[REC] (2007)
In [REC], a television reporter, Angela Vidal (Manuela Velasco) and her cameraman, Pablo (Pablo Russo), cover the night shift in a Barcelona fire station for a documentary series entitled “While You Sleep.” After some banter with the firefighters and the two who will accompany Angela (Ferran Terraza as Manu, David Vert as Alex), the station gets a call about an elderly woman screaming in her locked apartment. Upon arrival, two police officers on the scene break down the door while the apartment building’s inhabitants gather in the downstairs atrium. Suddenly, the old, incoherent woman goes mad, biting one of the police officers on the neck. Carrying the wounded officer to the front door to put him in an ambulance, the residents, including Angela, discover armed police and military have sealed them in the apartment building. They explain that their measures are simply precautionary,  However, time is running out. Each resident bitten turns mad, biting others and spreading what might be a disease. The survivors fight the creatures off while Angela and Pablo film every ghoulish incident. [REC] was remade for American audiences in 2008 as Quarantine, starring Jennifer Carpenter—a film I enjoyed (see Quarantine review above for more details.) Therefore, I thought I would watch the original to see what was different between the two. Too my surprise, there was almost nothing different about the two scripts. The characters were the same in both films (both leads were named Angela Vidal), as was almost every scene and spoken line, yet I actually enjoyed [REC] better because it had a more gritty, on-the-scene look, which created more terror and suspense. I also felt trapped in the building as the tension rose with every minute. Even the explanation for the goings on in the apartment building were clearer in [REC], one slight problem I found with Quarantine. [REC] is well worth a look, even if you’ve already seen Quarantine. [REC] is also in Spanish with English subtitles.

[REC] 2 (2010)
"[REC] 2" picks up exactly where [REC] (2007) left off. As Jennifer (Manuela Velasco) disappears in the attic, a SWAT team, with each man outfitted with a video camera, enters the same Barcelona building accompanied by a doctor (Jonathan Mellor) who has come to access the situation within the sealed apartments, especially since there has been no communication from the inside for over fifteen minutes. Again, the action is quick and brutal as some of the possessed residents still lurk about the darkened hallways. Of course, the biggest surprise comes when the team, or what is left of them, make their way into the attic where they discover more about the demon and the possessed girl, who seem to be the cause of the terror and chaos. Since "[REC] 2" is a continuation of the 2007 film, it is almost imperative that you watch the first film to understand what is going on in the second. However, that will be worth your while (read my review of "[REC]"). "[REC] 2" was as gritty, with the same realistic, on-the-scene-look, creating as much terror and suspense. The acting was realistic, adding to its documentary-style, and making you feel as if you are there. "[REC] 2" also continues to explain the demonic possessions that have turned the former residents into raging, zombie-like monsters. When the doctor makes the final attempt to exercise the demon, let's just say, things don't go as expected. "[REC] 2" has everything that made "[REC]" work so well. However, considering that "[REC] 2" is a continuation of "[REC]", together they would have a running length of about 180 minutes. As such, "[REC] 2" does start to labor a bit, until we get to the gist of act three where the demon reveals itself. I recommend "[REC] 2" after you have seen 2007's [REC], especially before they make "Quarantine 2," which I have heard is in the works. As of this writing, "[REC] 2" opened in a few select theaters, and is available through certain streaming services. "[REC] 2" is presented in Spanish with English subtitles.

Red Dragon
The first Thomas Harris Hannibal Lector novel comes to the screen to finish the film trilogy as a prequel to "Silence of the Lambs." In this episode, we meet Will Graham (Edward Norton), the FBI agent who captures Hannibal Lector (Anthony Hopkins ) and gets the scars to prove it. But that's not what the film is about. Graham now needs Lector to help him catch a lunatic who has murdered two families in their sleep and will soon be hunting a third family to aid him in his "becoming." Director Brett Ratner (Rush Hour 2) does a fine job sticking to the formula that won "Silence of the Lambs" so many awards. Unfortunately, he does it second, so many people will have a hard time separating the two. As a fan of the series, I loved it. The film does a fine job translating the book (the scariest of the three novels) to the screen. Norton, Hopkins, Ralph Fiennes (as the nut), and Harvey Keitel (as FBI agent, Jack Crawford) couldn't have done better. They drew me in from the opening moment. And Danny Elfman's score maintains tension throughout, only adding to the suspense. When I reviewed One Hour Photo I said I'll wait for Red Dragon, and the wait was worth it. This goes the extra step One Hour Photo didn't. But don't misunderstand, I'm not talking blood and guts. You can invite your squeamish friends to this one. The horror and tension comes from the story, acting, directing and score, not from graphic violence. If you still want more, read the book, but keep the lights on.

