One of the better TV movies in all its glory.
Aftershock Earthquake in New York Trailer
Posted in Aftershock Earthquake in New York with tags aftershock earthquake in new york, film, trailer, tv series on January 2, 2012 by Higher Plain MusicHard Rain Trailer
Posted in Hard Rain with tags Hard Rain, movie, trailer on January 2, 2012 by Higher Plain MusicChristian Slater, Morgan Freeman and Randy Quaid provide much entertainment in this underrated action disaster hybrid.
2011 in review
Posted in Uncategorized on January 1, 2012 by Higher Plain MusicThe WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
The concert hall at the Syndey Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 12,000 times in 2011. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 4 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.
Raise the Titanic Trailer
Posted in Raise the Titanic with tags film, Raise the Titanic, trailer on December 24, 2011 by Higher Plain MusicFilm Review: Rough Air: Danger on Flight 534
Posted in Rough Air: Danger of Flight 534 with tags alexandra paul, anne openshaw, carlo rota, dean mcdermott, eric roberts, film, film review, john furey, kevin jubenville, mark lutz, movie, plane disaster, Review, rough air, russell yuen, susan aceron on December 11, 2011 by Higher Plain Music
Plain Disasters. The movies in which pretty much everyone is either guaranteed to survive or die depending on the outcome (Airplane 77 being one of the few exceptions). This film has a death count of one. Regardless, it’s quite slickly produced and does well with its low-budget roots.
The Premise
Someone forgets to shut the door on the plane. Oops!
The Disasters Faced
Decompressing planes, a serial killer on the loose and NO SCOTCH LEFT ONBOARD!!!
The Execution
Rough Air is a TV movie but aside from the typical TV movie score, it manages to conceal this by never extending itself too far in the technical department. Besides, a shaky camera and lots of flinging yourself about in these films goes a long way. The first 20 minutes introduces us to a motley crew of characters including the abrasive drunk, the ditzy stewardess, the “gnarly” students and convicted killer. Of course the leading duo of stewardess and shamed pilot have broken up. You know their love will be affirmed within the next ninety minutes. All in all, it’s a real classic era set up and its this that carries the film through as each of the stories unfold when the cargo door opens. From there it’s down to trying to land the plane with wonky controls, low fuel and a huge open cargo door. With competent acting, a relatively tight script and some heavily cliche characters, the film speeds through to its finale.
The Effects
Outside shots of the plane are used sparingly but the actual decompression of the plane is handled quite well albeit with nothing new added to the formula.
Why It’s Worth Watching
The characters are silly and one-dimensional apart from the unusual yet still predictable arc for the killer. Aside from that, the movie is a tight 84 minutes and with the script at its camp best, I was entertained throughout.
Best Death
There’s only one death and that’s the serial killer who ends up being the man to sacrifice himself to save the rest. How beautiful!
Favourite Character
There’s a few likeable characters but I’ll go for Roger Lee (Russell Yuen) for being an all round nice guy while his new wife spends the entire moving screaming randomly. Second up is Carlo Rota for a really miserable portrayal of Cal.
Weirdest Moment
Despite some logic lapses I think the best part is when the entire plane decides to scream when they see the runway approach. It’s just so overly camp, it’s great. That’s the followed by the end sequence where an absolutely stupid man stands and watches a plane slowly roll towards him and his office building gormless. It’s utterly stupid.
Conclusion
Camp? Check! Cliche characters? Check! Everyone clearly lapping up the hammy scenario? Check! That to me makes a solid disaster movie. While it doesn’t have big effects, it plays to its strengths of a decent cast and is just as enjoyable as Airplane.
Film Review: Hindenburg
Posted in Hindenberg with tags alicia von rittberg, christiane paul, disaster movie, film, film review, flick, german tv, greta scacchi, hannes jaenicke, Hindenburg, hinnerk schonemann, justus von dohnani, lauren lee smith, marvin bockers, maximillian simonischek, movie, pierre besson, Review, stacy keach, tv movie on December 9, 2011 by Higher Plain Music
Possibly one of the first disasters to be caught on TV feed, The Hindenburg is one of those moments that people will reflect back and note with historical importance. This 2011 adaptation was originally a three-hour TV adaptation but has been scaled down to just over half that to make a relatively pacey movie that despite some iffy accents, is relatively well put together and the actual disaster itself is surprisingly explosive.
The Premise
We follow the secret lives of various people aboard the Hindenburg before it fatefully bursts into flames.
The Disasters Faced
A bomb, a ton of hydrogen, static electricity, an affinity with men’s toilets and some dodgy guess the accent games.
