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Movie Reviews
Monday, April 19th, 2010The Crazies
Sunday, April 18th, 2010I felt like thinking back and reviewing “The Crazies,” which I saw the first weekend of it’s February 2010 release. This horror remake is one of the best adaptations I’ve seen. Unfortunately, I still have not seen the 1973 original version (soon to change). Timothy Olyphant stars alongside Radha Mitchell as the sheriff of Ogden March, Iowa. I was extremely impressed by Olyphant’s performance, as he dazzles with a less-than-impressive supporting cast.
The Crazies (2010)
The plot revolves around a small town in Iowa that falls victim to an outbreak that turns normal people into zombie-killers. Of course being a government cover-up, the people of Ogden Marsh are left to defend themselves as they are one-by-one infected with the virus. By the end of the movie, there are only a handful left as everyone else has either been infected, or exterminated by the government agency responsible for covering up the accident.
Pros: What I liked about The Crazies was that it was a non-stop roller-coaster ride from start to finish. Forget about being let down with boring pauses and scenes attempting to “fill in” the viewer on back story. Olyphant can actually be considered a badass after the release of this movie. The direction of the movie was overall done in a way to keep the audience on their toes. There were multiple scenes that had me sweating in my britches as one family member would have to hurdle through obstacles, dismembering friends and loved ones that they had known for years. Which brings you to the question, “if you were a zombie, would I kill you?” The special effects are a ton of fun but it also stays true to pioneer horror films using abrupt shrieks that literally make you shart. Yes, I said shart. (Definition: When you fart and all the shit comes out)
Cons: Very Predictable. You could see most of the plot points coming from a mile away. At one point I leaned over and whispered into my girlfriend’s ear what was going to happen next…sure enough. Also, there wasn’t enough gore! The make-up and special effects were amazing, but they definitely fell short in the blood and guts category. The pitchfork scene was pretty damn thrilling. But instead of getting blood splattering the walls after the zombie gruesomely stabs his pitchfork through strapped-down non-infected patients, we get a tiny bit of dripping blood dripping from the bottom. To go along with that, there were scenes that could have been eliminated from the theatrical cut. Although each scene was action packed, I felt like I was reliving the same exact thing every time. The only difference was that after each incident, one more person from their little group was dead.
Verdict: Overall it was very entertaining and worth the money to see in theaters. It’s definitely fascinating to see what a Hollywood movie looks like that was filmed just hours from your house in Iowa. I’m excited to see how the other two films that I worked on in Des Moines will turn out. They are due for release summer of 2010. I would definitely see The Crazies again and will most likely purchase it on DVD. To see that a legendary movie was remade in Iowa and wasn’t a complete failure is crucial for the Iowa film business. One more thing, The Crazies trailer was kick-ass but also preserved some of the important key points that didn’t giveaway the entire story…unlike Sherlock Holmes.
Rating: 7.8/10
Wednesday, March 17th, 2010
What is Berserker FilmWorks?
Berserker FilmWorks is a small up and coming production company owned and operated by Eric Gooden and Tom Tresemer. Beginning in the summer of 2009, Eric and Tom have worked on many different freelance filming projects. Whether it be weddings, live sporting events, music videos, live music, feature films, or short films, Berserker FilmWorks has experienced many different forms of work in the entertainment industry.
What can Berserker FilmWorks do for you?
Eric & Tom are trained professionals in the entertainment business, both graduating with a Bachelor’s in Cinema from the University of Iowa Film School. After graduating, they both worked on multiple big-budget feature films from June through October. Since then, they have professionally produced weddings, football games, live Cage Fighting events, short films, and commercials.
If you are looking to get the best professional-grade quality work done for your event, then Berserker FilmWorks is the place to look. Eric & Tom are fresh, educated, skilled, and talented professionals who can produce exactly the kind of video material you are looking for. We have the equipment and skill necessary to complete any video project, including filming, editing, and special effects. But, don’t waste time, the calender is filling up already for 2010!