Red Planet
Entertaining ensemble cast carries this witty, cerebral Sci-Fi thriller.

Reign of Fire
In this sci-fi/fantasy, a present-day London tunnel project unleashes a plague of dragons that plunges the earth into a post-apocalyptic feudal society after which a pocket of London survivors, lead by Christian Bale as Quinn, are hold up in a castle-like fortresses trying to survive the new world order. Enter the Americans lead by Matthew McConaughey as Van Zan, an Ahab-like dragon-slayer who is convinced that if they kill the grizzled old bull dragon, the females will die off. And, in true American fashion, he proposes to handle the problem with big guns. So off they go to do the deed. While I liked the idea of dragons in a futuristic world, I wondered why the writers turned the future feudal? Something different would have been nice. Of course, using the future allowed modern day weapons and watching a helicopter and tanks fight flying dragons was definitely cool. And while I was expecting more of a "war of the worlds" scenario, (the war with the dragons is shown mostly in newspaper and TV news headlines), I missed seeing an all out dragon world war. That said, I will admit that the dragons in this film looked beautiful on the screen, especially that giant bull. If you're a dragon fan, the dragons alone make this film worth your time. Of course, my standard for dragons is still 1981's Dragonslayer, directed by Matthew Robbins, but these dragons come awfully close to being perfect. So while you're waiting to see Reign of Fire in the theater, you might want to check out Dragonslayer on rental. You won't be disappointed.

Resident Evil
It's Lara Croft meets Dawn of the Dead in this computer game gone "R" rated celluloid as a special forces unit, sent into an underground lab to investigate mysterious happenings, finds flesh eating zombies, mutated Dobermans and a creature that defies description. Yes, it's run and jump, and shoot everything that moves, but I found myself totally entertained from start to finish. Have I seen this before? I've seen everything before! But sometimes the "tried and true" does just fine. So load up the car with friends, buy lots of popcorn and drinks, sit back and have a hoot with the over-the-top slice and dice action. Other computer games coming to the big screen include: Alice (of Wonderland) with Christina Ricci and Natalie Portman, Duke Nukem with either The Rock or Schwarzenegger in the lead (although I'd prefer Howie Long), Max Payne with Keanu Reeves, Vin Diesel and Brendan Fraser being talked about, Dimension's Alone in the Dark, an animated Dragon's Lair from the people who did Titan A.E., and Timeline with Richard Donner directing. Let's hope Resident Evil has started a winning streak.

Resident Evil: Apocalypse
Former Second Unit Director of Photography and Second Unit Director (Pirates of the Caribbean) Alexander Witt, gets to sit in the first director chair with Resident Evil: Apocalypse but the result is still "second class." Taking off from exactly where 2002's Resident Evil ended, we again join Milla Jovovich (as Alice) trying to stay one step and one bite ahead of a world gone zombie after The Umbrella Corporation locks the gates to Raccoon City trapping everyone inside. Alice hooks up with the standard ragtag band of survivors lead by Sienna Guillory as Jill Valentine—a Lora Craft clone, and Oded Fehr as Carlos Olivera—the swat guy, as they try to find a scientist's daughter—their key out of the city. Throw in a genetically engineered super monster soldier called Nemesis and you end up with a "by the book" action-packed version of the video game filmed with a comic book style. None of these things are bad, but the standard formula and too many characters watered down this film until I felt distant, as if I was looking over the shoulder of someone playing the console game. And by the time everyone came together for one plot line, I felt I'd seen all there was to see. While the "tried and true" worked for Resident Evil (a film that's become one of my favorite zombie flicks) more of the same didn't work this time. There is definitely an audience for this film (they were in the theater with me), but if you're looking for something that's a cut above the rest, try the 1985 classic The Return of the Living Dead.

