list http://www.spout.com/ Recent community activity around Underworld: Evolution on Spout Copyright 2005-9 Spout, LLC Spout RSS http://www.spout.com/images/SpoutLogoRSS.jpg http://www.spout.com/ 136 30 http://www.spout.com/films/Underworld_Evolution/254873/default.aspx Title: Underworld: Evolution
Year: 2006
Director: Len Wiseman
Plot: Tribes of vampires and werewolves battle for supremacy among the undead in this follow-up to the horror hit Underworld. Tracing the bloody history of the ongoing war between the Death Dealers, a gang of upper-crust vampires, and the Lycans, a pack of scruffy werewolves, Underworld: Evolution finds beautiful Death Dealer Selene (Kate Beckinsale) and hunky Lycan Michael (Scott Speedman) exploring their own pasts as well as those of their comrades in hope of uncovering the secrets of this centuries-old conflict. As Selene and Michael deal with their bloody legacy as well as their forbidden romance, the violence between the Death Dealers and the Lycans escalates in what may be the final face-off between them. Directed by Len Wiseman, who also helmed the first film, Underworld: Evolution also stars Shane Brolly, Bill Nighy, Tony Curran, and Derek Jacobi. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
Times Tagged: 8
Number of Lists: 40
Number of blog posts: 5
Number of discussion threads: 1
SpoutRating: 3
]]>Mon, 13 Jul 2009 06:51:28 GMTUnderworld: Evolution2006Len WisemanTribes of vampires and werewolves battle for supremacy among the undead in this follow-up to the horror hit <a href=/films/225183/default.aspx style='text-decoration:underline'>Underworld</a>. Tracing the bloody history of the ongoing war between the Death Dealers, a gang of upper-crust vampires, and the Lycans, a pack of scruffy werewolves, Underworld: Evolution finds beautiful Death Dealer Selene (<a href="/players/P_____4911/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Kate Beckinsale</a>) and hunky Lycan Michael (<a href="/players/P___230859/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Scott Speedman</a>) exploring their own pasts as well as those of their comrades in hope of uncovering the secrets of this centuries-old conflict. As Selene and Michael deal with their bloody legacy as well as their forbidden romance, the violence between the Death Dealers and the Lycans escalates in what may be the final face-off between them. Directed by Len Wiseman, who also helmed the first film, Underworld: Evolution also stars <a href="/players/P___296380/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Shane Brolly</a>, <a href="/players/P____52695/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Bill Nighy</a>, Tony Curran, and <a href="/players/P____34894/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Derek Jacobi</a>. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide8Taggedy Taggged (6-10)40513http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/t80860g0gv8.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/Underworld_Evolution/254873/default.aspxFilm http://www.spout.com/groups/Coming_Soon/New_Movies_1_23_Babes_vs_Vikings/216/39679/1/ShowPost.aspx Post By: spout
Post To: Coming Soon
Post Date: 1/19/2009 5:16:06 PM
Body: 1. Underworld: Rise of the Lycans -- Watch the trailer. In the much-awaited sequel Underwear: Rise of the Lycra, we learn that a wicked wedgie has taken the life of Kate Beckinsale. Replacing Beckinsale is Rhona Mitra, one of the toughest chicks I've ever seen in film. (Fans of post-apocalyptic horror should check out Neil Marshal's Doomsday. Watch the trailer.) Fleshing out the cast are Martin Sheen and the excellent Bill Nighy (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, Valkyrie). Nighy gave a hint about his role at the Comic-Con preview: "I’m a vampire, I’m a zombie, and I’m a squid. How many people do you know who can make that claim?" I don't know, but I've eaten those three kinds of meat at one sitting. How many can make that claim? Rise of the Lycra was preceded by Underwear: Elle Macpherson (watch trailer) and the original Underwear (watch trailer). Now, onto the next movie: 2. Inkheart -- Watch the trailer. Hey, speaking of Brendan Fraser, recast Encino Man to win a t-shirt. 3. Killshot -- Watch the trailer. What's more mysterious: when untalented people make a good film, or when talented people make a bad film? Since Killshot's release was bumped five times and was almost a direct-to-DVD release, it seems producer Harvey Weinstein just wants the film to go away. Read more. Still, there might be some potential here since it came from an Elmore Leonard novel. 4. Outlander (limited release) -- Watch the trailer. Wow, Vikings vs. aliens! I want this to be good, but since it's another film that Harvey Weinstein wanted to disappear, it's probably not. And darn it, why do they have to show the monster in the trailer? Outlander looks about as good as Pathfinder (2007), which was Vikings vs. Native Americans, or The 13th Warrior, which was Vikings vs. a Middle Eastern scholar. What kind of Viking match-ups would you like to see? How about Vikings vs. Predator? P.S., I really dug that Vikings vs. Tomb Raider movie, Beowulf (2006).
