Fallen (Snap Case Packaging)
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Movie Reviews of Fallen (Snap Case Packaging)
Movie Review: "But I'm still having fun! Aren't you still having fun?"
Summary: 5 Stars
This turned out to be a real sleeper of a film, one that came in for criticism because of it's uncharacteristic approach, and the very subtle acting of Denzel Washington, who plays Detective John Hobbes in an understated, almost self-effacing manner. But the truth is that it is unusually good, and manages to build that dark uneasiness which marks the best in the occult genre without any use of the gruesome or overly dramatic scenes. This is an actor's film and one that deserves more recognition.
John Hobbes is an honest cop with a knack for bringing in killers, and the film opens with Hobbes attending the execution of Edgar Reese, a serial killer with a poisoner's MO. But Reese dies unrepentant, challenging Hobbes in ancient Aramaic. And shortly thereafter, Hobbes and his partner Jonesy (John Goodman) find that the killings have started up again, almost as if Reese had never gone to prison.
Gradually Hobbes realizes that this is far more than a copycat. One killer is killed by another, there is writing on walls and victims, and a series of clues lead to another cop's suicide, 30 years earlier. That cop's daughter, Gretta Milano (Embeth Davidtz) is a theologian, and bit by bit Hobbes realizes that there is something supernatural in the crimes. A fallen angel, Azazel, is shifting from body to body, wreaking havoc as he goes, and he has Hobbes firmly in his sights.
Azazel wants to bring Hobbes down, ruin his reputation as a policeman, and destroy his life. Hobbes must find a way to destroy Azazel, but the angel seems unstoppable and unafraid. Eventually from information garnered from Milano and her father's books, he forms a plan, and the film starts down its path to an unexpected and unnerving conclusion.
Directory Gregory Hoblit manages to keep the acting balances so that everyone from Washington as detective to David Sutherland's character acting as his lieutenant seems at their best. John Goodman, who has the job of playing to different personalities does almost steal the show. But the entire cast has to manage Azazel's shifting persona, and they manage to do this without every making the switches seem artificial. The viewer will come to feel that there is an unembodied persona out there whose intent is utterly maleficent. This is a surprisingly compelling film for one that avoids the splash of Exorcist or Seven.
Movie Review: SURPRSINGLY GOOD
Summary: 5 Stars
This film took me by surprised. It didn't receive the greatest reviews and seemed to have come and gone pretty quickly at the theaters but this turned out to be a very well-made, stylish, and chilling film. The always good Denzel Washington plays Detective John Hobbes. Hobbes apprehends a serial killer named Edgar Reese (Elias Koteas) and attends his eventual execution. Not long after, a new series of murders begins with the same M.O. as Reese's.
Hobbes gets on the trail of this new killer and comes into contact with a theology professor Gretta Milano whose father was a homicide detective and committed suicide some thirty years ago. This all leads into a lot of religious clues and signs regarding a demon named Azreal who roams the world without a form of his own and can take over any body by touch. Needless to say with a demon inhabiting the body of anyone it wants, committing murder and then moving on, it soon becomes a nightmare of an investigation for Hobbes and his partner Jonesy, played by John Goodman. Director Gregory Hoblit really does a great job in keeping this film fast-paced and the viewers guessing. There's a great sequence where Azrael is literally jumping from body to body, at once avoiding Hobbes but also taunting him and daring Hobbes to cacth him.
The Film is a good thiller mixed with elements of horror that work very well together. Washington is fantastic as the unrelenting Hobbes who may be in over his head. Joining the cast is the always fun to watch Donald Sutherland as police Lt. Stanton and James Gandolfini. It's a sylishly filmed movie and even a bit haunting with its climax and surprise twist ending, bolstered by a great soundtrack. While not loaded with extras the DVD does provide a very good commentary by the director and screenwriter.
There are some minor problems with logic in the plot but nothing to make the movie fall apart. Quite and enjoyable and underrated thriller.
Movie Review: "What Goes Around Really Goes Around" ~ Demons Just Wanna Have Fun
Summary: 5 Stars
John Hobbes (Denzel Washington) is an honest, hardworking, detective who believes in facts, not fantasies. However shortly after the gas chamber execution of convicted serial killer Edgar Reese (Elias Koteas) a series of events begin to take place that severly challenges his belief system.