Contact Information
Want video coverage for your event? Email Eric & Tom at: BerserkerFilmworks@gmail.com
The Hurt Locker
Saturday, January 16th, 2010
The Hurt Locker (2009)
Kathryn Bigelow’s The Hurt Locker is simply one of the best films I have seen in the past 5 years, no question. I honestly can’t say enough good things about how well this flick was made. Jeremy Renner plays a bomb technician named Willie James, who fills the shoes of another one who died in an explosion.
The film shows what 30 days in Iraq during 2004 would look like. No, we aren’t on the front lines watching soldiers exchange gunfire back and forth, we get to see something even more interesting. Dreadful day after day we get to see Willie and his bomb squad cypher through the steets of dangerous cities in Iraq. Filmed in Jordan, we actually get to see former prisoners of war and refugees acting as extras in the film.
Willie turns out to be the character we love to hate, but are also fascinated with at the same time. He’s unfriendly to most, goes against the rules, disobeys his team members, and is what we would like to call an “adrenaline junkie.” Willie uses the most unorthodox methods to brilliantly unarm the most lethal and difficult bombs, which have the ability to blow up an entire street block. (Planted in cars, underground, piles of trash, strapped to people). My favorite scene in the movie is shown in this movie poster to the right>>, in which Willie unarms one bomb, but then pulls like 7 out of the ground hooked to each other. That scene has made the hair stand up on the back of my neck both times I’ve seen it.
The Hurt Locker practices a kind of realism, expressing the psychological backbone and ethical obstacles of modern warfare into a series of brilliant, agonizing set pieces. With each bomb that must be diffused comes a gripping, sweaty-palmed scene that could be the end of the entire Delta team’s existence if something were to go wrong. The hand-held camera complete with repeated rack zooms/focus’ gives the viewer the realistic feel that they are on the bomb squad. At the hands of one adrenaline junkie bomb-tech, your life could be over at any time; and it keeps us coming back for more every time. We see the similarities between our main character and the quote that opens the movie, “War is a drug.” Willie’s addiction to being put in the most dangerous of situations is like a drug; everyone’s life in his company is at stake, including his.
When a bomb explodes, that is defined as action. When an entire team’s life is in the hands of one unusual man, and the scene builds up to whether the bomb will explode or not, that’s suspense and this movie sure has a ton of it. Both times I saw it I was kept on the edge of my seat for the duration of the entire flick. There’s a definite reason it is up for a ton of awards. If you haven’t seen The Hurt Locker, I suggest viewing it immediately.
Rating: 9.7/10
Upcoming Projects!
Thursday, January 14th, 2010Check out all the latest buzz on Berserker Filmworks newest projects!
Kousins (2010)
The Movers (2010)
Brothers
Thursday, January 14th, 2010
Brothers (2009)
Last night I got a private screening of “Brothers” at the theater with some of my buddies. I must admit that I had not read any reviews about this movie and had paid zero attention to it since it’s theatrical release on December 4th, 2009. Now, while writing these reviews I will attempt to be as discreet as I possibly can so I don’t ruin the movie for those who haven’t seen it yet.
First and foremost, what we have here is an attempt at another love triangle story. The story was an almost identical one to Pearl Harbor, just less interesting and non-emotional. At least in Pearl Harbor when Danny & Evelyn hear that Rafe has died in combat, they actually do something about it–and it’s believable. In Brothers, you know Jake Gyllenhaal’s character is all about jumping Natalie Portman, but it never happens. Not to mention the only action of the movie revolves around Sam (Maguire) being forced to kill his friend and fellow soldier. Nothing can match the hour-straight action scene in Pearl Harbor.