]]>Mon, 19 Jan 2009 22:16:06 GMTspoutComing Soon1/19/2009 5:16:06 PM 1. Underworld: Rise of the Lycans -- Watch the trailer. In the much-awaited sequel Underwear: Rise of the Lycra, we learn that a wicked wedgie has taken the life of Kate Beckinsale. Replacing Beckinsale is Rhona Mitra, one of the toughest chicks I've ever seen in film. (Fans of post-apocalyptic horror should check out Neil Marshal's Doomsday. Watch the trailer.) Fleshing out the cast are Martin Sheen and the excellent Bill Nighy (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, Valkyrie). Nighy gave a hint about his role at the Comic-Con preview: "I&rsquo;m a vampire, I&rsquo;m a zombie, and I&rsquo;m a squid. How many people do you know who can make that claim?" I don't know, but I've eaten those three kinds of meat at one sitting. How many can make that claim? Rise of the Lycra was preceded by Underwear: Elle Macpherson (watch trailer) and the original Underwear (watch trailer). Now, onto the next movie: 2. Inkheart -- Watch the trailer. Hey, speaking of Brendan Fraser, recast Encino Man to win a t-shirt. 3. Killshot -- Watch the trailer. What's more mysterious: when untalented people make a good film, or when talented people make a bad film? Since Killshot's release was bumped five times and was almost a direct-to-DVD release, it seems producer Harvey Weinstein just wants the film to go away. Read more. Still, there might be some potential here since it came from an Elmore Leonard novel. 4. Outlander (limited release) -- Watch the trailer. Wow, Vikings vs. aliens! I want this to be good, but since it's another film that Harvey Weinstein wanted to disappear, it's probably not. And darn it, why do they have to show the monster in the trailer? Outlander looks about as good as Pathfinder (2007), which was Vikings vs. Native Americans, or The 13th Warrior, which was Vikings vs. a Middle Eastern scholar. What kind of Viking match-ups would you like to see? How about Vikings vs. Predator? P.S., I really dug that Vikings vs. Tomb Raider movie, Beowulf (2006). http://www.spout.com/blogs/belladonna2054/archive/2008/10/17/36451.aspx Post By: belladonna2054
Post To: belladonna2054 Blog
Post Date: 10/17/2008 1:20:34 PM
Body: An epidemic of a lethal virus has spread in modern day Scotland, sending the United Kingdom into a crisis state. Everyone is racing to get out before they become infected or stuck. Unfortunately this is the case for many people, including Eden Sinclair's (played by Rhona Mitra) mother. 30 year later the quarantine still holds and the rest of the world believes that everyone locked inside has died from either becoming infected or starving to death. But they receive an unlikely challenge to their belief: infected people were able to get through the guarded barriers and more survivors have been discovered via satellite. Believing that the survivors have a cure to the virus, the UK government quickly assembles a team of soldiers to go into the area to retrieve it. Once inside, they discover how the survivors have descended into animals in near literal sense. Director Neil Marshal directed Doomsday (2008) who also drected the cult hits Dog Soldiers (2002) and The Descent (2006) misses the point with this film. It's too much like a remake of Mad Max (1979) and Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome (1986) with a female lead and a slightly different setting. There are direct rip-offs of these films in the film. Particularly the part where Eden, is taken to a medieval-like arena and is forces to joust with a supposed knight. It is a direct rip-off of Thunderdome. I don't know if this is a homage to these films, but if one wanted to watch these films they would instead of wasting their money either renting or buying Doomsday. Acting wise, Rhona Mitra did a descent job. When I first saw the trailer for Doomsday, I actually thought it was Kate Beckinsdale because they look so much a like in terms of their hairstyles. For Beckinsdale sported a similar look in the Underworld films. This also poses a question as to whether or not Marshal wanted Beckinsdale instead of Mitra for the lead role. Bob Hopskins, known for his Academy Award nominated performance in Who Frame Roger Rabbit, also has a small role as a boss/mentor of Mitra's character. He wasn't used much at all, which is disappointing because he is a great actor. This film also starred Malcolm McDowell as the great scientist in which Mitra's crew has been searching for. Now turned evil king-like (much like Tina Turner in Thunderdome) he has turned his back on modern society and returned to the Medieval times where he now rules from an ancient castle. But like Hopskins, he is quite underused in the film. I personally lost interest in the film. I only finished the film because it reminded me of the Mad Max films. Marshal should only stick to making horror films. But should you be interested in this film or ones like it, I recommend the Mad Max Trilogy, Underworld and Dog Soldiers.