The Execution
Due to the fact no one has ever been able to pinpoint the exact cause of the disaster, this film decides to take several of the theories and merge them all together. Most of the character driven plot and subtext drive the bomb theory and this throws most of the cast into the “whose got the bomb” story. What that does, by shrinking the story down by half, is drop a lot of the subplots and characters into a few small scenes. A Jewish family is introduced but half hour in with a suspiciously pervy magician but then suddenly are thrown into main characters for the explosion and then be dropped straight after. As a whole though, there doesn’t appear to be gaping holes missing in the story. However in the background an electrical storm is going on throughout and this is the other main theory for the crash. It’s fun to see the two ideas flirted with. As for the disaster itself, for what only lasted a minute in real life, it’s stretched to a couple on film in slow motion but is well done, even if it’s quickly over.
The Effects
The Hindenburg looks fantastic. Good sets, period cars and the ship itself looks great. The explosion itself and subsequent action is well shot and the flame effects are way above the standard TV fair. There’s some good burn make up too. Yum!
Why It’s Worth Watching
From a historical point of view, I’ve no idea how accurate it is but it does feel like you’re viewing a bit of history. The acting is generally fine but the accents do take a wander from German trying to sound English to American to just stilted in a strange manner. However, because it’s not just one actor, it’s everyone, after a while it feels quite normal to have everyone talk in a bizzaro hybrid of accents. If you enjoy a good drinking game, I suggest a shot for every time someone turns out to already know a bomb is onboard. You’ll be sozzled by half way. (I think I need to make a new sub heading for drinking game from now on)
Best Death
I want to say Mummy Dearest for burning in a very large fireball (yay) but I think Eckner may take it after being murdered and dumped in the men’s toilet’s urinal. What an insult to injury!
Favourite Character
Strangely, not many characters stand out for me in the movie because no one appears to be good or bad, it’s all a blurring line. I’ll go for the lead lady Lauren Lee Smith as she’s very Winslet-esque.
Weirdest Moment
There’s a magician and performer onboard and there’s a very random scene where he emerges with a cabin boy making slightly sexual strange remarks only to then tell our leading male he’s off to the male toilets as he hopes to have as much action in them as he has. Of course he’s referring to the murder beforehand but it just comes across in a sinister kidnapper manner – not helped by the fact many of his other scenes are with a young girl.
Conclusion
Competent mystery before an explosive finale that while is over too soon, is worth the wait, Hindenburg is a good disaster flick. It’s certainly not a great one because of the strange accents, the completely inappropriate modern rock soundtrack and the strange need it has to over score scenes. It is a quirky entry because of its unique subject matter and disaster movie buffs could do a lot worse. Just don’t expect to feel much for the characters.
Aftershock / Tangshan Dadizhen Trailer
Posted in Aftershock with tags Aftershock, movie, Tangshan dadizhen, trailer on November 8, 2011 by Higher Plain MusicMega Shark Vs Giant Octopus Trailer
Posted in Mega Shark Vs Giant Octopus with tags film, trailer on November 8, 2011 by Higher Plain MusicFilm Review – 252 Sign Of Life
Posted in 252 Sign of Life with tags 252 Sign of Life, ayane omori, disaster movie, film review, hideaki ito, japanese, masaaki uchino, minji, movie, movie review, Review, sachiko sakauri, subtitled, takayuki amado, yuu kashii on November 5, 2011 by Higher Plain Music
Asia have recently made some great disaster movies but I can imagine them hitting home so much more due to recent events this year. Following in the footsteps of Tidal Wave, Aftershock and Sinking of Japan comes 252 Sign of Life which is both gripping and melodramatic in equal measures. Despite its overly heroic Hollywood moments that come right out of Independence Day’s book of film making, its a great film.
The Premise
A series of Typhoons set off a chain of events that causes a tsunami to sweep across our main characters whom are all trapped in a subway station. Can they find rescue before the water finds them?
The Disasters Faced
A tsunami, a hail storm, flash flooding, cave ins, leaking gas and an improvised blood transfusion using a fish tank filter! However on the back of the UK box there’s a clear picture of a scene where a Tornado is hitting the city. I have no idea where it’s come from because it’s not in the film at all. Boooo!!!!
The Execution
The disaster itself happens twenty minutes into the film after all the main characters are introduced. In this respect the film is very true to the genres roots and it’s nice to get a quick look into all the characters lives before disaster strikes. When it does, the ten minute sequence is fantastic and very well shot with dramatic slow-mo’s and reaction shots. If you’re unfamiliar to Asian filming it may come across a bit overly dramatic but this type of editing is common place in Asian films. From there the five survivors battle against each other as much as the elements to survive in a sub-contained space that reminds me very much of how the film Cube worked. Pitting one antagonistic character off against the rest. Of course no film is a true disaster film without a child and this ones deaf! To be honest though, she is so adorable and non-whiny she is one of the best children in a disaster movie I’ve come across. The other story line features the rescue workers outside who are trying their best to get to survivors spurred on by the mum of the child left behind screaming at them and looking generally distraught for the majority of the film. Of course everyone’s related as well so that ups the stakes. Be prepared for lots of crying, lots of screaming, lots of high drama of “you’re our only hope”".
