Shooter: 3 1/2 out of 4 Stars

A movie review written by:



Andrew Vigeant


Yesterday was about honor. Today is about justice. Bob Lee Swagger (Mark Wahlberg), one of the world's great marksmen lives peacefully in the rockies after leaving the military. Then, one day, the government comes, and asks him to help them find a way that the U.S. President might be assassinated in three different cities where he has public meetings. He does his job and helps, but Swagger quickly becomes the fall guy. He must now track down the people who lied to him, and give them justice.

Mark Wahlberg (Bob Lee Swagger) he is outstanding just like he is in every one of his films. "Departed" "Italian Job" "Perfect Storm" in none of those is he as great as he is in this film. You never get sick of him no matter how much of the film's screen-time he's in. If only we could clone him and Depp...we would be unstoppable..
Michael Pena (Nick Memphis) as annoying as he looks he knows how to deliver. His expressions always fit the scene along with his emotion. I look forward to him in "Lions For Lambs". He was in "Babel"...and umm...."Babel"...and another worthwhile movie named...umm..ugh...."Babel"?? Did I..say that one already?..OH! "Gone In Sixty Seconds"!!..oops..lets not mention that one again..
Danny Glover (Colonel Isaac Johnson) From the beginning to end I hate him. He comes back from Saw to haunt me yet again. This lisping f*ck just makes me want to kill. I can't tell if he can act or not because of his annoying lisp that is in EVERY word he says...
Kate Mara (Sarah Fenn) where did she come from? Not only is she really really cute, but she brings out a sensual and sexy vibe the whole time while on screen. Her acting is good, and has the potential to get better with more time....I hope she does get more time too.
Elias Koteas (Jack Payne) delivers fairly good, and almost always does, but goes too over the top in this one. He tries to hard, and it shows in every aspect (expressions, line delivery, emotion).
Ned Beatty (Senator Charles F. Meachum) He's just sooo old...that's the impression I get during all of his screen-time....just old...so so so old...he looks so damn old...he definitely is a good choice to play Senator.

The script, soundtrack, editing, acting, plot, outstanding/memorable scenes are all aspects of this movie. The script is so well written it can be talked about in the same sentence with the script of "Children Of Men". Soundtrack is amazing especially during the fighting scenes. Editing is perfectly done throughout the film which makes following it slightly easier...damn those camera angles!! The acting overall was really solid with few falters...cough cough DANNY GLOVER cough cough. The plot is just well thought out, and...well okay some things aren't believable at all....but overall it's amazing because whether you're for or against the government you get sucked in. It does have outstanding/memorable scenes, and I would talk about some...but I just can't ruin any for you.

Camera angles, and lame emotion afterwards is what kills this film. The camera angles seem to be all over the place throughout the film which makes it hard to follow sometimes. The lame emotion I'm talking about is not directed towards the scenes in the film, but the overall effect you have for the movie as a whole after it's over. It's generally weak, and un-moving. Especially to the heart. Overall I definitely recommend this film because it's a great movie...just don't expect to relish in any great after effects.

Stay Alive: 2 1/2 out of 4 Stars

A movie review written by:



Andrew Vigeant


In this film it's the old game of death...After the brutal death of a friend, Loomis Crowley(Milo Ventimiglia) a group of friends stumble upon a video-game called "Stay Alive." The game is about a true story of a woman known as the "Blood Countess"(Maria Kalinina) who terrorized many children. After playing the game the friends begin to realize that once they die in the game....they die in reality as well. As more and more of them perish the few remaining friends band together to make an attempt to defeat the Blood Countess.

I watched this film a long time ago with a friend, when he still worked at the video store, because he got free rentals. I enjoyed it then, and enjoyed it the 2nd time just as much when I recently viewed it again.

Jon Foster (Hutch) one scene he's believable then in the next he's as believable as a 5 year-old. Certain scenes his facial expressions go along with the emotion in the room then the scene shifts and his expressions become nothing short of laughable. I haven't even mentioned that he keeps his arms stiff throughout the entire film even while he runs.
Samaire Armstrong (Abigail) not only is she cute, but gives you slight and distinct expressions changes that speak loudly through the entire film. She has the 2nd best delivery in this film. The only way she fails you is when she screams...it just doesn't sound like she's being terrorized...gang-banged maybe...
Frankie Muniz (Swink) I remember this guy from the TV show "Malcolm In The Middle" where he was hilarious. In this film he becomes slightly annoying but at least makes most of his lines work. He has the 3rd best delivery in this film. He needs to show other emotions besides fear though...that seems to be his specialty. He still plays someone really smart even though he doesn't look it.
Jimmi Simpson (Phineus)
Sophia Bush (October) arguably the most fun person to watch in the entire film, she delivers the best performance. She's cute, shows just the right amount of emotion, and her expressions and line delivery never falter. *Spoiler* Even after her brother dies, and she goes after the Countess herself she is believable under extremely hard conditions.
Adam Goldberg (Miller Banks) This guy is so bad I wont even waste anymore time talking about him.
Milo Ventimiglia (Loomis Crowley) Reminds me of Johnny Depp from "Secret Window"...that is...without the incredible acting ability.

Sound effects, soundtrack, and make-up are GREAT in this film. That isn't even to mention the game itself. The sound effects, especially when the Countess is around, is so amazing. I wish I could have that guys job...The soundtrack was really simple, but worked really well with this film which is a major plus because if it didn't the film would probably make your head start to droop. Make-up, especially on the Countess, seemed to be a major concentration point...I don't know why but they did do a great job. The game itself/the plot was well thought out, but could've been made so much better.

Camera-work, editing, outstanding scene(s), and acting is what brings this film down. The camera angles can literally make you dizzy, and wonder if the cameramen were drunk or just retarded. Nearly every scene it seems as if they purposely pick the worst spots. The editing is choppy, and I wouldn't doubt if it was done within a 5 minute time-frame. Their are no outstanding/memorable/one that speaks to you scenes in this entire film...besides the top 3 I listed above everyone falls below average and Muniz was only average also and he was in the top 3....Overall I definitely recommend this film. Especially if you are looking for an enjoyable, yet not over the top, thriller.