]]>Fri, 17 Oct 2008 17:20:34 GMTbelladonna2054belladonna2054 Blog10/17/2008 1:20:34 PMAn epidemic of a lethal virus has spread in modern day Scotland, sending the United Kingdom into a crisis state. Everyone is racing to get out before they become infected or stuck. Unfortunately this is the case for many people, including Eden Sinclair's (played by Rhona Mitra) mother. 30 year later the quarantine still holds and the rest of the world believes that everyone locked inside has died from either becoming infected or starving to death. But they receive an unlikely challenge to their belief: infected people were able to get through the guarded barriers and more survivors have been discovered via satellite. Believing that the survivors have a cure to the virus, the UK government quickly assembles a team of soldiers to go into the area to retrieve it. Once inside, they discover how the survivors have descended into animals in near literal sense. Director Neil Marshal directed Doomsday (2008) who also drected the cult hits Dog Soldiers (2002) and The Descent (2006) misses the point with this film. It's too much like a remake of Mad Max (1979) and Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome (1986) with a female lead and a slightly different setting. There are direct rip-offs of these films in the film. Particularly the part where Eden, is taken to a medieval-like arena and is forces to joust with a supposed knight. It is a direct rip-off of Thunderdome. I don't know if this is a homage to these films, but if one wanted to watch these films they would instead of wasting their money either renting or buying Doomsday. Acting wise, Rhona Mitra did a descent job. When I first saw the trailer for Doomsday, I actually thought it was Kate Beckinsdale because they look so much a like in terms of their hairstyles. For Beckinsdale sported a similar look in the Underworld films. This also poses a question as to whether or not Marshal wanted Beckinsdale instead of Mitra for the lead role. Bob Hopskins, known for his Academy Award nominated performance in Who Frame Roger Rabbit, also has a small role as a boss/mentor of Mitra's character. He wasn't used much at all, which is disappointing because he is a great actor. This film also starred Malcolm McDowell as the great scientist in which Mitra's crew has been searching for. Now turned evil king-like (much like Tina Turner in Thunderdome) he has turned his back on modern society and returned to the Medieval times where he now rules from an ancient castle. But like Hopskins, he is quite underused in the film. I personally lost interest in the film. I only finished the film because it reminded me of the Mad Max films. Marshal should only stick to making horror films. But should you be interested in this film or ones like it, I recommend the Mad Max Trilogy, Underworld and Dog Soldiers. http://www.spout.com/blogs/christhilk/archive/2008/8/27/34474.aspx Post By: ChrisThilk
Post To: ChrisThilk Blog
Post Date: 8/27/2008 6:01:13 PM
Body: Another film I wouldn’t have watched were it not for its appearance on Hulu, Underworld: Evolution is the sequel to Underworld, picking up almost immediately from where that movie left off. We know this because there’s a long scene-setting introduction at the beginning that recaps what has previously transpired and re-establishes the characters in the film. All that is more or less unnecessary, though, since Evolution wastes little time on anything but the most shallow of character development efforts. There are lots of sub-par special effects and there’s no denying the attractiveness of Kate Beckensale in her tight leather outfit, but that’s about all you should expect from the story. Originally posted on:Chris Thilk
]]>Wed, 27 Aug 2008 22:01:13 GMTChrisThilkChrisThilk Blog8/27/2008 6:01:13 PMAnother film I wouldn’t have watched were it not for its appearance on Hulu, Underworld: Evolution is the sequel to Underworld, picking up almost immediately from where that movie left off. We know this because there’s a long scene-setting introduction at the beginning that recaps what has previously transpired and re-establishes the characters in the film. All that is more or less unnecessary, though, since Evolution wastes little time on anything but the most shallow of character development efforts. There are lots of sub-par special effects and there’s no denying the attractiveness of Kate Beckensale in her tight leather outfit, but that’s about all you should expect from the story. Originally posted on:Chris Thilk http://www.spout.com/blogs/spoutblog/archive/2008/7/26/33126.aspx Post By: SpoutBlog
Post To: SpoutBlog on spout.com
Post Date: 7/26/2008 9:01:37 PM
