SnakesOnAnAfricanPlain

(2012-04-30 05:47:27)

Red Riding Hood (2011)

The film did try in some respect to add something to the story of RedRiding Hood. However, this is just Red Riding Hood, it's difficult toadapt it into a feature. Freeway and Company of Wolves did it, but thisis a Twilight version. We have 2 guys going after the same girl andthen there's some mythological creature messing things up. Apparentlythis wolf has been killing for 2 generations, so why people aren'tmoving away from this village is beyond me. Instead they feed it. Thefilm soon drops the romance angle and focuses on Gary Oldman as hebrings his own brand of werewolf hunting to the village. Oldman makeseveryone turn against each other in what is probably the leastproductive way of tackling a werewolf problem. It certainly tries anddraw parallels with the war on terror. With added elephant contraptiontorture. It has contemporary music and modern looking guys, I oftenforgot what time period it's set in. The best thing of all is themystery aspect of the film. It managed to cast suspicions over most ofthe characters, and though you will probably guess who the wolf is,you'll certainly second guess yourself.

(2012-04-29 21:28:16)

Just like the trailer...

The movie trailer told you everything you needed to know about this one. Scorching title track ("The Wolf" by Fever Ray), Amanda Seyfried and those "great big eyes" of hers, Gary Oldman trying (and failing, yet again) to make this movie cult, and two hot men with miraculously coifed hair despite the fact they live in a farming village, population: 250, location: The Woods. The women too are so packed with makeup I was waiting for the Avon lady to show up at any moment. (Perhaps Dianne Wiest from Edward Scissorhands?) The dialogue is so supremely awful at times you have to hope director Catherine Hardwicke was aiming to make this film as much like a fairy tale as possible. If I remember right, old-time fables are not known for their witty banter. But saying that, Hardwicke failed to commit fully to the fairy tale theme. She's got the imagery down, but the themes cockeyed. This movie tries to be unique, yet stays within the boundaries of a Hollywood blockbuster. As a viewer, you feel like you're watching something that could be great, but somehow misses the mark because it quickly drags the story to fall within your expectations again. I wanted to be surprised - and sometimes I was - but overall, I'm disappointed this film wasn't better considering how amazingly fecking awesome it could have been.

serackm

(2012-04-28 04:03:53)

Great movie

I thought this movie was very entertaining and I am not sure why it hasreceived such bad reviews. I have a background in folk and fairy talesand I was pleased to see a movie that captured the natural essence ofwhat fairy tales were actually meant for.The music for this movie was great. It definitely helped create theatmosphere which the movie was based upon. Also, it put a modern twiston an ancient story.The character development was also great. Amanda Seyfried is one of myfavourite actresses, and I think this movie only made me like her more.I recommend you see this movie, I never let bad reviews keep me fromseeing a potentially good movie, and I am glad I didn't listen to thereviews for this movie.

chaingangsoldier23

(2012-04-27 22:25:54)

A Movie that kept my Mother guessing and awake

When Red Riding Hood came to our local budget theater my friend and Iimmediately went to see it. (Just cause we saw it at a budget doesn'tmean we thought less of the movie). It kept me guess as to who the wolfcould be. I ran into friends of mine who were at the tether to see RedRiding Hood (they a picky movie buffs) and I told them the wolf is notwho you suspect.I just received the movie as a birthday gift and immediately watched itwith my mom. 9 times out of 10 if a movie doesn't keep my mother'sattention she will fall asleep. This movie did not do that to her. Likemy friends and myself it kept her guessing as to who the wolf might beand kept shocking her as to the villagers secrets. Don't let nay sayerskeep you from seeing this movie it is a great mysterious thriller.

