Take 4: Films on a Plane

Welcome to the next edition of Take 4 DVD Reviews. In this latest volume, I find myself on a round-trip flight to New York from Los Angeles on-board Virgin's new domestic airline, Virgin America. What does that have to do with this review? Well, usually on a plane, my laptop runs out of juice after one movie (if I'm lucky to make it through a whole film). But on Virgin America, each row of seats has it own set of power adaptors...so I had continuous juice for my cross-country excursion. I felt, "What better opportunity to get through four (random) films for a review?" So...I bring you...Films on a Plane.

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Bubble (2005)

In the Beginning: Two residents of a small town, Martha (a middle-aged woman taking care of her elderly father at home) and Kyle (a young high school dropout), have become friends through working together at the local doll factory, but have their normally routinized lives shaken up a bit when a new employee, Rose, joins them on the assembly line.

The Plot Thickens: When Rose seems to take an interest in Kyle, Martha begins to question both Rose's and her own intentions for the young man.

Viewing Circumstances: Popped this into the laptop on the flight out from Los Angeles to New York, riding coach on Virgin America, completing the entire viewing during the flight.

Familiar Faces: Nobody. The film was cast with locals from the small town, which lay on the border between Ohio and West Virginia. Martha, for example, was played by Debbie Doebereiner, who was the general manager of a local Wendy's, while Rose was played by Misty Wilkins, a local hair stylist and mother of four.

Top IMDB Plot Keywords: Working Class; Subconscious; Secret Love; Ohio; Hidden Agenda

Additional Notes: Not only were the actors inexperienced, but their lives were used to help guide the development of the story. For example, Dustin Ashley (who plays Kyle in the film) had to deal with a bad case of social anxiety while growing up, and this experience was incorporated into Kyle's story in the film. Much of the movie was largely improvised, too, with the actors being given "Point A" and "Point B," and then figuring out on their own how best to naturally get there.

Curt's Take: Worth Considering - I didn't know what to expect from this, other than a murder mystery and unconventional cast. I ended up really liking the feel of the film, as the cast came off as being very genuine and natural, exuding a sincerity that you don't often see on the screen. Still, it's definitely more of an experimental film than a true murder mystery, but Steven Soderbergh, the director, signed up with HDNet to develop six of these films, and he's thinking about doing the whole "unknown town and cast" thing for each of them. If I can track them down, I'll probably watch them, too.

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The Tunnel (2001)

In the Beginning: Based on a true story, after his friend escapes from post-WWII East Berlin to the West, champion German swimmer, Harry Melchior soon follows suit...but leaves his sister and her family behind.

The Plot Thickens: Now safely ensconced in West Berlin, Harry and a group of like-minded refugees struggle to construct a tunnel under the border and into East Berlin, with to develop a plan that will bring back family and other loved ones to their side of the city.

Viewing Circumstances: I watched this film in three shifts...a bit on the rest of the flight to New York, a bit in JFK airport (awaiting my flight back to Los Angeles), and the remainder on the plane in Virgin America's first class section (awww, yeah).

Familiar Faces: Again, nobody...unless you're familiar with German films, then you might know Heino Ferch and Nicolette Krebitz, I suppose.

Top IMDB Plot Keywords: Germany; History; Political; Tunnel

Additional Notes: Well, this was actually supposed to be a different German film entitled The Wedding Party, but Netflix messed up a little bit, and sent me the wrong title (in the right DVD jacket, mind you). I also had the sneaking suspicion I'd actually seen this before...but I checked my Netflix history and hadn't rented it through there. Maybe I was channeling a past life or something...

Curt's Take: Worth Considering - It was a long movie...over two and a half hours long...but I didn't really notice. The story was engaging, and while I only understood what they were saying with the help of subtitles, the actors still put on a great performance. It's just one of those things you get sucked into...and I'm not even a huge fan of historical pieces. But here you have a part of history that most folks are familiar with (the division of Berlin), and get to see how that impacted the lives of people like you and me. Sure, that's what movies like this are supposed to do, but I just found it to be surprisingly interesting.

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GamerZ (2006)

In the Beginning: Young Ralph is a huge fan of fantasy and role-playing games. Upon going off to college in Scotland, he finds a group of like-minded "gamers" that he can hang out with and do a test-run of a new game world and rules system that he developed on his own.

The Plot Thickens: Ralph begins to fall for the token female gamer in his group, Marlyn, but after inviting his former friend Lennie, to join the group (after he vows to stop bullying Ralph anymore), those plans don't exactly take off as he expected.

Viewing Circumstances: Watched this in its entirety in first class on the flight back from New York to Los Angeles.

Familiar Faces: Yet again...nobody. Unless you're strangely familiar with Scottish teen comedies.

Top IMDB Plot Keywords: Role-Playing Game; Dungeons and Dragons; University; Joyriding; Scotland

Additional Notes: Thick Scottish accents aren't the easiest to decipher, and this DVD was without a subtitle track. Ach!