Body: 9:00 - Q: “Will William and Marcus be in this movie?” A: “Well, we talk about them. They won’t be actively part of the story, but they are the roots of it.” People are starting to get bored, and new folks are filing in. We keep getting asked, “Has the Pineapple Express part started yet?!” 8:58 - Rhona Mitra is going on and on about how strong her character Celine is. She’s been talking for quite awhile now, and someone shouts “YOU’RE HOT!” Rhona explains that she wears an extremely skimpy outfit in this movie, “I think you’ll all be satisfied… I know the crew were.” 8:55 - Bill Nighy is being praised for all of his work, including The Girl in the Cafe… nice! I sincerely suspect that hardly anyone in this massive hall has even seen that movie. If you haven’t, go out and rent it right now.” The little kid from earlier today is back… seriously, did Comic-Con hire this guy? He wants to know if the movie is all story, or all action, or a balance of both. Director Patrick Tatopoulos said “It’ll have a good, strong story, but you’ll also see armies of werewolves attacking.” 8:52 - According to Rhona Mitra, it’s a bit “Rome and Juliet-esque.” Bill: “I’m a vampire, I’m a zombie, and I’m a squid. How many people do you know who can make that claim?” BIll: “I was very lucky to be in the first film, which we made for a modest financial amount. It was a hit in America, and just look at us now.” Kevin Grevioux has a voice that sounds like Barry White gargling glass, literally. It’s almost like pure evil. 8:49 - Rhona Mitra, Bill Nighy, and Kevin Grevioux take the stage to talk about the flick. Kate Beckinsale is suspiciously absent, although she’s been a Comic-Con mainstay for the first two Underworld films and Whiteout, so maybe she’s earned a break. 8:48 - Now they’re showing us footage from Underworld, which is a prequel to the other films. The footage isn’t quite done, the effects are extremely rough, and it looks a hell of a lot like… Underworld 1, and Underworld 2. Seriously, I haven’t seen any of these Underworld flicks. Am I missing out? 8:45 - Quarantine is based on the Spanish film Rec, as in the “Rec” that appears in the viewfinder when you use a video camera, and it actually looks fairly good. Think The Blair Witch Project, with zombies, in a 28 Days Later kind of fast-cut movie. Creepy. 8:41 - Here we go… Eddie Ibrahim from Comic-Con is back out front to introduce “One more great panel for you guys tonight!” So here’s…. oh, Jeff Walker. Also from Comic-Con. Here’s the Quarantine trailer… the edgier version. Originally posted on:SpoutBlog
]]>Sun, 27 Jul 2008 01:01:37 GMTSpoutBlogSpoutBlog on spout.com7/26/2008 9:01:37 PM9:00 - Q: “Will William and Marcus be in this movie?” A: “Well, we talk about them. They won’t be actively part of the story, but they are the roots of it.” People are starting to get bored, and new folks are filing in. We keep getting asked, “Has the Pineapple Express part started yet?!” 8:58 - Rhona Mitra is going on and on about how strong her character Celine is. She’s been talking for quite awhile now, and someone shouts “YOU’RE HOT!” Rhona explains that she wears an extremely skimpy outfit in this movie, “I think you’ll all be satisfied… I know the crew were.” 8:55 - Bill Nighy is being praised for all of his work, including The Girl in the Cafe… nice! I sincerely suspect that hardly anyone in this massive hall has even seen that movie. If you haven’t, go out and rent it right now.” The little kid from earlier today is back… seriously, did Comic-Con hire this guy? He wants to know if the movie is all story, or all action, or a balance of both. Director Patrick Tatopoulos said “It’ll have a good, strong story, but you’ll also see armies of werewolves attacking.” 8:52 - According to Rhona Mitra, it’s a bit “Rome and Juliet-esque.” Bill: “I’m a vampire, I’m a zombie, and I’m a squid. How many people do you know who can make that claim?” BIll: “I was very lucky to be in the first film, which we made for a modest financial amount. It was a hit in America, and just look at us now.” Kevin Grevioux has a voice that sounds like Barry White gargling glass, literally. It’s almost like pure evil. 8:49 - Rhona Mitra, Bill Nighy, and Kevin Grevioux take the stage to talk about the flick. Kate Beckinsale is suspiciously absent, although she’s been a Comic-Con mainstay for the first two Underworld films and Whiteout, so maybe she’s earned a break. 8:48 - Now they’re showing us footage from Underworld, which is a prequel to the other films. The footage isn’t quite done, the effects are extremely rough, and it looks a hell of a lot like… Underworld 1, and Underworld 2. Seriously, I haven’t seen any of these Underworld flicks. Am I missing out? 8:45 - Quarantine is based on the Spanish film Rec, as in the “Rec” that appears in the viewfinder when you use a video camera, and it actually looks fairly good. Think The Blair Witch Project, with zombies, in a 28 Days Later kind of fast-cut movie. Creepy. 8:41 - Here we go… Eddie Ibrahim from Comic-Con is back out front to introduce “One more great panel for you guys tonight!” So here’s…. oh, Jeff Walker. Also from Comic-Con. Here’s the Quarantine trailer… the edgier version. Originally posted on:SpoutBlog http://www.spout.com/blogs/kickstandsup/archive/2007/12/18/22943.aspx Post By: kickstandsup
Post To: kickstandsup Blog
Post Date: 12/18/2007 11:32:25 PM
Body: If you like vampire and werewolf movies, this is one of the sequel to Underworld... A continuation of the love story between a vampire and a werewolf. Is it really about the love story or do we just like watching these two worlds collide - The special effects were again top notch. For a "second" film, it is really good. Like many of these, I did like the first one the best, but still give this one 10 out of 10.- mainly because I love special effects. It is not about the gore kind, just the transformation, blowing things up, - uh.. maybe a little gore.. hahaha...