(2012-04-26 01:31:04)

Not A Bad Twist on An Old Story

This review is from: Red Riding Hood [Blu-ray] (Blu-ray) This was a good twist on a on old story of Little Red Riding Hood. I've heard mixed reviews on this movie, and decided to check it out for myself. I've seen various versions of the story, but this one I have to say I liked the best. Catherine Harwick did a good job of directing, and I thought Billy Burke (from Twilight) did a good job of his role. The story did keep me guessing, which is what I like. I did enjoy the romance angle and was pleasantly surprised with the ending. The story itself is fast paced, and has plenty of twists. Would I add it to my collection - possibly. If you enjoy a suspenseful horror, with the element of romance, you will like this movie. If you like werewolf cult horror like Wolfen, or Howling you might not like this one. I enjoyed it and would watch it again just to see what I missed the first time. lol.

(2012-04-25 06:19:23)

Decent film ruined by three (ARRGGGHH!) things

OK - this was a pretty well done film. An interesting take on the original fairy tale. It was beautifully filmed, had some interesting scenes, all-around decent character development, and an interesting plot. However, it was ruined by three things:1) a hokey ending. They could have been more imaginative. 2) non-white characters in a classic, medieval European setting. Please, if there's anything worse than a blatantly racist film, it's one where they try too hard to place non-white characters where everyone with a brain knows they wouldn't be - don't insult the audience. I understand the importance of "inclusion", but this was just plain stupid. 3) the romantic male lead's hair was way too modern and trendy. Where - tell me EXACTLY where - did he find the hair gel for that "do" of his?!? Was there a magical hair gel pond? Were there magical hair gel elves in the forest? The obvious comic relief his hair provided wasn't enough to excuse or suspend the disbelief that a male in the era/place this film took place would have hair like that!

Phil Villarreal

(2012-04-23 05:38:23)

Here's hoping Hardwicke can top this masterpiece with her inevitable adaptation of Jack Jumps Over the Candlestick.

Roger Moore

(2012-04-22 19:22:07)

For all the heaving bosoms, the big-eyed flirtation and the cool Medieval fairytale hair products, it doesn't work.

Jeffrey Chen

(2012-04-21 13:24:43)

Like Twilight, makes the shallow desire to run away with a boy the heroine's main concern.

(2012-04-20 19:53:22)

It wasn't incredibly memorable but worth watching!

This review is from: Red Riding Hood (Amazon Instant Video) I liked the choice of characters and the wolf was a true surprise for myself but it wasn't a movie I'd have to have. I was happy with the film and I'd reccomend it but any further it's a must see once type of movie!

Manohla Dargis

(2012-04-15 23:04:00)

But, my, what sharp teeth Ms. Hardwicke doesn't have.

Alex Zane

(2012-04-15 13:10:21)

Really, werely disappointing.

Nell Minow

(2012-04-12 23:31:43)

Oh, Grandmother, what a big, bad movie you have.

(2012-04-12 11:56:03)

Pulled the hood over my eyes

A glance at the ratings show that people are all over the board with this one. I found it to be dull and rather amateur. Most of the dialogue is so poor that the acting comes across contrived. None of the lead actors inspired any emotion into their characters until, perhaps, the final scenes of the movie, which contains the only real drama engaging the audience. Some will no doubt like Red Riding Hood, but it pales in comparison to Blood & Chocolate or Van Helsing.

(2012-04-10 07:06:44)

Eh. Not the best movie.

The reason I give this movie two stars is because it was over the top with the violence. Someone getting killed every 10/20 minutes. That was very tiring. It was good though because the ending was a complete surprise for the audience. I like Amanda Seyfried, but she disappointed me in this movie. The plot line was interesting but the way Catherine Hardewick directed it, made it not great.

polyproticacid

(2012-04-09 21:12:30)

Be sure to have low expectations...

A PG-13 werewolf movie?? With Twilightesque characters? I already feltthat this movie was going to be worse thing that I've ever seen.It was actually a little better than I expected.I gave this film 2 stars because Gary Oldman was in it. It was a shamethat they did not do more with his character, but that's what happenswhen you try to make a PG-13 horror movie.The special effects were sub-par. The wolf design was a completelyunoriginal cartoon version of the wolves in Twilight. Despite how awfulthis film was, it was what I had expected to see from a movie directedby Catherine Hardwicke. FYI: The screenplay was much more interesting..

