Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
(2013) [Trailer]
Director: Peter Jackson [IMDB]

The LOTR/Hobbit films will probably always score a 4 Arnold or higher as long as Peter Jackson is handling them and I will always go out to see them in the theater... why? Because they are awesome, that's why. At this point you're either on board or you are not, so really... it's like preaching to the choir doing this review. Jackson has crafted the art of Hobbit film making and I don't think you can win over anyone who's not already in agreement with me on that.

Synopsis: Bilbo and his posse continue their journey to the Lonely Mountain in order to reclaim Erebor from Smaug... the badass dragon.

This installment is a lot more energetic than An Unexpected Journey (click that link to read my review... do it.) and I found it to be more entertaining. The special effects, especially on Smaug and Sauron were fantastic, some of the best CG work I've ever seen. The action was innovative, including a fight that took place going down a river that was incredible and felt like nothing I'd seen before. Kate from LOST was a new addition to the roster and now I have an elf crush on her... but seriously she was great and perfectly cast. The Lake town of Esgaroth looked insane and to think of the time it must have taken to render that blows my mind.

The film ends on a cliff hanger and it just made me end up wanting more. I can't wait till next year... no... actually I can't wait till 2016, so I can own all of them and have a super Hobbit/LOTR mega marathon.

The Frighteners

The Frighteners
(1996) [Trailer]
Director: Peter Jackson [IMDB]

As a fan of Peter Jackson, I've been itching to check this title out for a while now. It stars Michael J Fox, who I also quite enjoy... so it should be good right?

Synopsis: A spiritual psychic (MJ Fox), who sees dead people, investigates a series of strange deaths occurring in his small town.

This film was a bit of a disappointment I'm afraid. It wasn't a total loss, but it could have been so much stronger.

One issue for me was the CG... it was god awful. It would have looked so much better if Jackson had used more practical effects... especially the ghost behind the wall stuff (they should have took cues from this.) There were a few unnecessary characters, especially the meathead husband and the FBI guy. The story line is all over the place and I felt like the film could have benefitted from being simplified a bit.

The Frighteners did have some fun moments and Michael J Fox delivered on his end. The score by Danny Elfman was fantastic and Jackson's campy horror style had it's shinning moments. Also the locations were great, there are a lot of creepy houses and set pieces used throughout.

If you're a fan of comedic horror, check this out, it's not a total waste. It's available on Netflix instant.

The Hobbit

The Hobbit
(2012) [Trailer]
Director: Peter Jackson [IMDB]

Little known fact about Curtis Williams: I took my wife to see Lord of the Rings on our very first date. I am an extremely huge fan of that trilogy and when I found out Peter Jackson was returning to crank out another three of these bad boys, I only had one thought... dear god... please don't let me die until I've seen them all.

Synopsis: A hobbit is recruited into an adventure of epic proportions by a Wizard and a group of dwarfs.

This movie is exactly what I thought it would be. I don't know if that's good or bad. On one hand I want more of the same and I got it. On the other, should Jackson have tried something different... nah, this is fine. That said I am going to rate this against the other films.

The Hobbit is very explosive and I felt like there was a lot of action. It's continually moving and there are not a lot of slow moments surprisingly... maybe a few here and there... but not many. The action set pieces are fantastic and I was a huge fan of the goblin fight scene in particule. I loved the execution of The Hobbit as well, it looks stunning. The visuals are seriously immense and awe inspiring. The CG and practical work are flawless and it's hard to tell which is which. The score is also just as good as ever and from that very first tune you know you're in for a good time.

The film does have one negative. I felt like it was unfinished, which obviously it is, but the ending was extremely anti climatic.

I really enjoy these films and they're perfect for just getting lost in and tuning out for a while. In a nut shell I'll end with this... If you were into LOTR, you'll probably like this, if you weren't, avoid it.

Dead Alive

Dead Alive
(1992) [Trailer]
Director: Peter Jackson (IMDB)

It's crazy to think that Peter Jackson, the man who's responsible for Lord of the Rings directed this movie. This film is on a whole other level compared to LOTR, but just as genius in it's own right.

Synopsis: A man falls head over heels for a young immigrant girl. Worlds collide when his overbearing mother tries her best to keep their love from fully blooming.

True love can never be stopped and this movie is a perfect example of that motto. The deep emotional commitment that's explored in this film is unmatched by any other and the lengths at which Tim and Paquita go to be together are unreal. The mother's blind stubbornness and hatred are one thing, but to watch her character deteriorate on film is pretty climatic, it's like she becomes this whole other monster. The two star crossed lovers battle lots of obstacles and even separate shortly, but eventually they reunite. Will it all work out in the end? Watch and find out.