]]>Wed, 19 Dec 2007 04:32:25 GMTkickstandsupkickstandsup Blog12/18/2007 11:32:25 PMIf you like vampire and werewolf movies, this is one of the sequel to Underworld... A continuation of the love story between a vampire and a werewolf. Is it really about the love story or do we just like watching these two worlds collide - The special effects were again top notch. For a &quot;second&quot; film, it is really good. Like many of these, I did like the first one the best, but still give this one 10 out of 10.- mainly because I love special effects. It is not about the gore kind, just the transformation, blowing things up, - uh.. maybe a little gore.. hahaha... http://www.spout.com/blogs/moviebabe/archive/2007/7/18/15230.aspx Post By: MovieBabe
Post To: MovieBabe Blog
Post Date: 7/18/2007 5:27:00 PM
Body: By Tricia Olszewski Thank you, Steven Soderbergh: I finally get to review a movie that’s going straight to video. And cable. And, actually, first-run theaters. Bubble, as you might have heard, is “Another Steven Soderbergh Experience,” which actually has little to do with the film itself. Instead, it refers to the director’s decision to release his latest more or less simultaneously in three different formats. “For the first time,” Soderbergh’s Web site trumpets, “consumers will truly have their choice of how they want to watch a new film.” Of course, the accuracy of that statement depends on what you mean by “first.” And “truly.” And, actually, “choice.” Bubble’s backer, 2929 Productions, distributes its own DVDs; Bubble, listed at $30, is priced above the norm. 2929 also owns both HDNet Movies, the cable channel broadcasting Bubble, and Landmark Theatres, which is offering an exclusive engagement. Reportedly, other chains backed out of the Experience...of surely losing money. Even 2929, which has committed to producing five more so-called “day-and-date” releases with Soderbergh, limited its gamble, allotting Bubble a budget of only $1.6 million. The movie itself makes even that modest price tag seem bloated. Bubble is as spare as its 73-minute running time in telling the story of a murder in a depressed, lower-middle-class Ohio town. Every dawn, middle-aged Martha (Debbie Doebereiner) wakes and feeds her infirm father before leaving to pick up Kyle (Dustin James Ashley), a kid she works with at a doll factory. They get doughnuts in the morning and eat their lunches together. Though their conversations never seem to go beyond awkward small talk, Martha tells Kyle that he’s her best friend. So when an attractive young woman named Rose (Misty Dawn Wilkins) is hired to airbrush faces onto the dolls’ creepy plastic heads and begins joining the pair for lunch, Kyle gets interested and Martha gets perturbed. For a film by a notoriously flashy director, Bubble is remarkably low-key—sometimes self-consciously so. (When Martha drives Rose to her second job as a housecleaner and takes a tour of the large but bland suburban home, she reacts as if she’s in a palace, a scene that needlessly underscores the movie’s ordinary-folk milieu.) No one talks much, only a handful of scenes are accompanied by Robert Pollard’s acoustic-guitar score, and what little dialogue there is in Full Frontal writer Coleman Hough’s script is typically delivered in a monotone by the actors, all of whom are nonprofessionals from southern Ohio. Soderbergh fills the time between major plot points—which, after Rose’s hiring, include a date, an accusation of theft, a murder, and an arrest—with silent shots of either rows