Resident Evil: Extinction
Russell Mulcahy moves from mostly directing television and music videos to Paul W.S. Andersons (2004s RE: Apocalypse, 2004s AVP, and 2002s Resident Evil) latest Resident Evil script. In this third installment, which picks up where the second film left off, the entire world is now infected so zombies are everywhere. Alice (Milla Jovovich) is wandering the United States desert until she joins up with a caravan of survivors led by Claire (Ali Larter) and Carlos (Oded Fehr from Resident Evil 2) who decide to head for Alaska. But zombies arent their only worry. Dr Isaacs (Iain Glen) at The Umbrella Corporation is still trying to create the perfect Alice while working on a way to domesticate the zombies so Umbrella can use them for a workforce or army. This subplot reminded me a bit of George Romeros 1985 Day of the Dead. One other thing I noticed that seemed to borrow from George Romero was that the zombies are now looking ripe, making it seem (as it should) as if time has taken its toll since we left Raccoon City. There is plenty of over-the-top action to keep you riveted to the screen and even some real jump-out-of-your-seat moments. Have we seen this before? For the most part, yes! But if you are a fan of the Resident Evil films or zombie films, youll probably want to see RE: Extinction. Would it hurt to see the other two films before seeing the third? Probably not. Is it required? I dont think so. Either way, be prepared as it looks like they left themselves open for yet another film if they want it.

Returner (DVD/Video)
It's 2084 and the earth is fighting for survival against an alien onslaught. To save her planet, one freedom fighter, Miri (Ann Suzuki), travels back in time to change her future by killing the first alien invader to prevent the war. Through trickery, she enlists the aid of Miyamoto (Takesh Kaneshiro), a modern day Ninja on a revenge quest against the Japanese Mob boss, Mizoguchi (Goro Kishitani). Strangely enough, both goals actually merge when the mob kidnaps the alien. It's pretty much downhill from there. When this film started, I was actually entertained by the stop-fast-slow motion fight scenes, cliche dialogue and plot. But unfortunately, that didn't last long. What started out as a wonderfully campy film turned into a boring, annoying experience. Too much straight dialogue and scenes building a relationship between our two heroes dragged on and on as the campy dialogue turned ludicrous and asinine. If I could have seen more of Miyamoto's incredibly entertaining fighting moves and more battle scenes with the aliens, which used some interesting sci-fi concepts and effects, I would have ignored the childish plot and dialogue. Takashi Yamazaki should stick to directing and leave the writing to anyone else. Skip this one and do something else with the 117 minutes of your life.

The Ring
First girl: "Did you hear about the video tape that if you watch it you die seven days later?" Second girl: "I watched it seven days ago!" Within ten minutes, the second girl is dead and the first, insane. What starts off feeling like a teen slasher flick soon becomes an engrossing supernatural mystery as reporter Rachel Keeler (Naomi Watts) investigates the grisly death of her niece by watching the video tape and learning that she now only has seven days to live. To complicate matters, she shows the video to her former boyfriend (Martin Henderson) and learns her son (David Dorfman) has also watched. Her investigation of the cryptic nightmare images on the tape leads her to a mysterious island, a case of horses gone mad, and a mysterious little girl (Daveigh Chase) with dark powers. The Ring unfolds in a well-written, beautifully directed, effectively scored ghost story. And I was there, for every minute, every second, every step as Rachel's days counted down and the tension built to another unexpected and totally satisfying ending that reminded me of The Others (2001) and Candyman (1992). Is this another Exorcist as some promos have indicated? Not quite! Read my essay, "A Disgusting Masterpiece," and you'll see why not. But is it good on its own? Yes! If you like well-crafted, intelligent ghost stories, see The Ring.