Another series of murders begin and the evidence seems to point to an ongoing connection to the deceased Edgar Reese. With the help of Gretta Milano (Embeth Davidtz) a Theology professor and expert on Angelology, Hobbes eventually comes face to face with the ultimate truth. The real killer is an evil, disembodied spirit named Azazel who randomly possesses humans to carry out his murderous deeds.
Initially and understandably Hobbes has difficulty understanding and accepting this truth. However he is forced to reconsider the possibility when strangers passing by on the street and fellow officers in the police station begin to look his way with a malicious smile and begin singing the classic 60's tune, "Time Is On My Side" [the same thing Edgar Reese did in the final moments before his execution]. He realizes Azazel is taunting him as he moves from body to body.
This is an outstanding film of psychological/supernatural horror. You will never be able to listen to that 'Rolling Stones' song again without feeling the presence of Azazel lurking somewhere in the shadows. Magnificent directorial job by Gregory Hoblit and a wonderful all-star cast featuring: Denzel Washington, John Goodman, Embeth Davidtz, James Gandolfini, Donald Sutherland, Elias Koteas (who had a small part but was brilliant) and of course Azazel as himself.
Movie Review: A Good Thriller Made Perfect By Denzel's Born Talent...
Summary: 5 Stars
The story itself is a step away from the more common crime/scandal dramas and powder-puffed action suspense movies, not to mention the 'Man's daughter is kidnapped, Kidnappers die, Man and daughter hug and live happily ever after' scenerio which will forever pop up with popular and talented actors (Don't Say a Word-2001, Swordfish-2001). 'Fallen' is a suspense film, yes, but with a fictional dangerous-religion twist combined with the star power and more importantly tremendous acting talent of Denzel Washington. A detective, (Denzel Washington) becomes the target of a fallen spirit's vengeance who can travel from human to human by way of a simple tap or touch. Denzel untangles the ncient mystery of this demon and consequently becomes a timid believer in it's existance and power. The movie has an eery feel and a well-supported cast including veteran actor Donald Sutherland and part-timer on the big screen John Goodman. It's unigue expression of the vengfull demon story and the beautifully done dialogue by Denzel Washington make it what I think a terrific film, not another 'Hollow Man' that most would enjoy only once for its' FX and then let it drop to the world of Star Trek fans and sci-fi people. This mysterious suspensefull drama is interesting, well-acted and worth a good amount of credit in its' originallity and good direction. And for a small number of you, guess what, it has James Gandolfini! Oh wow, yes rent it because its' got what ever his first name Soprano in it. I hate that show, don't look for a review of mine there.Movie Review: An unsung masterpiece.
Summary: 5 Stars
I can't believe this movie eluded me for so long. I've seen all sorts of horror movies... slasher, goth, psychological, and zombie flicks. However, Fallen is easily one of the best I've ever seen. Seriously, I'd put it up there with The Exorcist,The Silence of the Lambs, and Se7en. Even though it clearly has religious themes in it, religion is not an important factor in order to enjoy the movie. Denzel Washington does an excellent job at portraying Detective Hobbes, who is bent on trying to find a copycat of the serial killer Reese. But we soon find out that Hobbes is not hunting a copycat serial killer, but a demon called Azazel, who can jump from person to person simply by touching them, which he uses to taunt and toy with Hobbes. Through discovering a person who Azazel possessed in order to kill people, he found a cop who sent out to kill him, but ultimately failed. He meets his daughter, an angelologist. Together, they try to find a way to kill Azazel. There's more to it than that, but that's all I'll get in to so as to not spoil it.
The last 15 or so minutes of the film are some of the most powerful I've seen in any film. The action, the dialogue, and the unveilment of Hobbes' plan. There's even a twist near the end which is very unexpected, yet still fits within the story. There is a theme here, which I believe is that there is evil in everyone, no matter how good or innocent we may consider them to be. Overall, this was an incredible film and I recommend it to anyone looking for an ingenious thriller.