Curt's Take: Not a Priority - I was a little disappointed in this one. I had first heard about it when reading about an overseas film festival, and thought it could have been a fun take on the topic of gaming (a topic I am, as my friends know, quite familiar with), but fell a little flat. I think some of it might have had to do with the language difficulties (see above), but if Ralph could have been attracted to a less, I don't know, psychotic-seeming girl, the romance aspect might have worked better for me. They tease you a bit with a classmate of Ralph's as being the romantic "foil" to Marlyn, but seem to drop that after a couple attempts, and you don't really hear about it much after that. So, yeah...skip this one, unless you're curious about what a Scottish independent film is like (or have ever rolled a die with more or less than six sides).

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The Grudge 2 (2006)

The Premise: Is it possible for an extremely violent act to leave a stain on a house...a stain that leaves its mark on any who enter? That was the premise of the original movie, The Grudge, based on the Japanese film Ju-on. That idea is carried on in this film (as in Ju-on 2).

Viewing Circumstances: I started watching this on the flight back to Los Angeles in first class, but had to shut it down after about half an hour, in preparation for landing. I then finished it up back at my apartment.

Familiar Faces: Of the three films, this will be the only one where you recognize some of the cast, namely Sarah Michelle Gellar and Amber Tamblyn, as well as Jennifer Beals and Joanna Cassidy.

Top IMDB Plot Keywords: Killer Child; Family Conflict; Hospital; Breaking and Entering; Fall From Height

Additional Notes: I'm glad I got to finish this off at home...I really enjoyed the first movie in this series, and wanted that same immersive experience for this one (the laptop just wasn't going to cut it).

Curt's Take: Not a Priority - This sequel was okay, but left me nowhere near as shaken as the original. Amber Tamblyn is believable as Buffy's...er...Gellar's sister, and the acting was decent, overall. It just didn't have those edge-of-your-seat scary moments that made you jump back and say "Whoa!" I'd still say to definitely catch the original, and (if you end up enjoying it) maybe catch this one when you can.

Take 4: Planes, Trains, Automobiles...Boats?

Snakes on a Plane (2006)

What's Going On?: A motocross rider stumbles across the nefarious activities of a mob boss in Hawaii. After a failed attempt on the young man's life, FBI Agent Flynn spirits the witness away on a flight to the mainland, with the eventual goal of him testifying against the crime lord out in Washington, D.C. Unfortunately, the mob boss has another trick up his sleeve, and stocks up the cargo hold of the plane with a bunch of deadly snakes, which wreak havoc on the flight.

And How Do We Get There?: A big ol' plane. One of those ones that has a staircase inside, leading up to first class and the cockpit. I'm actually flying to Hawaii in October, so probably should have saved this flick for that journey, but I wasn't thinking ahead. Ah, well...may just have to do a "Take 4: Films on a Plane" review to commemorate that flight.

Familiar Faces: A couple familiar faces...mainly Samuel L. Jackson (as Agent Flynn) and Julianna Margulies (as flight attendent Claire Miller). There's also David Koechner, who plays the pilot of Pacific Air 121, Captain Rick (you may recognize him as Todd Packer from The Office, or such films as Thank You For Smoking, Talladega Nights, and Anchorman).

Random Trivia: Samuel L. Jackson's agent insisted that the title be changed, because Jackson "couldn't" work on a film with the title "Snakes on a Plane." When Jackson heard about all of this he responded with the much cited comment, "We're totally changing that back. That's the only reason I took the job: I read the title."

And I Quote...: Captain Rick [to the flight attendants]: "Oh my, I was hoping you'd be the sky-candy on this flight. You're looking especially delicious this evening." Claire: "I love it when you demean me, Rick." Captain Rick: "My pleasure."

Curt's Take: Not a Priority - Sure, all the buzz about this got me excited, and the unique way in which the internet rallied fans behind the project. Then it hit theaters, and the reviews were pretty abysmal (although I did find the theme song to be pretty catchy). Still, as I tend to do, I stuck to my guns and finally rented it. While I wasn't laughing hysterically through it, there were a few entertaining moments here and there. It's basically part comedy, part action film, but it never really takes itself seriously. The snake effects were pretty good, and some scenes were pretty disturbing. Main thing is, though, I was pretty buzzed while watching it, and if several beers can't make me laugh at stupid stuff, there usually is something wrong. In the end, you don't have to see this, but it's got just enough cheesiness to not completely ban it from your rental list.

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Terror Train (1980)

What's Going On?: Four years ago, a New Year's Eve fraternity prank went horribly wrong, landing an innocent freshman in the hospital...well, the kind of hospital that has padded rooms. Fast forward to today, and the same crew of college kids are ringing in the new year with a costume party on a train. Now what are the odds of someone seeking revenge for that prank from all those years ago? Pretty damn good.

