Eye of the Beast: Maneater Series
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Movie Reviews of Eye of the Beast: Maneater Series
Movie Review: This Ain't Jaws, Thats for Sure
Summary: 5 Stars
You know, the sea creature gone amok genere was best done by Peter Benchley. However, this movie doesn't try to live up to 'Jaws' or 'Beast'. Instead, its a cheesy made for TV movie about a (appearantly fresh water) giant squid gone wild in a lake up in Canada. In spite of this, its still a fun movie.
The plot is pretty much self-explanatory. James van der Beek is a marine biologist who goes up to a small fishing town in Canada to figure out why all the fish are disappearing. The town, which is split between whites and Indians (who, refreshingly, seem to be played by actual American Indian actors) is being preyed on by a giant squid. And he enlits the aid of the lovely Metis sheriff (played by Alexandra Castillo, who was a surprisingly good actress for someone I'd never heard of before). Love story with the lady sheriff ensues. Along with lots of giant squid attacks. How the squid adapted to fresh water isn't really explained, but who cares? I mean, its a giant squid attacking people. We aren't exactly looking for too much plot here.
All jesting aside, this is definately one of the better outings in Sci Fi channel's Maneater series. The fact that the writers actually included Metis in the film suggests they actually know something about Canada's history and culture (which is good because it looks like they filmed there). And I have to agree with an earlier reviewer that Alexandra Castillo was quite good in her role. I would certainly like to see more of her! So definately check this movie out, and keep your eyes peeled for other movies in the Maneater series, like 'Grizzly Rage,' 'Blood Monkey,' 'Croc' and 'Shark Swarm.' A very nice collection of movies they have going on there.
Movie Review: Surprise!
Summary: 5 Stars
Having loved the camp quality of Mega-Shark vs. Giant Octopus, I jumped back into the water of cheesy sea monster movies with this entry, expecting to laugh at bad CGI and wooden acting. I was also looking forward to seeing James Van der Beek, who was a decent actor for six seasons of Dawson's Creek but has come back as a self-aware actor in recovery from silly teen stardom with appearances on FunnyOrDie.com and the new Ke$ha music video. To my great surprise, this movie disappointed me - the camp was dialed down in favor of a legitimately interesting scarefest about a coastal town coming to realize that the dwindling number of fish (and local teens!) may have something to do with a giant squid. Van der Beek wows as a ruggedly handsome marine biologist, selling both the dramatic moments and a very funny flirty sequence where the character improvises a top ten list about why fishing is better than sex. The monster effects weren't terrific but did involve some physical props instead of relying on digital graphics, and you get points for that in my book. This is still not a movie to take too seriously, but if you're looking for a cheesy monster flick on a Saturday night, this is a cut above.Movie Review: A Biologist's View
Summary: 4 Stars
I have seen this movie a couple of times on the SciFi Channel and eventually bought it. The acting for this movie is above average as had been commented on by several other reviewers. My interest in this movie however is how it treats scientists and some of the social issues. Compared to some other SciFi/horror films recently, this film is a bit more reasonable in portraying a fisheries scientist. Still kind of ridiculous but in a more reasonable way (just watch Snakehead Terror or Frankenfish if you want to the the unreasonable version).
The fisheries scientist does not have super human powers (as far as scientist go) compared to Snakehead Terror. The equipment he uses is reasonable (and he seems to have lots of it)though his results are generally hard and fast which isn't the way it really happens.
Besides the better than average acting and screenplay I was very impressed with the social issues that this movie touches on. The first is the conflict between the white fishers and the aboriginal fishers on the lake. I work on the Great Lakes and this conflict has occurred in the past and still in the present, especially in the upper Great Lakes. The second point I was impressed with is the conflict between the scientist and the fishers. In the past the fishers have cooperated with the scientist/government and seen their position reduced to the point of hostility to the scientist. And in the past 20 years I have seen that happen on the Great Lakes, where the data collected by scientists working with the commercial fishers hurts the fishers lively hood.
So I feel that this movie (even though it concerns a giant freshwater squid) touches on some current issues and that makes it a cut above other horror films that touch on freaks of nature.
Movie Review: Better than the average
Summary: 4 Stars
As usual, I wasn't expecting much. However, I really liked this movie! Ok, there's the inevitable cliché of the love birds (that I, for one, could do without), and some hostility toward the hero that I deemed a little contrived.
Apart from that, the atmosphere is intense and the pace is good. The creature was believable enough. Of course it's not a block buster but if you like this style, you'll probably enjoy it too.
Movie Review: themeatnpotatoesofitall
Summary: 4 Stars
yeah.. I'm giving it 4 Stars would have gave it 5 but the effects even though they were nicely distributed through out the story (show enough, but not to much, keep the Imagination pumping) weren't that good probably Budget restraints.. story was cool, acting above average, effects definitely break through the B+ Movie Barrier.. I Liked it.. not as Much as "Carney" though Good enough for my collection