes created to give a background and
global perspective to the crisis. These serve to give the viewer a sense of the
enormity of the pandemic. As events unfold, Lane, attempting to ensure the
safety of his family, is drawn back into a life he had left behind. This world
intersects those desperately looking for the cause and possible cure for this
plague. Thus, the stage is set.
The zombies in World War Z, are not those of Night of The Living Dead or
The Walking Dead. They are not slow moving and lacking any discernible thought.
They are ravenous, fast moving, rabid creatures. This allows the adrenaline
rush and jump moments for the audience. It also creates the air of an action
movie--appeasing the non-horror fans. There is a resemblance to the horde in I
Am Legend, starring Will Smith. In fact, there are many parallels between the
storyline of the two movies. It is also reminiscent of the War of the Worlds
remake, starring Tom Cruise.
In the end, I recommend World War Z for it's thrilling action, great CGI
effects and general captivating entertainment factor. This is NOT for young
children or those who dislike gore or frighten easily.
For children--much more mild--I recommend Daddy, I'm A Zombie. It is a
great claymation feature just in time for Halloween. It is rated PG for scary
images, thematic elements and some rude humour.
PARENT'S RESOURCES
I am often asked by parents if a certain movie is appropriate for their
children. The fact is you know your kids best--what they can handle and what
suits the way you want them raised. What I recommend when making these choices are two websites:
This site contains its' own search bar where you can look for the title
you want to know about.
This website rates most movies in terms of three areas--each rated separately:
Sex and Nudity, Violence and Gore, and Profanity. It rates each of these areas
on a score of 1 to 10. It also describes the scenes for each sub-category, so
you know exactly what happens in those scenes. It also denotes any drug or
alcohol use, suggests discussion topics you can have with your kids and conveys
the general message of the movie. All of this is available when you click
"complete content analysis" that accompanies the general description
of the movie.
This website is run by a group whose mission statement is as follows:
“Common Sense Media is dedicated to improving the lives of kids and
families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent
voice they need to thrive in a world of media and technology.
We exist because our nation's children spend more time with media and
digital activities than they do with their families or in school, which
profoundly impacts their social, emotional, and physical development. As a non-partisan, not-for-profit
organization, we provide trustworthy information and tools, as well as an
independent forum, so that families can have a choice and a voice about the
media they consume.”
This website not only addresses movies, but also, tv, books, video games
and more.
All media are given an age appropriate rating by the website board--with
appropriate explanations. Parents and
kids are also encouraged to write their own reviews and assign an age
appropriation themselves. The combination of kids' perspective, parents'
perspective and the board’s recommendation should be very helpful in
making a decision.
HALLOWEEN CONTESTS
Come into either location with the answer to the question for a free 7
day rental!
Kids: Who is the Friendly Ghost?
Adults:There are 2 horror giants who both spawned a number of sequels
and faced off in two crossover movies--who are they?
BONUS QUESTION: The first right answer at each location gets a free new
release horror movie: Which of the two compiled more kills in their entire franchise?
FYI:
The Walking Dead Seasons 1&2
World War Z
I Am Legend
and Daddy, I'm A Zombie are available for rent at both locations
Mars Attacks and War of the Worlds (2005) are available from the WB
location and can be rented at Collingwood by request.
Various movies starring (answer the adult trivia question) are available
at both locations.
FALL FILMMAKING
WORKSHOPS
Our Collingwood location, in conjunction with Mountain Goat Film
Company, will be hosting a five week workshop for aspiring novice filmmakers.
You can learn the art of film creation including; Screenwriting,
Cinematography, Direction, Producing, Editing, Visual effects, and Sound Mixing
from Tom Strnad, an award winning filmmaker whose credits include Feature Films
and TV shows on YTV and HGTV.
This is a great course for both those who want to learn the basics, no
experience necessary, and cinephiles who crave a deeper understanding of the
craft they are so passionate about.
Each week focuses on different aspects of filmmaking:
Week 1 is all about screenwriting and writing a short film script
Week 2 introduces camera angles and composition along with an intro to
editing
Week 3 covers a production where each student will film their script and
bring words into action
Week 4 examines editing and working on a first cut of the short film
Week 5 introduces sound editing and design and final edited films are
screened by all the students
Classes run 5 consecutive Saturdays, 10 am to 5 pm, beginning November
2, 2013. The cost, including access to the newest equipment such as a
Blackmagic Design Cinema Camera and materials, is $500. EARLY BIRD SPECIAL: Book before October 15th
and SAVE 25% (only $375).
To enroll, contact either Gone Hollywood Video location or
tom@mountaingoatfilm.com
COMING SOON: GONE
HOLLYWOOD POINTS PROGRAM
An exclusive new Gone Hollywood Points program. Collect points on
everything you purchase--rentals, PV movies, munchies and merchandise. Redeem
points on all of these things or bank them and save for a NEW HD BLU-RAY PLAYER...details
soon.
BYZANTIUM, a vampire movie, just in time for Halloween directed by Neil Jordan, who also directed Interview With The Vampire. Twists, turns and drama as secrets of 200 years of shared history unravel as two female vampires wreak havoc in a UK seaside community.
R.I.P.D., or Rest In Peace Department is a supernatural action adventure in the spirit (pun intended) of the Men In Black Ghostbusters franchises. It pairs Jeff Bridges and Ryan Reynolds as a pair of cops charged with protecting the living from increasingly destructive spirits hiding among them on Earth. When they discover a plot that potentially threatens life as we know it, the fun begins. 