of freaky doll parts or what day-to-day life is like in this town: Empty streets. Trailer homes. A church full of blank-faced worshippers. There’s nothing about Bubble that would make its viewing on a big screen seem necessary by anyone but the most dedicated—or business-obsessed—of cinéastes. Someone staring at a TV is a recurring image here, and the tube might be the best medium for this relentlessly modest exercise in mood-conjuring. Soderbergh’s bare-bones approach, though, is absorbing enough to be occasionally hypnotic, the actors are working-class-dejected through and through, and Hough’s script even throws in a tiny red herring or two to make you second-guess the film’s apparent predictability. Bubble’s only significant flaw is its abrupt and simplistic conclusion, which is likely to leave viewers unsatisfied no matter which way they’ve chosen to watch it. Day-and-date would have been a great way to release Underworld: Evolution—minus the first-run-theaters part. Improbably more tedious than its predecessor, 2003’s Underworld, Evolution continues the story about a centuries-old war between Death Dealers and Lycans (vampires and werewolves, for anyone who’s been blissfully unexposed to the franchise). The scariest thing about this sequel isn’t the bloody, goopy, never-ending fights between the man-beasts, but the poorly written voice-over at the end: “An unknown chapter is still ahead....All I know is, darkness is still ahead.” It sure is, if we’re to be subjected to Installment No. 3. Evolution’s narrator and main character is again Selene (Kate Beckinsale), a “vampire warrior” who has to wear latex cat suits, keep her hair stringy, and unload a gangster’s worth of bullets to settle some kind of ancient score. (You’d have to go to the film’s writers—returning director Len Wiseman and Danny McBride, with some character contribution from Kevin Grevioux—to get a plot summary less murky.) The movie begins with an explanatory scroll about the offense committed some 800 years ago that makes poor Selene battle Lycans to this day. Helping her, mainly by gazing into her eyes, is Michael (Scott Speedman), a half–Death Dealer, half-Lycan hybrid. Like the first Underworld, Evolution is all gray-blue darkness and chill. Also like the first Underworld, Evolution is long on looks and short on everything else except portentous, ridiculously costumed characters who speak of “serums” and “bloodlines.” Though some of the undead’s methods remain mystical—a bite of another’s wrist, for instance, gives the nibbler a fast-mo replay of the victim’s memories—these ghouls are not averse to technology: Computers and surveillance equipment play a big part in the hunt, and battles are won not only by old-fashioned flesh-ripping and body-hurling but also by a cache of automatic weaponry large enough to give 50 Cent flashbacks. It all seemed like a promising, badass twist on the vampire genre back in ’03, especially when centered on the saucy Beckinsale (who, not willing to let a lack of talent get in the way of love, eventually married Wiseman). But the black-haired Brit, who was given, if nothing else, the action heroine’s requisite number of impressive stunts and one-liners in the first installment, is here reduced to a killing machine dull enough to make fans of Tomb Raider yawn. With its overly complicated story, zero-personality characters, and increasingly uninspired action, this Underworld is one that gets very tiresome very quickly, making its 105 minutes feel like a bloodsucker’s lifetime.
