ClayDeaver Reviews

Return to House on Haunted Hill (2007 Video)

Gore and blood aplenty

[4/10 · 7 October 2007]

While special effects were pretty outstanding the over use of them, in my opinion made the sequel much weaker than the original. I also felt the character development was a bit shy of interesting. I can't help but compare it to the original which also had spectacular effects however hit a higher level of suspense in between the more gruesome scenes, also the sex, in particular that which went on in one pretty gross lesbian scene with mutilated ghosts, really served no purpose in my mind to the general plot which is of course about helping out the poor trapped souls, who still long for release from the insane asylum doctor's fortress on the hill. There was a lot less use of the simple terrifying look of vintage medical equipment and an old asylum in this film as well although there were glimpses of the old asylum which had a lot of lighting designed much later than the art-deco period the hospital was supposedly from. All in all I think there were some good actors practicing their craft and a weak location with a lot of skilled prop people trying to take the viewer to a scary old hospital. It must have been tough following the previous cast which had a real Oscar winner on board. This film is way to gruesome for the kids, and if you were impressed with the first one you may be a little disappointed with this obviously lower budget sequel. Still it was something to watch.

Sicko (2007)

It is where we are in History

[10/10 · 26 June 2007]

Mr Moore writes movies for the underdog, you know the people that don't have FOX news in their pocket.The people Murdock wants to silence. The common people have again been represented fairly in in a Moore film. As a union member that will most likely go on strike over medical benefits next year this problem dominates quite a lot of thought time. Rates for the lousy rip off insurance we and our strapped employers are paying for have went up over 70% since 2000. I think this movie simply forces us to focus on the situation, certainly not what people in the hugely profitable health care industry want us to do. I was delightfully surprised at the means Moore used to convey his thoughts, and found it entertaining and thought provoking. This movie kicks off a summer where Medical Insurance will be the focus in discussions everywhere. I believe it is an historic film and will be remembered as a part of the summer of 2007 in our bleak, new, life is for the privileged American history.

The Future of Food (2004)

A great documentary, should be seen by everyone

[10/10 · 13 June 2007]

Every American needs to see this movie, I have purchased copies and given them away, I feel it's that important. Here on Oahu Monsanto has purchased an additional 2500 acres for genetic experiments on the food we eat. The information in this movie is suppressed in our country to say the least. If you say anything bad about genetically modified food in the press you are generally sued by Monsanto, and like some fox reporters fired for your story.The plight of those reporters is told in the movie as one of many events studied to give the viewer a picture of the conspiracy at hand. Although this film is becoming a bit outdated it is still a great foundation everyone should see about the corporate plot aimed at dominating and owning the world food supply at the cost of corrupting and polluting it forever.

The Last King of Scotland (2006)

Frightening realism

[6/10 · 5 February 2007]

Although I was certainly glued to the screen and it had my attention so did the last shark I saw and I wasn't very comfortable with the shark either.The acting was great and the locations and costumes were very believable but apparently it wasn't meant to leave me with any sort of a comfortable feeling or a feeling that the soul somehow triumphs over the sort of adversity of being an impoverished people living under an evil dictatorship.Their lives are mostly tragic it seems. The film depicts a realistic depiction of how the main character gets seduced by the dark and powerful side if you will in a very smooth manner. Forest Whitaker was great as Idi Amin, but how much can you say about the character of Idi, personally I didn't see any redeeming value in his character. And James McAvoy as the doctor, was really depicted as a degenerating character himself, who seems to have a bit of redemption on the way but certainly nothing that would give anyone a glow at the end of the film.I think the film was well done and although probably accurate, other than reaffirming that yes Idi Amin was a really bad egg just as we thought and treated his people very badly I fail to see it's purpose. Hopefully the film is making money and driving the economy, that would at least serve as something positive. So although Forerst Whitaker portrays the Evil Idi as a Charismatic leader and truly lights up the screen I failed to see much value in it. But hey give it a chance although I wouldn't take a girlfriend or the kids. Personally I didn't sleep well afterward

Devil's Den (2006)

An Entertaining Horror Comedy

[6/10 · 4 February 2007]

I had a nice time sitting through this edgy horror comedy, and have no regrets. It was certainly targeting the younger viewer however I found it a decent expenditure of my time due to the better than average talent they acquired.Eventually I sort of fell into the rather macabre storyline. Obviously the budget was low and the sets didn't change much,in fact everything happens at one location,"the strip club from hell" but for my two cents I have to say they pulled of a nice entertaining little package, probably due to a lot of things like good camera work, a descent director and some pretty good young and not too well know actors like Kelly Hu, who happens to be one of our local girls here in Hawaii. Kelly gave a nice performance, although it's probably hard to step down from a role as Cassandra in the scorpion King to something with less of a bang, she and Devon Sawa, Ken Foree and Karen Maxwell gave it a great effort. I think this film will be a bit of a cult classic in the ghoul killing vampire wasting category. If you don't think a ghoul hunt with dry humor would be your cup of tea then perhaps you should pass on this one, but if your not offended by that sort of thing then give it a shot, I think you'll have a few laughs and the time will go right by. I'm sure we will see a lot more of the cast from this film, they seem to be practicing a craft called acting.

Neverwas (2005)

A fine film

[8/10 · 18 November 2006]

I enjoyed it immensely, not being a critic, I simply can say, I identified with the human struggle which in this story wore the garb of mental illness, and the triumph of the soul, which as usual required faith and courage. I also thoroughly enjoyed the acting. Brittany Murphy was adorable opposite Aaron Echart. Ian McKellan was a wonderful depiction of a fairy tale king. This was not a low budget film and the money wan't wasted. It's curious that films like this one are released and there is no fanfare whatsoever. I am always hoping to find a sleeper and have the surprise of a great evenings entertainment. Neverwas delivered. Enough said. And I didn't even have to mention Nick Nolte, Jessica Lange or any of the other great talent in this film.

Keep Your Distance (2005)

A Worthwhile Romantic Thriller

[9/10 · 24 March 2006]

I went for a nice ride on this film, the vehicles suspension wasn't to stiff, it handled very well, I wasn't required to be sophisticated to understand it's workings; yet it retained the required mystery, many thanks to the engineers for not adding a surplus of bells and whistles, sometimes less really is more with the exception of Jennifer Westfeldt that is. I would have enjoyed a lot more of her. However here my judgment might be clouded, as I think she would be fascinating just reading the phone book.

I enjoyed a friends advice to pay close attention, as the plot had some detail that could easily be missed. I took the recommendation and gave the film the attention it deserves.Bellows,Raver and kane delivered their craft well and Raver was convincingly scary as the heartless wife. I may have rated it to high but it was refreshing not to see unnecessary violence in a decent thriller and of course then there is the Wesfeldt factor.Wow!