Movie Review - Splice

Synopsis from IMDB - Elsa and Clive, two young rebellious scientists, defy legal and ethical boundaries and forge ahead with a dangerous experiment: splicing together human and animal DNA to create a new organism. Named "Dren", the creature rapidly develops from a deformed female infant into a beautiful but dangerous winged human-chimera.

Where to begin? I had an idea what to expect and this movie delivered that and more. It's not a horror film as much as a psychological thriller. It focuses on ethics and human behavior and how it can go so wrong. While some of the storyline seemed unbelievable, it mostly made sense in a twisted sort of way.

The actors did a fine job, especially Delphine Chaneac, who plays the creature Dren. She is far more human than the humans, though. The questionable ethics go beyond splicing human DNA with animals and delves into the area of child abuse. Dren turns on her human 'parents,' not so much due to her animal DNA as due to the physical and mental abuse she endures.

In an interview with producer Guillermo del Toro, he said that when he read the script, there was a line he would never cross in a film. This movie crosses that line twice in a sexual manner guaranteed to shock. For that reason alone, this movie is not only inappropriate for children but for anyone under the age of 18.

The special effects are incredible. I never once questioned Dren was real.

If you're seeking summer movie enjoyment, this is not the film for you. It will get under your skin. The characters and storyline are well developed, but it doesn't prompt repeat viewings. The movie is of quality and well done, but I will stop just short of recommending it.

June Movie Preview

You know me and movies!!

Here's the rundown of some noteworthy films this month.

Information courtesy of IMDB


June 4 -

Splice

Director: Vincenzo Natali

Stars: Adrien Brody, Sarah Polley, Delphine

Two scientists fuse DNA samples to create a new organism: a human-chimera they name Dren. As the creature rapidly develops from a deformed female infant into winged creature, her initial bond with her creators turns deadly
THE BUZZ: From our Sundance 2010 blog: This sci-fi/thriller benefits from commitment of two strong actors, Adrien Brody and Sarah Polley. The mix of body horror and fantasy is overseen by executive producer Guillermo del Toro, and Dren, the creature created and nurtured by a pair of bio-chemists, is a definite homage to Pan's Labyrinth.

I'm seeing this movie TODAY and will post my review very soon. I am stoked to see this film.


June 11-

The A-Team

Director: Joe Carnahan

Stars: Liam Neeson, Bradley Cooper, Sharlto Copley The
A group of Iraq War veterans looks to clear their name with the U.S. military, who suspect the four men of committing a crime for which they were framed.

Okay, I'm a big fan of the original A-Team - so I will probably NOT catch this one in the theater.
.

Maybe NetFlix.

Just not the same without George Peppard...



June 18 -

Toy Story 3

Director: Lee Unkrich

Stars: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen

Woody (Hanks), Buzz (Allen), and the rest of their toy-box friends are dumped in a day-care center after their owner, Andy, departs for college.

It's Toy Story! Need I say more...?


Jonah Hex

Director: Jimmy Hayward

Stars: Josh Brolin, Megan Fox, John Malkovich

The U.S. military gives bounty hunter Jonah Hex (Brolin) and offer he cannot refuse: in exchange for his freedom from the warrants on his head, he's to take down a terrorist (Malkovich) who is gathering an army and preparing to unleash Hell on Earth.

This movie really intrigues me. I'll probably do a double feature that weekend.


July 2 -

The Last Airbender

Director: M. Night Shyamalan

Stars: Noah Ringer, Nicola Peltz, Jackson Rathbone

Aang (Ringer), a young successor to a long line of Avatars, learns that he possesses the power to engage the Fire Nation and hopefully end their century-long war against the Water, Earth, and Air nations.

THE BUZZ: Regardless of the range of opinions on (1) M. Night Shyamalan's career trajectory and (2) the project's "racebending" controversy, TLAs trailers contain some of the best money shots of the year thus far

M. Night Shyamalan. I'm not holding my breath on this one. But the previews look so damn cool!

Speaking of movies - don't forget to sign up for The Movie Dirty Dozen Blogfest!

And thank you to everyone who commented on yesterday's post about my book! I'm still floating...

Movies in May

May kicks off the official summer movie run and the opportunity for me to slip into a dark, air-conditioned movie theater for two hours every week for months. It's also a time for my imagination to roam, sparking many writing ideas. (And you thought I watched a lot of movies because I'm lazy!)

I thought I'd give you the rundown of the movies that have caught my attention for May. (And one for June, because I've really been wanting to see this flick.)

May 7 - Iron Man 2
Starring Robert Downey Jr., Don Cheadle (who finally gets his own suit!), Gwyneth Paltrow, and Mickey Rourke

May 14 - Robin Hood
Ridley Scott takes a shot at the legend, which stars Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett, and Matthew Macfadyen

May 21 - Shrek Forever After
Starring Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, Eddie Murphy, and Antonio Banderas in what they are promising to be the last Shrek movie. (Unless it makes a ton of money of course!)

May 28 - Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Gemma Arterton, and Ben Kingsley in what we hope is not just another special effects hype.

Also May 28 - Survival of the Dead
Director George A. Romero returns with another zombie flick.

June 4 - Splice
Starring Adrien Brody and Sarah Polley, this was the buzz of Sundance!

Remember, for all your movie needs, visit my buddy Dez at Hollywood Spy