Movie Info:
Writers: Frank Miller
Director: Frank Miller, Robert Rodriquez
Cast: Jessica Alba, Bruce Willis, Elijah Wood, Carla Gugino, Michael Madsen, Jaime King, Brittany Murphy, Clive Owen, Josh Hartnett, Rutger Hauer, Devon Aoki, Alexis Bledel, Mickey Rourke, Powers Boothe, Cara D. Briggs, Jude Ciccolella, Jeffrey J. Dashnaw, Rosario Dawson, Jesse De Luna, Benicio Del Toro, Jason Douglas, Michael Clarke Duncan
Rating: R
Studio: Miramax Home Entertainment

Release Info:
Theatrical Release: April 1, 2005
DVD Release Date: April 21, 2009
Online Availability: Amazon for $24.99

Sin City is just one of those movies you have to see. Done in a graphic novel style with digital enhancements throughout the entire movie, Sin City paved the way for other graphically intensive movies, such as 300. This movie is beautiful, though fans of non-digital methods may harp about the style. I do like old school methods of filmmaking, but it is hard to deny the beauty and uniqueness of something like Sin City.

Not only is Sin City nice to look at, the story is interesting. The characters are intriguing. The acting is stand out. The plots of each individual story come together nicely. Frank Miller, known for his exceptional graphic novels, went out of his way to bring Sin City to the screen in the right way. It’s just a superb piece of filmmaking, all around. I can’t say how much I have enjoyed watching this movie, time and again, since its initial release.

This movie is made up of an all start cast. If I had to give a lead role to anyone it’d be Bruce Willis, but really, this is an ensemble effort. There are so many big name stars in this movie, I don’t think there is a single face you won’t recognize. Miller went all out to find a recognizable cast of talented actors. From Benecio del Toro to Rosario Dawson, every type and flavor of actor can be found in this movie.

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Written by Ashtyn - Visit Website
Ashtyn Evans is a writer, advocate, free thinker, and all around cynical person. Always quick to find the negative in anything pop culture, she loves being a part of that which she despises. Ashtyn and Dominick own numerous blogs together, as well as a full-time writing business. In her spare time she is a full-time college student studying History and Psychology. She plans to one day give up her freelance career and be a full-time blogger, novelist, and domestic goddess. She can be contacted for writing projects, fan mail, or just to say hi. She really is friendlier than we make her look.

Movie Info:
Writers:Clive Barker
Director: Clive Barker
Cast: Andrew Robinson, Clare Higgins, Ashley Laurence, Sean Chapman, Oliver Smith, Robert Hines, Anthony Allen, Leon Davis, Michael Cassidy, Frank Baker, Kenneth Nelson, Gay Baynes
Rating: R
Studio: Anchor Bay Home Entertainment

Release Info:
Theatrical Release: September 18, 1987
DVD Release Date: April 21, 2009
Online Availability: Amazon for $14.99

I had never seen Hellraiser or any of its sequels prior to watching this film. I had heard of Pinhead and knew a little bit about who Pinhead was, but I didn’t really have any idea about what to expect when I was watching this film. I’m an old school horror buff. I grew up in the 80s when horror was in its prime. Hellraiser has become a cult classic and after finally watching it, I can see why.

The topic of pain as a way to find pleasure has always intrigued me. Add in the 80s style of filming horror, decent writing by British horror master, Clive Barker, and a bad ass bad guy (Pinhead is certainly one of a kind) and you have Hellraiser. I admit it. I’d heard good things about this movie, so I was excited to review it. It’s nice to know I wasn’t disappointed!

Fans of the series (which consists of 7 sequels) say this is the best in the series. There has been talk of a remake, but I am of the firm belief that 80s horror can never be replicated. Sure, the effects are substandard, but that’s a part of the 80s horror charm. Making the effects more realistic doesn’t change that fact that movies like Hellraiser are classic films because of what they had to offer to viewers both in the 80s and today. Hellraiser is a timeless classic for a reason.