]]>Wed, 18 Jul 2007 21:27:00 GMTMovieBabeMovieBabe Blog7/18/2007 5:27:00 PM By Tricia Olszewski Thank you, Steven Soderbergh: I finally get to review a movie that&rsquo;s going straight to video. And cable. And, actually, first-run theaters. Bubble, as you might have heard, is &ldquo;Another Steven Soderbergh Experience,&rdquo; which actually has little to do with the film itself. Instead, it refers to the director&rsquo;s decision to release his latest more or less simultaneously in three different formats. &ldquo;For the first time,&rdquo; Soderbergh&rsquo;s Web site trumpets, &ldquo;consumers will truly have their choice of how they want to watch a new film.&rdquo; Of course, the accuracy of that statement depends on what you mean by &ldquo;first.&rdquo; And &ldquo;truly.&rdquo; And, actually, &ldquo;choice.&rdquo; Bubble&rsquo;s backer, 2929 Productions, distributes its own DVDs; Bubble, listed at $30, is priced above the norm. 2929 also owns both HDNet Movies, the cable channel broadcasting Bubble, and Landmark Theatres, which is offering an exclusive engagement. Reportedly, other chains backed out of the Experience...of surely losing money. Even 2929, which has committed to producing five more so-called &ldquo;day-and-date&rdquo; releases with Soderbergh, limited its gamble, allotting Bubble a budget of only $1.6 million. The movie itself makes even that modest price tag seem bloated. Bubble is as spare as its 73-minute running time in telling the story of a murder in a depressed, lower-middle-class Ohio town. Every dawn, middle-aged Martha (Debbie Doebereiner) wakes and feeds her infirm father before leaving to pick up Kyle (Dustin James Ashley), a kid she works with at a doll factory. They get doughnuts in the morning and eat their lunches together. Though their conversations never seem to go beyond awkward small talk, Martha tells Kyle that he&rsquo;s her best friend. So when an attractive young woman named Rose (Misty Dawn Wilkins) is hired to airbrush faces onto the dolls&rsquo; creepy plastic heads and begins joining the pair for lunch, Kyle gets interested and Martha gets perturbed. For a film by a notoriously flashy director, Bubble is remarkably low-key&mdash;sometimes self-consciously so. (When Martha drives Rose to her second job as a housecleaner and takes a tour of the large but bland suburban home, she reacts as if she&rsquo;s in a palace, a scene that needlessly underscores the movie&rsquo;s ordinary-folk milieu.) No one talks much, only a handful of scenes are accompanied by Robert Pollard&rsquo;s acoustic-guitar score, and what little dialogue there is in Full Frontal writer Coleman Hough&rsquo;s script is typically delivered in a monotone by the actors, all of whom are nonprofessionals from southern Ohio. Soderbergh fills the time between major plot points&mdash;which, after Rose&rsquo;s hiring, include a date, an accusation of theft, a murder, and an arrest&mdash;with silent shots of either rows of freaky doll parts or what day-to-day life is like in this town: Empty streets. Trailer homes. A church full of blank-faced worshippers. There&rsquo;s nothing about Bubble that would make its viewing on a big screen seem necessary by anyone but the most dedicated&mdash;or business-obsessed&mdash;of cin&eacute;astes. Someone staring at a TV is a recurring image here, and the tube might be the best medium for this relentlessly modest exercise in mood-conjuring. Soderbergh&rsquo;s bare-bones approach, though, is absorbing enough to be occasionally hypnotic, the actors are working-class-dejected through and through, and Hough&rsquo;s script even throws in a tiny red herring or two to make you second-guess the film&rsquo;s apparent predictability. Bubble&rsquo;s only significant flaw is its abrupt and simplistic conclusion, which is likely to leave