And How Do We Get There?: A steam locomotive. It's used mainly for tourism, traveling between Point A and Point B and back again...we're not talking Amtrak here. Sleeper cars, dining cars, etc. Kind of makes one long for a nice train ride through our country's wilderness. Minus the death toll.

Familiar Faces: Ah, the classic scream queen: Jamie Lee Curtis. She plays Alana Maxwell, a college co-ed. You can't help but notice a young David Copperfield, too. He plays...drum roll, please...a magician. Named Ken. He could have just as easily been named David, if you ask me, but what do I know.

Random Trivia: The idea for Terror Train came from a dream that writer Dan Grodnik had. One weekend night, after seeing the films Halloween (1978) and Silver Streak (1976), Dan woke up and said to his wife, "What do you think about putting Halloween on a train?" His wife answered "That's terrible." He jotted down the words "Terrible Train" on a piece of paper on his nightstand. In the morning he changed the title toTerror Train, wrote up 22 pages, and made a deal on it that afternoon.

And I Quote...: Carne: "I never saw anybody as dead as that..."

Curt's Take: Worth Considering - I do want to lead off by clarifying something: this is a very cheesy 1980's horror flick. The effects aren't great, the acting isn't great, the writing isn't great...at least not by today's standards. That having been said, I have to give it kudos for keeping me guessing as to what was really going on. I'm usually good at playing the game of "Who is the Killer?" This one had me stumped, though, so I give it props. Not quite mad props, but props nonetheless. I commend it for being one of the early slasher films that tried to position itself as a mystery, rather than a supernatural thriller, and for helping pave the way for today's horror films.

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Christine (1983)

What's Going On?: High school nerd, Arnie, falls in love with a junked out 1958 Plymouth Fury (named "Christine"), restores it to shiny and new condition, and lets his interest grow into an unhealthy obsession. Also unhealthy is the fact that the car (which had attitude problems all the way back to when it was on the assembly line) gets extremely jealous of anyone that comes between it (her?) and Arnie.

And How Do We Get There?: The aforementioned 1958 Plymouth Fury. Cherry red...or candy-apple red. Okay, blood red. It can perform self-repair and maintenance, too, so it's got that going for it.

Familiar Faces: I'd seen Keith Gordon (who plays Arnie) in a couple things (Back to School, Jaws 2), but other than that, nobody really famous in this (although Kelly Preston has a small role).

Random Trivia: Kevin Bacon was offered the lead role but ended up choosing Footloose (1984) instead.

And I Quote...: Arnie Cunningham: "Whoa, whoa. You better watch what you say about my car. She's real sensitive."

Curt's Take: Must See - I was a little skeptical about this one. I knew the premise, and was interested to see how it would play out...but didn't think I'd actually be tense during it, or even scared by it. Was definitely wrong on both those counts. While I'm sure the book is better than the film, it speaks volumes when a movie can make me jump in my seat while I'm watching it on my laptop in a hotel room. It's definitely an iconic horror film, so make sure you catch this sometime, somewhere (WARNING: Link pretty much is a spoiler for the film, showing you the entire movie in about five minutes).

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Ghost Ship (2002)

What's Going On?: A salvage crew that makes its living bringing back sunken ships from the ocean floor is hired by a pilot to go check out a mysterious cruise ship, apparently abandoned for decades and caught adrift in the currents near the Bering Strait. What happened aboard this ship? Where is the crew? Can the members of the salvage crew solve the mystery before time runs out for them?

And How Do We Get There?: A huge Italian luxury ocean liner, the Antonia Graza, that has been missing since 1962. It's deteriorating, unstable, and dark...perfect setting for a horror movie.

Familiar Faces: Quite a few, actually - Gabriel Byrne, Julianna Margulies (yes, that makes two of her films that I'm reviewing this time around), Ron Eldard, and Isaiah Washington.

Random Trivia: The fim was originally conceived as a relatively bloodless psychological horror about four salvage crew members who turn against one another after being stranded in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean aboard the remains of a cruise ship believed to have been lost in the 1960s.

And I Quote...: Murphy: "I do know one thing. I've seen strange things happen in the strait. But I know something else. Sea gives you an opportunity you take it."

Curt's Take: Worth Considering - This film is unique in that it is one of the few films in my Netflix queue that I've already seen. And, yes, I liked it so much that I wanted to see it again AND review it. What drew me to what was just another 2002 horror film? The cast was okay, the writing was okay...but I think I just was really drawn to the concept of a floating haunted house, to be honest. This is one of those situations, as in The Poseidon Adventure, where the physical location is almost a character in and of itself (and, in this case, an antagonist). I also liked the "frozen in time" aspect of the ship, with the art deco-ish design...it really made me think of the XBox 360 game, Bioshock (which I'm also getting a kick out of). Finally, I REALLY liked the flashback scene toward the end of the movie...the 1960's wardrobe and set design, mixed with heavy metal music, and slow-motion camera effect just caught my imagination (WARNING: Link contains major film spoilers). So, if you're looking for an enjoyable horror film, check this one out.