The message of the film reflects on those who come home with post-traumatic problems from war and combat. In the first 15 minutes of the film we can already tell what the plot is. Guy goes off to war, is thought to be killed in action, his wife starts a new relationship with soldiers brother/friend/cousin, and then soldier turns up alive later. Side story is, the brother’s father continuously reminds Gyllenhaal’s character what a worthless piece he is, just because he wasn’t a solider like he and his brother. When Sam (Maguire) is found and brought back home his mentality has obviously changed for the worst, which reflects on his childrens desire to make Tommy (Gyllenhaal) their father figure. Sam is confused, traumatized by what he had to to in Afghanistan, and convinced that his wife (Portman) and Tommy had a romantic affair while he was away.
The film relied far too much on classic clichés that we have seen played out over and over in American Cinema. Father holds a grudge against son because he didn’t follow his footsteps, soldier leaves for combat and his spouse cheats with another loved one, ect. ect. We can see these things coming a mile away. Tobey Maguire was absolutely awesome in this film, making it one of his best yet. I like that the directer, Jim Sheridan, didn’t make Maguire’s character complex until he returned from being a prisoner of war. It was then that you were on the edge of your seat because you weren’t sure what he was going to do next. Kill his wife? Kill his brother? Throw his daughter through the wall? (I wish he would’ve) Maguire really nailed this part. Portman and Gyllenhaals supposed romance was non-believable for me, especially since all they did was go skating and kiss once. Gyllenhaal had the simplest character of all, playing his usual passive, quiet, doesn’t care about things role. Hell, I might be mistaken but that role was originally written for Ben Affleck. Like Family Guy says, he could’ve prepared for his role in 15 minutes.
Ending scene was very well done, Maguire was dynamite! Beginning was dry and slow, middle was dry and slow, last 45 minutes was good. I would recommend seeing it once, but you won’t like it enough to watch it again. An overall depressing and dark story that many live with today in society. Maybe the viewer could’ve lived without having to have repeatedly beaten into their head that the story is about brothers, I think we got it.
Rating: 5.6/10
Sherlock Holmes
Saturday, January 2nd, 2010
Last night I finally got a chance to see Sherlock Holmes in theaters. I had been very excited to see it since I saw the original teaser trailer month beforehand.
Robert Downey Jr. has had an evident career-boost since he hit it big in Ironman back in 2008. Since then he’s been one of the biggest faces in action/comic film (Tropic Thunder, Ironman II, Sherlock Holmes, The Avengers, Cowboys & Aliens, Ironman III). His witty sarcasm has proved to be quite enjoyable and popular in the mainstream eye. Rachel McAdams and Jude Law were terrific in their roles as Irene Adler and Dr. Watson. However, I felt as though the villain could’ve been more antagonistic and mysterious. Lord Blackwood should have been seen as more of a powerful, unbeatable, evil character; which would have only made the fact that Holmes proved him a fake that much more shocking.
Sherlock Holmes (2009)
I felt the trailer gave us the idea that Holmes was going to be this witty, hilarious, disruptive crime fighter. He was of course all those things…but not enough of them. The bad thing is that most of those whimsical moments of brilliance were on the trailer. Therefore, I was expecting much more of the same, which was few and far between. Overall, it was a unique mystery that kept me interested from beginning to end, with a small amount of sluggishness in the middle. I am not too familiar with the Sherlock Holmes novels, so this film gave an intuitive look at the legendary fictional adventures.
Rating: 7.4/10
Updates are soon to come!
Monday, November 23rd, 2009I know no one is reading this, but if you are…
Doug, my website designer, and his girlfriend (my cousin) have just welcomed new twins into the world! He will be a busy man for the time being so this thing will be a slow process. But, don’t lose faith. I’m going to work on it a little bit as well.
videos, info, pics soon to come
–EG
Eric Gooden Online
Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009Hey this is dose from Dose Productions. I don’t usually design WordPress themes live but I’m making an exception on this one. Eric will be able to view progress daily (or lack of) and bitch about making things look cooler hahaha. Or not!