Ring Two
Is more always better? Take The Ring, a film (as you can read above) I really enjoyed and recommended. So more of it would be great! Not necessarily. Ring Two starts with a teenaged boy who has enticed a girl to his home to watch the scariest horror film ever made. She wants to make out. But he insists she watch the tape first. I'm starting to wonder about this guy about now. But we quickly learn via a phone call that he's watched the dreaded "Ring" tape and his seven days is up in about two minutes. I know, why did it take him so long to get a girl to come to his house. Anyway, for reasons I won't go into, he ends up dead and the girl is shaken up, not insane like the first film. Hmm! Things have really changed here. Cut to Rachel Keller (Naomi Watts) and her son, Aidan (David Dorfman) who have come to Oregon to start anew after the horror they encountered in the first film. Yada, Yada, Yada. Rachel learns of the new tape and destroys it. Not just her, but the writers destroy the tape. The tape is out of this film. But now Evil Samara (Daveigh Chase, Kelly Stables) doesn't need the tape and ala Poltergeist jumps from the TV into the son. She wants a mommy. So what went wrong with this film? First: They got rid of the tape. The tape was one of the ingredients that made the first one work and they took it out. Second: They continued the story from The Ring. Not that is in itself bad, but they continue where The Ring left off by stretching a 115-minute film (first film) into a 226-minute film. Its as if the first film didn't end and after a log intermission you are watching the rest of the film. But by now they've run out of steam, run out of the creeps, and run out of tension. There was almost no tension at all this time. Sorry, folks. This one fizzles, sputters, and dies. If you must see it, wait for a rental and I won't say "I told you so."

Road to Perdition
When I first saw the trailer for this film I thought: 1930's gangsters . . . and Tom Hanks as a Hit Man? I gotta see this! I did and now you must see it! Tom Hanks finally takes his talents from his typical family offerings to do a bang up job as Michael Sullivan, a strong-arm for the John (Paul Newman) Rooney crime syndicate. But loyalties get twisted after Sullivan's son, Michael Jr. (Tyler Hoechlin) witnesses a crime hit. Sullivan's wife and other son are murdered and he and Michael Jr. hit the road running for their lives. This film changes the definition of thriller. There is no shouting (most characters only whisper) or high energy car chases, but the tension was grueling. I felt like a fuse had been lit early in the film and I had to wait for the bomb to explode. But on who and where? With direction by Sam Mendes (American Beauty), musical score (Celtic, among other haunting styles) by Thomas Newman (American Beauty, Three Kings), cinematography (I enjoyed looking as much as watching) by Conrad Hill (American Beauty, Butch Cassidy…) and editing by Jill Bilcock (Moulin Rouge) expect award nominations in all their categories as well as acting nominations for Hanks, Newman, and Jude Law as the hit man hired to kill Sullivan and son (he is great). This is the first "must see" in a long, long, long time.

Romeo Must Die
Couldn't get through it, forgot what I did see.

The Ruins
Scott B. Smith takes his horror novel, The Ruins (a novel Stephen King called one of the scariest books . . .) to the screen by writing the screenplay, thus doing justice to his own work. The Ruins starts like so many films of its kind—four twenty-something Americans (The Black Donnellys Jonathon Tucker, Donnie Darkos Jena Malone, X-Men: The Last Stands Shawn Ashmore, and Lords of Dogtowns Laura Ramsey) are on vacation (this time in Mexico) where they meet three Greeks and a German (Across the Universes Joe Anderson as Mathias.) Mathias tells them about some hidden ruins, not on the tourist map that his brother and an archeologist friend have gone to work on. So the next day, leaving two of the Greeks behind, they head for the dig. Upon arrival, a group of weapon welding Mayans confront them for a startling first plot point. The Mayans force them to the top of the temple ruins where the vacationers discover something even worse then the Indians. As horror goes, this film works. The tension is maintained well throughout because we dont know whats going to happen next or who will survive. The blood letting and bone crushing graphic scenes, which also added tension (released via laughter by my audience) definitely earned this films R rating. Also, as you can see from the casts experience, these were not first timers, translating into believable characters you developed some attachment for. Finally, an important characteristic of the horror genre is isolation of the victims. Director Carter Smith used the correct camera angles and predatory views to accomplish this well. Overall, for a film I hesitated going to, thinking Id seen this before; I enjoyed The Ruins for showing me some things I didnt expect. If you miss it in the theaters, put it on your rental list.

Run, Lola, Run
SEE Lola Run! Artistic, exciting, imaginative, creative. A must-see for film lovers!