Change Your Image
HenryIV
Reviews
Halloween (2007)
Scout Taylor-Compton Too Good For Halloween
There was so much talk about Scout Taylor-Compton as Laurie Straude and "Was she..." or "Was she not..." good enough for this movie.
I've been a big fan of Scout's for a while and have followed her career since her humble days on "The Gilmore Girls".
I watched Halloween with much anticipation after having seen her in "Tomorrow is Today" for which she won Best Actress in a feature film from Method Fest 2007 (One of the most prestigious acting award in the business - from actors for actors).
Unfortunately, I have to be honest, I was disappointed but not with Scout's acting (although I think she's done better work in other films) but with Rob Zombie's writing and directing.
First off, I have rarely seen a film that delivers when the director is also the writer. The writing in this film was horrendous. The dialogue was so cliché and pointless. I think it's actually a testimony to Scout that she was able to make it somewhat digestible. She shined when she was unleashed and showed raw emotions (when Michael Myers chased her) but the rest is... forgettable. The problem is all actors (even the best of them) have so so moments and it is the directors job to help them through it - Rob Zombie is obviously an incapable director and the editor is just as bad. He also does not know how to make her look good. The choices of shots and close ups in the kitchen having breakfast were terrible! As a horror film director I think RZ is also mediocre. It was very predictable and not very creative visually at all.
Bottom line, Scout is one of the best actors of her age and if she works with A-LIST directors the world will see her talents. Zombie is just an opportunist who might be a good musician but only relies on clichés from films he's seen before. He offers nothing new to the genre other than his catchy last name.
Finally, Weinstein should be ashamed of himself to let this film's production schedule be so short. 8 months from shooting to release is crazy and the product suffered big time. These guys are only interested in $ and granted they're making plenty of it (with this film as well it looks like).
If you want to see Scout's talent watch her in TOMORROW is TODAY. Scout, if you read this - I beg you choose your projects from now on very wisely. You have so much talent, don't waste it on crappy Blockbusters. Look at what happened to Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. Matt chose wisely and is now one of the top movie stars and he is here to stay. Ben, well... he's Jennifer's husband.
A fan of Scout's.
Henry.
Tomorrow Is Today (2006)
Life Changing!
I had the privilege of seeing a private screening of the film tonight.
I went to see it with a date and let me tell you... I hate to cry at the movies and in fact, I don't very much but this one really got to me.
I left the theater and had to tell my date that I didn't feel well and went into my car and started balling. This has never happened to me before, I don't consider myself a softy at all much the contrary.
This film is filled with poetry and powerful performances. This is a story I will never forget and filmmakers I am SURE I will see again. There is a lot of wisdom and insightful messages in this story.
The cinematography was breathtaking especially since I learned it was done on a minuscule budget (The director wouldn't say exactly how much). But I think this film could change the industry. It proves that you can deliver incredible production quality on an Indie budget. Although the images were beautiful, it really delivers on story and performances.
Mark Hefti went through a striking transformation during the film. He becomes a different person physically and in his demeanor. I knew he wrote the script before I watch it so it added a lot of meaning behind the messages. Well done!
Scout Taylor-Compton is unbelievable. What a hottie. She has so much charm on screen. You can't help but fall in love with the girl.
I promised in a signed statement not to reveal any plot points so unfortunately I can't talk about the story but all I can say is that this film is going to do very well. The director mentioned that it will be in some big festivals and I wouldn't be surprised if it became a festival favorite.
Thanks for this film guys.
Henry