The Changeling

Something has been bugging me for awhile now. Since the Changeling movie came out with Angelina Jolie, John Malkovitch, and Jeffrey Donovan from Burn Notice, I had hoped the 1980's movie with the nearly same name starring George C. Scott and Trish Van Devere would get some mention, but alas, these days it's all about what's NEW more so than what's GOOD.

"How did you die, Joseph...? Did you die in this house...? Why do you remain...?"

George C. Scott plays a man who loses his family in a snowy road side automobile accident. In an attempt to pick up the pieces and move on with his life, he accepts a college teaching position. The local historical society are pleased to allow him to stay in an old mansion that would otherwise fall into disrepair. Shortly after moving in, strange noises and occurrences prompt him to begin looking into the history of the home.

This is one of the creepiest movies I have ever seen. It isn't bloody or gory, but will definitely have your skin crawling at parts and jumping out of your seat at others. With lighting, pacing, and subtlety they made it scarier than if entrails where strewn across the floor, and the walls were painted with blood. I showed it to a girlfriend of mine, a film snob, who loved and appreciated it on an entirely different level than I did.

The Host (Gwoemul) Review

Man has made his newest predator

I saw this movie last night after hearing it described as Little Miss Sunshine meets Jaws. After seeing it, though, I would have to disagree. It's entertaining, but doesn't meet the standards set by either of those movies. This is the story of a dysfunctional Korean family (grandfather; champion archer daughter who moves at a snails pace; educated but unemployed son that tends to drink; and borderline narcoleptic underachiever son and single dad, whose daughter is the one taken) whose youngest was taken by a monster. They know she is alive, but the authorities won't listen and chalk their protest up to grieving and delirium.

As a side note: In the opening scene you may notice the US military doctor is played by Scott Wilson who also plays Sam Braun on CSI.

Without wanting to give anything away, I feel obligated to offer this warning: This is an asian movie, and as such the ending is bitter-sweet, victory comes at a price. As an example: In the animated epic Akira, the hero wins, but in so doing has to kill his best friend who has become a menace.

Hannibal Rising - Movie Synopsis

Hannibal Rising is the fifth film (Manhunter, Silence of the Lambs, Hannibal, Red Dragon) and prequel to the Hannibal Lecter series by Thomas Harris. It is an adaptation of Thomas Harris' 2006 novel of the same name and will tell the story of how Hannibal becomes the infamous serial killer of the previous films and books.

The film is being directed by Peter Webber from a screenplay by Harris. It was filmed in Barrandov Studios in Prague. It is produced by the Dino De Laurentiis Company and scheduled to be released in February 9 2007. Theatrical distribution in the United States will be by The Weinstein Company and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

Synopsis: The story opens in Eastern Europe in the final days of World War II. These are desperate times full of desperate actions to simply survive. Young Hannibal (Gaspard Ulliel) witnesses the violent death of his parents, leaving him responsible for the care of his sister. Without any means of providing support for either of them, he is forced to take refuge in a Soviet orphanage that was once his families home. He leaves the orphanage to seek out what family he has, an Uncle in France, only to find his Uncle has died. His Uncle's widow, Lady Murasaki (Gong Li) takes him in and shows him love and kindness. Under her tutelage, young Hannibal becomes an apt pupil to science and takes to studying medicine. It is here that Lecter develops his talents that he will use to exact his justice on the war criminals that haunt his thoughts.

The Official Movie Site where you can view the trailer, get downloads, etc.