Tag Archives: Danielle Panabaker

2009 Films, Horror, Slasher

Friday the 13th-2009

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Friday the 13th-2009

Director Marcus Nispel

Starring Jared Padalecki, Amanda Righetti

Scott’s Review #592

Reviewed January 8, 2017

Grade: C-

As a devoted and faithful fan of the Friday the 13th film franchise, and with many wonderful memories of Friday the 13th in the past, I was expecting better than this version.

There was no reason for the producers to start from scratch with a brand new beginning- that makes no sense to me.

There is nothing to distinguish this, 2009 Friday the 13th,  from other sequels. They would have been better suited to making a “Friday The 13th Part 11” since that’s what it was.

An entirely new storyline was created, only keeping to the original Jason and Mrs. Voorhees characters and Camp Crystal Lake location.

This movie is not scary, nor are any of the characters particularly likable. Several were quite unlikeable- way too many horror films do that.

The film also contains very distinct stereotypes, which in this day and age seem ridiculous.

Also, Jason has now graduated to “taking prisoners” instead of simply hacking his victims.

There is also a “flashback” scene from 1980, which, inexplicably, is a newly filmed scene. A wiser choice, and a treat for loyalists, would have been to show this scene from the original Friday the 13th from 1980 instead of foolishly recreating one.

The story is completely implausible in countless ways.

I am giving this film a very liberal C- grade for at least giving us a new film and for being somewhat entertaining, even though there are many negatives.

This film will be forgotten before too long.

2010 Films, Horror, Science Fiction

The Crazies-2010

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The Crazies-2010

Director Breck Eisner

Starring Timothy Olyphant, Radha Mitchell

Scott’s Review #568

Reviewed December 27, 2016

Grade: B+

The Crazies (2010) is an example of a very rare instance of a remake (especially in the horror genre) being better than the original (Cape Fear also comes to mind).

Despite the original film being made in 1973, a wonderful time for creative film-making, I was not such a fan.

The remake is more slick and stylized, but I think it works well and makes the film an above-average effort.

There are many thrills during The Crazies and jump-out-of-your-seat scares (car wash scene), and I may never look through a keyhole again!

I felt tense watching several scenes and I genuinely did not know what was going to come next, which is quite an achievement for the modern horror genre.

I love the heartland, small town, middle of nowhere elements. A feeling of isolation and vulnerability is apparent and a must for successful horror.

The acting is above average for a horror flick, though, let’s not kid ourselves- who watches horror films for the Shakespearean acting?

This film was sort of a cross between 28 Days Later (2002) and Night of the Living Dead (1968) but set in mid-western surroundings.

A must for fans of modern horror.

2010 Films, Animals, Horror, Horror-Camp, Horror-Comedy, Summer

Piranha 3D-2010

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Piranha 3D-2010

Director Alexandre Aja

Starring Richard Dreyfuss, Elisabeth Shue, Ving Rhames

Scott’s Review #529

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Reviewed November 29, 2016

Grade: C-

2010’s Piranha 3D is a tongue-in-cheek horror comedy that saves itself from being a complete drivel by having some sense of humor.

Remarkably, it stars some decent talents- Richard Dreyfuss, Ving Rhames, and Elisabeth Shue.

The film is pure fluff- not high art in the least, with no message or purpose to be found.

The film is terrible, but kind of fun at the same time. It’s camp and not to be taken at all seriously.

The plot is simplistic and standard horror fare- a school of piranhas are unleashed after an underwater earthquake, kill a fisherman, and ravage a college vacation party on a lake.

The college kids come to Lake Victoria to party and lounge on the beach, and typically, are dressed precariously. They are unceremoniously ripped to shreds by the angry and hungry killer fish.

Shue and Rhames must have hit rough times, and have required a paycheck to star in this. They play a Sheriff and Deputy- laughably unbelievable- as they try to protect the beach-goers from a grisly fate.

Dreyfuss plays a ridiculous and unnecessary role as the aforementioned fisherman.

On a serious (and sour) note, the objectifying of women is shocking in this day and age. Haven’t we seen enough stereotypes in one lifetime?

A few cool kills and humor, but Piranha 3D (2010) is a dumb, popcorn horror film.