TimeLord83

(2012-04-09 00:29:29)

Too many questions to be scary

This movie was more of a bloodhound flick than of a bedtime story allgrown up. Basically, all I was doing was trying to figure stuff out!Dude.. why did so many people die? - it wasn't ever really explained.Every bad twist just ended up with people piling up the villagersbodies with no apparent motive. The villagers all looked liketheme-park princesses with perfect makeup and some kind of medievalhairstylists. And was the little Valerie at the beginning supposed tobe a "bad girl" who runs off with "bad boys"? The conclusion of thewerewolf's identity is rather disappointing and without depth. Apartfrom his Mother Goose tales, I'm sure that Charles Perrault, even with17th century witch hunts and superstitions, didn't mean for Red RidingHood to be a 90210 movie.

(2012-04-08 06:32:34)

Loved this re-telling of Red Riding Hood!

LOVED this version of Red Riding Hood! Awesome! I agree it was nothing like Twilight. I only watched the first movie in that series to know better than buy another.I do not think this movie is for 25 and under or you should consider yourself a 'peeping tom' (as another review had stated) Yes there were "teenager's" having some hot, steamy but rather guarded (PG-13) adult sexual moment's. No 'body part's' were exposed! This is a whole new way to look at the Red Riding Hood story and I loved that! I never expected the wolf to be who it turned out to be when I first watched...kept me guessing until the end! It had Beautiful scenery, Awesome costume's! It did look like the movie was set in that era. I do not have anything bad to say about it at all. If you do not mind a little change in old stories that some people think should be left alone...you probably will like this movie.Amanda Seyfried can do no wrong! She is a beautiful and talented Actress...love her too! A sequel would be nice as the end was left open enough I think for a new beginning!

caylie richardson

(2012-04-08 12:52:59)

a review of how the reviews may lie

i read all of the following reviews on this movie. they all said it wasbad, the worst movie they've ever seen. but! they all had on thing inmind either twilight (yuck) (no effervescence) or mama MIA or evenlove. i went to the theater hoping for red riding hood and that's whati got this brilliant tale of a girl whose grandma gives her a hood andis love with one guy who isn't her husband. this movie that keeps youon the edge of your seat wondering who is the wolf with the whatshappening next. then the so cute. if your a guy then get out this isnot a movie for you. so to keep it short and sweet, best red ridinghood movie i have ever seen if you decide you hate it please don'tthink it as twilight or any other movie think of it as...... RED RIDINGHOOD......and that's all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! hey there little red ridinghood you are sure looking good your everything a wolf like me wouldwant!!!!!!!!!!!

Raul Faust

(2012-04-08 00:56:47)

Post-village

I can't deny this film remembers 2002's "The Village". People living ina mysterious community, the red color, the strange monster and theurban legend. In both movies we have surprises and beautifulscreenplay. Okay, enough with this comparison. Other thing I have tomention is that I agree with many people that stated this is muchsimilar to "Twilight"-- even thought I haven't seen that one yet. Thebeginning of "Red Riding Hood" is kinda slow and is hard to believeit's going to get better after some while. I know it's a fantasy moviethat wasn't meant to be scary, but I got scared in some scenes,specially when that creepy grandmother recited the wolf's questionsfrom the little red riding hood story. It's obvious that none of theclues the film gave was going to make the spectator discover who thewolf really is-- just like in the most whodunit thrillers. I rememberlistening to an interview with this film's director and I remember shesaid this was an adult version of the child story; and I have to prettymuch agree with that, it is indeed an adult version of that fairytale.Congratulations for the good directing, and the big chemistry betweenValerie and Peter-- I could swear they were really in love with eachother. Also, congratulations for the BEAUTIFUL ending that bothphotography and cast were able to give us.