The Effects
The CGI of the tsunami is quite well done and the flash flood in the tunnel is really interesting to see. Where the film comes into its own is by using a lot of real water and large volumes. The flash flooding, particularly as the subways collapses is really well done – as are the sets of carnage afterwards. I was really impressed.
Why It’s Worth Watching
232 Sign Of Life is a very well made film. If you’re after pure effects, this won’t tick your boxes because a lot of the second half of the film actually ends up delving into the characters via flashbacks and revolves around the plot to get them out. This is more of a character driven disaster movie. The characters bar one are all likeable but flawed but you care about them and root them on. The only downside is there’s some really silly triumphant moments where about 100 rescue workers stand in awe while one man walks out carrying his friend. It’s all very Hollywood.
Best Death
**Spoilers** Not one of the main characters die. However the subway scene where people are washed away is really well done.
Favourite Character
The little girl Shiori (Ayane Omori) is simply adorable. Her moments towards the end of the film are heart wrenching.
Weirdest Moment
The finale is just a bit overly melodramatic and the last minute of the film made me chuckle as hundreds of rescue workers instead of helping, decide to just stare. Not very helpful at all!
Conclusion
I really enjoyed 252 Sign of Life. The obvious drinking game is to take a shot when someone cries or screams but to be fair for once that misses the point. Well made, although perhaps too melodramatic for its own good, 252 is well worth two hours of your disaster movie time.
Film Review: Ice Quake
Posted in Ice Quake with tags brendan fehr, disaster movie, film, holly elissa lamaro, ice quake, jodelle ferland, marsha regis, movie, nicholas carella, Review, ryan grantham, syfy, tv movie, victor garber on October 21, 2011 by Higher Plain Music
Ice Quake – otherwise known as lets traipse up and down a mountain is a TV disaster movie that limps along from shaky camera to shaky camera and failed to capture my attention despite a high-profile name and some competent acting.
The Premise
A mountain is busy farting with a methane problem and is releasing sub-zero gases via Earthquakes. Think an ice volcano with a belly ache and you’re there.
The Disasters Faced
Earthquakes, avalanches, storms, lots of polystyrene and wobbly camera angles and the horror of frozen people wearing blue makeup to show they’re dead.
The Execution
Ice Quake for a TV movie really isn’t that bad. Maybe that’s part of the problem. The film bubbles along from one mini problem to another although most quakes look identical. The film wisely stays to just a single mountain and has most of its action take place in nondescript locations in the snow. For that, the film is then able to tightly weave you from problem to problem until it comes to the final section where it moves to a small town for its finale. The acting in general is of a good standard and despite some dodgy science having an actor such as Victor Garber (Titanic) really helps. What I will say is that he is the most ineffectual leader in a crisis ever committed to film. Now we just need to make the typical whiny teen girl to shut up a bit and the film would have been more enjoyable!
The Effects
The special effects aren’t so bad as they have been for a TV movie. The avalanche scene actually looks quite good and while the earthquake effect is used far too many times, it doesn’t look bad at all. What always looks strange is the movies insistence of colouring all frozen people completely blue and the face. Explosions still suffer on TV movies with yellow-ness however.
Why It’s Worth Watching
Ice Quake is well paced even if there’s no massive set pieces. The characters are generally likable except the vile teenage girl. Every scene she is in she moans, groans and decides to be injured. Even her voice makes you want to shake her until she hushes. Normally you do get the spoilt teen in every movie but this girl pulls it off to a T. I wanted to slap her. Otherwise, it is generally a feel good family TV movie too with hardly any deaths and no blood at all so if it’s a good one to start off on for the youngsters – although the strangest moment in the film may put you off showing it to real young’uns!
Favourite Death
One of the very few novel parts to the film is going onboard a couples snowsled down a slope in one of the earthquakes and the camera follows you into the chasm and down the cracks! Complete with screaming. Good fun if I do say so myself!
Favourite Character
I’ll go with Yeti the dog – he’s adorable. Following that Nicholas Carella does a fine job as smiley Ram – quite how he got that name no one will know.
Weirdest Moment
The opening of the movie (and first couple of deaths) has a man for no reason at all doing geological research dressed in full Santa gear. Cue Santa to then get blown up in an ice geyser. It’s not as great as it sounds I’m afraid but it’s certainly a startling opening. Also our family manage to side-step a volcano.
Conclusion
Ice Quake worryingly straddles the competent but boring side of the genre with the slightly cheesy dialogue and not enough silliness side. As a result it is mildly entertaining but neither dire enough to tackle the worst (or best) nor is it scope big enough to warrant it a huge thumbs up. For genre fans only.