viewers unsatisfied no matter which way they&rsquo;ve chosen to watch it. Day-and-date would have been a great way to release Underworld: Evolution&mdash;minus the first-run-theaters part. Improbably more tedious than its predecessor, 2003&rsquo;s Underworld, Evolution continues the story about a centuries-old war between Death Dealers and Lycans (vampires and werewolves, for anyone who&rsquo;s been blissfully unexposed to the franchise). The scariest thing about this sequel isn&rsquo;t the bloody, goopy, never-ending fights between the man-beasts, but the poorly written voice-over at the end: &ldquo;An unknown chapter is still ahead....All I know is, darkness is still ahead.&rdquo; It sure is, if we&rsquo;re to be subjected to Installment No. 3. Evolution&rsquo;s narrator and main character is again Selene (Kate Beckinsale), a &ldquo;vampire warrior&rdquo; who has to wear latex cat suits, keep her hair stringy, and unload a gangster&rsquo;s worth of bullets to settle some kind of ancient score. (You&rsquo;d have to go to the film&rsquo;s writers&mdash;returning director Len Wiseman and Danny McBride, with some character contribution from Kevin Grevioux&mdash;to get a plot summary less murky.) The movie begins with an explanatory scroll about the offense committed some 800 years ago that makes poor Selene battle Lycans to this day. Helping her, mainly by gazing into her eyes, is Michael (Scott Speedman), a half&ndash;Death Dealer, half-Lycan hybrid. Like the first Underworld, Evolution is all gray-blue darkness and chill. Also like the first Underworld, Evolution is long on looks and short on everything else except portentous, ridiculously costumed characters who speak of &ldquo;serums&rdquo; and &ldquo;bloodlines.&rdquo; Though some of the undead&rsquo;s methods remain mystical&mdash;a bite of another&rsquo;s wrist, for instance, gives the nibbler a fast-mo replay of the victim&rsquo;s memories&mdash;these ghouls are not averse to technology: Computers and surveillance equipment play a big part in the hunt, and battles are won not only by old-fashioned flesh-ripping and body-hurling but also by a cache of automatic weaponry large enough to give 50 Cent flashbacks. It all seemed like a promising, badass twist on the vampire genre back in &rsquo;03, especially when centered on the saucy Beckinsale (who, not willing to let a lack of talent get in the way of love, eventually married Wiseman). But the black-haired Brit, who was given, if nothing else, the action heroine&rsquo;s requisite number of impressive stunts and one-liners in the first installment, is here reduced to a killing machine dull enough to make fans of Tomb Raider yawn. With its overly complicated story, zero-personality characters, and increasingly uninspired action, this Underworld is one that gets very tiresome very quickly, making its 105 minutes feel like a bloodsucker&rsquo;s lifetime. http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/death/MemberTagFilms.aspxdeath
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]]>Fri, 31 Jul 2009 13:03:15 GMT1931710Tag http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/Lycans/MemberTagFilms.aspxLycans
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]]>Mon, 14 Aug 2006 02:37:50 GMT111Tag http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/death-dealers/MemberTagFilms.aspxdeath-dealers
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]]>Wed, 28 Nov 2007 05:36:11 GMT111Tag http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/katebeckinsale/MemberTagFilms.aspxkatebeckinsale
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]]>Wed, 28 Nov 2007 05:36:11 GMT111Tag http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/scottspeedman/MemberTagFilms.aspxscottspeedman
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