Movie Review - Stung

Stung

2015

Rat Pack Film Produktion / XYZ films : Entertainment One / IFC Films / IFC Midnite

4.75

Giant wasps attacking a garden party; it's a simple premise with a simple story, so what could go wrong...

Everything...

But first, let's address the good issues about the movie.  The wasps are well thought-out and generated and they are also one of the better creations of the writer Adam Aresty who has them able to multiply by injecting something into their victims.  This has the effect of creating ultra large wasps from their hosts.  A tad unbelievable but this is a monster movie horror film.  I even liked the fact that Aresty didn't even try to explain the event with scientific twaddle.

The other good thing about the film is actor Daniele Rizzo who plays the musical entertainment, Larry.  He gets so into his character that he appears to be the only one their intent on earning his wage.  Even veteran Lance Henriksen comes across as being lost and confused for most of the movie.

Now for the bad parts of the movie...

This is listed as a comedy though there's less humour, even dark, here than there are in none comedy flicks,  Only one joke managed to flicker a smile on my face.

The acting; for most of the film the actors, with the exception of Rizzo, look bored and this hinders their performance and portrayal of the characters, which come across as two-dimensional.  This would be a bad thing in just one actor but in ninety percent it had me feeling the same way.

The direction;  Though Benni Diez does try to build some dark and ominous atmosphere, he fails at adding excitement, which is needed when the wasps' attack.  He's also not so good at filming comedy scenes; the beginning of the film is so badly filmed it comes across as monotonous rather than humourous and I wanted to turn off then and there.  But being a monster movie fan I had to wait for the monsters to turn up at least, didn't I(?)

What this film requires is a shot of life and energy.  If it's on telly when there appears to be nothing worth watching (like reality TV) then you could give it a try.

Movie Review - Mongolian Death Worm

Mongolian Death Worm

2010

Andrew Stevens Entertainment / Black Chrome Productions / Cinetel Films / RHI Entertainment / Sweet Tater :  SyFy / Eagle Films

6.5 / 10

Being a Tremors fan, of course, I was going to watch this movie and I'm glad I did as it turned out to be better than some of the Tremors sequels.  However, don't get me wrong this isn't a fantastic film, though I did find it entertaining.

The story isn't that original and the climax is as predictable as it can be, the writers, Neil Elman, Kevin Leeson, and Steven R Monroe (who also directs) doesn't give the audience anything new or any surprises along the way.  It's pretty average standard fayre for SyFy movies.

Monroe however, does a slightly better job of directing and goes for the rollercoaster effect which works well.  When the action starts he builds up the pace and the slows it down accordingly at other times.  The trouble is he's not too good at building up tension, anticipation, and excitement;  any of these would have made for a better film.

It's Sean Patrick Flanery as the wise-guy treasure hunter Daniel, and George Cheung, as the self-confident police officer, Timur, that make this film an enjoyable watch.  Their characters get the best lines and when they meet up you can tell theirs a chemistry between the pair as they work well off one another. The rest of the cast are also good and do a credible job with their characters and add strength to the story and film.

The CGI special effects for 2010 were pretty good, remember this is a TV movie so doesn't have the production of bigger budget movies.  One of the better aspects of the Death Worm were its teeth.  You definitely do not want a love bite from one of these.  

If you like Tremors or monster movies then you may like this, it's at least worth watching when it come on again, though I'd say I wouldn't spend money on buying it.