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Written by Ashtyn - Visit Website
Ashtyn Evans is a writer, advocate, free thinker, and all around cynical person. Always quick to find the negative in anything pop culture, she loves being a part of that which she despises. Ashtyn and Dominick own numerous blogs together, as well as a full-time writing business. In her spare time she is a full-time college student studying History and Psychology. She plans to one day give up her freelance career and be a full-time blogger, novelist, and domestic goddess. She can be contacted for writing projects, fan mail, or just to say hi. She really is friendlier than we make her look.

Movie Info:
Writers: John Patrick Shanley
Director: John Patrick Shanley
Cast: Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, Viola Davis, Alice Drummond, Audrie J. Neenan, Susan Blommaert, Carrie Preston, John Costelloe, Lloyd Clay Brown, Joseph Foster, Bridget Megan Clark, Mike Roukis
Rating: PG-13
Studio: Walt Disney Home Entertainment

Release Info:
Theatrical Release: December 25, 2008
DVD Release Date: April 7, 2009
Online Availability: Amazon for $23.99

Meryl Streep has the ability to strike up an array of emotions when she’s on screen. Still, never have I felt such a strong emotion for her as I did while watching Doubt. I’ve watched the movie more than once and each time I feel differently towards her character. I’m either passionate for her cause or I want to smack the crap out of her character until I knock sense into her head. If an actress can make her audience feel that way, this means she’s doing a superb job!

Doubt was one of the best movies I’ve watched this year. The acting is superb. The plot is tightly woven, yet open to interpretation. The movie is stellar in every aspect from the film’s adaptation from the stage to the care that was taken to make the film as realistic as John Patrick Shanley wanted it to be in an attempt to make the setting identical to that of his childhood.

You don’t need to be a Catholic to enjoy Doubt. In fact, in light of all the scandals that have plagued the Catholic church in the past several years, people of any denomination will get something from watching Doubt. The movie is poignant and whether you agree with one side or the other, you will have extremely strong feelings for whichever side you support.

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Written by Dominick - Visit Website
Dominick Evans is in his late 20's. He spends his days working as a full time writer/editor and a part time musician/composer. His passions in life include music, directing films, watching movies, reading books, watching sports, wheelchair football, politics, his religion (Hellenic Reconstructionism) and spending time with his family (fiancée Ashtyn, son Robert, and shih-tzu Oliver). Other interests include being an advocate for the disability and GLBT communities.

Movie Info:
Writers: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen
Director: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen
Cast: Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Woody Harrelson, Kelly Macdonald, Garret Dillahunt, Tess Harper, Barry Corbin, Stephen Root, Rodger Boyce
Rating: R
Studio: Walt Disney Home Entertainment

Release Info:
Theatrical Release: November 21, 2007
DVD Release Date: April 7, 2009
Online Availability: Amazon for $24.49

I don’t always agree with the Oscars, but I did find the 2007 Winner for Best Picture No Country for Old Men to be one of the best movies of the year. I saw a lot of excellent films in 2007, but No Country for Old Men was definitely one of the most memorable. From the excellent cast to the stand out story, all the elements that make a film work come together.

I like the Coen Brothers. They have a very interesting film vision and their unique style comes through with every film they make. They go all out to make No Country for Old Men. With a cast that includes Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin and Woody Harrelson I had a feeling I was going to like this movie. The icing on the cake was the fact that No Country for Old Men was both written and directed by the Coens.

I’ve heard some grumbling about the plot not being nearly as spectacular as it should have been. This is an Academy Award winning film. I don’t agree with the grumbling. I was immersed in the film and enthralled by the story, the acting and the setting from the moment the movie started. This is the type of film I expect from the cast involved, and the type of film I now expect from the Coens.

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Written by Ashtyn - Visit Website
Ashtyn Evans is a writer, advocate, free thinker, and all around cynical person. Always quick to find the negative in anything pop culture, she loves being a part of that which she despises. Ashtyn and Dominick own numerous blogs together, as well as a full-time writing business. In her spare time she is a full-time college student studying History and Psychology. She plans to one day give up her freelance career and be a full-time blogger, novelist, and domestic goddess. She can be contacted for writing projects, fan mail, or just to say hi. She really is friendlier than we make her look.